Random thoughts on random nights

Moved.

2011-03-06T08:35:00.000+05:00

Finally.

I am not really comfortable with it though. Maybe I will try to run both places parallel if I can. I hope I don’t mess up with my domain and lose any data.

Plus please read this post first, I need a little hand there.

Edit: Adjusting date to a future date in case I will still use this place parallel, so this post stays at top.

Stereotyping? Racism? Or just Honesty?

2009-07-03T17:29:00.000+06:00

I don’t know what to feel, disgusted or at least thankful to his/her honesty.

Here are few lines of message exchanging between me and a person I met on one of the social networking web site. (I don’t want to reveal the gender, race or country of the person, so let me refer to him/her as ABC)

ABC: Hi, Where are you from?

Me: Basically from Pakistan but working in Malaysia. What about you?

ABC: Sorry. I am not interested.

Me: Not interested in what?

ABC: Not interested to know people from Pakistan.

Me. Thanks for your honesty. God bless and have a lovely weekend. Bye

Big Question!!

2009-06-27T15:53:00.001+06:00

Scenario:

It’s a birthday and every one else is busy in wishing, making noise, cake fighting, jumping, posing etc. Or whatever you can possibly do when it’s your friend’s birthday.

And…

This is a picture of one of the nice guy, a friend, a class mate at the very time when all others are celebrating.

Now the Big Question:

What on earth is he doing in that corner? And not enjoying with others? *scratching his head*

PS: The post is for fun only, no hard feelings anyone.

Doctors

2009-06-27T10:42:00.000+06:00

Me: “Doctor, I have a teeth problem”
Doctor: “That’s so serious, you need an immediate operation, you can loose your jaw, your bones, and your teeth which will lead to a very very very painful death”
Me: *jaw dropped and in shock unable to react or say anything*
Doctor: “So when can you get RM 1500/- ready? How about this Saturday?”

Me: “Doctor, I have an ear problem”
Doctor: “That’s so serious, you need an immediate operation, your ear is so close to your brain if you delay your brain will damage, your ears, nose, eyes everything will damage and it will lead to a very very very painful death”
Me: *jaw dropped and in shock unable to react or say anything*
Doctor: “So when can you get RM 3000/- ready? How about this Monday?”

I will die of the shocks you people give me and if I survive I will die paying your fee’s anyway.

Another Transformers 2 post

2009-06-26T15:20:00.002+06:00

I am officially one of those who have watched Transformers 2 now. *phew, finally*

Since it’s been released I was asking everyone to watch but everyone had their own plans or they were busy or there was something else – always. But today, suddenly I was asked twice, once by class 29 & 30 but seemed like they will watch it bit later and I had to get back, so I couldn’t go with them. Than another friend/student asked, and the same “timing” problem was there. But at the end we worked it out and watched the movie hehe.

The Movie, well it was complete action, really non-stop. I might post detailed comments later, for now I will just say in my personal ranking I will give it 7.5 out of 10 stars.

Day's Update

2009-06-21T22:33:00.001+06:00

What a lazy day it had been. Slept all day long, and only woke up on dad’s call, my family asked me to join them for a dinner (they were already in downtown) so got up, quickly got ready and joined them. First we checked Chillies, but there was a huge waiting queue, so we decided to go for San Francisco Steakhouse. I ordered Sizzling Chicken Fajita, the taste and quality was nice but I would have preferred it spicier.

Oh by the girls who are looking for Hot, Spicy and Handsome guys you should visit there, there is a waiter there who absolutely is a model material, what a handsome guy. (And NO this is NOT a GAY comment, it’s just a general comment for all the single ladies out there)

Anyway, the follow up from last post, here is the list of things I had to do and updates on it.

a. Check out Dad’s website, work on it. (Never checked, no work done)
b. Go to dentist (Was too tired to go)
c. Read/Write (not the blog) (Actually only wrote a blog but not what I was suppose to)
d. Mark zillions of exam papers I have (Okay some of them completed)
e. Prepare Lectures (Not yet)
f. Prepare some new teaching methodologies (Not yet)
g. Create exam papers (Not yet)
h. And God knows what – too much to keep up with.(Still the same)

Too much for a day??

2009-06-19T20:55:00.000+06:00

The day started late, as my medicines make me drowsy and I find it difficult to get up when my alarm goes off. I still managed to get to work on time – exactly on time. And volunteered to invigilate for Mr. M, after that a little surprise for Ms. Iriss for her birthday, I had the honor to put the cake on her face *Big Grin* (probably you will find the details and pictures about it on different blogs)

Since it was Friday and I was free, I wanted to eat something different I was thinking to go to KLCC, and when I sent text’s to some friends, I found out one of them was actually in KLCC so there I was. So all three of us actually watched a movie instead of eating something, and then I wanted to go back to work. Ended up only having some breads for a lunch (if you can still call it lunch at 5 PM)

Bro sent a text that he is in the city with Mom and Dad, so I joined them, went to Mid Valley for early dinner, hang around for a while and now here I am. Tired, and probably just writing for the sack of writing.

End of day.

PS: Maybe not, I might still watch few episodes of XFiles.

PPS: Oh and the things to do for this weekend:

a. Check out Dad’s website, work on it.
b. Go to dentist
c. Read/Write (not the blog)
d. Mark zillions of exam papers I have
e. Prepare Lectures
f. Prepare some new teaching methodologies
g. Create exam papers
h. And God knows what – too much to keep up with.

Abandoned

2009-06-14T00:42:00.000+06:00

Getting up early on a weekend, visiting two doctors and listening to their depressive speeches and of-course paying their handsome fee made me feel Errrr…

I felt abandoned. Left out, maybe finally I am just missing home (Pakistan). I miss my friends, I mean “My Friends”

I had my reasons to feel that way, but when I questioned myself, I couldn’t justify it. But than again, I am just a human, with feelings, which often evade the logics.

I think by now, you (as a reader) have realized this is one of those tricky posts where I wouldn’t be saying anything direct. So what’s the point?

Good bye.

Dentist

2009-06-14T00:16:00.000+06:00

The dentist thinks I need at-least dozen fillings lol – maybe more. And he would like to extract two of my wisdom teeth, one is already half broken and another, the one which actually never gave me a problem, is such a big threat according to the dentist. Take a look at the picture below.

This is a simple example of angular growth, in this case the tooth is pushing another one, but in my case, the angular growth is inwards, towards the tongue. Now that is fine, the only problem is, according to dentist its pushing the soft bone in a jaw and it might crack it up anytime and that can be a serious problem. And for removal of such a tooth he will perform a surgery and is asking to take a week off from work since the surgery will not be as simple as normal one’s.

I am not completely convinced though, and I am not paying any heed to his suggestion. I will like to take a second opinion (if I am not too lazy). In the mean time, I will try to get my fillings done.

ENT

2009-06-13T11:36:00.001+06:00

I am back from ENT and have another appointment at 3 PM with Dentist. The fee for the doctor turned out to be double of what I had expected, he charged RM 500. Alas. Why doctors always have to be so expensive?

Here are some of the snaps Doctor took of my ears and nose. The top two snaps are of my ears, the right snap is of right ear and you can see the ear drum which looks clean and healthy. Left snap is from the left ear, with hard wax, which shouldn’t be there, and you can’t really see the ear drum. Similarly, the bottom left snap is of right nostril which looks okay, but the other doesn’t.

As a result, I will be on medication for two weeks, and after two weeks he will check again. I also sat for the hearing test, and he said the hearing is effected, though he ensured the nerve is okay.

Call for twitters.

2009-06-12T06:49:00.000+06:00

Any regular twitters around? Care to send me a link to follow? Instructions, tutorials, tips etc? What other possible uses are there?

Twittering

2009-06-11T22:56:00.000+06:00

Okay so finally I joined the most talked about thingy as well. Twitter. And I still don’t really know what the heck it is or what I am going to do with it. But for the starters it’s added on my blog as well, on the left sidebar. So if I will update anything from my mobile, it will appear there. Hurmmmp.

Let’s see.

Quote(s) of the day.

2009-06-11T14:37:00.000+06:00

Don’t let your problems drown you, swim towards a solution.

Rosie Cash

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Minds, like bodies, will fall into a pimpled, ill-conditioned state from mere excess of comfort.

Dickens, Charles

You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.

Albert Einstein

You pile up enough tomorrows and you'll be left with nothing but a bunch of empty yesterdays.

Meredith Willson

Myths which are believed in tend to become true.

Orwell, George

Movie Maker

2009-06-06T22:37:00.001+06:00

Some of you will know what and why haha. I bought this tripod today – I am a movie maker and photographer for the coming week, after that, my passion will die anyway.

No Kissing.

2009-06-06T21:42:00.003+06:00

You don’t need language proficiency to understand what the cab driver is asking its passengers. Haha. I couldn’t help myself to take a pic of it. So guys, keep your distance next time you are in the cab - no smoochies.

Queue system around the world

2009-06-03T14:34:00.002+06:00

Note: This post is based on personal observation, keeping in view only few locations. Post is not intended to generalize or criticize, but only for a viewing pleasure and fun.

Its just my visualization of queues in some countries.

#1. Queue is developed countries

#2. Queue in Malaysia

#3. Queue in Pakistan.

You be the judge – am I really weird?

2009-05-31T02:32:00.000+06:00

As some of you may know how bad my tonsils are and I am always bit too careful about them, but anyway, so today everyone in my family was having an ice cream at Gelato and they kept asking me, and as usual I was reluctant because of my tonsils. But after looking at those juicy delicious ice creams I started to crave, and so I ordered.

“Can I have a scoop of Tiramisu and Strawberry”? I asked after a tough decision, all of them looked equally luscious.
“You want Tiramisu and Strawberry together?” the guy on counter asked me surprisingly
“Yes – something wrong with it?” I had no idea what was wrong with my choice of ice cream.
“No.” Said the guy with smile “I have never heard anyone asking for such a strange combination” and I could see he was genuinely surprised on my choice, he even mentioned it to his colleague.

I shrugged.

PS: I don’t regret my decision, it was delicious.

Things you can do as a lecturer.

2009-05-28T12:05:00.001+06:00

The list is random, in no particular order.

Take multiple naps between lecturers (I know some lecturers do during the classes too but I assure you I am not one of them.)

Whenever there is a books, technology, educational exhibitions/seminars etc you have a good excuse to cancel the classes and attend exhibitions/seminars, since they upgrade you. (or give you a chance to go away, have good food somewhere, enjoy the day off, and in evening just report back how hectic the day was)

If you don’t have a class you can leave the office, go for shopping, or even a movie. And if (Just in case) – your boss calls you and asks where you are, you can always tell him busy doing some research for next semester’s course you will be teaching.

You can always Bu!!$hi* around as if you are a big intellectual and know every little detail of things you have never even heard of, and people will believe you. (or at-least pretend they did)

You get a good sense of being respected and self satisfaction that you are molding young minds, doing something good for the community. (or completely opposite one, that you are ruining them)

You can play Facebook, Tagged, Friendster etc and call it online research about social science and computing.

When you are bored to death and feeling drowsy you can write a completely idiotic blog post (like this one) and post it on your blog.

Last but not the least, after posting it, you can keep clicking the refresh button to check if there are any comments.

Okay, I gotta go now, I have a class in few minutes, but I will be back to check if there are some comments.

PS: This post was posted during the height of boredom and drowsiness.

IT Comics

2009-05-26T16:00:00.003+06:00

From different emails and posting I have compiled my list of favorite IT related comics, specially software and programming related. As a Developer you can relate to them, here is the list according to my liking.

Enjoy.

#6

Some of you might not agree with half of it, but the other half is completely true. It is worth a look.

#5

Haha!!... I have actually seen it happening

#4

Almost all of us have used similar excuse ;)

#3

I like this one, sometimes this is how we fix the bugs as well ;)

#2

It is so frustrating when your clients have no clue why they need software; the common perception is “Software will solve all problems” lol. And trust me, when you are trying to analyze the requirements they treat you as an stupid who don’t know the basic things hehe.

#1

If you ever end up fixing others code this is exactly what happens

And I wrote again

2009-05-22T18:47:00.001+06:00

...and deleted it.

I guess, even after 4 years as a blogger there are many things I can not write about.

Do I want to?... I don’t know. Maybe.
Should I?... I don’t know.
Will I?... Maybe not.

I classify myself as very private person.

Perhaps some things/thoughts/feelings are meant to be private.

Frustrated

2009-05-22T17:16:00.001+06:00

I took around 50+ photos today in a bowling alley.

Moments ago, I connected my phone to my PC to transfer the files and it did it again, memory card corrupted - all photos gone.

*Scream*

I saw the dead bodies

2009-05-20T09:10:00.001+06:00

The first time I saw the dead bodies floating on the river I was shocked. I can not explain in words my feelings, I think I didn’t felt anything; my mind was halted in that particular moment unable to think or move forward.

But people around me in the train seemed so normal, as if it was nothing at all. Me… I kept staring out of window, on the surface of river and the disturbing images of dead bodies kept coming. One after another, I couldn’t count them all, after a while I stopped trying, but I kept looking.

No matter how wrong the things or events might be, but once it becomes your routine you are no longer effected, I think that’s what happened to people in the train, and I was afraid, the same thing might happen to me. And it did.

Today, when I saw those dead bodies again, I was no longer shocked, I didn’t give much care either, but I still wonder… I wonder why those fishes died anyway, is the water really that dirty and poisonous?

Blue screen of death

2009-05-18T02:33:00.001+06:00

And so my day was spent in fixing the blue screen of death (if you don’t know what it is, go Google it). I didn’t really had a relaxing sleep (although I was sleeping the whole day) but there are some apartments near my condominium and almost every weekend there is some sort of a function, and they spoil others peace, with loud music etc.

Anyway, when I woke up (and I didn’t feel fresh because of all that noise they call music) my Mom told me she couldn’t use the PC because it’s not working. Upon inspection I encountered the blue screen of death. I tried to boot the computer in safe mode, with last known good configuration, I disabled the onboard cache and finally I unplugged all the peripherals attached to my PC but all in vain. I was concerned because a lot of data is in that PC which I haven’t transferred to my new one yet. Finally I had no choice but to rerun the setup again.

It’s up again and now I am again going to be lazy and I won’t transfer the important data. Oh and there were other things I wanted to write, but I don’t remember.

Alas, its 4:35 AM and I have to wake up again in 2 hours for work. I am not a big fan of Mondays.

Presentation skills – what I expect.

2009-05-14T17:56:00.001+06:00

Almost a year ago, during ET (Emerging Technologies) presentations I really felt this writing was necessary. But because of busy schedule and other constraints I never completed it. Recently after Sunny’s post here, I decided to rewrite and post it.

Though Sunny’s post is thorough on the subject I would like to add what I expect specially if it’s a technical presentation and as a critic attendee. I feel I must remind all those students who presented their research work in ET, if it would have been my decision almost all of you failed. The only reason you passed was a lenient management policy of not to fail anyone unless absolutely necessary.

Pardon any inconsistency in the post because half of the things written here were written almost a year ago.

Dress well

It is not just the topic you present, you present yourself. If you don’t look good, your presentation doesn’t look good too. When I say dress well I don’t mean dress expensive or wear designer cloths, but something decent and appropriate.

Communicate

Presentation is communication; it is not just plain radio. Communicate with your audience using your gestures, body language, eye contact and voice. Be friendly, give away some smiles, and interact with them.

Body language.

Your audience not only listens to you, they watch you as well. And like the phrase goes, a picture is worth thousand words. What they see gives a far stronger impression than what you have to say. Studies show 55% of communication is done by the body language. If you look annoyed or uninterested for your presentation do you think you will convince anyone else to be interested in? Think about it, here are some suggestions.

We often do things we shouldn’t be doing during presentation and some time we don’t even realize we are doing it because those are part of our personality – our habits. For example putting both hands in your pockets for too long or setting your hair with your hand. I always suggest to rehearse in front of mirror, so you can see what your audience will see. If you don’t like what you see in the mirror, chances are, others won’t too. You can also try recording yourself.

Smile is a powerful tool. It gives a message of friendliness, ease and comfort. Use it. (Not a chuckle or laughter)

Use your eye contact to regulate the flow of communication. Remember you present to audience and not the computer, wall, objects etc. Don’t keep your gazes to one person for too long as well, every one is equally important.

Use the correct gestures, be lively.

Voice Command

Like I mentioned 55% of communication depends on body language, your actual words that you use have only 7% impact. 38% is your tone, I can tell you, you are an idiot and stupid and you will smile or I can make you angry saying the exact same words, using different tone and body language. You can emphasize on important points, tell how serious the matter is all by your tone. Vary your tone, depending on the importance of what you are saying.

Avoid long pauses – pauses are important and do use them, to get the attention, to raise the curiosity but make sure the timing is perfect. I will say don’t use any pause longer than 3 or max, 5 seconds. If you are setting up an equipment, writing on board etc don’t stay silent. If there is nothing else to say share an experience, tell a joke but a silence of a complete minute is a Big NO

Use your volume, lower your volume to show a concern or raise it to show the importance, after all, presentation is all about acting. Same goes with the pace

Don’t give me language excuse; your language skill has nothing to do with a good presentation. Language is only a tool, use it like a tool, if you lack one ability use others. One trick is, if you are out of vocabulary, shift back to your language without hesitation for a sentence or two, as it was intended to. Or you can be more formal and use something like “... Like we say in malay/urdu” and you make a transition.

Prepare the presentation.

And before you do, you should very well know what tools will be available? For example a projector. Prepare backup as well, if plan A doesn’t work what will be the plan B

Time is important, use it wisely. Make sure you use your facts in your time, cut down or add up information depending on the available time. Rehearse to make sure it will be within the time frame.

Play with your words, add humor, ask questions but don’t force your audience to give you an answer, if they don’t, instead you give them an answer. The trick is ask questions which only have a 1 or 2 answers, and prepare yourself how you will continue from either answer.

In your slides (if you have any) use bullets instead of long sentences. List down points not the complete explanations. Use graphs, charts etc. Don’t use words you don’t know the meaning of. If you can’t explain properly some technical part don’t add it up.

The flow of your presentation should be something like this, you present the problem (yes you can exaggerate a bit, emphasize on why it really is such a big deal) once done, you suggest a solution and finally you will give benefits of solution.

Oh and Never – I mean NEVER EVER READ from your slides.

Hope it helps.

New Virus

2009-05-13T14:38:00.000+06:00

We have often heard about new viruses that evolved to affect both, humans and animals, like this new H1N1 (Swine Flu). But I have always been intrigued by the idea of a new virus that might affect both; computers and humans alike.

Okay, just a thought.

Maybe it’s a good movie idea, please give a credit if you do decide to make a movie on it :\