Stuff...

Second Inspection On The Evoque

2012-01-11T15:27:00.010+08:00

Ahh.. The Range Rover Evoque. Despite liking this car a lot, I was hoping that I could find at least one flaw with it so that I could stop thinking of it and get on with life. In addition to this, I brought Jay and Wei Chung because 3 pairs of eyes are better than one. While they were getting an overall picture of the car, I was on the inside punching every panel, pressing every button, scratching every surface, turning every button and pulling every lever. I was desperate and I did find a flimsy slab of rather cheap rough mostly recycled plastics where your knees would have to see as you drive. That aside, it is as well built as an Audi.

Then a lady came asking if we were in need of any assistance where Wei volunteered to be the test driver of the day. A rather slow one. I was once more shown on how the ambient lighting works and blah and more blah. But this time I was on the back seats where I wish to find out more on how's life in the back of an Evoque. First impression is, space is pleasing but the seats are just a little upright and as for the ride, it is just more delightful to be in the front. We did try out the automated side parking ability which worked rather well.

So we got back and Jay discovered the tail lamp has vapour in it. Also we've never seen a side mirror that's bigger than the ones on this Range Rover. The front grille is a little lose and shoddy on craftsmanship. And we moved on to the garage to stare at a coupe version of the Evoque where it's got a huge panoramic sunroof, sportier bumpers, bonnet grilles, edgier mufflers and side grilles and front grilles painted in black. All three of us would love to have one but the waiting period on this car is simply too long.

Tail lamp has fogged up

*picture taken with iPhone 4S

iPhone 4S

2012-01-08T18:16:00.012+08:00

Back in December, people couldn't taste food, find it hard to sleep and felt that there was no hope in life as the iPhone 4S hasn't made it to Malaysia. I must say, I am one of those people not because I'm having a 4 or that I drive a Myvi but because it is about time to retire the 3GS. And so I ordered an unlocked one from Apple's online store which has 32GB storage and in white. I did take a great deal amount of time chewing over contracted plans and storage size but I won't bore anyone with it.

I must be bonkers to buy a phone that's having the same skin as the last one but hey there are people who fall in love over the internet and people who forks out cash for sex. The shell apart, the 4S is pretty swift in taking pictures, multi tasking and installing apps so, it works. Plays music well, camera's good, the build is rigid and the screen resolution's still favourable. As for the downsides, having 3G on, a full charge wouldn't last a day and the right side of the phone gets really hot after being used for just a little while.

But those are normal pitfalls for phone these days where they've got dual core processors and lots of RAM but worst of all, a white 4S gives me a profile where I am both cocky and gay at the same time. It is too flashy and oh, heavy as well. I'm not complaining but I'll try to keep it in my pocket at most times.

My Best For 2011

2012-01-02T00:44:00.002+08:00

It was Christmas and now a New Year so I had to buy something but sadly it isn't something tall and red. For not being in school, I had the time to do things that's needed to be done. Driven quite some cars in the past 12 months, survived working and been to a country in every season. 2011 is the year where I've had the most coffee in my entire 21 years of life. There are cars that are made to bring you from a place to another but there are some which surpasses on being astounding, a whole lot of average ones and some that sets you into a surge of anger when you get into one. So what are my best and worst for 2011?

The WORST. It would have been and easy with by the new Myvi but this is a car that we all know that is going to be bad even before its debut. So the worst this year is none other than the Honda Insight which was horrendous. First to start with, there was absolutely no muscle at all to power this car made from bits of unwanted washing machines. Only a washing machine has got more metal fragments. Honda has made every bit of this car flimsy and soulless as for life in the back, there was only headroom for midgets.The Insight reminds me very much of the Proton Inspira which I went to have a glimpse on with a comrade; WeiC last year. The Inspira was a demonstration by Proton on how to destroy; repackage's the word they had in mind, an already good Mitsubishi Lancer. It was so awful that the two of us were so afraid that kept us from stepping into one.

One of the BEST. The Mini Countryman experience was a pretty memorable one. I had a boy all the way from Penang, another boy from Bukit Utama to find out if the back seats were any good and a friendly lady to push the sports button as I drove. I must say I like the way that it grips better than a Cooper. It may look like a Mini that has had one too many steroids but it is no doubt a head turner. Still a Porsche Cayenne is better. It's huge, scary and swift too! This then is a great tool in scaring off irritating Vios' and once you get to your favourite bar, you really do get more than what you pay for.

It seems like I really do have a thing for SUVs since got baptised after driving a Q5 back in '09. My pick for the car of the year would none other than the baby Range. The Evoque. Range Rovers are naturally comfortable but never before this agile and this desirable. The last car that came into my sleep for nights was the Golf 5 GTi. Plant the pedal in an Evoque, it doesn't do blazing quick but it isn't slow either. It just simply goes. Not the Hutan Pahang, the Sahara's sand or the Chamonix's snow could stop the Evoque from going. Having over 700 orders in Malaysia alone, the Evoque then is quite magical.

Kids On School Holiday

2012-01-01T19:09:00.002+08:00

Another year has gone pass in the matter of days. And at the end of every year, there's a holiday for school children. So if you were to go into a shopping mall or anywhere at all there are kids running loose like on steroids. With water tumblers hung around their necks so that their parents need not fork a single cent to quench their thirst at Starbucks. There's no need for lunch money too as there are Twiggies in their pockets. To sum it up, the minimal parking expense accounts for the call of nature, the space that they shout about and for their dads to ogle underage teenage girls. Having the office people joining in during lunch, there is absolutely no parking, no tables or space to maneuver in.

Shopping centres are as filled with people as roads are filled with cars at these times. I have to share the same amount of space wherever I go with a man who only pays 90 ringgit on his road tax while I on the other hand have paid thousands. So I could conclude that there's literally nowhere to go to when kids are on their break and over 8 thousand Myvis sold every month. It seems like people don't care for cars anymore when it comes to fuel consumption. Where's the passion on how a car makes you feel? How a car drives? And how many Gs can you pull in a corner?

It appears that boys of today are more turned on by an iPhone rather than a Lamborghini. Girls who date them also uses the iPhone and wouldn't mind if they were having a Myvi or not having a car at all. A strange society we live in. And if such girls come from a wheathier family, they wouldn't mind driving their toy boys about. Ooo yes. I'd like a cougar to toy me about town in Z4. Think of the teaching I'll be getting.

Back to where we were, if you're poor, you'll get a Perodua Myvi. And for the other poor people who'd like to bring a load along where ever they go, they'll drive a Toyota Hilux. I've got a better suggestion actually, if you're poor, take the public transport and if you need to carry things about, drive a lorry. If you really do give a damn on fuel consumption, you'd get a diesel simply because a Myvi Extreme will only do 36.5 mpg while my A4 does 39.3 miles to the gallon. As for practicality, interior space, power, luxury, the Audi triumphs the Myvi in every way possible. Yes, the A4 costs a lot more but I'm just giving an illustration on something that's big in size and yet more efficient.

For a little bit more, you could get a Ford Fiesta instead which is as practical if not more, prettier and yet has a 5-star rating on Euroncap for safety which could save you from an accident opposing to one that tries to kill you in every turn. But no, people care too much on depreciation. People buy cars in silver just because they fear for resale value. People tend to buy common brand just so that they could sell their cars off easily in the next 10 years. What's the point of having to live with a car in the colour that you didn't like in the first place?

Getting from point A to B? A bus could do that for a lot less. The Myvi then is like a uniform. You go to school in it not because you like it but you have to because it makes your school principle a lot more powerful. Any other clothes would do just the same to cover your exciting bits so why get so obsessed with the silver, resale and depreciation? A car shouldn't be something you skimp on or something you buy just because you could sell it off for a dollar more in the future. It should be something personal, something that makes you happy as you drive along the rush hours. Skimp on things like the iPhone but never your car.

Motorola Droid Razr

2011-12-14T11:57:00.002+08:00

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

2011-11-27T23:53:00.021+08:00

The most anticipated car of 2011.

A concept car that you can buy.

I am quite skeptic on this baby Range as Land Rover has never made a sporty car nor a stylish one. Critics from Topgear to Fifthgear hailed the Range Rover Evoque as the best thing there is in its class. Honestly, I have to agree with them on this, just don't pick one that's in silver.

Let's start with its price. A 2.2 diesel for 354K, 5-door or 3-door 2-litre petrol for 364K and 394K respectively. The one I am interested in is the petrol one with 5 doors and I shall compare it to the ideal SUV of 2010, the Audi Q5. Both has a 2-litre turbo engine and four wheel drive but a similarly spec-ed Q5 in S-line trim would cost 377 thousand. The Evoque accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds whereas the Audi does it in point 4 of a second faster.

Sadly the goodness of the Q5 stops there. This Baby Range looks better, handles better but most of all, it is just simply the car that every automobile purist is looking forward to this year. Among the European SUVs I've driven, Audi's Q7 and Q5, BMW's X1, Mini's Countryman S, Volkswagen's Tourareg, both the previous and new generation of the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5, the only ones that over steered was the Cayennes, X5s and this Rangie Evoque. I was truly impressed with its hint of drift in the bends. What's more, those car costs at least 200 grand more and all of them having petrol engines.

So far it's fairly priced, handles well and I must say it rides pretty well too. Having some magnetic suspension that adjusts itself twice as frequently as Ferrari 599s and Audi R8s so that must have meant something. Even though not being as comfortable as a Q7 or Cayenne but hey, those are large SUVs, a different class altogether. Hence, the Q5 ride quality with 18 inch rubbers is rock hard compared to the Evoque that's riding on 20 inchers. Let's not forget a Q5 S-line comes with 19" wheels low profiled tires which makes matters worse for the Audi.

The Q5 interior is mostly black and no doubt well-made but the Evoques aren't just that but furnished with trims of matching colour along with materials that are nice to see and touch. It has got welcoming ambient lights like those in an Audi A8 limousine. The leather is very much as soft and comfortable as those in an A8. On top of everything, it is able to do off-road business that no Q5, X1, X3 not even an X5 could come close of doing. It is plainly quite amazing where something could do actually handle and go off road. Despite that, a BMW X3 xdrive20d will lap faster than an Evoque SD4.

The one with 5 doors variant provides sufficient room and comfortable seats for back passengers. As for the boot, the Evoque has got a healthy 575 litres of storage compared to the Q5's 540. After driving this baby Range, it doesn't drive quite like an X3 nor a Q5. Not even the X1 but the Mini Countryman. They both bite hard on tarmac surfaces but the Evoque is more fun because the rear does step out if you push it a little. Steering is well weighted and precise. Gear shift's decent. A rise up and down rotary gear selector is cool but no one has said that a traditional one's lame.

Unfortunately every car has flaws so does this one. The back end does look a little awkward. And the 8 inch touch screen is very much sluggish being compared to BMW's iDrive and Audi's MMI. That aside, Malaysians are only offered 5 out of the 12 colours available on the Evoque and we're not able to option anything else from what has being set for us. That's a pity when there are some things that are really neat like MagneRide suspension, drug-dealer rims, panoramic sunroof, surround camera, panoramic sunroof on a 5-door and my personal favourite the 825-watt Meridian sound system as I'm not quite sold to the standard 380-watt also by Meridian.

Well I must be fair to say that this Land Rover does come pretty loaded with optional extras. The Evoque provides a quiet cabin but some exhaust note is welcomed. It is unquestionable that the Evoque is a fashion statement and something that's desirable to own but a maximum of six months waiting and without the choice to personalise your car? To me that's just a bit of a letdown. Fault's not on Land Rover but AutoConnexion.

Jamiroquai - Feels So Good

"Something makes me think I'm here to stay
I'm so happy where I am"

Back To Reality

2011-11-26T12:30:00.011+08:00

Back into my ride, which meant back to reality, how does it compared to Stuttgart's finest? For starters, I had the vision of a midget as the Cayenne's height simply fills anyone driving it with confidence to scare off annoying Myvi-s. Second of all, the comfort of going through rough surfaces and potholes will be greatly missed. The last one I could think of now is the feeling of satisfaction when people try looking into your tinted windows with envious eyes figuring out which sort of a bastard you are driving such a desirable badge.

Well I had been driving a E36 BMW and a Lancer GT in the past two weeks as they were conveniently placed in my porch for no good reason. So I had to give them a bit of stretching to do. I would draw to this conclusion where the near two-decade old Bimmer gives a more pleasing drive than things which are similar to Honda; City, Civic and Accord, Toyota Vios; Altis and Camry. Fact is, BMW is just great at making small-good handling cars.

The Lancer wasn't included in that list as the one I've driven tells a different story probably because its original brakes, suspensions, wheels, tyres and exhaust system has been thrown away. I have always got a feeling of hate for modified cars but after driving it for a couple of times, I developed some liking towards the Mitsubishi. Reason being, that loud(but slow going) exhaust and gold coloured brake pads just made me feel like l just got my P license again.

The Porsche might be the best car I had and will be driving this year but it surely ain't the most exciting one since I'll be paying the Range Rover Evoque a visit real soon.

Porsche Cayenne

2011-11-25T08:45:00.017+08:00

What's to do when if you were presented with a brand new Porsche? I won't let it go away without having a go in it behind the wheel. The one I've just driven is the 3.6 litre Cayenne which is in white. Let's not get confused as a Cayenne S has a 4.8 litre block while the S on the back on this one is a phony.

Once I got in, I was greeted with the scent of its brown leather and I must say it does smell good. The front seats are comfortable too. Spec-ed with a massive panoramic sunroof, a pointless compass that points to the north and sea level and 585-watt worth of Bose speakers.

That apart, how does it drive? This one has the electro-hydraulic power steering which makes it easy to park your Cayenne but not as rewarding to drive. 300 bhp and 400Nm of torque is quick to get you around busy roads but when there are some straights, I find it rather lacking for pure speeds. More things I hate about it is that the eight-speed Tiptronic S isn't as swift as I'd like it to be nor as responsive to down and upshift. And the paddle shifters are frankly stupid. I'll give it this though, for a V6 it does give quite some oomph from both its engine and exhaust.

How's life in the back? Very comfortable indeed with adequate head and legroom even though riding on 20" RS Spyder rims all thanks to its self-leveling air suspension. Other than that, you are presented with an interior that has got a million buttons. Say if you were to activate sports mode, you have got to push the Sports button then another Sports button for the suspension. So you've got to learn every single one of them and where they have been placed.

This one that's having some gismos added to its base price costs about 630 thousand ringgit. Would I buy one if I have that kind of money? Well no in a hearbeat because my pick would be a Cayenne S. Because the orchestra from a V8 engine is worth that extra 70 thousand.

Cayenne acceleration

Toying With A Lancer

2011-11-22T09:38:00.000+08:00

U2 Achtung Baby Super Deluxe Edition

2011-11-14T23:30:00.001+08:00

92 page book

4 DVDs

16 art prints

6 CDs

I'm Off Again

2011-10-25T19:30:00.001+08:00

Along My Street

2011-10-17T10:37:00.001+08:00

Jay's Take On Lee Hom

2011-10-15T17:47:00.001+08:00

Dear Lee Hom

2011-10-13T09:57:00.032+08:00

Sometime in August, I was rather excited when Lee Hom announced that an album is coming because it always is. Since Shangri-La to 18 Martial Arts, they were all decent if not, very good indeed.

About ten days into September, it was said that his new record called Open Fire which is also a single where its music video is something extraordinary and will be released on the 16th. Millions spent, martial arts music, Lady Gaga, blah and more blabber. Only by pre-ordering you will get your copy of the collection on the 30th accompanied by a Bahamut replica. Sounds good. So I had to get one of those.

Days later, it is a new song but the chorus sounded closely related to some white girl’s track. Alright, that’s fine because there are more songs to come. Owh wait, it is a best of Lee Hom album so there will only be one more new tune from him. Awww.. at least they are celebrating Bahamut’s retirement.

Hence I got my copy of Open Fire on the 11th of October. Which translate to 11 days late! What in the world is the point of pre-ordering when things comes late? I’ve ordered cars that are entirely built ground-up in Ingolstadt, shipped to Malaysia and that didn’t come late. Well, at least it comes with a collector’s item.

When I arrived home, the only problem was with Bahamut..

Really Lee Hom? Is this your idea on how Bahamut look like? I've got two classical guitars, an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar but none of them look anything like this.

Honestly, this is a huge disaster. Boasting that he’s earned Sony 5 billion Taiwan dollars* with 13 albums of his and this is how the people who buy his album are being rewarded. Not only I'm deeply sadden, this record is poorly transport where scratches could be evidently seen everywhere and the CDs are the thinnest I’ve ever seen being sold as an original copy. A massive diappointment.

Just when I thought Jay Ch*u is a scam, this chap here is then no different apart from his good looks. I’d say this, if I were to go for his gig, I’d never purchase another album of his. Wait, even if I don’t, downloading is the only option.

* approximately 520 million ringgit.

I'm sure he's enjoying that tea of his

Lee Hom, you’re one of the most inspiring people to me and I hate to say it, but you’ve lost me this time. I hum your songs every day, play your songs on my guitar and learnt piano so that I could play more of your music. I’m astound where a person who’s filled with soul and passion making Forever’s First Day 永远的第一天 would turn out to be one who makes quick money out of loyal fans. Perhaps your motto back in ‘07, Change Me 改变自己 is something that you've practicing a little too much. Come one Lee Hom, if you genuinely believe that 2 songs coupled with the other 28 tracks of which most enthusiasts already own and a balloon toy is the absolute righteous trade, you are indubitably a scam.

火力全开 Huo Li Quan Kai
Click on any of the titles to make full use of my 70 bucks
依然爱你 Yi Ran Ai Ni

B'Day Build Up

2011-10-11T11:09:00.002+08:00

Swee Tjun Yih - Shiang Horng - Ming Hui - Shiang Harn

Birthdays. Something that I never look forward to. There’s one in every year. I’m talking about mine in particular. While I was a child, this day has brought me nothing but trouble. So in 2006, I decided to make a change by embracing it rather than dodging. Embracing it meaning being the host of my own B’Day because there won’t be enough grub for everyone just depending on class funds. After school days, it became an event for close friends. Then it became something for family-friends, still I insisted on being the host after all these years.

As for 2011’s, it was rather an ordinary day. Before noon, I was over at Ming Hui’s to play with Dough for the last time and learn a little bit on pianos while Ham fiddled with La Sardina. We wondered about in Shah Alam and even had Jay to join us at Setia Alam’s Starbucks. Afterwards, the three of us went back to my loft after having our dose of coffee whilst Jay made his way to a place called Versalink.

Jay and I

Ming Hui & Ham

Later that evening, Jay emerged once more in an SUV and drove us to D’Empire, Solaris. No desserts were ordered as we’ve got a cake waiting for us back home. While setting up candles, Stanley appeared on my lawn, which meant he's just in time for some singing. Then came Raxine and finally Vincent and Darren. After having some cake, we agreed on going to Giza for further celebration.

All in all, I’d like thank every single one of them for making it a beautiful one. All Heroes of Earth.

Vincent Nee - ShiangHorng

Stanley V Raxine V Darren

Raxine Ho - Stanley Swee - Darren Cheng - Ricky - Shiang - Vin

Frangipani. On Stanley

2011-10-10T13:38:00.001+08:00

Reliving Childhood

2011-10-09T21:35:00.004+08:00

Junkie's Formula = JD + Cough Mixture

Cocktails For Dummy

Raxine Showing His Interest

Jay SHOOTS It Down

Adopting A Healthy Lifestyle

2011-10-09T10:43:00.001+08:00

Slightly tweaked iPad photographs

Untouched ones

Featuring Calvin?/Kelvin?

An iPad Video

Central Park Avenue

2011-10-06T00:43:00.000+08:00

Please keep your pets and old people under close supervision

What's this pervert showing little girls?

The Next Three Days

2011-09-29T12:12:00.004+08:00

Day 4: Central Chidlom

Getting RAW supplies

Ceasar Is Home

Our burger hub

China town means rich gangsters

Day 5: Jatujak

Man he's glad to see pretty gals

Couple headphones.. so we had to go show off

I think they're saying Western Union is all for Bersih

While sipping coffee, I was feeling rather sorrowful as it was our last evening in Bangkok, Jay did what he does while Stanley fantasised about Taylor Swift.

If she's got that a$$ we've got to look

Those Three Days

2011-09-29T11:32:00.004+08:00

Day 1: Touchdown

Bangkok's definitely a battlefield of pretty cars

Stanley's arrival on Day 2

Straight! Straight Gay~

Day 3: MBK - Siam Square - Siam Discovery

Says who I ain't religious?

Face of guilt?

Later in the evening, we bump into this chap in red

We're not lost, alright!

Viva la TTDI

2011-09-24T12:45:00.012+08:00

Answering that I live in Taman Tun gives people a sense where it is a place filled by people from the upper crust. I find that rather strange despite single-storey link house may be nudging a million ringgit simply because there are cars that cost much more. Speaking of cars, people who are behind the wheels of Savvy-s and Myvi-s enjoys battling for space in the town I'm living in. Since this place is hailed as one of the definitive places to live in, I can't help wondering why there isn’t any McDonald’s or a Starbucks in Taman Tun.

I know, I know, you must be thinking to yourselves what an idiot because there are 10 of such a coffee franchising stores within 5 kilometers. True but shouldn’t there be a mono brand Starbucks store smacked in the center of Taman Tun for well-known people to enjoy their coffee? Where there’ll be a car park for the residents of TTDI to compete on who’s driving the bigger Mecedes. The only Starbucks filled with baristas who’ll ask their customers on how’s their day at the golf course. Thus, only business-related magazines are allowed to be on the rack where people are able to feel powerful after reading them.

But no, there isn’t one catered to people who live here instead there are two Starbucks situated in a stupid place called Uptown inside Damansara Utama. This dreadful location is so moronically planned in a way where roads are too narrow, parking too little to accommodate idiots who come here and lastly it gives a feeling where it is an ideal place for taxi drivers to abduct passengers and kill them, in the late evenings, obviously. C’mon people who work in cubicles with lanyards around their necks simply could not afford such goods daily just because filling up their Myvis and a pack of cigarettes costs nearly as much as their income.

At least there’s Popeye’s and KFC in TTDI. They both are two-storey which means plenty of space for the fatties, both tasty in the minds of walking lipids. I may seem harsh on people who are obese but who’s to blame but themselves. I know quite a number of blubbery individuals who complaint that is simply isn’t fair for them to be fat because they don’t eat much. Well they may consume a little less carbohydrate than I do, but they more than make up for the sheer amount of dessert that they absorb. Let’s draw to this conclusion where what is eat is what you are. Back to the colonel and sailor, if anyone would want to dine in one of these outlets, they’re most probably from Pinggir Taman Tun. So the next time before you overeat, think of the poor who don't get enough.

Apart from wider roads in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, what’s more to that? It is great because it is more expensive per square feet than other neighborhoods? Hey, Chow Kit is pretty costly per square inch too.

Another Invitation

2011-09-21T18:45:00.000+08:00

Monster Beats Pro

2011-09-13T11:22:00.000+08:00

The iPhone 4 has been with us for over a year now. And the one in white is around for nearly 5 months. We all are clear that these Apple phones will refresh itself after having about a year’s lifetime and yet people are still getting it even though it is said that the 5 will be released latest by October.

Let’s put it this way, those who got themselves a 4 a year after its release are idiots. In other words, those who bought the white ones are idiots, those who bought black ones after the white version being released are bigger idiots and the biggest idiots of the year are those who had/traded their black ones for the white ones. To those who have both black and white iPhone 4s, you might think you’re rich but you sure are stupid.

So this led to me to Monster’s headphones; Beats by Dr. Dre line to be precise. I really hate these monsters because they are made by and made for black people. For the record, I ain’t a racist because it is simply awkward for anyone who isn’t black to have Beats headphones on unless they are dressed up like the members of Far East Movement. Apart from that, these things are sold to be more of a fashion statement than for people who are really into music. What’s more, walking about with any headphones on your head or over your shoulders makes you look like an absolute cock.

Bear with me on this one because I sure did try to make it a little interesting. For a thousand ringgit, you could get the Beats Solo. Or you could get a purple set and if you pay an extra 200 to Justin Bieber. If you want it to have High Definition (HD) or RED special edition simply because you feel the love for people with AIDs, that’s a thousand four hundred. If you feel like a musician, why not get the Studio where a show called American Idol is also using for RM 1700. Owh wait, why not fork out another 300 for the Pro variant. And finally for a hefty 2500, you could get the limited Detox edition which looks just like the Pros but in greyish cement-like colour. Some say Monster took all the trouble to condense Dr Dre’s scent into those headphones.

All in all, I never did get the idea of these devices. They’re far too confusing and besides who’s Dr Dre? 50 Cent’s gym buddy or Eminem’s father?

In conjuncture to the Hari Raya holidays and me being a patriotic Malaysian, I left on the 30th of August for Bangkok; men’s paradise according to Stanley. And later that evening, Jay upped his budget for a pair of Studio to a pair of Pro because the word pro just sounds better. After making his purchase in Central World’s iStudio, we toyed with everything on display and pushed all the buttons on every sound dock there is from Bowers & Wilkins to Bose. Even so, we were thanked once more by friendly staffs on duty.

So we went back to our hotel and did some listening by pairing the Beats Pro to an iPad. For something that’s so costly, I expect it to be really good sounding and of course well-made. Truth be told, they do sound great and the quality on those things are second to none. Use it for over an hour, the top of your head will start to swell and it will eventually tear your ears off because of the sheer weight on this Pro. Connect one of these to a Marantz amplifier or your computer, the bass it produces is plentiful and might irritate.

In other words, it is excellent in a way where it prevents me from excessively harming my hearing and if I were regretting to have bought this pair of headphones is that I should have gotten the Beats Studio instead. Cause that is far more comfortable and does the noise-canceling job better. But again, it has quality issues. Bottom line, it is all down to the buyer.

Related Entry: Monster Turbine

Black Or White?

2011-09-07T00:10:00.003+08:00

Back For Good

2011-08-23T12:15:00.008+08:00

These are the times that I sort of missed my days in down down under. From the fresh air, friendly guys from China, Kiwis' mad way of partying to the undesirable dorm. If I had been there for a little longer, I’d have gotten something decent with rear wheel drive, travelled the whole of New Zealand and after a whole year there, I’d most definitely gotten something that has windows and walls for people to live in.

What would I be doing now if I were still there? What would I be eating three times a day? Could that place have cured my OCDs? There are too many uncertainties but I do know this, the E is for sure no longer to be found in my cottage. When I was told to flee the country in less than a fortnight, I had the thought that only a baggage that I can bring is all that I can’t leave behind. I did just that but I couldn’t help thinking what would the place I grew up in turn out to be like when I’m back a year later. But now that I am back, nothing’s changed. The people I know are still the way they were.

Before I got on the plane back home, something got onto my nerves. Because I find that obese people should be paying more for flights. I am only limited to 30 kilos of baggage and a luggage of mine that hugs a PS3 that weights in at over 12kg. At 170cm tall a person is considered fat at 65 kilograms according to Mr. BMI. So where's my additional 12 for suitcases? The white boy who was on duty wouldn't even let me off by 3 kgs while a 150kg fattie checks in safely on the next counter. So, I had to fork out 95 dollars while that fat man ruin Boeing engineers' effort to keep the plane's weight to a minimal.

Track of the day: The Script - Nothing

"I wanted words but
all I heard was nothing"

Inspired by Lee Hom's 需要人陪

2011-08-21T13:30:00.005+08:00

Related Entry: Making The Video

Thinking Room

2011-08-16T12:30:00.006+08:00

Four walls shield this room I’m in. There’s no clock. So the best way of telling time is to look out the window and guess by looking at the sun. It is tougher to tell if there’s anyone at home. I’ve got British made speakers mated to American engineered amplifier playing the best tracks there are. Accompanied by guitars, a camera, a stash of books and magazines. Below me, a woven carpet that took a Turk 4 months. Opposing the windows hung a painted Buddha.

This place is inspiring. No need for distractions. No chime. No tri-tone. Macbook’s airport's turned off. So a spiritual room it is. It supply me with thoughts. It gives me ideas. The album Forever’s First Day’s playing, I’m on Music Man’s laptop and if one could really communicate with the Creator of the universe, I must be in conversations with God!

Idiots can be seen posting tons of long-haired/pale-faced boys skipping about that they call music on BookFace. Which are things I find synonymously close to utter nonsense. There are imbeciles who said to me Jay C***’s album is so great that you can never get bored of. Small time DJs’ told me; you’ve got to love music to have a job like mine. No denying that I enjoy Pitbull & Black Eyed Peas in clubs but come on, you call that love for music? I highly doubt that you’ll be singing to yourself ‘tonight’s gonna be a good good night’ when your pet dog dies. With the phrase ‘dalé’ added, it’d have been excellent.

Besides, you’re saying this song is properly good after listening to it through your 3-thousand ringgit laptop? Or Creative earphones? Altec Lansing/Sonic Gear speakers any good? No. Decent sounds may be emitted from these things. But for astonishing sounds, I’m sorry because I have to burst your bubble by telling you, NO. And for that you shouldn’t be telling what’s good and what's bad because from those speakers you will never be able to get clean mids. As a result, you get ear-piercing highs and hell a lot of badly timed lows from these thrash.

With those sound equipment, you don’t get to hear the intended sounds which the musician has spend tons of hours on. As an easy way out of the facts that one has mistakenly claimed will result in a mere excuse like; you’re rich so that you can afford expensive stuff. Fact is, you have an iPad and I don’t, does that make you a richer person than I am? This then is purely down to the matter of choice on where you choose to spend your money on. Some breadwinners who bring in less than 5K a month may find it reasonable to gamble away an entire month’s earnings to Uncle Lim.

If you were a smoker, spending 10 ringgit a day could be a lot of fun but it surely isn’t a cheap hobby. Because that adds up to 3640 ringgit a year. It doesn’t just end there because people who smoke are extremely prone to the drinking habit and lottery buying. Who is genuinely rich now?

If you truly are having difficulties in funds, why bother studying in a private institute? Off you go to UTAR for using such an unimaginative vindication.

The R8 Dream

2011-08-15T08:44:00.003+08:00

On one fine morning, the Audi A4 has mystically transformed into an R8. In the course of morphing, it has somehow bruised itself into blue. But who cares when it has a V8 heart that churns out 420 stallions. Nought to 100 in 4.6 seconds and flat out it’ll do 300 kilometers an hour.

Since V-power Racing is relatively cheap, converting oxygen to pure carbon dioxide at 8000 revs has never been this much fun.

19" alloy - 1530£ of carbon

Sadly this ain’t my cut of this engineering marvel. The cheapest ’07 R8 will set me back for about 600 thousand grand which isn’t exactly affordable. So what’s the fuss about? Nearing the age of 21, life hasn’t turn out to be the way I though it would be. Well, it is my bad for not finding my way through the universe to having a millionaire father.

It is quite amazing for me to have come across many highly motivated young chaps who aspire to buy an R8 or naively thinking to themselves where one day they would most definitely own a TT. Truth be told, everyone could buy one. Take a 10-year old TT or a 20 years old R8. Who couldn’t?

These ambitious bunch should be getting a pat on their backs for having such positive mindsets where they have a goal in life but let’s be clear here. Because think when could you get one? Let’s put it this way, before you go into the grave, fair enough? And the big one is, a brand new model or an ancient one? Because that makes all the difference.

The icing of the cake would definitely be, those words came out of the mouth of a, say, hairdresser or a second hand car salesman. Besides I was told by this funny bloke where he asked for my opinion on how does the current A4 drive? It’s pretty good, I said. Then he stated boldly: I am going to ask my dad for an R8. So I kindly asked him how much exactly is his budget? A 100 thousand ringgit, he answered.

I took his boastful words back home and consulted for Wei Chung’s take on this. He gave it a thought and replied, it possible if you were to get a die-cast model of the Audi R8. As a whole, this has very much turned into a joke because the fact is, with that little money, he couldn’t even get his hands on a used TT.

Many fail to understand the complication where the cheapest Audi is twice the price of range-topping Vios. And that's twice the down payment, twice the monthly installment and yet the A1 has two seats less. If they could just, just afford one; that translates to more frequent visits to the mamak, time to skimp on cigarettes and two less weed smoking buddies. Life wouldn’t be the same.

I even come across a clown who said I could buy a Lambo if I want to. I’m sorry to break it to you lady because Lewis Vuitton, Herpès and Brada does not entirely translate to a Lamborghini. The cheapest Gallardo I could find costs well over 700K. Say its 750, after pawning the junk you’re having and having to borrow from loan sharks for that 10% deposit it still equates to RM 5625 a month for the next 10 years and that’s not including interests. In other words, that is an LV every month.

I’m not sure on which bank would lend 675K to somebody who doesn’t pay taxes and I’m not convinced that a bank would loan that much money to you for a Lambo. That apart, think of the fuel, repair costs and replacing those fat Pirellis. What’s more, a Lamborghini as an everyday car? You must be having as much common sense as a cow.

Since these bunch of people are daydreaming of cars like the R8 and the Gallardo, I shall start dreaming about mine. Ooo yeah. SLS, 458, 599, 612 are powerful three letter words. Seeing that ordinary people has hogged on cars as such, those who are in truth rich are only left with car like the Huayra, the Agrera, the One-77, the Aventador and the Veyron.

Quickest way to being a billionaire? You’re faster off looking for a sugar daddy.

So long now..

Photographs by Jay

Alienware Aurora R3

2011-08-13T16:41:00.006+08:00

Upped nothing more than just the processor and RAM:
Intel® Core™ i7-2600K (8MB Cache) Overclocked Turbo Boost to 4.1GHz
8GB (4X2GB) DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz Memory
1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive with Native Command Queuing
24X DVD+/-RW with Dual Layer Write Capability
1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 460
Integrated high definition 7.1 channel audio

The Alien Has Landed

2011-08-11T14:36:00.003+08:00

Estasy of Customising

2011-08-10T11:18:00.026+08:00

It is quite a thrill to spend hours choosing a date to go on a holiday and then making a choice on which hotel to live in. 28th ot 29th? 4 or 5 stars? Let’s make it on the 30th a trip just to get some G Star Tees. After that, my phone calls go to Stanley and Jay if they’d like to tag along.

It is also fun to configure an automobile that takes 6 months to arrive after having your name put down. I could perhaps spec it to what I’ve ordered it to become or I could options things that I could have had on it. How would it look like if it has 19s instead of 18s? What if I were to have it in white? How much more do I have to fork out for the sat-nav?

Things like this make me uneasy. I worry on if it is wise to have ticked that sunroof box? I think it is probably best for me to call it off the very next day. After sorting it all out, I start to worry on when would it show. All this unnecessary concern makes me weary.

Lesson is to enjoy customising your dream holiday and your budget-less car then suffer the agony afterwards. Even if you don’t end up giving your credit card details, you’ll be dreaming on what does it feel like to own a Rolls Royce Ghost.

About 6 days ago, a trusted computer pal notified me on the death of Pavilion desktop’s motherboard. As a result, I had to browse through Alienware’s product lineup. Their desktops can be described as expensive, more expensive and most expensive. I obviously went for the 'just' expensive model.

Then I had to choose what processors speed should it be overclocked to. Which OS, which security software, which Microsoft Office and how many years of warranty. After having to deal with that, there are 8 RAMs, 10 hard disks, 6 additional hard drives, 5 optical drives, 7 display cards, 3 sounds cards, to choose from and lastly a yes or no to TV tuner, wireless network card and gaming network car.

Hence is came up to a minimal of 7 thousand 4 hundred and yet it does not come with a monitor. Fine by me and I shall spend the entire weekend molesting it. But no, Citibank delayed it by 3 days because they couldn’t encrypt their own credit card’s information. So there's more waiting which is just fantastic.

As for now, I’m off researching for monitors. Samsung has made some pretty neat stuff but Phillips’ thinner. And it used to be 22 inches on the Pavilion, thus it should be 23” this time. 24” perhaps, but wait, 27’s just magnificent.

Related Post: DHL Van VS E39 BMW

2G 3G 4G? Rubbish.

2011-07-26T10:26:00.007+08:00

Malaysians are getting richer by the second and we probably should be thanking Malaysia’s great economists, whoever they are, because they have done such a great job. Because I could see people fiddling with their iPad2s paired with smart covers. I’ve met person who tried selling me a TV who uses the Samsung Galaxy and car salespersons using iPhone4s, they must be doing well. My old man doesn’t even own a phone like that. And now where’s my iPad?

I was at a Starbucks near Uptown at 12 in the midnight with an accomplice sipping coffee and there were a trio discussing serious matters. So I eavesdropped and found out that they were talking about Google Nexus is a yes yes, SonyEricsson is a big no and speculations on the upcoming iPhone5. It went like: “Blah Blah! Let me look into my iPad2 with smart cover that’s in leather“. “Some say this September, owh wait October and it may be right before Jesus’ 2011th Bird’Day. What’s the fuss all about? You can get one by the time it is officially released by lining out on the streets hoping to get one before Maxis or DiGi runs out.

It finally hit me where it is relatively economical to buy an iPad every half a year than paying off loan every month for a car. Say the top of the range iPad2 costs two and a half grand, and every sensible man in their 30s would get a sensible 4-door saloon which leads to the BMW 3 series saloon. Seats 5, good handling and right badge. Right away, there’s a problem. Which one?

320i Executive – 320i M Sport – 320d M Sport – 323i Exclusive – 325i Sports

BMW’s 2-litre naturally aspirated that accelerated from 0-100 in nearly 10 years is irrelevant so it is just the turbo diesel, 2.5L detuned 323i and the beastly 325i. The 323 is also pointless because you pay the same amount of road tax as the 325 and it sips as much fuel as the 325. So it is down to the full-brute straight 6 or the 4-pot turbo. Price? 260k VS 310K. For almost the same amount of kit, 50 grand of a difference, the 320d it is, far more fuel economical and a tenth of a second faster.

Predicament solved. But I’d still go for the 325i because it is BMW DNA to have an engine in front, rear-wheel drive and straight six packaged into a small saloon which leads me to square one. I can’t afford a Maserati GranTurismo and it is very likely that I’ll be in line to get one of the upcoming iPhones.

The Good Samaritan

2011-07-14T09:29:00.006+08:00

Nearing twenty one years of life, I’ve come across many good Samaritans. These people could be seen everywhere from televisions, newspapers and even on magazines. They are well respected by the community for doing respectable deeds. It is likely that these admirable figures drive big Benzs for their well-being to people who are in need. Bless them. Really!

I actually do know many of these people where they donate in monetary form for the fact where they are charitable. They take pity on those homeless people who are lacking in money or perhaps food. Some are even better where they not only assist in the form of money but involving themselves in bighearted events.

If you really do get a chance to meet these fantastic individuals, they are absolutely rubbish. If these blokes truly are generous, why propagate your kindness? To earn respect or have the mentality where you’ve doing something dutiful, something good will come your way? I thought we were taught to help others without hoping for something in return?

For all I know I could be wrong as I am not no religious man or have I donated enough to be on the media.

But what I do know is that many of these devoted jokers aren’t that sympathetic to their own elderly. The money that can be used to ease their parents’ expenditure is better spent on their Benz’s fuel. These gracious people would grant tens of dollars in a blink of an eye to a beggar but ponder deeply whether or not to pay for a friend’s parking ticket that's merely a couple of ringgit.

There’s this devotee of some religion who could fly all the way to a holy land to do prayers get annoyed when he loses ringgits and cents to his buddies. These courteous devotees could up Genting for the sake of losing some money to Uncle Lim. Still thousands sent into Mr. Lim’s pocket is nothing compared to losing couple of ringgits to a friend.

What’s the point of having the biggest religious statue when you have such good characteristics? These then are humanitarians who hope for good returns for what they’ve done. I do think it is rather economical where I could grab a ticket to heaven for donating 50 ringgit to a vagrant.

To me, charity starts at home because by going all the way to some third world country generously offering food doesn’t make you a better person when there are local natives who are still starving. Help those who are closest to you starting from your family, relatives and friends.

Civet Poo Coffee

2011-07-10T17:06:00.000+08:00

Ikan Bakar

2011-07-09T09:23:00.001+08:00

Meat Works

2011-07-07T16:25:00.002+08:00

Meng Han & Chin Loong

ShiangHorng - Jian Loong

Samsung Galaxy VS iPhones

Battle of Poses

Thoughts In A WC

2011-07-05T16:36:00.001+08:00

First and foremost I’d like to congratulate Jay Chou for winning the Golden Melody Awards for being the best artist of 2011, for making the best album of 2011 and for the best arranger of something. Awarded as the best artist and album of the year? For an album that’s mostly written by a man called Vincent? I’m pretty good in arranging things too and where’s my Golden Melody for being the best arranger? Now who are the judges for this ceremony anyway? People who grow wasabi and tea leaves for a living up Alishan?

In these desperate times where people are much uglier being compared to those in the 20th century, Mr. Chou is in fact very a very important icon. As a matter of fact, those farmers know the exactly needs of today’s people. For one, he inspires people who are relatively hideous that you don’t need a handsome face to be famous. Two, you need not good looks smear 风油精(an essential balm containing menthol & eucalyptus oil) onto Jolin Tsai. Thirdly, possessing great vocals is so out because from the millennium onwards, whining is the new way of singing.

There is no point going on praising the incomparable Jay Chou who is in his fantasies chopping trees down back in ’05. Not doing any good for the environment there. Being inspired by Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse, he returned in 2010 as a vampire. And in this year, a year before apocalypse, he was the little horny aka green horny’s driver. What an up-most delightful way for the mankind species to come to an end.

Three Wise Men

2011-07-04T17:24:00.002+08:00

Once upon a time on a Friday night, they were challenged to re-enact the journey of the Three Wise Men by travelling from Craft Brews to a stable in Taman Tun. Where they arrive at a nativity scene bearing gifts they’ve brought from a beer house: an apron shaped sheet of paper and an empty bottle labelled flying dog because they could not find any gold, frankincense or myrrh. They put the apron over a three-pointed star and stuck the bottle up its exhaust. They later on got to a mamak stall and discovered that the E Class Mercedes Benz is actually baby MH’s.

They, the Three Wise Men were:
Jian Loong of Selayang
Shiang Hom of Taman Tun
Wei Chung of Selayang

Mini Monster

2011-07-03T11:51:00.004+08:00

The Audi A1 was being premiered in Pavilion KL last week and as always my eyes just had to see it. I’ve been to Porsche’s event, Audi’s, Merc’s and I can conclude that nobody throws a better party than BMW does. Things you can do at the A1 preview was kick some blown-up plastic material onto a kid’s face, play Angry Birds Lite on iPads and what captured my attention was to take a picture of the Audi, post it onto BookFace, getting 3 likes and be rewarded.

Getting 3 likes isn’t tough since the whole of Audi’s salespeople were having iPhone 4s in their pockets and everyone on FaceBook has hundreds of friends, if not thousands. Audi has got their best team of people out there who mostly consists of old wrinkly women except for one who’s isn’t an antique talking us through how the messed up exhibition works. Mr. Tham and I did not need to have 3 likes in order to get an Audi notebook or mouse pad.

But that wasn’t the point which bring me to how many likes could I get off a picture. Here’s how it goes, I uploaded the picture stating “-Like- this so I can drive one home.” Having 346 friends at that point of time, I only yielded 8 likes which is merely 3%. C’mon people who constantly refresh facebook.com, liking posts on this social network does not cost a cent. The picture wasn’t liked just because there might be a slight possibility that I could drive the Audi A1 home.

Jealousy is an ugly mistress so shame on you shallow minded bunch.

Cheers Man

2011-07-01T16:01:00.000+08:00

Weird but true. Many alpha males can do heroic things to impress females. Some can’t drink much when he’s around dudes but strangely when ladies are present, he can really drink. But probably suffer for the next couple of days. Now I’d like to take some of your time to pray for a friend of mine who’s still sick from the beer and espresso that he had 3 days ago.

Here’s the catch, he is able to get up early on the very next morning, drove to 1 Utama, wait for gates to open and line patiently. After that, he needed to go home, wait for the time to come and drive all the way back to OU when his friends get there. I am genuinely astonished by the abilities of what an ill man can do with Rosie Something’s/Transformers and Miss Cuties’s/classmate image being kept in mind.

This proves having both alcohol and caffeine won’t bring you to a near death experience liked how he described. Even if it did, it’ll be gone within 4 hours and this is science, not beliefs that’s written down in a book by some bloke’s who is living at the bottom on the sea.

An 80 kilo man being knocked down an espresso dwarf is simply pure bull. And on this bombshell, cheers to that!

Beer & Expresso

2011-07-01T09:48:00.001+08:00

Someone needs to brush up on his parking skills

Dato MH's preaching

Me and the jar of joy

You're doing it wrong lad

Fancy An XF?

2011-06-30T21:53:00.000+08:00

Months back, I ran into a husky that was almost ran over by a Myvi and this time I found myself a Jag that’s almost half a million Malaysian ringgit. The dog and the jaguar are both handsome brutes. How nice it is if I could practice the finders, keepers rule. No matter what, the owner saw the note I left him hours later and thanked me for had taken care of his beast in green. If a motorcyclist were run down by a car, a swarm will surface take good care of that driver. Why can’t people who own cars(occasionally a weapon) do the same by helping one who’s in deep sh*t?

Very soon I may find myself the key into a prancing horse.

Izakaya Shuraku

2011-06-30T21:13:00.012+08:00

Address:
13-2, Jalan Solaris Mont Kiara 1
Solaris Mont Kiara
Kuala Lumpur, 50480

Golden Coffee Bean

2011-06-30T09:23:00.004+08:00

The makers of this thing called Coffee Joulies are by two childhood friends who were classmates invented this thing to cool your coffee down to a drinkable temperature and keeps it at that warmth for hours. This duo is both coincidentally named Dave intended to raised nine and a half grand to cover half their costs of making this product but instead it earned them 307 thousand. You may be thinking, phuh, being neighbours they’ve got nothing to do but this. No, people go to universities and yet they worked on it from two ends of the States.

A 20 grand project which is about 60,000 ringgit isn’t that much is it? Taking into consideration where we have things MacBook Pros, performance desktops, iPads/iPhones/iPods, DSLRs, L lenses, B&W stereo and other unnecessary electronics. On gubbins alone, it is cost nearly as much to engineer those ‘magic’ beans. I guess I produced nothing out of all these convenience. Then I realise, I have a buddy /classmate/co-worker who’s having a mental age of 12. Not sexually though. Do-Not-Underestimate.

He was never born to drive an X5 or seated at the back of a S Class Mercedes. Instead he’d have been raised in a sty located somewhere in Kedah. For someone who achieved, I kid you not, 8 marks for his Science paper, it isn’t surprising if he complained that handling something that has more than 2 litres under the bonnet is a hard task. Apertures on a camera are simply random numbers in the empty mind of his. What’s torque? Don’t bother. I can spend an entire day talking on technology and automobile to the person who he calls dad, a man who’s 60, but I simply couldn’t with him simply because his intelligence is extremely limited.

It is a great irony where your sex buddy would dedicate an entire page to you just to explain on what a horrible person you are and yet still gag on your sexy organ at the end of the evening. If this partner of yours is truly unhappy on some many actions you’ve made, why wouldn’t she leave? Was it for the free rides, the complimentary meals or just purely for lust? For whatever reasons there are, a person with an IQ of more than 80 could tell this lady is without any principles. They may think of one another as a beautiful duo but from what I’m seeing, Mr. Illegitimate and Ms. Bison.

After being brought to this world we got to learn who our parents are but you don’t. And you never will. For that fact, I pity you for what you’ve turned out to be, today.

Audi A1

2011-06-26T22:28:00.009+08:00

When the A1’s pictures were released, I didn’t entirely get the looks of it. I didn’t like the idea of making a short movie alongside Justin Timberlake. Audi, now the fastest growing German carmakers finally came out with the winning formula by first releasing the R8, the A5 and then the A4. Good looking and best in class machineries is what they are. That said the A1 is quite the recipe of what Audi has made.

Beating the Mini isn’t easy but I think Audi did just that. I once lived with a 1 series for over a year and the materials never fail to remind me that I am in the cheapest model there is, every time I get into it. If I were to rate the 1’s interior quality a 6, the Cooper S would be a 7 and the A1 a full-on 8. I’ve never seen a car in the supermini category built with such sheer quality. I am also genuinely amazed that Audi could fit some many speakers into a car that’s the size of a shoe.

Unfortunately, brought in the 1.4 turbo variant that has 122 bhp instead of the one that has the same engine but churning out 185 brake horse power. So it is 8.9 seconds not 6.9 seconds. For something that’s priced at 180 thousand ringgit, many would settle for a Golf which is 25 thousand less, nudges 100 km/h in 8 seconds dead and seats 5. It wouldn’t be fair to compare the A1 to the Golf because the Scirocco TSI is more of the A1’s direct rival. The Roc does 0 – 100 as fast as the Golf but costs nearly 9 thousand more than the Audi.

Then the VW is the better pick, a coupe rather than a supermini, being faster and more likely to get you laid. Despite that, the Audi is better equipped and having a superior badge. If I were to get an A1, I’ll opt for red paint which is 2 and a half thousand, the Bose sound system which is 4 thousand and S-line package which is 15 thousand. Adding 21.5 thousand to the 180 grand base-price leads to another problem. The Golf GTi.

+LEDs all over
+Built to last
+Roomy; for two

-Truly expensive
White.
Red.
Black.

Dr. Cafe

2011-06-20T15:02:00.000+08:00

Bokeh in a cup

D'Empire Brasserie

2011-06-20T13:55:00.002+08:00

Red.White.Yellow

2011-06-18T10:15:00.001+08:00

In those primitive times, this was used to determine time

Monthly magazine stash

And books that I've been skimming through

A Coffee Bean

2011-06-14T12:03:00.001+08:00

My favourite TV shows have ended with their season finale and that’s just a little depressing. Fact is, the world’s best boss has left The Office and Mr. Legendary got married. It really makes me wonder if staying gold is truly that tough?
A chap once strongly emphasised that his relationship status on his BookFace account meant nothing to him therefore it should be left blank. Several days after that, the blank status has miraculously been transformed to lover boy status. My dear friend just could not bear another lonely night of his 21 years of life no more. Cheers comrade.

College to a fairy huge amount of the female associate is the time to skim on cloth. Yeap somehow to make up for the little to no attention at all back in high school. As said on my earlier entry, accessories these days could turn any man into an attractive lady. With that all set and good it go, it worked as a dud who has feet as his main transport did got hooked. No matter she’s got the wheels and the quid all taken care of. His job is to just fill the hollowness in her.

Unfortunately, that didn’t quite work and it is university now, time to step the game up. Maybe an experienced working man would fit the job. After losing something we can only lose once in our lifetime, she soon realise that it was just that and nothing more. Not entirely true because this is a great opportunity to pick up cheer leading. Well, you go girl.. and good luck.

Another trending lifestyle that I have been curious about is that women these days enjoy younger boys. Little boys quite like the attention that they are getting, apparently. From what I am seeing, young boys’ attention can easily be attained by offering them a couple of irresistible candies. After that, congrats ladies, you have got a peasant under your control.

Or be a man who firmly disagrees on going home run with his romantic companion as it isn’t nice to have something of others that could only be lost once. And visiting one another’s houses would be a taboo that he never in a million years would commit to just because the bed is a Diablo’s temptation. I last heard he’s got her living at his place. That effectively explained everything.

This perhaps is probably down to time where people tend to make changes or it is just down to pure desperation. As people grow older, they tend to be easier and I am really starting to see that. Maybe it is time for me to not be so stubborn sticking to my personal principles so biblically. At the end of the day, it ain’t worth it to be true to irrelevant roots like this miserable chap who has...

...curly hair and now have decided to barter his hideously modified Honda Accord for an Audi TT. Truth be told, this is a hell of an upgrade bumping from 150 to nearly 400 thousand. Unusual but that’s what is being written on a free ad website. Well, all I know being his cocky self he gracefully announced that he were to get a Mercedes C Class when his Satria Neo was up for sale.

What's Wrong With Cars These Days?

2011-06-07T14:01:00.004+08:00

When the F10 was launched in 2010, many critiques compliment its comfortable ride quality, carnivorous spaciousness and good looks. I got a little skeptic and had a go in it somewhere in May last year. I did not quite like it as I’ve been a fan of the E60 since I first laid eyes on one.

A month ago when I was in Bangkok, bored of waiting for the ladies doing their shopping, I decided to carry out a bit of an experiment of my own. Since I am already in this female department store, I shall draw to a conclusion on why are girls these days so desirable.

And so, I headed to the undergarment section and told a friendly lady about my quest out there. She joyfully pointed out things like padding, extensions and push-up. Such engineering marvel I said to myself. I thanked her and continued my adventure. Some of these stuff’s thickness is more than any books I’ve ever owned. As a whole, I strongly believe that I could pull off a drag with such marvelous accessories.

To me, the current BMW 5 series is very much like the above-mentioned undergarments. They both work very well and are nicely-packaged but somewhat clinical. It is a BMW and it gives you the great handling ability however it is just isn’t as rewarding as the 5 should be. Not that the F10 is a bad car it is just that it left me unsatisfied. Rather cold. Artificial but that'll do.

As Time Goes By

2011-05-26T16:15:00.003+08:00

Despite having no school and not having to go to work I still find myself quite occupied. Over a fortnight ago, I caught an eye infection and god knows why. Thank you-the man up there. After having to deal with that, I gathered some unused personal belongings and packed them together as present to celebrate the birth of a man’s ID.

A gift inspired by The Office

It ain't Christmas but how thoughtful of Porsche

There goes a bottle..

As a weekender, I decided to take on the 4.8L V8 BMW X5. It’s the 2nd generation of the highly successful SUV from the BMW brand having 350 horsepower and 475Nm of torque coming from under its hood. It is all good but it sort of felt like the scaled down version of the current LCI(facelift) model that has a rather smaller 4.4L engine boosted with a twin-scroll turbo which has 50 more horses and a total of 600 torques. Except the 48i has a not at all scaled down fuel consumption that’s sipping 25.5L/100km(10mpg).

Let’s leave that part as fuel is still quite affordable and look at many bright sides of this magnificent off roader. The one I tested was having 21 inch rims on, panoramic sunroof, rear entertainment and heads up display. Actually none of them matters apart from the massive rim and cool display. In fact, the entire car looks good, great interior space/comfort and most of all it drives excellent. The 48i’s steering is as sharp as any BMW and the noise that V8 engine produces is just savagery.

I’ve got to admit that I am completely sold to this car and if it weren’t for its colossal road tax premium, it would have already found its brand new garage.

Celebrating A B'Day Part I & II

2011-05-24T16:48:00.002+08:00

A little booze gets people going

Pilot and passenger ready to crash

Jay's using his parking skill on a race track

Owh No..

Mad man

Short Trip With An SUV

2011-05-08T22:44:00.007+08:00

We are such G Star bores

Once Upon A Time In Bangkok

2011-05-06T15:36:00.000+08:00

Notice a dog on the bike?

Vespa - A very fat dog

400 horsepower V12

I may just have got myself into trouble

If only my girl had iris like that

Work & Fun

2011-05-03T22:28:00.001+08:00

A suspicious immigrant nearing Red Persona

A good spot at work to drain time and have my second breakfast

This is where I burn my enemies

Upcoming R&B star to rival Reshmonu

A man of many disguise; a Guerrilla member, a pilot

Dr. Frankenstein with his experiment gone wrong

Two different expression on food

Now that's an angry man

Maroon 5 Gig

2011-05-01T21:41:00.023+08:00

Who does Adam Levine better?

Jay - Myself and Stanley

Next time Yo!

We've mistaken Maroon 5's concert for Adam Lambert's

...and Jay getting the focus wrong as always.

Doing The Job

2011-04-28T19:46:00.001+08:00

Sorting papers is no fun

Reading plans has always been my forte

The amount of coffee harmed

The Endless Joy Of An SUV

2011-04-24T16:24:00.000+08:00

For a start, I’ve always hated SUVs. They are tall obstructive things hogging the fast lane. When a bend surfaces, SUV users just can’t do them without continuously flashing their brake lights. Additionally, people who use such tools possess bad driving skills.

These massive lumps are not only slow but also terribly ugly to look at. Basically there are just rectangular-shaped boxes with four wheels on it and tries to kill you in every corner.

Not too long ago, Mr. Tham(SUV pastor) converted my religion into loving such beasts. After driving an Audi Q5, I finally see the light in SUVs. For one, the Q5 isn’t ugly at all. The handling isn’t at all bad and its acceleration is only slightly slower than a Golf GTi’s. The Q5 is properly fast that feels like a sedan but on stilts.

Yea yea, the hot rod Audi is great stuff but what I have been driving recently is the first generation BMW X5. The face-lifted one that’s 3-litre and having a 225 horses straight six engine. Rusty metal but sometimes old is really gold. Being a full size sports utility vehicle, 8.8 seconds is not too slow and it’s steering is as accurate as the 5 series of it’s time. Although I could use another 300 stallions but that would be costing quite a lot more.

Being a short man, getting into a tall car is no easy thing but when you are in it, you ain’t a shorty no more. On the go, every sucker gave way or shall they suffer the catastrophic damage. Additionally, no man has yet to deny my entry into any queue. As a result, I don’t only feel like son of god but god himself.

Having to live with this X5 for weeks, there are a few problems. If you had too much of what was on your plate, you’ll be having a hard time trying not to throw up. That’s because its suspension setup is very much on the hard side. I’m very sure that a 150-kilo fat man would have his man boobs jittering throughout his journey in this BMW.

Since this Bimmer is an SUV, I took it off-roading on a Sunday morning. And it got into a mess that took two hours and lots of petrol to get out of. While being stranded in the woods it’s tailgate that splits into two came to good use as a bench.

By all means, if you want a reasonably good in handling full size SUV that’s uncomfortable, this is the one to get.

Lady Gaga's Heartbeats by Monster

2011-04-21T15:12:00.002+08:00

After getting a pair of Monster's Turbine, Jay had to get something from Monster, so here they are.

The Good: Looks like no other earphones.
The Bad: Uncomfortable, not up to par sound, shoddy quality.

As a whole, having a pair of these on definitely deserves some attention but it is more to the show than the go. Having them on for a couple of minutes, my lower-outer ear (antiragus) starts to hurt thanks to this earphone's triangular construction. If you are a person who believes in the saying no pain no gain, the sound it produces isn't top notch. It sounds decent but at a price tag of 600 ringgit in local stores, that is not exactly cheap.

In addition, the profit of these earphones are being divided by three individuals who are Monster themselves, Dr. Dre and Lady G so that explains the lack in quality.

Fortunately, for Jay, he got this pair of Monster for 59 Euros which translates to about 260 ringgit while in Italy.

Wild Life

2011-04-20T09:30:00.002+08:00

Butterfly
Man on boat
Some flower
Monkey

An old man and another old man

BMW F12 6 Series Launch

2011-04-15T18:00:00.007+08:00

At posh functions VIP gets reserved parking, obviously and people show up with their biggest gun. Many came in their 5s but in such occasions, there is a need to come in a Bentley Continental, V8 Vantage, 911 or even a Rolls Royce Ghost.

What are the things that you can do?
1) Enjoy yourself by taking pleasure in alcohol, food and definitely grope on expensive cars.
2) If you are a middle aged man, you could show off of your 20-year old girlfriend to your elderly friends who brought their wrinkly wives along.
3) Flash your name card with some director pose on it and pretend to want to buy it when your daughter gets her license.

As for me, I had a great time with Kwok fancying wine, whiskey and most of all the cocktails. I've got to say they are pretty good stuff except for the food that were cold and has some strange taste to it. All in all, the party was favourable.

Endless supply of cocktails!

320 Horsepower, Twin Turbos, Blah Blah

All set to nick that cigarette lighter

I'm no ass man but the recent BMW's rear are more attractive

The family tree

Tea Time At Whisk

2011-04-13T16:52:00.029+08:00

Mr. No Mandarin Name

Shiang Ham and Mong Hui

Shiang Hom and Calvin Khor

The Red Mobile

2011-04-11T15:58:00.000+08:00

Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

2011-04-10T23:13:00.002+08:00

I haven’t had a cigarette between my fingers for quite some time. At some point, you may want to feel that nicotine high and bear that awful smell from those little sticks. Once you start and you’re hooked is what I’ve heard from the elderly. That’s true, but not entirely, partially. And that is coming from a person who can’t live with less than two cups of coffee a day.

When we were little, we were told by smokers “don’t do what I do” and by our parents to stay away from that tobacco-wrapped sushi sort of gave us a negative picture on cigarettes. At the end of the day, we are the ones to judge whether or not to adopt the smoking habit into our lives.

To me, the Mini Countryman is very much like cigarettes. It looks like any other weird looking crossovers on computer screen but in person, it tells a different story. The slab of metal side grills, the 18” alloys and the two-tone colour gives the Countryman presence. Being a Mini, it should be impractical but it has four doors. It even has a decent boot size of 450 litres.

When I got into the driver’s seat, it felt a little weird as almost everything is almost the same in the Cooper S but taller. While in the back, I had proper headroom and legroom. So I had to have a go in this thing. Furthermore the Countryman’s dash that’s filled soft touch materials, metal finishes and neat switches give a premium feel. It ignites with a press on the Start/Stop button and instantly the Countryman’s exhaust could be heard. Into D and I wandered into the open roads. At first, I drove as sanely as possible to find out if the Countryman S is comfortable. Yes it is but the cabin is more to the loud side at speeds of more than 100km/h.

Then to see what is the S truly made of, into manual and sport mode. Having 184hp and 240Nm of torque on my right foot will propel this car from zero to hundred in 8.3 seconds. To be honest, it does not feel fast due to having a four wheel drive system. In the twisty bits, this Countryman handles well with minimal under steer and Mini’s go-kart feel has not been lost.

In my opinion, I find that the handling in the Countryman better than Cooper. With such a healthy chassis, this Countryman can most definitely handle another 50 horses or even another 100. I’ve been told on videos and magazines that All4’s isn’t as much fun nor is it as sharp as the standard coupe but I don’t agree on this. When I was doing the twisty roads at a considerably fast speeds in a Cooper S, all its does it twitch left and right because of its intrusive traction. As for sharp corners, at full throttle, it under steers in and over steers out.

If you want a car that’s quick and grips well in the bends, get a Golf GTi. The Cooper S on the other hand more to the styling department. As for the Countryman S, its four drive system sorts out most of the under and over steer. On top of that, the auto box in this high riding Mini shifts better. As a result, the more I drive the more I want it, like cigarettes.

Having a price tag of 285 thousand ringgit and an additional of 15K for a colourful screen and another 10 for sunroof is pretty expensive for a car at this size. If I were to get ones of these hot buns, I’ll opt for the coloured screen that also comes with fancy speakers to round it off to 300k. Additionally, it should come with four leather seats instead of five in fabric. The only thing that this Mini needs is more oomph.

My Furry Toy

2011-04-10T15:00:00.000+08:00

Giving him a taste of his own meds

Porsche Bukit Bintang

2011-04-09T23:29:00.002+08:00

The only one in matte

The queue

Courtesy of Harn Sheng Photography

Squashed VW Beetle revealed!

Week In Pictures

2011-04-09T16:07:00.000+08:00

SLK; the penis extender

Someone's made a friend

Monster Turbine

2011-04-01T22:49:00.007+08:00

A dear from of mine, Mr. Kok, was returning from the States so I exploited his kindness to smuggle me a pair of earphone. It all started when everyone is going crazy over Dr. Dre's line of Monster headphones called the Beats. There is the Beats by Dr. Dre, Beats Pros, Diddybeats, iBeats, Power Beats, Heartbeats, Beats Solo with Control Talk or not and coupled with special editions. You can even have them with Justin Bieber, Puffy Father or Lady GaGa's face on it.

I do not have an appetite for products that are too confusing(like Porsche's 911 models) nor do I wish to give Dr. Dre anymore money so I filtered all of Monster's products that has his name on it. It got less baffling by having Turbine, Turbine Pro, Butterfly, Jamz, Lil Jamz, Mobile Jamz and once again with the option of Control Talk and limited editions. In addition, some has copper or gold plating on them.

It has been awhile since I got something for myself and the Monster Turbine quite the looker.

The Turbine came in a relatively impressive package. Which includes a pouch and small a bag. Myself being excited, I connected these earphones to the iPhone and had a go. Well nothing was all the heard so I tried them on the iPod Touch. It worked, but it sounded flat and there was no bass. So I picked a pair of earbuds which fit my ears best and give it a go once more.

By the standards of an earphone, it pretty damn good. The sound is crisp and the bass were loud. Tracks ranging from 50 Cent's In Da Club to Yanni's Aria were great. I could hear sounds that has never been heard before on these earphones.

Price? This Monster costs 740 ringgit if you were to get it from some online sellers trying to rip you off or even from Harvey Norman. As for me, Mr. Kok got them for 180 USD which is about RM 550. Reasonably priced being compared to the local store prices. The annoying thing is that I have to bring my iPod and my phone wherever I go. Or I could find a jack for it.

The metal finish on the Turbine is fine and has some solid weight to it. Having blue and red to differentiate each side of the Turbine's pretty neat. So a very positive review it is? To be frank, it is indeed pretty good but not many would be too keen on its price. As a whole, if you want to get a pair of these. Why not?

My only regret would is probably wondering why haven't I gone for the more expensive copper/gold plated Turbine Pro.