Geekerd

2007-08-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

Young people have a weird pack mentality about certain things, I’ve noticed. You look at the girls in an average-sized high school, and none of them are really going to be model-pretty or, you know, tragically disfigured or anything. They all fit pretty well into the spectrum of normal physical appearance.

There’s always the pretty girls, who are popular, and the ugly dorky girls who aren’t, and the kind of plain girls in the middle who have to suck up to the pretty ones to be accepted.

At best, most of those ‘ugly dorky girls’ would just be considered plain, in the world outside high school. To some extent, I suppose it’s that the really vain girls put more time and effort into improving their appearance, but mostly it’s just the collective talking. If you aren’t accepted by the pack, then to a certain extent nobody’s going to be willing to admit that they find you desirable… and to a certain extent, they really won’t. Perceptions are highly suggestive, and standards of beauty are mutable. The popular girls aren’t necessarily popular because they’re pretty; they’re considered pretty because they are popular.”

It does sound insane doesn't it?

Okay, but think, have you ever heard somebody talking about a girl they went to high school with who was supposed to be really, really ugly, and they just heard she’s getting married to somebody really handsome and they can’t believe it?”

Most people will say: “I think so, but I can’t remember exactly when, or where, though.” Well, that’s not surprising, because it probably happened more than one time. That same conversation goes on, all over the world, all the time.

"Yeah, but some people are, you know, late bloomers,” you might argue. “Or they get work done, or are really good at that kind of stuff.”

However, then there’s the pretty girls who move from one school to another and suddenly can’t get the time of day… or the ugly girls who move and suddenly find themselves the center of attention. I’m not going to say something trite, like ‘the message is that real beauty is on the inside’… because, that’s not the kind of beauty we’re talking about… and it makes it sound like there’s some kind of rhyme or reason to this, or at least a basic level of fairness about it.

“So what is the message?” You ask. I've given you what you had to admit is an interesting theory of high school social dynamics, but I'm sure you're still not sure you can believe it. You’ve seen the girls that are considered pretty at school every day. They’d looked pretty damn pretty to you too. And the rest of the "ugly girls" as well…

The message is that, instead of listening to the memory of people you’re never going to see again, you should look to the here and now in determining your cuteness, and that goes double for your self-worth.

2007-08-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

Computers vs. Women

Computers:

Can be diagnosed, tested, tweaked and repaired to excellent working conditions.

On average, do what they are told.

Don't cheat

Are actually dependent on you for 'life'.

Are not emotional.

Don't care about Equal Rights.

Women:

No one can possibly understand them.

Do what they are asked when they feel like it.

Cheat and blame you for ignorance and not understanding.

Insist to be individuals but spend your check anyway.

Emotional about the 'cute' shoes on the clearance rack.

Believe in biased, one-sided Equal Rights when women don't get in trouble for anything men do.

So can you really blame a geek for choosing a computer?

2007-08-06T05:20:00.000-07:00

One of the rare times I'm goign to write like this... Tiredness, hunger and stress has driven me into a corner so yeah... No nicely worded post about a relevant topic anytime soon. I'm simply too drowned in work to write anything serious.

So, its 5:20AM, I'm tired, I'm sleepy and I've just finished my Osim Triathlon story. I'll add it at the bottom of this post for people to critique.

To think, one story down. and 3 to go. By wednesday night/ thursday morning... Ugh... I hate Newswriting, I hate my group. Especially certain people whom I shall not name... Or hmmm... Is it certain people? Or just the whole group? I think for once its good to generalise. Okay, fine, I hope the whole group just drops dead. Hell, I'll even be glad to do it for them. Give me a gun or a bottle of poison or sumthing, and I'll make sure their dead by the end of this week.

Ugh.... I'm going to bed now. Nite.

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CURSES... Foiled again... If it wasn't for you dang meddlin' kids I wouldn't succeeded too!

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(And here is the Osim Story)

Contrary to the perception that many foreigners take part in Singaporean triathlons, the reverse is actually true, more and more Singaporeans are participating in such events, although the winners are still usually Caucasians or Japanese.

On the 28th and 29th of July, the Osim Singapore International Triathlon was held at East Coast Park. Boasting an impressive number of participants this year as compared to the last one, over 3900 triathletes came to East Coast Park to test their strengths against the elements as well as themselves.

“Its actually my first time participating,” said Mr Lim Eng Chong, 23, who works in a law firm. “I did it for fun.” Mr Chong feels that as like himself, there are many Singaporeans taking up triathlons as a pastime. Not only doing it for fun, he does it to keep fit as well as to test his endurance level. With a mild approach to training for such events, Mr Chong says that “there isn’t really an exact science to it I guess, you just do it for as far as you can and for as long as you can.” He is one of the believers that though physically demanding, this sport can be taken up by almost anyone.

Students are also beginning to take part in such rigorous competitions as seen by Mr Lenard Lee, 18, a student of NUS High. “I’m taking part as part of a team with my friends.” Said Mr Lee, who is part of the school swimming team and has taken part in certain sporting events of this calibre before, such as the Inter-School Biathlon. He believes that as a school swimmer, he is somewhat prepared for what he has to face in the triathlon. Aside from this, he also stated that, “there’s no point in actually trying out unless you can swim one and a half times the distance.”

Not only young students are getting into triathlons, but Mr Goh Swee Leng, 38, a business executive, has also tried his hand at this burgeoning sport. “Basically, I did it to test my limits. I wanted to see if I could actually do it.” He commented. Although a newcomer to the sport, Mr Goh feels that the swimming portion of the race is the most crucial for beginners, “The swimming is critical, it takes a lot of stamina and strength to swim 1.5 kilometres non-stop. There has to be a certain level of skill before you try it.”

When interviewed, Mr Desmond Koh, 26, one of the organisers for this event, mentioned that “there actually was an overwhelming response to this year’s Triathlon.” He remarked that in total, 3900 participants were accepted out of an application of at least 5000 people. However, of this number, he also commented that “there seems to be a lot more foreigners taking part than Singaporeans.” A reason he gave for this was that he felt that the swim was extremely strenuous and most Singaporeans could not swim as well as Caucasians.

However, Mr Marcel Michel, 43, a tourist, feels that although well publicised, this event is a disgrace to Singaporeans, he says, “So little Singaporeans taking part in it, as well as so little spectators, even though it is held in Singapore itself.” He commented saying that if this event had taken place in America or some other western country, such events would be packed with spectators. Mr Michel believes saying that “interest in Singapore is low” would almost be an understatement considering the amount of Singaporeans he saw there.

Mr Craig McTurk, a polytechnic lecturer and an active triathlete, offered several reasons as to why it might seem that few Singaporeans are joining such events. “Usually, when such events are publicised, the news that comes out of it is quite bad, most often concerning fatalities during the competition. Consider the example of Thaddeus Cheong.” Said Mr McTurk. “Such publicised information would invariably discourage people from attempting these events.”

On the other hand, Mr McTurk also commented that though there are several factors that would discourage Singaporeans from trying their hand at triathlons, he also stressed several reasons why Singaporeans might be encouraged to join. “I actually only started doing triathlons when I came here 6 years ago. It was my friends who encouraged me to try and I’ve been doing it ever since.” He said. “The weather here is very good for such events with triathletes being able to train almost everyday.” Another reason Mr McTurk gave was that considering the triathlons were almost always held in the same place, it would give locals an advantage in their training as they would know the terrain better.

Therefore, as one can see that though the number of local participants in these triathlons is currently low, it is on the rise and perhaps one can expect to see a Singaporean winning these events sometime soon.

2007-07-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

I have often found that the arguement that violent video games make children violent is pure bullshit. Granted, violent shows and films and other forms of violent media might and probably does make people "desensitized" to violence, that is no clear proof that violent media causes more violence.

If you say that violent video games cause violence, it would be tantamount to saying that the game "Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001" makes kids to be pro golfers. In addition to that, I feel disgusted by the people who claim that the violence in games is too much to bear.

Look people. You complain about violence in games, but I don't hear your complaints about violence elsewhere, violence on TV perhaps? Or in film? Look at certain shows like "Turistas" or "Hostel", the very graphic violence shown in those film is equal if not more to video games. Think about it, in both "Hostel" films, extremely graphic violence is shown, torture scenes, thrill-killings amongst others. Whereas, in the most violent game I can think of, which is "Manhunt", the ways you kill people is with guns or other close combat items.

Granted yes, sometimes the killings can be graphic, such as the "suffocation with a plastic bag", but what is that compared to real graphic violence on TV and film where you actually see throats getting cut, and arms getting chopped off. Don't forget, in a game, its just computer animated figures, on TV its real people. Now granted you may argue that "Oh, but on TV they're only acting...".

But one must realize, when children watch TV, they cannot tell teh difference between reality and acting because there are still real people on TV. Where as in games, the "people" you kill are computer generated and it is very obvious that they aren't real people.

So you tell me, which is worse, watching computer animated figures get chainsawed and shot, or watching real people get raped, murdered, having sex, shot and killed? I leave it up to you, so-called proponents in the so-called war against violent games.

If you want people to stop "following" what they see in games, the best way is not to ban the games, its to ban the damn weapons that you insist on selling.

To end off, here's a link to a comic strip which enunciates my argument quite simply.

Comic Link

2007-07-09T06:54:00.002-07:00

The Apple iPhone

I WANT!!!!!!!

Its so damn cool lar.... but horribly ex. US$499 for the 4 GB and US$599 for the 8GB. If thats the current price, I shudder to think how much it would cost to buy when it finally comes over to the Asian market.

But its still so cool! So many cool functions.... Like a capacitive touch screen, a proximity sensor, an accelerometer...

Screen size: 8.9 cm (3.5 in)
Screen resolution: 320×480 pixels at 160 ppi
Input method: Multi-touch screen interface
Operating System: Darwin OS X
Storage: 4 or 8 GB Flash memory
Quad band GSM (GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900)
Wi-Fi (802.11b/802.11g), EDGE and Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR
2 megapixel camera
Built-in rechargeable, non-removable battery with up to 8 hours of talk, 6 hours of internet use, 7 hours of video playback, and up to 24 hours of audio playback, lasting over 250 hours on standby.[3]
Size: 115×61×11.6 mm (4.5×2.4×0.46 in)
Weight: 135 g (4.8 oz)

Ahhhhhh.... I want it... Somebody pleaseeee buy it for my birthday or christmas or something....

2007-07-04T04:07:00.000-07:00

Rejoice my people, for the blessed works of the Gods of Gaming have come upon us. Join us as we listen to The Benefaction of Gaming by the Gods.

The Benefaction

The Sacred Church of Gaming:

'Now be blessed with the sign of the W, the A, the S and the D. The up, the right, the down and the left. The four directions that permeate all gaming.'

The Gospel according to Miyamoto: Chapter 3, Verse 6.
'And it is said that the gaming of Man shall die and rest silent for two years. But on the Eighty-fifth year of the Twentieth century, it shall rise again. And its triumphant return will be heralded by two great plumbers and thou will know gaming has been born again... said the Gods, and thy thumbs shall be blessed. And as an arguement started up among the Fanboys as to which console would be the greatest, and the prophet, knowing their thoughts, spoke. "He who would recognise that our gaming is glorious and not prejudiced based on platform, is he who would know the love of our Gods, the warmth of our Heaven, Arcadion."'

'And let not he who is without means, but has gaming in his heart, be ostracized. For it is the heart of the gamer where true faith lies.'

The Gods of Arcadion:
'... into existance. Formless, nameless, They are the light, They are the wind, They are Gaming.'

(Link)

Lego Millenium Falcon Stop Motion

2007-07-04T03:16:00.001-07:00

This one isn't that bad as compared to the Star destroyer. Even though it has less pieces, it kinda has a few nice animations with the pieces

Lego Star destroyer

2007-07-04T03:15:00.001-07:00

This is a must watch. It's damn cool. A 3000+ piece Lego Star Destroyer assembled at a piece per frame.

5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

2007-07-02T12:51:00.000-07:00

Main tank seems optimal and subtanks are at the ready. Houston, GNS 1 is ready for liftoff.

*You are clear for liftoff GNS 1, in T-Minus 5 minutes and counting.*

Thanks Mission Control. We are commencing preflight ignition burn. Estimate 4 minutes before tanks are primed for main burn.

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T-Minus 1 minute and counting...

*GNS 1 you are clear for primary burn in T-Minus 40 secs. Godspeed GNS 1... Come home safely.*

We are go for liftoff. Commencing primary burn in... T-Minus
...5
...4
...3
...2
...1

Houston! We have liftoff!
\
\ |---\
\ \ | \
_\ \ | \ /----/----/----/----/---\______
__\ |\| ----------------------------| -|oo\
__ | | ____________________ |ooo\
_/ |/| |_|_|_________________\ |_____\
/ / |______________________________________|_________\
/ /
/ /

Hopefully thats a good approximation of a space shuttle taking off in ASCII art. : P

So thus begins a new era in Blogging. With the launch of GNS 1 (Geekinerd 1) I hope to achieve something more than just daily posts about what happened during the day in this blog. I'm going to try and make it into a real geek blog with videos and stuff.