Pants On Fire!

Came across an article last week, about the findings of a research on the impact of communication technology on lying behaviour. It found that in a synchronous communication medium, people are more prone to lying than in an asynchronous one.

During a face-to-face conversation, people lie more often because most lies are unplanned, and it is usually unrecorded, so cant be reviewed later. Whereas in an asynchronous medium, such as email, it is easily traceable and distributed...hehheh... the chances of lying are thus lower.

Then again, in a face-to-face conversation, its hard to lie without pulling a face muscle, and you cant really look into the eyes of the other party. So, I figured, in the category of synchronous medium, lying is more prevalent when you don't see that person!

So, watch out for those pants on fire!

Little Needs

You seriously won't know how much you needed them, till they can't function like they used to..... i cut my thumb, and I kept knocking into it repeatedly. Think it will never heal.... sigh.

Heh.... just feeling whiney.

Ok, I changed my bedsheets, watched Carrie and Bo croon, and finished half a pack of chips.

I Really Dun Want To Know

Have you had one of those times when you feel like you want to strangle the person next to you for spilling too much? Especially, when you have been keeping a vigilant watch every week just to keep up with the episodes and then to find out that all your efforts are wasted.... that just when you make time to watch that last episode for the final result, snacks in storage, couch nicely made for that hour of entertainment that you have been waiting for since Episode 1.... that a few hours before, someone just blurted out the result as a matter of factly, without blinking an eyelid!!!!


How can they not keep it to themselves? Why do they assume that I want to know the result? Do they just simply want to show that they do have an edge over me, for they are better informed than I am? I simply cannot comprehend.... try being next to one, under the same roof... sigh. Tell me I am not alone.

Alright, its a Friday night, and was planning to have a nice evening at home lying on couch, snacking and being entertained by a tv box. But now! I have no tv programme to watch. I already know the results for American Idol. Think I'll be domesticated and clean my room.... no no, think I'll sleep early tonight.... (shaking head).

Suggest

Did you know that Google has a new tool called Google Suggest? Pretty cool.... the word(s) you are searching for will be prompted as you type, preventing you from straining your finger muscles too much.... hehheh.... Oh oh, and for those who cannot spell, definitely a good tool! Try it!

Here Come The Chills

Weather is getting chilly, and toes were slightly freezing this afternoon. Had to fish out my Nippon-inspired bedroom slippers. Have no idea what's written on it, but who cares, it only costs me $3.99 from Watson's! Tess, care to translate?

Had a friend call to check upon me today. Its nice to receive such calls occasionally, although they sometimes do sound like your mum talking, but at least there's a sense of familiarity. Except that they dun do your laundry or iron your clothes. Ooops, too much revelation....

Book Cafe Along Bourke

Flat white with Cakes / Inside Book Cafe

Coffee at Book Cafe, where I once spent a couple of hours with my laptop..... no la... no geek. Yesterday, was only in the company of a good friend, and of course the sweet delights.

Shanghai Dumplings

Lunch at Shanghai Dumplings

The once delicious but oily Fried Shanghai Noodles and Dumplings.

XX More Days

Heh.... the number of days I have left in Melbourne, and the number of days before Shawn gets her life back... hahaha...(dun kill me)....

Podcasting!

We heard about Internet Radio, now is the time to try Podcasting! Its really internet radio but the audio files are recorded by individuals or organizations, and are streamed onlnine privately for their own purposes for public listening. You can download the files and play them on your computers or ipods (okay, taking a little side), or any mp3 players. Podcasting softwares are also available for downloads, such that when your favourite 'podcast station' has new programmes, you will be alerted. Here's a link to get you started: http://www.podcastcentral.com/.

Guess what? Will be trying out one of these radio broadcasting stuff in class, in 2 weeks time.... hehheh.... karaoke kings and queens, better beware. May capture you on tape and stream them online! Can you tell that I am enjoying my course?

My recommendation: Jam Radio.
Scroll down to Item 4, Programme 1, located 2 min 40 secs into the programme. Song is also available in Programme 5. Nice, very nice! The entire file is 18.8MB though, but its worth it! Have been on my replay for the last hour. Will try to put up more links to the nicer stations.

BTW, for those who are more interested in subjects such as health, news, gardening etc (yawn...), there are also stations for you! Click here.

First Detachment

With the days drawing nearer, some preparations of 'going home' are essential, since I tend to be a little over-ambitious and like to cram up my schedule, thinking that I can work on a 30-hr day when there is only 24. Here's my first 'detachment' from Melbourne.

Date Joined: March 2004
Date of Departure: 30 June 2005

Oh, which means I can still enjoy the luxurious facilities at Paragon for another two weeks!

Departure Application

For The Colour Blind

For my colour blind friend, hope your eyes are feeling better now. Do not complain anymore ah.

Not that I am very free, but its Friday! Very sick of looking at what Mr.Theory has to say, so decided to use a bit of my right brain.

Saturday Routine

Since I started my course here in Melbourne, I have been having full day classes on Saturdays (9am to 4pm).... yes, da*m it! Can you imagine how moody I get when everyone is out partying on Friday nights? Anyway, since I am such a responsible student, I am always one of the first few to tread home on Friday night outings.... sober , of course!

Oh, coming back to what i wanted to say.... was having a conversation with two other classmates during lunch, and we were rejoicing at the fact that it was our last Saturday with full day classes for the semester, and for the course! The smiles on our faces couldn't hide the occasional vege stuck on the teeth of ...... (I shan't mention who) ... Then I had to say, "perhaps I will miss such routine, of crawling out of bed at 7.30am, making myself a sandwich for lunch, walking to school and bypassing night owls going home after partying, desperately trying to keep my eyes open during class for 3 hours, before crossing the road and grabbing lunch for an hour, and then back to class for another 3 hours". So nerdy hor?

Honestly, I don't know if I will ever miss the 'Saturday Routine', but I know I will sure miss the walk-20-minutes-and-you-don't-sweat-at-all syndrome - the weather! As erratic as it can be, Melbourne's weather is just incredible!

4 more weeks before school ends!
6 more weeks before I am home! ..........
Since I can't replicate the weather, better make a list of what else I have to do.

050505!

Its 5 May 2005 today! Have to blog on something on this numerically-special day.

Hmmm, just finished lunch, let me show you what I had today. Thanks to a friend's handwritten recipe for Seaweed Meatball Soup..... this is my lunch.....

Seaweed Meatball Soup with Udon

Will probably not do very much today, no class, no appointment, no date.... sigh, think TV is my best companion for today, and of course, not forgetting my books.

The First Time

By U2


I have a lover
A lover like no other
She got soul, soul, soul, sweet soul
And she teach me how to sing
Shows me colours when there's none to see
Gives me hope when I can't believe
That for the first time
I feel love

I have a brother
When I'm a brother in need
I spend my whole time running
He spends his running after me

When I feel myself going down
I just call and he comes around
But for the first time
I feel love

My father is a rich man
He wears a rich man's cloak
Gave me the keys to his kingdom coming
Gave me a cup of gold

He said I have many mansions
And there are many rooms to see
But I left by the back door
And I threw away the key
And I threw away the key
Yeah, I threw away the key
Yeah, I threw away the key

For the first time
For the first time
For the first time

Withdrawal

For the past month, I have been having coffee with chocolate cookies during mid-day. I will actually look forward when the clock strikes 3.... or sometimes earlier, to get up and make myself a cup, and of course indulge in a few cookies.

According to Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Johns Hopkins, "caffeine is the world's most commonly used stimulant, and it's cheap and readily available so people can maintain their use of caffeine quite easily. The latest research demonstrates, however, that when people don't get their usual dose they can suffer a range of withdrawal symptoms, including headache, fatigue, difficulty concentrating. They may even feel like they have the flu with nausea and muscle pain."

The thing is, the cookies, the capuccino cookies taste so good with coffee, that I now can't decide if I am addicted to the cookies or the coffee. Oh, just remembered that I need to go get more cookies for tommorrow, coz I just finished them!

Some withdrawal symptoms can be replaced or ignored, but for some, there are just no replacements...........

Aint Perfect But Perfect

Got permission from Subject Five to post the not-so-perfect, but perfect 'Parting Words' from one of her students.


Parting Words
"I never thought I can friend ALT. You are strange ALT.
This is a talk to oneself...today you see very tired so tonight early sleeping ok.

If you feel tired time. if you feel dark time. if you walk in circles, stop!
turn head around and rest a little, your memories on your back will push you on."

Angels Brought Me Here

By Guy Sebastian

It's been a long and winding journey, but i'm finally here tonight
Picking up the pieces, and walking back into the light
Into the sunset of your glory, where my heart and future lies
There's nothing like that feeling, when i look into your eyes...

My dreams came true, when i found you
I found you, my miracle...

If you could see, what i see, that you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

Standing here before you, feels like i've been born again
Every breath is your love, every heartbeat speaks your name...

My dreams came true, right here in front of you
My miracle...

If you could see, what i see, you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

Brought me here to be with you,
I'll be forever grateful (oh forever Faithful)
My dreams came true
When I found you
My miracle...

If you could see, what i see, you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...
Yes they brought me here...
If you could feel, the tenderness i feel...
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...