garynbcDiary · 日记

Went to Jurong East shopping on a rainy day

Today Jackie cooked simple meal. Luncheon meat and stream veg and brown rice. Oh. Still have the microwave chicken tight and mushroom. Still raining whole day. We decided to go out to walk. 

Then we stumble over Collin’s having CNY promotion. A barramundi while fish for $16 and wagyu beef set for $21. Beer one pint for $5.80. Super cheap!!

Collin suddenly dinner


Went to Jurong Westgate and went Nitori to buy a floor mat for my bathroom. For $12.90.  Then also Jackie decided to upgrade our old mattress from origin mattress to just futon. So we bought $119 for the nitori one. 


Notori futon we buying to replace our origin mattress






This spec looks nice, wanna buy the next time, save it first

After that head to foot locker retail shop to buy a basketball shoes. Since I will be playing basketball on a regular basis. It’s is for health and safety that I invest in a proper basketball shoes. I need to stay active with at least 3 times of 30mins moderate exercise therefore now i had been actively playing basketball weekly.





Went up to Lazada to buy the LCD monitor arms. 2 arm for 2 monitor one F160 is selling $48 online with free laptop holder. So I think it’s cheap online. We will be waiting for tmr to cart out as there is a $15 voucher to snatch at noon 12 tmr.


Jackie said my shopping spree comes again. 

Is finnciti a scam? a layman perspective



Recently, thru a friend introduced me a platform finnciti (previously known as smicap) where you can multiple your investment in folds. The return as per quoted is up to 100% just by holding your investment on hand. I was skeptical and interested at the same time so I went online to do a little research on my own. It is not difficult to return result by just searching:

"Is finnciti a scam" or "Is smicap a scam". Reviews were in mixed bag. Some mention that they earned big bucks and its a platform for normal people to get richer while some other point out some resemblance of a scam structure and therefore classified finnciti as a scam platform.

I am a layman using basic logic to analyst the concept and by no mean I am advising to invest or against it. But in my humble opinion, ALL INVESTMENT POSSESSES RISK AND PLEASE BE PRUDENT WHEN DOING ANY KINDS INVESTMENT AND ONLY INVEST IN YOUR MONEY THAT YOU CAN BEAR LOSING.

SMICAP was established in 2007 by Singaporean Simon Ng(黄彦清) and subsequently renamed to finnciti in 2012, at point of writing the company is 9 years old. I do not want to touch base on the history of the company as there are website like http://finnciti.blogspot.sg/ out there providing better information.


In China, Fuzhou, at least. He is under investigation.

How does it work?

The game had limited number of robot, you can view its as "token". Basically anythings that are limited with more demand will make the token price to increase in value. When new sign up comes in, value up and existing player get to profit from the price increase of the robots that they initially had. The game is designed in a new that the price of the robot can only increase but do not decrease.

How can a system increase in value infinitely? 

This is how its works, assuming that the robot is 30cents each. You holds 10 unit of robots so the total value you have is $3. Imagine the price goes up to 60cents each robot the designer of the game do a splitting of robot. So instead of 60cent of 10 robots, you now instead have 20 robots of 30cents. (simple illustration) In a way to help balance out the supply and demand. Noted that although now the robots increase in quality, but the value is adjusted to be the same.

If everyone earns money, how the money comes from?

analogy: like if you buy a house for 50k, and the demand is appreciated to 100k. The new buyer buy the house for 100k. You gained 50k profit but the buyer loses 100k from the pocket. (money had to be come in somewhere). So before the new buyer can profit form the house he brought he needs to speculate and wait for newer buyer to buy the house from him.

Just that instead of buy/sell house, you are buy/sell virtue token/robot/unit or whatsoever they want to call that. Its a paper value of something virtue and non existence. Just like forex you are buying the surface value of something without actually owing anything except the contract.

Is it a ponzi scheme or a scam?

Ponzi scheme is often the concept of taking new comers joining fee and pays it to the existing overwriter. But because of the high amount of guaranteed returns, the scheme is fail at some point of time. So no, I don't consider finnciti as a ponzi scheme.

A system that is sustainable compared to ponzi scheme is that all the level of particant need to profit from the platform. Finnciti tried to take it slow and make sure everyone is profitable so like MLM, the designer, pioneer batch and the veteran existing user will no doubt gain from the system. But one thing is the money cannot be reproduced for thin air hence the money will have to be coming out from the new comer. The leverage and damage will transferred to the newer hirer and so on and so fore. So in another words, in my humble opinion as long as there are new comer or recruit, the existing players are still capable of gaining from the system.

To I support the concept?

I do like the way it was designed so that the poorer group of people do benefit and I actually thinks that they can earn money thru the platform. However I really advise only to play with money that you can bear losing.

In the nutshell, finnciti contain certain elements of MLM and its do not consider a scam unless the company resolve and folds. Its open to public srutinity so if you are confident that the market will be confident. Ultimately it will only be as strong as the faith of the people willing to believe in it.

Xiao Bai (perodua kelisa) for Xiao Huang (swift sport) and why


Still remember xiao huang mah? Its my suzuki swift sport, very well taken care of from previous owner. Even 8 years old the car almost look like new car from inside out. All equipment are lightly used and even the exterior was very well taken care of. It was one of the best ride I have brought. But well, actual I just had one car before that which is xiao hei, Picanto.

Now if you ask me why did I buy xiao huang for? Other than the obvious that Picanto reach its 10 years I had to scrap away. But I do not need a car when I was working in my line. Taking MRT and Public is the best option and I do not have any need for vehicle. Other than because of her.

Having a weekend car mean that I can drive the car after 7pm and why do I need to drive the car. Purely because it conducive and I want to spend more time with her. Be it watching our show in the car or the small chat while sending her back home. I brought xiao huang because I wanna upgrade the ride for her. You might not even believe me but it true. Its for you.


And we did have our fair share of fun inside the vehicle. We spend Christmas in it, count down in it. Eat in it, camp in it, sleep in it. In between work, be it hers or mine we steal some time spending quality accompany in it. Xiao huang is like our little child, you went to view him together, buy together and I even sold off the car together. That's right. We had aborted xiao huang and that is of course with a valid reason. 

I had a transition of job, in another I got out of job. Without income flow, I am not able to substantial the monthly overhead of the yellow beauty. We make a collectively discussion and agree its financially not advisable for us to have a xiao huang. Although it is really a good performance car and I had spend quite some money too to upgrade the ride as well. So there he goes. Served us well for the past 6 months. 

So during my one month (May 2016) of unemployment, I basically is a stay home kid. So why do I need a car anyway. But well, because of missing the convenient of transport and hide out place, the time we spend with each other had lessen. Of course during this period you are also occupied with other person. But to bring us closer, without a car is not an opinion for me. I decided to find an alternate ride to let us go back to good old time. And yes, I buy my 3rd car because of you. Purely. as I do not need a car in my following job and at the time I brought the car I was still slacking at home.



So happened for me to come across xiao bai. You know why I like this model so much. I had told you  on so many occasion why this model is appealing to me. You also say that you wouldn't mind even if this is consider a downgrade of ride :) I had been keeping a look out for a suitable price and condition to commit into. 

I was so impluse that I went down to view and straight away I placed my deposit even though I told you the condition were not the best that I have seen. I almost can say that it was having the worst condition compared to huang and hei. But nonetheless, there are some good point about this bai that make me want to reserve it on the spot. I was counting down the days to collect the car. I was also afraid that you might not like the condition or even the model cause you didn't went to test drive the car together. Lucky, when I picked you at your workplace, you seem to be pleasantly satifised with the car as much as me. I was glad that my decision to take it didn't disappoint you. For the price that I am paying, this is top of the class with very low depreciation every year. Economic in another words.






Xiao Bai aka the Perodua Kelisa. A very budget compact car that was the most widely sold in Malaysia. I told people that I had brought SLK instead. Thats because SLK stands for "Small little Kelisa" of backward is KLS "KeLiSa". So from today onward please tell people that Gary had got myself a kelisa. 

Well, first to drive a Kelisa you need to be someone of attitude. Its big character packed in compact package. Kelisa is often anti selected due to the generalizations and discrimination that Malaysia is not so good of a car producer compared to more expensive counter part like the Japanese, Korean and European car. That was totally not true. Because the Perodua is built to save your pocket and last you a life time. 


They are economical, cheap on parts and built so that its affordable and they are available to anyone who wish to own a car. Actually in the core, its running Daihatsu engine a Japanese brand. It a make over from Japanese engine so you will get the performance and fuel efficiency of a Japanese robust engine.

Other than the more old looking internal dash board, the exterior is very subjective, no everyone can handle the design of the car but that was something so appealing to me, they do actually looked cute like the Mini and Mira. 

On top of that, its so cheap, the parts are abundant in Malaysia and very customizable to have your own unique look. Since it was a staple in Malaysia, servcing and modification is readily available use across the causeway.  

All in all, it is a very value for money ride to drive in. But not for faint hearted. Most importantly, you need to feel good in any car you drive in. For me it does.

Neo V camera and video sample : Break for lunch

Hi people. I will show case my new purchased phone Xperia Neo V's photo and video quality. However as this is my blog, I will not be writing the review so you have to take judgement for yourself:

New purchase: Curve 8520 :) (Macro mode with flash)
Auto mode without flash
Macro without flash
Recently heavy involved in the admin building renovation. Hmmm, technically I am the ID for this project :) First time working as a execution for project, super prefer this over engineering department. If I was here at the very first place, I might not have made up my mind to switch you know. Too bad.

Auto mode with flash

My humble little workstation, lappie.
Auto mode
Enjoyed myself at work most of the time, especially lunch time going out with all the old man and debate on pressing issue of Gen Y kids.

Video on auto mode

Recently just rained a lot

Golden Mile Complex with Qinghe & Jiayi (E-PL1 sample pic)

Image courtesy by Oly E-PL1 (Night Shoot)

For so long, then have the time to catch up with old buddy. Met Qing He and Jiayi for an impromptu outing. Our style is going to meet without a specific place to go, no plan, no itinerary, only plain fun.

Went to tampines to buy my bio filter for my crayfish. Shop a while and hunt for cafe. Stop for some dessert.



Olympus E-PL micro 4/3 pros over DSLR (sample shot)



Are we all getting tired with how DSLR present itself aesthetically? Its 2011 and people going crazy over DSLR everywhere. Luckily, the new Micro 4/3 comes to put ends to our misery. What we are looking is the Single Lens performance with retro looks and compact sizes. 

Micro 4/3 has many companies come together with standard lens that you can interchange in-between. It's open ecosystem ensure that even if you are Olympus, you are still enable to mount Panasonic, Lumix, Kodak etc 4/3 lens to it. For canon fanboy, do not be disappointed. There are also adapter rings for your to mount your favorite canon lens up. Nice~~

E-PL 1 in build censor shift right into its body, so you don't have to rely solely on expensive lens with Image Stabilization to get your blurriness picture. You will ensure crystal clear picture (3 stops) with any Tom Dick Harry lens. Mount the most peculiar lens up, the possibilities now are endless. Okie lah, bounded by your imagination. :) 

Anyway, this is only a preliminary introduction. Hit the sample picture that we took on day 1. 

p/s: We are camera noob....  

All time best movies that you don't want to miss

I am so embarrassed to say that I had just finish watching Armageddon.

Armageddon was produced in 1998 and I watched it in 2010. Well, 12 years late but let me tell you. I was astonished. I can't believe it was made 12 years ago. The effects were so dynamic that it totally put "2010" to shame, and I cried 3 times.

Good movies are hard to come by nowadays. A lot of a time, we were left disappointed with all the so called Blockbuster at the cinema. Seriously, apart from those essential elements like, creditable director, handsome/pretty casts and a good love story, personally I think a great theme song should go along with it. Like "I don't wanna miss a thing" by Aerosmith, sure it will strike the movie's impression deep into our subconsciousness.

Liv Tyler & Ben Affleck

Since I am already talking about Armageddom, might as will I mention Liv Tyler. Whao! People were saying the hottest girl on earth is Megan Fox. Common lah. You should watch Armageddon thriller and see how gorgeous Liv Tyler was. (ya, deliberately uses past tense)

I really wouldn't want to ruin her image so I didn't upload her recent picture. It kind of like no one's appearance can stands the test of time. Especially women.

Below a list of movie I think no one should miss.

For the convenience, I attached the movie theme songs. They are all very great songs and show a bit of the movie. Really have to watch these.





Aerosmith - I don't want to miss a thing


The Chinese version ( 派山倒海) shows more visual.


Faith Hill - There you'll be


张惠妹妹- 派山倒海





Celine Dion - My heart will go on

Seletar Lvl 30 Buffalo Wings - reverse peristalsis

Before reading this entry, you will want to load the video below. It takes awhile

Time: 5:57

With a lot of anticipation since the Mexican buffalo wing, level 5. We went back again for more punishment. This time, Weiheng joined in our action. The daredevil mission. Level 10!!

This time, we took a cab in.

We reached there at around 5pm on the Friday evening. Well, I should say its very empty. Only us and another table. Unlike last Sunday night. Click here to read our first attempt on level 5.


While waiting for Ethan who's on the way, we ordered some beer and cheezy fries to go along first. A very nice place to chill out and catch up with friends.

Once Ethan reached, we got the challenge started. Ordered level 10!!

Ethan not someone who enjoyed spicy food. His furthest achievement was level 5 and he stopped. He wanted to sit out of the whole performance and be our camera man for the day.

Level 10 was double spicy than level 5. Its very hot but still bearable. We even offered to trade one level 3 with the next table of girls. I made sure they do, cause I want to see them jumping around in pain. However that did not happen.

After finished level 10, we were not convinced. Is that legendary level 30 really that UNBEARABLE?? With much daring action to both of them, they agreed to try LEVEL 30!!!!!!

Level 30 doesn't look edible. Does it even look like wings???

The "Aftermath"

The spiciness of level 30 is beyond words can describe. Tongue numb is common, its burns your mouth and you felt pain in your jaws all the way to your eardrum. Yes. Your ear can literally feel the chilli. I don't know, something definitely is working on our system. I can't really hear properly, like masking sound surrounding me. Cold sweat rolls from the top of my head. Running nose and stuff.

The best thing is, for the first time of my life. I am like going through pain from laboring a baby. My stomach burns so hard and cramped like as though a trunk run over my stomach inside. I could not hold anymore. Only 2 option left:
  • Faint on the spot so I don't feel the pain anymore
  • Or puke out the chicken
I just went Merlion mode. Puking everything out including my cheezy fries. That's $50 in total. The puke was like cost me $50.

Anyone interested in the price of wings

level 10 = $23
level 30 =$32
Beer jug =$20
Cheezy fries =$8

There is what I vomited.

I wants to be a winner, but well I think I had to really take my hat off Liping. She is the first to finish our challenge. We were awarded certificates of completion level 30 and our name will be up on the challenge board.

I definitely will not go back there, for its Buffalo wing at least.

Nexus One out to drive Apple to the "previous one"


No joke. I am trembling with excitement when the review Nexus one hit the CNET for a review.

Hands on with Google's Nexus One (video)


Nexus ONE!! Finally an Iphone true competitor which answers every question that Apple failed to provides.

-Removable battery
-1400mhz capacity with 10 hours of talk time!!
-Almoe Display
-Noise CANCELING technology!!!
-5 mp camera with zoom and FLASH
-wide range of VIDEO format playability
-Card ...slot expandable to 32GB
-Lighting Fast processor
-Anroid 2.1 (future expandability and compatible with google)

Isn't all these was what Iphone was not capable of??? I am happy to get my hands on one of this!!


Villa Bali with CLP

I am so glad.

The desktop I brought last year was able to support recent graphical intensive games like Resident Evil 5 and Left 4 dead 2. It the best stress reliever for exams. Periodical breaks between revision ensure better absorption. Avoid sleeping altogether, for I am those who absorbs most during wee hours.


Albeit better graphic, but most of the time, the game happens during day time. If you played RE 1 and 2 on Play Station before, you will agree with me that it is a all time classic famous for its fright elements. I completed part 1, 2 and 3 then straight to 5. I am disappointed for it seems like a normal 3rd person shooter game. The zombies don't drag forward anymore. They jitao run and it seems that they are getting more intelligent, I kicked the ladder away to prevent them from climbing up, they can go and bring the ladder up again and climb! Fucking shit lah. Don't take this the wrong way but the zombies seems to be 'dark skinned' like shooting Ah Neh lah. In another words you can imagine you shooting the Ah Neh in Mustafar while they all charging towards you in all directions.

Mustafa on Sunday night, sourcing for cameras. Was very tempted by Samsung "Beauty shot" series and preferably running off AA disposable batteries. Bulky of course due to the compartment of AA battery, but I was more concern with the functionality. Rechargeable batteries are long lasting and cheaply replaceable. You can get it of the shelf easily went you are traveling without your chargers. Of course you can also choose to bring a couple of spare with you. You cannot do this to a normal lithium batteries. Moreover, I can get it for $159 with optical stabilizing. Hmm, still considering.



After RCD paper (difficult). We went to orchard roaming about aimlessly. Went to lucky plaza to see Maxi cash. Gold trade value had fallen from $1212 (highest in history) to $1150. But it still consider high compared to Sept value of around $900. Money credited +++

Went over to Villa Bali for my 3rd time. A very luxury place of a drink. Spent over $50 just for a couple of red wine and Tequila with Chix Wings. Good that they had one of one promotion to midnight. Very nice ambient with cool music and good ventilation. Its located deep into Alexendra road hence moisture are damp and refreshing. Highly recommended with price is not your concern. A good place to chill and hold a little catching up sessions.



For civil terminology to describe yesterday night:

CLP condition had exceeded its serviceable limit state:
  • "structure" still standing without collapsing, however is unfit for "use"
  • extended deflection (deflecting and swaying around with signs of overturning)
  • cracking and vibration (uncontrollable laughter and lower tolerant to jokes)
  • reinforcements are required (human supports)
I wasn't sober enough and forgot to film her down with my video camera. It was her "first time" it would be very memorable for her. Wahaha. She challenged me to test her APMC question and I pop her with:

What are the pollutants from incomplete combustion?

She took forever to answer. But typically anyone who are drunk will want to reassure people that they isn't drunk. Kind of like, ask me and I will answer type. This is the symptoms for a drunk person. How ironic.

SPB TV cracked installing tutorial

Watch 100+ plus of different channels for free? Freedom to stream high quality video channel on your mobile phone? How does it sound?

OF COS is effing awesome!!! And free I mean no start up cost, no monthly subscription and hazards free!

Channel List with actual preview
Selecting of channel over current channel

SPB TV streams channel through 3G service and also Wifi, so those who want absolutely free, you had to be near a hot spot or router.

First up, I must say that it isn't as great as cable TV or MOB TV. However it doesn't really provide 100 plus channel from across the world. Some of them you might not like, but there is sure some which you might be interested in. Note that this is a symbian version, if you are using Window Mobile or Ipod, you had to find other ways.

What you will need?
A simple general review of the program. Click on e video.



Procedure:
  1. download trial version from the offical website, here
  2. Transfer the .sis file to your phone by cable or card reader
  3. Install the .sis on your phone
  4. Open the application on the phone (under application)
  5. Wait for it to fully load and authorize
  6. Register with the code, here
  7. You have to find the code for SPB TV yourself, I cannot post here
Although, there are limited Asian Channel. But since it is free. There really isn't much to complain about.

C901 vs N82, who is better?

Today a heated competition between my favorite camera phone N82 and another skeptical 5mp shooter with Xenon, the C901. If you missed my N82 vs Zn5, please revisit the link. As I had lost my previous N82, I am using another N82 which somehow I think it didn't perform as well as my previous set. Nonetheless, for people who are interested, read on....

Macro Mode

N82 with flash, macro

N82 low light condition, macro

C901 with flash, macro

C901 low light condition, macro

I think we had a clear winner. N82 had always handled its macro mode extremely well, with or without flash. I tried playing with a lot of macro shoot with flash on, it always give me a clear and correctly exposed images. Unlike C901, after testing with a lot of macro shoot, it almost give me 100% over exposure.

* Take note that during my previous review, the zn5 auto weaken the flash when macro mode is detected. *

Document mode


C901 document mode with flash

N82 document mode with flash

C901 document without flash

N82 document without flash

As anticipated, C901 will almost give you definite overexposure when shooting >15cm with flash on.

Low Light Conditions

C901 auto, flash off

N82 auto, flash off

More or less the same except c901 appeared to be brighter

Complete darkness
You will start to appreciate Xenon flash when you are in complete darkness or extremely low light area. Led light flah can only take portrait distance. Let's see how this two camera performed in total darkness...

C901 with flash in total darkness

N82 with flash in total darkness

The two pictures were cropped to 100% to see how both camera phone handled noise level. Both almost the same, but C901 always tend to have yellow saturation in all pictures and N82 slightly blue.

* zn5 had stronger flash and can lit up further area *

Indoor shot

C901 auto, without flash

N82 auto, without flash

Another 100% crop for comparison on noise level. Without flash.

Another C901 low light flash off

Another N82 low light flash off

Night Mode


C901 night mode on

N82 night mode on

I am not a professional reviewer, hope this visual comparison helps in people who deciding which good camera phone to buy.

In my opinion,

C901

-Faster focusing time
-Always over exposure in macro mode
-Shutter shake problem (blurry images)
-Yellowish output

Click here for more c901 image example I took.

N82

-Focusing time slower than C901 but still consider fast in my opinion
-Some image stabilization, no shutter shake problem
-Very good Xenon flash, never exposure before

Click here for more N82 image example I took.