Saw the ads on TV and print few days ago, but it didn’t say when it’ll be released. Happen to pass by Nokia Concept Store while shopping yesterday, and found that it was out yesterday. Got my hands on the actual set and tried it.

Good = weight, camera.

Bad = lock on top (maybe can find s/w hack), plastic looking buttons, crowded function keys, # key is too cornered, navi-wheel not sensitive.

NoContract = 698, Contract = 438. Still not perfect, but I’m not sure if there will be one. Anyway not sure if now’s the time, cos I can’t use it for the next month, so I’ll waste those “first few months free” gimmicks.

EDIT: There are people doing the unlock feature already (as I expected). I just hope its free or not too expensive. Or I might have to resort to doing it myself.

EDIT 2: I went to see the phone again. And searched the manual online. Couldn’t find any built-in method to change the keypad lock feature. Also saw the 2 colors – gray and white. White looks better, but makes the buttons look more plastic.

I have a song running in my head most of the time. The funny part is I usually don’t remember the title, usually only the tune, sometimes a few words of the lyrics. Today I was actually humming the chorus of 洋蔥 by 楊宗緯, and it so happened I caught the same song on my way home (which is how I learnt the title).

What’s weird? It’s the lyrics. and the next song happen to be 101封情书 by 欧得洋…

如果你愿意一层一层一层的剥开我的心…

变态 right… I’d be very painful.

写101封情书 寄到你未来的国度…

烧给你对吗?

Song of the Moment: 周杰伦 – 稻香

windy and I were talking about the new permanent race track to be built in Changi by 2011. They’ll be able to get their Grid Girls from the local area, who are always ready for a night race. Talk about job restructuring…

Song of the moment: Dido – Thank You

Its not a Nokia phone this time. Its a new non-netbook ASUS just announced last week. Since the Compaq B1900 (which are not sold anymore), I have not successfully shortlisted another notebook.

Basically I’m dreaming of an Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB(+) RAM, 80GB(+) HDD, 11-12″ display, built-in DVD writer, 2kg(-) weight and WiFi. Somewhat like a compact beast.

I’ve shopped around, and I realize that Compaq usually have problems of a heated wrist rest; Lenovo doesn’t have trackpads (uses trackpoint); and Acer’s designs are often too rounded. Netbooks had too small screens, but they have a pretty good price.

These 2 weeks I was targeting Asus U6 and F9. They’re both 12.1″, Core 2 Duo, 3GB RAM (after free upgrade), 250GB HDD, with a built-in DVD writer. The key differences lies in the design: U6 is slimmer, looks cleaner, and has a leather wrist rest (which I don’t need). But I’ll have to fork out $2.8K for a U6, or a mere $1.6K for a F9. (FYI at the same $2.8K there’s also a lower spec-ed Asus U2 with a full leather finishing)

While hesitating on the $2.8K, I found the N20, which seem to fit my specs pretty well. The next questions would be when they would be available here, how much it will cost, and hopefully some good reviews.

Below is the only picture I found of it, which is taken from the ASUS web site.

Edit: Youtube shows the N20 with 6-cell. I managed to observe the inside view, which I have a screenshot below; looks clean and great to me. He mentioned “low-cost”, so hopefully that’s true. With netbooks below $1K, I certainly hope N20 doesn’t run too far off.

I took this test recently, which was forwarded from a friend. And I got a combination that I thought fits me. What do you think? Is it another horoscope style result that it probably fits everybody? What’s your result?

I wonder if I negate all the questions, will I get the job I should never be in?

BEST OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY: You’re an ORGANIZER

Key Words: Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate

These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.

ORGANIZER CAREERS
Suggested careers are Administrator, Secretary, Printer, Paralegal, Building Inspector, Bank Cashier, Private Secretary, Statistician, Operations Manager, Financial Analyst, Bookkeeper, Medical Records Technician, Developer of Business or Computer Systems, Clerical Worker, Proofreader, Accountant, Administrative Assistant, Banker, Certified Public Accountant, Credit Manager, Store Salesperson, Actuary, Dental Assistant, Business Education Teacher, Food Service Manager, IRS Agent, Budget Analyst, and Underwriter.

ORGANIZER WORKPLACES
Your very careful, conscientious, conservative nature gives others the confidence to trust you with handling money and material possessions. Structured organizations that have well-ordered chains of command work best for you.

Suggested Organizer workplaces are large corporations, business offices, financial lending institutions, banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, and quality control and inspection departments.

2nd BEST OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY: You’re a CREATOR

Key Words: Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or whether they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

Was walking out of office today, towards the problematic electronic parking gate that they installed recently. One, the gate doesn’t open when its supposed to, and two, only season parking holders can use the sensor to auto-open the gate. The rest of the people had to insert the cash card into the slot. Most visitors don’t know about that although there are signs that say so, likely due to the presence of a transponder at the gate. They often move back and forth hoping to catch the sensor.

Today a heavy truck was stuck at the gate and it wouldn’t open. So it reversed and backed off to the side while a small lorry behind tried. No luck. It reversed, and an SUV from the left tried. It wouldn’t open. The small lorry then inched forward and BAM! It hit the side of a black “Ralli-Art” car which had try to overtake the queue from the left. Quite a bad hit although the lorry was just inching, should be because the car was quite eager to cut in.

The people from the car and lorry got down, and lucky nobody was injured. Seeing nobody was injured, we left.

I just wasted 5 minutes of your life reading this meaningless post. If you haven’t, try this too.

OK. More. Not very meaningful also, but I realize swimming is good for me because I can’t multitask. I was thinking about some work problem while I swam, and I choked in the middle of the pool. Lesson: Concentrate on making my strokes. Good for not thinking about anything else too – which is actually hard for my workaholic brain.

I also learned a trick from my colleague, who learned it from his young son — How to sit onto the floor of the pool without employing your arms or legs. Try it – it can be entertaining to watch others do it, when they float. The answer? A kid might know.

Public transport costs up, petrol just went down another 5 cents again… what can I say?

Stumbled upon a nice resume.

http://elliottback.com/about/

So pretty that it only occurred to me I somewhere on par with him in terms of experience and qualifications. Maybe he’s smarter.

And in case you’re wondering, I’m procrastinating in office today, that’s why the posts. Shhh…

If you’ve enjoyed Eepybird’s Diet Coke and Mentos experiement (if you haven’t seen it, do see it!), check out their new series.

I didn’t think the idea was better than the first, but I thought the choreography was just as good as the previous, and the camera shots were improved. Nevertheless I still enjoyed was the music synchronization very much!