Five Hundreth

5 days ago on the 15th of May would have marked the 5th Anniversary of this blog. I'm pleasantly surprised at that, as I wouldn't have guessed I would still be blogging after half a decade. And in fact, have been consistently doing so month after month with only the occasional absence during periods of heavy workloads. But even then, I sometimes schedule posts ahead when anticipating hectic times.

This post marks the 500th post. For that I'm actually surprised that it took such a long while to reach this amount of posts. I've a new found respect for people who have made it to this number with quality posts, because everyone knows that a lot of my posts are quite short. But to be completely honest, 500 is just a number. Sure I do look back every now and then to recall where I was at during this very moment one or two or three years ago. But I never try to revert myself to that person. Instead I have a tendency to be slightly horrified by the way I blogged, the language used, the pictures and the occasional cheesy phrases.

I like to look forward, trying to subtly tweak the way I present myself to the world. The style of writing. The way I present my pictures. The change of headers... I'd like to say all that is calculated and thought of beforehand. Because a blog, after all, is not a direct representation of who you are; It's a carefully selected, condensed and often modified version in which the blogger plays the role of the editor of his own life. So I guess that's what I'm doing here: Editing my life...

Wham

Sod off.

Do something

Some solutions just seems so obvious...

Oh no you didn't

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

I'm Not Here.

I'm not here anymore.

What day is it?

Is it too late for New Year's resolutions? I'll make them anyway. It has taken me sometime and a few unfortunate incidences to help me fathom my current situation. Things are not well. I'm not talking about my health or my academic performance or the stuff that I constantly ramble about here. It's got to do with me being myself, from just the act of merely existing to leading a complex but ritualized lifestyle.


Who am I?

Ask me to fill in a form with my information and I would write it with little hesitation or thought as it has almost become an automated response. Name. Date of Birth. Sex. Identification Number. Address. Qualifications. Etc. Etc. But can my whole life and identity be simply condensed into one and a half pages of point-form notation? Am I just another entry into some data system with little definition from the other entries? Who am I? What does my life amount to in this world? Am I living my life the way I should? I've always imagined my life to be very different from who I am now. I see all these people around me, my friends, family who have their own identities, their personalities, what makes them...THEM. Their Selling Point. It seems as though I've lost mine or it's gotten misplaced or it's just that the time is up for me to change.


What am I doing?

Back to the resolutions. Sure, there are the usual resolutions that I've set out for myself in the coming year. The usual being, procrastinate less, spend wisely, shop less but shop better. Things like that which are probably in most people's books already. But I've thought it through and I'm declaring this year:

THE YEAR OF GETTING TO KNOW ME.

To deal with this identity crisis, I need to re-discover myself. I've denied certain aspects of myself all this while and convinced my own mind with fabrications of the real me that it seems I've lost my essence. As I've journeyed through life, it's as though I picked up so much on the way from the people around me, the environment, popular culture, the media, that I now view myself as more of a collection of bits and pieces of other people's ideas and thoughts. I'm like a completed puzzle, but the pieces are from different puzzles that have been altered to fit. But there is no discernible picture.

Before the year is up, I intend to encounter new experiences, go to new places, eat things I've never tried, buy things I wouldn't ordinarily buy, do things I'm not used to. I don't want to adopt a life that I think suits me. I just want to be me. Whoever that is. And that my friends, is my new year's resolution. Getting to know me. And I hope you're on board with it.


See you when I'm here.

Hold on

Please Please Please stay tuned while I try to juice this puppy up! I've been insanely busy lately, and I'll try my best to update more soon-ish. I guarantee it.

Did I tell you it's fall by the way!

Change

Change is imminent.

PhotoLog | Just

tee hee

Stay tuned.

Toony

Definitely one of my favorite cartoons in the past. And say what you want, but I liked the movie. The one Sarah Michelle Geller and Freddie Prinze Jr. was in.

The never ending crime busting adventures of Scooby Doo and the Mystery gang. A lesson on how nerds, pretty blonde boys, food-loving fumbling idiots and high maintenance red-head girls can somehow miraculously form a cohesive friendship. Their mystery-solving expertise would take them completely out of their place into deserted houses, dilapidated castles and all areas grim, gloomy and fog-ridden.

I love this show. Everything from the bright coloured clothes they always wear to the hippie-esque Mystery Machine and everything else in between. It could be one of those nostalgic things I am clinging on to; nevertheless, there is this retro charm in their image that I find myself attracted to. I even appreciate the sometimes cheesy lines, and predictable childish plots. Oh and did I mention the dog?


Stay tuned.

Oh, Hi!

See what me and Farah did to the auditorium seating over there! It was like a blank canvas. Heh heh. Excuse the low quality pictures as I only had my cell phone with me. This was in the DECTAR Hall at UKM, Bangi; the place where I went to help out in an Architectural camp.


Stay tuned for more.

1st Avenue: Is Penang ready for another mall?

The supposedly 'highly anticipated' 300 million ringgit mega project situated in the heart of Georgetown city is slated to open its doors in the third quarter of 2010. Boasting men's and women's fashion outlets, cafes and eateries, a cinema, a karaoke and all the fixings of a mall, 1st Avenue aims to be an 'upmarket' shopping complex.

But is the island state really ready for another mall?

Gurney Plaza and Queensbay Mall are currently the most 'happening' malls to shop in. Groups of narcissistic teenagers, families, couples out to flaunt their love and yuppies all throng these two malls come weekend. Massive jams and traffic obstruction all caused by people who just want to go to a mall but are completely oblivious to the carbon footprint they leave behind from driving their shiny petrol guzzling, carbon monoxide spewing cars. (sorry i'm veering off topic)

Yes, these two malls, are at the top of their game as compared to the other malls which have unfortunately gone down hill like Midlands' One-Stop, Bukit Jambul Complex and Island Plaza. But from observation, these malls share a few other things in common besides their success:

1. Location, location, location.
Queensbay mall, strategically located off the Jelutong Expressway and in an area currently undergoing rapid development. And Gurney Plaza...Gurney Drive. Nuff' said.

2. Space and Ceiling Height
Queensbay has 1 million sq. feet of retail space. Gurney Plaza, over 800,000 sq. feet. If you contrast them to KL malls they fare quite well (Pavilion KL: 1.4million sq. ft.) And both malls have pretty high ceilings on each floor. The high ceilings give a more grandiose feel and emphasizes space, avoiding tight cramped areas.

3. Circulation
A linear and easy to follow mall layout encourages good circulation. Take for example the awesome malls. KLCC: Linear shaped mall. Pavilion: Linear shaped mall. Midvalley and the Gardens: Both linear shaped malls. Queensbay: Linear shaped mall.

Of course there ARE exceptions like One Utama and Sunway Pyramid whose layout is non-linear but nonetheless, they are still pretty easy to maneuver compared to the terribly planned complexes the likes of Prangin Mall and Bukit Jambul. They are just a hot mess.

And not forgetting the New hot mess, Penang Times Square. That mall is a circulation nightmare. I wouldn't be surprised if it was modelled after it's terrible namesake, Berjaya Times Square in Imbi road, KL, but the layout of the complex is horrid. Sure, it's new and the tiles are so shiny I could see my reflection, but that mall is just a big million dollar mistake. And plus, the ceiling height is surprisingly low probably to minimize costs. And the shops available are mainly F&B outlets. There is absolutely nothing to do there. I stepped in there once. And I will never again. Unless of course they pull of a miracle and manage to get Zara to open in there.

4. Retail outlets
This is a no-brainer. It's the types of shops which attract the crowd. Cinemas are almost a must. F&B is also a crowd favourite. Fashion stores are undoubtedly necessary. And you NEED an anchor tenant like Parkson of Isetan or Tangs. If you have crappy shops, you get crappy and measly amounts of people.


So with those self-observed facts, let's see how 1st Avenue fares.

As mentioned, it would be located in the heart of Georgetown which is a good thing. But right next (and will be joined) to the uber-devastating, Prangin Mall. That may cost it some points. Hardly any 'upmarket' shopping complexes are joined to ill-diseased malls. And the fact that it only has 400,000 sq. ft. of retail space (half that of Gurney Plaza) worries me.

Unfortunately I have yet to know about the circulation and interior feel of the mall, but it was stated that 1st Avenue is 'modeled after Singapore retail outlets'. If that is true, this may be great. It also says that '80-90% of the shops would be popular brand names' as they are targeting the 'chic and young shoppers'. Well, it better be. And if there are any new brands penetrating into the Penang market, that would make a fantastic attraction. Say, Cotton On, Zara (which are already available in KL), Uniqlo or H&M. But one thing's for sure, the anchor tenant would be Parkson.

With construction already well under way and approaching completion, I sincerely hope this mall is able to stand its ground and not end up being Penang Times Square II: Revenge of the Empty Mall.

Oh and one more thing, whoever initially wanted to name the mall 'Mutiara Parade' is obviously off their rockers.


Good Day!
Stay tuned for more.

Jeans, Meet Scissors

At one point during my June holidays I absolutely had nothing to do aside from my routine cycling and eating excursions. So one day, I just decided to introduce my old worn out jeans to a pair of scissors (and knives and sandpaper and my bare hands). But I have to admit, brutally stabbing away at a pair of pants was strangely satisfying.



I tell people those slits are for the purpose of ventilation.


Stay tuned for more.

Behavioral Disorders

When you are Narcissistic, have a tendency to Stalk and have Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you get:





Now, I have a facebook account and I twitter. What does that say about me?


Stay tuned for more.

Motivation

Karl Lagerfeld once said:



So whip out that shirt you can no longer wear* (because when you do, it hugs and tugs at all the wrong places) and hang it in front of you each time you go for a work out. You probably just need a little motivation.

*Just because you managed to squeeze yourself into some tiny shirt doesn't mean it fits. It could be too small for you, making you look like one of those pork cocktail sausages. A good way too know: ask a friend.


Stay tuned for more.

That Coffee Place

A year ago, I was just about to get started on that one month stint at a small architecture firm. In that one month I did blogged about having being taken to a site along Gurney Drive to take measurements of a run-down bungalow which is about to undergo a major renovation.

Half a year or more ago, that said renovation was bound for completion. Just late last year, a little place called Coffee Island opened its doors.

Yesterday, I got the opportunity to visit this seemingly of-the-moment hang out. Having heard my friends raving all over this place, I just had to go take a look myself.

- me...there.

Coffee Island (from what I've observed) is catering to the whole late teen/early twenty something college students to late twenties working group. Basically people who go there allegedly to have drinks, but are really there to 'see and be seen'. And I have nothing against that.

Coffee Island is obviously hitting all the right notes seeing that they are packed at night and even more so as the weekend approaches. They have the alfresco dining thing going on with a bar, pretty good ventilation and lighting throughout. Or you can opt for a seat inside where it is apparently air conditioned (I have yet to try that out for myself).

But aside from that, I think the food is just mediocre. They serve a variety of food no doubt; but personally, I'm not going to pay 7-8 ringgit for hawker food that I can get from better places at half the price. Other foods include the same old Western foods which to me is such a bore. I wish they had a better menu selection. And they should lower their prices (Although that's not going to happen)

And they seriously need to hire more or better staff. Staff with eyes I suggest. Waiters who are hopefully able to tend to your needs such as handing you a menu once you get seated instead of letting you dangle for about 15 minutes ignoring your hand gestures for them to come over. I think they just need a better serving system.

I would like to give them a second chance if not a third. I like the whole idea of it. Alfresco coffee place. Next to Gurney Drive. Soft music. Company of good friends. Oh and did I mention that the place is pretty clean?! (Their bathrooms are air conditioned) And they have Wifi! And it's quite near to where I stay!


Stay tuned for more.

Absolute Garbage

It all comes down to presentations. How you sell yourself, your ideas, your thoughts and your designs all depends on how well you present it. It's about how effective you market something. Even in this course I'm taking. Half the work is in designing a funtioning, thoughtful, aesthetically pleasing structure, while the other half is to sell it to the people you're designing it for.

If you don't believe how far clever marketing and packaging can go, check out Justin Gignac (pronounced jee-nak). Who has managed to package absolute garbage and sell them for a pretty penny. And by 'absolute garbage' I LITERALLY mean GARBAGE. Like seriously...

He collects crap off the streets of New York City (usually something which defines the city) and packages them in a clean transparent cube which is completely sealed. And the best part is, people actually buy them.

- I see a starbucks plastic cup and a New York Metro card. And some orange paper or something.

Urgh...and my friend said that my stack of KTM ticket passes were useless.


Stay tuned for more.

Thanks

Thank you to all the well wishers via calls, smses and online messages. I really appreciate them. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll have to get back to finishing up my project which dues to-freakin-morrow. I think I need 'good luck' wishes more then birthday ones right now.


Stay tuned for more years ahead.

Confessions of a Procrastinator

I know I'm an easily distracted person when it comes to work. Somehow I know about this problem which has been plagueing me for ages and ages since highschool but somehow I've left it unadressed and I think because of that, I have now achieved amazing new levels of laziness. Let me just give a classic example of my somewhat self-destructive nature:

I'm supposed to work on drawings of my plans, elevations and sections of an assignment which would be due in two days. I tell myself I need to get started to be able to complete the damn thing. So I head over to my desk and set up my workspace; be it switching on my computer or just clearing up some clutter. I start executing my assignment. 10 minutes in, I feel thirsty. I grab a drink. Wait...I think I'm hungry. Pasta maybe? I whip up something. Well, I'm eating now, might as well be watching some TV. Oh, my favourite programme, great! You know what, I'll work on the drawings right after this show.

The show ends. I wash the dishes and head back to the workload not realizing I just wasted one and a half hours. And yet, I continue to do other unrelated stuff (Facebook! Blogs! Twitter! E-mail!) and even more unproductive activities (magazines! staring blankly into space.....seriously). And by the end of the day, I'm utterly confused as to where the hell all the time went.

Obviously, I have a problem. I need to get myself on the right track. Get productive instead of avoiding all the work which I will eventually screw up if I don't get working on. I find it a little difficult working on a specific task for a long period of time. I can safely say I have the attention span of a kid hyped up on 29kgs of sugar. Anything can be a source of distraction to me. And when I don't get things done by the end of the day, I get anxious and flustered and I go to sleep. The next day, the cycle repeats its destructive self.

I want to be able to achieve some sort of 'zen-like' mind. Focused, calm, still-like-water. Being able to concentrate on jobs and get them done. I need to list out all the things I want, need and desire to do regardless whether it's a current thing (get haircut), a long term goal (finance my own project?) or something I can do while out and about (throw away that piece of flyer from my car). I have to file these tasks into their respective folders and clear them from my 'In-box' one by one. I need this. I'm gonna do something. Change.


Stay tuned for more.

Reality series

So, I'm officially finished with classes and I'm now on study leave which should really be called 'that period of time used to work on the final Studio challenge.' It's really a make-it-work moment and the entire semester boils down to this.

But I have to say this semester has put me in this different sort of mood. I don't think that I display it in front of my peers, but I undoubtedly feel it in me. Now, I don't know how to put into words the way I'm feeling, but i'll use a metaphor. I feel like I'm participating in a TV reality series. I'm far away from my family and I haven't seen them much over 4 months. I'm having to deal with friends, seeing them almost every other day and giving each other support while trying to complete our own given tasks.

I know what other people go through are far worse than what I'm experiencing. I'm not whining or complaining about it. It's just that I really hope all of this helps me to grow as a better person mentally, physically and academically. And if everything doesn't turn out the way I want it to be, I just want to be able move forward and not delve into every single detail of my shortcomings.


Stay tuned for more.

Go Read My Blog

There was this one incident which I was unfortunate to chance upon sometime ago. It was one of several to come. An incident which would put me off. This happened when my friends and I were just beginning to jump into the blogging bandwagon. But up til' now, I still come across it once in a while.

Scenario 1: I am out with a friend strolling along the corridors of some shopping mall doing our usual rounds of window shopping and walking without a specific intention in mind. I think most of my outings are just for the sake of going out. So I pose a question: "How's everything going?" and the answer I get: "Oh, long story, GO READ MY BLOG."

Scenario 2: I dial up a friend's number in hopes of talking and catching up with the things that are going down in each others' life. We say hello, talk a little and when I ask something like "Oh, so how was that occasion you attended the other day?" The reply: "Go read my blog."

So now I'm left to wonder, Am I supposed to stop in my tracks, drive home from that mall and log online to check how your week went? Am I supposed to hang up the phone and instantly read up on all the juicy details you supposedly encountered? Or should I just save both of our time, and not go out or call or see each other and just sit in front of the computer awaiting each others' blogposts?

As far as I know it, blogs are not supposed to substitute all means of communication especially one on one commmunication. Blogs are like journals. If you're overseas and calls are expensive, then fine I'll gladly read your blog to keep myself updated about your life. But if you live several blocks down from where I'm staying, I think it would be pathetic for me to find out about how your cheesy prom night went by reading it from a bloody screen. Hell no, I want to hear it from your lips!

Whoever replaces one on one conversations with the line "Go read my Blog", I'm gonna bludgeon them with a blog widget to death. You think that's not possible? Im'ma make it possible.

Listen, I want to hear your stories from you. I want it to feel more personal than reading something about your life that 2 million other people can easily access.

Oh, and what's worse than "Go read my blog" is the line "Didn't you read my blog?" Since when was I obligated to read your blog? Do you expect me to be chained to the computer desk reading every word three times just to make sure I didn't miss out anything? If I didn't read all about that drama you encountered with that bitch from economics class at college and you say to me "Why didn't you read my blog?", I will personally glue your mouth shut with the UHU glue I just bought and currently have right in front of me. That way, all future conversations between you and me will be through blogs! And maybe even twitter!


And oh, by the way,
Go read my blog for more...