Hokkian New Year

Last night was the eve of the Hokkian lang (people) New Year, and all the Hokkian lang at my Taman (Housing area) were celebrating, I and my baby girl could not sleep as the people in my Taman made a complete mockery of the No Fireworks regulation. The fireworks seems to be extra noisy. Somehow or other regardless what have been done, fireworks seem readily available during any festive period.

It started off at 10pm till after 1.10am plus, banging away on the right, on the left, in front and the back of my rented house, with the peak at midnight till 12.30am. Thank god it is only once in a while we have cultural festival that involve fireworks (6 times a year). I went to bed at 10pm but gave up and watch TV, (Dateline) and had some ice cream, of the F&N Magnolia Vanila Verity. I must that say that Magnolia tastes better then Nestle, Walls, Carrefore Brand of ice cream which I have been buying. (note, the cheaper verity of RM5 to 7 per 1.5 to 2 lt pack ) , it seem creamier and does not melt till it in your mouth, however with a “jelat” or full feeling, actually I eat less of it. Enclose are photos of some of the Fireworks taken by my SE K750i, right from my bedroom window. It has not been a smooth day today.

The Circus is Back in Town

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Nomination day 24th Feb, Polling Day 8th March. It will be a 13 days election period, much longer then previous election. Again the number 13 comes in to play.

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I am refering to the on comming General Election, which the papers have been preparing us for. From Jan, the news have been on this Election, which much analisis on what is going to happen, who is going to be a candidate, and of course the biggest question is "Who is going to be Penang Chief Minister?" as the incumbent have decided to go for a Parliment Seat this time.

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In the web, there were much speculation in various blogs, and some even manage to get the day parliment was dissolve right, ie 13th of the Month. Wow, that person must be a fortune teller.

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Various Messages have been send in the media, that BN will retain the Goverment, but will loose some seats etc due to certain factors are some of them, there may be others.......

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What ever, but the next few weeks it will be full of "Fun and Games", acrobats and clowns, just like the circus. It will be interesting to see what comes out.

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CD/MP3 player Aline 8128 CD

I drive a year 2000 Wira Aeroback 1.3, frankly having drove a Iswara 1.5 (my first car) and a Waja 1.6 (company car), I am happy with it, except for my car radio cum cassette player. It has never work well, cannot scan for radio channel, and for the past year, I can only get static from it. Well I finally got around to replace it. Just after the Chinese New Year to take advantage of special offers, I replace it with a CD/MP3 player cum radio at one of the many car accessories shop around. Total Cost, RM390, the player it self (RM218), 2 front speakers with tweeter (RM95) which I never had plus a 10 disc cd holder to replace the cassette holder, and using the original wires. Installation time 45min.

Picture after installation

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Well, I can now scan for channel, and play cd and mp3 disc, I am pretty happy with it overall, even with this “No brand” item, especially since one of my colleagues who has a branded set with all the frills in his car, comment that it almost as good as his set in terms of sound quality. (The original speakers were replace last year).

This is how it look at Night

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I also had fun burning a cd full of MP3 of my favorites Instrumental songs. I manage to fit in 158 songs in that cd. That should give me 8 hours of music, if each song average 3 min each. That enough music to drive from Penang Island to Kl and back to Penang. Well here is the old set which I intend to dispose or donate it to some one, Any Takers?

12th General Election

Well, the much speculated 12th general election has been called, and the Blogs are exploding with much comments. It will be a very intreasting time for the next couple of weeks.

Butterworth Food Street

Butterworth Food Street is located at Taman Chai Leng, Seberang Prai, It is just around 100 meters from Pearl View Hotel. Just follow the road beside the road, till you come to a large coffeeshop (on the left), the Food Street is just behind it.

I pick the wrong day to pay a visit, the 5th day of Chinese New Year (2008), most of the stalls were close, and prices were up. Imagine RM5 for a plate of Char Koey Teow, and RM11 for 2 pax duck rice. Urg! and most items were sold out by 9pm. The Stalls and coffee shop in the area were pack.

Overall the food here is compareble to Penang Island Standard, which accounts for this street being the favorite for most people here.

There is a Koey Teow Th'ng Stall that open only after 9pm, that is the best i ever tasted.

D’ Concord Chicken Rice / Noodles / Porridge

Location: Jalan Lembah Permain at Tanjung Bungah Concord Area.

Not to far away from the Tg Bungah Café Chicken Rice is another Restaurant that serve Chicken Rice though with more variation and add on, much quieter coffee shop, but much more pricy.

One fine day when the Tg Bungah Café Shop is jam pack, I decided to give this place a try (after 3 years I think) Verdict; Food is good, no jam, spacious, however pricier then normal. 3 order of chicken rice (Mix), with a plate of oily vegetable, and drinks came to RM25+, however for the comfort available as compared to the other place, it is much more relaxing, and frankly speaking its worth te extra you pay.

Nokia BH-320 Bluetooth Handfree ear phone

Some time in November, After much research and along wait i finally got my self a Bluetooth Handfree via lelong.com as a companion to my SE K750i hand phone.

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When i first started my research, at the handphone shops, the listed price for any bluetooth hands free is all above RM100+, which is a bit out of my budget. I then shifted to Lelong where i found out that there are those above RM100+ and those below RM100. Checking out the forum i found out that those below RM100 are call "Made in China" and give a lot of problems. Unfortunately for me Budget call for a below RM100. To cut the story short after a few fail bids on a large verity of Bluetooth Handfree i finally manage to get the Nokia BH-320, for RM60 plus postage.

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The Package was neat, and it came compleate with a Manual, a Ear Hook, and of course the charger.

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The Manual, in english while informative, does not cover all, I was left guessing but perseverance paid off and i finally manage to switch it on and pair it to my K750i after about 2 hours.

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Clarity, well it is much better then the handfree, at least on my side,

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Overall, Having use it for a few months now, when i am on the road, i have to say that it is convenient, though a times my ear hurts, the power cell life span is good (for me with my occasion calls) but the relief in not getting fine for answering a call make the purchase worth while.

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Verdict , i am keeping my fingers cross, that this purchase will last, with the reputation of "Made in China" but then 1) most OEM are from china actually, (the HP printer is made in china) 2) it is a matter of luck, but experice with Made in China genaric brands have been good so far. I am happy with it

HP F380 All in one Printer

My latest gadget is an all in one printer, the HP F380.

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I know it is not one of the latest in the market, it is old and most probably HP is ready to kick it out of the production line. One thing I learn with computer and it’s accessories it that if you can live with out one, do so, buy later, or buy one tier down from the latest etc, you can get your money worth.

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As for the HP F380, I have been living with out a printer for quite some time now a year plus, but have been eyeing around for some time, and finally after pestering by my wife “ you take all the digital pictures but don’t print them out, what the point?”

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I have use Cannon before with my desk top, but not the Epson or HP or Lenmark, the 4 big printer producers. Why did I decide on a HP? The main factor was ease of use for the scanner. While working and other wise, I have played around with a number of scanners, and HP interface seems to be the easiest to use. That was my deciding factor.

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HPF380 is a all in one printer, it prints, it scan, it photocopy in black and in colour, but it does not fax, but then I do not have a land line at home, so Fax does not matter.

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First impression On the HP F380 operations, its big, it’s all plastic, and frankly when you handle it, it feels fragile, especially with the scanner cover, the front door, and the ink door. When it is in operation the noise it make, I get scared, to me its noisy, it not the loudness, its the type of noise, its do not inspire confidence at all.

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Installing the HP F380, Not much problem except that the first time it had conflict with one of my existing programs but the 2nd time when true, Installation when OK, Just follow instructions.

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Operating the HP F380, Wife and my self like the print out, and to me speed was good even with colour. The Print out was clear, even the Photostat Function.

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The Pro and Cons

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Pro:

Cost, currently it is at RM220,(at the shop I got it from, level 6, Midland One Stop, Penang, the shop right in front of the escalator) that a printer and a scanner all in one.

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Clarity: Colour Print and Black and White, it looks good to me and my wife, that testing with normal Double AA paper. Even the Photostat function.

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Cons

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As with all Ink Jet printers, Cost of printing is a major issue. A complete set cost of Black and Colour Cartridge cost RM110, I will be going for refills but it know that it will cost in terms of quality.

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The noise, it is not loud, but the type of noise

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Verdict: Overall, Good Value for money, especially for a Home Printer with occasion printing. It look like the Photocopy function will be in use more frequently than the printer function. The HP Solution Center also have a feature that is helpfull in creating albums

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UPDATE I check out this printer at Lelong.com, got 3 listing, 2 for RM288, one for RM277, and that is with transportation saperate, I record i got a bargain! There was even a pouch bag Note:

For the past few posting, Blogger spell check does not work, wounder why?

More Problematic Drivers

There seem to be a surg in double lot parking, ie a driver that need two lots to park their normal car in. After reading about this in a few blogs, (Kyspeaks, Shaolintiger, Seraph Chronicles) just before the New Year, I came across three incidents in just one day, the eve of Chinese Year 2008. Please enjoy the unedidted photos i cant be bother any more to cover up the plate numbers.

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I have more Photos of creative Parking, and other drivers and non dirvers monkey tricks. just click on my "Drivers" Lable to see the previous photos and posts.

This MPV, and Car required two parking lot each, photo's take at Juru Auto City. The Driver of this Proton, also require two parking lot to park his car safely, to pay his credit card bill infrom of citybank, juru auto city or he has a toilet emergency.

And this car at Fettes Park, also needs two lot, fortunately for him the parking guy gave him only one parking ticket, not two. (unfortunately for us)

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This is a small sampleing of Socially inconsiderate Drivers, (to be polite about it) others bloggers are not so kind, and will take photoes with the plate number clearly seen.

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There is no excuse to park this way, even if there are plenty of parking lots avaliable at that time. It has to do with the person attitude, Hopefully shaming them in blogs will help them to be more socially considerate in the future.

More of Rapid Penang

I have been keeping an eye on Rapid Penang, because I use to take Public Transport, In those day while we may complain about it, at least it works, Two year back, not a thing work, then came the "Penang Bus Rewamp" as i call it which finally resulted in Rapid Penang.

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Well just two days before the Chinese New Year, the Rapid Penang (Island) bus drivers when on strike for better pay, for the company to pay off their preRapid Penang samans, and allow salary deduction for current samans

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Well, I have three comments

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1) In the first place when you apply and accepted the Job, i am sure that you pay and allowance in written in the appointment letter, If you were happy to accept the job at those rates, be happy now, if you still feel unhappy, find another job. All in thev Drivers take home RM1700 to RM2000, I am sure that there are others who will be happy to earn that amount. That is a job that started a few months back, with a company that is not making money. My Workers earn not more then RM1000 inclusive OT and service charge.

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2) I am shock, that the Rapid Penang Bus Drivers have a total of RM12,000 saman unpaid. Why, did Rapid Penang hired drivers with unpaid samans or with a lot of samans on them. Rapid Penang should have check on this drivers (that use to drive for other company) first for their previous record and if have saman it should be paid before hiring them or train new drivers to avoid the old "saman" drivers.

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3) What happen to all the "Training" that was given before the start, if the drivers are still collecting saman. To me that means the Bus Drivers are just the same.

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The current batch of Drivers have a long way to go before they can be call Bus Captains. The above is indeed sad news for Penang Public Transport. Rapid Penang still have a long way to go.

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Also another route U802 Nibong Tebal to BM have been added on the Main Land

2nd Day of tbe Chinese New Year

Am Back at work today, this is one of the negetive side to working in the Hospitality Industry. But right now at my current place and position it is not too bad, at least i can get the eve and the 1st day off.

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20 years ago when i start off working in this line, dont even imagine to take off on any of the festive days.

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How did I spend my two days off. Well, On the eve, started travelling early 10am back to my parents house and dump my family there. Then it was off to purchase a printer, a HP F380 all in one, (i will blog on this later) and back home to wait for the dinner( roast duck), which started at 7.30pm, once that was finish, it was off to my wife parents, for the 2nd dinner of the night (steamboat) and once that was over back home to my parents place to spend the night. .

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On Chinese New Year, after wishing my parents, it was off to my wife parents place, before dropping by a few reletive and then back to my parents place to recuprate.

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Today, a early start to get back home and report to work. Now a days i do not enjoy the New Year at all. Work Work, come home more work, decorating and cleaning and frankly now a days there is no more festive mood at all. Also things are costing a bomb now a days, and Chinese New Year is getting more expensive and the pay packet remains the same....

What is this building use for?

I saw this building in Nibong Tebal, Main Road. It look old for sure, but nicely done up. What is it use for? It look like a garage for a car, but a double story garage? The Doors hight goes right to the roof. For a double decker car? Never heard of such a car, a double decker bus yes, but not a car, however this building is not long enough for a bus. Can any one help?

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This will be the last post for the Year of the Pig. Welcome Year of the Rat.

Kong Hai Fatt Choy

There are many spelling to Wish a person Happy Chinese New Year, I am using the Cantonese "spelling"

Unuse Buildings

Having an abandoned or a partially use building in a area in general does not reflect well to a area. I am of course refering to Comercial Buildings that are either unuse currently after opening for a short time or compleately unuse, not houses.

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If i am not mistaken, in general terms, before a Cormercial Building can be built, the developer have to get it approve by the Authorities concern. And the developer being profit orientated should look into the viability and profitability of a cormecial building if he want to get sales. .

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In Seberang Prai, Penang, this area seems to be littered by unuse or even abandoned cormercial building, with even more being build (though at other locations). If there is only a few such building, one can make the assumption that that partiqular developer make a mistake in the fesibility study, but if there is a number of such building, then what assumption can one draw?

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Can all the developers be too optimistic about a certain area? What were they thinking off in planning such a building here? Why did the cormercial building were / is not successful? A certain Building in area come to mind. A Hotel, with a complex podium, with the Hotel Reception is at the 8th floor, A Very steep ram to the car park, This building is long time unuse and infact Danaharta is trying to sell it. I have seen a few advertisment on this building over the years with lower price and with no takers. Not to far a way is a another shopping complex, with a hotel and a office block, it is still surviving, as it is the Offical and principal Bus Stop/depot of the area. The Office Block is empty, and unuse except for the operator offices. The Shop in the complex open and close and as i understand it, this bus depot is surpose to be move some where else in the future to ease congestion. . . In general I wonder, how things are done. If I am ask to invest money in new cormercial/ shopping complex in this area, as thing stand right now, i dont think i will do so. I may be proven wrong in the future, but i dont think i will rue the chance.

Sungai Bakap Roast Duck

Sungai Bakap is known for Chye Koey and Roast Duck. In this two street town, there are two Chye Koey & Tim Sum Restaurant in the Old Town, but there are 5 Duck Rice (Sole occupant) Restaurant in the old town within 500 meters of each other, out of the total of 10 Chinese Coffee shop in Town. That is a high 50% occupancy rate for Roast Duck Rice, and they are all doing good business.

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As with the Chye Koey (in a earlier post), People will travel 50Km plus to have lunch here, for the roast duck. My personal memories of this place, come from the time of my maternal aunt, was working here in the Government Hospital as a Nursing Sister around 40 years ago. My Mum visited, I did not remembered the Chye Koey and Roast Duck.

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These days there is this Duck Rice Stall I go to, Right at the cross road of the Town, Rice is serve in Bowls, Old style Coffee Shop table but with plastic chair. The Duck rice is serve with Cut Pickle Bird Eye Chill, though Chili sauce is available, along with char siew, siew bak and roast pork sausage.

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Will I travel 50Km just to have lunch here? Well, even though the Roast Duck is good, I fell that I will not travel a distance, but if I am in the area, why not. Give it a try. Non Halal