Just a small thing. Nothing much really.

NS stinks. Face it. 80% of NSFs will probably tell you that.

But on a brighter note, it does expose you to people that you’ll probably never meet in your life otherwise. And learn about different people and their characters.

If there’s something worthwhile about NS, it’s about observing and learning the good and bad points of other people, whoever they might be.

Bottomline, the battlefield and the office are two completely separate environments. You can’t expect to use the same leadership tactics in both environments, it’s personal suicide.

We’re all NSFs, bo bian have to serve 2 yrs (in some cases 1yr 8mths). So stop making life difficult for others of the same kind, even when the regulars aren’t. There’s gotta be some basic (read: BASIC) mutual respect between each other.

And please do try (just try) to keep yourself in check from the new found power that have been (I won’t say deservingly) bestowed on you. Good leaders come from the best servants.

To me, NS is just like another “school” that you go to. Go in, learn some shit, come out to the working world and never actually use them. Face it, how often are you gonna drive a tank and shoot rifles?

So I’m gonna say this once and I’m gonna say it clear. Stop treating people like they owe you a living, no one does, and no one ever will (unless you saved his life or something, but that’s another thing altogether). Have some basic mutual respect, even when communicating via SMS or email. The world doesn’t revolve just around you, think about others too, if you can. Unless of course, you’re intending to sign on for life, then I have nothing to say.

I rest my case. Sheesh.

A leader will always want to serve more, help more, be more humble than his/her subordinates. That’s why he/she is made a leader.

New found power, all willing to exercise them, but in the wrong environment. This is an office, not the battlefield. Read: Mutual respect.

Point: Even if it’s gets things done but causes people to disrespect you as a leader, is it worth it?

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Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

iUnspoken’s the name.

But what’s DARK Productions [SG] you might ask. It’s the company name that I often link myself to when liaising with overseas merchants or clients. It was formed in 2004 when I was still in secondary school. Part of a theatre drama, a group of us created it to give our production a name. Why DARK? It’s quite simple. Because for the most part of our beginnings, our shots and videos were all underexposed. Hence the name.

But more recently, we changed it to all CAPS. Supposedly to stand for ‘Doing-Acts-of-Random-Kindness’. The idea behind it is that we help young students like what we used to be, to fulfill their filmmaking or media dreams where possible, for free. Tutoring, mentoring, etc etc. Okay that’s the DARK Productions [SG] part.

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The ‘iUnspoken’ part, didn’t actually start out as iUnspoken. As you might know, the blogging world pretty much started around 2003, as hype was building up. I too started a blog, got an email address, etc etc, that sort of thing. My first blog wasn’t with Blogger or WordPress though. It was with this now-defunct journalling service called ‘Diary-X’, via a recommendation from a friend. Apparently according to them, they never referred themselves as a blogging service, but rather a journalling service that was, online, which in my opinion equates to blogging. Whatever makes them happy I suppose.

Anyhow, my initial blog name was ‘x-unspoken-x’. Mighty long eh? After a while I realized it was a pain to type all the hyphen and stuff, but I didn’t have a choice to change it.

Then as the blogging world would know, Diary-X’s main server drive containing all the saved dairies, failed in Feb 2006. The owners of the website sent it for data recovery, but afterwards announced that the drive was irrevocably damaged and all data was indeed lost. Rather than reconstruct the site, they decided to close the site down, officially dated on 31 March, 2006. That was the end of my initial blogging life.

Diary-X did launch some other project I think. Attempts to revive the site, and integrate it with other features of more popular blogging sites, kinda failed? The forums, IRC channels was basically dormant. They’ve never made any progress since then. Bummers.

So I decided to change my name then, to ‘iUnspoken’, moving to the more popular service then called Blogger, and started blogging there since Apr 2006. Uncanny as it might sound, it was quite refreshing to blog from a new perspective, on a new service. Why uncanny? It’s because I had just received Christ a few months before the server crashed. I kinda took it as a turning point to forget about the life that I used to have, one that I’m not particularly proud of in sec sch, and start a new one, in Christ, in poly, on Blogger.

‘iUnspoken’ was what I chose because I used to be rather clammed up in sec sch. Partially due to the fact that I didn’t really get along in a all-guys school, I would rather hang out with girls. (We’ll leave that for some other time.)

In Apr 2008, I bought myself a domain name, which actually is not all that expensive really. Just USD10 a year. So iunspoken.blogspot.com became just ‘iUnspoken.com’.

In Feb 2009, I switch blogging service again to WordPress, for the basic reason that their interface was much more pleasant than Blogger’s. Blogspot always gave me a feeling that I was coding my blog entries rather than really writing them. Half the time I was more focussed on HTML coding instead.

So my blogging life was pretty much dead from Feb 2009 for quite a number of months. Never more than an entry per month, I can’t even remember the frequency of updates anymore. But it was quite, dead. Partially because of what was happening in my life at that time, and cause I was trying real hard to have a decent transfer of blog entries from Blogger to WordPress, which as you might have guessed, didn’t work out too well. So I started a new blog on WordPress, not on the dotcom, but on my own server, which gives my WordPress the ability to do funky stuff. I just never had the time to work on the older entries since then cos NS took up most of my (otherwise interesting and happening) life. Ahem.

So that’s my blogging name’s history! Or rather, my entire blogging history. Hope it ain’t too long.

On a side note, iUnspoken is also my online alias. Anywhere that you see a profile with the name ‘iUnspoken’, chances are 99.99%, it’s me. Haven’t come across a point where I need to find another username before, perhaps because what I’ve chosen is unique enough? Awesome stuff.

Comment comments.

Now watching the ‘live’ stream of the Apple event “Back To The Mac”. Below is the summary of what was covered during the event.

Disclaimer: Photos from Engadget.com. Writings all by iUnspoken.

WARNING: Post is graphic intensive.

(more…)

Taken during a shoot for NDP2010 at Padang. To me, I think this is one of the best looking profile photos I had in a long long time.

1. Any, and I mean ANY, electronic item that passes through my hands in daily usage and still survives, is a proven working product. Don’t believe? Average lifespan of a Mac device before it conks out (on me or vice versa), 2.5 years. Average lifespan of a Windows product in that same usage pattern, 2 days. My iPod Nano has been to the freezer, microwave oven, and even under the tire of a truck. Still works. Need anymore proof?

2. I take a while to match names to faces. English names does better. But I look at you with a weird look, it means “you look familiar but I can’t pinpoint your name.” No offence really, I still remember your face if that’s what counts.

3. I used to love durians. Now I can’t stand the smell of them. Anyone knows if puberty changes that?

4. I’m a clean freak. My table and room might not actually show that. Maybe it’s just because I haven’t found a proper management system for all my stuff. But trust me, I’m a clean freak. I would take apart a computer to clean out the dust in the heatsink.

5. I absolutely cannot stand it when things don’t work. I need speed. When I click on something, it better do what it’s supposed to do, and fast. No patience you might say, depends on mood really. But the general idea is that I like things when they work. Which is why I ditched Windows. It didn’t work for me.

6. I’m very particular about the quality of food. Though served and might not be up to expectations, I won’t actually not eat it unless it’s absolute garbage. Think the starving kids.

7. I like taking risks. Trying new stuff, stuff that never been tried before. Though 99% of the time, people freak out on me because of that. Odd. Life’s about challenges right?

8. I LOVE Starbucks. Not just coffee, Starbucks. Coffeebean doesn’t really cut it cos their beans aren’t flavorful enough. You might not realize that though, but I’m quite picky on the quality of coffee made. I once made one SB outlet do my drink again too. And, my dad switch beans in the home espresso machine from SB to CB, and I could tell the difference from the first sip. Coffee lover I am.

9. I don’t like them trendy hairstyles. Think it’s boring. Not that my hairstyle is anything close to exciting, but at least it’s easier to recognize me in a crowd rather than to look over hundreds of the same hair. Uniqueness.

10. I think I’m generally quite critical about most stuff, especially media. But leaning towards having constructive criticism. Think that’s what makes things better and more appealing too. Though of course it leads to having more people not like me in the process, though the process is largely dependent on their reception to criticism in general. To learn or not to learn.

11. I like to teach, to people who want to learn. I could consider teaching as a career if not for the marking and setting of tests and stuff.

12. I think maternity photography is the most interesting, to me at least. It’s time-limited, resource-limited etc etc, and challenges the reception and openness of people. I like. Think it’s the most beautiful thing, maternity.

13. I like school uniforms. UNIQUE school uniforms mind you. It says a lot about the school, the design, the colors, the sizing, style, etc etc. Guys uniforms look generally the same though, that’s unfortunately boring. The girl’s uniform are the interesting ones. Lots of different designs and styles. And like I said, from the uniform, you can tell what kinda school it is.

14. I think I’m generally cheerful? Not that my face shows it all the time though, and unless I’m totally conked out too. I can’t really give a shit of people who try to demoralize me, though I do take their comments constructively where applicable.

15. I put my best in everything that I do. For the most part, I believe that if you wanna do something right, you do it once to the best of your ability. No point try and error cos by the time you reach the final leg, you’ve cause so much unnecessary hurt in the process. Loyalty is the key. If you think you are or have been missing out on better stuff, or people or guys or girls, then you’ve gonna be miserable all your life.

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Okay seriously, 15 points is nowhere near enough to describe a person. Things like this, the first point is the hardest to start off with, and you can’t stop at 15. Odd eh? But nonetheless…

So what ya think?

I’m quite in a.. “stone-mode” now actually. Maybe because “tiredness” is kicking in or something.

Currently on a “Update Address Book and iCal” project, which goes together with updating Facebook as well. Followed after would be a “Update MSN Contact List”. It’s mad. I just spent 3 hours, looking through names alphabetically, looking for suitable profile pictures for my address book, email details, updates etc etc. And I’ve just finished names that starts with “A”. At least those listed on Facebook.

Thought FB would be a nice place to start with seeing that most of us just add without thought. So the organizing now is a bit tedious as well. But no matter, guess it’ll be much better, in a sense now there’re lists that I can target invites to.

Of course my Address Book won’t contain all 1580 friends names that I have on FB. Just those I know personally or would wanna contact. And then again, it’s still a bit mad to search for all their names. Urgh. You should try this really.

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Apparently, been getting quite a bit of hits following the “Child’s Eye Movie Review”, and since that post is currently the 7th search result in Google, guess that’s where most of the readers are coming from. The power of SEO.

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Okay here’s an idea, for you and me. Since sometimes we don’t know what to blog or write about, here’s something that I found on Vivian’s blog. Thought it’ll be cool to uptake it. Though I’ve no idea whether I’ll even finish writing all that by the end of the year.

Basically it’s a list…

Day 01 – A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02 – The meaning behind your Tumblr WordPress name
Day 03 – A picture of you and your friends
Day 04 – A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05 – A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06 – Favorite super hero and why
Day 07 – A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08 – Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09 – Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10 – Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11 – Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12 – How you found out about Tumblr WordPress and why you made one
Day 13 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14 – A picture of you and your family
Day 15 – Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16 – Another picture of yourself
Day 17 – Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18 – Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19 – Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20 – Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21 – A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22 – What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23 – Something you crave for a lot
Day 24 – A letter to your parents
Day 25 – What I would find in your bag
Day 26 – What you think about your friends
Day 27 – Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28 – A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29 – In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30 – Who are you?

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Seems like quite a bit, but that should be fun.

If anyone is thinking of buying a new Mac now, I would strongly suggest holding it off for the time being. At least until next Thursday. Reason being…

Apple is holding a media event with the caption “Back to the Mac.” on the 20th October 2010, 10am PDT, which roughly translates to 1am on Thursday here in SG.

Speculation is that there might be a refresh of the notebook/laptop line aka MacBook Pros. Probably no so much on the desktops though, seeing that they were just updated recently.

In addition, some are saying that there might be a sneak peak at what could be the next version of Mac OS X. Mac OS 10.7. Or some are even saying that it could be the Mac OS 11.

But whatever it is, hold them credit cards for buying new Macs. At least for the time being. Even after the event, you’ll probably need to wait a couple more weeks for the stocks to hit SG’s shelves.

Daily posts are actually quite difficult I realize. But I suppose with the right effort, it could happen too. Anyhow, moving on.

Happy 21st Birthday to Gloria Goh! Awesome stuff. Official turning LEGAL. 18 was nonsense la, that’s technically not legal. That’s just an age where more adult laws apply to you.

Anywho. Nothing much happened. Just a lot of humid days, and a lot of sleepy timings, all at the wrong timings really. And for some reason I tried to freeze my MBP in an attempt to get it’s core temp lowered for faster performance.

Though unfortunately, all I got, was a 25degrees core temp (which is not too bad, just that it rose up again once it was immediately out of the freezer.). Plus a lot of water condensation which essentially rubbed off the dirt on the surface of the Mac. Resulting in me cleaning my MBP for the next half hour. Not a brilliant idea.

Though point, it kinda makes sense to have your machines work at a lower temperature, say a nice cold aircon room. It does makes sense. Just for laptops, gotta find a better way of lowering the core temp rather than using methods like “lifting your Mac up”, which does work to a certain 20% extent. And using those useless laptop mounts with fans powered by USB. I mean come on, seriously? Those ain’t gonna cut it.

Enough of Macs.

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Went to watch movie. Thanks to UOB’s brilliant offer of $6 weekday movie tickets at Cathay. It’s awesome. And I can purchase 20 at one go. Only that guy cheated my of my free popcorns. Don’t wanna kick a fuss la huh.

Okay first though, before watching the movie that is. Typical asian-made horror film. With the exception that it was in 3D. Or so they say.

And no I didn’t watch it in 3D, I watched it in 2D instead. But at some points you will still be able to tell the parts of the film that were deliberately edited to have that 3D effect. (No spoilers here).

Too draggy in the front part. Some attempt to make some cheesy humor parts. But it kinda didn’t work out the way it was supposed to. It was more lame than funny in a sense. Certain parts of the film didn’t really link up either. The characters (including extras) were definitely not in their individual characters in context with the film at certain points in time. Not to say that it was a bad film though.

Okay, so 3 couples from Hong Kong in holiday in Thailand find themselves caught up in a political riot in the city, rendering their airport closed, and forcing them to take refuge in a sleazy rundown hotel (cue bad humor).

So like in most of the Asian made horror films we’ve seen thus far, someone always goes missing, in this case the 3 guys, and the girls , particularly Rainie Yang, tries to find them. Together with another 3 local kids, two of whom mysteriously faints in the hotel corridor, and a dog who apparently can spot them monsters in the murk. Which of course came in rather handy.

Yet another staple in such films are ghostly women with long dark hair. What’s new right. But this one had a nicer face I must say. The only thing I didn’t really get what the messed up child who had a face and paws of a dog. Supposedly from messed up activities during the pregnancy. Which begs one to wonder, unless you were cursed to have a really horrible looking child, or said woman mated with a dog. That’s nasty stuff.

Though the story only kinda revives itself towards the end, with nicely sustained scenes from a strange computer generated fantasy world made up of giant toys. It’s a nice break from the far-to-common green surroundings, which I presume is a textbook color for “fear”. But before you know it, it all fades away and we’re back in the same hotel with a full story-book like explanation of the back-story ad the obligatory happy ending, somewhat.

It’s not a terrible film overall. They’re probably worse Asian made horror films than this. Really annoying draggy shots in the beginning, probably a ploy to make you wonder which part of the frame an odd looking object might come up from. It’s just a feeling that the Pangs have been kicking a dead horse around for quite some time now, there’s nothing really fresh other than the deliberately added 3D effects to throw a chair and a grenade in your face. Otherwise, just watch it to have your nuts woken up.

I have to say, if watched in 3D, it would be nice. Though this film probably wouldn’t make it to the big screens past Asia. It’s too textbook that it’s probably destined for home entertainment instead. Get ready to see this poster plastered on a DVD store near you.

Oh did I mention, this is probably the perfect movie for you couples to bring your spouses/partners to. Gives you a huge reason to be clinging on tightly to said partner. That of course doesn’t make sense if your partner is like me, who made a fool of himself laughing his way throughout the movie at every opportunity. Anyone was at the 14th Oct 1935hrs screening of Child’s Eye 2D at The Cathay? Yeah you probably heard me out loud.

Enjoying the serenity of just sitting outside Starbucks (without coffee though), and watching the business of the city. Even at 11pm. It’s quite serene, despite the irony of it.

Though can someone enlighten me, why would someone search this term “chcngjgfgf” and end up on my blog. That’s quite. Interesting.

Need to actually find the proper time to clear out my table and hard drives. Organize them properly if you would. Or perhaps the right company to help me organize them would help too. It always does.

Admittedly, this is probably not a very good place to do work or write stuff. Too distracting. Some dude walking by a bit conky. A couple quarreling. an occasional car showing-off how loud his car can go. Not good. There’s the Bak Kut Teh near by though. But it’s closed. Probably come by again tmr.

Anyhow, I have to say, some of the clothing shops in Central do sell nice stuff. The dresses are actually really really nice. Don’t see any guy shops though, which is quite normal I guess. But there’re like racks and racks of dresses, tops, skirts and all. Some look weird, and off, like present-like. But other are just really formal, nice, something you’ll actually wear to say, a wedding?

Random: This dude just stopped in front of Starbucks and took at picture of the store front. Odd. He’s caucasian. Or perhaps he’s gonna send the photo back to where he came from with a loud caption like “TOLD YOU THEY HAD STARBUCKS IN SINGAPORE”. That’s just plain odd. And for the record, he didn’t even stop by for coffee.

Alright, enough with the random typing. Probably a couple of photos would spice things up, if I had them.

While I still have the brainpower, here’s something that I thought up in church just now.

We all know that today’s a magical day, or so some people say. 10th Oct 2010. Lots of people getting married, babies born today are geniuses or something, amongst other stuff.

But personally, I think the best way to describe 101010 from my point of view is as follows.

10th October 2010, 10:10:10am. I, together with millions of other Christians all around the world (in their own time zone), will be praising and worshipping Jesus in church.

I think nothing beats that. God clearly planned his days out well. Enjoy a wonderful Sunday!