MPHB(Magnum) is coming up with a new 4D game which will incorporate a jackpot element. The latter informed Bursa Malaysia on 24 July 2009 that its new offering is due for launch later this year. The link is here:
HERE
as well as in several local newspapers.
Although no details were published, a little bird tells me of this with a wink :)
How To Play
Customer pays $2 for each selection of any 2 numbers(4d) which can be repeated too; the results is based on the normal 4D results.
How To Win
Jackpot 1:
If the selected numbers match any 2 of the 3 top prizes (1st, 2nd & 3rd prize), then it wins a jackpot of $2M (minimum). The latter is subject to sharing if there are more than one winner, just like in lotto jackpots. Should there be no winner, then any allocated amount (22% of turnover) will be roll-over to the next draw until it is won.
Jackpot 2:
Selected numbers must match any one of the top 3 prizes (1st,2nd,3rd) PLUS anyone of the 10 Special Prizes win a jackpot of $200K (minimum). Allocation to this jackpot is 5.5% of turnover. As above, the jackpot is subject to sharing, roll-over, etc.
3rd Prize:
Anyone of the selected numbers match anyone of the top 3 prizes(1st,2nd,3rd). This is subjected to a maximum of $10 million. This applies to 4th and 5th prizes too.
4th Prize:
Anyone of the selected numbers match anyone of the 10 Special Prizes
5th Prize:
Anyone of the selected numbers match anyone of the 10 Consolation Prizes
Odds of winning
Jackpot 1: 1 to 16.7 million
Jackpot 2: 1 to 1.67 million
3rd Prize: 1 to 1,670
4th Prize: 1 to 500
5th Prize: 1 to 501
Note of precaution:
What described above may just be mere speculation ;-)
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Making home-made yogurt
Before this, i have made yogurt several times before until last weekend i wanted to try again as this is a favorite desserts at home these days. Since this is a "cold" food and to share with the public, i decided to take an extra step to sterilize the utensils that would be in contact with the food. I recall never having to suffer diarrhea eating yogurt without sterilizing the utensils. But i leave to you to decide whether the need to sterilize them ;-). The above yogurt was one of the few cups that i made for my family a week ago with mango pieces.
Basic Ingredients:
A liter (1000 cc) of fresh milk or those packet drinks you may find them in supermarkets. (good for 5 or 6 servings but since it can last for at least a week or more, making more would be all right);
2 tablespoon of plain yogurt (buy a cup for consumption, leaving 2 tablespoon as a starter);
1 set of double-boiler pot (as above) used as a warmer as these pots can retain heat much longer than ordinary pot or any other ways to keep the mixture warm.
1 tablespoon(metal);
Thermometer ( it's okay if you don't have as i did not have one earlier but having it gives you more assurance);
Fruit of your choice to make some puree.
Method
Fill up a pot with water (1/4 filled) and heat up the water until it boils; then reduce heating to low. (this could be either a standalone pot or the bigger pot of a double boiler)
Make use of this boiling water to sterilize the anything to be used such as spoon, pot, containers (but not those not made of metal);
For double-boiler, keep the pot of hot water for use later. Use another pot for heating the milk.
Heat up milk gently until it froths (mass of small bubbles forming on the surface of the milk) or at 85C.
Or you can use the double-boiler to heat-up the milk (with smaller pot of milk sitting on the bigger pot of boiling water). This would take a slightly longer time for the milk to froth. Remove heat when it froths
Let it cool to 43C (warm). Placing the pot of hot milk on some cold water will help quicken the process. Stir occasionally.
Then, add in the starter and mix them thoroughly. Then leave it aside, undisturbed (no stirring) and keeping the milk-mixture warm throughout the period.
Using a double-boiler helps to warm the milk-mixture throughout the period. If not, think of other way to keep it warm like placing back on a hot stove occasionally or under the hot sun.
Cover with lid and wait seven hours. Meanwhile, prepare fruit purees (mango or any fruits that you prefer).
Scoop some mango fresh (about 1/4 of fruit)and cut into small pieces. Put them into a small pot; add 2 tablespoon of sugar and add in some water (1/4 cup); Heat up and boil for a few minutes or until it thickens; let it cool.
After about 7 hours, that's what you get- the milk curdled (thickens).
Stir vigorously to mix curds. Then pour into each cup or any suitable containers and mix each with some puree. Leave the cups of curdles overnight, preferably as if further thickens. Be sure to reserve 2-3 tbs of your yogurt for your next batch!
Cheers!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Dumpling Festival - the tale behind it.
The rice dumpling custom can be traced back to the Warring States Period of the third century B.C. According to legend, Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet and a state minister, drowned himself in the river to protest the king's refusal to institute reforms.
It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (May 28 in 2009) to honour scholar-poet, Qu Yuan who took his life by jumping into a river. He did so because he was greatly saddened when the king refused to take his advice, leading to a war. The king eventually got himself trapped and captured in a foreign land by his enemies, which then lead to his own death.
Fearing that fish would eat Qu’s body, then, his friends and supporters made dumplings and threw them into the river so that the fish would eat them instead of the body.
Do you think the reason is acceptable or logical?
For years i am doubtful about this reason but since i have a blog now, i wish to put forth my reason.
Do fish eat rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves - or even without the bamboo leaves i am doubtful that those sticky rice would lure them to eat. If it says that the throwing of the rice dumpling (perhaps at that time, some people were selling dumplings by the side of the river)would scare the fish away, then this is more logical. Even any heavy objects like stones, rocks, mud-balls would do the same. Splashing their paddles on water surfaces may have the same effect too.
However there exists many versions. But whichever version you choose to believe, it seems the death of Qu Yuan also gave rise to dragon boat races in some countries like in Hong Kong and at the same time celebrating the day with dumplings made with glutinous rice (zong zi) that are stuffed in bamboo leaves.
Happy Dumpling Day!
It is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (May 28 in 2009) to honour scholar-poet, Qu Yuan who took his life by jumping into a river. He did so because he was greatly saddened when the king refused to take his advice, leading to a war. The king eventually got himself trapped and captured in a foreign land by his enemies, which then lead to his own death.
Fearing that fish would eat Qu’s body, then, his friends and supporters made dumplings and threw them into the river so that the fish would eat them instead of the body.
Do you think the reason is acceptable or logical?
For years i am doubtful about this reason but since i have a blog now, i wish to put forth my reason.
Do fish eat rice dumpling wrapped in bamboo leaves - or even without the bamboo leaves i am doubtful that those sticky rice would lure them to eat. If it says that the throwing of the rice dumpling (perhaps at that time, some people were selling dumplings by the side of the river)would scare the fish away, then this is more logical. Even any heavy objects like stones, rocks, mud-balls would do the same. Splashing their paddles on water surfaces may have the same effect too.
However there exists many versions. But whichever version you choose to believe, it seems the death of Qu Yuan also gave rise to dragon boat races in some countries like in Hong Kong and at the same time celebrating the day with dumplings made with glutinous rice (zong zi) that are stuffed in bamboo leaves.
Happy Dumpling Day!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Quick Meal - Weekend Dishes
Two common quick dishes that i cooked recently.
A typical dish of fried rice. The latter is made out of the left-over rice the previous night. Of course, you can also cook fresh rice too but preferable let it cool over few hours prior to cooking. Common ingredients used are prawns, eggs, pieces of "char-siew", fried fragrant garlic, long beans, light soy sauce and pieces of fried salted fish (optional).Garnish with spring onions.
Another quick dish is using canned sardines with spaghetti. Other ingredients that are normally used are cucumber, onions and pineapples (the latter 3 are thinly sliced), fresh chili and some vinegar to make it slightly sourish. The latter can be substituted with tamarind. As this was a last minute decision, most of these ingredients mentioned were not available, instead i added in fresh prawns and some mint leaves. And this last minute lunch turned out to be tasty and appetizing too.
It's good to have home-grown mint leaves in your garden. Look at this plant that i have grown many moons ago. Easy to grow and little maintenance. Just some water and some sunlight and not forgetting some organic fertilizers too.
A typical dish of fried rice. The latter is made out of the left-over rice the previous night. Of course, you can also cook fresh rice too but preferable let it cool over few hours prior to cooking. Common ingredients used are prawns, eggs, pieces of "char-siew", fried fragrant garlic, long beans, light soy sauce and pieces of fried salted fish (optional).Garnish with spring onions.
Another quick dish is using canned sardines with spaghetti. Other ingredients that are normally used are cucumber, onions and pineapples (the latter 3 are thinly sliced), fresh chili and some vinegar to make it slightly sourish. The latter can be substituted with tamarind. As this was a last minute decision, most of these ingredients mentioned were not available, instead i added in fresh prawns and some mint leaves. And this last minute lunch turned out to be tasty and appetizing too.
It's good to have home-grown mint leaves in your garden. Look at this plant that i have grown many moons ago. Easy to grow and little maintenance. Just some water and some sunlight and not forgetting some organic fertilizers too.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Celebrating Mother's Day
Mother's Day is celebrated to honour all mothers and express gratitude for the hardships they bear in bringing up a child. Most countries including US, Australia, UK and Malaysia celebrate Mothers Day on the second Sunday of May. It's a also a time of commemoration and celebration for Mom.
Happy Mother's Day.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Wesak Day
Celebrated on the full moon of the month of May by Buddhists which marks three momentous events in Buddha's life - his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana. The celebration begins at dawn when devotees gathering at the temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts.
The celebration includes making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick. To this day, Buddhists will distribute gifts in cash and kind to various charitable homes throughout the country. Wesak is also a time for great joy and happiness, expressed not by pandering to one’s appetites but by concentrating on useful activities such as decorating and illuminating temples, painting and creating exquisite scenes from the life of the Buddha for public dissemination. Devout Buddhists also vie with one another to provide refreshments and vegetarian food to followers who visit the temple to pay homage to the Enlightened One.
Happy Wesak Day!
The celebration includes making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped and the sick. To this day, Buddhists will distribute gifts in cash and kind to various charitable homes throughout the country. Wesak is also a time for great joy and happiness, expressed not by pandering to one’s appetites but by concentrating on useful activities such as decorating and illuminating temples, painting and creating exquisite scenes from the life of the Buddha for public dissemination. Devout Buddhists also vie with one another to provide refreshments and vegetarian food to followers who visit the temple to pay homage to the Enlightened One.
Happy Wesak Day!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Happy May Day
This proggie is made in the commemoration of May Day. It is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labour movement.
Happy Labour Day to all.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Quick Meal: Chawan-mushi
This Japanese's steamed egg-custard known as Chawan-mushi is one of the more popular Japanese side-dish outside the native country. It's quite a delicious appetizer.
Utensils required:
A small bowl or cup (capacity to hold about 150 ml of water);
Lid that fits the bowl/cup or food wrap(microwave-safe)would do;
A steamer that can accommodate 4 cups.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
# 3 eggs (medium size or about 60 gm each);
# 1-1/2 cup soup stock (chicken or anchovies) - use the same bowl/cup as above;
# 1/2 tsp salt;
# 1 tsp soy sauce;
# 1 tsp sugar;
# 1 tsp Chinese cooking wine (optional);
# scallop and prawns - 3 or 4 pieces each type for each serving, marinated with 1 tsp of soya sauce. For scallop, soak and break into pieces. For prawns, de-shell, de-vein and slice into 2 diagonally.
# 1 medium size mushrooms, soaked in hot water for half an hour; and thinly sliced (squeeze out the water);
# dash of pepper
# Chinese parsley and mint leaves.
Preparation:
Lightly beat eggs in a bowl.
Add soup stock, soy sauce, salt, wine and sugar in the egg.
Strain the egg mixture;
Distribute sliced mushrooms, scallops and prawns in the four cups equally with a dash of pepper;
Fill each cup to third-fourths with the egg mixture; skim off any bubbles on the top of the mixture, if any.
Cover the cups with lids or food wrapper
Preheat a steamer on high heat. Turn down the heat to low when boiling. Make sure there is enough water in the steamer;
Place the bowls of egg mixture in the steamer;
Steam for at least 15 to 20 minutes or until the custard sets.
Test it with a small knife. If cook, clear water will be discharged.
Serve hot with a sprinkling of Chinese parsley and mint leaves.
Cheers!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
All Souls Day (aka Remembrance Day)
In Chinese culture, All-Souls Day is held on the day of the Third Moon, the day is also known as the Qing Ming. The latter literally means "clear and bright", a reference to the weather at the time of the year of the festival - the third lunar month or early spring, usually on 5 April or 106 days after the Winter Solstice (or mid-winter). If the year is a leap year, then Qing Ming falls on April 4. Note that this is the only known Chinese festival that follows the English calendar rather than the Chinese solar calender. Perhaps making it falls on the 5 April or one day before the day is easy to remember as in the Chinese language "4-4" means "die-die" literally speaking as All-Souls Day is associated with people who had passed away. Small wonder the All-Souls Day follows the English Calendar :)
Offerings of food, fruits and drinks are made including burning incense and paper money by the gravesides to ensure that the deceased have all that he needs in the netherworld. After prayers, the food is gathered together and taken home to be consumed by the worshipers themselves ;-)
Nowadays the festival has become more commercial. Today families go to the extend of purchasing paper replicas of essential items to offer the dead. These include luxury cars, mobile phones(make sure to write down the hand phone number too!),televisions, karaoke sets, refrigerators, DVD players, Air-cons, computers, PDA and GPS device. They also include shoes, designer clothes, handbags, boxes of jewelery items, shaving kits, cigarettes, cans of beer and liquor. One can still buy the traditional "hell money", but nowadays a selection of credit cards is also available. The "hell money" notes are huge, and believed it represented one billion units. Some families really go to the extend of ensuring their loved ones with the above paper replicas to make them comfortable - in my opinion is becoming ABSURD.
For a moment of time, let's look at it from a non-Chinese point of view. The non-Chinese might be wondering if what their Chinese counterparts think is correct, then the Chinese of the netherworld would be the only race up there to be enjoying their riches and the luxuries while the billions of the other non-Chinese race would have been starving and depriving of entertainments ever since time-immemorial.
If people are associating "All-Souls Day" as being Remembrance Day for their ancestors, then it is worthwhile commemorating it.
Cheers!
Offerings of food, fruits and drinks are made including burning incense and paper money by the gravesides to ensure that the deceased have all that he needs in the netherworld. After prayers, the food is gathered together and taken home to be consumed by the worshipers themselves ;-)
Nowadays the festival has become more commercial. Today families go to the extend of purchasing paper replicas of essential items to offer the dead. These include luxury cars, mobile phones(make sure to write down the hand phone number too!),televisions, karaoke sets, refrigerators, DVD players, Air-cons, computers, PDA and GPS device. They also include shoes, designer clothes, handbags, boxes of jewelery items, shaving kits, cigarettes, cans of beer and liquor. One can still buy the traditional "hell money", but nowadays a selection of credit cards is also available. The "hell money" notes are huge, and believed it represented one billion units. Some families really go to the extend of ensuring their loved ones with the above paper replicas to make them comfortable - in my opinion is becoming ABSURD.
For a moment of time, let's look at it from a non-Chinese point of view. The non-Chinese might be wondering if what their Chinese counterparts think is correct, then the Chinese of the netherworld would be the only race up there to be enjoying their riches and the luxuries while the billions of the other non-Chinese race would have been starving and depriving of entertainments ever since time-immemorial.
If people are associating "All-Souls Day" as being Remembrance Day for their ancestors, then it is worthwhile commemorating it.
Cheers!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Quick Meal-Claypot Lou Shu Fen-瓦煲老鼠粉
Ingredients for 4 servings:
# Meat (minced): 200 gm (chicken or pork): - marinate with a tbsp light soy sauce, a tsp corn flour, 1/2 tbsp sesame; and set aside for a few minutes.
# Fish-Ball: about 3 or 4 for each serving (optional)
# Prawns : about 3 or 4 each for each serving
# Egg: one for each serving
# Red shallots (or small onions): 1 medium size (or about 40g)
# Garlic(minced): about 30g
#Dark soy sauce: 4 tbsp
#Cooking oil: 2 tbsp
# Choy-sum(sawi): about 3 or 4 strands each serving
#Short Rice Noodle (Lou Shu Fen): 200 gm each serving
#Chicken stock: 4 bowls (preferably by boiling bones of chicken or pork)
#fresh chili (optional)
Method:
(1). Heat up a non-stick pan, add in oil, red shallot and garlic. Fry till fragrant. Add in the marinated meat, fish ball, prawns, stir fry for a minute; add in light and dark soy sauce; and stir fry until cooked. Set aside.
(2). For each claypot do the following. Add in a bowl of water(stock). When about to boil, add in the noodle and choy-sum; then add in a tablespoon of dark soy sauce, pepper and a quarter portion of the cooked marinated meat. Mix gently. When boil again, add in an raw egg. Don't mix and about 30 seconds of cooking, turn off the fire. it is then ready to be served boiling hot. Add in some chili if u like it hot.
(3). Repeat the rest.
Happy cooking.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
DIY: When Broadband Modem is faulty . . .
The general indications for a faulty broadband modem are
No internet access.
Broadband Modem : No LED display for DSL and Internet.
A note on abbreviations and term:
LED - Light Emission Diode (the green lights as shown below)
ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber line or DSL in short
NIC - Network Interface Card or Network card
LAN - Local Area Network (or simply network)
ISP - Internet Service Provider
Broadband Modem usually comes with Router/Switch, all-in-one
Based on my own experience, the faulty modem (other than manufacture's defect) is due to surge from lightning even though it may have struck hundreds of meters away from your modem's location especially when it is located near to the open window during the thunderstorm.
Shown below are pix of the Broadband Modem's LED display
[When modem is in order]
Broadband Modem LED display
1st LED - Power- On (left side)
2nd LED - Port#1 - Off (not in use)
3rd LED - Port#2 - Off (not in use)
4th LED - Port#3 - Off (not in use)
5th LED - Port#4 - ON
6th LED - ADSL - ON
7th LED - Internet - ON (right side)
[When modem is faulty]
Broadband Modem LED display
1st LED - Power- ON
2nd LED - Port#1 - OFF(not in use)
3rd LED - Port#2 - OFF(not in use)
4th LED - Port#3 - OFF(not in use)
5th LED - Port#4 - ON
6th LED - ADSL - OFF
7th LED - Internet - OFF
(Port #1, #2, #3 and #4 are where network cables are connected (at the back) which allows you to share broadband connections with multiple PCs using a single modem/router/switch)
Modem's Configuration:
The other is getting the details of modem's configuration. You need to enter these configurations when a new modem is replaced. Get it written down when the modem is in working order. Don't know how? Then do this accordingly.
- open a browser (IE, Firefox, etc); key in " 192.168.1.1" without the quote, at the address bar and hit enter. Refer to your modem's user manual as sometimes they used a different URL. Upon successful login, note and copy the details, such as
- USER- ID (for Streamyx a/c, the format is "username@streamyx"
- Password (if not visible or u have forgotten it,then u have to refer to your ISP)
Network Card:
More often than not, the surge from lightning may also damage the network card too.
Indications for damage of the Network Card (NIC):
# LAN icon at PC's system tray with a red "X" or yellow "!" point. This is located at the bottom right corner next to the clock display.
# LED of port# (one that connects to the network card) would not be lighting-up
This mean a replacement of NIC is required but this can also mean the PC is not connected to internet.
A pix of the NIC, cost about $18 is shown below.
For replacement, there is a need to open the CPU cover and replace it accordingly. If the network card replaced is a different brand, then it is necessary to install the driver, which is usually provided together with the NIC. Shown below is where the network cable is connected between here (NIC) and the modem's. If you are not familiar, it's better that you check with someone who knows or refer to the user manual.
A new NIC require configuration too. While still in working order, it is wise to take a note of the settings.
How to configure the LAN:
Click at the network(LAN) icon, select properties but i would not be going into details as different OS (XP, Vista, etc) has different configurations. The basic is to get the properties correct for the Internet Protocol for its TCP/IP.
See details below. This may be different from your NIC settings.
Precaution:
Taking precaution is the best defence. These are the steps taken whenever there is a thunderstorm and when lightning is heard. On the other hand, if it is raining but there aren't any lightning struck, then i would say it's quite safe surfing the net. If it does, don't blame me ;-)
1. Turn off the switch that connects to the CPU; and pulling out the plug away from the wall socket;
2. Disconnect the phone cable (RJ-11).
There is a couple of ways. It's a matter of preference or a matter of convenience.
#- pull the phone cable from the telephone switch box or wall socket.
[After]
OR
#-pull the phone cable from the back of the modem/router.
[Before]
Note the two network cables (light and dark blue}indicating that the cables are being connected to 2 PCs.
[After]
3. Don't forget to close the window when the modem is located near the windows.
Summary:
1. Assumed cause of the the modem's fault is due to lightning;
2. Check the Modem's LED - DSL and Internet -their lights should not be working
3. Make available modem's configuration such as user-ID and password;
4. Log in to the modem's URL (192.168.1.1) and input the setting as in (3).
5. Check the LAN icon (system tray) to determine whether the network card is damaged
6. Make available LAN's configuration settings.
Cheers!
No internet access.
Broadband Modem : No LED display for DSL and Internet.
A note on abbreviations and term:
LED - Light Emission Diode (the green lights as shown below)
ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber line or DSL in short
NIC - Network Interface Card or Network card
LAN - Local Area Network (or simply network)
ISP - Internet Service Provider
Broadband Modem usually comes with Router/Switch, all-in-one
Based on my own experience, the faulty modem (other than manufacture's defect) is due to surge from lightning even though it may have struck hundreds of meters away from your modem's location especially when it is located near to the open window during the thunderstorm.
Shown below are pix of the Broadband Modem's LED display
[When modem is in order]
Broadband Modem LED display
1st LED - Power- On (left side)
2nd LED - Port#1 - Off (not in use)
3rd LED - Port#2 - Off (not in use)
4th LED - Port#3 - Off (not in use)
5th LED - Port#4 - ON
6th LED - ADSL - ON
7th LED - Internet - ON (right side)
[When modem is faulty]
Broadband Modem LED display
1st LED - Power- ON
2nd LED - Port#1 - OFF(not in use)
3rd LED - Port#2 - OFF(not in use)
4th LED - Port#3 - OFF(not in use)
5th LED - Port#4 - ON
6th LED - ADSL - OFF
7th LED - Internet - OFF
(Port #1, #2, #3 and #4 are where network cables are connected (at the back) which allows you to share broadband connections with multiple PCs using a single modem/router/switch)
Modem's Configuration:
The other is getting the details of modem's configuration. You need to enter these configurations when a new modem is replaced. Get it written down when the modem is in working order. Don't know how? Then do this accordingly.
- open a browser (IE, Firefox, etc); key in " 192.168.1.1" without the quote, at the address bar and hit enter. Refer to your modem's user manual as sometimes they used a different URL. Upon successful login, note and copy the details, such as
- USER- ID (for Streamyx a/c, the format is "username@streamyx"
- Password (if not visible or u have forgotten it,then u have to refer to your ISP)
Network Card:
More often than not, the surge from lightning may also damage the network card too.
Indications for damage of the Network Card (NIC):
# LAN icon at PC's system tray with a red "X" or yellow "!" point. This is located at the bottom right corner next to the clock display.
# LED of port# (one that connects to the network card) would not be lighting-up
This mean a replacement of NIC is required but this can also mean the PC is not connected to internet.
A pix of the NIC, cost about $18 is shown below.
For replacement, there is a need to open the CPU cover and replace it accordingly. If the network card replaced is a different brand, then it is necessary to install the driver, which is usually provided together with the NIC. Shown below is where the network cable is connected between here (NIC) and the modem's. If you are not familiar, it's better that you check with someone who knows or refer to the user manual.
A new NIC require configuration too. While still in working order, it is wise to take a note of the settings.
How to configure the LAN:
Click at the network(LAN) icon, select properties but i would not be going into details as different OS (XP, Vista, etc) has different configurations. The basic is to get the properties correct for the Internet Protocol for its TCP/IP.
See details below. This may be different from your NIC settings.
Precaution:
Taking precaution is the best defence. These are the steps taken whenever there is a thunderstorm and when lightning is heard. On the other hand, if it is raining but there aren't any lightning struck, then i would say it's quite safe surfing the net. If it does, don't blame me ;-)
1. Turn off the switch that connects to the CPU; and pulling out the plug away from the wall socket;
2. Disconnect the phone cable (RJ-11).
There is a couple of ways. It's a matter of preference or a matter of convenience.
#- pull the phone cable from the telephone switch box or wall socket.
[After]
OR
#-pull the phone cable from the back of the modem/router.
[Before]
Note the two network cables (light and dark blue}indicating that the cables are being connected to 2 PCs.
[After]
3. Don't forget to close the window when the modem is located near the windows.
Summary:
1. Assumed cause of the the modem's fault is due to lightning;
2. Check the Modem's LED - DSL and Internet -their lights should not be working
3. Make available modem's configuration such as user-ID and password;
4. Log in to the modem's URL (192.168.1.1) and input the setting as in (3).
5. Check the LAN icon (system tray) to determine whether the network card is damaged
6. Make available LAN's configuration settings.
Cheers!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Quick Meal - Lou Shu Fen (老鼠粉)
A note on the name of the noodle as it is called by other names elsewhere in Chinatown. Locally it is literally called "rat's noodle." Its name is quite disgusting to be called that just because it is shaped like a rat's tail, as you know this animal is associated with disease and dirtiness. In Hong Kong or Taiwan, it is called "Yin Zhen Fen" (or Silver Needle Noodle; 银针粉 ) as they reckon this noodle looks like "silver needle" ;-). Not a good name either. Another name is Short Rice Noodle(短米粉),I think, is more appropriately named as this is made from rice and it is cut shorter compared to other types of Chinese rice noodles which are normally long! Shown below is a sample of the short rice noodles.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
Meat(minced): 200 gm (chicken or pork)
- marinate with a tbsp light soy sauce, a tsp corn flour, 1/2 tbsp sesame; and set aside for a few minutes.
Red shallots (or small onions): medium size (or about 40 g)
Garlic: about 30 g
Tomato: 1 medium size
Dark soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
Cooking oil: 2 tablespoon
Short Rice Noodle: 1 kg or more
Chicken stock: 4 bowls
some green onions and mint leaves
salt and pepper to taste
Method:
(1). Heat up a non-stick pan, add in oil, garlic and red shallot, fry till fragrant. Add in the marinated meat, slice tomato, stir fry for a minute; add in dark soy sauce; and stir fry until cooked. Set aside.
(2). Heat up 4 bowls of chicken stock until it boils. Add in salt and pepper to taste.
(3). Heat up a pot of water (about 2 litre). When boiling, add in the noodle. Then switch off the fire in order not to overcook the noodles. Drain and dish out to the serving bowls.
(4). Finally, dish out the cooked marinate meat to each bowl; and ladle the soup as prepared in (2). Garnish each with spring onions and mint leaves. Serve hot.
Cheers!
Ingredients for 4 servings:
Meat(minced): 200 gm (chicken or pork)
- marinate with a tbsp light soy sauce, a tsp corn flour, 1/2 tbsp sesame; and set aside for a few minutes.
Red shallots (or small onions): medium size (or about 40 g)
Garlic: about 30 g
Tomato: 1 medium size
Dark soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
Cooking oil: 2 tablespoon
Short Rice Noodle: 1 kg or more
Chicken stock: 4 bowls
some green onions and mint leaves
salt and pepper to taste
Method:
(1). Heat up a non-stick pan, add in oil, garlic and red shallot, fry till fragrant. Add in the marinated meat, slice tomato, stir fry for a minute; add in dark soy sauce; and stir fry until cooked. Set aside.
(2). Heat up 4 bowls of chicken stock until it boils. Add in salt and pepper to taste.
(3). Heat up a pot of water (about 2 litre). When boiling, add in the noodle. Then switch off the fire in order not to overcook the noodles. Drain and dish out to the serving bowls.
(4). Finally, dish out the cooked marinate meat to each bowl; and ladle the soup as prepared in (2). Garnish each with spring onions and mint leaves. Serve hot.
Cheers!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Amazing Coincidence, Part 2
Oh là là! It's not based on third-party references or external links but my own encounters within the last few months. Things at my home seems to be breaking down one after the other - the most recent(major) being the ceiling fan's switch, roof-leaks and toilet stuck - as if these non-living things seem to have "sensed" that we are leaving them behind in this home of 20 over years. Some can be explained like the recent roof leaks which normally require maintenance every 4 or 5 years but some gave way during this period coincidentally although it normally can last 2 or 3 decades, if not a generation-long ;-)
The list of things, in this order, which normally does not require yearly maintenance, that gave way recently:
1. Bathroom Mirrors (20 years +)
It just dropped off on the floor shattered without any prior noticeable sign.
2. Cooking Gas Cylinder Valves (20 years +)
The sudden gas leaks (indicated by hissing sound) from the valve frightened the maid thinking that it might explode and made her run out of the house for help!
3. Fan Ceiling Switch (20 years +)
No warning at all. This is highlighted in the blog recently how i DIY to replace the switch.
6. Toilet Cistern's Float (20 years +)
Float mechanism gave way.
7. Kitchen Sink's valve (20 yrs +)
This is the valve that seals/connects the sink opening to the drainage pipe below. Rarely leaks (first ever occurrence) but it happened recently.
8. Kitchen sink cabinet (20 yrs +)
Normally located below the sink is a layer of wooden blank that holds many miscellaneous items. The wooden blank broke into two last month.
9. Bathroom Rail/hanger (10 years +)
Broke away from the wall.
10. Kitchen Roll Holder (10 years +)
Broke up into two while replacing the paper roll.
11. Window Blind (sitting room area)
The connecting rope snapped after more than 5 years in use.
12. Frying Pan (non-stick)
For this type, no one would expect it to last long but the "handle" just broke off into two from the pan unexpectedly.
13. Computer Chair ( 5 yrs +)
Its armrest gave way.
14. Personal Cup Glass (5 yr +)
It could just be my carelessness that i broke my personal cup glass last night. Have used this for as long as 5 or 6 years. Sigh! (this incident made me want to blog about this so-called coincidences!!)
15. Roof Leaks
The quality of the gutter, unlike the roof, was not built to last a life time. This one requires regular maintenance every 4 or 5 years.
16. Toilet Stuck
It just got struck a couple of days ago, after the two "DIY" mentioned in the blog recently. This unpleasant thing usually happens once in a while whatever the cause. If this occurs outside your premise, then the local "Indah Water Konsortium" would be responsible for its clearance. Calling them for this job would cost $180 while others, less "professional", would be a hundred or two less. Still it's an expensive service considering the job to clear them is just less than 5 minutes. No joke. But acquiring the drainage tools (imported) from a local hardware shop, is a bit expensive though but it's worth it as this tool can last a life time. Pics of the tools and where the location of the underground's sewerage tank is shown below.
Tools; about $40 each; and it is sold in a set of 20.
Close up of the tube which adjoins to the next tube by its interface.
Normally located outside the premise but most locals would have renovated to include this outside premise as part of expanded kitchen.
Then the metal slab covering the manhole would be underneath the cement layer.
So many coincidences but one tend to believe these things have "feelings" to show they are being abandoned soon. Ha ha!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Quick Meal - Cantonese Fried ( 广府炒)
This quick meal was not to be for today's dinner but a last minute decision to eat in. We just took whatever ingredients were available. Well it turned out that the meals were deliciously done. Ahem!
Decided to blog it sharing with friends/visitors how to prepare a delicious noodle meal.
Cost per serving is about a dollar plus, and more important we know what things go to the meal. The only drawback for this Cantonese version of frying rice-vermicelli is that a lot more cooking oil is used compared to other noodles done in this blog earlier.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
1). Rice vermicelli (米 粉) noodle: 400g - soak in water for a few minutes or until the noodles are soften. Drain the noodles. Good to store extra packets as it can last weeks compared to wet noodles.
2). Tomato: 1 or more (sliced)
3). Old Ginger: about 40 gm (removed skin & thinly sliced)
4). Fresh Garlic: 30g (removed skin & minced)
5). Cooking oil: about 4 or 5 tablespoon
6). Meat (boneless): about 50 gm per serving. Any type of meat will do. In our case, we use chicken meat, prawns and some beef. Marinate them with a table spoon of soy sauce.
7). Water: about 400 cc (or chicken broth)
8). An egg: Beat it for a minute with a fork
9). A cube of chicken stock (optional for the stew)
10). Tapioca Flour: 1 tablespoon, mixed with a bit of water (for thickening the gravy)
11). Black Vinegar(黑醋): 1 tablespoon (optional - the idea is to make the gravy a bit sourish; ordinary white vinegar can be a substitute too)
12). Salt and pepper to taste
13) Mint leaves (optional)
Method:
Making stew
Use a non-stick pot so that cooking oil can be minimised. Heat (medium) up the oil, then put in the ginger and stir for a minute, followed by the minced garlic, until they are light brown. Put in marinated meat, slice tomatoes; stir them for a few minutes; then finally add in the water (leave some water behind, about 100 ml). Stew it for about 15 minutes. Finally add in the balance of the water, chicken stock, egg, starch paste, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Turn fire to low and leave aside.
Making fried noodles
Here use an ordinary frying pan (do not use non-stick pan) so that noodles can be easily burnt slightly on both sides. Put in tablespoon (15ml) of oil and heat it up; then add in about 100 gm of the thin noodles, and spread the noodles evenly over the pan. Stir occasionally until it is slightly burnt. It should be like those shown (pix). Then turn over the noodles, and add in another tea-spoon of oil. Turn the noodles around. Take out when ready and place it on a serving plate. Repeat the rest of the noodles.
Mamma Mia!
Pour the boiling stew over the noodles. Place mint and serve hot.
Yes, we can!
Decided to blog it sharing with friends/visitors how to prepare a delicious noodle meal.
Cost per serving is about a dollar plus, and more important we know what things go to the meal. The only drawback for this Cantonese version of frying rice-vermicelli is that a lot more cooking oil is used compared to other noodles done in this blog earlier.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
1). Rice vermicelli (米 粉) noodle: 400g - soak in water for a few minutes or until the noodles are soften. Drain the noodles. Good to store extra packets as it can last weeks compared to wet noodles.
2). Tomato: 1 or more (sliced)
3). Old Ginger: about 40 gm (removed skin & thinly sliced)
4). Fresh Garlic: 30g (removed skin & minced)
5). Cooking oil: about 4 or 5 tablespoon
6). Meat (boneless): about 50 gm per serving. Any type of meat will do. In our case, we use chicken meat, prawns and some beef. Marinate them with a table spoon of soy sauce.
7). Water: about 400 cc (or chicken broth)
8). An egg: Beat it for a minute with a fork
9). A cube of chicken stock (optional for the stew)
10). Tapioca Flour: 1 tablespoon, mixed with a bit of water (for thickening the gravy)
11). Black Vinegar(黑醋): 1 tablespoon (optional - the idea is to make the gravy a bit sourish; ordinary white vinegar can be a substitute too)
12). Salt and pepper to taste
13) Mint leaves (optional)
Method:
Making stew
Use a non-stick pot so that cooking oil can be minimised. Heat (medium) up the oil, then put in the ginger and stir for a minute, followed by the minced garlic, until they are light brown. Put in marinated meat, slice tomatoes; stir them for a few minutes; then finally add in the water (leave some water behind, about 100 ml). Stew it for about 15 minutes. Finally add in the balance of the water, chicken stock, egg, starch paste, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Turn fire to low and leave aside.
Making fried noodles
Here use an ordinary frying pan (do not use non-stick pan) so that noodles can be easily burnt slightly on both sides. Put in tablespoon (15ml) of oil and heat it up; then add in about 100 gm of the thin noodles, and spread the noodles evenly over the pan. Stir occasionally until it is slightly burnt. It should be like those shown (pix). Then turn over the noodles, and add in another tea-spoon of oil. Turn the noodles around. Take out when ready and place it on a serving plate. Repeat the rest of the noodles.
Mamma Mia!
Pour the boiling stew over the noodles. Place mint and serve hot.
Yes, we can!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
DIY: Repairing Roof Leaks
Another DIY so soon!! Well, it's just a coincidence for another DIY and since it required repair urgently as it rains almost daily these days. Based on the previous encounter, I suspected it's due to the rain-gutter, especially at its joint. Over time they tend to loosen and this gives way to leaks. Like in the previous case of DIY, I took this opportunity to record the repair procedure.
A word of caution. Working on a roof can be dangerous. It should be done when the roof is completely dry. A wet roof is slippery and very risky. Wear a rubber-soled shoes as it provides the best traction when working on a roof. If you are not handy enough, your best bet is to call a roof-repairer! Ha Ha
Tools and material required:
A tin of roof-tar (about 500g would be sufficient for a simple leak)
A screw driver for opening the tin;
A spatula for spreading the tar over the leaks;
A piece of used cloth to cover the leak area;
A piece of aluminum foil to be double folded - normally use for baking cakes or browning, etc;
A pair of scissors to cut the above two items when on the roof to required size;
A brush and some rags to clean up the area, if there is a need.
The scene of a roof
The couple of tiles removed. Most of the roofs in local houses are just overlapping each other, so it's quite easy to remove. It's a matter of pushing up one tile, then lift the adjacent tiles and letting it slide down carefully. Small wonder these days burglars make their ways using this method. Maybe consider nailing the tiles to the roof with such feature for additional security!
The location the leaks is covered with dirt. Need to clean this up.
Put a layer of tar over the overlapping metal sheets. Then, lay down a piece of cloth over the tar layer. The piece of cloth helps to secure the tar over the metal sheets.
Apply another layer of tar over the cloth.
And finally, a piece of aluminum foil is to be pressed down to the tar using some cloth to smoothen it.
Job done.
Hip Hip Hooray!!
PS: There was rain 6 hours later. Despite the heavy pour, there was no dip from the roof/ceiling. And it looks like the batch over the leak was successfully done.
Je peux, Vous pouvez et Tout le monde peut ;-)
A word of caution. Working on a roof can be dangerous. It should be done when the roof is completely dry. A wet roof is slippery and very risky. Wear a rubber-soled shoes as it provides the best traction when working on a roof. If you are not handy enough, your best bet is to call a roof-repairer! Ha Ha
Tools and material required:
A tin of roof-tar (about 500g would be sufficient for a simple leak)
A screw driver for opening the tin;
A spatula for spreading the tar over the leaks;
A piece of used cloth to cover the leak area;
A piece of aluminum foil to be double folded - normally use for baking cakes or browning, etc;
A pair of scissors to cut the above two items when on the roof to required size;
A brush and some rags to clean up the area, if there is a need.
The scene of a roof
The couple of tiles removed. Most of the roofs in local houses are just overlapping each other, so it's quite easy to remove. It's a matter of pushing up one tile, then lift the adjacent tiles and letting it slide down carefully. Small wonder these days burglars make their ways using this method. Maybe consider nailing the tiles to the roof with such feature for additional security!
The location the leaks is covered with dirt. Need to clean this up.
Put a layer of tar over the overlapping metal sheets. Then, lay down a piece of cloth over the tar layer. The piece of cloth helps to secure the tar over the metal sheets.
Apply another layer of tar over the cloth.
And finally, a piece of aluminum foil is to be pressed down to the tar using some cloth to smoothen it.
Job done.
Hip Hip Hooray!!
PS: There was rain 6 hours later. Despite the heavy pour, there was no dip from the roof/ceiling. And it looks like the batch over the leak was successfully done.
Je peux, Vous pouvez et Tout le monde peut ;-)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
D I Y: Replacing Ceiling-fan's Wall Switch
The ceiling fan's control switch was malfunctioned, meaning that the ceiling fan is not working despite turning the switch control. It happened a fortnight ago, and i took this opportunity to blog on how to do-it-yourself (DIY). Beside self-satisfaction when you got it fixed, you also save a charge of $80 for less than 30 minutes of labour. Although DIY is popular in NZ or Australia, it is not so trendy here.
The one on the right is malfunctioned. Normally this type of control switch can last a long time and seldom needs service.
Basic tools required:
Screw driver
New control switch
Electric Drill (if required)
plus some common sense to electrical circuits and the like
Before we start, let's break off the electric circuit to the ceiling fan, and just in case, as the malfunction switch is located on the upstairs, i turned off the "fuse" that supplies all the power to the upstairs area. Don't make assumption. Test all the lights and other electrical gadgets upstairs to make sure there is no power supply. Having made this first step, let's continue the next task.
Open up the front cover. There is normally a couple of screws that holds this cover to the housing base. Unscrew them. And this is what you would see
Notice the two burnt cables (out of four). Probably this is the culprit that caused the malfunction. Note also the other 2 black cables (wiring) beside the white circular disk. Need to free the 2 wires from the nut holding them before we remove the whole switch housing. This should be about the same for other brands of switches. There should be another couple of screws that hold this housing to the wall. Locate and unscrew them.
If the exposed copper is not long enough, use a pliers (stripper) to expose more copper to be fastened to he new switch which is available from any hypermarket or from any electrical shops. If you live in KL, there are many of these shops in Pasar Road.
Make a note of the 2 or three holes of the housing switch in order to fix them to the wall. If the old holes does not match the positions of the new one, then make new ones with the drill in order to fasten the housing switch to the wall.
It's a simple task. Just have to be mindful of the live electric current. When the task is complete, it's "satisfaction that money cannot buy."
The one on the right is malfunctioned. Normally this type of control switch can last a long time and seldom needs service.
Basic tools required:
Screw driver
New control switch
Electric Drill (if required)
plus some common sense to electrical circuits and the like
Before we start, let's break off the electric circuit to the ceiling fan, and just in case, as the malfunction switch is located on the upstairs, i turned off the "fuse" that supplies all the power to the upstairs area. Don't make assumption. Test all the lights and other electrical gadgets upstairs to make sure there is no power supply. Having made this first step, let's continue the next task.
Open up the front cover. There is normally a couple of screws that holds this cover to the housing base. Unscrew them. And this is what you would see
Notice the two burnt cables (out of four). Probably this is the culprit that caused the malfunction. Note also the other 2 black cables (wiring) beside the white circular disk. Need to free the 2 wires from the nut holding them before we remove the whole switch housing. This should be about the same for other brands of switches. There should be another couple of screws that hold this housing to the wall. Locate and unscrew them.
If the exposed copper is not long enough, use a pliers (stripper) to expose more copper to be fastened to he new switch which is available from any hypermarket or from any electrical shops. If you live in KL, there are many of these shops in Pasar Road.
Make a note of the 2 or three holes of the housing switch in order to fix them to the wall. If the old holes does not match the positions of the new one, then make new ones with the drill in order to fasten the housing switch to the wall.
It's a simple task. Just have to be mindful of the live electric current. When the task is complete, it's "satisfaction that money cannot buy."
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Banana-Oats Fritter
Batter comprised of oats, rice-flour, banana, eggs, sugar and water
A simple and nutritious breakfast all ready for consumption within 30 minutes! The only drawback is using cooking oil for frying. If only someone has invented a water-like substance to replace oil. Shall we live to see that happen? ;-)
Ingredients for 4 servings:
Oats: 100g
Rice Flour: 100g
Bananas (meshed): 200 g (4 medium-size)
Sugar: 50 g (10 teaspoon)
Eggs: 3 (medium-size)
Water: 200 ml
Enough cooking oil for frying
Method:
Mix the ingredients in a large bowl thoroughly until smooth.
Deep fry in hot oil until light-brown.
Remove, drain on absorbent paper and serve hot.
Enjoy!
p/s: If rice flour is not available, u can substitute with wheat flour and tapioca flour in equal portions.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Amazing Coincidences
Wikipedia defines "coincidence" as being noteworthy alignment of two or more events or circumstances without obvious causal connection.
Well, the world is indeed filled with amazing occurrences of coincidences that defy explanation. Even though it is possible to comb random data to find some regularities, some coincidences are more than mere chance, these events are being acted out accordingly to the plans laid out or as someone said in the hands of fate.
A well-known qualitative example is the comparison of coincidences in the lives of Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy, two presidents with seven letters in their last names, and elected to office 100 years apart, 1860 and 1960; etc etc. See below section for more details.
But if we compare other relevant attributes we fail to find coincidences. Both were born and died in different months, dates, and states, and neither date is 100 years apart. Their ages at death were different, as were the names of their wives. Of course, had any of these features corresponded for the two presidents, it would have been included in the list of "mysterious" coincidences. For any two people with reasonably eventful lives it is possible to find coincidences between them such as birth date, hometown, etc. This may be true but then look at the list of incredible coincidences which has been well documented.
Twin brothers, killed on the same road, two hours apart:
In 2002, Seventy-year-old twin brothers died within hours of one another after separate accidents on the same road in northern Finland. The first of the twins died when he was hit by a lorry while riding his bike in Raahe, 600 km north of the capital, Helsinki. He died just 1.5km from the spot where his brother was killed. “This is simply a historic coincidence. Although the road is a busy one, accidents don’t occur every day,” police officer Marja-Leena Huhtala told Reuters. “It made my hair stand on end when I heard the two were brothers, and identical twins at that. It came to mind that perhaps someone from up there had a say in this,” she said. (Source: BBC News)
Falling Baby at window saved twice by the same man:
In Detroit sometime in the 1930s, a young (if incredibly careless) mother must have been eternally grateful to a man named Joseph Figlock. As Figlock was walking down the street, the mother's baby fell from a high window onto Figlock. The baby's fall was broken and both man and baby were unharmed. A stroke of luck on its own, but a year later, the very same baby fell from the very same window onto poor, unsuspecting Joseph Figlock as he was again passing beneath. And again, they both survived the event. (Source: Mysteries of the Unexplained)
Photographic Coincidence:
A German mother who photographed her infant son in 1914 left the film to be developed at a store in Strasbourg. In those days some film plates were sold individually. World War I broke out and unable to return to Strasbourg, the woman gave up the picture for lost. Two years later she bought a film plate in Frankfurt, over 100 miles away, to take a picture of her newborn daughter. When developed the film turned out to be a double exposure, with the picture of her daughter superimposed on the earlier picture of her son. Through some incredible twist of fate, her original film, never developed, had been mislabeled as unused, and had eventually been resold to her.
Twins Boys Twin Lives:
The twin brothers, Jim Lewis and Jim Springer, were separated at birth, adopted by different families. Unknown to each other, both families named the boys James. Both James grew up not knowing of the other, yet both sought law-enforcement training both had abilities in mechanical drawing and carpentry, and each had married women named Linda. Both had sons, one of who was named James Alan and the other named James Allan. The twin brothers also divorced their wives and married other women - both named Betty. And they both owned dogs which they named Toy.(Source: Reader's Digest, January 1980)
A bullet that reached its destiny years later:
In 1883, Henry Ziegland broke off a relationship with his girlfriend who, out of distress, committed suicide. The girl’s enraged brother hunted down Ziegland and shot him. Believing he had killed Ziegland, the brother then took his own life. In fact, however, Ziegland had not been killed. The bullet had only grazed his face, lodging into a tree. It was a narrow escape. Years later, Ziegland decided to cut down the same tree, which still had the bullet in it. The huge tree seemed so formidable that he decided to blow it up with dynamite. The explosion propelled the bullet into Ziegland’s head, killing him. (Source: Ripley's Believe It or Not!)
Golden Scarab:
“A young woman I was treating had, at a critical moment, a dream in which she was given a golden scarab. While she was telling me this dream I sat with my back to the closed window. Suddenly I heard a noise behind me, like a gentle tapping. I turned round and saw a flying insect knocking against the windowpane from outside. I opened the window and caught the creature in the air as it flew in. It was the nearest analogy to the golden scarab that one finds in our latitudes, a scarabaeid beetle, the common rose-chafer (Cetonia aurata) which contrary to its usual habits had evidently felt an urge to get into a dark room at this particular moment. I must admit that nothing like it ever happened to me before or since, and that the dream of the patient has remained unique in my experience.” - Carl Jung (From The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche)
Two Mr. Brysons, same hotel room:
While on a business trip sometime in the late 1950s, Mr. George D. Bryson stopped and registered at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. After signing the register and being given his key to room 307, he stopped by the mail desk to see if any letters had arrived for him. Indeed there was a letter, the mail girl told him, and handed him an envelope addressed to Mr. George D. Bryson, room 307. This wouldn't be so odd, except the letter was not for him, but for room 307's just-previous occupant - another man named George D. Bryson. (Source: Incredible Coincidence, Alan Vaughan)
Mark Twain and Halley's Comet:
Mark Twain was born on the day of the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1835, and died on the day of its next appearance in 1910. He himself predicted this in 1909, when he said: "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it."
Writing competition:
In 1979, the German magazine - Das Besteran - ran a writing competition. Readers sent in unusual stories, but they had to be based on true incidents. The winner, Walter Kellner of Munich, had his story published . He wrote about a time when he was flying a Cessna 421 between Sardinia and Sicily. He encountered engine trouble at sea, landed in the water, spent some time in an emergency dinghy and was then rescued. This story was spotted by an Austrian, also named Walter Kellner, who said that the German Kellner had plagiarized the story. The Austrian Kellner said that he had flown a Cessna 421 over the same sea, experienced engine trouble and was forced to land in Sardinia. It was essentially the same story, with a slightly different ending. The magazine checked both stories, and both turned out to be true, even though they were nearly identical.
Girl From Petrovka:
The British actor Anthony Hopkins was delighted to hear that he had landed a leading role in a film based on the book The Girl From Petrovka by George Feifer. A few days after signing the contract, Hopkins travelled to London to buy a copy of the book. He tried several bookshops, but there wasn't one to be had. Waiting at Leicester Square underground for his train home, he noticed a book apparently discarded on a bench. Incredibly, it was The Girl From Petrovka. That in itself would have been coincidence enough but in fact it was merely the beginning of an extraordinary chain of events. Two years later, in the middle of filming in Vienna, Hopkins was visited by George Feifer, the author. Feifer mentioned that he did not have a copy of his own book. He had lent the last one - containing his own annotations - to a friend who had lost it somewhere in London. With mounting astonishment, Hopkins handed Feifer the book he had found. 'Is this the one?' he asked, 'with the notes scribbled in the margins?' It was the same book.
The 21st, a bad day for King Louis XVI:
When King Louis XVI of France was a child, he was warned by an astrologer to always be on his guard on the 21st day of each month. Louis ws so terrified by this that he never did business on this day. Unfortunately Louis was not always on his guard. On June 21st 1791, following the French revolution, Louis and his queen were arrested in Varennes, whist trying to escape France. On September 21st 1791, France abolished the institution of Royalty and proclaimed itself a republic. Finally on January 21st 1793, King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine.
Lincoln and J.F. Kennedy:
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
The names Lincoln and Kennedy each contain seven letters.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both were shot in the head.
Lincoln's secretary, Kennedy, warned him not to go to the theatre.
Kennedy's secretary, Lincoln, warned him not to go to Dallas.
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners.
Both successors were named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are comprised of fifteen letters
Booth ran from the theater and was caught in a warehouse.
Oswald ran from a warehouse and was caught in a theater.
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.
9/11's eerie coincidences:
#New York City has 11 letters;
#Afghanistan has 11 letters;
#Ramsin Yuseb (the terrorist who threatened to destroy the Twin Towers in 1993) has 11 letters.
#George W Bush has 11 letters.
This could be a mere coincidence, but this gets more interesting:
#New York is the 11th state;
#The first plane crashing against the Twin Towers was flight number 11.
#Flight 11 was carrying 92 passengers. 9 + 2 = 11
#Flight 77 which also hit Twin Towers, was carrying 65 passengers. 6 + 5 = 11
#The tragedy was on September 11, or 9/11 as it is now known. 9 + 1 + 1 = 11
#The date is equal to the US emergency services telephone number 911. 9 + 1 + 1 = 11.
Sheer coincidence..?! Read on ..
#The total number of victims inside all the hi-jacked planes was 254. 2 + 5 + 4 = 11.
#September 11 is day number 254 of the calendar year. Again 2 + 5 + 4 = 11.
#The Madrid bombing took place on 3/11/2004. 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 11.
#The tragedy of Madrid happened 911 days after the Twin Towers incident.
Now this is where things get totally eerie:
#The most recognised symbol for the US, after the Stars & Stripes, is the Eagle. The following verse is taken from the Quran, the Islamic holy book:
#"For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced: for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah and there was peace."
#That verse is number 9.11 of the Quran.
Still uncovinced about all of this..?! Try this and see how you feel afterwards, it made my hair stand on end:
Open Microsoft Word and do the following:
Type in capitals Q33 NY. This is the flight number of the first plane to hit one of the Twin Towers.
Highlight the Q33 NY.
Change the font size to 48.
Change the actual font to the WINGDINGS
Then, you get the following signs!!
Amazing!!
Well, the world is indeed filled with amazing occurrences of coincidences that defy explanation. Even though it is possible to comb random data to find some regularities, some coincidences are more than mere chance, these events are being acted out accordingly to the plans laid out or as someone said in the hands of fate.
A well-known qualitative example is the comparison of coincidences in the lives of Abraham Lincoln and John Kennedy, two presidents with seven letters in their last names, and elected to office 100 years apart, 1860 and 1960; etc etc. See below section for more details.
But if we compare other relevant attributes we fail to find coincidences. Both were born and died in different months, dates, and states, and neither date is 100 years apart. Their ages at death were different, as were the names of their wives. Of course, had any of these features corresponded for the two presidents, it would have been included in the list of "mysterious" coincidences. For any two people with reasonably eventful lives it is possible to find coincidences between them such as birth date, hometown, etc. This may be true but then look at the list of incredible coincidences which has been well documented.
Twin brothers, killed on the same road, two hours apart:
In 2002, Seventy-year-old twin brothers died within hours of one another after separate accidents on the same road in northern Finland. The first of the twins died when he was hit by a lorry while riding his bike in Raahe, 600 km north of the capital, Helsinki. He died just 1.5km from the spot where his brother was killed. “This is simply a historic coincidence. Although the road is a busy one, accidents don’t occur every day,” police officer Marja-Leena Huhtala told Reuters. “It made my hair stand on end when I heard the two were brothers, and identical twins at that. It came to mind that perhaps someone from up there had a say in this,” she said. (Source: BBC News)
Falling Baby at window saved twice by the same man:
In Detroit sometime in the 1930s, a young (if incredibly careless) mother must have been eternally grateful to a man named Joseph Figlock. As Figlock was walking down the street, the mother's baby fell from a high window onto Figlock. The baby's fall was broken and both man and baby were unharmed. A stroke of luck on its own, but a year later, the very same baby fell from the very same window onto poor, unsuspecting Joseph Figlock as he was again passing beneath. And again, they both survived the event. (Source: Mysteries of the Unexplained)
Photographic Coincidence:
A German mother who photographed her infant son in 1914 left the film to be developed at a store in Strasbourg. In those days some film plates were sold individually. World War I broke out and unable to return to Strasbourg, the woman gave up the picture for lost. Two years later she bought a film plate in Frankfurt, over 100 miles away, to take a picture of her newborn daughter. When developed the film turned out to be a double exposure, with the picture of her daughter superimposed on the earlier picture of her son. Through some incredible twist of fate, her original film, never developed, had been mislabeled as unused, and had eventually been resold to her.
Twins Boys Twin Lives:
The twin brothers, Jim Lewis and Jim Springer, were separated at birth, adopted by different families. Unknown to each other, both families named the boys James. Both James grew up not knowing of the other, yet both sought law-enforcement training both had abilities in mechanical drawing and carpentry, and each had married women named Linda. Both had sons, one of who was named James Alan and the other named James Allan. The twin brothers also divorced their wives and married other women - both named Betty. And they both owned dogs which they named Toy.(Source: Reader's Digest, January 1980)
A bullet that reached its destiny years later:
In 1883, Henry Ziegland broke off a relationship with his girlfriend who, out of distress, committed suicide. The girl’s enraged brother hunted down Ziegland and shot him. Believing he had killed Ziegland, the brother then took his own life. In fact, however, Ziegland had not been killed. The bullet had only grazed his face, lodging into a tree. It was a narrow escape. Years later, Ziegland decided to cut down the same tree, which still had the bullet in it. The huge tree seemed so formidable that he decided to blow it up with dynamite. The explosion propelled the bullet into Ziegland’s head, killing him. (Source: Ripley's Believe It or Not!)
Golden Scarab:
“A young woman I was treating had, at a critical moment, a dream in which she was given a golden scarab. While she was telling me this dream I sat with my back to the closed window. Suddenly I heard a noise behind me, like a gentle tapping. I turned round and saw a flying insect knocking against the windowpane from outside. I opened the window and caught the creature in the air as it flew in. It was the nearest analogy to the golden scarab that one finds in our latitudes, a scarabaeid beetle, the common rose-chafer (Cetonia aurata) which contrary to its usual habits had evidently felt an urge to get into a dark room at this particular moment. I must admit that nothing like it ever happened to me before or since, and that the dream of the patient has remained unique in my experience.” - Carl Jung (From The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche)
Two Mr. Brysons, same hotel room:
While on a business trip sometime in the late 1950s, Mr. George D. Bryson stopped and registered at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. After signing the register and being given his key to room 307, he stopped by the mail desk to see if any letters had arrived for him. Indeed there was a letter, the mail girl told him, and handed him an envelope addressed to Mr. George D. Bryson, room 307. This wouldn't be so odd, except the letter was not for him, but for room 307's just-previous occupant - another man named George D. Bryson. (Source: Incredible Coincidence, Alan Vaughan)
Mark Twain and Halley's Comet:
Mark Twain was born on the day of the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1835, and died on the day of its next appearance in 1910. He himself predicted this in 1909, when he said: "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it."
Writing competition:
In 1979, the German magazine - Das Besteran - ran a writing competition. Readers sent in unusual stories, but they had to be based on true incidents. The winner, Walter Kellner of Munich, had his story published . He wrote about a time when he was flying a Cessna 421 between Sardinia and Sicily. He encountered engine trouble at sea, landed in the water, spent some time in an emergency dinghy and was then rescued. This story was spotted by an Austrian, also named Walter Kellner, who said that the German Kellner had plagiarized the story. The Austrian Kellner said that he had flown a Cessna 421 over the same sea, experienced engine trouble and was forced to land in Sardinia. It was essentially the same story, with a slightly different ending. The magazine checked both stories, and both turned out to be true, even though they were nearly identical.
Girl From Petrovka:
The British actor Anthony Hopkins was delighted to hear that he had landed a leading role in a film based on the book The Girl From Petrovka by George Feifer. A few days after signing the contract, Hopkins travelled to London to buy a copy of the book. He tried several bookshops, but there wasn't one to be had. Waiting at Leicester Square underground for his train home, he noticed a book apparently discarded on a bench. Incredibly, it was The Girl From Petrovka. That in itself would have been coincidence enough but in fact it was merely the beginning of an extraordinary chain of events. Two years later, in the middle of filming in Vienna, Hopkins was visited by George Feifer, the author. Feifer mentioned that he did not have a copy of his own book. He had lent the last one - containing his own annotations - to a friend who had lost it somewhere in London. With mounting astonishment, Hopkins handed Feifer the book he had found. 'Is this the one?' he asked, 'with the notes scribbled in the margins?' It was the same book.
The 21st, a bad day for King Louis XVI:
When King Louis XVI of France was a child, he was warned by an astrologer to always be on his guard on the 21st day of each month. Louis ws so terrified by this that he never did business on this day. Unfortunately Louis was not always on his guard. On June 21st 1791, following the French revolution, Louis and his queen were arrested in Varennes, whist trying to escape France. On September 21st 1791, France abolished the institution of Royalty and proclaimed itself a republic. Finally on January 21st 1793, King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine.
Lincoln and J.F. Kennedy:
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
The names Lincoln and Kennedy each contain seven letters.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both were shot in the head.
Lincoln's secretary, Kennedy, warned him not to go to the theatre.
Kennedy's secretary, Lincoln, warned him not to go to Dallas.
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners.
Both successors were named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are comprised of fifteen letters
Booth ran from the theater and was caught in a warehouse.
Oswald ran from a warehouse and was caught in a theater.
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.
9/11's eerie coincidences:
#New York City has 11 letters;
#Afghanistan has 11 letters;
#Ramsin Yuseb (the terrorist who threatened to destroy the Twin Towers in 1993) has 11 letters.
#George W Bush has 11 letters.
This could be a mere coincidence, but this gets more interesting:
#New York is the 11th state;
#The first plane crashing against the Twin Towers was flight number 11.
#Flight 11 was carrying 92 passengers. 9 + 2 = 11
#Flight 77 which also hit Twin Towers, was carrying 65 passengers. 6 + 5 = 11
#The tragedy was on September 11, or 9/11 as it is now known. 9 + 1 + 1 = 11
#The date is equal to the US emergency services telephone number 911. 9 + 1 + 1 = 11.
Sheer coincidence..?! Read on ..
#The total number of victims inside all the hi-jacked planes was 254. 2 + 5 + 4 = 11.
#September 11 is day number 254 of the calendar year. Again 2 + 5 + 4 = 11.
#The Madrid bombing took place on 3/11/2004. 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 11.
#The tragedy of Madrid happened 911 days after the Twin Towers incident.
Now this is where things get totally eerie:
#The most recognised symbol for the US, after the Stars & Stripes, is the Eagle. The following verse is taken from the Quran, the Islamic holy book:
#"For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced: for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah and there was peace."
#That verse is number 9.11 of the Quran.
Still uncovinced about all of this..?! Try this and see how you feel afterwards, it made my hair stand on end:
Open Microsoft Word and do the following:
Type in capitals Q33 NY. This is the flight number of the first plane to hit one of the Twin Towers.
Highlight the Q33 NY.
Change the font size to 48.
Change the actual font to the WINGDINGS
Then, you get the following signs!!
Amazing!!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Happy Chinese New Year
Dear Visitors and Friends,
In this Lunar Year of the Golden Ox (1-1-4007) that falls on the 26 Jan 2009 in the Gregorian Calender, may you have
Success
Love
Health
Happiness
Wealth
Wellness
Prosperity
Longevity and
all Wishes fulfilled throughout the year
and not forgetting the traditional greetings of
Gong Xi Fa Cai - 恭 喜 发 财 - Wishing you Prosperity
Wan Shi Ru Yi - 万 事 如 意 -May all work out as you wished
Xin Nian Kuai Le - 新 年 快 樂 - Happy New Year
Click the "play" below to enjoy the Parade of the Golden Ox.
Cheers!
In this Lunar Year of the Golden Ox (1-1-4007) that falls on the 26 Jan 2009 in the Gregorian Calender, may you have
Success
Love
Health
Happiness
Wealth
Wellness
Prosperity
Longevity and
all Wishes fulfilled throughout the year
and not forgetting the traditional greetings of
Gong Xi Fa Cai - 恭 喜 发 财 - Wishing you Prosperity
Wan Shi Ru Yi - 万 事 如 意 -May all work out as you wished
Xin Nian Kuai Le - 新 年 快 樂 - Happy New Year
Click the "play" below to enjoy the Parade of the Golden Ox.
Cheers!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Are our Public Toilets clean?
The following two photos say all. Sparkling clean toilet/urinals found in a shopping complex (Victoria Garden) in Melbourne. It does not charge even a cent for using them and also providing toilet papers too.
Over here, public toilets in Malaysia including some cities/towns that i visited were Bangkok, Hat-Jai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Lahore, Shantou, Manila, Cebu, etc are notoriously filthy. Is this part of the Asian culture?
Even toilets in our modern offices in downtown KL aren't that clean too. Sometimes you find dirty shoe prints on the toilet seats. I think it all boils down to our attitude and selfishness. If only we treat the public toilets like our own at home! Perhaps our upbringing and the way we are educated in schools do matter. Let's go West to learn their toilet culture!!
Over here, public toilets in Malaysia including some cities/towns that i visited were Bangkok, Hat-Jai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Lahore, Shantou, Manila, Cebu, etc are notoriously filthy. Is this part of the Asian culture?
Even toilets in our modern offices in downtown KL aren't that clean too. Sometimes you find dirty shoe prints on the toilet seats. I think it all boils down to our attitude and selfishness. If only we treat the public toilets like our own at home! Perhaps our upbringing and the way we are educated in schools do matter. Let's go West to learn their toilet culture!!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sydney Snapshots
The following snapshots would be the last for the trip to Australia but were taken by my relatives who left a week earlier.
View of the Sydney Opera House from a cruise
View of the Opera House from a friend's office located at Grosvenor Place, George Street
Night scene of the Opera House taken from the Luna Park
Harbour Bridge shot from a friend's office (Grosvenor Place)
View of the Luna Park from the cruise. This is one of Sydney's favourite icons.
Entry to Luna Park is free. Enjoy the rides (Ferris Wheel, Big Top, etc) and games. The ride is not free though!
Centre Point, a common meeting place for locals as well as tourists.
The famed Three Sisters at Blue Mountains
View of the Sydney Opera House from a cruise
View of the Opera House from a friend's office located at Grosvenor Place, George Street
Night scene of the Opera House taken from the Luna Park
Harbour Bridge shot from a friend's office (Grosvenor Place)
View of the Luna Park from the cruise. This is one of Sydney's favourite icons.
Entry to Luna Park is free. Enjoy the rides (Ferris Wheel, Big Top, etc) and games. The ride is not free though!
Centre Point, a common meeting place for locals as well as tourists.
The famed Three Sisters at Blue Mountains
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