I updated this blog on Windows Live Writer Beta

I downloaded the Windows Live Beta package (Messenger, Call, Writer, Photo Gallery and Mail) just for the fun of it (I do this a lot, install and uninstall applications just to see how they work) and decided to try updating my blog using Windows Live Writer Beta.

It claims to make blogging super easy (ok, I added the word “super” in easy). Best of all, you can blog on Writer Beta and publish to most blogging services.

I just followed a few simple steps and am now updating my blog as WYSIWYG – literally. Instead of writing in that boring white box,  I’m writing on the actual template of my wordpress blog. Just a simple switch from edit to preview tab, I get to see how my blog entry would look like after I press publish. Not that I need to press preview because I’m literally blogging on a “previewlike” window anyway.

Adding photos and resizing them for the blog is almost automatic. You just pick the size that you want and you’ll see the size differences in real time. No having to be redirected to a new page to see the result.

Screen shot from my last blog entry. This is edit view.

Interested? You can download the entire Beta package at http://download.live.com/

Apart from the ones I mentioned earlier, also available for download are Movie Maker, Toolbar, Family Safety and Microsoft Office Outlook Connector – all Betas. You may download all or just chose the ones you need.

I shall try some of these later and I’ll make sure to remember to blog about them.Seriously, Microsoft should pay me for this.

Cry baby

Ladies and gentleman, I have turned into a sappy person.

I was watching The Nanny Diaries earlier and I cried and cried and cried. Did anyone else bawl their eyes out when when Grayer said “I love you” to Annie for the first time? When he chased after Annie in the taxi? When Annie spilled her guts out to the nanny cam?

 

Does anyone else also think that only in movies do nannies met Harvard

 

Hottie’s and have the HH fall hopelessly in love with them?

I didn’t buy that part at all but I guess it’s necessary to throw in a love interest for the young, sexy nanny – Scarlett Johansson really does have curves at all the right places. And I totally saw that scene coming — when Mr X hit on Annie only to be caught by Mrs X. I hate the guy who plays Mr X (he’s the same guy who plays the movie producer from Big Fat Liar, only he was slimmer in BFL) .

I read a review of the film a long time ago and that review was not very kind to the film. But I think it’s funny, sweet and honest.

At the very least, it made me think about my career and where I want to be. Do I want to stay where I am right now or should I make arrangements to move forward, somewhere else?

While watching the film, you question Annie’s motives for staying. If she can’t stand her employers so much, why stay? In her case, she stayed for Grayer, the child born with a silver spoon but so starving for attention from his parents.

Like Annie, we stay in our jobs for many reasons. It could be because of friends, because we’re so comfortable with the routine or because we feel that we can save that “child”. It could also be for all the reasons above,

But whatever the reason that makes us stay (or go), we have to make sure that it is for the RIGHT reason. Because we want to. Not for nostalgia, not for money or any other “wrong” reasons.

If we’re like Annie and we “think” we have to stick around because someone needs us (despite the thought of spending another day at the workplace makes us want to scream), then it’s probably time to reassess the situation.

Superheroes need a break too and the problem needs to learn to solve itself.

Know when to stop reading

I know a lot of people who can finish a book in a week because they can hardly put it down once they start reading.

I know many people who can finish a book in less than a month because they speed-read and spend all day and all night devouring it.

So the fact that I can read a book only three pages at one sitting and take two months (if I’m lucky) to finish one miserable book must make me some kind of a freak :P

But that’s just me — the “leisure” reader. I don’t even feel guilty if I decide to skip to last chapter of a book and (decide) to hate the ending and never ever want to touch it again. I can name at least two books that I started this year but have no intention of ever finishing them in the near future because I thought they were a waste of my time.

I suppose this is my equivalent of walking out of a movie because I think it’s crap. Not that I have actually walked out of a movie. Maybe that’s because I have never made a really horrible choice that would necessitate me to leave the cinema.

After reading one book only halfway because I got bored with the characters and didn’t like how the story was transpiring, I’m glad I had moved on to reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusack which I really, really enjoy.

I’m only on page 90 of 500+ pages after starting the book close to two weeks ago. (I told you I’m a slow reader). But then again, I don’t bring the book around — although I should have this week because I found myself waiting a lot these past few days — and only read it at home before bed and when I’m in the loo.

I love the premise of the book which is set in the WWI era and follows the life of a little German girl who was given up for adoption at age 7 or 8 because her mom couldn’t afford to take care of her. It reminds me of “Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret” by Judy Blume but a little bit more morbid because it is narrated by Death aka Grim Reaper.

It’s funny how when I enjoy a book, I don’t even feel tempted to flip to the last few pages. When I like a book, I enjoy the process of reading it word for word, page by page. It doesn’t matter if I only finish the book in February — one thing’s for certain, I’ll only find out how the book ends in February.

It’s only when I get impatient with a book that I either take a peak at the last few pages or stop reading altogether. I used to feel guilty about not finishing a book. I mean, I spent a lot of money on the book Anything above RM20 is a lot of money in my books.

Books aren’t cheap and not finishing one feels like I’m wasting food.

But life’s too short to spend on a book which you don’t enjoy, either. Reading should be pleasurable, so why continue reading after you’re no longer relishing the process?

So, I’m thinking of getting rid of the books which I know I ain’t ever gonna touch again. It did occur to me to donate those books but who am I kidding? Times are hard, so I’d take RM5 and RM7 for a paperback (depending on thickness) and RM10 for hardcovers. Selected titles only. Any takers?

Romance at the call centre

I have a deadline to meet and I should really not blog BUT I have to tell you about Outsourced. It’s showing on HBO (in Msia) this month and it’s hilarious. I’ve watched this movie in three parts and each part has not failed to make me laugh.

It is pretty much established that India is THE place where customer services (for North American customers buying American products) are outsourced to. But we have little idea of how the workers are trained and the challenges faced during the process of training them.

(Photo courtesy of www.impawards.com)

To me, Outsourced is as much a crash course in India and its culture as it is about the business of outsourcing. I have no idea how much of it is based on reality and how much is pure fiction (especially the goings on at the call centre) but I have to say that I learned a lot from the movie.

I’m not sure how Indian nationals have reacted to the movie (some reviewers say it’s stereotypical etc) but based on my exposure to Malaysian Indian culture, what I see in the movie is not alien at all. I get all the “inside jokes” and I could identify with some of the characters and where they’re coming from although some of them have no English dialogues (i.e the family which invites Todd A for lunch — despite not speaking a word of English — for no real reason except out of the kindness of their hearts).

Having said that, I didn’t expect the “Holiday in Goa” bit AT ALL (although I should have seen it coming). I think those scenes are the only ones which are potentially controversial (you have to see the movie to get what I mean).

Most of us are somewhat familiar with the arranged marriage aspect of the society but I think most of us don’t have a realistic view of the practice, especially of how it affects the girls in question.

Having considered the situation, I guess I’m not surprised that Asha (the female lead) had her “Holiday in Goa”. I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do but I’m not surprised if many girls in Asha’s shoes (in real life) have had their “Holiday in Goas”. All I’m saying is I understand if they felt have the urge to have their “sexescapades”.

(Picture courtesy of movies.suleka.com)

I wouldn’t mind watching the movie again and I would really recommend you to watch it if you have some free time. Don’t be put off by the no-name cast as I was initially. Just sit back and enjoy the show because before long, you would identify with the characters and they will stick with you long after the end credits stopped rolling.

If it could make my short attention span husband take his eyes off the laptop screen to watch the movie, I think it should be worth your time watching it too :)

Nuggets of wisdom

Disclaimer: One of those cryptic posts again. This is my view. You may not necessarily agree with it but it’s mine nevertheless. The least you can do is read and ponder on it.

You can find wisdom in odd places. For me, it was in a print advertisement for a cigarette brand in a woman’s magazine a few years back.

The ad said: “Don’t ruin an apology with an excuse”.

Recent events have proven this nugget of wisdom to be true.

When you’re saying sorry, don’t ruin the effect with “But I did it because….”

You’ve made the mistake. Own up to it. Don’t point your finger at others. If we all continue to blame our parents for everything bad which has happened in our lives, then there will be no end. Our parents are not perfect. They are human too.

No more excuses. Who cares if you didn’t get enough love from your parents when you were growing up? No one. And don’t bore people with your sad life story. You’re an adult. Deal with your own problems yourself.

Here are other nuggets of wisdoms which I had gained in the last few weeks:

• Before you put the blame on other people, look into the mirror and ask yourself (honestly), “Is it their fault or is it really all yours?”

People can tell you lots of things. If you let them, they can sway your judgment. But ultimately, YOU are in control of how you react to the situation. If you had made the wrong decision, you can blame other people all you want. But let’s not kid ourselves. You know deep down inside you only have yourself to blame.

• Live in the reality, not the little fantasy inside your little head

A little fantasy is nice. That perfect life with that perfect someone. But fantasy is just that, a fantasy. It’s not real. In your fantasy, you live happily ever after with her. In reality, she doesn’t even want to have anything to do with you. Some people choose to stay a little longer in their fantasy because reality is too hard to deal with. But there’s a danger in living too much in your fantasy. Because after a while, the lines between fantasy and what is real becomes blurred and you confuse between the two.

That’s when you start seeing things the way you want to see it. That’s when blue becomes black because that’s what you wish it to be. That’s when you convince yourself that all the problems in your life stem from other people and never from yourself. I mean, how is it possible when your life is so perfect? Oh wait, that’s your fantasy. You can hardly tell the difference now — fantasy and reality.

• Rejection’s a bitch, deal with it

Sure, you can try again until what you covet is yours? But will you really feel good about the idea of being accepted by someone who had rejected you before? That you are always going to be second or third or fourth best?

So that’s why sometimes it’s better to accept rejection with humility. Like McCane and his defeat to Obama. Know your place, you were not wanted. But also know that one day — not your beloved, but — someone else will accept you as his or her first choice. You wouldn’t even have to fight for it. Now isn’t that much nicer?

I thought we didn’t care?

I think people are strange. When I say people, myself included.

We’re strange because we tell ourselves that we don’t care but we do. For example, we’ve forgotten that old ex-boyfriend whom we haven’t seen in years. But when we realise that we might bump into them or, God forbid, have to attend a function with them, we still dread the thought. We’re excited but at the same time we think, “God, I’m not ready to meet him. I look like crap!”

But why? I thought we didn’t care??

I just had that “OMG, I hope I don’t meet him because I look like crap” moment just now when I saw some pictures of this “old fling” doing what I was supposed to be doing with his sister in the near future. I don’t think he looks particularly hot these days actually (did he ever?) but still, the thought of even bumping into him makes me want to get a liposuction or something.

Like, I want to one up him in terms of looks.. at least. I want to be able to say (in my mind, confidently), “Look at me! I’m gorgeous and I’ve got me a man. See the ice on my finger?”

Secretly, I want him to say, “Man, she was the one that got away… *sigh*

Hehehehe… I think I have issues. I suppose we all do.

Speaking of issues, I still have a bone to pick with the my t-shirt thief. Why god why?? Not my NKOTB t-shirt!! *loud sigh*

Anyway, I ripped the songs from my NKOTB Greatest Hits CD and transfered them to my iPod. I shall go to sleep with Jordan Knight serenading me tonight.

Oh before that, I had chilly crab with husband and friend for dinner. Am not a fan of crabs but after a long hiatus from eating the crustacian, I was wallopping it like nobody’s business.

Anyway, here’s a pantun dua kerat.

My stomach’s full and my eyes are heavy. Good night everybody!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I received a parcel yesterday morning. It contained a small box with a 4gb pen drive inside of it storing some pictures for my articles. The best thing is, I get to keep the pen drive. AND it comes with a warranty. Cool!

When I saw the envelope on my desk, it reminded me of a “little something” that the good people at Jamsbio.com said they would mail me. I had a feeling that I would be getting the parcel yesterday.

Guess what? It did arrive… yesterday!

My large parcel

A huge Ready Post cushion mailer (padded huge envelope) with my name on it and a return address to Houston, Texas, USA.

When I saw it, my husband immediately snatched it from me. I didn’t get a chance to see what it was. It felt like a t-shirt, so I thought, “yeah, they gave me a t-shirt. That’s nice”.

And then when I finally got my hands on the parcel, I saw a green note which said “1 t-shirt, 1 dvd and 1 cd”. Dvd and CD?

I would never have guessed in a million years…. that they would be NKOTB merchandise!!!!!!

In the parcel was NKOTB Greatest Hits: The Videos (DVD) and NKOTB Greatest Hits (CD). Here’s the not-so-cool part. There was no t-shirt.

It says: 1 t-shirt, 1 DVD, 1 CD

Someone stole my NKOTB t-shirt man!!!!! Well, I assume it’s a NKOTB t-shirt because everything else was NKOTB-related. I almost cried okay! I mean, how can these people at the immigration or postal department do this to me?

Should I consult Sy3d Faisal (our former ceo who is now with the postal department) about this? I’m really upset because this is not the first time and I’m not the first victim.

I’m embarrassed to inform the good people at Jamsbio.com , but I think they ought to know that while I got the DVD and CD, the t-shirt is missing.

Anyway, I want to thank them so much for the gift. I know my Law of Attraction book says never turn down free gifts or offers to buy me lunch (or something similar) but you guys shouldn’t have! But thank you. It’s very sweet of you!

The DVD and CD

I watched the DVD — which has NKOTB’s music videos and live concert performances — from start to finish. I appreciate the fact that the DVD has a music video and live version of Tonight which is my husband’s favourite NKOTB song. I’m sure he enjoyed it because he stopped whatever he was doing to watch it and sing along. I haven’t seen many of those videos in a loooooong time, so they brought back good memories.

And that’s what Jamsbio.com is all about to me: revisiting long forgotten memories that seem to be triggered by the sound of an old favourite tune or the sight of an old favourite video. Meet like-minded people who also grew up listening to the same stuff that you did there and … I don’t know… network I guess. It’s really up to you… the possibility is endless :P

The video and cd are just what I need to get myself psyched for the real concert. I know that NKOTB will come to Malaysia. I don’t know when but I know they will. At least I know I’m going* (wherever that concert may be) :)

*Practising the Law of Attraction here.

What’s your theme?

I logged on to my gmail account this morning to find that there was a subtle change to it. Just like the silent “b” in the word subtle itself (blink and you’ll miss it).

Apparently, Google has given the more active accounts the first choice of picking the themes they like. So I duly picked mine — which is a ring bind, college ruled notepad-inspired theme. I’m obsessed with this theme right now.

I tried finding similar background for Microsoft Word the other day but discovered that the yellow college ruled pad one that I could download is only for MS Word 2007. Dowh! (ala Homer Simpson). It made me want to fork out a few hundred ringgit for the complete MS Office Professional (because I need my Outlook).

Anywho, that is the theme for my work-related gmail right now. My personal gmail address has yet to be blessed with the option of themes. I can’t wait because I want to try out this pink/orange theme, just to see how it looks. Maybe later today, I’ll get to change it.

So, go and check your gmail account and see if you can already apply your theme. Let me know which one you chose!

Waking up with a foreign accent.

This is probably one of the most bizarre disorder that I have ever heard of. How on earth is it possible to wake up one morning and suddenly have, say an African accent?

But if you’ve had a stroke or have hit your head quite hard, you’ve got a 1 in a million chance of losing your tone of voice and the accent you grew up with.

You have to see this video where three American women prove that this strange but disheartening syndrome exists and CAN happen to you.

According to Wikipedia,

Between 1941 and 2006, there have been fifty recorded cases.

That’s not a lot but still a substantial number. Scary isn’t it? And coincidentally, the cases I’ve read on the Internet are all women.

So, if you had a choice of changing your accents forever, which would you pick? (Not that that these women had a choice of which accent they get) :P

The Price of Fame

I promise not to let anything or anyone get to me ever again. So not worth it. So not worth my time. They’ll never get anything from me” – Suzie

This time yesterday, one teeny weeny incident ruined my entire day. It lingered with me through the entire day like an embarrassing memory that makes you cringe and want to crawl into a hole and bury yourself in it forever.

And then I had a good night’s sleep and felt much, much better in the morning. It’s true what they say –  when you feel positive, you’ll attract good things even when you had a bad start to your day. I think today has been one of those good days that not only went well but also went by super fast — just the way I like it :)

When I got home tonight, I was lucky to catch an E! Special on Britney Spears The Price of Fame. The 90-minute show follows Britney’s life from her MM Club days to April 2008 after she allowed her parents back into her life and let them help her get better.

I genuinely, genuinely feel happy for her. This is a woman who nearly lost her sanity. Sure, she partied a lot and probably took a lot of drugs too. Drugs + booze = recipe for disaster. As a result, she “proved” to the world what an incompetent mom she was in 2007 with her strange, un-mom like behavour.

BUT when she was hospitalised (after the LAPD sent a squad and paramedics to her home because they believed she could be a danger to herself and others), they found no traces of drug in her system. She was not drunk either. It wasn’t the drugs that made her go out of her mind. She was beyond depressed. Her first love ended bitterly; her first marriage didn’t last two days; her second marriage ended with a messy custody battle and she was appearing in the media for all the wrong reasons. She basically had  a crappy year.

So it’s good to see her back making hit songs and cool videos. From her latest video Womanizer, she looked amazing. And she doesn’t have “crazy eyes” (as one blogger describes her during her drama days), as she did last year.

It shows that, in difficult times, all a girl needs is to be around her family who care for her unconditionally. She nearly lost her career, children and her mental health. She regained them back and more. To quote Britney in her single Gimme More: “Britney’s back b!tch!”