Mousey Issue

I brought in my laptop to school today, and after how many minutes, it was pointed out (finally!) that it might be a hardware issue. (Yep, of course, no company, including IBM, is perfect). And yep, I diagnosed it as a hardware issue already. (See post below). Anyway, they are going to do a diagnostic on it. What surprised me the most was when he said the whole thing (keyboard + mouse) would probably be replaced (about a hundred dollars)! Can you just Imagine the look of surprise on my face?! (I might as well just use a PS/2 mouse)

Of course, I inquired about the warranty, as it should be covered. I kept my laptop in top shape, with no spills or drop. (Of course, I made myself take good care of it because it is an expensive piece of machine). Anyway, if it were determined that it's something something (grrrr), I would have to pay something something more. It's ridiculous.

Anyway, they are going to check with the higher-ups to see if it is under the warranty. (Watch, I bet you it won't, even though it should be). I am going to do a little research work on the IBM website on warranty in a while. And you know what? Sometimes it's just so frustrating. I am going to rant about it (if it warrants, after I get a call back), but until then, I am going to busy myself with other matters instead of wasting my time fuming about the absurdity of it all...

Posted 7:13 PM by hiu k.

Lottery tickets, Iraq, Mouse, Idea

Yesterday, my mom, sis and I stopped by a local 7-eleven for a mega-millions quick-pick ticket. (And no, the numbers haven't played yet, and it's unlikely that we'll win either. What are the odds, anyway?)

I waited by the cashier's counter while my sister buy one. As you may or may not know, in the state of Massachusetts, you only need to be 18 to buy them. Since I've already reached the grand 'ole age of 21 earlier this year, my older sister was more than eligible to purchase it. And yep, can you believe it? She was carded! (The cashier was dead serious too!) My mom and I were both grinning, half with disbelief.

Just as my sis was digging in her purse to find her ID, my mom took the two dollars from my sis' hands and handed it to the cashier to indicate that she was the one buying it (which would obviously solve the problem). Sure, I've heard about people carded for trying to get into casinos, or buying cigarettes, but I've never heard of anyone carded for a lottery ticket!!! That is, until now. :)

Anyway, we also went downtown to do a little shopping with our relatives yesterday. We got out of the subway on Park Street station, and there was a demonstration outside (with a number of people holding signs, with big letters "No wars with Iraq" painted on them). There were also plenty of people (I am not sure if they were reporters, people who was just curious, or bystanders or tourists who happened to have cameras with them) taking pictures.

As far as the war against terrorism and Iraq (for supposedly holding weapons of mass destruction, and the U.S. pre-emptive strike stance), I have a lot of thoughts on it (though I won't write about it now) I am, in fact, very much caught up with political news, given all the news publications and magazine subscriptions that I read, and even debates on the radio that I listened to. I like to read about the politics since the beginning of my college years, which was before 9/11 even happened. In fact, right after the attack, I wrote a piece on it for my college's newspaper, for the sole reason that I simply feel a need to. More on the issue on Iraq later, maybe.

I'll leave it at this for now since I am borrowing my sis' computer. There's a problem with my laptop's trackpoint mouse. I've diagnosed it as a hardware (faulty) problem, since I've already installed the latest (and appropriate) device driver. I'll have to bring it to school and see. I am hoping that even if they need to send it back to IBM to fix it, it won't take long. While my sis' computer is nice and all (yes, it has a personality) :), I am still so used to mine. Oooh, especially its ... portability. (What else?) ;)

Also, I just have a great idea (half-inspired by my mom) that could be used as a business or charitable idea. I think it might work better as the latter, and personally, that's the one I preferred. Still, for now (until things stabilize a bit), most things are at a "we'll see" mode.

Posted 9:32 PM by hiu k.

Job Applications

Earlier today, I filled out an online employment application for a position that is completely unrelated to my field of study. Still, I applied. Normally, I won't, but sometimes, like today, I'd like to be a little capricious. The only thing that might work in my favor is industry-related experience.

As I was filling out the application, I got stuck on the current salary range question. Since I only recently graduated, I don't have much leeway on that question. Naturally, I wanted to leave it blank since most of my jobs were either summer employment or part-time jobs. And besides, it made little difference since I am currently unemployed. Frustratingly enough, I cannot proceed to the next page without the message: "select a salary range". Somewhat begrudgingly, I selected one (one that is below a very reasonable salary requirement - and one that I won't even accept if offered), so that defeats the purpose of online application if it were to "weed out" applicants. Still, I selected it because by clicking, I am to certify that the information I submitted is true and best to my knowledge, yadda, yadda.

I got the "thank you for submitting" page, but I regretted submitting my application as soon as I clicked the button. What business is that of the company's, anyway? (yes, I know that the human resources have a different perspective, and perhaps rightfully so, since they are working for the interest of the company), but right now, I am speaking in the interest of a job seeker.

Anyway, I clicked on another job position, which - to my dismay - has an online application. The surprising thing is: It has eight pages! Wow, can an application get any shorter? If it were a position for say, the government, or a position that required security clearance, I wouldn't mind at all. But for an entry-level position? Isn't it a bit too extreme?

And on a completely useless note, my teeth (and tongue) has a cool shade of light blue after I ate a blue Air Head. And you know what, I kind of like it that way. :)

I warned you that this was useless already.

Posted 7:40 PM by hiu k.

Some days

Some days, I feel like I can take on the world. I can become a philanthropist, a painter, an artist, a writer, or anything I want to become.

And on other days, I don't.

Even so, I am a dreamer. I like possibilities. I like to see the "potentials". While life periodically injects me with its doses of sometimes harsh realities, its effects are only temporary. My mind is often somewhere in the clouds. While I don't look at the world through a full-colored glass (especially as I grow older), I still like to think about all that is good and right about the world. It keeps me sane. I think.

Posted 2:47 PM by hiu k.

A New Journey, List of topics

You know, writing in a weblog can be therapuetic. But, like all things, sometimes it must come to an end.

I ended my last weblog because I wanted something new. Because I want to start over again. Because sometimes a weblog can feel too small. So small that I feel like my words are trapped in it, with no room to wiggle. Confined. Because I know that no matter how many entries I write or how many stories I tell, there are always more stories in the making. And I could only share small, random snapshots of my experiences.

And sometimes, no matter how therapuetic a weblog can be, it's just not enough. Because nothing can substitute that warm, comforting feeling when we shared our time with people we care most about. Or the want for interaction. Or companionship. It's an simple as that.

But don't worry, I am not ready to end my weblog. At least not yet.

***
My sister and I have been selected to take the written test for Jeopardy. Creepy, isn't it? I've signed up as early as Teen Jeopardy and as late as last year for College Jeopardy. I think the Adult Jeopardy is the hardest, in comparison to the College Jeopardy. I'd probably fare better with the Weakest Link, given the current and useless facts swimming inside my head, though I am not willing to travel to N.Y. just to audition. At least the written test will be held in Boston. I can just imagine my answer sheet now:

#1 Answer: Hmmmm...
#2 Answer: Hahahaha. Are you kidding me?
#3 Answer: Benjamin Franklin?
#4 Answer: R.N.A?
#5 Answer: Errrr, Power Rangers? :)

Posted 10:24 AM by hiu k.

Annoying Telemarketers

I am very irritated by annoying telemarketers' calls in the morning. In fact, calls were made precisely at the same time early morning for the past two days (suspicious, if I may say so myself). They were picked up by the answering machine, since I was trying to enjoy my sleep. Today, I decided that I am going to pick up the phone to find out which idiot kept calling but left no messages.

The phone rang, as expected. I rushed out of bed as quickly as I could, in my still sleep-late state and hurried to the phone. By the time I pressed the "talk" button my the phone, the answering machine already picked up. No message. Again. No surprise there.

Maybe telemarketing is an honest's job, but the duties of a telemarketer (not necessarily the telemarketer himself/heself) are absolutely abhorrent. Calling people at odd hours of the days. Trying to sell something. Often annoying interrupting people in the middle of what they are doing. It's no wonder that people are intensely irritated at telemarketers, in general. I think I am beginning to feel the same way too.

Posted 8:47 AM by hiu k.

American Idol Finale

I watched the final hour of the American Idol Finale tonight, with the American Idol title crowned to Kelly Clarkson. It was an emotional finale to watch, as Kelly sang A moment like this after she was announced the winner. Justin was very gracious in his defeat, and it was all very heartwarming to watch.

Posted 10:35 PM by hiu k.

Stuffs

During the Labor Day weekend (and my twenty-first birthday), my family and I stayed at the hotel at Mohegan Sun Resort Casino in Connecticut. Of course, since I turned twenty-one this past weekend, I couldn't miss the opportunity to get inside the casino floor to have a look around. I've been to one in London and Canada, with the legal requirement age at eighteen and nineteen, respectively.

Of course, since it's the first time I head into the casino in the states, I couldn't help feeling a little funny about it. I headed into the casino floor with my sister, who was walking right behind me. My driver license (with the red words above my license picture "Not 21 until MM-DD-YYYY") was rested comfortably inside the side pocket of my blue jacket pocket with folded sleeves, and I was ready to take it out should one of the security guards in the standard blue suits asked me for identification.

I tried to walk in casually and seriously (like I said, I was feeling a little funny about it). At that time, no one was walking into that part of the casino floor except my sister and me. So naturally, the security guard noticed us. I couldn't keep my serious look on my face anymore (I tried) and I couldn’t help but smile. OK, maybe smiling was an understatement. I was grinning from ear to ear and I can just imagine seeing myself with that big and silly grin that I have sometimes.

Knowing that the security will probably want to ID us (especially since I can’t even keep a straight look on my face), I pulled out my license and explained hurriedly,

“I am twenty-one years old. Today is my birthday”.

He replied jokingly, “Well, I wasn’t going to ask YOU for your ID. I was going to ask her”. He said, as he addressed to my sister who was standing right behind me. “But since you have your ID out (what a fine excuse to check my ID), I might as well take a look at it”.

He took out a flashlight from his chest pocket and pointed it at my license to check for the DOB, after which he handed it back to me. He proceeded to do the same for my sister. When we were cleared, my sister and I continued to walk inside when the same security guard stopped me again.

“You see that security station over there?” he asked, pointing to the security window that were just steps away from where I was standing. “Uh-huh”, I said, as I nodded my head and looked at the direction at where his fingers were pointing.

“I’d suggest that you’d go there and get a stamp on your hand to indicate that you’re twenty-one. Or with your baby-face, you’re going to get stopped at every casino floor entrance”, he advised.

I thanked him for the suggestion, but decided to go against it (as if I want to stand out any more than I already do with my amused look).

Inside the casino floor, it was what I was expected (it was similar to the one in Canada in many respects). I didn’t play slot machines. I played one poker game at one of those game tables. The minimum bets were high, given the holiday weekend, with the lowest one being $15. After losing one game, I quit. I mostly walked around, which was what I wanted to do. I didn't stayed there too long, as the air inside the casino floor was filthy - filled with cigarette smoke and sometimes, the faint smell of alcohol.

My family celebrated my birthday at the hotel. They brought along to the hotel a personalized birthday-cake (with my name coated on top of the cake), and presents. I got some very interesting gifts from my younger brother, including a gift certificate at one of my favorite stores (best buy), a Lady Liberty snow globe, and a PlayStation II game (I’ve finally beaten the game today!)

Daddy got me a digital camera (Sony). It’s small and sleek. I spent some time going over the user’s manual (especially since I intend to use it for years to come!) It was great. My first digital camera! I tested it out and absolutely loved it. I love taking pictures. In the past, it was not practical, economically speaking, to take too many pictures on film (costs of developing). Now it is no longer an issue, except maybe for printing, if necessary.

The only downside is that that the media stick only has 16MB of memory. Luckily, once I registered the product, I was automatically eligible for a $20 e-coupon. Knowing that 16MB just won’t be enough, I purchased a 32MB memory stick yesterday evening, which should suffice my picture-taking needs…at least for now.

In addition to receiving birthday cards from my family and a card from my best friend in Hong Kong, I also received one from my best friend in the states (whom I’ve known since fourth grade). And you know what? Despite life’s little disappointments sometimes, I still think I am the luckiest person on the face of this planet.

Posted 8:46 PM by hiu k.