Ah! New WebCam... Philips SPC 1300NC PC Camera!!!

I bought a new webcam earlier because Adrian's webcam is too old... well I looked like a woman in some old yellow photos. I didn't like it and so I bought this new Philips SPC 1300NC PC Camera... The one that I bought for my pc in Malaysia is an "installation-free" webcam, all I did was just plug it into the USB port, nothing technical... but, how difficult can it be?? I pulled apart a computer and put them all back together (without a manual) when I was only 16. Also a radio, a Video Cassette Player, a watch, a table fan, lights and other home appliances... not only did I pulled them apart, I them all back together and fixed whatever problems they had! And this was before I finished high school. How difficult can installing a webcam be?

Trust me, it was fatal.

This new one that I bought, well, it's expensive compared to the other available choices in the same supermarket (yes! I bought it in a supermarket in Taipa called Royal) and most of all it's a Philips, quite a reliable brand anyway. I thought... (sorry about the blurr images... I was really pissed off!)

I opened up the package, took the disc out and saw this:

It says, "STOP! FIRST run the installation CD before you plug in the camera"

Good, some dummy/picture instruction on the cover of the disc, OK, I won't plug in the camera before I run the disc. I thought.

This is the actual webcam, look at the red tag:

It says, "Stop! Install software before connecting!" good, I'll do just that.

Good, very clear, I thought.

And then this appeared:

It says, "Connect the webcam to your computer before installer driver"

Now at this point, it has really started to confuse me... do I plug it in now or do I install first and plug it in??? There's this red tag on the webcam that tell me to install software before plugging it in but the installer tells me to plug it in now... hmm... I was puzzled...

I was struggling to decide which one to believe but then I convinced myself that whatever the disc says should be more accurate than the printed labels. Right I'll plug it in.

And then I was asked to select the features I want to install. It even has an option to choose Adobe Reader 6.0 but I did not choose this one because I thought I have the most updated versions of ADOBE Distiller 9 and Acrobat 9 Pro...

Right, next it gave me 2 choices... If I want to read the instructions first. I thought to myself, I might need to because I was confused by the different instructions & warnings before. And so I chose.

Ehhh???? Do you know what it says after I clicked Next?

"There is no Acrobat Reader installed on your pc..." ya ya ya but my computer can still open and read a pdf file!!! bloody software!!!

Look!!! I've got enough software to read a bloody pdf file la!!

And when I finally finished running the installer, it says, "You need to restart your computer before you can connect and start using your WebCam. when you have restarted your computer you can connect your WebCam to your computer. EHHH?????????

I looked at my USB port just to double check, and the bloody WebCam is already plugged in as instructed upon running the installer -- the first instruction I received after running the freaking installer!!!

OK, I thought to myself, let's just unplug the bloody WebCam and restart and then connect and let's see what happens...

This is what happened!!!!!!!!!!!! LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WTF!!! You might be able to see what it says...

Cannot install this Hardware

There was a problem installing this hardware

Philips SPC 1300NC PC Camera: Audio (Microphone)

An error occurred during the installation of the device

Fatal error during installation

Click Finish to close the WIZARD.

Yes, you're right. This is what this freaking WIZARD was telling me after having to go through all the confusions!!!!!!!

WTF

Hmm... What I saw in Malaysia...

I spent about 2 weeks in Malaysia during Chinese New Year... Good times & great fun! I took the time to renew my passport whilst I was there because the old one is running out and I've only had it for less than 1.5yrs! It costs less and I don't have to go all the way to HK to do it. Although I had to spend just about 6 hours there, I got the renewed passport the same day. Well the process could have been faster than it was if the system did not go down. Sod's law.

Anyway, while I was queueing up, this is what I saw...

Gosh! What in the world happened here? Did he just escape from the famous fashion prison??? Ah! I know! The fashion police was on holiday!! Goodness!

The holiday went on well. And before I realize it, it was time to return to work. I was at the airport (LCCT - AirAsia's airport) waiting to board my plane. 35 minutes before the flight, they informed us that the flight that we're supposed to be on were delayed and will only land 40 minutes later. Great.

So I sat and waited... I was standing in a queue you see. As I sat, this guy was right in front of me... gearing up, MP4 player and then a PSP... what a busy man! And the gf/wife got too bored and had to sleep on his shoulder... they really didn't have anything to talk about, did they? Or the other half could not keep him entertained he has to turn to his MP3 player the get his ears busy, and the PSP to get his eyes, fingers and the whole brain full swing! How pathetic!!!

I'm so glad that Adrian and I have loads to talk about and we always try to express ourselves to each other... in many different ways... I thought this is what couples should do. You know it looks like you're leaving for a holiday but you're all geared up with your personal gadgets and bore our misses to... sleep... not very nice is it?

haha! but if you look at the woman on the left of the picture... look at how her top is designed... hahahaha!! hahahahaha! I'm sooooo mean!!!!

I said, "Of course I will..."

It was our first anniversary. 11th January 2008 was when we first kissed. We went to Hong Kong to celebrate the ocassion. I was made aware that it would be very special... I saw him thinking hard and tried to get him to tell me what he had in mind hehehe...

It was a fine Sunday. We went ice-skating for the second time of my life. Everything was great until I landed on my bum (really hard) for the first time! Every single organ inside my body was shakened big time!! I didn't even feel like getting up when the "life guard" came and helped me up!! I thought I had a concussion on my bum and in my brain... (it took nearly 3 weeks to recover!!!)

that's me with my sour bum...

After ice-skating, I went to meet with Jane and had lunch together -- had to give Adrian and the boys time on their own. Phil is always shy, it's better that I don't stick around too much so that he can open up to his dad more... so I went window shopping with Jane for a little bit hahaha!!!

We took some photos together for Adrian to send to his parents in England after saying goodbye to Jane (she had to go back and sleep coz she only managed to go to bed at 7 that morning!!!).



We finally had time to ourselves after Adrian sent the boys back as usual. Well not exactly usual because it was half an hour earlier than usual. He's so sweet. He's got the whole night filled with surprises. Because he thought we should have a pre-dinner drinks or 2 in the Captain's Bar in Mandarin Oriental, he decided to send the boys off half an hour earlier... I was so touched...

In the Captain's Bar (I knitted the sweater for him for Xmas... and he loves it)

In the bar, I had my Guinness in a silver tanker!! That was really special. Well I wasn't unprepared like I seemed. I bought him a Kwanpen crocodile skin wallet... the colour of his eyes. I'm so happy that he loved it.

After that we proceeded to the ferry pier. When we were walking towards it, I noticed that it was a full moon and it was bright orange... I took a few shots and I thought to myself, "Ah~ what a special night... I will always remember that the moon looked so different on the night of our first anniversary~~" Look!


We boarded the old junk and started the cruise around the harbour. Cold but not freezing cold, the crew have blankets for us so that we could stay warm. Then we had our red wine and things were just so nice... and romantic... ya, Adrian is a very romantic man. And that's what makes him so special... you know non of my X's were romantic. He would just make me feel so special! How can you not love a guy like that? hehehe...

This is the junk that we went on...

Anyway, after we toasted. He popped the question that he's been asking daily for a few weeks... "Will you marry me?" as I was just about to give my usual answer (I'd normally tell him that he didn't have a ring), he, to my surprise, had a ring in his hand and wow... I didn't know what to say for a little bit. I totally did not expect that you see. He's just been laid off and only getting ready for his new job, and he has his boys to take care of and all... I actually told him to delay anything that he had planned for us (oh I'm just such a wonderful woman, how can he not as me to marry him... haha!). "Of course I will" was my answer to his question. haha! He had to double check later that night because it wasn't a "yes"... silly Billy...

Ya, he then quickly put the ring on my finger... and it fit perfectly! wowo... I cried a little bit, coz I was so touched... he's the sweetest man I've ever met la!!!

Look at this man, how happy I've made him... hahahahaha and I'm equally happy too!!

I love you too, Adrian Lydiard!

The night ended after we've had our dinner in Isola in IFC. Great service, fantastic food and stunning view of the harbour... everything was just so perfect! I had to bite myself once or twice just to make sure that it wasn't just a dream...

Some statement...

I saw this in England... Very accurate in describing some kids... You'll know what I mean if you've been around one... or more :-S

Weird...

There are some really funny stuff that I've come across in this part of the world -- although it's just less than four hours' flight time from Malaysia.

Besides the pink (solid) cars (I've seen BMW's in pink, Adrian thinks that these car owners should be executed), scooters and helmets, Hello Kitty all over (seriously both interior & exterior) some cars... the most ridiculous "behaviour" is this...

This is a Ferrarri parked in the carpark of our apartment. We would walk pass this car after we've parked ours and make our way to the elevators everyday after work. We've always wondered why the rear bonet was left open (without anyone near the car) every time we walk passed it after work but not any other time during the day.

Until one night, when we made our way back to our car after we've got home for a couple of hours, we noticed the rear bonet was closed after being spotted left open a couple of hours ago. We sort of guessed the reason... I must admit that it never occurred to me that a Ferrari could get overheated... Daft is the only word that is polite enough to describe the behaviour...

Farewell...

Yesterday was one of the busiest days in the year because the only one left in the Commercial Team is me. Back to square one... I started in the team as the First and only member, for 8 months, I had neither a manager nor an administrator.

Then Brian came and join us.

3 months later, Jane joined.

The team grew from slightly less than 15 to 75 at peak... so big that we have never had the chance to take a group picture together with everybody... This is just about 2/3...

Now, most of those in the picture have left.

We have delivered 2 wonderful projects (both first of its kind - so we are told) - The Grand Canal Shoppes and The Shoppes at Four Seasons. Impressive results. All of us have gained new experience and friendships working this project.

It's been a roller coater ride for some. For me, it's a part of some of the most interesting experience in my life and I will always treasure the good times and bad that we've been through together.

Hang tough, guys!

iPML Xmas "Party"

Tonight, we have our first and possibly last iPML Xmas Party at RASCALS tonight!

Paul and I have been making posters for tonight... just for the fun of it... O btw, it's a private function, hopefully no outsiders are joining us!

Chinese version

The Venetian Job

My Goodness, my job!

The Nightmare Before Christmas...

Personally, I like this one most... and I want to dedicate this to all the guys in Podium Fitout Team who's been laid off -- most of them will wake up on Christmas day and find themselves jobless... WHAT AN ARRANGEMENT!

B O R E D O M

As everybody here in Macau/Hong Kong knows, this project has been suspended until Sands actually finds his funding... While just about 90% of the whole team (all of the teams) have been laid off, and some are still sitting around serving their notices... Adrian has created this brilliant piece! It's been circulated, posted on walls and partitions in some the offices hahaha!

A job well done!