I learn something everyday...

Today I learn what is a .rar file.
It is something like .zip file which is a compressed file to facilitate uploading and downloading.
However, .rar is a window program and my MAC do not have anything that automatically opens it.

BUT IN THIS BEAUTIFUL CYBERWORLD....
where even if things appear to be incompatible...
you can make it compatible if you try hard enough.


By using a program that helps you to extract ...

In this case...

Unarchiver....is my recommendation today.

If you have weird .RAR to read.

You may download Unarchiver FOR FREE.
And it works smoothly with MAC to extract any files.

I don't hate Macs - I hate arrogant Mac users

I was logging on my facebook to look for a MAC group so that I can join their forum to discuss and troubleshoot.
And I found this..

"I don't hate Macs - I hate arrogant Mac users"

Which has a wooping figure of 3700 over members...
MORE than all the mac users groups members in facebook...


I laughed.

Because i am guilty.
Maybe we are over zealous and too pleased with OUR machine.
I do understand how it feels...when MAC users are full of praise for their machines...
And tell everybody about their MAC...
But if you think about it...
there must be a reason for MAC users to be proud of their MAC...

I used to be a PC user.
I love my NEC laptop.
I can't live without it most of the time.
But curse it all the time as well.
Existing window users out there should know the feeling.
And I avoid at all cost not to use another MS product again...
If I can.
Including the new VISTA.
That is why i choose my MAC now
after very serious consideration.
Nothing to do with the ipod or iphone hype...
Or the sleek design.
It is the function.
And my precious working time.
And the fact that every new laptop in the market comes with VISTA
except MAC.

M choice becomes CLEAR.

By the way...did I mention...the other group I found on facebook?

It was 4311 members.

And its called

"Vista SUCKS!".

Tricks I learn about my Mac these few days...

If you are a window user and do not intend to convert to MAC...you may ignore this post as it has got NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU.

However, if you are tempted to crossover and want to learn more...OR are a Mac user READ ON.

Tricks I have learn on my MAC so far.....


1. HOw to Delete irritating, stubborn and Haunting Win EXE files...such as desktop.ini. thumbs.db ..etc from you MAC...To Cleanse yourself off your WINDOW past.

First of all, if you have already totally convert and become a MAC user, it is pointless to keep some of the files that are in your imported files...most of them are in you music and photo files.
Mainly desktop.ini and thumbs.db....and .exe...etc.

You need to take note of whether your imported files are locked. If so, there will be a little lock shown on the left corner of the file icon. You have to right click or CTRL click to to call up the "Get Info" and uncheck the "Lock" section.

Sometimes, your files are multi-layered...so..even if the existingt file is unlocked...the upper layer file may be locked to stop you from edit and make changes.So you may need to trace up the files to make sure all are unlock to have full rights to edit.

If you wanna WIPE OUT ALL the similar window files...you may search for them on your spotlight to call all the files up and delete at one go instead of searching into files for them.


2. How to access the actual file from iphoto...

Visible files inside your photo file but NOT inside the iphoto file ARE DUPLICATES!...and it takes up SPACES in your MAC!

Also, you may want to access your iphoto file when you wanna upload files from your iphoto.

Go to FINDER--->ADMINSTRATOR FILE---->PICTURE----->iPHOTO(CTRL click)----->SHOW PACKAGE CONTENT---->Should bring you into your iphoto photo files.



3. What is Time Machine about....

YOU GOT TO HAVE AN EXTERNAL HD in the first place to activate.
Plug in your external HD and follow instruction from you Time Machine.
Double click yor time machine icon to call up the application. Easy easy.


4. YOU CAN RIGHT CLICK! Like using PC....no diff!

Just plug in your mouse. SERIOUS!



5. How to IMPORT or EXPORT bookmarks between SAFARI and FIREFOX.

Just click and drag...and I mean it. GO TRY!


Some discovery.....

I realise my iphoto is the culprit who exhausted my HD capacity.
Because I always thought they are accessng my photo files directly.
However, it is actually importing and duplicating them.
Hence doubling everything I have.

Same thing goes to my music file.

My photo files of 35GB plus becomes 80GB
And my music of only 10GB become 20GB.

With this...100plus GB , more than 50% of my HD is GONE!

This is alarming!

And I m thinking of getting a 500GB backup now.

SCARY!

So take note and beware!

Osaka style?!

I did nothing while I was in Osaka except for walking.
I walked all the way from Namda to Umeda from 12pm till 7pm.
Carrying a near 10kg bag.
And these are the few things that caught my eyes...
And this is not common in other parts of Japan that I have been to...
Except for osaka.

OSAKA!

Resizing and retouching....

I need to resize my photo into passport size...
But unfortunately my iphoto couldn't do the trick.
I understand I am asking too much from Apple to produce a photo management software with editing capability.
But I secretly wished it has.
That is why I am disappointed.

And so, iPHOTO CANNOT RESIZE YOUR PHOTOS!

Meanwhile,

I am amused by the retouching tools.

AMUSED AND AMAZED!

I was editing the lighting of my passport photo..and saw this tool at the bottom of the editing window...that says "Click or drag over blemish to remove..."
I was curious...and click it over my blemish...

And the effect is one word....

WOW

Neo Office!!!!

This post is dedicated to the developers of Neo Office.

I want say, this software is GREAT!
Good enough for my word processing needs.
Most importantly...
it opens my microsoft word file on my MAC flawlessly.
And also other format such as rtf and odt.

Compatibility RULES in CYBERWORLD!

WELL DONE!

Somewhere in Japan...

This is one of those pictures that I anyhow take and did not expect that it will look that good.
And I got no idea where and when I took it.

How come we don't have this in Singapore?

This was the toilet bowl I use in my dormitory common toilet when I was in Tokyo.
Simple, smart, save space and environmentally friendly.
This design has outshine the thrill I got when i saw the toilet bowl that cleans butts at the airport.

ill-fated part 1

The japanese believe that if you pick a bad fortune...you tie it on the poles provided in the temple....


By the way that one tied above was mine...because of below...


How can anything be worse than this....?

ill-fated part 2

The japanese believe if you pick a BAD fortune lot,
you tie it at the pole to ward off your bad fortune...blah blah...I am just repeating for your information...

Not convince of my ill-fate, I draw another lot on a seperate day...

It ended up on the pole again....and why???

I hope this explain why.
"How can anything be worse than this??"...
Well...this one may not be worse, but no better either.

BUT I SHALL NEVER SAY DIE!

Please Do WHAT??! at the beach???

If you don't understand what this poster mean...you may ask me.
Or go tokyo and see for yourself why there is a need for this.

六本木

The legendary Dali's sculpture in Roppongi in night scape.

下北沢

This is the best kept secret in Japan.

Love, hate and learn.

I was blogging halfway...and my firefox crash.
Not my MAC.
It appears that the new firefox is not that stable on MAC yet

Anyway, i was typing chunks per category just now..and too lazy to repeat now...
so i will just summerize the category...and add on if i am still in the mood to.

Love

1. DOCK!

2. DASHBOARD!

3. STICKIES!

4. MAGNET POWER PLUG!

5. DICTIONARY!

6. APPEARANCE!

7. MULTILINGUAL

8. ZOOM-IN




HATE

1. MSN

2. WORD

3.LOST IN TRANSLATION

4.WMA vs iTUNE

5. DIMMER!

6. All else NON-APPLE act weirdly on it..including firefox.


LEARN

1. The function of Swift, Control & Command

2. Change USER NAME. IMPT!

3. Switch off display dimmer.

4. Make my Mac read and write chinese.

5. Force Quit. YOU WILL NEED THIS IF YOU OWN A MAC.

6. What can Dashboard do and what widgets are.

7. How Stickies works.

8. Correct way to install App

9. How to switch on touch pad click function.

10. How to switch on ZOOM-IN function.

11. Short key for various monitor control on keyboard.



And finally.. things that I still have YET to figure out and WILL find out are...

1. TIME MACHINE.

2. How to get Adobe Master collection...and WORD for my MAC.


And that's all for now.
Meanwhile...maybe I should switch back to safari....
But I like firefox.

:(

My lovely Mac...

Well...despite the numerous problem I encounter with my MAC...
I am willing to accept and adapt.
Because ...I CHOOSE TO.

As if I am marrying someone of my own choice...
I just have to bear with it...at least for the next 4 years.
To close one eye is really the trick...
And maybe love may blossom..
If you know what I mean.
Time is only what I need.

And since this is my own choice...
An expensive one...

I reckon I should make the most out of it.

In the process, it turn out, I am happy.

Because I learn new things with my MAC everyday...
Just like how I start to learn from scratch with my NEC.
The experience is energizing.
And something to look forward to.


Ahh....what am i saying...who am I kidding?
I am pissed!...MSN is so lousy on my MAC.
Not anyone's fault...
except for the fact that I already knew this before I buy.
Still Pissed! Can't help. Sorry.

Oh...but i kind of like the dashboard.
Not on the first day though...I was a complete idiot then.
But after one day of exploration...I am proud to figure out some interesting features.

I will describe that in my next post to expand my post figures.
Ciao!

My New Darling...

My mac arrive unexpectedly this afternoon while I am still struggling to decide if i should wake up or not.

It ended up sitting on the floor for hours until I clear my table at night to set it up.

It was a struggle.

Just a little bit.

Compare to 5 years ago when I first got my NEC and is a COMPLETE DUMMY with computers...

This is consider a breeze. However, I swear...it is really not as easy as it sound on the commercial and whichever guide book that lure you to buy a mac...

It still takes time and effort to figure out what is going on for a new laptop.

So far...I have learn that...

1. Dock for Apple = Taskbar for PC

2. Msn on Mac is IRRITATING...and hang my computer everytime!

3. Somehow my external hard disk can only be read and copy...but cannot edit and delete.

4. As foreseen earlier on, I still don't know what to do with my Word file.

5. WMA files problems are solved.

6. You can Magnify you webpage with short key...which is FUN!

7. My itune still cannot read chinese and korean yet.

8. YOU BETTER THINK CAREFULLY what you want for your shortname when you first register you computer, as there is actuall no way to change it. Unless you remove the account and set another up. I got my shortname ok...but damn my user name...it is fixed now.

9. Power plug design is EXACTLY what I needed...I trip and fall years ago and crash my laptop.

10. Control, Click on the application to FORCE QUIT! I learn this to force quite my MSN.

Ad so you see....all else seems ok except for all other things that is related to MICROSOFT.

 

And I really like those bouncing icons on the Dock.

Oh well...

So far for now...while i go figure out how to teach my MAc read and write chinese.

By the way...THIS IS THE FIRST POST I WRITE WITH MY MAC.

 

Foreseen circumstances...

I bought my MAc knowing it will not be perfect.

And before I even receive my shipment, I am face with 2 potentialy problem to deal with.

1. Mac is NOT wma literate.

I have hundreds of songs in wma format.
And do I have to elaborate why it will become a problem soon?
Yes, my mac will not be able to read it.
And after some research I found 3 brilliant solutions.

One, convert my wma on a pc with itunes or SWITCH before i export into my mac.
Two, Download SWITCH with my MAc.
Three, Get Windows for my Mac.
Four....Refund my Mac and buy a PC...nah kidding.


2. I have some important work related stuff that i need to do with Microsoft Words.

And needless to say, yes...I have compatibility problem again.
So far...I believe I can solve it by 3 ways as well.

One, Buy Ms Word for MAc.
Two, Pirate Ms Word for Mac.
Three, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE A SOLUTION.

Well....

NOTHING IS PERFECT.

Nothing.

Things that i say I wanna do and have done it.

1. BUY A NEW LAPTOP.

Yeah!

2. Switch to Mac.

Yeah! yeah! One stone kill two birds.

3. Go Japan!

This is a dream since secondary school.
Been there and done that.

Things that I say I wanna do but never do it...YET.

1. Cut my hair.

I am sure most of you out there would have nod your head without hesitation to show that you have heard of me saying "I am going to cut my hair soon", somewhere or sometime, some of you for years in fact. And true enough, I have lost count of how many of you out there actually are being informed of my big plan. Yet, no sign of me chopping them off. Be patient. As I have promised myself....by end of this year.


2. Go swimming.

I love water. And I always say I wanna go swimming. But I realise...the last time i jump into a pool was last year, not including the bathing pool I was soaking in while I was in Japan at the public bath. And furthermore, I was not swimming then, I was just soaking water. And so, Yes...I will go swimming soon.


3. Publish my book and set up a website.

Maybe not all of you out there know about this, but I am sure some of you might have impression of me saying so. I always wanted to publish a book about myself. And that is as long as me saying I want to cut my hair. I actually have a feeling that I will publish my book as soon as I cut myhair. Same goes my website.

4. Buy a new laptop.

As much as I am unwilling to part with my old NEC. I have done it!
And a new darling is on the way. With this, I believe my life will make significant change.
I will schedule my hair to be cut, as I am able to do video editing soon and make a video about my hair being cut. And also, will be designing my book and finally put up my website.
As for the swim, I am just plain lazy....hmmm...how about tommorow?

Waiting for the arrival of my ipod and mac book pro...

While I am patiently waiting for the arrival of my new toys...
I diligently prepare myself for them.
I borrowed books and read up article about my new toys...
And make plans on how I am going to fully utilise them.

As my big plans goes...
I will set up my website.
Upload my photos..
Do my videos and book...on my mac book pro...
And play great library of music on my ipod...

I am so delighted...
And how I look forward...

:)

My Anger.

Although I know no matter how pissed and angry I am...
There is no way I can get them back.

But I would still like to express my anger to the fact that...

MY NANNY THROW AWAY THE WHOLE BAG OF MY COLLECTION OF PAPER AND PLASTIC BAGS WHEN I WAS AWAY>>>WITHOUT MY PERMISSION, DESPITE THE FACT THAT I HAVE WARN HER BEFORE I LEFT NOT TO THROW AWAY ANYTHING FROM MY ROOM.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME, AND WILL NOT BE THE LAST.

The big chulky loads full of bags may look like trash but there are a couple of interesting paper bags I keep for creative references...

I AM REALLY PISSED!
UNTIL NOW.

Because, every now and then when I want to look for a nice paper bag to put my stuff now...
I am reminded of how they are ruthlessly being dump!

GRRRRR......PISSED!

Waiting...

Life without a computer is painful.
And I have to sneakingly use someone else's computer without permission.
I am guilty but can't help it.

Meanwhile...I am waiting for the arrival of my new laptop...which is on the way.

How I look forward...

Dobutsuen mae.

Repeat after me...
Doe-bu-zi-yen ma-eh...
The email regarding my stay in Hotel Mikado...
says...2mins walk from Dobutsuen mae station.

And it means..."In front of the zoo".
I did not realise that until I saw the translation on the railway signboard.
Thanks.

Yes...I live in the zoo zoo zoo...
How about you you you??

2 mins from in front of the zoo..is not a ZOO.
It is my hotel Mikado which cost 2300 yen.
And along the road...I saw many other way CHEAPER HOTELS!
1500 yen....1800yen...
DAMN...
Hotel Mikado better be GREAT or I will be ANGRY!


By the way...it is a HOTEL not a Hostel
And so I thought I should enjoy my rights to the fullest...
Since i paid 2300yen for it.
First thing first, I had a room all to myself.
GOOD.

Then, I went to the public bath...
I did not know it was public when I was at the door...
I mean..when I open the door...
And I saw naked women bathing....
WAT!!!??
I closed the door.
Open again...
And closed.
Hmmm...I need to bath.
Means I need to strip.
And it took my a few seconds to think...
And I cannot think for a while...
Finally...I went in , in my birthday suit...
And start my unusual experience of a traditional japanese public bath...
ok...this part...please see the post below below....

And other facilities include TV,
TOWEL and bathrobes....toothbrushs...slippers...internet access..
and free flow of VIDEO TAPES...
And extinct form of media to Singaporean.
And yes...THERE ARE PLENTY OF PORNS...
And also other movies..
However, you will not know what you are watching...
becos all titles are in Japanese...
even the english show...have japanese title.
So i "dikum" and pick 4...
And guess what, 2 is porn, one is retro looking english film,
and one is korean HORROR...
just my luck...or maybe not so...I know the tape looks fishy...
Oh well...
Watch some local TV shows instead...SMAP xSMAP..
And Kimura is gettig old...i can see.

I haven't been to anywhere in Osaka yet as I only arrive here at 9m and all shops are closed.
But having public bath and videos...is interesting enough for me.

So much of Osaka for now.

Lights off...and go to bed.

Travel slowly...

I love to travel slowly.
Maybe becos I am a slow person.
I need time to REACT and RESPOND.

And this trip is a tiny bit too fast.
I am so tired every night...
And have no time to reflect and respond...
Before I knock out.

Legs are in pain...becos of the 8 hours walk everyday.
I can feel the muscles around my legs...
I reckon I lost weight, but it was not shown in the weighing machine last night.
It must be the muscles...haha
Though my belt did tighten a gap.

I am obviously tanner...
The sun is scorching...
And I need umbrella in bright sunny days...
The brolly is for the rain in Tokyo...but the sun in Kyoto.

I wasn't feeling hungry for a long while...and do not eat much.
I was plain tired.

However, I feel, I probably can do something about my life and travel.
Maybe travel professionally...and share my experience.
And earn money...

All I need...

I have to travel more slowly that is...

Fushimi Inari Shrine

This is a visitor's advice.
Try not to go AFTER 5pm.

The travel guide says it open all day, no admission restriction.
And best to go at dusk.
True enough, sunset was lovely.
I saw the sun setting on my way UP!
you know what...
It means...it is dark now..
And I was not even halfway!
HELL!

Can you imagine you are the only person in the mountains after sunset...
It feels like the path is never ending...
You just walk and walk...
Occasionally you cross path with other people...briefly..
The freaky thing is...after the 4km walk around the mountain...
There are tiny shrine along the way where there are vending machines...
But no other human beings..
There are a lot of cats though...
And they look at you while you are walking along the paths...
I was lead into some quiet path...almost without any lights..
And I wonder if I am lost.
All signpost are in Japanese.
WHY?!!?
Don't they know there are many tourist as well!
By the way, the path is a loop and no one is suppose to be lost
if you keep walking...
But there are many 2 ways..where you have to choose...
and you will wonder if it will bring you back...or further down...

Finally...i find my way...out..
into some residential area...
And finally...saw PEOPLE...
I ask my way around and finally find my way out!!!!

It was an interesting walk...
But if there ever is a next time...
I will start early.
Perhaps at 3pm...and stop on my way down to enjoy the sunset.
And yes, those gates...are SPECTACULAR!

Cultural shock...

I think I have travelled too much to feel shock about Japanese culture...
Moreover, Japan is not a totally foreign land to me...
Too much familiarity...the food the language...

However,
there is just ONE thing yesterday night that shock me.
THE PUBLIC BATH.
YES.
PUBLIC.
ok...it is all women bath.
But still...it is weird to see NAKED WOMEN walking around the bath...
and even weirder...
TO BE WALKING AROUND NAKED.

I just cant help but want to take a second look...
Although it is not as if I have never seen my own naked body...
But, it is somebody elses body.
And they are different.
It is simply surreal.

And to be honest...
Slightly uncomfortable mentally.
The fact that I can see them naked means they see me NAKED too.

But the hot suana atmosphere and a warm pool bath is relaxing and fun.
And feels squeaky clean after the whole ritual.

Something to think about it.
The whole idea of a public bath.

One week later...

Japan is getting interesting for me.
But I am too tired to blog every night.

There are a few freak raining days a few days ago..
But this two day is lovely good sunny days with blue blue blue skies...

Legs are in pain everyday...because these 7 days...
is probably the most walking I have ever done in my whole life so far.
I walk up to 8 hours a day!!!!!


So far, the best place...is SHIMO KITAZAWA!
My favourite!

And not to forget Tsukiji....

Ginza is BORING!
Shibuya is culture shocking at the road junction but fun fun fun...

Went to a flea market but was closed due to the rain...
My biggest disappointment.
Followed by the Ghibli Museum which I did not have a ticket to enter...
becos you need to buy tickets in advance before you go.
You can't get tickets when you are there.
My second biggest disappointment.

Lots of expensive stuff...
Lots of cheap stuff as well...

I am very please with my artwork.
I would consider it successful in terms of expression and execution.
But the gallery is quite a remote place...not mant people came.
However, a lot of my hostel friends came!

Wait till I am back to Singapore to blog...
will show more photos!!!!
BUT BUT BUT...
I NEED A LAPTOP!

SHIT!


I have to buy one soon!


Love love love to everyone!