woohoo! I finally restocked my food supplies at home. Now I can save on ordering pizzas and takeaway for about 2 weeks maybe. I think I have at least that much food. I'm gonna make japanese curry and nikujaga! But still need a couple more ingredients. I just threw out my soy sauces. I'm really not sure if they expire or not, but it smells kinda dubious. So I'll need to restock that. I'll just get the smaller bottles this time. Since I probably wouldn't end up using them much. I think I'll pick some up tomorrow. Planning to go down city to get a hair cut. Maybe I'll buy a box of instant noodles as well.

Maybe I'll get some proper noodles and some bebola stuff. But the fridge is kinda full for once. Especially the freezer. Frozen food is a must in this household. Hmmm.. I think I better go freeze some of the meat I bought. Wouldn't want it to spoil

Hmmm... I'm forced to take a lunch break at work now. Apparently its illegal to not have a lunch break o_O Sheesh.... what a pain. Now I lose 2 1/2 hours off my weekly pay. Although I could work until 5:30 to make up for that...but can't really be stuffed. Ugh... so annoying

The only good news for today is that my share portfolio is actually displaying a profit! I'm still holding on to almost 1K worth of paper loss from the 1st 2 shares I bought, but everything else I bought after that is well enough to wipe that loss off. Its not a spectacular gain, but a decent result if I consider that the shares I bought using my investment framework are all profitable (for the moment at least, the market is a fickle bitch...)

Same goes for my ASX game portfolio. Not a spectacular result, but its been on the positive since day 1. The leader in the game already made $64K from $50K capital, and I'm far from even making it into the top 100, which is at least $58K. Fatty's theory of having to daytrade like a fuc*wit to achieve those results are way off. The previous newsletter displayed the trading history of the game leaders, and the top guy (or gal) has only made 35 trades over a 2 month period. Thats a fair bit of trading, but not at the level Fatty hints at. The next leader only has 5 trades. So yeah... you don't have to daytrade to win. Ah well... good thing I don't take his advice when it comes to the market. Not that I take any of his advice seriously nowadays...

N.B My 1st 2 trades were done before I determined my trading rules, which is why I said the shares I bought using my framework are all profitable

The problem with applying for work is that more often than not, you can't get an immediate reply. I don't know about other lines of work, but its quite pissy if I'm gunning for higher level IT work. Higher level meaning a role that doesn't involve being a 'PC lou' or 1st Level Tech Support(still a 'PC lou', but chained to phone instead).

Theres been a number of openings for junior IT consultancy work. Apparently, the IT talent in Australia is drying up. There are more companies willing to train graduates up. Both good and bad news to me. Its great there more opportunities for me to get into consultancy. The downside is I'm no spring chicken considering I'm not exactly a graduate anymore. Bah. Just do whatever I can I suppose...

My fingers still feel a bit cacat. Having to do data entry during the day, and coming home to work on the computer isn't exactly contributing to the health of my digits. And blogging about it doesn't help either. What a vicious circle. I think I'll stop now.

Feverish...

I think I caught something from when I went to the doctor yesterday. Woke in the middle of the night shivering, even though its not that cold out. Whole body feels weak and sore as well. Definitely the onset of a fever. Bah...

I took off from work earlier today. Partly cuz I was feeling like crap, and also because I have an interview later at 3.30. Semi-interview...for a semi-job. Going to speak with another recruiter in regards to a part time position as a Helpdesk Analyst. I might not get the job, because the recruiter already mentioned that I probably don't have enough experience, but still worth a shot.

I can't even play WoW in the meantime because servers are down. Arrgghhh! And I can't just go to sleep because of the interview. What a crap day...

something wrong with the picture

I finally got off my ass and went to see the doctor regarding my knee today. Primarily because I've been feeling and looking pretty fat lately. What with my zero exercise for the past 6 months, and my staple diet of a continental breakfast in the morning and pizza at night.

So yeah, I went to see the doc after work, telling him that I want to do kickboxing and stuff again because I want to get some exercise. And after that, I walked into KFC to buy a 2-piece+chips & a pack of wicked wings for dinner. Hmmmmmm.....

Anyway, doc says really can't tell if theres anything else wrong with my knee. I check on fine on the surface, but it will take a MRI to really tell if theres more damage inside. Basically a wait and see approach. He told me I can basically sports and stuff, and if it hurts then he will send me to an orthopedist to get an assessment. Apparently an MRI isn't really covered under Medicare. So I'm going to start swimming again! Soon...

Another blog

I just made another blog for all my geeky stuff. For all my development and random technology stuff. I've really been slack since I haven't done real programming stuff for so long, and each time I restart, theres a learning curve I have to go through. So I figured instead of googling each time I need to find out how to reinstall and configure my apache server, PHP and what not, I can just check my own blog. Who knows, it might even be more popular than this one.

I called the blog Embrace Your Geek. Rather cliche, and not totally accurate either, since it should be embrace your inner geek. That would make the url too long, so stuff that. And its still empty for the moment. Not sure when I'll start writing.

But anyway, what I'll do there is probably put some tutorials and tips on how to set up a web development environment and maybe short reviews on tools and stuff. Maybe even a PHP/mySQL programming article. Theres plenty of that already on the internet, but doing something myself would probably help me learn more. I'm also planning to start writing a share portfolio manager. Start small at first, and maybe I can build it up later on. Theres a couple of those already but it'll be good practice as well.

Lets see if I'll follow through with this, might be too much nonsense to do.

Superpowers: what would you do?

If I had a choice between seeing the future, or being able to travel back in time, time travelling would win hands down. Why? Simply because you just rewind when things don't turn out the way you want. And you can technically 'see' the future as well. Want to win the Lotto? Just find out what the winning numbers are, and then rewind your back in time to buy the ticket. How sweet is that!?

If I could go back in time, maybe I might decide to pay more attention in during university. Or do more related work so that I'm not in so much shit career-wise now. But then again, I could just go back a few years with what I know about the share prices now and become a billionaire trading stocks. Although the easiest way to become filthy rich is just to win the lottery.

Kinda like the movie Groundhog Day, which I think I may blogged about previously. Its still one of my favourite movies in terms on concept. Of course, reliving the same day might get pretty dull after the while. But if its a span of 1-2 years, probably wouldn't be so bad. You can do a lot within that time, and if things don't work out, you just kill yourself and start over. Just like in a game. Sweet.

Ermm.. better get back to work.

as expected, I didn't get the job. Good feedback from interview but not enough industry experience for the job. I already had a feeling about that when I did the interview, but was hoping I could still make it. Aihs, back to the drawing board. I think its already been 6 months since I became semi-unemployed, I don't consider data entry real work, even though I've been doing that for about 2 months. I think its time to reassess my options again. Zzzz... damn annoying

I know what I want, and roughly where I want to end up career-wise. The 2 choices would be a business analyst, or a ERP consultant. Actually get into those fields? Well...6 months and counting should suffice as an answer. I've been thinking that I wouldn't mind getting run over by a car and just dying then and there. Obviously, dying after getting hit by the car is the important. Not becoming a vegetable, semi or otherwise. Incidently, that almost occured a few days back. Almost got run down by some dumb shit when I was using the zebra crossing. I already looked both ways before crossing, and he had more than enough distance to stop. Instead of slowing down, he just sped past when I was halfway across the street. Tiu.

Beary Funny series

A series of CG clips made by a korean mob called RG Studios. Youtube rocks! Not going to bother label them cuz I'm at work right now.

the stats for my blog are back up. numbers still looking as sad as ever. the chart looks like the prices of my shares, not going anywhere. sadness. oh well. i'm doing this for my own benefit anyway. just upgraded it to blogger beta, not that theres much of a difference. the templates are still the same, but I switched to another one anyway. felt like a different look. Also got rid of the tag board with all the stupid ringtone stuff spamming it, so if anyone wants to leave a message, just put a comment on the post.

I had my interview on thursday, so its just a waiting game for now. The position wasn't as high level as I initially thought, at the core, I'll still be a support monkey, except that it will be more specialised. It will still be good if I get it, the pay and conditions are fairly decent, and its a proper start to a career in IT. Other than that, I'm still doing the data entry job. I think I've been there for 2 months, or more . wow, 2006 is zipping me buy. I've technically spent more than 1/2 a year not doing anything.

I went in to the dojo this morning to speak with shihan about the website I was suppose to knock up for him. Haven't been able to work on it lately, busy with prepping for the interview as well as grinding in Disgaea 2. Hopefully I can come up with something decent. Might as Kelynn or my cousin to help. I'm quite total loss when it comes to the graphic design parts. Which is the main reason I abandon most of my web projects. I do most of the backend stuff: database design, general layout, functions and what not. But I get stuck when I have to make it 'pretty'.

Anyhoo. Nacho Libre is the program for tonight! Been looking forward to it. Lucha!!

I didn't mentioned that I scored an interview for an very good position. The role is an IT Support Analyst. Its an actual analyst position, not those helpdesk or lvl 1 tech support crap ppl call analysts nowadays... I would be working with actual systems design and the like. Or at least thats what the job descriptions says. Its a permanent role, but I'll be working on a particular project thats under development. So I think I'll be doing a little of everything involved in a software project. Requirements analysis, design and maybe even some coding & testing. Sounds perfect.

I think I match the qualifications and experience they require, but I have an inkling they are looking for a person that is more senior. The recruit did mention that they are looking for a recent graduate with about 1-2 years work experience, and its a role where they want to train someone up to be a technical BA. I was asked to bring in my academic transcript (oh no!!) so I guess thats true.

Hopefully I can overcome that during the interview. I've been doing research on everything that I could possibly need, and even went through some of my uni material. Just do my best at the interview and hopefully everything will fall in place. Interview will be on Thursday, so I have a fair bit of time to prepare. Oh, and the position pays $60K+ too :)

its such gawd-awful slow day. must be the weather. i think there was a thunderstorm early in the morning. very gloomy outside right now. The perfect weather for sleeping in, except that I'm at work right now. Sigh...

They (the company) just installed a phone on my desk, which means I might have to take orders over the phone soon. Ugh. They aren't paying me enough to bother with that. I'm suppose to do data entry, not customer service. Cis.

Theres this old dude working here that kinda annoys me. Probably about 40+. Just started out in customer service. Nothing against old people, but just observing him gets on my nerves. Slow, and in my opinion, probably stupid as well. An example would be photocopying a few hundred pages of a document that was supposed to be faxed out, and then going "Now, how did that happen? I'm prety sure blah blah blah..." Ugh. Even though its the copier and fax are the same machine, the interface is totally different. He only made that mistake because either A) He is dumb or B) He wasn't paying attention. I'd go for a combination of both, since he has already done it twice, and probably the 3rd time as well even though he said it wasn't him. Ordinarily I wouldn't pay much attention, but the problem is that he talks to himself and always complaints about why this doesn't work, what this customer wants, blah blah blah.

Aihs. Thats enough for a rant of the day. Back to work now.

It feels like I've been sorta busy the past few days. Updated my resume, and started to actively apply for jobs again. Its been really slow for me since I've been temping. On one hand, I have some income to supplement my living expenses. But on the other hand, it feels like a waste of time when I can stay at home and follow up on my job applications, stocks and readings.

But its been 4 months (or more?) since I've left a permanent job. Having more time doesn't necessarily mean I can find a job quicker. Aihs. I've been considering doing some of the SAP courses. I kinda know which stream I want to do, but not sure if its viable. All up, its going to be about RM50K to complete 2 streams (roughly 2 months I think). And even after investing that money, might not even get a job. So stupid... but I really need to do something to improve my job prospects, even if its just on paper.

At any rate, January next year is probably my limit. If I can't find proper work by then, I'll head back home to do the courses and get some work experience. Considering the recent issues in my family, it would be good to spend more time with my mom, and maybe even work with my dad. Thos has the right idea as well... spend as much time as possible with them while they are still well and healthy. Although in my case, its probably spend as much time as I can take. I'm not exactly a family person.

Thats it for today... time to sleep.

2.30am but I'm still not sleeping yet. I'm taking the day off from work. Just felt like taking a break from it so that I can get some other work done. I was supposed to work on the website for shihan over the weekend, but spent it going out and watching anime.

spent the whole of last night watching Honey & Clover as well, although I did manage to get a little work done. I actually want to sleep, but allergies stopping me. I seem to have something that antihistamines don't help with. My feet are damn itchy now. Seems pretty red and swollen too. The veins on my feet seems to have popped up as well. Looks quite gross and interesting at the same time. Quite fun to press down on the veins and have it pop back up.

I'm gonna watch another episode of anime before trying to go back to sleep la. Feel really tired.

the thought of marriage rarely ever crosses my mind, but I just know that when I do, I want a website ^_^

It's confirmed that I'll always be a geek...

I think I'm feeling a little depressed today. Not having any real work to do is kinda getting to me I suppose. Both having nothing much to do during the day, as well as feeling the effects of a decreasing bank balance.

No mood to blog anymore. I just dug up some old anime to watch. Can't be stuffed thinking about real life anymore. Although going through some of my CDs made me a little upset. I seem to be missing a some stuff. Can't find the anime I wanted to watch despite digging through everything. Aihs. Not my day.

Plus I think I'm going to be getting my allergies pretty soon. I can feel my hands getting prickly already. Ughh....

Its a bank holiday today, not that it concerns me since I'm not working anyway. But at least it makes me feel less guilty that I don't have work today. I got a call from one of my temp agency earlier. Asked if I'm interested in a position up in St. Leonards. Its some publishing & development company. Seems to deal in 3G. I think my job is to liase between the IT and another department. A semi business analyst role. Wonder if I'm actually up to it... since I don't know jack about 3G technology. Actually, I don't think its that difficult of a role, since its only paying $25/hour. Just have to talk to people and write up reports. I asked her to send in my CV anyway, theres a 1/4 chance of me getting the role since she only has 3 candidates at the moment. Its only for a month, so it should be okay I guess.

As for the other role I'm waiting on, no significant news yet. The client was away for the past week, which was why the process was taking so long. I might get some news this week. I just hope they don't mind waiting. Well... if I get this temp job, I wouldn't mind if the whole recruitment processs takes a little longer. At least then I can finish up the temp position, if I get it. Don't really like the idea of leaving halfway through an assignment.

Well...anime for the rest of the day. ^_^

saturday. nothing much to do as usual. the weather is pretty gloomy as well, so just feel like sleeping. just gonna wait for my laundry to be done and then i'll just nap. had lunch with sweefong today. shes gone back home to kl already. aihs. another year has passed by seemingly fast. i'm already 25, but i still kinda feel like I belong in uni. I suppose the work, or lack of it, that I've been doing doesn't make me feel like I've matured much.

I haven't heard regarding that role I've been hankering after yet. Supposed to get some news on Thursday, but nada. Hopefully there'll be some news next week. Good or bad, at the very least I can just move on. Oh, I've also quit the temp job I was doing. I could have probably stayed on another week or so, but I decided that I had enough. I really can't stand brainless work for too long... So I better hear something from the recruiter soon, or start in another contracting position.

Apart from that, the manager from FFC called me up on Friday. Asked what I was up to and if I was interested in going back...for the 3rd time :) Seems like he has another project lined up and wants me to work on it or something. No details yet, but I'll talk to him after I get news from the consultancy role that I want. Ah well, I'd rather not go back if I don't have to. Its not a bad place to work, just far and well... I really should move on. Maybe I can demand more pay again. Hahahah. Although this time around, there won't be a car for me, since they've already sold off their unnecessary vehicles.

Time will tell.

i wanna get to sleep, but my rash is keeping me up. don't even know if i can call it a rash. i guess it falls under that definition. my hands and wrist are reddish, and have bumps on them. Looks kinda like a whole bunch of mosquito bites converging on one area. i still have no idea what causes it. it only seems to happen at night, and i don't think its food that causes it, if not i should be experiencing it during the day as well *touch wood* Plus, its not like I have any special diet. I eat the same crap most of the time.

Usually i take my antihists, and it goes away in about 1/2 an hour... but it doesn't seem to be working tonight. Arrrgh. Add to the fact that my fingers are sore from the data entry work I did today. My finger, to be more accurate. I can type properly i.e. make use of all my fingers, & without looking at the keyboard as well. But thats kind of useless when you are keying in stuff off faxes & order forms with text that you have to bloody squint to look at. Add in a crappy GUI to the order program, and you get a sore finger because its simply easier and a lot faster to type with one hand/finger.

The other thing that annoys me is that some people can be soooooooo damn slow in keying in stuff. I get to see almost everyone in the customer service team (where I'm working) cuz I'm sitting where the previous boss used to sit ^_^ I have my own corner, and noone can see my screen while I MSN, read the news, look at my stocks, etc etc. But even with all my bludging, I still work hell lot faster than the other temps there. Gawd... can't believe it man. I can finish keying 2-3 orders, while chatting on MSN, and surfing the net in between orders, and the other temp still haven't finished with their first one. And I know this because I can watch them work at the same time.

Initially I didn't surf the net at all... but then I'd run out of stuff to do by midday since I chew through my work pretty fast. The stuff is piss easy for me to do... so its not saying much. With all the in between bludging I do, theres enough work for me to do till about 4ish 5.

Orites... all that complaining seems to have gotten rid of my rash. Gonna go to sleep now. Oh, and I still haven't heard back in regards to that job. Aihs...

here wishing that I get that job. After a behavioural assessment, and an aptitude test which took me about 6 hours plus to mull over. I'd better get something. It'd would be my ideal job too. More on it if I get it... no point blogging too much about it if its gonna become spilt milk.

dead bored now. don't feel like playing games, and don't have any anime to watch. When I have nothing to do... my life really feels dreary. I don't like the weekends as much anymore. Especially since theres no sharemarket pricing to watch over the weekend. Aihs..