my notebook

Evolution

2006-03-03T01:44:00.000+08:00

Count it, it has been over 10 year since my first computer. Moreover, I've over 10GB of RAM in my home spreading over 5 computers. My first computer contains only 4MB vs. now 4GB - a thousand fold! Clock frequency 20 times from 133Mhz to 2.6Ghz. Storage 1.2GB to 1.2TB, another thousand fold! Register length 32-bit to 64-bit; single core to dual core.

What will it be in another 10 years time?

1994 - Pentium 133MHz@150MHz, 4MB FPRAM, 1.2GB HDD, Windows 95
1996 - Cyrus P166+ 150MHz@166MHz, 128MB SDRAM, 1.2GB + 4.3GB HDD, Windows 98
1998 - Celeron 366Mhz@400MHz, 128MB SDRAM, 2x20GB 7200rpm RAID0, Windows 98
2001 - Athlon 1GHz@1.2GHz, 256MB SDRAM, 2x20GB 7200rpm RAID0, Windows 2000
2001 - Athlon 1.2Ghz@1.4GHz, 512MB SDRAM, 2x20GB 7200rpm RAID0, Windows 2000
2002 - Pentium 4 1.6GHz@2.2GHz , 512MB DDR266, 60GB, Windows XP Pro
2004 - Pentium 4 1.8GHz@2.4GHz , 1GB DDR333, 80GB + 80GB + 160GB, Windows XP Pro
2005 - Athlon x64 x2 2.0GHz@2.6Ghz, 4GB DDR400, 4 x 250GB + 200GB, Windows XP x64

Happy Birthday

2006-03-03T00:21:00.000+08:00

Happy birthday my frd! I guess you'd love it at the first sight I saw it.

Let's see.

夢

2006-02-28T23:18:00.000+08:00

尋晚好唔開心, 但我夢見了他.

在一個戲劇性的畫面, 我倆再走在一起. 抱著他感覺很滿足. 記得在UST Year 2 的ELEC315 Final, 你在231等我. 心裡想: 外面工作再辛苦天氣再冷也不怕, 只要回到家抱著你, 看著你在我懷中開心的樣子我便滿足.

但畢竟這只是夢.

跟你在一起是我這生最開心的時間. 你說怕我終有一日好覺得你缺點多多...嫌棄你... 我溫柔的跟你說我喜歡的就是這樣的你.

曾經認為可以重拾這種感覺 - 原來只是不甘寂寞.

你在那裡?

New Toy

2006-02-17T23:56:00.000+08:00

I love taking photos.

However it is not possible to take my 20D and lens with me all the time. I need a true portable camera. Image quality need not to be top-notch, as they're meant to be snap shots, and I have SLR and DSLR for serious work.

For sometime I had been using my Ricoh GR1v for such purpose, now it is retired and I dare not to spoil it with daily wear and tear (belive me, it is such a great camera!). When the GR Digital comes out I thought: this is the one.

Finally I played around with it yesterday, wasn't very impressed. The speed lose out to the Canon Powershot S80, both with 28mm eqiv. High ISO on GR Digital not very good (or did I expecting too much?), and the size... With the pice close to an entry-level DSLR, I'd rather turn to my trusty GR film camera for its true "build-for-snap" capability.

Another round in the shopping area comes a surprise - the Kodak V570, a 23mm fixed lens plus a 39-117mm zoom. Bravo! I love true wide angle and this is the one, with a fixed 23mm F2.8 optics! Plus its style, bright screen and build quality...

I got one and I LOVE it. It reminds the old days with a fixed 28mm F2.8 Ricoh GR1v, but now with a Kodak. The photo quality is not top-notch in its class, it is the innovation and stylish design the matters!

We need creative products. P&S will never be as good as DSLR, "balance" is the formula when it comes to a P&S.

忘不了

2006-02-16T01:49:00.000+08:00

點解一定要忘記過去, 先可以開始新一段關係?

- 只因還背負著傷痛.

Thanks

2006-02-15T01:02:00.000+08:00

Thanks my friend.

Toys

2006-02-06T23:30:00.000+08:00

Toys are sth tomake you happy, esp when you're not.

Those Sony Walkmans walked me thru my school times, as well as hard times. when I'm alone. Thanks Sony for bringing such terriffic Discmans and MDs.

I compiled this list, in the lunchtime while asking myself how much I've spent over the years. I know I'm a spender, and no a small one. Check the list and u'll know I nearly can buy a Mini Cooper or have my MBA tutition half-paid.

Wow, such a lot of $$. On one side means I did a good job in supporting all these; while the other side is I should have save more $$ for future tutitions. CFA / GMAT all asking your $$ before you're into them, not to mention the materials involved.

I did spend a lot. Buying things seemed a good way in soothing the heart. What else you long for afterall besides your family and frds barring your beloved? Building a material lifestyle is no good i know, but afterall it still better than nothing. If you're not happy, why not spoiling yourself with toys? And, these toys opened the area of music and photography...

The rabbit hole goes. I just wish I could stay awake in the wonderland.

High School
1995 - Sony Walkman FX-811
1996 - Sony MD Walkman MZ-E3
1996 - Sony MDR-E888MP
1997 - Sony MD Walkman MZ-E50
1998 - Sony MDR-E888MP
1998 - Onkyo MD-P10
1998 - Ericsson GH688
2000 - Nokia 8210

Undergrad
2000 - Sony Discman D-EJ01
2001 - Sony Discman D-E900
2001 - Sony Discman D-777 (x2)
2002 - Sony Discman D-E905
2002 - Sony MD Walkman MZ-E2 (x2)
2002 - Nikon Coolpix 4500 + Wide Adapter
2002 - Sony MDR-v700
2002 - IBM ThinkPad T23 (P3M 1.2GHz, 512MB, 60GB 7200rpm)
2003 - Onkyo CR-305X

Postgrad
2003 - Nokia 7250
2003 - Sony Ericsson T610
2003 - DENON PRESTA201SA (PreMain Amp, CD Player, MD Recorder)
2003 - B&W DM601S3 (Black)
2003 - HP LaserJet 1150 + 64MB RAM
2003 - Sony MD Walkman MZ-E10
2003 - iPod 3G 30GB
2003 - Sony MDR-E888SP
2004 - Sony CLIE TH-55
2004 - Ricoh GR1v
2004 - iPod 3G 40GB
2004 - Audio-Technica ATH-CM7Ti
2004 - Canon EOS 30v + battery grip
2004 - Canon EF 24-70 F2.8L USM
2004 - Canon Speedlite 550EX
2004 - Minolta DiMAGE Scan Elite 5400
2004 - Canon EF 50 F1.4 USM
2004 - Canon EOS 20D + battery grip
2004 - ECHO Indigo
2005 - Canon EOS Timer Remote
2005 - Canon EF 17-40 F4L USM
2005 - Sharp SX813 (902SH)
2005 - Shure E4c Black
2005 - IBM ThinkPad T43, Personal (P-M 1.86GHz, 2GB DDR2, 100GB 7200rpm)
2005 - Desktop, Core powerhouse (Athlon64X2 2.6GHz Dual Core, 4GB DDR3200, 1.2 TB Storage)
2006 - DELL Optiplex, Firewall (P4 1.8GHz, 512MB DDR, 80GB, Astaro Security Linux v6)
2006 - DELL D410, SAS working (P4 2GHz, 2GB DDR2, 80GB 5400rpm)

Dream

2005-08-31T00:40:00.000+08:00

Have a dream recently, and I'm not as strong. You are still staying deep inside, though you may never know. I cried, for the first time in years, for sth that happened few years.

This song used to bring me smile. The song hasn't change but me. I started wondering, if I am too demanding, or I dunno the rules?

I miss u, a lot.

From the heart - Another Level

I know you've heard these words a hundred other times before
And you've been hurt and so your heart has chose to close the door
Love brook your heart and brought you lies
Look in my eyes
You'll see a love that's deep and true
Tender and strong and all for you
You can trust this love
Honest, that's the honest truth

From the heart
I'm giving you everything, everything
From the heart
I promise you that I'll be there
I'll be there to love you
From the soul
I'm showing you all I feel, all I feel is
From the heart, from the heart

I will protect you and respect you and be all you need
And when you reach for love you'll only need to reach for me
These arms will never let you down
They're staying around
I'll walk with you through every storm
I'll keep you safe, I'll keep you warm
And you'll have no doubt
You're the one I'm living for

From the heart (from the heart baby)
I'm giving you everything (oh) everything (giving you everything)
From the heart (my heart)
I promise you that I'll be there (I'll be there for you)
I'll be there to love you
From the soul
I'm showing you all I feel, all I feel (I'm showing you)
All I feel (all I feel) is
From the heart, from the heart (from the heart)

I'll provide the love you need
Just trust my touch
Believe in me
I'll never make you cry
Givin' all I got with all I got inside

From the heart
I'm giving you everything, everything (giving you everything)
From the heart (from my heart)
I promise you that I'll be there (I'll be there to love you, love you, ooh)
I'll be there to love you (ohh)
From the soul (my soul)
I'm showing you all I feel (all I feel) all I feel (all I feel) is
From the heart (the heart) from the heart

Ooh, from the heart, from the heart.

腳踏實地

2005-07-15T00:19:00.000+08:00

有沒有認真的感受過, 腳踏實地的感覺是怎樣? 背上相機鏡頭, 戴上headphone, 邊走邊在觀景器中找尋有趣的景象; 又或是在路上, 提著電腦, 邊聽邊想一陣的testing該怎樣做, 一切都很自在.

今天, 我的心很沉重, 每一步都在想.

Angel of life

2005-07-14T01:41:00.000+08:00

It has been nearly 2 months since the last update. I have to write today.

We're all very lucky. The human species is clustered into different communities, and for some reason, we’re mostly limited to the classes that we’re within. While we heard a lot from different media, it’s just too difficult for us to fit ourselves into the picture of the others. Values and judgments distort across horizons, nothing come as real as interacting with the untouched territories. Open the door and look around, the world is full of surprises – black and white, wealthy and poor, life and death.

Spend your time meaningfully - you never know if you're still alive prior to the morning sunshine. While we all believe having the luxury for day dreaming or so, time is not something to be ‘killed’.

Angel, thank you. You’re the one that can grasp my feeling so well as if you’re part of me, and you bought me inspirations of life.

喂, how's your holiday?

2005-05-19T00:46:00.000+08:00

Hello
突然諗起你
你點呀? 而家響邊? 有冇飲可樂呀?
...
唔知你睇唔睇倒我mail呢?

玩得開心d!! :)

浪漫滿屋

2005-05-17T02:28:00.000+08:00

我唔係鍾意睇電視既人.

浪漫滿屋. 開始只係一位朋友著迷, 成日同我講d劇情. 覺得自己唔係細喇, 重發夢? 或者我已經失去左因為愛而大喜大悲既感覺, 失去追尋愛既衝動. 睇左兩集, 然後有d改變... 係呢個朋友既關係, 抑或係劇情中男女喜怒既情節跟以前的差不多?

好鍾意入面既音樂. 唔只係諗起一個人; 而係一份感覺. 我search左好多online store, 最後又左hmv.co.jp找到.

其實可以兩個人一齊睇電視, 係好幸福 - 所以我仲未鍾意睇電視.

CX MT Interview

2005-05-04T23:54:00.000+08:00

It started at 14:30 in Cathay City.

I arrived the airport at 13:00, hang around for a coffee, then called a Lantau Taxi to Cathey City at 13:45. There was another candidate waiting for MT interview. We talked for 15 mins and exanged the numbers.

As expected, the interview last for 30 mins, compromised of a presentation session and a one-one interview session. The topic I was given is "Business and Politics" that I am totally unaware of the politics part. Obviously there were rooms for improvement on the first part, I was pretty satisfied with my performance of the second part. The preparation work wasn't wasted.

Let's see if I'll have a call arranging a written test or a letter saying "thanks for your interest" in a few weeks time.

CX Interview

2005-05-04T00:51:00.000+08:00

The interview tomorrow led me to think of her these days. While I kept trying to ask her more details of CX, I just got no reply from her on anything. Isn't that I'm not welcomed? "Probably not, she might be just too busy, or just not feeling comfortable to talk with me..." I keep telling myself. Yet this can't help the feeling of being left behind, being ignored, by someone that you've put in all your love.

Met Gary on the way to home, he was my roommate in year one: UG HALL ONE Rm 228. Watching his hand holding her "new" girlfriend (at least i didn't met her in HKUST), that feeling of lost came back again. Meanwhile, Dean Gary is seeking a new apartment for her girlfriend. In this era, how many pairs can last this long? Or put it simply, what's the average 'keep fresh for' value of love after the 'date of opening'?

Short-lived

2005-04-25T00:56:00.000+08:00

It has been a very busy month in ASTRI, with lots of demos and trips. However the motivation for me to write something wasn't work, but a girl named Fiona.

To some of my friends, they have long for seeing me to have a new lover. Disappointing it might seems, I don't think the relationship could last. We've expressed our stance regarding the affair; an end (or sort-of) is not necessarily a bad thing.

I don't feel comfortable to include the details here. I just want to put a reminder for myself, that a girl named Fiona appeared in my life, giving me the same kind of feeling that had lost for years.

Let's save all the memories, and wish her best.

入油記

2005-03-23T23:45:00.000+08:00

今日做mobility testing, 問Doug借車. 佢話架車冇咩油, 我check過之後, 見到上晝都應該夠油, 決定照test, 食飯先同架車入油. 我唔熟路唔知邊度有油站, William話第一城有; Sunny話大埔有.

話咁快十二點, 一行7人響photonics集合. Again我唔熟路, 於是由Michael做車手. 由於第一城泊車唔係咁方便, 一行人決定出發去大埔汀角路茶座. 架車冇咩油, 一出大埔公路就搵油站. 不久就見到CRC標誌, Good. But wait, CRC LPG? Doug架車唔係食石油氣架喎... Sunny又一傑作:「我日日都見好多車出出入入架? 唔係油站咩?」又可能Sunny響加拿大太耐, 搵左個名副其實既Gas Station!

Too bad, 冇人知道最近既"Gas Station"響邊. 車既油唔係仲有好多, 我地仲驚到唔敢開冷氣. William響地圖search油站, 我地眼光突然轉移到椅背既CALTEX紙巾合. 我打電話去大埔既station, 問佢地響邊. Check地圖要過橋, 又行錯左路喇! 要響d小路掉頭, 好似學車咁三手軚掉頭. 最後見倒CALTEX粒星, 原來前後仲有Shell同Esso. 「CALTEX啦, 係佢救我地唔使推車.」

個故仔仲未完. Michael:「入滿佢.」服務員:「唔該開油缸蓋丫.」全車人又大笑一聲. 搵左一兩分鐘後, 服務員再加一句:「係唔係司機位旁邊呀?」Got it! 最後入左$550, Jerry簽卡. 服務員:「唔該寫埋車牌丫.」再次笑聲. 唉, 揸左阿Doug架車成個月咁耐, 我地三個都冇人記得個車牌. 阿Paul:「你可以報警架喇, 呢架係偷車黎...」

最後開番冷氣, 曆時三十分鐘既入油故事終於完結, 向汀角路茶座進發.

GO! 肚餓呀~

The Yale Dream

2005-03-23T00:27:00.000+08:00

IT's busy these weeks, much more busy than I could imagine back to January.

Called Dean Gary in an attempt to arrange a meeting tonight. It's glad to know finally he can go to Yale University for his Ph.D. For sometime I have also dream of doing Ph.D in the US and to be a professor. While no one knows will my dream come true, Gary has done it. However he is not very happy with it. Why? Probably it’s due to a lack of enthusiasms and confidence. I’ve never seen such depressed Gary. Hope he could get upbeat later this year. I want to have his smiling face on my Master graduation photos, if he could ever come back in Nov.

Looking back what have been done in a little over a year, I’m doing quite well comparing to my friends or classmates. While it still remains a mystery for what the things will be if "Dream come true"; that’s certainly not bad for not, at least up to this moment.

Have so many things want to say that I have confined them all inside. Definitely I need a break.

Incredibles

2005-03-23T00:23:00.000+08:00

Tried this one from the site of my frd.

Which Incredibles Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Haven't watch the movie yet. Probably I'll know "myself" better thru the movie. Does anyone get any idea of this character?

Interview

2005-03-09T23:55:00.000+08:00

Scheduled 14:15, I arrived Marry Building at 13:45. After handing in those documents and references, the interview started at 14:00. Mr. LAM and Mr. NG gave me a briefing about the interview, and then I started giving them an introduction of myself. The whole process is interesting and I learned a lot. Mr. LAM as the training leader tended to ask questions to understand my logical thinking; while Mr. NG as the investigator focused on giving me role play to test my response in handling different situations.

Finally the interview ended at 14:50, which was scheduled to be 20 minutes at the very beginning. I learned a lot during the interview though I wasn’t satisfy in some of my response. Mr. LAM finally added they didn’t expect interviewees could answer all the questions perfectly, unless you are already a law-enforcer or you are a criminal.

Personally I knew more about the post I’m applying for. I didn’t expect good news given my performance against Mr. NG. The bottom line is: my strength lies in analyzing, if that happens being an investigator couldn’t give me the chance to utilize my skills, I’d rather leave it for others as I could perform better somewhere else. I didn’t gamble, didn’t smoke, didn’t have drug and didn’t one night stand, I’d not feel comfortable if I have to work in an environment like this. That’s simply not me.

Let's see what I get after a month.

生日快樂

2005-03-02T23:54:00.000+08:00

今晚(3月3日)係我一個好朋友既生日.

不知不覺我們認識快三年了. 好想在這一天跟你親口說一聲「生日快樂」. 我知道是不可以的了, 只有在這裡寄上我的祝福.

身處異地份外感到寂寞. 上一次生日響日本出Trip, 好想打比一個朋友, 希望的只是這邊聽筒的一句「生日快樂」. 結果在東京寂靜的街頭, 一個人喝酒.

我就是個這麼在乎details的人.

巧合

2005-03-02T21:29:00.000+08:00

中四住良景既時候, 因為鍾意模型, 成日去碼頭一間模型屋, 結果中六響碼頭返學.

A-Level果時因為女朋友鍾意Kitty, 成日去鑽石山荷里活廣場既Sanrio Shop睇下送咩比佢, 結果入左科大, 鑽石山變成返學轉車站.

Year 3同一個朋友既親戚補習, 一星期兩日去黃大仙, 結果響九龍塘返第一份工, 黃大仙變成返工轉車站.

第一年返工同兩個朋友多左見面, 一個住沙田, 一個響沙田教畫, 於是好多時去沙田火車站食飯. 結果而家響科學園返工, 沙田火車站變成返工轉車站.

巧合的是: 碼頭, 鑽石山, 黃大仙, 沙田火車站 - 我本來都不認識. 然而, 最後佢地都變成中轉站.

這是否意味著ICAC Interview會唔得? Let's see.

Dream

2005-02-26T22:54:00.000+08:00

I don't dream a lot. That usually happen when I desperately want someone besides me, and it did happened again.

My friend called me tonight, someone I used to tell everything to. However, I didn't feel comfortable.

Sleep, holding my pillow tight. A good rest feeling warm and save.

Interview invitation

2005-02-22T00:10:00.000+08:00

A letter with my hand-written address arrived today. Without guessing, it has to be from ICAC.

It's an invitation of an interview on March 9, Wednesday. Immediately I acknowledge the news to the girl who was sitting sat next to me during the psychometric test. It would be nice to have a peer during the interview.

However, I'm not particularly happy with this news. I don't know why?

Destiny, Time and Space

2005-02-19T21:36:00.000+08:00

We are all so helpless in front of the force of the nature.

Cosmic Explosion Among the Brightest in Recorded History

The gammar ray flare explosion was from the neutron star 50,000 light years away. Imagine it, what we observed today actually took place 50,000 years ago, long before the existence of human. The gammay ray travelled at the speed of 3x10^8 m/s for 50,000 years to reach us. The observed raditation level tops any record. Power follows the inverse square law. If the explosion happened 10 light years away from the solar system, it would be the end of the world in the split of a second. No pain, no tears, as nobody could excape from the explosion that actually took place 10 years ago. No matter how intelligent we claimed to be, there is nothing we could do to help ourself.

Lucky / Unlucky

2005-02-18T23:37:00.000+08:00

I am not feeling very good these few weeks, and drink quite a bit. I was lucky enough to win an extra red pockets in the lucky draw during the group's BBQ tonight. Still, I drank half a bottle of red wine. This isn't the way out, I need someone to talk to.

Called a few friends. If not busy with working, it has to be busy with study. All of them are unavailable. It would be nice if I can have a tea with my ex, but she seems hasn't online for a while. What embarassed me was the answer from one of my friend. If you think it's better for you to keep it this way, I'd respect your decision.

Sometimes I think, will there be someone willing to listen to me as if I'm willing to listen to her? Probably I'm just unlucky, yet. Or am I really a 衰人 (bad guy)?

still alive...

2005-02-18T00:35:00.000+08:00

sick leave this morning. my throat was burning.

back to office after lunch, nth special. however i've got a new idea to ease the effect of interference during our demonstration of mobility - that should be good enough to fulfill our requirement.

class as usual. funny part is the generation of sound waves, where signal processing is one of my interest.

canon released two new digital slr - EOS 20Da and EOS 350D. the EOS 20Da is basically the same as my EOS 20D, with the IR filter removed to facilitate astrophotography. sounds interesting, but that's not good for 'normal' photography cuz an IR filter has to be added on the lens. more importantly though, ppl can use this machine to take 'see through' photos, just like the famous sony IR capable camcoder. other than mobile phones, girls now has to face a standard studio camera that can take see-through pictures...

miss my EOS 20D. i should start taking pictures again once the weather get better.

cough, cough, cough

2005-02-16T20:59:00.000+08:00

keep coughing... better sleep early today.

tired.

Update, finally

2005-02-14T23:14:00.000+08:00

It has been 2 weeks since the last update. Reviewing the hit counter, and it seems my friends keep visiting during this pseudo-inactive period. Thanks to all!

The ICAC Psychometric test turned out to be a truely 'Psycho only' test. Nothing really special. I tended not to give neutral responses in 99% of the questions. Isn't that good? I've no idea. The girl sitting next to me also came from Tuen Mun, and surprisingly in Wu King. How small is HK? That's it.

Classes will start this week. No time to look back: it's time to get busy again.

Mixed Feeling

2005-01-24T01:26:00.000+08:00

Why there hasn't been any update last week? Probably you don't know, I've been logging in everyday last week, trying the best to put something. I just don't know where to start...

Things started at the beginning of the week. That reminded me many things in the past, bitter and sweet.

I hate this feeling that makes me feeling insecure. Need to clam down, reinforce myself and sort things out.

It's time to go out and relax.

ICAC Psychometric Test

2005-01-16T01:12:00.000+08:00

Received the invitation of psychometric test by ICAC. The test will be on Feb 7, 2005, which is the last 2 day of the lunar calender.

The position of Assistant Investigator is very interesting. I would resign my current job for this one if I got an offer. I need to take a leave for the test but, who cares?

Very excited.

6km walking

2005-01-14T23:33:00.000+08:00

I have the chance to have field testing with Maurice and William today.

The new firmware gives extremely good coverage that we are able to archieve throughput over 200kbps at distance well over 1km. The test was repeated twice, which accounted for 4km walking alone for one particular test spot.

Maurice has a meeting in the after and I took over his responsibility. That means totally I've walked over 6km today.

Tired.

SinoCDN visit

2005-01-14T01:02:00.000+08:00

The rain in the morning halted our testing today.

Maurice presented the testing result to the whole team after lunch.

Decided to visit SinoCDN after they've moved to Nagu Tau Kok. I took the 5:30 shuttle bus to Kowloon Tong: It was once a familiar route, but no more. Took the MTR to Nagu Tau Kok and Law Sir asked me to stay for a while as Dr. Tsang was in the office.

The new office is very small. Law Sir has told me a fun story of the new office. After watching the new office and updating the status of the current projects, I believe my decision to leave the company was a good move.

Received a phone call from Cathay Pacific to confirm my details in the afternoon. My application of MT should be under consideration. I just think I should update my employment detail to include ASTRI.

B4

2005-01-13T01:14:00.000+08:00

We have a project called 'B4'. It is aimed at delivering wide range coverage.

William and Maurice were responsible for the testing this morning. I was on the roof with Michael to support them. The initial result this morning showed very strong performance comparing with other designs.

Doug celebrate the good result of B4 by buying the team with tea sets. Of course we didn't forget William and Maurice by saving some nice pieces for them.

The atmosphere here is very good.

First Day

2005-01-10T23:51:00.000+08:00

The first day in ASTRI.

I arrived office late at the first day! Arrived the route 27 minibus station at 08:30, but with a long queue that held me for 3 buses before I got into mine.

On my seat at 9:45. After the security briefing by Fanny, Sharon leaded me to walk through the office and labs. William and Michael finally appeared at 10:30. We all met at the roof and William said we resemble the scene of 無間道. All of us have served the same company and joined ASTRI at different time.

The first day isn't as easy. I helped them to measure the performance of the access point, and to discuss the testing methodology.

Long Vacation

2005-01-10T02:08:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow is my first day with ASTRI. It marks the start of a new milestone in both career and study.

唔開心的日子, 就把它當做長假. 我的長假完了, 要再次開始充實自己.

Wireless, finally

2005-01-07T04:05:00.000+08:00

Went to SSP and bought a wireless broadband router. Back home and configured it as the AP for my home network. It is situated behind my ASL box on a dedicated interface. The WEP key, static DHCP mapping and strict ACL rules of ASL should provide secure wireless environment. Even if a hacker spoofed my MAC addess and guess my WEP kwy sucessfully, he can just gain free Internet access. My wired network is seperated from the wireless, this gives protection of my wired network.

One problem remains: how to access my file server for music when using wireless? The solution is PPTP VPN. I am experiencing L2TP over IPSec VPN and will update accordingly.

Finally I can surf anywhere. This is my first entry using wireless access. Also I can now sync my CLIE using wireless. Great.

Knowing she is sick. Get well soon.

2046

2005-01-05T04:36:00.000+08:00

What's 2046? It's a movie by Wong Kar Wai, a famous director in Asia. I watched this film in Oct 2004 with Grace.

I love this movie, and the soundtrack is also as great. Shigeru Umebayashi has composed a few pieces that fit the movie seamlessly. The Movie Soundtrack brings out the elements of the movie, yet it is a masterpiece on its own. It is in my CD player tonight, bringing me to the mood of the movie.

Time to sleep. Tomorrow I have to go to ASTRI in Science Park to sign the employment contract at 15:00.

Movie - The Phantom of the Opera

2005-01-04T22:59:00.000+08:00

I watched this movie in first day of 2005 at Langham Place.

A bit disappointed.

The theater (house 1) is not big, however there are ample space around the seat. The arm rest can be raised for those sweet couple. The only complain for it is the sound system's poor dynamic range that hide find details of the movie and poor positioning. (Later on I found the quality of the soundtrack is also very disappointing, which could be a reason of the poor performance of the sound system.)

The Phantom (Gerard Butler) is the worst. He lacks the power and the feel the character was meant to be when he sang. Emmy Rossum is doing a good job, bringing a charming voice to the character Christine. And she can act. Don't expect too much on signing from the leading characters. Actually the team has do some fine pieces, one of them being Masquerade.

Probably the originals (CDs) are so good that new singers find it difficult to compete with. Focus on setting and acting and the movie should not disappoint you, and I would consider these are the key elements instead of singing.

Think twice if you are very serious about the signing. If you just want to get the story, I would recommend it with no hesitation.

The final message: If you really love someone, set him/her free.

PHANTOM:
Take her - forget me - forget all of this . . .
Leave me alone - forget all you've seen . . .
Go now - don't let them find you!
Take the boat - leave me here - go now,
don't wait . . .
Just take her and go - before it's too late . . .
Go . . .
Go now - go now and leave me!

(RAOUL and CHRISTINE move off towards the boat. The PHANTOM looks mockingly at his mask. The musical box starts up magically, and he listens to it)

Masquerade . . .
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade . . .
Hide your face
so the world will
never find you . . .

(CHRISTINE re-enters and walks slowly towards him. She takes off her ring and gives it to the PHANTOM)

PHANTOM:
Christine, I love you . . .

(She hurries off The PHANTOM puts the ring on his finger)

CHRISTINE:
(In the distance, to RAOUL, as the boat pulls away in the shadow)
Say you'll share with
me, one
love, one lifetime . . .
say the word and I will follow you . .

RAOUL:
Share each day with me . . .

CHRISTINE:
. . . each night . . .

BOTH:
. . . each morning . . .

PHANTOM:
(looking after her) You alone can make my song take flight -
it's over now, the music of the night . . .

firewall

2005-01-04T22:09:00.000+08:00

Wondering why the blog hasn't been updated recently? Cuz I was busy setting up a firewall using the computer that my friend returned.

The Linksys BB router I have been using is aging. It also have difficulties when coping with WAN traffic more than 2Mbps. This is especially obvious after I have swiched to HGC - when my download speed reaches 300kB, all computers running Windows XP often return a warning messages saying "Disconnected", which is an indication that the router has rebooted and all connections were dropped.

The FYP server has got a new life: running at 770Mhz, the RAM increased to 512MB, added a 3Com 3C982-TXM dual port server NIC and a 3Com 3C905B NIC, loaded with Astaro Security Linux V5. I choose ASL over m0n0wall or LEAF because ASL as a commercial grade product, it should provide higher stability and is properly maintained over the others. I think the problem of open source is that many projects are not properly managed/maintained, and the qualities vary.

Performance-wise the ASL box is amazing: I can reach speed over 1300kB, that translate to 10.4Mbps, both Up and Down link at the same time. ASL also allows VPN connection for me and my sister to the home network. While commercial grade firewall like Netscreen often cost over HKD$4000, the ASL is a sweet alternative: even more features and powerful, at no cost. The extra computational power of the ASL box should easily fill the 10Mbps pipe with VPN traffic.

My next goal is to setup the VPN, and add a wireless AP to the last port of the server NIC. With ASL, it feels more secure to use wireless as I can define strict firewall rules on WLAN traffic.

The ASL box does have some drawbacks - space and a bit fan noise. Nevertheless I am very happy with it.

Welcome to 2005!

2005-01-02T02:41:00.000+08:00

Welcome to 2005!

Thanks to those who helped me thru the years, and I am sending my best wishes to you all. Let's forget those bad memories of 2004, and ready for the upcoming challenges. If 2004 was good for you, don't stop there!

Went to Langham Place for the movie <<The Phantom of the Opera>> at 23:30. I will write a review once I am free.

New Year; a new page. I am heading for a new era.

post xmas

2004-12-29T23:15:00.000+08:00

The xmas passed with nothing special. Due to my sickness in the previous night, the meeting on 27 with Grace was cancelled.

All I did during xmas: reading website and listening to music. I was planning to go out, hang around with my camera, but it was just too crowded. Probably it is a good idea to stay away from those couples, that not only filled the street but also could affect my emotion.

Still, I went to Causeway Bay yesterday. Visited Sogo and some stores for clothing. The movie <<Ku Fu Hustle>> filled the last slot of the day. It was fun, and the two blacks behind keep laughing throughout, and asked: What's the meaning of this movie? Well, who cares? Just have fun!

Today finally got a present for myself: the ECHO Indigo for my laptop. Now I can truely enjoy music in office.

A few friends have their birthdays recently. They're Siu King and Ha Kai. Happy birthday my friend.

Merry Xmas

2004-12-24T01:33:00.000+08:00

Merry Xmas to all!

I'd like to thank my friends that shared with me throughout the year.

人總是要向前望.

<<夜還未深>> 鄭伊健

曲：Toshiaki Matsumoto 詞：潘源良

朋友問我誰會伴我這聖誕
我話其實我喜歡一個
以風為伴　最平淡也是最容易過

寒冷夜裏城裏面聖詩傳來
襯著無盡晚空煙花播
不眠夜　我還是要獨個來渡過

有一刻真的想　不管一切去找你
卻又明白　再不應出錯
妳這一刻定是歡欣興奮開心不過
共聚又是如何

夜還未深　愛還未可
難過亦要經過
已是離別　我很清楚
未眠如我　不止一個
誰沒有癡過夢過

曾努力過　曾快樂過　擁有過
也就其實已經很不錯　都明白
卻還是渴望妳陪伴我

More on study thoughts

2004-12-23T01:23:00.000+08:00

I have mentioned that I'm equally interested in business and science/engineering. My analysis articles were highly appreciated by my econ teacher; my professors were impressed by my view on some leading companies in the industry. Other than the carreer outlook, I also dislike the working attitude of most people in the industry.

In addition to these, I am sort of regret in not making the best of myself in my engineering degree for some psychological problems. Such feeling is amplified when my applications to openings in the business field were turned down. I felt as if a loser - if I managed to get 1st Hon, that might not happen.

I used to be the winner with strong confidence in every assignment. When I have dedicated to it, I will make it the best. This echo the idea "Interest drives the best of you". Being left behind by the girl that I would marry with after graduation, being turned down, the feeling of being inferior. I hate this feeling, that I need to bring back the best of mine. I want to be a winner again in a bold attempt.

My standard of living isn't cheap, and I need the $$ to maintain it, plus I have to take care of my parents. Thus a career with good prospectus is critical. I will keep reinforcing my mind throughout the year preparing for the GMAT. Afterall, no one knows if you can get an offer. Why not just give it a try?

Study thoughts

2004-12-22T14:56:00.000+08:00

These days while thinking of GMAT and US study, I tried to make it clear why?

It's not that I don't like computers. I have learned many interesting topics as an engineer. "Pursue knowledge for its own sack" - this is the comment that occured consistently on any phychological test that I participated. My ex knew this side of me very well.

Signals and system - how to encode sound and reproduce it? From PCM to DSD, I understand them all.

Computer graphics - image reconstruction from projections, 3D modeling and OpenGL, I can explain them with pictures and the 'camera'.

Algorithms - this is the IQ realm. However the smartest isn't to quest for the lowest computational complexity, but to make smart and efficient heuristics in solving problems.

Electronics and hardware - these are hands-on that I keep having fun with, from modding my own system to evaluate commercial design when making purchase decision.

Despite all these, I feel the career path in the industry is not that good, at least in HK. I am equally interested in the business and management world, from financial, marketing to management. Why not broaden my career choice by doing a business degree?

For CPU freaks - the first to the dream system

2004-12-22T14:34:00.000+08:00

Tom's Hardware Guide - The Mother of All CPU Charts Part 1 Part 2

This is a comprehensive CPU chart from 1995 onwards, with brief coverage from 8086 to 80486 as well.

My first computer is a ACER ACROS, with Pentium 133Mhz CPU and 8MB FP RAM (expended to 24MB later for USD$450!), S3 Trio 64 w/2MB, Quantum Fireball 1280AT (still works!), 4x CD-ROM and Soundcard. The package was completed with OEM Windows 95, MS Office Standard and lots of MS software. The printer was a Epson Stylus PRO that cost USD$800. My first system totally costed USD$3800! That was a hugh investment, thanks my parents.

My short-sightness got worse and to improve the visual quality, I moved on a 17" SONY 200sf Monitor for an extra USD$850 plus the Matrox Millenium II with 8MB WRAM for USD$300.

The system got minor update from time to time. Next major step was moved to the Celeron 366Mhz with ASUS P2B-F and 128MB SDRAM. The broad is still running as my FYP server after 5 years. This is also the computer that I used during my first semester in HKUST.

2001 Spring - AMD Athlon 1000Mhz o/c to 1200Mhz on ASUS AMD760 Chipset, 2x256MB Crucial DDR266 ordered online

2001 Fall - IBM ThinkPad T23, increased from 128MB to 2x256MB Crucial PC100 CL2 ordered online

2002 Fall - Intel P4 1.6GHz o/c to 2.4GHz on ASUS P4B533-E with 2x256MB Crucial DDR266

Thanks my parents for their continous financial support - this is a large sum just on the computer part.

My usage pattern will be a notebook for personal + a workstation for imaging, music, storage and GHOST server. I need a 400GB+ RAID 5 array for my photos (@8MB RAW on my Canon 20D, but @210MB(!) on my flim scanner Minolta ScanElite 5400), music library (over 300CDs on lossless compression), software, document and GHOST image. I will also use this workstation to manipulate my images and mixing. To server such purpose, I have targeted an Apple 21" display and LynxTWO 2in/6out soundcard. Currently Athlon64 is the best choice with memory >2GB.

Ambitious? YES. Such a system should comfortably sit at the price tag of USD$8000. Now I consider it as my dream machine cuz I simply can't afford it at this moment. Rather I would like to save the money and plan for my study, to pursue the goodness for myself and my future other half.

Interview afterthought

2004-12-20T23:53:00.000+08:00

An interview expected for 20 mins - but an hour and half has been passed when I was on the last slide. Interviewers consisted of 4 members of the testing team plus the director. The education level of the panel was very high with 2 Ph.Ds and 3 Master candidates. The whole process took over 2 hours and we chatted afterwards.

On my way to home, I was told I was selected. Now waiting for the arrangement of the efficient HR.

Being a member of ASTRI isn't what exactly I want. Yet the academic atmosphere of ASTRI and the package offered is amoung the best. What I need is time and atmosphere to study for GMAT and GRE, to plan for my business studies in the US.

Take a look of ASTRI, The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited. I am a member of Wireless Access Team as System Engineer.

KK update

2004-12-19T19:08:00.000+08:00

KK is definitly one of my dearest friend. As noted in her xanga postings, there has to be something wrong with her. Today I have got the chance to chat with her over ICQ while working on the 531 report at 2:00am.

No surprise, there is something wrong. However what really made me surprised was the fact that she has broken up with her boyfriend. As far as I know this is the 2nd time. It seems not a big deal, but she is my model in handling relationships. Once again this reminded me that we are all so hopelessly limited when dealing a relationship, irrelavant to how hard you have been trying.

I don't know how can I help other then trying to be her listener. I would write more in my X'mas card if all these happened two weeks earlier.

Get over it!

Interview

2004-12-18T03:29:00.000+08:00

Got an invitation for interview form ASTRI. It's not the one I favored, yet I need the time and $$. The interview process consists of a 20 minutes presentation on myself, my experience in WLAN networks, test plan preparations and user requirement captures. It's got to be another kind of presentation...

Talked with Grace for a while. She definitely should be my role model in time management, and I can forsee a good career path lying ahead of her. I feel energized everytime after talking with her.

X'mas Thought

2004-12-17T02:15:00.000+08:00

No doubt, it's X'mas time.

I spend the X'mas last year in Tokyo with my clients. Two old men, having dinner inside a hotel restaurant in Shinjuku. I still remember the steak, and the beer. Japan has no X'mas holiday, yet the cold weather and X'mas decorations around the town gave me one of the greatest X'mas ever.

This year is another lonely X'mas. It's getting colder and colder. The road in TST and Causeway Bay are filled with sweet lovers. You can just feel how happy they're in this great time. "The quest for love is our inherent desire to seek attachment." True, and that's why I haven't started any relationship without the feeling of attachment. Still, I'm yearning for someone with me during holiday times: fear of being alone.

Probably, I am just not mature for love.

Or I just really need a Happy New Year, one could let me enjoy the feeling of love again after 3 years.

531 report

2004-12-15T01:31:00.000+08:00

finally got the 560 report from my partner... i have nothing to say about it.

now working on 531, with my music collection being with me.

another reunion

2004-12-14T01:33:00.000+08:00

this time is joey from nz.

it's also about 6 - 7 years ago. she just wonder how can i recall so many things about her. she asked for how i look after these years, and i gave her a little fun by guilding her to do a google search for my photos. "you look so young!" that's her comment. in her mind i am a mature person that just doesn't fit the little boy in the photo. well, does it matter?

i remember you all, my friend. i just wonder who will remember me? would you? let me know if you do, please.

東平洲

2004-12-13T00:39:00.000+08:00

就是東平洲讓我們談到天亮. 還有你最後的問題, 我會記住的 - 因為我也不希望那情況出現.

很開心.

玩

2004-12-12T09:46:00.000+08:00

it was 5am when i have finished the report. then i started to write xmas card, had some milk and sleep.

got up at 10am, checked for the movie schedule on yahoo, then rushed to post office for the card and application. waited 20 mins for the 263 to shatin. phoebe called when i was on tuen mun road, she rushed to UA shatin and found that it's not 12:40 but 12:20... definitely we were going to miss.

the lunch at orchard garden proved to be a good one - and huge! a coffee in starbucks has made up her mind in watching the 9:00 one. i travelled to east TST with kcr after sending her to class, and walked a loooong way to pageone. got 3 books on GRE and a book on marriage for her. hanging around in IT and bought a pair of camper after discussed with my sister. that was not 30% off but only 10% with my credit card... why the put up the 30% label on the shelves???

langham place was filled with people. the UA there has no 誠俊哥... moved to grand centery place, bought the ticket and waited for her. both the orange tea and fried strawberry "ice cream" were good, yet we doubted a better name instead of "ice cream". 誠俊哥 was fun - and stupid.

backed home and checked the mailbox. had a shower and talked with her before she "died".

it feels much better after a nice day. now i have to move on with another project and GRE...

keep it busy

2004-12-11T01:30:00.000+08:00

finished appliction for astri, cathay pacific and icac...
now working on 560.... plus 531 is coming...
i can not sleep, keep it busy, really really busy...

the sky is really clear tonight that i can identify orion with my naked eyes. i just hope someone will be with me, saving me from the solitude.

suddenly i want a hug, one that hold me really tight...

it should feel better after meeting phoebe tomorrow... i really need someone to talk to...

gogogo!

workworkwork

2004-12-09T22:53:00.000+08:00

lots of things to do, it's good to keep busy

- project report
- x'mas card
- application
- astri
- icac
- cathay pacific

life is short - spend the time wisely

錯?

2004-12-08T22:14:00.000+08:00

今日差d做錯一件事. 唔係咩傷天害理會死人既事, 但我唔希望會後侮.
我為自己的堅持感到驕傲, 更加清楚以後要怎麼做.
人生就是要摸索; 而對我來說一切都來得太容易太輕鬆, 有時候都不知道要怎樣做.
我要充實我的生活, 讓我和我生命之旅的同伴不枉過以後的日子.

May GOD be with us.

controversial

2004-12-08T22:03:00.000+08:00

click for source

I love this pic alot. Color, composition, tone, simplicity. Awarded Photo of the Week by one of most renowned photographic site in the web, this pic is a hot talk.

It's a matter of taste.

dream...

2004-12-08T09:35:00.000+08:00

these days keep dreaming... different ppl appeared
definitely i need some adjustments, and stay on track

got to know, it's all by myself.

Tarot

2004-12-05T02:47:00.000+08:00

Delivered the photos to grace in TST, then we went to Causeway Bay to join her sister and her frds. They're all fun ppl. Mani the tarot expert isn't very good, yet nevermind it's just for fun!

I love the atmosphere there. A good place to read books or chat.

sweet house

relax

2004-12-04T04:41:00.000+08:00

夏韶聲《諳2》

這幾年少聽流行曲, 多聽一些70's 80's 的流行曲. 今晚夜半就是這張CD. 原來很多喜愛的歌都是林振強和黃霑的手筆. 「空凳」, 「結他低泣時」, 「車站」, 「追憶」, 「明星」... 只是從前未有發覺.

結他低泣時
曲：M. Nasir 詞：林振強

一支低泣低嘆結他和一堆一堆瑣碎舊話
伴空屋中的我坐下懷念你
多麼的想知你好嗎和他一起開心快活吧
願他可跟我那樣活著全為你

Ooh 我再笑我似個笑話一生都追蹤空氣
Ooh 我也說過休息放棄吧但實在捨不得你
只好衷心講一句我盼你一世快樂
沒憾沒淚痕伴你

如他傷你心如他說別離
如果未嫌棄我即奔近你
無知的結他難解你別離
仍不願離去半哭等待你

Ooh 我再笑我似個笑話一生都追蹤空氣
Ooh 我也說過休息放棄吧但實在捨不得你
只好衷心講一句我盼你一世快樂
沒憾沒淚痕伴你

如他不關心如他說別離
如果未嫌棄我即奔近你
無知的結他難解你別離
仍不願離去半哭等待你

easy / busy

2004-12-03T03:33:00.000+08:00

- go to fotomax to order prints for grace
- get renewed credit card in hsbc
- lunch in beji beji
- get stamps in post office
- travel to ssp to buy hdd
- back to fotomax collecting photos
- install hdd @ home
- prepare ghost of my notebook
- go ust for class
- read fortune on the google story
- checkout GRE in class (yeah, it's boring today)
- chat with prof. lee on the fortune article
- have dinner at home
- review the print for imperfection (fotomax is really dump...)
- arrage meeting with grace
- tryout different photo processings
- get some milk
- bath
- browsing
- blog posting
- sleep

still has lots to do tomorrow... applications!

angelo

2004-12-01T22:20:00.000+08:00

it was 5 years ago.

while i was struggling in a relationship, someone helped me out. she listened to me patiently, and gave me advice on how to sort it out. it was my message on a newgroup that caught her. she joked herself as my angel. she has finished her job as and i should be fine. i remember in our last call. she said that she won't be online anymore cuz of her new boyfriend, and she won't call me anymore.

"someday if you meet someone facing the same situation, try to be their angel."

and last year when KK was in HK, "i'm your angel!"

angelo, and here is the origin.

done! presentation

2004-11-30T22:45:00.000+08:00

it's finally over. the only thing i complain is my groupmates only appear in the last minute.

grad photos and more

2004-11-30T13:28:00.000+08:00

the photo taking session went quite smooth on sunday, the only problem was too crowded. grace paid me a dinner in watami, tst. she wanted the gift chopsticks so that i've ordered a vodka tonic.

i start processing those pics in midnight, and managed to put it online for the reference by grace, her mentor and her sister.

this morning received a phone call from dean gary. i asked if he has any good news on his 2nd GRE attempt. suprisingly, the 2nd attempt was still unsuccessful. it was marginally better than last one, that means still not good enough for passing the minimum threshold of yale ph.d admission.

what my result could be if i take GRE now?

tonight is the presentation, and i need squeeze the time to fill out the application for MT of HSBC and Cathay Pacific.

Encouragements to a Lover, Sir J. Suckling

2004-11-28T02:41:00.000+08:00

Come across this. Hope to share with all.

Encouragements to a Lover

Sir J. Suckling

Why so pale and wan, fond lover?
Prythee, why so pale?
Will, if looking well can't move her,
Looking ill prevail?
Prythee, why so pale?

Why so dull and mute, young sinner?
Prythee, why so mute?
Will, when speaking well can't win her,
Saying nothing do't?
Prythee, why so mute?

Quit, quit, for shame! this will not move,
This cannot take her;
If of herself she will not love,
Nothing can make her:
The Devil take her!

關你咩事

2004-11-28T01:38:00.000+08:00

星期五晚心情唔好, 半夜的時候一個人行去碼頭7-11賣野飲. 一路行一路打比一個朋友, 冇人聽.

飲酒係會好訓d. 今日佢打番比我問我咩事.

「諗諗諗, 關你咩事? 諗下點樣做好個project, 諗下點樣做好個present, 諗下聽日去HKU拎咩相機仲好啦!」

真的, 關我咩事? 佢係你咩人, 人地又當你係咩人? 需要這樣在乎這樣著緊嗎?

其實我清楚知道要怎樣做, 只是一時想不通. 要在乎要著緊就要找一個值得在乎著緊的人. 多謝朋友的提醒, 可能我就是需要你們不斷的支持.

「諗諗諗...」

Thanksgiving

2004-11-26T01:50:00.000+08:00

It's thanksgiving, as well as the b-day of my sister.

I still remember the thanksgiving in last year. I stayed in the office until heading for Tai Koo Place joining the thankgiving dinner of KK. It was me the first one to speak: I thanked my parents and all my frds, who gave me support thruoughout the years, particularly to those spending their time with me when I was down. Thanks KK for her part.

And again, for the thanksgiving of this year.

I went back to office after the dinner, for the report of So-net Japan. It's 4:00am when I finally reached my bed.

It's easy to forget those who gave you support without asking any return. Think of them when you're down: realize how tiny you're in this world, and how your peers have brighten your life. You'll feel the love within.

Being needed

2004-11-25T04:40:00.000+08:00

It's 4:40. Finally finished my take home exam, I should be the first to finish. I programmed using C++, which reminded me the days I tought her C++, and not I'm no longer needed. It seems a lot to do these days, no time to do job research. Still having two projects on hand, with the deadline coincide on Dec 16. What's more I've promised grace on sun, and Carmen has came back from NZ, probably meeting other friends during weekends.

I went to town center today settling my credit card, and then went to park'n shop. Think of my frd during my shopping, as I smelled a drink that she loved. I called her, and told her about it. Yet she was too busy to talk with me - or simply not comfortable to talk with her bf here with her.

Somehow I dreamed, that someone would do the same with me - call me and tell me they're thinking of me. It's so sweet, preferably from someone you love. This lead to the feeling of being needed, being in someone's heart, which is something I'm starving for. Let me know you need me. This is the one, if someone someday who could give me such feeling.

She should be backed to HK tonight, yet I guess she is just too tired to update her xanga. I know she is sad... and I know she will recover sometime, just like me.

Pray.

congregation invitation

2004-11-24T13:15:00.000+08:00

it's about congregation time. it was UST last week, and i just got an invitation from my relatives for one in PolyU.

for once i hoped to have her in my congregation, or at least a photo, as promised on the stairs.

PolyU reminded me lots of things, and definitely even more for her. however this moment i chose not to join, to escape from the atmosphere and i'd go there next weekend to take some pictures for me.

this weekend yet another congregation photo taking session in HKU with grace.

lesson of life

2004-11-24T03:02:00.000+08:00

it's 3 after finishing part of the paper. review her posting, her friends added his comments. it seems this guy also have such experience, and i noticed everyone is feeling and doing more or less the same.

i dun have any mood for study for 2/3 of my undergrad. whenever i picked up the book i just wanted to cry. still i could handle all the courses without any failure and graduated with 2nd upper class honor. good or not? i dunno. my dream is to do a ph.d and do research in university, and my result did not allow such opportunity - at least not an easy, 'straight' path. if i have any subject failed, properly i'd recover whole alot faster, not after 2 years until i met dr. tam - a timeframe that lasted longer than the time we spent together. if i did m.phil, then no dr. tsang then no sinocdn then no japan trips then no so-net japan or hilton japan. there isn't a clear cut answer when dealing with life.

i've told dr. tam all about this, and i somehow asked a similar question: shouldn't i join CUHK instead of UST, a choice that she has the influrence? just like she asked as if to be a member of the cabin crew. human loves to look back and think if the outcome could be changed. when we are in love, we make decision with his / her in mind, from where to have dinner to which university to which job. when there is no longer love, ppl start to look back hoping to change, or to guess the '2nd version', or to blame.

still, things happened and these are part of our life. we make decision for a particular incident, be it the place of dinner or career choice. the break up just happened during the course of the incident in the same way, but the difference is that rarely happened during the course of a dinner, plus you won't blame for sth like 'why i choose to come to this restaurant?'.

there is no point in looking back, we're all here for present and future. decisions have been made, and they're part of us. you might hide but someday you have to accept it, it's the truth.

live your life, it's short. taste it, every bit count as part of you. it's about making the most out of what you have at THIS moment, not about what you COULD be.

exam and alcohol

2004-11-23T23:52:00.000+08:00

back to UST tonight for the mid-term paper, 90/100. not the greatest, yet good enough for a sd i suppose. while i check for mail with my clie, i saw her posting. i'm getting more worried and leave her a message...

prof hamdi finished the lesson well before the scheduled time at 9:00pm, and i went to mong kok for some alcohol. dunno why, i just wanted to drink. vodka lime, not as sharp as whiskey, but it fitted the feel tonight in autumn.

Less is more

2004-11-22T06:38:00.000+08:00

今天單車日, 來回都是上水.

第一次往上水是四年前, 還是住在良景的時候. 那天從UST二個OCamp後回來, 接到她的電話說身體不適. 她正在PolyU的OCamp. 我很擔心, 本來倦得要死的我立刻甦醒, 乘的士往上水接她到屯門醫院.

錦田公路、粉嶺公路, 很快的到了上水. 找到了她, 問候她的情況, 緊緊的把她抱住, 才感到安心一點. 還記得回屯門之前, 沒有錢乘的士, 要她在的士站等往HSBC櫃員機走得一身汗的我回來.

的士沿粉嶺公路、錦田公路走, 感到很寧靜; 因為倒在我懷裡的她很安詳. 感到她需要我, 我心有種莫名的幸福, 盼望的士走慢一點就好. 很快的到了屯門醫院, 跟她的媽媽交代一下, 我先回家去了.

就這樣, 以後經過粉嶺公路錦田公路的時候, 我都會想起在的士倒後鏡的畫面; 不論是自己駕車, 44/44A/44B小巴, 還是往來大陸的直通車, 抑或是火車. 學懂了如何接受自己的感覺, 那既然是我生命的一部份, 為何要壓抑? 慶幸我依然擁有這一種感覺.「感情逝去了, 把美好的收藏起來.」說是簡單, 做起來卻不容易, 但最後我做到了.

這幾天知道她分手了, 很不高興. 她的臉又浮現於腦海中, 自己十分希望可以支持她幫她一把. 很慶幸, 我們終於開始交談, 有一種安心的感覺. 然而, 我在有意無意間像在希望她可以一日便回復過來. 怎可能? 自己可能有點過份了, 再下去只會雙方都不愉快.

想清楚, 作為她的朋友, 我想這也差不多了. 找一個合適的位置, 把自己的希望調整一下, 不是更好嗎?

Less is more. 把其望降低, 反而更容易感到滿足. 經歷過的才能體會了解.

希望她的身體可以快些好過來.

presentation

2004-11-22T05:08:00.000+08:00

what a work!
finally finished the ppt slides at 5:00am, and gathered the info needed for final report. still hasn't got any progress from my partners as usual...
i'm getting more and more worried.

the comp211 team

2004-11-21T22:10:00.000+08:00

Today went to cycling with comp211 peers, from Tai Wai to STP to Tai Po. It's a pleasure.
We exchanged informion - Astri, GRE and so on. Particullarly Vincent and I both want to take the GRE exam. As I said, need to do more then others to convince you're capable.
The other 'must-have' questions has to be affairs. Claudio has a great ambition in his 'carrer path' - finding a wealthy girl friend and already got a target. Vincent seems having his own target as well, while David keeps his confidential calls as if nothing has changed in 3 years time. Luckly they believe me having no engagement, and I still remember everytime the doubtful tone and eyes of Dean Gary on this topic.
Let it be.

早日康復

2004-11-21T03:09:00.000+08:00

同妹妹去看「公主復仇記」午夜場. 回來見到她說病倒了, 很想他.
我知道那一種感覺和痛苦. 給她一個訊息, 希望她可以快些回復過來.
不知道我是「王子」還是「仆街」, 我只覺得她是在經歷一些我經歷過的, 好像阿Gil跟陶紅一樣.
也許對她的關心有點過於一個普通朋友, 但她也真的擁有著不一樣的位置; 而現在最重要的還是她的身心, 如果可以讓她好一點, 為何介意付出多少? 只希望我付出的同時, 她也會接受.
衷心的希望她可以開開心心, 畢竟我們都愛過.
早日康復.

Congratulations to Carmen

2004-11-19T22:11:00.000+08:00

I got an email from today. Congratulations to Carmen!

Interestingly though, we meet in the company this time last year. She left our company within a month cuz the low paid and long hours. I am glad to be her best frd in the company despite our difference in age.

My picture of her is her relationship with her bf. They met in New Zealand when doing undergrad, and started the relationship there. She left her mother and brother in NZ, and followed her bf to come to HK after they graduated. Her bf is a pilot, with lots of girls surrounding him.

His life was filled with luxious and women; while she worked as a normal OL in HK. Challenges and temptations are filling their relationship. He was getting rich, she seemed standing still. He started relationships with girls around. Lies could no longer stand, when she witnessed the truth, time after time.

She decided to put it to an end, after 10 years alone in HK. We met at this moment. We shared our story in an overnight telephone call till 6:00am. I can felt she has given up all together, not to let him to bother her emotion anymore. My experience was nothing compared to her, why I can't do the same? We cheered up ourselves altogether, and she joked I could be her Mr. Right if I wasn't her little brother. She joined a piano course in an attempt to fill her life with music, which was her dream during schooltimes.

She told me her bf found her again in our last meeting, and I remembered that day she paid for the phone I'm using (I was stupid to left my pocket at home!). Mercedes and candle dinner - these weren't what she hoped, money can't make infidelity moral. I reminded: make it clear what you're doing. If you can really feel the love, give it a second chance. Afterall it's your life, and you're the one to make it a happy one or not. We crossed our fingers for finding our right person.

I'm so surprised by how many things could happen in a year's time.

Dear All,

I'm pleased to announce that Henry and I have got married today in New Zealand.

Will call you guys after I get back and GOOD LUCK to all singles out there that are looking for a partner!

Best regards,
Henry&Carmen

I'll always be your angel, wishing you all the best.

GMAT + GRE

2004-11-19T10:54:00.000+08:00

After reviewing the whole picture of the business market, I decided to take another business degree.

My undergrad result can only be called satisfactory, that isn't enough for a company to justify a non-major student in joining their industry. Alex, my former classmates at PLKCC, has joined Standard Chartered Bank as a Graduate Associate after graduate from HKU with a CS major. He is smart, probably lucky, yet he deserves it as he has been heading to this area long before me. He hinted having CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) is the key in his area.

Well, the first question comes to my mind is: how can I finance a HKD$400k Full-time MBA or HKD$200k part-time MSc? Still I'm too far away, the school might just reject your admission!

The first step is to take the GMAT and GRE exam, to understand what I can archive. If I'm capable, I can register for the business grad school on 2006. Money? Leave it as another issue. If not, I have to sit back and settle with what I can do.

Thanks Dr. Tam, I have leart to find the support within myself, not from my love. I know I can do better, and I need to do more.

Tokyo Visit

2004-11-17T23:10:00.000+08:00

Amazingly, I've been to Tokyo for 4 times in roughly half a year, all for business purpose. There I've build a good relationship with all 3 major customers. After announcing my resignation, I've told my friends in Tokyo that I'd call them for a dinner when I visit Tokyo again.

Earlier last month, I got a offer from my credit card company for a $4800 3-day round trip Tokyo package on Cathay Pacific. It seemed quite attractive that the hotel isn't motel but really a 5-star hotel. The timing is good that you could have a snowing Tokyo in December if you're lucky. I tempted to join - before I realized the price is based on the average of 2 person trip with a twin room.

Well... I've been all my own for all those visits. I'd be glad to have a partner, and I have stupidly think of someone when I was in Daiba. Still, I'm here all alone. A friend is interested in joining me, yet I need the time to consider.

The friend already broken up asked: How to X'mas? Try to go out with groups of friends, or go out all alone in crowded places. If you are yarning for someone to be with you, then please save all your passion and will, and pray for Mr./Mrs. Right to come - Valentine's Day, Easter, Mid-autumn, X'mas, New Year...

Save the best for last.

Utada / First Love

2004-11-17T03:13:00.000+08:00

I picked this CD tonight. Pop it into the CD drawer, skip to cut 7. It resemble Shape of My Heart, and it was Utada that accompany my time in Ginza, Tokyo.

The same CD, but gives different feelings at each listen over 5 years.

I was told that when you ask less sugar for your tea or coffee, favour dark chocolate over milk chocolate - you have grown.

When to use slide film and when not to? - Suite101.com

2004-11-17T02:47:00.000+08:00

When to use slide film and when not to? - Suite101.com: "Here is one big hint.....if you are going off on a trip of a lifetime, leave the slide film at home! Unless you have countless hours of practice with a particular type of slide film it is best to avoid trying it for the first time on any shoot that you will regret. If you are just itching to start using slide film then spend the time at home learning its unique characteristics first."

I've made the same mistakes! However I'm on my 6th roll of Velvia and it is getting better with my scanner.

Internet growth

2004-11-17T02:32:00.000+08:00

This is an article from Reuters about Internet growth.

Analysts predicted the next drive to Internet growth would be, wireless. VCs are returned to pre-1999 funding and valuation level for new ventures. As an insider, I would admit VCs has recovered and wireless has the potential. On pure tech side, there are also semantic web and others, the limits are really bounded by our imaginations. However, IT lacks a model that could generate periodical income.

Like the DC market has experiencing a steady growth from late 90s to now, from 2MP to 8MP prosumer, or 16MP full frame – this keep generating income for companies like Canon, Nikon and Sony, while Kodak suffered most. This has been the case up this year, Olympus find the margin of its digital imaging department getting thin, due to price drop and tough competition. In fact the price for consumer DC has decrease over 30% in my expectation over last three years. CCDs are no longer dominated by Sony, with Panasonic and Samsung catching up. The business model has changed, that allow manufactures to bring their own DC my assembling ICs and CCDs that are already available on the market, and the result is we get HP and brands from Korea and China selling DCs. This is exactly the same case for mobile phones. The consequences are the price drops, less product differentiations, and making existing players without in-house development difficult. One obvious victim here is Olympus, without its own ability to develop imaging processing engines or CCDs. Nikon and Canon are moving their focus to the DSLR market, where consumers are upgrading from DC to professional SLR in quest of better photos, and enthusiasts willing to spend more in the segment that regarded as serious photography. These changes allow companies like Canon and Nikon to keep up their profit in the digital imaging department.

How about the web? As mentioned, it lacks a model to drive profit. QoS has been in discussion for over 10 years without provision. Wireless has driven the growth of computer hardware industry (intel centrino, wi-fi access points), yet for how long can this growth sustain? Is there a real market for it? Technology advances so fast that it might be human who refrain the introduction of new technology. Is 3G really that impressing by allowing media streaming and video conferencing which could only be in sci-fi movies? Yes it seems so, however it is a nice-to-have rather then a must-have for most people. And the idea of video has introduced some privacy problem – you might not want to let your wife to know you’re in a club or with your part-time lover. See? New tech are not always welcomed.

Tech analysts, is there a place for me? Analyzing has been my best. Is McKinsey the start? I hope so.

midterm

2004-11-15T01:08:00.000+08:00

midterm exam, routers and switches.

heal

2004-11-14T01:40:00.000+08:00

Got a bad news from one of my friend.

It's just like what I've been feeling, I wish she can get it thru bit by bit. I can do nothing besides trying to give her my support. These are what friends can do.

Let's pray.

scan scan scan...

2004-11-13T05:46:00.000+08:00

[The title style has remind me one of my frd - you know who you're!]

It's 5:00am in HK. I've been spending my time in scanning my slides and negatives from Japan with my film scanner. Slides do capture great colors, with lots of details. Negatives do have a wide dynamic range, at the cause of grain.

I've to believe that, slides are more difficult to deal with in outdoor situations - where you cannot completely control the light sources. My Velvia in Japan blown easily - perhaps due to my ISO40 setting in my EOS 30V. An EV stop of 1/2 steps can easily ruin your work.

Slides and negatives do have their pros against digital.

One of my favourite shots on Velvia.

My first DSLR

2004-11-10T01:37:00.000+08:00

Here it comes - the Canon EOS 20D.

It's not cheap - at least to me at this point. However I prefer it over the EOS 300D for its solid build, and balance with my heavy lens, the Canon EF 24-70 F2.8L USM.

I've been playing with it for a week. The low noise @ISO1600 is simply awesome! It allow me to capture the night sky as well - all beyond what my short-sighted eyes can see!

Please visit my photo gallary at pbase.com, and share your photo experience!

opening

2004-11-08T01:02:00.000+08:00

I've been thinking of building my own blog and photo server for a few months. For various reasons (server, bandwidth, Dyn DNS... ) finally I settled with pbase.com and blogger.com instead of setting my own servers (versus what Vincent has been doing... I need a completely quiet environment for music!).

Despite being a graduate of computer engineering, I'd prefer working with tools and software already available, instead of writing and maintaining my own servers. What's more is that these tools are extremly flexible. Of couse I'd like to build a website as Eric Cheng did - let's see.

Okay, welcome to my blog!