ecsm

long day

2005-02-04T19:51:11Z

It's nearly 4 am and I've been on my feet for over 22 hours but I'm happy. The evening started out pretty well. I had dinner and drinks with the guys. I then met up with one of Dez's friends, whom I met in Indo. I was introduced to a Tasmanian who said there's tonnes to do in Singapore.

I thought about it and realized it was true. There was tonnes of stuff to do be it if you're single, in a relationship or with your family. It all depends on what you wanna do. I guess it all boils down to managing expectations and making the best of what the environment can offer.

Anyways, I experienced a very different (possibly more heart lander style of entertainment). It was actually an eye opener for me and I'm glad I made it through the night.

Wonder what tomorrow night will be like...

Partying on weekdays is not a good thing...

2005-02-01T14:33:38Z

One of the guys in my "click" just moved back to Indo. I'm sure we're gonna see him again but it just feels odd not to have him around. We've had 4 farewell gatherings/parties in his honor. We called it quits at about 2am last night. I had a nap and made my way to work. I'm actually pretty amazed I made it to the gym this evening.

Last night was one of those nights that left me with a lingering feeling. I can't really put my finger on it but I think it just reaffirms the kinda person I am.

ecsm @ 2005-01-29T12:22:00

2005-01-29T04:22:40Z

Breakfast of Champions.... Mamee and Diet Coke...

Quality Cables

2005-01-08T11:58:27Z

I bought a 30" LCD TV on the first day of the NY. It has all the standard HD features, including VGA and DVi in. The only thing it really lacks is HDMF support. I don't have a HDMF compliant DVD player so I guess it doesn't really bother me.

I've spent the last week or so looking for component video cables and switches so that I can hook up my DVD and PS2. I managed to find relatively high quality cables and a decent switch. However, I got desperate and bought an aftermarket PS2 component cable and I'm a little disappointed with the results. I guess I'm gonna have to go down to a Sony store and get the real deal. I've learnt an important lesson.... always buy good quality cables.

ecsm @ 2005-01-02T10:12:00

2005-01-02T02:12:24Z

I'm thankful that I got to spend the Xmas and NY with my close friends. I've never been a huge fan of the festive season but it felt different this year. On the downside, I hate the morning after cause things usually slow to a crawl and I get bored.

I'm starting my new job at CIBC World Markets tomorrow. I have to report at 745 am tomorrow. I'm not entirely thrilled about that but I'm still looking forward to starting work.

X'Mas 2004

2004-12-24T17:40:56Z

Merry X'Mas!

I had a fairly busy day. Went to the gym, had lunch, collected some food, delivered some food, collected my protective case for my O2 XdaII mini and made it back for dinner with my parents. My mum ordered prime rib and a roast chicken. Dinner was originally planned for 6 but due to unforeseen circumstances I ended up having dinner with my parents and Richard Pho.

The evening was fairly uneventful. We checked out Madam Wongs but I suffered from mild culture shock. We then made our way down to Zouk and stayed a total of 30mins before calling it a night.

I think I'm growing old.

first update in ages

2004-12-21T07:29:18Z

Its been a while since I last updated or even read a LiveJournal entry. I guess I'm at liberty to do so since I'm pretty free at the moment.

Lots of big changes in the upcoming year. Hope all goes well!

ecsm @ 2004-10-01T23:27:00

2004-10-01T15:26:48Z

Singaporeans aren't a hungry race but a greedy one...

weekend updates

2004-09-26T14:46:44Z

1. The weekend seems infinitely shorter when you have to go to work on Monday.

2. I watched New Police Story; age is catching up with Jackie Chan.

3. Schumacher didn't win in Shanghai!

4. I think I'm gonna have to compress my workout schedule to a 3 day split.

ecsm @ 2004-09-20T22:19:00

2004-09-20T14:19:54Z

I left for IBM at about 8 am this morning only to run into a huge jam on the AYE along Alexandra Road. Didn't take too long to clear the jam and got to work on time, only to find out that the manager I was supposed to report to wasn't in yet. So I waited a bit.

Got introduced to my team and realized it was the close of the quarter and probably a bad time to report for work. Not sure what tomorrow is gonna be like?

ecsm @ 2004-09-18T15:32:00

2004-09-18T07:33:47Z

The morning was fairly busy. Went to Garage-R to get a new intercooler and pick up the m3. The m3 was supposed to be ready this morning but there were some odds and ends that needed to be settled. That kinda messed up my planning but I managed to get everything in order. I would personally have preferred a more quiet weekend but I guess its not happening.

I start work at IBM on Monday. I'm feeling a little excited but worried. I spoke to a friend and he said to make the best of it. Even if the job wasn't my first choice, I should enjoy myself and treated it as a learning experience. Hope all goes well.

work

2004-09-09T11:18:25Z

I got a call from IBM this morning. However, I missed the call and only managed to contact the HR person in the afternoon. IMB is offering me a position as a Financial Analyst. I know its not exactly what I'm looking for but I guess I can't be too picky. Everyone is telling me to take the job as a learning experience and move onto other better things in the future. I'm seeing them tomorrow morning so I guess I'm taking the job.

I'll update again tomorrow after I start another new chapter in my life.

ecsm @ 2004-09-06T23:45:00

2004-09-06T15:45:03Z

My Internet connection feels especially slow tonight. I'm not sure why. I've got a few torrents going but I'm only downloading at 11 KB/s and uploading at 29 KB/s. I guess the major local pipes are clogged. Nothing new but kinda disappointing since I paid for a 2.8mbps line.

I went down to the Sony Ericsson Service Center at Wisma Atria to get my Dad's HBH 65 fixed. There were a few customers complaining about their P900s. What caught my attention was this old guy complaining that his P900 was emitting excess radiation which was making his head hurt. I'm really not sure what the support personnel can do to solve his problem; seems like an isolated case. I also overheard the service personnel saying that the P900 was reaching EOL and that SE was now focusing on the P910; indicating that future P900 firmware support would slow to a crawl before dying down completely. Should I get the P910?

Random Updates

2004-09-05T16:18:05Z

I interviewed with IBM for a financial analyst "fast" track position. It kept me pretty busy and the change in pace was very welcome. I made it for second round interviews and an aptitude test. I spent about an hour or so speaking with the CFO of IBM Asia Pacific; I guess it help both of us clear up a lot of doubts. I'm not sure where all this is gonna go and if I'll take the job if I get an offer. I really don't want to be picky but I'm just not sure.

I just completed Final Fantasy X after about 2 years of playing. I only spent about 22 hours on the game, most of which were clocked in the past week. I'm convinced Squaresoft makes the best RPGs around. The ending of the game was somewhat sad but appropriate. I can't wait to get my hands on FF X-2.

Hurricane Frances hit land sometime on Sunday. I ordered some m3 parts from a company in South Florida. I'm not sure how long I'm gonna have to wait or if the company will still be around after it blows over. My dad seems very calm even though there's a fair amount of money tied up in the parts.

ecsm @ 2004-08-26T22:57:00

2004-08-26T14:58:34Z

My worst fears came true today. There were a zillion people at Comex but I managed to get my stuff. I got my $199 SFF, $79 external USB floppy and 7-in-1 reader and my $99 512 mb USB 2.0 thumbdrive. I wanted one of the new snazzy TDK 16X DL DVD burners but the queue was crazy and I had to meet my mom for lunch. One the whole, I'd say Comex was pleasant.

ecsm @ 2004-08-25T21:18:00

2004-08-25T13:19:08Z

I don't do very many things now adays and so when I do something and make a mistake, people sit up and take notice. Even if its a mistake one would normally disregard. I can't do much about it except be more careful in the future.

I'm really not liking my current state of limbo. Everyone tells me to relax and take it easy but I don't feel good doing nothing. There are jobs in the market if you have the relevant experience. But if no one hires me how am I ever gonna get any experience? Just feels like everything started going down hill after I left the army. Come to think of it, I was really pretty happy in the army.

Comex is starting tomorrow. I've actually been looking forward to the exhibition. Gives me something to do. I'm gonna try and assemble a small form factor PC for my Dad. He's been complaining about how small his desk is and I've found the perfect solution for him. Might sound a little sad but at least it gives me some purpose in life.

My shopping list includes:

1 x Creative Slix SFF Barebone
1 x DVD/CDRW or DVD Burner, depending on the price
1 x external USB floppy and 7 in 1 card reader
1 x 512MB Thumbdrive (for myself)

Hope all goes well. I'm actually a little worried that the 70,000 or so unemployed will show up at Comex with their aunts and uncles to create the queues that Singaporeans seem to like so much.

Does anyone actually read my LJ entires?

Sunday afternoons

2004-08-22T07:27:01Z

Sundays used to be pretty busy, but today feels pretty laid back and slow. It looks really nice outside but I'm sure its really hot. I have absolutely nothing on my agenda and it doesn't feel good. I'm actually looking forward to going to Comex on Thursday, even though I'm pretty sure I'll be disappointed.

I'm actually in a state of limbo with respects to most aspects of my life. I'm really rearing to get going but I don't see it happening in the near future. I used to be pretty much in control of my life and but I'm not entirely sure where I'm headed at the moment. I really don't like that feeling but I guess I'll have to deal with it.

I wasted about 2 hours of my life watching a HK movie titled The Stewardess. The whole plot revolved around a guy who cheat on his stewardess GF. The girls he's seeing on the sideline is a psycho who aspires to be a stewardess but can't cause she's afraid of heights. This psycho girl then proceeds to butcher lots of people and turns out to be a real clean freak as well. That about sums up the show. Eck.

The freakiest part of it all is that noob has heard of this obscure HK movie.

Back to my dilemma, what should I do?

balance

2004-08-14T11:59:59Z

I'm a firm believer in balance. The good always goes hand in hand with the bad.

Just gotta deal with it I guess.

The good.
- My dad bought me a Panerai
- Got my Logitech Dinovo

The bad.
- Might have got booked for speeding; damn mobile squads
- Nothing in life is free!

ecsm @ 2004-06-19T22:30:00

2004-06-19T14:30:08Z

I ran into an old friend from my days at Saints. He was actually my closest friend while I was in Vancouver. We lost touch for the longest time so I'm really psyched that we managed to touch base again. He was nick-named Mr "Faithful" for his multiple simultaneous girlfriends but it turns out that Mr Faithful is getting married and I was informally invited to his wedding in Indonesia. I'm not entirely sure my invitation will materialize thou. It's a pity that he isn't staying longer, would loved to have spent more time catching up.

It's hard to believe that I'm gonna be another year older and it's been nearly 7 years since I graduated from Saints.

evening run

2004-06-09T15:37:19Z

I was on my way home and an SLK pulls up next to me. I see a guy in his late 40s in the car. I don't really think very much of it until the light turns green and he wants to race. I floor the first gear and shift up to second and the SLK stops pulling at the first bend. I'm a little disappointed.

ecsm @ 2004-06-06T18:33:00

2004-06-06T10:33:25Z

I just got done with the CFA level 2 exam, I'm brain dead and my body is aching from sitting down for 6 hours odd. I'm not entirely sure how I did. I guess I'll wait and see.

Back to our regular scheduled programming...

ecsm @ 2004-06-03T19:00:00

2004-06-03T11:00:08Z

Took a short break from CFA prep and headed down to the expo for the PC show. The PC show was freeking crowded. Don't Singaporeans have anything better to do?

Ended up getting a Canon 300D with 1.25GB of CF storage. Amazing digital SLR. I also bought an Audigy 2 NX. It's pretty amazing how much better everything sounds after the soundcard upgrade.

ecsm @ 2004-05-21T10:07:00

2004-05-21T02:07:49Z

I'm off to Pasir Gudang for a PML driving course tomorrow. The timing isn't great cause I've got my CFA coming up the week after. Maybe it'll be a good break?

I took some time off from CFA and took a walk around SLS. I'm really surprised it's so packed all the time. Maybe I should be in the computer business? Samsung was having an exhibition in the atrium and they were showing off their new line of LCDs. I saw the truly drool worthy 243T 24" Wide screen LCD, I think it looks and performs better than the current line of Apple Cinema displays.

ecsm @ 2004-05-13T19:39:00

2004-05-13T11:40:03Z

I'm getting a little tired of hearing that the market is picking up, especially in the Finance and Accounting sector. There's at least one article a day talking about the recovering economy and emergence of jobs.

The growth in employment can be attributed to multinationals setting up a larger presence in Singapore. In reality, there are jobs available if you have industry experience. Companies are favoring people with experience over fresh grads cause experienced ppl come seasoned and can start the job immediately. That leaves me with nothing.

On the flip side, I bought a marantz RV4400 and a 6.1 channel ELAC setup. I'm very pleased with the setup and I'm hoping to add a better DVD player in the near future.

ecsm @ 2004-05-06T21:14:00

2004-05-06T13:14:33Z

This update is a few days late but here goes.

My GK Goh interview didn't go too well. I couldn't really get a sense of what they thought of me. The questions were mostly close ended and the interview lasted all of 20 mins.

I'm not sure where my CFA prep is going. I'm clocking the hours but I'm not entirely sure how much information I'm absorbing. It's worrying to say the least. Maybe sometime off will help?

That more or less sums up my life, sad isn't it?