My New Home Theater

August 28, 2009

Last year, after getting my year end bonus, I plan fancy spending it on a LCD TV for my living room. This is a big purchase for me, so I plan to look around thoroughly for a best bargain. I definitely wanted for a best value on my money.
I start with one electrical store nearby my places. Not satisfied with their offers, I continue my quest to one big electrical store at town area. Unfortunately the prices are stiff not attractive enough, so I continue to another electrical store. After driving around for almost a day, I felt very tired already. To be frank, at the end, I just buy the LCD TV that salesman at the last store recommended to me.
I learnt my lesson already. This year, when I plan to get a home theater for my living room, I know that I still wanted to shop around, but smartly through the internet. There are so many online stores that I can easily surf through to compare their offering at a glance.

However, single online store not enough for me. I wanted to compare several. That’s when site like shopwiki become handy for me.
Informative yet innovative online store site like shopwiki really a help me a lot. In fact I just love the the side option where I can tailor made my search very quickly. The way site like shopwiki shows like a brief information and price comparison in single page really made my quest for home theater really easy and convenient.

How do you like my home theater? I got it for less than $300. Great buy for me. Get yours here...

Sony HTS-S360

Sony HTS-S360


Getting Old

January 10, 2009

Most of us have a parent/grandparent who living separately and sometimes far away from their children. Especially when all the children have grown up to become adult, working and have their own family (husband/wife and child).

They may still strong and healthy, but prefer to maintain the independence and active life by their own. Parent and children meet/talk to each other on a regular basis, gathers during holiday’s season but still maintaining their separate life happily.

But that not the case if the they got old, alone and have not so good health. For them, immediate attention and help is required.

I knew a friend that live is US whose mother in late 70s and lives alone. He and his mother live in a different town. As she is getting older, he noticed that her mindset starting to deteriorate. She has trouble keeping her days straight and can’t remember any recent conversations they had.

She still driving but often gets lost in town because of new construction or road.

Still, she lives alone and gets by okay with day to day things like going groceries, cooking, gardening etc.

Worried for his mother, he mentioned about getting a maid or elder care in to do things around the house, but she gets offended and says if she needs help she’ll ask for it but she doesn’t need any help.

That when medical alarm became handy. After long and hard work tried to convince her to use the medical alarm bracelet, she finally agreed to use it. The thing is easy to use and he even able to track her mother current location from far by it GPS function. It has 24/7 live support too..


Hummer H3

October 10, 2008

No need to say more

Me and my wife are a CSI Fan. We always not to miss out all the three shows at AXN channel – Astro every Sunday’s night. Each CSI have their own style and strengh, but for CSI Miami, I could help but to attracted to their vehicle which is Hummer H2. I not sure wether it is due to H or Horatio Caine style or look, but it definitely has some hot factor on it.

I believe that the original H1 version is based on the military vehicle known as Humvee. Hummer is a brand of off-road vehicles sold by General Motors, also known as GMThe H2 and the H3 were introduced as smaller civilian market versions.

MIAMI - CSI Miami

In Malaysia, we will hardly see those hummer. At once, I saw one 2008 Hummer H3 at Cameron Highland. Its look smaller than Horatio’s one. But still very macho looks – sure will look like CSI-NY star when you step out of it ! Someone told me that it is belongs to one of the tea farm owner there.  To have one will cost you a bom here. Almost MYR350K or more. Not to mention it extra size which may take 2 parking spaces and poor fuel economy.

I have read some 2008 Hummer H3 reviews on the internet. One of the hummer h3 reviews summaries it all:-

“Smaller than the H2, the 2008 HUMMER H3 is “hard to discern” from its big brother. The HUMMER H3 has all the regular styling elements such as “the industrial grille, the massive wheel flares, and the armored car-style windows,” but at half the cost and size of the much larger H2, hence the attraction.

If you are a fan of mean machine aka hummer or CSI Miami, lets join CSI Miami Wiki here..


Petronas Defence

June 24, 2008

Received by email forward by my friend:-

Enjoy the reading. Sorry no translation to English.

Subject: FW: jawapan untuk MEREKA YANG MENGUTUK PETRONAS

“Sebab bila ramai mengisi minyak Petronas, makin besarlah untung Petronas. Bila

makin besar untung, makin besarlah bonus yang orang-orang Petronas dapat”.

Begitulah fitnah yang telah dilemparkan kepada Petronas. Dari segi hak asasi, anda berhak

mengisi minyak di mana-mana setesen minyak. Kalau anda mahu, anda

boleh mengisi air mineral ke dalam tangki kereta anda, itu adalah hak anda.

Namun apabila Petronas dan para pekerjanya difitnah sehingga peringkat

itu, saya berpendapat itu sudah menjadi perkara yang tidak patut.

Sebelum anda memulaukan setesen-setesen Petronas di atas apa jua alasan, duduklah berfikir

barang sejenak. Jika pun benar Petronas menjual minyak tempatan dengan

harga yang tinggi dan membeli minyak luar dengan harga yang rendah, bukankah

suatu langkah yang bijak? Apabila di tambah nilai melalui proses

penapisan, bukankah itu suatu perniagaan yang menjana keuntungan?

Apakah anda fikir Petronas boleh mengeluarkan produk petrolumnya secara

sesuka hati tanpa menurut piawaian yang ditetapkan, seumpama orang menjual

nasi lemak yang saiz dan harganyanya ikut suka hati mereka? Mungkin tidak

berapa tepat untuk membuat perbandingan berikut. Namun jika anda

seorang pengeluar tempoyak sedangkan anda mempunyai berhektar-hektar dusun

durian yang baik baka dan buahnya, sudah pasti anda akan menjadi seorang

yang bijaksana dengan menjual durian anda yang tinggi harga pasarannya

dan membeli durian yang kurang mutunya selagi anda masih boleh menghasilkan

tempoyak yang dapat memenuhi spesifikasi pelanggan.

Anda menyaksikan ratusan rakyat beratur di setesen-setesen minyak untuk mendapatkan bekalan

minyak pada harga kurang dari RM2.00 seliter yang mungkin untuk kali terakhir

di dalam hidup mereka. Semenjak pukul 5:30 petang pada hari “bersejarah”

itu kenderaan telah beratur, barisannya semakin malam semakin panjang dan

semakin sesak. Apakah anda fikir di antara mereka tidak terdapat

kakitangan Petronas kerana anda menyangka mereka semua boleh menyedut minyak

daripada tangki-tangki minyak yang ada di kilang mereka? Anda perhatikan,

setesen minyak mana yang tiada sifat perikemanusiaan dengan meletakkan

kon-kon tanda kononnya “kehabisan bekalan” semata-mata untuk memastikan

“bonus” untuk mereka selepas pukul 12 tengah malam itu.

Anda pulang ke kampung-kampung dan menyaksikan perit pedih orang-orang miskin mencari

sesuap nasi untuk meneruskan kehidupan. Mereka semua tiada “rebate”

kereta dan tidak mendapat menafaat penurunan cukai pendapatan justru mereka

“tidak layak” untuk membayar cukai. Sebahagian mereka mungkin sebelumnya

berada di pinggir kemiskinan tetapi pada 5 hb. Jun lalu terus tersungkur

ke lembah kemiskinan. Apakah anda fikir tidak ada di antara mereka

adik-beradik, sepupu sepapat dan ipar duai orang Petronas? Apakah

mereka semua tidak ada di dalam hati perut orang Petronas sehingga orang

Petronas boleh berpesta laksana orang tidak siuman untuk meraikan kenaikan

harga minyak yang anda katakan memberi keuntungan besar itu?

Anda pergi ke kedai-kedai makan, ke pasar, ke kedai-kedai barang keperluan dan melihat

peningkatan harga yang kelak membolehkan inflasi meningkat sehingga 5%.

Apakah anda merasakan bahawa orang-orang Petronas tidak berada di kalangan

para pengunjung yang murung dengan peningkatan itu kerana mereka boleh

sahaja minum minyak dan “condensate” yang mereka proses, atau meratah “sludges”

dan “spent catalyst” yang ada di tempat mereka?

Anda pulang

ke rumah anda, di kawasan taman yang dipenuhi rumah teres. Kawasan

semacam perkampungan setinggan yang jiran sebelah menyebelah pun kadang-kadang

menyakitkan hati dan telinga. Apakah anda fikir merasakan bahawa

orang-orang Petronas tidak duduk di situ, justru mereka semua kaya raya

lalu tinggal dengan penuh senang lenang di banglo atau paling bangsat di

rumah “semi-d”?

Pada saya, adalah

amat benar jika anda menyatakan bahawa bila ramai mengisi minyak Petronas,

makin besarlah untung Petronas. Di dalam ilmu peruncitan, “small margin

& big volume” adalah salah satu strategi untuk mendapatkan keuntungan.

Namun apakah anda sedar, bahawa dari setiap RM1.00 keuntungan Petronas,

lebih 75 sen di pulangkan semula kepada negara, dan Petronas cuma mendapat

25 sen. Yang 25 sen inilah yang digunakan untuk melebarkan perniagaan

di luar negara, menjalankan kerja-kerja carigali, membena kilang-kilang

yang baru, meningkatkan pengeluaran kilang-kilang yang sedia ada, menambah

nilai produk, membena modal insan, dan membayar upah kakitangannya termasuklah

pembayaran bonus, jika ada. Saya katakan jika ada, justru bonus Petronas

untuk kakitangan eksekutifnya bukanlah dibayar secara kontrek, tetapi di

atas budibicara majikan.

Saya tidak pasti

sama ada ada kakitangan yang dibayar sehingga 13 bulan. Namun saya

telah berada di dalam Petronas selama 25 tahun dan saya belum pernah menerima

bonus sebanyak itu. Malahan pada penghujung abad kedua puluh yang

lalu apabila negara mengalami kegawatan ekonomi, eksekutif Petronas tidak

menerima kenaikan gaji meskipun syarikat beroleh keuntungan dan kakitangan

bekerja memenuhi kalaupun tidak melebihi tahap keperluan. Sedikit

kecewa sebagai seorang insan biasa, tetapi orang-orang Petronas yang tinggi

semangat mereka untuk berkhidmat menguruskan amanah Allah melalui pengurusan

minyak negara terus berkhidmat dengan sabar dan tekun, bersatupadu, setia,

berintegriti dan professional.

Anda mungkin

puashati apabila Petronas menjadi PetroNO, lalu kesemua kegemilangan Petronas

bersemadi di dalam buku sejarah organisasi. Seterusnya lambang-lambang

merah, atau biru atau oren akan menguasai pasaran. Apakah anda fikir

mereka dapat memulang 75 sen dari setiap RM1.00 keuntungan mereka kepada

negara, seperti mana yang dilakukan oleh Petronas? Mereka mungkin

mahu menjadi syarikat yang bertanggung jawab, tetapi saya rasa mereka tidak

akan sampai ke tahap itu.

Ada orang mengibaratkan

Petronas seperti seekor angsa yang bertelur emas. Anda boleh sahaja

menyembelih dan mengkari angsa itu, dan menggantikan dengan seekor angsa

yang lain yang anda ambil dari reban jiran anda. Namun saya khuatir angsa

itu akan kembali ke rebannya untuk bertelur selepas anda memberinya makan

sehingga kenyang, lalu anda bukan sahaja tidak mendapat telurnya, tetapi

dia tidak akan kembali lagi untuk anda sembelih dan jadikan lauk anda.

Meskipun angsa bertelur emas itu boleh sampai ke tahap “menopause”, namun

ketika ini dia masih produktif dan masih berguna untuk kita semua, termasuk

anda. Adalah lebih bijak jika anda dapat mengambil alih menjadi pemilik

kepada angsa tersebut, lalu anda boleh memiliki telurnya, dan anda boleh

membahagikannya kepada semua orang dengan penuh adil dan saksama.

Akhirnya, anda

berhak melakarkan rupa hodoh wajah orang Petronas di dalam hati & sanubari

anda. Namun anda perlu ingat orang Petronas tidak lapar dan pelahap

terhadap sumber negara yang di amanahkan kepada mereka. Anda buatlah

kajian anda sendiri. Carilah syarikat minyak mana di negara ini yang

paling murah menggaji pekerjanya. Jika ada anak syarikat Petronas yang

merupakan ‘joint venture” dengan syarikat asing, culalah gaji siapa yang

lebih besar meskipun bidang tugas dan hasilkerja tidak jauh berbeza.

Orang Petronas tahu jawapannya, tetapi kami mahu terus berbakti dan memikul

amanah itu.

Saya tegaskan

sekali lagi, anda boleh menjadikan Petronas kepada PetroNO, tetapi percayalah

yang paling terjejas kelak bukan Petronas, tetapi rakyat marhen di seluruh

negara. Apakah anda sanggup memikul sumpah seranah mereka? Jika anda

sanggup, dipersilakanlah…… – AdaNama

Artikel asal,

FW: Mengapa Rakyat Perlu Bertukar Daripada Petronas?

Wahai warga Malaysia sekelian…. .hebahkanlah cerita benar ini kpd rakan2 anda sekelian mengapa perlu boikot minyak petronas…. .

Sebenarnya semua warga malaysia kena tipu dengan dasar kenaikan harga minyak ni..baru2 ni kenaikan harga minyak sebanyak RM0.78.Tinggi tuuuuu.Mengapa kita perlu menaikkan harga minyak setinggi tuuuuuuu….

Haaaaaa ini lah yang warga malaysia tak tahu…. Sebenarnya kita ni duduk je Malaysia…tapi minyak yang kita cari gali kat trengganu dan Srawak tu, kita tak penah pakai pun…Minyak yang kita gali tu ialah minyak Gred A…Diulangi Minyak Gred A…….semua minyak tersebut dijual keseluruhannya keluar negara…jadi petronas telah beli pulak minyak gred C…Diulang Gred C…..untuk digunakan dimalaysia dan diletak logo Petronas…. dalam kajian oleh syarikat2 kereta yg bukan keta nasional, bahawa minyak petronas ini adalah minyak paling kotor sekali…maklumlah minyak gred C.

Minyak yang paling bersih adalah minyak Caltex @ Mobil/Esso @ Shell. Mengapa minyak tersebut lebih bersih??? Sebab minyak tersebut adalah dari gred B…Inilah yg rakyat malaysia tak tahu…kenaikan harga minyak disebabkan kenaikan harga minyak dunia yang dikawal oleh US yg mana setong hampir mencecah usd130.00..Semua orng tertanya-tanya mengapa kita negara peneluar minyak kena mengikut harga minyak dunia kan . Itu lah antara sebab2 nye…

Untuk pengetahuan anda semua…semasa kenaikan harga minyak dari RM 1.62 kepada RM1.92 anda pasti pernah menerima E-mail yang mengatakan “isilah minyak petronas ramai-ramai. Jika semua rakyat malaysia isi minyak petronas, harga minyak tidak akan naik”…Semua e-mail tersebut adalah mengarut.Anda semua kena tipu…..Minyak tetap naik jugak kan….Sebenarnya yang untung paling besar adalah sebahagian orang2 besar kat atas tu dan org2 yang bekerja dengan petronas…sebab bila reramai isi minyak petronas, makin besar lah untung petronas…bila makin besar untung…makin besar lah bonus yang orang2 petronas dapat…Tahun lepas sahaja bonus org2 petronas dapat antara 6-13 bulan bergantung pada perkhidmatan. ..Tapi yang petronas istihar ialah 2 bulan bonus sahaja…Bonus yang selebihnya diletakkan atas nama saguhati…. Dasyat betul diorg menipu rakyat.mengambil untung dari hasil perut bumi yang ALLAH bagi tanpa mengagaihkan sama rata kepada rakyat….Cerita ini bukan rekaan tetapi cerita ini aku perolehi sendiri dari abg ipar aku yg bekerja di KLCC. Dia yg menguruskan sendiri Jualan minyak Gred A kita keluar dan membeli Minyak Gred C untuk di pakai di malaysia…masa aku dengar dia bercerita menyirap jugak darah aku bila dia cakap “bonus aku tahun ni 9 bulan (masa tu tahun 2007)”dah la gaji dia rm 6+++…Siapa yang keja kerajaan tahun 2007 mana ada bonus….Pasal Peraduan Car Craze……yang menang tu semua org yg senang2 dan ada contribute dgn petronas…apa salahnya kalau petronas kurangkan harga minyak RM 0.20 keee tapi takde pertandingan Car Craze…Semua rakyat dapat rasa..ni tidak…dahla jual minyak gred C….Pas tu nak tarik ramai orang isi minyak petronas dengan peraduan mcm tu…aku bukan nak kondem petronas tetapi aku rasa terkilan ditipu buta2 dengan cara demikian.Selama ni aku isi minyak petronas nak support produk malaysia…tetapi setelah aku tahu aku terus betukar ke minyak Caltex @ Mobil/Esso dan skang ni sudah 7 bulan aku tak isi minyak petronas. dan aku dpat rasakan minyak tersebut lagi menjimatkan. .Terpulang pada anda untuk mengisi minyak yg anda suka kerana duit tersebut adalah duit anda…

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Demo on Fuel Price Increase

June 13, 2008

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/84420

About 2,000 people marched from Kampung Baru mosque after Friday prayers to protest against last week’s sharp rise in petrol prices.

I personally don’t prefer any demo/protest. For me it is not a proper act/way. It is likely to spark trouble and chaos. The fuel price is unlikely to decrease back. Unless you really believe DSAI said to roll back the price if appointed as Prime Minister. Then, I have nothing to say. I would rather say it is a political gimmick from a clever politican.

I didn’t say it is impossible. I just remind you that talk is easy, doing it is not easy. He is ex Finance Minister, she should know better than me.

Anyway, I would like to see the whole situation from a different point of view.

The fact that for so many years we have been pampered with many subsidies that we have set our mine that the receiving subsidies is a divine, is a right of people. Even some of the subsidies that been enjoyed by us are not we really aware/concern of. I’m talking about subsidies in foods like rice or subsidies in medication supply for General Hospital. Well, you can argue with me on that.

But, you must accept a fact that most of us enjoyed the subsidies. Whether you like it or not. Whether you ask for it or not.

So….. when the subsidies is been cut-off, we became angry. We protest. We questioned why it is happen. We believe that our right has been denied. We shouted that “it is not fair”.

Finally. what I would like to say is that we must embrace and move on with our life. We must change ourselves and adapt to the new situation. Instead of complaining but doing nothing.

You may disagree on the thing that I write and you’re welcome to express it. We may not need to agreee on everything but we are willing to accept each others opinon and thinking.


Chelsea New Special One – Scolari

June 12, 2008

Luiz Felipe Scolari, ComIH (born November 9, 1948 in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil), also known as Felipão (“Big Phil”), is a Brazilian football coach, who led the Brazilian national team to victory in the 2002 World Cup. He has been the head coach of the Portuguese national team since 2003. Since 2002 he is also an Italian citizen.

Scolari is to take over as Chelsea manager on July 1, 2008. This was announced shortly after Portugal’s Euro 2008 match against the Czech Republic on June 11, 2008.

I will be exciting to see what Big Phil can do. I like this although he was not my first choice, but still, this is very exciting.

I do not think European experience or the language will be a big issue, He knows as much about the CL and PL as any other manager.

I like that he is a very strong manager and personality, I think Chelsea players will benefited from that.

Good coach, no question. Am sure he’s going to turn things around.

View his punch :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hezzTGkloJY

Wiki :-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luiz_Felipe_Scolari


Penang next to prohibit Islam Hadhari

June 10, 2008

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/84201

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/84161

The Penang government is set to ‘prohibit’ the spread of Islam Hadhari (‘progressive’ Islam) and to become the second  Pakatan Rakyat-led state government to do so after Selangor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_Hadhari

For me it is simple.

Just drop out the “Hadhari” word from all the current and existing program and thats it. Why need to stop a good program (if any). Use it wisely. For me nothing is wrong with the program or its activity. Just drop out the “Hadhari” word. Thats it. Many other issue are more important right now.


JOHOREAN PUNISHED BY PAK LAH?

June 9, 2008

After revelation on Tun Salleh in his blog, http://www.chedet.com , Tun Mahathir once again enlighten us with another brilliant articles on Cancellation of Bridge to Singapore. You can read the whole articles here

http://www.chedet.com/2008/06/cancellation-of-bridge-to-singapore.html

My comment

It was claimed that the cancellation was actually some kind of revenge or punishment by Pak Lah to Johorean as a result of their objection on sales of sand to Singapore and overflight by Singaporean Army on Johor area.

This definitely made me stunned. We just been hit hard by the domino effect of increase of petrol price and now this. It is like rubbing a salt to a bleeding wound.

As we all know, most of us, Johorean are very unhappy with the cancellation of that bridge. Until now, I still can’t think of any concrete reason to cancel of a project that definitely benefited many people and environment with all the sudden.

If I not remember wrongly, even Dato Sharir (JB’s MP) also against the cancellation but then, the decision was made.

Further, much more money wasted to pay a compensation to the contractor involved.

This just make normal people like me angry much more…..


TUN SALLEH SAGA – TUN MAHATHIR DEFENCE

June 6, 2008

Please read blog by Tun Mahathir on Tun Salleh here:-

http://www.chedet.com/2008/06/tun-salleh-saga.html

It is a long explanation by Tun M on the matter. The chronological until the dismissal of Tun Salleh by the instruction of DYMM Agong himself!!

Who know that the cause is Tun Salleh insulted DYMM Agong by complaining on noice on repair work on Istana?????

Then who is the real culprit and victim here?

So now how about the ex-gratia payment?  They received their full pension anyway.  No financial loss. Retired early some more. Is the payment is necessary?


75 Tips How to Enjoy Your Driving and Save Petrol

June 6, 2008

As waiting for the government to reverse the increase in petrol price/NGV installed at my car, below are a few tips for save petrol and money:-

This is from this great website anyway.

http://www.christianpf.com/75-gas-saving-tips/

My favorite are:-

1. Stop aggressive driving

It sounds like a no-brainer, but I am still amazed at how many people still drive like they just robbed a bank. Edmunds says, “If you slowed your 0-to-60-kph acceleration time down from your current 10 seconds to a more normal city pace of 15 seconds, you’ll feel the savings immediately.”

2. Drive slowly

This one is a difficult one to get used to. Personally, I find that I am just more comfortable driving at certain speeds. Not to mention the savings from not having to pay speeding tickets.

3. Don’t fill up unless you are on empty, since all this gas weighs a lot and more weight reduces efficiency.

4. Avoid unnecessary idling

Another one they found to be important is not to idle very long. They said that by avoiding excessive idling you can save up to 19% on fuel consumption. They suggest that if you are stopped for longer than a minute to shut down the engine.

5. Shift into high gear as soon as possible. If you have automatic transmission, lift your foot from the accelerator about one second early.

6. Park your car in the shade if you can and crack your windows to allow air to circulate in the car, so you won’t have to keep the AC working as hard when you go somewhere.

7. Pack as little in your car as necessary so it has less weight to carry. Throw away junk/scrap in your car boot.

The rest, please read from the original post by christianpf

http://www.christianpf.com/75-gas-saving-tips/

Lastly, consider NGV.