Category Archives: Manifesto

Manifesto

In life, you’ll always end up on the losing end if you cheat.

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This is a funny story about me cheating roughly 20 years ago.

The Class
I had English tuition classes in the afternoon throughout most of my primary school years. It was at EM tuition center located at Mosjaya of Miri. It was a new tuition center where most of the mothers considered it to be the best. During that time, a young  dedicated, honest looking teacher name Mr. Sim was teaching me. I remember my mum would tell me that he’s such a nice guy that whoever marries him will have no worries for the rest of her life.

This English class Mr. Sim conducted was fun and dynamic. He would throw in an exam every month just to make sure we’re keeping up. I was pretty poor with my grammar at that time and I would always get a sounding from my mum for making stupid obvious mistakes like not putting ‘ing’ on an adjective that describes continuity in action.

The Cheat
As I recalled clearly it was a Thursday afternoon. The whole class have got our exam papers back. Mr. Sim wrote all the answers on the board for us to learn the mistakes we’ve made during the exam. I scored 78 and was really disappointed in myself because I would like to get an A for my mother. Secretly, when no one was watching, I changed one of my answers to the one on the board so that I could get that extra 2 points to put me up in the A group. Without thinking or analyzing I went ahead and rub off the answer carefully and nervously.

The question:
Yesterday, I went to the store to _________ some groceries.

What I wrote:
Yesterday, I went to the store to buy some groceries.

What I changed to:
Yesterday, I went to the store to bought some groceries.

By now, I summoned my courage to walk up towards Mr. Sim in hope that he will not notice that I’ve changed the answer. I passed him my paper and told him that he has got a marking error and I deserved more points. He took my paper with a slight disbelief in his facial expression and carefully read the sentence. He looked at the board and cross checked at my paper again. I was nervous but in my heart I was confident I’ll get that extra points.

The Reality
He stood up and went to the white board to change the grammar and announced to the class saying that he made a mistake and whoever wrote the real correct answer should see him immediately to redeem their points. I was so shocked that I felt numbed. The other kids are all swarming in front of him to get their extra points while I took my paper back and sat in my seat quietly dumbfounded.

The Lesson
I did thought to myself that if I tell the truth I might get that extra points. But I didn’t, I shall take this paper home and show it to my mother and let it be a lesson for the rest of my life that if you cheat, you’ll end up losing more in life.

Manifesto

Real men switch on airplane mode for a proper date.

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The Inevitable
With the growing adaption of smart phones in the generations to come. It’s inevitable that we will all meet people with horrible smart phone etiquette.

My Bad
I have to admit that my iPhone did get me into trouble when I was dating one of my ex-girlfriend. She’s always saying that I gave all my attention to my phone instead of her. Well, you can’t blame me cause I’ve just bought it. There is a break-in period. Excuses aside, it’s still my bad.

The Situation
I think it’s very important for the generation to come to understand smart phone etiquette. Many times, I’ve seen couples sitting in cafes hanging out with their smart phones instead of each other. Why bother coming out in the first place? If this is how you both interact with each other in public, most likely it’s pretty much the same when you’re both at home. Have you both exhausted all the topics or conversations under the sun?

Let’s take a look at some horrible smart phone etiquette.

  1. Leaving the phone on the table and get distracted with every blink or vibrate.
  2. Taking pictures. This includes of food, each other with food, each other eating food.
  3. Checking & tagging into multiple social networks.
  4. Blog, micro-blog about the situation.
  5. Replying countless text message.
  6. Laughing to self after receiving something funny and not appropriate to share.
  7. Pressing the home button now and then just to make sure you don’t miss any notifications

The only time it would deem appropriate to whip out your smart phone is when you’re expecting an urgent call or you have something you would like to share/show your date.

Let’s not give in to the horrible side of smart phones. Humans has come through a great deal of wisdom to have created such a wonderful device but don’t let humankind fall on the device we’ve created.

The Challenge
So here’s my challenge to you. Turn on airplane mode the next time you’re out on a date. Be a gentleman and make it a proper date.

But here’s a free tip for the ladies.
“You know that a guy is extremely interested in you when he doesn’t whip out his smart phone every other minute.”

[top image=http://jkbatmanjk.deviantart.com/]
[second image= http://vinagracia.deviantart.com/]

Manifesto

How to create a US iTunes account with no payment method.

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The perks of having a US iTunes account includes:

  1. Free songs every week  (picture below)
  2. Get apps before they are available in your country (most apps are released in US first eg: Google+)
  3. Get apps which are not available for your country (Scrabble app is only available for US & Canada)

Each account can be used up to 5 iOS devices and each device can be sync with 5 accounts. Let’s continue onto how to create your US iTunes account!

Step 1: App Store
Make sure you’re signed out from your current account and click on App Store.

Step 2: Free App
Click on the Free download button of any free app.

Step 3: Create New Account
You will be greeted with this screen. Do not sign in with your current Apple ID account but instead click on Create New Account.

Step 4: Continue
Click on Continue button.

Step 5: Billing Address
Make sure the billing address is stated in the United States. Else, click on the small arrow and change it. (If this option is not available to you, click continue)

Step 6: Personal Details
Fill in all your details and click Continue. It’s important that you use a new email address that is never registered as Apple ID or it will not work.

Step 7: Congratulations on your new US iTunes account
Again, ensure that your billing address is in United States. Click on the small arrow if it is not stated United States.
Click on None in the payment options.
Use any US address (mine is a hotel address) and congratulations, you have a US iTunes account. Happy downloading!

Manifesto

Thanks to Eve, we now have fashion!

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My artistic side has brought me to love fashion. I was day dreaming away about the origins of fashion and this story came into my mind.

The Fashion Story
Long ago, God created Adam. From Adam’s rib God created him a companion name Eve.

In this garden of Eden, there’s a tree which bears the forbidden fruit. Now God has specifically warned Adam & Eve about not eating the fruit from this special tree.

But there was a cunning serpent who deceived Eve and made her take one of the forbidden fruit. Eve was a nice lady, of course she did not forget to give Adam one too! After eating the forbidden fruit they realized that they were naked. Feeling ashamed when they heard God was near they decided to cover up their body with fig leaves. Later God clothed them with animal skins.

The Result
Fashion wouldn’t exist if Eve was not deceived. Major fashion labels should be mindful of Eve’s wrong doing for today we have fashion! Else we all still be naked… oh wait… or we don’t need fashion at all in the first place.

“I pity the first animals that are slaughtered for Adam & Eve’s cloth.”

[image=http://clamorazz.deviantart.com/]
[image=http://hakanphotography.deviantart.com/]

Manifesto

I want to be an actor.

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There are lots of things I would like to be in this lifetime.

  1. Astronaut
  2. All Blacks Rugby Player
  3. Big Time Criminal like Al Capone
  4. Spy much like James Bond
  5. Superhero like Mr. Incredible
  6. Villain like Lex Luthor
  7. Jet Fighter Pilot
  8. F1 Driver
  9. National Geographic wild-life photographer
  10. Professional Con Artist
  11. Professional Dancer
  12. Car Reviewer like Jeremy Clarkson
  13. Game Developer for Blizzard
  14. Rock Star like Aerosmith

So what does that has got anything to do with me wanting to be an actor? Most of the profession I’ve listed requires a lifetime to achieve. I can’t just spend 2 months of studying how to be a jet fighter pilot and fly one. Or take a F1 driving license and be competitive in the track next to Sebastian Vettel. Send a resume to Mi6 and be James Bond. No, it all requires a lifetime and dedication to achieve.

So, after I did some thinking and I realize that by being an actor, it’s the only way I could achieve almost all my want-to-be list of careers. May it be only 1 day of being a spy, F1 driver, it’s enough!

Manifesto

Brilliant short film – The Butterfly Circus

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Was so busy the past few weeks that I didn’t had a chance to watch this short film till last night. Love the brilliant cast and story by Joshua Weigel. A short film that is definitely worth your time and tears.

Story
At the height of the Great Depression, the showman (Eduardo Verastegui) of a renowned circus leads his troupe through the devastated American landscape, lifting the spirits of audiences along the way. During their travels they discover Will (Nick Vujicic), a man without limbs at a carnival sideshow, but after an intriguing encounter with the showman he becomes driven to hope against everything he has ever believed.

The Butterfly Circus – HD from The Butterfly Circus on Vimeo.

[Official Homepage = http://thebutterflycircus.com/]

Manifesto

The cheat code I used for my studies.

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Back in my PMR days, I used to spend my whole afternoon just playing PC games till I neglect my studies.

But luckily I found a cheat code. A cheat code for my life.

The Story
After school, I would sit in front of my PC after lunch and play games till late evening. I kept reminding myself that I’ll play for an hour and start studying at 2pm. But when it reaches 2pm, I told myself again that I’ll start studying at 3pm. When 4 o’clock strikes, I then tell myself that it’s getting a bit late. An hour of study won’t get me far. So I’ll continue playing till 5pm and this is when all my friends would come over to my place and play basketball, including my father!

The next day. Things did not change. Discipline was something that I’m highly lack of. PMR inches closer. I need to figure out a way to whip myself in shape.

The Cheat Code
Now, next to my PC is that faithful clock that fails to govern my study time. I shall use my cheat code on this clock. Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start. I adjusted my clock 2 hours ahead of time. When the clock strikes 2pm, I would then see it as 4pm. Did this help? Yes, because every time when I’m still sitting in that chair playing PC game at 2pm, it would show as 4pm and this had a psychological effect on me. I would look at myself thinking that it’s 4pm and my whole day will be gone again if I don’t leave that chair soon.

Thanks to the cheat code. It greatly helped me discipline myself into studying. I don’t remember my PMR results but it was all A’s and B’s and no C’s.

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Manifesto

Steve Jobs, not for a moment but forever.

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3 days after his passing. Everyone talks about his character & values & ideas. Here is what I admire about him.

“You know, I’ve got a plan that could rescue Apple. I can’t say any more than that it’s the perfect product and the perfect strategy for Apple. But nobody there will listen to me.” – Fortune, 1995

“If I were running Apple, I would milk the Macintosh for all it’s worth — and get busy on the next great thing. The PC wars are over. Done. Microsoft won a long time ago.” – Fortune, 1996

1996. The year he returned to Apple. The new era begins, Steve Jobs told us what we needed before we knew.

When he put an ‘i’ in Apple products and made them translucent – did you notice how the World embraces ‘i’ and translucent material on pen, staplers, tooth brush and just about any other daily life products.

When he unveiled iPod – did you notice how most MP3 player pioneers ran out of business and how we identify most MP3 players as iPod.

When he launched iTunes Store – did you notice how major recording companies were fighting the wrong battle with illegal downloads. Today iTunes is the largest online music retailer in the world.

When the first series of Mac VS PC ad was aired – did you notice how we all chuckled inside and nodding in agreement.

When the iPhone was launched – did you notice how every phone looks like iPhone shortly after.

When he showed us iPad – did you notice how every PC maker trampled over their own feet figuring how the hell they never thought of that.

Steve Jobs is not for a moment, he is forever.

 

My favorite story about him is from Vic Gundotra – Icon Ambulance

Favorite moments of Steve Jobs – Steve Job’s prank call to Starbucks during keynote speech.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SaBjMHtQqo]

“Steve Jobs, not for a moment but forever you have changed the face of technology. Human race thank you for your attention to detail in the things you do.”

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