Raoul boutique - Only for the super rich?

I needed to get some shirts, so I headed to 1-Utama today. After looking through Padini store, nothing interested me, so why not drop by Raoul and see what they have. I hate going to these kindda store because the salesperson there always give me the that look "Another window shopper who can't afford Raoul shirts" since I always come with T-shirt and jeans. Luck as it, I met another one here.

A Raoul Store

I looked around and saw one nice shirt and I asked the "Idiot" how much was the discount. He gave me the look "You still want to buy ah? Some more ask for discount ah?" and said "30%". OK, then I asked, what can I get with my OneCard (Since I just got it from the Microsoft seminar last week). Idiot said "I dunno" and walked off. He passed some remarks to his colleague and both giggle.

Actually from the OneCard directory there is a discount for Raoul. So I guess this "Idiot" not only a uninformed idiot but a total moron as well. I am not that rich, but I have enough to buy shirts from Raoul.

Too bad for him, I walked off and went to G2000 and splurged there. G2000 customer service was so good and they called me "Sir" all the time. How's that for respecting a consumer, regardless how he/she looks.

For retailers, please don't judge the book by its cover. For God's sake its 1-Utama, you expect me to shop around with a Tux?

Being a Tech Freak!

My first post for the year 2008. I am going to start the year by being a tech freak. Below are the items that I want to buy NOW!

iPod Classic

I don't want iPod Touch. I just want this. It has 160 GB of storage. Now, I just need to test it whether it will work better than my Windows Media in my Dopod.

Amazon Kindle

This is God-sent device to me. I am so in love in this machine. I want one but life is ever cruel. This item is only sold in US.

I don't understand why Americans loves to tease and torture us by taunting us with videos of such marvelous device yet unattainable. I freaking migrating to US. My dream of completely disposing paper is here. The e-books reader of all time. Save the trees, save the world. And no, Hiro didn't came back from the future and told me this.

Sony Reader Digital Book

Kindda lame name for a ebook reader. I thought since I couldn't get Kindle, this would be it but yet again, the Japs screwed us. This product is not sold in Malaysia and the eConnect website is only available to Americans.

I just don't get it, did we do something wrong? I mean, we let you run our country for few years and then we forgive and we drive your cars, we buy your tvs, fridge, aircon, washing machine, laptops and we worship your anime and what else did we do wrong? Tell me!?

Nokia N95

No, I haven't gave up on my Dopod and defected to Nokia. Planning to get this for my wife. But of course in the same time, I get to play with it as well.

Seems like a pretty good phone with all features that you can think of jammed into one tiny box. The price has dropped since the initial price of RM 3K. It has GPS, WiFi, 3G, 5 Mega pixel Carl Zeiss Optic lens and etc... very cool.



Garmin Nuvi
This is a GPS navigation tool. Why do I need it? Its like a chicken and egg situation, you don't need all the time, but when you need directions, you go like "Damn, I should have bought the GPS thing!".

I am not sure what model I am looking at but in the US it seems they have more range than the one I saw in Digital Mall (why I am not surprised?). And the bugger tried to pull a fast one on me, when he tried to sell me a Nuvi 750 for 3K and in Lelong its only 2K++. Bugger....


Well that is my tech wish for this year but not limited just the above. I just hope I can get my hands on all of them.

Maybank blunder yet again

Update:
Gloria called me up and said the money was refunded on Wednesday evening itself. Today she was rather chirpy and nice. Hmm... well thank you Maybank for returning back MY money.

I am seriously getting sick and tired of Maybank now. Once upon a time, they screwed up my bill payment. Now they are screwing with my money.

Yesterday I withdrew RM 300 from account at Kelana Jaya ATM. The money did not came out from the dispenser. Then I check on my account. RM 300 was deducted. It happen before, and they manage to refund me but this was like 5 years. So I was not too worried and filed in a complain.

I called up this lady Gloria and she told me that her report is fine and they don't need to refund me. What the hell? I said yeah, my account was deducted but the money did not come out. Of course your report will look ok. They are sending this issue to the ATM vendor. My God, I can't believe this. Its very simple

1. Why would I want to cheat Maybank RM 300 when I have more than that in my account. You think I go no better things to do in life? I am a honest person.
2. Simple logic, if the report say X amount of cash was withdrawn on that day, compare against the cash that is in the dispenser say Y. Take Y - X, I am sure there will be extra RM 300.
3. There are few bloody CCTV all around the ATM, check lah and see whether I actually absconded the cash.
4. Lastly make Police report lah, that I cheated Maybank. I am willing to take the lie detector test. If I pass, I am suing Maybank RM 1,000,300 for making false accusation, humiliation and distress.
   

Bloody hell. I am moving to CIMB or Al-Rajhi.

A "Happy" golfer

I just purchased a Happy mobile package for RM 5. Now I can talk for up to 45 minutes at only RM 0.99. How cool is that? For more information check out www.happy.com.my.

My Happy Prepaid

I started my new year resolution ahead of schedule. Had my first try out of golf today. I got a friend to teach me the ropes a bit. First day was not too bad, I managed to keep my golf club intact in my hand. I also managed to hit it right a few times. With more practices, I should be able to take on Tiger Woods

I really like the watch

2007 is coming to a close

Time to reflect over the year. What has happen? Unfortunately I don't keep a diary, maybe I should. What did I accomplish this year?

• Celebrated the new year in a foreign country
• Promoted to COO role
• Learned how to swim
• Celebrated Songkran in Thailand!
• Bought my first PDA phone after years of dreaming
• Bought my first foreign car.... but for my wife
  
• Bought my first golf set

Hmm.... exciting but nothing really great. These days 18 years olds are accomplishing for more things. OK time for 2008 resolution.

• Travel to Europe, Egypt, Maldives, Bali and Australia.
• Learn to scuba dive
• Play golf actively
• To swim actively
• Start a diary
• To have a body like a Spartan
• Read a book a month
• Learn another language
• Try karaoke
  
• Achieve my financial target
• Maybe do my MBA
• etc....
  

Check out http://www.43things.com/ if you are pondering about your future as well.

PC Fair

PIKOM PC Fair is back. I need few things, so I head down to KL Convention Center. I parked my car in Avenue K and made my way to KLCC. I didn't know exactly how to get to KL Convention Center, but then I use the technique called "Follow the herd of nerds". This kinda PC fair is a nerd magnet center. How to spot one?

• Skinny pale looking youth with spectacles
• Over sized t-shirts and jeans
  
• Must carry a knapsack
• Must be in a group of 5 or more all looking as listed above
• No offense, but its really true.

Its was really crowded as if it was another BERSIH event. The hall is quite large and split into 2 section. I didn't realise that I was shopping for about 3 hours until my back pain was acting up again. I got some good buy I hope. I bought

• Canon laser printer - RM 350
  
• 160 GB external HDD - RM 270
• A bulky weird looking mouse - Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse - RM 290 (This mouse suppose to help my wrist, but it seems to be making it worse. And the bloody receiver is huge - bad buy)

Not so ergonomic

• Total - RM 910. ouch..... getting deeper into debt.

A word of advise - never bring your plastic into this kindda place.

Disaster - I dropped my Dopod

I just dropped my 9 month old Dopod 838 Pro. I was just finish talking and was juggling around with my letters in the other hand and ooops... it slipped and crashed hard on a concrete cement. The cracking sound didn't sound nice. As I picked it up, I saw similar to what we often see in a dark storm - lightings streaking across. My LCD is cracked. The touch screen is not working anymore.

A badly bruised PDA phone..

The problem with this Dopod model is its quite slippery. Maybe that's the reason why HTC TyTN II has a rubber grip around the phone for better gripping. Read it here.

Rubber grip

Sob sob... my baby is injured. Now there is only 2 choice. Either I get a new phone - the HTC :) or get it repaired. I hope it will not cost that much to fix it. I will be the first person tomorrow at SIS office. Sending the phone for a major facelift.

Amazing Race Asia 2

All images are from http://amazing-race-asia.axn-asia.com/

I am watching the Amazing Race Asia 2 now. This show is a special preview of all the racers who managed to be selected into the race. One thing is really evident is in order to be selected IMHO, you need to have the following criteria:-

• Pan-Asia look
• You have higher chances if you have Caucasian blood or look like one
  
• Good looking as in model kindda look
• You/your spouse/family/friend preferable should be born outside from the country your applying. Ex. Applicant from Malaysia, but was born in Australia.
  
• You have higher chances if you are slim, fit or muscular
  
• You have higher chances if you are/were/was Miss World/Model/Actress/Actor ...

Looking at the list above, I am definitely out. Talk about discrimination, but then again this is show biz. The word Asia should be removed.

Facebook

I tried to resist as much as possible to not join any social networking tool. Yes, I am anti-social. But unfortunately, my friend cunningly sneaked me into joining Facebook. I am one thing to say, it's impressive.


Everybody that lives on earth is in Facebook including your neighbour's cat, ok I am exaggerating it. But seriously, its like everyone is in it. I made contact with friends that I haven't spoke or seen in 2 years. It's great, but in the same time you get to see others whom you don't want to see and as well you don't want them to see you either. :)

Its just a fad, similar to Friendster and Myspace. But truly its a great tool to keep in touch with long lost friends. Now you have a excuse to not call your friends, "Why never call ah? Haiya, I saw you yesterday is FB mah..... i sent you a gift some more, what more you what!?"

Selamat Hari Raya

Its a little late, but better late than never. Selamat Hari Raya from Penang on HSDPA. I am lucky that Penang or at least where I am is covered by Maxis 3.5G.

Traffic on NSE was bearable this year, but I had to endure the entire 300 KM journey under heavy rain. Nuts..

Raya was mostly spending visiting, watching movie and shopping! My bro-in-law was around, so takdalah boring sangat. This leave is long overdue and I am just going to be a lazy and useless couch potato until works start. I know tons of stuff is waiting for me in KL, so better take the chance now...

Since I am on leave, I took the chance to try out Celebrity Fitness in Gurney Plaza. Will blog later about it, but I seriously thinking of taking up their Diamond Program. Although I will still maintain FF, but not for long.

No idea, what else to blog. Chow.