Beaten Shoes - Everyday News Blog

The running of the SEO Contest for Ambatchdotcom Seocontest

2006-10-14T08:29:00.000+08:00

The contestants in the Ambatchdotcom Seocontest are taking a final push for the last 7 days of the SEO contest. The Ambatch contest ends on October 20th and the top 10 contestants are pulling out all the stops to improve their rankings for the key phrase ambatchdotcom seocontest. Lisa Campbell is the only girl in the contest and I think she has a good shot at taking this with her entry. I wish her all the best and would sure like to see her at the top.

Nice work

2006-08-11T19:05:00.000+08:00

It frequently amazes me how bloggers like Amos Wong can write consistently on his blog about stuffs that he experiences which in turn becomes knowledge to him.

When I visited his blog, I love all his photo galleries that he posted using SimpleViewer on Wordpress.

Visit his site and I'm sure you'll agree with me.

$1000 Prize Money for Travel Writing Contest

2006-02-28T21:15:00.000+08:00

Are you game to win some cold hard cash? Are you an avid traveler? Maybe you are a writer with great imagination?

It doesn't matter who you are or what your capabilities are as long as money motivates you, take a look at this travel writing contest. The owner of that blog is offering a total of US$1000 cash prizes with the winner awarded half of that amount or US$500.

The writing entries are basically about your summer 2006 travel plans and corresponding itinerary. Click here to visit the site for more details, contest guidelines, rules and fine-prints.

US$250 Prize Just for Blogging

2006-02-23T09:10:00.000+08:00

Yes, people. BlogParty is awarding a $250 prize money for their blog contest. All you need to do is write up about their contest and link to their site. The results will be availble on the 15th of March 2006.

What are you waiting for? Blog on...

2005-09-24T18:13:00.000+08:00

There is where my rocket is gonna fly. Up there to land on Mars. It has been my childhood dream to be an astronaut and travel into outer space. Maybe it's because of cartoon influencing-powers (the likes of Buck Rogers). 30 years on, outer space remains my fascination and I'm constantly drawn to reading about nebulas, blackholes, supernovas, etc. Alas, my dream of being an astronaut is not to be.

Damn viruses and spywares

2005-07-18T14:53:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I got a call from my brother-in-law asking me to help him solve some problems on his computer. He said it was slow, popping up some adult stuffs and the screen was littered with funny characters.
I hopped over his place (which was about one half hours by car) to help him sort out things. Little did I know that 3 hours of my life (excluding travel time) was wasted helping him clean up his computer.
His bloody computer was full of viruses and spywares. There were 3 dialers and countless cookies installed. With the help of online tools, killing these buggers was a breeze albeit through a dial-up connection.
Now, I wonder where he was surfing.....

Getting a LCD Panel

2005-06-21T15:17:00.000+08:00

Yup!! Definitely going to get myself one of these babies. I've ordered my DELL LCD Panel yesterday and am expecting delivery of the product soon.
Many have asked, why get a LCD when normal CRT monitors get the job done? Well, my answer to those questions are:
1. Asthetic values
2. I don't want to go blind
3. My son uses my computer a lot
4. My study table will be less cluttered
5. Finally, boys just want to get their toys!!

Frankly, using LCDs instead of CRTs are less painful to the eyes and are generally sharper. Graphics looks better using LCDs.

American Idol IV Finals

2005-05-25T22:59:00.000+08:00

Oh my goodness! Did I enjoy the finals or what! It's just amazing how both the contestants belt out their best in search for fame and fortune and at the same time have fun.

Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice are the 2 finalist. Bo Bice sang Vehicle again in his 2nd song and I think it was as brilliant as when he sang the first time. What can I say about Carrie? She screams in her singing and it does really hurt my ears but nonetheless, she's good too. Her country song was excellent in my opinion but Simon Cowell disagreed. Simon said "Round 2 went to Bo". I agree with that; who could ever beat Bo when he sings vehicle? Duh!!

At the end of it all, Simon said to Carrie, "I think you have done enough to win this competition". Oh man, was I disappointed when I heard that. On the overall, both contestants did a awesome job but I think Bo did a better job at entertaining the crowd.

Results are not until tomorrow. I just can't wait. Who are you voting for?

Free as a Bird

2005-05-25T10:00:00.000+08:00

It must have been tough to capture this photograph without scaring the bird away unless one has a telescopic lense. What I see from this picture is not simply a photo of nature's creature but for what it represents. It represents freedom. Freedom to fly freely roaming our planet.

A freedom to move globally without the need for passports. A freedom to live anywhere without the need for money. A freedom to have a birds' eye view on life.....

Blog via email? Outrageous!

2005-05-24T23:07:00.000+08:00

I just found out that Blogger has a tool that allows bloggers to post their blogs using their email. If this works for me, then it'll be awesome! I can now simply send an email and voila! my post will be online.

Really, really cool feature. Google must have a huge bank of brainy people working for them. This indeed is my maiden post via email andI would like to see if it actually works.

The only drawback I read is that Blogger does not support attachments or images when posting via email. Makes sense too.

Pick your own berries

2005-05-24T15:54:00.000+08:00

Isn't this photo charming? This reminds me of spring breaks in Oxford, England where visits to the farm was a weekly family exodus. I specifically remember Rectory Farm where blackcurrants, redcurrants, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, Tayberries, beetroot, asparagus, lettuce, broad beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, French beans, mange-tout, peas, sugar-snap peas, potato, pumpkins exist in abundance for picking.

On one occassion, I wore ill-fitting Wellington boots which caused my feet to blister in a matter of minutes. In the end, I was bare-footed and spent 2 hours picking strawberries while filling up my tummy simultaneously.

Life was a joy when you are one with nature....

Beautiful Photographs

2005-05-24T10:27:00.000+08:00

I am always a buff and sucker for beautiful photographs. The above photo reminds me of how beautiful life is. Doesn't this reminds you on the scent after a rain? This also reminds me when I was a little boy at a tender age of 11. I was playing alone in the rain on the porch of my house when I slipped and fell. I broke my front tooth in half.

It reminds me of the days when my parents took me into nature on the highlands to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the environment. What does this photo remind you of?

Apple recalls iBook and PowerBook Batteries

2005-05-24T01:41:00.000+08:00

128,000 rechargable batteries are being recalled in the United States. If you own an Apple iBook or PowerBook, double check to see if you are at risk of having these defective batteries. Apparently, an internal short can lead to the batteries overheating and therefore posing a fire hazard.

Computer model name	Battery model number	Battery serial number range
12-inch iBook G4	A1061	HQ441 – HQ507
12-inch PowerBook G4	A1079	3X446 – 3X510
15-inch PowerBook G4	A1078	3X446 – 3X509

This warning is taken from the CPSC site:
"Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge. After removing the recalled battery from their iBook or PowerBook, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives."

Mitsubishi loses $4.39 billion in 04/05

2005-05-23T15:32:00.000+08:00

Reuters reported today that Mitsubishi lost US$4.39 billion in their fiscal year 2004/2005. Sales globally reduced by 14% and revenues shrunk by 16%. I don't know why but I am sadden by this piece of news. I have never been really a crazed car fan or someone who can speak all the motor jargons but I really do like their Evo cars. More so since I saw these powerfully-smacked vehicles in the movie The Fast and The Furious.

The picture above is a shot of a Mitsubishi Evo Rally car. Ohh!! Before I forget, I do love their Spyder models too...

Internet Retail Sales Up 24%

2005-05-23T00:54:00.000+08:00

According to the United States Department of Commerce, 1st quarter 2005, Internet Retail Sales is up 23.8% amounting to US$19.8 billion. Note that these figures is for United States only. The global retail sales must be staggering.

This growth was attributed to consumers' comfort level using the Internet as a facility to purchase goods. Guess which category of goods is seeing rapid growth.... Automotive, nope. Computer items, nope. Financial services, nope. It is jewelry... Surprised? So was I when I read that piece of news. How can one buy jewelry over the Internet? It's just... ironically, not secure.

Student/Father/Husband/Employee

2005-05-23T00:01:00.000+08:00

All of us play one role or more in our lives. For me, these are the following roles:

Student
Father
Husband
Employee
Son
Brother

Some of you may play more roles than me, especially if you are into volunteering or community work. The key to all these ramblings is that one must find the balance. Time management, morale support, family understanding is so crucial for one to remain sane...

Pirated Star Wars 3: Revenge of the Sith

2005-05-22T23:34:00.000+08:00

Isn't this sad? Barely a couple of days the movie was released, you can now buy pirated copies of Star Wars 3 on the streets of Beijing for a mere 20 yuan (DVD format).

These people never learn their lesson. Selling pirated goods is similar to stealing intellectual property and hence selling stolen properties. Some quarters argue that the industry killing itself by pricing exhorbitantly for legal copies. Cinemas cost a bomb to watch and original DVDs costs very much more. How can you expect an average owner to afford it?

Would there ever be a compromise???.........

Too busy

2005-05-22T22:47:00.000+08:00

I've been too tied up nowadays as I was given a new portfolio at work. I now am their official asprin of the company. You see, I now head the company's helpdesk where all problems are directed to my team. Yes, we are the lightning rods, hanged out in the open to take customers' fiercest grunts and flogging.

Boy, it's tough to keep these team motivated and morale high. I'm sure I will be feeling the same when everyday for 8 hours a day, you hear nothing but complains and curses from callers. My team look so stressed out by the time their shifts end, so, I think I'll just give them some room to let off all the steam.

Poor boys and girls.....

One Way Traffic??

2005-01-07T22:19:00.000+08:00

Writing in my blog is like a DJ at the radio station speaking to himself. It seems like a one way traffic conversation and I really don't even have a clue if there is anyone reading my blogs save for the comment section.

So, the crucial question here is: "Does blogging make sense?"

Lately, apparently it does. Bloggers have used this site to post news of the devastating and deadly tsunami that has taken more than 130,000 lives (so far). Kudos to those who made an effort to post latest news and survivors onto the Internet. People from around the world have been using these blogspots in search of their loves ones.

Deepest condolences to the victims and their families in their hour of grief. May the good Lord bless them....

Jimbo

A little too long

2004-12-22T23:51:00.000+08:00

Yeah.... I know.... it's been sometime since I have blogged..
I've been busy checking my bank account for cold hard cash attributable to my blogging. But alas, the money is not to be seen. Probably the problem is due to my lack of content that Google cannot derive the targeted advertisement.
So, I decided to start another blog specifically to address travelling to Malaysia (click here to check out my other blog).... hhhhmmm, this other blog seems to be working but very very very slowly... next, I will be looking into promoting my other blog... stay tuned.... don't touch that remote..

Making Money From Blogging...

2004-09-02T11:57:00.000+08:00

Do money really flow from the Internet to my bank account? Blogger.com is allowing bloggers to include Google advertisement; called AdSense, into individual blogs... Hhmm.. money to be made while I blog and blog. Is it really possible?, I thought. Well, no harm trying... This is what I did.

First, I have to apply to Google to incorporate AdSense into my blog. Registration is straight-forward and quick. You must include your URL for Google to check to ensure no profanity, racism, etc in the site. After 2 days of waiting, presto, Google reverted to give the grren light...

All we need to do now is to follow Google's step-by-step guide to generate an appropriate advertisement presentation, copy & paste the script into Blogger's template..

All done... Now, onward to watch my bank balance grow.....

Jimbo

MSN Messenger?...

2004-08-28T19:29:00.000+08:00

I don't believe it.. At this age and day, there are still companies that disallows online chatting. Yes, there may be abuses but I doubt that all the employees will abuse having such facility. I have used MSN Messenger and am now an evangelist for them.

I travel a lot. Believe me, a lot. From anywhere in the world, I can just hook on the Internet and presto! I am just like being back in my stuffy office. I can communicate with all my colleagues (ask for help, checking the latest employee promotion list, share files, even talk to them, and the list goes on and on and on...).

Without MSN Messenger, I would have almost lost connection with my office save for the normal telephone calls (it do cost a bomb if you are calling from overseas and especially from hotel. By the way, hotels nowadays uses VOIP but still charge you at a normal rate).

Abuses or not, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ (and what have you) helped me increase my productivity and efficiency. Think about it....

Jimbo

Making Golf Work for You...

2004-08-24T14:09:00.000+08:00

Last weekend, I had the time made available to play 2 rounds of golf (many thanks to my consenting wife). I played wonderfully on the 2nd round, hitting 2 under my offical handicap. After the game, laying on my bed, I analysed the attributes that made me achieved the feat. Allow me to share with the rest of the golfer community that suffers from frustrations and denials of the game.

One important lesson that I've learnt over the weekend is to keep cool. It is so often I hear golfer's swear after hitting a bad shot. In my last game, instead of swearing, I chose to laugh it off. I believe that laughing it off keeps our body from being tense and rigid. Furthermore, concentrate on your recovery shot and practise some course management.

Most beginners are rearing to go off the tee. They step up, take a couple of practice swings, address the ball and WHACK!!! With all their might, they strike the ball as if the ball is their arch-enemy. We must remember that the ball is actually our loyal friend, who will react as you command it to. Last weekend, I chose to slow down my swing, concentrate on my body movement, weight shift and follow through. I saw some of the best tee-offs in my life marred by occasional hooks (laugh it off).

I have played with many golfers, good and bad. I will come across some golfers who will present you with advise from your very first tee-off to your last putt. Not withstanding their good intentions, do not listen to advise when on the course. It will only spoilt your game. Instead, listen and learn, but practise it on the driving range. On the other hand, some golfers purposely provide you advice in an attempt to confuse (or pyscho) you on the course. Ignore them.

Take your time when making a shot. Do not be embarrassed to step back from the ball if you are not ready to hit it. Why the rush? You have paid top dollars to play at a golf course and you rush your shots. Chances are that you will screw up that shot. Worse come to worst, allow the back flight to overtake you.

Enjoy the game, relax and use your brains.......

Jimbo

Bali, Here I Come.....

2004-08-21T10:11:00.000+08:00

Wow!! What good news today. Got an email from my management that they will be sending me to Bali to attend a weeks conference. Yeeehhhaaaa...... Something like this really makes your day. Sitting back and thinking of the white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, hundreds (if not thousands) of beautiful hot chicks sunbathing... Hhhmmm, can't wait.

Suddenly, I remembered of the dreadful bombing that recently happened in Bali (October 2002 to be exact). I wonder if the atmosphere is still the old Bali or have people changed their perception of paradise. I wonder if the residents there will be as warm as they used to be or are they now suspicious of things surrounding them. Most of all, I wonder if it is safe to go there....

So, I got onto my computer and googled for Bali. Oh bother, I will be in Bali during their election. Hopefully, there will not be heated political campaigning. All this negative thought was soon shrouded by the many beautiful pictures of Bali and their culture. So, let's go through my travel checklist.. toothbrush, toothpaste, shaver, swimming trunks, goggles, Hawaiian shirt, pants, ties, suits...... Now, I wonder where I left my passport...........

Jimbo

Resignation....

2004-08-19T22:33:00.000+08:00

Today is indeed a sad day for me. One of my subordinate (we shall name him, John) whom I have identified for potential vertical movement handed me his resignation letter.

Understanding and respecting John's decision, I sat with him to run through his predicaments. John was a hardworking man who can work so independently that you can just tell him what you require and he gets thing going. John has basic formal education and wishes to further his education to obtain a proper degree. Indeed, if his resignation is for the better, I do not want to be his stumbling block.

John told me that he is handing his letter with a heavy heart. Likewise, I received it hesitantly. Not wondering what will happen for his future, I wished him all the best in life and we shook hands. I guess that's a way of life. On Earth, nothing is permanent..... Everything is temporary.....

Jimbo

Cheated....

2004-08-19T14:26:00.000+08:00

The other day, my wife & I went to Pizza Hut for dinner. Browsing through the menu, our eyes were set upon the seafood lasagna. We were really looking forward to the lasagna as it has been sometime since we had it. We waited for 20 minutes and was served with food that we could not associate with to lasagna.

Take a look, the lasagna in the
background is pathetic.

I queried the waitress on the serving and was only given a one line answer, "It's like that."

Just looking at the food in front of us made us lose our appetite. Armed with a camera phone, I took a couple of pictures. My intention was to write an email to Kentucky Fried Chicken (which owns Pizza Hut). The next day, I proceeded to write (with attachments of the photos taken) to to KFC after getting their email address from their website.

It has been a week now and I have yet to hear nor received any reply from KFC. That's the last of my patronage to Pizza Hut. Hello, Shakey's Pizza.............

Jimbo

Confirmed... Meetings are a waste of time!

2004-08-18T09:32:00.000+08:00

My meeting was supposed to start at 9am. It is now 32 minutes passed the start time. It started no doubt at 9am but the chairperson keeps babbling on, and on, and on..... on his life experiences and stuffs.

I am lucky to have my wireless notebook with me that I can blog (as if I was taking notes). Kudos to technology for making my life connected to the world & making me sane.

Finally, meeting starts.... Gotta go.....

[10.02am]
Hhhmmm.. false alarm.. Babbling goes on.. Therefore, it is confirmed:
Meetings are where minutes are taken and hours wasted.

[10.53am]
I don't believe it..... The chairperson is still babbling along.... I feel my ass is really stucked to my chair and I can't feel my legs... I think blood has stopped flowing to my legs... God, stop this babbling....

[12.28pm]
I am not joking, my meeting has not started. My boss next to me has so much patience (this may be attributable to the fact that she is a female). My boss is actually listening to every word the chairperson has to say. I, on the other hand, am going crazy...
I have never in my life met a person that can babble without stopping.

Jimbo

POST MORTEM
I feel I must write on the this:
Meeting finally started at 12.43pm. Guess what time it ended???? 1.16pm
All the time wasted.......
Re-affirming: Meetings are where minutes are taken and hours wasted.

Coming Alive

2004-08-18T00:22:00.000+08:00

Sitting in my living room, working on my Masters assignment, fed up with the little space my webmail provides me, I googled to see how I can get my hands on the coveted GMail. My search all leads to Blogger.com where members of Blogger gets invite from Google.

OK.. Let's try to see if it is true.. I NEED GMAIL...

Suddenly, it dawned upon me that, Hey... I can vent my frustration and experiences in life on the web. So what if people reads... At the very least, someone knows that Jimbo exists on the face of this planet.

Yeeeha....

Jimbo