FNAF

Kiki asked for these books. I have no idea what these are but the theme looks gothic.
I've told her these are not suitable for kids but she desires them so much, she was disappointed that I wasn't gonna get them for her.

She is very much of a 'gamer' although we don't have a PC where she could be playing computer games. Already with the iPhone, she could be much addicted to it, I have no plans to give her PC games as I think if we don't manage it well, it could become an unhealthy lifestyle.

For now, she is mainly watching games being playout via YouTube videos, it is like a second position gaming experience but she is as well-versed as an actual gamer.

I think it might not be really practical to be blocking her from these types of gaming exposure and I will have to be also reading these books before letting her have them. She is a Tom Boy...............

Conferences

At the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce  & Industry SME Conference. Among its topics: The one belt, one road. How to ensure we're still needed. Speakers talking about how to embrace disruptive technologies & industries. Featuring home-grown brands, Poh Kim (being the Asean's Netflix perhaps) Singpost (from parcel post to offering financial services), BH Global (from hardware shop to cyber security) etc. etc.

Attended two events yesterday, am sooooooooo tired now!  (Aging)
So much to take in, but so fulfilling. (stimulating)

 At A*Star's "Media Exploit" conference.
AI & bots.

 Vivien not only predicts and answers your questions, she could learn you (behavioral)  and sell (stuff) to you. The AI sales rep.

This Dr. dissected thousands of mice & chickens over five years while writing her thesis. She showed us the hair cell moving in beat when the subject hears a rock & roll pop song. Her pet cause is to rehab and healthcare for the brain neurons. Telepathy is no longer sci-fi. At the booth, participants get to use a headgear (band) to play virtual games using the BRAIN POWER (concentration/intention/focus).

Panel speakers taking questions from the floor. I like this bunch of people. They are mainly scientists, investors, Fintech people, VC, and the rest of us are vendors / inventors. They may disagree with each other but they are cool about their differences. Talked about real cases of stolen ideas, stolen products despite IP filed, despite NDA signed. The advise is--- move on and act fast. Run away from people who asks too much questions but are non-committed. Do not let investors or scientists put you down. If you have an idea that keeps you awake night after night, pursue it. Do not let bureaucracy put you off. Do not pursue perfection. Settle for 60% and improve from there. Come up with improved versions 2, 3,4. Get your money back, get your investors' money back. The pursuit of perfection may stifle you. For those who refuse to innovate or invest, don't spend too much energy trying to convince them. Just find your fit. Find committed partners. Basically, just put yourself out there. Do it. Innovate. Create. 

Yay, my phone is here.

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I bought Xiao Mi so you don't have to.

I don't know what was I thinking. Or I think I wasn't thinking straight.
I've heard lots of positive reviews about the Mi phones and thought that I might use it temporarily but I couldn't bear using it for even 20 mins. I did use it for 20 mins, and that's about it.
To be fair, it is cheap ($279) for a smart phone, it is light weight, it is easier to be picked up from the table (it is not totally flat at the back), its transmission is smooth (but not as fluid, it has that subtle vibrate that I find it so.... lame.) it has dual SIM card holder but still I am not impressed, but I am just biased with my support in iPhone and iOS, hey, iKann is my meme. My mom will inherit this rip off phone. I think she wouldn't mind because she hasn't used any smart phones before. So she wouldn't know the diff. Oops, sorry Mom.

Random Photos

The Emperor's New Clothes

When we first began the group lesson, it was a huge struggle. I do not play nor study music. But I have always felt moved by some music albeit contemporary ones eg: Maksim's Exodus or Canon, and Dream of Love No.3 from my Cafe Del Mar CD. My sis replaced me on the two occasions I was unable to attend violin class, and she told me to give it up. Well, unless you are the parent, you may not be able to weather the sometimes harsh comments from the teacher. Well, a few parent-kid duos have quit along the way, the remaining ones have somewhat survived or qualifying. You can call me old-school, but I make no apology in appreciating discipline and hard work as many times they do pay off. The teacher has already told us that the kid is not her student, the parent is. Not that now it isn't difficult for me; I have just figured out Etude in book 1 after sweating it out for a few days, and it will take about two weeks for Kiki to pick up the new tune but we grew a little more resilient each time we learn a new piece and I like it when we've learned a new song, but to be bearably good at it takes a lot of practice, patience and faith. I think as long as we could still manage learning, we will continue. Hopefully for a long time to come.

When we first began, I have always wondered if a more expensive violin would produce better sound quality and I tried to find an excuse for the not-so-good performances we've had. But then one day, I was blown over. The teacher was either frustrated with what she was hearing, took over one of the student's violin to try. She broke into very fine tunes. Then every mother / father wanted her to sample their violins which she did. As she sampled, she asked about how much we've paid for the violin. To our surprises, whether it was an old, valuable violin or one that cost a couple of hundreds to the cheapest ones that are slightly over $100, they all sounded very fine. From that demonstration, I had given up blaming the instrument. "I am the instrument", I thought to myself. If the sound is less than perfect, it is surely not the instrument from what I've seen here. Of course I admit that me being a novice, very much rely on a better quality violin to bring out nicer sounds, but an expert violinist could bring out very, very fine sounds regardless. I've learned that there are no lousy violins, only novice violinists.

Recently, I came across an article about a blind test conducted to discover if first-rate, renowned Soloists would necessarily prefer old violins over new ones if they have not been told the specifics of the violins they are sampling. The group of researching Scientists "antiqued" six new violins to give them an aged look and put them together with six old, Italian violins, hence the Soloists were not able to tell what is what. Furthermore, the Soloists were asked to choose one from among the twelve violins; to replace their current violin in a hypothetical concert tour. So, it means that the Soloists were very serious when reviewing the violin of their choice and had graded new violins better for playability, articulation, and projection, and at least equal to old in terms of timbre. In short, the group of renowned Soloists were unable to tell an old branded violin from a brash new one given the unbiased circumstance. (Can I exclaim now?, the emperor has no clothes on him!)

 For full article, please read

Soloist evaluations of six Old Italian and six new violins

from 
Source:

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/04/03/1323367111

 

 

Nat Geo & Bio Channels

Because I have little time for TV, I don't follow much sitcoms nor dramas.
If I'm lucky, I will catch parts of a movie.
If I'm luckier, I get to watch documentaries and I enjoy behavioural sciences most.

Sometimes, the geek in me wants to jot down notes while watching.
But always, I wanna share with you the interesting learning. But I'm not sure if it would be as interesting for you.

Nevertheless, let me put down the few things I remember for now.

We all know that a symmetrical face garners more adoration than a less symmetrical face. So try to even out your face.

Female names with two syllabus are deemed more serious (business) than one syllabus names.
For instance, people treat Deborah more seriously than Ann.
Male names work opposite. Eg: John is better sounding than Kenneth (for business).

Our brains are wired to "believe in authority". Before doubt sets in, we are quick to believe.
For eg. during the research, the professor dressed a man in suit and posed as a news anchorman, armed with a team of camera man they went on the streets to interview passerby. They asked what the public feel if being told that NASA Apollo 11 did not land on the moon and it was a cover-up. Straight away the people believed the news anchor man and expressed disappointment.

Recently, the most interesting episode I've watched was the one on how parasites alter and manipulate the behaviour of its host, including getting human beings to behave reckless and accident prone! In animals, eg: the rat, the parasite alters the brain behaviour of the rat and make cat urine attractive to the rat. It also makes the rat run in the open (rather than hide in shadows) so when the rat seeks the cat, it gets eaten and the parasites get a new host! Gosh, doesn't it sounds like alien invasion? Worse than scary movies.

On a lighter note, I shall part you with a static picture of wheels.
Look sideways or at the borders and see what happens.
(This is to do with our brain's interpretation of colours)
source: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/08/inside-the-secrets-of-illusions-memory/

 I took this template from the box of stain-art stickers Kiki has as I find the ensemble so heart warming, I stuck this onto the otherwise industrial looking windows next to my work desk.

This compact laptop is only 893 grams in weight. although many people told me that the lite software is limiting, I hope it will suffice as a portable gadget. I could use it for my final school term which is starting next week. I will be done with school by the end of December. Hang in there!

 Some girly stuff.

 I've always wanted to get a set of these but I have never bought one until now.
Feels so thrilling. Haha.
Kiki sat next to me, watching quietly.
Out of the blue she asked: "Mama, how many minutes will it take for me to be an adult like you?"
Aw,,, she wants to put on make-up! Vain like me. Hahahaa.
In order to comfort her, I told her that she can always have some make-up on when there's an occasion. Example for a concert or a party, etc.

 My col. brought us to a coffee shop stall to try this Mah La Veggies & meat. (some China-Chinese styled dishes) I enjoyed the dish but it was a tad too salty. We asked for the mildest of spiciness which is just nice for me.

 I can't remember what I'd said that didn't agree with her. She digs this sweater so much that she's wearing it to bed for the past two nights.
There's a thrift shop at my place that sells factory rejects or defected pieces at $5, $7, $12 to $25 and I do get some pieces from there now-and-then.

 Colin can peddle very fast on this baby-truck, so much so that the tip of his new shoes got torn......
He is very naughty,,,, attempted some stunts and stood on the truck... boys!

 Hogging the bicycle and made Maricar and Kiki push him round and round endlessly.

New Zealand Ice Cream - Kiwi flavour on 50%. Until October 6th, that is.