Eight more days...

Today was my wedding rehearsal. Standing in front, by the aisle evokes the most introspective feeling ever. I'm getting married.

There's just a rush of joy in the room - close friends clapping, mother beaming, father a bit flustered, Lydia's dad being a bit shy, brothers playing a fool and Lydia, of course, can't stop smiling. Everyone's happy.

I had to say the words today: "For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health- till death do us part." Those came out surprisingly easy, but don't be misled. Each word was weighty in its own right, and each one a bottomless wellspring of thought.

This is what getting married feels like - perhaps the purest few moments of bliss you'd get here on earth. And I'm thankful for that. I didn't get a chance to whip out my camera to take a picture, but Louis took loads. If I have time, I'll ask him for some tomorrow and post them up, but until then, here's one picture from our wedding collection to share:

Can't wait for the real day.

If you could make a phone of any shape or size, what shape or size would it be?

So I'm down in Singapore to manage some media for Nokia Connection 2007.

It's an interesting event, and I must say, though I had little time to mingle around the showcase, hearing the designers speak was a mind-blowing experience.

Jan Chipchase's job at Nokia revolves around roaming the world, prying through people's pockets and discovering where they keep their phones. He's a behaviour research specialist and anthropologist, and he's tasked with discovering what you and I need for our daily lives. And it's not just the phone, but other features and functions like a calendar or a mapping tool.

But Jan point's out some interesting points: in a world where we're obsessed with features and powerful technology, where does the other 80% of phone users who still just need the basic function of calling their loved ones fit in? How do we make a device that's better for them?

I guess that explains why the Nokia 1110 with it's thick plastic exterior, large rubberised key pads and monochrome screen still sells.

In countries like Uganda, deployment of copper lines are so expensive that wireless becomes the best option. But people are so poor, they actually share the same, most basic of phones. I guess this is where the need for a rugged, low-cost device comes in. No one's going to be bothered to personalise a communal phone. They just need it to last fairly long, have a good reception, and be able to make calls and send SMSes.

Ultimately, we can't forget that phones are for humans.

So Jan ended on a very interesting note that's got me thinking: if a phone could be any shape or size (and with today's technology, it can!), what shape or size should it be?

The answer: it should be the shape or size that fits YOU!

Now, real time on Flickr!

Okay, I'm really behind on this blogging thing now. But, never fear, I've found a new way to ensure I get to keep in touch with you people - Flickr!

As you can see, on the right, I've got a brand new panel with pictures in it. Clicking there will take you my Flickr page where you can see pictures I recently took. Sorta like a live commentary of daily happenings.

Update - today I'm down in Singapore getting ready for Nokia Connection 2007 which is tomorrow. Or should I say, today.

There are some big announcements to be made, and it's going to be quite exciting. I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, I'll have some pics to share tomorrow.

Update, update!!!

Okay, I've been owing this update a long, long time. A lot of things has been happening in my life lately... (okay, that sounds a bit overly dramatic. Nothing earth-shattering. Just a lot of mundane chores that I need to do.)

I go to work, and work and work and work; but can't finish work in one day and go home with more work left for tomorrow. Then I go home and I do the church stuff, or attend a church meeting, but can't finish the church stuff in one day, and have to leave some more for the next day. Then the wedding stuff - same story. Have hardly played WoW this past two weeks - life gets in the way.

Anyway, sorry for the rant about life. Guess everyone wishes there was more time.

Back to the important stuff I have to update:

1. An important story came up last two weeks where the Editor of PC World in the US resigned when asked to not publish a story that was negative of one of its advertisers. I'm not gonna rant too much on this. It's been said and done with. But it does make you wonder. Anyway, here's a nice posting from ebolasaurus if you'd like to read.

2. I'm finally signing for my new house. Yups! All I need to do is now cough up the cash, and that 20-year-old house I've been ogling will be mine...er....ours. Technically, Lydia owns half-share. That's fine. I can share.

3. I've run out of wedding cards. Well, yeah. Embarassing but true. Wedding's just round the corner and after mailing out batch after batch of cards, it seems we didn't request for enough. So, I went back to Times Square for the cards, and the hotel wanted an additional RM 2 per card. Ridiculous! They insisted they only provided cards on a 5 cards per table ratio. So you expect all my friends to be couples? (No offence to you if you're reading this and are not a couple). Anyway, I've straightened the mess up and we'll pay the RM 200 for the 100 extra cards if we can't meet the quota of tables. So...more cards going out...if you haven't got yours yet.

4. I'm buying a bike! Oooo yes! If you remember, I ranted a couple of months back about increasing MidValley parking rates and was looking for a bike that costs under RM 600. Well, the deal's sealed, sorta (Thanks Jason and Robin and Ernest!) The guys have wrangled together some second hand parts, I take Robin's frame off him for RM 250 and waaaa-laaaa, a spanking new, second-hand bike.

5. We're moving office in August. After lots of lobbying, and incessant reminding, we've finally gotten approval to move from our cramped premises in Boulevard, to a spanking new office in Northpoint. Still in Midvalley, still close to home and, most importantly, still within cycling distance. Now... to lobby for that office shower...

Elections...smells like freshly tarred roads

Does anyone ever notice that everytime an election's just round the corner, roads start getting tarred everywhere and massive potholes are being filled up?

Sounds like a political ploy from the 40s? Sure is. Political parties do this all the time. Everywhere, regardless of which country you're in. Slick tarred roads. Sudden Tax reforms / reprieves. A high-profile anti-corruption campaign. Whatever voters want, voters get... just before election.

It's a sad state of the state (I know, pun intended) when managing the country is just a little pandering to the masses when it suits the political power and they need it's votes.

I've just registered as a voter. And if you're a voter, I urge you not to look at superficial reforms that are being carried out like freshly tarred roads just to make you vote for the party. But take stock of how the party has delivered on past promises.

Vote intelligently. And if you haven't registered yet, please do.