Archive | PermalinkIrfan's NimbleX

I'm currently running a new LiveCD within which resides the Linux operating system called NimbleX, and I'm writing this article with the Konqueror browser nestled deep within the LiveCD. The reason why this article is entitled "Irfan's NimbleX" is because upon the startup of the OS, a voice says, "Welcome to Irfan's NimbleX" in the voice of famed Star Trek and The Simpsons guest actor Stephen Hawking.

The special thing about NimbleX is that the ISO file you download to burn into a CD is customisable! You get to decide what applications are included, how the default wallpaper looks like (and upload your own), the startup and shutdown sound and other neat stuff. This is how part of the custom ISO generator page looks like:

Click on the thumbs to view the full images.

Keywords: linux

Archive | PermalinkThis Summer's Opera Report

Unlike last year, this summer we did not purchase season tickets to the Cincinnati Opera. Not because we didn't want to go to the opera or anything, but since opera season is during the summer, and since the baby might be presenting his/herself right smack during the opera season, we decided to play it by ear. As it was, I had to convince Vin that if we went to the opera in June, we would STILL make it to the hospital if I went into labor.

Keywords: opera

Archive | PermalinkThirty Eight Weeks

Time for the bi-weekly update. Thirty eight weeks have passed. I am constantly surprised at how much larger I keep getting, but I'm assured by the doctors that we are where we should be. It probably doesn't help that I am chowing down on oreo cookies as I write this entry!

Weekly check up this morning went well - things are good. Getting close - pretty much any time now, although they are predicting that the baby might even go beyond the due date. Yikes to how big the baby might end up if I go beyond the due date! But anyway, Mak and Abah will be arriving next week, so we are excited. We are painting the nursery and will be picking up some baby gear this weekend (you know we can't leave the hospital with the baby without a car seat - that's part of the rules). It's all coming together.

So, here be pictures:

Keywords: lily,pregnancy

Archive | PermalinkBoy or Girl? DON'T TELL US! - Part 5

Technically, in the U.S. healthcare system, we would be done with ultrasounds and see the baby for real when (s)he is born. However, at last week's checkup, the doctor thought the baby might be large so we were sent to get an extra ultrasound to get a baseline of the estimated size of the baby. Not to mention, we have a history of high birth weights in both our families (Vin was 10 lb 3 oz - 4.5 kg, and Yope was 9 lbs and has a big head!). This morning we went for the ultrasound.

Here's the news. As of this morning, the estimated weight of the baby in utero is 8 lb 4 oz (+/- 15 oz). So the range right now is 7 lb 5 oz to 9 lb 3 oz (3.3-4.2 kg). This is NOT the estimated birth weight, mind you. This is the estimated weight of the baby as of TODAY. And we have 3 weeks left according to one count, and almost 4 weeks left according to another date that the doctor gave us. So. When I called a couple of friends to tell them about the size of the baby as of today, and how much time is left, both of them independently of each other, told me "Sila, don't be a hero".

We go back to the doctor this Friday (check ups are now weekly) and will discuss what the options are to safely have this projected-to-be-large baby. We came back from the ultrasound today, just laughing like maniacs about the fact that a) baby is healthy and will have a healthy, strong birth weight, and b) OMG it's no joke, we could be having a 10 lb baby!!! May I just say, those of you who have assured me that delivery isn't so bad - were your babies 10 pounders? That's 4.5 kgs or more. If not, then I don't want to hear it!!

But enough ranting - we'll figure it out, and god willing, the baby will be in our arms safely one way or another. We got some more pictures of the baby though - however, the caveat is that this far advanced, the pictures are actually not as clear as the last pictures were (not counting the 3D ultrasound pictures).

* Mouse over for captions

Keywords: pregnancy

Archive | PermalinkThe Layout Goes South

I've been trying to code the CSS file for the weblog all morning. I woke up and thought, how nice it would be if the site was optimised to a width of 1024 pixels.

So I tinkered. And after altering and jury-rigging a bit of code here and a snippet of script there in the CSS file, I have arrived at a temporary solution before I needed to stop working on it.

Here's how it looks like using three different browser types on a 1200px by 800px screen:

Firefox 2.0.0.14

Safari 3.1

and finally... Internet Explorer 7.0 (sigh)

The left column is still there. It's just overlaid by the centre column. I shall return to fix this for IE users.

Keywords: blog,pivot,web_design

Archive | PermalinkDreadwind Rising: A Blog Upgrade

Many, many months after the latest version of Pivot had been released, and remember that this weblog uses the Pivot content management system to... manage its content, Hishgraphics blog has finally been upgraded.

It was for a very long time running on version 1.30 codenamed "Arcee". As of yesterday, this blog has been upgraded to version 1.40.5 codenamed "Dreadwind".

It feels great performing the upgrade manually - uploading files individually and rebuilding everything - instead of using some automatic upgrade application. After about 4 man hours or so, it's back in business.

Not that it really matters for the regular visitors of the blog, but there you go.

As a behind-the-scenes bonus, here are some pop-up images of the administration interface:

Keywords: blog,pivot,web_design

Archive | PermalinkThirty Six Weeks

Another two weeks have passed, and again, I have grown like crazy. I feel like I should have a man with a top hat standing around yelling "Come one, come all!! Witness the amazing growing Sila!!!! Limited engagement!!!"

What more can I say but look!

Keywords: pregnancy

Archive | PermalinkTop Incisors Have Been Extracted

For the second time, Irfan visited the dentist with two loose upper incisors.

According to the dentist, it would hurt to pull them out directly unlike before.

So without further adieu the doctor brandished a needle which was epic in size. Irfan took it all in stride and within five minutes the two teeth were out of there. Irfan bit on the gauze to stop the bleeding, but when asked if it hurt, he just smiled and shook his head.

What a trooper.

Keywords: irfan,medical

Archive | PermalinkAll This Has Happened Before

This is it.

This is the home stretch.

For the humans on the brink of extinction and traveling across the stars looking for a new home in Battlestar Galactica, the end is near. As viewers, we have arrived at the fourth and final season’s mid-season break. 10 more episodes before it’s all over.

Will it be a happy end? Will they finally find the 13th tribe on the lost colony of Earth? Will the Cylons annihilate the last forty thousand human beings of the Twelve Colonies before they arrive at their destination?

Trying to formulate a good theory on what will be revealed in the series finale next year is probably a futile effort, but I’m going to attempt it anyway. I have a theory that’s been percolating in my mind since the 3rd season of the show.

This discussion will have SPOILERS. So stay away if you’ve not seen up to “Revelations”. However the conclusion at the end of this entry is conjecture and speculation and not any sort of a spoiler.

If I get it right, yay me.

Else, oh well.

Keywords: battlestar_galactica,tv

Archive | PermalinkNot So Jolly Green Giant - An Incredible Hulk Review

The new movie from Marvel Studios entitled The Incredible Hulk has been released. The movie is about a man who has been altered by an overdose of gamma radiation causing him to transform into the nine feet tall, green-skinned monstrous creature known as the Hulk.

The movie is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Academy Award winning actor Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, William Hurt as General "Thunderbolt" Ross, Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky and Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns. Ty Burrell also makes an appearance as psychiatrist Dr. Leonard Samson.

Oh, who am I kidding. This isn't really a review for the unwashed masses.

This is me hulking out comic book geek style over an awesome comic book-turned-movie, which is in my opinion, a hundred times better than the 2003 Ang Lee movie only entitled Hulk which I first saw when it was shown on TV3 last week.

I fell asleep before the end. But that Hulk is really bright green though. Really bright green.

Beyond this point, SPOILERS shall patrol the streets. You have been warned.

Keywords: comics,movie,movie_review

Archive | PermalinkThirty Four Weeks

OK, I know I usually do an update on the belly progress every four weeks, but now in the last few weeks of the third trimester, it seems like it's growing exponentially. I think my belly is growing on a daily basis! Check it out!

The thing is, in the last 3 weeks I only gained 2 1/2 lbs! But it sure feels like I grew much bigger. How about some more thoughts on pregnancy:

1) Remember the large pot-bellied men question I had from the Halfway Mark? Now a follow up question: What fills it to make it so big? I mean, right now I'm filled to the brim with baby+amniotic sac+amniotic fluid and all kinds of stuff so I swish when I move around. What about the large pot-bellied men? What's in there? How does it feel? Does it swish?

2) I referred to the belly as my "large-tight-1-pack-abs" at work today and got some laughs.

3) Baby is very actively kicking. Likes very much to kick me in the ribs or wedge a foot or arm under the lowest rib all the live-long day so that I feel him/her with every movement, both of which results in what feels like bruised and tender ribs by bedtime.

4) We went to our first childbirth preparation class last night - it was fun/scary/interesting/informative all rolled in one.

Doctor says baby is progressing well, as expected. Wish us luck for the next 6 weeks!

Keywords: pregnancy

Archive | PermalinkThis One's For the English-speaking Non-Malaysian Readers

... all 3 or so of them.

Keywords: food,funny

Archive | PermalinkIt's Still The Milage - A Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Review

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull shows that Henry Jones, Junior has been busy for the last 19 years as it's now 1957. Has it been almost 20 years since Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? Man, I feel old.

Apart from giving a straight review, this movie requires a bit of dissecting and we shall now dissect in SPOILER territory.

SPOILERS! Avert your eyes, like this Russian chap below! Indy's helping him avert his eyes, even.

Keywords: indiana_jones,movie,movie_review

Archive | PermalinkIllustration Friday: Baby

An Illustration Friday entry, done before the weekend is over. The topic is merely "Baby". The other parts where it has cables connected to its cranium and spine are mostly me.

Keywords: artwork,illustration_friday

Archive | PermalinkZarin and Lily

In case anyone was wondering how Lily took to having Zarin around for a few days, she was totally comfortable with him. (These are pictures that Zarin took - guna sikit ya, Zarin?).

First night, already that kitkat made herself comfortable right in the middle of Zarin's bed:

Keywords: friends,lily

Archive | PermalinkWTF???

And I say it again...WTF?? This creature has been wandering the backyards of our neighborhood in the last few weeks. Where did it come from? Why is it here? Why hasn't it been caught and made into dinner????? It's pooping on our driveway, big old tahi ayam crap! Whose up for a good chase? Grrrrrr...

As a consequence, we had to stop putting out birdseed for the birds and squirrels since this chicken was taking advantage of it. Grrrrrr

Keywords: critters

Archive | PermalinkZarin's Visit

So Zarin (atukku!) spent a few days with us (May 16-22) during which time, I regret to say that even though I brought my camera everywhere, I didn't take as many pictures as I should have. Too busy chatting and hanging out and eating. What to do? I haven't had this kind of time to hang out with Zarin since our college days (and since Zarin came for the 10th Year reunion, that's as many years since we've had the luxury of hanging out like this).

We did plan some activities to do (other than hanging out!). On Saturday, we went to watch the Cincinnati Reds play against the Cleveland Indians (Interleague Play).

Sorry Zarin, I borrowed a few of your pictures for this entry...

Keywords: baseball,friends

Archive | PermalinkLance Is Virtually A Cat

Warning: Spoilers for Battlestar Galactica episode "Sine Qua Non". Click on the thumbnail at your own risk.

Keywords: battlestar_galactica,motivational_posters,tv

Archive | PermalinkThirty Two Weeks

Time seems to be flying on by! We are now at 32 weeks, as of this past Monday. 80% of the way there now! Feeling big and getting bigger...

Keywords: friends,pregnancy

Archive | PermalinkSome Good Saucer Men News

This summer will see a whole lot of nerd rage with wave after wave of nerds complaining to the tune of George Lucas screwed the pooch with the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Why?

Because, yet to be released are The Incredible Hulk, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, X-Files: I Want To Believe, Punisher War Zone, The Dark Knight, Star Wars Clone Wars (Yes! There's a Star Wars movie coming out in theatres this summer and it's not being overly marketed by a juggernaut on steroid, thank you very much! A heartfelt hurrah!) and of course next week's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Yes, a lot of nerd rage has been directed towards Kingdom of the Crystal Skull because of... well, nerd reasons. (And Speed Racer will probably tank badly because of horrible marketing strategy and bad word of mouth from people who haven't seen it.) However, there's been somewhat of a good news from Cannes, of all places, for Professor Henry Jones, Junior.

According to Yahoo News:

Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull has proved a huge hit at the Cannes International Film Festival on Sunday - receiving a standing ovation from critics at its world premiere.

The fourth installment of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas' famous adventure franchise was one of the most eagerly awaited screenings at the French event, attracting a huge amount of hype and publicity.

But weeks of speculation threatened to tarnish the premiere after rumours suggested the film had been panned by movie bosses at an exclusive initial screening in Los Angeles last month.

However, the film - which sees 65-year-old Harrison Ford return to the role of Indiana Jones after a 19 year gap - was praised by the world's media, reportedly garnering a three and a half minute standing ovation by the select few who were invited to watch it, according to American industry publication Variety.

Before the screening, manic crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the movie's returning star Ford, who told awaiting reporters he didn't care if the movie received bad reviews, as long as moviegoers enjoyed the action.

He said, "I expect to have the whip turned on me. I'm not really worried about it. I work for the people who pay to get in. They are my customers and my focus is on providing the best experience I can for those people."

And although legendary moviemaker Lucas admitted last month he had hatched plans to revive the action hero for a fifth film, he kept tight-lipped about the plans at the Cannes premiere. He told reporters, "Harrison, Steven and I haven't talked about it. We can't do it unless I can come up with a good idea, which I haven't."

The original trilogy - the last being 1989's Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade - was one of the highest-earning franchises in film history, grossing over GBP500 million at the global box office.

I'm just going to go watch it and enjoy it for what it is: an action pulp serial made into a big budget movie of the 21st century.

Keywords: indiana_jones,movie