I'm sleepy, I'm hungry and I am bored. Life over the course of the past two weeks or so has been as interesting as waiting for cement to dry. Serious. Apart from a few things, I have absolutely nothing left to do. What a waste of life. College has been boring. Both differential equations and engineering statics have been somewhat a challenge but its challenges are easily overcome by a little practice and reading which could be done in almost no time. Speaking of which, I had statics exam today. It was hillarious. Imagine discussing the answers to your exam when your lecturer is seated right in front of you? I had the slight benefit of getting the outline for my parellelogram diagram for my vector question. I doubt that we will receive a similar advantage in differentials though. Oh well. I hardly need any help on those.
They say that an idle mind is the workshop of the devil. I think that an idle mind is just another recepie for absolute disaster.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Colin McRae : The Racing Legend
Two days ago, the world, the motorsport world in particular recieved some very shocking and saddening news. And in line with most people, I am equally saddened by the news of his premature death. And as a tribute to this legendary racing driver, I would like to dedicate this post to Colin, his five year old son and to the two other souls that perished on that fateful day. Here are what people who knew him had to say about him.
Jimmy McRae, speaking on behalf of the whole family:
"It is with much sadness and regret that we have to make this statement.
"It is unbelievable that Colin and Johnny's lives have been taken so prematurely and in such a tragic manner.
"Colin was a great son, a loving husband to Alison and a fantastic father to Johnny and his big sister Hollie. Johnny was a great wee guy, spending every spare minute with his dad, and even at this early stage it looked like he had the potential to carry on the family dynasty.
"Our thoughts are also very much with the families of Ben Porcelli and Graeme Duncan. Ben was a great buddy of Johnny's and they had always spent a lot of time together both in and out of school. Graeme, who now resides in France, had been a close friend of Colin's since their schooldays and was back in Lanark on holiday.
"We are thankful for the overwhelming number of messages of support we have received from all around the world. Colin was very much an inspiration and role model to motorsport fans the world over.
"As you can imagine this is a very difficult time for the family and we would ask that our privacy be respected and we be allowed to grieve in private."
FIA:
"The FIA has received a notification from the Strathclyde Police regarding the helicopter crash in Jerviswood, Lanark, yesterday. The police have confirmed to the FIA that there were four people, two adults and two young children on board the helicopter.
"The Police believe the passengers to be Colin McRae and his son Johnny; Ben Porcelli, one of Johnny's friends, and Graeme Duncan a McRae family friend
"The FIA extends sincere condolences to the families of all those involved in this awful accident.
"Colin McRae made an enormous contribution to motor sport and his spectacular driving style endeared him to fans throughout the world.
"The thoughts of all those in the motor sport community are with the families and friends of those touched by this tragedy."
Colin Hilton, chief executive of the Motor Sports Association - governing body of UK motor sport:
"On behalf of the entire community of UK motor sport, we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Colin McRae and those involved in yesterday's accident.
"Colin was an inspiration to all who knew him and to millions around the world who knew of him. His energy, commitment and extraordinary talent brought him domestic and international success, while his uncompromising style and determination made him the hero of fans everywhere.
"Throughout a glorious career, that saw him rise from the grassroots of the sport to the pinnacle of the world stage, Colin was always a great ambassador for Scottish and UK motor sport. Since retiring from the WRC, he has continued to dedicate himself to the sport, in particular the development of the next generation of rally drivers and co-drivers.
"He will be sorely missed by everyone and our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Richard Taylor - Subaru World Rally Team managing director:
"All of us at the Subaru World Rally Team are shocked and upset by the tragic news of Colin McRae's death, which was announced on Sunday.
"Colin was Subaru's first World champion and a man who almost single-handedly brought the sport of rallying to the attention of millions around the world.
"He was an inspiration to motorsport fans and remained a close friend to many of us in the team. At this terribly sad time our thoughts are with Alison and the rest of Colin's family."
courtesy of the official SWRT website
David Richards – Prodrive boss:
"Colin had a competitive spirit like I've never seen in any other individual in my life. He had a real have-a-go instinct. It was a special thing that you would never want to take that away from him. You could throw any car at him in any recognised motorsport and he would do well.
"I remember when I put him in a Formula One car at Silverstone and how great he was in that straight away. It could have been a sports car, touring car, Paris-Dakar, you name it. It's unusual to call somebody a legend, but it's very appropriate for Colin.
"He was one of those people who had an extraordinary spirit that you just can't define. It's a terrible loss."
courtesy of BBC Sport Online
Valentino Rossi – MotoGP super star, speaking after winning the Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday at Estoril:
"First of all I want to dedicate this victory to Colin McRae, who sadly died yesterday. Colin is one of my idols from when I was very young and it's because of him that I have my passion for rally. It's a very sad day for motorsport and I am glad that I could win for him today.”
David Coulthard – Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver:
"In line with many people, I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the loss to the McRae family, of father and son, and obviously we must acknowledge the other family that were on board the helicopter as well. Colin was a remarkable man who wore his heart on this sleeve and was the epitome of a racer; fearless and attacking, yet he remained true to his roots and grounded despite the international fame and recognition that he achieved. The world is a sorrier place without him."
Christian Horner – Red Bull Racing team boss:
"It has been a tragic weekend for motorsport losing one of the sports great champions. Our thoughts are with the families."
Mark Webber – Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver:
"Today my thoughts are with the McRae family - and the terrible tragedy that happened yesterday."
Fredrik Johnson, President of The Race of Champions organisers IMP:
"This is a terrible shock. Colin was a very good friend who has been participating in our event for more than 15 years. He was one of the most spectacular drivers and hugely appreciated by everyone both on and off the track.
"Colin will be deeply missed at the event by organisers, drivers and fans alike. At this painful time our thoughts are with Colin's wife Alison and all his family. Together with Michele Mouton and everyone at The Race of Champions, we extend our sincere condolences to the McRae family."
Nicky Grist – former co-driver:
"I have to say they were the best times of my life. We used to drive to the max and push everything to the absolute limit. But when it came to socialising we had great fun also.
"Colin was always regarded as being a bit of a risk-taker in cars, but when it came to flying a helicopter he was a totally different man. The one thing he always told me, he said, 'You don't mess about with a helicopter. They are bigger and better than I am and you have to drive them as such'.
"At the end of the day, as co-driver for Colin I felt like one of the chosen few, and it was a great honour – one of the greatest of my life.
"He was one of the most exciting and exhilarating drivers. He could turn on the extra speed just when it was needed to grab extra seconds to win the rally, and he was also one of the fans' favourites. Whenever we were at a rally you would always see millions of Scottish flags there for him. He was exhilarating to watch and he will be sorely missed.
"Not only is it a tragedy for the sport, but for his wife, who's not only lost a husband, but has lost a son in the accident too. Johnny adored his father and loved everything about cars. I am sure he was the new rally driver for the McRae family."
courtesy of icWales
Martin Whitaker – Ford's director of European Motorsport during McRae's time with the team:
"I knew Colin very well. Where do you start? He was just the most extraordinary man. I think one of the things that occurred to me today was there was an expectancy every time Colin was in a rally stage - you knew that something was going to happen.
"He was either going to be blindingly fast or he was going to have a spectacular accident - what ever he did was flat-out. That expectancy as you stood there - whether it was in a forest in Wales or up in the Trossachs in Scotland, or in Argentina or New Zealand - was because you knew that there was something going to happen when Colin arrived on the scene.
"His driving style was just extraordinary. Rallying had always had a strong following around the world before Colin McRae came along - but I think every now and then a driver comes on the scene that just has that something extra, and I think Colin had something extra and his legacy is what we see today in the popularity of the sport.
"He managed to move the popularity of the sport away from just the rally stage into everyone's sitting rooms with the success of his rally computer games - I think they are some of Sony's biggest ever sellers.
"Colin was a thoroughly decent bloke, he had great sense of humour and a gritty, rugged determination to win. I wanted him to come out to Bahrain, I had asked him to come. I thought that the 24-hour race would be great for him but sadly it never came off - who knows it might have done in a few years time. It would have been great to have seen him here because it didn't matter what car he was in - he was just a star."
Courtesy Gulf Daily News
Malcolm Wilson, BP-Ford World Rally Team director:
"My heartfelt condolences go to Colin's wife, Alison, his daughter Hollie and the whole McRae family. I was privileged to have Colin in our team driving for Ford at a time when he was at the peak of his powers. He achieved one of his greatest victories with us when he won the legendary Safari Rally in Kenya in 1999 on only our third event with a brand new Focus WRC. It was a victory he went on to repeat in 2002. Since retiring as a full-time driver in the WRC, Colin has done much for the sport at grass roots level and his tragic death is a huge loss to British sport in general."
Rest in peace Colin.
Jimmy McRae, speaking on behalf of the whole family:
"It is with much sadness and regret that we have to make this statement.
"It is unbelievable that Colin and Johnny's lives have been taken so prematurely and in such a tragic manner.
"Colin was a great son, a loving husband to Alison and a fantastic father to Johnny and his big sister Hollie. Johnny was a great wee guy, spending every spare minute with his dad, and even at this early stage it looked like he had the potential to carry on the family dynasty.
"Our thoughts are also very much with the families of Ben Porcelli and Graeme Duncan. Ben was a great buddy of Johnny's and they had always spent a lot of time together both in and out of school. Graeme, who now resides in France, had been a close friend of Colin's since their schooldays and was back in Lanark on holiday.
"We are thankful for the overwhelming number of messages of support we have received from all around the world. Colin was very much an inspiration and role model to motorsport fans the world over.
"As you can imagine this is a very difficult time for the family and we would ask that our privacy be respected and we be allowed to grieve in private."
FIA:
"The FIA has received a notification from the Strathclyde Police regarding the helicopter crash in Jerviswood, Lanark, yesterday. The police have confirmed to the FIA that there were four people, two adults and two young children on board the helicopter.
"The Police believe the passengers to be Colin McRae and his son Johnny; Ben Porcelli, one of Johnny's friends, and Graeme Duncan a McRae family friend
"The FIA extends sincere condolences to the families of all those involved in this awful accident.
"Colin McRae made an enormous contribution to motor sport and his spectacular driving style endeared him to fans throughout the world.
"The thoughts of all those in the motor sport community are with the families and friends of those touched by this tragedy."
Colin Hilton, chief executive of the Motor Sports Association - governing body of UK motor sport:
"On behalf of the entire community of UK motor sport, we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Colin McRae and those involved in yesterday's accident.
"Colin was an inspiration to all who knew him and to millions around the world who knew of him. His energy, commitment and extraordinary talent brought him domestic and international success, while his uncompromising style and determination made him the hero of fans everywhere.
"Throughout a glorious career, that saw him rise from the grassroots of the sport to the pinnacle of the world stage, Colin was always a great ambassador for Scottish and UK motor sport. Since retiring from the WRC, he has continued to dedicate himself to the sport, in particular the development of the next generation of rally drivers and co-drivers.
"He will be sorely missed by everyone and our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Richard Taylor - Subaru World Rally Team managing director:
"All of us at the Subaru World Rally Team are shocked and upset by the tragic news of Colin McRae's death, which was announced on Sunday.
"Colin was Subaru's first World champion and a man who almost single-handedly brought the sport of rallying to the attention of millions around the world.
"He was an inspiration to motorsport fans and remained a close friend to many of us in the team. At this terribly sad time our thoughts are with Alison and the rest of Colin's family."
courtesy of the official SWRT website
David Richards – Prodrive boss:
"Colin had a competitive spirit like I've never seen in any other individual in my life. He had a real have-a-go instinct. It was a special thing that you would never want to take that away from him. You could throw any car at him in any recognised motorsport and he would do well.
"I remember when I put him in a Formula One car at Silverstone and how great he was in that straight away. It could have been a sports car, touring car, Paris-Dakar, you name it. It's unusual to call somebody a legend, but it's very appropriate for Colin.
"He was one of those people who had an extraordinary spirit that you just can't define. It's a terrible loss."
courtesy of BBC Sport Online
Valentino Rossi – MotoGP super star, speaking after winning the Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday at Estoril:
"First of all I want to dedicate this victory to Colin McRae, who sadly died yesterday. Colin is one of my idols from when I was very young and it's because of him that I have my passion for rally. It's a very sad day for motorsport and I am glad that I could win for him today.”
David Coulthard – Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver:
"In line with many people, I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the loss to the McRae family, of father and son, and obviously we must acknowledge the other family that were on board the helicopter as well. Colin was a remarkable man who wore his heart on this sleeve and was the epitome of a racer; fearless and attacking, yet he remained true to his roots and grounded despite the international fame and recognition that he achieved. The world is a sorrier place without him."
Christian Horner – Red Bull Racing team boss:
"It has been a tragic weekend for motorsport losing one of the sports great champions. Our thoughts are with the families."
Mark Webber – Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver:
"Today my thoughts are with the McRae family - and the terrible tragedy that happened yesterday."
Fredrik Johnson, President of The Race of Champions organisers IMP:
"This is a terrible shock. Colin was a very good friend who has been participating in our event for more than 15 years. He was one of the most spectacular drivers and hugely appreciated by everyone both on and off the track.
"Colin will be deeply missed at the event by organisers, drivers and fans alike. At this painful time our thoughts are with Colin's wife Alison and all his family. Together with Michele Mouton and everyone at The Race of Champions, we extend our sincere condolences to the McRae family."
Nicky Grist – former co-driver:
"I have to say they were the best times of my life. We used to drive to the max and push everything to the absolute limit. But when it came to socialising we had great fun also.
"Colin was always regarded as being a bit of a risk-taker in cars, but when it came to flying a helicopter he was a totally different man. The one thing he always told me, he said, 'You don't mess about with a helicopter. They are bigger and better than I am and you have to drive them as such'.
"At the end of the day, as co-driver for Colin I felt like one of the chosen few, and it was a great honour – one of the greatest of my life.
"He was one of the most exciting and exhilarating drivers. He could turn on the extra speed just when it was needed to grab extra seconds to win the rally, and he was also one of the fans' favourites. Whenever we were at a rally you would always see millions of Scottish flags there for him. He was exhilarating to watch and he will be sorely missed.
"Not only is it a tragedy for the sport, but for his wife, who's not only lost a husband, but has lost a son in the accident too. Johnny adored his father and loved everything about cars. I am sure he was the new rally driver for the McRae family."
courtesy of icWales
Martin Whitaker – Ford's director of European Motorsport during McRae's time with the team:
"I knew Colin very well. Where do you start? He was just the most extraordinary man. I think one of the things that occurred to me today was there was an expectancy every time Colin was in a rally stage - you knew that something was going to happen.
"He was either going to be blindingly fast or he was going to have a spectacular accident - what ever he did was flat-out. That expectancy as you stood there - whether it was in a forest in Wales or up in the Trossachs in Scotland, or in Argentina or New Zealand - was because you knew that there was something going to happen when Colin arrived on the scene.
"His driving style was just extraordinary. Rallying had always had a strong following around the world before Colin McRae came along - but I think every now and then a driver comes on the scene that just has that something extra, and I think Colin had something extra and his legacy is what we see today in the popularity of the sport.
"He managed to move the popularity of the sport away from just the rally stage into everyone's sitting rooms with the success of his rally computer games - I think they are some of Sony's biggest ever sellers.
"Colin was a thoroughly decent bloke, he had great sense of humour and a gritty, rugged determination to win. I wanted him to come out to Bahrain, I had asked him to come. I thought that the 24-hour race would be great for him but sadly it never came off - who knows it might have done in a few years time. It would have been great to have seen him here because it didn't matter what car he was in - he was just a star."
Courtesy Gulf Daily News
Malcolm Wilson, BP-Ford World Rally Team director:
"My heartfelt condolences go to Colin's wife, Alison, his daughter Hollie and the whole McRae family. I was privileged to have Colin in our team driving for Ford at a time when he was at the peak of his powers. He achieved one of his greatest victories with us when he won the legendary Safari Rally in Kenya in 1999 on only our third event with a brand new Focus WRC. It was a victory he went on to repeat in 2002. Since retiring as a full-time driver in the WRC, Colin has done much for the sport at grass roots level and his tragic death is a huge loss to British sport in general."
Rest in peace Colin.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Review
Saturday. August the 25th 2007, at around 10 post meridien, Kuala Lumpur time, a very important exchange was made between two very passionate but opposite people who indulge in the activity of producing sound waves through the vibration of horizontally orientated strings which are set at high tension above a wooden frame and bound at both ends by a bridge at the tail end and a set of six of metal contraptions at the head of an extrodanary machine which has grabbed the imaginations of so many. In other words guitarists. The items which were to be exchanged was a Guitar Institute of Malaysia Les Paul and a 2004 Schecter C-1 Titanium. And after a whole lot of apprehension from my side, the switch was made and the rest, as they say, is history. So, without any more delays, let us all proceed to the review of the GIM Les Paul.
1. At First Glance
This piece of artwork is based on a Gibson Les Paul and was hand crafted by luthiers from the Guitar Institute Of Malaysia. The color of this guitar is orange sunburst, dual humbuckers, three way tone selector, two volume knobs, two tone knobs and a white removable pick guard. The price for one of these guitars is around 700 USD or RM 2600.00 and the best part is that there are only five of such guitars in the world. So, what exactly makes this guitar a special one?
2. Sound
This guitar has a very versatile sound range. It can produce all sorts of tones that range from jazz to rock. But it does lack the edge when it comes to producing heavy metal tones.
3. Playability
On my opinion the GIM Les Paul has very good playability. This allows for a much wider style of playing. But the downside of this guitar is that its wide neck might get in the way of a guitarist who loves to shred. But for a guitarist who likes to take it slow and easy, this guitar might just do the trick. Honest. I could do more things on this guitar then I ever could on my Schacter. And I really wouldn't mind having this guitar.
4. Electronics
The humbuckers of this guitar is very good and durable. And as previously mentioned, t can produce a wide range of sounds. All of which are of very good quality. The sound which I like most is the slightly distorted blues sound. As for the selectors, I do feel that it is a wee bit noisy and its volume and tone knobs aren't very durable. It either turned off or on or it just doesnt make any difference.
5.Hardware
This guitar features a standard set of tuners which in my opinion are not very good at holding tune when it s not played. I had to tune it everytime I took it out from the hard case. The bridge feels very comfortable to play on. But the tone selectors might get in the way for guitarists who love to strum real hard.
6. Conclusion
The GIM Les Paul is a marvellous guitar with excellent playability and sound range. But the only drawback of this guitar is that its hardwares aren't as durable as it should be. But other that that, it does the job perfectly. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a very respectable 7.9 to 8.2.
1. At First Glance
This piece of artwork is based on a Gibson Les Paul and was hand crafted by luthiers from the Guitar Institute Of Malaysia. The color of this guitar is orange sunburst, dual humbuckers, three way tone selector, two volume knobs, two tone knobs and a white removable pick guard. The price for one of these guitars is around 700 USD or RM 2600.00 and the best part is that there are only five of such guitars in the world. So, what exactly makes this guitar a special one?
2. Sound
This guitar has a very versatile sound range. It can produce all sorts of tones that range from jazz to rock. But it does lack the edge when it comes to producing heavy metal tones.
3. Playability
On my opinion the GIM Les Paul has very good playability. This allows for a much wider style of playing. But the downside of this guitar is that its wide neck might get in the way of a guitarist who loves to shred. But for a guitarist who likes to take it slow and easy, this guitar might just do the trick. Honest. I could do more things on this guitar then I ever could on my Schacter. And I really wouldn't mind having this guitar.
4. Electronics
The humbuckers of this guitar is very good and durable. And as previously mentioned, t can produce a wide range of sounds. All of which are of very good quality. The sound which I like most is the slightly distorted blues sound. As for the selectors, I do feel that it is a wee bit noisy and its volume and tone knobs aren't very durable. It either turned off or on or it just doesnt make any difference.
5.Hardware
This guitar features a standard set of tuners which in my opinion are not very good at holding tune when it s not played. I had to tune it everytime I took it out from the hard case. The bridge feels very comfortable to play on. But the tone selectors might get in the way for guitarists who love to strum real hard.
6. Conclusion
The GIM Les Paul is a marvellous guitar with excellent playability and sound range. But the only drawback of this guitar is that its hardwares aren't as durable as it should be. But other that that, it does the job perfectly. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a very respectable 7.9 to 8.2.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Past
They say that all good things come and go. Some stay for a while, some stay longer, some stay forever, while some of them, leave before you can even say hello. Now, I don't know about any of you but I think that when it comes to fortunes, I am nothing short of a Malaysian Rojak. In it, there are all kinds of ingredients. Some of them tasty and some of them not so tasty. But what I am sure of is that it will never be complete without that oh so famous gravy. Add them all up and what you get is a delicacy that makes people stand for almost an hour by the hot and dusty roadside. Amazing. Love it or like it, thats what it is and thats eactly how its going to remain.
Every once in a while, in the hectic of life, it is good to every now and then take a peek at all the little things which have made you smile in the past. I find it extremely refreshing to dive into all my happy memories of all the things which I have done with all the people around me. And on quite a number of occasions I often take some time of to view the words which were dedicated to me by the ones who inspire me everyday. Though I may not see some of them everyday but their messages are good enough to keep me smiling way into the night. Call me a romantic fool but I am not ashamed of it. I never will be. Because I know that the moment I am ashamed is the moment that I will lose everything. Very harsh indeed. Oh well, what more is there to say?
Viewing into the past has often showed me alot of things which I have failed to see while I was in the past. Looking at it now, I sure wish that I had lived it more fom the perspective of those who were with me rather than living it from the perspective of what I had wanted to perceive. But I guess that its a lesson learnt for me. NO regrets for sure but I do feel some amount of it. What if? sighs. But oh well, nothing much I can do now. Many circumstances have changed, many things are different and it is just not possible to do it like how it was done in the past anymore. (Sulking). Oh well, we can learn but not live from the past.
Every once in a while, in the hectic of life, it is good to every now and then take a peek at all the little things which have made you smile in the past. I find it extremely refreshing to dive into all my happy memories of all the things which I have done with all the people around me. And on quite a number of occasions I often take some time of to view the words which were dedicated to me by the ones who inspire me everyday. Though I may not see some of them everyday but their messages are good enough to keep me smiling way into the night. Call me a romantic fool but I am not ashamed of it. I never will be. Because I know that the moment I am ashamed is the moment that I will lose everything. Very harsh indeed. Oh well, what more is there to say?
Viewing into the past has often showed me alot of things which I have failed to see while I was in the past. Looking at it now, I sure wish that I had lived it more fom the perspective of those who were with me rather than living it from the perspective of what I had wanted to perceive. But I guess that its a lesson learnt for me. NO regrets for sure but I do feel some amount of it. What if? sighs. But oh well, nothing much I can do now. Many circumstances have changed, many things are different and it is just not possible to do it like how it was done in the past anymore. (Sulking). Oh well, we can learn but not live from the past.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
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