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Tuesday, 21 October 2008

New blog in Blogspot

I will start posting in blog in http://sohpmalvin.blogspot.com/.

Friday, 10 October 2008

幼孩的故事

有一幼孩，自小好学，喜爱阅读，有关食物书报，更是爱不释手。故，对饮食认识不浅。一日，眼见父亲田里耕种，汗流满面，与长兄们劳苦不息，便说：我父，让我帮你，好吗？父亲说：我儿，你年纪尚幼，恐怕认识不够，体力不足，如此劳苦对你有伤。幼孩问：那我当如何行？父亲道：时候到了，我会找你来。你只管吃喝家里粮食，快高长大便是。

每日，父者嘱咐，大的当服事小的，曰：弟妹年幼无知，偶尔喜爱零食，你们当耐心教导，将粮食分给每人。这幼孩也听见了。故此，每每大的分派食物，幼孩也顺服无声，深知零食虽然美味，却于身不利。加之，因曾对此事有思，虽然心里尚爱甜品，也不敢随意取用。

幼孩渐长，对一位长兄道：有什么可帮忙的没有？他说：到院子里去罢。那里有葡萄种子，拿了，种罢。幼孩道：那些已有种子的土地呢？长兄道：浇水施肥便是，只是不可田里去，因为父亲没有允许。幼孩心急，却没有到田里去。至今，葡萄已长出五粒。幼孩喜道：我父，有成果了！父亲笑着，却没有回答。幼孩继续：父啊，等我长大后，我要亲手种百粒葡萄孝敬你。

幼孩爱上小说。为兄者见之，便道：你为何废寝忘食？难道你已将父言遗忘？幼孩回答：阅读小说，语言精妙；后日，倘若父亲许可，将以写作位职，为家庭分担劳苦。长兄无言，只说：无论如何，也当按时用餐，免得你生病无力。幼孩闻之，却没有按时用餐。

不久，身体渐衰。幼孩对父亲说：我父，我又感冒，当怎么办？父亲说：你岂不也晓得，当按时用餐么？

如常，幼孩行走河边，花草众多，芬芳到处可闻。眼见一朵野花，颜色鲜艳，脱颖而出。他喜爱无比，对此花念念不忘。回家后，对父亲说：我父，河边有朵花，美丽无比；我采下来种，好么？父亲道：我儿，你岂懂得种花呢？你岂不是说，要种葡萄给我么？你不是跟我说，要到田里帮我么？幼孩说：是的，我父。既然你不许我到田里，那我种一种花也无妨啊！父亲却不许。

幼孩心里挣扎，愁苦万分，知道自己有任在身，不能随心所欲。多时，眼见邻友得享浇花之乐，更是蠢蠢欲动。便问：种花好玩没有？邻友答：写作之时，种花赏花可解心里烦闷。闻之，心里更是不悦。

一日，幼孩已无奈，便对父亲说：我父阿，你瞧！别人吃零食，我不吃；别人只顾玩耍，我却殷勤阅读；如今我只要种一朵花，很过分么？父亲回答：我儿，你看，院子里的葡萄树，有些枯了，有些病了。再看，田里庄稼已熟，你兄劳苦收割，工人也不够。幼孩听了，哭了，非常忧伤，对父亲说：我父，原谅孩儿无知，只顾自己，没有顾全大局。父亲说：花儿的事，迟点再说吧。先到屋里用餐。等你身体健康了，便到院子里，栽种葡萄树。时候到了，我会找你来田帮忙，却会安排你所需要的。

Tuesday, 09 September 2008

Forwarded Messages

I guess that almost all internet users today know what email is, and that it has a function called forward. Whenever there is a message received with meaningful inspirations, practical and helpful techniques in daily living, people tend to share it with their friends, hoping that their friends will also gain the benefit as they do. As such, they forward the message to their close friends, their family, or their colleagues. The intention of forwarding is commendable, but sometimes it reflects logical fallacy of the sender/ forwarder under certain circumstances. I shall present and analyze the types of irrational forwarded messages, and really hope that the senders really understand what they are forwarding and mean it when they do so!

Case 1: Concerning the deletion of email account

Sample:

Good afternoon all msn / hotmail users,

Iam Tara and together with all the directors of MSN, we apologized for the interruption. Please be informed that msn is closing down due to the increasing numbers of inconsideration.

In our current report, it has clearly showed that there is an overflowing percentage of population using one name to sign up for lots of new and different accounts. This draws us to a shortage of new username accounts.

Reports have shown that we are left with only FIVE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EIGHT names. So this actually forced us to close down as many wasted accounts as possible for our company sake.

To do so, our company has decided to use this idea.

If you would like to keep this existing account, please kindly follow the instructions given below.

01: Copy this entire email.

02: Go back to inbox, and click on new

03: Right click paste

04: Sent this to all the names / emails address in your contact.

(*To help you to ensure that you have followed to given instructions, once you sent this email to all your names / emails address in your contact , your msn will turn blue)

** Closing date: 30 JUNE 2008

If you would like to close your existing msn / hotmail account, ignore the FOUR (04)steps given above.

It is surprising that people would believe in such a lie, even the same message has been circulated among so many people, and even has reached the same person for a few times. There are so many hints showing the receiver that the fake message is not reliable. First, just look the title. It is "Attention! Very very important!". From this we can already know the personality of the sender, and the credibility of his/ her words. Second, look at the constructed sentences. "If you would like to close your existing msn/ hotmail account, ignore the 4 steps given above." Do you think that person in charged will talk in this way? It is they who provide us the service and thus make a profit. They don't speak in this way to their customers. Third, look at the closing date, and the mentioned remaining account numbers. Is the number still the same, after this message has been forwarded after a few days? Forth, look at the status of the writer. Is writing this kind of mail the job of director? Isn't it the work of administration staff? Finally, if they really want to shut down, why don't they just send a mail to us? Why do they want the message to be forwarded? Using this channel, there might be people using their account, yet they don't receive this forwarded message. If this is the case, will his account be closed? I have received many forwarded messages of this kind, and I have NEVER take the instruction even once, and, I am still enjoying the account.

Case 2: Concerning stirring up of emotional curiosity and desperation

Sample 2A:

Because you opened this you will get kissed on Friday by the love of your life..DO NOT BREAK THE CHAIN!!! Your crush will ask you out. Tomorrow will be the best day of your life. However if you don't send this to at least 10 people by midnight tonight you will have bad luck in your love life. Every night, someone thinks about you before they go to sleep. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way. The only reason someone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you. There are at least 2 people in this world that would die for you. You mean the world to someone. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look again. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget the rude remarks. So if you are a loving friend, send this to your friends, including the person that sent it to you. Tonight at midnight your true love will realize they like you. Something good will happen to you at 1:00-4:00 pm tomorrow, it could be anywhere. Get ready for the biggest shock in your life. Copy and paste and Send this to 15 people in 15 minutes!

Sample 2B:

this really works~!!

> > > >Crush*************************

> > > >

> > > >FIND OUT WHO IT IS !

> > > >HERE'S WHAT U HAVE 2 DO BUT LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY!!

> > > >SEND THIS LETTER 2 YOUR FRIENDS. AND IF U DONT HAVE

> > >> ANY FRIENDS NO SWEAT

> > > >JUST GO 2 A CHATROOM PICK OUT SOME NAMES AND BINGO!

> > > >BUT REMEMBER PASS IT ON!! AND IF U DON'T PASS IT

> > >> YOU WILL PAY

> > > >WITH YOUR LIFE!!

> > > >U. HAVE ONE HOUR 2 SEND THIS SO HURRY.

> > > >AFTER U SEND THIS A SNAIL WILL CROSS THE SCREEN AND

> > >> OUT OF

> > > >IT'S SHELL WILL POP OUT YOUR SECRET CRUSH'S FIRST

> > >> AND LAST NAME

> > > >HIS/HER ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER

> > > >IF U SEND THIS TO 0 PEOPLE-YOUR LUV LIFE IS OVER!

> > > >5 PEOPLE- AND YOUR! CRUSH WILL SAY HE/SHE LIKES U AS A FRIEND ONLY!

> > > >10 PEOPLE -AND YOUR CRUSH WILL SAY HE/SHE LIKES U.

> > > >15 PEOPLE-AND YOUR CRUSH WILL ASK U OUT.

> > > >20 PEOPLE-AND YOUR CRUSH WILL ASK U OVER HIS/HER HOUSE FOR DINNER.

> > > >25 PEOPLE-AND YOUR CRUSH WILL KISS U ON THE LIPS!

> > > >30 PEOPLE-AND YOUR CRUSH WILL MARRY YOU AND YOU'LL HAVE TWINS!!!

> > > >so do me a favor and pass it on!*****

> > > >tomorrow morning your crush will fall madly in love

> > > >with you. You guys will

> > > >hook up, and your crush will ask you out. Tomorrow

> > >> will be the best day of

> > > >your life. However, if you don't send this to at

> > > >least 10 people bye @ least

> > > >10:00 tonight you will have bad luck in you love

> > > >life for the rest of your

> > > >life This is not a stupid one or a fake. Just copy

> > > >and paste. Start sending

I believe that everyone who forward this kind of message knows how vain these messages are. Beginning with the writer of the messages: Why does the writer hold such an attitude? Why does he/she curse people if they don't forward the message? Second, does the writer know the future? Does the writer have prophetic ability? If he/she really does, why not just keep silence and predict his/her own future? Third, even I take the silly assumption that the writer has this ability, the "prophecy" is too general, meaningless, sounds childish and makes no sense. Why should I forward this message to gain my good luck in the future? The writer is saying that we only will have good love life if and only if we forward this message! How absurd it is!

As far as the forwarder is concerned, even a slightly thoughtful person knows that these kind of messages carries no truth at all. The irony is this: If the forwarder knows that these messages are total rubbish, why does he/she forward this again to others? Is it the intention of the forwarder that all his/her friends know how lame he/she is? If the reader believes these messages very much, let me tell you, declare to you, that it is not true at all. The writer simply matches the common romantic situation to the psychological desire or desperation of the common people and thus stirring up the emotion of the reader, eg, "Your crush will say he/she likes u", "Your crush will ask u out", "Your crush will marry you and have a twins! (What a poor and uneducated overstatement!)" If these are the moments that the reader anticipates deep within, then the probability that the reader will be deceived is great.

Perhaps, the only answer to forwarding is the starred sentence in sample 2B: "Do me a favor and pass it on". The writer, in his/her immaturity and vanity of mind simply wants his/her messages to be circulated among many, and therefore to enjoy seeing people sending this message around.

Case 3: Concerning superstition and threats without substantial basis

Sample 3A:

AFTER U READ THIS MSG,DUN THINK THD THIS IS FAKE COZ OTHER PPL SAYS SO.NO!U HAVE NOW BEEN CONTROLLED AND CURSED.TONIGHT AT 3A.M WHEN U R STILL SLEEPING LIKE A PIG,A PONTIANAK AND A THREE-EYED DEMON WILL COME AFTER U.THE POTIANAK HAS LONG HAIR.FACE COVERED IN BLOOD AND WEARING A WHITE ROBE.THE DEMON HAS THREE EYES,BLOODY BODY AND NO HAIR.THEY WILL USE A SCREW DRIVER,POKE IT IN UR EYE BALL.THEN,THEY WILL USE A KNIFE,SEPERATE UR BODY IN TO HALF.NO JOKE.I HAVE A FREN CALLED JUNIET.SHE TREAT THIS AS A RUBBISH AND JOKE.BUT WAD HAPPEN?I,MYSELF FOUND HER DEAD IN HER BED.SHE APPEARED IN MY DREAMS AND TOLD ME TO TELL U ALL TO BE CAREFUL.HER SON,CEDRIC WHITEHORSE,SEND THIS TO ONLY 2 PPL AND HE FOUND HIMSELF,WITHOUT A ARM.IF U SEND THIS TO 0-10 PPL,DIE FOR SURE.IF U SEN THIS TO 11-20 PPL,WUN DIE,JUST IN COMA.IF U SEND THIS TO 21 -100 PPL,CONGRATS!U WILL BE BLESSED 4EVA.BETTER DO IT IN 15 MINS,OR,DUN SLEEP TONIGHT.TO KEEP A LOOKOUT......

Sample 3B:

10 Ways to describe if you are haunted...

Do you EVER get an eerie feeling if you are alone at home at nightime, you just feel like you're being watched? Feel like someone is there around that dark corner? That you might have seen toys or dolls moving by themselves??

** Experts say there are some lifebeings that maybe arent alive...thats still walking on earth. Nobody knows the truth. At least..nobody thats still alive..**

The ten ways...

Point 1

If at midnight, the power's out.

Point 2

If your pet dog/cat is sleeping but they're eyes are wide open.

Point 3

If your pet dog/cat is looking at something that you cant see.

Point 4

If your pet dog/cat scratches at the air, or growls or hiss at something you cant see.

Point 5

If something you see earlier on is at one place, later on it is gone or moved someplace else.

Point 6

If theres a shadow of a figure against the wall, but there is no one there.

Point 7

If you hear someone talking or whispering, but no one is there.

Point 8

If suddenly outside the window, there is nothing but black.

Point 9

If you feel like something or someone is touching you.

Point 10

If the hair on your head and body is shooting up.

What other people say about this

~ Anelissa Kok, 16 ~

When I got this letter, I deleted it, thinking it was crap. But, later on, strange things has happened to me. My mother had sex with our dog, and my brother vanished without a single trace.

~ Shaza Reenaz, 32 ~

I deleted this letter as soon as I got it. Thinking that kids were trying to fool me. But the next week, villagers found my 5 year old daugther dead in a river, floating beside a woman with long white hair and a white dress.

~ Kamilul Jalar, 14 ~

I didnt send this letter to other of my contacts. When at the next day, my house was empty. Pure empty. Everything was gone. And what was left was a package full of blood in my cupboard!

~ Mary Loo Mei, 13 ~

I deleted this letter as soon as I finished reading it. I thought it was pure crap. Then, strange things had happened to me lately. My boyfriend ran away from home, and he left a note to his parents that he is going to kill himself. The next week, it was all over the papers that a boy jumped of a high cliff.

If you dont want this to happen to you, might as well send this letter. Its for your own good.

Send to 1-5 ppl, you will get bad luck for a year.

Send to 5-8 people, you will get bad luck for 6 months.

Send to 8-12 people, you will get bad luck for 10 hours.

Send to 12-20 people, good luck will be given to you for 3 years.

Example 3A is the worst forwarded message I have ever seen. From the construction of the sentences as well as the spelling error, we can deduce that the writer is not a proper person. The emotion of the message is full of hatred, and the threatening was so bogus. Even after a considerably long time thinking over it, I still can’t come out with a valid reason why was this message written. The first time I read this message was at around 11pm-12am, and I was hoping so hard that whatever told will become true! It is altogether out of mind and presumptuous.

As for sample 3B, I don’t feel like to comment on the 10 ways, but the testimony. They are obviously artificial, as there are many unreasonable points. First, the testimonies made were so emotionless. If those things really did happen to them, how could they testify in such a calm way? Second, their ages are very suspicious. Does Kamilul Jamal of 14 own a house? Does Mary Mei Loo of 13 already have a boyfriend? Third, I am wondering: does the ghost know how to use computer? Does it know how to check people email and thus it knows whether or not I forward the mail? And, this ghost is also very peculiar: it only troubles those who don’t forward this mail! And the ghost is so powerful! It can give luck to people!

My purpose of presenting these examples is not to analyze these mails one by one. My point is, does the reader even think before forwarding them? Sorry to say, forwarding these messages carries no significance at all; it simple reflects the ignorance of the forwarder.

Thursday, 10 July 2008

Guys are... too bad...

As human civilization grows from a humble Mesopotamia stepping into 21st century which is technologically based, the usefulness of physical man power is gradually brought to an end. Everything has been computerized, and what the cosmopolitan world needs is no longer physical strength, but strongly established mentality with the functioning of which can produce fabulous results beyond the works of thousands machos. As such, the obvious strength of male, which is the physical strength, has already been replaced by machines which efficiency is exceedingly greater than what a male can achieve physically. The implication is that females begin to gain ground in the society. With their mentality, they can step by step take over the role of man, as it is commonly believed: Man and woman are the same, and there shouldn't be gender bias.
Before I enter into my criticism, I would like to mention: I am a male student. I think this gives a ground for me to say something about guys.
Personally, I didn't agree that woman is overtaking and overcoming man, but now I do. I kept convincing myself that it was not true. Just have a look: Who is the greatest musician? Who is the greatest physicist? Who is the greatest mathematician? Who is the greatest chef? Who is the greatest driver? I believed that man is never worse than woman in born. However, as I know more and more male and female friends, having made a comparison among them, I have some hypothesis on why females are not better than males, yet they are in fact overtaking and overcoming males. As usual, these are just based on my observation, my opinion, and my experience. The males and females that I mention below may only refer to Malaysian, particularly teenagers and young adult, but not worldwide with various age range.
First of all, males are comparatively lazy. I think this is unequivocal; everybody sees it. Starting from primary school- who are those always canned by teachers? Who are those who copy others' homework? In secondary school- who are those in the first class? Who are those score high in History, Malay Language, Chinese Language? In campus, who are those really put genuine effort in group assignment, if the group consists of both male and female students? Who are those who really finish all the tutorials? Most females are hardworking, unlike guys, who think that they can make it last minutes. This is really shameful. Worse still, some males think that they are so intelligent that others dilligence can't compete. Nonetheless, in most of the cases, for those who think or talk in this way, the result proves the opposite.
Second, males are relatively careless, ignorant. This can be reflected in many ways, from cleanings, talking, writings, simple calculations, we can see that most males can't do them properly. It is SO much harder to ask a male to clean the toilet, to keep their desk in order compared to females. It is not that they can't do it, but they are unwilling to do them. Personally, I find no difficulty at all to differentiate the desk of male students from female student. The tables of females are usually well arranged, creatively decorated (of course, some don't). Oppositely, the guys tables are just so messy that you can hardly find a place to write. They just leave their book opened on the table, the bowl which they just used for dinner there, with all the stationaries scattered all around the desk, yet they can just sit there and watch Hong Kong series or play DotA. It doesn't bother them at all. It is like taking their lives away to require them to clean them up. Even if they clean it up, in three days, everything retores default.
Third, males are lack of discipline in comparison to females. Sometimes I really respect the discipline of female students, who can finish so many tedious and boring accounting tutorials for the whole semester, which requires much time and stamina. I can't make it, I admit. This is a point that I have to learn. Take a look at the male students. What do they do? They are looking for their tutorial questions in tutorial class. No discipline at all, and many times I am also the same, I admit. Moreover, it is the favorite of guys to do last minutes work.
Fourth, most male students are not mature in the age of 17-20, which is the golden duration that decides the future of someone. It is as if they can't think. This is a very dissapointing phenomenon. They have never thought of what they are going to do, and what they should do now. Yea, sometimes they can tell you so much about their ambitious plans, but from their behavior, their action, their talkings, their livings, there is simply no way we can tell whether the plan works, or, whether they are planning to do so. I feel so sad, so ashame, when I see the male students are playing DotA, watching movie series, 'drinking tea' for hours. Female students may do the same, but at least they control themselves. Some psychologists say that females reach puberty faster than males, and I agree with this. Nevertheless, I am talking about those who are reaching 20! In addition, many males are dare devil, and they still think that they are very clever. They are so superficial, paying attention to worthless things, putting aside pillars of life, responsibility of life which they should fulfill. They will say that you are boring, lame, or think too much etc. when you mention something which are so fundamental in life to them. They refuse to think. They only know how to play and enjoy life.
These are just what I see and observe, of course, there are always exceptional cases. Male reader, if you find these to be true to you, don't be angry or offended. Just learn. If you find that these do not describe you, congratulations. Really, you are those in minority, at least, according to the males that I know. We want to dominate, don't we? Don't lose to them! Rise up! (A bit ego here, :) )

Monday, 07 July 2008

4,5,6,7,8; I have got a flush

Perhaps, only those who have taken actuarial exams know what it means. I got 4 and 6 for the most recent ones. Luckily, I didn't get their average for both; that would be the most regrettable. Hmn... What about 9 and 10 for the coming ones?