Car Maintenance ie. repair repair repair

My SEG has endured harsh driving conditions since my Muar working days.

The left arm of the front shaft was giving out knocking sounds more severely now so brought it to Chuah's Service Centre (workshop la) for checking last Saturday. Confirmed left arm faulty.

Yesterday, on my MC day, another fault appeared. Found that the belting for the Alternator has lost one strip. So over to Chuah's for repairs la since Ah Man has ordered the left shaft arm.

Replaced all three belts since the belts all in crude conditions, with one belt of not even the required width. Suspected replaced in end 2007 when repairs were done on the blown radiator top.

Then the left front shaft were replaced altho the first replacement of different specs. The second one fits.

Went for test drive with Ah Man and in 5 minutes, belts giving funny sound and then the engine died!! Up the bonnet and saw the Alternator belt was shredded! WTF! Managed to start the car but running without cooling, power-steering and battery-charging.

Back to workshop and saw that the pulley for the belt was displaced one groove. The rubber joint has gave way. Another thing to change. Sheesh!

Too late to go to spare part chop-shop then, so left the car there overnite.

Picked up the car this afternoon after a hefty bill of RM480.

But hope everything else sticks.

Kid fever again

Little guy unable to get a good nite sleep. That goes for the parents as well.

Brought him to Child Specialist Dr Tan. Refused to open his mouth to check his tonsils although saw the upper mouth inflammed.

Fever about 37 degrees.

There goes RM90.

David Tee. RIP

David Tee passed away due to heart attack in Indonesia.

Told by his cousin, Caroline.

Rest in peace.

Water Tank Leaking Again

The stupid fibreglass water tank has leaked 3 corners now.

Discovered the leak last nite in the small guest room upstairs. Heard dripping sounds and saw the ceiling wall against the washroom was wet and dripping water. Water has accumulated on the top of the 5-storey plastic drawer. Luckily the contents in the drawers were not wet.

Thought of washing clothes today but might as well get it done immediately instead of draining the tank wastefully. Closed off the tap to upstairs for the nite.

Rushed off to buy required patching materials this morning, like the tar-like seal tapes. Still have the silicone sealants from last year, tho already half-hardened. Of course get the ladder from in-laws.

Drained water to pails for later use, like for my bath, and patched the inside and outside corners of the leaked corner and the last good one as well.

Free sauna in the roof.

The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades

8th March 2009

Vicks Vaporub

We have been using Vicks since I can remember. And only NOW they issued this stupid article?

Darren Fell Off the Bed...No 3

The poor kid gave us a scare 2am this morning.

Heard a thud in the dark and the poor guy crying on the floor at the end of the bed.

After some soothing he went back to sleep.

This is the third time (if I remembered correctly) he fell off the bed.

Used to put a big pillow as a block at the edge of the bed and old comforter on the floor at the end of the bed if he did fell.  And it never happened then.

The comforter was used only until late last year. Swapped the big pillow with a standard pillow at the bed edge.

But last nite, mummy did not put the pillow at the bed edge and IT happened. Good timing, kiddo.

13th Month Payout

The long employee meeting yesterday ended with much confused enthusiasm.

The GM announced "Incentive 2008: A 13th month payout of the salary based on a prorated basis to local employees".

Blank faces in the audience says it all. WHAT in the world does that mean?

Simply put: 1 Month Bonus.

It's after CNY, a little late, a little too little but what the heck.....better than nothing to pay off debts.

OCBC Titanium MasterCard

OCBC Credit Card Story 1

--------------------------

I used to own an OCBC credit card I applied during my Muar days, years ago, until I cancelled it on January 2007. I did not swipe it even ONCE!!! It was free for five years what.

But I do remember when I got to the bank and mentioned to the Customer Service rep of my intention, she requested for a personally signed letter requesting the bank to cancel my card!!?

I mean, don't these big (I think) international banks have standard forms for card requests? What if a customer wants to change his address? "Write-la a personal letter to us and we will update our system". Aiyoh!!

Anyhow, wasted my time;

1. going there once

2. go back

3. draft a stupid letter

4. print out

5. John Hancock

6. go back to OCBC

7. submit my letter

8. hand over the card

9. she cut the card

10. thank you (in my heart, "f*ck you")

11. got my ass out of the bank

That was E A S Y enough. 

OCBC Credit Card Story 2

---------------------------

Late last year, I received an OCBC Titanium card. Knowing I will never used it, I did not bother to activate it.

Then I received a statement charging me RM250 for annual renewal fees!!?? This time I called their toll-free number and requested for cancellation of the card.

Simple enough;

1. they faxed over a form

2. I filled in my particulars

3. ticked my reason - to CANCEL card la

3. John Hancock

4. faxed it over

5. no need 'thank you'

Ta-dah!!!

Fong Fei Kei (Airplane Fly-By)

This WAS how the old entrance to the outlets look like. Down is Kampung Restaurant. Forward to Fun Pub Cocco Loco and Italian Bistro. It will never look the same again.

Came to work at 2.30pm yesterday (Sunday la !!!) hoping to setup POS machines for F&B outlets Fun Pub (renamed FLOW, how un-original!!) and Italian Bistro, after expected completion of renovation yesterday.

One look at Flow and anybody can see that it'll take at least another day to complete, including cleaning-up. The best thing are the fridges and post-mix machines are not installed yet. How's this for planning??

Looks like the big guys have not learnt from Kampung Restaurant renovation last year. That rush job to meet the deadline resulted in half-cold equipments, with malfunctions, disconnected power points and no gas supplies. I waited for the contractors to install the power points till midnite and when they were not done yet, I go sleep la. Early next morning, our mat salleh GM took a look and saw the POS machine is not on and I was laid on the chopping board. The thing is they FORGOT about the power point for the machine. Sheesh!

Yesterday, even network points are not terminated. The network cabling contractor only managed to terminate a few points, with only Bistro up and running, of course only one POS machine is needed there. So this is the only machine I setup yesterday. Even the holes on the table needed for the cables are not fully drilled through.

Today to setup POS machines for Flow.

Today expected the Front Desk counters to complete their renovation and to setup 3 PCs for Trial Run.

Fuyoh! Back-to-back setup. Looks like another long night!

It's Been Awhile

Watcha looking at??

He maybe scribbling down some 4D numbers, but it will take some deciphering.

Check out the belt, dude !!

Oi!! Where's my Ferrari??

Taken with new still digi cam Canon IXUS 85.

HSBC Credit Cards

I received my card statements few weeks back with annual renewal fees charged. Since I hardly use the HSBC cards, plus I have other cards in toll, I decided to cancel them.

I called the HSBC toll-free number 1-300-88-1388 and it answered with a fake human voice, requested me to enter my card number and my request option. I chose to speak to the officer. I hold and waited, and after numerous attempts, I was happy to finally speak to somebody of my own species.

I told the guy I would like to discountinue my service. Upon a short checking, I was told I am NOT ABLE to cancel the cards because I did not use it for at least 12 times a year!! Nor was he able to waive my annual fee. This is for my Mastercard. I'm like 'what the f...!!'

Now, my Visa has a two cents debit and he is unable to do anything to it either.

I am instructed to go to the nearest HSBC branch to complete my task. Alrighty, there I went to the branch. After rounding the damn busiest area in town for 45 minutes looking for a parking space, I decided to slot in a non-designated space.

Got my queue number and waited about 1 minute, I approached a Customer Service officer. Told her my predicaments of the call I made to their toll-free number, and her blank expression replied expecting me to blow my top. All I have to do was to sign twice on the forms and she cut the cards there. Voila! Done in 4 minutes.

Today received a call from HSBC KL, some Queenie lady apologising for the hassle I went through to cancel my cards. She hopes I continue using their cards with the annual fees waived for 5 years, since other banks mostly waived the fees altogether. It's free, what the hell!!

Now wait for the cards lah.

Windows XP 3-Day Activation Crack

I setup a LICENSED Windows XP Pro on a PC and swapped the HDD on home PC (how often do you find me doing this on own PC?). Of course, both the PCs are of the same MOBO specs, or so I thought.

The PC booted successfully, except it prompt to re-activate Windows in 3-days since it detected significant hardware changes on the PC.

After googling a bit, found tips in Youtube on how to get rid of the activation.

Just open registry> regedit

Go to;

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ WPAEvents

Modify the binary data of OOBETimer to FF D5 71 D6 6A 8D 6F D5 33 93 FD

Change the permission of folder WPAEvents of SYSTEM to DENY.

Restart PC and done !!

HEALTH TIPS (FRUITS AND VEGETABLES)

Share this Chart with everyone     apples Protects your heart prevents constipation Blocks diarrhea Improves lung capacity Cushions joints apricots Combats cancer Controls blood pressure Saves your eyesight Shields against Alzheimer's Slows aging process artichokes Aids digestion Lowers cholesterol Protects your heart Stabilizes blood sugar Guards against liver disease avocados Battles diabetes Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes Controls blood pressure Smoothes skin bananas Protects your heart Quiets a cough Strengthens bones Controls blood pressure Blocks diarrhea beans Prevents constipation Helps hemorrhoids Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Stabilizes blood sugar beets Controls blood pressure Combats cancer Strengthens bones Protects your heart Aids weight loss blueberries Combats cancer Protects your heart Stabilizes blood sugar Boosts memory Prevents constipation broccoli Strengthens bones Saves eyesight Combats cancer Protects your heart Controls blood pressure cabbage Combats cancer Prevents constipation Promotes weight loss Protects your heart Helps hemorrhoids cantaloupe Saves eyesight Controls blood pressure Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Supports immune system carrots Saves eyesight Protects your heart Prevents constipation Combats cancer Promotes weight loss cauliflower Protects against Prostate Cancer Combats Breast Cancer Strengthens bones Banishes bruises Guards against heart disease cherries Protects your heart Combats Cancer Ends insomnia Slows aging process Shields against Alzheimer's chestnuts Promotes weight loss Protects your heart Lowers cholesterol Combats Cancer Controls blood pressure chili peppers Aids digestion Soothes sore throat Clears sinuses Combats Cancer Boosts immune system figs Promotes weight loss Helps stops strokes Lowers cholesterol Combats Cancer Controls blood pressure fish Protects your heart Boosts memory Protects your heart Combats Cancer Supports immune system flax Aids digestion Battles diabetes Protects your heart Improves mental health Boosts immune system garlic Lowers cholesterol Controls blood pressure Combats cancer kills bacteria Fights fungus grapefruit Protects against heart attacks Promotes Weight loss Helps stops strokes Combats Prostate Cancer Lowers cholesterol grapes saves eyesight Conquers kidney stones Combats cancer Enhances blood flow Protects your heart green tea Combats cancer Protects your heart Helps stops strokes Promotes Weight loss Kills bacteria honey Heals wounds Aids digestion Guards against ulcers Increases energy Fights allergies lemons Combats cancer Protects your heart Controls blood pressure Smoothes skin Stops scurvy limes Combats cancer Protects your heart Controls blood pressure Smoothes skin Stops scurvy mangoes Combats cancer Boosts memory Regulates thyroid aids digestion Shields against Alzheimer's mushrooms Controls blood pressure Lowers cholesterol Kills bacteria Combats cancer Strengthens bones oats Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Battles diabetes prevents constipation Smoothes skin olive oil Protects your heart Promotes Weight loss Combats cancer Battles diabetes Smoothes skin onions Reduce risk of heart attack Combats cancer Kills bacteria Lowers cholesterol Fights fungus oranges Supports immune systems Combats cancer Protects your heart Straightens respiration   peaches prevents constipation Combats cancer Helps stops strokes aids digestion Helps hemorrhoids peanuts Protects against heart disease Promotes Weight loss Combats Prostate Cancer Lowers cholesterol Aggravates  diverticulitis pineapple Strengthens bones Relieves colds Aids digestion Dissolves warts Blocks diarrhea prunes Slows aging process prevents constipation boosts memory Lowers cholesterol Protects against heart disease rice Protects your heart Battles diabetes Conquers kidney stones Combats cancer Helps stops strokes strawberries Combats cancer Protects your heart boosts memory Calms stress     sweet potatoes   Saves your eyesight   Lifts mood   Combats cancer   Strengthens bones     tomatoes Protects prostate Combats cancer Lowers cholesterol Protects your heart   walnuts Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer boosts memory Lifts mood Protects against heart disease water Promotes Weight loss Combats cancer Conquers kidney stones Smoothes skin   watermelon Protects prostate Promotes Weight loss Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes Controls blood pressure wheat germ Combats Colon Cancer prevents constipation Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes improves digestion wheat bran Combats Colon Cancer prevents constipation Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes improves digestion yogurt Guards against ulcers Strengthens bones Lowers cholesterol Supports immune systems Aids digestion