Biz Dome

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Revenge of the Sith

Finally, went and see Star Wars III in cinema. The illegal DVD is out as soon as the movie hit the theater and surprisingly very clear shot. Quite tempting to buy instead of going to cinema. But then, I had seen the last 2 episodes in cinema and decided not to break this chain. Went to Times Sq with Loo to watch. The movie is way better than the first 2 episodes but I found the 1st hour kind of boring. If you think you are going to see it the 2nd time, try looking for the easter eggs. http://www.starwars.com/episode-iii/bts/production/f20050526/index.html

Now, I think I had to get the DVD of the Episode 4-6.

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Liverpool wins

Liverpool wins the Champions League. What a great comeback. 3-0 down in first half and drew 3-3 in normal time. Wins in penalty kick. At least my staying awake till 6am did not gone to waste :)


King of Europe

Monday, May 23, 2005

Wesak Day

Today is Wesak Day. Went to Enlightened Heart Buddhist Centre in Tambun, Perak for pictures. This main highlights of this tibetan style temple is the sunning of the Buddha canvas, the longest in South East Asia. I believe this practise is only done in Perak and Tibet, China.

Wesak Day is called a "tri-sacred day" as it simultaneously commemorates the Buddha’s birth in 623 BC, his attainment of enlightenment in 588 BC at age 35, and his passing away to a state of Nibbana in 543 BC at 80.

The event went as follows.
1) The bathing of Jade Buddha
To purify and cleanse oneself from wrong doing and seek forgiveness and blessing of Buddha

2) The Lapis Lazuli light offering from Buddha
To bless you and love ones from Buddha

3) Prayer and Blessing
Perform by Chief Abbot and tibetan dance from 4 guardians to ward off evils, suffering and sickness

4) Carrying of Buddha
To seek protection from Buddha, Bodhisattva, Arhats and Devas

5) Sunning the Buddha
The longest canvas buddha (Tangka) by 40ft and 180ft long


The Temple


Burning of joss sticks


Buddha Statue


The 4 guardian


The 4 guardian guiding devotees and ward off evils


Preparing to carry buddha


Devotees waiting to change fortune


The 4 guardians in front of the crowd is to ward off evil, sickness and suffering of devotees


Devotee preparing to go through the changing of fortune with the 4 guardians


Walking passing the buddha


Devotee will walk one circle and turn the wheel of fortune to change bad luck to good luck


Walking thru the dragon to change fortune


Turning the wheel of fortune


Devotee throw 'bag' to be burn to kill off bad fortune


Devotee preparing to sun the giant scroll


Sunning of a giant scroll depicting the Sakyamuni Buddha

Monday, May 16, 2005

EPL ends

Today is the final day of the EPL season and what a season. West Bromwich Albion started the day from the bottom of the table and finish 4th last and escape relegation. I never really think they can survive the drop but they prove me wrong by winning their last game and the other candidate lose or draw. Too bad for the 3 teams, Norwich, Cystal Palace and Southampton.

Liverpool wins in its final game but only finished 5th. Disappointing season but hopefully they wins the Champions League. Go Liverpool Go!

With EPL season ended, Saturday and Sunday night would be boring without football. Have to wait till August for new season.

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Popular Japanese myth that type A is best comes under attack

Found an interesting articles. Japanese and their weird thinking.


TOKYO: To many Japanese, the key to their personality lies not in their stars but in their blood type. Type A's, they believe, are perfectionists and make good accountants; Type B's are sociable but selfish.

Now one of Japan's favourite pop beliefs is running into accusations of abuse and discrimination, with critics saying it is being used to assign jobs, match couples, even pigeonhole schoolchildren.

Irate scientists are attacking the theory in books and Web pages. Magazines are examining the debate in articles with titles like, “Don't bully Type B.”

The debunkers point out that blood type is determined by the proteins in the blood – hardly a determinant of character.

“It's mere superstition,” says Tatsuya Sato, associate professor of psychology at Ritsumeikan University. “Linking blood type and personality is not only unscientific, it's wrong.”

Ryoichi Kikuchi of the Broadcasting Ethics and Programme Improvement Organisation, says his watchdog group has fielded hundreds of complaints.

“Viewers are now complaining about their children being bullied at school, couples breaking up and bosses treating underlings unfairly – all because of blood type prejudice,” he said.

Newspaper polls show only 20% of Japanese say they're convinced that blood type influences personality. But the theory, imported from Nazi supporters and adopted by Tokyo's militarist government in the 1930s, is wildly popular nonetheless. It is also widespread in South Korea.

Blood type personality analysis appears regularly in Japanese women's magazines. Last year alone, more than 50 television shows dwelled on the subject. Matchmaking agencies offer blood type compatibility tests.

It is considered perfectly acceptable to ask a person's blood type and make it public. Blood types are listed in Japan's Who's Who in Politics and Government.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is an A, though his permed hair, in-your-face political style and fondness for pop music hardly fit the accountant stereotype.

Japanese television recently showed children at the Oi Nursery School in Saitama, just outside here, being divided into four groups according to blood type to compare how they eat snacks, clean garbage or take off their shoes at the door. The school declined a request for comment.

The theory has been around for decades, but its dark past is little known.

The discovery of blood types in 1901 was one of the greatest advances in medical history, but the breakthrough was perverted by the Nazis to claim the superiority of Germans - mostly types A and O - over Jews, Asians and others with a larger proportion of type B blood.

The theory reached Japan in a 1927 psychologist's report, and the militarist government of the time commissioned a study aimed at breeding better soldiers.

The craze faded in the 1930s as its unscientific basis became evident.

But it was revived in the 1970s with a book by Masahiko Nomi, an advocate and broadcaster with no medical background.

About 40% of Japanese are type A, 30% (0), 20% (B) and 10% (AB).

O's are said to be decisive and curious, while AB's are supposedly complex and suited for research and art. – AP

Sunday, May 08, 2005

Seafood dinner

Today is Mother's Day. Of course, it is the time of the year where the restaurant are packed. Since my mum is in Manchester now, I did not go back to Ipoh but instead went to see my auntie in KL.

Hey, we went to Dataran Prima in Kelana Jaya to have seafood and the place is very packed. Had the dinner on the outside of the restaurant. Luckily there is no rain. If not, we would not know what to do as there is no shelter.

Ordered fish, crabs (2 plates), shell cockrel. Fantastic stuff. What a dinner. Total cost about Rm250. Not very cheap meal but it is ok since only eat like this once in a year.

To all mothers in the world, Happy Mother's Day.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Liverpool in Final

Stay up the whole morning just to see the match at 2.30am. Not a very exciting match but who cares, Liverpool in final of champion league after 20 years. Go Liverpool go.

Monday, May 02, 2005

Excuse me, I can't go out today even though I got nothing to do

I stayed at home today. Was supposed to go out to meet a friend today for lunch. Called her at 11am to confirm place but she still have not wakes up. When talking to me, she is still in dreaming mode. hahaha. Women, they are so good at giving excuses if they do not want to go out of the home.

Excuses like these are very common
1. Very hot outside
2. Very tired/lazy
3. Go shopping with mother
4. Have to bring pets to vet
5. No car
6. Going back hometown
7. Have to go back office (even on sunday)
8. Traffic Jam
9. Have to fetch younger brother/sister
10. Got things to do at home

Got excuses to share?

Sunday, May 01, 2005

Holland

Went to see Welcome to Holland exhibition at Mid Valley. Took some pictures there.


Giant lion. Just compare with the guy on the right


Nice tulip


Real Tulips imported from Holland for sale. Sure die within a week in hot KL


No need to learn how to play organ. Just moved the wheel


Barrel Organ


Dutch lady and Dutch Baby


Michael Schumacher and his ferrari


Clog maker