spoilt knee (part 2)

sgh has confirmed what the saf mo thought. my knee is spoilt. in fact, the sgh sports doctor thinks that there might be cartilage or ligament damage, and i get a mri scan next month to verify that.

that almost certainly leads to keyhole (laproscopic?) surgery, and (hopefully) to downgrade.....

one can hope...... however, in the meantime, regular physiotherapy at sgh = good.

software

compare this (taken today):

software. 

to this (taken sometime in the past), at the same shop:


softwareS..... hmm. 

ice cream with coke

was sitting around at McDs at Lido, when I felt like having a coke float. however, my chief gripe with McDs' coke floats is that they don't put enough float in it and invariably end up with something that tastes, more or less, but usually less, like vanilla coke. which i don't like.

so i walked up to the counter and asked if the gentleman could humour me and give me extra float in the coke, as it was always not enough. he then proceeded to fill a cup with 40% coke, 10% ice and 50% yoghurt.

yes. 50% yoghurt. turned out very thick, more like coke-flavoured milkshake, but i'm not complaining. maybe next time i'll ask for less ice cream. (yeah right).

snippets of a conversation

[scene: electrical fault causes gizmo thing-a-ma-jig to short-circuit]

someone: hey it smells like toast!

someone else: what kinda toast do you eat?

at work.

saw this at work today.

[on a replacement pass form]
(pass) can only swap (swipe) to enter but cannot exist (exit).

the kind of language one would expect from a xWO or xSG (where x denotes any sensible character), but the form was from a major. go figure.

[on a debit card, dropped and found, handed to us]
no signature on the back.

[on a book-in slip, corraborated by the 11B]
NRIC: S72xxxxx
Name: 2LT xxxxxxxx

either the most condemned 1-bar ever, or the stupidest crossover spec ever. didn't find out, though. would have been impolite to ask.

why are idiots idiots?

this just in this morning:

[Scene: CPA]

Foreign BG in Car: Hi, I'm here to see the Chief Signal Officer

National Slave Serviceman: Hold on, Sir, let me check my list.

[NS proceeds to flip through the official list, but does not find FBiC's name or vehicle number in it]

NS: Sir, I'm afraid I do not have your name on this list, please hold on while I contact the guardroom.

NS (on radio): Guardroom, this is CPA. I have here a FBiC in vehicle XXXX who claims that he is going to see Chief Signal Officer.

Guardroom: Wait out.

[Guardroom proceeds to check the computer list for FBiC's details]

Guardroom: CPA, there is no repeat no email about FBiC's visit today. Please verify with him]

NS: Sir, they are not expecting your vehicle today. Can you please check?

FBiC: I've been told that the Officer in Attendance has already cleared my vehicle for entry and is waiting for me.

NS: Guardroom, the FBiC claims that he is cleared.

Guardroom: Please ask the FBiC to come to the GR while we verify his claims.

NS: Guardroom, The FBiC refuses to go to the Guardroom, and says that if he is not allowed to go in he will drive straight back.

Guardroom: We still do not have any indication that this guest is expected. Please inform FBiG that CSO does not live work here.

[FBiG then proceeds to drive away, but instead of drivin off he circles the area twice before returning to NS]

FBiG: I've just telephoned the OiA, and he is very sure that my vehicle is cleared for entry.

NS: Sir, the Guardroom is sure that neither you nor your vehicle is expected here today.

FBiG: ....... Oops I'm supposed to be at another camp.

NS: ~!@#$%^&*()

Guardroom: ~!@#$%^&*()

flatterland..... a review

the brother bought the book from borders (hey how's that for alliteration) and i got to sneak a peek at it.

being a fan of popular science books i had high expectations from ian stewart, an internationally acclaimed author.

basically, the book is touted as a sequel to edwin abbott abbott's (yes that's two abbotts) flatland (1884) and attempts to bring the reader through today's wonderful world of mathematics, where everything that can be described by z=f(a,b,c,....,y) (or similar) is possible.

but.

the book is too superficial to achieve much. attempting to explain to the reader 18 different concepts in 300+ pages is not possible, and most of the time the material is skimpy and does not fully explain concepts. ian stewart attempts a tour de force of modern mathematics, but ends up committing too many lines to witty dialogue, which quickly becomes boring and repetitive, thus wasting space which could have been put to better use. some of the "solutions" given to "problems" stated in the book are not thorough enough, and the reader is left hanging. many of the diary entries of victoria line (the protagonist) which (i expect) are supposed to help the reader understand concepts more clearly instead confuse, being written more in a narrative style than a descriptive style.

so, the verdict, you ask. if you want a beautifully written piece of prose, read flatterland. however, if you're expecting a popular science book, stick to classics such as "the universe in a nutshell" (hawking) or the elegant universe (greene)

kinds of dice....

Scroll down to see what type of die I am....

dice!

Take the quiz at dicepool.com

lunch. and then some.

hooray. lunch yesterday at camp was interesting, to say the least. as seen in the pictures below, there was an unexpected addition to the meal, or as they say jia liao hmm. maybe after this complaint we'll get nice food for a month.... nah. maybe two weeks.... or a couple of days.

seen amongst rice grains. 

same insect seen on a plastic spoon... 

super-villian

Breaking news.

We have been informed of the identity of a new breed of super-villian. His name is Ideaman. Often known as Project Officer or Staff Officer, especially in the armed forces, his capacity to make others do work is unparalled. Armed and dangerous with a bow and a quiver full of arrows, his favourite phrase starts off "Hey, I have an Idea. Why don't we do....." which immediately triggers off a slew of arrows aimed at helpless underlings who have no recourse but to do his bidding.

This evil being is known to possess various managerial powers, such as delegation, creating needless work and calling 4-hour meetings. Range and scope of his powers differ with the rank of the being he inhabits. Lowly "|", for example, are the smallest form of body he will be found in, and thus have the weakest powers. However, with experience and longevity, the "OOO" variant as well as the "***" variant are known to have powers to command the work of even other Ideamen.

There is no proven way to defeat this criminal, although many have tried. Tactics used vary from acquiescence followed by negligence to deflection to non-confrontation. At various levels, these methods might work, but each Ideaman has his own weakness, and needs to be confronted in a unique way.

Should you find yourself in the vicinity of an Ideaman, it is probably best to walk away quickly and hope that your presence went unnoticed. Bold confrontation, risky at best, is not advised. A suggested tactic, once cornered by an Ideaman, is to draw another, more powerful, Ideaman's attention and focus it on the first, weaker, Ideaman, and make a quick exit.

***

Concept from Terence. Expounding mine. =)

heard over the comms net...

A: B, where is C?
B: C is at [place].
A: [place], is C there?
[place]: C is not here....

makes you wonder, doesn't it...

software(s)

saw this at harvey norman west mall. software. not softwares. when i pointed that out to the duty manager-person he shrugged and said "it's too late to do anything about that now." hmm.


softwareS..... hmm. 

shit.

The Ideology and Religion Shit List
Compiled by Bob Schroeck
Agnosticism (1) - What is this shit?
Agnosticism (2) - Maybe there is shit or maybe it happens; then again, maybe not.
Altruism (1) - Want some shit?
Altruism (2) - Let me give you my shit.
Americanism - Who gives a shit?
Amish - Shit dost occur.
Anal Retentivism - Keep your shit to yourself.
Anglicanism - Our shit doesn't stink.
Apathism - I don't give a shit.
Archimedesmism - If I had a lever that's long enough, and a place to stand, I can move the earth -- even if it is full of shit.
Aristotlism (1) - Once a shit is stretched by an idea, it never again happens in its original shape.
Aristotlism (2) - Shit is real.
Neil Armstrong - This is one small shit for me, but one giant heap for mankind.
Asatru - If shit happens, blame it on Loki.
Atheism (1) - I don't believe this shit.
Atheism (2) - There is no shit.
Ba'Hai - All shit is truly shit.
Baptist - You are shitting wrong, therefore you'll be punished.
Baptist Fundamentalism - Shit happens because the Bible says so.
Blondism - I'm stupid as shit.
Bowdlerism - **** happens.
Branch Davidianism - Shit burns.
Breathairians - We don't have to eat that shit.
Buddhism (1) - Shit happens.
Buddhism (2) - If shit happens, it really isn't shit.
Bushism (1) - What shit?
Bushism (2) - Read my lips, no new shit.
Calvinism - Man is nothing but shit.
Calvin-and-Hobbesism - Man, this shit is fun.
Caninism - Shit happens in the neighbor's yard.
Capitalism (1) - Do you buy this shit?
Capitalism (2) - How much will this shit cost?
Capitalism (3) - Shit happens, and it'll cost you!
Carmensandiegism - Where in the world is that shit happening?
Cartesianism - I shit, therefore I am.
Catholicism (1) - If shit happens, you deserved it.
Catholicism (2) - Everybody gets shit.
Chauvanism - We may be shit, but you can't live without us.
Chestertonianism - Shit is the farthest thing from shit.
Christian Fundamentalism - The belief that Hell is where everyone must mind their own shit.
Clintonism - I didn't inhale the shit!
Commercialism - Let's package this shit.
Communism (1) - It's everybody's shit.
Communism (2) - Everyone's shit is everyone else's shit.
Computerism - Why won't this f@@@ing shit work?
Confucianism - Confucius say, "Shit happens."
Constipation - My shit just won't happen.
Contract Theory - If we don't agree to form society, everything will go to shit.
Creation Science (1) - We have proof that God created all the shit that happens.
Creation Science (2) - Shit happens all at once.
Creation Science (3) - ...And the Lord said "Let there be shit"...
Dadaism - Blue shit rumage Idaho potato.
Dadism - Your mom knows her shit.
Daffy Duckism - It's *my* shit! Down, down! Go, go! Miiiiine!
Darwinism - We came up from shit.
Deja Vu - I think this shit happened before, but I'm not sure.
Descartes - I shit therefore I am.
Dianetics (1) - Even shit can make money.
Dianetics (2) - Shit your way to a better life.
Discordianism - This MIGHT be shit, but is instead a fuzzy 1973 Mustang.
Dominicans - Believe in shit, or we'll boil you in it.
Donism - I'm gonna' make ya' a shit you can't refuse.
Dyslexianism - Hits shapnep.
Egoism - I AM the shit!
Egotism - My shit is the only shit that matters.
Empiricism - Shit only happens if I see it happen.
Employerism - This shit is your fault.
Energizer Rabbit - Shit happens... and happens... and happens...
Environmentalism (1) - Recycle this shit.
Environmentalism (2) - Shit happens, but it's biodegradable.
Euphemism - Caca happens.
Evangelism - You need our shit.
Evangelicalism (1) - I can heal people -- but oooonly with the help of yourrrrr shit.
Evangelicalism (2) - God has a wonderful plan for your shit.
Evolution (1) - Shit happens gradually.
Evolution (2) - Shit is getting better all the time!
Existentialism - Shit doesn't happen; shit just is.
Existentialism, General - Your shit is what you make of it.
Existentialism, Sartre - We are defined by our shit happening.
Felinism - Shit happens... bury it.
Feminism - Men are shit.
Finagle's Third Law - The happening of shit tends to a maximum.
The Force - Do not be swayed by the Dark Side of the shit.
Freudianism - Shit happens as a result of repressed sexual urges.
Frisbeetarianism - Shit happens under cars, just out of reach.
Garbagism - I dump your shit.
Geocentrism - Our shit is the center of the cosmos!
Green Peaceism - Save this Shit.
GURPSism - Our shit can happen in any conceivable place or time.
Guruism - The master's shit does not stink.
Hare Krishnaism - Shit happens shit happens shit happens rama rama.
Hedonism (1) - f@@@ that shit; let's party!
Hedonism (2) - This shit is fun!
Heisenbergism - Shit happened, we just don't know where.
Hinduism (1) - This shit happened before.
Hinduism (2) - This shit is not a religion. It is a Way of Life.
Hippyism - Make peace with shit.
Hitchhikerism - The answer to all this shit is 42.
Idealism - That shit's all in your mind.
Illuminism - We make shit happen.
Interrigationism - 'Ve have 'vays of making you shit!
Islam - If shit happens, it is the will of Allah.
Islam, Shi'ite - When Shi'ite happens, kill Salman Rushdie.
Islam, Sunni - Why do Shi'ites always happen to us?
Jehovah's Witnesses (1) - No shit happens until Armageddon.
Jehovah's Witnesses (2) - Let me in your house and I'll tell you why shit happens.
Jehovah's Witnesses (3) - Good Morning, I have some shit for you to read.
Judaism - Why does this shit always happen to us?
Judaism, Reformed -Got any Kaopectate?
Jungianism - All shit that happens is an aspect of the archetypical shit generated consensually by the mass subconscious.
Kennedyism - Ask not what your country's shit can do for you, but what your shit can do for your country.
Kierkegaard - This shit is highly improbable; therefore, we should believe it happens.
Martin Luther King, Jr. - I have a shit...
Kinisonism - Ooh-shit happens! Oo-ooooooooooo!
Thomas Kuhn - Shit always happens exactly the way you expect it to.
Libertarianism - Keep your hands off of my shit.
Logical Positivism - Shit = S+H+I+T.
Lutheranism - Catholicism is shit.
Marie Antoinette'ism - If they can't afford bread, why don't they get shit instead.
Marines - It's not just shit, it's an adventure.
Marvin - Here I am, brain the size of a planet, and I can't even shit.
Marxism, Classical - The workers take all the shit, but they're gonna dish it back out again.
Materialism - Whoever dies with the most shit wins.
Mathematicism - Necessary and sufficient conditions for shit to occur are: 1) Shit must exist and be continuous in a domain D 2) No shit must exceed SHIT on the boundary of D.
McCarthyism - Are you now, or have you ever been, a shit?
Josh McDowell-ism (1) - Anyone who investigates the evidence for this shit and doesn't see the truth as plain as day is a nincompoop.
Josh McDowell-ism (2) - Anyone who investigates the evidence for this shit and doesn't agree with me must want to have sexual intercourse outside of marriage.
Mennonite - None of this modern shit now.
Momism - You'll eat this shit and like it!
Moonies - Only happy shit really happens.
Mormonism (1) - Your shit is shit, but our shit is the ONE TRUE shit.
Mormonism (2) - God sent us this shit.
Murphism - Shit always happens at the worst possible time and place.
Narcissism - My shit don't stink.
Native American - This shit is sacred when it happens.
New Age (1) - Why did I happen to create this shit?
New Age (2) - This isn't shit if I REALLY believe it's chocolate.
Newton's First Law - Shit that is happening tends to keep happening.
Newton's Second Law - You have to push to make shit happen.
Newton's Third Law - Every shit that happens has an equal and opposite shit happening.
Neitzscheism (1) - If you're not Ubermenschen, you're not shit.
Neitzscheism (2) - A man without a shit is not a man.
Neitzscheism (3) - Shit is dead!
Nihilism - Everything is shit.
NIMBYism - Your shit's not gonna happen here.
Nixonism (1) - Shit didn't happen, and if it did, I don't know anything about it.
Nixonism (2) - I am not a shit.
Nonsequiturism - Route 176 goes south.
Oat Branism - Your shit will keep happening.
Objectivism - Shit=Shit
Occultism - We eat our shit.
Optimism (1) - That shit won't happen to me.
Optimism (2) - This shit, too, will pass.
Paganism (1) - Shit happens. Accept it.
Paganism (2) - Shit is a part of nature and makes things grow.
Panglossism - This is the best of all possible shits.
Paranoia - Shit happens because it's a plot.
Pascalism - We are just shit. But we are thinking shit.
Patriotism (1) - My shit, right or wrong.
Patriotism (2) - Give me liberty, or give me shit!
Patriotism (3) - Give me shit, or give me death!
Pee-Weeism - You can't arrest me for that shit!
Perotism - We're in deep shit.
Pessimism - That shit is going to happen.
Platonism - There is an ideal shit, of which all the shit that happens is but an imperfect image.
Politically Correctism (1) - Don't call it shit. That's not nice. Call it "Nutritionally-Deprived Output."
Politically Correctism (2) - Nutritionally Corrected Output happens.
Positive thinking - Shit is what you make it.
Pragmaticism - It may be shit, but it works.
Protestantism - Let shit happen to someone else.
Psychology - I can help you deal with the shit that is happening.
PTL Club - Send us your shit.
Quayleism - Shite happense.
Rastafarian (1) - Shit happens, but if it's all right with Jah, it's all right with me.
Rastafarian (2) - Let's roll that shit up and smoke it.
Reaganism - I don't recall if shit happened.
Reaganism, Nancy - Just say, `Shit happens.'
Republicanism - We earned our shit.
Robinism - Holy shit, Batman!
Rousseau - Only natural shit is worth shit.
Schroedingerism - Shit does not happen until you smell it.
Scooperism - If your shit happens here, you gotta pick it up.
Secular Humanism - Shit happens, but there's a rational explanation.
Seventh Day Adventist - No shit on Saturdays.
Shakespeare - To shit or not to shit, that is the question.
Sherlock Holmes - I know where this shit came from.
Shinto - Shit is everywhere. So as long as you're stepping in it, show it some respect.
Skinnerism - If eat then shit.
Socrates - I am shit. But I know I am shit.
Solipsism (1) - All this shit is a creation of my imagination.
Solipsism (2) - The only thing I can be sure of is that my shit happens.
Spockism - The shit of the many outweighs the shit of the few... or the one.
Spockism, Reformed - The shit of the one outweighs the shit of the many.
Dr. Spockism - Encourage your child to make shit happen.
Spoonerism - Hit shappens.
Stalinism - The state treats you like shit.
Stoicism (1) - This shit is good for me.
Stoicism (2) - Shit happens -- deal with it.
Sturgeon's Law - 90% of everything is shit.
Subgenius - Shit happens -- SO WHAT? GIVE ME SOME SLACK!
Surrealism - Shit is shiny and shaped like a Buick.
Taoism - The shit that happens is not the true shit.
Televangelism - Your tax-deductible donation could stop this shit from happening.
Thermodynamics: First Law - The shit that happens cannot be created or destroyed.
Thermodynamics: Second Law - When shit happens, it happens from a place of more shit to a place of less shit.
Thermodynamics: Third Law - Disorder is the inevitable result of shit happening.
Totalitarianism - Shit doesn't happen unless we say so.
Trekkism, The Original Series - To boldly shit where no shit has happened before.
Trekkism, The Motion Picture(s) - This shit is happening again.
Trekkism, The Next Generation - This shit happens again every week.
Trekkism, Deep Space 9 - Shit happens on the other side of the wormhole.
Trekkism, Voyager - Shit happens on the other side of the galaxy.
Twelve-Step Programs - God, grant me the serenity to deal with this shit.
Unitarianism - There's only one shit, but you can have it happen any way you want.
Unix - Shit Happened. Core dumped.
Ursism - Shit happens in the woods.
Utilitarianism (1) - Do that which generates the greatest shit for the greatest number.
Utilitarianism (2) - Let's make the best of this shit.
Vacuum - That shit sucks
Vandalism - I'm gonna wreck this shit!
VMS - Want to make shit happen? No Privilege for Attempted Operation.
Voodooism - Shit doesn't just happen -- somebody dumped it on you.
Voyeurism - Look at that shit happening.
Waldoism - Where *is* that little shit?
Xeno's paradox - It's logically impossible for shit to happen.
Yuppieism - It's my shit! All mine!
Zen - What is the sound of one shit happening? PU!
Zoroastrianism - Shit happens half the time.