Ipsum to Penang

Friday, 26th December 2008

This morning, we woke up with bored feeling. The kids have been down with chicken pox for several days now. We have stayed at home since they had them. The kids were kind of feeling it too from their behaviour.

With no accommodation booking, we decided to drive leisurely to Penang. I filled the Ipsum up at Jalan Skudai, Johor with Shell Super (the usual Shell Regular that I use not being sold there), and tyres to 230 inflation (the manufacturer's recommended figure).

The Ipsum was comfortable. I had no backache or felt tired when I arrived in Penang. The tension only built up when we were looking for a hotel room. Since it was school holiday, many hotels were fully booked. We stayed at Traders Hotel. The hotel situated beside the tallest tower in Penang - the KOMTAR.

I only wished that the Ipsum is equipped with cruise control and better audio system.

I did filled up at Damansara R&R, the Ipsum did 11.4 km per litre of petrol. Not bad for an MPV travelling leisurely usually at 110 km/h, both the aircond blowers were on with automatic temperature control set at around 26 degree celcius. The weather was hot. The traffic was smooth.

We started the journey around 10 am from JB Town Centre, made a quick stop at UTHO, Parit Raja, Batu Pahat for about 45 minutes and then straight to Georgetown. We arrived around 7.30 pm.

Shahrul Faizal on Nokia E71

New Office & New Gadgets

Pardon me for not being able to update this blog. My new office has been completed and has been occupied since early November, 2008. First day working at the new office went through without major hick-up. My frustration was with my internet provider. A simple written instruction / request seems difficult for a big multi-corporation. Thankfully, that problem was solved within the same week.

My P990i started to play me strange noises while I'm making calls. Thus, making it difficult for me to have decent conversations. Its camera has never worked months before that.

Armed with the original box and receipt, I traded in the P990i for an AP set Nokia E71. The shop gave RM400 for my P990i, thus I have to top up a mere RM950.

As a result, I missed the chance to switch to Maxis and to get the discounted mobile phone.

Soon after I inserted my SIM Card on the E71, Celcom sent me the data configuration. Everything was so smooth. It saves me from calling Celcom Helpline or getting the configuration from the internet.

To my surprise, Celcom did also contacted me to ask if my data connection was ok. I think Celcom has increase their service standard as a result of the number portability. Good news to consumer!

The Nokia E71 is a dream comes true for me. It could do all that I wished for, and many others.

The day after I got my E71, both my kids were hospitalised because of dengue fever. It all seemed as if they have been planned. I couldn't tell what will happen if I didn't get the new phone. It was easier for me while I was in the hospital to check for emails (faster connection) and I'm not worried about the battery. Even with heavy usage, the battery will last the day.

Though I am yet to get away with the habbit, I no longer have to close every application on my new phone. The hardware on the E71 is a workhorse.

New Office

I was busy completing my new office.

Camera phone

My camera phone now, most of the time failed to focus correctly.


I have not plan for any new phone acquisition in this short future. But seeing the blurry photos really urging my nerve to do so.

Today I found out about 'Mobile Number Postability' at Maxis.

Mobile number portability (MNP) is the freedom to move from one mobile operator to another within the same market, while retaining your mobile number. It allows the customer to change his/her mobile service provider without losing his/her mobile number.

MNP is a government directive and regulatory requirement. There will be a Limited Live Trial from 29 August, to early October 2008. MNP will officially be launched in Malaysia from early October 2008 onwards.

I can't wait for this to happen. I think I will get the new phone with the new provider (got some discount there - for example RM999 for a Motorola Q9h!).

A Good Day of Waxing

I spent part of my weekend waxing my Ipsum. I gave it a good wash (yet to implement 2 buckets system) with Turtle Wax F21 Car Wash and then slowly with Car Plan Ultimate Wax. I purchased Macquire's drying cloth and a special cloth for removing the wax from the car. I think they are quite good.

Wrong Focus - Sony Ericsson P990i

Still won't focus - Sony Ericsson P990i

This is much better, see the paintwork?

My New Side Mirror, RM1,000 burnt

Wax effect - sorry no prior photos

Does it say thousand of words?

Thanks Ah Keong for letting my paint looks so good!

RON 92 Down By 22 Sen

Good news.

The more reason to buy vehicles which engine consumes RON92 petrol.

Thank God I bought a Toyota.

PLUS Lembu

I watched RTM news yesterday.

Something like this was mentioned -

"Sebuah kereta yang sedang dalam perjalanan daripada Kuala Lumpur ke Melaka melalui Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan gagal mengawal kenderaannya dan telah melanggar seekor lembu yang sedang melintas... berhampiran Tol Pedas"

Both passengers died on the spot.

I think this statement is better -

"PLUS gagal memastikan pagar-pagar di sekeliling kawasan tersebut diselenggara dengan baik untuk mengelakkan daripada lembu-lembu memasuki kawasan lebuhraya mereka."

"PLUS seharusnya tampil membuat kenyataan untuk bertanggungjawab di atas kejadian tersebut. Orang ramai yang menggunakan dan membayar untuk perkhidmatan Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan berhak untuk memandu dengan ketenangan fikiran. Tanda-tanda lebuhraya telah menunjukkan bahawa orang ramai seharusnya selamat untuk memandu di kawasan lebuhraya dengan kelajuan maksima 110 km sejam."

Be on alert when you drive on the highway.