Wordless Wednesday: MSc in Project Management for Oil & Gas Industry

This will be the 2nd MSc taught course offered by Civil Engineering Department, UTP

Kes dera, silalah ambil kisah, silalah jaga tepi kain orang

Nur Irisyafida Balkis dimasukkan ke hospital itu Khamis lalu setelah tidak sedarkan diri selama enam hari, dipercayai akibat didera teman lelaki ibunya.

BATU PAHAT - Seorang bayi berusia lapan bulan meninggal dunia setelah tidak sedarkan diri selama enam hari, dipercayai akibat didera teman lelaki ibunya.

Nur Irisyafida Balkis, dimasukkan ke hospital itu Khamis lalu kerana mengalami tiga keretakan di tempurung kepala, patah tangan kanan dan kaki kiri. Masih belum diketahui bagaimana bayi itu didera. LINK

Masa di Australia dulu, satu sifat orang Australia yang dah takde pada masyarakat kita ialah ambil peduli hal orang lain.

Contoh terbaik terjadi pada keluarga saya. Suatu hari Sumaiyyah (anak no 3) menangis atas suatu perkara (bukan sebab kena pukul). Oleh kerana saya dan isteri malas nak melayan, kami membiarkan saja Sumaiyyah menangis dengan harapan bila dah penat, dia akan diam sendiri.

Tak lama kemudian, pintu rumah kami diketuk. Rupa-rupanya jiran sebelah. Beliau bertanya kenapa anak saya menangis sebegitu rupa. Dia dengar dah lama menangis tak berhenti-henti. Saya katakan sekian sekian. Dia bertanya adakah dia diapa-apakan (kena pukul etc). Saya katakan tidak. Dia kata, anak tak sepatutnya menangis sebegitu rupa dan beberapa ayat yang mengancam (walaupun tidak secara direct). Pada ketika itu, Sumaiyyah sudah berhenti menangis dan berada di sisi saya.

Setelah pasti bahawa Sumaiyyah berada dalam keadaan baik, dia pun berlalu.

Saya dengan jiran itu kenal mengenal antara satu sama lain sebelum ini dan walaupun tak banyak masa bersembang tetapi bolehlah kata hubungan baik.

Tapi dalam hal ini, tiada kompromi. Jika ada syak bahawa anak diapa-apakan, tanpa banyak soal mereka akan siasat sendiri.

Moralnya... apabila kita dengar antara jiran2 kita, seperti anak kena dera dan sebagainya; janganlah buat tak tahu. Kalau tak berani nak tegur sendiri, telefon polis supaya mereka yang datang dan tanya. Jangan jaga tepi kain orang ni kena pakai dengan bijak bukan dalam semua hal.

JANGANLAH HEBAT MENGHUKUM SAJA BRADER/SISTA!!!

Take note, rumah sewa kami di Australia masa itu adalah banglo. Boleh faham tak? Rumah banglo, sudah tentu suara tangisan pun tak berapa nak dengar - sayup. Tapi macam tu pun mereka prihatin dan ambil kisah. Inikan lagi kita yang duduk dalam rumah bersambung struktur.

Ulasan: SUCCUBUS Descend Unto Gehenna MCD

 
Dua tahun selepas saya mengulas demo Sadistic Rites Of Evil, SUCCUBUS sekali lagi menghantar material lagi untuk diulas tanpa serik. Kali ini dengan kemajuan; MCD dalam bentuk digipak dan dicetak oleh label USA bernama Slaughterhouse Records.

MCD ini menampilkan 5 buah lagu dengan ciri lebih kurang sama dengan demo sebelumnya. Dari segi produksi, seingat saya yang demo memang kualitinya demo dalam julat yang baik. MCD ini pula mempunyai tahap produksi yang selangkah dua lebih jauh. Tetapi kualiti amaturnya memang sukar untuk disorok. Ini adalah sindrom rekoding di Malaysia. Namun jangan ini dijadikan alasan kerana bisa saja ia disengajakan sesuai dengan matlamat SUCCUBUS.

Lagu-lagu yang ditawarkan lebih laju dan pantas. Laju pada julat Death dan Thrash Metal. Tiada drum blast beat atau grind. Cumanya, mungkin kerana terlampau laju drumming menyebabkan saya terdengar cungapan pemain gitar yang cuba mengejar. Vokalisnya kelas. Butir yang dilontar dari mulut vokalis boleh didengar. Ini nasihat saya kepada vokalis, amatlah penting untuk didengar dan difahami butiran yang dinyanyikan. Vokalis SUCCUBUS adalah contoh vokalis yang baik. Of course, saya tidak maksudkan vokalis band death metal deep growl.

Verdict? Walaupun beberapa kekurangan dapat dikesan tetapi ia bukan penghalang. Banyak baik dari buruknya. Dan melihat akan keaktifan SUCCUBUS bergerak dan dengan sokongan label luar, firasat saya ialah kita akan mendengar lebih banyak SUCCUBUS di masa akan datang. Dan jika SUCCUBUS bijak dengan strategi, mungkin tak lama lagi mereka akan menjejakkan kaki ke USA dalam siri mini tour. Ini bukan mustahil. Sudah banyak band tempatan yang melakukannya.

Baby cot for free!

Baby cot for FREE! Lokasi Seri Iskandar, Perak. Kondisi seperti pada gambar. Kena DIY sikit i.e. cari kayu untuk support tilam. PM saya kalau berminat. Pikap sendiri dari rumah saya hari ini atau esok. Kalau tiada yang berminat ia akan dibuang. Terima kaseyyyyy!!!

Included - tilam dan kelambu.

Now you can own an affordable GIBSON, so replace your GIBSUN now :)

A few days ago while visiting a department for work-related problem, a friend in that department hushing me to his workstation.

"Look at this..." he said. Pointing to a Japanese website selling music instruments.

"I just bought this a few minutes ago." He continued. The guitar below... Ain't that a beauty?

That is a GIBSON SGJ. Guitar cost with shipping from Japan and expecting 10% tax is about RM2,200 ONLY.

A GIBSUN (a fake GIBSON with GIBSON decal... I named it as GIBSUN) sells between RM1,000 to RM1,800 in Malaysia. And you will get all sorts of problem since they are cheapos selling just about RM300 in China.

Add a few hundreds and you'll have an authentic GIBSON. Of course la, it is an entry level GIBSON. It is still better than a fake Slash GIBSUN LP.

Look at this which is about the same total price... a GIBSON LPJ.

Replace your GIBSUN to an original USA-made GIBSON, now.

Go to this website to purchase http://www.kurosawagakki.com/

My take on the article "Vinyl's great, but it's not better than CDs"

Thanks Rosmi 'cinie' Yuhasni for this great article explaining in depth (in "light" science and math backed with studies) the difference of the sound between CD and vinyl.

As a trained engineer, I had always thought that live-and-death proponent of vinyl enthusiast saying their vinyl sounded MUCH better are basing it on their bias towards the medium rather than scientific reasons.

Furthermore, experiencing it on my own, comparing side by side CD and vinyl, the difference is clear. So this should stop the argument which one is better in terms of details and accuracy. The warmth? Read the article to find out.

Take note also, in order to experience real satisfaction on vinyl, you need to spend a lot on the stereo system. An entry point turntable, amp and speakers will not do it. You need to spend A LOT. In comparison, an entry level for CD setup is just sufficient. Experience this yourself by going to the AV FEST next month in KL. Listen at the good sounding vinyl setup and then LOOK at the price.

Saying all these, I listen to both format. Still buy vinyls (ordered King Diamond/Mercyful Fate repress on vinyls and DISSECTION vinyl reissues). But now I know WHAT and WHY I buy it. And I buy more CDs than vinyls because CDs sound better on my cheap entry hifi setups.

"Each format has its charms, and their overall differences in quality are often overwhelmed by differences in the quality of initial recording equipment, in mastering approaches, and in playback setup. But if you're a vinyl collector, you also shouldn't go around telling your friends how much purer your audio is. First off, that's generally dickish behavior, but more to the point it's false. Digital recording just is more accurate. That's not the only thing worth considering by any means, but it does make the puritanism of some vinyl true believers look rather ridiculous."

THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Wordless Wednesday: HIGH VOLTAGE at Euphonious 2014

AC/DC on batik!

Yes... batik rules the night.

That kid is the vocalist son. Such a rocker. He danced and sang throughout our set. As long as you don't kacau my multi-effect.

Alan the drummer. He was supposed to be our backing vocals but on that night, our original drummer, Syahmi backed out due to emergency of his youngest son who got his head stitched after falling down. Now, Alan was actually the drummer for DIED so he is a drummer only that he never practiced the songs as a drummer. He took about an hour to learn the drums with his phone. Fortunately, no unwanted incidents on the drum only that he wasn't sure when to stop the song. Well done!

The solo bantai la. Long hair in memory. Now I am naked on the head :)

Photos credit HAZRIN ISMAIL

Listening Booth: JAMIROQUAI The Return Of The Space Cowboy CD

The Return Of The Space Cowboy is the second album by British funk/acid jazz band Jamiroquai, released on 17 October 1994 on Sony Soho Square in the United Kingdom and 10 May 1995 on Work Group in the United States. It is usually classified under the funk and acid jazz genres. (wiki)

 ---

Malam tadi saya mendengar album ini. Nama band pernah didengar lama dahulu tetapi lagunya tidak pernah. Menarik kerana muzik funk/acid jazz yang saya jarang dengar.

*Listening booth adalah catatan saya untuk muzik/album yang pertama kali dengar (atau jarang dengar). Untuk buat ulasan penuh saya tidak berani kerana kurang pengetahuan tentangnya. Selalunya cd/album ini dibeli secara rawak atas perasaan ingin tahu (curious). Komen anda tentang cd/album yang dipaparkan adalah dihargai sebagai penguat citarasa dan penambahan pengetahuan dan pengalaman.

Hari pertama rambut pendek (gonjeng)

Hari ni hari rambut pendek selepas beberapa tahun rambut panjang cecah bahu... Saya ada lecture jam 9am. Seperti kebiasaan, saya masuk awal dan TUNGGU students (sarcasm). Bila dah masuk semua students, saya bagi salam dan berkata,

"I feel naked with my short hair" disambut dengan gelak satu kelas.

Saya katakan saya pernah rambut panjang sampai ke pinggang masa buat PhD di Australia dulu. Ada yang sengih, ada yang melopong dan ada yang senyum jeles.

Ketika pulang ke ofis dari kuliah, saya terserempak dengan satu group students yang kemudian  menegur, "AC/DC Sir!". Ye lah, Jumaat lepas kan ke saya perform dengan HIGH VOLTAGE di satu event students paling besar di UTP. Of course la from now on I will get noticed.

Brother, I want to ask you... kat IPT mana yang you boleh cari pensyarah yang main gitar authentic GIBSON SG perform atas stage main lagu AC/DC? KAT MANA BROTHER? Yeeeessss... hanya di UTP saje. OK?

Saya balas dengan tunjuk devil's horn sign disambut dengan sorakan. Tak lama sayup kedengaran, eh rambut dah pendek la...

Tunggu masa je nak main Death Metal kat Chancellor Hall tu HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

I am also aware of the balding area. Any cheap way of making it grow back?

Judging the EUPHONIOUS 2014 (Preliminary rounds)

I am guilty of not attending the previous EUPHONIOUS events. Simply because I was not at home and were outstation. I think I attended only once, many years ago. This time around, not only I got to attend the event, I also got to be the judge and perform! How great is that?

So last night was the first preliminary rounds. I was the judge together with my bandmates in HIGH VOLTAGE and two distinguish bandmembers of PAPERFLY PURSUIT (oooohhh... they got a Flying V! Is it a GIBSON?). Nine bands performed that night. All I can say is UTP surely got talents!

There are few bands which I really really like and I already expressed that not only in the judgement sheets but also verbally after the performances where the judges are required to comment. I am not going to spoil the suspense though. You need to wait until tonight to know which bands are going to be qualified for the final on Saturday's night.

Which also comes to my mind, why I accepted to be the judge anyway? I mean, looking at the way of how the bands play, they could change the position with me anytime. They played a lot better than High Voltage! What do you expect from a band who practiced once a year?

So I would like to apologize in advance if we, the judges performed worse tonight than the bands that are competing. I am imagining an emergency scenery where one of us fainted on stage.

You probably should lower your expectations. Just consider us, High Voltage as an aging old jaded rocker lot who are trying to extend their rockers' dream.

As AC/DC put it correctly in 1976 (I was one-year old hahaha), It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock N Roll). It is still looking very long.

Bugera... YUMMY!

Marshall... YUMMY!

No experience with Line 6 Bass cabinet... but should be yummy as well.

Drum setting was nice.

The stage

The stage

I played many gigs before and got many passes. But this is the most unique pass so far.

Judges' seat. Let the hammer FALLS!

Buku Tumbuk Rusok ROTTW

Mahu Kenal Sedikit Industri Muzik Malaysia?

Semua Isu Kontroversi Ada Didalam Buku Ini.

Dapatkan, Tumbok Rusok Jilid 1 (Dari Tahun 2005-2008) Kini Siap Dicetak.

35 Topik
208 Muka Surat

Cetakan Pertama: 500 Naskah Sahaja

Harga Biasa:
Rm25.00 Semenanjung
Rm30.00 Sabah Dan Sarawak
Kos Pos:Rm 5.00

Harga Promosi Rm25 (Beli Terus Dari Rottw Termasuk Tambang) 

https://www.facebook.com/rottwmag

Pembayaran:
Maybank 1625-5309-4626 (Norehan Bt Md Nor)

Alamak ada print muka saya la kat page 84. Nampaknya nak kena beli buku ni hahaha

HIGH VOLTAGE at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS... again!

I actually have a band in UTP, called HIGH VOLTAGE. Although, last time we practice was probably a year ago. True to its name, we are an AC/DC worship band focusing on the Bon Scott era. 

Last Sunday, I received an email from one of the organizing committee of Euphonious to perform as an invited band for the event this year. Euphonius is an annual UTP Battle of the Band. Guess what, the performance is on Friday (13th June). That gives us about 5 days to do everything!

So there goes sms, whatsapp, emails and so on to call the boys back in. Not that we really want to play but because the performance will be held in the Chancellor Hall (which is basically the Madison Square Garden, Perak branch), there is no other option but to play.

But again, we got only about 3 or 4 times to practice. The first practice was last Monday. Imagine after so long of not playing, we met again as a band that night to play. One dude got confused with the song, another cannot remember which part is which, another getting bored, another playing facebook and so on. In conclusion, we were lost!

What do you mean we are playing that song??? We have never discussed about playing that song! ^*@#*)(@*$&#)

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

He was actually trying to hide his tears of trying to memorize the lyrics. Serve you right!

What chord again? Hmmmm?

That's right brother, you get bored you go to facebook IN THE MIDDLE OF A REHEARSAL!

This pose is not really rock n roll la wehhh...

 After practicing, there was one of the UTP band competing rehearsing at the same place. The difference was like langit dan bumi. The vocal was good, the drums, powerful and the guitar shreds.

The second practice, although improving but not much difference from the day before. Now I wonder whether accepting the invitation was a right decision.

Anyway, we will be playing these songs. Selected because of the riot-ness of the chorus. Chorus-riot means, the chorus will get stuck in your head in just two rounds of listening to the songs. 

1. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
2. Rock N Roll Damnation
3. If You Want Blood (You've Got It)

Once you are done memorizing the chorus, you need then to sing-a-long, OK?

We are expecting the worse on Friday. But if you are in a rock band, you don't really care because what you really need is a HIGH VOLTAGE rock n roll! 

See you on Friday!

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Co-Curriculum Unit of Student Support Services Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS in collaboration with UTP International Culture Club will be organizing an annual programme called ‘EUPHONIOUS 2014’.

The purpose of organizing this EUPHONIOUS 2014 is to provide to all Highest Institution a platform to showcase their talent in performing arts. The main objectives of this event are to provide opportunities to students to develop and enhance their skills, to encourage and educate university’s students as well as the public, to appreciate Malaysia and international finest in music. It serves as a platform to showcase the country’s diversity, colours and uniqueness through musical activities.

Below are the details of the EUPHONIOUS 2014 event:

                Preliminary Round

               Date        : 12^th June 2014 (Thursday)

                Time         : 8.00p.m -11.30p.m

                                : 13^th June 2014 (Friday)

                Time         : 8.00p.m – 11.30p.m <-- span="" style="color: blue;">HIGH VOLTAGE

                Venue      : Chancellor Hall, UTP

                                 

Final Round

Date        : 14^th June 2014 (Saturday)

                Time         : 7.45p.m – 11.30p.m

Venue      : Chancellor Hall, UTP

                

PROGRAMME

7.45-7.55pm                : Arrival of audience

7.55-8.00pm                : Safety Briefing

8.00-8.05pm                : Arrival of YBerusaha En. Talhah Bin Hasan
               Senior Manager

   Student Support Services Department
               Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

8.05-8.20pm                : Officiating Speech by YBerusaha En. Talhah Bin Hasan

                                       Senior Manager

                                       Student Support Services Department

                                       Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS                

                                     : Montage

8.20-11.10pm                : Final Performance

                                        

                                     : Performance by Guest Artist - BUNKFACE

                                               

10.30-11.00pm             : Souvenir & Prize Giving Ceremony

                                    : Photo Session

                                    : Adjourned

           

Your kind presence is highly appreciated. Thank you.


The first appearance HERE. That was TWO years ago...

Bahana rokok

Suatu hari isteri bercerita tentang calon suami kepada adik perempuan beliau. Beliau pun bercerita tentang calon A; kerja sekian sekian, perangai sekian sekian, warna kulit sekian sekian, agamanya sekian sekian.

Selesai bercerita tentang calon A, beliau bercerita pasal calon B pula; kerja sekian sekian, perangai sekian sekian, warna kulit sekian sekian, agamanya sekian sekian.

Beliau bertanya kepada saya, agak mana paling sesuai.

"Alhamdulillah kedua-duanya nampak baik dan bagus... tetapi..."

Saya memandang jauh. Nampak keikhlasan di muka. Dahi dikerutkan sedikit. Sambil menghela nafas, kata-kata wisdom ini pun terbit dari mulut saya,

"Pilihlah di antara mereka, yang tidak merokok kerana merokok itu tabiat buruk dan dibenci generasi akan datang."

Alhamdulillah, mereka telah pun selamat menikah 6 bulan lepas, si dia yang tidak merokok bersama adik perempuan isteri saya.

Mereka yang merokok tetapi rasa macam lambat je jumpa calon, mungkin ada kena mengena dengan kisah benar ini :l

Bersembang mengenai sustainability

Saya berada di dalam persidangan ICCOEE. Tema untuk persidangan kami adalah INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: MYTH OR REALITY? Dan dalam satu sesinya, kami telah adakan forum dengan tajuk yang sama. Panelis terdiri daripada Prof. Ir. Dr. Pieter van Gelder (Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands), Prof. Priyan Mendes (Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Australia) dan AP Ir Dr Mohd Shahir Liew (Department of Civil Engineering, UTP).

Untuk definisi SUSTAINABILITY, silalah ke wiki. Ia adalah subjek yang luas dan melitupi kehidupan manusia keseluruhannya. Di dalam dunia akademik, ini adalah topik hangat. Majoriti ahli akademik , menyokong langkah-langkah untuk merealisasikannya.

Semasa sesi forum tersebut, panelis telah memberi pandangan dan idea mengenai isu ini berkaitan dengan dunia kejuruteraan awam. Tetapi oleh kerana ianya adalah subjek yang luas, maka tidak dapat lari daripada isu semasa.

Setelah berakhir sesi forum, diadakan sesi soal jawab. Beberapa ahli akademik telah bertanyakan soalan. Saya adalah salah seorang daripadanya (extract):

"I did my PhD in Adelaide, Australia. It was a nice country. However, there were few things that terrifies me when I was there. One of it was when I received my electricity bills and when I want to put petrol in my car. I was made to understand that there are no subsidy given for these natural resources and that is why the price is so expensive, in comparison to Malaysia where they are subsidised. As you know, Malaysia is a land of subsidies. Now my question is, what is the relationship between subsidies and sustainability?"

Prof van Gelder menjawab dengan berseloroh, "How much do you pay for a liter of petrol here? In Netherlands, it is 2 Euro per liter. To fill up a car, it will cost me about 100 Euro. Not only there are no subsidy in petrol, it is also HEAVILY taxed. On the electricity, average we pay about 20,000 Euro annually for it."

Jawapan dari Prof Mendes pun dalam lingkungan yang sama. Maksudnya, tiada subsidi.

Menariknya, walaupun mereka terpaksa membayar dengan harga yang mahal, mereka tidak menyokong subsidi. Kerana subsidi tidak menyebabkan sustainability. Ia membuatkan pengguna menjadi complacent. Dengan lain kata, pengguna tidak merasakan bahawa natural resources ini adalah PENTING.

Walaupun begitu, insentif adalah penting untuk menjayakan agenda ini. Contohnya menurut Prof Mendes, kerajaan Australia memberi insentif kepada rumah yang mahu membeli solar panel untuk rumah mereka (rebat dan sebagainya). Sekarang, kebanyakan rumah di Australia ada solar panel ini. Selain dari rebat, setiap rumah juga MENJUAL kembali lebihan tenaga elektrik kepada syarikat pembekal.

Prof van Gelder menambah, pada tahun 60an, sungai-sungai di Netherlands adalah sangat tercemar hinggakan tiada ikan yang dapat hidup. Udara juga sangat kotor. Tetapi apabila agenda sustainability direalisasikan, sekarang ikan hidup aman damai di dalam sungai yang sama. Udara pun sangat bersih sekarang.

Dengan sebab petrol harga yang tinggi di Eropah, syarikat kereta di sana terus menerus berusaha untuk menjadikan kereta keluaran mereka jimat petrol atau menggunakan kurang petrol.

Ideanya adalah apabila harga natural resources ini mahal (kerana ikut harga pasaran), ekonomi akan berusaha membaikinya dengan teknologi baru untuk penggunaan yang efisien atau mengurangkan penggunaannya. Ini adalah kerana natural resources adalah sumber yang finite (terhad).

Pagi tadi semasa bersarapan, saya bersembang dengan rakan sekerja saya senior dalam bidang water resources and distribution. Kami bersembang mengenai hal ini. Beliau mempraktikkan sustainability ini dalam rumahnya. Itu adalah langkah proaktif yang dilakukannya. Dalam hal NRW, beliau telah menukar paip di sekitar rumahnya untuk mengelakkan hal NRW berlaku.

Saya katakan kepada beliau, sebagai seorang ahli akademik yang senior dan mempunyai pengalaman yang luas dalam subjek sustainability, beliau patutnya menulis tentangnya. Bukan menulis paper technical, tetapi menulis blog. Supaya idea and aspirasi sustainability ini dapat dibaca oleh orang awam. Supaya idea ini walaupun tidak dilakukan secara menyeluruh (polisi) tetapi dapat dicontohi oleh mereka yang proaktif.

Sebabnya, orang awam tidak faham apakah sustainability ini dan kenapa ia adalah SANGAT penting untuk jangka masa panjang. Subsidi boleh dilakukan untuk jangka masa pendek tetapi ia akan memudaratkan untuk jangka masa panjang.

Sebenarnya, kesan buruk jangka masa panjang subsidi kepada natural resources ini sudah pun mulai dirasai. Namun ia masih belum terlambat untuk mengelakkan ia menjadi lebih buruk.

Minggu depan insyaAllah, saya akan membantu beliau untuk membuka blog beliau supaya beliau dapat menulis untuk bacaan orang awam. Pengalaman dan kepakaran beliau dalam subjek ini tidak sekadar "mati" di dalam conference dan jurnal yang tidak dapat dibaca oleh orang awam. Ini adalah masanya, pakar dan ahli turun padang. We should no longer be complacent.

Saya bersama seorang pengumpul kronik lanyard (bergurau). Kami adalah penyokong sustainability.