New Gadget

I bought a Panasonic DVD recorder on impulse last weekend. The roadshow in Vivo City was giving it at a discount of $150 so I felt it was a good deal. The Starhub cable box internal hard drive was getting full I needed a back up in time for the Beijing Olympics.

Only problem : I'm not good at connecting cables so I had to wait for additional help c/o one of electronic shop's staff who had to come over to my place tonight and check what gadgets I actually have. When he had sorted out the cable connection , I then had to familiarise myself with the operating instructions he gave me.

The configuration of my Starhub cable box does not promote easy installation of any DVD recorder. At least that's what the staff said.

What does he exactly mean? If I'm recording a program from a cable channel, I cannot watch another cable channel otherwise, the recording will go haywire. However, I can still watch Mediacorp channels via another remote control. It turned out to be very complex that I was nursing a headache after!

Anyway, the instructions are now written down on a sheet of paper for me to practice when I am more patient. The DVD recorder also doubles up as a DVD player so I will need to get rid of my extra DVD player over the coming weeks.

London

I am back from a week in "lovely" (say it in British accent please)... London. It was primarily a business trip but had a few days to explore the place the third time around. The UK now occupies the 2nd spot in terms of frequency of visits due to business reasons (Australia takes the top spot).

My three month old Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ2 has redeemed itself. It took awesome photos with its automatic ISO feature regardless of lighting condition and movement. I have decided to live with its dismal video capability.

Apart from work, I kept busy by:

1) testing how far my shopping money will go -- battle of the currencies (Singapore dollar vs Sterling pounds). SGD falls on the 3rd round.

2) opening my adult senses to the wit and humor of Avenue Q (if this musical is being shown in your country, I suggest you see it)

3) realising I am not cut out for royalty, old paintings, and elaborate ceilings (though enjoyed being one with history at the Buckingham Palace) ; glad to be back in my IKEA filled condo unit


4) admiring the picturesque view of Blackfriars and Victoria Embankment ; our office is around the area

5) feeling fortunate that dinosaurs have become extinct and that I am not at risk of drowning in their dung (still prefer to drown in swimming pool water as a non-swimmer)

6) seeing the Rosetta Stone, the superstar of the British Museum, among a cast of mummies, Greek statues (some with tiny fig leaves), jewelry, and weapons

7) walking around Covent Garden and to Leicester Square (ooh "Lester" square as they say it) and witnessing the average alcohol consumption level rise among the citizenry as early as 3pm

8) forming a better image of what looks "above" ground (you can actually walk from one station to another in minutes)

and last but not the least

9) still resisting the temptation to exercise after multiple "potato" meals

More photos from my London trip on

http://leocab.zenfolio.com/