Starboykb World

Pushing Locals to Private Companies Using Money?

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:57:00 +0000

This topic is quite a hit recently regarding the issue not hiring enough locals working with private companies in Brunei last year. Because of this, Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency (APTK) introduce a financial incentives scheme to all private companies by encouraging or recruiting locals to work there.

What’s the advantage of this new scheme benefit for both local jobless and the private companies? According to Brudirect, it offering by providing allowance of $5 daily during skills training, 65 per cent financial incentives while undergoing on-the-job training and bonus of $1,000 in the first year and $1,500 for working for two years in permanent employment.

Although it didn’t describe if PR as well getting this benefits, to me, it sound like the Government is doing the same spoiling game again what we see today. So familiar that it’s giving free allowances every month encouraging graduate students continue going to local colleges and UBD completing their studies.

I am no economist or business expert. But I did found a few interesting video for research and help me to understand better the effect of this might bring in the future.

Steven Levitt - Why Incentives Don't Work

Does Money Motivate?

My colleagues brought up this topic today in the office and yes, had a bit argument as they attend the talks knowing everything’s. This also proving me wrong thinking negatively and even claims the Governments are actually doing good things. To me is bullshit and not entirely good sign at all.

Why? There are loopholes to this system. For examples, rewarding to those with no motivation, no willing improve performance, lazy and understanding purpose of their jobs. These guys are going to walk away free bonus from the Government and salaries just for enduring training for one year, then another staying in the second years. How about third years? The worst cases, people can either becomes de-motivate and no longer concern about their future once they received the rewards.

Of course the working environment can affect people minds if the private companies have lack of managements, communications, forcing multitask jobs and bad developments which already lasted for so long. It’s easy to say everyone working for money just to survive. Realize this, not many nowadays gives a shit anymore if they are getting higher pay or not. If treated badly at work, resign and off you go for looking better place and future.

I have to work at least 7 years under $700 without any single allowances and TAP in everyday mentally stress situation. I don’t really think there are many like me these days wanted to suffer shits. That’s why you can see people quit and disappear few days later. The Governments may have force the companies to paid TAP. It doesn’t mean us expecting any good rise yearly from every local private company unless you continue certify yourself on courses.

The Eve & First day of CNY 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:17:00 +0000

Eve

Boring as usual, there aren’t much celebrating going on this year. The Chinese temple in KB didn’t get the approval letter doing any mini performance and long shooting fireworks on the countdown eve day. As suspected, apparently they pissed off the head of the police officer last year so everything not going too well. Visitors and tourist’s fun expectation turn to shit, so sorry about that.

Of course this have to blame the owner for the lack of traffic controls and unable moved the locals ignorance drivers causing road blockage even making the ambulance unable to pass through during the critical time. Did they learn their lesson is way beyond my reach. Hopefully next year we can expect better for celebration in KB.

First

Again, repeating the same scenario from last and even few years back. But this time, I find Chinese New Year is now part of sadness thing in life. Maybe it didn’t happen around you (yet), now we sees misses people and less happy mood then before.

Two of my aunt’s pass away really changes the people happiness into sorrow. My uncle cry during the eve sudden remembering his wife and how loneliness going to be without her. Another is my mom sister, which I still can remember the enjoyment we had storming (visiting) into her house eating and happy chatting every CNY. Now we don’t get that anymore and able to experience this. Really find it strange.

Not that this year is bad or something. I am happy continue getting red packets from cousins and relatives. It just that something important has been missing in your life when you start looking and seeing hard unacceptable changes around you. I do know everyone of us have to move forward and face the future. No matter what, stay strong as always telling myself.

GONG XI FA CHAI to all Chinese community in Brunei and around the world!

Ricky Gervais on Noah's Ark

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:06:00 +0000

OH MY I laugh so hard on this one.

CNY Room Cleaning? Let it be!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 13:57:00 +0000

Ha! Every year before Chinese New year, I would start doing room cleaning on Saturday or Sunday. Somehow, this year I don’t feel like doing it now. I have been thinking for some change so I prefer doing them altogether at one go.

Finding nice furniture’s in Brunei is fucking hard these days. Court Furniture is no go for me especially the KB sales lady are bitches who love fucking up customers moods. If IKEA is opening officially in Brunei, I definitely ride there even it’s located in capital. Not saying you can’t find here, but damn the Mata Mata quoting the price so high something’s when it comes to furniture’s.

As far I concern now, I must starts looking display shelves for my toys. The dusts are annoying and no way to prevent it. I also need to replace the office table to simple type with no drawer beside my leg and cabinet for my slowly build up manga collections.

People and friends have always recommended me to go down Miri to find. For me it’s very inconvenient when you are not familiar with the place, not to mention trust. So I prefer buying at the local.

Jim Jeffries–Alcoholocaust

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:06:00 +0000

Warning! First of all, there are plenty of swearing and offensive materials especially on religious in this video. If you don’t like it, don’t watch. Don’t complain in the end that I never warned you!

Powered Zaku II F2

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:54:00 +0000

This is the final Gunpla 2011 work that I haven’t posted up yet. First of all, consider these my first experience combining both 1/100 and 1/144 size together. I never had done it before so it’s a good learning new thing and testing. The Zaku II parts you see here is the first released MG 1.0 I got from ten years plus. None painted with few broken and missing parts. The original plan is to repair and modifications. However, I choose to assemble it to the HGUC Zaku II F2 instead.

I do have to admit there are few errors and mistake made during of the works. So the color is the keys for covering up the ugly side. Another problem is the weight on both legs booster. It affects the movement and posing because it’s simply too heavy which of course adding the aftermarket beam pipe putting in more. So far, the back packs is okay and I love the overall looks.

Super Robot Chogokin SRC Photo Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:05:00 +0000

Alright to you guys owing Super Robot Chogokin toy lines. Good news! ishop2go.com yesterday organize a photo contest for you collectors to get a chance winning prizes and discount (T&C apply) including one time 10% discount shop at their store. If you are interested, head over there for more information and rules how to join or watch the video I embedded here.

I haven’t owned any Super Robot Chogokin so I won’t be joining the photo shoots. Do note that the closing is end of this month so start shooting and good luck!

Nix Providence Gundam 2nd Issue – W.I.P #1

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:05:00 +0000

While letting my Powered Zaku II F2 sun bath for hours, I am moving on to 1/100 scale Gunpla as next project. Since this year going to be Gundam Seed fever, I beginning working on Seed VS Astray title. For sure, Nix Providence will be getting upgrade and stronger looks after messing around for weeks mixing.

My first idea pop up is having articulated on both shoulder since the original is fix point. To get that around, I thought that the Hobby Base Roll Swing Joint Large could do the trick. Somehow I am wrong about size. Nope, not at the moment giving up until I find ways to get it work.

In this photo you can see that I start putting a lot of putty in the body. Yeah, I know it sure looks ugly from the inside.

The extra leg part from Seed VS Astray also gives me some worry. The reason I putting a pla plate to support the weight pressing down and prevent breaking. Earlier when I insert the part, it was damn empty inside and found easily can be broken if not careful handle.

MUV-LUV ALTERNATIVE THE EURO FRONT with Limited Figure Book

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:38:00 +0000

I am thinking about pre-ordering this limited version of the MUV-LUV ALTERNATIVE THE EURO FRONT book with limited EF-2000 Typhoon figure. Somehow I am holding back so bad because of REVOLTECH producing it. If they contain Kotobukiya plastic kit, I definitively put my money down. But it isn’t.

The limited version basically just repainted to white color base on the upcoming EF-2000 Typhoon Wilfried Eichberger release next month! Nothing special, no new stuffs and the weapons remain all the same. Don’t get me wrong, I like MUV-LUV mecha. Revoltech is just so not my taste.

Not sure if you noticing, don’t you think most of the limited version books released are from Revoltech? I guess their brand is slowly failing in the market so probably the publishers are getting cheaper contracts to produce together.

The New Restart 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:43:00 +0000

Wow! It was just so fast facing new day and year suddenly. Hopefully, something might happen and good change in my life this year. For the bad, most of it is from works and next month going to renewing road tax and insurance for my KIA Sportage. Damn fast one year old, hope the insurance not going to be very expensive. Arggg….

As for the toys, this year is going to be amazing blowing my money off. There are lots of great mecha and plastic toys recently announced especially the Gunpla and 3rd party Transformers. Luckily most of the pre-order going to be listed on March (finger cross). So still have two months to go.

Although I always said to myself stop spending on Gunpla. Things just never work out. The Gunpla now in my room are not different than the last two years, same numbers and size. Since this few months going to be Gundam Seed fever, I am going to begin working on Seed VS Astray tomorrow. I already had done working on Powered Zaku II F2 today, just need more touch up finishing the job.

Oh and I forget! Happy New Year! For now next worry is preparing stocking up CNY stuffs.

HG Powered Zaku II F2 – W.I.P

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:44:00 +0000

This one is a bit quite a challenging kit to work on and first time merging with the old MG 1/100 Zaku parts. Lots of drilling works need to be done, also require different size of the poly parts ready if you plan to fits in with HG1/144.

As you can see, it’s not really perfect hand works so I fill some putty to repair, at the same time make it look better. I’m not using 2 hour fast dry putty since I still got half of the Tamiya 10 hours putty around. Better off not wasting, it just the problem needed to wait longer to dry. The rest of the kit sanding is nearly 100% complete so next month I can start coloring.

The photo here shows how it going to looks like in the final stage. Although I did have problem solving the energy pipes linking to the backpack and to the booster legs. Somehow I manage to find useless electrical wire to do the jobs. Not quite liking it much but it does solved my problem.

Life Vest Inside–You Gotta Love It!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:39:00 +0000

Pretty good video and songs. Check it out!

Empire Cinema MI4 Premier on 15th

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:04:00 +0000

I got to say the Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol is really good. Recommend everyone to watch tomorrow holiday if you got the time. The only complain so far is the chair really uncomfortable at Empire Cinema. This is why I don’t like watching movies at Empire after the first that I remember is Punisher.

The ticket they given to me somehow too close to the screen. What make me feel bad about it are many empty seats at the rear when I look back. I was like damn why they can’t even try to put us in the middle instead spreading us randomly? Someone is worse than me in the row. Hopefully next time Telbru could arrange better in the future.

Anyway, I got back home at 12 and sleep straight away. Not quite a nice trip because of heavy rain but after a while hitting the dry road. I became the need of speed and hoping some creatures would appear in front of me. Oh that’s the free t-shirt Telbru given to each of us!

Certification Worry

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:15:00 +0000

Although this currently just happen recently in Malaysia, I wonder if Brunei might follow one day. This indeed causes me worrying because I never had any certified IT background as mostly everything learned from self-study, job experiences and internet. The only time I did PC Technician course is at the local shop. Well, not even a local recognize paper.

Hate to say I am not a bookworm and like reading. Seriously I really need to start playing safe and came up cash to take some courses next year at ilm Academy. Otherwise I might both lose my job and have my car pull away. Geezzz…

Don’t laugh at me being bad educated person. You young folks need to worry as well. The past few days I did learned some information and changes about the educations in Brunei from the locals. Not sure how true is that, it was told that the UBD certification papers doesn’t recognize by other countries. Enlighten me that was not exactly true. However there are few confirm that somehow.

Of course you do have two choices if you happen get sponsors. Head over to UK three years or stay at UBD by completing five years. Flying to UK studies may sound very nice but if you plan to get master degree. You got to pay for it. Free? Oh you got wait for at least ten years’ time to get that chance, I heard.

Battle Tanker Arrived

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Yes, Optimus Last Stand! Review coming Up Soon!

Heading to Mission Impossible 4 Next

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:03:00 +0000

I didn’t expect to win the ticket and t-shirt from Telbru. Well, what can I say? It was suck at first knowing got to drive all the way to the HQ at old airport to collect the prize. That was definitely so inconvenience way asking KB man like me to go up.

Not like I can’t take leave. But had to one week earlier so not possible. The only way is to ask if they can send it down. It was denied. I was WHAT? Luckily they gave me another option by going there on December 15^th and collect directly before screening. That was much better. Otherwise I might as well give up the prize.

Not entirely good thing too as I do find it suck watching on this Thursday, not to mention starting at 8.30PM. Seriously that was late and one hour trip there even work on the next day. Anyway, still a few days away better off not thinking anything now.

RGM79QH - GM Quel High Mobility

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:11:00 +0000

Really love the Advance of Zeta Gunpla kit! I spent quite a lot of time mixing to build a balance high mobility version of Quel. It has additional weapon and shield booster defense against beam weapon which I first thought why this shield booster is so different. Well, I am not kit bashing type so I usually look up in Gundam Wikia for information on those weapons and equipment’s to understand before starting to build and fitting into the UC lines.

Black Friday Root 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 10:44:00 +0000

Another no posts for weeks, hate to say it always happen during third and fourth week of every month. Work does keep me company and tired after back from work. I wanted to go for a jog, the weather play it’s part on raining so much my body become more stressful and sleepy.

For most part, monitoring online activities doesn’t put me away especially Black Friday sales hunting. So far only Hobby Link Japan has a good deal on EMS shipping and this is what I get from the store below.

1x 1/100 Justice Gundam
1x 1/144 HG 00 Gundam & O Raiser SP
2x 1/100 Nix Providence Gundam
1x 1/144 HGUC MS-06 Zaku F2 EFSF Ver
1x Large Missile Launcher
2x Hand Gun
2x Saber & Hummer
3x Duct Nozzle

Some of you may wonder why I bother to get High Grade 1/100 Justice when Bandai (obviously) going to release the Master Grade version probably next year. Well, idea simply just pop up in my mind since I am quite a fan on Seed VS Astray design so Justice kit going to put in good use and mixing.

I also get Nix Providence because the half price is without doubt a good deal you simply can’t missed it. Same goes for HG Gundam & O Raiser for nearly only B$11.00. There weren’t much HGUC kit I am hoping for, but in the end manage to grab MS-06 Zaku F2 EFSF Ver as I needed the weapon parts so bad for Advance of Zeta I am currently working.

The rest are the Kotobukiya latest weapon units and option parts. The duct nozzles are needed for continuing Wagtail kits. Although I still need more stuff to begin my works, best to stock up first when you can get a good EMS shipping deal.

Model Kit World December 2011 with Sinanju Bazooka

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:51:00 +0000

I pick up this magazine from ishop2go.com after seeing them put up on the store. The Model Kit World is a Hong Kong toy magazine and been around for quite a while. Full color pages and this volume252 come with HGUC Sinanju bazooka.

In case you wonder, the plastic quality is okay. If you ever owned the HGUC Unicorn twin Gatling gun, it is the same. You can’t really ask for more on this book that only cost less than B$10.00 so it’s a nice addition for collections. I recommended picking one of these magazines if you see selling at any bookstore.

I’m not quite sure if you can find in Brunei today. I remember seeing them selling in Soon Lee KB book section but now no longer available there. Other places can be possible finding at Miri or in Malaysia.

My Kingston ValueRAM DDR3 1333 4GB Freebie!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:35:00 +0000

Finally I received my Kingston ValueRAM DDR3 4 GB version memories ram from Kingston-Blog. It took me quite a while to decide which one to go. At first, I was thinking about getting 4GB for my ACER notebook. But after few thoughts and since it still under warranty. Maybe it’s best to get the desktop version instead because I am building FreeNAS soon once I got my stuffs.

Luckily I in no hurry stocking up the HDD at the moment. Lots of happening to the world and HDD price recently just shoot up because of the flood affecting in Thailand. Disaster really hurt the economy pretty bad. Hopefully the price might go down after Chinese New Year.

Yen Hit 60 Hard

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:35:00 +0000

Damn the Yen keep falling. HLJ just listed another crazy Gunpla sale until Nov 30 and I am still considering stocking it. There are many Gunpla I wanted to collect, when the foreign exchange rate falls like that I am much more willing to spend on US dollar rather Japanese Yen. I think best to hold my spending until Black Friday Sales. You won’t know might getting even lower rate.

Uh oh…..I’m in Trouble!

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:25:00 +0000

Yup, Trouble! I got myself into problem expressing my frustration issue and exposing the work place in my blog. Nothing secret, it just that I am invading the privacy and shouldn’t take any photos posting online or blog. So I have to delete it.

I do think the problem is expressing my issue at the work causing a stir, badly. It’s easily to track down who am I because I never put anonymous of myself. I even uploaded my own photo and beforehand improved the search engine of my blog post links when messing around, so nothing is secret and hiding.

Right now just waiting for something to happen since i went a bit overboard and kena poke LOL! XD I need to renew my documents as well.

PE-11 SFX Scouting Force X Camera Review

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:11:00 +0000

When I run a review on PE-01 Shadow Warrior last year, I impressed with the target master design and good articulation. The only downside is too expensive for such small toy which every collector had to reconsidering their spending budget.

If you haven’t follow up their latest product this year, the Perfect Effect had already released PE-03 to PE-10 with slightly cheaper and improvement over the PE-01. They are great, but I choose to get PE-11 SFX Scouting Force X Camera instead. I don’t feel disappointed my choice because this one is different, comes with cool weaponry and design.

The Box:

Unlike the PE-01, these set contain 3 times more to assemble into camera. This is the list what you going to get from paying US$69.90:

- 3x Robots (SFX01, SFX02 and SFX03)
- 3x Rifles
- 3x Knifes
- 3x Knife holders
- 2x Arm Shields (side cover for Len)
- 2x Shoulder armors
- 2x Shoulder missiles (flash)
- 1x Sniper upgrade set
- 1x Shield
- 1x Len (jetpack or energy backpack)
- 1x Flash (Gatling) holder
- 1x Tripod (Gatling tube)

The Toys:

Perfect Effect does take the size into consideration. If you ever read the comic book found in All Hail Megatron issue 3#, they are bigger than Rumble. Same as the toys itself, they are a bit larger and taller than Shadow Warrior even better articulations. Not bad.

The fun things are, each of them given different weapons and equipment’s based on their names. According to Reflectors bio, they are basically functioning as one mind. No rules apply to who is the leader.

Edge

Edge is close combat type. In this photo, he uses two rifles, knifes, arm shields and equip with shoulder armors. Overall it looks good except one problem. The shoulder armors easily come off when moving or lifting up.

Shield

Shield is long range support or sniper type. He carries sniper rifle, knife, and large shield and shoulder missiles. The sniper rifle is converting from the upgrade parts. If you don’t like the sniper looks, you simply remove it and store back in the shield. Pretty cool method keeping your parts together.

Unlike Edge, the missile shoulders don’t have any problem moving around. Only the shield holder is somewhat too tight and has to careful putting in the hand. It does come off sometime. Luckily PVC plastic is strong so it won’t just break easily when playing around.

Bullet

Bullet is the heavy support type carrying Gatling machine gun assembles from the tripod and flash holder. I do not have any real information describing the Len. It is somehow shown operate as flying backpack. My personal opinion think is energy backpack as it makes no sense such small robot could produce strong fire power. Oh, he also carry knife.

Camera

Before transforming into camera, you will need to put together all the parts and weapons. I have tried to take different photos to let you see how it should be done. PE done it creatively to keep most of the stuff hidden for example like knifes and rifles. What I didn’t expect you can build missile sentry too.

After putting together all the parts and weapons, this is where you start combing into camera mode. Just to let you know the size is around deluxe.

Conclusion

The the toys are impressive and surprising color details. It uses strong PVC plastic and very articulated designs. Everything is great except the price is just too hot for US$69.90 small toys. Without doubt this is a must if you are fans of Transformers Reflector.

Right now, I haven’t seen RK restocking and there is limited version which cost twice the amount. If you are not sure a wise choice putting your money on PE-11 SFX, I do suggest you to wait for TFC Toys Reflector version or better spend on exclusive toys.

Berserk Movie 1 Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Damn, I can’t wait to watch this movie. Even though I know the story since I own the DVD anime series in the past. I hope this time there will be ending to this and better.

Headhunting in Brunei? Nah…

noreply@blogger.com (Tony Xin Xin) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:26:00 +0000

There are a lot of speculating and brought up again from the past about headhunting news. Since the day I was born until parent divorce. I have been wandering around the KB town with my bike for 10 years at night and when started working until mid-night never get chase once. So what’s the deal with the rumors?

Take it as bullshit or whatever you wanted to call it but me going to be straight to the point. There is NO headhunting in Brunei. It was never ever happen and any photo surface showing single proofs a head in the bridge or currently in the construction. Many of my cousins and relatives are living in area far from the police stations since they were born and the easiest target. I never heard single news of their death, getting chase or words worrying their head cut off at home surround by forest. Government covers up? No such thing that this is small country can hide many things from us people.

Even if there are head hunters in Brunei, they are going to be end up dead. Why? Cars are affordable in here right now and half of us willing to call the police first before chasing them and ram the suckers to death, take it as accident. However this won’t be easy day for the local Iban because they are cultural link to it so the police will definitely start from there.

Let me explain Headhunting was part of the tradition and ritual by Dayak tribes. Apparently Iban was known as Sea Dayaks people who once practice it in previous generation. I’m sure many of you find it hard to believe. It’s true and even recorded participates in World War II beheading many Japanese army.

Brunei is now living in modern day so I don’t really believe our local Iban would practice such reckless culture and went off becoming head hunters. Unless they were crazy thinking they would become immortal. The only recorded last event is in Kalimantan 2001 because of rioting and religious conflicts. Brunei doesn’t have any so stop worrying getting your head cut off.