Adiga XTR

Crazy/Funny Podcast!

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:33:00 +0000

I made this podcast or audio file containing different characters, and the plot was supposed to be relevant to the Writing Center. The idea began when the head of the Writing Centers told me a couple of days ago that he wanted a new type of podcasts with different characters and an interesting -and if possible- a funny story (a.k.a suspense and more drama).

The plot includes a crazy mother with a hoarse voice! I got the idea of this character from a sitcom called "The Big Bang Theory". The podcast's plot is supposed to contain subtextual morals and writing advice. To attract the students’ attention, I added the humor effect. The final result surpassed even my wildest expectations. It was supposed to be funny, but I think it turned out to be wacky! However, it was hilarious and I still can't believe I made something like this...

I did all the characters' voices!!!! I impersonated the characters using a voice changer program, so check it out and tell me what you think. Is the humor overly exaggerated? What should happen in the next episode? The irony in this story is that the main character "Tom" is going to plagiarize the topic about plagiarism, because he is going to slack off!

The good thing is that almost everyone liked it, especially the teachers!!

I Didn't Type This!

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:36:00 +0000

Hello everybody! I am so excited because the paragraph that you’re reading right now has been typed by the computer! It turns out to be that Windows Vista has an amazing option called "Speech Recognition". It is a program that you can use to control your computer and to dictate text. While the program is rather sluggish with spoken commands like starting a program or copying a file, it is very useful with dictating text! In any case, I am thrilled to use this technology whenever I write. Speech Recognition can greatly reduce the time it takes to write something by saving keystrokes; instead of typing it- just say it! It is also coooooooooool to talk to your computer! The only problem is that you have to articulate the text- most probably like a newscaster!

Check out the video! You can hear my voice dictating text into Microsoft Word using Speech Recognition. It is simply amazing! See for yourself:

How To Become a Great Writer

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:12:00 +0000

I am often asked: “How do you become a great writer?” The answer to this question simply rests on individual attitudes and commitments. Here is my personal way of achieving this goal:

First of all, you have to believe in yourself and your abilities. Even if you think that you’re not competent enough, you can still achieve success through hard work by setting objectives and then following through.

Second, there is no good writing without the proper use and command of language. Improper use of language leads to sloppy writing, and this could seriously affect the way readers perceive your ideas. You need to be well-grounded in syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Brush up on any grammar concepts that you find problematic or confusing. This process may take a long time and may hamper your writing progress, but you should not get discouraged. You can learn grammar and write at the same time; this will significantly improve your language proficiency.

You must read and write every day! It is imperative that you get into the habit of reading and writing. Read anything you can- from newspapers to books to journals, reading can help you grasp writing styles and techniques. Keeping a journal or blogging using the internet is an excellent way to practice and hone your writing skills. Just write about anything you’re interested in.

A good writer must have a powerful vocabulary in order to avoid clichés. Rich language can be totally absorbing. Make a “Vocab List” and add any new words you find throughout your reading into your list. Learning words every day and then using them in sentences will greatly enhance your vocab.

Finally, use writing tools and resources, such as spell checkers and digital dictionaries (for ease of use) to proofread your work. Ultimately, writing is fun and absolutely rewarding!

Dubai’s Frenzied Metro Debut

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:14:00 +0000

Dubai is a beautiful city that is rapidly developing into a metropolis, and there's no doubt that with the launch of its advanced Metro system, Dubai's image as a contemporary city will be further improved. If you are living in Dubai, board the train and experience modernized transport!

However, my own experience with the debut wasn't pleasant; let me tell you what happened:

Retro and I went on Thursday to try out the Dubai Metro. Much to our dismay, crazy crowds ruined the debut as thousands of them lined up to try out the high-tech trains. The overwhelming mobs worked themselves up into a frenzy as they waited to get on the trains. Eventually, the situation got out of control and unfortunately, we decided to go home…

We headed towards the Mall of the Emirates platform. We had to queue for almost half an hour to get in. However, once we were about to get in, the security guard posted a notice saying that service was temporarily unavailable.

A minute later, the security guard, who was swamped by the large crowd, announced the following:

“We are having more than 2000 people waiting on the platform inside. PLEASE bear with us!”

Suddenly, in a frenzy of rage, the angry crowd broke in, shouting and cursing on the way!
These people weren’t commuters, but actually joyriders who had nothing better to do than to ruin the night.

Now, I understand the unstoppable craze for boarding a train for the first time in Dubai, but what’s all the fuss about? It’s not like this is going to be the first and last day for the train, now is it?

We decided to be smart enough not to get squashed in the overcrowded train. I thought to myself, “If there are thousands of people waiting to board the train, then how many of them are actually on the train? Fully packed I suppose?!”

Metro Card- you need one of these to get on the train.

Blasphemy

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:32:00 +0000

Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, opinions, and freedom of choice, but that is why religion was revealed to a chaotic world that is in dire need of enlightenment- religion is a mental, psychological, social, and a moral requisite.

Recently, I have become irritated by the prevalence of a disturbing mindset in the form of blasphemous subliminal messages embedded in our games, movies, books, forums, and opinions. These unorthodox, irrational thoughts attempt to convey the wrong message- one that suggests that god does not exist.

Take for example, the movie The Unborn. Do you remember when the rabbi and the other scholar performed an exorcism in the end? This movie subtly persuades people to think that religion has no effect on demons whatsoever. The priest was holding the cross and mumbling religious stuff to protect himself while the freaky eyes ghost kid was gawping at him as if he were just mumbling rubbish. He ended up slashing the poor thing and possessed him instead! Now how on earth can a priest or whatever get possessed?

There are countless examples of movies that I am not going to bother to mention containing blasphemy. Watch any science fiction or horror movie and chances are that you will perceive these messages.

Atheism’s persistent prevalence remains elusive and inexplicable; how could the atheists still deny the existence of god?

Perhaps today’s atheists are fooled by the notion that science is the answer to all the questions of the universe. While there have been many advancements in the fields of Science and technology, there are however, phenomena that cannot be explained and questions that cannot be answered. Why one might ask? It is simply because we as humans have a limited thinking capacity, and are bound to the perimeters of imperfection.

In contrast, religion can give us answers to baffling questions such as:
- Why am I here? What is my purpose?
- What happens after death?

Truth is, science and religion are complementary to one another. Religion explains to us what science can't.

Religion Imparts Morals and Values

Religion is a mental, psychological, social, and a moral requisite. Think about what religion tells us to do. Doesn't religion instruct us to possess virtues and morals? Doesn’t it guide us to the righteous path? Doesn’t it legislate infallible laws that ensure justice and integrity? Manmade laws are flawed and are subject to uncertainty.

Believing in a higher power or a deity means that you monotheistically believe that there is one God who created everything.

Nothing happens by chance or coincidence. Everything has a purpose.

Think about it: How was earth and its creatures created? Do you have any idea how complex we organic beings are? Was it by mere chance that all of these creatures suddenly popped up from nowhere? Even if you believe in Darwin's theories of evolution, the very first cell couldn't have been created with a "spark" or whatever. Despite that science does not believe in supernatural powers or deities, we as humans instinctively (and now there is scientific proof from the miracles of the holy Quran) know that there is a higher power behind all of this.
To make it as simple as possible, think of this paradigm: The computer. Just look at how sophisticated the internal components- including transistors, resistors, circuits, etc… all add up to form one complicated machine, capable of processing information. Could this machine assemble itself without a higher brain power- the humans? Of course not.

The same applies to the structure of the human body and to all other creatures that include DNA- the blue print of life. It houses thousands of genes and billions of nucleotides that are much more complex than any machine ever built, or will be built in the future by mankind.
In fact, Allah has challenged humanity to create anything the same.
Allah says:

هَذَا خَلْقُ اللَّهِ فَأَرُونِي مَاذَا خَلَقَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ دُونِهِ))

English translation:

[31:12] ((This is the creation of Allah. Now show me what others beside Him have created. Nay, but the wrongdoers are in manifest error.))

Can a human’s brain be created coincidentally without a higher power? Of course NOT!
We were all created for one purpose, which is to worship Allah. And when we do worship him and obey his commands with the Islamic mindset, we can ultimately become true men.

If you are a non-muslim, I invite you to look into Islam and learn about what it teaches us.

May Allah guide you towards Islam.

Socializing

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:15:00 +0000

For many of us, socializing is not exactly a forte, but uncomfortable and problematic. Perhaps some of us may have felt awkward interacting with people at times , especially with strangers. Socially withdrawn or not, I think that making friends or even making best friends starts with a casual “hi”.

I was surprised at how well my social skills have improved. It’s not as hard as it seems to open a conversation with someone. Just start with a “Hi, are you a new student here?” and then let the conversation take its course, naturally.

Yesterday I met at least 10 new people. It was incredible the way I was talking to all of them- one after the other; I felt like I had known them for years.

Here are a few tips to kick-start your social whirl:*

- Conversation openers could be anything. A simple “hi” or asking about the weather would suffice. Just be natural in your conversation and avoid social hypocrisy along the way. Do not try to change your personality all at once.

- You must become a great listener first. Whenever someone is talking to you, give them your full attention. Direct eye contact is also necessary to let the other person know that you are interested.

- Do not flatter too much and definitely do not ingratiate or become a sweet talker!

- Do not be shy or reticent to engage in a conversation, and most importantly, do not be afraid of rejection. If you do get rejected, accept it gracefully.

- Last but not least, always put on a smile!

* Apart from my personal tips, few were rewritten and taken from:
http://ezinearticles.com/?6-Great-Ways-To-Improve-Your-Social-Skills&id=33619

XTR Is Back!

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:16:00 +0000

I was away for a couple of weeks and I am finally back from my vacation... To say that it went badly is an understatement!

Well, now that Ramadan is finally here, I think we all need to consider some things.

The first day of Ramadan was alright for me, mainly because I drank lots of water. I think that everybody should drink at least 2 or 3 glasses of water during Sohoor. Otherwise you will feel fatigued and dehydrated all day.

Btw, don't you like the fact that all the devils and Jinies are locked up during the holy month? But that doesn't come without a price. I hear that sins would be doubled if you commit any; that's because there are no devils here to tempt you over to the dark side, remember?
If you are grappling with what to do all day as you feel tired and sleepy during fasting times, take the opportunity to read some Quran. I should say that to myself first. Unfortunately, I didn’t read any Suras yet.

Ramadan Kareem Everyone!

Types of Annoying People You Meet (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:39:00 +0000

This is the continuation of the list of the most annoying people you meet in life. Listed in an ascending order- the order of the negative impact and danger-- are these nuisances:

Stalkers

How many times did someone unwanted contact you and ask you to go out with them? Perhaps they might have an unwanted crush on you? Or perhaps it’s just someone who annoyingly wants to be your friend when you don’t want to be theirs? What is meant by stalkers here is not the literal meaning of the word. Rather, these people are persistent nuisances when it comes to hanging out with you; they don’t understand indirect references or allusions.

For example, if you don’t want to hang out with someone, then you might say that you’re “busy” today and have things to do when you actually don’t have anything to do- you’re alluding that you don’t want to hang out with them and it’s just out of pure courtesy so that you don’t hurt their feelings. The next thing you know, they call you back and ask you about “tomorrow”. If you say that you’re busy tomorrow as well, then they try for the day after tomorrow or even next week. They either don’t or don’t want to understand.

And of course they get upset and expect apologies if you don’t answer their bombardment of calls! They might even start stalking you after that! Whether it’s in class or anywhere else that they see you, the problem is that some of us might be too “elegant” and “caring” that we don’t want to hurt the feelings of others. But sometimes when you are not interested in someone, you need to be blunt and tell them politely that you don’t want to go out- not with them at least. Maybe this is not a viable solution; personally I find it very difficult to be that blunt with people- it’s because I am polite and considerate in nature.

The same thing goes for lending something to someone or doing favors. Sometimes we just have to say NO and suspend our sense of decency.

Interrogators

Whether they’re meddling wives or nosy cousins or friends, interrogators are people who are “snoopy” and tend to pry into the affairs of others. They have no respect for personal boundaries and have no problem asking you endless questions about your private life. Thus, they can make you feel very uncomfortable with their privacy-invading questions.

Interrogators can also go beyond that and rummage through your personal belongings. Imagine someone going through your closet, drawers, or bags! How annoying could that be? The worst part is when that snoopy person is one of your own family members or cousins; it would be very difficult to tell them to stop –well maybe not your parents or siblings but perhaps your cousins!

Since they want to know everything about you, they might also evolve into control freaks. You would be shocked to see the way they ridiculously want to plan your life by telling you what to do; from calculating your expenses (by asking about your salary of course) to making rules in your own house, just like dealing with stalkers I think they must be told to lay off right then and there!

Mockers

Yes, I am talking about those superficial cheerleaders and the rich and fabulous snobs that you see on TV! Pretty much like these TV characters, mockers are very rude and disrespectful as they enjoy mocking or making fun of others. Perhaps the best possible explanation for their loathsome behavior is their personal insecurities- they might feel depressed, ugly, or unintelligent, and that is why they want to pour their anger and frustration on everything and everyone they see. They can’t otherwise channel their anger properly.

In any case, these people have their “Sarcasm Mode” on at all times, and that therefore it might be a good idea to avoid them in the first place.While it might be satisfying to be cynical at times, be certain that doing so can hurt the feelings of others. Accompanying mockers might be embarrassing if not annoying.

Downers

You often see them with a pensive face and a terrible mood - downers are gloomy people who think that life is always miserable and unfair, and no matter how much you try to cheer them up, they still insist on being pessimistic. They have severe issues of self-confidence and success is not in a word in their dictionary.

They don’t realize that life is full of opportunities and that success does not come on a silver platter.

Caution: - You should definitely stay away from this category because downers will always feed you pessimism and negativity, and this will rub off on you eventually. They will always think negatively, so save your breath and don’t try to convince them otherwise.

Verbal abusers ($!@%# Cussers)

Much like mockers, verbal abusers are cussers who swear on a daily basis. Foul language seems to be enjoyable for them because they think that being vulgar consolidates their social status and makes them manlier- or so these grinches believe.
The F-word is somehow stuck in their throats and is used as an adjective, an adverb, a noun, and as all the other parts of speech! What they don’t realize however is that being crude signifies a weak personality or character.

If a guy needs to act and feel like a real man, he should always respect others. Don’t expect others to respect you if you don’t respect them first.

Backstabbers

From the name itself, the word backstabber already has a negative connotation. Backstabbers are people who treacherously talk behind your back. It seems that backstabbing is a disease in the society where you see everyone madly talking behind each others’ backs. I am not being stereotypical here, but it is well known that women tend to backstab more often than men. In any case, it is a nasty thing to do because you are harming that person.

The irony is that whatever you say behind that person’s back, the news will eventually reach them. As the saying goes, “What goes around comes around”, rest assured that if you backstab someone, you will be backstabbed yourself! This is absolutely true. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Sweet talkers

Alas, now these are one of the most dangerous types annoying people. Sweet talkers are people who persuade you to do something (often bad) and take advantage of you by flattery. Their ingratiating manner is obvious at times, but might be subtle at other times.

They will pathetically try to butter you up to win your approval, so don’t be one of the idiots who fall for them. Whenever someone seems to be smarmy and oddly or excessively nice to you, be certain that he or she wants something from you because unfortunately there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

The crafty and sly: Manipulators

WARNING! This category is the most DANGEROUS among the types of annoying and loathsome people you will ever meet in life! The main reason for this is because manipulators can deviously control you without you even knowing it. They are the pinnacle of annoyance and can be among any of the aforementioned categories of nuisances, and they can also switch to another type as they please.

They can very difficult to detect so be prudent and keep your guard up at all times. You should be quick-witted and alert - vigilantly observe everything around you and make the necessary choices accordingly.

This ends the list of the most annoying and loathsome people you meet. I hope this list has been informative and that all of you have enjoyed reading it.

It’s a Guy Thing: XTR’s Car Washing Secrets Finally Revealed! How To Keep Your Car Shimmering Clean EVERYDAY From Only One Primary Wash!*

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:09:00 +0000

Every guy knows how important it is to keep his car clean. Whether it’s for looks, prestige, dating girls, or for the sake of cleanness itself, keeping your car clean is a must. From my personal experience and ingenious secret methods (ahem), find out more about how to keep your car shimmering EVERYDAY.

You must follow my instructions precisely to obtain great results. There are two main parts for doing this, the first of which is the Primary Car Wash. This step is necessary and is only required once in a (week-month-year) -depends on how well you perform the second step, which is the everyday car cleaning and wiping.

If your car is primarily clean and you want to find out how to keep it so on a daily basis, skip this part and move on to the next.

Part 1) Primary Car Wash:

1) First of all, you need to wash your car thoroughly if it is dirty. This is called the primary wash because you will later on clean the car based on this wash. You can always take the car to the automatic car wash, but never has the saying “If you want something done right, do it yourself” been more accurate. I have tried the automatic car wash many times before and I don’t like it because they don’t clean your car well, especially when it comes to the wheels and rims.

2) Wash your car under the shade and avoid washing it under the sun. Also, avoid washing it under trees with dropping leaves. **

3) Obviously, you need to make sure that all your windows and doors are closed. We don’t want water seeping into the windows and soaking the fabric or leather seats now, do we? **

4) Every man needs the right equipment to get job done right. To get you started, you need the following:

From left to right: Car Sponge (usually double sided for extra effectiveness), Tire foam, Car wash concentrate, 2 dry pieces of cloth or rags (preferably 100% cotton, because Nylon and/or other materials do not fully absorb water), and bucket(s) filled with water.

You can still wash your car without these items, but do use them to get the best results.

5) Next, pour some car wash concentrate into a bucket (half filled with warm water) and mix. The amount depends on how dirty your car is; you can add more if the car is filthy. My favorite brand is Armor All; I’ve been using it for a long time and perhaps it’s the best.

Make sure you use car wash concentrate or car soap and NOT dish soap because - just like what Armor All says on the back of its product- your car’s delicate finish is too important to trust to household products like dish soaps, which may contain harsh surfactants that can strip your vehicle’s wax protection.

6) Splashing water onto the car's surface by using buckets instead of hosing can save a lot of water (a.k.a bills, lol). Wash away any dirt or dust, starting from the roof at the t op and then working down. This will cause you to refill the buckets constantly if you are not hosing.

7) Lather the sponge in the half filled bucket of water that is mixed with the car soap and sponge the roof of the car. Once finished, wash away all the soap with clean water.

8) Next, sponge the windows and doors and then wash one side at a time. Do not proceed to the next side until you finish working on the previous one. Once you finish a side, rinse the sponge thoroughly in the bucket again and move on to the next side. Each side includes washing windows, doors, and fenders. You can sponge all four sides at once, but I personally prefer to work on one side at a time and then wash away the soap. This will prevent the soap from drying up during the process.

9) Next, sponge the hood and wash away the soap. Make sure you thoroughly clean the metal or chrome parts for ultra shininess.

10) Repeat the previous step for the trunk and rear parts.

11) Wash away excess soap from all sides of the car. Keep splashing or hosing until all soap is washed away.

11) Now you need to wash the tires. Designate another sponge for this process and Lather it in soapy water again to clean the rims. You don’t need special products to clean the rims, because no matter how grimy, greasy, or dirty they are, they can still be cleaned with car soap and even water alone. These products (Rim cleaners) are full of hype. Use the sponge to clean the sidewalls of the tires.

12) According to Armor All, spray the tire foam onto the sidewalls of the tires in a circular and sweeping motion and avoid spraying the treads or brakes (You don’t want slippery tires that can cause you to swerve off the road. What kind of idiot sprays the treads anyway?)

13) Wash away excess soap from all sides of the car. Keep splashing or hosing until all soap is washed away.

14) Finally, dry the car thoroughly by using the two rags. The first one is used to dry the car, and the second one comes after to pick up any water spots. Make sure all parts of the car are dried.

Part 2) Everyday Car Cleaning and Wiping

Attention: You cannot proceed to this part unless the previous one is done. This part is the key to getting a shimmering clean car everyday and is essential to the whole process. I like to clean the car early in the morning, specifically at dawn. It is really simple and contains my special method of cleaning the car quickly, effortlessly, and effectively:

1) First, wipe the windows with a dry piece of cloth or rag to remove dust. Then wipe the doors, hood, and trunk.

2) Now this is the special secret that you can use to get great results: Use a spray bottle, (yes, spray bottle), to clean the entire car! It’s unbelievable how it actually works; the best part is that you don’t have to waste more than 1 liter of water and don't have to lug around buckets or hoses!

3) After you’ve wiped the dusty windows with the dry cloth, spray some water on the window and wipe it clean with another cloth. Set the cloth on the surface, and then drag it in any way you like. The idea is to thoroughly dry the water on the surface, and make sure you don’t miss
any water spots.

4) Just like the primary wash, you should work on one side at a time, but it is preferable that you finish spraying and wiping all windows first and then move on to cleaning the doors. Repeat the same steps as with windows; spray water on the door and then dry it immediately with the two rags.

5) Next, spray the hood with water and wipe it clean.

6) Spray the headlights thoroughly and wipe clean to get that shiny look!

7) Spray all the other front parts, including metal, chrome, bumpers, and fog lights and wipe clean.

8) Next, spray the trunk and rear lights and wipe clean . You could even spray the number plate and clean it. Don't forget the rear bumpers and fenders.

9) Now, you need to clean the interior. Personally, I keep an extra rag in the car to clean the dashboard, stereo, plastic, and windows from the inside. Make sure you don't spray water on sensitive electronic parts, such as LCD screens or sensors.

10) Spray and clean all plastic parts, chrome handles, and mirrors.

Your car should be clean from the inside out!

Once you're done, you can start the car and drive, confident that your car looks shiny and attractive!

Caution: Separate the rags used for cleaning the rims from the the rags used for cleaning the windows and body of the car. This is because dirt, grease, and grim can spoil the delicate finish of your car.

Extra Secret Tips: - As you may have noticed, cleaning the car by spraying it and then wiping with a cloth makes the cloth dirty. Make sure you don't clean any part of the car with a grimy cloth; the trick is to fold it all the time until all sides of the cloth become dirty! You can even flip it inside out and use it again!!

- Another great tip is that you don't need to waste many rags to clean your car everyday. Simply wash the rags once you're finished in the washing machine and use them again the very next day!!

- This tip is from Armor All: For stubborn soils like bugs and tar, pour some undiluted car wash concentrate directly on the spot and let it soak for a bit.

- Always keep some water in the spray bottle. You'll never know when you might need to clean the car again.

Enjoy your clean car!

*Results may vary depending on how well you followed the instructions. The primary car wash is necessary, because later on you cannot clean the car without it.

** This post has been written by XTR. However, a few tips were from http://www.ehow.com/how_1328_wash-car.html

Types of annoying people you meet (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:58:00 +0000

This post is dedicated to telling you –from my perspective- about the types of annoying and loathsome people you meet in life. These people can get extremely annoying and perhaps test your mettle at times. Each category of annoyance is succinctly explained along with samples of what these people say or do based on my personal observations.

While nobody is perfect and in fact some of us may have some of these characteristics, I hope that none of us falls entirely under any of these categories. After reading more about them however, I would like you all to share stories with me about such people along with your own ways of dealing with them.

Listed in an ascending order- the order of the negative impact and danger-- are these nuisances:

Idiots

Idiots can be seen virtually everywhere. Ironically though, these people are not truly unintelligent, but rather reckless, dim-witted, naïve, or clumsy. They tend to answer rhetorical questions and ask stupid ones, and that’s why they embarrass you in front of people. Annoyingly, they don’t comprehend much of what is said to them so you often need to repeat yourself several times, especially when you instruct them to do something or assign them a certain task. The worst part is when they do the job poorly or even ask you about what is to be done all over again! They are basically walking, living, and breathing suckers.

While they may seem completely harmless, so called “road idiots” or reckless drivers may be very dangerous. They make you wonder how they got behind the wheel in the first place. This type of idiots tends to drive irresponsibly, swerving off the road, overtaking cars, and madly speeding up. Of course the best thing to do is to avoid them in the first place, because they are potential road killers.

On the other hand, another type of idiots can get you into trouble if they know too much about you. This is because they can be exploited (due to their foolish, gullible nature) mainly by sweet talkers and manipulators (whom I will talk about later), and can accidentally tell people things that you had previously shared with them before.

They are not to be trusted (just like liars, backstabbers, and mockers whom I will also talk about momentarily), particularly with financial matters or tasks with tremendous responsibilities because they are most probably incompetent, could get conned and lose your
money, or can cause a disastrous mess.

What they usually say: - Eh? What? I don’t understand! What do you mean?
- Errrm… I lost your money!
- I am sorry, I didn’t know that you wouldn’t want me to tell him that about you!

Babblers

Have you ever been in a situation where you couldn’t care less about what the other person is talking to you about and would rather want him or her to stop talking? Perhaps it might be someone on the phone who doesn’t want to hang up? Babblers are next on the annoying list. As the category suggests, these talkative people can frustrate you as they ramble on and on about nonsense. Another annoying aspect about these incessant talkers is that some can talk too fast (chatterboxes/robots). Why? Because you end up asking them painfully to repeat what they have said all over again, or hilariously they force you to nod your head like an idiot pretending to understand what they say when you really don’t have any idea what they are talking about. Even more seriously, they have a hard time keeping secrets because they can’t help but “slip” every now and then.

They get totally immersed in what they talk about to the point that sometimes they don’t respond to you or wouldn’t answer your questions properly because their answers are somehow irrelevant. Perhaps the most annoying thing is when you try to say something to them but get constantly interrupted by their own stories or reminiscences.

What they usually say: Yo man! Listen today I went to watch a football match between blablablbal and by the way (suddenly he shifts to another irrelevant subject)… yesterday I bought this new camera and it has (mentions hi-tech gibberish), oh yeah so as I was saying
(shifts back to previous topic)… and then the team lost because (shifts again to another subject) hey look at that car! I heard that….

BLABLABLABALABALA …. complete nonsense

By the time he/she finishes, you would want to ditch that person and leave the place already!

Narcissistic Maniacs

How many times have you looked at yourself in the mirror today? Perhaps you think that you are the best, most beautiful, or most important person in the world? Up next are the narcissistic egomaniacs. But before I explain more about their condescending behavior, let me first define narcissism. According to one definition, narcissism is “self-admiration: excessive self-admiration and self-centeredness”, or “a personality disorder: in psychiatry, a personality disorder characterized by the patient's overestimation of his or her own appearance and abilities and an excessive need for admiration.”

In other words, these snobs think that the entire world is revolved around them, and that it’s always about them. You can’t stand their attitude at the best of times, especially when you spend some time with them and that’s where they start blustering. Whatever they say
comes out of vanity. They think that no one can stack up to them and as mentioned before, they can be- as a result of a mental condition- awfully arrogant and disrespectful.

If everything or everyone seems inferior to someone, rest assured that this person has a problem.

What they usually say: - Oh my, I look so goooood (with a wicked smile that crosses his or her face)!
- Look, there’s the new (fill in the blank with a gift you’ve received from the egomaniac) I got you! I love my style! (as if you didn’t know that already… please spare me the humiliation!), or
- Look at these low lives… they are not of my class!

Whiners (complainers)

Oh, where can I start with these! Whether they are nagging wives or spoiled brats, much like their narcissistic counterparts these people will never stop complaining about everything and everyone they see. They are weak, crack up easily, and can’t stand anything or anyone.

Their needs and wants are ridiculously insatiable and while they can be frustrating or perhaps totally infuriating, whiners may be contagious. Once you befriend one, you would most probably find out that you have become a whiner yourself. That is why it might be a good idea to stop them at a certain point or to stay away from them if possible.

What they usually say: Ouchhhhh!! AAAhhhhh! That hurts (at the clinic before the doctor even does anything)
- Mommy, I want 200$ for videogames (after getting many games already)
- I couldn’t (work – exercise- study – play – write - read) because of (fill in the blank with another ridiculous excuse)

Gawpers

Gawpers can be very annoying when they gawp “stare” at you pointlessly. They might be trouble makers, flirters, or simply stupid people who have nothing to do than to feast their eyes on you. They will make you feel very uncomfortable and possibly the worst gawpers are the ones of your own gender. For example, you walk in a mall and suddenly a guy stares at you for some time. This makes you wonder whether he knows you, wants to cause trouble, or worse, if he is even ogling at you!!! Now that is scary…

On the other hand, gawpers of the opposite gender are welcome! (to a certain extent)

Liars

This category of nuisances is rather obvious. Liars are tremendously loathsome and dangerous. I don’t think much needs to be said here, but everyone knows how annoying liars can be. Since they are dishonest and will always spin you tales, they might suddenly switch to being among the sweet talkers and manipulators. These people are suspicious and must never be trusted.

What they usually say: - I tried calling you yesterday (he/she is lying of course) but I ran out of (credit-charge or fill in the blank with a pathetic lie).
- This product is very suitable for you, sir! (a salesman trying to sell his product to a sucker in any way possible)

Stay tuned for part 2 which will continue the list of the most annoying and loathsome people you will ever meet! Part 2 will include categories that are much dangerous than the ones mentioned here.

XTR's CIT Campus Tour

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:45:00 +0000

This is XTR's first video post! This video features my tour with personal commentary on the CIT campus at the UAEU- one of the most (if not the most) contemporary and technologically advanced buildings I've ever seen so far. From the moment you set foot in this beautiful feat of architecture, you wouldn't want to leave. It has made quite a stir among the students with one of them saying "I want to live here!" or another saying "This is incomparable with our old campus!"

From what I've been hearing, the CIT campus cost a whopping 800 million Dhs and is only the first phase of the mega 9 billion Dhs project aimed to transform the university's current status into the world’s most technologically advanced university campus. It is sad though that we are currently studying in the old campus which was initially inaugurated back in 1972, so you can imagine the buildings' poor condition. Too bad we might never study in the new engineering campus since it would be the last one to be constructed, and a complete relocation of the current site to the new campus site is not likely until 2011. I hope you like it:

Apologies: Due to some technical problems, the video could not be uploaded. The video size is too large, and I have tried uploading it for almost a week. I have even tried splitting it in parts but that didn't work either. So instead of the video, take a look at the these pictures:

(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

The entrance to the CIT campus... simply breathtaking mashallah.
Look at the size of that TV!!!!

First floor... doesn't it give you the feeling of being in an airport?

Looking down from the first floor.

Touch screen terminals for your convenience. Students can get information and directions and they will never be lost again.

This is my favorite: Touch screen information displays outside of each class that provide you with information such as class availability, starting times, ending times, remaining times, and
more.

Bridges connecting floors

LCD panels that display the latest technology news. You can also find these beautiful water fountains, so the students will never get thirsty again!

Student lockers... I can stash all my stuff in there! Never worry about your personal belongings
again!

Countless LCD screens can be seen literally everywhere!

Momento Restaurant... I am not sure about their food here though

One of the classrooms. Advanced devices including these touch screen panels are to be used with styluses for writing (instead of conventional markers and chalk), along with telephones (so that the professor can call services and maintenance if anything went wrong), and other devices.

View of the class... Can you find any projectors mounted on the ceiling? No? That's because the entire board is actually an LCD screen!!!

As you can see, now escalators have become a part of the university campus. Now you feel like you're in a mall... :)

The Auditorium

Exhibition Hall

Cafe

Library and Student Services Center. The Data Center looks like a sci-fi research facility with lots of servers and gigantic screens used for surveillance.

The Lobby. Can you guess what the LCD screen is used for in this picture? Scroll down to the next picture to find out!

YES! Ladies and gentleman, a dream finally come true! Now students can play VIDEOGAMES in the lobby! As a matter of fact, you can see this XBOX 360 console with Halo Wars available for anyone to play!

Socioeconomic Status

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:48:00 +0000

Social and economic statuses exist, not only at our present time, but ever since hundreds or even thousands of years ago. The term “Socioeconomic status” combines them both.
A family's or individual’s socioeconomic status is mainly based on income, education level, occupation, and social status. Sadly, many people seem to have an unjustifiable predisposition towards the rich, reputed, and well off. If you ask it of me, I think such people are petty and unfair. In this post, I am going to focus on the economic side.

If your friends forget about you because of your socioeconomic status, then they are not worthy of your friendship. I strongly believe that people should be judged based on their actions, not on wealth, knowledge, or social status.

As for working your way around it, it’s really hard to pretend to be someone you're not just to please the ones around, especially if these people expect you to be well-off all the time. Still, I think this is one of the biggest challenges in a young man’s life. Many people had had humble beginnings before they worked their way up (rags to riches).

I wonder how long it would take for some people to come to terms with fairness; money has blinded many of them in this materialistic age. The first thing they would ask you for (when you want to ask for their daughter’s hand in marriage for example) is how much money you have or what kind of job.

Nevertheless, it is still important to ask for the man’s job and economic status. Nobody wants to marry off their daughter hastily; every father wants his daughter to get a good, comfortable life. Just like what Orangee said, it is somewhow better when it comes to having the same level of intellect and social status, but I don't believe that it's a must.

The prophet (PBUH) once said, (إذا جاءكم من ترضون دينه وخلقه فزوجوه إلا تفعلوه تكن فتنة في الأرض وفساد كبير), so ethics and religion are really the most important thing to ask for in marriage.

However, when it comes to the materialstic side, which is the gist of this post, some people are unjustifiably prejudiced in favor of the “loaded”.

Video Posts Coming Soon!

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:57:00 +0000

Hey everybody!

Inshallah soon (as soon as I finish my exams) I will introduce a special type of posts into the blog- the video posts. The videos will show what I think and feel about this world.

Blog/Videos/Podcasts a Huge Success!

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Mashallah... I never imagined that the videos and podcasts that I have made for the Writing Center would turn out to be a monumental success! They have been uploaded recently to the university's site when the administration had finally given us the green light. With over 6000 hits in just 3 days, the project has really surpassed all my expectations!

The Writing Center's blog was also incredible.

I would like to thank everyone at the Writing Center for their help and support, especially Ms. Jennie, Marwan, Saif, and the rest of the teachers and peer tutors who have helped tremendously with their valuable input.

Check out the videos and podcasts on this link:

http://www.ugr.uaeu.ac.ae/writing_centre/

To view the Writing Center's blog, please go on this link:
http://uaeuwritingcenters.blogspot.com/

Depressed...

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Sun, 31 May 2009 06:19:00 +0000

I don't have much to say for this post except that I have been depressed lately. I don't regret getting into engineering a few years back, but if I had known how difficult it would be, I wouldn't have chosen it in the first place.

Calculations, calculations, and more calculations! As an engineer, you are inundated with calculations and problems that you have to deal with on a daily basis. Engineering is somehow rife with boredom and huge responsibilities and truth is, I've always felt a little detached from the field. Perhaps calculations, Math, and Physics are not my thing. My peers have always seemed to be more engrossed with the subjects than me; I can see it in their eyes. Whenever I discuss a problem with them, I can see their eyes twinkle with engineering passion and enthusiasm.

I wish I could repress these negative thoughts that I am having lately. Second thoughts about your major combined with stress and frustration are enough to drive you insane.

Nevertheless, changing my major is not an option at this point- now that I am almost going to finish my third year in college.

I ask Allah for guidance. May Allah help me get through all of this.
Amen

Sirius; A Quest For Help (Part One)

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:05:00 +0000

Ok, so my imagination has kicked in to overdrive... and I came up with this piece of writing (still currently working on the rest of the other parts). It is not as easy as you think; you have to come up with a setting, a plot, interesting characters, climax, etc…

However, I finished the introduction, so to speak. *Crowd applauds*

I don't really know how long this fictitious story (who knows maybe one day a novel!) would turn out to be.

I just wanted to spin a tale of magic, deception, bravery, and honor… all under the title of “Sirius; A Quest For help”. Sounds too corny? Lol

I hope I am not spinning my wheels though… so have a look at it and tell me what you think:

Sirius; A Quest For Help

Chapter 1: The Forest

A dark, gloomy night had emerged before him, and it was bizarrely cold and tense. It was as if all the happiness was sucked out, and there laid only gloom.

The audible howls of the wild wolves could be well heard, along with the ominous squawks of crows and owls. The moon was scarce for the warrior to see his path.

Fear was in his mind. He was walking there alone, with no one to share with him his troubles, and his fear. He was traveling alone far from where people cared for him, far from his beloved home. Silence and fear were the only two irrevocable factors. He struggled not to be afraid but no matter how hard he tried, he could not help it. He could not clear his mind of the fear. For he always looked around vigilantly but all what he saw was darkness, silhouettes, outlines, shadows, odd angles, and delusions.

Nevertheless, he insisted on being brave. Fear was not a word in his dictionary. He endeavored clearing his mind by recalling his delightful reminiscences. He thought that life was merry and sweet, despite the troubles and difficulties that lie ahead. He knew that evil was relentless, spreading veritably everywhere, but that made him even more persistent on terminating it to an ultimate and everlasting end.

This is the hard life of a warrior...he should be strong and rough. However, this is predetermined by fate. If a boy is to become a warrior, he has to undergo harsh examinations... many should live by the crack of the whip.

After hours of walking on the cold gravel ground, he found sleep credible and convincing, chasing him and trying to coax him into collapsing on the cool grass beside the road and succumbing to his dreams, but the fact that sleeping would make him vulnerable to the forest’s hungry creatures made him hesitant. He was tired and weary by the long journey he made till here. Simply put, he could not tolerate it anymore. He felt too drowsy to do anything but rest. He remembered his beloved parents, his brother, and his beautiful wife. He once lived long ago in a peaceful city, where everyone helped and cared for each other. He pondered his quest, would he eventually succeed? He knew that in time, he would have to face his own fate. He helplessly closed his eyes and went into a deep, desired sleep...

When he closed his eyes, his whole life flashed before him...”

Rule of thumb (Sleazy secret that writers and novelists have): The more bizarre you make the conflict of the story, the more you attract the reader’s attention. So have I done a good job so far? Is it suspenseful enough? Lol

How To Survive Exam Week

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Sat, 16 May 2009 10:15:00 +0000

Exam week is coming up!

*XTR needs to be on NERDY mode”

Anyway, I’ve found this useful information on How To Survive Exam Week. I hope this helps everyone having exams:

“Exam week can be very stressful for students. Here are some general tips and guidelines for surviving and succeeding through finals.
Start studying early. The earlier you start to review your notes, the easier it will be to learn and remember the information. Review a little every day so that when finals come around the material is well-rehearsed.

Schedule breaks between studying. Always take a ten-minute break after studying for fifty minutes, and take a longer break after studying for three hours. Get something to eat, call a friend, go work out, or do something to get your mind off of what you have been studying.
Vary the subjects you study. It's hard enough to sit down and review your chemistry notes, but to look at calculus right after is even worse. What you study one hour directly affects your ability to understand what you are studying the next hour. Review for a science course and then look at English or a foreign language—something different. It makes studying less tiresome and you'll remember the information better.

Eat right. Always in a hurry, students often resort to junk food during finals. But to do your best on final exams, you must eat well.

• Research shows that eating smaller meals more frequently is vital to maintaining high energy levels.
• Avoid foods with high sugar and fat; they will make you sluggish.
• Breakfast boosts your energy and metabolism throughout the day, so be sure to include it in your diet if you are working hard.
Get enough sleep. When you stay up late, your body accumulates sleep debt, and few students find the chance to make it up during finals week.
• Seven to eight hours of sleep is absolutely necessary to remain attentive and think clearly throughout the day. Sleep deprivation can have consequences similar to intoxication.
• People who are sleep-deprived are more irritable, more negative, and are generally more prone to mistakes.
• Research has shown that prolonged sleep deprivation can result in higher incidences of chronic disease and a shortened lifespan.
• If an all-nighter is unavoidable, check out these all-nighter survival tips to help you make the most of it.
Reducing stress.
• Don't hang around others who are always stressed out—it's contagious!
• The top four non-academic stressors are relationships, parents, financial obligations, and roommates. Try to deal with these worries before finals, so that you can focus on any academic problems that may arise.
• Make time for yourself. Avoid spending too much time on school work by allowing a few hours every day for personal things—your friends, personal interests, etc.

Take care of your body. Exercising is always an excellent way to take a break from studying. It helps to reduce stress, and research has shown that it can improve your brain's ability to retain and comprehend information. Besides getting enough sleep and eating right, avoid caffeine stimulants like coffee, sodas, and caffeine pills.”*

* http://www.psu.edu/dus/examweek.html

Retro's 500th Post:

noreply@blogger.com (Retrotrut) — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Hey everybody, I just thought you would like to know that I will be releasing my 500th post next Thursday. As of today I will not be updating my blog for 1 week but I just wanted to inform everyone that is on XTR's blog. Thanks so much in helping me reach 500 posts on my blog. All the credit goes to you & some to me of course :-)

Here is the link to my blog. For more info, I'll be adding some text on the side of my blog.

Movie Review: Star Trek

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:01:00 +0000

Retro and I went yesterday to watch Star Trek starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Bruce Greenwood to name a few. It was really funny to watch Zachary Quinto or the famous "Sylar" from Heroes with his eyebrows shot up to his forehead and being among the good guys. Retro jokingly calls him the "gay version of Sylar".

Although I am not a Star Trek fan, I am still a Sci-fi junkie and I must say I was somehow compelled to watch it because of the fact that J.J Abrams was the director. This simply meant that it had to be good enough.

And it was… It surpassed my expectations

Abrams is a rising series director who has produced many successful series such as Alias, Fringe, and Lost. This time however he has decided to direct movies and has done a wonderful job in bringing back the Star Trek franchise in a new, fresh, and interesting way. He has been clever enough to make everyone like (and actually understand) it, for many of the previous Star Trek movies were somehow difficult to understand mainly because of the sci-fi jabber and convoluted storylines.

Who could forget the famous spaceship, the U.S.S. Enterprise?

Captain James T. Kirk is set once again to save the galaxy from a looming threat but this time the movie explains how he was appointed captain without even completing his training at the Starfleet academy. The young, defiant farm boy from Iowa is also a rival of young Spock, a half Vulcan half human who was a bright student at the academy.

During the prelude, Kirk’s father valiantly saves the lives of his crew members (including his pregnant wife who later gave birth to Kirk) by sacrificing his own. Years later he is hailed as a hero while his son grows up in Iowa to be a trouble maker. Kirk’s entire fate changes when he gets into a fight with police officers in a local bar. He is approached by Captain Christopher Pike who persuades him to join the Starfleet academy.

I really enjoyed the fighting scenes. They were convincing with the loud thuds, blood-covered brusies, and clenched fists.

Meanwhile Spock is having an identity crisis because of his Vulcan/human nature. Vulcans are known for their extreme logic and lack of emotion. Spock and Kirk both wind up in the U.S.S Enterprise on its maiden voyage to investigate a distress call from a nearby colony. They embark on an adventure and team up in the end to fight off Nero and save the galaxy.

Nero is the Romulan villain whose sole mission is to destroy planets (by causing them to implode through the injection of the so called Red Matter) as an act of retribution since his own planet was destroyed.

The movie is packed with great special effects; you can see that they have put a lot effort into the making of this movie (with the exception of the shoddy- looking crew carriers ). My favorite part is the ship’s advanced propulsion system where it can warp at the speed of light. Thank goodness excessive alien idiosyncrasies were also avoided in this movie. We have all had it with funny looking and behaving aliens, and the movie avoids such things by making them look like humans, only slightly more greenish with funny looking ear lobes....

Bottom-line: Prequels tend to be boring because they tell you about the origins of a story and you probably know what will happen next. But not this one... If you think that this is just another pretentious Star Wars look-alike, think again. Star Trek beats Star Wars tenfold in terms of storyline, acting, and special effects and lives up to its hype. This movie is absolutely worth your time.

XTR's Rating: A-

The movie is rated PG-13 for violence and brief sexual content.

PCs Vs. Macs: XTR's Review!

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:57:00 +0000

Ever wondered which one is better? Read my full review to find out:

The war between PCs and Macs has been there for years now, and while both rivals have their pros and cons, the gap between them continues to narrow more than ever, especially in terms of functionality. However, if you’d strip away all the marketing fluff on both sides, these are the unbiased results that you’d get comparing them both in the following categories: *laughs the evil way*

Design: Simply put, Macs are really gorgeous, from the inside out. They tend to be somehow splashy with their sleek designs, spectacular contours, and shiny armor. They're basically stereotyped for the cool, hip, sporty guy that tends to use them for chatting, watching videos, playing games, and listening to music. Their slick operating system, the Mac OS X Leopard, comes with creative tools and options such as the convenient, easy to use, system dock. The dock is the main spotlight for Macs; it's really what distinguishes them from PCs. The Dock is basically a strip of icons that is located at the bottom of a Mac’s screen; this feature makes Apple’s interface more attractive and its applications more accessible. It's really great in terms of shortcuts and accessibility. However, despite their looks, one really annoying thing about a Mac is its one buttoned mouse. Hence, Windows users who would like to switch to Mac will mainly get annoyed by this.

(Click on the picture to enlarge)

On the other hand, most PCs tend to look bulkier (basically uglier) than Macs and are more stereotyped for the serious, business guy whose last thing on his mind is style. While PCs tend to have uglier looks, the Windows operating system has undergone an extensive makeover as Windows Vista looks much sleeker and sexier than its predecessor, windows XP. You can see this with the Windows Aero interface; you woud like its transparency and the way the applications fade in and out when you minimize or maximize, not to mention the cool-looking 3d flip that you can use to switch between applications.

Microsoft has once again proved that it can compete with Apple when it comes to the GUI (Graphical User Interface) battle. In retrospect, Apple was the first company to make a nice-looking, easy-to-use operating system, and Microsoft soon followed its footsteps. Even though Macs are one step ahead, Windows is getting more and more similar in terms of beauty and style, but still, Mac manages to consolidate its lead in this area.

Regarding the Dock, you can still make your Windows Vista look really cool (just like a Mac) by installing this great application: the Rocket Dock. It’s an application that gives you exactly the same accessibility and convenience of use found otherwise in a Mac. Here is a snapshot of my Windows:

(Click on the picture to enlarge)

You can download the application from this website:

http://www.rocketdock.com/

Winner: Mac

Price: Macs are much more expensive than PCs, at least twice as much. A Mac book costs more than a thousand bucks. You can find PCs with the same specs at much lower prices and with a wider range of options. So let’s face it: not all of us need sexy powerful computers with hefty price tags… some users are more business-suited while others are enthusiast gamers. Thus, this gives the PC an advantage over Mac and this is a one big K.O in favor of PCs, unless you're ready to fork out more than a thousand bucks (especially here in the UAE where the price is tripled!).

Winner: PC

Functionality: Just as mentioned before, the gap between them continues to narrow more than ever, especially in terms of functionality. Both have similar multimedia, internet and productivity applications. For instance, Windows has internet explorer while Mac has Safari. Similarly: Windows Media Player versus Apple QuickTime, Backup and Restore Center versus Time Machine, and the list goes on…

Winner: it’s a tie!

Stability: Macs are winners for this one. Frankly speaking, a Mac is much more stable than Windows as the latter has more viruses and vulnerabilities despite what Microsoft claims with “more secure, more robust, etc…” applications. Hackers constantly find security holes and vulnerabilities in Windows. Even so, this problem can be eliminated if you have up-to-date Antivirus and Firewall software. As a piece of advice:- you should get yourself the so called “Security Suite” which is a compilation of many security features such as an Antivirus, Antispam, Firewall, etc… all in one.

Winner: Mac

Power: Both types use similar hardware such as Intel processors. Both have hard drives, memory, and graphics cards (mostly Nvidia). However, when it comes to raw power, a PC can kick a Mac’s butt. It’s true that Macs are already equipped with top notch graphics and processors, but the truth is, they really aren’t that top notch for their price. You can find monster PCs or notebooks -especially high-end gaming PCs and notebooks from Asus and Alienware to name a few- that can make a PC proudly scream “POWER” and munch the remaining parts of the already half munched apple logo. Forget Alienware for now; their prices are scary. HP and Dell, for example, still manage to effectively compete with Mac with their amazing options of Nvidia cards and Intel Processors. That’s the problem with stark Macs; you don’t really have much of a choice as the specifications come ready made and are not able to be changed, not to mention less powerful than PCs.

Winner: PC

Durability: While most Macs are already encased in Aluminum and are quite tough, PCs again have a wide range of options as many manufacturers make different types of similar (or in some circumstances, much more durable) machines that would last for years.

Winner: it’s a tie!

Support: This one’s easy: Windows simply has more support for third party applications and games than Mac. Many games and applications still don’t work on Macs because they are not supported.

Winner: PC

Market Share and Dominance: Isn’t it that obvious? The truth might hurt but PCs are currently stronger simply because there’s just more them in the world.

Winner: PC

Lasting Effect: While deciding between both can really give you a headache and, as a matter of fact, mainly boils down to personal preference, PCs are generally stronger, more understandable and friendlier (to the majority), and will give you more options and most probably won’t hurt your wallet as much.

Winner: PC

Mac Overall Score: 2 PC Overall Score: 5 # of ties: 2

Verdict: PC IS THE WINNER!

The Best Day Of My Life

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:57:00 +0000

I can still remember my graduation day vividly...

It was the best day of my life!

Besides the mutual feelings of ecstasy, the recurring "pep talk" between parents and their children, and the exuberant crowd that packed the entire hall, I can still recall many of the precious moments from that day. I will cherish that memory forever.

I was someone back then, back in school. I can reminisce about the countless times when I used to flaunt my “geekiness” and be self-content. I still can't believe that I had passed all my subjects with flying colors.

Yes, I can proudly say that I was a bright student!

Endless compliments from all my teachers used to pour in every day. I savored the moments when the teachers used to commend me in front of my mom and say: “Why are you asking us about him? You should ask him about us!” or “There is no need for you to come!” during the parents-teachers meetings. My mom and dad were so proud!

I remember during the rehearsals we used to constantly fidget about and reposition ourselves with lots of fun and joy. Yet, deep within all the delight were feelings of anxiety tinged with sadness... Many of us were ambivalent and couldn’t deny the inevitable truth; that many of the school chums would eventually part ways and perhaps never see each other again.

We had many plans for the future. We fancied ourselves as engineers, lawyers, doctors, and business men…

My classmate and I were chosen to give a joint speech that day. I can still remember every word in the speech I gave during the ceremony. It was more than an ordinary graduation speech of exhortation: it was heartfelt and sincere. For the first time in my life I was standing there before a huge crowd who was waiting for me to say something. My heart was throbbing in my chest as I was trying to compose myself.

By the time we had both finished our speech I felt the crowd was swept along by our enthusiasm. We wowed them!

Here is the speech written by me, after all the introductions and pleasantries:

“Today is the day we have all been waiting for. The day when we were once Dubai National School students, and in a split second, we are now Dubai National School graduates.

This signals the transition from the stage of childhood into the stage of adulthood. Yes, we are now men, with all of the word's glory. We are going to be tomorrow’s doctors, lawyers, and engineers.

Thus, we are going to be holding a very big responsibility towards ourselves, our families, and towards our community.

We would like to thank the administration for its continuous endeavors towards the development of this school. We would like to thank all our teachers and parents who have tolerated us throughout these years!

May Allah guide you always and fill your hearts with the true meanings of Islam.

Wassalam aleikum wa rahmatul llahi wa barakatuh”

I remember after the ceremony all of the students, teachers, administrators, and parents joyfully gathered together for a celebratory function. The atmosphere was beyond description as everyone was very happy and thrilled. Complimentary food, laughs, hugs, kisses, and group photos... Everyone was looking at each other and smiling, thinking about their future; a future that will, inshallah, be full of promise and prosperity...

Our joint speech... The audience was truely mesmerized!

Can you find me? Hahaa...

Side Note: Retro, if you're reading this post: Thanks for coming to my graduation ceremony man! It was truly the best day of my life. I can still remember your graduation as well!

It's Paintball Time! The Final Battle (Part 3)

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:08:00 +0000

The next round was much more intense! The siren goes off again and we all rush towards the huts. I decide to be much more aggressive this time...

I storm into the midst of bedlam!

I see one of the little rascals lurking behind a barricade and I stride towards him before he turns around.

I am now standing about 2 meters behind him.

“Surrender NOW! SUURRRRRRRRENDER!” I shouted

The kid turns around in trepidation and wields his gun… he accidentally pulls the trigger and shoots me directly on my thigh!

It was a point-blank shot!

I wince and let out a cry…

“Oooooooooooooooooooouuuch…. Ahggggggggrgrrrrrr… WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU! THIS IS A CLOSE RANGE SHOT YOU LITTLE… AAAAARRRRRRRGGGHGH” I scream at the kid

The kid, now transfixed in horror, looks at me and utters the words: “SORRRRYYY… I DIDDDDN’T SEEE YOUUU!”

Back during the orientation, the marshal explained to us that whenever a person is in close range with his or her target (within the proximity of 6 meters), he or she can tell the opponent to surrender and that it’s against the rules to have a point-blank shot.

Man, it was intolerable pain… I stagger towards the marshal and frantically explain to him about what happened.

The marshal orders the kid to get out.

*After the match I inspected the damage: A big brownish bruise formed on my thigh... it didn't clear up for 2 weeks!*

*XTR turns into a vigilante. My main objective now is to weed out the weak…*

However, the problem with a paintball gun is that its accuracy isn’t that good since the bullet flies in a projectile motion. I had to shoot a couple of times to ensure that my targets were taken down…

The more damage is inflicted upon me, the stronger I grow!

I run across the field and get shot… right on my chest! The pellet bounces off my chest and falls down on the rubble.

I am now devoid of fear and pain...

I look at my chest to check for splatters, but fortunately the pellet didn’t splat on me!

Suddenly, I spot the enemy behind a barricade. I aim my gun with great precision and wait for the brat to crane his neck around to get a look… and so he does!

BAAAAAM…. BAAAAAAAAAAM… I open fire and one of the bullets slams his head! That was one hell of an occipital shot! Thank god the kid was wearing a protective mask.

The poor thing was ensnared like a sitting duck! He reels back from the impact and then tries to run away for cover. I spot another kid right behind him. I shoot a dozen bullets towards them both.

The kids now scream in pain.

“OK… I SURRENDER… I AM SHOT… I AM SHOT!” He concedes

The marshal rushes towards me to tell me to stop.

........

The last round was the most challenging as I had a one-on-one battle with Lunar!
The siren goes off for the final round and Lunar and I both run towards each other, much like frenzied terminators determined to kill...

There were no rules… no limits for shooting your opponent. It was Rambo style!

Lunar was one sleazy player…

I am not going to mention the details of the battle except for the fact that Lunar kept pausing the game for no obvious reason other than: "Stop! My gun is jammed!"
He put on a show; the crook shot me as I moved towards him to check what went wrong! He raked my back when I turned around!

All I can say is that one of the bullets slammed my elbow right on the funny bone (or actually the Ulnar nerve to be exact). I swear to god it was excruciating pain; my fourth and fifth fingers were completely paralyzed for a couple of minutes.

It was much worse than the point-blank shot earlier from that kid!

I went on “Berserk Mode”… My blood was boiling...

I was so furious I got back at Lunar with tremendous fire power! I didn’t stop… there were no rules of overshooting for this round… I pinned him down with open fire until he squealed : "STOP! STOP! I am hit... PLEASE!"

Ultimately, the marshal declared that I was the winner!
I am not bragging about this, but:
So much for “Professional”, Lunar!

It's Paintball Time! (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:35:00 +0000

In Paintball, they say it stings like a b#!ch once you’re shot.

That being said, all sorts of feelings rush into my head…

Feelings of elation tinged with fear of being shot at, bravery, and the adrenaline rush of course!

My team,mostly composed of kids, Retro, and the British guy, rush into the field.

“Let the pawns go first.” I think to myself.

I dash towards one of the many huts that were in the field and hide inside. I peek through the small window and vigilantly scan the area looking for any targets. I see nothing.

Suddenly I hear lots of gunshots and kids screaming, either out of excitement or out of pain.

I get out of the hut and scurry towards another, much like a valiant warrior.

Of course, watching lots of Hollywood movies probably gives you some pointers as well, much like what I remember from X-men the movie: “Offence is the best defence.”

I see Retro hiding behind the hut next to mine, and I gesture to him to follow me. Retro nods but does nothing. I keep repeating the gesture, but Retro decides to play dumb and his shoes somehow become the center of his attention.

Abruptly, my own attention is diverted away in a split second by an incoming slew of paint bullets...

Aaaaaarghhhhhhhhh!

They were showering me with bullets! One actually misses my arm by an inch and I hear a whizzing sound as another bullet flies right over my head, barely missing it!

Those little rascals were pretty good as they were trying to pin me down! They raked the entire length of the hut!

*Action background music now playing*

I dodge the bullets and duck as I move against the wall. I survey my surroundings and then attack with all the firepower I’ve got! I keep pulling the trigger so fast it almost seems like a machine gun pelting their hut!

BAM-BAM-BAAAM …

At first, it was meant to scare off my opponents until I was ready to spot them.

I did spot one of them rascals…

*Imagine a scene in an action movie where the hero -with a loaded gun- spots the villain and runs towards him in slow motion*

You could feel the suspense of it all... the danger... the thrill... the roar of paintball guns

I shoot the kid and fling him against the barricade! He screams in pain and raises his hand in defeat and then walks out.

*Background music now switches to twilight music*

I move further, trying to get into their base…

*Suddenly all the music stops… all lights fade away and everything becomes surreal*

Everything seems unimportant now because…

I get shot… right on my chest! I look down and I see paint splatter all over me… It just stung a little but didn’t hurt at all!

I wanted to kill Retro that instant since he was supposed to be there to cover my back...

I walk out of the field and wait anxiously for the next round...

To be continued...

It’s Paintball Time! (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:39:00 +0000

I’ve put this off for far too long...

Don’t know what I am talking about?

Well, I have always wanted to try paintballing, and I finally did!

Even though the plan was to go off early, Retro, Lunar, and I finally managed to arrive at the paintball field half an hour late on a hot Saturday afternoon. Lunar (Retro’s brother), who was supposed to be the professional player among us, brought all his paintball gear. From masks, rifles, pads, pellets, to even vests, the guy looked like he was dressing up for battle!

“Lunar, it’s not like you’re going to wage wars in there. Why did you bring all of this?” I said, stupefied by the mounds of weapons and paintball gear in the trunk.

“This, my unwary friend, is called a rifle- the best of its class actually. It can fire 30 rounds in a second!” said Lunar, completely ignoring what I’ve said.

That gave me the shivers. 30 rounds in a sec? What are we, target practice?

“Put these on. You’re gonna need them.” He said, and gave us black masks. We put them on and looked at each other. It was priceless! I love the way your voice sort of changes into a breathy, husky tone once you wear one. Man, with all the paintball gear that resembled real weapons, we did look like a gang of looters ready to plunder the place!

After lugging all his gear however and throwing jokes at each other, we stopped at the gate. The guard asked for some ID but luckily Lunar took care of that since he had reserved the entire field that day. Retro and I were going to play together for the first time. “Let’s do it man! Let’s kick some ass” I shouted excitedly!

We arrived at the outdoor field. The fence was covered with some plastic mesh and there was a shabby waiting area along with a plastic table in the middle and an old vending machine at the corner. Now I wasn’t picky, but the fact that the place had no food service made my stomach growl. The place was quite self-contained as it had amenities including lockers, bathrooms, equipment rentals, and pellet refills, but still, I was discouraged when I knew that I would eventually play on an empty stomach.

I was looking for our opponents, but all I saw was a flock of kids, some of whom were sitting on the plastic chairs while others were puttering around in the waiting area. They were chaperoned by a middle aged British guy.

“Where are the opponents?” I asked, rather unwittingly

“You’re looking at them.” Said Lunar, trying to hide a smirk

“Where? I don’t see them?” I said, with Lunar and I both towering over the kids.

He pointed down.

“You’re telling me we’re going to play with a bunch of kids?” I snarled

“Well, my friends won’t show up until 3. You’ve got any bright ideas?”

“But you’ve said they would come!” I grumbled

“They ran into a few complications… so I guess you either have to wait for a couple of hours or you could just play with the kids. Don’t underestimate them by the way.” Lunar warned

“Fine… whatever” I mumbled, signaling Retro to follow me into the changing room.

Up next, we were busy getting changed. What they gave us were actually simple overalls with no protection whatsoever. I had more expectations for the attire as I was wondering whether or not they were going to give us vests and knee pads… but they didn’t. Lunar, on the other hand, was completely protected with a vest, pads, gloves, and an advanced rifle.

“Smile for the camera” I gestured to Retro to pose for a shot

“Bwaahaahaha… you look like a slacker!” I said, with a grin on my face. He looks at the picture and then we both crack up into laughter.

We all then walk out the door and into the so called “neutral zone” where they supply you with ammo and guns. I got 300 pellets! Wow, time to kick some butt!

Next, the marshal was explaining the rules of the game.

“Remember guys, whatever you do, you must not take off your masks at all times, except in the neutral zone. The rules are simple: you just need to eliminate your opponents for this round. These guns are fitted with CO2 propellants. This is how you fire a gun…”

He shows us by shooting a tree; the pellet splattered the tree with yellow paint. I looked across the field and saw countless other paint splatters.

“Overshooting, blind firing, and wiping paint off your clothes are not allowed. Anyone doing that will be forced to get out.”

I already got bored with all the talk. I wanted some action!

The marshal rambled on for the next 5 minutes or so. Suddenly, everybody was startled when a piercing siren went off, signaling us to commence battle…

Want Something To Make Your Day?

noreply@blogger.com (XTR) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:23:00 +0000

Have you ever been in a bad mood where you simply wanted to choke someone? Of course you have. Tired of tolerating idiots, personal vendettas, deadlines, backstabbers, verbal interrogators, whiners, and crazy bosses for a day? Had enough with giving in so much for no appreciation?

First of all let me tell you that I am not seeking attention, and in no way is this another pretentious commercial from another newspaper- not that newspapers don't do this with their constant bombardments of commercials everywhere nowadays- you can do something to lift your spirits.

This week (midterm’s week) was one of the toughest weeks for me as I had undergone a lot stress and got caught up in my work for the past couple of days.

So what is it that made my day you might ask?

Read on…

As unusual as this might sound, what made my day(s) so far was the popular sitcom “Friends”. I know what you’re thinking: “I have already seen a lot of episodes of friends before, so why bother now?”

Trust me when I tell you that Friends will have an immediate effect on your mood, no matter how bad it is. It will never cease to make you laugh and you will suddenly feel jaunty and chipper all round!

Hell, yesterday I came back from college laden with drudgery and thus wanted to kill myself, metaphorically speaking of course. I was so under the impression that life is unfair and rather ridiculed with chumps and Einstein wannabes that I had forgotten the simple pleasures of it.

Who can forget the sarcastic sense of humor that Chandler has?

Or the womanizer Joey with his famous line "How you doin'?",

Who cannot help but laugh at Monica’s competitive nature?

Rachel's elegance and funny sense of humor

Or Phoebe’s constant but funny quirks?

What about Ross the Paleontologist? Doesn’t he remind you of the nerdy academic grade junkies every time he starts babbling on about Dinosaurs?

By the end of the day many of us can somehow relate to these characters because you can find people from all walks of life. You can find the educated, the savvy, the elegant, the loyal, the adventurous, and so on.

After watching the show you would be tired of “keeping a straight face” and would inevitably acquire a more positive outlook on life.

Disclaimer: For those of you who might complain about Friends’ obscenity regarding dating and sexual references: If you can dispense with these unpleasant actions and perhaps religious intolerances, and look deeper into the funny and positive side of the show (friendship, family, love, loyalty, etc...) you’d agree with me that this show has made a tremendous “funny” impact on our lives.