log 517

Finally have time to visit my hair sytlist and get my long over due hair cut. As always, it turned out great. We have a lot in common. For one, we are both perfectionists. We go the extra mile just to get have the exact resources for the best result. How you ask? He "imports" his assistance all the way from Japan.
Didn’t get to have my hair coloured today. Should have booked ahead. Oh well, I will get it done next weekend. No photo to post today, it’s already 9:30, the day light is long gone and I just don’t feel like dressing up and setting up the gears for a photo. The day turn out great too. A good friend is visiting Canada. During lunch, most of the converstion surrounds what it’s like working in HK. Pretty strange now that I’m on the other end of the conversation. Though it sounds much more exicting than my current Canadian life, I wouldn’t choose to work in hk again. Partially because it’s a "been there, done that", but mostly because I’m looking for something even better.

Still shopping around for a good tv tuner to add to my computer. What I’m looking for:

-basic NTSC 125 channel tuner
-hardware mpeg2 encoder
-decent noise filter
-All software must be able to move to 2nd display in extended desktop mode
-Picture in picture
-include software for viewing and schduled capturing
-price less than $120 CND
-video wall (watch 16 channels in a grid with no sound)
options good to have
-multi system input: ntsc/pal/…etc

The candidates I have on my list now
-hauppauge WinTV PVR150 (no p-in-p, no video wall) $99
-ATI Theater550 based (no p-in-p, no video wall, shitty software) $129
-Leadtek TV2000XP (no video wall, at least no advertised) $53.99
-ATI AIW 2006 (no p-in-p) $179

Decision:
Seriously, none of the cards have all the features I want. The AIW is a sure bet that apps will display on 2nd monitor, since it will be the 2nd display card. I like the price and feature of the TV2000XP but running on 2nd display is questionable. I really would pay the $179 if it has all the features I want….but it doesn’t. So I will be likely to get the TV2000XP and use it until a better tuner card comes out. (it doesn’t have to last long, couples of years down the road and analog cable will be a thing of the past)

Extra: Why do I need a tv card all of a sudden?
My 5th & 6th sem are coming up, I’m likely to miss out on some good tv shows, even if it’s just a new episode of simpsons. I need something to record the programs until I have time to watch them. I hope the remove for the TV2000XP isn’t too shitty. I have a remote for my MSI FX5600xt and it’s pure crap, and so is it’s video input ability. I still like my Canopus cards the best…but then again those are pro/entry pro equiptment.

Been looking at the sony w50 for a week. Seems like a good deal with a reasonable amount of accessories to play with. I just can’t find an execuse to put $350 out for a camera now. It could come in handle for taking notes in class…I might use it to do some new panoramic photos….but that’s it. Couldn’t think of any other reason. Seriously, I hate to take photos of myself. For one, I’m not one of those who’s very photogenic. Second, there’re many things I would like to try(I’ve taken photography, I know what I’m doing) but one man with one camera, you are somewhat stuck with the camera at arm’s length. Guess I shouldn’t make the purchase now.

Lately I’ve started to backup my dvds to the computer. It’s just a lot more convenient to turn on the computer and just watch movies there. (As oppose to getting the disc in the player, turning on the home theatre, change the tv to the correct channel) Not to mention the task of looking through the DVD collection to pick what I want to watch. On the computer, I just go to the folder and double click. If I suddenly didn’t feel like watching it, I could just drag and drop another movie and that’s it….total effortless.

seemingly everyone has less time to hang out these days. And the people who has time, seems inapproriate to ask. Everyone is either occupied by their jobs or their relationships, I guess the so called "20s" section of my life has past. Logically, I should follow suite, get a job here then plan my retirement in 10-20 years, get a gf then eventually get married just like everybody else…Seriously, I don’t feel like doing that at all. I’m already smart as hell but I still don’t feel I’ve learned enough.
I’m also wondering if I’m having another fall out with my friends. Back in jh I had a fall out because the people I used to hang out with started gambling and swearing(it was the trend back then). Then there was after college(the first time, heh heh), I was starting my career and other are still in school. ….oh well….just have to look ahead.  Japan Japan here I come!!!

damn it, when it comes to important issues like course registration, the school has the responsibility to notify student individually!!! I kept waiting and wait, no mail no e-mail. Good thing I just happen to chat with a friend who’s in the same program today. Turns out registration already started 2 weeks ago.  ><   luckily the window of opportunity is still open(it always is for me). So I just had my time table set. It’s not exactly what I desired but it will do. The program I’m taking has some speciality focus streams that will put a "specialized in something something" on the diploma. Since the courses just doesn’t work the way I planned, I just took whatever I’m interested(and choose it by the relavants of industry use). After all, a bunch of words on the diploma is just a bunch of words. What I learn from the program is the important thing, so screw the speciality title!  Later on, I will also see if I can sub one of their "multimedia" professional course. I’ve been working with those stuff for more than 5 years, it should count for something. If not, they can throw any tests at me and I will pass with flying colours.

My co-op coordinator visited today. The visit went well, just questions about this and that of the work I’ve done. She did ask if I will be interested in going for a 3rd work term. Rather tempted but I think I would rather earn a full pay instead of crappy work term $$. Hell knows I can take the tasks of any full-timer and more. Though I’m still sticking with my big plans to leave Canada.

Oh yea, today’s tuesday and I didn’t stop for a movie after work. The schedules just wasn’t right. All the movies I want to watch are all playing at the wrong places at the wrong time. Really wanted to see "Scoop" but I’m not staying around work till 8 for it. Will probably watch it next week. I’ve never really liked Woody Allen movies, never really understood his sense of humor. I will see it because Scarlett Johansson and Hugh Jackman are in it. I’m not the kind that just watches a movie because stars are in it neither. However, I am interested to see Scarlett Johansson in the role that she plays in the movie.  Wasn’t purposely looking for movies she stared in, but she is in 4 movies that I have on dvd. The Island, Spongebob movie, Lost In Translation, Ghost World.  The upcoming Black Dahlia is something I’m looking forward to as well. I used to watch a lot of those unsolved mystries stuff on A&E. (nerd!)   Let’s all hope both movies will turn out great.