Malaysian Indian eatery McCurry Restaurant finally won an eight year court case against McDonald’s allowing them to use the ‘Mc’ prefix in their name. Maccas claims:
“the name could cause confusion and lead people to associate his products with McDonald’s.”
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that no one in their right minds would confuse INDIAN CUISINE for McDONALD’S. Not very nice of you, Mickey.
McCurry McConfusion
I woke up to find three news articles from The Star Online in my RSS feed regarding identity theft and personal information abuse in Malaysia. Do they need to publish three articles covering related topics on the same day? Not to mention two articles regarding personal information abuse were written by the same authors Loh and Bedi.
The two articles highlight an advertisement placed in a local daily by a couple of shady characters publicly offering to sell lists containing personal information obtained from dodgy characters working with financial and credit institutions. Why:
is beyond me.
While personal information abuse is nothing new, it’s something everyone with a digital identity should be aware of. If you possess at least one email address, that obviously includes you. What you may not realise is that your digital identity may be created simply by registering or signing up for something on paper, like bank accounts, utilities, donation pledges, competitions, and the like. Where it ends up after that is subject to the trustworthiness of characters handling them. Sure, information protection laws exist, but as the articles demonstrate- humans are prone to misbehaving for profit. In addition, these laws vary between countries, and in this Information Age it’s not as easy to govern a virtual world.
Gorverning Global Policies Can Be a Headache
Even if you’ve never had your credit card billed by a transaction from ‘Nigerian Pharmaceuticals’, I’m sure you’ve received the occasional text message offering hot raunchy pics and videos of some local actress, and most likely regular emails offering prescription pills of some sort. If you’re lucky, these offers are just nuisances more than anything. If you’re unlucky, it’ll start costing you some serious moolah.
What Happens When You Politely Reply to Text Messaging Services
While I’m not condoning these heinous acts of personal information abuse, I suppose it’s the unwanted by-product of living in this Information Age. If someone really wants your personal information for one purpose or another, it’s not as hard as you think. All they need are bits of your personal information- the more the better, of course. Well, since Master Sleuth L is dead, we’ll try to dig some personal dirt on our own to illustrate how simple it really is, shall we?
L vs B
We start at the obvious source- the Mother of Information on the Web: Google. Google provides a range of services that most people, from newbies to professionals are bound to use sooner or later. In addition to being practically useful to netizens, these services are generally free, which makes them even more attractive to sign-up for. Popular examples are:
Signing up for any of these services makes it even easier for your personal information to be collected; even more so if you’re using a single login account. For example, try searching for someone’s Google Profile by clicking this link. Sure, privacy settings allow you to hide your identity and personal information; but who really clicks the Settings link to ensure their personal information isn’t exposed to the Internets? Most newbies just sign-up and happily surf away, oblivious to the trail of their personal information left behind.
What if you haven’t signed up for any of Google’s services? The thing is- Google is ubiquitious and so good an information search tool that their name itself is used in conversation as opposed to ’search’. Case in point: what have you ‘Googled’ today? A search for #1 fan and avid reader Andy Saedah for example, reveals all sorts of personal information; such as his website, services he’s signed up for, where he works, his friends, where he lives, and more. Imagine the bulk of personal information a person sitting in front of a computer all day can collect.
What Google Says About Andy Saedah (O_O;) » click image to enlarge
Just so you know, Google is taking over the world a bit at a time. Not that anything’s wrong with that; I’m all for it, really. They seem like good people.
Think that blog you’ve written in the past is gone? Think again.
Think using obscure usernames will hide your identity? Pipl claims to be “the most comprehensive people search on the web“. A search for Andy Saedah on Pipl gives you various usernames he’s used on the Interwebs, his current age, and websites referencing him. Not bad.
Andy Saedah on Pipl » click image to enlarge
White Pages
Remember those thick archaic paperweights called The White Pages (Residential companion to the well-known Yellow Pages)? Well, they’re now available in digital format, accessible online. The Malaysian White Pages currently stamps the following statement on their website:
“The Residential Directory Services is currently not available as Telekom Malaysia is reviewing its confidentiality policy to properly manage its customer information. The non-availability of the service is temporary and any inconvenience caused is much regretted.”
What about the US and Australian White Pages? Well, unless you’ve notified your telco that you’d like your phone details kept private, your home phone is publicly listed.
Others
If you’re in the US, it’s much easier to find your personal information. Here are a few people-based search engines for your voyeuristic pleasure:
As I mentioned earlier, I’m not condoning personal information abuse. I’m just letting you know how easy it is to retrieve your information off the Interwebs without having to pay a single cent. Now that you’re more aware of what the situation is really like, perhaps you’d think twice about Googling Maria Ozawa while thinking your spouse won’t find out. Oh, and firewalls and proxies are your good friends.
Now you know.
I started my modest anime DVD collection since 2003. I bought most of them from Hobby Japan in Midcity Arcade off Bourke Street. Besides DVDs, they sell figures, posters, and anime-related merchandise. In other words, a Melbourne Otaku Heaven.
My Anime DVD Collection ヘ(^_^ヘ)
Membership cards would grant you a discount of some sort, probably 5%-10% or so. Considering how I purchased DVDs on a regular basis at the time, I decided to become a member of Hobby Japan, and later on- another shop called One Stop Anime in Tivoli Arcade.
Optimus Prime Keeps My Anime Membership Cards Shiny
I preferred the Taiwanese releases rather than the American ones. The Taiwanese sets usually came in three discs per 24 episodes, at AUD25 a disc. I don’t know how much they cost nowadays, but most likely dropped due to competition from American releases. I spent more than a thousand bucks on my collection, although I’m sure there are otakus out there who’ve easily spent five times that amount.
Sméagol Has Crusshess on Aoi? Auw, How Cute...
American releases come with English dubs and sometimes censorship, both no-no’s for my anime viewing pleasure. They cost more since they tend to use less episodes per disc. In addition, royalty and packaging adds up to the already high cost. Back then, American releases weren’t common but now you can find plenty in retail entertainment outlets like JB Hi Fi.
My Robotech: Macross Saga DVDs. Do yourselves a favour and get the Japanese Macross DVD instead.
My collection consists of my favourite titles like Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu and Azumanga Daioh…
Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu DVD Set (^_^)
Azumanga Daioh DVD Set
…and random impulse purchases, which are now regrets, like GREEN GREEN.
Left: 'Good' Green (Midori no Hibi), and Right: 'Bad' Green (GREEN GREEN)
After I realised that moths were flying out from my wallet, I decided to cut down on my collection. After all, I don’t re-watch the DVDs more than twice a year, and there are always new titles coming out to catch up with. Wikipedia lists 202 anime titles first airing in 2007 and 146 anime titles first airing in 2008; the lists aren’t even comprehensive.
My Second Favourite Anime Series, Gintama
Since most anime are available for download so long as they’re unlicensed in the region you’re in, I used to subscribe to Anime-Direct and downloadanime.org. Besides saving money on DVDs I don’t watch very often, they offer a number of titles, especially newer ones. Crunchyroll and Madman Entertainment offer free online viewing, so you’ll save on hard drive space (but chew your bandwidth to shreds).
If there's only one lesbian love movie you're planning to watch this year, make it this one... Just kidding, kids.
It’s been a while since I’ve made an addition to my anime DVD collection, and I don’t know what I’m going to do with them since they’re just collecting dust most of the time. I doubt they have high resell value. Perhaps I’ll give them away.
Krispy Kreme finally opened in Malaysia with their first outlet in Berjaya Times Square! I can just hear the sweet-toothed fans in the city rejoicing.
Krispy Kreme Sighted in Berjaya Times Square!
I remember when Krispy Kreme first opened its doors here at Narre Warren a few years back. The traffic was massive, and people queued up for hours to savour the heavenly halos. I think the jam went on for days… I wonder whether there was a massive crowd at the Berjaya Times Square outlet when it launched a week ago?
♡ Love is Like a Box of Krispy Kreme ♡
Well, it’s about time someone opened one up in Malaysia. At least I don’t have to suck in my cravings for them when I’m back for visits. They happen to my favourite doughnut franchise, just so you know.
The Happy Hunter Parades His Prey...
I’m not a big fan of Dunkin’ Donuts nor Big Apple Donuts & Coffee. I think their doughnuts are too colourful, too sweet, and the doughs aren’t tasty- tailored for kids, maybe.
Big Apple Donuts? Bleh. (- _ -)
In my opinion, Krispy Kreme’s variety may not look as vibrant, nor do they possess a wide selection, but they taste a lot better.
Mixed Dozen Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
A dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts make excellent gifts, and I’ve personally given them. I hear they’re common requests for friends and family visiting places with outlets, too.
Beware the Guy Bearing Krispy Kreme as Gifts
With the available variety, Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed are simply the best. They’re fluffy, soft, light, healthy and not overly sweet. I could easily gobble a few halos in one setting- though, it could probably be that I’m just a glutton.
A Dozen Original Glazed Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
The way they melt in your mouth; deliciously smooth and sinfully delightful… mmm.
Happiness is a Dozen Original Glazed Krispy Kreme Doughnuts » click image to enlarge
I’ll be right back… I’m heading off to the nearest one now. You should, too.
I found some drawings in my sketchbook about Pokémon Armageddon: Evil Pikachu.
My Drawings of Evil Pikachu in My Sketchbook » click image to enlarge
It was based on an idea a friend and I were throwing around in class, while everyone else were busy studying (´~`). The question was:
What if Pikachu became evil, and Ash had to fight him (or her or it) to save the world?
Set in a dystopian future in the Pokémon Universe, Pikachu becomes evil incarnate after years of fighting fellow Pokémon and suffering mental abuse at the hands of his ex-trainer, Ash Ketchum. An alternate name I came up with was Pokémon Wars.
"What Would Happen If Everyone's Favourite Pokémon Turned to the Dark Side... Pokémon Armageddon: Evil Pikachu. Everyone's Worst Nightmare Times 100"
The setting was supposed to be bleak, harsh, and hopeless. 90% of the human population in the Pokémon Universe were wiped out by a Pokémon uprising against their oppressive masters.
Here are some concept sketches for Evil Pikachu:
Evil Pikachu Character Sketches (O_O；) » click image to enlarge
The idea behind the semi-faceplate was that Ash fought Pikachu in an intense battle some time in the past, which left half of his face scarred. Here are more Evil Pikachu sketches:
More Evil Pikachu Character Sketches
The idea was that Pikachu’s evil grip on the Pokémon Universe was so strong, even Nintendo had to change their names to Pikatendo.
Pikatendo Logo
Ash himself is now grown-up, and the leader of the human rebellion against Pikachu and his mighty Evil Pokémon horde. I didn’t do that many sketches of Ash, but he’s supposed to sport a cool robe.
Sketches of Grown-Up Ash Ketchum
The reason Ash’s hair covers up his right eye is that it’s damaged by Evil Pikachu during their fated battle mentioned above.
Ash must use the Ultimate Pokéball and Pokésaber to defeat Evil Pikachu in a showdown that will determine the fate of the Pokémon Universe…
The Ultimate Pokéball and Pokésaber ＼(^ ^)／
…During which, Evil Pikachu would transform into his ultimate form, Pikademonica!
Evil Pikachu's Ultimate Form: Pikademonica
Well, that’s about all I have in my sketchbook. Aah, the days of my imaginative youth during the height of Pokémon’s popularity. Has it ever gone down, really?
It’s time to refill the toilet paper roll again. Err… Should the toilet paper tongue on the dispenser face outwards or inwards?
Toilet Paper Tongue Faces Outwards or Inwards?
Another one of life’s dilemmas (。_°) …
I used to draw a lot in the days of my innocent youth, before life fell on me like a sack of rotten potatoes. Back then, my mind was an idea factory- regurgitating ideas faster than I could reflect them on paper. I did my doodlings (if there is such a word) where ever I could find blank space on writable material: school books, scraps of paper, newspapers, magazines, and the like.
At the time, I figured some were pretty good and decided to keep them for all eternity. That was before my mom decided the paper they were doodled on were worthy only of the paper bin- usually during my absence (- -).
My Mom and I Discussing My Drawings
This prompted me to consolidate all my drawings into a sketchbook, some time during my second year of high school in 1994. Surprisingly, I kept the book to this day.
My 15-Year Old Sketchbook (^ _ ^)
The pages are in good condition albeit yellowish, and the pencil drawings have not faded much.
This is Definitely NOT Your Father's Star Trek
Browsing the book brings back interesting memories.
Some of My Character Doodling
Occasionally, I would put enough time and effort to develop a comic with an actual storyline.
Two Page Spread from One of My Epic Comics » click image to enlarge
Since there were no violent cartoons in the 80’s (a good thing, I think), I got to toy with ideas like fun, comedic violence long before Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright’s Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy.
Action Packed Comic Strip » click image to enlarge
I incorporated elements of my life into my drawings, like my then early exposure to the Internets…
Sending An Email in my Comic Strip. » click image to enlarge
…and musings from school life.
1996 High School Life in My Comic Strip
Within a couple of years the drawings decreased, although I occasionally made effort into adding ‘one-page specials’. I blame our then society’s efforts in making us into academic slaves; having to memorise mathematical theorems and scientific terms, forcing us to kill our creativity and abandoning our dreams of being artists and rock stars.
As my drawing style changed over the years, I had the foresight to mark the current year from time to time.
A Comic from My Sketchbook in 1996
Doodles in My Sketchbook in 1998
Doodles in My Sketchbook in 1999
Doodles in My Sketchbook in 2000
There were recurring characters I drew over the years, such as The Boy, who later became The Boy with No Name. As with the rest of my drawing, his look changed as the years went by.
The Boy With No Name
I abruptly stopped drawing anything in my sketchbook in 2000, making it almost a decade since there’s been any fresh content. I must’ve caught the Millennium Bug.
Dessert Strike 2000: The Return of the Fly - My Take on EA's Desert Strike
I really should draw something in to commemorate my sketchbook’s 15 Year Anniversary this year. There’s still quite a number of blank pages to fill with my mental diarrhoea. I doubt I’ll have the enthusiasm to add more than one page. Nonetheless, I’ll take good care of the book; it’ll be a nice momento from my youth to review in another ten year’s time.
A few cold nights ago I watched a 2006 Japanese movie called “Udon” on DVD. The title refers to the thick Japanese wheat-flour noodle commonly found in Japanese (and some Chinese) restaurants, and the movie uses udon as a central plot device to tell the main story. I didn’t snap any photos the last time I had some, but there are plenty on Google Images.
In a nutshell, it’s a slice-of-life, heartwarming story about an aspiring comedian returning to his hometown in within the Kagawa Prefecture after failing overseas- learning not only to appreciate udon, but his father and his father’s handmade udon. He learns the value of udon in lives of his hometown residents, and together with the ‘Noodle Gnostics’ bring about a short-lived Udon craze across Japan. The heart of the movie is a tale of relationships and personal growth, all revolving around the humble noodle. It’s a pleasantly lighthearted movie you should watch if you can grab hold of the DVD.
As the movie ends, the narrator/heroine voices over scenes of friends and families enjoying udon together:
For every place under the sun that people can call ‘home’, there is a ’soul food.’ Food that can elicit laughter and tears; food that satiates both stomaches and spirits; food that makes people happy. What is your ’soul food’?
It was a question I could immediately answer.
It’s been six years since I’ve migrated from my hometown Kuching, and Kuching surprisingly does have a de-facto ’soul food’ that relates to the movie. It’s called ‘Kolo Mee‘. Like the scenes in Udon, I have fond memories enjoying Kolo Mee with family, friends and recently, my missus.
A Heavenly Bowl of Kolo Mee (^~^)
Unlike udon (the noodle), Kolo Mee is uncommon outside Sarawak (my home state) and described in only a single sentence in the entry for ‘Kuching‘ on Wikipedia:
Kuching ‘Kolo mee’ or ‘koh-loh mein’ (egg noodles, flash-boiled and then served with (classically) garlic, shallots, minced pork, white vinegar, pork oil or in some cases peanut oil and sliced barbecue pork also known as “char siew”) this is a widely popular dish with the local population.
Considering how ‘widely popular’ it is, I wonder why no one in the ‘local population’ wants to do a full entry in Wikipedia… (-_-,)
In my opinion, Kolo Mee’s winning attributes are its:
Where else can you find a meal for that amount? Although prices have steadily increased in the past decade, it’s still affordable for the average working Kuchingite. Kolo Mee is a dish enjoyable any time of day; most stalls operate from early morning to evenings, while others operate the other way round. Packed with carbs (and little else), a Kolo Mee diet is possibly one of the causes of potbellies commonly found among Kuching men. For some reason Kuching women are pretty slim, but I digress…
Kolo Mee Satisfies the Soul (and Wallet) ＼(^ ^)／
While ‘kolo’ itself refers to dry-style of preparation, the unique ‘mee/mien’ noodle forms the heart of what’s known as ‘Kuching’s Kolo Mee’; wavy in appearance, springy and firm in texture, and light in volume. Both machine and handmade types can be found around town, with the latter sometimes added with spinach to give it a greenish colour. Other noodle variants commonly used for Kolo Mee are Mee Pok and Kueh Tiau.
Kolo Mee Pok
Kolo Mee prepared by Muslims commonly use chicken, beef, or imitation meat made from bean curd in place of pork- this one in particular can be found in a stall operated by a Chinese Muslim in the food court behind the Crowne Plaza Riverside Riverside Majestic Hotel. Non-Halal Vegetarian Kolo Mee using imitation meat can also be found in a restaurant along Jalan Padungan.
In most hawker stalls in Kuching, your order of Kolo Mee can be customised to suit your palate with various garnish and toppings, depending on what they have stocked at their stalls. Common topping options include one or more of the following:
Kolo Mee at All Joy, Wisma Saberkas: Look at the Balls on Those!
While there are many variations, most Kuchingites appreciate their Kolo Mee simple, topped with minced meat and char siew. This perhaps kills its marketability outside Kuching, where dishes tend to be more elaborate and use more ingredients. I doubt the common Kolo Mee would pass Australia’s health standards, either.
Kolo Mee with Char Siew and Chopped Scallions
Kolo Mee topped with wantan is commonly known as Wantan Mee. Note that Wantan Mee found in Kuching aren’t the same as the ones found in Peninsular Malaysia- those are more similar to Kampua Mee. On a side note, non-regulars may claim that Kolo Mee and Kampua Mee taste the same; they definitely don’t.
Kuching Wantan Mee (°o°)
You can have your Kolo Mee served with a bowl of soup on the side, or flood your noodles it; this is known as Mee Soup.
Mee Soup (^_^)
My mom prefers to have her Kolo Mee with less salt and flavouring, while my missus likes her noodles mixed with red sauce- my failure to order her preference caused me trouble a few times, but I’ll spare you the details. Personally, I like mine plain with a saucer of sliced chillies in vinegar on the side.
Kolo Mee in Red Sauce (^_^)
The definition of Kolo Mee Special varies from stall to stall, normally meaning extra noodles with ‘the lot’. If you’re not familiar with the stall it helps to ask before ordering one, just in case you get something unexpected you won’t eat.
Kolo Mee Special (O_o)
Kolo Mee Special with Red Sauce (o_O)
In the movie Udon, Chief Editor Otani tells a story about the discontinued Uko Ferry, where udon is sold on deck. As he describes it:
The noodles were limp and the broth was bland, but it was unbeatable- it was a greeting for people leaving home or returning from afar. A bowl that said “Welcome Home” or “Bon Voyage”.
That particular scene is something I can relate to with Kolo Mee in mind. Speaking to fellow Kuchingites living away from home, I found that most of us share a common yearning for Kolo Mee. During short visits home, it’s an absolute must for me to indulge in the oily noodles. In fact during my last trip to Kuching earlier this year, the first thing I did after arriving at the Kuching airport was to gulp down a bowl of Kolo Mee at a food court opposite the Four Points Hotel, even before reaching home. It wasn’t the nicest I’ve had, but like the udon found on the deck of the Uko Ferry- it was definitely a welcoming home for me.
Indulging Myself with Kolo Mee During Trips Home
Speaking of far from home, I’m aware of attempts taking Kolo Mee interstate and abroad. I suppose the most successful of these is Singapore Jia Xiang Kolo Mee- it’s perhaps the first known franchise marketing Kolo Mee as a key product, albeit Singapore-ised in presentation and to a lesser extent, taste. My missus and I had the pleasure of dining in the VivoCity outlet during our last trip there. Actually, we were just hungry and desperate for food coming off the cable car returning from Sentosa Island… (- -)
Singapore Jia Xiang Kolo Mee Outlet in VivoCity
I’m not going to do a review of the restaurant, since this entry is about Kolo Mee. Garnishing and toppings available are fairly similar to the ones in Kuching, albeit two glaring exceptions: abalone and sambal (。_°). Like I said; Singapore-ised. Impressively, they import the noodles directly from Kuching.
I had the Gold Jia Xiang Mee for SGD8.90 (MYR21.50/AUD8.40). I wasn’t impressed with my meal- to Jia Xiang’s credit, perhaps it’s because I’m too fond of Kuching Kolo Mee (‾へ‾).
Gold Jia Xiang Mee... So Where's the Glitter?
With many varieties and places serving Kolo Mee in Kuching, there are plenty of discussions on where the best ones can be found around town. Personally, my favourite one can be found at a stall run by a friendly lady at Thompson’s Corner Tabuan Jaya, off Lorong Bayor Bukit No. 8A. The stall doesn’t have a name, but here’s a map of the location:
In recognition of her Kolo Mee being my favourite, I’m presenting her stall the non-prestigious, non-rewarding, and non-existent BenDawos.com Choice Award for Kolo Mee:
BenDawos.com Choice Award for Kolo Mee
While not the healthiest of culinary delights (understatement of the year award), Kuching Kolo Mee in its original form is ‘Soul Food’ for Kuchingites, endearing more to those living away from home. If you’re not a Kuchingite nor ever had the pleasure of savouring a bowl, do so at your next available opportunity. Perhaps you’ll find one bowl is not enough. I’ll leave you with this final picture so you can drool:
A Bowl of Kolo Mee
Err…
In this economic climate, I’m not too sure whether an exclusive pet airline will end up being a successful venture, or a novelty ending up in dog poo. I’m sure these guys have done their feasibility study, though.
In any case, I do think it’s a better way for pets ‘pawsengers’ (as they call it) to fly, as opposed to being locked up in the dark, dingy confines of a regular airplane’s cargo hold.
Now I believe pigs truly can fly.
For those of you who remember their Transformers from the old cartoons of the 80’s, here’s a nice little CG clip made for Botcon 2009:
Unlike Mike Bay’s big screen counterparts, these guys are blocky, colourful, and feature the trademark transforming sound clip; just the way we like them. I like the way Optimus’ trailer comes out from ‘nowhere’ to hook up with him, just like in the cartoons.
Although I’m not a big fan of Bay’s ‘pile of walking scrap metal bits’ Transformer design, the sequel seems to promise lots of fun, explosive, robot bashing action. Here’s the latest trailer, if you’ve not caught it:
Autobots, transform and roll out.
