Mac Attack!

I'm sure a lot of you would've known by now that I recently bought myself a MacBook...

My Precious...

Well, I wouldn't say it's a good idea to buy a MacBook right now because if tech-rumours are to be believed, Apple will be announcing the release of revamped MacBook designs sometime later on this year. (Damn you Jim! You just had to tell me right after I bought my MacBook isn't it?! Grrr. )

In any way, I'm not regretting my decision to get my MacBook early. My reasons being that:

1) Being a Microsoft Windows user for my entire life, I need to allow myself some leeway to learn how to be effective in Mac OS X, which is the operating system for Apple computers. Figured it'd be total blasphemy to own a Mac and not know how to use it to its maximum capabilities.

2) It got to a point where it became just too difficult for me to resist its uber-coolness anymore longer. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't breathe, couldn't live. I...MUST...BUY...IT... Okok... I'll admit this is not such a valid reason. But hey, everyone's inner child need to be satisfied sometimes.

I know I maybe quite the sensational reporter. However, I'm not really exaggerating when I say that the MacBook is a laptop that blends technology with design oh-so-seamlessly. (Seriously, I mean it.) You can tell that the guys over at Apple really went out of their way to place emphasis on the style and cool-factor. The best part about it all is that the MacBook is not only pretty to look at on the outside, the interior packs quite a punch too.

Alright, for now I'm going to highlight 3 personal discoveries that makes the MacBook stand out from the other laptops for me.

The first ever thing that really impressed me was when I first set up the MacBook. While connecting the power supply, I was pleasantly surprised to find that both the end of the power cable and the power port of the MacBook was magnetic! Meaning that you just have to place the end of the power cable somewhere near the port and *POOF* it will magically connect all on its own. This was just one of the examples of their user-oriented approach.

Next, the lively interface of the Mac OS X will blow you away. It's so different from the dead and rigid Windows that we are grew so accustomed to. With the Mac OS X, you will see icons jumping up and down vying for your attention, the dock (known as taskbar in Windows) scrolls and magnifies icons that you hoover over, and with just a press on the keyboard you will be given a neat overview of all your open windows for your viewing pleasure, just to name some of the cool functionalities packed into Apple's OS of choice. You probably may think to yourself, "Oh come on, that's just some fanciful crap. I don't need that." All I can say is that you have to try it for yourself. You'll realise how much more enjoyable it makes to your computing experience.

Lastly, the MacBook is in-built with a Sudden-Motion-Sensor. The primary purpose of this sensor is to detect any sudden movement (or drops for that matter) and prepare the relatively fragile hard disk for impact. In other words, it's a data protection system. It doesn't just stop at that, this motion-sensing capabilities can also be leveraged by applications such as iAlertU which is a free security program for your MacBook. Ok let me give you a scenario, say you are at Mcdonald's and you want to buy an Extra Value Meal. You are alone and you can't possibly lug your MacBook with you all the way to the counter. What do you do? Have no fear, you just have to arm your MacBook with iAlertU and leave it at its place. Anyone who tries to move the laptop (shakes) will trigger off a maximum volume alarm and iSight (MacBook's in-built webcam) will even take a snapshot of the would-be thief. Pretty cool huh. From what I read, you can even play games using the motion sensor technology on your MacBook! (I'm so gonna try that out soon.)

Therefore you see, all these nitty-gritty stuff will not be possible if the design team didn't have the end-user in mind. It's exactly this drive to satisfy all of our little whims and needs that allows Apple to create a laptop that stands out from other brands.

So I say there's a whole new world out there! Throw all your restrictions and inhibitions into the wind, and just ride the Apple wave man. You won't regret it. Ever.

Why do I sound like I'm getting aroused. I should probably stop here, I'm beginning to picture my future self as a salesperson in the Apple Store.

P.S: He was also the sole reason why I haven't been posting as actively, was playing around with him too much... Argh! His ruining my life...

My Most Exciting Day At Work Ever.

Ok, I would like to start off this entry by first confessing that I dislike cockroaches. Not afraid, scared, terrified or whatever. How can I, such a manly man, be afraid of such a small thing right? There's absolutely no truth in rumours that I'm scared of cockroaches. No truth at all I tell you.

I just don't like these creepy crawlies and I want to stay way away from them. There's just something about their dark exoskeleton, glistening wings, long flexible feelers, and prickly legs that sends shivers down my spine.

Throughout my 22 years, Mommy was the one who protected me against these detestable pests. Whenever I come across a cockroach, I would run to her like a little boy and tell her where I last saw the creature. (Most of the time, this happened in the dead of the night. Poor Mommy... I'm sorry!)

Mommy would grab hold of a plastic bag, flip it inside out, and put it over her right hand, much like a glove. Next, she would track down the unfortunate fellow using her vast knowledge of their species' behavioural traits and with one fell swoop of her hand, catch the cockroach before proceeding to tie the plastic bag up in a knot and disposing of it. Her each and every movement reeked of awesomeness.

Anyways this morning, innocent me was sitting in the office doing my work as usual when suddenly I heard a shriek, "Eee! Got cockroach!" My very first reaction was to let out a similar shrill and jump up upon my seat. But I was supposed to be calm and composed, so I somehow managed to suppress myself enough from acting like a little girl. If that wasn't scary enough, the next thing I heard was the real shocker, "Scotty! Come and catch the cockroach!"

OH NOES. Your ever-reliable friendly neighbour superhero was being called into action. I was this close to ripping my clothes into shreds to reveal my superhero costume... until I remembered I'm not wearing any underneath.

Blame it all on my luck being the only man in the office! I was left with little choice but to reply with a meek, "Ok, no problem." Images of Mommy in action during her cockroach hunts super-sped through my head. I was trying to emulate how she did it through memory power alone.

I reached for the plastic in my sling bag and wore it like a Cockroach Hunter's Glove. At this point in time, my female colleagues had already evacuated to the other side of the office. Which was good for me because they wouldn't be close enough to see my trembling.

I crept carefully towards the scene of the crime, and slowly opened the cupboard where the roach was last seen. I was really cautious not to make any sudden movements for fear that the cockroach would fly straight into my face, or worse, into my mouth. That's really a prospect I did not want to explore.

There my nemesis was, perched upon the side of the cupboard with her feelers twitching around as if she was issuing a "Come Get Some" challenge to me. How do I know it's a her? Because right at the end of her big fat ass was a case of eggs, wherein lies millions of cockroach babies. I knew I had to destroy her to save the world. I stared at her and she stared back, this stand-off lasted a few minutes. (Partly, because I was still mustering courage to make a move.)

While I was still bogged down with hesitance, Queen Cockroach made her first move. She started dashing towards the nearest exit at an amazingly high speed. Luckily, I was able to match that and I managed to block her route. I launched my own counter-attack and tried to grab her with my gloved hand. I'm quite sure I got her in my grasp, but somehow she squirmed out and jumped into a roll of tape.

Luckily, my eyes were following her each and every movement. I instinctively covered the top of the roll of tape with my hand and then wrapped the plastic bag around it. Now, I faced yet another problem...

HOW AM I GOING TO GET THE ROLL OF TAPE OUT AND MAKE SURE THE QUEEN COCKROACH DOESN'T COME JUMPING OUT TOO?

The only way I could think of was to hold her with my fingers while the other hand remove the tape from bag. It's pretty disgusting to have a cockroach struggling between your fingers, all the while making the irritating plastic bag sounds. *Shudders*

After I successfully removed the roll of tape, I re-secured the plastic bag and dump it into the bin outside. (Figured it would be quite stupid to torture myself by dumping it into the rubbish bin in the office and hear that non-stop plastic bag noise. *Shudders again*)

So that concludes my most exciting day at work to date. I'm a blooded cockroach-hunter now... Just don't ask me to do it again. Thanks.