Melancholic song - I'm Just a Girl, by Bachelor Girl

I might be a little, concerned with my hair
I might need comfort, more than my share
I might seem to follow fashion, but claim that I don't care
My heart is your best friend, when it rules my head

I might want to talk alot, but don't ask me why
And I'll get impatient, if you don't reply
I might always search for something wrong, I want you to deny
But if you love me just stay close, and hold me when i cry

Don't try to understand me, I'm just a girl
One of the greatest mysteries, you'll find in this world
I'm not hard to handle, I'm just a girl

I don't seek money, but I want your time
Cos I'd give my life for you, when you are mine
And it hurts me more than I can say when you pull away
But if you love me, you should tell me everyday

Don't try to understand me, I'm just a girl
One of the greatest mysteries, you'll find in this world
I'm not hard to handle, I'm just a girl

You might think I'm too demanding
But you're just not understanding, no

I might like to take advice, but go my own way
And it's when I hurt the most, I swear I'm okay
And it's always when you least expect, I say I want to stay
it might take just a single kiss to steal my heart away.

Don't try to understand me, I'm just a girl
One of the greatest mysteries, you'll find in this world
You think I'm an x file, I'm just a girl
I'm just a girl

Don't try to understand me, I'm just a girl
One of the greatest mysteries, you'll find in this world
I'm not hard to handle, I'm just a girl

I'm just a girl

Note : When I listened to this song, I was reminded of Ckn - I miss her; I guess there is truth in the saying that distance makes the heart grow fonder

Al Karaoke fi Khartoum

What have the Alleycats, Lionel Richie, Anuar Zain, and the incomparable Sudirman all have in common? They are all here in Khartoum!! Not physically, mind (that would be silly), but their songs are karaoke-d here.

Thanks to our friends who have a well equipped karaoke system in their appartment, we've been able to let some pressure off by singing. We'd always go just the two of us (and sometimes some of our friends tag along!), and our sessions will be on a Friday afternoon (single staff frequent the place at night). We have a whale of a time! But we really owe them as we are sort of intruding; but they insist on us crashing their place and even carry a tune or two themselves.

Ckn's permanent playlist includes : Amy Search's 'Tiada Lagi', the whole Alleycats catalogue, and some Rahim Maarof's 'Cinta Kristal'. Ezal's playlist covers : Zainal Abidin, Alleycats as well and Lionel Richie - no Elton John 'Sacrifice' here, unfortunately!. We're quite 'competitive' when it comes to hogging the mic but we recently discovered some nice duets that helps reduce the hogging!

Good to have a choice of activities here in Khartoum then eh?

Ezal striking a pose near the massage chair, while Ckn is picking her next song. Our host, Azizan is so impressed with my singing that he had to sit down...

Operation Ipod Battery

* updated : industrial design wiki

I have 2 iPods - the first, I bought back in 2004 (I think...dah tak ingat), and it was an end-of-line model; officially it's the 3rd Generation Ipod with a whopping 20gb capacity. At the time I didn't even look at the iPod due to the cost, but when I saw it at the computer fair in PWTC, I was tempted and so bought one. And I've never regretted it once!

I bought my 2nd iPod in 2006 - a 5th Generation iPod, with a 30gb capacity. I transferred all our songs (about 3,000 or so) into the new iPod, and it has since accompanied me everywhere I go (it's in my office bag)

The main reason I upgraded was that my second iPod can play videos and show pics; essential as I wanted to back up my pictures into a digital wallet. Further, my first iPod had a chronic battery problem - it would die after 20-30 minutes (which was expected, as a lot of the 3rd Generation iPod's complained of the same thing), but functionally it was still good. I had bought a Logitech mm50 micro speakers to house the iPods, and it was a great way for Ckn to use it at home as a cute music centre.

So to ensure that we can get the most out of our first iPod, I did a little project with Ckn - we changed it's batteries! It was no mean feat, and it involves ordering a new high capacity battery from Brando Hong Kong (my fave online shop!), 2 plastic flat-top screw thingys, a real _metal_ flat top screwdriver, fingernails and patience.

Why so many tools? well, if you've seen an iPod then you'll know that it has a nice flush appearance; there's no visible screws holding everything in place and everything's hidden. Therefore, some prying was needed. Took us some effort too, as the instructions were not very clear, and the plastic tools were nearly useless! But with a little preserverence and the metal screwdriver (with a little TLC) plus Ckn's ideas, we finally managed to open up the iPod casing...

Here you can see the ipod's innards in all its glory. The blue rubber on the left is the shock absorber for the tiny hard drive. You can also see both the new and old batteries. Even naked like this, I'm just amazed at the wonders of industrial design! Following the instructions, I then proceeded to replace the battery and promptly closed the case and rebooted the iPod (and held my breath) - it worked! hooray!!

One slight hiccup though at this stage. Despite my careful planning, I had inadvertently re-inserted the old battery into the iPod; I guess excitement took over ...and I felt like a right idiot! oh well, had to call Ckn again (can't blame that she was annoyed!) and we repeated the process again, only now making doubly sure which battery to insert!! Hooray (genuine one this time!)

Coldplay : Viva la Vida!

Can't wait for this album - which is Coldplay's 4th. Between me and my brother Fyan, we have all their previous records (and I think we have at least 2 of their debut effort, Parachutes!). I've listened to their first 2 singles - Violet Hill and Viva La Vida.

So what do I think? For me, it's like their previous efforts - I need multiple listens to firm up an opinion...so far, I still think I still prefer X&Y, A Rush of Blood to the Head and lastly Parachutes ahead of this one...we'll see... and Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends!