Earthquake.

I've just encountered my first earthquake, so please let me describe it to you in sordid detail what happened.

(For those concerned about my well-being, it happened quite far away so I'm quite safe, don't worry - epicentre reports here)

So this earthquake struck just as I was playing C&C Generals, barely awake as it usually is the last thing that I do before I sleep (Don't ask me why, it requires little brain (and CPU) activity and is somehow soothing - I think) and as you know, I was controlling this China side with its behemoth tanks, and was mercilessly 'attacking' this USA enemy with entrenched defences and much superior airpower. So right at this exact moment, when some USA airplane had bombed my tanks, it struck.

You know how they show the bombing of an area in Generals? Well they sorta animate the ground shaking, the tanks being flipped up into the air, that area shakes a little, and sound effects of a bomb come in.

So yah. When the earthquake struck I initially couldn't believe my senses. I mean, I seriously thought I was getting too tired for playing - you know when you're exhausted, everything becomes amplified? So yah first thought was 'is this real?' Have I gained an extraordinary insight into how addicted gamers feel when they get sucked into the gaming world and lose touch with this?

And then I realised something was wrong, because the US airplane had finished its mission (I must inform you that my other tanks managed to shoot it down) and the area was back to normal. And my whole table and clothes rack was shaking violently. Not to mention my weights started rolling about - they're 10kg and usually don't move about of their own accord.

So my next thought was - had I put something wrong in the washing machine? Because my flatmates and I had just cleaned up the kitchen, and I had cleaned part of the bathroom, we had stuck the floormat (washable, according to IKEA) and a detachable mop-magic-clean-furry-thing (the furry part, obviously), as well as a throw, into the washing machine beforehand, I thought some part had choked some vital organ in the washing machine and it was making its last gasps for help.

So I went outside, and checked. It was off.

By this time the shock was over, and one of my flatmates had just popped his head out of his room, asking if I felt it. And he mentioned that it might be an earthquake, he had experienced several in Birmingham before, being a native here.

And so yes, I realised only after what lasted only 10 secs, but seemed like minutes, that I had just experienced my first earthquake. And it was quite fun, really.

Oh and the other flatmate slept through it - he swore that heard our conversation in his dreams, about earthquake and the washing machine.

Lost.

I'm feeling really lost right now.

Robot porn.

Warning: Contains strong language and sex references, might be offensive to some viewers.

So here goes: cute music video. Look out especially for 1:12.

Blogging about blogging.

If I were an arts student, this might be a thesis, but since I'm not - what do you think are the reasons behind our blogging? Why do we pick certain topics to write about, even when we know they might be mundane (or even offensive) to other people?

Since I am not taking English or philosophy, I can only implore you to look at your posts, and think of what you felt at the time you wrote them. Were they therapeutic? Helped you to vent some anger or frustration which otherwise might seem out of character?

Or did you want to show that hey, this is who I am, and let it serve as a looking glass into your life, for anyone who might care and does care?

Yeah I'm still in SSC mood, and am much too free for my own good. Interesting what life in the country does to you. (OK I know Preston is a city, as I often astound my friends with, but it's the whole staring at semi-detached houses with observatories and nice gardens, with nice elderly people pottering about [literally] mood, you know?)

Longest Traffic Jam - ever.

Now I understand what Kuan Ching said when we visited him in KL this year - I just got stuck in a horrific traffic jam today, and took 3 1/2 hours to get home when I usually take 45 minutes.

I don't mean to be evil, with a fatality involved, but (follow the link) the police took 6 fucking hours just to clear the scene and 'investigate the causes' when no other cars were involved. I mean, on the radio, I heard that it was a multi-car pile-up (which softened the blow) but now that I've the news, they closed down the ENTIRE expressway for 6 FUCKING HOURS just to investigate the cause of a Land Rover getting out of control?!

6 FUCKING HOURS. 3 FUCKING LANES. DO THEY EVEN REALISE THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION THEY CAUSED AROUND THE 20 MILE RADIUS OF THAT EXPRESSWAY CLOSURE.

Yes I am in one of those rare moments where I am just slightly inclined towards violence, and vulgarities. Just a bit tetchy, as they say.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Finally, my year (and yours, probably) has come again. Time to rule the world (financially, as it states on some horoscope thingy) and make mayhem!

On a more serious note, my mum and sis packed some 2 bags of CNY goodies, bubble-wrapped and all, for my dad to bring over on Tuesday, and I just collected it over the weekend. Now I know I might probably sound like some ego-maniacal smug guy who thinks he has it all but I'm really glad I have such a wonderful family (the bags almost filled the entire suitcase my dad brought along, honestly), and I think (anticipate, rather) getting fat on such love simply has to be worth it. I mean, I don't know if it's partially because the CNY goodies industry has blossomed in the past few years, but even the humble green pea biscuit tastes so delicious!

You can come up with all the cliches about familial love you want, but words alone can't adequately describe the the warm fuzzy feeling you get, when you're luxuriating in the nice warm tropical climate¹, tea tarik in one hand, CNY goodies in another (and much more within close reach of course²).


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
¹My mum packed in a humidifier in December, when she came over, and I've quite a good strong heater in my room.
²Detailed inventory of stuff I have now:
1. Green Pea Biscuits
2. Modified love letters (they're sort of tinier)
3. Mixed assortment of biscuits (Smaller amounts, can't really describe them)
4. Coffee almond biscuits
5. Mini popiah filled with hae bi hiam - someone enlighten me on what it's called, can't remember the name!!
6. Pineapple tarts
7. Bah Kwa
8. Spicy pork floss
Yes, 1 box/container of each.