New lecture hall, but Mac incompatible

My room at A Famosa, Melaka, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

I replaced my colleague yesterday for a lecture and as usual, I was planning to use my MacBook Pro. Got everything ready, connected the Mac to the projector ... then walla! Nothing happens. What?

Fiddled around, tried another connection port, still no joy. Hmmm! Never had this problem and the old lecture hall were all accommodating. This being a brand new one really disappointed me. I'll make a note to sneak in one of these days and check the connection. Even the technician stared at me blankly when I asked if there has been any issues before.

Did the decent thing of converting the file into powerpoint and use the auditorium's computer. The slides came out all wonky, but that is better than nothing.

Adventure Saturday - Part 2

Irfan's venture at picture taking, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman. That's my hand that is still hurting after badminton tonight! I'm old!

After we were done with Sg Kanching, everyone felt peckish, especially yours truly. Since I have to go settle my credit card bill, we decided to head for Bukit Bintang. We reached Pavillion about 30 minutes after we left Sg Kanching.

Idlan enjoying his fried riceWhile Irfan couldn't care less ... he prefers golf instead!Idlan wanted his fix for MSG, so we had some sushi while the kids have their tappenyaki fried rice and miso. I then left for Bukit Bintang while Anita and the kids went shopping in Pavillion. I then realised that there is a new fountain built outside the main entrance towards Sg Wang. Boy, there were teenagers around congregating there, punks, goth and all. Identity crisis I thought! Kudo told me that I sounded like an old fart making comments like those on twitter. So I better shut up!

The new fountain outside PavillionWhen I returned, they were just about to take their seat at Godiva cafe. I ordered a hot black chocolate, and it was heavenly. It cost me RM16 for a pot, and it pours for 3+ cups. It was a bargain! I sipped every last drop. Idlan wanted some chocolates, and the waitress duly showed him around. It then dawned on me that a small piece of chocolate will set me back RM9.50 plus tax! Idlan happily picked 4! Argh!!!! But what my baby wants, my baby gets!

Chocoloate served on a platter .... Yummy!It was served on a plate, and Idlan just gulped them in one go and asked for more! We settled in the end for a box of chocolates for him to take home. Won't tell you how much that cost. He finished them all last night!

Today is Monday, back to work. A lot of things needed catching up,and I am due to give a lecture tomorrow morning. Anita was complaining that I a growing fat. So I decided to head out for the badminton session with my ex-Terendak boys. It was a mistake. My fingers flared up again and it is hurting even now. If it is still giving me grief in the next few days, I think I better get it checked out.

Adventure Saturday - Part 1

Sg Kanching 2, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

Some of the natveWe have got to do something this weekend. Idlan has been in the house for the first week on his holidays. Action must be taken. As I tweeted, Anita was desperate enough to buy a guide book on places to visit around KL, but it was nothing more than just a collection of small adverts. There was no editorial reviews or real suggestions. We hit over the 'net then. Idlan wanted to go for an adventure. There was Hutan Lipur Ampang, or the previously suggested Hutan Lipur Singai Kanching.

Looking down from the 5th tier toward the fourth poolLooking up!Kanching it was then. We set off just before mid-day as Idlan and Irfan overslept. Gambak to Kanching is only 15 minutes away. We drove towards Batu Caves, drive up towards Rawang, and before we know it, we were already there. It is on the right side of the road, so we had to drive on and make a U-turn. You first have to drive past the Templer Park Golf Resort, and the Taman Rimba Komanwel will be on the left. Drive on until you reach the Petronas gas station on your left. Then there will be a sign for a U-trun just about 100 meters on. The U-turn is right in front of KFC. We bought some take-outs there, and picked some drinks from a shop nearby.

After the U-turn, you will drive past the Taman Rimba Komanwel, this time on your right and you reached your destination. We paid RM5 at the entrance for car parking. After the car park, we reached an open grassy area for picnic, but it was in the middle of the day and the sun was out. It was too bright and hot. We walked on into the forest and waterfall area further down the path. The area has 7 cascading waterfalls. It gets more adventurous further up, and all can be reached with a series of concrete stairs. The best place to picnic was the second and third tier. The others were too much of a climb for us. It was getting pretty crowded by then.

Stairs to the upper tiersWe quickly settled in into an area of stream by sets of boulders. The water was cool and fresh. The tall trees provided shades and with the breeze, we hardly noticed the sun. It was lovely. We then settled for lunch and hang around for a couple of hours. I took my camera to climb up the 5th level. I noticed that there were plenty of Middle Eastern visitors here. The probably found the place out through internet, and they do come in droves. Some of them just jumped into the stream in their head-scarfs. Bizarre! These lot really like water which is understandable.

There are plenty of monkeys around. I can see some family in tents, probably stayed overnight. Unfortunately, litter was still an issue, even though there were plenty of rubbish bins around. The toilets were clean. There were one at the entrance and another one on the third tier. Both of my boys enjoyed their outing. We plan to come back again one day, preferably later in the afternoon when it is cooler. We'll let the boys run around at the grassy area at the entrance while we cchill reading a book.

Got my stickers sorted

The Tools of the Trade, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

UM was really stepping up their quest to limit traffic in campus. By tomorrow, those without car stickers will be turned away, or asked to park at the entrance and use the university bus around campus. That should ease the traffic and the parking issue somewhat I hope.

I received a rather stern email from the Chancellery the other day. Basically telling us that we will be slapped with monetary fine should our cars were found parked campus without stickies. We are talking RM100 here for first timer, and RM150 after that ....... Argh!!

My in-laws left for Kota Bharu earlier today for the weekend. Idlan is getting restless since we haven't been anywhere since his holiday started on Monday. Need to plan about something for the weekend. Anita actually bought a book about places to visit around KL!

Tale of the Garang Pak Guard

Kelby Walk 34 - Tools, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

UM has been trying to tighten up its security for the past couple of years. Back in 06, there was a security incident that put the establishment in a bit of bother. One Saturday morning, a few robbers managed to drag away a teller machine from the student union building and got away with plenty of cash. Apparently they came in posing as contractors and using some heavy equipment managed to drag the whole machine out.

Since then, many measures were taken to tighten things up, but none were really implemented. From this Friday, all cars entering the campus has to have a sticker, otherwise, the driver will part away from their RM50 notes ..... and that is steep I thought. I got another 3 days and just did not have the time to get myself the stickers. The parking office is only open from 8 to 5, and there is no way that I'm driving away to the other side of the campus, losing my parking spot along the way!

I drove in this morning and was stopped by the security guard. I didn't have my stickers. Stern words were exchanged. Apparently from now on, undergrads are not allowed cars in campus. The final years were exempted. I was given warning to get my stickers sorted out. It looked like I will have to start my morning round late. I emailed a suggestion for the parking office to close late, maybe until 6.30 for the next couple of days so that people like me are able to get the stickers sorted out. I am yet to receive a reply. They just need to work the extra hours for the next couple of days I thought .....

p/s: The pic above was taken last weekend during my photowalk, somewhere in Kampung Baru.