I'm in heaven!

I am still waiting for my NS MR letter. So, as suggested by a fellow reservist, I went to the army IPPT booking system and entered my IC.

WOO!

I got the response:

Unable to process IPPT/RT/IPPT Prep Trg booking

You are ineligible for IPPT due to Type of Service (e.g. MINDEF Reserve or NS Disruption).\


However, I will continue to keep fit. I ran about four kilometres this week. Not enough. I should be running between ten to twenty a week.

Wargaming

I'm looking forward to playing Combat Commander: Europe with Zi Zhao tomorrow. Woo! I can't wait.

If you are interested in playing Combat Commander: Europe or at least learn the wargame, feel free to drop by. Call me first or drop me an email.

I can be reached at 90014152.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 3



Newly conquered village. In development. Defences are being built.

Somewhat developed. My first conquered village. Again, I am still developing defences.

My main village. Somehow, my interest in this world is dropping. The major players in the tribe were either eliminated (mostly) or had defected (top player).

The area is rather barren. Not much competition. Oh well. I will develop this slowly then.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 5



My second village which I took from a player who was more powerful in points than I was. He was mad and he launched a furious attack on my main village and his entire offensive force was smashed. I took small losses.

It was a 3000+ point village. I have developed it to a 4000+ point village. And I have been building up on defences.

My first village. Currently for this village, I am increasing troop capacity and also the speed of production of troops. I have also used this village to supply resources to the neighbouring two.

My newly conquered village. I have decided against conquering something large. So, I took a 658-point village which is right next to mine. This way, I can defend it easily and also supply it easily. It is now 795-point. Defence is a priority: Troop building and wall-building.

The environs. The white-dotted village is my main village. The other two yellow-dotted ones are my new villages. It's crowded... The blue-dotted ones are allies while the red-dotted ones are uncertain powers, possibly enemies.

State of Progress: Travian, World 5



I finally managed to build up some semblance of a defence. 151 Praetorians. I had not expect to be attacked daily initially. With the army, it bought some breathing space and I was able to develop a few of the resource-generating sites to level 10.

At level ten, these sites enabled the building of a bakery,a brickyard, a sawmill and an iron foundry which further enhanced production rates. The village is getting developed and picturesque. I had had to demolish some crannies to make way for these new buildings.

The environs. Sadly, an ally has quit nearby.

It's Friday. I didn't manage to draw yesterday. Pity. Sigh.

Quotes from David Cronenberg's eXistenZ:

Chinese Waiter: Hey, tell me the truth... are we still in the game?

Wishful Thinking

An idea if Thailand were to seize ownership of Shin Corp or if Thailand were to reduce that investment to something worthless, Singapore and Temasek Holdings could do a tit for tat by taking over the land of the Thai embassy in Orchard Road and giving Thailand a place in Tampines or Hougang for their embassy. This way, Singapore retains at least 1.2 to 1.5 billion dollars since the land in Orchard Road is worth that much and Thailand can keep their precious telecommunications company. Heh. Wishful thinking.

Thai Comedy

The Thai comedy continues. I am waiting for General Sonthi to declare martial law in Bangkok tomorrow.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 5

I took a small 658-pt village neighbouring mine and my rankings and points leapt. I had decided against going for a large target. A small one would be a lot more defensible as it would be not as desired as a large village.

Ranked 5th in the tribe. Ranked 528th on the server. Ranked 28th on the continent. Not too bad. Points and ranking are not everything. A strong army and defence are. I have been building and building.

"When I get a little money, I buy books. And if there is any left over, I buy food."

Quote from Erasmus

Addendum

From the entry in Wikipedia:

Erasmus did NOT write "When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left over, I buy food and clothing." What he actually wrote was: "I have turned my entire attention to Greek. The first thing I shall do, as soon as the money arrives, is to buy some Greek authors; after that, I shall buy clothes." It's from a letter to Jacob Batt dated April 12, 1500.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 3: Colin's World

I had observed Colin build his empire up from a 6000-pt affair to a 11,000-pt monster comprising of three villages. WOO!

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 5: The Great Kasi




The Great Kasi, otherwise known to his numerous admirers as Fabio, has two strong villages to his name. I would query on matters of strategy with Fabio before I undertake any actions in this game. Fabio the Great is ranked 3609th out of over 57,000 players in the server. He has 5896 points and two villages. All hail Fabio the Magnificient!

In which AK (Gordon Gecko II) expresses that 'Greed is Good'

Another early morning Windows Live Messenger exchange:

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Good morning Fiend Kuo!

AK Silverune says:
wow, open warfare in the galaxy was just averted.

AK Silverune says:
i mean like planetary warfare. death dealing on a galactic scale.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
You would prefer warfare wouldn't you?

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
You thrive on hate and greed.

AK Silverune says:
yes actually.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
And that would be your preferred environment, eh?

AK Silverune says:
it means more profit for me.

AK Silverune says:
i could get you or chester to grab planets.

AK Silverune says:
send all the money to me.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Kinda like China selling arms to Iraq and Iran during the Iran-Iraq War in the eighties.

AK Silverune says:
ok

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
What happens now? Will you provoke war then?

AK Silverune says:
oh no, i'm just a minor player.

AK Silverune says:
i'm more interested in looting frankly.

AK Silverune says:
they seem to be able to start wars on their own without me

AK Silverune says:
besides they're all boys, so they have more than enough ego to start their own battles.

AK Silverune says:
i'll just sit back and loot.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Hmm..

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
You do well for yourself Shylock-Gollum!

AK Silverune says:
of course i have no clue what to do with the money. but that's not the point.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
You are like Fabio. You want to control the universe too.

AK Silverune says:
who the heck is fabio

AK Silverune says:
control of the universe isn't profitable.

AK Silverune says:
too much hassle

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Fabio is Nose's new name.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
When I saw him recently with his wavy hair and scarlet turtleneck, he instantly spelt 'Fabio' across his forehead.

AK Silverune says:
you're a mean nasty little hooligan.

AK Silverune says:
but i like it!

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Coming from Shylock-Gollum's mouth itself, it must be an honour.

AK Silverune says:
did you call him Fabio in his face?

AK Silverune says:
Like: HEY NOSE BOY FABIO!

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
YIKES!

AK Silverune says:
no?

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
He knows about it and you know what? The best part is that he dislikes it.

AK Silverune says:
you're a gutless little chicken hooligan.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
If he likes it, it would be boring. But if he dislikes it, whoa!

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
We are all set for take-off!

AK Silverune says:
you're a goady toad hooligan.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
I don't see him much if you remember. Yes, I have told him that I called him Fabio.

AK Silverune says:
you goad people all the time

AK Silverune says:
you rile them up.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Yes, High Toad. Only you.

AK Silverune says:
woh ho. evil kasi in TW

AK Silverune says:
well i definitely don't like TW

AK Silverune says:
takes way too long to play.

AK Silverune says:
well maybe.

AK Silverune says:
i should start it at work, then i can build up during work.

AK Silverune says:
what do you think?

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
I think you it's great. Colin became alive a few moments ago and he announced that he will be starting in World 6 tomorrow!

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Ack. Do I want to start in World 6?

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Ack.

AK Silverune says:
world 6?

AK Silverune says:
wow. maybe i should jump on.

AK Silverune says:
naaaaaaaaaah

AK Silverune says:
i have enough distractions at work, running my planet.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
I didn't know about it either.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Still, it's a new World.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Colin said he is disillusioned with Worlds 2, 3, 4. He's given up on 5 like you cowardly did.

AK Silverune says:
why?

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
The thing about older Worlds is that there are many abandoned villages around. And sometimes, there just aren't many active players nearby? I don't know.

AK Silverune says:
has he tried chosen space?

AK Silverune says:
with the time he has, he would do well politicking.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
I don't know really.

AK Silverune says:
i might drop him an email later about it.

AK Silverune says:
i think he might like it.

AK Silverune says:
question. do youhave the same problem as chester when you played CS? he's said the lag time is slow for the CS server to singapore

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
I didn't play CS.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
I signed and did not play.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Colin's response to Chosen Space:
"i need familiarity man! i can't play new games! too old to learn! i need games that repeat the same actions over and over. if there are too many new units and buildings in w6, i'll probably quit and come back to familiar w3/4."

Alex Kuo says:
ok....

AK Silverune says:
that precludes him from CS then.

AK Silverune says:
but you know i have the same problem - i.e. no time to learn new things for gaming, but i found CS to be easy to pick up

AK Silverune says:
maybe i'm just very used to these interstellar games.

AK Silverune says:
trading etc.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Hmmm.. You are familiar with greed.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
That is a universal.

AK Silverune says:
and YOU, WHAT? WHAT? HAH? HAH? ANGEL LAH? so good MEH?

AK Silverune says:
mischan.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
I'm no Shylock-Gollum like you are.

AK Silverune says:
why of course, old boy, greed is a universal motivator in our pre-dominantly capitalist world.

I have been slowly in my reading. I need focus! Focus!

I haven't been drawing much but I hope to be able to find time for that soon. I should also find time to go running this week.

So little time to do the things I love doing. Sigh.

Quote from David Cronenberg's eXistenZ:

Allegra: I suppose a smaller-caliber pistol would have to fire baby teeth.

Tribal Wars, World 5: In Fabio's Honour

In World 5, Fabio (aka Kasi) has plundered this kid's village continuously that the kid has named a village in his honour! Hahahah.

Best of all, when it came to conquering a new village, Fabio decided to let this kid live so that he can continue plundering his village! What a classic! Heheheheh. He's more evil than AK by far.

In which High Toad gives up again

Yet another silly exchange on Windows Live Messenger this morning:

AK Silverune says:
bah deleted the TW account. when i started playing it, i realised why i hated it. too much grind.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Hmm... Admit it, you don't have the stamina and the intellect.

AK Silverune says:
bah what do you know.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
I know you are short. Like a hobbit.

AK Silverune says:
having 2nd thoughts about playing that gnome...it does have excellent spell resistence.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
But it fits you! Shylockian Gnome!

AK Silverune says:
that name can hide in shadows.

AK Silverune says:
a rogue.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
Yes. Like Nick Leeson. Rogue Trader.

AK Silverune says:
why do i bother being your patron high lord?

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
High Toad! I like amphibians!

AK Silverune says:
your insolence is insufferable

AK Silverune says:
your visage is shocking.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
You are jealous.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
You need to get some botox.

Chuang Shyue Chou says:
And some stretching of your limbs to make up for your shortcomings in the height department.

AK Silverune says:
shut up gollum

AK Silverune says:
mischan

John's World: Travian, World 5

Mail from John, an old friend of over two decades. John is an old gaming pal who is a practising lawyer in Northern California. John has a powerful army of over 1000 troops but he is faced with a behemoth with over 4000 troops. Can he survive?

John is incredibly good at this. He swiftly surpassed me in village population and size and seems to grasp the concepts very swiftly despite not having played this. Of course, like myself, he has played real-time strategy games. John's passion is biking in Mexico.

An in-game mail from John:

divelaw 25.03.07
no subject
12:11:31

Well I have been through a lot.Yesterday I was dodging all her attacks and instead sent my army to raid her. I was getting more from her then she was getting from me. But then another member of Lucky sent in an attack. I sent my army off to attack him, but he 1,300 defensive troops waiting and my once proud army was reduced to almost nothing.During the night I was hit twice more, what was left of my army was destoryed.Today, with my army slowly rebuilding, I dodged two attacks of just troops, no resources were lost. But yesterday she sent catapults that took 24 hours to arrive. She sent two waves, 35 seconds apart. I had managed to build 75 troops and decided to make a stand (I had set my account to be deleted and wanted to make a stand. I even rename my city Thermopylae) I dodged the first wave (which had 1,000 troops and 80 catapults). They destroyed my stable and barricks. But I timed my army to return in the 35 seconds between the two attacks.The second wave only had 78 troops, but 80 catapults. All my troops died, but I took out 25 catapults and 24 troops. My main building and markets were each knocked down a few levels, but were not destoyed.It has been 5 hours since then and no new attacks. Do I dare hope she thinks she has "taught me a lessson" and move on? Only time will tell.I stopped the deletion of my city. My alliance needs me. I am the new diplomatic and probably the smartest person in the alliance. Lots of people ask my advice.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 5



I took a village from a 13,000 point player. He had just seized it before I seized it from him. He had barely had any defences. 25 spearmen and 25 swordsmen were the token defensive force.

I expect to see counterattacks in the next few days. It will be interesting to say the least.

After seizing it, my rankings jumped. I'm back in the top 10 of the tribe.

Singapore Open Gaming (SOG) XIV

Ken has announced the date and time for the next date and time for the next session.

Date: 14th April 2007

Time: 1pm-7pm

Woo! Venue remains the same. Queen's Road.

As usual, all are welcomed. I should be able to make this coming session. Finally.

Do lose!

I hope England loses to Andorra this Wednesday. It would be unimaginable. At least, I think that would rid England of 'McClown' (as described www.football365.com). Heheh.

Quote from BBC News:

"Steve McClaren's rapid-fire soundbites failed to disguise the latest damning evidence that England may just have appointed a poor man's Sven-Goran Eriksson to direct their Euro 2008 fortunes."

Hahahah. It is not unexpected. Middlesborough wasn't any good under McClaren in the first place. Maybe, England should just approach Alex Ferguson. Hahahahah.

Playstation 3? YAAAAAAAAAWN!

The reception to the Playstation 3 is apparently mixed. Hahahaha. Time for Sony to take a fall.

New John Foxx and Louis Gordon releases!

There I was, enjoying the new John Foxx and Louis Gordon work, 'From Trash', when I learned of the live album 'Live from a Room as big as a City'. Suddenly, there is a new 2007 release from the duo. 'Sideways'.

Sideways

Disc 1

01. And the World Slides Sideways
02. Underwater
03. X-Ray Vision
04. Car Crash Flashbavk V2
05. In a Silent Way
06. Sailing on Sunshine
07. Use My Voice
08. Neuro Vieo
09. Phone Tap
10. Impossible (Extended Version)
11. A Room as Big as a City

Disc 2

Interview with John Foxx

Louis Gordon who collaborated with John Foxx on a few fabulous albums has apparently released several CDs. These include:

Tell Your Mum I Saved Your Life

Deep Electric Blue

Closed Gone Fishing

The second is sold out for good since the numbers are limited. Pity. I am curious.

John Foxx & Louis Gordon 'Live from a Room as Big as a City'

Woo hoo! Amazon delivers. For once.

The limited edition live album 'Live from a Room as Big as a City' has shipped! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I must get my friends who are into electronic music to listen to the legendary John Foxx.

1. Intro
2. Sex Video
3. Making Movies
4. Metal Beat
5. No-One Driving
6. Plaza
7. Underpass
8. Touch & Go
9. He's A Liquid
10. Broken Furniture
11. Ultraviolet/Infrared
12. Nightlife
13. My Sex

Quotes from David Cronenberg's eXistenZ

Ted: We're both stumbling around together in this unformed world, whose rules and objectives are largely unknown, seemingly indecipherable or even possibly nonexistent, always on the verge of being killed by forces that we don't understand.

Allegra: That sounds like my game, all right.

Ted: That sounds like a game that's not gonna be easy to market.

Allegra: But it's a game everybody's already playing.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 3

Hurrah! I seized a third village.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 5

Academy. It would appear that I will need 3 days to build my academy. Then, my noble. Then, I can start conquering a nearby village. Sigh. It is taking that long.

A lot of resources will be wasted too.

Friiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiday! Yeah!

Sun Plaza

An undistinguished suburban mall in the heart of Sembawang.

Sembawang III

Quotes from David Cronenberg's eXistenZ

Ted: I want to put the game on pause. The game can be paused, can't it? I mean, all games can be paused, right?

Allegra: Yeah, sure. But why? What's wrong? Aren't you dying to see what's so special about the special?

Ted: I'm feeling a little disconnected from my real life. I'm kinda losing touch with the texture of it. You know what I mean? I actually think there is an element of psychosis involved here.

Red Flag Interview on the Grave Concerns Ezine

Julie Johnson sent me a Red Flag member is now living with his wife in Thailand. He is also classically trained and is a jazz pianist! Wow!

Red Flag

Unbelievable! Red Flag is back! A new album has been slated for released this year. Splendid!

Sembawang II

Premium Account

I went to get a premium account (1 month) for Tribal Wars. 2.60 euros. This will confer the following:

1. Less wastage of resources due to longer queue. My warehouses are overflowing.
2. Larger map
3. Most important of all, less time spent on the game due the the ability to have a much longer queue.

In a month's time, I will decide if I am interested in the game.

Run

I ran about 4.5 km at the Botanic Gardens last evening. I was drenched in sweat after that run.

Sembawang I

Sembawang has changed greatly since the early nineties.

I recall the old Chong Pang market. Progress has replaced it with these new soaring apartments. Government-built subsidised housing for the people.

In which Chester wants it all for himself

An exchange on Windows Live Messenger:

Chester - XXX says:
i think that he is weak though

Chester - XXX says:
he grew too fast to have a good army

Chester - XXX says:
but i can't hit him now

Chester - XXX says:
and by the time i am ready he would have had time to build up

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Ahh.. the world is big enough for everyone.

Chester - XXX says:
no... all mine!!

Chester - XXX says:
muahaha

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Hahahaahah.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
You are scary!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
You are just like AK!

Chester - XXX says:
yeah, we get along, he and i

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Hahahahaah.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Until you both want to conquer the world!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
No, it will be 'Mine!' 'No, mine!' 'Mine!'

Chester - XXX says:
;]

300

The History Net has a good article by Barry Strauss* on the Battle of Thermopylae. Given the current commercial success of the film adapation of the 1998 Frank Miller comic '300', it is useful to review the realities and the facts of the real event and contrast it with the Hollywood treatment and the comic book's heroic reality.

Quote from the article:

"Stripped of its helmet, Leonidas' head is framed by his long hair. The lean skin of the warrior's face, its color gone, stands out all the more against a short and pointed beard. The dirt of battle is probably still upon Leonidas, and there is a dark purple bruise on his chin from the pooling of what little blood is left. Ragged bits of tissue and bone hang from his severed neck, and flies and beetles have landed on his skin. If the dead Spartan king's eyes could see, they might look 140 miles to the south -- all the way to Athens, the road to which now lies open for Persia."

* Professor of history and classics at Cornell.

In which AK expresses his desire to have his opponent killed

AK is rambling on about his failed rigged elections in Chosen Space on Windows Live Messenger.

AK Silverune says:
lost the election for some reason

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
But you rigged it!

AK Silverune says:
but i'm having a hit taken out on the winner and hence restarting the election

AK Silverune says:
actually i tried to rig it, not knowing the full extent of how the process works.

AK Silverune says:
but chester getting killed didn't help.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Hmm...

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Sounds like you were ignorant.

AK Silverune says:
yes i was ignorant.

AK Silverune says:
now i'm not

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Now, you are resorting to assassination to get that post?

AK Silverune says:
to TRY and get the post

AK Silverune says:
because it means elections will happen again

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
And you will rig it again, right?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Well, did you not learn that cheaters don't win from that last episode?

AK Silverune says:
well it isn't that possible to rig it since you and chester haven't stayed with the planet long enough to vote.

AK Silverune says:
so it's a risk. yes.

AK Silverune says:
well my other option is to join his council, have him killed and take over.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Hmm...

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
You sound like a Borgia.

AK Silverune says:
what's that.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Oh, you don't know. I didn't expect you to know anyhow.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
It doesn't matter.

AK Silverune says:
why don't you tell me ?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Why would I? I am content to leave you in ignorance.

AK Silverune says:
this game isn't as straightfoward as TW

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
If you say so.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
And this is coming from a guy who got wiped out in the early part of the game.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
ie did not survive.

AK Silverune says:
heh

AK Silverune says:
CS is more political i guess.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Keep on guessing.

AK Silverune says:
but SC!

AK Silverune says:
you're my best supporter!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
What other pearls of wisdom can you offer?

AK Silverune says:
my own personal puppet!

AK Silverune says:
surely you can offer me words of support

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
I want to learn from your ignorance!

AK Silverune says:
you don't approve of my methods in CS?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Did I say that?

AK Silverune says:
it was an innocent question from an innocent gamer.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
I think there are two falsehoods in that question alone.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
It is not an innocent question.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
And you are not an innocent gamer.

AK Silverune says:
but i am! and it is!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
You would have to show proof.

AK Silverune says:
how about you? show proof of your baseless accusations.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
But you made that assertion that you were innocent and you asked an innocent question. You need to back your assertion up.

AK Silverune says:
aftre your back your baseless accusations!

AK Silverune says:
er after you back.

AK Silverune says:
ok, i just ordered a hit on the election winner.

AK Silverune says:
what do you say to that SC?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Hmm.. You do play dirty.

AK Silverune says:
well it's interesting.

AK Silverune says:
it is an MMO

AK Silverune says:
there will be consequences for my actions.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
I hope they whip you like they did on Tribal Wars.

AK Silverune says:
but the assassins have a code they abide, a code of confidentiality.

AK Silverune says:
bah, you're no better.

AK Silverune says:
your army got wiped out! and you were the aggressor!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Not on World 5.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
And on World 3, my army has been rebuilt. I conquered a second village.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
And I am conquering a third village soon.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
What do you say to that?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Speechless?

AK Silverune says:
i saw you're too gutless to play CS.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
I have decided not play in games where I get abandoned by you in the midst of everything.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Where you turned tail and ran like a whipped puppy.

AK Silverune says:
bah! excuses!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Did you not turn yellow and run?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
How many games? Travian? Tribal Wars?

AK Silverune says:
they were boring you fool

AK Silverune says:
B

AK Silverune says:
O

AK Silverune says:
R

AK Silverune says:
E

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Excuses!

AK Silverune says:
yes your weak excuses show off your weakness

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 5

Woo! Chester has conquered a new village.

Villages
PeaceHaven - 3,436
Solace - 1,040

Meanwhile, we mourn for poor AK who got trampled upon and lost his village in the early part of the game. Heheheheh.

I think Colin has just conquered conquered one in World 3.

I am elated! No more! YES! I can't believe it! No more time spent in camp! Yay!

I'm here in the office. I am not in the field or the army camp. It's so unreal!

I'm at work this morning rather than in camp. Phew!

Lunch at Deviant's Palace

William dropped by my place and picked me at 1:50 pm yesterday and we began a leisurely drive to Wei Yi's at Sembawang. We picked up some inedible stuff at McDonald's and realised how long it has been since we swallowed any of that horrid grub. Hahaha. Here's an image of us. It's been quite a while since we met up.

And it has been about two or three years since we played a boardgame together.

Wei Yi also has the latest ALEA boardgame. Yay!

Catching up with the guys

I'm going to meet William, Wei Yi and Augustine for lunch today in Sembawang. I can't believe that it has been two years since Wei Yi, William and I had dinner at Spageddies at Tanglin Mall. It's been that long! Unbelievable.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 3


I have managed to stay within the top 20 in my tribe. I was briefly number 1 a few weeks back.

Botter caught on DuneMUD

Some people cheat by using scripts (bots) on games. Be it a text-based MUD, a browser-based game, a full-fledged MMORPG, they will find ways to cheat. Here is an example of someone caught cheating on DuneMUD yet again. On the chat channel, the wizard (admin) has made the player (Saba) say things. He or she is obviously not around:

[20:56] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[20:56] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[20:56] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[20:56] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[20:56] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[20:56] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[20:56] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[20:56] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[20:56] Mreh : ...
[20:56] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[20:56] Mreh : So disappointed.
[20:57] Dayakin : I'm bottin Elecran
[20:57] Nuemonic agrees with Mreh.
[20:57] Mreh : People from the same IP: Botzy, Shadow, Tarabas.
[20:58] Mreh : Now, I have to figure out which one of the two of them it is...
[20:58] Mreh : And Botzy's got an alt logged in.
[20:58] Nuemonic : I have a feeling it is our infamous botter.
[20:58] Mreh : Shadow?
[20:58] Nuemonic : that absolutly never learns.
[20:58] Nuemonic nods.
[20:59] Mousy : dammit aggro mobs refreshed
[21:03] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[21:03] Yukon : Why doesn't the infamous botter that never learns get site
banned?
[21:04] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[21:07] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[21:07] Slounge : no your botting refinery
[21:08] Yukon : And losing levels fast.
[21:08] Slounge : wiz doing this?
[21:08] Mreh : Yes.
[21:08] Vinto : does FS have a guild death penalty?
[21:08] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[21:08] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[21:08] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[21:08] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[21:08] Saba : I'm not botting Elecran!
[21:09] Mreh : They do.
[21:09] Vinto goes 'Ouch!'.
[21:09] Mreh : But, it's pretty inefficient.

"Go, stranger, and to Lacedaemon tell
That here, obeying her behests, we fell."

Epitaph of Simonides (as translated by George Rawlinson)

I am still reeling from the fact that it is finally all over. I am not ever going to hold an M16S1 (or M16A1 or AR15) ever again. No more. I can't believe it. Hurrah!

Still, I need that letter in my hand, physically. That is the final proof.

Book I am reading at present

I am reading 'The Real Thing: Truth and Power at the Coca-Cola Company' by Constance L. Hays. This is a highly engrossing tome on the rise of the Coca-Cola Company from a company with a billion or so in market capitalisation in the eighties to one that is over a hundred billion by the end of the nineties.

The chapter on the introduction of the New Coke was highly amusing as was the one on the Pepsi Challenge.

The most of revealing aspect was the Coca-Cola's company's focus on share price and shareholder value and the establishment of Coca-Cola Enterprises and the demise of the myriad number of bottlers.

The financial sleight of hand exhibited by a company selling sugar-laced water is simply astonishing but not exactly unknown. Hay had documented it in detail. Hahaha.

Battling Nazi Robots and Zombies

Wei Yi pointed out an article in Armchair General. The Lost Squad? A comic book about American soldiers battling Nazi robots and zombies! The very premise of Castle Wolfenstein, the computer game. Hahaha. The artwork is not bad at all. I like it.

Yay!

Wilson told me that someone spotted these two of my friends together at the PC Show. Yay! They deserve each other, ahem, I mean they were made for each other. Their similarity in interests, their bitterness towards life, the anger in their hearts, Dungeons and Dragons and more. After a hard and bitter life, she has found it I think. Good things come to those who wait. Great!

Brat on Stage

Benita and her band are performing at Bar None on the 28th of May. WOO HOO! She's going to be the noisemaker, drumming and drumming. Ack! Bring your earplugs!

Bring rotten cabbages and fruit!

The Windows Live Messenger exchange:

Beni ♪ just sent you a nudge.

Beni ♪ says:
Guess what!

Beni ♪ says:
My band got invited to play at Bar None on 28th May

Beni ♪ says:
WOOHOO

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
WOO!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
The oldies' bar!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
You will be entertaining white-haired uncles?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
WOO HOO!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
CONGRATS!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Heheheheheheh

Beni ♪ says:
-_-

Beni ♪ says:
monday sessions

Beni ♪ says:
not really

Beni ♪ says:
they invite local bands to play for monday sessions

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
When I was there more than 10 years ago, it was rock dinosaur Douglas O and Energy!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Hahahahaahah

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Yep!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
The 'quiet' night.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
CONGRATS though.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Will you be drumming?

Beni ♪ says:
hahah

Beni ♪ says:
nvm la

Beni ♪ says:
it's a gig

Beni ♪ says:
yes

Beni ♪ says:
bf says intensive training for me

Beni ♪ says:
technically, literally, he's THE drummer in my band lah

Beni ♪ says:
haha

Beni ♪ says:
i'm just noobing

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Hahahaha!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
What? You don't get to play!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
YIKES!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
GROUPIE

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
You don't get to prance on stage?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
GASP?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
No spandex?

Beni ♪ says:
i'm playing!

Beni ♪ says:
i'm doing drums dude

Beni ♪ says:
what happened to your reading glasses

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Monday! Should I call the clowns and jesters?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
What if the crowd starts shouting, 'Get the drummer off the stage'?

Beni ♪ says:
uhh

Beni ♪ says:
neh

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Can the clowns share the stage with you?

Beni ♪ says:
singaporeans are too nonchalant to do that

Beni ♪ says:
no, you can't come up the stage.. sorry

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
AK will be disappointed.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
He will be wielding an axe though.

Beni ♪ says:
Neanderthals included!

Beni ♪ says:
Gerrroff geerrrooff

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Hahaahahaha.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Bratnita on drums!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
WOO HOO!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
CHUCKLE CHUCKLE!

Beni ♪ says:
shush

Beni ♪ says:
stress leh

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
You?

Beni ♪ says:
it's a 45 min set

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Stress?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
I thought you were shameless.

Beni ♪ says:
Wah

Beni ♪ says:
tsk

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
After AK must have taught you.

Beni ♪ says:
How can you say such a thing! I'm discerning.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Sure you are!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Discerning and shameless!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
There are you go!

Beni ♪ says:
(i shall just ignore you)

Beni ♪ says:
hurhur

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Grr...

Beni ♪ says:
brb

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
What?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
You are not going to ignore me?

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
I was celebrating!

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Damn!

ELATION!

This can only be described as one of the best news I have ever received in my life!

I am going to receive that MR letter!

No ICT come Monday!

No IPPT ever again!

Never wearing green ever again!

Oh yes!

YESYESYES! I can't believe it! FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM! It has been a long road.

In which AK express his heart's desire

An early exchange on Windows Live Messenger this moring:

AK Silverune says:
hey

AK Silverune says:
gotta go.

AK Silverune says:
buahahahaah

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Good morning.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Are you prez yet?

AK Silverune says:
well no. you can't vote now for some reason.

AK Silverune says:
i'm going to get chester to leave and join the election again.

AK Silverune says:
when he comes on.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Your heart's desire! To be president of a small planet amidst millions of planets in a small unknown virtual computer game!

The gathering grey clouds at the horizon convinced me not to go run this evening. Alas. I should have. There was not a drop of rain.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 5




This World is coming along nicely. No reckless attacks. My army is intact and I am raiding. My village has grown to almost the size of the one in World 3.

I make constant raids. The yields are not rich but they do provide a steady stream of resources. This area is too crowded.

The village is now heavily built up.

Way too many powerful villages around. I am be careful. I need to maintain my army and a strong defence.

State of Progress: Travian, World 5

My village in Travian, World 5, is heavily built up, however, with the wrong things. Too many crannies for hiding resources. The main reason is that there are very powerful villages that are raiding all the nearby villages and preventing them from progressing. These armies of 50 to 200 men would raid almost daily. One of them raided twice daily and has so far plundered little of worth in the last week or two. (He had managed to plunder some resources due to the fact that I had to plug my Electric Barbarella in.)



I can't get my resources much higher as I refuse to build additional storage space to house them. I can't hide all that resources. In a sense, I am at a impasse.

Right now, I am banding up with a few neighbours and we are consolidating a defence to beat off these raiders. So far, they had eliminated a raider army.

The Great Humble AK

The Windows Live Messenger Exchange with AK this morning yielded this gem. AK had wanted people to go to the Chosen Space game and vote for him to be the president of a planet:

AK Silverune says:
woo

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Yes?

AK Silverune says:
the other election candidate pulled out from my election

AK Silverune says:
so we're stuck again

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Oh?

AK Silverune says:
i'm waiting for chester to log on and be the other candidte.

AK Silverune says:
you can't because you just set your home world recently and can't change it again for 4 days.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Cheaters like you don't win.

AK Silverune says:
true.

AK Silverune says:
i'm just happy being a freighter captain.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
hmm

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
The pretense at being humble.

AK Silverune says:
your tenses are wrong

AK Silverune says:
The pretense OF being humble.

AK Silverune says:
get it right, i'm the best there is.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Hmm...

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
'at' and 'of' are tenses?

AK Silverune says:
don't argue with me! i'm always right!

AK Silverune says:
i'm humble though. of course.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Hmm..

AK Silverune says:
you're awed by my humilty?

AK Silverune says:
lost for words?

AK Silverune says:
you fainted from my humbleness!

AK Silverune says:
i'd call an ambulance for you, but i'm too busy being magnificently humble.

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
Bravo!

AK Silverune says:
does this make it into your blog?

AK Silverune says:
i did try hard

cyberiad@pacific.net.sg says:
I think so. It deserves an entry.

AK Silverune says:
excellent. thank you.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars World 3

Fortunately, the area around my village on World 3 are full of abandoned villages.

My progress had slowed considerably since I had severely depleted my armies twice in a week. I will need about ten days to rebuild. The new village is barely defended.

My current village isn't that much better off.

State of Progress: Tribal Wars, World 3


My first village in World 3. It is growing along nicely. My forces are depleted after a disastrous attack on a nearby village earlier.

I settled on conquering a much weaker village instead. I am slowly building this village up.