Everyone at one point in their lives had become obssessed with comics. Particularly when one was young. Be it that sunday cartoon found at the back of the local paper, or in my case, comics churned out by that comic turned movie producer marvel.

I don't know why the illustrator and the story-teller feel the need to cram every available space with dialog. Its as if, they are afraid of silence. This is particularly obvious during fight scenes. I mean, here are two guys allegedlly trying to kill each other, and yet every punch, every kick is accompanied by dialog. Almost as if the combatants are not satisfied with hurting each other, they have to discuss philosophy too.

By way of illustration, here is a scene taken from a fairly recent chapter of the "Incredible Hulk" (click too enlarge)

(Tony, Tony, Tony.. Didnt your mom tell you its impolite

For cryingoutloud. Did everybody took comedy lessons? Is being funny and/or being a great orator part of heroes101?

Look, I'm all for funny dialog and stuff, but if everyone tries to be funny all the time - what happens to the original personality man!? Good Gawsh!

Contrast this with the way japanese comics, a.k.a. Manga is presented.

A common theme you will find here will be, before a battle the protagonists will meet. Maybe eat with each other and discuss things. If they were once friends perhaps a flashback scene of goodtimes. A few tender moments perhaps so the reader becomes horrified of the incoming fight. Or if they were bitter enemies from the very first, perhaps an explanation of the reasons why they hate each other.

But when fighting, there is no more space for talk. Sure sometimes some "thinking cloud" will be scattered here or there, but the characters will not explain anything anymore. There is no need. That's why they were fighting, all options for dialog has finished.

See this prototypical example (Kids, please dont click this)

I brought a few chess books here with me. I was intending to take it up again this last few months. I am particularly interested if I could somehow understand now the concepts presented in "The Art of Attack". The first time I read that book, it did nothing for my chess. Of course I was so very "young" then chess wise that reading that book is akin to a kindergarden reading a treatise on algebra. I could understand the words, but I could'nt understand the words if you know what I mean.

Only thing is, I have been spending so much time in the office. I go home around 10-11pm everyday. There is no mandated overtime, and the job is really easy I think for an experienced network administrator. But thats just it. I'm just a newbie when it comes to this network thing. My boss would come and ask me to configure a DNS, then troubleshoot the NFS settings, etc.. and I would go like "Uhm, yes.. I will investigate" and proceed to google the mess out of what he was asking me (Note: I was a programmer for ten years. Now I'm a network admin).

Most things you can find in the internet, if you know what to look for. But sometimes, the solution to a problem involves understanding a network of inter-related subjects. The solution might just be inserting a line of text into a file, but to know where that file is and what it does and how it affects the system..learning these things takes a lot of time..

And so I spend my days reading, and reading, and reading..

I suppose this situation will continue for a few more months. There is a lot of things to learn about unix/linux and related technologies. A lot of things to study.. no time for love.. =<

Since I've changed job, the commute was killing me. Well, its only 35min from the job site to the station near me, but there is a 20min walk from the station to my house. Everyday, I would find myself dreading to come home because of that walk. I could take the taxi, but the meter drops so fast...I'd rather walk than lose that much money.

Anyway, I've posted about my inability to find a new apartment because the japs are "saving" it against us foreign heathens, but last week somebody accepted my application at last. I am moving this saturday to my new place. Just a small pad, but its much closer to work, and the walk until the train station is cut into 8min. A very big improvement. Plus this one costs only about $700(us)

Here are the pictures of my new home:

There isnt anything here for the moment as I will be moving this saturday. But I plan on buying that bravia TV, and some nice stereos. Hehe, after I play my first DVD - my neighbor aint gonna be friends with me I think.If youre interested in finding me - Here is a map of my house and my work place (Plus one particular spot of interest =>)