Petrol/Diesel Prices

Just when you thought the petrol/diesel prices may be reduced owing to the lower price for crude oil, you'll be surprised. The saying of whatever prices that went up will never come down again still holds till this day.

Malaysia's DPM has stated that the government will review the prices again as it monitors the oil price for the next one year before making any decisions. Goodness me! Such common item is used by the general public and it does affect lots of common citizens who are trying to make ends meet. Not all government staff are highly paid and those at the lower salary scale may not have the mood to work if their needs are not met. Going for second source of income will be the main thing in their mind then.

Singapore Airlines have reacted fast by reducing their fuel surcharges on passengers due to the drop in jet fuel prices so that air tickets could be sold at a much competitive price. As for Malaysia's local airlines, still long way to go if you are hoping for a similar drop as the Transport Ministry will have to submit a proposal to the cabinet before a reduction could be made. Meaning to say, yet to be submitted. But in an about turn, the Minister of Transport mentioned that it's up to the local airlines now to decide. If I'm in the airlines industry, I'll be so confused. Maybe since Malaysia Airlines is so bogged down with their massive losses, earning tiny weeny bit from such fuel surcharges will help a lot too.
Tags: Fuel Surcharge, Jet Fuel, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Minister of Transport, Petrol, Diesel, Second Income

Life Cycle

How does your daily life cycle looks like? Is it like the picture below? If yes, you could be heading for unnecessary stress in life or a total burn out which will happen soon. Go for a good relaxation trip locally or overseas (may be able to suggest some good place for you) OR have some events after finishing a day's work. When I mentioned finishing, some people may be saying "how to finish your work". The work can never be finished unless it's on a project basis. So, go out and have some fun, let your hair down. Enjoy your life while you can.

Tags: Life Cycle, Life, Burn Out, Stress

Horns Rev Wind Farm

In the summer months of 2002, Elsam constructed the world’s largest offshore wind farm at the Danish west coast. The wind farm is sited 14-20 km into the North Sea, west of Blåvands Huk, and represents the first phase of a large-scale Danish effort to produce non-polluting electricity from offshore wind turbines. With the Horns Rev project it will be possible to determine whether or not the Danish Government’s ambitious energy plan is feasible. According to the plan, wind turbines with a total capacity of 4000 MW must be established in Danish waters before 2030. (source: Dong Energy)

Elsam and Eltra, the independent transmission system operator in Jutland and on Funen in Denmark, were ordered to build the offshore demonstration wind farm at Horns Rev in the North Sea. Elsam is the owner and is responsible for the operation of the wind farm. Eltra is responsible for the connection of the wind farm to the national onshore grid.

Hydro has measured wind speeds in the North Sea for more than 30 years. Based on data determining that average wind speeds at sea are higher than on land, Hywind will be exceptionally energy efficient.

(Picture source: Thrilling Wonder)

Tags: Horns Rev, Wind Farm, North Sea, Denmark, Elsam, Eltra, Dong Energy, Hydro, Wind Turbines, Electricity, Jutland, Funen

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

I'm sure you have heard of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World but can you recall all 7 of it. For me, only the first 2 came to my mind.

The following wonders are listed chronologically:-

The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

The Statue of Zeus at Olympia

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

The Colossus of Rhodes

The Lighthouse of Alexandria

Tags: Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria

Five Virtues Shiraz

The biggest wine bottle in the world -- 6-foot-5 and 1,300 pounds Australia. Its cork is keeping the equivalent of 387 regular bottles of Shiraz away from thirsty mouths at bay.

The owner of a liquor store in Albany, Australia, had commissioned the glass bottle itself to be crafted in Germany. The cork was cut and hand carved from a tree in Portugal which cost U$3,500. The huge label cost $1,500 to manufacture.

The wine has been christened as Five Virtues Shiraz.

Tags: Five Virtues Shiraz, Australia, Albany, Germany, Portugal, Wine, Liquor

Cute Panda Bear

If you have seen this panda bear appearing in your computer screen, got bad news for you.

Each of the panda can move actually, with the first one bowing its head while holding the joss stick and the rest with its respective movements.

Whether it's moving or not, you can start calling your computer geek friend or the vendor that sold you the computer/laptop as you have been hit by a deadly virus. Death for your computer, not you.
Tags: Panda Bear, Virus, Computer, Laptop

Film Festivals

Just when you thought that Academy Awards would be next after the Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globe Awards, the following film festivals came in between:-

Sundance Film Festival - The films receiving jury awards were selected by distinguished jurors from films screening in the Independent Film Competition and the World Cinema Competition. Awards were given to both dramatic and documentary films screening in the four competitive categories: Documentary Competition, Dramatic Competition, World Cinema Documentary Competition and World Cinema Dramatic Competition.

Screen Actors Guild Awards - These awards are for outstanding motion pictures and primetime television programmes. Movies like The Last King of Scotland / Dreamgirls / The Queen / Little Miss Sunshine have won awards here. Primetime TV winners were Elizabeth I, House, Grey's Anatomy, 30 Rock and Ugly Betty. Complete list of nominees.

Tags: Festival, Film, Movie, Cinema, Theater, TV Series, Sundance Film Festival, Screen Actors Guild Awards, SAG Awards, Nomination, Independent Film, World Cinema, Documentary, Dramatic, The Last King of Scotland, Dreamgirls, The Queen, Little Miss Sunshine, Elizabeth I, House, Grey's Anatomy, 30 Rock, Ugly Betty