Mr Bone -- modified version of Hello Kitty The Singing Bone

I never like Hello Kitty but The Singing Bone changed my mind. It looks just cute and cool. Very seldom there is toy that can be cool and cute at the same time I feel lol.

When looking at it, suddenly a thought came into my mind. What if I move the ribbon to the neck, then it will be a male version of Hello Kitty The Singing Bone. I googled and found no one modify Hello Kitty The Singing Bone yet, so I did it.

'Tadah...' (The sounds effect)

I think the modified one looks cool too and it is named Mr Bone. No no it has no relationship with Mr Bond the James Bond ;)

Happy Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2014 :)

人间 ～ 天堂

一念地狱，一念天堂。愿你在天堂安好，我们在人间也安好。

C# split string using \ slash

If you are doing C# coding and need to split a string like this "ABC\0\0\0\0", you may be interested to read this post. If you have decided to continue reading, let's the code speak its all.

String a = @"ABC\0\0\0\0"; // Or "ABC\\0\\0\\0\\0"

String[] result = a.Split('\\');

We will be expecting the result array length is 5 with value result[0] ="ABC", result[1] to result[4] =  "0" and that's the result we will be getting.

Look at another case below.

String a1 = "ABC\0\0\0\0";

String[] result1 = a.Split('\\');

Are you expecting the same result ? If you are, you will be disappointed that no split has took place at all. You will get result1 array length is 1 and result1[0] = "ABC\0\0\0\0".

For a1, the \0 is treated as special character due to the single slash and no @ in front of the string. Sometimes you have no control on all source code, you may got a1 from another assembly that you have no source code access and no way to change the source code. 

If you are interested to get the value ABC and doesn't really care about what's after ABC, use below instead.

String a2 = "ABC\0\0\0\0";

String[] result2 = a.Split('\0');

You will be getting result2 with length of 5, result2[0]="ABC", result1[1] to result[4] are empty string. Yes, of course, you may provide options to Split method to remove empty entries.

Well, of course a2.Substring(0, 3) will also return you "ABC". But what if you encounter a string "ABCDVariableLength\0\0\0\0\0", then you may still want to use the split. 

Alternatively, use IndexOf('\0') which looks like this:

String a3 ="ABCDVariableLength\0\0\0\0\0";

String front = a3.Substring(0, a3.IndexOf('\0'));

Alternatively, use IndexOf("\0") or a1.Split(new String[] {"\0"}, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries), it works in my PC, although I thought it shouldn't.

Using IndexOf("\") will return -1 due to the same special character reason. 

Happy coding :)

Please, lower down your volume

If you do have karaoke set or hifi set at home, can you please lower down the volume, close all the windows and door so that your voice won't interrupt other people sleeping? This is the reason a person who used to sleep at 10.30pm still awake near to 12am. I couldn't fall asleep for more than an hour due to the 'super band' karaoke at the housing area.

If you do like to sing at night, please please please, lower down the volume and close all windows and doors, or go to Karaoke box. If you do know your friend love to sing at night, please share with them the same, to keep a peaceful residential area.

* I did call to the police station for help. The officer told me over the phone "Kalau awak tak tahu rumah mana, susahlah, saya tak bolek buat apa-apa." If I know which house, I would have go knock his house directly, I don't need you. If the band is still working after 12am, I will insist to have the police to come 'ronda'. Too bad it is not yet after 12am. Oh thank god, it started to rain heavily. Thank you my lovely sky.

Good night.

[后记：尚需努力修禅。加油]

Wow Karaoke Box, All Seasons Place, Penang

前一阵子Wow Karaoke Box在Groupon 做促销，三小时每人RM7.50包括一杯饮料，朋友相邀一起去。我们在大约3星期前就预订了时间。这个Karaoke在 All Seasons Place3楼。啊，几个月没来，这里泊车已经收费了。周日每个进入RM 1，周末假日首二个小时RM 1，接下来每小时RM1，收费仅仅比Gurney便宜RM1，但如果住这儿附近，至少距离比去 Gurney较近，可能还是可以有市场吧。

如其他karaoke一样，我们得到的厢房也是充满烟味。在里面待了3个小时后变了烟人，什么香水都被盖掉了。至于它的点唱系统，和其他karaoke不相上下，还蛮容易用，只是点合唱歌曲比较麻烦，全部语言都参杂在一起，一共大约380多页歌曲目录，手指做了许多运动寻找华文合唱歌曲，现在手指都好像有一丁点酸麻。有些歌曲，嗯，大约是5首吧，偶尔会间断性没有声音。友人说她之前来时在另外一间房，没有这个问题。另外，厢房里的沙发不是特定的，是我们平常在家居摆设的，占去厢房蛮大的空间。我还是比较喜欢Redbox 或 Neway特定的，可以有比较多的空间放包包。另一个不太喜欢的是厢房的门，能看见空间比较大，所以别人在外面经过时可以看到厢房里边蛮大的空间，感觉上私人空间少了。也因为如此，我们看到它有一间厢房竟然摆放了一个双人秋千型吊椅，好像蛮特别，可是我不喜欢哈哈。隔音也不是太好。除此之外，也都还好。

偶尔在女歌手名单看到李心洁，想起她的一首歌曲同一个星空下。好久没有在槟城看到星空了，凭歌怀念星空一下，呵呵。

Error "No exports were found that match the constraint" in creating new WPF project using Visual Studio 2012

After Windows update (not really sure which updates since IT department in my workplace automated the installation process and it run silently) I was getting error when creating new WPF application project using Visual Studio 2012. The error message is as below.

No exports were found that match the constraint:
     ContractName
Microsoft.VisualStudio.Text.ITextDocumentFactoryService
     RequiredTypeIdentity
Microsoft.VisualStudio.Text.ITextDocumentFactoryService

The solution is easy. Close all instances of VS 2012, go to C:\Users\{userName}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\11.0 and delete ComponentModelCache folder. Attempt to create WPF application project and it should works fine.

Happy coding.

Solution to "Microsoft C/C++ Optimizing Compiler has stopped working"

Out of the blue I got error below when building a Visual Studio solution.

After googled and try few suggested solutions, here's the working solution for me.

1. Clean the solution.
2. Use msbuild to rebuild the solution.

That's it. Ah, you may need an elevated VS command prompt for the msbuild command, if your solution has some build step requires more privilege, which is not related to this issue actually.

怡保鸿星楼点心 Hong Xing Dim Sum, Ipoh

Beside Foh San and 明阁, there are quite a number of dim sum restaurant in Ipoh. If you are near Bercham or Plus North South highway exit near Bercham, you may try this out. They serve Shang Hai dumpling 上海小笼包 too which I think is quite nice. Look at the 'big pao' 大包 at the bottom, YL said there is traditional taste in there with an ingredient in there, which I forgot is which :p Check it out yourself.

鸿星楼点心有限公司 Hong Xing Dim Sum Sdn Bhd
o 35&37, Bercham Bistari 3, Medan Bercham Bistari, 31400 Ipoh, Perak.
Tel: 012-4630141

Penang Asam Laksa Paste from www.talentcook.com

Nope, I am not a chef to review food. I am just sharing a laksa paste. SP, remembered we bought this when visited the Rumah Peranakan?

This paste is designed for stir fried or anything not soup.

I used it to fry rice vermicelli a.k.a. beehun locally. It turns out to be quite nice I think. However, it is less tasty if you made it soup, I feel. The good thing is I think it really is natural without MSG.

Green Island Western Food, One Square

Looking for western food near Bayan Baru area? Here's a new restaurant at One Square.

If you been to James Foo & family western food before, this is similar I feel. Which one is nicer? Hmm, I don't know, taste is very subjective. I tried different item at these restaurant, so I can't do apple-apple comparison. In general, I felt is okay.

Mushroom soup RM 2.50. (Look at the spoon, west meet east haha :p)
Chicken Maryland RM 10.80
Grilled Fish with Teriyaki Sauce RM 9.80
Warm water RM 1
No service charge nor government tax.

At this price, please do not expect porcelain plate/bowl.

For directions to Green Island Western Food restaurant, refer to my previous blog post. It is at one of the few shop rows.

Green Island Western Food Restaurant
Address: 2-1-08, Tingkat Mahsuri 4, 11950 Bayan Baru, Penang.
Phone: 018-622 6863
FB page: greenisland.ck.pg@gmail.com

Natural Leisure, One Square

Looking for new restaurant in Penang? There are a few in One Square. I am going to share Natural Leisure today. The ground floor is restaurant, where 1st and 2nd floor are event hall.

We think the food is pretty 'natural' where there is less (or maybe no) MSG. The white rice is surprisingly nice too. Ah, if you like JJ swiss roll, you may get it here too. According to the staff, there will be new stock on every Thu, usually sold out on Friday. They have swiss roll from other supplier too, if you are not desperate to get only JJ's.

Serving is for 4 head.
The squid curry at RM 21.90,
spring roll RM 7.90,
bean curd vegetable RM 4.80,
stir fried mushroom kale RM 8.90,
white rice RM 1.50 each,
Alkaline water RM 1.50 each.
+ 2 TauHua (no picture) RM 4.90 each.
Service charge @ 10%
Total for the meal was RM 70.20.

Watch out before you sit, some of the dining table may have the right highlighted corner that could hurt your leg.

Where is One Square? It is the newly built housing+commercial area opposite of Sunshine Bayan Baru or D' Piazza. Here's the direction in brief. 

1. If you are driving to PISA where Sunshine and D' Piazza are on your left, One Square is on your right.

2. If you are coming from Sunway Tunas, at the PISA traffic light, turn right and you will see it on your left.

Here's the contact.

Natural Leisure

2-1-25, 2-2-25 & 2-3-25

Tingkat Mahsuri One Square,

11950 Bayan Baru,

Penang

Tel: 04-6412695

GPS Location : N05° 19.718’  E100°  17.059’ (as from their website)

Website: http://myleisure.com.my/

The Book of Understanding: Creating Your Own Path to Freedom

Some people said Osho is 'dangerous'. Well while reading the book The Book of Understanding: Creating Your Own Path to Freedom , I felt it too. Well, I found some of the points are quite interesting and had good laugh. Be open, think and explore. Thanks CL for the sharing.

Book cover image taken from amazon.com

This is a bit over

I know election is coming. But isn't this a bit over? Imagine if you are tourist, what will you think about Malaysia political party?

Bad design - Sign language in tv news

If you visited http://www.baddesigns.com before, this post is similar.

If you watch TV1 news before (by intention or accidentally selected wrong channel), there is a live sign language translation at the bottom right. Many years ago, it used to be quite big, so it was 'see-able' by the deaf I think. Last month, on impulse I tuned to TV1's news and here's a screenshot.

Look at the bottom right corner, that is the space for live sign language. OMG, such a tiny little space, I can barely read what is being shown, can you? Are we expecting the deaf to have 52" TV or cinema screen at home to watch TV news?
* My blog is flooded with unintended comments (Thanks YY for informing me), so I'd disallow comment.

Election flag

Look at the falling flag, isn't it dangerous if it suddenly fall onto the road?

See, they are using just tape and 'single sided knot /'. Whichever party putting the flag, please be considerate. Put it properly, for the sake of safety of the public. Use better string and make it cross rounded so the flag doesn't fall.

* This blog post is written from the view point of public safety. It carries no politic opinion, thus all flag are grey out to avoid mis-understanding.

王菲 致青春

Paya Terubong South Hill

There are many nature treasures in Malaysia. In Paya Terubong, Penang, there are hills and one of them is called South Hill 南山 by local. I have not hike for many years for some reasons. It felt great to get in touch with Penang nature again..

The leaf is used for rice dumpling.

The sun shine on every body.

The flower used for herbs, e.g. in cooking laksa. So it also known as 'laksa flower' in laid man and I don't really know the actual name LOL.

I hope the green can be reserved while the city is being developed. Penang state government, please please please.

If you wish to go, look for Kedai Kopi Nan Shan. Opposite of the kopitiam there is a road, take the first left junction and it will lead you all the way up. Some part is pretty steep. My friend's cousin send us up to certain point so not very tiring for us to get to the rose farm. After that we walked down by ourselves. Walking down is not as tiring as hike up. So I am not sure how long it will take to go up there but I can say it is steeper than Penang Hill tar road hiking trail. A friend been there to the top and says there are many flower farm there. I should go again LOL.

Take a look at this http://www.nelson2go.blogspot.sg/2010/09/cameron-highland-of-penang.html, stunning view at the top of the hill.

The best egg tart ever

The bestegg tart I've ever had. Look at the second picture, the egg paste stick to the skin so well. And the skin, it is soft but not crumb when bite, 即酥却又有嚼劲 :) Too bad this is home made, can't buy elsewhere. I sure want to learn if the baker want to teach.

Thanks SH for the egg tarts. It enlightened my moody day.

Upgrading a Visual Studio 2008 solution to 2010

God bless me...

'o' Maxis data access

The red highlighted is the 3G signal level in my hometown few weeks ago. I was :o when I see this symbol also haha.

I asked Maxis what does the 'o' mean. The customer service officer just said give them a call at the actual location when this happen. They will refresh 'something' and it should works then. Keep my finger crossed.

A reason for you to feel good and happy today

Down, stressed, sad...? At least your can read my blog post and anything you want to look at, the blind can't. So be happy :)

Happy CNY 2013 :)

The Piano Guys Love Story meets Viva la Vida

An interesting 'meet up'. Enjoy :)

人生其实很简单

在我童年的时候，坐在屋前看着雨水沿着屋檐落下，雨水打在水波上掀起的涟漪，童年就是那么简单。
看着玻璃锅里沸腾的食物，似乎回到童年。人生其实很简单 :)

Little things

Thanks to SH and SS the lovely couple, for always prepared a snack bite when we meet near break time :)

Smith chart

When I was tidy up the closet many days ago, I found this piece of chart. This is a Smith chart.
I stared at it for few minutes and my mind was blank. Oh my God, I used to know how to use it to solve radio frequency problem. I wiki on Smith Chart and the terms are so familiar but yet so far. My dear reader, how many percent of your text book knowledge have you returned to your lecturer? ;)

Larva

I watched this a couple of times and I still find it funny and entertaining. Hope you like it. Have a good day :)

Keep trying

No matter what it is, we should always keep trying. One need to stand up again after fell, or he/she will  just always sit there.

Post?

In this e-world, do you still send letters/cards/postcards by ground post? I still do sometimes, when travel or during special occasions. So do some of my friends. I usually keep those but some were lost when I was moving I think. Here are few I managed to keep and some of them were handmade. The wishes/message when I was abroad or in local do keep me warmed :) Thanks to all my friends.