From Engadget: Pinnacle Video Transfer records video to anything USB 2.0 ... :
[T]he company's upcoming Pinnacle Video Transfer can take an analog video input and record the source to any USB 2.0 storage device, including an iPod. Video is recorded straight to the H.264 format, with user-selectable quality of Good, Better and Best.
So The Boss is on leave today. Yesterday, She gave me instructions to "follow up" (i.e. chase/pressure/stress someone for something) on something with someone else from a different department. A Director, no less.
So I, this lowly management trainee, was tasked with calling a Director and demanding things of him. After two calls (at decent intervals of about 5 hours, mind you), he said he was swamped and couldn't get it by today.
The Boss then told me to continue following up today while She's gone.
I called Him once, at about 11ish, which I thought was a pretty decent hour. He hurriedly said he hadn't looked at it yet, thanked me for reminding him and hung up on me.
3 hours later, an email comes to my Inbox replying everyone involved, saying sorry, but He's been swamped.
1 hour even later, my Big Boss tells me that she's been getting nasty emails from the Director (copied to The Boss and my teammate), and that my team is actually supposed to give Him something before we ask Him for that thing that I've been calling Him for.
A glimpse at the email said that He couldn't believe that the MT called him to chase after He'd sent the email (which I only got after I'd called him), and to have some courtesy to your fellow workers.
I'm screwed on Monday. There go my hopes of getting leave next Friday. Might as well live it up this weekend.
I hate these things, and I hate being tagged to do them, and when I am, I usually ignore them. On the other hand, my boss is on leave today, and I'm kind of bored. So I will begin by quoting Neil Gaiman in 2007 quoting himself in 2005 quoting himself in 2001, just because it seems like a pretty good wish to wish to people that I care about:
So there you go. And now we begin:May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself. And I really still do.
Business: Dive operator
Location: Block B Lot 36, Semporna, Semporna Seafront, Sabah
Website: http://www.scuba-junkie.com
The situation:
Whoren, Anini and I decided at the absolute last minute that we had to get out of Kay Ell for NYE. 2 days later, we'd booked our flights, with Anini having found Scuba Junkie somewhere on the interweb.
The happening:
By the time we arrived in Tawau Airport, we weren't too hopeful, because they'd called that day and tried to confirm that we were arriving 29th January instead of 29th December, and then tried to tell us that Sipadan was fully booked for our dates.
Plus points:
Minus points:
The Verdict: I love Scuba Junkie.
From BBC: Lions devour man at SA game lodge:
Holy crap.A South African man has been killed and eaten by lions at a game lodge where he worked 150km (90 miles) west of Johannesburg, police say.
Samuel Boosen, 36, was attacked after entering the enclosure on Tuesday where an estimated nine lions were kept.
"Only his spine and skull remained," police spokesman Lesego Metsi told the South Africa Press Association.
Terasa.Helicopter parents" who "hyperactively intervene" in the lives of their offspring could damage their children's job prospects, a careers expert says.
Parents are increasingly involved in their children's university and even career choices, Liverpool University's head of careers and employability says.
In a blog for the Guardian website, Dr Redmond describes the five different types of "helicopter parents" that now characterise England's higher education system.
They are:
The Agent Having an Agent helicopter parent is like having Max Clifford working for you round the clock-for free. They operate like a footballer's agent: fixing deals, arranging contracts, smoothing out local difficulties. It's the Agent's job to represent his or her client at events which, for whatever reason, the client feels are simply too tedious to attend.
The Banker Accessible online, face-to-face or via a personal hotline, the Banker is unique in the world of financial services for charging no APR, asking few if any questions, expecting no collateral, and being psychologically inclined to say "yes" no matter how illogical or poorly articulated the request. The Banker is also resigned to never seeing loans repaid.
The White Knight Imbued with an almost semi-mythical status, the White Knight parent appears at little to no notice to resolve awkward situations. Once resolved, the White Knight will fade anonymously into the background. Intervention is accomplished silently and with minimum fuss.
The Bodyguard The primary function of the Bodyguard is to protect the client from a range of embarrassing social situations - such as cancelling appointments and soaking up complaints on behalf of their client. Particularly skilled in constructing elaborate excuses. When not protecting life, limb and reputation, doubles up as a chauffeur and personal assistant.
The Black Hawk Named after the military helicopter, and dreaded by teachers and educational administrators, the Black Hawk is unique among helicopter parents due to their willingness to go to any lengths - legal or illegal - to give their offspring a positional advantage over any competition. Particularly lethal when elected to parent-teacher associations.
Selfish bastard. No regard for the world's economy.The man behind the record rise in oil prices to $100 a barrel was a lone trader, seeking bragging rights and a minute of fame, market watchers say.
A single trader bid up the price by buying a modest lot and then sold it immediately at a loss, they claim.
India best not screw this up.Ford has confirmed that India's Tata Motors will be the likely buyer of its UK-based Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
The US giant said it is now committed to negotiations "at a more detailed level" with Tata over the sale.
Heaven forbid they spend their time solving murders and rapes or anything. Seven people? CSI only needs like three.BATU PAHAT: A seven member forensic team from the federal police headquarters visited a four-star hotel here Thursday to investigate the scene where the sex DVD which featured Health Minister Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek was purportedly filmed.
Yes. That will improve your customer base. Alienate your agents. That's right.PETALING JAYA: Air travellers will have to pay extra when they purchase Malaysia Airlines tickets from travel agents in Malaysia because the national carrier has scrapped commission payment to the agencies under a new marketing plan.
Passengers will have to pay at least 5% of the ticket price but it could be even more if they pay by credit card or the travel agents deliver the ticket.
