new phone

It's about time I upgraded my phone. Not because I don't like it anymore..I don't think I'll be sick of the awesome black/gold combination! But unfortunately one drop too many has caused the speaker to become filled with static sometimes, making it hard to call my many many girlfriends (har har).

I have a few choices to make. The first thing I decided: I do not want an iphone. Yes you apple lovers, don't even bother! I actually do like the iphone itself; it has nice apps, runs okay, but it's everywhere and I hate that. Plus, Android is open source, making it more customizable than iphones (without jailbreaking it). Therefore, no iphone.

A few weeks ago, my workmate Steven told me about the Motorola Atrix (above). I was a bit skeptical, as Motorola isn't generally well known for good phones. However, the reviews look good and the hardware is impressive. It's the next generation phone, dual core (which means it's faster and will help battery usage decrease), graphics card/chip, nice resolution screen, next G enabled etc. It's basically a mini-computer. It ships in early March, but costs $900 outright as it won't be available here for awhile.

Another alternative, but by no means cheaper, is the Google Nexus S (above). Pretty much the Samsung Galaxy (it's also made by Samsung hardware), but with a few slight difference in software. It gets constant updates from Google, and it starts off with the new Andrew OS, Gingerbread. It's around $800.

But while looking at these two, I'm not sure if I want to spend so much on a phone. I have the funds, but will it really make a difference? I don't want to come off as one of those people who NEED the best (though I do like it =]) and often when I have given into that feeling, I've often regretted it.

So I might look into some other cheaper options. And I need to start looking for a better plan too.

Suggestions are welcomed.

teoh,

jump the sinking boat

I've been really frustrated with work the past few weeks. The call center management is just becoming less and less respectful and caring towards it's staff. Maybe I don't see the full picture, working only part time, but from what I hear, it's worst during the day.

I won't go into too much detail here, I've already vented enough. In actual fact, it's pretty much the same for me in terms of working conditions. But somehow, it makes me really tired and sad to think about how bad the workplace has become.

if you don't look after us, then why should we care about you?

teoh,

to the mysterious ACT.

So after much celebrating, I went to Canberra for a few days of chilling with my friends. It was really good to see Sarah, Ellen and Gen again.

I've never been to Canberra (or was too little to remember any of it), and it was a pretty chilled four days there. Just like Adelaide, it's not as boring as people make it to be. It's just not the huge place Melbourne is.

Ellen was a pretty good guide, despite not being use to driving around (everything is so close, everyone bikes about). We went to Black Mountain (a lookout), Na

tional Zoo/Aquarium, the National Gallery, Parliament House and a quick look at the War Memorial.

I actually quite enjoyed Parliament House, imagining all the powerful politicians that walked the same corridors that I did. We also swam in a local river, which was so nice. Brought back memories of the waterhole back in New Zealand. Other times, we just chilled out. It was blistering hot, except for the last night in which we ran through a storm.

I did get introduced to Zambrero, which is basically a Mexican Subway. Choose your filling in a burrito, add salad, guacamole and wrap it all up = yum. Unfortunately, they are not yet in Melbourne (coming soon though) but it's pretty awesome.

Fun times.

Also, this video, despite it being for a commercial, pictures my young dreams of star wars:

teoh,