I guess this will be a boring unillustrated post. Just yesterday, I was about to do one of my special habits, sending in my contest entries at the last minute, and this time its for Foldees. Well, its too bad really since I usually get ideas at the very last minute. So on Saturday I was sketching out my idea, that I obtained during the late evening. Its probably not a winner, but there's no harm creating more cards for my portfolio. By 5am, I said, no, I don't think I can make it, since I was already burnt out and sleepy, and besides I was supposed to visit my FIL and MIL's grave before Ramadhan. I decided to give up then and there and hit the sack.
The next morning, due to both of us waking up slightly later than intended, and some other circumstances, I had the chance to stay home and continue with the Foldees entry. I fired up my PC and started to continue doing my entry. And surprisingly, I was moving quite fast and I was positive that I can make it before 4 PM. Unfortunately, just before 3PM, a storm was brewing in the background. Thunder was roaring at the back, practically saying "Bow down before me and shut off your Internet and PC!". It was an "oh shit" moment for me, and only 1 hour to go, I just had to do the center of the card, which was meant to be simple anyway. I took out the phone cable from the modem, just to be safe.
Choul was warning me that the lightnings were starting to be more frequent. I was about to transfer the files to my laptop but I wanted to do a quick drawing of the leg on my big monitor since its easier. As soon as I did that, I went to the laptop and grabbed the file from my PC so that I can continue on the laptop. Halfway thru the file transfer, a thunderous pop was heard, accompanied with the sound of broken pieces hitting the floor. Yup, something definitely exploded. The house instantly went into blackout. And there was definitely a scent of something burnt in my room. Thats it, no more Foldees for me. It was divine intervention that instantly forced me to quit entering this contest.
Upon observing my PC desk, I was thankful to know that it wasn't my PC, monitor, tv or xbox that exploded. It wasn't my voltage regulator either, as I would have thought that would explode in a power surge. It wasn't my Astro decoder either since I always unplug my Astro when not using. It was the telephone line box (no idea what its called) and my ADSL modem filter. Both had a big burn mark accompanied by pieces of burnt plastic. Never have I experienced this type of lightning mayhem. All this for a late entry of Foldees. I wonder if thats a sign that maybe I should stop trying heheh.
After the power was on again, I found out that my PC was not fully safe. Somehow the electric shock on the telephone box, which was just behind my pc, caused a USB port to die on my PC. My monitor's built in card reader, 4 port USB hub died as well. My monitor's DVI port is wacko too, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. Its sad, really, since I use the hub and card reader on a daily basis. Around the house, I find that my mom's room had the worst attack, as the cables caught fire at the back of her TV system. There's a spot of burn mark on the floor. Alhamdulillah, the curtains weren't nearby. I shudder to think what would happen if there was. My bro's Astro decoder, home theatre set and TV were all victims, and this was WITH a lightning arrester. Apparently, it struck the Astro dish AND the telephone line.
The only highlight of the day (or night) was watching District 9, which couldn't be avoided since we've bought the tickets earlier online. Its a great action movie, very unique, captured like a documentary, slightly Cloverfield-ish. It doesn't have bells and whistles like all the other Hollywood blockbusters but I truly enjoyed it, especially when reaching the end of the movie. Its really something different. If you enjoy movies with aliens and/or action and/or sci-fi then watch it. Recommended at 8/10. Kudos to Peter Jackson.
The next morning, due to both of us waking up slightly later than intended, and some other circumstances, I had the chance to stay home and continue with the Foldees entry. I fired up my PC and started to continue doing my entry. And surprisingly, I was moving quite fast and I was positive that I can make it before 4 PM. Unfortunately, just before 3PM, a storm was brewing in the background. Thunder was roaring at the back, practically saying "Bow down before me and shut off your Internet and PC!". It was an "oh shit" moment for me, and only 1 hour to go, I just had to do the center of the card, which was meant to be simple anyway. I took out the phone cable from the modem, just to be safe.
Choul was warning me that the lightnings were starting to be more frequent. I was about to transfer the files to my laptop but I wanted to do a quick drawing of the leg on my big monitor since its easier. As soon as I did that, I went to the laptop and grabbed the file from my PC so that I can continue on the laptop. Halfway thru the file transfer, a thunderous pop was heard, accompanied with the sound of broken pieces hitting the floor. Yup, something definitely exploded. The house instantly went into blackout. And there was definitely a scent of something burnt in my room. Thats it, no more Foldees for me. It was divine intervention that instantly forced me to quit entering this contest.
Upon observing my PC desk, I was thankful to know that it wasn't my PC, monitor, tv or xbox that exploded. It wasn't my voltage regulator either, as I would have thought that would explode in a power surge. It wasn't my Astro decoder either since I always unplug my Astro when not using. It was the telephone line box (no idea what its called) and my ADSL modem filter. Both had a big burn mark accompanied by pieces of burnt plastic. Never have I experienced this type of lightning mayhem. All this for a late entry of Foldees. I wonder if thats a sign that maybe I should stop trying heheh.
After the power was on again, I found out that my PC was not fully safe. Somehow the electric shock on the telephone box, which was just behind my pc, caused a USB port to die on my PC. My monitor's built in card reader, 4 port USB hub died as well. My monitor's DVI port is wacko too, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. Its sad, really, since I use the hub and card reader on a daily basis. Around the house, I find that my mom's room had the worst attack, as the cables caught fire at the back of her TV system. There's a spot of burn mark on the floor. Alhamdulillah, the curtains weren't nearby. I shudder to think what would happen if there was. My bro's Astro decoder, home theatre set and TV were all victims, and this was WITH a lightning arrester. Apparently, it struck the Astro dish AND the telephone line.
The only highlight of the day (or night) was watching District 9, which couldn't be avoided since we've bought the tickets earlier online. Its a great action movie, very unique, captured like a documentary, slightly Cloverfield-ish. It doesn't have bells and whistles like all the other Hollywood blockbusters but I truly enjoyed it, especially when reaching the end of the movie. Its really something different. If you enjoy movies with aliens and/or action and/or sci-fi then watch it. Recommended at 8/10. Kudos to Peter Jackson.
Anyway, I'll end my pose with a totally random road safety ad I watched while waiting to claim the movie tix. Its funny yet serious. An interesting combination.
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