Changing A New Webhost


I have enough of my current webhost. First of all, I will not trust a webhost who does not update their web certificates. Can you imagine the surprise I got when I tried to login to my cPanel and realised that my browser prompted me to stay away from the website because its security certificate is "untrusted".

Secondly, it has a lot of downtimes lately. It's very frustrating to try and connect to my ftp, only to realise that the server is down again.

Thirdly, they are just ripping me off for two freaking years. I've checked and compared their prices with other local webhosts, as well as international webhosts, and seriously, what my current webhost is offering is just way too measly for what they are charging.

So that's it. I have enough of them. Before the next payment cycle is here, I better change my webhost. I'm currently actively looking out for a local one, so if you guys have any recommendations, do let me know yeah? Thanks!

Recently I've fallen in love (again!) with another Mando Pop duet, "需要你的愛" by F.I.R and 阿信. For some reason, this song got stuck in my head when I was playing it at KBox Karaoke two months back. I didn't really listen to it again until I heard it over the radio a few days ago. I managed to get my hands on the song and it has been on my playlist since. The song's MTV is very typical F.I.R-style: story involving a loving couple who always happened to be street thugs/conmen, and it will always have a tragic ending. Haha.

I guess what draws me to this song is 阿信's unique way of singing pop with an element of "rock". It's quite refreshing after hearing all the typical male singers singing so soulfully in love duets. I'm currently "practising" this song as well, but I'm having quite a hard time coz Faye's notes were all so high! I kept going slightly off-key on the high notes that I'm getting a little frustrated. XD Reko told me to do those vocal warm ups more and of course, practise more. I know that, but it just frustrates me that I can't grasp the technique on the first few tries. >_>

Okay, off to practise more! I wanna be able to sing this confidently at karaoke sessions, dammit.

- rambled by Arell on 18 January 2009, 00:03

I am Ecstatic Because...


... my dearie will be coming back to SG later, eta 4.40pm! =D After that, it's time to really sit down and start planning the two Finland trips that we are going this year. Better book early, especially for the Christmas trip, because it'll surely be fully booked fast in advance!

- rambled by Arell on 04 January 2009, 00:23

Happy New Year 2009


First day of year 2009.

Hmm. Nothing interesting to talk about though. Haha! I was at home last evening, watching the Live Taipei Countdown show which had started from 7pm and it lasted all the way till 1am. But of course, the moment I was waiting for was Jam's performance. XD I nearly screamed like a fan when he came on stage. =X My mom, who was watching with me, had praised his vocals and was amazed when I told her Jam was only 21 years old. She said in that case, then his vocals will be even more amazing in the next ten, twenty years to come. Yeah!

No resolutions for me, as usual, since I don't stick to them at all. Perhaps the only resolution I wanna make is to stop splurging on branded IT gadgets. I need to save up more money... so that I could send all the Christmas cards to my friends from Santa Claus Village this '09 Christmas! =D The trip is still under planning, so that's all I'm gonna say for now! Once the details are settled and airtickets are booked, I'll update about the trip more here.

For 2009, I only wish happiness for my family, as well as Reko and his family. And of course, for all my friends and their families as well. And and, my idols too! XD And hopefully, my work will continue to be smooth sailing in this new year.

Oh yeah, after subscribing to the National Geographic magazine, I really got tired with their tardy delivery times, so I've ended that subscription, and now I'm subscribed to The Discovery Channel Magazine! I find the articles in DCM to be more attention-grabbing and insightful. They even have small, interesting statistics printed on the pages. For example, they have this little piece of fact on Page 15 of Issue 6: 868 years: The time a series of stained-glass windows have survived in Augsburg Cathedral, Germany. =D Also, the articles are never too lengthy, which may turn off a reader. Their "long" articles are 4 pages, max, which is just nice to keep the reader going. National Geo mags, on the other hand, sometimes had such a long article that spanned over 8 pages... That's just too much for me, especially when the subject is dry and boring. So, for now, DCM has my vote!

It's funny how I kept listening to '同一個遺憾' by 潘緯柏 and 紀佳松 (the song is on 'Repeat One' status on my iPod Touch for a few days already), and I'm still not tired of it. It's a little like my craze for Jam's songs last month...

Anyway, happy new year to all of you, and may your resolutions come true.

I'll go on World of Warcraft to play my priest now. XD

- rambled by Arell on 01 January 2009, 12:31