Grubbs n Critters

September 16, 2012

Death of my Galaxy

Category: Random

My stupid Samsung Galaxy S smart phone completely died on me recently.

I have only had it for 9 months, but the damn thing started showing signs of being a pain in the ass when it hit 6 months of usage. By that, I mean that the phone kept on hanging even though I updated the firmware regularly, it switched off by itself for no reason at all, and it has the most annoying touch screen in the world!

I never really liked it very much to be honest. I chose the model at that time simply because I was in need of a phone, it was the only model that was compatible with my service provider, and the fact that I flatly refused to get an iPhone or a Blackberry.

I hated the size and most of all, I hated the touch pad – it was mostly extremely sensitive and other times, unresponsive. (Bizarre, I know!). Towards the end of its life, the touch screen froze completely and I cannot even tap my code to unlock it while I was out and about. I could hear messages beeping through, and phone calls coming in, but there was nothing I could do to retrieve the messages or the calls because my touch screen could no longer respond to my fingers. How bloody annoying is that!

So there and then I had the phone checked-up at the nearest retail outlet (not the most convenient detour, considering that I had wanted to rush home to feed my baby!), and was told that the touch screen had malfunctioned. I needed to send it for some repair work which could take up to a week. WTF.

I hate having to buy a new phone, and buying one was certainly not part of my agenda that day. Unfortunately, that was exactly what I had to do. I have had it with the darn Samsung, and within half an hour (10 minutes to decide what I want, another 20 minutes of waiting), I walked out of the store with this:

Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray

While I had picked out a HTC Desire V initially, I settled for this simply because it was on promotion. For the amount of money I paid, I get a free casing (not the prettiest, but averagely decent), two plastic protectors for the touch screen as well as an earphone. It was half the price of what I had paid for Samsung Galaxy S which was not inclusive of the necessary accessories, such as the plastic protectors and casings were, and still are, sold separately.

It was a good buy, and after an hour of using it, I knew I made the right choice. I like the size – slim, handy and fit in my palm, the screen resolution is fabulous, the touch pad is (mostly) precise and not as sensitive as Samsung Galaxy S. The interface feels smooth and responsive, and most important of all, I can unlock my phone seamlessly to do whatever I need to do with it.

This time round, I actually DO like my choice. I’m a simple person and I need only simple things to simplify my already complicated life!

I am a true Sony Ericsson babe.

Cats in the Cradle

Category: Entertainment

When I wrote about “Making Time” the other day, I was reminded of a moment in the car when Silver Bullet had this song blasting in his stereo not too long ago whilst we were driving. We casually talked about when we first had heard this song, how much we liked it, how beautiful this song was, and then realising that it is actually quite a sad song.

Silver Bullet then mentioned how this song makes him want to be a good father to his kids. How heart-warming is that!

Cats in the Cradle was originally sang by Harry Chapin (1974), and was later covered by Ugly Kid Joe (1993).

I recently looked up the lyrics again, and as I read each verse, I felt the tug in my heart-strings:

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin’ ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew
He’d say “I’m gonna be like you dad
You know I’m gonna be like you”

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home dad?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, “Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let’s play
Can you teach me to throw”, I said “Not today
I got a lot to do”, he said, “That’s ok”
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m gonna be like him”

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home son?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”
He shook his head and said with a smile
“What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?”

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home son?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”
He said, “I’d love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job’s a hassle and kids have the flu
But it’s sure nice talking to you, Dad
It’s been sure nice talking to you”

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He’d grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home son?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then

And here is the video for your viewing pleasure.

Therapy

Category: Food

Rough day. I was stressed and needed some therapy. So, when the kids were asleep, I immediately headed out to the kitchen and made….

…..this

Variation of my Banana Bread recipe in paper cups waiting to be baked

….this

Long beans and tofu fried in sambal

…and this.

Beef in Black Sauce

All in a day’s worth of being a temporary home-maker. It makes my husband a very happy man. Well…sort of. (He did not like the tofu in his vegetable dish!)

And this post was a week overdue.