Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by bigblackpikachu

Just found out my wife is pregnant, now what?

bigblackpikachu — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 21:40:42 +0800

My wife took a few home pregnancy tests these past few days, all of them came up positive, with the lines getting darker every time. What should I do next, do I just to go to any clinic to confirm?

I read online I should go to KK within the first trimester to open the buku pink in case we want to deliver in GH, but is it ok if we just go to a private clinic closer to our house for now since it’s still really early and to get any advice on supplements, what to avoid, etc? Right now she’s taking folic acid, vitamin D, and fish oil for EPA/DHA. Can’t really ask advice from friends and family for now since we’re not telling anyone just yet.

How soon to follow up after receive a verbal offer

bigblackpikachu — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 15:45:30 +0800

HR called me last friday offering a job, says I should expect an offer letter soon. Haven't received anything till today. I know it's only been a few days and this usually takes some time, so how soon should I call and follow up?

Accepting a new offer, but have a holiday planned

bigblackpikachu — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 16:26:05 +0800

Right now I have a week long trip planned on mid january 2018 (planned this months ago, leave already approved by current employer), but I have an interview on Monday, 6th november 2017. My current company has a 2 month notice period when resigning, which means that if offered the new job, I could start on early January 2018 (after deduct remaining AL). What would be my best option here?

1) Be upfront in the interview about the pre-planned holiday, tell them I can start when I get back from my trip (about 2.5 weeks after my notice period is supposed to end)

2) Tell them in the interview I can start immediately after notice ends, but will have to take a few days leave on that date (probably unpaid)

3) Keep quiet, tell them I can start immediately after my notice ends, then only tell them about the trip after I get hired.

I feel that an extra 2-3 weeks wait isn't that long but the prospective employer might think differently. Don't know how I should approach this in the interview.

ISIS blows up Mosul landmark mosque

bigblackpikachu — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 12:54:01 +0800

So-called Islamic State (IS) has blown up the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul, Iraqi forces say.

The ancient landmark with its famous leaning minaret was where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a "caliphate" in 2014.

However, IS claims that US aircraft destroyed the complex, in a statement issued by its news outlet Amaq.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said blowing up the mosque was "an official declaration of defeat" by IS.

Aerial photos show that the mosque and minaret has been largely destroyed.

The Iraqi commander in charge of the offensive to retake Mosul said troops were within 50 metres of the mosque when IS "committed another historical crime".
A senior US commander in Iraq said IS had destroyed "one of Mosul and Iraq's great treasures".

"This is a crime against the people of Mosul and all of Iraq, and is an example of why this brutal organisation must be annihilated," Maj Gen Joseph Martin said.

The jihadists have destroyed a string of important heritage sites in Iraq and Syria.

The UN has said that IS may be holding more than 100,000 people in Mosul as human shields.

source

The mosque that they blew up

SpaceX to send spacecraft around the moon

bigblackpikachu — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 09:02:39 +0800

http://www.spacex.com/news/2017/02/27/spac...-moon-next-year

We are excited to announce that SpaceX has been approached to fly two private citizens on a trip around the moon late next year. They have already paid a significant deposit to do a moon mission. Like the Apollo astronauts before them, these individuals will travel into space carrying the hopes and dreams of all humankind, driven by the universal human spirit of exploration. We expect to conduct health and fitness tests, as well as begin initial training later this year. Other flight teams have also expressed strong interest and we expect more to follow. Additional information will be released about the flight teams, contingent upon their approval and confirmation of the health and fitness test results.

Most importantly, we would like to thank NASA, without whom this would not be possible. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which provided most of the funding for Dragon 2 development, is a key enabler for this mission. In addition, this will make use of the Falcon Heavy rocket, which was developed with internal SpaceX funding. Falcon Heavy is due to launch its first test flight this summer and, once successful, will be the most powerful vehicle to reach orbit after the Saturn V moon rocket. At 5 million pounds of liftoff thrust, Falcon Heavy is two-thirds the thrust of Saturn V and more than double the thrust of the next largest launch vehicle currently flying.

Later this year, as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, we will launch our Crew Dragon (Dragon Version 2) spacecraft to the International Space Station. This first demonstration mission will be in automatic mode, without people on board. A subsequent mission with crew is expected to fly in the second quarter of 2018. SpaceX is currently contracted to perform an average of four Dragon 2 missions to the ISS per year, three carrying cargo and one carrying crew. By also flying privately crewed missions, which NASA has encouraged, long-term costs to the government decline and more flight reliability history is gained, benefiting both government and private missions.

Once operational Crew Dragon missions are underway for NASA, SpaceX will launch the private mission on a journey to circumnavigate the moon and return to Earth. Lift-off will be from Kennedy Space Center’s historic Pad 39A near Cape Canaveral – the same launch pad used by the Apollo program for its lunar missions. This presents an opportunity for humans to return to deep space for the first time in 45 years and they will travel faster and further into the Solar System than any before them.

Designed from the beginning to carry humans, the Dragon spacecraft already has a long flight heritage. These missions will build upon that heritage, extending it to deep space mission operations, an important milestone as we work towards our ultimate goal of transporting humans to Mars.

Ustaz rempit at it again

bigblackpikachu — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 09:17:09 +0800

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/opinion/...t-women-on-fire

Four people killed in accident at Dreamworld ride

bigblackpikachu — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 17:54:14 +0800

http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland...1c17e5468bbbd47

POLICE are combing CCTV footage available for clues as to what caused the horror crash that killed four people at Dreamworld on Tuesday after a ride “malfunction”.
Queensland Police Inspector Rod Reid said footage will be reviewed during the investigation that is expected to stretch overnight.
The victims are two women aged 42 and 38, and two men aged 35 and 32 and a forensic pathologist and cornor have inspected the scene.

“We will be here for several hours,” he said. “It is a complex retrieval involving heavy equipment that will take several hours.”
The incident occurred on the water-based Thunder River Rapids ride about 2.20pm Queensland time on Tuesday.
Two riders were understood to be trapped by the underwater conveyor belt after the ride in front up-ended and two people were trapped in the raft. Two other riders were able to escape.

Reports suggest two of the victims were brother and sister although this is unconfirmed. It's also thought one of the women had children following eyewitness reports.

Gavin Fuller of Queensland Ambulance said two of the victims were “ejected” after a “malfunction” on the ride, while two others were caught inside.
Theme park staff were trying to help them when paramedics arrived — but Mr Fuller said their injuries were so severe they were “incompatible with life”.

‘PEOPLE HYSTERICALLY CRYING’

Witnesses said they saw a young girl crying who they believed was the daughter of one of the victims.
“We saw people hysterically crying, running around ... One of the daughters said it was her family,” a witness told Sky News.
Another said a woman was seen “hanging by her foot, crushed from the ride.”
Witness Lia Capes said it was “so scary” as they saw a young girl screaming for her mother.

“We saw [a] little girl and we believe it was her mum because it was just her and her little sister that was an infant.”
“We tried to comfort her to the side to distract her.”
She also said: “I was speaking to one of the guys and he said it was the raft or the boat thing in front of him, the whole thing flipped and everyone was screaming.”
A male witness said“there were kids on board screaming while their mum was trapped under”.

The scene was so traumatic paramedics would be offered counselling. Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families involved and their loved ones.”
The company also issued a statement ssaying it was working with police to establish the facts.
“Dreamworld’s focus and priority is with the families of those involved in this tragedy and will be providing an update to the public as soon as information becomes available.”

The park will remain closed on Wednesday and Ardent Leisure - the owner of Dreamworld - saw its share price plunge following the incident.

http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland...1c17e5468bbbd47

Sadiq Khan elected as London Mayor

bigblackpikachu — Sat, 07 May 2016 08:18:09 +0800

Sadiq Khan has been confirmed as the new Mayor of London, beating the Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith into second place.

The Labour candidate had to wait six hours after the result had become clear because of what were described as "discrepancies".

But shortly after midnight the returning officer confirmed the former Labour frontbencher as the winner on the second round of voting.

He received a total of 1,310,143 votes - 57% of the total - compared to Zac Goldsmith's 994,614.

After Mr Khan took the podium, he said: "Thank you London. London is the greatest city in the world. I am so proud of our city. I am deeply humbled by the hope and trust you have placed in me today.

"I want every single Londoner to get the opportunities that our city gave to me and my family. The opportunities, not just to survive but to thrive."

Mr Goldsmith, who was earlier criticised for his campaign which repeatedly referenced Mr Khan sharing a platform with so-called Islamic extremists, congratulated his opponent.

Mr Khan did not mention Mr Goldsmith by name in his acceptance speech, but did make mention of negative campaigning - which some Tories have described as "dog whistle" tactics.

The new London mayor said: "This election was not without controversy and I am so proud that London has today chosen hope over fear and unity over division.

"I hope that we will never be offered such a stark choice again.

"Fear doesn't make us safer, it only makes us weaker, and the politics of fear is simply not welcome in our city."

It came as Britain First candidate Paul Golding turned his back as Mr Khan spoke onstage after the declaration of results.

Mr Khan was also congratulated by his predecessor Boris Johnson, who had earlier thanked the capital for his eight years in office.

Sky's Adam Boulton said that voters in Mr Khan's constituency Tooting may now go to the polls in a by-election on 23 June and Sky's Political Editor Faisal Islam described his victory as a "landslide" and "the biggest ever personal mandate for British politician".

Earlier, after his victory became clear, Mr Khan received congratulations from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who had otherwise had a difficult day, with the party slumping to third place in the Scottish Parliament elections.

Mr Corbyn tweeted: "Can't wait to work with you to create a London that is fair for all! #YesWeKhan.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell also posted on Twitter, saying: "Well done to Sadiq & all our GLA candidates & campaigners.You've done our party proud & rounded off good 24 hours,confounding the doomsayers."

Mr Khan was the bookmakers' favourite to win the mayoral race.

He is the son of a Pakistani bus driver who grew up on a council estate.

He has been the MP for Tooting since 2005, and has held the posts of transport minister, shadow justice secretary and shadow minister for London.

His campaign focused largely on transport and providing affordable housing for Londoners.

sos: http://news.sky.com/story/1691893/sadiq-kh...mayor-of-london

Robbers hand kena potong

bigblackpikachu — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 17:54:24 +0800

KULIM: A robber had his hand chopped off after he failed to make away with money from the cash register at a convenience store here last night. In the 7.45pm incident at Jalan Kelang Lama, the robber and his accomplice had held a mother-son shopkeeper at the till with a knife. According to police sources, the 35-year-old son then whipped out a parang from behind the counter and attacked the men.

A scuffle then ensued, leaving one of the robber's hand severed. A robber had his hand chopped off after he failed to make away with money from the cash register at a convenience store in Kulim, Kedah. Pix courtesy of NST reader The two robbers then sped off on a motorcycle, leaving behind the severed left hand.

Kulim district police chief Superintendent Abdullah Arshad said the robbers then rode off some 60km to the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani for treatment. "After the injured man was admitted, we managed to nab him but his accomplice, in his 20s, fled the scene.

"The shopkeeper had kept a parang at the back of the counter as a self defence measure." he said when contacted. The case will be investigated for armed gang robbery with attempt to cause grievous hurt or death. 65

http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/02/125783/...ers-hand-parang

Is it acceptable to wear office attire

bigblackpikachu — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 18:03:13 +0800

Tonight I'm attending a wedding dinner at hotel, planning to go straight after work since friday no chance to get home and rush to the hotel on time. But I left my batik shirt at home, yesterday already iron want to bring and leave in the car, today lupa pulak. Is it acceptable if I straight go there from work wearing office attire?

Any idea what snake is this?

bigblackpikachu — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 22:00:27 +0800

Found and killed this snake in my house earlier, any idea what kind of snake this is?

NO MUSLIMS IN MY HOUSE

bigblackpikachu — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 17:09:59 +0800

KUALA LUMPUR: Netizens today were up in arms over an apparently discriminatory message against Muslims by a guesthouse in Malacca. The nasty message prompted short-term accommodation site Airbnb to remind property owners to not discriminate against patrons based on their religion. The incident began when a user from Brunei Darussalam, Dinie Hamizan, allegedly sent a query about payment and directions to reach the Raymonds Boutique Travellers Home in Malacca.

However, Dinie claimed his query was met by a shocking reply by the guesthouse's online representative. "I was asking him politely regarding his guesthouse and shockingly, the first reply from him was 'NO MUSLIM IN MY HOUSE'," wrote Dinie in a complaint to Airbnb on their Facebook page. Dinie said he wished that the owner had been more polite, adding that he did not expect such a rude encounter at his first try using Airbnb. Dinie posted a screenshot of the online exchange between him and the guesthouse owner, in which one of the messages read, "... find a Muslim home dont disturb our homes... People are afraid of you." The screen capture shared by Airbnb first-time user, Dinie Hamizan from Brunei sparked a heated discussion among netizens today.

Pix courtesy of Dinie Hamizan’s Facebook Page Airbnb promptly responded to Hamizan's posting, citing that the site does not tolerate discrimination of any kind. The company also requested more details on the incident. The response ended with a link suggestion for Hamizan to check the site's policy against discrimination. Airbnb's anti-discrimination policy cites that the site observes laws preventing discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation or age.

sos : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/12/117559/...-discriminatory

Best excuse for MC

bigblackpikachu — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 22:18:43 +0800

I'm too lazy to go to work tomorrow, rather sit at home watch JAV and browse /k but dont want to waste AL. Whats the best excuse for MC? Obviously cirit birit or headache is easiest but dont know how to convince doctor.

I have a carton of expired milk in the fridge, seriously considering drinking it just to give myself diarrhea so can MC.