Posts (page 3)

This is a test post to see if I can blog by sending this email.

What's the best way to get on your good side?
Submitted by Manon-It-All.

For total strangers, they should say something like, "I love your blog." That totally swells my unnecessarily huge ego because it means 1) They know who I am  2) They read my blog  3) Presumably they do like my blog or at least want to please me enough to say it.

Real fact: I've met partners at work who have actually asked if I am the 'Vanessa Tan from vantan.org'. [sorry, most people don't read my Vox blog I think!]

Generally I like people who are great conversationalists and have a wide knowledge on many issues. They must be sincere and not try to be fake and politically correct. That makes me feel like I can't trust the person. The person doen't have to agree with me on all issues (that would make me suspicious) but must have valid points of view. I won't accept arguments like "Just because."

After our first encounter, they must continue to stay in touch and not pop up whenever they want me to buy insurance from them. I don't like feeling 'used' by friends. A sense of humour is always welcomed. If it's a guy, talking geek stuff and football is a plus.

Perhaps it's easier to talk about how NOT to get on my bad side.

1. Trying to brag or lecture me on certain topics when I actually know more than the 'lecturer'. In time usually they come to realise it. E.g. a guy who's never done web design before, tried to lecture me on web design when I had just finished a two-year stint as the sole designer for regional Volkswagen and Audi websites.
   
2. Being uncommunicative or saying things really vaguely, like grunting, causing confusion within teams. In my old band we had a member who did not communicate when he was ready to start playing, so we would just wait for him to get ready indefinitely. When we did go ahead and started playing a song, he scolded us.
   
3. Dissing other people's cultures and showing a total lack of understanding and interest in other people. We've had lunch plans quashed by fuddy-duddies who, without having even tried a new type of food from a different culture, immediately assume the food will be bad. Usually it's quite the opposite.
   
4. Preaching to me that I should be going back to doing web design when I've actually moved on to project management. Especially bad - expecting that I can still do freelance web design, and at a dirt cheap price.
5. Dismissing things as 'lousy' when that is not the case. Especially if I had just announced that I'm really into that trend or product or service. It's just plain rude. Surely if I had chosen something I'd have my own reasons and they should respect that. They can voice opposing views but shouldn't be rude about it.
   
6. Having perpetual BO and not doing anything about it - armpits, breath, crotch, hair, clothes, whatever. I also don't hang around people who smoke because that shortens my life span and causes a stink.
7. Having chauvinistic views. I still hear comments like "Women are useless for..." and "Women have no strength to do this..." when it is not always the case.
   
8. Being very stuck-up. That actually makes me feel the person is insecure and could also in future attempt to put me down to make himself feel superior.
   

What's the most famous movie you've never seen? 
Submitted by Mike.

Titanic.

Don't scream.

Okay, I watched the trailers and the last few minutes when Leonardo sinks into the waters (that was a good part!). That's all I've seen of the Titanic. The tip of the iceberg, really.

Just felt like changing this Vox blog's look. Since I enjoy the occasional glass of fine wine, I decided to reflect this on my Vox blog.

I think I'll use this Vox blog to write about much lighter things. Nothing too frivolous but I don't intend this blog to get as geeky as my main one at vantan.org.

I think the user interface here at Vox is better than Movable Type's, but then again Vox is catering to the general user and not the geek.

What do you do to ensure you get a good night's sleep?
Submitted by Jacob's Ladder.

Don't go to sleep angry.

And, say a prayer.

How do you pass the time during a flight?  What do you bring in your carry-on?

Be it a business trip or family vacation, I'll always have my iPod with me.

And being Singaporean, we tend to fly Singapore Airlines which has lots of in-flight entertainment (movies, radio channels, CD albums), real-time news and games. It seldom gets boring. When there's really nothing else to do, I'll just sleep!

What's in my carry-on? Usually I'd bring a small backpack that I can tuck under the seat, so I don't have to retrieve it from the overhead compartment later on. I will usually bring a good book to read. It'll be something new that I haven't read before. I may also be reading a magazine picked up from the airport bookshop. Some geek / gadget / technology / politics mag.

I'll probably pack my Moleskine in case I feel like ditching my PDA phone for some old-fashioned scribbling. I may have a sweater inside my bag, as well as some vitamins and moisturizer.

What's your favorite music for a Sunday morning?
Submitted by Nick.

I would say something by Diana Krall. Goes well especially with hot coffee and the morning papers :)

I've been asked to sing for a company Christmas event. Not sure about it. Was inclined to give it a shot despite the late notice - i need time to practise! And we haven't even decided what to sing yet.

But my parents warned me not to do it. My mother expressly forbids me to sing. She says if I do this too often, people will only remember me for my singing and not for my work. I don't want that to happen, so if that is the case I won't sing. Of course, I do hope that by now, people will see me for who I am and not just remember me for 5 minutes on stage every half a year.

But one one hand we keep on saying we need more staff. Then the next thing people see is me taking part in these activities. Wouldn't that sound inconsistent? Fun as it may be to sing on stage once more...

What's the worst pickup line you've ever heard?
Submitted by ShellEy.

"I've had 80 girlfriends before."

Yes, that's what the first guy who ever asked me out, said to me. I decided that we should remain just friends after that.

What's the most drastic change you've ever made to your appearance?
Submitted by Laurie.

Hmm. I guess it was when I cut off most of my hair and ended up with something that looked like a crew-cut. That was when I was in university, far far away from home. Felt like such a rebel. Yeah, right.