aku88's Xanga

10 Words Used Incorrectly on a Daily Basis

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:48:04 GMT

As I am want to do on a weekday night, I was reading up on a few top ten list with a historical inclination yesterday when I suddenly felt like writing my own lists.

So to officially start off my first list, here's one which should be no surprise to anyone who knows me: A list on the improper use of certain words.

Inflammable

People think it means: Something which will not burst into flames
Acutually means: Inflammable actually means flammable. An item which is nonflammable is something that does not burst into flames, ergo causing you millions in damages.

To quote Doctor Nick Riviera: Inflammable means flammable? What a country!

Ironic

People think it means: A coincidental happening
Actually means: An outcome of events contrary to was expected. Really, I hear the words 'ironic' and even 'random' being thrown around way too much nowadays; as if they were 'stem-cell words', capable of differentiating into variable meanings.

Irregardless

People think it means: Regardless
Acutually means: Nothing. The confusion stems from the usage of words like irrespective and irresponsible, but regardless already has the -less at the end to bring forth the meaning 'not worth regarding'. As such, Irregardless is actually a non-standard word and one you won't find in the dictionary; yet it is commonly used by people everywhere.

Nonplussed

People think it means: Not worried, indifferent
Actually means: Utterly perplexed. It would seem that the misunderstanding started when people started guessing what it meant based on how it sounds within the context of a sentence.

Bemused

People think it means: Slightly amused
Actually means: Confused. Honestly, the word itself is to be blamed here as it really does sound like someone is only marginally amused when you say "He seems bemused".

Penultimate

People think it means: One step above ultimate.
Actually means: Next to last. A penult is the second to last syllable in a word. Imagine the confusion caused when you read a review wherein the reviewer has nothing but good things to say about the reviewed item and suddenly says something along the lines of "It is the penultimate technological gadget".

Plethora

People think it means: A lot of something.
Actually means: This might be splitting hairs a bit but it doesn't just mean a large quantity. A plethora of something means an excess or overabundance.

Farther / Further

People think it means: The same thing
Actually means: Farther conveys advancement in distance whereas further denotes an advancement to a greater degree. For example: The farther I travel down the road, the further behind schedule I'll be.

Exempli gratia / Id est (e.g. and i.e.)

People think it means: The same thing, which is: for example
Actually means: e.g. means for example. However, i.e. basically means 'which is to say' or 'in other words'.

"His heart sunk as he read his results slip; i.e. he was devastated."

Atheist / Agnostic

People think it means: Not believing in the existence of a God
Actually means: An atheist doesn't believe in the existance of a God. An agnostic isn't someone who necessarily does not believe in God, but one who believes that there is no way, or no means of knowledge, to prove the existence of God.

Kuhanesh

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:08:49 GMT

I realize I'm a day late but nevertheless, Happy Halloween!

Kuhanesh

A Video for All Malaysians

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:32:29 GMT

Greetings! Last week, my Moral Studies groupmates and I set out to make a video depicting what Malaysian drivers are like and here's what we came up with!

A big thank you to Yih Ren, Pam, Wei Cheng, Eunice and Li Teng for all their efforts in making our little video possible. I hope you all enjoy watching it!

As an additional note, the intro sequence and all editing was done with Adobe After Effects CS4 while the sound editing and mixing was done with Sony Vegas 9.

Kuhanesh

Gadget-y Air Brush

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:15:10 GMT

Here's a little quickie. I was pretty bored as I awaited the start of the cheerleading competition on Friday so I was just messing around with my iPod and ended up using my sketch app to make this.

I realize it's pretty dumb but I honestly have no idea how to paint/airbrush/etc. Plus it was my first time using the application since I just downloaded it. Drawing is pretty tough when you don't have any proper tactile feedback.

Why, some of you may ask, did I not study instead of wasting my time making a lousy picture? Well, it was a Friday! I can't study on Fridays.

Also on Saturday and Sunday.

Kuhanesh

Promo Video

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:23:49 GMT

Since I'm bored, I figured I'd just upload this for fun. The different ministries of IMU CF was asked to give a short talk on their, well, ministries during CF and I thought I'd just make a random video before I gave my talk on Worship Leading.

Just remember that this is a rush job and made for no real reason other than the fact that I just felt like doing it. Which probably explains why it's kind of wonky.

Yeah... I think that speaks for itself. Eek?

Kuhanesh

Sketchy

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:53:16 GMT

I was a little bored while studying today so I thought I'd draw a little in between studying the lecture notes. This is my first time drawing using only a pen so go easy on the harsh criticism; I was unable to erase any mistakes I might have made.

I just might take some time to photoshop in some colours to this if I have the time.

Kuhanesh

Basic Sound Editing

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:28:53 GMT

While teaching myself some basic video editing, I've come to realise that it would all be for nought if I didn't have some good audio to go with it. Thus, I'm now also trying to teaching myself some basic audio editing and sound mixing.

To begin with, I got a few sound effects (ie. Drum beats, reverse cymbals, extra bass pedal sounds, etc.) and created a very smiple mix to practice my abilities and sound mixing. Here's what I came up with!

Yeah, it's really short, but you get the idea. I was trying to get a sort of build-up vibe which I think could be used in some movie trailer for an action movie.

Back to the drawing board!

Kuhanesh

Basic Video Editing

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:47:23 GMT

I've decided to teach myself some basic video editing. So here's my first attempt at some simple compositing.

This is the original footage, with the green screen and what not.

Also, here's the image I'll be using:

It's just some random hallway.

Anyway, here's what I came up with. I just composited the green screen dude over the image. I then added some camera shake effects, the explosion plus a little slow motion when he starts falling down. I also tried to add a little lighting so you can see the hall get progressively brighter as the fire gets closer.

I am aware that the speed of the flames at the end is a little weird; I was just a little too lazy to fix it although I'll probably do it tomorrow and try to smoothen out all the rought spots. I know it's pretty lousy but hey! It's my first try! Hopefully I can do something a little more professional in the future.

Kuhanesh

Lo! Behold! I'm not dead! ... yet.

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:24:24 GMT

Forsooth! Contrary to popular belief, I am, in fact, still alive and not lying motionless under a bridge near the coast. Why any of you would even think that in the first place is disturbing and frankly, very unsettling.

I have been duly informed by a friend that my entries are usually unnecessarily long winded and perhaps even slightly pretentious in nature as I beat around the bush to make a simple point. I shall assume that this line of thought is not held by that one person alone and as such shall make this entry direct and to the point.

I've basically been incredibly busy the past one month or so due to orientation and CF camp. Needless to say, both events were a success even though it took up all my free time.

Orientation: There were various, numerous dire problems of course but at the end of the day I hope the juniors had fun and were able to make new friends from their own batch and with the seniors. Enjoy the remainder of your years in IMU!

CF Camp: C.H.U.P. camp was great and a great way to just reflect on things within the chilly embrace of the winds of Genting. I hope everyone got something out of it.

Update: I'm halfway through my 3rd semester!

There, short and simple.

Kuhanesh

Fanning the Flames

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:38:00 GMT

Merriem-Webster defines flirting as:-

To behave amorously without serious intent
To show superficial or casual interest or liking

Alrighty then. So now, logically speaking, there's no possibility of harm right? What with it being an action with no serious intent and all. In fact, it can even be intriguing and fun at times.

In fact, for those whom have a romantic inclination towards another individual, such acts are , in some cases, vital in order to bridge the gap and dispel the major doubts one might have. On the other hand, it's also , as it turns out, a form of a 'pseudo-icebreaker'; especially in a social setting where you do not know the majority of people.

However, as benign as one's intentions may be, this little oblique expression of a cupid-persuasion could lead to unwanted sorrow and , in many cases, miscommunication.

For starters, not everyone is on a level playing field. The inherent danger with acts of a tacit nature is that many things go unsaid. Interpretation is key here and no one really thinks the same way as another person. Moreover, one may seem as a harmless act to one party may seem as a sort of 'invitation' to the other.

Honestly, it has DANGER written all over it.

While it may seem innocent enough in small bouts, the danger lies when things start to escalate. You see, when two people spend enough time together, whether it be the simple act of a study group or routine, frequent phone calls for idle chatting, a little something starts to develop. At times, this little turn of events only affects one party while the other one is inexorably oblivious to the whole thing.

So what happens next? Much like the poem 'The Road not Taken', you find yourself in a situation akin to the protagonist; with your mind up in the air, wondering which fork is the better choice.

I'm not saying two people can never spend time together; it's just that many people nowadays are either not aware of the long term affects of their acts or are otherwise content with pushing it to the back of their mind; tackling a tough situation only if it arises. Like everything else in life, a limit has to be drawn.

As a quick aside, I will once again reiterate the fact that many guys (note: not all), use the term 'pet sister' as an easy justification for being overly close (often physically) with other girls; with high hopes that their girlfriend will easily accept this innocuous terminology.

I suppose it boils down to how important you view your interactions with people and what it may lead to. Personally I think a self-imposed limit is imperative; with proper use of your own judgement. As old-fashioned and cumbersome as it may seem, there are times when it needs to be done in order to avoid hurting the other person.

Oh dear, I'd love to write more but I need to run off now. More on this in the distant future, or whenever I find that this particular thought is the current one that inspires me to write.

Kuhanesh