How did so much go so wrong so fast...

Ah, yes, I'm back to the land of the silent but vocal - the blogosphere.


With hindsight, this is in fact the first post of 2011 on my Blogger blog - those of you who subscribe to my Wordpress blog would have seen my "secret"post, in which I said I'd post weekly. That's obviously now a lie, a hoax, an ambitious but forgotten target.


Anyway, forget that - I'm typing this post as a post-moterm to the 2 election losses that I've recently suffered - the first, from IntSoc General Secretary, and the second, from ISC General Secretary (let me clarify, in case you haven't noticed by now, ISC ≠ IntSoc, they're 2 different things, with different core functions. IntSoc organises events and socials for International Students, ISC provides support and signposting for International Students - but one overlap would be that both speaks up and galvanises International Students, though arguably, the ISC is has a greater obligation to represent International Students more so than IntSoc, especially to the Guild.


Having made the taxonomy quite clear, I'll just say this first - it's definitely been fun running in these elections. Ultimately, it was a chance for me to embolden myself - to remind myself of why I'm a strong, credible, and viable candidate that's suitable for a position of responsibility in a major Society or Council. Tech-savviness, promptness, 


It was also a chance to find out where my weaknesses are relative to my fellow candidates. And boy, have I learnt many in the 2 elections that I failed to win. 


I now know that my connections are way underdeveloped compared to my counterparts. Having been in Exeter for only 7 months, and constantly chatting with people whom I already know (i.e.: flatmates, a few coursemates) and not daring to break the ice with other people whom I meet (in the numerous societies that I join, on my course), I feel like I could have made much more effort to actually get out of the comfort zone and widen my social circle. Perhaps the "Freshers' Week" atmosphere sort of vanishes towards the middle of the 2nd term, so it is harder to break that shell, but perhaps I'm just making defensive excuses for myself now.


I now know that I lack the confidence and interpersonal skills to break the shell, talk to strangers and sell myself to them. I lack the "self-marketing" skills, that's what I'd call it. No, wait. I lack the self-confidence.


I now know that policies, ideas and polished presentation isn't everything. Doesn't matter how much effort I put in into something, if people don't know about it, or if they are committed to support a friend whom you are competing against, they wouldn't vote for you, would they?


I now know not to annoy people. Spam-gate could have cost me a few votes and a few friends - it didn't help that I kept telling the same 110 people to vote for me repeatedly. If you have been affected by my constant self-promotion on Facebook, my deepest, most sincere apologies. What I did was inconsiderate and inappropriate; it was cyber-bullying to a certain extent.


I now know that distance matters. Not distance from my flat to the main campus. No. That's just an excuse. I mean distance of communication. I met a few friends who knew I was running for the ISC elections, but they did not know how to vote, so they didn't vote. Had I spent time going up to them and asking them if they had voted, I would have known that they didn't know how, and I could explain how - obviously, a video on Facebook would not help if they don't use Facebook.


I now know that I need to respect others and cherish any relations that I've established with others. I know these people aren't reading my blog, but right now, I just want to apologise to so many people right now. To Kami, Waew-wow, Bella and Ryuji, when we did the Business competition, I know my ego might have gotten in the way and I might have been pushy at times. The same could be said during the Management Project with Bryoni, Adrian, Jessica and Jean. I often try to push to get my point of view across and accepted by everyone, even if it's not the best one. Also, to the Rowing team, I should have explained why I went AWOL - I could have handled that better. I left Rowing because I know that physically, I have a lot of work to do to catch up with the fitness level of all the other members, and I have never worked so hard physically - I have never done any sports in my life before, and going from no sports to a rower is a mountain to climb. I know that this is a weak excuse, but I genuinely felt that I couldn't handle the demanding nature of the Rowing training regime. I simply couldn't cope. I have nothing but respect and, if anything, admiration to those in EUBC. I'm sorry I couldn't bring myself up to the same level as everyone else - I'm aware that I've been posting the slowest time on the Ergs.


I now know that I should get others involved. Looking back at my election campaigns, I think the fact that I ran with Aimi for the IntSoc elections might have boosted my chances slightly, albeit not enough to win. Looking back at Joshua's election campaign for Exeposé Photographer, I think it was good to have a second, and maybe a third opinion, before you actually get judged by your jury (i.e.: voters). Looking back at my ISC election campaign, I relied upon myself to get people to vote for me - I designed and pasted my own poster, made my own facebook group, added my own friends (Damia, I know you added 3 people - I really appreciated that!), shot my own videos, made my own manifesto - but I forgot to ask for a second opinion. I forgot to ask what others thought of things. I forgot to get others involved in this process. I forgot I had access to help if I needed it.


I now know that I need to commit to whatever I sign up for if I want to progress in that society. I signed up for too many things in Freshers Week, and I only stuck to EUBC for the first term, Choral Soc in the second term, Xpression FM for Production Training, PhotoSoc in 2nd term as Paula tried to kickstart things again, IntSoc late in the year as I got involved for the Business Competition and IntSoc elections, BeSoc for a number of events only. Bottom line - I was a non-commital member of so many societies, and that wouldn't help me progress in a society and gain committee positions.


Looking back, I need to narrow down my commitments and focus on the ones that I'm interested in. 

• I want to get more involved in Xpression FM. Need to get on Presenter training.
• I will continue as a committee member in PhotoSoc. Although I'm currently the Technical Secretary, I think I might be more confident with a Treasury position, so I will see if I can run for that post when it becomes available for next year.
• I would love to contribute to Exeposé in terms of photography and if I can come up with a good piece, maybe contribute an article or two. (got a photo job next Wednesday, in fact! Thanks to Henry, Hannah and Joshua for the opportunity.). 
• I'm still undecided on Choral Soc - I enjoy it, but not as much as I used to back in Secondary School, maybe because things go much faster now than it did then. 
• I'll definitely continue to contribute to IntSoc and ISC when opportunities arise. And I'll try and make myself useful in Singapore Soc & in helping to set up an Indonesian Soc.
• And of course, I shouldn't limit myself to campus opportunities - I have been involved very actively with Sound Gallery Studios at the Exeter Phoenix, having done photography work for a radio show, a music competition/recording session and a music expo (evidence: my Flickr Page).

Alright, then. Tired now. Emotional breakdown over. Nite nite!

Dear Etihad,

My email to Etihad, sent via their website contact form.

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Hi,

I had my flight (EY20 on 18 December, LHR to AUH) cancelled, resulting in a missed connection (EY472, 19 December, from AUH to CGK). Consequently, I was asked to find my own accommodation (and hence finance my own expenses over the last few days as a result of the delay/eventual cancellation) in London and ring up your offices to seek a new flight number. After 3 attempts, I finally got through to a member of staff at 11am on 19 December. She took down my e-ticket and phone number, and told me that I would be contacted when a new flight has been confirmed.

After visiting your website, I noticed that most other flights have gotten updates on their rescheduling status. Rather worrying for me was the fact that my flight (EY20, 18 December) was not shown, when flights that were meant to depart later, such as EY18, have been updated.

I got even more furious when I looked up my itinerary, both on Abacus and on your website, and saw that I have been put down for another flight, EY9020, for 29 December, without the AUH-CGK leg - this is by no means acceptable or reasonable, knowing that some flights are leaving tomorrow (20 December).

I have to say that this whole situation has been dealt with rather badly by your airline, considering the scale of Etihad - lack of updates/communication and lack of reimbursement/support for customers (not even those stipulated by Statute under EU Denied Boarding Regulation 261/2004).

I understand that this problem was partially out of your company's control, with the snow and BAA deciding to close Heathrow's runways. Nevertheless, I was hoping for slightly better treatment than what I have gotten thus far from an award-winning airline.

I demand a proper explanation of the status of EY20(18Dec), and a rebooking onto another flight within a reasonable timeframe, even if it means going through Manchester. I am not seeking financial compensation at the moment, just seeking some reasonableness, clarity and a chance to be home with my family in time for Christmas. If necessary, my e-Ticket Number is 607xxxxxx3062.

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Hopefully, this will inform someone at Etihad that someone is really not satisfied with their service, even for a reasonable person.

Sound of 2010

As it's nearing the end of the year, I thought I'd do a round-up of the sounds that, in my opinion, defined the soundscape of the past year. Think of it as a periodic chart summary, put together at the end of the year.

Compiled on a train, using nothing but an iPhone with 3G signal, Spotify, Official Charts Company Website, Wikipedia, and Mail, I bring you...

SOUND OF...
JANUARY
Florence + The Machine
Lungs

Vampire Weekend
Contra

Delphic
Acolyte

FEBRUARY
Owl City
Ocean Eyes

Gorrilaz
Plastic Beach

MARCH
Ellie Goulding
Lights

APRIL
Two Door Cinema Club
Tourist History

MAY
MGMT
Congratulations

B.o.B
B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray

Pendulum
Immersion

JUNE
Stornoway
Beachcomber's Windowsill

Eminem
Recovery

JULY
Bombay Bicycle Club
Flaws

Tom Jones
Praise & Blame

Mike Ronson & The Business International
Record Collection

AUGUST
Katy Perry
Teenage Dream

Bruno Mars
Just The Way You Are

Swedish House Mafia
One

SEPTEMBER
The Script
Science & Faith

Linkin Park
A Thousand Suns

Brandon Flowers
Flamingo

OCTOBER
KT Tunstall
Tiger Suit

Tinie Tempah
Disc-Overy

NOVEMBER
Brian Eno
Small Craft on a Milk Sea

James Blunt
Some Kind of Trouble

McFly
Above The Noise

Rihanna
Loud

Take That
Progress

Kanye West
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

DECEMBER
Deadmau5
4x4=12

Plain White T's
Wonders of the Younger

Coldplay
Christmas Lights

Ellie Goulding
Your Song

Where I stand...

Haven't posted anything to this part of the interwebs, so I thought I'd kick up a fuss and spill my opinions over some things that have been in the news.

ON THE EDUCATION CUTS/FEE RISES IN THE UK

So Parliament voted yesterday, and the motion was passed - the cap on English university tuition fees for Home students will rise to £9000. Obviously this does not affect me directy. However, I'm quite shocked that the politicians though higher tuition fees were acceptable. Students from poorer backgrounds might e deterred from Unicersities as they fear the debt that they'd incurr. Yes, a degree improves job prospectus and future salary. But the upfront debt and the interest, on top of the graduate's other debts (mortgage?) plus interest means students in the "squeezed middle" who cannot access scholarships and bursaries are trapped in debt for a large part of their adult life. I understand that they only start paying off the debt once they've earned £21,000. Nevertheless, it's not fair that students who enter university only a few years later have to pay 3X as much as those who entered in 2010. And what does this do to subjects where graduates tend to earn less? The business and medicine students would be paying tier debts faster than the Historian. What does this do to incentives?

Another thing which I learnt from Newsnight was that the government is planning to scrap "top-ups" for so-called "classroom-based" courses (mainly Arts and Humanities) from £2,000 per student to £0. I cannot believe that the government is passing on the burden of higher education funding for what some may call "softer" subjects 100% from the state to the students. Forgive the pun, but at this rate, History is history.

Understandably, these fee rises and top-up cuts are a result of the budget deficit, and the government is trying to close the gap in the budget. But doing so at the expense of social mobility and low-paying subjects is quite selfish and morally wrong. Universities are a place of learning, and regardless of the subject, funding should be done in a fair way. It would be great if the government had an interest in the future of the economy by gettin more students educated to a higher level. But sadly, this will no longer be the case from 2012 onwards.

ON WIKILEAKS

You've probably heard about Cablegate - the leaks of the cables and other classified documents (some of which were not meant for eyes on foreign soil) that were sent from various US embassy staff to DC.

This has been a major setback for US Foreign Policy. It definitely doesn't look good for the Middle Eastern leaders who asked the US to attack Iran. Nor does it help Hillary Clinton with trying to "reset" relations with Russia, after what's wen said about Putin v Medvedev. And what's with the criticism of British forces in Afghanistan?

The US has been on the offence, after forcing companies that provide services to the whistle-blowing website to stop doing so - Amazon (S3), a webhost, Paypal, MasterCard, Visa. The Swedish have also issued an Interpol warrant on Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks. Furthermore, a Swiss bank has even closed down Assange's account over "misuse of the account". Maybe it's just a conspiracy, but how much of these are caused by American pressure?

The hackers have also been on the attack, after taking down a number of the sites mentioned above in DDOS attacks (Amazon was attacked, but their servers kept going somehow).

This is going to be a long battle between the authorities, trying to keep their secrets from the eyes of the web, and the supporters of Wikileaks, defending their right to keep the authorities in check. In America's defence, it is probably in the national interest that some of these documents don't get into the public domain. The leak of major sites of American interest probably rang alarm bells with the DoD, as terrorists can now log online to read this document and plan their next target, if they wanted to.

On the one hand, it is admirable that Julian Assange has braved authorities and went ahead with the leaks. Together with the hackers, they represent the online version of (to borrow David Cameron's term) "the Big Society" - the rebels who challenge the "big Government" and uncover their secrets.

On the other hand, did the actions of the Wikileaks team put people, American and non-Americans, at unnecessary risk? Did the leaks have an impact on international relations? Or was Clinton's downplay accurate - "some of our counterparts have told us,"if you thought he leaks were bad, you should see what we say about you."." Was this just an embarrassing gaffe?

I wouldn't go so far as to call Wikileaks a terrorist organisation, as some American politicians have coined them. Yes, they are in illicit and unauthorised possession of classified documents. But perhaps the US Government need to look at what it's done - why the secrets? Why the lack of trust in the international community? Why so hungry for data and secrets? And why are you trying to take down a site that's all about keeping the authorities in check?

Right, that's all I have to say for now.

Coming soon: a music chart!

Sent from my iPhone

Printers.

I haven't had a rant about anything on my blog in ages. Heck, I haven't updated my blog in ages. So I thought I'd write up something that's been on my mind recently. Printers.

I've been hunting around for an all-in-one printer for my studies. Yes, the university has very nice laser printers on campus which charges (arguably) reasonable rates (4p per side duplex B&W), and does duplex printing (Save the trees!). But there is a problem - for me to print, I have to send the print job from a University PC. And more often than not, the PCs are all taken up (often with valid reasons, like people finishing up their assignments or a tutorial happening in Streatham Court 0.93). This leads to a lot of time wasted refreshing the "Find a Spare PC on campus" page on my iPhone. As someone who lives off-campus (in Rowancroft), I'd rather have the flexibility of being able to print whenever I need to, rather than having to do it only when I am on campus.

So I thought, forget it, it's time I get my own printer so I can print what I want, when I want, and from the apps that I normally use (IE is hopeless at printing webpages).

Over the last decade, I've gone through 3 different makes of printers - A Canon BJC S200, a Canon Pixma MP220 AIO, and most recently, a Lexmark X4550 Wireless AIO. (Notice the evolution of models there - from a printer, to an all-in-one, to a wireless all-in-one).

Today, while surfing through tons of review sites and Amazon, I saw printers that have web capabilities (The HP Photosmart Premium e-All-In-One particularly caught my attention). How cool would it be if you could send a document by email to your printer, and it will print it off for you? And how about putting apps on your printer? This certainly feel like the future.

Until you stop reading the marketing material, take a step out of the reality distortion field, and look through the reviews of these (if I were honest) pretty expensive printers. (£129 for the Photosmart Premium from Amazon).

These words are probably quite familiar if you've been reading reviews for printers: Difficult to set-up. Driver issues. Poor customer support. Poor printing quality. Super expensive ink. Noisy. Slow.

Mind you, it's 2010, you would have been forgiven for thinking that printer manufacturers have been able to improve the quality of the core functions of the printer (Print, Scan, Copy), while delivering the innovations I mentioned above (web connectivity, wireless printing). And with the environment in mind, you might have expected features like Duplex Printing to be in every make and model today.

Today, consumers are smarter, and they often think about more than just the price of the printer. They think about the running cost (or cost per page), additional features it has to offer, and the quality of the prints. Too bad it seems that the manufacturers are rather like politicians - pretending to listen, but in reality, rather out of touch with the picky consumers.

Maybe I'm just being picky and pedantic here. Maybe the manufacturers are finding it hard to shore up profits when people are buying 3rd-party ink cartridges in place of the 'genuine' ones, which affects their bottom line. But as we have seen in the music industry, the consumers will be there, as long as you treat them well by giving them what they want for the right price and in the right way. The printing industry have been innovating by finding ways to prevent the use of 3rd party printer ink cartridges. To them I say: why not use those resources in fixing your own cartridges and products?

Just my pennies' worth...