2012 The Spring Cow Revelation

The year is very wet, the farmer works in deep water

Rains fall from summer to winter

A poor harvest will lead to supplies depleting

High-land vegetables will sell like ginseng

Farmers in low land with their seedlings

May worry but will be happy for it is "gold" they are planting

Everybody will be happy - the produce is pest and disease free

Price are good and the harvest is aplenty

Not just from land but also from the sea

Everybody will drink and be merry

The cowboy poem reveals that there will be plenty of rainfall in 2012. This unusally high amount of water is feared to damage crops, reduce the yield of agricultural produce and cause prices to soar. Despite these fears, agricultural output will actually be very good and fetch good prices for the farmers.

Therefore, 2012 will be a good year. The 5 cycles 6 forces concurs that there will be heavier rainfall but the planting season must begin early. The ancient Chinese have a simple yardstick for predicting the amount of rainfall:they look for the first Dragon Day(R5) of the lunar new year. In 2012,it falls on Day 10,indicating a 10-dragon year. As dragons symbolise rain,there will be plenty of rain for the year.

Similarly,the amount of plough work and oxen can indicate farming opportunities and the success of agricultural output,respectively:2012 is a nine-plough and seven-ox year,suggesting a good and successful harvest.
 
In a global economy,poor yields in one country can be compensated by abundant harvests from another nation. In 2011,droughts in China did not affect food prices because other exporting countries did not experience drought. For example,potatoes were so cheap - as low as 4 sen per kg - that farmers threw them away.
 
More rain and water are expected this year. The mountains are green and verdant and wheat harvests will be abundant, as seen in the illustration. Summer will be wetter than normal and the rice fields are covered with more water. It appears to yield little and causes concern among low-land farmers. However,harvest will be good at the end of the year. Droughts,pest and other natural disasters are not expected, and hence the sun is not scorching as in the previous year.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY IN JABATAN KERJA RAYA SARAWAK

Jabatan Kerja Raya Sarawak is looking for committed, suitably qualified, dynamic and self-driven candidates with relevant working experience to take up the following positions on contract basis:

1.ENGINEERS Grade J41/J44/J48/J52/J54
  a) Civil/Structural
  b) Mechanical
  c) Electrical

2.ARCHITECTS Grade J41/J44/J48/J52/J54

3.QUANTITY SURVEYORS Grade J41/J44/J48/J52/J54

4.ACCOUNTANTS Grade W41/W44/W48/W52/W54

5.ADMINISTRATIONS Grade N41/N44/N48/N52/N54

Details on the above can be refer to JKR Sarawak, Ads on local newspapers, or directly to:

Human Resources Unit,
Ibu Pejabat JKR,
Tingkat 18th, Wisma Saberkas,
Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,
93582 Kuching,
Sarawak.

Closing Date: 15 January 2012

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Review - PC Review at IGN

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Review - PC Review at IGN

Monkey in Dragon 2012

2012, year of the Black Water Dragon will be very productive and good for learning for the monkey. He will gladly flow into the high pace of work, and will feel at ease in the most intense affairs of 2012. Monkey skillfully using problems as a chance to show all his talents, will show himself in a team. He is optimistic, never discouraged, and even after defeat when other zodiac signs may retreat before difficulties, the Monkey will feel fine, and break forward, despite defeat.

Monkey can take a specialization, or start learning a new profession. A representative of this zodiac sign should always learn something new. An interest in something unknown and unusual will lead him the way even more than ambitious intentions or ambitions. Impulsiveness, a desire to jump through many things at once can hinder Monkey in business because under such activities, he may not see a lot of problems and his own mistakes. The Monkey will not do anything if he doesn't see personal benefits in it, but in 2012 he should also think about those people who work with him. Charity, feasible assistance to the needy will not only melt his proud heart but also help him to communicate with others. Having received good social connections and authority, Monkey may achieve much more in life, and even enter into a better, new orbit of his life, much more successful and faster than the rest of the zodiac signs. Due to the fact that with all impulsiveness, Monkey is still quite cautious, and would not let go of one branch until he grabs another more solid one. His status and financial well-being will not be exposed to all-out risk, his wisdom and foresight will not allow him stake and lose everything.

In early 2012, Monkey will work to lifting his strength, he would have to correct all past mistakes and problems. In the first months of 2012, Monkey should demand for a new, well-deserved position and salary increase, and if he wants - even change his job. In the spring of 2012, a representative of this zodiac sign should be more attentive to their surroundings, not provoke conflict and tension in the team. Now, there is no need to force things, he needs to be patient and perform even the most boring and routine work. This is an instructive time, which would give much for Monkey's future, and most importantly - not lose interest to work. In summer, Monkey will establish new partnerships, conclude contracts and conduct negotiations. This is quite an intense period of time, and a representative of this zodiac sign will be able to show his best side at work. In autumn 2012, Monkey can begin serious work on launching new projects, this is no time for rest and relaxation - great affairs lie ahead, and so, he should concentrate on the main things, be focused at work and become more serious.

In early 2012, Monkey will have a lot of affairs that he will just forget about romance. But to his/her credit, he/she will try to maintain harmony in a relationship, inviting a partner to work together with him/her. Having organized joint activities, the couple may become even closer to each other than they were before. If Monkey will not provoke conflicts, the first half of 2012 will pass peacefully and interesting. Spring is perfect time to finding his/her own happiness, making marriage proposal, and plans for the future.
The second half of 2012 may can come with misunderstanding, irritation between the couple, the spouses may quarrel due to Monkey's over-employment, his/her desire to only be engaged with work to the detriment of his/her family relationship. Single Monkey may meet his/her love before the new year.
 
/sources

2012 Year Of The Dragon

The upcoming 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013.  The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs.  The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend.  In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and  power. Today, it  is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness.

1.  Dragon people characteristics: Innovative, enterprising,  self-assured, brave, passionate, conceited, and quick-tempered. The Dragons are the free spirits of the Chinese Zodiac. Restrictions blow out their creative spark that is ready to flame into life.  So, they must be free and uninhibited.
2.  Dragon people usually make it to the top.  But, they must be aware of that too much enthusiasm can leave them tired and unfulfilled.  They find pleasure in helping others, and you can always count on their help.  Even though they are willing to assist when necessary, their pride can often impede them from accepting the same kind of help from others.  Their generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart.  Their self-sufficiency can mean that they have no need for close bonds with other people.
3.  Dragon people tend to take thrilling risks, and burn the candle at both ends so they are fortunate to be blessed with good health.  However, they can suffer bad health as a result of excess stress.  Symtoms of their personalities often stem from emotional outbursts and can range from tension headaches to depression to hypertension.  They can remedy these problems by maintaining their cool, implementing a routine in their daily lives, and practice meditation, Tai Chi or Yoga that soothe the mind and spirit as well as tone the body.
4.  Dragon people is not the most domesticated of the Animal signs.  So, people born in the Year of the Dragon  prefer enjoying outdoor activities rather than staying at home.  They are extroverts who have a deep love for nature. Their homes should be as large and majestic as their personalities, providing space for the fiery temperament or emotional eruptions that accompany their character. They have true and sincere love, which comes from the depths of their hearts.
5.  Dragon people are quite imaginative, always able to see new paths and will take a radical approach.  They have innate explorative spirit and  try to succeed at one stroke. They are very adaptable and are fit for various occupations, especially if those occupations allow them to take the limelight. They work hard, but would rather give orders than receive them.  They should avoid jobs that encompass too much routine, and should move toward jobs in which their self-reliance can be an asset.
6.  Dragon people like to spend money and are charitable themselves as well as with others.  Many Dragon people will take big chances with their finances.  It is very rare that  they remain poor for long.  They will always be straightforward in financial dealings and can always be trusted.

Dragon Years: 
Wood : 02/19/1904 to 02/03/1905 , 02/13/1964 to 02/01/1965
Fire : 02/03/1916 to 01/22/1917 , 01/31/1976 to 02/17/1977
Earth : 01/23/1928 to 02/09/1929 , 02/17/1988 to 02/05/1989
Metal : 02/08/1940 to 01/26/1941 , 02/05/2000 to 01/23/2001
Water : 01/27/1952 to 02/13/1953 , 01/23/2012 to 02/09/2013

Dragon Compatibility:

Compatible with : Rat, Monkey, Snake, Rooster, Tiger
Less Compatible with : Dragon, Ox, Rabbit, Pig, Ram, Horse
Least Compatible with : Dog

Positive and Negative Capability:

Positive: The Dragon can be vibrant, magnanimous, charismatic, principled, self-sufficient, discriminating, compelling, sentimental, accomplished, noble-hearted, healthy and prodigiously shrewd.
Negative: The Dragon can also be bombastic, dissatisfied, ruthless, demanding, opinionated, mawkish, egocentric, defensive, power-mad, foolhardy, wilful and pompous.

/sources

Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah - Today's History .. 1492: Columbus reaches the New World

1492
After sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus sights a Bahamian island, believing he has reached East Asia. His expedition went ashore the same day and claimed the land for Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, who sponsored his attempt to find a western ocean route to China, India, and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia.

Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451. Little is known of his early life, but he worked as a seaman and then a maritime entrepreneur. He became obsessed with the possibility of pioneering a western sea route to Cathay (China), India, and the gold and spice islands of Asia. At the time, Europeans knew no direct sea route to southern Asia, and the route via Egypt and the Red Sea was closed to Europeans by the Ottoman Empire, as were many land routes. Contrary to popular legend, educated Europeans of Columbus' day did believe that the world was round, as argued by St. Isidore in the seventh century. However, Columbus, and most others, underestimated the world's size, calculating that East Asia must lie approximately where North America sits on the globe (they did not yet know that the Pacific Ocean existed).
With only the Atlantic Ocean, he thought, lying between Europe and the riches of the East Indies, Columbus met with King John II of Portugal and tried to persuade him to back his "Enterprise of the Indies," as he called his plan. He was rebuffed and went to Spain, where he was also rejected at least twice by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. However, after the Spanish conquest of the Moorish kingdom of Granada in January 1492, the Spanish monarchs, flush with victory, agreed to support his voyage.
On August 3, 1492, Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain, with three small ships, the Santa Marýa, the Pinta, and the Niýa. On October 12, the expedition reached land, probably Watling Island in the Bahamas. Later that month, Columbus sighted Cuba, which he thought was mainland China, and in December the expedition landed on Hispaniola, which Columbus thought might be Japan. He established a small colony there with 39 of his men. The explorer returned to Spain with gold, spices, and "Indian" captives in March 1493 and was received with the highest honors by the Spanish court. He was the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland in the 10th century.

During his lifetime, Columbus led a total of four expeditions to the New World, discovering various Caribbean islands, the Gulf of Mexico, and the South and Central American mainlands, but he never accomplished his original goal--a western ocean route to the great cities of Asia. Columbus died in Spain in 1506 without realizing the great scope of what he did achieve: He had discovered for Europe the New World, whose riches over the next century would help make Spain the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth.
/sources

Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah - Today's History .... Jimi Hendrix

1970

Guitarist Jimi Hendrix dies at the age of 28, following a drug overdose in London.

Hendrix was born in Seattle in 1942. He grew up playing guitar, imitating blues greats like Muddy Waters as well as early rockers. He joined the army in 1959 and became a paratrooper but was honorably discharged in 1961 after an injury that exempted him from duty in Vietnam. In the early 1960s, Hendrix backed such musicians as Little Richard, B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, and Sam Cooke. He moved to New York in 1964, where he played in coffeehouses.

It was at one of these coffeehouse gigs that British bassist Bryan Chandler of the Animals first heard Hendrix play. Chandler arranged to manage Hendrix and brought him to London in 1966, where they created the Jimi Hendrix Experience with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell. The band's first single, "Hey Joe," hit No. 6 on the British pop charts, and the band became an instant sensation.

In 1967, the Jimi Hendrix Experience made its first U.S. appearance, at the Monterey Pop Festival. Hendrix made a splash by burning his guitar. In the next two years, the band released classic songs like "Purple Haze," "Foxy Lady," and "The Wind Cries Mary." The band's albums included Are You Experienced? (1967), Bold as Love(1969), and Electric Ladyland (1969).

After the band dissolved in 1969 over creative tensions, Hendrix made his famous appearance at Woodstock, playing a masterful, intricate version of "The Star Spangled Banner." Later that year, he put together a new group called the Band of Gypsies, which debuted on New Year's Eve, 1969. The band released only one album, Band of Gypsies (1969). (A second album, Band of Gypsies II, was released in 1986.) Hendrix then recorded another album, without the band, called The Cry of Love, which was released in 1971. Jimi Hendrix played his last concert in August 1970, at the Isle of Wight Festival in Britain.
/sources 


Bio

James Marshall Hendrix
November 27th, 1942 - September 18, 1970

Widely recognized as one of the most creative and influential musicians of the 20th century, Jimi Hendrix pioneered the explosive possibilities of the electric guitar. Hendrix's innovative style of combining fuzz, feedback and controlled distortion created a new musical form. Because he was unable to read or write music, it is nothing short of remarkable that Jimi Hendrix's meteoric rise in the music took place in just four short years. His musical language continues to influence a host of modern musicians, from George Clinton to Miles Davis, and Steve Vai to Jonny Lang.
Jimi Hendrix, born Johnny Allen Hendrix at 10:15 a.m. on November 27, 1942, at Seattle's King County Hospital, was later renamed James Marshall by his father, James "Al" Hendrix. Young Jimmy (as he was referred to at the time) took an interest in music, drawing influence from virtually every major artist at the time, including B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Holly, and Robert Johnson. Entirely self-taught, Jimmy's inability to read music made him concentrate even harder on the music he heard.
/read more 

Guild Wars 2 - Edge Of Destiny's novel

Don’t move!”
The huge wolf snapped his head upright, eyes blazing.
“Stay exactly like that.”
No one else in the world could order Garm to sit still. 
He was, after all, a dire wolf—fi ve feet tall at the shoulder and twenty stone, with jet-black hackles and fire-red eyes. He was made to lope and chase and drag down. Not to sit still. Not to listen. But he did.
For Eir Stegalkin, he did.
Garm flicked a glance toward the norn warrior. She was tall, too, her hand rising to the rafters twelve feet 
up and snagging a mallet that hung there and bringing the thing down in her brawny grip. Her eyes darted 
toward Garm, who glanced forward again and tried to look fierce.
It wasn’t that he feared this woman and her big hammer, which she swung just then with terrific force, pounding a massive chisel and striking a wedge of granite from a huge block. Garm hazarded a look at that 
block, amorphous and pitted from chisel strokes. Soon, it would be a statue. A statue of him. But that wasn’t why he sat still.
He sat still because she was the alpha.
The mallet fell again, the chisel bit, the block calved. More chunks of stone crashed to the floor, first in wedges and then shards and chips and finally a shower of grit.
Garm’s figure was taking shape.

These were some of first chapter in second novel of Guild Wars series written by J. Robert King.  Taking place two hundred and fifty years after the events in Guild Wars: Prophecies, Edge of Destiny continues to chronicle the events of the original Guild Wars and weaves the legends of the past into the legends that will be made in the upcoming Guild Wars 2. 


Intro taken from Guild Wars 2's website

The Elder Dragons have risen from their millennial slumber, spreading corruption and devastation everywhere. Now the mortal races of Tyria stand on the edge of destiny. Heroes have battled against the minions of the dragons, only to be corrupted by the enemy. Great armies have marched against the dragons, only to be swept away like leaves in a gale. The dwarves sacrificed everything to defeat a single dragon champion. The age of mortals may soon be over.

This is a time for heroes. While the great races stand divided, six heroic individuals will unite to defend Tyria: Eir, the norn huntress with the soul of an artist; Snaff, the asura genius, and his ambitious assistant Zojja; Rytlock, the ferocious charr warrior in exile; Caithe, a deadly sylvari with deep secrets; and Logan, a valiant human with divided loyalties. Together they answer the call. Together they become Destiny's Edge. But will it be enough?

Guild Wars 2 - MMORPG of the age!

Guild Wars 2 is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game in development by ArenaNet. Set in the fantasy world of Tyria, the game follows the re-emergence of Destiny's Edge, a disbanded guild dedicated to fighting the Elder Dragons, a Lovecraftian species that has seized control of Tyria in the time since the original Guild Wars. The game takes place in a persistent world with a story that progresses in instanced environments.

Guild Wars 2 claims to be unique in the genre by featuring a storyline that is responsive to player actions, something which is common in single player role-playing games but rarely (if ever) seen in multiplayer ones. A dynamic event system replaces traditional questing, utilising the ripple effect to allow players to approach quests in different ways as part of a persistent world. Also of note is the combat system, which aims to be more dynamic than its predecessor by promoting synergy between professions and using the environment as a weapon as well as reducing the complexity of the Magic-style skill system of the original game. As a sequel to Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2 will feature the same lack of subscription fees that distinguished its predecessor from other commercially developed online games of the time.

Aion Free Trials!

We are pleased to announce the start of the Aion Free Trials, beginning Thursday, May 26, 2011!
Spread your wings and join in the fight against your ancient enemies! Play Aion’s Free Trial for 10 days and experience the stunning beauty and depth of action found only in Aion! Our new Free Trial landing page will go live May 26, 2011!
Not sure where to start? Our new Faction Incentive Program provides a great entry point for new players. Grab your friends and ascend, Daevas!

Play Aion’s Trial for 10 days FREE

Explore the world of Atreia as you level to 20

Join or create a new Legion with your friends

Learn a craft and forge your own equipment

-The Aion Community Team
/sources Official Aion Website

Aion 2.5 Empyrean Calling

Aion 2.5 Empyrean Calling Goes Live May 25, 2011

Greetings, Daevas!

We are happy to announce that the Aion® 2.5 update, Empyrean Calling™, goes live on our North American and European servers tomorrow, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Among its many features, Empyrean Calling introduces brand new class skills, improved graphics options, new instances, and the mentoring system. Learn more about all the new content by visiting the Aion 2.5 Patch Notes or the Aion 2.5 Empyrean Calling features page.

Server maintenance on the live servers begins at 3:30 a.m. PDT on Wednesday May 25, 2011. We anticipate that the servers will be down for approximately nine hours while we update to Aion 2.5. We will open the servers for play at 12:00 noon PDT.

The main Aion website will be down for maintenance during this server update. We anticipate our main website will be available by 3:00 p.m. PDT.

How to Get the Update

NCsoft® Launcher: The easiest way to get the Empyrean Calling update is to allow the NCsoft launcher to update and install it automatically.

Aion 2.5 Player Test Server Game Client: Alternatively, if you have already downloaded the Aion 2.5 player test server (PTS) game client, you can follow the method outlined in our Aion 2.5 PTS FAQ to use that patch for your live game client.

Third-Party Download Site: If you prefer, you can get the Aion 2.5 Empyrean Calling patch as an FTP download from one of these sites once 2.5 is launched:

FilePlanet

GamersHell

Steam

It's a great time to play Aion. Dive into all the new features offered in this update, and enjoy the ongoing Daeva Palooza event that celebrates the new content!

—The Aion Community Team

/sources official aion website

Cladding Principle for HighRise Building - Blue Condo Tower, New York

1.0 BLUE CONDO TOWER, NEW YORK

1.0 BUILDING BACKGROUND

1.1 CLADDING PRINCIPLES

1.2 CHOOSING FACTOR

1.3 CLADDING SYSTEM

1.4 CLADDING DETAIL

1.5 GLAZING SELECTION

Blue Tower, New York

New York, NY

2004-2006

50,000 ft2

USD 10 mil

Project Team: Bernard Tschumi, Kim Star, William Fenerman, Adam Dayem, with Dominic Leong, Alan Kusov, Casey Crawmer, Shai Gross, Adam Marcus, Amy Yang.

Consultants: SLCE Architects, Saky Yakas, Carlos Palacios

Curtain Wall Consultants: Israel Berger & Associates

Structural Engineers: Thornton Thomasetti

MEP + FP Engineers: Ettinger Engineers

Façade Contractor: East End Window Technologies,NY.

Client: Angelo Cosentini and John Carson 

PROJECT STATEMENT:

The Blue Condo Tower is a demanding and complex design consisting almost entirely of compound angles at corners. One corner of the building is defined by the intersection of four different planes.

The seventeen-story tower contains thirty-two apartments and rises to a height of 181 feet. This is Tschumi’s first high-rise structure, and his second in New York City, where his main office is located. BLUE also marks Tschumi’s first residential structure.

The project was kept within its budget and schedule with a combination of in-house design and engineering, 3D modeling, CNC manufacturing, factory glazed panels, and a Total Station GPS site survey.

The Blue Condo Tower using a Uni-Wall Curtain Wall System from Architectural Glazing Technology.

The Blue Condo Tower is a demanding and complex design consisting almost entirely of compound angles at corners. One corner of the building is defined by the intersection of four different planes.

Sloped vertical walls lead to inverted sloped walls, and only one small corner of the building, from the 13th floor to the 17th floor, is a typical 90 degree application.

The geometry and visual design of the Blue translated into a project that would be very difficult to build with stick-built curtain wall.

The assemblies part of the system:

-Aluminium unitized glazed curtain wall framing

-Aluminum metal panels, condensate gutters, and louvers;
-Aluminum trim, snap in sealant stops, flashings and similar items in conjunction with aluminum curtain wall assemblies.
-Painting and coating in conjunction with the above aluminum items.
-Internal steel and aluminum reinforcements.
-Internal and perimeter sealants, weeps, vents and gasketing systems. Anchors, embeds, shims, fasteners, inserts, expansion devices, accessories, support brackets and attachments.
-Glass and glazing for the curtain walls.

  

The provide glazed aluminum curtain wall systems meeting or exceeding the following performance requirements:

-Wind loads -Seismic loads

-Deflection Limitations -Dead Loads

-Air Leakage -Water Penetration

-Thermal Movements -Building Frame Movement

-Condensation Resistance -Glass Statistical Factor

Uni-Wall's unique, field-tested design provides three key benefits over conventional curtain wall:

Safety
Aluminium is characteristically a durable and resistant material. It can be adapted to the needs of the users from basic safety to very high level safety.

Faster installation times
Speed of installation is one of the most critical factors impacting overall project cost and schedule. Complete fabricated panels are shipped and erected immediately, eliminating the lengthy process of glazing and capping. Custom aluminum anchor system further simplifies the process by allowing 3-way adjustments to automatically plumb panels.

And since the building can be wrapped horizontally from the inside, requires only about 1/5 the labor required with stick-built curtain wall.

Customizable, and easier to maintain
Custom exterior caps are designed as a secondary extrusion, making them inexpensive to add as an option. They are also designed to roll on and off, if reglazing is ever needed.

Performance requirements
Provide glazed aluminum curtain wall systems meeting or exceeding the following performance requirements:

-Wind loads -Seismic loads

-Deflection Limitations -Dead Loads

-Air Leakage -Water Penetration

-Thermal Movements -Building Frame Movement

-Condensation Resistance -Glass Statistical Factor

AGT ‘s Uni-Wall Unitized Curtain Wall System

Blue Condo tower using a Uni-Wall system cladding from AGT’s which is unitized type. It is factory-assembled, sealed, and glazed. The system provides significantly higher performance than stick-built curtain wall, in terms of movement, load bearing capacity and water penetration.

The Uni-Wall fabricated panels are shipped and erected immediately, eliminating the lengthy process of glazing and capping. It’s faster installation and requires only about 1/5 the labor.
The custom aluminum anchor system allows installers to easily adjust the unit in 3-directions to automatically plumb panels. This provides the flexibility to adapt to variations in the building frame.
Uni-Wall's all-bolt design avoids the weakening of aluminum caused by welding. The approach ensures structural integrity while making fabrication and erection faster. All fasteners are concealed for a clean, uncluttered look.
Uni-Wall panels can be customized to include much more than just glass in the spandrel area of the unit. External shading systems and window washing channels can also be incorporated into the framing system in-case the renovation or removal part in the future.

The advantages of Uni-Wall is that it provides with the flexibility to adjust system sizes and incorporate custom extrusion shapes to meet environmental, engineering or aesthetic requirements.

 

It was a question of aesthetics, which lead to the choice of the largely blue pixilated glass panels stemmed from the need to design a façade for a building on which almost every supporting column was in a different alignment - all while using floor-to-ceiling windows as often as possible

"I hate the kind of context in which people imitate the brick façade next door,“. "It's not just visual: I liked the mosaic of the old and new, the mix of generations on the Lower East Side.“ – Bernard Tschumi Architect

Mesir keadaan terkini Rakyat Malaysia kritikal

Assalamualaikum dan salam 1Dunia, entri ini adalah khidmat masyarakat membantu Rakyat Malaysia di Mesir yang memerlukan bantuan segera Kerajaan Malaysia. Entri adalah sumber daripada entri khas yang dibuat oleh Ariffshah, yanmieonline dan Kak Jie (dengan kebenaran).

Petikan dari blog Kak Jie : Saya dapat message dari @DyyaDizarch salah seorang pelajar perubatan di Mesir yang sedang berusaha memohon bantuan dan perhatian Kerajaan Malaysia tentang situasi sebenar di Mesir. Mengikut blog krisismesirnasibrakyatkita.blogspot.com

ok.. yang kat comment tu update dari kawan pompuan.. wallat die kene curi.. hilang 1000.. dan die yang cakap airport kat Alexandria dah kene bakar…
ni update dari adik saya..

keadaan semakin teruk.. polis kat Alexandria sume dah tak ada.. dan memang tak ade rulez… post balai polis sume dah kene bakar.. n senjata sume orang awam dah curi..dan banduan sume dah kene lepas…

pagi tadi adik tetibe call.. suruh call balik.. emergency… die cakap internet sume dah down.. message pun tak boleh… n time tu battery die low… suruh die charge.. worse.. die cakap tak boleh charge sbb power tak ada… skarg xsure la ade ke xde…tp kalau xde.. it’s a big problem… sbb satu2 cara nak contact diorg ialah call.. kalau phone tak ada battery dan tak boleh  charge or no kredit so dah tak  boleh call..

dan  gov egypt plan nak cut bekalan air.. tp sampai skarg boleh pakai lagi .. tak tau bile diorg nak cut..
so dia orang  hidup dalam kegelapan…

then ATM semua tak boleh pakai .. kedai sume xleh ttp… n ni satu masalah.. ssh diorg nak balik.. airport terdekat kat Alexandria dah kene bakar.. thne tak ada duit sbb ATM sume down… n brg adik cakap harga sume melambung… of course bg sy at-salat mengambik lesempatan.. call 5 saan utk 4 5 genih tu sangat melampau… xsampai seminit pn.. n harga top up pn mahal skarg.. taxi even worst.. super mahal gle… makanan dh kurang.. n duit xleh kuar n harga melambung..

Petikan dari blog Ariffshah :

Salam Ariff, saya Nadia, a student in Egypt.
Ariff, kini saya berada di Malaysia kerana pulang untuk winter break, but when I got home, the condition in Egypt somehow got worse about the Hosni Mubarak thingy. Ramai yang sangka keadaan kat sana adalah okay, mengikut kata Jabatan Penuntut Kaherah Mesir dan Kedutaan Malaysia di sana, but there are parts that they don’t know:
Di tempat saya Mansoura, people got killed on the streets, houses are getting robbed and they are aiming to attack Malaysian students. There are about 6000 prisoners on the streets! Pelajar kita di Alexandria dirogol, airport dibakar dan anggota polis tidak lagi menjalankan tugas mereka.
Kita memohon supaya kerajaan Malaysia memandang serius hal ini. Bukan sahaja di Mansoura, malah di seluruh Mesir keselamatan rakyat kita terancam.
Segala update berkenaan keadaan di sana boleh dibaca melalui blog Krisis Mesir, Nasib Pelajar Kita
Jika ada cadangan di luar sana untuk membantu kami mendapatkan perhatian kerajaan Malaysia, sila hubungi Nurul Nadia Binti Md Zin di 017-3193923
Atau melalui:
Facebook: Nuvul Nadiva Dizavch
Twitter: DyyaDizarch
Blog: Nadia-ism
YM: nadia_mdzin2001@yahoo.com
Please let all Malaysians know about this. I will do the same but I need your help too especially to all the bloggers out there. May Allah save our citizens there.
- Nadia

Sahabat baik aku mempunyai dua anak yang sedang menuntut di sebuah Madrasah Tahfiz di Mesir, semuga Allah beri perlindungan ke atas mereka dan seluruh rakyat Malaysia di Mesir.

Jadi apa yang perlu ANDA buat?

1. Kalau ada Twitter, retweet this. Click the retweet button. Lagi banyak, lagi bagus. It show’s that things are really serious there and we care.
2. Reblog this. Copy paste dan post dalam blog. Time ni memang aku galakkan sangat-sangat untuk korang copy paste.
3. Share this on Facebook.

/sources

Rabbit in Rabbit 2011

 Untuk Arnab arnab kat luar tuh, tahun 2011 nih adalah tahun anda. Kalau anda tak sure anda adalah tahun aper dan element aper? Bole laa rujuk di previous post. So, here we go..

Well, his time has come! The charming Rabbit in 2011 year of the White Metal Rabbit will definitely feel the planetary support to eveything, even to his most ambitious undertakings. In this period, representative of this zodiacal circle, the favorite of Fortune can relax - his business is unable to be shaken even by the most brutal all-out crisis. He can rest, take a trip or just take good care of himself postponing the solution of insignificant problems for the indefinite future. Rabbit can change image, learn Japanese language or go to university - this year he has to do something that brings joy to his heart, and which can expand the horizons of the future. In love, Rabbit will as always be aloft, the only mistake he can make is to experience a large number of romances that will not transfer into quality sensuous relationships. All that is needed by Rabbit in 2011 year of the White Metal Rabbit is a wise attitude to love, because not feeling satisfaction, being tired of intense relationships, Rabbits have every chance in the end to be disappointed in this feeling and remain a bachelor for a long time. Only seeing meaning in relationships, only dialogue, not monologue, can give a Rabbit an unforgettable experience of interaction with a partner. Fate makes generous bets, because it exactly knows that the winner of problems this year will be the Rabbit.


2011 horoscope for Rabbit of wood element
Despite the fact that sometimes you doubt the correctness of choice made, nevertheless in 2011, you will never fall into depression, and will not be sad for too long. If your family life experiences problems, then Wood Rabbits together with a partner will be able to quickly find a solution to the prevailing circumstances.

2011 horoscope for Rabbit of fire element
Progress in professional environment in 2011 year of the White Rabbit may be slow but steady. In this case, the hallmark of 2011 will be that you will primarily be worried by the opinions of others. Fire Rabbits in 2011 all will be looking not only for personal gain, but will also consider the interests of other people, which in particular will greatly help you in your personal life.

2011 horoscope for Rabbit of earth element
Hold your horses at least until the summer of 2011, since in early 2011 year of the White Rabbit, the most reckless, arrogant and impulsive side of your nature will control the actions of the Earth Rabbit. At this time, you will be prone to excessive risk, and aggravate any existing conflicts, increasingly getting stuck in the problems enveloping you. Be patient in taking major decisions until the second half of 2011 when you will become more sensible.

2011 horoscope for Rabbit of metal element
Inspired by the active and enterprising early 2011 year of the White Rabbit, the representatives of this zodiac sign will try to express their individuality in all areas available to them. Particularly in professional field, in the first half of 2011 there will not be anything that would be able to stop your progress.

2011 horoscope for Rabbit of water element
You have enormous creative potential and with the appropriate desire in 2011 year of the White Rabbit, Water Rabbits will in full-scale expose all their talents. Particularly, this will be clearly expressed in the professional sphere, where Rabbits would be able to find a very appreciative audience for their grand ideas. 

/Sources GoToHoroscope

FUEL PRICE HIKE IMPACT ON CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

FUEL PRICE HIKE IMPACT ON CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Rising fuel costs are on the minds of practically everyone because they are affecting the price of almost everything from school lunches to construction materials. Thus, the recent increase in fuel and building material prices will surely give the big impact on the construction industry, which is one of the country’s engines of growth, and it may experience a slowdown for the rest of the year.

Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Jamilus Hussein said since the government raised the price of fuel by 41 per cent on June 5, Malaysia's 63,000 contractors are starting to feel the pinch. Construction costs have gone up at all levels of the value chain from building materials such as sand, cement, concrete and roofing materials to logistics. Prices of many construction related materials, machinery and transportation costs have also increased substantially and builders are facing critical problems. A large number of trucks and heavy machinery is required to transport steel bars, cement, sand and stones from ports/plants to construction sites. These rely on large amounts of diesel to operate and will surely effect the construction cost.

According to Malay Contractors Association of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Osman Abu Bakar, since the fuel price hike, the sector has seen an average increase of 30 per cent per sq inch of space. House prices may also increase between 25 per cent and 30 per cent and projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan may not reach their targets. Moreover, from the feedback that they received, some of the association's 7,000 members had rejected letters of award for construction jobs because there was no profit to be made due to the high price of building materials. This will cause further delay in country’s development programs and infrastructure projects. Whereby, the construction of affordable housing, including low- and medium-cost units, may no longer be feasible.

Furthermore, these increases in the price of building material will have severely impacted both developers and contractors. The contractors would definitely ask to re-negotiate the contract prices. They are likely to ask for variation orders (VOs) to cover the rise in raw material prices. What we afraid of is that, if the contractors unable to obtain VOs, especially the smaller contractors who do not have the financial strength to absorb higher raw material prices, the possibility of projects being abandoned will be high. Even large contractors would be making losses from their projects. Contractors cannot proceed with such projects and would have to return their tenders.

For the new projects, it is very likely that the developer is the one which has to bear the higher building costs. Obviously they cannot stomach the rise in building materials and will be passing it on to customers. Many property developers are also delaying new projects due to the rising costs of construction materials. This is because property developers are unable to fix prices for their properties due to the current uncontrollable sharp increase in building material prices. Particularly, in housing industry, it is going to be slowdown and discourage people from buying houses. House buyers are caught in a dilemma of whether to put off their purchase to play safe in case the economy sours or buy now as property prices are unlikely to come down. The second choice seems to be more popular judging from the generally good demand for newly launched properties although they now take longer to sell. Developers and house buyers are generally adopting a wait-and-see strategy.

Although there is no certainty regarding what may happen in the weeks and months ahead, the difficulties that the construction industry is facing will inevitably impact the development. However, the continuous increase in fuel and construction material prices is proving to be an ordeal and it is hoped the construction industry will be able to tackle these challenges. The key to success lies in having a positive mindset and enhancing both efficiency and productivity in the whole construction value chain.