It’s another day. Yay! Does not sound too over-joyous? Is the “joy” in that statement?
We tend to take “tomorrow” as a given. We all set our alarms the night before to wake up the morning after, to get ready for school, work, or some morning activity. O.k. o.k., not all of us.. well most of us do.
I seem to be making a lot of typo errors with clikity-claketing (spelling correct 😁), and all the other sounds that are coming out of my Logitech MX Mechanical as I thump on the keys, typing out wortds, (there I go again: it is “words”), sentences, paragraphs and this essay that I am working on right now.
Molst (there it goes again: the word is “most”) of the time, I get on the keyboard and start typing away from memory. I do refer to some notes (whenever I have something jotted d0own[down]).
What is really important is how we receive each day, what we do with it and do we look back at the end of each day with gratefulness?
As I am living my next 65 years (from July 10th 2023), I look at life with vigor. I try not to take anything for grant6ed (“granted”. It’s not my mistake, it’s the keyboard. Haha. If we can’t have fun now, then, when can we?).
One of the livings of life that we enjoy is when we have a family meal together. Our “big” family of three, yes the number is right : 3; can be quite a task getting together.
Our gewtting (it’s “getting” la [with a bit of “a”? Malaysian slang]) together at most times is quality time. What meal we have is not as important as having that bit of quality time. Quality time means, our smartphones are smart enough not to interrupt our family time. It is not that the phones are never used. It is just that we are not staring at the screen while having a conversation.
This time round, it was a morning breakfast at the Scottish restaurant, McD’s. McD’s does serve up a pretty cool breakfast.
All our meals came with hashbrowns.
I had a coffee from their McCafe counter, Laura had an iced milo and Jeannie and iced tea to go with our food.
Mine was a sausage McMuffin.
Jeannie and Laura do most of the talking as I like to listen to their daily happenings and plans. I find it very interesting. What may seem ordinary to the person, can be interesting to others. The smiles that come about, the noticeable distinct sparkle in the eye when a happy moment, thought or memory comes up.
Jeannie and Laura, both; had an egg and chicken muffin.
Jeannie and Laura are my Number 1 supporters for me to have my book published. It is coming. I am as excited as they are. The manuscript is taking shape. I have to organize a dedicated time space each day to work on the book. Once that is in place, there will be a fixed momentum with an ETP (Expected Time of Publication) on trhe (“the”… another MX mechanical typo?) calendar.
Picture taken by Laura with the Samsung S23 Ultra. It was a quick frame and shoot picture. She always seems to get the better angles.
Our breakfast was for about an hour. Needless to say, it was really good. Family time is good time – always.
NOTES: Just having fun with the Logitech MX Mechanical keyboard. It is the best keyboard I have had so far. I am enjoying the use of it. I can see that it is going to be with me for a long time to come.
Sunday afternoon. 9th day of the lunar new year or more commonly known as Chinese New Year, here in Malaysia. It is the Hokkien New Year, celebrated by…yes, the Hokkiens. They seemed to have set off every firecracker and fireworks in the country, beginning from a couple of hours just before midnight. This did not affect my sleep. When I was sleepy, I just went to sleep, which was around 2.45am.
It’s 12 minutes pass noon. I did several experiments before – all of which came out with the same results which means that the sun is directly over Subang Jaya, or at least in the USJ area; only at 1.00pm. This means that the sun is 90deg to the ground only at 1.00pm; and not 12.00pm. Do the shadow test, where when the sun is rising from the east, it causes a shadow of an object, building, etc. At 12.00pm, there will still be a shadow in the west. Only at 1.00pm; when the sun is directly overhead; there is no shadow.
Our day begun when Jeannie, the Batik Influencer; and I, went for the 8.30am mass at St. Thomas More church in Subang Jaya. Mass was refreshing and rejuvenating. We then, headed to New Apollos restaurant for breakfast after mass. Jeannie ordered a Loh Mai Kai (1); I ordered two Tau Sa pau (2). For drinks, we both ordered Kopi peng (3); mine was the “kaw” (4) ‘version’. I usually like my coffee thick or strong; not diluted.
I am beginning to believe that sugar prices have dropped tremendously because some of the food that I have eaten recently seemed to have had a ton of sugar added in for good measure. The tau sar pau today was no exception. For me, I feel that I could do with 95% – 98% less sugar.
I have been looking for ways to “upgrade” my productivity over the past few weeks. I have read that one way is by using a mechanical keyboard. It does improve productivity. I researched quite a great deal (basic research) on why the choice should be mechanical keyboards instead of the membrane, silent, soft-touch ones; we see almost everywhere.
Logitech MX Mechanical with the Logitech wrist pad (sold separately).
I noticed that most of the big department stores all use mechanical keyboards. I asked employees how they felt using this type of keyboard. Most of them said they could type with confidence and it is more comfortable. I asked many people who do use these mechanical keyboards. Gamers use them for feel, speed and accuracy.
Logitech MC Keys
I have not used mechanical keyboards for the longest time (an American phrase?) I consider them old-fashion. I replaced them with membrane type keyboards, the latest and mainstay of which I have been using for nearly two years is the Logitech MX Keys. It is an excellent keyboard all round, well built, but pricey. The MX Keys is like driving a vehicle with automatic transmission – smooth, not much travel between action and result. Love it. However, I was looking for something more. I am writing / typing more and needed a keyboard that would over-deliver. Maybe, I am in the mood for a change because I have had the MX Keys for almost 2 years.
The MX Keys drive is like driving a vehicle with automatic transmission – smooth, not much travel between action and result.MX Keys. The automatic backlighting is great, too. Though it can be annoying at times.
The battery life on the MX Keys won’t disappoint. Everything about this keyboard is inviting. I wanted more. Should I go back to the old fashion type of keyboard (mechanical: loud, noisy clikity-clack, bigger, heavier, less than looking slick)?
I tested mechanical keyboards from several brands whenever I could at the IT stores. Whenever I asked people for their experience on using these type of keyboards, many would answer what they read or hear about the keyboards, “There is a good tactile feel”. What on earth is that? I mean, really…what on earth is that? I researched that phrase. (5) To me, I like the deeper travel when I press each key as I tend to tap the keys with a bit more emphasis when I type fast and, and even harder when I put down an exciting idea or point.
After much deliberation; I purchased the MX Mechanical. I have been using it for several days now. Still tend to make a few typo errors. However, I think I will overcome it when I get more familiar with this keyboard.
Should you get this keyboard? It costs a pretty penny. If you are into a lot of typing, and not in a “silent retreat” or “library”, environment; meaning where certain amount of noise is tolerated; then go for it. Think of this as a sports car of keyboards. Sportscars tend top be noisy but make up for the noise pollution with performance. Finally, the choice of keyboard will ultimately be up to each user – The one that works for use is the one to get.
Now, I have not talked about a whole plethora of customization that can be done with this keyboard. Examples are key swaps, hot-wiring. My purpose for these essay is to reach out to the everyday folk who may want more for their daily use than what they have now. Perhaps, I may put up an article when or once I tinker with the many options available.
For now, it is time for a mugga (for coffee), as in cuppa is for tea.
NOTES: 1. Loh Mai Kai: Also spelt as “Lo mai gai” literally “glutinous rice chicken”, is a classic dim sum dish usually served during yum cha. Wikipedia 2. Tau Sar Pau is red bean paste bun, is a popular sweet and soft favourite bun that goes well with coffee or tea. 3. Kopi peng is a combination of Malay (kopi) and Chinese (Peng) for “iced coffee”. 4. Kaw is a Hokkien word which means “thick”. 5. Linear switches don’t have much resistance, and can be pressed in one smooth motion. Tactile switches have a bump that you’ll hit halfway through pressing, which makes them slightly louder and give a physical response as you type. And clicky switches have that same bump, but make a much louder noise. Business Insider, 8th September, 2023 Linear switches feel smooth when you press them, from top to bottom. Tactile switches have a noticeable bump partway through the keypress, which lets you know that you’ve activated the key. Clicky switches feel similar to tactile switches but add a click sound to match the tactile bump. nytimes.com, 5th December, 2023
