Today, I’ve actually done it. Signed up for a 2-year webhosting account with Lunarpages. Now this is the time where all the work begins. Nevertheless, I’m going to take it one step at a time, setting up my own website, importing my WordPress blog, etc.
I’ll keep you posted.
June 15 was Father’s Day, but what a day it was. Windows Vista on my computer resembled the Titanic-it crashed and sunk. If you’ve been following my Startup woes posts, you’ll know how I was faring. Toward the weekend, Vista was behaving like a very sick OS; fortunately I could still get it to boot up in Safe Mode and backup all my important stuff. It refused to boot up in Normal mode, hanging during the process.
The irony was that on Sunday I tried inserting the Vista DVD and did a Startup repair. After it was done, I started up in Normal mode, and lo and behold, BSODs (Blue Screen of Deaths). It was sink or swim time, and Vista was doing the former. And it also wouldn’t start up in Safe mode any more.
Well, what else can I do? No other choice except for the dreaded format and reinstall. I’d go for this option only when my other choices don’t work. It was time to take the sledgehammer out!
As of now (Monday June 16) I’ve got the OS up and running, together with most of my necessary programs. Grr…hope this new install will last me for a long time. That last install was 10 months ago, but of course I’ve installed and uninstalled so much crud that…well, I can’t blame Vista, can I?
And Doris, don’t get me started on that Programs and Features thing. I don’t know what the hell happened to it. 
Modesty aside, I rarely catch a cold. This week, however, was bad. I suspect that one of my students passed it to me. I’ve been feeling worn-out, my head feels like 10 times its weight, and I have all the typical cold symptoms: stuffed nose, sneezing, etc.
Stocked up on my Vitamin C and paracetamol tablets. I won’t see a doctor yet because Murphy’s Law dictates that once you see the doc and spend some money, your cold will mysteriously vanish in an instant. I’ll just rest, and continue to treat myself with the above pills, and some coffee.
That’s my past few days for you, condensed into two short paragraphs.
The price of petrol (gas to my American readers) will be going up tomorrow, from RM1.92 (US$0.60) a liter to RM2.70 (US$0.83) a liter. Not as much or bad compared to other countries, but this will bound to have a domino effect on the prices of goods 
. Glad I’m just driving a Perodua Viva, which is very fuel-economical and it’s a neat compact. I’m not envious of all those other drivers in their fuel-guzzling SUVs and other big cars. This “little” increase probably won’t bother them!
Well, I suppose I was looking for trouble, or taking a big risk. I uninstalled the nVidia graphics drivers that Vista had installed (see my post Startup woes), went to nVidia’s website and downloaded the newest drivers for my GeForce 7200GS graphics card.
Installation went pretty well. I was told to reboot, so I did, and…plain vanilla blue screen. Took me another hour to get Vista to install its own nVidia drivers…damn.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. How true. I’m strolling off, with my tail in between my legs.
Went to the MPH Bookstore in Gurney Plaza yesterday. This huge tome caught my eye: Starting an Online Business all-in-one Desk Reference for Dummies. At 840 pages, it’s not a book for the faint-hearted, heh heh. I’ve started to plough through it. I’ve been a For Dummies fan for a couple of years, and have bought plenty of the books in the past. Not so much now, as book prices seem to keep getting more and more expensive. This book though, seems to be worth it (I suppose I could say the same for all the Dummies books I’ve bought in the past!)
Ciao for now, off to read my book.
Just got back from work tonight. Argh…the traffic downtown is terrible, because it’s a two-week school holiday break now. Cars everywhere, with some ignorant bastards behind the wheels. Some of these morons change lanes or make turns without signaling, pedestrians cross the street without looking (they must be Superman’s relatives), and the motorcyclists…they are a scourge.
It’s times like these that I enjoy some classical music, to keep me sane. I love listening to some Bach, Haydn, or Mozart while driving. I like other composers, too, and always make sure I bring along some classical CDs before starting a road trip. This does make me feel more relaxed behind the wheel, thank God.
Now where’s Mad Max when I need him? 
Did some grocery shopping at one of the local supermarkets here. I happened to see this Home’s Cafe Hazelnut white coffee 3-in-one. It’s all pre-mixed, ready to drink, just add boiling water. Perfect for lazy people like me. Coffee does make my world go round.
And the aroma, even before I open a sachet, is superb! Glad I tried this. And it’s made in the town of Ipoh, Malaysia. Kudos to the manufacturer!
I know in Part 2 I said I was considering Startlogic as my web host. But after reading some negative reviews about them on the web I’ve decided I might not go with them. Lunarpages is another host I’m considering, and since I have a friend who is hosting there (snigger, you know who you are, D) I could wrangle some help from her if needed.
That’s why I’ve been silent for the past few days. Pondering about this over and over in my head. Want to get it right the first time instead of regretting and canceling my account later on.
My BBB fellow member Fanatic posted this YouTube video on BBB last December, and it has stuck in my mind ever since. It literally brings one back to earth, showing how fortunate we are, compared to millions of less fortunate people. Whenever I start complaining about what I don’t or can’t have, this is the video I’ll watch, to bring me back to my senses. Hope you’ll enjoy it.
