To cut things short, Taufiqology is closing. Yes, it is. After two strong years, it’s time to pack it all up. But please don’t see it as a bad thing. In fact, it’s good.

Now, you must be going… “WTF! You call closing the (sarcasm starts here) most wonderful, entertaining, funny, informative blog in the whole wide universe (ends here) a GOOD THING??”

Yes, it is a good thing. You see, you don’t know how hard it is to type up a whole post, every single day, and talk about stuff. Plus, most bloggers would want a “profit” from all that hard work, like a strong readership base or something similar.

As the year goes on, I’m getting busier and busier with more and more homework. So that leaves me less time for blogging. Even though I’m closing Taufiqology, it does not mean I’m giving up on blogging. In fact I’m continuing to blog, but in a different style (more on that later)… and of course, a brand spankin’ new site.

Introducing taufiq.tumblr.com. This will be my new home on the internet from now on. Basically, I’m bringing everything back down to the basics. Simple yet elegant, one column design and no fancy stuff. Now comes the fun bit. Remember I was talking about the new blogging style. Well, the main content features a mix mash of everything on the internet as well as the stuff I see and hear everyday. Basically you’ll get text, pictures, quotes, links, dialogues, audio, video and all things nice. This is called Tumble Blogging.

Here’s Jason Kottke’s description of a tumblelog:

A tumblelog is a quick and dirty stream of consciousness, a bit like a remaindered links style linklog but with more than just links. They remind me of an older style of blogging, back when people did sites by hand, before Movable Type made post titles all but mandatory, blog entries turned into short magazine articles, and posts belonged to a conversation distributed throughout the entire blogosphere. Tumblelogs are with minimal commentary, little cross-blog chatter, the barest whiff of a finished published work, almost pure editing…really just a way to quickly publish the “stuff” that you run across every day on the web.

Because it’s mixed media, I tend to post more frequently and shorter but at the same time, interesting bits from all around the web and my life. Plus, this way, it’s easier to follow and read too.

And that’s basically all what the new site’s about. Told you there’s nothing fancy! And I bet you’re gonna like it.

I’m leaving this site and every single post online just for the memories, but everything new is at the new site. This is officially the last post on Taufiqology. Hope to see you at my new place!

I’ve lost count how many different Windows Vista Auroras I’ve seen but boy there’s something about translucent blue and green waves that makes me want more. Here is a very cool dark variation of the Aurora found in Steve Ballmer’s presentation slides at the “Expression around the clock” event in Zurich.

From istartedsomething. Check it out.

Here’s one for the kids (or your inner child). New York’s Bronx Zoo has a flash game on their website which lets you create an avatar of yourself, then add different animal body parts to create your ‘wild self’. Each body part is labelled with the name of the animal it comes from, and there are even sound effects to let you hear what the animal sounds like.

BFF. Otherwise known as “Best Friends Forever”. Anyway, I have some great friends, so I decided to treat them to Ice Cream from the school Cafe. I had a Gaytime. A Golden Gaytime to be exact.

As gay as the name is, I can tell you this is DELICIOUS! Its basically toffee and vanilla ice-cream dipped in chocolate and wrapped in honeycomb biscuits, on a wooden stick. As I had the oral pleasure of this Gaytime, my heart just melted on every bite. Each box comes with 4 sticks of the Golden Gaytime with the words “4 delicious chances to have a gay time” printed on the front of the box.

The A380 may have the world’s first airborne double bed, but it won’t be put to the obvious use if Singapore Airlines has its way: “If couples used our double beds to engage in inappropriate activity, we would politely ask them to desist,” said the company’s Stephen Forshaw. “There are things that are acceptable on an aircraft and things that aren’t, and the rules for behaviour in our double beds are the same ones that apply throughout the aircraft.

Read the full article.

Terminal 3, Singapore’s newest terminal at Changi Airport is almost ready. Just a few touch ups and they’re ready for action. The airport has promised “god-like treatment” for all users of the terminal to complement Singapore Airline’s new A380 in it’s new home.

And I think they have definitely lived up to the expectations. Terminal 3 is the largest of the other two terminals. The total floor area of 380,000 sqm is equivalent to 63 football fields. Note: Some of the pictures are in links because it’s too big. Also, none of these pictures are mine. I took them from here.

Welcome to the departure level. This is where passengers to the airport will be to check in for their flight and collect their boarding passes:

Here’s another picture.

This is a close up of the ceiling of the terminal. It has 900 Skylight which lets in soft natural lighting, while keeping out the heat.

From now, you would most likely realise that most of the structures in the terminal are made of glass. This makes the terminal look big, bright and airy.

They also placed lots of “Did you know” plaques around the terminal:

Dedicated Private First Class check in area. Part of the “god-like treatment”. Still under construction though:

Once you’ve said your last goodbyes to your loved ones, you’ll then go into the Departures Grand Entrance. Click here for the picture. Now comes paradise. Obviously this side of the terminal is only for passengers. Here, you’ll get endless stretches of shops, boutiques, lounges and all that for you to relax in before you fly off.

This is the Crossroads Bar, still under construction:

Here’s another picture.

The shopping strip:

More “Did you know” plaques:

Al-Fresco areas:

Water features in the corridors. Also note that the plants that are shooting out from the flooring is REAL.

Walkways:

More live plants:

“Green Wall”:

This is the baggage claim. The place where you get your bags when you arrive into Singapore. The tall while stacked blocks you see there is actually a waterfall:

Public toilets in the terminal:

Now this is something for the ladies. It’s a special make up area!

And for the guys, now you actually have something to look at while you’re doing your business. (It’s a glass wall overlooking the main terminal from above. Partially blocked off by plants.) Click here to see it.

Looks amazing huh? Terminal 3 is hosting an open house from the 12th of November till the 9th of December. That means I’ll be able to make it while I’m in Singapore! Terminal 3 will officially open for business on 9th January 2008. Oh and check out the official website too!

I recently got a new High Definition (HD) TV and it’s soooo cool. It really is.

Channels in Australia are moving on to Digital and HD broadcasting, so if you’re looking for a new TV, it probably is wise to get a HD ready TV.

Channels are turning off Analog transmission around 2010, so you’ll have loads of time to get a new TV. What’s all the fuss about HD TV? Well, Ten HD (one of the new channels you’ll get when you have a HD ready TV) has a nice ad demonstrating what it’s all about.

The world is amazing in HD… it really is!

Although I do agree with Chris Crocker to some extent, the media should really just leave Britney alone. Ok, maybe not. I don’t know… I’m all confused. What do you think?

Anyway, here’s the video if you haven’t watched it:

Here’s the “Leave Chris Crocker Alone” Parody:

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UPDATED! Ok, I was on Chris Crocker’s side after further analysing the following clip:

But then, I stumbled across this video… which made me change my mind:

Italian website Idee Montabili has a few box templates you can download, print and cut out to make your own boxes. Some of them look suitable for displaying items in a retail setting, but a couple of them are for gift boxes. Print out the template, then trace the template onto some fancy coloured cardboard to make a gift box. With Christmas coming up this could be a fun DIY project for yourself.

Here’s a tip from the Plasticmind blog which takes the fun of online translation tools (hello Babelfish!) and lets you put a tool on your website to let readers translate it into their native language. The tool uses Google Translate, and the author does warn that it is a ‘quick and dirty’ translation only. He also points out that it doesn’t play well with flash, or some positioned elements - so proceed with caution.

Yes, it’s school. End of first week of Term 4! And about 2 weeks + left… for me that is. I’m going back to Singapore!!! Maths test on monday… urgh.

Most of you might have already seen the new, luxurious interior for the A380. If not, shame on you. Today, I’m gonna briefly run through some of the things I like about the new SQ Suites.

First up.. It’s a freakin’ suite I’m talking about! Experience your own bedroom, office, cinema and dining area - all from the comfort of your own heaven of luxury.

Enjoy the largest ever seat, a lavish armchair hand-stitched by master Italian craftsmen Poltrona Frau AND a full size bed. Yes, a bed. For the first time ever, experience the pleasure of sleeping on a standalone bed; not one converted from a seat.

At up to 35 inches across, your seat is unsurpassed in comfort and space. With a sundeck position, adjustable headrest and armrests, and simple electronic controls, lounge in luxury in the most exclusive seat in the sky. Ready to sleep? Experience the signature turn-down service, complete with fine linen, full-sized pillows and pyjamas for you to slip in, you are assured of restful slumber.

Each suite features sliding doors and window blinds, offering you the freedom to decide on the level of privacy you prefer. Even the leather and wood finishes have been designed in soothing natural hues to enhance the sense of serenity. It has also been laid out to offer more stowage space for your cabin baggage and personal items, and a full length wardrobe – all within easy reach.

For customers who need to catch up on work on board, their Singapore Airlines Suite can be transformed into a stylish office. Each Suite includes a chaise lounge for companion seating and a height-adjustable table which can function as your personal workstation, meeting table or a dining table fit for 2. Customers with laptops can tap into the in-seat power supply, while customers with just a thumb-drive can also get work done by plugging into the USB ports and utilising the comprehensive office softwares available on their personal 23-inch High Definition Widescreen LCD – the largest in the sky - mounted on the suite wall.

So there you go, some of the features built into the Suites that WOW-ed me when I first saw it. To find out more about the new Singapore Airline Suites, click here.

We all have times when our energy is just blah, and we’re just generally in a pissy mood. Instead of taking out that frustration on our other people, Life Learning Today suggests that we learn to recognise when these “down cycles” are coming our way.

The main thing with cycles is to roll with them and not to fight them. If you are in a high cycle, ride that wave. Get great work done and enjoy your energy. During down cycles when your energy is lagging, your emotions are more edgy, and you want to throw in the towel, just ride it out. Know that an up cycle is on its way. It is inevitable! Read the full article here. What do you do to fight your funks? Let’s hear in the comments.

You’ve seen Spongebob’s SquarePants.. You’ve seen Spongebob’s SquareMovie… but have you seen

Spongebob’s SquareCamera?

Pretty cool eh? Read more about the camera here.

Today’s a really exciting day for me. It’s Blog Action Day and it’s the A380 Delivery Day.

The theme for this year’s Blog Action Day is the environment. It all comes together. The A380 is by far the most environmentally friendly aircraft in the world. So expect cleaner greener air!

Oh and do check out the official delivery of the A380 to Singapore Airlines and the unveil of the first A380 interior at the Airbus Virtual Delivery Center’s Upper Lounge.