Author: Hafiz Noor Shams

For more about me, please read this.

Categories
Photography This blog

[929] Of at Madam Kwan’s

It’s been awhile since I last posted a photo of my own. I’m only happy to do so now.

Not too long ago, I broke my fast at a restaurant in Suria KLCC and brought along my cam:

Some rights reserved. Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams

I didn’t directly pay for it but I’m sure it’s overpriced. Still, it was good food. And man, people actually lined up to get a table there. Thank goodness for the discoverer of reservation.

During the duration of the last Ramadan, I became increasingly disturbed with the liberal use of the terms breakfast and break fast. Some genuinely used the word breakfast while others are ignorant of the difference between the two terms, hence promoting unnecessary misunderstanding.

Anyway, the photo itself seems to be out of focus. But hell.

One more thing. I’ve added a related post plugin from Wasabi. There are several options but the one I’m currently using is the most hassle free. Nevertheless, the algorithm is only as half as effective. Half of the time, unrelated posts are listed as related. Still, having it is better than not having it.

Categories
Humor Sports

[928] Of “even Reader’s Digest is jumping on the bandwagon”

The Game has hit Reader’s Digest (via via via):

Fair use. Reader's Digest. By C.F. Payne.

Bring on November 18 already!

Categories
Economics

[927] Of pornography reduces rape?

I woke this morning with a totally unexpected result from an econometric model. Todd Kendall of Clemson University found out that (*.pdf; via via via!):

The arrival of the internet caused a large decline in both the pecuniary and non-pecuniary costs of accessing pornography. Using state-level panel data from 1998-2003, I find that the arrival of the internet was associated with a reduction in rape incidence. However, growth in internet usage had no apparent effect on other crimes. Moreover, when I disaggregate the rape data by offender age, I find that the effect of the internet on rape is concentrated among those for whom the internet-induced fall in the non-pecuniary price of pornography was the largest — men ages 15-19, who typically live with their parents. These results, which suggest that pornography and rape are substitutes, are in contrast with most previous literature. However, earlier population-level studies do not control adequately for many omitted variables, including the age distribution of the population, and most laboratory studies simply do not allow for potential substitutability between pornography and rape.

Hey you. Yeah, you the reader. I know what you’re thinking…

Anyway, blogging professors are way too cool!

Categories
Gaming Liberty

[926] Of he dreams himself your master

Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.

— Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri, Commissioner Pravin Lal, “U.N. Declaration of Rights”

Eid Mubarak.

Categories
Sports

[925] Of Ajax 4-0 Feyenoord

Though I sympathize with Liverpool and would’ve rather seen Liverpool beat the crap out of Fergie’s boys, I’m jumping with absolute joy right now. The reason is, Ajax Amsterdam has just pulled a punch to the face, another punch to the stomach, a kick in the groin and another kick in the ass of Feyenoord Rotterdam.

By the 90th minute, the score stands as Ajax 4, Feyenoord 0:

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands Kenneth Perez scored two goals and set up two more for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on Sunday to lift Ajax over nine-man Feyenoord 4-0 in the Dutch league.

Huntelaar first headed in Perez’s 12th-minute corner, then scored again in the 38th off another assist from Perez.

Perez converted from the penalty spot in the 50th after Dwight Tiendalli brought down Huntelaar in the area. The Denmark winger then put back a rebound in the 62nd.

Four minutes after the fourth goal, Feyenoord substitute Pierre van Hooijdonk was red-carded for a harsh foul on Urby Emanuelson. Sebastian Pardo was also ejected for a second booking as referee Rene Temmink issued eight yellow cards in a stormy second-half.

As I’ve mentioned earlier, I didn’t forsee any problem for Ajax. Despite crashing out of the Champions League this year, Ajax is in a very good shape. From Feyenoord’s point of it, it can’t be too good; it’s way down in the ninth place.

Unlike the Rotterdammers, PSV Eindhoven is looking strong. They’ve just beaten AZ Alkmaar — the new giant of the Eredivisie — 3-1. From the look of it, this season will be between Ajax and PSV. Whatever it might be, Ajax is at the top of the league. PSV is second; too close for comfort.

Still, what a good way to start the whole week. Life is so sweet and so, I’m gonna wish again to my readers, Happy Deeparaya folks. Don’t be afraid of wishing it. Don’t let some narrow-minded individuals prevent you from wishing it to people that you care for.