Apple M1 Macbook Air 2020

Took the dive to get a brand new Apple M1 Macbook Air (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 512GB SSD) after hearing rave reviews on how the new SOC chip outperforms most Intel CPUs of the same class.

Although it requires Rosetta to perform code translation, my own initial test shows that the x86-based Adobe Premiere Pro runs with a few small hiccups and is 99% usable. Can't wait for the Premiere Pro version that is compatible with ARM-based M1 chip so as to enjoy an even faster and smoother experience in video editing. After all Final Cut Pro users have reported a very smooth user experience, so why would Adobe be lagging in that aspect?

If all turns out well, I should be able to let go of the NZXT H1 Desktop (Ryzen 5 3600, GTX 1660 Ti) to save some desk space. In terms of raw power, the Macbook is certainly no match for prowess of the GTX 1660 Ti but the portability of the Macbook is certainly a good trade-off.

Also bought the kid the base M1 Macbook Air (8-core CPU, 7-core GPU, 256GB SSD) to replace the old and slow 2015 Macbook Air too!

Adobe Premiere Pro Layout

Adobe Premiere Pro Layout

After some time of using Adobe Premiere Pro, I have finally found my favorite workspace layout instead of the one provided out-of-the-box, and I named it the Default layout - what else would I have named it? :)

The Timeline panel takes up the entire width of the screen at the bottom and is best used in this manner.

The Program panel occupies the biggest space right in the top center, flanked by Source+Project panels at the top left corner (one behind the other) as well as Essential Graphics at the top right corner.

The other panels (Effects, Effects Control) are not required to be present at all times and can be enabled whenever necessary.

Initially I was even thinking of mounting another monitor to project the Timeline panel separately, but after having this layout I realize that a 24-inch monitor is more than sufficient where I already have to stretch myself a little to read both ends of the Timeline panel.

The next upgrade, if required, would likely be a 27-inch instead of having 2 separate monitors. So good job to myself! *pat pat*

Keychron K1 (version 4) Mechanical Keyboard

Keychron K1 Mechanical Keyboard

Top: Keychron K2; Bottom: Keychron K1

Left: Keychron K2; Right: Keychron K1

About 4 months after getting the Keychron K2 (read about my experience here), I have opted to get the new Keychron K1 (now in version 4).

In essence the K1 is a low-profile mechanical keyboard but has 87-keys instead of 84 keys on the K2.

Read about the Keychron K1 here.

Read about the Keychron K2 here.

Initially I thought the K1 would take up significantly more space than the K2 but I was pleasantly surprised that it is actually only 2 columns wider than the K2.

In essence the K1 does not take up significantly more space horizontally on the table and as such it is a very welcomed option together with the much lower side profile.

The low profile Gateron switches on the K1 are also less noisy than the normal profile Gateron switches on the K2.

Learning Python and MySQL

I have started to revise on Python and started to learn MySQL during this COVID period.

Python is really versatile and easy to pick up assuming you have some basics of programming in your bones. It supports JSON and RESTful API out of the box so it makes my project setup so much simpler. The language structure is not as strict as C and closer to spoken language so it is a breeze to code.

There are also rich resources in the community to support your learning journey, including the very feature rich Python Integrated Development Environment (IDE) - Spyder, which is lightweight yet powerful.

I learnt that MySQL is largely similar to the MSSQL, the relational database language that I have learnt during my earlier working years while I was a still system administrator whose work involved a little scripting to extract data from a database format. SQL Express was the choice back then but for now I have opted to make use of MySQL in Azure.

Most important factor: MySQL is free to use and there is close to zero maintenance if it is hosted on Azure - just create the instance and start using!

The MySQL Workbench, as the name implies, is a client side tool for managing MySQL. It feels much more light-weight than the MSSQL Management Studio too.

Incidentally I had delve into learning NoSQL and found that it is not useful (read: useless) since it is non-relational. Consider the fact that data is useful only if it can be used in relation to other data. Therefore, to establish relationship between different data sets, the relationship itself needs to manifest somewhat into the data structure, and so comes the ever recurring problem where you need to keep redesigning the data structure so that the relationship keeps in par with the need of your project. In SQL one would usually just add a new column or a new table without affecting the existing columns and data.

In essence, forget the hype about NoSQL being schema-less and takes up less computing resources, it actually gives you more headache afterwards in having to keep updating/re-loading the data structure.

Nevertheless most web-based API are RESTful and within the JSON/NoSQL data structure, so learning to retrieve data from such sources is a necessity. However for storing my own data I would still stick with SQL.

New Desktop Setup with NZXT H1

I had spent some time to revamp my desk setup. Here are the details:

1. NZX H1 - mini-ITX computer chassis from NZXT
2. Asus ROG Strix B450-I Motherboard
3. Ryzen 5 3600 CPU
4. Asus ROG Strix GTX 1660 Ti GPU
5. Keychron K2 mechanical keyboard
6. Geekcable keyboard cable
7. Razor Viper Mouse
8. Godzilla metal poster from Displate

video sharing website

 https://popcorn-tv.co

Razer Kraken Tournament Edition

Razer Kraken Tournament Edition

Got a new pair of over-the-ear headphones - the Razer Kraken Tournament Edition!

So far the headphones have been surprisingly comfortable (tried other brands before), where you do not yet feel any pressure on the overhead band as well as pressure from the ear foams on the left and right side.

The headphones come with a THX device that adds surround sound into the default stereo output.

Read more about the THX spatial audio here.

Razer Viper

Razer Viper Top View

Got myself a new Razer Viper Mouse during this WFH period!

This mouse is surprisingly light and has a very smooth base allowing the mouse to glide over the desktop very easily.

Razer Viper Front View

You can customize the rear Razer logo to be any RGB color.

I changed it to be red in order in sync with my desktop theme color which is black/grey/red. (Caveat: the mouse does not have on-board memory so it requires the Razer Synapse app to be running to retain the color settings.)

I think it will be very hard to go back to any previous mouse that I have used before.

Keychron K2 Mechanical Keybooard

Keychron K2 Mechanical Keyboard

I ordered a Keychron K2 mechanical keyboard the other day.

The package took about a week to arrive in Singapore and another 3 days sitting in their warehouse over the weekend before they activated Ninja Van to pick it up on Monday.

SF Express Bubble Wrap

It came in a big bubble wrap to ensure that the box was not crushed along the journey from Shenzhen to Singapore. The company is registered in Hong Kong though.

Overall it is a great looking keyboard but it doesn't seem to be as quiet as I have thought although it is the lightest touch of all, with red Gateron switches.

Keychron K2 Packaging

Additionally I took some time to adjust my fingers' memory to get used to the new location of the keys as compared to the full-size keyboard.

The height of this keyboard requires some time to get used to as well. I may report back if my wrist are too strained after using this heightened keyboard.

Overall it was not a big problem getting used to the new layout.

For the uninitated, Keychron K2 is actually born out of a Kickstarter project.

Update (11th Apr 2020): I have decided to get the walnut wrist rest as the height seemed to be too high for my liking. I also found out that the media playback buttons integrated into the function row as secondary keys can be accessed easily. Just hold the Function + X + L keys for 3 seconds to make them primary keys!

Here is a video showcasing the various keyboard size: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxS30X_unjU

In essence this is still my favorite keyboard because of the compact size (75%) and the primary media keys.

Why people go off tangent or therefore do not discuss issues

Found this paragraph when reading Quora. I guess it is a thing since humans existed. The main problem is why nobody told me in school 😅

I suppose no one can be sure if they themselves are objective or are logical and without bias. However one should be willing to share and discuss whenever there are disagreements in order to reach a common understanding or compromise.

Anger

In this world there are 3 types of people:

• People that gets angry easily and blame others for reacting to their anger, e.g. for scolding them back or fighting back.
• People that are at ease with themselves most of the time and rarely starts a fight out of no reason unless provoked very intentionally. However when they are provoked, they could fight back relentlessly.
• People that are at ease with themselves most of the time and can always contain the anger of the persons in the first category. Stays composed even if provoked.

I certainly belong to the second group and I seriously think some divine being is training me to become the 3rd group, by bringing to me someone of the 1st group, so that I can be “enlightened” and “graduate” within this lifetime. Zen.

I have seen for myself representatives in the 3rd group and I admire their ability.

快乐

一个人的不快乐，往往不是因为别人，而是自己内心深处的不快乐(non-fulfilment, 不是not happy)。而这份不快乐，常常会被路人甲所引发，比如说话不中听或行事不中意，或意见不相同之类的。那不快乐的人就会认为是路人甲导致他的不快乐，而且还常常发生。

要知道炸药和导火线的区别：导火线本身无害，但在炸药旁边就变得致命。炸药本身是致命的，没有导火线也可能因为别的原因而爆炸。

人一定要搞清楚什么是炸药（自己的不快乐），什么是导火线（身边的人不经意地说错话，认为他不了解自己，总是和自己作对之类的），对症下药，正视问题，然后从中解决。不然就会误人误己一生。

人缘与说话

以下文章取自 https://eqceshi.com/read/70.html


在日常生活中一个善于说话的人总能左右逢缘让人羡慕，然而也总有那么一些人总会委屈地说：“我明明没说什么啊，怎么就把人给得罪了呢？”其实，得罪人呢有显性和隐性两种，显性因素也就是我们能看得见的事件成因，比如双方当面起了冲突、口出恶语。


但很多时候呢，我们即便没什么恶意可还是伤害到了别了，导致身边的朋友越来越少，那么这就要归纳到隐性方面了，从心理学的角度来讲呢，有三种情况最容易让人感到不舒服：

第一：关心，被人听起来是指手画脚
比如在职场当中，你的同事工作很出色拿到了公司的奖金，同事们都称赞他：“你真棒”，祝贺你，这样说显然没什么问题。可是如果有人突然拍拍他的肩膀并且来一句：“做的不错，我看好你哦”！甚至还要发表一些工作上的建议及点评。你不觉得哪里怪怪的吗？


如果是你的话会作何感想呢？总的来说当你想要评价别人的时候无论是正面的还是负面的，只要指手画脚的对别人的行为作出评判，在对方看来都是“你处在比我高的位置上。”所以在与同等人交流的时候这样说话显然就很容易得罪别人了。


如果刚刚那位同事是这样说：“真棒！我要是能像你这样有才就好了”！你看，这样既能表达祝贺，又避免了评价，岂不一举两得。

第二：安慰，让人感觉是漠不关心
当我们遇到同事朋友出现困难时，有人常说：“人生就是这样，没事的，我是过来人，这都是小事”这句话炸一看也没什么问题，但在别人的心底会认为你这并不是安慰，反而是一种站着说话不腰疼的风凉话。


所以，在你还没完全意识到情况时，已经将人得罪了。因此当我们在安慰被人的时候最好强调人，用：“这件事对你真可惜，但你的付出，我都知道”来取代“别难过了，这件事根本不重要。”

第三：委婉礼貌，让人感觉是暗藏新机
回想一下，生活中是不是经常有人给别人的微信留言“在不在”、或者有些人托人办事的时候总是会说“你什么时候有空啊？我相信大多数人看到这样的消息时会觉得头皮发麻，甚是心烦。


我怎么知道你找我是什么事情呢？或者我没空怎么办，又不好拒绝。虽然我知道你这样说话是怕会打扰到对方，但是你要知道对方一旦明确表示有空，就意味着很难拒绝你的请求，有点道德绑架的成风。


所以当你有事需要找人的时候不妨直接一点，有什么地方需要帮忙，事情的来龙去脉是什么、哪些方面有顾虑、有没有实际的好处等等都跟人说清楚，才算是不给人添麻烦，也算是尽到了求人帮忙的义务。

记得有个相声段子说的好，说话是一门语言艺术。既然是艺术，那就有很多的技巧。会说话的人，非但不会得罪人，批评都能把人批的开开心心，甚至热血沸腾。


那么，如何说话才不会得罪人呢？以下10种话是不能乱说的：


一、不说直话

心里怎么想，嘴上就怎么说，这种直来直去的话不要说。比如，她的头型很不适合她的脸型，你说一句“这头型真难看”，能不得罪人吗。


二、不说妄话

妄话就是画蛇添足、多此一举的话，不说正好，说了就多。比如同事干活比较慢，提醒一下就行，如果多说一句“跟个娘们似的”，人家能不生气吗。


三、不说醉话

酒后说的话，往往正是心里想说而平时又不敢说的话，喝点酒，控制不住自己的情绪，一旦秃噜出来，迷迷糊糊的状态下就把人得罪了。


四、不说深话

心里话是要说给懂的人听的，交情不够就不要语重心长地说什么心里话，你说了，人家不但不领情，还会反感你，甚至记恨你。


五、不说实话

都说要做老实人，说老实话，但是有时老实话是很伤人的。比如，领导说欢迎大家对自己提意见，你如果不管不顾实话实说，领导虽然嘴上不说什么，但是心里必然不快。

六、不说气话

气头上的话，往往怎么恶毒怎么说，自己虽然解气了，但是人也会得罪苦了。所以，人要学会制怒，免得祸从口出。


七、不说脏话

做人要有点修养，出口成脏要不得，生活中要养成好习惯，不要随便带口头禅。有时自己一句无心之言，因为带了“花把儿”，有可能给自己招来口角是非。


八、不戳人痛处

打人不打脸，揭人不揭短，有些短处和缺陷，谁都不想有。比如说身高长相。再好的朋友，再好的关系，也不要以此开玩笑。


九、不说风凉话

不看人笑话，不要在别人失意时后你在旁边洋洋得意，哈哈大笑。每个人都有落寞时，在别人困境时不但不帮助，反而说些打击的风凉话，谁都会心凉。


十、少说评论的话

朋友之间会有很多事情相互分享，在倾听别人诉说自己事情的时候，不要去做过多的评论，而是要站在对方角度去仔细考虑，理解对方。

一个情商高的人必定是个会说话的人，他们句句话都让人听着舒服，而那些情商低的人动不动就把天聊死，换句话说，那些没有朋友的人，一定是情商低、嘴笨的人，而身处复杂的社会，学会说话、学会说不得罪的人的话真的太重要了。

情绪接纳者

Another good article from https://www.zaobao.com.sg/zlifestyle/familynlove/story20190624-966865

问

我是独子，结婚前就跟妻子说好婚后希望可以继续跟父母同住，我想好好照顾他们，同时也承诺会同样爱她照顾她。

妻子的个性比较内向，言语不多，结婚初期妻子和我的父母算是和平客气的相处，但孩子出世后，问题就开始了。

坐月子的时候，妻子怕热开冷气，老妈坚持坐月子不能吹冷气，要我把冷气关了。我劝妻子听妈妈的，毕竟是为她好，她觉得这没科学根据，说我不体谅她，说得一把鼻涕一把眼泪。我听说女人生孩子情绪会比较容易波动，心想还是顺着她比较好，老妈又不高兴了，说一些不好听的话，什么不听老人言吃亏在眼前等等。两个人之间的梁子从此结下了。

之后，她们对带孩子的事，意见分歧没完没了，我夹在两个女人之间，只能尽最大努力缓解冲突。对妈妈我总是尽量顺从，心想老人家在言语上多顺着她，她发发牢骚也就算了。对太太，我尽量做到最好地表达我对她的照顾和爱，希望她可以多体谅老人家的个性，多孝顺，多忍耐，毕竟老人的出发点也是为了我们的孩子好。

我常想，要找到像我这样用心维持婆媳关系的男人应该不容易吧，但结果呢？吃力不讨好，里外不是人。既然我已经努力过了，我想以后我再也不要在老妈面前扮忠臣，在太太面前扮夫子了。女人间的问题，让她们自己去解决好了。不然，我还能做什么？

答

夹在两个最爱，意见却不同的女人中间，我完全可以想象你所形容的“吃力不讨好，里外不是人”的困境，也很赞同要找到像你这样，想方设法让两个女人和平相处的男人真的不容易。你会觉得累，是正常反应，在我心目中，你是委屈求全的堂堂男子汉。

一般做调解工作的先决条件，就是角色必须客观。在婆媳关系中，你既是儿子，也是丈夫，已经失去了客观的先决条件。无论是母亲或妻子，他们对你的要求多是情绪性的要求和反应，无论你提出解决方案是多么的有效率，多么地面面俱到，但站在她们各自的立场，都会觉得你偏向对方，没有真正站在她那一边。

另外，要跟别人有效沟通，让双方正确明白对方的想法和情绪已经很不容易，更别说要让另外两个人做到这一点了。老实说我们受过专业训练的辅导员在婚姻辅导过程中，最普遍面对的问题之一就是帮助双方坦诚沟通。你既失去客观角色的先决条件，再加上帮助他人沟通本身就是一个挑战，所以这些年并不是你做得不好，而是先决条件不足。我相信如果没有你的努力，你的家庭可能就不是今天的情况了。

丈夫在处理婆媳关系时，我觉得最适合扮演的角色是情绪接纳者。当双方因为意见相左产生冲突，继而产生情绪困扰的时候，你要做的，是给予情绪的接纳和认同，向他们表示你明白她们的情绪，她们有这个感觉是合情合理的。比起苦口婆心的劝说，或企图主导她们达到表面的和解，接纳和认同更能有效地缓解负面情绪。

其实做妈妈的，再怎么怪儿子偏袒媳妇，应该还是希望自己儿子能有幸福的婚姻，安定的家庭。你的妻子呢，我想大概也不用你一再的提醒要孝顺，要忍耐，说多了反而给她增添了多一份压力。

如果她们之间的关系还没有发展到正面冲突的状况，除了尽力做到同理和接纳她们的情绪外，我想你的建议也是个好办法，就留给他们一些空间自己做判断，找出一个可以和平共处的方式。如果事情不如预期，关系变得越来越恶劣，我鼓励你还是寻求辅导员的协助。

Jaybrid Tarah Pro Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

Upgraded to the Jaybird Tarah Pro!

Remember I bought the Jaybird Tarah a few months back.

However the ear-buds have started to drop out of my ears during my runs, so I decided to get the Jaybird Tarah Pro that has the Switch-Fit system that allows an over-ear way of inserting the ear-buds.