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I’ve just come to realise something really interesting. I don’t know if I’m right but I think people are so much more in tune with what they really want from a project they outsource when there is a higher price to pay.

I was actually thinking about the topic of church people always doing stuff for free (which should be the way most of the time). I mean the stuff that people get paid to do outside. Its also because I took on a freelance job and don’t know what to charge. I would gladly do this one for free for a friend who’s the proxy but I’m not going to tell because I think they would not be as clear with what they want or whether they really need it.

This is something I (and probably many others) am guilty of. When one is given something for free, the reaction is to take it “just in case we need” and then discard it if we don’t. Maybe not just some material thing, but maybe a service from someone. If we’re made to pay for something first, we’d think twice about whether we really really need it before accepting. Hmmm.. I will consider accepting payment for things before starting future projects for anyone in future. I believe it really helps to clear the client’s mind about what they really want and whether they really need it. I was thinking of doing that to church but others (like kim and zg) would just fold and do it for free anyway so no point.

Just to sum it up and be a little more clear (especially the church part), sometimes free things are taken for-granted and we must continually re-evaluate and consider whether something is worth doing or not. It may be relevant now but become irrelevant later and vice versa. Putting it on the budget will spark that little consideration about whether our time and resources are being well spent by quantifying it in dollars and cents. Its like the sunday pianist. An hour of playing outside could cost anything between $30-$100. If we had to pay our pianists (because of a sudden law which says people cannot do anything for free) we still would have them play and spend money because it is almost an absolutely essential part of running the service for now. (noting that nothing stops them from giving back to the church really..) To have a pianist play is almost totally unquestionable and thats why we don’t even think about it. Consider the less essential points of running a church like taking care of the sound system, running the website, having a library, having tuitions on Saturdays, having cantatas, having camps. We shouldn’t have them just because they are good to have but more because we need them or because we know it is God’s will. I think this applies to life in general when so many things call for my attention and time and money and everything seems like a good to have.

Well, those are the thoughts for the night. Funny how money is valued more than another person’s time and talent sometimes? Next time I ask someone to help me do something for free, this will be on my mind.

I’ve been repeatedly inspired by this guy’s blog. Recently, he’s written one about exercise! Well, I’m going to go for either Army half marathon or another marathon at the end of the year so I thought I’d like to try it out and make exercising a habit. I must admit its usually because of my other interests like web stuff that I push exercise to the last priority but not anymore! I have a whole month to make running around a habit.. and I shall begin this may.

On the topic of habits, I notice that its really quite accurate to say that they are formed after many repetitions. Like my toasted bun with egg breakfast at 730 in the morning even though I’ve gone to bed at 5 still goes on even when I’m totally zombified. I’m going to miss that.. sigh.. so nice to wake up, walk out without washing face/brushing teeth/combing hair/changing and just sit at the canteen to have breakfast. Its really nice. I think I shall stay in hall after I’m done with my exams. I shall do some coding on a little project of mine and also finish a photoshopping job I got from a JC friend. How much is my time worth? haha.. I don’t know how much to charge.. Its great I don’t know them, at least I won’t feel guilt.

Wha.. I’m so super impressed by this ajax toolkit at Zapatec. It makes so many things easier! All the coding and libraries already done for you. I shall have a year to learn it up then I can use it as a registration thingy for whatever I do next time.

I suspect these library things will be very hot in the coming days of more and more complex web applications. Why start from scratch when you can build on another’s work? This in particular is great for people who don’t want to learn javascript just to have some ajax functionality and convenience. Oh well.. Back to EE2012… Stats man.. stats! booo!!!

Spent the whole evening formatting my bro’s computer. I’m quite surprised that trying to activate a windows installation is so difficult nowadays. Oh well.. its very hard to find CD keys which I can use online. And all that because we don’t have a recovery CD for the computer. bah… Anyhow, I shall go and sleep now. I’m very very very very tired in the day and have no idea why. Just having a bad day I guess. I’m tired - of everything. Not just school and exams. Wanna take a break from everyone and everything.

Best math excuse ever!

I accidentally divided by 0 and my paper burst into flames

I AM HEALTHY! haha.. Just thankful cos Shuyi is sick.

Ben just came to chat me up. He needs a place to stay during summer cos *insert unknown reason* he’d rather stay with a friend instead of in school cos “staying at school will bring many implications like my meals, etc etc… loneliness.. haha”. He’s wondering if he should take more correspondence courses with BJU as well through summer. He also needs transport to the Singapore embassy in Chicago. So that’s more or less about it for now about what’s going on and what needs he has. He’s working through summer in church. Oh man.. its like.. 3am.. aaaa.. My paper’s in 6 hours! =< I’m going to set the giant alarm that is my computer and go to sleep NOW.

Wah man!! I’m so tired! finally done with CS1231 helpsheet.. rah.. going to sleep NOW.

Its always nice to have people around one.

Today’s a rainy morning.. Why cannot sleep mooooorre….. have to study for EE2009 =(