Just because you think...

... you'd written a good research paper, doesn't mean it would be good in the eyes of others.

One of the papers which I submitted for the Richard Hogg Prize years ago had these remarks:

The paper is topical and well contextualized. The Fairclough model could, however, have been made more use of; now it merely provides a backdrop for the discussion of extended data excerpts (interesting and illuminating as such). The paper could have been balanced by shortening the data analysis (30 pages out of the total 42) and including more discussion and problematization of the findings.

Suggestion: redress the balance between methodology and data analysis, and consider submitting the revised version to a sociolinguistic publication.

A reviewer from the ALS conference has a different take:

This paper is well-written and readable but I wasn't sure what the point was. It reads like a student's term paper, and I can't see that it makes any significant contribution to the study of Singlish or more general issues in diglossia and language attitudes. I (reluctantly) recommend that the paper be rejected, however in case the editors disagree with my recommendation I have included some specific comments below that should be addressed.

The reference to Fairclough's theoretical framework seemed unneccesary, and unfortunately the diagram on p.4 didn't match the description in the text, making it even more difficult for the reader to appreciate the relevance of this framework."

Meh.

In short, one reviewer favours the paper and suggested that I should consider sending a revised copy to a journal, while the other does not favour it. One can see the significance of using the model, while the other does not.

(If this info would be of any use) The reviewer who favoured the paper is a Professor from the English Dept at the University of Helsinki. I have no idea who the other reviewer is.

"Scrabble is a very difficult game"

Happy B'day Chee Chan!

Who knew scrabble could be this fun in this time and age? :P

It's all about the $

Spent quite a bit of money today. I bought two plane tickets for my mum and me to Glasgow and one Airasia ticket to Melbourne. Total cost: About RM8,000.

Speaking of financial deficit, I've also made a standing instruction at my bank to settle my monthly Toyota Vios payment.

Also, I found a single story house at PJ SS14 which costs less than RM200,000.

Heh.

Looks like I got to work harder to produce more papers for ISI publication. >.<

DIY pedal board

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been rather busy these days. >.<

When not cracking my head over journals for ISI publication, I've been doing some stuff of late...

... like creating this new pedal board! :D A real childhood dream come true actually. To buy a simple pedal box would cost a bomb.



This pedal board was made with the box that came with my replacement Dell laptop battery, lots of velcro, 4 rolls of PCV tape and pieces of cushion (that came with my Telecaster, when it was flown from America to Melbourne).



The box houses 5 pedals, Boss RC2 (drums and loop station), Boss RV2 (delay and reverb), Boss MT2 (Metal Zone), Boss DN2 (Dyna drive), and a true-bypass wah pressure sensor for a wah pedal made in Poland (I'm going to get a new one as my old Dunlop Crybaby is busted). Outside of the box is a Boss NS2 (noise suppressor), which regulates circuitry and reduces static and buzz sounds. Because of the complex circulation of the Boss NS2, I had to place it outside of the box (although some might argue, it's possible to put it inside the box.


The box is cushioned by a soft pad on each 6 sides of the box, which is quite helpful in mitigating and reducing shocks.


The daisy chain behind the box has been secured with PVC tape and additional cables have been secured by velcro.

I would be creating another box for my other 6 pedals (which I hardly use) in the near future.

RIP: Dell Hymes

Dell Hymes, a prominent linguist, passed away a few days ago.

:(

We have lost one of the world's most influential philosophers.

Proud new Toyota Vios owner

Pics were taken by the salesman's assistant with my G10.



With me is Mr Kenny, a very honest salesman who gave me quite a good deal for the car and discounted items (e.g. tinted windows, full tank petrol). Father is admittedly damn good at persuading and negotiating business deals.



I just applied for a UM staff car sticker. :P *thumbs up* I feel much more productive now. :)

And oh, my new car is a Vios G. I love this sedan so bleedy much. XD

I'm waiting...

... for my brand new Vios to arrive (this Saturday).

I'm waiting for my shipping consignments from Melbourne (9th November 2009).

I'm waiting for my PhD results (end of November 2009) and convocation (sometime around April/May 2010).

I'm waiting to procure an office of my own at UM and to start working officially as a lecturer (April 2010).

I'm waiting for my application result from UM's Bright Sparks Unit (unknown due date).

I'm waiting for good investment advise to expand my capital (and quickly get a place of my own).

I'm waiting for Sue to return...