New Cat Shooter squirts a distance of 24 feet!

 

My previous shooter was faulty so I just bought a new water cannon-cum-cat shooter at Shoppe for under RM15 inclusive of transport cost. It advertises the water canon as a long range version but when I tested it, the water jet turned into a spray to a distance of 8-10 feet. I decided to inspect the nozzle then snapped the small tip which created the spray. The eye of the nozzle is now left totally clear. Even half loaded with water, it now squirts a jet of water comfortably to a distance of 24 feet. My previous water canon could only squirt a jet of water effectively to a distance of 10-12 feet. It became an effective cat shooter and was used to shoo away cats that, during the night, climb on top of the car, leave urine stains, scratch marks as well as dirty paw prints all over the car. The trick to ensure they never come again is to:

1. Walk barefooted in the compound so they are unaware we are close by.
2. A distance of 6' is very effective and increases accuracy of shot.
   
3. "Shoot" them while they are in the act loafing on top of the car.

From experience, they never come again so the water cannon serves its purpose well and as it only squirts water, it just hurts the cat's dignity.

UPDATE:

Being full of water, I let it rest against the wall only to see it slide and fall. The case cracked but I managed to seal it using PVC pipe glue and it works fine.

Home DIY projects during Pandemic season

 

Replacement of heater knob

Unclogging external drain

Replacement of regular for energy-saving bulb

Replacement of WC pump

Replacement of washroom pipe

Realignment of kitchen sink pipe

I have been busy with house chores fixing this here and there from wear and tear as the house enters its early 30s. Mikhail has been very helpful and is very good in the plumbing arena. To call the electrician or plumber is expensive where in one instance, we had to pay the plumber could could not solve the blockage problem where the most he did was poke the flexihose in the distributor pipe but that's about it. The realignment of the kitchen sink pipe cost RM20 and saved me RM2000 instead of breaking up the kitchen floor to repair the original kitchen piping system as quoted by 2 plumbers. The purchase of the external drain flexi-pipes and attachments cost RM160+ and heaven knows how much the plumber would charge to clear the external drain blockage. The replacement of the WC pump helped resolve the silent leak into the WC helping us to cut down on water bill.

Push-ups: The more, the merrier for my BP results

 

With the exceptional of taking anti-cholesterol pills since mid-2020 because home cooking with my mom-in-law around since early 2020 has been so delicious and irresistible and the Covid-19 Movement Control Order discourages (though does not restrict except for one short period) jogging which I have stopped but will continue when Selangor drops from being a red to green zone status, I have mainly been doing daily sit-ups but to a maximum of 30 as I do not want to exert the 2 hernia surgeries (left and right) I have. Recently, I added push-ups and have just managed to do 30 push-ups with ease and what I found out is that after I've add a bath and relaxed my body, doing a blood pressure check after that produces good results. I guess the push-ups flush out unwanted cholesterol out of my heart because achieving 120/80/60 or better is not a problem as before. Building stamina for push-ups takes time and is not an overnight possibility for me yet slowly but surely I managed for 10 to 20 and now 30 push-sups which to me is an achievement because it took me some time to overcome the 20 push-up mental barrier.

The BMW 320 gets modified to save cost

A common problem among Malaysian BMWs is that the rubberized component of the door handles melts as they cannot handle Malaysian heat, I am told BMW rubber components use a higher percentage of petroleum to give the rubber component a softer feel. To replace them with originals will come back to the same problem so I found plastic versions for the "Malaysian Right Hand Drive" models at Lazada for RM200 (4 pieces). The material is good quality and compliments the premium quality of BMW cars. Upon installing, the mechanic said the screws that came along with the package so had to acquire long screw, just that installation would be slightly delayed. Job finished, wifey and me are impressed. They fit seamlessly into the car as well as feel as if they are original replacements.

Coincidentally, rain penetrated and rusted the socket of the left rear taillight. I had the same wireman mechanic modify and rewire the socket. The completed job was successful and saved me at least 2/3 cost of getting an original socket.

DIY Home Outdoor Plumbing

 

It cost a plumber RM60 just to come to the house, make an assessment and give a quotation to repair plumbing jobs let alone do the actual job, therefore, if a plumbing task cost less and can be DIY-ed, one should give it a try.

One day, our outdoor drain outlet got clogged so in PLAN A, I bought 2 polypropylene rods with brass tips and the rubber plunger head attachment similarly used by the plumber but could only insert a few feet in as the plunger head attachment appeared to hit a slight joint. I gave up after 100 plungs/3 days in a row. In PLAN B, I gave a last try, short of calling the plumber, bought a brass guide wheel roller attachment. This time I attached 2 rods and gave it a try. After 3 plungs, the clogged part went through and the muck lying in the external drain followed through. Success!

The items bought are imported materials purchased from Lazada and total RM65.By the look of the quality, they can last a life-time to be shared with members of the family should one day they live in different houses. I am sure the plumbing should would be much more expensive.

The lesson used with these equipment is after use, it is vital to thoroughly wash them with soapy water, brush off any muck, unscrew all attachments from the rod as well as completely unscrew the plunger head attachment and spray/dip them in oil to preserve their life.

The First Cell: Health is wealth

The secret of good health all depends on one's "first cell", that is, if it is healthy so will be the rest of the body be. In fact, when the first cell is strong, one has a good stamina in all things related to the body. I found this out from two separate newspaper article: one from an article on Chinese Art of Qigong and secondly, from an article on Silat, the traditional Malay Art of Defense. Our first cell is situated in an area behind the navel but the muscle there is the weakness in the body because it is not attached to any body. The only way to compensate for this shortcoming is to build up that muscle through sit-ups. I unfortunately had 2  hernia operations and the surgeon said because of my senior age, I should not over do sit-ups for fear the medical mesh might tear and that would require another operation more difficult than the former. This is why I limit my sit-ups to 30 times. Alhamdulillah, ever since I followed this principle, I  have not suffered any fever nor  fallen sick.

Slidesharing

 This represents my first slideshow at SlideShare as I decided to keep my many slideshows in this cloud. I  already uploaded many QGIS tutorial slideshows which I used when I trained govt. depts upon their request to my Director-General but is limited to me in the event I am invited again to train interested parties in QGIS.

Dreams come true

 

When I was in my teen, I used to ogle American custom Paughco bobber motorcycles on the back of DC Comics because I thought they look fabulous, timeless and classic but knowing my humble background, I knew it was impossible to own one. Years went by, commitments overtook reality but dreams always remained. After I pensioned in 2015, I felt as if I struck gold because since 2013, JPJ, the Road Transport Authority actually approved a CKD motorcycle that looked like one. With my Golden Handshake fund, I immediately bought a MOMOS/Regal Raptor Bobber 350. Now from a reliable source, I am told the original design concept for the Regal Raptor Bobber was based on the Paughco frame. What a coincidence! I got my dream after all....a Malaysian CKD version for that matter.

How it looked it I first bought it

Taking care of mother-in-law

 

 

 

October-December 2020 were 2.5 memorable months in my life as I went up to Kedah and took care of my mom-in-law who broke her shoulder bone and lives alone. Other than drive her for regular appointments at Sungai Petani hospital and Padang Serai govt. clinic, I kept myself busy cleaning the house, cleaning the window panes, toilets, throwing the rubbish, watering the plants, painting fences, swing and walls, washing drying and folding clothes as well as ensure her breakfast, lunch and dinner were prepared in advance, thankfully, she had a close friend who helped cook every alternate days for a nominal fee. Upon a request from wifey to be there for a short while, I made the decision to stay with here until the doctor confirms her bone had successfully joined. I estimated based on personal experience, it would take 3 months but she consumed the latest Anlene Gold (wasn't around when I broke my bone) and it took just a month for the bone to join.

October 2020 Project

 

 

It took 3 weeks to repaint the facade including the gate and dividing boundary walls because the earlier paint wore off after 8 years. It was much easier last time when I was younger, I guess age has caught up with me. The most difficult job was of course, painting the facade upstairs and to play safe, I would rest my back on the balcony flowerbed, paint with the pole and be extremely careful at the edge of the white border.

It pays to surf Lazada

 

Sometimes a bargain comes along at Lazada and this, I could not resist at RM9.40 including transport cost as my 8 year old buffalo hide belt eventually gave into fungi attack.