"MOTOTRBO and a little place called ATG"

It's no big secret that I am pushing for a move to the Advanced Technology Group (ATG) in Motorola. The "why" of it has been spoken to the death. For me, the project that I have been working on, LTD a.k.a. MOTOTRBO ended a looong time ago.

Still, while infinitely frustrating, LTD also brought me moments that I will look back with great pride. I list developing the first LTD prototype (waaay back in '03), being a core member of the first ever Matrix Digital Talk and Listen demo (in '05), going to Florida as part of Plantation LTD (in '06) and finally developing my "co-patented" algorithm: the Stochastic Slot Drifting Algorithm as the crowning achievements.

But those times are over and done with. No point basking in past glories while new adventures await! Although LTD has future projects waiting (fixing General Postponed Bugs, hahahha), that's not what I would call exciting... :(

However, ATG is a whole different story. Wow, when I heard they were evaluating the new TIC6xxx for Software Defined Radios and are working on a prototype for APCO P2 (H-DQPSK!) that when I realized "That's where I want to be!" (like the KFC advertisement! hahahhah :P)

After communicating my intention to my less-than-amused manager, I was told that after LTD has shipped, I would be given the green light to move to ATG.

Yesterday LTD finally shipped. Good, that's over with. So how about my move to ATG?

"Nothing is crystallized yet. We are still in discussions."

What?? It's been 2 months since then wor...

Sigh... Oh well, just goes to show how things are being played around here.

Well in the mean time, click on the link below to see exactly what MOTOTRBO is about...

(no, I wish I get paid for doing this, but I don't. But after working on it for close to 4 years, you do get a little sentimental)

MOTOTRBO website: http://www.motorola.com/governmentandenterprise/contentdir/en_US/Images/Microsites/mototrbo/index.html

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © Motorola, Inc. 2006.

"More Star Wars!"

Non-stop Star Wars!

*THOOM! THOOM! THOOM!*
What is it??


*It's the Imperial Walker!!*

*Look at the size of that thing! I placed a battery as a reference point :P*

Can fit 2 AT-AT drivers in the driving seat. As well as Darth Vader, General Veers and a Biker Scout in the compartment!

And *gasp* look at the price tag! When I first saw it in Toys R Us Gurney, my heart nearly stopped... RM499.95!! No cash in hand but I really really want it... :( Apa lagi, use credit card la....think of it as paying in installments! :P

Not only that, in Jan, another heart-attacking vehicle came out!

*The Imperial Shuttle!!* Another must-have item!!

Luckily this one is just RM249.90...*Darth Vader kneeling down to prepare for the Emperor's arrival*

Coming at the same time were these nice 'cinema scenes' packs:

Republic Commando Delta Squad (RM149.90) and Imperial Death Star Briefing Room (RM99.90).

Also I saw this irresistable bid on eBay... the ultra-cool Commando Scorch! RM50 including shipping to Penang... I like it so much that I gave it a protective clamshell to prevent dirt ;)

Oh ya... on Dec 1, Penang's new 'premier' shopping mall Queensbay, opened. I drag my colleagues there on the first day itself! Why? Coz they have a new Toys R Us! So..? So, they have new stocks! Went there at lunch time and quickly grabbed these rare items and at cost price!! Luke Skywalker in Endor Gear, Sora Bulq and the Ep V Commemorative Pack and a Titanium TIE Bomber!

There, I met a fellow collector from whom I purchased another 3 figures from his collection. His stuff wasn't that good (not well preserved) so I just grabbed these 3 from the 2002 series: Boba Fett (Kamino Escape), Count Dooku (Dark Lord) and Clone Trooper. RM30 each. Also at cost price :P

Ok... what's for Feb??

"Sideshow 12' Darth Maul!"

Sideshow's 12" Darth Maul figure is here! Actually I bought it in early Jan, but didn't have the time to go snap photos of it... :P

*Looking menacing in the Sith robe*

*Clashing with Qui-Gon Jinn in Tatooine*

*BELOW: DM igniting his deadly dual-bladed lightsaber...



*... and prepares to clash with Qui-Gon in the Battle of Theed!*

Darth Maul costs RM249.90 (I got 10% discount, so it comes up to RM224.91)... There is another Inclusive Edition, which includes Darth Maul's damaged lightsaber (when Obi-Wan slices off it into two) and that retails at RM349.90!!!