How did you spend the last day of 2004?

I had been going out for almost everyday for the past 3 weeks, be it going to school for FYP or to hang out with friends. It feels kind of weird when it dawned upon me that I had to stay at home on Friday, 31st Dec. Not that the date mattered at all, I would have felt the same regardless which day it was.

My brother didn't have to work that day, and he literally spent the whole day playing Baldur's Gate (a role-playing game). Yup, he can play games for the whole day, which means I don't get to use the pc at all. I decided to turn to the other monitor in the house for an alternative means of entertainment - the TV.

My brother bought the entire series of Gundam Seed and Transformers VCDs around half a year ago. I guess it's about time I maximise their worth. But just as I swithced on the TV, there was a slight sizzling sound coming from inside the TV. And a burning smell appeared as well. Oh dear...

Mom called up the technician (the poor guy had to work on New Year's Eve and it was raining that day ) and he arrived within the hour. He switched on the TV, listened to the sizzling noise for a while, and told us the news we've been dreading to hear - the TV has served its time well and it has to go.

No TV for me to watch during New Year's Eve!! What am I going to do??


BEEP BEEP: Technical knowledge alert!
People who are absolutely put off by technical knowledge please scroll down until you see the next sentence in red.

The sizzling sound from the TV was caused by an arc between the high tension cable and some of the grounded plates beside it. This phenomenon occurs when the insulation of the high tension cable has a leak, and is especially prominent during rainy days. The greater the leak, the louder the sound.

Arc: A direct electrical connection
High tension cable: A wire carrying high voltage
Grounded: Connected to earth
Higher humidity on rainy days make the air a better conductor of electricity.

The technician suggested a temporary solution - cover the likely leaking area with a layer silicon rubber to prevent the leak.

***End of technical knowledge section***

Oh well. The TV has been providing entertainment to our family for a good decade now. All good things come to an end. Have to learn to let go at some point of time in life. So, I decided to put the silicon rubber applying skills learnt over the duration of my FYP to good use.

But, the silicon rubber gun hasn't been in use for months, meaning the silicon rubber has started drying at the nozzle. Which in turn means I need to remove the dried silicon rubber from the nozzle with brute force. Most unfortunately, I decided to watch TV (the other small TV that used to be in the master bedroom) while clearing the nozzle by forcing a screwdriver through it.

And.....the screwdriver suddenly went through the nozzle and pierced my thumb.

There was silicon rubber (which is quite toxic) and dirt (accululated inside the TV over the decade) on the wound as well.

First of all, I wish to thank my dear parents for painstakingly looking after me for 24 years. Next I wish to tell my brother that although I can't stand him most of the time, I know that he's been trying to change for the better and I hold no grudges against him. Ok, I'd better start making a will. Wonder who should I get as my 2 witnesses.....