October 31, 2006

affordable solutions for better living


I haven't really bought a lot of stuff from IKEA, but I always end up picking up something cheap and random on my way to the cash register. This cup was one of those purchases, its the same kind they use in their cafeteria (free cappucino refills!).

Sadly, on my way to the pantry to make myself a morning cuppa, I bumped the cup on the side of my cubicle and the handle broke off.

Understandably I was a bit miffed at being so clumsy, but then I noticed that while the cup was aesthetically pleasing, it was a bit poorly designed to be entirely useful.


If you compare the previous cup with its boring (but functional) replacement, you'll notice that the handle is larger (for fat fingers like mine), the walls of the cup are thicker (keeps stuff warm for longer) and its shape holds more liquid than its predecessor.

Not too impressed with IKEA right now, as I suspect the poor design has more to do with planned obsolescence than better living.

Perhaps one of these days I will replace this humble vessel with one of these, for now the no-frills approach will just have to do.




I couldn't bear to just chuck away the IKEA mug, since I had paid a whopping RM1.50 for it. I've reassigned it to a more fitting task as a stationery holder.

Unfortunately its not entirely useful at even this simple task, the shallow bottom means that it tips over easily, and it doesn't really store that many pens and pencils. Perhaps I could make it into a plant pot, or a container for sweets.

But that, gentle readers, is a tale for another day...




October 31, 2006 09:37 AM
Comments

You get spammed a lot huh?

anyway, throw the damn cup away la. I hate ikea stuff. All cheapass useless quality pieces of crap

Posted by: izso at November 2, 2006 03:35 AM

I paid RM1.50 for it! How can?!

Posted by: joon at November 2, 2006 09:55 AM

Well. invert the thing and turn it into a paper holder then.

Posted by: izso at November 3, 2006 03:24 AM

Or I could make a cookie cutter...or paper weight...god this must be the best RM1.50 I've ever spent...

Posted by: joon at November 7, 2006 10:02 AM

Errmmm... Drill two small holes (180 degrees apart) at the rim of the cup. Paint the cup red and tie a rubber band using the two holes. Glue a small black frilly ribbon on the base of the cup. Now you have yourself a Middle Eastern-looking hat.

Posted by: Danny at November 7, 2006 11:50 AM

I don't have any black frilly ribbons :(

Posted by: joon at November 8, 2006 12:54 PM
 
the mundane adventures of joon

quick links.

mini-reviews.

war of the worlds
Strangely, the computer generated aliens in this movie felt more believable than both Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning, who spend most of the time looking shell shocked or screaming hysterically. The overall effect is a cold, clinical exercise in extermination, ending as suddenly as it began.

hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy
This movie reminds us that instead of using special effects to blow stuff up, we could use it to bring to life one of the wackiest sci-fi rides of all time. Brilliant use of Flash animation (for the guide itself) and Marvin is just...too cute to take seriously. Remember now, always carry a towel and whatever happens, don't panic.

So long Douglas, and thanks for all the fish.

batman begins
I guess you can say this is movie truly captures the spirit of Batman's beginnings, because it is as weak as Bruce Wayne was before his transformation into the world's greatest detective. In the end Christian Bale and his sidekicks Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine were just undone by Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes and the rest of the cast. Perhaps next time...

sarpinos
Didn't know anyone else delivered pizza, other than Pizza Hut and Dominos. Generous amount of toppings and cheese make it hard to pick up the phone and go back to dialing 1-300-PIZZA

just thai
Looks like just another Thai restaurant on the outside, but once you sit down, you'll notice that everything is done 'just right'. Wait staff were attentive and seemed genuinely happy to be there, and the food took 5 minutes to arrive (!). They didn't have any pandan chicken, so we settled for beef noodles (which tasted like real beef) and pineapple fried rice (flawless). Can't wait to go back and the other stuff.

anjappar
Never heard of Chettinad cooking, but RM15 for a set meal of rasam, lime juice, briyani, rice, fried chicken, two curries, yogurt, papadam and chapati is an incredible deal.

kopi time cafe
new take on the old-style kopi tiam, complete with modern pricings. porridge for seven bucks is pricey, but the curry noodles are okay. What exactly is a coffee cow?