MONEY IN, MONEY OUT ACEO

Markers and pen in ACEO-sized, 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

Year in year out, money in money out.

Nonetheless, here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year! =)

Available in my Etsy shop: 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64234405/money-in-money-out-original-art-aceo

PINK HAIRED 80S ACEO

A followup to my previous 80s-inspired ACEO, this time in pink wavy hair. She's wearing purple triangle lucite earrings. There's probably one similar in my jewellery shop! And she has silvery eyelashes.

Available in my Etsy shop here: Pink-Haired 80s - Original Art ACEO

This is made with markers and archival pen. The background is more yellow with a tinge of orange, and the orange triangles are made with a new Pilot fluorescent yellow pen - the scanner ate the colours.

Before I forget, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

HOPE FOR MY IMAC VERTICAL LINES SCREEN PROBLEM!

Last night my computer, an early-2006 iMac 17", suddenly hung from launching the screensaver and being curious, I decided to poke around the Apple forums to see what was causing the problem.

Instead, I sidetracked to a bigger problem (which I was initially resigned to accept) of vertical lines appearing on the lcd screen. The first time one line appeared was in Oct-2009 which was blogged here:
http://blog.lemonshortbread.com/2009/10/imac-screen-problems.html

The defect affects a batch of screens made within a serial number range. At that time in the forums, people were saying Apple was not recognising these widespread defective screens and we would have to fork over $700-$1000 just to get the problem fixed, because the screen tends to fail right after Apple care or the warranty expired. There was a problem also related to the graphics card that would render these lines too, but mine is a screen problem.

I decided to give up calling them back then (it was a public holiday so the lines were closed), and save myself the trouble of venting my frustration on whoever was unfortunate enough to pick up my call lol.

Besides, the warranty was long over and if Apple was not going to recognise the problem I might as well wait till angry customers kick up enough ruckus for Apple take some responsibility.

So fast forward 1+ year later, and using the iMac much less since I have a new computer, there are now 10 lines. This may sound stupid but I was ALMOST getting used to the lines obscuring my videos! So through out of renewed hope in the forums that Apple was fixing screens on these iMacs for free even though it was almost obsolete, I called the local Apple Technical Support (Singapore toll) 800-186-1087

First step: be very polite, couldn't help my hacking cough lol; and don't take no for an answer because other people had theirs fixed for free. The ones who pick up your call - the Level 1 reps - aren't able to authorise any fixes, they just document your case and put you through to the next higher up consultant so don't scream at them. Also bookmark the threads relating to this problem just in case.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1580232&start=525&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=7995229

So level 1 representative was polite and I didn't mince my words just said my lcd screen has that infamous vertical lines and tried resetted PRam, total shut down (for a month as I was overseas) and it's still there and new ones being born every few weeks and it's bugging me very much.

So after searching his database for similar problems, he tried but didn't manage to get the senior advisor and I was instructed to call the next day at 8am with a Case Number in hand, and not to worry. They will ask you for your serial number and to take a screenshot and observe whether the lines appear on it as well.

And since you have to PAY to talk to any Apple rep in the call center, he said (standard protocol) this is a one time exception that it was free, and an exception that they were looking into my out-of-warranty, no-applecare machine.

I overslept and called them at noon instead and a new level 1 rep managed to get hold of a senior advisor, a nice lady who granted me a free fix... what else but an... exception lol.

So after Christmas I will send the machine to the repair center as am now backing up data and this problem will hopefully disappear forever.

Anyone with these vertical line problems I suggest you make the call NOW in case the model becomes too old and they run out of parts to fix them. Mine is 4 years old and the problem occurred over a year ago and am quite pleased they finally changed their policy. Oh and I think the call was directed to an overseas base, the lady appears to be either based in India or Australia as she was using the Apple.au site to direct me to my nearest repair center.

DOUBLE RAINBOW IN SINGAPORE

My friend Sam photographed a double rainbow after a downpour. Amazing isn't it? I've never seen a double, much less one that you can spot the ends within a close distance. At this time (last Sat) it wasn't raining at my place so I missed it. And from my 5th storey most rainbows are obscured by other buildings. This shot is from her kitchen on the 29th floor. I would say rainbows are an instant mood lifter.

80'S STAR ACEO

My newest ACEO card since Sept, featuring a 80s style girl. Pen and markers on cardstock.

Available in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/64223868/pop-80s-star-original-art-aceo

She's half-inspired by Jem and Creamy Mami (both 80s girly pop music cartoons), I've always wanted to do fanarts of them but never had. Love the shows as a kid. Jem is a little soap operaish, Creamy Mami is mostly cute romance. They are both magical transforming girls, one with magical earrings, one with a magical compact.

Creamy Mami

Jem

Jem was the first doll I ever wanted, although in the end had to settle for a colouring book... wondered what happened to that. I also own a Creamy Mami colouring book.