HP Future Is.
The other day, i was invited to be part of a panel discussion, to talk about what I think about technology, how far we’ve come, and contemplating future trends.
Now, before you think “Boh-ringgg, a bunch of people talking about technology, what a dry topic” (which was kind of my initial thought, too 
)
They assured me that although we are to speak in public, it is going to be very casual and easy going, like a conversation amongst friends. We can talk and joke and chime in and basically, be ourselves - and I thought ok this is going to be fun 
count me in!
The event was HP Future Is held at Rootz Club, Lot 10
It was my first time at Rootz Club too, and i must say i was pretty impressed with the decor.
Albeit a really trippy confusing walkway into the club, the interior was clad in lush, decadent Victorian decor.
Made a mental note to definitely come back and check it out some day :)
with David@Nuffnang
And those toilets. Wow. Ok i have to say something about those darn toilets.
First, you have to enter this room. Kinda like a buffer waiting/queuing room, and this room itself is already quite dark and confusing (like the walkway) and the toilet doors are camouflaged,
Then when you finally spot the doors, the signage on them is not your usual male/female stickman signs, instead they are crowns. Like, the King’s crown and Queen’s crown?
I stared at both crowns for awhile, trying to figure out which one is the Queen’s. And i only figured correctly because the ladies room door swung open and a girl walks out
Then when i walk in, i immediately think i got the wrong toilet because the walls were adorned with men’s pictures.
Naturally, i thought i walked into the men’s room, right -_-
But then it took me a couple of seconds to register that it’s a gimmick - boytoy eyecandy for the ladies. A pretty clever gimmick, i must admit!
But still. Finding the toilet shouldn’t be this confusing. Especially when we’re sober -_-
Soon, the club filled up with more guests, VIPs, media and bloggers, and so kicks off the event.
The group panel consisted of Kennysia, Kinkybluefairy, Jojostruys, Redmummy, and I.
Each of us represented one general category, mine being the Future of Education (since im the only one still studying)
I decided to dress pretty casual too, like an upright student would *nods head seriously*
Boyfriend calls this the “normal/sweet” look, as opposed to my usual “erm, interesting” style 
*kicks Boyfriend*
representing Technology, Celebrity, Parenting, Education, and Fashion
Right after the emcee’s opening remarks, we were welcomed by Danny Lee, Country General Manager, Personal Systems Group, HP Malaysia.
Emcee and moderator, Will Quah would ask a question, and one by one we’d say our point of view. The questions were mainly about how technology has simplified our lives, how we’ve become so dependent on it.
When asked if I can imagine a life without technology, I can’t help but think about all those times people (including myself -_-) had accidentally left the house without our mobile phones, cue major freak out session! Or when the internet breaks down, cue major freak out session!
We’ve become so dependent on these things, being without it even for a moment feels like we’re missing a limb.
All 5 of us are bloggers, so we’re definitely hooked onto technology, especially to the internet.
I mean personally, it’s the first thing I do when I wake up, to turn on my laptop and open Gmail, TGC, Twitter. This is before I have my breakfast, or even brush my teeth!
And especially because I am running an online business where orders revolve around emails, I can spend up to 4 hours just answering my emails, per day.
Kenny said he basically spends 25 hours a day in front of the computer -_- Hahaha
When asked about the single most amazing technology innovation, Joyce shared that she read this article about scientists currently developing a way to blog/tweet without having to type at a keyboard! It somehow transmits what you’re thinking directly into your computer. 
Which I thought was bloody brilliant. Now, before you think “omg people are getting too lazy to even type at a keyboard?”
This is really godsent because how many times have I complained that I wish someone would invent a gadget that captures my thoughts and writes it down for me Yeah it’s even the very first line of that previous blog post.
I don’t know about you, but my mind goes buzzing with random thoughts and ideas at the most inconvenient of times like when I’m driving.
Though I’ve pretty much mastered the art of texting while driving without looking at the keypad, my fingers doesn’t type as fast as my brain spews out the message. And not to mention it’s damn. bloody. dangerous.
Oh, and digressing for a bit, the place was REALLY cold. Especially towards the end of the panel discussion, i kept having to sit on my hands to try and warm them up (like i do in the movies), but to no avail. I whispered to Joyce beside me, “is it just me or is it damn fricking cold”
“Yea it’s really cold i’m shivering wei”
Ditto. I hope no one noticed all the shivering that was going on up onstage -_-
We ended up talking so much that when time was up, we couldn’t finish all the questions they prepared for us. Which is always a good thing, i suppose :)
After the panel discussion, was a closing speech from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Director of Microsoft Malaysia, and then the launch gambit. Those loud confetti bazookas popped and colourful confetti flew everywhere, and Joyce piped at me, “Omg i really want one of those machines! So fun to play with confetti!”
Fun crowd!
After the launch, Joyce and I decided to go outside to get some warmth. No you don’t understand maannn, we were literally shivering in our seats onstage -_- and DavidNuffnang told me Rootz would be quite warm, so i didn’t bring a jacket or anything HMPH
We chatted outside for some time, before realizing we were being a bit anti-social, lol. Went back inside to mingle-mingle.
HP also announced their “Blog-A-Trend” contest at the event.
“The simplest ideas can spark off trends that make an impact on the world we live in. And those who can understand or even predict some of these trends can play a crucial role in shaping our collective future.”
It’s really simple and interesting, all you have to do is write a blog post (of at least 300 words), a photo story, or create a video clip about your vision of the future. Talk about what you think is going to be the next trend!
Blog A Trend topics:
Future of Thin & Light
Future of Music
Future of Touch
Future of Fashion
Future of Personalization
Future of Social Media
Future of Design
Future of Content
Future of Environment
Future of Education
Future of Entertainment
Like say, if you foresaw that the Blackberry would be sweeping the nation and becoming the latest trend-setting mobile, rendering everybody else who hasn’t gotten the BB yet as uncool,
( I’m bitter here because I’m still being peer-pressured about this left right centre, geez)
Then tell us more about your future predictions 
If not just to get bragging rights when your predictions come true, then the contest prizes should also give you a little encouragement.
Been reading a bit more about that HP TouchSmart 600 PC, that is one sweeeeet computer *whistles*. Touch screen monitor, enabled by Windows 7 operating system, clean sexy sleek look, comes with a sexy price too, at RM5000.
And needless to say for that limited edition HP Mini Laptop designed by Tord Boontje.
For more contest details, click here :)
December 18th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
you are very pretty! and the toilet is awesome!! haha!
December 18th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
a great event, yes, it was cold. haha! actually me and my friend noticed that you and joyve weren’t around the club when we tried to find you guys. haha! till ya’ll came back.
December 20th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Abby: thanks, and yea pretty awesome toilet, once you get the super-confusion part out of the way :)
Dylan: haha sorry, yea we cannot tahan cold had to leave for awhile
December 20th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
“normal/sweet” or “erm interesting”, i love all your style! You look so different here, wif ur curly hair and T shirt & jeans ^^ but still so preetty ^^ may i knoe where u got ur striped T shirt?
December 21st, 2009 at 1:06 am
hey! dunno if u remember me, i was the new nuffie u met at the event =D
anyway it was nice meeting u, and ditto bout the crazycold that night >.<
December 23rd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
amy yang: thanks :) the red striped T-shirt is from An Old Flame actually, http://an-old-flame.blogspot.com/2009/07/lane-5-nudie-sailor-stripes.html
fresh: of course i remember you, not everyone has quite a unique name ;) nice meeting you too!