A Saturday Night In Pictures

~~~

Happy 21st Birthday Wei Wei :)
(pic taken before alcohol was consumed)

Auf Wiedersehen und gutes Glück Nadia 'DD' Izuddin

Friday, 27 July 2007 - Bry celebrating Nadia IzuDDin's second farewell (Cinema Online --> RAPR)

CLICK! Workshop

Shit. Now I can't afford to participate in any photography workshops.

-

THE NEXT CLICK! BEGINNING DIGITAL SLR WORKSHOP
11 & 12 AUGUST 2007 - SATURDAY & SUNDAY

This is one of our most popular workshop - CLICK! Beginning DSLR Workshop! A workshop that caters to the needs of new and current Digital SLR users. Let us share with you some interesting snapshots on some of these workshop activities at CLICK! Go Live Experience Centre.

So do not miss this opportunity to train with CLICK! Trainer. Join us for this 2-day intensive workshop and discover your own photography potential.

Date | 11 & 12 August, 2007 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time | 1:00pm ~ 8:00pm - Saturday
Time | 9:00am ~ 4:00pm - Sunday
Venue | CLICK! Go Live Experience Centre

Fee Structure:
RM300 nett per person - Normal Rate
RM280 nett per person -CLICK! MEMBER Rate
RM260 nett per person - Student Rate

Closing Date of registration is on Monday, 8th August 2007.

THE 5th CLICK! DSLR WORKSHOP PROGRAM

DAY 1 | 11th August 2007 - Saturday | 1:00pm ~ 8:00pm

Introduction to Digital SLR Camera
Lenses - Your Eyes to the World
Shooting with a Digital SLR Camera
Intensive Hands-On Practices - Indoor Session

DAY 2 | 12th August 2007 - Sunday | 9:00am ~ 4:00pm

Practical Hands-On - Outdoor Session
Perfecting Your Photographs
Photo Assignments Review
Introduction to Post-Processing Your Images

Who Should Attend |
Beginners, Amateurs, Hobbyist, Emerging Photo Enthusiasts

Equipment Requirements |
DSLR camera, memory cards, batteries and tripod.
PC Notebook with Adobe Photoshop software (Needed only on the 2nd Day Session)

*The above includes light refreshments with coffee/tea break on 1st Day and light lunch on 2nd Day.

--

How I Spent My Saturday.

Never would I have thought that last Saturday would've created a picture like this.

Or this.

Ian & some of his buds, Soon Min & some of his buds, and I (with Soon Min and Ian as my buds) headed out to Bukit Tabur near (or is it at?) Taman Melawati somewhere in KL. The 'hike' that I was informed to experience did not involve climbing nor involve ropes of any kind. I was 'pleasantly' conned :). I would have definitely have said no if it involved any type of rock climbing. The hike was completed approx. 5 1/2 hours from the start (6am-11.30am). *Phew* I never knew that KL had such a hidden wonder. Bukit Tabur is probably not for the beginner hiker (like me), but it was indeed a good challenge. I would never have gotten up (or down) without the help of my fellow hikers. ("Left leg left, right leg right...down abit...stretch abit more...SQUAT!" said 'someone'.)

On the way up

"Oh good God its a rope!"


"How the fcuk am I supposed to get up there?"

We were at that peak before we got on the one I'm standing on now

Indeed he does...

Soon Min & I at the 'grove' top of the hill.

Going down is definitely harder than going up *egads*

This old man swooped down off the ledge faster than I could climb

Right before we got lost, we decided to take a picture

We got a little lost on the way down and a rockier path than the one we originated from. Was running out of water as well. *Pant* Thanks to my Nokia N95, I tried to keep morale going by playing 'The Touch' by Stan Bush. =D. After eventually getting down to flat land, we sped off for a WELL deserved lunch in Taman Connaught. *Pif~*


After lunch, I headed back home, took a thorough shower, sat for a bit, and sped off to Times Square with Ah Wah & gang to get our new toys (the DSLRs!). Damn place ran out of stock so shot to Pudu Plaza (this damn place is a blast from the 80s man) and checked out our 'cam-to-be's' there. After fiddling through the Nikon D40 and found out that it had no Battery Grip accessory and a really shitty menu system which I thought I could overcome, I decided to get the Canon EOS 400D Digital Rebel XTI instead. *Sigh* After months of reading up on Nikon's stuff, I have almost no info on Canon's. Oh well, lots more reading to do. Hope to attend a photography workshop soon. :)

My first ever DSLR. Ladies and gentlemen... this is 'Delilah'. =)

My digital mistress

Oooo.

Oooo...nice colors....Who's that on stage?!

.
.
.

Oh...it's Michael Learns To Rock.

Before It's Too Late

I wonder through fiction to look for the truth
Buried beneath all the lies
and I stood at a distance
To feel who you are
Hiding myself in your eyes

and the risk that might break you
Is the one that would save
A life you dont live is still lost
So stand on the edge with me
Hold back your fear and see
Nothing is real til it's gone

Hold on before its too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives

So live like you mean it
Love til you feel it
It's all that we need in our lives
So stand on the edge with me
Hold back your fear and see
Nothing is real til it's gone

R.I.P Chris Benoit

Chris Benoit (1967-2007)

Yea yea, he may have gone crazy in the end, but he was one hell of a radical. Will be doing cardio on the stairmaster (Benoit's fav cardio machine) the next time I hit the gym. What's up with so many dead wrestlers ~Aih.

Canon EOS 400D VS Nikon D40X

VS

Either one of these is gonna cost me RM3000. Question is...which one?

The Nokia Wireless Adventure Was A BLAST!

The Nokia Wireless Adventure is OVER! *Sigh* After much loathing and anxiety, the 'adventure' was super duper fun and exciting! Cardio training came into good use as we had to run and move alot :).

KAKI SAMPAI MATI aka 2 members of 'Team 1'

Checked into JW Marriot, KL on Friday evening and had dinner at Jogoya Restaurant in Starhill. The place was like a maze. Couldn't really find my way the first time around. Food was pretty good (heck, for RM88++ it better be). The oysters were huge, although I didn't have any (yuck). The tiramisu and cheesecakes were fracking yummilicious! Argh. OKOK, that's dessert. The cheese snails and sashimi...ooo yes.. :).

So, during the dinner we were 'introduced' to our celebrity team leader (who Min and I hoped to be Hannah Tan..lol) but turned out to be TV host Aishah Sinclair (hey! no complaints there!) and our media partner who was Sarah Chan from KLue. Our team got along pretty well, no arguments or anything, which was great. Thank God for the two girls as they knew their way arund KL more than we did. Our team 'motto/warcry' was so err...eeeee. I hope they don't show it on TV. Argh. Malunye.. The uber cute Belinda Chee (who was the celeb for another team) remembers me! She even called me by name ~swoon~. =D After dinner, the newly formed TEAM 1, went off somewhere and got started with team strategy ;and had a good nights rest later on ;)

Our humble abode for 3 nights (mine's on the left...yes, i get the remote)

On things that happened on the adventure...WATCHTHESHOWTOFINDOUT~! =P

Capturing the soul of KL

After day 1's greuling activities, we were treated to a 'private' buffet in Westin. Our meals were f***ed up through out the day as we weren't eating so it was alright. :)

Meeting room at The Westin transformed into a posh dining area for participants and organisers

Here are some pics from the adventure!

After Day 1

Some 'joget' action from Day 2

In the middle of Petaling Street figuring out some clues (Min with Rambo cam which looks like it just fired a projectile)

Chinese calligraphy..hmm

Spot Aishah and Soon Min!

My 'cheat meal' of the week

Officially finishing fourth on the 2nd day (Team 1 - Grey)

Thanks to Min for picking lil ol' me to be his partner ;)

Oh yeah, I still have Aishah's umbrella in my car as she left it in our room..umm. No, thats not how it's supposed to sound. =P

Don't wanna spoil the show and tell everyone what happens so watch us on Wednesday, 20 June on 8TV (runs for 3 episodes)!! They better give us a copy of the showwww.

The final night (awards night) was pretty sweet as. Was held at The Third Floor in JW Marriot which was situated on the 3rd floor. Coincidence? I think not. :). Personally, fine dining ain't my cuppa teh tarik. Gimme burger and fries any day ;).

Le Menu

The N95-ed Third Floor

Nokia Boyz

Team 1 all squeeky clean and out of our gear

I swear to God, I didn't know she was married!

=D Belinda Chee and me

Even my ex college mate Wern Shen was a contestant

Chermaine Poo's team

Bry & some of the race marshalls

Kaki Sampai Mati (us) and (Prague winners) Efnalf

The organisers...and a few strays

Conclusion on sponsored value:
Jogoya buffet - RM88++
JW Marriot 3-night stay - RM1000?
Westin private buffet - RM50?
The Third Floor dinner - RM100?
Nokia N95 -RM3199

Estimated total value - RM4450? and TV time :)

not bad...not bad at all. :)

Team 1 on the 'Eye Of Malaysia'. Memories.

Nokia N95 Pros & Cons

After chilling with my new Nokia N95 mobile (hereby christened 'Athena') over the past week, here are what I think the pros and cons are of this RM3,199 phone.

Pros:

• WiFi enabled
• 5 megapixel camera kicks ass
• Music player
• +EAAC music file format (around 1.5MB per song)
• GPS (Global Positioning System)!
  
• light weight
• video editing
• ability to project onto TV
  

Cons:

• battery life sucks ass
• sluggish performance (camera taking reload, opening apps)
• video editing hangs
  
• not enough RAM

Hmm, the pros definitely outweight the cons, but should I sell off Athena now while she's still the hottest new thing around? Decisions decisions.

Salary increase for government servants

From The Star:

Salary increase for government servants from July 1

PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants nationwide cheered as the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced a pay increase and the doubling of cost of living allowances.

Abdullah said the pay rise could be given because of the economic growth of 5.6%, the effect of fuel prices, positive trends of Bursa Malaysia and improved tax collection.

More than one million civil servants and 557,033 pensioners are eligible for the increase.

Abdullah said the salary increase, effective July 1, is also needed to stop the brain drain from the public sector.

Among the things he announced were:

> Salaries to increase between 7.5% for senior management and 35% for category two support staff;

> 100% increase in cost of living allowance (Cola);

> Police and army personnel to get additional 20% on the increase; and

> Pensions will be adjusted accordingly.

--

After my recent 0% 'raise', I think I should contemplate working for the govt.

The Adventure Begins Soon!

From NST:

The Nokia Wireless Adventure in Asia-Pacific will occur simultaneously in six markets with India coming in a bit later. Each market will have its own module to have the public ‘discover’ their own city. “Yes, it’s useful for the traveller as you can load up the map and guides of wherever you’re visiting. But also it allows you to discover your own city on a day-to-day basis. Like, did you ever know there was an Agora Hotel in the middle of KL? Or the many thousands of restaurants you didn’t hear of before?” asked Wong. “It’s only through an actual experience that you can discover what the technology can do for you. That’s how Discover the Soul of KL came about. There’s clue-solving and tasks to complete and all involves the N95, so participants can experience the features of the phone firsthand. “Even if you don’t get to participate, at least you’ll be able to watch it on TV and see how the device is being utilised. We want to educate our consumers and with this two-day event, we want to showcase and highlight these elements,” she added.

The big surprise though, for those who have signed up at wirelessadventure.nokia.com.my is that the final 16, selected after auditions with 8TV, will be given the N95 for keeps instead of just the winners. But that’s no reason to not want to win the race. There’s still the all-expense trip to Rome and also the special prize for Best Video Editing which is a similar trip to Prague —- where you should be sure to pack your N95 as well.

So on May 26, eight pairs of participants will team up with eight journalists and eight celebrities to form, yes, eight teams that will vie in a battle of discovery. Time and quality of completed tasks will decide who gets to Discover Rome/Prague.
--

From 1400 applicants, Soon Min and I (hereby known as 'Kaki Sampai Mati') were chosen to be part of the final 16 (after auditions). Daymn! I just hope we get Hannah Tan as our celebrity teammate. Heheh. If there are tasks like jumping off buildings and eating 'shite'. Then I'm screwed. Please don't kill me Soon Min. Besides we already have our RM3000 phones. *grin*

KAKI SAMPAI MATI....!! (BROTHERS 'TIL DEATH)
The pic that got us noticed

The prize for not doing anything yet :)

Because Of You

Want to, but I can’t help it
I love the way it feels,
It’s got me stuck between my fantasy and what is real
I need it when I want it, I want it when I don’t
Tell myself I’ll stop everyday, knowin’ that I won't

I got a problem and I don’t know what to do about it
Even if I did, I don’t know if I would quit but I doubt it
I’m taken by the thought of it, and I know this much is true
Baby, you have become my addiction, I’m so strung out on you
I can barely move but I like it

And it’s all because of you
And it’s all because…
Never get enough,
She’s the sweetest drug

Think of it every second
I can't get nothing done,
Only concern is the next time, I’m gonna get me some
Know I should stay away from, cause it's no good for me
I try and try but my obsession wont let me leave

I got a problem and I don’t know what to do about it
Even if I did, I don’t know if I would quit but I doubt it
I’m taken by the thought of it, and I know this much is true
Baby, you have become my addiction, I’m so strung out on you
I can barely move but I like it

And it’s all because of you (all because of you)
And it’s all because…
Never get enough,
She’s the sweetest drug

Ain’t no doubt, so strung out
Over you, over you, over you

Because of you,
And it’s all because of you,
Never get enough
She’s the sweetest drug, she’s the sweetest drug

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net

...To Be Loved

Listen up, turn it up and rock it out
party on, I wanna hear you scream and shout
this is real, as real as it gets
I came to get down to get some f**king respect
taking it back to hardcore level
you better be ready, put your pedal to the metal
taking it back to hardcore level
you better be ready, put your pedal to the metal.

Go!

Whoa I'll never give in
Whoa I'll never give up
Whoa I'll never give in
And I just wanna be, wanna be loved
Whoa I'll never give in
Whoa I'll never give up
Whoa I'll never give in
And I just wanna be, wanna be loved

I want domination
I want your submission
I see you’re not resisting
To this temptation
I’ve got one confession
A love deprivation
I’ve got a jet black heart
It’s all f**ked up and it’s falling apart

I’ve got another confession
I fell to temptation
And there is no question
There was some connection
I’ve got to follow my heart
No matter how far
I’ve gotta roll the dice
Never look back and never think twice

Whoa I'll never give in
Whoa I'll never give up
Whoa I'll never give in
And I just wanna be, wanna be loved
Whoa I'll never give in
Whoa I'll never give up
Whoa I'll never give in
And I just wanna be, wanna be loved

Take your past and burn it up and let it go
Carry on; I’m stronger than you’ll ever know
That’s the deal; you get no respect
You’re gonna get yours
You better watch your f**king neck

Whoa I'll never give in
Whoa I'll never give up
Whoa I'll never give in
And I just wanna be, wanna be loved
Whoa I'll never give in
Whoa I'll never give up
Whoa I'll never give in
And I just wanna be, wanna be loved

Anatomy of a Bry Street Freefall

The dramatic drop in Bry stocks began yesterday when sharp declines in the Fashion market triggered a gender equities sell-off. News of a larger-than-expected drop in durable-goods orders heightened skittishness, even before the Female-gender markets opened.

By the end of the day, the Bry Jones industrial average had suffered its largest one-day decline in percentage since 2003, dropping 416.02, or 3.3 percent, to 12,216.24. The sharpest decline occurred shortly before 3 p.m., when the Bry dropped 200 points -- triggered by a fashion glitch that caused a backlog of trades to be calculated at nearly the same time.

In early trading, even as the Bry dropped 100 points, many analysts shrugged off the decline, saying such fluctuations were not surprising and were relatively small, given that the Bry has gained 10,000 points since the Black July crash of 2006.

Analysts and economists said a number of factors contributed to the market's slide. "It starts out with the Female-gender government saying they're going to crack down on speculators," said Mohd. Ashraf Abu Bakar.

Every sector was affected, but among the hardest hit were commodities, which were riding high based on the belief that demand from females would only grow. The materials, energy and technology sectors were also knocked down, while emerging-market companies and riskier small-cap stocks took a hit as investors fled to safer turf, such as bonds.

Some market strategists said they were holding off on buying, seeing a potential for larger drops. Others characterized the retreat as a long-overdue correction and good for a market still fundamentally strong. They said recent increases in oil prices, geopolitical events in Subang and growing concern about the subprime-mortgage market combined to set off the market downturn.

"The trick is for real investors not to overreact," Ian Yap said. "The last thing people want to do in this kind of environment is get off their long-term Brynancial plans."