Categories
Photography Travels

[612] Of Singapore’s pretty much…

Hah. Continuing a short entry naming tradition initiated by a person stuck on an island down south and taken up by another person that originates from another island in the west. But I love Singapore.

In many superficial ways, Singapore doesn’t look or feel very different from Kuala Lumpur. Both cities have similar old shophouses that date well before pre-Independence period, filled with food stalls selling nothing too alien to Malaysians with modern highrises threatening to dominate the blue sky above while steel lions roaming the streets below.

I mean, c’mon, take a look at this photo.

If somebody else had taken this one, I wouldn’t be able to tell whether this shot was taken in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. But of course, a visit to a restroom gave me a sudden pang in the head and quickly reminded me that I wasn’t in Malaysia anymore.

I took the photo at Chinatown, Singapore.

The one thing that I regret about this trip is the fact that most of my shots are either spoilt or I don’t like it. The ones that are decent need to be edited. So, I definitely need to pay Singapore a second visit in the near future and concentrate on shooting better pictures.

I also have decided that I need better camera for night shots. Most of the times when there is a lack of lighting, my current camera’s shutter speed is simply not suffice.

And then there were these two veggies.

Passersby were heard of saying an equivalence of ZOMG!!!!!1one, that’s huge in Chinese. By the way, I don’t know these guys. It just so happened that I shared the same table with them.

When I got home, my mom asked, “does Singapore still have trees?

Dumbfounded by the question, I took a couple seconds to recuperate. I’m not sure why she asked that but maybe she meant green spaces. With regained composure, I replied, “no but they do have plastic trees though.”

My mom, being a loving mother, let it passed.

p/s – World Solar Challenge is on. A remark by world renown team Aurora, winner of 1999 WSC.

The action was really on today at the Hidden Valley racetrack as another five international teams arrived: Two teams from Taiwan of the three entered, the mighty University of Michigan fresh from their win in the North American Solar Challenge, AGU Agilia from Japan, and finally the new team from Calgary, Alberta.

GO BLUE!

Categories
Kitchen sink Photography

[611] Of off to Singapore

Well, I’m off to Singapore soon. Ah, more pictures for my collection.

And since I can’t think of anything to write right now (really, just being plain lazy while watching lame p0rn featuring stupid female elf with male troll with oversized tusk), let’s piss off some animal rights extremists.

Live mollusks (cockle?) facing torture.

Dead mollusks facing digestion.

Somehow, I feel bad.

p/s – goddamn. I’m thinking too much.

Come to think of it, most of us can’t help but feeling humane only to humans, mammals, birds, reptiles and large fishes (practically, large animals). Other “lesser” beings like mollusks and small fishes seem to slip that kind of humane treatment. Caught fishes are left to suffocate in open air while salt water mollusks are drown in fresh water.

I wish I hadn’t tried to piss off those weirdos. Now, I’m pissed.

Need to stop thinking or I won’t consume fishes again, ever…

Categories
Photography Politics & government Sports

[610] Of part of Kuala Lumpur

Every city has its own charm, including Kuala Lumpur.

I have no idea whether this shot points to north, south, east or west without looking at a map. The concept of direction in this city is meaningless. But who cares when the sky is gay, true?

Yet, the photo might suck a bit since there is this big ass glass screen in between the camera and the scenery(?).

And, wow, being highlighted by Jeff Ooi bites a lot of bandwidth. Thank goodness it happened in the middle of the month.

Still, thanks! Appreciate the traffic. But most of all, I glad I see him celebrate September 16. Hail to the Federation.

Again, no, I’m not a nationalist. I just love shouting and turn everybody’s excite switch on. To me, nationalist tends to have a closed mind but their passion is something to be admired. Nationalist, especially patriot, always move me – my mind works only after my heart stops. Maybe, that’s why I think I’m a bit brash.

Ah, the curse of being a youth.

p/s – Germans, please vote for Schröder. Schröder is green, by proxy.

pp/s – on second thought, I can determine the direction by observing the shadow on the buildings. I also know that this photo was taken after noon. So, this shot probably points anywhere between north and west.

Heh, astronomy and geography are handy. I know I used the moon for direction when I was “lost” in Sierra Nevada.

ppp/s – in New Zealand, Greens will be back in power since they have assured Labour of assistance. Labour is expected to win without majority.

p4/s – Michigan 55 – 0 East Michigan. Michigan is now 2 – 1. I’m 2 – 1 too!

Categories
Photography Solar car

[606] Of if you pull the curtain, you’ll see the world

Most of the times, I find that the best shots are impromptu in manner. This one is a shot of a window at my home. I really like the photo.

The green backgroud seems to be out of focus. I’m not sure whether it would be better if I were to focus on the background instead of the curtain. I still need to learn a lot about photography, it seems.

Whatever it is, and don’t forget, tomorrow, September 16, is the 42nd anniversary of the Federation.

p/s – what would you do if you met a Datuk/Dato’ (a Malay honorific somewhat equivalent but not as nearly pretigious as the title Sir), of whom asked which school you attended, in which you replied Michigan, in which he asked Michigan State, in which you replied Michigan State sucks and University of Michigan rules, only shortly later to find out that that Datuk graduated from Michigan State?

pp/s – World Solar Challenge will start on September 22! Go Blue! We conquered North America. Now is the time to conquer the world!

Categories
Liberty Photography

[598] Of towering lamp post

A little bit over eight more days to 42 years of Malaysian Federation.

But heh, I wonder if that lamp post works. That lamp post stands right beside this crosswalk light.

Seeing how things are being done here makes me feel gloomy. But hey, about 400 years ago, somebody said A sable cloud turns forth its silver lining on the night. That is where every cloud has a silver lining originates from.

I wonder if that guy ever got to see his silver lining.

Anyway, I doubt an awful lot will feel anything like August 31. I do think however Xia Xue could change that. Anything coming from Singapore will be able to rile up almost any Malaysian. Heck, she manages to make a Brit stands up for Malaysia.

Well, internet soap opera in the making.

p/s – wtf? Gold Lego bricks?