Holiday

With a good old swimming friend visiting from Perth, I am finally getting some opportunities to travel some places of interests in and around Victoria. Not to forget taking photos too.

I have just been to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat and will be heading to Great Ocean Road (again) but this time will be further from Lorne and Apollo Bay for 12 Apostles.

However, the best part was reminiscing the good ol' memories we had, especially those during the ASEAN Age Group and ASEAN Schools Swimming Championships as part of the National Swim Team. Recalling those moments and laughing about it brought the smirk back on my face.......

I have taken many shots but there will be many to come. Having said that, this friend has also been taking pics with my camera too.

Bed time calling as I will be doing most of the driving.

Happy New Year to all....

Sunset at Williamstown

10 Long Years - Swimming

It's been 10 long years (minimum) since I and many others of my generation left competitive swimming scene. It's unbelievable that it's more than a decade since many of us left. It seems like yesterday that we were having a pool of a time in and out of the swimming pool, enjoying a rush lunch between sessions, doing a performance during final night dinner of a swim meet and sharing ghost stories on the last night of staying in hostels. Time really flies....

After having a long chat (after some long periods of time) last night with an-ex swimmer whom I consider my sister, the idea of having a get-together of ex-swimmers struck me while laying on my bed. This idea has been at the back of my mind for some years and was even put forward by a parent during my coach's Appreciation Dinner (Lee Chek's Appreciation Dinner) that I organised back in Sept 2005 (with some assistance from his swimmers of many generations).

I really don't mind getting the ball started since I had the opportunities to swim and know swimmers from across the generations - those who are 10 years my senior and junior. Perhaps, this gathering will be more of the generations that swam in the 1980s and 1990s.

Swimming form very much a large part of my formative years. Fellow swimmers are like brothers and sisters to me. In fact, we are all a very large family sharing one thing in common - CHLORINATED WATER. It's the chlorinated water that made our hair golden in colour!

The list of some of the well-known swimmers that I came to know personally are (not in any particular order):
Jeffrey Ong - whom I got to play with on weekends, yes, in the pool....
Angelia Ong - whom I got to play with on weekends, yes, in the pool....
May Tan
Magdaline Goh - another big sista who's now in Melbourne too
Loo I-lyn
Ming Yen - and family who's my neighbour (another siblings of mine)
Mark Chua - whom I shared the same dormitory during one of the centralised training
Marilyn Chua - can't say we share the same dorm....grinz
Elena Saw - whom I grew up with in and out of the pool
Alex Lim Keng Liat - who was my roommate
Allen Ong - whom I grew up and competed with back in the late 80s
Cindy Ong
Elvin Chia - whom I shared the same dormitory during one of the centralised training (he slept on the floor due to his height!)

I do hope this meet up will eventuate because it's been too long since we actually sit down and enjoy meals together with a few jokes thrown in!

Certainly, I will make this my new year resolution though it's planned (or suggested) to be held in 2009 to allow better coordination and planning.

Merry Xmas to all............

Smugmug Initiatives

I'm surprised that my previous post on my move to Smugmug had the CEO, Don MacAskill, commented about it. Wow......!! Now that says a lot about taking initiatives!! In fact, he suggested something about a tool for moving the photos. If I had known earlier, I should have blogged sooner! ;P (but not necessarily would get a comment from the CEO himself)

Speaking of which, I wonder how my blog (a very low profile) could be tracked down. Perhaps, Big Brother is watching and lurking! =)

Thanks, Don and Smugmug. I'm learning and picking up what I have left off years ago.

Still can't believe it............


Green = Smugmug's colour

whoALSE going Smugy

Well, I have to admit that moving from one photo website provider to another is such a hassle.

What made me switched? In fact, I had decided to stay with them (Phanfare) slightly more than a week ago. However, Phanfare announced a change of its business direction last weekend which will come into effect in Jan 2008. The news came like a few days I decided to stick to Phanfare.

Anyway, I have made Smugmug my choice and the last 4 days were about uploading the pics as well as downloading some from the old one since I didn't have them locally. I had like about 5 days to do so since my 6-month trial period came to an end today (this morning).

The new whoALSE site is still a work-in-progress since I was (am still) doing the uploading which is more important. Doubt my domain name (whoalse.com) will work on Smugmug but it doesn't bother me.

There will be a lot of my blog posts with photos not linking because of the old account being closed. Don't think I'll be bothered to amend the links of the all the blogs but I'll do up a few.

I have requested my uncle to design the whoALSE logo for me.......

So, hope on to Smugmug and my referral code is "N7gswi1hyOogk" and get a discount.

Art or Porn

Recently, I have had some discussions with a few friends about images that involve some nudity. Are these art or pornography? It is a controversial subject, especially for me who has been brought up in a typical Asian way of life.

There is a fine line drawn between the two. However, the line can be very much different from one person to another, from male to female, from the young to the wise.

I have asked and will continue to ask friends on this particular subject. As of today, there were 6 gals and 3 guys. I'm sure one would ask why the imbalance........Well, most nudes involve females and it's certainly a topic that the gals will have an entirely different perception than guys. Most guys just don't care about it and will be excited about any nude images (of the other sex, of course)~!!

Call me sexist but it's true...!!

As for me, I think it's an art so long we stick within that fine line.

Anyway, here are some modeling shots taken on Sat night.

Encouragements

I have been getting some positive feedbacks on my recent photos. Colleagues who have visited my site have stopped me in my track, round the corner and even just call me up to chat up about photography and sometimes asking for opinions on some cameras, mainly the compacts!

These actually started when I took photos of our Christmas Dinner on 30 Nov 2007 albeit with a workmate snapping some shots away with my camera. They were also comparing to shots taken with compacts during the dinner. I don't mean to be...urm...mean but I guess there sure are some limitations a compact can do (try flash or low light). Definitely, this is an opportunity to sell myself.

Did I mention that my Managing Director came up to me during lunch and said my pictures are so very beautiful and nice? Oh, he called out my name which means a lot to me.

Also today over the Finance dept's Xmas lunch, my Finance Director, Kristin, noted the same thing - very nice photos on my website. She even asked whether I do it professionally! I don't think I have reached that level yet thought. Even more so, she mentioned that I should not turn pro as the Company needs me! LoL......

This really made my day, though a tiring day....!! Had my first interview as the interviewer too! That's after the heavy but sumptuous lunch with dessert.......


Other than comments from colleagues, there have been some positive feedbacks from fellow artists including photographers (or togs for short). Coming from them is definitely very encouraging and will spur to go to the next level.......

What an Experience

A few of us were invited to a private dinner with opportunities for photo taking on Sat night. The subject was kept secret from all of us. All we knew was get a mask and wear it there for dinner.

It's definitely a surprise, at least to me! A surprise experience, that is.....!

Nikon D3

Oh my gaaaaawd...D3 really is revolutionary in almost all areas! Available/Low-light capability, High ISO (25600!!!), Low Noise, near-instant AF at low light, 9 (11) frames per second, Full Frame (FF or FX in Nikon's term), Wider Dynamic Range, etc.....!!!

I'm loving it.....!!

Here are some high ISO shots (min ISO3200) taken without flash, indoor at night and straight out from the camera:
Aren't they amazing (not the composition as they are just snaps out of excitement)! More on whoALSE website. More pics to come (lucky me, perhaps!)...... ;P

Taking Chances

Well, I bit the bullet and paid for the ticket to attend Celine Dion's Taking Chances Concert in April 2008 here in Melbourne. So very excited I am though I missed out on cheaper tickets as most of them were sold out within 3 hours. My seats will be quite in front as it's of the platinum category! Will it be a worthwhile concert and to pay so much for it? I guess the experience to be in a concert will be priceless and yet she's one of my fav singers. I have never been to one since most stars wouldn't drop by in my country, let alone my hometown. MJ had a tour before in early 90s but it's too far away and too expensive to spend with parents' finances!

At least Celine has lasted so very long and never been really into any serious trouble like some of the current stars (I don't have to mention the names).

Can't wait for 1 April to come (and pray it's not an April Fool attempt)! Bring on Celine.....

Sunset

Life is very much like the sun. There are ups and downs while the sun rises and sets. The recent passing of my beloved grandpa signifies a journey of life from the hardship he had gone through with his sheer determination to the success he attained. The hopes he had given to many without expecting anything in return will live in our memories, or at least mine.

The setting of the sun depicts his hard-fought journey came to an end and sadness we have from his passing. Very much like the brightness of the sunlight, his glows grew, peaked and finally faded. I took these photos on the evening after his funeral with him in my mind and it's a way for me to bid him farewell.
The light may have faded but there is always hope, a glimmer of hope for a new beginning.
Some of us who are true to him will certainly cherish those happy moments we shared with him. His journey may have ended but it's also the start of many more life journeys. Hopefully, these journeys will turn out positive.
As the saying goes, the sun always rises..........

A New Toy

After pondering for some time, I have finally gotten myself another toy to play with, a portable GPS Navman S30. It not only gives directions but has heaps of other useful features like fixed camera warning (light and speed cameras), speeding reminder, distance log, points of interest (POIs). I may not make any more wrong turns or miss turnings. Additionally, if it ever get stolen it may not be able to be accessed by others as PIN has been set after registering it with Navman through its website and Navdesk program.

However, it went bonkers after about 8hours of playing with it. It happened after I tried to get into the Demo feature and it just keeps rebooting without even getting to the main menu. Restarting Loop. Certainly, it pissed me off.....

So, I got it replaced the next day without much buzz as I was advised by the Tech Support in the morning to do so.

As usual being myself, I tried the same thing again after reaching home. Guess what......it bloody happened again!!!! So, I told myself since I will be able to get a replacement anyway, why not try looking for the script files and perhaps edit the startup scripts. Obviously, it's a worthwhile attempt as I learnt something from it.

Having the success, I might just try something else to either change the default graphics/images.

Anyway, here is what I have done.
1) Connect the GPS to PC
2) Go to \Program Files\Navman\SmartST_CE\UserData\ and look for user_settings.xml (most likely the last file in the folder)
3) Open the file with Notepad and look for the following script (exclude the "()" due to html tags):
(property
name="smartst demonstration" value="true" /)
Amend the value to "false" to deactivate the Demo feature and prevent it from looping.
4) Remove/delete the following script:
(property
name="smartst demonstration country" value="xxxxxxxxxx" /)
5) Save the file as xml document.

Voila....it starts up as normal!

I'll try something else next time for sure.

In Loving Memory of My Grandpa (1919 - 2007)

Updated 15/11/2007
Updated 14/11/2007

My beloved grandpa, a great iron man of his time, passed away peacefully at 12.48am on 13th November 2007 after slipping into coma the day before. In the past month, he has been in and out of hospital (including ICU). We were told he opened his eyes to have a glance at some of his children at his beside before drawing his last breath back at his home (just minutes past midnight).

I guess for some of us to see him suffered so much in the last few years after the demise of his dearest wife (my grandma) in March 1997 and particularly the moments he had tubes inserted all over, it did bring some reliefs that he has finally gone to a better place. On the other hand, it's sad that he has passed on. The emptiness and loneliness he felt in the last 10 years after the demise of his beloved life companion and some of close friends finally came to an end.

He was a person who very much enjoyed his food but in the last few years he's been eating simple food alone most of the time. In the last few weeks (perhaps days), he's been fed through the tube. It's a saddening image (sent by my mom).
There have been more sad images of him over the years but I rather have his happy cheery pictures etched in my memory.

The following 2 pics were taken in July 2004 during his 85th birthday dinner.
While this was taken in Oct 2003 during his grandson's wedding.

Pai Thnee Kong in 2003
More pics available on byBHO and whoALSE.

I remember him being one of the "lappers" in Penang Swimming Club before I joined the training back in the early 1980s. He swam til the late 1990s. Another thing about him is his strong thunderous voice that did frighten some of us (the playful grandchildren).

Hailing from China, he had certainly made a name for himself in the business world. In my book, he's always been more than willing to chip in for any donations during my schooling days (as Chinese schools do not have equal fundings as other national schools). A well-known philanthropist during his time and no less than his pal the late Tan Sri Dato' Loh Boon Siew, he had given to many organisations and societies.

Tears started flowing the moment I was informed by my mom about him going into coma and again this morning just before lunch time on his passing, first by my cousin in Perth and by mom seconds later thru text message.

Goodbye, Ah Kong..........We will all miss you, your laughters/smiles and especially your table-banging on dining tables.

An Unforgetable Experience - A Late Nite Out in Lorne

Going back to Sat night after dinner, some of us played Truth or Dare (or Kiss) in Jo's cottage while others enjoyed the antics displayed by them. Further into the night, a few of us decided for a walk by beach for some photo shoot. Little did I know that I would get the opportunity for some cool and wonderful shots that involved poses & emotions akin to modeling shoot. Having said that, I was quite disappointed that I did not bring spare batteries for my flash and flash stand thinking that I wouldn't need them! Lessons learnt..........!! Luckily, someone came to the rescue (no name mentioned here, for now)!

Claudia did the posing (modeling) while Alateia gave the art direction!

Superwoman calling her laundromat to check up on her costume.....Wrong no.....Operator, get me out of here as the AGENTS are coming!!

Wicked Wig.....

Serenity with the sound of wave crashing nearby

CSI dropped by Lorne for the unknown circumstances

Resting in the Garden of Eden (in Lorne)
Lay me down, Hold me tight

Cowering

Barring the disappointment, I'm certainly very delighted that I have some good shots from the night shoot. It's an awesome experience.

Many thanks to Claudia for the shoot (it became chillier) and Alateia for her direction!

Bubblers in Lorne & Apollo Bay

This is the second part to the earlier post on Red Bubble's trip. I'll let the pictures do the talking....

Chris doing the Aussie Bloke thingy

David does the feeding to the King

Wen does what he does best

Jo's giving the look

Chris' looking at his beer Jess salivating her dinner

Julie's enjoying the chat topic

Claudia's looking some where

David's enjoying the moment

Mel from QLD join the Bubble for the weekend

John with his schlong, urm....I mean long huge lens!

Michael's taking a few shut eyes

Claudia's chilling out (baking) on the warm sands

James' meditating..........with his gear

One group of Bubblers painting Apollo Bay Red (that is after Lorne)

What great moments we had over the weekend!!

Many thanks to Jo for organising the awesome trip!! Now bring on the next one....Hang on...The Club first.....!!

Memories in Lorne, Great Ocean Road & Apollo Bay

It's been really some hectic 2 weeks for me. Hence, the silence. I have been taking and editing loads of photos in that fortnight and still am -from jugglers, birthday, random shoots and travel. That is because I have picked up bits and pieces from my master who has been willing to illuminate me.

As part of the Red Bubble Melbourne, we paid a visit to and overnight in Lorne over the weekend. It was certainly a blast and getting closer to some of them whom I have met during my first RB meet in August. RB Melbourne is certainly made up of diverse groups of people - cultures, personalities, job backgrounds. Fun, warm, friendly are some of the descriptions I can put in words.

I definitely love the drive along the Great Ocean Road to and fro from Lorne (Apollo Bay). It reminds me of the stretch in Penang leading to Batu Ferringhi albeit a much shorter. Both shares the similar winding and steepness with trees all around. I'm glad I joined the trip, especially the teasing of playing catch up by a Bubbler with his red hot Golf GTi.

About 20 of us spent most of the time by the beach and weather was just awesome for a beach out! Shooting by the beach and even having someone handpainting a portrait, talk about art!

I have to admit that there wasn't much sceneries to take other than the horizon which is pretty much similar. Where we are do have some pretty sunrise (and not sunset) but there were just too overcast for the sunlight to come through. In fact, all of us slept in as it drizzle in the morning and of course the late night we had!

Feeding the wild cockatoos and King Parrots on the balcony of the cottage are some of the memories I would reminisced. It was so up close and personal with the birds and they are not very shy of us, so long we have the seeds!

Here are some of the shots taken:

Welcome to Great Ocean Road

The Horizon

Pathway to the Ocean

Cockatoo with its Crest Displayed (just for a few seconds after landind)

The King & I

One thing led to another and I did have the opportunity for a model shoot too with art direction! Certainly, there were some keepers from the shoot. I'm still very excited by the experience though I did have some disappointments. I'll leave it for my next post.

Cheerios.....

Awesome Weekend

I had a blast on Sat. Being a spectator in the Princess Theatre for the longest play, I was not only mesmerised by the stage setups but mystified by Anthony Warlow's deep and strong voice. Anthony Warlow has been playing the role of the Phantom of the Opera for the past 18 odd years. This would be his last return to Melbourne.

I am not really a musical fan but this Andrew Llyod Webber's The Phantom of the Opera really sucked me into the musical world. We booked for the seats about 3 months ago but could not really got the session we wanted and ended up with the Saturday Matinee show. Well, it's better than missing the show all together. I can understand a friend of mine who went for 4 times in the past few years.

After the matinee show, I had the opportunity to go out shooting again. This time, it's with my maestro whom I'm learning from. At least I didn't do it all alone where there could be at time drunkards and rascals. Here are some of the shots taken.

Fireworks along the Yarra RiverColour or Black & White? Guess I'm confused!! Why not both?!Looks like my camera?! I actually painted this!Tunnel or Tunnelled Vision?! Depending on how you look at it......

In the past 2 weeks, I have learnt a fair bit from my maestro in almost all parts of photography. More on www.whoalse.com. These are some of the results but there are plenty of room for improvements!

Wonderful News

In the past week, I have 2 friends who got engaged! Time really flies when I could recall the good ol' days. One is a childhood friend from my swimming days and the other is a very good friend from my uni days.

For now, let me just focus on this uni friend of mine from......urm.....it's complicated. A Sabahan who is a Perthy but now staying in Melbourne! I may possibly share a few stories about her. Stories from the uni days, perhaps! And more.....I was given the opportunity to bunk over her (and her fiance's) place when I first got to Melbourne.

Allow me to rewind the time a little. Pictures show a thousand words...........

21st Giggling Bday in Perth
Cake in her face....or maybe she's just hungry!Chris & I in PerthHungry Chris On her bday in MelbourneDon't mess with her when she has this look! For me, I'll mess with her even more!Recent Bday Pic of Chris chopping the Cake!

It's just too bad I have some not so good photos taken when in Perth.........