New Toy for Me

Boys will be boys. As we grow older our toys get more expensive but not necessarily bigger.

I'm typing this post with my new laptop, ASUS F3Jr, which I bought it yesterday after weeks, if not months, of waiting! This is my first computer which I bought with my hard earnt cash. I have had only 3 personal computers. First being the one bought by dad for my college studies in 2000 while the second was a MiTAC laptop bought prior to my studies in Perth (which is being used by my mom at home).

Ever since started working, I have been using laptops issued by employers. IBM T22 and T41 from PwC, HP Compaq nc6220 by WB and KPMG. I still prefer IBM T41 to the HP but I'm getting used to the interface of this beasty monster!

The specs are amazing given the price is relative affordable. Given the similar specs, the branded laptops are more expensive. The following are some of the specifications:

• Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0Ghz
• 2 Gb RAM
• 120Gb HDD
• ATI X2300 128Mb Dedicated Memory
• 15.4" WXGA
• DVD RW
• 2 year Global warranty

Am I delighted with my new toy? I love it and I'm sure it will really help in my photography!

Lucky Me

In the gloomy chilly winter season, there seems to be some lights.

Weeks ago, I submitted for a lucky draw for one of the 10 sport watches that monitors heart rate. Pictured below is the Oregon Scientific's VIBRA Trainer Elite. Upon reaching home, I saw a package jutting out in my tiny mailbox. The initial thought was it's a Return to Sender package. Since when I am so lucky, especially with lucky draw?!! But I WON!!! Wow......

Hopefully, there will be more lucky days ahead for me.............!!! Perhaps, my days may just get better and better!!! From the photo being picked to be included in Schmap Map in my last post.

[Updated 27/7/2007 - The photo was one of the many taken during my cousin's visit last year. I wouldn't have taken those photos that night without him. Thanks, bro....]

On another note, I have watched Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix. It's a dark movie compared to those before it. Will Harry die? I like one of the lines in the movie. "There're always good and evil in us. It's up to us to choose which one to live with."

Til then.........

Photo Inclusion in Schmap

I am aghast when I read the email from the Schmap Guide. Check it out here.

On the safe side, a snap shot of the website is attached below.

It's not a big thing but it's definitely a surprise. The photo is the statue of a knight on a stallion outside the State Library of Victoria. The same photo was also featured during the PMA Australia in May 2007.

Coldest Winter in Years

It's been confirmed that this winter in Melbourne is one of the coldest in many years. This was discussed by us over dinner at friends' house last night. Some of us have been here for a very long time and they mentioned it's never been this cold before. As I have mentioned in my earlier posts, this is only my second winter and it's definitely colder than last year!

We had a great time enjoying everyone's company while having steamboat during a cold winter night. The warmth from the steamboat (both spicy and clear soups) really helped the coldness.

Rob's grinning with the thoughts of WARM FOOD!!

Cooking while heating all of us!!

Fred's secret in stirring!!

Girls and Gossips!!

In the mean time, I took this shot yesterday before it started drizzling. However, I just didn't have time to set up a tripod for this macro. Yes, I used the 105VR macro lens. The breezes didn't help as they resulted in movements, though minute to our normal eyes, which are magnified under the macro lens. This is only one that I could salvage but it's not the ideal one for me.

New Seven Wonders

The new list may not be formally recognised by UNESCO but they are definitely great monuments/structures that have withstood time. The list was voted by about 100mil people from almost every country n the world. The only surviving structure of the original Seven Wonders is The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The new Seven Wonders are:

1) The Great Wall of China 万里长城

2) Colosseum in Rome

3) Taj Mahal in India
4) Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil
5) Petra in Jordan
6) Machu Picchu in Peru
7) Chichen Itza Pyramid in Mexico

Looking back, I have visited one of the new Seven Wonders in the World in 2003. I have to admit that it's definitely an eye opener. Imagine how it was built during the time when machinery is of non-existence. More surprisingly, some of the structures remained intact, bringing to shame that some modern structures in some countries had to be constantly closed for repairs!

In the words by Chairman Mao that were engraved (pictured below), 不到长城 非好汉! It literally means if you haven't been to The Great Wall you're not a nobleman! Well, I have been to and climbed The Great Wall, reaching 3rd tower of both ends to snap photos!

No Sacrifice No Victory

Wow!!
Awesome!!

That's the reaction I got from the moment the first action started. I just got back from watching the long-awaited, much-anticipated Transformers!! It's agonising to wait til the second weekend, to be honest, and I usually don't really bother about the hypes (Star Wars, LoTR, Spiderman are some of the exceptions!). Of course, this is Transformers, one of the best cartoons and toys in the 80s and 90s!!

I have to say I was tightly gripping the seat in some of the action scenes, which are aplenty!! I'm not too sure about the other 19 of us occupying 2 rows but it's very thrilling. Actions are pretty much non-stop and with Bay's signature of fast cutting the frames they look even more intriguing.

The movie version definitely differs with the animation. However, it's definitely not a disappointment but an astonishment! Given the technology (in terms of cinematography) and resource limitations faced by Bay and co, there are only a few robots and a mix from various generations. The handful of robots is definitely a handful for the team. CGI of the transformations are so silky-smooth.

Kudos to Michael Bay and his team for the great thrills. Now bring us, first the DVD, and second, the sequel, for our sakes!!