May You Rest In Peace

I was today informed of the demise of a close family friend whom I am very fond of. It came as a surprise for me.

We met over 10 years ago in the swimming club's gym. I was asked not to acknowledge him as "Uncle" but "Brother" or just Foek On though he's of my parents' generation (his dad and my maternal grandpa were good ol' pals). Over the years, I've grown closer to him from being the spotter in the gym for him to being someone I confided with and seeked advices as well as opinions from. We also share the interest in photography.

There were some discussions about me futhering my studies in established universities for reasons of their well-known alumnis, advices on my timber floor after the flooding of my apartment and personal issues that I have gone through over the last few years.

I would certainly miss the stuffs we did together:

• Bugging him in his office
• Enjoying nasi kandar together
• Having a cuppa
• Visiting camera shop together or meeting in the shop
  
• Sharing of images taken by both of us and the knowledge
• Bantering of Windows v Mac; Lightroom vs Aperture; Nikon vs Leica; AF vs MF; Fully Auto vs Fully Manual systems

One of the flashbacks is the very last chat we had of which he asked me about flash and backlighting on his D700 few months ago. I can't believe it that he's gone.

Certainly, the next trip and every subsequent trip back would be very different without Brother Onn. Your jokes, sarcasms and laughters would be sorely missed.

He was talking about doing a trip to Melbourne and Adelaide since 2 years ago. I guess we won't be able to make that trip down the Great Ocean Road to capture the images of Twelve Apostles, the intended trip that will never eventuate.

May You Rest In Peace, Uncle Foek On (uncle as my due respect for an elder).

Back Up

It was some frustrating days in the last few days as I experienced some "hang" time with my PC. It would hang 15-20 mins into each boot up and there could only be forced shutdown.

Anyway, I am glad that it's back and running. I did lose some data but I did not lose those important ones, especially images of clients! It's a relief to have some backup as redundancies. It's time to consider a second PC that could double up as server...! Hmm....

Sneak Peek of My NZ South Island Trip

Lake MethesonSunrise @ Bruce BaySunset @ Lake Wakatipu in QueenstownSnow-capped Mountain in QueenstownPathways to Mordor (of the Lord of the Ring trilogy) in GlenorchyEnter at Own Risk (between Te Anau & Queenstown)
The Remarkables - LOTR's Misty MountainSunrise @ Lake ManupuriSundown @ Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown Rainbow in Lake Manupuri

These are just some of the scenery and landscapes that New Zealand's south island offered. Although the weather was pretty bad due to the Nor-wester from the Tasman Sea that brings lot of rain to the west coast, I got the opportunities to experience the extreme condition.

Plenty more to come I am sure. That goes to NZ visits as well in the near future.

I Did It

What was on my mind before the dive/jump? I just want to get it done...
Was I shaken prior to the jump while standing on the platform? Not a bit...
Will I do it again? Oh yeah...either a backward jump or the 134m 8.5sec free-fall...

The rush only came in after the plunge and during the drop...!

Well, another item in my bucket list can be crossed off now...Kawarau Bridge is now over but perhaps bring on The Nevis Highwire Bungy...!

I am now a Jumper! When's your turn?

whoalse.com is Down

www.whoalse.com is currently down and has been down since Monday. I am also currently away.

It should be back online in a couple of hours. What happened is I've just switched Domain Registrar and it took longer than I anticipated for the transfer to get through.

Anyway, it should be alright soon. My apologies.

Gone Fishin' in NZ South Island

I've been wanting to visit NZ since my day in Perth and it's about to become a reality in a few more hours. This trip was suppose to be with a few friends. I was telling myself regardless of my friends would make it I would still head there myself. Honestly, I believe this will not be my only trip to NZ.

Arthurs Pass looks good (esp the Highway), Franz Josef Glacier, Fiordland that includes Milford Sound, Mt Cook and the plentiful lakes are places I am sure would amaze me.

Anyway, I'll be off for roughly 10 days...