MacBooks

The day has finally come for me to go collect my MacBooks and all those who ordered under me. And all I got was just 3 units of MacBook White 13"...no MacBook Pro 13", no Pro 15" and no Pro 17"!!! Aaaaaaaargh!!!!

Nevertheless, it was a joy to hold and carry 3 Macs at one time and releasing them one by one to my "buyers" and seeing their joyful faces as they open up the sealed box for the first time and majestically pressing the "Power On" button and booting up the OS.

I feel good too. Well, I guess I'll just have to wait for next week to get my other MacBooks! Here is the MacBook White 13" straight from the box!

My New Adidas

I am now doing an event here in J W Marriot Hotel. As I write, the event's MC is cracking jokes and the crowd shouting. I was here since 10am to get things ready. I am doing the video shooting and also supplied the LCD projector. But I have my crew running everything and that leaves me rather free.

My aged Adidas shoes are showing much signs of "breaking down" with holes everywhere. And since I had so much free time, I decided to just walk across to Pavilion and shop for a new pair. I checked out shoes from Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Puma and New Balance.

And I decided on a pair of Adidas "Response CHS 18" running shoes at RM297 after discount. Woohoo...

I've Got A Feeling...

Suddenly I just feel excited about life and the things that are coming in the next few days, weeks, months and years.

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Its Hari Raya Haji today...a public holiday and I don't feel like doing anything productive. Had a great lunch at Segambut's seafood noodle. And its now 6:45pm...raining very heavily. Walked out to my balcony, 17 floors above ground and just starred at the faraway lights, letting the strong breeze and rain drops lightly showering on me. Its a good feeling...a feeling of peace, comfort and assurance.

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This is when I suddenly felt good about the coming days and weeks ahead. I should be getting my MacBook Pro 15" within the next few days...next Friday, to be exact. That is my Christmas wishlist #1. Once I get my MacBook, then its off to Machines to get the wireless Magic Mouse and to KLCC's Crumpler to get a good bag for my new toy.

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Nov-Dec are also a busy months for me. Got a few big shoots and events lined up, some confirmed, some not. But nevertheless, its still very exciting. Holding on to the faith that God will provide all my needs.

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My mega project which has been postponed and delayed since April this year will "happen"...I was informed...sometime in end-December. Should be around the 3rd week of December. If that is so, then I can expect big payouts from the project and have a GREAT Christmas and Thanksgiving. Hmmm...I wonder if I can make enough for my white Beemer. Haha...

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Well, I just feel like thanking God for everything He has done in my life. The goods and the bads...they are all for a reason. Whatever it is, God knows what He is doing. All I know is that the Bible says in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

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Thank you, Jesus.

Christmas Wish List

Christmas is just around the corner and I think its now about time to start planning and drafting out Christmas "wish list". I don't ask for much...just that few same old stuffs all the time. Its obvious that I can't exactly afford any of them, thus my wish list. You may contribute any of the items listed below, you may also give cash, either in full or part. Of course, if you so wish to, you can also use your credit card and enjoy up to 24 months interest free installments.

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Here are some of the items that I know I can't afford to buy myself. Maybe you may want to consider?

MacBook Pro 15" @ around RM8,000+

Nikon D3S with AF-S 24-70 f2.8G ED @ around RM23,000

Nikon AF-S 14-24 f2.8G ED @ around RM6,000+

Nikon AF-S 70-200 f2.8G ED VRII @ around RM7,000

Nikon AF-S 200-400 f4 ED VR @ around RM26,000+

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Feel free to leave me your feedbacks regarding any of the items above. I am an easy man, very flexible too...so, no worries. Oh ya, I still have not gotten my BMW335i and if anyone of you feel gracious enough...its RM497,000 on the road, without insurance.

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Merry Christmas!

Money

Truths about money...

With money you can buy a house, but not a home.
With money you can buy a clock, but not a time.
With money you can buy a bed, but not sleep.
With money you can buy a book, but not knowledge.
With money you can see a doctor, but not good health.
With money you can buy a position, but not respect.
With money you can buy blood, but not life.
With money you can buy sex, but not love.

But without money...I also die. That's why we need to strike a proper balance in everything we do. That is also why we need...GOD.

Beyonce's Concert "Postponed"!!!

Beyonce has closed the door on Malaysia...yet again. And frankly, I actually don't blame her.

According to concert organizers Marctensia, a much anticipated and embattled concert set for October 25 has been postponed until further notice. Issuing a statement Monday, Marctensia told media outlets that the decision was solely Beyonce's and her management's call. "The postponement is solely the decision of the Artiste and has nothing to do with other external reasons," said Marctensia.

"The Organisers sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused." Refunds are available for fans who purchased tickets to attend the October 25 show via Ticket Axcess. As previously reported, Beyonce had faced much opposition from local Muslim groups who deemed her choice of dress inappropriate.

"We oppose the holding of such concerts and we will take action to prevent it,' a spokesman for PAS said in a statement earlier this year. "Her skimpy attire and behaviour onstage are immoral and lead to unclean behaviour." Beyonce canceled a concert here in KL two years ago but had vowed to return. A statement from Beyonce and her management is expected to be provided at a later date.

What a blardy blow...yet again!!! "Malaysia Boleh"...my foot!!!

Run For Your Life lor...

I had to delete my most recent blog post because I just found out that the client I was referring to in the post is now reading my blog and my Facebook shouts outs.

Hahaha....lari ooo...

SkyTrex Adventure

A few weeks ago, I was commissioned to cover a NuSkin event. They made a trip to SkyTrex Adventure at Bukit Cahaya, Shah Alam. It was an awesome 3hrs spent there despite the scorching hot sun (though the tall trees formed good shelters) and the mosquito feeding sessions! It was a great place for such group outings as the environment there was clean and organised.

SkyTrex Adventure provides varying aerial trails which guarantees hours of fun and excitement for people of all ages, though the recommended age is 10 to 50, depending on your physical fitness level. The challenges are not killing but they do require some form of body fitness to complete. So, if you have never done any kind of sport in your life, then this may not be for you.

SkyTrex Adventure is certified by cete Apave Sudeurope, the maian body of control for high rope course and for rock climbing equipment in France. The circuit was constructed and is managed in conformance to AFNOR standards for high rope course.

There are basically 3 adventure trails and 1 "Jump Start" trail where everybody have to go through as part of the introduction and training session. The 3 adventure trails are "Little Adventure" for kids (though adults can also do, if they so prefer to), The Big Thrill and The Extreme Challenge.

You need to be at least 140cm in height and not more than 100kg in weight. The rates are RM25 (Little Adventure), RM35 (Big Thrill) and RM40 (Extreme Challenge). For more info, you can visit SkyTrex Adventure.

Here are pictures from the event.

The group picture before taking up the challenges!

First, everybody take their gears and get themselves strapped up. This is compulsory for everyone who wants to take part in the challenges.

A staff helping a participant strap up her gear

These are really heavy duty gears

All strapped up, ready to go!

The guy in white t-shirt is Julian, the person-in-charge of SkyTrex Adventure, giving a technical briefing to all the participants. Obviously, not everybody was listening.

One last photo before embarking the challenges ahead

SkyTrex technical staff doing a demo on how to use the equipment

Everyone watched attentatively as the demo is conducted

This is the "Jump Start" station where everybody have to go through before taking on any of the actual challenges.

Here you go...doing a "flying fox" stunt some 100-over feet from tree to tree

I think this is the tallest tree you'd ever get to climb safely. Here it is...the first challenge of "The Big Thrill"

A participant completing her challenge

Mid-way of "The Extreme Challenge"

Flying fox in action!

A team after completing all the challenges

The main entrance to SkyTrex Adventure. There is also a "Sky Deck" (on the left) for hanging out.

Overall, an awesome outing. If you want to organise something similar to this, you can contact the management of SkyTrex directly and make your booking appointment. Bookings are highly recommended as they are always very busy in the weekends.

Have fun!

Money Killer

I realised that a few of my close friends and associates are beginning to "avoid" me by not taking up my calls, not replying to my text messages and emails. All because of the same reason...MONEY.

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Yes, all these guys owe me money, mostly from events and services that I rendered and my due fees not paid. The smallest amount was a few hundred bucks and the biggest is RM2,300. One guy even blammed me for being pushy [he owed me RM1,500 from a Feb 2008 event]. He said I was "penny wise pound foolish" and have lost several big jobs from his company because of my chasing for the outstanding 1.5k. Gosh...its over a year outstanding...what am I suppose to do...sit and wait? Dur!

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One guy, after not picking up my calls, sent me a text message saying that my money is only available end of the month. But my purpose of calling him was not to ask for the money but to give him an event job! He is now either really soooo busy and not being able to call me back or simply just "avoiding" me. It is such a pity that things have to turn out this way.

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I am ok if you tell me the truth and admit that you don't have the money to pay me now. Give me a date and I can wait. But don't let the outstanding amount float aimlessly and as it is now...to and extend to "avoiding" me. Don't let money come in the way of a good working relationship. Be accountable and deal with the situation "head on".

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Sometimes, money can really turn up the dark side of a person's personality and forcing him to respond with unwise actions. Well, I want my money, no doubt...but I also want to retain that working relationship that we had.

A Day Trip To Malacca

Two weeks ago, my church organised a day trip to the historical town of Malacca. The day's agenda consist of two primary objectives, i.e., to attend Ps Edmund Smith's church service on Sunday morning and also to feast on the yummy food of Malacca. Altogether, 14 of us joined the trip and it was awesome. Thanks to my borrowed GPS, we drove around Malacca confidently.

We departed KL at around 8:30am and reached Malacca around 10am. We parked our cars at Mahkota Parade and walked over to church service. And spent the rest of the day waling around the Malacca town hunting for good food everywhere we went. Pictures taken mostly by Mabel's Nikon D80 and some with my Canon IXUS70.

Ps Edmund's church, "Real Love Ministry" (RLM) was a small church of around 20+ people, something like my own church. It was located on the 1st floor of a business area just 5 minutes walk from Mahkota Parade, where we parked our cars. The worship was simple but awesome. The message was "entertaining" but spiritually meaningful.

Ps Edmund was an ex-gay and have lived a lifestyle of homosexuality. But God transformed his life some many years ago and he is now living a happily married life with 2 beautiful children...and one wife. His current core ministry is reaching out to the marginalised community of the gays and lesbians, proclaiming God's sexual wholeness back into their lifes.

After church service, we headed straight for lunch...the famous "chicken rice balls" at Jonker Street. Actually, its nothing special besides the rice being served in the form of "golf balls". Taste wise...ok ler.

Walking along Jonker Street, one will surely bump into this guy...a wooden statue with a grinning face!

And there it is...just bought my new Japanese Samurai "Katana" sword. Two years ago, I bought a Chinese kungfu sword from this same shop in Jonker Street. This Katana looks great with superb carvings on the holder and awesome craftsmanship. Most of all, its only RM25!!!

Colorful flip-flops on display along Jonker Street, a place where you can find lots of beautiful things from handycrafts to t-shirts to girls' accessories to cool shades and of course, flip-flops!

This is the famous "Famosa Chicken Rice Ball" shop.

After a good long walk up and down of Jonker Street, its good time for some superb cooling ice-kacangs topped with awesome "gula Melaka". Again, this shop is full and jam-packed with people but we were lucky enough to find two separate tables for all 14 of us.

And yes, my ice-kacang with "red beans and jagung only" tasted great in a hot sweaty afternoon.

But that was not enough, at least not until I have a go at their Baba Laksa! Considering its a tourist spot, it was not too expensive at RM3.50 a bowl.

A "Malacca trip" will not be complete, not unless a picture is taken here at the famous Christ Church near the clock tower.

Here is most of us, up at St Paul's hill. Everyone seem to be pointing at the same angle...not bad.

The sword means "violence" while the Bible brings in "peace and love". And me...brings in joy and happiness! haha...

Here it is...my Katana fully drawn out in full length. Its coated in black for superior durability and strength!

Oh, here it is again. haha...

Our second last item in the agenda was the visit to Menara Taming Sari. The picture says it all. It takes you all the way up and offers one a superb view of almost the entire Malacca town!

The bird's eye view of Dataran Pahlawan and mahkota Parade

The Eye of Malaysia in Malacca

Part of the Malacca town...the Jonker Street area

An aeriel view of the only public swimming pool in Malacca...a view 100+ feet above ground

Inside the cabin of the Menara Taming Sari

A random pic I took of Shaun using Mabel's Nikon D80. I think its nice...

And the last agenda of the day was a good baba nyonya dinner before we leave. Did a search on the internet and we were led to patronise this restaurant called "Bibik Neo". Funny name it is but the food was no doubt...awesome!

We left Malacca town at 8:15pm and the GPS faithfully guided us through the roads of Malacca town and we all reached home safely.

An Evening With Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. A cultural icon, he is commonly known simply as Elvis and is also sometimes referred to as The King of Rock 'n' Roll or simply just "The King". Elvis began his career in 1954. He had a versatile voice and he had unusually wide success encompassing many genres, including rock n roll, gospel, blues, country, ballads and pop.

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Of course, as we all know, Elvis is dead. But his legend still lives on until this day with many die-hard followers of his impersonating The King. And in Malaysia itself, we have a few of such impersonators, two of which are my personal friends.

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About a month ago, there was this special gathering where all the local Elvises came together and made a simple concert. I was privileged to be the events photographer. Here are some pics.

Some of Elvis' posters and albums on display at the event

The event host was His Sanctuary Glory Church at OUG, KL

Two "Elvises" meeting together. The one of the right is H T Long, my friend and probably the best Malaysian Elvis.

This was the 1st Elvis to perform. Not too bad but movements were a lil slow and voice so-so only lar.

The crowd at the event

This is Alex, also my friend. He is the latest and the youngest Elvis in Malaysia. I think, in my personal opinion, he is probably the best Elvis impersonator thus far. He has great Elvis moves and a superb Elvis voice. Go and search for images of the late Elvis and you will find many similar postures...the bended right leg called "the twist"!

This is "Michael Jackson". And I have no idea what's he doing here!

Another Elvis impersonator. Hmmm...so-so only lar. Weak voice.

This is my bro...H T Long! Probably the 2nd best Elvis impersonator in Malaysia after Alex. But Long is very experienced and a long time Elvis impersonator while Alex is new. But Alex is much younger and always displaying more aggressive moves.

And here we have another Elvis...the senior pastor of HSG Church, Rev Christopher Long!!! Cool, pastor!

"Old Elvis" giving a brand new pair of Elvis shades to "young Elvis". The shades are original merchandise from Graceland, US.

Here we have young Elvis "Alex" in his jump suit, doing this stuffs with his new Elvis shades on!

Alex interacting with the audience

A typical Elvis move by Alex

CD sales were great after the show

H T Long entertaining autographs requests from fans

And the final picture...I introduce to you..."Babyboss Elvis"

For your info, I was wearing Alex's new Elvis shades from H T Long, all the way from Graceland, US.