Probably the biggest missed opportunity in my life

After searching high and low for a landed property in Penang, I was called to see a landed property located near Supertanker along Jalan Nipah:
5°20'28.80"N
100°17'45.69"E
Location is very good for doing business. As a matter of fact, someone is still renting the place at RM800 to do Photostat Business. When I reach the place, already someone is there looking at the place. I talk to the owner and he agree to sell at RM410,000 negotiable.

I'm still thinking and talking to my agent when a deal was struck by other buyer for RM408,000. I can't believe it that a good opportunity to buy high value property at low price being snatched in front of my eyes by some rich aunty. I'm dumb-strucked.

This teach us that opportunity will come once or a few times in a lifetime and we must see and snap it right away. I should have just struck a deal with him before the rich aunties does. Or probably I offer him higher price.

This is consider an good but expensive experience on how to see an opportunity and should snap it if the location is really good and the price is right. I keep on thinking about this for the rest of the night. I hope I can sleep well tonight. :( I don't think I'll be able to buy such properties again.

Panasonic LX3 price?

The price of LX3 still hovering around RM1500 to RM1650 in Penang. This is the price to pay for buying hot item. Previously there's an advertisement in Harvey Norman where the price quoted is unbelievably cheap. It's too good to be true. But that's it. Its not really true. They put up wrong model for the pricing.

Omega Supreme

Fascination with G1 Transformers, I can't control myself and got myself Omega Supreme Encore. Before this, I didn't really thought of buying it. But after watching a few youtube video, I got hooked. After you watch this video I took, you'll know why I want to buy it:


Laser Cannon Tank patrolling Rocket Base

Laser Cannon Tank movement

Omega Supreme Robot mode

I mean, Transformers that can move!!! I never have that before. :P

The box it comes with:

Plan for life - Financial

Suddenly it popped to my mind about when to use and invest money. We need to follow the graph of stock market and inflation.

Normally will follow this rule:
Stock market : Up------->Down------------->Up
Inflation : Up------->Down------------->Up

Reason, during economic downturn, people no money to buy stuff. Sure no inflation and might have deflation. Buying house and other high price item like collectors item (Transformers) might be good time during financial down turn.

So which bring us to:
Stock market : Up------->Down------------->Up
Inflation : Up------->Down------------->Up
Spend : save money--->Invest or SPEND!!!----->save money

What you can spend:
a)house
b)collector's item
c)vacation (during downturn, oil price drop so surcharge is lower)

Thanks for reading this.

Just banked in money to my loan account

Just went to AIA to bank in RM3000 to my loan account since its daily rest. Hopefully it is better than to have Canon 40D lying around without me using it to the fullest. Somehow, after this fiasco, I'm a bit reluctant to buy anything anymore. Hopefully this feeling linger longer...

Starting to feel the pinch...

Today I went to Tesco and after fews observation, I've decided that our inflation is getting out of hand. I'll just talk about instant mee. Last time, when its promotion, the price is around RM2.xx. And sometimes it drop to RM1.xx. But what happened now is, during promotion, the price is RM3.xx. Normal price is RM4.xx. That's almost 30% inflation based on instant me.

Fresh milk is RM4 to RM5 now compare to RM3 last time. While the price of Fragrant rice have increased ever since the time of shortage of rice to around RM4x.xx to RM5x.xx compare to RM3x.xx last time.

This might not be felt yet by middle income group but definitely make those lower income group suffer.

Threat of recession is very real and couple with inflation, we're seeing the worse of both world.

Hope that Avago is not retrenching people or else, I'll need to eat instant mee everyday eventhough the price have increase. I'm glad I sold my Canon 40D by the way.

Advice for person before buying anything...

Can you make yourself to use it everyday?

As for me, a few things I bought which I don't use everyday:
a)Canon 40D
b)Digital Piano
c)Cross trainer
d)Video camera
e)Electronic dictionary

I somehow did not use them everyday because either I'm busy or
I'm lazy. So actually buying new stuff involve changing of status
quo. Like you every night watching TVB series. But after buy piano,
you cannot watch series but need to practice piano. So, can you
sacrifice your TVB series watching status quo?

A lot of status quo can't be changed unless you really have the
determination to change. Unless there's enough determination, don't
waste money to buy anything at all. Besides wasting money, you might
waste your time by forcing yourself doing something that challenge
your status quo.

With this thinking, I might not be buying anything at all for the time
being. I'm going to concentrate on few things:

a)piano
b)learning chinese using the dictionary
c)work

Besides status quo of watching DVD...and surfing webs...

In the mood of selling....(2)

And in continuation of selling mood, I just sold off the biggest price tag of photography equipment I owned. Canon 40D is sold at ridiculously low price of RM2650. I also sold him Extreme III 4GB card for RM85 which is ridiculously low price. Not sure why I have impulse selling (together with impulse buying, I've very expensive bad habit).

But I learn something from this whole episode. That what you think you like is not what you really like.

By the way, I'm going to sell 18-55 IS this Wednesday for RM300. I still have remaining legacy of photography equipment which is the 58mm Kenko Pro-1D filter. Will sell it slowly.

I'm glad I've unload the camera. Something I still don't like about dSLR is the tendency to have dust inside the camera. I saw some dust in viewfinder and I really hate to see it eventhough it does not affect the photo. Glad that the buyer of my Canon 40D is not fussy about the dust in the viewfinder.

I'm now a happy man which around RM3k in hand. Hopefully those stash of cash is not fake money...

In the mood of selling....

To be consistent with worldwide mood of selling, I've just sold my recently purchased tele lens Canon 55-250mm IS for RM600. Its a low price compare to RM730 I paid for it. So I lose RM130 in the process but gained the fun of using it for 2 months.

I still have 18-55mm IS for sale for RM300 and above. This means I won't lose any money on this lens. But unfortunately, selling my beloved Canon 40D will prove to be money losing process. I bought it for RM3200. But I take it can fetch RM2600 or below which means I stand to lose RM600 and above.

But thinking if I get back RM2600 and then putting it into my house loan, I might tend to get 10% in the value which means I'll just lose RM600-RM260 = RM340 which is not too shabby and in long run of compouding interest, I'll even get more. However, I still couldn't find a buyer.

However, there goes my photography hobby. I just can't feel like plunking so much money on this. I just feel I don't have time. I still need time for other thing such as for my piano hobby and other stuff. I'm already 30 and I think I need to concentrate on one hobby. I feel I diversified too much until I'm not good in anything at all.

At 30 years old, this will be turning point for everything.

1 hobby.
1 carreer.
1 gf/wife? LOL

Funny antics in US financial bailout

While banking institution trying to merge with one another in US, we're seeing funny things happened. Citigroup, the owner of popular Citibank, are asked to buy Wachovia bank with government money after Wells Fargo Bank decided not to buy it. But before Citigroup able to buy it at USD2.6 billion, Wells Fargo decided to pay USD15 billion to buy Wachovia. Citigroup become mad and decided to sue Wells Fargo and Wachovia because they are playing with Citigroup feeling :P. But why blame Wells Fargo and Wachovia. USD2 billion vs USD15 billion. Sure enough Wachovia or whoever in the right mind will pick Wells Fargo.

Original statement:

Vicente in Miami comments on "Citi Seeking At Least $60B For Busted Wachovia Deal":

Citigroup (C) wants to make a quick and easy $60 billion from Wachovia (WB) and Wells Fargo (WFC), rather than generating "normal profits from operations."
First, Citi wanted the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to fund the purchase of Wachovia (the bank only) at the expense of Wachovia's shareholders, employees, and customers. Now, Citi wants to suck out as much as possible from these two fairly healthy financial institutions.
FDIC Chairman [Sheila] Bair must put her foot down and put an end to these unacceptable shenanigans by Citigroup, otherwise it will set a bad precedent within our banking system.

Another statement:

Backed by a government guarantee, Citigroup last week believed it had sealed a $2.2bn (£1.2bn) offer for much of Wachovia until Friday, when Wells Fargo swooped in with a $15bn agreed bid for the entire company.

Buying now is officially stopped

After so much buying frenzy over few years, I think I'll stop the habit. Now is the time to enjoy the thing I've bought instead of enjoying the buying habit. :P

My buying habit is now officially closed. Mark my word Soo Sean!!!

80's Cartoon Action Figure

When I'm a kid, I'm always fascinated with robot. I'll try to watch every episode of Transformers, Macross/Robotech, etc (and Gundam too) whenever I have the chance. Although I'm considered as poor kid last time, my mum still bought a robot for me once a while from grocery shop (for example, there's an indian shop selling varieties of stuff from newspapers, grocers, toys etc). That time, the toy is always less than RM10. Recently, I got hit by the bug again. Actually the bug started earlier few years back with the purchased of 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime (and Megatron but sold off later) but recently, it taken full throttle. With the old collection of toys from yesteryears and the Optimus Prime, I've added a few in the span of few weeks in this order: a) Macross VF-1A Angel Bird b) Voltron c) Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus twin pack d) Jetfire and Grimlock twin pack Shown is my collection with added Bumblebees and other Transformers movie character sent over by my sister in US.

Macross in Jet modeThe box and macross in Gerwalk mode
In Gerwalk mode from top

Another view

Gerwalk mode again

Seems like Macross like to be in Gerwalk mode

Oh no, another pose in Gerwalk mode

In Robot mode
My new collection
My old Collection

Freedom Film Festival 2008

This is the first time I join Freedom Film Festival. When I walk in, they're in the middle of some discussion. Later only I realise that each movie they show, they'll talk and debate about it.

Moderator doing some discussion
Audience at the film festival
Please click to enlarge for the film that they're showing. I only managed to watch "Politics of Religion" and "Religion and Terrorism" which is my favorite topics. I'm lucky to be there when such movie shown.
Outside the festival is some booth setup to display some NGO activities.
Car park of Wawasan Open University facing sea side. Very wonderful view.

A case of failure to appreciate support of the people

Pak Lah will go down in history as the worst Prime Minister in Malaysia. He was given huge support to perform reform in post Mahathir era when he received more than 90% popular vote in 2004 General Election. Instead of appreciating the support given, BN generally, UMNO specifically become very snobbish of the new found fame. They just do everything at their whim. The non-Malay beocme receiving end of their new found power to intimidate. Racist statement is made by UMNO people (including Pak Lah's son-in-law) and reported even in the mainstream newspaper. The non-Malay feel betrayed. Due to widespread croynism, even the poor Malay is not receiving any help from the government. All this culminated in the March 8th tsunami which saw BN losing another 4 state to opposition.

Before the election, Pak Lah already under attack by Mahathir. Now after this General Election failure, Pak Lah hater have good reason to ask him to step down. Although he tried to ward off any attempt to unseat him for another 2 years, but failure in Permatang Pauh sealed his fate as a failed Prime Minister.

One cannot help to feel sad for him too. He is classic case of failing to grab opportunity when it arrived at his doorstep. In his premiership, I can only see him as someone who enriched his son and son-in-law while sleep in his job. If not, how else, KJ become Rembau MP now and soon going to fight for Ketua Pemuda UMNO post? But rest assured, his destiny will become like his father-in-law too.

As Mahathir is know as Father of Modernity of Malaysia, Pak Lah will only be know as Father-in-law of Khairy Jamaluddin.

Cartoons of the 80's

I suddenly feel nostalgic and I manage to search some opening scene of some cartoons in google and youtube. The list is plagiarized from http://izreloaded.blogspot.com/2006/11/watch-intro-clips-of-1980s-cartoons.html

1. Action Force
2. Bravestarr
3. Captain Planet
4. Care Bears
5. Centurions
6. COPS
7. Defenders of the Earth
8. Denver the last dinosaur
9. Ducktales
10. Dungeons and Dragons
11. Ewoks
12. Flash Gordon
13. Galaxy Rangers
14. GoBots
15. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
16. Tarzan Lord of the Jungle
17. The Flinstones
18. Galaxy High
19. Garfield and Friends
20. G-Force
21. G.I. Joe
22. Grimm's Fairy Tales
23. Gummi Bears
24. Heathcliff
25. The Incredible Hulk
26. Inspector Gadget
27. Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors
28. Jem
29. The Jetsons
30. Macross
31. M.A.S.K
32. Mighty Mouse
33. My Little Pony
34. Pac Man
35. Plastic Man
36. Police Academy
37. Popeye
38. Potato Head Kids
39. The Racoons
40. Rainbow Brite
41. The Real Ghostbusters
42. Ring Raiders
43. Robocop
44. Rubik The Amazing Cube
45. Smurfs
46. Shazam
47. She-Ra
48. Snorks
49. Strawberry Shortcake
50. Silver Hawks
51. The Muppet Babies
52. Teddy Ruxpin
53. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
54. Thundercats
55. Transformers
56. Voltron
57. Visionaries
58. Wuzzles
59. Yogi's Treasure Hunt
60. Starcom
61. Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers
62. Robotech
63. Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs
64. Alvin and the Chipmunks
65. Fraggle Rock
66. Tiger Sharks
67. Dino Riders
68. Dennis the Menace
69. Legend of Zelda
70. Bionic Six
71. Blackstar
72. Gravedale High
73. Astroboy
74. Dinosaucers
75. King Arthur and The Knights of Justice
76. The Littles
77. Star Blazers
78. Inhumanoids
79. Thundarr the Barbarian
80. Spiral Zone
81. Pigeon Street
82. Bionic Six
Also read:
Intros and clips of all Ultraman TV series
Watch music videos played on MTV's first day

Besides cartoon, can we forget the Maero Attack ?

The Diamond Water Man and his Indonesian wife

Yesterday, I received a call from my Diamond Water service man saying that he already got the new Diamond Water Classic for me and ask me whether I'm free to get it installed. I said yes and he came to install the new diamond water machine. I grab that offer to change to new diamond water system because it cost me almost nothing to change. So why not right?

But this post is not about the Diamond Water system. We actually chat about problem that he faced for having an Indonesian wife. He actually went to Thailand for few days because his wife Visa in Malaysia expired and need to go out from Malaysia and re-enter. He said its very troublesome for having wife from overseas.

He tried to get married with his wife. But unfortunately, his previous marriage is not yet annulled due to some teething problem. But he is fixing it now so that his Indonesian wife can get married with him in Malaysia. Furthermore, his wife is pregnant now.

He also talk about the price of getting his wife documentation done in JPN (Dunno jabatan pendaftaran or jabatan imigresen). It cost from RM5000 to RM9000 for Indonesian woman. But if its China, it could probably cost RM12000 or more. Its harder to register for Chinese wife.

Anyway, he divorce his previous wife because she always grumbling and grumbling eventhough he tried hard to earn more money to give to his wife. He said he got his first million in Indonesia. Not sure if its RM1,000,000 or rupiah. I think its RM coz million in rupiah does not mean anything. He did a lot of business in Indonesia like getting Kampai beer to Indonesia. But now, he is fallen business. Pity him. Hope he will be successful again. Now he is 40 years old.

Updated:
Here is my Diamond Water Classic

Freedom Film Festival comes to Penang

Anyone who are being affected emotionally by current political event should come and enjoy yourselves to wide ranging film from independent producer. Some of it will make you feel good.

Dates : 26th - 28th September 2008 (Friday - Sunday)
Time : 11:00 am - 10:30 pm
Venue : Theatre 1, Level 5, Albukhary Building
Wawasan Open University
Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah
10050 Penang

This event is open to the public, and admission is free.

For more information, call WOU at 04 228 9323 ext 235/230 or log on to www.wou.edu.my ( http://www.wou.edu.my/ )( http://www.wou.edu.my/).

Another lesson learnt

I feel that I've got myself in trouble by buying something cheap but actually have no value. Not everytime. Sometimes I do buy expensive stuff. Unfortunately the expensive stuff that I've bought is of no value too.

I've this thought when I talk with my colleague about buying house. I bought my current house because its cheap. But I never thought that there's reason for cheap house. It seems like the value of the value stay cheap after I bought.

Few years ago, I have the change to buy Putra Place or Villa Emas at cheap price. But I did not. Then not too long later, Queensbay are built. Later, the property around there including Putra Place are rising. Putra Place now value at RM300k which was sold around RM200k last time.

So the moral of the story is, we can't predict everything. We can be sad about it. But it can't change the fact. Maybe I should not think too much and I can live happier.

Another lesson learnt

I feel that I've got myself in trouble by buying something cheap but actually have no value. Not everytime. Sometimes I do buy expensive stuff. Unfortunately the expensive stuff that I've bought is of no value too.

I've this thought when I talk with my colleague about buying house. I bought my current house because its cheap. But I never thought that there's reason for cheap house. It seems like the value of the value stay cheap after I bought.

Few years ago, I have the change to buy Putra Place or Villa Emas at cheap price. But I did not. Then not too long later, Queensbay are built. Later, the property around there including Putra Place are rising. Putra Place now value at RM300k which was sold around RM200k last time.

So the moral of the story is, we can't predict everything. We can be sad about it. But it can't change the fact. Maybe I should not think too much and I can live happier.

Lesson Learn

Yesterday my feeling is very excited seeing stock dropping to their lowest level. It was time to buy stock or mutual fund. But at 3 to 4pm, the stock market rebounded. I've actually decided to go in. But suddenly I feel that it can go down more. And my Mutual Fund agent told me that the market is still unstabled. So I've decided to wait. Unfortunately, that might be one of the worst thinking and advice I've got. (Might be cause this technical rebound might be for a while only).

So note to myself. If I really want something, just buy it. Don't think too much... LOL
--> actually don't be so greedy...want to wait until the cheapest...

World recession is in sight. The clearest indication yet.

I guess anybody who read finance news would realise that there's financial meltdown in US market. And looking at stock market in Asia, we see red everywhere. I believe this is the most concrete sign that world is going to recession soon.

Captured from finance.yahoo.com, here are 10 Ways to Protect Your Finances From the Crisis

by Brett Arends
Monday, September 15, 2008
provided by
Wall Street Journals

1. Check that your bank accounts are federally insured. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) guarantees deposits up to $100,000 per person. If you have to hold more than that, spread it across multiple banks. As a taxpayer you are paying for this insurance. Use it.

More from WSJ.com:

• Ignore Your Instinct to Flee

• Is a Vacation Home Still a Good Investment?

• A Triple Whammy for the Market

2. Make sure your brokerage accounts are federally insured, too. The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) guarantees you at places like Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, E-Trade and the like up to $500,000, including $100,000 worth of cash. The same rules apply: If you have more to invest, spread it across multiple firms. Note: The SIPC is only there to make sure you get your shares and bonds back if a brokerage fails. It does not, obviously, guarantee those investments' value.

3. Put money in thy purse. If this market and this economy get any tougher, cash isn't just going to be king any more. It's going to be king, queen, emperor, lord high chamberlain, and the whole court – including the royal cat and crazy prince Ruprecht locked in the attic. The easiest way to make or find a buck is to save it. So take an axe to those family budgets. The restaurant meals. The Super Duper Everything Cable package. The rip-off checking account with the high fees and low interest. It's all costing you.

4. Set up a home equity line of credit while you still can. I usually don't like advising people to take on more debt, but if access to ready cash might be a life saver it's best to line it up. That's especially true if you are worried about your job. Credit is already tight, and it may get a lot tighter still.

5. Refinance your mortgage. The panic on Wall Street just caused a collapse in the interest rate on long-term US Treasury bonds, as lots of investors rushed there for safety. And that usually leads to a fall in long-term mortgage rates.

6. Stop pulling a Monty Python when it comes to your worst investments. If you ever saw John Cleese and Michael Palin perform their famous skit about the dead parrot, you know exactly what I mean. No, your Fannie Mae shares aren't "resting." They're lying at the bottom of the cage with their feet in the air. What more do you need to know? So stop waiting for them to "recover" before sorting out your portfolio.

7. Don't panic. Journalists, like markets, tend to move in herds. And by the nature of their jobs they write about the plane that crashes instead of the thousands that land safely. Remember, too, that pundits want to seem really wise by putting on serious expressions and saying things like "we don't know how this thing is going to play out," and "the situation could get a lot worse". Bah. Guess what? We never know how things are going to play out. And the situation could get a lot better too. That's the future for you.

8. When it comes to your short-term money needs, nothing has changed. Any money you might need within the next year or two should be held in cash or equivalents. That was true two years ago and it is true now. The stock market is no home for money you may need urgently. It could fall 30% or jump 30%. Nobody knows. You can get a one year CD paying 5% right now, and it's federally guaranteed.

More from Yahoo! Finance:

• For Better Banking, Check Out a Credit Union

• 10 Tough Ways to Boost Your Bottom Line

• How Secure Is Your Bank's Web Site?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit the Banking & Budgeting Center

9. If you are investing for five years or more, buy some stock. The investment outlook is much, much better today than it has been for several years, because shares are much cheaper. World markets overall have fallen 27% from last year's peak. They're not a steal at current levels but they are not particularly expensive either. Invest globally. Vanguard Total World Stock gives you the whole world and low fees. If you are looking for a value focus, Morningstar analyst Bridget Hughes likes Oakmark Global. Another good one is Tweedy, Browne's new Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value. The list is not comprehensive. Remember: I am not trying to call the bottom of the market. Things could fall quite a bit further ahead. No one knows. So only invest little, often, and broadly.

10. If you want to worry about anything, worry about your taxes. The worse this crisis gets, the more they will end up putting the taxpayer on the hook to prevent a meltdown. Taxes are going up sooner or later anyway, no matter who wins the election, because of our gigantic federal deficits. (If you think Lehman Brothers was bad, you should look at Uncle Sam). And you can forget about any talk of tax breaks. Oh, and if you want a break from worrying about taxes, worry about Treasury bonds. Deficits won't do anything good for them.

Yippee... I won 3 tickets to Mamma Mia..

Here is the email I received from Nuffnang:

Dear Nuffnangers,

Congratulations as you have secured yourself THREE (3) tickets to watch the Premiere Screening of Mamma Mia! The Movie next Monday night! Yes, you read correctly, we're offering you THREE (3) tickets instead of 2 as you're among the pioneers who wrote in to us for the movie. Be prepared to be dazzled by the musical which will feature many great hits from ABBA and not to mention, to watch Bond (Pierce Bosnan) singing as well.

Details for the screening are as followed;

Date : 22nd of September 2008 (Monday)
Time : 9pm
Venue : GSC Gurney Plaza Penang
Hall : 8

A booth will be set up by Nuffnang staffs by 8.30pm where you will be able to collect your tickets from. Just sign in the attendance list, and you'll be given the tickets to enjoy the movie. A movie screening by Nuffnang is meant to be simple and we intend to keep it that way so you can enjoy the movie as much as possible with other bloggers.

Should you not be able to attend, kindly write to robb.chew@nuffnang.com by Friday 19th of September 2008 so the tickets can be given to the bloggers who didn't make it into the final list. Should you not be able to attend and did not inform us regarding your absence, you'll be blacklisted from our event attending list and have very low priority to be selected for them.

So start playing ABBA's tune while Nuffnang brings you the Premiere of Mamma Mia! The Movie next Monday where you get to watch it even before its release date!

Mamma Mia! The Movie

Who has never heard of Mamma Mia? Everyone who have access to the radio or rediffusion in English (and possibly other medium) have listen to the rendition of it by ABBA. It is one of the evergreen song. I've even sang it during Choral fest in Penang as a member of PESSOC (Penang official choir club). I never took interest in the origin of the song or anything related to it. But Nuffnang Malaysia suddenly send an email to me :
http://www.nuffnang.com.my/blog/2008/08/19/nuffnang-premiere-screening-mamma-mia-the-movie/

Although I know about Mamma Mia! through song, but the stage musical with the same title also is a hit in western world. The stage musical feature other songs such as Dancing Queen (which is also a hit).

Synopsis of the stage musical:
Boy meets girl. Planning to get married. Hit a snag. Here we go again....!!!

The stage musical opened in 1999 and is still a hit today. And now we have the movie version of it starring some big names such as Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep. Let's hope the movie will be as successful as the musical stage version.

Very aptly describing our government... LOL

Remember, remember 12 September....

Today, another black mark left in the history of our nation. ISA has been unleashed on apolitical civilian such as Sin Chew reporter. She is detained because she reported something (?) from Permatang Pauh by election. Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Teresa Kok is also arrested under ISA. This seems to point to Operasi Lalang version 2. Rumours abound that there's more arrest. So brace yourselves for instability these few days leading to September 16.

Today is 51st Independence Day of Malaysia

So let's watch a video about independence day. All this info is blanked out from your history book.

Yippee... finally a tele lens..

I've finally gotten myself a tele lens after much thoughts. At first, I plan to get 85mm f/1.8 first. But this lens is in shortage everywhere in Penang. So I grab the next lens that I need which is tele lens. I have to choice which is 55-250mm IS and 70-200mm f/2.8. But after much thought, I decide to save money. Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is just too expensive. It actually approaching RM5000 for a new one and its not stabilized. Whereas, a stabilized one costing more than RM6,000. That's a lot of money and I'm not a professional. If I were to get Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8, it will cost me RM2750. But review everywhere said that the focussing system of the lens with Canon 40D is a hit and miss affair and also slow. Due to this, I just grab a 55-250mm IS lens which cost RM730. Next lens will be 85mm f/1.8.

Here is some of the photos that I took with 55-250mm IS:

Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk

Last week Saturday I went to Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk in Georgetown, Penang at the Masjid Kapitan Keling area.

Here is some of the picture that I took:

Random post

Kucing pun kawan dgn arnab !what's ur excuse?

Start to De-brick my WRT54G episode 1

After bricking my router two weeks ago, I still haven't have time to de-brick it. With so many tutorial on the web, I don't know which one to follow. So I just grab some and follow. Seems like they are almost the same. I've already tried method to debrick by just using the reset button. But to no avail. So I have to use more risky route to de-brick the router.

According to http://www.thenorth.com/apblog4.nsf/0/668D65A56B02BB4B852570A400535F16 , he said, "Once you've upgraded and are running, I've never seen one brick." That's absolutely wrong. I've used DD-WRT firmware for few years. And only last two weeks, I got it bricked while not upgrading firmware. What I did is I just keep on resetting the router wirelessly using the dd-wrt page (the setting page in web browser access with 192.168.1.1). And it seems like it failed to reset. And I power it off and on again. Later, what you see is:

The power indicator keep on flashing while all the Ethernet light are turned on. According to http://www.brayl.com/WRT54GL%20Debrick/index.htm , "If all the Eathernet LEDs stay lit then you need to reload the cfe and nvram then erase the kernel." It seems to me that this is worst kind of bricked router.

So I open up the router using this method:

Use my leg to hold the blue plate while pulling with my both hand

Mission accomplished
The look of the circuit board

Another look of the circuit board

Next : using Xilinx parrallel cable and soldering JTAG port and short some pins.

Fatty Loh Chicken Rice

I went for eye check up in Optimax. So I brought along Canon 40D to take some picture. Since I'm hungry and the nearest interesting place is Fatty Loh, I decide to do some picture review of the Fatty Loh Chicken Rice. The last time I went there is very long. Like maybe more than 2 years ago.

Location of the shop: nearby Island Plaza near Tanjung Tokong.

You can park your car opposite the shop:
Here is the front of the shop:

Front of the shop

Another banner

The Chicken Rice Man

Environment inside the shop. Air conditioned but still not cold enough.

Old signage

The food served within 5 minutes:

Rice

Free soup

The meat

As you see, I did not eat only chicken. I took the pork too.

Review:
The rice still taste good. But unfortunately, I don't think the chicken, barbeque pork and roast pork is very good. It is passable. BBQ pork too dried (over bbq I guess). The roast pork is ok but I prefer more crispy at the skin. While the chicken is a bit rough. Not that smooth. I've taste better.

Rating:
2 star out of 5

P/S: There's another Fatty Loh Chicken Rice at Nagore Road which I think might be better -> Click me

Malaysian Diva singer

Since the post, I search for songs from Shafinaz and stumble upon this few videos. Now I know she is kind like a diva.

Here is one of the Shafinaz video clips:

And here is Shafinaz with other Malaysian Divas!!!
Might as well listen to other Malaysian Divas!!!
Of course, not forgetting our Malaysian idol divas:

But I think the best is this:


And suddenly I stumble upon....

But here is the most gempak one:

George Town World Heritage Site Penang

I'm fortunate to become part of the performers for this show because I'm a member of Penang choir group (PESSOC) and someone who supposed to sing actually down with fever and flu. Here is some photo I took:

George Town World Heritage Site

With this sticker, I get to eat free

Ok, here is the plan ;)

We stay here but there's no aircond :(
Okay, here is the stage planning
The place we took our dinner
Yeap, that's all the stuff we ate before the choir
I scared to openly take his pic. He is very fierce.
My choir teaching last minute brushing up the tenor
Touch up the hair
Hey, that's me with "P. Ramlee"
And one happy family
Golden girls
Me and Shafinaz. Don't jealous
Behind the stage
After the show Finale. That's Mahadzir Lokman

Fireworks!