Dimi!

Before I go to bed, I need to at least post this photo of our dear friend across the border. We found him working secretly in Sg today.

You think we won't recognize you with longer hair and a goatee? =p

Woke up with a bad body ache this morning and I've started coughing a
little since yesterday after a destructive glass of orange juice and
some honey snack (sa ket ma) for breakfast. This morning, my body was
aching all over when I woke up and I still went for my morning jog.
Came back to do my usual routine, straits times, emails then I was
feeling worse. Suspected that it could be flu, took 2 flu tablets and
went back to sleep.

Was out today for a meeting and some shopping therapy. Procrastinated
buying fitting jeans long enough. Talk about that another time. Just
took 2 more tablets and need to get as much rest as possible. Was
still boasting to Yosh that this is the first time that I did not
catch the flu and many others did. Should have shut my mouth.

Tomorrow morning should be better!

iPhone still so hype?

I received the reservation sms from Singtel 2 weeks ago about the
launch of iPhone 3Gs last weekend. I have passed the age of going to
queue for such stuff.

Went to SIngtel Comcentre to get the 3Gs. I can't believe that it is
out of stock!!! I can only make a pre-order and wait till they notify
me the arrival of new stocks. I have heard my fare share of all the
negative comments about the iPhone and its features so I did not
expect there is still such a huge demand for it. Not to forget those
biased reviews in Digital Life (Straits Times). When Hakim told me he
went to queue for it on Friday evening, it was from 6pm to 1am! I am
quite impressed.

Many are now enjoying all the hype-ness of a new iPhone or product
launch from Apple. Good for all. Maybe more can understand how I felt
every year during a new product launch when I switched to macs in
1999. Exactly a decade ago. Ok I admit, back then, it wasn't as hype
as now. The iPod revolution has not started back then.

Btw, for those iPhone users on PC platforms. If you think the iPhone
has revolutionize your mobile experience, just imagine what a mac can
do to your life. Be enriched - MacEnrich.

Right..I was just trying to be corny. =p

Tioman Weekend Dive Log (July)

Dive #1 04/07/09 Soyak
Time In: 11:24, Time Out: 12:24
Depth: 13.4m, Bottom Time: 00:57, Safety Stop: 3min, PG: Q

Dive #2 04/07/09 Labas
Time In: 15:09, Time Out: 15:59
Surface Interval: 02:45, PG: A
Depth: 13.7m Bottom Time: 00:47 Safety Stop: 3min PG: Q

Dive #3 04/07/09 Renggis
Time In: 17:08 Time Out: 17:58
Surface Interval: 01:09 PG: E
Depth: 11.3m Bottom Time: 00:47 Safety Stop: 3min PG: R

Dive #4 05/07/09 Soyak Wreck
Time In: 10:05 Time Out: 10:50
Depth: 22.5m Bottom Time: 00:42 Safety Stop: 3min PG: S

Dive #5 05/07/09 Renggis
Time In: 12:16 Time Out: 13:06
Surface Interval: 02:11 PG: B
Depth: 11.6m Bottom Time: 00:46 Safety Stop: 3min PG: P

Total dives: 38

Photos were in last week but I was too busy so took a while to try post process the photos. The UW camera belong to Angie, one of the divers in our group. It was a Canon powershot 720IS which was one of the highly rated cameras on land few years back. I was anticipating how will it perform underwater. The photos below were after processing using Aperture and I have done as much as I could. I can use photoshop for more controls but it will not be worth my time to do it. This is the also the first photo project that I had to do so much colour correction. After this time, I know that an UW point and shoot camera is just now for me. Rather bite the bullet and get the dslr setup.

For that weekend dive, I joined Steph's cousin's (Roy) trip. I learnt that he is a hardcore diver himself so much so that he and his friends registered their own dive operation to organize trips. So it is more for themselves and friends than to do massive groups of divers. This is also my 3rd different dive operator that I joined for Tioman dives. I used to think that better to stick to the dive center you are comfortable with but now I think there is no harm trying others. At least you get to compare which gives more value.

Our resort was at Tekek Village in Tioman, also near the airport. It was my first time here and I was quite impressed. It reminded me a little of my Ko Tao trip in Thailand. As this is near the airport, everything including the alcohol is tax free. Imagine a small bottle of hoegarden going for RM 6.

We were at Tioman Reef Divers for that weekend and I had the most welfare dives of all! For the first time, I never had to carry or change tanks between dives. The small boat took out out to the sites, gear up, enter the water, surfaced and slacked. There will be guys from the dive shop who would help us change the tanks. Usually instead of that scenario, I would be in bigger dive boats, cramping with maybe 20 divers trying to change tanks and gear up while the boat will be rocking with the currents. There are pros and cons though. The bigger boat will be able to visit further dive sites.

Out of the 5 dives, I've been to all except for Labas. It was totally new to me and when we arrived, it looked like huge rock formations above sea level, nothing exciting. Down below, it was a whole new story. It was amazing. Swim through tunnels, walls, fans and all. I never expected such sights in Tioman.

I was a little disappointed at first when I couldn't a single turtle despite the same time and dive site when I saw 4 of them few weeks ago but when we saw a huge moray eel, that made up for it. It looks small in the photo but it was really quite big in life. I can't imagine what happens if you attempt to put your hand near it.

Another surprise sight was a cuttlefish! Honestly I am not sure if the cuttlefish we have in the market is of the same species that I saw. I hope not otherwise I don't think I will eat cuttlefish ever again. I saw one in Thailand but it took off so quickly that I could barely look at it. This one, it didn't panic and was actually hanging around. It feels like we were at that spot for quite some time, admiring it. It looked so ugly yet so beautiful. It is ironic. That moment was definitely rarer than spotting a turtle. This is one of the highlights of diving, coming across really wild weird looking creatures. Yes, we can actually just visit Underwater World and see them all but coming across them by chance makes one feel lucky.

Another cool dive was at Soyak Wreck. I can't recall if I have been there before, maybe not. It was a deeper dive and the boat was in a total wreck. It didn't look interesting at first, visibility was poor until we saw a full body moray eel lying on the deck. In the morning, we were still discussing about the huge moray eel we saw the day before, wondering how long is its full body when it is out of its reef. Now we actually see one for ourself! It looked quite sick, maybe a h1n1 infected nemo swam by and sneezed at it. =p I was so crazy about it that I got really close. Our dive guide stroked it and took a photo with it. The eel looked sick enough and I stroked it too. That is probably the closest one can ever get to an eel. Suddenly my buoyancy control became so good that I hovered so close to it. When we were leaving, I noticed there were sea urchins just below me! My goodness, I was in my lazy outfit, just a rash guard and surf shorts, totally not well protected at all. If I were to be pricked by the urchins, it is going to be another drama mama weekend for me...

My back was quite tame for the trip. Entering the water with a back entry reduces strain from walking around the boat when geared up. And after surfacing from dives, I would remove my gear first before climbing up the ladder to the boat. My buoyancy control has also improved and I could do with only 2 weights now. Less weights also reduces back strain.

Besides all the great dives, the food was perfect. Every meal was like a feast! Roy organised for us cze char style. At other resorts, it will usually be a buffet with average but decent food.

After this trip, got to learn a few stuff about my BCD and I have made further adjustments to it. Can't wait to dive again with it.

Btw, this time I remembered to bring my Freehand Zero down underwater! It is not possible to throw a yoyo in the water, however it is a great place if you want to figure out string or picture tricks with water supporting the strings. Will remember to take pictures the next time round.

now 20mm?

As much as I love my recent 50mm lense but it can get too restrictive sometimes for my style of shooting. The official canon lens site isn't helping much with a long list of the different lens. I do know that I need something less than 50mm. There is 14mm, 15mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, etc. How the hell am I suppose to know which one? Buying the wrong one is not a fun thing to do and I don't like wasting time experimenting which is more suitable.

So I referred to some statistics to help justify my next purchase decision. First I tried to select some of my favourite photos by random and looking at the focal length settings. Then I thought some something even more brilliant! In Aperture (Apple's pro photo management software), there is a list view and I could see the main exif data for my photos. Created a smart album to filter my library and only show photos rated more than 3 stars and taken since 2008. There were 769 photos. Then added another criteria to the filter showing 20mm or less. Even I was quite surprised that most of my shots were taken at the widest angle, i.e. 18mm. In fact, 438 images were taken at 20mm or less. That makes 57% of my photos. Out of the 769 shots, 34 were taken with my 50mm prime. Given a choice, I am quite sure most of this will be also shot at a wider angle.

Hence, I can narrow my choices down to the EF 20mm f2.8 USM, which ranges between $800 to $900 depending on which shop. Just hope I don't go for any travel trips soon and I will be quite tied up anyway for the upcoming months with the super yoyo campaign, macenrich, wan, dow, foxy, etc, etc. Not in a hurry so the lens can wait. I will probably get more anxious if I really decide to try underwater photography. Have emailed a retailer today for an ikelite underwater housing setup for my 450d. From google, it is estimated at 4k sgd and I hope I was looking at the wrong prices!!

This post makes me feel like a tech geek.

Can I say no?

Just received this sms from Melvin (TBR):
"Ed ask if you guys are free to go for dinner tonight. He has a batch
of wagyu for us to sample..........."

Ed is my friend who is the sous chef of a restaurant at Duxton.

Sadly, I have so much things going on today that I can't be sure if I
can make it for the sampling later but I like the idea of being in a
Wagyu Sampling Team.

Yesterday wasn't exactly the best day but you guys made it all right.

Thanks.

//

My schedule is not working out and I am back logged to 260 emails
again. I need to declare a day called "email purging day" aka EPD.

I think I have figured you out. Thats why I am not afraid anymore.

End of chapter.

OG Air Jordan 1

Never thought I would come across this again. Was happy that the shop
was selling an individual pair, originally came in the "beginning
moments" pack with another pair of the yellow/black colourway.

Don't think I will get to wear it often since I need to wear my work
shoes quite frequently now.

What else is left on my wishlist? I am quite sure this pair jordans
are the last item on my wish list and I admit that it is a "want" more than a
need. Once in a while I would search online for someone selling it.
Ebay has tonnes but 90% of them are fakes.

It is a childhood thing to get it. What a convenient excuse.

destined 2

The book was mysterious at first. After the 4th page, it was just like
any another.

cu

Gaius chose 1.

j uipvhiu tif xjmm csfbl uif ovncfs 5 dvstf. j xbt dpogjefou xf dpvme hp pvu gps npsf uibo 5 ujnft. upebz xbt uif 4ui boe ju jt tfbmfe. j xbt opu bgsbje pg ifs boznpsf. tif xbt uif dmptftu tp gbs cvu bqqbsfoumz uibu jt kvtu cfdbvtf j epo'u lopx ifs xfmm fopvhi zfu. xf bsf rvjuf ejggfsfou jo nboz btqfdut. npsf uibo j jojujbmmz fyqfdufe. ju xbt b xspoh nbudi up cfhjo xjui.

nbzcf j bn kvtu upp dib divu? ju xbt b qjuz cvu uijt tipvmeo'u dpnf bt b tvsqsjtf. xip dbo qvu vq xjui nf xjui nz opotfotjdbm jefbt boe uipvhiut.

fwfo jg tpnfpof dbo, xip xpvme xbou up? fwfo jg tpnfpof dbo boe xbou, j ibwf zfu up btl uif tbnf rvftujpot. ;q

bmm uiptf mjuumf hjgut gps zpv xfsf nbef gspn nz vunptu tjodfsjuz. gsjfoet tbje j pwfseje uiptf. fwfo jg j dbo hp cbdl jo ujnf, j xpvme tujmm ep uif tbnf uijoht.

uibol zpv. zpv bsf tujmm tpnfpof rvjuf tqfdjbm.

j bduvbmmz gffm rvjuf sfmjfwfe opx. op npsf jo uif rvfvf bu uif npnfou, j.f. op ejtusbdujpot! boe opx uibu j lopx j bn buusbdufe up tpnfpof xipn j offe up cf bgsbje pg. ju dpvmeo'u cf 'fbtjfs'.

xpoefs ipx xjmm uif ofyu pof cf mjlf?

Wished all my patients were like you

Went for my 2nd physiotherapy appointment this afternoon. I told her I
am feeling all good now and have resumed all my daily activities,
jogging, etc and just went diving over the weekend. She asked me to
wait while she took a pen and paper to get details about the dive
trip. She is not local and I am quite sure she is a diver as well.

After the checkups, went through some exercise routines with me. I
seem perfectly fine, she was happy with my improvement and said that
she can discharge me today!!! That was really great news for me.

Some additional points from her, she told me to wear my weight belts
lower around the hip area instead of the waist. Don't think that is
much of a problem since I can already descent with 2 weights. I think
I can try going down with one next time and I will just attach it to
the strap of my BC.

Lastly, the exercises she taught were to help strengthen my abdominal
core muscles. I asked her about what about other ab exercises like
crunches and stuff. My understanding from her is that the 6 packs is
really kinda for aesthetics only. Someone with well defined 6 pack may
have weak core muscles. That is LPPL. Spend so much effort and time to
pump those packs up but can't help support the spine or body posture.
That was an interesting fact to know.

MJ Tribute at Zirca

I was home very early yesterday after the last meeting which was very
close to my home. Then Jan smsed me to go check out the MJ tribute at
Zirca. I don't feel well and needed a drink so I headed down. The
queue outside was freakin long and if I had to join the queue, I think
I will probably head elsewhere for ice cream instead. Through some
guy, we managed to get the chop and cut the queue. It has always been
like that when I follow them to clubbing events and isn't it ironic? I
am the most of place person in a club but somehow I get to cut queue
and go in for free (still have to pay for drinks of course).

There were band performances of MJ's songs, many MJ impersonators,
MJ's music videos, some media celebrities, etc. I kinda enjoyed the
music videos, haven't seen them for a while. The MJ wannabes put up
great shows too. Half way, we went up to the members lounge. I suppose
that area is supposed to be exclusive? The setting especially with all
the caucasians and all reminded me of a movie set from a vampire movie.

What is wrong with the MRT today? 3 trips today and train delays in
all 3. Stuck along somewhere.

Super random purchase

Via iPhone