In a company where performance is measured by monetary profits, it would only make sense that its staffers are motivated by their paychecks.
It would be rather strange if staff weren't motivated that way. After all, passion can't be measured...or can it?
It takes all sorts of characters to make up the world we live in. That's what makes our world as interesting as it is. People invent new things, technology progresses, service levels improve, all for that ever elusive goal of earning more.
If the world did not have an economy or if humans weren't by nature always wanting more, then what would be the point of progress? We'd still be living in the stone age and the wheel would never have been invented.
All it takes is for 1 incredibly intelligent and ambitious person to be greedy and voila! we'd have progress...or at least a new invention. These days, there are less and less inventions, more innovations. To invent something requires genius at a different level. One has to be both a genius in terms of creativity as well as ingenuity and that is a rare thing.
How many Da Vinci's, Galleileos, Newtons or Einsteins are out there? Perhaps one per generation or less. In terms of inventions, it's getting more and more stagnant. After the invention on Radio, Television and the light bulb, the rest are pretty much innovations...improvements, upgrades and downsizing has taken over the inventive mind.
Oh well. Lets hope that the next one is about to come. Maybe the person would be able to invent cold fusion and rid the world of the huge disparity between the rich and the poor.
Cheers to HOPE!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Sunday, December 06, 2009
A New Ride
They pulled through! Harvest Auto that is...
I'm now the happy owner of a Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSi DSG!
It's strange though that people think that just because the car is new that I'll be the overly concerned driver who's worried about getting scratches on the bodywork.
Too bad for them that they encountered me cause I treat all cars alike, old or new.
Just that I'm a little more happy with the Value-for-money that this car gets me.
Well, read about this car in three years' time and we'll see if I'm still as happy hahaha!
Monday, August 03, 2009
The Energizer Bunny
If I chuck her into a bunny suit, she's either look like a Playboy® magazine playmate or she'll bounce around like the Energizer® Bunny.
This is who I'm talking about...
These were shot when I needed test out the camera and lights...
And I'm still trying to figure out why I'm having problems high-speed synching with the 180s but not with the 630..hmm...maybe duration's longer.
Well, back to the drawing board I suppose.
This is who I'm talking about...
These were shot when I needed test out the camera and lights...
And I'm still trying to figure out why I'm having problems high-speed synching with the 180s but not with the 630..hmm...maybe duration's longer.
Well, back to the drawing board I suppose.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Shooting on film
Quite a bit has happened since I last posted an article here...
I bought my first item from eBay (29 June 09)for US$149.99...
Yes it's a Nikon F3 HP film camera and it works really well.
Here are some shots taken using the camera:
Model is Winnie L.
Film used was ILFORD XP2 ISO 400 Process C-41.
It was pull processed for ISO 50 exposures to give better contrast and finer grain.
Lens used was a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Series E purchased from Jeremy T for S$50 haha...Thanks Jeremy!
Here's a comparison between the Canon EOS 30D DSLR with Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens and the Nikon F3 HP with Kodak Gold 200 film and Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Series E lens.
Model: Eileen.
Strobes: Jinbei Delicacy 180 Kit.
Wardrobe: PopCherryCrush
Accessories: Model's own.
In any case, I'm now complementing my photography with film for non-commercial shoots. It's really great so I'm having tons of enjoyment with both cameras.
Next up would be my bidding for a medium format film camera...hopefully I can buy it cheap. Wish me luck! =)
I bought my first item from eBay (29 June 09)for US$149.99...
Yes it's a Nikon F3 HP film camera and it works really well.
Here are some shots taken using the camera:
Model is Winnie L.
Film used was ILFORD XP2 ISO 400 Process C-41.
It was pull processed for ISO 50 exposures to give better contrast and finer grain.
Lens used was a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Series E purchased from Jeremy T for S$50 haha...Thanks Jeremy!
Here's a comparison between the Canon EOS 30D DSLR with Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens and the Nikon F3 HP with Kodak Gold 200 film and Nikon 50mm f/1.8 Series E lens.
Model: Eileen.
Strobes: Jinbei Delicacy 180 Kit.
Wardrobe: PopCherryCrush
Accessories: Model's own.
In any case, I'm now complementing my photography with film for non-commercial shoots. It's really great so I'm having tons of enjoyment with both cameras.
Next up would be my bidding for a medium format film camera...hopefully I can buy it cheap. Wish me luck! =)
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Winnie...
I met with with Winnie for an outdoor photoshoot yesterday..
Overall, I'm quite pleased with the result (probably cause she's good at posing) although the weather was freakish...
Halfway through the shoot, it decided to rain...WTH!!!
Anyway, the results of some of the photos...
I did have to do a little photoshop editing as usual =)
Overall, I'm quite pleased with the result (probably cause she's good at posing) although the weather was freakish...
Halfway through the shoot, it decided to rain...WTH!!!
Anyway, the results of some of the photos...
I did have to do a little photoshop editing as usual =)
Friday, June 12, 2009
The sweetest thing...
This girl is soooooooo sweet (both sweet looking and personality) that I wanna adopt her as my little sis liao...
Hahaha...cannot tahan lei. Sunny disposition, no temper, super modest and unassuming.
Who am I talking about? Eileen.
I did a photoshoot with her yesterday. One of the sweetest models I've worked with.
Here's a few shots.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Over a year...
A year has passed but I don't feel older or wiser by any means.
Well...I'm just gonna put pictures up here cause I've lost 6 years' worth when my backup HDD crashed.
Maxtor/Seagate has a lot to answer for.
A concept shot...
And the dog which I'm currently (and whenever mom's not around) babysitting...
Well...I'm just gonna put pictures up here cause I've lost 6 years' worth when my backup HDD crashed.
Maxtor/Seagate has a lot to answer for.
A concept shot...
And the dog which I'm currently (and whenever mom's not around) babysitting...
Monday, February 23, 2009
Posthumous awards...
So Heath Ledger won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
It is as expected and rather predictable. Why do I say that? Well, people tend to honor the dead (and those who died prematurely) more than the living. As the old saying goes, artists only get rich after they're dead.
What is it with this screwed up world that prevents artists from getting paid their dues before they die?
The NYC medical examiner's office "concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications". It's quite contradictary that an abuse of perscription medications can be deemed "accidental". I find it quite funny actually.
Okay, it makes sense that he didn't intend to die but isn't it quite obvious that when a person abuses something, it's usually bad in the first place? When the substances being abused are drugs, in large amounts aren't they usually fatal?
Okay so he wasn't suicidal but he was definitely self-destructive. Obviously he can't handle the pressure (whatever pressure it may be) and therefore in my books doesn't deserve even a pity vote.
Well, I suppose he paid for it with his life. He could've had so much more. Too bad then.
All that talent's just been flushed down the toilet.
Back to my point, why don't they honor the living as much as the dead?
Humans are selfish by nature and in their selfish manner, the want to make themselves feel better by honoring those that they feel have "sacraficed" for the art/cause/whatnot.
If you ask me, wanna honor someone? Do it while he/she is ALIVE! Then at least it's appreaciated.
Well, Mr Ledger, you can bury your award statue with you now. RIP.
It is as expected and rather predictable. Why do I say that? Well, people tend to honor the dead (and those who died prematurely) more than the living. As the old saying goes, artists only get rich after they're dead.
What is it with this screwed up world that prevents artists from getting paid their dues before they die?
The NYC medical examiner's office "concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications". It's quite contradictary that an abuse of perscription medications can be deemed "accidental". I find it quite funny actually.
Okay, it makes sense that he didn't intend to die but isn't it quite obvious that when a person abuses something, it's usually bad in the first place? When the substances being abused are drugs, in large amounts aren't they usually fatal?
Okay so he wasn't suicidal but he was definitely self-destructive. Obviously he can't handle the pressure (whatever pressure it may be) and therefore in my books doesn't deserve even a pity vote.
Well, I suppose he paid for it with his life. He could've had so much more. Too bad then.
All that talent's just been flushed down the toilet.
Back to my point, why don't they honor the living as much as the dead?
Humans are selfish by nature and in their selfish manner, the want to make themselves feel better by honoring those that they feel have "sacraficed" for the art/cause/whatnot.
If you ask me, wanna honor someone? Do it while he/she is ALIVE! Then at least it's appreaciated.
Well, Mr Ledger, you can bury your award statue with you now. RIP.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
The automotive debate
I'm a snob. Oh I'm sure many people have had those thoughts about me before. Here I am admitting it.
Why the sudden admission? Well, I've come to realise that there isn't a single Japanese car that I'd really really really want.
Now by saying that I like the car, it just means that I'm okay with it, I can live with it but it's still not the driving machine that I'd really want.
So that's the reason why I'm admitting that I'm a snob. Let me explain.
I've had may debates with a number of people regarding this issue; a Japanese car, like a Korean car, Chinese car, Indian car; Russian car...oh you get the picture, will NEVER EVER, in my opinion be anything close to being luxurious.
First and foremost, luxury items are not mass produced. They are hand-built for the select few. Examples that comes to mind would be:
1) Rolls Royce
2) Bentley
3) Maybach
Now obviously these are really exclusive cars reserved for the very elite. What about for the millionaires out there? The corporate chiefs and directors?
Well, there you have Mercedes, BMW, Aston Martin, Maserati, Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar etc.
For the junior executive (people that generally make more than S$100K annually)? Well, now comes the Volvos, Saabs, Volkswagens, Audis and continental cars priced within say S$100K-$250K. Why didn't I mention a single Japanese car then?
Here's the reason.
Although the Japanese have their own so-called "Luxury" brands; Lexus being the first to pop into your mind I assume, to me (and YES this is a personal view), they are not luxurious.
They are corporate and efficient, well engineered vehicles but they do not make me enjoy driving. Of course not every car in my junior exec. list will make me enjoy driving either but it's different.
What then defines a luxury car to me then? Passion.
Ever wonder why the Japanese have yet to come up with a car that's remotely close to the emotions that a Ferrari or Lamborghini brings to a person? Why most dream-cars are the likes of th F-word and the L-word?
You might wanna argue "What about the new GT-R?" Oh it's a wonderful car. Marvelously engineered. Brilliantly hand-assembled. But it's designed and built by a bunch of engineers whose passion is not really the whole package of how the car looks, handles, drives and is engineered but rather whose passion is "Lets bring engineering to its limit" or "Lets see if we can come up with the best-handling, fastest car".
In North America, Japan, China; the new automobile manufacturing countries, it's all about making money. They've applied Ford Model-T's principle of "Lets bring cars to everyone". Therefore, they build cars that are reliable, fuel-economical, reasonably comfortable and nice to look at.
But that's it. And I dare say that Lexus is just another one of these. It's still just a Toyota with better handling, a better engine, slightly more comfortable leather seats but it's still just a Toyota.
The designers didn't put any passion into the car. Thus, to me, they're just boxes on wheels, some better equipped than others, but not something that I'd really really want.
Why the sudden admission? Well, I've come to realise that there isn't a single Japanese car that I'd really really really want.
Now by saying that I like the car, it just means that I'm okay with it, I can live with it but it's still not the driving machine that I'd really want.
So that's the reason why I'm admitting that I'm a snob. Let me explain.
I've had may debates with a number of people regarding this issue; a Japanese car, like a Korean car, Chinese car, Indian car; Russian car...oh you get the picture, will NEVER EVER, in my opinion be anything close to being luxurious.
First and foremost, luxury items are not mass produced. They are hand-built for the select few. Examples that comes to mind would be:
1) Rolls Royce
2) Bentley
3) Maybach
Now obviously these are really exclusive cars reserved for the very elite. What about for the millionaires out there? The corporate chiefs and directors?
Well, there you have Mercedes, BMW, Aston Martin, Maserati, Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar etc.
For the junior executive (people that generally make more than S$100K annually)? Well, now comes the Volvos, Saabs, Volkswagens, Audis and continental cars priced within say S$100K-$250K. Why didn't I mention a single Japanese car then?
Here's the reason.
Although the Japanese have their own so-called "Luxury" brands; Lexus being the first to pop into your mind I assume, to me (and YES this is a personal view), they are not luxurious.
They are corporate and efficient, well engineered vehicles but they do not make me enjoy driving. Of course not every car in my junior exec. list will make me enjoy driving either but it's different.
What then defines a luxury car to me then? Passion.
Ever wonder why the Japanese have yet to come up with a car that's remotely close to the emotions that a Ferrari or Lamborghini brings to a person? Why most dream-cars are the likes of th F-word and the L-word?
You might wanna argue "What about the new GT-R?" Oh it's a wonderful car. Marvelously engineered. Brilliantly hand-assembled. But it's designed and built by a bunch of engineers whose passion is not really the whole package of how the car looks, handles, drives and is engineered but rather whose passion is "Lets bring engineering to its limit" or "Lets see if we can come up with the best-handling, fastest car".
In North America, Japan, China; the new automobile manufacturing countries, it's all about making money. They've applied Ford Model-T's principle of "Lets bring cars to everyone". Therefore, they build cars that are reliable, fuel-economical, reasonably comfortable and nice to look at.
But that's it. And I dare say that Lexus is just another one of these. It's still just a Toyota with better handling, a better engine, slightly more comfortable leather seats but it's still just a Toyota.
The designers didn't put any passion into the car. Thus, to me, they're just boxes on wheels, some better equipped than others, but not something that I'd really really want.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
The Game of LIFE
The problem with life is that when the Almighty created it, for whatever reason, he forgot to "Enable Cheats" and include a "Reset" button.
It's a journey that all of us have to take no matter what. Some attempt to shorten their miserable lives by ending it prematurely and most succeed. Those that don't, well, their misery lives on (pun intented).
If a person/animal's consciousness is nothing but energy, what happens when we die?
Does it get dissipated slowly? After all, the amount of matter and energy in the universe remains constant. That, is a scientific fact. However, have you ever wondered about the energy which makes up our soul?
It has to be energy since we consume food to remain conscious and alive.
Someone mentioned to me before that if a person's spirit or soul goes someplace, then that place would be over-crowded with the spirits and souls of countless individuals.
I'd probably think that it'll all dissipate into space. After all, it's the one place that no one really knows what goes on in. I'd like to think of my soul, when I die as becoming a space dwelling free-spirit.
Different people have different opinions about what happens when they die so, lets hear your belief.
It's a journey that all of us have to take no matter what. Some attempt to shorten their miserable lives by ending it prematurely and most succeed. Those that don't, well, their misery lives on (pun intented).
If a person/animal's consciousness is nothing but energy, what happens when we die?
Does it get dissipated slowly? After all, the amount of matter and energy in the universe remains constant. That, is a scientific fact. However, have you ever wondered about the energy which makes up our soul?
It has to be energy since we consume food to remain conscious and alive.
Someone mentioned to me before that if a person's spirit or soul goes someplace, then that place would be over-crowded with the spirits and souls of countless individuals.
I'd probably think that it'll all dissipate into space. After all, it's the one place that no one really knows what goes on in. I'd like to think of my soul, when I die as becoming a space dwelling free-spirit.
Different people have different opinions about what happens when they die so, lets hear your belief.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
I may have gone slightly mad...
Right after a 45-day wait to get the ride back, I'm surfing the internet for water injection kits.
You think I'm mad, don't you? Well, the ironic fact of the matter is; is that water injection actually prevents pre-detonation caused by fuel starvation and cools down the air going into the combustion chamber.
Okay, that sounded like a whole bunch of geek talk but in essence, it prevents the engine from 'knocking' when boost is being increased.
Yes yes yes, the draw of increasing boost is still there and will probably never go away. But. Lesson learnt. Will do it a little more carefully.
In any case, it might not be that bad an idea to head to some accessories shops to look for a gear knob. The stock one's beginning to look a little aged. Of course I can't forget about my matt black racing stripes as well.
It'll come together in time...slowly, but surely. Meanwhile, I'm still considering buying a Made-in-China car, pay for it upfront and mess around with the engine after that. Then we'll see what the limits of those engines are before they break apart.
Heh heh heh.
You think I'm mad, don't you? Well, the ironic fact of the matter is; is that water injection actually prevents pre-detonation caused by fuel starvation and cools down the air going into the combustion chamber.
Okay, that sounded like a whole bunch of geek talk but in essence, it prevents the engine from 'knocking' when boost is being increased.
Yes yes yes, the draw of increasing boost is still there and will probably never go away. But. Lesson learnt. Will do it a little more carefully.
In any case, it might not be that bad an idea to head to some accessories shops to look for a gear knob. The stock one's beginning to look a little aged. Of course I can't forget about my matt black racing stripes as well.
It'll come together in time...slowly, but surely. Meanwhile, I'm still considering buying a Made-in-China car, pay for it upfront and mess around with the engine after that. Then we'll see what the limits of those engines are before they break apart.
Heh heh heh.
Monday, February 02, 2009
45 days and a few hours away...
It's been a record for me since my drivers licence got suspended 9 years ago...
That was well...a valid reason as to why I didn't own a car. But I didn't own a car back then for only a couple of weeks.
That was when I was changing the Accent to the 6.
Now...45 days later, I'm a few hours away from getting my ride back. I don't think I've been this excited since...gosh...I bought my first car.
It's probably because of the piece of crap that I've been driving around which was loaned to me.
I mean, I'm paying premium repayments for my ride and yet I have to settle for the crappy cheaper version. Gawd! How can anyone be attached to something that's substandard I have no idea.
In any case...I'm just waiting and waiting...for the time to pass quickly!
Oh and 45 days is half the time it takes to hand-build a Rolls Royce from time of order to date of delivery...
Or I could get an Aston Martin hand-built for me already...
That was well...a valid reason as to why I didn't own a car. But I didn't own a car back then for only a couple of weeks.
That was when I was changing the Accent to the 6.
Now...45 days later, I'm a few hours away from getting my ride back. I don't think I've been this excited since...gosh...I bought my first car.
It's probably because of the piece of crap that I've been driving around which was loaned to me.
I mean, I'm paying premium repayments for my ride and yet I have to settle for the crappy cheaper version. Gawd! How can anyone be attached to something that's substandard I have no idea.
In any case...I'm just waiting and waiting...for the time to pass quickly!
Oh and 45 days is half the time it takes to hand-build a Rolls Royce from time of order to date of delivery...
Or I could get an Aston Martin hand-built for me already...
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Questions...
When energy is expended to do something, it's converted from one form to another. Simply put, potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.
Now, if I travelled from point A to point B. The energy used to travel the distance is used up over time.
Where does the energy go?
It's converted to travelling between point A and B in that given time of course.
So the energy is forever used up and no longer exists.
Or does it?
If there's a way to "see" energy, it would make things alot simpler. However, even if we can 'see' this energy, once it's gone through time, it's over.
Since time is linear and eternal. I often wonder, when I began to type this entry to this point in time now. The beginning time is gone. Is there absolutely no way of getting it back?
Okay...this is getting too heavy for me at 29 minutes past midnight. I'll sleep on it and ponder again some other time.
Now, if I travelled from point A to point B. The energy used to travel the distance is used up over time.
Where does the energy go?
It's converted to travelling between point A and B in that given time of course.
So the energy is forever used up and no longer exists.
Or does it?
If there's a way to "see" energy, it would make things alot simpler. However, even if we can 'see' this energy, once it's gone through time, it's over.
Since time is linear and eternal. I often wonder, when I began to type this entry to this point in time now. The beginning time is gone. Is there absolutely no way of getting it back?
Okay...this is getting too heavy for me at 29 minutes past midnight. I'll sleep on it and ponder again some other time.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Shortest shortlist
Well, with the current economic climate, there's little or no way that I can sell my car for anything more than 2k above scrap value...
Which means...
Yes...no more shortlist.
This sucks.
Well...maybe next year.
Which means...
Yes...no more shortlist.
This sucks.
Well...maybe next year.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Shortening the shortlist...
Some dealers try very hard to sell you their cars.
Then then there are those that don't really care if they sell cars or not.
Those dealerships made shortening my shortlist so much easier.
The following are still on my shortlist:
1) Mazda 6 - Nice design
2) Toyota Camry - Economically prudent
3) Volswagen Jetta - Good mix of power & economy
4) Subaru WRX - To satisfy the boyracer in me
5) Suzuki Vitara - For the outdoorsy guy in me
The Volvo's price went up from what was shown online so it's above budget now hence the removal.
The Prius...well, I can forgo being a greenie for the sake of performance. Besides, 1 person really really can't make a difference.
The Mondeo...The dealership definitely didn't think of me as anything close to being Mr Bond (a.k.a 007) and with only 1 sales rep there...it shows that they're not too concerned about poor sales and Ford's financial troubles over in the States. Besides, the car is frightfully overpriced.
The Honda City is budget motoring and it's budget shows in the interior quite obviously.
I have, however added a car to my shortlist.
6) The Honda Accord 2009 - Nice european looks
Then then there are those that don't really care if they sell cars or not.
Those dealerships made shortening my shortlist so much easier.
The following are still on my shortlist:
1) Mazda 6 - Nice design
2) Toyota Camry - Economically prudent
3) Volswagen Jetta - Good mix of power & economy
4) Subaru WRX - To satisfy the boyracer in me
5) Suzuki Vitara - For the outdoorsy guy in me
The Volvo's price went up from what was shown online so it's above budget now hence the removal.
The Prius...well, I can forgo being a greenie for the sake of performance. Besides, 1 person really really can't make a difference.
The Mondeo...The dealership definitely didn't think of me as anything close to being Mr Bond (a.k.a 007) and with only 1 sales rep there...it shows that they're not too concerned about poor sales and Ford's financial troubles over in the States. Besides, the car is frightfully overpriced.
The Honda City is budget motoring and it's budget shows in the interior quite obviously.
I have, however added a car to my shortlist.
6) The Honda Accord 2009 - Nice european looks
Rideless & at Wits End...
This is the condition of my ride as it stands now...
It's been in this condition since Dec 19 2008...
Which goes to stand that...wait for it...
YES! I haven't had my car for the past 42 days!!!!
I only have this to say...some mechanics are good, but those at my dealership SUCK!
Therefore, I am now looking for a replacement for my ride. Why? Because of the lack of expertise in my particular model of car.
So my long shortlist for a new ride would be (in no particular order):
1) Toyota Prius(hybrid) - For the tree-hugging peace lover in me
2) Mazda 6 - Nice design
3) Toyota Camry - Economically prudent
3) Volswagen Jetta - Good mix of power & economy
4) Subaru WRX - To satisfy the boyracer in me
5) Honda City - Sporty design & the cheapest on the list
6) Ford Mondeo - For the Bond wannabe in me
7) Volvo S60 - The most expensive in my list
8) Suzuki Vitara - For the outdoorsy guy in me
Suggestions?
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