tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291Tue, 10 Sep 2024 04:43:47 +0000Rambling of my lifebooksphotographyMoviestravel"If you really want to disappoint your parents, and don't have the nerves to be gay, go into the arts" - Kurt Vonneguthttp://cidersketches.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (cider addict)Blogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-7730018602335838496Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:37:00 +00002009-01-11T01:12:42.131+07:00MoviesBrief synopsis: Kati, who lives with her maternal grandparents, finds out that her mother is suffering from an incurable illness. During summer, her grandparents take Kati to see her mother, who has only a few days left. There, she learns why her mother had to leave her to be reared by her grandparents and about her mother's past.The movie can be cut into three parts: Kati's life with her http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2009/01/happiness-of-kati.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-4188748352294768594Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:53:00 +00002008-12-05T23:55:46.620+07:00Rambling of my lifeToday is father's day in Thailand so I thought I write a little about my father.When asked to describe my father, first thing that comes to my mind is hard working. My dad never took a day off work if he didn't have to - and by that I mean, if he didn't have to go do his civil or juristic duty. Illness had never prevented my father from going to work. Two more words describe my dad: staunch http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/12/happy-fathers-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-8926341140826579784Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:28:00 +00002008-11-22T01:57:50.709+07:00booksFollowing Clifton Fadiman's book, The Lifetime Reading Plan, I picked up Anna Karenina off my shelf (it's been sitting there for a long time). Why? Just because I have heard many people say that this is the best novel of all time (of course, some might say it's War and Peace - also by Tolstoy. Imagine that! Two books that you written are on the greatest of all time list)So, I vowed to not onlyhttp://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/11/tolstoy-and-anna-karenina.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-5057936782370410493Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:21:00 +00002008-11-05T23:10:30.610+07:00Rambling of my lifeAs I was reading an article in NY Times today I was struck by the growing concern of our dire education system (by our I mean American). Apparently, even Bill Gates is appalled at our public education, especially in the math & science department, when compared to the likes of other Western European nations.Well, I knew our public education is in a sorry ass state when the ability to speak http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/11/obama-president-elect-2008.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-8291934380671836200Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:39:00 +00002008-11-04T00:17:13.576+07:00Rambling of my lifeWhen things enter your life, you have to be prepared when they depart...oh, but it is so so hard. The dead do not mourn - it's the people that are left behind - it's them that have to pick up the pieces and move on.And don't they know...don't they know that once their miseries are over...the others have just begun theirs...Was it Homer who once said that human beings are the most unfortunate http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/11/thoughts-on-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-5416557149655694520Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:38:00 +00002008-10-30T22:54:14.836+07:00Hua Hin, company trip, October 23 - 25.Sunrise...after an hour of waiting and setting up, the long awaited sunrise came and gone within five minutes. This is the only shot I could snapped. By the time I moved my tripod/camera to another location, the dark blue sky with streaks of orange was gone.Nighttime - view from the resort balconyToo bad the pool was closed - it would be pretty romantic tohttp://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/10/hua-hin-thailand.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-6345003816458195265Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:18:00 +00002008-10-13T22:52:15.599+07:00I often wonder what it would be like to be able to say things that are on my mind without having to care about other people's feelings. I am often in awe of those people who are able to articulate their thoughts in a well spoken words. I, however, have come to a conclusion that I lack these qualities: I can't put my thoughts into comprehensible sentences nor am I able to speak my mind freely. http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/10/seeking-courage-and-thunder-road.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-757115838363803213Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:58:00 +00002008-10-10T23:00:46.690+07:00Rambling of my lifeRarely do I cry while reading a newspaper articles or books, but this one just left me sobbing - Gene Weingarten's article about old dogs. The link is here:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/26/AR2008092602860.html"It's no big deal to love a dog; they make it so easy for you. They find you brilliant, even if you are a witling. You fascinate them, even if you are as dullhttp://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/10/tribute-to-old-dogs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-8415514817586658846Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:23:00 +00002008-08-22T23:33:40.367+07:00Rambling of my life"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher"That's not what I've been doing. Lately, I found myself stuck with people who drag me lower and lower until I hit the depth of despair. People come in different shape, size and personality. I'm not naive: I don't expect to meet angels and saints all the time. However, I also didn't expect to meet so many devils.Villain #1: http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/08/villain-in-my-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-4644055456634332969Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:47:00 +00002008-07-19T23:07:58.176+07:00MoviesBatman da da dah da da... Batman da da dah da da... The opening tune to the TV series Batman should be common to everyone who has lived in the U.S. in the past 20 years.Out of all the superheroes, I like Batman the most. Why? Well, he IS human just like us. Superman is a Kryptonian, Spiderman is, well, an arachnia while the Hulk is...green. Second, Batman is the penultimate philanthropist. http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/07/joker-steals-show.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-6470018751150228600Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:49:00 +00002008-06-05T23:53:56.398+07:00Rambling of my life"When you close your doors, and make darkness within, remember never to say that you are alone, for you are not alone; nay, God is within, and your genius is within. And what need have they of light to see what you are doing?"------------------Missing my friends very much...http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/06/on-loneliness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-983160874173057188Sun, 25 May 2008 14:02:00 +00002008-05-25T22:07:38.329+07:00Rambling of my life** This post has nothing to do with Van Gogh -- except for the author's mental state that remotely resembles the great painter **-----------------It's been one of those days when making a decision on an easy topic is as taxing as solving algorithm problem. So, it's only obvious when facing with a difficult problem, trying to decide the best course to take is just mind goggling.----------------http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/05/dreadful-sunday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-1407869612918364790Tue, 13 May 2008 18:23:00 +00002008-05-14T01:31:36.725+07:00Rambling of my lifeThis past week I celebrated my 30th birthday. Nothing special – just dinners with friends. But, then again, I wasn’t expecting nor feeling anything special. People kept asking me how does it feel to finally turn thirty years old and my answer was always ‘it feels like every other day’. No life changing events occurred to me – I didn’t wake up with any kind of epiphanies that would distinguishhttp://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/05/big-3-0.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-1693579217857075177Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:17:00 +00002008-04-26T00:58:57.678+07:00booksSigh...I tried...I really did.I tried to finish this book, but at 800 pages, it is just too long. Not that this is the major obstacle that kept me from finishing. Oh, no...the main problem has to do with Amelia Osbourne. I knew it would be a problem when, after page 10, I just cannot stand this character. I found myself wanting to grab a snow shovel and hit myself in the head until I bleed tohttp://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/04/vanity-fair-novel-without-hero.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-3595520206570479920Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:13:00 +00002008-04-20T02:26:33.527+07:00books“Shutting it all out was how I found peace. If I’m bitter, it’s because I haven’t forgiven myself.” June, Black DogsBlack Dogs is my first encounter with Ian McEwan's writing – and a disturbing one. First, a brief synopsis of the book. Black Dogs is a story about crumbling marriage as told by their son in law, Jeremy. Like other McEwan’s novels, the plot involves one life changing incident (http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/04/black-dogs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-7951682742207403461Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:01:00 +00002008-04-04T01:10:22.490+07:00photographyGot out a camera, grabbed a tripod, bolted out of the office, hopped on a BTS, arrived at Victory Monument and snapped a couple of pictures.Encounter a problem: TOO MANY PEOPLE - sigh.better luck next time, told myself.http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/04/photo-shoot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-186285328114801510Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:18:00 +00002008-04-04T01:12:45.647+07:00Rambling of my lifeTwo weeks ago the number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq hit 4,000. Three weeks ago, V.P. Cheney was asked how he felt about the latest poll showing two thirds of Americans feel that Iraq was not worth fighting for. His replied was short and to the point: "So?"Nice to know you care about American people, Mr. Vice PresidentI've read somewhere that, on average, ten people are affected for every http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/04/4000.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-1853282294026506595Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:19:00 +00002008-03-24T20:59:04.721+07:00booksIf you are like me, you probably love reading Arthurian novels. I can't explain why, but I find the chivalric period to be full of bravery, courage and romance. Alas, as with almost everything that occurs in my life, I discover this love somewhat late (why did this fascination not occur in my college years?).Anyway, this past weekend I picked up a little book called Sir Gawain and the Green http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/03/sir-gawain-and-green-knight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-3427641916812846427Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:14:00 +00002008-03-06T00:09:22.624+07:00MoviesNon, Rien De Rien, Non, Je Ne Regrette RienNi Le Bien Qu`on M`a Fait, Ni Le MalTout Ca M`est Bien EgalNon, Rien De Rien, Non, Je Ne Regrette RienC`est Paye, Balaye, Oublie, Je Me Fous Du PasseThose are the words to the song, Non Je ne regrette rien, sung by Edith Piaf. It is also one of her most famous - others include La Vie en Rose, Milord, L'hymne a l'amour - songs performed by Edith just http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/03/la-vie-en-rose.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-8866241888703103468Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:30:00 +00002008-02-24T20:46:28.237+07:00Rambling of my lifeLast Tuesday night, we went to Boy Trai concert at Shoo Bee Doo Bar. We got there around 8pm, eat some food, drink some liquer and waited for P'Boy to show up (which he did at 10:30pm). Anyway the concert was sponsored by Red Label, so of course, we ordered Sang Som as our rum of choice. The concert was pretty good - I only know one song by him so I can't profess to be his biggest fan. But, http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/02/boy-trai.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-1888609537869783892Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:16:00 +00002008-02-14T21:30:15.553+07:00photographyOn Monday night, I went to take photos of Sathorn & Narathiwat road. Since there is nothing but buildings and traffic, these two elements basically constitute my photos.Rather than just take pictures of buildings, which are pretty much static, I decided to rotate the lens while it was capturing pictures (see these two photos of the same building).At another shot, I tried to capture the streaminghttp://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/02/one-night-in-bangkok.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-6255595454177151292Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:28:00 +00002008-02-12T01:22:45.248+07:00Rambling of my lifeThis is a post dedicated to my art professor, who on this day, retired from teaching at the age of 62. I learned about his retirement through the alumni newsletter. I can still remember the first day I met Prof. Thom. It was my freshman year - first class of the semester. Prof. Thom came into the room and probably seeing some doubts in our eyes (or was it because it was so early in the http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/02/one-special-person.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-8907045097885048050Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:50:00 +00002008-02-12T01:24:56.513+07:00Rambling of my lifeLa Féerie is a French word meaning 'enchantment' and that was my first thought when I entered this little spa. It is located just across from Thonglor 23 - many people have missed the place because it is just a little house located between My Place restaurant and Ducati motorcycle shop. (Speaking of which, can somebody move this irritating shop...like to other province? Seriously, what kind of http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/02/in-love-withla-ferie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-4152003596118601442Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:22:00 +00002008-02-09T00:35:16.604+07:00photographyHow would your picture comes out if you shoot it at night without a tripod? Check these out.I took these pictures at Siam BTS. Set your shutter speed at about 1/20 and F stop at 16. After pressing the shutter try adjusting the lens. You will get some 'electrified' results.http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/02/without-tripod.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3160714390203336291.post-5731055445464859376Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:04:00 +00002008-02-09T00:34:10.698+07:00photographyThese are some of the photos I took on a night out at Siam Paragon. To celebrate CNY, S.P. decorate the courtyard with dragons and lots of red color (bit tacky, if you ask me).Enjoy the photos...I like to take pictures with slow shutter speed - you can make boring subjects look more interesting - ghostlike images...http://cidersketches.blogspot.com/2008/02/night-out-at-siam-paragon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (cider addict)0