So, why eBook reader when these are so many different pads to choose from?

I’m iPad’less and never found a reason why I should own one. I obviously understand that you have store and display eBooks with iPad (or other pads/tablets), but I cannot read for long with an LCD screen and don’t think that’ll do good to my eye sight. Another justification is that I am seeking for an device to read my eBooks with, full stop. I know with iPads, I’ll have more than enough trouble fighting a ‘fun device’ with my love one and while I’m reading, there will always be the temptation to ‘op out’ and next thing you know I’m addicting to Candy Crash.

 That been said, I want to stick my options to e-ink technology at the same time, I desire my device to be self-lit providing I will be reading before sleep. I am lucky the market is current offering 2 main choices fits my description plus couple off brand variations.

Another interesting observation while I’m doing my price research, is that LCD versions of eBook readers (Kindle Fire, Kobo Vox) seems to be dropping their price quite heavily. In fact, as today Kobo Vox dropped from RRP AU$249.99 to AU$129.99 retail store, while the Kobo Glo I picked has always been around AU$150~$160.

 So, why Kobo?

I could easily choose Kindle and lack of .epub format support doesn’t seems bug me as I can use Calibre to convert my existing eBooks to any other popular formats. It’s really the availability: It’s very hard to find Kindle Paperwhite in retail shops in Australia, otherwise I will give it a fair try out and see how that felt. Otherwise, according to netizen, Kobo Glo and Kindle Paperwhite are really similar in terms of quality, performance, ergonomic and price. Some may tilt to one other the other, but there are no strong opinion to any of the two.

So, how is it?

It’s too early to tell, I’ll give it couple of weeks before I feedback to this shinny toy. One thing I know for sure, things will only go better from here if I read more book and play less toys (that’s you iPhone, iPad and your demonic, pointless apps!)

I have been printing name cards locally that I may examine the quality of the paper and printings. Lately (but that I mean second half of last year…) I have heard a lot of good things about this MOO company and decide to give it a go. The product turns out to be amazing and I want to share this experience with you guys.

This packing been sitting cold in Post office waiting for its rightful owner to unbox it

I've ordered a box of 100 MiniCards, a card holder and a sample pack that contains examples of all print products. It's postcard is photo paper quality and is something I may order next.

Comes which a really nice looking box that you actually want to keep! The cards sits nicely, there are also separators for you to utilise this box for other people's MiniCards!

100 cards, 10 different designs... some how I think the cards is going to run out faster than I think.

I've seen videos of people doing this and that's the first thing I do with my card: bending test. I'm happy with its bend'iness.

White MiniCard holder with sexy gloss finish. It can be attached to your key chain which will eventually be scratched and add some manliness to it.

Everything was about US$38 in total include postage, which is very affordable especially you get to have so many designs of your name card in 1 box.

Referral

If you have this “I want it too!” in your mind, feel free to use my referral link so I may be future discounts!

http://www.moo.com/share/ww9zzt

I also have few 15% discount code that comes with the purchase, give me a quick message if you would like to have 1.

Watch the experts flying kites or fly one your own, there will be kite-making workshop, or pick one up from one of the kite stores from $10.

Event: Festival of the Winds
Date: 11/09/2011 (Sunday) 11am to 4pm
Location: The Bondi Pavilion

This is my first year participating and was there as a street photographer, I really enjoy capturing many happy faces of all ages.

• Full Album with over 200 runners in City2Surf 2011

Since this is a night shooting, you will be playing with long exposures often and that means tripod will be a must. The equipments I will be carrying are:

• Nikon D90, my only DSLR.
• AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5, my kit lens as wide-angel.
• Full Size Tripod, a steady tripod good enough for 30 seconds exposure in landscape mode.
• IR remote shutter release
• Pocket torch, for seeing things or light painting

I try to keep light weight and bring only the essentials, If I decide to do street shootings, then that day I will be carrying 35mm f1.8G without tripod and 18-70mm. This way, you can stay agile and focus on taking photos and not busy changing lens.

Optional equipments I may consider to bring with me just for fun:

• Graduate ND filter, to play around with exposures.
• SB-800 Speedlight, for creative lighting.
• Glowing sticks, for light painting

And the non-camera related item that will come along with me:

• A comfortable backpack to put all my stuff except the tripod (since I’m not a fan of camera bag).
• Beanie, gloves and really warm jacket.
• Umbrella, better prepared than sorry.
• Snack, because you will go hungry for all night shooting.

We were recommended to run south to try out this Asian style degustation menu in Kogarah. I received mixed review of this restaurant from friends and online review: popular, highly booked yet average food quality and bad table service. However it was a quiet day and staff are extremely responsible, the overall experience was enjoyable.

Degustation Dinner Menu at $18.80, includes:

• Soup of the Day
• Entree, choice of:
  • Shallow-fried Beancurb,
  • Prawn & Calamari with Salad or
  • Teriyaki Ox-Tongue on the Skewer
• Main, choice of:
  • Port Chop with Curry Vegetables Sauce
  • Seafood Combination Prawn Sauce
  • Minute Beef Steak Mustard Bordelaise
• Dessert of the Day
• Brewd Coffee or Tea

Soup of the Day

Shallow-fried Beancurd

Prawn & Calamari with Salad

Teriyaki Ox-Tongue on the Skewer

Pork Chop with Curry Vegetables Sauce

Dessert of the Day

Restaurant: Excelsion International Cuisine
Address: 16/7-9 Belgrave St, Kogarah New South Wales 2217
Telephone: (02) 9553 1866 ‎

This thing call "Hen", is something you going to have to encounter everywhere in the zoo.

Koala Park Sanctuary is a small, private and known as the oldest private zoo in Sydney, locate on West Pennant Hills: remote yet not unreachable. You won’t be crowded by packs of tourists or screaming kids, another reason over Taronga Zoo or Sydney Wildlife World. Remember to bring some food tho, as the cafeteria is fairly small and choice are limited.

It’s like every time you go to a zoo, all animals seems to be asleep for some reason.

Wombat, asleep.

Sleepy Kangaroos.

Sleepy Koala Cluster.

The best thing in Koala Park is that you actually get to pet (perhaps hug if you do it fast enough) a real life Koala. Evan when it is feeding time, they still seems to be very sleepy.

"Lunch makes me drowsy... before and after."

There’s Kangaroo feeding zone. You can be a small pack of grass for $1.70, which I think it’s worth it consider it last whole day and they love chewing the paper bag that came with it (although you not meant to feed them that!).

They are smaller breed and very friendly, does not kick!

Little Joe doesn't normally eat from you.

There are 3 presentations in the zoo: Koala feeding/petting, Penguin feeding and Sheep sheering (include boomerang demonstration and sheepdog hurling). Broucher mentioned about wombat feeding, but all we saw was the wombat woke up on time and self-feeding.

Sheep hurling demostration... which couple of emu mixed in.

Penguin feeding. Apparently we are not allowed to call them Fairy Penguins anymore...

Koala Park Sanctuary opens everyday 9am to 5pm (close on Christmas day).

Website: http://www.koalaparksanctuary.com.au/
Phone: (02) 9484 3141
Address: 84 Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125
Cost: $20/Adult; $10/Child