saifulrizan

power tRIP OFF

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:33:00 +0000

I just got through the third HTML code for my other blog project, My Labuan Island when the power tripped and left me in the darkness. Two seconds later, my only child yelled something anonymous to my brain interceptor. As predicted, wife proposed to get into the car and go somewhere else.

Like a programmed robot, I grabbed the key, get everything packed as if we're going for a road trip, and hit the road like nobody else business.

Apparently the main road is getting crowded with cars going to and from town. I guess everyone had the same thought of getting somewhere with lights - just to be relieved that life is comfortable again.

How about if there will be no electricity throughout the country for at least 3 days? Tonight black out lasted for at least 30 minutes. The other day, it lasted for almost 3 hours! How about 3 days? A week? A month???? Fine, it is better than having none at all.

But then, how about the code that I just redesigned? I did not work on laptop and my PC a bit ancient it goes off whenever someone purposedly turn off the main plug. Like everyone else with a tad of temper, I screamed.

Then the baby felt uneasy because it was hot - the air conditioner, the fan; none work. I started to wonder if she can stand of having no sense of cold if there is constant blackout in the future?

We headed to town, only to realize the whole island currently having a bit of Earth Hour moment - except that this time it is non-voluntarily. The shop, gas station, restaurants - all with no luxury of power generator like those important buildings and business areas had to operate with a candle lights.

After a bit of sight seeing (like there is anything interesting to see other than annoying HID lights - damn I hate luxury cars!) we headed home.

When we arrived, 3 minutes later, the power is back.

I realized I've spent few litres of petrol and some money to buy drinks for 'refreshment' during our 'road trip' just now.

So much for a power outage.

nothing lah..

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:56:00 +0000

Too many ideas...

too little time...

I hate this...

keep it together

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:00:00 +0000

This week pretty exhaustive and well, semi-frantic. Since we will receive auditor next week, everything need to be in place and completed.

I think I already completed 80% of my keep. Look, I'm not into filing, and I really hate it. Seriously, does people find happiness in a room with compactors lining up waiting to be filled in with new document - every single day.

Sorry, I couldn't find one. Too bad it's in my job description. I would love it better if it runs on digital - or better, smaller and lighter to deal with.. Unfortunately, dreams will always be a dream as long as you work for someone else. Nevertheless, you're 90% of the company backbone, but the remaining percentage goes to the boss - whom hold the final words.

S**t, I got tonnes of papers under my custody - and it's pretty heavy when those papers piled into their designate folder. I wish I could grow a muscle but I guess when you do it under duress, your mind and body wouldn't work at their best - at all. Forget diet pills, it wont work too.

Loyalty play a big part in securing jobs. Loyalty would create awareness and responsibility to your sorry job - and of course, that alone will lead to something greater - I mean, to achieve something new in working environment. Promotion, raise in salary or simply a mug as a token of appreciation..

Still, to have a job is one important thing, for a father like me. Yes, I do need to bring food to the table - so I guess I will keep loyal to my job now - literally, keep doing it without too much thoughts on scouring for another job opps (tho' I wish I could).

As long as my job doesn't kill me... I will be fine lah.

bye bye papers and trees

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:14:00 +0000

I realize i HATE my job now more than ever.

Four drawers filled with tonnes of papers as a method of record-keeping are now under my care and the heaviest bunch were located on the top rack.

God, I hate my job!

It's 2009 but they opted for paper instead of going electronics.

You fucktard tree killer!

Labuan 10s 2009 - Please Re-route

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:40:00 +0000

If you landed on this page because you're looking for pictures from the 8th Labuan Rugby 10s Invitational Tournament 2009, please proceed to this website (click here).

It was another successful rugby game held in Labuan - when we have to consider it's the only rugby tournament in Labuan which involved participant team coming from outside Labuan. I was there on the 4th July since the morning and later joined by Izraai, Ervyn, Manjuzri, Riedznan and Syed Nasir.

This time around I tried to stay on certain location because I tried to get the picture I've wanted. The idea was to tight frame on-going action and perhaps a bit of candid during the game. If you ask, I brought my Konica Minolta 70-210mm f4.5 - 5.6 to the game. I have no 2.8 lens, but in the future I will - just let the savings do the ~~talk~~ purchase ya.

Rugby is a game of gentlemen - if played correctly. Besides, it's a game that action-packed, fast pace and sometimes a bit gritty when it comes to battle of the best. In this game, player don't pretend to fell on the ground and play the role of injury primadona. It's real. Dislocated shoulder , muscle pain and I still remember a team mate of ours, fell to the ground when he felt the pain in chest and later hospitalized for about two days. He felt better but he got to stop playing for at least 6 months or a year, couldn't recall. For that amount of time spent off the field, the health plan from Blue Cross NC got to be worth it!

I myself couldn't lift my right hand above my shoulder although it's not a dislocated-shoulder simptom. Being said so, rugby is not entirely a dangerous game. As mentioned earlier, it's a gentlemen game if played correctly. Back then I was just another ambitious player with fire raging inside my chest and regularly spewed curse on everyone - that's me being a dick. It's not professional.

Forward to now - I prefer to stay outside the pitch and documenting the game through photography. At least I still contribute to the rugby scene. I am thinking of using the picture as promotion material for next year Labuan 10s as the plan was not executed properly this year - thanks to my day job, finally I know it's really fun to play outside. Daily pampering of air-conditioning and juggling papers, pen and papers and pen motivated me to do something to leave the job. But that is another story.

Photographing rugby game is simple. Few crucial points to highly noted - line out, try, conversion, ruck and the best of all, tackling. If you know where those mentioned above will take place, you are all set and what's left now is the camera setting. Extra points to be noted: player slapping other player, referee giving out a red and yellow card, expression of spectator or supporter on their favorite team and many other unexpected things.

I really hope that I will get a chance to photography Borneo 10s as there will be heaps of international act, and of course, more fast paced action packed super gritty game to be watched. That or I need to buy a 2.8 lens first.

Why I am still here

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Apart from photography, I write. That’s why I still keep this blog – the only place where I can write about silly things and if I am ok, I will write about serious things. Yeah, sort of.

It is a sort of therapy that everyone can afford. Blogspot, Wordpress, Xanga; just to name a few, are part of the blogging world in which it provides free platform in sort of blog for aspiring writers or in my case, slacker writer. Simple and easy to use, it’s a new thing after stalking peoples in Friendster. At least this is better.

I never take writing seriously. Back then, I only write when I was in a boarding school. I was placed in a secondary school in Johor Bahru, Johor and the cheapest method of communication is to write a letter to my parents or some friends whom studied in another state. I still remember I spent about RM 5.00 so I can make a 3-minute phone call. What a sucker! E-mail was not popular back then, it was exclusive to those who can afford to pay for dial-up subscription and regular to cyber café.

Being boys, especially in a school where attitude is number three after popularity and academic achievement, writing a letter or articles or poems or novels or anything that related to pen and paper is however a sort of sin. It’s not popular, and only those who can stand being target of sarcastic clowns whom wearing a jacket with big letter B on it. Besides, I was in Commerce stream, though I wish I could be in an Art stream. So there was no urgency to sharpen my writing skills.

There’s one night where the whole town black out – that includes the hostel as well. While everyone sneaking out from the hostel, or forming a group and talk bulls**t like nobody cares, I sat in the room with another two guys. We share a candle so I can somehow write a poems (I was heavily inspired by the Rage Against The Machine lyrics) and those two can read their comics. The power outage lasted till 3 in the morning. I wrote 4 poems and none of those are crap – until I realized I wrote too much about climbing a mountain and playing guitar on top of it. That’s crap!

I still love writing. The writer changed. In a good time, I will put more focus on presenting points and support it with something concrete. In bad time, I will simply stroke some letters and there you go, a blog post full of hatred and death wish. That is why everyone should keep in their mind to read their post twice before pressing the Publish Now button.

I will keep writing – even if it is just another crap with mountain and guitarist in it.

What's with the name?

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:04:00 +0000

Lately, for some odd reason, I find myself very unattractive, dull and ultimately boring. No, not to others (though I belive everyone would like to think I am a boring person) but to myself.

I can't imagine saying that to myself.

I would like to believe that I am somebody to someone, perhaps the closest are my friends. Exclude the wife and daughter; they knew I am loud and occasionally ok since the beginning. So, it's easy to assume that I am looking for attention, no?

No I'm not. Not at all.

Everyone called humans want to have a sense of belonging among friends. First, we already have that in family bond - so there's no need to work more on that, unless you're the kind of person that always forgot you have a family, you definitely need to attend a family boot camp. So I;m saying here that I want to be known among friends. Specifically, someone with a name they will remember when they relate to something. Not that I am self centered, but I think everyone also have the same thought right?

It's just that I had a glimpse of everyone that I knew from Beaufort, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu and Labuan recently. I spent about an hour trying to remember everyone names but most of the time, I just remember them visually (their face, figure, etc.).

I guess they also remember me as someone with big glasses back then, no? Kan bagus kalau diorang ingat me as Mohd Saifulrizan from Labuan...

fruitful weekend

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Another wedding photoshoot assignment coming this weekend.

I am glad the solemnization will take place on Saturday morning. Means that I wont miss it! Normally it will take place on Friday morning or afternoon (in Labuan lah), that's why sometimes I have to pass such opportunity to my friends.

Anyway, I'm thinking of going to the bride's house tomorrow night. First, it's more like ice breaking with the bride's family since the groom will be flying in to Labuan on Friday. The other thing will be to study the lighting and other aspect that I want to consider to put into my images during the photoshoot.

Usually I will work on producing a nice clean background. Lighting will come first. Though I never expect to have such Progress lighting in my client's house, but if there's light, every other thing can be taken care of.

It's not that simple .. but I will try to perform my best.

life.daily

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:27:00 +0000

I saw a beautiful red sunset couple of days ago. I was just finished washing the car when I saw the red light streak as if it was the Nippon flag visualized in the sky. i got no camera in hand at that moment, so, sorry, no picture to clarify my story.

I sat on the wooden bench just outside the main door. I look straight to the source of the ray of light, which slowly sinking to the horizon. Ok, not actually a horizon, but the buildings of industrial area which located just a few metres ahead of my place. Fine, but it didn't stopped me from enjoying the sunset.

How i wish i was at the beach with my camera at that time..

No, it won't work that way. I finish work at 5.30 pm, daily. When everyone already at home, I just signing off to go home. Then have to face traffic jam on a main road leading to the cursed traffic light section at Wong Wo Lo area. Cursed, because that is the only thing that create traffic jam because everyone heading home and it happens to be on our way. Ok lah, traffic jam in Labuan is not that bad lah. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to get out of the traffic jam. Nasib baik 5 - 10 minutes, if not sure I got mesothelioma.

Normally I will arrive home at 6 or 6.30. Depends lah, if OT, confirm 6.30. This month alone I did OT for two weeks in a row. Okla tu, senang beli G lens.

So now if I calculate from 8.30 to 6.30 - heh, that's really a long time lah. Life is not easy, so I think I have to cope with this lifestyle for now. I hope it wont be for long lah.. because I really want to spend more time with my daughter.

Anyway, BabyHana makan aiskrim semalam.

Monday.already.huh?

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:16:00 +0000

It's 12.18 am.

It's Monday. I hate Monday (too).

I wonder if I work in another field or area that I'm highly interested on, would I be more energetic and happy to come to work?

So pathetic you know because every time I'm about to enter the office, I was like "why do I work here?"

People have doubt if they think they are not comfortable.

They will relate everything so the mind can trigger the word UNFORTUNATE clearly to their conscious. I got such habit too. Perhaps I complaint too much, but after many years working in different areas and numbers of professional, I don't need anyone help to tell me of who's incompetent, abusive, slacker and bullish.

Having my own business is all that I wanted but so far I don't think I can do it alone. More over, I care for BabyHana necessity that obviously need to be paid in cash.

I better work harder on my part time job because I really don't find any satisfaction in my current day job. But I have to because the pay is enough to cover expenses. I dont have any problem to become a zombie at workplace because all I care is the pay day. Not even a best diet pills would cheer me up than that!

Seriously, it sucks.

10 things I have in my mind now.

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:56:00 +0000

1. I just finished selected 30 best pictures from recent wedding photoshoot and did minor touch up to the phot e.g. contrast, brightness. The fastest I did so far.

2. Discovered Lobow, an Indonesian singer and I really like his Kau Cantik Hari Ini dan Terus Bersinar.

3. I am really happy that I've developed my photography skill to another level.

4. I keep reminding myself "Pay Peanut Get Monkey" these days.

5. I seriously think I need an ultra wide angle lens. It's fun at the widest I can get with the kit lens. Imagine at 11mm!

6. I have to let go some wedding jobs because of my full time work commitment.

7. 1 more wedding to go and I will be ready to create a portfolio.

8. I'm thinking of doing partnership business with someone.

9. BabyHana crawling everywhere!

10. I started my day with heavy breakfast and keep being grumpy the whole day. I will keep it that way.

11. Do you know mesothelioma can be treated?

enough is enough

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:52:00 +0000

now i really believe my job does not bring satisfaction to myself. i decided to get out of this line of work immediately when time permits.

friday rant

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:02:00 +0000

my oh my. i cancelled the kota kinabalu trip so i can follow my friend and become his back up photographer. But i am still here in the office waiting for the report to be printed out. though i still can cover the majlis berinai and bersanding during weekend, but i hate to jump in to the middle of the flow. apa boleh buat. . .

26 years old

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:42:00 +0000

26 years old today. Life as usual. Now got great life companion, wife Fiza and baby Nur Hana Farah Aqilah. there is no specific birthday wishes for 2009. i just want to work on self improvement. happy birthday to everyone celebrating theirs today!

Off this and that

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:40:00 +0000

1. Few items going for sale - because I dont need them and I need some money to upgrade few stuff.

2. After 4 days (2d annual leave, 2d saturday and sunday) I don't feel like I'm going to office on Monday. I'm no longer in burn-out category, but more like lazy. Do I hate my current job?

3. I already saved about 80 pictures in my Motorola V3i. Those pictures are for my reference and study purpose. Pictures ranging from photojournalism to ... only photojournalism.

4. Wife got new phone for Mother's Day.

5. The Opel is alive but the engine warning is blinking. Damn!

6. I didn't realize the news of me getting 6th place in LISC 09 Photography Competition spread widely among my friends. It's just 6th place anyway...

7. I'm having mild headache for about 10 minutes for every hour or so...

8. Belang the house cat fought another cat and got knocked out after few rounds of fights (according to witnesses who lives next door - kids never lie, aren't they?)

9. Now I got three moneybox for different purpose. Personal saving, Hana's education fund and photography fund. The last one inspired by new-found friend. :D

10. I think I forgot to attend my friend's daughter 1-year birthday party.. I'm getting old.

11. I just realize I have CarpalTunnel Syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), or median neuropathy at the wrist, is a medical condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, leading to paresthesias, numbness and muscle weakness in the hand. The diagnosis of CTS is often misapplied to patients who have activity-related arm pain.

12. Since the last two weeks or so, I'm easily getting tired and everytime I put myself to comfort, I travelled to dream land.

13. i haven't process all RAW files taken with my camera since December '08. I should create another fund for the purpose of buying a Macbook.

14. I hardly spend money on petty things now. From credible sources, it is wise to keep saving because the economy still not good.

15. I will see if I can stand another 5 days working....

the rough and tough little friend

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:56:00 +0000

I still remember someone condemned my pictures and described it as if it was taken with a Point & Shoot camera.

I would like to thank him for saying that in public.

That rough statement simply pushed me to go forward and never look back.

I know, some people will simply get irritated by such person. Some might act irrational upon hearing such comments. But I guess the better thing to do when people say such thing about you is just keep your anger to yourself and start thinking on how to add value to my skill & knowledge in taking pictures.

It's easy for people to say such thing; either that was intended to condemn or giving advice in harsh way.

I am thankful to that guy because without you, I will never wake up and realize there's more things I should know of.

However, I don't take into account of people whom simply condemn my camera because they think my camera is cheap and not capable of performing like high end camera. Yes, my camera is Sony A200, a BEGINNER ENTRY camera - designed for ease of use. It is not fair to cpmapre it with... you know.... Although it is a cheap and simple camera, I am happy to say that I have more generous and friendly photographer that show me how to create picture instead of "point and shoot" style of picture. The real photographer is a genius who 'make' picture, not simply judge the photographer with what camera you use. And I am more than happy to know them in first place.

"Eh, you masih pakai Sony lagi? Aiyaaaa....."

For me, as long as I can use this camera, I will keep and fully utilize it. I do have a plan to buy another camera - no secret, a Nikon actually because I realize some scene that I desired to shoot can be done with one of their camera. The A200 will still serving as long as it can take picture.

Besides, berani ka brader yang sound aku tu bawa kamera dia masuk laut?

18mm

In the end, what matter the most is how you use your camera to make picture.

Adios.

Long weekend

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:02:00 +0000

Finally I decided to take 2 days leave. Make it 4 days of not wearing office attire.

I think(!) I'm going to :

1. Try birding photography

2. Clean up and get rid of the unwanted items.

In the end I might just sleep all day lah after penat2 ambil gambar during the photography contest.

Long weekend, here I come!

LISC 2009 - Photography competition

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:34:00 +0000

For the next couple of days, I will be missing from blogging.

A photography competition will be held at Labuan International Sea Sport Complex during the Labuan International Sea Challenge 2009. Labuan were chosen to host the final leg of Malaysia Water Festival '09 - just like previous years.

With Rm 4,000 in cash price for the winner of the Main category in this photography competition, I know everyone has been sleeping with sweat dripping from their forehead. 4k is a big amount of money, and you only have 10 best pictures to be submitted to the organizer for judging process.

Nevertheless, some already felt the tension and heat when some photographer with big guns (note : big tele lens) roaming around Labuan International Sea Sport Complex doing test shot. Apparently big tele lens is a license to trigger panic attack. Chill dude, if I have money, I also will invest in high end lenses. BUt I'm not - so I will settle with mini beercan for now.

This year will mark another milestone in Labuan photography scene. More professional photographer coming for the contest, more medium coverage from foreign countries and most likely, more new faces will popped out everywhere holding a dSLR.

Why dSLR? Sure, PnS or compact camera as it commonly known is.. well.. pretty common. Everyone already have one. While dSLR is not a one time expenses (yes, by time to time, we might end up trade-in lens for the new version, or fork out sums of thousands to get the tele lens with the big aperture) people still buy it for image quality and skill enhancements. I'm pretty sure people who bought dSLR and still stay with the camera and producing pictures for the next 12 months (for a beginner) is really enjoying photography (put aside the possibility of he/she might be a a photography / art student).

I also expect some well-known professional sport photographer to attend and compete in this competition. I'm looking forward to meet them in person and 'steal' a bit of their knowledge for personal improvement. After collecting material for my landscape project porfolio (which will start in June '09 and expected to finish at November '09) I'm thinking of getting into sport photography. Obviously I am still proud with my paintball picture.

I really hope this competition will be a ground for photographer to expand their connection with photographer from other state and countries. Though I admit when I first started photography I was easily intimidated by big lens. However, I am glad that my mindset slowly changed to "using the limitation to make a good picture".

For this photography competition, I will solely use the kit lens. For zooming purpose, I will use my long time buddy, Sony DSC H5. I can't afford to change lens on the beach - the possibility of feeding your sensor with beach sand is higher.

For now, I only pray to get my picture selected to be in the top 10. To expect top 5 or 7 is too much for my skills - I'm not there yet.

Music for life

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:45:00 +0000

I think I miss my Opel.

Well, other than the car spec and the simple yet bold exterior, the cassette player is the one that matter the most. Yes, my Opel Vectra B has a cassette player, and I never want to add or change the system to the latest CD or DVD or Blu Ray (Note : Panasonic is the first company to produce Blu Ray player for In Car Entertainment system, together with 7 inches LCD). The cassette player alone brought me back to my school year - the year when I started dipping into music.

The first cassette I bought was Green Day - Dookie. I am pretty sure everyone that listen to punk rock will acknowledge this and vouch for the quality, essence and the sound of Green Day. I never tired listening to all tracks in that album alone. I was 12 back then but I forgot what made me fork out my money and exchange it with the cassette. I don't even have a cassette player that time. I was 12, go figure!

Pearl Jam

But the biggest exposure I had was when studying in JB. I remember the first Foo Fighters, then the Smashing Pumpkings, the Pearl Jam, Aerosmith(!), Rage Against The Machine (!!!!), Korn and some local underground band. Butterfingers and Projekt AK got my attention. Slowly I developed a loyalty towards local music scene - no, not those Boboy, New Boyz, etc (tho' I admit Tomok is getting way better now in One In A Million.) but those local underground band.

Butterfingers last gig at Istana Budaya. Picture source from.. ntah, right clik image ni.

I am not into the music instrument. I figured I have no time to learn that, and secondly, I don't even have anything to start with e.g. guitar or even the basic instrument - harmonica, flute, and lastly, I reckoned I prefer to be the end user of local music scene - the fan, the listener, the follower; you name it! It's the music that changed my perception towards life. i followed the music that introduced or bring revolution to the music and sometimes, the world. Say U2! I'm still scouring around ebay looking for Jimi Hendrix album.

Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters.

Time passed by and I still humming to the tune and sometimes strumming to the bass. I am very grateful for those whom introduced me into music. Damn, I missed those days. And yes, I miss my car too...

damn you Bll GT*s!

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:41:00 +0000

I am having a problem with my PC.

It started when I canceled the file transfer from my digital camera to the PC. It was very slow, imagine you have to wait for 126 minutes to transfer approximately 2 gigabyte of digital images?

So I hit the Cancel button, then it acting very funny, hang for about 10 seconds and finally pulled the plug.

I did not know Microsoft Windows can be so pain in the ass for person like me who are not happy to have a go with "waiting".

Since then, I cannot open the folders in My Pictures folder. All the recent photos were stored in that folder (duh.. where else!) and I'm out of idea to update my photography blog. I'm thinking of transferring the whole My Documents to external hard disk and open it somewhere and figure out the f*ck*n unfortunate!

Dang!

*Anyway, I saw a video portfolio of one established and well-known photographer in Malaysia. The idea, cinematography and the similarity of producing on ewith taking pictures with digital camera make me want to buy a camcorder.

less on spending, more on savings

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:41:00 +0000

I have been thinking for hours now.

Last year, few hours before 1 January 2009, I was at home, watching TV alone. I am pretty sure that time I was not watching the program aired on TV. Everyone can predict what show it was - it was near to midnight, only couple hours left before New Year.

I remember I had a very deep thought about making 2009 a year of prosperity and fruitful investment. By investment, it can be in a lot of ways. I still remember trying to illustrate every plan inside my head. My eyes stuck on TV, but my mind flew somewhere else. 2009 must be a year of investing and savings.

Little that I know, the first 2 months of 2009 didn't bring any prosperity - neither have enough money to put into savings. I was still trying to fit into my so-called family expenses. I still remember withdrawing certain amount of money in a lump sum and immediately declare it as a total expenses for a week. I've been doing that every weekend, normally on Sunday. Like a self-declared genius, I spent the money without planning properly - or jot down my expenses on paper. As a consequences, I lost track on what I've spent the money - but i am pretty sure it goes to food, petrol and baby's necessity. The so-called mind-conscious on spending did not work.

I realized I have to plan and write it on paper. What ever you write on paper will not lie. True, unless I decided to change, alter or simply throw it away as an excuse of over-spending - that way I can say I lost track of my expenses.

What a waste. 2 months of hard earned money simply gone on some petty expenses that I don't need at all.

One more thing that I can think of now, is motivation to save my money. Make it two, by adding discipline on managing expenses. Both relate and complement each other. Let's say, this week I have Rm 200 extra, so let's celebrate by spend it on something else. I never crossed on planning to keep the money for saving. Sure, sometimes you need to spend on something you don't need - it's just part of us - to have something meaningless for self-satisfaction but you have to pay for the consequences. The same goes to food, I might spend less on eating out and get a appetite suppressant instead. That will spearheaded to double benefits - savings and slimming. Hehe

How about put the money into your savings account, and by the next month pay day, you already have - let's say - RM 200 extra. How about the idea of doing the same thing for the next month salary, and it will increase, provided I decided that money is for emergency purpose and I will never touch the money for something that I don't need critically. If I keep myself strict on expenses and manage to save RM 200 each month, at the end of year, I will have RM 2,400 in my 'emergency' account.

That RM 2,400 will be very useful in case you need to pay advance payment for medical purpose (some insurance companies take some time to approve claims), fixing my car sudden break down or anything that I can classified as emergency. Let's say if I don't have to face such emergency situation, I can put the money into investment such as Unit Trust. By doing so, I might have a chance to increase the value of the RM 2,400.

Let's not conclude this as a way to be rich. Take this piece of mind as a motivation to save money for rainy days - or if you're fortunate enough, turn it into a long term investment.

Man, this weekend will see me planning on expenses.

So Grissom leaves CSI...

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Source image : Post-Gazette

and I wonder if Dr Raymond Langston (Laurence Fishburn) will cope with what CSI do..

and for that I quote :

Hodges : This is what we live for (referring to the fiber they found on evidence)

Dr Raymond Langston : *awkward stare*

Dr Grissom departure in his last episode doesn't seem quite pushing him off the limit, like when the episode of Sara Sidle and the Miniature Killer, or when Warrick Brown was killed. Instead, Dr Raymond Langston was seen up tight when he desperately went to see the Dick & Jane Killer (DJK) and tried to fool him to get a closure to solve the past murders. Unfortunately, he's the one got fooled. Grissom won't be so desperate for that. That's why "Think outside the box" was his trademark in CSI : Crime Scene Investigation.

I wonder if with Grissom leaving CSI, will the show last? As far as I concern, Grissom character is stronger than anyone else, including Horatio from CSI : Miami and Mac Taylor of CSI:NY. Well, yeah, H got everyone striked with his cool pose, and unfortunately CSI:NY is not really a favorite when it comes to CSI franchise. I don't know, I guess they're too fashionista, elegant and look simple when it comes to solving crime. It's my opinion, so save your tongue-lashing script to yourself.

Though Grissom departure seen as a big goodbye, but he will come again as a very special guest star in the future. Besides, the other character also have their own strong point. Hodges, Cath, Nick, Greg, Brass and Riley - well, Riley Adams need to prove something before everyone think she is somebody.

Anyway, the last scene was unexpected. Apparently Grissom trekking in Costa Rica jungle and met Sara Sidle. They hug and blow the kiss, and that's the end of it. Honestly, I thought he was there in the jungle looking for insects or other creatures to for collection, only to find out he's looking for Sara.

Sara Sidle was using Fujifilm camera that time - I saw that.

*if were Grissom, I will get a very good sleep at San Diego California hotel. Come on, after years of hardworking, don't you want a good place to sleep where nobody will come and bugging you?

crooked vein

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:23:00 +0000

I woke up this morning with the biggest shock ever - I couldn't move my right palm. From the tip of the fingers to the wrist, I couldn't bend my fingers or twisting it around playing fool of myself in the very morning. I thought it must be a dream but when BabyHana already climbing on my face, I knew it was not a dream.

I tried to pick my nose again - displaying sort of slapstick gesture in resort to prove that I was wrong. Again, it was proven that it was real - and reality hit me right to my face. The biggest shock ever since I spit to the ceiling and it landed on my nose when I woke up after a long-haul sleep some years ago.

Damn I couldn't feel my right palm!

Yes, it's big, long and dark .... hand.

I've been dealing with the pain on my wrist especially on the thumb part since month ago. Or was it months? Couldn't tell. So I went to the clinic, went thru x-ray, blood test and a bit interview with the doctor - they assumed (after the tests) that it was not the bone, I don't have Gout and there's nothing critical there. However, the doctor concerned about the tendon on the area where I felt the pain. In fact, when I'm typing this, I got my bottom lips grinding between my teeth. This is painful than reading super long phenphedrine reviews.

I hope this won't effect my determination to perform in the next week photography competition during the Labuan International Sea Sport Challenge 2009. I already planned few shots already...

Of Indian spirit and one legendary vocalist.

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:39:00 +0000

Went to the Indian Cultural Show last night. The event took place at Plaza Arena, Labuan International Sea Sport Complex.

One thing was on my mind that night. To capture the essence and spirit in Indian traditional dance. Unfortunately, I failed. I was not dissapointed though - the show itself really entertaining. The banghra dance performance was energetic!

But when Dato David Arumugam came on stage singing three hit songs from Alleycats (he's the frontman of Alleycats!) I managed to get this shot!

I think I can say I'm proud of this shot lah. Noisy? Who cares. I don't want to take picture, I captured a spirit - the spirit of legendary Alleycats!

*The watermark was on purpose. I'm tired of people stealing my photos and put it in their blog like they own it.

The Opel is coming back...soon!

noreply@blogger.com (SR215) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:45:00 +0000

The Opel has been missing from my house garage since the mid October 2008. The timing belt snapped off after driving out of about 100 meters from my home. You see, when the timing belt snapped off, the car suddenly turned off, all the meters drop dead to the red line but the radio still on. Gee, of course lah. Ironically, the song playing on that very time was about "finding new love". So the Opel was sulking listening to that song, eh?

Towed the car to my friend house whom is reputable for fixing all Opel in Labuan, it has been 6 months now that I left the car at his home. That's almost like BabyHana age already. So I got the Opel car lifts for that very long time.

The reason it stuck there for a long time is the rare spare parts. Although Holden Australia manufactured the same spec of Opel Vectra to their version of Holden Vectra, still it would be costly to bring in the stuff from Australia to Labuan.Another problem is, no one know where is Labuan.

For the engine alone I've spent around RM 2,500 ++ for parts replacement and polishing. The next thing will be the engine wiring. Though I don't miss that car (really), but it good to have that around. Besides, the 2.0 kicks off like single cam VTEC but Honda is more controllable. Speeding behind the wheel in Opel's is like sitting in a carved watermelon sliding in the roller coaster rail with no brakes and all - you can feel that somehow you're 'flying' in the driver seat.

All in all, what I like about that car is the handling is superb for daily driving (note earlier I said speeding - this car was not meant for speeding aye!) and the suspension system that reacts really good with the tarmac condition.

But the massive headache mainly comes from the cost of repairing. Damn!