Normally, I'd never ever buy a fully built PC for myself (or wife) from anybody - HP, Acer, Apple, Dell, you know. This is probably the second PC I can consider getting other than this HP TouchSmart model that looks quite snazzy. The XPS One doesn't count because it's not available in Malaysia yet. What's not to like? Price is one thing but why can't Dell Malaysia remove all the useless stuff (monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse) because I've got better and sell just the unit? Secondly, it maxes out at 4Gb RAM. Come on, this is 2008, we need 6Gb and 8Gb! Anyways, pricewise, it gets pretty high (I spec'ed mine up to RM4,968 with a 2.5Ghz CPU) so again, I have to pass on it. However, it looks like Dell's waking up a bit and PC manufacturers are begin to make snazzier boxes. The new Latitude E-Series looks good

Had a full weekend with chores, meetings and photography of a certain kind. Anyways, here's one photo I approached it using some tips I picked up from Louis' workshop. Yes, I know it's a tiny pitcher plant but who says wedding photography and macro plant photography are different. In case you're wondering, it's for my brother-in-law's new blog.

Caught in action by my lovely wife

In case you're wondering, that's the Think Tank Modulus System - Pro Speed Belt, Pixel Racing Harness, Speed Changer, Lens Changer 75 and R U Thirsty.

We had tremendous fun just doing this shoot and eating that it felt more like a holiday than a photo shoot. That said, I think we did get some really great shots, the super hot weather not withstanding. There's like so many things that Louis taught during his workshop that I had a tough time trying to remember. I think at least I got the location, lighting and skills bit. The story and the reaction needs work. All in all, this is definitely 5% better, and I can't wait for the next 5%...

From Ordinary to Extraordinary Workshop...

There's nothing ordinary about Louis' workshop. From technical skills to people skills, Louis' heart, passion, love and energy is at such a high level that it will leave you so charged up that the next time you hold your camera to your eye, you'll still hear his voice! You not only see how the maestro works but more importantly, there's no secrets and Louis really opens up all his experience, knowledge and skill for you to tap. You'll find out soon enough that love and passion count more than f-stops and shutter speeds! Probably the only money you spend on Photography that will not lose value!

Tuesday for me felt very much like a Monday since I worked from home on the Monday which was good thing too since there was a massive police cordon around the Parliment area that caused an unprecedented KL-wide gridlock. I drove off to work, leaving my iPod at home so of course I missed my morning worship songs. Never mind that, my iPhone came to the rescue... I hooked up the over-priced iPod cable from my Alpine and was greeted with the following screens. No one called me in the morning anyway so I don't know if the phone will still ring but I'll try it out some day. Kudos to Apple for making the compatibility degrade gracefully -- manufacturers cannot anticipate the future but software should degrade to the common denominator gracefully when future devices show up.

Sunset reflections on the Melaka River

First, the hectic work week and the scramble to find a hotel considering every place was booked out... After that, a nice drive with friends down to Melaka city. Arrive at 1pm, park, walk down Jonker's street to Museum Cafe (or Jonker Dessert 88) and have our delicious Baba & Nyonya Laksa. That was washed down with cold Aik Cheong coffee and durian cendol! That done, we head to our hotel to check in and have a shower and short rest. It was really hot. Finally, we emerge at 4:30pm and drive to the Stadhuys. We climb St. Paul's hill for the first E-Session shoot with Kelly & Chye before wrapping up at about 6:30pm. We then head over to Capitol Satay for the famous Satay Celup! Finding a super long queue, we switch plans and have delicous Oi-chen (fried oyster omelet) and Melaka-style wan-tan mee.

Filling very satisfied and full, we head off to Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker's street) and walk around a bit. After a walk up and down the street, we head back to Capitol Satay and join the much shorter queue. It still took about 45 minutes though and lots of ugly Singaporeans queuing up. Anyways, we have our fill of Satay Celup and it was time to head back to bed!

The next morning, we started early, having a quick breakfast at the hotel cafeteria and reaching Christ's Church at about 8am and started the second E-Session shoot. We finished the shoot around Jonker's street area and it was time for ice-cream. We went to a home-made ice-cream place only to find out that they've gone commercial and no longer made their own ice-cream. That was a pity but feeling all hot and sweaty, cold ice-cream feels really good. Soon, it was time to check-out of the hotel and go back to KL. What trip to Melaka is complete without chicken rice ball? So, on the way out to the highway, we stop by at a small coffee shop serving delicious chicken rice ball. This ain't the tourist thing, this is where the locals frequent. Soon with all that food stuffed into our full belly, we head back home...

This Oi-chen was really top-grade!

How long do we need to wait?

Secret herbs and spices into our Satay Sauce!

Yes, it's just over a month since I got rid of my crappy symbian-sucks-big-time Nokia N80. The 3G iPhone has been released. Yes, I'll be getting one in November. Anyways, for now, the crap Maxis network occasionally hangs my iPhone -- you know it's Maxis cos if you go into Airplane mode (no connection to a RBS - Radio Base Station), the problem goes away. In the meantime, besides all the usual stuff I use on the phone (contacts, etc), my primary other use is for my shoot calendar, currency converter (when buying stuff from US and HK), and of course, my collection of all the super inspiring, super extraordinary photos from the super group of workshop people at the Louis Pang From Ordinary to Extraordinary workshop in Penang. For INSPIRATION, what else?