Projek "Merdeka" Runway

No, no, it is not hosted by RPK and the models are not our PM, DPM and DPM to be. These are 'models' who are passionate about erm, modeling?

Ok, jokes aside, we came across this one event held on the eve of Merdeka Day at The Amcorp Mall (National Day). Boy, talked about luck! As soon as I've dislodged my current lens and replaced it with the brand new one I've just acquired, I've I started shooting.Quite exhilarating and I love how poise these gals were. And, very pretty, too.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you "Projek Merdeka Runway"!

"Models" gossiping.


My favorite - innovative, couture-resque, & she is very "versatile" LOL.



Favorite. She ought to win the "Ms Congeniality" award cos she is very smiley face and friendliest with the crowd!



She is like "Little Ms Audrey Hepburn". So adorable!



"Ok mister...stop looking at my HIBISCUS!"



She is tiny. So tiny one can crush her easily yet she was very professional LOL


Ms Congeniality working the crowd!





The Carrie Bradshaw look.


Empress Dowager

Selamat Hari Merdeka!

Eat, Pray, Love

When my friend text me that petrol price will be increased yesterday, I didn't think much of it much less prepared for the absolute effect it will have on people's lives. Like, instantaneously.

I didn't think of immediately leaving office to queue at the petrol station to just fill up my half empty tank. I didn't think of the vicious cycle it will have to all the other costs directly or indirectly related to crude oil. I didn't think that to drink a cup of my favorite brew from the local (but a tad overrated, I must admit) coffee joint will become a luxury of yesterday. Literally. I didn't think that it will have an adverse effect to my live. Like, at all!

O.k. I may have been a little O.R (over-reacted) but really, I didn't think that much cos there was work. And, so I left the office at a little after 8.00pm thinking that yes, I could get on the road with as little "peak hours" traffic as possible. Prior to leaving the office, I received two missed calls from K. I returned his call.

K: "Hey what's up."

Me: "I'm queuing for petrol."

He let out a laugh I thought it was quite funny, too. Kinda like a hyena in heat laugh.

K: "I called earlier to tell you that."

Me: "But, how much? You know?"

K: "I think by 75 cents to a ringgit."

Me: "Fucking one ringgit per fucking litre? That's crazy!"

He laughed again. Tho' I seriously didnt think it was funny and I do not want to be a bitch.

K: "So. You are really in the petrol station?"

Duh.

"Yes, and I'm using my mobile while talking to you cos I am planning a suicide here."

What happened after I put down the phone and drove out to Jalan Bukit Bintang was not laughing matter. I had to detour a few routes, changed a few CDs, honked a damn lot, chewed a lot of gums, and finally reached home. A total of 1 hr 45 minutes.

Why?

Petrol hike. Yes. The entire Klang Valley was out to go to their nearest even if not their favoritest petrol kiosk to fill up. It was far out - quite like watching "The Day After Tomorrow". Our "beloved" Prime Minister said we can't subsidised for the dear "rakyat" anymore, hence, we (the beloved govt) should kill all of us. Sloooooooooowly. Especially the low income to mid income families or individuals. He also said not to worry because if you are driving a car that is 2000 cc and below, you get a yearly rebate of RM650 per annum.

Right, that is real joy. We should toast but using plain water with ice.

J just text me she was happy with her new job and said she wants to finish off her book, "Eat, Pray and Love" before she knocks off.

Yes, that is exactly what all of us here needs now. I told her.

Food, food & glorious food!

Not a post to review on food (merely stating my opinions) but a post to post some of the photos I've shot using my bokeh lens (and my 18-55mm). Most shot over 2 weekends.

"Bachang Kunyit" from K3k cafe at SS15, Subang Jaya. Of all the "bachangs", I love these the most cos it is less oily and simple comfort food. Love how they served it here until they stopped me from taking photos of the food and the cafe. Bummed out.

"Roti Jala" translated, net bread. Quite self-explanatory but one fact that you may find it interesting is that I've never, ever tried "Roti Jala" in my life. Served piping hot either with ayam rendang or beef rendang. Love the concept but not the ayam rendang (by K3K)

DU Cafe, which really is not a cafe but a restaurant complete with many, many hawker stalls. We love this place simply cos almost all the stalls served pretty good food.

...and rubbish, too.

...and delicious "Orr Chien" aka fried oysters. The chili sauce is super!

Ahhh... how can without Bak Kut Teh :)

Home cooked food! Glorious home cooked food prepared with a lot of passion *thank you* by chef ad :) I swear it can be served to the public (soon)

Nice looking brownies huh? Sadly, it was way to sweet for me to truly enjoy it. And, the decor of the place is shockingly bad (Zen cafe by Secret recipe)

Tomato noodles. Some find it strange, others find it delicious. To each his own :)
(hawker stall at Taman Megah opp. Ming Tien)

We all need a bit of fresh air after the satisfying (& smelly experience) meal


ps: shout out to mr. bt - hang in there dude. we miss u too.

Of hairy issue and public humiliation

The day has arrived. I will never be able to look at Gillian Hung, Cheong Pak Chi (CPC) and Edison Chen the same way I look at them before - not that I am a huge fan of any of them. On the contrary, I've never like the Twin gals because their music appeals only to people with hearing impairment, nor am I a great fan of Edison Chen, both in acting and singing (what singing?). As for CPC, I always knew there is a hidden talent to that coarse voice and "kuaci" face actress.

The day I found out about the news on Edison Chen and his now infamous collection of "obscene" pictures of him and other famous HK actresses/singers/models/etc, it was on the eve of CNY. Yes, I am at least 2 weeks behind. It is painful to see them. I seriously feel sorry for the girls. Especially that they are Asian and Chinese.

When I heard the news, whom my brother was sooooo willingly wanting to show me the pictures and shared the news to every single person that walks into the house (except the kids of course), I listened with a bit of skepticism. My brother is well-known for yeah, rumor mongering. So, I couldn't care less tho' I must admit I was a tad curious about my brother mentioning EC's mini-size erm, pencil-dick.

Many days later, a friend brought the topic back and decided to show us the pictures (I swear I did not even google it; funny ain't it esp. for a person who is always curious about stuff). The first picture shocked me. And the rest .... Hairy, cock, come hither..... slutty poses, pant pant pant. Oh boy... It gets more interesting. I was blown away (no pun people) and these pictures are razor sharp. I wonder how many MP is his camera. No, no not his "pinky brother"! LOL Oh boy, i get a kick out of this.

Today on the news is that they triad members in HK and South East Asia are offering anyone who could bring EC's hand to them for I heard, half a million HK dollars? Poor boy. Let's hope they don't take away his pencil-dick.

Yesterday, I took a train (LRT) downtown to visit a temple in Petaling Street. I've always like Petaling Street since young. I've used to take up tuition at Kasturi which was seriously THE tuition centre back then to go for "help" for SPM and STPM alike. Of cos, I also like the fact that after classes, I get to go Kota Raya and hang out at the arcades :P

What I saw yesterday @ PS was quite sad state - foreigners manning almost 80% of all the stores. I do not think it is cos the "taukeh" has gone for their CNY annual leaves. I think it is cos they figured hiring a foreigner is better than they man it themselves. So sad.

So, nothing is interesting except ... nothing? It's simply humiliating that the locals have to succumb to hiring foreigners to man their stall - what would the tourists think? Confuse, perhaps. This happened too to local hawker food stalls or restaurants. I simply do not order food prepare by foreign workers. Period.

But, thankfully, I had some joy from the train ride, really. I get to see the different architecture of buildings, houses i.e. some back dated to the 60s (If I've got a lot of money, I would buy these houses with manicured lawns and retain the exterior facade hehe), squatters and ugly buildings.

Happy Merdeka?

12 more hours before we could declare ‘Merdeka!’ once more. We, as many of us Malaysian have already known, will be celebrating our 50th Independence Day tomorrow. They have been numerous countdowns, banners, buntings, TV ads singing the same tune about harmony, racial integrity all over the country. Some taxi had more than 10 little flags stuck to its vehicle zig zagging across the city – quite fugly if you asked me but for patriotism, I give him 10 for effort.

Just 4 (or was it 5?) years ago, these little flags were hugely popular throughout the country when it was first introduced. Everybody wants to have a Malaysia flag on their car be it a Kancil, BMWs or even the school buses. I remembered when my brother bought one for his car and I was darn helpful to stick it right for him on his car - I may not agree with the aesthetic aspect of it, but I still did it cos at that time, I was (still) quite patriotic. No, I did not stick any on my car – needless to state the obvious.

That was then.

Presently, the word Patriotism conjures up a mixture of emotions that I can’t put it into words. Don’t get me wrong, I love Malaysia for the different culture (don't forget I love photography), the food, the beautiful country side and beaches (Port Dickson is a different story lah), Manglish, and the pirated DVDs. It is just that over the years, this country, our country, is moving backwards than it is forward. The hypocrisy, the contradictions, the lies, the corruptions! I was browsing the internet and I found these articles by Reuters and Channel News Asia on Malaysia celebrating its 50th Birthday.

At age 50, Malaysia questions its Identity - Channel News Asia

Fifty years on, race, religion still haunt Malaysia - Reuters

Insightful articles on Malaysia today and the increasing racial tension amongst fellow Malaysians. Interesting read.

The other article, or magazine, that every photo-enthusiasts and fellow Malaysians should check out is the latest issue of Off The Edge. Great pictures by Paul Radd (I hope I got his name correct) which tells a poignant story of each individual featured on the picture and how these ordinary people represents Malaysia.

So. Am I joining the rest of the fellow Malaysians at the supposedly fanciest party in Putrajaya or Dataran Merdeka for the countdown? Nah. I’d rather sweat it out in the gym and reminisce with my friends at the Mamak the days where we miss much about our Country.

Happy Merdeka, Malaysia.

Bandar Melaka

What do one do when they're bored in KL during CNY? Go outstation! We drove to Malacca and spent 6 hrs of fun (ok, not THAT fun, but it was nice) there. Food sucks, tho'.

{Top - Bottom} 1) Melaka in 6 hours. 2) Retro digital clocks - I really dig these retro clocks that my dad used to own. This shop collects anything and everything from F&N orange glass bottle to rusty tiffins. I suppose he believes that another person's trash is another person's treasure. Whatever, I dig it. 3) Chairs 4) Same chairs different spot. Captured this in a hotel or motel which occupied two shops in Jonker st. I love the 'trash' they used in the shop...Stark. 5) Me and the wishing well 6) The hotel/motel 'lobby' 7) BS chickin rice stall in Jonker st. It sucks. 8) BS chickin rice balls...they sucked. 9) Ad. He looks like he is in Cuba or something. 10) Kung Fu Hustle circa 1974. 11) Uncle selling CNY goodies. 12) Me selling muachis :p 13) Window to Ad 14) Lantern 15) God of Door. Fierrce. 16) Red bow 17) The shadows from the sunlight that cast on the wall & floor made this a great spot for picture.