Well it's coming to the year end

My lasting posting was on 16 October, that more than 2 months ago. Well, the thrill of blogging has left me and I am more on updating my status in Facebook. Many of my friends have migrated to Facebook and along the way I have added a few friends that were linked to my other friends.

Why Facebook?
Well for starter, its easier to update where I can update my status on a real-time basis and my friends would be able to know how am I, how's my mood and other things that I would want to announce. At the same time , my friends can comment on my status.

I have been busy on almost every weekend going out for photo shooting. Its because I have bought myself a new camera, the D300 in September. I have been enjoying the camera very much. My older camera the D70s is still with me and I use it sparingly.

Once the photos are shot, I will do the post production of the photos, meaning some editing and conversion of the shot before I upload it to Facebook and also my Flickr album.

So these two sites (Facebook and Flickr) have been keeping me occupied where I have almost stopped blogging.

SInce the year is ending soon (and also my feeling of guilt on not updating my blog), I decided to write some thoughts here before the year 2008 comes to an end.

For starter, the sudden change in the world economic climate and the clear signs of recession all over the world especially in the US and Europe it has did some changed to my work. Projects started to be kept on hold, budget slashed, travelling overseas were slashed, and worst off.. another restructing in my group. Well I do not want to dwell too much into the restructing because it would be a long story and it would confused you. In the nut shell, the team that I lead will be reporting to some where and some one else. In a span of 2 years, I have changed my reporting line twice and the next change will be 2009.

Bonus payment for next year is in doubt of out of the question and the same goes for salary increment. I felt that this is unfair because the organisation has been doing well for the first half of 2008 and it was only in the 3rd quatter where the economic crisis emerged. I think that the organisation is jumping on the bandwagon like the rest of the other banks of the world in slashing down the benefits, salary and maybe also retrechment of staff. Time for them to weed out the non performers and put in cheaper fresh staff.

Well, I will be keeping my head out high on the look out for opportunity if the situation in my organisation does not favour me. For those who are reading this blog, please assist to inform me should there be a vacancy that is attractive and would suit me. My e-mail is listed in my profile.

Shares prices in the KL Stock Exhange has tumbled more than 30%, it does not help much in the equity value of the shares and mutual funds that I am holding.

On the happier side.. Christmas is coming in a few days time.. but the Chinese New Year would be celebrate in another one month's time. It's the time that I find it not so enjoyable where more fund is required to buy new cloths for the children, more funds need to buy Chinese New Year stuff and most of all.. more funds need to put into the Hong Pow.

Well, I beleive that what goes up will come down and now we are on the down side. The climbing up would not be in 2009 but hopefully things would recover and look brighther by 2010.

In the mean time, I would still have to work and survive to ensure that my debts are paid and the welfare of my children and my family are taken care of.

It's a bad note to end the year 2008 but in the end I would still have to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Wonderful view from Lookout Point

Ever have the chance to see how the night aerial view of Kuala Lumpur looks like? Well you can do that by taking a plane or a helicopter. But there is a easier and cheaper way to do that. Head on to Lookout Point.

Lookout point is located in between Ampang and Hulu Langat area right on top on some hills. There is a purpose built platform and also three restaurants there to entertain the people with the view of Kuala Lumpur while they chit chat, dine and drink.

Well I have seen some photos taken of the place and have wanted to go there. My children and I decided to head on to Lookout Point. I drove to Batu 9 Cheras taking the Hulu Langat way and making a right turn towards Ampang before I reach Lookout Point. You will not miss the place because it was a Saturday and there were so many cars parked at the foothills. We have to park our car quite a distance from the road leading up the hill.

Reaching there, we head on to the look out platform where I mounted my camera on my tripod to shoot the spectacular night view of Kuala Lumpur. We can see the stretch from PJ to Ampang and in the middle the KL Tower and KLCC were the prominent buildings.

Well here are some shots of it plus a panorama stich of 4 photos to cover the view which we can actually see from end to end.

To see larger size of the photos, please visit my Flickr album.

A panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur which is stitched from 4 photos. Click on it to see a larger view. I like this panorama view so much that I have made it my blog banner.

It's already October

I feel that the trend of posting in blog has eroded in me. I did a comparison of the number of posting I did this year and that of last year.. well its very obvious.. I have not been writing as often as I did last year.

My attention of writing in my blog has shifted to posting of photos in my Flickr album. That means my interest has changed from writing blogs to photo editing and posting. As they say, a picture paints a thousand words so its easier for me to shoot my photos that to write more words.

My Year Book Photos

I managed to stumble upon some pictures posted by some friends on Facebook. The photos were images of their face in their school year book looks ranging from 1950 to 2000. I thought I also have a try at the site www.yearbookyourself.com and here are the results:







I had a nice laugh at the photos done. If you want to see each picture individually, head on to my Flickr Album.

MIFC Finale - 29 August 2008

I would like apologize that it took longer to post these photos that I shot during the Malaysian International Fire Works finale which was on 29 August 2008. Actually, all the shots are already been uploaded to my Flickr site and I have chosen some to be placed here for those who do not visit my Flickr album.

How engage are you to your company?

Today I made a phone call to my former colleague to discuss about some happenings. He then said "Hey write something in your blog lah.. it has been along time since I am able to read your posting". I told him that I did not have much to write about nowadays other than posting some photos which I shot and want to share it with them. I told him I do not want to write anything about politics or else I will end up being sued or even worse remand for sedition or write nonsense.
"Write something lah, maybe something that we have chat about today. I really would love to read your posting in your blog" he said.

OK, ok, since he has requested I would like to write that we have chat about today.

Today I called him to talk about the sudden resignation of 4 persons. These 4 persons tendered their resignation within 24 hours and have moved on to another organization. From my sources, the four of them are joining the new organization which have been granted to set up a new commercial bank in Cambodia. The license to operate the commercial bank was granted in late April and the condition is that the bank is to commence on or before 31 October 2008. That's six months from the date the banking license was granted.

These 4 persons who had tendered their resignation have been with the bank for more than 20 years each (except for one of them).

I looked back from the day I left my former organization, there have been numerous people who had served the organization for a long time have left and joined other organization. Like me, some of them had served the company for more than 20 years, still they would leave to seek greener pasture. For better or worse, they would be happy in their new organization currently, just like me.

On the other hand, there have been many who have promotions. Those who choose to stay do get promoted maybe due to their work performance or...I better not say anything or else some people might get offended (the consequences may be worse than being sued).

In my current organization, we have an annual survey that we need to do. It's called the Q12. It is a set of 12 questions that was invented by The Gallup Organization (a famous consulting company) after their study of why successful people work in successful companies. The Q12 is a measurement of how engage a staff is to the company. See the word "engage".

Basically, the 12 questions are based on the basic of principles of management which is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The respondent (in this case the employee) will make from a rank of 1 to 5 which is from strongly disagree to strong agree to the following questions:

1. I know what is expected of me at work.
   
   
2. I have the material and equipment I need to do my job right.
   
   
3. At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do do best every day.
   
   
4. In the past seven days, I have received recognition or praise for doing good job.
   
   
5. My superior, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person.
   
   
6. There is someone at work who encourages my development.
   
   
7. At work, my opinion seems to count.
   
   
8. The mission or purpose of my company makes me feel my job is important.
   
   
9. My associates, or fellow employees are committed to do quality work.
   
   
10. I have a best friend at work.
    
    
11. In the past six months, someone at work has talked to me to me about my progress.
    
    
12. This last year, I have had the opportunities at work to learn and grow.
    

Compare the above question to the diagram of Maslow's Hierarchy of Need below and you could relate each question to each level of the hierarchy.
You can read more of Q12 by Gallup by clicking on this link.

The result of the survey links up from the employee to their respective superior or supervisor and ultimately to the organization. The survey provide vital information on how "engage" an employee is and at the same time for the employer to take the appropriate action to improve on any laxity in its policies or benefits to ensure that the staff are well taken care of.

However, some dis grunted employee may use the survey to "get back" at their superior or supervisor.

I would stop here to let you ponder on the above.
Please do write your comments about this posting.

Malaysian International Fireworks Competition 2008

The Malaysia International Fireworks Competition 2008 is back again. This the second year that this event is held. The first event started last Thursday with the host nation being the first competitor. Last year, I attended all the events but this year I was hesitant to attend the event after having learned a bitter lesson of being caught in the traffic jam for more than 3 hours after the event. Another reason is that it was held on a week day where I need to get out from my office early to head to Putrajaya where the event was held.

After reading discussion forum from the members of a photography site, where it was mentioned that there traffic condition has since been much improved, I decided to head for the event on Saturday where Team China was in line for the competition. My children did not want to follow me because I would leave my house at 5.00 p.m. to get a nice spot to put up my gears to shoot the event.

So I drove off from my house and reached Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC). At the entrance I was directed to head to the public car park where there are coached there to ferry the public to PICC. I parked my car at the carpark and there were already more than 5 coches on stand-by to ferry the attendeess to PICC.

I hoped on the bus and off I go to PICC. I was very early but there are people who are earlier than me. Tripods have been placed at the balcony area aiming towards the fireworks set-off site. I managed to make friends with a few of the photographers who were like me being early there to shoot the event.

Initially the event was scheduled for 9.30 p.m. ut I was informed that the event has been pushed to 10.00 p.m.. That means I have to wait for 4 hours before I can start to shoot the event. That does not bother me because time flies fast where more and more people arrived and were standing behind me.

The competition started right on the dot at 10.00 p.m. and the fireworks ended within 20 minutes. Immediately when the competition was over, I packed my gear and hop on to the coach which was already waiting and was ferried back to the public parking area. There were so many cars and the roads were packed jam with them.

This time around I was impressed. The traffic managed to move smoothly out of Putrajaya to Kuala Lumpur and I managed to return home before midnight.

The next even will be on 20 August by Team Canada.. I am still undecided where to go or not.

Here are some of the shots and more are available in my Flickr Album and also my Facebook.

Meeting up with old friends

My former colleagues from my former company were all down in Kuala Lumpur to attend their bi-annual management seminar. I had the opportunity to meet up with them and also had dinner and some drinking (fruit juice) session with them

I felt happy that I am still remembered by them especially when they were from outstation like JB, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak. That goes to show that the relationship and friendship that has been fostered with throught my years with them in my former organization has been appreciated.

Hopefully, this gathering can go on for the next few year. I know that as times goes by many of them would not remember which would be the natural course of life!!

Shooting at fashion shows over the week end

I managed to shoot three events over the the weekend.

On Saturday I was at Berjaya Times Square where the Fashion Fusion event was held. It started out with the presentation of the hair and make-up by the students pf APT Professional Team. The contestants were all dress and make up like .. how should I put it.. OUT OF THIS WORLD.. design and colours!! Here are some of the shots.






Then, I hop over to Sungai Wang where a more interesting event was happening. Its the Sloggi ( you know what is Sloggi?) Art of Humanity event was held. It's a body paint compettion where the model would wear a bra by Sloggi but their body are painted by the contestant from various graphic designer schools like One Academy and even TAR college. The event drew many people.. what else is new when you can get to see models walking around in their bra for free. Here are some juicy shots.





Today, I went to Berjaya Times Square again to attend the second fashion show of the day which starts at 4.00 p.m. The fashion show was done by Sembonia, makes of ladies handbags. Here are some shots for viewing.







More photos can be view from my Flickr Album.

08.08.08

Today marks another historical day, the eight day of the eighth month of the eighth year of the 21st century or simply 08.08.08.

Not only we have have reached to such a lovely date of the year, eight has been regarded as a Chinese auspicious number, which means prosperous.

Today also marks the start of the summer Olympics in Beiing. As I am writing this posting, I am watching the opening ceremony being shown live over the TV. The opening ceremony at the "Bird Nest" stadium starts also at 8.00 p.m. Beijing time.

Macro shoot out

For the past week I have been impressed by the macro photos taken by the members in a photography forum group. Objects, plants, flowers and insects shot in macro looks lovely. At the same time it takes good patience and techniques to be able to get a good macro shot.

I was interested in taking some macro shots since it would be a great thing to venture into apart from my usual events and casual photography (and also my current passion - HDR). The only thing stopping me to start macro shooting is to get a macro lens. A good macro lens will set me back at least Rm1,500.00 and I am currently not in a spending mood. I came to know that some of the forum members used a macro attachment made by a Japanese company called Raynox and the macro attachment used is a DCR250. I managed to come across a posting selling a used unit for RM200.00 but by the time I managed to contact the seller, he told me that the unit has been booked.

Only Saturday morning I managed to find another forum member who is selling the attachment, new unit. I SMS him to check out the price and his quotation was RM260.00 where I find the price reasonable (ShaShinki is selling the unit for RM280.00). We met up at USJ and I bought the unit from him.

Reached home, I quickly attach the unit on to my lens to experiment it by shooting the plants at my house. My son was also interested in what I was doing and he also got hooked in shooting the stuff around the garden using the macro attachment.

Today (Sunday) we decided to try some macro shooting at the Butterfly park. Before that we were to the National Monument because I have never taken my son there (12 years since he was born). He was curious how the National Monument looks like. Took some shots of the monument and then we took some macro shot of the flowers at the surrounding areas of the National Monument. The shots are posted below while the bigger versions of the shots can be seen at my photo blog and also at my Flickr Album.











The we drove over to the Butterfly park. There was already some foreign tourist lining up to get their entrance tickets. I looked at the price listing and I was shocked by the cost the of the entrance ticket - Adult RM18.00 Child below 12 years -RM8.00. It will cost me a total of RM27-00 (RM1-00 for my camera) for entrance fee. I felt that the price is too expensive and I told my son, we will not go in today. Wait till me have enough practice using the macro attachment before we go back there.

We then went back home to process the photos that we have taken.

PC Fair is in town again

I still do not understand why people flock to PC Fairs to buy their computer stuff. I went to the P Fair at KLCC yesterday. It was not my plan to go there but my daughter has requested me to go there. I said Ok provided we go there by using the LRT. So off we go, my daughter, my son and I.

Guess what? There were so many people at the LRT station at Tasik Selatan were waiting at the station. Then we got off at Masjid Jamek, another surprise, the train was packed with people. Those embarking are carrying plastic bags with big boxes inside and some even came with their shopping trolley where they have bought desktop computers and printers/scanners. Once we reached the KLCC station and got out.. there were long streams of people walking to and from the Suria, KLCC to the station. It was not only people coming for the PC Fair but also people coming in for the Mega Sales especially many people are going to Isetan where there were lots of bargains!!

OK, I can understand the number of people at Suria KLCC. Then we have to walk to the Convention Center where the PC Fair was.. that again another long stream of people. People and people everywhere and we ended on Level 5 where all the "bargains" were located.

My daughter bought the M2 memory card to be placed in her handphone. The phone only came with a 128MB card and she wanted a bigger card to store her photos, music and other stuff. Me? well I bought a wireless mouse. I just got a new docking station for my notebook in office and USD ports are located on the left side where I am a right hander. The handling of the mouse to my notebook is not to comfortable so I opted to get a wireless mouse while the current wired mouse would be passed to my daughter's use.

Guess what? I bought a Logitech V450 Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for RM138 which would cost the same if I would should buy it at Low Yat on a non PC Fair day. I was not surprised!!

Here a picture of the mouse:I like the mouse, it's very sensitive, nicely sculptured and ergonomically friendly.. cut the jazz.. I like it because I wasted my effort, time, sweat and RM138 to get it!!

New Photo Blog

I have just created a new Photo Blog called "Caesda Photos". This blog will be used to feature all my favorite photos which I have shot in large format. The photos are also available at my Flickr Album but you will need to click on the large image to see the details of the photos.

I hope you would enjoy the my new blog. Click here to navigate to the new blog.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography

The image of my blog header is a picture of the scenery of Sam Rai Yot in HDR mode. HDR or High Dynamic Range imaging is a form of photography which is a technique that allows greater dynamic range of exposures between light and dark area of a photograph. The intention of the technique is to represent the wide ranges of intensity of an image during a shot.

I have been enjoying myself taking HDR images when I first learn about it. HDR imgaes can easily be done by using a DSLR with bracketing functions. Three or more continous shots of different intensity is done. Using the sofwares of Photomatix and Photoshop, the three shots are combined to form the HDR images. The result of the combination is that the colour ranges of the shot are really "blown out". The photo can be views as though it is shot in a 3-D mode. Here are some examples of HDR shots that have been done by me.


1. Ferris-Wheel HDR, 2. PICC HDR, 3. Hawker Association Building HDR, 4. The Bund - HDR, 5. The Clock Tower, 6. Seri Wawasan, 7. Seri Saujana, 8. Thean-Hou_5 - Phoenix 1, 9. Thean-Hou_5 - Dragon 2, 10. Thean-Hou_4 - Dragon 1, 11. Thean-Hou_3, 12. Thean-Hou_2, 13. Thean-Hou_1, 14. Glow of the Egyptian Call, 15. SH_HDR_001, 16. SH_HDR_001, 17. SH_HDR_002, 18. SH_HDR_003, 19. SH_HDR_004, 20. SH_HDR_006, 21. SH_HDR_007, 22. SH_HDR_008, 23. SH_HDR_009, 24. SH_HDR_010, 25. SH_HDR_012, 26. PDG_HRD_001, 27. PDG_HRD_002, 28. PDG_HRD_003, 29. PDG_HRD_005, 30. PDG_HRD_006, 31. PDG_HRD_004_1, 32. Kemanan HDR, 33. Shells HDR, 34. Temenggong Lake HDR_1, 35. Temenggong Lake HDR_2, 36. Phoenix_HDR

Layout changes

Time for a renovation of the layout of my blog. The previous layout has since been introduced since a year a go.

This time around I have changed the image of the header to the scenery of Sam Roi Yot which I shot during my trip to Thailand in December 2007. Some font and background colour changes.

Hope you like it!!

Best wishes!!

Just want to add some photos of the lovely bride:

The Wedding of Demudu and Shim Yew Moi

On 7 July, I got a mail from Shim, who was my former colleague/staff in Public Bank attaching with three image files. The e-mails reads:

"Boss Boss……. ; ) ooops…..am getting married! Sent u an e-card, if you prefer to receive by hand, let me know k! Come n snap photos ler"

This is the first time that I have seen her in other dressing other than in a pair of pants

I was surprised when I opened up the attached to find out that the bridegroom if also one of my former colleague/staff Demudu. Why did I say surprise? I did not know that they were dating each other previously because I have not seen them together. At the same time, both their characters are different. Anyway, I am happy that they both have found each other, went through the courtship period and now its time to get married.

The wedding was held at the Sri Moogambigai Temple which was the temple which was "saved" from demolition with the developement of the Mid-Valley Shopping Complex. The temple was tucked away just outside the complex and is very popular with the local Indians.

Many of my former colleagues were invited to attend the wedding ceremony and I am happy to be able to meet up with them and chat with them. Most of my time spent at the cewremony was snapping away photos with my camera. At the end of the 2 hours ceremony, I have shot over 400 shoots.

All the photos are available for viewing at my Picasa Web Album(389 images) - just clik on the link or at my Flickr Album.

The lovely bride

Well I want to thank both Demudu and Shim who have invited me for their wedding ceremony and dinner.

Wishing both of you all the happiness as a new couple!!!