camera, again

Why is it that Nikon J1, J2, V1 10MP MFT, are so expensive? Goodness gracious. V2 is even worse.. more than 1.2K for single lens kit.

Recently, Nikon launched J3 (14MP).. bet the price would be more than 1.2K as well. Sigh. Nikon 1 Nikkor 18.5mm f/1.8 lens looks good too. Double sigh...

snacks

Got this from my AIA insurance agent. Thanks BK!

royce choco coated potato chip

supposed to look like that

Surprised to see another bag inside the box.

it's in the bag

there, potato chip choco

Not quite the taste that I'd imagine. Think we're too accustomed to wickedly salty potato chips, so this came across, as very very mild in terms of taste.

interesting experience

Now I know how fainting feels like.

First few signs of trouble. That nauseous woozy feeling, when you know something is not quite right.
Then, the hearing senses diminished. Everything sound more muffled and muted, and less loud. The senses had dulled down a few notches.

At the same time, the sight became grayed. Wondering like where has all the technicolor gone to? Then, it's also like there were many tiny black dots superimposed on everything that you see. Like a tv set gone cuckoo.

Then, everything of the above will seem to come at you, together at the same time. Now, the slightest sound begins to irritate and you'd wish the world to just be quiet. Resisted at first, trying to blink a few times to keep the head clear. But it was hard, and was already breaking out in cold sweat. Then, the eyelids started to feel real heavy, and was thinking that maybe, if I'd just close my eyes and rest abit, then I'll feel better.

Well, it really felt better after I closed my eyes for a while. But the next thing I knew, I was squatting on the floor. Wondering why and how did my bag landed near somewhere else's feet? Was baffled for a few seconds, at the look of concern that a lady near me was giving. She wanted to help me pick up my bag, but I was faster than her. Hahaa!

Lucky for me, I was travelling with a friend. My friend said I was out for about 20 seconds thereabouts. To me, it felt just a short while, like maybe less than 5 seconds, from the moment the eyes were closed to the next moment where I realised I was on the floor.

Pretty interesting experience. Am glad I didn't squash anyone or hit myself or something. Am getting too old for these kind of stuffs!

pour qui

clouds, reflected

It is as though
One day I woke up
Only to realize
That there is nothing
I am nothing

No extraordinary talent to talk about
No career to speak of
No skill that I can depend on
Nothing

Has the world expanded
Or has mine shrunk?

Everyone is moving, full of vigour
I am still, static

Change! Everyone say
Change, I know

Do something, do anything
Just do

Optimism, Confidence
Somewhere along the way
I've lost them

which one?

Been looking at cameras lately. The existing powershot is about 3+ years old, and serves it purpose (at least for macro that I love!) but falls very short when it's low light, and can't seem to focus on more than one person's face in a group picture.

Was thinking of getting another powershot (s110 or G15), but these are priced at $599 and $699. Expensive compact cameras! S110 is exactly the same as S100, just with the additional wifi which I suspect, is one feature that I won't use since it'll drain the battery like crazy. The design of the G15 is much nicer (better grip) but it is expensive because with another $200, one could get an APS-C sensor system camera.

Currently, GF2 (with twin lens kit) is selling for just $449 at Alan Photo. Imagine owning a system camera for that price. Sounds very tempting. But GF2 has its problem with JPEG images. Of course, it has newer GF3 and GF5 (around $899).

Hmm, system camera or compact still?

Or, don't get any...

so, that's how it is

Was at Star Vista yesterday to find NeNe Chicken (a fried chicken chain from Korea) to try their "Freaking Hot". Found it alright but the shop was small, warm and there were lots of zombie like faces in the store. Didn't know why, till I realized that the waiting time was about 20 minutes. The guy that walked up to get his order, had on a frustrated face. That gave me second thoughts about ordering. The shop wasn't even like full, but those five out of six that were in there, have yet to get their food. The slightly bickering 'chefs' (actually the guys that fries up the order) didn't help much. There was a small opening where one could peep into the kitchen. Hahaa, probably these were the stuffs that social media (albeit those invited for tastings) didn't get to see.

So, that's how it is.

Then, went to another shop that sells burger. Looks quite nice, their logo and stuffs. Bigger shop. Think it's called Triple-Out or something. Glanced through the menu and the original burger was near ten bucks so thought I'd get that to try. But service was also slow, and then I realised someone had ordered takeaway as there were many paperbags of stuffs lying on the counter with the staff trying to sort it out. Hmm. Out the door I went.

So, that's how it is.


Ended up without getting anything from Star Vista. It's funny how I always didn't manage to get out from the same entrance. Second visit and it's the same. The building's layout is confusing to me.

brioche, je t'aime~

Brioche is my current fav. for a bread. It's soft, fluffy, buttery and tasty. It is said to be of French origin and high in eggs and butter. All the sinful stuff!

plain 'ol round brioche

all the eggs and butter went in here

with jam and emmental cheese

Got it from Tiong Bahru Bakery, and I think they have a loaf version, as well as chocolate and sugar brioches.

peculiar dream

This dream happened probably two days back, or so. In it, I was going to have lunch with my ex-housemate, Danny. Then, we went to this place that needa go up a rickety stairs and to something like a balcony, just that it is still covered (with four walls and stuff). Then, this space was very narrow and there were other people there as well. All have solemn look on their face.

The staff asked everyone to sit in a row (side by side, no face to face). Of course, I remembered feeling puzzled but everyone seemed to know what they were doing, so I followed suit. Then the staff said, "At times, you may hear creaking sound and the floor may start to shift. If that happens, remain calm and move slightly to balance."

Eh?? Then, immediately after that, the floor became shaky and the whole place was like going to fall apart slowly. Although it was a dream, it felt like a dangerous place, where one is waiting for disaster to happen.

Strange and peculiar. Wonder what's in the subconscious that brought this about. Hmmm.

A-YO GG!

Girls' Generation latest Korean album launched Jan 2013, "I Got A Boy".




Quite infectious after a while. "Oh oh oh e-o oh~ Oh oh e-oOo~" "I got a boy meotjin! I got a boy chakhan! I got a boy handsome boy nae mam da kajyeogan~"

At first, I thought they were singing, "I got a boy watching, I got a boy checkout!" Hahahaha! Turns out, it's a mixture of language. Orhhh!

it was better in my head

Saw tuna steaks (@$6.95) in NTUC Bukit Timah, so had an idea to do pan seared tuna. Grabbed a tube of wasabi, a small bottle of olive oil and a bottle of cracked peppercorns.

for marinade

So, the marinade was pretty Asian styled. Soy sauce (found out I only had dark sauce at home, so used the Sukiyaki sauce instead) and sesame oil. Sprinkle some peppercorns on the fish also.

Let the thawed fish steaks sit in the marinade for one hour, and to flip it to its other side every half hour.

marination in process

Then drain off the marinade and set aside. Coat the steaks with olive oil and heat the pan. Seared it quickly on each sides, leaving the middle still pink. But, I guess I was over ambitious 'coz I had all three steaks in the pan at the same time and as a result, some are overcooked. Partly 'coz its irregular sized.

For sauce, squeeze some wasabi into the leftover marinade and here's where I think I got it wrong...the sauce was heated up in the pan but the wasabi didn't dissolve.. instead, it became sort of clumpy in the liquid. Faints. Hahaha!

seared tuna tataki, with awful looking presentation

Anyway, the fish was edible and ate my quota of vegetable for the day. It's a healthy meal! (I think...) Couldn't finish three steaks, so kept one in the fridge. Had it for lunch the next day, and I think it tasted better when chilled. Just dab it with some wasabi and that's it. Not bad.

Then, had the idea to do a breakfast dish. Sausages, eggs, baked beans and bread. Sounds good?

big breakfast (would've been prettier if I'd have added sauteed mushrooms and a slice of tomato)

The scrambled eggs were supposed to be fluffy and creamy, but it wasn't. Dang.

not fluffy eggs

I think I'd prefer frankfurters as compared to bratwurst. Cheesy bratwurst just taste so wrong.

Imagining these recipes in my head was so much better than when it's actually cooked. Hahaa, cooking #101, failed. Nevertheless, it was edible and stomachable. Hahaha!

All the ingredients for the above were from the NTUC vouchers that I got for Christmas exchange. Thanks for your generosity, my friend!

in retrospect

A year has passed without any major mishap. Grateful that family are in good health. Thankful to have good friends around. Happy that everyone is doing well.

On the personal front, it has been uninspiring. Experienced a whole load of negative feelings and there are still some that couldn't be shaken off, yet.

Is life as I imagined it to be? I don't know man. I really don't know. When I was younger, there wasn't much thought put in as to what life was going to be. Have always thought that somehow, it'll just straighten itself and everything will work out. Doesn't seemed like that now.

Sounds like a downer, right? What a vicious cycle.

It'd be interesting to see how 2013 will turn out to be. But that will also depends, on how I'll make it to be. Reality is seriously, biting me on my butt.

Happy New Year everyone. Happy. New. Year.

eat, drink and be merry~

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas~ How was yours? It's a normal day for us, and we went to visit my nanny, Aunty Phillip. She's my sister's nanny too. Only my bro didn't have a nanny. Wondered why...hmmm. Probably coz he was looked after by my grandma.

tree in da house

Then, it was a day of relaxing (which day wasn't?? Hahaa!) till dinner time. Steamboat for dinner! Feels like CNY too. All ingredients were storebought, though. Saves the hassle.

taupoks and crabsticks

mushrooms

fried beancurd skins

korean side dish: marinated squid

 I'm in-charge of the grill station. But this grill thingy looked like a toy. It can make takopachi too. But we haven't try that.

pork collars and sausages

Ended the night with a very full tummy.

eat, eaten, ate

Happy Boxing Day!~

CF2012 @ Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

Was at Comic Fiesta 2012 at KL Convention Centre on Day One.

was here

Had to take kommuter train to KL Sentral, then change to LRT to KLCC. Long queues to buy train tickets. -_-'

Then walk to the venue. We had early birds tickets, so no need to queue to enter the venue. =P

we have ticketz

Hmmm. Day One, packed. Throngs and throngs of people.

full house

One can look at the merchandise at the many many booths, talk to the illustrators. or watch cosplay.

this toy looks familiar

cool dolls on display

They were having Group Cosplay competition, so was watching that for a while. Some were nice (especially the dancing ones), some were just... well, there's always room for improvement.

dance skit

doing the cutesy dance

There was also a segment featuring Danny Choo, Culture Japan.

Danny Choo

There were plenty of cosplayers hanging around the venue, so plenty of photo opportunities. Most often, they'd be willing to let you take a photo of them. But of course, there are some who'd decline.

nice costumes

hey, Iron Man

should be as hot as hell in there

 

I was walking down the hall, when I walked past a boy 'L' (L Lawliet or Eru, the detective character in Death Note who has a fondness for lollipops). He was offering some potato chips to another stranger. Then I realized, he was offering his chips to a girl who was also dressed in character as 'L'. That made me laugh and I asked if they'd like to take a picture together.

boy 'L' and girl 'L'

There were many photographers with big big cameras and saw some cosplayers being the muse of these group, or maybe some cosplayers do have their own photographer for their portfolios? Maybe.

Happy Winter Solstice

Been home a for few days now. Celebrated Winter Solstice by having tang yuans. How many did you have for this year?

lunch to celebrate Winter Solstice

fish maw braised with pork ribs

tang yuan

lotus paste filling

Store bought tang yuans were good. Same kind that were sold across NTUC in Singapore. Easy to cook, and nice to eat!

The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey

Wasn't expecting to watch this movie but since opportunity came a knocking, so why not!

Was at Lido, and while waiting for the movie, saw some caucasian kids who had dressed up as their favourite characters. Saw one girl who was dressed in grey and she was Gandalf the Grey, complete with the wizard hat, and beard~! Hahahaa! Then, her friend who was late, came running in ala Bilbo Baggins (with the curly hair with a tinge of reddish brown), complete with Bilbo's coat (somewhat) and his sword. Next came another friend, who at first glance looked like any average teenager except for the fact, that she was carrying a backpack that looked like Gollum, hanging on her back. Kakaka! So fun!

for photo opportunities

Also found a guy, who was in costume as Gandalf (complete with wizard staff).

Gandalf, the Grey

Movie started at about 8:30pm and lasted till 11:15pm. And, that was just for Part 1. Two more parts to go in two years time. WOoohOOOo! Cool!

Cinematography was great, although there were some scenes where the eyes couldn't catch up so those pretty much looked like a blur of motion. There were also a few scenes where one can feel the camera jerking downwards for a second.

The story was supposed to be of Bilbo Baggins, but to me, it is really telling the story of the dwarves. Thirteen dwarves of individually distinct look and personalities, banding together in their quest to reclaim their homeland, and led by their enigmatic prince, Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thráin. When not in costume, Thorin played by Richard Armitage, looks like this. Bilbo is 'volunteered' (by Gandalf) to be the fourteenth member of this Company of Dwarves, and his role is as the Burglar.

There was never a dull moment in the show, although there were many cliche scenes. It was good to see familiar characters on screen again. Lord Elrond of Rivendell (Elf), Queen Galadriel (Elf, also known as Lady of Lórien), Gollum and Saruman (White Wizard), and those fugly Orcs, trolls and what-nots.

Lots of running, lots of fighting and lots of CGs. Fun, fun, fun!!

Memorable quotes that I liked:

"Bagginses? What is Bagginses? Is it soft? Is it juicy? Can we eat it?" Gollum, when he saw Bilbo in the cave, for the first time. 

"Run! Run for your lives!" Gandalf shouted when they were ambused.


The Hobbit soundtrack: Misty Mountains Cold (Richard Armitage and the 'Company of Dwarves'), music composed by Howard Shore

abit here, abit there

It's always raining. In the evenings, mostly. Is it causing you any inconvenience? For me, it doesn't really matter, as long as I have the umbrella. Though a bit worn, and quite dented, the umbrella was still sheltering me the best it could. But yesterday, it went beyond its limit and was rendered useless. Sigh.

wet pavements, bright lights, dark night

Was at Plaza Singapura recently, and that was the first time in many years since I last set foot to that place. It has indeed changed, somewhat...There's this odd shaped thingie that looked like a shell of some sort that looked as though it could shelter about 20 peeps in it...somewhat reminiscence of ION but not quite.

huge Christmas tree at Plaza Singapura

Met up with IRC friends two days ago. Haven't seen them for like, for a year plus. IRC, what? Hahaha, for those of you who's not from my era, IRC means Internet Relay Chat. It was a huge thing for us students at that time, but... that was ages ago.

We ate at Pastamania Plaza Sing, and that was a crampy small place. Ordered a seafood zuppa. And out of the many types of pasta, I chose penne for this. But no matter what, it couldn't save that dish!

am pretty sure I could cook better than this...

Also met up with ex-colleagues Flo and Gina recently. Glad to know both are well, and been busy. Though age had certainly caught up with us in certain aspects, such as hearing (a little) and memory.

you know it's Christmas

sampling Christmas drink

chicken apricot sandwich

polar bear at Orchard Central

Meidi-Ya Hokkaido Fair 2012

The Hokkaido Fair at Meidi-Ya, Liang Court, ran from 22 Nov till 2 Dec 2012. Was there by chance and bought cheese tarts. Costly tiny little things.

Kinokotoya

originated from Sapporo, baked in Singapore

Came in a cute little box. One for $5, three for $12. How much does it cost in Sapporo? Just ￥189 per piece.

one is not enough

yums

cheese tarte

blueberry cheese tarte

Shelf life was approximately four days, and the crust actually turned limp if its not refrigerated. Pop it into the fridge for a few hours, and it is good to eat with a nice hard crust.