something to smile about

not that there hasn't been much to smile about actually. but the past few weeks have been particularly trying in many ways. I've been forced to regress my actions to reflect those of a year ago, but the way i look at it, if you to get someplace badly enough, a tough journey only makes your arrival all the sweeter.

the journey of these two books took over two weeks, from the amazon(ian) godowns in lexington, kentucky all the way to lil old singapore, but the emotions involved upon receiving them took me on a trip to the moon that makes the journey of the books resemble a hop to the nearest provision store.

"dear b, i FOUND you even when you were neither lost, tossed or forgotten. good find hor?"

with a note like that to accompany such a surprise, is it any wonder why i love her to bits?

crazy crowds

reporters, photographers and media types rushing for a quote from a famous celebrity or politician? you would think so from the picture. but would you believe chinese, japanese and korean members of their individual calligraphy societies who are visiting singapore to attend a calligraphy convention?

and the subject of their attentions? our very own president nathan. i can understand the jostling that one would get from press photographers at big events, but event attendees???

sheesh, i'm just glad i don't work in those countries.

truth is stranger than fiction

there is no way you can make this stuff up.

* update: turns out that there was a chance she was sending out smses at the time. i blogged before about how smsing can cause injuries but this is overdoing it a little.

support your local heroes

this isn't the first blog to post this, and i am pretty sure it won't be the last, but majulah stickapura, brainchild of m, a and r is finally up, running and ready to receive submissions.

so get your designs in, and spread the word!

fast food conversations

when i remember some conversations i've had with front line ambassadors of the fast food industry, i thank my lucky stars that my line of work is not as monotonous as theirs.

conversation #1:
me: can i have a mc chicken to go please?
them: one mc chicken to go sir, anything else?
me: nope that's it.
them: ok so one mc chicken to go. are you having it here or taking it away?
me: ???

conversation #2:
me: hi can i get a large diet coke please?
them: ok, anything else sir?
me: no thanks, i'm good.
them: ok that will be $2.20. would you like chili sauce or ketchup with that?
me: ???

phew...

shadowplay

thrown into a room full of creatives (from both the bonafide and wannabe categories), i am tempted and soon succumb to the artsy-fartsy side that lurks within.

i much prefer to think of it as trying something different, and while it's a far cry from the photojournalism i'm used to, i have to admit that it was interesting while it lasted.

who knew that being a poseur could be such fun?

open spaces

living in a built up area such as singapore makes you appreciate wide open spaces.

even if it is a parking lot in malaysia.

peripheral vision

sometimes you have to turn away from the action to get the best picture.