The vitamins list...

The nightly routine:

1. Blackmores Slow Release Multi
2. Blackmores Fish Oil Omega 3
3. Ginko Biloba
4. Garlic + C
5. Blackmores B Complex

I take B Complex to allow me to sleep through the night. Apparently, it helps with the anxiety of actually having to go to bed. I think my mind is more active when I sleep...I seem to slip through 'scenarios' often and each session is like turning chapters over a collection of short stories; some my own but more often that of other's. It makes for good writing if only I had the vocabulary for it.

But since on the diet, I have decided to take supplements to keep up with the rigours of daily life and replenish the energy which is being replaced with the burning of fat into Carbo to turn into sugar without the external resource of binge eating. The body's need for sugar is where all the weight is being lost to.

I wrote a lengthy blog yesterday regarding some of my contemplations and lost it during transit. I suppose it was really controversial that if you've read it, you might feel a little insulted though that was not the intention. People are overtly sensitive these days and I guess what I wrote wouldn't have helped the situation. That I guess was Fate interjecting and my Psyche playing a fast one on me. Thank you!

Reading other people's blog, it makes me wonder why I am less interested in current affairs per say. I grew up as a political teenager, went to realise my dream working with bureaucrats and came out jaded. I can never imagine living in Singapore what I termed as a mindless vacuum of existence but I am also against superficial activism. Thus these days I am far too aware of the double-speak and therefore am less interested with political views which are not my own. I guess change takes place from within before you can live someone else's dream. How can you know what they represent if you don't know where you yourself stand in the scheme of things or to a larger magnitude, the cosmos?

One of my many flaws is what I call 'perception deception'. When I meet a particular race or person, I tend to impose my expectations on that single interaction. I am unyielding when it comes to this and I judge a book by its cover. People should be responsible for their own actions. I am also easily put off by people lacking in resolutes. I yearn to be inspired, appreciated and in return provide for that friendship but often People are broken to the point of disrepair. Without them knowing, they inspire others to despise. Hating is not part of me but a growing cancer that is perpetuated by these experiences. I am working towards curbing my negative experiences without tainting others in the process.

As I get older, I am becoming more and more indignant as well. 'Anger' is also one of my many afflictions...anger without regret. I have no time for procrastinators though at times I am burdened by my own inactions. I am appalled by cowardice though at times I prefer not to speak my mind because I lack self-control. I have an aversion to People letting Fate take over their lives but often I am thankful that things don't go my way because I will not look back on collateral damage for forgiveness. Pride is my security insecurity.

So where do I stand these days as I get older? Can you live life without Karma - no interaction, no intervention, no existence except for the bills that arrive in your mailbox that says who's who is living on the premises? I really don't know but for now - the journey is perilous enough and the destination should be sweet. Know me but don't fear me and I will do the same without reservation.

I surmise that Blake has got it right but I fear that I am far from the Romantic that I imagine myself to be years ago.

Project runway S04E09

Goodbye Victorya...there is a GOD!

For Kevin - HONEY!

Australia Day Weekend...

Monarto Zoo, a great bbq of homemade patties and the tyre that fell to pieces while out driving. The weekend was exhaustive beyond belief and I could still feel the after-effects.

It was a good day out and I was able to try out many settings on the my D80 especially shots of people in B&W. I am now keen to get a fisheye lens and forego the prime f1.4 as people apparently are not too perturbed when a tourist is busy snapping pictures of them.



Went for a weigh-in on Saturday and I am down by 6.4kgs after 26 days. I am officially 69kg and going down as we speak. My target weight is now 65-67kg. For the next two weeks that is the plan anyway. Yesterday I had my first extra serving of protein i.e. left over patties from the other evening's bbq and skipped my walk. My weight has not been affected by this so it is a sign that my metabolism is top notch.

Cycled to the beach twice this weekend - the weather was fantastic and the beach was filled with revelers...I have to admit that I am not a fan of the sun. Australia's UV is extreme and if you are fair-skinned then you'd better remember the sunblock.

So its Monday morning and I'm not looking forward at all to the 'long' week but alas these are the final days and I need to focus on that and move forward. There is always Hope to count on.

I have a wish today...may all your dreams come to fruition this year my friends - a little 'prayer' from me:

1. Kevin - for good health and peace of mind;

2. Andrew & Scott - for the ability to embrace new possibilities;

3. Peter and Pinoyboy - to stop 'bickering' and know that we love your banter ;

4. John Ong - to enjoy the journey and see it for what it's worth... the destination is an illusion;

5. Brad - to find someone to grow old with and maybe to throw away old baggage;

6. TC and your trip to Japan - may you find what you're looking for;

7. Ross - for finding someone yet again to share your love. I have hope in your conviction;

8. To all my flickr friends...it has been good knowing you all - gives me hope that not everyone are bastards!

I hope God is listening today even for an agnostic like myself. And to my sister - to be brave and see the light for a better tomorrow - we love you.

5.5kg day 25

That's my weight status at this point in time @ exactly 1.15pm/Fri 25th Jan 2008. I have to admit that sometimes I feel so exhausted from food deprivation but to presume that all 5.5kgs which have gone kaput is my own imagination is a battle I am glad to call truce with. The digital scale is now my friend.

I feel good healthwise but am missing all the ludicrous amount of fat-infested, carbo-filled, deep-fried turkish-wrestling, heartburning distractions of an all Aussie diet. Damn, a bag of hot chips with Chicken salt sounds mighty fine right now but alas....

It is the 'Australia Day' long weekend starting tomorrow. Similar to Remembrance Day in the States, Australians celebrate with a hearty bbq and the poor excuse of watching grass grow (Test Cricket - Aust vs. India); refer to image of Hadi in his morose state of glee at the thought!! Blaarrgh!

There is no plan to head on the holiday house...because another million other people would have shared some psychic connection aka The Dubois Syndrome. Cycling is definitely in the agenda and maybe a grand meal with Flake tossed in coriander seed (grind), garlic salt and a bit of lemon rind over the barbeque might be in order. We'll see. There are bottles of champagne feeling a little neglected. Damn the diet!

One of boys is also not well. So boiled chicken with pasta was the recipe for good health this morning. He seems to be so lethargic all the time after the series of antibiotic from the Vet and has yet to snap out of it. I hope today when I get home, he'll be fine or its back to the Vet again tomorrow. This runnie poo thing is also a bad sign that the antibiotics might have flushed out everything, even the good enzymes. Who knows? The boys are taking turns to make me worry I think. Not so cute though....

Dreams are real to me...

We arrived by car. It's been a while since we last saw her and the family. Glad that we did, we were soon taken by surprise at how quickly the throng of lost relatives surrounded us with their odd welcoming boisterousness.

Her afflictions have not been kind and she had to strap herself up in a rather bizarre contraption that elevated her from the ground much like a puppet while columns of piping encased the suspension lines. Within these pipes, warm medicinal vapours were being pumped into the structural form. The suit itself was somehow amazingly constructed to do just that, a therapeutic sauna of a kind circulating herbalic fumes. I could never understand the hocus- pocustry, if there was such a word, of traditional medicine but if it has brought hope to someone, I dared not argue.

She was glad to see us - the cousins elated at doing donuts around the parameter with our V8; scaring the neighbours with the incessant rumbling that came from a heavy-footed juvenile. The dust-filled terrain reminded me as to the real reason why I left this place but yet at the same time, I was glad to be somewhere familiar.

Their neighbours were expatriates who came down the stairs looking rather displeased until they caught sight of me. All decked for a night out, they awkwardly broke into conversation though I could care less if they had just walked away quietly without blinking an eye. Assuming that I was totally out of place, they began a conversation about work, lives and why I should come by for dinner one day. It seemed far too bizarre that in all that despair, elation and confusion - how all our lives are separate but yet intertwined by a mere introduction. What a twat of a couple!

Of course I stood there politely conversing about the most unnatural of topics to expatriates that had no understanding of the culture, language and conception of living in a foreign land but I acquiesced out of politeness; pretended that I gave a damn about what they thought and transformed myself into a social butterfly, skilled by years of experience. That was what I do best - kept the best part of my thoughts to myself; I hate peering into someone's soul always left wanting. Surely there must be something better to do than listen to strangers dignifying their self-impotence!

"Hadi! Wake up! Dreaming!?"

Dragging myself out of bed, I draped open the curtains, turned off the air-conditioning and made my way quietly to the bathroom.

And so the day begins again.

Cool Album Cover - Erykah Badu

I'm a quiet admirer of Madame Badu - more for her voice rather than her songs which could be better but if I'm not complaining about Bjork then I have no reason nor explanation. This is an interesting cover of her latest album....NEW AMERYKAH! I will be buying it once it hits the stores in Australia.

MadTV - Project Runway...

Gourmet Festival - Tour Down Under!

King William Rd is about less than 10 minutes from where I live and this year it seems that the Gourmet Festival is busier than ever. It runs each year inconjunction with the Tour Down Under. I've been told, thanks hubby, that I am still on the diet and not to succumb while phototaking.

It was a real cool night and the aroma of burning charcoal, bbq octopus, prawns, roast and bountiful cab sauv was very hard indeed. I got some real good shots of people and was taking pictures with Aperture Priority but did not bring my FONG. The Fong is so in your face that I was afraid that people might take offense.

Infact I should have coz some of the pics were overexposed but nonetheless I've learnt alot from this exercise. I need to indulge in a little shutter priority because I was always on the move and so were my subjects. Manual can only go so far and I should not avoid going Auto if I want to catch things that does not allow me to custom set my camera by default at a touch of a button.

I think the viewfinder is making me see Adelaide differently each day... not too sure where to yet but a couple of happy faces along the way seems to help with the isolation.

Double click on the image and you can get a glimpse of what I was really looking at amongst all the noise. The rest are on Flickr.

Actor Heath Ledger Found Dead

I can't believe it but a friend came around to say that Heath Ledger has been found dead in Mary-Kate's apartment. Why?

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/actor-heath-ledger-is-found-dead/

Shooting at night...

It is a very lonely and cold affair shooting at night but I preservered because I was having difficulty with my D80 taking pictures with ambient light everywhere but still wanting a clear shot of the moon. My 200mm I guess only goes so far but it is more the method that I am concerned with. Next on the agenda, is to take landscapes and structures in low or minimal light scenarios. Here is an example of what I mean.

This was taken in the backyard...the moon is bright enough now to get some form of definition amongst the huge gumtree i.e. the neighbours. Remind me never to have a huge gumtree!!

I am trying to figure out how to set it on 30s self-exposure on the D80 and will go back to the discussion forum on flickr to find some clues. This was taken at 200mm, 1/4000 (I tried bulb but still can't make the clarity target I set myself), ISO100, F11 and Manual with VR off and ISO Auto off. Maybe I am just trying too hard - this is not an SLR and I shouldn't expect it to do the same. Oh well....back to the drawing board!

10.5mm f.2.9G ED AF DX Fisheye - Nikkor

Yummy - a birthday wish.

Project Runway SE04/08

I have to say that I feel like a racist but Korean-Americans like Victorya should be shot and frozen pas cryogenics. There's something dishonest about her that frightens me - more manipulative than anyone else and I can't see beyond that. Someone should bitch-slap this girl with a measuring tape and some chalk.

My idol distractions...

My hubby hates what I watch on TV. Not that he hates it but he just can't stand wasting time watching benign programs like America's Next Top Model, Project Runway and American idol. To my credit and this is my argument, it keeps the world entertained and for the plain and simple reasoning that we shouldn't take everything so seriously. Pigeon Pair we are NOT on this issue but while he is out on his walk in which I time my hourly strut just before the shows kick off, I get an hour of decadent bliss to watch the ridiculous, the frightful, the macabre, the idiotic and the triumphant.

KRISTI LEE COOK from Oregon (American idol Season 7) . Too many country crooners this year but lets see what happens.



Alaina Whitaker - Dallas (She needs to get out of the country dig). She has a strong voice that needs training and she will be great.



And Kady is the most interesting so far!

Making the best use of my Manfrotto...

I have decided that I will put my monopod to good use. Voila!! Thanks Strobist.com for this image & idea!!

Time to Tweak...

I've been busy looking at camera settings to understand the type of image that I want to achieve. Often we rely so much on Auto that we forget our DSLR has many other functions... I hardly have my camera set on Auto these days preferring P, A, M - learning how to push the boundaries and the limitations of my D80.

The ability to take multiple shots without fearing that I'll be running out of space is also a great boon. I can then edit out as much as I like and retake the pictures again and again until I feel that I've got the best shot.

So here are a couple of settings that I've set myself out to accomplish in the next couple of days:

1. Portraiture in Landscapes

1/500, F8, ISO 200, Polariser Lens with SB600

2. Portrait

1/500 @f8/f10, SIO 200, Polariser Lens with SB600

3. Poor lit areas

1/500, F11, -1 Flash compensation with SB600.

The strobist.com is also a great site that is helping a little to refine my skills. Here is an example of what I mean:

I've also gone through Joe McNally lighting CD which is totally crap. It is purely a marketing exercise for the SB800 and SB600 without really teaching you the complexity of multiple light source + exposure techniques. Just goes to show that at the end of the day, the amateur photographers are better at what they're talking about because they never give up trying or learning for that matter.

Day 21 - 5kg

I have finally reached my first target weight of 70kg in 21 days. I've shrunk all over which is a good sign in a way - the blubber for winter has diminished and therefore a need to look at all the autumn/winter clothing to see whether they fit is in order + another trip to the Salvation Army. Hopefully someone might find solace in a not so flattering winter garb. Next is to go down to 67.5kg.

4 more weeks to go before I leave work and start afresh. Job hunting will be interesting and I am hoping to move away from the rather mundane life of Finance and maybe indulge in a little self-gratification. A job in the Arts could be enticing but I abhor the pretense of it all or maybe in Marketing, which will keep me engaged for the next 2 years - meeting new people. Living large again?!

This time though...I am not perturbed as the other half is very supportive of me finding the right job. The current job was more out of convenience - numbers are numbers but maybe a people-oriented job could be the go...though in time people generally annoy me with their idiocy. I give myself another 2 years in the new job before I go stir crazy again.

The March trip though is in order and we have discovered the Pacsafe brand of travel gear and the beauty of quick-drying underwears + compression shorts. We've also calculated, thank you Google maps and many other wonderful blogs, the cycling route for Vietnam/Laos + environs and plus all the cycling we already do over the weekend, we will be able to cover the city centre with ease. As for Cambodia + and its outback, it is around 25-30kms to cover Siem Reap and its temples. We've seen it before so this will be quite a relaxing trip much like Burma/Bagan for more picture taking.

The stopover in Singapore in March will also allow me to do a little antique hunting (very quickly) ...note to self: must email some dealers to say that we are coming and go to our favourite eateries. No Sunday Brunch at the Four Seasons this time - there is just not enough time. 7 weeks to go and we should be there.

It is Monday morning - I predict a very long and labourious week ahead. I hope everything will be alright for Wednesday.

7.6 iTunes ...

I can't believe what happened, while installing the latest iTunes as a separate download it entirely crashed my iPod? So there I was at home, uninstalling all the files related to this version and having to reset my whole iPod to factory setting.

My last update of any songs was in Nov when I went over to Japan but I thought I might just be a smartass and download the .exe file at work and bring it home to install. Everything just powered down and it took the battery life out of my iPod - I was left with a virtually dead iPod within seconds showing a depleted power bar and all + eventually kicking the bucket. Thank God it was not for good. I couldn't even force boot the bloody thing while hooked up to 7.6

After removing the application in its entirety, I had to use the older version of my iTunes to check for upgrades online instead for both my iPod and iTunes. I have a feeling that you needed both upgrades at the same time so that any sort of patches would run through software/hardware recognition. Surprising the Apple website was filled with Q&A on the iPod/iPod Touch/iPhone etc and I thought it was me! Apparently not.

So another two hours later, I have all the songs that I need though as you know sometimes you loose all the artworks for album produced prior to the Apple revolution so my coverflow is looking rather shitty right now. I will have to live with it I guess because I can't give a fart's arse to find the album covers. Thank God for Saint Germaine Des Pres this morning...

Creating a better reality where I'm not famous...

Fame, Madness and Ego comes crashing down. Cult leaders are all the same : too self-righteous, sitting in their million dollar mansions giving surmons about how they are equipped to deal with People from different backgrounds, wanting a better 'alternate' reality since this one is so so wrong apparently while accumulating wealth and replacing that with promises of a better life for all that can afford it.

Being the Youngest...

So news have arrived through my nephew that one of my sisters is ill. None of my family members have rang me yet which is a little surprising but I guess that they didn't want me to panic. The family genetically has always been plagued with Cancer and High-blood pressure so it is not surprising that one of us will someday be at the receiving end of our inheritance. I am waiting for my time and am looking forward to signing the DNR paperwork when the legislation is passed in Australia.

I am waiting to ring them today...it is still too early to call Singapore but my nephew will find out what her medical condition is rather than getting the rest of the family going all goo goo gaa gaa and emotional. I need a straight forward medical diagnosis and then will decide when I will fly over. I wonder how her girls are taking it; she has three. I am overwhelmed with sadness today and I have to say that it is like a flood of emotions that I prefer not to have.

Macbook Air

So Macbook owners - is Apple screwing with you yet again?
Is your Macbook really a 12-month old consumable or is it truly an investment?
Much like the iPhone, will you get a rebate off your Macbook Pro?

That's the trouble with innovations, each year Apple innovates and you're left with machines that is out of 'fashion'? The question is, are Apple made purely to entice the fashion-conscious or the seemingly 'trendy' dudes that have too much cash to throw around.

Sadly, I will definitely be checking the Macbook Air at the stores...being the fashion victim that I am.

Day 15 - 4.4kg

How do I feel? I guess I am glad that I've lost the weight but today I walked by my favourite Asian store and virtually drooled over their fried chicken/ginger skewers! It was a battle pulling myself away but I succeeded though feeling rather disappointed that I couldn't indulge. Indulging while on a diet creates a bad habit so I'm not even going there.

So I am currently 71kg and another 1 kg more and I will hit my target weight when I first started the diet. Next is to go down to my ideal weight which is 67.5kg. My belly is no more and today I was able to fit into my old jeans without much effort.

Apparently, the fat that the body consumes comes from all over. I noticed that I've lost some from my neck, my hips, my bum, my face and arms/legs. If I ever do reach my ideal weight then I will be the same weight when I first met the other half.

Another 2 more weeks to go and lets see what happens then. Ah this diet is so easy but I would rather have the chicken skewers any day!

Project runway S04E06/7

Rami's the bomb. Check out his dress and when he smiled....

We also lost Kevin...OK Australia enough of Season 2 already for God's sake - this is the digital age, get on with it and stop milking those re-runs!

Looking for a tripod...

The tripod that Dad gave me is busted. It is made in China probably and one of this strange plastic screws from the swivel mount has decided to bail. Not too sure what I'll get but most probably a Manfrotto - I just find them more reliable.

Also on the list is the battery for my remote. This is getting expensive this little hobby of mine....

I want - the new Prada LG with Qwerty..

Ah another distraction of I WANTs!

Street Fighter Version - Thank you Kevin!

This is just so damn hilarious...I couldn't stop laughing! To all you street fighter fans - another inflight entertainment option.

3.3kg in 13 days...

My target is 5kg and then if I am still strong, maybe another 2.5kg which will bring me to my ideal weight to height BMI which is 67.5kg. It is just a target I set - not that BMIs are any good.

Last night I had the best dinner ever and I think there was more Protein than usual. Infact, strangely enough, the stomach kind of told me that I have over-eaten by feeling all bloated.

So based on my weekend list, these are the outcomes:

1. Suit Hunting - SUCCESS. I will have them on Thu, they're out at the tailors.

2. House viewing - SUCCESS. She will probably take the room.

3. Night Photography - DISASTROUS...got carried away shopping and everything else, was too exhausted. I need to be more organised.

4. Finalising the travel package - Another disaster. All talk but no result from this end. We were able to at least confirm Cambodia finally.

5. Pick-up the ironing - SUCCESS and even went further by sorting out oversized shirts and sending them to the salvation army. The 3rd lot 2007-2008 as we move towards the slimmer us.

6. Give the boys a bath and cleaning - SUCCESS. The boys are all fluffy, took them to the park for a short run even. Cleaned up the family room, all the Christmas decorations etc.

7. Start on 2 books which I got for Christmas - Disaster no.2...and they haven't even move from the mantle.

8. Cycle to the beach on Sunday and grab some stonefruit at the market as well - SUCCESS...stewing some apricots and blood plump for toppings on ice-cream once we've reached our goal weight.

9. Grocery shopping - Success...though this is one of the things on my list that I abhor.

10. Breathe - If you can call living a success.

Playing around with the SB600

A new discovery today...setting my Nikon D80 on Commander mode and using the SB600 as a slave flash. I am over the moon at knowing how to do this... what does it mean? I can now embark on my adventure of taking portraits and together with the diffuser, I guess we just have to wait and see what happens next. I just love my camera and as one of the flickr guys call it, "THE FONG!".

Things lined for the today and the weekend...

So what I've got lined up:

1. Suit Hunting....the pinstripe that I have will need to be taken in. Apparently, I thought I looked dashing in them but now they droop a little. Another pin-stripe black suit for interviews that will sit and fit right. That is the plan tonight.

2. House viewing - my niece has decided to come over to Adelaide to finish her nursing degree so I've been volunteered to look at some units for her on Saturday near Flinders Uni.

3. Night Photography - I will be out this weekend in the evening around the city to try out some night photography. Dad gave me a tripod last year so it will be put into good use this weekend. f.28 to f16 at 800 ISO max - I am hoping to reduce noise.

4. Finalising the travel package. I will need to laminate the itinerary and some of the maps especially that of Laos.

5. Pick-up the ironing - I really despise ironing because it is so mundane that you have to be nuts to stand for hours basically doing nothing to excite your cranium. Leave it to the professionals.

6. Give the boys a bath and a little summer cleaning around the house. The Christmas decorations are still up so maybe it is time to bring it down. When is the best time though?

7. Start on 2 books which I got for Christmas.

8. Cycle to the beach on Sunday and grab some stonefruit at the market as well.

9. Grocery shopping.

10. Breathe.

Diet Update.

It's Friday and as always I am looking forward to the weekend. Today is my 10th day on the diet and I am down by 3kg which is kind of surprising. A little exhausted at times but the usual vitamins and fibre is helping. It's amazing how your body reacts when you take away that extra sugar from consuming unhealthy food; how the body will start converting your fat into the sugar you need. A trip to a nutritionist is planned in a month's time to get a balanced diet program into my lifestyle and the daily evening walks will have to stay.

Things I miss though in terms of food:

1. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad.
2. Korean Barbeque.
3. Fried Chicken Wings...I grew up on them when they were considered a luxury.
4. Cheese, Bread and Mezze Plates.
5. Pizza - Seafood with Extra Anchovies.
6. Hot Chicken and Crispy Chips with loads of Chicken salt.
7. Salt & Pepper Squid.
8. Home made Veal Schnitzle.
9. Margaritas in Summer.
10.Gelati.
11. Nasi Lemak with extra egg and chilli on the side.

Not in any order really, this wishlist, but the plan is to have at least some hot chips when I've reached my target. I have 2 more kgs to go and I hope that by the second week I would have archieved that goal.

My knee on the other hand is appreciating the losses and hopefully I will be able to start jogging again.

The Office Sauna....

The temperature has finally peaked and it is now 41 degrees. Upstairs everything has turned into a sauna with various office dwellers beginning to shut their doors in hope of getting away from the ambient heat. In any case, it is the old air-conditioning system that is the main culprit.

Some have also gravitated to the conference room where it is supported by its own reverse cycle air-conditioning. The sad thing is that our employer is supposedly one of the major oil industry cohort/player but can't even afford a reliable air-conditioning system. I bet you this does not happen at the head office though or the CEO will be screaming and someone will surely get fired.

So when someone mentions the squillions of dollars being made at the pump, we sure ain't getting the perks here mate!

I have made my way to the first floor of the building and amazingly this area is very cool like nothing is happening at all. Is there a conspiracy that I am not aware of or Operations seems to have an upperhand in making sure that life in Finance is as miserable as it can get.

Damn you air-conditioning! Damn you.....

When I grow up I want to rule the world!!!!

Heatwave in Adelaide

So it's going to be 41 degrees in Adelaide today. Everyone in the office is planning to go to the pub if the air-conditioning goes ballistic on us like it did last week. I don't blame them.... yesterday it was 36 and I could feel the heat seeping into the building from where I was. Apparently the air intake from outside rests right on top of my office and radiant heat makes you very very tired indeed. I fell asleep last night at 7 right after dinner and woke up this morning at 6.

Now that I am on the diet, I can't even have a bloody beer! Agro afternoon expected.

On a social conscience note:

1. Is Hilary a better option than Obama?

2. Rudd labour government does nothing in relation to interest rates.Shame and blame but still not in the game. I am expecting the rates to go up to 9% under labour within 2 years.

3. The flood is getting worse in Queensland/New South Wales - the good thing is that the Labour Premiers have no excuse now but to deal as Federal Labour gives them the finger.

4. The Labour Federal Government vessel that the Greenies were hoping for to check on the Japanese whale-hunters is still docked and hasn't moved at all. Maybe it farted but no one knew it did. Another spin.

5. Buying a new house, a new car or investing on a second property? I am expecting a 0.25% rise bringing the rate to 7.0 variable in Feb so hold on to your money. Shares are falling as well...go for gold.

6. $1.60 per litre in 2 weeks and the Aussie dollar will hit the US$90.0 mark. Good for the trip but not for the cars.

7. And why is Diesel costing us more when the processing of refining diesel is just a bi-product of petrol really? Where is this Fuel Ombudsman - still caught in another spin?

Ah...the world of Politics are hotting up everywhere and I can only see one option - an eruption the size of Mt. St Helen. Change is a coming and I am not sure that it is for the good.

Feedback Kevin!

Asian Persuasion?

Janet Feedback {320 kpbs}
Uploaded by kurb35

The Diet update

2.4kg today in 8 days....still flabby but feeling lighter especially during the evening walks. All the excess fat from my hip are slowly diminishing and also from my turkey neck that once was is on its way to retirement.

This diet is definitely crazy but if it works it works!

The Office...

Today is pleasantly quiet...I think the office read my previous post and they know it when I mean business.

The Service...

Somehow when someone says, " You know I thought I was Okay until now!" you'd think what the hell they're referring to? Funerals does that to you sometimes or any sort of loss experienced; the reason why I prefer not to go to them, often there is just no excuse not to.

It was short and as always the rather aloof cousin, thank God they aren't mine, casually shot himself on the foot at the podium by embarassing his Parents with the rather sydneyite lame oneliner remarks...just goes to show that education means nothing when you're hollow inside. It's one of those situations where you try to be funny but instead you look insanely out of place, impassioned and basically the biggest boofhead around.

I believe that your unbringing shapes you and the way you relate to people. Money can only do so much.

If you want my trash...don't ask!

Today I started cleaning my office. Trashed a bunch of documents that were duplicates and then clearing off my overhead cupboards of files etc. All around people in the office started interrupting me...wondering where I got the recycling bin from, wanting to recycle papers they were intending to shred and some even peered into my bin which had some out-of-date IT applications on disk etc. and exclaiming, "Oh I don't need that!"

The nerve of some people - I think they don't understand that I am cleaning here and when I clean, leave me fucking alone. You can look at my trash when I leave today and you can take whatever you want but seriously not while I am still in the office. God! Even a rat knows how to come out at night - have some dignity mates! No wonder things seems to dissappear from my desk all the time.

What's being on a diet like...

Somedays it is easy but some days it gets really really hard. Today is one of those latter days.

Last night, we had a second run of Christmas dinner at the in-laws as another family member arrived to attend the funeral tomorrow + a couple of gift giving. I ate my first crispy roast and duck since Christmas - it was so delicious and I still feel a little guilty. I blame it on Dad for slapping a small piece on my plate. Though he too is on the diet, he could only say, "it's only a small piece and it won't hurt you" on that note, he slammed down a nice huge glass of Cabernet - almost half a bottle I might add.

Mum's roast vegetables on the hand is heavenly. She does it so well all the time - its like eating pumpkin coated in beef and oven-baked so that it is crispy on the outside but moist on the inside. There were parsnips, carrots, onions - the lot which added to the all around guilt factor.

Desert was diet yoghurt for us and black tea for me.

I think I am learning slowly what is good and what is bad for my body but the good thing is that I didn't over-indulged. It would have been hard a week ago but I'm already loosing 1.5kg after 6 days, I was not going to risk it.

It just reminds me of the Doctor Who Episode THE IDIOT'S LANTERN....HUNGRY! HUNGRY! FEED ME! FEED ME!

The latest episode aired during Christmas! Bloody hell...and they had Kylie too.

Do you know that we've been together for almost 14 years?

That was what he said last night as we laid in bed.

Venus as a boy...I feel it today!

His wicked
sense of humour
Suggests
exciting sex
His fingers,
they focus on her
Her touches,
he's venus as a boy

He believes in beauty
He's venus as a boy
He believes in beauty
He believes in beauty
He's venus as a boy
He believes in beauty

He's exploring
The taste of herArousal
So accurate
He sets off
The beauty in her
He's venus
Venus as a boy

He believes in beauty
He's venus as a boy
He believes in beauty
He believes in beauty
He's venus as a boy
He believes in beauty...

Preparing for Vietnam/Laos....

Still a little busy but all the hotel bookings are now complete. I'm hoping to put together a booklet that will have all the reservations, walking tours, maps etc. in triplicate.The sister is picking up the Laos Airlines internal flights from the travel agent in Singapore that we booked over the phone and will sent it across when my brother gets here in Mid Feb.





At the same time, we found ourselves 2 Deuter rucksack 32 litres that will be good for the hot weather trekking if need be. The red is mine and hubby has green. It has what we need including a bladder compartment and a mesh that keeps the perspiration off your back which is always annoying with any rucksack that hasn't got one. We saw someone in Japan having one and we thought that it was a brilliant idea.




The weekend was uneventful and Saturday was a scorching 39.9 degress. The heatwave is not letting up so the garden needed some tender loving care on Sunday. Went to the farmers market on Sunday morning and then cycled to Glenelg to stare at the beach while having morning tea = a serving of 120mg of fruit (remember the diet?).

It has been 5 days going 6 and I have lost a total of 1.5kg. It seems that I am loosing it much slower than the other half. He has wiped 4 kg off his and the plan is 10 while mine is 5 or 8 if I can manage. Apparently my ideal weight should be 67.5kg but I think I'll stop at 70 or I'll look too scrawny even for my taste.

Will keep you posted...diets are horrible but this one seems to work...slowly but it is working.

As I head on the last days ....click on the image!

'Feedback' Ala Youtube!

A tribute to Janet!

Ultra Slim Macbook - Gizmodo Patent Revelations (True or False?)

Maybe an ASUS EeePc lookalike? Rumour or not, this can be a tad ridiculous!

Funeral Blues

So Pa's funeral is all organised for 10am Tuesday. I have to put on my mourning suit again and am not looking forward to that. He had a good life though and at 92, I think I will be lucky to hit 60. One the best feature of Pa was his sense of humour...it never did diminished with age and like good wine, it only got better. He was a character that man.

We will miss you greatly especially during Christmas and Easter Pa - you were well loved.

Dunlop Adventurer 235/70R16

This time around the car service is going to be huge. I am there for my usual service blah blah blah, the two front offroad tyres need to be replaced and then there is that issue of the front suspension that is giving me grief...hopefully they'll fix that too. Sometimes I wish I had a smaller car...but the tank keeps me safe.

So the car is now being looked at and I have another appointment with Beaurepairs to have the tyres fitted and balanced tomorrow at 3pm. All in all a very good day for spending money.

If I had....

A tattoo....but only smaller around the shoulders and crossing the side of my torso.

An ear plug...amber why go for the cheap stuff might as well get an antique 14th Century plug.

But Alas the real world is an entirely different scenario.

The Host

A taiwanese movie I caught on DVD @ home. A real polluting scenario in real life without the mutant mudskipper! I was confused with the mix of genres...

ASUS EeePC - Gizmodo Revelations

According to Taiwanese paper Commercial Times (reliability factor of Taiwanese papers is about a 5.5 out of 10, generally speaking) run through the cold Google translation machine, "Currently Eee PC seven inches mainly by the Friends of the supply, and with the new Asus eight.9-inch Eee PC forthcoming". Also: "It is understood that in January next year, Asustek also Eee PC, the new specifications will be listed in addition to the screen some of the current seven inches, will join the eight.9-inch screen."

After we press blend on the rumour mixer, we come up with a new Eee PC launching at CES with an 8.9-inch screen and WiMax, which sounds like hot stuff, though the price point is likely to be a bit higher than machine-moving $US399. We're pretty psyched to see it, either way.

Something else to look forward to...now for a bigger hard-drive and more RAM!?

Shin Chan - Adult Swim

MUST DRAW LAUGHS!!!

Lyra Silvertongue...His Dark Material.

So finally finished reading the Golden Compass in a day...it was AOK for a bit of light reading. The writing is not dissimilar to the Porter series. I had the book shipped 3 months ago thinking I should read it before the movie but then decided that I should skip the movie in its entirety and wait for the DVD to come out after reading it.

The second book is getting a little tiresome. It is hard to paint a picture of a parallel universe when you have very limited vocabulary to work with within that age group. The limited pallette somehow made the first half very tiring and sometimes I wish writers should only publish one book so that it will make more sense visually and not try and make a quick buck by splitting them into triplets.

Oh well...hopefully I will finish The Subtle Knife with more enthusiasm. The Physics behind the story though infantile is what will draw you in...if you are a science geek!

There is a GOD and he needs to be overturned! Heresy?

2008 is already going wrong....

A couple of wierd things have happened....

1. The airconditioning unit has blown a fuse and we are now evaporative dependent. Have been sleeping in the family room and not happy at all - I miss my bed!

2. The partner's granpa passed away last night. We are in mourning mode and trying to keep it together for Friday's funeral. Pa was a very funny man - his humour will be missed;

3. The 4x4 needs servicing...there is something wrong with the suspension and the 2 front wheels need to be replaced due to wear&tear;

4. I am on a protein shake diet starting today. My ideal weight is 67.5kg and I am currently on 75kg. I predict this will take 6-8 weeks;

If anyone wishes me another Happy New Year - I will kill them all. I can feel a headache coming! Bugger!

The last day of 2007...

2007 revealed a couple of things:

1. Money can't buy you true happiness. It might buy you peace of mind but life becomes worthless after awhile;

1a. Life without Meaning will come to Nothing;

2. People general do not want to hear the Truth even when they ask for it;

3. Racism comes in all shapes and sizes...even from within;

4. We shouldn't try so hard and hope for the best...People are generally dishonest, untrustworthy and most importantly opportunistic towards their own selfish needs;

5. Ignorance is bliss only to those idiots who think that life is a box of chocolate;

6. All relationships have its fair share of problems but it is better to be in one under one tumultuous roof;

7. The colour of your Skin does not mean that you are true to your Soul;

8. When you die, you die alone;

9. Is it worth all that energy to harm a stranger whom is undeserving of your shortcomings or his/hers for that matter;

10. What goes around comes around - getting close to someone reveals certain Truths;

11. That we are all going through changes but not all of us find the path to true enlightenment;

12. True enlightenment is perilous even for the Masters of Masters


I hope 2008 will be much more forgiving for I am sure I cannot bear many more disappointments.

The moon over the beach house...

The drive down to Pt. Turton...our route

To all of you....

Signing off for Christmas!!

It's that time for the year in which I disappear into the abyss of joyfulness and wrap the laptop into its dark corner called the office drawer until the 27th when I come back for 2 days and then fade away again into the New Year. To all my friends, have a fantastic holidays with loved ones and as always be safe and may 2008 bring you new challenges and exciting distractions....

Kevin XXX
Andrew XXX
Peter XXX
Pinoyboy XXX
John Ong XXX
Brad XXX
Keiran XXX
Ross XXX
Ron XXX
Kathy XXX
Mark XXX
and all the great guys in Flickr!

Love to you....

XXX
Hadi

Mix Tapes Mysteries....

Now reveal your mystery!
Do you have one?

Why Rednecks frighten me!?

I have contemplated this for a very long time so I decided today that I would explain my choices in men as friends or lovers. You see rednecks, no matter how attractive they look frightens me a little. Redneck Americans, Australians or Europeans - they have an aggressive nature that I have yet to embrace and I suppose my upbringing will never allow me to.

I am by no means a giant(in stature) or a bigot but I can be a little fragile and sexual aggression up to a point can 'be' endearing much like shaving with a blunt razor without cream after a bad hangover. I suppose I prefer a gentle giant with the brain capacity of Einstein's or at least someone whose 'gonuts' are not hanging out of his mouth 24-7!

I am your average Asian, not too tall not too short, some might say that I am compact i.e. like your English bulldog but less adorable! I don't believe in camping it up for there is no reason to...it gets too hard to keep the facade and seriously I'm just not made that way. My wardrobe is mostly a series of checked shirts + linen matched against blue-jeans and Italian shoes. I guess I'm ordinary to a point packaged in a full-bodied goblet of red-hot humour and dressed with a drizzle of spicy but dry sarcasm and topped with brilliant cynical repartee in the form of catch phrases.

I prefer my men a little taller, bigger than me, a little preppier, possibly with loads of facial hair - infact hair on or hair off doesn't really matter these days, he can have mine. More so than ever, I am not attracted to Castro-esque men, just for the very reason that burly men are afraid of chasers like myself, I have yet to figure out the reasons which is currently a work in progress, and in addition, scratched from the must-sees & must-dos...people with an inclination for the bizarre. I am adventurous up to a point but still a prude...now that's a revelation!

I keep my kisses close to my heart and if I do kiss you it means a lot to me. I do like my white boys but I find my own kind and men of colour just as adorable as long as they don't try too hard to curb my freedom or exert their own prejudicial beliefs...Asians have a tendency of doing that. I like them when they come with a good set of teeth as well and can drive a car with confidence; because I have a distate for driving though I love the sound of rumbling torque and leather interiors. P.S I don't mind someone with a Harley as long as it doesn't come with long nights of boozing and bed-wetting!

Sometimes I wonder why we send outselves into this outrageous cycle of misplaced expectations but then again isn't it half the fun or else Life will fall into the mundane and people we meet become less wondrous. I guess I would like to make or find someone I can call friend whom is entirely different from how they look... coz at the end of the day, I think I am still living life ill-informed and lack of a better word 'Sheltered'.

Keith Harring - a postcard from a friend.

I can still remember this postcard that was sent to me in 1995 when he went on his trip to London with another chap I knew whom had a fetish over Japanese girls. It just crossed my mind...where is this postcard now?

Leona Lewis...Bleeding Love

What can I say...I'm a sucker for a great beat. She doesn't look half bad in the video either! Sorry guys...it was on autoplay and after a while it gets a little annoying even for me!

Spiders...Web Personal!

Pholcus phalangioides (RM, QM)

These days I find it very difficult to kill insects even ants. I tend to walk around them. Those that do get into the house eventually die of starvation, the insects I mean. We hardly get roaches and with summer the moths (they eat clothes/carpets) are everywhere and anywhere but yesterday I found a female daddy long legs hiding inside the bbq cupboard with a huge clump of hatchlings. They were wriggling all over the place and just two days ago, there was nothing in there.

The trouble with these spiders is that they breed very quickly and then web the whole decking within weeks. They then spread to the roof, the garage door, the cars and then out of the blue the entire house is inundated with cobwebs including the dogs. So yesterday, I have to admit, I bug sprayed them all.

Today though I feel a little guilty...I wonder why but I just can't handle the cobwebs and the sight of wriggling little insect infestation is just hard to deal with. I will atone for it somehow I'm sure!

An Ode to DavidDust

I found these two pics from David's Blog to be the best especially on a Monday morning ...apart from the Project Runway Updates and Papi Love distractions, I couldn't get enough!



One of the reasons why the Labour government in Australia wants faster broadband and for every child between the age of 9-12 to have their very own laptop. All hail PORN!

On my way to self-destruction...

This is one of the most memorable love song from her album. Everyone's been there but some people just choose not too move on. To all my friends...don't let it consume you because Life is wondrous though at times it may seem futile.

One of the voice of the decade! Listen and you will understand.

My Project Runway Predictions for SE04

So my predictions for SE04 are:



Christian: Most Promising. Probably picked up by a label if he is not good enough unless he finds a sugar daddy in the industry to shack up with and pay for his collection.



Kit and Rami: Most likely to be in the last 3 or rather the 'top' 3. They have great finishing skills and execution. Great eye for colour and sense of style. Jewish boys are hot!



Victorya - Most likely the worst person on Earth to have as a friend. Over ambitious and will take credit when she can. The one that stole the cookie from the cookie jar and exclaims that she thought it was free. Either that or she will claim that that the Cookie jar is hers eventhough it has a label that says BIATCH.



Most likely to win for the most beautiful eyes on the show. But with competition from Kit, Rami & Christian, he'll be very lucky if he ends up @ the top 3...maybe if he has better time management. Isn't he Italian?



Most likely to succeed in a 70s remake of the Village People. He should be more selfish...it's a competition and get his finishing brushed up and give those hats a miss Papi!

My new shopping list...

This is the plan today after work.

I will need to buy:

1. Vidal Sassoon hair styling all-in-one blow dryer/straightener for the sister.
2. 1 x Ipod Shuffle for her birthday.
3. 1 x ROD Anime Complete (The Paper sisters) for me.
4. 1 x MushiShi the Movie + 1 x Shinobi the Movie for me.
5. 1 x Chanel No.5 for Mum.
6. 1 x Leather Bag for Mum.
7. 1 x Pannier bag for the hubby...he's cycling to work these days and he can pop his dell in it.
8. 1 x new shirt and shorts for me.
9. 1 x new shirt and shorts for the hubby.
10. 3 x Haigs Christmas Chocolates (Dark) for Mum, Dad & Sis.

So that looks like the plan but it might change as we want to go and grab some Mangoes @ the Market. It will be a very busy night!

Tomorrow is dinner at the Hyatt...just the two of us. Yes...we are becoming very predictable.

Esthero...another artist to watch for in 2008

Still trying to find her album in Australia and the last one was in the late nineties and she has been busy doing collaborations recently with Brandy. So hopefully we will see her in 2008...

The Package is out.

So I have prepared a surprise package to my friends and various Christmas cards - some has gone out last week and the major packages just went out 1/2 an hour ago. I am exhausted beyond belief. It's great to put my foot up for the next two days till the weekend...and then more and more wrapping to be done.

Recently read...I like Asians!

CNN - Bali Climate Conference

Australia 2050? Will it be too late?
The US Credit Crunch?
Recession in 2008-2009 in America?
How will the US economy cope to achieve these targets?
Carbon credits?
What's in it for the US?'
What is the price for Australia?

Climate Conference - Bali

I wonder how much carbon fuels were used to get these bureaucrats to Bali? They probably came up with some lame excuse of a 'carbon offset' (i.e. here is my financial contribution in dollar terms to help save the environment) by supposedly exacting the act of planting trees in drought affected Australia and then letting them die a natural death because they is no water to be had. I am also keen to see whether the labour government can educate the Indonesians on their backburning crop plantation methods...maybe a little Mandarin-like attitude towards disbelievers might help - or maybe 'the burning of the books" Mao-style? Maybe a bribe via Carbon credit mate?

Kevin08 - "We will then be in a position to frame our own targets," Mr Rudd said after a meeting last night with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. "Our own long-term target is an ambitious one of a 60per cent reduction in emissions by 2050."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22910382-601,00.html

So in the meantime, lets burn more fuel and spin the media till we all see stars Mr. Rudd while the entire country remains at the highest level of water restrictions!

What do you mean there is no airconditioning @ the conference!

Changi Airport T3 opens end Jan 08

OK I am sucker for newly built Airports and I have to say from the pics I've seen so far Terminal3 in Singapore is huge...not some crappy fly on the wall like Sydney Airport, which looks exactly like Brisbane Airport, Adelaide Airport and Melbourne Airport but it will house at least a dozen A380 without a breaking a sweat - which to any passenger is what we look for in airtravel - space.

Imagine all the things that they can throw in there especially the local food that will be available and the shopping. Can't wait for March to come around!

My Early Christmas Present...

So last night the hubby got me my first HP PhotoSmart A826 - photo printer. It has a small 7 inch screen that allows me to select from the squillions of pictures that I have to print with my very own plastic stylus. It also has options to print in various sizes up to a max of 10 x 15 with various slots from Pictbridge, SD to CF etc. + some borders and effects. It's brilliant - like having your own egglike photostore.

The hubby told me that it was good to see me smile. It has been a while I think that I've truly smiled. Maybe because I'm more grumpy that I ever was these days and less friendly to people in general because so many of them are just ratbags and halfwits. But when I do smile, it is out of honest joy. Even I was surprised at how simple things such as a photo printer can make me all kiddish again and how Time can wipe away the real you if you let it.

This was a good prezzie and with the new camera, I am learning how to appreciate the things that I've missed most; the real Hadi - one that was a little more frivolous with his attitude towards life -the old me!

Also been busy surfing the Net for blogs and cleaning out those that are no longer relevant. I realise that you only need a handful and honestly, there are some people that are not worth the effort.....now back to being happy Hadi! Think pretty things! You see what I mean?! Okay...it's a work in progress I have to admit.

Nikki Yanofsky - Canadian...

Talent is just getting younger and younger....

JUMPER - Valentine's Day 2008

Project Runway - Sarah Jessica Parker S4E02

Australia needs to get its act together! How can you have cable and still made to watch Season 2 of Project Runway when everyone else is watching Season 4. I want my money back you lame bastards!

Just when you think there is no more AIBO!

We nearly bought this while living in Singapore for the very reason that we were busy people and having a real dog/dogs were out of the question. It looks a little rabid to me ala version 2008...

Your mum should be proud of you!

This is very moving.

Leica - The $800 pair of binoculars

I was astounded by the clarity of the glass/optics...though a little extravagant for my wallet. Decided on a Nikon 8x24 for Dad instead. I am pretty good this Christmas and have started curbing my spending; Christmas usually sends me a little wild but nothing that I could not handle. He is also getting a Navman GPS for the Pajero.

Had a short chat with Dad yesterday while Mum was over fixing our curtains and he said not too worry too much with the redundancy loomy. It is never about the money but more importantly the fact that you feel as if your independence has somewhat diminished beyond your control. It will be good to go to the holiday house and go out fishing or just sit by the verandah overlooking the beach. I don't mind the holiday house which is about 3 hour's drive from Adelaide. I hope we don't go to one of those 8 hours 40kms way out in the middle of nowhere spots but I have a feeling that I might be right this time around.

So what did I get myself for Christmas?...a coffee table book from Lonely Planet on Asia, an Amy Winehouse music DVD with her live in London, Terry Goodkind's "Confessor" because I've read everything of his and just want the story to end for good. The other half wants some Rocky Road and I haven't decided what else to get him...apart from the mesh rushsack. Of course, most of our Christmas cash have been channelled to the March vacation so that I guess is our gift to each other.

It is really hard to feel motivated at work especially on a Monday but I will give it a go and if I feel like crap, I might just take a sicky and head on home instead.

Finally End Date @ work!

So my final day at work is the 15th of Feb...we are the first group to go with the last exit at the end of March. The other half told me not to dwell on the subject too much and to pick myself up and move on. So that is exactly what I am planning to do.

Christmas is around the corner and I have finally succeeded in finding a T-shirt printing place in the city to get them to print the stuff that I've left unattended for quite a while.

This evening we're off Christmas shopping. On the list:

Navman GPS for Dad.
Something for Mum. The hubby need to call Dad today...shall remind him at lunch.
PS3 for us. Still trying to locate the 60GB rather than the 40GB which is not compatible with PS2 games + bluetooth controller + HDMI cable + 1 extra game controller.
Bath bombs from Lush....summer blues. To take to the holiday house (jacuzzi).
2 x 25 rucksack for our Cambodian 4WD Trip with airmesh. Will be roughing it out a little this time.

That is all for the moment. Must also get the hubby's sister something + 1 additional b'day prezzie.

I think I will be totally exhausted tonight.

Yes...there are cute Japanese boys...

For Kevin...NY UniQlo

In response to Andrew Faith ...UniQlo

Charice Pempengco - Is it no hoax!

Random thoughts!

Sometimes a stranger is not a stranger - you have to take the first step.

Sometimes the train only comes once.

In our search for perfection or nirvana, we focus too much on our flaws that blinds us from our gifts.

I don't know you therefore I can decide what is good for you.

I do not accept Charity therefore I deserve none.

If you feel a sense of familiarity then it is what it is - never turn something positive into something ugly because of your fears. Face them and you will be rewarded!

A kiss is just a kiss....

Kissing the old boyfriend was strange. The aroma was pleasant but it was not the same. It felt awkward but mostly ineffectual. Maybe it is time to live in the present and not dwell on the past.

"When I dream, I dream in colour!"

Missing Japan...maybe 2009?

I've told the other half that I am missing Japan a little. Not too sure why but I think I left something behind? So maybe 2009 will see us there again...in Spring maybe while the Sakura are out in bloom!

This is so hilarious! Indian Nipple Song...

Nikon D300

I tried the Demo at a Camera Shop in the city over the weekend. It was juicy...with 51 Point auto-focus system and rapid 6fps - only AUD$2700 body only in Adelaide and about US$1800 in the States. Yummy!

Apparently it has a Liveview which means you can see the pictures on your LCD before shooting the image. They already have those in my Canon Pro 1 so not a new feature but I guess for a semi-professional camera in its range it is!

I need to start writing/reading more...

I agree with Pinoyboy - that your brain tend to forget how to write if you leave it in limbo for far too long...I've noticed how bad I've become of late and I need to buck up. At times, I blame it on Microsoft and their spell-checker but mostly it's just me being lazy really...typing words that sounds the same but has a different meaning, my subject-verb agreements, punctuations and basic spelling...how dreadful.

Oh well... that's ageing for you!