New gear

Can mean many things in the context of someone such as I. It can mean a new game, a new program, a new book, a new camera and so on. In this case, it means new camera gear, in the form of a SC-28 hotshoe extension cable for my Nikon D50 dSLR.

I understand completely if you have no idea what I’m babbling about at this point. Suffice to say, it’s a neat little piece of equipment that will allow me to connect my flashgun to my camera remotely via a wired link, enabling me to fire the flashgun from completely independent angles and distances.

Oh yes, D70/80/200/whatever users, don’t think I can’t hear your sniggers. So I neither have wireless flash operation with my D50 nor high-speed flash sync controls, sure. I’ll take my single command dial control any day of the week over dual command dial bullshit.
Read the rest of this entry »

On your mark, gentlemen

Start your engines. Burn some rubber. It has, or rather, will begin in a couple of weeks.

The Singapore F1 Grand Prix is a major upcoming event for my country, and even though I’m not much of a open-wheel racing fan (even after my exposure to GRID), the moment I heard about the event, I started hatching grand plans to capture some shots of monster machines streaking down my city’s streets at speeds unheard of by our locals.

That pass - the one pictured right to the left - was procured at great cost, after hearing about a special offer that our local phone service provider Singtel had to proclaim. With a little financial assistance from my mom, I managed to snatch one of these one-day passes that would allow me a grand 24 hours of track access, more than enough to set the wheels of fortune in motion.
Read the rest of this entry »

National Day

Is viewed as a annual culmination of our country’s efforts to bind us Singaporeans together, reminding us all that we are but a community, a hive mind desperate to avoid any form of internal strife, whatever the cost. We work together for the progress of our nation, toiling to bring Her the grain and earth that She needs to expand Her influence over the rest of the universe.

At least, you’d probably think that way if you’ve been listening to half the crap that comes out from all avenues of our life around this time of year.

This year’s National Day celebrations took place at the Marina Bay floating platform, right next to the ubiquitous Benjamin Shears Bridge that links our city hub to the residences of the East.
Read the rest of this entry »

Beyond the sand

And seas, a great evil stirs. Behold! It’s nothing more than a company of morons come to celebrate, or rather, worship their great deity known otherwise as cohesion, which occurred on the 1st of August, quite some time ago.

I too, had to participate in this horrid ritual or risk having my name being listed for the next requiem. Thankfully, we got to sleep late on the actual date; the event would be taking place at a chalet located near my lair, and it would only start a little after lunch.

Unfortunately for me, though, my role in this fracas was expounded by virtue of the fact that a few rascallions saw me wielding my Nikon around duirng the previous unit cohesion event, and promptly reported such findings to those wielding the chains of power.
Read the rest of this entry »

A day with Chiff

Is probably less productive than just electing to stay at home and staying in front of thetube, but protocol sometimes dictates that we be slaves to this phenomenon known as socializing, which I believe I have touched upon previously.

It pretty much began with him wanting to find a way out of his current situation, which you may describe as unsavoury. He (like me!) is currently conscripted enlisted in the Singapore Armed Forces, which, a friend of mine would have you believe, is actually a front for the Imperial Army.

Regardless, he managed to get through the Basic Military Training (again, like me!) and moved on to the School of Infantry SPECialists (SISPEC), a colloquailism no doubt invented by insecure people who pride themselves sorely on their physical condition.

Now, he wants out.
Read the rest of this entry »

Get ready

It has a pretty small table footprint, too.

For the next battle. It has arrived.

Play-asia recently had a 25% off everything (in-stock, that is) sale for the past week or so, and while scanning through the catalogs, I noticed a real nice steal for a Mayflash fighting stick. Shitty parts, shitty feel, but wonderful price. I dallied, though, and put off the purchase to the morrow.

On the morrow, such a purchase would no longer be possible. Fie! My flames stoked, I renewed the search for good deals and extravagant purchases. 6 days on, a modestly-sized parcel arrives at my front door, beckoning.

Now, I do seem to be spending quite a bit of dough on seemingly needless items as of late: first was the PS3 and the 24-inch to go with it (not to mention the starter library of titles), then came another controller just in case I ever managed to get along with another human being, and now this.

As such, I feel a little backstory is necessary.
Read the rest of this entry »