Nothing yet a lot of things. Basically more ramblings but too much to ramble for a single blogpost since I'm really not the long winded type of person. Lots of ups and downs and marked disappointments namely in the employment area. Still I resolved not to be knocked down with all these and I will bounce back and knock the block off those who stand in my way... or knock them off the block. Works good for me either way.
Here's to 2011, to what it may bring and what we may bring to it!!
Farewell 2010 and welcome 2011!!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Hurting here & there
I don't know which hurts more. The physical injuries or the heart but for now my wallet seems to have gone into cardiac arrest and there are still the camera, lenses and flash unit to send in. The phone is in ICU now after coming into contact with its greatest nemesis - water! As did the cameras, lenses... ah, let just say the bagful of stuff with the owner was flushed down the river. The story was...
The day started pretty damp i.e. it was raining. Deliberated whether I should proceed to the waterfall. Along the way the weather cleared and some parts looked like it didn't rain there. On our way in there was some slight drizzle and that wasn't worrying. However 1/2 an hour after we arrived the rain started down heavy so we made our way out pronto. By the time we reached the "tunnel" crossings, the water had risen currents were swift. However, the tunnels had ledges just above the water level and we could make it out via that way. Cross the river to the other side then slowly and carefully go up the ledge. "Wait here while I check out the river". I distinctly remembered saying that as I had done in all my trips. It was my responsibility to check the situation before anyone else gets into the river. I found the edges where the ground dips near the mouth of the tunnels and the currents were strong but manageable. Next thing I know there was someone else in the river behind me and near the danger zone. She was already too deep and losing her footing and next thing you know she was being sucked into the tunnel. I grabbed her and tried to hold on but the power of the water was too strong. We were both sucked into the torrent and immediately i tried to regain my footing. If I could stand up i could still get us to safety on the ledge. I managed to stand but slipped and did a split. Damn it hurt! Again tried to stand and succeeded a brief moment before the water knocked me down again. This time I decided not to waste more energy fighting but to put both legs in front and ride out with the flow. Had to pull my right leg to the front as I did the split again.
"Shit my camera..." That was running in my mind all the time in the few seconds in the tunnel. My bag was AW (All Weather) but no way watertight in a situation like this. I was holding on to the girl all this time. To have let her go might have meant I could get myself to safety but dooming her to the raging river after the 2 meter drop just after the tunnel. This is where the conditions training and experiences over the years automatically kicked in. Keep calm, keep your feet in front and go with the flow. Just before we exited the tunnel, a fierce debate on whether to try to regain footing before we go down the small waterfall or do we ride down with it. I decided without thinking further it would be better to ride down the fall. Looking back it could have been the life-saving decision. If I had tried to regain footing and failed, we could have tumbled head down first into the river below and that would have been disastrous. Everything happened so fast and all i remember was over and down we went. Momentarily submerged but when we broke surface we were near the riverbank and we managed to grab on some vegetation to get to shallower waters. Managed to climb up the stone wall and to safety.
That's the story of how the contents of my AW bag got drenched. Over the next few days I could only hobble. The abrasions on my elbows and hand were manageable but both knees, shin and foot had deep abrasions that would take a long time to head. Right knee was also traumatized but unable to put on a knee guard until the surface injuries have healed over. Getting in and out of seats, especially the car took an effort during the first week. The leg muscles also had been over-stressed so the aches will affect movement.
It has been over 2 weeks since the incident and I am still nursing the 3 injury points. These are the most traumatized and deepest so it will take at least another week to heal. The rest have dropped (actually i peeled) scabs. The wallet trauma continues on with only the phone repair quoted so far. I have not had the time nor financial resources to send in my other precious equipment in for service & repairs yet. The dSLR seems to be ok but still better to have it checked out in the inside. G7 working but detected some rust on the lens protector springs. Speedlite 580EX seems totally shorted out. EF10-22mm working but unable to see if the lenses are clear of watermarks. EF70-300IS and Tamron 90mm both have smudgy lenses and definately needs to be serviced even though motors for autofocus seems to be working. A dire need to get the EF70-300IS telezoom fixed before the aerial dugong search in 2 weeks time.
From the day it happened to today, I have not heard from the group that I was with. Makes you wonder... I can't say it but those are the thoughts that hurt a lot. The emotional mix includes anger. Sometimes we need that but too much of it and the concoction will be a toxic mix. Better to dwell on positive. As in the words of wise Yoda, "But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny."
A lesson to draw from this experience? Keep your expensive equipment far, far away from the foolish.
The day started pretty damp i.e. it was raining. Deliberated whether I should proceed to the waterfall. Along the way the weather cleared and some parts looked like it didn't rain there. On our way in there was some slight drizzle and that wasn't worrying. However 1/2 an hour after we arrived the rain started down heavy so we made our way out pronto. By the time we reached the "tunnel" crossings, the water had risen currents were swift. However, the tunnels had ledges just above the water level and we could make it out via that way. Cross the river to the other side then slowly and carefully go up the ledge. "Wait here while I check out the river". I distinctly remembered saying that as I had done in all my trips. It was my responsibility to check the situation before anyone else gets into the river. I found the edges where the ground dips near the mouth of the tunnels and the currents were strong but manageable. Next thing I know there was someone else in the river behind me and near the danger zone. She was already too deep and losing her footing and next thing you know she was being sucked into the tunnel. I grabbed her and tried to hold on but the power of the water was too strong. We were both sucked into the torrent and immediately i tried to regain my footing. If I could stand up i could still get us to safety on the ledge. I managed to stand but slipped and did a split. Damn it hurt! Again tried to stand and succeeded a brief moment before the water knocked me down again. This time I decided not to waste more energy fighting but to put both legs in front and ride out with the flow. Had to pull my right leg to the front as I did the split again.
"Shit my camera..." That was running in my mind all the time in the few seconds in the tunnel. My bag was AW (All Weather) but no way watertight in a situation like this. I was holding on to the girl all this time. To have let her go might have meant I could get myself to safety but dooming her to the raging river after the 2 meter drop just after the tunnel. This is where the conditions training and experiences over the years automatically kicked in. Keep calm, keep your feet in front and go with the flow. Just before we exited the tunnel, a fierce debate on whether to try to regain footing before we go down the small waterfall or do we ride down with it. I decided without thinking further it would be better to ride down the fall. Looking back it could have been the life-saving decision. If I had tried to regain footing and failed, we could have tumbled head down first into the river below and that would have been disastrous. Everything happened so fast and all i remember was over and down we went. Momentarily submerged but when we broke surface we were near the riverbank and we managed to grab on some vegetation to get to shallower waters. Managed to climb up the stone wall and to safety.
That's the story of how the contents of my AW bag got drenched. Over the next few days I could only hobble. The abrasions on my elbows and hand were manageable but both knees, shin and foot had deep abrasions that would take a long time to head. Right knee was also traumatized but unable to put on a knee guard until the surface injuries have healed over. Getting in and out of seats, especially the car took an effort during the first week. The leg muscles also had been over-stressed so the aches will affect movement.
It has been over 2 weeks since the incident and I am still nursing the 3 injury points. These are the most traumatized and deepest so it will take at least another week to heal. The rest have dropped (actually i peeled) scabs. The wallet trauma continues on with only the phone repair quoted so far. I have not had the time nor financial resources to send in my other precious equipment in for service & repairs yet. The dSLR seems to be ok but still better to have it checked out in the inside. G7 working but detected some rust on the lens protector springs. Speedlite 580EX seems totally shorted out. EF10-22mm working but unable to see if the lenses are clear of watermarks. EF70-300IS and Tamron 90mm both have smudgy lenses and definately needs to be serviced even though motors for autofocus seems to be working. A dire need to get the EF70-300IS telezoom fixed before the aerial dugong search in 2 weeks time.
From the day it happened to today, I have not heard from the group that I was with. Makes you wonder... I can't say it but those are the thoughts that hurt a lot. The emotional mix includes anger. Sometimes we need that but too much of it and the concoction will be a toxic mix. Better to dwell on positive. As in the words of wise Yoda, "But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny."
A lesson to draw from this experience? Keep your expensive equipment far, far away from the foolish.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friend/s, where art thou?
Some friends are really just acquittances. Are they really friends? My expectations of a "friend":
...
There's more but that is all i feel like rambling for now.
Just feeling pathetic.
- Say hello even if there is nothing else to say
- Lets you know that you are not forgotten
- Provide an ear to listen
- Does not presume they know
- Even if they know, they will still hear you out
- Not judgmental
- Sympathetic to you whichever way
- Gives no advice unless asked for
- Advise only if absolutely necessary
- Boost your morale before you feel down
- Boost your morale when you are down
- Finds the good bit in your picture even if the picture really sucks
- Thanks you for the smallest of things, even if there really was nothing to thank for
- Appreciates you for who you are, not who you should be
- Reminds you constantly that you are a friend indeed
...
There's more but that is all i feel like rambling for now.
Just feeling pathetic.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Where have my weekends gone to?
The past month of so, I don't recall having a weekend where I was dull wondering where to go. I was more like wandering, with lots of things to see and do.
In no particular order:
Tiring but of the satisfied kind.
In no particular order:
- Kuala Koh, Taman Negara
- P. Ketam/ K. Selangor (via Heli)
- Tioman
- Kuching
- Tasek Bera
- Ulu Geroh/ Gopeng (via Heli)
Tiring but of the satisfied kind.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Story of Powershot G9
Thurs, 25 Oct 2007
Scenario - Canon Expo 2007
Special Price Sessions for max 40 persons per session giving up to 50% discounts on all Powershots, Ixus and printers.
Having missed out on the previous day, ct and i decided to try again today for the 1.00pm session. Today marks the last day of the expo. Arrived by 12.25pm and there was already a long line to the queue. Imagine that, a queue for a queue! Joining the line, it does not seem like we would make it into the 40 but we continued standing in line anyway. When they started counting for the cutoff, we missed out by a good 20 places. So, do we stay or do we give up? Checked with one of the staff and he mentioned that there were only 3 units of Powershot G9 left. What are the odds that there will be any G9 left after this session? Decided to lunch first then come back and check if there are any G9s left.
We were back by 1.20pm and the last few from the 1.00pm session were taking their spins on the wheel. Few of them struck the 50% discount... good for them. Checked with one of the staff and he said there were plenty of G9s in store. That didn't jive with what the other guy said earlier. Asked him to double check and he went to the back store and came out confirming that he saw a dozen units in store. Cool! So now it is like shall we stay or shall we go? After a few rounds of deliberation, ct & i decided to stay for the next session at 4.00pm. In the meantime, what do we do? We can't go off or we might miss the line again. So we stuck around, played with all the display units, went ga-ga over the L-series lenses they exhibited and tried some of the games they had.
At 2.20pm we went over to double check with another staff on the number of G9s available. They checked and told us 3. What?! Sure? *Slight sinking feeling* What were our chances of getting the unit then? If we were way ahead in the line chances would be good. By then I noticed some people gathering near the queue entrance. Line to the queue had started! I dashed over to book a place while ct inquired some more. Accidentally jumped queue but the very nice Iranian allowed me to stay on in front of him. Thank you sir! That gave us position 6 for ct and I am 7th in line. Now we were firm in our commitment for insanity. I could not fathom those who would stand in line for hours just to get some discounts, no matter what the quantum. Now I'm one of them.
Conversations were far and few as time seem to tick slowly by. At around 3.30pm, they opened the queue and handed out our queue numbers. We must decide then which product we wanted and they would determine if there's stock available . The G9s were the choice of those in position 6, 7 and 8! Ok, no more G9s for those who stood behind us. This made the time waiting seem worthwhile. 20% would be the least discount with 30% following it unless you struck the bummer deal of a free Powershot A460.
At 4.00pm, the first person spun and she stuck 50%! What a fantastic start. The next 4 took only 20% and one got the free Powershot A460. Next was ct and she struck 50%! I had a 50% through double luck and that moment, all the pain from standing on your feet just went away. Imagine the excitement to the extent that we could not speak properly. Sounded like 2 yodas conversing.
*Later*
Phone call-
DM: Do you want to meet up tonight?
LH: Can. Why?
DM: So I can give you the G9.
LH: You bought it?! *with the "Oh No" tone*
DM: With a 50% discount.
LH: You got it?!? (the 50% discount) *with the disbelieving tone*
etc, etc, etc
Lesson to learn? If situation permits, go for it!
Scenario - Canon Expo 2007
Special Price Sessions for max 40 persons per session giving up to 50% discounts on all Powershots, Ixus and printers.
Having missed out on the previous day, ct and i decided to try again today for the 1.00pm session. Today marks the last day of the expo. Arrived by 12.25pm and there was already a long line to the queue. Imagine that, a queue for a queue! Joining the line, it does not seem like we would make it into the 40 but we continued standing in line anyway. When they started counting for the cutoff, we missed out by a good 20 places. So, do we stay or do we give up? Checked with one of the staff and he mentioned that there were only 3 units of Powershot G9 left. What are the odds that there will be any G9 left after this session? Decided to lunch first then come back and check if there are any G9s left.
We were back by 1.20pm and the last few from the 1.00pm session were taking their spins on the wheel. Few of them struck the 50% discount... good for them. Checked with one of the staff and he said there were plenty of G9s in store. That didn't jive with what the other guy said earlier. Asked him to double check and he went to the back store and came out confirming that he saw a dozen units in store. Cool! So now it is like shall we stay or shall we go? After a few rounds of deliberation, ct & i decided to stay for the next session at 4.00pm. In the meantime, what do we do? We can't go off or we might miss the line again. So we stuck around, played with all the display units, went ga-ga over the L-series lenses they exhibited and tried some of the games they had.
At 2.20pm we went over to double check with another staff on the number of G9s available. They checked and told us 3. What?! Sure? *Slight sinking feeling* What were our chances of getting the unit then? If we were way ahead in the line chances would be good. By then I noticed some people gathering near the queue entrance. Line to the queue had started! I dashed over to book a place while ct inquired some more. Accidentally jumped queue but the very nice Iranian allowed me to stay on in front of him. Thank you sir! That gave us position 6 for ct and I am 7th in line. Now we were firm in our commitment for insanity. I could not fathom those who would stand in line for hours just to get some discounts, no matter what the quantum. Now I'm one of them.
Conversations were far and few as time seem to tick slowly by. At around 3.30pm, they opened the queue and handed out our queue numbers. We must decide then which product we wanted and they would determine if there's stock available . The G9s were the choice of those in position 6, 7 and 8! Ok, no more G9s for those who stood behind us. This made the time waiting seem worthwhile. 20% would be the least discount with 30% following it unless you struck the bummer deal of a free Powershot A460.
At 4.00pm, the first person spun and she stuck 50%! What a fantastic start. The next 4 took only 20% and one got the free Powershot A460. Next was ct and she struck 50%! I had a 50% through double luck and that moment, all the pain from standing on your feet just went away. Imagine the excitement to the extent that we could not speak properly. Sounded like 2 yodas conversing.
*Later*
Phone call-
DM: Do you want to meet up tonight?
LH: Can. Why?
DM: So I can give you the G9.
LH: You bought it?! *with the "Oh No" tone*
DM: With a 50% discount.
LH: You got it?!? (the 50% discount) *with the disbelieving tone*
etc, etc, etc
Lesson to learn? If situation permits, go for it!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
The Ultimate Answer No More
The first and most special wish came in at exactly 00:00hrs.
I am now "Add 1 to The Ultimate Answer to The Great Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything."
I am now "Add 1 to The Ultimate Answer to The Great Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything."
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
The Law of the Garbage Truck
Beware of Garbage Trucks
by David J. Pollay
How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly he/she can get back her focus on what's important.
Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York Citytaxi cab. Here's what happened.
I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space
right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!
The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally.
You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.
So this was it: The 'Law of the Garbage Truck.' I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.' I began to see garbage trucks. I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.
One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.
Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Teachers and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?
Here's my bet.
You'll be happier.
So.. Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance , TAKE IT! If it changes your life , LET IT! Nobody said it would be easy... They just promised it would be worth it!
by David J. Pollay
How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly he/she can get back her focus on what's important.
Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York Citytaxi cab. Here's what happened.
I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space
right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!
The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally.
You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.
So this was it: The 'Law of the Garbage Truck.' I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.' I began to see garbage trucks. I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.
One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.
Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Teachers and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?
Here's my bet.
You'll be happier.
So.. Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance , TAKE IT! If it changes your life , LET IT! Nobody said it would be easy... They just promised it would be worth it!
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