Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009

I received the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (42.195km) 2009 certificate today. It officially records my participation with a timing of 4 hr 38 min & 22 sec. This is one of my major achievements in 2009 and I shall cherish it for a long time.

This year, New Balance, the Co-Sponsor of this event provides a free service of printing the timing on our Finisher T-Shirt. I shall get it printed soon. Once it is done, I don't think I would ever wear it. It would, most likely, be kept neatly at home for self-appreciation :D

Canon Photographer of the Year 2009

The Canon Photographer of the Year 2009 (POTY) was a contest where a new theme was announced every month starting from Mar 09. The monthly prize was a Canon IXUS 95 IS compact camera, and the top ten monthly entries gained points to complete in the Canon POTY award. The grand prize was a Canon EOS 5D MK II with 24-105mm L lens worth about S$5,500.

I came to know about this competition only in Jun 09 from my friend, Darren. For the fun of it, I sent in my 1st entry for the Jul 09's theme "Nostalgia". Not too sure what the judges were looking for, I submitted a photo taken from my Tibet trip in Jun 09. As expected, it did not get into the top ten.

The theme for Aug 09 was "Fresh". It was an easy theme for me as I have many photos taken with morning dews. The difficult part was which one to choose. I narrowed down to 2 photos either a damselfly or a butterfly with dews. I chose and submitted the butterfly (see image below) but regretted a few days later as I thought the damselfly with dews was a much better quality image. Canon did not allow me to change and it was a blessing in disguise as I was named the winner for that month!

"Reflection" was the theme for Sep 09. It didn't sound too difficult to me but I did not have any good images that I could think of, on hand. Although I still continued to do my weekly macro shooting, I did not make it a point to shoot images specially on this theme. When it was nearer towards month end, I quickly glanced through my photostreams and selected one that I think best meet the theme. Unfortunately, this photo was not good enough to get into top 10.

"Texture" was the theme for Oct 09. My original idea was to have a close-up shot showing the colourful texture of a leaf but I did not put in enough effort to find or shoot it. Later, I saw a shot that I hoped it was mine. It was a purplish coleus leaf with beautiful curve and texture. The image belongs to my friend, Darren. I was quite certain that it had potential to be the winner and encouraged him to participate for the contest which he did. On the last week of Oct 09, I still could not find any shot for the theme. Once again, I glanced through my stock of photos and the head & shoulder shot of a Green Crested Lizard with a dark background caught my attention. It was a very well taken photo and it does has beautiful texture on its body and around the head region. But, somehow, I felt that it was not good enough. I would submit this only as a last resort. On 30 Oct 09, an idea suddenly striked me i.e. to have a tigher crop of the GCL focusing only the texture surrounding its eye. When the final image was ready for submission, I was very happy with it. I was confident that Darren and my submissions should get into the top 5. We did not disappoint, I was ranked #1 and Darren, a close 3rd position.

The theme for Nov 09 was "Tension", a difficult one in my opinion. I have 2 images in mind. One is that of an ant struggling in a huge droplet as if to say "I'm drowning, please help me!". The other one was a tiny jumping spider taking on a big dragonfly, easily 5 times its size. The formal image shows an imaginary tension which I was afraid that the judges might not sense it. That was the reason I dropped the image. The spider and dragonfly image does not show much of a tension too as the dragonfly was already dead. Had it been alive, it would certainly stand a higher chance of winning. I chose it anyway as I have no other better image that fits the theme and the ant was a much riskier choice ie. it either wins big or lose big! I didn't expect to win so a 5th ranking was a good results to me. I gained 10 valuable points.

The final theme for Dec 09 was "Change". Luck was really on my side as this was exactly what I was hoping for when I took the molting of an insect (see right image) in 25 Oct 09. I could not think of any other images that could best describe change. I was very confident this time and I would be disappointed if it did not get into the top 5. I did not win the Dec 09 contest but a 3rd placing was good enough for me to be named Canon Photographer of the year 2009. I was overjoyed when this good news was made known to me!

My wife started running again!

I was surprised when my wife wanted to join me for jogging today. She has not been jogging for a long time. Her running shoe is already quite "hard" to put on having left in the shoe cabinet untouched for about 5 to 6 years. Jogging is one of the most healthier ways to slim down and I know very well this is her main motivation. She is not heavy actually weighing about 46 to 48 kg, I think. But, as you know, women always think that there are a little fats that need to be burned away. Regardless of her intention, I am glad that she has started running again. She jogged for 1.2km in about 10 mins and walked another 2.4km. Not a bad start. I told her to increase the distance to 2.4km next week and at least once a week from now on. I am quite certain that she would continue this running habit until she got her ideal weight of about 43 kg ;-)

纵贯线 SuperBand 2010 终点站

My army friend, cuckoo bird, had 4 free tickets to Superband concert. I attended the concert with my wife, my sister/brother-in-law at the Singapore Indoor Stadium yesterday. The ticket stated that the show would commence at 8.00 pm but it started only at 8.30 pm. Not too sure whether this was normal as I hardly attend any concerts. The last one that I attended was 优客李麟 concert at Singapore Expo a few years ago, also free tickets from cuckoo bird ;-)

Anyway, it was a very good concert and we enjoyed the 2.5 hrs show. They sang many songs that I am familiar with and a few nice new songs. I am most impressed by 李宗盛。When he sang, he was very focus with lots of facial expressions so much so that my sister-in-law commented that he looked a little 白痴！This is particularly evident when he sang "我是一只小小小小鸟“. He sang excellently and I like the guitar and violin arrangement of this song, even better than the original 赵传 version! 罗大右 was a close second. He was also very 投入 and I can see that he enjoyed every seconds of it when he sang. A very talented artist who knows to play many instruments including guitar, piano, drum, keyboard, etc. His ”闪亮的日子“ and ”童年“ are very pleasing to the ears! 周华键 was easily the most popular among the 4 but somehow, I find that he did not put 100% effort in the show. 张震 岳 was in his usual laid-back self but his songs are nice too.

On a side note, the hockkien mee at Kallang Leisure 2nd floor Food Court is very good. Priced at a minimum $4 per plate is just nice for a light dinner. With regard to parking, avoid Carpark E which is nearest to the Indoor Stadium. You would have a hard time getting out when the show ends as there is only one small exit. My brother-in-law took about 20 mins just to get out from there. A better place to park is at Carpark F which is the next nearest place. Choose a lot that is nearer to the exit. It is ok if that lot is a little far from the Indoor Stadium.

吃香蕉，中马票！

Two weeks ago, I bought 3 goreng pisang and shared it with my colleagues, Gui Lan & Cindy. Both of them striked 4D, 2nd prize at $1,000 each. Another colleague, Jessie knew about this last week and requested that I buy goreng pisang for her too. So, I bought 3 pieces of goreng pisang and shared it with Gui Lan & Jessie this time. Gui Lan striked Starter prize of about $300+. I have not been buying 4D for quite sometime and decided to try my luck yesterday by buying my car plate no. Believe it or not, I striked Consolation prize of $60! As Jessie did not win, she requested that I buy goreng pisang for her again today. I obliged and again shared it with Gui Lan & Jessie. I got the feeling that we are going to strike BIG this weekend :-)

I don't want junk mails from Singpost!

Nowadays, most HDB flats have anti-junk locking devices on our letternboxes to prevent junk mails from seeping through. However, SingPost offers a service to help advertisers to deliver their fliers through a bulk mail system called Admail for a fee. This defeats the whole purpose of HDB installing these devices as we still receive the same amount of junk mails, if not more, every day. For my case, I receive easily 5 junk mails a day. As I see it, the reason for installing this device is to generate more revenue for SingPost, nothing else.

I read from the Straits Times recently that this Admail service is an auto opt-in subscription. To opt-out, you can call SingaPost's Hotline 68456210. I just called about half an hour ago to be taken off this Admail service. A customer service officer, Mr Kumar, told me that it would take about 2 to 3 days to take effect. Let's see whether will I still receive junk mails.

If you are sick of junk mails like me, call now. You could save many trees too :D However, do take note that opting out will also result in you not receiving Idea catalogue and other fast food promotion vouchers, etc.

Who says my nephew is short!

Two weeks ago, my brother-in-law joked with my nephew that at 1.3+ metre tall in Primary 5, he is short. I told my nephew not to worry as Ah Gu was only 1.32m when I was in Sec 1. At almost 1.7m (nearest 1 dec. pt) tall, I am not very short now ;-) Based on my height records (extracted from TWSS record book) below, he should have no problem reaching more than 1.7m tall.

Sec 1 - 1.32m (23 kg)
Sec 2 - 1.40m (29 kg)
Sec 3 - 1.50m (35 kg)
Sec 4 - 1.61m (43 kg)

For those who are taller during their primary school or early secondary school days, do not be too "hao lian". My best friends, Thiam Hock was probably 1.34m tall while Hun Liang was already about 1.6m tall in Sec 1. I remembered Hun Liang didn't grew much for the next 3 years. We caught up with him in Sec 4. At 1.63m, Thiam Hock was as tall as Hun Liang, while I was just slightly shorter than him! I am quite certain that I am taller than Hun Liang now :D

My Best Friends in Secondary 1 & 2

Thiam Hock & Hun Liang were my best friends in Secondary 1 & 2 at Teck Whye Secondary School (TWSS). During that 2 years in 1979 & 1980, I remembered we always sticked together like bees i.e. we played together, ate together, copied homeworks together, pee together, etc. We never quarelled and I enjoyed every seconds with them. Hun Liang didn't make it to Sec 3, Thiam Hock was posted to Technical stream while I was in Science stream. After 'O' level, we went separate ways and we lost contact thereafter.

Last month I came to know about the TWSS group in facebook. I posted my sec 4 class photo and mentioned about my best friends, Thiam Hock & Hun Liang.

A few days later, someone replied that he is the elder brother of Thiam Hock. I managed to get Thiam Hock's email address and wrote to him. He replied and we arranged to meet up. I met up with him today and we had a very good 3 hrs chit chat. I have not seen him for about 30 years and seriously he didn't change much! He is still 2 mm taller than me, slightly heavily than me, still has the playful look in him. I told him that if I had met him outside, I would have no problem recognising him. He said I didn't change much too. Bull shit! I told him I am much better looking now ;-) Anyway, we talked about the good old times, our life after 'O' level, our work, our army days, our families, etc. We parted and said we shall meet again hopefully not another 30 years! My next wish is to find Hun Liang.