Lantern...

A beautiful lantern I came across while walking the back alleys of Melaka's Jonker Street a few months ago. Wandering along unfamiliar paths often leads us to beautiful things.

Vogue...

I always fail to blog because I feel I have nothing important to say. Either that, or nothing profound to enlighten mankind. Many have watched this blog with disappointment as updates are few and far between. Today I will not disappoint anyone but myself, as I will post something insignificant and unprofound... but it'll be fun for those who know the two people in the photo below.

I was the photographer for a studio shoot on Wednesday. I was to capture a Qi Gong sifu in various Qi Gong positions. I told Chin Hor I felt bad for being paid to do such a job as I felt anyone could take these photos. I got ready my solid tripod and my tiny, trusty, underestimated, Canon Powershot G2. As John Goh and I started planning the lighting and fine-tuning it for the shoot, Chin Hor said, "See, it's not that easy to shoot these photos... not everyone can do this." And I realized that that was true. I felt reassured. Thank you.

I cannot go on without mentioning the talent of John Goh. He was a great help with the lighting and I must say that I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to work with him again on a photoshoot in the future. He helped make the photos look good, I cannot take full credit for them. Thank you, John.

I will not post the series of interesting Qi Gong photos that were taken. But I would like to make an animated gif from those photos though, it'd be quite amusing. So if anyone out there can teach me how to make an animated gif, please let me know. Until then... here is a test shot taken on that day. Those interested to hire Chin Hor or Benny to model, please contact 1-800-PRO-MODELS.

Tsunami Aid Day

Originally posted in Underneath the Photographs:

I woke up today with very little expectations. I wasn't sure how many people would actually attend the fundraiser. And I was even more apprehensive about how many people would actually pay attention and listen to the bands. I was prepared to play to 5 listening ears (Yes, one of those 3 people is deaf in one ear). And I was also prepared to put my ventriloquist skills to use during the other bands performances by throwing my voice to create the majestic illusion that 237 people were listening, cheering, and screaming, "I want to have your baby!"



Luckily for those attending, I didn't have to resort to revealing my hidden talent as many came. It wasn't crowded, no. But for a day sprinkled with rain and a location in some corner of a Sentul suburb, the turnout was great! What was even greater was that the collections superseeded the expected RM5000 to about a total of RM14,000. What was the greatest though was the spirit of all those involved and all those who came. The solidarity and unity was a welcome change to our 21st-century world filled with violence, war and death.



To read more about Tsunami Aid Day, head on to JJ Resources, which is run by Jochebed, who was the co-organizer of this event, along with Chin Hor.




Fallen Leaves performed 2 sets, and played with Sue, of Her Reverie, as support. The rest of her band couldn't make it, so we jammed with her on stage. Others who performed were Sam and Qings & Kueens. We had a great time performing to great people. I must say we were much more relaxed than we were than in recent gigs... must be Uncle Pete's advice starting to kick in. We talked with the crowd, dedicated songs to individuals, and raised more than RM100 as a band through CD sales for the tsunami relief efforts. It rained every time I sang. But the rain was a welcome reminder as to the purpose of the event. The skies kept the atmosphere right on this day. Light rains, just like tears, fell throughout.

I was inspired and decided to sing 'All I Can Say' by David Crowder. I began, "If the tsunami victims were to say any prayer at this point of time, or sing a song... it'd probably be this one."

Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while

Chorus:
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give (That's my everything)

And didn't You see me cry'n?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where you sat it down

Chorus:
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give (That's my everything)

Bridge:
I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were cry'n too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet

Chorus:
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give (That's my everything)




Yes, we wish them all hope and peace; things we speak easily about, but may never truly understand their significance until we lose them...