My a330

Well, it's been almost 4 months now since picking up the camera......again! I got myself a Sony DSLR a330 and to my surprise, it's a pretty good and decent camera! It's been almost 15 years since I stopped photography, back then I was on a Pentax SLR. Oh, yes! those SLR camera's that uses film and it was damn bloody expensive to shoot those days. Now, with digital technology, it became very affordable to shoot again! You get to see what you just snapped and if it did not turn out good, just "bin" them and shoot another!

Since then, I have also "accumulated" some new lens to go with the camera and is saving money for another body as my wife is also picking this hobby up, hence she will be using this one and I will need another of my own. I have a Sony 55-200mm tele-zoom lens, a 50mm F1.7(portrait lens) and a Minolta 28-80mm macro lens for general shooting. I am planning for a wide angle lens next, something like a 10-16mm or 11-18mm with a good F stop(eg.F2.8).

I have a lot of pictures now but they will need some trimming before I can load it up here as they are pretty big files! Anyway, I am hoping I will horn my skills better and maybe "shoot" a winning picture one day!

Hitting rock bottom

People always say that when you hit rock bottom and survived, better days are ahead because the logic is, you cannot go any lower, no more bottom. I sincerely hope that is true because I am very sure many Malaysian's are wondering if they have reached rock bottom yet? With the current situation of our economy, where business is very slow and opportunity is scarce, what can a 40+ year old guy do? It is tough for him to look for jobs because he will be competing with younger, probably single and willing to work for lower wages guys out there. Then there is the other option of venturing into his own business but looking around, what businesses can he go into. Everyday we can see all type of businesses and retailers struggling to make end meets, of course we are not talking about MNCs or companies that are established(10 years or more), I am referring to those entrepreneurs that just started their businesses within this 5 years period. The matter gets even more confusing when the government keep coming with figures that tells the people the country is healthy and strong, but go around the root levels and talk to people in coffee shops or business premises, they all will give you the same "shake heard" look. Why is that when the government is saying otherwise?
My conclusion is the figures are not representing the entire spectrum of businesses and industries. There are the odd industries that are performing ultra well, so well that it's performance figures basically represents 70% to 80% of the country's total GDP figure, which gives us the impression that overall, all is well and in the pink of health. By now, if there is anyone reading this must be wondering if the 40+ year old I was referring to earlier is actually me, well no need to burst the bubble lah!
Well on the up side, just read in the Star paper that the government plans to look into people who are blacklisted because they were guarantors for friends or family relatives who defaulted on payments. This blacklisted people can no longer apply for loans or working capital from banks because of being helpful. The government feels it's unfair to fully penalized these people as all financial institutions usually prefer to go after the guarantor and not the principal borrower. How very true! This way, if the government really do amend the law to protect these unfairly blacklisted people, they can still get on with their lives for securing house or cars or business loans. Again, no need to burst the bubble lah!

UMNO and booz

Just want to get this out of my chest. I just saw a short clip of KJ, MP of Rembau been questioned about him and other MP's on booz issue. Instead of answering the question, he went into defensive mode and from his body language, he is definitely hiding something and quickly walked away.
I for one have no issue with MP's drinking booz, even the Muslim MPs, but please don't threat us like we don't know anything! These MP's with their trips to overseas and all the non reported night life, come on, at least have the balls to admit it(like Datuk Zaid) and repent and ask for forgiveness. Don't go into "I dare you kinda attitude"! We might not dare to challenge you MPs coz we are common people with limited resources but that does not mean we tak tahu!
You know we still have the power to vote and when that time comes, you MPs will feel the power of the people!

Babbling.....

It's been a while since my last post coz too many things have been happening and so many things on my mind that blogging was the last thing on the list.....
Anyway, we just celebrated Chinese New Year, a very quiet, non dramatic one and somehow it did not feel like CNY at all. You know back in those days, you will go around friends place visiting and usually it will end up at the table....gambling! But these days, I hardly see this anymore, except for the last day when I found out one of my friend was somewhere gambling the whole day. Another thing missing from CNY these days is the fire crackers. I hardly hear them going off anymore these days......in fact I hear more of this during Hari Raya and Deepavali, so what is going on?
Anyway, I am just babbling away since I have not posted anything for so long, so if anyone is reading this and gets bored.....pls get a life!
Well, just to re-cap after my last post.........been really busy the latter part of 2009, due to the economic downturn and also the weak condition in Malaysia, I have to close off my company. Yes, you heard it right, I am one of the millions that is jobless now. That period was a real intense period for me......but I am okay now.....
Now that CNY is over, I have see what my options are and what I want to do...........
Then last month, one of my uncle passed away, which was also very sudden but I have not seen this uncle for a while now. The last time I saw him was many years back during CNY too, he was his usual self, chatty and happy go lucky type. Who would have thought that he had so many health issues and by the time he passed on, he is just a skeleton of himself.
I have been helping a friend on the side since I lost my job(company)and that is what I am doing to get by every month now. I have tried employments and submitting so many resumes that I lost count, but so far no respond from any of the ads. I think my age is my biggest obstacle now, even if I am experienced and professionally qualified. I am trying not to think too much until it bogs me down but to just go on living by the day now as I really do not know what will happen tomorrow.
Then as usual, CNY is always a busy time for me as well, mainly family matters, so that is good as it takes my mind off my job issue for a while.
My only consolation to myself is I take this as a test from above and all great men goes through this before succeeding.

Craving for Caramel custard

This is one of those days that for no apparent reason, you get this sudden urge for something, and today is one of those days. I have this sudden urge for caramel custard, don't know why, just wanted to sink my teeth into some soft, silky smooth, rich and sweet caramel custard! Luckily making custard is not too much of a work, it is rather simple actually. I like mine rich so I used full cream milk, rich thickening cream, 5 eggs, brown sugar(instead of white sugar) and some rosemary. You can use anything from vanilla, rosemary to all sort of spices that tickle your fancy.
First thing is to make the caramel by cooking the brown sugar till it's bubbling and when you get a whiff of the caramel scent, you are done. Now is where you have to have quick hands as you need to line the bottom of the bowl with the caramel before it turns hard. Then move on to heating up the milk(full cream) and thickening cream. I added some rosemary to get some fragrant to it. I don't actually boil the milk, cream and rosemary but just on low fire and heating it up. Once those are done, let it cool down a little before mixing it into the eggs, otherwise you will cook the eggs!
Anyway, as the milk are cooling off, whisk the eggs until they are all properly mixed(the yolk). I know some people like to use only yolks and maybe just one whole egg(yolk and egg white) but for me, no difference. I just use 5 whole eggs, whisk it till they are properly mixed and smooth, remember to avoid getting too much air into them. Once the milk is cool enough to mixed into the eggs, slowly pour the milk into the eggs, whisking all the time. The end result is you should get a smooth, thick and rich mixture, this is called the custard. Then fill the custard into the bowls that you had earlier lined the bottom with the caramel.
The last step is baking it in the oven at 150C for 30 minutes, I usually heat up the oven before hand and fill the pan with hot water(just enough but not overfilling until it overflows). Put the bowl of custard on the pan(that is fill with water), this way of baking will make sure that the custard will not be burnt or over cooked as the water helps smooth out the heat.
Once it's in the oven for about 30 minutes, you should see the top of the custard firmed up, otherwise leave it in the oven for a few more minutes. Let the custard cool down before serving, I like mine to go with some mint leaves, yummy. Enjoy everyone!

Hair Cut

Finally my daughter agreed to go for a hair cut(trim actually) as her hair is getting too long and it's in the way when she eats and play. She was not really agreeable and rather reluctant even as we walked into the saloon. She keep giving me this "long" and hesitant face, but I keep consoling her that it will be okay. She is worried that we will cut her hair short as her hair grows very slowly. Even when she was a baby, she does not have much hair, so I can understand the fright. Anyway, after much coaxing and persuading, she decided to go, though still hesitant.
When we were in there, watching her from behind and catching her peeping at us from the front mirror was a dejavu experience for me. It dawn on me that not too long ago, I was sitting there and my mom was behind me watching me have my hair cuts. I suddenly realize that the circle of life is playing it's role now, how we felt when our moms took us to the barber(not saloon those days), how she would sit behind and look at us and every now and then points out to the barber/stylist how she wants the hair cut. How funny life works and revolves between generations.
Anyway, luckily we told the stylist to trim down her hair and when she was done, it did not put my daughter off. Let's hope she will be more willing the next time around.

Race and religion politics

I am disturbed by what is happening with the recent spat going on in PKR. I am referring to the on going spat between Sivarasa and Zulkifli Nordin. I cannot see why this Zulkifli fella is still in PKR as from what I understand, PKR from day one project itself as a non race and religion base political party. It is suppose to be a "Malaysian" setup where all race, religion and color are equal and fights for truth, fairness and above all equal rights! Actually, since the tsunami victory for PR in 2008, this Zulkifli fella has been a torn in PKR flesh. He is shouting for Muslim rights, as if the other Malaysians of other races are robbing of the Malays, come of it! He is also involved in the bar council issue, the cow head incident and the ban of beer sales incident, which I personally think is a act of sabotaging PR and PKR. What is wrong with this fella! He still thinks with mentality from a 3rd world country, shouting for issues that are non issues, claiming to fight for his Muslim brothers but as far as I know, the "rakyat" have no issues amongst themselves, and when old friends meet up, be it with their Chinese, Malay or Indian friends, they are all calling themselves "bro"........which means we are all good friends and are considered brothers of different mothers and fathers.
This is truly very disturbing as we are all trying to work towards a united front and be known as true Malaysians, so that our children's and future generations will have a better future and life, and not worried about being told off as second class citizens like some countries from other part of the world, eg. African countries. And that by working hard and paying one's dues, they will get the fruit of their labour based on their hardwork and not on the color on their face.
I realize this Zulkifli fella does not truly understand what caused the tsunami election in 2008, just like BN, and that is a worrying sign for PR as I wonder how many more MPs in PR are of the same mentality like Zulkifli. I sincerely hope Datuk Seri Anwar Inbrahim walk the talk, bring this Zulkifli fella in and have a heart to heart talk to see what is his real intention is and bring all this to a closure so that PR can concentrate on doing other more important things!