boon's log 3408.07: Another weekend passed...

We went to check out a Asian market which near the airport - about 30minutes away. Funny how I have not been there before after so many trips to OR. Anyways, the Asian mall is called Fubonn. And strategically next to it - a Malaysian Restaurant chain called Malay Satay Hut. According to the manager in charge of this branch next to Fubonn, in his owned words, "the big boss is from Malaysia."

Part of the "Asian market and Satay Hut" excursion included a trip to IKEA. And of course, no trip to IKEA is complete without the Swedish Meatballs... Here are some of the pictures...


Fubonn and Malay Satay Hut


Beef Rendang Rice with Acar at the Malay Satay Hut


THe famous Ipoh Old Town Coffee at Fubonn


Singapore Curry?! I did not know Singapore was famouse for ANY curry?!


Mee-Suah - Ab's favourite, NOT mine... Ugh!


Ab having fun at IKEA


IKEA, OR


Ab's new potty from IKEA (left); old potty (right)


The MULA bead-toy usually found in hospitals / child clinics


boon out...

boon's log 3403.05: Summer Picnic at the Park

IL's department had a Summer Picnic event this afternoon and the family's invited. We had to asked the daycare center to prevent Ab from her beauty afternoon nap (which usually starts at around 1145-ish) so that we can bring her to the event. The weather today was great for picnic - especially after almost a week of rain spells. Nothing really special - typical department teambuilding / outing. Ab enjoyed the junk food and watching other people play games :) while the dad went around snapping photos... Here are some of them.


Hired BBQ Professionals... we should have this type of folk back home, so that we do not have to worry about whether the food is cooked or overcooked...


The adults enjoying a simple game of tug-of-war


Kids enjoying the piñata...


More on the poor piñata


Football a.k.a. Soccer


VERY typical picnic-y game - the frisbee


Looks like the same model Harley at Uwajimaya, but different colour


Kids building damns at a man-made waterfall at the park - they were REALLY moving the rocks!


Must have been inspired by the Olympics - volleyball

As usual, we did not stay till the end of the event. We left early so that Ab can get some rest. It was fun, the food was nice - wish I had more, though. IL and I were dead hungry by dinner time. Don't mind visiting the park again...

boon out...

boon's log 3408.02: Rollover

Was doing a little experimenting with my new lens. Rollover the image below to see the effects...



If you are interested in the rollover coding, here it is...

<a ref="rollover" onmouseover="document.images['roll'].src='image1.jpg'" onmouseout="document.images['roll'].src='image2.jpg'"><img src="image2.jpg"
name="roll" border="0"></a>

boon out...

boon's log 3308.07: The weekend

We had to take the SLR back for an exchange because the lens had a few particles in it - though not visible through the images, but when you look through the lens itself against the light, you will be able to see it; and also I suspect that the body's internal is also dusty, there is a permanent dot even after i change to a different set of lens. The store was nice enough to change it without asking much - they changed the entire set/kit.

Here are some shots, with the new set, of the Polynesian Outdoor Festival at a local Asian Food Market, Uwajimaya, while waiting for IL.


Uwajimaya Asian Food Market


Harley...


Polynesian Outdoor Festival


Hawaiian floral headpiece


Shaved Ice


Girl getting a "tattoo"


Lining up for shaved ice on a hot summer's day...


boon out...

boon's log 3308.02: Airline: Do you prefer "Smooth Landing" or a "Bumpy Landing"?

In Chandler for a 2-day meeting / visit. Just before i went to bed last night, I read this interesting article in the papers (also available online) on the (absurd) Rising Costs of Air Travel (from a consumers' perspective). I screen-cap'd the tables on the different additional costs that customers will need to pay for the additional frills that used to come free with your air ticket...






So, with most companies (and individuals) pushing for cost cutting efforts, I'd imagine there will be a high demand for center seats (non-aisle/nonwindow), the last row of the airplane, nearest to the toilets with no drinks, no snacks, no meals, no headphones, no allowance for check-in luggage.

Gosh, what can the airlines think of next?? Perhaps the following items will only available for an additional fee as well:
1. satefy belts: $3.00
2. Oxygen masks:
2a. Mask $5.00
2b. Oxygen is regulated at $1.00 per 5cm3
3. Air Stewardess/Steward services in making their rounds (since no food or drinks will be served):
3a. $1.00 for first bell pressed
3b. additional $0.50 for subsequent bell presses
4. lavatory services:
4a. $0.50cents for small business
4b. $1.00 for biggies
4c. $0.20 for tissue paper - this one sounds like some Malaysian Shopping Mall
5. hot towel:
5a. unscented - $0.50
5b. scented - $1.00
5c. scented+anti bacterial - $2.00
6. Bag collection:
6a. Collect your bags at the Airport Carousel - $10.00;
6b. Collect your bags at the gates - FREE
7. flotation device for emergencies:
7a. Polystyrene flotation $1.00
7b. Air-filled $2.00
7c. whistle $3.00
7d. torchlight $4.00 (batteries not included)
8. Air Conditioning:
8a. Foldable Paper Fan $1.00
8b. battery operated fan $3.00 (batteries not included)
8c. air conditioning system $4.00
9. Type of ride (differentiated by Captain and First Officer):
9a. Bumpy Take off/Landing - Free
9b. Smooth Take Off / Landing - $5.00

the lists of absurdities goes on, I guess. But one thing is for certain, air travel may not be as pleasant as it used to - not without an additional cost.

boon out...

boon's log 3308.01: Christmas came early this year...

Finally after much digging and shopping, we finally decided on getting the Rebel XSi - an early Christmas gift (:)). IL's Canon A80 kinda died recently - it was giving out over-exposed images under normal lighting environments. The XSi (also known as the Canon EOS 450D) came together with the kit: EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens. I also knocked some deals on the 4Gb Ultra II SDHC memory card and the Rebel Starter kit (bag, UV filter and additional battery). Oh, and it came with a free Epson R280 Hi-Def photo printer as well. All in all, quite satisfied with the whole thing.


The old has not totally gone yet...


...but the new has come.

I called up Canon USA and seems like the problem with the CMOS is a "known defect" and they are willing to fix it for free (including shipment) if the defect is within that category. So, the A80 will be temporarily out of action - whether it will come back into action - that is yet to be seen (you can see from the poor image quality from the picture above).

The XSi came just in time for the Airshow at the local airport here. Here are some of the initial try-outs from the camera.


1929 Travel Air B-4000 with a Sensenich Bros. Lititz Pa. propeller


US Patriot Demo Team


The US Army Golden Knights Parachute Jump Team



Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Eagle in flight


Ab's eyes...


Redbull MiG "in action"

boon out...