- Never Stop Dreaming -
Well as expected there wasn't any white Christmas so my hopes were pretty much SMASHED! But better late than never, the clouds gathered, Heavens smiled and it snowed late in the night and early in the morning on Boxing Day. Once again everywhere is white and fluffy...pretty! A day late but still acceptable because it's really the snow that makes a difference. 2 times so far since winter started that Heaven had granted snow because the rest of the gloomy days were simply chilly rain which in my humble opinion, is not good for winter. Snow belongs to winter not the rain eventhough I used to be a sucker for rain (when I was in Singapore).
Day after day, the news flooded the Internet with Canada and America getting dumped but tons of snow so I was left wondering, "What The Hell", because WE here in Japan should be entitled to share some of that white powder as well. Yes...today I am super duper "Genki" and with cousin Denis and Lifern coming over today in the evening, things just couldn't get any worse.
While in the morning, I skipped my usual breakfast and opted for a cup of hot coffee instead. As I watch the white phenomenon smiling in front of me with nice hot coffee in my hands, I knew this was it. The moment that I have been waiting for all these while. Hoooorayyyy! When the time is almost right, I got in my little snow mobile, half blue (based color of my car) and half white and made my way to work. Too overjoyed and overwhelmed by the snow, the idea of driving safely was erazed completely from my head. One downhill tight corner and my car was sliding dangerously towards the gutter. For a moment I thought my car would hit the ditch but my instantaneous reaction combining hard braking and counter steering brought the car away from the gutter. It was inches from going into the gutter and boy that was totally unexpected. Not that I had actually planned an Initial D stunt but simply pure inert reaction. So I really ought to keep my mind clear when I am driving and not get too carried away by the snow. Of course I will try to practice drifting again soon so that I can have a better understanding and control of the car to prevent accidents in the most uncanny situations.
Fooling around the car in snow is fun because you get to feel the car sliding and losing traction. Then you take the necessary counter measures to bring the car back under control. With practice, this will become a useful skill for driving under harsh conditions because you will never know when the next accident will happen. But when it does happens, only drivers with such skill set will be able to sail away from any potential damage while the rest of the normal drivers will...sad to say damage the car.
Yes and yes...IT IS SNOWING! WHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
A Sniper's Prayer
- Never Stop Dreaming -
It seems funny that my thoughts are so random when I spend precious hours inside a small cubicle recycling food for Mother Nature. Cars, news, snow, parties, etc. and the current fleeting thought, A Sniper's Prayer.
"Dear God,
with this instrument of precision engineering granted to me, let me cast fear upon my enemies and let me not be consumed by fear. Let me strike down my enemies before they strike me down. With God in my mind and enemies in my eyes, grant me Holy strength. A roar of thunder I shall send them all to your Heavenaly Sanctuary. Amen."
Though a bit cheesy and probably ripped from the quotes from Saving Pte Ryan, I kinda forgot the exact words so I simply filled in my own. With moments of solitary confinement lashed out by my own will, I was never far from creativity. Probably too much Supernatural and the Winchester Boys, I find myself so often playing the words revolving around Devil, God, Angels and Demons. Of course there is the murders, blood and gore to ice the final decorations of the cake.
It seems funny that my thoughts are so random when I spend precious hours inside a small cubicle recycling food for Mother Nature. Cars, news, snow, parties, etc. and the current fleeting thought, A Sniper's Prayer.
"Dear God,
with this instrument of precision engineering granted to me, let me cast fear upon my enemies and let me not be consumed by fear. Let me strike down my enemies before they strike me down. With God in my mind and enemies in my eyes, grant me Holy strength. A roar of thunder I shall send them all to your Heavenaly Sanctuary. Amen."
Though a bit cheesy and probably ripped from the quotes from Saving Pte Ryan, I kinda forgot the exact words so I simply filled in my own. With moments of solitary confinement lashed out by my own will, I was never far from creativity. Probably too much Supernatural and the Winchester Boys, I find myself so often playing the words revolving around Devil, God, Angels and Demons. Of course there is the murders, blood and gore to ice the final decorations of the cake.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Around People
- Never Stop Dreaming -
In my yet another intuitive approach to attempt to stop time by freezing a moment of it in frames, something that cannot be done by any living mortal. This time round I have moved on from rooms, shadows and sunlight. Instead I chose to shoot people related subjects in color and have the magic flow from Photoshop to convert them to monochrome. The following 4 pictures, each have a different perspective to portray because I had wanted to isolate a section of the photos, usually away from the main attention grabber. So after messing with Photoshop for weeks, these are my first monochromic exhibition of people.
"Overwhelmed"
"Winter Wear"
"Attentive"
"Commitment"
In my yet another intuitive approach to attempt to stop time by freezing a moment of it in frames, something that cannot be done by any living mortal. This time round I have moved on from rooms, shadows and sunlight. Instead I chose to shoot people related subjects in color and have the magic flow from Photoshop to convert them to monochrome. The following 4 pictures, each have a different perspective to portray because I had wanted to isolate a section of the photos, usually away from the main attention grabber. So after messing with Photoshop for weeks, these are my first monochromic exhibition of people.
"Overwhelmed"
"Winter Wear"
"Attentive"
"Commitment"
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Drifting Redefine.
- Never Stop Dreaming -
While searching for some info on the net, I came across this really interesting vid off a Japanese website about drifting. You think only cars can drift, think again...
While searching for some info on the net, I came across this really interesting vid off a Japanese website about drifting. You think only cars can drift, think again...
Friday, December 19, 2008
Professional Fatuous "Advisors"
- Never Stop Dreaming -
This morning, I was greeted by the sweetest message from one of the loveliest girl who had implanted permanant footprints in my life and gained herself a eternal place in my heart. Quite to the contary, last night I was chatting with another lovely girl who had also gained a significant impact in my life...Yes I know I am in self denial of these blessings that God have granted, I am blind, I am dumb or watever. That aside, I received an email from an net friend whom I had never met. Now there was absolutely nothing wrong with the email so don't get me wrong. The email was about an unknown Caucasian little girl who seemed to be tracing her name, her roots and possibly her parents after being a victim of the 2004 Phuket Tsunami.
As we all know, the tragedy happened like about 4 years ago and this email circulating phenomenon is somewhat shady, and possibly unreliable. As much as I appreciate the efforts of everyone harnessing the power of the internet to bring the world closer, but being a good samaritian by forwarding emails blindly outta compassion is not gonna beg you a Noble price or a place in Wikipedia. I may seem to be going down harsh on this issue and yes indeed I am. Simply because in this advance civilization of techonology that we live in, the mere click of the mouse might prove a little too fatal at times. The repercussions are exponential and often inredeemable. So I chose an unfortunate few among the whole list of "forwarded" recepients to lash my disgust at.
While browsing thru the list, a unglamourously "spectacular" one did caught my eye. It seems that she have an allegiance of affidavits that goes by a much abused moniker, 'Advisors Clique'. Ha...Advisors my ass! Not to mention that the name of the huge Corporation that she is working for, contact no. and other info pasted in bold. Really makes one wonder what these fatuous "Advisors" do in the office. And then it really comes to a point when I question their acadamic and technological capabilities. Google and Yahoo are not just there to take up space...they have useful properties. A quick search on either of these and other less known search engines would have generated that this "Lost Phuket Girl" issue is already closed in 2004. Her identity and nationality verified, and returned to the arms of her parents in the comfort of her home. Then why are these emails still circulating?
Your guess is as good as mine...Brainless 'Advisors' forwarding it blindly, losers boasting 3000 friends on their contact lists and all other Samaritians wannabe clicking away the "Mass Destruction" forward buttons. Like how I have blasted some emails claiming how great God is in the usually overly exaggerated context, I really do not care how great one's God is or how some kid needs a new kidney, if the emails are genuinely free from deception and exaggeration, I will humbly do my part and forward them to my friends because I believe that everyone should do their part to protect the people who they regard as real friends and not send every junk out to "infect" their friends.
For God's sake or for your friends' sake, seperate the truth from the lies and filter the hoaxes and spams from the truth before you hit the forward button.
Use Google because it's free and efficient.
Be a little wiser so that there will be less stupid generations ahead.
Protect your friends, love ones and "eliminate" everything else.
This morning, I was greeted by the sweetest message from one of the loveliest girl who had implanted permanant footprints in my life and gained herself a eternal place in my heart. Quite to the contary, last night I was chatting with another lovely girl who had also gained a significant impact in my life...Yes I know I am in self denial of these blessings that God have granted, I am blind, I am dumb or watever. That aside, I received an email from an net friend whom I had never met. Now there was absolutely nothing wrong with the email so don't get me wrong. The email was about an unknown Caucasian little girl who seemed to be tracing her name, her roots and possibly her parents after being a victim of the 2004 Phuket Tsunami.
As we all know, the tragedy happened like about 4 years ago and this email circulating phenomenon is somewhat shady, and possibly unreliable. As much as I appreciate the efforts of everyone harnessing the power of the internet to bring the world closer, but being a good samaritian by forwarding emails blindly outta compassion is not gonna beg you a Noble price or a place in Wikipedia. I may seem to be going down harsh on this issue and yes indeed I am. Simply because in this advance civilization of techonology that we live in, the mere click of the mouse might prove a little too fatal at times. The repercussions are exponential and often inredeemable. So I chose an unfortunate few among the whole list of "forwarded" recepients to lash my disgust at.
While browsing thru the list, a unglamourously "spectacular" one did caught my eye. It seems that she have an allegiance of affidavits that goes by a much abused moniker, 'Advisors Clique'. Ha...Advisors my ass! Not to mention that the name of the huge Corporation that she is working for, contact no. and other info pasted in bold. Really makes one wonder what these fatuous "Advisors" do in the office. And then it really comes to a point when I question their acadamic and technological capabilities. Google and Yahoo are not just there to take up space...they have useful properties. A quick search on either of these and other less known search engines would have generated that this "Lost Phuket Girl" issue is already closed in 2004. Her identity and nationality verified, and returned to the arms of her parents in the comfort of her home. Then why are these emails still circulating?
Your guess is as good as mine...Brainless 'Advisors' forwarding it blindly, losers boasting 3000 friends on their contact lists and all other Samaritians wannabe clicking away the "Mass Destruction" forward buttons. Like how I have blasted some emails claiming how great God is in the usually overly exaggerated context, I really do not care how great one's God is or how some kid needs a new kidney, if the emails are genuinely free from deception and exaggeration, I will humbly do my part and forward them to my friends because I believe that everyone should do their part to protect the people who they regard as real friends and not send every junk out to "infect" their friends.
For God's sake or for your friends' sake, seperate the truth from the lies and filter the hoaxes and spams from the truth before you hit the forward button.
Use Google because it's free and efficient.
Be a little wiser so that there will be less stupid generations ahead.
Protect your friends, love ones and "eliminate" everything else.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Life Thru Frames
- Never Stop Dreaming -
For the benefit many people who do not have a Facebook or Mixi account, here are my maiden attempt into REAL photography. By REAL I mean taking lighting, f stops, angle, perspective and other factors into consideration to tell relate a story in each picture. Of course Photoshop to either enhance a perfectly well taken picture, to convert it into black and white or to add the effect that I want. Your generous and humble comments as well as pointers are more than welcome to help me further my skills into a journey of presenting life itself thru frames. By taking this first step, I have found myself another expensive hobby but at least it will take a life of its own for many generations later.
All pictures were taken in my school on a sunny afternoon in the not so cold winter when the gentle rays of the sun triggered my love interest.
For the benefit many people who do not have a Facebook or Mixi account, here are my maiden attempt into REAL photography. By REAL I mean taking lighting, f stops, angle, perspective and other factors into consideration to tell relate a story in each picture. Of course Photoshop to either enhance a perfectly well taken picture, to convert it into black and white or to add the effect that I want. Your generous and humble comments as well as pointers are more than welcome to help me further my skills into a journey of presenting life itself thru frames. By taking this first step, I have found myself another expensive hobby but at least it will take a life of its own for many generations later.
All pictures were taken in my school on a sunny afternoon in the not so cold winter when the gentle rays of the sun triggered my love interest.
Salem Alaska Menthol
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Although I am a little late in posting this, I believe that this new cancer stick is not available outside Japan. Released on Dec 1, 2008, Salem introduced this new cancer stick probably to level the playing field against the Marlboro Black and Ice Mint in the war of the Menthols.
The all white packaging featuring the horns of a reindeer or some hoofed animal is pretty classy as compared to the black but pretty outdated Marlboro design. Besides that, the freebies that comes with the Salem are white fur pouches and other useless lighters. Thanks to my friend, I shall pass him the cancer sticks and keep the pouches for myself. It funny how I constantly buy these cancer sticks for my friends (they pay me for it) solely for keeping the freebies ONLY. Because the cancer sticks are the same price with or without the freebies so I would always offer myself to purchase for them for my friends and pocket the freebies. Haha...welcome to Japan.
Although I am a little late in posting this, I believe that this new cancer stick is not available outside Japan. Released on Dec 1, 2008, Salem introduced this new cancer stick probably to level the playing field against the Marlboro Black and Ice Mint in the war of the Menthols.
The all white packaging featuring the horns of a reindeer or some hoofed animal is pretty classy as compared to the black but pretty outdated Marlboro design. Besides that, the freebies that comes with the Salem are white fur pouches and other useless lighters. Thanks to my friend, I shall pass him the cancer sticks and keep the pouches for myself. It funny how I constantly buy these cancer sticks for my friends (they pay me for it) solely for keeping the freebies ONLY. Because the cancer sticks are the same price with or without the freebies so I would always offer myself to purchase for them for my friends and pocket the freebies. Haha...welcome to Japan.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Canon EF 35mm F1.4L USM
- Never Stop Dreaming -
A while ago I was disgrunting how I was so into photography and that there were so many inspirations. Then there was me saying I needed an upgrade of equipment so here I shall give a little insight of what I am keeping my eyes for.
The Canon EF 35mm F1.4L USM lens
A while ago, I got myself my a 1.6 cropped DSLR and a decent zoom lens (which was all I could afford at that time). Being really new to the vast world of photography, it was a little hefty investment. I fondled, tweaked and experimented and some 1.5 years later I found myself unwilling to use a flash in my style of photography. Well I wasn't really into flash because they spoil the mood of the picture and of course strobes were not in my league as well. So very often I found myself struggling with the current lens I had which had a minimum f stop of 4.0 which is very hard to work in low light conditions without a flash.
Here's a quick run down of some techinal jargons to help you understand a little better.
In the age of DSLR, every lens have some sort of numbers attached to it, usually in millimetres (mm). Lens with a range like 20 ~ 70mm, 17 ~55mm indicates a zoom lens while a fixed number like 24mm, 35mm indicates a prime lens (zoom by moving your feet). The smaller the number, the wider angle of the lens (Wide angle lens) and the larger the number, the narrower the angle of the lens (Tele-photo lens) is. Wide angle lens can probably capture everyone on a group photo squeezing comfortable while a tele-photo lens can only capture some people on the group photo.
Second is the f stop number usually denotes by f1.4 or f/2.8 or a range like f 4.0 ~ 5.6. This number indicates how wide the aperture or blades inside the lens open. The smaller the number say 1.2, the wider the aperture opens and vice versa. How wide the aperture opens will actually allow you to control the amount of light entering the lens and then finally to the camera sensor. Low numbers will result in a shallow depth of field which simply means that you can actually see the foreground clearly and the background gets blurred. Isolation of the foreground from the blurred background is also known as bokeh which is an exquisite style in most professional photography. It's a pretty in depth field of study so go look up on your own if you are interested. (You won't be disapponted).
The next is the shutter speed which is simply how fast the camera captures the light entering the sensor. This is usually denoted by a fraction like 1/100, 1/400. A fast shutter speed will allow action to be captured with ease while a slow shutter speed will allow motion blur.
The relationship between the f stops and the shutter speed is essential to capture good pictures (This is a pretty basic justifications because there are A LOT of other factors at play to be taken into consideration as well with respect to taking a good picture.) When the f stop is low, more light can enter the camera so a faster shutter speed can be used whereas a high f stop will need a slower shutter speed. Especially in low light conditions or where the use of flash is not permitted, a high f stop will allow a lot of light to enter the camera and thus render an appropriate contrast and color. This have to be partnered with a fast shutter speed because any slight movement of the camera or the subject will blur the image significantly. Specific blurring of the subjects like waterfalls and moving lights, I shall skip them for now.
So there, hope you have a little more insight of what this whole DLSR thingy is about. The bottomline is that if the f stop of the lens is particularly small, it will be an expensive lens and if there is a red "L" marking on Canon lens, it is most definitely priced exorbitantly. Afterall instruments of precision engineering are known for their value and performance so like a sniper rifle's scope, it's usually one hit one "kill".
The lens that I am going for is a 35mm prime lens (not a zoom one). Because I use it on a 1.6 cropped camera body, the lens is equivalent to a 56mm lens on a full size camera. This particular lens is an "L" series of the Canon line up which will mean that it is darn expensive. All the money will go into the material used for the lens and all the precision wonders inside the lens that will probably capture better pictures. Besides that, the F1.4 makes this a fast lens which will allow me to capture images in low light in the abscence of flash. Bokeh is also something that I like and this lens will be able to create that "isolation of the subject" magic. The price in Yen is expensive but at least affordable if I save enuff. Outside Japan, it's pretty insane. All the reviews and photos that I have seen on the net tells me that once this lens is in my aquisition, there is absolutely no turning back.
Hope I can get it soon to experiment it and ready myself for my brother's wedding in Aug 2009. With the current economic uncertainty, burning deep holes in my pockets is really not feasible. The much dreaded cycle happens like almost in every 10 years with the last recession in 1997. Damn!
A while ago I was disgrunting how I was so into photography and that there were so many inspirations. Then there was me saying I needed an upgrade of equipment so here I shall give a little insight of what I am keeping my eyes for.
The Canon EF 35mm F1.4L USM lens
A while ago, I got myself my a 1.6 cropped DSLR and a decent zoom lens (which was all I could afford at that time). Being really new to the vast world of photography, it was a little hefty investment. I fondled, tweaked and experimented and some 1.5 years later I found myself unwilling to use a flash in my style of photography. Well I wasn't really into flash because they spoil the mood of the picture and of course strobes were not in my league as well. So very often I found myself struggling with the current lens I had which had a minimum f stop of 4.0 which is very hard to work in low light conditions without a flash.
Here's a quick run down of some techinal jargons to help you understand a little better.
In the age of DSLR, every lens have some sort of numbers attached to it, usually in millimetres (mm). Lens with a range like 20 ~ 70mm, 17 ~55mm indicates a zoom lens while a fixed number like 24mm, 35mm indicates a prime lens (zoom by moving your feet). The smaller the number, the wider angle of the lens (Wide angle lens) and the larger the number, the narrower the angle of the lens (Tele-photo lens) is. Wide angle lens can probably capture everyone on a group photo squeezing comfortable while a tele-photo lens can only capture some people on the group photo.
Second is the f stop number usually denotes by f1.4 or f/2.8 or a range like f 4.0 ~ 5.6. This number indicates how wide the aperture or blades inside the lens open. The smaller the number say 1.2, the wider the aperture opens and vice versa. How wide the aperture opens will actually allow you to control the amount of light entering the lens and then finally to the camera sensor. Low numbers will result in a shallow depth of field which simply means that you can actually see the foreground clearly and the background gets blurred. Isolation of the foreground from the blurred background is also known as bokeh which is an exquisite style in most professional photography. It's a pretty in depth field of study so go look up on your own if you are interested. (You won't be disapponted).
The next is the shutter speed which is simply how fast the camera captures the light entering the sensor. This is usually denoted by a fraction like 1/100, 1/400. A fast shutter speed will allow action to be captured with ease while a slow shutter speed will allow motion blur.
The relationship between the f stops and the shutter speed is essential to capture good pictures (This is a pretty basic justifications because there are A LOT of other factors at play to be taken into consideration as well with respect to taking a good picture.) When the f stop is low, more light can enter the camera so a faster shutter speed can be used whereas a high f stop will need a slower shutter speed. Especially in low light conditions or where the use of flash is not permitted, a high f stop will allow a lot of light to enter the camera and thus render an appropriate contrast and color. This have to be partnered with a fast shutter speed because any slight movement of the camera or the subject will blur the image significantly. Specific blurring of the subjects like waterfalls and moving lights, I shall skip them for now.
So there, hope you have a little more insight of what this whole DLSR thingy is about. The bottomline is that if the f stop of the lens is particularly small, it will be an expensive lens and if there is a red "L" marking on Canon lens, it is most definitely priced exorbitantly. Afterall instruments of precision engineering are known for their value and performance so like a sniper rifle's scope, it's usually one hit one "kill".
The lens that I am going for is a 35mm prime lens (not a zoom one). Because I use it on a 1.6 cropped camera body, the lens is equivalent to a 56mm lens on a full size camera. This particular lens is an "L" series of the Canon line up which will mean that it is darn expensive. All the money will go into the material used for the lens and all the precision wonders inside the lens that will probably capture better pictures. Besides that, the F1.4 makes this a fast lens which will allow me to capture images in low light in the abscence of flash. Bokeh is also something that I like and this lens will be able to create that "isolation of the subject" magic. The price in Yen is expensive but at least affordable if I save enuff. Outside Japan, it's pretty insane. All the reviews and photos that I have seen on the net tells me that once this lens is in my aquisition, there is absolutely no turning back.
Hope I can get it soon to experiment it and ready myself for my brother's wedding in Aug 2009. With the current economic uncertainty, burning deep holes in my pockets is really not feasible. The much dreaded cycle happens like almost in every 10 years with the last recession in 1997. Damn!
Biohazard: Degeneration
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Today I am at my workplace idling unproductively and sifting like a smelly rat at all available resources on the net for my own benefit. You see yes indeed I am at my workplace but there is no work to be done but just that I have to be here. It's pretty unfathomable but since I am getting paid, might as well save the electrical bills back home.
Yesterday night I caught the movie Biohazard: Degeneration and here are some spoilers and my verdict. This is the first Full Length CGI movie of the Biohazard franchise. Biohazard is the name in Japanese where elsewhere outside Japan, it is know as Resident Evil. As compared to the live action flick starring uber hot Mila Jovovich, this one retains more of the juice and gore true to the game. Quite simply because CGI can replicate the game with a certain degree of accuracy that actors and actress can't. Until now, the most successful CGI film that have set the bench mark was (at least to me) Final Fantasy VII Advent Children. But that and the previous FF CGI movie (Spirits Within) belonged to Square Enix. Biohazard is the first CGI by Capcom and Sony Pictures.
Although Biohazard doesn't bite the dust trails of Advent Children, I can say both are equally good in their own aspects. While the futuristic set and the fantasy approach brings out the shine in Advent Children, Biohazard brings forth gloom, zombies and weaponery closer to home. The lighting is the usual night, explosions, and lot's of zombies getting wasted. Being a Kumpung Kid from Singapore who have been thru army, the sound of empty cartridges echoing off the floor is simply orgasmic. Now with 2 of the biggest game companies pushing out more remarkable eye candy CGI movies, I can expect more from these AWESOME Japanese companies in the future. That aside, other reasons would probably be the very fact that CGI flicks that roll off Hollywood appeal to mostly whining kids with their ever so lovable but intellectually insulting and shallow appeal. It is always these Japanese ones that have a strong cult following...so shame on you Hollywood, for under utilising your resources.
Ok here are the spoilers, the movie is set 7 years after the Racoon City incident with protaganists, Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield (from the original Resident Evil 2 game) getting aquainted in the strangest places, you guessed it, amongst zombies. The movie progress thru the first zombie battles in the airport and then a little side story of the private life of another main character, Angela Miller, a member of the Special Response Team (S.R.T.). Yeah she is your typical buxomy babe who wield guns and is cleary the damsel in distress who falls in love with the main protagonist, Leon. From here the story relates how Angela's brother got involved in the whole conspiracy where all the characters head for another circular biochemical lab, much resembling the Original Umbrella Corporation residing beneath Racoon City. Characters get locked down in the facility which is underground, (Hmm repetition again.) and battle more zombie scientists. Then again , true to the game style, the Boss appears. A G-virus infected uber cool monster who tries to kill everything savagely. Leon saves the day and the damsel, Angela in an epical Boom Boom Boss killing ending, happily ever after and a little teaser of a sequel in the last few minutes.
Overall the story is a little short but follows very closely to the game style. Dark office complex, zombie scientists, Super cool Boss, lot's of innocent killed, lot's of explosion, lot's of bullets expanded, lot's of gore, guts and blood, and finally superb rendering of lighting and effects to flash by so fast barely stopping for me to appreciate. All in all can't fault them for making it uber realistic and it's a great action CGI movie albeit a little short and predictable. Probably have to wait like another 10 years if the fit better story line in there.
P.S. This movie won't be release in the theatres in SG or anywhere else because it only premiered at the recent Tokyo Game Show, and a week after that in limited releases in U.S. and Japan ONLY.
Rating - 7 / 10
Today I am at my workplace idling unproductively and sifting like a smelly rat at all available resources on the net for my own benefit. You see yes indeed I am at my workplace but there is no work to be done but just that I have to be here. It's pretty unfathomable but since I am getting paid, might as well save the electrical bills back home.
Yesterday night I caught the movie Biohazard: Degeneration and here are some spoilers and my verdict. This is the first Full Length CGI movie of the Biohazard franchise. Biohazard is the name in Japanese where elsewhere outside Japan, it is know as Resident Evil. As compared to the live action flick starring uber hot Mila Jovovich, this one retains more of the juice and gore true to the game. Quite simply because CGI can replicate the game with a certain degree of accuracy that actors and actress can't. Until now, the most successful CGI film that have set the bench mark was (at least to me) Final Fantasy VII Advent Children. But that and the previous FF CGI movie (Spirits Within) belonged to Square Enix. Biohazard is the first CGI by Capcom and Sony Pictures.
Although Biohazard doesn't bite the dust trails of Advent Children, I can say both are equally good in their own aspects. While the futuristic set and the fantasy approach brings out the shine in Advent Children, Biohazard brings forth gloom, zombies and weaponery closer to home. The lighting is the usual night, explosions, and lot's of zombies getting wasted. Being a Kumpung Kid from Singapore who have been thru army, the sound of empty cartridges echoing off the floor is simply orgasmic. Now with 2 of the biggest game companies pushing out more remarkable eye candy CGI movies, I can expect more from these AWESOME Japanese companies in the future. That aside, other reasons would probably be the very fact that CGI flicks that roll off Hollywood appeal to mostly whining kids with their ever so lovable but intellectually insulting and shallow appeal. It is always these Japanese ones that have a strong cult following...so shame on you Hollywood, for under utilising your resources.
Ok here are the spoilers, the movie is set 7 years after the Racoon City incident with protaganists, Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield (from the original Resident Evil 2 game) getting aquainted in the strangest places, you guessed it, amongst zombies. The movie progress thru the first zombie battles in the airport and then a little side story of the private life of another main character, Angela Miller, a member of the Special Response Team (S.R.T.). Yeah she is your typical buxomy babe who wield guns and is cleary the damsel in distress who falls in love with the main protagonist, Leon. From here the story relates how Angela's brother got involved in the whole conspiracy where all the characters head for another circular biochemical lab, much resembling the Original Umbrella Corporation residing beneath Racoon City. Characters get locked down in the facility which is underground, (Hmm repetition again.) and battle more zombie scientists. Then again , true to the game style, the Boss appears. A G-virus infected uber cool monster who tries to kill everything savagely. Leon saves the day and the damsel, Angela in an epical Boom Boom Boss killing ending, happily ever after and a little teaser of a sequel in the last few minutes.
Overall the story is a little short but follows very closely to the game style. Dark office complex, zombie scientists, Super cool Boss, lot's of innocent killed, lot's of explosion, lot's of bullets expanded, lot's of gore, guts and blood, and finally superb rendering of lighting and effects to flash by so fast barely stopping for me to appreciate. All in all can't fault them for making it uber realistic and it's a great action CGI movie albeit a little short and predictable. Probably have to wait like another 10 years if the fit better story line in there.
P.S. This movie won't be release in the theatres in SG or anywhere else because it only premiered at the recent Tokyo Game Show, and a week after that in limited releases in U.S. and Japan ONLY.
Rating - 7 / 10
Monday, December 8, 2008
Random Tokyo Musings Part 01
- Never Stop Dreaming -
Was in Tokyo over the weekends for a dinner party jointly organised by Morris and his ex-student. Distinguished guests gracing the event were more of Morris ex-students and his friends. Yeah I am in Tokyo just for that...and also to pitch my luck in my deprived love interest. Having found a cheaper transit to Tokyo via the Highway Bus (￥2,500 - single way) which will take around 2.5 hours, it's definitely much more worthwhile to save as much as I can in this brewing economic disaster. Lot's of interesting commuters on the bus but taking their pictures at such proximity would be seeking a death wish. I could only eavesdrop their conversation and accomodate the welcoming stares because I had such groovy fashion sense, Ha, tell me about it.
The bus traveled via the mountainous passes with fantastic landscape but I wasn't really into the landscape pictures so no pics. As dusk sets in with half the vast blue sky robbed of clouds and the other half with littered with lucious columns of fluffy whites and greys, they were only further enhanced with streaks of striking gold linings from the setting sun. Splendid scene but again I wasn't really tempted into framing that.
Then the bus stop for the last interimn break where toilets and smokes were lifes' fuel, I thought I had better frame at least 1 picture so here it is...
Then the journey continued in to "uneventful" Tokyo. As usual the 待ち合わせ (meeting place) was the iconic Hachiko Dog symbol in front of Shibuya station where people simply congregate for various reasons.
There I met Morris and Read from Niigata and waited for more of Morris's friends. I was bored so the camera in my hands became my toy while I search for the novelty of unsuspecting targets.
Morris and Read became my first victims where they were caught in their most candid expressions.
Then comes this pretty stressed up random Japanese dude in the crowds.
Testing the camera multiple capabilities...
Ok then the rest of the guests arrived and we had wonderful dinner together where I went savage on the liquor and food. Yeah I don't have to drive so might as well let me self loose. This dinner was a very typical Japanese 合コン (Goukon) which an equal number of guys and an equal number of girls come together for dinner with hopes of hooking up with someone. I knew that from the start but my hopes for seeking more friends were far greater as love is pretty subjective for me. Being one of the 3 foreigners there, of course I was bombarded with questions. Now that is a pretty good thing because I can steal ALL the limelight from the other Japanese blokes (pardon my obnoxious audacity). The 2 other Japanese guys were seeing green because the forth one failed to show up and that I, the other Asian on the table was the crowd's favourite and was dazzling. Only 1 was pretty cool and hey I do like him in a non-gay sorta way. I could feel their eyes gleeming with katanas ready to dice me into nano pieces...haha. Whatever here are the pics, less the magnanimous photographer (as usual).
Then after the dinner it was a short drinking session where most of the fabulous ladies left because of work on the following day. How disapponting...so I made my way to Chiyoko's place to crash for the nite. Hmm Chiyoko (I call her Choco) was someone I met at Hitomi's party who had allowed me to crash at her tiny apartment 20 minutes from Shibuya. Hey it's free so I can't complain much rite? That was it...and then came Sunday where Chiyoko made brunch...*shutter chance*
- The "unglamourous" moment without make up -
Sorry again no pictures but the Tomato rice that she made looks fantastic on a plate with fresh tomatoes and lettuce. Harsh reality sets in on the strangest times...the rice was tasteless, bland and good only for display. Yeah the "off-the-shelf" pre-made gyoza soup had more taste and saved the otherwise punishing lunch. We were cracking up like drunkards over lunch...and then she was late in meeting her gay friend because we were ranting about everything else. Took the train and traded conversations in English and Japanese. Again I was attracting attention from another pretty cute Japanese babe (because of English) thru my Oakley shades. Parted ways with Chiyoko with no harsh words for the lunch and took the Shink back.
Sakudaira station...toilet and then cam whoring. Whoooo...I am beginning to love this whole cam whoring thingy because I am a vanity fashionista. Photoshoped and viola...
Was in Tokyo over the weekends for a dinner party jointly organised by Morris and his ex-student. Distinguished guests gracing the event were more of Morris ex-students and his friends. Yeah I am in Tokyo just for that...and also to pitch my luck in my deprived love interest. Having found a cheaper transit to Tokyo via the Highway Bus (￥2,500 - single way) which will take around 2.5 hours, it's definitely much more worthwhile to save as much as I can in this brewing economic disaster. Lot's of interesting commuters on the bus but taking their pictures at such proximity would be seeking a death wish. I could only eavesdrop their conversation and accomodate the welcoming stares because I had such groovy fashion sense, Ha, tell me about it.
The bus traveled via the mountainous passes with fantastic landscape but I wasn't really into the landscape pictures so no pics. As dusk sets in with half the vast blue sky robbed of clouds and the other half with littered with lucious columns of fluffy whites and greys, they were only further enhanced with streaks of striking gold linings from the setting sun. Splendid scene but again I wasn't really tempted into framing that.
Then the bus stop for the last interimn break where toilets and smokes were lifes' fuel, I thought I had better frame at least 1 picture so here it is...
Then the journey continued in to "uneventful" Tokyo. As usual the 待ち合わせ (meeting place) was the iconic Hachiko Dog symbol in front of Shibuya station where people simply congregate for various reasons.
There I met Morris and Read from Niigata and waited for more of Morris's friends. I was bored so the camera in my hands became my toy while I search for the novelty of unsuspecting targets.
Morris and Read became my first victims where they were caught in their most candid expressions.
Then comes this pretty stressed up random Japanese dude in the crowds.
Testing the camera multiple capabilities...
Ok then the rest of the guests arrived and we had wonderful dinner together where I went savage on the liquor and food. Yeah I don't have to drive so might as well let me self loose. This dinner was a very typical Japanese 合コン (Goukon) which an equal number of guys and an equal number of girls come together for dinner with hopes of hooking up with someone. I knew that from the start but my hopes for seeking more friends were far greater as love is pretty subjective for me. Being one of the 3 foreigners there, of course I was bombarded with questions. Now that is a pretty good thing because I can steal ALL the limelight from the other Japanese blokes (pardon my obnoxious audacity). The 2 other Japanese guys were seeing green because the forth one failed to show up and that I, the other Asian on the table was the crowd's favourite and was dazzling. Only 1 was pretty cool and hey I do like him in a non-gay sorta way. I could feel their eyes gleeming with katanas ready to dice me into nano pieces...haha. Whatever here are the pics, less the magnanimous photographer (as usual).
Then after the dinner it was a short drinking session where most of the fabulous ladies left because of work on the following day. How disapponting...so I made my way to Chiyoko's place to crash for the nite. Hmm Chiyoko (I call her Choco) was someone I met at Hitomi's party who had allowed me to crash at her tiny apartment 20 minutes from Shibuya. Hey it's free so I can't complain much rite? That was it...and then came Sunday where Chiyoko made brunch...*shutter chance*
- The "unglamourous" moment without make up -
Sorry again no pictures but the Tomato rice that she made looks fantastic on a plate with fresh tomatoes and lettuce. Harsh reality sets in on the strangest times...the rice was tasteless, bland and good only for display. Yeah the "off-the-shelf" pre-made gyoza soup had more taste and saved the otherwise punishing lunch. We were cracking up like drunkards over lunch...and then she was late in meeting her gay friend because we were ranting about everything else. Took the train and traded conversations in English and Japanese. Again I was attracting attention from another pretty cute Japanese babe (because of English) thru my Oakley shades. Parted ways with Chiyoko with no harsh words for the lunch and took the Shink back.
Sakudaira station...toilet and then cam whoring. Whoooo...I am beginning to love this whole cam whoring thingy because I am a vanity fashionista. Photoshoped and viola...
Friday, December 5, 2008
The life thru the looking glass
- Never Stop Dreaming -
It have been quite a while since the last updates so here we go. Last week I was pretty tied up with a demostration class in the Elementary school which I thought was utter nonsense. Let me explain...
You see this really special class was attended by some 100 odd individuals from intern teachers to members of the Board of Education to some really high and reputable professors in Japan. The class was shifted from the usual classroom to the dining hall which was shelved half by the dividers across the room. The reason with this set up was to accomodate the "Guests" attending the open class. The problem with this was the stench...the stench from the trash, the food, the garlic, etc. It's pretty untolerable to me because it smells like rotting garbage cooked in stinky tofu with expired garlic. Now I am a sucker for fragrance and fashion so to expect me to conduct a class in such an environment is an insult.
Next was the context that was being taught. I had stressed my concerns prior about a lot of issues that I forsee but they were simply thrown out the window. Everything was planned in such a way that I, as a NATIVE ENGLISH teacher was to play a clown role in entertaining the kids. Every aspect of the lessons was to be amended and faxed to a reputable professor whom the Japanese teachers worshipped like God. Words that he said were like quotes from the Bible. It was here where I did not see the equilibrium of our ideas. In the end, I simply go with the flow to appease the masses.
The class went on smoothly with me in my stunning Kangol Fur Hat, cuff shirt, tie and a vest, I am proud to humbly admit that I do look way better than anyone else in the room. Luckily for the hat, it was merely an excuse to shield those unwanted attention from the 100 odd guests so I could go on with the lesson. If you ask me, I can proclaimed that I wasn't the least affected by their prescence. I can't say the same for the other helpless Japanese teacher with me but she did put up a fantastic class. Probably the best coordination that I had with her in months which made me question myself if she was able to perform likewise in a normal class.
With the class over, I was lined up with the Japanese teacher I taught with, and the rest of the English staffs from my school in front to the distinguished guests in a typical meeting arrangement. This was beginning of the "Death Penalty" as one after another, the guests brandished their pens and started firing salvos of comments and questions. The process continued on with awkward pauses, reloads, recharged and the volleys of shots. Surprisingly, 75% of their concerns were already covered by me weeks prior to the lesson but were simply shrugged under the carpet or window. There was 1 particular question directed in English by a another fellow foreigner English Teacher whom I know personally. The Japanese teachers were simply shoving the mic to me to resolve the issue. How ironical as none of the English staffs understood what the question was when all they excelled were to surpress the potential of the students. I was lucky to be able to comprehend both Japanese and English so I knew what the hell was going on most of the time. But in the defence of my school, I had to give an answer that was free from personal emotions which of course I did.
Towards the end, the last part was a lecture by the "revered" professor, very much respected by every Japanese who believes he might just be the God of English Education. Sad to say I think differently. He is a really nice and laid back chap whom I had spoken to on different occasions. I must admit he doesn't carry airs but most Japanese educators freak upon hearing his name simply because he is THAT legendary. The teachers in my school was indifferent so they worked extra hard when they first heard he was coming which ultimately led to their downfall. In the end when the professor concluded that this was indeed a great class, all the teachers were relieved that their hard work had paid off. Well of course it had to be a great class, afterall every single detail of the class were faxed to the man himself for clarification and approval. If it had turn out to be a bad class then the professor would have shot himself in the foot.
My verdct, yes the professor is a great figure to lean on and seek advise but too bad his visions are different from mine. His visions were to promote all listening to the kids in Elementary school and that they shouldn't be corced to speak. While I on the other hand sees it as communication works in both ways, to listen and to speak. And the Japanese teachers are always trying to cap the students' potential by deciding what materials are too difficult to teach so in the end, they end up teaching too shallow stuffs. The kids' facial expressions shows it all but too bad I couldn't get any pictures of that. So as I can see it, there will never be a lack of foreigners teaching English in Japan and the level of English for Japanese who never step of Japan will remain the same for the next 3 million, 25 hundred thousand, 74 hundred and 98 years. And that gives us the very reason to love the Japanese for their weird but CUTE English.
Cutting thru all that...comes the explantion of the title. Some how photography have found a path in me and I have decided to proceed to the correct schools of genre. Beginning from the humble roots of an amateur photographer with affordable gear, I have realised what I wanted and so I have decided to upgrade my gear. It's gonna to be a really expensive hobby because the next set of lens that I have set my eyes on will probably be near the SGD$2,000 range. Damn...given the current economic situation, I guess I will have to wait a little longer. That's right, to capture every fleeting second framed in the right lighting to tell my very own pixel story. That is my life thru the looking glass, a reflection of my ideas, my dreams and my vision.
It was this Singaporean photographer Dazza who dazzled me further and his wedding pieces that had granted me the vision of a right path. If you don't believe my words, go ahead and check out his blog or his works and tell me what do you think.
It have been quite a while since the last updates so here we go. Last week I was pretty tied up with a demostration class in the Elementary school which I thought was utter nonsense. Let me explain...
You see this really special class was attended by some 100 odd individuals from intern teachers to members of the Board of Education to some really high and reputable professors in Japan. The class was shifted from the usual classroom to the dining hall which was shelved half by the dividers across the room. The reason with this set up was to accomodate the "Guests" attending the open class. The problem with this was the stench...the stench from the trash, the food, the garlic, etc. It's pretty untolerable to me because it smells like rotting garbage cooked in stinky tofu with expired garlic. Now I am a sucker for fragrance and fashion so to expect me to conduct a class in such an environment is an insult.
Next was the context that was being taught. I had stressed my concerns prior about a lot of issues that I forsee but they were simply thrown out the window. Everything was planned in such a way that I, as a NATIVE ENGLISH teacher was to play a clown role in entertaining the kids. Every aspect of the lessons was to be amended and faxed to a reputable professor whom the Japanese teachers worshipped like God. Words that he said were like quotes from the Bible. It was here where I did not see the equilibrium of our ideas. In the end, I simply go with the flow to appease the masses.
The class went on smoothly with me in my stunning Kangol Fur Hat, cuff shirt, tie and a vest, I am proud to humbly admit that I do look way better than anyone else in the room. Luckily for the hat, it was merely an excuse to shield those unwanted attention from the 100 odd guests so I could go on with the lesson. If you ask me, I can proclaimed that I wasn't the least affected by their prescence. I can't say the same for the other helpless Japanese teacher with me but she did put up a fantastic class. Probably the best coordination that I had with her in months which made me question myself if she was able to perform likewise in a normal class.
With the class over, I was lined up with the Japanese teacher I taught with, and the rest of the English staffs from my school in front to the distinguished guests in a typical meeting arrangement. This was beginning of the "Death Penalty" as one after another, the guests brandished their pens and started firing salvos of comments and questions. The process continued on with awkward pauses, reloads, recharged and the volleys of shots. Surprisingly, 75% of their concerns were already covered by me weeks prior to the lesson but were simply shrugged under the carpet or window. There was 1 particular question directed in English by a another fellow foreigner English Teacher whom I know personally. The Japanese teachers were simply shoving the mic to me to resolve the issue. How ironical as none of the English staffs understood what the question was when all they excelled were to surpress the potential of the students. I was lucky to be able to comprehend both Japanese and English so I knew what the hell was going on most of the time. But in the defence of my school, I had to give an answer that was free from personal emotions which of course I did.
Towards the end, the last part was a lecture by the "revered" professor, very much respected by every Japanese who believes he might just be the God of English Education. Sad to say I think differently. He is a really nice and laid back chap whom I had spoken to on different occasions. I must admit he doesn't carry airs but most Japanese educators freak upon hearing his name simply because he is THAT legendary. The teachers in my school was indifferent so they worked extra hard when they first heard he was coming which ultimately led to their downfall. In the end when the professor concluded that this was indeed a great class, all the teachers were relieved that their hard work had paid off. Well of course it had to be a great class, afterall every single detail of the class were faxed to the man himself for clarification and approval. If it had turn out to be a bad class then the professor would have shot himself in the foot.
My verdct, yes the professor is a great figure to lean on and seek advise but too bad his visions are different from mine. His visions were to promote all listening to the kids in Elementary school and that they shouldn't be corced to speak. While I on the other hand sees it as communication works in both ways, to listen and to speak. And the Japanese teachers are always trying to cap the students' potential by deciding what materials are too difficult to teach so in the end, they end up teaching too shallow stuffs. The kids' facial expressions shows it all but too bad I couldn't get any pictures of that. So as I can see it, there will never be a lack of foreigners teaching English in Japan and the level of English for Japanese who never step of Japan will remain the same for the next 3 million, 25 hundred thousand, 74 hundred and 98 years. And that gives us the very reason to love the Japanese for their weird but CUTE English.
Cutting thru all that...comes the explantion of the title. Some how photography have found a path in me and I have decided to proceed to the correct schools of genre. Beginning from the humble roots of an amateur photographer with affordable gear, I have realised what I wanted and so I have decided to upgrade my gear. It's gonna to be a really expensive hobby because the next set of lens that I have set my eyes on will probably be near the SGD$2,000 range. Damn...given the current economic situation, I guess I will have to wait a little longer. That's right, to capture every fleeting second framed in the right lighting to tell my very own pixel story. That is my life thru the looking glass, a reflection of my ideas, my dreams and my vision.
It was this Singaporean photographer Dazza who dazzled me further and his wedding pieces that had granted me the vision of a right path. If you don't believe my words, go ahead and check out his blog or his works and tell me what do you think.
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