Succumbed

I have finally succumbed and bought an iPhone.  Well, if I had not I would not be able to take this picture of Ariel and Winky engaging in some playful swatting.

Waterfall

Silky Water!
Originally uploaded by Taking5

I thought I should end this series of posts on Laos, with this photo of the Kouang Si Waterfall, near Luang Prabang.

It is my first photo with silky water, achieved through lengthening the exposure, but as I didn't have a tripod, I had to find a suitable perch to put the camera on.

This is of course not the full falls - those are far more impressive. But the water looks a lot nicer in this shot - do check out my Flickr set if you would like to see more photos.

This visit to Laos has been truly enjoyable, exploring the countryside, meeting the people, participating in the life here.

Visiting Vietnam

Oh, also recently went to Hanoi and Halong Bay, Vietnam. Photos have been appearing in the Flickr badge on the left column of this blog. But if you want to see and find out more, here is the link: Vietnam photos.

(I've decided that it is not necessary to write about every single holiday I take. In fact, it's rather a nice break not to feel compelled to do so.)

Bragging Rights

Bragging opportunities don't come frequently to me so when they do I must make the most of it.

I mentioned in a previous post that Silver Kris had picked up one of my photos from my Flickr site for its use. Well here is the Apr 09 issue featuring my photo (big big some more):

The article features the favourite flower gardens of top celebrity florists.

One florist, New York-based Preston Bailey, mentioned of course the famous Marche aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux, Paris.

I'm feeling good!

Ultimate in photo recognition

Flower Market, Ile de la Cite
Originally uploaded by Taking5

Got the following message in my flickrmail the other day:

"Hi,

I am writing to you from SilverKris Magazine (Singapore Airline Inflight travel magazine). We would like to use one of our photo in our magazine:

www.flickr.com/people/taking5/

We will using it about A4 size. We pay $200 for this if is agreeable to propose this image to our client and approved by them.

Do you want us to credit your name or not?

Regards,
Geoffrey Lim
Art Director
Silver Kris"

Simply thrilled! There was a mistake in the link but subsequent checks indicated that the photo was one I had taken in the Flower Market, Ile de la Cite, France.

This is certainly not the first time when someone has asked me whether they can use my photo (click the "Flickr" tag on this post to see my bragging posts) but I've never really been offered money before. There was one happy moment when I was contacted by Lonely Planet (Lonely Planet!) but I don't know whether they eventually used the photo because it was taken on an old digital and was not very hi-res as a result. So this is indeed a Moment to Remember. I don't even know if I can bring myself to cash the cheque, or whether I will just frame it up to see forever.

Paws for the Cause

I feel truly honoured- got a flickr mail requesting for the use of my photo on icanhascheezburger.com. Purpose was to help publicise and raise awareness on the issue of homeless animals. I'm glad to be a part of this effort. Here's the LOL which was created from the photo of a sweet little anonymous kitten which I spotted in the cage outside Mt Pleasant clinic on East Coast Road. I don't know whether the kitten was eventually adopted but with sweet eyes like that, I would definitely be a fan.


moar funny pictures

If you want to do something for the community cats of Singapore, check out the Pawpledge and CWS links in the left column - make a contribution, volunteer, help care for a cat in your neighbourhood, starting this Friday, 12/12, or according to the lady who contacted me, "the twelfth of never - for too many pets, that is the sad truth."

Flying High

This week, I went up the Singapore Flyer. It was a corporate thank you event (I was a guest). I had fun! Anyway, here are a series of shots taken from the Flyer. The big wheel of the Flyer is in constant motion - you step into the capsule as it comes past and slowly, very slowly, you are transported up into the sky.

This shot shows the ground below the Flyer - we had not gotten very high up as yet. In case there are any concerns, the motion of the flyer is very slow - no fears of motion sickness.


The Flyer is a beautiful, vibrant blue. It stands out in the sky, against the dark background. This photo shows the next capsule as it approaches the top of the wheel.

In terms of taking photos, it is easier to do so during the day and you probably clearer pictures. However, it would probably be useful, especially for tourists if there were some references in the Flyer to the various landmarks in sight.



Having said that, the night view of Singapore is beautiful - as I hope this next picture shows! The river of light - the cars moving on the expressway, and the reflection of the bridge in the water were spectacular. There are some reflections from the glass of the capsule but it somehow adds to the picture.

All in all, a memorable trip into the sky!

Inspiring

It's been a while since I've worked on a poetry exercise. It's been a busy few weeks and let's admit it here, the exercises are getting tougher.

My mother suggested that I write something inspiring. Inspiring! My little talent does not aspire to such heights. When I read these lines from Blake, I know nothing I can do can compare:

To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.

- William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

Not exactly a wild flower (this plant is in my back yard) but the promise of the bud about to bloom seems to capture the meaning of these lines for me - the glory of creation, the miracle of life and the potential in every living thing.

First crack

Went for dinner at the Old Town White Coffee shop at the former Big Splash at East Coast Park. $1.60 for a cup of coffee. Sells Ipoh, Penang favourites such as assam laksa, Ipoh Horfun.

A pleasant frothy cup of coffee but the food was not that great. Maybe breakfast is better.

Note: this article was originally mobile blogged and edited thereafter. Also want to give a puff for a new blog on coffee, Coffee Concierge. According to what I understand, "white coffee" is actually coffee that is roasted until the beans are cracked for the first time. But further investigation indicates that in the case of the Ipoh white coffee, it is coffee which has been roasted without the addition of sugar, hence it is lighter than most of the beans used in our local kopi tiams which are roasted with sugar. The caramelised sugar is what makes the beans darker.

Micro-blogging

I found this interesting article today: Mobile devices stoke 'micro-blogging' fervor. Every time I think I am catching up with the latest in the blogging/social networking world, it seems that it moves ahead of me.

All I can say is that at least I did some on the spot photo-taking and posting when I got my new cameraphone last year.

Flickr Stats

Installation Art
Originally uploaded by Taking5

Flickr recently launched a new stats feature (Flickr Stats) which summarises the total number of views received over the last day/week/forever and includes a time trend. It is quite addictive for view junkies like myself. I get to see the total number of views, and how these views came about (eg through flickr, some search engine, or whatever). Sadly, I note that there have been a total of two (2) views which have come through this blog page. I guess that is a reflection of how often this blog is read, sigh.

Sometimes it yields surprises too. The accompanying photo, "installation art", was taken some time back and had been getting zero views per day for the longest time. Then just a few days ago, it hit 256 views over 2 days! I was mystified. Apparently the views came through the Yahoo! Singapore home page but by the time I found out and got around to check, the page had presumably been updated as I could not find my photo there.

I suppose such links are the reason why a prevous photo on Ayam Penyet (if you want to see this photo, go to my Flickr page :-) and look under the "Food" set) also had a sudden jump in views. It is still my second most viewed photo on Flickr, after my photo of Sleeping Smee.

But both photos have mostly reverted to their previous low activity status. Such is the fleeting nature of internet fame!

The Sleeping Smee

The Sleeping Smee
Originally uploaded by Taking5

I said some time back that I would have to think of a new milestone for my photos on Flickr. Now, at last, I can confidently say that I actually have reached one.

As I've mentioned before, my photos are not exactly the hottest on Flickr. In my mind they are of course simply wonderful, but I don't promote them that much so they don't get that many views or comments.

The photo which, however, seems to have gained somewhat more interest is that of little Smee. As of today, "The Sleeping Smee" has garnered some 42 comments and 26 faves, plus 396 views. He has won the Silly Sleepers photo competition on "LOL Cats" and been selected as the subject for another competition, "What have you done to your cat?" In this competition, participants photoshop the cat so that he is put in all sorts of strange little positions. Smee became in turn an action figure in its box, a cat baby in a cradle and a meditating kitten, amongst other things. He has indeed set a high benchmark for all my other photos to reach.

For those who are interested, I've added the links to the transformed Smee photos. Some of the Flickr-ites don't allow downloading, so it's just the links. Here he is.... in all his guises ... the Sleeping Smee!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogcatcare/1430007866/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dogcatcare/1427997615/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gx9/1419987011/

http://www.flickr.com//photos/4kleuren/1428444774/

http://www.flickr.com//photos/4kleuren/1427255202/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46744538@N00/1362146337/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doeth/1372473108/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elwynsattic/1425681155/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piepix/1426669830/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piepix/1426667492/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piepix/1426665882/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piepix/1425784239/

Mid-Autumn lanterns

The mid-Autumn festival was a time when I wandered around my grandparents' place, lantern in hand. The coloured cellophane paper may have been a fire hazard but I was a very careful little child and the worst that ever happened was that the candle blew out. But they were beautiful, these lanterns, with jewel-like shades of ruby, emerald, and sapphire glowing in the dark. My mother was probably not too happy with their collecting dust after that and of course they never remained intact till the next festival so she had to buy another, but of course these things never bothered me.

The traditional lanterns I used to carry are probably still sold somewhere. But I fear they have been mostly supplanted with these modern lanterns. I took this photo in a shop in Geylang. Probably sturdier and will be able to last longer, also no fire hazard because there is no candle (replaced by a small light bulb). But a little bit of the mystique and magic of the moon festival is gone as a result.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms come up quickly in the night. Spotted them outside the house on Sunday, on the way to mass. Certainly were not there the day before.

This photo was taken on my mobile phone and sent directly to this blog. But as it is not so easy to edit the post on the phone, I have had to add these additional lines on the computer.

My New Phone

Just got my replacement phone. Cost all of $0 and a 2 year contract.

It has mobile blogging! So this photo was taken on the phone and then sent off straight to the blog :-)

More Flickr self-publicity

The basilica
Originally uploaded by Taking5

I received a Flickr mail the other day which began as follows:

"Hi Taking5,

I am writing to let you know that one of your photos has been short-listed for inclusion in the third edition of our Schmap Washington DC Guide, to be published later this month..."

I took a look at the Schmap Guides website and it is quite a handy on-line guide, with options to print out pages etc. Since they paid me the compliment of shortlisting my photo, here is their website for reference: www.schmap.com.

The photo itself- well, it was of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC which I wrote about in a much earlier post. Am quite gratified but a little regretful that I didn't make a try harder to get a better shot.

3rd century view: time to stop peacocking

Just hit third century view photo with the albino peacock shot featured in an earlier post.

I suppose I'm now at this point where I have a certain critical mass of photos approaching the 100 mark so there should be a few more century views on the horizon. The novelty/excitement of hitting 3 digits has certainly worn off considerably.

Must think of a new milestone now, which is realistic and achievable but at the same time has some oomph factor. Hitting a thousand views for a single photo would be a bit much.

My 2nd Century View photo - Siew Mai's furry belly!

Siew Mai's furry belly (2 of 5)
Originally uploaded by Taking5

Amazing - within 24 hours of putting up this photo, it hit 125 views. Certainly this is the first time it has ever happened to any of my Flickr photos. I admit it is a really cute photo - that tummy really says "RUB ME" but I didn't expect it to get so popular so fast. The spillover effects are limited as the photos just before and after haven't had a significant increase in views. And I must also admit to some slight disappointment that my two most viewed cat photos are not of my own little sweeties....

Anyway, Siew Mai is one of my colleagues' four cats. We met when I went over to my colleague's place for her housewarming party. Unfortunately, the other three cats were scared of all the nasty visitors and were hiding away. Siew Mai and my colleague's dog, Har Kau, are named after dim sum dishes (dim sum are small little Cantonese snack like dishes which are consumed normally for breakfast or lunch or maybe even brunch. A Siew Mai is a little meat dumpling.) Siew Mai, as can be seen, is a very friendly cat, allowing near strangers to rub her belly. I love the way her little paw waves in the air in this photo and although you can't quite see it she does have a happy look on her face. See more Siew Mai photos here.

The cat I really wanted to see is this heroine who survived a fall down thirteen floors. I had read previously online that cats can survive a fall from incredible heights. They can twist their flexible little bodies in the air such that they are able to make use of the air resistance to slow down the rate of descent but need time to do so. Hence, if the height is less than seven floors they don't have time to adjust. My colleague's tabby managed to wriggle through the protective netting at one window and fell. After a 4-hour search, my colleague found her cat on the ground, alive, but with broken limbs. The cat is still going strong today. Sadly, when I visited, she was hiding behind the washing machine the whole time. So no cat to be seen, and no photo.

Nonetheless, all hail to that marvellous animal, the cat!

My first century view photo!

Treed
Originally uploaded by Taking5

I've been on Flickr for a little more than 9 months and today, I finally had a photo which reached 100 views! This photo was taken with a camera phone. I did do a little touch up but it started off a nice sharp good quality shot.

I took the photo last December at East Coast Park, when we were doing twice weekly morning walks. We spotted various strays a.k.a community cats about the place, as recorded here. This particular chap we found one morning up a tree. He was too shy to come down from his tree to eat the cat food we brought for him. There was another cat wandering around so I don't think he managed to get anything even after we left.

It has been a while since we went walking at the East Coast Park. Hopefully our feline friends have been faring ok in our absence.

Proud as an Albino Peacock

Albino Peacocks
Originally uploaded by Taking5

Today, I received the following message in my Flickr mail:

Dear Sir/Madam

My name is Olivia and I am writing on behalf of Atlantic Books. We are in the process of putting together a hardback book entitled "Cooler Faster More Expensive, The Return of the Sloane Ranger", which Atlantic Books will be publishing in October of this year. You may remember "The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook", which sold over one million copies in the 1980s and was written by Peter York and Anne Barr, well "The Return of the Sloane Ranger" is also by Peter York, and is co-written by Olivia Stewart-Liberty. It is a witty and cutting-edge guide to Britain’s largest, most powerful, most invisible tribe: the new upper classes.

In "Cooler, Faster, More Expensive", Peter York ('The Nancy Mitford of our time') and Olivia Stewart Liberty give the
essential account of the current Sloane renaissance and reveal emerging breeds of a subtle and powerful social network. From Chav Sloanes and Party Sloanes to Eco Sloanes and Turbo Sloanes, English society will never look quite the same again.

The book is made up of text, illustrations, tables and photographs which reflect this powerful social group. We are currently collecting images and wondered if you might supply us with some, free of charge, for inclusion in this trend-setting book and you would of course be credited and sent a copy of the book, should we use your picture of an albino peacock, numbered 302764907. Permission for usage would include the right to use the image in the promotion of the book (e.g. if a newspaper decides to review the book and asks to run your image in conjunction with the review then your image would be reproduced in that newspaper in conjunction with the review).

We greatly appreciate any help you could give us.

Best wishes

Olivia

Olivia Hunt
Editorial Assistant
Atlantic Books

To which I replied, in essence, "but of course". Being a rather cautious person, I did wonder what the catch is. And why this particular photo has been selected. Surely it is not the most perfect peacock photo on Flickr. But then I googled the Sloane Rangers handbook and find out that yes, it is indeed being updated - as this report from the Daily Mail indicates. So yes, let's go for it, no such thing as bad publicity and why do I care if mine is not the best albino peacock photo ever, its the one selected!

Am flattered, excited and (let me admit it) more than a little chuffed. Am I on my way to a new, second career?