Here's the safety video that I raved about earlier.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
IVLP - 1 Nov 2009
A city tour is the main highlight of the day. It's also the first time the group of 13 (including 2 ELOs) met.
We travelled in a minibus with a tour guide to show us the sights. It was cold and raining but we were quite enthusiastic to see the capital. One of the first places we passed by was the Washington National Cathedral.
Very cool Gothic architecture. If you look closely, you may be able to see the gargoyles that also serve as rainwater drain-off pipes.
We travelled in a minibus with a tour guide to show us the sights. It was cold and raining but we were quite enthusiastic to see the capital. One of the first places we passed by was the Washington National Cathedral.
Very cool Gothic architecture. If you look closely, you may be able to see the gargoyles that also serve as rainwater drain-off pipes.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
International Visitor Leadership Program - 31 Oct 2009
Setting off from home at 3.30am. Reached the airport before 4am. First leg, flying to Narita on Northwest Airlines (NWA) was an eyeopener into the "American way". The NWA flight safety video was slick and enjoyable to watch, with plenty of fast cuts, catchphrases, and great acting. Also noticed that the stewardesses were wearing different attires. They were also allowed to keep their long hair untied. Individuality 101.
The transit at Narita was a bit chaotic. The boarding gate was changed, and the queue was not controlled, quite un-Japanese...
The marathon 2nd leg from Narita to Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP) was quite a ride. First ride on a 747, not really different from other airliners, except for semi-open spaces which passengers use to "stand & hang around", to combat the effects of sitting through a 10 hour plus session.
Transiting at MSP was slightly more structured, but timing was razor-thin, with a long walk between the departure and boarding gates. I made it worse by exiting to the public area by mistake, and had to "re-enter" by passing through security again. By the way, US security involves removing shoes and belts.
The final leg, MSP to Washington DC (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to be exact) was a short but meaningful ride. I was in the window seat for the first time, and was sitting next to an old couple. Cue friendly grandma small-talk. Explained that Singapore was not part of China, and that we had hot and humid weather. The air stewardesses were wearing special T-shirts in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Cool. Food was minimal, with only complementary drinks and a packet of peanuts.
Reaching Reagan airport was a relief. The long wait for luggage didn't really hurt the experience. Being a internal flight meant no need for security clearance upon landing.
The quick taxi ride was a bit surreal. I seemed to be watching a letterbox format movie through the windscreen of the taxi. Magic carpet ride and autumn leaves everywhere. Reached the hotel at 5 plus. Unpacked and explored the room, and left the hotel at 7 plus to find dinner and shopping for amenities.
By then the mercury had dropped even more. Wandered around the area, and found the 7-11 around the corner. The Metro entrance (Foggy-Bottom station) was next, and I explored further. Foggy Bottom seems quiet except for the Metro entrance. Quite a few quaint buildings, mostly low-rise. Imagine a SMU-style city campus setting (without the completely new buildings), and you won't be far off. Quite cosmopolitan though, as I heard some Mainland Chinese accented Mandarin being spoken on the streets.
I was getting tired of finding a dinner spot, when I came across an American diner restaurant at a street corner. Johnny Rockets is your typical Billy Bombers-type eating place, except with African-American and Middle-Eastern servers, a Caucasian cook, what seems like an Indian owner.
Its strange (but cool) to land in USA on Halloween. Lots of costumes on show, pity that it was raining, so I didn't risk taking out my camera (the Pentax K7 is staring at me now). Will try to grab a few more shots tomorrow...
The transit at Narita was a bit chaotic. The boarding gate was changed, and the queue was not controlled, quite un-Japanese...
The marathon 2nd leg from Narita to Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP) was quite a ride. First ride on a 747, not really different from other airliners, except for semi-open spaces which passengers use to "stand & hang around", to combat the effects of sitting through a 10 hour plus session.
Transiting at MSP was slightly more structured, but timing was razor-thin, with a long walk between the departure and boarding gates. I made it worse by exiting to the public area by mistake, and had to "re-enter" by passing through security again. By the way, US security involves removing shoes and belts.
The final leg, MSP to Washington DC (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to be exact) was a short but meaningful ride. I was in the window seat for the first time, and was sitting next to an old couple. Cue friendly grandma small-talk. Explained that Singapore was not part of China, and that we had hot and humid weather. The air stewardesses were wearing special T-shirts in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Cool. Food was minimal, with only complementary drinks and a packet of peanuts.
Reaching Reagan airport was a relief. The long wait for luggage didn't really hurt the experience. Being a internal flight meant no need for security clearance upon landing.
The quick taxi ride was a bit surreal. I seemed to be watching a letterbox format movie through the windscreen of the taxi. Magic carpet ride and autumn leaves everywhere. Reached the hotel at 5 plus. Unpacked and explored the room, and left the hotel at 7 plus to find dinner and shopping for amenities.
By then the mercury had dropped even more. Wandered around the area, and found the 7-11 around the corner. The Metro entrance (Foggy-Bottom station) was next, and I explored further. Foggy Bottom seems quiet except for the Metro entrance. Quite a few quaint buildings, mostly low-rise. Imagine a SMU-style city campus setting (without the completely new buildings), and you won't be far off. Quite cosmopolitan though, as I heard some Mainland Chinese accented Mandarin being spoken on the streets.
I was getting tired of finding a dinner spot, when I came across an American diner restaurant at a street corner. Johnny Rockets is your typical Billy Bombers-type eating place, except with African-American and Middle-Eastern servers, a Caucasian cook, what seems like an Indian owner.
Its strange (but cool) to land in USA on Halloween. Lots of costumes on show, pity that it was raining, so I didn't risk taking out my camera (the Pentax K7 is staring at me now). Will try to grab a few more shots tomorrow...
Monday, October 26, 2009
Lives spent lurking too long in the shadows of the virtual
Private Worlds | Adbusters Culturejammer Headquarters
We are too connected, we are too distracted...
We are too connected, we are too distracted...
How to approach the difficult topic that is street photography
Ways of Working
With a 3-week trip coming up, I guess this is one of the best time to pick up street photography again. Having tried it in Little India with mixed results some time ago, I'm hesitant about using a DSLR again. Maybe it's just me giving myself another excuse to buy another camera when my current arsenal of 2 cameras are already underutilised... Anyway, the link above is quite a good one on street shooting.
With a 3-week trip coming up, I guess this is one of the best time to pick up street photography again. Having tried it in Little India with mixed results some time ago, I'm hesitant about using a DSLR again. Maybe it's just me giving myself another excuse to buy another camera when my current arsenal of 2 cameras are already underutilised... Anyway, the link above is quite a good one on street shooting.
Photos from a Panasonic GF1
The things I ate in Japan « Evernote Blogcast
A strange place to find pics taken by a new camera, but this blog post (or more exactly, the corresponding Evernote shared notebook) showcases real world shots taken by the new micro Four Thirds camera, the Panasonic GF1. Lots of indoor shots, which seem to show that sensor size is still key to low-light shots.
A strange place to find pics taken by a new camera, but this blog post (or more exactly, the corresponding Evernote shared notebook) showcases real world shots taken by the new micro Four Thirds camera, the Panasonic GF1. Lots of indoor shots, which seem to show that sensor size is still key to low-light shots.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Opera Mini 5 beta
Opera Mini
The new version of Opera Mini is here. I have only tested it for 3 hours, but my initial thoughts are not 100% favourable.
Some problems below which didn't appear in Opera Mini 4.2 (hope to resolve them soon)
The new version of Opera Mini is here. I have only tested it for 3 hours, but my initial thoughts are not 100% favourable.
Some problems below which didn't appear in Opera Mini 4.2 (hope to resolve them soon)
- Entering passwords. The new version does not show the character briefly before showing an asterisk when you press a key. It just shows asterisks. This is problematic, as you have to "guess" if you've pressed the right key.
- The shortcut keys have changed. Normally, pressing '#' then '2' brings up the bookmarks, but here it opens the search field.
- The menu is not easily accessible. I need to press at least 3 keys to get to it.
- Where is the Page Down? One of the most valuable feature of Opera Mini is the ability to page down using the right D-pad key. This is great in mobile view where everything is on 1 column, and there is no need to scroll left or right. Mobile view on the new version does not allow for this.
- Search within page is good. The new find function is great, and is "search as you type".
- Tabbed browsing. Works quite well, with screens changing quickly when you toggle tabs.
- Copy and paste (and search). Press and hold the main center button for a few seconds and it will show up a dialog, "Select Text". Then move the cursor to your start point and press the left soft key. Move using the D-pad to select the text. Then press the left soft key again. Pop up dialog will have 3 options, Copy, Search, and Search With.
CASE to organise event with timeshare-related company
Seminars
CASE is organising a talk on timeshare with RCI, a timeshare exchange company. Personally, I don't think it sounds right for CASE to organise an event where one particular company will be recommended (even if indirectly) over others. The CASETRUST scheme already offers whitelisting, but is normally done on an industry level, and consciously involve several companies, and not one particular firm.
CASE is organising a talk on timeshare with RCI, a timeshare exchange company. Personally, I don't think it sounds right for CASE to organise an event where one particular company will be recommended (even if indirectly) over others. The CASETRUST scheme already offers whitelisting, but is normally done on an industry level, and consciously involve several companies, and not one particular firm.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Virtual World / The Natural World
Adbusters Culturejammer Headquarters
From the blog entry introducing issue 86
From the blog entry introducing issue 86
Attention all jammers, activists and cultural creatives,
A specter is haunting the mind of the industrialized world – the specter of the virtual. — Metaverse Manifesto
How’s your online life? Are you happily learning, creating, interconnecting … or is your digital existence growing flatter, duller and ever more predictable?
As physical reality crumbles, the bluish glow of the virtual realm beckons and humanity is presented with a Faustian temptation: to abandon our evolutionary home (it’s too damn hot, messy and boring anyway) and become psychic hives of activity in cyberspace. This is the existential choice we explore in Adbusters #86.
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