New MacBook

Fresh out of the box and onto the table..

On the left is the new 13" MacBook next to the PowerBook G4

Finally got my replacement macBook. The last one I lost was my 13" black MacBook while filming Thorpe Ali's movie trailer 'Miss Tomoi'. In total, this is my 7th Macintosh. 

Except for the lost black MacBook, the rest I still have in my possession and they are - Power PC 6200/75, Power PC 7100/66, Macintosh IIfx, 15" PowerBook G4, iMac G5 and the latest 13" white MacBook 2.4 Ghz Intel Core Duo. Not forgetting the 8Gb iPhone, 2Gb iPod, 60Gb iPod AV and an original Apple stylewriter. 

I was very fortunate to have had the privilege of using Macs like many light years ago. We used to order our Macs direct from Mac Warehouse in Hong Kong and I have been hooked to Macs ever since. To a certain extend I may have influenced not less than 10 Mac converts and so far I have yet to hear a single complain. Testimony to that growth is the setting up of the one and only Malaysia Mac User Group -  myMUG

Edisi Kota Bharu

Mission Accomplished. 

Our journey (two bikes only),  took us from KL via Route 8 - Raub, Kuala Lipis, Gua Musang to Kota Bharu, Kelantan. However, on our way home we took an alternative route from Gua Musang towards Cameron Highland to Simpang Pulai exit onto the North-South highway leading towards KL. Total distance travelled - 1109 km.

Following is a mini pictorial compilation of the journey. 

* All photos were captured on the iphone unedited.

Notice moleskine? wink-wink. Even the grafitti in Kelantan sungguh bersopan - 'tutup aurat'

Monumental Palace. Toast and home made kaya with the ever perfect hard boil egg from the famous kopitiam White House, not to be missed when you visit Kelantan

The river that feeds the people. A school that passionately sustains the Mak Yong tradition. 

Black among the Whites.  All the effort for a minute's moment.

Cameronian signature. Back on the ground en route home.

Will do even better the next time. Looking forward for another 'ride to work'.

moleskine

I read with interest this article about moleskine and realised that this is what I have been looking for. I have migrated from various forms of writing materials digital included from PDA, Dopod, Palm, iphone, to Communicator, and even the old personal organiser KLUGE.

Non satisfied my need in doodling and sketching than the good old fashion way. Pure pen and paper. So on Monday I rushed out to Kinokuniya in KLCC, (20% discount) and got myself 2 sizes (plain) Moleskine including a ball pen. 

Peeled off the wrapper, open the pages slowly and then ...would you believe that I got stuck at page 1 ? I wrote my name then continue with jotting down the cost and some momentus details of the purchase. I stopped .

I could not continue to put pen on paper....is there such a thing as' moleskine block'?

Birthday greetings

....goes out to Hasnah.

Some close friends celebrated Hasnah's birthday in a cozy Mexican Restaurant tucked in a corner off Jalan Ampang, courtesy of our good buddy - Syed.

Yeah right Hasnah,  26 yrs old ? ...Posing Senoritas

Notice the flower creation behind the glass, its personally hand made by Nur Laila Aziz

Serving Lamb Shank on a birthday was all Syed's idea.

Anyway Happy Birthday Hasnah, from all of us.

Oops I did it again

Yeah but this time, with 3 other bikers

Some exchange of greetings, till the next visit, which Johar said  'it would be best to arrive here before the 'ayam berkokok' to enjoy the full morning mist."

Personal attention from the Executive Chef.

Sharing Johar's experience (coloured bandenas)  during the recent Indonesian trip, where the unfortunate tragedy striked the late Indonesian Actor, Allahyarham Sophan Sophian. 

visual appetite

What was once considered colour 'koling' is now hip.

The sun, stars and moon over a lime green background makes you wonder whether its a kindergarten or a madrasah. 

It should be interesting to start compiling pictures of this subject and call it 'kindergarten graffiti' .

It is also interesting to know that spare parts of the classic scooters are still manufactured and available from Indonesia.

bloggers r us

"Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress no matter how slow" - Plato

Having shown these 3 family members and friend on how to start their own blog I couldn't agree more. 

It was Aidil on Saturday (2 days before your exams), Fithri on Sunday ( a day before your baby was born) and Lan on Monday ( 3 days after you shaved your head bald)

As you all have found out by now, that there is actually a lot to write, but take your time. No pressure.

All this credit must go to Jai

cafe@lui re-visited

I told you i'll be barq! 

Could not resist that ST shot in the mist. 

Woke up just before suboh and thought its time to warm up the bike and what better way than to zoom across the hills and meander through the winding road of Hulu Langat.  A hot cup of nescafe tarik and a couple of toast chatting with the brilliant guardians of this wonderful place.

What a cool way to start the weekend.

*click for more pix of cafe@lui

kakireka and wrega

Sometimes, I wonder how exactly is the true state of our design industry. Do people really care? Do designers really care?  How many of us really care? Who cares? 

If designers were given the opportunity to charter the course of the design industry in this country, what would they do.

Are these some of the forthcoming responds?

"I don't have time, I have other commitments, I have to concentrate on jobs that put food on the table, I have to live, I don't have time on things that do not provide me with monetary returns."

wREGA was established almost 10 years ago, what is its present state of affairs?

KakiReka was launched less than a year ago, how is it surviving?

The irony of it is both are champions and authority in Brands. 

Will KakiReka end up like wREGA?

How about doing a Brand audit on these two good natured voluntary non profit organisation?

Monkeys in the City

Right in the middle of Taman Tar, if you are lucky enough you can catch wild monkeys being hand fed almost everyday once in the morning and once in the evening.

Monkeys of another kind ...

What a week

Reccee through palm oil plantation of Felda Palong in Gemas Negeri Sembilan, took us through the long and winding road of Kuala Pilah and small towns of Juasseh, Bahau on route to Gemas

A must stop at the Kuala Pilah Bus Station to savour the best Cendol in Negeri Sembilan.

Superb combination, Mee Rojak and of course Cendol..In the background Self-Endorsed Advertising (ala Richard Branson of Virgin) featuring the Man himself Abu Backer Sitihiq of KP Cendol.



It was a hectic week, preparing for an important presentation throughout the weekend and had to turn down a couple of meetings which include, my condo's management committee meeting, wREGA annual general meeting, also turned down a talk at kakireka. (Fortunately, managed to persuade TinToy as a replacement speaker).  Turned down another meeting today with wREGA at Koh's place.

Cafe@Lui

Cafe Lui, Hulu Langat's best kept secret, headlines nor write ups needed. You just need to be there!