shady tree

A bright sunny day when I was walking along and the shadow of the leaves caught my attention. I was mesmerized by the shapes and patterns created on the grass. You know, I don't even know what the tree looked like. I never looked up!

f.y.i.

These are the faces of responsible Malaysians, our Prime Ministers. Then till now. Yes, only 5. What did you expect? We've only been an independent country for 49 years come this August.

This was taken when I was at the airport about 2 weeks ago and in a couple of hours, I'll be making my way there for another sojourn to the land down under, Singapore, for some much needed R&R. Hopefully, I'll be meeting Raymond of Singapore DP. So, go leave a comment on his DP and gently remind him of the 1st Annual Asian get-together of DP members (just us two, hee hee.) Lisi, Anne, Midnite, Santy...you girls coming?

crabby day

If you were taken out of your natural environment and forced to live in a tank waiting for the day someone says, "It's time," it will most probably turn you a bit loony. I know I would. It's bad enough my career is in a fishbowl, no need to be reminded looking at this crab. I forgot I had taken this picture with my phone last week. I was in the mood for seafood but I left this little fella to live another day. Notice, it's even got 'hand-cuffs' on! Like he's going to breakout from the tank!

watch out!

I just find this very funny. Taken at the car repair shop.

To me it says, "Step out of line and we'll knock you senseless!"
(I'm somewhat influenced by the political situation in Malaysia)

floral nation

Yes, many tourists have claimed that Malaysians are a colourful and floral bunch. They used to claim we swung from tree to tree. How times have changed! The Malaysian Tourism Board are clever enough to squash the tree-swinging myth. So, being such a floral bunch, I present the Bunga Raya (Hibiscus), our national flower. It's also the flower of Hawaii. Go and visit Kala and Dana over at the islands. Hope you get leid!

selamat pengantin baru

Earlier this afternoon, under the blazing hot sun, my cousin Rena got married. Here she is with her shags-on-tap Hadi. As you can see, they're both elated. I wish them all the best that the years will bring. It was a wonderful day with the relatives. Once again, my mother was asked when I would be giving her a daugther-in-law and a troupe of grandkids. She looked at me and we both laughed!

Seeing it's a day for new beginnings, drop by and visit our new DP family member, Tanty.

bird on a hot tin roof

What a long day! Did a workshop reading for a new play, came home to rest, post today's picture, grab a quick bite and off to a TV show shoot in about an hour. What fun!

I know the fierce cock was a couple of days ago but I couldn't help posting another feathered friend. The gloomy sky provided the most excellent backdrop. This bird was sitting on the tip of my roof. Most birds fly away at the sound of my coming footsteps. This one stayed as if knowing I was a stalking photographer.

Is it me or the birds I take pictures of tend to be on the fierce-looking side?

grounded

I have no idea what this fruit/seed is called. I asked a flora and fauna expert (my mother) but she didn't know either. The tree it fell off stands right behind my house. I hope someone knows what it is. I love the shape and colour of it. However, it annoys the hell out of me that I don't know it's name.

Today begins a very long weekend for me. Workshops and commitments to attend to. But come Sunday evening, I'm putting my feet up and play with my dogs.

here comes the rain again

After days of threatening, it poured yesterday. Twice. For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to capture a shot of rain. So, I grabbed the camera and started clicking. Nothing. Too dark and the results weren't satisfying. I was standing under the metal awning wondering if I should give up on this quest of mine. Then I noticed these huge drops coming from the awning's egde. I thought I'd try. And here it is. I'm really happy with the result. I was jumping about smiling with glee for over an hour.

cluck-click

I was pretty lucky getting this close. I was told that this rooster was quite fierce and chased people. So, I crept up slowly, said hello and asked for its permission to take a picture. The rooster looked at me and click! The shot was taken.

walk in the park pt.3

As you can see, childhood fearlessness ends at the end of childhood. Once we become adults, the worries begin. So Adults, take shade if you wish but you'll be missing out on so much more. I'm sure one or two of these ladies would've liked to splash around with their kids.

Blogger today decided that this blog has spam-like qualities, turned on word verification, refused to let me post through Flickr and took 20 minutes to load this picture. Oh just sod off and leave me to bask in the sun!

walk in the park pt.2

Here we are at the wading pool in KLCC Park. Parents sit in the shade as children frolic under the hot sun and splash each other to cool down. It was a joy to see so many of them with big smiles on their faces.

walk in the park pt.1

Post #101 and with it comes another series. KLCC Park. It was a beautiful sunny day and the kids were out frolicking because of the school holidays. I had just picked up my Nikon and went about testing it.

I had always wanted to take this walk but never have. And I forgot all about this metal sculpture. Isn't it just stunning (thanks to the details that the camera captures)? Notice the area on the left of the picture? there's where we're heading tomorrow. Till then.

100th!

Today I celebrate Kuala Lumpur Daily Photo's 100th post! Not only that but the Daily Photo family has just gotten it's 100th family member! Definately a day for celebration. So, it's only apt that I show you what the Twin Towers look like at night (well, one of them.)

And thanks for all your comments and well-wishes. Waiting to see my Randy again! Freshly polished and all!

the one before the big one

Things are going as expected. As many ups as there are downs. Roller-coasters are fun but one ride too many can cause severe stomach convulsions and migraine attacks. However, if you can stomach it (no pun intended) and you step away cheerier than when you stepped on, then it's all good. Like having a slice of cake and a frothy milch-kaffe. You can't see the kaffe because I've finished it. Too good, it's just too good.

song of the day: Kylie Minogue's Spinning Around

T minus 2

This is what happened to my car and me yesterday. Nothing too damaging. The engine is fine. I managed to break just in time to avoid a major disaster. No, I wasn't taking a picture. I learnt my lesson before. The car I crashed into was a 4-Wheel-drive and it escaped with a scratch. I took these with my mobile phone. I was supposed to drive down to Johor Bahru later in this morning for a corporate event. Thankfully I have generous clients and they offered to fly me down. I'll be home by Sunday and Randy (my car) will be all healed by Monday.

Only 1 more to 100! I'm sure you've noticed the Flickr tag (*wink*). Thanks Kris!

T minus 3

These little square pancake-looking things are called Murtabak. Filled with minced chicken or beef, onions, egg, spices and served with pink pickled onions and curry. I know Kris in Szentes would probably miss having these. It's usually an Indian-Muslim speciality but the Malays have caught on to a good thing and started selling them too. This is a Malay man you see cooking and behind him another pouring the curry into little packets. A quick take-away for a hearty meal.

T minus 4

Nothing like a fresh-faced young Korean star to promote LG's new air-conditioning unit. In a hot city like ours, air-conds are getting cheaper and no longer considered a luxury item. I have mine on every night (and it so happens to be an LG unit) and only open the windows to embrace the soft air after a heavy rain. That's the only time when nature proves that it's cooler than a machine.

For those of you keeping score, it's 4 days more before I show you the results from the Nikon. 100th! I can't wait! (No, I'm not a football fan. I went to a match in Stuttgart once and fell sick.)

T minus 5

Okay boys, does this remind you of when you were a child and your parents got you those single-track race cars sets? You know the one with a single metal strip in the middle of the track where you placed the car and you controlled it by pressing the lever with your thumb?

I saw these sets at a mall the other day and it reminded me of the hours I spent re-constructing the tracks and watching the cars race. Nothing like a good revival!

T minus 6

The rain and gray clouds have been threatening to unleash powerful tropical storms. And one day, it happened. There's nothing like a heavy storm in a hot and humid city. The sound of the rain, the silky drops of water on your skin and the freshness of the air when its over.

The flags (from left) are the Federal Territory flag, the Malaysian flag and the last one is one belonging to the corporation that owns the building.

Everyone having a good weekend? Mine has been great so far.

T minus 7

Yes, the towers provide the backdrop for this picture. The window-cleaners went ahead with their duties and paid me no attention. Either that or they were too shy to smile for the birdy. I stood and watched for awhile and only when I put my camera back in my bag did they wave and smile. Too bad there wasn't an opening/window. I would've loved to have had a conversation with them.

T minus 8

Here we have the neon lights of a 'Kelab Malam' (Nightclub) where men of all ages and maritals status go to spend the night karaoke-ing with pretty young girls on their laps. Yes, that kind of club. A very popular past-time for the business executive trying to land a big account. You can say that it's part of the must-do business ethics. These clubs are trouble-free from the authorities because of the people that own and frequent them. I was once included in a night of frivolity with 2 senior police inspectors, a couple of dealers, an interior designer and bodyguards. It was fun, to say the least.

T minus 9

"This way to Development!" If you look at both sides of the picture, you'll notice how one side is under construction and the other is developed. The view is true of most parts of Kuala Lumpur. Never a day goes by without construction.

album of the day: The RH Factor - Distractions

T minus 10 and counting

Another building rises from the ground in tropical Kuala Lumpur. I'm not quite sure what this will house. I didn't see the board announcing it's purpose but from where I was standing, it looked like a docking vessel of some sort.

the three graces

It's 8:30 am and people wait for the train to get them to work. I was standing with them. Every train was packed like sardines and it wasn't until the fourth one that came by when we finally minded the gap and stepped on board onwards on our merry way.

the future

This is the main building of Angkasapuri, the home of RTM (Radio Television Malaysia.) As you can see, the words 'Wawasan 2020' sit at the top. These words were coined by our previous Prime Minister Tun Dato' Dr.Mahathir Mohammed in the 80s. It means Vision 2020. He envisioned Malaysia to be a fully-developed country by the year 2020 and his government laid the groundwork. It is now 2006 and the present government realised that 14 years is not enough time to reach that goal. The slow-motion button has been activated. Will we achieve the goal?

pseudo-zen

In keeping with this 'calm' weekend theme of mine, a japanese garden contained within a surrounding wall. The pebble path takes to around but you will always see the wall. Everything today is contained (or confined, whichever way you look at it) and we follow the regimented path. Do we live the life we want to live? Or, do we live the life we are told is the right way to live? The list is endless. However, the 'How-To' manual only lists the don'ts and dos. No multiple choice.

Part of my horoscope today said, "...and should you bump against the disapproval of others, don't buckle under - it's just a scratch."

album of the day: Roy Hargrove - Nothing Serious

blue skies

It's Saturday and the sun is up and smiling. It masks the tragedies that have happened in our region. The earthquake, the island crisis and just recently, a landslide in a suburb in KL. The media, of course, relish in providing us with gruesome information. Death and terror, policy (conflict) decision making rule the waves. Happy, positive news usually only get the 1 minute soundbite at the end of the news.

Life. Don't fear it. Celebrate it. Have a good weekend everyone.

glass lines

Of course, this is one of the many phallic buildings we have here. I'm posting this because I like the lines, glass panels and the reflection of the buildings across the road.

Today, a dear friend of mine is getting married (again) but this time, she's bursting with excitement and happiness. Congratulations sayang!

Onwards Weekend! Let the celebrations begin!

album of the day: Gladys Knight - Before Me

DP Theme Day: Parking charges

Parkings charges differ from one place to another here in K.L. Some are cheaper. while others, have raised the rates. The central government dropped the taxes on cars but increased the price of fuel. Parking operators followed suit. I wonder why. This is the parking garage that I use frequently (at least twice a week.)

RM2.50 for the first hour. RM2.50 every hour following. On weekdays, a flat rate of RM5.00 after 6p.m. On weekends, RM7.00 (it used to be RM5.00.)

Check out my earlier post on parking charges in the April archive (meter made: dated 23rd) and compare if you wish.

Now I'm going to have a look at the parking charges in another city somewhere in this ever-inflating world of ours. You should too. Select a city from the sidebar.

USD1=RM3.63