who would've thought, eh?

The last place I expect to see monks is in an Apple store. And one of them was getting help with his iPhone while clutching his iPod in another hand. It's not that I want to 'expose' them but aren't Buddhist monks supposed to shun material possessions especially much sought-after objects like an iPhone? I just had to sneak a shot.

I don't know. You decide.

preserved nature

I thought it was a hoot when I noticed the name of this florist. Would you get your flowers from a place that was named Dry Leaf? The shop was closed when I took this shot. It was Sunday, the day off, not because no one likes dry leaves.

Have a great start to the week.

horsing around

It's a gorgeous Sunday so I thought I'd be a little whimsical with today's picture. I guess you're wondering what it is you're looking at. If you guessed a horse's rump, then you know your backsides. I shot this during the torch relay day. There were cops on horses and I went to say hello to them (the horses, not the cops.) Lots of neighing later, I noticed the branding on the horses. Cute yes? Came home and forgot about the shot until I went through my library for today's post.

Ok folks. I'm off a-galloping.

chopper in sight

The joy of seeing a low flying helicopter and having a zoom lens. Not much to say today. My head is still in zombieland. Only alert enough to walk back and forth to the kitchen for grabbing food and drink for sustenance.

Have a lovely weekend my lovelies.

you dig?

Can you guess what's happening here? The digger is pulling up the ground to lay the the foundations for a school's new playing field. I never realized you had to dig up to make a field. I guess it's part of flattening the land.

It's Friday and I've had a long day. Head's not right anymore. So gonna firmly hold the TV remote and surf into oblivion. Rest well folks.

torch 3

This foreign news correspondent stood in the centre of the crowd and as he stood there, I watched him. He and his cameraman spoke to a few people but most of his time was spent just standing there. There he was looking tired. It's not an easy job going on location especially one like this.

Wherever you are Mr. Newsman, I hope KL was good to you.

torch 2

Another shot from my day when the torch came our way. Here's one of the many tourists that joined us locals at Dataran Merdeka. I noticed him standing still and wondered what he was looking at. I found his stillness interesting. Luckily, I had my zoom lens attached and focused on his face. What really got me was the reflection on his sunglasses. And he's kinda good-looking too. 2 for the price of 1 I say.

torch 1

Posts for the next couple of days were taken right before the Olympic Torch relay began. This guy was one of the cyclists at the front of the relay path. He noticed a bunch of cameras, wheeled away from his bike buddies and gave us some great photo ops.

I mentioned yesterday that there weren't any protesters. The news reports said groups were dispersed prior to the launch of the relay but I later heard they were told to piss off or face a day in jail. Great dispersion tactics. Here we are, believing in the rights of all races and jail is the price for a human right to assemble. I won't mention it so go look up Malaysia's limited freedom to assemble laws. I only wished they were a little more forceful with the people who crowded around the flame and prevented the runners from actually running.

What was reported in the news on your side of the world?

historic fire

As promised, the Olympic Torch in Kuala Lumpur, for the 2nd time in the history of the modern Olympics.

I came out of rehearsal, made my way to Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) and waited for the launch of the event. There were hundreds of people, none of them protesters. I found my spot and was sure I'd get a damned great shot. But suddenly, when the torch relay began, the crowd of people rushed in and all I could see was a sea of heads. People crowded the relay path and the torch bearers were slowed to a crawl.

Today I witnessed an historic event in my lifetime. I teared a little, believing in everything the Games stood for: Brotherhood, Peace and Hope. I only wish everyone saw it too. Free Tibet.

Tomorrow, and a couple days following, I'll post shots of the interesting things I witnessed on this great day.

what goes up must come down

I've been meaning to post something a little more abstract. You know I love lines and shapes. This one is of an escalator in Lot 10, a shopping mall in the heart of the city. I wanted to wait for someone to either go up or come down but nobody did and I couldn't wait long cos cameras aren't allowed in the mall. Didn't want a security guard to see me snapping away.

It's Sunday and I'm off to rehearsal soon. Tomorrow, the Olympic torch comes through KL. I hope to get to the starting point before the crowd and find a good spot to grab a couple of shots. Wish me luck.

Have a good day.

let's burn some rubber

Really funny this one. I was at a road-side stall grabbing a quick breakfast before my class. I was sitting there quietly, daydreaming as usual. Then this car drove past. At first, I thought it was on fire. I looked properly and it was just a sticker. Luckily it stopped and gave me just enough time to grab a shot before it drove off.

It's the weekend and it looks after getting the telephone cables changed, has kept my broadband connection on. It got cut off yesterday during the rain but came on around midnight. I'm happy I'm not disconnected for long periods anymore.

Have a great weekend folks.

hard knock life

A road sweeper's life in KL isn't an easy one. The salary is a pittance and the citizens have no idea how to use rubbish bins. Yup, sweet wrappers, cigarette packets, bits of papers all over the streets which clutters the streets and clogs the drainage. So, men and women with the brooms sweep the city in hope of making it a little cleaner. The heavy rains nowadays doesn't help either. My best wishes to these people and a big thank you.

reconnected

Here is the Telekom man repairing my phoneline. He said, though the physical cable is changed, it's not going to alter the fact that my broadband connection will keep getting cut whenever it rains and if i wanted to do something about it, the I would have to make another report. So, Telekom is the company which provides my phone and broadband services but I have to deal with 2 separate departments to solve 1 problem. I'm getting a bit tired of it all. But such is progress in a wannabe-first world nation with it's third-world mentality.

let's get it on

Missing again for days and finally came on an hour ago, my internet connection that is. Let's hope it stays on even with the storms.

please sir can I have some more?

This is a reminder to everyone to be careful. You'll never know when you become a victim of pick-pockets or snatch thieves. Here in KL the incidences of pick-pocketing don't come close to the high number of people involved in snatch-thefts. Just the other day, my friend Jo was walking her way to lunch when suddenly 2 men on a motorbike zoomed past, grabbed her bag, she fell and was dragged her along the road. They got away. She came out of it with a long, bloody gash on her elbow. She made a police report at the nearby station and was told she was one of several that had reported the same crime that week.

She's much better now. But I think everyone should have a truncheon sewn into their skirts and trousers. Whip it out and give them thieves a good and proper whack in the head. Wait a minute... would we charged for assault? How much does a plea of self-defense hold up?

drip drop raindrop

The song on everyone's lips nowadays is 'Rain Rain Go Away, Come Again Some Other Day.' Like Gaia is gonna listen. She's conducting a storm symphony. I love it. I just don't love my broadband provider.

I love the rain best when I'm at home. I have a patio-like area which is cover by metal awning. I stand there watching the rainwater drip off the edges. And water being my favourite photography subject, I'm standing there with my camera trying to freeze the drops. Like this one. It's one of the shots I took for theme day.

go carts

Do you remember what it was like at the supermarket when you were a toddler? I remember always insisting on being lifted into the baby seat of a shopping cart. Nowadays, whenever I see a child in one, I break out a smile.

My internet connection is back on but only during the early part of the day. It's the rainy season and on most days the sky goes gray by 2PM and it pours. When it does, my connection gets cut off till the next day. It's tough cos most my work is done through emails and Skype. So, please bear with me. I'll be visiting you soon. Muah muah.

jaywalking strangers

So, here are two ladies who have no fear of oncoming traffic. You go girls!

You've noticed I've not posted for days. Thank you Telekom Malaysia. My broadband connection (Streamyx) is down and out. I've called Telekom Customer Service several times but each time I do, the person tells me that no report was made and no records were taken on any of my previous calls. Adding to that, it's storming elephants and hippos which causes the internet connect around the city to either slow down tremendously or completely cut off. In my case, it's been off this whole week. What am I paying all this money for, eh?

Where am I now? Thankfully, there's a Wi-Fi station at rehearsal. Ok, posted this and it's back to work. In case i don't get connected, have a great weekend everyone.

DP Theme Day: Water

It's that day again and this time the theme happens to be one of my favourite subjects to photograph. April 1st is, in most English speaking countries, April Fools Day. I know a couple of fools here in KL will attempt the usual annual bad prank. But this fool, Edwin, is celebrating his theatre company's 4th anniversary. Yay to everyone who's been part of my projects and to myself for not giving it up many years ago. It's been a blast.

Now, go get yourself wet at these other cities making a splash with their theme photos.

theme day id=13

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Gordio, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,