Nothing To Worry About

Something weird happened just now. I was drafting a gloomy post in relation to this gloomy picture I took and wanted to call it “This way to Gotham”. It is a story on how I finally got the time to go back to this forlorn street after weeks of self imposed reasons like I’m too busy and the bus stop is too far, or what to do after, or the street is too mainstream for “dark theme photography” (is there such a thing?) but in between drafting I was chatting with a friend about the good life in Philippines, beaches we’ve been to, bitches we met, that pacman shoes we saw online, how the colors change when you squint one eye and more trivial but happy matters. I was  typing and tagging interesting snippets and words because it i think it was funny and would make a good blogging material sometime in the future. I didn’t realize I was mixing two thoughts at the same time. Anyhoo, Ithis is what it came out and  thought I’d arrange them like this to look like a poem or something.

Lets forget about
the stock market
or ruling the world
for the meanwhile
and appreciate
a glass of cold water
soft pillows
and a pleasant smile

Let's be amazed
with the fact
that the yellow sun rises
and not fuss about
promotions, 3 day sales
and winning Nobel prizes

Let's not worry
where the human race is headed
or if you will pass
tomorrows test
We can't win the universe
some times "good enough"
is better than "best"

Stop chasing for that
millionaire husband
or beauty queen wife
talk to your dog
buy ice cream
eat cake
and see the sparkle
in a simple kind of life

So yeah, there. My Lame  Attempt on Poetry (Accidental though it may be)

Saturday Chasing Pigeons

And this is what I've been doing this weekend.... Chasing flying Pigeons. Unlike in the Philippines, birds here in Singapore and fearless. They gather around you to peck the food you throw.

Most of the times even if you shoo them they just hop and RUN away instead of FLY. So on a hot Saturday afternoon, I have decided that I am in much need of a pam-porma shades. But being the cheapskate that I am, I went to Little India for the everything $1.90 Store. 5 minutes later I was off weaving in and out the backstreets of Hindoo, Baboo, and whathaveyou lanes with may aviator shades, backpack, my Holga, Digicam and a tourist map. Bwahahaha. Yeah I know, I'm a poser.

For a Saturday, Little India was a little quiet and the usual mass of our dark skinned foreign workers, were not to be found. My initial plan was to take portraits of them and print it out from the nearby photo store. I contented myself on sitting on a side street North-Indian canteen while watching a song and dance number by Amithab Bachman in his 30's and a captivating leading lady with flat belly and brown eyes. 

Them Pigeons were everywhere.

I kept half of the prata I'm eating (sadness) and walked to the little park I passed before. I threw a piece a size of my fingernails. The clouds went dark with the mass of wings and feathers (I'm exaggerating) and they descended on me, specifically beside my feet.

I weaved my camera in the midst of them to no avail. They were enjoying the prata bread. 10 seconds later, they began scattering again, some are looking at my direction waiting for another bit. I did not fail them. This process repeated five times until I realized that I am actually giving away my 3 dollar snack. So, I poured a generous amount of curry on it and gobbled it before the gazing pigeons.

 

Needless to say, their interest in me were gone as I swallow the last morsel of bread. At this point, when they wont come near me, I began chasing them. I started shooing the remaining birds near me, but when they just hopped instead of fly, I made noises and threw my (holga) lens cap at them. This generated the desired reaction.

I kept chasing them for the next fifteen minutes and I wonder what I looked like to the Indians at the park and the foreigners at the hostel across the street.

Pretty neat eh?

Jalan Jalan at Jonker

Pictures of the week

Did you know that Jonker got its name from the word Bonker? A slang that means "to go crazy" in most European countries. Melaka have been a Dutch colony in the past and along with the architecture and other way of living they brought was their street slangs at the time. The particular street in Melaka was named as Bonker Walk because of the hive of activities going on. Somehow, somewhere as history flew by, the name just evolved into Jonker.

I bet you didn't know that. Because I made that up.

I want to go back!

   

Melaka in My Mind

Notes on Melaka that Blows the Mind

I don't want to  divulge on the history of the Melaka, or the tourist spots or what to see,nor the tourist traps to avoid, because we have Google and Lonely Planet for that, but instead I want attempt to describe the Melaka impressions on my mind. If there is one place I'd rather be lost, It would have to be in Melaka. It is the kind of place that I wouldn't mind wandering around and couldn't care less wherever my feet brings me. The city exudes of history, both melancholy and vibrant alternating in every turn of the corner. From the quaint streets Jalan Tun Ali to the chaotic energy of Jonker Walk, back to the silent avenue of Hong Tua Mall, to the seedy corners of Ocean Plaza, and straight up to eerie Bukit Cina, every building, every sight have different personas you'd just like to know.  

It was Friday, past 6PM but the sun was just about to begin its descent. The weather was neither here nor there, cloudy and greyish but the rain was undecided if rain should fall. The air was thick and humid. I took my chances. The hotel is located at Jalan Tun Ali, a discreet street with a derelict factory building on my side facing a grand looking hotel, a road junction is at the far end. I was trying to locate Hong Tuah Mall to get my bearings. At least according to the tourist map, I've decided to make it my landmark. When we talk about a "Mall" a humongous building full of shops comes to mind. Throngs of people should be inevitable. But instead I was greeted by a metal plate on a polished slab of rock, raised in a dais welcoming me to Hong Tuah Mall. It turned out that Hong Tuah Mall is a 1.5KM stretch of shops and cafe along Hong Tuah Boulevard. Supposedly, as per the welcoming plaque the place should be teeming with tourist and revellers. Looked deader than a ghost town. Perhaps it was weather, or the holiday, but all shops and cafes are closed.  Whoever printed the map must have thought that a creek is the same as a river, because I got past it without noticing it (but i did see and smell a creek/canal) I ended up at OCEAN mall, and old mall with refusing to give up. This is where Melaka becomes interesting. The city was awarded as a Heritage Site. The whole area of shop houses are taken with utmost care. Whole streets and districts becomes pieces of history unchanged for many years (except maybe their interiors) Imagine modern day Vigan, that's what it is.In a bid to preserve history, even the newly constructed residential houses are fashioned after the old ones.  On the other hand, recent structures seemed to be abandoned and neglected. Ocean plaza looms like a giant dilapidated factory, and the buildings around it are greying with age. Melaka wants to be both Old and New at the same time, but it really is New but Old in a sense. The highlight of my stay was Jonker street. In Philippines, I like Quiapo by day and Malate at night, just for the sake of people watching. Jonker is like Raon Street on a weekend multiply by ten. Multitude of people walks, bargains, eat, performs, sells, gawk, cook, laugh, take pictures all at the same time in a stretch of a 10-foot wide street. I'm a people person, hence Jonker jives with my personality. The name itself sounds funny. Going Bonkers at Jonkers.

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I find Melaka one of the the most interesting places I've been to. I'm a big fan or architectural wonders, historical sites, and happy people. If I have time, I will definitely go back.

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Commercial Break ( Canon G11 accessories for sale )

After 5 months, my Canon G11 called it quits when it decided that it had been too wet to continue after a little dip in the water. Canon Centre said the warranty don’t cover water damage and if I want to repair, they’ll have to replace major parts and it will set be back around SGD 500 –600. I bought my G11 at SGD750.00

I am selling my G11 accessories in a major discounted price, I have adaptor and tele converter lens that I bought but only used just a couple of times, ( message me for price ) and the official G11 Leather Camera Case, I am selling it for SGD100 (priced SGD150 at Canon Flagship store )

Leather Case for SGD 100 (negotiable)

Vitacon 0.5X Wide Tele Converter Lens + lens adapter ( Bought at SGD 220.00 ) Negotiable

Kayangan Lake – Bucket List 1

We were in Busuanga, Palawan, on a banca speeding towards Cayangan Lake on the island of Coron. Half an hour later found us in a lagoon at the foot of an imposing wall of limestone.

Up a steep flight of steps, we eventually huffed-and-puffed our way to a look-out point with an expansive view of the islands. Then it’s down a jagged trail until we descend onto the shores of an emerald-colored sea. Nice, very nice. And the brackish seawater? It’s less than salty because of an an active underwater freshwater spring.

Kayangan is, after all, a sea lake completely enclosed by limestone cliffs. Along the water’s edge, there’s a faint echo that gently envelopes you, like whispering waves inside a seashell. And the water? The color is alive… my photographs fail… this place is enchanted… put it on your bucket list… Enjoy.

Moon Sightings and Other Thingeys

I grew up in a country where the sun sets at 5. Giving orange tainted skies which I grew to love. Where it is considered late if you go logged out of work with the giant billboards and neon signs lighted up and shining. I used to eat dinner at 7 with my family.

Now I work in a place where the sun sets at 7. I skip dinner most of the times. But somehow, admittedly I like whats out there. In this bustling city full of sky scrapers and 20-storey-apartments. The moon in daylight up in the blue sky is a welcome wonder. An exotic sight in an antiseptic city.