AirAsia Badminton Tournament

This is reported from Cobra Club, PJ where AirAsia Thomas club is hosting. The Finance Iron Lady June Yew grab both single and double mix title without hard time. Jason beaten all guys to reign for best male single.

Sony AMC Malacca Outing

Sony AMC and Photo Creator have brought the second outing to Malacca. Merchandise of this outing is ‘Very Smart Alpha Black Vest’. Finally Alpha Shooter got their shield and it’s black colour, which is rare and can easily spot on by people. This outing is more organized compare the first one. Participants were brief about the shooting technique during the journey. While everybody enjoy the DVD movie on bus, I zzzzzzz.

It was a cloudy day in Malacca. The sunshine has gone so the chicken rice ball sold out too. Without good feast and my photoshoots is degraded to amatuer level (lousy reason). We were served with Nyonya dishes for dinner and enjoying the best shots slide show. Upon reach KL again it was 2330.

The famous Red House.

Heritage building and bicycles.

Broken roof and sunlight. The house was abandoned.

In front of Rudy Hotel.

Shimmering from old window.

Reflexology centre. I like the feet picture and sandals.

View from bottom of St. Paul Church ruins .

This angle is nice but I unable to cover the full church building. Need a wider lens

Cloudy day, moody cat.

Dog Olympics

Dog is human best friend. I have attended the sports day of our best friends — Dog Olympics held at One Utama Central Park. The sky was cloudy since early morning. Although there was brief rain in the middle of the event, but the sunny come back just in time. I set my camera white balance based on white paper. It’s gave good reading and colour are very accurate.


The police force K9 special appearance earned the respect. They are like army with high discipline. Jump over fire ring without second thoughts and bite the bad guy with full strength.

Our friends are happy socialize all the time. The funny moment was all same breeds play together just like old schoolmate gathering. Not that all, the small puppy greet their big dog brother too. Of course they share their best moment with us. You can hug and take photo of any dog in the field. I doubt to find any place like this beside haven. It is so harmonize and everyone feature smiles on their face.

Human best friend not just as accompany, it help our work too.

Open my eye with Super GT

The dedication and discipline of Japanese are way to success. I would really like to bow to them as showing my respect. I got the pit-walk session start at 12:40pm, the organizer put up a sign board to count down for last ten minutes. Although they are hundreds of people cramped behind the gate like refugees, the organizer just said NO. When time is up all visitors rush into the pit. All GT queens were surrounded by photographers and it was getting out of control. The team officer do their best make everyone happy. The Japanese photographer even gave way to us. The GT queens return smiles and pose for every camera, no matter it’s professional SLR or mobile phone.
The pit-walk was ended up sharply and give way to the next activity to avoid delay.

Let’s turn to the race track. After each practice session, all cars will return to pit sharply and off their engine immediately. The whole circuit suddenly quiet and mechanics follow up with their task quickly. This is how a performance based and discipline oriented work. I very like the way they start too. They will push their car out of pit, once time is up all will fire engine same time. VROOOOOOMMM… game on.

Of course there is some sad story to tell. On the race day where by Japan national anthem is on air, some audience not even pay attention to stand up. Then, Malaysia national anthem sequel and all Japanese racer, GT queen and staff stop immediately and stand firm until anthem end. Needless to say much on this issue. I always doubt why Japan hosted Super GT race at Malaysia? From the ticket selling and audience respond I am not confidence there is big profit compare with F1. They are boss of the event, but they treat us like guest (in fact we are the host).

AirAsia 50 millionth guest

AirAsia welcome the 50 millionth guest this evening, Ms Wendy. Being such a young fleet and carry over 50 million guest shown how potential the LCC (low cost carrier) market is. Once again I brought my camera to shoot around. Most probably you know LCCT is illuminates by natural light, so the environment is not very camera friendly and using flash light is only solution. There is no ceiling to do bounce flash effect thus I attached a A4 paper on top of my flash light. I am the only one who using this on field. Elroy laugh at me saying tonight TV news might show that ugly flash setup.

Tony reached early and welcoming Wendy with few other VIPs. Minister of Tourism Dato Azalina was arrived later. The bagpipe band escorting VIPs with their tunes. Tony gave a simple speech and emphasis more routes to be introduced soon. Dato Azalina continues with her support to place AirAsia at Subang Airport. Although it’s not a officially statement, but shown that it’s a win-win situation to reopen the old airport. Then the ceremony come to closing by photograph Wendy and AirAsia Cabin Crew which in famous red uniform.

Another surprise was seeing a staff with Sony A100 too. Too busy shooting and we didn’t manage to discuss much. He is using twin kit lens but the event lighting sure giving him a tough time.

Visit Super GT – Round 4 – Sepang

Racing circuit probably the place man find their dreams come true: paddock girls, super cars, thrilling engine sounds and extreme high speed. Not to forget the race day usually happen under hot sun and bring the flash point higher.

I bought the Super GT ticket two months ago with early bird price (that’s about RM75). This is super bargain price that irresistible for such a good organize motor sports event. It was so promising that I am going to attend it again and again. The discipline and motivation demonstrate by drivers and GT queens really worth to pay visit. No matter the team is on top or bottom chart, their spirit is high and the GT queens never doubt their driver ability. They always feedback you with a nice pose and smile.

There are few special facts about Super GT. One of it would be big cars and small cars race together. Big cars are GT500 category with 500 horse power. Small cars are GT300 category with 300 horse power. GT500 will run ahead of GT300 and after a while it would catch up the GT300 cars from behind and lot of overtaking happen. In a full race GT500 usually can lead the GT300 5 laps ahead. This formation already tells how interesting and entertaining the competition will be.

To further improve the competency, handicap penalty is imposed to race winner. Extra weight will be carry by the previous winning car and losing cars get weight deduction same time. This is to ensure the race would not monopoly by one team, the more you win the more weight need to be carried. The chart leader is carrying 93kg extra weight to race at Sepang.

All GT cars are painted with bright colorful scheme to attract your eye ball. The colour mix-match are creative and extraordinary just like how Japanese usually do in sci-fi manga. The GT500 is using white HID lamps and GT300 in yellow lamps.

Malaysia is so lucky to be the only Super GT race hosted outside Japan. I not dare to say the event will improve our motor sports achievement, but definitely Japanese branded cars get free advertising. Nissan, Honda and Toyota can easily outrun the Ferrari and Lamborghini. I do not know what model those European cars participate. The Japs really push their machine to sky high limit that not anybody dare to contempt.

The race is hosted in Sepang Malaysia, however it’s like a replication of Suzuka Japan. The way they run the race, those colourful banners, race queens, driver passion, mechanic professionalism and of course — they speak Japan totally. Super GT Sepang is the only place you can feel little Japan for a while.

Two side activities for Super GT are pit walk and safari ride. The pit walk is where man find their sexy and sweet dream girl. Those race babes are call GT queens because all man willing to bow for them. Imagine thousand of guys go in just for photography and signature. They might have more fans than any celebrity. Safari ride is where a bus carries audience run on race track and same time GT cars pass by it. It’s really open my eye and ear how this Jap race machine go. Since there are GT500 and GT300 two categories, the qualifying is not to be missed. You pay one ticket and can enjoy seeing so many cars and pretty girls, tell me the reason not to do it.

Invest your mobile credits

Bank would like to offer special interest rate to keep their customers. As you know the longer period of fixed deposit the better rate you get. Recently I got a sms from my mobile service provider which offer me to buy extra airtime. The offer is to pay RM7 for RM10 airtime. I was wondering where is this hoax or spam came from? But it’s a real option. The tricky part is I would not get RM10 airtime in one shot but by 5 installments (RM2 each time) over 5 weeks. My prepaid service will expire in 3 weeks time. Meaning I will only get 3 installements (RM6 total) then I have to reload to enjoy the final two installments. I have use this mobile number for years and definately will continue for next month. I accept the offer wihout questioning. Beside airtime, there is sms to be purchased too.Telco in Malaysia is fighthing hard to lower the call rate. At the end all consumer earn some bonus.

I won Super GT Simulation Challenge

June is my lucky month this year. I got a call from Honda Malaysia on this morning. I won the SuperGT online contest and will receive some free passes and merchandise. The feeling is super good. Only thing they didn’t cover is pit-walk. Overall it’s a very good package. Here are the freebies,


- 2 x Super GT Grand Stand Tickets & Parking Passes
- An experience on the Super GT Circuit Safari (for winner only)
- 2 x Honda Racing Polo T-Shirt
- 2 x Honda Racing Cap
- 2 x Honda Racing Lanyard
- 2 x Earplug
- 2 x Lunch Coupon

Personally I quite like the Honda Racing shirts. It is made by good quality hence not overpriced as other brand. I bought a Honda Racing Team shirt at RM89 where usually is tag at RM200 or higher. AirAsia Williams shirt is at RM139 and Petronas BMW at RM250. Looking to win those too if there is a contest near future

Good moment is for sharing. I pick a shirt for Nickee and lanyard and cap present to Elroy. My early purchased ticket is going to release and fund for my pit-walk pass. Can’t wait to enjoy thrilling sounds from GT car this weekend.

Motorbike (cub) tyre review: Dunlop, Michelin, Farelli, FKR, Duro

First of all, tyre (english) or tire (usa) and tayar are all the same J

One of the scary word in motobikers’s dictionary is ‘puncture’ or ‘tayar pongcak’

Some experience motobiker carry spare tyre tube to be replaced during emergency. There are many mobile number printed at road divider especially in Klang Valley highways. I suspicious there is entrapment in those black zones since I seem many bikes puncture same time on the road. Usually this 24hours ‘highway rescue’ charge RM50 and replace a RM3 tube for the victim. At mid night they even ask for more. Some of them are not bike shop mechanic but just live near by and come to ‘cari makan’ (take advantage). Of course this RM3 tube only last you to nearest bike shop and get a quality replacement.

The safest way is to use tubeless tyre on your vehicle. Tubeless tyre tends to be harder and durable compare with tube-type tyre thus it helps combat sharp particles. Recently my tyre was punctured again after hit by nail. Luckily it was deflated after I reached home and I totally no aware about this until next morning. I was ride to bike shop in puncture condition because tubeless tyre is hard. My favorites Farelli brand was not available and I try Duro for first time. My bike tyre change: Dunlop TT900 -> Michelin M45 -> Farelli F1800 -> FKR EPSILON HT200 -> Duro HF-918

Getting a good tyre is difficult for me since I am very relying on Internet research. There was lack of review and comparison for bike tyre even though biker community is huge in Malaysia. Perhaps most bikers don’t blog J I write a short sequel about my experience on those tyres.

Brand	Dunlop	Michelin	Farelli	FKR	Duro
Model	T900	M45	F1800	Epsilon HT200	HF-918
Dry grip	Great	Good	Great	Great	Good
Wet grip	Poor	Good	Good	Good	Under Test
Design	Sport	Balance	Durable	Durable	Sport
Price Paid	Orignal with bike	RM48	RM55	RM48	RM60
Reason to change	Damaged after hitting pot hole.	Damaged after riding bumpy road with pillion.	Threads wear out.	Hit nail.	In use and testing.
Life span	10 months	11 months	14 months	2 months	-

From the list you knows how good Farelli has served me. It just not my experience but I bought Farelli after read from forums it performance and durability. Petro hikes so tyre price will be review again. That’s the sad thing.

Zoo Challenge – How to shoot animal?

Sony Malaysia organizes outing for Alpha user in back to back two weekends. We are the luckiest one. The outing not just a user gathering but prize is given to the best photographer as well. Before be at Zoo Negara Malaysia, it’s good to do some homework on shooting technique. I got few tips from net and books.

1. Shoot from creative angle. Let’s say from animal eye level and not from top looking down at the animal.
2. Close up for animal expression. They are some identical moment of each species.
3. Use fast shutter speed since animal like to move around very fast. 1/125 is the minimum.
4. If you are close then please don’t flash, otherwise you are not just scare them away but make them blind too L
5. Set your camera to vivid saturation mode for more colorful images.
6. If you have telephoto lens, use it. 75mm (or 4X zoom on normal camera) is very short for zoo shooting. (I know because I was limited to that, wish to have a 200mm on hand)
7. Isolated the man made objects from your subject to make it look natural. (Don’t shoot the cage and fence if you manage to)
8. There are many flora and ponds to use with your creative composition. Try it.
9. Be simple. Not just photography but applies to your shooting gears too. Carrying unnecessary weight will send you home earlier.
10. Be patient. Animal might not pose for you. Shoot and re-shoot.

We were given two hours to get our best shot. Unfortunately my long telephoto lens broke down at event started moment. I forced to use short telephoto lens to complete my assignments. Last time I been here was 5 years ago, but nothing change beside the KFC trademark restaurant has closed down. Pingu family (penguin) left two. Other animal has reached heaven, I think. I managed to walk the whole zoo in two hours. From there you can guess how small the zoo is or how not interesting it is. Finally I submitted a western cowboy look photo for contest. Not paying much hope on this since I was limited by the shooting range. I agreed I lost my patience to wait animal posing

Some participants did come out Nat-Geo quality photos. The grand prize is Cybershot camera and runner-up gets a photo backup hard disk. No Alpha lens given as prize, kind of surprise for us. However, Zoo Outing should be fun and who care about prize? Then story continue at Ampang Boom Store which serve the best nasi lemak as rewards.