Wesak Day celebrations at Bukit Beruang

The celebrations for this year's Wesak Day (Buddha's Birthday), although toned down in light of the recent China and Myanmar disasters, are still on. This morning, my wife and I went to the Buddhasassananuggaha Buddhist Society in Bukit Beruang for some prayers and Metta meditation. Met up with my in-laws over there, and, due to lack of communication, found that my uncle, aunt and cousin were there too (a coincidential mini-family gathering!).

Started off at 10am with some chanting and meditation, followed by a slow walk around the meditation center compound carrying flowers, and finally the symbolic "bathing of Budda" statue.

Had to leave before lunch, as my mother called - little baby girl crying for milk back home....








Wesak day celebration at Tzu Chi Foundation Melaka

In conjunction with the celebration of Lord Buddha's birthday, there was today a "Buddha bathing ceremony" held at the Tzu Chi Foundation Melaka, which is situated in Batu Berendam Free trade zone (opposite National Semiconductors). Their global website can be accessed HERE, as well as some info on Wikipedia.

This year is the first time they are doing it outdoors (previous year, done indoors). There were 2 sessions in the morning - my wife and I decided to come for the one that starts at 10.00am. Arrived there at 9.30am, not a moment too soon, as the parking lots were already full, forcing us to park on the road shoulder (like many others).

Anyway, going in, we went into the main hall, where there was shown a short presentation on the recent China and Myanmar natural disasters (earthquake and cyclone respectively). After that, we made our way systematically outdoors, where the people were arranged in an orderly fashion in the huge garden, before the entire ritual of bathing the Buddha was carried out.



Well, we also gave some donation to the charity fund for the needy, and hope that the victims of the recent misfortunes will have relief from their sufferings.


A little souvenir that I got from them today....



Inter-shift Futsal Tournament 2008

Last Saturday we held our second every Inter-shift Futsal Tournament. What's Futsal? In laymen's terms, it's best described as "indoor football". The specifics and details you can either google it or wikipedia it.

Last year, it was a joint effort between the company recreation club (VMRC) and the worker's Union. This year, it was solely a VMRC effort. Initially, we expected an overwhelming response similar to last year. However, this year, we had only 12 male teams and 1 female team (needless to say, the female tournament was called off due to lack of response). Sadly, the office hour shift could not even form one team, due to:-

1. Some people not interested anymore
2. Some people already resigned (and one went to Australia with her husband - you know who you are...! )
3. Some people we believe are, um, expecting....

So, in spite of the lackluster response, the show must go on. And the organizing team lead by Tan HC did a find job in putting together another successful event.

From a photographer's point of view, photographing a Futsal game is a nightmare. For starters, by being indoors, the light levels were way below what could be captured with reasonable quality, using standard camera and lens. In other words, unless you have the latest D3 or EOS Mark X with F2.8 or brighter zoom lens, be prepared to hit the DELETE key many, many times as your memory card fills up with grainy, blur photos that look like Van Gogh after one too many jugs of wine!

The sheer nature of the sport, the entire court was enclosed in a netted mesh, which frequently caught the interest of the camera's autofocus system. Lens these days, with such short minimum focus distance, meant that you'd literally had to stand with your lens against the net to avoid locking on to it by accident. Of course, you'll have to keep both eyes open, ever vigilant and willing to hope back if one of the players charges in your direction. If it's the ball, chances are you'll never see it coming unless you have the reflexes of a Jedi! Fortunately, I was not presented with an opportunity to assess first-hand the robustness of a Nikon / Tamron lens to "physical abuse". [phew!!!!]

Well, I came prepared, with my Nikon 50mm, 85mm (both F1.8, these are the affordable ones), as well as my Sigma 150mm macro and good old Tamron 17-50mm (I'd need a wide-angle for the prize-giving later anyway). Results are:-

Nikon 50mm - not bad, actually, as this ended up being my most used lens. Just stopping down to F2.2 or F2.5 to keep things sharp. Only trouble is that this being a fixed focal lens, I can only nail shots when the subject is in a very small window of a distance away from me (I can't step onto the pitch, or through the net mesh). Verdict - recommended.

Nikon 85mm - good portrait lens, however, I'm here to shoot futsal, not magazine covers (unless one of these guys someday becomes famous, then I can sell these pics for a hefty sum ala paparazzi!). Some of these shots, you'd never guess are from a futsal pitch. Verdict - not recommended.

Sigma 150mm - hah! What was I thinking? A bright telephoto at F2.8, but with a slow focus, it was hard to lock on to the dynamic players running up and down the pitch. Plus, with an actual focal length of 225mm (that's 150mm x 1.5 on my D200), you end up getting head shots only. Verdict - avoid for Futsal!

Tamron 17-50mm - End up using this to replace the 50mm, though had to keep it as F2.8 and the ISO dialled up to get a fast shutter speed. A little short on the tele end, but this helped when the players rushed to the net just in front of me. Inherent problem of locking on to the net, so had to refocus at times - can't nail all the shots straight away. Anyway, as darkness falls, this one was a preferred choice for prize giving over my other wide-angle lenses. Verdict - use it (until you strike first prize lottery and can afford something better!).

Well, so much for my first experience at photographing futsal - next year I will come better prepared and hope to refine my photography! Anyway, some photos below, as well as the winners gallery over HERE.


Pre-game pep talk and strategy discussion



This is what you get when you bring a long tele lens to a Futsal game....


Regardless of how this looks, it didn't turn out as you'd painfully expect


You have to do a lot more running and less resting on the pitch in Futsal, as compared to Football. That's why some of the player are simly "flat out" after the game!


That net which keeps the ball and to a lesser extent the players inside the pitch, is starting to pull my camera's attention....


Huh? That net again....


Enough already, Mr Net! One more time and you are coming along on my next fishing trip!!!


The contestants from the Product Development team (how'd they do? Why don't you ask them, I, uh, have no comment....)


More players taking a break between games (from where, I forget.... Sorry guys!)


Professional supporters are always there for you!


Owww! My Foot! Here's the Emergency Response Team springing into action (actually, the injury occurred 5 minutes ago - what we have here is a realistic re-enactment with the real people involved).


The two finalists were evenly matched - so it all boiled down to a penalty shootout. Here's the shot that LOST it for office hours


We won! We won!


Choking Charlie is in the house

Our latest addition to our Emergency Response Team - Choking Charlie. This is basically a 1:1 scale model of a male human upper body armless torso (don't ask me why they don't have female version). This is for our team to train and practice the Heimlich Abdominal Thrust Maneuver, which is a lifesaving technique used to dislodge objects that get stuck in the victims' throat. This usually happens when someone bites off more than he or she can chew and chokes, hence the name "Choking Charlie"....




Don't get alarmed - it's only Choking Charlie....




Fresh out of the box.




Latest model for t-shirt and fireman helmet

TVCM offline - for good?


Haiyah! Turns out that the Web Portal for the Toyota Vios Club Malaysia, TVCM, has gone offline. Has been down for 1~2 weeks now. During my recent TT session with YY, D and XXXTRYM at Old Taste Coffee, Malim, I understand that the official word is the site has been hacked and had to be pulled offline. Fair enough, but looks like with no news from the committee on how much longer the site will stay on ice, it's anyone guess as to what the future holds for the car club....

Well, I really hope the system administrator gets the forum back online pronto. Good luck guys!

Doing our bit to help deal with global food shortage

It's no longer breaking news that the whole world is now facing an acute food shortage : source

Should not come as a surprise to anyone, unless you have been living under a coconut shell, or perhaps enjoy a care-free life where everything is provided (sort of like the life Siddhartha Gautama was living before he ventured out into the world).

As food becomes scarce and the population continues to grow, we find ourselves facing the inevitable rise in food prices. To the well to do, this increase in living cost come on more as an inconvenience. However, we should consider those who are less fortunate - how are they to cope with this trend when they can barely make enough to survive at present? Ultimately, many will face starvation, and there is no denying that in desperation, there will be some who will reluctantly be driven to a life of crime, with no other motive other than to put food on the table.

Just last weekend, while I was at my wife's home town for Mother's Day gathering, my brother-in-law shared some priceless thoughts on the subject matter.

Why is the world facing food shortage? Well, one obvious reason is that people tend to prepare more food than necessary for meals. Especially for wedding dinners, having surplus food is interpreted (unfortunately) as a sign of wealth and prosperity. Imagine if you are at a wedding dinner, and you leave afterwards still feeling hungry - you'd think that the family is rather "financially-challenged". So, people end up preparing eight course dinners, just for status and prestige.

Another reason that got me thinking. When we eat meat, from example, a chicken, think of what resources were spent to create that delicious drumstick on your dinner plate. Typically, from hatch-ling until plump hen, a chicken will consume grain, water, and so on until it's ready to become your meal instead. Same goes for other forms of meat - we don't realize it, but think of the amount of resources that go into them.

Now, take into consideration a vegetarian meal, for instance. To grow a plate of vegetables, you need plenty of sunshine, soil and water (all of which are available in abundance). In contrast to eating meat, we don't have to invest heavily with other resources in order to grow vegetables for consumption. Imagine, if we keep ourselves fed on our grain and greens, instead of using them to feed livestock which we will eventually consume ourselves, there will surely be enough food in the world for all of us! Thus, another reason for going on a green diet, is to make most efficient use of food.

In other words, we should try to eat from the bottom of the food chain. So next time you feel like ordering a large plate of chicken chop, give a little thought to the less fortunate.

Well, that's a new way to think of things. Makes sense to me. Always try to keep an open mind and take in other's views and ideas....

More friends leaving (or have already left)

In the past month, the mass exodus trend rears its ugly head once again. Last month, bid farewell to Jefri Ibrahim and Wong CL (again). Today, we had a small farewell lunch for Azhari, who's last day with us is tomorrow (actually, today, since it's now after midnight). Azhari's been with us since the start of the company, some seven years ago, so it's quite sad to see another friend leave, though something tells me we'll be seeing him around still. As we locals know, in Melaka there really isn't any much choice in where to go, for people in our industry.

Unfortunately, tomorrow will also be the last day for Faisal from PF. I know also that another engineer, Tan SJ, will be leaving end of this month as well as Jessie from HR. Hmm, that's a large turnover over a short period of time, just like the last time....


Well, anyway, today people were quite busy with meetings, so it was just a small gathering in Room 3. Too bad Zufri isn't around - we ordered his favorite cheesecake!


It's a good thing I skipped lunch, for there was so much to eat, we couldn't finish it all. Clement was tied up with meeting, Anand was on leave and Rajavel was in night shift. Come to think of it, even if they came, I don't think we'd still manage to clear the dishes.


To all those leaving, I bid a warm farewell to all of you. Don't forget us when you're all rich and famous!

Maximizing fuel economy via "Hypermilling"

The latest catch phrase in the world of automotive fuel economy - "Hypermilling". Basically, this is the term used for one of the fuel economy maximizing behaviors, seems the term originates from US. In Europe, they use a less flashy term - ecodriving.

Anyway, through modifying driving behavior, you can actually get equal or better than the manufacturers' fuel economy specs.

Some links to follow:

http://forum.ecomodder.com/ - A forum for economical drivers

http://ecomodder.com/forum/hypermiling-driving-tips-ecodriving.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_economy-maximizing_behaviors

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/120880/article.html

Anyway, please note that some of these methods are not very safe (example, following closely behind a large truck), cannot be used on a car with automatic transmission (coasting for long distances), and may need to take into account local driver's mentality (you will get blasted by horns here in Malaysia).

Some tips that I practice:-

- Clean junk from your trunk - My trunk is usually empty. No point in carrying unneccesary weight around.

- Check tire inflation regularly - Since I refuel only every 3-4 weeks, I pump air into my tires around 5% higher than recommended.

- Track your fuel consumption - This I do meticulously, so I know my driving habits.

- Avoid peak traffic - Not so difficult, since my working hours are a little more flexible than normal. I get to work after the rush hour clears, and leave for home after the jam has dissipated too.

- Find/adopt a 'blocker' for slower freeway speeds - Excuse for driving slow, drive behind a bus / lorry. Caution, don't drive behind one that carries stones, or emits smoke / dust!

- Reduce speed - Recently I drove to KL with cruise control set at 96kph! It's get's you to your destination. A little slower than usual, but the fuel saving is great.

- Constant throttle position cruising - This is to minimize hysteresis loss. It's more efficient to drive at a constant speed rather than speed up, then slow down to the original speed.

- Cruise control - Leave the speed control to the computer. One thing is that you need to use this on level road, otherwise the cruise control will downshift and over-rev once you get to an incline. Also, hard to do this when there are many cars around.

- Make fuel economy a game/challenge - When you monitor your FC, take the km/l as your score. What's your record?

- Parking tactics: reverse in - Logic is that your car is least efficient when the engine is cold, so driving off is more efficient instead of having to reverse out and change directions.

- Automatic transmission: highest gear/lowest RPM for posted speed - This is dependent on the type of vehicle, gear ratios, etc.. My FD2 is apparently most efficient at ~2krpm or ~90kph.

- Minimize air conditioning use - Can't live without it, so I set the temperature control to 25% of the maximum, and use the fan speed to cool down. On my FD2, I set the temperature to 27/28 degrees.

Well, take your time to read, and try to change your driving habits for the better. Take note that although fuel saving is important, there are times where safety and other factors will need to take precedence. So, drive wisely...!

50 ways to help the planet

These days, we've come to grips that we are living in a world of limited resources, no back-up, and borrowed from our children. Here's an nifty link to 50 ways to help the planet


50 ways

Which you can find at : http://www.wireandtwine.com/green/

Do your part and help save our planet...!

RON92 - what it's like after 2 tanks full of the stuff....

First tank full was with BHP RON92, second tank filled up with Caltex Techron RON92. As I've mentioned before, my decision is to use Caltex for RON92 refuelling, because they are the only one so far who declare that they include their additive (Techron) in both RON92 and RON97 fuel.

I'll refrain from putting in my personal feelings from my "butt dyno" since this will be purely psychological. I do reiterate however, that there is no significant difference in terms of performance and noise.

Now, up to this stage, my average is 11.322km/l or 8.905l/100km. According to the spec sheet on the Australian Honda Civic Web Page, my FD2 should be doing 8.4l/100km on a combined cycle. So, my average is slightly worse than spec....

With the first tankful of RON92, I got 10.814km/l or 9.247l/100km. Second tank, due to my recent trip to KL and also the discover of Hypermilling (which should not be adopted 100% - just take the few key practical pointers), I got 13.382km/l or 7.473l/100km. This is significantly better than spec. Note that this is not my best ever FC record (I've achieved 13.703km/l or 7.297l/100km before). So, I can say that driving style and road conditions greatly affect fuel economy.

I am planning some modifications on my ride, which theoretically will not impact FC (actually, I plan to improve it). Unfortunately, Desmond could not get the stuff in in time (so now, instead of being "poisoned", it is actually the other way around!). Will write more about it once I get the mods installed....

150,000km Preventive Maintenance Service @ GS Tay Honda Muar

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