Adonit Jot Classic

Son got an iPad. He was playing with it. One of the thing he does was drawing. With his finger. There went the dad asking him if it will be better with a pen like tool. But he was not keen on the idea.

So one day we were at an Apple store. And I started showing him the item. He was like.. "okay".. then I went, "which color you like?" Next I knew we were trying it on the iPad.

The color is red. Not sure why he choose this color. Nicely packed.

Compared to a normal pen.

There it goes without the cap on it. All made of metal/alloy, except for one part of plastic. 

I have try it without the plastic part and it won't worked. Oh.. it did surprised me. It can be used on android. Be careful, not to drop it. The tip did bend when mine rolled off the table. Manage to get it back to where it suppose to be. And it does roll easily. What I did was put on the rubber band around it. Yup, it is ugly. 

Good thing about it, smooth writing and drawing. And it comes in few colors.

Fried Radish Cake @ Lot 10 Hutong, KL.

I was there again for lunch. In fact I was there many time. This time I choose to try out the Fried Radish Cake. I remembered eating radish cake when I was like 7 or 8 years old. At the olden times it was made differently. What I remember it was not fried but some kind of sauce was used. It was tasty back then. Now back to present day. This is not the first time I took this.

Display on an overhead board. Besides the fried radish cake, there other choices too.

While waiting for the cook to fry the radish cake. I look around. Since 1970 there were in business. This makes me wonder. This food was being prepared before I was event born.

There goes the fried radish cake. Served with chilli. Radish cake, spring onions, bean sprout, egg, prawns, salted minced radish and spices, are the ingredients I can gathered while eating it. The salted minced radish was added to give the crunchy bites and of course to give added aroma to the final dish. Tasted good. Won't say it is the best. But will choose this again, if I have a chance, as there are other choices I have not tried in this place. Chilli is just nice, not that spicy, else will robbed the original taste of the food. It taste almost like Fried Kuey Teow. But Fried Kuey Teow is slightly more oily than fried radish cake.

Ah hah, there goes the name of the stall, Kong Tai.

While taking the food I noticed there was another man frying the radish cake. Mine was fried by a lady person. So I was wondering if the man might be the sifu. The taste may differs? Ouch.. will be there again and this time have to be there a bit later and I have to make sure the man is there.

Philips HQ801 Shaver

I have been using a electric shaver 10 years ago. The shaver is still working. On full charged is does not last for more than 3 days. That was signalling me the end of the battery life. What more the battery is not replaceable. So was relying on the cable coneected to wall socket to power the shaver. And the cable coated with rubber is dropping piece by piece. And this worried me as I might get electrocuted.

This has let me to do searching again over the net for a replacement. My search criteria was set to smaller in size and able to replaced the batteries. Philips was the first I have search, as the precious was Philips too.

Found some choices over the internet. Next I went around looking for the real thing. Was looking at HQ801 as it is a smallest from Philips. At the point of looking, I was told the this model is having a discount. Retail at RM79 and discounted RM30. So I only have to pay RM49. I was taken by surprised at discount given. After looking around at other brands, this is the cheapest I can get. So I took it.

This model actually has multiple different combination of colors. The only one available at the outlets that I have been around is black. Simple to operate with one button. Turn it on by pushing the square button upward and start shaving. On the top the body, the layer is a clear plastic, I like this design. It gives a glass feel.

Twin blades which is more than enough for me to do the job. It comes with a cover. More to protect the blades. Means whatever beneath blades can be spilt out. Not a problem for me, unless I place the blades faced down on the table. As I had read it in the internet the blades is having a lift and cut system to give a closer and comfortable shave. Yup it does it's job. Only thing is that I have not use other type of blades for shaving, so I can't compare. The blades are sitting on a springs, as it center of the 2 blades can be pressed down. This means it will follow the countour of chin and neck. Actually this system was already in the old unit I owned. So it is not something new, but an additional bonus on a small shaver.

The back of the shaver. I can't think of good reason to have a loop at the bottom. One think I know i that loops makes the shaver looks good. A cover to load in batteries.

It takes 2 AAs size batteries. This is whats makes me want to get a unit. As the batteries are replaceable. And I got myselves a pair of rechargable, just to reduce dumping of used batteries to the environment. In cased of emergency, especially travelling, the batteries are available easily. On full charged battery, it gives about 60 minutes of shaving time, now that is what written on the box. I have not really did any track of time to conclude it. To me 60 minute means 30 days of shaving. As I take about 2 minutes per shave.

There goes the collection department. What ever stuble being shaved off goes in here. Not a big space. but it is easy to remove the cap that hold the blades from the body. I have wash it with water. Ok not soking it in the water ofcourse. Just put the head in the running water tap to clean the compartment. The cap with blades, yes, can be soked in the water.

Here goes the box. And there is a 2 sieded brush for cleaning the shaving unit. Have not used it. Since I clean it via a running water tap, the brush is stowed away in the box.

Not a water resistant unit as I deduct based on the battery cap at back is not sealed with any rubber compound. On using this shaver, it won't shaved my stuble away in single swiped. Either doing it in circular motion or mutiple passes to have a clean shave. At first use, I find it difficult to cleanly shave the stuble on my face. As I was having an idea of a clean shave on a single swipe. Now I just got used to it. And love it the more, small in size, quite easy to handle.

Now I have to go looking for another pair of rechargeable AAs to be fully charged and ready for use.

Iron Man 2 Mark V by Hot Toys

I am considering myself a late comer to own a product by Hot Toys. Never even thought I would acquire one. The first time I got excited seeing an Iron Man in silver color and model to replicate the movie unit. XL-Shop in Berjaya Time Square is where I discovered this wonderful Iron Man figure. Passing this store frequently, but never bring myself to get one. As time goes unit after unit of new Iron Man figure by Hot Toys was introduced.

Middle of last year, 2011, was when I managed to compromise my left brain and right brain to pre-order a unit of Iron Man 2 Mark II. Since then all I can do is wait. As the other unit, was not available for pre-order. Mind me, at that time I only knew XL-Shop to do pre-order. Moreover, this store has their own webpage which is updated almost daily with new products and open for pre-order. While waiting, I seems wallow for not able to get my hands on other units, namely the Mark 4 and 6.

Sometime, in the end of 2011, I was in a dilemma, as conciously and unconciously I was trying to decide as to whether to get a Mark V unit. This started after I was told by the store keeper that he can help me to get a unit at a price. Which happens to be closed to the sales price. As I happened to drop by at other store to check out on LBX plastic kit. That's where I found the same item at a much lower price. It then pushed me into thinking and decision making mode. Over the weekend, it made me took the plunged to own it. The rest of the story is oogling at it every day.

The front face.

The back of Mark V. 

A closer look at the head.

As for the lighting on the chest, eyes and palms, have tested it to worked. But no photo was taken.

By looking at the photos over the net and the one I have posted here, could not find any match the actual unit. Looking at the unit itself is far more exiciting then a photo of it. Is it worth it? Up to individual interest. I like arts, but so far not able to make myself to go far. So owning one is a short cut to fill my satisfaction. Now, I am back to waiting for my pre-order to arrive.

Adidas Duramo ADP6034 Digital Watch

Christmas is just round the corner, hoping to find a gift for myself.  The day before purchase I was in department selling men's apparel. There I saw a few brand. One of them, Adidas. At the same time I scan for prices. RM149 the lowest for men's digital wristwatch. Others cost more than RM200. The next logical step I have taken is to browse the internet. Trying to find other models that would be low in price too. At the same time checking on the design. I was not looking for a many functions on a digital wristwatch. Mainly for it to tell me time. And it must be in reverse color. Mean the numbers are lighter color and background is black. There are 2 model caught my interest. Nike+ GPS watch and Phosphor e-Ink digital. But these watches are expensive to me. What I like about these watches is the way the numbers are displayed. There is no lines within a number.

So on the purchasing day. I was hoping a Christmas gift from my wife. Was windows shopping to check various model available. And I met the same RM149 digital wristwatch by Adidas. Get the salesman to let me try it out on my wrist with few others Adidas model. And found I like this one not only for the lowest price but it also fitted my wrist well. The rest is history.

A box with brand logo and a manual. Just a simple box, which I have already stowed it away in the store room.

Adidas and it's logo printed in white just outside the digital box. This model is having the reversed display. Only get to see the numbers from near. On the face, I get to see time, day and date. Which is  sufficient for me.

 The 3 lines on the strap is as per Adidas logo. There are same design watches from Adidas with the 3 lines in different colours.

Side view of the wristwatch. As can be seen the straps are angled downward in 90 degree. This has gave me the comfortable fitting on my wrist. Other models I have tried on my wrist, making the wristwatches look big with gaps on both sides. This is a plus point for me. Not sure how it will fit on other people wrist.

 On end of the strap, Adidas logo is imprinted on it. The strap has 3 rows of holes but only the centre is used for buckling.

On the buckle, Adidas logo is imprinted on it too.

At the back is where the most alphabets and numbers are found. Not sure where this one is made.

On my wrist, it looks like a black straps. Or a wrist band from far.

Finally got one digital wristwatch besides my mechanical ones. Mainly to tell me time. Other functions on the wristwatch will stay in the wristwatch, except for the button for brightening the numbers, to view in  the dark. Oh, I like the lights too, it is in blue instead of yellowy white. wish it does not have the white imprints in the digital box. Maybe the white imprints can be placed on the side of the buttons. The numbers are big enough for me to see. As I am getting older, the eyes are deteriorating in quality vision.

There maybe other cheaper ones, but this one appeals to me more as of the price and design. Hope to see some same price range of wristwatches but with a smooth number displayed instead of being divided as sticks, or boxes and traingles. This is for the future, when I am looking for a replacement.

Merry Christmas !

Minorva 1898 Automatic Mechanical wristwatch

This one time piece is tracking second, minute, hour, date, day, and month. I have not own one with a month tracking in a wrist watch.

It is given a name MINORVA with year 1898 written on it. Not sure if it is meant to tell that MINORVA was around since that year. On the dial, 4 circles is displayed. One with a window to show the moving parts, where a second hand is place on it. The hand that point to months is operated manually via a given button at the side. Something I can live with. The circle at 12, has 3 hands. A pair hands for second timing, hence dual time, together with date hand.

Automatic, can be seen via a window at the back of the wristwatch. Blue screws are used. It even printed some words on the surrounding the window.

There goes the 2 buttons on right side. One for the month and the other one for the dates. The crown is shaped to display a classic look.

On the left side, one button for the day. When I got this wristwatch, it is didn't come with a tool to push those buttons. So I used a ballpoint pen to push the buttons.

Buckle, with a wide holes pin. A choice of mine.

Not sure if this is my last piece of wristwatch. Most likely not. So am waiting for something different to move me in forking out the dough.

Tasik Bera Trip

Over a weekend, a trip to Tasik Bera was organized. Which was a sudden decision made. As the start point is 1 hour away from the destination, we moved out at about 9am.

On arrival, there is a necessary to register our entry to the lake.

On winding road with possibly one car in one direction, but there are road shoulders for 2 cars from opposite direction to pass each other.

It is quiet road, mother nature are on the left and on the right. The funny thing is, I felt insecured. This is most likely because I have been in the city for too long.

On arrival to Tasik Bera, we were greeted by a big map of the lake. I felt excited to see a big lake.

Direction to places nearby, being placed on a fake tree and a fake hair.

There were butterflies flying from flower to flower. This has also excited me into taking the photo of it. It is not simple task, as they kept moving around. And I have not found a way to bargain with them for staying put while I take a beautiful picture of them.

Rooms were there for rent. Did not checked the price as we don't have any intention to stay.

A lot of tree canopies, you can choose to view those good pattern to those not so good pattern. Okay, I just don't have the right word for the canopies. But I do enjoy looking at it.

A jetty for us to take a trip around the lake, at first I thought the lake is huge and we can tour surround it.

A view, from the restaurant, of the jetty, this picture was taken after I took a leak in the restaurant. Which is also where we found out about the trip around the lake since the jetty office was closed. Oh I was there on a public holiday. And you know what, the lake don't look big after all.

I was informed that this lake used to have the fish as in the picture below. Now it seems to be less of it. With the name given to the fish, it sounded like one of our national car, which is no longer in production.

A view of the jetty. That is where we took a boat to tour around the lake.

Our tour started. Below are the photos taken while on the boat around the lake.

The fruit in one of the photos, as the tour guide pointed to us, is torns all over and poisonous. Not sure how poisonous it is. Almost wanted to grabbed it. Oops just joking. There were alot of Periuk Monyet plants around.

After the tour, only do I realised the lake is huge, Just as there were alot of plant on the lake, which has reduced the sized of the lake itself.

Okay, forgot to mention, this lake is a preserved wetland. If you were looking the photo of the lake map, you will find the lake is preserved internationally. What more to say, I am proud our country still has one wetland being preserved.

You are even allowed to do fishing on the lake.

I even joke myself, there maybe some dinosaur alife down there. But none has been sighted.

So those have not been to a natural wetland, here is your chance. Make a trip there and experienced it. Even that was the first time I have seen it myself. As most of the time the lake I have been to were cleaned.

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f1.4

This is one of the reason I was so eager to get the NEX-5N. On discovery of bokeh lens, where it has a smaller f number, can be used on NEX-5N. The downside of it is the manual focusing.  The first discovery was the Noktor 50mm f0.95 lens. This lens is produce to mount directly to NEX series camera. From then onward I discovered more of third party lens can be fitted to NEX-5N with an adapter. Thanks to SooHK, who directed me to look at the Voigtlander brand.

  

Also there is this guy at KPLF 2011 event, shown me his lens on NEX3, and he was kind enough to walked me through on how the lens is easy to use with the NEX series camera.

After some time spend on surfing the net and some shopping. Then decided to get me one of it. 3 items by the same brand was put into my basket. The lens 40mm at f1.4, the lens hood and the most important part the adapter that allow the lens to sit on the camera. I was adviced to get the adapter by voigtlander, as it is connecting the lens and the camera tightly.

The lens is smaller compared to many lens I have come across. It is heavy, at 290 gram (lens, lens hood and adapter), 55 gram heavier than 18-55mm NEX lens. 2 rings is given, one for the apperture and the other for focusing.

As long as I have used camera, this is the first time I am taking photo through manual focusing, which I find not easy. Even with the peak focusing feature in NEX-5N, I might not get the focus at the right place. That is about 20 percent of the the shots with this lens will be out of focus. The next resolve, is using the manual focus assist. Where the NEX-5N will enlarged the focusing point, where I can ensure the focusing point is sharp enough for a shot.

It is fun to use, the weight is something I love about. And it is a classic designed. And it is still being produced. The best part, it is affordable for me. And definitely a collection.

Other lens that are similar to this, requires me to pay 6 times more. As this lens allow me to have less depth in my photos, which makes me want to use it at all time in street photography. But it is not a wide enough for some shot. Hmm... I guess I will have to wait for my pocket to fill up and get a wide angle with smaller f stop. Have not seen any below f2.

One more disadvantage of this lens, the closes distance from subject is 70cm away. I get annoyed everytime I want to take a photo of food. For potrait, the distance is okay.

Now I wish I had the black color NEX-5N...