Ultraman

Ultraman, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

This is Ultraman.

Beautiful, no matter what or where.

Beautiful, no matter what or where., a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Was looking at post cards when I noticed this Japanese lady strayed from her group and went to a shop selling modern Islamic clothes. She lingered for quite a while and that when I snapped a couple of pictures. I did not stay to find out if she did buy any.

I am really enjoying taking pictures again. I just went to East Coast today and took some pictures. Spent about an hour and came back home sweaty. Met a Malay fisherman reparing his net while still in his boat. Turned out that he knew my late uncle and my father as they stayed in Siglap together. Started fishing on his own in 1974 and still do. Referred to himself as Ultraman as he used to be wearing masks to keep out the sun and that is how he is known to the rest of the fishermen. Wow, I feel like I am recording a slice of people's life. Amazing, that is how I am feeling now.

Slim

Friendlies

Friendlies, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Prior to going for this morning shoot, I search the web as to how to do street photography. I cam across this site www.dannyst.com/ and it said to go over the fear of asking people's permission to take their pictures.
This couple was the first that I asked and because of them, i overcome my fear of talking to strangers! They were having breakfast, and I went to them, signalled with my hands that I wanted to take their pictures and they said yes. Not only do they said yes, they posed for me! Ha ha ha! This made me so happy! The pictures still turned out crappy by hey! It was a happy crappy picture!

Super TAK 35mm f3.5 @5.6

Green

Green, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Took this to see how the lens work. And it works great. Super Tak 35/3.5

I have been waiting for this lens for a long time. And when it came I was so surprised. Its so small! Its aperture ring is so thin that I could hardly grasps it with my forefinger and thumb.

I can't wait to try out the lens. I went to Changi Carpark number 7 and just before I hit the 40th frame, the camera black out. The batteries dead. I must remind myself to bring spares.

I love the size of this lens! I so am loving it that I just ordered the 28mm 3.5. That one is a bit expensive as it comes with the original hood.

Pic wise, I really can't say. I must say that when its focussed, it fantatstic. I still have yet to get the hand of manual focus,

The picture is heavily cropped. But this is the last time I am going to crop using photoshop. Iphoto is much easier. Anyways, as you can see, its very sharp. The reviews which I read says that this is much sharper than the 35/2. There was no sharpening done on the picture by the way.

Looking forward to tomorrow's morning photoshoot.

Slim

Inner Sleeve of Adele 21 Album.

Inner Sleeve of Adele 21 Album., a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Sounds fantastic.

Su bought this yesterday. It cost almost $40. About the same price one can get in Ebay. I was motivated to listen to it that I moved my Marantz amp from my bedroom to the living room. Very sweet sounding. Mostly vocal biased and thats whats so cool about it. I mean you do want to hear Adele and not Rihanna right?

Slim

Lights

Lights, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Somebody forgot to bring the decorations down!

Went to Little India this morning. Went there for breakfast and also to help a friend to check the prices for a Leica camera. So happens that there none for sale there. So I proceeded for breakfast.

Not the best prata that I ate though but I did managed to take several pictures. While sitting down and having my breakfast!

O.k its past noon now and my plan was to shower and vist a friend in the hospital I beter get a move on because Adam will be back soon.

Hopefully I can cheer him up by bringing shopping for groceries later.

Slim

Almost done!

Almost done!, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
My life, my world.

We went to Punggol Riverside park yesterday. Adam tried out his newly repaired bicycle and Su tried out her newly bought bicycle. I guess they did enjoy themselves. I on the other hand spent the time looking for photo opportunities. Took some and well, you could say that it was a refreshing evening.

Slim

Boat

Boat, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I took this while at Upper Pierce.

This is another one that I took yesterday. Felt a sudden rush of excitement as the boat raced to the bank which was not more than 20 meters away from me.

Once there, i realised why there was such a haste. There is this idiotic man fishing in the reservoir. Stupid man! I mean, its a reservoir! Its where our drinking water comes from!

My left shoulder is hurting. I don't think I will be out today. It hurts evertime I move, My wife and son bought me a heat pack from the "pasar malam" the other day. I think I will try it to see if it works.

Slim

White flowers

White flowers, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I look up and there they were.

Went to Upper Pierce Reservoir today. Took some shots. Took over a hundred, could not make myself like more than 5. This is one of them.

Reached home at 10.30pm yesterday. Brought wifey out for supper at Mas Ayu. I like the food. I don't know if she did. I had mee goreng and she had Mee Hong Kong. I know its not encouraged to have late night meals but I have not had dinner and I think its better than eating chocolates in bed.

I hope that what she had would give her the sustenance for what she has in store today.

Had an interesting lesson yesterday. About incest! No no, incest is one of the themes in the play that I am reading. Tis a pity she is a whore...A disturbing play.

Slim

My latest

My latest, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Taken by Sony A-mount 30mm macro.

I just got this lens. It come together with a vivitar 105m but I have not the time to check out that lens, yet.

I like this one over my celtic 35mm 2.8 (I traded that in) because of the material that it is made off. Its heavier and the front element is so much impressive looking.

My dad came over the other day. He said he wanted to bring Adam to see Sarah. So he took Adam straight from school and brought both of them for dinner. As a result, Adam came back home around 6 and we did not go to Woodlands for his weekly religious classes. But since its assessment time, Wan gave the ok.

What else happened today? Er, oh. I need to settle Dad's insurance claimed over a minor kiss and run incident he had with a lorry last January. That means, I have to make some phone calls.

Hope I can get this done before Adam comes home today, and this should be in about 20 minutes.

Slim

Droplets on vines.

Droplets on vines., a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Looking up.

I need to blog more. Or maybe, I need to take more pictures. I want to blog at least once a day.

I find that this is easier ever since I linked my flickr account to my blog. I just need to click on a button and presto!

So, today is Monday. What have I done since I woke up? Considering that I woke up at 1.15 am, I think I done quite a bit of driving. Oh, the driving have not stopped yet, my friend.

At 1.30 am I was in town picking my sis-in-law from work. Her bike broke down. Reached home at 2.30am. Felt asleep and then work up again at 5.00am. Drove my wife to Woodlands to pick my sis-in-law, then drove both of them to town. Reached home about 8.15am. Thought I would be exhausted but I could shut my eyes.

Showered, and now am getting ready to go to JB to top up petrol. Puji made me a cup of coffee, so that, hopefully should last me until lunch. Adam should be back home by then. He is having his assessments today. Goooo Adam!

Slim

Small mushroom

Small mushroom, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Took this by putting the camera on the ground.

Went to Sembawang Park this morning. Went there with Su's blessing Only managed to spent 1 and a half hours shooting. Out of the 179 pics manage to pick only 5 or 7...

Its ok! Thats what photography is about.
Now waiting for my mother-in-law, wifey, Adam and the rest to come back from swimming.

Am very happy with how the day is turning out.

Slim

Sharp.

Sharp., a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I got lucky.

I went for walk again! I did it. I went to Punggol Waterfront right at the end of Punggol road and I spent almost an hour taking pictures.

I am so happy. At least I know I had some exercise. I am sure I will be fit in no time. (Must have target)...

Will be going to JB today. To top up petrol.
Hope the traffic will be good...

Slim.

Fruits

Fruits, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I don't know the name of the tree. But I do know that I have not seen this fruit before. I have seen the tree, but not the fruit.

I did it! I went for a walk! I walked a good twenty minutes to get to my destination. I put on my sneakers, tied the shoelaces tight and drove to the nearest parking lot and I walked. The cost of it is a few more minutes of sleep. But it was time well spent! And I am all hyped up!

I have always wanted to come here. It along Punggol Road. I saw the gate and when the morning sun shine on it, I would sigh and think to myself that I would not be able to get there! But I did. And I am o.k! No pain in my legs. I wanna look good and feel good again.

Su said, I might be having a mid life crisis. So? I want to feel good. I want to be good. I think I am good right now.

Its half past twelve noon. I am hungry. But I shall wait for Adam to come back.

Hopefully, I could spend some time with Adam in getting him a new bicycle.

I need to read too. Time fly so fast. Just last month, Adam said that he does not want to bring food from home anymore. He said that its too childish. Oh my Tuhan! I missed those days when I can bring food from home. Food from home is always nicer.

Slim

Peace

Peace, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This is Danial

I took this while we were are Rembau. I like this picture as I think this is how it Danial is best represented. Stylish, cool and gentle. He is one of a kind. The way he treats his younger cousins such as Adam and Irsyad made me glad that Danial is one of us. I wish him the best.

Fire

Fire, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Thats not too big!

This, this is my sweet mother-in-law. Thats her being happy that she could start a fire. Thats her in the kampung. She has been trying hard to start a fire. As some of us know, the fire is needed as a means of clearing the rubbish. I could have sworn that she has an arsonist streak in her.

Rembau, thats where our kampung is. It has been some time since we were there. Its a nice break, to go there and to do the chores specifically suited for life in the kampung. To wake up hearing the cocks crow, to shoo the cows that come into the garden to graze, to go to the market and haggle with the sellers and of course, to have the chendol!

Ooh, the chendol. On a hot day, that bowl of chendol can be a life saver.

If you ever, ever set food in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, be sure to try the food. Its pungent, spicy and sweet at the same time. Hmm, holidays will be here soon.

Su is going for a forum in the holidays. I think we can squeeze a day or two to drop by Rembau.

Slim

Palm leaves

Palm leaves, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I did not accidentally underexpose this.

Took this to see if I can have a pop out effect using the Min AF 24mm at 2.8. This is the only one that was underexposed. And this is the only one that draws my attention to it. Its like, its mysterious and that it is calling me to look closer...

Anyway, this was taken in Sengkang Park. Near the car park. Went there the the N3s and than Haniffa's family. Did not get to do much with them as we were late. Had to rushed home because its almost dinner time I was pissed...

Pissed because I could not do what I wanted and pissed because it was a waste of time running around looking for bicycles. Did not get any when we are supposed to get 2. Sigh....

Been feeling tired and I bet I could fall asleep right here, right now. But I guess, I have to note down something that happened in my life, somewhere.

Slim.

Curry Puffs

Curry Puffs, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
at f1.8

Finally, finally my Konica Hexanon adapter arrives.

This is a test shot of the lens. Very nice isn't it. Anyway, those were last curry puffs that were fried before we ran out of LPG. Ha ha! I am not having problems with submitting my work. Its my mistake, I know but it sure is nerve wrecking waiting for the other party to give the go ahead. Its 1745hrs already. I think they'll stop work at 1800. So I am waiting, waiting, still...

Windmill

Windmill, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Taken at Holland Village.

Shot at Holland Village. First time I am seeing it.

Took it while having prata with an old friend. Missed him.

Slim.

Twins

Twins, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Big trucks side by side.

This is one of mine. I like this. And I like the time I spent taking this. The time I spent with Adam.

Slim

Big tyres

Big tyres, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Adam took this.

Today's afternoon was a special one which I like to remember for the rest of my days. Today was the day me and Adam went on a shoot together for the first time.

It was strange. I thought it will be a troublesome affair but it was quite amazing. Before anything, he started to shoot first. He carried on shooting without me telling him what to do.

Along the way, I would advise him on picture composition and he would listen. It was amazing. He shot more pictures that I did and in so doing, he did what I should have been doing. Take more pictures. He shot more than 100 while I only manage to shoot about 70.

We went to a construction site and there were that many trucks. Trucks with big tyres. Those use to carry big rocks and all. The setting sun seemed to give them a glorious glow, much akin to my heart when I heard the shutter closes in Adam's 5D.

I wished it to happen again.

Slim

Purple

Purple, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Ixora

I like this one too.

Purple, bigger

Purple, bigger, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Took this at the roof garden this morning.

There is just one that is wrong with the whole digital slr thing. You tend to forget to bring along the memory card.

Anyways, this was taken in my roof garden this morning. Used it to see if I could add borders. Voila! I could and I did. I think its lovely.

I am now not so upset as I was a few days ago. I going to read more pages today...I hope.

Slim

Angry birds

Angry birds, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Took this while Adam was doodling.

This is Adam, earlier in the afternoon. He was trying to perfect the art of drawing the angry birds. I like the fact that he likes to draw. And he is very conscientious about it too...

My wife made an observation the other day. She mentioned that whenever a family have dinner together, they never seemed to be together. Think about it. Whenever you have a family dinner, more often than not, you or some of your family members would be playing with their smartphones. Am I right? Concentration is passed from the present to the future. Sigh.

50mm Minolta 1.4 at 1.7.

50mm Minolta 1.4 at 1.7., a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Su doing her work.

Its almost 15 minutes to midnight. Su has just woken up from her nap and I am sleepless in Seattle. So while waiting for the computer to finish setting up Adobe Photoshop CS3, importing pictures, exporting pictures and sharing them on Flickr (go Mac!) all at the same time, I read.

The title is The Duchess of Malfi. I managed to come close to the end of the introduction. Seems like its going to be an interesting play.

Oh well, I hope that none of us will stay up too late.

Oh by the way, Arsenal won 7-1!! Hooray!

Contax 45/2 on my Nex

Contax 45/2 on my Nex, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Took this with my Minolta 35-70 f4 at 5.6

This is fast becoming my favourite set up. It works great. It focusses beyond infinity. Would love to bring the Zeiss Biogon 25mm out and see what it can do. Maybe I will. Later. Or tomorrow.

My KM 7D with my 35-70 F4.0

My KM 7D with my 35-70 F4.0, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Taken with the Contax 45/2

My trusty KM 7D. If the frame number is anything to go by, I would have shot less then 4k using this camera body. I think I am way under utilizing the camera. But I l don't think I will discharge this work horse. I may have the NEX 5 and the CZs and the legacies, but this is one camera that I would like to pass on.

Slim.

Oh by the way, I finished my TMA. I hope I managed to get it in on time. Now for tonight's class. Should I or should I not.

Friends.

Friends., a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Took this on Sunday morning. Feels very Leica-like. But the truth was and still is, I have problems focussing.

I like the way the 3 friends are arranged and how I manage to capture the movement involved in casting the rod.

I love this. I really do.

Via Flickr:
Three friends, fishing.
Zeiss Plannar 45mm f2.0 at 2.8, NEX 5. Using the B&W HC mode.

Bon Jovi

Saw this when I wanted to chill by listening to some "unplugged" music. Love BJV.

Slim

Look over there!

Look over there! Su 05022012, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Using the toy mode.

I really like this picture. And I really like as to when and how this picture came about. Anyways, I am taking a break now from reading my texts. Got an assignment due.

This was taken in Changi. This was taken early Sunday morning. Usually I would be with a friend doing what we do what we think we do best, that is taking pictures. But he was not around and Su was free. So we decided to have a morning stroll. That was nice.

Anyway, I was using the zeiss 45/2 and I told Su to pose. She did and I took this shot using my Nex 5. What I like about it is the toy mode effect of the camera. And Su's red dress made her pop out from the picture.

I really like this.

We had breakfast afterwards. Just in case you are wondering, Adam was with his grandmother at that time.

In the afternoon, we went to Masai.

NEX 5 with 45.2 Plannar

NEX 5 with 45.2 Plannar, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
My dad. With the tools of what was once his trade. 05022012

This is my dad, in his new, still yet to be completed house in Masai, Johor.
Brought my in-law there yesterday. It was the first time for Su and my mother-in-law. We reached there around 4 and left around 9 pm. There was a jam at the causeway. We manage to reach our home at close to eleven.

Slim

Almond Muffins

Almond Muffins, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
45/2 Plannar with Nex 5.
www.muffinsrecipe.net

Su made this. She downloaded it from www.muffinsrecipe.net. She downloaded it, got started with it 5 minutes later and while its baking, manage to set up 2 sets of cupboard. I did not manage to taste it because by the time i wanted it, it was left in my dad's place. Time move too fast if you ask me.

What the lens did to me and my son.

We are going for our first photograher's outing this Sunday. Take a look at the the picture of me taken by him. That is super sharp man! And that is taken indoors. Look at the composition. I like. I think he is a natural. I can't wait. Its all set. I just hope the weather will be good and we will find a good location.

Argh. Need to go JB soon. But not before I read a few more pages of pride and prejudice.

Slim

This is it.

This is the one! This is the lens that nearly cost me my marriage! Serious.

Taken by my antique Panasonic LX1, which has a Leica as its lense.

Morning walk

Boat

That is what I would like to have. A boat. Not a big boat but small enough for me and Adam to drive out and fish. Would that not be great? I'd like one of that. So, instead of driving around, we will be boating around. I wonder how much would a boat like the one in the picture cost? Took the pictures on this post using a new lens.

New lens

I took my very new, pre-owned nevertheless CZ 28mm 2.8 RM lens and brought it to Punggol Marina. I love that place, especially early in the morning. I went there because, I have not gone for morning walks and sleeping again after I sent Su to work is a bummer. I went there too because, there are boats. Although you can't climb into one of them, you can really go very close.

I felt good when I reached home, although the walk took me less than half an hour. I want to go again. I am charging my battery now and thus can't take a picture of the lens. Will post it soon.

Oh about the lens? Its chrome, its small and its sharp. It really is sharp. Bought it for SGD$1200. The previous owner said that its only 3 days old. Doesn't matter to me. I like it just because it works.

Sale

Planning to sell my zoom lenses.

Here is the link for more info of the lens.

Ok, reading time.

New lens.

Minolta MD 50mm 2.0

Been trying out a new lens. Its the Minolta MD 50mm 2.0. I fished it out from deep within my dry cabinet. I remembered that when I bought it, it was way before digital. I did not touch it as I was using my KM 7d ever since. Anyway, I bought an adapter that could fit the MD lens onto my Nex and the results blew me away!

Test

Test? What test? I don't have the necessary patience to conduct tests on the sharpness of the lens or the bokeh or whatever else. The proof is in the pudding and this pudding must have had its proportion of ingredients spot on. The light, the subject and the expression of the subject plus the characteristics of the lens itself must are the ingredients and the proof is in the final results. Two pics and a picture of the lens itself.

Misc

Class starting soon, too soon. Class starting this Friday and tomorrow is already Wednesday. Need to read! Don't waste my time. Do something about it is my motto this year. Oh, bought several other lenses. Hopefully I can take better pictures to make the purchases worthwhile.

And one more thing.

A friend of mine gave me some brownies and chocolates. I thought that it looked nice and so I took some pictures of it. I put them up on FB and I received nice compliments. The brownies and chocolates were nice. Were as in it was gone in 60 seconds!!! Thanks bro!

So much for starting early.

Ashamed

Yup, have not been reading for a couple of days. I need to focus...focus!

Focus

And talking about focus, check out what I found when I took a closer look at my dry cabinet. MD mount lenses! And I am so excited. I am so excited that I ordered an adapter so that I could fix the lenses on my NEX. I think I am going to have so much fun.

Fun

I went to Kampung Lorong Buangkok to take pictures. I must say I am losing my touch as the pictures are crap. I used my NEX and A-mount lenses mounted on it using the sony adapter. Handing was unconventional but it got easier as the day goes on.

Kampong Lorong Buangkok

Kampong is village in Malay and it seems it is one of the last kampong still standing in modern Singapore. Its a small place with less than 50 houses. I saw Chinese and Malays as part of the population. We went there early and ended at 10.00 am. Apart from the mosquitoes, I think I had a great time. Went there with an old buddy of mine. I think his pictures are better. Oh well. I would like to go there again, this time with my MD mount lenses.

Slim.

Early starter.

I have begun reading. I am reading up on the study guide on ELT 370. That will be Shakespeare on Film. I have just read the fourth page. The tone in the study guide is quite personal and candid. Written by Anthony R. Guneratne. I hope it will be a breeze. There are 3 books (oh no! they are plays) and 2 DVDs. Arrgh. I should not have open up the package so soon eh. Well here goes.

After Noon, Just

Went marketing today. Bought about a tonne of vegetables and fruits. Also bought three packets of briyani for lunch. Can't wait to tuck into that. But will be waiting for Adam to get back from school.
Now should be the time when I do some reading. I guess. I will. Soon. Reading Point of Entry by Peter Schecter. More than half way through. More of a light reading if you ask me.

Slim.

Today.

Hmm, what did I do today?

First and foremost, my darling wife went to work taking the train which allows me to sleep in until 10.
My right shoulder has been sore for the past week or so. Its manageable if I were to stand, sit or move around, but the pain become unbearable when I lie down. As such, I could hardly get enough rest at night. The funny thing is, the pain only comes at night. In the wee morning, my shoulders become comfortable again. It could be the pain killers that I took just before sleeping time. But I can't be relying on painkillers all the time right?
In the morning, I went to Courts looking for a case for my 13 inch MBA. No luck, nothing that I fancy. Went back for lunch, only to leave the house again to fetch Azan to SIM.
Met Adam as he walked back from school and told him where I was going. Told him that I should be back around 4. I was backed 20 minutes after 5.
Spend time with Adam, going over his school work. Ended about half past 6. Wifey called and said that she would be back on her own. So we waited for her for dinner.
Dinner was nasi lemak which Puji cooked. Invited Tini to come over but she said that her Tiler would be coming and she has to be at home. She is renovating her house.
Watched the Malaysian Super League where the Singapore 12 team was beaten by a penalty. The final score was 1-2 in favour of Kelantan. I think that the Singaporeans wasted too many of the chances. But seeing that the average age was about 23, I think the experience should be useful.
Wached In Cold Blood just now. About how a woman was forced to kill her lover. Her lover was a drunkard. Sigh, what people would do for love eh?
Watching Perfect Deception now. I am watching it in mid-episodes and in mid-series. So I don't have a clue as to the story lines. But I do think that its nice...
I have collected my books while I was at Unisim. Lots of them, I think. Have not really go through each and everyone of them.
I am taking 3 modules this semester.
Ok, I guess that covers what I did today.
What shall I be doing tomorrow? Hmm, let me see.
Oh, I have to send wifey to school. After which I have to do marketing with Puji. That should take up most of the morning. Adam should be back by 2, his piano lessons is at 2.45 and after which I should be heading towards woodlands around 4.00. I hope that that will give Adam, enough time to complete his homework.
Adam has a new PE teacher. A veteran. Adam was taught the correct way to jog and what is pacing and all that. He told me that he finished his run earlier than his classmates who sprinted earlier. He was called slowpoke but he was happy he finished before them. I am so happy he completed the run and did not gave up and walk.
Its 50 more minutes to midnight and my shoulder still sore. Wifey is snoring away. I hope she is having sweet dreams.
Going to have a shower and after which to finish my Isyak. Maybe I will read a bit.

Slim.

Many, many things has happened

Besides from the eventful trip my family and I took to Phuket and Hong Kong, I am fortunate enough to be owning a macbook air, a swatch chrono automatic and and ever, even more loving wife.

Enough said. I need to go Unisim and get my reading list.

Slim

I have showered.

Ok, where was I. Oh yes, conflicts and more conflicts. So, if there so much conflicts why do people do still do it? Marriage is a social construct. It is constructed by people, by society, and some may argue, so is religion and thus it can be deconstructed. Look at those couple cohabitating. What do they care about marriage and religion (maybe some do...). And because of this conflict theory, administrators of the state decided against having conflicts and marriage and religion and have the state the sole reason as to why people work. Thus, they work for the state, because they belong to the state and the state does not exploit them because, they work for the needs of the state and since they belong to the state, they work for themselves. Get it? Try googling Khmer Rouge and Communist. But who am I argue, I just questions.

There is another theory that supports the reasons as to why we do things the way we do. This is called the developmental theory. This theory suggests that it is only natural that we do things the way we do, simply because thats is how it has been done. We are born, we study, we work, we get married, we reproduce, we take care of our elders (optional to many, I know), and we die. Its just natural. So based on this theory, its natural to learn as much as we could, earn as much as we could, (try to resolve any conflicts along the way) and then reproduced and retired. That sounds so much like the mantra of a political party I know but hey, I just question.

There are other theories that may support why we do things the way we do such as the symbolic exchange theory which I can use to elaborate on why marriage break up...(Oh! the sanctity of marriage) but then questioned I did.

I did ask a few of my women friends (all of them are married by the way so no, its not one of those after sex conversations you see on tv) as to why they strove to achieved the academic qualifications that the implications of the positions in the work place. Based on the conflict theory, and the researches done by Ms Quah, these women should be cursing and swearing at their fate in life. They should be ranting, not like me but more, about the stress they feel in juggling two shoes (or hats) during the same 24 hours we all have. According to one of them, instead of ranting, she is grateful to what she has become. She said that she sees the value in paper qualifications as she is now is in a better position to make decisions for her family of 6. Perhaps, this is a better way of bringing up a family as compared to how she was brought up, but nevertheless, an exchange has occurred. What exchange? Part of the time she can use to spend time with her children is used for work and that that time is exchange for a better position that enable her to make better decisions. This exchange between quantity and quality must be in her favour as she is constantly doing it. The exchange theory states that there must be exchange of two things that enables one to still be in that relationship. Money for sex, friendship for companionship etc etc. Nevertheless, there is still conflict.

Its early

I mean, it can be 5 am for all I care, 0834 hrs is still early. I am not grumbling mind you, I am beyond grumbling. I am ranting! Anyway, come to think about it, I don't have much to rant. It was a good drive to and from Su's working place. I had a good night's sleep and I think Su did too. Sun is out and it is kind of warm. Typing this on my mac mini, and sitting on the platform in front, really is cool, abit warm and way too early, still.

I am a sociology minor right, and I am exposed to these many theories about why things are (socially) the way they are. There is this guy, Webber something, said that there are conflicts in wherever we go. According to him, it is because of our own needs and the needs of others. These needs are conflicting and thus therein lies the conflict. For example, if you are working in a company (I mean who doesn't), your needs are to earn as much money with as little effort as you can right? There are those who wanted satisfaction blah blah, but this is not about them, yet. But the company you work for has its needs to0. For one, they want the most results with as little cost to them. Thus according to Mr W, working for a company is a case of exploitation. Now, to me this all makes sense. There are times when I do feel like I am being exploited but I guess, I joined the company with my eyes wide open, and even though I feel like I am being exploited, I chose to remain. Silly I know, but sometimes its good to feel needed.

This theory of conflict now extends to marriage. Think about it, why do many people get married? Love? Companionship? Material security? These are valid reasons. Its true, but what they don't mention is why the other party, their spouses, get married to them. The spouses' reasons can be as valid as the people you talked to but most often than not, they are different, as different as being man and woman. These is where conflicts arises. And in some instances, the failures to resolve these conflicts leads to stress, and these 'stresses' if they become unmanageable, could result in the break up of the marriage, and in worst case (in my opinions anyway) the break up of a family.

So, with the two examples, one can see where I am going at. The tricky part is when you combine two source of conflicts and begin to wonder, why the hell we do it. Let me choose two areas of conflict, the company or the workplace and marriage or at home. Seeing it already? No? Ok, lets continue. OT abit, the light outside is very nice. I think I will go and take some pictures first. Ok, did that it shows the view from my room. Hey! I did not say I want to go outside!

Okok, where was I. Oh yes, conflicts in the workplace and at home. Now I can talk about men and women, but I need to go to JB to top up my petrol soon, so I will discuss about women. Now there is this lady, Stella Quah, who did some some research and stated that women, nowadays strive for better material gains and higher academic achievements. All is fine and dandy until the day they decide to settle down. Hey! We all have only 24 hours everyday, and a 9-5 working schedule has become a myth. To stay on top (not sexually speaking, but its nice ((I am a guy, mind you)) seriously), in other words to climb that social ladder and or even to have job security so as to hold on to that well paying jobs as a result of the academic achievements, its has become of a 8-11 kind of a thing. So, in this case, the needs of the women would then seemed to be the working careers. So what happened when they get married. Many, who do get married would make time for the family. But many still would not quit their jobs. I mean, who don't want a 5 figure salary, every month. So logically, time would then be split between work and at home. Those who have children are in a worse predicament!. I read about a dual role theory where women, in coping with the needs of the home and office starts to think liberatively but act conservatively. But thats another point and another paragraph. So, my question is, why do women do it! Many a times, it is their parents who encourage their children to strive for higher educational achievements and increasing their social status by earning a higher income than they themselves. Thus, if one were to have higher educational qualifications and in turn have a high rate of income, presumably, one would have to spend more time in the office and less time at home, thus logically, one would have lesser time with the family and in turn, parent child relationship would then diminished, quality wise. Got it? Thus, not only is there conflict between the women and the company they work for, but between the roles they have to play at home, between being a manager and a wife and or a mother.

O.k, will continue after I shower.

Did not go to class today either!

So there! I did not go to class today. What I did was to read, a n d email some questions to some of my friends. And only 1 replied. Oh well. You will know your truest friends from those who email you, er not email you back!...

You know, I really need to brush up on my talking skills. No, not the physical, actual part but the words that come out from those physical parts. I am suppose to do an assignment on how material and education attainment would have made women (yes, women) less a mother than she should be ( I did not make this up!). I guess, they exclude men, because men would have made sucky (read: iphone 4s) parents, whether or not they are dumb or clever, earn big money or otherwise. But I beg to differ! I think women (well, those er, that I know of) have made it a point to strike a balance between climbing the corporate ladder and bringing up the kids (hubby included).

Talk about this later. Need to shower. Smelling like a er, guy who has not showered!.

Slim

Not going to class today!

I have decided. I am not going to class today. I don't want to feel frustrated for 3 hours today. Thus, I will do my own readings and come up with questions to email the tutor.

So, I have started reading actually. Its a book by Stella R. Quah entitled Families in Asia, Home and Kin. I'll keep you updated.

The magic school bus

I have managed to download the entire series of the magic school bus. I find the series both educational and fun and so does Adam. Now he can view each and every episode on his ipad and his computer. I think this is great! Oh, Apple has introduced a newer version of the iphone 4 and it is called iphone 4s. The 's' stands for sucks! They should call it the iSUCK. Although it has a faster processor and what not, it does not dazzle as much. I have a theory, and I think it is because the engineers has hit rock bottom in terms of getting into the tunnel of ideas. Seriously, who cares about the chip, its the cool factor inside that matters.

That's me
Slim.

Downloading

I am into torrenting for the past few days. I know its not right and some, ok, most, will say that its illegal. But it is exciting. Currently I am downloading The Magic School Bus series and it will a bit more than 24 hours to get it all in. Actually, I am more excited with the technology. As of right now, I can play .avi files on Adam's Ipad. Is that not great. I am not limited to just watching .mp4 movies. I can just download the movies, and transfer them to the Ipad through dragging the necessary files. Thus, if I ever want to get an ipad, I would now get the 64gb ones.

Other than that, not much has happened since I last logged in. Hmm, well, I have restarted to frequent JB now to fill my Trajet with petrol. Its a nice feeling, still, after all this time, to be able to go in and out of another country. I have calculated and I would be saving about S$30 per trip. That will be $60 per week or $240 per month. Not much, I know, but the savings do pile up, and I can do much more than just pump petrol. I went shopping.

Still on the subject of torrenting, I have taught my dad and sister how to do it. I guess, there is one thing more for them to do. Ha ha.

Change subject...separation is not good. It could be a better option in the end for either or both parties but however, you look at it, its not good. Its one of those that is the opposite of a "good to have thing". And it gets worse if you blab it all out on facebook.

Sheesh!

Slim