Have to apologize for the lack of Space Cadet Bling updates, have been running around working with the corporate world on Annual Reports, architectural drawings and brand characters, all pretty exciting regardless. More will come, I promise, and soon too. Still got some great gags to draw, just not enough time. Anyway, with the hiatus, why not bring about some highlights of some of my works I’ve done fairly recently from my portfolio at least to show I haven’t been slacking off. I’ll probably update a few up here on the mainpage a few at a time just to keep things lively, sorry if some of these are rehashes, but I just have that feeling that not a lot of people would click on the portfolio section unless you’re one of my prospective clients. Well, then. Here’s one illustration I did for Kraft Tiger Mini. It’s always cool to see what you’ve done end up on the shelves!

Cravio Hazelnut Bar Illustration, 2009

Finally found some time to add to my portfolio section since I’m somewhat job hunting at the moment, hopefully a place out of the country. (Cross fingers, Singapore!) Quite headache-inducing figuring out what to show since there’s a lot to upload. I’ll probably just add little by little as it goes.

Came back from Nepal. Feeling all zen. Met up with great people all around the world, feeling love for nature. Started to wonder about my place in the world.  A few months passed, feeling great and at peace. Back to work. Slowly feeling ants in my pants, craving for new inspiration, new challenge but still making do. Back to work, work’s work… Slowly start to feel the blues and missing something. Start blaming surroundings, environment, politics, government, country, people. Doing the same ol’ same ol’ work and sleep work and sleep. Start to feel a isolated from my friends and family as I get more bogged down with work and still feeling poor… mugged by biker gangs, Iphone 3Gs stolen, a part of me feels even more missing, more frustration towards my surroundings. Blame again on the environment, politics, government, country, people and now the crime and corrupt police…  then close friend comes bringing new opportunities, feeling quite interested, thinking of joining exciting new venture. Now really start wondering about my happiness level at work. Situation plateauing after 2+years, wondering what have I done in the past couple of years. Start to think serious about friend’s new venture. Start trying to think like a winner. Buy new clothes. Buy new Iphone 4G. Start thinking, looking, dressing positive. Start being happier towards friends and family. Start being more proactive. Went to Singapore with a bunch of good friends on a sudden whim to reflect, talk, get advice, and also a possible scouting mission if I should work there. Chemical Brothers set was awesome during F1 weekend by the way. Came back impressed. Ready to work for friend’s new venture but somehow later things fell through through difference of expectations. Even through setbacks, am encouraged by support from family and friends, and now seeking a new challenge, new job, new responsibilities. Am really appreciative of the close friendships I have, also with my sis who bears with me quite a bit (but also vice versa to be fair!), and also renewed affection for mom with her support even through her hardships.

Change whether bad or good happens, you need people around you to see you through in life but at the same time, be aware and appreciative of their help and be there for them when they need it too. I haven’t been appreciative of a lot of things before, but now I see it. Ego, begone. Now, I see it!

Life in Technicolor II, (I guess Life in Technicolor I was the teaser…), this is hands down my favourite music video of all time. With all the pretentious crap teenagery videos that’s peppering MTV, (on hindsight, I’m actually with Kanye on that Taylor Swift issue, God, she’s annoying…), or mindless oversexed displays of body gyrations (think Shakira’s She Wolf) this was a real breath of fresh air. What other trailer elicits all these adjectives at the same time: funny, nostalgic, beautiful, inspiring, clever, thoughtful, cute, and even… creepy… all at the same time? Check out Puppet Chris Martin’s creepy appearance at 3:45. Chills.

This should be Arsenal’s new pregame stadium song, to rile up the juices, better than the old fogey Elvis Presley’s “Wonder of You”. No wonder the Emirates Stadium seem so quiet. If they’d played this or Viva La Vida, that’ll surely bring the club up. And on a sad note, poor Aaron Ramsey… boy, seeing that injury was heartbreaking, but for some strange reason, I feel like that could be the spur that kicks Arsenal’s sails into second wind. Come on you Gunners! And come on you Emirates Stadium A/V guy, play that Life in Technicolor II song. Make this our anthem!

There’s a wild wind blowing,
Down the corner of my street
Every night there the headlights are glowing

Theres a cold war coming,
On the radio I heard
Baby it’s a violent world

Oh love don’t let me go
Won’t you take me where the streetlights glow
I could hear it coming
I could hear the sirens sound
Now my feet won’t touch the ground

Time came a-creepin’
Oh and time’s a loaded gun
Every road is a ray of light
It goes o-o-on
Time only can lead you on
Still it’s such a beautiful night

Oh love don’t let me go
Won’t you take me where the streetlights glow
I could hear it coming
Like a serenade of sound
Now my feet won’t touch the ground

Gravity release me,
And dont ever hold me down
Now my feet won’t touch the ground.

The lyrics just feels right…

Gitzo Hiking Stick/Monopod... too rich for my blood

Kata 3 in 1, this bag is so ergonomically awesome, I gotta get this one...

1. 12-24 or 11-16 Tokina Landscape Lens – RM2250-2350

2. Kata D-3N1-30 3 in 1 Large Sling Backpack – RM505

3. Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Autofocus Lens – RM420

4. 55-200 Nikkor VR Zoom Lens – RM950

5. A Polarizer (not sure how much and for which lens)…

6. Lens Hood

7. A Gitzo GM1130MT Monopod/Hiking Stick – RM545

8. An SD Card (4 or 8 gig)

and all that shingamajig… adding all that together… more than RM4770 and not to mention the RM2900 I’ve already spent on the camera. Maybe I won’t splurge on the Tokina as the 15-55 should work well enough.

And to continue my list with non-photography-related items:

Buff from Corezone: If I do ever get this, I'd better make sure not to look this gay

9. Buffs from Corezone (RM79-115)

10. Teva from World of Outdoor @ Mid Valley (RM299 -20% if I get it before the 21st Feb, dang I’m tempted)

11. Compression Sack from Corezone (RM140 for large, RM129 for med)

MiLi Powerskin for my Iphone... It's an Iphone cover, it's a battery!

12. MiLi Power Skin to give extra battery life for my Iphone, from Machines (RM299, trying to get some sort of 5-10% discount if I can nego)

13. Princeton Halogen Headlamp from Corezone (RM100)

Those I had listed for now, will cost me another extra RM879!

You know, it’s easy to get carried away with all these shopping even though some of these stuff seem pretty essential, but once you see the grand total, it makes you think twice. And I’m thinking I’d better cut some serious $$$ from my want list at the moment. Well, after tennis tomorrow, maybe a trip to Pudu and check out the camera shops there. LowYat too, perhaps for SD cards? Not to mention, a trip to Corezone & Mid Valley for the final day of CNY sales. See if I can get better deals there. In the meantime, I’ll be scouring the FTZ for some good deals if I can find any. Wismilak!

Holy Mother of God view from Poon Hill

The time has almost come for my 3-week break from civilisation, away from traffic, work, bills, facebooking, pollution, politics, fast food, ladida… and embrace the splendour of nature, Avatar style. It’s my long awaited Annapurna Circuit trek where it’s just me and the mountains! Can’t wait… On the flipside, boy, I’m gonna miss my Arsenal FC, tennis on the weekends, mom’s birthday, episodes from the final season of Lost, and Clash of the Titans premiere (well, I’m just missing it by 3 days, so it’s not that bad after all) Crap. I’m already dreading the backlog of work, bills and tax matters upon my return. Well, gotta get my matters sorted out this week best I can so I don’t have to worry too much when I’m away.

In a nutshell, I’ll be leaving on the 6th of March and arriving on the 30th, almost a full month. No Keith and Adam this time. Keith taking care of his new family, and Adam who I suspect regards Himalayan trekking as once is enough. This time, it’s just me, Nava Raj (same guide from my first trek) + porter, and another fellow kindred spirit traveller, João from Portugal who replied to my Lonely Planet Thorntree Forum post.

So, some stuff I’ve already lined up, a few of these being carried over from the last trip:
Hiking Backpack, Columbia Coremic Ridge Hiking boots, Iodine Water Purification Tablets (thanks, Keith), Raincoat (thanks again, Keith), Deuter cargo bag, Gore-tex jacket, Polarized sunglasses, Wooly cap, Gloves (I think Maya has these, gotta check), Camera tripod, Iphone (essential!), Swiss Army pocket knife, playing cards (hmmm… should I bring a couple of playable Magic: The Gathering decks, I wonder and have fellow trekkers marvel at my geekdom?), earphone splitter (for that shared music experience), quick-dry towel, quick-dry undies, toiletries…

And some which I still need to get here:
Nike+Ipod patch, Halogen head lamp, compression sack, excedrin, Tevas outdoor sandals, Mili Power Skin for my Iphone, super glue, mini sewing kit, a Digital SLR (looking at something cheaper like a 2nd hand Nikon D60 or sonething), lip balm, sun-block, SoundMagic PL30 earphones, immunization, travel insurance, spare batteries, some of those Isonotic pills Mun Kitt plops into his bottled water for tennis (gotta ask him where he gets those), Ziploc bags, binoculars, trip to the dentist just in case, cash in USD, travel pouch, souveniry items & snacks…

And some which I’ll get at Kathmandu itself:
Adjustable trekking poles, sleeping bag, some extra winter clothing, thick sock…

Am I forgetting anything else? Some other notes:

1. Wished I could’ve gotten myself an astronomy telescope for my trip but shipping it to Malaysia costs a bomb! Gotta make a trip back to the US next time for this.

2. Have thought about bringing my laptop with me. But, perhaps more likely, I won’t. Would’ve been nice to have an IPad for this trip, though.

3. Should I download GTA: Chinatown Wars to my Iphone for this trip? Tempting.

4. I’ve a running bet with João whose team, Porto FC, plays Arsenal in the Champs League. Come on, Gunners! Win me dinner.

5. Last time I went for a hike, my Ipod went for a drink on day 1. Tragic. At least I had a few moments of bliss when Keith loaned me his. There’s not much better moments when listening to Hans Zimmer’s “Now We Are Free” from Gladiator when up on a majestic view of Poon Hill. Gotta be extra careful this time.

Now, back to work.

For starters, I’ve posted my comic strip, the Stupid Zone (aka the Loony Bin, but I find the Stupid Zone sounds more adorable dontchathink?), which I started for a while with the Malay Mail. Well, you get a sense of my humor there… a little bit of Far Side, a little bit of Bizarro. Dang. It seems like the days of Comic Strips have come to an end with the apparent “death” of newspapers. I guess I could start an online comic strip. Hmmmm…

Pirate vision

Along with that, I’ve finally upped my portfolio section, starting with a few of my older stuff. I’ve got to upload the more recent works I did for Nestle and Magnolia. Probably will take me a day or two. Well, hope to get my name out there, perhaps give me a little bit more drive to pursue more of my illustrative career which I’ve put somewhat on the backburner with my full time job at Linear Creative. Well, that’s it for now. Back soon for more awesome randomness.

PS: Let me end the day with a few thoughts:
1. Loved Conan’s final show speech. Almost choked up myself when he started choking up. You know what? The mention about cynicism was brilliant, and I think that got me thinking about being active on my site again.

2. 500 Days of Summer. I hate being one of the many who say, “Whoa, I so relate to the movie”… but I do. I do a lot. I’m giving it some time to simmer for a while before I call it one of my emotionally favourite movies of all time along with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and A.I. … but not yet. Affection needs to simmer and grow slowly, just like in relationships.

3. What can you tell about a person by the Halloween costumes he/she wears in the the past? Mine? WWII French La Resistance Commando, Clark Kent, Dick in the Box, Samuel Jackson, Soviet Officer are those I remember. Not much, I guess, except that Clark Kent seemed to stick out for being the most normal.

4. The Annapurna Circuit. I haven’t been thinking about it the past few weeks, but slowly, it’s sinking in that I’m going back there again. I’m almost worried that I might not be in good physical shape enough for the trek since my stamina is shite at the mo.  I’m hoping the fact that trekking means walking and not jogging and crazy climbing, that my body can take it. Yet, I need to start sleeping right, eating right, and do my jogs at Kiara Hill more often.

5. Sometimes, I wish I could be a NATURAL indie band hipster. They’re real cool emo and get the cool Tina Fey and Zoey Deschanel types whom I find so attractive and feel so unworthy of them. The Jason Schwartzman types, Death Cab for Cutie members, those dudes from Infomania on Current TV. But I find I’m more D&D geek or shallow sports jock than that. I think I gotta be me and just embrace my “me”. Is there such a thing as Movie Soundtrack Hipster?

6. Hilarious quote I found at Bash.org: http://bash.org/?908184

Firstly, lack of training: Haven’t been hitting the gym in the whole month prior to the climb. Very bad idea!

Secondly, didn’t pack right: Ended up carrying almost twice the weight as I did in Nepal, thinking about 4-5kgs. Pretty much had to carry everything with me in this 3 day trek. The only time I was able to leave my stuff behind was the climb from Laban Rata, to the peak, then back to Laban Rata again.

Thirdly, should have gotten a walking stick: The trek seems more intense. Lots of climbing up steep stairs and rocks, then coming down, your knees take an extra pounding. I should have gotten one of those walking sticks which I sorta got away not using in Nepal.

Fourthly, they really rush your schedule: Get this, you’re walking from 9am to 5pm from Mesilau to Laban Rata. This is maybe around 8km. Then you barely get enough sleep before you wake up again at 2 in the morn the next day, reach the peak at about 5-6am. Then come back down again at about 10am. You barely get enough rest before you go and walk again at 11am because you want to reach the HQ by 5 so you can have lunch and get your certificate. This is a solid15 hour walk in the last day! Jeeezus Christ!

Anyway, the climb was well worth it. Surely, one of the most beautiful and unique experiences I’ve ever had, and right in my own country! Awesom-O! The climb was terrifying, especially if you’ve issues with heights (just like I have). Many cases I felt a sense of vertigo. Some areas, all that’s preventing you from a certain plunge to your death is you grabbing onto a rope. Not even harnessed… you’re just grabbing on rope and hoping you don’t slip. Then when you’re at the peak, it’s such a small area, and a pretty steep drop off everywhere else, that I could barely stand. Basically freezing and hugging rock. Anyway, in the end, I’m glad I did it. I think if I knew how freaky this “World’s Highest Via Ferrata” trek would be, I wouldn’t have done it, but I think now, I felt I’ve conquered my fears and don’t mind doing it again. This time, with more preparation, and maybe I can actually appreciate the view this time instead of hugging rock.

So anyway, some random thoughts:

1. Via Ferrata, what is it? Apparently, in Wikipedia, it means mountain route equipped with fixed cables, ropes, bridges, stemples and ladders. Didn’t know this before, but Mt. Kinabalu’s is the highest in the world. Yup, I’m pretty impressed.

2. Cora & Amanda, where are you? Damn, should’ve gotten more than a first name.

3. It was cloudy the day of the climb, but I actually liked it that way. Some of the formations were something special. Maybe next time, I’ll get a clear view and see a different side of the peak.

4. The Twin Sky Seafood Restaurant at KK town is the most awesome seafood experience evaaaaa! Heck, half of the dishes, I don’t even know what species they are, and they make ‘em taste good.

5. Time to get a digital SLR camera, I realise. Missed a good number of photo opportunities. Thinking of maybe the Nikon D60 or maybe upgrade to something more expensive like the D300 or D700. I dunno… what about Canon EOS… hmmm… someone needs to teach me these things. Which brings me to…

6. … felt bad borrowing the camera on the climb. Kitt & Louise stayed back at the halfway point as Louise had bad shoes and a worse of fear of heights than me, so I asked for it. Sigh, and that was the spot Kitt proposed. A special moment and I took their camera! Now, really, I think I reaaaaalllly need a camera…. which brings me to the next point again…

7. … where are my photos???? The more interesting ones are with Louise. Dang… Now I REALLLY REAALLLLLY REAAAAAAALLLLLY need a camera. Which brings me to…

8. … so which is it? Spend a few thou on a digital SLR? Or a flatscreen TV which short circuited while I was away with dad almost electrocuted when he tried to turn it on? Or a new phone since mine’s falling apart and the SMS function is screwing up… (I’m getting messages from person A, but for some reason, my phone decides to tell me that it’s from person B)… or it could be a Maxis problem? I dunno…. or….

9. … spend my money on getting a new place. I’m feeling very much stifled living with the ‘rents. Need my own place. My own kitchen, my own mini-garden, my own A/V room. Which brings me to…

10. … need all the money I can get, so I hope Louise’s friend pays up for bailing out on us last minute for the trip. Yeah, you! Louise’s friend. (as if she reads this anyway)

So that’s it for now… Picture? Comiiiiiing…. just need to grab em from Louise… comiiiiiiinnnnnng….

4.

3. Amanda & Cora from Singapore. Where are you?