rock the casbah.

10 (and then some) reasons why christmas was excellent this year:

1. kenneth bought me a skillet - which can be used to pan fry fish and as a weapon in the zombie apocalypse.
2. charlene bought me fruitloops - which is an awesome cereal as well as an awesome step in the right direction.
3. the beau got me many many wonderful things - all of which is for preparation of my trip to perth + spent x'mas with me and my family
   
4. merylnn came home for x'mas - the best present she has ever given me :)
5. russ invited us over for the most fantastic feast at his place - a 24 pound turkey was the star attraction + he gave me his traditional x'mas hug (which i look forward to every x'mas)
   
6. played left4dead2 5 times in a week.
7. ashton's family were the most hospitable (gorgeous) family ever
8. my parents splurged on gifts for each other, and both gifts are beneficial to me!
9. my brother and ta sao got me a chocolate making set
10. all my friends and i are in talks for an official nerf gun war

Jesus sure knows how to have one hell of (pardon the pun) a birthday!

happy new year folks, make this year count!

Anscoflex II Pseudo TLR

The anscoflex series is a nice TLR but since many people classify it as “pseudo”, I think I should do the same.

Designed by Raymond Loewy (the same guy who designed the Studebaker Avanti & Lucky Strike cigarette package), the Anscoflex is one of the most stylish camera ever mad.

The Anscoflex not only has that cool slide open panel thingy to access the large and bright viewfinder, it’s got a nifty film advance crank. Instead of turning the knob, you twist the knob back and forth. Sort of like revving an engine, or something.

The camera’s kind of chunky, but it grows on you real, real fast. Gray metal & 1960’s lawn-chair-aluminum, the camera’s got a nice little heft to it, though it’s not at all heavy. The shutter button and back door button are red.

The anscoflex II was released in 1954 as an improvement from the Anscoflex and features a close-up lens and built in, user-selectable yellow filter.

From Madecine

when the world isn't looking.

oh, an update on the job thing - i've written the letter. the only thing left to fill in is the date at the top right corner.

God, i know - i can feel it - you have something great installed.
and world, i know - i can feel it - you can't really stop me.

i'm feeling far more motivated that i've ever been because i know i'm not the only person who feels this way.

after a heart-felt conversation tonight with someone who had the guts to do what i will eventually do, as well as with two people that feel very much the same way, i realise the problem doesn't lie within me.

i shouldn't have to feel bad for having plans with my friends or beau after work hours.
i shouldn't have to feel bad for leaving at 7pm - even if it's an hour after office hours.
i shouldn't have to get slammed for telling a client "no" to protect my creative team.
i shouldn't have to do something that is not part of my job when i already have so much work to do that is related to my job

i should be able to trust my senior to protect me if my client abuses me.
i should be able to enjoy going to work
i should be able to be proud of the things that i have done
i should be able to say "this is not right, i would do it differently" when i feel it isn't
i should be given credit for something i created all by myself
i should be able to learn on the job - and not have things taken away from me because someone feels that they like to do it too
i should be able to inspire my team.
i should believe in the things i tell my clients day after day.

i can't run this way - my attitude is changing everyday. i work with people who think work life balance equates to 'being able to turn off your blackberry when you are out of the office'.

there are people here who make me seem like a loafer just because i want to leave the office before the streetlamps come on. or who just drive things to the ground because of KPIs and money.

and all because of what? no bonus, no respect, no balance.

i'm done and sick of it. i need a place where i have people who will have the balls to stop being yes men and start believing in the company.

and most importantly, start believing in me.

it's in the works.

yes, i'm looking for somewhere new to begin everything again.
new hellos and where were you befores.
new finding places to spend an hour at a time.

just new. i need something new.

i don't hate where i am now. honestly, i quite love it.
but it's taking a toll on my state, and i cannot let it happen.

which leads me to think if maybe i'm just giving up too easily? maybe i'm not made for this line.

i really don't know, all i do know is i pray for God to align everything in my life.
yes, he doesn't answer my prayers sometimes.

but he never disappoints.

i'm counting on you.