My new blog….An extra, an extension

I’ve decided to create another blog to put all the DIY stuff there so as not to clutter this blog.

http://thedailygruntdiy.wordpress.com/

I have been having weird dreams of the unknown

Maybe its the slow but accumulating stress that I am feeling.

Soon my life will take an unexpected turn. I will be giving up all that is familiar, all my creature comforts and securities for an unknown. How unknown? Well, I don’t even know what it is and what will help me put food on the table. I don’t know where the next $5 is coming from – it is THAT unknown.

The other night i dreamt (what I can remember), waking up with 3 walls around me after the tsumani have swept past destroying everything. I survived. I remembered feeling thankful that God had spared my life. I remembered being allowed to live because He had a purpose for me. Then another night’s dream was different. I had had my hair hightlighted a bright red. It felt very real.  I recalled being very shocked over the red hair.

At least my friend HW roughly knows where’s he is heading although its a scary path to take. My dear buddy, you are one of the bravest person i know. Be prayerful with me as I take a step into the unknown.

Anywy, I need to put on my thinking cap and pray.

I poked my eye this morning

I woke up groggyly, went to brush my teeth. I wasn’t quite paying attention and might have been too rough.

The toothbrush missed my teeth, went up and poked my right eye.

Yes, you read right, I poked my eye with my toothbrush!

A long Tuesday but great durians!

But i had the best durian ever!!!!

I haven’t had such fantastic durians in 2 decades! THAT’s 20 years!

Its some durian called Musang King durian (if i am not mistaken). Apparently rare and very expensive. Thanks to Aunt W!!

It was creamy. Yellow. Smooth. Bitter. Sweet.

Its seed was tiny. Fleshy durian. Superb!!

Dad was in heaven! And me? I was tingling all over from the superb texture and taste ever!

Mom loved it.

I can still imagine the smell and taste!

Bad knee & photography

I think i have now badly injured my already injured knee/leg. I went for a 3 hour shoot-out. Wore knee guards but this evening things aren’t that great. The ache has radiated down my leg. The bruise is there meaning there might have been internal bleeding/ My left knee is also aching up.

Anyway, on a brighter note, i think the macro’s much better.. see flickr.

I’m now learning to control the strength of the flash by adjusting the exposure on flash, rather than on camera. Thus I think I will be able to hold off getting a ring flash for a long while.  Most i know just shoot using the flash on auto mode which imho, will not give you good photos because no two lightings outside is the same eash and every time you shoot an insect.. Auto is just too harsh. Another thing, its always important to get the shot right so as to minimise any photoshopping. I rarely like to touch-up the photos. If you have to touch up a lot (i.e. more than 5%) means you should just toss the photo out.

Protected: I did something crazy on Saturday

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My present from Carrot

I was so surprised one morning to receive this…. very lovely. And it was so thoughtul of Carrot to get me flowers that I am not allergic to.

Thanks dear!!

I love it!!

Bear’s at home with me for a weekend photoshoot

Decluttering again

I spent the night throwing stuff out again. I couldn’t believe the amount of things i’ve accumulated. I am slowing clearing up everything I don’t need. I mean, what’s the use of keeping it if i am no longer going to use it? There’s only so much one person can use. To those who have just moved to their new pads, you know how tough it is to clear out old things.

I think the secret to it is that you just have to be RUTHLESS. Don’t have those “i-may-want-to-use-this-one-day” thought!!     Just ask youself if you are going to use/refer to those things within the next 2 years, if not, then just bin it.

I tell you, you will feel happier and lightened after you have cleared out all those old stuff.

All things related to art

I have finally closed up the portable easel and stored it away. Took me 4 years to close it up. The main one is still open and I’ll continue to use it.

Great christmas pressie from Carrot!!!     Thanks dear!!!!!!    I’ve never seen oil pencils before and I think these are really cool.

My blank wall is finally “filled” up. Brought in two “incomplete” paintings to cover the emptiness. Which I wonder why it took me so long to do all these. Then again, change is needed. The room looks better, more complete but feels more like an art gallery. I hope to finish these two and put in the important body part for the nude.

Whilst decluttering, I came across more photos of he-who-shall-not-be-named. Needless to say, it was all trashed.

* I had my 3rd cuppa cappuccino in 2 weeks. To those who know me well, I am a tea drinker.

Should we give less just because they are disabled?

No…

I realised when I was gifting those books just now that these books will reach disabled kids. But the more I thought about it, the more i realised that they too should be given the chance to read as much as they want, to “travel” to different lands and situations through the books.

When I was young, books where the one thing that I used to go to “places” and I think they need it. They may be trapped in not very useful bodies but if their minds are sharp, why not read and get transported to different worlds?

Anyway, this is the season to be giving…. so give and make someone’s Christmas a little more special. If you want to stretch your dollar, you can get those classic novels – very reasonably priced (go take a look).