Camera Please!

Just realised what I have missed big time without cameras. Can't take pictures of great moments and it is even more crucial to have a camera than ever before with more programs and events lining up in the company. Was really upset earlier that we couldn't have a group photo with the client before they leave with all inspired faces at the end of our program. Those are moments to be remembered and yet, I can't capture them!

So I need a camera. Full stop.

Say, my budget will be around RM800 to RM1,800, any good cameras to recommend from brands like Canon, Olympus or Nikon?

What I have in mind? Probably something like the one below:

Canon G11

Appreciate if some of the readers here could offer good advice on getting a real good camera with reasonable price. :)

Cheers!

Ending to A Hectic Day with Laughter

Last Tuesday was definitely one of the most engaging day ever. Non-stop meetings and traveling were enough to create a zombie-looking dude by evening.

Refresher?

Thai cuisine in Funky Villa at e@Curve. Tasty and yummy pineapple fried rice (Sorry, no photos. Will take more pictures during the next trip. :P)

What's nice to do after dinner? Movie of course! Courtesy of Advertlets, got myself a pair of tickets to watch The Bounty Hunter, starring a pair of hot looking couple, Jennifer Aniston as a bail-jumping reporter pursued after by her bounty hunter ex-husband, starred by Gerard Butler.

The show turned out to be so-so for two possible reasons. Reason No.1: I might be too tired as a result of a hectic day. Reason No.2: I had high expectations towards the movie because of the high-profiled actor and actress.

My favourite and most memorable scene? It's the scene where Nicole pleaded Milo to let her go by giving him $500 despite Milo stood to be rewarded with $5,000 for handing her over to the authority. Asking why, Nicole explained that her ex would be so good, he could make $5,000 or $10,000 from $500. Convinced, Milo drove straight to the casino and guess what, he won up to $5,000! However, subsequently, he lost it all. (Should notice his face after that. :P)

Well, in the end of the day, if you are looking for a light-movie with a regular laugh, the movie may be a suitable choice for the weeks to come. Check out the trailer:

Plot:

Milo Boyd (Gerard Butler), a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter, gets his dream job when he is assigned to track down his bail-jumping ex-wife, reporter Nicole Hurly (Jennifer Aniston). He thinks all that's ahead is an easy payday, but when Nicole gives him the slip so she can chase a lead on a murder cover-up, Milo realizes that nothing ever goes simply with him and Nicole. The exes continually one-up each other - until they find themselves on the run for their lives. They thought their promise to love, honor and obey was tough - staying alive is going to be a whole lot tougher.

What I had drawn from the movie? I want to get a lady who can blow onto dice and make me lucky in the casino!

Anybody?

Why is A Scheduled Meeting Necessary?

It's 9.00am on an usual Monday morning. Reach the office, turn on the computer, get a cuppa and download the necessary files with important numbers prepared before work was let off either, last Friday or Sunday (depends on how committed and effective we are) and we head on straight to the meeting room.

Now some of you may find the activity above just like your usual auto-mode when reaching the office on Monday.

Now why are there weekly meetings and other sequential meetings every now and then within our colleagues and other stakeholders? It keeps important communications going around the organisation. A healthy organisation ensures that the staff be open and always talking to each other regardless of departments, levels and geographical locations.

The ability to communicate is the most important skill you can develop in your personal-being. Some people leverage on the idea of effective communication to get on to the fast track in their career. It is a point used to solve problems and make decisions, both by ourselves and with other people. A meeting will be deemed useless if we sit together and just chat about the cats and the dogs, which some organisations often do, unless you are in the cats and dogs' business.

There is a systematic approach to achieving effective problem solving and decision making in discussions. It begins with defining the challenges and needs, "where's next?" and get "locked and loaded" with ammunition of solutions.

Firstly of course, is addressing to challenges and needs by defining them in written forms. Often receive response from leaders in an organisation with this common remark, "I know these stuff. It's in my head." Many entrepreneurs have failed to get them across the heads of their subordinates and teammates. This step is so important that every team member has to get the details from the question, "What exactly is the problem?" clearly. As some experts put it, clarity of definition will resolve 50% of the issues before they go any further.

Next is to throw the questions of "Where's next?" or "Where do we go from here?" or even "What do we do from here?", not forgetting "What are our options for the future?" An important note here to remember is that be sure to focus on the future over the past. In most cases, the meetings do not seem to go anywhere as too many problem-solving discussions end up focusing all of the attention of all the people present on what happened in the past and who is to be blamed. To have control is to take responsibility of the outcome that had happened, draw quickly the lessons from the past and move on quickly to what's next.

When a gun run out of ammunitions, we don't go complaining about it to other people around and start whining on how ineffective the gun is, when it can't accommodate more bullets per round. Imagine the enemy is fast approaching. You just grab the next round of ammunition and continue the shots! Same goes in effective problem solving communications. It is for everyone in a team to talk about the solutions instead of talking about the problems. It is for everyone to keep the attention in the meeting to focus on the possible solutions and what can be done rather than what has already happened.

Here's what you can practice immediately. First, take some time to be absolutely clear about the problem that is under discussion. Give some thought to what an ideal decision or solution would accomplish. Instead of focusing on the situation as it is, talk about the situation as you would like it to be.

Second, keep the conversation focused on solutions, on what can be done in the future. The more you think and talk about solutions, the more positive and creative everyone will be and the better ideas you will come up with.

Shoe Must Be Comfortable

I am one person who is very particular about the comfort of shoes I am wearing. And I am indeed a very happy person since I came to know about 2 very good brands of shoes. I have been wearing my favourite pair of boots for quite some time (and I really love 'em!) by Cole Haan. Cole Haan is a subsidiary of Nike which explains why it has one of the most comfortable semi-formal to formal shoes. Most of their shoes come with Nike Air soles and they are really comfortable, especially their black working shoes. 3.5 years ago, I bought a brown pair of boots and I never regret the purchase (though I recently repaired the shoes for cracked heels).

And just very recent, I got the opportunity to experience Crocs shoes and it has been a great pair of darling shoes to me since then. I have known the brand to be really suitable for people who have problems with spine and legs, especially for elderly people and largely recommended by medical professionals, but prior to then, I have never really lay my feet on any pair of Crocs shoes.

It was a birthday delight when a great friend of mine who is working in Crocs, invited me for a spring/summer launching event for the brand which was held in Mid Valley during the Fashion Week.

Photograph above is credited to Jeremy (BBoyRice)

You know it when a friend is sincere to share the good stuff he/she knows about something. She has definitely shown me a gem. Subsequently, I will share the great stuff that I come across to others too.

Photograph above is credited to Jeremy (BBoyRice)

Photograph above is credited to Jeremy (BBoyRice)

These fantastic pair of Crocs have made it possible for me to walk through the city of Singapore without complaints (which previously I had, a lot of them about tiring legs!) As a result, my Crocs have looked as though they are being worn for over half a month already, because I literally walk around with the shoes at work, leisure and play for almost 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. And yes, I no longer complain about walking because it is a non-issue now.

Shopping has become nicer too.

If you have noticed in the previous blog post on "It's Super Hot Fever!", I had bad bruise near the ankle that each impact from walking brought piercing pain. However, within 2 days, the foot recovered as a result of cushioning effect from the shoes as it absorbed the impact from walking and as a result, less pressure towards the ankle. Thank God!

For the comfort it brings, the price doesn't seem to be expensive at all. The best thing about Crocs is that it provides variety of shoes designs suitable for, like I've mentioned, work, play and leisure. If you don't believe, check it out yourself!

For more information on the latest Crocs models in Malaysia, check out www.crocs.com.my.

Did I tell you that they carry kids' models as well?

Photograph above is credited to Jeremy (BBoyRice)

Very cute aren't they? I mean the shoes.

Adios 2009/2010!

As the Premiership season 2009/2010 draws to an end with another remaining match to play, the excitement seems to build-up towards the last match. However, not for Liverpool this season. Still recall the same period last season, we were just 3 points apart from the Devils and was really excited and hoping for a Devils defeat while watching the last game of the season in Subang Square. So what happened?

We have serious series of tactical errors, financial mishaps, owners fall-out and etc. Not a good season indeed and would have to say, this season, if not for Torres, Benayoun and Gerrard, we won't even make it to Europa League next season.

However, a positive take from this season is that the Blues will most probably proceed as the Champions of this season instead of the Devils (Roaar!). Think most Reds fans will probably agree with me that it's better to see Chelsea emerging as Champions this season than the pathetic Devils.

Sorry Devils. 19th title? Slow slow wait. Think the Reds team also agreed with me when Gerrard decided to let Drogba capitalised on the back-pass error.

If the Reds is to seriously contend for the title next season, heavy loads of work need to be done. Good news that the Reds has got a new chairman at helm. For the team, much work to be done on the Back 4. Lack of speed and agility has been the key of many goals being conceded. Look at the set pieces' defending. The team has been vulnerable towards dead-ball and counter-attack situations.

Alonso's departure has seriously left a big gap on the fluidity of Liverpool's play. With quality of players like Lucas (a Brazilian footballer who can't pass, dribble and shoot properly), when will we ever get our 19th title?

...How long more shall we wait?