Singing with the dead

Recently at one of Jay Chou's concert he did a duet with one of the legends, the late Teresa Teng, through the use of modern technology, he was able to bring her back to life and on stage.

I must say this is quite a cool move on his part. Bringing her back to life and introducing his fans to the classic songs.

But of course he wasn't the first one to do it.

In 2012, Tupac Shakur was also brought back to life performing with  Snoop Dogg at Coachella 2012

Hong Kong band Beyond also brought back their late lead singer Wong Kar Kui in 2003 to sing a song that he wrote before he passed away.

There were probably more that was being done, but a few people that I would like to see brought back to "life" would be Leslie Chueng, Cliff Burton from Metallica, Johnny Cash, Freddie Mercury, John Lennon among others. Some may argue its not "original" and not real enough. But the idea of using modern technology to have them come on stage and sing is, to me, amazing.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 and DSC-QX10

I WANT!

I have been collecting and reading up on toys that I have totally lost touch with what is happening in the tech world. But recently a product has caught my attention and got me really excited.

We are talking about the revolutionary Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 and DSC-QX10!

 

 DSC-QX100

 

DSC-QX10

This is damn cool can? The lens -style cameras transforms your mobile into a power-packed camera, a perfect partner for Android and iOS smartphones.

The Sony DSC-QX100 and Sony DSC-QX10 is attached to the smartphone that fits alot of popular smartphone models (width 54-75mm/max. thickness 13mm).

It connects to your phone using Wi-Fi and the latest version of Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile application. Linkage is even simpler for NFC smartphone owners, with easy one-touch connection made without any complicated settings.

When connected, the smartphone becomes the lens’ viewfinder, but as long as the lens and the phone have a connection established, the lens will operate as a stand-alone camera. Photos are stored in both the built-in lens storage, as well as the camera. This is bonus for all who take selfies, and good for tight corners.

Use your smartphone’s large, bright screen as a real-time viewfinder; fire the shutter, start/stop movie recordings, and adjust settings like shooting mode, zoom and Auto Focus area.

It will be available in Singapore at all Sony stores and authorised outlets from October 2013

Shit, I can't decide which one I wanna get. But this is insanely awesome and mind blowing.

   
Premium, Large-Sensor QX100 Camera
The Cyber-shot QX100 camera features a premium, high-quality 1.0 inch, 20.2 MP Exmor® RCMOS sensor.  Identical to the sensor found in the acclaimed Cyber-shot RX100 II camera, it allows for exceptionally detailed, ultra-low noise images in all types of lighting conditions, including dimly lit indoor and night scenes.

The sensor is paired with a fast, wide-aperture Carl Zeiss® Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 3.6x optical zoom and a powerful BIONZ® image processor, ensuring beautifully natural, detail-packed still images and HD videos. As an extra refinement, the QX100 sports a dedicated control ring for camera-like adjustment of manual focus and zoom.
Several different shooting modes can be selected while using the QX100 including Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto, which automatically recognizes 44 different shooting conditions and adjusts camera settings to suit.

High-Zoom Cyber-shot QX10 model
Boasting a powerful 18.2 effective megapixel Exmor RCMOS sensor and versatile 10x optical zoom Sony G Lens, the Cyber-shot QX10 camera allows mobile photographers to bring distant subjects closer without sacrificing image quality or resolution, a common problem in smartphones.  It’s also extremely portable and lightweight – weighing less than 4 oz and measuring about 2.5”X2.5”x1.3”, it’s a great tool for travel photography.

Additionally, the camera has built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to combat camera shake, keeping handheld pictures and videos steady and blur-free.  It has Program Auto, Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto modes to choose from, and will be available in two different colors – black and white.
 
Key specifications

Model	DSC-QX100	DSC-QX10
Image Sensor	1.0 type (13.2 x 8.8mm) Exmor R CMOS sensor	1/2.3 type (7.76mm) Exmor R CMOS sensor
Effective resolution	Approx.20.2 megapixels	Approx.18.2 megapixels
Image processor	BIONZ	BIONZ
Lens	Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*, with 7 elements in 6 groups (4 aspheric elements including AA lens)	Sony G Lens, with 7 groups (including 4 aspheric elements)
Maximum aperture	F1.8(Wide angle)- F4.9 (Tele)	F3.3(Wide angle)- F5.9 (Tele)
Focal length (35mm equivalent)  (still image 4:3)	f=28-100mm	f=25-250mm
Optical zoom	3.6x	10x
ISO Sensitivity (Still Image)	ISO160-6400 (iAuto), ISO160-25600 (Superior Auto), ISO160-3200 (Program Auto), ISO160-3200 (Aperture Priority)	ISO100-3200 (iAuto), ISO100-12800 (Superior Auto), ISO100-1600 (Program Auto)
Movie record	MP4: 12MP (1440×1080/30fps)	MP4: 12MP (1440×1080/30fps)
Image stabilisation	Optical SteadyShot™ (with Active Mode for movies)	Optical SteadyShot™ (with Active Mode for movies)
Focus type	Contrast detection AF	Contrast detection AF
Focus Modes	Single-shot AF; Manual Focus; Touch AF	Single-shot AF; Touch AF
Shooting modes	Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Movie Mode	Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto, Movie Mode
Wireless networking	Wi-Fi: Send to smartphone / control with smartphone  NFC: One-touch remote	Wi-Fi: Send to smartphone / control with smartphone  NFC: One-touch remote
Dimensions (WxHxD)	Approx. 62.5 x 62.5 x 55.5 mm	Approx. 62.4 x 61.8 x 33.3 mm
Media card compatibility	Memory Stick Micro™ / Memory Stick Micro™ Mark 2 and Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or Higher)	Memory Stick Micro™ / Memory Stick Micro™ Mark 2 and Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or Higher)
Weight (main unit only)	Approx. 165 g	Approx. 90 g
Weight (with supplied battery and Memory Stick Micro)	Approx. 179 g	Approx. 105 g
Supplied accessories	Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BN; micro USB cable; Smartphone Attachment; Wrist Strap; Operating Guide	Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BN; micro USB cable; Smartphone Attachment; Wrist Strap; Operating Guide

Everyone and Every Bit Counts

This news caught my attention. Apparently The National Environment Agency (NEA) wants to broadcast messages to remind patrons to return their trays to collection racks. Really? Another SMRT like announcement to remind people to return the trays.

Is it really necessary to have the announcements? Seriously do I want announcements and cheesy music in the background playing in the already noisy hawkers?

Ever since the tray return initiative was launched in hawker centres, there have been quite a lot of debate about this initiative, with both people for and against it.

Singaporeans argues that returning trays are the cleaners' jobs and by having this initiative, we're taking away the jobs of the cleaners.

Please leh, not at all...the one thing that people don't realize is that the cleaners' job scope is to wipe the tables and maintain general cleanliness of the hawker centres. There have been too many trays left on the tables and have been overwhelming for the cleaners 

By helping to return the trays and crockery only means a more efficient turnover for table. The cleaners just need to wipe and clean Returning your trays does not take away the cleaners' jobs, it merely lessens the burdens on the elderly cleaners making the hawker centres cleaner and more hygienic.

So if we all do our part and help return the trays, we would also be helping the cleaners, which also means NEA don't need to blast reminders and irritate us when we eat, yes?

But, dear NEA, if you really have to do it, may I suggest the following ideas?

1) Hire a singer with live setup to be there. When people are eating the singer will sing and when she spots people not returning trays? He/She can go like "Hello table 23, you neber return tray, don't di siao. The man at table 24 you also hor dont think I never see." 

2) Hire Hossan Leong and Mr Miyagi to write a jingle.

3) Get Morgan Freeman to do it. Soothing and nice. Infact it can either be Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones. Deep soothing and sexy. If no budget then get that local guy William Xavier.

4) Get Samuel L Jackson to do it. That gaze and tonality and for added measure, add in Motherfucker, leave the tray there, I dare you!

Whatever you all do, please please please don't ever ever hire this fella to keep repeating that word again. It is bloody irritating!

On this note, NEA is giving you money to write song. Simple as that. So go take part in the Eco Music Challenge. Its more fun than that Final One thingy on TV.

City Harvest Church Trial resumes

One of the most famous trials in Singapore has recently resumed, we are talking of course about the City Harvest Trial.

But honestly I have no interest in it, I really don't care if any funds have been misused, I really don't care if Kong Hee goes to jail or shout ahba ahba. But what I think is interesting in this trial?

Serina Wee.

Makes this trial way more interesting.

I honestly think the money will be way more worth it if it was put into her instead of that Sun Ho. Anyway Kong Hee had better take some tips on how to look good at the courts looking at his pictures.

Ben Affleck is the new Dark Knight!

Since the announcement Superman vs Batman, the highly anticipated sequel to 2013 Man Of Steel at Comic Con 2013. The biggest question of the year was who will play The Batman?

Names have been thrown around, from Josh Brolin to Ryan Gosling to of course the hot favorite Christian Bale. 3 days ago the biggest surprise was thrown at the fans. 

Ben Affleck is the new Batman.

The Internet started a major hate campaign against him. Even Lexus joined in, though Lexus should have probably researched before that Affleck has been spotted on numerous occasions filling up a Lexus. 

But when the late Heath Ledger was announced as Joker everyone was bashing him too. So here is what I think, I fully support Ben Affleck as Batman and I think under the good hands of Goyer, Snyder and Nolan the movie will be no less than an awesome movie.

I mean he was good as Daredevil, the movie suffered from bad script, but he was convincing as the Man Without Fear and I believe he will put on a good show as the World's Greatest Detective. He has the chin, the built and the eyes.

Mark my words, Affleck will not fail! I mean it can't be as bad as Green Lantern.

I know for sure that his good friend Kevin Smith will totally support him as the dark knight. Infact he predicted it with this comic reference way back in the 90s.

Since you are here, go check out what Vinyarb has to say about Affleck. 

Avenged Sevenfold - Hail To The King Review

Hail To The King is A7X sixth studio album, the first full album after the death of their drummer,  James "The Rev" Sullivan. Not counting Nightmare because he did write parts that were used for the final recordings.

 

And this album doesn't disappoint! Shepherds of Fire starts off the album and the guitars come up and launch into a stylish and classic example of what Avenged Sevenfold does best. In this album the drum beats are catchy and Synyster Gates solo is fiery and masterfully executed. While it is definitely a departure from the past styles.

Overall, this is a creatively constructed and entertaining album and the right direction for them to go in. If you don't like it at first, sit back and play it a few times because it will grow on you with every listen.It has re-affirmed A7X as the new gods of metal, something which the music scene desperately need.

Thor The Dark World Comic Prelude

Cant wait till the movie comes out? Check out the comic prelude to Thor 2 The Dark World

The first issue of the official Prelude comic to Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World is on sale.  Go explore the Nine Realms with Thor!

Fast and Furious Los Bandoleros

To all fans of Fast and Furious series, those questioning the continuity of Fast Five and Tokyo Drift. Los Bandoleros will answer all your questions.

Los Bandeleros is Vin Diesel's attempt to detail events between Fast Five and The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift. 

This solution allowed viewers to see the connections between the different films, while explaining the appearance of particulars characters in the fourth film onwards.

Plot points covered in the video include Han's meeting up with Dom in Mexico, another is the introduction of Leo and Santos, the bickering, jail-breaking duo who appear seemingly out of nowhere in the fifth film.

Watch it in its entirety here.

I QUIT

well not my job... not yet.

So here's the story. I am coming out now. No, not that way. I am a smoker. I have been smoking since I was a teenager, and that is like really long time ago. I started with a small pack. Back in those days. they were selling them in packs of 10. Heck you could even buy them individually at mama shops.

My first stick of ciggie was a Salem. I hated it, hated the taste. But for some reason I can't remember, I stuck on with it. That is how it all went. I started smoking everywhere I go. It was cool really or so I thought.

I mean look Superman smokes and he looks cool, no?

Zor El was caught smoking too... but he is dead.

At any one time did I consider to quit? Ask any smoker that and the answer will be yes. But it never happened.

Is it an addiction? Ask any smoker that and the answer will be no. But essentially it is an addiction. I would say 50% habitual and 50% addiction.

I mean back in the days of working in STB, I was smoking like a chimney, one can sit outside the cafeteria and work the whole day there smoking.

I am not going into how much you can save and how healthy you can be. It is obvious and everyone knows it.

Here's the thing, I am already embarking on a journey to be healthy, eating, clean, exercising and infact running my first marathon, so why not take this opportunity to quit. I dont wanna die half way running or training.

So since I Quit campaign is running right now, I might as well try to take up the 28 days countdown. Stay smokefree for 28 days and see how it goes, not that difficult right? If Chandler can do it why not me?



I would imagine that is how grouchy I will be.

Anyway nuff said. I will try my utmost best to keep to the 28 days. I will try my best not to be grouchy, and I will try my best to chronicle it as much as I can.

Anyway I think Superman is cooler like that

I mean seriously look at them supporting me,

On hindsight, I think they are asking me to quit my job instead.....