Category: Thoughts

IOI City Mall, Putrajaya – Part 8

It provides competition to the westernissed and upmarket Nuts Boutique. I was just thinking and I may be wrong. It could be operated by the same people. If you go to Sg Wang or Low Yatt Plaza, the same few people control the kiosks selling mobile phones of various brands. That way, no matter how much you shop around, you still end up buying from the same owners. A clever strategy.

Back in school kacang putih and roasted peanuts were always controlled by an Indian man. He places his wares on a table and offered roll up paper cones to serve the nuts. That wooden table was a classroom or school desk which he will balance on his head when he walks home after work. How time has changed.

Where is IOI City Mall? See MyCen Maps http://www.mycen.my/ioi-city-mall/

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 640, f5.1, 1/100 sec.

#ioicitymall #mall #kacangputih #nuts #kacangputih

IOI City Mall, Putrajaya – Part 3

Tesco installed a bank of self-checkout machines at their hypermarket to reduce queuing. Feeling like a ‘jakun’ (a politically insensitive term) seeing it for the first time. It is like a family attraction as many customers were also fascinated by the novelty. It is a pilot deployment and the first by a major retailer in Malaysia.

Where is IOI City Mall? See MyCen Maps http://www.mycen.my/ioi-city-mall/

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 200, f3.5, 1/60 sec.

#ioicitymall #mall #tesco #shopping #supermarket #selfcheckout #family

Need Your Help

When I posted or published the recent Kampung Hakka and Santa Factory photo essays, several well-meaning friends messaged or commented that they were glad to see me out and about, and that I was recovering well. While I appreciate your positive prognosis, the truth is:

I wasn’t, really. I was fortunate to have a good caregiver. She pushed my wheelchair and drove me to exactly how I wanted to position the camera. The bottom line is: Good help must be fairly compensated. Nothing is free.

In addition, going to the faraway and exotic places cost plenty of money for tolls, petrol and meals that drained my pocket.

I like to be able to indulge in what I like instead of wallowing in despair and hopelessness. Also being able to photograph and write keep my mind. body and soul fresh, alert and positive.

Much as I want to get out and about, I have to be realistic about financial resources. I am saddled with bills for medical care, medicines, special transportation, physio therapy and many other day to day expenses without any incoming income.

When I last appealed for donations for food for my cats. many kind people and generous friends and even strangers from near and far responded promptly and meaningfully. That I appreciate deeply. I can’t thank you enough. You know who you are. Hugs.

I am therefore appealing to those who can afford it to make (another) small donation to keep the pictures and stories going. Think of it as important, critical and impactful crowdfunding. To the many who say they enjoyed the pictures and stories very much, here’s your chance to put your money where your mouth is. Haha. No obligations, though.

If you are abroad, you can send funds to my Pay Pal account at tvsmith@gmail.com
:
Fellow Malaysians at home may find it easier to bank in money to my RHB or make a simple online transfer.

RHB Bank Malaysia Current Account Name: T.V. Smith
A/C No: 2-12200-1012422-6 or 21220010124226 (without hyphens)
RHB Bank Taman Megah Branch
SWIFT Code: RHBBMYKL
My Tel: +6012 3368 360
My E-mail : tvsmith@gmail.com

Drop me a message or mail, if your name appear unfamiliar or mismatched so I can thank you personally. Thank you for helping. Happy holidays. Remember: every cent counts, no matter how small.

If you are unable to donate cash, donations of cat food in dry form or kibbles will also lessen my burden greatly. E-mail or message me to find out how or where you can drop it off.

It’s the season to be generous 🙂

The Day I Met Mutt Rempit

Me And You And A Dog Named Boo (Mutt Rempit).

Went to Sekinchan today to test Sony’s new HDR Sky Camera App. At the paddy fields, I met a farmer raking his field, accompanied by his pet dog.

Asked him where he stays and he told me it is quite far. Naturally, I asked how the dog travels. He showed me.

The dog balances himself quite well on the back of the motorcycle, even when going around corners. Occasionally, the un-neutered dog jumps off when he sees a female.

Quite an amazing sight and Winter Solstice must be my lucky day.

“Me And You And A Dog Named Boo” was a hit song by Lobo. It tells the story of two friends and a dog taking a cross-country road trip. Sung like an ode to carefree days and freedom (gone).

I remember to this day, they stopped at the wheat fields of St Paul. It was Kansas and not Saint Paul, Minnesota, as I originally thought.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f13, 1/200 sec.

#streetphotography #landscape #paddyfields #paddy #padi #ricefields #sekinchan #dog #dogs #pet #animal #sonyalpha #a7r #zeiss

Kampung Hakka Mantin – Part 9

There is a glorious one here naturally, cast away in the shambles and ruins.

Where is Kampung Hakka Mantin? Map and directions at MyCen Maps: http://www.mycen.my/kampung-hakka-mantin/

Asus Zenfone 3, IS 50, f2, 1/180 sec.

#streetphototography #mantin #village #hakka #urbex #abandoned #dilapidated #derelict #urbex #urbandecay #documentary #kampunghakka #sofa #asus