No Hard Evidence

I remember when menthol cigarettes were introduced in Malaysia, a curious urban legend soon emerged claiming menthol ciggies will cause softening of erections or a flaccid cock. There was no empirical evidence or scientific evidence but every local guy believed in it.

The evidence were anecdotal at best and were probably from guys who drank too much at clubs. Excessive alcohol can cause ED too.

What was criminal was that the menthol cigarettes and long slim versions were targeted at women to recruit more female smokers by projecting a cool image or trendy perception. Strangely, there were no talk about it affecting a woman’s libido.

Whoever or whatever was the source of the fake news, it was a very effective deterrent for guys. No guy wanted to be seen with a green pack. Haha.

Losing a lung via cancer was less worrisome than losing a hard on.

Although many anti-smoking campaigns suggest smoking can lead to impotency, the point was never driven home. Maybe the medical evidence were not promoted hard enough.

A graphic picture of a limp or soft cock on cigarette packs would have worked better than a black diseased lung I think.

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There Is No Smoke Without Fire

This candle stand is the start of the smoke chain in the temple. The devotees light their joss sticks and incense papers here, spreading smoke as they move from the altar to the urn outside.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f2, 1/3200 sec.

#streetphotography #temple #flame #candles #smoke #chinatown #chinesenewyear #cny #sonyalpha #a7r #zeiss

Smoky Inside – The Guandi Temple In KL Chinatown

The Guan Di Temple (关帝庙) in Chinatown KL is a must stop for many Taoist devotees during Chinese New Year. It is also an annual pilgrimage for me as a photographer. It offers many wonderful subjects for the camera. The temple was built in 1888.

My post yesterday entitled “Those Halcyon Days (Blue Skies And Candlelight) was from this temple.

After acquiring so many shots from inside over the years, I decided to try one from outside this morning. Love the blueish, smoky interior chamber as seen through the main doorway. The smoke is from the burning joss sticks, joss papers, candles and incense spirals fired up by worshipers.

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 200, f10, 1/200 sec

#chinatown #kualalumpur #chinesenewyear #temple #taoism #kuanti #guandi

Nine Emperor Gods Festival Procession In Jinjang – Part 1

The roads here are a maze so I had no idea of the route the parade will cover. Heck. I don’t even know where my car was parked but I did bread crumb my tracks with a pic on my phone camera at every junction or turn during the walk.

Jinjang was a Chinese village notorious for gangsterism and triads many years ago. At one time, no taxis will send passengers in for fear of ambush by the gangs.

The gangs are gone or are silver haired now. The Chinese community solved the gangsterism and associated social problems by sending their kids to college. This broke the vicious cycle but it is to have another impact on the festival which I shall discuss in the next post.

As a photographer, my attitude was to cross the bridge when I get there, prepared to face all eventualities since it is my first time at their parade. There’s smoke, there’s fire and the Pak Thian Kiong temple is beautifully lit tonight. Am loving it but wished they started during the magic hour.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 400, f4, 1/80 sec.

The Last of the Mohicans

As such, I wasn’t expecting cooperation when I asked to take a picture of him standing next to the barbecue fire.

I had to. The scene behind him had such wonderful ambience and I needed him to complete the picture. What an opportunity for a mood shot at a ramadan bazaar, I thought to myself. He shouted back “No”

Before I could respond, he asked: “Why me?”

Instead of explaining how beautiful the smoke will look seeping through the rays of the directional sunlight or that the picture is meaningless without the seller, I said: “Cos I like your hair” (which was also an honest reply).

With that, he walked towards the grill and cooperated like a sweet baby.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f5, 1/200 sec.