Wanna give yourself a belly full of laughs?
Check out this video clip of the hilarious TV Tetris Game Show.
Thanks to Tricia for sharing this video clip.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
如意輪觀音 Cintâmanicakra Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva
觀音 (Kwan Yin) in a common feminine manifestation in the East.
Avalokiteśvara or 觀音 (in Chinese writing) or अवलोकितेश्वर (in Sanskrit writing) and many more names that we may know of, refers to the same Bodhisattva. Do not be confused as to call Bodhisattva as Avalokiteśvara. Bodhisattva literally translates to "Enlightened Being" who is dedicated to attaining Nirvana, but made a vow never to attain it before 'all beings' are enlightened. It is also easily confused with the gender of Avalokiteśvara, we Asians in the East, always see of Avalokiteśvara in a feminine manifestation, as the Goddess of Mercy dressed in white robes, hand holding a vase and standing on a giant lotus. However, in most Buddhist writings, Avalokiteśvara is referred to as a male.
There is one legend that says Avalokiteśvara was a beautiful princess who forsaken her wealth and marriage, for a life so simple yet so spiritual, devoting to compassion, helping all beings and attaining Nirvana. However, upon achieving enlightenment, and the right to enter Tsushita Heaven, she heard cries of earthly beings. She vowed never to attain Nirvana, and returned to earthly plane to help all beings who are suffering. Thus, referred to as a Bodhisattva.
Another legend says that Avalokiteśvara, despite his many efforts to help all beings to attain enlightenment, there are still too many suffering beings who have yet been saved. Avalokiteśvara was very sad over not being able to reach out to so many beings, but his compassionate heart eventually moved the Amitahba Buddha, who in turn gave him eleven heads to see and hear the cries from distant places, and a thousand arms to reach out to places previously impossible. Thus, the manifestation of 千手 觀音 (Kwan Yin with a thousand arms).
Despite all the different manifestations of Avalokiteśvara, there is eventually one common understanding that refers to Avalokiteśvara as the Compassionate Bodhisattva and all faithful devotees chant the mantra of Avalokiteśvara, ॐ मणि पद्मे हूँ (Om Padme Mani Hum in Sanskrit writing).
Yesterday, I visited the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum. I have earlier visited this temple during Vesak 2551 Float Parade and other brief occasions. I was captivated by all the splendour of the temple, the very moment I entered the first hall on the the ground level, The Maitreya Buddha Hall (I shall talk more about the Maitreya Buddha and this hall at another time). After admiring the spectacular decorations surrounding the grand Maitreya Buddha statue and the many sponsored Maitreya Gaus. I made my way to the rear of the Maitreya Buddha Hall, into the Cintâmanicakra Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Hall.
References
The Bodhisattva Ideal - Buddhism and the Aesthetics of Selflessness
Avalokitesvara on Wikipedia
Avalokiteshvara Buddhist Center in Denver
Om Mani Padme Hum on Wikipedia
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum
Many thanks to Cedric for sharing with me his knowledge on Buddhism.
Any challenges to the accuracy of this post can be made via your generous comments. Otherwise, please watch my blog for more updates after I revisit the temple again.
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Sunday, June 3, 2007
Of Tin Toys & Plastic Dolls
I was privileged to be invited by Shaun Wong from yesterday.sg and Marvin from Museum of Shanghai Toys (MoST) to do a photoshoot at the museum. During normal operating days, it is not possible to take photographs in the museum. This is for the respect of the museum and precious collections. This applies to most, if not all museums. Taking caution not to publish too much photos, and spoiling your enthusiasm to pay the museum a visit, I have choosen a few to briefly show you what you can expect. I have avoided the use of flash, so as not to risk decolourizing the vintage items, so images might appear grainy due to the high ISO used.
For S$8 (adult), the price of a western food meal, you can get yourself a ticket on a trip down memory lane. For many people of my generation, all might seem rather unfamiliar, but for our elder siblings and parents, the museum will definitely make them feel like a child again. Back in those days when kids were all running around in their shorts, having a simple toy can mean a lot to a child. Toys in those days were usually not expensive for the average family, but money was better well-spent on food and education. Children in those days were usually playing a game of marbles or building mud figurines. Being presented a toy usually meant a form of reward for the getting good grades. Hence, one toy would be a companion for many years. However, as the children grows up, their old toys get passed down to the next generation. Most people lived in small HDB flats and hardly have space to accomodate old collections. Thus, the worn ones were discarded, despite the sentimental value. Now, when we all look back, how much we wished that we had kept our old toys, even if not for the inflated value now, at least for its sentimental value.
Situated in among a row of conserved shophouses along Rowell Road, the 3-storey museum offers plenty to purchase and tons to see. The first level of the museum is the retail level, with some re-issued tin toys and vintage toys alongside modern soft toys, vinyl collectibles and gashapons (capsule toys) for sale. Do not expect fancy movie tie-ins or exotic SOC or model kits though. After purchasing a ticket from the friendly shop attendent, you will then be brought up to the second floor for a tour of the museum. In the 'old toy shop', you will find toys that only our parents or even grandparents has seen. You will find toys from around the globe and you will discover an interesting fact too! The third level is a workshop for many interesting activities (for more details, check with MoST). I will not go more into the details, but to let you explore yourself. Bring along your young children, educate them and share with them your childhood memories. You can even bring along your folks, let them relinqush their memories and make them feel like a child all over again!
"Support MoST, visit this treasure and gem of Singapore today!"
"I am sure you will be back again!
Please spread the word and let more people learn of this place.
Thank you.
Links:
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Friday, June 1, 2007
REVIEW: Bagman Snapshot Trekka
BAG IT, MAN!
The Bagman (also known as Caseman in Europe, and Kani in other countries) is already being regarded as the clone of Crumpler. Some people even call it a 'rip-off' or 'imitation'! However, I do not wish to call it either names. The fact is that Bagman is originated in Australia, the same country who brought you Crumpler. Crumpler has also been a street fashion statement since my time in Australia and only recent years, I watched the trend migrate to Singapore, rather slow but not too late. *flipping through my old Crumpler catalgoue featuring nude models wearing only Crumpler* Trust me, though Crumpler being a street fashion icon, it is definitely not cheap as it is made to last and it sure does. It is no wonder that the alternative Australian designers decided to followed the Crumpler trend of patterning and playing colours, design their own series and bring them to China for a cheaper production cost. Subsequently, I believe that Bagman also marketed their designs to outer brands (like an OEM product), thus Kani is born (do not quote me on this). Though their design and innards layout mimic Crumpler closely, there are differences.
I have long wanted to change to a backpack since I sold my Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home. As a matter of fact, I became sold by the idea that Crumpler has the best protection. The cushions are tough and it holds its shape well. You can rest 300 minds assured, when you camera is inside such a luxurious bag. Here I do a review of a Bagman Snapshot Trekka, camera-cum-laptop backpack. also known to mimic Crumpler Whickey & Cox. Learn more about Bagman here.
Please do not flame me if you are a supporter of any particular brand, as I am just reviewing from a neutral consumer point of view. Thank you.
The Bagman Snapshot Trekka (abbreviated here as BST) at first sight looks similar but not identical to the Crumpler designs. Bitch-slap the logo design, and the Bagman is a damn cool bag to carry around. The back rest cushions of a camera backpack or any backpack is important as it will be on our backs, most of the time. The cushions must be comfortable and allow 'breathing', so that we do not get a heat rash on our backs at the end of the day, though a sweaty patch on our shirts are inevitable. The BST backing foam is tough yet comfortable and corrugated, hence I believe it allows the back to 'breathe'. The shoulder straps need to be flipped to the front, in order to open the backpack (from the rear). This is a safety feature like that of the Whickey and Cox, to avoid pickpockets.
Only on the left side of the BST (as viewed from front), there is a loop for any possible expansions. There are netting pouches on both sides for holding things such as bottles. I feel that my Manfrotto tripod is not possible but a small one is possible.
Like Crumpler, the huge zippers (which are good to hold) bear the icon.
Unlike the Whickey & Cox (abbreviated here as WC), which its detacheable laptop flap in the front of the backpack, the BST has a built-in laptop sleeve that can easily fit a 15" MacBook (mine is 12") with a securing strap and some padded pockets. The padding in here though is soft but IMHO sufficient.
The main feature of the BST is of course the camera holding area. There is a netting that separating the laptop compartment from the camera compartment. The netting can be opened with another huge zipper. The innards look exactly like the WC. I flex the dividers. As expected, they are softer that Crumpler's. Crumpler's dividers are tough does not compromise to the weight of lenses or even a DSLR. However, the Bagman's dividers are soft, and when I held the bag up, the dividers tend to flex, suggesting that they are not tough enough to support the weight of a DSLR with lens, suspended in the middle, supported by the dividers. I understand this because I have tried my D200 on a Kani's clone of the Crumpler 7MDH. It is a disappointment here. However, since the dividers can be detached, like Crumpler's, and velcro back to form different layouts, I believe one can come up with a layout, such that the wieght of the camera is resting on the bag and not the dividers. The capacity and default layout of the innards are similar to the the WC, which means that two DSLRs are possible.
I was surprised when I realised the camera compartment can be detached from the main BST. Might be useful if one just need a backpack and not the camera compartment for special situations. Alternatively, the camera compartment can possibly go into a cyclist backpack (which has better back ventilation).
The front top compartment allows small items such as memory cards and pens.
The bottom compartment also allows small items to be desposited. You can put your lens cleaning tissue here, just do not ever put your passport in the front compartments.
Unlike the 3-compartmented Tamrac Adventure 9 and Lowepro CompuTrekker, two well-received laptop-cum-camera backpacks, the BST does not require the user to lay the bag down to access the camera compartment. For me, I just bring the bag to the front, sling the left shoulder strap on your right shoulder, flip the right shoulder strap over to the front and unzip the bag. In a way, it can still be rather quick-accessible.
Trying the BST on, the size is just nice for my 176cm height. The backpack does not make me look like a turtle too much. I love pink anyway, though there is a whole range of colours to choose from. It is a discrete looking laptop-cum-camera bag, that will not attract undesireable attention to it. For the price of S$90 (estimated retail price), compared to the Whickey and Cox (>S$200). I am willing to pay for it and suffer the scorns of avid Crumpler supporters. After all, all I need is a good and valuable backpack, not the agreement from others!
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The Bagman (also known as Caseman in Europe, and Kani in other countries) is already being regarded as the clone of Crumpler. Some people even call it a 'rip-off' or 'imitation'! However, I do not wish to call it either names. The fact is that Bagman is originated in Australia, the same country who brought you Crumpler. Crumpler has also been a street fashion statement since my time in Australia and only recent years, I watched the trend migrate to Singapore, rather slow but not too late. *flipping through my old Crumpler catalgoue featuring nude models wearing only Crumpler* Trust me, though Crumpler being a street fashion icon, it is definitely not cheap as it is made to last and it sure does. It is no wonder that the alternative Australian designers decided to followed the Crumpler trend of patterning and playing colours, design their own series and bring them to China for a cheaper production cost. Subsequently, I believe that Bagman also marketed their designs to outer brands (like an OEM product), thus Kani is born (do not quote me on this). Though their design and innards layout mimic Crumpler closely, there are differences.
I have long wanted to change to a backpack since I sold my Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home. As a matter of fact, I became sold by the idea that Crumpler has the best protection. The cushions are tough and it holds its shape well. You can rest 300 minds assured, when you camera is inside such a luxurious bag. Here I do a review of a Bagman Snapshot Trekka, camera-cum-laptop backpack. also known to mimic Crumpler Whickey & Cox. Learn more about Bagman here.
Please do not flame me if you are a supporter of any particular brand, as I am just reviewing from a neutral consumer point of view. Thank you.
Bagman Snapshot Trekka
Reviewed by William Tan
©mybearbrick 2007
Like Crumpler, the huge zippers (which are good to hold) bear the icon.
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