From flickr: subaqua 2

subaqua 2
Originally uploaded by fo2me.

More creative stuff from fo2me: The pliers observing the pegs. They all clamp. :D

Previous pliers photo blogged here.

INSANE: Details of Manned Mission to Mars!

Super self-sufficient astronauts who could repair all the spacecraft's equipment and even manufacture the parts, able to grow edible plants, large 400 tonne spacecraft, recycled water and air, and huge budget from US$20 to US$450 billion are all part of the details highlighted on BBC News' website (via Slashdot). The launch target is February 2031 and the astronauts are expected to stay on Mars' surface for as long as 16 months before returning home. A one way trip would take about 6 to 7 months!

Kidnapped Victim Freed!

Elizabeth Wong's blog notified that kidnapped victim Dora Goh was freed earlier today.

Kidnapped

Dora Goh (picture) was kidnapped by three men in a silver (and an e-mail says it's gold) Camry with the last four digits of the plate 7641.

Anyone with information can contact the nearest police station.

Source: Elizabeth Wong's blog

From flickr: subaqua1

subaqua1
Originally uploaded by fo2me.

Invasion of the pliers! Be very afraid!

FEI Federal Territories KL Grand Prix - The Leap!

Here is a super rider doing a leap with his horse, taken with severe under-exposure and brightened using Levels in Gimp 2.4:

FEI Federal Territories KL Grand Prix Sequence

Update: Uh oh... looks like when I uploaded the sequence of images below, Blogger some how shrank it. You won't be able to see it much larger even if you click on it. Sorry!

Here is combination of 8 images in a sequence taken in burst mode, cropped to focus on the rider and the horse, resized, and brightened considerably since the original was underexposed to prevent motion blur. You will have to click on the image to view it larger. The sequence starts from right to left:The sequence shows the rider and the horse do a double leap... errr... if that is what you call it. Sorry, first time watching an equestrian event. Don't know the lingo nor the rules of the game. :P

FEI Federal Territories KL Grand Prix Champion

Was at the FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) 5-Star KL Grand Prix. Here is the final event (as stated above) where the winner Markus Fuchs (currently ranked 3rd in the world) was posing for a photo-cum-video session with our King with Wan Zaleha Radzi looking on. Wow, it appears that she was looking at my direction! :P

More photos later... IF I ever get to process them. I had to SEVERELY underexpose all the shots in order to capture the action because my camera only goes up to ISO400 (and even at ISO400 it is very noisy, so imagine when I bring up the brightness of the underexposed ones at this ISO!!!). Nonetheless, my Panasonic DMC-FZ30 I love!

INSANE: Malaysia Won China Open Women's Singles Title

I did not watch the match but I am feeling proud after coming across Star Online's "Mew Choo wins China Open", especially after reading this line:

She defeated world No. 1 Xie Xingfang of China, 21-16, 8-21, 21-17.

No public holiday tomorrow, though. :(

From flickr: Lagoon Palette

Lagoon Palette
Originally uploaded by Anna Pagnacco.

Check this out! Colourful reflections or pure artistic talent? A whole set dedicated to the wonderful colours of Venice and Burano Island by the Anna Pagnacco here.

Poison Products

Earlier from Star Online Nation, warnings from the Health Ministry:

KUALA LUMPUR: The public has been advised to avoid buying the Cool & Lightening soap because it contains poison.

“The product registration of this soap has been cancelled by the Drug Control Authority (DCA) following the detection of a scheduled poison, hydroquinone, in this product.

“Hydroquinone is not allowed to be formulated in cosmetics due to possible side effects to consumers if used without medical supervision,” the Health Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.

It said that anyone in possession of this product is advised to immediately cease selling/distributing/using it.

“Hydroquinone can cause redness to the skin, discomfort, changes in skin colour and hypersensitivity,” it said.

In a separate statement, the Health Ministry also advised the public to avoid buying traditional product N-Hanz as it has been found to contain homosildenafil.

“Usage without medical supervision can cause adverse effects such as low blood pressure and other cardiovascular effects,” it said.

Also listed in the statement are Chatlin Brand Hao Zhou San, which has been found to contain ephedrine, and San Qi Luohan Chuanbei Plus Capsule, found to contain pseudoephedrine and chlorpheniramine.

These can cause, among other things, high blood pressure, insomnia, confusion, nausea and dyspnoea.

“Sellers are reminded that possession for sale of this product is an offence under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.

“Any individual who commits an offence under these Regulations can be fined up to a maximum of RM25,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years, or both,” the statement said.

Consumers experiencing symptoms described earlier should seek medical advice, and may contact the Surveillance and Complaints Unit, Centre for Post Registration, National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau at 03-7957 3611 ext 365/338.

INSANE: Oil Prices Approaching US$100

Various articles from BBC (shared by andrewk), Bloomberg and CNNMoney.com highlighted the oil price was at a high of US$99.29!

Previous oil price tracking in this blog:

1. INSANE: Breaking the US$93 Barrier
   
2. INSANE: Crude Oil Prices Higher Than All Time
   
3. INSANE: Oil Prices Break US$90
4. INSANE: Oil Prices Set Another Record High
5. INSANE: Oil Prices At All Time High

Optimus Prime in Hit Game Assassin's Creed! :O

Can you see it in this video?

Source: Gamebrink.com via Digg

IonBuck's Photo Slideshow

I have been searching for a slideshow code for my photos uploaded in Flickr for a long time and at last, days ago, Google made it possible. Now you can see a tiny slideshow (errr... I did expect the photos to be larger, but this is better than nothing, I guess) of my photos on the top of the right column.

:P

Proton To Go Solo Again

Excerpts from Star Online Nation "No foreign partner for Proton":

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said there would be no foreign partner for Proton for the time being as the national car manufacturer was showing signs of a turnaround.
...

“We have to look at the issue of a partnership in the present circumstances (now that Proton is making a turnaround in terms of its business),” he said when commenting on Khazanah Holding’s announcement that it was stopping all talks with VW and GM over Proton.

He said the negotiations had not entered into the discussion of terms but was at a stage of “whether the Government wanted to go or not go” with the decision to get a partner for Proton.
...

However, Nor Mohamad said this did not mean the Government was rejecting the possibility of an alliance or partnership with a global car manufacturer.

“As Proton improves, it would be easier to go into a strong alliance. We have a little more time for that,” he added.