moving out message

Will be trying out something new during my Poo-Cat trip and no, it's not their women or wo-man.

I'll be Live Blogging throughout my Thailand trip at joshuachay.com starting Monday!

Honestly, it's only about 60% ready, but I decided to just go ahead and push it out the door.

Blogspot ----> Hosted
I won't be transferring over my blogspot posts. 2 reasons: I want to start with a clean slate and I want to keep blogspot around, kinda like an online archive of 2007/2008.

For my new blog, I promise you never before seen and unreleased posts, pictures and stories! And of course some new ideas that I have been putting off until joshuachay.com was ready.

Appreciation
14,000 hits later, I would like to thank everyone who bothered. I don't think it would've even been half as fun if I didn't have you guys around. See you at joshuachay.com soon!

poo-cat

I'll be at Phuket for 5 days next week for holidays. Leaving on early Monday morning. And yes, in the middle of my short semester. What that means is that I'll be working on assignments internationally, on some beach in Phuket, with girls in bikinis walking by and white guys (which a friend loves) effortlessly making me feel like a dwarf.

I am looking forward to a couple of things over there:
1. Unlimited food, massages and other holiday-ish things at Club Med
2. REAL Thai ladyboys
3. Beautiful beaches and islands (which I think I would be visiting a few)
4. REAL Thai food, not like the pirated versions we have here in KL
5. Buying those cheap, nicely designed Thai printed T-Shirts that are so overpriced here (Curve comes to mind)

Anything else I should look out for at Phuket (food, places, beaches, activities)?

making friends in college

Girl L : Hey, you're from PJ right?
Me : Huh? Why you say that?
Girl L : 'cause you look spoilt
Me : ...


Girl R : You look like Peter Pan la...
Me : *Phew* (how the hell I went from Harry Potter to Peter Pan I will never know)


Girl R : Hey what is Joshuachay.com about ahh?? What is that? Porn site ah?
Girl G : Ha?! He blogs ah? (laughs)
Me : ...


Girl C : You look terrible in that hair style.
Me : I'm just trying to go for a more natural look that's all
Girl C : Yeah, but it's still terrible.


It's tough I know, but Sherve's Galdiator boots are tougher. And it's only been 3 weeks?

dinner with teresa kok

I had the privilege to attend Assemblies of God's "EduCare & WidowCare" Charity Event tonight thanks to my church. I applaud the effort made by AG to want to raise funds to provide for the children of full time workers and widows of pastors. The goal is to raise 1 million by year end. I wish them the best and will be supporting. The event had a nice "dum dum dum" twist to it.

There was a very special guest at the dinner - YB Teresa Kok!



Apparetly she had already been booked for this event months ago, so her release from ISA was quite 'perfect'. She spoke on her arrest, shedding light on the reasons (or rather the lack of reason) why, her experiences during the 8 days and her future plans post-ISA.

A couple of points from her speech:

She reiterated that her arrest was made on false allegations (I don't think I need to explain here, it's reported everywhere)

When the police got to her, they didn't even allow her to inform her family, saying "Mereka akan tahu bila buka suratkhabar esok" (they'll know when they read the papers tomorrow)

She was in solitary confinement.

She was peaceful and able to sleep "better than at home" during the whole duration, crediting God and the people who kept her in prayer.

She believes that her detention served a bigger, higher purpose and thanks God for it - to bring worldwide attention to the gross misuse of power and violation of human rights this government is so well known for.

After her experience, she is convicted to pursue the abolishment of the ISA and the release of the 60+ detainees.

She called for an end to racial and religious extremism.

She personally wants to take this opportunity to show to the Malays that she is and has always been a friend and not an enemy, encouraging us to do the same.



Personally, I'm inspired looking at this woman speak about her experiences and beliefs in such a manner. This Christian politican speaking about her experience in such a positive way is just so encouraging.

I can feel the injustice done to her. It was clearly and obnoxiously wrong. It's times like this that make you want to do something, anything, to right the wrong, to fight for your country's future.

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Alright people, this ends my very political week of posts. I had an epiphany and it was politics. So please excuse me. Thanks for drudging through =)

real story of may thirteen

Please, do this for yourself if not for the country.

Read what REALLY happened on the infamous May 13 and see for yourself what kind of government is in power today. Even if you're not into politics, you need to equip yourself with the knowledge. We need to stop the spread of misinformation and ignorance. See that it's not any race that you should be hating, but it's a party. They are keeping us from being a true multiracial nation.

The REAL Story of May 13 (Part 1)
The REAL Story of May 13 (Part 2)

p.s. Today, Theresa Kok is finally released from ISA after a meaningless detention. Read her statement here.

adidas women fall/winter collection pt2

Continuing from my previous post on the Adidas event, I would like to show you some women...

Ninie, celebrity yoga instructor. Why celebrity? Because she's really celebrity like la. What else. Met her a couple times, but I don't think she remembers me, haha...

She mentioned that she was nervous before the event in her blog, but I think she handled the large crowd just fine. Even I felt like doing yoga looking at them. "Hold the imaginary ball... move your hands slowly up and down..."

Cynthia, the girl I never really met. But did later on Facebook. Found out that we have a lot of mutual friends. Long Bean Thong was one of them.

Lavin dancing, and that's Jien (with his face all covered up by Deborah). He has an accent now.

Sazzy Fallak

Daphne Iking. Grrr

And finally... I think the REAL women at the event should have their 15 mins of fame too! There were women in their 20's all the way to their 40's working out together that night. Confirm they're more healthier than most of us men out there. Argh.

Ok, that's it for the Adidas event. I think there'll be a mens collection event coming up.

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Just a quick update on my side. I'm currently writing 2 short films and planning to shoot another music video soon (in the next few weeks). On top of that I'm also freelancing with ChristienLavin, so can't divulge any projects here, sorry. And yeah, I still have my degree to finish.

banana leaf with photographic beetle boy

Went out for drinks with Matt the other day. Of course he had to bring his new wife out, and by wife I mean his black, big, shiny, Nikon D300. His dream camera that he slugged to save for. Finally he got it after 2 years. It's not easy bein' a photographer baby.

By the way, if you're in my area (or can travel to my area), this is the mamak that I'll choose. It's not 100% great. But comparing to the flying roaches of  Spicy Kitchen to the dirty-utensils-but-amazing-teh-o-ais-limau Barkath or even the suicidal waiters of Old Kanna, I think this place is the best.

Playing with the Nikon D300, it felt very nice in the hands compare to my 400D. Bigger = Better grip. But the most noticeable thing about it has got to be the live view screen. With this feature in almost all DSLRs in that range, blindshots will be a thing of a past! Something which I do quite often especially during events. The only thing that keeps me away from Nikons are the controls. Canons somehow just feel more natural to me. But that's strictly subjective.

adidas women fall/winter collection

It was quite the star studded event that I wasn't really prepared for (Christien called me last minute). And it was quite a big deal among the female blogging community. But Adidas really pulled one hell of an event out of that 3 striped hat.

Speaking about bloggers, that girl Cynthia was there, which happens to be friends with a lot of people I know and is VERY happening (I wanted to say hi, but had to leave early, so if you're reading this...) and Janet, a talented, bilingual, opera jazz singer which had a very interesting back and forth with Christien when they met

Sadly, I was having a really frustrating time taking pictures, which is what I was there for. I tried and tried, but just couldn't get the right settings for my paltry rig (400D + 580EXII + kit and 50mm). So most of my shots came out like total noobishness. On to the craptures!


Event was at Gardens Hotel Ballroom, grand looking place. Missed the buffett line. Christien and I had Kim Gary instead


The invited bloggers got to do yoga with the celebs. During the yoga, the organizers actually had to tell the photographers from the Malay media to move to another section of the room because they kept gatal wanting to shoot the celebs clevage. You know they need to meet a quota of censorable boob valleys every week right?


Celebs at the event. Daphne Iking just keep getting more and more in shape (read: beautiful) everytime I see her (since her pregnancy last year). There's women, and then there's Daphne Iking.


Smashpop found me. He was having dinner at MidValley. Recently, we keep bumping into each other around KL because we Tweet. Just follow my tweets and we too will be doing the same in no time.


Deborah Priya Henry, Miss Malaysia 2007. The only good shot during the catwalk. Sigh.

flag hill bitch [update]

Ok, apparently I'm not done venting yet.

How is "just re-stating the historical background (of the Chinese)" NOT RACIST? Maybe he should go to the US and state the "historical background" of the Blacks there and see if he doesn't get his shite beaten up.

"Whaatt?? Isn't that what you were called back then? N*****S? Historical wat!"

Just because it's the past doesn't mean it's fine for anyone to bring it into any context they want. It was generations ago, and anyway, aren't we suppose to be working towards being Bangsa Malaysia? Oh, I forgot, the whole idea was just a bunch of lies mean to shut the rest of us up.

And has anyone realized that he's not ISA-ed yet? They have been dishing those out like Giant flyers recently, why not him? Why preferential treatment? All of a sudden, outright racial statements that would (and has) cause national tension not in the ISA list anymore? How convenient. Like paying for everyone to go study study.

I have as many Malay, Indian and Lain-Lain friends as much as the next Malaysian, and it royally pisses me off that we still need to deal with ignorant people. The same people that are suppose to be fighting FOR the country, not WITHIN it! Fighting AGAINST racism, not advocating it.

Lim Kit Siang sums it up nicely over here.

We don't need his apology now, it's too late. We just need his ass put back to where it belongs - up a flag.

[update] Ahmad gets 3 year ban from party

the poof

Can someone tell me why is Avril Lavigne coming to Malaysia to have a concert "not appropriate for our Merdeka celebrations and the spirit of Merdeka" but Ahmad insulting the Chinese and then saying that "he was merely stating history" ok?

Shouldn't Merdeka be about everyone just forgetting the color of our skin and just accepting and loving one another? I mean COME ON! It's people like this that keep the flames of racism alight.

And for anyone who would be even influenced by this shite is equally dumb. If you're Chinese and you hate Malays now (or vice versa) because of one man's words, then please stop. If you must, hate the man not the race.

Yes, I know the party has apologized, but come on, not firing means you're condoning.

Seeing that his actions were perfectly fine, he held a press conference to throw a bucket of salt to our wounds. With poster tearing and racially insensitive chants, you got to give this guy some credit for being - as one newspaper puts it - "bordering on insolence".

WOOHOO! The "I" word. A little bit more and it would've been spot on.

How dare this one guy destroy all that Barisan Nasional is trying to stand for? The multi-racialness, the bangsa Malaysia, the peace, the harmony, the Vision 2020? Am I right BN? Am I?

I never brag about having any political inteligience, but you have to be pretty ignorant to not feel anything.

summer showers

I had a wonderful experience recently. Washing the car in the rain.

You know those light drizzles? Holding your umbrella in one hand and the scrub in the other? That's my alien looking scrubber I bought for my car by the way. And if you're wondering, yes, it does make me feel cool while cleaning the Uncleanable.

(I really wanted to name it something attractive like Denzel or Mr T or Chubby Mc Chubby... but looks like it really is the Uncleanable)

I don't really remember what's my point. But I'm happy to report that I am now officially obsessed with cleaning even the slightest bit of dirt from it. It's almost like I'm reading from the car bible - love thy car as thyself. Which if you haven't heard, I just made it up.

duffeh

Some of you may remember that I absolutely hated Duffy when she first came out. Well you're wrong. I didn't hate her. That's too harsh a word.

Well, to be fair to me, I only disliked that she got popular after Amy Winehouse. I don't know am I right historically or factually, but it sure looked like it from here. But I have been listening to her. And except for Mercy, I love the rest of the album.

Her music makes me feel like I'm rocking on an old, white rocking chair on the porch of my southern summer home, sipping wine and enjoying the breeze from the old metal fan. The sun is setting, making everything orange on its way down. Ahhh... that's some good wine...

Ok, my music reviews might not be the best or most informative, but I'm trying here!

My favorite track has got to be "Serious" and "Hanging On Too Long", but I know my dear friend over here loves "Stepping Stone" to death. But really, the whole album is good and worth the cash. If you're like me, you would just end up skipping only one song, Mercy. Still, it's better than me skipping the entire E=MC2 to just play "Touch My Body". Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about.

If you love old school, soul jazz-ish stuff and you're down in the dumps, Duffy - or more presicely, Duffeh - is for you.

intership is over, back to college

You're back again! Thanks for caring so much about my life.

My internship stint with Christienlavin is officially over and I'm going back to college this semester. I know I have been exceptionally quiet the past 4 months about my life there. So, to rectify that, I will be posting the highlights in the next few posts.

Working so closely with them has definitely changed my perspective on a lot of things. Especially the industry. I got to experience first hand a lot of stuff that you wouldn't usually get to see or hear from the outside. But first, some faces that I would like to show you.


Christien New!


Attended New Man's launch party for something. Here you see Lavin, Nadia and of course at the far right - Joey G. No, he wasn't suppose to be in the picture.


Lavin, Me and Wayne from Her Many Faces press conference.


Got to meet Azura! Was at the finals of The Firm 2 with Lavin. The Firm 2 is Malaysia's answer to The Apperentice for those of you wondering. So I guess you'll be able to see my face in the last 2 episodes (I hope)

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While being their "media guy", which really means "one-leg-kicking guy", I followed them almost everywhere to photograph their ins and outs. Photos that I think I'm allowed to show in the next post.



joshuachay.com is coming soon - any suggestions? email to joshuachay [at] gmail.com

influence 2008: after the show

About 2 months ago, a Youth Alive annual event returned bigger and better. Influence 2008 was a success and I had the chance to be one of the photographers on the first night. There was a good crowd there, even if it was one week after Hillsong United's concert (remember that?)

After the show, I took lots of pictures with the "celebrities" of the Christian youth scene (lol). I came across them recently in my iPhoto while looking for something else. Brought back memories and what's the best way to reminisce then to make it into a post?


Boys of Canaan - our Pastor Daniel in the middle


Botswana represent! The girls are studying in KDU. A place I am very familiar with...


Celebrity musicians Steve, Marcus and Prakash making sure their presence was felt


Marcus, Joyce, Slump and Kimberly - miss her very much since she has left us all...


Jon gar~rang~


Amanda, Liang and Prakash dropping it like its hot

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That's it. See more of the event here

I have tons of pictures that I haven't shown you guys. Will be doing most of that in the new site. For those who don't know, I finally caved in and bought a domain and hosting a week ago. More info on that soon. Stay classy Kuala Lumpur

fake panties, fake bread, fake flower - a weekend of fakenessity

I had a weekend like no other.

Apart from photographing (and surviving) my church's effort at organizing an Amazing Race type event on Sunday and a 12 hour wedding photoshoot with Christienlavin on Thursday, there were a couple of very interesting-things that I saw over the weekend. Somewhere in here is the answer to the guessing game.

So, my top 5 interesthing-things!


5. The cutest set of Doraemon figures I have ever seen. Nobita is the cutest. I do have a soft spot for him.


4. Tora datang lagi! Nampak macam seluar dalam tapi tunggu! Ia jugak sebiji uncang! Bukak di atas! Sekarang, dengan lebih bola coklat! Tunggu apa lagi?!


3. The Nokia E71 - seen here modeled by Christien - is a pretty looking phone but with a beefy set of features to boot. When is Smashpop going to review it? I don't know. But I would recommend it to anyone wanting a proper business phone that looks and feels classy.


2. Bread shaped wrist-rests?? Genius! Trust me, it looks, feels and smells just like the real thing. Typcial, I ended up buying one. Check it out at an Action City near you.


1. It's kinda like a flower. But it's also kinda like a drink. The thing is actually a type of green tea where the "tea leaves" are actually tied up in such a way that when it is put into hot water, it'll spread out into a beautiful flower as shown in the picture. Damn cool! About RM22 for 3. Once you've seen it for yourself, normal tea would not cut it anymore. Check it out at Hojo, Gardens.
June wins!

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So there you go, the top 5 interesting-things from my weekend. What's yours?