A Collection of Updates

Presenting to you, a mega bumper special update. A jumbo update!

Read on, if you will.

Chinese New Year 2008
This year was quiet. Is this a permanent trend? That is gets quieter and quieter? Instead of going to Kepong, as my family always does every Lunar Chinese New Year for as long as I can remember, this year we found ourselves in my second grandma’s house in Sungai Buloh. Had a good lunch over a huge spread of food. I didn’t want to relinquish my hot seat, to continue eating but there were other relatives waiting for their turn, so grabbing the last piece of roasted duck in between my teeth, I got up and cleared the dishes. The rest was the usual affair of visiting the homes of my relatives.

The biggest difference this year was that my Grandma of 70 from Singapore decided to break her ritualistic journey to KL for the Chinese New Year this year, choosing to stay in Singapore and spend the New Year with my aunt and her family instead. There was no mahjongg (She’s really fond of the game and doesn’t mind playing with us grasshoppers, I in turn don’t really mind losing money to her) and no dramatic comments from TVB serials can be heard from the  TV (Actually, my Mom has adequately fulfilled this replacing Cantonese for Korean – she watching her Korean dramas.)
I found out from my Mom that my Grandma will be visiting us this year after all. She’ll be coming with my aunt this March.

An element of Chinese New Year is always the eats. Eat, eat and eat more till you learn to say: Stop!

A New Lens For My Camera
I chanced upon an ad for a zoom lens on an online classifieds for all things photography called FTZ Malaysia. It was an ad for a used Tamron AF55-200mm F/4-5.6 Di II LD Macro zoom lens. The seller was asking a decent price for it. Immediately, my hand reached for my mobile phone. Several sms later, we agreed on a meeting time and place. The lens was in immaculate condition still, what a buy!

I tested the lens in the garden and am quite impressed with the optical quality the lens possesses. Overall, I am pretty happy with it. Though it lacks a fast AF motor or a image stabilizer component, one can’t really complain considering the price tag attached to it. I doubt if I’ll be using this lens much save for special occasions that need it. However, it is a nice addition to my lens collection. Revisiting the comment on the lack of an image stabilizer component, at long focal ranges of 100-200mm, camera shake is very evident even under brightly lit conditions. A tripod is definitely a must in this case.

I am looking for a decent macro lens or a wide angle lens next. When money permits of course.

A Quiet Valentine’s
This year, my Valentine’s was spent alone. After work, I went to the pub with some friends to have a drink or two before heading home. On the way home, I didn’t feel like eating as the beer had already occupied room in my stomach. I decided later that I should eat and decided on the humble Ramli burger – comfort food! The stall near my home makes it really well with just the right amount of sauces.

After my solitary dinner, I proceeded to play with my newly acquired lens. Thank goodness for the distraction!

Before I retired for the day, I guess the day didn’t turn out that bad as I thought it would be. This just proves a fact, that Valentine’s day is yet another date on the calendar that has been blown out of proportion.

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day to you

Settlers of Catan
My new Euro boardgame. Now I am a proud owner of three good boardgames. I love Catan! The rules are simple and it is quite addictive. Days after I got the game, I’ve been begging/harassing/threatening my sister to play a session of Catan with me but she’s too busy with her school work. Fine.

Catan is a game of trade and expansion. She or he who reaches 10 Victory Points first wins! I won’t explain more about it, you can read more about Settlers of Catan at Boardgamegeek.com.

One thing I’ve realised is that it can be difficult to introduce Euro boardgames to the casual gamer. Mention boardgame and games like Monopoly, Risk, Cluedo, Battleship (Silly, silly game) would pop in ther minds. The best way? To ignore their skeptcism and “force” them, OK persuade them to just give it a go.

This was very true when I brought Settlers of Catan over during an open house a few days ago. I was met with such skeptical comments! I convinced them to try it anyway and guess what? 30 minutes later, they were totally engrossed. We all had a very fun (and at times competitive) session, and when asked what they thought about it, their answer was: “Are we seeing you again tomorrow?”

Case in point!

In my experience, Euro games provide a more superior gaming and intellectual experience compared to mass marketed mainstream games like Monopoly or what not. Don’t get me wrong though, the latter type games are entertaining in their own way. But for this Blogger his heart is already set on Euro (or boutique games as they’re sometimes referred to) boardgames and is hoping to buy more good ones!

I own:
1. Puerto Rico
2. Railroad Tycoon
3. Settlers of Catan