What happens when you discard oldies

I was faced with a very interesting situation with this club - Photographic Society of Petaling Jaya (PSPJ).

I have engaged a model from Europe to pose 'artistically' for photo enthusiast. The organiser and I decided to open up a second session to cater for more enthusiasts and a member of this club where I was once the president (2007) asked that I post in their forum.

Within a couple of days of posting, it mysteriously disappeared. I did not bother to enquire as I am of the opinion that the committee members did not like their members to progress if they are not the people organising such outing.

Today, a member noticed that it is missing, and made some enquiries. Guess what. The reason for removing my posting is that I have not paid my dues, and that forum is for the public. How childish. Does not matter to me, anyway.

My committee would not have acted this way. In fact, most of us (except for some very unreliable, undependable members who is in the current committee - who would then be dozing, anyway) would have welcomed such a posting. In fact, I would look forward to being part of the organising team.

I did not stand for re-election due to the opening of my gallery. Otherwise, I believe my committee would continue to pursue alliances with equipment manufacturers (sponsor $$), giving token prizes for the monthly contest (maybe continue with RM50 each), organise talks by prominent members of the community, etc. Alas, this is not happening.

I guess this is very Malaysian? New team wants credit. Erase the past. Continue with the minimal. PSPJ back to the good old social club.

What is most surprising is that they have not removed this message that was written by me.

"About PSPJ



PSPJ’s core objectives, since its formation in September 7, 1987 are to promote, improve and set the standards of photography among our members. We have, this year, highlighted another very important element, enjoy photography.



The Society was founded by several photography enthusiasts. They are Jennifer Wong, Anis A. Ahmad, Tengku Yunus, Jegathiswari, Wong Loke Lee, Eric Peris and C. C. Liang, and the first president was Arthur Teng.



Over the years, the Society has seen many faces, including some renowned photographers. It went through many changes and has been a source of guidance to many photographers of various backgrounds and interests in the local photography fraternity. Today, it is still one of the most recognized home to photographers in the Klang Valley.



The committee of 2007 has embarked on several changes to the operation of the Society. We have, through Alex Moh, secured financial support from Nikon Malaysia. We tweaked some of its activities, programs and have planned long term continuous projects to meet PSPJ’s core objectives.



We have revived the program of Guest Speakers of different disciplines and interests to speak to our members at our monthly meetings. We have also started working on workshops and mentoring programs for beginners, which in the past has been neglected.



The Society has invited, and now has on board many Advisors and Coordinators who assist in providing directions to the members and committee members.


It is of paramount importance that members continue to participate and be active in contributing towards these objectives of the Society.



Enjoy photography!"

Comparing current Malaysia with the late Sung Dynasty

Heard this on the radio this afternoon where the topic of discussion is the effectiveness of MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission)

A caller to the station said that we need 108 heroes as depicted in the Chinese novel 'Water Margin'. Interesting. For those of you who have not read the story, the gist of the story is that the officials in the Sung Dynasty were so corrupt that all the good officials were either banished or executed. Half of the country is run by bandits. In fact, one of the bandit hideout became the hideout of these heroes who had run-in with corrupt officials.

Anyway, the dynasty did not last too long.

We do need some heroes now, more than ever as billions of ringgit of poor tax payers had disappeared without anyone being accounted for. First PKFZ and now the double-track rail system. What next, I wonder.

Life as an expat

I was reading an article on The Road to an Expat Life, when it stirred up memories, both good and bad, of my stay in China. Long, long story that will bore the most patient listener. Maybe I will write about my three year stint in China, one fine day.

I think anyone who is going to be an expat cannot ignore this advice in the article, "... Think it through...and do your homework. Be real with yourself about EVERYTHING...Can you do without all the conveniences? The more you make these decisions and address your REAL feelings, the better decisions you will make ..."

Help! Is it in operation?

Is it me, my understanding of English language, or have I missed out on a whole new world of Manglish?

Is 'Work in Progress' out of fashion?

Art Collectors at the "Contemporary Cuban Art in Malaysia" Opening

I had attended quite a few exhibition openings and each and every time I attend, I ask myself - who are the other people at the opening? I was at the above opening last week. Gosh, time really flies. A week had gone by already?!

Anyway, I was in this opening at the invitation of the Cuban Embassy, interestingly, not our national art gallery. Maybe I still do not cause any blips on their radar screen.

Back to my subject. Who are the attendees? I spoke with a few of those, when I was not taking photographs. Yes, will someday upload those taken. They are:

- art lovers (will never buy)
- art collectors (big word, collectors)
- gallery owners (like me)
- artists (very few)
- embassy personnel (in this particular exhibition, not normally in others)
- free fooders (those who want a bite or two, free)
- media (collect some gifts?!)
- fresh collectors - this is one type that I will give my opinion on.

In fact, I saw one of these fresh collectors. He has not collected any, and asked for my input a couple of months ago. Recommended some really good paintings for him. Those that will look very nice at his practise, and will likely appreciate in value over time. This particular artist I represent has works auctioned by Christie's, which normally mean that he is rather good.

Anyway, invitation after invitation, he did not turn up.

At the exhibition, he was all over the place, and actually appeared to want to buy one at RM42,000. Yeah, a whopping RM42,000 from an artist who is not known. No doubt the painting is good, but to pay that price, I don't know.

Dealing with rude customers........ courtesy of Eddie Lim

The following came through the email:

For all Who Work With Rude Customers, shame WE can't actually do this! An award should go to the Virgin Airlines desk attendant in Sydney some months ago for being smart and funny, while making her point, when confronted with a passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo.

A crowded Virgin flight was cancelled after Virgin's 767s had been withdrawn from service. A single attendant was rebooking a long line of inconvenienced travellers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said, "I HAVE to be on this flight and it HAS to be FIRST CLASS." The attendant replied, "I'm sorry, sir. I'll be happy to try to help you, but I've got to help these people first, and I'm sure we'll be able to work something out." The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM?"

Without hesitating, the attendant smiled and grabbed her public address microphone: "May I have your attention please, may I have your attention please," she began - her voice heard clearly throughout the terminal. "We have a passenger here at Desk 14 WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to Desk 14." With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically, the man glared at the Virgin attendant, gritted his teeth and said, "F... You!" Without flinching, she smiled and said, (I love this) "I'm sorry, sir, but you'll have to get in line for that too."

Shut out of the apartment?

Was visiting a friend at Sentral KL when I saw these protruding legs. Upon closer examination, the person was comfortably seated in a sofa placed right outside his front door - SMOKING a cigarette. Guess there is a no-smoking zone behind his door.