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Tempted

25 Jul

King.com has a new game, Farm Heroes Super Saga and I am tempted. The last time they had a new game, Candy Crush Jelly, I tried it but later found it too time consuming, so I deleted the app.

As of now, I play five games only: Candy Crush Saga, Candy Crush Soda, Farm Heroes, Monster Busters and Monster Buster Hexa Blast and these are quite a handful already. Occasionally I still do Piano Tiles and Solitaire. With another Farm Heroes, it may be too much even though it is only one addition. Such difference a game can make.

I am tempted yet holding back.

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So Annoying

22 Jul

Lately the iPad Mini has been acting up. It would quit unexpectedly especially in the midst of a Candy Crush Saga or Soda game, wasting a precious life. Aarghh… Why? So annoying.

I’ve had my iPad since November 2012, buying from a friend when we were in the US then and it has been working fine until the big OS update not too long ago. I noticed my device became unstable after that. I moved to OS9 from OS7, bypassing OS8. 

It crashed upon updating to OS9 and since then have failed me a few times. Currently it’s at OS9.3.2 and I feel it’s not any good. Could it be my iPad’s a first gen model and the latest OS only works better with newer models? 

I always suspect there is a conspiracy of sorts by the company to unleash updates that are not compatible with older models of their products, thus frustrating people like me to consider buying the newer models.

Sigh… I refuse to give in. For now.

And because of the crash (I lost everything on the iPad), I refuse to update my iPhone5S that is still on OS7.1.2 and it’s perfectly fine. 

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What Next?

19 Jul

I have another foot long balsa wood and am contemplating carving something else other than owls. Not that I don’t like owls, I think having choices would be challenging. 

It has to be something round without limbs sticking out and easy to recognize. Hmm. Life choices…

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It’s a Zoo!

18 Jul

So I carved. And carved and carved over the weekend and created a mini zoo of sorts with my effort. In the process, I made a mess in the house with the wood flakes and dust flying everywhere. Can’t help it with the fan on at full blast as it was hot and humid.

The comments given were hilarious. I had a mention of a penguin, a frog and a Yoda for my owl carving attempts. I finally had some good results after the earlier efforts. It was literally five owls/hours later that I got it right.

I must say I had fun doing all these. In total I carved 11 pieces, four on the totem pole. Amazing where the burst of energy (and creativity) came from! Next step would be to stain them to look more complete. 

 

My little zoo

  

The first two: The Yoda and the penguin wannabes

  

Saturday’s troop looking more like owls

  

The last two. Gave ‘Elvis’ a tad of front hair. Heheh…

 

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My New Tools!

15 Jul

I couldn’t wait for the weekend and left the office early yesterday to go back to the art store and bought the carving set, along with more balsa wood.

Debating between the cheap Made in China set and the expensive Sakura brand, I opted for the Japanese set which cost five times more but I think it’s a good investment. Last night, the carving has begun!

I think when the weekend is over, I should have a brood of owls and other animals done up. So exciting!

  

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A Sketch and a Plan, Part 3

14 Jul

Art has always been my passion. Carving the balsa wood reminds me of the time when I tried carving wax dinosaur years ago. It was basically a do-it-yourself technique.

Back then it was hard to find the perfect block of wax. And to buy a big (and expensive) candle to carve, I think Mom and Dad would have balked at the idea. So I improvised. I made a mold using cardboard and then melted regular house candles into it to have that perfect block. It was more important to have the correct size rather than the right color. Burnt wax ended up looking black. Oh well.

Then the mess began. It was exhilarating. I must say wax carving is so much easier because the substance is soft and easy to manipulate or shape. If a mistake is made, I could just melt some wax to patch the mistake and redo the area without problems, unlike wood when once carved away, you cannot undo.

I carved several Smurf characters because I had those little blue figurine collectibles and they were an easy reference to start off. It worked out well and I still have the wax figurines after all these years. Although the trio collectively has a missing ear, half a foot gone and two limbs broken off, they still look good. I should fix them though.

Now balsa wood is different for obvious reasons. Harder than wax yet soft to carve, you cannot use too much strength else you’d end up cutting out parts unintentionally. I carved a pig several years back and after that one time, I did not pursue further. I don’t know why. I think I went on to painting.

But now, here I am, carving again. What more, did a totem pole of owls and contemplating more little single figurines to work on. This is much more satisfying than painting owls on the whiskey bottles that I did a while back. That was just time consuming whereas this, thinking in 3-D and seeing what the mind sees in all angles come true to life is much more satisfying. And therapeutic.

So the sketch and the plan will continue.

   
    
 

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A Sketch and a Plan, Part 2

12 Jul

It wasn’t difficult. I guess I am comfortable using the mini penknife to work on my totem pole of owls. I actually brought back my X-acto knife from the office just in case I needed an alternative tool. The nasal congestion is still there but in the quiet of things, I worked on the pole for almost three hours. It was rather therapeutic.

I can’t decide which owl looks cuter, the top, the middle two or the last one. Somehow upon close scrutiny, the bottom fella looks like a penguin! So does the top one!!! Hahahaha… 

The finishing is not as fine as I had hope for but then again, with a penknife instead of carving tools, I should not expect much. But for a first attempt, I must say it’s a good effort. Definitely different from the original sketch but the gist of the plan is there.

I have decided I will go buy more balsa wood over the weekend and perhaps a set of carving tools too since I cannot find my old set. And will continue this streak of carving while the mood lasts. But I won’t get another long strip but little blocks and carve single owls. It should be fun.

   
 

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A Sketch and a Plan

11 Jul

Who would have thought that having nasal congestion is bad? I thought it would cloud my senses but contrary to it, it brings out my inner creativity.

We were out at the mall yesterday and stumbled upon a new art supplies store. Like a kid let loose in a candy parlor, we explored the aisles to our hearts’ content, oohing and ahh-ing constantly. It was as if we have been deprived for so long. 

I found some balsa wood and picked up a long piece; I decided to do a carving whilst M2 debated over a square and rectangle canvas. In the end, she chose the square one. On my prodding, she decided to try her hands at painting. So exciting!

We came home and after a good rest and dinner, I began my new project. For three solid hours, I did not touch my iPad and sat at the dining table to work out a sketch. Then I  whipped out my trusty Swiss Army penknife because I couldn’t find my carving tools and did this… a totem pole of owls.

Stay tuned for its progress and finished product!

   
 

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Several Shades Darker

1 Jul

Like I have said it was going to be a long day for Day 5 of the trip and it was. I got home pass midnight yesterday and settled into bed only after two. Yawn…

After the last round which was so tiring, I have become several shades darker. 

The sun was out in full force and despite my slapping on sunblock, it wasn’t enough. But then again, I have this bad habit of not reapplying a second time protection. It’s not so obvious on the face because I tanned out evenly but the hands. Oh dear.

For the last three games, I stopped wearing even my left glove, playing with both hands gloveless and it’s evident in the shades. Just look at my left hand! I wear a wraparound wrist brace (to prevent the old injury from recurring) and you can see the two tones. I couldn’t help it and took my Pantone chart out to find a match to the two shades. You can see the original skin tone, looking almost like a Pantone 7514U whereas the exposed part of my hand, a Pantone 7585U, several shades darker.

The right hand is also a Pantone 7585U because it was gloveless. And it stops at this shade when the sleeve starts, just slightly above the wrist. I sure look funny with such uneven tan lines here and there especially on the hands.

Well, the golf break had been good but good things always must come to an end. I am back in the office today.

   
 

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Day 2: After Golf

27 Jun

After our game and quick bite at the clubhouse of Jeongsan Golf Club, we went back to the city and it rained all the way. So much so, the intended stops at two landmarks, the Post Office and the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon could only be a fleeting moment. It was impossible to have a proper look with the rain throwing a damper at the plans. Oh well…

I find motorists in Ho Chi Minh City such impatient creatures. They honk all the time! In fact, our bus driver was also one agitated dude. He certainly made full use of his honk and even rolled down his window to argue with the motorbikes when we were caught smack in the middle of a gridlock. Gosh, such attitude. We were headed for a massage when this incident happened. 

Nonetheless, it didn’t spoil the mood of all looking forward to the massage ahead. When you see the name of the massage place, try to pronounce it without any funny ideas. Chortle…

The massage center was very disorganized despite being informed ahead of our group of 16. It took much talking and negotiations before matters were settled and soon everyone was ushered along for their treatment. 

I noticed the language barrier always poses the biggest challenge when things don’t fall into place smoothly. There will be blank looks, frustrated feelings and sometimes even bordering on annoyance for all involved. I am sure we are not the only ones experiencing these sentiments. 

I must say my masseur was good. She worked out my kinks well. How did I play today? Well… My short game and putting was the big letdown. Hopefully the next three games I would fare better. Anyway, after the session, it was time to head back to the hotel.

A short rest and soon we went to look for food. Street Food Market was just around the corner and we ate to our heart’s content. By eight, my roomie and I decided to call it a night and headed back to the hotel.

Tomorrow another 5.00am routine. Better sleep well tonight. At least the bedside lamp can switch off now.

 

Gotta have Pho!

 
 

Land of motorbikes

 
 

The Massage place

 
  

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