So before Jen and Mike set off for their awesome vacation (one of the legs included dinner with Hisham’s family), we had a warm up makan session at the newly discovered Penang restaurant in Edison, NJ. We ordered so much food that they had to move us from a table suited to seat 3-4 people, to a table for 8. Jen got to try a bunch of Malaysian dishes including assam laksa, pasembur, mee kari, kangkung belacan, roti canai, and all kinds more. The person who took our order was trying to warn me that perhaps some of my choices were not something that would be enjoyed by Jen and Vin but oh, he didn’t know them as well as I did. 🙂 We all had an excellent meal. Sila makan, everyone. Here is a picture from our first makan-makan at Penang: [[image:jen01.jpg:After we were stuffed to the gills:center:0]] Tonight, […]
Continue readingTag Archives: Friends
Yet Another Gathering of Old Schoolmates
And old school, we were. The school being ACS Sitiawan. The location being the pool level of Mei Lin’s apartment building. Thanks for hosting the little gathering, Mei. ‘Twas fun times.
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Paper Mini Fringers of Asok Yeesrim
Back in October 2009, I wrote about Asok the SWAGger who turned me into a Rodian Carbineer. I thought Asok’s artwork was clean and concise enough to be turned into paper minis. So I went down to his deviantArt gallery where many fantastic pieces reside to pick 12 artwork to be turned into paper minis. Most of the ones I collected could be considered fringers. There was a spacer, a pirate, some smugglers, pilots and gearheads. I gathered them up and put them into a printable paper mini PDF set. I sent a copy to Asok, and a few hours later – from the other side of the planet – this photo appeared: Download the pdf for free here: Download Asok’s fringers from Google Drive here!
Continue readingSatay Kajang with Jen and Mike
After 10 years of being friends with Sila – and working with her even now – Jen Laaback visits Malaysia for the first time after vacationing for almost two weeks on a boat up in Thailand. Upon arriving at Kuala Lumpur, Jen, Mike and the rest of the company were accosted by Hisham and family who shanghaied them into having dinner at Samuri’s Satay Kajang which was located in Kajang, away from the throngs of other vacationeers and tourists, foreign and domestic. [[image:satay-with-jen-mike01.jpg:The gang at Samuri’s satay place:center:0]] Three points: They loved the load of tripe that was served, so more tripeloads next time; Irfan was shy and spoke little though he played with his Ultraman and dragon toy with the gang; and Jen figured out the old family joke with the signposts that begin with “Sila”, like “Sila beratur!” and “Sila diam!” [[image:satay-with-jen-mike02.jpg:Mike took this picture:center:0]] We hope you […]
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Ashley’s Sister Emma Auspiciously Arrives
Let’s all welcome young Emma-Grace Ting ChangXin who was born on 26th October, at 3.555 kg and 51.5 cm. News has it her big sister Ashley-Joan has already requested to carry and help feed her. Congrats to Michelle and Teik Sing!
Continue readingAllie’s 14 Month Birthday
I know – I am delinquent. It’s been over two weeks since Allie’s 14 month birthday and I am only finally putting together this entry. I’m terrible. I blame it on a) going back to work full time, and b) doing some travel for work. That just takes a lot out of you! But, whatever my excuses, Allie was 14 months old on September 22nd. [[image:allie375a.jpg:Wassuuuuupppp!!!:center:0]] It was also the first birthday of hers that I had to be at work for (which was a little bit sad, but I realize that it is what it is). My summer break is definitely over, and it is a bit of a shock to be working full time again (I was only working part time prior to that). But it’s also nice to get back in the groove and get out of the house a little. The only down side is that […]
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Khairul The Rodian Carbineer
I’m finally a Rodian. Not really. But props to Asok Yeesrim the Gran, another Agent of SWAG, for illustrating a Rodian carbineer by the name of Khairul. Khairul was named in honour of myself. The artwork looks badass, with fantastic costume and prop design. Also of note is the Rodian’s lack of flexible spines on his scalp, which coincidentally I have doodled before to draw a “bald” Rodian. Click here to view a larger image on DeviantArt. Thanks, man. I really dig your Mike Allred-esque style. Here’s hoping Khairul the Rodian has more luck bringing in the credits than I do.
Continue readingThe one with the birthday cake
Since there has been a demand for cake, here it is!! [[image:allie330a.jpg:Let them eat cake!:center:0]] * Please mouse over the pictures for captions On Sunday, July 26th, we held a small gathering, a cookout and potluck to celebrate Allie’s first birthday. Guests include a few members of Vin’s baseball team (the team conveniently played their Sunday morning game at the local high school a block away), some of our neighbors, and a few friends. Even though it rained the day before, Sunday was a gorgeous sunny day. [[image:allie328a.jpg:Guests at the cookout with Allie in her high chair:center:0]] Vin played baseball then came home and straight away lit the grill and commenced barbecueing. Burgers, hot dogs and chicken were the meats, while I’d prepared a couple of side dishes.The neighbors brought food and drink as well as presents for the birthday girl! Allie also ate her lunch while everyone mingled: [[image:allie329a.jpg:Picnic […]
Continue readingA Visitor!
During the time of the big hu-ha (laptop dying + snowfall + sad miserable cold Sila), we had a welcome visitor here in Southwestern Ohio! Unfortunately, the weather being what it was, we were unable to take our visitor out to sight-see very much. We decided instead to relax indoors. Allie got along well with Flat Cavebaby: [[image:cavebaby1.jpg:Allie posing with Kakak Flat Cavebaby:center:0]] Allie enjoys “tummy-time” with Flat Cavebaby: [[image:cavebaby2.jpg:Allie demonstrates being on her tummy for Kakak Flat Cavebaby:center:0]] [[image:cavebaby5.jpg:Kakak Flat Cavebaby, Allie and Lulu hold hands and sing Kumbaya:center:0]] Cavebaby is very excited that snow is falling: [[image:cavebaby4.jpg:Snow falling on the back deck:center:0]] Too bad Auntie Sila is grumpy and hates the cold. By the way, it was way below freezing and the snow just keeps falling and falling. Grumpity grump! This is not really normal weather for Southwestern Ohio. We get some snow, yes, but the weather does […]
Continue reading25 Random Songs
Gary writes on Facebook: This is another one of those Facebook memes. You turn your music player to random and write down the first 25 songs it spits out. I’m not a big tagger, but if you want to do it, go for it. [[popup:amarok-feb2009.jpg:(thumbnail):AmaroK!:right:1]]Okay, Gary. I will go for it. There’s The Girl – Heart Central America – Bear McCreary Can’t Fight This Feeling – REO Speedwagon The Weaver’s Answer – Family Kissing You – Des’ree Atomic Al’s Merry Melody – Bear McCreary Lovefool – Cardigans Two Boomers – Bear McCreary Softly Whispering I Love You – The Congregation Streets of London – Ralph McTell Cold As Ice – Foreigner Me and You and a Dog Named Boo – Lobo Us and Them – Pink Floyd Small World (Part One) – Huey Lewis and the News Got to Get You Into My Life – The Beatles Private Army – […]
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25 Random Facts
So, Gary tagged me on Facebook, therefore: Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose up to 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you. (To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag up to 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.) 1. One of my old hobbies is fishing for antlion larvae out of their sand pit traps using live ants. 2. At 9, I was shushed by a guy behind me when watching Raiders of the Lost Ark. 3. I last GMed a Star Wars The […]
Continue readingDiedrich Bader Takes Over The Cowl
There is a new Batman animated series in town, and since I’m still not back from lunch and I agree with every word written by Shane about it, I’ll just hand over the microphone to him: [[image:braveandthebold01.jpg:Ollie and Bruce:right:0]]Sherman, set the wayback machine to circa 1985, and a 4 year old Shane is taken to a local department store. Now, it’s lost to the ages, but he must have been aware of Batman via The Superfriends, or the deal Shell had with giving away DC Superhero figures with a fill up (I think I had 2 of everyone). But this fateful day, Shane got his very first Batman comic. It was complimentary that day, and involved 2 stories I can barely remember. One had him facing a fake Wayne Manor, full of androids created by Hugo Strange. The other was the one that sticks more in my mind. Simple grunt […]
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Classic Conversation
When Shane and I start chatting, we mostly chat geeky. But sometimes it goes way up to epic. It’s about time I blogged about my usual chats with Shane This didn’t really escalate to epic level, but it’s a taste of how our conversations usually go: Hisham: Hey… what would have happened if there were no clouds at night in Gotham City? And Gordon needed to shine the batsignal? Shane: Wouldn’t it hit the atmosphere anyways? Hisham: Still needs something flat for it to project onto. Shane: Good thing Gotham is a dark, fictional city Hisham: With a flat, fictional piece of plexiglass across the sky. Shane: POLLUTION! HA! There! Axis Chemicals has been pumpin shit into the atmosphere for decades Hisham: Well, never let it be said pollution was good for nothing. Shane: This is classic Shane/Hisham convo right here. That last line? Amen. Note: Edited for clarity.
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A Time of Reunion 2: The Sequel
Last year, we had a gathering up here at the Tenth Floor. This year we found some time to coordinate another, but this time it was after Aidilfitri. So it doubled as an Aidilfitri open house, although theoretically it was not. Starting from 1900 hours the roster started to fill, starting with Kok Soon, then Yu Hoe, Samsul, Laksh, Anson and finally Mei Lin. Last minute cancellations included Kanesh, Sathya and Ah Bau. Ain (aided by Cik Emma and Ciksu F) made rendang for lemang, kuah kacang for nasi himpit and a whole pot full of bihun goreng with tomyam paste. Our support troops, Kok Soon brought a bucket full of chicken and Mei brought dessert. Our just desserts. Will there be more photos next year? Stay tuned to find out… well, next year.
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SWAG Request: Rhen Sannin
Shane’s about to start a Star Wars RPG campaign and requested his major – NPC Rhen Sannin, the freighter captain – from the Star Wars Artists’ Guild. After giving some time for any other guild members to pick it up, I decided to claim the request earlier today… so I got to practice with the tablet and Painter Classic again, which is always good. After some hours, here’s Captain Rhen Sannin all made up and prettied, complete with blue milk on the side, cyborged limb and a datapad. Click here for its SWAG entry page. Hope this artwork gets some mileage in your campaign, buddy.
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Chinese New Year, Sitiawan… Some Time Ago
The Nineties kind of rushed by me, as if I can’t wait to be somewhere but it looks more, as time goes by, like I will not be reaching there anytime soon. So a lot of the details of the time here were quite blurry. Take the following photos of the ACS gang balik kampung and gathering for Chinese New Year. What year did this occur? I can’t rightly remember. All I remember is that I picked up the gentlebeings in the first photo below, had some refreshment at Woon Seong’s house before we all went to Teik Sing’s house where the big daytime gathering was planned. The gathering was quiet enjoyable. As I remembered Teik Sing just got back from Austin… Hang on. I can’t remember if he’s back for vacation or for good. After the daytime gathering was over, we reconvened at Yu Hoe’s house that night for […]
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