Scary right the title? Imagine the destruction of Earth, the place we live on. With so many new shows few months back all mentioning about the end of Earth coming one by one.

Though here’s a thought or two for everyone. We all know that sooner or later something big is gonna happen, maybe some kind of destruction that is way serious that we can’t fathom the greatness of it. Well, not something to be in awe though if it really comes. It’s a scary thought or two, but movies like End of Days, Armageddon and the recent one, 2012 brings back into self reality as to what if that day hits us smack right into our face? So what are we going to do then?

Of course, there was a recent series of documentary based on the Mayan calendar that sort of stopped at the year 2012, which scientist and archaeologist predicts it’s the last days and the end of times. So then now we have freaking 2 years more to live. What now? Some secret society is doing some project somewhere to so called save humanity? Problem is what is that disaster that would come?

For religions like Christians, they will know it won’t come by flood as depicted by the movie 2012 as there was a covenant from God to Noah that there won’t be anymore days like this (The Great Flood during the times of Noah). But what will it be then? Meteor strikes? Nuclear? World War 3?

Well, that aside, let’s think about it. Do we have a part to play in this? Yes, first of all, we have to be aware of the things we can do to play a part in helping Earth. How does the Earth live, basically do you know what actually holds the earth crust together? Isn’t it strange that the Earth is like a ball engulfing boiling lavas waiting to burst out anytime? Seemingly scientist has theorized everything and anything to explain how the Earth formed, but what about the other planets? Why were they formed the way it is? Besides why is it that Earth has got us humans to be on it and living on the planet. Strange isn’t it, if you think far beyond what we usually do as in our everyday life chores. Most people would say, if it doesn’t affect me then why think about it?

Ahh…. That’s what most people say about when it comes to politics. What happened there won’t affect me, yes, but if you don’t even bother to know what is happening around the world, your country, basically then, what are you living for? For yourself right? Plain ignorance of the things around you won’t get you anywhere but your own self satisfaction.

Nowadays we see NGO doing a small bit in anyway to help save Earth. Be it, recycling campaign, save our Trees, our forest or save the Animals. Go green, don’t use plastic. These are the current things that people discuss. There was this Earth Day which encouraged users to go off their lights to help save Earth. Basically it won’t save Earth but what it does is that it’s to ensure people know that sometimes it’s not about whether it can actually save our Earth, it’s just part of a small act of gesture to show how much one cares. Besides what have you got to lose, other than you living in darkness for 1 hour. You don’t even need to spend any money unlike other celebrations or some other auspicious days.

Daniel has theorized that somehow or surely something is holding the Core of the Earth intact. But what is it? Up till now, all are just theories. What is holding the Atom in our body in tact? Basically many are theories, since our body is made of molecules which could be break up into atoms, what about it? What holds the atom then? Strange isn’t it? Maybe some scientist can tell us, how did atoms come together by itself unlike those artificial fusing?

Sometimes certain things are unexplainable and as humans, we are afraid of things that can’t be explained.

I once watched a movie, where this guy tries to explain every phenomenon with his theories and came up with Mathematical calculations. But in all things, how do you calculate the sun? I meant how does the Sun started burning? Some theorize that it was star that kept burning and burning until there will come a day when the Sun will stop burning. So what does that Sun does? Somehow the solar system here, seems like the Sun is the Nucleus of it. Oh, confusing eh?

Fuhhh… you have read through this article and you still survived it? Kudos then to you. So what message do I want to portray here now? Basically it’s just one of those days with my long long posts, and what I am thinking on my mind right now.

Imagine me asking someone this?

danielctw: Have I gone mad?
Someone: I’m afraid so. You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.

Fuiyoh, I must be the best. XD

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Now looking back at how time passes it feels so fast and looking at that, I felt that just many years ago I was only a school boy, then a college boy. Though in all, it doesn’t stopped me from enjoying one of the most enjoyable games out there. It’s called Magic The Gathering. Well, for those that aren’t sure what I am talking about, just prepare to get a simple guide on what’s Magic the Gathering is all about. (On second thought maybe later…)

Magic the Gathering is a trading card game. One can also group it together with all the trading card games like Pokemon, Lord of the Rings and the rest, but what makes Magic the Gathering special is it’s a standalone trading card game which doesn’t start from a movie or a cartoon.

COOL RIGHT? LOOK AT THE DESIGN

What has MTG (Magic the Gathering) taught me? Or rather what’s the purpose of playing this kind of game? Well, like every other game, interaction is definitely there. One can talk with other MTG enthusiasts (which the number is slowly dwindling in KL town). Unlike other card games, this game needs someone to have a good understanding of English to be able to read the complexity of some of the card rules. It’s not like a attack and destroy kind of game. It’s a mind compelling one.

Secondly, some people look at it as time wasting. Let me tell out a scenario.

A group of us are playing this game in a certain public location. Then suddenly one observer (an uncle) was looking at us. Here’s the dialogue.

Observer: Hello there, what is this?
WEIRD ONE: Oh it’s a trading card game.
Observer: Huh? Playing card games? I find it time wasting. Don’t you all have something else to do. *walks off*
WEIRD ONE: *pissed* oh sure….

The conversation stopped there, but let’s look at it further. The uncle or the observer was wondering why the heck were we wasting time on some trading card games. Well, the observer was someone I know so that’s why I was polite and never mentioned anything else. Just imagined your child or someone about my age, what is time wasting? Playing card games? How about those that goes to club? Sitting at home playing PS2, PS3 or PSP? Isn’t that time wasting? Kinda contradicting to the meaning of time wasting eh?

Even Chuck Norris has a say in Magic The Gathering

Now what’s a game? To interact with one another. The uncle plays badminton and knows all about game. One can say, instead of playing card games, why not do something else. For example badminton. Not against badminton or anything, but like MTG, badminton is also a game. Yes, one is way healthier as one gets to sweat, but it defeats the purpose when not everyone knows how to play those kind of game especially when playing with people who doesn’t do sports.

Somehow, I find that some older folks contradict themselves when they tell us younger folks that we’re wasting time playing games. I noticed that they themselves have been wasting more time with going to bar and drinking the whole night and getting a beer belly and then they tell people that plays trading card games wasting time. I wonder which one is more time wasting? So drinking and partying is not time wasting but playing card games is time wasting? What a funny world.

I wrote this article in a zest as I am just writing what I was thinking and it sure is a different flavor compared to the others. I’ve got nothing against people telling me it’s time wasting, but when I asked them, what do they do then when they are free? They’ll come out with lots of bullshit then. They’ll say sports (like one can do sports everyday) and others (but in fact they have so many wasted times)

For those that know me, I have eyes to observe and when I see a beer belly uncle telling me that, my mind has all the obvious words to shoot back. Well, maybe it’s a gift but yes, I used to study people back then and from their actions I tend to make assumptions which usually takes them aback. Kind of makes me a dangerous person to be with since I can derive things from something small. Darn, though I ain’t nowhere near a person as capable like Sherlock Holmes as depicted in the movie.

See Older Folks do enjoy the game

So MTG, really isn’t just a game. To me it’s just like a tool to get people together, to get to interact with one another. Then comes another question, since it’s to get people together why not use the internet? Well, internet lets one interact with one another but do you actually go out to meet with one another, and enjoy a game. Most I’ve seen are those planning for activities, then only people do come out or for some camwhore session which I blatantly stopped doing on gatherings and events since it defeats the purpose and I don’t want to own a DSLR to do camwhoring.(Kinda defeats the purpose of owning a DSLR…)

Then again, there might be other things that other people could mentioned either against me or with me. Well, it’s out to you to pour out your thoughts. Since Internet is free for all to say their thoughts and stuffs.

A word of advise, over indulgence in one thing is also not good though. So even if your kid or friend is taking up MTG because of what I mentioned earlier, then remember to tell them, not everyday is a MTG day. Remember to spend time with one’s family and have some chit chat and food session.

Remember games aren’t time wasting as long one doesn’t live only to play games all the time. Games are a source of stress reliever but over indulgence makes one a useless one. Peace out and yes, looks like the WEIRD ONE also has it’s serious side.

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It’s been 4 years or is it 5 years since I started my history of blogging. Time goes by, my blog starts to be more specific and title of blog posts are not so random. Though I would like to spoil that method by doing something different for this post. So let’s call this blog post Cute and Sweet. Why??? Read on. Or rather look on.

Just about 3 years ago, I got my first Nikon DSLR and this time I finally got a 2nd unit, thus having 2 DSLR (a Nikon D40 and Nikon D300). I usually bring both cameras for assignment purpose and events. Why Nikon? Is my preference, so don’t talk about any fanboyism of Canon, Sony to me. Okay, how about some points about Nikon first.

Nikon is the leet (slang for superb) because when you see it you’ll think of it.
Nikon is the leet because when you have it, it makes you wanna kiss it.
Nikon is the leet because you cannot stand how good it is till you wanna nibble it.

Finally Nikon is the leet because Daniel Chew says so ROARS~~~ and Chia Yen approves it. =P

Anyway enough about Nikon.

Now let’s talk about my life as a photographer. Sometimes you don’t just need to be going around for events, to take superb and splendid photos. You don’t need a superb gear to take photos. You don’t need to waste time to take photos by setting up gear here and there (though it helps, of course if you have got like so much time to do it and you’re bothering no one), all it takes is just a simple mind. Photos might not be as professional but getting the right angle and framing your subject is very important. Thus says the “Book of God of Photography”, but in Weird Weird Denial, everything goes and this is where you can find the style you love most.

Grandmother story detected! ALERT! ALERT!

Hey hey hey… not that I want to talk a lot about photo taking but I see people start to use DSLR for excessive camwhoring and nonsensical photoshoot. Camwhore is okay but doing it too much really spoils it.

If only I got teeth as strong as diamond that I can bite them. *BITES*

Well, I must say. Now every Tom, Dick and Harry has a DSLR and when you were to go for an event, let’s say a fashion photoshoot, you will see them coming with their gears. I am not looking down on D40, D60 or Canon 1000D or any other entry level DSLR (they produce superb pictures at that price), but I am talking about those people who claimed that they can take nice photos, but using the Auto and Preset Modes on their DSLR.

Seriously I think it would be better to get something like the Canon G11 or the Lumix to take those shots. Same settings, pictures also will turn out nice. Though there’s an argument saying that

“But then DSLR can put flash oh???”
“Aiyoh, Canon G11 also can put flash unit!!!”

Some will argue easy for you to say, you can afford a Nikon D300 and pictures usually come out excellent (of course Aaron has a Nikon D700 Ahemz..) but let me mentioned something, Photography by default is an expensive hobby. What do you expect? Be contented with a Nikon D40 all through my life? Now with this argument done, those who argued about this again can’t be helped.

Now now now, but how about those people who can afford high end DSLRs but take photos which aren’t at all nice. One, either they are damn rich and can afford (I’ve got nothing to complain about this one, they have the cash, what can you say) or two, don’t bother saying anything about them.

Reason : Let them enjoy their photos, they usually can’t take criticism.

Conclusion : Whatever gear you have, do be happy for what you have. If you’re planning to go further into photography, expenditure is definitely a necessity. Most important is BE HAPPY.

Now let’s stop talking about camera, and talk about this writer, this blogger, this Weird One, DanielCtw. Yup, unlike most people I don’t know how to conjure up a smile for a photo. Unlike Chia Yen above who is able to smile in front of camera, Daniel Chew only knows how to do what he does best.

He poses. Do refer this post here during the Nikonian Celebration and also other cool poses all around his other blog posts. (Self promote is a virtue).

Now why again is the post titled Cute and Sweet, when the topic is way out of it. Why?? Easy, cause most people here don’t bother reading all the lengthy words but instead look at pictures. HAHAHAHA!! So definitely is Cute and Sweet.

Aside from that, looks like Daniel will be skipping the Energizer Night Run 2010. Though he’s made up for it by posing with the Energizer Man himself.

Now finally don’t you think the picture is now sweet and cute? XD

First picture is sweet. 2nd picture is cute. Oppps. Signing off!

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There are times we look upon our past endeavors, relishing our old self and wonder what have we done for the past years. As we Journey on our life on Earth, we find ourselves thinking did we do good or did we finished what we all started? Sometimes questions like this goes into one’s mind and unknowingly, you don’t really know what to do.

Once awhile while listening to the sweet sounds of birds chirping in the air when you wake up early in the morning, you’ll wonder. Why is the day so beautiful? If only it could last longer and melodies of ones life is as sweet as a birds song.

For until it all, there are many things to think about, for we as humans are never satisfy with what we have and always wanted more. Some call it unwanted wants, while the most appropriate word would be greediness. It dawned upon me, that after going through life as a child, a kid, a teenager, a young adult, that as time goes by, responsibilities start pouring in no matter whether one likes it or not.

As a child, all we ever wanted was to play and get to meet our friends in school. Problem then was we all have to face our exams in school. Same goes to while we’re teenagers, undergoing puberty, learning to accept that the opposite sex that we once roughed together is seemingly different and attractive to the eye.

As time goes by, we go into college, universities, polytechnic to ensure we have a build up to our career. Sometimes regretting what we did during our studies, we don’t get to be what we wanted to be like our ambition back then. As time goes by, minds start to mature. People see things in a different way. There are still fun and games like how it used to be, but fun is now derived simply with a means for getting back our childhood memories.

Aside from just fun and games, people will start to think how to

- manage their finances
- the problems each family faces (when parents get old or did I earn enough to help finance the house)
- relationship (is she/he the one whom I am looking for, what if… )
- work (What will my future hold if I am still in this job? What will it be like if I am 30 and fresh graduates come out and the skill I am having now is just the same like them)
- future endeavors (can I get a nice home to stay with, will I be able to support my children, should I quit this job for the sake of my love ones). There are like it seem more things to think about as time goes by.

One can be wacky, one can do a lot of things and live to not regret it. While after all, we only have one life to live and so live your life to the fullest. Is not everyday we’re 16 or 21 or 50 or 80. It’s only a year once.

It’s to this point, sometimes simple thoughts are not just enough to constitute the magnitude of the complications of getting older. It scares me, the writer of this column too to know that I too am getting older as we see the years go by like a twinkling of an eye. For each passing day, things change, technology change. As technology changes, demands of better work quality are more as expectations are higher.

So think about it. If life could be simple, there won’t be so much heartache. It is as if there’s a way to sleep it all away. Though there’s no way we can put off technology in our life. Without technology there’s no Internet, there’s no way to communicate with other parts of the world instantly. Though with technology, gone are the ways of the old tradition. Snail mails are getting obsolete, live plays are not as enthusiastic as it used to be (people who do attend these plays expect more) and lots of new methodologies are incorporated.

For now, it feels like are you actually reading Weird Weird Denial which usually produces posts about his life, travel and photos. In case you’ve just arrived, do know that http://danielctw.com existed with writing posts such as this. Do refer to some of my thought provoking ones below.

I rest my case. If you would like to contact this blogger, do use the Contact Me section or email me at me[at]danielctw.com

Note : Pictures above are taken using the HTC Hero.

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Is like the saying, “when the old don’t go, the new won’t come.” Same like when you’re working in the office, if your seniors won’t go and leave the place, say bye bye to promotion. Typical IT job and world out there.

So this time I shall say bye bye to my old and trusty Samsung phone, the D510 model which has served me for over 3 years. Yes, there are people who uses the same mobile for more than a year and that person is me. I am never into trends. Maybe that’s why my fashion sense failed.

So welcome to my latest gadget. The HTC Hero.

Finally, I’ve gotten myself a “SMART PHONE” which I was dying to get since like a year ago. The thing is, once I got this HTC HERO, I have to charge the batteries the first day and that took me 8 hours. (Yup, the HTC Hero doesn’t come with pre-charged batteries) So I waited and waited and decided to just take a weird shot of it.

So this calls for micro blog to be activated. I can now blog on the go and blog even when I am in places not around my office or my home. Some possible places are like the toilet. Hohoho.. More or less, it’s a useful tool when I am traveling around.

Now don’t I wished I had the Hero before I left for Tibet. There would be more micro-blogging instead. Darn…..

ps : Tibet post would take a short break for awhile

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