A nice big TV with Astro Sports every evening - motorcycling for those of us so inclined, football for those that care about such things! 
i.e. My wife - I know nothing about football! 
An updated and improved menu! About time, too.
Few more things to come, so come and visit and give some support, but mainly come to enjoy a decent, relaxed atmosphere in the heart of Taman Danau Desa. See you there!
ThoughtCrime, originally uploaded by Grant S.
No additional words needed. Here, there, or anywhere. Now or tomorrow. Keep your own mind intact.
After a day punishing myself for various forms of stupidity, I decided to go on a bit of a shopping spree. I do this rarely, but inevitably seriously.
So Mrs S. - whose sole vices include shoes *cough-appalling pun, and handbags - went one way and i went the other. Sometimes we would meet up, count up the loose change (Ha!) and head off again.
All in all, Mrs S. scored three new pairs of very nice shoes, and a new fancy watch! And I got roped into the watch buying deal and ended up buying quite a decent one as well, just in case all my others need servicing at once….
But, I finally decided to take the plunge and buy the 40mm Pentax Pancake lens which I had been lusting over. I had the 70mm already, and didn’t really want the 21mm, but here is the little beauty in all it’s almost invisible glory!
Sideways it is almost invisible!
My three best lenses: 70mm Limited, 40mm Limited, and the FA 50/1.4 which is a legend in it’s own lunchtime
In order to prove that I am not compensating in any way, mid life crisis style, here is my big one towering above the rest!
(I have a very small penis, I just don’t like to boast about it )
And the final straw? I also bought the lens you can see fitted to the camera - a 16-45mm f4 ED AL, which cost even more than the 40mm 0r the 70mm Ltds. It is a work of art as far as good glass goes, superb wideangle and just enough zoom to make it a “walkaround” lens as well. Sometimes small is beautiful, sometimes heavyweight solidity is satisfying. Did mention that when I go shopping it’s all or nothing, right?
Nothing special. Just how I feel today.
I hate myself for what I have become, or perhaps more precisely, might become.
Status: Damaged, but repairable.
The view from the person being tattooed. Strangely relaxing.
Singapore Tattoo 002, originally uploaded by Grant S.
Singapore Tattoo 001, originally uploaded by Grant S.
Something about tattoos - they can get addictive. When in Singapore, I also had another small dragon done, on my right inner forearm.
Pictures taken by my incompetent assistant, (not Mrs S. on this occasion) who was more terrified at the thought of the pain, than concentrating on taking pictures
Artist at work - inflicting pain
Those who know me are aware that I have a penchant for tattoos. Although I only have 11 now, there are still planned works in progress! My first was 22 years ago, followed by a couple of others and then a 10 year gap before the next. After another 10 years, the bug has bitten again, and I can see a lot more ideas for integrating, and retouching some of my existing pieces. Just a question of finding the time, money, and avoiding the disruption to physical exercise schedules that larger pieces can cause.
Whilst visiting Singapore recently, I had three done in 3 days at Primitive, Far East Plaza. All pretty small pieces. The one you see below is on my left inner arm leading to the wrist, about 3 inches long, underneath another larger piece, and was the tattoo that I had originally planned as the only one to have done on such a short trip. It is the Jollyfish (negative version) - one of the anti-christian symbols of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, a website designed to debunk creationism and irrational science. I think someone might now have just realized why I chose that design! I do hope so
But I did this one last - after changing my mind about the other design the day before I reached Singapore. The other one I shall show when properly healed - it’s my 3rd Dragon tattoo, yet has as much significance as the one I planned to do first, in fact now maybe more so.
The final one is a simple 3 letter set of initials across my heart - no picture required, hence sparing you the sight of my naked torso - which represent the name of my late brother. It is many years too late in being done, but, my brother forever, I finally had it done for you now. Continue to R.I.P forever.
Oh, and not forgetting the reason that I went to Singapore in the first place!!
The Cure played an outstanding set, over 3 hours long, culminating in a 3rd encore of 7 songs from their first album played with blistering energy, and I was lost in admiration, and am indeed lost for words even now how they continue to surprise, to generate such energy, and we were fortunate enough to have the very, very best position in the arena.
For those who are interested, here is the setlist:
The Cure - Singapore August 1st 2007.
Picture courtesy Sadwich from his Picasa set - some excellent shots under the circumstances!
Mainset
Open, Fascination Street, Strange Day, The Blood, A night like this, The Walk, The End of the World, Love Song, Push, Pictures of you, Lullaby, Kyoto Song, Hot Hot Hot!, Alt.End, The Drowning Man, From the edge of the deep green sea, Friday I’m in Love, Just like heaven, Primary, If only tonight we could sleep, The Kiss, Shake dog Shake, Never enough, Wrong number, 100 years, Shiver and shake, End
Encore 1
Let’s go to bed, Close to me, Why Can’t I be you
Encore 2
Three imaginary boys, Fire in Cairo, Boys don’t cry, Jumping someone else’s train, Grinding Halt, 10.15 Saturday night, Killing an Arab
Total time: 3hrs, 10mins.
