2009 - the year that didn't suck..

The Samos in Vegas, September 2009

So, here we are, at the very last day of the year.

And what did I do?

Slog at work to see to it that there's news tomorrow.

That said, 2009 has been a solid year.

Done plenty of squid-jigging, actually went to the US and attended the USN Gathering in Vegas!

Job wise, things has been very smooth. No assholes breathing down my neck and uncooperative co-workers.

Making the switch from the NST to The Star was the best choice I've ever made in my career.

This year alone, there's really nothing much significant on the job other than my promotion.

I hope to maintain my course and am not putting any high hopes on what's in store.

As for family, things are also very smooth.

Not till the last month of the year that I lost my dad. May he rest in peace.

So, let's hope that 2010 would be a better year..

2009 - in restrospect - Knives and Tool

2009 has been a good year for me.

In restrospect, I received an average of one knife every two months.I planned the purchase of two Strider fixed blade knives and took delivery of them
sometime in the third quarter of the year.

Apart from that, there has been some regular shipment of production knives from
the US such as Spydercos and other brands.My benchmark knives are the Chris Reeve 'paw print' Sebenza and Umnumzaan -
scored just months apart.I guess in 2010, there will be 'lesser' tools and toys as preparations are being made for Blade in June and G2 in September.

The inevitable change..

AFTER 18 years, I guess its time to move forward with my photography.I hanged up my SLR camera for the last time back in 1995 and never looked back.Since then, I relied heavily on my Konica Hexar 35mm F2.0 rangefinder for most of
my work.Back in 2001, I progressed to the Canon Powershot G-1 compact digital camera.It was a bliss because if its state-of-the art features which made my job relatively
easy.From the G-1, I gradually upgraded to to G3, G7, G9 and G10. Seeing as it is, compact cameras, despite its high-end features -- are limited in
terms of optical clarity.With the recent introduction of the Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR, I guess its time to
move on.My mission is to record my family's activities including the dogs and use the EOS
7D as part of my work.There's much to be done with the acquisition process, but nevertheless, it shall be
on my hands in the months to come.