So, how are you faring in this financial crisis? A lot has happened these past few months. Recently, it has been made official that the US have been in a recession since December last year. We’ve seen the oil price topping nearly USD150 and now settling around USD36. On top of that, the interest rate in the US has plummeted to 0.25%. Oh, and not to forget, a number of giant companies collapsing.

Trading for me has been pretty much bland lately. I’m not trading as much as I’d like to (give or take about a few times per month) and in terms of bank balance, I’m going nowhere. Don’t even get me started about my unit trust investment.

Anyway, at what stage are we at now folks? Honestly, I have no idea. Most financial experts can only guess as well.

At the present moment, for the Aussie market, it appears that we’re in a consolidation pattern. Hopefully, a bottom is starting to form.

Come back bulls! We are starting to miss you!

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1. CBOT Floor Trader Prank

2. Chairman of South African Finance Portfolio Committee Cracks Under Pressure

3. Wall Street Prank

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Title: Beyond band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters
Author: Major Dick Winters with Colonel Cole C. Kingseed
ISBN: 978-0-425-21375-9
Number of pages: approximately 310 pages

For those who still remember about the HBO Miniseries Band of Brothers that aired a number of years ago (I think I was 15 when it aired on Astro Malaysia), this book is the autobiography of Easy Company’s Company Commander, Major Richard D. Winters.

This book pretty much gives you the story from Major Dick Winters’s perspective. Some say, Larry Alexander’s “Biggest Brother: The Life Of Major Dick Winters, The Man Who Led The Band of Brothers” was a better book, but since I’ve not picked up a copy of that one yet, I can’t give my final answer.

Some of what Major Dick Winters shares with his readers include how he started his Army career, his jump on D-Day, Operation Market Garden, the capture of Eagle’s Nest, the discovery of the concentration camp, and what did he do after the war.

A real page turner indeed.

I might be a little biased due to my being highly intrigued with Easy Company since Stephen Ambrose’s Band of Brothers and due to respect of Major Dick Winters, I have to give this book 9.5 out of 10 stars (well, that’s pretty much 10 out of 10 stars).

If you’re into Military genre, then yeah, get the book.

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Title: Siri Klik Untuk Kaya: Blog, Blogger, Blogging
Author: Rosli Jamal
ISBN: 983-2334-83-7
Number of pages: approximately 208 pages

This is another book on blogging written in Bahasa Melayu by Malaysia’s very own Rosli Jamal.

The book is rather basic, in a sense that it pretty much covers the same thing as what other similar books for bloggers-to-be covers. I guess, main advantage is that it is in Bahasa Melayu. Definitely a plus point for folks whose first language is not English.

What do I think of the book? Well, I thought the book was alright. Most of the things in there are things that I’m already aware of, so I treat it as a refresher course. Bear in mind, I did also learn a few extra things.

The book also reveals some pretty good tips that even seasoned bloggers can benefit.
All in all, I give the book 6 out of 10 stars.

PLUG: If you’re interested in starting your own blog, go to http://www.NadliqueDomains.com, and have a look at some domain name and web hosting deals in store for you, :)

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On another note, a few days ago, I saw somebody being proposed. It was the first time for me to witness something like that. Now, that made my day :)

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Title: Nikon Creative Lighting System: Digital Field Guide
Author: J. Dennis Thomas
ISBN: 978-0-470-04527-5
Number of pages: approximately 201 pages

Venturing into the world of photography, I find myself very much interested in the area of strobing and speedlights. Granted, I’m pretty much a beginner in that area (aren’t we all), but I am intrigued with things you can achieve with speedlights (flashes).

So, what is this book about? In one respect, it is a much more interesting version of your SB-600 and SB-800 speedlights’ manuals. A lot of the mentioned speedlights’ features are covered, and the author also shares some tips on how to utilise your speedlights to its fullest extent.

A very useful and interesting book indeed. Finished reading it in one sitting.

I give the book 8 out of 10 stars. It has definitely earned a place to be in my camera bag, beside my camera’s manuals, and my notepad.

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Title: Start Your Own Blogging Business
Author: Entrepreneur Press and J.S. McDougall
ISBN: 1-59918-047-2
Number of pages: approximately 98 pages

This is the book that prompted me to start blogging about a year ago.

I was intrigued by the world of blogging for quite some time, and after reading this book, I thought, hey, I can do that!

Start Your Own Blogging Business covers some of the basics for those who are interested to blog for money. For newcomers, it does give you an overview of what needs to be done and what needs to be expected in the blogging world.

Common with the Entrepreneur Press’ Business Start Up series, you will get inspired.

Did I like the book? Most definitely yes. It’s easy to read too. I give the book 7 out of 10 stars.

PLUG: If you’re interested in starting your own blog, go to http://www.NadliqueDomains.com, and have a look at some domain name and web hosting deals in store for you, :)

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Here are a couple of examples.

The first one was when I was starting out. It was this dude who bought a rechargeable torchlight from me. Exactly four weeks later, he came to my shop and told me that the item is “no good” and wants to exchange in the form of a store credit. I asked what’s wrong? He then babbled about the torch being faulty and etc. I then made a mistake by not inspecting the unit first and simply acknowledged his request for a store credit. After he left, I had a look at the torchlight. Guess what? The torch was wet and the charger was broken… Faulty my tushie.

The second one happened about a month ago. This lady bought a couple of huge travel bags from me. Note that I’m also using one of the bags myself. It has accompanied me in two of my trips (RETURN TRIPS) to Malaysia without any problems whatsoever. Anyway, after about a week, the lady comes back and says that the zippers on the two bags broke the first time she tried it out. I said fine, just bring it back and I’ll issue a refund. Again, I made a mistake by not inspecting the bags. For she was one of our regular customers, I trusted her. Later, upon checking the bags, I discovered that they were battered… As if they have been used for many many times. Complete with traces of animal fur and excessive wear and tear (on top of the broken zippers of course). My goodness lady, what are you trying to pull here?

Really, I don’t have a problem with honest folks wanting a refund for TRULY faulty items but trying to get your money back for damaged items that was of your own doing is just bulllcrap to me.

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So, should we pull out from the market?

Jean Chai shared an interesting New York Times’ article with me. Thanks Jean.

Anyway. Have a read. Here’s the LINK.

Stand fast folks.  God speed.

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Sebabnya, nak kutuk sesetengah golongan di Australia ni.

Topiknya, perkauman dan hal-hal yang berbau perkauman.

Ini adalah entri untuk aku meluahkan perasaan tak puas hati aku. Kalau tak suka baca benda-benda macam ni, jangan proceed.

Okay, you’ve been warned.

Di tempat aku berniaga di pasar pagi hari Ahad, rata-rata, orang yang datang baik belaka. Tapi kadang-kadang ada juga yang macam sial.

Yang sialnya, kadang-kadang aku tak puas hati dengan komen yang keluar dari mulut dia org. Biasanya, aku respon dengan senyuman dan gelak ketawa je. Malas nak layan.

Mungkin dia org nak berjenaka lah kot. Tapi, aku rasa, kalau nak berjenaka, tak payah lah sampai macam nak “degrade” org.

First sekali, apa yg berlaku Ahad lepas. Takdelah racist sangat. Cuma, cara dia cakap tu je yg aku tak suka sangat. Dia minta kurangkan harga barang. Aku cakap tak boleh. Dia kata “Of course I’m going to haggle mate. After all, you people invented that [Haggling]“. Aku tak puas hati bila dia guna perkataan “YOU PEOPLE INVENTED THAT”. Emphasis on “YOU PEOPLE”.

Second pulak dah lama dah. Tak berapa ingat sangat. Tapi, yang aku tahu, aku rasa degraded betul. Satu pasangan ni nak beli berus cuci pinggan. Dia tanya apa gunanya benda tu. Kita org cakap lah untuk cuci pinggan boleh, cuci benda lain pun boleh. Lepas tu suami dia cakap something like “they’re asians, they even use it to wash their toilets” dan diikuti dengan gelak ketawa. Aku pun gelak sekali lah. Macam aku cakap, malas nak layan. Aku sebenarnya takde masalah dengan statement tu. Cuma bila kau cakap seolah-olah menuding jari dan guna perkataan yang generalise-kan orang, itu yang tak betul tu.

Yang ketiga ni aku rasa macam sial sekali. Ada mat saleh ni dia tanya apa benda entah kat aku, dan aku tak faham sebab dia mumble. Ye lah, kalau korang pernah duduk kat Australia, korang akan perasan yang mat saleh kat sini suka mumble bila bercakap. Kadang-kadang, mumble pekat sampai apa dia merepek pun tak tahu. Anyway, bila aku buat muka pelik sikit dan cakap “Pardon?”, dia buka mulut dia besar-besar dan bercakap dengan aku sepatah demi sepatah….. dan perlahan-lahannnnnnn. Contohnya:

IIIIIIIII………… WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUULLLLLLDDDDDDD……… LLLLLIIIIIKKKKKKEEEEEEEEE……….. TOOOOOOOOO…… BBBUUUUUYYYYYYY……. TTTTHHHHIIIIISSSSSSS….. HHHHHOOOOWWWWW….. MMMMMMMUUUUCCCCCHHHH?????…….

Pergggghhh. Seolah-olah aku ni retarded. Seolah-olah jantan Asia ni bengong tak reti berbahasa Inggeris. Rasa mcm nak lepuk pun ada.

Apa-apapun, seperti aku kata, rata-rata orang kat Australia ni baik dan sopan semuanya. In fact, aku rasa, kadang-kadang perangai lagi elok dari orang Malaysia. Cuma, sesetengah tu je yang macam setan sikit.

Ok, entri complain berakhir.

Satu lagi, walaupun dah terlambat, nak ucapkan jugak. Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf Zahir dan Batin :)

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I tried to revert back to my old wallpaper, but that option wasn’t available to me.

I tried to google my problem but I couldn’t get anywhere. I was instead forwarded  to random websites (browser hijacks???).

My reaction was, “oh shit, what now…”

Next, a box popped up on the screen, prompting me to install something called “XP Antivirus 2008″. I was then brought to the “Terms & Conditions” box, where you are usually able to click “Agree” or “Don’t Agree”. The catch is, this time, there’s only the “Agree” button. On top of that, I can’t even click the “X” button on the box.

I then bothered to read the so called “Terms and Conditions” and there were things that I have never even heard of.

Lucky I had a backup computer. I used that to try scouting for some solutions from the web.

Yes folks, it’s a VIRUS.

Fortunately, I managed to get rid of the bloody thing out of my system.

I can’t cater this to your specific situation, but in my case, I got rid of the “XP Antivirus 2008″ Virus by using a program called “Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware”. I downloaded it from CNET’s download website here.

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At first, the U.S. Government plan to bailout the banks was a done deal. Things were starting to look rosy again. The next thing you know, wham, the bill was rejected, and it was kicked right smack on its backside.

Last night, the Dow fell 778 points (-7%), S&P 500 fell 107 points (-8.8), and the Nasdaq fell 200 points (-9.3%). That’s one of the biggest fall in history. To put that into perspective, after the September 11 attacks back in 2001, the Dow gave away only 684.81 points. Yeah, it is big folks. Be careful out there.

Indeed, we will see a bloodbath today in Australia and throughout Asia.

In times like these, I’m staying out. Capital preservation is my utmost priority.

P.S. There’s a in-the-money long position that I’m in right now. Will be exiting that at market open. I hope I won’t get screwed that bad.

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For Australia, the decision is temporary and it will be reviewed in 30 days. Read ASIC’s page here.

How about those who already have short positions established? Well, they can maintain those positions if they wish. Just that, no new positions can be entered.

What we can expect this morning? For sure, we will be seeing many short sellers trying to cover their positions, and cover they will, at a great loss. And most certainly, we’ll see the market surging.

I myself have got a short position opened, and I’m looking to close out my position as well. It’s currently at about 50% in profit (based on IMR), and I do hope I’ll manage to milk some profit out.

Financial watchdogs around the world have truly changed the financial landscape eh?

Market is open in a couple of minutes. Wish me luck.

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A couple of weeks ago, I did a mini project of my own codenamed Project Smoke. Nothing big, nothing fancy. Just trying my luck photographing smoke trails.

This is my first attempt and I’m fairly new with the DSLR world, so pardon me if you think it’s horrible.

Equipments used were:

- Nikon D80 with the 18-55mm kit lens
- Desk lamp
- Black piece of cloth to use as a background (In my case, I used a baju melayu).
- Incense sticks

The Nikon D80 was in manual mode with settings: ISO 400, shutter speed 1/125s, aperture f8. Focal length was kept consistent at 55mm throughout the session.

So.. here are some of the pictures taken on that night.

And the ones below were somewhat modified.

Do you folks see any patterns forming?

This one below is a bit scary. If you peruse the photo closely, you can actually see a ghostly image emerging.

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Haih… More than a week without lightning fast broadband was hell. Reminds me of Malaysia, that’s for sure.

It took forever to upload just a simple post.

Anyway, some of the things I plan to blog about in the next couple of weeks:

- rough guide to credit cards
- budgeting
- many photos
- Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Negara (SSPN)
- Zakat
- Sunday market
- what I think will happen if Anwar Ibrahim takes power
- and more.

I also plan to visit other bloggers more often!

Ok, till then.

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