Ebisu Drift Circuit - Tokyo Japan

Something to put on my list if I'm really gonna head there. Hope it's not too expensive!

EDIT: Half a day school is approx $690-700...hahaha...er...

10km with RD

Run done this evening with the Running Department thanks to clearer skies after the heavy rain this morning.

Got to test out the Sony Smart B-Trainer Walkman which included a HRM and GPS on top of it's usual walkman capabilities.

Apart from catching GPS slightly later, most of the details is pretty spot on.

Microsoft Windows 10 Hardware Event - Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book (The Verge)

I've never thought I'd find Microsoft in any way appealing until the first Surface Tablet came out back in 2012 (Entry).

The biggest excitement then? That Microsoft was finally taking the Apple route and creating their own hardware to show off the best their software can do. Of course, "best" is subjective to everyone but the concept is the same which is that of Steve Jobs when he decided to make Apple products only available on Apple devices, so that they work the way they were intended to, to provide the best user experience possible.

The Surface Pro is now into its 4th iteration and since its launch in 2012, it's been growing and becoming more and more a success to its own competitors in the market, that really says a lot if you ask me, that Microsoft is finally showing the manufacturers who use their software, how to do hardware right.

The next exciting product announced is the Surface Book, Microsoft's first attempt at a laptop. And yes, it sounds like a play on Apple's MacBook. Finally a laptop made by Microsoft that is void of bloatware unlike other devices, and the design, though not the most elegant, is original, and still some what nice in its own way. Sure some may argue it has design cues following that of a MacBook, the similarities I see is that it uses the same style of metal finishing, and a logo at the back similar to that of Apple's signature logo, that's it. Microsoft is touting it as the most powerful 13 inch laptop in the world, twice as fast as Apple's MacBook Pro. You have to agree considering it's using the latest processor (2 generations ahead of Apple) and other internals, but of course, it's not like Apple isn't going to put the same specs in their laptops, so I don't think that status is gonna last very long.

Oh and yes, the Surface Book detaches from is extra battery and graphics card base to become an i5 or i7 full Windows tablet too.

Microsoft also made 2 new phones, I'm not gonna touch on those, I still don't really see them as strong competitors to Apple's and Android's finest, but the laptops on the other hand are something impressive if you ask me.

No I'm not changing camps any time soon, having been tortured by bad experiences with Windows, my heart is still with Apple, though I will admit I still strongly feel my most favorite experience was Snow Leopard...fast, smooth, fluid...something I haven't seen in awhile with their other versions of OSX.

Bottom line, I am enjoying the "new Microsoft", which seems to be more innovative and bold than just being a software company that's dull and bland. While I don't see myself jumping back fully to the Microsoft ecosystem any time soon, I admire the strides they are finally taking to be more "visible" in the industry.

If you want to catch the 9 minute summary of Microsoft's event, check out the video here:

BarStylez The Big Match 2015 - Battle of the Asians

Checked out BarStylez's annual competition last evening, this was their 3rd year running, I missed the first year but went down in 2014.

Took only a few photos cause I was busy taking video instead. Really hope I got some nice footage, would love to find time to do a video if I could.

Here's some highlights from last evening.

Also, the first thing that came to my mind last night as I stepped into the contest area, I thought "we're having a bartending competition, in what was once a chapel...quite ironic eh.".

Drummer Steals the Show

Wow! Talk about loving what you do!

Also, upon further researching, that's Kwon Soon Keun, apparently one of the pioneering drummers in the early Korean rock scene.

DJI Inspire 1 + Zenmuse X5

Such a beauty! Have no use for it, but one certainly appreciate the advantages drone tech has brought to the film industry. Though expensive, by industry standards, DJI's pro option is cheaper than the other professional drone rigs out there that fetch a whooping 5 figures, including their own

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Comic-Con Traile

2016....feels so far away.

HELLO KITTY!!!!!!

The real deal, not the cartoon character of course. Belongs to the pet store I usually go to, about 3 weeks old, what a cutie!

Nike Free, Be a Force of Nature.

Love this ad. Probably cause of the vibrant colors, as well as the light, it looks like running on set.

And gosh, their stride!

Star Wars Celebration 2015 @ Shaw Lido

Managed to get passes to check out the Star Wars Celebration live simulcast yesterday and despite the time zone, since Colin, Al, Hans and Calvin were available, we went as a group to check it out.

I can't say I'm a huge Star Wars fan, but I do like JJ Abram's work and I think he brought Star Trek back to life really well, so Star Wars would hopefully get the same treatment.

Overall the experience was a really good one, it was both amusing and very entertaining! We stayed up really late but it's interesting to see what drives fans to be so excited over the film. The simulcast made me interested in the movie even more and I'm quite looking forward to it come December. =)

I'll leave the new trailer below, followed by images taken during the event.

Flow Hive Honey

This is damn cool! I would love to have one although I'm pretty sure AVA would rather not. Beekeeping made easy, not to mention an awesome supply of honey!

TIE Fighter

Somebody make a full length anime movie already!

Secrets of Selfridge

Just watched the Secrets of Selfridges.

Never thought for or cared of the origins of the modern departmental store until now, wow! What we see as a norm today, was revolutionary back in the early 1900s, and it had a lot to do with Selfridges.

From the ability to "window shop", to allowing mixed classes to shop together, to the invention of a biannual sale, and even the introduction of the make up and perfume floor located at the first floor of every departmental store today, all of it started here.

Video's an hour long but I found it really interesting.

New MacBook 2015

Haven't had the time to blog after reservist, but am gonna just post this here first.

Loving the new design of the all new MacBook, Apple has always been magnificent when it comes to customizing parts to make its product and thin and elegant as possible. Can't wait to see what the next MacBook Pro will look like!

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II is Out

Nice piece of camera. Certainly no need for me to change it but for those who want high res studio shots and a bit more for their movie, it's something worth considering.

Spinworkx Kendama

Too cool! Coming soon to the Spinworkx store, keep a lookout this Friday the 13th!

Exploring Taipei (and Taiwan)

I've never really given Taiwan much thought in terms of travel vacation places. Chanced upon this video and I think I'm quite excited about it, and this is just Taipei alone.

CHAPPiE - Trailer 2

Jackie Chan - How to Do Action Comedy (EFP)

Every frame a painting just came out with an analysis of Jackie Chan's style of filmography, one of the best summary explaining his style and what makes him so big a hit.

If you're a movie buff and enjoy movie deconstruction, check out their other videos, if not, just watch this one if you like Jackie Chan. =)

Youtube Now Supports 60FPS

I read about this over the weekend and didn't really think much of it. Great, higher FPS is always good but I always felt it was great for when you need to slow footage down, but not useful at regular speed.

And then I had a friend share with me two videos demonstrating the difference between 30FPS and 60FPS.

I'm convinced. maybe Yo-yo contests should be filmed in 60FPS next time.

***Note, set the video settings to play at their max resolution and FPS to ensure you see the difference.***

30 Frames per Second

60 Frames per Second