Hiatus?

Maybe, not really. Some will argue if a 2-year pause is a short-term hiatus.

Anyway, that two years of absence was a costly one as during that period I lost possession of my domain thegreenmechanics.com. The web-hosting company has now put my domain up for sale at $2,595 which would have been RM10,000 had I decided to put it up for sale before the expiry of my domain's tenure. My blog is now hosted on Google's blogspot until I can find a suitable domain to park it.

I hope to continue blogging again and share some work related experience and stuffs.

Meanwhile....

Our recent activity was hiking at Maragang Hill, Kundasang Sabah.

It was a very refreshing, not-so-challenging hike, or rather a walk I'd say. I will talk about it in more detail later.

ENGINEER'S RUN 2015 is in September

To all healthy-minded people out there, here is where you can train and get rewarded at the same time. Not to mention the not-immediately-seen benefit of good health you stand to gain.

Let's join the Engineer's Run 2015 in September.

Open to everyone, it's divided into 4 categories and you can register for either the full distance of 13KM or the shorter run of 6KM:

• Men's Open (10yr old - 44yr old)
• Men's Veteran (45yr old & above)
• Women's Open (10yr old - 44yr old)
• Women's Veteran (45yr old & above)

Not bad. Going up the Signal hill and run through the city centre.


Click to enlarge the Form. You can print it out or alternatively contact: a) IEM Sabah @Damai - 088259122 (Ms Wendy), b) Performance Sportz @Likas Driving Range - 088212268 (Mr. Rudy/Ms Marjie)


TheGreenMechanics: Come on engineers, join in. Or, at the least do your bit by spreading the news.


"A HEALTHY LIFE IS A HAPPY LIFE"

Sunset at Tanjung Aru beach, Kota Kinabalu

Take sometime off during good weather and if you are lucky, you will be able to see the sun 'sinking' slowly into South China Sea. While the sun actually move in a slow motion, you find yourself running out of time. You realised that you were not actually watching it; you were just hiding behind the camera lens and miss the actions all together.

I have some shots to show, but you can also look at more of them here.


In the mood


Some sort of fiesta going on here?





D90 + Nikkor 18-200mm. Versatile lens but may not be the best glass for shooting this.











So, don't be like me. I capture the whole episode but wasn't actually watching the sunset.

Anyway, this is a must-visit attraction when you are in Kota Kinabalu. We have three beaches and this one (First Beach) is the longest of the three, most equipped, and most visited beach.

Just stone-throw away from the beach is the Perdana Park if you prefer to jog, walk and do a little exercise. It is fully lit and the jogging tracks are comparable to the modern builds elsewhere in the world.

Visit my photo-blog here to see more pics.

Manchester United are Champions - won 20th Premier League Title

Manchester United are champions yet again!

Manchester United won their 20th title on Monday night (early morning Malaysian time) after beating Aston Villa 3-0, thanks to a Robin van Persie hattrick.


Earlier on Sunday, Manchester City lost to a spirited performance by Spurs, meaning United's 16 point advantage is now unassailable.

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It was a joy to watch in anticipation.

The thing about United is that, every time they lose grip on the trophy to their rivals, they bounce back quickly in the next campaign.
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If you missed the match, this is Robin van Persie's wonder goal against Aston Villa, one that is worthy of a goal of the season.

A stunning strike by the Dutchman - even if you are not a United fan, this is one that is worth watching.

Click on the image to watch it in Hi-Definition.
Source: Stuff.co.nz

GO! GO! CHAMPIONS!

Hungry bird gone hunting

We had a short vacation recently and I took some time to try birding. It was good that the operator maintained the greenery around the resort and there are areas that are quite photographer-friendly to those with camera with them. But who doesn't, nowadays.

Here is birdie's three steps to hunt fruitfully:

* hide and spy - be on alert *

* snap your prey at first glimpse - don't delay, opportunity only flash once! *

* enjoy your catch, but wait, make sure there's no one lurking *

There are many more telling shots in between these three pictures. They can be found in my photo blog.

Note: I can't identify the bird. It looks like heron but it could also be a kingfisher. Appreciate some help.

United Move Clear

What a week of football for the BPL - to United fan that is!

Nani doing his trademark celebration after scoring a screamer.
Photo credit: soccernet/AP

Check out the other selected results from this week's fixtures (those that concerns the potential title contenders - M.United, M.City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspurs):

All of the other teams in the "Big Five" dropped points except for United.

For my English speaking friends and readers, that sums up my excitement for a fantastic week for Manchester United FC and the fans from all over the world.

Untuk rakan-rakan peminat bolasepak di Malaysia, izinkan saya kelentong sikit a.k.a trip macam pengulas sukan terkemuka Haji Hasbullah Awang, hehe.

90 minit pertemuan United dengan Chelsea yang dijangka menyajikan persembahan menarik nampaknya akan diingati sebagai yang sebaliknya. Apa tidaknya, lihat saja fakta-fakta berikut:

1. Rooney gagal menyempurnakan sepakan penalti
2. Torres yang berdepan dengan gawang kosong memilih untuk menguis bola ke kiri (blunder of the season lah kiranya)
3. Berbatov nampak masih 'berkarat' selepas gagal menjaringkan gol pada jarak 5 meter dari gawang dengan penjaga gol Chelsea sudah tertewas.
4. Dua gol United kelihatan offside tetapi ini tiada bezanya dengan jaringan Terry musim lalu di Stamford Bridge yang menyebabkan Chelsea menang tipis 1 - 0.
5. Rooney sepatutnya menjaringkan hattrick atau 4 gol.
6. Torres, seperti Rooney sepatutnya menjaringkan hattrick.

Apa-apa pun 3 matalah yang penting dan ini telah mengekalkan rekod 100% United dalam kempen musim ini. Musim masih panjang tetapi siapa mungkin yang tidak cemburu dengan permulaan hebat seperti ini?

Come On UNITED.....all the way now!

Ginawo Nosindualan

This is an un-released version of a song composed by a friend of mine, Martin. It is a Dusun number, expected to be released in May 2011 to coincide with the Harvest Festival or Kaamatan.

A teacher by profession, he is an avid musician and very good with his acoustic guitar. I play guitar quite well too but maybe not up to his par, hehe.

Inquiries can be channeled to him here.

Happy Listening!



Song title(Sinding) : Ginawo Nosindualan
Singer (Susuminding) : Elsie James
Composer (Minodsupu) : Martin Gindou
Expected date of release : May 2011
Currently playing & topping : Sabah Vfm, Bontugan Sinding Dusun


Streaming of music may take sometime as the buffering is quite taxing.

Sayang sekali Sabah Vfm(Dusun) tidak memaparkan kedudukan semasa carta lagu mingguan, tidak seperti Sabah Vfm(Cina). Diharap pihak berkenaan mengambil tindakan segera.

Tambalut ku Martin, sila update sekiranya ada perubahan tarikh atau aktiviti-aktiviti promosi.

©Support your our local products!

Hazy Sunset

Been away for a while now but not because blogging has taken a back seat. Put the blame on the terrible haze instead, alright. Many would agree that the current haze brings a lot of harmful effects to our health.

Well from the perspective of a landscape photographer, and BTW I'm not one, it is a good time to capture the sunrise and sunset phenomenon in a more interesting and easier way. The sun does not shine too brightly in the morning and you have better chances of capturing the round image without additional tools. Especially good time for people like myself who does not have all the gears and apparatus needed.

Followings are some of my shots recently. The sun currently set at about 6.15pm in Kota Kinabalu but I could take picture of the sun as early as 5.00pm due to the haze which act as softener to the bright sun ray.

A little bit of editing to reduce the highlight.

Pre-sunset in Putatan area. The sun is notably still high over the trees.

View from along KK-Papar highway near Lok Kawi

To view more of my recent captures, visit my flickr site here.
Have a good day, and stay healthy.

Giggs: PFA Footballer of the Year

My all time Welsh football player, Ryan Giggs has finally been awarded PFA Player of the Year by fellow professional footballers in England. He started just 12 games this season for his club, Manchester United but he contributed some crucial goals towards maintaining United's lead in English Premier League.

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So, I think it is more of a reward for Giggs 18 years of glittering career which he started at young age in 1991. But, hey he deserves it and I think many will agree with me that he is one of the more talented footballers in the UK, for a long long time.

Some of the 35-year old's achievements:

• 10 Premier League titles,
• 4 FA Cups,
• 3 League Cups,
• 2 Champions League medals.

Giggs said "It's right up there, with personal accolades it's the best to have as it's voted by your fellow players, I've been fortunate to win a lot of trophies, I won the young player award twice, but this is the big one.''

So, Congrats Gigsy! I'm sure you still have some good stuffs up your sleeve even at this age.

Rayn Giggs' Profile

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Congratulations Mr & Mrs Federer

My all time favourite tennis player, Roger Federer wrote this in his website:

"Earlier today, in my hometown of Basel, surrounded by a small group of close friends and family, Mirka and I got married. It was a beautiful spring day and an incredibly joyous occasion. Mr. and Mrs. Roger Federer wish all of you a Happy Easter weekend. Love, Roger"

Roger Federer and Miroslava Vavrinec (Mirka) first met at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. At that time Mirka was herself a Women's Tennis Association player, and there's where the love story started between them. In March 2009, Roger announced in a post on his website that he and Mirka will welcome their baby later this summer.

Many many congratulations to both of you Roger & Mirka, wishing you all the very best in your life together!!

Read more..

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