I found a cute picture on the internet, so I decided to draw it up.

Another day of work, but saw the sunset and I had to run out and grab the photo - simply amazing how nature can change to appear to us.

Well, I’m back, finally. After two months’ break in Taiwan, I must say the experience is now refreshing and great. For one, I learned to change the strings on my guitar by myself. So, there.

Haha, just randomly posting now. More to come!

This is my first guitar I bought and played. But I’m flying back to Taiwan, home for Christmas, and I’m going to have to leave it at the local guitar store for 4-5 weeks. I will miss you!

*says the passionate man, as he plans on getting a cheap acoustic at home* :]

I’ve added a publication link at the top of the navigation bar. The old Weblog link is merged into the dragon icon - you can actually click on it now.

I felt I needed a place to archive important articles. So that’s where it’ll go.

Hopefully that graph makes sense. Lots of jumping around, though.

Took me hours to decide on a name: The Artist’s Bane. A friend of mine came up with it, so I don’t take the credit on coming up with the name. But it is a good one.

I managed to get an affordable compression. I’d like to share them in case someone else is wondering what kind of compression works.

Specification as below:

High Quality: HDTV PAL. (1280×720, 25p)
I’m using Xvid MPEG-4 Codec with default settings.
Audio is compressed a lot: 8000kHz, 16-bit, Mono.

File size: ~320kb per 4 seconds of footage. 4.8Mb per minute.

I’m only speaking and it serves its purpose. If and when I have sound effects of music, I may have to up-spec the audio compression.

Low Quality: 640×360 25p
I’m using the standard FLV flash video setting.
Audio is also default.

File size: ~180kb per 4 seconds of footage. 2.7MB per minute.

The FLV is streamed online right on the site, as well as for podcasting RSS feed. The HQ version will be embedded on the site for download and archival purposes. :]

A few hours ago I decided to take my vocal skills a step ahead - going to buy an unidirectional microphone. I’m looking at around $40-$80 AUD in price range, a good entry-level professional recording device. I have a basement at home where it’s sound-proof - perfect for recording without extra noises, and hopefully by hearing myself singing I can figure out where my weaknesses are.

But the next thought kicked in. What about a podcast? I always wanted to do one, but never figured out why. I already have the awesome free software CamStudio for recording my computer screens; adding a microphone with a USB input, I would have all I need for a podcast in terms of equipment.

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Today I was glad to see the weather staying sunny, and decided to take the visit on a Monday. Fortunately, it soon occurred to me that today is also the birthday of Robert, son of the zoo manager Steve Irwin. He turned five on this day, and they had a special show an hour before the crocodile hunter show just for him. Too much kids dancing and music for me, though. :P But it was great fun.

Walked lots, been to all the places from 9:30 am to 2pm. The train from Chelmer to Beerwah took one transfer, and takes about an hour and a half single-trip. Not too bad. I spent all my time waiting/on the train reading Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, the third book The Dragon Reborn. Once I got off the train, a free bus took us from the station right in front of the zoo within 4 minutes.

The admission ticket for one single adult was $52 AUD though. Ouch. And I heard Seaworld here is even more expensive - I’ll find out later. But I must say the day in the zoo is a lot of fun. Wombats were bigger than I thought, and you can actually sit next to the kangaroos and pat them, or feed them with special food you can buy. The entire place is not too big; I could walk from the main entrance around and back within twenty minutes if I wanted to, but they had a lot of animals to see. If I had brought friends (don’t know anyone here yet), it might have taken a few more hours going around as well.

Anyways, some photos here. Enjoy. =]

I like the fence behind it in this picture, actually.

Eyes... so reflective. Like liquid chocolate.

Looking at me looking at you!

Yeah, totally gentleman-like.

Or lying down and enjoy the shade.

From a different angle.

The bird's name is Edward. Go figure.

Sleepeh..

Wombats are huge!

He's actually cleaning its teeth.

Walk... walk..

Statue of.. lion? What?

Great fun. Went out at 4:30 in the morning and shot some nice pictures with direct sunlight. It was so bright and gorgeous, I could not lie in bed and miss it.

Taken right in the entrance of the station.

Guess what, it's a pub!

Little big things . . .

Sunrise, with a twist.

Walking back on the Station Road.

It's the Shopping Centre complex.

Beautiful apartment design.

Birds!