To Dazel

I made a trip to Sembawang park this morning after a job nearby. We brought you there when you were about 4 years old for a family BBQ, and that was also the 1st time my family met Thao. But you were too hyper active and brother had to bring you home so that we can have some peace. You were also so excited in the car and on trips to parks and reservoirs.

This evening, I went running around the neighbourhood. I have not done so for quite sometime. I ran pass the grounds where we used to walk every week. You used to chase the birds and cats there until you were too old to be bothered about them. And your possessive nature caused you to pee on every tree possible, till I don't see any pee coming out, but you still lifted your leg sideways as if there was an unlimited stockpile coming out of you. That was so typical of you.

I imagined you running towards me, with you tongue sticking out and tail wagging all around, your gallop loopsided until you jump onto my knees and splashes some saliva on my legs. You could never allow me to walk in front of you. To make you run, I just have to make a short dash, and you would always try to outrun me. That was so typical of you.

You liked to go around trees and got yourself untangled by the leash, but you were smart enough to free yourself. Only when the leash went around your tail and rubbed against your backside, then you would sit down and wait for me to rescue you. Somedays, when you were not feeling well, you like to chew on the grass. And you could go on doing that forever, until I had to pull you along. You always did your business on trees, I didn't know how you developed that habit, but it was good and helped the trees grow. Sometimes, you will suddenly jump on my legs and barked, as if telling me to walk faster, if only I could understand you.

You disliked big dogs, and barked fiercely when you saw one, especially our neighbour's. Other times, you didn't make a sound and tried to hide when the other smaller dog sniffed you. You got more hot tempered as you age, but I know you would not hurt a puppy. That was so typical of you.

I will not forget our weekly half hour walk, something which meant the world to you. You could always sense that I was about to bring you out and couldn't stop barking for me to get your leash. I forgo those walks when I was too busy, and you just waited for the next week, hoping that it will happen before your weekly bath. You hated baths, and never failed to hide when I went to get your towel. That was so typical of you.

Its been almost 2 months since you left us. I miss you.

Quotes that Happen in Real Life

I saw this quote online and cant help thinking about what happened to me during the Beijing Paralympics, as well as on a daily basis in my work.

A Canadian writer and photojournalist, Finbarr O’Reilly’s words: “If we only provide images that people want, then we are pandering to an audience instead of challenging them and pushing them to think differently. That is why the best photojournalism is often discomforting to look at”.

Here's the story....I shot this picture which I thought is interesting as it shows the readers how a chinese man He Junquan 何军权 who lost both upper limbs in a childhood accident is able to swim and be a Paralympic champion. He finishes his race by hitting his head against the electronic timer board. He came in 2nd in this race that I photographed, probably due to the disadvantage in his finishing, as the 1st swimmer edged him out by fractions of a second with his hand.



Its a picture that suit the story which my reporter was writting (on how he finished his race and how he swims). Unfortunately, I was criticised for sending a lousy picture which doesn't show his face. I was pissed off by this comment from my boss, who obviously missed the point of the picture and did not read the captions which I wrote before dismissing the picture. Try arguing with your boss over a long distance call and explaining whatever was already written in the caption, and you know what I mean. I am not a trouble maker, but this was a point which I have to make so that they can get it right, for the fact that I was there to see how they swam through a window underwater. a facecut of a swimmer without 2 upper limbs just doesn't work in this case. But that was the picture published.

This incident brings me to the 1st sentence in the quote. A news picture does not have to tell you everything in one glance. It has to make you think, and caption can be used to provide more information on it. Do you know where the girl is from or what she has gone through in Steve McCurry's famous Afghan girl picture? Its a portrait that captures your attention and makes you want to know more about it.



One of the 4 windows that allowed photographers to get amazing underwater shots of the swimmers. I was either alone or with a student volunteer during my time down here. Had a good chat with whoever is present (friendly student volunteer and a Spanish photographer who brought along very nice chewing gums) while waiting for the race to start.