Hey Doc

It has been one week since I landed in SFO on Monday. The whole purpose of this trip is tomorrow at the passport agency in San Francisco. I always send my passport through mail for renewal in the pass. Because of the time constrain this time, I have to get it done quick so I made an appointment with the office. If things go accordingly, I should have the new passport the next day. Then the VISA. Wish me luck.
For some reason, San Francisco is always my favorite city. If I want to live in the Bay Area when I come back again, SF will be the city of choice. When I do this again, I will choose to live in a simple life. Buy only the essential, I had a house full of stuff before. I think I am passed to have the desire to beautify my cubby hole. Really, what is all that for? Minimalism, that's it.
I finally tested my IR converted camera in the backyard of my sister's house. The focus at distance seemed OK, not tack sharp. Exposure is OK. The white balance was set on "Custom" on the camera. I will assume his was done by the people at the shop so I will keep the WB there for now. I will post the result as soon as I get a chance to take what is the typical IR subjects.

Every photographer thrives on getting the sharpest images for every photos they take. One photographer thinks differently. Joerg Maxin is one of them. I found his de-focused pictures very interesting. It is almost a ghostly like figures, which I call it, the Alien. I tried to play with the idea and this is what I got. I don't mind try out someone else's idea. I may learn something new in photography.
Four more days !! I will be in US visiting all my friends. I will stay a little longer then last time which I barely got my things done. I have max'ed out my leaves from work plus the official five-day holiday to make this trip. Got to tell you this, I will be flying business class this time because my brother-in-law had a soon-to-be-expired upgrade coupon that he won't be using so he gave it to me. If you fly often then you know how you are been treated differently between the two classes.

Almost everyone in Taipei I see on the street carries some kind of bag. Its either hand bag, shoulder bag or back bag. For people like me who use bus or subway as our only transportation, it is essential to have a bag to carry our personal things. The weather is unpredictable here in Taiwan. Its good to have an umbrella with you at all times. I carry a tri-fold sub compact umbrella in my bag. They are small, it will even fit in my pocket. A re-usable shopping bag. Because of the environmental concern, we have to pay for all plastic shopping bags. Even that, the rate of over use of plastic goods is still high. A shirt, especially in Summer. The temperature between outdoor and air conditioned spaces like stores or buses can be drastic. A shirt will help to prevent you from getting sick. A pair of chopstick, yes, chopstick for food. Many people believes the report on how those disposable chopstick commonly used in restaurants were poorly manufactured, some containing high level of bleach that may be bad for your health. But cutting down the use of any disposable stuff are all good reasons for protecting our environment. Last thing I have in my bag is my compact point and shoot camera. You never know when a memorable moment can happen.

Why is some people reluctant to take the seat right after someone gets up ? Especially in the public places, like the train, the bus. Is it because they were afraid of catching someone else's bad "Chi" or for the worse, the fart by sitting down too soon ? Some will even pat the seat cushion a few times to air it out. Won't that get it on your hand now ? Strange indeed.