Constellation Crux

Took this one on Saturday night, when the stars were brilliant.

The Crux (latin for 'Cross') is popularly known as the Southern Cross. It is the smallest of the 88 modern constellations but also one of the most distinctive.
Australians, Latin Americans and Africans should feel at home at the sight of it.

It is bordered by Centaurus on three side and Musca on one. Centaurus is not only one of the largest constellation, but it also contains one of the five brightest stars in the entire heaven: Alpha Centauri (in the picture it is the bright star nearest to the treetop)

Alpha Centauri is the nearest sun system to our own, being less than five light years away. About 4.6 light years if I remember correctly, which means 4.6 years of voyage unless you 'jump' with FTL drives...

Taken with a 30 sec exposure, ISO 800, F/9.5 and focal length of 17mm on a Canon APS-C sensor (effectively 27mm). Jared suggested smaller aperture for more defined stars and I'm going to try that out when I have purchased an ultra wide angle lense.

Colour correction was done on Picasa 3 to render the sky more bluish than black.

Krasimyr Klashes

I just finished two games with this Bulgarian gentleman at table 44 (Round Robin 2 of the 60th GK Tourney). The rating of 1400++ masks his true strength. A careful analysis of his wins losses and draws as well as the players he had been playing will reveal that. In any case, by the middle game in both my matches with him, I concluded he to be a tough opponent not to be underestimated... one observation I made was that he doesn't really like playing with knights, if u watch his game play.

My first game with him which I won is as follows:

Play online chess

My second game with him which I lost is as follows:

Play online chess

Notably, in the first game I paid attention to the safety of my king, and I survived to go on and win, while in the second game, I neglected the safety of my king and when he was full on attack, I was not able to hold off. This is an important reminder for the attack minded amateurs.

A note of intrigue: in both matches White WON by the 37th move. A very itching case of coincidence, seriously! I did resign in the second game, but not with the knowledge that I had checkmated him on the 37th move in the first!

At current standing I would need to win the last game against Ejcbbdb to maintain leadership over the table, and so as to avoid a stalemate position which would surely give Ejcbbdb the ticket (based on rating) to the next round.

Bus 373

I took a bus ride today.

It was exciting waiting for the bus.

It was like a fresh breathe of air when I board it.

Strange feeling of half certainty and adventure. What is the treasure herein?

At My Grave

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

私のお墓の前で　泣かないでください
そこに私はいません　眠ってなんかいません
千の風に 千の風になって
あの大きな空を 吹きわたっています

秋には光になって　畑にふりそそぐ
冬はダイヤのように　きらめく雪になる
朝は鳥になって　あなたを目覚めさせる
夜は星になって　あなたを見守る

私のお墓の前で　泣かないでください
そこに私はいません　死んでなんかいません
千の風に 千の風になって
あの大きな空を 吹きわたっています

千の風に 千の風になって
あの大きな空を 吹きわたっています
あの大きな空を 吹きわたっています


The lyrics are not the same as the original verses. Thanks to the most suave editor I have been honored to work with for introducing me to the poem two months ago, and then the song yesterday. This version is by Man Arai (新井 満) while there is another popular rendition by Masafumi Akikawa (秋川 雅史). It's beautiful. The Chinese Translation of the lyrics are as follows:

請別佇立在我的墳前哭泣
我不在那裡 我沒有沈睡不醒
我已化身為千縷微風
翱翔在無限寬廣的天空裡
秋天化身為陽光照射在田地間
冬天化身為白雪綻放鑽石光芒
晨曦升起時幻化為飛鳥輕聲喚醒你
夜幕低垂時幻化為星辰溫柔守護你
請不要佇立在我墳前哭泣
我不在那裡 我沒有離開人間
我已化身為千縷微風
翱翔在無限寬廣的天空裡


Pls use the comment to alert me, should the music does not play. Thank you.

Oh Man

I had a good time at a very good old friend's place. Plus lots of Bak Choy.

Something good happened to me at Leura House a decade ago. In a nutshell, I learned to appreciate wine and friendship... kinda reminds me of a song... Drink with Me from Les Mis. The happy part of it, of course!

Our dear host kept joking and laughing about some highly imaginative scenarios, which Yumi and I found amusing and well, sometimes irritating. Deep down, I know he is happy for me. He is probably the most caring friend I had while I was studying here. He used to tell me, one of these days, it won't be long...

Later that evening... the night sky was beautiful, typical of a starry summer night. I haven't seen Pollux and Castor around for a long time. But hey, I know of someone who is in Zurich now, who may be gazing at them ;)

Little Lead

Never been there and now I am! I have managed to get a little lead. This may or may not last, but this moment is ecstatic and should be savoured :)



Ejcbbdb is giving me a very strong resistance, while krasimyr and I am still in the midst of a very tight and fiercely guarded game. I'll post the latest games from table 44 soon.

Unyielding Undoing

Clinched the 3rd win from table 44, with three more games to go for me. At this juncture, three players are all having the highest score of 3 points and we still do not know who would emerge as table leader... but, I guess the answer lies in the heart of battle...



The game with 2kneo was not too dull, nor was it extraordinary, though the ending was like a flourish of intense firepower... or if you like, a super 10 hit combo. The most interesting twist in this story was the draw offer I made in the middle of the game (at a time when we are both quite equal in strength) which he actually declined. He is a brave one. He insisted on fighting till only one would be left standing. And he fell, bravely.

Play online chess

Superior Sayings

When CMcCully came up beside me at the urinal...
CMcCully: (noticed my awed look) it's alright, your pee will be exalted...
Me: ... eh Sir... should I say I'm honoured?

When ALim saw me for the 2nd time of the day in a span of 15mins for a different reason...
ALim: Wah... why you so popular today...
Me: Actually it's not just today...

When LaoChek covered the coin on his forearm...
LaoChek: ... so do you have the 'Chi' to decide your fate?
Me: ... so it comes down to this...

Second Spoil

Just had a lucky win over the top ranked player at table 44, two days ago. This player is the highest rating I have won against so far (1663, after match). Apparently the playing field is more leveled than I had expected, and anyone of my table could emerge victorious this round. A major blunder on his part tipped the balance in my direction. Since it was not won by out-maneuvering the opponent, I shall not post the whole game. In the end I got to play this very simple mate in 2 (moves) that should be solved within seconds.

Exodus II

The second of a two part chapter in which Admiral Adama orders and executes a dramatic rescue of the people on New Caprica. This is a chapter from the third season.

The mission encompasses some quite exhilarating ideas like decoys for the Cylon basestars in orbits, as well as having the Galactica jumping into the atmosphere of New Caprica and launching vipers during a dangerous descent before jumping away again.

Notable events include: the putting to death of Ellen Tigh by her husband for having sold out information to the Cylons; the Cylon retrieval of Hera, the Cylon-Human born child of Boomer and Helo; the insurgents working with the Colonial forces; Felix Gaeta confronting Baltar; Lee Adama's coming to his Admiral's rescue; and the sacrifice of the Pegasus to bring down two basestars.

There are many reasons to bash the BSG for... like how draggy it can get sometimes, in addition to those cost saving episodes... the loose and unexpected sexual tie-ups (sorta reminds me of Grey's Anatomy)... the constant mythical and theological references... I'm also baffled how too often after an episode of BSG I'd feel like I have watched an episode of ER, or Law and Order, or the West Wing. I haven't followed any of those, but my point is sometimes BSG tries to be something else, or everything else.

Yet, on a good note... sometimes, BSG projects a clear sense of identity and engages you like no other. This episode is one of those sometimes.

First Flag

Just wrapped up the first game from the second round of the 60th GameKnot Tournament. Thanks to a blunder by my opponent, really. Other than a critically wrong pawn push, I think his castling was unfortunately on the wrong side, as well. Personal favorite move of the game is my knight's on the 19th turn. Five more games to go, with the other three opponents at table 44.

Play chess online