Newbie On Scanner

No, this is not a picture of an alien. It is a scan of my sister's first baby. Thought we lost him/her a month ago when my sister had a bleeding. But it was a follip growth that burst. No, not a floppy for data storage. This is a follip some kind of thing that is alien to men. Doctor heard the heart beat the other day and baby is still there. Hang on tight baby. I hope you will have a smooth landing, insha Allah.

My Coffee Event

Feeling frustrated after been working for 12 hours and 7 days a week. Especially when people are just mean, short-tongue and short-sighted, I just need a good cup of coffee. I don't usually drink coffee but when I drink it is like an event. Got myself a coffee with Tongkat Ali and Ginseng. Have it in my 12 year old mug hoping to recapture some moments from the old days of free and easy.

*short-tongue is my interpretation of people who just speak without thinking.

@Pak Ngah Production - Me & My Protege

Some may wonder where I disappeared every afternoon till 5pm. Here is where I am usually, giving training in video and music editing at Pak Ngah Production. The studio finally going digital but very much involve in traditional works. Beside me is my protege, Megat. Still young and a long long way to go in this world of short-cuts.

Thunder and Lightning in 'Paradise'

The trailer is now renamed 'Stealing Paradise'. Perhaps after being 'strangers' for sometime. After done hundreds of test I finally completed the lightning scene. The original lightning strokes were generated in After Effects but it was thin and too realistic. I ported it over to Macromedia's Flash and retraced it to give more of a cel feel. It is finally composited in Discreet's Combustion to get the over exposure effect at the opening of the cloud.

Sunday In Bali

After weeks of crunching numbers for my business plan, I finally gave myself a break. Why not go to Bali? May not be physically there but in culinary spirit. I missed seafood especially a delicious squid dish. I just love this Balinese recipe. Very island feel or shall we say taste. Be generous with the white pepper and make it more liquid rather than dry like the photo.

Ingredients:
600 gm baby squid
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/3 teaspoon fresh white pepper powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoon oil
5 shallots, peeled and sliced
2 large red chillies
1/2 cup spice paste for seafood
1 cup chicken stock or chicken granule with water
5 sprigs lemon basil, sliced
fried shallots and sprigs of lemon basil to garnish

Operation Manual:
Remove skin of squid and pull out the tentacles and head. Cutt off and discard the head and beaky portion, but reserve the tentacles, if preffered. Clean the squid thorougly. Make sure you got rid off the black ink sack. Marinate squid with lime juice, pepper and salt.
Heat oil in wok, add shallots, chillies and squid and saute for 2 minutes over high heat. Add seafood spice paste and continue to saute for 1 more minute. Pour in chicken stock, add the sliced basil and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Season to taste and garnish with sprigs of lemon basil, fried shallots and serve with coconut rice.

Spice Paste for Seafood:
10 large red chillies, seeded and chopped
6 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
15 shallots, peeled and chopped
10 cm ginger, peeled and chopped
10 cm fresh tumeric, peeled and chopped
1 medium-sized tomato
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
10 candlenuts
1 teaspoon dried shrimp paste
4 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons tamarind pulp
2 salam leaves
2 stalks lemon grass

Process all ingredients, except oil, tamarind pulp, salam leaves and lemon grass, until coarsely ground. Heat oil, add all ingredients and cook over moderate heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden. Cool before using. Can be stored in fridge in an air tight plastic container.