Sigh… I’ve been slacking in churning out videos and posts… And what have I been working on?

A lot of project management! And some programming.

I’m currently heading the projects division at Integricity Corporation and there’s always so much going on, especially around this time of year when all clients are trying to launch their new sites.

We’ve probably launched 10 different projects in the last month, with one that was just launched tonight! We welcome Louis Pang’s refreshed blog to the blogosphere - much more intuitive with a whole lot of new functionality! Louis is a good friend, and probably one of the most sought after wedding photographers in Malaysia (and by many from abroad too!). All the best with the new blog, Louis Pang Studio!

What else have I been busy with? Well… here’s a sneak peak at an Integricity-owned project that will revolutionize the dining experience for Malaysians. It’s called TheQguides, and it’s not out yet… but will be very shortly. A teaser is on the website here. I can’t show you more, but here’s a brief glimpse of what’s being birthed in our labs…

As such, I’ve been rather tied for time. BUT, just to let all of you know… I have swung to the dark-side. I am now the owner of a hand-me-down Macbook Pro from my wife. She has got a new-fangled Macbook Pro, but I’m happy with what I have now. There’s much to learn, but I’m getting there. I’ll share more info soon on the learning process and how a PC is different from a Mac.

Oh, the pain of relearning shortcut keys! GRRR…

Man, what a busy time it has been… So much work, too little time, clients chasing us all the time (oh, hello darling clients!)

I started out The Backpackr project to see how far it would get and it’s been great fun. We fell a little short on unique visitors hitting our site, but made up for it in video views on YouTube. I’ll reveal our stats next week.

For now, I’m off for a cruise with my wife Grace (who runs Integricity Visuals and Wedding Story together with her business partners). It’s actually a work assignment from a client of hers who is coming up with a movie, and needs certain elements of the ship captured in photos and videos - so that it can be used in digital 3D recreations… amazing, huh? And of COURSE Grace can’t do the assignment alone, so she needs an adept assistant who will also share a cabin with her for cost saving reasons!

Woohooo, so Superstar Gemini, here I come… It’s not a long trip though… 3 days and 2 nights, SNORT! Let’s see… we leave on Saturday at 2pm, spend a night out at sea while heading down to Singapore, have a full Sunday on board, then disembark at 9am on Monday! WHERE’S MY 24 x 3 HOURS? It’s only 43 hours on board, not even a full TWO DAYS. Someone from the marketing team should learn how to count the hours.

Anyhow, it’s gonna be exciting, and here are two videos I found on YouTube that show what the Superstar Gemini is all about. Quality is a little crap, be warned…

Alright, I’ve got to go pack in our 2 camera bodies, flash lights, Panasonic AG-HVX202 HD video camera, notebooks, data storage drives, etc… oh yes, some clothes too, I guess…

This is called a “Gipsy” show - doubt it’ll be playing when we’re on board, but looks fairly cool.

Okay, we’re not going on the Superstar Virgo, but here’s their promo video. I hope we’ll get something like that!

Yesterday, a few of us trooped over to Taman Mayang to give of ourselves. I heard of a blood donation drive happening in my housing area at a local church, and started a Facebook event to try and help them promote it.

As a result, The Backpacker and seven friends trooped over to be sucked dry. Here are some photos… (I’ll have a video out soon!)

Huge sign that states eligibility…

I thought the colours of the blood type test were so cool! (Oh, I did saturate the photo slightly, though…)

Here’s my blood donor card getting checked by the nurse. It was my 11th time doing it.
I desaturated the colours on the next few photos for dramatic effect. (Not that it’s a sad and dreary activity, though!)

You are put through a series of questions and tests before you are permitted to donate blood. I guess they have to weed out those who have mad cow disease! (I hid it well)

Here’s a close-up of the needle going in after passing the 101 tests. It really doesn’t hurt - they had already given me a small dose of local anaesthetic by then.

And me conducting an interview with some of the other donors. Here’s Chui being disturbed while giving blood.

And Katy K’ng who just finished - she’s done it quite a few times already.

And here is Ronnie who is flanked by the nurses who are just about to prod him with the needle. On the side is Grace, my wonderful assistant (and wife) who helps me out with filming at times.

Alright, that’s it for now - back to the edit room I go. I’ve gotta churn out some programmes soon!

After weeks of planning, I’m now live with the first-firstest video. Do bear with me as I improve myself as this project unravels.

Imagine - I still don’t have a logo, but yet, we’re gungho enough to start up this site. I feel it’s absolutely crucial to have a community aspect to this video project.

For those who are totally not into watching YouTube, have crappy Internet connections or are seemingly too busy to even visit the WC, here’s the gist of the video - in bullet form.

• thebackpackr.com is a site that will talk about the latest technological innovations
• I’ll try to present a 2 minute clip slated for busy business-persons who need a quick fix of what is out there on the Internet
• Tutorials on how to do things - DIY style and otherwise
• Interviews with interesting personalities and celebrities (I hope!)
• What you want me to cover - the ball is in your court. This project is a community driven one, and you can pose suggestions on the type of videos I will create.

This project will run for 4 weeks, starting today and I’ll attempt 2 video clips per week. So, stay tuned!

Music credit: Les Choses (Stephane Rathqueber)