Leon mentioned a futile 1.5hr wait at a 24-hr clinic. Happened to me before too.

I've always wondered what do doctors do in-between patients. Very often, after a patient comes out of the consultation room there's a long break.. usually lasting longer than the consultation itself. It can't be for writing out medication. I see doctors scribbling down medication on my consultant card while explaining what they will be giving me.

Anyway just last Thursday I went to see a doctor near my office. Developed a cough because of the stupid haze. I was there early, at 8.30am, because I wanted to avoid long wait. I was the 2nd patient in the line. The 1st patient left the room and it happened again... 15 minutes passed before my name was called.

I went in, sat down. Before I could say anything, a nurse interrupted and said there was an in-coming call. I waited while the lady doctor took the call. Moments later I realised it was a personal call and she was discussing her upcoming trip.. blah..blah..blah..

I didn't want to stay there and listen to her. So I waved to her and indicated that I would wait outside. And guess what.. that call lasted 20 minutes. By the time I saw her there were like 15 patients waiting already.

She was apologetic when I finally was called in again, said it was a long-distance call. I wasn't interested in who called her from where. She ought to get her prorities right.

That visit took me more than a hour.

My time with the doctor? 5 minutes *sigh*

Oh.. almost forgot... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I like the song Bad Day by Daniel Powter. Kept hearing it during the American Idol period. Then I remembered there was a song by U2.. Beautiful Day from back in year 2000 I think.

Bad Day? Beautiful Day?

I could choose to be rude to the surly girl at the checkout counter. Or I could give her a big smile and wish her well for the rest of the day.

I could choose to curse at my client for the last minute change in designs. Or I could assure him I'll try my best.

I could choose to make an obscene gesture at the driver who cut into my path suddenly. Or I could laugh at his stupidity.

I could make my day bad or beautiful. It's my choice... really.

The 4th Canon Photomarathon was held on 14 Oct 2006. And without fail I was there with Gu. Ghost was there too. Leon couldn't make it this time. And as a recognition of a long-time survivor of 4 years of photomarathons, I received a 1:5 miniature Canon EOS 1Ds MarkII.... sigh.... my dream camera.

There were some changes this year... this year 4 themes were given over the 12-hour period instead of the usual 3. And instead of photo-vests, we were given black polo-Ts. I didn't mind the T-shirt since I've already got 3 photo-vests. The venue was at Suntec City instead of ACS. Initially we thought it was a bad choice. Parking in Suntec City on Saturday afternoons is a nightmare. But it so happened that Vivo City was opened and all the shoppers were at Vivo City. Suntec City was unusually quite and we had no problem getting carpark space throughout the day.

Some of the photos I took for the 3 themes are here. We mised the last theme because we had to attend Anthony's baby girl's birthday party.





We didn't go too far away to get our shots.. Little Inida, Kuan-Inn Temple at Bencoolen Road, Registry of Marriage, Red-Dot Building at Maxwell Road, Amoy Street and Mountbatten Road. This time round we decided not to be too creative but to keep to the themes. And even though we had lesser time per shot this year, we actually managed to return to the venue early to submit our photos.

Too bad we couldn't finish the last theme.... Darkness. I love low light photography and I have just the idea for it. This is the shot I would have submitted.



Oh well. Next year then.