New blog migration

This goes out to you subscribers to this somewhat plainly-designed Signal Element Blog.

The Wordpress migration is just about complete! The new digs are designed by no other than my long time friend, Van Phan. If you need any graphics or web stuffs designed, feel free to hit him up at find.van[at]gmail(dot)com .

However, this means this blogger based blog and any RSS feeds associated with it will no longer be updated.

If you visit the blog through blog.signalelement.com, it'll automatically redirect to the new site (and you probably won't see this post anyways).

If you're reading this in RSS, either visit the new blog, or directly subscribe to the new one by clicking here.

Thanks for reading!

Jon's M5

I have been reluctant to post lately because I'm on the verge of launching my website and new blog format. But, until I actually get my act together this is it.

Anyhow, teased from a previous post, I give you Jon's M5:











Pardon Blogger for cutting off the images. Wordpress is much more flexible in formatting and image gallery plugins, so it should be much better when I get to migrating everything over there.

Staying in shape in the off-season.

Well, after vegging out and being inactive for over a week after dragonboat season ended, I decided to hit the gym again....hard. I actually hit the gym last week, but it was just a lazy circuit train.

I did a slightly modified version of the Men's Health 300 workout. All are supposed to be done without any rest. But I cheated and rested a few times, else I would've passed out.

25 - pullups (kipping)
50 - 135lbs deadlifts
50 - bodyweight squats (the normal 300 workout calls for 24 inch boxjumps, but I was feeling dizzy at this point)
50 - floor wipers (I had to do 5 sets of 10)
50 - single arm clean and press with 35lbs dumbbell (original calls for kettle bell)
25 - pullups (kipping...I had to break it up into 3 sets of 2, 11, and 12...I was so burnt out of energy)

The 300 guys hold a record of doing it in 18-19 minutes. I did it in like 43 minutes.

For a video of what the original exercises should look like, check here.

Afterwards, I dashed out of the gym. They were about to close when I finished my last set of pullups. Furthermore, I had to sit in the car for a moment while I caught my breath. When I got out of the car when I got home I felt a crazy cramp in my hamstrings. I inched my way into the house and started stretching like a madman. I then proceeded to consume an orange, and then a banana. When my stomach settles, I think I'll fix up a protein shake.

Man oh man...feeling like dying never felt so good.

A little of this...a little of that.

Some hooliganism on Friday night resulted in this image:


Jon's M5-One-Oh!

That's all you get for now. But, be on the lookout for the launch of a new blog format, as well as a main website!

Season's over!

October 4-5 weekend marked the KP Dragonboat Race @ Treasure Island (www.sfdragonboat.com), which also meant the end of my dragonboat season.

My team, DieselFish did pretty well. Our DF1 crew took 1st in the Comp B division. While DF2 (my crew) and DF3 both ended up in the Rec B division. Even though DF2 made it to the championship, we were just edged out of hardware taking 4th in the division. In any case, we put on a strong showing, and I'm proud of our performance.

In any case, here are a few photos from racing weekend with my team DieselFish:


My team!


Todd and Victor, getting friendly. Todd's from LARD (Los Angeles Racing Dragons), our sister team from LA.


Tamara, a fellow Dieselfishie filling in for LARD (hence the confusing wardrobe).


Racing! That's me as the front right paddler of boat 4. My brother Gary snapped this one.


Mish & Brandon's Baby Jaden, taking a break between racing heats.


Me on a lunch break. Photo by Wes Ronquillo.


View of the bridge construction. Photo by Wes Ronquillo.


Our A-boat, taking the Comp B Division Championship!


Fearless Coach Mark. He said if we took first, he'd shave his head...this is him realizing the reality.


Tamara (in proper DF attire) and Claire, showing off their bling.

View more on my Flickr, if you're so inclined:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/signalelement/sets/72157607983915239/

Oh man, do I look forward to the 2009 season! Go DieselFish!

For now, I'll be taking up rock climbing again.

Debbie Triple Threat!

I've been shooting a lot, and not post-processing enough. In any case, here's a sneak teaser on what I've been working on lately:


Nick & Debbie Engagement Session


Tom & Debbie Doan Wedding, shot for Junshien Lau


Maternity shoot for my friend Deborah

There will be more to come soon, whenever I get cracking.

It's also pretty random that the three Deborahs I shot line up to be at different phases of family: engagement, wedding, maternity. I didn't plan it out to be that way, that's just how it unraveled in the past week.

So, enjoy these for now!

Europe Report Part 2: Give Way! More London!

I finally went through more of my London photos. I tried generating a video/flash slideshow, but until I get the right programs to do it right, you'll have to settle for a Flickr gallery for now.

London Gallery