Take That - Back For Good ?

Robbie Williams said he is ready to rejoin the 90's British boy band sensation Take That.

Take That would be following a well-trodden path if they get back together, after a surge of nostalgia comebacks including the Spice Girls, the Police, the Sex Pistols, Blur, Spandau Ballet and Led Zeppelin.

But then, who would be the lead singer? Robbie Williams or Gary Barlow?

Buying & Selling

M&A activity has ebbed in 2008 and its no surprise as history taught us recessionary environments tend to result in lower activity.

However, the phrase has been popping up quite actively in the news, in this month alone we have:

Mar 19: Cisco > Pure Digital Technologies (USD0.59B)
Mar 18: IBM > Sun (USD6.5B)
Mar 12: Roche > Genentech (USD46.8B)
Mar 9: Merck > Schering-Plough (USD41.1B)

Well...I can understand Counter-cyclical industries, such as healthcare might be able to see strength in M&A. As for the rest, does it mean they are distressed deals where sellers have no choice but to sell out?

Gaffer on Camera Body?

This is the weirdest I have heard lately on "mummifying" a camera body.

A friend's bro who's a pro photographer has spent days on a project, using yards and yards of Gaffer tapes - wrapping up lenses and also the body.


Well, I found out he's not alone.

I was able to dig out some supporting reasons online for such tedious project:

1. Prevent the peeling of paint on the camera body / lens
2. Protect the camera equipment from chipping caused by accidental knocks
3. Enhance grip
4. Make metallic parts easier to hold in cold weather
5. Conceal expensive equipment (e.g. L lenses with red rings / white bodies) from prying eyes and unwanted attention
6. Minimize usage marks on lens hoods

His reasoning revolves around adding a character and personality to the otherwise boring piece of equipment. And the biggest agenda out of all would have to be the ability to preserve the resale value of his equipment - keeping them in good cosmetic condition.

When asked when he will ever sell his equipments - never!

Photographers all have something in common - they possess a certain perspective, which explains why they can shoot objects from a different angle, don't you agree?

A Decrease in Myopia

Recently, I felt that my eye sight has deteriorated and so there I went for an eye check and my optician told me otherwise.

My Myopia has actually decreased compared to a year ago, which explained why I kept having a blurred vision with my current contact lenses on.

Though I was told these cases are rare, I was not heavily overwhelmed as if Santa bought me a big surprise. The improved in short-sightedness basically translated to:

1) not been reading as much
2) the imminent need to buy new sets of lenses
3) aging might have something to do with it