KLPAC vs Astaka

This pics summed up Urbanscapes 2009, simple, cosy and funI went on quite a bit about how much I felt that transferring the Urbanscapes venue from KLPAC to Astaka in the previous entry. I personally felt that more or less, the event had lost its charm. The main difference was the fact that KLPAC offered an indoor facility. Having the event in a big was restrictive, especially if you depended on visual and audio projection for your presentation. At KLPAC, we would have been able to present using a proper soundstage and projector, away from the hustle and bustle of the loud PA system. Our presenter had to practically shout at the top of their voice to make their ideas to be heard, and it really spoilt their presentation. Not to mention also that the surrounding was too bright for their slides to project as intended. We had to move the projector forward nearer the screen and we ended with a tiny slideshows in the end. Not ideal.

At the KLickrVille, during the 5 Minute Photo Express

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harisrahman/5944721541/in/set-72157627198960682

There was also the humidity and the heat. Indoor facilities at KLPAC offered air-conditioning, as well as proper toilets and most importantly, decent facility for solat. It was too loud at Astaka to do any of that. This certainly put a lot of people off. The Padang Astaka also felt too big and scarce, not the cosy green surrounding if KLPAC. There were plenty of trees there, and there were separate outdoor and indoor concert venue. We were lucky that there was no rain on the day. Rain is something one can cope with but imagine a heavy downpour, with lightning and thunder? Being in an open field was never a great idea. Some might argue that Astaka would be cheaper and hence the cost would not be transferred to the punters. Well, RM 40 for the entrance fee, plus RM 10 for a plain hotdog with a can of Coke was not exactly exactly cheap was it? I found the argument about cost a rather lame one. I believe that if the event was great, people would flock in. I remembered Urbanscapes being really a tight squeeze in 2009. There a charm in that.

Will I return for a similar event in 2012? Of course I would, but that would be to support local outdoor arts activities, something that I felt the great city of KL should embrace. It was clearly a better advertisement of 1Malaysia than any Government vehicles could offer. There were scattered murmuring of another event which happened the previous weekend - *cough* Bersih *cough* - but nobody, except for a guy in a Pikachu suit was wearing yellow. There was even a voter registration booth on site for good measure. Everything was peaceful, and it was a grand day out still. However, I might just hang around for a bit if the venue is Astaka. Should the venue return to KLPAC however, I would snatch for a ticket even today ........

Urbanscapes 2011

It's Monday. And Urbanscapes was 48 hours ago. My head was still buzzing from the laughter excitement and music from the day. This time I was heavily involved with the KLickr events this time around. It was a long and tiring day. But looking back, I was rather proud of what we done especially the 5 minutes Photo Express. Oh! And before I go on, please look at my collection of photographs from the day here.

I missed last year's event as I was in Lumut giving a lecture. This year, the went was moved from KLPAC to Padang Astaka in PJ. Before I go any further, I can sense there were two groups of people who turned up that day, the first-timer who heard great things or been told of activities happening at Urbanscapes in the previous years, and those who had been to previous events. I belong to the second group - yes, I'm old - and there was a part of me that felt Urbanscapes has lost some of its charm. KLPAC was cosy and should I say, rather exclusive. It was like an escape IN THE MIDDLE of KL.

Tumbleweeds maybe?Even Pikachu was around ....The hotair balloon was unfortunately all hot air. It was a non-event ....Fancy a cup of tea?Batman with lipstick?And the night festivities kicked off after dark ....

You drive into the greenery of Sentul Park and in the middle of nowhere you would find a lake, and a studio, with cosy, breezy surrounding. The organizer might try to convince you otherwise, but the charm was now clearly not there anymore. KLPAC also allowed for both indoors and outdoors activities but I shall keep discussions on a later date. As for this entry, I just want to let the pictures tell the story ......

Impromptu Birthday Cake

Thanks to my sister Julia, I had a birthday cake this year. Believe it or not, I did not get one for my birthday, with the kenduri and all. The initial plan was to take my parents out for lunch. Julia and her family was on their way back from Melaka, and they joined us at Pavilion as they arrived in KL. We had our lunch at Madam Kwan’s, in a nice little table, tucked away at the back room.

She prefers children plastic plates. I don't really know why ....Then it was durian time ....BurpAll havoc broke loose when the children started playing with their iPads and iPhone. Even if they had one each, they would still like to fight. We had a good lunch, with all the singing and cake blowing. After lunch, we settled back at my parent’s house at Bukit Antarabangsa. Julia brought back plenty of durian from Melaka. Please don’t smell my breath tonight …….

Extension

We have decided to extend the duration of upload for all the photohunts to idnight tonight. All you had to do is upload your masterpieces via twitter with the hashtag #klick and it sould make its way to our judges. The winner will get to win a year's subscription to Flickr Pro, as well as other consolations prizes.

We have Photo Hunts going for four categories - Balloons, Colourful Dresses, Music and Lights. Happy hunting! More details at the links above.

The Evening Before

The excitement was clearly palpable when I arrived at Padang Astaka. The place was slowly transforming into a carnival site, with props being put up and bands doing their sounchecks. All the tents appeared to be in place, with most of the wiring and electricals in place. The damp weather clearly has not dampen the spirit off the crews. Bumped into a few people I have known from before also involved at some capacity or the other. Many friendly faces, with some of them looking at puzzled, staring at my UM tag around my neck. 

We did some on site reccy and finalising what to put up first thing tomorrow morning. Even though it was about to drizzle, the weather was still kinda muggy, reminding to take plenty of fluids tomorrow. A quick look at the weather forecast - showers, with chance of thunderstorm, but with clear, sunny intervals. I think it would be pouring first thing in the morning, but things would clear up by lunchtime. Looking forward to the party then

Bunkface doing their soundcheck

The crew pass in my bag, most of the technical staff as far as twitter and facebook were concerned for the competitions tomorrow had been sorted out. The problem I had was the limited bandwidth I was getting on my iPhone through Celcom. My Galaxy S2 seemed to be nippier on DiGi. It looked like we would have to bring along the P1 terminals and my wiggy modem just to be on the safe side, even thoughTM promised blanket Unifi coverage. Not very optimistic if the speed would hold if everybody were to log onto the network at the same time.

Just sorting out things to take to the site firs thing tomorrow morning. I would just be bringing my Mac Air alone, not the MacBook Pro as there would be a bit of a walk from the carpark to the tent, and I don’t want to be worried about leaving the laptop. I can always carry the MacAir with me everywhere I go. So, looking forward for tomorrow!