The Apple iPad is my preferred computing device when working away from home and when my photography assignment does not necessitate lugging my Dell 17″ Studio laptop on-site. With the long commutes and long hours, my car turns into a makeshift office (only thing missing is an espresso machine. Mind you, the idea of my Caffitaly machine tagging along has crossed my mind once or twice.). After months of failing to source for the right raw materials, I finally found what works well incredibly well and requires no expenditure — a lanyard. In my example, I use a Nokia OVI wide lanyard I have in my collection from ZoukOut 2009. The idea to mount the iPad (having an Apple Smart Cover helps big time) on the steering wheel is nothing more than simple ergonomics — my work and the commute alone is tiring enough, no need to throw neck pain from awkward posture to the mix.

Mounting the iPad on the steering wheel is most useful when you're parked waiting for kids to get off school or waiting for a friend to show up. Some steering wheels are particularly prone to excessive vibration due to worn out engine mounts, it may help to insert a piece of foam to reduce the effect.

Warning: It’s dangerous to place any object between the steering wheel and the passenger at any time you’re sitting in the driver’s seat. There’s an inherent risk of the airbag deploying when triggering conditions are met even when the vehicle isn’t moving. The idea here is that if you own an iPad, happen to have brought it with you and plan on using it in the car anyway, you may as well use it comfortably. The lanyard takes just seconds to mount and dismount.

“I’m a loner,” self-taught architect Xie Li-xiang says of herself whose mind was always brimming with one creative thought after another. She wanted to design and build a house of her own but with little finance, she had no choice but to be resourceful. Adversity often does wonders in bringing out one’s potential. Xie managed to construct a building from a daydream. Brick by brick, plank by plank, she built her first house in the same way that she had played with building blocks as a little girl. Strapped for cash, Xie turned her first construction project into a restaurant to “earn money for further projects.” Having never attended a single architecture class, Xie has learned to design and build completely on her own. Driven solely by passion and creativity, Xie has come to design some of the most spectacular restaurants in all of Taiwan. Xie came up with a creative name for her restaurant: the “Five-Dime Boathouse“

Having never attended a single architecture class, Xie has learned to design and build completely on her own. Driven solely by passion and creativity, Xie has come to design some of the most spectacular restaurants in all of Taiwan.

“My only architectural style is that I dare play with any idea that pops into my head.
As soon as I think of a new idea, I find a way to realize it.” Xie said.

There are four Five-Dime Boathouses located in central and Southern Taiwan. They differ significantly in appearance but were all built using driftwood, huge trees and ceramics.

Designing architectural art is like making premium wine. It requires the benefit of experience over time to produce the best results. After perfecting her craft over several years, Xie is now ready to present her newest creation to the public, in Taipei’s Neihu district. “I have never spent so much time and effort on a single construction project. The newest Five-Dime Boathouse in Neihu will be my best and final piece in the series of Five-Dime Boathouses,” she proudly proclaims.

I was so stunned by the restaurant’s unusual architecture food was the last thing on my mind.

The feng shui dragon is said to be a powerful and auspicious traditional feng shui symbol of strong yang / male energy. A pearl, or a crystal, in the feng shui dragon’s claw symbolizes wealth, power and an abundance of opportunities. It’s also said that having a feng shui dragon in any part of your home is auspicious except lower-energy areas such as the bathroom, closets and garage. If you haven’t got one, guess what you’ll be getting for yourself this year if you know what’s good for you :)

It is recommended to pair the dragon with a phoenix as they are together the ultimate feng shui symbol of marital bliss.

Photos: Canon PowerShot G11 — my ultimate feng shui symbol for great pictures. For now.