Nuffnang's Blogger's Nite Out with Digi @ Friendster Cafe Thursday, March 19, 2009
It began like how all other blogger's events began; the slow buildup of guests, the queue at the table stationed at the entrance of the venue, and the frequent 'popping' sound of flashbulbs going off whenever the avid photographers went trigger happy with their equipment. When I arrived, I immediately noticed the size discrepancy between my minute point and shoot, and the gargantuan DSLRs that every other person was carrying. These enthusiasts were professionally wandering around the venue, snapping away at the café surroundings like it was the Louvre, with priceless items hanging on the wall. Of special interest was the 'MSN Window', which we all took turns signing on (pun intended).
A very descriptive banner. The cosy environment, perfect for facilitating blogger meets. Nigel registers himself. The unique Window's Live board... ...which Huai Bin (and everyone else) left their mark on. Jamie writes a little lower.
Soon, we were asked to move over to the slightly secluded venue, where the projector was all set up, and more importantly, the food was spread out over the long buffet line. It started with finger food, and gradually moved on to the heavier stuff, at which point, the buffet line suddenly grew twice as long (I believe it was the mutton) The beer was free flowing, as were the conversations between the guests that night, who were all too happy to meet friends, new and old alike.
Another descriptive projection. Just before people started grabbing fish cutlets. Beer, oh beer! Friendship blossoms... and more beer gets downed. Food is always important.
Food set aside, Jonathan, our talented MC from DiGi, our host for the night, took centrestage and began the proceedings. DiGi's brand new service, Mobile MSN, was the hot topic for the night, and received the undivided attention of all present. DiGi, together with Microsoft, had just launched their groundbreaking Window's Live Messenger service on the mobile platform, which, in other words, means you can send instant messages wherever you go. Imagine carrying a little computer in your pocket, and you've got a pretty good idea of how the Messenger works. Using DiGi's WAP technology, instant messaging is almost as realistic as the real thing (other than having to type on teeny weeny keypads, instead of a keyboard) We were priviliged to be the first to try out this service, as the helpful DiGi representatives walked around with their phones, and demonstrated the service.
Jonathan, the smooth MC for the night... A advertorial of the service. Click here to read more about it!
As with all blogger meets, there are always games to bring out the competitive spirit in all of us. It began with a simple Question and Answer Session, with the fastest hand-raiser getting the prize (with the right answer provided, of course). The games evolved into a chat simulation between Jenkin Yat and Cindy, with the two participants hashing out their views on relationships, with their conversation displayed on the projector for everyone to gape at. It soon graduated into a contest to see who could best emulate the Messenger emoticons; with their own faces. After many rounds of pinched-up, grinning, and generally weird face-making, the winners of the games walked away with webcams, thumbdrives, and best of all, the limited-edition-not-for-sale-exclusive...brochure (of which I was a proud receipient).
Prizes galore! Yatz and Cindy duke it out... Emoticon-ers. This looks...wrong.
Throughout the night, a lucky draw was held, with prizes being thrown at random intervals to the lucky people with the lucky 016 numbers. After the final prizes had been given away, the wonderful people from DiGi gave the compulsory ending speech, and bid us all goodnight...
...but of course, being who we are, we wouldn't be able to make it out the front door without snapping a gazillion photos of ourselves first.
Me, Jamie, Kate, and Zoe. Kenny, and Christopher! Zoe and I with random 016 numbers (which won me a pair of Oakleys). Carol, who works with Nuffnang! Huai Bin, the other proud receipient of the exclusive brochure.. Patricia! Kim, myself, Cindy, and Zoe (with Coca Cola cap) Christopher Tock (who was still sobre when we left) Cindy and I in front of the Window's Live Messenger board. David, Andrew, and Nigel, pro-photographers at work!
As always, many thanks to the good people from Nuffnang for a wonderful night, and a hearty congratulations to a job wonderfully done! Looking forward to the next event with you guys!
Ecstatic over a good night of fun.
For more photos, click here to view the Facebook album!
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