Good Thursday, all. Firstly, an apology. I realise I've been neglecting this space here of late, but trust me on this, I had a valid reason, and it's actually (if you look at it from a certain angle) a good thing for you. What the lack of updates here mean to you is that things are moving (or we are attempting to move things) behind the scenes.

Well, behind the scenes for you. I'm in the scene(s), fighting tooth and nail with bureaucracy, as well as a s..l..o..w server, and pulling my hair out figuring out how to find the funds to get some of the more ambitious projects we've planned earlier this year off the ground. Nevertheless, it's a good thing for you. ;-)

To make up for my recent absence here, this will be a long post.

It may contain some good stuff, a list of names of contest winners, a few contest announcements (one organised by Seagate, the other by us, naturally) and some drivel, but all in all, a long post.

Will you spare time to do good?

First up, a straight-up question. Will you lend a helping hand if we ran more community service projects? The sort of projects where you don't get anything in return other than a warm feeling inside because you've made a difference in someone else's life? Will you make the effort to get up on a Sunday morning, at a God-forsaken hour, just to travel a distance, to make some less fortunate kid's day?

Now, would you?

See, a while back, I called a friend of mine VJ (thanks, mate!), who's an active member of the Rotary Club, to ask him if the group would be interested in running a joint project with the AMBP.

VJ, being the helpful soul that he has always been, decided to get me in touch with Kavita, the President of the Rotaract Club of Kuala Lumpur (RCKL).

Recently Kavita wrote to me (e-mail below), asking me if AMBP members would be interested in taking part in one of RCKL's main community service projects. My answer: I'm interested, and I hope the members are, but I would have to find out from the members themselves. Hence, this post.

So, do let me know if you're psyched by this. Leave a comment (a simple 'yes!' would do). Thanks.

Hancock: A Different Kind of Superhero Contest Winners

Phew! It wasn't easy, scouring through the contest entries looking for the two best entries for the Hancock: A Different Kind of Superhero Contest; there were a number of genuinely funny, original, creative entries. 

After much deliberation, the judges have decided to give the Sony Ericsson's to *drum roll* bloggers linkinpark822002 and isaaccheah, for their gut-busting entries Hancock: A True Story, and The Malaysian Superhero, respectively. (Instant classic: "Saya Cicakman. Siapa lu, hero asing?")

Congrats, guys.

WINNERS LIST

2 x Super Super Duper Prize

Sony Ericsson W660i (worth RM 750 each)

Limited Edition Hancock Name Card Holder (RM 120 each)

In Season Double Passes

• Emopipeguitarist
• Soon Seng's Corner

3 x Super Duper Prize

Limited Edition Hancock Tank Top for Men (RM 200 each)

In Season Double Passes

• +sizekitten
• aplc!
• Ah Fatt's Secluded Corner

3 x Super Prize
Limited Edition Hancock Sports Towel (RM 150 each)
In Season Double Passes

• Dennis the Menace
• Ideas for Life
• Erisha

2 x Cool Prize
Limited Edition Hancock Name Card Holder (RM 120 each)
In Season Double Passes

• Delirious Delirium
• eMenang

20 x ‘OK What?’ Prize
Limited Edition Hancock Car Sticker

• Wusw Here
• The PretEndeR
• Save the Cheeze!
• Little Garden of Joy
• Brandythegreat's Kingdom
• Shawn loo's Blogz
• I *heart* you <3
• Simplified
• My Brain is Killing Me
• Always a Surprise
• Websites Made Simple
• LayHooi's
• Nizhama2
• Life is a Journey. Enjoy It!
• All About Loving Alice
• The MovieBuff
• The Brain Blog
• The World Through My Eyes
• SamanthaChewQuinLi's Weblog
• blurryhunniee

Kudos to all the winners! And thanks for participating.

More winners: Evangelion Cool Caption Contest

Another list of winners, this time for those who took part in the Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone Caption Contest, all of whom win in-season double passes to watch this awesome anime.

Extra good news for the winners: since there weren't enough takers for the 50 double passes, we're giving these folks two (2) doubles passes each, which means everyone gets to take three other friends to watch the movie! Note that we will only do this if you request for it. Again, congrats, thanks and congrathanks.

WINNERS LIST

1. Save the Cheeze!
2. SamanthaChewQuinLi's Weblog
3. Wusw Here
4. Just Me and My Thoughts
5. Little Garden of Joy
6. Nocturnal Excursions
7. imbloggerash
8. Broken Mirror
9. Ideas for Life
10. Kurtlow.com
11. Shooting Star
12. Simon Says
13. Angelyee Luv Bear
14. donkey ar...
15. Eye On Everything
16. Qalamun
17. Thousand Words: Snapshots of Life
18. Yapkevin.com
19. Craze Otaku
20. +sizekitten
21. Dennis the Menace
22. spectrereachout

Seagate's 'Precious Memories' Competition

The good folks over at Citrine One have alerted us of a competition Seagate is organising, one that may be of interest to you - bloggers - particularly those who have an eye for a good video/photo shot.

The 'Precious Memories' Competiton, which starts today is open to resident journalists, photo-journalists and professional bloggers, and all you need to do is upload an image or a vid clip at the competition microsite, one that captures a memory that stands out in your life, a precious memory.

Winners will be determined by popular vote and will receive either a Seagate or Maxtor hard drive and a cash bonus. The winning entries for Malaysia will then move on to the next stage - the Seagate Precious Memories regional competition - for a chance at winning even more great prizes. Heck, even voters get to win some cool stuff.

Don't see why you shouldn't give this one a shot - details at http://seagatememories.com/malaysia.

Other stuff

OK-OK, I'm almost done. Just want to remind those who took part in the Mariah Carey contest to look in their e-mail inbox - you know, just in case you managed to win something.

Also, for those who took part in the Bake Rattle and Role Contest - watch out for the winners list first thing tomorrow. We'll also buzz you to confirm your attendance, so get your handphones charged and ready.

Oh, and there's a new contest, details tomorrow.

That's it. I'm done for today.

After the energy-sapping Smashin' Gathering (more on the event tomorrow), I decided to take a short break, but I'm back, and I've got a factory-sealed message (y'know, to preserve freshness) that will be of interest to baking enthusiasts.

Along with our dearest sisters from CloveTWO, and friends from the Malaysian Institute of Baking (MIB), we are serving up a treat unlike any we've offered before. I'm talking about a free baking workshop!

The session will be conducted by the MIB's CEO Don Yong aka Dr Baker, and under his expert guidance, five lucky AMBP members (and a friend each) will learn how to make:

• Sweet buns (with red bean, tuna and hot dog fillings)
• Moist chocolate cake
• Chocolate fudge &
• Chocolate chip walnut cookies

The complete itinerary:

Now, class is in session - here's what you have to do to make the grade:

Step 1: Post up the image below on your blog, then link it (the image) to either http://clovetwo.com/contest/bakingworkshop/ or http://allmalaysia.info/ambp/editor/permalink.asp?id=44.

Step 2: On the same blog entry, tell us why we should pick you to attend the free baking workshop. Be as funny, as dramatic or as crazy as you want. We love crazy people. Note that entries will be judged based on originality, creative expression and entertainment value.

Step 3: Send the link to your blog entry as a 'Comment' here, on this Editor's Note post (Bake, rattle and roll). You've got until July 3.

And that's it. Easy as er, pie.

Mornin' all. Busy day, so here's a quick post for the Evangelion fans out there.

We've got 50 in-season double passes for Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone to give away, and all you have to do to win one is caption an image from the movie. Details can be found on our Contest page.

You don't have to make funny faces...

...or put on awful costumes.

...or poke your eye out

...to win this one. In fact, it's so darn easy, you might as well give it a shot.

OK, that was awfully cheesy, but hey, I really gotta run so don't mind me; just join the contest.

Update: Contest deadline has been extended to July 4, 2008

Pop quiz, hotshot: What does Mariah Carey's E=MC² stand for? If you immediately answered "Emancipation equals Mariah Carey to the second power" then you're obviously a fan of this gifted songstress, 'cos, I certainly wouldn't have known what it meant if I didn't Wiki it first. (If you answered along these lines, then all I'll say is, hhmmmm.)

It's highly unlikely that Carey is a secret admirer of Einstein's theory of relativity, but you've gotta admit, she knows a formula that works.

Which is why she's in the 'elite chart company', as Billboard Magazine puts it, sitting prettily alongside the big boys, Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Actually, she's already surpassed The King for the most Hot 100 No. 1s, and is now gunning for the boys from Liverpool.

So, yeah, you could say that E=MC² adds up to an aural success. Here's a taste of (or a listen to) success, then:

Since we love a success story, we want you to try searching for your winning formula, one that will allow you to take home - what else? - Mariah's album E=MC².

All you need to do is spot the difference between the two images below. At first glance, the two images appear to be identical. But looks can be deceiving. There are actually five differences between the two. Can you spot them?

Image on the left taken from http://www.cardcow.com/28954/albert-einstein-at-beach-1945-celebrities/.
Right, from www.simonperry.org/.

OK, sheesh, we're kidding! Here's what you really need to do:

 1) Answer the following questions:

• Name the title of Mariah Carey's latest album.
• What does the equation in the title stand for? 

2) Post up this pic:

3) Write a little (could be 5 words, could be 500 - it's up to you) about Mariah Carey's latest album.

all on your blog. Then send the link to that particular blog post as a comment here.

You've got until June 20 to complete the above tasks. Winners will be notified by e-mail.

More stuff to win

You don't have to have Einstein-level smarts to win an AMBP contest. And what's even more great is that there's plenty of opportunities to win something here. If you don't believe us, check out: