I used to collect a lot of stuff. Postage stamps, brand tags, coins, you name it, I’ve collected it. However the stuff I collect never last. My interests were never there. So I stop collecting stuff anymore.
After working in the magazine, I’ve been collecting something unknowingly. I never notice it until I decided to clean my messy work desk. I found this pile of “collectibles” and decided to blog about it. So here is my new collection:

I laid all of them on my bedroom floor and took a picture of it. I’ve been collecting lanyards unknowingly this past year! I counted and I have 34 lanyards, quite a feat I must say. So on average, I get 3 lanyards a month. I’ve thrown some away but most of them are here.
These are some of the more memorable ones, or just some special ones.
Adobe Acrobat 9

This was my first official overseas trip. The event was held in Singapore and Adobe flew a bunch of us to Singapore for a 1 hour event. I spent the night at one of the boutique hotels. The only thing I had to pay was a bottle of mineral water. Wei Yih paid for the dinner. Thanks Adobe!
Computex 2008

This was my second official overseas trip. This is THE tag at Computex 2008, Taipei. I can go anywhere with this tag, exhibitors even came to me and gave me freebies and press releases, hoping that I will cover them in the magazine. This tag also gave me entry to some of the “secret rooms” where manufacturers showcased their prototype products. Powerful tag!
Microsoft - Heroes Happen Here

This event was held at Langkawi for 3 days 2 nights. I wanted to blog about it but I got lazy. Anyway, it was my first “over-the-sea” business trip. Microsoft flew a few of us to Langkawi for their Heroes Happen Here event. The actual work was only half a day but we were there for 3 days 2 nights! We went island hoping when we arrived. Then had BBQ dinner at the hotel by the beach, watching the sun set into the ocean.
The first half of the second day was the actual work. Second half of the day we were brought onto a cruise where we had BBQ dinner as well, on the boat, watching the sun set, while enjoying one of the best jacuzzi with a can of beer in hand. The jacuzzi was actually a net hanging on the side of the boat. The bubbles are created when the boat moves. We were practically hanging for our lives out there but it was fun!
The third day was go-home-day. We rented a car, went to the cable car area, bought some duty free stuff, had a late lunch and went home. It was one of the best trip I’ve had! Thanks Microsoft!
HP Big Bang

I blogged about this event. It was my first time at Carcosa Seri Negara. I’ve been there a few more times after this event.
NVIDIA

No story behind this lanyard. I got this from one of the show girls at Computex. The pen is great though!
PC Fair 2007 (III)

This is where the magazine had a booth at last years PC Fair. It was the first time I “exhibit” my products to the customers. It was a tiring 3 days but it was fun!
Microsoft Tech.Ed 2008

I got this recently at Tech.Ed 2008. Everyone who attended the event got it. Mine has the “Media” sign though. No story behind this lanyard but the tag itself is special. It’s like a mini-bag to hold your business cards and the ones you get at the event. The top part is a compartment sealed with Velcro. Flip it around and you’ll get this:

Two more compartments and a pen holder. The top part is sealed with a zipper while the bottom part is a clear window. How convenient is this!
WCIT 2008

This tag came with an RFID chip. When you approach an exhibitor, they’ll just scan it and you don’t need to exchange business cards! Tree huggers will like this.
Sony BRAVIA launch

No story behind this lanyard too. The lanyard and tag are made out of leather-like material. It must have cost Sony a fortune to make them. Oh yeah, they gave out Sony DVD players as door gifts!
Sony WALKMAN launch

No story again but this is one of the best looking lanyards in my possession. The orange matched nicely with black and there is this at the end of the lanyard.

Nice eh? They gave a Sony recorder as door gift at this event. I guess the lanyard is for the recorder.
So there you go. I didn’t expect that some of these lanyards have stories behind them. I guess this is one way of reminding me the things I did for the past year.
Last picture of me holding it.

I wanted to hang them around my neck but I don’t have a tripod with me to hold my camera. Oh well.