didn't see the first one, but this one is interesting... i can't say anything about it technically, but i like it, and i don't know why...i mean that as a compliment
I dose look much better without the border. I'm only guessing that the border was made with the liquify filter in photoshop, and it's a cool boarder but it doesn't really go with the photo. Try a nice dark straight border with a little gaussian blur. Your photo should be your main focus not your border. And over all it's a great photo.
Ellie