SETTING GOALS

Wow !!!

Aly’s turning 30 this weekend … it’s a huge turning point in your life.

Terry recently turned 30 as well.

Me ? … I turned 30 a couple of years back and it just makes you think about how your life has progressed … how there were things you wanted to do but didn’t get to because you didn’t have enough time … no money … no one to do it with … so many excuses … so little done !

The next big one for me is 40 … and I’m NOT gonna let it happen again !!!

So … what do I wanna do before I’m 40 ?

Here’s my to do list …

- Go watch a Manchester United match at Old Trafford
- Go to ALL the Grand Slam tournaments i.e. Australian, French, Wimbledon and US
- Go to the Grammys … and the Oscars
- Act in a Hollywood movie
- Rock it out at Wembley
- Get a Grammy with my band
- Play tennis with Pete Sampras and Roger Federer
- Go to the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
- Go skiing in the Alps
- Explore Europe for a year
- Own a BMW

Let’s see … I’m 33 now … fast approaching my 34th … that’s 6 years !!!

What do you think ? … can I make it in time ?

I have to try …

What else do you think I need in my list ?

TENNIS IS COMING TO TOWN

There’s so much tennis to be seen LIVE in Malaysia in the next couple of weeks !!!

At the end of the US Open (where Nadal completed his career slam) … I thought … OK … that’s it for the next couple of months and for a tennis junkie like me … I kinda get tennis withdrawal. Of course you get the end-of-year Championships where only Slam winners, Masters winners and high achievers get to play but that’s far off still !!!

But I gotta give kudos to event organizers in Malaysia for bringing in some tennis legends to our shores … Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl, Goran Ivanisevic, Pat Cash, Martina Hingis and Anna Kournikova will be coming down for the Showdown Of Champions “A Night Of Aces” and the best part is … I get to emcee the event AND … I get to meet Anna !!! … oh the things I need to ask her !

But that’s not all … the Malaysian Open is coming around again !!! The top players on the ATP will be coming down to pick-up as many points (and the cash prize) to qualify for the year ending Championships.

If you’re a TRUE tennis fan … I hope you’ve been tuning in to Red FM cos we’ve been giving away passes to the Showdown of Champions and I will see you there ! Bring your memorabilia for the stars to sign … and you know what I really wanna try ?

I wanna try to return one of Goran’s serve … he was (after all) the Ace Machine !!!

I think this is gonna be an annual event … so which champ would you like to see make it to our shores ?

Oh tennis … tennis everywhere !!!

PUASA IS FINALLY HERE !!!

Contrary to belief … I actually love the month of Ramadhan !!!


Dilly fasts so as her buddy … I fast along with her and it just makes the experience of looking forward to Hari Raya Aidilfitri that much more exciting !

It also makes the daily experience of fasting from sun up till sun down very rewarding with our annual trek around the Klang Valley in search of the ultimate pasar Ramadhan !!!

So today was day #1 of fasting and we head to the one in Bangsar ...

… I’m not sure if it’s 1st day blues or the fact that my expectations were too high …

… Bangsar’s pasar Ramadhan did NOT rock !!!

… it lacks variety … it lacks atmosphere and did I mention it lacks variety … no kuih-muih … did I mention it lacks variety !!!

IT LACKS VARIETY !!!

Overall … we could only give it a rating of 1 out of 5 lemangs.


We’re heading to PJ Section 14 tomorrow … look out for my post !!!

I DID IT !!!

FEAR !!!
Nothing but mind numbing … muscle freezing fear !!!

It’s 2pm on Saturday and I’m driving to pick up Dilly for our challenge at Sunway Lagoon.

We’ve been doing challenges as part of our “Red FM 60K Music Takeaway” campaign and for the final “Gone In 60 Seconds” challenge … the bosses picked THE BUNGY @ SUNWAY LAGOON !!!

OK … so I call Dilly to tell her I’m picking her up … she says she’s not ready … that’s not good. I’m already so nervous … it’s amazing I can still figure out which pedal does what in my car !

So … she’s NOT ready !!! WHAT DO I DO ?!

I head to Sunway Giza … and puke my guts out !!! Butterflies in my stomach all taking a “porcelain cruise” right now … and do I feel better ?

HELL NO !!!

So … I pick her up … we drive to Sunway Lagoon … and meet up with all the listeners who won all-area passes (thank you Sunway Lagoon) and we head to the …

EXTREME PARK !!!

… we’re walking … and walking … and then I see the suspension bridge … and then … I SEE IT !!!

THE BUNGY PLATFORM !!! … I CAN’T DO THIS !!!

But I’m not gonna chicken out as well !!! No way am I gonna give Terry bragging rights !!! … so up the stairs I go to the suspension bridge … and you know how they say “once you get there … you’ll be fine” … that’s all a load of BULL !!!


We sign in … get our weights … and strap in and who goes first ?

DILLY !!!

Before the Red FM group … we see other people jumping off … and it doesn’t seem real until Dilly steps unto the ramp and then …

5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … BUNGY !!!

… and her head disappears below the bridge and then I know … THIS IS FOR REAL !!!

… all I can hear is Dilly’s screams !!!

I’m freaking out here … who’s next ? It’s Terry and Aly in tandem … she’s freaking out !!! Not helping my nerves I tell ya !!! … and they jump … Aly screams hysterically !!!

AND I’M NEXT !!! O … M … G !!!!

They strap me in … and I say “I want water” !!!

WHAT AM I SAYING ?!?! … it’s weird what comes outta your mouth when you’re freakin’ out !!!

… and then I’m standing on the ramp … DAMN IT’S HIGH UP !!!

… and then they start counting … WHAT THE **** AM I DOING HERE ?!?!!?

… 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 … BUNGY !!!


… and I jump … I see the Sunway hotel … I see a the Red FM listeners … I see water … BOOOM !!!


I’VE DONE IT !!! I’M SOAKING WET … BUT I DID IT !!!

What an experience … now I wanna do it again !!! Wanna join me ?

FOOTIE FOOTIE IS BACK !!!

No … not footsie !!!

Footie … as in football … soccer … the beautiful game … whatever you wanna call it la !!!

This year has NOT been as bad as most off-seasons since we did have the FIFA World Cup in South Africa … but still … if you’re a footie fan … you want weekly club football !!! That’s what it’s all about and if you’re an English football fan … the traditional opener to the season is something most don’t exactly wait in anticipation for … THE COMMUNITY SHIELD !!!


What used to be a match between the League champs and FA Cup champs for charity with the 2 sharing the spoils if it’s a draw at the end has become more of a view on who’s going to win the league at the end of the season. Since Chelsea won both the League and the FA Cup … it’s gonna be between them and the league runner-up Manchester United.

Traditionally … everytime Man U plays … and LOSES … we win the League … we’ll see how it pans out this season.


But … here are my predictions for the season :-

Top 5 teams in the league (in no particular order) :
Manchester United
Chelsea
Liverpool
Manchester City
… and let’s throw in a black horse in there shall we … NEWCASTLE UNITED !!!

What are your predictions ?

LEAP OF FAITH

I can’t believe I’m gonna do it this Sunday !!!

It’s something that every bone in my body tells me NOT to do … yet I HAVE to do it !!!

WHY ?

… cos the bosses have forced me … and the other Red FM jocks to do it !!! … so what am I talking about here ? … this Sunday … at 3pm … I’m gonna be …

BUNGY JUMPING !!!


We’re ALL heading over to Sunway Lagoon for our little leap of faith … and thanks to Bungy Malaysia for making this jump possible.

So why are we risking life-and-limb here ?

If you missed out on it on-air … basically what happened was the bosses have been unhappy with our challenges so far … the first was “The Big Shrimp Off” between Terry and myself … and then it was Aly and Dilly getting “Bowled Over” … they (the bosses) felt it wasn’t exciting enough and decided to up the ante !!!

So now … there’s a strong possibility that we might need new pants after the challenge is done … but I’m determined to go thru with it anyway … who knows … it might even get me over my fear of heights … MAYBE !!!

If you wanna watch us do the jump … Sunway Lagoon has graciously offered us all-area double passes to Red FM fans and all you gotta do is log on to the Red FM Breakfast Show Facebook page and PM us your details … and we’ll see you there !!!


Have you ever bungy jumped before ? … what’s it like ?

I LOVE MY ZIGS !

No … I’m not talking about the ziggy-zigs that the Spice Girls sang about !

I’m talking about my new Reebok ZigTechs !

First of all … lemme just say it’s one of the most unique shoes I’ve ever worn and it looks so darned cool !

According to the manufacturer … it “delivers a wave if energy while working out … working out just became more efficient” … it reduces wear and tear on key leg muscles by up to 20% … delivers a wave of energy along the length of the outsole … creates a lightweight, flexible and stable ride …

AND IT LOOKS SO FRIGGIN’ COOL !!!

Then one I got (see picture above) is the black and yellow one … sorta like a bumblebee !

I wonder which one Thierry Henry or Lewis Hamilton got ? … they’re Reebok’s worldwide sports ambassadors and hey … if Henry and Hamilton’s got Zigs on … I figured I’d definitely wanna get one !

OK … besides it’s totally awesome look … I’ve tried it out for real already meaning … used it to run and I gotta say … they’re mighty comfy ! I’m SUPER particular of the way a show grips my foot while I’m running … I like it to hold my feet … but not strangle it. That’s what a lotta shoes do … in order for them to feel snug … you have to tighten the strings to the max … not these babies.

I’m also very particular about impact … my knees aren’t what they used to be … and as I’m on the tennis court a fair bit … I really wanna have shoes that pamper me while I’m doing strenuous exercises … I wonder if they’ll ever do a ZigTech version for tennis shoes … that’d be rad !

Trust me … if you’re in the market for a new running shoe … or just a pair of sneakers that you can walk about town or in the malls and you wanna look super cool doing it … I’d get one of the ZigTechs ! ZERO COMPLAINTS from me my friends !

I’M DONE WITH “THE HUNT” FOR THE PENANG MAMAK MEE GORENG

OK … it’s almost 4 weeks that I’ve had a craving for Penang-style Mamak Mee Goreng in the Klang Valley … and how’s the “hunt” going ?

Not good at all !!!

In fact … it’s getting worse !!!

I’ve been EVERYWHERE !!! … PJ … Shah Alam … Subang … USJ … Puchong … Cheras … right smack in the middle of the Golden Triangle …

NOTHING !!! NADA !!! ZIP !!! ZILCH !!!

I cannot believe how un-Penang the Mamak Mee Goreng in the Klang Valley is … it’s NOT spicy … it’s NOT dry … it’s NOT MAMAK MEE GORENG !!!

So … as Locutus of Borg said “resistance is futile” … and I have to agree … no sense resisting it … I’ll just eat it and try my best to enjoy it.

I think I’ll move on to Mee Rebus now … and I know what you’re thinking … why give up so easily ?

I’m NOT giving up … I’m just saying there’s no sense in trying to flog a dead horse cos Penang-style is Penang-style … and the Klang Valley has its own style.

But for Mee Rebus … I KNOW I can find good ones around … honestly … the ones in the “corporate” nasi kandar places like Pelita and Kayu are pretty decent … in fact … there’s a really good one that I like near my neighbourhood … it’s called Wau Penyu at Solaris Dutamas !!! … they have a HUUUUGE piece of meat in there … I’m sold and I go there all the time !!!

Can someone explain to me the difference between Mee Rebus and Mee Jawa ? … they pretty much “taste” the same … but they kinda “look” different.

Drop in your comments ya !

THE HUNT GOES ON

In my last post … I spoke about my new obsession … authentic Mamak mee goreng.

I sure ain’t gonna drive back up to Penang to my favorite haunts in Swatow Lane, Bangkok Lane or padang Kota for the delicious (but potentially artery clogging) delicacy !

So I started searching for it in the Klang Valley … anything even close to a Penang styled Mamak mee goreng would suffice … what I didn’t realize was how tough the search would be.

I’m not proud of it … but I headed for the chain “Nasi Kandar” places around the Klang Valley … so to Pelita … to Kayu … to all the chain ones la … NOTHING EVEN CLOSE !!!

I’m not saying the food wasn’t good but when I ordered mamak mee goreng … I expected this plate of dry fried fiery red noodles … what did I get here ? … it looked like any other fried yellow noodles … it was brownish … wasn’t spicy … no sotong (unless you requested) and it was just … unexciting !


I’m gonna broaded my search this week … we’ll see what turns up but if you’ve got any suggestions … drop me a line … the only people benefiting from this little “treasure hunt” of mine are the petrol companies and parking attendants.

MY NEW OBSESSION

TV … is dangerous !!!

I’m not talking about the radiation … not about how the vibrant colors can mess with your eyes …

NOPE !!! … none of that !!!

TV is dangerous … to my waistline !!!

After watching an AFC show recently that had the host cruising around the streets of Penang looking for the best hawker food … and he found a classic one … Mamak Mee Goreng !!!


The host had a very in-depth session with the proprietor of the stall at Lorong Bangkok … I initially did not recognize the place but the moment he spoke to the guy behind the enormous wok … I was like “I KNOW THIS PLACE … I’VE EATEN THERE BEFORE !!!”

There’s something very unique about Penang style Mamak Mee Goreng … you can go to any nasi kandar chain here in KL … you can go to “Penang styled” makan places … nothing … and I mean … NOTHING … comes close to the original.

Is it the water ? … the weather ? … the people ?

Who knows ?

But now … I’m on a mission to find the BEST Mamak Mee Goreng in KL that can closely match the mediocre ones in Penang … let’s not even talk about trying to match the best la !!!

It’s gotta be spicy … fiery RED … dry … and has “sotong” (calamari) and the works !!!

If you know of any place like this in the Klang Valley … tell me about it … I’ll have a taste test and we’ll see how it matches the ones in Penang yo !!!

Leave your suggestions in the comments bin y’all !!!

AFTER 4 YEARS ... IT'S BACK !!!

Footie fan or not … you can NOT deny the fact that the FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest event on the planet !!!

Everything revolves around it … commerce, news, entertainment … food even !!!

So what is it about this competition that fans the flames of rivalry between fans around the world ? … I mean … look at us here in Malaysia … our national football team has as much of a chance of making it into the competition as a salmon has escaping a Grizzly’s jaws !!! … so what is it ?

I think … it’s got everything to do with MARKETING !!!

I think the World Cup is one of the best marketed sports competitions in the world … even surpassing the Olympics … everyone (and I mean everyone if the Americans now want a piece of the pie). If girls watch it (and we know how much most Malaysian girls despise football) … then you know it’s been marketed to them as well … how ?

2 words !!!

Handsome men !!!

Suddenly … women are fans of the beautiful game (happens every years la) … they’ll be able to name players like Iker Casillas … Christiano Ronaldo and possibly one of the Italians … tell ‘em about Carlos Tevez … they go blank !

Guys are just plain football freaks la … we support national teams of other countries like we lived there … and every 4 years … we risk the wrath of our bosses (if you’re working) or our teachers/lecturers (if you’re a student) by either going in to work/class late or just not plain going at all (I’m sure production of MCs skyrocket during this time).


So … I hope you’ve been prepping for this … we have been waiting 4 years for this … and it’s happening in around a week … I’m excited … are you ?

Who’s your pick for this year ? Italy again ? … or do you fancy Brazil again ? … or a dark horse perhaps !

RIP OLIVE

I kinda knew it was gonna happen … it’s been a couple of days and my favorite hamster Olive hasn’t looked her usual self.

She’s usually very affectionate, very active (she runs the wheel like she was possessed) and eats a heckuva lot. On Saturday … she seemed a lil under the weather … which happens to hamsters so I wasn’t overly worried. So … to make her comfy … I moved her into her other cage (she has 3) and gave her new bedding, fresh water and a lot of food. Evening came around and it didn’t seem like she touched the food nor the water and she kept changing positions to sleep … she seemed really uncomfortable.

Sunday morning … I wake up … check on her … and she’s asleep … which is odd cos in the morning … she’s usually (as usual) running the wheel. This time … she wasn’t. Her breathing seemed a little shallow and her eyes were closed tight … a little teary. I’m getting a little worried now.

So Sunday’s kept aside for her … my buddy … Olive … my favorite. I take her out of her cage and hold her in my hands (which she loves) and she’s out cold in my warm hands … I hope she’s comfy. “I hope she can sleep this off”.

Monday comes around … and I’m off to work again after a couple of days off and I’m busy with work … running around after that for an event and I’m home late … a little after dinner. I’m exhausted but I check up on her … she’s still asleep … good news is that she managed to drink some of the water I gave her but her food bowl is still full. “I’ll just let her sleep” I thought and went to bed hoping that she’ll be fine tomorrow (Tuesday).

Then Tuesday comes around and as usual … I’m up at 4am … I shower, have a bit of breakfast and check up on her … she’s AWAKE !!! Yay … but she still looks a little groggy … I pet her … and she gave me an approving nod … which is always her signal to me to say “I like that” (I assume). So I’m off to work … with a renewed hope that my best friend … a hamster … might just pull thru and recover from whatever illness she had.

I get home in the afternoon after work … excited to see how she’s doing … and what do I see ? She’s sleeping again … waitaminute … she’s not breathing. I open the cage and pet her … no response. My WORST fear … Olive has passed away. The time we had in the morning was the last time I got to hold her and pet her while she was still alive.

Not realizing how close I’ve gotten to this tiny hamster … I felt a sense of loss I haven’t felt in a long time. When my other hamster Pepper passed on … I was sad … but this time, with Olive, I was literally floored. I can NOT begin to tell you how much I miss Olive … I’ll miss the times she walks on my computer table while I’m happily typing away … or how she comes to me after letting her roam my living room floor … she was more than just a hamster … she was my best friend … and I’m gonna miss her !

ON A BREAK AND AGEING !!!

Been looking forward to this break for a while now … Dilly and I are taking some time off from The Red FM Breakfast Show and thanks to our producer Yin and to Terry for covering for us.


Also … something else happened recently … yesterday … I celebrated my 33rd birthday. I got to celebrate it the way I liked … quietly ! Hehe … I’m not big on birthdays these days. When I was a kid … 33 seemed like such an old age. Now that I’m approaching my mid-30s … it ain’t no biggie. I don’t mind a small do with my family and close friends but having a huge party … I dunno.

I just don’t see the point of celebrating anything that isn’t significant at the moment … for instance … going from 19 to 20 … big deal … 20 to 21 … even bigger deal cos it’s “from a boy to a man” time … then nothing really significant happens between 21 and 29 … except for the fact that you’re in college and you just look for an excuse to party !

When I turned 30 … I thought it was kinda huge … so I celebrated. But then I also got a little freaked out cos I was leaving my 20s behind and it was time to be a “responsible adult” (which hasn’t really happened yet by the way).

So … from now till I’m 40 … I’ll be happy with small birthday celebrations … but (expensive) gifts are always welcome hehehe !!!

Right now … I just wanna enjoy my break and I’ll be back on-air next Monday !

See ya !!

I GOT TO MEET EDDIE JORDAN !!!

Eddie Jordan … the very mention of his name in motor racing brings forth memories of the Formula 1 champions he’s brought into the sport … Aryton Senna … Michael Schumacher. I always thought he never got the respect he deserved especially considering what a great team Jordan Racing was.


So how did I … JD … a fan of the sport get a chance to meet the great Irish racer ?

Well … it’s Formula 1 season and everything in Malaysia around this time revolves around the sport and while it’s a great money spinner for retail outlets but it’s also a great time for organizations to think of the less fortunate … and think of them they did. By “they”, I mean the wonderful folks from the Shangri-La group in Penang (Rasa Sayang, Golden Sands and Traders).


Sulaiman TAR (the Director of Comms for Rasa Sayang) spearheads this charity drive for The Lighthouse in Penang where they offer food and clothing to the under-privileged and homeless on the island. Great job by him and his team in raising funds to help out the folks at Lighthouse but with the F1 race in Sepang rolling around … there’s always an opportunity for a big name to add glamour and exposure to this calling … and in steps the great Eddie Jordan.


He was cool … he was a charmer (as Dilly will attest to) … and along with his band The Robbers … he entertained the crowd with a medley-after-medley of cover songs. They absolutely rocked the crowd and as emcees for the event … Dilly and I got to get up close with the man.

We hope we helped the Shangri-La group in Penang with their fundraising drive for The Lighthouse charity and also thanks so much for having us there as well … and giving me a chance to meet one of my heroes when I was a kid !

2 CHALLENGES DOWN … 2 TO GO

So Aly’s done her horse doo-doo challenge …


and we’ve “haunted” Jeremy !


So who’s next and what shall we do to ‘em ?

It has been decided by the powers that be (the listeners) that Nisha will be the next to face the 40 Minute Forfeit challenge and what’s better for Red FM’s Queen Of Hearts than to go for a blind date ?

Excellent suggestion from a listener and things just kinda rolled into place naturally with Dilly’s cousin suggesting her “friend” as the date.

OK … so now … what needs to go down ? So much to plan … so much to do … where to do it … when ?

And then there’s Terry’s challenge … what should we do to the little man ?

We’re taking in suggestions.

ANOTHER FEATHER TO MY CAP … FEEL LIKE A PEACOCK !

I can now (kinda) call myself … a video editor.

Well … a director/producer/scriptwriter and now also … a video editor.

After having 2 days (straight) trying to figure out how to put together a simple 5 minute video (which ballooned into a 9 minute video) … I finally did it (albeit missing hours of sleep) !

After all those years of watching my (now former) colleagues at Vision Four, Double Vision and Channel [V] … sitting and absorbing everything they did like a sponge on Final Cut Pro and other video editing software … I managed to eke out a pretty respectable video ! So YAY to me !

If you’re reading this and you either work for Adobe, Apple or DigiDesign … just want you to know I love your hardware and software and will be using ‘em in my further works … HINT HINT HINT !!! (if you didn’t get that hint … all I’m saying is that if you wanna use me as your poster child for your marketing or advertising … do email me at jdredfm@gmail.com … would love to hear from you hehe)

All joking aside … I have to admit that this was a fun experience mucking in the process instead of just saying what I wanted in a video and hoping the editor gets my vision. This way … whatever I imagine … I can achieve (so to speak) … so James Cameron … if you’re looking for someone with vision and know-how (limited they may be at the moment) … gimme a call when you’re doing Avatar 2 !

Hey … check out the vid on red.fm ... and before you judge … remember … this was my first project. They will get better ! PEACE !

GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY AGAIN

In case you haven’t heard … Dilly and myself will be embarking on another adventure … this time … we’re getting all the Red FM jocks involved as well.

We’re doing Red FM’s 40 Minute Forfeits and this time around … we’re not the ones doing the challenges ! Finally !!! Some payback !

Let’s see … previously we did the Space Shot ride in Genting …


... that was for Dilly (who screamed her a** off by the way) … and then it was my turn with the G-Force-X ride at Sunway Lagoon (it’s basically a reverse bungee where you’re launched upwards in a ball and you bounce around for hours … well … it seemed like hours to me anyway) …



... then we both had to do the last 2 challenges together.

First came the climb (yes … climb) up KL Tower … all 2000 over steps … TIRING YO !!!


… and then the “invasion”. Yup … Dilly and I had to do the colonic irrigation challenge … we had to get water pumped up our ... well ... you know !


So we’ve decided that … NO ! We will NOT be subjected to this torture … so we’re gonna get the other jocks to do it !

It has been decided that Challenge #1 would be for Aly … our resident supermodel. She’s elegant and we heard that she’s quite a horse rider. It was an amazing twist of fate when her sister Cheryl called up and suggested that we get Aly to clean up horse stables ! Sounds like a plan to me ! … and apparently it sounded good to you too so thank you for voting for this challenge over Dilly’s “get her to dress up like a baby and walk around KL” challenge.

So off we go to a stable with loads of horse doo-doo for the lovely Alison Victor to clean. Where exactly ? You gotta keep tuning in to Red FM to find out how it goes or log on to red.fm to watch the video of the “dirty deed”.


Lots more challenges coming up tho so keep following my blog posts to find out what they are and keep tuning in to find out who’s our next victim !

WHAT’S YOUR SPORT IN THE WINTER OLYMPICS ?

If you yelled out CURLING … man do you need help !


Unfortunately … I have to admit that … I enjoy watching curling as well … WHY ? No idea !

If you’ve never heard of curling … it’s a winter sport that is kinda like lawnbowling … but on ice. The difference is that you’ve got 1 person who slides the stone towards the target (or to knock the opponent’s stones as far away from the target as possible) and the other members of the team polish the path of the stone to increase its speed by “smoothening” the route.

It’s not the MOST exciting sport to watch but it’s interesting cos it does require skill and teamwork.

So what else have I been watching this Winter Olympics currently being held in Vancouver ?

Well … you can’t beat ice-hockey ! You can’t beat watching the skills on the ice, the speed and control that these athletes demonstrate is the ONLY reason why I watch this sport … well … I guess not the ONLY reason !


In ice hockey … strong-arm tactics are expected and players from both sides body-check (crash into) each other in a bid to win the puck. It’s fast paced … there’s always a threat of tempers boiling over and a fight could break out right on the ice and because the rink is surrounded by a protective clear (and hard) screen … if you’re a spectator right on the sidelines … you can catch all the action (and possibly some blood spatter) close-up ! Exciting huh !

Of course … there are other staples that you HAVE to watch during the Olympics like figure skating, speed skating, the slaloms, snowboarding action and also the luge and bobsledding.


… and speaking of luge … a tragedy occurred right before the start of this Olympics when Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died during a training accident. There’s still some controversy over whether to shut down the luge track or not but as they say … the Games go on. If you watched the video … you’ll know how disturbing it was.

What other sports did I miss for the Winter Olympics that you found exciting to watch ? Tell me about it … I wanna hear from you.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE SNAKE IN THE YEAR OF THE TIGER ?

The year of the Tiger has well and truly started and what have I been up to ?


I’ve gotten my usual Feng Shui books for the new year for the Snake man !

So what’s in store for me (the Snake man) in the year 2010 ?


So far … business and money wise … it seems the Tiger year is good for everyone including lil ol me … BUT … I need to be wary of people around me who are (apparently) close to me who could cheat me. ALAMAK !

Hmmm … health doesn’t seem to be an issue overall except that I need to stay healthy. DAMMIT ! There’s goes those Domino’s take-outs ! Hmmm … maybe I’ll take the Veggie Lover … that’s healthy right ?

Oooh … everyone’s favorite section. Love and family life.

Let’s look at family life first … hmmm … all good here !

OK … let’s do love … DAMN ! I AM DA MAN !

Apparently … I’m quite a ladies-man although I’m shy. Hmmm … shy I agree but not the other one. Not lil ol me ! Good partners … almost anyone in the entire zodiac can hang with me but not the Tiger apparently. Dragons, dogs and fellow snakes are awesome. Hmmm … who do I know who’s a Dragon, a Dog or a Snake ? It also says here that I’m an awesome lover ! Hehehe … any takers ?


Hey … if you’ve got other "prophecies" for the Snake … please do comment ya !

IT’S VALENTINE’S ALREADY ?!?!

Dang ! That was quick !

Valentine’s this year is a lil different though. It coincides with one of the biggest celebrations in the world … Chinese New Year !

You know what that means right ? Shops are gonna be closed for a whole week and I heard that florists are gonna be losing up to RM20K profits cos most folks will either be celebrating V-day on a small basis or NOT AT ALL cos if you’re Chinese … you’d probably have to do your yearly trek back to your respective hometowns for the reunion dinner and that means (if you’re not married) … you might have to be apart during this time.

If you’re married … not much issue la ! Traditionally … on the 1st day of CNY … you visit the guy’s side and on the 2nd day … you visit the girl’s side. Regardless of where you’re gonna be … you’re gonna be together anywayz … and isn’t that what’s important during V-day ?

If you’re single and have a partner … it’s a good time to test those bonds you have. If he/she loves you … they’ll have to understand that it’s CNY and you may not be together at this time … but at least can collect ang pows right ? That’s one heckuva consolation isn’t it ?


But seriously … guys … don’t mess up your relationship also la … during this time when you’re probably gonna be apart … make sure you get her gifts that can keep her occupied (and hopefully pining for you) for the duration of the holidays or the time you’re apart.

Now remember … if you’re not gonna be “romancing” this weekend … make sure you get all lovey-dovey after the CNY holidays ! It’ll be on your own time, on your own terms and also … WAAAAAY cheaper !

Happy Valentine’s and Happy Chinese New Year !

TO CUT OR NOT TO CUT THE CABLE

Without putting any brand names in this post … I shall attempt to share with you my experience of “cutting the cable” (so to speak) !

Having been a loyal customer of “the cable” … from the days of dial-up (we had to use a software called Trumpet Winsock to dial up the internet) … I’ve been slightly peeved that my connection’s been crap of late. So what did I do ? I succumbed to advertising … I “cut the cable” !

Excited at the prospect of not having to be “tied” down (there are a lotta puns in this post huh) … I headed to the nearest mall to look out for one of these vendors selling the wireless package … and lo and behold … FOUND ONE in Kota Damansara !

Speaking to one of their (overly) enthusiastic “customer service” reps (he’s really just a part-timer) … he assured me that … “Boss … your area ar … the signal ar … very powerful wan the signal … got station next to your apartment ma” ! So I was like “WOAH !!! SIGN ME UP NOW !!!” … and I did. He also assured me that I had a 7-day trial period and if I wasn’t happy with the service … I’d get my RM100 back.

Excited as a dog with a bone … I drove home as fast as I could (within the speed limit Mr. Policeman) … I tore apart the wrapping and hooked it up … and it booted up … first the red light comes on (manual says it’s initializing the internal hardware … ok cool) … then the orange light comes on (manual says it’s still initializing … ok … no problem) … and then FINALLY … the GREEN light comes on … oh wait a minute … the manual says all the lights come on in sequence when initializing and it doesn’t reflect the signal strength (dammit !).

OK … nooow it’s searching for the signal and the signal strength iiiiiissssss … ORANGE !!! Alamak … why so weak ?! Aik ?!?! Now it’s RED ! WHAT’S GOING ON HERE ?!?!?!

They said the signal in my area was gonna be strong … and furthermore I placed the terminal facing outward at my window ! Maybe I’ll try it somewhere else in my apartment … my bedroom … the kitchen … the living room … in another part of the living room … in the bathroom … above the water heater in the living room … ok … last resort … the balcony … YAY ! It’s … orange … why isn’t it green ?! So what do I do ? I stick it out further … and further … and further out till I’m holding the terminal in my hands with arms stretched out as far as I can and I’m on my tippy-toes already … and finally GREEN !!!

What gives ?! I’ve got to go thru SOOOOO much trouble for a strong signal ?! This blows !

What do I do now ? I’ve already said I was NEVER going back to the “wired ones” !

So now I’m in a dilemma … I’ve returned “the terminal” and I’m currently Internet-less at home.

Drop me a comment … should I go back to the “wired ones” or should I keep searching for another broadband provider ? I need one ASAP !!!

A NEW YEAR OF MOVIE SEQUELS AND … RE-IMAGININGS (SHUDDER)

The last one always gives me the shivers cos it always worries me.

Remakes OK la … they take the original script and they just get new actors and stuff. “Re-imagining” a movie is worrying cos there’s only 1 of 2 outcomes … it’ll either suck big time or it’ll be awesome.

Take Halloween for example. Rob Zombie reimagined it and it was amazing … amazingly bloody and violent in certain parts … but amazing nonetheless.

They sorta re-imagined “The Hills Have Eyes” from the Technicolor version … I liked it too.

Miami Vice was “reimagined” … the TV series got a makeover session with Colin Farrel and Jamie Foxx but it just didn’t work for me. It was just weird.

There are a couple of “re-imaginings” coming up I’m worried about though … Conan and A-Team. Clash Of The Titans looks good though.

Let’s talk about what movies are coming up :-

Sequels :-

Tron Legacy … most of the original main cast member are back. (Expectations : HIGH)
Iron Man 2 … War Machine is introduced. (Expectations : HIGH)
Wanted 2 … how the h**l are they gonna bring Angie Jolie back to life (Expectations : BOLEH LA)
Wall Street 2 … some movies shouldn’t have sequels … still … (Expectations : BOLEH LA)
Toy Story 3 … the kid grows up and the toys are left to rot … OH NO !!! (Expectations : HIGH)
Chronicles of Narnia : Voyage of the Dawn Treader … I’d enjoy it so sue me (Expectations : HIGH)
Shrek : Forever After … their world is turned upside-down (Expectations : HIGH)
Sex and the City 2 … what ?! another one ?! (Expectations : NOT GONNA WATCH IT … WHO CARES)
Rambo 5 : The Savage Hunt … another one ?! (Expectations : BOLEH LA)
Little Fockers … Bob DeNiro and Ben Stiller are back ! Yay ! (Expectations : HIGH)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows … I’m excited … are you ? (Expectations : HIGH)

Well … there we go … we’ll just have to wait and see how these movies pan out !

Did I miss anything ? Leave a comment.

Pets Are Like Family

Do you have pets ?

They’re like family aren’t they ?

It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a dog … a cat … birds, fish, reptiles … or in my case … HAMSTERS !

I’ve been having hamsters since I was a kid. I’ve had Golden hamsters and now I’ve got Winter White Hamsters … they’re the cutest things.

I’ve got 2 girls … one’s named Olive while the other is Pepper.

Olive is the more docile one … she’s a huge eater, rarely runs the wheel and loves to be held … much like me.

Pepper on the other hand is more rambunctious … she’s VERY much like me. If she doesn’t like you … she’ll bite you. She doesn’t eat a lot but runs the wheel like an athlete possessed.

You know what they say about getting pets ? … don’t get too attached to ‘em cos they’ll pass on eventually. What do I tell these people who say these things ? I thank them for their concern but really … why wouldn’t you wanna get close to your pets ? They’re an extension of you (in some ways) and they are family. They live with you don’t they ?

I’ve had a dog (Marco) who lived with us for over 15 years … that’s REEEEAAAAAL long for a dog. I’ve had cats. I’ve had turtles. It’s no different with hamsters. You’ve got to have an emotional bond with ‘em cos they’re your friends.

Unfortunately … all good things must come to an end.

I noticed yesterday that Pepper looked really “under the weather”. Her eyes were “bengkak” and she had lost soooo much weight in a day. She was fine the day before. Once hamsters get sick … it’s pretty much it. So what could I do ? I tried to make her as comfortable as possible. I held her (amazingly cos Pepper hates to be held) and she snuggled up in my palm. She fell asleep in my hands. I gently placed her back in her cage on her “bed” and hoped and prayed for the best.

Today … Pepper rests in peace. She no longer feels pain. She has passed away … and I will always miss her.

BRAND NEW DECADE … SAME OLD FASHION ?

You know what they say ? … History repeats itself.

In the 90s … the fashion and music of the 60s were the “in” thing and everyone started pulling out their tight pants, Fender Stratocasters and thick-rimmed glasses. It was fun, care-free and it made hanging out at the Peach Pit (a la 90210) type places cool. My parents found it interesting that young people were dressing they way they did back in the day.

Then came the noughties … actually even towards the end of the 90s … young people were starting to dress a la the 70s … bell bottom pants, psychedelic colors on shirts, afros, head bands and the like. Even the 70s music came back in fashion … from Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd to Hendrix and Joplin.

So here we are … at the dawn of a new decade … 2010. What will this new decade bring us ? Well … to start things off … we have 80s music already back in fashion and that’s not all. Even new acts are very 80s-esque. Don’t believe me ? Back in the 80s … you had flashy frontmen of bands who dressed up in gender-bending clothes (think Boy George) … you had solo artists whom you couldn’t figure out if they were “playing on this side of the field or the other” like David Bowie … and then here we are … a brand new decade … and we’ve got one of the most exciting solo artists for a while in Adam Lambert. Everything about him is flashy … very much like the 80s.

So what did we have in the 80s that I think might return to excite us (or haunt us) ?

Mullets … short spiky hair in front and a long mane at the back … HAUNT !!!!
Leg warmers a la Flashdance … excite (maybe cos it reminds me of Michael Sembello’s Maniac)
Huge earrings … Nisha’s been wearing ‘em forever so she’s waaaay ahead of her time.
Strong makeup … HAUNT !!! No one wants to wake up next to a kabuki doll !
Music … EXCITE !!! Retro is the new “in” thing now … so break out your Tears For Fears, Johnny Hates Jazz and Nick Kershaw records !

Did I miss anything ? Drop me a comment.

IT’S A BRAND NEW SPORTING YEAR

I figured since it’s a new year and the start of a new decade … I thought I’d be a little bit of a sporting Nostradamus and see how far my predictions will go.

It’s a brand new year and most athletes have had a well deserved break having spent a tiring season grueling it out in various weather conditions against various oppositions in various continents. The fans have been waiting patiently for their heroes to return to their arenas … well … all except football where a season runs between 2 years.

Let’s start with Formula 1 and the return of Michael Schumacher. Much is expected from the legendary German champion and much is expected of the team he races for (of which part of it is Malaysian owned). My prediction ? … he will NOT win the championship and Jensen Button made a terrible decision to switch teams. Who’s gonna win ? I say it’s either Hamilton or Vettel.

Moving on to football (or soccer as the “Yanks” like to call it). Who will win their respective leagues ? Barca in Spain, AC Milan in Italy and much as I hope Manchester United will win the league in England … I doubt they will be able to with Chelsea looking strong … the big question is … who will win the UEFA Champs League … my money is on AC Milan. Why ? I dunno … it’s a gut feeling.

2010 will also see the World Cup played in South Africa … let’s put in a prediction here as well … I say Italy. Why ? Gut feeling.

Let’s move on to tennis shall we ? While I’m writing this … I’m watching a Roger Federer match where he’s playing at the Qatar Open … a traditional warm-up to the Australian Open. New racquet … same dominance. I think he’ll win at least 2 Grand Slam trophies … and what about the other 2 ? It’s between 4 players … Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin Del Potro, Andy Murray and Nikolai Davydenko. Where’s Nadal you ask ? I think 2010 will be a torrid time for Nadal.

What’s everyone saying about the once invincible Rada Nadal ? Is it about his fitness ? Is it about his lack of match practice ? His family life maybe ? If you didn’t know … his parents divorced … he travels with his mum and girlfriend while he is still being coached by his Uncle Tony … who is his father’s brother. Tense ?! YOU BETCHA !!! But NO ! These aren’t the things that are being mentioned about Nadal … what are they muttering on about when the favorite son of Madrid walks on court ? The color of his outfit ! That’s right … way to get your priorities straight. Orange and pink are his colors of choice (apparently) this season … and while professional athletes are anal and superstitious about what they wear on court … let’s focus on more important matters please !

So NO ! I don’t think Rafa has a chance at winning any Grand Slam trophies this year. Could I be wrong ? Sure ! What happens if I’m right though ? What will happen to the already brittle confidence of the Spaniard then ?

Think my predictions are off by miles ? Tell me about your predictions and we’ll compare notes at the end of the year.