temporary absence

its not so easy to be constantly in the spotlight.

im taking a break, will see you when i get back. cheers

What a Nightmare on Elm St.! Sigh

Nightmare on Elm Street could have done better. Honestly.

I just got back from a "special screening" of the movie in GSC, Mid Valley. And i must say i left the movie feeling some what irked.

Well, i don't know if it was some of the undesirable people i met, or the discomfort of my shoes, but i certainly wasn't irked about the movie. Which i thought i should me, after watching the trailer.

This movie is a new era remake of the classic Freddy Kruger Nightmare on Elm Street movie. I have seen older version of this terrible slasher before, and it was waay scarier then the movie i just watched in a less then packed cinema hall.

The original Freddy looks scary even without movie effects.

A Nightmare on Elm Street is basically about a group of teen-aged kids, stalked by the terrible Freddy Kruger in their sleep. One by one, they succumb to their nightmares when Freddy kills them in their dreams. As long as they stay awake, they can protect one another…but when they sleep, there is no escape.

For you non-fans of the classic Freddy Kruger movie, this predictable, slasher movie will not be hard to watch. Just be prepared for a few classic shocker techniques like sudden flash of brightness and loud sound effects as they switch scenes. Add a couple of minor gore scenes at the beginning, and thats it.

SPOILER ALERT:
This movie is so-so. Not to say very scary, or extremely gory; as The Exorsist and Final Destinations puts this Nightmare to shame. These bunch of teenagers are all connected: they went to the same pre-school where Freedy was a caretaker. He loved the kids so much, but the film revealed he was also a peadophile who took pictures of the kids. When their parents found out, they chased Freddy to an old factory, before burning the factory, killing him in it. Years later, the same bunch of teens all end up dying in their dreams, save TWO; of which both manages to "pull" Freddy out of his dream world and into reality, where they finish him off by cutting his head off. The ending was something of an odd twist, the surviving girl comes home with her mom, and suddenly we see Freddy in the mirror breaking out, slash-grabbing the mother, and pulling her into the mirror; glass pieces flying all over and recollected back again. Will there be a Nightmare #2?

Of all, just two things i don't get: #1. why only when the kids are in their teen years that Freddy suddenly decides to reappear? #2. How do you kill someone who already died in a fire years ago? Beats me.
So if you have money, go waste it on some other movie. You can give this nightmare a pass. And you will still be able to sleep soundly tonight.


Here, watch the trailer.

Thank you Ellie Cheerio for the extended invites. HUGS.

MY NPL Rnd 2 Dataran Pahlawan MELAKA

Its that time of year again folks..

Where brave men and women (and some not-so-brave ones) take their differences to the battlefield, each team eye-ing on the prize and emerging triumphant...

No, not war... but PAINTBALL! XD

Its happening this weekend at Dataran Pahlawan, Melaka!

8am - 6pm on Saturday, and 8am - 3pm on Sunday. Come down here for some in-your-face action, literally.

Ill be there. =DD

ps. for more info, swing by to my-npl.org/2010/# ^^

UPDATE (12 Apr 10)

Feva Div played 8 prelim games and made it to a comfortable 8th position in Sweet 16, hence qualifying to Elite 8 the following day; after 5 wins (including a walkover for the first match), 2 losses, and 1 draw.

Elite 8 had 2 consecutive wins for the first round but quarter finals we are far as we went this time around. Much to share about MY NPL Melaka this time, which ill be coming soon.

1,2,3 FEVA FEVA FEVA!!

Thanks all! XD

It almost burst.

I was on my way back to KL after an event in Penang last Friday. This was the first time i took the Konsortium buses to Puduraya from Sg. Nibong Bus Terminal. I usually ride with Mara Liner. =D

During the 5 hour-something bus ride, we stopped only once at a Petronas just after Ipoh, i think. That time, i didn't have much to let go, if you get what i mean. So i thought i'd fine until i reached KL.

*gasps*

How wrong was i. When we reached Duta toll, there was already a long line of trucks, busses, and cars! Suddenly, i felt the urge to go put out a fire. =/ At first, it was controllable. Then slowly, things at my south region began to feel "out of control" when it dawned on me that today was a Friday, and it is evening. *GASPS*

I'M STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON A FRIDAY AFTER WORKING HOURS!

$#%$^&%*^()!!!

I kept the faith. After a short traffic congestion at the toll, the buss sped off -- only to my horror, minutes later -- into a MEGA traffic jam around the Damasara exit from Duta. I frequent there, so i know, sure SEI KANG KER LARRR....!!! T__T

By this time, images of me dashing out of the bus and taking a pee on the grass by the road (with all the cars stuck in jam behind me) kept flashing through my mind. I sat with my legs crossed. T_T

Lucky the bus driver smart, took into the emergency lane and kept left where traffic was moving until he took a turn at the Parliament high pass heading towards Lake Gardens. I was relieved.

But it was short lived as soon as he turned into Tun Perak. I SO KNOW THAT ROAD. So the nightmare wan, and to make things worse, there as an event happening at Dataran Merdeka, and the very considerate policeman HAD to close the Jalan Tun Perak BEFORE my bus got into it. Thank you. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. =/

Lucky the bus driver still smart, he noticed the policeman dragging the barricade from far off, he began to turn into Jalan Raja Laut, where he then sped off until he made a U-Turn at Medan Mara.

I passed the toilet at LRT Bandaraya. Then another opposite Medan Mara. And countless of opportunities to dash out and pee in the drain. OMGosh, it drove me half insane!!!

Then when i thought the bus would turn left into Jalan Campbell and join Tun Perak via Melaka Street intersection, it went straight into Jalan Tunku abdul Rahman -- the BUSIEST STREET KNOWN TO MAN IN MALAYSIA. So there goes my bladder. T_______________T

This is not a posed picture. =D

By this time, with my dam almost bursting, and the bus jerking as it inched little by little through the impossible traffic, i was already power gripping my seat's handle bar!! Body fidgeting. Legs crossed even tighter. I swear, i could hardly feel my _ _ _ _ _. @@

Then i got SO THE FED UP, cause the bus made a whole big turn just to end up meters away from the police barricade. =_=" This time i think the bus driver not-so-smart lo. @@!!

I kept praying that i don't embarrass myself with with jeans and by the time i reached McD Tun Perak, i was already making obvious hand actions in the bus. It was OBVIOUSLY to distract my mind from opening the valve down below. I think other passengers thought something was wrong in my head, like a screw loose or something. =/

I actually wanted to run into McD to pee, then run to Puduraya to collect my luggage when the bus stops. In that traffic, i'll be done even before the bus stops, i thought. I was so nail-bitingly irritated when i realized the bus driver didn't want to let two other passengers alight before Puduraya. Have to tahan again. T__________________T

The close to 50 minutes flood prevention ordeal ended when the bus came to a halt in front of Menara Maybank. With very minimum civic consciousness, i waded pushing kids, old uncle and aunties aside my way from the back of the bus in the quickest time, grabbed my luggage, and stomped my way to KFC. Waa.. life saver! XD

It took me about 1.15 minutes (give or take) to open the flood gates. *RELIEVED* You see, it took so long i actually had it timed. *SO VERY RELIEVED* And in that time, i notice the same old uncle i "politely shoved" in the bus used the urinal next to mine, and finished BEFORE ME. =/ haha

I walked out of KFC feeling like a lighter man, almost floating with each step. =DD

...

The story of moral here is: Well, you all oredy know what to do and what not to do. Im just sharing to make people smile. Hope none were put off with the descriptions in this post. LOL

Gosh, like this oso can make a post?! Well, you betcha! :P

...

ps. this is by far, the most painful i-can't-wait-to-pee experience ive ever encountered. so it is only natural for me to HAVE to blog about it. =DD

pps. i CANNOT imagine the same situation, replaced with stomach ache. I think that scenario will be EPIC and to live to tell the story, can win Nobel Prize oredy. =DDD

Malaysia LAH!

In case you don't understand the title, its actually the name of an event organized by a bunch of energetic / crazee PR students from SEGi UC. And no, this is not another post where i bash fellow Malaysians being plain silly in their idiosyncrasies. May be an upcoming post. :-)

As i was saying, these crazily creative bunch of students came up with the superb-est idea or youths to express their point of view on being true Malaysians and decided to organize it secara besar-besaran at a shopping mall in Mutiara Damansara!

What began as an idea for their class assignment soon became a government tool to engage with the youths for a better understanding on what they think makes Malaysia, so to speak. LOL

Tag-lined: STOP. STAND. SALUTE. , this event hopes to bring everyone at the mall to a standstill at a designated time. Sounds intersting, doesn't it?

Well, to satisfy your curiosity, come on over to the event and support them students with a 1Malaysia spirit!

Details are:

Malaysian-LAH campaign
e@Curve, Mutiara Damansara
3rd April 2010
11am - 6pm

"STOP. STAND. SALUTE."

Again, just so that we are on the same page, this is NOT a political campaign to woo voters but an honest effort by the students of the SEGi UC DIPMC PR programme, aimed to express the youths' point of view of being true Malaysians. :)

Among the highlights of the event are fun games and activities like Snake and Ladder, (think big dice and large floor maps) and Picture Quest. What's more, a little birdie told me to expect a "flash mob" in a unique 1Malaysia fashion! =D

There will also be a teen forum with distinguished guest panel like famed Sepet actress Sharifah Amani, Executive Editor Lifestyle and new media for Malaymail Irwan Abdul Rahman, award winning lyricist and local TV star Pete Teo, comedian Andrew Netto, and the beautiful Jojo Straus.

Not to be missed are special performances by local artistes and budding talents like Danell Lee, Drumline by St. John, KLG, Joe Flizzow, and local band An Honest Mistake. If that's not enough to get you going to the event, just decide for yourselves that you want to go for lunch or shopping at the Curve and then accidentally swing over to e@Curve just to see what all the commotion is about LAH! *winks*

Im sure this event will be happening with a bang, so you guys better go check it out! XD

As usual, for more information:

Visit the LAH blog, www.campaign-malaysianlah.blogspot.com.

Follow on twitter : www.twitter.com/malaysianlah

Or go sibuk on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=282589724377

Cya!

Int. Book Fair @ PWTC 2010

It was a busy weekend for me, with ching ming (Chinese All Soul's Day), kendo, paintball, church, family, my Pengetua's daughter's 21st birthday kenduri in UKM all having some part of my life. So when i eventually got a window opportunity for a break on that Sunday afternoon, i jumped on the chance to to visit the 29th International Book Fair at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), KL.

It's my FIRST time visiting the book fair, actually. I went with high expectations. Like really high. REALLY REALLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS.

Not only did reality miss my expectations, what i saw confused me even more.

There were so many people there (which is a given, since its the last day) and most of them were Malays. Please you guys, don't take this the wrong way, but there were very few other races around, hardly any of them in sight, save for the book publishers.

Now, why is that so? This was what spun my mind.

Of all the 3 floors of exhibitions, the two lower ones were full of Malay reading material -- books, magazines, exercise books -- you name it, they got it lah! So confusion #1. is that why does it have so many Malay/local reading material when it's called an INTERNATIONAL Book Fair?

Perhaps the majority of Malaysia is 60% Malays.

Even so, as i entered PWTC from Pan Pacific side, the small rooms along the corridors were made into small bazaar like stalls, where Bumi (more) and non-Bumi entrepreneurs are seen selling thing totally UNRELATED to books or reading!

Cookies. Tudungs (women's head scarfs). Womens accessories. Arts and crafts. Indie made Tshirts going for RM10. Even tables were set up to register for "Bagaimana hendak membina laman web sendiri dan menjadi kaya: Tips daripada usahawan Web" workshops. @_@

The only one thing that seems in place, although unrelated to reading (like, seriously), is the foot massage booth set up by the Malaysian Assoc. for the Blind (MAB) where foot-weary visitors can get a superb foot massage by visually impaired masseurs for a decent price. It generates awareness for the MAB too. So thumbs up to that!

But the rest... [dots]. Duno hey can even make money to cover the rent onot. Sigh.

After passing through the corridors of horror, i came to 1st hall of dread. Ushers cooed visitors into the hall and i got caught in the crowd. Kinda like in PC fairs. T.T

When i saw KARANGKRAF everywhere: the entrance, the wall, the booths, even hanging form the ceiling, i terus U-Turn get out the entrance, which was a no exit btw. But who cares? I wasn't gonna wade thru the crowd JUST TO GET OUT THE OTHER SIDE. T__T

Went up the escalator, i made my way to the main layout. Horror. All local publications. Then i decided to give up reading the Map of Horror and enter into the hall of dread No2. In here, more horror. Almost all booths selling how-to-study-better books for toddler. Those study modules with CDs for smarter learning. As if with CD, everyone will become smarter. SIGH.

Quickly browsed through every booth; i made a systematic sweep anti clock wise from where i entered and spiraled inward when i made a full turn around the hall. This is brisk walking and fast skimming all in one. Ideal for when in halls of horror like this.

I got lucky when i came upon this. I HAD to take a mission impossible shot at it. Look:

Local authors and publishers, publishing HOW TO books like HOW TO USE FACEBOOK, HOW TO DOWNLOAD STUFF, and HOW TO BLOG. Like ohemmmgeeeeeeeeeee. What is happening?! This is a pure rip off to the their target audience. Guess who? (no prizes for right answers =] )

It was so appallingly funny, i couldn't help myself from taking this photo. Then walk away, LOL-ing to myself. EPIC la.

Anyway, i finally found what i was looking for. Up another escalator to the 4th floor! International publishers with ENGLISH books!! My eyes like almost glistening with tears of joy...
*anime eyes*

But as if a kite just pushed up into the sky suddenly crashing into the ground, my hopes were dashed as soon as i picked up the first book from the shelf. It had no price tag. And even if it had, it was so the insanely expensive wan! That's the discounted price samo. If the real price, i can stonned there for 10 secs. T__T

So that was pretty much my 1st time experience in a nutshell. Some books nice, some books horror. Some have price tag, but the price so unbelievable. Others no price tag, but the booth attend face so grumpy, so dowan to enquire price. So, like that lor. =/

...

But all wasn't lost. On my way out, i realize i passed my favorite booth on the way in!

Aaaaaah.... the lelong booth! Don't you just love the RM5 and 3 for RM10 signs?! LOL

In all seriousness, this was the only booth which i found stuff for my money's worth, and stuff that's worth my money too. =D

So after diligently going through umpteen many rows of backdated magz, i finally contended with three of the below:

Men's Health 09 and Good HouseKeeping 09. What a good combination, kan? LOL

Well, all in all, a good experience, but it won't be likely to catch me in one of them fairs like these in a looooooooooooong time.

Perhaps when they actually have more International ENGLISH books (with better prices), i may consider. :-P

Off to the Pearl of the Orient

When work calls... i answer.

Here i come! =D

Ill be at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, Batu Feringgi, Penang.

Blog will be updated as usual. Magically. LOL

Ta~!

1st Asia Kyokushin Karate Championship Press Con.

I was fortunate to be invited to the 1st All Asia Open Kyokushin-Kan Championship 2010 press conference by Kimberly Chun last Thursday. It was a FB notification and i misread the message from "tics2give out" to "TWO tics left to give out". So i instantly jumped on chance when i learnt it was at Radius International Hotel, off Jalan Alor.

The Ultimate Karate Revealed. The Strongest Karate.

Those were the very words used on the backdrop at the PC. Might words, i thought.



You see, although i have had some experience in TaeKwonDo when i was younger, i had no idea what Kyokushin-kan karate, being a full contact, martial art was all about. It was here that i found out that Kyokushin-kan karate is an extreme martial art -- a form a karate -- where competitors spar full-contact and knockouts are allowed as a winning criteria. FYI, knockouts as in K.O. like you see in boxing, where they fall flat on their faces.

While unknown to most people, Kyokushin-kan karate has been around over the past 40 years. Its appeal is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline, and hard training, which garnered more than 12 million Kyokushin practitioners world wide.



To explain more, Sensei Micheal Ding, Branch Chief of Kyokushin-kan Organisation of Malaysia, shared with the members of the media present, his experiences in the art and the humble beginnings of Kyokushin-kan karate in Malaysia. The growth of interest of this unique, full contact martial art in the country has spurred the idea of an All Asia Champhionship to be held right here, in Cheras, in two weeks.

The championship will see Kyukushin-kan karate competitors from 21 countries -- Japan,
Kazakhstan, Iran, Korea, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Russia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Jordan, and MALAYSIA -- with the first three countries contributing the largest amount of competitors.

The flagship event which took a year to plan, comprises of male and female categories by weight: below 65kg, below 72 kg, below 83kg, open weight, and kata category (technique). Sensei Michael explains further that the mechanics of the competition involves two competitors engaging in free sparring for a limited time and the winner is determined by a knowckdown, which means the first competitor who causes the opponent to fall down within the time limit, and the opponent is not able to stand to continue the match.

"The ultimate goal is a knockdown, which would secure a win. Otherwise, the judges will decide and points be awarded according to technique and spirit aka aggressiveness", explains Sensei Michael. "In the event of a draw, the decision will be achieved through tameshiwari or the breaking of wooden boards -- the one who breaks the most boards wins."

The All Asia Open Kyokushin-kan Championship 2010 is also supported by Mr. Chris Tan, the founder of K3, an up and coming apparel and marketing company. Chris, besides sponsoring the championship, is an avid practitioner of other forms of Karate and has recently turned to Kyukoshin-kan karate. It is no surprise to learn that he will also represent Malaysia in the championship, along with eight other practitioners.

He shared his experiences of his first time training in Kyokushin-kan Karate and how he hoped to generate more awareness about the art among Malaysians through this championship. He says as this art is a very in-your-face kinda maryial art, it is very practical for self defense in Malaysia, especially when news about snatch thieves and assaults are rampantly appearing on front pages of local dailies.

Just before the press conference adjourned to lunch, we were given a glimpse of Kyokushin-kan Karate in action! Ms. Yu Man (in 1st pic above), who is the only female Kyokushin-kan practitioner to represent the country with Chris and seven others Malaysians in the championships, showed us a few moves, which i think if i kena, sure pengsan wan. =D

More on that soon, but for now, here's the championship details:

1st All Asia Open Kyokushin-kan Championship 2010
20-21 March 2010
Cheras Badminton Stadium
10am - 6pm

Entry tickets are available at the venue on the event day. Location easily accessible via STAR LRT, alight at Maluri Station, a 10 mins walk. The championship is sponsored by k3 and Horleys, the specialist in sports nutrition and dietary supplements.

If you're free and game for some raw knuckle action, See you there! =D

~ next up, Kyokushin-kan Karate Demo

International Youth Camp 2009

It's been a long and winding, yet exciting journey since my last quick post on MY-NPL 2009 Grand Finale. Slowly, but surely, remarkable events during the journey will be posted here -- eventually.

=DD

~Diggen

But tonight, i will embark on yet another journey, this time one with a more spiritual calling, to Irumbuliyur, Chennai, INDIA. Its the International Youth Camp from 19-22 Nov 2009.

Ill be there two days before and after the camp. There's gonna be about 15000 people there so i don't really know what to expect... but you can be sure to expect a superb list of postings on India when i get back! =P

Its the rainy season in Chennai now, so keep me in your prayers ya.. =D

Check out where i'm going.

Click here and follow the steps if the above link returns null.

Will see you guys in a wink! God Bless!

Quick Update!

Am currently shootin paint at the Malaysian Paintball League - Grand Finale!

Next its Sweet 16, then its Elite 8, then to Semi finals, before the Finals, and ultimately, PODIUM!!!! XD

Go! Go! Go!

1st November 2009

My, wasn't it a sight for sore eyes when i saw my aunty coming towards me from a far. She came to pick me up from Hotel Seri Malaysia -- the hoel at which i was lodging throught the SuaRasa event since Tuesday.

Seeing a familiar face has always been very very comforting and reaausring.

Even more so when you just got of out of a sticky situation which was not of your making the the first place.

In this last leg of SuaRasa TV9 Bersama Celcom in Dataran Stadium Darul Aman, Alor Star, Kedah, i was given more responsibility and was also given more a wider reach of athority. MOre of what i used to do in the previes events.

I didn't wana use the word POWER, because that'll have the cliche "With great power, comes great responsibility" running thru your head.

Nevertheless, it was enough to overwhelm. As if being the ONLY Chinse STAFF in the event was not overwhelming enough. It's like, every little thing you do, or what you say, there's owis some one watching. Passersby will sometimes stare at you too... T_T

I bet they're going, "WHat's this Cina Bukit doing here?!!"

*
*
*

I am at my aunty's house now. I came home to a lovely Chinese cooked lunch -- the first in many days. But earlier today. i had a very troubling time and the experience taught me to improve in the future.

My bosses have left for home yesterday due to other pressing matters. I was left with the burden responsibility to have custody over close to RM5000 and pay the local kids who came to work for us during the event.

I knew, when it came to moeny, almost EVRYONE is tensed. Even among them Malays. they can have misunderstadings about payment and money, what more will happen when a Chinse Hill fella, who doesnt know the heads of the story, steps in to do the work.

This is one example of finishing up other peoples' SHIT!!! uncompleted tasks. I am supposed to pay the workers thru their head. He comes up with a list and a grand total of RM2450 for all ABOUT 16 workers.

I, being a trift and a prefectionist, recountered everyting called my boss to confirm. And when my total didnt match his, he started to look abit edgy. Like dam dulan and boh song with me.

But the case is really simple: my boss is the Head who thinks and decides. I am merely the Hand to do what the Head thinks amd decided. And i am ALSO the on who will face the sound of music from both sides whud i screw up or someone is unhappy abour something. @_@

That was challenging. Really. I grew fond of a few hardworking guys, who were relentlssly working their ass off carrying things, keeping the cleanliness and wiping dining tables in the karnival-like event.

So being not able to help them earn a decent wager, due to some *crappy deal with their b0ss and mine, i felt torn in the middle when my total was RM200 lower than their initial count. Their noss didnt seem too happy.

But hey, im just the messenger, don't kill the messenger! @_@

Boss say, i do. But most of the time, its either i die, or they die.

I always find myself in the middle of morally challenging situations. OMG. my head is spinning now. And its freaking hot. God only knows what will happen to me if im in the Kembara i came with,. heading back to KL now...

@_@

I think ill ctach forty winks now..

=D