On Route

So the short trip from Penang was smooth. Its been ten years since my last time on an airplane. I was looking through the window like some small kid (or would you prefer the word "sakai") anticipating lift-off and jumping in joy. Ok, cut the jumping, the only thing jumping is my heart.

My departure was so mysterious that only 3 people waved goodbye in Penang. Kinda low-key. And I am not complaining. Afterall, its just 4 months. Meh.

In a few hours time, it will be another take-off. An international one this time. So while anticipating flying international, I will dread through the 3 hours with some crap courtesy of KLIA wifi and a pasar-like McDs.

To my friends and families, Hasta La Vista.
To UK and England, prepare thy land for my invasion.

Finn-ishing on a High Note

Come this Sunday, it will probably be the last of appearance of what Anfield had seen as one of the best defenders in the modern game. Sami Hyypia, the Finn, will finish his career at Liverpool as a reliable, consistent and dedicated stalwart in a distinguished career span of 10 years at Anfield.

















When he came in back in 1999, people were all asking the same question: "Sami who?" Bought from Dutch outfit Willem II for a mere 2.6 mil pounds, he had so far surpassed that value. Looking at the current squad of Liverpool, he was now the only survivor of former manager Gerard Houllier's buys. And what a buy he is. Forming the undisputed partnership with former reds defender, Stephan Henchoz and then the current vice-captain, Jamie Carragher, he has propelled, albeit almost unnoticed and stealthy dedicated performance, Liverpool to many trophies, including the famous Treble in 2001 and 2005 Champions League throphy.













In his younger days.















Eyes on the Cup. He got it after putting in a magnificent performance.

Apart from his formidable defending, he is also an advantage in providing goals in from corners. A great asset with commanding aerial ability and good reading of the game. It is no surprise that he helped Liverpool to so many clean sheets and sometimes deciding goals in critical matches.

A "legend", a "perfect professional", a "magnificent servant". All these tags and tributes cannot describe enough of his service for the Reds. In fact, he has been one of the most inspiring imports and one of the greatest players that had donned the red shirt.

Plug-ish

Apparently, its a relief for Malaysians in UK. Not so anymore in Europe (and a large chunk of the world), at least in terms of plugs. As for the volts, it is pretty much the same.

Check out this website for the electricity in Europe.

Picture courtesy of Unplggd via Gizmodo.

We Are Close

Liverpool had a great season, undoubtedly. Undoubtedly too, ManU got a better one, but that's not the point here.

For the past few seasons, the Reds conceded their title challenge usually when February dawns. This time around, we made it to the final second game and keep our bitter rivals sweating over. The Reds are no pushovers either, conjuring up a double combo victory against them, one of them a empathetic 4-1 away win, to give them a run of their money.


















Then again, its not enough. We will always look back to the what ifs. What if Liverpool had gained victory against weaker sides like Hull, Wigan and Tottenham. What if Torres and Gerrard are fit throughout the season. What if Rafa Benitez did not go berserk and decided to verbally attack Fergie. What if...ok...they are many of them in hindsight, so we shall not go there.

Those said, Liverpool should look back this season and congratulate themselves for the improvement they've made. We have a FWA Footballer of the Year in our team. Step up Stevie G. People had always said that Liverpool is a two men team, consisting of Gerrard and Torres. In my POV, that is so not true. We have squad players with their reown abilites. Kuyt's tireless run, Masch's relentless battling, Carra's defending, Xabi's pinpoint passes and among others. In truth, there are so much quality. Ok, maybe we do not have enough depth on the bench, which probably is a factor that seperates us from ManU, but they are a better team with larger resources. Perhaps there is some fine tuning needed there.




















Gerrard: Fulcrum of Liverpool

This gratifying season has its feel-good factors, including the 4-0 crushing of Real Madrid, a better goal differences in the league, Steven Gerrard at his best, the 3-2 comeback vs Manchester City and of course the forementioned ManU match. Significantly, there are more entertaining football this time around compared to previous season. More free-flow football, more gasping creativity and most importantly, more goals.
















Crushing Real Madrid is no small feat.

Next season, the Reds are definitely going to be better. I will be there to make sure that. XD

After 4 Seasons

After 4 years of acquaintance, the Prison Break producers decided that it is time to end it. Seriously, I think it should finish the story already. The title itself was kinda irrelevant for the 4th season theme.

Beware: *Spoilers ahead!*

Show/Hide if you want to really know (or already knew) the ultimate ending.

Overall, it has a good ending. The story was well-buried (hint!). No major loose ends and no suggested hidden story.

I love PB. Thanks for the interesting 4 years ride of excitement and suspense.

So They Decided to Build This

Hmm...






















I don't know. What do you think? Deviance? Creativity? Try to stand out? And they are saying that there are too much poverty in the state.

Prognosis

Me: What are my chances of doing sports in the future?
Sf: The best advice is well... not to do anymore.
Me: o.O
Sf: Of course if you persisted, the consequences are at your own risk. More prone to injuries, bone spurs and bowed legged...
Me: Er....does operation help?
Sf: It helps......to paralyze you.

T.T

Typical

Look familiar?

























Courtesy of PhD Comics

Exactly.
Typical and not to my surprise, universal.

Thanks For The Memories

Sigh. Finally, I am moving back to Penang. Semi-permanently. I don't really miss KL honestly. Just the people there. The very people that I have met and become friends and going through ups and downs with.

So it seems the four years of acquaintance will end there. I have not the slightest idea when I will be back. But the possibility is of course high. So, be prepared when I popped up in front of your house.

I am a noobie at giving testimonials to people, so all I want to express is my gratitude to whom it may be concerned.

Thanks for the memories. XOXO

Hot Prospect?

Is psychology now the fad or is it finally getting the very much needed attention and promotion? Apparently, the field seems to be playing a prominent role in many of the series shown nowadays.

Obviously, there are series that dedicated their theme to the field...


















Criminal Minds and Lie To Me exploits the various elements of psychology.

Then somehow I noticed a lot of series, especially police procedural shows hires psychology related personnel to aid investigations. Say....






























Dr Sweets (Bones), Patrick Jane (The Mentalist), Dr. Mallard (NCIS), Nate Getz (NCIS: Legend)in one way or another established influence in their respective series.

So, the situation that interest me is: Are psychologists such prominent figures nowadays? To what degree is their influence upon decision-making and "getting things done"?

TV gives a plausible picture of what they can do. In reality, do they?

Michael O-Who?

When Michael Owen decided to bail out after Rafael Benitez took reign in 2004, he thought that he was ready to move on and have a glittering career elsewhere and become a legendary striker. Not that he was short of confidence and resume to back that. 118 goals in 216 appearances for Liverpool is a helluva return for a striker. Many of the fans, me included, was disappointed at his decision.

5 years from now, Owen found himself in a relegation threaten club and not being in the first eleven. Alan Shearer, his former England partner and now his manager decided that he warm the bench against his old club. Injury prone and not scoring for 4 months now, he is a forlorn figure in the world of football.























Owen: Yo Stevie, would ya mind putting some gud words in front of Rafa for me? I think I need to come back here. Desperately. Please?

The usual reception for former Liverpool players who served them well are warm applauses and chants for their contribution. Owen got none of that. In fact, he barely even leaves the bench for warm ups. Probably got scared of the fans taunting him: "Where were you in Istanbul?" (Note: Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005 in Istanbul, one year after Owen's departure.)

Such was the degree of obscurity of a teenage protege that once strutted the Anfield ground in free-flow goal scoring spirit. In a harsher tone, its probably what he deserved for deserting the club he loves in the first place.

I Know Where You Are Now

So suddenly, I decided to check upon my long lost friends punya location on FB. And I just notice that there are actually a few of them.























Just in case you need reference....you know who you are....XD

Ok, they are spread across the nation, from London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield, Manchester, Sunderland to Newcastle.

Funny thing was I always had the impression that there were nobody that I know residing in UK. I was so wrong.

SO, I decided to, by their permission and time-willing of course, bug them when I am there.

If one of you read my post, see u guys there. Mayhem awaits. XD

Swine Flu Key Facts...Just in Case

Following are facts about Swine Flu that has just broken out in Mexico and the United States, creating fears of another pandemic.

Swine Flu

What is Swine Influenza?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

How many swine flu viruses are there?

Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can re-assort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

Swine Flu in Humans

Can humans catch swine flu?

Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

How common is swine flu infection in humans?

In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every one to two years in the US, but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How does swine flu spread?

Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What do we know about human-to-human spread of swine flu?

In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalised for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine.

In follow-up studies, 76 per cent of swine exhibitors tested had antibody evidence of swine flu infection but no serious illnesses were detected among this group. Additional studies suggest that one to three health care personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection.

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.

What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans?

There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

What other examples of swine flu outbreaks are there?

Probably the most well known is an outbreak of swine flu among soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1976. The virus caused disease with x-ray evidence of pneumonia in at least 4 soldiers and 1 death; all of these patients had previously been healthy. The virus was transmitted to close contacts in a basic training environment, with limited transmission outside the basic training group. The virus is thought to have circulated for a month and disappeared. The source of the virus, the exact time of its introduction into Fort Dix, and factors limiting its spread and duration are unknown. The Fort Dix outbreak may have been caused by introduction of an animal virus into a stressed human population in close contact in crowded facilities during the winter. The swine influenza A virus collected from a Fort Dix soldier was named A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1).

Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses?

No. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.

Swine Flu in Pigs

How does swine flu spread among pigs?

Swine flu viruses are thought to be spread mostly through close contact among pigs and possibly from contaminated objects moving between infected and uninfected pigs. Herds with continuous swine flu infections and herds that are vaccinated against swine flu may have sporadic disease, or may show only mild or no symptoms of infection.

What are signs of swine flu in pigs?

Signs of swine flu in pigs can include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going off feed.

How common is swine flu among pigs?

H1N1 and H3N2 swine flu viruses are endemic among pig populations in the United States and something that the industry deals with routinely. Outbreaks among pigs normally occur in colder weather months (late fall and winter) and sometimes with the introduction of new pigs into susceptible herds. Studies have shown that the swine flu H1N1 is common throughout pig populations worldwide, with 25 per cent of animals showing antibody evidence of infection. In the US studies have shown that 30 per cent of the pig population has antibody evidence of having had H1N1 infection. More specifically, 51 per cent of pigs in the north-central US have been shown to have antibody evidence of infection with swine H1N1. Human infections with swine flu H1N1 viruses are rare. There is currently no way to differentiate antibody produced in response to flu vaccination in pigs from antibody made in response to pig infections with swine H1N1 influenza.

While H1N1 swine viruses have been known to circulate among pig populations since at least 1930, H3N2 influenza viruses did not begin circulating among US pigs until 1998. The H3N2 viruses initially were introduced into the pig population from humans. The current swine flu H3N2 viruses are closely related to human H3N2 viruses.

Is there a vaccine for swine flu?

Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.

The dark and lighter side of swine flu..

Sloth

As the months passed by, things are really getting real slow. Like slow-mo slow.

For instance, it took me 10 days to read a chapter of I/O Psychology. A novel of around 400 pages usually took me 3 days. Now, its like almost 30 days, and I am only 3 quarters done. Very evident too is my series and film watching. Back then, 2 seasons of Prison Break consisting almost 40 episodes can be completed in 4 days. Now, I need 6 days to complete a 17-episode Life on Mars series. An average of 4 films per week seems the norm. But, for 2 weeks straight, I haven't touch a movie. Heck, even my eating speed dwindles.

Why is this ar? Am wondering too. Probably the lack of initiative in life for 3 months. There might be too much free time that makes me pretty much disincline from life activity. Acedia it is.

I hate to say this, but I really miss being busy. A sloth life ain't so fun as I first thought it is.

















The more innocent side of sloth.

I Am Just a Simple Guy/Gal

I seriously have no idea who started this trend of self-description but it seems to be the most common and overused description ever.

"I am just a simple guy/gal o~." Then blah blah o.....then another blah blah o.

I mean, how complicated, based on your own evaluation, you can get? And the definition of simple? It is not even in a list of self-description of personality.

Ultimately, when it comes to status of relationships, it says "It's complicated." Smell of hypocrisy, don't ya think?

P/S: Just a food for thought. Irritation level overblown. Of course people are entitled to their own way of description. Afterall, we live in a free country. XD

IXUS / IXY

And finally my new baby arrives...
















Canon Digital IXUS 85.

Somehow, the one I got is kinda a special edition, at least here in Malaysia. Notice its not written IXUS 85 on the box and the camera. My friend says this is all the way from Japan. And its known as IXY there. Of course, I went wow....SE sial.















Front and back view.

Features that caught my eye included 10 MP and DIGIC III Processor. So far, I see that it gives me fast responses, superb quality image and lesser noise. Mine comes with a 4GB memory card, a case and a free watch (irrelevant to the camera, but still...) with a price of RM880. Good deal for me.
As I always had a soft spot for design, this camera definitely provides the edge compared to other similar cameras.





















Poser in action. XD

With these, I am almost equipped and set for UK. Will post up reviews if I am free and willing enough.

Back to camwhoring.

Randomly Disorganized

Just taking in what I did, doing and will do this few days.

I decided to move back to Penang at the beginning of May. Helluva lots of stuff to take back. 4 years of crap. In fact, I am really mushy about leaving this place. There is a certain degree of me-ness here that I can't really register while I was back in Penang for holidays. Oh well, I guess when the stuff goes back, I am going to do just fine. For a month.

And yes, in a month, I'll be leaving for UK. Liverpool to be exact. Cliche and cheesy as it seems, its like placing me in heaven. I mean, seriously, place any Liverpool FC hard core fan there and see. Me excited? Totally.

So I decided to purchase a camera. Not really a smooth process as I thought it would be, but thanks to Jo and Jason, I am going to get what I want. Will blog about it when I get the product. And bye bye RM880. For a good cause.

A mini emotional roller coaster ride with my old people. One day they sounded like they are all depressed and armageddon. The next, they are enthusiastic and hyper. I shall check whether they have bipolar disorder when I got back.

I am trying very hard to tick off certain items on my list of to-dos. One of them is attending a MPO concert. Its a shame not to attend one considering I am a fan of classics.

Considered tech-savvy at the most basic level, I am totally embarrassed for being a noob in using the Cheque Deposit Machine. Cheque stuck in the machine. Line became longer. Waited sheepishly for the bank staff to unlock the thing. Went to counter instead after that. Utterly probiefied.

I shall be awaiting more pork burger, mac and cheese and sushi invitations before I leave KL. XD

And that is it for now. Till then.

20 Years On

Tomorrow will be a day that we remember the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster. Being a football and Liverpool FC supporter, I dedicate my memory and thoughts to the victims and their families, who after 20 years, are still fighting for the justice yet to be prevailed.
















You'll Never Walk Alone.

Disinclination

One always plays the blame game.
One makes every conversation feels like there will be doomsday anytime from now.

No wonder I loath to return. Sigh.

Indecisión

Ok, now I have major vexatious decisions to make. First, the matter of when to move my ass out of KL. Things are, as usual, not according to plan. The potential heir to my comfy throne in Plaza apparently back out last minute. Reason? Dad says it is better to move in with people of same age. I can't make any bugger sense of rationality out of the logic there. Anyhow, now I have to contemplate to move out at the beginning or the end of May. There is a tinge of refusal to refuge back in Penang. While musing over the decision last night, I was marauded by the feeling of how I am so going to miss KL. There are so many things that I am going to leave behind. So many. Really reluctant to do so. Gah, decisions.

Then, on a more personal and abstract note, I still do not have a clear guide on whether to pursue it. So many moments gone and wasted. So much for hoping. At these times, I really hate hope. There are a few nano-moments that I really do not feel like going UK. Don't get me wrong here. I really am excited and glad that I have the chance to go there. Except for those moments. Sigh. Another score for indecision.


















Hmmmph.....