Getting Out and On

I just watched the film Cemetery Junction. Two hours of that show had me thinking about making big steps. I've pondered and talked about scouring for new job prospects during the weekend. The soul-searching and intellectual conversations with certain very philosophic individuals gave me some rude awakening. Last week, I got an advice from my friend's mom about getting too comfortable. I thought of what it meant, and I think I got it now.

Life here is getting way too comfortable. I need to find a new challenge. I gave a clock on the job and its almost there. A year. I've thought of prolonging it but I am starting to make sense of the phrase "getting too comfortable".

The film throws in an ancient Arab proverb that says: Throw your heart in front of you and run ahead to catch it. I am going to practice that.

Despicable..Not

When I decided to watch Despicable Me, it was only because its the only movie that was not watched by D. And oh boy, I did not expect it to be so entertaining.

And to be specific enough, the ultimate selling point of the movie is these guys.....






Oh yes, they are, personally, the perkiest thing ever made in CA movies yet. And those contagious laughs just gets to me every time. It would have been a pleasure to have these creatures as minions. But in real life, lets just say that a stuffie would be enough...heh.

And here is another one of them:

As for the movie, a recommendation.

That Place

The hectic buzzing streets. The Metro Bus conductor calls. The Two Jagungs. The distinct Roti Boy smell. The packed LRT. The Cantonese conversation. The place where (almost) everybody is working their ass off.

Hello KL! Its been a long time.

Boleh Settle Tak

They are supposed to elicit trust and respect. But instead, some of their behaviours are near disgusting. Not only are they rude, daring and inefficient, they are best at one thing.

I've heard many versions before, like "Boss, mau belanja?" "Jom, kita berbincang.." or just a simple tweak on the eyebrow signaling you to make the "right" moves. Ultimately, the most common and overused phrase is "Boss, cam ni boleh settle tak?"

*Shakes head*

Campeones 2010

Just two years after they were crowned as European champions, they proved that they are not just champions of a continent but the world.

My colleagues are, much to my amazement, dominantly joined Team Holland fan club. In fact, when we gathered around and watched the Iniesta stunner at 116th minute, I was the only soul who shouted "goal!" with both hands punching into the air. A little depressing to say the least.

Truthfully, I fancied the talented Dutch team, but I loved Spain more. The Germans impressed, but Spain is totally on another level of football. Although not as petrifying and inspiring in 2008, they duly did their job as a coherent team that played beautiful football.

Spain retained possession so much that I can emphatically feel the tell-tale anxiety of my colleagues every time Spain romped into the opposition half , which was like 65 percent of the time in the match. The Dutch threaten in counter-attacks, and Robben almost made me regret making a Japanese food bet in the 62nd minute. But St. Iker (yes the same guy which Miss D felt so disappointed with prior to that save) just, barely, diverted the ball out of danger.

Glory Robb-ed

Then after 14 yellow and 1 red card later, Iniesta swiftly got into the box and received the perfect pass from a perfect pass master in the form Xavi, to net the winner. Spain and their supporters just went into abrupt defining joy.

A compassionate Iniesta dedicating the goal to deceased friend/ footballer Dani Harque.

And so, the world champions celebrated. The World Cup came to an end. And everything have to go back to normal. Except maybe in Spain, where the celebration will go on and on.

Congrats to Spain and Viva Espana!

61st and 62nd Match

The Netherlands seemed to have the Midas touch. Peppered with shots and balls coming into the 6 yard box, they somehow got the lead, from 35 year old Giovanni Van Bronckhost. Probably a fitting farewell gift from the soon-to-be retired Holland star. Probably also the best goal of the tournament, a 35yard shot to the top right corner post where no keeper could have saved.

Diego Forlan managed to pull one back for the hardworking Uruguayans. But luck is on the Dutch side, with Sneijder and Robben's shots all struck the post and went in to claim victory.

Meanwhile, Spain made it into their first ever WC finals, beating the impressive Germans. As much as I liked this tournament's German team, the reigning champions of Europe looked the more skillful and cohesive side to go through. Carles Puyol's bullet header settled the game.

So far, a certain psychic octopus had been mysteriously accurate on its prediction. His "prophecy" says that Spain will win the WC. And I certainly hope that he is right. Viva Espana!

Quarter Final

Out of the four matches, I was looking forward to two: Brazil vs Netherlands & Argentina vs Germany. They didn't disappoint.

The unlimited flow of talents in South America put Brazil and Argentina as favourites. But in the case of BRA vs NED, Total Football reigns over Joga Bonito. 

The scoreline of 4-0 flattered the youthful Germans. Against Argentina, under eccentric coach Maradona, they took their chances despite not dominating the match. In the end, the defence just flat out after the second goal from zee Germans.

Hugs and urghs.

In the case of the dominating Latin America teams, they down to one from four. The unfancied Uruguayans survived the purge to reach the semi, beating the sole representative of Africa, Ghana, albeit in controversial and dramatic way. Spain killed  off the other Latin America team in the form of Paraguay, as expected.

P/S: Personally, national hero Luis Suarez should received a heavier penalty after his version of Hand of God.

Round of 16 Blabbings

When it comes to the 2nd round and the ball is round (in fact, rounder than most balls as claimed), we have fat chances to hold firm predictability of who's the victor and who's not. The last-16 was easier in predicting, with the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Netherlands fulfilling expectations. Personally,best match for that round goes to Germany vs. England, where the German tank flat-crushed the English lion. Although a supporter of English football, I have to admit that the Germans are way above class against their English counterpart. On a side note, Lampard can rightfully feel aggrieved that his "goal" was waved away, which is a pity and could be the turning point of the game.

Muller celebrates before even the ball hits the net.

David Villa showed that he is the right man for Spain and soon-to-be club Barcelona. Being the man almost single-handedly led Spain to progress.

Meanwhile, our ever sulking hero CR7, being the egoistic sore loser, just hate the camera for this time.






Guess the Nike version  of Ronaldo ain't gonna materialize after all, as most have predicted.

As it is, Ghana, the sole representative of Continent Africa, showed that they have the grit and strength to outplay US of A. Korea Rp and Japan unfortunately falter at this stage, but produced a competitive football against better opponents. Something Asians can be proud of.

Stay tuned for Quarter Finals.....

2010 WC Update

The group phase is over and the elimination process begins. So far the matches were mostly boring, sadly. I fell asleep halfway through England vs Algeria and Portugal vs Brazil. Thankfully, Italy vs Slovakia initiates the adrenaline flow, especially the final fifteen minutes and personally favouring the Slovaks.

Slovakia players celebrate after thumping the Italians.

As I mentioned on the previous post, I always loved to see the underdogs pawning (or at least frustrating) the favourites. Algerians holding England to draw. New Zealand keeping Italians out of bay. Swiss shocked the mighty Spaniards. I also liked to see Christiano Ronaldo falter. Too bad he got it right in the 7-0 thrashing of North Korea.

This World Cup also showed that with the globalization of football, the traditional powers of football are not guaranteed their place through. Read: Italy and the utterly disgraceful fiasco-ridden France. Finalists in 2006, they traveled back with much grimace. And while the Africans did not live up to the Waka Waka hype, they (mostly) showed that they live to fight. Thankfully, Ghana is still flying the flag for them in the knockout stages. Asians meanwhile made themselves proud, with South Korea and Japan into the last 16.

PJS lead the line for South Korea.

And then there were the frequent complains of the vuvuzela and Jabulani, especially from the European so-called big stars. They should save their breath in whining about disruptive noises and unpredictable ball flight and focus on playing.  And personally I liked the vuvuzela.

 




Jabulani ball and vuvuzela

As the competition progresses into the knockout stages, the excitement heightens to a new level. Off to watch England vs Germany.

D-Day

It was serene as usual. Little or close to no small talk or chit chats. Never mind heated discussion or debates. He and I just spend the day as usual, doing the usual stuff. In the morning, he went for his usual jogging, I was still lazing in bed. In the afternoon, he was taking his usual afternoon nap. I was surfing the internet. We had lunch together. No conversation. Then we had our durian session, with a few comments on the tastiness of the king of the fruit. In the evening, he watched the TV, I played football. We had dinner, commented on the taste of the chicken chop. The trip to and fro from Jalan Tengah was also a quiet one. Then we watched the World Cup together. Had a in sync shout of goal. Two times. Paraguay 2 Slovakia 0.

I gave him a McD glass cup as a present. Happy Father's Day, I said. Thank you, he said. That's all. Despite the sombre portrayal of our relationship, we had the deepest utmost respect for each other. Probably of this fact, we see no need of having too much conversation. Heh.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Cup Fever

Friggin' four years. And now time for the kick-off.

We the fans are of course thrilled. During my college years, there were two groups of people that watches the World Cup: The fanatic gender (read: Boys) and the you-make-me-go-OMG gender (read: Girls). The boys were in for the thrill (though the less fanatic ones just tag along) while the girls were there to bitch around which team has the most charming line-up.

Thanks to the abundant media coverage and promotion, there are always much hype. Its of course a different set of culture for fans from countries that do not (and don't even dare to dream to) participate in the World Cup. For us, we can simply choose to fancy a team and switch alliances when the favourite team did not go through. Which is so much unlike inhabitants in those participating nations. Imagine a German fan walking into an English pub for that matter.

And apart from the real showpiece, we have the sideline desserts to savior. The English media always like to focus on the footballer WAGs.  I still prefer the Latin America fans.

Sorry for digressing. Now come the big question: Who will you support in the World Cup?

Traditionally, I have always fancy England. This time is no exception. Yea they are overrated and all, but still. Teams that I would prefer to see winning (or at least go further than group stages) are Spain, Holland and Brazil. Meanwhile, I have always like watching David slaying Goliath, and I am expecting some surprises from the underdogs. So go North Korea! XD

And um, enjoy the football month!

Quiet Drive

I almost hate driving since working. I was largely clueless as to how contradicting it is to my previous nature of being a kaki kereta. Not until an hour ago that I realize that why it is as such.

Since taking up the job, I have been driving with purpose, destination and deadlines. The bright shiny helluva huge ass ball of fire adds in as the kick-in-the-teeth factor.

An unusual urge ushered me out tonight to JUST drive my car. And the long-gone familiar joy of driving started to reemerge. Instead of the boisterous need to rush, I am driving at the pace of my own liking. Instead of trying to reach a place safe and sound, I have no aims to achieved. Sounds very zen-ish eh?

So I also realize that although the joys of life can be easily murdered by the hectic and chaotic world of work, it can also be rediscovered. As long as we find the initiative to do so. Hmm. Ok, end of reflection period. Ciao.

Luke Fabregas

Its epic LOL-ness when the worlds of science fiction and sports can combined to give you the ultimate laugh.

Prologue: Fabregas seems to be all set for Barcelona from Arsenal, but now something seems to change his mind....

Fabregas: I'm off!

Wenger: There is no escape. Don't make me destroy you. You do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join me and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy... er... I mean football.

Fabregas: I'll never join you!

Wenger: If you only knew the power of the Arsenal. Pat Rice never told you what happened to your father.

Fabregas: He told me enough.

Wenger: I am your father.

Fabregas: No. No. That's not true! That's impossible!

Wenger: Search your feelings. You know it to be true.

Courtesy of D. Raynor from Soccernet.

Wenger: This way to the Force

Wish I

While leaving the hectic highways of the capital, my thoughts hardly strayed from the blast I had the previous night. After so many years, I still hold this company as the dearest and most influential in my life. Its always hard to leave friends behind. This one bunch being the hardest. At times like this, I wished I am Hiro Nakamura or Nightcrawler, traveling between two places frequently.

Alas, I have my obligations. Although pretty much tempted to the callings of "Come to KL lar..", I had to deploy firmly to my duties. At least for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, I am chuffed to be at the gathering, even its four hours away from where I supposed to be. Hopefully, we will have more. And Happy Birthday to a certain Anakin fanatic. XD

Quick Babblings

Time past so effing swift that Friday comes faster than I could say TGIF. Not that I said that often. In fact, I preferred Mondays, where workload is the least. I digressed.

And its already half of 2010. Well, almost. And come to think of it, I am in the rat race for more than half a year. It didn't occur to me until I sit down at a hard cold bench outside the factory waiting for the bunch of usually hardworking minions to come out, that I was drifting within my own thoughts and suddenly: Hey, half a year liao wtf fast.

And one of my ex-school mates interning there came and said hello (and also bye as its already going-off time). Said he: This is my last day here. Asked me: What now? Said he: One week break and I am going back to study. Aahh, study. How nice. I miss those thrill-seeking days. I told him like some 55-year -old veteran worker: Enjoy school life while you can. Priceless period no kidding.

I don't know how long I can go. Work ( and life in general) is not mundane. Not at all. In fact, sometimes it dropped too many surprise-factor bombs. Then again, I will survive. How fitting to write this post while Cake was hard-covering that song.

Down and Out

The body struggle to surge forward. The brain was spanking it to move. After several nano-seconds, only the body reluctantly moved to the desired position. But by then, the ball had already pass through me. Hell, even the person that are supposed to be marked pass through. Then, the pain of changing position frustrates me. By the time it managed to twist and turn and decided to slide in, the ball had struck the net.

Gah.





















You get these when your occupation consist of 24 hour stand-by and limited movements such as walk, sit and drive. Mostly drive. There is no time for more physical stuff. And the occasional be-physical-period comes in weekends. But if it rains, then there is none.

So what leads to the fatigue and slow reaction is almost one month without exercise. God, I miss my college days. Then again, c'est la vie.

Opening Minds

Playing with psychology is fun. Of course since its not actually concrete science, there are interpretations to what should and could have happened. But that's not the point.

Its all about making hypothesis and analyzing the outcome. Initially, I find it depressing because most of the time the predictions came out wrong. Then I realized that its not always about the results. Its the process that is interesting. After all, its something that deals with human mind. Which, in my opinion, the most complicated thing ever created by nature.

There is a reason that I think I find it depressing at first. Its because I watched too much TV. Well, the psychologists that are portrayed seems to know everything. It did not occur to me that its only TV. They have to make them look super-humanly amazing and us in real life, so much inferior. Then again, its not impossible to be as accurate as them. What is needed are more experience and education.

Ironically, I got that culmination from a TV show. In Bones, when Dr. Sweets showed frustration (time and again in the show) after unable to find a logical explanation to the relationship between Booth and Brennan, it just suddenly occur to me that psychologist are not gods. We can't always be right, even in our own expertise.

Phew. What a revelation. Ok then, back to work on Monday. Out for now.

Gemma

I know it sounds cliche. But Gemma Anderton is hot. Such pretty name too. She is partly (read: mostly) the reason I watch COTT for the second and third time. And I still watch St. Trinian's occasionally. And oh, I am glad Perseus chose Io instead of Andromeda. Wise choice.





















I don't mind the spanking.

Sorry to sound a lil perv. But I think its probably the stress. But still.

Hey Saturday Night

So whassup there on Saturday night?

Used to be crazy nights of boom boom pows, or adrenaline rush at mamaks, or popcorn and movie, or maybe just one big gathering of people doing nothing.

Those days are worth reminiscing.

Now all I ever really wanted for a Saturday night is a relax atmosphere without any interference from anybody. Here I am listening to Train (most relaxing band ever), being a busybody with Facebook, reads lots of self-helps and life-hacking tips, and also a few pages of thriller later. Totally me, myself and I.

After all, I deserved that after a week's hassle. Just one night is good enough.

Telephone

Today, I got to know how important and in demand I am to the company that I am stationed at.

Based on a telephone.

Apparently, I am speed dial number one. End of story.