Project 365 : Day 65 of 365

Test Drive

I was fortunate enough to get to do a test drive of a car in some sort of media setting. This was my first time doing this and i hope more to come. I will write about the car unique selling points and my experience of driving it for about 20km from Putrajaya to the RnR along MEX, KL bound. I got to know a few friends along the way and what was cooler was that it was a stress free fun outing. Certainly made me forgot about work for a moment.
Tools: D90+351.8. ISO400. F1.8. 1/640

Project 365 : Day 64 of 365

Horse

Black horse in the park. Entertains kids and adults alike. Never complained. Sucking it up and keep bouncing and never fight back. More and more each day i felt i am being treated like the horse in the park. Only differences is that i speak up. But that did not stop anyone from straddling over me. While i am being taken for rides...i might as well enjoy it. At the very most, i still store a lot of inertia energy...push me hard and low enough and i will spring up and throw you off guard.
Tools: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2. ISO200. F3.3. 1/30

Project 365 : Day 63 of 365

Clear Blue Sky

I took this photo when i was in Klebang today. Plane such as these (it's a 737 with the twin engine visible at 100% crop) flies out from Sepang, which is about 70km away. The clear blue skies was too tempting not to shoot and the plane lends a bit of life into the photo. I used a CPL filter to cut out the glare and i must say it enhanced the blue in the sky without any touch up. This pic is 100% untouched-up. Just like life. Many things are always better kept simple and untouched, in many instances!
Tools: D90+351.855-200VR. ISO400. F5.6. 1/800

Project 365 : Day 62 of 365

Respect

I drove past the Palace today and i decided to stop to see why tourists are attracted to this place. In my whole entire 34 years, today was the first time i stepped into the compound of the Palace. One thing i notice and i felt sad is that these servicemen were treated like mickey mouse by the tourists. Some taunt them and a kid tried to be funny and touch and rub the horse. We have to show respect to these men in uniform. They are serving the country. This is not Disneyland. There were lines drawn on the floor and most of the time, these tourist went beyond the line to take photos. I took this photo, and i actually ask for permission, his eyes tells me that he is more than happy to let me do so, and i said my thank you after that.
Tools: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2. ISO80. F3.3. 1/80

Project 365 : Day 61 of 365

Bye, For Now.

Hey Buddy. All the best wishes to you. I know you will be very happy in a Resort City. Don't forget the goss emails. Won't be a stranger. Will definately shake you down when i land in Resort City.
Tools: iPhone 3Gs

Project 365 : Day 60 of 365

Rainbow Part 2

Ryan drew this yesterday. I know. Not fair. Yesterday's photo for today's Project 365. I kept this photo, taken by wifey yesterday, for today's entry to remind me of the glimmers of hope and love that i have in my life. Ryan drew the rainbow all by himself. In fact, he knows all the seven colors, can you? He then wrote his own name and make them colorful by adding more color in between the spaces. This photo reminds me that no matter how bad i think i have to go through the day, there are others less unfortunate than myself, or my family. There is always rainbow in our life, if only we choose to see them, or draw them. Agree?
Tools: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2. ISO800. F3.3. 1/10

Project 365 : Day 59 of 365

Sweat+Tears

Literally. Enough said, read all about it here : PD Tri 2010 Report
Tools: D90+351.8. ISO1400. F2.8.1/40

PD Tri 2010 Report

"Are you ok?", Julie asked. That was the last thing i remembered at KM4.5 on the run course as i bumped into her and AJ.

I was overwhelmed and i broke down and cried while i inch my way to the U-turn in today's race.

Thank goodness for cap and shade as i manage to cover those what seems like eternity moment of myself sobbing while running. And that was almost the very last i recalled of how the race went.

My day started pretty early at about 0430hours. I rested early the night before anticipating to mobilize down for the race that will start at 0735. God bless Jabir and Tesa for helping with the race kit collection. I can't be thankful enough. The drive down was uneventful. I was having second thoughts of today's race and i have wifey in the car trying to strike up conversation. Somehow, anything and everything she asked seems irrelevant. Perhaps i am having some "caveman" moment where i hide myself in the cave while the world outside goes round and round. In fact, i forgot my water bottles that has been left frozen in the freezer with delicious tangy Ribena.

We arrived PD Marina at 0630 and bumped into Jabir and Tesa. Along the way to the transition, more and more familiar faces and friends shouted out to me. This will always be the best part in any races. Friends and supporters which brave the sun and human traffic on a Sunday morning to see triathletes of all shapes and sizes doing their thing. Most has the secret desire to clock in their personal best (PB) timing, some with limited training, made the race to be one of their training, many first timer (OP Azmel, Kash, Chris Chuang, Hsing Ling(her first PD Tri) just to name four that i know doing their first full race for Olympic Distance or OD), many seasoned racers that comes from all over (Kevin all the way from Aussie, but he insist it's for family matter, Doc Raymond from HK, also the same!). A lot just raced their first introductory Tri race in their life and was baptized during the transition T1 and T2. Well done Ezan and Tesa.

This year's race saw about 270 people racing in my age category (30-39). The numbers swelled too because of how scarce races are nowadays. the 18-29 group did not see as many participants and suddenly i felt that triathlon in Malaysia are meant for those older crowd that has nothing better to do on a weekend.

The second wave was called minutes after the first wave was released. Triathlon swim start is always very taunting to many. I told myself just to remain calm as i can't afford the extra spiking in my heart rate. I tried to keep it as inaudible as possible. Because i know, if i hear it in my ears, that would meant i've pushed myself beyond 90% of my max HR. I cruised in the way i know best while swimming and was delighted that i still managed a decent 35mins. Bear in mind the absolute i ever swam was during this year's IronMan. I remember i exited the water with Raymond Ng and Kam flanking me. I tried to run, but my heart told me not to. And the walk to T1 was by far the longest ever as i see people passing me left and right. Wifey and the bunch of WAGS (but they insist they are MILFs - so wifey, Tesa, Ezan, D, Af and Lida, you babes are!) was waiting and cheering me on. Jabir made it out of water right behind me and walk/run with me to the T1.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and remarked how hot he was (no, not in a gay way). But i know those heat came from him working and pushing his well tuned racing body.

"I am warm blooded what!", he jested.

I found myself looking at my palm and saw the familiar pale pink color.

Into T1 and i took slightly longer. Kam and Jabir exited T1 way ahead while i was still sitting down putting my socks on. I was still feeling alright at that point of time. I found myself talking to my bike and told her not to forsake me today. There was actually a surficial cut across the tire, deep enough to allow stones and grit to be lodged in and cause a punture. The only consolation was that it was with the forward rolling of the wheels, meaning, it will not lodge anything in unless i cycle over a whole sandbox. Still, i was apprehensive.

PD Bike route are flat as a pancake. There are a few bumps but nothing anyone can't handle. I started out pretty well and actually maintained an average of 28km/h all the way. Pretty decent actually. But i was slow on the climbs, dropping to 20km/h and struggling to keep the cadence. Slowly, i can feel the heart rate starting to climb rapidly and i counted almost 30bpm/10seconds. I am like watching a faulty car cooling system and ensuring the needle stays out of the red zone.

I entered T2 with a lot of cheers from the MILFs and friends. I was still feeling fine and managed to cover the 40km bike in about 1:20.

I was quick on the T2 and i saw Halim Sterling, AJ and Julie rushing out of T2. I took it easy and ran at a decent 6:30pace on the first 2km and noticed the pace starting to slow down as the heart rate climbing steadily up. I don't recall much at all and i only remembered i last saw Julie and i broke down.

I guessed i managed to coax my mind and body to bring me home to the finish line.

I was later told by wifey that i ignored so many people wishing me as i ran slowly towards the finish. I continued to ignore people as i walked to the transition.

I am very sorry to all of you well wisher and those that shouted for me and i ignored. It wasn't me on the run course this morning. I apologise for being rude.

I complete the whole OD in 3:34. I guessed i ran 1:20.

Well done to all you finishers and first timer. It is often not easy to do multisports such as triathlon, but i know that all of you enjoyed it as much as i been doing this for yonkers. I hope to see you all in the next race and please keep shouting and cheering me on. I promise to reciprocate the next time. I do.

Project 365 : Day 58 of 365

Clowns

I have a feeling that tomorrow i will be making a fool out of myself. PD Tri and this is the first tri race i will take part after Ironman. I was looking for all my gears and i could not find some of them. Infact, i am taking chances with my tires that looked somewhat suspiciously cut across from i do not know where, or when. It is a new tires and has not seen more than 250km of mileage...and at this point of time, it is costing me RM1/km! Whatever it is, like the clowns, i will just go and have fun. I will try to finish it. I will.
Tools: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2. ISO160.F3.3.1/30

Project 365 : Day 57 of 365

Affection

This is my daughter's eye. She was lying down on my lap watching tv when i realised that i never did really noticed how her eyes actually looked like. So, for a good 2 minutes, i took a couple of photos and was not concerned about having the perfect shot, rather, i was hoping to capture the innocence that sparkle through those iris. I don't think the photo did any justice, but i did see how she will be when she grow up, and i hope she will be just what i saw through the window of her soul.
Tools: iPhone 3Gs

Raja Kunyit MaoShangWong

I was never a fan of cheese. I can't stand the smell, let alone how it taste in the mouth.

Three weeks ago, i had a craving for durian. Now, i am a big fan of durian. Story has it told that my mum ate so much durian when she was pregnant with me that when i was born, i had a huge boil at the end of my spine, near my backside crack.

I remember how gunny upon gunny of durians was eaten at both my granparents house when i was growing up. I learnt how washing your hand with a durian seed get rid of the smell from staying in your fingers and how drinking water from the fruit's shell, will neutralise the "heatiness" of this mighty King.

I learnt how to "listen" and how just by shaking the fruits i will know if it's the sticky type or the dry type(with skin covering all the sticky goodness).

I once bought a gunny sack of durian kampong from Durian Tunggal and drove back in my SLK only to have the car reeks of the smell even after 2years before i finally sold it off.

Today, like three weeks ago, i decided to splurge a bit to treat the family amd my parents the premium variety of this King of Fruits.

Stanley Ho, the Hong Kong tycoon flew a plane into Singapore to buy 88 fruits for RM4800 or RM38/kg.

I, a minion from Kuala Lovely Lumpur, paid hard earned RM18/kg and still get to enjoy every single custardy texture of this.

I had my mum jaw fell when i told her the price for the two big fruits i bought. But that did not matters as her face said it all when she sank her teeth into the variety known as MaoShangWong or Raja Kunyit or Musang King.
This variety was unheard off eons back and i will describe it as "creamy cheesy custardy sensation". The fruit literally burst in your mouth as you sink your teeth in. The rich pungent strong smell fills your nostrils as your tounge were teased with slight bitterness that will be replaced with sweetness and overwhelm the taste bud and senses.

Ma must had that feeling as she sank her teeth into what seems to be endless flesh.

Musang King has small seeds compared to the size of the flesh. It is sexy-fying. Yeap!!! Soft and juicy and with character.


I know i sad i ate enough three weeks ago to last a year and today, i ate enough to last another. But so what?

I was born to know this fruit. I still have the scar on where the sun don't shine to prove for it.

And i still hate cheese.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Project 365 : Day 56 of 365

Lost In Translation

I am not sure what document some of my colleagues are reviewing but it sure made me laugh. Makes you wonder that people that has sex life will only be employed isn't it? Good one nevertheless. And oh ya, my "missing bottles" started a few conversation in the office from the cleaning lady to my engineers to my project managers. That was certainly lost, in the freezer. Talk about being cold storaged and these figures sure are cold too!
Tools: iPhone 3Gs

Project 365 : Day 55 of 365

Epic Fail

I was looking for my SIGG bottle for the past 1 month and i found it today. It was in the office freezer, with it's content all frozen up (i am not sure what is in there even!). Whatever it is, i am sure to have one COLD drink tomorrow. Goes to show, many times, we go searching for things we thought we lost, or we can't find, only to locate them again in the most unlikely places. I classify myself to be epic fail on this, as i've searched the whole home, whole two cars and whole office pantry...only to find it today...safely in the coolest place in the office.
Tools: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2. ISO400. F3.3. 1/13

Project 365 : Day 54 of 365

Exit

Question remained today, what time will be be able to go home? Must make effort to leave office on time, or early. I must try hard to obtain a work-life balance. At the moment, some of us are going on 150% in the office. And today, someone shattered the morale of one of my guy. Someone apparently complained to the HR/Management about some posting that was made in a popular social site and this poor chap got called up. C'mon. I don't think that was fair and i've checked and verified that none of his postings mentioned anything or said anything about disclosing anything we shouldn't. Infact, i am so careful about even mentioning names! So, really, we don't need more drama than this. Come to work, do your work. I don't expect you to be glued to your PC for 8hours/day and i don't expect you to spend more than an hour total updating your social status. And i certainly do not need anyone complaining to anyone about someone's personal space in the internet. We all work hard, so that we can exit the door above everyday, knowing we already done our best at work for the day.
Tool: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2. ISO400. F3.3. 1/16

Project 365 : Day 53 of 365

Tick.Tock.Tick.Tock.

Time. Most people do not give it due respect. Myself are guilty of it. We take it for granted. We assume others will respect them and we ourselves do not appreciate the seconds as it ticks by. Many instances we want other to respect the time but ending up forsaking the timing. Today, i had the unfortunate experience of going through waiting for 90minutes. There were not even an apology and I am to assume that I am to understood why the appointment were "late". Should the table turned the other way, all hell will break loose and rest assured i will lose my job.
Tools: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2. ISO400. F3.3. 1/30

Siemens Run 2010 : Reflection

Good run this morning. My second outing running with wifey side by side. It was a 10km run through the usual weekend double-hill at Bukit Tunku and the other 40% portion to be at Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, U-turning at Jalan Raja Amar (where the infamous Lorong Haji Taib is).

I woke up at 5.30am this morning, knowing very well it will be another struggle with my current blood level which is still not back to normal after almost 1 year. I've been told to go for a check many times, but for me, the diagnosis is not as important as the rest that i need and the medication that i should be taking.

I am currently back to be taking Sangion - a heamatic medication. I am also watching everything i eat and observing all tell tale sign. But that is only that much i could do. I find myself looking at my palm every morning - hoping it will be rosy red and not pale pink. On days it is red, i felt more energetic.

This morning, it was somewhat red, but still pinkish. Show must go on.

Drove down to KL and parked at RSC. Got to be the shortest walk ever for any race i've entered that starts off in Dataran Merdeka. Being a member of RSC does have it's little perks.

The race was to flag off at 7.30am and we were at Dataran by 6:45am. Time to mingle with friends and make new ones. I saw KA and his family, Teng and Wifey and then, AJ, Julie, Nik, Hin Toong, Nizz, Lili, Alaudin, Bo, Wendy, Dicky and many others.

The race was organised by TwentyFirst Century Sports and rightfully like how Shazly would say "This is how a proper organizer, ORGANIZE a proper race.." I can't agree more.


The MC did a really good job to explain that two fully equipped ambulance from Pantai Hospital was in standby. Infact, throughout my 10km run, i noticed there was five instances the ambulance passed me...I know i was looking bad, but they really don't have to make it look that obvious.


I started to have heart palpilation again by KM5. That was when i saw Mac. Mac ran with me and Aileen for about 3km before Aileen started picking up speed and i tried very hard to follow her. I think with proper training regime, she will be a pretty good runner. It might be in her gene, just that she did not know it.


I know wifey were giving me a lecture as we ran the last 4km together. I am usually alert but i missed Denis Oakley whom was doing the usual 20km and coming back from his run. That was a sign i was really zoning out, in a bad way (you see, when you zone out in races, it could meant you are actually zoning into your race mentally).


The rest of the way was really about putting a foot infront of each other. I think it is hard to believe that myself, someone that has been doing this almost for a good eight years, are struggling for the second time.


For all it's worth, wifey was there looking after me and constantly turn her head back to check if i am ok. 


One more week to PD Tri - am i ready? I guess the real answer is yes - but i might actually give Desaru a miss this year if my situation do not improve. And that is a sad thing, really.


Here are some photos from the race. More of these in my Facebook Album, which i set to "everyone" in the privacy section.

Project 365 : Day 52 of 365

Love

My favourite wall at home where all the images of the family and friends are put up. I look at them everyday i go upstairs or come downstairs and can't help but to feel so blessed. It is also a "shiok sendiri" wall where the photos i take are shown. I am on day 52 of the Project 356 and while it is a challenge to keep the momemtum going, i am motivated by self-improvement where photography is concerned. I say "keep it up!"
Tools: D90+351.8. ISO400. F11. 1/30

Revolting Rhymes : Cinderella

It was in 1992 when Ms. Goh introduced to RMC, Choral Speaking. I still hold near to my heart those days of rehearsal where almost 40 of us took the stage and emerge as Champ by narrating Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhyme : Cinderella.

I can almost hear the voices in unison, and how it was all ochestred.

Here's the script taken from OldPoetry.Com

Cinderella
I guess you think you know this story.
You don't. The real one's much more gory.
The phoney one, the one you know,
Was cooked up years and years ago,
And made to sound all soft and sappy
just to keep the children happy.
Mind you, they got the first bit right,
The bit where, in the dead of night,
The Ugly Sisters, jewels and all,
Departed for the Palace Ball,
While darling little Cinderella
Was locked up in a slimy cellar,
Where rats who wanted things to eat,
Began to nibble at her feet.

She bellowed 'Help!' and 'Let me out!
The Magic Fairy heard her shout.
Appearing in a blaze of light,
She said: 'My dear, are you all right?'
'All right?' cried Cindy .'Can't you see
'I feel as rotten as can be!'
She beat her fist against the wall,
And shouted, 'Get me to the Ball!
'There is a Disco at the Palace!
'The rest have gone and I am jealous!
'I want a dress! I want a coach!
'And earrings and a diamond brooch!
'And silver slippers, two of those!
'And lovely nylon panty hose!
'Done up like that I'll guarantee
'The handsome Prince will fall for me!'
The Fairy said, 'Hang on a tick.'
She gave her wand a mighty flick
And quickly, in no time at all,
Cindy was at the Palace Ball!

It made the Ugly Sisters wince
To see her dancing with the Prince.
She held him very tight and pressed
herself against his manly chest.
The Prince himself was turned to pulp,
All he could do was gasp and gulp.
Then midnight struck. She shouted,'Heck!
I've got to run to save my neck!'
The Prince cried, 'No! Alas! Alack!'
He grabbed her dress to hold her back.
As Cindy shouted, 'Let me go!'
The dress was ripped from head to toe.

She ran out in her underwear,
And lost one slipper on the stair.
The Prince was on it like a dart,
He pressed it to his pounding heart,
'The girl this slipper fits,' he cried,
'Tomorrow morn shall be my bride!
I'll visit every house in town
'Until I've tracked the maiden down!'
Then rather carelessly, I fear,
He placed it on a crate of beer.

At once, one of the Ugly Sisters,
(The one whose face was blotched with blisters)
Sneaked up and grabbed the dainty shoe,
And quickly flushed it down the loo.
Then in its place she calmly put
The slipper from her own left foot.
Ah ha, you see, the plot grows thicker,
And Cindy's luck starts looking sicker.

Next day, the Prince went charging down
To knock on all the doors in town.
In every house, the tension grew.
Who was the owner of the shoe?
The shoe was long and very wide.
(A normal foot got lost inside.)
Also it smelled a wee bit icky.
(The owner's feet were hot and sticky.)
Thousands of eager people came
To try it on, but all in vain.
Now came the Ugly Sisters' go.
One tried it on. The Prince screamed, 'No!'
But she screamed, 'Yes! It fits! Whoopee!
'So now you've got to marry me!'
The Prince went white from ear to ear.
He muttered, 'Let me out of here.'
'Oh no you don't! You made a vow!
'There's no way you can back out now!'
'Off with her head!'The Prince roared back.
They chopped it off with one big whack.
This pleased the Prince. He smiled and said,
'She's prettier without her head.'
Then up came Sister Number Two,
Who yelled, 'Now I will try the shoe!'
'Try this instead!' the Prince yelled back.
He swung his trusty sword and smack
Her head went crashing to the ground.
It bounced a bit and rolled around.
In the kitchen, peeling spuds,
Cinderella heard the thuds
Of bouncing heads upon the floor,
And poked her own head round the door.
'What's all the racket? 'Cindy cried.
'Mind your own bizz,' the Prince replied.
Poor Cindy's heart was torn to shreds.
My Prince! she thought. He chops off heads!
How could I marry anyone
Who does that sort of thing for fun?

The Prince cried, 'Who's this dirty slut?
'Off with her nut! Off with her nut!'
Just then, all in a blaze of light,
The Magic Fairy hove in sight,
Her Magic Wand went swoosh and swish!
'Cindy! 'she cried, 'come make a wish!
'Wish anything and have no doubt
'That I will make it come about!'
Cindy answered, 'Oh kind Fairy,
'This time I shall be more wary.
'No more Princes, no more money.
'I have had my taste of honey.
I'm wishing for a decent man.
'They're hard to find. D'you think you can?'
Within a minute, Cinderella
Was married to a lovely feller,
A simple jam maker by trade,
Who sold good home-made marmalade.
Their house was filled with smiles and laughter
And they were happy ever after.

Project 365 : Day 51 of 365

Ready To Fast?

Seeing the amount of cookies and items for sale in anticipation of the coming Ramadhan (Muslim fasting month), I felt a bit festivity as well. Being a Malaysian that grew up in a predominately Malay community (Ulu Kelang) and went to school where my circle of friends made up from all races, and then some (unclassified, too young, not sure "what" they are), I have always taught my two kids to be color blind. I do not think they know what is a Malay, Chinese or Indian yet and i do not know how long more i could protect them from knowing. In fact, my son, Ryan, says he is from Africa (as he can point to me all Seven Continents). With the fasting month coming, that would meant the crazy training regime (in sense of timing) will start too! I so look forward to all these and the rewarding lemang and rendang in September!
Tools: iPhone 3Gs.