The Cure for My Weekend

TGIF. What a week. Somehow this week felt long and I can’t wait for 5pm today and the ensuing weekend. I did nothing exciting or recreational this whole week. It was just work and more work. Sad. The only good thing this week was that I got my results for my CCP exams I sat last month and I passed both the papers I sat.

This is how my weekend should pan out.

Today 5pm onwards – Happy Hour (should cure all the ailments from the past week)
Tomorrow morning – Golf (last game before Puasa)
Tomorrow night – Watch Football
Tomorrow Late Night – Go out (assuming I win money playing golf, If I lose money I’ll be at home playing my PS2)
Sunday – Sleep (if my baby lets me)

As usual, I’m listening to The Cure’s “Friday, I’m in Love”

Have a good weekend everyone, I plan to.

40 songs

That's the number of songs I downloaded tonight.

To everyone that recommended songs, Thank You.

I downloaded songs from Dire Straits, Queen, Rolling Stones, The Police, The Doors & Bob Dylan amongst others. I also found Rolling Stone Magazines 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. I have downloaded the Top 10 from the list and hope to download as many as possible over the weekend. I reckon I already have 50-60 songs from the list already burned or in my hard disk.

Now all I need is an I-Pod.

A Classic Rock Song

Some songs just survive the test of time.

For the past 3 days I have been listening to the same song over and over again. I don’t know why but I have. Actually I didn’t even realise I had the MP3 on my PC in the office until I went through the 500 MP3’s I have one by one. The song is “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd and covered a numerous amount of times. The best cover version to me is by Radiohead (which I have been listening to). Those who followed the reality show Rockstar INXS will remember Marty singing this song superbly.

Anyone have any recommendations of classic (not classical) songs I should download?

I'm in the mood for good classic songs. I've had to much house, hip hop and rap lately.

Where Is The "Relevant" News?

Last weekend saw two international motor sports series. A1GP with a Malaysian team and drivers and Formula One without both. Now, you would expect with the Government trying to promote nationalism and patriotism there would be a decent write up on the Malaysian teams 5th place finish in the Main Race of the A1GP. Surprisingly there was only a very short four paragraph article in The Star. This was on the 10th back page of the paper below a huge picture of Fernando Alonso and a half page article on Formula One.

Why is our sporting achievements put so far in the background of sporting news behind news* from the EPL, Tennis, Spanish Football, etc.? Is it not important? Shouldn’t we be proud of our countries achievements?

I might not be the most patriotic person but I am a firm believer that sports can bring communities together. The rich, the poor, people from all races and political alignment can come together when a country is participating in a sporting event. So if you are free on November 20th and have a little excess cash to spend on tickets, go to Sepang, bring your Malaysian Flag and support the Malaysian A1 team. I know I will.

*The importance of sporting news start from the backpage and goes backwards.

Thank You

Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes for my Dad. He is now out of the hospital. My advice, everyone should learn to relax and take care of their food intake. My Dad doesn’t smoke or drink but still gets heart problems.
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Sporting Review

A1 Grand Prix. I really enjoyed A1GP. To me it is good to see true racing again. No drivers aid, slick tyres, no traction control and all teams drive the same car. To top it off the race format is also exciting. After watching the A1GP, I switched channels to watch the F1, I watched for about 5 minutes and got bored. This from a person who has been to every F1 race in Sepang. I just hope tons of people will go to Sepang in November for the Malaysian Leg of A1GP to support Malaysia. By the way, Malaysia finished 5th in the main race out of 25 teams, not bad.

F1. Although I was bored watching the race, I still made sure I know what happened. JP Montoya won the race and Fernando Alonso was crowned as the new World Champion.

Moto GP. I was happy to be at Sepang to see Valentino Rossi capture another World Championship. Although he didn’t win the race it was still good to see “The Doctor” flying around Sepang.

AFL. The Sydney Swans finally wins the Aussie Rules Football Grandfinal after 72 years. I was damn happy to see the match live on Astro and to top it off Sydney (my team) won in a very close match with the West Coast Eagles. I don’t know many in Malaysia that follows the AFL, so to those that watched it, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Matters of the Heart

Coronary Angioplasy - One way to unblock (open up the lumen) of a coronary artery (or other blood vessel) is angioplasty, or Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA). A wire is passed from the femoral artery in the leg up to the diseased coronary artery, to beyond the area of the coronary artery that is being worked upon. Over this wire, a balloon catheter is passed into the segment that is to be opened up. The end of the catheter contains a small folded balloon. When the balloon is hydraulically inflated, it compresses the atheromatous plaque and streches the artery wall to expand. At the same time, if an expandable wire mesh tube (stent) was on the balloon, then the stent will be implanted (left behind) to support the new stretched open position of the artery from the inside.

All this happens in an artery. The wonders of modern medicine.
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2 days ago my Dad had pains in his chest and had problems breathing. The next day he went for his third angioplasty. For those that don't know, this is a procedure to unclog a blocked artery. It is a step before having to undergo a heart bypass operation.

My Dad is one of those that takes work very seriously. When he works, he really works. I guess that is why he is what he is today. He has had 2 heart attacks, one of these in the back on a Minister's car. I guess trying to be successful has its price.

This is the total opposite of me. I take things easy. I don't panic, don't stress out and don't get bothered by 'little things'. I believe life is not all about work but play too. Maybe this is why we never got along. Only recently, since I got married and had a baby have we been on better terms. I actually went to the hospital this time. The other 2 times I didn't. Maybe I wasn't around, I don't remember.

I just hope that since I don't easily get stressed I don't have to go through similar medical procedures. I guess the ciggarette I'm about to have doesn't really help. But hey, I'll stop eventually.

p/s: Dad, get well soon.

Divorce

Die-vorce or Dee-vorce, either was you pronounce it, it represents the breakdown of a relationship. In the past week I have 2 friends that are getting divorced and a friend who’s marriage is on the rocks. This is a scary trend. Is it because they got married too young? Did they not know what the institution of marriage is about? Or was it just fate?

I come from a broken home so when I got married I promised myself not to get divorced. It can still happen as fate is beyond our brains comprehension but I hope it won’t.

Weekend In Review

As this started out as a sports blog, I have decided to post sporting updates at least twice a week. The world of sports was relatively unexciting over the weekend so I guess it wasn’t such an ideal week to start but what the heck.

In football (soccer), Chelsea confirmed their status as the team to beat in the EPL with a clinical 2-0 victory in the top of the table clash against Charlton Athletic. In Italy, Juventus maintained their 100% record while in the German Bundesliga, Bayern Munich also maintained the 100% record. The Spanish La Liga is the only major league in Europe not going to preseason expectations with Getafe topping the table with giants Barcelona and Real Madrid in 8th & 16th places respectively.

In the MotoGP, my wishes came true as Valentino Rossi crashed out of the Montegi GP. Now he can clinch his Championship in Sepang. I should be at the track on Race Day. If anyone else is going, please tell me.

In Cycling, Roberto Heras wins the Tour of Spain for the fourth time.

This coming weekend marks the start of the A1 Grand Prix series. This is the only motor sport series where teams are based on the country. There are currently 23 countries/teams participating. Malaysia will have a team in the A1 series which will have its first race in England starting 25 September. In A1 Racing, all points are allocated to the winning Nation and there are no driver points. A1GP is a team effort and a team sport. The winner is the driver, team and most importantly the Nation is the winner. In 3 years time the team will be fully Malaysian with the drivers, mechanics, team manager all being local. I hope we can all support the Malaysian team in the A1 GP.
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I would to congratulate my sister for giving birth to her second son, Ryan, on Thursday last week. My sister now has 2 sons.

Also, Friday was my Moms birthday. It was the first time I actually sang “Happy Birthday” at a hospital. We had the cake there too. I guess Mom was happy as all three of her grandchildren was there. Usually Ally doesn’t go to ‘night’ functions as she is asleep by 8.30pm.

1st Competition Win

For the last 2 days this blog has been about Ally. Well this posting is too. Got home from work yesterday and my wife told me Ally won her 1st competition.

Last month my wife submitted a few photos of Ally into competitions. Ally won one of them. She is currently in this months issue of Mother & Baby magazine. Next, I must send her to talent agencies. Then maybe she can get into ads. Anyone know any good agencies I can send her to?

Apologies to Roadie (wherever you are)

Dear Roadie,

I am sorry. I know I promised to call you the next time I went to Sg. Wang Plaza. Well, I went today, but since you disappeared from the blog world I kinda forgot to call. It would be easier to remember if Roadiementary was still alive as it was always the first blog I’d read in the morning. Maybe if you return I will remember next time.

Your Mate,
Sports Freak
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Items bought at Sg. Wang today:

1. DVD - The Longest Yard. Adam Sandler comedies always crack me up.
2. DVD - 9 Songs. Have no idea what its about but someone said it was good.
3. PS2 game - Winning Eleven 9. The best soccer series for the PS2, ever. Makes EA Sport's FIFA series 2nd best every year.
4. CD - Ministry of Sound Funky House Sessions (2 CD set). Listening to it now. Pretty good so far, ecspecially if you enjoy funky house (mix of sexy house and funky disco).

Total Cost - RM39 (Not bad at all for 5 discs)

Ally Part II

Cherry b, since you requested more pictures of Ally, here are 2 more.

There will be no more pictures of Ally to be posted on this Blog for now. I will post pictures of her periodically. When something exciting happens. I guess those that patron this blog will also see her progress as she grows, as long as I keep this blog up.

Little Ally

Above is the picture of my daughter over the weekend. It was her first time in the swimming pool. Anyway, I've realised I've always refered to her as my daughter well we call her Little Ally.

Weekend Highlights

1. My 6-month old daughter went swimming for the first time.

2. Playing the Business Times Golf Tournament and coming in 7th place in the first nine. Won a Sony DVD player. Now I have 4 DVD players. Anybody want to buy the one I won yesterday?

3. The Washington Redskins winning their season opener against the Chicago Bears. Hail to the Redskins!

Not many things happened over the weekend as half of Saturday was gone due to work.

Why Am I here?

Walked into the office today and the first comment I got was "dude, you look 'semak' today". I wear cufflinks everyday, so I guess my colleague has never seen me dressed down or seen me after a heavy night of drinking. In reality I do look pretty messy today.

It’s a Saturday and I’m in the office. I feel like crap (it takes longer to recover from drinking when you're 32) Why the hell do bankers have to work on Saturday? Its totally a waste of time. I haven’t done any work today. The simple logic is that people do their banking on Saturday. So here’s a question to the wonderful people that patron this blog, it could justify the logic (or not). Do you do banking on a Saturday?

J - you look really good today but why? Got date after work is it?

Another Office Incident

A group of females colleagues were talking then one said loudly* “That’s the reason I don’t marry a Muslim man”.

After the conversation was over I asked my colleague (another person to the one above) what the commotion was about. Supposedly, one of our Indonesian cleaners was slashed by her Indonesian husband in our office car park. Supposedly (again), her husband slashed her face and ears and she is currently in the hospital.

Now, a statement like the one made by the colleague really pisses me off. It’s like saying all Indian men get drunk and beat on their wives or all Chinese men gamble and keep mistresses. For all you know the Indonesian wasn’t even a Muslim. For God’s sake woman you’re an Assistant Vice President in the Bank. People that say remarks like that loudly in public should be locked up. If you’re in your little private circle of bigots it’s a different story but not in the office at 80% of your vocal capability.

*loudly - I was 30 feet away and it was still loud. I reckon you could hear the statement from at least 60 feet away.

"Hello Handsome Man"

No, its not a Thai Hooker but this dude in my office.

Every time we cross paths he will say that. In the stairwell when I’m having a ciggy, in the toilet when I’m having a piss, in the lifts, anywhere. I find this hilarious. And No, he’s not gay. He’s new and I think he’s trying to break the ice and be friendly but imagine hearing “Hello Handsome Man” a few times a day. I find it really-really funny. I guess if you see him you will find it funny too.

Tagged by Madnessinvain

As I was tagged by Madnessinvain, I will do what is right and not run or cower away but to be true and self reflect my life so far. Having read Mudsters, MiV's and Silent's reflection over the last 20 years, mine is pale in comparison. Nevertheless, we all live a life thats full of trials and tribulations. So here goes...

1985, 20 Years Ago
* I was very much an Americanized Malaysian, living in Washington DC for the past 5 years. My father was doing his PhD, so we (my mom, sis and I) followed along.
* Spoke English like an American, couldn’t speak a word on BM. Prior to living in the US we were also living in Belgium and in the UK. My Dad was very much into academic qualifications.
* Life was simple, Dad went to University, Mom became a hairdresser, my sis and I went to school and spent the whole day at school in day care.
* My parents were still married together. Was close to my sister.
* I had a normal parent-child relationship with my parents.

1995, 10 Years Ago
* I am now in Australia in my final year of University. I was lucky to be an ‘all-rounder’ in boarding school with good results and with even better non-academic representations. Due to this I received a full scholarship to pursue my studies in Medicine. Nevertheless, after one year of pre-med foundation I realized that being a doctor was not right for me. I decided to do Banking & Finance instead. No regrets there.
* Spoke English like an Aussie. After 5 years in boarding school could speak decent BM. Actually got A2 in BM for my SPM. Shocking!
* Life was more complicated. 5 years in Australia and I only went back to Malaysia once. My relationship with my parents was almost non-existent. Mom and Dad have been divorced for 8 years now. Mom had moved to Rome, Italy with her new husband and my sister, Dad remarried too. Didn't get to see my sister for 5 years. Didn't see her grow up. Both my parents had kids. Didn't see them either.
* I worked my ass off in University as a prep chef to make money. I made loads of money. Became a pretty good cook along the way too. Did not live like a student but like a working person. Lived in a huge bungalow with 2 ‘rich’ kids.
* Started doing soft drugs (marijuana and acid) a couple of years earlier during 1st year University. Nevertheless, I still represented University in Hockey and American Football (my proudest sporting achievement)

2000, 5 Years Ago
* I was in the midst of my ‘blurry’ period in life. I was living with 2 other bachelors who were my closest cousins. We we’re living in a condominium in the center on KL. We had loads of fun. Backroom and later Movement were my actual homes.
* Speaking English like a Malaysian now... People can understandlah, ok what?
* I had my own consulting firm with 3 other partners but I was out drunk and on ecstasy at least 4 nights a week. The firm was just a front and a source of cash to finance my wayward tendencies.
* My mom and sister were back from Italy. Relationships with females were on a short term basis. Relationship with my parents were strained. Could barely sit for dinner with my Dad without getting into some sort of argument. My stepmother was the saving grace of the relationship between my Dad and I. She would mediate very well. I also was getting close with my sister again. I also got to know both my half-siblings although both are 18 years younger than me.
* I actually didn’t give a shit about my career or anything else. It was probably out of rebellion towards my parents.

2002, 3 Years Ago
* Made life changes. Amongst other things changed my lifestyle. Late nights, especially on weekdays, were a thing of the past.
* Got my career back on track with a development bank. Pay was crappy but I had to do something or I would have ended up in the gutters.
* I would soon meet my wife to be. She met me probably at my lowest point in my adult life. Was in between jobs and had substantial debts.
* Relationship with my parents greatly improved. Its either they were getting older or I was getting older.
* All in all, a good year.

2004, Last Year
* Improved my career again to where I am now. A commercial bank.
* Tied the knot. Got married to a beautiful woman. Understands me for who I am. Sometimes I don’t even know who I am. We are similar yet different. One of our common friends say that if we were books we would come from the same section in the library.
* I actually consider my relationship with my parents quite normal now. Although I see my parents only on average once a month it is more ‘normal’ when we meet.
* My English has gotten from outstanding 20 years ago to average.
* Life itself is less havoc and more controlled again.

2005, This year
* The highlight of my life so far was born. My daughter. Nothing can compare to what my daughter has brought to my life.
* My daughter has also brought my parents and I a bit closer. Not as close as normal people but closer.
* Trying to get my golf handicap down again. Took too much time of golf. Mind you, I started playing when I was 8 years old. I should be a single handicapper now. Not 16.
* Started this blog. I thought I could never write. I guess I still can’t but I’m trying.
* Careerwise, all is fine. Nevertheless, I still want to get into the sporting industry somehow. I know I’ll be awesome at it.

2006, Next Year & 2015, 10 Years from now (my Hopes)
* I am not one who plans for the long term. I have lived my life on a short term basis but now with added responsibility of my wife and baby. I hope to consolidate my position in the corporate world should I not be in the sporting industry.
* I hope to have another one maybe two kids. Hopefully, one will be a golf prodigy, another a football prodigy. I’ll be happy if one of them becomes a musician. Even if they don’t, at the end of the day if they are happy I’ll be happy.
* I hope that my relationship with my parents improve even further.
* I hope that my English will improve back to its original levels and that I’ll find time to read more books again.
* Most importantly, I hope to have a happy and full life. I see no sense in having all the money in the world but no happiness. I’d rather be middle class and happy.

That's pretty much what were important in those years.

Now.... run J, run... J, I'm tagging you. You're it!! Maybe it will let you forget the stresses in the office right now.

The Weekend

Hospital Visit - My grandmother had an operation as she fell and broke her pelvic bone. They had to remove it and replace it with a man-made one. Hope she recovers well for an 80-something.

The Exam – 100 questions. Not too bad. Hopefully, I should pass.

In the News – Couldn’t help but watch lots of CNN, CNBC and BBC. Its funny how the richest, most industrialised and technological advanced country gets out of control by a hurricane with advanced warning. Why did President Bush take 4 days to get to the disaster zone anyway?

In Sports –
US Open : Nadal lost, Roddick lost, Federrer wins. Looks most likely that Federrer will add another Grand Slam trophy to his cabinet. I don't see anyone able enough to beat him on the Hard Courts at Flushing Meadows.

F1 : Montoya won, Alonso 2nd, Kimi 4th. Kimi’s fight for the Championship seems almost lost. Alonso should be Champ barring any unforeseen events.

Football : England & Holland won unconvincingly. They still need to prove they are true contenders for the World Cup next year.

Brain Dead

I think my brain is dead......

I must have done over 500 sample exams questions today. I guess its the price you pay for doing shit at the very last minute. Its 5pm and my battery is flat. It must be the age thing again. I reckon if I was 21 I could have covered all the questions, went for a round of golf, had sex and all whilst being stoned and still have enough energy to do other stuff.

I need to rejuvinate. I think a nice cold beer will really help. Thank god I took leave today. Tonight another 200 or so questions and I hope to be ready for tommorrow morning.

Exams Anyone?

This Saturday I’m sitting to be a Certified Credit Professional in Business. Actually, I’m sitting for the first 2 papers. I have done minimal studying.

I’m trying to pull off what I did through High School and University. I used to be one of those at school that liked to take exams (weird but true). I breezed pretty much through both with minimal studying. In High School I was a top 10 student just by sitting examinations. At Uni I went to classes for 14 hours whilst I worked 40 hours a week as a prep chef. I still graduated. The last exams I TRIED was the CFA. Didn't study, so I failed miserably. I just hope my 30-something brain can still deliver as the CCP is much-much easier than the CFA.

Now, where did I put that study manual?