My Top 5 of 2005

It’s the last Friday of the year. Simply an awesome feeling. So as a fitting tribute I am currently listening to “Friday, I’m in Love” by the Cure for the last time this year.

Every year I list my top 5 songs but since I have this blog I will list my top 5 sports related issues of 2005. I might miss something as my brain is in holiday mode, so do highlight any sporting issues I might have missed.

My Top 5 Songs of 2005
1. Mr. Brightside – The Killers
2. Scars – Papa Roach
3. Because of You – Kelly Clarkson
4. Encore/Numb – Linkin Park & JayZ
5. Crazy – Simple Plan

My Top 5 Sporting Moments of 2005
1. Nicol David being World Squash Champion. Malaysia Boleh!
2. Miracle in Instanbul – Liverpool’s amazing victory in the Champions League Finals.
3. Tiger Woods chip in on the 16th hole at the Masters, eventually winning the Major and also Tiger’s 2 wins, a 2nd and a 4th in all Major. Simply awesome stuff.
4. Lance Armstrong breaking the hearts and spirit of other competitors upon entering the second week of the Tour De France by dominating the Pyrenees on route to winning his 7th and final Tour De France.
5. The Chicago White Sox winning their first World Series of Baseball in 88 years.

My Top Sports Athletes of 2005
1. Tiger Woods - Golf
2. Roger Federer - Tennis
3. Anika Sorenstam – Golf
4. Ronaldinho – Football/Soccer
5. Lance Armstrong - Cycling

My Top 5 Sports Teams of 2005
1. Chicago White Sox for beating an 88 year ‘curse’.
2. Chelsea for the consistency and for winning the English League for the 1st time in 50 years.
3. Liverpool for the Miracle in Istanbul.
4. Discovery Channel Team for assisting Lance in his final bid for Le Tour.
5. The New England Patriots for winning their 2nd Superbowl in 3 years.

Top 5 Personal Moments
There is only one moment this year that will top any 5 moments put together. The moment happened on March 7 when precious little Ally was born.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

The Life Candle

I was taught by one of my ex-GMs about “the life candle”. This is how it works. Imagine a candle that is burning from both ends. One end being career, work and the chase for material possession whilst the other end is your family, social life, etc.

The ideal place to be is right in the middle where your life is well balanced. You never want to be to close to the flames. The logic behind it is you are too close to either end you will get burnt. Working too hard or concentrating too much on you career can burn you and so will having too much of a social life.

After much self review my current position on the candle is as follows:













I believe I am currently pretty much balanced with probably slight leaning towards the family, social side. I also believe every once in a while you should gauge yourself to ensure that you do not get burned by either end.

Return from LOS

The fact of the matter is that I returned from Thailand last weekend but being still in holiday mode it took me a week to write this entry.

As usual, Thailand never disappoints. Great food, great service and some decent shopping. A highlight of the trip was Ally’s first time on the beach. I also played golf and did my usual tailoring. Where else can you tailor ten double cuffs working shirts at RM50 each.

Anyway, as I am still in relax mode (will probably be until next year) this will be a short posting. I have posted a few pictures form the Phuket trip.




Family Holiday Photo

(Wife, Ally, Me and the Stroller)










Ally in the van from the Airport to our Apartment









View of the marina where we stayed in Boat Lagoon, Phuket

Working over the Weekend & The Land of Smiles

It’s been a long long time since I had to work weekends. Last weekend I was in the office both days with the project team (6 of us) till after 8pm. I am not complaining as I understand that the pay increase I got when I accepted this job would probably cause me to work such hours when required. Also it was good exposure for a new employee like me.

Anyway, due to this I am so left behind in sporting news. I only realized Nicol David won the World Championship this morning. So, Congratulations Nicol for making the Nation proud. I believe she is the catalyst (along with a now declining Shalin) for putting Malaysia on the global map in sports. Now all we need is a few more World Champions in other sports.

On a lighter note, I shall be going on holidays starting this Friday. I shall be in the Land of Smiles for 8 days with my wife and daughter. We (my wife & I) really need this holiday as we haven’t had one since she was pregnant (my daughter is now 9 months old – you do the maths). I really can’t wait to chill by the beach with a beer in hand.

My Fitness and New Motivation

Yesterday I had my weekly* squash session. I ended the night losing more sets than winning. I spent some time last night trying to figure out why that happened. After much deliberation, I came to the conclusion that my fitness level has decreased tremendously in the last year. Points that I should have won I lost, I reckon I would have won at least 70% of the points I loss if we played last year.

To me this is disheartening, I use to pride on my fitness and stamina. I used to have the fitness of a 22 year old but in the body of a 30 year old. What happened? When in it start to go downhill?

I guess the main reason is I’ve been playing less sports the past year. I stopped my weekly futsal sessions with the 20-somethings (and these guys are fit) and I’ve been playing barely any squash or golf.

Anyway, I will make this a motivator for the coming year. I know I might not be able to have the same fitness I had when I was 17 but I’ll take being a fit 33 year old anyday.

p/s : Mr. Pseudo & Porno, I know I lost to you guys last night but come 2007 it will change. I might not get back to peak fitness but i'll most likely be fitter than you overweight mofo's.

*the plan is to play every Wednesday.