The Most Influential People of the Year – The TIME 100 – Vote!

Who do you think deserves TIME’s Most Influential Peopl of the Year title? Steve Jobs? Rain? What? Rain? I can’t believe Rain is there (no offence to Rain fans)… Whoever you decide, cast your votes!

What’s in a name?

It feels like years since I last… what was that word again? Blogged. Ah, yes. That very word spurs flashbacks of religious hacking on the keyboard, sometimes in wee hours of the morning, sometimes sneakily in a tiny browser window at the office, posting my latest entry. Hmm… the disease called blogghorrea.(er, ok, it’s made up!).

I’ve been busy. Seriously have been. With work and what not. No motorsports events, sadly. Except for one coming up on April 22 which is the R3-HPC Track Experience, where I’ll be driving one of the race-prepped Super 1600 Satrias (yes, the same one I drove during the MME2006 Driver Selection program). That should be fun. But other than that, it’s been work and work.

Oh, I’ve been bitten by the domain name bug. Thanks to great discounts from Exabytes and GoDaddy, I got domains from as low as RM9.99 per year. I finally got www.vernonchan.com, www.skratchstore.com, www.thebaoz.com registered alongside a couple reserved for future projects – www.doinktees.com and www.geekshirt.biz. This should kill me next year when I have to pay full price for renewal, but heck, I’m glad I did it.

Expect some updates soon. Till then, cheerios!

Anti-sedentary Flabby Ass Cheeks Speaks

My 33-year old body hurts. That’s no thanks to three sedentary weeks. Three weeks without futsal, gym workouts or any other physical exercise (no, sex does not count!). It’s amazing how much damage inactivity does to your body.

After postponing my first visit to the gym of the month on Tuesday, I decided Thursday was it. I was also motivated by the fact that buddy Faeez and colleague Hon was going as well. Faeez “Hard Your Core” has turned hardcore these days, not only has he extended his personal training program and started protein supplements, he is also aggressively working out six out of seven days in a week. Now, that my unfit buddies, is commitment. Some call it madness. This is the best example of self-motivation and discipline. And I salute that.

My goal is 4 times a week, including a day of futsal and I’m happy if I can consistently do that. What I regret not doing for the past 3 weeks was to a least work out a day or two in a week, and not rot at home in front of the computer, or stuffing myself over the Chinese New Year break.

Shit happens.

Anyways, Faeez and I worked out together, doing supersets of upperbody and abs yesterday. It’s good to have a gym buddy to push you. Well, my body’s aching, so that’s got to be a good sign – thus the cliched saying, “No pain, no gain.” I’m glad I’m back working out and looking forward to my personal training session on Saturday.

Hard your core!

Undersigned,
Anti-sedentary Flabby Ass Cheeks

Weight Watching 101

I had the pleasure of going for a body analysis test at the gym the other day.  Since realising how blubbery I was in September last year,  I had not only drastically changed my diet (I have been vegetarian for 4 months, but not vegan) but also hitting the gym regularly with some personal training thrown in for good measure. If self-realisation isn’t the BEST motivator, then nothing is.  Way back in October ’06, just a month since turning vegetarian and getting my ass to the gym, I shed 1.5 kilos.

Entering the fourth month, without as much personal training as I preferably want, I’ve hit 86.5 kilos! My body fat percentage has dropped from an unhealthy 25% to a leaner 19%. My short term target is to get within the 15-17% range and hopefully 12% in 2-3 months time. My trunk and legs muscle mass is above average. I’ll need to work more on building my upper body and muscle mass overall.

I’m most likely to modify my program with my PT to a more upper-body strength and mass-building program, as opposed to muscle endurance (for regular futsal purposes). I’d really like to bring my weight down another 3 kilos within these 2-3 months. I’m on track, and mighty pleased.

If dogs could talk – Zen, on getting lost.

Zen, my 5-year old family dog, got lost two days ago. He was found later in the day. This is his account of the misadventures.

“Erm..i snuck out when the gate was briefly open. I felt free today. And energetic. So I ran. And ran. Said hi to a few new friends. And I ran some more. That Dalmation at 5C/1 road was hot. She looked great in spots. Said my goodbyes and ran some more.”

“But heck. Then I forgot to do what Bond usually does. To leave a scent. So I backtracked. At least tried to. ”

“Damn. I was lost. I had no idea where I was. The Spitz near the 7-11 was no help either. He laughed at me, that bastard. I was running and running in circles. Heading nowhere in particular.”

“Then, a nice lady saw me and approached me. She saw how tired and helpless I was. I tried to tell her but she couldn’t understand a word I was saying.”

“So she took me. And I let her. She brought to many places, a few I’ve been before. Like the evil lady who put a syringe in me once. That was painful.”

Question for you Mr Zen…. Why didn’t Bond join you outside?
“Bond was asleep methinks. He’s usually the first to run out!”

Mr Zen! Mr Zen! Another question please!
Were you very hungry all this while?
“Actually I wasn’t hungry. Just lost. And alone.”

Did you think of your family?
Did you miss Vernon Chan in particular?
“Yes I thought of the family. And wondered if I ever would see them again.”

“And yes, I miss Vernon Chan who adopted me and rescued me from the kennels.”

What happened after that, Mr Zen?
“She kept bringing me to different places and asking if people knew me and my master. But no luck. Later in the evening, she brought me to her house. But her dog didn’t like me, so she could not keep me in her compound. Instead two little Indian boys took a liking to me so she left me with them at their house. I was tied there for a while.”

“The amazing thing is, my master found me later that day. I was so happy! And so was he!”

WOW! What a story!
How did your master find you there?
“Yeah, I’m so glad to be home. Back in the green garden. My food bowl! My leash, my toys! And Bond! I actually miss the bugger! My master looked around the neighbourhood for several times. I am truly lucky.”

Is there anything you would like to say to the kind lady and family?
“Thank you for taking care of me. Promise I won’t get lost again. If I come by again, I’d lick your hand and say thank you again.”

“Mom, dad, I am home!!!”

What’s Shuffling on your iPod?

Ever since I got the ‘tiny but mighty’ iPod Shuffle for Christmas ’06 (thanks baby J!), it’s been my trusty companion at the gym during those cardio workouts. It’s really a blessing being inconspicuous and just incredibly light and small. Sometimes you forget it’s even there – clipped to my sweat-soaked t-shirt.

I absolutely despise the passionless pseudo-dance, techno crap they play over the PA system at the gym. Total turnoff! I swear if they ever play that dance remixed ‘We Are The Champions’ track again, I’d sue them for pyschological trauma and loss of sanity.

The 1GB capacity is more than sufficient to satisfy my aural needs. With a maximum capacity of around 240 songs, I’ve only got around 40 in my playlist, specially selected for my workouts. I prefer the hip-hop/rap genre and a pinch of dance there and there. My current favs, which gets my butt going are listed below (in no particular order):

1. Tipsy – J-Kwon
2. Control Myself – Jennifer Lopez featuring LL Cool J
3. Can I Get To Fuck U – Jay-Z featuring Ja Rule + Amil
4. Work It – Missy Elliot
5. Promiscuous Girl – Nelly Furtado
6. Beep – PCD featuring Will.i.am
7. Come To Me – P.Diddy featuring Nicole PCD
8. You’re All I Need – Mary J Blige
9. 1, 2 Step – Ciara featuring Missy Elliot
10. One Thing – Amerie featuring Jay-Z

So what’s shuffling on your ‘Pod?

Shaken and stirred: Taiwan Earthquake Causes Communication Breakdown

If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds, don’t pick up the phone and call TMNET just yet. It’s not their fault! (for once…)

Cable faults due to Ricther 7.1 earthquake in Taiwan is the cause of the crawling internet speeds. Major cable problems at APCN2 S7 (Asia Pacific Cable Network 2, Segment S7) between Shantou-Tanshui at 00:07hr today, has resulted in congested international links to Malaysia, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong.

APCN2 is the longest international seabed fibre cable network, 19,000km in total length, in the Asia-Pacific, linking China, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and onward to linking America, Europe and Australia. The network went into operation in October 2002 for the initial phase.

The project was spearheaded by 26 telecommunications companies, namely Advantel, Cable & Wireless Global Network, Cable&Wireless HKT, China Telecom, China Unicom, Chunghwa Telecom, Concert, Global Network Services, Global One, Japan Telecom, KDD Corpe ration, Korea Telecom, KPN, Layer 2, MCI, WorldCom, Metromedia Giber Network Service, NTT Com, NCIC, OneLink Cable Network, PLDT, StarHub, SingTel, Taiwan Fixed Network, Teleglobe, Telekom Malaysia, Telstra and Williams Communications.

Affected overseas sites includes Google, blog sites like WordPress and Blogger as well instant messaging services like MSN and Yahoo! Messenger. I am experiencing major slowdowns with my US-based web and mail host Itsamac.com as well. Fortunately, I have a local-based web/mail host (with Emerge) as an alternate communication channel. Google is useable, but painfully slow at the moment.

It may take up to 3 weeks before everything gets back to normal, so till then, there may not be any updates to this blog.

My heart goes out to the Taiwan quake victims, who have their lives to worry about, much more that internet speeds alone.

The bug hits… with green goo!

I caught something at the office on Monday. When I strolled in, I started sneezing. I swear the office breeds germs. The air-con especially. And now, a day and more later, I’m coughing out green gunk and my nose excretes the same coloured crap. Not good, I tell ya. I don’t usually get sick very often, and it’s been twice this year already.

My throat’s inflamed from the coughing. I’m glad I don’t have a major fever or anything like it coz fevers are a pain-in-the-ass. Your whole body just feels like it’s breaking down. Well, great, now I’m on two days sick leave. Enough to give me some precious rest and relaxation.

Damn, the flu medication is getting to me… zzzzzzzz….

A True Pain-In-The-Ass

Barely recovering from a hard knock from a tussle with a hard-tackling Korean last week, I sustained another injury from last night’s game. My weekly futsal games have always been fun, but to a certain extent, can also be very competitive (no surprise here, we’re talking about men egos here and the neanderthal competitive spirit and killer instinct!). So injury is mostly part and parcel of the game. Or perhaps I’m just injury prone. My boss once said, “I think football may not be the game for you.” This was after several MCs (medical certs) due to futsal-related injuries.

Blame it on insufficient warm-up, perhaps. Although I spent a good half playing keeper, one of my spent teammates decided to trade places with me. I was all for it, of course, goalkeeping not my first love and truly not my natural position. We must have won 5 games in a row with some very tight teamwork. Nice.

Unleashed a few cracks at goal only, parried by the able hands of the keeper and the post. However, in one of the attempts at goal, I pulled my muscle. The gluteus maximus to be exact. Maximus pain-in-the-ass-nus. Ouch. Now, that’s one set of muscles I’ve never ever pulled. I continued playing, but could not kick hard.

Attempted to stretch those gluteal muscles after that, but I think the damage has been done. It isn’t as serious as my ankle injuries sustained previously and it should heal with a little bit of rest, but for now, it’s a pain in the ass to carry around. I was just wondering,  if I were to go for treatment or physio, it should be quite amusing. Hahah.

“Er, doc, could you like massage my ass?”

1.5 down, 8.5 to go!

I’m proclaiming this with gusto! I’m 88.5 kilos! I’ve shed 1.5 kilos in a month, through a healthier diet and exercise (thanks to my new membership at the gym and a personal trainer!). I didn’t expect it so soon, but I’m glad I took a chance to weigh in before gym last night. Happy and motivated to do even more now!

Did 45 minutes on the threadmill then cycling before proceeding to abs. Surprised I had little problems with the running bit, for the entire duration. Hmm.

In any case, I look forward to hitting my target of 80kilos (that’s another 8.5 kilos left!) in 7 months. Wish me luck, wish me luck!