District 9: Review

I wasn't planning to watch the movie but was stuck at the car park in Gardens. And even if I got out from the car park, I think I'll be stuck in the rush hour. So we decided to watch a movie first. I don't know what to expect from the movie as I didn't read any review before watching it. This movie is produced by Peter Jackson, better known for his work on Lord of The Rings Trilogy.

Sypnosis:
"Thirty years ago, aliens made first contact with Earth.

Humans waited for the hostile attack, or the giant advances in technology. Neither came. Instead, the aliens were refugees, the last survivors of their home world. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa's District 9 as the world's nations argued over what to do with them.

Now, patience over the alien situation has run out. Control over the aliens has been contracted out to Multi-National United (MNU), a private company uninterested in the aliens' welfare - they will receive tremendous profits if they can make the aliens' awesome weaponry work. So far, they have failed; activation of the weaponry requires alien DNA.The tension between the aliens and the humans comes to a head when an MNU field operative, Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), contracts a mysterious virus that begins changing his DNA.

Wikus quickly becomes the most hunted man in the world, as well as the most valuable - he is the key to unlocking the secrets of alien technology. Ostracized and friendless, there is only one place left for him to hide:

District 9"

As it turns out, movie was quite entertaining, but not a show for children though. Lots of body parts flying here and there. One funny thing though, I think this is the first time I have heard so many F&@% words in a Malaysian nema. I have a feeling the censorship people must have fallen asleep or they didn't know that there's no difference in meaning for the pronounced word "Fuck" and "Fock" (you know, how the British pronounced it). Haha. Or maybe it could be, there were too many of it, till they decided "tidak apa lah".

Here's a link to it's trailer. Click here

Kuala Lumpur Rat Race

This year I was at the annual corporate charity event, The Kuala Lumpur Rat Race. But this time am only watching it from the sidelines. I've taken part 3 times myself, 2005, 2007 and 2008. That was after I joined Southern Bank/CIMB. Didn't take part in 2006 as Southern Bank was taken over by CIMB during that time. It's one of the kind event that's being held in the middle of busy KL streets. Plus, the run starts in the late afternoon at 5pm. The race can be hot and humid at that time of the day. It drizzled a little before the start but didn't deter the participants of the fans away.

What's so different about this event compared to any other running races? For one thing, you have to wear your office wear (of course you are allowed to wear your running shoes) to run over a course of 4.5km around the major area in the city, starting from Bursa Saham KL (BSKL) passing thru major offices, such as Wisma Genting, KLCC, pubs and cafe over in Jalan P. Ramlee, Concorde Hotel, KL Tower and back to BSKL. To participate each team consist of 5 runners, a company must contribute RM5,000. All monies collected are given to the identified beneficiaries. To win, all members of the team must finish the race and the the team with the less total of rankings will be the winner. The categories have been expanded over the years and this year, the Senior Category is been introduced. Last year the mixed team event was introduced. There's a CEO Race as well, whereby CEOs are required to run a 1km race while the main race covers 4.5km.

Supposedly, it's a non competitive event but the race has become fast and furious of late, with company sending some of their best runners. And a lot of teams are coming out with company t-shirts or uniforms. It kind of deviates from the original version where everyone wears office wears, with the exception of staff from fitness centres of course.

This event is well publicised and I'm always looking foward to run in such event with carnival like atmosphere. Lots of cheering team all around, well dressed up and cheering loudly for their teams. Cheerleading teams also in the running for top 3 prizes. Hard to find this kind of atmosphere in any other running event, which I think it should be good in popularising running. Although, I think this will need a lot of involvement of corporate companies, but other events have something to learn from this one.

It's kind of sad watching it from the sidelines and not being able to run this year as I thought I am fitter than I was in last 3 years combined. But I had fun meeting up old colleagues or some familiar faces. I was busy taking photos this time around, but somehow due to my mediocre knowledge in taking good photographs or maybe it's my camera lah....all my photos turn out to be pretty bad. Sorry guys!

Full results for winners and report, click this link

CIMB defended the mixed team category with the top 2 runners still in the same order as last year, T.Eswaran and K. Baskaran. In the new category, CIMB veteran runners finished TOP 2 but the team could only finished 2nd. Jessica Tang who is in the mixed team as well won the mixed team women's category.

Nothing major happened this time as what happened in Adidas KOTR. However, when I was at their prize presentation, the video replay showed a guy who just collapse just 10 meters from the finishing line. I think he was the one which was taken away by ambulance (photo below). I just felt if Gary had the same treatment, he would live see another day.

I stayed there for while and had some food (free what!) but had to make my way back before the prize presentation as it appears it was going to rain.

For more photos or videos, pls click on this link:

1. Run Wit Me Blog

2. Seecube Blog

3. Photos from Photobucket

Doggie Night

Just picked up my dog, Boy, from the pet shop. Since my girlfriend is away, sent the dog to stay at the pet shop. She won't be back till tomorrow but picked up the dog a night earlier so won't get charged for an extra one night. A big change....Boy became "botak" after his hair was shaven completely. I had to smuggle the dog into my apartment as owners are not allowed to have pets at home. Hope the dog won't bark, but as far as I handled him before, he's ok. I gave him some food to eat and now lying on the floor getting ready to sleep.

Mmh...now got to plan for tomorrow. Got to be on "stealth" mode in taking the dog out for a walk and do his usual "business" in the morning. Poo poo and wee wee. Here are photos I had of him before and currently:

Once upon a time (I know, this one doesn't look neat cos I cut the hair myself.)





















Now - Shaven

A Busy Saturday (8 August)

Started the day rushing to Ulu Langat to join Yit Thing and her friends for a ride. Originally planned for a Pekan Bt. 18 - Genting Peres - Tekala (breakfast) - Pekan Bt. 18 ride. Since it was a little late, decided to cut short the ride. Some went for the extra miles to Pensun, but for some, including me, just stopped at Pekan Bt 18. Did around 40km. Anyway, just needed to get back the feeling of riding again. Going up Genting Peres was pretty good for me, maybe because I lost so much weight training for KL marathon.

After the ride, went for tomato kueh tiaw at Alex's stall in Taman Megah and was joined by Kevin and Tomato Ray. Rushed back home to have a quick shower and headed to Tien Hou Temple to witness Eric and Chin Chin's engagement. I was a little late so didn't get to see the signing ceremony. There were so many couples at the temple. It was an auspicious date for the signing the dotted lines, 8 August (8.8). We went for a late lunch after the ceremony but due to the timing, most of the restaurants are closed at that hour. We ended up in Won Kok in SS2.

Since the dinner with Dr Ray is at 6.30pm, I only had time to go back home for a short while before heading out again to A Wet Thai Cafe, in Jalan Kaskas (Cheras). Dr. Ray was back from Hong Kong for a short holiday. Since Lydia's birthday was the day before, the dinner was also to celebrate her birthday. Michelle was the organiser and good choices of food that she picked. Everyone was sweating eating more than they do in running.

VIP - Dr. Raymond (Hong Kong)

The Super Spicy Tom Yam

Pandan Leaf Chicken

This is how spicy the food can be. Look at the sweat coming out from the ear!

Lydia's birthday cake

More photos in this link

(Still can't upload video)

G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra Review

Yo Joe! Well, that's how I remember about G.I. Joe, back in the days when I was still in school. I watched the animated series and kept some of the comic's issues. Although the names of the characters I clearly have forgotten, but the characters involved in the movie do bring back the memories. Had dinner before the movie and Ooi Keat was kind enough to treat us all. So how was the movie?




To be honest, nothing great about the storyline, just action-packed combat scenes mostly. The main theme is in line with the comics, G.I. Joe (G.I. stands for Government Issue, a generic term for U.S. soldiers) vs the evil Cobra Command. Lots of special effects which adds to its appeal. Maybe some cheesy jokes in between. That's about it. I guess you can't ask much about combat movies adapted from comics. Or maybe the performance of Channing Tatum (Duke) was not up to par. Anyway, he wasn't much of an actor, even in the movie Step Up. Marlon Wayans (RipCord) suits comedy movies better, but he did bring some laughters in the movie. I just thought the storyline could have been better written. Anyway, I did enjoyed the action scenes.

Movie Trailer : Click here

Xabi Alonso Leaving for Real Madrid

Oh No! Xabi Alonso is moving to Real Madrid this coming season. Real is believed to have closed the €35 million deal with Liverpool. Link

Aduh! He is one of the remaining players from the magical night in Istanbul where Liverpool came back from 0-3 down in the first half to win the Champions League Final against AC Milan in 2005. Now left only Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

Xabi is a pretty consistent player which I like. His superb passes and accurate freekicks. Now that he is gone, I hope Benitez will make full use of the money he has got now in getting better players. Otherwise it will be empty silverware season again like last season. So Long Xabi!

Formula 1 Driver a Triathlete..

Can a F1 driver do more in other sports, other than just driving?

Well, the answer is "YES". Jenson Button, the current leader in F1 Championship, took part in the 2009 Mazda London Triathlon during the current F1 season break. Instead of making use of his well earned rest, he flexes his muscles in the tri disciplines. It turns out he is not only good in driving but he is a damm good triathlete. He came second in the Olympic Distance Male 25-29 Category in a time of 2h 07m 02s. His PB. Wow! The breakdown of his disciplines are as follow:

• Swim : 24'01 (1.5km)
• Bike : 1:02'55 (40km) - SPEED DEMON!!!
• Run : 35'42 (10km) - SUPER FAST!!!

He teams up with Scott and rode their custom painted Scott Plasma LTD, replicating the colour of his F1 Brawn GP car.. Check out the of him in action on the bike. He also talks about Scott bikes in their website.

It was reported that he uses the Brawn wind tunnel to test out his triathlon bike. Wah, don't play play. Unfair advantage leh like that....

Jenson took up the a challenge by 18-year old Moto GP rider, Bradley Smith, who himself, finished 7th in Olympic Distance Male 17-24 Category with a time of 2h 13m 36s. Both met at Silverstone during the British F1 Grand Prix, where Bradley was a guest for Bernie Ecclestone. Jenson was also racing to raise money for "Make A Wish Foundation".

Watch out Schumacher, he's not going to let you take away his F1 title this year. Respect for this F1 driver. More so when he has a girlfriend who look like this.


She is Jesicca Michibata. Apparently while Button was sweating out in the gruelling tri race, she was at beach near Tokyo modelling bikinis and handbags! Haha!

Desaru International Long Distance Triathlon 2009 Results

Date: 1 August 2009
Venue: Desaru Golden Beach Resort
Time: 9.00am
Distance: 1.9km SWIM; 90km BIKE; 21km RUN

Some of the results of people whom I know (may missed out some names coz too many names in the list):

Men 16-29
5'12.29 - Barry Lee
5'32'44 - Kevin Siah
5'32.47 - Lim Keat Seong
5'40.03 - Roger Yee
6'36.09 - Tan Lian Meng
7'21.25 - Bobby Wong

Men 30-39
4'18.45 - Shahrom Abdullah
5'21.37 - Yip Weng Tak
5'45.55 - Ben Swee
5'57.10 - Raymond Ng
6'52.43 - Lee Puh Heng

Men 40-49
4'45.51 - Iwata Takatoshi

Men 50 & above
5'03.07 - Don Khor

Women 16-34
4'53.16 - Emma Bishop
5'56.20 - Lesley Tan
6'00.41 - Elaine Wong
6'25.48 - Michelle Looi

Women 35 & above
5'36.32 - Oon Lisa
5'51.54 - Ong Siok Bee

Full full results, click here