Super-sized me

Alright, I took my ippt yesterday and it was my worst performance since sec2 (note, I started passing ippt/napfa from sec2 onwards).

Anyway, the world collapsed right from the start, feeling weird during shuttle runs and lost all my strengths in my legs after sit-ups (what's happening right?). It was so bad that even my mum asked "what's wrong?" Yes, it was rather unexpected.

With that, I booked myself another ippt appointment towards the end of november, to prove to myself that people in the late twenties will not hit against a wall in fitness build-up (contrary to what Alwyn claimed).

Although it was a bad outing, I'm glad I completed it at least. Have been getting bad spells of giddiness since 6 mths back and so, I was glad I had at least completed it. And who knows, I would be able to better empathise with not-so-fit ones from now on :)

Needing a drink

Mum was commenting on my outfit, is it alright to put it up? What if your employers see it? Won't they find you childish?

Can't deny that it was a genuine concern from her. But then again, hiding it won't change the fact that I do go all out to play hard when I'm off work.

I think that it is just old-fashioned to think that people good at their works can't be funny at the same time. I'm sure there are those who can laugh and joke over meetings and still come up with excellent points and creative ideas. So, why stifle it if it is the real me.

I wonder how my boss will think, really. But I'd hope they are those who can appreciate an employee who works when the time calls for it, yet game enough to goof around for the sake of fun. It's depressing enough with so much loaded onto me already, why stay in that mould when I can hear a joke and laugh about silly things.

Re-started my running today. Had put it off since my food-poisoning experience in February and the brutal workload over the past few weeks. I doubt there is enough time to train for my 84 but I really want to finish it and then to retire from long distance running for the rest of my life. Will see how it goes, think I'll do another run tomorrow.

栄光の架橋

Running 84km isn't just about arrogance and vanity, it certainly takes commitment in preparation. Have been waking up early to do my runs before work and this song by Yuzu just came up (it was the Theme Song for Athens Olympic Games in 2004). 

While I'm never going to reach anywhere close to an athlete, I could understand the lyrics of the song.

There are tears that won't be shown
And there are tears that no one will ever know
It's definitely not a smooth journey
Yet I have made it to the end ...

作詞：北川悠仁 作曲：北川悠仁




誰にも見せない泪があった　人知れず流した泪があった
決して平らな道ではなかった　けれど確かに歩んで来た道だ
あの時想い描いた夢の途中に今も
何度も何度もあきらめかけた夢の途中

※いくつもの日々を越えて　辿り着いた今がある
だからもう迷わずに進めばいい
栄光の架橋へと…※

悔しくて眠れなかった夜があった
恐くて震えていた夜があった
もう駄目だと全てが嫌になって逃げ出そうとした時も
想い出せばこうしてたくさんの支えの中で歩いて来た

悲しみや苦しみの先に　それぞれの光がある
さあ行こう　振り返らず走り出せばいい
希望に満ちた空へ…

誰にも見せない泪があった　人知れず流した泪があった

(※くり返し)

終わらないその旅へと
君の心へ続く架橋へと…

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During the meeting in the afternoon today, I felt a sudden chest pain. It hurt for a full minute and then it'd subside for a while before hurting again. It wasn't the typical muscleache but I felt that my heart was being squeezed and it also affected by back and shoulders.

I recalled the run this morning, but it was the same pace and distance as last week. Told Darius and I'd return to office first as I wasn't feeling well but I was restless for 1+ hour. It hurt rather badly and I did a google on chest pain and cardiac arrests. Fortunately, it subsided almost completely at 5.30pm or so.

I chose to see the doctor and left promptly to Tan Tock Seng. Sms-ed my Dad and Taf that I'd be heading there because of chest pains and I was completely at peace. Thinking that if anything would happen, I'll need to tell them about my shares over here, my account over there, etc. I wasn't afraid of dying, but I'd hate to hear the doctor telling me that I can't run or play sports for the rest of my life.

Registered myself at A&E, took the Blood Pressure, ElectroCardiogram, X-ray of lungs, etc. Dad came and joined me but there was no panic at all =)

The Doctor gave the assessment that it was probably due to tears at the inner muscle walls from physical exertions. She said that I should worry if the feeling was like being stepped on by something heavy, breaking down in cold sweat and being out of breaths.

I guess ... My Heart Will Go On

Yawnz

Somehow I love to gym before work, it's a nice walk from the office to the gym in the morning. Seeing clubbers wasted along the road, more people getting ready for work, ... Oh I must say that I was surprised to see Angel and May at the office as early as 7.30am ...

Anyway, had a nice run and did weights before heading back to office. Had wanted to go again tomorrow morning but then, got to meet my boss for discussion at 8.30am, so ...

Dinner was at Joan Bowen, I'm too lazy to describe how it got started but need to thank Julia for the invite. Say so many others there, Pearly and Pei at another table, then Joyce and her friends. Drove Pearly's car back to her house before taking the train back heh. 

Parties and snapped gut

Had a wonderful time at the Esplanade last evening and all my MINDEF colleagues: Jordan, Steph, Youfeng (and wife Cheryl) had all loved the performance by Budak. It was my first experience at the Esplanade, and yes, I have just highlighted my uncultured self lol. But after experiencing a strained neck towards the end of the show, I guess from next year, I'd just book some 20 seats in the middle section and see who wants to come along =)

Then had desserts and Jordan gave me a ride home. He's going to ORD in March (yes, he's serving his NS in a high-flyer office though he wasn't one of the scholars) and had been wondering what he'd really want to do. We discussed what kind of lifestyle we want to lead.

Anyway, reached home after 12 and couldn't help but to think of Anton who was staying over in church.

Woke up at 6+ and went for my tennis. My stamina is definitely failing me as I puffed and panted my way from the 2nd hour. For some reasons only God could understand, the gut for both my racquets snapped within 5 minutes. Haiz... need to pay for re-stringing again.

Had lunch at home and was asking my parents about the plans on my Mum's birthday, cos I've 3 appointments minus-ing the birthday celebration.

Games

PS Mervin was helping to organise a paintball session in JB for his cellmates and I tagged along, thinking that there would be a few of the army pals going (ie Robert, Marcus, Nigel, Justin) and guess what, I realised the day before that only Weijie would be coming. By the way, Weijie was from Alpha, and I was shocked after hearing Robert's reason ... no passport. LOL

Apart from being a bit older, Mervin's cellmates were fine, quite nice. And then the paintball sounded cheap by the way Mervin described (S$40) inclusive of bus. It was indoor, meaning that we were not hit by the rain and we played in an aircon shopping centre (ok, part of the shopping centre)

Please see the website of Dynamic Paintball. The deal wasn't bad at 45 ringgits (2hrs) but we had only 150 balls each. Additional 500 balls would cost another 130 ringgits so I guess it wasn't really worth the hassle. Anyway, there is no 'respawn' so it is real sad to be the first to 'die' and the mission is to detonate the enemy's base so there is no halfway line (ie. enemy can go over and shoot from your back)

JB definitely has different safety regulations: the rounds hit harder. 1st game was simple, our team won and I wasn't hit; 2nd game was unfortunate, hit by enemy in my blindspot (back); 3rd was largi worse, teammate who for some reason ran backwards, and since they were not exactly my friends, I fired a few rounds into him at close range, and he was probably angry with the pain and sprayed at me though he was supposed to be 'dead' (some Christians right, lol)

End of the day, I had 2 small bruises to show for my efforts, nothing as spectacular as the girls and some guys who got their skin torn (yes, it was that powerful).

My verdict: I still miss Robert who'd have taken nice pics for me

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For cell on Thursday, we went to the Settler's Cafe at SMU. Hard to imagine that guys all above the age of 25 to enjoy Primary School level game: Open Number to determine who gets to eat the finger food that we ordered.

We played something in the end, it was called First Hand. And I learnt something about the group and about myself through this game meant for those aged 6 and above. First of all, we know who require a longer time to react; and those who look at others without thinking; and as for myself, I realised that I have the tendency to dwell on past mistakes which affects my next game.

Need to watch out for that.

Gory Saturday

With such defence, I was expecting a 3-3 draw, but it's Man U in Old Trafford. And Man City is definitely has better class than West Ham, so Liverpool fans, please fight hard to keep your Top 4 status.

That aside, I was supposed to share about the gory Saturday that I just had. Watched 2 gory movies: Gamer and Inglourious Basterds:

Gamer

Gerard Butler looked grossly muscular in 300 and so I was glad he covered up this time round. The shooting scenes were cool and I am relishing the opportunity to kick some ass at the upcoming paintball session on 3 Oct.

But it seems possible, a real-life The Sims, where you get paid to be controlled by someone or you pay to control someone. The action was cool but the storyline filmsy, the ending was too chop-chop that before I knew what was happening, it was Game Over. 

Inglourious Basterds

I know this isn't the actual poster Singapore uses but I thought this was cooler. A lot more blood, and hideous scenes, especially when they cut the scalps of the defeated, when the "Bear Jew" beat the c*** out of the Nazis and when Aldo poked his finger into ****** during an interrogation, ... just to name a few

Crude as it may be, the build up was fun and we all had a good laugh in the cinema. The climax, aka Chapter 5 was not as well organised but overall, it was a wonderful piece of fiction. Just imagine watching Metal Slug in a movie heh

Had some time and did window shopping. JX had noticed the Ferragamo cufflinks that Miaw gave me as a birthday+parting gift from DPO, and claimed that they must have been expensive. Since I was at ION, I entered the Salvatore Ferragmo store and checked out the price ... Oh my goodness ... and I had no idea how big a gift it was. Thanks Miaw, I really don't deserve it.

Yawn

Okok, I should be on my way home from Andrea's farewell but I can explain:

• I was tired

Thanks to the cancelled tennis and Sentosa outing, I had my morning and afternoon free and so, I embarked on my first baby step towards becoming a real triathlete. Tackling the weakest of the 3 sports, I headed down to the pool to do a swim, focusing on sustaining rather than speed, I think it is possible. Just don't know how long it will take for me to reach 750m and then open water. I came home and napped for 2+ hours (my yandao brother even jested that it was a wasteful way to spend a weekend), I couldn't work on the slides for next week's meeting with PS because my eyes were heavy.

• Leaving home just for the farewell and Man U vs Arsenal at 12.10am

I didn't want to spend almost 2 hours on travelling, knowing that I will be at the farewell for say, only 30min. I tried, really tried to plan (albeit a little late) for a movie to give myself more impetus to leave home. I had a movie-kaki, had the movies in mind, only to see them all fully booked.

• I have quit alcohol and tennis at 7am tomorrow

Say I miss my soccer match ... but I have quit alcohol and have been clean for over a month (didn't touch a drop of the wine in office). And though I wouldn't mind sipping orange juice or cream soda, I also have a 7am tennis game tomorrow morning (it's tough to be below my already below-par performance because there is only Francis and me in a single court).

So ...

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I was at Little Vietnam last evening with my colleagues. It was at the Grandlink Square. Ok, what do they say in the food review page? Food: Wonderful; Price: Extremely Cheap; Ambience: It's the Geylang area so ... ; Service: Superb (and did I say that the Vietnamese are simply slim by nature, must be their healthy diet). Please try the authentic Vietnamese coffee!! It is a steal at $2 and I must declare that I am not interested in Starbucks anymore.

After 3+ hours of belly-filling makan, we had to each pay roughly 13 or 14 dollars. Woo~

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Made of Honour

Yes, rom-com with a happy ending. Extremely surreal but definitely heart-warming.

Army Half Marathon

My body was aching as I woke up this morning. Think I hurt my back at the sit-up station of the IPPT yesterday. my body was stiff and as usual, I didn't want to run that half-marathon. Nothing new, I would have felt the same apprehension even if it was not a half-marathon.

Anyway, backing out wasn't an option and I left church with the other running mates. I started off with Jim but I lost him after 200m. I had to tie my shoelace and couldn't locate him when I lifted my head. My start was slow because the body was stiff, and it was just as well since it was rather crowded with everyone still fresh.

Uncle Bernard was within sight till we reached the ECP area and amazingly, I did not feel anything before the 10km mark (I wonder if my sleepiness had numbed my other senses). And so we ran, the run was very well organised: the route was well paved, the markings were accurate, the water points sufficient, the performers were enthusiastic, ...

Slowly and steadily, I ran past 17km mark, then 18, 19, 20 ...

I saw the clock near the victoria theatre, 7.35am~

The clock time was 2hr 14min when I finished but since we started late, I reckoned I took less than 2 hours in my run. Not bad for someone who trained only 2 weeks back, a 10km run on saturday followed by another 10km the next day at the osim triathlon.

Remembered that I had a bad run last year since I drank the night before at the Japanese School's 夏祭り, time passes so quickly. I wonder what I'll be like this time next year.

My body is feeling worse than yesterday but I was happy with the timing. I wonder if I'm gifted in it.

AAR

Ok, it was my first IPPT since Jan 2008 and the first time for me to run 2.4 in a stadium since 8 years ago. I prepared myself well (drank lots of water, didn't touch that bottle of wine in office, slept early, and woke up early to have a light meal), just that I was so excited I had diarrhoea last evening =P

Well, it was within my expectations, missed Gold by 5cm on the SBJ mat and 5 secs at 2.4

Yes, SBJ is THE problem, I'm quite sure I have the power after focusing on it at the gym over the past 2 months. Is it the technique? Did I hurt my legs doing sit-ups? (by the way, it was my hip that got tired at the end of the sit-up station) Think I'll retake if I can get my jumping right.

2.4 isn't a problem, I took some time overtaking the fatties before me and overall, I'll say it's sad to know we are going to fight with these people. But what to do when we are a conscript army?

and and and

Street Fighter - The Lengend of Chun-Li

Lame show

Chest Pain

Have been enduring it for a few days. Must be the high intensity gym-ing these days. Sorry for rubbing my chest over the past 2 days, I know it's gross but I badly need a muscle rub sob*

Have also signed up for my IPPT, it will be the day before Army Half Marathon (lol)

Training hard these days to get gold in my first attempt, the $400 will come in handy heh.

Fats

Was just too lazy to blog yesterday and imported wholesale, my entry at mixi. Anyway, went for my first gym session yesterday and yes, I'm fat, I have confirmed it, with enough reasons so please do not accuse me of being vain.

It was rather saddening. My body fats percentage was too high. And since I can't tell when I'm peacocking before my mirror, I suspect the horrible fats isn't hiding under my skin but rather protecting my internal organs by wrapping them up in a disgusting manner.

Secretly however, I was felt that my running and tennis could improve significantly when I can force the percentage down by a few notches. Hmm... my resolution from mid-year 2009, to have a single-digit body fats percentage by year-end.

Am going for my farewell dinner with my colleagues later. And they have to choose
Kublai Khan Mongolian Barbeque. Well, it is just a higher-class Seoul Garden with 1-for-1 beer in the jug. Guess I can start my dieting and exercise regime tomorrow.

ジム

そろそろ国防省からより町に近い内閣府のちっちゃい機関に転勤するため、ジムの会員になったの 

今の同僚とこれからも一緒に遊べる理由もあって、これからジムに通うとまたよく会えるし、筋トレもしたくて、思い切りに 

そして今日は仕事の後１回目行ったけど、ショックを受けたのは自分の体脂肪率～日本にいた時に比べて、ものすごく締まってきてるはずなのに、意外に体脂肪率は高かったのよね 

外では見えないから、もしかして内臓にたくさんついてるかもしれない 

とりあえず、今したいのは年末までに体脂肪率を一桁まで下げさせないとやばいかも

Soccer Philosophy

Man U probably felt they had a bad season with the loss in the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League finals. And who will remember that Barcelona got through by the skin of the teeth when they scored during stoppage time to win over Chelsea on the away-goal rule.

And Chelsea will probably end with a good season if they win the FA Cup this weekend. Such is the hunger among the top teams. Man U, please wake up your ideas and win everything next season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Was refreshed during the two days of RIEC retreat. Refreshing because I was just sitting in and it was a good break from MINDEF. I was getting frustrated with all the 5-cents/10-cents kind of job, that no matter how hard we try to tighten everything, it is impossible to please everyone and such tasks are only over when the event is over: ie. no more updates, etc.

And because I was in town, I managed to catch 2 movies over the last 2 days:

                   

Night at the Museum 2

I know it is a silly show. What else can Ben Stiller act in, right? But what's wrong with a silly show that gives a good laugh? I think the movie was worth the time and $8.50. Would be wonderful for couples to watch too. Too bad I can't differentiate between Amy Adams and Isla Fisher, can someone enlighten me?

Angels and Demons

Slipped out early and was counting my blessing. I mean, free from 3pm on a Friday is already too much to ask for and what a miracle to find myself in the city.

There was no time to waste and I caught Angels and Demons. Yes, as the papers had mentioned, there was no character development. Yes, it was just a merry-go-round like the series 24. But carrying the expectation of another adaptation similar to the Da Vinci Code, it was definitely much better.

While the depiction for Code was horrible, Angels and Demons gave me a visual experience of what was mentioned in the novel: I could never have imagined how the Conclave of the Cardinals would appear, or the Majesty of the Cathedrals. Angels and Demons deserves more than 2.5 stars.

My next movie? Aliens VS Monster 3D I guess.

Don't want to go to work tomorrow

Sorry, had a horrible week at work, it could have been the volume, it could have been the changes, it could have been the expectation and it could have been the transition, anyway, just don't feel like reporting back to office tomorrow (or don't feel like checking the office mails later)

I started asking if it is as unappreciative elsewhere, but guess we are all expected to do a good job wherever we go. Perhaps, I am just disillusioned about the the way the organisation takes care of the staff, the training, the explanation especially during this phase of transition for me. While I was trained in Tokyo where people kill themselves for overworking, I was getting pissed about the week when I regularly finished my work at 8+, and everyone felt that it was normal.

I hate the lifestyle, and with that, I tried to flee, albeit just mentally, that it was such a holiday when I studied in the overseas for a few years. The thought comes especially when I read about the advertisements on the papers about 7D6N Disneyland Tokyo, or 10 Day Hokkaido Gourmet, kind of travel package. That hey, I should have used my time there in a better way. Darn...

More than 2 years since I got back and I'm still counting down everyday to the last day of my bond. I have a lot to complain, and sometimes I feel justified, sometimes.

Then there is the Sundown Marathon next week, I would not have such apprehension if I have the Sunday free but it will be the SLD weekend and Sunday starts at 9am. I'm not sure if I can run 42 km since I didn't train at all, and when I tried to run today, I was disappointed that it was only 7++ km between Sembawang and Kranji (no I didn't run back because it would be too boring). I'm still undecided about running next weekend, I feel fresh after the run but I'd hate it the moment my legs start to hurt and it was at the 24km mark last year.

Sermon today, I thought the big hoo-ha about Fireproof was a little too much. Ian delivered a difficult message today, it is difficult to deliver accurately and more difficult for the congregation to truly understand, but I guess he did quite well. Just that it could be contradictory sometimes between what are being preached at various weeks. I do want to visit other churches, just waiting for invitations.

When can I take a break, really take leave~ My DD is taking the first week in June, my Branch Head the 2nd and 3rd week, my understudy from the end of the 2nd week to the start of the 3rd week, and I still have the part-time arrangement at my new workplace. Life sucks sometimes, and well, I ask myself all the time: "what's my purpose here"

I don't want to go to work tomorrow (how many times have I said this? lol) Miaw is going to tell me off I think, my brief sent to her at 8pm on Friday was not forwarded for clearance so there must be something wrong. Haiz...

Soccer Philosophy

If I were a Liverpool fan, I'd be embarrassed. No, not because Man U had won the Premier League (again) but because of the way Benitez portrayed himself. Liverpool should never have stooped so low as to appear a sore loser.

When someone says that winning the league after 9 gruelling months simply means that the club has more points and doesn't mean it has been the best club for the season, we know the intellectual level of Benitez.

When someone who spent just as much as Man U and Chelsea laments that Man U had the strength in depth because of their spending, we know that Benitez can't count either. It is the kind of statement for Arsene Wenger, not Benitez, who (given the benefit of the doubt) was probably role-playing Wenger for that matter.

Just as the Man U fans are pressuring Fergie to sign Tevez up; Liverpool fans should pressure the Hicks/Middle East owners to sack Benitez to prevent further embarrassment. Let me make it clear, I don't hate Liverpool, just the manager.

----------------------------------------------------

After the final whistle that condemned Liverpool's failure to attain the league title for the 19th or 20th year. I headed down to Timbre to meet with Jordan and Steph. Was surprised to see Alex there too.

It was fun looking at the yuppies for a change, and was glad that Steph came along or we would have just been a table of guys sipping beer and munching pizzas. Headed down to Balestier for supper and reached home before 3.

Set my alarm at 6 and had to summon all my strength to open my eyes. It is never easy playing tennis at 7 in the morning and I didn't really want Francis to know that I didn't bother resting the night before. I felt quite bad because I could not make any clean hit with my back-hand. Just horrible.

Went to church and well, let me explain, I closed my eyes but I was listening. There wasn't anything visual so I see no problem in closing my eyes =P But to be honest, what was Pastor Sam trying to say? It had been quite random. I felt a sudden need to visit other churches.

Then Ian came and was full of the Spirit. I admit I dozed off and with reasons I shouldn't mention, I felt uneasy and left at 4.30pm. Well, I did have an excuse that I need to send an urgent work mail.

So now, I'm home (had wanted to jio people to watch Night at the Museum or Angels & Demons but how to jio when I'm home), wondering if I should sleep early to clear my sleep debt or if I should watch Benitez' not-very-bright face, followed by Tennis.

It's already too much for my brain to take.

Doing a Liverpool

I can understand why supporters are so intrigued by Liverpool. Simply because there can only be 'one' Liverpool, so much so that I will, from now on, use Liverpool as a noun to describe a phenomenon. One phenomenon that can't be replicated by any other thing, event or to put it simply, the words that come out will be - 'Oh, that's (a) Liverpool' or 'He just did a Liverpool'.

I mean, come on, the only team that can perform only when written off. One big result against the odds and Liverpool become ya-ya. And when everyone expects them to do well, they fail. Sounds like a typical nobody, and with that, we have Liverpool.

Losing 1-3 to Chelsea at home, if there is a team that can overturn such a deficit, it must be Liverpool. Alright, the stage is set, will Liverpool please step up and score 3 goals at Stamford Bridge. I can already predict what Benitez will say after a victory - 'we can win the Treble', while unaware that they've already crashed out of the FA Cup.

Had a hectic two weeks at work, leaving office after 10pm each day, and now that the toughest part is over, I pray hard that I will do well at the simpler stuff. 

Because, I don't want to do a Li-ver-pool.

Passion vs Finesse

Today's activities:

Woke up → Walked my Dog → Sleep → Woke up → Church → Australian Open

Woke up at 7.30am to walk my dog. This duty wasn't for me and I couldn't remember how it got started which ended up with me pushing her out (yes, my dog has a pram, so 'walking' my dog basically equates to 'pushing' my dog). Anyway, we were on some conversation at home yesterday and I mentioned that our dog was too pampered, being taken out everyday, etc. And my Mum 'poked' me (facebook-style) and mentioned that I have not taken the dog out for a long time. And chided me into bringing her (the dog) out the following day (which was today).

Well, being such a petty person, I agreed to shut out my Mum's nagging and regretted the moment I made the promise. I could hear my Mum's evil laugh as I fell into her tricks. Anyway, no point being a sore loser and I brought my dog out for over 30min, taking care not to get too awake so that I could return to my dreamland ASAP. Hey, I only get to sleep like this on weekends and my 7am tennis is re-starting next Saturday.

Anyway, came back immediately after church to catch the Men's final of the Australian Open between Nadal and Federer. They are really the impersonation of Passion and Finesse. Two different styles clashed for the umpteenth time and it was always a good entertainment.

I had wanted Federer to win though I had loved Nadal's dogged style. Federer showed class and the loftiness of a World No. 1 while Nadal's dogged approach was always amazing to watch and one to be rooted for. I was so sad when Federer lost his usual cool especially during the last set, and when one loses his own style, there is no way for him to win the championship.

Federer was a monster and one who used to be beyond imagination. Just that there is now another monster in Rafael Nadal. This is just cool for plain mortals like us to watch.

Swimming during lunch break

One of the perks of working in MINDEF is that there is a free gym and swimming pool nearby. There is no requirement for membership or entry fee and I thought I struck lottery when Darryl agreed to teach me the correct technique of swimming.

Yes, I can only swim the SAF way: To coordinate my arms and legs such that it looks like breaststroke and to float across the 50m pool alive. On average I take 4~5 minutes to clear a lap.

Yes, I was in-charge of river-crossing and coastal hook when I was in the unit but I didn't have to be the swimmer, see.

Anyway, Yizhuan, Darryl and I went down for a swim and hey, it wasn't as difficult as I used to experience. Apparently, I was kicking while doing the swipe at the same time which caused extra effort to push myself forward. Improved slightly and I guess I'll swim during lunch-time again (heh, my boss will be away for 3 weeks from Monday). When will I feel comfortable enough to swim in open waters and to compete in a biathlon ...

And when others came over to my cubicle to jio me for lunch, somebody just had to tell the world that 「Brian went down to LEARN swimming ...」 Well, you could probably imagine how surprised I was when I returned and was incessantly asked 「You didn't know how to swim?」 

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Watched the much-heralded Red Cliff 1 (Yes, I wanted to do some research first) and I was disappointed. I knew the story and had much expectations only to find it weird and impractical, especially when I saw the generals like Zhao Yun, Guan Yu and even Zhou Yu coming out to each fight a platoon of soldiers by themselves. Come on ...

But I guess I'll watch Red Cliff 2 in the cinema (maybe tomorrow, is anyone interested?) One thing to the advantage of Blockbusters is that the general public will feel embarrassed not having watched the movie. And for that reason, I'll just give up my $10 for it.

B-Grade

Congrats to myself for this 200th entry. Yay.

Let me start from what I did yesterday. Went for the morning service because of dragonboating in the afternoon, only to find myself sitting in the youth service too. Anyway, somehow I could concentrate better during the youth service, probably because the room was smaller but then, the message didn't really speak to me. What really stayed was the fact that the speaker brought out a song and asked for volunteer(s) to sing for him and my brother did it the best way possible.

He just rose his hand and went up and delivered. None of the 'aiyah, very paiseh le', 'i push you, you push me' antics, and boy, his fan-base had probably increased tremendously after that 5 minutes.

At home, my Dad can sing fairly well while my Mum is horrible at it. Looking at my brother on the stage, I was wondering why he's got all the good genes. Too bad that I took after Mum and singing is never going to be my gift, otherwise, I might have auditioned for ジャニーズ事務所 (lol)

Dragonboating! It was a cloudy-rainy-cloudy day. Quite disappointing because when I put my heart into doing sports, I want the sun and to be able to sweat it out. It was easier to row than the previous time at Kallang, probably because the group was more professional with 4 aspiring tri-athletes.

The 90-minutes rowing was alright but somehow, I still prefer marathons. I came back with a bleeding thumb and a sore back, at least I rowed properly to get my back rather than my arms tired.

Reached home and watched Man U vs Chelsea at midnight. I was in a dilemma because in most occasions when I supported my team, Man U simply couldn't play well, but it was too good a match to miss and I got a little worried for the initial 15 minutes when Chelsea seemed to have the upper hand.

Well, after the first goal, the rest was just as the way the papers described.

Came to office sleepy and guess what, I've applied for Sundown Marathon 2009. It's going to clash with Shangri-La Dialogue but I can well run after work. It is going to be my third full-marathon and if I am disciplined, I may be able to take part in the ultra-marathon next year.

Please feel free to sign up and run with me. Early bird registration closes at the end of the month. By the way, Robert is running with me.

Last but not least, watched this 2001 movie, Requiem for a Dream.

Well, I just have this weakness for low-budget but good and deep movies. I enjoy blockbusters as well but finding a good and unique movie among the B-grade trash is really enjoyable for a movie-lover like me.

Requiem for a dream, not just a typical drug movie but one that talked about addiction and from the way Sara Goldfarb destroyed herself, I believe that everybody is obsessed about something in real life. The movie was so dark and gloomy but hey, this is real art and a message from the director. Unlike the Little Nyonya when the director could just re-shoot another ending to please the consumers. I just have this to say, if the consumers have so much time as to send 700+ comments to the Straits Times, the economy probably isn't doing too badly. Oh, come on, can't our population accept something that doesn't have a happy ending?