Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing

hmmm... how shall I start? I guess the saying 'all good things must come to an end' hold true for me.

It was doomed from the start. It would be totally untrue to say that I didn't know this was coming but I thought it might have taken a different twist. Yes... life is strange. It has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you thing everything's okay and everything's going right. So what next?

I guess listening to some Poison's 'Life Goes On' wouldn't be too bad. Wilson Phillips' 'Hold On' sounds like a very good choice too. But right now, Ace of Base's "Cruel Summer" holds the top notch. At least I still have the Amazing Race Asia and The Amazing Race All-Stars coming up real soon. I know it sounds a lil crappy; but we are allowed to be crappy once in a while. Plus, my favourite serials are back... will be able to get my hands on episode 12 of Tim Kring's 'Heroes' tomorrow.

Yea... I know! I gotta eat some of my words coz Starworld will be broadcasting 'Heroes' premiering 31st Jan... while TV3 is slated to show it somewhere in 2007.

Play with fire... and you'll get burned! OUCH!

The title "Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing" makes reference to the 2006 album by Keith Urban featuring fabulous tracks like 'Once In A Lifetime', 'Shine', 'Stupid Boy' and 'I Told You So' among others. I highly recommend this album to all readers of my blog... this album is, for lack of a better word, BRILLIANT!

Something Good...

... but NOT SPECTACULAR. Yup! I'm talking about the Il Divo Concert I was at recently.

"Greenman in da house"

I invited Momma to this event, but not before meeting up with Styro-girl. Somehow, after our journey crossed path last year, we seem to be unusually closer than any acquaintance. That's besides the point.

"Momma is in da house"

At 7, Momma and I made our way up to the KL Convention Center Level 3 where there was a reception for invited guests and winners of the CIMB Il Divo Contest. It was a very glitzy and posh reception... lotsa clicks, magnificent attires and a breathtaking view of the Twin towers. Most of all, both Momma and I enjoyed the free-flow of finger food and drinks. There were the 'appetizers' first consisting of little breadlings topped with cheese and olives and many other things. Then came the main course of various flavours of chicken drumlets. Finally, we were offered 'dessert' in the form of strawberry and almond chews... Not bad!

The Two Towers... from another perspective.

Best of all, it wasn't like a buffet thingy... we were served. Seriously! The waiters were carrying the food and beverages around the room and politely asking, "Would you like to have some, Sir?" We didn't have to go to the food... THE FOOD CAME TO US! he he he... feels good to experience that for the 1st time.

Anyway, I was talking to one of them strangers. Me asked: "Are you one of them winners?" The well-dressed man and his companion said "NO... we are invited guests; big clients of the bank and they invited us for the show along with all the others." Suddenly, I begin seeing the logic. There is definitely truth in the saying "The rich will only get richer, the poor will only get poorer". While ordinary people have to fork out a lot to watch their favourite group perform, the rich do not have to spend a single dime (even though that is something they can definitely afford). Such a disparity is getting more common in Malaysia these days. In pursuit of money, many forget about those who get left behind and cannot catch up. Mind you... a pair of tix costs at least RM 500... the one I won was RM 1,000 per piece. Even fans of this group would be foolish to purchase such a price.

Il Divo in action... click on the pix for a clearer picture!

The concert started about 30 minutes late even tho everyone was already seated by 8.30 pm. Even the Agung & Permaisuri and the Sultan of Perak & Permaisuri was already in attendance. So when the lights went out, the orchestra started playing and the quartet started belching out their numbers, everyone was excitingly clapping their hands. Most of the songs performed were from their new album 'Siempre' and a few from their previous records. Like every concert that I have attended, this one also had what I called a "pseudo-end". The concert apparently ended with Il Divo doing a rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way"... then bid goodbye to the audience. The musicians however, didn't move an inch. And the audience started to chant "We want more!". Even Momma quipped to me that she wanted more. Predictably, the boys came back on stage to perform 2 more numbers, their version of Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart" and then "Somewhere" during which the audience from the front rows were all over showering the boys with gifts, roses and leis.


Plenary Hall Stage
At the end of the day, these are the conclusions that I have drawn. The boys that make up Il Divo are actually talented and they have very good voices... but their showmanship still isn't comparable to that of the 3 Tenors or Sarah Brightman for that matter. It was good but wasn't that spectacular. One more thing... and I feel strongly about this. All good concerts should be held at the Plenary Hall of the KL Convention Center! The sound system, setup, design and ambience is nothing short of amazing.





The title "Something Good" refers to the 1992 dance hit by Utah Saints from their self-titled debut album.

A Night To Remember

I received them tickets yesterday. And judging by how exquisite the whole packing was, I have a hunch it is going to be a glitzy affair. I'm NOT sure if I will be blown away though... that remains to be seen. I mean I have NO DOUBT Sarah Brightman or Adrea Bocelli can BLOW ME AWAY COMPLETELY... but Il Divo? hmmm... Guess we'll have to wait and see. However, what I am certain is this will definitely be a night to remember.

Here's why... the ticket I won apparently costs a freaking RM 1,000 a piece. I mean, that's not what an average Malaysian would want to fork out to watch a bunch of hunks performing some arias. Besides, the dress code for the night is smart casual; faded / torn jeans, round neck tees, shorts, sports attire and slippers are strictly prohibited. Oh! One more thing... "latecomers will NOT be admitted into the auditorium until a suitable break in the performance."

Front view of the Il Divo Concert Tickets & its envelope

Back view of the Il Divo Concert Tickets & its envelope

Additional insert / Invitation

So I guess it is set. I'll be heading to KL on 16-Jan-2007 (Tue) for this concert at the Plenary Hall of the KL Convention Center. By the way, Momma! You know what to do... dun be late and I'll see you at this prestigious event! And if any of you CIMB people happens to stumble accross my blog; a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who gave me this opportunity. ;)



"A Night To Remember" was a very popular song by Shalamar way back in 1982 from their highly successful album "Friends". This song has been re-recorded by many artistes over the years including British boyband 911 in 1996 and British pop-group Liberty X in 2006. Even Cyndi Lauper had a different song with the same title in 1989 from her own album "A Night To Remember".

Mama Said Knock You Out!

This is the part of the Amazing Race Asia that I have been waiting for... and the day has finally arrived. Let me say this loudly:

ANDY & LAURA HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED!

Here are the golden moments that led to their elimination, finally!

Starting 1st at Kolay Market, Kolkata

... on the way to Delhi... sidelined and alienated

SanFran putting LA to a stop... at least for a moment

yielded!... @ the Red Fort, Delhi

frustrated!...

Laura's childish moment...

... and Andy's turn to be immature!

Andy the Ass-"whole" and his sidekick, Donkey.

Laura, playing with cow dung

desperately seeking taxis... even the taxis are avoiding them... lol!

Andy & Laura in "Last Place" and getting eliminated @ Jain Mandir Dada Bari

Here are a few quotes to celebrate the occasion:

• you reap what you sow
• what goes round, comes back around
• You Asked For It!
  

"Mama Said Knock You Out" was a 1991 hit for LL Cool J from his 1990 album with the same title. I had reserved this title specially for Andy & Laura's elimination! This is an occasion to be remembered!

I Should Be So Lucky!

I guess good things and good news comes in droves. Yesterday was quite an eventful day!

1st I got a mailer from AirAsia saying that they'll be giving away 1,000,000 free seats. So I tried very hard and finally... it is confirmed; I'm going backpacking in MACAU and HONG KONG! (blossom_stoned, I think that answers your Q).



2ndly, I received a phone call from a CIMB Bank personnel. He said I won a pair of tickets to go watch Il Divo perform in KL. The location and date is still sketchy but I guess I'll know when the tix arrives in my hand; which should be tomorrow probably. I'm bringing one of my frens along... and she was screaming with excitement.

Last but not least, an sms came in at around 8.30 p.m. Apparently, I have just become an Uncle for the 3rd time! My younger brother Norman and his wife just had a new addition to their family. Baby Fion, born 9-Jan-2007 at 5.50 p.m. Both mother and daughter are in a safe and healthy condition!

Yes! I should be so lucky. Just when you think life is getting a bit dull and preordained... unexpected and exciting things happen!



"I Should Be So Lucky" is a hit by Kylie Minogue that was released in December 1987 from her debut studio album entitled 'Kylie'. The song was written and produced by famous English songwriters Stock, Aitken & Waterman.

Happy Dent Advertisement - simply hilarious!

A hilarious advert... we have so many lame and uninspiring ads on Malaysian TV; of course we have many good ones but also a huge chunk of very lousy one. More of this would be good! Anyway, this ad has probably been flying all over the net for quite some time now. I thought I might as well post it here to put some smile on the faces of people reading my blog. Hopefully, a smile to last all year round.

What You Waiting For?

Leg number 9 of the Amazing Race Asia sees these guys going to India. I love watching Indian legs of the race... I hope to travel there one day. In the Amazing Race 10, the Indian Driving School Instructor was hilarious. He said something along these lines, "If you see cows on the road, honk honk! If you see children on your road, honk honk! If you see women on the road, honk honk!" while using an old manual honker.

This time however, these guys have to endure shoe-shining the Indians' shoes with feet still in it; gobble up lotsa Bengali food (must be a breeze for Mardy & Marsio, I think) and count betelnuts OR carry and balance milk on the head. It seems everyone had a hard time eating except Joe Jer; and with that they managed to pull themselves forward just a few notches ahead. Oh... and Andrew burped on TV watched by millions! EEEEWWWEEE!

"Imagine Christina Aguilera singing ... at the shoe-shine... woohh woohh woohh, starring Laura Kurk"

"SYEON's SHOE SHINE CENTER; sounds nice! Maybe that's what they can venture if they fail to win this race."

"That's the way to do it, Joe Jer! Shovel it all in!"

Anyway, altho I support Andrew & Syeon (& hope that they were the ones who won), I can't help feeling that it is quite farfetched for them. No doubt u need to decide carefully which 'Detour' to perform but, they have time and time again shown how indecisive they are. Even 30 seconds can be very costly. (They were the 1st to have found the clue to the 'Detour' rummaging thru sari-s, but not the first to leave for the 'Detour'). They need to stop hesitating or they r gonna fall behind.

Andrew: "I need 30 seconds to decide!"

Unfortunately, this was a two part Leg... so who will be eliminated next? Guess we'll find out soon! (I'm chanting Andy & Laura, Andy & Laura, Andy & Laura! tho I think the possibility at this point of the race is still quite remote.) Wait a minute! Didn't they steal Sandy & Francesca's taxi after rummaging thru the sari-s? Let's just hope there will be a penalty for that which will eventually cause them to be eliminated!



The title "What You Waiting For?" is Gwen Stefani's first single from her very successful debut solo album "Love.Angel.Music.Baby." back in 2004, away from her band No Doubt.

The Crying Game

Oops... one down, two to go. Cry baby Sahran and his side-kick Howard are out of the game! Their days on The Amazing Race Asia was numbered. It was only a matter of time. I have never seen a man with so many phobias. They were lucky in Australia. Looks like luck ran out this time even though Sahran faced his fear of heights and managed to pull this one off eventually.

And here's one last time we see Sahran weeping:





"The Crying Game" was a 1992 hit by Boy George which was featured on the movie with the same title starring Miranda Richardson and Forest Whitaker among others.

Run, Baby, Run

Yup... it's The Amazing Race Asia race-day! I'm not sure if I'm able to catch it tonight (maybe the rerun after midnight...) since I'll be working late. Have an audit tomorrow and an urgent delivery the day after... the inconvenience of WORK!!!

So the following teams, I hope and pray will be eliminated in the next 3 legs in the following order:
1) The obnoxious team "Laura & Andy"... okay, I over-exagerated. Laura isn't obnoxious but Andy definitely is an S-"Whole".



2) then Team "Howard & Sahran" whom I think have either been lucky or "helped" to get this far... after all, they skipped 2 tasks but still ended up fairly well. No! They do not deserve to be in the winner's circle. May I also add, Sahran whines too much!



3) last but not least, Team "Sandy & Francesca". Of all the "caucasian" teams, I like this one the most becoz they have been ("so far seen as") honest in the game, forthcoming and NOT underhanded, sneaky or sly like Andy is. But still, they gotta go coz this is after all "Asia's Very Own", so to say.



And I am rooting for these three teams to be in the final sprint to the finish line:
1) Andrew & Syeon, who have been very well-coordinated and competitive. I would hope they were the winners of this race.



2) Mardy & Marsio; they may not be prudent and they eat too much, but time and time again, they have proven that "size does not matter!"



3) Zabrina & Joe Jer... they are my fellow Malaysians and they may have won my heart by being nice to their fellow compatriots; I hope they get to be in the Top 3 but Andrew & Syeon are still my favourite to win this race.



So, to the three "truly" Asian teams (... and I know this may be redundant since someone has already won the race): Run, Baby, Run!



"Run, Baby, Run" is the title of a hit by multiple-grammy winner Sheryl Crow from her 1993 album "Tuesday Night Music Club".

Momma's Song

I got to know someone whom I've been calling Momma... coz she's got de Momma looks (... I wasn't involved in any part for this nick-thingy tho').

Here is what's special; Momma's Momma is also having a B'day on the same day as Momma! Can you imagine that?... it is like Momma's Momma's present was lil' Momma way back when Momma's Momma gave birth to lil' Momma. Anyway, S-G and I (and the staffs of Eden @ King Chulan Street) celebrated Momma's B'day a lil earlier; but good thoughts all the same.

"Yeah! I'll be 1 (one) year younger!"

A B'Day Celebration with the Box posses and nice staff of Eden @ King Chulan Street

The Box Posses posing with the Restaurant Manager

Happy B'Day to Momma & Momma's Momma!



"Momma's Song" is a track by K-Ci & Jojo which was on their 2nd album entitled "It's Real" . The album was released in 1999.

Do You Remember?

It is Boxing Day today... a day when most other people like me would just pass off as the day after Christmas.

It was a dull day as I headed back to office gearing towards the Annual Audit that will take place in a few more days.

Then I came across a 2 part mini-series over HBO titled "tsunami: the aftermath" starring Toni Collette. However, it was just a portrayal of part of the sufferings of the people affected by the catastrophe. The film was apparently shot at locations in Thailand's Kao Lak & Phuket area that were devastated by the 2004 Asian Tsunami; a disaster that happened exactly two years ago today, 26-Dec-2004, Boxing Day.

Picture taken at Ao Nang, Krabi Province, Thailand by David Rydevik from Stockholm, Sweden and has been released into the Public Domain by its creator.

As we all know, the magnitude of the catastrophe was beyond anything we could ever comprehend with. An estimated 230,000 people of various nationalities lost their lives; while millions of survivors were displaced and left with nothing but chaos and destruction. Although the film was about the Thai-tourist regions, the hardest hit was the Indonesian province of Aceh which was the closest to the epicenter of the massive 9.3 Richter Scale quake that caused the tsunami and accounted for almost 170,000 lives that had perished.

Till today, many are still trying to rebuild their lives; coping with the loss of loved ones. There are even reports that aid have been misused and the people who need them the most do not get them at all.

So, while we enjoy our festivities... let us also reflect upon the suffering that these survivors are enduring; pray for them and hope that such catastrophe do not happen again.



"Do You Remember?" was a hit song by Phil Collins in 1990, taken from his 4th full-length solo album titled "...But Seriously".

~* Because I Got High

Trust me... This ain't no plagiarism! I was really high...

Over the X'mas weekend, I was in KL for Styrofoam-girl's X'mas party. It was for the most part, fun! However, I got myself pretty drunk... which has NOT happened in a long, long while. Apparently, I was blabbering non-stop when I was "high" and it was TMI for the most part.

Funny thing is, when I woke up the next morning, I had no recollection of what I said the night before, after I got drunk. I remember puking but what happened after that was not clear anymore. The scary thing was, the girls remembered every single detail about what I had said... that was what S-G was saying.

The girls did not fill me in about the whole shebang but whatever bits-n-pieces they dropped about what I mentioned drunk, freaked me out... To tell you the truth, sometimes, I do freak myself out... it is very scary sometimes. Even Momma looked quite shaken by it!

Apologies are in order if I had said anything I wasn't supposed to say; or did anything I wasn't supposed to do; or went anywhere I wasn't supposed to go... you get the idea! Well... I ain't gonna booze for quite awhile after this. The thought of what happened at the party is gonna haunt me for quite awhile.

With that said & done, I would also like to mention that "it was the greatest party ever!" and I'm sure Adam would share the same sentiment. Here's why:

1) The food was nothing short of edible and yet delectable. Them potatoes were good! I also liked them "balls and sausages"... ke ke ke! But my most favourite food of them all (which was pretty obvious) was the raw asparagus... it was, for lack of a better word, absolutely scrumptious.

2) The company was not dull... though at some point, the Christmas songs were. We had an UNO session which was something new to some of them party-people. We had to end that one game after quite some time since no one was winning and everybody was sabotaging everybody else... ha ha ha... and we were all like "colour-blind". That actually contributed to me getting a tad higher.


So a big TQ to S-G and her homeys for "the greatest party ever!"... and all her other posses as well for making this party such a fabulous one. Merry Christmas ev'ryone!




"Because I Got High" was a hit by Afroman from his album of the same title which was released in 2000. Incidently, blossoms_stoned used this as the main title of her blog.

No Scrubs! .....Oink! Oink!

Arrrggghh! Those scrubs... team Andy and Laura made it to the top in this leg. I like Laura tho'; it's Andy that is all filthy and crappy coz he's a Weasel... sleazy & shady (I think he is one in real life too!).

"Which came first... the chicken or the egg? You need to get the eggs 1st!" (that's Andy pretending to be nice to Francesca by telling her where to get the eggs)

Anyway, whether we like it or not, the fact is that the Amazing Race Asia already has a winner; just that we, the couch potatoes, do not know exactly who yet. It could be Andy and Laura... well! maybe not. As for me I'm still putting my weight on Andrew and Syeon who came in 2nd this time around even though they were trailing Howard & Sahran at the Detour.

I was rather surprised the remaining teams had to get to 2 countries in within 1 leg... that's quite rare too, ain't it? And even more surprised that, of so many BKK landmarks, the producers chose one that goes "Oink! Oink!"... and like Andrew commented... the landmark was quite small.

"We found the Bacon... now to the slaughter-house, I mean pit-stop"

"Oink! Oink!" goes the Bacon...

To be frank, I haven't been rooting for any all-girl group to win. None have won in any Amazing Race so far. I would be very happy to see this situation keep up... he he he! Zab & Joe Jer almost got eliminated in this leg... coz they came in last! But I guess LADY LUCK was on their side; the first all-Asian team to experience the non-elimination phenomenon. But, I guess I'm happy that they were not eliminated just yet. After all, they were nice enough to offer tips to compatriots Andrew & Syeon while they were in Wat Niwat Thamaprawat in Ayutthaya Province, Thailand.

"The Last of the all-female duo; extinction in sight! Not quite though!"

Anyway, this means that the chances of an all-girl team to win an Amazing Race grows ever slimmer that it will happen on Season 1 of The Amazing Race Asia. But between Zabrina and Joe Jer or Laura and Andy winning the coveted Top spot... I would rather Zab & Joe Jer than Laura & Andy.

Blabbers of the Numero Uno Amazing Race Junkie

I am a self-proclaimed Numero Uno Amazing Race Junkie... unfortunately, I have yet to be selected to appear in one yet. Well I did put in my application for the Amazing Race Asia. But NOOOO... the Producers probably didn't think that my team was good enough.

Styrofoam girl once told me that she thinks the Asian version is, to mildly put it, not as interesting as the American version. Although I do share her thoughts, I still watch the Asian version because if I do not support this one, then the likelihood of a 2nd season would be one wrung lower. But I am still pi**ed off at the fact that I'm not in Season 1. TARA Producers, notice how "dra-ma-tic" I can be. You have to have me in your race!

Anyway, I have been keeping mum about The Amazing Race Asia so far becoz... I'm still can't get over the fact I'm not running the race (emphasis on thick-skinned and "dra-ma-tic") . That is until now, I noticed what could be some injustice being perpetrated here. Before you go on readin, READ MY LIPS (or these words, coz u obviously cannot see my lips): I AM NOT A RACIST and this has nothing to do with being one.

First was the casting of caucasians in the Asian version... ok, for me I've already gotten over that coz there was a loophole in the entry requirements that allowed them to be eligible. Cased closed.

It was not until leg 6 that I had noticed a pattern. It was like that there was some force that was trying to keep these caucasians in the race for as long as possible. As if, the 'true' Asians are not worthy of finishing the race in top spot. I agree at the fact that Asians are way toooo nice thus mellowing the drama that would have been as exciting as TAR 10. Example, when a team gets stripped off their cash for being last in the non-elimination legs, all the other teams generously and willingly chip in a bit. I mean this is part and parcel of the race; the team without money are supposed to find their own way to raise cash... be it extortion, begging or even swindling... whatever, as long as it is their own effort. But NOOOO... because it is so-called "Asian" culture to be nice. For Godsakes, this is a race, a competition, a contest.

Anyway, back to what I was saying.

Coincidence Number 1: Sandy & Francesca arrived in last place at the pit stop of the 1st leg, which was atop the Menara Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. However, it was the 1st non-elimination leg!!! As far as I recall, NO Amazing Race has ever had a non-elimination on the 1st leg of the race. Fine!

"Last place; but you can't possibly eliminate us when the view of this beautiful country from here is absolutely majestic, can you?"

Coincidence Number 2: In leg 4, Howard and Sahran arrived at the pit stop near the Tall Bounty in Circular Quay, Sydney, Australia in last place. Furthermore, they had incurred a 4 hour time penalty for failing to complete a Roadblock. Lo and behold, this the 2nd "so-called" pre-determined non-elimination leg!!! Another caucasian spared from the axe. I'm fine with that... no problem there!

"Whoopee! We don't have to do the Roadblock coz Arniold Shwarzenegger would not be at the pit stop for this leg."

Coincidence Number 3??? (now I cry foul): In leg 6, Andy and Laura who came in 2nd place at the pit stop in Chard Farm Winery, Otago, New Zealand, had incurred a 92 minutes penalty for being caught speeding. They were penalized 2 minutes for every 1 km which they had exceeded above the speed limit. The speed limit was 100 kph and they were caught zooming at 146 kph. Then surprise! surprise! Alan announced that the time penalty would be carried out at the "pitstart". THAT IS SO UNFAIR!

"Hah! See, it pays to speed! We got booked but we're alive and still in the race!"

I mean, Sahil and Prashant had to serve their time penalty at the pit stop for breaking the rules of the game in Leg 5 as they hitched rides from private vehicles when they were in Devonport, New Zealand while searching for the girl on a swing. The were penalized a full 60 minutes; and it made all the difference because it resulted in their elimination eventhough Sharon and Melody were the last to arrive at the pit stop; the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand.

This time, Andy and Laura were penalized a full hour and a half. For all I know, that could have also made the difference. I'm no supporter of Sharon & Melody but I do not think it is justifiable to allow them to bear the brunt of such injustice. Andy & Laura should have served the time penalty at the pit stop. Is there even such a word as "pitstart" as belched by host Allan Wu?

"Victims of Injustice??? Is there a judge to preside over this?"

I hope the producers of The Amazing Race Asia can clarify on this coz I smell fish.

One more thing, I don't mean to criticize Allan Wu, but he is not suitable for the job of hosting the Amazing Race Asia. Time and time again, he has been pronouncing Kuala Lumpur incorrectly. Kuala Lumpur is four-syllabled in all, not three; it should have been pronounced "Koa-la Loom-por" not "Qua-lump-pour". The host of any Amazing Race should have the decency to get the pronounciation of every city correct. There should be no allowances for errors like these as it is a mark of respect to the city and country where the race is running through. I bet even Phil Keoghan knows better than to make such a mistake. Besides, he looks stiff and is as if he was reading his lines right smack in front of his face. Allan may be a good actor (or not, coz frankly speaking, I haven't seen any of his shows yet!) and probably has a humongous legion of fans. But allow me to reitterate this: Allan Wu is not suitable to be the host of the Amazing Race Asia.

The producers of TARA should consider replacing the current host with someone like... ME! (Oh! That's me again being thick-skinned!) I'm sure many extraordinary people out there like me can do a much better job than he. So why not? Think about it!

Anyway, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for The Amazing Race Asia Season 2 to happen. If any of the TARA producers are reading this and want to give me a "Fast Forward" into Season 2, please feel free to contact me. My eternal gratitude to you in advance.

I've said my piece. Now, I'm looking forward to TARA Race day... that's tomorrow! We'll see what happens.....

Return of the Insomniac...

The difference between feeling tired when you're travelling and feeling tired living a routine is the type of sleep you get.

Prior to my travels, I had problems getting a good night's sleep. No matter how long I slept, I always wake up feeling tired. The journey into the Sandman's realm was never one of leisure. Even if the storyline was good, the experience was always too exhausting an event to endure. The progression usually comes to an abrupt end and it usually is a cliffhanger which does not have an ending. It's like watching your favourite soap or series and suddenly the Producers decide the ratings are not worth continuing with the next episode.

When I was travelling, the journey was for the most part...for short of a better word, rather wearying. But at the end of the day, your senses just shut down; even Mr. Sandman's doors doesn't seem to want to welcome you. Imagine... suddenly the radio went silent, the TV went blank, the lights went out, the sights and sounds drowned into the darkness that almost seems surreal and eternal. And when the light of the World decides to switch on again, it feels like being a newborn again. Everything seems shiny and new and fresh. And while the journey may be physically and mentally taxing, the constant overwhelming of the senses, the sheer adrenaline-rush of uncertainties, the new faces that gets photographed into the mind, the excitement of a cultural shock... they somehow all convert into positive energy. This is the type of day, I would kill to have for the most part of my existence.

It has been more than a month since my last sabbatical and confinement in a box with 3 other extraordinary and special individuals. My current state seems have to reverted to prior my travels. And that's why I'm itching for the next.

Where would it be next? I have shortlisted a few... could it be Bhutan, the last Shangri-La on Earth; or the land Down Under, Australia; or mystical India; or even the unspoilt regions of the Kingdom of Laos.

Or maybe someone, somewhere out there has a suggestion... or even a remedy.

For now, I'll just settle for some good coffee which are very DARN EXPENSIVE here in Malaysia. In Vietnam, you could get a "Starbuck's-quality" cup of coffee for about 5,000 dongs almost everywhere... and that is about RM 1.25!!! In fact, I reckon at times, the quality even surpasses that of Starbucks! And that was why I fell in love with Vietnam...


...and the banter shall resume in another place and time! Time now, not to meet my Maker but his associate, Mr. Sandman.

My Personal Message to the Mindless Madman

I was doing a little clean-up of my inbox and found this hilarious picture. So thought I'd share with everyone:


...and as you can I see, I don't like Bush... In fact, I have labelled him George "Warmonger" Bush; till today I still despise him.

All the good that America use to stand for, all went down the gutters the moment he held office. Never in the history of the US of A, was there ever a moronic President who is in an ever constant state of denial like this one.

Here's my message to that nincompoop:

Mr. Bush, you have failed tremendously if peace is what you seek. The world is no longer a safe place, and that's all thanks to you. You no longer care about how the people of the World think about you. You don't care about poverty, hunger, misery and human rights. You only care about your big fat pockets.

Under Saddam Hussein, Iraq was prosperous albeit being ruled by a dictator. The Iraqis are no better now; worst still, they no longer have a life. They only hang by a thread made up of fear that they may not survive to see the day when the peace you promised them would materialize. You had your own agenda to pursue. And now you messed up! So stop giving excuses for your failures. Be accountable for your actions. Be a man and admit you were wrong all along. Your so-called liberation of the Iraqis was no liberation at all. With the carnage that they are witnessing now, they are better off with Saddam Hussein in power.

You believe in God, don't you? You believe in being righteous, don't you? Well, trust me, if there really is a God, you will rot in HELL for eternity for all the sufferings and misery you caused this World to endure. You are a mindless madman.

It's No Wonder Why I Don't Like to Watch Malaysian TV.....

Imagine... watching Desperate Housewives

... The episode where Gabrielle and Carlos are attending Sunday mass. The pastor suddenly announces the return of Sister Mary Bernard from her missionary work in Africa... And then... A LONG SILENCE... censored words that remove the humour from the joke. And you get frustrated trying to figure out what was funny about that!

Apparently, the scissors in Malaysia seem to be cutting all the good scenes, albeit the profanity. If u r going to cut too much... why the rating?... Might as well censor everything and give a "U" rating. The censorship board thinks that Malaysian adults do not have the mentality to watch such things.

Thank the Heavens I do not need to put up with such absurdity anymore... technology is advanced enough for me to obtain the shows I want to watch... ke ke ke.

And even better, while everyone is watching "pre-historic" seasons; I'm watching THE latest of them all.

You see, Malaysian TV is showing Season 2 of Desperate Housewives, Season 2 of Grey's Anatomy and has ended Season 2 of Boston Legal. I'm in the midst of Season 3 for all of them... hah! The only show I watch on TV is The Amazing Race; and that is becoz AXN is smart enough to air the show hours after they have aired over in America & Canada.

Oh and so u know... THE LONG SILENCE... was actually Gabrielle screaming "SON OF A BITCH" upon seeing Sister Mary Bernard... then realizing what she had done, she 'sshhh's the old lady behind her... and trust me! I fell off my chair laughing.

Recommended New Series: "Heroes" which tells a story of ordinary people who eventually wake up to new super-power abilities that will be required to prevent a catastrophe and save mankind. Starring Hayden Panettiere (as Claire Bennet; we last saw her as Ally McBeal's daughter), Masi Oka (as the lovable and charming Hiro Nakamura), Adrian Pasdar (as NY congressional candidate Nathan Petrelli), Milo Ventimiglia (as Nathan's brother, Peter Petrelli) and many more.

Oops... I forgot! Unless u r IN with the technology thingy, you'd probably have to wait a year or two before it reaches our shores and get subjected to the misdemeanour of the Malaysian Censorship Board!

TAR 10: Male Models win the million!!!

Yes... my favourite pair wins the million.

Ladies & Gentlemen:

After travelling more than 40,000 miles, 4 continents, 13 countries, 27 cities; The winners of The Amazing Race 10 are:

Tyler & James

... and coming in second are Rob & Kimberly, with Lyn & Karlyn in third place. And once again, no all-girl duo has yet to cross the Amazing Race finish line in first place!