Tuesday, July 31, 2007

The one where I became creative-attacking-genuis to villain

Futsal day today. Been really looking forward to futsal these days. Been an outlet for all the stress I've been under. Been screaming and shouting a lot during games usually after a great assist, breathtaking goal and also on the occasional miss when I should have scored.
Today's game was a whole lot of fun. Gliding and dancing along the left flank. Beating defenders and making the cross for a simple tap-in for a teammate. Beating the defenders was a whole lot of fun, getting to the byline, making everyone think I ran out of space before one last ball controlling move to cross to a teammate. Honestly sometimes I'm not sure what I'll be doing, as I really see what is laid in front of me. There are times I myself wonder how I pulled of that move. At times its all quick thinking and instincts. But as long I pull it off than I have no complaints. Just want to keep the game exciting, entertaining and fun.
Now for the villain part. Went for 50-50 ball with the goalie. He slid down to clear it which he did and I jump to avoid any contact with him. Next thing I knew he was getting up while I was in mid-air. Realize my hang time isn't what it use to and in my attempt to land my feet I accidentally hit him on the neck. It was unintentional as everyone saw (I hope) that I tried to avoid any contact with him. After the collision I didn't continue playing as I need to help out my friend off-court. Got him an ice-pack as there was swelling at his neck. Anyways hope its nothing serious and hopes he recovers soon.
At least the game has help me put my personal issues aside, even if its just for that one hour of playing time.

Monday, July 30, 2007

The one with another Monday story

Another Monday has come and will soon go (in roughly about 3 hours). Sometimes I wonder how I manage to pull through. Then again how do I do it on a daily basis. Work as of late has not been kind. Yes I know I have been complaining about work a lot. Honestly I have no idea how long I'll be able to keep this Gandhi like patience and zen-like-calm before I finally crack or lose it (and I have been thisclose on a number of occasions).
Maybe instead of blaming everything around me, I figured I look into myself. More of a self-evaluation post on my first 3 months at my new gig. Maybe the reason I'm going through all this is I haven't been able to elevate myself to another level. Maybe my performance has not really been up to the expectations of the people around me. Not to say I've been slacking at work. I do get the job done. Well the main things that I'm expected to do. Things that I know I'm good at.
However when it comes to the extras, that's where it all kicks in. Things where I have to rely on my colleagues cooperation. And somehow getting them to cooperate is like asking them to move heaven and earth. The end product depends on what they give me, which has not made me look good as the new kid. I don't really want to get in their face because they are all more experienced than me and I don't want to show up, especially when I'm not in my element. If this was a basketball court I'll send them to school. Well that's another story.
I don't think I've adapted to the extra burden of responsibilities. It was handed over to me all of a sudden when one colleague shifted to another desk. And everything just passed over to me. Its all pretty much to take in and I have been forced to grow up too fast. Kinda like being shoved into the deep end.
But I know I am a whole lot better than this. All I need to do is refocus.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

The one with The Simpsons Movie and fruits

Went for the Simpsons movie last night. Something different from the new-age 3D animation flicks. The movie remains true to their 2D roots which we all are very familiar to. The movie was a barrel of laughs and good fun. The length of the movie surprised me. It was roughly about 1 hour and 15 minutes. After all the 2 hours or 3 hours flicks, it was a nice change as my attention span isn't really that long. Overall a good fun movie which doesn't drag meaninglessly.
Todays events was more of returning to nature and revisiting the village roots. My boss had a local fruit fest at his house. When I arrived there was only durians though. He mention that the rambutans, mangosteen and pulasan had to be plucked from his in-laws house. Now that was the fun part. I was expecting tall trees for me to climb, but the trees weren't that tall and the fruits can be easily plucked from ground level. We had a good harvest of fruits and I think I ate way too much. Hopefully I don't fall sick and heaty.
Went for futsal Saturday after that. Still manage to run after all that food. Had a good workout and great sexy-futsal fun with the guys.
Short post this time around as I'm keeping it short and simple. Got some gaming to do after this.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

The one with random ramblings

Where do I begin? My mind kinda messed up at the moment, so probably I be posting will probably not make any sense and wouldn't have any direction. Even I myself am not sure what I be typing. Guess I be going with the flow.
Well its been rainy season this whole week. Its a good thing when you are playing futsal as the outside temperature isn't like an oven. Usually when it rains during futsal, I seem to be more into the game and energetic as well as creative. Tuesday's session was a blast. We controlled the first half of the game with sexy futsal. But as the game wore on, the defence began shutting me down as well as fatigue kicking in, we lost control of the game as we didn't keep to the earlier sexy futsal tactics. But when my team was on fire, it was a joy to watch and be part of.
The rain has not help the past two nights though. I missed Wednesday futsal due to murderous traffic and missed my Thursday jog with office mates due to the falling water from the sky. Kinda feel inactive, two days without activity especially when I'm in my 'need-to-play-to keep-my-mind-off-personal-issues' mode. But maybe the rest has done some good, as fatigue has been a factor of late, probably due to work and stuff hanging on my shoulders.
As for my earlier post, I feel a whole lot better now. Told myself that nothing happened so just move on. Why get myself worked up about things that never happen.
This weekend my department is organizing a durian party at my boss's crib. Sounds like a whole lot of fun and probably another office activity without me jumping making noise (meaning karaoke).
Guess that's it for now. Should probably get some sleep soon. Thank God tomorrow is Flyday.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

The one where I hate this feeling I'm feeling

Here's a post where I'm trying to express what I'm feeling inside. Maybe to try to let out what is going on in my mind. As of late I do look a little lost. I'm not sure how this post will turn out, but just see where all the typing takes me. To sum it up in song, listen to James Morrison's The Pieces Don't Fit Anymore.
I'm the type of person who keeps everything inside regardless how I feel. I know its not good and probably be the death or currently downfall of me. For one, I keep my true feelings for someone inside. I care a lot for this particular someone but it seems we enjoy hanging with each other I fear we fallen into the 'friends zone'.
So why don't I just tell her how I feel. Well for one I don't want to spoil it all by saying something stupid like "I love you". And two, because the last time I did that it didn't turn out well. But that was probably ill-advised and wasn't really in my league.
If I was enjoying hanging with her, why do i feel like this. Earlier this week I suddenly felt what I felt was not there. Have I fallen out of whatever you call it. The timing sucks too. It happen on the week of her birthday. Her birthday just passed and I didn't get or done anything yet. Originally had something special planned, but deemed too much and probably would freak her out anyway. So had to change plans and for once I didn't have a back-up plan. I have been trying to look for a present but just couldn't think of anything sincerely. Totally my bad.
This 'falling-out-of' or 'drifting-away' phase is something I really hate going through. As now I just want to be alone. Stay in the solitary confinement of the four walls of my room, either playing games or surfing.
Why do I feel as such. Maybe reality hit me. Maybe it wasn't going anywhere long term. Maybe it hit me that she didn't feel the same way. Maybe we live different lives that I just wouldn't fit in. Maybe she is more happy where she is in her life. Maybe it will work. Maybe it will not work.
So in the end I bet you all are saying 'just tell her'. I would, but in my life, some things are better left unsaid.

Monday, July 16, 2007

The one with football news

Honestly I have no idea what to post. Then after watching Brazil beat Argentina (again) as well as a certain Englishman trying to play football in America I might as well give my 2 cents on the matter.
So David Beckham has finally hit the West Coast. In the city where the purple and gold of the LA Lakers rule (until Kobe Bryant gets traded). A lot has been documented on his move to the States. For me, he would find it hard to attract a mass audience to follow soccer. Americans loves sports where the numbers are big. Like in basketball, scores adding up to two hundred plus points or high scoring points awarded for a touchdown like American football or high scoring games in ice-hockey and baseball (to me the most boring sport on earth, after cricket). Americans don't like games where it ends nil-nil or ends in a tie. They are more fascinated by feats of athleticism such as watching Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson flying/driving/soaring to the rim. Or watching precise rocket launching passing by Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Things that will make you fall out of your seat. Believe me, watching ballers perform super-human-like-gravity-defying moves really make you fall off your seat.
So what can Becks do to attract an audience? Maybe his free kicks will make some highlights and have some kid at least try to bend-it-like-Beckham. Besides that, he will just sell jerseys. It was reported his jersey has sold 250,000 units already. Maybe soon some kid here will where his jersey playing futsal. Anyways, best of luck to Becks.
Currently one continental tournament has ended and one is still in the early stages. The Copa America has just ended with Brazil beating Argentina in the final 3-0. The Asian Cup is which Malaysia is co-hosting doesn't seem to be attracting much interest to me. As for Malaysian football, let me have my say on that in a later post.
Brazil and Argentina, among two nations known for a conveyor belt of talent. All raised in the 'sexy-football' syllabus. The things they can to with the ball is breathtaking.
Argentina has a gem in Lionel Messi, whose skills and ball control are a sight to behold. What he lacks in size, he makes up with speed and control. Go to YouTube and look him up. Some of his goals will make you fall off your seat, especially the one against Getafe while playing for Barcelona. Recently he scored a goal which is a masterstroke of genius against Mexico in the Copa America semi-final. How he pulled that of, I have no idea.
The Brazilian master pulled out of the tournament due to fatigue as he single-handedly lead his team to the Champions League title. Kaka is also another playing who is a joy to watch. A creative-attacking-midfield genius.
Back to the final. Argentina were the early favourites as they played with more flair. Honestly I thought they would run rings around Brazil. Somehow Brazil stunned the favourites by scoring 2 well taken goals (the other was an own-goal, but the build up was good). Julio Baptista, Daniel Alves and an own goal by Roberto Ayala did the damage. I loved the third goal scored by Alves. It was a 2-on3 situation with Vagner Love bring the ball up. Then a defence splitting pass hit Alves perfectly in stride to score. Balance, poise, patience, timing and precision as well as ice-cool finishing on display there.
Now I'm so excited about tomorrow's futsal session. Hopefully I can have a good game.

Monday, July 9, 2007

The one with another crappy Monday

Another Monday thrashing post. But this one has been building up so can't really blame the day. Just a coincidence. Then again everything that can go wrong will go wrong on a Monday.
Well today's events is not entirely work related but more in the lines of 'what the hell am I doing with my life'. You can say its purely based on emotion. I've reached the stage where I look back and reflect on what I've done. Have I really achieved anything?
Sometimes I wish I have the guts to drop everything and do something I'm more passionate about. Even better go to a place where no one knows my name. I want to get involved with sports. Since I'm already at or past the peak of my powers I guess pro sports is about 10 years too late. Maybe I can get into coaching. Train the generation of footballers or ballers on how to play to entertain.
I realize what I'm doing now isn't me. I myself don't really know where I'm headed. Guess the only reason I'm sticking around is money and the hours are pretty good.
I know I'm not doing a really good job of explaining here, but then again I am a closed book at times. Especially when it comes to issues within. Maybe in future I try to elaborate more.
Don't know if what I've said makes any sense. Guess its just one of those days.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

The one with Shah-Faizah's wedding

Triple 7 day today. Which is also the wedding reception for ShahFaizah. Congratulations to both of them on their joyous occasion.
The night before was the akad nikah ceremony. Which myself and Farrish attended, just to be there for Shah. Well he manage to go through the akad on the first try.
Today's reception is at Faizah's side in Bangi. Convoyed with Shah (the other one), Badrul, Jeff, Lan and his partner Lin (hang on, that rhymes). Farrish himself was the best man or in today's case the kipas boy. Something I believe he is kind of an expert by now. We all had futsal later, but somehow didn't take care of the food intake. I myself had two helpings as the chicken was so good.
There was a live band performance, and I was wondering why I wasn't asked to sing. But then again, I don't really know any wedding songs and I don't think My Chemical Romance would be appropriate for the occasion. We all hanged around until 3:15 as we had to go for futsal.
Now for some photos from the wedding reception.

Shah, Bad, Jeff, Lan & Lin
The Kipas-boy (Farrish) and the groom (Shah)
Shah-Faizah
Live band

Today's game was so much fun. Must be the chicken. Today's game was recorded and hopefully Jeff will pass the DVD next week. A lot of footage to use this time around (I know I still haven't uploaded the last video). And I scored a goal which would make ESPN Top Ten Plays of the Day. Good game all around, fun free flowing futsal with beautiful goals.
And if you all wondering when is my turn for the big day, how about 29 February 2009. The reason, the 29 effect.

Monday, July 2, 2007

The one where I had to be more than Superman

Just realized that my previous post was my 50th. Coincidentally it was about my birthday. What are the odds.
Well Monday's events had reality kick in again. Shorthanded at the office, and really had to be more than Superman as well as displaying Jedi-like patience. All pulled off reluctantly. And I'm pretty much hungry as I didn't have lunch, and didn't eat what my colleague bought for me until 5pm.
So what happened? Well only 3 dealers on duty in my desk (minus the bosses). But in the end only two were really working. It was pretty much expected and we did try our best. Well the one guy who didn't seem to pull his weight was expected to just do enough for himself. Didn't even have the courtesy to help out. Also when you included external disturbances in the force, its hard to get anything done. They all forget that I am just one man. So many things to do, so little time, and too many demands from those who don't seem to understand that we are trying.
In the end we finished everything and that mention with the fact a lot of people breathing down our necks.
Besides work I was frustrated with the system. I was pulling my hair out most of the time. I admit when it comes to machines I'm a perfectionist. I want to control and take over the system. So when I got called out for a lot of mistakes I was damn frustrated and felt like wielding my lightsaber wild.
Anyways lets hope for a relatively normal day tomorrow. Too tired to elaborate further.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

The one with the day after my birthday

Been some time since my last post. Nothing really much to say as of late. Anyways, it was my birthday last Friday. Nothing really happen though on Friday, except a slice of cake from my office colleague.
The action played out on Saturday. After futsal, we had dinner at Johnny's at One Utama. Pre-event before the main event, Transformers. Dinner was with Farrish, Farah, Faizah and the two Shahs. Got a t-shirt as a birthday gift. The t-shirt read "Am 'not' Bank, therefore AmBroke". Cool t-shirt, maybe I should wear it under my shirt at work.
Then movie time. We were later joined by Hafizah and Mark for some transforming action. Overall movie was watchable, but being a Micheal Bay movie, he did drag it. Some scenes were not really necessary and sadly there wasn't much character development on the Decepticons. The movie focused a wee bit too much on the humans. Didn't really see all the robots in their glory, especially Megatron who only transformed into whatever he was suppose to be only once.
Also received a birthday gift from Hafizah. Got Kinokuniya vouchers, guess I should be heading off to buy books soon.
Well post-movie, thought we were going for drinks. Apparently they had surprise for me, karaoke. Yeah baby, another vocal-exercise session cum rock concert. Only Farah and Mark were unable to join us. Had great fun (then again, karaoke with the gang has always been a blast). Just wish they had more up-to-date songs, or at least some My Chemical Romance.
After karaoke, last event was some 'nasi-lemak' action somewhere near Kampung Baru. After that we all finally made our way home.
As I was driving, I was hoping my car would transform.