The one with the Persian film, Cease Fire

A new first for me. Catching a Persian film at GSC International Screens. I was recommended to watch this film by my colleague. And may I say, a very excellent film.
Well I'll give a brief description about the film, as it has very limited screenings. It starts as a married couple looking to file a divorce. The wife Sayeh arrives first, followed by the husband Yousef. The wife was looking for the divorce lawyers office, only to end up at a therapist's office. The therapist, hang on, if you put a space between the e and r you will get the rapist, interesting. Back to the story, the therapist takes an interest in Sayeh's case and asks what is wrong with the marriage. So she tells what the couple goes through. The therapist advises that the marriage can still be saved. After Sayeh leaves the office, Yousef comes by the therapist's office demanding to know what his wife was doing there. The therapist then hears the story from Yousef's side of the story. He then advise the couple to take a break from each other and during the break, he provides the couple a video of how to help mend things, by looking within themselves. He guides them through the process with a series of exercises of understanding one's self. To me that was cleverly done.
The movie itself shows a modern Iran. The married couple driving European cars (BMW and Pegeout), working as engineers, in a very modern crib with very posh furniture.
And below I want to share my favourite scene from the film. One of their many childish antics against each other.

The one with the birthday gift hunting

It's that time of the year where I really have trouble with. Birthday gift hunting. I admit I very lousy when it comes to birthday gifts. And with a number of my friends birthday's coming up, I really caught in between a rock and hard place.
I remember somewhere last year I was at wits end looking for a gift. For me I want to get something practical. That's why 2006 was the easiest year for me. It was the year of the pashmina. They really make great gifts. But I can't keep giving them every year right.
Seriously if I can't figure out what to get I'll just make one of my origami cranes. Like they say, the best gifts are those made with our hands. Or something like that.
Anyways, any of you have any ideas?

Back To Black by Amy Winehouse

The one with some train stories

A public holiday today. And a well needed break I say. Catching a movie later, so figure I write something about my daily commute on the train. Before I continue I take the Putra from Kelana Jaya to the city. I've been taking the train for the past three years (I think) and there are some (un)interesting stories.
Most people who take the train will either be listen to their music whether on their ipods, mp3 players or their mobile phones. Also most of them would be reading either a book or the newspaper or even a magazine. I most of the time (since I got my ipod) will be lost in the world of music. Sometimes I'll pull out a book, if I bother reading.
However there are some irritating behaviours on the train. For example talking too loud. Seriously dude, I didn't ask you to bore me with your family history or work issues or even your cat. These characters would either be talking to a friend or be on their mobile. Usually I counter this by blasting my music till his or her voice is drained out.
One disgusting behaviour, which by the way I saw last week was some dude was picking his nose throughout the whole journey. Don't people clear their nose before going out anymore. I had to cover my face with the newspaper, cause the sight was disgusting. I couldn't move to another spot as the train was already packed.
One incident I remember from a couple of years ago was the the crying girl. There was this girl standing next to me on the train reading her novel. Then suddenly halfway she started crying. At that time I thought, that must be one sad story she was reading, might have the Chinese version of Chicken Soup. Then she closed her book and continued crying. Then she really burst into tears. And me being somewhat of a concern citizen, asked "excuse me miss, is everything all right?". Then the floodgates open and the other passengers were looking at me. Probably in their mind I must have done something to make her cry. Then it was my stop and so I got off. And still I have no idea what happened.
Also what I like about my train trips is seeing the friendly faces on the train. No need to go up with some pick up line or anything. Just the casual 'good morning smile'. I sometimes hear stories about people meeting their partners on the train. As for me, I rather play it safe and keep things on a friendlier basis. They probably remember me as "that-tall-fella-with-his-ipod-and -warm-friendly-smile-that-helps-start-my-day".
Alrighty then, going off for lunch and movie now.

The one with the fun futsal

Just got back from another great game of futsal. A really fun and well needed workout.
Extra special today as NTV7 cameras were there, but sadly they were shooting footage from another court. And there you had players from my game (especially me) doing all sorts of fancy tricks and skills trying to get attention. Besides attention from the cameras, were also trying to impress the hostess Shanon Lee (I think). Still with everyone in all out mode, we had a really great game. Great goals, great skills and overall total sexy football.
I myself didn't display a consistent predatory instincts. I missed a couple of open sitters, but manage to score more spectacular goals. Maybe my game isn't the total finisher style. My game is more suited as the player behind the main scorer. More in the lines of play making genius.
Also making his return is Dr. Asyraf. He made a comeback after an attempt in politics. He was running for Parliament seat in Tumpat, Kelantan. He didn't win, but still manage a strong showing. With him back in the lineup, his lefty bullet also made a return. Memo to self, next time he shoots, just get out of the way.
Okay, time to let my body heal. Good night.

The one with the five

Just decided to go with a weird title with no relation to what I'm posting. Well maybe there is, well maybe I will just list down five random points or events or news from the past few days.
One, word out for my injured friend Shahrizan. Found out he has a torn ligament and broken bone chips (hope I got that right, if the Mrs is reading please re-confirm). The injury was way much worse than expected. Now I've lost 2 teammates to injury. I fear an exodus will follow in the wake of this and the futsal session players will be depleted. Even if we try to be careful and not do a 'Martin Taylor' there will still be one or two over-zealous robust jokers who just want to inflict pain on someone. Nowadays I try to play smart instead of relying on skills and talent. Pace myself and let the game flow with precise ball placement.
Two, had an impromptu karaoke session last weekend with Farrish and Shahreza. I believe these unplanned sessions are a whole lot fun. And it all began while we were listening to Backstreet Boys...I mean Bon Jovi in Farrish's car. We were listening to an old CD from Farrish's days in college. From there we just went with the flow to rock the house. Its safe to say (or not) that my karaoke groove is back.
Three, I really need to lose weight. That seems to be the first comment I get every time I meet some friends I haven't met in ages. Just told them I spend my money on food since I have no one to spend/pamper/spoil my money with. Changing my dietary habits by cutting out rice from my diet. But also need to figure out alternative exercise habits since futsal hasn't really help.
Four, word up to my friend Shahreza. He recently join the Telekom rowing team. They will be competing in some water festival event at the end of the month. Make the entourage proud dude.
Five, its reported the New York governor Eliot Spitzer spent $80,000 on sex. The question is, who's money was it? Money from his own pocket or the New Yorkers.
Damn, that was harder than I thought.

The one with my half cents worth

The General Election results are all said and done. While the results came to shock for most people, I part of he silent minority expected the outcome. By the way, I will remain silent till Amryl makes a run to become President of The Republic of Malaysia. As for the results, they had it coming.
I for one is glad that there are a number of youngsters making the presence felt and heard his time around. The so-called Gen Y is making its presence felt. Young guns from the professional background and know what is really going on. Finally, we have a voice. Something fresh, to replace the (how do I say this) about-to-expire faces. Hopefully this would a start for change in this nation. In the age of Barrack Obama, anythings possible. Also, the foreign media was having a field day with the results.
As for me, the past week still hasn't been good for me. After my futsaling performance last Tuesday, I suffered a slump for the next couple of sessions. Missed a couple of open goals during Wednesdays session. And my passing has been totally off. Well hope to get back on track. I believe its because the number of games I play a week (four sessions) is why my form is inconsistent. But for me, I have to play. I need the exercise and need to fill my time with something. And it helps take my mind off things. Maybe the key thing now is get proper rest after games. My body does not heal as fast as it use too.
Alright, now to log off and get some sleep.

The one with where I got tagged

8 things I’m passionate about:

1. music
2. cinema
3. theatre
4. performing arts
   
5. books
6. jessica alba
7. natalie portman
8. rachel wiesz

8 things I say often:

1. hello
2. ambank group treasury, good morning/afternoon
3. how you doing?
4. you have waaaaay to much free time
5. how do you like me now?
6. all-righty then
7. ggggooooaaalllllll!!!!!
8. i'm always around

8 books I’ve read recently:

1. fragile things by neil gaiman
2. rules for the modern man by dylan jones
3. anansi boys by neil gaiman
4. the oracle by valerio massimo manfredi
5. confessions of an economic hitman by john perkins
6. the zahir by paulo coelho
7. how to win friends and influence people by dale carnegie
8. the game by neil strauss

8 things to do before I die:

1. rule the world
2. find the fountain of youth
3. break someone out of prison
4. star in my own reality show
5. release a rock album
6. make the cut for People's Magazine 50 Most Beautiful People
7. repopulate the human race
8. threesome with Japanese twins (yeah I know, I ripped that from Austin Powers)

8 songs I could listen to over and over again:

1. any beatles song
2. any elvis song
3. any u2 song
4. any linkin park song
5. any my chemical romance song
6. i'd do anything for love but i won't do that by meatloaf
7. sorry by buckcherry
8. thks fr th mmrs by fall out boy

8 things I learn in the last year:

1. how to score more wonder goals
2. how to run an nfl franchise in madden 2008
3. how to lead spurs to glory in football manager 2008
4. how to blog
5. how to use facebook
6. how to have more fun at karaoke
7. how buy adidas shoes for a one year old
8. how to change my basketball mindset from having the need to score points to making highlight reel assists

The one with the goal-scoring fun

Just got back from futsal. And boy did I really need a session like that. The setting was perfect. Just after the rain, sufficient number of players and wide open spaces for me to exploit. Plus the fact I scored a number of wonder goals.
As to why I needed this session, well besides the need to run is that the past few days have been a real downer for me. Things just not going right, everything that could go wrong, went wrong. I needed to just let it all out. Tried talking to someone about it, but who? So why not bang in goals left, right and centre. Had a number of highlight reel goals. My favourite was the back to the goal and defender and flick the ball over the defender for the bullet volley. That was pure class. Also proved to people that I can score with my left foot. Scored two crackers with it.
Oh well what else. Oh yeah, ShahFaizah had their housewarming last weekend. Pot-luck event, as usual I made my olio pasta. Not sure if it was a hit, since most of the guests arrive later when I was about to leave. But the early-bird dishes was my pasta, sate, some jelly like desert and chips. Only later did the chicken (uncle Sanders chicken) and some other dishes I can't recall since I was stuffed with pasta and sate by then. As for their crib, very nice place. Love the kitchen (and not because of the mirrors on the kitchen wall).
Okay, time to log off. Having a really bad headache.