The one with another loss in the family

Recently had to endure another loss in the family. This time, was my uncle from my dad's side. That makes two deaths in the span of eight days.
I'm still at times lost as I've yet to recover from my grandfather's death. And now with another passing, not sure how soon will I recover. Its seems as if i froze still, and yet the world is still moving on around me.
Thanks to all who offered their words of support and prayers. I really do appreciate it and so does my family.

The one where my grandfather passed away

Just came back from my hometown, Kajang. My grandfather passed away earlier today at the age of 79. A sad day for the whole family.
I received a call from my sister informing that my grandfather just passed away. I took a cab to the hospital after that. I arrived in time before they wanted to bring the body for mandi jenazah. I was crying a river then, and had to be consoled by my mum and uncle. My mum told me he died peacefully in his sleep. And I was just there on his bedside the day before.
I along with my uncles assisted with the mandi jenazah ritual. After the solat jenazah, his body was brought back to Kajang. The weather itself was gloomy, but the rain stopped as we went to the cemetery for the burial. I helped out with the burial, but since it was after the rain, extra effort had to be put to lay the earth into the burial site. It did rain again after the burial was done.
Its weird when you lose something forever, random images come into mind. I remembered some moments with my grandfather when I was a kid growing up.

Haji Hashim
26 March 1929 - 20 November 2008

The one with the long day at the hospital

Another long day for me. The whole daylight hours was spent at HUKM. Received a call from my mum as I was about to reach the office. My grandfather was in critical condition. So informed my colleagues and hitch a ride with my sister, as she drives to work these days (she just bought a new car).
Upon reaching the hospital, from the look of most of my relatives, they were all fearing the worse. My grandfather needs the aid of an oxygen machine to help him breathe. Even with that, you can sense the struggle for every breathe. My grandfather has Parkinson's, and from the doctor's x-rays, he has viral infection in his lungs and its spreading to his kidney. I for one, despite following a number of medical television series, (House MD) I'm no medical expert and wouldn't be able to explain further fearing of getting my facts wrong.
A lot of relatives came to visit. And I have to admit, we do have a large family due to my grandfather's "branches". And I also do not know most of them. The only way I knew they were family as we all have the same features.
Spent the whole afternoon at my grandfather's bedside, keeping him calm whenever his hands started to shake. Since he was on the breathing apparatus, he wasn't able to communicate. But I hope he manage to rest while I was at his bedside.
As of my time of leaving the hospital, my grandfather's condition stabilized, but still needs the oxygen support to breathe. As for what happens next, I have no idea.
Manage to join the futsal Wednesday session for a bit. Needed to just run out a bit. And for once, I didn't celebrate any of my goals. And in the last game, I banged in a hat-trick and dedicated it to my grandfather.
As for tomorrow, I do hope and pray for a clearer picture on my grandfather.

The one with the eventful Monday morning and Monday night and nothing else in between

Been a while since I came up with a title that didn't make any sense. And despite my busy schedule in management, I'm taking the time to write this post.
First of all, my brother-in-law's car was stolen this morning. The car was parked outside the house. Along with most of my neighbor's wheels. Kind of a shock for the family as it was still the early hours of the day (I leave home at 6.30AM). The look on my brother-in-law's face pictured his disbelief and shock. I'm not going into detail on the car theft. As not much can be done at the moment, and telling it would only bore you with what most people know. Malaysia is no longer safe and their thieves are no longer honorable to the code.
I for one believe that there is no honor among thieves these days. There was a time when you would steal from those who deserve to be robbed, mainly the corrupt. People who earn their living on our hard earn money. You don't steal from the common folk who are also struggling to make ends meet without robbing someone. That is the part that really pissed me off. What have my brother-in-law or my family done for that matter done to whoever stole the car?
Furthermore, to complicate matters, my sister was suppose to drive back to Penang this morning. Only for her to take the bus back. It also complicated things for my brother-in-law, as he had to go do the necessary paperwork and report. And we all know how helpful the people upholding the law and insurance companies can be when it comes to this. Especially the insurance companies. They will probably go all out to sell you whatever policy they can, and promising the claims will be done swiftly. Only for them to make us go from A to B to C and A again just to submit the claims. And after that who knows when we will get our claims.
A very frustrated me today. I for one having played the thief knows still abide by the code.
As for the Monday night. When I reached home, my mum told me that my grandfather is sick. Everyone is going to visit him at my uncle's place in Bukit Antarabangsa. Lately, my grandfather is not well, due to old age. But today he condition worsen. His condition stabilized later, and he was sent to the hospital for further observation.
I pray that he will be okay.

The one with the reason why I won't be online much these days

As most of friends know, I'm usually online most of the time. Usually my G-Talk and Facebook. But now, I will not be as active. Reason being, I'll be busy managing a football team. Leading them to glory. And what on earth am I yapping about? Well, Football Manager 2009 is out baby. The return of sleeples nights, planning tactics in my head, player management, training schedules, etc.....


Okay, time to go back to management.

The one with unrelated info

Just thought I just post something meaningless and irrelevant.
So my Spurs are finally picking this season. Ten league points from our last 4 league games and a UEFA Cup group match win. And finally we get to see free-flowing-inventive football. Its a joy to watch especially new boy Luka Modric. The kid is a playmaking genius. He has great vision, poise, flair and balance. He probably sees the game a few moves before everyone else. Finally something for the Spurs fans to cheer about after the very dismal start to the season.
Well random unrelated karaoke point. I've met quiet a number of people who all share the joy of karaoke-ing. Seems like its the new 'IN' thing. Can't blame them really, it is a whole lot of fan. And since Mamma Mia hit the cinemas, ABBA songs are suddenly the 'must-sing' songs. Also, we tapped into a genre, more like a group's song to our repertoire. We can now do Boyz to Men and Black Eyed Peas. Proof that we are more versatile than ever.
Futsal wise, way off form at the moment. After the 8 games in 2 weeks run, I only played twice last week. Now that I'm well rested, I raring to go.
And the point of all this.....I have no idea.

The one with the 200th

Well what do you know. Post 200 already. Should have been earlier, as time constraints is the main reason why. So what will it be about.
How about a double feature movie review. I manage to watch Quantum of Solace and Madagascar 2 these past couple of days.
The last movie that I was looking forward to for 2008. Being a Bond fan, this was highly anticipated after the success of Casino Royale. After all the hate Danial Craig received prior to Casino Royale, he convinced everyone that he was the Bond for the new age. Sadly, yes sadly the QoS didn't live up to expectations. I left the cinema saying to myself "what the hell was that?". First up, it wasn't even a Bond film. The stripped the essence of Bond movies and made it more into a Jason Bourne movie. Even the opening credits sequence was crap as well as the song by Jack White and Alicia Keys. Not one of their memorable works despite their accolades.
I was disappointed that Bond was less witty and didn't even have one of those one-liners which we all love. Gadgets wise there was nothing except a Sony Ericsson mobile phone which served as an advertisement. But gadgets wasn't really an issue as Q has yet to be introduced. Even Bond doesn't seem to say much. Just a lot of action sequences.
Even the villain wasn't villainous enough. I do know they want to do away with cheesy villains from Bond past. But at least have him commit a villainous act. And no, drowning Gemma Arterton's character in oil doesn't count, because we didn't see it. Even the villainous plot wasn't well developed. I think the whole idea was about water.
And one final complaint, Olga Kurylenko's character doesn't take her clothes off!
So to offset the 007 disappointment, I went for a movie which is fun. I went for Madagascar 2. It was a good laugh and enjoyable to watch. I guess I do really enjoy cartoons.
Oh well, that's about it I guess. Here's to the next 100.

The one where I could use a break...from futsal

Again I apologize for another disappearance. Things have been chaotic at work and home. And what do I do to clear my head, even for a while. Run around like a headless chicken on the futsal court.
As of last Saturday, I've played 8 games in the space of 12 days. Two straight weeks of playing on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. And since I do have issues, I went all out on those games. Was beginning to suffer loss of form by last Friday and last Saturday totally off-form. Also was beginning to have back problems since last Wednesday.
So for the first time in a while, I will give futsal Tuesday a miss (much to the shock of my fellow teammates). Ending a run of God knows how many consecutive appearances. Not that I don't want to play, but could use a different social activity. But I will keep my gear in the car in case the event is canceled.
So I probably sit out for one game and be back hopefully for Wednesday's session. In case you are wondering, all these sessions are with different groups. So I'm the only one without a social life free enough to join all the sessions.
Also, can't wait for Quantum of Solace to come out. Been a while since we had a blockbuster.