Keep on blogging

Wow! Its one day to June and that means I'm about to begin my third year of blogging. No matter if nowadays blogging is ...... so yesterday. I do it for my own pleasure. I will continue to blog even if no one read what I write. At least I can turn to my blog for help when its time for me to start telling grandfather stories.

Fifty three going on to fifty four

I feel my age when young people start addressing me as Pak Cik. I feel even older when small kids start addressing me as Tok. I guess reality cannot be denied. I might feel young at heart but the truth is, I'm fifty three years old and counting. When for the first time the kid at the nearby shop called me Tok, I was shocked and almost fainted. I staggered out of the shop in a daze, suddenly feeling the need to have a look at me in the mirror! Am I that old?

Imam Muda vs Akademi Al Quran

The Imam Muda reality program came on air recently. Having waited for it, I wasted no time in watching. However, much to my despair, I discovered that also on air at the same time on another channel was the Akademi Al Quran reality program. That really put me in a spot. I ended up having to switch channels every few minutes!

The internet is at best ..... terrible!

I'm having a frustrating time with the internet. The whole of last night, it decided to go to sleep. This morning its blowing hot and cold. Okay one minute and not okay the next. Terrible! Read somewhere that even Zimbabwe is having faster internet connection than us Malaysian. How can that be?

Apple is bigger than microsoft

Apple, which has all along been playing second fiddle to Microsoft has finally overtaken the computer giant as the biggest technical company in US. Never thought I'd live to see the day as Apple computers were always thought to be second best. But with a growing reputation for quality and innovative products such as the I Phone and now the I Pad, the inevitable has to happen, sooner or later.

Is my body getting younger.... and stronger?

Its been about three months since I started drinking this fruit juice with 'acai berry' in it. Don't know if its because of the juice that I am able to jog faster and further nowadays but I am certainly feeling stronger. I can jog everyday now, without the need for a rest and recovery, something which I have not been able to do since my late thirties.

High Definition TV

Been enjoying the French Open in HD. The picture is so clear its unreal. It is as if I'm watching live albeit little people on my TV screen. I have this funny feeling that they could suddenly jump out of the TV screen and appear right before me. HD is really a new experience. Just can't wait for the World Cup to start.

What a pleasant surprise!

I went jogging on Friday and rested on Saturday. On Sunday, I had my usual swim. Come Monday, the weather was so beautiful and sunny, decided to go jogging although it was supposed to be my rest day. Initially, I was apprehensive and ran cautiously but to my surprise, I felt good. Looks like I don't need any rest day now. Can jog everyday just like in my younger days when I can play football everyday and don't get tired.

Maurinho, a winner again

I was too tired to see the Champions League final between Inter and Bayern. By all accounts, Inter played true to Maurinho philosophy, defending and holding their positions stoutly while Bayern attacked and attacked but all to no avail. Bayern had seventy per cent of possession but failed where it mattered most, scoring goals. This was a classic case of tactical discipline winning over throwing caution to the wind.

Enjoying a Steambot Dinner

Its unbelieveble!

My first mobile phone was as big as a football, except it was square. That was almost twenty years years ago. Since then, hand phone technology has evolved so much its unbelievable. Just yesterday I bought a new handphone to replace my Nokia 97 which I bought more than three years ago. Just three short years but to my astonishment, the advancement made in technology is staggering. I cannot imagine what it will be like in the next three years.

Its down, down and down!

Another big drop for the Dow! More than 350 points. Its has been going down, down and down the last few days. Another meltdown is just around the corner? Market is so jittery. With the ongoing Greek financial crisis plus others waiting to happen, I cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel.

Thought I was the clairvoyant

England - Liverpool
Germany - Bayern Munich
Italy - Juventus
Spain - Real Madrid
Champions League - Arsenal

In July last year, I made the above predictions. Only Bayern Munich was right. The rest were way off except for Real who finished second.
Now for the World Cup. England will play the final. Argentina to win.

My weekend

Last night I slept late watching the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Portsmouth. That was followed by the German FA Cup final between Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen. In between, I managed to squeeze in Nadal plus a bit of European golf action.
This morning I went to the mosque for the morning prayer. After that read the Quran and perhaps catch a little bit of sleep later. Feeling a little bit under the weather at the moment.

A night out

Friends

A cup too far

When a thirty three years old is the second singles player, it just goes to show the pathetic situation we are in. No disrespect to the player himself but where are the new talents?

A picture paints a thousand words

There was a photo of Tiger Wood this morning in one of the daily newspaper. He was siting on a chair, holding a microphone, perhaps having a press conference. He cuts a forlorn figure but what was really striking was the look on his face. He looked lost. I felt pity for him.

Keep on jogging .....

Today was another strong day. I jogged a little bit faster and completed the round with plenty to spare. Unfortunately I had to stop because of the call of nature. I'm sure I could have gone another half a round without much problem. Anyway, that's what it was. Last Sunday, Lewis Hamilton was cruising along nicely in second place until his tyre gave way on the last lap!

Well done, Chelsea!

Sorry folks, Chelsea just too strong! Scoring eight goals on the last day of the season in an atmosphere so tense was out of this world. A deserved win. They have finally laid the ghost of Maurinho to rest! I'm sure they can now move on to more great things! As for Man U and the rest, too bad. Try again next season.

My usual Sunday swim

When I first started, just to swim five laps of forty feet each was a struggle. Now I can do thirty laps comfortably, swimming in a combination of freestyle and breaststroke. I will do freestyle first and changed to breaststroke when I get tired. I am now trying to up the ante...to forty laps.

Everlasting songs

I first listened to the songs of Ebeit G. Ade more than twenty years ago. The moment I heard them, I was captivated. The tunes were melodious while the lyrics have deep meanings. I really like his 'titip rindu buat ayah.' Very touching. Many years down the road, his songs still captivates me like no other. What a great singer songwriter.

Its a Saturday allright....

Its a few minutes after eight o'clock on a Saturday morning and I'm almost alone in the house. My second son has gone to play futsall in Subang Jaya. My wife and daughter have also left a few minutes ago to join some womenfolk in Sg Buloh for a woman only activity. My eldest son will soon go out to do his selling business. Only my youngest son and me will be left. We will also leave sometime later in the day to Lowyat to survey for a laptop.
Meantime, I'm punching away at the computer writing whatever that comes to mind.

A turbulent day ... all over the world

Dow tumbled almost a thousand points in half an hour. The biggest dropped ever. Was it a mistake or was it real? No matter what, panic followed. It was jittery time from New York to Tokyo and everywhere in between! Markets from Europe to Asia retreated as a result. Demonstrations in Greece and a hung parliament in the UK didn't help matters as well. Looks like it is going to be this way for quite sometime.

Man U to win!

Who will walk away with the trophy tomorrow, Man U or Chelsea? Let me stick my neck out and say its Man U. Similarly in Italy and Spain, its down to the wire. Inter or Roma and Barca or Real? A very exciting finished to the season, I'm sure it will be.

Keeping it up on the health front

Today was one of those days when I knew the moment I started that I would be able to finish the course, easily. Sure enough I did, with a little bit to spare. I felt very strong throughout, jogging at a slightly faster speed and went a bit further than usual. At the end of the jog, my whole clothing was wet from the sweating but I felt as if I can go another round.

Its contagious!

It started in the USA two years ago. We got out of it or at least we thought we did. Now Europe it seems is in trouble with Greece reeling from its monetary crisis while Spain, Italy and Portugal are on the brink. Its contagious! England is also on the list!
After Europe, will it be Asia? People are looking at countries with Greece like situation and they are seeing Japan. Wow! Its scary.

Just rumbling

When I was small life was a breeze
Nothing to worry except how to win the next football game
But as I grow up I know life is a lot more than that
Winning football games is not so important anymore

When I started working and got married I said that's it
From now on life is once again a breeze
I am settled and all I need to do is just bring up the kids
To carry on the legacy that I soon will leave

But little did I know the road ahead
The twist and the turn and the merry go round
Just like when I thought I've got it all figured out
There comes the tsunami and the breeze is no more

Living the life, I finally learned, is to take it as it comes

Remembering the champ

When Muhammad Ali was at his peak, his boxing matches will cause the world to be at a standstill. The streets of KL for example, would be empty whenever he fought because people would be glued to their TV, watching his every move. He was a heavyweight who moves like a light weight with hands of lightning speed to match. "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." I loved watching his fights but sadly, he had one fight too many. Never knew when to stop.

More facts on the 58

It was a par 70 course. That means he played twelve under. He had nine birdies in the first eleven holes. Don't know if he had bogeys or not. If not, then he must have shot three more birdies in the next seven holes. A phenomenal performance and he is only eighteen years old.
On the same day, another youngster, Rory Mcllroy, shot a ten under 62 to win a US PGA tournament, coming from four back to win by four. He is twenty years old.
With all these youngsters, Tiger suddenly seems old at 35.

You'd think shooting a 58 is impossible?

News have just been received that Ryo Ishikawa, the Japaneses golf sensation has just done it. Shooting a 58 in a competition, helped by eleven birdies and coming from six strokes behind to win by five strokes! What a sensation! With Tiger still sorting out his problems, this teenager could be the next golf superstar!

Financial woes causing worry

I read about the Greek tragedy waiting to happen. There's also worry about Portugal and Spain. I read about the grilling of Goldman Sachs over their conduct. The combination of both is causing a lot of worry in the financial world. The Dow has been fluctuating, unsure and unlead. Are we really out of the woods?