Look Ma...My hips are alive... 
I sang away with abandon the chorus of “Awan yang Terpilu” while Ning was belting it out on stage. Beautiful song yet heart-wrenching at the same time. I was holding a candle on my left hand and my camera on my right. Candles were at the door to be lit up during this song. The whole auditorium lit up with sea of candles. Breath-taking.
Die.....Those non believers
Ning has gone a long way since her “I-have-a-fantasy-with-5-men-at-once” time. I still have that copy of July 2000, FHM magazine which she posed seductively in her skimpy dresses and pouted her lips the way that would make Angelina Jolie proud. She stirred up a huge controversy with her saucy interview with FHM and at the same time lost lots of her fans due to her “openness” and “immorality”.
Here are some sizzling quotes from her FHM interview.
1) If they were awarding “Best Body Part in Malaysia” what would you sure to win? “I’d win the best butt award. Maybe my lips would win as well”
2) “I think I’d be a difficult woman to satisfy”
3) I must admit I find Spanish men especially sexy. It’s their arses. Spanish men have the nicest, tightest butt.
4) How do you take care of your butt? I never cover it up. I only ever wear g-string, s there’s no panty line.
5) You have a notorious birthmark, right? Yes! It’s on top of my right breast. It looks a bit like a small eyebrow.
6) What is your biggest unfulfilled fantasy? I know it will never happen but it involve five guys and me, all at the SAME time.
Whoah…Look at grandpa’s glasses steam up!
Awan Yang Terpilooooooooooooooooo....
The show started with Zainal, all dressed up in white. I only recognized one of his songs – his latest hit, Puteri. He joked, sang, played percussion, joked, sang and played percussion again. Very talented entertainer and a very well dressed one too. OK, enough about Zainal, let’s go back to the Ning.
Simply Stun-NING!
Now, look at her! She is all demure and decent. All grown up. She is still sexy in a way without having to bare her skin too much. She just celebrated her 30th birthday recently and never look or sound better. She remains one of my favourite Malay artistes.
Surprisingly this time, unlike the previous Konsert Fenomena, Ning did not do any duet with Zainal. At the final segment, the stage was decorated with torches, bringing a warm Raya atmosphere to the freezing auditorium. Zainal sang Dendang Perantau. Ning belted out Di Hari Raya soon after in her stun-NING purple modern kebaya. The whole ensemble came out to close the show with the “Raya must sing” – Selamat Hari Raya, made popular by the late Saloma.
Selamat Hari Raya
I was quite surprised that recording went quite flawlessly without having Ning and Zainal to repeat any of the songs. Siti and Dayang had to repeat their recording few times that day. I was hoping that Ning would be asked to sing “Awan yang Terpilu” for the second time, but the producer decided that the take was perfect. Aw..Shucks! Potong stim saja! Anyway, I was quite satisfied with Ning, singing her hits like – Curiga, Senang Tari, Bukan Sebarangan and Dikau.
This would be the last one in the series of Konsert Fenomena, recorded in front of a live audience for Hari Raya in November. According to the producer, this show will be aired on the 5th day of Hari Raya. Oh..I can’t wait to see this show again. (Insert starry eyed anticipation here).
Rufus
I didn’t go to Melaka International Marathon. My bones needed a break after 2 half marathons this month. Moreover, the medal numbers for the Men Open had shrunk from 300 last year to 100 had killed my enthusiasm for going to Melaka. So, on Sunday, I did my own leisurely run to Subang Lake early in the morning. I ran from my apartment from Sunway to Subang Lake, made two rounds around the lake and decided to take yellow-blue bus home. Haha…my very own sweeper bus! I was too lazy to run back.
On the afternoon, I went to see one of my best friends, Marianne at SPCA (an animal shelter). She has been a volunteer at SPCA for more than 9 years now. She was very excited to introduce her new “boo” to me. His name is Rufus. A 5-year-old Rottweiler.
Rufus looked intimidating at first. Big teeth. Big eyes. Big tongue. Big body! He could have weighed more than 40kg. All the descriptions fit the killing machine reputation that Rottweiler breed has. But as usual, looks can be deceiving. Rufus turned out to be a playful dog. Marianne was slobbered by gobs and gobs of saliva when Rufus tried to lick her. Yucks! Rufus seemed relax around me. He didn’t charge at me with his killer teeth. No snarling. No hostility. So, I got closer to rub his tummy while Marianne trimmed his nails. He seemed to enjoy it. Yes, the dog does pedicure. He must be a metrosexual rottweiler. Haha!
We took Rufus out for a walk after getting his nail done. That was his first time to have a walk outside since the day the owner brought him to the shelter. The owner gave him up, as they no longer can cope with him. Being a big and strong breed, Rufus could easily dragged petit Marianne around like a rag doll. So, Marianne has never brought Rufus outside alone. I guess that was Rufus’ lucky day.
We went out of SPCA compound to the housing area nearby. Rufus seemed to enjoy the walk, dragging me along. I had to hold on very tightly to the leash, fearing he might just dash into the traffic. Secretly, I prayed that no cats would pass our ways, as the result could be nasty. Rufus sniffed and marked his territorial with his piss. From behind, I can see his “deflated” balls. You see, Rufus was castrated. Yikes!
Mariah
Later, I met Mariah. She is a bitch in SPCA. No pun intended. Haha! I think she was named after the pop diva. This Mariah does not have a five-octave bark. However, she is very playful and love to prance around enthusiastically when she sees we approaching the cage. She hurt herself in a dogfight earlier. So, Marianne put some medication on her injured snout.
I hanged out with Marianne at SPCA till late evening and updated some new songs into her iPod. It was a tiring day. Walking the dogs is not an easy job. It is tiring but it is also a lot of fun. I think I will stick to “walking myself”. Malay Mail Big Walk is coming soon and I have yet to practice on my butt-wiggling walk Hahah!
Caged
There are some interesting posters or ads in the SPCA compound. The one above likens a pet to a child in term of the need for love and care. Pets come with responsibility. So, think carefully before you adopt.
One poster at SPCA that never fails to put a smile on my face is the one below. It has been there since 2000 when I first saw it. The colours may have faded but the dog wisdom is still very profound! Read below.
All I Need
1) If you stare long enough at someone long enough, you’ll get what you want
2) When it comes to sex, if at the first you don’t get it, beg (Haha! Works most of the time!)
3) Don’t go out without ID
4) Be direct to people, let them know exactly how you feel by pissing on their shoes
5) Be aware of when to hold and use your tongue.
6) Leave room in your schedule for a good nap
7) Always give people a friendly greeting – a cold nose in the crotch is effective (Yikes!)
8) When you do something wrong, always take responsibility (as soon as you are dragged out from under the bed).
9) If it’s not wet and sloppy; it’s not a kiss (This one goes together with no.5)
10) When you go out into the world remember always take time to smell the roses….trees, grass, rock & fire hydrant….
Which one is your favourite pointer? I like number 6. (Insert snore here…Heheh!)
Praise You!
It has been awhile since I check my mailbox. I have phobia to see so many unpaid bills. (Insert nervous laugh here). I was also surprise to find a postcard from Singapore Marathon, giving a high praise on my performance last year. Errrm....It wasn’t that great, really. I sucked, in fact. But giving the enjoyment and how well-organised the event last year, I will definitely head back South for the run.
The card came with a promotional code (LYFM-425) for an early birdie discount. Pay only SGD35 for full marathon before 1 August. For late comers, you gonna have to dish out a whopping SGD 70 after Oct 1! I can buy 2 extra CDs if I were to sign up early. The organisers sure know how to worm their ways into the runners' hearts. (Insert applause here).
Note: The offer is valid ONLY for 2004 runners and on-line registrations before Monday 1 August 2005.
Macau Marathon 2005
My uncle is going for Bangkok Marathon (10K run only) on 27 Nov and then proceeds to fly to Macau from Bangkok to run full in the Macau Marathon on the following weekend (Dec 4). Thanks to AirAsia, everybody can fly.....Gotta salute this old man! (Insert applause here). I told him that I am going to the Singapore Marathon on the same weekend. I am still considering doing Bangkok Marathon. See if I can get a best travel deal in the coming Matta fair.
Click below for the event website:
http://www.sport.gov.mo/web/en/event/marathon2005/index.php
Duck Cert
I adopted a duck today. Hope my duck will bring me money money money....so that I can go for a holiday. (Read my previous post for adoption details)
Welcome To Seremban
I arrived at Seremban on Saturday morning by train. Reached the Seremban KTM station at about 12:00pm. The sun was bright. A warm welcome to the land of Adat Pepatih. I walked towards the Seremban Town Hall after asking for the direction from an old guy from the taxi station.
Found only a few people at the counter to collect the racing kit. T-shirt collection was smooth. There were many designs of the T-shirt/ vest. I initially, I picked up an EXCEL isotonic drink sleeveless T. However, I hate to be a walking advertisement. I went back to the lady who distributed the racing kit and asked for a change. She obliged and gave me a SHM vest. The vest was nice. No sponsor logo emblazoned the vest. Just a SHM tiny logo at the back and pictures of two runners in front. Very nice, indeed. What were in the goodies bag? Four decks of playing cards, a packet of TOP washing detergent (for those smelly sweat soaked running attire) and a small sachet of Shokubutsu shower foam for the sweaty body bodies).
My uncle had offered me to stay with him, my aunt and cousins. They drove all the way from Kuantan. That saved me from walking all over Seremban town to look for a motel. They were staying at Angsana Inn, about 5 mins walk to the Padang. While waiting for them to arrive, I ate lunch at Pizza Hut – my very own carbo-loading with the meatballs spaghetti.
Teminal 1
After checking in about 2pm, my Uncle and the family went to Mid Valley via train for a shopping spree. I rested in the hotel and then decided to roam the Seremban town. Went around the town on foot and ended up in Terminal 1 Shopping Mall. Teminal One is one of the two big shopping mall in Seremban, the other being Seremban Parade.
I’m not sure if the dry weather has escalated the fly population to the roof. Flies were seen in the many eateries in town. Even KFC and McDonald had flies. Normally, I don’t see flies in shopping malls, but in Seremban, flies were seen everywhere. Scary!!
I went back to the hotel after buying some fried banana fritters from the roadside stall. Stopped by King’s Confectionary to get a siew pau and some buns for toworrow’s breakfast. Catched a few winked but woke up bored in the room. So decided to walk to Terminal 1 shopping mall again to watch a movie – The Amityville Horror. Had a good scare. The things that bordered me most were the eyes of the main actor (great bod but nasty bloodshot eyes!)
Ready Steady Go!
The run was started at approximately 6:45am with firing of a gun. Sky was just begging to get bright with orange and golden hues covering the Seremban horizon. What a beautiful day!
Since there were 300 medals for my category B, I was sure that there would be a shining medal waiting for me at the end of the run if I maintain my jogging pace. So, off I went slowly but surely to the beat of my beaten i-Pod. I specially compiled a list of upbeat songs and the latest Coldplay album to my i-Pod for this SHM. My favourite is Luther Vandross’ “The Best Things in Life Are Free”, a duet with Janet Jackson. His passing came to a shock for me last weekend. He certainly would be missed dearly in the R&B music world.
I had no idea where the route took us. My attempt to remember the places that I passed was it was as vain as trying to catch butterflies with a pair of chopstick. There was nothing scenic about this run. We didn’t pass by historical landmarks or lush beautiful countryside. There is nothing but a long winding, mostly gradual upslope road ahead. I think we passed by a Kilang Kicap (soy sauce factory), kilang koko (cocoa), kilang Bata (a famous local shoe brand) and an ostrich farm. Nope, no ostrich was sighted. Just the signboard.
My wobbly legs were not able to take some of hilly parts in the middle of the run, especially the section after the U-turn checkpoint where we collected our red string. I had to start to walk up the gradient and then run down, praying that my knees won’t pop in the process.
Thank goodness all the water stations were well stocked. I was a bit worry that they might not enough supply due to the water rationing. However, my worries were unfounded. Drinking and Sponging were at the same station. Speaking of drinking water, I saw something unusual in this run. There were stalls set up by the locals to sell mineral water at RM1 at the first few km of the run. It didn’t make business sense at all. No runner would buy the water in that early stage. Dehydration and thirst had yet to set and furthermore, why buy if we can get for free at the drinking station?
The final few km to the finished line was a “torture” to run. I was not able to maintain a smooth run. Basically, my running rhythm was like scratchy CD, interrupted by passing mad drivers or swarms of students in the 11km category. The road was narrow. The traffic was heavy. The students walked in groups. Road construction. Blend them together; you would get a recipe for disaster. I was on my defensive running mode all the time. I decided to run on the opposite side of the road (against the in-coming traffic), even though it was longer to avoid being knockdown by a car or a lorry from behind. Better be safe than sorry. Thank goodness, there was no unwanted incident happened.
I was happy to see Seremban Parade as I know the end point was near. I kept up my pace to prevent runners in the same category to overtake me. At the finish line, I was given a yellow card with my position number. It was well within 300. I sighed with relief and hurried myself to the Excel drink station. Nothing beats a can of ice-cold isotonic drink at the end of a run. I was happy that the Excel was served in can instead of the pour method. Fresh. Bubbly. Satisfying.
I didn’t hang out at the Padang. Some drums show was going on when I left after checking the lucky draw results. Habuk pun tarak! Quickly rushed to the hotel for a shower. Relaxed a bit while watching the repeat of Malaysian Idol before I left Angsana Inn.
I had lunch at Chicken Rice Shop at Seremban Parade. Again, there were flies hovering above my steamed chicken trying to find a landing spot. I was too tired to go hunting for place without flies. After lunch, I headed straight to the commuter station and got into the next train back to Setia Jaya. Ride cost only RM 6.90.
Will I return next year? Only if the medal count offered is going to be 300 still. I will come to visit Seremban, flies and all.
Gemilang Run
July and August are two hectic months for runners. We, runners are spoilt with choices of where to run. One more run had sprung out of nowhere to entice all the road races fans out there. Larian Gemilang (nothing to do with Malaysian Idol, Jaclyn Victor) Pra Hari Kemerdekaan IPD Subang Jaya 2005 is jointly organised by Subang Jaya Police Headquarter, South City Plaza and Selangor Amateur Athletic Association. It offers a new route to the jaded Dataran Merdeka – Jalan Parlimen route. When? August 14. What time 6:30am. Closing date: August 13.
Starting point is South City Plaza in Seri Kembangan. For more info, please contact 89411911/ 89441911. The lady that answered my queries said that they would be having a fiesta till 10pm on that day. They are trying to get Siti Nurhaliza (tough luck), AF1, 2 & 3 (Yawn!) to perform at the run.
Oops! Almost forget to mention that this run will clash with the Mother of All Walks in Malaysia – The Malay Mail Big Walk. No point for guessing where I would be.
Chicken or Egg?
Answer: To get her Chicken Run Prize! - hamper, RM 20 Kenny Rogers meal vouchers and RM20 free ride on PUTRA LRT.
Congratulations to Amy for winning the consolation prize in the Roaster's Chicken Run.
Note: if you look properly, there are two red eggs in a plastic dish in the picture. The runners were supposed to run with the red egg around the 3km course. Due to overwhelming response, the run will be held again next year!
Ipoh Mali
Ipoh International Run was organized by the Ipoh City Council with co-operation of Perak State Government and Perak Amateur Athlete Association (POAP). The run started and ended at Dataran Ipoh, Greentown, Ipoh. There was no Marathon category this year.
There was no marathon category this year. The medal amount was reduced from 300 to 200 this year and the ½ marathon event was more competitive as there was no full event.
So, I didn’t have high hope for a medal and divert my concentration on having fun running in Ipoh while enjoying the pre-race and post-race gastronomical delights.
I boarded the Transnasional bus at Puduraya on Saturday morning. Bought a “Smily Joe” and an apom cake from Petaling Street for breakfast in the bus. The ride was smooth. Fell sleep as soon as the bus hit the highway at Rawang.
Reached Medan Gopeng bus terminal at about 11:30am. Boarded a taxi after waiting for about ½ hour for the town bus that never arrived. Initially, I was told to wait for the town bus at Platform 1 by the info counter girl. Later after asking around, I was informed by a bus driver that there was no direct bus from Medan Gopeng to the Ipoh Parade area. The Ipoh town public transport system really sucks.
The taxi ride took about 6 minutes and cost RM10 from Medan Gopeng to Excelsior Hotel. A bit pricey, considering the journey is about 4km only.
Bumped into the Adidas guy on my way to Ipoh Parade after checking into the hotel. He offered RM40 to help him tend the Adidas booth on the race day. What? No run? No way. I didn’t come to Ipoh to tend a phunking booth.
Went to Ipoh Parade for lunch. Parkson was under renovation. Settled for Claypot Chicken Rice at the food court. Not bad. Chicken was tender. However, the rice was not “burned” enough to leave a fragrant crust. Decided to watch War of The World at 2:45pm. Had enough time to go to the MPI building to collect the race pack before the movie. There were tents set up besides the building. Had to go to the payment kiosk to settle the Rm15 payment before collecting the bib. What were in the goodies bag? One small packet of Menglembu groundnut (Ipoh famous), a 25% discount voucher for Lost World of Tambun Theme Park, a 30% Adidas voucher and a horrid looking T-shirt (one sleeve red, and the other one sleeve blue…the designer ought to be shot!).
How was War of the World? Slick special effects. Great acting. Effective Drama. Spoilt by inconsiderate parents who brought their tiny bratty kids into the cinema…Bunch of pesky annoying little monsters who can’t shut their little monster mouth during the movie. Just wanna smack their little bottoms out of this planet! Would like to do the same with their parents’ bottoms too.
It rained heavily when I came out of the cinema. Combed the mall to pass time, looking for interesting shops but found none. Nothing that we cannot get in KL. Bought a Men’s Fitness Ultimate Abs for RM8 magazine from an old magazine store. Need all the help can get to reduce the steadily growing blubber around my waist. It also looks good on my magazine shelf hehehe.
Had an early dinner at Ipoh Parade. Had herb butter chicken from one of the bistro there. Too lazy to go anywhere else. Before going back to the hotel, stopped by Secret Recipe Café to buy a slice of my favourite, simply irresistible Chocolate Banana Cake for breakfast on the next day. Hmmmm…no wonder waistline is still growing despite many runs I do. Shocked to hear the passing of Luther Vandross on 8TV news. He was one of my favourite R&B singers – smooth sexy velvety voice. Deeply saddened by the news.
Woke up about 6:00 am. Had my Chocolate Banana cake and a cup of Ovaltine for breakfast. Did the morning rubbing ritual before a run. Applied various creams to various part of the body – Vaseline for the nipples, inner thighs and toes, sunscreen for face, arms and legs and analgesic rub for calves and legs, in that order. If I start with analgesic rub first, I might end up with nipples on fire! Heheh!
We were tortured with two uninspiring cheerleading performances before the start of the race. They were supposed to be the champions of some soft from the North. No back flips. No pyramid. No short skirts. No pom poms. Overall, No GOOD! I hope they don’t attempt this again next year. Such a waste of time.
At 7:00am sharp, we were set off by the Perak Chief Minister whose daughter was in the cheerleading show earlier. Off I went slowly and steadily hitting the Ipoh route. The route was exactly the same as last year’s. Nothing had changed much.
Signage, distance markers, water stations and sponging stations were adequate and well organized.
At km 3, my jaw dropped when I saw a kid, barely 3 feet tall turbo charged overtaking me. He could be the same kid that I saw last year at the finished line. He was accompanied with a bearded chaperone. Me? Eating the kid’s dust? My ego was shattered like Tripod-zapped human beings in the War of the Worlds movie. Anyway, I decided to let my ego go. My old bones cannot take it hehehe! So, I ran at my own pace and let the kid zoomed out of my sight.
Surprise, surprise! I saw the kid again at km 10. He had slowed down tremendously. I was still at my pace. Slowly yet surely, I quickened my pace and overtook the boy. Somehow, I didn’t feel good doing it. Kesian pulak. Heheh! I never see him again after that. Eat my dust, boy.
I arrived at the finished line and was given a certificate. After shower, I went to Foh San for Dim Sum. Bought some lou por piaeng (wife biscuit), lou kong piaeng (husband) and “sat ker mah” from one of the shop nearby. Rested my bones at the hotel until 2:00pm. Left Ipoh at 3:00pm from Medan Gopeng.
Ipoh Run was a good warm up to a series of back-to-back runs in July and August. Hope my muscles have awakened after a deep hibernation. I haven’t run such a long distance since last March (during training for KLIM). My calves are all sore, even now as I type. I hope I can do better in Seremban, Melaka, Power, Klang, MPAJ, Larian Gemilang etc. (I think I need to insert lots of Norgesic, muscle relaxant pills here).
Putrajaya 1/2 Marathon
While the rest of the world will be left reflecting and lamenting upon the 9/11anniversary, Putrajaya will be having her very first half marathon this September. Even though there were smaller MAKSAK 10K runs at Putrajaya before, but praise the lord that finally, we get to enjoy a full 21 km around the scenic Putrajaya.
I am very happy that the organizer decided to provide free transport to the first 1000 competitors to register in Kuala Lumpur/PJ area & 500 runners from Seremban area. I hope the bus service will be well coordinated and punctual. I have certain reservation when the adjective “free” is used with anything.
The best thing about this run is ALL competitors in 1/2 marathon who complete the run within qualifying time will be given a medal. (Insert histerical laughter here - Hahahahah...Heheheheh...Hhihihihiihi....Huhuhuhuhu...Hohohohoho!!)
Click below for the official site:
http://www.putrajayahalf.com/index.cfm
p/s: If you go into the official website, you will be greeted with a picture of runners which look somewhat Caucasian and African. Hardly can represent Malaysians! What happen here lah? Where are the Malay, Chinese and Indian? I supposed the web designer just lifted this picture from an oversea race. Come on Putrajaya, you can do better than this. Malaysia Boleh?
