First World Standard Gahmen?

There's a recent debate between PAP and WP over Singapore having a "First World Standard" opposition and ruling party.

MM Lee says that the opposition lacks First World Standard, while WP's Low Thia Khiang says that the PAP lacks a First World government. At least this is what I think they are saying lah.

It's all in the definition of the phrase "First World". What do they mean by First World? MM Lee equates it to the standards given by the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. But I think Low is coming from the grassroots level coz I think that Low is perhaps a better candidate in seeing things from ground level.

If we compare Singapore with all our neighboring countries, then Singapore is indeed First World with great urban planning initiatives and a generally hardworking and illustrious population. We don't experience massive traffic jams and overly irregular/infrequent public transport. We are a beautiful and 'green' city, and our streets are clean. Even the leaves of our roadside shrubbery does not have a layer of dirt on it! These are tangible results that will put a smile on a Singaporean's face when we look back and reflect (especially on National Days). And we realise that Singapore has come a long way - at times way ahead - of our neighbours.

What about the micro happenings within 'the system'? Can we say that the government is made up of First World people? Or is the government LED by a First World person with First World ideals? Definitely something to ponder.

However, I'd like to add that there are deadwood within 'the system' that is a hindrance to Singapore having First World standards. Most are mid-management public servants. It may be a very generic remark that I'm making but in light of this, we cannot call ourselves "First World".

Singapore cannot afford to be complacent and too arrogant about this. We are not First World. In fact, there's alot of room for improvement. We should learn more and STRIVE to be First World. There's only one way to strive forward and improve, and that is to KNOW that we are only Premium Business Class standard. Therefore I agree with both Low (that we don't have a First World government) and MM Lee (that we don't have a First World opposition). I'm sitting on the fence on this.

Weekend Me-Knee Update v3.0

Doc replied my email and said that my knee conditions are known as

1. Chondromalacia Patella of the left knee,
2. medial collateral ligament sprain, and
3. medial collateral capsule sprain

He also added the sweetest 2 words I've heard in recent times: NO SURGERY. I was so happy when I received his reply that I wanted to jump for joy (until I remembered that I better not jump for joy lest my knee becomes worst!)

I didn't run over the weekend but I biked on early Saturday morning from home to Lim Chu Kang via Mandai, Neo Tiew, Lim Chu Kang and then u-turn back to Sungei Buloh to meet dad in time for the launch of his art exhibition there. I've got to admit that I haven't ridden since the Duathlon and I've had spinning classes in between. My average speed has improved from 30kmph to about 34kmph over long distances. I'm quite happy with that. This despite the fact that I was wearing the knee sleeve to protect my knee cap (scientific n: patella).

There wasn't any pain or discomfort of the knee until when I woke up on Sunday morning. I wasn't too sure if it was due to the long distance biking or long duration of standing when Ros and I were preparing for the BBQ dinner the night before (Saturday).

Anyway I went swimming on Sunday afternoon as well and I didn't feel the discomfort.

The only times I felt discomfort were at night and when I just wake up. Is it rheumatism? Arthritis? Need to report to Doc when I meet him for a review tomorrow.

Till then... still no running.

Ass de Pee Clown does it again!

He never fails to entertain me, this Ass de Pee clown.

We all know that the General Elections are coming and that there would be opposition who would be contesting the ruling PAP party and wrestling them off their comfortable electoral seats.

I must say that the PAP is doing pretty well in waving all kinds of carrots in full view of the public. There are orange ones, white ones, long ones, short ones, carrot cake, chaitoukway, upgraded carrots (from beansprout to carrot), packaged carrots that progressively grow, extra carrots for military men, soft chewable carrots for your grandparents, etc. It is such a Bugs Bunny society! Oops, but I digress... Some other opposition parties are waving 'counter-carrots', proclaiming that 'our carrots are better than yours' kind of 'vote marketing'. I think it is all in the name of basic salesmanship to proclaim who has the best carrot for the voters. Whoever does a better marketing strategy will win, and this is the case of politics around the world. While real salesmen want your moola, the politicians want your votes. Whether the carrot is edible or not remains to be seen. During campaigning, just make sure the carrots are nicely polished without blame and blemish.

But this Ass de Pee clown, who keeps getting into trouble - Is he the court jester or what? I mean, what is the use of nitpicking and proclaiming that PAP's carrots are bad, when Ass de Pee cannot counter their statement with a 'better' carrot?

No use saying, "Oi! Your carrot is bad!" So? Tell us you have a better carrot lah! Or else just shut up or seriously join Barnum & Bailey's or Cirque du Soleil lah.

I maintain that sometimes we are treated like stupid Singaporeans. However, if there should be any opposition that wants to take on the ruling PAP party, then the opposition had better be credible. To make us look even more stupid is an insult. We seriously don't need this kind of opposition.

Show us what carrot you can give the people!

Overseas Singaporeans Gather To Rally for Rest-of-the-World GRC

Overseas singaporeans gather for a picture before the friendly march

Timbuktu - Overseas Singaporeans gathered by the throngs in this city in a bid to encourage the Singapore government to include the "Rest-of-the-World" GRC in the latest electoral boundary map. This came almost immediately after news that Singapore will be having her General Elections come 6 May, 2006. Political observers noted that since Singapore gained independence from colonial rule in 1965, the tiny island nation has progressed by leaps and bounds in the international political, economic and even in the arts scene. Some experts claim that it is due to the ruling party's (People's Action Party) strong presence in the global arena.

Ms Peh Ann Peh, strong supporter of the ruling party and first-time voter (hopefully)

"I flew 10 hours from New York to come to Timbuktu so that I can vote. I figured I have more voice as an overseas Singaporean. After all, we are a globalised country and we should have a Rest-of-The-World GRC. It makes sense, right" said Peh Ann Pey, a Manhattan resident for the past 6 years.

Overseas Singaporeans have a chance to have a go at the General Elections but many feel that they don't know their homeland well enough to vote for the 'right' candidate. Many don't even know who their respective members of parliament are.

"That is why we're seeking the Singapore Government to redraw the boundary and let us, overseas Singaporeans, have our own constituency or GRC or whatever they want to call it. We want somebody to represent us! That is why I'm holding on to my red passport in hopes that I can vote, because my friends in Singapore don't have many chances anyway." said Iyama Kwitter, a Singaporean residing in Mexico.

"That's right. I want to have my own MP and make my own decisions here. Otherwise I change my citizenship." added Yang Pang, who just turned 21 in January.

Mr Yang Pang, Singaporean in Iran

The Elections Department in Singapore cannot be reached for comment but sources say that the protest fell on deaf ears as Timbuktu does not have a Singapore consulate.

Spotted in a heartland chinese restaurant

Timely Reminder That I'm A Stupid Singaporean

Remember the previous blog when I mentioned about the delay in transport fare hike?

Well, at least someone up there has taken the liberty to explain that the delay is not an election move.

Wow... I mean... I'm so convinced. Really.

Me-Knee Update v2.0

I went for a mid-distance training swim last night. Swam a total of 1500 meters by doing 200m warm-up, 1200m pull buoy with hands only, and a remaining 100m cool-down segment. In brief, I hardly did any flutter-kicks so pressure on the knee was minimal. However I did manage to complete the course within my target time of 35 minutes.

I also did about 15 minutes worth of calisthenics, concentrating on the abs and lower back. I really need to focus on my personal G.A.W.K to achieve what I’ve always wanted to achieve since college days (read: since I got that beer belly, thanks to all the free beer Dave Ong and I got in exchange for buying the kegs for Kurt and the neighbors across from our apartment!). FYI, I’ve been religiously working on the G.A.W.K program for 2 weeks already. In fact, I’m also ensuring that my torso and core area is used when I swim with the pull buoy. I did notice a significant improvement in stroke-count, glide and overall tiredness when I employed my core area by using the torso to propel myself instead of using arms and legs. My program may be working after all! If only the abs appear! Why are they so shy? (here’s yet another mystery in a chubby guy’s life)

Left knee still hurts this morning from bending it inwards. I’m not sure if the anti-inflammatory pills are working.

I’m still wearing the knee wrap today.

I’ve emailed Dr Low on some questions regarding my injury. Should I – and can I – use Voltaren or any analgesic cream together with the anti-inflammatory pills? What physio exercises can I do to assist in recovery and repair of the knee joints? I’m waiting for his reply.

I may go for the moderate spin class in the evening instead of the rock-climbing session with Ser Ling and Ros. I figured that spinning is more natural in movement compared to the potential split-second knee-jerking reactions while climbing.

Me-Knee Update v1.0

So Dr Low says I should stave off running for at least a week, but I can swim and do some light spinning/biking.

I went for a double spinning class yesterday at the gym (that's how I discovered the missing showerheads). I didn't really follow the hard-thumping rhythm but I just spun at moderate heart rate of between 60% and 80%. I kept focusing on keeping my knees facing forward, in the attempt NOT to deviate the angle of the knee while peddling.

Knees didn't hurt at the end of class, so I guess I managed to achieve burning calories while not aggravating the knee injury.

Slight pain returned after I took out the knee wrap at night.

Today, I still find it difficult to cross my left leg over my right - even with the knee wrap.

I really hope I can heal fast so I can get on with training for the Bintan Tri come 27 May.

Gonna head on home now for a swim.

Grim Fact: I'm a Stupid Singaporean and So Are You!

Reporters can churn out the best stories and public agencies can cook up the best excuses.

But why can't they be straightforward about the damn thing and tell it straight to Singaporeans in the face?

The case in question is with regards to today's news that any public transport fare increases will only be effected in October instead of July. Then there's alot of blah blah blah reasons to justify the delay.

Okay, why can't they just admit that the LTA is incompetent? Either that, or just tell us - public transport users - that the General Election is coming and this would be a potential vote-losing measure?

So I'm stupid (and so are you) to believe all this crap. I'll just sit and wait for the approval of the fare hike 'to ensure that commuters' interests are safeguarded'. In this case, I better set aside my Progress Package carrot to tide this through. Hey, it pays to be prudent.

Showerhead Burgler on the Loose

I have absolutely no idea why some showerheads in the male changing room of the Bugis California Fitness gym are missing. Either some cleptomaniac has a knack for stealing showerheads or is fooling around with showerheads anyway. There are many weird people at the gym.

Well, I've heard of people stealing steel drain gratings in exchange for money (steel prices shot up some time ago). But showerheads?

I doubt that the showerheads were removed for maintenance either. I think showerheads are one of the world's least maintained household items (it's self-cleaning isn't it?).

So will someone enlighten me regarding the mystery of the missing showerheads at California Fitness? Because I do treasure the shiok shiok shower after a great spinning class, and a showerhead-less gush of water is not what I paid for in a club membership... and definitely irksome!

No more trying to remember what the heck ITB means!

I just got back from visiting Dr Low Wye Mun - a specialist in Sports Medicine - in hopes of determining what the problem is with my left knee.

For the longest time, I’ve been suspecting it was ITB. Perhaps it’s due to my limited knowledge in sports physiology and my meager education in Biology (only Sec 2 standard), I knew nothing else about the 1001 things I ought to know about the knee. The visit to Dr Low’s clinic proved otherwise – that it was not ITB. And this revelation was a relief for several reasons: I didn’t have to worry too much that it was the ITB irritating me to bits, and that I didn’t have to remember the pronunciation of ITB. I mean, try playing this silly tongue-twister game – Iliotibial Band Syndrome, Iliotibial Band Syndrome.

Note: The following account is what I understand from my little conversation with Dr Low. I may be wrong in interpreting the medical terms and all the knee jargon, but at least I got the picture (I hope) and I’m just recounting from an extremely layman point of view.

In brief, the pain on the outside of my left knee is due to the underside of the knee cap rubbing itself on a worn part of my knee joint. I experienced this when I ran the Kuala Lumpur Half Marathon and when I do my regular runs at Macritchie. The pains become more pronounced when I’m on the boardwalk sections. Of course my initial thoughts were ITB, but now Dr Low says it’s likely caused by my running gait, which shifts itself when I run on different surfaces. For now, I need to embark on a preventive measure so that the wear and tear does not get worse. Glucosamine is the answer and a daily dose of 1000mg should do some maintenance to the joints. Dr Low also mentioned that anything less than 1000mg is waste because there should be a minimum amount of Glucosamine that we should consume on a daily basis for effective absorption into our bodies. Otherwise, it’ll just pass out as ‘expensive pee’.

The pain on the inside of my left knee was caused by a sprain and the subsequent inflammation of my joints. Hence I’ve been feeling a discomfort on the inside of my knees whenever I cross my legs. Dr Low gave me some anti-inflammatory pills to reduce the swellings. He also gave me a knee guard to help keep the inflammation in place and so my joints do not slip and cause unnatural gait.

In the course of 'discovering the wonders' of my very own knee with professional help from Dr Low, I managed to quench my curiosity in how come I never could do that knee twitch thingy whenever someone tested my knee reflexes. He tested my reflexes and confirmed that I had very subdued reflexes, which is probably why I cannot perform well in my standing broad jumps even though - according to Dr Low - my thighs were well-developed.

Actually I’m not sure if surgery would be needed on my knee but I remember Dr Low saying that I’m still able to manage the injury at this stage. I can still work towards the Bintan Triathlon on my birthday.

Meanwhile I have to stop running for a week, but I can still swim and bike/spin. I’d have to come back for a review visit next Tuesday 25 April 2006.

Be Still or The Birds Will Fly Away

For all his artistic talents, patience in getting details right, and his undying love for nature, Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve is going to launch Dad’s stone painting exhibition this Saturday 22 April 2006 as part of the Earth Day celebrations.

The theme of his art exhibition is “Be Still or The Birds Will Fly Away”.

For the past few months, Dad has been challenging himself to paint on new medium. Previously he painted on different types of paper. As with his penchant for experimenting – and therefore expanding – in his hobby of painting, Dad took it upon himself to try painting on pebbles after a trip to New Zealand with Mom. What began as just a trial quickly turned into frantic searching for the right type of smooth pebbles in gardens as well as at shops that dealt with landscape architecture. Dad would handpick pebbles that gave enough flatness and a ‘large enough’ canvas for him to paint on. He would then spend his free time on his paintings in our humble kitchen.

His subjects were inspired by the flora and fauna of Sungei Buloh, which include the common and the rare sightings of permanent denizens and the occasional migrant visitor to the Reserve.

His hard work did not stop at painting on stones. He also devised ways and means to display his works, such as finding the strongest method of gluing stone to wood or plastic. He also managed the framing part and composed each caption that came with every stone painting. To say that he put his heart and soul to his masterpieces is an understatement.

Honestly, I feel a sense of pride for my Dad who has proven to me time and again that we can achieve something from sheer passion for a hobby. If I could put my finger to the meaning of Work Hard, Play Hard, I would credit it to my father who has shown me what it means by enjoying a balanced lifestyle.

(Having said that, I still need some ‘fine-tuning’ to lead a balanced lifestyle)

Sungei Buloh may be far-flung for most people, but I’m sure the exhibition, coupled with the natural beauty of the Reserve will leave one very educated of our surroundings. It will surely be a memorable visit. Haha.. just look at my Dad – all it took was one visit to Sungei Buloh and he’s totally hooked!

Dad's exhibition will be launched this Saturday 22 April 2006 Saturday at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (have I mentioned this already?).

Hey, hey! There really IS a famous Munn

There's this dude called Charles Munn, and he's a famous environmentalist too! - a pioneer in South American ecotourism. Recently, Grist interviewed him. Here's the extract of the interview. I think he's a really interesting person, quite similar to my way of thinking. Perhaps coz great Munns think alike? ;p I think I should get to know him and then maybe he could bring me up to South America for nature photography!

Q. What work do you do?
A. I am chair of the board of Tropical Nature, a nonprofit conservation group specializing in conservation through ecotourism.

Q. What does your organization do?
A. We run the world's largest network of eco-lodges in tropical rainforest -- in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Brazil. We also consult for rainforest and tropical ecotourism companies and for government tourism ministries in a number of countries of Central America and the Caribbean, as well as in China and Gabon. We use ecotourism as an effective conservation tool to add value to tropical rainforests and thus make them worth more standing than cut.
We think that most so-called ecotourism has little to do with anything truly eco, and that most tourism in tropical rainforests is a boring, hot, sometimes buggy disappointment. But it does not have to be that way -- and that is why we created Tropical Nature. We specialize in offering the finest wildlife viewing in rainforests.

Q. How do you get to work?
A. Half the time, I work out of a small office in my home in a forest near Baltimore, Md. The other half of the time, I am visiting one of our project sites, or possible new project sites, in the tropics.

Q. What long and winding road led you to your current position?
A. In the '80s I completed a master's in zoology at Oxford, and a Ph.D. in biology at Princeton. From there, I went immediately into field research on macaws in the rainforests of Peru, as a field biologist for the Wildlife Conservation Society.
From 1980 through today, I have tested and refined a series of techniques for making tropical forests come alive, through the electronic and print media, and through new models of ecotourism. Our ecotourism tests then became a conservation method, and we have expanded this successful method to create the network of tour lodges that we run today. By 2000, it was clear that applying our research findings about rare, attractive wildlife to create local jobs in ecotourism was a better conservation method than pure research alone. Research did not create enough jobs or alternatives for the local people, who often hunted rare wildlife and cut forest in national parks out of desperation rather than any malice. Tropical Nature was a direct response to our desire to create lots of high-quality, sustainable jobs in conservation-oriented nature tourism in tropical forests.

Q. Where were you born? Where do you live now?
A. Baltimore. After decades of living in Peru and Brazil, I am back to my roots, based in Baltimore again.

Q. What has been the worst moment in your professional life to date?
A. When a corrupt government minister in Peru tried to imprison me and destroy our conservation system to stop our team from organizing local forest peoples in the Peruvian Amazon to protect their forestlands from the minister's land grab.

Q. What's been the best?
A. When that minister went to prison, in 2001 -- he remains in prison to this day.
Also, when the Connecticut-sized Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone in Peru and the adjoining New Jersey-sized Madidi National Park in Bolivia were declared (in 1990 and 1995, respectively). We spearheaded the effort to create both parks, which seemed outrageously ambitious at the time we proposed them. But they happened! These twin parks are the most biologically diverse protected areas on Earth -- full stop.

Q. Who is your environmental hero?
A. Our Peruvian conservation executive, biologist Daniel Blanco, who ran our entire Peruvian system during the attacks on our conservation system by the corrupt minister. Daniel received frequent, telephoned death threats from the minister's goons. He stuck it out there and saved our system (through clever legal maneuvers) while I had to duck the direct attacks by leaving Peru for a year to keep from being imprisoned on trumped-up charges.

Q. What's your environmental vice?
A. My work requires me to fly a lot on jets, thus generating a significant carbon footprint. But I hope our creation of 12 million acres of tropical forest parks in Peru and Bolivia and the protection of a few million more acres of parks through our ecotourism work offsets my jetting around. We hope that the parks we have established become ever more powerful nature fortresses that protect themselves through well-designed ecotourism, thus ensuring that this carbon stays locked up forever.

Q. How do you spend your free time?
A. I go to see more national parks -- especially in Brazil, where they have such an amazing, and relatively poorly publicized system of parks.

Q. Read any good books lately?
A. I am enjoying Tom Friedman's The World Is Flat.

Q. What's your favorite meal?
A. Ceviche -- Peruvian-style raw fish marinated in lime juice with spices and hot peppers.

Q. Which stereotype about environmentalists most fits you?
A. The ancient, rusting, sticker-covered Volvo wagon -- 23 years old. A rolling billboard promoting nature conservation.

Q. What's your favorite place or ecosystem?
A. The luxuriant, forest-savannah mosaic known as the Pantanal, in central western Brazil. It is simply the biggest wildlife spectacle of Latin America. Harbors the world's largest jaguars, world's largest parrots (hyacinth macaw), world's largest snakes (anaconda), world's largest otter, and many other species of wildlife, often in incredibly high densities. What amazing clouds and sunsets there. No malaria or other nasty diseases. Closest thing to an East African photo safari in the New World.

Q. If you could institute one environmental reform, what would it be?
A. That eating vegan be promoted and become the accepted norm. Eating lower on the food chain would allow us to save an enormous amount of nature around the globe.

Q. Who was your favorite musical artist when you were 18? How about now?
A. Then: Dvorak. Now: Dvorak, Kjarkas.

Q. What's your favorite TV show?
A. Green Acres.

Q. Movie?
A. Motorcycle Diaries.

Q. Which actor would play you in the story of your life?
A. Hugh Grant.

Q. If you could have every InterActivist reader do one thing, what would it be?
A. Visit our websites -- Tropical Nature and Tropical Nature Travel -- and visit one of our South American lodges sometime.

My First Ethical Decision

Back in primary school days, didn't we all have to let our parents sign on our exercise books, spelling tests, and report books? Didn't most of us fear the wrath of our parents wielding canes (and other weapons of mass dermatological and psychological destruction) whenever we scored anything less than 80% in our tests? Didn't at least some of us have that scheming plan to forge our parents' signatures so as to escape facing the music at home and get back to school in one piece?

I remember.

I also remember that those were the times when I was put to the test in my ethical upbringing. I knew that forgery was a bad, bad thing. I was aware of the consequences of forgery. In primary school, I'm quite sure that - for most of us - this situation would have been one of the first tests of one's morals and ethics.

Most of us learn through adulthood of the seriousness of such dubious actions, and the criminal consequences that usually follow.

Unfortunately, some don't. And one day, they will face the music.

Wardrobe Environment Investigator Uncovers 'Lost' Civilisation of Clothes

Land of Cluttered Mayhem – A world-renowned Wardrobe Environment Investigator has recently discovered a lost city within the confines of the infamous Land of Cluttered Mayhem.

For centuries, the Land of Cluttered Mayhem has built upon itself as a unique urban jungle of sorts, comprising piles of used and new clothes, boxes and bags of knick-knacks and other sentimental ware, tons of photographic experimentation, and even hardcopies of old college project files.

The team leader of the expedition, who is also the Wardrobe Environment Investigator from the Ministry of Urban Nonchalant Nonsense, claims that the discovery could mean a whole new species of previously unclassified clutter. For the time being, it is temporarily referred to as ‘organized mess’.

“Classifying the entire stockpile of such unique organisms could take ages! We have to act fast before they (the organisms) start to reorganize themselves into another level of new subspecies. When that happens, a part of our science will be lost forever”, said the leader, who wishes to remain anonymous at this point in time.

When asked by reporters how the taxonomy of such delicate ecosystems should proceed, the Wardrobe Environment Investigator replied, “We will try our utmost best in maintaining a harmonious balance between man and environment. If we need to sieve out worn clothes and tattered old receipts, then so be it. But it will be on a case-by-case basis if there is any ambiguity. Species that are deemed useless to the ecosystem will be sent over to more deserving civilizations. I will reiterate that this will not be a simple task, but I’m very confident that the mystery will unfold itself in due time because of the natural scheme of things. Having said that, isn’t this my job to address the issue and to organize it?”

Meanwhile, news agencies understand that the Minister for Urban Nonchalant Nonsense could not be reached for comment as he is busy with uncovering other issues in the Land of Cluttered Mayhem.

Random Thought from the Kitchen

Here's another observation from the kitchen which led to a random thought:

I made Milo this morning and I evidently left the teaspoon in the kitchen sink.

It must have been pretty sweet because there was this troop of tiny ants that started to feast on the remnants of Milo nourishment. I'm sure they must've been really happy and enjoying themselves. They probably were regaling in this rare opportunity in discovering the marvellous difference that Milo makes. (Heck, even humans do too - sometimes enjoying the health drink almost daily!)

Well, you see ants in the sink and you'd probably wash them all away into the abysmal sinkhole, right? That's what I did.

And all the once-happy little partying ants - drunk on Milo - are suddenly thrown into a chaotic churn of rushing tap water, and then heading into infinite oblivion.

And I have this random thought about how humans were suddenly washed away by the 2004 tsunami.

Whether it was in sink-ant proportions or coast-human proportions, the thought was scary and so real.

November Rain (even though it's only April)

When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin' when I hold you
Don't you know I feel the same
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain

We've been through this such a long long time
Just tryin' to kill the pain
But lovers always come and lovers always go
And no one's really sure who's lettin' go today
Walking away
If we could take the time to lay it on the line
I could rest my head
Just knowin' that you were mine
All mine
So if you want to love me
then darlin' don't refrain
Or I'll just end up walkin'
In the cold November rain

Do you need some time...
on your own
Do you need some time...
all alone
Everybody needs some time...
on their own
Don't you know you need some time...
all alone

I know it's hard to keep an open heart
When even friends seem out to harm you
But if you could heal a broken heart
Wouldn't time be out to charm you

Sometimes I need some time...
on my own
Sometimes I need some time...
all alone
Everybody needs some time...
on their own
Don't you know you need some time...
all alone

And when your fears subside
And shadows still remain, ohhh yeahhh
I know that you can love me
When there's no one left to blame
So never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
'Cause nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain

Don't ya think that you need somebody
Don't ya think that you need someone
Everybody needs somebody
You're not the only one
You're not the only one

Cheats

There are cheats everywhere.

Some cheat your money.
Some cheat your honey.
Some cheat your glory.

Why do they cheat?

Coz there's an idiot in all of us.

Shanghai Shutterbug II

Falling Tears from the Weeping Willow
Hangzhou Untitled 2
Hangzhou Untitled 3
Hangzhou Untitled 4

Hangzhou Untitled 5

Shanghai Shutterbug

Here is a more serious take on my trip to Shanghai through my eyes and my trusty Nikon FM2.
Enjoy.

Dancing on the Shanghai Bund
The train to Hangzhou
Airport Architecture
See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil on the West Lake

(this was totally unposed and I don't even know the old folks!)

Hangzhou Untitled 1

Growing older with Singapore, politically

You know you're getting older with your birth country when you realise that your own comrades are getting into politics and are in the running to be potential leaders of the nation.

Growing up, we saw Uncle Lee's army of die-hard 'revolutionists' working so hard to establish Singapore's position in the global arena of economics, politics and military might. Now the scene has changed (naturally) to include the post-1965 generation to continue in the torch run in maintaining Singapore's integrity and position.

In the upcoming elections, the political parties are slowly introducing new faces to the people.

And I'm already familiar with at least 3 blokes - all of them who are buddies and we all sort of grew up some way or another (although I don't think all of them knew each other prior to the GE). One of them is even in Opposition! I mean, WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF HAVING A BUDDY IN OPPOSITION?!?!

It'll be so interesting to see my own friends campaigning and hopefully holding on to the leadership reins for the country.

Good luck to TSL, BS and CDS! You know my vote doesn't really matter since my GRC is a perennial walkover, right?

Shanglish II

Here's the second installment of Shanglish. You have to click on the pictures to have a clearer view.

Shanglish - Let 'em pictures tell the story of 5 days in Shanghai

Everybody

Everybody wants to win, but some want to win everything.

I've been following the bits and pieces of the things that politicians do in the run-up to the General Elections.

While it is perfectly alright to have the gusto to win in any challenge, I find it rather disturbing that some are blinded by the limelight and somewhat neglecting the actual issues on the ground.

Sometimes it is not about winning the seat/constituency/GRC. Rather, shouldn't it be winning the hearts of the people and ACTUALLY delivering the goods?

I mean, I'm sure the incumbent ruling party will still be in control of the government, but I - together with most 'educated' citizens - sincerely feel that it is unhealthy for our country if 'they' win it all.

Let the citizens decide who the best person for the job is.

What good is it for the nation as a whole if electoral boundaries are enlarged everytime there's an impending GE?

WHEN WILL I GET TO VOTE?!?!?!

Somebody

Here's an ode to the 30-something singles out there. It's so apt since most of us 30-somethings grew up listening to this song in our teens. We used to think this was THE song for our schoolday crushes and radio dedications to our secret admirees.

But it is perhaps now that some of us are in search of that someone in life - that particular somebody - when the crunch time comes to seriously consider what exactly we're looking for in life, that this song seems more appropriate.

To all who are searching for their Somebody.....

I want somebody to share
Share the rest of my life
Share my innermost thoughts
Know my intimate details
Someone who’ll stand by my side
And give me support
And in return
She’ll get my support
She will listen to me
When I want to speak
About the world we live in
And life in general
Though my views may be wrong
They may even be perverted
She’ll hear me out
And won’t easily be converted
To my way of thinking
In fact she’ll often disagree
But at the end of it all
She will understand me
Aaaahhhhh....

I want somebody who cares
For me passionately
With every thought and
With every breath
Someone who’ll help me see things
In a different light
All the things I detest
I will almost like
I don’t want to be tied
To anyone’s strings
I’m carefully trying to steer clear of
Those things
But when I’m asleep
I want somebody
Who will put their arms around me
And kiss me tenderly
Though things like this
Make me sick
In a case like this
I’ll get away with it
Aaaahhhhh....

Another one of those boring-bus-ride-kinda random thought

And so I'm on my daily TIBS 980 pilgrimage to the office and I have those out-of-the-blue random thoughts... (we all have them... right? or am I the only one with wild random thoughts?)

The bus was passing by the LTA Hampshire office and somehow my thoughts drifted to the Istana (nearby Farrer Park mah..). Then I thought of our country's Presidents.

Our only surviving president is the current head of state, President Nathan.

Then I think of the pronunciation of Nathan.

Is it Nathan as in "Nah-dern", or Nathan as in "Nay-thern".

So funny to call our head of state President "Nay-Thern".... sounds too angmo-fied.

Yet it's so damn UNIQUELY SINGAPOREAN to call him President "Nah-dern".

Must be culturally sensitive lah. "Nah-dern" is more authentic in this part of the world.

Then another random thought...

What if our current Prez is IT-savvy... what would his name be? Ever thought of that?

Too bad. Israel already coined that name liao.... for their own leader - Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Don't hit me. It's only my wild random thoughts.... ;)

Abridged Version of KLIM + Official Results

The weather conditions were awesome to run a marathon (or half mara in my case), except that the urban settings contributed to lots of gradual up-ramps and road banking (in the physics sense, not the finance bit). The middle part of the route had absolutely no shade at all since it was mostly highway. The last 2km was deceiving because we had to loop the finishing point (it gets quite demoralising when you have that almost-there-but-not-there-yet feeling). Road conditions probably contributed to my ITB acting up on my left leg. ITB is the pain one gets on the outer side of the knees when running. You'll know it's ITB when it's excruciating to do downhills or walk down stairs. It's not the bone or anything major. It's just a !@#$%% painful thing to have on a long distance run and it's very different from cramps.

It happened around the 10km mark and then I had to manage the pain by engaging on a run-stretch-walk strategy just to complete the run. Fortunately I had my Polar to monitor my speed and pace. When I was walking, I could maintain my pace at about 7.4kmph speed. When I felt like I could do a run, I'd compensate lost time and gain mileage by going beyond 10-12kmph. In all, my average speed was 8.4kmph, so by the law of averages, I was hovering at brisk walking speed for most of the time. Oops.. i meant hobbling and limping. There were times when I had to search for a lamppost just so that I could lean my body weight on it to stretch my ITB but it only gave temporary relief. At the aid stations, there were red crescent medics with muscle ointment. I knew it wouldn't help because the ITB is technically not a muscle (or is it?), I just needed temporary relief in whatever means available. I also made it a conscious effort to only allow my left hand to massage my ITB with the ointment while allowing my right hand for other duties like wiping sweat and taking water and gels. There were many times when I walked faster than some runners. hee hee....

Finally completed the run at self-timed 2hr 33min 54sec. My stanchart timing last Dec was 2hr 33min 36sec! (must buy some more 4D!)

Post race massage was the worst! I thought I could alleviate the ITB pain but I was screaming bloody murder at the poor masseuse when he massaged my left leg. Interestingly, I have absolutely no idea why I was screaming in bahasa melayu when it was so damn painful! "Adoi! Adoi!!!!" I mean, I could have just screamed OUCH or ARRGHHH!!! I just dunno why I could garner enough vocal energy to scream a foreign language which has 2 syllabi in a word that describes excruciating pain! I swore that the pain was so bad I would have preferred running another 21km if I had a choice.

Well, that was my somewhat brief report. The pain is NOT going to stop me from taking part in more endurance races. No pain, No gain. :)

But of course, in moderation, progression and within my sanity limits.

Overall Men's Half Marathon Result:
Gun Time - 2:35:30
Chip Time - 2:33:50
10km Time - 1:05:57
Category Position - 446/594
Overall Position - 862/1139

What if YOU were given the status of 'Internally Displaced Person'?

Kuala Lumpur International Marathon

Konsortium Bas Ekspres

Somehow you’d know that there would be some sort of kok up when the speling of a kompani is speled as konsortium bas ekspres. For the uninitiated, it is actually the bahasa melayu translation for the Consortium Bus Express. Anyway this blog entry is being written on CW’s mac laptop on the way home from KL because my ‘on-board personal entertainment system’ is not working and I’m nursing a very bad case of ITB (which I’ll talk about later)


Karbo-Loading & Race Kit Kollection

CW, SK, JP, RO and I arrived in Kuala Lumpur the day before the race. Yes, we took the Konsortium Bas Ekspres from Singapore to KL. They stayed at the Mandarin Oriental while I stayed with FT (who came on an earlier coach) at the Swiss Garden Hotel.

I slept about 80% of the way from Singapore to KL as I had very little sleep the night before leaving for Malaysia. I had intended to sleep the moment I checked into the hotel but went against the idea, as I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I had taken an extended afternoon nap.

Most of the Trifam contingent met up during the race kit collection at Wisma OCM. I think it’s meant to be an indoor sports hall with sparse seating and 3 or 4 badminton courts. Whatever it is, it was a huge contrast to what Singapore had in last year’s marathon expo. Race kit collection at the OCM reminded me of my secondary school days when we sat for our language aural examinations. Anyway I found out that the sgrunners had already collected my race bib and T-shirt (which wasn’t impressive). We later went out for a ‘carbo-loading’ dinner at the KLCC. I had a serving of fettucini carbonara, shared a fish & chips with CW, and a blended fruit juice as dessert.

I managed to sleep at midnight for a 0445hr wake-up call.

Dataran Merdeka + Urban Setting + Roadkill: The Race

FT and I were doing the half marathon (that’s 21.1km) so we got up at 0445 hrs to prep up. Breakfast was basically pastry from Breadtalk, tea, and lots of hydration between waiting for each other to use the toilet (read: shit). We walked to the race site at the Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square). It’s a beautiful and historic venue to hold any large-scale event. I must say that I was very intrigued with the architecture and the atmosphere of the place. Semangat. Spirit. Somehow I felt it…… until a booming voice came over the PA system, “Okay half marathon runners, you all must get ready in the holding area… blah blah blah” Basically it reminded me of (again) my secondary school morning assemblies.

I had my last minute pre-race bladder release routine and the race began at 0630hrs. With drums giving the upbeat rhythm of pace, the crowd of half marathons ran into the break of dawn.

Some parts of the course were very dark – no streetlights, but only traces of luminescence from runners’ reflective shoes and vests. The course had plenty of ascends up highway ramps and cambering at the banks of highway entrances and exits. As a traffic engineer, I must say that KL roads are designed to satisfactory standards (I say designed, not planned). Even the road tapers and side gradients are okay. You see, I’m quite lucky to be a traffic engineer who is able to appreciate such details of roads and streets. It really does take out the boredom of a long and arduous run. Then again, not many people actually run or enjoy the wonderful art of road design… J

I tried my best to keep to the asphalt instead of concreted roads so that impact is reduced on the knees. I also tried to keep to the top of slope so that the effects of cambering are minimal. But it’s really not too easy to do that in the case of KL highways, and I shan’t go into design details here.

It was mostly highway for about the first 15 km of the race. The remainder was on city streets – most were tarred but some stretches were flat-cobbled. We had to pass through some traffic junctions with errant drivers and impatient motorcyclists. Some didn’t take the traffic warden’s heed to yield to marathoners.

The final 2km was looping deceivingly around a portion of the city that was near to the Dataran (end-point). A peek of the end point teased the runners, as they had to loop around another 1.5km to finish the race. Along the loop, I counted 3 roadkills of rats. Eeks. And to think that there were crazy barefoot marathoners who were running in this race as well. Fresh roadkill, and I thought I saw a stretch of mature trees nearing the Dataran which had birdshit all over the road.

How to Overcome ITB Pains During a Race

At the 10km mark, I sensed the impending ITB problem on the outer side of my left knee. I slowed down and decided to engage the run-stretch-walk strategy to complete the race. 7kmph was the slowest I could afford to walk. Time was on my side as far as I was concerned. Overall I maintained an average of 8.4kmph from the run-walk combination.

The pains got worse as I moved on and I had to psyche myself that I could manage the ITB. I’ll share with you how I distracted myself:

1. I looked for targets to run to before alternating to the walking routine. I looked for wayfinding signages, posters, bus-stops, trees, etc,
2. I looked at my Polar 625X constantly to ensure I was maintaining minimum speed and pace, and
3. I tried VERY hard to remember what the heck ITB stands for! Illytobby Band, Italy Band, Illoytobias Band…… see, I still cannot remember the actual spelling and pronunciation for the ITB acronym. It irks me no end. I even thought of it as the Irritating & Terrible Bane, and Irksome, Trying & Bothersome.

With perserverence and pure grit, I ground my teeth and limped my way to the finishing line in an astonishing (unofficial) time of 2hrs 33min! It’s astonishing because this was exactly my same timing at last December’s Singapore Marathon!

When in Rome, Do What the Romans Do

At the finishing point, I was met by FT who came in about 15 minutes ahead of me. He suggested that I go for a post race massage.

I went to the tent that provided sports massage.

I was attended to by a male masseuse and he worked on my lower left limb first. 2 minutes into the massage and I was already screaming murder because of the excruciating pain on the left ITB. Only I screamed in bahasa “Adoi! Adoi!” I have no idea what took control of me but at emergency situations like these where reflexes usually take control of the being, I actually screamed in bahasa melayu!

If Malaysia boleh, Munnster lagi boleh!

It is quite daunting and somewhat demoralizing when cramps (like I experienced in last week’s duathlon) and ITB sets in. I fight with myself throughout the race and question my sanity. I ask myself if I should carry on. At times, I urge myself to give up. Sometimes I even console myself that the elites have DNFed just because they didn’t ‘feel’ the race accordingly. Alas, giving up has never been an option for me so far. As with life’s challenges and adversities, every one tells a unique story. Every single downside makes me understand myself better. Lessons can be learned from a simple thing such as managing pain or a cramp. There will be harder lessons to learn in life. Never give up – a simple but powerful mantra. The other mantra I live on is Luke 1:37 "Nothing is impossible with God".

Having said that, the only way I would give up a challenge is when the pain becomes life threatening. By this I mean physical threats (abnormal breathing difficulties) or even emotional threats (I would quit a race if a fellow athlete is in trouble - there will be emotional bearing if I don't assist a fallen comrade).

In summary, I will not give up a race if I can deal with it. Visions of quitting will not sway me unless conscience steps in. Race smart.

Adversity will give us another day to live. Overcoming adversity gives us another day to be proud of ourselves.

Duathlon photos

Is my dimple showing on the relaxed 10km run?

Along the 36km Scenic Route of Cramps

5km Run Out After Transitioning from 36km Bike

Stellar performance by the Saturday Meesua Running Team at the Singapore Duathlon 2006

East Coast Park, Singapore - The season-opener in the local multisports calendar saw an unprecendented turnout at yesterday's Singapore Duathlon 2006. The endurance race consisting of 10km run, 36km bike and another 5km run saw some 800 particpants taking part in the gruelling event. While there were almost 400 participants who did the full distance, some 200 teams of two also took part in the relay category.

Teams came from varied backgrounds and even raced in different kinds of bicycles. Competition was keen and tough amongst the relay teams, with some teams fielding cyclists in skin-tight 'ultraman' gear and spruced-up bicycles. Others, like the 4th Singapore Infantry Regiment (4 SIR) fielded platoons of soldiers -obviously first-timers - in their ubiquitous PT attire and knobby-tired mountain bicycles in this test of lower limb and cardiovascular endurance.

One recreational group in particular registered 3 relay teams for the event. Team Leng-Ling-Leng, The Boys of '74, and Dua Kaki II were the teams fielded by the Saturday Meesua Running Team (SMRT). Formed informally about 2 years ago, the SMRT is predominantly a running group whose members run at MacRitchie Reservoir Park almost every Saturday morning (and public holiday) before adjourning for a well-deserved breakfast of mee sua at a local coffeeshop. Sunday's event was the first multisports event that the SMRT took part in, besides the several marathons that members have taken part through the years.

"This is the first time we're soaking in the atmosphere at a multisports event. It's definitely different from running-only events. I might consider taking part in next year's edition, once I can commit to upgrade or buy a new road bike and one of those skin-tight 'ultraman' outfits. This is quite inspiring!" said John, a spokesperson for the SMRT, when asked about his own plans in relation to SMRT's.

"The guys here are quite cute with the carved-out bodies gleaming in the sand-dusted sun. I cannot wait to take part in the relay category of a triathlon. Can you imagine there'll be more hot bods around?" exclaimed Ser Ling, the cycling half of Team Leng-Ling-Leng, "As a cyclist, I still have some time to check out the boys coming out of the sea after their treacherous swim before I bike away with motivation!"

John gave a wry smile and nodded in agreement.

The Saturday Meesua Running Team also had their cheerleaders coming out in full force in support of their participating members. With cameras and chilled fruits in hand, they cheered on at their suffering team-mates as they looped the circuits of endless sheer torture.

When asked about the strong evidence of team spirit in SMRT, headmistress Wei Leng answered, "We have a great bunch of people in our group. We are all single and we care for each other. There's nothing else to do on a Sunday morning so why not come participate or cheer the rest on? It's amazing how everyone supports each other in the group, even at the wee hours of the morning!" as she referred to late-night 'planning' sessions and 'carbo'-loading parties. "I mean, John came with his skates in the hope of pacing the runners. Chiwei walked all the way from the car park despite his swollen knee. Vivien brought chilled fruits. Ros gave us directions and the use of her parking spaces. Cynyi even brought some badminton racquets. Hazel haggled with the taxi driver so she actually got here in time! Darwin took some photos of us while we suffered. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that made this outing so beautiful. It isn't just about running or cycling or racing. It was about the spirit from the our subsidiary Meesua Team Rahrah (MTR) which spurred all of us to make it happen and to push ourselves beyond our limits."

Meanwhile, SMRT is in the midst of negotiations with the mee sua stall for possible sponsorship of dri-fit running vests and mee sua thin colour-coordinated shoe laces for upcoming races. ~ Munnster News

CM = Cramp Management: Race Report for Singapore Duathlon 2006

Cold Feet
It was the cycling leg of the relay last year which got me started in the Duathlon. I partnered with Steve to form the Dua Kaki team in 2005.

This year, I looked straight in the eye of the full challenge - 10km Run, 36km Bike, 5km Run. I had my initial reservations because I dreaded the bike-run transition. The lure of the full distance didn't seem all too attractive as well.

Nevertheless I registered for the race, reassuring myself that I've ran more than 15km before and biked more that 40km, albeit at separate times. Moreover I should be fitter than a year ago, and I've since had more spinning classes to *hopefully* improve on my bike splits. I also had the support of great training buddies who volunteered to pace me, or just simply turn up to cheer the participants on. Another group of friends from the usual Saturday morning runs also decided to take up the challenge of the relay category for a 'feel' of a multisports event. The spirit of attempting the race - even in the relay - spurred me to sign up as an individual participant.

Even through days leading to the event, I still had cold feet. Again, I reassured myself that distance wasn't my mantra, but by having faith in Luke 1:37 and being 'slow and steady'.

The Agony of The Feet
WL picked me up early on Sunday morning for Mandarin Gardens, our meeting point for the rest of the Saturday running group. I had my hearty Macdonald's breakfast and I made sure i hydrated with enough water and electrolytes. I wasn't too sure what I missed out.

Fast forward to the starting line-up, Edkor gatecrashed to pace Reeves and me. 9:30am - the Men's Open race started. I ran and maintained a constant 10.3kmph pace. There were several slips of pace but I compensated with a faster gait. A bunch of NS boys from 4 SIR in their distinctive "blue beauty queen sash" singlets overtook me in great pace. I thought of them as fit young men who could do the 10km in good timing. But could they endure the race?

I finished the first 10km in good sub-hour timing. My PB for a multisport event and I still felt good and ready to take on the bike course.

Then I transitioned for the bike leg. It was also the first time I used the carbon strykes and aero drink bottle - my first race with aerobars. The 36 km 'journey' consisted of 4 loops around the flat coastal park. I managed to maintain a good 28-36kmph speed, except for the 2nd round when I experienced severe cramps of the calves. I couldn't figure at first why my calves were straining at a seemingly flat and easy course until I caught a glimpse of my calves and they were bulging hard! I tried to vary my gears to relieve some pain but to no avail. I tried to get on aero position to shift my muscle groups. It was a temporary relief but the strains persisted with agonizing intensity. Something was not right, but my contradicting brain told me to keep going and keep pushing, albeit at a comfortable pace. I knew for sure that I couldn't afford to bonk since there was another 20km ahead of me for the bike and another 5km run. I had to finish the race (after all, WL promised to treat me to makan if I finished the race! haha... ).

Soon, my legs was on autopilot and I couldn't feel a thing. All I felt was that my calves were getting stiffer the more I pedalled. I was travelling at 20kmph in lead-laden legs. I was prepared to slow down to a halt and just fall off the bike with my cleats still attached. Then I saw a red cross medic ahead and I slowly veered to the right towards him. Lloyd screamed from behind "Munn! Right! Right! Coming in on the right! MUNN!! F-word!" I almost came to a stop and tried to uncleat but I couldn't! Lloyd took evasive action and sped past me in the narrowest of gaps on my right. Dang! I felt bad coz I could have caused him to crash!

*Sorry Lloyd, bro....*

I called on the medic to hold on to the bike while I tried to uncleat. Again, I couldn't. I had to literally twist my body (instead of my lower legs) to uncleat. Cramps. I spent a good 5 minutes having a massage of sorts by the medic (thanks!) and had a free show of the passing bikes ala Tour de East Coast.

Giving up was never an option. I got back to the bike when I felt slightly better and trudged on. The 4 SIR boys were falling away like emergency rations released from a relief helicopter. The boys were on knobby-tired mountain bikes and I could have sworn most of them were travelling at a "very leisurely" pace of 15kmph. The scene that kept me going in somewhat sadistic motivation was the awesome feeling of zooming past the pathetic blokes while on the aero position. I gobbled 2 packets of E-gels, thinking that the concentrated salt content could stop the cramps.

Approaching transition and about 2km before dismount, I set my gears to smaller chainring at increased cadence, in the hope of 'getting rid' of the lactic acid built-up. At transition, WL and Clifford (Lau) were there to support me. I screamed out cramps. But I faced the final 5km and trudged on.

The Joy of Defeat
The cramps continued. In fact, they seemed to have a brain of their own. This time the cramps moved up to the thighs. I tried to keep my pace at 8kmph. Slow and steady and I also have to admit that I took every excuse to walk when I approached the drink stations and to respond to everyone that cheered me on. It was my way of pain relief.

At the final 1.5km, there was Jerry Wan - godsent like an angel - he paced me to the end with words of encouragement and the never-say-die attitude.

*Thanks Jerry!*

I clocked an unofficial 2hr 50min at the finishing line. The moment I stopped, the brains of my legs decided to take full charge of me. My thighs tensed up so much I couldn't walk. All I could do was shuffle my feet like a geisha in kimono. Even that was agonizing.

Lots of picture perfect grimacing and contradictory mind-over-body thoughts later, I managed to just fall off my side (while standing!) and actually stretch myself to limited but
movable flexibility.

Then I collected my Orbea and regrouped with the gang... contented that I completed the race in a sub 3-hour timing.

Cramp Management while on-the-go. The joy of defeat. Defeat of the cramps.

Things learned during this race:

Lesson 1: Never cut the straw too short on the aero drink system! Time to get replacement straw!
Lesson 2: Don't underestimate power of a recovery drink
Lesson 3: Love your buddies who pace and support you!

Caught!

I really need to clarify.

I was only doing my normal leisurely training at Sentosa last Sunday morning - 20km bike around the satellite station and 5km coastal run with Smallcircle Sir and Jerry Wan.

I didn't intend to gatecrash the NUS Biathlon, NEITHER DID I WANT TO BULLY THE YOUNG KID BEHIND ME!

Traffic News of the Day - Singapore

The AlTeeAye announced that they will be installing intelligent road studs at some traffic junctions, apparently to make crossing junctions safer for pedestrians.

The article can be found here.

This has got to be one of the rare occasions where the welfare and safety of pedestrians is taken into consideration. Maybe the initiative comes from a different department, or maybe it just happens to be under the purview of AlTeeAye (and not the 101 other agencies).

Whatever it is.... apart from the rather oxymoronic term "intelligent stud", I wonder what the studs would look like at the traffic junctions?... ... like that safe to cross meh? haha... hmmm... i wonder again what would it be like if it were a 'flashing' green stud... ...

The Beatles... simple yet profound

Their simple lyrics, profound and straight-to-the-point. No wonder the Fab Four still has such a great following...

Decidedly my favourite band together with U2.

"Oh yeah, I´ll tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

Oh, please, say to me
You'll let me be your man
and please, say to me
You'll let me hold your hand
Now let me hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

And when I touch you i feel happy, inside
It's such a feeling
That my love
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide

Yeah you, got that something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand

And when I touch you I feel happy, inside
It's such a feeling
That my love
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide

Yeah you, got that something
I think you'll understand
When I feel that something
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand"

Once a Scout, Always a Scout

Today is World Scout's Day.

I joined the Scout Movement and got my World Scout Badge back in 1985. Fond memories of being a cadet scout in Maris Stella include our very first meeting - it was a lesson on sewing. Yep, we had to sew our badges onto our temasek green uniform and it is one life skill (sewing in general, not just clothe badges! But I reckon there are iron-on ones nowadays) that has stuck with me all these years. Then there was the mess-tin cookouts we had in the back of the old MSHS canteen. I cannot forget our night 'confidence' walk at Bidadari during the scout camp - my first encounter with casual walks in the cemetery, stargazing, and listening to distraught wailing from families of the deceased at the nearby Mount Vernon funeral parlours! How about our scavenger hunt at Lucky Plaza in primary five (way before the existence of Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City), and the time we had the aussie exchange student/scout? Then there was the hiking bit at Macritchie Reservoir where we spent some time catching butterflies for our Naturalist badge. And of course the outing to the original Sands House at Clemenceau.

Nostalgia, nostalgia, nostalgia!

Then I went on to join the 2516 Scout Troop. Flying Fish Patrol. Coincidentally, I was also in the Flying Fish Patrol in cadet scouts. This was where I learned about integrity, discipline, motivation and true nature of DEXUFTO (our version of torture camp).

I learned how not to give up in adverse situations (you can't really give up when under authority to do push-ups at the sludge processing facility outside our school compound - in full of sludge!, or standing up to a pack of wild dogs in Mandai).

I learned to appreciate my surroundings - nature and urban landscape, including being aware and observant of the things around me. How? Marching hikes from school to Punggol Jetty. Round-island topo, and even memorizing the islamic names of our dead neighbours and year of death at Bidadari.

We also had our fair bit of fun and laughter during the combined hikes with St Anthony's Guides and Hai Sing Guides. And we'll always have fun during campfires, where the boys impress the guides from St Nick's, IJ, KC, etc... with badge-laden shoulders and bravado abseiling stunts on the school parapet and walls (we were also known as the Dancing Lizards).

Nostalgia, Nostalgia, Nostalgia!

Here's to all the Marist Scouts..... Brothers always!

Singapore's gonna have a Spaceport by 2009!

Refer to this news article from channelnewsasia.

Singapore's got one of the world's busiest seaport and airport, and prides itself with a 'world-class' land transport system. Now it's gonna go further than 35,000 feet and beyond the stratosphere, delving into outer-space.

Imagination to reality: A return trip from Singapore to the moon for S$1.5 million + GST on TigerSpaceways. Options for freeze-dried nasi lemak and teh-si kosong available on board. Sorry, no inflight entertainment.

I want to be the transport planner for this one. Shiok!

But I wonder how the astronaut (singanaut? lioncitynaut? can-or-naut? sure-can-aut?) will land in Singapore...

sure-can-aut (S-C-N): Changi, we have a problem.
mission control (MC): S-C-N, send.
S-C-N: Changi, we are heading home from the moon.
MC: S-C-N, we know. What is the problem?
S-C-N: Changi...... wah lau eh! Which cartoon choose to have spaceport in Singapore? Country so damn small, I cannot see from up here ah! WHERE TO LAND?!?!?!

Who says all good things come in pairs?

Not when it involves socks management in the household!

As long as there are at least 2 working male adults in the house, it is absolutely necessary to implement the Central Sock Repository (CSR).

I'm sure there are many people who are in my position (or were before). I live with my parents and Dad is still in the labour workforce. Both of us wear typical 'business' socks to work, complete with the ubiquitous pressed shirt and pants. Like women and their obsession with heels/flats/courtshoes/etc. that are black, men also have this thing for black (or at least predominantly very dark) socks.

The first irritating thing about bad sock management is pairing the socks after they come out of the laundry. So many times, one sock is matched with another sock with subtle differences in patterns or slightly darker/lighter shade of black.

Then it sometimes goes to the wrong drawer.

And then the unmatched socks are matched with other socks of (subtle) different patterns or slightly darker/lighter shade of black!

Remember statistics and probability? Well this is the classic case of having 20 (or more) pairs of black or almost black socks of subtle differences in all possible kinds of combinations ever fathomable in the realm of statistical analysis. The propensity for such combinational flaws will reach a magnitude so high that family feuds have been known to occur.

I just have this strange feeling that the phrase 'to sock someone' (or to 'hit someone forcefully') has its origins from extremely poor sock management.

By the way, don't even bring up the subject that 'the socks will be covered by the pants anyway'. It just doesn't cut it. Socks are the deciding factor if a man is accepted by the Fashion Police. I've learned from Men's Health that a pair of socks should match the pants a man is wearing (grey pants with grey socks; black pants with black socks). But I digress...

I am therefore thinking of implementing the CSR in my own house for the sake of world peace. Let me negotiate with Dad in the next couple of days.

Consolation

And so WL consoles me and tells me that doing 12:02 min for the 2.4km run wasn't that bad after all, considering that I was much worse-off barely over a year ago.

I've got to agree with her.

Between last year and this year, my IPPT age category moved one notch. This means by standards alone, it would require less of me to attain the different levels of achievements. This year, I'm in Category Y1.

Let's compare results from May 2004, May 2005 and February 2006 (station/May '04/May'05/Feb'06/judgement for this year):

• chin-up / 5 /6 / 7 / better
• sit-up /35 / 40 / 35 / worse (but May'05 were 'magic' counts)
• SBJ / 198 / 216 / 212 / worse
• Shuttle Run / 10.0 / 10.0 / 9.9 / better
• 2.4km Run / DNS / 12:19 / 12:02 / better

Consolation: Looks like I have indeed been improving despite getting older in age. Also note that it was because of the May 2004 results that I had to do Remedial Training (RT) which was essentially the reason that started me off on a regular exercise routine (and therefore attempting triathlons). My timings for 2.4km run during RT was in the embarrasing area of 15 - 16 minutes. So yes, I have improved! Another consolation: I'm getting older but the qualification is getting easier to pass! Hmmmm.... at this rate I'm going, maybe I can try for an Olympic medal for the Senior Olympics in 2030!

IPPT doesn't cater to Triathletes

While general fitness and endurance has improved through constant (and progressive) triathlon training, it is usually the slow twitch muscles that are activated for long distances. The fast "booster" twitch muscles are left unattended since spurts of boosting energy is seldom called for in triathlon training. Without the proper development of fast twitch muscles, the IPPT (or the Individual Physical Proficiency Test) will be quite useless to the NSman who has been training for triathlons all this while!

There are 5 stations of the IPPT, namely the Chin-up, Shuttle Run, Standing Broad Jump, Sit-ups, and the 2.4km run.

Looking at the above, what are the stations that would benefit the triathlete?

1. The Chin-up Station. Our arm muscles will be toned and built for general overall strength from all the swim training. Chin-ups shouldn't be a major problem.
2. Shuttle Run requires massive bursts of energy. This is a fast-twitch station. Everyone generally does well in this station but I've seen test-takers screw up on this because they tend to 'micro-brake' on their expensive non-running shoes. These jokers screech alot. I have no problems with this station - usually my best but the score range is quite narrow. This is when 0.01 seconds means alot!
3. SBJ. I hate this one. This is the station I'll rant about. For this station, one requires THAT sudden burst of fast-twitch action to leapfrog the distance. It has to be coupled with technique. It's a make-it-of-break-it station. I'm always at the borderline. Triathletes may not do well on this one.
4. Sit-ups. This can be easily aced if the triathlete has been using his core muscles. Core muscles are essential in sustaining the long distances. Non-triathletes tend to use momentum in getting the required numbers, but I think triathletes can do it steadily and surely within the 1 minute time-frame.
5. 2.4km run. In my opinion, time taken to complete this course will be reduced due to all the LSD training. However, speed is the crux of the matter. To complete the 2.4km run in gold standard timing (<10.15min>

In summary, the IPPT is not exactly catered to the triathlete lifestyle. Some of the tests do not favour the triathlete and is therefore not an indication of an NSmen's physical prowess.

So what can be done to ace the 'difficult' stations? There is nothing else better than spot training. It is already established that general health and fitness is there to at least pass or get a silver standard. What would a triathlete need to do to get that S$400 gold incentive reward?

1. Work on the core muscles. Pilates should do the job. (sit-ups + chin-ups)
2. Interval training. More time and mileage has got to be spent at the track to do fast sprints + slow recovery runs. (2.4km run)
3. Fartlek training should help in cardiovascular and strength at the quadriceps and calf muscles (2.4km run + shuttle run + SBJ)
4. Tuck jumps and vertical (stair) runs (SBJ and shuttle run)

Together with the above, there is a need to incorporate heart rate training for each specific type of spot training so that a form of progress monitoring can be done.

And now comes the reason why am I writing this. I did my IPPT at Maju Camp yesterday with FT, CW and Wayne.

My results (station/score/pts):

• Chin-up/7/3
• Shuttle Run/9.9s/5
• Standing Broad Jump/212cm/2
• Sit-ups/35/4
• 2.4km Run/12:02min/3

Overall result --> Pass, Incentive.

WHAT?!?! All I needed was that 4cm for my SBJ to get a SILVER! This translates to S$200 incentive reward!

Actually, with the increasing exposure to multisports, perhaps MINDEF should review the IPPT standards. If a multisport athlete takes part in 3 or more endurance sports annually, then the athlete may be exempted from the IPPT and get monetary rewards directly?

G.A.W.K again

I think I can feel a teeny weeny bit of difference at the 'powerhouse' portion of my torso. I may be able to entice my abs to surface afterall. The pilates classes at California Fitness is giving me some results. Not that I can see the abs yet, but I can feel the tightness around the area (everybody altogether now: oooooooooooohhh). All said, the classes are not meant to be once-a-week workouts on the core muscles. Working (and using) core muscles to do your daily chores should be a sub-conscious effort. My inkling is that only then will the abs peak.

I'll try this method. After all, the pilates movements aren't too difficult to replicate anywhere. I think all I have to do is to incorporate a few exercises into my daily stretching routine.

Can it be done?

BTW, I'm taking on WL's 6 month challenge to get a 6-pack. Whoa... looks like come August, I'll probably need to post a picture of my dream 6-pack.

Note: if anyone thinks that I'm trying to be vain in getting a 6-pack washboard ab, then let me just say that it's not an easy process. I think completing an Ironman is much simpler. Some people have the privilege of having those abs, but I'm not one of them. It will be through sheer hard work and loads of determination. Even that in itself is not guaranteed because I may just have to succumb to the fact that my body isn't built that way. We'll see in 6 months time, and then we'll pass a judgement okay?

Phoenix Rises from the Ashes

It's been two long months. I'm back from a self-imposed hiatus (it's called 'bin lazin around')!

Quick update: I've left my former company and I've been at Maunsell for a month already. It's been good so far. There are 99 other staff here compared to the solo survival course at the previous 'outpost'. Therefore interaction with fellow humanoids is - at long last - very frequent. I also don't have to crack my head wondering where to have my lunch and with whom. I'm usually with my co-workers. The office is at Beach Road so it's also very near the Bugis California Fitness Club. It's got an awesome spinning studio. I know, I know I used to cuss and swear at the persistent (and often brash) sales tactics of California gym staff. Ah, but let me clarify that I am only going to Cali for the spin classes and the occasional pilates class. I still honour my own stance that I shall not have any dealings with their sales personnel (read: con) other than paying my regular monthly subscription.

Returning to Maunsell is a blessing in several ways. I used to be an intern here back in the summer of '97 - right after my freshman year at Purdue. I'm so glad that I was offered to 'contribute to Maunsell's worldwide growth' even before I was told of the news that 'AmVeeAye' would be moving operations to Bangkok. There are also several familiar faces here, which in itself is a consolation that the turn-over rate is not as bad as say... ElTeeAye. And then I remember the Happy Hours of yore, which is still quite a frequent culture here. Awesome!

Training-wise, I've started to put on more saddle time by signing up and attending spinning classes about 2-3 times a week. It's been about 3 weeks and I can already feel the improvement in general endurance. Running has also improved due to the regular Saturday morning sessions with Weileng's group and Monday afterwork runs with my Maunsell coworkers.

I think it's been great so far in terms of training. I started off with improving on my swim, then in Oct 2005 decided to concentrate on my run, and now it's time to put on saddle time. I still have to work on the diet plan though. It's all following my progressive and incremental plan though.

Ironman Busselton by end of the year? Hmmm.... it's not an impossibility!

Next race up... Singapore Duathlon on 26 Feb and Kuala Lumpur Half Marathon on 5 March.

Engineermunn Announces Plans for His 2006 Season, Newbies Rejoice At Realistic and Attainable Goals

Upper Thomson, Singapore - After completing his first half marathon at the annual Singapore Standard Chartered Marathon yesterday, Engineermunn has announced that his 'professional' races in the 2006 season would consist of mostly half marathons and Olympic distance triathlons.

"I am on track with my progressive and incremental distances when I race. I started off with the 10km distance in 2004. This year, it was mainly sprints and then the penultimate half marathon yesterday. I have achieved what I had set out when I first began in this endurance endeavour", Engineermunn told the Trifam Times. "I might throw in a half ironman distance sometime towards the end of the year, in line with achieving my Ironman dreams in 2007 or 2008", reassured Engineermunn who was quelling rumours from a certain media celebrity that he did not 'look like an Ironman'.

Newbies welcome this piece of exciting news as they have recently been feeling very intimidated by the very rapid and sometimes crazy races that members of Trifam are embarking on. One of the members who only wants to be identified as Seng Chiow said, "Lucky I now can train properly. All those guys say jump means jump. I cannot lah. Must train properly. I still want to enjoy my races. Now, Engineermunn decide to do half marathons, I can still tahan lah. We will not run lonely anymore!"

When asked why he wants to just concentrate on half marathons, Engineermunn said that he would like to know that he can improve on his 21.1km distances first before taking the big leap, adding that his motto has always been "Slow and Steady, Everything in Moderation". "I know when I'll be ready for a full distance in the sanest of ways. Don't worry, I'll get there." Engineermunn reassured his rousing fans from Phillips, Toyomi and KDK.

CYCLING TURTLE TURNS ONE!

Review

It's been an awesome year for personal achievement through health and fitness. Exactly one year ago, I embarked on a personal journey to test my abilities in multisports. I told myself that no matter how long or tedious the race would be, I would sign up for races that would test my abilities in a progressive way. I used the annual Standard Chartered Marathon as my yardstick - my personal datum for sporting excellence.

I started with the 10km segment of the 2004 Stanchart Marathon. Yesterday, I completed the half marathon segment of the 2005 Stanchart Marathon. In between these milestones, I also managed a few biathlons, triathlons and duathlons. Along the way, I have been inspired by so many athletes. I've met so many ordinary people who have also proved to themselves and others that they can do it too. I hope I've inspired those around me too, especially those who are skeptical of their own abilities.

The Half Marathon Report

The day started out really humid. I was wondering to myself that the cloud cover was indeed thick and motionless at the ungodly hours of 5am. Climatic conditions were very unlike the 5am Sengkang training runs we had prior to race day. There was no wind at all, not even the reassuring breeze or a cool whiff of welcome respite. My initial race strategy was to carry my camelbak with my ipod nano. Alas, my nano screwed up on me. I have been doing my training runs with my nano and I even set up playlists for 5km runs, 10km runs and my half marathon. But it has got to be TODAY that my nano had to crash. The nano just didn't want to run with me on this day. Although I felt dejected, I knew I couldn't let this chance of running the half just because of a rotten Apple. I set off for the race site with heavy feet. No kidding, the lightweight New Balance 901 shoes didn't help at all. I decided against the camelbak as well which on hindsight was a wise decision as the water support was excellent.The full marathon was off at 6am. I was just focusing on my Half. At 0620 hrs, I followed the masses to the starting pens like sheep to slaughter. The starting boom at 0630 hrs was accompanied by " The Final Countdown" and a single lightning bolt in the distance. The bolt sent the masses woo-ing and wow-ing. I bet some runners were hoping that the weather would turn alittle bit cooler.

The rotten Apple made me decide to change my pacing strategy by incorporating alternative psychological boosts. Without the sounds of U2, military cadence and Chariots of Fire, I ran on the right-most side of the route so I could keep a lookout for fellow Trifamers attempting their marathon feat. I caught glimpses of Ben Wee, David Lim, Coconut, Yew, Bklew, IMIM, Tricia, Mythos, Francis, Kenneth, etc. I thought to myself that at least I could keep my mind busy trying to identify our Trifam Crazy Horses with balloons tied to their waists. Don't they even know the concept of drag? Gee whiz.

My first 10km was a breeze and I managed a personal best of 1hr. I thought if I continued at this pace, I could really 'smell' my sub-2 hour target if only I put in that little bit of effort. And then I had this urge to answer nature's call. I was running along like a dog and searching for suitable places to 'mark my scent'. The civilised part of me told me to use the toilet which on hindsight was a terrible decision this time because it took a good 7 minutes and my momentum away! Now I knew what accumulated time wastage is all about! Ergh!

Second part of the Half saw me engaging my other strategy of run-walk-run-walk. I told myself that if I had to walk, I would walk at a pace of 7kmph or more. Thanks to my RS200sd, I could maintain my pace at comfy speed. But no thanks to my RS200sd, I was somehow reading someone else's heart rate. Either that, or I think I have 2 hearts because my max HR was 102%! By the way, running long distances without audio accompaniment made me think alot about life as well. There were some serious thoughts going through my head but that's another story entirely.

Screw the heart rate monitoring. So I was relying on listening to my own body and on my pacing to keep me in check.I planned to approach our glorious Supreme City Hall steps by picking up pace towards the finishing line. Baaaaasket...... my left leg cramped up at the last 40m. Dammit. Nevermind, I pushed on with mental recordings of Chariots of Fire and I completed the Half with a smile on my face - because I have achieved what I've set out to achieve.

Race Analysis

The official timings are out!

Chip Timing: 2 hours 33 min 36 sec (RS200sd timing recorded as 2:33:43)

Overall Placing in Entire Field: 1978/4021

Overall Placing in Gender: 1550/2857

Overall Placing in Division (Men/SIN): 1030/2102

The overall results indicate that I'm within the top 50% of all half marathoners, which surprisingly was what my 10km results indicated last year. I'm just an average joe when it comes to all these but I'm proud of myself!