don't panic!

[general sherman]

Got back from uni after a long day. Keyo is not yet home, the responsibility of cooking a decent ,let's not forget edible, meal falls flat on me.

After about 1 and a half hours of labouring in the kitchen, took my favourite bowl and head straight to my computer slash study desk.

As I turned on the monitor, I noticed that something is terribly wrong. The monitor is not showing anything. Being me, I acted nonchalantly. "Meh. Nothing bad. Just restart it."

Still being me, restarted the computer with the monitor turned on. The monitor is acting strange. It's not showing anything, lines and dots appeared instead. With me still trying to figure out what is wrong, an acrid burning scent smacks me on the nose. At that moment I realised, shockingly that my monitor is nearing its end.

Still in a state of shock and mourning the loss of a beloved lcd monitor, I logged on to the blogosphere to articulate to the world of my grief.

Fear not citizens of the net. I shall return anew. This hurdle and barricade will soon be torn down by sheer willpower and strength. In other words, I won't be online for a couple of days.

scouring eBay frantically to look for a new monitor

[get your own socks]

After a long period of laying off rugby, went to training on Thursday night and was told I had made the team for Saturday's game. Hey hey.

Did not have enough sleep today as we went out late last night. Thoughts of not going to the game crossed my mind a couple of times while I lay in the warmth of the blanket against the cold winter morning. Although the thought of me doing 10 laps around the paddock for skipping training for more than a month on Thursday night is still fresh in my mind hence I decided to go to the game.

The game is at Footscray. It should only be about 30 minutes bike ride from Brunswick but I got lost. Luckily I brought a bike trail map with me although I lost a glove in the process of getting there. Win some lose some. The game was due to start at 1330, got there at 1310. There goes my chance of starting in the first XV.

The coach was still undecided as to where to play me for this game. I used to play at second rower, prop, or number 8. The last game I played for Uni was at number 8 but today the coach told me to play at 7, openside flanker, in other words I got promoted! I was grinning like an idiot at the thoughts of playing at 7, when he finally puts me on the field I wasn't so sure about my fitness level, ever so humble, I changed position to play at 6, blindside flanker. Although I prefer playing at number 8 but I'm not complaining, I'm delighted.

A little rugby lesson:

Being a flanker, you have to tackle everything that moved in front of you. To do that you have to be quick and not be afraid to put your body on the line. Especially being a blindside flanker. Don't worry too much about the positions from scrum half to full back, they are called the backline or pretty-boys-i-don't-want-to-mess-my-hair guys.

From today's game, I accumulated more scars and injuries than I have ever obtained all my playing career, barring the broken foot. For an example, I wanted to tackle a guy but he went straight to my face, I got a torn lower lip (forgot to put on my mouthguard, was in my pocket) but got credited with a new type of tackling; tackling with you mouth. Now my lower lip is even thicker than a car's bumper. Nearly broke my left arm, a new scar on my cheek, swollen knee(s) and the list goes on.

I'll stop my senseless post here and go do something more beneficial to mankind, sleep.

Journey to Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud.

My fingers are pretty numb from the cold. The meteorology department had forecasted the lowest temperature for today will be 8 degrees. But now the mercury is at 6 degrees. What have you got to say for yourselves prophets of doom? My earth science friends are not going to like this one bit.

The following pictures are me doing what I do best; being an idiot and a good one at it. The pictures are taken at various places throughout New Zealand. Credits to Khairul 'Keyo" Ikhwan, Iza, Sheikh Lutfi and Razif for being such good sports although the potential to be embarrassed by my shtick is often prevalent. They can just run away while covering their faces under their hoodie or just snuck their heads into the sweater their wearing, but no. They chose to stick with me through the bitter end. Thanks again.

Outside Izzu's and Haz's house. Can't remember the street name. The sky was a deep sapphire blue. A very nice place Christchurch is.


At the City Bus Exchange, Christchurch. Just had our lunch, courtesy of Izzu and Haz.

Near Cathedral Square. Weird looks from the locals is to be expected with this sort of behaviour.

Near the Avon River, Christchurch. I do not want to dip my toes in the river, it's 4 degrees.


At the Christchurch International Airport. We missed our flight and had to take the next one. This is what I do in my spare time.

In front of the Pacific Blue International Check In counter. Moments after this photo was taken, we were thrown out by the airport security for disturbing the peace and inciting hatred. It's all political.

Near Victoria University of Wellington.The red gothic building at the far left is the Hunter Building.

Have no idea what this place is called. It's near the Parliament though.

In front of the Parliament and the Beehive. The security were taking their coffee break hence no one was hurt. Except maybe my right shoulder muscle tear.

With Razif at the Te Apiti wind farm, Palmerston North. The sound of the blades whishing as they cut through the air is impressive, it sends a shudder through your heart. A single blade is humongous. I learned about wind turbines theoretically, experiencing it first hand can never amount to anything done on paper. Still in awe to this very day.

With Razif again at the Rotary Court courtyard (can't avoid that,sorry). I'm leaving Palmy for Welly on a bus, hence the big backpack.

With Sheikh Lutfi. We were trying to recreate a dance about the emotional turmoil of a kangaroo as it prepares to go into labour. Not my proudest moment, nor him I suppose. Left hand holding Coraline by Neil Gaiman. It will scare you shitless.

At the Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. I am not in constipation nor am I praying for the rain.

There should be a long post accompanied by this picture. However as my fingers are numb, I will not even attempt to do so. Behind me is the Robert Scott Falcon statue, have no idea why it wanted to shove me out of the way, as I'm already on my way.

More words will soon follow this post.

Oh by the way, there's a new poll on the sidebar. Exercise your right to vote and you shall receive.

[A ventolin a day, keeps the taxman at bay]

Let's start the photo roll choronologically. Here's a few pictures from Brisbane:

Stretching before the match.

Still stretching. Look at the size of those thighs. Remember kids, avoid late night snacks

Walking to the toilet. Remember to take your fluids and drink lots of water the night before the game. Not half an hour before the game.

Standing from left: Lutfi, Zahidi, Amir, Jasman, Eby, Ijat, Kamal.
Sitting from left: Farid, Faris, Zul, Mazlan, Faliq, Fakhri, Rahmat.

I don't need to comment anymore on this photo.

Count how many people are trying to tackle me. This is why I love playing in MASCA. All these while playing for the uni, it's usually not possible for me to run straight at people and you have to tackle 100% all the time. But here, meh.

berlagak gila, kene panah petir baru tau

[Proudly Made In NZ]

Dead tired. A long post will soon follow. Oh yes, with pictures. Lots of it.

[Where have all the gumboots gone?]

Day 1:

Arrived in Brisbane at 1955. Had a niggling feeling that something terribly wrong is going to happen. The taxi driver drove us straight to our accommodation place as the Welcoming BBQ had already run out of food. Went to the local kebab shop, the shop must be doing brisk business tonight. All the Malaysians went there to grab a bite. They must be wondering why are there so many foreigners converging at one place, we must be planning to blow something up. Caught up with some old friends. Sneered at the Brisbane winter (minimum: 11 degrees Celcius), walking around with only a t-shirt. Then tidur.

Day 2:

Woken at 0430 by some ravens cawing near the bedroom window. Reminded of The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, replace the raucous cawing with "Nevermore" and you will absolutely descend into madness, yearning for Lenore. Half of me are cursing the unkindness (re: a company of ravens) but half of me are thinking you won't get this in Melbourne. Had breakfast, went around the campus. The campus is probably 20 times larger than Melbourne's Parkville campus. 3 years of strolling around a small campus makes one curse at the vastness of Uni of Queensland sheer size. Went to see the soccer match. Had a team meeting before dinner. Went to bed restless, thinking of tomorrow.

Day 3:

Woke up early again. Damn ravens. After breakfast, tried to sleep again but to no avail. Cuak or as the Javans call it a feeling of acute apprehension. Went to the oval at 1200 although the match only starts at 1400. Played against ACT, won 14-0. Played against Queensland, halfway through the game I got an asthma attack, haven't had an attack in years. Lost to Queensland 10-7. Their 2nd try (last minute) should not have been awarded as it did not even touch the line. Contested it with the official but to no avail. Lost the last game to NSW. Dejected. Disappointed. Both shoulders are kaput. Went to the Masquerade Ball with a heavy heart and feeling sore at every part of the body. Had a serious bout of cramp at dinner. Never felt this tired and sore even when I'm playing with the uni team.

Day 4:

Went out to the city with a friend for the whole day while waiting for the flight back to Melbourne. The busking scene in Brisbane's Queen Street is much more exciting than Melbourne although they can't challenge those guys playing near the Globe Silk Store in Jalan TAR. They are the best. Went back to Melbourne on the 1755 flight. Bye bye Brisbane. Hello dreary, gloomy and bitterly cold Melbourne. Going out with only a t-shirt is not advised at the time being.

[koyak sana koyak sini]

Just got back from Brisbane. Dead tired. Disappointed.