F1: Singapore did it .. and they did it differently

News about Singapore's featuring in the F1 Grand Prix calendar recently did not came unexpected. However what made the new kid on the block so intriguingly interesting is their wittiness. If KL GP is touted as the hottest race on the planet ... our kiasu neighbour upped the ante by introducing the first night race of F1 ...

Interesting but not totally unexpected though ... our F1 organizers tried the same thing in their proposal to extendt their F1 contract with the FIA body by proposing a night race as well. I do not understand and agree with the need to match Singapore stick by stick. So what if they came up with the night race ? I still think our own F1 GP is one most interesting of F1 races in the GP calendar. KL F1 GP has always been known not only as the HOTTEST race on earth but also the most unexpected race as well thanks to our very own 'unexpected' weather.

How can we forget the race a few years back which caught all the F1 teams by surprise. On a sunny afternoon, all the cars were equipped with dry tyres and were ready for another hot and blazing race. Unbeknownst to them, our 'best friend' the weather give the drivers a very 'warm' and trademark of Malaysian hospitality and welcoming gestures ... by 'offering' a heavy downpour the moment the cars turned to the first corner. To make it weirder, for the first couple of laps ... half of the circuit was raining whislt the other half is still as hot as ever.
I still remembered at that particular time, I was so 'proud' t be a Malaysian because the Mat Sallehs were all sweating because their weatherman apparently got it all wrong. Looks like our bomoh overpowered their costly technology gadgetries...

Thus, so what if Singapore hosts their very own night race ... let them be .... I personally feel that our own F1 race has its own beauty and attraction. In fact I am confident that ours will be much more better than them ... coz Malaysia Boleh !

To Wii or Not to Wii ?

A proud owner of a PS2 console, I gotta admit that I am a self professed Playstation fanatic and without a doubt I very much fancy the latest addition of Playstation console which is PS3. The reason is pretty simple, the raw power contained within the monster itself will simply blow away the competitors and at the same time the likes of game titles such as Metal Gear Solid 4, Final Fantasy XIII, Devil May Cry , Gran Turismo are simply a handful of gamers must have series to play.


Unfortunately, PS3 got off to a rather dissapointing start. Being pested with delays as well as the low amount of gaming titles currently, PS3 certainly wouldnt hope to be in a position they are in today. However, I am quite confident when more game titles starts to grace the PS3 console especially those must play titles which surely will make gamers yearn for more of PS3 in the future . PS3 is still abit too on the higher spectrum in terms of pricing. But then again, its still a fair price for a machine which packs the best of gaming technology all in one sleek box.






However this article is not about my aspirations on PS3, instead I am more interested in talking about the newest in gaming innovation ... Nintendo Wii. Recently I was given the pleasure to have a brief sight of the console which is taking the whole gaming world by storm. Looks like good old Nintendo is not gonna throw in the towel losing the console war to Sony and XBox ( Nintendo Dreamcast dint really fared well against them). The new Wii is touted as the console which will change the way gaming experience will be .... forever ??. Instead of the old button bashing way of experiencing your video gaming console ... Wii tends to be different with their very own Wii Remote - a remote sensing joystick which sense and translates the movement of your movement into the game you played. (Means you just wield your joystick whence you play tennis instead of just button bashing). Not that I am new to the hypes around but reading it on the internet is not the same as experiencing it by yourself and I got to admit ... it is a whole new gaming experience ...

My first game is Tennis under the Wii Sports title belt. A first taste of the game instantly proved why Wii was an instant hit ! I just swing the joystick around and in no time ... I am Roger Federrer. ( At the end of the day, I am officially the best Wii Tennis champ amongst those who played that day having clipped off Calvin 2-1). Wii does offer quite a number of titles such as NFS: Carbon and I gotta admit the experience is pretty different compared to mine of PS2. At the end of the day, I concur that Wii did what it was supposed to do ... bring the gaming world a totally new gaming experience... and it did not dissapoint.

Having said that, I do have some reservation on Wii ... Though the likes of Wii Sport is very interesting the first few tries, in no time you will find it to be abit boring because the gameplay is rather monotonous. Maybe the likes of EA Sports can come with a more commendable title. Another aspect which I find a little intrigued is that though Wii remote joystick might be an instant hit, it might not be an instant hit but then again it might not suit for a games especially the likes of Street Fighter, KOF etc. (Maybe Nintendo and the game publishers has some thoughts workin out as I wrote this blog).

The BIG question ... will I be getting Wii thus the title of this posting ... to be frank ... I am very much tempted to but then again at this point of time I am still very much towards PS3 because I am more of a gamer whcih prefers game titles and I will regret if I missed the opportunity to gaze thru the likes of Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy titles at least. But then, at 1.5K it will still be a good idea for me to get one whislt waiting for my ultimate gaming console.

Preview: Formula One GP 2007

18th March seems to be rather far butthe heat of the Formula One GP Season 2007 has been scorchingly burning through my veins. Leading competitors unveiled their racing cars recently, vying for the title of the ultimate speed monster in the ultimate motorsport competition in the globe. Australian GP will be the first venue for us to witness which team would stand out for the rest ... at least for the earlier portion of the season.
But then again ... why 2007 is so special? Personally, it would be the dawn of a new Formula One era. As most of Formula One fans know, Michael Schumacher [Schumy] whom for me is the best Formula One driver which throned the sport for the last decade [yes i know, some might prefer Senna] has retired from active racing thus paving the way for new blood to battle it out to be the next ultimate maestro of Formula One GP.

Who would it be ?
Kimi on the Prancing Pony be fast enough for the Fin to give a serious shot at the throne tis year ?
Will the defection of Alonso to McLaren gives him another title this year?
Button whom long has been a promising driver would break out and mount a serious challenge ?
or Old Guard Fishicella with R27 will roar his way to the throne ?





Then what about battle of machines?
Can R27 of Renault, the master of straight line last year blew away its competitors again ?
Or Ferarri will be able to provide the best overall package to upstage the dominance of Renault this year?
What about MP14-22 of McLaren, is this a car which provides the stability that McLaren always yearn for for the past years , and without Adrian Newey ?
Red Bull Racing ? With Adrian Newey as the designer of the car ... would it be a masterpiece ?
Toyota again announced that this will be their season ? Samurai threat or mere Japanese fiction ?

Whom will we miss ?
Michael Schumacher ? Not so much though. For me, he has scripted a new chapter of Formula One with his rewriting of the record books. But that chapter has been closed and a new chapter will be written. The author ? We will find out by October ...
Battle of tyres ... Michelin vs Bridgestone. This epic battle has added the dynamis to the sport. Michelin does stood out to give Bridgestone a run for their money. In fact, I personally rate Michelin way higher than their Japanese nemesis. However, with F1 ruling that only ONE tyre supplier shall provide the "black gold of motorsport" for the upcoming season, Michelin has no choice but to pull out from the sport.
Andy Murray ? Even though he left commentaring for about a year now, I still miss him in many more of aspects. Legendary of equivalence in commentaring as to Schumy in the race track, Andy Murray will be greatly missed.

Whom do i put my money on?
I have my trust on Kimi to lead the crimson wave. For me, he is the successor of 2 champions of the last generation. Succesor to Finnish hero Mika Hakinen and Ferarri Michael Schumacher. Have the drive and hunger to deliver. I believe with Ferarri ultimate racing package, Kimi will drive all the way home with his first World Championship in his career. However one thing remains uncertain is the way Kimi drives. He is the kind of driver whom will push the car to the limit. Banging on the accelerator all the time and it would take an ultra-stable car package to cope with Kimi's aggresiveness. Ask McLaren about it ...

Why not Alonso ? After all, he is the double reigning World Champion. Well, I personally thinks that the main reason Alonso won last year's championship is due to the heavy support he got from the ultra-speedious R26 package he had which brings me to the next topic F1: Man or Machine ? . He was a relative unknown before the might roar of R25 and R26 helped to propel him as the youngest F1 ace of all time. However, he shall not be underestimated as I see him battling it out neck to neck with Kimi this season around.
So may the best man wins !

F1: Man or Machine
Had a few arguments with my friends on this topic. I personally thinks that the ratio factor that ascertains the drivers success in F1 is approx 75% car/package and 25% human. Whilst some of my friends would be very dissapointingly disagree with me, my reasoning has always been that no matter how good the driver is ... an inferior package would not guarantee success. On the other hand, a mediocore driver with superb package will give them something to cheer about.
Example ? Loads of it .... ask Rubins Barrichello [Rubins was 2 times runnerup] , David Coulthard, Jensen Button, Jacques Villenueve [former World Champion] ... they were from a pack of elite challengers to fringe drivers that forms the backline of the grid.
However we cannot discount the drivers ability in the frame as well. Drivers like Takumi Sato does not deserve his place in F1. Luckily Alex Yoong from Bolehland realized about it and quitted [or fired ?] the sport earlier enough before being recognise as the clown of F1 like Sato. I do not think that my statement here will convince most of you to agree with me but I stood by my opinion as I am entitled to.

Before I sign off, have a look at the upcoming line up for the season:

ING Renault F1
Engine: Renault Tyre: Bridegstone Country: France/UK
Driver Line-up - Giancarlo Fisichella(Italy) - Heikki Kovalainen (Finland)

Scuderia Ferrari Malboro
Engine: Ferrari Tyre: Bridgestone Country: Italy
Driver Line-up - Felipe Massa(Brazil) - Kimi Raikkonen (Finland)

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Engine: Mercedes Tyre: Bridgestone Country: UK
Driver Line-up - Fernando Alonso (Spain) - Lewis Hamilton (Britain)

Honda F1
Engine: Honda Tyre: Bridgestone Country: UK/Japan
Driver Line-up - Jenson Button(UK) - Rubens Barrichello

BMW Sauber F1
Engine: BMW Tyre: Bridgestone Country: Germany/Switzerland
Driver Line-up - Nick Heidfeld(Germany) - Robert Kubica (Poland)

Panasonic Toyota Racing
Engine: Toyota Tyre: Bridgestone Country: Japan
Race Driver Line-up - Jarno Trulli(Italy) - Ralf Schumacher(Germany)

Red Bull Racing
Engine: Renault Tyre: Bridgestone Country: Austria/UK
Driver Line-up - David Coulthard(UK) - Mark Webber(Australia)

Williams F1
Engine: Toyota Tyre: Bridgestone Country: UK
Driver Line-up - Nico Rosberg(Germany) - Alex Wurz (Austria)

Scuderia Toro Rosso
Engine: Ferrari Tyre: Bridgestone Country: Austria/Italy/UK
Driver Line-up (both drivers yet to be confirmed)
PossibilitiesVitantonio Liuzzi (Italy)Scott Speed (USA)Neel Jani (Switzerland)

Spyker F1 Racing
Engine: Ferrari Tyre: Bridgestone Country: Holland/UK
Driver Line-up - Christijan Albers (Netherlands) - Adrian Sutil (Germany)

Super Aguri Formula One
Engine: Honda Tyre: Bridgestone Country: Japan/UK
Driver Line-up - Takuma Sato (Japan) - Confirmed - Anthony Davidson (UK)

Astro Over The Internet for Free ? No Kidding !

My weekend nights has been relatively uneventful with due respect to following
my favorite football team Manchester United weekly EPL games. Whilst most
of my friends and cousin enjoys the dazzling performance of the Red Devils, I was left
alone following LIVE Text updates of the games. Why ? Because I dont have Astro, Malaysian
only Pay-Channel that shows Live Football telecast ...

However, recent visit to Singapore for training introduced me to a FREE service that can
make me glue to my PC during those LIVE EPL Games once again ! Why ?
Thanks to TVAnts ! I can now watch live channels through the NET for FREE !!!!! Yes no charge at all.

The trick ? TVAnts is a P2P program that enables its user to watch and broadcast their channels to the web. Its more or less like Bit Torrent concept where u share ur files whilst downloading it. Pretty cool huh ?

How possible is it? I have tested it on Singapore Broadband line and its pretty smooth.
A couple of my friends actually tried it back home using Streamyx ... the line is pretty slow. So I guess with a 1MB package we should get a decent transmission.

So ? why wait ? TVAnts is the obvious choice ... ! But then be forewarned.
The legal implications of it is not very clear as to whether the program is legal or not.
But till then, Manchester United ! Here I Come !

Farewell Bro ...

My dearly beloved brother, the one and only guy [except me dad] who has been with me through those times be it rough and sweet. Lived with this big guy for the past 27 years where 21 years we basically lived under one roof especially those 4 memorable years we have been staying together renting our auntie's house.

Well as people says good times does not last forever, me bro and sis in law has moved to their new paradise in Bandar Sentul Baru last Saturday. Mixed feelings drowsed thru my heart, one part excited and happy for my bro and sis in law because they hv finally been able to move and find their promised paradise and at the same time commencing the next stage of their life in their new found paradise. On the other side, I am a little depressed that after 4 years living under one roof with this big fella I would certainly miss his presence ... though at times can be annoying with his ultra-egomaniac [i think i am not any better also lar] ... but he is above all a very caring and understanding brother being there lending a helping hand through my rough times giving me opinions and advices. Those moments when me and him will stick our throats off debating of topics would be happily embedded into my very memories.

I would really miss the presence of the big guy and my sis in law in days and months to come. Without their voices around the house ... I will need to get used to the more hollow environment now and then :P
Anyway life goes on and bro and sis in law, I wish u all the best in ur pursue to eternal happiness with Lil Renee [and in the future baby Ryan :P ] with the moving to ur new house as the starting step.

Lastly, bro and sis in law thanks for all those support and helping hand that you lend me during my rough times. I will miss u all dearly especially little cutie Renee ... I will mostly miss the presence of this little cutie everytime she come and 'pest' around my room ... she is just sheer fun and enjoyment ! I will definitely miss her ... !!!!

Counting those who owe me meals

I am not a very good mathematician of any sorts but the last time I counted the stack of meals owed to me
is not so staggering but I think they can make me fell to the extreme obese category. Well thats how a kind and good hearted men get ... helping people with such they end up trying to repay you by promising you meals of any sorts. If my memory still counts correctly below is the list of those who still owes me:

i) Michelle Khong - 23 meals [1 meal equals to a LARGE value meal in MCD] since 2004 and she still mums on
it !!!
ii) Hooi Sin - 2 Japanese meals
iii) Cindy Phoon - [Special Egg Tarts + Devils Curry]
iv) TYTan - [Chicken Curry (pending when she cook it wor ... )+ 1 Cheese Cake ]
v) Sam - [Chillis]
vi) Afrah - Cozy Corner or Victoria Station
vii) SBHoo - Victoria Station
viii) Penny Tan - Secret Recipe Lamb Shank
ix) Soon Beng Wooi - Hee Lai Ton

Now who said good men easy to do ? Have to claim so many meals ... hurts the heart leh !

Tianamen Square - The Tank Man

I guess most if not all of us have heard of Tiananmen Square protest back in 1989 which led to a bloody civil bloodshed. Tanks and army personnel were deployed and gunned down thousands of protesters fighting for better civil rights, economic reforms, freedom of speech and against the ever corruptable ruling government.

However, we are not here to talk about that since most of us knew the background of the tragedy. The topic here as stated above is about the Tank Man. I doubt many would have known about the "Tank Man". Me in particular knew nothing about him until I watched a documentary of the symbol which the Tank Man carries.

Purpotedly happened a day after the bloodshed [5th June 1989] where the army tanks are to make their way back, a young man apparently carrying shopping plastic bags stood in front of the tank and blocked the path of the tank. Apparently disgusted with the massacare of unarmed civillians, the young man defied the military threat and hurled abuses at the army commanding the tank. It has been heard that his piece of mind have been carried out through words of anger "Why are you here? My city is in chaos because of you"; "Go back, turn around, and stop killing my people"; and "Go away."
The somehow "powerful" army tank couldnt do anything but just withstood the young man verbal attacks. These happened until a few people eventually hurled the young man away before he would suffered the same fate of his buried comrades.

What significance does this young man bring ? In the West, many lauded the young man as a SYMBOL to the Chinese democracy movement. A feeble young man, braving himself against tirades of juggernaut tanks eventually becomes the symbol of an individual's power to halt government and force a change in direction

But what becomes of the young man's fate ? The identity of the Tank Man remains a mystery though there are numerous reports claiming him as Wang Weilin(王维林), a 19 year old and was executed then. However the last official statement has it said that the Tank Man was not being executed in an interview between Barbara Walters and then ex-President Jiang Zhe Min in 1990.

For those who are interested in the documentary here is the link for the torrent : Tiananmen Square: The Tank Man

For those who wants to watch the 26 seconds video clip in youtube: You Tube - Tank Man

My tribute to my Alma Mater

SAINT PAUL'S INSTITUITION

( Founded in 1899 )

School ... a definite pathways for most of us if not all. Sweet and fond memories beckons and now I have left school [University Malaya] for good 4 years now. In my schooling life, I have been enrolled into different schools:

i) SRK Saint Paul - primary school
ii) SMK Saint Paul - Form 1 - early Form4
iv) SMK Teknik Tuanku Ja'afar - Form4 - Form5 studying Civil Engineering
v) SMK King George V - Form 6
vi) Malaya University - Computer Science

I can single out my time in Saint Pauls Instituition as the most memorable and cherished. Those thug fighting times, class ponteng times, study times, scratch teacher car times and yes,"flirting with those Convent gals times" has never faded and still vividly lives in my ultra-GazillionByte memory.


A school of old traditions, we called ourselves Paulians and as a self-professed True Blue Paulian I am proud to live my teenage days with my Alma-Mater . We used to have a spirited shout of "Whos The Best ?" and echoed with proudful roars of "SAINT PAULS !!!!!". My particular favorite are times when we manifest our love to our Alma Mater whilst singing our School Rally. But the highest of "highs" is when we sing our Victory March ! a spirited rendition of a song which carries the TRUE BLUE Paulian spirit to battle.

School Building ClockWise From Left: Old School Building located at Seremban Town, Primary School in Labu, and finally SPI Seconday School situated on top of Mount La Salle

What is so unique about Saint Paul's ? Well just the Paulian SPIRIT and its tradition alone is unique so to speak. Roars of "Saint Pauls The Best Of The Best" was never alien to us and our love to our Alma Mater has always been deep burrowed into our heart.

Serving Brothers Directors:
Highest Row From Left: Bro.Isidore (1909), Bro. Basilian (1910-1914), Bro. Adrian(1914-1921),
Bro. Lewis Edward( 1921-1930) , Bro. Dominic (1928-1930)
Second Row From Left: Bro. Barnitus (1930-1931), Bro. John (1933), Bro. Joseph (1933-1939), Bro. Anselm (1939-1941), Bro.Henry (1941-1946)
Final Row From Left: Bro. Lawrence (1947-1953), Bro. Chronan (1953), Bro. Casimir (1954-1959),
Bro.Celestine (1960-1963), Bro. Thomas (1963-1969), Bro. Felix (1970-1975),
Bro. James (1975- 1991)

Note: Brother James Macken served as the longest Brother Director of Saint Pauls Instituition building an era of unprecendented success

Saint Pauls has their classes and sport houses name after their serving Brothers. While other schools names their classes Science 1 or Kebaya1, we Saint Pauls has the classes named after our serving Brother directors.
In alphabetical order are Anselm,Basillian,Casimir,Dominic,Felix,Henry,Isidore,James,Lawrence,Thomas.



If class naming is not enough, try matching our Sport Houses as well ... we are too much into those unclassy Rumah Merah,Biru,Hijau,Kuning but Saint Pauls again with their past Brother Director has Adrian[Yellow], Barnitus[Red],Edward[Green],John[Blue],Director[Grey] and Paul[Purple] as the names of our sport houses. Now try beating tat for unique and meaningful naming for classes and sport houses. A symbol of class, history and uniqueness which also defines Saint Paul's Instituition.



Well as what people say, you dont proclaim yourself to be famous unless you are in Wikipedia, and guess what? Whilst I was searching somethign on Wikipedia, I somehow got this urge to search for my Alma Mater and GOD the search result is SPOT ON and for the next hour or so, I was back in memory lane.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Paul%27s_Institution%2C_Seremban

Eventually I was also brought to Old Paulians Association (OPA) and came to the knowledge that for a Semi-Government school-English medium-Christian based school, we were offered the "Sekolah Bistari" status. Now what are the odds of that happening ? And heard that finally we were to have our own school hall !

My apologies to my Alma Mater again because of my poor command of English here though enrolled into such prestigious English School, my command of English has not been up to YOUR expectation.

The Great Alma Mater of mine reached its Centernarian earlier than Manchester United or Real Madrid and the tradition has never faded and hopefully will stay intact for centuries to come.








Hail Alma Mater ! , Hail John Baptist De La Salle !!!

And my tribute to the following teachers who made an impact in my life:
Mr Chang Yok Son[Form2 Science Teacher],Mrs Wong Tee Soon [my Form 1 form teacher], Miss Wong Lai Kwan [ Form 3 Science Teacher], Puan Khor Yul Lin[Form3 History Teacher],Puan Velayuthan[Form2 Geo teacher], Mr James Wong[Form3 Form teacher], Puan Ng Yen Yen [Form3 M3 teacher], Cik Koh Seow Pen[the pretty and sporting teacher] and Mr Jakob [the discipline teacher who always "hentam" me]

Not to forget Mr Lam [My Form6 Maths teacher in KGV, he is the biggest role model]