The Alchemist

"Zappppp"

2006-05-12T04:02:00.000-07:00

It rained heavily in Kampung Baru and KL today.Nowadays, it is a must in KL to have thunderstorm when it rains.Not that I am not happy that it rains, just the fact that I am not a particular fan when u start to hear loud crashing sounds of thunder here and there.Why? Hmmm..not because the fact that recently some people were hurt or died while struck by lightning-using handphones,playing football and sorts.Not because of the fact that a house was burnt when struck by one.Or because you see blackouts here and there because of failed power lines.Or because of watching to much Ripley's Believe It or Not or too many movies. Well...

When i was young, still 3 years old, I saw an uncle of mine struck by lightning in front of my very eyes.I never thought that I would remember it but back a month ago, after 24 years (yes, Im old) of keeping it in my head, I asked my family members who were around at that time whether it happened or not. A YES was the answer that I got. My uncle?He lived to tell the tale...and as for me...when there's thunder and lightning, dont be surprised to see my faced contorting in agitated angles and seeing me cowering for cover....Im not going to go through that sh***** experience again, ever!

Right now, I'd listen to Zap Mama's Rafiki rather than remembering that Zappp experience.

Ji ane! :)

"I Shall return"

2006-05-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Everyone,

Wahlauweiiiiiii...another 12 days and it would have been one year,yes i repeat, one year that I have not posted anything on my blogspot! Well, anyways, so that you guys would know I have just bought a brand new laptop, and all my worries are over!Plus free wi-fi service at the store where I am working right now.Im gonna be busy soon-getting married to my 10 years' sweetheart on the 26th of this month..so, stay tuned!

: ) Ezam

Hey people!

2005-05-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

Hey you people....ive been busy quite latelt..here I am.FYI Im not at Starbucks KLCC anymore...if you guys wanna look for me...look for me at Store No.45p Plaza Low Yat.Hehehe...here I am clicking away at my friends laptop...I guess Ill make it short coz im too tired and lethargic to type.Been typing a lot of reports for the store lately.If you guys have time do please drop by yeahhh?Viva la Ice Grande Vanilla Latte!!!!!

Power Berry 100 plus

2005-01-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

I made a rude shock to myself when I dropped by at the Petronas station after work at 2ooam today.Wanted to buy 100 plus tangerine lime...no stock.Whats left was this new looking 100 plus POWER.Thought it was just new packaging of the original 100 plus.Hantam lah!When at home tried to drink it....what???Berry???LoOoked at the can again and it said Berry written in small caps under POWER.Makes sense now... POWERBerry.Turns out that it didn't taste bad after all...heheh :P

2005-01-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

The other day while I was with my sister at KLCC...guess who I bumped into...two of the Villa academy youth players who came back from the invitational tournament in Australia.The went for glory and beat the youth teams of Barcelona,AC Milan,AIS,Southern Australia,Kashima Antlers and Malaysia and won the finals 5-0.At least they did us Villans proud!Well I showed them the Malaysian hospitality a bit...and this is as close I can get of a pic with ANY Villa player IN KL!Hahah...luckily for me I brought my camera around! Up The Villa!

Where do Villa go from here?

2005-01-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

Where do Villa go from here?
Jan 7 2005

As ever, that is a question for the hierarchy within the club.
The signs are good but will they be built upon?

O'Leary has proved himself in the transfer market and a decent transfer-market plunge would finally give Villa's fans something to shout about.

Villa desperately need new faces. For the fans, forO'Leary and, not least for the players.
It is not their position to question what goes on, merely to don the shirt but there are some, like Samuel for instance, who would benefit not only from a rest but also from some competition.
There is no comfort zone but some know they are automatic choices. At no other top-six club, apart from the unique situation of Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, can that ever be said.

Fresh blood is needed. If it is brought in wisely then an exciting new era could be around the corner.

The claret-and-blue half of Birmingham waits with bated breath.

Can the board of directors deliver?

2005-01-01T14:09:00.000-08:00

A group picture of us during the makan2 party.Aiyo... I need a haircut ;P

2005-01-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

I went to my first store Kotaraya for a new years party.And all i got here is Abang Adli doing the 70's disco pose.Its Saturday night by the way....havent seen this guy for ages!

2005-01-01T14:04:00.000-08:00

And another one! Gai...conference after work that is...

2005-01-01T14:02:00.000-08:00

Another 3...Hazim,Mus and Zamir...

2005-01-01T14:01:00.000-08:00

Another one...VJ

2005-01-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

Abang Lai and Raja waiting for time to go home...lepakking outside the store after closing time.

2005-01-01T13:59:00.000-08:00

All tired after the stock take and clean up.

2005-01-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

Wonder where all the customers gone at such a time?No celebrations mah...even got Abang Lai on loan to help out during the late middle shift...

2005-01-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

Yup...its Nazrul (whos been on study leave),Gai and newcomer Zamir (who'd just doing the dishes).What a day to spend New year's eve...isn't it?

2005-01-01T13:54:00.000-08:00

Nazrul,BB and Gai on End of Month day..by right its end of year...we were busy doing stock takes...

Long time no blog-Happy new year!

2005-01-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

I've realised that two weeks plus passed by without any blog from me.Pathetic isn;t it?Sorry...but things were crazy at the store...its a busy time at the store...too many customers,too many sick leaves,no partners...I couldnt even get to get my replacement for to replace my replacement leave to replace another replacement leave done!Oh howi enjoyed my leave when i finally got it.Celebrated 2005 without much happenings at KLCC.The new year celebrations were called off to respect the tsunami victims in and around Southeast Asia.Lets hope the new year 2005 brings in a better one for all of us!Happy New Year 2005 Everyone! - Izam

2004-12-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

We're so tired...we're going home...Freda's candid shot of us waiting to get home...finally.zzzzzzzzz :P

2004-12-19T11:08:00.000-08:00

And to the left...yup...their still fine...coz they drank coffee and hot chocolate..

2004-12-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

Last stop for the night...belanja kawan2 at Sbux KL PLaza.The first Sbux store in Malaysia.

2004-12-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

not finished yet lah...still got battery....i decided to stick at taking pics instead of being taken pics at...

2004-12-19T11:04:00.000-08:00

My version of pose malu2 bersama pengantin baru.Couldn't focus...7 cameras in front of us!

2004-12-19T11:02:00.000-08:00

Finally a group pic with the bride and bridegroom...outside the halll...

2004-12-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

Same pic...slightly offshoot pose...

2004-12-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

Yeahhh...after the dinner finnaly got to take pictures with the bride....Guess which one is it?Of course...the lady in pink.Now where the heck did Bob go??

2004-12-19T10:58:00.000-08:00

Artis2 untuk anugerah ERA 2005.No lah..

2004-12-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

The guys at table no. 9.We did not win any prizes for the games conducted...we were scammed! (heheh).But maybe could won for the Artis Boria Colourful 2004 award.If there was ever one?

2004-12-19T10:55:00.000-08:00

Kho Lian Wui-the groom.Sorry yeah Bob.I spelt your name wron in the wedding card/gift.Did you expect me to remember that after all these years, huh??

2004-12-19T10:54:00.000-08:00

Yeah...the groom and thats me in torquise (dont ask me about the color...it's my fav shirt and it was a gift from Adeng :) ) and Nordy (who's now with CMS) in red.Wonder where did the bride go???

2004-12-19T10:52:00.000-08:00

We were arguing who can take a picture of the other taking the other's picture better....say what?? again??

2004-12-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

CEO 2004 Awang Mortaza and TIME boss Saiful Hazan ...chewah...

2004-12-19T10:49:00.000-08:00

Too bad we were too far away...everybody was crazily taking pictures man...the flash could'nt work.Missed the cake cutting...but here it goes..wine pouring...albeit from afar and no flash!

2004-12-19T10:47:00.000-08:00

Joslyn,Freda and Angel the gals from way back in shool.Gosh...that was like 8-9 years ago???

2004-12-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

Angelina and d man in tow...also at table no.9

2004-12-19T10:45:00.000-08:00

Saiful Hazan and gal in tow.We were all seated at Table No.9

Bob got married???

2004-12-19T10:18:00.000-08:00

Guess what...did opening shift today...woke up at 6ooam and finished at 6oopm.Then went to Bob Kho's (a long lost friend from childhood)wedding dinner at JW Marriot KL.Finally got home at 200am after all the dinner and some coffee at Sbux KL PLaza.Funny thing man,I knew Bob back in Primary 1 lost contact (he moved) after Primary two.Never saw him after I joined boarding school during Form 1.Then after Form Three, never saw him...well till just now that is.All this while kept in touch through the phone while he stayed all the while in Melbourne.The missus is actually from KL,but has been a PR in Australia for about 15 yrs.A good match to say the least and besides the 8 course chinese style dinner, got to meet friends Ive not seen for like err..5-8 years???Anyways, it was really fun!Good Luck and Congratulations Bob and Lian Ping!!!

P/S Time really flies...and I realize we're not getting any younger!

If I ain't got you...

2004-12-16T11:14:00.000-08:00

Call me insane, but I cannot seem to get this song outta my head.Right now just crazily singing this song, even humming to it at work and at home.Enjoy! :P

By Alicia Keys and Usher (the best duet...)

If I Ain't Got You

Mmmmmmm, mmmmmm
Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things define what’s within
And I been there before but that life’s a bore, so full of the superficial

Chorus:
Some people want it all, but I don’t want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby, if I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything
But everything means nothing if I ain't got you, yeah

Some people search for a fountain
The promise is forever young
(You know) Some people need three dozen roses
And that’s the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be
With no-one to share with, no-one who truly cares for me

Chorus:
Some people want it all, but I don’t want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby, if I ain't got you baby
Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything
But everything means nothing if I ain't got you, you, you
Some people want it all, but I don’t want nothing at all
If it ain't you baby, if I ain't got you baby

Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything
But everything means nothing if I ain't got you, yeah
If I ain't got you with me baby, ohh, ooo S
ay nothing in this whole wide world don’t mean a thing
If I ain't got you with me baby x2

Ezam's believe it or not...

2004-12-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not?

It's kinda funny, but here are the list of bottled/can beverages in my fridge right now;

5 bottles (250ml)of 100 plus
1 bottle (250 ml) of A&W Rootbeer
1 bottle (250 ml) of 7 Up
1 bottle (250 ml) of Frost's Rootbeer
1 bottle (250 ml) of Vanilla Coke
4 cans of Coke

another funny thing is, there's no plain water or mineral water..... ????

P/S You would'nt believe it, but right now there are 82 eggs in my fridge as well.Thanks to all the people in the house.. :P

Bluenoses 2 Villa 1

2004-12-13T01:10:00.001-08:00

Aiyaaa...in case you people wondering what I'm up to last night...went to watch the Second City derby match: Aston Villa vs Birmingham City...yikes we lost again!!!The match was very charged up, the Blues outplayed,outwitted,outgunned and outphysoed the Villa especially.cant help the fact that they fouled and time wasted after they took their lead!

Aston Villa 1-2 Birmingham: FT Report

Birmingham maintained their Premiership dominance over Aston Villa as goals from Clinton Morrison and David Dunn moved them away from the relegation zone in a pulsating Villa Park derby.

O'Leary: We shamed supporters

Steve Bruce's side are now unbeaten in five meetings with their second city rivals since gaining promotion two and a half seasons ago.
A dreadful error by Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen gifted Morrison the opener and then Dunn grabbed the second to leave the home side a mountain they never threatened to climb before Gareth Barry scored a consolation effort deep into injury-time.
The first half was dominated by Blues after Bruce had decided to make four changes from the side beaten at Arsenal last weekend.
It is no exaggeration to say that they could have been 5-0 up at the interval as Villa were carved apart on the counter-attack.
The trickery of Dunn and the power and physical presence of Morrison and Emile Heskey caused constant problems for the home defence.
It is vital to Birmingham's hopes of moving up the Barclays Premiership table that Dunn stays fit after a nightmare year with injuries.
Villa looked like a shadow of the side who have been pushing strongly for a European spot this season.
They had more of the play territorially in the second period with Carlton Cole showing some skill and pace but seldom looked like breaching a Blues rearguard in which Matthew Upson was outstanding.
Upson had an early chance to put his side ahead when he headed Robbie Savage's free-kick over the bar.
But after nine minutes a glaring error by Sorensen allowed Morrison to put Birmingham in front.
Heskey sent a pass through to the Republic of Ireland international who was flanked by Olof Mellberg.
He managed to get in a shot which Sorensen had covered but allowed to bounce off his hand and into the net.
Morrison and his team-mates went to the Birmingham dug-out to celebrate with the former Villa striker Dwight Yorke.
Then after 19 minutes Dunn increased Birmingham's lead after some more slack defensive play by Villa.
Morrison fed the over-lapping Damien Johnson whose skated past Jlloyd Samuel and pulled his low centre back to Dunn who had time to pick his spot and send his shot into the left hand corner of the net.
Villa were being pulled apart defensively and Dunn had a great chance to add a third goal for the home side after 24 minutes.
Morrison was again in the thick of the action and threaded a pass through to Dunn who had a clear run at goal but Sorensen managed to block his low effort with his body.
The former Blackburn player had a similar opportunity shortly afterwards after playing a one-two with Heskey but this time he dragged his shot across the face of goal with the Villa defence all at sea again.
Tempers boiled over when Johnson and Barry were involved in a touch-line flare-up in which the Birmingham player aimed a kick at the ball when it was lodged under Barry's body.
Johnson was yellow-carded along with Mellberg who had been at the forefront of a brawl involving around 15 players.
Birmingham continued to counter-attack to great effect and Heskey hit a post after Dunn and Darren Carter had again carved open the Villa rearguard.
Villa needed to make a quick impact in the second period and within 60 seconds Maik Taylor had to hold onto a low Cole volley at the second attempt.
Barry did have the ball in the net after 49 minutes but the former England Under-21 captain was well offside.
Dunn was given a stern talking to by referee Steve Dunn after clattering into Cole although it looked as if he had caught the ball as well as the player.
Villa were in the ascendancy and Barry was only just wide with a glancing header from Nolberto Solano's centre.
After 58 minutes Dunn was taken off, presumably to stop him running the risk of being sent off, and he was replaced by Julian Gray.
But Barry was booked after turning a free-kick from Solano past Taylor with his hand when Juan Pablo Angel was well placed behind him.
Barry did pull a goal back in the 92nd minute after cutting inside Olivier Tebily but it was too little, too late for the home side.
O'Leary: We shamed supporters
David O'Leary believes his Aston Villa side let their supporters down in today's 2-1 defeat at home to arch rivals Birmingham.
Villa have failed to beat Birmingham since City won promotion to the Premiership, and Clinton Morrison's opener only 10 minutes into the game paved the way to victory for Steve Bruce's men.
Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen failed to deal with Morrison's tame shot, and the ball bounced into the net.
Soon afterwards it was 2-0 when Damien Johnson strode down the right wing and delivered a pinpoint cross met by the impressive David Dunn who side-footed home.
Villa salvaged a goal in added time through Gareth Barry, but the visitors held on.
'Good luck to Birmingham. They got the three points, and you can't gift people two goals like we did and then expect to try and win the game,' O'Leary told Sky Sports.
'We played some really good football and in the second half we played them off the pitch at times, but the goal we got was a bit too late.
'We didn't start well and we're not good enough as a team to gift goals away like that.'
O'Leary spoke in defence of Sorensen after the goalkeeper's error - reminiscent of Peter Enckelman's mistakes for a goal in both derby games of the 2002-03 season.
'He's been a tremendous goalkeeper for me. You can't legislate for that - the lad didn't mean to do that. It was a mistake,' said the Villa boss. 'They had more of an edge than us; they need points desperately, and it was our first-half performance where the game was really lost.
'I've got a good bunch of honest lads. They're trying to do their best but they let themselves down today. We're disappointed with that and we've let the crowd down. We haven't done it for the fans - I'm so disappointed for our fans.
'We haven't performed when it really matters.'
O'Leary's opposite number Bruce acknowledged today's victory was about more than a mere three points.
'It's a great win for us. We've done okay recently but not been picking up results,' said Bruce.
'We needed to be tough - and what a place to come and get it [a win]. We were absolutely magnificent.
'The one thing you want is to come to a place like this and turn up. We hung on at the end. But I'm delighted - all of them worked extremely hard.

Adeng's future baby G

2004-12-13T01:10:00.000-08:00

In case you guys are wondering, my adeng wanted to buy a baby G.She chose the pink one by the way...and the selling price is at RM399.oo. Lets see how much i can bargain it off ya?

2004-12-13T00:23:00.000-08:00

Angry David Dunn is held back in an Angry David Dunn is held back in an altercation with Olof Mellberg. (RossKinnaird/GettyImages)

2004-12-12T23:38:00.000-08:00

pic4

2004-12-12T23:37:00.001-08:00

pic3

2004-12-12T23:37:00.000-08:00

Pic2

2004-12-12T23:36:00.000-08:00

Pic1

Images from Starbucks N0v-Dec 2004

2004-12-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

Included herewith are some photos and images from Starbucks KLCC 1 and Maju Junction circa Nov-Dec 2004, featuring my favorite shots.Enjoy! :)

2004-12-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

On frappuccino in the background...Hazim...on P.O.S also in the background, Azlan.On the bar strutting their stuff doing the latte Aryati and K-rol!Ole...;p

2004-12-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

Jeffrey...hero on loan from Maju Junction...

2004-12-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

Nurul (ex-partner,kawan Gai),Raja and Afnida (off duty).Giving it a pose on a very busy peak period day at KLCC...

2004-12-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

Starbucks...the lean, mean, green, coffee company...hahaha :)

2004-12-09T12:36:00.000-08:00

Kelvien and Ronnie teaching you people how to do an iced grande vanilla latte the Starbucks Maju Junction way...

2004-12-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

Shukri in the foreground and Ronnie in the background at Maju Junction during closing shift.Pic taken by Mr. RJ (abang Lai).

2004-12-09T11:54:00.000-08:00

A close up of the tree...haiya...will get brighter ones later...promise!

2004-12-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

It's back again!The very big christmas tree at KLCC.Alas,I took this picture after KLCC closed...therefore you get dark pics my man...

2004-12-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

I went out to KLCC yesterday with Sham, my housemate to watch the epic ALEXANDER.So, have you guys like watch it?Being in Malaysia, I guess most people had the problemto stomach the idea that Alexander was bisexual, perhaps the movie for me potrayed him as being somewhat what do you call it...sexually confused?Guess that Oliver Stone-the director (Platoon was his best one) really wanted to potray him the way history was at that time.Aside from those few disturbing moments, the movie was OK especially the battle secene at Gaugamalia.After all, this is Oliver Stone we're talking about.I really thought the battle scene in India was messy and blurry though...maybe the narration of the story was not that neat.But we're talking about his life story which ONLY went for 32 years (imagine that someone could do this with such a short time). I guess I'll leave it at that.Watch it and you tell me...

2004-12-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

That day when I came back from Kuching...the next day i dropped by my store in KLCC to do our daily offering board...check it out...I did a piece on Anniversary Blend as our weekly coffee of the day....thanks to chalks that I bought in Sarawak...right now all the Starbucks in Malaysia are usibg the Penguin Brand chalks...made in Sibu!Waddaya think?

2004-12-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

Yeahh...didn't took much pictures there in Kuching.This one taken before I left off to KL again.Time flies man...will miss you Adeng!

2004-12-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

Ruby's boyfriend-Wadi,Ruby,Rafidah and Badul (her boylah)...to my left hand side of the table.After the seafood we al went to watch this Japanese ghost story movie: One Missed Call.Talk about miss calls.It was kind of a really weird.Nobody knew the storyline well...I dosed off the first 20 mins coz I was too tired...but the chill factor was there.Just couldn't get the movie.Watch it and then u guys tell me, aight?

2004-12-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

I came thousands of miles to get this close...a picture of me and Adeng after seafood together-gether.Burpp!!!The best part was Adeng saya belanja!

2004-12-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

Yob (Adeng's brother) back from Japan,Ina and Azah (Adeng's cuzs) while having seafood for dinner at Ah Seng's the best seafood in the city.Yob doing the typical thing that people in Japan do when taking pictures.I guess he showed me another use for chopsticks :)

2004-12-05T10:58:00.000-08:00

View of the Astana along Sungai Sarawak, what used to be the official palace of our very own White Rajahs of the Brooke dynasty.Taken from my hotel room view at Harborview (apt isn't it) Hotel.

2004-12-05T10:55:00.000-08:00

Adeng...if you are reading this...I LOVE YOU!!Mmmuahs...picture taken at err...can you refresh me where this was Adeng...all i remembered was that you beat me in finishing the Fish n Chips that we had.That was yummy!

2004-12-05T10:44:00.000-08:00

My Adeng's most beautiful eyes....it rained there in Kuching when i arrived that day...

2004-12-05T10:39:00.000-08:00

Im leaving on a jet plane...don't know when I'll be back again...flight to Kuching...Adeng here I come!

2004-12-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

and another one..for the camera...

2004-12-05T10:36:00.000-08:00

Its bye-bye time then...my bro,sis,niece and bro in-law

2004-12-05T10:35:00.000-08:00

Yup...looks like KLIA doesn't it...this is Miri airport.But in terms of size, its way smaller...but I kinda like it...taken before my flight from Miri to see Adeng in Kuching

2004-12-05T06:50:00.000-08:00

Eeee...cutenye..

2004-12-05T06:49:00.001-08:00

Tadaa!

2004-12-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

This is what I have to wake up to as early as 5 am in the morning...a very hyper niece thumping the walkers' noisy sound toys.Come to think of it...kinda miss that kid...

2004-12-05T06:47:00.000-08:00

Again...different pose...but with Dayana's very hard to get 'happy' pose on camera.

2004-12-05T06:44:00.000-08:00

Dayana and her grandma...

2004-12-05T06:43:00.000-08:00

Take 3: Just Do It!

2004-12-05T06:42:00.000-08:00

Take 2:Dayana Crying!Deya's hair blown by the fan!

2004-12-05T06:41:00.000-08:00

Take 1: Raya family photo...

2004-12-05T06:39:00.000-08:00

Dayang Noreza (deya) and Dayang Emiza (Miza) the girls in the house...save Dayana that is....

2004-12-05T06:38:00.000-08:00

Dayana and her favourite uncle Cu Poi (Saiful...my youngest brother and sibling).She immediately took a liking to him the first day he came back from Kuching, no problem at all.

2004-12-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

My 74 year old grandma (my mum's mum)...my mum and my dad.The old 'gang'!

2004-12-05T06:34:00.000-08:00

I ni tak cute ke? (Ain't I cute?).Taken on first day of raya.

2004-12-05T06:33:00.000-08:00

Dayana Badriyah..my niece...I'm an 'Uncle' ow.How fast things get...how the time flies...I feel old,like really old (26yrs).Need to get married soon then (gulp)...

2004-12-05T06:31:00.000-08:00

Hi...there...in case you people wondering where i've been lately...long holidays man...went back for Aidilfitri to Miri and Kuching.Couldn't get online coz my USB wire i forgot at home...hahah.This is a view of inside the ERL (Express railway link) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport the night before Raya.Yeahaaa..im going home!P/S Looks kinda empty isn't it...everyone went home early I guess!

2004-10-26T11:31:00.000-07:00

A part of the growing city skyline nbehind Kampung Baru

2004-10-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

The old kampung house down below...usually there are many cats prowling around...but it seems nobody is at home...

2004-10-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

Haaa..a 'bald' coconut tree right next to my place's balcony.The first thing I see in the morning if I ever opened the sliding doors.Wait till u see the house down below where it grew from...

2004-10-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

A typical coconut tree right behind the apartment where I stay...amidst the old wooden houses in the themidst of the growing city skyline...

2004-10-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

Didnt go out on Monday!Just look at the weather man!Decided that the best course of action was of course to stay at home.And look where it got me...breaking fast at home alone and taking pictures of the one and only still standing 'village' in the middle of the city...Kampung Baru...

ZZZZZZZZ

2004-10-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting myself to sleep after realising that if I don't sleep now,I will oversleep and there goes my whole mon-Day off sleeping it off (if u can get what I mean).Yup, decided that I've gotta do something today.Would be going to scout around for a brand new backpack so that it would be really easy if I start going travelling again like the days it was when I studied in uni.Found one to my liking-deuter's-45+10 liters which I must shell out RM400++.Expensive man!Still can't resist that so probably gonna scout around KL to look for other options.oh...which reminds me..Im fasting today...so we'll see how long I can last out there in this really weird weather conditions(rain and rain and rain...Ihate getting wet)!Oh how I hate Mondays!

Congrats MU!

2004-10-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Manchester United for ending Arsenal's 49 match unbeaten run in the Premier League..too bad it wasn't to be 50...

2004-10-24T13:54:00.001-07:00

VILLA ON SONG
Juan Pablo Angel celebrates with goalscorer Lee Hendrie, as Villa go two up at home to Fulham.

2004-10-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

CURLING HOME
Nolberto Solano secures his first goal of the season for Villa with a fine free-kick which beat Fulham goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

2004-10-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

Yeahh...finished work on a Sunday night/Monday morning and here we are...Mus,me and Gai going down the lift!

2004-10-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

Raja doing the unexpexted after work.Posing as a homeless guy next to the parking lift at KLCC!

2004-10-24T12:46:00.000-07:00

Gai and Raja@King at our B.O.H (back of the house...silly)

2004-10-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hey...that's me!

2004-10-23T15:44:00.000-07:00

"i see the light at the end of the tunnel..."In case you're wondering that's the 2004 summer bearista magnet under my night lamp...

2004-10-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

Samuel gets a tackle in on Malbranque

Aston Villa 2-0 Fulham Yay!!

2004-10-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

*from Soccernet.com

Lee Hendrie produced another stunning strike to seal Aston Villa's 2-0 home victory over Fulham, their first Premiership win in six games since late August.

Villa manager David O'Leary has admitted he is fed up with Hendrie being in the headlines for off-the-field incidents.

But the one-time England midfielder is currently attracting the right sort of publicity and with 14 minutes remaining he pulled back the trigger and beat Fulham keeper Edwin van der Sar with a superb curling effort.

It was Hendrie's third goal in the last four league games after his previous long-range efforts against Crystal Palace and Arsenal.

Nolberto Solano's free-kick opener had also been a quality effort and Villa were worthy winners against a Fulham side who look destined for a relegation fight unless they improve on this display.

The margin of victory for David O'Leary's side would have been greater had Darius Vassell not spurned a couple of golden opportunities.

He deserves credit for continuing to look for opportunities but is clearly lacking in confidence in front of goal at present.

Apart from a brief second-half spell, Fulham barely posed a threat and they are still without a league win at Villa Park in 31 years.

Andy Cole, returning after a ban, was given short change by Olof Mellberg and man of the match Mark Delaney, while Gavin McCann was quietly effective in midfield.

Vassell, in front of England coaching staff member Sammy Lee, had the first effort on goal after Juan Pablo Angel had turned the ball back into his path, but he stumbled just as he was about to shoot and fired wide.

Vassell looked lively in the early stages, but one burst of pace ended in disappointing fashion with a curling shot from 20 yards straight at van der Sar.

In the process the Villa striker accidentally caught Fulham defender Ian Pearce, who hobbled out of the action to be replaced by Zeshan Rehman.

Moritz Volz became the first player to be booked after 16 minutes for cynically chopping down Villa midfielder McCann in full flight.

Vassell again found himself in space after Peter Whittingham slipped the ball into his path. It was a narrowish angle, but the England striker should have done better when he screwed his shot so far across goal that it went out for a throw-in.

But after 29 minutes Villa went ahead with a superb strike from Solano - his first goal in the Premiership this season.

Fulham defender Papa Bouba Diop paid a heavy price for bringing down Hendrie 20 yards out on the edge of the penalty area D. Up stepped Solano and his free-kick curled into the roof of the net, containing too much power for van Der Sar, although he did get a hand to the ball.

Vassell was making plenty of runs and having plenty of opportunities, and a headed flick-on by Angel allowed him another run into the Fulham area.

But again his finishing was woeful as he screwed his low shot across the goalmouth when he should have at least tested van der Sar.

The closest Fulham came in the first half was when Steed Malbranque dragged his shot wide of Thomas Sorensen's far post.

Angel continued to win more than his fair share of headers for the home side and he set up the best chance of the game for Vassell after 49 minutes when he turned a cross from Jlloyd Samuel into his path.

Vassell looked certain to score, but his control let him down when six yards out and Fulham were able to scramble the ball clear.

Fulham came more into the game and appealed in vain for a penalty when Hendrie appeared to handle when he charged down a free-kick from Claus Jensen.

Jensen then took a pass from Pembridge on his left foot but produced an abysmal finish which ended high in the Holte End.

Vassell's frustrating afternoon came to an end when he was taken off on a stretcher after 62 minutes following a challenge by Diop and was replaced by Carlton Cole.

Villa regained their poise and with 14 minutes remaining Hendrie's goal finally gave the home side breathing space.

Boa Morte had a late chance to reduce the deficit, but he over-ran the ball and Sorensen was able to save at his feet.

Coleman concerned by form

Fulham manager Chris Coleman admitted his side are facing a relegation dogfight as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

The Cottagers produced a limp display as goals from Nolberto Solano and Lee Hendrie - his third in four games - left them still without an away win this season.

Coleman said: 'We lacked quality in the first half, we lacked belief and we played with no confidence, like a side on the ropes, and with a complete lack of belief throughout the team.

'When you come to Villa you've got to stand up and be strong. If you show any signs of weakness it will be exploited. In the second half we coped better, got ourselves into good positions but didn't pull the trigger near the goal.

'There are signs that we are in a relegation dogfight - and that's the way we have got to look at it now. We've got to be men, we've got to be hard, we've got to be strong. We can't believe that we are unlucky and that it's just not happening for us.

'I've got the belief in the players but they've got to have the belief in themselves. When the business of the week comes around we are not doing anything.

'In midweek they look like internationals in training and that wins you nothing. We've got to have that will to win.

'We've added quality to the squad and people are waiting for others to do it now, whereas last year we had that grittiness about us where we didn't want to lose.

'I've changed the formation a bit and maybe I have to ask myself questions. But I don't mind taking it on the chin as long as the players take it on the chin.'

To make matters worse for Fulham, Ian Pearce suffered medial ligament damage and will be out of action for several weeks.

Villa manager David O'Leary praised the contribution of Hendrie but admitted he is unlikely to change his lifestyle off the pitch which has seen him attract many headlines.

O'Leary said: 'For a player who gets into those attacking areas, he should score more goals and he is doing that now and he has that ability.

'When I came here Lee Hendrie was finished at the club and the influence that myself and my staff had on him was to give him the confidence that we believed in him.

'Lee Hendrie is Lee Hendrie and from day one he has been on time for training every day and has been excellent on the pitch.

'But Lee Hendrie is Lee Hendrie off the pitch and many managers have had a word with him, not just me. You've got to accept it.'

O'Leary admitted the game was hardly a classic and said: 'We were playing one of the teams that is around us in the table and I don't think it was a quality game and two individual efforts got us the three points.

'We've been drawing a lot of games where we've needed a bit of magic and we had it today with the two goals and that was the difference between the two sides.

'There are a lot of clubs bunched together in the league and if you win a few games you can shoot up the league.'

2004-10-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

If you don't know how to use your camera...then you'll always have the manual maa...

2004-10-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

I'll be watching you!

U2 Frontman Bono Finds His Missing Lyrics

2004-10-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

Read the news online today, and found an interesting piece on one of my favorite bands...U2...quite interesting!

PORTLAND, Ore. - A long-lost briefcase full of notes and lyrics that were intended for the 1981 U2 album "October" has been returned, 23 years after it was stolen at a Portland concert.

U2 frontman Bono made the announcement Wednesday during an appearance before the World Affairs Council of Oregon, saying the returned notes were "an act of grace."

Bono had to rewrite the "October" lyrics in the studio, and band members called it their worst recording experience. Though the record was generally well-received, it didn't earn the praise of the band's debut album, "Boy," or third album, "War."

The briefcase was returned by Cindy Harris, 44, who said she found it in the attic of a rental home in Tacoma, Wash., in 1981. She said she did not know the notes had been stolen until many years later, and then she had no idea how to reach the band.

Her friend Danielle Rheaume spent much of the past year contacting U2's management.

According to "Into the Heart," a book of stories about U2 songs, the briefcase was stolen by some women who joined the band backstage at a now-defunct Portland nightclub.

The band returned to Portland a few years after the theft and Bono asked the audience if anyone knew about the briefcase. He repeated the question when the band played at the Rose Garden arena in 2001.