ARNIE WITH LOTS OF TOUCH UPS (RE-POST)

I was at the Terminator Salvation movie preview yesterday at Cathay Cineleisure coutersy of Mix FM and Sony (they actually gave away 1 Sony 32" Bravia tv).

The movie opened last weekend in US and surprisingly it did not do too well as it did not hit the top of the box office. One of the reason (my opinion, I get to have one since this is my blog) is probably the profanity laden and uncalled for outburst of Christian Bale on a crew member which hit the net and was heard gazillions of times. I still have the clip. It was very unprofessional for an established actor (just because he was in some hit and critically claimed movies). Another reason was, people could just be too jaded with the Terminator franchise.

Seriously, I did not enjoy the movie as much as I had with the previous Terminator movies. Previously they had the T-1000 (Robert Patrick who was brilliant as the villain) and T-X (played by va-va-voom Kritanna Loken).

In any Terminator movies, you expected the same. Resistance forces fighting with Skynet (company who creates the Terminators) and a lot of metal clanging and banging noisy clashes action. There were a lot of McG signature direction in this one. Oh, this one has some new toys...Motornators and snakes/crocodiles from metal.

And how can a Terminator movie be accomplished without an appearance of the Arnie the Governator himself. It is not surprising to see Arnie, a welcome sight but....when you watch him, it seems alot of touch ups were done on him...even to his body. I do not think he is as fit as before. However his body in movie was absolutely perfect to a tee and his face was flawless. Just compare this with pictures of him as the Governer. Either his face is superimposed on that body or body double was used. Hollywood magic, they call it.

At the end of the day, the Resistance wins but I guess they might be another prequel since John Connor saved his father Kyle Reese in this movie who is much younger than his son.

I also won 4 in-season extra movie passes and a very cool T4:Salvation tee from Red Fm as well.

POKER FACE IS BACK!

Not Lady Gaga but she is still churning out hits. End of digression.

Myself! After the bout of chicken pox and stuff, I am back to the running and race walking circuit.

Even though I do not go out with a cap and sunglasses (because the burnt marked scars are slowly dissipating), people still know from the fact I have chicken pox. I am proud to say, I had chicken pox and now I am BACK with a vengeance!

My first outdoor competition was the New Balance 15KM race. I treated the race as another training ground and long run for the approaching Standard Chartered KL Marathon. I put a 6 mins/km pacing to the race. I completed the race in 1hr 30mins without injury/cramp or my good runner mate would say “Ai Si Beh Si”....half dead and gasping for air. I enjoyed the run. I even went for a recovery 5km slow run in the evening at the Bukit Jalil park on the same day.

I digress here for abit <To the face advise and for those who do not like to read this, kindly skip to the next paragraph>, it is a very crucial time now that runners cannot be injured as the marathon draws closer. Runners must spread out their running routine and not be gung-ho (unless you are entering the race for monetary purposes). Otherwise, there is no point being a hero now and not able to run a good race later. It is a fact and many may not like to hear it. To these bunch of people, all my best to you. Believe me, I have had my share of injuries and had to forego some races.

First picture was taken from New Balance 15KM race on 17 May 2009. Some of the very pronounced pox scars are still on my forehead and cheeks.

Next event I joined was the Kordel’s Charity Walkathon in aid of the Arthritis Foundation of Malaysia on 24 May 2009. This event was quite stressful as I had not race walked at single metre since last year’s 12 hours walk in Putrajaya. So I had just a week to prepare (to get into that swaggering, pelvic popping, shake the booty and sway your hips action again).

I trained most evenings. Trying to better my time at each session and on my final training session I managed at 6.61min/km walk. Initially I just wanted a 6.67min/km but that timing was pretty fine with me.

The team’s fourth walker, Amelia Ang, one of the better woman walkers, pulled out at the 11th hour (thank God, we found a substitute who is a very good walker) sighting cramp and the fact she ran 29.9km the previous night at the Pacemakers Night Run. In addition, our team was hoping for a Top 5 finishing. This contributed to the stress as well.

And that is what we managed to obtain a Top 5 podium finishing! We got position number 5 with the combination timing of the group (of 4 person) at 1 hour 28 mins 50 sec. My own personal timing for the 4.5km walk was an amazing 4.98min/km. I did not believe it. I guess all the adrenaline rush, concentration and push factor played a huge part in my timing.

The grand prize was RM1000 cash (which was totally out of our reach because national athletes participated as well and there were no categories. Mass start and whichever team completes in the fastest time win). Prizes for 2nd to 10th placing were Kordel hampers worth RM500 each. No medals were given as this was a charity event.

I met many a handful of Pacemakers (Kei Ming, Choi, Julie, Cheang, Runwitme (who is our official photographer) and a number of Pacesetters (uncle Jeffery etc) members too!

I hereby thank my team members, Aiman, Raie and Fadly who performed very well giving the national athletes a challenge.

ANGELS, DEMONS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

I read the Dan Brown book sometime ago and did not think it will be made into a movie then. However, after The DaVinci Code phenomenon, it was doubtless to say that the movie studios wasted no time on cashing in further on the unparallel success of its predecessor paperback Angels and Demons.

Most people did not know that Angels and Demons was way before The DaVinci Code. I re-read the Angels and Demons novels 3 days before the movie premier to refresh my memory. Needless to say, on both accounts, I enjoyed the book better than the movie. However, this movie has a better flow in terms of storyline and cinematography. The gist and essence of the story is still preserved in this movie. Its so much even Ron Howard and his team of scriptwriters can do to condense a 619 page book into a 138 minutes movie. He changed some scenarios and characters in the movie which I was questioning throughout, but I guess its to enable viewers who have yet to read the book to benefit from the movie giving provision of comprehension and story cohesiveness. On the contrary, I bet those who have read the book would like to have a round table discussion with Dan Brown, Ron Howard and his team (not the actors though) on the reason behind changing of certain scenarios and character names and nationalities e.g. Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca was changed to Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (played by Ewan McGregor) and the person who was murdered with one of his eyeball gouged out was not Victoria Vectra’s father, Leonardo but instead a lab partner called Silvano. And the assassin was supposed be middle eastern but not. Hmmmm?

In the first movie, Ron tried condensing too much information from the book making most viewers rather perplexed after the movie.

Thank God for radio contests, I managed to catch the movie premier before the release date of 14 May 2009. The premier was at Cathay Cineleisure 12 May 2009. I even won a Demons tee-shirt which is really cool. The wordings are silver and if not mistaken, has some sprinkling of silver dust.

The pictures of my winnings as below (prizes courtesy of LiteFm and Fly Fm):

PACEMAKERS IN MAGAZINE

This is a delayed posting. I received this magazine from a runner friend, Amelia Ang.

Since I do not know how to read Chinese, however, I do know that this magazine is published by Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia (government affiliated) and aptly titled “New Hope” in Mandarin “Sin Xi Wang”.

This is the January 2009 issue and some Pacemakers were featured (pictorially) in one of the inner spread. Some of the featured included yours truly, Ronnie See, Adam Loh, Justin Lee (never make ugly faces when taking pictures, you never know when and where it will appear next) etc.

I think the article is with regards to running and some fundamentals to run to stay healthy. I am proud to say that some of our running pictures are part of the government’s Bahagian Sumber dan Fotografi (Photography and Resource Division) vault.

And it is also proud to be featured in the issue with Dato Nicol Ann David!

Pacemakers! We are everywhere and we are part of the New Hope of the running fraternity! Way to go!

Enjoy the article, and if anyone knows how to read this article, kindly (on my knees begging) translate it for all Pacemakers. Appreciate it so much!

MORE GOODIES (NOT FROM RUNNING)

More winnings courtesy of 8TV Quickie program.

In the pictures below:

1. X-Men Origins – Wolverine Tattoos
2. X-Men Origins – Wolverine Bottle Opener (now I have 2)
3. X-Men Origins – Wolverine Spinning Cell Phone Tag
· This gadget is really cool. Its one of those tie on your cell phone and when the phone

receive signals, it activates certain movement. Wolverine figure is encased and it spins

and there are lights which accompanies his spin. A big bulky for cell phone though but

nevertheless...its a premium (not sold anywhere).
4. X-Men Origins – Double Cinema Pass
5. A NIVEA hamper set of deodorant (can last me for a year)
6. A Lady Gaga CD

OF POX SPOTS AND CONTESTS

Now that I have all the time in the world, I should be thankful and happy. Quite on the contrary, I must say. I have been submitting my resumes to potential companies for a more than a month now and it seems as though all the effort have gone in vain. As long as my reserves are still there to provide me without touching my savings, there is still a glimmer of hope somewhere. In addition to the chicken pox I contracted 3 weeks ago, those burnt spots seem to be taking a permanent residency status on my face (which is quite pronounced) and other parts of my body.

Nowadays I do not go out without a black cap/dark sunglasses / long sleeve shirt. Vanity is a noun so far from my mind, its just that people stare at you as though you have some kind of infectious disease. When will the spots go away, even though I have been religiously applying vitamin E serum and grapeseed oil (a million thanks to Mohan) at every opportunity? I can imagine the at job interview sessions whereby the interviewer will be busy connecting the dots on my face rather than concentrating on the matter at hand. Sigh!

Running is another issue. I have this fear imminent issues will arise during the Standard Chartered Bank KL Marathon on June 28th. I may not have clocked in sufficient mileage. Another big Sigh!

On a brighter note, I get to listen to the radio, surf the net and read more. And listening to the radio means I get the opportunity to win contests. Here are some goodies I managed to have some success in picking up. At least I know that my luck is not that down in the dumps.

These goodies are courtesy from Cinema Online website, Red FM and Hitz.FM....so far. There are more winnings I have yet collected/received from the sponsors.

In the pictures below are:
1. X-Men Origins – Wolverine Imported Tee Shirt
2. X-Men Origins – Wolverine Bottle Opener
3. X-Men Origins – Wolverine Movie Special Preview Passes
4. X-Men Origins – Wolverine Open Cinema Passes
5. Star Trek Movie Special Preview Passes
6. Star Trek Imported Movie PosterStar Trek Sticker

MOM GETTING “ALL SHOOK UP”

What would one do during a period of in between jobs (yes, I am part of the statistic of retrenchment in the country) and contracting chicken pox during this period (in short quarantined and special diet)? Moping is one and getting into depression state is another because barring of all non-physical activities (running included).

I chose to seize the opportunity to win as many contests (via radio or television) as much as possible. One of the bigger surprise win was a chance to take my mother to luncheon as a Mother’s Day gift and witnessing one of the biggest US Elvis Presley impersonator, Scot Bruce at the Holiday Villa Subang Hotels and Suites.

The event was organized by Holiday Villa Subang and Emirates Airlines with sponsors from NTV7 (which I won from) and a host of co-sponsors. Normal ticket price was RM120++ and some percentage of the sale was channelled to the Single Mothers Association of Federal Territory and Selangor.

Mom was eager and enthusiastic of the event and the fact that she will be meeting Elvis, even though not the real one. On the other hand, I was not because I was only into my 3rd week of chicken pox and I had pox scars all over my face and some food were off limits for a couple of weeks more. Mom picked a presentable reddish pink blouse, white pants and pastel beaded inch high heels. Not to forget pearl earrings and necklace. Yes, mom was dressed to the tee. Now, to avoid unnecessary stares, I would just have to cover my entire face with a scarf...which will definitely create more attention. So I chose a button East India shirt, a black G2000 straight cut slack, sneakers and to top it off a black cap.

If you zoom in, you will see my polka dot face and can literally connect the dots!

The event was held in the Vintage Ballroom and was aptly themed “MAMA, YOU ROCK!”. Arriving a tad early to avoid last minute rush, we had the privilege to choose our seats at the VIP table. Two VIPS tables were allotted to contest winners, which were just 30-50 metres from the stage. Mom and I took seats facing the stage. I took the opportunity to snap some photographs before the room filled up.

The emcee announced the buffet luncheon would be served first before “Elvis” and his Rockin’ Band from Hollywood make their stage appearance.

Between lunch and performance, there were lucky draws. However, we were not that lucky enough to grab any prizes (mostly slimming and facial vouchers). The big prizes were hotel stays in Langkawi, Cherating, Vietnam. The grand prize was a trip to UK courtesy of Emirates Airlines accompanied with hotel stay.

Scot “Elvis” Bruce and his Rockin’ Band came on precisely at 2pm. The crowd was so ecstatic. It was as though they were being fed Prozac during lunch. Everyone was suddenly so energetic and high. The room was filled with a sudden surge of electricity. Surprisingly not all that attended the event were distinguished individuals. Some were as young as 8 years old and dressed to the tee too!

The “King” is still alive! Oh yes! Scot looks uncannily like the young Elvis. His voice, the way he rattles his body, gyrates his hips, swivels his pelvis and rotates his thighs. He sang most of Elvis hits (he cannot do all since Elvis recorded about 700 songs during his career). Scot mentioned that during his stints in the US, young audiences knew every single lyric to the songs. Elvis’ songs transcends to all ages. How very true!

Some of the songs I reckon to were “That’s All Right”, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Devil in Disguise”, “Love Me Tender”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Suspicious Minds”, “A Little Less Conversation”, “Rubberneckin’”, “All Shook Up”, “Hound Dog”, “Burning Love”, “It’s Now Or Never”, “Can’t Help In Love” and “Don’t Be Cruel”.

Mom and I had a ball of a time. I noticed most were shaking and rattling their bodies even though seated. And there were a number of sporting Elvis fans doing his trademark swivel and rattle. And they were veterans! Wow!

Scot and his band had a 15 minutes intermission before returning to stage with a black leather ensemble. This time he had more interaction with the audience. He actually descended from stage to meet some of the mothers with roses. My mom got a good hug from him. Actual quote from my mom “I totally forgot my name when he hugged me, I thought I was in Heaven”. That was how excited she was! I remembered he was trying to complete the song “It’s Now or Never”.

Mom and "Elvis"

Approximately 4pm, he completed his performance...has he? No! Some people have left the ballroom when the emcee asked the remaining audience whether we wanted more....and with a resounding “YES!” he returned to the stage with one more song! What a performer!

A little bit of Scot Bruce, he actually impersonated Elvis to supplement his income and he became so popular it became his full-time gig and has travelled across US and the world. A little trivia, he appeared as Elvis in Faith Hill and Sheryl Crow music videos too!
What a wonderful and memorable Sunday it was!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS READING THIS BLOG!!!

MOTHERS ALL OVER, YOU ROCK!