No stop signs, speed limits...

You know those awefully slow trucks driving on the road.

You look to the side mirrors, see the coast is clear.

You change lanes, step on the pedal.

You feel the car slowly accelerating.

And just when you wonder whats wrong with the engine

Theres the unmistakeable shift in gears.

And you feel surge POWWERRRR

And easily overtake that slow trucker.

Awesome shit

Nobody wants him

They just turn their heads

Nobody helps him

Now he has his revenge

And so, I spent my christmas in that kinda way, sitting in the car for 30 minutes waiting for a parking spot listening to Ozzy Osbourne singing Iron Man. Definately very unchristmasish.

Well as far as Im concerned, I spent my christmas day doing things in a very..... odd way.

I got up in the morning to find that an old friend and his family were in my living room, had a good chat with them.

Rushed off for dim sum with my dad's old colleague and his family. And to make things special, that friend and his family are Malay / Muslim. So yea, dim sum was halal. And frankly speaking it didnt taste too bad, though its very obvious when they substituted pork with chicken.

Went off to their house after lunch for more talking. I had a good time telling stories :).

Drove back home while my dad sat in the passenger seat. Thankfully my mum didnt scream or anything while I drove.

Now about driving. As you might know, so far I've only driven 2 kancils, and 1 Lexus ( RX300 model). So today I managed to get behind the wheel of my dads merc E240. The reason why he allowed me to? Because he's collecting his new car, hence this car has been classed as expendable. Frankly, I found it slightly harder to control, I'm not sure if its the individual cars attributes, or Merc Benz cars are just like that. Heres somethings I noticed that differed quite alot from the Lexus.

1. The signalling thing was on the left as opposed to the Lexus' right. Everytime I wanted to change lanes, my right index finger would be flicking away only to remember that the bar is on the left. Felt awkward changing to the left.

2. The accelerator felt harder, much harder then the Lexus. In fact, I cant even press it down smoothly. It felt like I was grinding metal on metal, like some lubrication would be greatly needed. ( I personally suspect that it may be the fact that I was pressing on the accelerator with only the tip of my foot, since I kept my heel close to the brake, ensure I could brake properly should the time come ).

3. Braking felt slightly unresponsive at first, but it brakes more quickly.

4. Not stepping on the accelerator gave a more obvious loss in speed.

5. Steering wheel felt more comfortable :\ .

6. Side view mirrors gave me a better idea of distance. My mums Lexus has somewhat curved side mirrors, meaning you get a better view angle, but the distance is abit off.

7. Merc is much more enjoyable when driving on highway, its sturdy and good.

8. Gear change in Merc is very obvious when putting the pedal to the metal. I like :)

Overall, dads car was what they described, "heavier".

Personally I like mums car for travelling around in the suburbs and all. But dads car is nicer if I was driving on the highway.

Now I wait for tomorrow, where my dad gets his christmas gift.

Hint : AMG, 2.9l . And I get to drive it to Penang.

And probably to KLIA to send myself off.

** And for the uninterested few, I abused the fact that christmas has become a time of commercialisation instead of religion by buying a discounted ( everythings discounted anyway) suit. Now all I need is a vest to replace the crappy one they provided...

And I might even raise a little sand... yeah..

You know, from now on. I shall be giving my blog topics a title coming from a song. Preferably a rock song. Preferably something that has endured the test of time.

But then again, I can feel myself going against my own words.

So anyway, I've been driving a fair bit of late. Not as much as last year, but I've been tackling different roads, and finally been given the freedom to drive at higher speeds without my mum screaming

mainly cause I'm not driving on the little roads anymore.

Seeing how I should be going back to Penang over the long weekend, and my dads new car should arrive sometime midweek, you can easily guess that both of us are more then happy to give it a spin.

Then again, its the holiday season + long holiday = traffic, so I can swipe away any dreams of testing the car's pickup.

A shame.......

eitherway if some dick decides to drive in a manner that involves the new car getting scratch, I'm going to be fucking pissed.




I do hope for good empty stretches of road :)

At the same time here, I would like to give credit to Mr Yap SL ( :D) for giving me a ride in his dad's BMW. Sweet hot car with an impressive interior, and definately a good ride.

Cons? well, dont speed at 140kph when the limits 80kph you nut.
Otherwise it was fun.

Stairway to Pain

I got lazy while typing stuff out.
Brb :)

Im feeling all dizzy, and its not because I smoked pot...

Well ok, I never did smoke pot.

But I'm feeling a tad dizzy/sick now.

Probably will get sick if I sleep late tonight.

On the brightside, I've just been notified theres a paintball thingy being held by some friends. its gonna be this weekend and its gonna be sweet.

Why?
Because I get to dodge bullets, listen to them whiz past my head.

And I get to dish out some love.

This is what happens if you see me running towards you while you have your gun sighted on me.

I WILL SHOOT AT POINT BLANK.

*Sorry Victor :)

Yawn.

Heres what I did today.
Attended the PC Fair today.

Picked up a 360GB Seagate External HD for RM255
Picked up a laptop fan (now I havent pushed my laptop to more extreme parts, but after a whole nights use, the laptop feels lukewarm, not blazing hot. Maybe the fan does actually work!)
Picked up a new set of headphones.

And along typing this I forgot what else I wanted to say. However in order to meet my quota....

I miss Melbournes tap water. As most of you know, Melbourne's tap water is drinkable. I could just take a cup, put it under the tap and drink the water right from the tap and I'll be perfectly fine.

Unlike back here where not installing filters in your house is considered suicide. So yea, just to get a stupid cup of water involves me walking all the way to the kitchen. What a lazy slob I am.

*because my headache compels me to go to bed, I shall. Good night.

And happy birthday Warren. I know you never come here because you dont know it exists, but the hell....

Blisters

Since I mentioned it right before, I'll like to continue abit more on it, seeing how I havent blogged about kendo for ages.

Now right.
For some odd reason, I decided to use my bokuto instead of shinai for suburi yesterday.
These are the reasons I can think of that fit the criteria for "excuse".

1. I wanted to use something with a proper cutting edge / hasuji (I think thats the term). So instead of cutting with a shinai, I wanted to use the bokuto to see if my dou, sayumen cuts were actually cutting in a straight line down, instead of some deviation where the cut doesnt quite go through cleanly.

2. I thought the bokuto might be heavier, and thus something better to build endurance.

3. I wanted to try something different.

4. I wanted to use an oval grip, instead of the round grip the shinais provide. Needless to say, the oval grip proved much much more snug then I last remembered when I borrowed someones oval hilt (kobangata) shinai.



And heres what I noticed :

1. Cuts felt very different. I can only think of 2 reaons.
--the length of the bokuto is very different from the shinai, hence as I cut and tenouchi, there is less force being carried by the tip of the shinai. Think of Moments of Force being r x F with r being radius multipled by force.

Thus, you can see that the moment felt at the end of the object would be greater if radius was increased.
So yes, in a sense, it actually felt LIGHTER making cuts with the bokuto. But was that all the case? Well... Im not sure really......
but I think over time my arms got tired from the actual weight of the thing.........

---Or I was just merely being very tensed after being away from kendo for so long.

2. Hasuji thing was a good thing to experiment with. I felt that my sayumen had more "accuracy" to it. As in I now actually know where and what I'm cutting. Hopefully this would translate into better kirikaeshi.

3. I got a shitload of blisters.

Well, actually I got blisters at places where they should occur, thats ok. BUT, I also gained 2 blisters on my right hand, on the fingers. Which isnt right, because my grip dictates that that should NEVER happen.

So whats wrong?
I noticed after 200 or so suburis, my hands get really sweaty. Tricky thing with the bokuto was, since its just made out of wood, the hilt is pretty much water resistant. Unlike the leather tsuka of the shinai which is somewhat rough, and presumably absorbs water/sweat/blood, the tsuka of the bokuto absolutely fails to do the above. This means that after a period, I find my grip becoming slightly slippery. I suppose at this point my grip goes wrong, and I end up with blisters that shouldnt have occured.


Conclusion : I did that yesterday, I got tired. I noticed that I was really out of shape, and gotten fatter :( .
What really made me abit uncomfortable was at one point my legs started getting tired. Heck, I'm seriously out of shape !! I could pull off something like this during any point of the semester this year, and now when I'm bloody free, I bloody find myself being bloody pathetic. :\

didnt get to do more suburi today since I wasnt at home for the whole day.



** Oh, and FYI, I've been taking up my shinai and bokuto to bed .... well I leave it by the bedside. Of late the security around my place has gone from bad to worse, crime has gone up and the community decided its time to put up checkpoints and all.
If my house were to be broken in, fat chance I'll let someone beat me up with my own shinai.
Anyway, its nice taking it down each morning with the Imperial March song in my head as I head outside to do a lousy job of suburi ( well, only a few, usually under 100)


Aim : Do a thousand without stop by 2 weeks time.
Then again I shouldnt be finding excuses.

Summer

Truth be told, I'll be pretty sad when I leave for Melb on the 2nd of Jan

seeing how I've got so many people I cant get to meet.

I'm very sorry I had to axe some things, but then...

perhaps some people mean more to me.
perhaps time wasnt very on our side.
or perhaps I just didnt want to see you for some reason.

Then again.... I think I made up the latter.

But yea, its shit sad how I only get to meet up with certain people like once, and not a dozen times.
But hey, I dont want to get bored of your company!
I want to leave it there, so when I come back next year, its gonna be fcking epic.

So yea ....

much love all!
Sorry I couldnt come for the trip :(
Sorry Ben, sorry s5

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going shopping later for PC parts.

I think I've definately shopped alot more this year, then all my previous years combined
*make that shopped during this holidays alone.

**On the sober side note, I decided to pick up my bokken and do 500 suburi after a long lapse of not doing any kendo at all, apart from the occasional fumikomi + shinai-less men cut. Lets just say I've got blisters on the magnitude I havent seen since my beginners course. Must be loosing my touch on grip.

I only passed ESD2

:(

I truly cry my hearts out.
2008 2 316101 Introductory Macroeconomics H2A
2008 2 610102 Chemistry 2 H2A
2008 2 620155 Calculus 2 H1
2008 2 800002 Engineering Systems Design 2 P (61)


oh well at least I clinched a H1... barely clinched it.

So question is, " the bottle of beer that I drunk an hour ago. Was it for celebration, or for mourning?"

You know you're in shit when....

You realise you totally neglected bringing back anything remotely formal to wear.

:(

How do I now attend functions!

Doublespeak

I like participating in thoughtcrime.
It is doubleplus good.

By saying that 2+2 =5
I am saying that I eagerly follow Big Brother unopposed.

All of these makes no sense.
That doesnt matter, newspeak doesnt anyway.

Oh how I missed 1984 and its funny words :)

I need a sniffer dog

I've checked out pretty much every major bookstore around the area, and I couldnt find a single store that stocked The Bottom Billion.

This is ridiculous!
Looks like I'll have to order it myself.

*In the hunt for a single copy of the above, I've gotten 6 other books under the excuse of collateral damage / fulfilling the budgets needs.

So yes, unlike some peeps who have to work/ internship (in which I would very much like to do myself), I shall spend my time reading.

Well at least its been raining last night and this morning and I've finished my 2nd book already. Time to tackle Hitchhickers Guide to the Galaxy. Its a tad thicker then most books I've been reading of late so this shall be interesting.


**Have yet to find a book that drew me in

ASL

Despite what you might think

its actually BLOODEH FUN!

seriously....

Oh and Im refering to sign language, not Age/Sex/Location


W :O W

Over the past 2 weeks I've had

-1 xray
-1 MRI
-1 ass ultrasound
-a bunch of medical consultations
-hours of waiting at the hospital
-2 eye examinations
-1 retinal examination
-1 pupil distilation for retinal examination which falls under 1 eye examination
-1 dental examination
-and avoided getting my wisdom tooth plucked out.


Over the past 10 days actually.
Medical students, you will make money off people like me in the future!

Culture differences? Or ........

have all the 1-[4-ethoxy-3-(6,7-dihydro-1-methyl-7-oxo-3-propyl-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-dpyrimidin-5-yl)phenylsulfonyl]-4-methylpiperazine citrate chemicals in the lab air affect my fellow peers sexual urges.

Long story cut short.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/12/05/1228257304915.html

Needless to say, as I was preparing myself for a cheap-man's round of L4D (Left for Dead), my dad came rushing into my room clutching the newspaper. TheStar also reported this research, however, their article noticably lacked alot of the data and statistics provided by the Australian papers.

My scientificness is most unamused by the lack of data!

But somehow I do somewhat snigger and agree with the whole experiment, assignments, and library time line.
Or maybe its just a case of my personal time management.
Maybe I shouldnt be giggling over tossing mates out of containers over some online game and go clubbing instead.

Or perhaps Im much much more satisfied sitting down and starting my attempt to finish my copy of Hitchhickers Guide to the Galaxy.

* This article would probably make me as uncool as I already am.
** I dont know why, but my dad seems reaally worried about me being a science student now.

*** Oh and did I tell you guys about the time the doctor asked me if I wanted to get my sperm sampled and quality tested? No? Next time then

You know something's wrong when.....

you catch yourself watching the same video over and over for say....the 8th time?



In the time it took me to write this, I've heard the song for the 12th time.

Arg :(

Bass

Music doesnt sound the same with sub woofers.
Then again if I were to really want to experience the true effects, I would have to bend under cramp myself under my desk to feel the vibrations.


Now I'm just using my ol laptops speakers who do a pretty horrible job :(

Direction

Cool I've found a new hole to dig. More music to explore.
Hello Blue Oyster Cult :)

Daft Punk at the hospital.

So today I went to the hospital
stripped naked
handed 1300 bucks to the lady at the reception

and laid on the bed for over 30-40 minutes while the MRI scanned me.
And along the way it made all these funny noises, in which if I bothered to record down and have them repeated in a certain way, I'd probably be making some award winning techno music.


Really, at one point I felt that the machine was actually making music, or it was just my head pointing out the rythmn of beeps and ummm.. funny noises.

Oh and did I mention how comfortable the blanket they gave was?

Now hopefully I'd be alright and wouldnt need to do surgery. Tough luck considering the scan report indicates that I have " presence of cholestrol in the right ejaculatory duct"

:\

wtf

Bombay / Mumbai

I do hope that the nice old Indian chap sitting beside me on my flight back is alright.

Its just a 8 hour flight, but he certainly was entertaining. Gave me good advice on making/drinking Bloody Mary.

Hope he's alright in Mumbai and safe from the chaos there.

Memory Lane

Found an old CD containing the sort of music I listened to before I went to Australia.

Feels good listening to songs I havent heard for around 3 years.
Thinking of the time where I used to turn on my radio and study everyday, till like 2am.

Of course then again, I never quite liked what they had on air around 2am since its usually remixed hip hop music, which never struck a chord with me.

Fun to know I still can remember the lyrics despite such a long time.

Hot Summer Night

Help! Im being eaten alive by mozzies.

Anyway, my eyes are tired, and its been a long day. But I'll entertain you by chucking out more crap just to keep you entertained (and keep me away from sleep by another hour, or so.)

So yes, I woke up today at 8am, without the aid of an alarm. Feeling all humid and sticky from sweat I got up, knowing it was pointless trying to do back to bed. Went down to join dad for breakfast before he left for work.

Spent the rest of the morning washing my kendo stuff, and sweeping+mopping the ground floor of the house.

In my 10 months absense, the house hasnt/has changed much. With the exception of a new TV and fridge (thank god for the long needed upgrade, I've been using the same fridge for as long as I can remember), the house still remains in its same condition.

I walked into my room on Monday, to find my books arranged in the same way, and my copy of The Half Blood Prince left on the top of my wardrobe. I'm pretty certain I left it there when I came out of the toilet about 10 months ago. So yea, everythings untouched.

The garden is in a mess. Weeds everywhere, overgrown shrubs, rose plants collapsing since the branches have grown way more then what the pots can support. Obviously we're going to need to get the grass trimmed.

Oh, and have I mentioned how dusty the floor is?
No suprise, my mum being in Melbourne, and dad going to China for over a week, the house has been uncleaned for about 2 weeks now, so yea. So much for a nice clean home to return to.

Not that I'm complaining about anything, at least I have something to do.





I havent eaten much these days since I got infected by my sister before I got back, so right now I still have this phelgmish feeling at the back of my throat which makes food taste dull. Should really make an effort to eat something Malaysian. ;)

Instead of cramming everything into 1 post, I'm going to start a new one about my hospital experience the other day :)

Back Home

So yep, Im back home now.
And I'm feeling too lazy now to blog :(

Umm, house is in a mess so.....

What to do?

So yes, yippie, my exams have finally ended.

But really, I think for the past 1.5 days, I've done nothing much....
all that occupies my head now is the sweet sweet serenity of Fallout 3.

Make no mistake, its slightly boring at times, abit chained down, and depressing.

But the game has it charms. And Im kinda in love with that adorable Pip-Boy.

I am not advertising for Toyota.

Couldnt help but wonder.



Meowrr

Funny

Looks like in my rage I deleted my facebook account.
And when I say so, its because the email address it was registered under is no longer working.

Awesome!

Sorry for the trouble folks!
But Ill be out of touch for awhile. (:

My apologies for my sudden lack of sanity but I dont think Ill be blogging again, not until I feel sane enough to do so.

56th AJKC

( From left to right : Shodai, Chiba Sensei ( the guy in the background with grey hair), Wako )

Winner : Kenji Shodai of Kanagawa (left) , 27 years old winning his first AJKC after competiting in it for 4 years.

No doubts that jodan is going to be much more popular now. Appearantly the last time someone won the AJKC using jodan was back in 1983.

Personally I dont see myself using jodan, chudan no kamae is already complex as it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt7oVooz78M
*Vid of Shodai from last year. If you've watched his kendo over the past years, you'd noticed it's changed by quite a fair amount.

Little tresure trove

http://www.kendo.or.jp/champ/

It's such a pity I cant read Japanese.
This site really contains so much AJKC goodies.

For those who wont get what I'm saying, tomorrow's the 56th All Japan Kendo Championships.

It's that annual time of the year where kendoka around Japan get together and fight there way to the top.

Most people regard it as one of the most important kendo events, on par with the World Kendo Championships (which is held every 3 years) [ smaller events like the All Japan University Kendo Championships gets plenty of attention too].

Personally I'd like to try to compete in the state competitions next year, but I obviously have a long way to go.


Anyway, it's interesting to note that with my limited knowledge of kanji, I think it says that Chiba sensei won his first AJKC in 1966 when he was only 22 years old.

22yo...

@.@
*Oh wow*

And here I am cramming for chemistry and writing lyrics in my head.

With a gun pointed at my head, I type this update.

Hi all.

Studying is a bitch.
Yes Jak, I know you're probably going : "Oh no young Jeffrey! Uni can be utmost fun!"

Well right now it isnt, not when engineering is being a pain.

Ok well everything isnt THAT bad, its just that of late, I've been pretty tired.
Its like waking up in the morning feeling alright. But about an hour after getting out of bed, you start getting sleepy for the rest of the day.

I'm talking about barely keeping my eyes open kinda sleepy.

Which sucks because I cant study looking at the back of my eyelids.
Drinking tea now, it helps alot.

I've been really lazy with my kendo of late. Only training once a week.







Which clearly is far from enough. Either its the weather, lack of water in my body, lack of ions, or Im just becoming really unfit.

My last practice involved me getting all dizzy and spinning during keiko. Not pleasant.
Hyperventillation, dehydration seems to be the normal symptom I go through every training of late.

It sure sucks :\


at least now, Sensei is back, and I've just learnt a new kata. :)

*Of course my footwork and spirit for sanbonme could use more "oomph"

Move On

I'm sorry but I doubt that AUG post will come out, now that all the high has fizzled off.





I should be doing alot of other things now.


I should be finishing my econs assignment.
I should be cleaning my room
I should be studying
I should be taking a shower


I should be heading to uni to do something more productive.





Instead of reading up old stuff that does mean anything anymore.


*Really, I cant stand it if someones blog was filled up with all the emo emo content, but I just felt like doing it today"

Oh FUCK it......

************************************************************************************

Btw, I wont be blogging much from now, not for the next whole month. Its time to start loosing weight, I mean study..

SHINBASHI!

Team UMKC at the AUG. (Along with Duy of UTS crouching in the backgroup)

Makes me wonder, how did the term shinbashi even come along?

My voice is hoarse from all the cheering.

I did badly in my own events today.
But we won big time in the team events.

Im too tired to write everything out, so I'll do it tomorrow when Im bored of studying.

Here's the results for the competitions (specially for you Jak, though you might already have received Viets email)

Kyu Individual:'
1st - F.J. Kiew (MON)
2nd - A. Corbett (UBAL)
3rd - Alex Lee (UMKC)

Womens Kyu Individual
1st - M. Quah (MON)
2nd - G. Lim (UNSW)
3rd - O. Wong (MON)

Dan Individual
1st - D. Taira (UTS)
2nd - Kevin Chin (UMKC)
3rd - N. Duy (UTS)

Womens Dan Individual
1st - D. Chun (UNSW)
2nd - C. Lim (MON)
3rd - H. Yuan (UNSW)

Kyu Teams
1st - UMKC (Viet, David, Kevin H, Peter, Kin-On)
2nd - USYD

Open Teams
1st - UMKC (Peter, Alex, Kevin C, Kevin H, Kin-On)
2nd - UTS

Green and GoldD. Taira, E. Peng, K. Chin, D. Chun, F.J. Kiew


phew, what a long day. The team events were pretty exciting, particularly the finals.

必勝

Originally I wanted to have something like

" 1 day to AUG --- Shinai Weigh In"

but I decided not to. Why?
Because we need something more inspiring. And... we didnt quite weigh our shinais today.

But first let me talk about the whole inspire , aspire ( btw Im using an Acer Aspire 9420, thats how I thought about the aspire thing) topic. So yes, throughout our squad trainings, Andrew has repeatedly reminded us when we did our cuts

"Imagine you're in the team events. Team final. The score is draw and its gone into encho ( extra time), you've been called to represent the team. Its going to be a match which will decide who's the victor, all in 1 single point."

To give you a better idea of the situation, encho in finals do not have a time limit. As far as it goes, the match will continue until someone scores a point, even if it has to run for an hour. Which means during that whole period, you're going to have to keep your concentration on, and at the same time try to score that one point. Its a pretty big task if you ask me.

Another event that comes to mind, that is somewhat similiar to this would be during the Olympics. Water polo, womens event, playing for Bronze. Australia plays against Hungary in a match that went into extra time when Australia equalizes the score with 8 seconds to go before the round ends. Extra time saw both sides fighting over, only to have Hungary score an equalizer 17 seconds before the match ends. Obviously by now both sides are tired out, and the game proceeds into a penalty shootout. At this point, the Australian coach goes down to the poolside and talks to the girls, with the TV camera clearly zooming onto his fist which had " We cant loose" written on it. I found that pretty cool. Australia finally beats Hungary by 1 point to win bronze.

So yea, this years AUG isnt going to be easy, for once we've got the biggest number of competitors then previous years, supposedly 70ish contestants. It might not sound like a big number, but remember that this is kendo, not basketball or football; we're a pretty small group. This years UNSW and USYD (as I've said before) are pretty strong, and we've got lots of other smaller groups competing. So yes... things are bound to be pretty interesting.

Its at times like these when I kick myself for not having a video camera, or a normal camera to take down the awesomeness.



I shall leave all the speculation for tomorrow. The next time I blog, it'll be all over and I'll know how much that 10 months of training had paid off (frankly Im pretty satisfied on how much I've progressed though).


Anyway so yea, Im going to sleep early tonight and make sure I eat right. And just let my shinai guide me....



** On the side note, today's shinai weigh in was pretty eventful. We had Tom and Avi being in charge of checking the state of everyones shinais. I can easily say that around 75% were rejected for various reasons. I had one of my shinais rejected, but after some touch ups, it was deemed useable. On the side notes, there were people who had everything rejected so you could see people doing last minute repairs and retying.

Since they didnt have a weighing scale at the location, we will have to weigh our shinais tomorrow before the events begin. Meaning I'd have to wake up earlier to get to the site earlier so I can get my weapons weighed.
( ps, I think one of my shinais is underweight)

2 days (well right now its 1) to AUG

Today, after hitting the library to get some work done, I leave the Bailleu around 5.00pm to attend the final kendo practice before the AUG.

And as I walked along Tin Alley, I spotted a group of people walking towards me from the opposite direction, obviously having gotten off the tram on swanston street.

Here's a few things I registered the moment I saw them.
1. They wore yellow and black jackets.
2. There was a group of them, meaning this had to be an AUG team.
3. They had shinais.

Obviously this was a group of kendoka from another uni who wanted to have a training session before the big day. However due to this being my first AUG, I have little knowledge on the various kendo teams. Obviously they werent from Monash since despite their jackets having similiar colours, the design was very different

(not to mention I know the Monash people abit, these guys were total strangers to me)

In the changing room I finally learnt they were from UNSW.
Oh wow, UNSW, one of the top uni kendo teams in Aus. Our formidable rivals, todays training just turned more interesting.

I finished changing and headed upstairs, just as I was putting down my stuff, another group of people walked into the dojo. To be more precise they were all girls, around 7 of them. As they put on their gear, I got to read their zekkens :

USYD
XXXX

And so, this must be the women's contigent from USYD.

At this point it was becoming obvious that the number of people turning up to training from UMKC was waaaaay lesser then the number of visitors we had. At the back of my mind, I was slightly intimidated by their pressence.

" How good are they"

Needless to say, I wasnt in my optimum kendo condition for most of the training. My throat was dry during warm ups and I was obviously somewhat dehydrated. Through the training, I focused on pushing through and showing our visitors how training here in UMKC is really like.

Fortunately, by the time jigeiko came, I was pumped and ready to go. Funny as it sounds, I think I'm beginning to enjoy kakarigeiko as a means of getting myself in the right condition where your mind reacts faster, and the body is more springy and light.

Jigeiko. I fought 3 persons, making an effort to ensure they're all visitors so I get the most exposure.

1. Nelson "Gold"... I think his name is Nelson.... arg cant remember. He was somewhere slightly above my level. It was a good fight, I managed to keep my focus on him and not get distracted. Managed to pull off a men-taiatari-hiki dou. Tried to do proper seme and footwork. It was a good satisfying match. We concluded it with an ippon shoubu in which he scored 2 hikimens. First one was slightly weak in zanshin, but the 2nd one proved to be good enough.

2. Unknown guy in red dou. Overall was an easier fight then the first one. Again I focused on seme and footwork, and launching a good fast direct men cut. At this point there were less people on the floor, and I had more space to zanshin. Was a pretty good fight, though my legs got somewhat sore during the fight, I managed to keep it flowing while maintaining the center. Managed to win the ippon shoubu with a men cut.

3. Fought against a um.... UNSW?!? girl. She's been doing kendo for 2 years as well and shes from Singapore. What a small world!! As for the fight, it wasnt much. She managed to get hiki-mens on me quite a number of times, but her center was weak and it was easy to nick men cuts off her.

So yes, todays training was one of the best I've had in awhile. I was in relatively good form, and the sheer number of people training today was awesome. Not to mention the skill level and spirit.

It's kinda funny how people line up and ask one another for a fight. It's like speed dating, only more intense.



tomorrow I shall be weighing in my equipment.
And on wednesday... its the big one....

Deja Vu

So here I am, on a somewhat hot (well hot comparing to the weather for the past few months) Saturday night.

Having plugged my ipod directly into my fantabulous Altec Lansing speakers, I listen to:

The Offspring



which strikes a chord with me, because ironically, around this time last year I was listening to them alot.

Now before I go into another bout of nostalgica spasms ( I made that up) ......
*oh wait, I forgot what I wanted to say. Damn wikipedia and her attention redirecting links*


Anyway, listening to Gone Away brings back memories.
One day I should blog on how certain songs remind me of certain events.... one day....
***well actually I tried to, and its this shitty draft sitting on my account, and everytime I open it, I dont feel like writing anything so yea... its vapourware***




How if you'd excuse me, I have an ILT to complete, and a shinbashi to learn.

Oh dear

If you would have noticed, I just got a random bunch of blog links I regularly visited and placed that up on the side of my blog.


Now, shocking thing is:

Had I not restrained myself and got rid of some, they would all be blogs,

ran by girls.

Now I'm not being a sexist here, Im merely pointing out the fact that *omg* I tend to read girls blogs more often.

This is partially because there're not much guys whom I know who blog.
:\


Or maybe I just need to getalifeandagfandgetlaid.ohfuckthisshititisstupidareyoustillreadingthisyoushouldgetalifetoo.

5 days.....

Well, yep, there's only 5 more days to my AUG event.
While the club hasnt chosen the 5 people who'd be competing on the actual day, the past few months of being on the squad has been pretty interesting.

Heck, in fact my whole kendo life for this year would be way beyond my wildest imaginations last year. This, Im not kidding. To think that the only times I've skipped training were either because of my little urine problem, or the time my foot's blister made walking a chore, or the time I wanted to cram before the exam.... I'd say, in total I've only missed no more then 10 practices.

Not to mention a whole lot of friday morning trainings, man, I look forward to watching American Dad and Family Guy next thursday night. For once I can sleep later on a Thursday night ( yes, I have gotten lazy, but hey, every athelete needs to rest). Its been a very hard, tiring but satisfyingly productive year, the whole AUG mindset sitting in my mind for the past 10 months.

Hell, I dont think I ever trained/prepared myself for something so intensively. Even exams, I would just merely cram it at the last second. But for kendo, I actually started training since the start of the year.

10 months, and now, I think I know shiai a little better.

I think...
Hopefully by next year I'd find my comment today totally wrong. And hopefully by then I would have improved.

Summer comes.

Heres a quick something.
Because I know people read my blog, but I havent updated in a while.


So yes, here's the thought passing through my mind now

"Eat less peanut butter, summer is coming. you wanna be fat?"

To think 5 years ago I wouldnt give a damn about my weight.






** AUG is 8 days away! I must be crazy enough to consider shaving my hair for the event :) **


*** ok, maybe just a crewcut***

Suggestions :

If you're living in Melbourne, craving for Japanese food, have a car, and is willing to fork out some money for food.

Ibuki House
168 East Boundary Road,
East Bentleigh,
VIC
Ph: (613) 9579 1744
M: 61417593885

The place isnt bad, well, the room is nice, the seats suck, but I couldnt care.

Like seriously, how can anyone complain about the amount of sashimi they served.
For once I didnt have a quota on how much maguro I could eat. I just ate until I didnt feel like eating.

Sake was pretty good too :)

And the best of all? I got to play with someone else Cannon SLR, which was pretty awesome. Im so tempted to buy one now. Arrggg, but I've got to spend 1200 AUD on my bogu. Oh shitty expenses, how will I afford a comp upgrade? When have I gotten so materialistic? NOooOO!

*oh yes, I am such a follower.*

** Dinner costs 600AUD per table, we had 10 persons, so thats 60bucks a head. Now before you go off blasting how expensive it is, do remember that for 60 bucks, you cant get that much sashimi as entre + lamb cutlets + rolled cabbage + chawanmushi + tempura + soup/udon/lobster meat + unknown dish + dessert (which wasnt very japanese at all, but like I give a fuck).

Mind you the above were actually single servings except for the sashimi bit. Personally I wasnt very full, but satisfied.

So yea Ean, go get your uncle to bring you there!

*** I forgot to mention that this isnt a restaurant, its actually someone cooking dinner for you, in his garage (literally). Only its a very nice garage, with wooden panelling, and a fully stocked bar. And lots and lots of sake lying around the place. Not to mention the TV had NHK on it. If you need to use the toilet, you're going to have to enter the chefs house, and walk past his family members who're watching TV or something.

Milestone Achievement 3 : Unlocks!

And so, today.

I went for gradings!



Now, at the moment, I really feel like sleeping. However, I am obliged to continue writing, and boast of my acomplishments.



Now dont I just sound like a snob....

So yes, double grading. It wasnt easy actually, considering how you've already spent up all your energy during the first run, and for some odd reason my body tired out easily. Im not sure why, but even during a relatively light warmup session, I was sweating away.

So yes, I finish my grading for 4th kyu, step out of the dojo area whole getting nods and thumbs ups from my fellow UMKC people, and I think to myself?

"what did I do to earn this?"

while fumbling to take my gear off, one of the officials comes running over and tells me to prepare for the 3rd kyu gradings. Woops, looks like the judges think I did well too.

So there I go, along with another girl to double grade. Thankfully I got paired up with Masa, which meant that..... well it doesnt mean anything, it just helps that at least I know who my partner is. Which is good, because at that stage, I was out of breath, and my left calf was starting to get sore and stiff.

And so went on the 3rd kyu examination, nothing too different from the 4th kyu one, only this time I'm doing it one a very disobedient left foot that doesnt react like how I want it to. Needless to say, I did alot of errors and at certain points, I was more concerned about surviving the whole examination then performing well.

Its at this point that Andrews weekly friday pep talks come into mind

"Lets say you're in the team finals, the match ends in encho (extra time) and you've been selected to fight the one point match that will decide the winner. This is the time when you do your best kendo, and push on for that single point."

Its at times like these, you have to remember that a half hearted job wont get you anywhere. So I grit my teeth, curse that left leg, and screamed my head off.

Surprisingly I passed. Because I originally thought I failed. It wasnt until I got into the changing rooms and everyone was congratulating me, then I only realised I made a mistake and went out to check the results again.

So yes, 2 more weeks to AUG, lets hope that right wrist can cope with its injuries.

Why yes, m'good dear.

Just could help but have this thought cloud my mind while I smile......in a not particularly positive way..

*cough*

yes yes, state the obvious m'dear

*cough*

rolls eyes.
I hate being cynical.

Damn you cover bands...

And so, I attended the UMKC Men Kote Rock last friday.

While the atmosphere wasnt as great as last year, the music was up to my expectations.
Its sad to hear that Sakura Express is breaking up, but heck, Ultramarine has 3/5 of the band members in it. Its almost like Audioslave and Rage against the Machine.

Anyway, so Fatsu being a cover band, with its ranks filled with UMKC kendoka strumming their stuff on stage, performed this one song that got stuck in my head.

Summertime ---- Thirsty Merc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDCVAbp_ZkU

makes me want to look forward to the everlasting summer, aka Malaysia.
So yea, I think Ill start crossing out the days to a fly-free summer.

"Take me back to the sweet times, the hot nights, everything is gonna be alright, in the summertime, baby in the summertime"

I am so

fucking tired.

Like shitass tired.

So sleepy until I drool and laugh at nothing.
My brain isnt working.

But the past 2 days have been kendobulous.
Now if you'd excuse me, Im going to dream of some ippons.

Will post more tomorrow once I slay the demons of procrastination and finish that assignment.

Rage Against the Emo

Yep, thats right.

RATE!

Nah, it just so happens I was listening to some Rage against the Machines songs, and I realised how badly music these days are watered down.

Seriously man, I need good hard dirty sounding, distortion filled music. I want music solos that are longer then 2 minutes.

I've voiced this before, and I really wish there was more variety in todays music.

"Fuck you I wont do what you tell me
Fuck you I wont do what you tell me
Fuck you I wont do what you tell me
Fuck you I wont do what you tell me"

Sigh..... where's my Purple Haze now eh?

Ragnarok Online 2 : Gates of the World.

Ok, so out of nostalgia, I’ve downloaded a copy of it off the net. Since the official Korean version is still in close beta, and the SEA version wont be out till… godknowswhen. I decided to grab one, play on a private server, and hopefully have that experience from the private server teach me 2 things.

The tips and tricks to success on a proper server.
If the game is truly worth my time. Or should I just continue playing TF2.

Here is my review :

So yes, the game installation file is 1.06(GB), which is ALOT smaller then the likes of Lineage 2, which is around (3GB), or TF2 ( 16GB) [ I have never properly played WoW, so I cannot tell you how big is their game]. Anyway, enough of the comparison of the game size, obviously, RO2 has the benefit/disadvantage of being a game that doesn’t take that much space.

To some people, this is good, considering how they like their games to run smoothly on their outdated PC, or laptop. On the disadvantage, people who love superb graphics will be…. Well, the graphics aren’t that bad either, so I don’t reckon they’ll be complaining so much.

Which brings me to my pathetic graphic and gameplay review. Graphically speaking ( in Sayed’s awesome homosexual tone), this game would probably get a rating of 8 for graphics, its decent, but not eye candy. However, I would really much like to deduct points from the game because the female characters in no way seem to arouse me, but then again, I should be a rational game reviewer.

One thing that bugs me in this game is, unlike the previous RO, where attacking a mob will result in numbers spewing out of the screen, in this one, YOU CAN ONLY SEE YOUR OWN DAMAGE. Which means that while other players are attacking the monster, you have absolutely no idea how much damage they’re dealing/receiving. I’m not too sure if this still exists under a party, but I find it irritating, because I want to know who’s the biggest badass around. Oh, and to be honest with ya, I’m really missing the sprites graphical system.

Sigh.

Gameplay wise, it’s changed. A LOT.

You can now choose to either control your player by having clicking on the mouse. OR, you can control them using ASDW. Which makes things interesting, because I can circle strafe around mobs just for the kicks of it while attacking. Also, you can jump/swim. Something that’s pretty standard for most online games, but seeing how I never really played WoW, I found the whole concept of commiting suicide by jumping off a cliff while low on a health somewhat amusing

( Now imagine a whole guild doing that like Lemmings ;) )

There are also now, PROPER QUESTS. RO1 had a sucky quest system, it wasn’t very impressive. I mean, even a cheap/free game like Runescape could actually implement better quests then it, so really, did RO2 make a big change?

Well yes and no.

Yes --à It’s got quests, with objectives, and rewards, and etc etc.
No ---à The quests aren’t really that exciting, there’re no story behind the quest. This makes it somewhat dull. Furthermore, they aren’t like the WoW ones that affect your character. Though I’m not expecting Gravity to pull off something of that stage, the quests still are abit of a bore. At this moment on the private server, translation work is still being done , so yes, most of the time, I cant understand WTF the NPC is telling me.

One of the annoying things about the quest is, the NPCs are scattered around the place, which makes it a chore getting to them. The map does not point out their locations meaning I had to spend 10 minutes looking for some bloody NPC named Kwan. I would appreciate if it were a notch easier, so I can get the quest done with and kill some porings.



Oh wait, I forgot to mention.

There are no porings.

Only some weird things called Pukui who resemble apples/peaches on legs. And really, a lvl 1 monster hitting around 20, while my character only manages to hit 7-14. That’s not a very fair fight…

I must admit, I’ve got a grudge against online games who try to outdo one another, by making insanely big maps. While it may make your game a lot larger, with more space for customization, it also means increased travel time.

Knowing how earth is all low on resources and shit, I would really appreciate if it didn’t take me so long to walk from one part of the map to the other.

At least in RO1, each since map was pretty small, so I didn’t feel like there was so much walking to do until I reached the next portal. :\

Music.
I’ve gotten mixed responses on this one. Ean, who has the whole soundtrack for the game felt that the BGM in RO2 is definitely better. Me, on the other hand finds it downright disappointing. Make no mistake here, the songs are definitely nice. BUT, I find most of them lacking in element, lacking in something RO1 had. Not to mention, the login screen music ISNT as good as RO1s. Why?

Because it doesn’t have the calming effect. Seriously, anyone who spent 15 minutes trying to connect onto a crappy Malaysian (eRO) server would know how important a good song is, from preventing them from bashing up their comp.
Maybe as I further progress into the game, I’ll find better examples. But as for now. It just doesn’t get my attention. As for now, they just lack the kick. Worse comes to worse, I suppose I could just play the RO1 BGMs while playing RO2.



I should really write a better review. But however, I am a student after all. And studying *cough* should come first.

So yea.

RO2 lacks the whole fun fun fun thing. Its not the kinda game Im gonna play, first thing in the morning (unless I knew I had friends who were waiting for me).

No, I doubt I’ll be playing on this private server for a long time (due to the low rates as well)

But yes, I might just consider playing the official one when it comes out. How long will I play? Well that will depend on the people reading this blog is they end up playing.

If they do, I might just stick around longer.



Otherwise I’ll be back on gold_rush.pl screaming

“ I AM FULLY CHARGED!”



Cheers.

oh btw, if you're interested in wasting your soul on this game before its officially launched
http://www.euphro2.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4477

though I would gladly recommand you remain studying, or leaving stickies for em heavies to walk over.

A Fast Recap.

Ive been wanting to blog, but I never did :(

So anyway, here's a quick recap on what I've been up to.
Since the last post was on last Thursday, lets begin from there.

Friday ----- Had morning training as usual. Pretttty uneventful day. Slept a whole lot later then I should have.

Saturday ---- Woke up "early" for rock climbing. Awesome stuff. Its fun clinging off a rock while your arms ache and your feet struggle to stand on the puny itsy bitsy thing you call a rock, oh please, Im standing on a pebble for goodness sake. Anyway, sore arms from Fridays kendo prevented me from scaling the more difficult climbs. In fact my last climbs were on the really easy ones, and I had a hard time keeping my hands clenched on the "holds" since they were pretty tired out. Did ESD at Sayeds place later that day.

Sunday ----- Nothing much worth talking about.

Monday ----- Nothing much worth talking about. Kendo training as usual. Very nice of Yu to drop by to train today. And, I had problems getting my left leg to kick, resulting in really sloppy jigeiko.

Tuesday ----- Did my Macro Econs online exam, it could have been better. I should get my own textbook instead of relying on the libraries ones.

AND!

Today I had lunch with my old 6K (primary school) classmates. Which is pretty ridiculous, considering how you get 6 persons from 1 class in the same uni. And 4 of them are in commerce.

Icing on the cake?

I'm the only male there.
So yes, we happily chat about the days back in Primary school. And too be honest, I cant remember a shitload of names. :(

My memory has gone sour. Still, its nice to hear how some people have changed. From good, to wild... and from wild to... well, could you really call a 12 year old WILD?

Me thinks not.... in a way.


So anyway, before I sign off to read up more about buttsecks loving electrophiles who attack carbon compounds, lemme advertise something for the people living in Melbourne.

I know not many people read my blog. For those who do, remember that I love you very very very much, and you deserve as many kisses as my imaginary -(cat/kitten/girlfriend/supercomputer/etc etc) deserves. Triple bonus goes to the ladeez.

So with little hesitation, let me.....

*Oh snap, I cant find the poster...*

Oh well, heres a link, go read it yourself.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=21635914859

Cheers, and have a good nite.
I seriously look forward to the fundraiser as a mean of getting to drink with a German.

In which I hope I shall epically fail, and walk down Lygon Street all drunk and puking.
*Then I wont feel bad for not studying that night :) *

First step

I've made it onto the AUG team.
More early frosty Friday morning trainings.

I'm pretty looking forward to the days where I can watch American Dad without worrying about getting up early the next day.

So yes, trudge onwards!

*Would love to blog more but ILT calls.

Goodbye! Oh goodbye!

So yes, tomorrow is the big day.
Its the first step along the road I've set out to conquer.
Tomorrow is the Australian Uni Games kendo squad tryouts.

Now, if you've been missing huge chunks of my life this year, what its really all about is each year, the universities in Australia gather to have a bunch of sporting competitions.

Obviously kendo is among those in the list.

So yes, I've been working on getting onto the squad ever since December, that makes it nearly 10 months of (wtf? 10 months? I didnt realise that) of training, and from what I can tell, I've definately made progress.

For our male kyu squad, there're 7 slots available, 9 applicants. Obviously if you do the maths, 2 persons arent going to make it. And I obviously have no intention of being that 2. Then again, obviously the tryouts will only be the beginning, seeing how there're still plenty of shiai to be fought during the actual competition day itself.

Ok, maybe I could have worked harder for the coming moment. Maybe I should have done 5 days of kendo instead of the 3 days I currently do. Maybe I should have went to other dojos to maximise my training options. But it doesnt matter, because currently at the position I am, I have to say I'm somewhat satisfied there has already been improvement.

Which leads me to the main topic of my post, and hence the title.

Yesterday *sob*, my shinai had a major fracture. Now judging by the looks, looks like its going into retirement only after 6 months of use. Which is damn sad, considering how my first shinai has yet to break. As for my 2nd, well, lets say it split along one slate 2 weeks into use.

So yes, as I bury my good trusty sword/friend/lover/mistress/stick in the depths of my wardrobe, I thank thee for the good times you've offered me. While I hated your hilt for being too thick for my short fingers to grasp comfortablely, you have overall been a great sword. I shall miss the fun times we had, the shit we've been through, and the great time at Otsuka, as well as the wonderful men cut on Oda sensei.

I'm so sorry you couldnt make it to the AUG.

But who knows, maybe I might do a transplant. :)
If I can get a donor.

Decisions

In my throngs of rage, anger, hate, and despair.

I am now contemplating attending a gig on Friday, and get pissed.

Like downright wasted.

Sadly Milk Teddy isnt a band that goes well with angry people.

So sorry Tom, maybe I wont be there :(

Sinking down.

Ever get that stinking feeling.
That life has spat right in your face?
Thats its all

$^@*$^&@^$*(@)^$#@&@RY@PY$*(@^&#%&@^$%@%&$@&($^(@$&@()$&@*$&@984


this blog post could have been much longer and darker.

Fortunately air guitar to the cords of Queens of the Stone Age ----- In my Head helped resolved it abit.

And yea, fuck you Linkin Park for going all soft and emo. What happened to your nu metal screaming? Why Chester? Why!>?!?!?!

AUG

1 more weeks till the squad selections.

Thump thump thump.

For the first time in my life I'm actually participating majorly in an event that requires a degree of physical capabilities.

Improv

Flashback:

Its Monday. Lunchtime.

Im standing in the Evan Burge drama room. As usual, my shoes are off.

Across the room, Yusuf and Roger are watching on in anticipation.

My right hand is raised in the air. I prefer to call it, an unmoulded gesture. The gesture is not symbolic. Not yet, it is like a lump of clay. While its clay, it can be moulded into something. Something that represents an emotion. Anger, joy.... The same goes for my hand, it has yet to take a definative form. A form that will continue on the story of our little tale.

My left hand runs across Eans chest. If he were a girl, I would be either a very happy man, or a man with a slap running across the cheek. Pitifully, he is not a girl. He does not have boobs. =.='

So anyway, there we are. 2 guys. In an odd position. With 2 other onlookers wondering what will be my next move.

And Im there standing, thinking :

"........................."
".............................."
"....................................."
"............................................."
"........................................................"
"...................................................................fuck....."
"........................................................"
"............................................."
"....................................."
".............................."
"........................."

previously a year ago, I would have little problems getting out of these sort of situations. My mind was still fresh, sharp. The edge of the blade would slice through a leaf falling onto it. But now, I am nothing but a dull rusting blade. At my prime, I would eagerly sought out such situations in theatresports for the thrill of being able to evade most certain stupidity by coming up with something equally stupid and ridiculous.

But now, my mind is numb, I try to force myself to say something totally random, but I cant.

" OMG!! Look! Its a tyrannasurarosharusasorous."

"A what?!?! Omg! There it is!"

Sigh, a desperate attempt to continue the show, only to be met with an equally unglamourous response. :\

What happened to my improv abilities!!

Sob sob.

My list of credentials has grown ever shorter.

For I am an underachiever.

Its a nice day to.... Start again.

*I've never experimented with speaking, writing in 3rd person. So yes, this blog post feels very weird to me.

So yes, Jeffrey got up from bed today.

Emotions all muddled up and confused.

Attracted to someone because she reminded him of someone else.

This made him ponder. What would this make of him.

Was he loyal? Semper fi?

Was he desperate?

Was he a maniac?

Was he down right weird?

Then, he realised an obvious thing.

The usual empty feeling felt absent. Gone..

" Gone! " cries the lad.

Indeed, it has disintegrated into the wind, for little remains of it.

So wiping aside all doubts, he rejoices.

And thus, begins a new day.

I have only one word for this post. Retarded. I dont think I shall be using 3rd person references for a very very long time. It just felt oh-so weird.

Potential?

Just so was wondering.

If the meat was offered, would the Tigers take the oppertunity and grab it? Or would the meat remain untouched and rots away.




So yes, the papers have been reporting that housing prices WILL start dropping over the next few years. The question is, how will it affect the local Australian economy. Last thing we need here is a recession, like whats going on in the US. At the same time, would lower property prices here result in foreign investers grabbing the oppertunity to invest in property here in Oz. How will the effects be.

I better pay more attention in intromacro to get a clearer picture on the outcomes.



Bless my breadth subject. Bless them all....

Chasing that Ippon : Part II

I'm going to be very frank here.





There was a few reasons why I started kendo in the first place. I, like many current kendoka have always been a samurai wannabe. Or as I dig in deeper into my memory, I've always wanted to be a knight/samurai/jedi/ninja/muppet.

So yes, I started kendo in the wonderful year of 2007. Expecting twirly fancy movements with a hint of discipline ( as I expect from a MA ), I slowly came to realise that kendo was all about being straight. No, not straight as in sexual orientation, but as in effeciency. Instead of cutting in a squiggly line, make that cut run straight.

So yes, I continued to labour on, some days there were ups, some days there were downs. Some days, you get the feeling that everything is going on perfectly, that your cuts have been decent, and you got through training with 110% effort and didnt waste that 2 hours. On some days, you just cant get anything right. It could be that I was distracted, or my will power wasnt strong enough, or the plain fact that I skipped lunch and bonked very early in the training session. When you feel the need for beer after a training, chances are, you probably threw all you had for that 2 hours, and that feeling, is called Euphoria.

So people ask me :
"Why continue kendo? Why participate in something that involves you getting injured. Why participate in something that leaves your feet with blisters? "

The answer, is complex. On some days, I go for training because I've been looking forward to it. Its because I've had a rough day, a tiring day in the lab, and nothing would please me more then screaming away, and getting awesome satisfaction from a good training; On some days, kendo is my drug, my alcohol, my antidepressant. It helps me forget things that have been bothering me. People who have been derailing my train of thoughts. Events that have been using up my brain space which could have been used to solve Hyperbolic functions. While it would certain be wiser to confront the situation, sometimes you arent in the right place, and a nice wall to block those things out would be utterly sweet.

But most of the time, if not all the time. I go because I want to improve. Because I enjoy the feeling of a proper men cut. The feeling in your arms as the strike lends, the melody in your ear as the shinai makes that sharp "pop", the surge in your body as you fumikomi, and the feeling of time slowing down as you push through with good zanshin. Its those things that give me my fix, and make me come back for more. Because I as long as I continue working hard, those actions that I enjoy will only happen with more intensity, and more frequently.

And particularly, I continue training, because I want to improve. Because when I get to cross swords with someone I've trained with before, I want to see that there is a definative difference in my skill. And that the training will be worthwhile.

I'm sure everyone out there has something they enjoy doing. So dont judge me with that excessive scutinizing mind of yours. I find peace in kendo, and thats my excuse for waking up at 6.15am every Friday to make it for morning trainings.

Facts

Fact #1 : Jeffrey cant do housework on an empty stomach
Fact #2 : Nothing is more exciting then getting a leg cramp while swimming.

Chasing that Ippon.

Why am I even blogging when I should be sleeping for morning training tomorrow?

Followed by a hopefully kickass experience from Chiba sensei!

*Just hope I can do kendo, and not get affected by my bruised heel or ignorant left foot.


ONWARDS!

**oddly enough, Ive taken a liking to this video on youtube showing EKC 2007. While the kendo is rough (pushing involved) and the music in the vid is by Eminem (whom Im neutral to), I find it somewhat....


inspiring....

Big kendo world out there with everyone giving their best.

I should too.

To a Dear Kind Sir:

Thank you for finally letting me know you inner feelings.

Knowing you since Form 2, sitting beside you for 2 years straight, and abusing juniors on the excuse of "marching" has certainly led me to know you very well.

I am most grateful for your sharing your side of the story. Finally after numerous attempts to make you open up. You finally do!

And yea, so much for being the twat you were, claiming your only source of romance you had were from anime. If you deny this accusation, I would say the combination of Saturday night basketball and fried chicken afterwards meddled with your brain.

*oh how I miss our lunatic days in high school.....*

So yes, for your plight, I certainly urge you to take things into consideration and make the best move you can make.

If all above fails and the relationship does not blossom despite the potential it has, may I ask for permission to relay it in the future in a book.

Im sure writing a book about "real life"/"true events" love stories would make me much richer. Despite my dull, stale English.
*Of course to make it a bestseller, I would have to tweak plenty of events in your sob sob story to make it more interesting. :)

Sorry, it seems my lunch didnt go down too well. Im spewing rubbish.

And worry not, I dont think she reads this blog. Unless she starts googling my name and runs across it. Then again I'm pretty sure she's too busy with her coursework notice this.

So yes my dear old friend, pick up the bloody phone and call her!

*This post will be removed if sufficient pleading is involved










Along with a meager compensation sum of $100000. Read the fine print.

Uni ---- Semester 2, Year 1.

So yes, Semester 2 starts tomorrow.

At the moment, right now. Im feeeeeling prettty shitty about it.

Mainly Im kinda nervous.
I've just gone through my lecture notes for this semester and realised that I dont understand a thing.

Now you'd probably say
"hey, dont worry mate. You'll learn it due course"

well yes, I hope that I can keep my concentration in class and not get lost at what the lecturer spews at me. Cause seriously, even functions doesnt look that friendly to me in Calc.

Let alone Macro....


So yes, lets hope my dysfunctional brain is able to cope with this pressure. Which if you noticed, only consists of my academic woes.

Being busy looking for my stationary and notes, I shall spare you my other worries and hopes for semester 2.

*Happy birthday to you dad. And thanks for the occassional reminder that you would rather have me not remain single. Im working on that....

** Wanted to edit something, but now I cant remember what it was.

To Do List

Heres a list of things that I believe I SHOULD BY ANY MEANS ACHIEVE, before the week ends.

1. Pair up and sort up my socks.
2. Refold lots and lots of shirts.
3. Get the shinai checked and maintained.
4. Search under the bed for any notes from Semester 1 that should be placed away in the storage.
5. Finish that bottle of red thats been sitting in the fridge for too long.
6. Pimp blog.
7. Pimp pimp blog.
8. Hit the sauna/steam bath.
9. Hit the pool/jacuzzi if my foot wound allows.
10. Use the bloody gym at least once.
11. Clean up my table.
12. Empty the drawers of my calculus notes.
13. Rearrange my notes, and have them placed away. Or burned, or whatever.
14. Consider for once buying my own textbook. Maybe not.
15. Get the bogu paid for.
16. Make arrangements to be able to attend Chiba sensei's seminar.
17. Cook for my sister AT LEAST ONCE.
18. Take out the stuff that needs to be recycled.
19. Have one last drinking thing with Ean and Co.
20. Get totally munted.

Otsuka Memorial Taikai !!!! 2008. Success!

Hi all.

Looks like I actually slacked off on the last post. It still hasnt happened.
Ill try to keep this short since its already 2.35am and I should have slept ages ago. Not to mention I got up *early* today just for the Taikai.

So yea, since today was such an awesome day, and I'm most likely to one day turn back and view this day. I've decided to record it down for my, and everyone elses convenience.

So yes, I get up at 9am today. Not especially late to alot of people out there. But heck, for a person who usually wakes up at 11-12 during this holidays, its pretty early to me. Mess around at home, and let David up to my place circe 9.20. Had breakfast, cooked both of us egg sandwiches (mine had ham added ) around 10. Was supposedly going to leave my place by 10.15. But heck, I suddenly realised I had taken my shinai apart the night before, and left it under my bed to have it retied. So yes, I haul it out from under the bed, only to findcertain parts missing.

:(
This was pretty bad shit.
Luckily I had a screwed up unuseanle shinai in my wardrobe that I keep for its parts. So I strip it apart, grab the bits I needed, had my 39' retied, and yep, we're rushing off to Kenshikan by 10.20++.

David did crazy shit, like cutting through Vic Market on a Sunday when its full =.=

Got to Kenshikan, got changed, chatted with Kin On in the changing room. Came out and got registered under :

Jeffrey Khor, UMKC, 5th Kyu

And so. I just literally stood around with the UMKC people and waited for the events to start. I was grouped with Jia Kiew ( Monash ), Jeremy ( Kenshikan ). Which wasnt too bad, considering I've indirectly met Jia Kiew at the UMKC Band Night along with other outtings or cross-UMKC-MUKC trainings.

So yea. We were the 3rd (or was it 4th team ) to compete. But since Im sleepy now, Im gonna cut the chatter and keep most of the writings simple.

1st fight was against Melissa ( Monash ). It was a pretty simple match, I didnt feel much pressure from her so I was able to do kendo in a rythm that suited me. To be frank, I actually went easy on her first, not being aggressive and all. But at a point it hit me that if I kept up with that attitude, she could just so easily score, and that would put me and the team into trouble.

So yea.... no fooling around.

Composed myself, and just do the same thing Thomas, Kevin.H, Andrew, Sensei and everyone else tells me to do : Good Kendo.

I seme in, and I just let loose a men cut. Kiai, zanshin and all.

Ippon. Sweet.

2nd cut was also a men, this one actually felt more like a winner. Though I somewhat have a suspicion that it didnt quite hit. The feeling of the fumikomi and everything was great. It felt soo good.

So yea, I win my match 2-0.
I cant remember what happens after that, but I think in the end. Both teams had 1 wins each, and 1 draw. However since I scored 2 points, while the opposing team scored a total of 1, we were onto the next round.

Success..

2nd match was against an unknown fellow (since he didnt have a zekken on). Like the first match, he wasnt too hard as well. You can tell roughly how the match will fare the moment you cross shinais. He was kind of waving it around, mentally was stronger then my first opponent, but he wasnt up to a level where I found him difficult.

Still, he was a tricky one. I couldnt get a number of cuts on him.
It wasnt until almost when the time ran out, when I made a men cut, and for some reason he opens his shinai wide open.

I see my shinais projectory and know its a sure hit. And I let my body do the rest.
Ippon!

But then again, since I spent most of the match doing shitty cuts. Time was up. I won my match, but personally I felt unsatisfied because it was a match that I could have gotten the 2-0. Not to mention that you never know when your team may be counting on you for those extra points to avoid the encho match.

The match goes well with Jia Kiew winning his respective bout, so yea, we've progressed!

*Somewhere around this point theres a lunch break. I dont each much, expect for a banana (thanks to David), and 2 slices of fruit umm bread, thanks to Sonny/Sunny (?!?), and half a sneakers bar (thanks to Kin On).

3rd match.
This was a tricky one.
I got to fight against Hiro's team. My opponent was Wilson ( Kenshikan). And yea, he was good. Not in the sense that he completely obliverated me, but he kept the pressure on me constant. I'd say in this match, he had a better advantage over me considering how he was in control of the situation for most of the time. I spend most of the match playing "pussy kendo", namely blocking and stuff, and making really bad cuts. Not to mention at this point, my bruise on my right heel starts to affect my fighting. As the match wears on, I start attempting to go for kote. My final cut was a debana kote, which I felt it might have been... so so ~~ considering I actually got his kote before his men cut struck me. Maybe it lacked zanshin, but it didnt appeal to the judges. So yea....

it was a draw.

* I would also like to comment on the fact that during the match, Wilson actually nicked a few hits. But what I just did was I ignored it and continued to move in on him, and he sorta went

"oh well...."
and dropped his zanshin. Maybe if he didnt do that, he may have scored on those cuts.

----I got lucky..------

So yes, it was a draw. Jia Kiew wins his match by 2 men cuts to nothing. And Hiro as expected trashes Jeremy. Not that Im saying Jeremy isnt good. But then again, hes only shodan. While Hiro is well.... Hiro. So yes, we go into encho, considering how we've won 1 match, lost 1, drew one, but the scores are the same as the other team. Jia Kiew wins a hard earned Men cut (though I was feeling pretty relaxed at that point because I knew he shouldnt have any problems delivering that ippon )


4th match. And yea, by this time, all other UMKC peeps have been knocked out from the tourney. So yea, looks like I actually have a good team. Its the semifinals. And a few interesting things to note are...

1. The person Im fighting isnt even a beginner. Hes actually of higher grade, but placed into the junior division due to numerical problems. ( Eric Kan of Monash if you're wondering.)

2. My team captain, is as usual fighting the opposing team captain. Who is also his girlfriend. @.@

What luck.
Anyway needless to say I get PWNED in this final round. 2 clean ippon men cuts on me. I couldnt get the chance to nail a cut. Either his pressure was too great, or he blocked it using a funny technique, which the only exposed bit to cut him using a gyaku-dou. Something I wasnt good with. So yea, EPIC LOSE!

Though I was actually laughing when he got the 2nd men cut. Since it was a really good fight (IMHO) and I felt glad that I lost to someone good. Instead of loosing to someone I could have beaten.

Update.

So yea, I havent blogged as much as I hoped to.
Then again who bothers reading this shit?

Its been a farely boring holidays. Nothing exactly exciting going on. In fact, Im very very tempted to close this post. Mainly because my elbows hurt for some odd unknown reason, and thus making typing somewhat uncomfortable.

Anyway. Yes, the results are out today.

And guess what?

No H1s. :(
And, I've gotten an all time low for Chemistry. With a very very silly 67 (H3)

On the sadder note, I get H2As for Econs, Calc, and ESD. With ESD being at a ridiculous 79.
Damn.

1 mark from a H1.
Oh well, I should be somewhat satisfied.
Can never outperform people like Kin On ;P.



And umm.. I really dont know what to say now. Since Im slightly distracted by the fact that Im holding a gathering at my place later. A bunch of guys drinking on a balcony lit by candles. And wearing sunglasses at night. That kinda thing.

So yea, Im really distracted now.
And about other things.
Like you.

"You, now I see. Even when I close my eyes"

Funeral Song

Carly Comando --- Everyday



nuff said.

Release

I feel the vice-like grip loosen on my conciousness.

It feels good to breathe free again.

Why then what is the point when you've forgotten how to breathe.
What is the point when you've forgotten how air smells like.
How the chilly air freezes your lungs with each breath.


Maybe its sometimes better to have that grip back.
Or maybe I should move on for the greater good.

Failure

Oh goodbye my beloved H1s.

It was fun fantasizing about you.

Maybe I'll finally make out with you in Semester 2.

For now Ill be happy to gain a H2A.

If I failed a subject, I'll say a semester of slackish studying didnt work as well as last minute cramming.

Distraction

I believe I've watched this video over 10 times.

its just so great...

And Teramoto has the cutest kiai ever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4SHWXQBVL4
*Kendo in High Speed Camera(Slow Motion)

it helps feed my addiction.
My temporary fix.
The fix that helps me forget the flaws of life and the woes of the world.


Then again there're things more addictive and intrusive then kendo.

Gonna make this one quick.

After a week of paranoid, far from rational thinking. I have made up my mind to change certain policies in my life.

Due to the more personal nature of this topic, I shall avoid speaking directly on what it means. Though its seems pretty obvious to me what I intend to NOT-convey *well duh, Im the author dammit*, if you have any doubts about the content,

"Please feel free to tape your mouth together and not ask anything."
Certain issues, I prefer to initiate them myself when I feel the time is right, poking your dick into uncharted holes will only cause it to incur the wrath of vagina dentata. Unless you wish to receive a cold shoulder, use your imaginations if you will.

So yes, entertain yourselves while I try to find approriate euphesisms. In fact, go ahead and scratch your skulls as you notice the increasingly bizzare words use. It only reflects my thoughts at certain times of my life.

And no, this is one of those posts when Im trying to say that all isnt well, Im just pretending to be all jolly and shit.

hahaha.

Now, I used to believe in the concept of stalking. Why expose yourself and make a fool out of yourself when you could be happily (or hidden away) watching events unfold from a distance. Theres no point getting your hands messy, no need at all. Its not like anyone notices you in the first place anymore.

Then, it developed into the concept of submarines (post no questions). Running silent, gathering information until I reckoned it was safe enough to make a move.

Obviously that was fucked up, since its never possible to collect enough information to satisfy my doubts. And in the end, something or someone crops up and the whole plot is abandoned in a very sour mood.

Now, I realise I should go for the ippon strike. You take the opportunity and make the cut. Dont just idle around and wait. Its now or never, either you make that opening happen, or you just noticed the other party dropped their guard and made the opening, doesnt matter, just grab the chance.

And of course of late, Im heading towards a new glorius destination. Why bother making one cut when you can make multiple cuts? Instead of one party, why not multiple ones? Just food for thought.

I've really gotten sick of being the one being pushed around.

Just so bloody sick.
And angry.


Cheers.

Why must I have a title for every post?

Kendo training in 9 hours time!

Thats a great motivation.

:(

So yes, I lied.

I havent gotten over it.
And Im going to have my econs exam in 14 hours.

Im not in a really good vibe right now to be in an exam.
What if I broke down like the time in PMR during the history paper and spent 70% of the exam time pondering about why, how and what?

:(
Shit man, I hate being fucking incel.

*bloody hell..
prodding here and there but getting nowhere.

Desire

Question yourself.
Question myself.

What do you want?
What do you seek now.
What do you seek in the future.
What does your heart desire.
What does your heart hungers for.
What do you yearn for.

If given the chance, would you take that leap into the unknown to achieve something you're not entirely sure is worth the risk.

I've came across situations when that leap was only a step wide, yet, I didnt make the jump.


Fool I am.
If I could only hear you once more.

Random Mumbles

To let you know.

There was one point in my life, I felt like I could do everything alone. That I could achieve something purely through self effort. It wasnt more of a self determination issue. It was more of a self isolating, self induced depression thing.

This kinda sounds like it came out of some chain mail message telling you to forward it to 15 of your friends, or a phantom of me will haunt you at 12am tonight and poke you out of bed with my shinai....

Well it isnt.

The thing Im trying to convey here is how stupid it all seems now. It was this funny mentality thing I had back then, the whole idea of being tough and keeping my emotions inside. So yes, I somewhat spent my days back then pretty self contained, I'd say 40% of the time I wasnt quite connected to people emotionally, not even my family, let alone my friends.

Of course when I look back now, it seems like a good year wasted being such an anti-socialising slob.

Just to let your peeps out there know, I'm very very happy I know you guys. The whole lot. Special recognitions go to (in order of time) :

a. The remaining pals I still am in contact with since Primary School. Which would mainly consist of Benjamin and abit of Kah Ho.
b. The whole CHS Prefects. God how I love you guys for being there to support me when I felt like I had to do what was expected of me.
c. 5s5 crew. To be specific, the 2006 ones. Not the inferior ones who came before/after us. ( DO NOT BE OFFENDED MY PREDECESSORS/SUCCESSORS)
d. The CHS people whom didnt fit into the last 2 categories. Big cheers to ex-classmates
e. Trinity College group
f. The closer ones I knew in Trinity.
g. A few special people whom I met over the years.
h. The few girls I've fell for, got rejected, but learnt something in return.
i. UMKC ---- Life now would be so different if I didnt have my dose of Kendo.
j. The other kendoka out there who I have previously met/trained with in my still short kendo life.

Extra thanks goes to all the teachers, tutors, lecturors who've gone through shit to try to convey me some knowledge. More thanks to those who I got to know well, and taught me more about life.

Special note goes to the people whom I've crossed paths with in online games. The SD clan in Halo, and the same bunch of people I used to play TF2 with on Sturhub and E-Club servers.



Thanks for being in my history.

*For those people who knew how I was like back in form 3. I was a really fierce authoritarian prick. But at times I felt like crying.

My Twins

Yes, for those who dont know. I'll be having my first ever ultrasound tomorrow.

I hope to see my twins kicking. Alive and kicking. And not dead and filled with stones or having some problems.

If you didnt get the joke, Im refering to my kidneys.

Right now they're screwed up. Or so I, my parents, 2 doctors, and 1 medical student suspect.

So if I need organs, will you donate yours to me?
Will you?




Hope everythings fine. Then I can get back to kendo.

Hesitation.

So, yes, everytime I sit down and prepare to start typing. I face a problem.

My mind goes blank.

And I just close the browser and run away.
Somethine Ill do now until Im ready to provide a 5 page long essay on why my life is so reliant on kendo.

Just food for thought, I was asked this question a night ago.

"Why, a nice man like you, remains single?"

I have no idea. Mysteries of life.

*correction, shouldnt be remains single, and be more of, "has always been"*

Delayed Part 3

By the looks of this, Ill soon have more sequals then the Godfather movie.
*Speaking of which I just watched it on telly yesterday.

So yes, I look at my blog. Its so bland, and colourless. Obviously far from having sufficient eye candy.

Oh yes, Im refering to the blogs of my fellow friends. Some have a good deal of pictures in them. Some have too many pictures of themselves cam whoring. But, the blog I visit the most, and like the best, virtually doesnt have any pictures, and the posts are more brain wrecking then mine. Not to mention there used to be a picture of her in her underwear.


That was seriously good shit.

So, should I conform?
Nay!

Why?
Because Im a took lazy faggot to bother carrying a camera around. Sure, I have a pretty decent camera phone now (courtesy of 3), however, I still do not have impulses to photograph everything I see. In fact, its just inappropriate sometimes.

For instance, I had kendo grading today. If I were to whip out a camera and shoot pictures on the spot. I can be sure I'd fail. Miserably. Probably banned from that dojo for life.

I kid...

So yes, before I start talking about kendo, while you poor souls ( yes, whoever is keen enough to read my blog, I bet you're a stalker btw.) have your eyes glazed over in confusion and boredom, and plunge forks into your eyeballs, I shall quickly terminate this post in hopes of saving your sight from the hideousness of my creative writing. The wreck that is left of it..........


On the side note, Chiaki told me I had my pinky finger out sticking out during kendo grading. Eww... gay shit.

I rate 500000 of the gaydar!


Obviously a poor diet of Doritos and junk food has maimed my sanity. Therefore farewell


*hey, it didnt take me over 15 minutes to type out this crap. Now I know why tabloids flood the market so quickly.

Delayed Part 2

When I said Ill post more, I did not intend to have this involving just momentary short blog posts.

Still.... at least Im trying.

If you think my posts are like orgasms, then I truly concur.

They indeed are too short to be fully enjoyed on.

Delayed, AGAIN!

Oh fucknuts.

Not only have I not done my econs assignment.
I have yet to post anything.


And I have played Command and Conquer 1. Again... after 7 years.

wheeee..

Return!

Like lame stinky election claims, which never happen, I claim that Ill revive this blog.

Expect little insights into my personal life, and plenty of kendo articles swirling around

:D