Postcards from the Pink Green Octopus

Moving On...

2009-08-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a few years. And though I've grown fond of this realm, I've realized I've simply grown beyond it. I won't and will never forget this place though. It's been good. I thank you and promise to keep you with me always... on archive at least.

I've now taken refuge at

http://mryounglikeme.wordpress.com

Peace, thanks for sticking with me. Hope you enjoy the new space...

5:36...What's Next?

2009-08-03T03:58:00.000-07:00

No there won't be any race reports, heart rate stats, what crap I crammed down my throat, Gu vs Powergel, what I learned and what I didn't because honestly, how my legs and arms felt in T whatever, race reports are overrated. All that matters was that I had one of the best races I've had in a long long while, if not ever. And with just under a month of crash training, I cannot be more happier. I'd have to say that the crew sans a few loved ones that should have been up there as well were the best. If it wasn't for them, I probably wouldn't have wasted so much of this space on such pointless prose. So to them who went, thanks for everything. You were my gels and isotonics. For those who missed, we still thought of you and although a 'bros before hos' race it was, perhaps with everyone around, we could have gone a little faster had you been here. Haha. Anyway, some snaps from the road trip...

More pics elsewhere. I'm sure you can find them...

If you're not ready, at least...

2009-07-28T02:25:00.000-07:00

Ride like you want to be...Ride with...The boys E. A. D's ass. Classic Hong Kong peace sign. Eat brekky with TA and the crew...

And like the Linleongster so adequately put it, 'at least look like you are'...

Does it at least look like I'm ready for it? Zipps going at 26, here I come...

Lately...

2009-07-27T01:25:00.000-07:00

Couple things from the last week or so...Kobe.Friends.Work.Friends. Some goos snaps. Preparing for Desaru with...friends. A bit apprehensive about it cause the hills and I haven't gotten well these past few years and I'm not nearly as prepared as I liked to have been. The Beef is headed out of town so it's gonna be a bunch of the boys tackling those hills alone...Mono e mono...Bike setup to come soon...

Kobe. Not the Wagyu kind...

2009-07-21T05:30:00.000-07:00

Busy day tomorrow...Now where did I put my Lakers fitted from '02?

Houston NYC...We have a problem.

2009-07-19T20:04:00.000-07:00

Shout out to ChicoNico, miss you guys out here...I fully empathize with you too now. Imagine the boxes that couldn't fit in the shot right on the very top. Along with that, this is only one side of the walk in, there is still the side where I took the photo from. And this excludes all the sports related stuff, which I could only fit dowstairs...I need a pitcrew.

I Pooped Myself...

2009-07-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

You would too if you knew how much training I've done for this post collarbone drama...Maybe it's a late twenties crisis thing...Oh well....

To build a house...

2009-07-16T01:49:00.000-07:00

You need bricks...Sadly. I don't think I've chalked up enough to build that house...But it seems like I might still go for it anyway...Desaru seems more inevitable than ever. Sigh...Please just let me go sub 6...These pics were from a week back. 65km bike, 5km run post book out...Thanks for the pics Yellowwfish!

Ok heads down...Wait for it...

Wait just one bit...

There ya gooooo...

Check the man boobs are still in place...

Col and myself, discussing how wearing black and white for running is like, like, like sooooooooo(flicks hair, rolls eyes, blue steel) in right nooooww...

Seeing Double...

2009-07-14T01:31:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, seeing double is not such a bad thing at all. I still remember a not so distant Saturday afternoon many years back at the sports section of the Daimaru in the middle of Causeway Bay, tugging on my moms handbag for a pair of these and she giving the classic stern frown: 'boooy you better getchyo' hands off of me before I slap yo' lunch outta' you'. Looking at me with eyes as though I asked her to donate her left kidney for my science project. But hey. I got them Footscapes back. And they feel great. I rounded off this evening with a 9km run with M and this baby right here. That's right folks. It's on...

Randoms...

2009-07-12T22:51:00.000-07:00

Out of the military after what seemed like ages...But as of last week, I've been piling on some mileage in the event that I could do the Desaru HIM. We have to see how far I can push myself because I really do not want to put my body through any more permanent damange that it's already sustained. After all there is no further need to add to the already long list of physical ailments.This is what I was up to next week. Thanks for sending me the pic. I was actually quite famished so I really appreciate the effort the photogs put in. I's prefer if no one send me any of my cycling pics 'cause I know mine would be the death of me...

Just some things: Bruce Weber for Moncler. Honestly I think the jackets are a bit much. But on these furballs are the funniest things I 've seen in a while. I rather these on these guys than on Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey...I've been glued to the telly as of late and managed to see the man fight his way up the Tourmalet. There wasn't that many points to be had so I figure he's saving for the rest of the Alps to go. I hope at least...

Air Time...

2009-07-09T21:04:00.000-07:00

Taken from Jeff's blog. Designer and model Lily Libn for the Air Max 1 campign in Berlin...Awesome stuff. The other is the Air Maxim 1...I post it in hopes that someone will read and know that I've been a good boy this year...;)

Chronicles of the weekend past...

2009-07-06T22:09:00.000-07:00

It's raining and I'm out of the suck for a few hours for training...So enjoy the snaps. Dinner at House with the Beef Friday. Hans and Ching's wedding Saturday post ride with the boys (we made in on time Tango Yankee very much). Munchies with the monkeys Saturday night.
Fantastic pre ride nosh I have to admit.

New AC Coach and homeboy Shemboy and Mel...

The Tans. And supporting tri team...Of which some rode that morning. Whoop!

I haven't the faintest clue what the joke was here. But I guess it was funny. Must have been the white wine in me...

In Camp 2 - Super Puma / Chinook...

2009-07-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

In Camp...

2009-07-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

I've been back with my Reservist unit for the past week, and with a week to go so i apologize for the lack of updates. Let's just say it's been a long while since I've woke at a reville of 5:30 am on the daily and wore a camo BDU to be used as an actual BDU. But it's been really great to meet the boys again. We're a little older, more prone to injury and the most of us don't move as fast as we used to during Officer Cadet School. But I'll be shamefully honest that nothing beats the feeling of a Marlboro light in virgin jungle terrain. Untouched sprawling shades of greens, oranges and reds, waiting to be entrenched and assaulted by the jolly green giants of Charlie Coy. But enough, I'll just leave you will a glimpse of what's in place for me next week. Tango Yankee...

MJ...

2009-06-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

It's been different and difficult for everyone. I've been telling everyone over the past few days that's MJ's been the first guy to me that's passed that truely influenced my generation, or me at least. And to be honest it's been just the countless California summers spent with Mike, Jen and my little brother glued to Moonwalker reruns, emulating his moves and like Yoshi in an empty auditorium in front of our embarrased parents, wishing we were the Asian guys in the 'sundown' bandana in the Bad video, or just being able to wear our tube socks with 3/4 pants and some black penny loafers to slide around a floor with. With all said and done, I know it's been said countless times already, that the 'good die young'. But honestly, MJ, like all MJs lived ahead of their times. Through fashion, art, music and their sense of being true, and not caring what anyone thought about it. You, MJ in more ways than one, influenced any and everything. And if almost crashing Google's server doesn't prove it so, at least several years of say 'Owwww!' whilst grabbing my crotch in my bathroom mirror sure did. We miss and love you MJ...
How dope was Moonwalker come on...

Bike Soul.Hypebeast.

2009-06-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

I've known Sean from Bike Soul for a number of years now...And everyone who knows Sean knows his wheels are pretty something. After all, they got me through 2 half Ironmans without a hitch. I haven't gotten round to using his other stuff yet but who knows...Those who know about his other work also knows that he designs homes. That includes his own, tucked away alongside still road. It's a pain to find, but a hidden treasure once u get a walk through...Old School meets new...My take on in would be everything but trade marble for dark woodgrain or gunmetal slate tiles. But I'm a dark person. Hah.Another friend I've gotten to know over the past year is Kevin Ma. He and his team run a tiny little website called Hypebeast. Suffice to say I made his blog! I'm honored. Here's fat ol me with B2 who runs Espionage from down down under...Got Chings and Hans' wedding this weekend as well. And it will be the first day in a month of agony where I get my morning spin...And I am not talking about the frozen blended raspberry kind!

Snaps of the Day...

2009-06-23T05:55:00.000-07:00

Today's been a pretty hectic day. A lot of things on my plate. And it seems like I will be in the US come end August again.

So hey cuzzos reading, you guys mind seeing me again? I really feel like I need some In and Out detox soon!Anyway, some nice pics from today pre run, and post run...The Stefan Janoski's I recently got are just amazing. It's got that perfect deck shoe silhouette that I've wanted from a pair of Sebagos or Sperry but with the comfort of Zoom Air. And in all fairness, real men wear black...Most of the time...

Juice.Pork Ribs.Egg River Noodles...

2009-06-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

So this weekend, we were in KL. One was to attend the opening of Juice KL, which was fun. I managed to scream 'Eddiiisssooonn!' much to horror of KP, but I just had to blend it you know? The crowds were pretty madness and it took us a fair bit of time to snake through the crowd to get our passes. Thanks for the invite guys, the real treat to me was the reconnecting with friends I hadn't seen in literally decades, and of course meeting some good old ones. Met up with some of our apparel peeps in town from the regional office, shouts to S. Take care of tennis in China!

R and Y will feed yo' ass till yo' ass can't eat no more...

E and D loving their new zippy speedster.

On that count we found an extra day to stay with R and Y as well as meet up with E and D. And if I may add, though all of us do count ourselves as athletes, much of the athleticism this weekend was admittedly abs, And by abs I'm not talking about the muscle portion but the rather large cavity that conveniently sits behind it. Luckily, I managed an hour run each day with a 45 minute bike to boot. Besides that it was Michelin Man feeling all weekend...Good times...

KL again...

2009-06-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

Been graciously invited to KL for an event. keep in touch if you're there! Peas and Carrots...

I'm an Endangerment...

2009-06-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hooray! At least someone's noticed. My dad skyped me last night from the 'Jing:

'Son, you're blog has some warning about your content. Just because of a few naked dudes on bikes and for using the word 'Fuck'?'

Me: 'I guess...'

I guess when life throws you curve balls. You take a bunt first before knocking one out of the park. :) I will tidy up the penises, vaginas and four letter words...

Oh and I did a lace switch...Likey?

Undftd Lite...

2009-06-11T23:42:00.000-07:00

It's Friday, the sun's out and what better way to enjoy it with gifts waiting for me at my desk.One was runnable (Thanks Miss NYC thoner!) (I cannot show pictures, but those joints will be in the stores soon, one was walkable i.e. Blazer Lite TZs and will be out next week in small numbers (thanks you know who your are!). For me, I've never really been a hype (stick your tongue out your jeans) shoe kind of person, and I've gotten questions about that for years. It always seems to be the quiet ones that happen to grab my attention, and I love the subtle nod to the Stussy Blazer on the tooling and tongue. Oh and I pray some good soul will grab(nudge nudge Hann Li, it's on La Brea) me one of these.I too, on the other hand had to make sure some stuff went out too, so I hope you guys get your stuff okay...What a way to end a week but with Ice Cube and Chris Tucker...

KL fixed...

2009-06-11T01:09:00.000-07:00

I'm in KL right now meeting some great new friends and reconnecting with some old ones...There's something brewing in the NBHD...;) I guess you're going to have to wait for it...Or read about it in the next week or so...Thanks for the chat EC...Game time...

I'll be Bach...

2009-06-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

Random shots from the weekend...Pretty chill...Had a date with John Connor on Friday, didn't work too well but 'He'll be bacckk', had a event to help out with, managed to get on the trainer which felt fantastic, the pilots decided they wanted to get their cook and drink on for N's birthday while watching the Fedex eat Swedish meatballs, so the rest of the weekend was kinda about getting that squared away. I prepared the Mexican side of the munch and Top Gun took care of rest of the inflight catering...
Oh and if you didn't learn the hard way, it's really hard to play Jenga when you're tipsy. And if you sucked at it already, you're gonna suck even more when you're up against those steady handed fly boys...

The Times...

2009-06-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

I think it was a couple of months back I was having a conversation with Mae or JWang on seperate occasions about New York. The jist of them all would always gravitate eventually about what I like to call 'My New York Paralysis'. Simply the ability for this great city to suffocate you, put guys in a state of dumbfounded awe and girls on a metaphorically lifesize set of SATC, in the best and the worst of ways...but of course in my case, the best of ways.

When we were there a month and a half back, I think it was Nico and YuMing who brought us to meet the team from ARC. It was fantastic and overwhelming to see how this once insignificant side street in the midst of the Soho community is now arguably one of the essential enclaves if not backbone dare I say of the Lower East Side...

Anyway, through travel years back, and admittedly through exes, my boys from NYU in college, my brother and skateboarding, The NY Times along with the New Yorker was always something refreshing to pick up and flip through. I came across this gem of a piece. Please go through it. Worth a minute and a half a soundbite...And honesly rplayed more to the tune of my life than any of the nonsense from my local paper this whole year... Though the 'Sneaker' piece was what was sent to me, I recommend 'The Adoptive Mother'.

Because of...

2009-06-02T05:54:00.000-07:00

We had pizza in the office today... It was 'cause of work no less. And because I have Soho to compare it to a couple weeks back, it's made me mad...On another note, Ms. Wangster has an alternative, make your own...And so...I.Will.Try.To.Make.My.Own...On a side note, buddy and fellow project buddy i feel has a personal vendetta to make me feel jealous...Why oh why must you do this to me?

Hungry...

2009-05-31T19:35:00.000-07:00

In metaphor or otherwise, it's been killer just being off the bike. Having said that, surprisingly, I've shed a tad bit of weight, which I honestly I cannot seem to explain other than the fact that I can no longer be arsed to get out of bed in the late evenings to grab a pack of crisps anymore... Not much for the weekend but a solid hour each morning on the trainer for confidence reasons, and am looking forward to get some run time in this week.Also I realized I'm dumb hungry right now, so I got these off Yoshi cause I need to get my hamburger cupcake on right now. Straight lickin' the screen...Hope Double J hits me up about food later this week cause he always has a hookup...

'...only had one arm...nooo sporrt'

2009-05-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

If anyone can tell me where the quote above came from, I have a special prize for you. But yeah, I'm out for the next few weeks with a cyclist's worst nightmare. And trust me I am hating it. But I suppose anything beats the view I had on Sunday morning. I'm down but you get be damned sure I'm not out...

Crraasssh...

2009-05-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

Got into a pickle this morning on the way to meet the boss at Faber...A car decided to play letssideswipethecyclist with me and well...he won. The ambulance took me to NUH for X rays...Dr Kuek was the best. Her thing went along the lines of: 'You want the good news? Or the bad news? Good news is you got what Lance got...mild collarbone fracture, no surgery needed. Bad news? Your next race's performance may be like his...' The most surreal thing was (and I'm sure you guys do the exact saammmee thing so don't lie to yourself), picture a writhing in pain cyclist on the ground, legs splayed and bleeding, and as you approach to see if he or she is okay, they shoot back in Saving Private Ryan arms blown off agony 'Myyyy biikkkee. Is sheeee ookkaayy?'

PS. Thanks to Jack and the running couple who brought me to the side of the road this morning. And a big fuck you to the guy who tagged me and drove off. If I ever find you I'm going Manny Pacquiao on your ass...

Day in Numbers...

2009-05-23T06:32:00.001-07:00

It's been one long drawn out week. and day 6 of the week meant: 1 lone bike ride, 1 skateboard, 1 Ramly burger, 1 peach soy shake, 1 Japanese salmon pizza, 3 showers, Stage 14 of the Giro, season 3 of The Hills, 2 shaved legs, 0 pictures, 1 lonely night...

Crazy Train!

2009-05-17T06:52:00.000-07:00

Oh man this kid is cute...I love how he sounds like Short Round on Indiana Jones...Adorable.

Meetups and Greetups...

2009-05-17T06:05:00.000-07:00

No pics needed for this one. But it's been a fantastic weekend of chicken scrathings that I can finally cross off from the list of people and places that needed to be found or revisited. From the much needed ride with the boys, the side project lads I'd been meaning to update, the ad hoc Simply Bread rendezvous with Mr Chancho which coffee we'd promise each other to months back, to exploring the abyss that is Haji Lane with my colleague chums on a cloud veiled Friday afternoon. I'm not sure what this week brings for me, but at least there's been some good personal productivity prior to it...
I have been a Terminator fan for ever. Even when the third one came out I defended it. But holy shitballs Batman!

Terima Kasih...

2009-05-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

Very interesting 3 days filled with Behbeh Goreng, Mulia's breathtaking breakfast spread, Orange Coconuts, bladder holding car rides, scary shit inducing traffic (wait, I digress, a portion of 'shit inducing' was actually directed proportional to the volume of consumption of item 1 and 2), Bintangs in Kemang and cookies from Rolling Pin Cake which I have to say thanks to for the very generous though already obliterated gift, let your wife do cakes cause she does 'em straight! Thanks for the hospitality and the presents! I hope to see you guys on my home court sometime soon.

And yes those cakes are real. Please stop licking the screen, everyone is looking at you...

Losing Family...

2009-05-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

Like Mike, I just got off the phone from LA. When you lose a member of your family, the feeling of emptiness and being completely alone with your feelings are incomprehensible. The sights, sounds, and the taste in your mouth never escapes you. At the peak of it all, it becomes difficult even, to decipher what your emotions are tell you and what reality shoves down your throat.

Brothers; stick together, progress, remember what you love and loved and take it with you forward.

Underneath the bravado, sometimes tragedy for me to feel truly grateful for the people that makes my life more than what it is. And it is sad that it has to be tragedy that forces me to do this. I need to learn.

Progress, love, take it forward. Rinse. Repeat.

Plong...Snap!

2009-05-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

Plong's been busy in Europe. In his absence we've all been wondering what kind of stuff he's been up to. Mountain man's got a new space, and some new hair I might add. Check it out at www.meatandmead.wordpress.com. Some years ago, when we first met, it was hard to figure the guy out. It's been a few and everytime we get together, it almost seems like a much older friend whom you've known for years. There never needs to be a lot of babble, just the usual touch and go. And it's reassuring to learn that you're not the only person in world obessed with curedsmokedroastedbbqedraw meat, shoes and the odd accessory. See you in a minute. Those slip ons and moccasins are off the chizzain...

JCY...

2009-05-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

It's the second week in a row with the Shemster. And with all the chaos going on in the world today, we both kind of agreed that sometimes, we have to pick ourselves up where we are, dust it off and move forward. We both agreed to take it a step at a time. It's been 2 weeks in a row. In hope that there is a third, we meet Sunday afternoons, 5pm at the Macritchie Reservoir Carpark. Get at either of us or just show up, we're gonna try and keep this going...That and keeping up with the Giro D' Italia on channel 113. Thanks Poole for the link!

Never Fail To...

2009-05-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

Some random shots over the weekend. Big Mac run with JCY( Thanks bud, zipping through the forest at a less-than-comfy fast pace while deep in conversation with you I'm sure makes me look like a bumbling fool). Zoom Victory. Got the dog a new collar with rubber spikes. Last pic is from this morning; as always my fellow countrymen never fail to disappoint me by continuing their reign as the population with the highest percentage of idiotic road users (oh yes, Singapore breeds these :))...Well done chaps, we did it again!

Chicken Soup for the Soul Food...

2009-05-04T05:06:00.000-07:00

It's been 3 weeks back and I'm already missing the sights and smells of the Lower East Side. Taking the 1230 F train into the city down to Delancey. Greasy hot dogs, even greasier burritos, Nachos, Buffalo wings and beer at 2pm watching Jeter at bat, Gray's and mimosa, Crustacean Mary's with waffle, mac and cheese... Chengs was talking about missing a city a couple weeks ago. I guess for me it's this week where the nostalgia if I can even call it that hit hard. Then there was the putoffforages Sunday run with Shemster at the Big Mac. Guy made me suffer too and rightly so.

To top it all off, I've got to get a ton of stuff out the way to make room for this week's work trip to Jakarta. Note to self, it's not healthy looking at food pics when you've just finished an 8k run and all you've got at hand is half a diet Coke and licorice bon bons...I really am surprised that there wasn't a booth at JFK offering redemption coupons for anyone wanting quadruple bypass surgery. Cause I sure as hell racked up enough points for one. You only live once...

No Sweat...

2009-05-03T01:01:00.000-07:00

My Iphone buzzed this literally as I sat down to brunch this afternoon. I'd hoped to catch the last few rounds as we got home but I suppose enhanced Vimeo clips aren't too bad either. Not to my surprise, there was no 'edited version' because I don't believe there was more than one commercial break. To my brother, given I had the tickets, would the 4 hour drive be worth al the 12 minutes of pounding? I think so...Mo Manny Mo Problems...Bring on the Mayweather...

Get ready for Manny

2009-04-29T23:42:00.000-07:00

After I got back from lunch today...I found this on my table. Pull your socks up and get ready to rock this weekend. Pinoy ah ko!

A Long Weekend...

2009-04-29T19:19:00.000-07:00

A long weekend is coming up. And much needed one too. Am headed to Jakarta next week to talk to kids so I'm sure that'll be a tiring week. For this week, the guys have been trying to chalk up as much wheel time as possible.Pic courtesy of Fatlace, SF. Just got my tee in. Thanks to you know who you are! Support your hometown hero...

The Upstarts and some things...

2009-04-28T02:46:00.000-07:00

Got these in a few days ago...If you don't know who Andre Agassi is or was when he really played at his best, then you must be on drugs. Thanks B!Iron Mike from SD and old school Alphanumeric days in HK. The Upstarts sound real good.

The Upstarts - Got What It Takes from Garvin Ha on Vimeo.

TR.

2009-04-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

It was Sunday evening and we were waiting on the corner of Bowery and Prince, when literally along came riding, Terry Richardson. I had to. I didn't want to but I just did. Am a fan. But I think Obama's got a little more pull than I do. Just a tad...

'Do you like apples?'

2009-04-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Some of the pics (obviously not limited to) from the Apple: Taken from a Canon G10. Some pics still noisy. Still need to hone low light pic taking. More to come. Enjoy.

The Hann(dred)s...

2009-04-22T02:54:00.000-07:00

I'm a bit shy to have had this I have to admit...Of course the pic is an absolute joke. And for once, the reasons were in the sounds of Lifetime, Voodoo Glowskulls, Falling Sickness and Inland Empire Punk Rock? I couldn't believe it myself...And yes, The Hundreds is in fact huge. Props to SO.

Nike Recess Federation...

2009-04-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

It's been a few days here with only a few left to go. We've been hanging out with friends, meeting new ones, connecting with old ones. Indulging and pummeling through the tourist fast lane like an Aston Martin. One of the interesting things we did the other day (which was taken on my Iphone and doesn't require uploading a bunch of pics from the G10) was attend a Nike Recess Federation game along with new buddy Izzy, Design Consultant from NSW 21 Mercer.

'The Nike Recess Federation (NRF) is a recreational basketball league run in New York City. It is created for the urban and creative professionals of New York. It is commissioned by Nike NYC. Membership into the NRF is extremely limited. The league consists of 10 teams, 100 players, a full draft, GMs, team captains, franchise players, free agency, trades and an all-star game, and our finals are played at the world's most famous arena-Madison Square Garden.'

This particular night, there was no shortage of industry peeps. From the likes of the people in attendence was Dime Mag, Dao (ex designer Sean Jean, current Public School New York), and one of my idols Bobbito Garcia (The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show, and creator of numurous Nike shoooz). An amazing evening. To rack up the list shortly, with this fantastic weather, we've done (in chronological order), brunch at the Fat Hippo, Liberty, Central Park, Museums, Lower East Side, Woodbudy Commons, Broadway, Time Square and 5th Ave, dins with Chengster, Wei at Mario Batali's Lupa, with the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market and brunch left to do today followed by a balconey barbeque in the evening. Hell, sometimes being on vacation feels like work...But hey I rather do it here than anywhere else...I found the 'rents started reading the blog, so FYI there will be more pics and prose to come...

The man with the plan Bobbito Garcia

Elmhurst...

2009-04-14T23:00:00.000-07:00

Pic stolen from the Drun quite accurately (though size and color does vary to a degree) depicts our New York living space right now. We're here on a 10 day long pilgrimage that has thus far boasted 3 days of fab weather up until we were hit by the rain this afternoon (maybe choosing the Incase Iphone case over the Paul Frank hesher one on 5th ave was a bad omen no?). Fear not, we've still got Central Park, the Empire State to cover and DC with a bit of luck and time left. Luckily we've had some gracious hosts and meals so please bear with my rap induced shout outs; FAM and cousisters; Noelle and Jessie (thanks for being a bed and brekky this week cussos, I love you both). Chico and Nico. Left are Yu Ming from Freshness and Daph! ( I pray Comme De Garcon lets you off work early!). Good times, good times...It's awesome to be a New Yawker, even if only for the rest of the week. From Bedstuy to Brooklyn ya feel me?

Soho Calling...

2009-04-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

Am off soon for a quick getaway in the city of all cities...The Apple. If anyone needs anything hit me up. If anyone is there in the city right now, Hit me up!

Of Brothers and Reflections...

2009-04-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

So the weekend was nice...Met some old family friends. Some old homies at the Yeezy launch. Brought the G10 for a spin and spent the rest of the day veging out with the NBA. Also Jeff managed to upload a video of an interview he did with someone I regard as one of the many inspirations behind my work ethos, and as of late what has driven me to reflect of my early life in Hong Kong, being brought up in in a Western world in an Eastern country...Mr John Jay, Executive Creative Director of Wieden+Kennedy. Much respect, and enjoy the next few moments...

Ride Ride Ride...

2009-04-03T02:51:00.000-07:00

So a bunch of us in the office have been riding to, as well as at work recently... As a function of our inflating bellies mind you and absolutely nothing related to global warming and the like. And it's been very very fun...The only downside is that the office space around us is starting to look like a bike shop...Not necessarily a bad thing I suppose... Give us a buzz if you want to ride coastal during lunchtimes on weekdays...Dead serious...

Sights and Sounds...

2009-03-29T06:15:00.001-07:00

I won't dwell too much on what happened end week and throughout the weekend so I'll just put in pictures and few words. Drinks and fork stashing with friends and EIC, finally picked up the G10 care of the beef, drinks with friends at KM8 (rip) with a quick run and swim about to boot, literally ass burning steamboat with the beef (which if you see the pics looks just as appetizing and alarmingly similar going in as well as coming out), and a Sunday evening bike ride (which I must add was one of the fastest Mandai loops I've done due to the sheer fear of riding in the dark in Mandai)...Sweet weekend. What I took away from it? Literally hot peppercorn shits, the ability to take digital photos beyond 3.2 megapixels and minimal noise, and a red sunburn so pink I perpetually look like a physical manifestation of constipation...Good times.

Are you Yeezy?

2009-03-23T01:41:00.000-07:00

Weekend went by in the flash. Before I knew it, I was back at work. Caught a ride.

Caught a rainbow...

Caught Kanye's Yeeeezzzyyy. Bring on the week.

Cuckoo...

2009-03-21T01:42:00.000-07:00

Ahhh it's been a while since I felt tucking into a no BS little chatter ride just shy of 90kms. And to be honest it was just what I had needed. Down Dunearn to Linden to meet Shemboy, Newton to meet the rest and off we went east as nudged on by D and the tissue dispensing uncle. In a star struck moment, we cycled right by Kona Ironman World Champion 2008 Craig 'Crowie' Alexander, who was probably just getting a last minute bike check, before the mass exodus of age groupers and pros. I even managed a fan filled 'Go Crowie!' before we headed down coastal. After the stretch, we headed back west for a quick drink at Prata at SMU before I scooted off for lunch with the beef and fam. Things to do for the weekend. Kicks for the CL, Board for the Toolbox and hopefully a camera. Listen well!!!

My week in pics...Long post!!!

2009-03-17T03:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a really busy and messy week, but honestly one which I have missed HK and Singapore so much and both at the same time too. One where I longed for what I used to and currently have...Attended Ze' Germans party care of some mates of mine (thanks foolios!), found all the friends, finally found my chambray blue shirt at the most unexpected of places, Lang Kwai with all the mates, hotpot, met the homeslices, ran Bowen to Central to the Adventist Hospital and back to Tai Hang...Seemed kind of like the following in no particular order...It's been a fantastic blur of events, from meeting everyone, to mixing whisky and brewsky, to getting unexpected gifts from unexpected people. Guys and gals (V, J, S, F, R, M, M, G, M, A, C, T, D, B, M) I love you all. 'And you know thissss. Mannn.' It was almost a surreal experience to me because it felt like a project six years in the making from when I had first moved away from this home, and that this reality of being able to see and be with everyone again was like watching the making of Band of Brothers or Lakai's Fully Flared. Such long drawn out plan that somehow fell into my lap after so long...The only way I could sum it all up was something I chanced upon on my laptop whilst swaying back and forth on the airport bound train. I was finishing up some notes for work whilst from the corner of my eye, I caught a peloton of cyclists seemingly making their way to the airport and a return, what a wonderful flurry of lime green that intuitively felt like a mesh of new life against the old, and on my playlist was this song below...What a week to sum up the few years I'd been planning this. That being said, just as much as it was beautiful to return to my home, it was equally as fantastic to know that in a few hours, I was about to board a plane back home too...

Decisions decisions...

2009-03-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

The beef won something out of this world and graciously offered the choice of any digital camera of my choice. Literally a priceless gift, especially not having owned a digital camera ever too. Having gone through skateboard photography, a Polaroid and Lomo phase in 2001 (primarily due to do college binge drinking fun), the Infamous Yashica T4 (for from-the-hip drunk and skate pics), my Nikon F5 which was a gift and bestest rugby stills capturer but stolen on Christmas Day 1998 (a big FU goes to the guy who stole it from IT)) and my trusty iphone...So now I'm stuck; It was between the Nikon P6000, a Canon G10, The Panasonic Lumix LX3 (just because D swears by it), and the Ricoh R10. I have ruled out the P6000 cause of the image quality, noise and all round aesthetics so that's out...Anyone have any recommendations? Basically I want something which I can geek out on yet still hold in my pocket in case I hit the 7th pint. And of course something as nostalgic as the T4. Help!

AHK...

2009-03-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

In Hong Kong now...So so busy. But there are some moments that keep you laughing in the midst of all the work. Here is AK from Nike Japan sharing a moment with LA. Thanks for the gift...So so so so nice...Mind the black boxes, I can't share our magic...You'll see it soon enough anyway...

Hope Rides Again...

2009-03-08T03:18:00.000-07:00

Man I wish I'd been in LA for this...I'm sure the anticipation is building if not built up already for everyone in and out of the cycling community for him. I can't begin to count how many people this that has already come to me with the 'you really think he'll do it?' or 'he's kinda old right?' or 'ai yah it's just for the publicity' or even the old 'it's just all hype, he doped anyway'. Believe what you will. He's here for the cause, and a cause for himself and others. Not even I derserve the right to comment how much it means to those that have struggled, continue the struggle or will struggle through the war with cancer. Whether it's for a cause that you agree or disagree with, he's back to ride again. Personally, no one could care less whether you do or don't, because there is enough around that do. Oh and peep the KAWS X Trek joint, what better metaphor for 'biting back at the critics'...LIVESTRONG...

ID...

2009-03-05T23:10:00.000-08:00

A while ago I mentioned I was fooling around on Nike ID. And then recently having the privilege to actually get one made. The result well, is silky nubuck, topped with some aged leather and of course my name. I kind of wished the lace panels came out slightly more berry like the laces. But then you can't really argue for six weeks worth of great craftsmanship. I guess my Clot meets Stash meets Staple Navigation hybrid worked out okay. Thoroughly pleased and a great start to the weekend I must add. But please please do not rain...

Sandwich...

2009-03-04T02:31:00.000-08:00

No not the food but I was fortunate enough to have a catchup dinner with Mong from the band Sandwich last night. For those in the dark, Sandwich are like the Backstreet Boys of the Philippines. And by Backstreet Boys, I'm talking about the pseudo religious fanatical, borderline sex crazed, scream like murder reactions of their female fans when these guys hit the stage, and not their music or sense of dress. Believe me, when random guys in town throw up the double devil horn hand signs along with a single headbanger jerk at you in a country that's not your own, you know you've pretty much made it...Great food and company I must add, full of crazy De La Salle vs. Ateneo stories from the guys and girls. For those in the even darker, De La Salle and Ateneo are the UCLA vs. USCs, Lakers vs. Celtics, Australian Wallabies vs. New Zealand All Blacks, Obama vs. McCain of the Philippines. And nothing beats a good rivalry story to end the evening...Bumped into some UFOs on the way to the car too...

Find Piper...

2009-03-01T02:30:00.000-08:00

Hum Hallelujah...

2009-02-28T18:42:00.000-08:00

When I listen to a song like this nowadays, the tone, pitch and riff breaks forces me to recall snippets of high school and college. It does this more so because I grew up around a lot of punk rock, from Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys to Bad Religion and NOFX on cds, or FOB, Pridebowl or Jets to Brazil live at the Whisky a GoGo. But back to the story, it's usually not a full recollection, but random moments in time my mind seemed to freeze like an unstant replay. Usually it doesn't last for more than a few seconds, and though it sounds mildly insane, for better or for worse, these memories both haunt and inspire me till today. Sitting alone in my hollow empty studio college dorm before the first day of class. 17 years young, lost and lonely. I cried that night and hadn't slept a wink. Played Starmarket on the radio to drown the silence, stared outside at swaying pine, the half eaten burger on the coffee table and prayed for daylight. Being called chubs in the high school ref having clocked over 115kgs and 30 percent body fat to make the National Rugby team. I locked the door to my bedroom that afternoon, blasted music for the next half hour as I juggled whether I'd made the right decision or not. Till today, the sights, sounds and eeven the smells refuse to escape me.

And it is amazing how music takes you back the way it does for me. At the same time it's songs like these that get you looking forward, proactive and good. For those who read this, give it a listen, and let me know how it goes...

I am still here and therefore I am. And I know for a fact that I am still very much alive in many more ways than one. And perfectly fine about being called 'chubs' too...Only, do it if you can catch me first...

Civil Twilight...

2009-02-23T08:28:00.000-08:00

Please don't read me the wrong way, but it's been a while since I've commuted alone. But everytime I do, it strikes a chord in me. The pilgrimage from East to West of the Lion City felt much like the journey I used to take West to East on the Metrolink from Union Station in downtown metropolitan Los Angeles to Riverside sometime back in '01. Ended up channeling the Weakerthans this evening, car-less, all runned out and hungry...

Civil Twilight
My confusion-cornered commuters are cursing the cold away
As December tries to dissemble the length of their working day
And they bite their mitts off to show me transfers, deposit change
and I can't stop finding your face in their faces, all rearranged
and angry like you never were;

And I ease us back into traffic
dusk comes on and I wonder why
I'm always remembering you
in civil twilight

for the most part I think about golfing and constantly calculate
all the seconds left in the minutes, and so on, etcetera
Or recite the names of provinces and Hollywood actors;
Oh, Ontario! Oh, Jennifer Jason Leigh!
This part of the day bewilders me

Streets slow down and ice over,
Dusk comes on and I struggle to stop,
To stop to stop thinking of you
In civil twilight

Hey, every other hour I pass that house,
Where you told me that you had to go
I wonder if the landlord has fixed the crack,
That I stared at, instead of staring back at you;

My chance to say something seemed so brief, but it wasn't.
Now I know I had plenty of time
Between the sunset and certified darkness
Dusk comes on and I follow the exhaust from memory up to the end

The civil twilight...

2009-02-21T02:01:00.000-08:00

Note to self: Going German as opposed to Indian for dinner doesn't make it easier to wake up for your bike ride the next morning. In fact it gives you weird nightmares of actually taking part in an Ironman and DNFing, forcing you to consequently missing your morning bike ride. *I actually woke up mid-freestyle motion and gasping for air...
And it makes your pumpkin patch look like this the next day...
And makes you build a makeshift Gilligan's Island set in your bedroom. I heard it's supposed to make your more calm and collected. Which in retrospect is just i super metrosexual thing to do. Oddly enough after that I put on the lowest V nect I actually own...

The Big Two Eight...

2009-02-18T04:39:00.000-08:00

Have you ever glanced out of your bedroom window on a sunny, hazy afternoon, say around 3pm when the heat weakens into a lighter warmth, and right away recognized that though it could have been any other sunny, hazy day of the week, you knew deep inside, that it was in fact Sunday? That profound knowingness, and that perhaps it was the fact that you knew you had to go to school the next morning, or that you had a pile of unfinished homework or report lying on your desk that reminded you. But just somehow, the way the 150 ft trees swayed against the breeze against the slightly reddish glow of the red clay coated hills, or that glowing dusty beam of light slicing through the Venetian blinds onto your bed linens, or even those wtretched dogs barking in the distance as their owners leashed them for their afternoon walk. I dunno, it's that underlying instinct I suppose. For me, more often that not, it was the unfinished homework on my desk which I found to me the most obvious reminder. This Friday is my birthday. And though for me it has always been much like any other day of the year, that disturbingly large figure that suddenly felt so bloated and uncool all of a sudden dawned upon me like that dusty beam of light through the blinds. It's tough too that it had to come while playing Coldplay's 'Fix You' in the office all by myself this evening, whilst I was finishing some work too. Trust me, it makes you feel darn old all of a sudden. Maybe I should play some Jonas Brothers or something...

Sea Swim...

2009-02-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday morning, despite the ache from the ride the day before, I dragged myself out of bed a la Tom Cruise's Born on the 4th of July for a much needed sea swim with the Yellowfish gang. The crowd was overwhelming. It's good to see coach being so busy and so many reaping the benefits of his hard work. And by hard work also means waking up the following morning with my arms feeling like Cheong Fun... I think my wave ended up clocking about 2.8km total? Followed by a 6km run...Felt slightly top heavy during the run out of the swim, but Kobe managed to keep me company for the first few kms until I hit a comfy 6 min pace, which she then decided to slow down to a equestrian trot, tongue wagging and all. We slow jogged the last km, grabbed a quick shower before heading to the airport to pick up the beef...Good company, a much needed Sunday brick and sore wings to round off the weekend...Oh and note to all, this is what I want my bike to look like sooner than later wink wink...

We're all lucky...

2009-02-13T21:19:00.000-08:00

My weekend so far's been really good. Bumped into A and D a few beers deep at the Prince of Wales right smack in the middle of Dunlop St, Little India...It was a night to give back to those who'd lost their homes and lives in the Australian Bushfires, so there was no guilt whatsoever in indulging a couple of Boags, VBs and of course conveniently, a leaf of curry. Oh and of course much to the dismay of the boss, a mug or two of Fosters or 'piss' as the Melbourners like to call it...Managed a 75km ride this morning with the swoosh peoples, and washed down the Red Riding Hood while Kobe watched in envy. So much so, I gave her a wash right after as well...The weekend's off in the right direction...Happy V Day everyone. Snnoooree...

J's...

2009-02-12T21:30:00.000-08:00

It's Friday and I've been left alone to my own shenanigans. That being said, I am tempted to surprise myself with a V-Day...Some J's perhaps? I am running low on space and I 'm not too sure how I ended up with 4 more pairs of shoes than I had last week even without spending any money...The other thing is some sort of toy from some company called Leica...It's a disease I tell you...

Obamania...

2009-02-10T02:59:00.000-08:00

Okay so it goes like this: Every Tuesday our team here in the office plays 'dress up'. Usually this means you throw on a pair of nice jeans and a buttontown with the latest and greatest kicky boots you bought over the weekend.) for me it's whatever gingham or buffalo plaid I've found in the closet the night before). If you must know, I've been wearing jeans every day for almost 3 years straight with the occasional wedding every few months where I get into the Hugo monkey suit for a couple of cocktails at a friend's wedding. The number is in the late 20s now and unless Energie, WESC or RandB decides to call it a day the number should climb. But I digressed...So the boss decided to 'kick it up a notch' with a flick of the switch on the crackberry...Low and behold, it's monkey suit Tuesday...Also, feeling spiffy and oh so patriotic (not for my own country of course chea!), I decided to Obamasize myself...Likey?

Hayward...

2009-02-08T22:24:00.000-08:00

I thought I would battle Monday blues with a run during lunch with the Drea. Which happened. Along with that I also decided that I am going to try to document a la Jeff 's blog my life with little shoe tribute every so often. More so because every few months when the younger brother drops by from LA, a few of my personal gems seem to pull the Shawshank Redemption on me for some reason. So for today, I have on the Hayward which I happened to pick up over the week. From both a comfort and aesthetic level, it ranks high on my list and I have to say prior to the weekend, this was a real slept on shoe for me. In fresh Aussie (I think it's U of Oregon but it's blasphemy to say that) color pops and Prefontaine highlights in the heel and tongue. . Luckily, I was able to find it again and for literally less than a penny...It will be a long while till these find their way to the running trails...

Big Window...

2009-02-04T23:46:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to be given the chance to do a Nike ID. I've always wanted to do one but either never got round to doing it, did it but never saved the design, or saved the design only to forget about it for 6 months. So given that this one was on the house, and had a deadline, I really had to make the effort, and gladly so too. I must have had gone through 20 different silhouettes and about 70 or so color way renderings. In the end, narrowing the design pool down to just one was like having to sell a litter of golden retriever pups, of course in this case the canine critters came in pairs, plush nubuck, branded with my name...I was torn between cloning Poons Clot AM1s and Persion AM BWs. So I let them mate and...

En Why See...

2009-02-03T02:46:00.000-08:00

Enough of talking about me for a change. Go read up Chico's blog on my links and see what's 'bout it 'bout it in the Apple. Miss Cheeks, we hittin' you up soon.

Niu Week...

2009-01-31T21:39:00.000-08:00

It's been a relatively fast week. The Drun was in town. I hadn't seen him in almost a decade so it was fantastic to have him be here for a few days. Good times and good conversations over good meals and drinks these past few days. The Drun had been busy this past year in the Apple. Whether it was working with the launch of the nikesportswear site whilst with RGA, or his new role with W + K in Shanghai, it was tough not to talk about Swoosh related stuff, but surprisingly, a lot of it ended up being about much of the same things we used to talk about 15 years back. The ups and downs of skateboarding these past few years and his work around it, punk rock ideology and well...underage drinking and much of the other ruckus and mayhem we got up to in school. Rest of the week was laid to rest with the likes of the Singapore game with Jordan, Walas with EIC, and a meal with the beef at KHA at Hortspark which I have to admit makes a pretty mean curry and beer combo...

Niu Year...

2009-01-27T20:58:00.000-08:00

It's been sort of a quiet new year...And with a day off today I joined the beef and AK for an 11km run at the Big Mac...It's been a long while since I've patronised my used-to-be trail haunt and I must say with the new parking facility coupled with the beautiful weather made it perfect for great pace and conversation...The Fatmama (minus Vaps and HS) also managed a visit too and we breezed the night away with a bottle and a half of vino, grapes and our nostalgic Thai beef noodle blabber ;). I have to post for P Dawg Thrilla in Manilla again on some of the slight tweaks and adjustments I've made with the Red Riding Hood. Sold off the 55mm carbon clinchers for a lean and mean look the holy grail of road wheels; Mavic Ksyrium ES Anniversary Editions which I picked up used from Cycleworx at quite the bargain...Notice the bladed spokes, single red hub on the rear and the carbon hub on the front, not to mention the signature single red spoke on both wheels amongst the black. Still getting used to them but these will be my training wheels for the year. Aesthetically, I just love the combination of the wide tri frame upper against the lean roadie lower. Other adjustments were that I brought the seat up 2/3rds of an inch, nudged the saddle a 1/4 inch forward on the rails and removed the spacers for the Cobra T2 for a slightly more aero and aggressive angle. With any luck, I might invest in some Hed 3C spoke on the rear and a roadie on the front come race season mid year...Now for some red bar tape...

Inspiration...

2009-01-25T17:43:00.000-08:00

I've been doodling over some great sites over the past few weeks which I will gladly share for those who maybe keen. It's pretty hard these days I've to admit with all the blogs, industry forums, graphic designer and athlete forums to keep up with. And that's along with the dozens of industry mailers (that's not including the 'grow your penis 3 inches' emails I receive on my personal email each hour, not day...hour)) that I get at work each day. It is awfully nice to find some new sources of inspiration in my life, and more importantly just sources of information that is both easy to absorb and fulfilling too. Over the few sites I now frequent, the first I'd like to share is http://www.fffound.com. Though it wasn't my cup of tea initially, (and still isn't to some extent) it's great to have a breath of fresh air for the lack of a better word. And to be honest, I saved this picture as a bookmark for future interior plans. Save for the couch and the window lined cabinets which I'd rather fabricated from a darker wood and the couch which I would prefer larger and more cushioned, robust and conducive to slouching while Laker game watching. The picture below is...well...just personal gluttony and indulgence all rolled into one. Hopefully it gets here soon...

I shook hands with Jordan...

2009-01-23T00:29:00.000-08:00

Well not Michael but Cheryl's new pet octopus / baby boy...The guy's a handful for sure. I spent two thirds of the 15 minutes with him trying to get him to calm down. If you could imagine freshly caught North American Trout or Salmon during breeding season squirming in your hands as you help it up for the camera, that's what holding him felt like. The only difference was that he was spewing milk and not freshwater. Perfect for new black t shirts if I might say so myself...

Good Riddance...Again...

2009-01-19T02:53:00.000-08:00

Got rid of my old phone...And walked away with this... Well. What's on the back of it of course...And waiting for someone to send me something from Incase, ahem ahem. Pic from Jeff Staple...And speaking of getting rid of unwanted stuff... So long and goodnight...Monday out...

Sun...

2009-01-17T21:57:00.000-08:00

Been a rocking week. Clocked a total of 140 bike kms this week. A few tweaks on the derailers and the whole machine is feel really good. A short recovery 7km over 38 minutes in the morning with the dog and the beef followed by a short swim, and the legs feel well sore. Bit in a good way of course. I've just finished Generation Kill which the brother sent me from the City of Angels care of the mother...For those army buffs who want another perspective of the Iraq war through the eyes of 1st Recon 1, go get it cause it's worth a watch over a cup of November Juliet...

Currahee...

2009-01-15T02:12:00.000-08:00

So my stomach is slowing digesting a swirl of the best ever Japanese curry rice and Thai basil pork made by none other than the beef. And I'm starting to think that this will be my race fuel for this year. Although I have to admit it really is a fart inducing adventure. D is talking about IMWA again...It gets me wet but at the same time, I'll only believe all of it once the ticket and entry is all squared away. In the meantime, I 'll stick with the basil and curry with the daily 7 km lunch time runs and morning 40ks to the office...

Speaking of the rides(the pic is specifically for the Thrilla in Manila PS), I finally managed to take on the virgin ride from my home in the west to the office in the east. It was really fun to be honest and I loved the fact that I was all alone for the first half of the ride, pedal to the metal. A chance to reflect on what had been accomplished this week, this past year, and all the many footprints that need to be covered this year. The only downside save was the red riding hood's derailers being out of whack and having to dodge a flurry of school buses, angsty parents fetching their even angstier kids to school. And one more thing, I know it looks cool when New Yorkers do it, but riding with a messenger slung on the back is not fun at all. It's like having a second grader saying: 'I want you to give me a piggy back all day. Not just for ten minutes, but all day'...And right after I took this shot, I realized that it's Friday tomorrow, which means I have to ride this thing 40kms back home again. Hence the title. Currahee: 'three miles up, three miles down'.Hoorah.

Human...

2009-01-12T02:58:00.000-08:00

Why oh why have a I reduced myself to a top 40 hit? Ah man maybe it's the age. But seriously though I have to give it to these guys...Make indie mainstream? Put a techno beat into something Dinosaur Junior, The Postal Service or even Chixdiggit would play? I thought I would never see the day. Come to Singapore and I swear I will wear a band tee shirt, put on a shermagh, my frogskins, a pair of nudies and my jack purcell's and jump up and down in the front row to Mr. Brightside...Cause I'm 'a daaannnnncceerrr...'

Black Beauty...

2009-01-08T20:57:00.000-08:00

After years of not wanting to be a slave to trend train, I've put off having to own anything remotely related to Porter whatsoever. But like all drug addicts, the emotions of not having this premium nylon based material either dangling from the hip on in my back pocket was simply unbearable. And as such, I decided to don the shackles...Oh ye of little faith damnit. Paul surprised me with this (yes even though I asked for it, I didn't know you'd have the time:P) and was a delightful Christmas pick me up. Any takers to top this? I'm all ears, ands and feet...

Jen's 'W' word...

2009-01-07T22:14:00.000-08:00

Jen was the first out of our generation (aka Mike's Super Duper Awesome Club, where 'you're in' meant you were promoted and 'imnotyourfriendanymore' meant you were out) to tie the knot. And to a real handsome Ang Moh Greilo one too! Josh and Jen, congratulations on everything. I love you both. I hope all of the gifts were enough to replace me not being able to make it. In any case, having an older overweight cousin eating all the food wouldn't be very kosher around the friends and fam anyway would it? Oh and I have to say it, your Singamerican babies are going to look awesome trust me...

Fin.

Manny Mania...

2009-01-05T18:37:00.001-08:00

I have got them in my hands. For all those Pinoy or otherwise you will know how cool of a situation I am in right now. I held these for five minutes just geeking over the details. After while I'm not sure what came over me, but I felt the sudden urge to hit someone...I couldn't find anyone to hit so I made do with crushing the empty coke can at my desk. With one hand too...

Style Choice...

2009-01-04T05:16:00.000-08:00

Chanced upon these 2 fits while on my last few visits to the Sartorialist. I've lately found myself been opting for the easy way out with the 'teeatthetopofthepile' syndrome. I think my Rag and Bones and 501s have gone 6 months without a soak. On top of that, we've all been spoilt with this year round summer stench. New year, time to tighten up... On a lighter note, rode for the second day straight with the Frenchman. Starting to get bored of the Mandai loops. And the itch for a new frame beckons. Time to venture out east and more importantly, get rid of that itch...

A Rose With A Thorn...

2009-01-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

I've been up since 5am, probably the only one in my neighborhood no less. In bed with my face glued to the 32 inch pixelated monster in my bedroom, a bag of doritos in one hand and a bottle of 100 plus in the other. I watched with a nervous eagerness as my Alma Mater The University of Southern California Trojans, a million miles across the pacific, in the heart of Pasadena began their onslaught on Penn State's Nitanny Lions. The title of this post I've chosen this dark morning is quite apt I feel, not for just the metaphor of the game (which we won of course, though it was obvious we should have been playing the Gators for the BCS), but it does sum up this past year for me as well. This year has been tough, incredibly fun and challenging at the same time. But without saying anything else, I look at the new year with a sense of hope and optimism I believe most have. And though I'm still nursing the spillover effects of the drinking games we had a few nights back, I'd say the hangover feels pretty good. Which is ironic to say the least. But I hope this year turns out just that way, for me to hit the ground running with a drink in hand and ready to party, because even though I might feel the effects of it the next day, I hope i'd shrugg it off and walk on.

Cheers to 2009... I've heard talks of new roles, new and longer races, and more places and people to visit, and of course and most importantly, more food. I'm ready.

To quote (sorry I hate quotes but it's 9am now and I'm wired stiff from the Doritos and isotonic) my man Conan like I've done time and time again: 'If you can really laugh at yourself loud and hard everytime you fall, people will think you're drunk'.

S and M...

2009-01-01T06:42:00.000-08:00

I just caught the trailer and honestly from what I've heard, this film is really something. The fact that Danny Boyle directed it means you're guaranteed amazing cinematography. A la Trainspotting, South Asia steez with AR Rahman on your tracklist is any cocktail for a downright masterpiece. Going to try hard to catch it before the holidays are out. I dare you to watch the trailer and tell me you won't watch, cause then you might need to give Bellevue a call.

The Proof...

2008-12-30T02:20:00.000-08:00

is in pudding...While on a field trip with D and V along with Rays and Yins, we stumbled upon what I can only describe as divine intervention. And no it wasn't mine but I spent the better part of 15 minutes desciding on a getaway route if I'd drive off with it. Anywhooo, good luck in NZ with it, I'm sure the orgasmic feeling between your legs while atop the Dean will push you to a PB.Caught Dinner with TS, LP and these 2 rascals whom I have missed prodding and playing face fights with. But I've gotten enough mempries till March at least you rats...

Melly Clismas...

2008-12-29T05:42:00.000-08:00

Before I let you folks in on what's been going on with LP, Nico, Ray and the gang this whole week, let me indulge you in some of the porn I came across over the week. Voila. My goodness Mr. Cadel Evans, if I happen to know where you live, it's going to be one sorry day for you...Again, if you Ridley guys are reading this and need any stress tests done with overweight cyclists, I'm your man...

Sumfun...

2008-12-23T00:52:00.000-08:00

So the downtime is just around the corner and I've only just managed to get some much needed project work which I'd been leaving on ice out of the way. We're about to play some company soccer at six, I've gotten the stack of receipts cleared off my desk (finally!) and it honestly feels good to be at this stage. Some colleagues sent us over some pictures of our recent meeting as well which, now that it's over, can mention that we took the better half of the whole of Suntec Convention centre. And because the Swoosh can do whatever we please, even set up a basketball hoop (full court I might add) and surface for us to ball in, together with lights, live coverage and commentating. We played hard and came in runners up in the end. For me, it wasn't much about the scoring, but more the feeling of being in a team uniform and suiting up again. Instead this time, there wasn't so much pressure. Oh and I think my butt looked big too... Damn.

A. Retard. AA. JJDoin' it better than Detroit.

Monkey See - Monkey Do.

2008-12-21T20:02:00.000-08:00

The weekend went by in a whirlpool of business. Not in bad sense but I suppose because it was the more of the business in a holiday prep sense moreso than the usual work and running errand type. I guess I saw it more of a 'Ineedtoearnthis2weekbreak' than anything else, making it slightly easier to deal with the 'stress' of it'. I woke up to the Fangsters sms that I had to get out of bed for the ride. This was after the night at Oosh with an 'idunnohowmanybeersivehadbutstilldrovehome' scenario. Came home after a successful but toturing 85km and washed up. Drove out to Golden Mile for a quick ass burning Thai lunch and finished up some last minute Christmas shopping for the monkeys at work. That was Saturday. Sunday saw the beef get a new phone and interrupted my day of Batman Begins to watch the Lions at the National Stadium over a few brewskis. Biggest pet peeve this week so far has been listening to 'White Christmas' in a tee and a pair of madras, my oakleys and flip flops. wtf...

Tour...

2008-12-18T02:39:00.000-08:00

Had to play a tourist today for the guys from Beaver - Town for a quick 50k. The weather was fantastic and I didn't have the humidity or heat on my side to slow those guys down. Oh and Kevin, if I had a Trojans jersey, best believe I would be wearing it...Hah.

Mario...

2008-12-16T08:16:00.000-08:00

An because it's simply been a long andseemingly long week loaded with meetings, dinners, team sports, work dinners and more meetings, I haven't really had a lot of time to seemy peeps. Along with that the moms is heading to California for the cuzzos wedding and Christmas. Unexpectedly, and perhaps with long overdue, I've really missed the brother and the cousins a lot these past few weeks. The thought of everyone being so far away makes it much harder to enjoy the 2 week complimentary break after this week.

I found this song too. Which made me think of more sappy stuff. The stuff of endless summers of game playing till ours eyes were sore, 6 quarter bubbleyum, earning book points for castle park or fiesta village passes, swim sessions at the rentals in sub zero pool temperatures, Tyler Mall, America's Most Wanted, and matching Batman tees from the local swapmeet. I really miss you guys. Skype me so I can play this song for you.

Cath...

2008-12-14T19:22:00.000-08:00

New song I am running, working, playing guitar, singing, showering, driving to. Absolutely amazing. Reminds me of high school and has that Appleseed Cast, Sunny Day Real Estate sound to it. Love the wandering drums. Enjoy. Peace.

Jealousy Inducing...

2008-12-12T21:29:00.000-08:00

This pic of my new Hyperdunks (Thanks team) are just for Mikey and my brother. Sorry dudes. We had a nice busy meeting this past week and all got a pair each for the game between South East Asia and the rest of thr Asia Pacific teams. Doesn't hurt that it's in Laker purple and gold. Schweet. Am still busy, tired and working over the weekend so it's nice to have that break in between. It seems like I might be able to get out for a 40km bike on Sunday morning so I am really looking forward to that too.

One step...Two Step...

2008-12-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

Am going to be on a work excursion for the next couple of days so I apologize ahead of time if you don't see many updates. Really grinding this season. There are a lot of screws to tighten, cogs to oil, skills to perfect. Wish me luck!

Back in black...

2008-12-08T19:41:00.000-08:00

Going, going, gone. Yeah these are some silly pictures. But I am glad I finished. And not to gloat, but I am glad I made it out alive without a training run in the bag. I owe it to good nutrition, good weather, the thoughts of Donna's lollies at 37km all the way through the race (though we never made it in time, darn! ), and most of all the 2 monkeys I ran with the whole way. Sometimes, will power, gels and salts just isn't enough to keep you going. Rather, it's the company you keep, pace, make fun of, attempt to wedgie, and slap deep heat on. And in one particular case, the company you pass along the way hahaha. Poole if you're reading this, HS made me say this.

Speaking of monkeys, I along with the Beef and a few others, threw on our monkeys suits to watch the Blue Devil bite the dust. Another casualty for remaining unmarried men of the world. If I could fashion a quote from the man of all men in The Predator: 'their hunting us... ALL of us', 'goooo!!! Get to the chopppeerrr!!!'

The only saving grace was that the DB was a tad too small for me. A small victory in the ailing genocide of Bacherlor-hood. Sigh...

Done...

2008-12-06T21:49:00.000-08:00

Agreeing to take fellow Triple A-er Mervs marathon slot was something I never thought I was actually doing until the very moment I met him and the fam yesterday evening at Raffles City. Even replying to his email was already a lean towards insanity Friday arvo. In addition to that was the added pressure he bestowed upon me as he left with a 'can do wan...'. Well, now that I'm home post race, blisterless, abrasionless and for the most part pain free save for minor muscle soreness, it's safe to mention that this thus far has been the greatest marathon experience I've had to date. Sure, we could have gone sub 4:45 had we broken away. But the camaderie and bond that AK, HS and I suffered through, whether it was the a la Sex and and City way of comparing our array of gels, competing in the amount of deep heat we could apply to each of our appendages at each station, the constant ditching each other for no apparent reason, or even (cannot believe I am mentioning this) my rubbing down of Mr. AK's thighs and calves 37kms in (please no pictures plllleeaasee) was insumountable. I would never had given that all up for a sub 4:30 anyday. Well...Maybe a sub 3:30. Hah. Pics to come. Or maybe not... G'night.

Structure...

2008-12-03T01:22:00.000-08:00

Busy day today. And for the past 2 days it's been trying to get settled at a 5 minute per km pace. Am supposed to run the half this Sunday but no money no honey. We'll see if anyone wants to give it up. If not, it'll just be a ride on Saturday and I will crash in about 5ks in Sunday. Like last year, it does not feel like Christmas. And my guess is that in 2 weeks, it will not either. Bah Humbug...

'The Week Ends The Week Begins...'

2008-11-30T18:41:00.000-08:00

The weekend was pretty chill. Managed to get myself out of bed on Saturday morning for a 40k spin although it took me and hour and some change will good tailwind so I dunno what went wrong. Need to just get out on the bike more. Good thing about the new F22s pads mounted atop the T2 Cobras, that extra quarter of an inch raise on the aeros feels that much better than before. Easier to change gears on the new drops I suppose. Anyway, the rest of the day I grabbed the Thai team out for lunch and beers at Haji lane to wash away some of that misfortune of being stranded here for the weekend. T'was an awesome experience seeing them glare at our stores for a change as though they were in Soho.Night was desserting and boozing it up with the gang and the boys at 2am. Sunday was all about Big 12/ACC football reruns and frisbee.

Oh, on Friday I got a lucky surprise gift from the beef as I got to make my own Nike ID tee in our spanking new store.

The week begins.

Little Big Man...

2008-11-29T20:19:00.000-08:00

The boss' little big man had a first. Happy birthday Darcy. You reminded me that I really do need a new digital camera. And yes that I feel like having cake with icing today. And Happy birthday T. Can you make sure that those incriminating photos of me do not come out Drea's G10? Even if it's a G10 it does not make them legit for publishing!

Pics courtesy of Donna.

Weak week...

2008-11-24T21:12:00.000-08:00

This will be a week of strategies, excel templates, 3 year plans and forecasts, bento boxes, packed lunches and pastries. Hopefully we'll all come out of it okay. The best thing is the glow that comes from everyone you work, engage and interact with. Even if it comes with a pool of sweat and blood. Somehow knowing that there is a goal to achieve and that that everyone has each other's backs in the process of achieving it makes that pool of sweat and blood one which bonds and keeps us whole. Well...Maybe not the sweat 'cause that's kinda gross...And cheers to you know who for these. Such an underrated shoe. Pics from HighS.

Allez Allez...

2008-11-22T19:08:00.001-08:00

It's not about the bike but the engine. Something I always hear from time to time. So I awoke in the dark on Saturday morning to join the peeps for a 60 plus or so. Really nice to feel the bike legs again. Felt pretty strong too for a change. Must have been the novelty of just being back on the saddle again, not to mention it was a fantastic morning with the sun coming up through the trees at Mandai that perfectly coupled a cool gentle breeze. We rode in pairs without much of a hassle from the early morning traffic. Pretty rare but I figured everyone was out of town 'cause of the school holidays and all. The rest of the day was left to stuff my face with hotpot with the beef, potter around sorting out randoms and tying up loose ends, working on the site with the guys and rest up for the 11km with Yellowfish D on the sidelines and V on Sunday.
In fact as I type this I'm sat upright in my bed post run with an isotonic, fresh shaven legs and the aircon on blast, waiting for the Pac 10 rerun and Tour de Ireland to come on. The weekend so far's been a sweet calm before the storm next week.

J's pics. One Swoosh vs. Three Stripes. Quite literally.