Life. Death.

Death is all around us, but we tend to forget how closely related life and death are, until someone we know are taken away from us.

A cousin of mine succumbed to leukemia last year. He was the baby of the family, being the youngest. Always smiling and cheery, brought up respecting the elders and a good student at school. We are shocked to hear about his condition, and his parents battled hard, but in the end, the love of Allah proves greater. He is called to be by His side, at the peak of his innocence.

In memories of Mohd Haikal bin Abdul Rahim, AL-FATIHAH. May his soul rest in peace.

An adventure of the gastronomic kind Part II

The Eid gastronomic adventure was not confined only towards the weekends, as weekdays are also not spared. Most companies/offices/businesses fete their staffs/clients and some invited guests during the weekdays. Last Thursday, one of the department in our organization held an Eid Open House (err, office would be apt I guest). The Boss, Bab, invited everybody, and in a way did put some pressure on Management as they are 'expected' to organise one for the whole organization.

Yesterday, the Main Office held its Eid Open house at one of the stadiums, from 1100 up til 1630. This would be the fourth time during my service, and the food is almost the same. But the main thing is, the event is a good social (and eating) event as we manage to meet some of our colleagues from some other agencies. I even met my future brother in law there (my sister's bf).

But as with these events where lots of foods are being consumed, it makes you wonder whether all the food are properly prepared as we did find some uncooked food. Maybe trying to cook it too fast? I have stomach discomfort last nite, and needs to be at my solitary 'throne' quite a few times. Nadz are down with diarrhea this morning and on medical leave. Hmm, could it be that its the killer 'otak-otak'?

An adventure of the gastronomic kind..

Yesterday was a busy day... especially for my stomach. With Eid just barely two weeks ago, the weekends are used to have an open house, a local tradition where relatives, friends and acquaintances take the opportunity to visit during the festive season. What is so great about these open houses? What else, the food of course.

With only four weekends in a month, the month of Syawal is filled with invitation to such events, either formally or informally (gatecrashing of course). In total, I got seven invitation yesterday, and I managed to get to five. Started at noon in KL (with Ed and bf), the gastronomic adventures continues until late at night. I even need to plan my eating to ensure i have enough 'space' left for the next house :)

Terima kasih daun keladi, Raya tahun depan ajak lagi...hehehe

ps. I would like to thank Ed, Syahrul and Ruby, Molly and Zaki, Scooby and Firdaus, Nadzrin and Ana and not forgetting Maya and family. Sorry Big, could not attend yours as it was too late to drop by. 

The week thats filled with two wheels...

Last week was filled with all thing cycling.

As I surf through the vast expanse of the Net, I came across a few local cycling site. I also found out that there is one bike shop near where I live and another one that is located along the way to work. I do need some new brake pads, some inner tubes, tires, new shoes and the list is endless. Maybe a new bike too, hahaha.

I got the brake pads and tubes in Serdang and planned to look for the Bianchi shop in Bangi. Not that I can afford even the cheapest of Bianchi, so its more of window shopping. Bike Xtreme is located in a new phase, and its a bit tricky to get there. Bob and Buji, the managers are friendly and even asked me to tag along for their Friday nights ride in Putrajaya.

As Nick plans to go pick up his bike on Friday, I told him that I wanna tag along. We went after lunch and I spend a little bit more on a patch kit, extra tube and... a new shoe. Does make me poorer by 250 dollars, even after all the discount. Did not I say that cycling is a wee bit expensive in this country? This are my bounty

With Scotty having new brake pads, spare tubes and patch kits its time to ride. What  else to do other than taking up Buji's offer on Friday night ride. If I remembers it correctly, he says they rolled out at 2100h from KTP. Make my way there, but bike groups are nowhere to be seen. No problem, I'll just take a short ride on my own. Its not like I've ever ridden with any group before.

A short one hour ride later, I am back in KTP. As I was packing up to go, a few cars came in and unload their bikes. A car stopped near me and someone asked me if I am going back already. It was Buji. He invited me to join them for a short ride. As it is still relatively early... why not. Seven of us rode, with two cars as the marshall. Got acquainted with Bob, Buji, Am, Nik, Yap and Pijan. Those guys are good :)

It was a good easy ride. They even asked me if I am interested to ride up to GS on Sunday, using the Gombak old road. I declined as I do think I need to put in enough mileage first before attempting something like that. Having said that, I still aspire to ride up GH on a bike. Just a bike. Maybe before I turn 40. Definitely doing that before I am 40. Hmmm...

Going up like a rabbit, coming down like a tortoise..

The fuel price hike early this year, has affected a lot of people. Although the hike is inevitable, the mechanism, quantum and timing of it could be better. For most of us, some kind of adjustment needs to be made ie using (sometimes unreliable) public transport, less eating out and finding alternative modes of transport.

This is one alternative mode of transport I saw a couple of weeks back on my way from office. Way cool eh? I found out that these motorised bikes cost up from 650 dollars. One website says that it could go up to 40kmh. Needs no registration with RTD, just some common sense when sharing the road with other (bigger) user, hehehe... Way cool bro!!

Hmm... I should really start cycling to work again... or maybe I could just wait until the price of oil, goes down further (as at last week below USD85)

To K & L it is then...

Finally I went to the bike shop yesterday. The story is, I actually went looking for it on Monday but when I finally found it (it was not exactly where it was said to be), it was already closed. So, need to go back there yesterday. Got there around 1845, enough time to browse, hehehe. Lots of stuff but limited selection for roadies. Anyway, got myself two pairs of brake pads and spare tube (never ride without one)

Spend the rest of the night replacing my worn brake pads, cleaning/degreasing and oiling Scotty (some TLC needed) moving parts, and some tinkering with brake settings and hods. Remind me that I would need a new brake caliper to replace the one in front.. its so old school (which I got for free, no complaints)

Met CH at the bulletin board today. He asked me when to start riding together again. We planned for next week on alternate days. Need to check with him on his favorite bike shop next time we meet. That means I got a few more days..

Post-Raya post

The festive season has done its damage. I am tipping the scale at 96.5kg. Thankfully, my tall frame makes me look slimmer (the truth is, the damage is surely showing in the midsection). My Polar is (water) damaged last month during sailing so I would need a new HRM.

2008 Powerman looms next month. I would definitely know in the next 10 days whether I would be ready for it (which reminds me to get my right heel checked for injuries). Nick says he is joining the thing. Hmm, also needs to annoy Lei enough to make him join it. But first, need to drop by the bike shop on my way back to get new brake pads.

And I would need to update this blog more often.