Wednesday 31 December 2008

Rather overdue autumn London






Spongebob says hello from the window of a Nickelodeon office.

Merry Christmas, albeit belated and a good 2009 to everyone.

Monday 8 December 2008

Monday morning

I dreamt that I was waking up when I was meant to be waking up for real this morning.

Tuesday 2 December 2008

All in a day's walk

You know its not a good start to the day when you see your bus speeding past while you're still about 70 odd metres away from the bus stop...

... ending up having to stand in the Arctic cold for about 10 minutes before another came... but didn't stop. Because bus No. 29 to Wood Green blocked its way in the stop. So came another freezing 5 minutes...

... at least the bus I got on was warm. I arrived at St Pancras at 0716 hrs. My train was due at 0716 but was delayed by a minute. It pulled out of the station as I was halfway towards the platform. The next one was at 0732 hrs, but that was delayed at first to 0736, then to 0743. Typical.

I picked up a London Metro from the floor of the train and flipped it open, straight to an article entitled "Network Rail to reduce delays".

Yup, when cows fly they will...

The biting wind and bitter cold embraced me as soon as the train doors open. You'd never find a more clingy lover. Its sunny and the blue skies are cloudless.

Its also 0 degrees C.

Winter's here.

Sunday 30 November 2008

Tuesday 25 November 2008

Happenings of the months

To start off with, I managed to wobble my way to a UK motorcycle driving license. A full 'A' license at that, which means that I'm not limited by engine capacity. Which means I'm road legal on a 1.3 litre Suzuki Hayabusa with immediate effect. Which also means that the UK roads are not safe anymore. Bless them.

Lucky for the UK'ians then that the DVLA hasn't sent me the license yet...

The girlfriend's birthday was two weeks ago. That was awesome. A dinner date at ASK, where the risotto and al fondo was rather nice and where it was a shit place to have a romantic conversation. What was nice though (and still is), is just spending time together. Lying in bed with her head on my shoulder, her wet hair making my t-shirt damp. Happy 21st babe =)

A few days later, the Design Office manager, my colleague and yours truly were invited to PTC World 2008, held at the Heritage Motor Centre, in Gaydon. It was a gathering of sorts for PTC's customers, showcasing the latest and greatest that PTC had to offer. Great opportunities to network. I met the editor of Racecar Engineering, Graham Jones and Philip Darlington, who was involved with a reverse-engineering job with Carlin Motorsports. A former engineer at Ferrari F1, he designed their cylinder heads as well, if I'm not mistaken. That was pretty cool...

There were also lots and lots and lots of Jaguars about... typical of a place close to Coventry.


Oh and before I forget, we got a couple of friends round and had a steamboat dinner / party of sorts at Tre-sama's place. Nom. Almost 500 odd meatballs and fishballs were consumed, in addition to three packets of enoki mushrooms, almost 2 kilos of prime beef meat, a couple of eggs, one whole chinese leaf, fried beancurd, beancurd, fishcakes and a few blocks of noodles. Oh wait, lets not forget approximately 6 litres of pork soup that was boiled the previous night and left to steep. Muahaha...~



The chocolate cake from Costco. 'Tis the only time I gave up halfway through a slice of cake. It is that big a deal.


Currently listening to: Sleep Now In The Fire - Rage Against The Machine

Friday 21 November 2008

The Butterfly Effect

A mindfuck.

Good film. Watch it.

Tuesday 11 November 2008

The long awaited aftermath...





... and the third day...

The weather here is fickle...

Tuesday 28 October 2008

Monday 27 October 2008

Real novel...

I chanced upon this gem of a site while doing the usual trawl online and the author has a put forth an interesting application of the double wishbone suspension design; on the front of a motorcycle!

Bott 1000 Morlaco

A litre class bike with racecar style double wishbone front suspension and drop dead gorgeous styling. I can't quite see how the dampers are actuated but assuming that he wants to display his dampers on top of the fuel tank it's probably remotely pushed or pull by a rod or rocker of some form. Refreshing from the blingy Ohlins black and gold inverted beauties we're used to seeing.

He must have had quite abit of fun playing with instantenous swing arm length during his geometry optimisation phase. Lovely design and packaging as well. Good craftsmanship too.



Picture taken directly from the website. Rendered by a Mr. Jose Garcia. Please drop me a mail if anyone would like this taken down for intellectual property reasons.

I'll definitely be keeping tabs on this...

Sunday 19 October 2008

Honestly, don't they have more important things to attend to?

I types this as Hamilton stands on the top of the podium at Shanghai during the replay of the race. Typical textbook race with nothing untoward and fairly uneventful.

The light-hearted mood wasn't to last for me as Chee-kun forwarded me the following:
I'm like what the feck?

How pissing off is this to the genteel and kind residents of KL and PJ and probably the majority of Malaysians?

The renaming of Jalan Alor in Bukit Bintang to Jalan Kejora has to be one of the most pointless and baseless moves ever by DBKL, among many others.

And the government asks us why are we so unhappy. Diu...

Monday 13 October 2008

He stood next to the carriage, looking in through the window.

She was sat next to me in the carriage, wearing the most forlorn of faces.

As the train pulled out of the platform, he started running to catch up followed by a quick giggle and a flourish of waves ended with a kiss blown in both directions.

Little things like these sets off a chain of reminiscence to the beginnings of my relationship with Tre-sama. The hesitation, apprehension and naivety of it all. It didn't seem so long ago but yet it does at the same time.

While much of the 'doki doki' (lovestruck) feelings have faded unnoticed, they still surface on occasions a kiss lingers longer than usual or when we hug after being away from each other. It's nice stuff, this. On the same level as the adrenaline rush from rock climbing, mountain biking, going past 60mph for the first time on two wheels et al, albeit in an entirely different category.

Many a things reminds me of Tre-sama too, far too many to list. From songs, to colours and smells to cats, I think she's now thoroughly entwined in my day to day comings and goings that I don't think I can imagine living without her now.

I just wish I could make the money to support her lavish cuddling lifestyle. 'Tis calls for a sturdy hardwood bedframe, best quality king-sized mattress, tonnes of pillow and a down-filled duvet all enveloped in silk.

And have spare change for my toys...

Wednesday 8 October 2008

The greater good

I dislike ill-mannered kids. They should be slapped. They should have their foul little mouths gagged with cotton and hung from their ankles and whooped for being the mean, evil little monsters that they are. British parents are absolutely useless at bringing up their children well, ending up with snotty, racist, arrogant, thick and socially blind wastes of space and Earth's resources.

What the hell is so wrong with corporal punishment that it has to be legally banned in 24 countries? I was whooped silly by both my parents and I turned out alright. I never lied, ever again to my parents. And I turned out alright... sentiments shared with Andy.

I hate walking alone in England in case some demon walks past and mutters 'Are you blind, mate?', 'Go back to China, chink' et al. There's no war on terror... the terror is right under your nose. All efforts and money going into this hunt for that Osama fucker should be diverted to nuking every single chav town in the UK, which probably means every single one. We're not even sure if he's still alive.

Mahai, why are all the cheebai sohais out on the streets in the first place at night, congregating in the middle of nowhere in stupid cold weather? Are they demented? I hope they all freeze and die. This coming winter seems like its going to be a good one. Come on, bring forth sub zero temps...

Diu...

On the other hand, was I ever like that the last time? I don't quite recall hurling insults adult because then that would've been just sudden death. I don't remember throwing apple cores at pedestrians from cars either...

Hey you lot out there, beat your kids. It'll be for the greater good.

Another one

01 Name: saru/kyunz

02 Sex: male

03 Email address: tenchijin100@gmail.com

04 Birthdate: 29 May

05 Family: Father, mother, me and sister

06 Height: 167cm

07 Weight: 59 - 63kg

08 Something good about yourself: Depends on how people view me.

09 Something bad about yourself: Depends on how people view me as well.

10 Describe your personality in one word: Crazed.

11 Celebrities that you like: A few seiyuus, a few singers and a few sports people

13 Fav. Season : Winter

14 Games you’re good at: Driving sims.

15 My ideal woman or man : Intelligent, sassy, fairly independent and attractive.

16 If you have to choose between same age/older/younger: +/- 5 years.

17 Your mood right now: Tired, weary, homesick.

18 What you have in your pocket right now: Nothing.

19 Sleeping out: Most of the time.

20 Alcohol tolerance: Low, I think.

21 Drinking habits: Don't drink.

22 How old were you the first time you drank: Can't remember. Too young.

23 When do you want to get married: When I make more than £28k per annum.

24 About my singing: Sing?

25 About my dancing: Dance?

26 Something I want these days: Abit more cash.

27 When you’re home alone: I go online.

28 When you’re standing in front of the mirror: Brush teeth, wash face, shave, cut nose hair etc

29 Clothes you’re wearing right now: NEXT shirt and Giordano trousers.

30 How much money do you have in your wallet: £15

31 What you want to buy for your girlfriend/ boyfriend : Whatever she wants.

32 Does height matter to you: My height does.

33 What song do you sing when you go to sing karaoke: Beyond. Try to, anyway.

34 What would you do if you had plans with your friend but they never showed up: Go home and hold no grudges.

35 What would you do if the person you loved cheated on you: Talk.

36 How long will you be able to wait for the person you love: I'm a very patient person.

37 First kiss: 15.

38 A feature you feel doesn’t need to be fixed: My personality.

39 Feature you feel should be fixed: I don't mind another 2 - 3" in terms of height.

40 People you miss the most right now: Tre-sama, family, some friends.

41 First love: Became someone I can't particularly stand.

42 When you cried the most: 2 years ago.

43 When do you feel you’re grown up: I never feel grown up.

44 What you don’t like: Many things.

45 When you felt happy: When I'm with Tre-sama, have money and surrounded with good food.

46 When you were most flabbergasted: I really can't remember.

47 Best looking person of the opposite gender you’ve seen so far: Many of my friends.

48 Why aren’t you going out with anyone: I am.

49 What you feel towards that person: Love big big.

50 What would you say to the people actually reading this: You will live long and prosper. And give me money.

51 Something you’re most worried about: Money.

52 When do you look most weak: I always look weak.

How do you NOT get dumped: Dunno.

54 3 things a person NEEDS: Money, money and uhm... ah yes, money.

55 Your grades in school: Somewhat like Brownian motion. Random.

56 #1 on your phone: Tre-sama

57 Phone company: Three

58 Phone bill : Contract

59 Place you want to go: Home, Japan, Australia, Japan, Japan, Japan...

60 Favorite TV program: Stuff on Discovery Channel and NGC?

61 Movie that pissed you off: Far too many.

62 Movie you watched with most meaning: Ima, Ai Ni Yukimasu (Be With You).

63 Most recent movie watched: Gundam 00.

64 Movie you want to recommend: Shin Seiki Evangelion - Rebuild of Evangelion.

65 If you could become a character inside a movie: Shinobu Morita.

66 How many net cafes are you a member to: None.

67 Which do you go to most often: Not applicable.

68 What you feel about this cafe? : Not applicable.

69 What you want to say to the starter of the cafe?: Not applicable.

70 You believe it is okay to marry someone else to save the person that you love: Dunno.

71 What would you do if your parents didn’t bless your decision to get married: Get married
anyway and convince them later.

72 Do you think you’re a player: Eli says I'm not heartless enough to be a player. I think otherwise.

73 What time do you wake up: Depends on what time I sleep.

74 When you go to sleep: Depends on circumstances.

75 If someone you met for the first time asked for your number: Ask why.

76 What would you do if you liked someone at a meeting: Say hello and smile.

77 Celebrity you want to go out with: Hirano Aya.

78 How many kids do you want: 2.

79 Something you really want to be good at: The arts.

80 What I want to be in 10 years: Earning more money and working less.

81 Someone you’re jealous of right now: People with excess money.

82 A word that you use a lot: Nom.

83 What I do when I first wake up: Laze around.

84 What would you do if you picked up a million dollars: Japan trip, play car, play bike, play
bicycle, design house, invest in land, go race.

85 What would you do if you became invisible: I'll second Chrisseh on this one...

86 Singer you think is the best singing live: Dunno.

87 Singers you don’t understand why they even sing: An unfair number, I must say.

88 A kind of man you don’t like: One who is full of himself.

89 A kind of woman you don’t like: Terminal blurcases.

90 What would you do if you found someone you love more than the person you’re dating right now: Possible?

91 What would you feel if you met someone you’ve broken up with: Dunno.

92 Most important possession: At this moment in time, laptop.

93 What you do when you first get online: MSN.

94 What surprised you the most: Strangers being nice. In London.

95 What you do when you can’t fall asleep: Stare wide-eyed at the ceiling.

96 What do you think you were in your past life: Probably a do-gooder. My current life is nice.

97 If you were to be born again: Someone blessed with happiness and extreme good luck.

98 What are you going to do after you finish this: Go lunch.

99 How honest were you: Honest enough.

100 What do you want to say: Nom.

i tag: Oh I can't be bothered. I don't think anyone wants to do memes if they've better things to do.

Monday 6 October 2008

United Kingdom Plc's public transport is amazing

It was sheer fluke that I managed to drag myself out of bed early enough to make it to St Pancras to catch the train that was scheduled before the one I usually take to work. It wasn't much fuss as I boarded one of the carriages when an announcement was made that this train would stop at Kentish Town, the next station. Busily engrossed with the morning's depressing newspaper in hand, I absent-mindedly assumed that the train would just make a stop, since the announcement made no mention of 'termination'.

The bitch ended up terminating at Kentish Town, much to my dismay. To add insult to rapidly souring mood, the train that I usually use on my commute passed by on the next platform as it was the fast train. An announcement soon followed, to the tune of "replacement train will come to pick you up to your destination".

Being very fed up, I crossed over and took the opposite train back to St Pancras and waited half an hour for the next train to work.

It was delayed at Kentish Town again for about 10 minutes...

I have already given up at this point and texted my boss to tell him I was going to be 45 minutes late. He rang back and to tell me he wasn't coming in due to illness...

Fairly eventful first 3 hours of the day, I must say. You would have thought a first world country would have had public transport operations sussed out by now. Typical that any reforms, changes, improvements and what nots have to be debated left right and centre till everyone's blue in the face, shelved on the backburner for years and finally put into place with tonnes of unnecessary faff.

Saturday 27 September 2008

I has been tagged...

By way of introduction, Chrisseh's meme has been filled:

Name: Saru-kun/Kyunz

Sisters: 1

Brothers: none

Shoe size: UK 8

Height: 167cm

Where do you live: Nomadic

Favourite drinks: Builder's tea; ocha

Favourite breakfast: Muesli bar with a cup of Milo. In reality, this doesn't happen

Have you

ever been on a plane? Yesh

Swam in the ocean: Yesh

Fallen asleep at school: All the time

Broken someone’s heart: Possibly...

Fell off your chair: Yesh. Rarely though.

Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call: Not anymore.

Saved e-mails: Far too many.

What is

your room like: Smelly and not big enough.

right beside you: Depends where I am...

the last thing you ate: Bowl of cereal.

Ever had

chicken pox: Yesh

Sore throat: Yesh

Stitches: Nay

Broken nose: Nay

Do you

believe in love at first sight: Yesh

Like picnics: Depends on the weather.

Who was the last

person you danced with: Danced? The last person to throw me over the shoulder was a girl... if that applies...

Last made you smile: Tre-sama <3

last you yelled at: Can't remember.

Today, Did you talk to someone you like: Yesh

Kissed anyone: today ? Yesh

Got sick: Nay

Miss someone: Family and friends in Mareisha.

Best feeling in the world: Lots. Approaching Turn 1 on Sepang, bombing down Kiara, training with Adam Sensei, etc...

Do you sleep with stuffed animals: A saru.

What’s under your bed: Hopefully nothing that creeps and crawls.

Who do you really hate: Stupid people.

What time is it now? 1946 hrs.

Random: Is there a person who is on your mind now: Tre-sama

Do you have any siblings: Wasn't this asked at the beginning?

Do you want children: Possibly.

Do you smile often: Apparently, all the time. Maniacally.

Do you like your hand-writing: When I write them with a broad nib pen, yes.

Are your toe nails painted: Used to be in shades of black and white, but that was many years ago.

Whose bed other than yours would you rather sleep in: Japan host family's futon. In winter. With Tre-sama.

What color shirt are you wearing now: Blue.

What were you doing at 7:00 p.m. yesterday: Walking out of Chee-kun's house.

When did you cry last: About 3 odd months ago. I lost the will to live.

Are you a friendly person: Only to pretty girls.

Do you have any pets: I want a Norwegian Forest Cat and a Golden Retriever. Kthxbai.

Where is the person you have feelings for right now? Sleeping next to me.

Did the last person you held hands with mean anything to you now?: Lots.

What do you think?: In what sense?

Do you sleep with the TV on?: Don't have a TV.

What are you doing right now? Meme'ing.

Have you ever crawled through a window?: Yesh

Can you handle the truth?: I think so. Or I like to think I can.

Are you too forgiving?: Possibly.

Are you closer to your mother or father?: Both.

Who was the last person you cried in front of?: Tre-sama.

Do you eat healthily?: Try to.

Do you still have pictures of you & your ex?: Don't have an ex.

Have you ever cried because of something someone said to you?: Yesh.

If you’re having a bad day, who'd you most likely to go to?: Tre-sama

Are you loud or quiet most of the time?: Loud.

Are you confident?: I think so.

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. enjoying training with Adam Sensei.
2. moved from JB to KL.
3. hating my aunt.
4. doodling alot.
5. watching Singaporean tele.

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. chocolates
2. Scoop's gelato
3. cheese Doritos
4. Haagen Daaz's Cookies and Cream
5. a slab of raw tuna

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. design and build my dream home
2. play with cars and bikes
3. buy katanas
4. sponsor my own race team
5. get moar money

5 of my bad habits:
1. lazy
2. stoning
3. internet addict
4. big mouth
5. nyomz

5 people I tag:
1. Huey Yi
2. Steffie
3. Po Leen
4. Che Wey
5. I have no moar friends. I would like to say 'June Chan' of Saiyuki cosplay fame, but I doubt she'd read this... =.=