DJ Hero - Boogie Down Productions Jack Of spades vs Daft Punk Short Circuit

Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak, Selamat Hari Raya and Maaf Zahir Batin to all. May all our hopes and prayers be accepted Insya'Allah. Have a safe and joyful holiday with family and friends.

photo from www.inmagine.com

Aikido AND Batman? Absolutely!

Was my birthday a few days ago... ok ok it was a whole month ago, but I was surprised as hell when I was presented with the following.

Phwoarrr! Love them so much!

Aikido: The Complete Basic Techniques, and Total Aikido: The Master Course 

Aikido: The Complete Basic Techniques, and Total Aikido: The Master Course are fantastic references for anyone who does Yoshinkan Aikido, and also for Aikido practitioners in general. Basic to advanced techniques are presented in the book. Of course, the books serve only as a reference, as proper techniques should be learnt in a dojo under supervision and tutelage of an Aikido instructor.

Absolute Dark Knight & Absolute Batman Hush

DC Comic's Absolute Edition are reprints of graphic novels in hardcover format, with a dustjacket and oversized format. Recently fell in love with them after I noticed a couple of copies in Borders. Never expected one as a gift, yet alone two! 

Absolute Dark Knight is where Batman became the dark brooding character he is today. Written by Frank Miller, who also wrote Sin City and 300.

Absolute Batman Hush, is one of my favourite storylines in the Batman series. I'm always one for a great plot, but I do like good art too, and Jim Lee is possible at his absolute best. 

Aikido and Batman all in one day? Must have been my birthday... oh wait... it was ;)

iTunes 8 - Genius Playlist

If you haven't already done so, upgrade your iTunes to version 8. Genius playlist rocks!




Select a song in your library.

Click the Genius button.

Voilà! Genius creates a playlist of songs that go great together.

Star Wars According To A 3 Year Old

So Cute!

You/Me? or (Yu/Mi?)

Lol one of the funnier parts in Rush Hour 3 for me. Will be updating soon with a few entries Insya'Allah. Till then, enjoy. I know I have (about a gazillion times).

Happy New Year 2008

Happy New Year everyone. May 2008 be a year of happiness and fulfilment for all.

Atilia at Bangkok Jazz

Attended Atilia's gig at Bangkok Jazz on Friday night, my first time to watch her perform live. Was certainly very worth it, for more than one reason.

Somehow, managed to get the most awesome seats in the house, front row seats! Woo! Sat directly in front of Atilia, in very comfy armchairs. Table mates pulak were Juliana, Ninie, and of course Asma my baby. Always a fun time with these gals.



Of course, the main reason the night was one to remember was Atilia herself. The show was very chilled, just the way I like it. Her renditions of Sangkar, Selalu Denganmu and other songs from her album were a joy to listen to. Also, her cover of Sade hits were a big bonus in my books.



Overall, a very fun and enjoyable evening out with the gals :)

Street Fighter 4!

I still cannot believe it, even though it has been officially announced.

Still one year of waiting to go till it finally comes to us. That's ok I guess, time to dust off the old joystick, and start preparing. Well, more for my friends, they're gonna need the practice when they face me lol!

Trailer below for your enjoyment. Woohoo!

Aikido Bootcamp!

Sensei Noveen smsed a bunch of us on Wednesday and said there'd be an evening class if anyone was interested. My first couple of classes had gone quite well, so I thought why not. Little did I know what was waiting for me.

Turns out it was to be the Aikido torture bootcamp class from hell. Multiple flips, running laps back and fort across the dojo, endless Kihon Dosa. Just when everyone thought things were over, it suddenly was time for sit-ups, back and abdominal exercises.

Now I'm not complaining, it was more concern for my fellow Aikidoka, I mean, they're kids. Just look at the immense pain and torture in their faces.


Hmm ok, Azim doesn't look so bad, but maybe it's the angle...


Ok ok, I guess he did quite ok, but then there's Daria, poor poor girl...


Hmm... (she actually did a whole extra session before the actual one, unbelievable!)


Ah hah! As I suspected, half dead! Ok ok, he's just pretending, I forced him to pose that way.

Anyway that's not the point. I think the kids are secretly grateful that they have an amazing senior like me. The pinnacle of fitness and determination. Someone they can always look up to for inspiration...






Ok maybe not.

Aikido: Finally, my first class after a while

I finally went to Aikido class on Sunday morning. Pretty tiring, but worth it as we learnt new moves. Performed Kihon Dosa Renzoku, a combination of the six basic moves in Yoshinkan Aikido. Also practiced a couple of side entering throws, and some basic Judo take down and arm bar techniques.



My heartiest congratulations also goes to Sensei Thamby Rajah, who received an ANS (Ahli Setia Negeri Sembilan), at the Istana Seri Menanti on Thursday. It is recognition that is overdue, and totally deserved for his incredible list of achievements.

Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak to everyone. Selamat Hari Raya and Maaf Zahir Batin.

I will be working on the blog for a while, it's time for a revamp. So there will be some changes here and there in the next few days (or weeks as the case may be).

iGuess iShould... (iPhone in Malaysia)

Well, now that the cat's out of the bag about my latest toy (courtesy of The Yoga Instructor), I guess I should post some pics...

iPhone in dock

iPhone & MacBook

iLike!

iWife :)

Update:

iPhone is fully operational!

Forgot to mention that I had a problem receiving sms, everything else worked fine. Finally found the courage to try the solution posted here.

Warning, not for the faint of heart, as it involves using line commands (even though they are very straightforward) in the Terminal application on your Mac.

Yoshinkan Aikido International Senshusei Course

International Senshusei Course



The Senshusei Course is a year long intensive aikido course for those who really want to dedicate themselves to Yoshinkan Aikido. The course is the only one of it's kind in the world having been originally developed in the early 1960's to train the Tokyo Metropolitan Riot Police in Yoshinkan Aikido as a traditional budo form. It continues to this day, with a small but elite group of men and women having had the distinction of graduating from the Senshusei course.*




*Excerpt from International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation website

So near yet so far...

A year to wait, but it's gonna be awesome!

Music: Muse - Map Of The Problematique

Music: Kanye West - Stronger

Omg can a song get any cooler than this? Or video for that matter (love the Akira references). Only thing is I feel it should be Daft Punk feat Kanye West instead of the other way round. Anyway doesn't really matter in the long run I guess.

Long live Daft Punk!

ps: Thank you everyone for all the kind birthday wishes :)

Wedding Reception (Putrajaya)

Music: Tenacious D - Wonderboy

I love this song, but I think I love the video more!

Our akad ceremony

Kendo Grading

Some pictures from my recent Kendo grading :)

Registration and number assignment

Woot! Ready to go!

My turn! (2nd from the right)

Younger (and higher ranking) kids, grading in armour

Waiting for results

Lowest ranked amongst the three

Moral Support

Woohoo! My results just got announced! :)

777...7?

On 07/07/07 I passed my Kendo grading... to 7th kyu :)

Kendo armour here I come!



Update: Just realised while looking at my photo that the number I was assigned also adds up to... 7! :)

Aikido: Hard Sessions

Migi Kamae

Aikido session yesterday was intense, and tough. Spirit seems to be strong in the dojo all round. Body aching all over, but it's all good, just hope to be ok for Kendo on Wednesday.

Focused a lot on Kihon Dosa, or basic movements, with an extra half hour drill at the end of class. Technique wise, learnt a move invented by Sensei Soh Har, who was there on the day to teach us! At the end of it, my legs were ready to give way, and fainting seemed to be a pleasant option at the time.

All worth it though, as at the end, Abang Zaki treated us all to some good food, as a way to celebrate his son's (Azizi) great performance in the Japan Open International Taekwondo Championship in Osaka recently. He received a gold and silver medal as well as the Best Performer Award! Well done Azizi! (Click here)

Osu!

Sweet message from Awang

Thanks Abang Zaki!

Teachers, family, friends

Arrgh forgot to Photoshop my belt!

Soh Har Sensei

Thamby Sensei, Father of Malaysian Aikido

Kendo: I <3 Kiri-kaeshi

Went to my second Kendo class since I got back from London today. First class last week was a bit slow, as I had to train with total noobs, doing basic swings (zzzz....) Today was soo much better! Trained with the seniors, met my old dojo mates, and got to do practice drills (waza-geiko) with the seniors. Did my fave drill, Kiri-kaeshi (see vid below) I like! Still kinda rusty, missing the target a few times, and need to focus on proper posture and form.

Still, was a good session, looking forward to next class.

What Tarot Card are You?

You are The Sun

Happiness, Content, Joy.

The meanings for the Sun are fairly simple and consistent.

Young, healthy, new, fresh. The brain is working, things that were muddled come clear, everything falls into place, and everything seems to go your way.

The Sun is ruled by the Sun, of course. This is the light that comes after the long dark night, Apollo to the Moon's Diana. A positive card, it promises you your day in the sun. Glory, gain, triumph, pleasure, truth, success. As the moon symbolized inspiration from the unconscious, from dreams, this card symbolizes discoveries made fully consciousness and wide awake. You have an understanding and enjoyment of science and math, beautifully constructed music, carefully reasoned philosophy. It is a card of intellect, clarity of mind, and feelings of youthful energy.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Aikido: Yoshinkan Aikido demonstration

Aikido Yoshinkan (養神館, Yōshinkan, lit. House for Cultivating the Spirit) is a style of aikido founded by Gozo Shioda (1915-1994) after World War II.

Yoshinkan Aikido is occasionally called a "hard style" because the training methods are a product of the grueling period that Shioda spent as a student of Morihei Ueshiba. It is also generally closer to aikijujutsu than so-called "soft styles" of aikido, and has sharper, more angular movements. The unusual emphasis placed on correct form rather than correct flow and timing further contributes to its image as a "hard style." However, the merit of such terms as "hard" and "soft" is generally believed to lie on the superficial level of describing a style's "feel", rather than saying anything about the heart of the style itself.

Source: Wikipedia

Tabblo: Stonehenge

Click here to view full Tabblo>

Arigato Gozaimasu!

Thank you so much! I love both of them!

p/s I know you bought the smaller gift because of the title, but I love the fact that you didn't know I happen to like Yoshitomo Nara's work :)

Aikido: Sokumen Iriminage

Second class since I came back was good. Still feeling a bit slower and more sluggish than before, but much better than last week. Class also seems a bit more intense now, more drills, rolls and flips, which I love. Did a few techniques as usual, but concentrated on sokumen iriminage throws and a few variants. All in all, very satisfying, and can't wait for next class.

Osu!

Aikido: It's good to be back! :)

My Engagement to Asma

Today I got engaged to the girl that I fell in love with at first sight. The occasion was simple, yet filled with so much joy. In her, my prayers have been answered, my friend, my partner, my soulmate.

Get Voting for HatiYoga!

Don't wait, get voting guys!

Music: Timbaland - Give It To Me

Currently loving this track to bits!

Road Trip: Oxford

Road Trip: Roman Bath House

Road Trip: Bath

Road Trip: Stonehenge

Aikido: Yubi Dori

Yubi Dori (Finger Lock)



Coming back soon and looking forward to resuming my Aikido training. A short clip of a practical use of Aikido for self defence, in this clip, controlling an agressor using his fingers.

Sensei Joe Thambu of Shudokan Aikido Melbourne
www.aikidoshudokan.com

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The Hunt

Hellboy in Natural History Museum London

LOL!

Music: 311 - Amber

What I'm currently listening to :) Nice melody, and lyrics are kinda nice too.

Whoa!

Today in the space of 2 hours, and on one stretch of road, I saw...

... a Ford GT (first time to see it)...


... a Ferrari F40 (a true classic)...


... a Porsche Carrera GT (one monster of a car)...


... a McLaren F1 (technical perfection)...


... and a Bugatti Veyron! (did I use monster car already? This just takes the cake)

I love London! =)

Music: Kelis - Lil' Star

Nice lil uplifting number :)

Love cupcakes

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Cupcakes from Selfridges (www.cookiegirl.co.uk). Soooooooo delish!

Happiness

Music: The Greatest Video Clip Ever!

The most awesome video ever! I dare you to find better =P

Kendo: UCL Kendo Club Pt 2

More Kirikaeshi practice (see Part 1), and head, hand and body strikes practice. Then today moved on to uchikomigeiko practice...

Uchikomigeiko*

Uchikomi (single-step striking) practice is designed to allow students to attack a passive receiver. The receiver typically makes a target available to the student, who strikes and follows through just as if it were a real match. It is in uchikomi practice that the student perfects the coordination of sword stroke, body movement, and intent. The goal is to bring all one's physical and mental powers to bear upon the target at a precise moment in time.

Hiki-men

Interesting, and more challenging. Lots of work still to be done, on everything from footwork to strikes and timing. Also learnt Hiki-men, attacking while moving backwards from a tsubazeriai (stand-off). Not as easy as how the senseis make it look tho.

Hiki-men (vid of kids as I could not find any better ones)

Stuart 'Gibbo' Gibson

Oo also found out that I actually have the privilege of training under Stuart Gibson, who is currently 4th time national champion and 2nd time British Open champion. He was also awarded the Fighting Spirit award at the World Championships in Taipei December 2006. Whoaaaaa! If even a little knowledge rubs off on me, I am very lucky indeed.

Stuart 'Gibbo' Gibson (tallest guy in the middle, standing)

Some useful phrases

Hiki-men - Strike to the head while moving backwards
Tsuba - Sword guard
Tsubazeriai - Sword guard against sword guard (stand-off before attack)

*Definition taken from http://www.yamatanidojo.com/kendo_practice.htm

The Amazing David 'Elsewhere' Bernal!

I love this guy! The Golf GTi ad is one of my favourite ads ever, and later I found out about the guy who did the routine. Enjoy!

Humble beginnings...


To this...


To one of my favourite ads!

Kendo: UCL Kendo Club

Did Kiri-Kaeshi, the staple of Kendo practice. Involves hitting another person, which was a first for me. Only did basic solo practice swings before this. Felt weird at first, but I got into the swing of things (groan) towards the end.

Kiri-kaeshi: Basic strike to the head, followed by alternate left/right strikes to the head while moving (4 strikes forward, 5 strikes back).

"Relax your shoulders!"

"Shout louder!"

"Control with your left arm!"

"Footwork! Footwork! Footwork!"

All this and more on Day 1, and I think this was one of the lighter days. Looks like some tough classes coming up, but that can only be a good thing :)

Photo: http://www.kendo.uclu.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Gallery.Gallery

Hampton Court Palace

Spent New Year's Eve in Hakkasan, a really excellent restaurant, with a couple of my friends.

New Year's was spent at Hampton Court Palace. It was a beautiful day, and it was a great day out. Watched 2 DVDs later that night to finish the day off. Perfect!