Phasers for my Birthday

On the eve of my birthday, I received an sms from Chow F.C. which read "Just received a message. Don't know who to turn to for legal. Can you drop by 10.30 now? We are scared". I had to go see what's wrong and after all, I've known Chow before I graduated from law school. As I was parking in front, I noticed Chow's anxious demeanor as he stood near the cul-de-sac waiting for me. Parked and worried, I brisked down the driveway with him.

As we sat down and he feigned a mumbling desperation, the cheeky fellow brought out my old Playmates ST:First Contact Type II Phaser and exclaimed "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" :)


The fiend! :) He duped me!!... and I was getting a little worried there! Turns out, he'd finally finished the modifications!!...after about 1 1/2 years... (time is a luxury most of us do not have these days...)

He's done up the electronics; added an LED bar, replacing the plastic, fake power level gauge, installed a micro-switch at the bottom....



The "emitter" krypton bulb has been replaced with 3-super bright micro LEDs.











but mostly, as I've been pestering Chow, a screen saver mode...after about 5 seconds untouched, the LED display starts a sweeping motion, as if on a starship viewscreen. Cool!

Then, as if that was not enough, I met up with Kenny G. later who had completed my ST:Nemesis Type II "Dolphin" Phaser kit ("Dolphin" because of it's uncanny resemblance to the porpoise's snout).

The paintwork is just fanstastic. Kenny's talent with the airbrush is undisputable. The finishing mirrors automotive clear coats and the silver shimmers under the light. In the day...

the body of the "Dolphin" phaser shows it's blue and green hues from the myriad of paint mixtures used, giving it a more unique feature...

but what I really like about this piece is the slide open cowling which reveals the power cells behind the pre-fire chamber. On a working prop, these cells would be glowing.

Thanks guys.... I really appreciate your work. "Arm phasers"....

Now, I'm waiting for the video of my little celebration with Asther, Francis and Mike...

Rafting Trip on Slim River

Nov 21st. My first rafting experience! Sg. Slim aka Slim River.
Rapids! The first thought on my mind before embarking on a wet adventure, filled with spills and thrills. This trip was organized by our very outdoorish friend, David Jr. whom some of you might know from his blog (malaysia-asia) on holidays, outdoors and food!

Our adventure started with a rendezvous at the Rawang R&R for "hot" nasi lemak and teh tarik. When they said "hot"they really meant it! Not referring to the spicy-ness, but the piping hot little green packets going for RM1 each! The tantalizing sambal with coconut milk rice really kicks off a fun day with friends. Then, an hour's drive to Kg. Ulu Slim where the Hot Springs are located. We would be couriered into the Ulu Slim Forest Reserve toward our starting point on the river via 4WDs. Really fun ride slipping in the mud and experiencing mud terrain tires take on the terrain! Certainly will wake you up. You'd come across some Orang Asli Kids along the way, all eyes aglow spectating us "city folks".

The guides will dispatch essential safety gear i.e. helmets and life jackets to all rafters new and experience. A safety briefing will commence prior to assigning teams into the rafts, about 5-6 persons per raft. Teams are taught paddling techniques and certain manoeuvres on the raft. For e.g. "boom boom" means everyone much secure their paddles and crouch in steep drops and "jump jump" means everyone must bounce around to coax the rubber dinghy into moving out of obstacles and tight spots! Our guide's name was "Juice" an east-Malaysian from Sabah.

Generally, this river's difficulty level stars from Grade 1 to 3. Essentially:-

Grade 1: Very small rough areas, might require slight maneuvering.
(Skill Level: Very Basic)
Grade 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require some maneuvering.
(Skill Level: Basic Paddling Skill)
Grade 3: Whitewater, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger.
May require significant maneuvering
(Skill Level: Experienced paddling skills)

(Read more about on wikipedia)

Soon, I realised that overturns and being flung out of the raft was a real possibility! On the arrival of the first drop (Grade 3, I reckon), we were briefed and was told that the moves involved everyone dropping down into the raft on cue from our guide. It was more like a subtle S-shaped dropped. We were the first raft to set course. On the way down, we rammed the rock and the apex of the "S" and that's where I got flung out of the raft!...losing my paddle at the same time. Somehow, instinct took over and as I fell, I managed to grab on to the raft's lifeline where my fellow rafters hauled me in. My eyes were closed most of the time, not because of fear, but to prevent my contact lenses from being flushed out!

We landed on the banks after a few yards from the drop to watch the other rafts try the same thing. The guides were really good at what they do, all standing on each side of the banks with rescue lines just in case!

The whole session took roughly 4 hours to complete the 1.5km route.

Nearing the end of the trip, Juice forewarned us that he would tip the raft over just for "the heck of it"...well, actually, since we hadn't experience a capsizing raft! So, about 150 yards from the termination point, he maneuvered the raft into a short fall and had us trapped in a vortex a bit. There, everyone was told to lean to one side and told to keep pulling at the lifeline to lift one end of the raft up! One two three! Everyone was in the water! The raft tipped over so fast I had no time to avoid the falling dinghy! The last thing I saw before I was in was a big green tube dropping on my face!

At the end, we made our way out of the water whilst watching the other raft being ditched! They had gotten stuck in between some rocks and there was just no way to get it unstuck but for a bailout!

After drying ourselves partially, we did lunch back at the village (which is provided in the package) near the Hot Springs before retiring for the day.

2 Birthdays, Several Colleagues and A Dozen Donuts! and Cupcakes

October 5th, my nutty colleagues took it upon themselves to
celebrate my birthday, which was a day before.

A dozen donuts, a candle and a bunch of nutty colleagues makes the
perfect ingredients to make
an uneventful evening, well...eventful!
Observe the macho indian (Sankar) standing outside my room,
trying not to appear to be indulging but still partakes nevertheless!

No surprise to mine, Yee Boon just has to mutilate something...

Fon Lin, Lan Fang and Juk Chee

Observe Juk Chee with her note pad.
I was having a discussion with her actually when
the rest of my colleagues walked...no... barged in :)

Jian Min, Tuck Hau and Lip Jeen (our two pupils) and of course, Mr. Tan's belly...:)

Nothing like having some nice bottled tea to wash down those scrumptious donuts...

Fon Lin, Tuck Hau, Kam Thai, Lip Jee (b girl), Jia Min and Juk Chee

October 6th. Lip Jee's birthday celebration.
Different room, different cake(s) but same office crowd
(with the exception of indian who was occupied with boss).
Creative! A dozen cupcakes of sorts this time.
The girls penchant for sweet things really showed this week!

Yee Boon demonstrating the correct way to execute the
one finger salute!

Sweet confectionary but most important, sweet friends!

Birthday Boy Sankar

A Wedding and A Fancy Dress Birthday Party

Congratulations James and Angie!

I found myself attending two celebrations last night...

The first being James Ang and Angie Choong's wedding dinner at the Hotel Equatorial. I first met James whilst handling recovery litigation for RBS. James had just taken over one of the files from a previous officer (then still ABN Amro). As time went on, James' family approached me to handle probate and personal matters. One fine day last week, I got a call from James telling me his wedding is on the 26th of Sept; Saturday!

When I first arrived at the hotel's lobby, I thought I was going to be bored out of my mind not expecting to know anyone there. Then, a familiar face. Waris Kamal (a banker with RBS dealing with Mergers & Acquisitions) and Yuen Ling (another banker with RBS who still keeps in touch with one of the partners of the firm). Waris was unmistakable as the guy whose crotch I accidentally shot in a paintball game! hehe

I had to say the 8-course dinner at the Golden Phoenix Restaurant in the hotel was good. I particularly enjoyed the onion sauced chicken, an uncommon dish unlike in most 3rd course Chinese dinner where the poultry's preparation would be dry..

Next...Abi's house to celebrate my young lawyer friend, Keneshwaran Kandiah who in good spirit of things, decided to organize (with Abi, his significant other) a fancy dress birthday party!

Birthday boy got his I-Phone 3Gs!

I haven't been to a fancy dress party in ages! It's hilarious seeing my friends donning costumes at parties, something we all used to do when we were 15!

"Happy Birthday Princess!"
(don't ask how that name stuck with him)

Ken was in a Roman general costume but a Maximus Desimus Meridius he ain't. :) Abi was I think Charlie Chaplan. Ravin (seen with Ken above) was "the Godfather", but without the Tommy-gun.

Dee Wei was in a Jedi outfit flanked by his reluctant apprentice, Alex Netto. Koki grew wings of an angel and Mina (Sarah) a viking goddess or some kind. Naturally, yours truly was a Starfleet commander just having beamed himself into the festivities!

Congrats Kenny & Jeannie!

Captain Kenny Gordvyn Mariapragasam has finally decided to give up galloping around the cosmos and settle down with the woman in his life. About time to, I think.

The caricature (pic above) of the groom-to-be by his office colleagues only reminded me of how we all are 'required' to take the "next step" in this finite life.

Kenny and Jeannie are getting hitched!

August 14th. 9.45am. Registrar of Marriages, Maju Junction Mall.

As luck would have it I will be on Court detail on board the USS Justice. Duty calls!

I would be much obliged to grace this ocassion and bear witness to the long awaited conjugation. You two met long ago. Along your voyages, circumstances left you both apart but God obviously decided to have you both crossing each other's path again and just like Captain William Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi, you two have sought to travel life's journey together into the final frontier!

"May the wind be in your backs"...

Diving Tioman 2009 (Part 2)

Dive #2. Malang Rock.

Hawkman makes an entry.
Almost got swept away by his wake...

Again, Richard showing off his bubble rings. I bet he's been having one two many Cubans

'Squashed' feather star

Red algae?

Pomfret?
(Asther, help me out here)
Scorpion fish...
I think... and it walks!!

Eel-lo!
This fella is common bout these here parts.
Over here, we call em' peppermint nudis

This puffer fish needed Hawkman's power of persuasion to show.
The fella was playing hide-and -seek with us. Guess who lost? *grin*

Dinner!!!
One of the moments I usually look forward to at Kg. Salang is having a good ol' seafood dinner at the Salang Dreams Restaurant. Fresh seafood ready to order and pre-order before dinner time. Squid, prawns and crabs to grill and I recommend roast chicken, served with a hot side of potato wedges and assorted vegetables

After dinner, we discussed taking the earliest boat out so that
we could go gallivanting in Johor or Malacca for an eating road trip
on route to KL.

Next morning...early...waiting *yawn* Even the fishes swimming below the pier weren't awake. We tried feeding em' stuff...maybe they don't like peanut butter biscuits

Stopped by the famous Kluang Train Station Rail Coffee shop for a cuppa piping hot coffee and toast with kaya and butter. Simple pleasures of life...

"Melts in your bread, not in your hands"
I took a stroll to the platform after my breakfast. Surreal!
A step back in time, if feels.
The place looks like it hasn't changed much over the last century
The thought had crossed my mind to ride a train back to KL...

Next stop...Hock Chiew Restaurant (in a little town called Yong Peng, Johor)
just under an hour from the coffee joint. Serves Hakka food

We had some red-wine chicken (not derived from Merlot)
hakka noodles...some other stuff which I can't seem to recall
and to wash down the food...

dragon fruit juice with a tinge of pineapple extract

The passengers tucked-in nicely for the ride home...