⇒ G O O F A N G

def: A Vampiric chant which translates to: through life we gain life

Yes, i just learned how to play Balderdash and it is fun. That was Alex's answer to 'Goofang' which is actually a mythical fish (?).

Also went to Squash, Yumcha, Mickey D's and dinner yesterday. All good. Felt quite under the weather but still all good.

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⇒ squashin'

played squash today...first time in months...got absolutely thrashed as a result. There was a moment where my body remembered the skills (briefly). It was enough for an important victory over Alex (!). Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaah!

More or less, I'm still adjusting to being back, and my body is in a much different condition than when i left. That's something I should work on...

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⇒ squash, swim, sauna

went to squash today--was hour and half late--and won only 1 match. oh well...

also went to pool and sauna today--I used the FREE PASS for the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Ultimo. Quite nice, because the place is so new. But then again, a pool is a pool...and it's nothing extra special. I stayed in the sauna/steam room for about half hour...I'm not sure, the time passed without me really checking. I was bored as in there--all you do is sit there...Next time, bring: magazine or person to talk to. Nice scent in there though, a firm, steamed wood eucalyptus smell with touch of burnt.

While swimming, the sky got darker, and being an indoor pool, the cover was partially glass. Combining the two, I watched myself swim in the ceiling (sculling)...it's quite a thing to see...it's like watching yourself floating in space-kind of surreal.

Picked up some cushions for my seating comfort today. They were on the cheap--35% orff!

other stuff:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suo_G%C3%A2n
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/15/german-physiks-loreley-mk-ii-does-360-degree-sound/
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/15/wacom-shipping-bamboo-tablets-in-the-us/
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/14/laser-fire-extinguisher-simulator-threatens-arsonists-livelihoo/
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/14/revolymer-develops-new-non-stick-chewing-gum/
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/14/desktop-factorys-cheapo-3d-printer-is-coming/
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/14/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fx55-reviewed/
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/14/interactive-nightclub-to-thrill-londoners/

http://www.gamecareerguide.com/features/420/ask_the_experts_the_advantages_.php
http://hijinksensue.com/2007/09/13/westwood-college-tightening-up-the-graphics-on-level-3-since-1953/

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/14/hd-video-robots-robots-robots-and-other-stuff-at-nextfest-2007/
http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/15/100-olpc-xo-1-to-cost-at-least-188-over-200-in-uruguay/
http://www.upress.umn.edu/blog/DigitalCultBlog.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longest_word_in_the_English_language#Place_names
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintin_and_Alph-Art

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/16/todays-seriously-32-player-wii-fps-medal-of-honor-heroes-2/
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/15/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-diy-omegathon-edition/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Tintin

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⇒ bourne 3:this time it's personal!

That'd be the title of the movie if it were put together in the 80's. Probably...

I saw bourne ultimatum yesterday--was ok. The trilogy does get progressively worse, though not by much. It could really have benefited from Doug Liman's direction though. I hate the damn 'shaky' cam! There were two outstanding sequences of the movie--which I won't spoil...otherwise, the movie wasn't as meaningful or strong in storyline as it's predecessors.

Identity: 8.5/10
Supremacy: 7.5/10
Ultimatum: 7.0/10

squash was rough--got thrashed today. I only won 1 game the whole day!
I need to:
1. restore my fitness--it kept me competitive before and was a key part of my game.
2. improve my technique--particularly the backhand--this is the weakest part of my game--I can't quite make the ball go where I want it to, so this is what I need. To win tactically, I need better shot control.

"In the House-In a Heartbeat" by John Murphy

Watched land of the dead recently. Not bad--not as good as 'Dawn' (orig.) but certainly not bad. The gore is crazy!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_the_Living_Dead
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_of_the_Dead_%281978_film%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead_%28film%29

Interesting fact: Night of the Living Dead is a public-domain artefact. Go forth and download for free and legally!

interesting reads:
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2006/12/john-leguizamo-trashes-everyone-hes-ever-worked-with.php
http://www.timeout.com/film/news/631/

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=the+fountain+score+rapidshare&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
http://www.stereogum.com/archives/mogwai-kronos-quartet-do-the-fountain.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_mythology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro_photography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceiba
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xibalba
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_belief#Mayan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_of_Portugal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerican_world_tree
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmasana
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere_2
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/outsider_pr.html

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⇒ 3rd strike yo, street fighter III!

Yesterday, finally got a day of rest (been sick or at work or both). Had to rush some things because of the time I woke up but when I did go to pick up my shirts from Myer in the City, there was a really cute girl working there (Tracey). She's cute, petite, asian and most fascinatingly, she has freckles. I couldn't take my eyes off them. The only made her more unbelievable. But I did not try. I'm too long out of the game to be making moves at this point in time. I'll do something about it soon enough, but seriously, I work and uni 4 days and 4 nights a week, and need project time the rest of the time off, so when the heck am i supposed to try? More later...

Last nite went to Frank's 24th b'day dinner and chaser activities. Dinner was ok. In Glebe, which is a downer cuz I gotta pay to eat so close to home. Then Karaoke and games in the city. Fun, but smoky, poorly ventilated and boozy. I partook in a drinking game but the poison was b-eer (I hate b-eer!). Also the smoke smell just don't come off. I'm sick of people who smoke. Wtf? I mean, you haven't figured out that this sh!t is bad for you yet? Or is it because your too cool to care about anything and yet you need to complete your image with a blunt? I hate smokers!. There was a cute and v. interesting girl there, but she smokes. If she didn't smoke I probably would've gone for it, but the ciggies kill the mood real quick.

went to (free) squash today. Overall, more bad than good. I was whipped by Alex and Franky (like 11-1 n sh!t).

Though I did pick up by the end of the day, putting in an absolutely tremendous and crazy courageous fight back from 10-nil to just get edged out 13-11. Even though I lost, it still felt like a victory for me. HOORAY! HOORAY FOR ME!!! KA-KA-KA-KA! (If you don't watch Dave Chappelle, don't bother with the joke)

Went to place an order for 3 months' supply of contacts (known in some circles as "Frequent Replacement Spherical") and I was expecting them to lay some bullsh!t "you gotta have a prescription less than 2 years old" but they didn't. Even better, they had my specific request in stock, so I walked in and out in minutes with my contacts, which will probably last me 1.5 years, or thereabouts.

Came home, got a haircut (a good one) and then 3rd striked wit bob. WHOOPED his monkey-a$$! Man I was just doin my thing (control pad, not stick) and Things just came together for me. I ended up with a roster of Chun-Li (Flash color), Urien, Ryu, Hugo and Alex (in that order). Theo used Ibuki, Alex, Necro, Dudley, Ken, Alex, Makoto, Yun and Yang (I think that's all--maybe more) and he repeated some selections but the match totals ended up: 17-4, with a magnificent 11 win streak by Urien (I randomized super arts here and there).

That's what I like, good match play (tho theo noticeably got worse the angrier he got--less parrying, more throwing and carelessness). The tension was crazy! One thing theo needs to master is trash talk. In between matches he isn't very jovial; he takes the loss too seriously methinks. Anyhoo, at least I was up by the point he quit, I mean I rly, rly, rly, rly, RLY hate it when he's up like 8-3 then he quits when I'm just getting a rhythm going.

That's 3rd strike for ya. Exciting, innit?

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⇒ squash!

(break: w15d1-->days on break: 106)
late friday night edition

squashed against Vincent and his 2 cousins today (Raymond and Richmond). Mostly lost but did give Vince a good scare with my serve (he hasn't seen it in a while or doesn't remember it). Anyways, he adjusted to it too quickly for me to win but I did outlast him. I was still raring to go when he declared himself out of competition. The fitness training is starting to pay off.

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⇒ chuc mung tet nam moi

(break: w14d4-->days on break: 102)
i think that's how you spell it. Viet new year has come and gone once again. Extended family came to visit but didn't stay very long. Mum went down to Canberra with Linh.
All good at home.

Squashed--got thrashed 12-4, mostly due to sore calf from all the running last week and theo's ferocious new serve: fast, deep and in the corners...I'll need a better strategy to curb his serving. One courageouse moment: was down 6-0, then broke back all the way to victory with 11-6! That's 11 straight points!

Then went gym but didn't do any cardio (because of the calf). Did inclined bench press. Changed it up between 40, 30 and 20kgs. Totalled 1060kg-ish. Did vert chest fly. Mostly high reps using low weights. Totalled 2080lbs-ish. Did vert chest press. Again, mostly high rep, low weight. Totalled 2260lbs-ish. Then went for a swim to cool off. I'm starting to get comfortable being at the very bottom of the deep end. The pressure doesn't bother me as much anymore.

I must say, having shed some weight (mostly toned up and shed weight/gained muscle mass at the same time) I noticed that when I fall over, it actually hurts more. There's less meat to cushion the fall!

304 poke high
310 requiem for a dead barber
311 eatin out
318 married...with prom queen (the sequel)

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⇒ end of the week

(break: w12d1-->days on break: 85)

went gymmin and swimmin for 4th day this week. Seeing as it was the end of the week i was thinkin of easin off but i didn't. I really pushed myself and improved my 5km time (i think). Did the 5km in 43'45" (pb?). Would have been sub-42' i reckon but i felt a bit dehydrated. Anyway, average speed was 6.7 and over 300 cals burned.

This is all well and good but I realize I really need to cut down my sugar intake. that's probably the one aspect of my diet-exercise regimen which hasn't changed. So far, I've cut down on junk food, eat more red meat, more veggies (as opposed to none) and drink more fluids but the sugar levels are still too high. This is probably why I haven't slimmed as much as I expected. But I need the energy!

last nite a mosquito tried to mess with me. He thought he could tussle with me in the pitch dark and get away with it. I showed him. I caught him intact and examined him for a bit before pulverizing him into a stain. I was so alert I managed to capture him intact and mug for a photo before squishing him. here's the pic:


new squash digs to scope out. I'm aiming at 8 per court per hour or less during off peak times and some competitive rate during peak;
Bondi-Waverley Squash Club Bondi Junction 2022 (02) 9387 1452
Catholic Club Squash Sydney 2000 (02) 9283 1826
Hiscoes Squash Centre Surry Hills 2010 (02) 9699 3233
full list here

and a few more:
NSW Squash Ltd : Wenthworth Park Sporting Compl, Ultimo, NSW 2007
Phone: (02) 9660 0311

Rushcutters Bay Tennis Centre : 7 Waratah ST, Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2011
Phone: (02) 9357 1675

White City Tennis Club Ltd : 30 Alma ST, Paddington, NSW 2021
Phone: (02) 9360 4113

Palms Tennis Centre : Quarry RD, Paddington, NSW 2021
Phone: (02) 9363 4955

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⇒ cold but i gymmed

(break: w11d7-->days on break: 84)

very sore from all that exercise yesterday. I forced myself to go today. I was pretty cold and overcast when I went but I still went. Did a bit of treadmill and weights, mostly went easy on myself because I'm so sore from squash yesterday.

Managed 2.2km in 20' on treaddy. Everything else: light weights * high reps. Even got in the pool for a bit. Got out pretty quickly too. The cold water helped my sore muscles but I got out because I was totally drained and had no energy/stamina left for swimmin.

Looking into a cheaper squash court. USYD just jacked up their price AGAIN de bastards! How greedy iz u?!? Also need to try out a steam room/sauna strictly for slimming purposes (I saw Bob De Niro use one in Raging Bull). There are some dodgy steam room/sauna establishments in Sydney...

Squash court listing (not totally comprehensive) | Olympic Park golf driving range. Automated ball dispensers! I must try...

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⇒ squashy!

(break: w11d6-->days on break: 83)

squashed, gymmed and swimmed today! Got car chores done too! Car chores lasted almost 4 hours, squash about 75', gym about 30' and swim about 10'.

All in all pretty good. I didn't run or cycle but that's cause I ran my ass orff in squash. I triumphed over Theo 6 wins to 5. He was leading 4 matches to 1 but I broke back. In the end, I felt slightly uncomfortable on court because of the scratch on my achilles and my really lame ass reaction time but my serving pretty much won it for me.

At the gym I rowed for 6'. I don't remember the numbers on the computer but it read something like 100 cals. Did chest fly, shoulder press, vert chest press, gym ball and ab roller.

Cooled off in the pool.

Harold and Kumar 2!!!
The sequel is set in motion on the same morning that Harold and Kumar finally satisfy their munchies at White Castle and the object of Harold's affection, Maria (Garces), sets off for Amsterdam. The pair decide to pursue her so Harold can proclaim his love. But when an overzealous passenger mistakes Kumar for a terrorist, the plane is diverted and the boys are off on a new escapade of mistaken identity.

From Guantanamo Bay through the Deep South, Harold and Kumar encounter myriad wackos, jerks and whores as they are pursued by the Department of Homeland Security all the way into Bush Country.

I'm there!

Vista launched today. So many Mac features copied. I eagerly await the Leopard! Here's a question: Why is it that gaming consoles can play games without installing them (and in my general experience, with near zero load time) yet PCs/Macs can't? This is a serious question, I'm not kidding. I mean I get that the PC edition is supposed to have more features/what-not but Can't it all be done off the disc with a little bit of HDD dedicated to saves? I don't feel the need to jukebox my games or free up the disc drive.

New iPod shuffle color! more pics here

listening to: Terminator 2 soundtrack by Brad Fiedel. Es fantastic!

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