Thanks to you

I'm bored.
My head ache.
I've got stomach cramp.
And my back is killing me.
But...
It is not the physical pain that keeps me from having a good day.
It is not the journey that makes me grumpy all day.
The fact that I had to make the journey alone is the reason I can't find bliss today.
So dude if you are reading this, thanks for ruining my day.

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The Creature in the Case

I finished reading this book last month, a day after I finished reading This End of the Rainbow but was too damn busy with lots of things that only now did I managed to spend some time reviewing this book.

The reason I picked this book instead of the Ragwitch from the shelves was simply because it is the story of Nicholas. Remember him? Yup, he is the same Nicholas from Lirael and Abhorsen who was possessed by the evil Orannis. The same guy that I'd fallen in love with. Hehe...

I said in Abhorsen's review that I think Garth Nix, the author, has more tricks up his sleeves and this book is part of it. The other is Across the Wall, which is something I put my eyes on but haven't had the chance to found it in any of the bookstores I usually go to.

The creature in the case told the story of Nicholas who was eager to go back to the Old Kingdom approximately six month ofter the event in Abhorsen. He couldn't put the eccentric country (and Lireal) out of his mind and desperate to return to the Old Kingdom. He had been pastering his Uncle Edward, the Chief Minister of Ancelstierre, about his intention. His uncle promised him the journey to the Old Kingdom but in return Nicholas has to do him a favor. He need to spend one weekend at a remote country house.

And so the adventure begins. Apparently the party that he was made to attend to was only a facade to cover up for the secret operation that was to bring back a relic creature from the Old Kingdom to live. To unleash it power it needs Nicholas blood (there is an irony about what happened if the creature drank too much of Nicholas blood but I am not going to spoil it).

Nicholas had to fight the creature and stop it from crossing the wall. The only help that came from across the wall is Lirael.

The creature in the case is a short story that really kept reader interested in finding out what happen next after the trilogy. A little warning though that the end of this story will leave you on the edge. Although at first I was hoping that this book will quenched my thirst for the Abhorsen trilogy, the book was actually keep me wanting for more (unfortunately there are none). Also if you were hoping to see the familiar faces, don't. You are going to be disappointed.

Jeez, I miss Sameth!!

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Although I am a big fan of TMNT as a kid, over the years I thought I had outgrown them. But when I found out that they were going to release the latest movie of these 4 mutant turtles, I was actually looking forward to it specially after I saw the trailer.

It is a 3-D movie and some of the people that I asked to accompany me for the movie were reluctant to see it because they were worried that it is not up to their expectation.

However it does not disappoint me and I enjoyed myself very much.

It is darker than the usual TV TMNT show that we all grow up to love but it does not lost its originality. It is a fun, action pack, comedy filled thrill ride movie from the beginning to the end and I would not want it any other way.

Shredder is gone. The 4 ninjas faced new enemies which are pretty much ancient but immortal unless they managed to send them back to the vortex where they were curse to be immortal. But before they can terminated the bad guys, Raphael and Leornado need to clear the tension between them first otherwise they can't unite as a team and would only bring failure to their mission. By the way, Casey and April is still around too. So does Karai from the Foot Clan.

My favorite turtle is still Michealangelo (Cawabanga dude!!) and he's one of the reason I laugh so much during the movie. I still did not like Leornado too much (he's my least favorite turtle of the four) but I felt the voice actor added an extra layer to him I didn't expect to find. However I did not really bought Master Splinter's character probably because I think the voice actor did not fully connect to the character.

My favorite scene would be the time when Leonardo confront the Night Watcher/Raphael on the roof and it was raining. This is where I think the animation did a really good job. Praise to them.

Some of the quotes from the movies:

Michelangelo: [Winters crashes onto the floor in front of the turtles] That's Winters? Looks more like 'Fall.' Get it?

Raphael: You're still here? Go back to your jungle.
Leonardo : At least his personality is still intact.

Casey Jones : [after seeing one of the monsters] You do realize that all I've got is a wooden baseball bat, right?

Michelangelo: I have nightmares about birthday parties.

Michelangelo: What do you think it is?
Donatello: An interdimensional portal to a distant world, I would assume.
Michelangelo: Ooooh! I want one!

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Meet the Robinsons

I was quite 'ify at first about this movie. I'm not sure whether or not it may not hold the attention of people that accompany me specially when the showed the Mickey Mouse cartoon at the start of the movie which in my opinion was a let down (bare in mind though that I am not a Mickey Mouse fan so my opinion definitely going to be bias. Hehe).

Once the movie started, I knew I worried for no reason. The story line is strong and the visual is extremely appealing. To make story short, it is the kind of things you expect from a Disney's work.

The story is not all for fun though. By the end of the story I am sure your kids (if you bring them along) will have learn few things. The biggest lesson we all can learn from this movie though is that family is very important to us regardless how in denial you are about it.

My favorite characters in this movie would be Wilbur, Franky the frog and Goob. Specially Goob!

My favorite scenes are when the Bowler Hat Guy uses his mind control device to eliminates Lewis using first Franky and later on the T-Rex. Here are one of the scene you all should look forward to when you decides to watch the movie:

[Bowler Hat Guy is using a T-Rex to get Lewis]
Bowler Hat Guy: Now my slave, sieze the boy!
[the T-Rex charges but can't reach Lewis because he is against a wall]
Bowler Hat Guy: Why aren't you siezing the boy?
Tiny the T-Rex: [Speaking in Dinosaur language with English subtitles] I have a big head, and little arms.

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Bahrain GP

Grand Prix Bahrain merupakan perlumbaan yang sempurna buat Felipe Massa apabila beliau berjaya mendapat tempat pertama selepas mendahului perlumbaan dari mula hingga akhir dari petak pertama. Ini ialah kemenangan pertama beliau untuk pasukan Ferrari sejak musim baru 2007 bermula dan kemenangan ketiga untuk sepanjang karier beliau dengan Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton menamatkan perlumbaan sekali lagi di tempat kedua dengan Kimi Raikkonen terpaksa berpuas hati dengan tempat ketiga.

Massa mendahului perlumbaan sebaik sahaja kelima-lima lampu merah padam namun bukan tanpa persaingan yang sengit dari Hamilton. Raikkonen, Alonso, Heidfeld dan Kubica kekal di tempat masing-masing. Heikki Kovalainen merupakan pemandu yang paling banyak berganjak ke tempat ke-9 dari petak ke-12.

Di belakang grid, Takuma Sato dan Adrian Sutil menyebabkan Jenson Button dan Scott Speed terkeluar dari perlumbaan. Insiden ini memaksa Safety Car keluar pada pusingan yang pertama. Adrian Sutil kemudian kembali ke pit untuk memperbaiki keretanya dan mengambil bahagian semula 2 pusingan selepas itu.

Safety Car kembali ke pit pada pusingan ke-3 dan perlumbaan bermula semula. Massa tidak mempunyai sebarang masalah untuk mengekalkan kedudukannya dari kedua-dua pemandu McLaren. Raikkonen pula kelihatan tidak bersedia untuk memulakan perlumbaan selepas Safety Car masuk ke pit dan ketinggalan agak jauh di belakang Alonso apabila mereka melepasi garisan permulaan. Namun beliau segera bangkit dan mula mencatat masa terpantas untuk mengejar Alonso dan selepas satu pusingan beliau mula bertindak untuk memintas juara dunia tersebut.

Nico Rosberg dan Alex Wurz masing-masing mengejar Jarno Trulli untuk kedudukan kesepuluh pada pusingan ke-6. Persaingan ini berlanjutan untuk beberapa pusingan. Pada pusingan ke-9 Rosberg kehilangan tempatnya pada Coulthard apabila hampir-hampir melanggar teman sepasukannya.

Selapas 10 pusingan kedudukan 10 teratas ialah Massa, Lewis, Raikkonen, Alonso, Heidfeld, Kubica, Fisichella, Webber, Kovalainen dan Trulli.

Pada pusingan ke-15 Jarno Trulli berjaya memintas Kovalainen untuk ke-9 dan Coulthard telah memintas Wurz untuk tempat ke-10.

Pusingan ke-17 Wurz, Coulthard dan Schumacher antara yang pertama masuk ke pit untuk pitstop. Coulthard keluar diharapan Wurz.

Lewis masuk ke pit untuk pitstop pada pusingan ke-19. Beliau antara pemandu 10 ke atas yang pertama masuk ke pit untuk pitstop rutin beliau. Seperti yang dijangkakan, kereta beliau lebih ringan dari teman sepasukannya Alonso pada sessi kelayakan semalam.

Pusingan ke-21, giliran Massa untuk pitstop rutin beliau. Ferrari mengisi kurang minyak pada kereta Massa untuk memastikan beliau keluar ke litar di hadapan Lewis dan strategi mereka membuahkan hasil.

Pusingan ke-22, Alonso masuk ke pit dan Raikkonen mendahului perlumbaan ini. Liuzzi pula terpaksa memberhentikan perlumbaan apabila pasukan Toro Rosso mendapati kereta STR02 beliau mempunyai masalah.

Pusingan ke-23, Raikkonen dan Heidfeld masuk ke pit untuk pitstop rutin masing-masing dan Ferrari sekali lagi berjaya dalam strategi mereka apabila Raikkonen kembali ke litar dihadapan Alonso untuk memintas pemandu Sepanyol itu untuk tempat ke-3. Heidfeld pula masih kekal di tempat ke-5 dan segera memberi cabaran kepada Alonso.

Selepas pusingan ke-30, 10 tempat teratas ialah Massa, Lewis, Raikkonen, Alonso, Heidfeld, Kubica, Coulthard, Fisichella, Webber dan Trulli.

Heidfeld berjaya memintas Alonso pada pusingan ke-31. Ia merupakan pintasan terbaik buat musim 2007 setakat ini dan Dr Mario Theissen sedia maklum tentang kenyataan ini apabila beliau dan anak-anak buahnya tersenyum gembira di kotak pit BMW Sauber. Kereta MP4-22 yang dipandu Alonso nampaknya tidak memberi tindak balas seperti yang diharapkan beliau.

Enjin kereta Sato gagal berfungsi sebaik sahaja beliau melintas garisan permulaan pada pusingan ke-34 dan memaksa beliau terkeluar dari perlumbaan. Beliau adalah mangsa ke-4 yang gagal menamatkan perlumbaan Grand Prix Bahrain. Dihadapan grid pula Raikkonen mula mengejar Lewis untuk tempat ke-2.

Coulthard adalah mangsa ke-5 perlumbaan ini apabila enjin kereta beliau pula gagal berfungsi disebabkan ‘over-heating’ pada pusingan ke-37.

Massa masuk ke pit untuk pitstop rutin kedua beliau pada pusingan ke-40. Beliau kembali ke litar di belakang Alonso namun pemandu-pemandu dihadapan beliau masih belum masuk ke pit untuk pitstop rutin kedua mereka.

Raikkonen dan Heidfeld pula masuk ke pit untuk pitstop rutin kedua sepusingan selepas Massa. Lewis kini mendahului perlumbaan Grand Prix Bahrain.

Pada pusingan ke-42, giliran Webber pula terkeluar dari perlumbaan maka berakhirlah perlumbaan buat pasukan Red Bull Racing seperti mana pasukan ‘adik’ mereka Toro Rosso.

Pusingan ke-43 Alonso masuk ke pit untuk pitstop rutin kedua beliau dan kembali ke litar di belakang Heidfeld. Teman sepasukannya pula masuk ke pit pada pusingan ke-44 dan Massa kembali mendahului perlumbaan ini. Beliau keluar dihadapan hadapan Raikkonen di tempat ke-2.

Massa tidak melakukan sebarang kesilapan sepanjang perlumbaan. Ini dapat menebus kesilapan besar beliau di Sepang minggu lalu apabila beliau terleka pada permulaan perlumbaan dan seterusnya terbabas apabila cuba memintas Hamilton.

Davidson adalah mangsa ke-enam Grand Prix Bahrain apabila enjin beliau mengeluarkan asap dan minyak pada pusingan ke-52. Kedua-dua pemandu Super Aguri mengalami masalah yang sama dengan kereta mereka.

Hamilton dan Fisichella tidak akan hanya menerima nasib mereka tanpa mencuba untuk memintas Massa dan Trulli. Dengan 3 baki pusingan, Hamilton mengejar Massa dan kurang 4 saat memisahkan beliau dengan pemandu Ferrari tersebut. Alonso juga tidak berputus asa untuk memintas Heidfeld untuk tempat ke-4. Massa yang pada pusingan ke-10 mula yakin yang beliau akan memenangi perlumbaan ini mula merasa bahang dari cabaran Hamilton dan memberi tindak balas yang sepatutnya.

Massa berjaya mengekalkan kedudukan pertama beliau dengan Hamilton terpaksa berpuas hati di tempat ke-2. Kimi Raikkonen tidak dapat mengejar Hamilton dan menamatkan perlumbaan di tempat ke-3. Heidfeld sekali lagi mengakhiri perlumbaan di tempat ke-4 dengan Alonso tidak jauh di belakangnya. Kubica berada di tempat ke-6 sementara Trulli kekal di tempat ke-7. Fisichella mengumpul mata terakhir perlumbaan di tempat ke-8.

Alonso, Hamilton dan Raikkonen kini berkongsi 22 mata dan mendahului Kejuaraan Pemandu. Massa ketinggalan 5 mata di belakang mereka.

Dengan kemenangan ini, kini Massa membuktikan bahawa beliau adalah setanding dengan teman sepasukannya Kimi Raikkonen dan persaingan antara mereka berdua akan menjadi lebih sengit lagi selepas ini. Seperti kata Massa diakhir perlumbaan: “Fantastico!”

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Malaysian GP

The trip to Sepang as always is something to remember specially this year I spent a lot of time hanging out with Leah. Too bad my friends refused to join me for the fun.

Anyway this year I didn't go to the circuit on Friday, instead I went to KLCC with Alea. The plan was to catch the BMW Sauber Pit Lane Park but after we arrived, there were too many people and I learn that the event was taking place at the KLCC parking which was actually required us to walk more than 500m. As we were both lazy bums, we decided to went straight home instead, but not before we had lunch!

I went to Sepang on Saturday with my mom and my aunt. Both of them used Abang Nizam's tix to get into the circuit since he hadn't arrived yet. Why would I want to go alone when I can promote the event to my family right? Thank god my mom is hooked. She'll be joining us next year for sure. Now I just have to convince my dad...

Massa was on pole, beating Alonso to it. I got a big grin plastered on my face for the rest of the day.

Oh btw did I mentioned that we were all seating at the Turqouise grandstand this year?

I got another free tix on Sunday and I offered it to Nadeem and this kid was so excited to go to the GP that he actually woke up at 6 and expected us to made a move at 7am! lol...

It was a nice race except for the fact that Massa screwed up big time during the race. He was too overzealous to make a pass on Hamilton that he went off track! But at least I got something to cheer about because Alonso won the race with Heidfeld finished at 4th place. BMW Sauber is a genuine number third team on the grid at the moment.

As opposed to last year, I did not went straight back to Johor after the race. This time we spent another night at Bukit Jelutong.

On Monday we all went to Ikea first. Shopping jangan tak shopping... Only afterwards baru we all went back to Johor. I am the designated driver from Friday to Monday. My back is killing me!!!

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