The Testament

I finished reading this book last month, before my trip to Sepang International Circuit for the 2006 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix.

I had been so busy that it took me this long to review the books.

Before I start with the reviewing, I should make myself clear that I am not really a big fan of John Grisham. I have nothing against him but there are times when I had had enough reading about lawyer, courtrooms and judges.

Personally I don't think this is the best book from John Grisham. I've read better ones like The Rainmaker, The Runaway Jury, The Pelican Brief and The Firm. But do not let me discourage you from reading this book.

The Testament is about a multibillionaire man named Troy Phelan who was an eccentric old man, and hate his six children. Each of them will not have your sympathy and makes you understand why Troy did what he did. He tricked his three ex-wives, his greedy spawn, their sleezy lawyers and psychiatrists into believing that he will devide his 11 billions dollars estate and left it for their disposal. He then shocked everyone, including his lawyer Josh, when he commited suicide minutes after he signed a new will he prepared himself. In this new testament, he left his estate not to his six grasping spolied children but instead to his legitimate child name Rachel, who is a missionary somewhere in Brazil.

To locate her, Josh send Nate O'Riley - a washed up alcoholic ligitator. Nate went to Brazil in search of this mysterious heir. After one near-death trip and one failed suicidal attempt, Nate reached a remoted settlement in the Pantanal and found what he's looking for.

Rachel Lane is a pure-hearted missionary carrying 'God's work'. She makes it clear that she is not interested with the money and wants nothing to do with it. Her dedication and kindness impresses Nate. He has not only found Rachel but was also introduce to God so much so that when he came with dengue fever, it leds him to a vision that pretty much change his life.

Back at home, Troy's written will had start a whole new procession in court. His hungry descendents decided to contested the will and gain control of the richness which they think supposed to be theirs. They left the matters to their lawyers who are as greedy as them and they are ready to do anything to get the money.

Failed to changed Rachel's mind about the money, Nate went back home and was appointed as her lawyer by Josh to deceived her six siblings. The proceeding went as plan. Josh and Nate expertly manipulate the outcome made it so that the six children and their lawyers have no choice but to settle out of court for some sum of small money (compared to the billion dollars).

Nate went back to the Pantanal to give Rachel the news but he didn't found her. Instead he discover grave news about the friend that he had come to love and cherish.

I wouldn't want to spoil the book and gave out everything. To know what happen to Rachel, you just have to read the book yourself.

I for one wish Grisham had choose a different ending as it was so anti-climax, I felt cheated.

Read More

My trip to 2006 PMGP

Sorry it took me this long to post anything up after the race. Fatigue was the main reason of the delay.

Anyway, the trip to Sepang this year was pretty eventful, sadly not on the track though. It was dullest race I've been to so far with nothing much going on the track. I'm sure many would agree.

Okay allow me to start from the beginning.

I went to Sepang on Thursday since I've got some work need to be done. Half way through the highway, my left rear tyre deflated. I was alone so I pulled over, jacked the car up and waited for help. I was lucky the plus patrol were on their round. They were the heroes that came to my rescue. Two and a half hour later, I'm at Sepang watching the team prepared for the race weekend.

I went to the circuit very early on Friday, caught up with few of the team members heading to paddock. The preparations for Friday practice were well underway. I stayed at the grandstand for the practice session. I forgot to bring my earplug and found out I dont need it anyway. V8 sounds like crap! It lacks the umphh factor. I was quite disappointed when both Nick and Jacques didn't clocked any time for the first practice although Kubica was again very impressive. The temperature rised to 40 'C as I waited patiently for the second practice session to start. I was thankful though to see Jacques managed to be in the top ten for the second practice and all three BMW drivers were within less than a second off each other. Not bad.

I bought my BMW merchandises on Saturday. Got a friend that can get me discount on those items. Bought a whole lot of them! Because I am a lazy bum, I just sit around the grandstand for the whole day. I sat in front of Ferrari garage and it was fascinating to see them prepared for each run. Not to mentioned to see the drivers around the garage, waving occasionally to the crowd. The first and second segment of qualifying sessions were pretty hectic and I enjoyed it very much but found the third session was a bore. Drivers go round and round the track burning up fuel and that pretty much it.

As for Sunday, I was hoping for rain and it did came but only last for less than a minute. Crap...

The fact that Kimi DNF so early makes the race less entertaining. Renault winning is a good thing but I rather see them fight for it. The occassional engine blow out was the only source of entertainment during the whole race. Too bad that one of the engine that goes kaboom belongs to Nick. I was so pissed off then and almost decide to went straight home but since Massa was doing pretty awesome and Jacques still running, I just have to stay put. I waited till the end of the race and good that I did because Michael made an appearance after the race to entertained his fans. That's what I like about Michael. He's the only driver that shows he care about his fans. Renault had quite a party after the race but neither Fisi or Alonso bothered to waved to the crowd no matter how many times the fans called out to them.

I went home on Monday with a major sunburn and camera loaded with pics.

Now here comes the part where I pissed myself off.

I loaded all the pics to a folder in my laptop. After that I immediately deleted all the files in the camera, like I always did when I'd uploaded them. After that I re-opened the folder and guess what? Apparently there were some problem during the upload. The files didn't uploaded completely. As a result, I lost all the pics!! The only pics around are from my sister's.

Its a disaster!

:cry:

Read More

Let the race begin!

10 more days before the FIA Formula One 2006 season start. This is the most anticipating season for me personally because there are too many question that needed to be answered. The answer will only present itself when the season unfold starting March 12, 2006.

What else could be more exciting than watching 22 cars on the grid, with 22 good looking drivers (at least some of them), battle it out on the track to be known literally as the best in motorsport world? I can't think of anything else that can make my adrenalin pumping so hard (Okay... besides when I was in a bookstore but that doesn't count ...) than watching this most prestigious motorsports taking place, creating history every single year.

For those who are clueless, let me brief you on this subject. According to Wikipedia, Formula One which also known as Grand Prix Racing is the highest class of open-seat open-wheel formula auto racing. The grand prix held on close streets or circuits that are purposedly-built all over the world, whose results determine two annual World Championship, one for drivers and the other for constructors.

The rules change again for 2006 season. The most striking is instead of using the normally-aspirated V10 engines, the teams will use V8 engine with displacement of 2.4 litres. Special emphasizes are also put on electronics. aerodynamics, suspensions and tyres.

New qualifying rules were enacted as well which sees the qualifying divided into three segments, the first two being a knock-out heat for a final 20-minute shoot-out between the 10 fastest drivers. The 12 driver eliminated after the two heats will be allowed to refuel their cars at their discretion. However there's a loophole with this complicated new qualifying system. It will create a perverse incentive fo teams to adopt 'go-slow' tactics to save fuel while still adding to their tally of laps. To pre-empt teams exploiting the loophole, FIA had introduced a 110 percent rule. Only laps that are within the 110 percent of a drivers' fastest will be eligible for a fuel credit.

At one time, there were more than 20 cars on the grid but as the years gone by, the cost escalated massively, which force privateers to leave the sports. The latest victims were Sauber and Minardi, both had sold their team to the manufacturer BMW and Red Bull respectively. All hope is not lost yet as there is a new additions to the grid this year with Super Aguri F1 Team, which can also be known as Honda 'B' Team, with the kamikaze Sato and Ide at the wheels. Many predicts that this team will be the next Minardi.

And then we have the usual contenders: Ferrari, Renault, McLaren, Honda and Toyota. These are the favorites to fight for the constructor's title. From the winter testing, it looks like 2006 will be a very interesting year indeed. All of those teams had showed great potential with their race pace although there are still realibilty issues that need to be addressed by a certain team - McLaren. Honda looks set to win the title. Their third driver, Anthony Davidson concluded the last winter test for 2006 by smashing the lap record (01:08:540) at Valencia circuit yesterday which was set the day before by Raikkonen. This proved that V8 can be as fast, if not faster, as V10 engine. Last year World Constructor Championship, Renault, have no problem with either the pace or the realibility which are still their strong point at the moment. They will be the team to beat again this year, make no mistake. After the disastrous season last year, Ferrari is set to redeemed themselves. They had shows some incredible pace throughout the winter testing and with Michael Schumacher determine than ever, other teams should look out for the red-scarlet. Toyota had all the money in the world at their disposal and after 4 years since their race debut, they need to prove that money talks, in this sports specifically.

Lets move on to the midfield teams. We had Williams, Red Bull Racing and BMW Sauber F1. After BMW leave Williams and create their own team by buying Sauber, Williams collaborate with Ford to supply the Cosworth engine for their chassis. People expect them to do well in 2006 particularly because Cosworth is known to developed the V8 engines ahead of everyone else and this could be the advantages needed by Williams. There were nothing to be ashamed of Red Bull Racing debut season last year. They beat the more experience teams like Sauber and Jordan and ended up finishing seventh in the WCC. With Ferrari engine at the back of RB2, they could move up couple of places in the hunt for the title. Since the debut of f1.06, BMW Sauber F1 had wowwed many people with the realibility and the race pace of the car. Since they have the money to further develop their car (which what Sauber lacked of), I wouldn't be surprised if they knocked out Williams.

And so we have the usual suspect for the backmarkers: Midland F1 Racing, Scuderia Toro Rosso (Red Bull Racing 'B' Team) and the newly add Super Aguri F1. For the first time in many years, we could be looking for an interesting fights at the back of the grid. Some of the teams might also have the potential to beat the midfielder.

However it is quite hard to predict who will win the drivers' championship. If Alonso had made himself available instead of signing with McLaren one year before the move take place, I would have pick him - no doubt. Now that he has shoot himself on the foot, it is a toss between him, Michael and Kimi. It has been 2 years in a row where Kimi came close second to the title. I'm sure by now he's ravenous. There is nothing else he want besides to be crowned as the champion. If McLaren didn't rob him from victory with all the realibility issues, he will have no problem clinching the title. Michael want to end his career on the high and winning his 8th title wouldn't be too bad. No one in right mind would have doubts that he can't do it. As for Fernando Alonso, if he gets full commitment from the team (which he has backstabbed) then he can add a second title to his resume simply because Renault is still the team to beat. He might be commited a hundred percent to Renault, but the question remains whether or not the team will commited to him like they did last year.

As for me personally, I will be rooting for BMW Sauber F1 because a) Sauber is my favorite team, b) Nick Heidfeld, c) I love BMW! d) they had Petronas as their premium partner. I predict both Nick and Jacques Villeneuve to finish in top ten, with podium or two under their belt. A win would have been great too. 5th place for the WCC is realistic aim, don't you think?

Read More

East of Eden

I picked up John Steinbeck's East of Eden early last year. I became a fan of his overnight. I can put him on the same shelf with the like of Dickens and Shakespears although they were all have different ways with their writings.

Dickens is well-known for his fecund imaginations and comic genius, never to depart from his typical "Dickensian" where he introduced numerous memorable characters which he blends with his powerful social sensibilities. Not to mention his vivid descriptions of life in 19th century England in all of his fictions.

Shakespear is famous for his playwright and poetry which often combined complex characterization, poetic grandeur and philosophical depth.

John Steinbeck is known as a naturalist writer. No one can depicted Salinas Valley in the 20th century (also known as 'Steinbeck Country') like he can. The words he choses for his story were more like poetry to me and that was one of the reason why I'm addicted to his works. In my opinion, he's a true American writer of his era. Although many would argued that The Grape of Wrath was his best work, East of Eden will always be my favorite.

There are timeless themes represented in this book.Labor exploitations, siblings rivalry, guilt and betrayal were all combined flawlessly with sympathetic humor and keen social perception.

This book tell the story of three generations of Trasks and Hamiltons - whose helplessly re-play the fall of Adam and Eve and the murderous rivalry of Cain and Abel. It was ironic and interesting to read how two set of brothers compete for the approval and love of their father. Steinbeck masterly manipulate the plot of each families.

There are numerous characters with strong personalities, who are made to be so memorable. There is Adam who was devastated when Cathy leaves him. You will see him grow as a stronger person and a better father later in the book. Charles, Adam's half brother who longed for someone to filled the hole in his heart. Of course there is Cathy, a whore who shot his husband and abandoned her family, conning several men along the way. Also Lee who was loyal servant to patriach Adam Trask and the primary caretaker to Adam's twins Caleb and Aron.

The twins what makes this story particularly intriguing in my opinion. The contrast between their personalities are very interesting. Caleb is the darker side of the twin. He's curious, brave, independent and strong-will. His brother Aron is anything but Caleb. The book bost intense moment to me personally is when Caleb learns the existence of his mother and how the confrontation ends. The evolutions of these characters are one of the reason why Steinbeck is hailed as the master of his craft.

Although supposedly the stories of these families were told by one of the Hamilton's grandson, the book focused more on the Trasks family - making the book perfectly balance.

This is a classic that I'll recommend to anyone.

Read More

Why do Malaysians read so little?

I'm the eldest in my family and I can still remember my first book my dad bought for me. I was 4 years old and the book was Pinocchio. Since then I got a knack for books - storybooks in particular. So I have to thank my dad for this passion of mine.

I tried to do the same thing for my sisters. They already knew what my gift is for their birthday every year: book, but somehow those books always ended up on the bookshelf, collecting dust. I remembered I bought a SpiderMan novel for my sister since she collect everything spidey at that time. After 4 years, she still haven't finished it and only managed to leafed through 20 pages of that book.

I also encouraged them to read any of my books that available in my small library (a.k.a my room) but unfortunately they were easily intimidated either by the thickness of the book, or by the size of the fonts (too small for their liking), or by the lingo because most of my books are literary and classical. Too complicated they say. So I start buying chic-lit and thriller books in hope to get them 'into' it. I even bought books like Pendragon and Harry Potter and Narnia and Inkheart and Magyk but till today there is hardly any improvement in their reading department.

The same goes to my friends. Some do try but never did finish the book they borrowed. 'I'm too busy' is their main excuse. It is kind of a sad situation for me personally. Whenever I tried to engage and immersed them with a good story, they would either be lost or not interested at all, and I was left with this big hole in my heart since I have no one to share the excitements/fulfillment with. It stinks. Big time!

Statistic shows that readers' in Malaysia are a minority, and the numbers were staggering.

I was reading silverfish (local publishing company) bookclub when I encountered this statistic. Silverfish kind of blame it on our educational system. I quote: "It is no secret that for almost 50 years it was geared almost entirely towards producing workers to feed the industrial machine. It was alright to think 'out of the box', as long as it was within the 'BOX'. Study hard, pass exams, don't get involved in anything, repeated ad infinitum: a Malaysian parent-government mantra. I guess, now we pay the price."

Why do Malaysians (at least my family and friends) read so little? In my humble opinion, it was because they never give book the chance to enchanted them with their stories. What a shame.

It really does not matter if the book that we pick up is "light material - romances, ghost stories, and such stuff". What matter is, we read and eventually we'll grew out of it. Even if we don't, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.The fact shows that romances and thrillers far outsell literary books all the time.

What can we do to reverse this trend? My members from pitstop : Luke and macintosh, came up with few conclusions:

• Engage your friend into book discussion even though they don't read much.
• Encourage them into reading by introducing good books, the type that can excite them.
• Share your reading passion with your friends.
• Don't be too quick to say no when someone introduce you to a book.
• It is your responsibilities to instill the reading trend to those who are around you.

Exactly what I have done the last 10 years. Although I can’t turn anyone into a bookworm (yet), I refuse to let the readers in Malaysia to be a minority. The time has come for us to change the mind set of Malaysian people. I will not stop till I succeed. I rather die trying!

Hobey-Ho!

Read More

Anugerah

Let start of with Anugerah by Zaharah Nawawi, shall we?

This is the only Malay novel I possed. My dad bought it for my for my 14th birthday. One of my precious gift I must say. This book is my all time favorite.

So where to start eh? The story is about the time before Independence Day. Most of the plot took place in Johor Bahru. Obviously, since it is the story on how and why UMNO was created. How hard Malay people fought for the Independence of Tanah Melayu, until Barisan Nasional was created to unite other races as well, which Dato' Onn disagreed and created a new party called Semangat 46.

The two main characters, Ramlah and Mariam, represent UMNO women who fought hand in hand with the men during Tanah Melayu political turmoil. Both of them carried the picture of strong-will women with heart made out of gold. They went through countless challenges physically and emotionally, when during the time women were seen unfit to involved in social and politic matters. Their involvement even put a strain on their married life but they never back down.

Anugerah makes you understand the event that took place before Tanah Melayu was named Malaysia from a different perspective. It makes you appreciate the Independence, your inheritance and why you should be proud to be Malaysian.

If you can, go and get yourself this book although I must warn you that this book is out of print now so you might find it almost as an impossible task. I have no problem lending it to those who are interested. Just give me a ring and let see if we can work things out.

That's all for this first edition of klux's book club. Till later,

Hobey-Ho!

Read More