The World Cup Is Here!

Been so busy with life, hadn't had the time to write a proper post with predictions and all. But if you really know me, you'll know that there is only one team I will ever pick to win the World Cup...

P.S.: Will be back with more of my predictions and an update on a possible guest spot on a local World Cup TV show. Stay tuned!

WWE Live In Malaysia This October!

As incredible as it may sound, it was some 12 years ago that the WWE last held a "live" event here in Malaysia. I say "incredible" cos as you know, pro wrestling has a huge following here since time immemorial. Generations of Malaysians have been huge fans of the sport, no matter the background, income bracket or race. So when WWE Superstars turned up in the flesh in 2002, the buzz was huge, needless to say.

And after a long absence, WWE will be back here for not one, but TWO nights of sweat, suplexes and scantily-clad divas (maybe)! 

The goss had been circulating for quite a bit and when it was announced that WWE legend Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat was going to be in town for a "special announcement", the rumour turned into exciting anticipation.

And through my association with PGM (Peminat Gusti Malaysia, a club that I've been supporting since my MHI days), I was invited to the press conference at KLCC on the 22nd of May.

Apart from the press, there were 60 of us from PGM and also MWC (Malaysian Wrestling Club), and as a result, it turned out to be more than a normal press conference complete with decked-out fanatics and wrestling chants.

And of course everyone went into a frenzy when the legend himself made his entrance.

So, here are the details: WWE Live Malaysia Tour will be held on 10 & 11 October 2014 at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil brought to you by Astro. Some of the superstars who'll be coming include John Cena, Bad News Barrett, The Shield and the Family Wyatt.

Tickets will go on sale beginning 31st May 2014 through ticketpro. And here are the pricing details:

I'm pretty much there. Most probably at ringside. Personally, this would be my third "live" WWE event, the first being No Mercy 2000 in Albany, New York. 

See you guys there! Whatcha gonna do when the WWE runs wild on youuuuuuuu....

Building Big: Week 4 of 8

So, a few weks back, I decided to break the monotony of my regular training and picked up one of those workout books with lofty proclamations. This particlar one was: "Build Big Arms in 8 Weeks".

Published by the folks at Men's Fitness, the workouts did look interesting and doable for someone like me (still learning the ropes with slightly limited time).

As so I took up the challenge, and it turned out to be tougher than expected, but thoroughly ENJOYABLE!

Anyway, after 2 weeks, I was pretty satisfied with the results...

Please don't bang my poyo pose though, still learning mah!

And this is me after 4 weeks. Feeling better than ever although I was a bit under the weather for a good one week. Looking forward to the next 4 weeks. Keep lifting, folks!

MH370: It's Not, And NEVER Will Be Funny...

A few days ago, the topic on BFM's "Talkback Thursday" was (I'm paraphrasing here): "How soon is too soon to joke about MH370?"

Unfortunately, most callers went off topic when they basically took potshots at the "bungling authorities" who've been responsible for some conflicting info and flip flopping. But those who stayed on the subject basically said that a tragedy is never funny, and that there is no place for humour when the grieving has yet to end.

As someone who very much appreciates humour and deploys it regularly for just about anything, here's what I think: The loss of innocent lives is NEVER funny. For example, we don't make fun of those who died in the Highland Towers incident. It's been years, but when a documentary on it was shown on History Channel, everyone still feels the shock, pain and suffering.

The Tsunami of 2004 will never be "funny". Although the word "tsunami" itself has crept into our consciousness now, and the context of which is often times, inappropriately used; there's nothing funny in how people were swept away to their deaths.

Back to MH370, it's even made harder as we're nowhere near to finding out what really happened. There is simply no closure yet, even a month after it happened. And while it's easy to type #PrayForMH370 on your keyboard, it has not gotten easier for the families of those who're involved to understand and accept this unexpected tragedy.

So really, is it THAT hard to apply common sense in this situation and determine ourselves what's appropriate and what's utterly tasteless?

I was one of those who took potshots at the bomoh and his coconuts, but that was only because I believe the bomoh himself was insulting everyone, including the passengers' families. But really, it's just best for us to shut up and actually pray for some answers (and I mean, actual praying, not praying through hashtagging).

And so, to me.... Chef Wan's Instagram post on finding a piece of debris? TASTELESS.

Hashtag similar to #PrayForMH370, like #PrayForManU? Not funny, and VERY insulting.

But the most insulting I've come across so far is the already-infamous AirAsia inflight magazine article which includes this inset...

Yes, this is indeed beyond tasteless.

The airline though has come out to apologise and say that the whole article was prepared well in advance. As someone who've worked in publishing before, I can confirm that this is true. BUT, there was ample time for the publishers to have gone through the pages again after the incident happened to ensure that nothing sensitive was published. And I sure do hope that this was indeed written well in advance, as a potshot like this, if done intentionally, actually borders on being criminal.

I remember an incident when I was still editing FHM (Malaysia). Now, FHM is a magazine that takes the piss out of everything. Yet, when the Australia edition published some so-called "funny" captions on photos of people being crushed at Hillsborough in a 2002 issue, all hell broke loose. The stunt was described as "sickening" and "tasteless beyond belief", and there was no way to defend it. Personally, I myself wanted to punch the editor in the face.

And that's what people who even think about making fun of this tragedy really deserve...

English College: 100 Years Of Excellence

Full story coming soon, but first, enjoy these snaps : )