.....One final mini tournament to prepare us folks going to Singapore. I played Mr. PPV and handed Bryan's Leader of Peepulation deck to some random dude because Bryan was indecisive at what he wanted to play (you'll hear later more reasons why he's got second thoughts).. I lost my first game to the Peeps deck because I, erm, cheated...Well I didn't really cheated, I just played cards that I couldn't have played in the first place. I didn't make the play-offs, but surprisingly the other deck did and it won me a title belt.
That night, Azmin, Andy and I had a little chat on what to play and we pitched to Azmin to play Victoria BASH instead of Torrie Wilson. However, most of the time at the Mamak Azmin was so preoccupied with another patron sitting next to us that I doubt he agreed with much proper thought. Admittedly the distraction was, somewhat distracting, but...Nevermind..
Later Bryan confirmed wanting to use my deck, but wasn't too happy that I demanded 50% of whatever that he won in Singapore. Azmin didn't have any issues at all, but Bryan waited until Monday and several sms before agreeing to my demand. OK, I'm not a charitable person, but that should be obvious, no?
We have opted to travel to Singapore via the Friday night train so that we'd arrive early Saturday morning in Singapore, giving us ample time to bump our way to our Backpackers Inn @ Dunlop Street. I'll talk about the Inn when I get there. Oh, there was this little miscommunication invloving Ahmad, Dawn & myself.
You see, as of Friday night (One week away from Tourney weekend), I haven't gotten confirmation from Dawn she is joining. All of a sudden, while happily enjoying Liverpool's win over Chelsea, Dawn sms me to find out the details AND this was Saturday night (I've already told everyone to confirm the night before...) Prior to that, while I was having the nicest afternoon naps, Ahmad decides to tell me that his father will not be joining us because he had a wedding to attend. I instead heard it as he was bailing out, so I told Dawn she could take Ahmad's place. Lo & behold, Ahmad rings me to tell me it was his Dad alone that won't be going to Singapore, not this workaholic who's about to leave the company in a week but still working until midnight. Eventually I had to do one more booking for Dawn who, decided to opt out on Wednesday. Too bad the cancellation agreement applies, and Dawn, i'm still collecting..haha!
Back to going to Singapore...or the lead up, actually. With less than 5 days to playtest, everyday (except Thursday, because I had to pack) I met up with some of the blokes to do some playtesting. Azmin unfortunately had a system crash in the office which could have scuttled his trip, so to make up for it he had to work late throughout the week and thus no playtesting. Emil had to juggle between home & hobby, so since hobby is taking over his weekend, he'd have to let home have his weekdays. As for the rest, I don't quite know why they didn't playtest as often (Let's not wonder why workaholic Ahmad didn't playtest at all).
Come Friday morning I decided to...131129147518. ( I can't really type that in full view as I might get in trouble). So instead of working, I packed my stuff (I slept on Thursday night instead of packing). After that and several post on the YFF (Yahoo Fantasy Football, the other thing I do at work, haha!) it's time to head out and leave the country!
Ok, enough background details. Friday night came and we decided to meet up at AmCorp (our hang out place..Everyone needs one of these places..) at 8.00pm. Azmin had his parents send him (considering his age, I'm not sure it that was boon or bane. I'll assume it's boon for now..) to KL Sentral, where the train is; Loco already traveled to Singapore in the morning because he had a gig that night; myself, Andy, NebNeb & Bryan was at the shop on time. As always, someone must be late. So no prices for getting who. By 8.30pm I insisted we make a move before we ended up missing the train too, but luckily everyone managed to get to AmCorp just before we headed off.
Then a startling discovery occurred. No, everyone had their passports. I brought along the tickets that I bought earlier on Wednesday. Ahmad, who had Andy build him an Al Snow deck, forgot to bring Al Snow's feud "No Gimmicks Needed" which was rather critical to his deck being viable. This after being reminded throughout the week to bring it. This after I was asked to bring the superstar specific cards to Andy on monday, only for him to tell me he's got everything from Ahmad. In other words, if you're looking for signs, this was it. Ahmad Needed No Gimmicks (eventually he paid SGD 5 for it in Singapore, when he could have owned one for SGD 2..So, Ahmad, what'cha gonna do now with 2 "No Gimmicks Needed?" now?). While waiting to board the train, I grabbed myself the 'supposed' Big Fish sandwich from KFC of which big it ain't while the rest got tickets and stuff. Unfortunately we were a little early and the train ended up late. So the guys decided to 'Chor Tai Ti' on the floor while waiting for the announcement to board! Here we have a bunch of, well, people who officially can't gamble playing with your usual deck of cards. At some point I must insist I wished the officers would drop by and go overzealous on them (there was no money involved, but since when has it ever stopped overzealous people?) just to get to see the drama, but luckily I'm an unlucky guy and before long it's time to board the train.
More to come.......
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Road to Vic...I mean Singapore Raw Deal Qualifiers
Ok, the weekend came and went and gave me nightmares. That don't mean I won't shoot myself here just to put things on record. Having said that, I'll do my usual thing and provide an in-depth recollection of my trip down under (ok, not that far under, just Singapore) and the misadventures that I had. Oh, less I forget, this story relates very much to Raw Deal card game and WWE (you know, the wrestling programme..)
Disclaimer: Names mentioned here are not their 'real' names to protect their sensitive lives and dignity (obviously I intend to diss anyone and everyone I could think of), not to mention to avoid lawsuits that's being brought upon many bloggers...
On to it!
err....where do I start???
Ok, about 4 weeks ago I got an SMS from Fiezan that the Singapore Qualifiers were to be held on 28th January 2007. Now, Fiezan, who's a resident tournament organiser and probably amongst the top 3 in terms of Raw Deal card collection size, have consistently....failed...to make...the EVENT...TWO YEARS RUNNING ( the Qualifiers began in 2005) and since last year has shown much promise that he would pass the red tape of being a government servant wanting to visit another country having to need the Minister's approval to go. I didn't believe him at first, but eventually the tournament details were posted online and I had to believe it now. With that, the planning for yet another ROAD TRIP began..
The usual suspect of last year confirmed to go. That's myself and Azmin. He's also a two time tripper (with the most recent one, we make it 3 for 3). He had some slight problems at work, but got lucky anyway and managed to get leave approved (we planned to return on Monday, so a day's leave was crucial to our plans). He did however, had some other problems that cropped up that prevented him to actually focus on playtesting his deck, but that's another story....
Nex to confirm was the other top 3 collector (one could say he has the most, but I must protest), Emil. The past 2 years I wasn't really sure where he was, but from the first to now, this dude got married and have a baby girl, so I guess that somewhat explains why he was non-present the last 2 trips. But he is confirmed this time. So that makes 3.
Oh, in case you don't read the bias, I OBVIOUSLY think I HAVE the BIGGEST RAW DEAL card collection amongst my peers...But then again, I am HHH...I mean, bias...
Then word got out that I was willing to 'sacrifice' my own time to make the logistic arrangements and 'recruiting' road trippers. For awhile, we had about 10 persons saying they wanted to go...Alas, in the end we had 8+2...(Why plus 2? Find out later)..
The other road trippers were (in no order since I can't be bothered to think of one..)
Andy - Went the first year. Second time gave a miss because he had trouble getting leave (actually I think he just had jitters playing in a big tournament, but I can't prove it...). This time around he was determined to make it, even to the extent of sacrificing leisure by returning Sunday night and working Monday morning. Now this is determination, unlike a certain someone I'll diss later on, haha! Oh, he's well known as the Pirate, who'll con any which way to win....Quite unfortunately that didn't help his performance much on Sunday..
Ahmad - Went first year, missing second year. Now this guy practically gave up wrestling for better nights in the office (He sleeps there...). So when all of a sudden I'm informed he wants to go, I was quite surprised. But he was an excellent playtest partner during my first trip, so having him around couldn't be anything but fun..Of course, midway he informs his DAD wants to come along , so he could shop in Singapore (no, I don't think the game appeals to middle-aged men, yet). Fortunately a wedding cropped up and Ahmad was home free (for the moment).
NebNeb - Now this guy's been overseas the last couple of years, so this turns out to be his first (hopefully not his last). Not much I can say about him, though I do admit now I wasn't convince his Edge was tournament viable (bleah!)
Bryan - "I want to go". "I can't go because of CENSORED reasons". "I may be able to go because I may have a sponsor" (I can't tell who the sponsor is because I'm sure us being MCPs I'll get killed in the soonest future...). "Singapore Online!" Those were some of the things that he said in the build up to the trip. Other than that he has a New Year's Resolution of staying single. I don't know why anyone would need a resolution to do that. I've been single all my life!
Loco - He was there last year, but not the first. For those who read last year's edition, we had a spat over some things. There was a spat this time to, but is was leading up to the trip rather than on the trip itself..
Lastly there's Michael who decides to be superman and drive to Singapore Sunday night (so he isn't really part of the Road Trip) and Herman, who's a resident in Singapore but recently been helping us out (Ok Emil, so he helped me out a little more with the Fifth Year Anniversary card....Jealous???)
Oh, there was Dawn, who went the first 2 years. But things came up and she decided to cancel within 72 hours from departure date. I still aim to collect the dorm bed booking fee, since I can't get it refunded!
If you're wondering about Fiezan...Well, let's say he's got more than just red tape wrapped around his perfectly shaped body (they say round is a shape too, correct?) I think he's also got Green, Blue White & Black tape on him...Wait, that's Magic: the Gathering colours....Nevermind...In the end he's A NO SHOW....
(Continues to ONE week before we leave...)
Disclaimer: Names mentioned here are not their 'real' names to protect their sensitive lives and dignity (obviously I intend to diss anyone and everyone I could think of), not to mention to avoid lawsuits that's being brought upon many bloggers...
On to it!
err....where do I start???
Ok, about 4 weeks ago I got an SMS from Fiezan that the Singapore Qualifiers were to be held on 28th January 2007. Now, Fiezan, who's a resident tournament organiser and probably amongst the top 3 in terms of Raw Deal card collection size, have consistently....failed...to make...the EVENT...TWO YEARS RUNNING ( the Qualifiers began in 2005) and since last year has shown much promise that he would pass the red tape of being a government servant wanting to visit another country having to need the Minister's approval to go. I didn't believe him at first, but eventually the tournament details were posted online and I had to believe it now. With that, the planning for yet another ROAD TRIP began..
The usual suspect of last year confirmed to go. That's myself and Azmin. He's also a two time tripper (with the most recent one, we make it 3 for 3). He had some slight problems at work, but got lucky anyway and managed to get leave approved (we planned to return on Monday, so a day's leave was crucial to our plans). He did however, had some other problems that cropped up that prevented him to actually focus on playtesting his deck, but that's another story....
Nex to confirm was the other top 3 collector (one could say he has the most, but I must protest), Emil. The past 2 years I wasn't really sure where he was, but from the first to now, this dude got married and have a baby girl, so I guess that somewhat explains why he was non-present the last 2 trips. But he is confirmed this time. So that makes 3.
Oh, in case you don't read the bias, I OBVIOUSLY think I HAVE the BIGGEST RAW DEAL card collection amongst my peers...But then again, I am HHH...I mean, bias...
Then word got out that I was willing to 'sacrifice' my own time to make the logistic arrangements and 'recruiting' road trippers. For awhile, we had about 10 persons saying they wanted to go...Alas, in the end we had 8+2...(Why plus 2? Find out later)..
The other road trippers were (in no order since I can't be bothered to think of one..)
Andy - Went the first year. Second time gave a miss because he had trouble getting leave (actually I think he just had jitters playing in a big tournament, but I can't prove it...). This time around he was determined to make it, even to the extent of sacrificing leisure by returning Sunday night and working Monday morning. Now this is determination, unlike a certain someone I'll diss later on, haha! Oh, he's well known as the Pirate, who'll con any which way to win....Quite unfortunately that didn't help his performance much on Sunday..
Ahmad - Went first year, missing second year. Now this guy practically gave up wrestling for better nights in the office (He sleeps there...). So when all of a sudden I'm informed he wants to go, I was quite surprised. But he was an excellent playtest partner during my first trip, so having him around couldn't be anything but fun..Of course, midway he informs his DAD wants to come along , so he could shop in Singapore (no, I don't think the game appeals to middle-aged men, yet). Fortunately a wedding cropped up and Ahmad was home free (for the moment).
NebNeb - Now this guy's been overseas the last couple of years, so this turns out to be his first (hopefully not his last). Not much I can say about him, though I do admit now I wasn't convince his Edge was tournament viable (bleah!)
Bryan - "I want to go". "I can't go because of CENSORED reasons". "I may be able to go because I may have a sponsor" (I can't tell who the sponsor is because I'm sure us being MCPs I'll get killed in the soonest future...). "Singapore Online!" Those were some of the things that he said in the build up to the trip. Other than that he has a New Year's Resolution of staying single. I don't know why anyone would need a resolution to do that. I've been single all my life!
Loco - He was there last year, but not the first. For those who read last year's edition, we had a spat over some things. There was a spat this time to, but is was leading up to the trip rather than on the trip itself..
Lastly there's Michael who decides to be superman and drive to Singapore Sunday night (so he isn't really part of the Road Trip) and Herman, who's a resident in Singapore but recently been helping us out (Ok Emil, so he helped me out a little more with the Fifth Year Anniversary card....Jealous???)
Oh, there was Dawn, who went the first 2 years. But things came up and she decided to cancel within 72 hours from departure date. I still aim to collect the dorm bed booking fee, since I can't get it refunded!
If you're wondering about Fiezan...Well, let's say he's got more than just red tape wrapped around his perfectly shaped body (they say round is a shape too, correct?) I think he's also got Green, Blue White & Black tape on him...Wait, that's Magic: the Gathering colours....Nevermind...In the end he's A NO SHOW....
(Continues to ONE week before we leave...)
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
It's Time For the Great Singaporean BASH!!!
For those who don't know, the heading is a parody ot a RAW DEAL wrestling card...
It's the time of the year again, where I make my trip down to Singapore and try to get a free trip to WrestleMania....
This year suprisingly the travelling group has increased (last year was 4), but I'll give the details as I write it over 2 centuries and several posts...
I'm also planning on using a most unorthodox deck, one that I am most proud of to pilot...
On other note, I'm a couple of weeks to finally getting my own insurance coverage, which will mean more commitments in the very near future...Yes, I DON'T have a personal insurance now, nor am I keen on anymore...
Also, i'd like to officially announce here that one of my 10 things to do is now accomplished...Which one exactly??? Go figure, haha...
In addition, I'd like to congratulate Liverpool for winning 2-0 against Chelsea at Anfield! Woo Hoo!!!! (and condolences to Man United who lost to Arsenal twice this season...Muahahahahahaha...)
Lastly, consideriing I haven't posted for a while, again......At least I still do, and aim to continue doing so fore.........ve...................Better not commit to the impossible...
It's the time of the year again, where I make my trip down to Singapore and try to get a free trip to WrestleMania....
This year suprisingly the travelling group has increased (last year was 4), but I'll give the details as I write it over 2 centuries and several posts...
I'm also planning on using a most unorthodox deck, one that I am most proud of to pilot...
On other note, I'm a couple of weeks to finally getting my own insurance coverage, which will mean more commitments in the very near future...Yes, I DON'T have a personal insurance now, nor am I keen on anymore...
Also, i'd like to officially announce here that one of my 10 things to do is now accomplished...Which one exactly??? Go figure, haha...
In addition, I'd like to congratulate Liverpool for winning 2-0 against Chelsea at Anfield! Woo Hoo!!!! (and condolences to Man United who lost to Arsenal twice this season...Muahahahahahaha...)
Lastly, consideriing I haven't posted for a while, again......At least I still do, and aim to continue doing so fore.........ve...................Better not commit to the impossible...
Would you believe it???
For a couple of weeks I couldn't sign on to my own blog because my company barred the site. My company has this firewall thingy that basically helps it's employees from visiting 'bad' sites; somehow my blog ended up being BAD....
At last, they've come to the realisation my blog is relatively harmless....I guess i'll stick to not naming my company less I get blocked off again..
Updates next post!
At last, they've come to the realisation my blog is relatively harmless....I guess i'll stick to not naming my company less I get blocked off again..
Updates next post!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
The whole new year.....
So I spent 2 weeks (one each year) doing nothing but being sick and playing PC games....
NeverWinter Nights 2 is sufficiently addictive, though at some point I felt the first installment was better...Then I realise I can get all my followers to stay put (and out of trouble) while my main character tears through the city...It doesn't help the fact that my PC (as in personal computer, not Player Character) is becoming obsolete, so displaying more than 4 moving objects in pretty good graphics is more than my system can handle. Hence why it was key to be able to ask all my companions to stay home while I go hack'n'slashing...
Wait, this is about the new year, not about my NeverWinter 2 experience...(will try to put up a different post later....way later...)
Hmmm, I didn't go to any X'mas party because the stingy part of me realised that spending RM50 for booze to bring to the party when I rarely drink so that I make up for the 'entrance' fee wasn't worth it. Last year (2005) I went to the same party (ok, not the same since it's another party held about a year apart, but same host and location) and stayed until the next day afternoon. What did I do? Drank a couple (no beers, as always), endure some amounts of cigarette smoke, lousy music selection (I obviously have differing taste compared to the host and his peers) and after that, slept on the floor. So all that isn't really worth RM 50, really. And no, i didn't really got to know much new people because, well, it may be my fault for not networknig but that's just how it is...Any surprises I gave that party a miss in 2006??
There was another party for the new year that I also gave a miss. It was suppose to be a reunion of sorts as a lot of the people I used to work with (all have since left the company I'm still stuck in) as well as having a number of people still working with me (nobody works for me, so with me is the only term I can use). There was the lure of good food, but again as with most parties, there is an 'entry' fee that I wasn't too keen in paying. So I conveniently forgot about it too...
Suffice to say I am not a party person. I don't mix/mingle well, don't hold proper conversations (less you're as sick and sarcastic AND talk about weird topics like me, it's unlikely you'd find me worth talking too), don't get drunk (others insist I have, but they haven't the slightest clue) and don't do funny things to get people's attention. So as much as a party bores me, I bore parties too. You could say me and parties, mutually exclusive...
And 2007 took over. No new year resolutions, other than a need to get fitter than what I am now. Tennis is something I'm planning to do, since a court is conveniently placed inside my Apartment grounds...All I need is another player, 2 racquets and a good number of balls. Tennis balls. I have the racquets and balls. If only that friend of mine will turn up as regularly as I hope. Any other takers?? Thursday nights are tennis night....
Some people continue to query when I'm going to start driving....Well, if I don't own a car, how shall I drive? On the range?? I wished they'd stop asking, as my answer will always be that I have no car to drive, and thus no need to know how (even if I eventually may or may not know how to, that will still be the answer). Until a time if you see me on the driver's seat and actually steering a car away, I DO NOT DRIVE.
For those who have been reading this blog for the past couple of years, my yearly trip to Singapore is coming up. It's brought forward this year, on Jan 28th, so I'll have yet another story to tell, and hopefully it won't take me 2 months to wirte it. Still better than a bloke I know who went to England and NEVER completed his story...bleh..
Lastly, before I close of my first post this year, I've come to a realisation............... That I have no realisation.....Haha....Life is good, and Life goes on...(Splinter)
NeverWinter Nights 2 is sufficiently addictive, though at some point I felt the first installment was better...Then I realise I can get all my followers to stay put (and out of trouble) while my main character tears through the city...It doesn't help the fact that my PC (as in personal computer, not Player Character) is becoming obsolete, so displaying more than 4 moving objects in pretty good graphics is more than my system can handle. Hence why it was key to be able to ask all my companions to stay home while I go hack'n'slashing...
Wait, this is about the new year, not about my NeverWinter 2 experience...(will try to put up a different post later....way later...)
Hmmm, I didn't go to any X'mas party because the stingy part of me realised that spending RM50 for booze to bring to the party when I rarely drink so that I make up for the 'entrance' fee wasn't worth it. Last year (2005) I went to the same party (ok, not the same since it's another party held about a year apart, but same host and location) and stayed until the next day afternoon. What did I do? Drank a couple (no beers, as always), endure some amounts of cigarette smoke, lousy music selection (I obviously have differing taste compared to the host and his peers) and after that, slept on the floor. So all that isn't really worth RM 50, really. And no, i didn't really got to know much new people because, well, it may be my fault for not networknig but that's just how it is...Any surprises I gave that party a miss in 2006??
There was another party for the new year that I also gave a miss. It was suppose to be a reunion of sorts as a lot of the people I used to work with (all have since left the company I'm still stuck in) as well as having a number of people still working with me (nobody works for me, so with me is the only term I can use). There was the lure of good food, but again as with most parties, there is an 'entry' fee that I wasn't too keen in paying. So I conveniently forgot about it too...
Suffice to say I am not a party person. I don't mix/mingle well, don't hold proper conversations (less you're as sick and sarcastic AND talk about weird topics like me, it's unlikely you'd find me worth talking too), don't get drunk (others insist I have, but they haven't the slightest clue) and don't do funny things to get people's attention. So as much as a party bores me, I bore parties too. You could say me and parties, mutually exclusive...
And 2007 took over. No new year resolutions, other than a need to get fitter than what I am now. Tennis is something I'm planning to do, since a court is conveniently placed inside my Apartment grounds...All I need is another player, 2 racquets and a good number of balls. Tennis balls. I have the racquets and balls. If only that friend of mine will turn up as regularly as I hope. Any other takers?? Thursday nights are tennis night....
Some people continue to query when I'm going to start driving....Well, if I don't own a car, how shall I drive? On the range?? I wished they'd stop asking, as my answer will always be that I have no car to drive, and thus no need to know how (even if I eventually may or may not know how to, that will still be the answer). Until a time if you see me on the driver's seat and actually steering a car away, I DO NOT DRIVE.
For those who have been reading this blog for the past couple of years, my yearly trip to Singapore is coming up. It's brought forward this year, on Jan 28th, so I'll have yet another story to tell, and hopefully it won't take me 2 months to wirte it. Still better than a bloke I know who went to England and NEVER completed his story...bleh..
Lastly, before I close of my first post this year, I've come to a realisation............... That I have no realisation.....Haha....Life is good, and Life goes on...(Splinter)
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