UnInvited Old Man

The story continues

So the second Ferry line lasted a good 50 mins plus plus. We were the first to get on the ferry and then a few moments later the ferry rocked and we felt like we tilted to the left a bit more. A quick rearview check and a huge truck was behind us on the Ferry.

We crossed the river and dashed to the second last immigration post which was at Lawas. Before the trip I had heard that the road was terrible and well, it was more that what I had anticipated.

A long stretch of gravel after the immigration post and made us lose some crutial time to get to KK. The initial 7 p.m. arrival was now a very daunting task. We managed to reach the final immigration post just before 6 p.m. and it was our uncle who was working at the immigration post. I am actually older than him but since his Mom is my 'Nini' that makes him my uncle.

To cut the long story short we took our sweet time driving to KK and had reset our ETA to 8 p.m. Then a long queue as the polis had a roadblock. This time we were let go. By that time I had confessed to Fayyad that we might as well reach KK at 9 p.m.

Funny enough we reached the hotel at 8.30 p.m. I was only driving at 90-100 km/hr. I was knackered and hungry. We checked in and I changed my t-shirt because it was dirty.

We walked to Warisan Square, if you are not familiar with this place, its the building right next to the Center Point. I had a craving for Fish and Chips so we went to Fish & Co.

After that I suggested to Fayyad that we relax at StarBucks. Fayyad agreed.

Went to Starbuck and I was annoyed because two people who ordered after me got their orders before I did. Bad Karma.

Then Fayyad showed me how to surf via the PSPs. I was frustrated because I could not log in to blogger. Then at midnight, while I was packing my stuff, an Old Man came up to our table and started to talk to us.

He was talking kinda funny and then he shaked hands with us and then it was obvious that the Old Man [OM] was drunk. He kept on shaking hands with us and saying how he wanted to leave. He even gave us a 'Salam'. For gods sake he was drunk. He ket on referring to himself as Pakcik!

Pakcik this! Pakcik that!

We layaned saja.

Then we told him we had to leave. His face changed to this serious mafia face. Scared the hell out of both of us.

He took a chair and sat down. He even had the guts to ask for a pint!

Then he started singing 'Madu~...'

We both applauded and said what a lovely voice he had.

Then I signaled Fayyad that we were going to make a run for it.

I check my watch it was quarter past midnight.

I gave him the nod and we both ran like we were being chased by a pack of wolves.

We only heard OM scream 'Oi!'

I am kind of in a rush now. So I will continue soon. I will tell you what happened in the next post. And a more detailed conversation of our encounter with OM.

MAN U WON BRAGGING RIGHTS AT THE KOP!!! Sorry Fayyad!! It don't matter that Arsenal are top. Man U Won at the Kop!!!

Oh and I am very tired tonight because I was driving the whole day to Mt Kinabalu and to the Hot Springs at Poring.

Got pictures and story to tell as well.

More pictures to come ...

A special thank you

Open new tab for [Here] and [Here] and you will get to see 'it'.

Thank you the MP reporter, Mohd Asyramisyanie Kamis because he managed to spell my name correctly. I however would like to thank my teammates for their joint efforts to clinch the tournament.

I would like to thank, Hj Zul who made the wonderful pass, as always when we play in the same team, to me which lead to the second and deciding goal.

I would like to congratulate my team captain, Mohd Shukrie for being a great captain and for believeing in my abilities. Also to the best player of the tournament, Mohd Fadzli who scored in every match except the first match against SMB.

My other teammates - Adi Mulyamin - the great last man, Pg Janai - The great goalie and he made some brilliant saves, Amir Sith - the harworking forward, Hj Jaini - our veteran and highly respected player but still getting the goals and finally - Mr Habil for being resilient when needed and you were.

Congratulations to Knights 'A', we did it boys. We became Champions!!!

I hope to get some pictures from the tourney tomorrow and upload it after a few quick CS2ing.

Also a BIG thank you to MK #11 a.k.a Fiqah for turning up on Sunday morning to support the Knights. :D

Give it up for the Blues!!!

I normally have a good sense of which team will win a match. Just give me 15 mins of the match and I might give you a pretty accurate prediction. I can say 80% of my predictions are usually correct.

With my wedding coming up, I have been rather busy and not really been updating myself with any footy news. A friend at work wished me 'good luck' and I initially thought, my nikah is not till next week but ok thanks! Apparently he was talking about the FA CUP Finals.

So I went out to celebrate my future Father-in-Law's birthday at Charcoal and I was stuffed. Texted my younger bro and told him I would join him at D'Aprils.

Chelski had the better chances and I was amazed when the statistics showed ball possession was even between the two teams. I honestly thought Chelski were the hungrier side. They fought for everyball. The first half was a total bore. I lost count of the number of times I yawned.

The second half Chelski still looked the more passionate of the two teams. Man U did manage a few half chances but that is all.

End of 90 mins I felt like Chelski were going to nick it in the end. I went home and watched the extra time in the comfort of my own house. Could you believe AF had not even finished when I arrived home?? Like WHAT??? Seriously Astro could you be more self absorbed with a reality show. *Venting my frustrations. Not meant to annoy any AF Fans. My Bad*

Eventhough Man U looked the better side in extra time. Chelski held their fortress well. Giggsy had a 'goal-over-the-line-but-Linesman-and-Referee-was-too-faraway,-thats-why-we-need-video-evidence' moment.

One chance is all any team needs to score and win the match. Thats is what Chelski did! One Chance, One Finish, Cup in the bag.

I still think Man U is the better team this season. Their dominance in the league proves it. We also had our fair share of injuries, so that is a poor excuse if any one wants to deny Man U of their deserved record 9th League title under Sir Alex.

I am proud of what Man U have achieved. Having been written off since the start of the season they have matured as a team.

So Man Utd lost - What the hell has that got to do with Libafool fans??? Again I receive SMSs and MSN messages of 'Takziah' for the lost. What is wrong with Libaupool fans??? Honestly what is your problem?? Enough with the taunting alright. Enough said!! All the best to Libaupool fans for the Final in Athens. Make England proud!!! If you have not read the earlier post, make your way [here]

We still wear the red of Man U proudly. Not hide away when the team we support is on a bad run. Glory Glory Man Utd!!

My quiet weekend

Last Saturday, My Fiance and myself had a lunch meeting sent up by Mrs Vixennova and her Hubby to meet Mr Bruneian. I did spend sometime looking up his blogsite before the meet and he does take really good pictures.



We had booked one of the private dining rooms at Xcapade, G-Town, for 5 people at 1 p.m. Since I got off work 'early' we went straight to G-Town, parked our car and went to the DVD shop across Xcapade. We both love 'House' and we have finished watching both season one and two and to our surprise the shop was already selling Season 3 of House from Episode 1-8.



The lunch went well and we had so many things to discuss and talk about that we did failed to realise that Xcapade was closing. We were the last customers to leave. Mr Bruneian made a lasting impression on us and he did not sell himself short. A truly honest and dedicated person and loves taking beautiful pictures. The whole purpose of the lunch was Mrs Vixennova wanted to introduce Mr Bruneian to us, My Fiance actually, as she is seeking a photographer for our wedding.

Mr Bruneian - Bro, If you ever happen to read this, My Fiance will give you a call soon and please book her tentatively for the first week of June. We would like to extend our sincerest appreciation for spending sometime to meet us on a Saturday and share so much with us. We are both grateful.

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Mrs Vixennova mentioned the lunch in her post yesterday. As I read on her blog - came across her Manners and Ettiquette post. She did a post on Blogging Etiquette and Ms Blackdiamonds did a post on (1) Meeting (2) Party (3) Workplace Etiquette.



I would like to add to this by adding the Cinema Etiquette



Some cinema go-ers can be so inconsiderate that their ignorance is a nuisance to other movie go-ers.

1. No matter how many times you see the advert before the movie starts, some ignorant person would still not bother switching off their mobilephone/s or switch the mode to 'Silent'. Do not switch it to 'vibrate' as perhaps the person sitting next to you may get annoyed by this, assuming he/she does not know you.


2. If you are expecting an 'IMPORTANT' phone call, do not at anytime go and watch a movie at the cinema. Because if you do, you will answer your phone in the middle of the movie. You will cause unwanted attention by others who wish to enjoy the movie. P.S: It does not matter how low/soft you whisper, you picking up the phone is already annoying.


3. If you are expecting an 'IMPORTANT' sms/text msg from someone, #2 applies. You may not be talking but the light from your phone is distracting and people pay good money to watch a movie, not be annoyed by ignorant imbeciles.


4. If you have watched the movie and you watch it again with a different partner/crowd of friends, it is not so 'COOL' to talk about the movie as it plays. They will not be impressed by this gesture as you are spoiling the movie for him/her/them. Not only that, you are also spoiling it for the people sitting around you. Again, no matter how soft you talk/whisper people can still hear what you are saying. They might as well give you the money and you tell them the story.


5. A civic reminder! Do you realise how sometimes when you catch the 7-ish, 9-ish or midnight movie at the cinema, the place seems a 'little' dirty. The people who watched a movie before you think the cinema hired cleaners to clean the place up. Well here is something you should know, THEY DON'T!!! So stop being a litter bug and throw away your own rubbish. The pop-corn crumbs, I suppose could be forgiven but not your pop-corn cup, food/chocolate wrapper or burger wrapper!! Trust me, it does not kill to throw away your own litter.

I reckon there are some more which I have left out so feel free to add on. It seems that everytime I go to watch a movie at the Cineplexes, I am however very unlucky to come across these 'People'.

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Man Utd Brunei Fan Club did a successful gathering last night at Mamih, Beribi. Pictures can be viewed at http://manutdbrunei.com

Next gathering will be on 21st January 2007 - Feature match - Arsenal Vs Man Utd, Emirates Stadium. Place is still undecided, but leaning towards a 'Nasi Kandar' restaurant behind the Bunut Filling Station as proposed by the Webmaster.

I did not make it to the gathering last night as I had a 'poker' game with my Fiance's family, don't get me wrong, we used 'funny' money. Hahahaha. I hope I can make it to the next gathering.

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Today I enrolled to the JPMC gym. An offer one could not refuse, you pay B$100 and become a member for 3 months. My younger bro told me about the offer so I joined with him and his friends. I started today and I did some cardio and lots of running. I worked on my Chest and biceps, chilled in the Jacuzzi and Sauna and I think I had a good workout session.

Next session: Tomorrow after work.

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Meeting Mr Step - Missing Part

Interlude - iPhone unvealed!!

I posted about this in November of last year and also posted a couple of pictures of what the iPhone would look like. All was revealed yesterday. I read about it last week and a friend of mine, Mr Atos now working in Iran asked about which iPod to get for his wifey. I explained that it depends on what kind of user she would be and probably watch out for the iPhone. He saw the unvealing on BBC and sent me the link to this brilliant 'iPhone'. My Fiance has hinted that she wants one of these babies. But Eci told me even if anyone buys it early they can't use it here unless you can unlock it. Reason being the phone uses 'Edge' and not your regular 'GSM' bandwidth.*edited* Eci explains that "actually you can use it here because it also is quad band gsm, except as stated you need it to be unlocked. what i meant about edge is you can't get 'high speed' internet with just gsm and the current iphone uses only edge which is not available in brunei yet. of course you can stil use wifi." *edited* So don't go off rushing to buy it online. You will just waste a lot of money. So Eci and Myself will be hoping - more like praying - that Apple will come up with a 3G version of the iPhone and then we can all go on an iPhone frenzy Hahahahaha. To read more about it click [here] or for a summerised version you can read about it on Eci's - Fragments of Memories.

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The answer to yesterday's riddle, which was;

'Can you tell how to tell/say three days in a row without using Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday?'

Corrrectly answered by Anonymous - 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow'

Mr Step - the new French teacher in my school - also talked about how fast time flies. He was mentioning about how a few weeks ago, during Christmas, he was sitting in the living room talking to his mother telling her about how he would be moving to a new school and moving to a new house. And there he was sitting in the canteen talking to me and he felt as if it was only yesterday he was speaking to his Mother in Derby.

He was on the flght back to Brunei on the 30th and arrived on the 31st. Went back to KB to finish packing up. Got his movers to send his stuff to his new crib in 'River Root' on the 1st of January. Unpacked by the 2nd and on the 3rd started working at his new school.

In a matter of days his life has changed. He feels the adventure only happening yesterday and here he is today and god know what it would be like tomorrow.

Does that feeling ever happen to you? I think I have experienced that sometimes. Usually after a vacation or a working trip. One day you wake up in this lavish hotel on the most comfortable bed in the world and the next time you realize you are back at your own bed. 'Holiday Blues' is what I would call it. But really time just flies by so fast nowadays.

You wonder how Tiger Woods feel eveytime he is away on a tournament or Championship. One day he is at home with his family and the next day he's some golf course in Shanghai. Some would say he would love to go on trip like TW but maybe on somedays TW himself would rather stay at home and spend time with his family. Thumbs up to him for skipping the first cup of the season to spend more time with family. Now that is a good role model for many aspiring golfers and 'husbands' alike.

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On a different note:

Yesterday my football team KFC - Knightz FC had a match at Belapan Field Vs. Saidina Ummar Al-Khattab Secondary School. I have moved up the ranks from playing right back to center forward. I am still trying to adjust to it. I can score goals playing futsal but on the pitch it is a totally different level. My inspiration, Andy Cole.

I disrupted the defence and managed to distract the central defence to create chances for my teammates. Half time was 2-2 and I had wasted a few chances with my poor first touches. But I hope to improve again in the next match. I played the full first half and gave way to the other subs to have a run out in the second half.

I think the other team ,which included my cousin, Az Boy and they also imported my younger brother, Tenno and they both man marked me [hahahaha] has under estimated KFC and got caught out a couple of times and conceded some goals. We dominated most of the second half and conceded a freakish goal after a miscommunication at the back.

It was a good run out for us and it was the first friendly match for KFC for 2007 and what a way to start the year. Next match maybe next month Vs. my old teammate / Captain and bestfriend and part of Barang Dapur - Sambal's team. Plus I think KFC needs new jerseys.

Meeting Mr Step - Part Uno

A cool day it was today. The grey clouds providing perfect shades from the bright sun. I was sitting in the canteen stirring my hot cup of coffee and chatted away with my friend, Mr Chicks, about our cars. He drives an Evo and I drive a slighly smaller turbo wagon with an Evo Engine.

Then came along Mr Step (not real name) who has just transferred to my school from Kuala Belait. He is an expat and has been in Brunei for just over 5 years. He is the new french teacher as the former french teacher was transferred to the Sixth form Center in Lambak Kiri to accomodate the 'A' level French classes.

Mr Step hails form the land that provides us in Brunei the best nights of Entertainment. Yes I am referring to English Football. I had only greeted him once on the opening day of school which was also his first day in a new school.

Still waiting for my coffee to cool down a bit more, I asked him random questions about where he was from and all. He was born in Derby, United Kingdom. I did not have the courage to ask his age as he looks quite old. He told me his Mother still lives in Derby and he usually goes back to visit every christmas.

He asked me if I had been to London recently and I told him I did last year in May before heading to the Bahamas and before heading back to Brunei. He looked surprised when I mentioned I went to the Bahamas. Then we started talking about travelling and asked me if I had ever been to Australia and I answered I two years ago in December. I went to Brisbane with my Fiance's family to attend my future brother-in-law graduate. I told him the best time to go to OZ was in december as the weather is more or less the same as Brunei. One thing I realize about our expats from the UK is that they love the sun. So I knew he would love the summer in December as it usually is cold and miserable in December in the UK.

He then told me he has relatives in Perth and he always wanted to go and visit but could not seem to find the time as he usually goes back to UK for Christmas but he will be planning a trip this year he hopes. Because he siad this is the first time that they have lived so near to Australia and they do not want to go back to UK and not go to OZ.

He started telling me that he once went to teach in Africa for a couple of years and then went back to the UK and went around the country to teach. Then the opportunity came and his wife and him decided to go on an adventure and head to our beloved Abode of Peace and he was thankful that his stay has been a most pleasent one.

Sipping my warm coffee slowly, I asked him some more questions. Since he thought french I asked him what is 'Thank You' in french and its 'Merci'. 'Merci buku (excuse my french spelling) means 'Thank You very much'. I then asked what about 'Gradsi' and he said that was italian and 'Gracias' is Thankk you in Spanish. I told him I remembered 'Gradsi' as the way Maltese people say Thank you and told him went to Malta two years ago in November to attend a conference. Again he looked surprised.

He had never been to Malta and asked how it was. I loved Malta and I loved the weather. The people are friendly and the city itself was full of history. But the only draw back was the currency exchange. I told him 50 british pounds could only give me around 30-ish Maltese Lira. I told him I met friends from all over the world. Friends from Gibralta, Soloman Island, Tonga, Tuvalu, Jamaica, Barbados, St Lucia - I mean I met a lot of people.

By this time I had already finished my coffee and was just accompanying Mr Step finishing his 'Teh Tarik' and beef burger.

Then we started talking about football as I asked him if he supported Derby. We talked about the Ian Rush Era as I mentioned I started out as a Liverpool fan. Apparently he knows alot about football in the 70's. Then I told him it is actually amazing how huge the influence of English football is in Brunei. How we have the Liverpool fans and the Man Utd fans and the other team supporters as well such as Newcastle Fans, Arsenal fans, Nottingham Fans and other clubs as well. We live in seperate parts of the world yet we adore and follow the English game so closely.

Students started showing up in numbers to let us know that it was breaktime and we headed back to the staffroom to prepare for the next lesson.

I wish Mr Step an even more happier and memorable stay in our country and enjoy teaching at his new school.

I am missing a chunk of the story as I will use it as another post tomorrow. So come back and this chunk fits right after my Malta story and finishing my coffee. The blog will be related to this riddle a colleague once asked me.

'Can you tell how to tell/say three days
in a row without using Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday'

You may guess the answer and all will be revealed tomorrow. Cheers.

Letter To Mr Jose

Dear Mr Jose,

For the first time in 2 seasons since your arrival at multi million London side - The Blues - your ego and arrogance has never been at its maximum until recently. Finding your side hit by injury and just 6 points adrift of current league leaders and my favourite team, Man Utd, You are adamant that your side will still lift the trophy come the end of the season.

Your recent outburst after a 'shocking' goal-less draw has spatted out that Sir Alex's side has blew their chance of lifting the title again. Bragging about the fact how your side has wrapped up the championship by Christmas and with a huge point gap compared to this season, just shows how desperate you are at this point. Mr Jose, you should worry about winning the Champions league first before thinking about winning the league.

With all due respect, You ahve been given all the 'best' resources but you will never have what teams like Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal have and that is 'History'.

These teams have a history to prove their championship quality. Arsenal are forming a new team and have bought young players and youth players coming through the ranks. So they will be back in full force perhaps next season. Man Utd were a young side last year but how they have matured this season has seen themselves work so well as a team. Liverpool still trying to get the very best of themselves but with the new management coming soon they will have the cash to bring in more quality players.

So bet your dollar on Chelsea not retaining the title this season and next season Mr Jose because everyone one else will be improving and Your Boss, Roman, has invested alot on your Youth academy and he would like to see the youth players make it to the firs team rather than splurge every season.

You have made vicious comments targeting Sir Alex lately and I don't like it. I remember one time ago you were confident that your side will be back at the helm by Christmas.

Well Jose, You ain't Up there so stick it up your rear end that your side S U C K!!

If I had written my christmas list a wee bit earlier this year, I would have only asked for one thing and that was to see Man Utd at the top of the table. Well I didn't have to write that list because It was already on Sir Alex's wish list Hahahahaha.

Mr Jose, You tick me off most of the time and I assume others as well even neutrals think you are just too thick!

May it be Man Utd, Liverpool or Arsenal - which ever team takes the title away from Chelsea this season will be the biggest knock out punch to You Mr Jose since your arrival.

You have yet to win my respect. You may have won the league for The Blues but to me, You are the worst and most uprespected manager in the World.

I have two words for Mr Jose - Up Yours!! - You disrespectful and ungrateful Git!!


Hating You So Much,
SiRTaMBaK @ Soulkonekshen