No error to watch Planet Terror

Saw this very cool movie on Mon nite

Synopsis:

Director Robert Rodriguez (SIN CITY) pays homage to his favorite B-movies with PLANET TERROR, an old-fashioned zombie film that’s infused with enough gore and giggles to please even Peter Jackson (BAD TASTE). Rose McGowan (CHARMED) plays Cherry, a go-go dancer whose night is interrupted by a vicious zombie attack that leaves her missing a leg. Her ex-boyfriend, Wray (Freddy Rodriguez, SIX FEET UNDER), takes charge, fashioning her a new leg from a machine gun and killing zombies along the way. PLANET TERROR plays as a pleasing ode to the horror and exploitation films that once played in grimy grindhouses across the country. Rodriguez splashes plenty of blood, guts, and gore across the screen, while also taking the plot into some wonderfully bizarre territory. PLANET TERROR was originally released as part of the GRINDHOUSE double feature with Quentin Tarantino's DEATH PROOF.

Unlike other zombie movies, this one is one cool ride right from the start till the end. The female protagonist, Rose from Charmed, certainly charmed me with her opening pole dance sequence. She simply rocks! Unhappy with her job, she quit to become a stand-up comedian. However, the loss of her leg changed her life forever. The way she manoevre with her artificial leg - a machine gun, was cool and awesome! Lots of cameo appearances, dark humour, gore and a perfect popcorn movie experience!

In touch with nature

I find that taking time to update my blog is a luxury cos normally I would be so busy planning my classes, accomplishing tasks and completing my other projects. But I really enjoy writing. I find it rather therapeutic to gather your thoughts and organise them into words. So tonite I decided to stay up late to do it.

I was recently approached by Health Promotion Board to do a "Feet 2 Walk" programme for the community. As part of the National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign 2007, HPB is encouraging people to take up brisk walking as a form of physical activity. This programme lasts about 2 months and on every Sat and Sun, I'm assigned to conduct warm-up, cool-down and walking techniques for programme participants.

Last Sunday was the start of the "Feet 2 Walk" programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. The last time I visited that place was about more than 10 years ago. That morning I woke up very early (on a Sunday morning!) at 5 am. I arrived at Sungei Buloh at about 7 am and not a single soul was at sight. I was the first visitor that day!

Since it was still very early, I took the liberty to savour this rich tapestry of habitats consisting of grassland, secondary forest, sandy beach and mangrove. Here, you can taste the salt-laced wind, hear the calls of the Brahminy Kites, smell the sweet scent of the flowers, see the long grasses swaying in the breeze and feel the serenity of the wilderness......

I love Mondays

It's Monday again. While most of the people avoid the Monday blues, I kind of look forward to Mondays. In the midst of work and training, I took time off to have coffee at Pacific Coffee Company, Vivo City. While enjoying my coffee and waiting for my next class, I'm using the PCs at the coffee joint to blog. At the same time, I can enjoy the sea view overlooking Sentosa. Kind of cool, right?

Once again, I've decided not to gym today. I was thinking of going for a dip in the pool but decided otherwise. I've administered enough doses of exercise - gym & teach classes on Friday, was at the launch of the Healthy Lifestyle & attended stroke correction training on Saturday, then it was brisk walking, rowing & circuit on Sunday. Right now, my body is crying for a massage. Hopefully a good therapist can knead away all my aches and tension.

Monday is also a good time to plan my week's schedule, choreograph my routines, decide class formats and write proposals. So there's still amount of work involved but not physically. Anyway I'm looking forward to catching a movie later in the evening.

That's life on Monday, living it & loving it!

Overdue Hiatus

A blog is an interactive, personalized web journal for posting our views, art, rants, raves, reviews, pictures, music - anything we want to share with the masses or a private group. An avenue to gather our thoughts, insights, humour, enrages, outrages, loves, hates, true and fictional stories. A domain for us to bare our soul. A sanctuary which we could seek refuge. A place that we could be ourselves. Well, not exactly ourselves. Much as I would like to, I find that I could not write freely. For fear that someone may read them and manipulate the information to my disadvantage which it did. I felt unguarded, defenceless and annoyed. Therefore the change of name from “made2move” to “gottamove”.

My September appeared to be loaded with negative vibes. Monday was supposed to be gym day. But I thought I decide to break away from the normal routine and took a trip to Johor Bahru. I’m very much a gregarious breed but that day I was looking forward to being alone. Since I resume dragonboating, I haven’t visited JB for the past 6 months. At JB you can shop, eat, watch movies and have a haircut at half the price of what you are paying in Singapore.

The moment I cleared the Malaysian customs, I heaved a sign of relief. Don’t have to fret about sms, phone calls and emails. Sometimes we just need that space to be connected with ourselves, do some reflection and appreciate the moment. I was enjoying myself looking at the sea, savouring the breeze, probably dazed and oblivious of the environment. It felt so pleasant and relaxed just to embrace that particular instance and immerse completely in it. I can’t remember how long I took but it doesn’t matter. I lost track of time. Although I wish the here and now could last a little longer, it was sufficient to make me feel recharged, revitalized and rejuvenated.

Love this song by Matchbox 20

Entropy

I’m writing this to prevent myself from being entropic. What is "entropy"? This word has never crossed my mind until an evening’s lecture few years ago. An author, Kirschenbaum, called it the inclination to initiate doing things and give up eventually.

That was exactly how I saw myself about 6 years ago. In fact, it still happens occasionally. I recalled such an incident. I once saw a beautiful paper tote handicraft at a friend’s house. It was a fine and intricate piece of art, beautifully and painstakingly crafted. Intrigued by the masterpiece, I was very sure and confident that I wanted to do something like that. My friend asked me “Are you serious about paper tote? It’s not as easy as you think.” I gave her a very emphatic “Yes!” I pestered her and she finally relented.

She brought me to this shop and I bought the whole range of tools and materials which cost quite a bomb. Sensing my enthusiasm, the sales assistant gave me quite a few tips and instructions on how to construct a finer art. I put aside my other work and started beginning on the new craft. My friend was right. It was a lot of effort. I have to do fine cutting, pasting, painting, arranging and brushing. The first work of art was quite scruffy. Not satisfied with it, I began on the second one. I thought it would be a good idea to make something for friend as a birthday present. Once again, I told myself that I would do a good job and complete the next masterpiece. The cutting was the most elaborate and complex. A mistake made can ruin the art. I stayed late at night up, sometimes till the wee hours just to complete the cutting. As time passed, I became a little tired doing it and interest started to wane. I had intended to give it to someone as present. As I could not finish it on time, I ended buying a birthday present. The paper tote became an unfinished project and the tools have transformed into white elephants.

In yet another instance, I chance upon an ex-colleague who was using some interesting software for designing newsletters and artwork. I was totally impressed by the exciting graphics and urged him to show me. I was marveled by the results and that evening, I hurried to the computer shop and purchased the software. I rushed home to experiment with my new software. Once more, I spent late nights inserting striking graphics to make the company newsletter look more attractive. Of course such enthusiasm cannot stand the test of time. After a couple of months, I gave the software away to another friend who needed it more than I do.

In order to overcome entropy, I realised that exercising protracted self-control is imperative. We must constantly build a strong resistance to temptation. In the above instances, I lacked self-monitoring and had unrealistic expectations. Becoming aware of the entropy issue has helped prepared the management of such concern in work, sports and daily tasks. Helping myself to develop into effective tactician would alleviate imprudent actions, procrastination and obstacles.

How it all began

Sometime ago in 1961, a million brothers and sisters were swimming with me in the fallopian tubes, but only a few hundred were left to continue with the race. I was the only one that made it through that long and arduous journey. That makes me a champion even before I was born!

On 13 March 1962, my mum gave birth to a baby boy. A baby’s cry is usually a positive sign of new, healthy life. The room however, felt silent upon delivery. The doctor and nurses panicked and rushed to resuscitate the baby. The baby was immediately transferred into an incubator. Worried and anxious, my parents were wondering if the baby was still alive. Mum said it was an extremely difficult labour for this one. She said I almost did not make it into this world. Thank God, life was bestowed.

Unlike my 2 other siblings, I was the weakest one in terms of health. Every few days, I would fall sick and my mum would bring me to the clinic. I had asthma intermittently. The experience was terrible. I remembered waking up in the middle of the night gasping for breath. Mum fed me with all kinds of medicine – Chinese and Western. My parents would not allow me to participate in any kind of sports for fear that I might get into respiratory distress. They were awfully protective of me so much so that I’m felt very deprived during my childhood – lack of physical activity. My condition is also worsened by the fact I had glucose intolerance. I’m predisposed with inherently high sugar levels as both my parents are diabetic. To top it all, I was an obese kid. Classmates refused to play with me and labelled me as a fat kid. Occasionally, I get tormented by bullies in school. My parents decided to confine me at home after school in the best of my interest.

Despite my medical conditions, I was given a clean bill of health at the age of 18. I would have hoped to get downgraded but it didn’t happen. That was the time for enlistment into the army. It was really tough for me. I could not cope with the rigorous training and physical activity. I had to undergo additional physical training while my platoon mates got to go home. After 2½ years, I reminded myself to do something about my fitness level.

I signed up for a gym package not realizing what’s in store for me. The first gym session was the most memorable. I did not have the muscular endurance to complete a set of 12 repetitions for a reasonably light weight. I was that weak! It felt embarrassing. Fortunately the fitness instructor was very patient and guided me. From weeks to months, I began to see progress. I started taking aerobics class coz I like exercising to music. After a while, my stamina improved and I was able to run without much difficulties. Then I took up the Fitness Instructor Course. A few months later, I signed up for the Aerobics Instructor Course. Hungry for more certification, I went to Australia to attend fitness convention and participate in more courses. Soon, I began to teach class.

From 1 class a week, it became 2 and then 3. Suddenly I was teaching 10 classes a week. From aerobics, I developed my skills to teach yoga, kickboxing, aqua, linedancing, step, etc. I once remembered this “If you want something you never had, do something you have never done.” So I quit from my full-time cushy job. I regretted my decision during the first 3 months. I wasn’t prepared. It was a complete switch of lifestyle. No donning of executive wear. No cramming with others in MRT trains. No proper meal times. I decided not to look back and move on.

Over the years as I look back, I’ve done many things that made myself proud. Doing things that I never thought possible. Doing things that I can only dream of. It wasn’t my choice to come into being. But it was my choice to decide how I wanna live. What was robbed me of childhood, I got to savour them now. I’m blessed with many wonderful things in life – friends, family, career. Therefore I treasure great moments a lot. I learnt not to take things for granted. I’m glad I was born to live and not living because I was born.

Better Man

This is one of my favourite songs by Robbie Williams. A song I dedicate to myself. It meant a lot to me right now - to be a better teammate, a better friend & a Better Man!



Better Man

Tired!

Time seems to pass incredibly fast. It’s the weekend already. Then it’s Monday again. Then it’s Wednesday and a few days later, it’s rowing day. From days to weeks to months, it moves stealthily without us realizing it. Another week of classes, another week of rowing, another week of gym. Work, exercise. Exercise, work. Work = exercise. For me, working is exercising coz I teach exercise classes daily. Imagine the amount of physical activity I getting. There hasn’t been any break. Honestly I would like to take a breather and slow things down a little but I can’t afford it. Not at this point in time, not next week and certainly not this couple of months. Things can get pretty mundane after a while.

There were a few firsts during the last training session. First time, I ran to the Esplanade. First time, we did 3 sets of explosive circuits before rowing. First time I find the training exceptionally tough. First time, my back hurts. First time, I didn’t join the team for dinner. During the endurance row, I almost wanted to give up. Such incidents may happen during the race so I endured the pain. After the circuit, I found that I couldn’t take it anymore so I left after shower. A few teammates called to find out about my abrupt departure. I didn’t tell anyone coz I didn’t wanna make a big deal out of it. I didn’t felt like I was myself today. Morale was a little stumpy. Partly, I was also bogged down with personal issues, work and too many tasks. I’m not sure whether I pushed myself too hard. But the aches and the tension in my body are certainly some indication of fatigue. It’s ironic that I constantly tell my students to listen to their bodies during exercise and yet I fail to do so for myself. I’m not usually like this. I guess I'm human after all. Everyone has a threshold. I certainly hope to get out of this rut as soon as possible. Anyway competition is nearing and I want to maintain my form and prepare well for the race.

Go with the Flow

Recently I was feeling a little melancholic. No particular reason I guess. Could it be due to the amount of work? Then again I don’t work as long as most people. Probably, it’s just one of those days. Strangely I don’t feel anything when I’m totally absorbed, immersed and engaged in my craft. Probably the stress of having to juggle between the diversity of my job and other projects. I think I was more like suffering from burnout thus affecting my attitude. Thankfully it did not manifest in my behaviour. I just wanted to take a break from my regular classes, rowing, gym and other activities – to seek refuge and take a hiatus temporary. Wanted to take a day off to JB and laze around but it didn’t work out.

I was too concerned with my gym programme. I have invested time and effort to build my strength and endurance since July. I’m afraid the time is not ready for me to go into periodisation yet. I still want to push myself further although at some days I felt my muscles were becoming more tense and tight. There’s always a feeling of guilt when I skipped gym training. It’s not because I’m the conscientious type but for the reason that my fitness is still far from being ideal. Therefore I’ve to keep working on it.

The other thing that kept me thinking about is relationship. A “psychic” friend, Skr, mentioned that someone would come into my life within a few months. Initially I didn’t give much thought to it cos I’m not the type who would buy into such mysticism. But since Tarot reading revolves around the belief that the cards can be used to gain insight into the current and possible future situations of the subject, I became increasingly probing. I brought up the subject to Skr last Saturday about the card interpretation. He said, “Some things may not happen at the moment cos the time is not right. It may come to you when you least expect it. It could be someone close to you. Instead of searching for clues, just go with the flow.”

Perhaps I should just take life easy, focus what’s on hand and deal with it accordingly. Just like I the way I tell my yoga students “Listen to your body and go with the flow”

What's wrong this week!

28 Aug
Let’s talk about today. I was on my way to Toa Payoh to teach a class. During the bus journey I dozed off. Suddenly, Gwen Stefani’s “Wind it up” woke me up – my mobile’s ringtone. A call from Health Promotion Board said “Hi Mike, WHERE ARE YOU!!! The children are waiting for you!” Horror! Horror! Horror! I actually forgot about the workshop I’m supposed to conduct. How could this have happened! I quickly alighted and hopped on to the cab and rushed there. The moment I got out of the cab, I dashed as fast as I could to the room. It was a group of young Caucasian kids from a kindergarten. Still gasping for breath and feeling extremely apologetic, I build rapport with the kids and finally struggled to deliver a fun workout for the children. Phew, this will NOT happen again!

31 Aug
This morning I woke up at 5 am. Yes, 5 am. Gosh, I wish I can still snooze a little longer but I had to be at Pasir Ris at 7 am. It’s ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) Day. Upon arrival at the school, the student sports leaders whom I’ve trained over the past few weeks were busy running through the kickboxing routines at the school gym. Then came the moment for us to position ourselves at the mini platforms. When the music started, the participants just stood there and looked as us if we were clowns performing on stage. Some of them even making fun of the sports leaders, making them look quite jittery on stage. I told the sports leaders, “Just carry on!” But at the back of my mind, I was thinking “If I have a firearm, I would love to gun them down.”