Biathlon of the night

Tried to do a bike-cycle-bike session today.

• Lugged the bicycle down 10 flights of stairs.
• Cycled to the pool at Kompleks Sri Siantan.
• Swam just over 1 km.
• Cycled back home.
• Lugged the bicycle up 10 flights of stairs.

My gosh, it has been too long since I hit the pool! I used to be a speed machine in the water. Now, I have difficulty getting my elbows up. My strokes are all out. Ended up doing stroke drills. Got to clock in more training hours to get my groove back.

Pool entry costs RM3. If I go there regularly, it's gonna cost me a bomb. I never had to pay to enter swimming pools before. I guess this would require some getting used to.

Unless, I go to En. Azahari again, and ask about becoming a life guard. Or if they need any instructors or coaches for the swimming club he was trying to build. Then maybe I can get to clock in my swimming hours for free.

Next time, I'll wear my swimming trunks as I cycle to the pool... Get into the water as soon as I reach... Get back on the bike as soon as I'm done... And cycle back home straightaway. I wanna do a T1 simulation. (T1 is triathlon slang for Transition 1 - the transition from the swim leg to the cycle leg) I read that the swim-cycle transition is supposed to be tough, because the blood from your upper body will rush to your legs as you start to cycle. That gives quite a "blacking-out" feeling.

I'm cycling on high gears everywhere now. No more low gears. Yeah, I may end up mashing. (Mashing is triathlon slang for "struggling with too high a gear selection") But that will keep me from the bad habit of cruising effortlessly, and wasting time on the bike. Every ride on the bike can be maximized as a training session. Be it a ride to school... a ride to the bicycle shop... a ride to the post office... a ride to the bank... a ride to buy dinner... or a ride home. Every time I mount the bike, I should focus on getting stronger and faster.

I think I'm making progress every day. I'm feeling fitter. My pants feel tighter. My legs feel firmer. My bike feels lighter as I carry them up. I feel less crabby nowadays too.

Maybe it's because I'm finally going back to what I used to do. Being who I used to be. Maybe it's true what they say. You can't change a leopard's spots.

I'd like to think that life in Selayang is toughening me up. Struggling everyday without a car. Going everywhere on a bicycle. Weathering out the storms on two wheels and a rain jacket. Fighting off lyin', thievin' crooks. Dealing with work in school. Taking care of my house. Finding my own food. Making ends meet. Making my keep. I'd like to think that all these are making me into a hard-as-nails triathlete.

One day, I'm going to become a triathlete. I'm gonna train, not to participate. I'm gonna train... To win.

When you have Rambo-ngitis and Alzheimer's...

... you'll waste a lot of water.

The weather was too nice to have a bout of Mat Rempit paranoia. So I went cycling to Empangan Batu. To face my foes. If they are there :)

I wanna eat that uphill stretch up Empangan Batu. Bonked halfway at my first attempt. Bonked with just a few metres to go today. (By the way, bonk is triathlon lingo that means "to reach a state of total exhaustion and sharply reduced ability to perform") Will conquer that hill on my third try.

I'm not sure what it is...

Is it my bike? Maybe it's ill fitted to me. My knees are still bent at an angle even when the pedal is rotated all the way down. Maybe that's why my power output is limited.

Is it the gears? I lowered the gear all the way down, thinking that will make it easier for an uphill climb. Even though less strength is used to pedal, the bike moves at a snail's pace. Maybe I've tired my muscles out for an unnecessarily long climb? Maybe I can make it to the top if I use a higher gear, pedal harder, and get it over with faster before my muscles bonk?

Is it my biking position? Maybe it is easier to climb a hill if I cycle off my seat? But that's one thing I can't do yet.

A skill to learn before I get my new bike: Hill climbing.

Anyway, when I got back, it was already 6 o'clock. I was out for 2 hours. I didn't even realize I was cycling for that long!

I turned on the water filter, and waited for it to fill the jug. The water was coming out really slow. The filter was clogged up. It needed to be cleaned. I've been putting it off for the umpteenth time.

While waiting, I went to my room, turned on the laptop, talked on the phone and checked my emails. I must've been tired. I went to nap.

The nap turned into a 5-hour nap. I slept right through dinner and woke up at 11:30pm. The dinner that I tapao since lunchtime started to smell bad already. And guess what... I left the water running!

Good thing the water filter was clogged up, and the water was coming out real slow. But even so... over 5 hours?? My gosh!

Good thing I wasn't boiling soup over the stove or something.

Lesson learnt: NEVER leave the water running, especially if you live alone. You may drown in your sleep. If the water is coming out too slow, then CLEAN THE FILTER!

Rambo-ngitis and Alzheimer's... A deadly combo.

Rambo-ngitis

Nor was there anyone who among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each one as anyone had need. (Acts 4:34-35)

I attended a church Bible Study today. About church fellowship. James Khoo deliberated that the practice above should be seen in its context. The early church, when it first started to bloom, was under great persecution. Therefore, it was a prudent thing to do - to sell all your belongings and share it with the church, before you die prematurely for your faith and the government seizes your property.

However, I read in Richard Lamb's book, Following Jesus In The Real World, that such communities can actually exist. Some people make the choice to move to a vicinity together, serve the community through the same church, live in the same house, and share everything with everyone in the house, as though no one really owns anything. They literally pool their resources together. Instead of loss, they actually have much more in excess to give to others, than if they have lived separately.

Imagine you put everything you earn into a common fund in the house. Anyone can use it for whatever they need. If you have put in more but have used up less for yourself, then you are a blessing. If you have put in less but have used up more, then you are experiencing God's providence in how community is supposed to be.

Radical hor? Imagine the kind of trust and accountability that must exist within that kind of community. One guy's need can be easily seen as another guy's luxury. How are they going to iron out the tensions that may arise when one is seen cooking every meal to save costs, but another guy is ordering Pizza Hut for late night snacks? One takes the bus to work, while the other is thinking about buying a Merida 904 bicycle?

Coming to think of it, I haven't experienced that kind of community. I've always lived alone. Or don't like living with them.

First year in USM. I stayed at Gemilang. Kelantanese room mates. They are often found sleeping on my bed, putting their feet where I put my head. When I shift position so my face would not be sniffing at where their feet were last night, they also do the same the next time they use my bed. It's baffling. They eat in the room, and they don't take the trash out. And the stench of their clothes! I often wake up with a sore throat from the air that went through my respiratory system the entire night. I seldom sleep there, unless I was too dead tired to drive home.

Second year, Cahaya Permai. Malay room mate from Penang. That guy's nice. Good hygiene, well-mannered. I didn't get to spend much time with him though. I was always out early, and back real late. Most of the time, he wasn't around too. Being a Penangite, I'm sure he always went home. I had the room to myself most of the time.

Second year, second semester. I shifted to Tekun. I had a Sarawakian room mate. He stayed around for a week. Then he shifted out. I wondered if I was that bad...

Third year. Tekun. I saw my Chinese room mate once. The very next day, he was gone. Hmmm... Am I really that bad?

Fourth year. Tekun again. Yuen Thern was my room mate. I guess he was the best one I had compared to all of the previous ones. He actually stayed on for a whole year! He's strong :)

The thing is, I think I'm a loner most of the time. I like to eat alone. I like to go places alone. I like to watch movies alone. If given a choice, I'd rather live alone.

I hear stories about how some people live in the same neighbourhood, grow up together, do a lot of fun stuff together, and still remain as good friends in adulthood. They are always seen as a group. It must be quite cool, to be always associated with a group. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you're always in a group. It almost feels like a gang. I always wondered how would it be like to belong to a gang...

How do I train? I have always trained alone. I don't really have any training buddies. I kinda excelled better that way, going solo.

However, in triathlon, I somehow have a feeling that I can't do it alone. I'll need a partner, or a group, to stay motivated. To learn from each other. To check with one another if we're training correctly. To keep in tune with what's going on in the triathlon world. To hang out together after each long bike ride, looking cool in our gear, and chill.

I kinda found this group called "Empowered By Jesus". Sort of like a Christian triathlon group. I was hoping that one day, I can hook up with them, go on bike rides together, and train together. But somehow, I have a feeling it won't happen. They are already a clique by themselves, and I don't think I'm "in".

Well, alternatively, I can join other "godless" cycling groups. From what I hear, they are mostly married men. They will go on bike rides on Sunday mornings, and talk dirty afterwards. I'm so gonna look "uncool". I don't want that either.

Guess I'm gonna have to do it old-school anyway. Train solo.

I think I have a disease. It's called Rambo-ngitis.


My friend.

Good things come to those that wait

Things I must buy when I get my new bike:

• Super soft, super ergonomic seat. Fertility is a factor.

Things I must do before I get my new bike:

• Build myself up to be physically worthy of it. You don't wanna get on a pro bike but ride like an amateur.

Things I must do after I get my new bike:

• Sign up for a duathlon. Or sprint triathlon. Having one white elephant at the parking lot is enough.

Things I must do so I can get my new bike:

• Get a credit card. In 3 weeks' time, I'll have a CIMB Gold card.

Things I must do before I train or race with my new bike:

• Get a personal insurance policy. I'm now protected by this guy for RM200 a month:

So how does all this tie in with my reading diet for today?

When God made a companion for Adam, He did not bring her to him immediately. If He did that, Adam would not appreciate it. Instead, God brought every beast of the field and every bird of the air to Adam. He gave him the task of naming them all.

After Adam had done that, and still could not find a helper comparable to him...

Then God brought Eve. (Genesis 2:18-24)









You know, it is said that to be a good cyclist, a rider has to "be one" with the bike. Hmmm...

Semangat muhibah

Once, back in Penang, my car had a punctured tyre. I asked a Chinese mechanic where is the nearest car tyre shop. He pointed to a shop, way around the other side of the block. As I went towards that shop, I saw another tyre shop just a few doors away. "How come the mechanic missed this one?" I thought to myself. I went in and saw the mechanic. He was Malay. The tyre shop at the other side of the block? That mechanic was Chinese.

A boy beats up another boy at school. The boys don't go, "Sir, ada orang lawan." Or, "Sir, Ah Chong pukul Ahmad". They go, "Sir, Cina pukul Melayu."

A boy gets beat up at school. He calls his gang from outside the school. A crowd gathers at the gate after school. The crowd is clearly seen to be from two groups of different races. The police came.

Oh, and did I mention that my school just got out from the police black list this year? Yeah. How was the school black listed? For racial fights.

I went to buy some chicken ham at Giant. I bought just 200g of ham. I explained I didn't need much because I lived alone. "Jangan banyak cari duit sampai tak makan," the Malay lady said.

PIBG meeting. They were discussing how to get parents to come for a seminar on parenting. "Yang Cina itu, susah sikit nak panggil mereka datang," said the YDP. "Mereka itu lebih business-minded."

I was talking to my colleague about the socio-economic background of the students. "Budak sekolah sini miskin. Family mereka pun, tak pentingkan pelajaran. Buku pun tak mampu beli," I commented. She replied, "Tapi, orang Cina, tiada yang miskin. Kalau susah macam mana pun, tidak ada Cina yang miskin."

I was telling my colleague that I went cycling to Empangan Batu. "Sana berhati-hati lah. kadang-kadang, ada Mat Rempit nak minta duit," he said. I replied, "Pergi cycling, mana ada bawa duit? Bawa air ada lah." Another colleague interjected, "Yalah. Tapi kamu seorang saja. Sebab mereka nampak Cina... Kalau tidak ada duit, basikal pun nak bawa pergi."

We are reaching our 50th year of independence. But ask yourself, how far have we progressed socially? Do people have genuine friends from other races nowadays? Do people feel safe when they live as a minority in certain areas? What do people tell you if you get into a car accident at a kampung area?

If given a choice, would people of different races make the conscious effort to get together, other than for the purpose of politics?

Here's to Malaysia. A happy independence day.

Sometimes, when it comes to certain things... We just don't wanna say it.

Bike adventure of the night

Cycled to Batu Caves. Ate dinner at Chitti Nadu Restaurant. Banana leaf! Unlimited food for only RM6. The workers there were very fascinated with my bike lights. They kept asking and playing with it.

On a full stomach, continued to Sri Gombak. I should've just cycled to Sri Gombak back then, when I was still teaching tuition there. It wasn't as dangerous as I thought. Could've saved a small fortune on taxi fares.

Stumbled upon... Gin Huat bicycle shop! Now I know they have a branch there.

Also stumbled upon... Encik Azuan! He took his family to Sri Gombak for dinner.

One thing I discovered: When I wear my fluorescent reflector jacket and cycle fast, it flies like a cape. And I look like... Spaceman Spiff! Sigh... Can somebody help me get me a biker name already...

My bicycle is starting to give me back problems. Maybe it's the seat position. Most mountain bikes have the seat on the same height as the handlebars. My seat's a little lower. Or maybe Abraham Choong was right. My bike has bad geometry. I don't know how, but he can see it the moment I showed him a picture of my bike.

I think I know why I like cycling. There's a sense of freedom, traveling around with nothing but me, my bike and my electrolytes. That's the kick.

This song was ringing in my head when I first wheeled my bike out of the store:

Back to Genesis

Now that I'm tuition-free from centers, I have more time to read.

The center's boss met me while I was cycling home the other day. She and asked me how I was doing. My students have been asking about me. Well, I guess it's the center's loss. And also the students' loss. The boss knows she can't easily replace someone who works more for less, and works to bless. The students know that they can't easily find someone who treats them more than just a money object. My student in 4 Earth knows that it's not usual for him to find a teacher who would go great lengths to get him a decent education outside the school.

But nevertheless, I think it's a good move to quit.

So, besides being Math geek by day and bike racer by night, I have more time to read. My daily reading diet is like this:

1. Complete Triathlon Book in the morning, while sitting on the throne.

2. A portion from Genesis, NKJV version, at night.

3. The same portion again, Malay version (To make up for the lost opportunity. Will be ready the next time opportunity presents itself).

4. A portion from Systematic Theology.

Found these verses interesting:

This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. (Genesis 2:4-6)

At the same night, I read this portion from Systematic Theology. The chapter on The Necessity of Scripture. About the certainty of Scripture:

Thus, it is appropriate for us to be more certain about the truths we read in Scripture than about any other knowledge we have... This concept of the certainty of knowledge that we attain from Scripture then gives us a reasonable basis for affirming the correctness of much of the other knowledge that we have. We read Scripture and find that its view of the world around us, of human nature, and of ourselves corresponds closely to the information we have gained from our own sense-experiences of the world around us. Thus we are encouraged to trust our sense-experiences of the world around us: our observations correspond with the absolute truth of Scripture; therefore, our observations are also true and, by and large, reliable.

It sounds like a slap in the face for empiricists, or for any decent scientist who dare calls himself a scientist. The purpose of science is to investigate the truth about the world around us with our senses. Not let some other source dictate it for us.

But the Christian worldview defines the purpose of science as an attempt to investigate the truth about the world around us, period. Not just by our senses. By any means possible. Which means, without ruling out the possibility of the God factor.

To take it one step further, here is where the attitude of a Christian scientist differs from that of an unbelieving scientist. The Christian scientist sees science as an affirmation of the absolute truth about the history of creation, as already stated in the Scriptures.

On the other hand, the unbelieving scientist calls this approach a "scientific captivity". The assumption that the Bible is absolutely correct in everything about the world, and drawing on that assumption to investigate the world, holds scientific truth captive from what it really could be.

Well, the bible says in the history of the heavens and the earth, there was no rain. A mist merely went up and watered the ground. The water cycle was not like what we see today - Evaporation, condensation, rain fall, evaporation, etc. The Bible says when our planet was in its infancy, water existed at equilibrium with gas (That is, if I'm interpreting it correctly). The air was "wet" all the time. So, no need rain.

So, how Christian are we?

After dy/dx = 0, the only way to go is up

Got my payslip today. Gaji corrections rectified, cola allowance finally in. Extra big paycheck this month.

This is my third payslip. Any credit card company will welcome me with open arms now.

Yesterday, I told the deceptiproton salesman I don't want a Iswara anymore. I told him I wanted a refund, to get a Myvi.

Today, he called. He said I can get my Iswara... before the 3rd of August! Now you know what to do when your car salesman toys around with you. Don't give him under the counter money. Show him who's boss.

Oh, speaking of which, today's the second day I wore my new belt to school. The brand is BOSS. Hugo Boss. I think got magic wan.

"Ya, selamat pagi..." Cekak pinggang, stand up at full height. *Can see BOSS* All silence.

"Sir, you punya belt ada Boss."

"Ya, saya boss. You bukan boss. You tak boleh lawan saya. Jadi, you diam."

Got my good ol' Ford Laser back from the workshop today. One car in, one more to go.

That fellow who banged my car? He never stopped lying up to today. He still lied when the car workshop girl asked him who's the real owner of the car. He even said the police summon "belum ada keputusan lagi." No remorse at all. He's still trying to mess with my insurance claim. Some people never change. I'm staring at the official report that says he has been slapped the maximum penalty of RM300. And he's still trying to lie.

The best part is, the car workshop girl gave me a photocopy of the police report. Now I know his full name, his address, his phone number, his IC number, his date of birth, his age, his car's insurance, and the real owner of his car.

Now, I can send him all my love, everyday in a letter. Write him cards every Deepavali. Give him birthday cards every 28th of December. Cycle to his house. Pay him a visit. Or ask him out to mamak. Now, you wanna see who's boss?

BOSS... Hugo boss... You should try it.

Ang ang, hai see lang!

My bike purchase advisor found me this:


Merida 904, for RM3000, at KSH Bicycle (TTDI).

He said he can press for more discount, if I really want the Merida 904. He said its parts are semi-pro, better than the KHS Flite 500:

Sizes	[XS45-S48-M50-L52.5-XL55-[XXL57.5]
Speeds	20
Frame	Road Lite-Single
Colour	1. red/metalic white 2.D.silver/Black
Fork	CARBON ROAD
Derailleur	Shimano 105
Shifter	Shimano 105 2
Brake lever	Shimano 105
Brake	Shimano 105
Chainwheel	Shimano R600 50-34
Hub	attached
Rim	Shimano R500
Freewheel	Shimano CS-5600 11-25
Tire	Maxxis Xenith 23 Kevlar
Stem	XM Comp OS -8
Saddle	XM Comp
Seat post	XM Comp SB20 27.2
Weight	8.6 kg

He said its frame geometry is better too. Merida is German, while KHS is American. He said he has ridden a Merida before, and he recommends it. I'll have to take his word for it, because I'm a newbie with bike technology. Anyone has any advice?

Which bike would you go for? Merida 904, or KHS Flite 500?

My deceptiproton agent said I can get a refund if I cancel my order. I'm gonna tell him he has one week to get me my car... Or my money back.

I don't really need a car anymore nowadays. With my tuition classes canceled, I only need a car twice a week. To get to church on Sundays, and to Young Adults meetings on Thursdays. I can get around to most places with my bike. So I don't see why I should be paying more than RM300 a month for the next 7 years for a vehicle that I won't really use. I may as well wait for my good ol' Ford Laser to come out from the workshop.

If I get my money back from deceptiproton, I'll be RM3k richer.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? :)

Bike adventure of the day

I cycled to Hospital Selayang. No problemo. Then cycled to the bank to put in my cheque. My last one from the tuition center. Sad...

Tested out my yellow rain jacket in the rain. It flies everywhere like a cape. I look like... Spaceman Spiff! Tsk, Calvin's got that one already. Help me find another alter-ego biker name.

I went to my RN Samy store to get my bicycle gear fixed. Now it's more responsive at a twitch. It's all in the lubrication. Hmmm...

A few guys hang out there to talk basikal. Dunno how long they've been hanging around, or if they have day jobs. They can just hang out and talk basikal on and on and on.

I'm eyeing this KHS Flite 500:


KHS BIKE - Specifications

FLITE 500

• Sizes - S, M
• Color - Blood Red, Silver
• Main Frame - Alloy 700S Replaceable Derailleur Hanger
• Fork - Carbon Blades w/ Alloy Steerer
• Crankset - Truvativ Touro 50/36T, 50T Chainring in 7075AL
• Front Derailleur - Shimano Tiagra
• Rear Derailleur - Shimano 105
• Shifter - Shimano Tiagra
• Cassette/freewheel - SRAM PG-950 12-26T, 9-Speed
• Rims - SHIMANO R500 Wheel Set
• Brake Set - Tektro 423AG Dual Pivot

RN Samy is selling it at RM2600. That's RM424 cheaper than advertised in the website. Dunno about Samy's bike-fitting skills. But he says it's my size. It's in my colour theme too. Killer red! Ang ang, hai see lang!

If my purchase advisor okays this one, it will be locked on target.

Anyone who knows hard-core bikers, or triathlon enthusiasts, hook me up. Need training partners.

I have a need, a need for speed
Don't bust my line, cos I got rhyme!

If you had "aha-ed"

Let them not rejoice over me
who are wrongfully my enemies
Nor let them wink with the eye
who hate me without a cause.

For they do not speak peace
But they devise deceitful matters
Against the quiet ones in the land.

They also opened their mouth wide against me
And said, "Aha, aha!
Our eyes have seen it."

Let them be ashamed and confounded
who seek my life
Let them be turned back and confused
who desire my hurt
Let them be turned back because of their shame
who say "Aha, aha!"

Let all those who seek You
rejoice and be glad in You
And let those who love Your salvation say continually
"Let God be magnified!"

(Psalms 35:19-21, 70:2-4)

I've moved...

... to shootsimply.blogspot.com.

Seven woes

Citibank rejected my credit card application. Because I am a Guru Sandaran Terlatih. Dunno what they would prefer. Guru Sandaran Tak Terlatih? They wanted my payslips for the past 3 months. A 3-months-in-1 payslip isn't enough. They must have 3 payslips for 3 consecutive months. They said I may not be teaching in school, although I say I am. I already gave them my offer letter. But they didn't even call up my school to check. The first woe.

My salary's cola allowance is messed up. I was supposed to get 3-months' worth of cola allowance in my 3-months-in-1 paycheck. But I only got 1-month's worth of cola allowance. Last month, lagi best. No cola allowance at all. The kerani's visit to Putrajaya to rectify it was of no avail. The second woe.

My ancient Ford Laser is still at the workshop. They still can't find the spare part for my rear signal light. They are playing dirty with my insurance claim. They want me to open an AmBank account, hand over my account book, give them my ATM card, and also my PIN number. So they can bank in the insurance claim into my account. If not, I have to pay RM400 deposit, minimum. The car is already half done, so there's no way I can change to another workshop. I can see that my rear bumper is as unoriginal as chee cheong kai. It was the police who recommended that workshop to me. The third woe.

I called up my Proton Iswara's agent. He said his boss was away, so he would check with him tomorrow. The next day, he said he was in a meeting. The following day, he said the car was not ready yet, and he'll "try again". I guess it wasn't a good idea to give the down payment before getting the car. The fourth woe.

Someone from my neighbourhood cut my bicycle's rear brakes. He must not like the way I park my bike at the motorbike shed. Well, he could've left a note on my bike. But nooo... He had to go back to his flat, find a pair of pliers, go back to my bike, and cut my brakes! Now, my bike is chained with the thickest, 4-foot iron chain I can find from the hardware shop, locked with a solid metal padlock, and secured with a bicycle lock. It's a caveman world. The brakes cost RM8. The chain and lock cost RM40. The fifth woe.

Today, someone in school tried to cut my bicycle lock. I could see the marks on the bicycle lock. Tomorrow, I'll have to buy another iron chain and lock, and put it at the school's motorbike shed. It's not safe at home. It's not safe at school. It's not safe anywhere! The sixth woe.

Also today, my kitchen tap started to leak. Now, I have to look for a plumber who won't cheat, or lie, or make me change the whole pipe if I don't have to. The seventh woe.

My perspective on people have changed. Trust no one. Not the government. Not the police. Not anyone who bangs your car. Not the workshop man. Not your car salesman. Not your neighbours. Not your students. Not the plumber.

You can trust only those whom you have known personally for more than 6 months. Anyone else down the street, in your neighbourhood, or at your workplace... They can be crooks, liars, cheaters, or thieves.

If I had my way, I'd round them all up, lock them in an iron cage, and drown them. I have no mercy for people such as these.