First Blog Post of 2014: Right From The Top of A Hill

So, I start 2014 with something that I never done before. Actually, it's more like I don't want to because I thought it is a monumental task. Turns out, I did it alright and I actually enjoyed it: riding my bike to Genting Highlands.

Yeah, I know I made it sounds so dramatic and all but I'm actually scared to do it. Really...I bought the KTM 200 Duke just for me to get around. Truly, I'm not much of your typical "biker" here.

That being said, my friend from Singapore recently came down to KL with his Aprilia RS 125, threw the idea, and insisted we go there. So, challenge accepted loh...

Fast forward to today, 4 January, here I am at Genting Highlands once again. There's a good reason why but that's a story for another time. Since I'm here, thought of writing the first post of the year on top of the hill. Macam poyo...well, memang poyo pun. :3

So, 2014. I want to write more on this blog. I don't want it to lay dormant any more and I want to write more personal posts.

In general, I feel that personal blog have become unpersonal and "commercialized". Additionally, I feel that I have been caught in the hype as well. So, I want to get more personal once again although you can still me blabbering about my love for Nike, KTM bikes, Red Bull (and their shenanigans), and plenty of other random things. That one...can't be helped, they are just things that I love, to be frank. :3

All in all, I just want to write more for 2014 on this blog. Think of it like a new year resolution. One of many, actually.

Anyway, happy new year to everyone and may the odds will be in our favour throughout 2014. :D

[Swoosh] Dare To Be Brasilian: No One Plays Like Us

FIFA World Cup 2014. Brazil. Right at the home of 5-times World Cup champion. Should be interesting to see the football giant trying to win the most prestigious football tournament in the world in front of the home crowd.

In fact, I expect Brazil's journey will be quite bumpy especially having Crotia, Mexico, and Cameroon as their opponents in the group stage. Then again, this is World Cup - anything is possible.

Meanwhile, the folks at Nike Football - being one of the major partner for the team - have not only come out with a brand new jersey for Brazil to wear at the tournament but also, a short film featuring some of their major players such as Neymar, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Paulinho, and Bernard. Even the team manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari also appeared in the 90-seconds film (this is not his first appearance in a Nike's production though).

Apparently crafted to celebrate the world-famous Brazilian style of football, the film blends fiction and reality in order to bring viewers into the mind and personalities of these individuals as well as their approach to the game. Well, I'll just let the video say for itself:

P/S: Look out for a cameo appearance by a certain Brazilian football legend. I think he is following Cantona's footsteps...:3

[Swoosh] Nike Football Hi-Vis Boots Collection Are Heading To Malaysia, Expect To Arrive Mid-Oct

Since their decision to equip their athletes at World Cup 2010 with boots in visually striking colours, such colour theme seems to become a norm in Nike Football family of boots these days. Hence, the new Nike Football Hi-Vis (which actually stands for High-Visibility) Collection might be seen as yet another repetition of the theme but that is not actually the case according to the people at Swoosh.

Apparently, the colorways on Nike Football Hi-Vis boots are made for the year-end winter season where the condition are darker and having such visible football boots might be able to help players on the field. Phil McCartney, the Vice President of Nike Football Footwear explains further:

“In a game that’s more congested and faster than ever the small percentages are becoming more important. If a player can get that flash of colour in their periphery, and see a teammate make a run, that could be the small difference between timing the pass perfectly or not taking advantage - that’s the sort of moment that can change the course of a game at the top level.” - Phil McCartney, Vice President, Nike Football Footwear.

Well, we don’t have winter over at this part of the world but nevertheless, I guess the highly visible nature of Nike Football Hi-Vis boots might be able to help football players out there gain better successful passing rate with their fellow teammates. Of course, this is in addition to techs that are readily existed in all four boots in the collection.

Priced at RM 799 and RM 780 respectively, the Hi-Vis version of Nike Hypervenom and Mercurial IX are draped in Electro Purple and Volt combo with black detailing. Meanwhile, the Hi-Vis Nike Tiempo IV and CTR360 comes in Volt, Green Glow and Electric Green combo also with black detailing together with a price tag of RM 549 and RM 649 respectively.

All four Nike Football Hi-Vis boots are expected to arrive in Malaysia by mid-October.

To learn more, do head on to www.nikefootball.com.my or www.facebook.com/NikeFootballMY.

[Vroom Vroom] KTM 1290 Super Duke R: Wheelie In Any Gear

189kg.
180HP.
0 to 200km/h in 7.2 seconds.
Wheelie in any gear...SAY WHAT?

So, KTM 1290 Super Duke R a.k.a "The Beast" is finally official. Even though it is obvious that I'm not able to afford it (maybe for now), I'm still looking at it with much interest especially being an existing owner of the smaller KTM 200 Duke.

One thing for sure: it made me much more eager to obtain the full B license. Vroom vroom. :3

[Source: KTM]

[Kicks Alert] CLOT x Nike Air Max 1 SP To Land At Juice KL On 21 September

After making its debut in Shanghai earlier this month, the new CLOT x Nike Air Max 1 SP will finally land in Malaysia this week. Obviously, the brand chooses their own flagship store - Juice Kuala Lumpur in Bangsar - as their preferred spot to release the new shoes.

Here’s how CLOT described their latest collaboration piece with Nike:

The Nike Air Max 1 CLOT shoe focuses on material and design as a source of expression with the use of mesh and a hint of green accents that standout among the cement color schemes. The new Hyperfuse see-through mesh toe box is a revision from the previous plastic that was used.

Within the shoe, the sockliners reveal the meridian map of the lower limb, ending at the pressure point Yongquan. The precise position of Yongquan is one of the most important pressure points of the body, connecting the person to the earth. The pressure point is precisely marked on the bottom sole of the shoe.

In addition, the heels of each shoe displays the CLOT and Nike Shen logo in between long braids that are a personal trademark of MC Yan.

Unfortunately, the release at Juice KL will not come with the special packaging as it was made exclusively for Juice Hong Kong and Juice Online.

The price for Clot x Nike Air Max 1 SP has been set at RM 599 and will be made available on the first come, first serve basis starting from 12pm. So, make your way to Juice KL at Bangsar this coming Saturday, 21 September if you plan to cop a pair home.

[Source: Juice KL @ Facebook, CLOT]

[Hari Malaysia]: "Harimau Malaya, Everywhere" - My Little Tale For 50×50 My Malaysia Project

If you have been reading this blog or stalked followed all my rants + nonsense through Twitter/Facebook/Instagram, you might have noticed that I like to wear our national football team - the Harimau Malaya - jersey whenever I was on assignment outside the country.

The reason? Well, that is the subject of my...I actually don’t know what to call it – short story, article, blog post, writings...entitled “Harimau Malaya, Everywhere” that I wrote for 50x50 My Malaysia project by Niki Cheong.

Somehow, it was one of the first story to be published on 50x50 My Malaysia’s site. Plus, it went online on 31 August - right on our Merdeka Day. Wow.

Check it out right here at 50x50 My Malaysia’s website and don't forget to check out the 50x50 My Malaysia physical exhibition itself over at the Level 5 and 6 (Link Bridge) of Pavilion KL from today, Hari Malaysia, 16 September onwards till 22 September to see and learn about the whole 50x50 My Malaysia project.

Much thanks to Niki for actually considering my silly little tale to be part of the project. :D

[Music Monday Versi Hari Malaysia]: Kembara / Slipstream

May our blessed country able to continuously enjoy long-lasting peace and prosperity, especially in these trying modern era as we are all chasing towards progress. Never forget that Malaysia was built with the foundation of tolerance, respect and harmony.

Never forget.

Dirgahayu* Malaysiaku tercinta, tanah tumpahnya darahku. Enjoy your Hari Malaysia, friends. :)

*means long live in Bahasa Malaysia.

[Music Video Source: HariMalaysia.com Collage's Images: Arkib Negara Malaysia]