I Don't Normally Cuss in Titles, but WHAT THE FUCK??!!!

In the luxury of time today, I came across this from Steven Yip's blog. It's an article from Kosmo, a local tabloid.

Atlet maraton lega

"SATU langkah bijak."
Demikian ulasan yang diberikan jurulatih maraton kebangsaan, P. Sidamparam apabila pihak Imigresen membuat pemantauan semula kemasukan atlet jarak sederhana dan jauh dari negara luar, lapor YASMIN RAMAN.

Sidamparam berkata, langkah tersebut merupakan satu berita baik dan berharap atlet-atlet negara dapat menggunakan peluang itu sebaik yang mungkin.

"Saya gembira dengan keputusan tersebut. Ia serba sedikit membuka peluang atlet negara menunjukkan kehebatan masing-masing sekali gus menempa nama dalam sukan tersebut.

"Saya yakin ini adalah peluang terbaik untuk kita mengetahui setakat mana kemampuan atlet negara dalam usaha memantapkan lagi pembangunan sukan negara khususnya dalam acara maraton," ujar Sidamparam ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam.

Sidamparam mengakui dia amat gembira kerana langkah mengehadkan penyertaan atlet luar negara pada kejohanan berbentuk komersial akhirnya mendapat maklum balas positif.

"Pihak imigresen telah mengesahkan bahawa ada beberapa atlet jarak sederhana dan jauh dari negara luar ini masuk secara haram dan ia mungkin berlaku kerana ada pihak cuba mendapatkan keuntungan.

"Bagaimanapun isu itu akan mendapat pemantauan. Apa yang boleh saya banggakan ialah kini banyak pihak yang sudah membuka mata dan mengambil langkah berjaga-jaga," ujar Sidamparam.

Sidamparam menambah, dia difahamkan Kesatuan Olahraga Amatur Malaysia (KOAM) dan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) juga turut memberi kerjasama dalam membuat penapisan tentang penganjuran sukan tersebut.

"KOAM dan MSN akan membuat pemantauan berleluasa tentang isu ini kerana saya difahamkan ada beberapa penganjur tidak mengikut syarat sebenar. Ini juga satu langkah yang wajar dilakukan.

"Saya pasti langkah ini juga mampu menolak sangkaan bahawa atlet negara hanya menjadi alat kepada penaja untuk menarik minat orang ramai menyertai sesuatu kejohanan yang dianjurkan," katanya.

The tabloid is so confused, I searched high and low for the date of this article but it's nowhere to be found. Based on Steven's post, it was written no later than 21st May.

This was what the NATIONAL marathon coach had to say:

Saya gembira dengan keputusan tersebut. Ia serba sedikit membuka peluang atlet negara menunjukkan kehebatan masing-masing sekali gus menempa nama dalam sukan tersebut.
[I'm happy with the decision (to restrict participation of foreign athletes). It will give ample opportunity for our national athletes to exhibit their talent and leave a significant footing in this sport.]

Here I go again, but WHAT THE FUCK?!! What kind of talent are you talking about? Sure, with enough restrictions, I can be the 'fastest Malaysian on the road'. Yes, me. An obese, don't-know-any-better poser. But would that win bring any meaning? And the only significant thing these athletes are getting is my foot.

He goes on saying:

Saya yakin ini adalah peluang terbaik untuk kita mengetahui setakat mana kemampuan atlet negara dalam usaha memantapkan lagi pembangunan sukan negara khususnya dalam acara maraton.
[I'm confident that (the restriction) is our best opportunity to learn about our ability and how far we can go in the effort of strengthening the nations sports development, especially in marathon]

We don't need the restrictions to know how well we are doing. I can tell you how well we are doing. We are slower than the Kenyans. Surprise! You don't need a rocket scientist to tell you that.

The issue on these athletes entering the country illegally is one issue, but restricting the participations of foreign athletes is a different issue altogether.

Why can't their participation be seen as a healthy ground for competition? The Kenyans are well known worldwide for their talent for being fast. Books have been written explaining the secrets of the Kenyans. Why can't national athlete take pride in competing alongside the world's best? At the very least you'll know how far behind you are and from that learn how much work is cut out for you to perform better next time.

Malaysia was ready to spend millions so that our boys and girls can train in a posh training complex in London, but when the best athletes come to us, we shun them away?

I must figure out how to write to the papers.

Appreciating the Concept of Earning

Yesterday was the final day I worked for the book company as a part-timer. I have to say, I put in a lot of tiring hours working there. And driving from KL to Sunway and back via the Federal Highway (as an effort to avoid the tolls) would leave me dead-beaten by the time I reach home.

Working 1, 2 sometimes 3 days a week doesn't sound much, but considering the kind of work I did, I was expecting something around RM600. But when the numbers are punched in, it was a mere RM400. It was then I realized earning is not easy.

Further effort to save money, I attempt to DIY a storage cupboard, only to realize it is a lot cheaper to buy it ready-made. I could go to Jusco, have lunch, then buy a storage cupboard there and have a celebratory cake in Secret Recipe, and still save! No surprise I left the hardware store without purchasing anything.

The price of steel has doubled. Angle iron used to be RM15 for 10 feet. The cheapest you can get now is RM23.

Domino's large pizza was RM29. Now it costs RM33.

10kg rice pack is no longer available under RM20. I remember buying that fragrant rice we use at home for just RM 29. I took a peek few weeks ago in Giant, and now costs RM46!

Yet Malaysians, especially KLites are still able to bask in luxury. I keep hearing new Carl's Jr outlet - a fast-food joint that sells RM20 burgers - opening here and there. RM20 for a burger wei! That's equivalent to 8 burger sepah Ramly. Need to finish an assignment? Hey, why not buy a new laptop. Hi, neighbour cum officemate, why don't we race to our workplace tomorrow? Carpooling? Oh, how uncool is that.

We complain, yet do we act like we deserve to yap-yap-yippity-yap?

See You in 2063

Ever wondered how long will you live?

According to the life expectancy calculator, I may live until I'm 80. This is my detailed results:



The figure looks all rosy, but trust me, after the question on BMI, my virtual age shot up to 30 and my life expectancy was in the 60's. Only later when asked about seatbelt usage, smoking habit, drinking habit, etc my virtual age constantly went down and I'm expected to live to 80.

It is scary, honestly. At one point I was about to abort the test. On the other hand, it puts some sense of urgency in life. 20,300 days left. That doesn't sound like a long time, innit?

If you're up for it, click here.

p.s: Ali took the test as I was writing this. He too scored 80. This was what he had to say:



Thanks, mate.