UEFA Champions League - Star Final

the long anticipated final is FINALLY here!!
yes... the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League Final would be held later today in Rome!!
this match between Manchester United & FC Barcelona has been described by many as the dream final...

will it be as good as anticipated??
hopefully... it would be as entertaining as the final Liverpool had against AC Milan 3 years ago!

although Sir Alex has mentioned Man Utd will adopt a more defensive approach to the match and hit Barca on the counter attack... but the likes of Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs, Carrick, Park is just not the type who sits back...

the Premier League has improved so much in the past 10 years... it is undoubtedly the best league in Europe now... and it's probably also the best league in the world! look at the UEFA Champions League for the past 5-6 years... it's been dominated by English teams!!

so... make sure you get enough sleep after work today and wake up early in the morning (2am!!) to catch the game LIVE!!

BlackBerry Storm 2 - codenamed "Odin"?

WTH? BlackBerry Storm 2 (codenamed "Odin") ??

Yes... you read it right... after only 6 months since the launch of the Storm 9500/ 9530... RIM already has the so called "Storm 2" ready to hit the market!!

Well, I'm actually well aware of the various compaints some users have on the Storm 9500/ 9530 - the device RIM hope would be the iPhone killer... but I certainly did not expect RIM to have reacted quite so instantly on the issues and come up with the Storm 2, a model codenamed "Odin" internally.

The folks at crackberry once published an article with some photos of the device a week ago... but was quickly removed after a request from RIM... however, a week later... the guys at engadget has got their hands on one actual unit and did an "official un-official review" for the latest berry RIM has!!

In this part of the world (Asia)... we have just seen the launch of Storm 9500 for only a short 2 months... whereas I have only get my hands on the Storm for less than a month!! If you're a gadget geek... you'd probably think RIM is an idiot right now...

Personally... I don't have much of an issue with my Storm... been happy with it so far... but hey... I have to be honest though... the new "Odin" does look much better than the Storm! at least the so called "award winning" click-able screen is now gone!! and if it addresses all the slacks of the Storm... the "Odin" maybe 'the' berry that eats into apple's market share!!

For the first "official un-official hands-on review" of the BlackBerry "Odin"... click here.

Blackberry Storm 9500

after a mad week last week... had a day-off today...

so... decided to settle a few things outstanding and of course... picked-up my first ever Blackberry - the Storm 9500!!

one thing i have to say about this device... it's a beauty!!

Blackberry to me has been a "pure business" phone... something until sometime in March I thought I would never need... but hey... you never know til you atually need it!

and so... I've decided to spend some time at the pc fair (mentioned in earlier post) to check out a Blackberry... and to my pleasant surprise... it has everything I need!

one thing that needs to improve on this Blackberry Storm though... when every phone maker out there is incorporating wi-fi to their devices... how did RIM leave this feature out from their latest Storm 9500???

it's definitely a big question mark... however, the data package that comes with the phone has made it up... its unlimited data services, which includes internet browsing has make wi-fi useless in the sense that you would still need a wi-fi network to connect to the internet but this device will give you access to internet wherever you are!

I can even connect this device to my laptop (yes, as a modem!) and connects to the internet... wherever I may be!!

so... no love lost!! anyway... having wifi included in this device would be the best & of course much welcomed (guess that's why the rumoured Storm 2 will have it!)...

guys... if you don't wanna wait... and you're still weighing your options... you're wasting your time!! go get one for yourself!!

Nike Considered Windrunner

it's Nike again!!

I've always like the design of the windrunner jacket... the metallic windrunner released back in end 2008 was a hit everywhere... nike hong kong even introduced it under the nike id umbrella where the it can be customized to the colour combination you want and have your name/ tagline embroidered on the hood of the jacket!

but i passed that... easily without any second thought... metallic is just not my "thing"...
being one of the most iconic item in Nike's history... the windrunner jacket is being released again!! this time... it's Nike Considered Windrunner!!

to be honest... didn't really expect this though... Nike Considered? from the tag, it says the garment is manufactured from materials generated pre-consumer & post-consumer waste... so... I guess buying this also means doing my little bit for the environment? hahaha

anyway... though I'm not sure if this is only a marketing gimmic of Nike or whether they're trying to maximize profit made from the materials they have... this is a very nice jacket to have... given the spring/ summer season now... the jacket has a vibrant colour combination... a must have for your wardrobe...

and just a reminder...
CONSIDER THE PRESENT... CONSIDER THE FUTURE... CONSIDER THE WORLD...

Blackberry Storm

it's all the fault of PC Fair!!

as mentioned in my previous post... i spent my whole evening on last saturday at KLCC... tried to look at as many things as possible... as well as keep myself updated with the latest computing technology...

and yes... I burnt a hole in my wallet again!! haih... this time... i was hit by a STORM!! yes... a STORM inside the KLCC exhibition hall! the Blackberry Storm!

The first touch screen phone release by RIM/ Blackberry... I've came to know this model some time ago from the internet (as usual... Malaysia is only launching this now after 6 months in Europe... what's new anyway?)... have always been impressed with the pics I saw... and now, holding it in my own hands for the first time... and it felt great!!

the first feeling it gives me when I first hold it... it feels solid... this beauty has a better hand grip than the iPhone (it's thicker than the iPhone)... and guess what? the screen... is clickable! it's one of the function elaborated by the staff of RIM... well, in a way, it felt great... but when you need to type something fast... it kinda slow you down though... anyway, this is not an issue since the "SurePress" can be disabled by choosing the multi-touch option in the setup menu...

Internet browsing... the speed is awesome... with 3.5G (HSDPA) connection, the webpage just load easily! (i did a simple test by loading a "heavy" site i know)... besides that, this device also works as a modem!! yes, a modem!! you can basically connect your laptop to the internet via this phone!!

The list is just never ending... now that I have yet to receive my set (have only submitted my pre-booking, due to receive it end of this month or early May)... will update you with my experience of the phone at a later date ;)

After getting the iPhone earlier this year... which I use it for my personal number... I've always said that if I'm changing my work phone... it will definitely be a Blackberry! now here I am... waiting for my first Blackberry!!

Nike Cortez Fly Motion

i'm glad that i hesitated the last time around :)

why?? haha... when the nike cortez fly motion first came out in 6 colours... i was really considering the one in green/ white swoosh... tried it on and liked it straight away... somehow rather, i did too much thinking back then and passed it...

and guess what? nike has released the same model in black & electrolime!!

hahaha... saw it on friday night when i go for a late night movie... and i knew that i can't pass this anymore!! the colour/ contrast are just perfect!!

having spent saturday afternoon meeting up with the big boss... then my whole evening/ night at the pc fair in klcc (will update what i fell for there! yes, managed to burn a hole in my wallet again! hahaha...) i've decided to wait for one more day...

there i go today... went straight into the outlet... asked for my size... tried it on... done! haha... paid for it immediately!!

i don't know if you like it... but i certainly love it! ;)

Nigo is LEAVING BAPE???

WHAT?? NIGO is LEAVING BAPE???
this is the most shocking story I've heard ever since I know street wear... ever since I know *A Bathing Ape... BAPE or whatever name you know it...

apparently... the news is true and that effective from 1st April (it's not an april fool's joke!)... Nigo has resigned as the President of Nowhere Co. Ltd., the post he left vacant has been filled in by the Vice-President 日比野正雄.

the news have been confirmed by Nigo himself in a magazine interview... after celebrating the 3rd anniversary of BAPE Store in Hong Kong recently, he has travelled directly to Singapore to have a holiday... (staying at Capella Resort in Sentosa Island at the moment!! go hunt for him!!)

anyway, back to the news Nigo has left Nowhere... apparently, the idea behind his move is because he would like to see BAPE continue to develop as a brand on it's own, to have a stronger image... just like LV, Gucci and etc... he would like to see the equation of Nigo = BAPE to be gone one day and that people knows & remembers BAPE as a brand...

Nigo apparently has thought that he did not run Nowhere/ BAPE very well... especially in terms of business development/ management (what the hell is he talking about?? who does not know BAPE???)... therefore, he thinks it's time for someone else, someone with a stronger management skill to run Nowhere/ BAPE, and continue to develop BAPE...

well... to be honest... I don't know if this would work out the way Nigo would like it to be... but, think for yourself... BAPE exists because of Nigo... it is what it is today because of Nigo... the brand stands out because of Nigo... if Nigo is no longer there... what will BAPE be??

anyway, Nigo has mentioned that he will still oversee the design works of BAPE... so, hopefully nothing much will change... except that we may be able to get BAPE at a Japanese departmental store locally soon!! is this a dream?? hahaha

one thing for sure... Nigo will always be remembered as the father of BAPE...

Formula 1 is BACK!!

yes... FORMULA 1 is back to LIFE!! hahaha...
the 2009 has kicked-off today with great style in Melbourne, Australia... something I have not seen in the past god knows how many years now...

Congratulations to Brawn GP... a team 2 months ago that did not exist... for carving their name into the history book of F1 by becoming the 2nd ever team to score a 1-2 finish in their debut race of their debut season!!! (the first team to do that was Mercedes, back in 1952) and Ross Brawn is definitely the man who deserves the credit... a true legend...

the numerous rules change for this season has seen the race coming back to life... the most notable change would be the return of 'slicks' that has contributed to the massive re-design of the cars for aerodynamics efficiency (looks kinda awkward at first) as well as the KERS system which provides the fitted car with an additional 60mph boost in a lap when fully charged...

with Brawn GP taking the chequered flag in style... the folks at Honda must have been kicking themselves right now for making the decision to quit F1... but anyhow, what do you think the main problem was when they were not making to the top step of the podium previously? Brawn was there... the mechanics are the same... the drivers are the same... so... what was the problem??

the answer could be rather simple... the HONDA engine!! I'm not here to defame anyone... but with a Mercedes engine fitted to the rear end of the machine... the cars supervised by Brawn has made it to the top and 2nd step of the podium in their FIRST EVER RACE!! kudos for that Brawn!

I wish you all the best for the 2009 season... and may F1 be brought back to LIFE!!

apple iPhone 3G in Malaysia!

hahaha... after such a long time... when most of those who can afford an iPhone has already got theirs from somewhere else... Malaysia is finally having the hugely popular Apple iPhone 3G officially through Maxis!

An official launch will be held for the much awaited phone from the 20th - 22nd March 2009 at KL Convention Center, for those who has put forward their booking on or before 17th March will be invited for the launch... for which the iPhone will also be collected on the spot...

Anyhow, the iPhone is only available with a contract with Maxis, minimum of 6 months but yet you still have to pay almost RM3k for the phone!

Or, you can also choose to subscribe to the new i-Value plan; designed and exclusively available for iPhone buyers, where a minimum of 500MB data per month has been bundled in... for a minimum of 12 months contract, your 16GB iPhone will you costs around RM2300... these plans are available for new, port-in and current maxis post-paid subscribers... pricey? well, that's the price you have to pay if you're hooked by the iPhone!

especially for new line subscribers, getting the iPhone means another RM100 a month... nevertheless, it's a good news for current Maxis subscribers... you just need to sign a contract to stay with Maxis for another year with at least RM100 for your bill every month...

hmm... is this a little late for it? or late is better than never? judge it for yourself...
for more info and plan rates, logon to http://www.maxis.com.my/ or click on the ad link.

2009 Wishlist... #1

hahaha... yup... wishlist #1!! god knows how many to come!!

have spent recent times going through what's available in the market... i won't deny the fact that getting the apple iPhone 3G has got me started looking at gadgets again!

haih... and guess what? i got hooked to the Apple 13" MacBook!!

After going through the machine spec and product info on the website, I've decided to go to the store and check it out myself... there I go... there's no turning back... this beauty is definitely on the top of my wishlist #1!! plan to get it sometime this year... hopefully I would get use to mac easily...

going to machines at midvalley has got me through the Canon concept store too... and damn Zeuss... after reading the lense book you gave me last week... and look at the photos these monsters can take... the Canon L series lense is now officially 2nd on my wishlist for 2009... the only thing i need to figure out at the moment is exactly which lense i need...

I guess I need to get focused again and not look around too much! hahaha... it's hurting my wallet again!! damn...

NEIGHBORHOOD SS09 Anchor Savage

It's time again!! Neighborhood has launched its Spring/ Summer 2009 Collection on the 21st February 2009... first savage released... NBHD ANCHOR SAVAGE Deep Medium!! Known for its quality denim, this savage has been produced in 14oz denim... finished with the reknown Neighborhood savage techniques...

The detail finishing of this piece is just fantastic... as named, the anchor has been embroidered on the front waist line... red stitches has been used to highlight the savage details... a small patch has also been sewn in through the back left pocket... finished with the famous nbhd washing effect... this is another masterpiece...

go get yours before it's too late!! japanese yen is going sky high at the moment... prices for these denim will definitely rocket!

hmm... anyway, for those of you who are new to Neighborhood (NBHD), below is a simple size chart of the different cutting/ models release by nbhd... the 2 new model - Deep Medium & Deep Basic has only been introduced since last season (Fall '08)... guess it's gonna be a regular feature now...

Narrow Straight: (flat measurement)
Size S : Waist 39cm Thigh 26cm Length 99cm Trunk 19.5cm
Size M : Waist 41cm Thigh 27cm Length 102cm Trunk 20cm
Size L : Waist 43cm Thigh 28cm Length 104cm Trunk 20.5cm

Deep Medium:
Size S : Waist 38cm Thigh 27cm Length 101cm Trunk 18.5cm
Size M : Waist 39cm Thigh 29cm Length 103cm Trunk 19.5cm
Size L : Waist 42cm Thigh 30cm Length 107.5cm Trunk 20cm

Medium:
Size S : Waist 41cm Thigh 30cm Length 105cm Trunk 21cm
Size M : Waist 43cm Thigh 31cm Length 108cm Trunk 22cm
Size L : Waist 45cm Thigh 32cm Length 110cm Trunk 23cm
Size XL : Waist 47cm Thigh 33cm Length 112cm Trunk 24cm

Deep Basic:
Size S : Waist 37cm Thigh 28cm Length 97cm Trunk 20cm
Size M : Waist 39cm Thigh 29cm Length 100cm Trunk 20.5cm
Size L : Waist 41cm Thigh 30cm Length 103cm Trunk 21cm

Basic:
Size S : Waist 41cm Thigh 30.5cm Length 100cm Trunk 20.5cm
Size M : Waist 43cm Thigh 32cm Length 107cm Trunk 22cm
Size L : Waist 45cm Thigh 33cm Length 108cm Trunk 23cm
Size XL : Waist 47cm Thigh 35cm Length 115cm Trunk 23.5cm

Hope all these info is useful to you when you make your choice of size... personally, I like narrow straight the best ;)

valentine's... iPhone 3G!!

oops!! haha... yup... the Apple iPhone 3G 16GB in white!! that was the surprise for her...

she's been using her current phone for ages... refuse to change even if it gives her problem from time to time... guess she just doesn't want to spend alot on phone...

anyway... knowing that she would love to have an iPod... and personally, i think she should have her phone changed... so, I got her this!! troubled some friends in Hong Kong, ordered it 2 days before CNY... and the delivery was surprisingly fast given the fact that it's delivered on 29th Jan... only 2 days after the CNY holiday!!

that was superb online shopping experience... thanks apple!

I packed it up nicely with a white A3 paper... printed with an Apple logo... with a phrase "...is this what i think it is??"... then with another layer of wrapper in red with hearts... she was surprised when she opens the first layer... revealing the logo and the phrase... got so excited thinking of it being an iPod... when she opens up the white wrapper... she got so surprised... (and touched i guess... ) she cried...

hehe... happy valentine's day my dear... now i'm sure you love it ;)

and of course... how can i resist getting one for myself right? hahaha... hence the hole in my wallet... :)

love is in the air... 白い恋人

it's february 14th again!!

hahaha... time flies huh... it's valentine's day again... as a guy... it's time your wallet bleeds again! hahaha... anyway... for your loved one... i guess it does not matter right?

hehe... it certainly does not matter for me... just in case she may look at this blog before tomorrow... i'll only post up my gift for her this year tomorrow... ;) hope that she would be very happy with it though... (hmm... she should be! that's why i bought it right? hahaha)

anyway... i've received this special gift from a friend... (thanks betty...) came all the way from hokkaido, japan... it's the world's famous 白い恋人 chocolate (Chocolat Blanc Et Langue De Chat)!! i've read & heard many good comments about this chocolate... how special it is... how delicious it is... but have never tried it... yet!! going to find out soon! hehe...

saving it for tomorrow... :)

Jeans Care... something useful!!

Premium Care by Sugar Cane... something a jeans lover would appreciate...

As everybody knows... to preserve the nice colour a pair of jeans have when you buy them off the rack is to NEVER wash it... no matter what season you're in... under all circumstances... you should keep water away from the jeans... years after, the natural colour fade on the jeans are as beautiful as any real vintage jeans!!

However, when personal hygiene comes into considerations... a pair of jeans... after being worn over and over again without washing... the smell is hard to live with...

Anyway... a solution to that issue is now here!! Produced by Sugar Cane of Japan... the Premium Care Detergent for Denim!! On your left is the water resistant essence for the denim dye... while the packet on the right is the sterilization washer.

It's fairly easy to use, just pour the essence (left) into the water, soak your jeans for 20 minutes... this is to protect & preserve the natural colour dye of the jeans... then, wash your jeans with water added with the sterilization washer... this will effectively remove all the bacteria & odour the jeans may have after several usage!!

This is definitely something every jeans lover is looking for!! and tell you what... it's not expensive at all!! Hope this is something useful for all of you...

It's definitely a MUST GRAB for me!! I'll be getting some... anyone interested?? hehe

Reunion dinner & my past 3 weeks!

wow... time flies!! was away for 3 weeks and we're now here for chinese new year!! just finished the reunion dinner with my whole family... though we get together from time to time... but this is the dinner that really matters... hahaha... thanks mom & aunt for the sumptous dinner...

hmm... so what has happened for the last 3 weeks?? hehe... just a brief update for those of you who visit my blog...

well... as a start... i actually received this on the 7th Jan '09... just didn't have the time to take this pic and post it up for all... yup!! haha... this is the very first item from Neighborhood for 2009!! the NBHD x SVG Hell Awaits Tee!!

I was thinking of getting something red since cny is coming up... but, when Neighborhood release this as their very first item for 2009... I just couldn't resist it!! hahaha... grabbed it immediately...

throughout the last 3 weeks... have been super busy with work... but at the same time... also met alot of new friends!! (that's why i love this job so much! hahaha)... look at this... this one of the cutest phone strap I've ever received... from a friend from Hong Kong... a pen & mobile strap from the Hong Kong Police!! Thanks Liu Sir...

During the same week... I have also seen something I know it exists... but have never really seen it in real life... a size US14 Nike shoes!! haha... from Nike Hong Kong actually... not mine!! just passing on to a friend... I was told that usually size 14 is not available in the market (in Asia)... it has been specially ordered for the professional basketball players...

I've taken it out of the box to have a look... made a simple comparison... my feet look so small next it it! hahaha... really wonder how can a guy's feet get so big... he should be really big in size!!

CDG PLAY Black Heart... first post 2009!!

happy new year 2009!!

my first post for 2009... here... let me wish you a wonderful year of 2009!! all the best for whatever you're doing... best of luck & happy always!!

well... though this is the new year... i would like to to share with you something i received as a gift for christmas... a Comme des Garcons PLAY Black Heart shirt!! (thanks dear...)

have been thinking of getting this for quite some time too... didn't expect to get it this way though... hahaha... anyway, again... i'm very happy with it...

first of all... i thought i would have needed a size M... but... hahaha... I'm still good in size S!! the cutting of this shirt fits me nicely... it gives you the casual smart but trendy look... goes very well with a pair of jeans too! now i know why there are so many guys out there going after CDG's shirts... high quality fabric has been used for the shirt... feel really comfortable in it :)

this shirt will definitely be partying with me in 2009!!