High: Making the WSC team
Low(s): Doing badly in the WSC and CSC
What will 2006 bring?
Henry
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Monday, December 12, 2005
Definitely unprepared for Causeway
Redoing my 4s as we speak,
Can't believe the misses.
Will probably revise the 7s and 8s along the way south.
Am just coasting along with whatever study I did pre-WSC (which is basically the same)
Can't believe the misses.
Will probably revise the 7s and 8s along the way south.
Am just coasting along with whatever study I did pre-WSC (which is basically the same)
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Inviting all Scrabble psychics
Picks the winners:
Causeway Cup: Malaysia VS Singapore
Traditional Trophy: Malaysia VS Philippines VS Singapore VS Thailand
Top 10: If you feel up to it
you can refer to whatever information is available at http://www.toucanet.com and http://www.toucanet.com/msa
Team Singapore:
1. Cheah Siu Hean
2. Andy Kurnia
3. Hubert Wee
4. Goh Jiang Pern
5. Gan Cher Siong
6. Ricky Purnomo
7. Tony Sim
8. Michael Tang
Team Malaysia:
1. A. Ganesh
2. Aaron Chong
3. Henry Yeo
4. Tan Jin Chor
5. John Lam
6. Jocelyn Lor
7. Chuah Sim Swee
8. Suanne Ong
Team Thailand:
1. Jakkrit
2. Charnwit
3. Gerry Carter
4. Taewan
5. Navapadol
6. Bro Arun
7. Thavachai
8. Amnuay
Team Philippines:
1. Odette Rio
2. Marlon Prudencio
3. Oscar Riviera
4. Tony Malonzo
5. Maida Manaog
6. Robbie Onate
7. Delio Dimaano
8. Jodi Gonzalez
Please note that there is a changes to the number of players per team. We will now play only a total of 24 games over 3 days.
Format is one full round robin with no players playing their own countrymen and countrywomen.
Causeway Cup: Malaysia VS Singapore
Traditional Trophy: Malaysia VS Philippines VS Singapore VS Thailand
Top 10: If you feel up to it
you can refer to whatever information is available at http://www.toucanet.com and http://www.toucanet.com/msa
Team Singapore:
1. Cheah Siu Hean
2. Andy Kurnia
3. Hubert Wee
4. Goh Jiang Pern
5. Gan Cher Siong
6. Ricky Purnomo
7. Tony Sim
8. Michael Tang
Team Malaysia:
1. A. Ganesh
2. Aaron Chong
3. Henry Yeo
4. Tan Jin Chor
5. John Lam
6. Jocelyn Lor
7. Chuah Sim Swee
8. Suanne Ong
Team Thailand:
1. Jakkrit
2. Charnwit
3. Gerry Carter
4. Taewan
5. Navapadol
6. Bro Arun
7. Thavachai
8. Amnuay
Team Philippines:
1. Odette Rio
2. Marlon Prudencio
3. Oscar Riviera
4. Tony Malonzo
5. Maida Manaog
6. Robbie Onate
7. Delio Dimaano
8. Jodi Gonzalez
Please note that there is a changes to the number of players per team. We will now play only a total of 24 games over 3 days.
Format is one full round robin with no players playing their own countrymen and countrywomen.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Post WSC trip
November 21: Took a cruise down the river Thames with Ganesh, Jim Kramer and Tim Adamson to the Greenwich Maritime Museum and Observatory. On the way back up the Thames, we split up with Ganesh and me heading off to the 'seedier' side of Soho (which I stumbled upon when I took a wrong turn somewhere) before meeting up again for dinner in Chinatown.
November 22: Did the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Saw Ralph Lobo near the entrance. Headed in just in time for the Yeoman Warder's guided tour and zipped through the whole place and the Crown Jewels exhibition. A quick move to the Tower Bridge up to the walkways and down into the old engine room before hurrying back to rendezvous with Mark Kenas to go to the London Scrabble League session.
November 23: I overslept and missed the comic museum where Mark Kenas was heading (apparently he never found it in the end). So I did the Natural History Museum (the diamond exhibition was closed permanently, what a shame!) and Victoria & Albert Museum.
November 24: Did the Tate Britain (and the Degas exhibition) with Mark Kenas before splitting up. Went back to Forbidden Planet to discover that Terry Pratchet would be there on the 26th to autograph THUD! (alas, I will be in Milton Keynes) before I found myself back at the National Gallery looking forward to doing the Reubens exhibition (which I missed twice due to lack of time and the third time was the charm because the exhibit was excellent) and I caught STOMP! at the Vaudeville Theatre in the evening.
November 25: Spent the morning in the British Library checking out their permanent exhibtions, including the Philaetic Collections (love the Beatles' song manuscripts and the Magna Carta). During lunch, headed for Milton Keynes to stay at the Shins' residence and prepared myself for the Winter Matchplay.
November 26: Went early to the shopping mall with the Shins to do some shopping, can't find the games that I want. Lunch at a fast food joint before settling down to play Scrabble (I am nuts! I should be back in London queueing up for Terry Pratchet's autograph). won my opening match against Ade Adegbesan narrowly before pummelling Wayne Kelly with four bingos after he replied with DOTAGES from his first rack. Immediately lost to Di Dennis and David Sutton before coming back against Roy Miller and overtaking Elie Dangoor after being roughly 100 points down after 5 turns or so. Dinner at the tournament venue was excellent.
November 27: Ding dong in the morning with a win over Mark Kenas (despite missing sPACEMEn through the P for a niner) and a loss to Alastair Richards. Bounced back with wins over Cecil Muscat and Steve Perry before sitting down with Austin Shin for the penultimate game (In the meantime, Pete Finley came over to shake hands with me, which I took after a moment of disorientation). Needless to say, bad racks in the first few turns proved costly despite two bingos on the last turn, EASIESt and ENVIABLE before watching him slam down wIDGEONS as an outbingo to win by 50 or so. So I finished outside the top 5 this time. Head back to London and tended to misc menial duties like laundry, dinner, etc. (All that work for a 190 British rating and not even in the money)
November 28: Visited St. Paul's Cathedral (after buying my ticket to watch 'the Producers!' at Leicester Square), checked out Henry VIII's and Horatio Nelson's tomb. Was surprised to find a few memorials down there. Immediately took my the challenge of climbing the 500+ steps to the top, relaxed at the Whispering Gallery midway but the view was definitely worth it (I rate the view from Tower Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral above that of the London Eye). Walked across the Millenium Bridge to the Tate Modern. Loved the Picassos and the Warhols. Headed back to the Strand to watch the performance. The show was very fast and entertaining, love the humorous highlights, especially the lead character's mimickry of the show (ala Ellen Degeneres Grammys performance).
November 29: Headed out of London with Mark Kenas today on a tour of Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and the Roman Baths at Bath. The Queen was in residence at the castle that day and we could only spend 2 hours before rushing off to Stonehenge to find out that we were not allowed to traipse through it pillars (spoilsports!). Lunch at a inn and we spend 1 hour in the city of Bath before exploring the Roman Baths for an hour when it is dark and torchlit and it was magnificent (my photos don't do much justice, but what do you expect from a compact camera and not an SLR)
November 30: Went down early to Leicester Square and bought my tickets for 'the Producers!' before moving on to Harrods. Was tempted to buy some teddy bears for my nieces until they told me that there were no VAT refunds for offer items. Didn't find any of the games that I want and went off to the British Museum to try and finish the Asian display (which I didn't). Did manage to drop into a small corner shop to buy my games and also found out that Reinier Knizia would be there on the 10th to meet the fans and autograph anything and everything. What a pity for me because my flight is tomorrow.
December 1: Caught the tube to Heathrow and checked in around 9am. Board the flight with Ganesh and spent the next 12 hours watching movies and listening to Jazz and Enya. Tried to better my record at WWTBAM (UK Version), Ganesh got no further than the £8,000 question. I beat the £32,000 9 times and fell at the £500,000 question.
December 2: Back on Malaysian soil, hooboy! the rest is history
November 22: Did the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Saw Ralph Lobo near the entrance. Headed in just in time for the Yeoman Warder's guided tour and zipped through the whole place and the Crown Jewels exhibition. A quick move to the Tower Bridge up to the walkways and down into the old engine room before hurrying back to rendezvous with Mark Kenas to go to the London Scrabble League session.
November 23: I overslept and missed the comic museum where Mark Kenas was heading (apparently he never found it in the end). So I did the Natural History Museum (the diamond exhibition was closed permanently, what a shame!) and Victoria & Albert Museum.
November 24: Did the Tate Britain (and the Degas exhibition) with Mark Kenas before splitting up. Went back to Forbidden Planet to discover that Terry Pratchet would be there on the 26th to autograph THUD! (alas, I will be in Milton Keynes) before I found myself back at the National Gallery looking forward to doing the Reubens exhibition (which I missed twice due to lack of time and the third time was the charm because the exhibit was excellent) and I caught STOMP! at the Vaudeville Theatre in the evening.
November 25: Spent the morning in the British Library checking out their permanent exhibtions, including the Philaetic Collections (love the Beatles' song manuscripts and the Magna Carta). During lunch, headed for Milton Keynes to stay at the Shins' residence and prepared myself for the Winter Matchplay.
November 26: Went early to the shopping mall with the Shins to do some shopping, can't find the games that I want. Lunch at a fast food joint before settling down to play Scrabble (I am nuts! I should be back in London queueing up for Terry Pratchet's autograph). won my opening match against Ade Adegbesan narrowly before pummelling Wayne Kelly with four bingos after he replied with DOTAGES from his first rack. Immediately lost to Di Dennis and David Sutton before coming back against Roy Miller and overtaking Elie Dangoor after being roughly 100 points down after 5 turns or so. Dinner at the tournament venue was excellent.
November 27: Ding dong in the morning with a win over Mark Kenas (despite missing sPACEMEn through the P for a niner) and a loss to Alastair Richards. Bounced back with wins over Cecil Muscat and Steve Perry before sitting down with Austin Shin for the penultimate game (In the meantime, Pete Finley came over to shake hands with me, which I took after a moment of disorientation). Needless to say, bad racks in the first few turns proved costly despite two bingos on the last turn, EASIESt and ENVIABLE before watching him slam down wIDGEONS as an outbingo to win by 50 or so. So I finished outside the top 5 this time. Head back to London and tended to misc menial duties like laundry, dinner, etc. (All that work for a 190 British rating and not even in the money)
November 28: Visited St. Paul's Cathedral (after buying my ticket to watch 'the Producers!' at Leicester Square), checked out Henry VIII's and Horatio Nelson's tomb. Was surprised to find a few memorials down there. Immediately took my the challenge of climbing the 500+ steps to the top, relaxed at the Whispering Gallery midway but the view was definitely worth it (I rate the view from Tower Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral above that of the London Eye). Walked across the Millenium Bridge to the Tate Modern. Loved the Picassos and the Warhols. Headed back to the Strand to watch the performance. The show was very fast and entertaining, love the humorous highlights, especially the lead character's mimickry of the show (ala Ellen Degeneres Grammys performance).
November 29: Headed out of London with Mark Kenas today on a tour of Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and the Roman Baths at Bath. The Queen was in residence at the castle that day and we could only spend 2 hours before rushing off to Stonehenge to find out that we were not allowed to traipse through it pillars (spoilsports!). Lunch at a inn and we spend 1 hour in the city of Bath before exploring the Roman Baths for an hour when it is dark and torchlit and it was magnificent (my photos don't do much justice, but what do you expect from a compact camera and not an SLR)
November 30: Went down early to Leicester Square and bought my tickets for 'the Producers!' before moving on to Harrods. Was tempted to buy some teddy bears for my nieces until they told me that there were no VAT refunds for offer items. Didn't find any of the games that I want and went off to the British Museum to try and finish the Asian display (which I didn't). Did manage to drop into a small corner shop to buy my games and also found out that Reinier Knizia would be there on the 10th to meet the fans and autograph anything and everything. What a pity for me because my flight is tomorrow.
December 1: Caught the tube to Heathrow and checked in around 9am. Board the flight with Ganesh and spent the next 12 hours watching movies and listening to Jazz and Enya. Tried to better my record at WWTBAM (UK Version), Ganesh got no further than the £8,000 question. I beat the £32,000 9 times and fell at the £500,000 question.
December 2: Back on Malaysian soil, hooboy! the rest is history
Friday, December 02, 2005
WSC trip
Now that I am back. Quick report on my WSC trip before I reformat my memory for word study.
November 10: Checked in early on my flight, noticed that Ganesh missed me in the airport lounge while boarding the flight. Arrived in Heathrow 3 and hope on the tube into town and our hostel.
November 11: Ganesh and I finished settling our trip out of London for the next few days before rushing off to Buckingham Palace to catch the changing of the guards at 10.30am. Ceremony lasted for an hour and we set off through St. James Park towards Westminter Abbey (We saw just about everyone, including Oliver Cromwell, Elizabeth I, Mary I, Sir Issac Newton, Charles Darwin, Walt Whitman, etc) and Westminter Hall next to the British House of Parliament. Head towards Trafalgar Square before getting lost in the National Gallery and heading back to the hostel.
Novermber 12: Ganesh heads off to Manchester while I spend the day with Cheah Siu Hean at Forbidden Planet (Neil Gaiman was autographing copies of Anassi Boys but the queue was long so I passed up the opportunity to get Ricky a christmas gift, turns out that Terry Pratchet was also there on November 26th to autogrpah THUD! while I was away at Milton Keynes for the Winter Matchplay) before taking a jaunt with Cheah down his favourite stretch of road, Oxford St, Regent St with a few detours here and there.
November 13: Met up with Cheah and his sister at the British Museum, checked out the Reading Room and the Persian exhibition (for free since his sister is a member of the museum). Cheah's plan to have lunch at the Criterion in Leicester Square got scuppered when we found it closed so we hurried off to Wong Kei for his free treat (I owed him one from the Malaysian Nationals). At least I can brag that my Beef Brisket Hor Fun was bigger than his Beef Brisket Noodles. Spend the afternoon at Marble Arch, Edgeware Road before returning to the National Gallery.
November 14: Set off for Berwick-Upon-Tweed to spend 3 days in the company of Helen and Paul Gipson. Rendezvous with them at the train station and we drove straight into Scotland across the border. Her country house is absolutely fantastic and we spend the evening planning our day trip to Edinburgh.
November 15: Set off to Edinburgh. The castle was fantastic and house plenty of exhibits and I tried to lift one of Mon Meg Cannonball (almost becoming a casualty before the WSC even started) and saw the 1 o'clock gun firing ceremony. We hunted for the Witchery (which Cheah Siu Hean recommended. Much to my dismay, no Haggis) So we end up in some pub lunching on Haggis before strolling through Edinburgh new town and the shopping district before heading back.
November 16: Journeyed back into London and we caugh Paul Allan on the train. Settled some accommodation problem with Andy Kurnia (I missed most of the reception) and prepared for the WSC.
Will cover the WSC in the next post.
November 10: Checked in early on my flight, noticed that Ganesh missed me in the airport lounge while boarding the flight. Arrived in Heathrow 3 and hope on the tube into town and our hostel.
November 11: Ganesh and I finished settling our trip out of London for the next few days before rushing off to Buckingham Palace to catch the changing of the guards at 10.30am. Ceremony lasted for an hour and we set off through St. James Park towards Westminter Abbey (We saw just about everyone, including Oliver Cromwell, Elizabeth I, Mary I, Sir Issac Newton, Charles Darwin, Walt Whitman, etc) and Westminter Hall next to the British House of Parliament. Head towards Trafalgar Square before getting lost in the National Gallery and heading back to the hostel.
Novermber 12: Ganesh heads off to Manchester while I spend the day with Cheah Siu Hean at Forbidden Planet (Neil Gaiman was autographing copies of Anassi Boys but the queue was long so I passed up the opportunity to get Ricky a christmas gift, turns out that Terry Pratchet was also there on November 26th to autogrpah THUD! while I was away at Milton Keynes for the Winter Matchplay) before taking a jaunt with Cheah down his favourite stretch of road, Oxford St, Regent St with a few detours here and there.
November 13: Met up with Cheah and his sister at the British Museum, checked out the Reading Room and the Persian exhibition (for free since his sister is a member of the museum). Cheah's plan to have lunch at the Criterion in Leicester Square got scuppered when we found it closed so we hurried off to Wong Kei for his free treat (I owed him one from the Malaysian Nationals). At least I can brag that my Beef Brisket Hor Fun was bigger than his Beef Brisket Noodles. Spend the afternoon at Marble Arch, Edgeware Road before returning to the National Gallery.
November 14: Set off for Berwick-Upon-Tweed to spend 3 days in the company of Helen and Paul Gipson. Rendezvous with them at the train station and we drove straight into Scotland across the border. Her country house is absolutely fantastic and we spend the evening planning our day trip to Edinburgh.
November 15: Set off to Edinburgh. The castle was fantastic and house plenty of exhibits and I tried to lift one of Mon Meg Cannonball (almost becoming a casualty before the WSC even started) and saw the 1 o'clock gun firing ceremony. We hunted for the Witchery (which Cheah Siu Hean recommended. Much to my dismay, no Haggis) So we end up in some pub lunching on Haggis before strolling through Edinburgh new town and the shopping district before heading back.
November 16: Journeyed back into London and we caugh Paul Allan on the train. Settled some accommodation problem with Andy Kurnia (I missed most of the reception) and prepared for the WSC.
Will cover the WSC in the next post.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
I am BACK!!!......
On good old Malaysian Soil...ACK! POOEY! still taste like mud....
Will try to catch up with Cheah and the MSA tomorrow.
Will try to catch up with Cheah and the MSA tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
I am coming home
Am boarding the 11am plane (local time)...
Hope to see everyone back in Malaysia in 36 hours.
Henry
Hope to see everyone back in Malaysia in 36 hours.
Henry
Saturday, November 26, 2005
I am in UK after the WSC...
And I end up playing in the Winter Matchplay with several other WSCs and foreign participants.
Am I mad or what.
Was lucky to beat Ade A in Round 1 when my final rack offer more flexibility in the endgame to win by 4.
Got jammy against Wayne Kelly for a big win.
Couldn't overcome Di Dennis and David Sutton, them jammers.
Had fun against Roy Miller who was playing catchup until the end even when I played out with OUTRIDER.
Elie Dangoor gave me quite a lead to catchup, which I managed and overtake with RECEPToR towards the pre-endgame. He never opened for himself after changing 7 and I drew the second blank. A slow agonising death.
Have to beat Mark Kenas tomorrow and hope someone(s) deals Di Dennis two losses to equalise the field.
Am I mad or what.
Was lucky to beat Ade A in Round 1 when my final rack offer more flexibility in the endgame to win by 4.
Got jammy against Wayne Kelly for a big win.
Couldn't overcome Di Dennis and David Sutton, them jammers.
Had fun against Roy Miller who was playing catchup until the end even when I played out with OUTRIDER.
Elie Dangoor gave me quite a lead to catchup, which I managed and overtake with RECEPToR towards the pre-endgame. He never opened for himself after changing 7 and I drew the second blank. A slow agonising death.
Have to beat Mark Kenas tomorrow and hope someone(s) deals Di Dennis two losses to equalise the field.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Just a passing fad
Inspired by the writers museum.
What a night. What a night.
The countryside in moonlight,
tthe car slip along without a sight,
as darkness closes in tight.
The plains are cloaked in shadows,
yet details shine clear as day
what dance hither yon in those shadows?
ghost, ghoul, goblins, even a fey.
Up a bump.
Over a hump
My throat caught a lump
we almost got into a dump.
The house is waiting,
The door is yawning.
The food is ccalling
The bed is welcoming
And I haven't even packed my bags yet for tomorrow!!!!!
What a night. What a night.
The countryside in moonlight,
tthe car slip along without a sight,
as darkness closes in tight.
The plains are cloaked in shadows,
yet details shine clear as day
what dance hither yon in those shadows?
ghost, ghoul, goblins, even a fey.
Up a bump.
Over a hump
My throat caught a lump
we almost got into a dump.
The house is waiting,
The door is yawning.
The food is ccalling
The bed is welcoming
And I haven't even packed my bags yet for tomorrow!!!!!
Edinburgh day trip
Got my day trip to Edinburgh with the Gipsons.
the city is a lot smaller than I initially conceived, got all my photos, got my haggis.
Observations:
When Cheah recommends a place, make sure that it serves your need. Cheah tends to recommend places that are upmarket, expensive and irrelevant to your purpose (The witchery didn't serve haggis and the price was way out of our budget)
Almost became the first casualty before the WSC even started (tried lifting one of Mon Meg's cannonball)
The National Gallery was small, less eye-catching paintings, but I did find another Rembrandt self-potrait, Degas, Van Gogh and Monet.
The writers museum is even smaller but its exhibits are good and point in the right direction (definitely want to see more manuscript of the writers featured (like Florence Nightingale's letters))
Will update more nex time.
the city is a lot smaller than I initially conceived, got all my photos, got my haggis.
Observations:
When Cheah recommends a place, make sure that it serves your need. Cheah tends to recommend places that are upmarket, expensive and irrelevant to your purpose (The witchery didn't serve haggis and the price was way out of our budget)
Almost became the first casualty before the WSC even started (tried lifting one of Mon Meg's cannonball)
The National Gallery was small, less eye-catching paintings, but I did find another Rembrandt self-potrait, Degas, Van Gogh and Monet.
The writers museum is even smaller but its exhibits are good and point in the right direction (definitely want to see more manuscript of the writers featured (like Florence Nightingale's letters))
Will update more nex time.
Monday, November 14, 2005
I got my ISC support Account
Yes! Yes! Yes!
I am ready for my daily dose of humiliation.
But first, I decide to give Stewbum his occassional dose of humiliation before I get mine.
I am ready for my daily dose of humiliation.
But first, I decide to give Stewbum his occassional dose of humiliation before I get mine.
The Gipsons are wonderful
Wonderful pickup from Berwick (pronounce Be-Wick) -Upon-Tweed just south of the Scottish Border. We drove across the Border, about six miles in.
The house is a lot smaller than I first imagined it to be, but everything inside is just as cosy. Everything is displayed beautifully including a oriental table bought (by Helen's father) from Hong Kong depicting the infamous Chang Bridge Scene from the Three Kingdom. Needless to say, every room inside the house is spacious with the smallest room probably the size of my sitting room back home.
We are planning our Edinburgh day trip as I type. Edinburgh Castle is definitely on the list. Photos also being uploaded from camera.
Praying for Sunny day tomorrow.
The house is a lot smaller than I first imagined it to be, but everything inside is just as cosy. Everything is displayed beautifully including a oriental table bought (by Helen's father) from Hong Kong depicting the infamous Chang Bridge Scene from the Three Kingdom. Needless to say, every room inside the house is spacious with the smallest room probably the size of my sitting room back home.
We are planning our Edinburgh day trip as I type. Edinburgh Castle is definitely on the list. Photos also being uploaded from camera.
Praying for Sunny day tomorrow.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Couldn't resist spending £2
Should have waited until tomorrow when I am at the Gipsons.
Initial Observations:
1 day with Ganesh:
Cloudy weather.
2 days with Cheah Siu Hean (Ganesh has left for Manchester):
Sunny London (sounds like a oxymoron, doesn't it)
Visited:
Buckingham Palace (changing of the guards)
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Hall
Trafalgar Square
National Gallery (twice! still want to run back to see the Reubens exhibition)
National Museum (for the Persian Exhibitions, haven't checked out the rest yet although the Reading Room is excellent)
Marble Arch (such a letdown, cheered myself up with a big cup of juice from edgeware road, the arabian center of london. definitely worth the price)
Wong Kei (My Beef Briskett Hor Fun is bigger than Cheah Beef Briskett Noodles for the same price. YAY!)
Wish List:
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
National Potrait Gallery
Tate gallery
Tate Modern
Some west end production (torn between mousetrap, ten little indian and scrooge. major ones also in the running)
Natural History Museum
British Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Ganesh is planning Europe after WSC. I think I will just settle for getting lost in London itself.
Initial Observations:
1 day with Ganesh:
Cloudy weather.
2 days with Cheah Siu Hean (Ganesh has left for Manchester):
Sunny London (sounds like a oxymoron, doesn't it)
Visited:
Buckingham Palace (changing of the guards)
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Hall
Trafalgar Square
National Gallery (twice! still want to run back to see the Reubens exhibition)
National Museum (for the Persian Exhibitions, haven't checked out the rest yet although the Reading Room is excellent)
Marble Arch (such a letdown, cheered myself up with a big cup of juice from edgeware road, the arabian center of london. definitely worth the price)
Wong Kei (My Beef Briskett Hor Fun is bigger than Cheah Beef Briskett Noodles for the same price. YAY!)
Wish List:
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
National Potrait Gallery
Tate gallery
Tate Modern
Some west end production (torn between mousetrap, ten little indian and scrooge. major ones also in the running)
Natural History Museum
British Library
Victoria and Albert Museum
Ganesh is planning Europe after WSC. I think I will just settle for getting lost in London itself.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Posting from the Airport
30 minutes before my flight takes off.
Have been text messaging Cheah for the past 2 hours to test our connection. No guarantees that it works in London but hope for the best.
Ganesh is backpacking, watch him stroll across the Lounge without looking at me. This may be my last post until I find an alternative in London.
Bingos to all (but more to me)
Have been text messaging Cheah for the past 2 hours to test our connection. No guarantees that it works in London but hope for the best.
Ganesh is backpacking, watch him stroll across the Lounge without looking at me. This may be my last post until I find an alternative in London.
Bingos to all (but more to me)
WSC MIA part III
Matt Graham and Sammy O from the USA.
Just realized the Theodore from Philippines is also MIA.
Just realized the Theodore from Philippines is also MIA.
Testing!......
Get to know yourself better
Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.
The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.
Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.
The seriousness of your love:
You like to flirt and behave seductively. The opposite sex finds this very attractive, and that's why you'll always have admirers hanging off your arms. But how serious are you about choosing someone to be in a relationship with?
Your views on education
Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.
The right job for you:
You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don't focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.
How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.
What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don't ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you.
Who is your true self:
You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.
Quiz
Your view on yourself:
You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.
The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.
Your readiness to commit to a relationship:
You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.
The seriousness of your love:
You like to flirt and behave seductively. The opposite sex finds this very attractive, and that's why you'll always have admirers hanging off your arms. But how serious are you about choosing someone to be in a relationship with?
Your views on education
Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.
The right job for you:
You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don't focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.
How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.
What are you most afraid of:
You are afraid of having no one to rely on in times of trouble. You don't ever want to be unable to take care of yourself. Independence is important to you.
Who is your true self:
You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.
Quiz
Monday, November 07, 2005
WSC misc preparation
Luggage....Still packing
Camera.....Just bought one, Konica Minolta because I am used to their camera settings
Adapter.....RM30 for one
Tube of washing liquid.....still searching
Flash drive.....256MB, now if someone would be so kind to lend me a computer during the WSC........
Still busy
Camera.....Just bought one, Konica Minolta because I am used to their camera settings
Adapter.....RM30 for one
Tube of washing liquid.....still searching
Flash drive.....256MB, now if someone would be so kind to lend me a computer during the WSC........
Still busy
Saturday, November 05, 2005
An ex-roommate -- the JYNX
Now that I have lost Tony Sim as my roommate for the 2005 WSC,
I dread my replacement, the JYNX from King's Cup.
Just hope that his JYNX is localized to Bangkok only and not portable.
I dread my replacement, the JYNX from King's Cup.
Just hope that his JYNX is localized to Bangkok only and not portable.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
WSC MIA
Over the weekend and just today, I have found out that quite a few WSC participants have had their trips scuppered by a variety of reasons.
Nigerians and Kenyas have been knocked over by visa complications, which probably is a institutional rate since it is very hard to get visa to travel overseas.
Tony Sim just told me that his leave for WSC got cancelled so he can't go. Another victim of Singapore's work work work mentality. No wonder Singapore does not do well in any world championship if they don't allow their best prospects to go out and compete.
Just hope that nothing happens to mine.
Nigerians and Kenyas have been knocked over by visa complications, which probably is a institutional rate since it is very hard to get visa to travel overseas.
Tony Sim just told me that his leave for WSC got cancelled so he can't go. Another victim of Singapore's work work work mentality. No wonder Singapore does not do well in any world championship if they don't allow their best prospects to go out and compete.
Just hope that nothing happens to mine.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Finally got the second star for NM norm
but missed out on the excellent chance to accelerate to 1900, so will have to start plodding my way up to GM........in about 5 years time.
Have to focus on WSC now. Just finished the 4s the morning I arrived back in KL. now working on the 20k 7s. you just won't believe how weird they are. Hope to get a list of misses of 7s and 8s in time for the flight to London.
Just found out that one has to apply two months in advance to see the ceremony of keys at the Tower of London. Geez, maybe I shouldn't be focus on my studies for WSC so that I can find the time to write to them asking for an invitation. heh. So much for historical enlightenment.
Globe is also out of commission during the winter season (Cheah Siu Hean laments it) and the Royal Shakespeare Company is moving their play to Newscastle in November so I will miss it. So much for cultural enlightenment.
At least I still get the chance to visit pooh's corner (?)
Have to focus on WSC now. Just finished the 4s the morning I arrived back in KL. now working on the 20k 7s. you just won't believe how weird they are. Hope to get a list of misses of 7s and 8s in time for the flight to London.
Just found out that one has to apply two months in advance to see the ceremony of keys at the Tower of London. Geez, maybe I shouldn't be focus on my studies for WSC so that I can find the time to write to them asking for an invitation. heh. So much for historical enlightenment.
Globe is also out of commission during the winter season (Cheah Siu Hean laments it) and the Royal Shakespeare Company is moving their play to Newscastle in November so I will miss it. So much for cultural enlightenment.
At least I still get the chance to visit pooh's corner (?)
Thursday, October 27, 2005
TestMANIAs
| Your Ideal Relationship is Polyamory |
 You want to have your cake... and everyone else's. Which isn't a bad thing, if everyone else gets to eat too! You're too much of a free spirit to be tied down by a traditional relationship. You think relationships should be open and free, with few restrictions. |
Hhhmm...does that also mean I am a womanizer?
Actually I do plan to settle down with one women, but I will not expect her to fulfill all my sexual fantasies.
| You are Agonistic |
 You're not sure if God exists, and you don't care. For you, there's no true way to figure out the divine. You rather focus on what you can control - your own life. And you tend to resent when others "sell" religion to you. |
I do believe in god but any religious institution, IMO, is only a moral authority and not a divine authority.
Look at how much problems these pseudo-divine authorities create in the modern world.
| Slow and Steady |
 Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It'd really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment. They expect you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually decide against it. |
Very very true at times.
| How You Life Your Life |
 You have a good sense of self control and hate to show weakness. You tend to avoid confrontation and stay away from sticky situations. You're open to new people and friends, which makes you a pretty popular person. You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable. |
Yen Nee says 1st and 4th are true. 2nd is not and 3rd is so so.
| Your Hidden Talent |
 You have the power to persuade and influence others. You're the type of person who can turn a whole room around. The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it. Always remember, you have a lot more power over people than you might think! |
Me, Persuasive?
HAHAHA
| Your Blogging Type is Kind and Harmonious |
 You're an approachable blogger who tends to have many online friends. People new to your blogging circle know they can count on you for support. You tend to mediate fighting and drama. You set a cooperative tone. You have a great eye for design - and your blog tends to be the best looking on the block! |
Very very inaccurate, since I tend to be the one starting most of the fights :P
Then again, what do you expect from a personality quiz that only asks less than ten questions.
| The Keys to Your Heart |
 You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when things are straight-forward, and you're told that you're loved. You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring. You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is 100%. You are not suited for a monogamous relationship. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily. |
treat marriage as sacred and 100% risk of cheating. hhhmmmm.....what a contradictory combination.
| Your Birthdate: May 18 |
 Your birthday on the 18th day of the month suggests than you are one who can work well with a group, but still remain someone who needs to maintain individual identity. There is a humanistic or philanthropic approach to business circumstances in which you find yourself. You may have good executive abilities, as you are very much the organizer and administrator. You are broad-minded, tolerant and generous; a compassionate person that can inspire others with imaginative ideas. Some of your feelings may be expressed, but even more of them are apt to be repressed. There is a lot of drama in your personality and in the way you express yourself to others. Oddly enough, you don't expect as much in return as you give. |
Will let others decide.
| You Are 25 Years Old |
 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax. |
hhhmmm...I am acting my age.
| Your Personality Profile |
 You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant. Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle. You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs. For you, comfort and calm are very important. You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection. You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong. |
all this because I like the view of the sea....
and Finally....Colourgenics
You are seeking an affectionate relationship, offering fulfillment and happiness. You are capable of powerful emotional enthusiasm. Deep down, you are a kind loving person, always helpful and willing to adapt yourself if necessary to realize the bond of affection that you desire. But you need the same consideration and understanding from others and it is this need that will sometimes hold you back... so let go, trust and you may pleasantly surprised at what happens.
You are a leader and possibly at this time in a position of authority, but you are experiencing problems. You are not quite sure how to handle the present situation.
There are times of everyone's life when 'compromise' is the name of the game and this is the time, so you have no alternative but to forgo some pleasures for the time being. You are capable of achieving satisfaction through physical activity.
You are on tenterhooks and appear to be extremely nervous and upset. You are bored and you feel that life has far more to offer than this present day mundane existence. The way that you feel indicates that you have the need for a responsive and understanding relationship. You are prepared to follow up any opportunity which may present itself. However you are very choosy and you refuse to be swept off your feet unless integrity can proved to be 100% genuine. Therefore you are holding back, keeping your emotions in check because before you let down your guard you have to be sure. You are too trusting and you have no desire to be hurt again. You are responsive to conditions around you - but forever under control.
You have so many ideas that you would like to revitalize but you need to realize a stable and peaceful condition to do so. Once you can free yourself from all the aggravation and tension around you, you will make strides that may amaze you. You will not be prevented from achieving all the things you so desire.
Had Enough?
Monday, October 24, 2005
Must keep studying.....
at the halfway point in creating a printout of bingos* misses.
With Singapore Open just around the corner, I wonder when will I get it down.
Anyway, I miss an alarming number of *-letter bingos (not going to tell you for you to take advantage of).
Hope to get all this rectified by WSC.
Singapore Open will hopefully be my warmup tournament to fine tune my game.
With Singapore Open just around the corner, I wonder when will I get it down.
Anyway, I miss an alarming number of *-letter bingos (not going to tell you for you to take advantage of).
Hope to get all this rectified by WSC.
Singapore Open will hopefully be my warmup tournament to fine tune my game.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
ISC stands for Intolerable Sadistic Cruelty
I only have two things to say.
What is FREAKING WRONG with the bloody Fair-Play Agreement?
I closed Lexpert before accepting Aaron Chong's seek and it cancels my FP Agreement?
Where is the justice in this world?
And while we are at it, where's my support account?
I have emailed Carol like half a dozen times since the Nationals when I qualified for the WSC. Others have already gotten their support account long ago but I haven't gotten mine yet.
What's is going on there?
What is FREAKING WRONG with the bloody Fair-Play Agreement?
I closed Lexpert before accepting Aaron Chong's seek and it cancels my FP Agreement?
Where is the justice in this world?
And while we are at it, where's my support account?
I have emailed Carol like half a dozen times since the Nationals when I qualified for the WSC. Others have already gotten their support account long ago but I haven't gotten mine yet.
What's is going on there?
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Booked the plane ticket
Will be flying off on November 10.
Accommodation during the tournament is also settled.
Now only have to worry about accommodation before and after the tournament. Am still planning my itinery. Any good places to visit in London?
Henry
Accommodation during the tournament is also settled.
Now only have to worry about accommodation before and after the tournament. Am still planning my itinery. Any good places to visit in London?
Henry
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Ganesh is preparing for the WSC by....
Sleeping in late, probably to synchronise his circadian rhythm with the London Time Zone.
Why do I say this?
Well, he has overslept for two consecutive days (today and yesterday) when he is supposed to attend an interview with me in the morning.
Why do I say this?
Well, he has overslept for two consecutive days (today and yesterday) when he is supposed to attend an interview with me in the morning.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Ratings, Ratings & Study
Trying to coordinate the switchover with Andy. Being the perfectionist that he is, he runs into all sorts of trouble with my data. So must correct this, correct that, go look over this. Rename that.
Man, I hope this can be finished so I can get back to my studies.
Finished revising top 10k &s and 8s. Have printed out the miss list for them. Next stop the 20k bingos and Power letters. Have also yet to produce a list of missed 4s and must get around to do my 3s before I leave.
Man, I hope this can be finished so I can get back to my studies.
Finished revising top 10k &s and 8s. Have printed out the miss list for them. Next stop the 20k bingos and Power letters. Have also yet to produce a list of missed 4s and must get around to do my 3s before I leave.
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Someone said YES to humiliating me
Righto, have to deliver as promised.
Game 1: Lim Sha Lyn
CONGEST was my first rack when she opened the game, followed by sELENIC four timer. Consistent scoring negated the effect of her bingo, DeSIRES. She played the endgame perfectly but I win 477-292
Game 2: Goh Jiang Pern
He opens with SODAInE and I get that sinking feeling in my guts. Kept up a brisk pace of scoring until I get ALERIONS thru the E, missing the superior four-timing TONSILAR (that JP saw and told me after I pressed my clock). After playing APEX for 51, immediately lucked out with SCRAgGY/JILLS for 86 plus a nicklel. He opened bingo lines and I dump THE and get to play DUETTINO from the D to the triple. 489-367
Game 3: Tan Jin Chor
I open with LENDiNG, and we ended up playing cat & mouse. he kept on opening bingos lines, I was closing them down. Then he hit me with PINIEsT, hooking FITCHE. I challenge FITCHE giving him a nickel and we reverse roles. I eyed the ON on the boards and eventually fished out DELETIONS/JURATS to equalize our scores. Promptly empty the bag and have AEEEOUR sitting on my rack, he has FOZIERS. Needless to say, painful loss due to endgame. 393-434
Game 4: Cheah Siu Hean
We trade bingos in midgame, he gets INSANER, which I overlap with TOnEMES. Suboptimal moves let me get HOLLER (42 points) & TRIAGED (79 points). Need a bingo to win, can't fish it out. Didn't want to get Q stick late in the game so I passed and went out in two after he plays QuA. 310-417
Game 5: John Lam
I could do no wrong in the first 6 moves of this game. Played SAILERS from my opening rack. HIVED overlaps SAX for 38 points, he gives me an N in the triple lane for QUEYN. Follow up is BALCONET through the E for face value and I get 48 points for JOTA, leaving the J open in the triple lane. Take it afterwards with JOINS for a cheap 36 points. Intermediate scoring towards the end and he cut spread with OUTDREaM thru the D. I get to play AZIDE for 78 (emptying the last three tiles in the bag) which he replies with an outbingo, LEAFIeST. In hindsight, should have played off BG, leaving one in the bag and playing AZIDE one turn later. Cut spread so I win 482-388.
Game 6: Dianne Ward
(Had I won the last game by a bigger spread, I would have had to play Ganesh who got Ricky instead, much to Ricky's frustration). Neck and neck until I played back to back bingos, ENGAGEs & SHAMbLES. She overlaps OOGONIA below it and I missed the phoney hook bN* (which I will never hear the end of from Ricky and the others). Another late bingo of POSTERED finished her off. 464-322
Game 7: Ganesh Asirvatham
Long overdue game, he open TYG allowing me to clear my rack with ANTEDATE. He gets ANTBEARS, SOULDAn, aNURETIC and everything else in betwee. Was lucky to have HOTELIER at the end to cut spread. 380-489
Game 8: Shim Yen Nee.
She has officially replace everyone else as my jinx. She double blanks cZArINA early on and I was force to play catch up. She let my phoney ENARCHES go because she thaought she could overlap JOISTED in neatly. she was wrong. Then I fail to see a potential outbingo and she played ODDITIES the very last turn. 351-436
Game 9: Seshi Ramanathan
Low scoring game that I was lucky to win, thanks for aTONIES & BOXING. The only highlight of the game was her AGaZE for 72, which won the spot prize for that round. 347-314
Game 10: Kong Chock Heng
LOiTERED, NOTABLES, PAsSAGE and MAXIM for 48 points to nothing? Enough said though I did go overtime trying to maximize my outplay when there was nothing scoring higher than 4 points. 486-291
Game 11: Aaron Chong
Was lucky that Aaron didn't put himself in the running this year for the WSC selection. If I had chosen AYRE or even EYRA over YARD on my second move, he wouldn't have been able to play RETINUE, he also get INSETTED. My FLICkERS does nothing to stem the loss and he goes out with SALiNATE. 303-460
Game 12: Jocelyn Lor
I play VIOLATER, she gets down BANKERS. I then get CHiNESE and score heavily with FEIJOA, QI, ZOA. Then I make a stupid move hooking sTRUM to AINES* and she gets to go out before me. 417-348.
Game 13: Hubert Wee
He opens with ADORERs and gets down NATURES before my IODINES hit the board (I chickened out of RESINOID) but get to use the S dangling in the triple lane for JOIST for 60 (not before he hits me with RITZ for 69). 90 points down. I get down STRODLE and try to open up for a third bingo. He scores enough in the endgame to outrun my AsSIEGED to win by 10 points. Ganesh plays the devil's advocate with what ifs in he postgame discussions. 437-447
Game 14: Chuah Sim Swee
Two bingos each. I have ALIENER & STINKPOT, she gets REHOUSE & RECOVERS. Two exchanges by her and three phonies are what I need to increase the spread. Ganesh told me I missed UPDATeS towards the end. 486-355
Game 15: John Lam rematch
He blocks my MAZIEST (that could score 119 points). Will settle for AZYMITES for face value. he then plays ESOTeRIC & dESPAIRED to mow me down while I deal with lousy tiles. 294-402
Game 16: Shim Yen Nee rematch
She blocks ENTIrELY and I play INErTLY in the suboptimal spot. She races ahead with GORIEST. I eventually get to play MOLINES on a tight board to go 34 up. Out of the nine tiles in the bag, I draw DHKRRSV (leaving AE in the bag!!! WHY!? WHY ME!? why do I have to draw the stinking combination that would lose!?). Unseen to me were AAEIOMRT?. Needless to say, she went out before me and I lose on countback by a mere 2 points. 387-389
SOB! Enought humiliation, Yen Nee?
Game 1: Lim Sha Lyn
CONGEST was my first rack when she opened the game, followed by sELENIC four timer. Consistent scoring negated the effect of her bingo, DeSIRES. She played the endgame perfectly but I win 477-292
Game 2: Goh Jiang Pern
He opens with SODAInE and I get that sinking feeling in my guts. Kept up a brisk pace of scoring until I get ALERIONS thru the E, missing the superior four-timing TONSILAR (that JP saw and told me after I pressed my clock). After playing APEX for 51, immediately lucked out with SCRAgGY/JILLS for 86 plus a nicklel. He opened bingo lines and I dump THE and get to play DUETTINO from the D to the triple. 489-367
Game 3: Tan Jin Chor
I open with LENDiNG, and we ended up playing cat & mouse. he kept on opening bingos lines, I was closing them down. Then he hit me with PINIEsT, hooking FITCHE. I challenge FITCHE giving him a nickel and we reverse roles. I eyed the ON on the boards and eventually fished out DELETIONS/JURATS to equalize our scores. Promptly empty the bag and have AEEEOUR sitting on my rack, he has FOZIERS. Needless to say, painful loss due to endgame. 393-434
Game 4: Cheah Siu Hean
We trade bingos in midgame, he gets INSANER, which I overlap with TOnEMES. Suboptimal moves let me get HOLLER (42 points) & TRIAGED (79 points). Need a bingo to win, can't fish it out. Didn't want to get Q stick late in the game so I passed and went out in two after he plays QuA. 310-417
Game 5: John Lam
I could do no wrong in the first 6 moves of this game. Played SAILERS from my opening rack. HIVED overlaps SAX for 38 points, he gives me an N in the triple lane for QUEYN. Follow up is BALCONET through the E for face value and I get 48 points for JOTA, leaving the J open in the triple lane. Take it afterwards with JOINS for a cheap 36 points. Intermediate scoring towards the end and he cut spread with OUTDREaM thru the D. I get to play AZIDE for 78 (emptying the last three tiles in the bag) which he replies with an outbingo, LEAFIeST. In hindsight, should have played off BG, leaving one in the bag and playing AZIDE one turn later. Cut spread so I win 482-388.
Game 6: Dianne Ward
(Had I won the last game by a bigger spread, I would have had to play Ganesh who got Ricky instead, much to Ricky's frustration). Neck and neck until I played back to back bingos, ENGAGEs & SHAMbLES. She overlaps OOGONIA below it and I missed the phoney hook bN* (which I will never hear the end of from Ricky and the others). Another late bingo of POSTERED finished her off. 464-322
Game 7: Ganesh Asirvatham
Long overdue game, he open TYG allowing me to clear my rack with ANTEDATE. He gets ANTBEARS, SOULDAn, aNURETIC and everything else in betwee. Was lucky to have HOTELIER at the end to cut spread. 380-489
Game 8: Shim Yen Nee.
She has officially replace everyone else as my jinx. She double blanks cZArINA early on and I was force to play catch up. She let my phoney ENARCHES go because she thaought she could overlap JOISTED in neatly. she was wrong. Then I fail to see a potential outbingo and she played ODDITIES the very last turn. 351-436
Game 9: Seshi Ramanathan
Low scoring game that I was lucky to win, thanks for aTONIES & BOXING. The only highlight of the game was her AGaZE for 72, which won the spot prize for that round. 347-314
Game 10: Kong Chock Heng
LOiTERED, NOTABLES, PAsSAGE and MAXIM for 48 points to nothing? Enough said though I did go overtime trying to maximize my outplay when there was nothing scoring higher than 4 points. 486-291
Game 11: Aaron Chong
Was lucky that Aaron didn't put himself in the running this year for the WSC selection. If I had chosen AYRE or even EYRA over YARD on my second move, he wouldn't have been able to play RETINUE, he also get INSETTED. My FLICkERS does nothing to stem the loss and he goes out with SALiNATE. 303-460
Game 12: Jocelyn Lor
I play VIOLATER, she gets down BANKERS. I then get CHiNESE and score heavily with FEIJOA, QI, ZOA. Then I make a stupid move hooking sTRUM to AINES* and she gets to go out before me. 417-348.
Game 13: Hubert Wee
He opens with ADORERs and gets down NATURES before my IODINES hit the board (I chickened out of RESINOID) but get to use the S dangling in the triple lane for JOIST for 60 (not before he hits me with RITZ for 69). 90 points down. I get down STRODLE and try to open up for a third bingo. He scores enough in the endgame to outrun my AsSIEGED to win by 10 points. Ganesh plays the devil's advocate with what ifs in he postgame discussions. 437-447
Game 14: Chuah Sim Swee
Two bingos each. I have ALIENER & STINKPOT, she gets REHOUSE & RECOVERS. Two exchanges by her and three phonies are what I need to increase the spread. Ganesh told me I missed UPDATeS towards the end. 486-355
Game 15: John Lam rematch
He blocks my MAZIEST (that could score 119 points). Will settle for AZYMITES for face value. he then plays ESOTeRIC & dESPAIRED to mow me down while I deal with lousy tiles. 294-402
Game 16: Shim Yen Nee rematch
She blocks ENTIrELY and I play INErTLY in the suboptimal spot. She races ahead with GORIEST. I eventually get to play MOLINES on a tight board to go 34 up. Out of the nine tiles in the bag, I draw DHKRRSV (leaving AE in the bag!!! WHY!? WHY ME!? why do I have to draw the stinking combination that would lose!?). Unseen to me were AAEIOMRT?. Needless to say, she went out before me and I lose on countback by a mere 2 points. 387-389
SOB! Enought humiliation, Yen Nee?
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Skinflint President
Another example of an incompetent president.
For all his kind intentions, he really should have asked the WSC reps for their itinery before going off to book the ticket on his own. I pointed out that my teammate has already booked his ticket already and that I am going to buy my ticket next week. He huffily replied that we should go on our own money then. What AN IDIOT!!!
Who is he to dictate when and how we should go to the WSC in London. We are the ones going, not him. If he is not able to think about our welfare or even have the common decency to ask us what are our plans, I seriously voice my objection to him handling the WSC funding at all.
In the end, I suppose my teammate and I will be lucky to get RM3,000 instead of the RM5,000 as promised earlier.
Another example of the president renegading on his promises. As bad as the previous one.
For all his kind intentions, he really should have asked the WSC reps for their itinery before going off to book the ticket on his own. I pointed out that my teammate has already booked his ticket already and that I am going to buy my ticket next week. He huffily replied that we should go on our own money then. What AN IDIOT!!!
Who is he to dictate when and how we should go to the WSC in London. We are the ones going, not him. If he is not able to think about our welfare or even have the common decency to ask us what are our plans, I seriously voice my objection to him handling the WSC funding at all.
In the end, I suppose my teammate and I will be lucky to get RM3,000 instead of the RM5,000 as promised earlier.
Another example of the president renegading on his promises. As bad as the previous one.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Crash & Burn
Bad Performance at Penang. Very Depressed. End of Story.
If you want to see how bad I did, just visit the malaysian scrabble blog on blogspot.com. If you want me to recount the gory details. Just post 'YES' in the comments.
If you want to see how bad I did, just visit the malaysian scrabble blog on blogspot.com. If you want me to recount the gory details. Just post 'YES' in the comments.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Jumping on the bandwagon
| Your Power Color Is Lime Green |
 At Your Highest: You are adventurous, witty, and a visionary. At Your Lowest: You feel misunderstood, like you don't fit in. In Love: You have a tough exterior, but can be very dedicated. How You're Attractive: Your self-awareness and confidence lights up a room. Your Eternal Question: "What else do I need in my life?" |
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Overpacking for the weekend
My fault as a traveller (inherited from my parents) is that I overpack even for the shortest trip.
So you can expect to see my lug my Scrabble board, my oversized travel bag stuffed with:
4 t-shirts/polos
1 pair of jeans
1 sarong
5 changes of undies
4 singlets
4 pairs of sock
2 shorts
1 pair of sandal (is this the correct spelling?)
my OSL
my OSW-I
my clipboard
my rugsack
my lucky cap
my toiletries
my religious stuffs
all for a 3 day 2 night tournament up in Penang. Am I full of myself or what?
So you can expect to see my lug my Scrabble board, my oversized travel bag stuffed with:
4 t-shirts/polos
1 pair of jeans
1 sarong
5 changes of undies
4 singlets
4 pairs of sock
2 shorts
1 pair of sandal (is this the correct spelling?)
my OSL
my OSW-I
my clipboard
my rugsack
my lucky cap
my toiletries
my religious stuffs
all for a 3 day 2 night tournament up in Penang. Am I full of myself or what?
Monday, September 26, 2005
Odds to win the Penang Open
Disclaimer: the following odds have been generated by fuzzy logic without the use of any mathematical or scientific methods and are subjected to change based on my whims and fancies. Pundits looking to bet on the outcome should contact me personally to get the latest odds.
| Ganesh | 2:3 |
| Cheah Siu Hean | 2:1 |
| Tony Sim | 4:1 |
| Goh Jiang Pern | 4:1 |
| Andy Kurnia | 6:1 |
| Ricky Purnomo | 6:1 |
| Yeo Kien Hung | 7:1 |
| Aaron Chong | 7:1 |
| Hubert Wee | 7:1 |
| Dianne Ward | 8:1 |
| John Lam | 8:1 |
| Kong Chock Heng | 8:1 |
| Chuah Sim Swee | 10:1 |
| Jocelyn Lor | 10:1 |
| Michael Tang | 10:1 |
| Tan Jin Chor | 10:1 |
| Shim Yen Nee | 10:1 |
| Ong Suanne | 15:1 |
| Mohd Ali Ismail | 20:1 |
| Seshi Ramanathan | 20:1 |
| Warren Lau | 20:1 |
| Chim Wai Main | 20:1 |
| Albert Yeap | 40:1 |
| Jerry Jang | 40:1 |
| Yeap Gim Sai | 40:1 |
| Paulette Yeoh | 40:1 |
| Lim Sha Lyn | 50:1 |
| Michael Wong | 50:1 |
| Sandy Tsen | 50:1 |
| Ng Chee Eng | 50:1 |
| Mohd Salahudin | 80:1 |
| Yeoh Sue Jane | 100:1 |
| Yeoh Sue Ann | 100:1 |
| Adele Tan | 100:1 |
| Krishna Iyer | 100:1 |
| Azlan Tajudin | 100:1 |
| Zeenath Ariff | 100:1 |
| Irene Lim | 100:1 |
| Edmond Capel | 100:1 |
| Haji Masri Selamat | 100:1 |
| Khairuddin Abd Halim | 100:1 |
| Sharfizi Azmal | 100:1 |
Saturday, September 24, 2005
words, words, words and more words
Finished another 5000 bingos today.
What a chore it is to do well at the WSC once you qualify for it.
Pathetically wishing there was an easier way to study.
The best thing is that I get to fit in a trip around UK while I am there.
What a chore it is to do well at the WSC once you qualify for it.
Pathetically wishing there was an easier way to study.
The best thing is that I get to fit in a trip around UK while I am there.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Confronting the Adjudicator
Like it or not, there has to be winners and losers in debates. We don't give out draws.
So if you don't like my decision, I still very well expect you to respect it.
Most of my debating days (about 7 of them, since I never made any teams) were probably spent trying to improve my performance. I didn't spend them whittling away at the adjudicators for their justifications (I was probably too busy trying to understand the oral adjudication and what the adjudicators have to say about the entire debate)
If I lose, I just try to find someway to do better the next time.
I don't tell adjudicators what to do or how to judge, and I expect them to do their job properly. If you are asking me to judge debates on facts, that simply goes against the grain of being an adjudicator because we are breaking the code of neutrality (& impartiality) for many reasons.
One, for us to judge on facts, we must know the facts and that means we should know more than the debaters to decide whether or not their fact is right or wrong.
Secondly, by passsing judgement on facts, we are tantamount to entering the debate, because we cannot refute facts and such unless the debaters point it out themselves and we are doing it for them.
Thirdly, do we decide based on quantity of facts, or the quality of facts, or a combination of both? (Someone is rewriting the bloody criteria, for christ sake)
The correct thing to do in this case is to blame the debaters for not being accurate about their facts and not make adjudicators judge to your criteria.
So if you don't like my decision, I still very well expect you to respect it.
Most of my debating days (about 7 of them, since I never made any teams) were probably spent trying to improve my performance. I didn't spend them whittling away at the adjudicators for their justifications (I was probably too busy trying to understand the oral adjudication and what the adjudicators have to say about the entire debate)
If I lose, I just try to find someway to do better the next time.
I don't tell adjudicators what to do or how to judge, and I expect them to do their job properly. If you are asking me to judge debates on facts, that simply goes against the grain of being an adjudicator because we are breaking the code of neutrality (& impartiality) for many reasons.
One, for us to judge on facts, we must know the facts and that means we should know more than the debaters to decide whether or not their fact is right or wrong.
Secondly, by passsing judgement on facts, we are tantamount to entering the debate, because we cannot refute facts and such unless the debaters point it out themselves and we are doing it for them.
Thirdly, do we decide based on quantity of facts, or the quality of facts, or a combination of both? (Someone is rewriting the bloody criteria, for christ sake)
The correct thing to do in this case is to blame the debaters for not being accurate about their facts and not make adjudicators judge to your criteria.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Being a Debating Alumnus
There is really not much benefits in being one these day.
You don't get paid for your services.
You get confronted by the juniors.
You eat whatever the organizers serve you.
You agonize over every decision.
You do all the above for at least 3 days.
Then again, you get to raise hell.
You get to bash the juniors ego.
You get free drinks (non-alcoholic beverages).
You can say someone sucks and it is true.
You don't have to go to work for 3 days (take leave, duh!)
(Maybe that is what keeps me coming back, again and again)
Wonder which one should I attend next year?
You don't get paid for your services.
You get confronted by the juniors.
You eat whatever the organizers serve you.
You agonize over every decision.
You do all the above for at least 3 days.
Then again, you get to raise hell.
You get to bash the juniors ego.
You get free drinks (non-alcoholic beverages).
You can say someone sucks and it is true.
You don't have to go to work for 3 days (take leave, duh!)
(Maybe that is what keeps me coming back, again and again)
Wonder which one should I attend next year?
Sunday, September 18, 2005
My House is now a place of worship
The consecration and installation ceremony went smoothly today, but I can feel somewhat dissatisfied that I no longer have any privacy in my house (on certain days).
Basically, 'kumites' from KL and around can come over to my house to pray and practice our beliefs in the 'Goshintai' mini dojo we installed at the back on the house. So I no longer have free access to many parts of the house and all my things have been crammed back into my room (feels like a dormitory anyway).
Not much in terms of privacy, but anything to sooth my parents beliefs. Hopefully, the better aura that descends upon my house today will bring in more blessings in the coming years (don't care about money as long as I have enough to live and travel to play Scrabble).
I wonder how much will I have to offer from my WSC prize money should I win any at all?
Basically, 'kumites' from KL and around can come over to my house to pray and practice our beliefs in the 'Goshintai' mini dojo we installed at the back on the house. So I no longer have free access to many parts of the house and all my things have been crammed back into my room (feels like a dormitory anyway).
Not much in terms of privacy, but anything to sooth my parents beliefs. Hopefully, the better aura that descends upon my house today will bring in more blessings in the coming years (don't care about money as long as I have enough to live and travel to play Scrabble).
I wonder how much will I have to offer from my WSC prize money should I win any at all?
Thursday, September 15, 2005
One year on
As I sit here typing, I do reminisce about what has happened in the past one year since I took over as the Scrabble columnist for the Star after the death of my predecessor, Mr. Leonard Wong.
Back then, I was still a whippersnapper (still am now, but I feel old with so many juniors invading the tournament scene, many of whom I introduce in the first place), who just wanted to play, play and play.
Since Leonard passed on, I probably continue a lot of his work. I was mainly focus on writing about Equatorial, Causeway, the Nationals last year. Then 2005 rolled in and I realized that there was no tournament to write about unless I organized it. Then there was the irritant of the ex-president, who has wronged the whole committee and the association.
So I probably end up doing everything for Malaysian Scrabble (and the KL Scrabble scene), received a few thankyous here and there (and a lot of misguided criticisms from the ass who is the current president, who sits on his ASS all day while the select few on the committee toil everyday).
Am I happy with the current situation? NO
Am I happy with the current trend? NO
I am still not satisfy with my articles, I want to write better but I need a serious revamp in my style. I am dissatisfied with the dictator, aka president, who is an ASS and tries to control everything. He is not touching my articles or the webpage that my friend maintains for me. He simply does not have the support of the committee to bully me as he wishes. So there!
I am also giving thoughts to the next few days to decreasing my involvement in organizing Scrabble tournaments because it is too stressful, especially when I am still starting out in the workforce. I find it very annoying that there are people who do have the free time and resources to organize Scrabble just sit back and do nothing but play. They should be the one getting off their butts and trying to organize their own tournaments, instead of coming up to me with ideas and suggestion. I am very pissed when people give their suggestion for two reasons. One, I don't take criticism lightly or easily. Secondly, I don't want to be the only one to organize Scrabble tournament in KL for the rest of my life.
I do take pity on Mrs. Yap because of all the committee members, she probably works as hard as me, if not harder than me. She has put together the Interschool Championship and National Championship this year already inspite of serious fumbling from the ASS.
So wake up, people. From next year onwards, you might find out that you will be on your own for most of the year. So, you want a Scrabble scene, start by helping to create one, before I bow out early like Leonard Wong (who was very overworked in 2004).
Back then, I was still a whippersnapper (still am now, but I feel old with so many juniors invading the tournament scene, many of whom I introduce in the first place), who just wanted to play, play and play.
Since Leonard passed on, I probably continue a lot of his work. I was mainly focus on writing about Equatorial, Causeway, the Nationals last year. Then 2005 rolled in and I realized that there was no tournament to write about unless I organized it. Then there was the irritant of the ex-president, who has wronged the whole committee and the association.
So I probably end up doing everything for Malaysian Scrabble (and the KL Scrabble scene), received a few thankyous here and there (and a lot of misguided criticisms from the ass who is the current president, who sits on his ASS all day while the select few on the committee toil everyday).
Am I happy with the current situation? NO
Am I happy with the current trend? NO
I am still not satisfy with my articles, I want to write better but I need a serious revamp in my style. I am dissatisfied with the dictator, aka president, who is an ASS and tries to control everything. He is not touching my articles or the webpage that my friend maintains for me. He simply does not have the support of the committee to bully me as he wishes. So there!
I am also giving thoughts to the next few days to decreasing my involvement in organizing Scrabble tournaments because it is too stressful, especially when I am still starting out in the workforce. I find it very annoying that there are people who do have the free time and resources to organize Scrabble just sit back and do nothing but play. They should be the one getting off their butts and trying to organize their own tournaments, instead of coming up to me with ideas and suggestion. I am very pissed when people give their suggestion for two reasons. One, I don't take criticism lightly or easily. Secondly, I don't want to be the only one to organize Scrabble tournament in KL for the rest of my life.
I do take pity on Mrs. Yap because of all the committee members, she probably works as hard as me, if not harder than me. She has put together the Interschool Championship and National Championship this year already inspite of serious fumbling from the ASS.
So wake up, people. From next year onwards, you might find out that you will be on your own for most of the year. So, you want a Scrabble scene, start by helping to create one, before I bow out early like Leonard Wong (who was very overworked in 2004).
My first quiz --- LOTR
I give in to temptation.....and look what I have got in return.
I pretty much doubt all these online quiz generators but it is nice when you do see the results (I wonder what answers are needed to generate Sauron or Saruman in this instance)
I pretty much doubt all these online quiz generators but it is nice when you do see the results (I wonder what answers are needed to generate Sauron or Saruman in this instance)
 | You scored as Frodo. You have a great source of internal strength and even when faced with the impossible, you don't give in.
Your Lord of The Rings Alter Ego Is...? created with QuizFarm.com |
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Communication breakdown at the top!
I was first ask to return to headquarters yesterday by the MD directly to help out with the accounts department.
Arrived here in the morning and two hours later, another manager said my services wasn't need and chased me back to our branch.
What is going on?
Arrived here in the morning and two hours later, another manager said my services wasn't need and chased me back to our branch.
What is going on?
Wireless Connectionless
Right....., at this moment, I am at JC's house setting up his wireless network.
The router is fine, internet connection is up, but why isn't the laptop getting the preset signal. It seems to like some other network name "belkin_pre_n". So if anyone out there has any ideas how to resolve this, please inform me ASAP.
Pretty funny that I am being defeated not by the hardware setup, but by the laptop unable to configure itself to the wireless network I just set up on Monday.
So please, tell me what to do.
The router is fine, internet connection is up, but why isn't the laptop getting the preset signal. It seems to like some other network name "belkin_pre_n". So if anyone out there has any ideas how to resolve this, please inform me ASAP.
Pretty funny that I am being defeated not by the hardware setup, but by the laptop unable to configure itself to the wireless network I just set up on Monday.
So please, tell me what to do.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Busy Mind, Busy Body
Having gotten over the shock of Sunday (actually, not yet), I am already putting out feelers to find me some way of transporting me (physically and mentally) to London in November.
That's is on top of my day job, my dictionary/wordlists study time, my commitment to the Rotaract club (and Rotary International Foundation, this one better pay off with some benefits when I do go to London). So everyday, I am busy as a bee can be (an absolute lie at times).
I just hope my health is going to be okay by the time WSC comes around. I don't want to win my spot on the team and scupper the team by being sick like I was at the last WSC when I was doing the pairings and infected Ricky the same day.
That's is on top of my day job, my dictionary/wordlists study time, my commitment to the Rotaract club (and Rotary International Foundation, this one better pay off with some benefits when I do go to London). So everyday, I am busy as a bee can be (an absolute lie at times).
I just hope my health is going to be okay by the time WSC comes around. I don't want to win my spot on the team and scupper the team by being sick like I was at the last WSC when I was doing the pairings and infected Ricky the same day.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
I am still in denial
I have made it. YES! YES! YES!
Tony made it, Cheah made it, JP made it, Andy did it in 2003, Ganesh made it, Nigel made it. And I have made it (just have to show up at WSC to join the club). Sorry, Ricky and Hubert, hope to see you guys do it in 2007.
Now that the euphoria is over, have to start hitting the books ASAP (and search for sponsorship).
I will admit that I was pessimistic about my chances post LWMST when I dropped below 1600 while Pui and Michael both maintained their 1700 ratings. Then everything just fell into my lap.
At ECH, I was too busy trying to stay ahead of them to see how they crash and burn because I wanted to stay three wins ahead of them. Even in the last round at ECH, I was sweating because I just lost four in a row and the three of us were playing at tables adjacent to each other (I was only one win ahead). Somehow, they lost their games while I won mine. Good news: I climbed back up to pre-LWMST rating while Michael dropped below me. Bad news: Pui is still 11 points above me despite dropping. So Nationals would either be hell or godsend for me, I didn't know at that point.
So I started hitting the books really hard. So when Nationals rolled in, everyone (including Michael) started to psycho me and play mind games when I really couldn't be bothered. I was just playing like mad, stealing some games from Jerry and Yeap. Somehow managed to stay on par with Ganesh, two wins above Pui, Cheah and Co. (In spite of a very incapable TD in the Masters divisions and handling the pairing and data entry for all four divisions, roughly 30 matches per round to input)
So on day 2, we started the KOTH early (the TD decided at the last minute to increase it from four to six. I, of course, grumbled about the possibility of having to face Ganesh for six rounds instead of four and that Pui might just overtake me at the last hurdle. Why is everyone conspiring against me?)
So, Play Ganesh. Lose, 1 wins ahead of Pui & Cheah.
Play Ganesh again. Win, 1 win ahead of Cheah who just beat Pui (Go Cheah, keep Pui off my back)
Play Ganesh again, Win (what!!!) 1 win ahead of Ganesh & Cheah and 3 ahead of Pui. (Go Cheah)
At this point, everyone started congratulating me on making the WSC but I was still unsure since I have the necessary buffer with 3 games to go but I am not counting my chickens yet until they hatch. Now that I was in the lead, I did change my goal from making WSC spot to something more amibitious (Cheah was giving me a pep talk all the while about it). I will admit that the ploy finally worked and I did shut off my brains at that point, so.....
Play Ganesh again (4th consecutive time, I am such a pig trying to hoard Ganesh for myself). Lose, somehow Cheah (playing on the table behind me heard it and) proceed to lose his game by 5 points to Jocelyn Lor. I wonder if Cheah chickened out of wanting to face Ganesh so early. Therefore.....Ganesh for the 5th consecutive time. Lose, but then Cheah did his job by beating Pui and keeping him down at 9 wins. So I can still finish ahead of him, which is good.
Then the last round fiasco, the stupid TD couldn't figure out in his thick skull that someone can still lose a game and play at a high table in the KOTH round (because the others people who woin couldn't overtake the said person, Jocelyn Lor) He insisted I paired the thing wrongly and halted the round for a full 5 minutes while we were all in play. I went with him and Jolceyn Lor to the computer and Lo and Behold! The data was correct and everything was paired correctly. This ruckus disrupted my concentration and lower my opinion of the TD even more (some would say, into the Nether Zone). At least Pui was diplomatic enough to say that the TD should make a public apology, I replied with heavy sarcasms as I was in a foul mood after the shouting match.
Anyway, I got back into the zone and romp home over Jocelyn (admittedly, my mood was so foul, I probably irritated her with me mind game + irritating habits that she complains about. Must do away with them before WSC. Sorry Jocelyn!!!)
After finishing the game, proceed to deal with problem of rating, since we do need to know who is going to WSC since Pui also won his last game. Stupid program found glitch with student division. So ignore student division first and test rated the Masters and the Open division and verify no problem. Announce that I made it in very hush tones. Everyone starts shaking my hand like it has the Midas Touch (I am still in denial). Proceed to work on student rating (which I botch up pretty badly according to Andy. Will let him figure it out and tell me what to do) and in the meantime, collect prize, and (don't know how to) pose for photo session and meet the public because I am a backstage person.
Well, at least I get a free dinner out of Cheah afterwards when it should be the other way around according to the SA tradition. Will treat him in Penang Open.
That's the end of it. Not very helpful since I didn't post all my games as promised because I need to study for Penang, Singapore and WSC. Will post some games, any game when I feel like it.
Tony made it, Cheah made it, JP made it, Andy did it in 2003, Ganesh made it, Nigel made it. And I have made it (just have to show up at WSC to join the club). Sorry, Ricky and Hubert, hope to see you guys do it in 2007.
Now that the euphoria is over, have to start hitting the books ASAP (and search for sponsorship).
I will admit that I was pessimistic about my chances post LWMST when I dropped below 1600 while Pui and Michael both maintained their 1700 ratings. Then everything just fell into my lap.
At ECH, I was too busy trying to stay ahead of them to see how they crash and burn because I wanted to stay three wins ahead of them. Even in the last round at ECH, I was sweating because I just lost four in a row and the three of us were playing at tables adjacent to each other (I was only one win ahead). Somehow, they lost their games while I won mine. Good news: I climbed back up to pre-LWMST rating while Michael dropped below me. Bad news: Pui is still 11 points above me despite dropping. So Nationals would either be hell or godsend for me, I didn't know at that point.
So I started hitting the books really hard. So when Nationals rolled in, everyone (including Michael) started to psycho me and play mind games when I really couldn't be bothered. I was just playing like mad, stealing some games from Jerry and Yeap. Somehow managed to stay on par with Ganesh, two wins above Pui, Cheah and Co. (In spite of a very incapable TD in the Masters divisions and handling the pairing and data entry for all four divisions, roughly 30 matches per round to input)
So on day 2, we started the KOTH early (the TD decided at the last minute to increase it from four to six. I, of course, grumbled about the possibility of having to face Ganesh for six rounds instead of four and that Pui might just overtake me at the last hurdle. Why is everyone conspiring against me?)
So, Play Ganesh. Lose, 1 wins ahead of Pui & Cheah.
Play Ganesh again. Win, 1 win ahead of Cheah who just beat Pui (Go Cheah, keep Pui off my back)
Play Ganesh again, Win (what!!!) 1 win ahead of Ganesh & Cheah and 3 ahead of Pui. (Go Cheah)
At this point, everyone started congratulating me on making the WSC but I was still unsure since I have the necessary buffer with 3 games to go but I am not counting my chickens yet until they hatch. Now that I was in the lead, I did change my goal from making WSC spot to something more amibitious (Cheah was giving me a pep talk all the while about it). I will admit that the ploy finally worked and I did shut off my brains at that point, so.....
Play Ganesh again (4th consecutive time, I am such a pig trying to hoard Ganesh for myself). Lose, somehow Cheah (playing on the table behind me heard it and) proceed to lose his game by 5 points to Jocelyn Lor. I wonder if Cheah chickened out of wanting to face Ganesh so early. Therefore.....Ganesh for the 5th consecutive time. Lose, but then Cheah did his job by beating Pui and keeping him down at 9 wins. So I can still finish ahead of him, which is good.
Then the last round fiasco, the stupid TD couldn't figure out in his thick skull that someone can still lose a game and play at a high table in the KOTH round (because the others people who woin couldn't overtake the said person, Jocelyn Lor) He insisted I paired the thing wrongly and halted the round for a full 5 minutes while we were all in play. I went with him and Jolceyn Lor to the computer and Lo and Behold! The data was correct and everything was paired correctly. This ruckus disrupted my concentration and lower my opinion of the TD even more (some would say, into the Nether Zone). At least Pui was diplomatic enough to say that the TD should make a public apology, I replied with heavy sarcasms as I was in a foul mood after the shouting match.
Anyway, I got back into the zone and romp home over Jocelyn (admittedly, my mood was so foul, I probably irritated her with me mind game + irritating habits that she complains about. Must do away with them before WSC. Sorry Jocelyn!!!)
After finishing the game, proceed to deal with problem of rating, since we do need to know who is going to WSC since Pui also won his last game. Stupid program found glitch with student division. So ignore student division first and test rated the Masters and the Open division and verify no problem. Announce that I made it in very hush tones. Everyone starts shaking my hand like it has the Midas Touch (I am still in denial). Proceed to work on student rating (which I botch up pretty badly according to Andy. Will let him figure it out and tell me what to do) and in the meantime, collect prize, and (don't know how to) pose for photo session and meet the public because I am a backstage person.
Well, at least I get a free dinner out of Cheah afterwards when it should be the other way around according to the SA tradition. Will treat him in Penang Open.
That's the end of it. Not very helpful since I didn't post all my games as promised because I need to study for Penang, Singapore and WSC. Will post some games, any game when I feel like it.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Studying for Nationals
Let see, another 5000 7s and 8s printout in front of me.
I know I am studying (or putting up some semblance of it, since not everything sticks or is automatically retrievable).
Problem is that everyone is just 'revising' what they have learnt over the past 10 years or so, while I am still trying to accumulate that word knowledge.
So how am I going to catch up on those who have a headstart?
I don't know, seriously. Yet, I still have to do it if I want to go to London in November. I still wonder why it took me so long to get started on this game anyway.
I will promise to post my gory details on ECH and Nationals once the weekend is over, but for now, I have to study, study, STUDY. Bleah!
I know I am studying (or putting up some semblance of it, since not everything sticks or is automatically retrievable).
Problem is that everyone is just 'revising' what they have learnt over the past 10 years or so, while I am still trying to accumulate that word knowledge.
So how am I going to catch up on those who have a headstart?
I don't know, seriously. Yet, I still have to do it if I want to go to London in November. I still wonder why it took me so long to get started on this game anyway.
I will promise to post my gory details on ECH and Nationals once the weekend is over, but for now, I have to study, study, STUDY. Bleah!
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Merdeka Day Stroll
What do you do on everytime Merdeka Day rolls around?
Sit at home watching those boring broadcast?
I rather just be out hanging out with friends.
Too bad the only one I could get hold of was Rose.
We still had fun, eating Thai at Great Eastern Mall, shopping at Borders ... (I confess, I was stuck at the mystery/thriller section because the SF/Fantasy books did not have my selection or were too expensive but the 3 for price of 2 selection did contain a wide selection of John Grisham's novel, including the latest Hollywood adaptation, Runaway Jury)
Despite full tummies, we still found room for Hagen Dasz at Bukit Bintang (I went with a triple scoop rums & raisins, macedmia nuts and banoffee so that Rose cannot pinch my sundae, since it is swimming in rum) before I sent her back home.
Still up and running with the energy from the afternoon trip, I will see if I can con some hapless Rotaractors to come with me for some nightlife later today.
Until then, chow.
Sit at home watching those boring broadcast?
I rather just be out hanging out with friends.
Too bad the only one I could get hold of was Rose.
We still had fun, eating Thai at Great Eastern Mall, shopping at Borders ... (I confess, I was stuck at the mystery/thriller section because the SF/Fantasy books did not have my selection or were too expensive but the 3 for price of 2 selection did contain a wide selection of John Grisham's novel, including the latest Hollywood adaptation, Runaway Jury)
Despite full tummies, we still found room for Hagen Dasz at Bukit Bintang (I went with a triple scoop rums & raisins, macedmia nuts and banoffee so that Rose cannot pinch my sundae, since it is swimming in rum) before I sent her back home.
Still up and running with the energy from the afternoon trip, I will see if I can con some hapless Rotaractors to come with me for some nightlife later today.
Until then, chow.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
King's Cup Diary (June 2005)
From one who has been there, down there and never up there until now.
3 years, 3 different hotel rooms,
same roommate, same results (10 wins or so, bottom 10).
Ah yes, my ex-roommate is a jynx.
What a difference in my results, now that I have got a different roommate.
And what about the jynx's roommate.
Well......he has 10 wins, and is in the bottom 10 of the standing this year.
King's Cup diary day 1
It is 7am bangkok time and I am trying to sleep until 9am (Tony's idea). We end up talking about Nigel Richards, ratings and every-scrabble-thing under the sun instead. Thirty minutes later, we give up and go down for breakfast.
After an extended opening ceremony, I treated Tony to ice cream sundaes for lunch. Upon returning to the playing venue, I was initially grouped together with Charnwit Sukhumrattanaporn (Thailand) and Odette Rio (Philippines), two of the top regional players. Luckily for me, we were shorthanded in our group of four when Thitipol failed to turn up. I was then paired into another group with Antonio Malonzo, Jocelyn Lor and Thavachai Thivanvrong. A stroke of luck handed me three straight wins, thanks to play like OREADES, RAOULIAS, DEROGATE, IDOLATERS (thru AT), and GRINDER.
Finding myself in the leading pack on three wins, I sat down to battle Atiruth Sadiyakorn. Trailing early in the game, I caught a break when he phonied MITING* and I played VAINEST and SHERRIES (missing the superior placement for HEIRESS and HERISSE) to hold off his late bingo of rOnDURE to salvage a victory. As my reward, I get to play the defending champion, Nigel Richards. Needless to say, I fell to back-to-back bingos, LITErATI and EpIFAUNAE (through IF). In desperation, I tried FAIRLESS* and ESTRUALS* but Nigel calmly challenged them off the board.
4-1, +100 spread, my best start yet to this tournament in four tries.
That evening, we attended a reception at the Assumption University and I retire to my bed after a vigorous traditional Thai message with Tony, Ricky and Gana.
King's Cup diary day 2
A much better rest the previous night, thanks to the Thai massage, but no luck across the board.
I fell to Nawapadol Sayawes, Roonghroj Harinvorarob, Cheah Siu Hean in quick succession. Dianne Ward snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when she played VOW hooking OOZES to form the phoney WOOZES* on her last turn.
I fell short of 27 points against Sam Kantimanthi despite playing a bingo, SNIRTLE on my final turn (Must be that pesky phoney I played, EPIZOTES, missing POETIZES). My following game against Akkarapol Kwansak gave me a chance to jump back into the fray with a 430-295 victory, with the help of ASTONIED and ADVERSER (Akkarapol also lost two turns playing URDLIKE* and PENSILED*). On the follow up, I found myself on the short end of a six-bingo shootout against Manop Phiphatboonseim. I got aCTURES, TANGIEST, SEDGIER and he played DOWAGER, UNtAMED, REROUTING (through the second R and T) to beat me by 25 points.
2-5, -121 spread. What a bad follow-up to yesterday’s roar. Still have the next 2 days to get back into the thick of the competition.
King's Cup diary day 3
I redeem myself after putting up a dismal performance on day 2. Unfortunately, it did not start off on the right note with Atiruth Sadiyakorn gunning for revenge after I beaten him on day 1. With no help from the tile bag, I suffered a humiliating 471-278 loss. Then I bounced back with wins over Akegapun Erbprasartsook (SETTLING, COESItES and RoGATION) and Akkarapol Kwansak (LONGERS and ELODEAS) when I held off their late charges in the endgame.
I then proceed to play against our very own Ong Suanne and Gerado Onate from the philippines, both were riddled with mistakes but Ong Suanne punished me with a loss while Gerado gifted me a win on a silver platter. I won a nailbiter against Michael Tang when he played the phoney, RON*, on a tight board which I challenged off. Sompong Plosongkram played nip and tuck until he blocked my bingo comeback, leaving me short at 435-396.
I ended the day with another rematch with Atiruth Sadiyakorn. This time, I was fortunate to bingo JOINTERs, VERSION and IMPUGNS much to his chagrin as I lay him down with my vengence for the morning defeat.
5-3, +20 spread, I am back in the running for the top ten (have to get a 6-1 or better record tomorrow). I will sleep better tonight.
King's Cup diary day 4
I needed six wins in seven games to finish in the top ten, so it was six wins or bust.
In our opening game, Liz Fagerlund played PIUR* on her opening move in our game and left me agonising for two minutes about challenging because I needed the R to convert my rack of AEIOUHT into THIOUREA. I played the bingo and settled for a nine point victory 437-428 after some nifty plays, including LeEWAYS, VESPAS and a last gasp RETINUES.
After that I was drawn onto table 5 with Manop Phiphatboonsiem, Femi Awowade and Taewan. I was quite happy to wreak havoc on Manop in return for an loss the previous day, with the help of TAJInES, AUTOGIRO and ANTIROLL, but Manop was gracious in defeat and corrected my score which I keep miscounting (and I passed my SPM advanced maths).
The following game, Taewan wished me not to draw another blank bingo out of the bag like the last game. Being the nice guy, I obliged him with HAH as a opening move (keeping QIE?, hehehe), and followed up with a double-double EQUItIES through the I of his GALLIOT for 114 points. I got down another bingo DIShPAN later in the game (he missed SACATON here) and was fortunately to draw favourable tiles to beat his X play in the endgame. A recount gave me an extra point when Taewan overscored one of his move.
Up next were two rematches with Nawapadol Sayawes and Liz Fagerlund was on the card but I could only beat Liz narrowly while Nawpadol defensive play of CANALS brilliantly blocked my BARRIOS from hitting the board for a victory.
Sitting on the bubble, I had to win the last two games to keep Malaysia's flag flying in the top ten. Up first was Gerry Carter, the 1998 Asia-Pacific Champion. I got down two early bingos, ESTRONES and INDORSER but Gerry's last gasp bingo, UNDeRAGE leftr me on the short end of a twelve point loss. Goodbye, Top Ten.
Playing for pride in the last game, I draw Komol Panyasophonlert, one of Thailand's representatives to the 2003 World Scrabble Championship. The game was nip and tuck as Komol's lead from playing two bingos, mEATIEST and RATTLERS, was erased as he had exchanged twice. I played a phony CLIT*, which he challenged off the board and use the free turn to put the game out of reach.
A few discussion about endgames and could-have-beens and we went to witness the final (we apparently miss the first game, which 2003 WSC champion, Panupol Sujjayakorn beat defending champion, Nigel Richards by 88 points). Nigel narrowly won the second game when Panupol scuppered his chance to amass a 100 point victory by playing MITzVAHS to an S that Nigel opened in the midgame.
Panupol then started the final game with a 77 point lead that Nigel had to erase to retain the trophy. Panupol played a bingo, INTEGRAL, and proceeded to shut down the scoring opportunities on the board while hoarding both the blanks. Nigel's bingo of ASCENDS was offset by Panupol's DOILTEst at the end and secure Panupol an insourmountable lead to win game 3 and the King's Cup.
Had dinner with Tony, Ricky, Jobeth & JP. MMMMMMMMMMMMM......
Dessert was just a tub of Swensen bought from the local Carrefour.
3 years, 3 different hotel rooms,
same roommate, same results (10 wins or so, bottom 10).
Ah yes, my ex-roommate is a jynx.
What a difference in my results, now that I have got a different roommate.
And what about the jynx's roommate.
Well......he has 10 wins, and is in the bottom 10 of the standing this year.
King's Cup diary day 1
It is 7am bangkok time and I am trying to sleep until 9am (Tony's idea). We end up talking about Nigel Richards, ratings and every-scrabble-thing under the sun instead. Thirty minutes later, we give up and go down for breakfast.
After an extended opening ceremony, I treated Tony to ice cream sundaes for lunch. Upon returning to the playing venue, I was initially grouped together with Charnwit Sukhumrattanaporn (Thailand) and Odette Rio (Philippines), two of the top regional players. Luckily for me, we were shorthanded in our group of four when Thitipol failed to turn up. I was then paired into another group with Antonio Malonzo, Jocelyn Lor and Thavachai Thivanvrong. A stroke of luck handed me three straight wins, thanks to play like OREADES, RAOULIAS, DEROGATE, IDOLATERS (thru AT), and GRINDER.
Finding myself in the leading pack on three wins, I sat down to battle Atiruth Sadiyakorn. Trailing early in the game, I caught a break when he phonied MITING* and I played VAINEST and SHERRIES (missing the superior placement for HEIRESS and HERISSE) to hold off his late bingo of rOnDURE to salvage a victory. As my reward, I get to play the defending champion, Nigel Richards. Needless to say, I fell to back-to-back bingos, LITErATI and EpIFAUNAE (through IF). In desperation, I tried FAIRLESS* and ESTRUALS* but Nigel calmly challenged them off the board.
4-1, +100 spread, my best start yet to this tournament in four tries.
That evening, we attended a reception at the Assumption University and I retire to my bed after a vigorous traditional Thai message with Tony, Ricky and Gana.
King's Cup diary day 2
A much better rest the previous night, thanks to the Thai massage, but no luck across the board.
I fell to Nawapadol Sayawes, Roonghroj Harinvorarob, Cheah Siu Hean in quick succession. Dianne Ward snatched defeat from the jaws of victory when she played VOW hooking OOZES to form the phoney WOOZES* on her last turn.
I fell short of 27 points against Sam Kantimanthi despite playing a bingo, SNIRTLE on my final turn (Must be that pesky phoney I played, EPIZOTES, missing POETIZES). My following game against Akkarapol Kwansak gave me a chance to jump back into the fray with a 430-295 victory, with the help of ASTONIED and ADVERSER (Akkarapol also lost two turns playing URDLIKE* and PENSILED*). On the follow up, I found myself on the short end of a six-bingo shootout against Manop Phiphatboonseim. I got aCTURES, TANGIEST, SEDGIER and he played DOWAGER, UNtAMED, REROUTING (through the second R and T) to beat me by 25 points.
2-5, -121 spread. What a bad follow-up to yesterday’s roar. Still have the next 2 days to get back into the thick of the competition.
King's Cup diary day 3
I redeem myself after putting up a dismal performance on day 2. Unfortunately, it did not start off on the right note with Atiruth Sadiyakorn gunning for revenge after I beaten him on day 1. With no help from the tile bag, I suffered a humiliating 471-278 loss. Then I bounced back with wins over Akegapun Erbprasartsook (SETTLING, COESItES and RoGATION) and Akkarapol Kwansak (LONGERS and ELODEAS) when I held off their late charges in the endgame.
I then proceed to play against our very own Ong Suanne and Gerado Onate from the philippines, both were riddled with mistakes but Ong Suanne punished me with a loss while Gerado gifted me a win on a silver platter. I won a nailbiter against Michael Tang when he played the phoney, RON*, on a tight board which I challenged off. Sompong Plosongkram played nip and tuck until he blocked my bingo comeback, leaving me short at 435-396.
I ended the day with another rematch with Atiruth Sadiyakorn. This time, I was fortunate to bingo JOINTERs, VERSION and IMPUGNS much to his chagrin as I lay him down with my vengence for the morning defeat.
5-3, +20 spread, I am back in the running for the top ten (have to get a 6-1 or better record tomorrow). I will sleep better tonight.
King's Cup diary day 4
I needed six wins in seven games to finish in the top ten, so it was six wins or bust.
In our opening game, Liz Fagerlund played PIUR* on her opening move in our game and left me agonising for two minutes about challenging because I needed the R to convert my rack of AEIOUHT into THIOUREA. I played the bingo and settled for a nine point victory 437-428 after some nifty plays, including LeEWAYS, VESPAS and a last gasp RETINUES.
After that I was drawn onto table 5 with Manop Phiphatboonsiem, Femi Awowade and Taewan. I was quite happy to wreak havoc on Manop in return for an loss the previous day, with the help of TAJInES, AUTOGIRO and ANTIROLL, but Manop was gracious in defeat and corrected my score which I keep miscounting (and I passed my SPM advanced maths).
The following game, Taewan wished me not to draw another blank bingo out of the bag like the last game. Being the nice guy, I obliged him with HAH as a opening move (keeping QIE?, hehehe), and followed up with a double-double EQUItIES through the I of his GALLIOT for 114 points. I got down another bingo DIShPAN later in the game (he missed SACATON here) and was fortunately to draw favourable tiles to beat his X play in the endgame. A recount gave me an extra point when Taewan overscored one of his move.
Up next were two rematches with Nawapadol Sayawes and Liz Fagerlund was on the card but I could only beat Liz narrowly while Nawpadol defensive play of CANALS brilliantly blocked my BARRIOS from hitting the board for a victory.
Sitting on the bubble, I had to win the last two games to keep Malaysia's flag flying in the top ten. Up first was Gerry Carter, the 1998 Asia-Pacific Champion. I got down two early bingos, ESTRONES and INDORSER but Gerry's last gasp bingo, UNDeRAGE leftr me on the short end of a twelve point loss. Goodbye, Top Ten.
Playing for pride in the last game, I draw Komol Panyasophonlert, one of Thailand's representatives to the 2003 World Scrabble Championship. The game was nip and tuck as Komol's lead from playing two bingos, mEATIEST and RATTLERS, was erased as he had exchanged twice. I played a phony CLIT*, which he challenged off the board and use the free turn to put the game out of reach.
A few discussion about endgames and could-have-beens and we went to witness the final (we apparently miss the first game, which 2003 WSC champion, Panupol Sujjayakorn beat defending champion, Nigel Richards by 88 points). Nigel narrowly won the second game when Panupol scuppered his chance to amass a 100 point victory by playing MITzVAHS to an S that Nigel opened in the midgame.
Panupol then started the final game with a 77 point lead that Nigel had to erase to retain the trophy. Panupol played a bingo, INTEGRAL, and proceeded to shut down the scoring opportunities on the board while hoarding both the blanks. Nigel's bingo of ASCENDS was offset by Panupol's DOILTEst at the end and secure Panupol an insourmountable lead to win game 3 and the King's Cup.
Had dinner with Tony, Ricky, Jobeth & JP. MMMMMMMMMMMMM......
Dessert was just a tub of Swensen bought from the local Carrefour.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Merdeka Eve
August 30 here in Malaysia, the eve of our independence day.
Working in Bukit Bintang today can be a problem since half of town is about to be closed in the late afternoon to prepare for the celebrations that I am about to take part (if I feel like it).
They closed this road, that road, the other road.....traffic is congested enough as it is and they still want to stop me from going home after the celebration, don't they?
Anyway, I will still want to wish every Malaysian here and out there a Happy Merdeka Day. (tomorrow that is :P)
Working in Bukit Bintang today can be a problem since half of town is about to be closed in the late afternoon to prepare for the celebrations that I am about to take part (if I feel like it).
They closed this road, that road, the other road.....traffic is congested enough as it is and they still want to stop me from going home after the celebration, don't they?
Anyway, I will still want to wish every Malaysian here and out there a Happy Merdeka Day. (tomorrow that is :P)
Just for the fun of it
After creating and maintaining the Malaysian Scrabble blog for the past one year or so, I have realised that I really do want to have an online blog, mainly to bitch about my horrible luck in Scrabble, etc.
So here I am.
Will probably post about ECH in a few days time (after compiling the necessary information) and transfer some personal post from my other blog over here.
In the meantime, enjoy yourself
So here I am.
Will probably post about ECH in a few days time (after compiling the necessary information) and transfer some personal post from my other blog over here.
In the meantime, enjoy yourself
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