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 (?)

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.

What's Your Ideal Relationship?

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.

What's Your Religious Philosophy?

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.

How Do People See You?

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.

How Do You Live Your Life?

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!

What's Your Hidden Talent?

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!

What's Your Blogging Personality?

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.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

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.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

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.

What Age Do You Act?

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.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

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?

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?"

What's Your Power Color?