Childhood Memories III - NBA Cards

I remember it all started in secondary school.

Back then Dunman High had no football team. The star sports were basketball and table-tennis. Unfortunately since I wasn't so good at basketball yet (I hadn't had my growth spurt), it didn't interest me as much.

What really got me going though, was my introduction to the NBA. And this was by way of NBA trading cards.

With brands like Hoops, Fleer, Topps and Upper Deck, I was really hooked into collecting them and knowing all the various players' names and stats.

There was an old comics store called Comicsnaut at Katong Shopping Centre which we often went to to buy these trading cards. Mind you they weren't cheap, but boy did they give me endless hours of fun and enjoyment.

It was also at that time that Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls finally broke down the Detroit Pistons and made it to the NBA Finals. In 1991, they played Magic Johnson and the LA Lakers, beating them 4-1 in a best of 7 series. The Bulls would go on the three-peat, twice!

Hence collecting gave me a feeling of closeness to these NBA stars. I used to try to emulate their moves on the court even, watched the NBA Rewind series in the 90s, and that was basically how my game improved.

Boy I was such a fan and till today, I still follow the Bulls and I still have all my cards stored somewhere in the store!

One day I will bring them out and enjoy them again.

Fatherhood Reflections XXV - Evil Dad

The kids caught me in a cranky mood this evening.

I was driving and got pissed off with their over-the-top screaming and shouting in the rear.

So I first told them we were going home instead of the shopping centre. Immediately they shut up.

When I started driving towards the shopping centre, they started to loosen up. So I told them we're going to the shopping centre, but they both had to stay in the car since they were so naughty. Immediately shut up again.

When I parked the car, I told them they now had to play a game of scissors paper stone. The winner would come with me and the loser had to stay in the car. Surprisingly there were no protests. Both immediately started to duke it out. The moment the girl lost she began to cry and she didn't want to stay in the car alone. Haha.

Finally I told them both can come along, but if any one misbehaves, I will leave them in the shopping centre and Coke pick them up the next morning.

In the end both were so well behaved over dinner, our haircut, playground then home.

*evil cackle*

Hull City 0 Manchester United 1

Can there be a better way to win it?!

A Marcus Rashford goal in the 92nd minute to win the game after we have been dominating the whole game. Can't write a better script than this! So exhilarating!!!

Again Luke Shaw, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind had a fantastic game in defence.

Fellaini is a changed man under Mourinho. DDG had hardly anything to do.

Rooney was crap but it was his sublime pass that created the goal. Mhkytaryan (how do you spell that?!) seems to be a better option to start in his place. Martial is also a shadow of his former self. Zlatan is also such a leader on the pitch.

All in all always a great feeling to score the winner at the last minute. It seems like the old swag of yore is back. Fergie time is back! We are certainly in contention to win the league this season.

Gotta give it to Mourinho for getting things back in order.

GGMU!!!

Fatherhood Reflections XXIV - Princess Love

Need I say more?

Chiang Mai, Thailand 2016

I I'm sorry, but my impression of Chiang Mai as a holiday destination has been tarnished because of work commitments.

Didn't have any chance at all to visit any places of interest, and was predominantly stuck at my hotel and its vicinity.

It is a nice and quaint city, but a little disappointing considering this is supposedly Thailand's second largest city, which is surprisingly smaller and far less developed as compared to Surabaya in Indonesia, or Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.

Nonetheless it has its charm. The air is fresher, the people seem friendlier than in Bangkok, and the mountain view from the city is majestic. The locals also speak a less course version of Thai (at least to my unassuming ears) and the local Thai food here has a more authentic feel. Even the pineapple fried rice I tried was served in a pineapple no less (the last time in Thailand I had it like that was 20 years ago in Kanchanaburi during army training). It's no wonder we hear of Chiang Mai being the retirement destination of much of the world. It does have its laid back charm coupled with business efficiency.

Hoping to come back again soon :)

Thoughts In The Air

Haven't really blogged in a while.

Been busy at work. Really busy.

Been busy at home. Kids are growing up great, and growing up so fast. I can hardly keep up. Soon I will be the proud parent of a primary school going kid. Can't wait for that to happen. They're both so independent now that soon they won't even want me around their lives :'(

Been busy playing games. Glued to the latest Pokemon Go, at least it's getting me to exercise somewhat. Still maintaining my three Clash Of Clans accounts although mainly using them only for Clan Wars. Last but not least is The Simpsons Tapped Out which I've played for 4 years and running.

That's what I've been busy with currently.

Food Glorious Homecooked Food

The wifey's cooking is improving by leaps and bounds!

Universal Studios Singapore 2016

Another year, another Sentosa staycation, another prerequisited trip to USS.

This time around we set the record for longest time stayed in the theme park. We stayed till past 7pm!

Did most of the rides as usual.

One thing different this year was that we finally watched the Waterworld feature. Which was not bad.

Overall the quality of this theme park in Singapore is really top notch. Highly recommended for any first time travelers to go.

Can you guess where some of the below pictures were taken in the park?

Bournemouth 1 Manchester United 3

What a way to start the season!

Valencia, Fellaini and Shaw were outstanding. It's great to see them play so well for Mourinho.

Hopefully we will win the league this season!

Let's lead the league for the entire season!

GGMU!!!

Joseph Schooling Wins Gold

In the Olympics 100m Butterfly!!!

So proud of him!!!

Remember this moment because history has just been made!!!

#Rio2016

Pokemon Logic

Hahaha.

#pokemonlogic

#pokemongo

#happybirthdaysingapore

Pokemon Go Now Out In Singapore!

Now I understand why the game is taking over the world.

After some initial bugs installing the game, I'm glued to it!

Pokemon hunt jog tonight!

So Tired

So tired lately.

So bogged down by work.

So xianz.

So much worries.

So much stress.

So hoping for things to get better.

White Hair

So sad.

With great sorrow, my first few strands of white hair has now appeared.

On my beard!

How sad is that?!

I wonder if it is because I am too stressed up.