Generation Axe 2017

Went for this event last Tuesday at the Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel, RWS.

Was pretty cool, some of the best metal guitarists in the world strutting their stuff.

Highlight was a rendition of Jimi Hendrix's 'Little Wing' by Zakk Wylde, and 'More Than Words' by Nuno Bettencourt, he is still the original Extreme guitarist.

Says much about how well I know Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen, the main acts, doesn't it?

Zakk Wylde

Steve Vai

Yngwie Malmsteen

All five of them come together!

Survived Yet Another Session

These days, surviving another session of injury-free football is a celebration worth having. Plus a social media post and blog post. Hahaha.

#aslongasicaniwill

#swollenankles

JP Morgan Run 2017

Survived the 5.6km run with much ease.

Even though it was slightly marred by a torrential downpour that threatened to send everyone home.

It felt good to be able to complete the run with such ease.

Yet my knees are kinda hurting right now.

Wonder how am I going to accomplish my dream of running a marathon before the age of 40.

The green finisher t-shirt doesn't look so good this year. But the quality never seems to disappoint.

Manchester United 2 Anderlecht 1 (AET)

We are through to the Europa League semifinals!

At quite a cost though. We lost BOTH Ibrahimovic AND Rojo to long term knee injuries. They will surely be out for the season.

That said, we had Marcus Rashford starring as he scored the winner after extra time.

Next up, Celta Vigo!

Hopefully we can win that one over two legs!

GGMU!!!

Manchester United 2 Chelsea 0

Best performance of the season!

Against the current league leaders no less!

I cannot think of any of the first eleven who did not perform superbly. If I had to fault someone, it would have been Pogba, yet he did a great job battling with Kante. Which says a whole lot of the whole team.

Ander Herrera is the MOTM by a country mile. One goal, one assist, and a masterclass in man marking by taking Hazard out of the game.

Rashford was fantastic. One sublime goal and fabulous running.

Fellaini was fantastic. Man marked Matic out of the game.

Darmian was superb as well. Man marked Pedro out of the game.

Bailly and Rojo were in imperious form. Diego Costa had to rely on his sickening unsportsmanlike antics but still to no avail.

De Gea had the easiest of jobs because Chelsea did not even have a shot on target!

Jesse Lingard ran the Chelsea defenders ragged.

Tony V was his usual industrious self.

Ashley Young, captain for a day! Also ran himself silly as if he were really still young!

Hopefully we make it to top four AND win the Europa League!

GGMU!!!

Matilda House

Came across this famous place in Punggol today.

Back when we were living in Sengkang, this place was rather famous for being haunted and run down.

Who would have thought we'd encountered it as a converted function room in a condominium called A Treasure Trove?

It is still very well preserved, so that's great.

Special Item

We were having lunch at Changi Village when I came across this mutton soup stall. 

Wow.

Goat's penis and testicles?!

Wonder if anyone actually tried it?

Pulau Ubin 2017

It has been many years since we last stepped foot on the island. In fact this is the first time the kids set foot on the island.

To get there, one had to travel all the way to Changi Village. It is now rather hard to get to because there is a lot of construction going on making way for the new Terminal 5 of Changi Airport. There is a ferry terminal beside Changi Village Food Centre called Changi Village Ferry Terminal. Bumboats operate between 10am to 9pm daily. The queues were long when we were there since it was a holiday, but it moved rather fast. The boat ride was only about 15mins.

The island still had this rustic, backward feel where all the kampung feel was there, along with the wooden old school attap housing in the town center that were mainly used for bicycle rental and drink & food outlets.

Yet there is a modern feel now with a very modern public toilet, an information center, and a few other little things such as the jetty et al. In fact the old school basketball court that I fondly remember from my scouting days has now been turned into a sheltered multipurpose hall.

We rented a bike and wanted to ride to Chek Jawa. I took a tandem bike with the boy and we did really well. He was helping with a lot of the ride. The wifey and girl had a much tougher time. The wife wasn't so steady with the bike while the girl sat in a child seat behind her. The ride to Chek Jawa entrance was about 3km and when we got there we realized it was too much uphill, so we decided to turn back. The wifey and the girl got into a minor accident along the way back, although nothing too serious.

After that we headed back, had a nice cool drink and took the bumboat back. It cost $3/pax one way so it was quite cheap for the simple but enriching experience.

#backtonature

Fatherhood Reflections XLI - Packing A Good Wallop

Feel quite bad, but it is time to stop her petty and selfish tantrums.

They are occurring all too frequently, be it waking up on the wrong side of bed, snacks or breakfast she doesn't like, dissatisfaction with the output of others trying to help her, or just plainly not getting what she wanted.

Today it was at the grandparents' house and grandma wanted to watch her show plus still had to let the kids watch some cartoons before she could watch her own program. The girl goes into the whiney tantrum immediately and shows attitude.

Didn't want to scold or beat her in front of the gramps, so quickly left for home.

Made her stand in the naughty room in the dark for 15mins before bringing her to her own room for a good wallop and threatening to make her sleep outside the house.

These things never feel good, but they are necessary to help them understand that these bad habits need to be kicked out before they become too selfish or empowered.

:'(

Heart pain.

Someday I Want To Own A Farm

Yes, I do.

I've always had farming ambitions.

With what the world is coming to, worldwide automation, technological advancement et al, there will come a day when humans will not be required for many sectorial jobs anymore. Moreover, with the way the human race is destroying Mother Earth, there will also come a day when the knowledge to farm ones own produce will come to very good use. Plus, it will keep me healthy.

So now I need to save up buy a landed property where I can start my own hydroponics vegetable farm.

Hehe.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam 2017

Another trip here, things are achangin' somewhat.

Always love the hospitality here.

Any difference from the similar views I saw from my room from previous trips?

Here's the post from early 2016.

Here's the post from late 2016.

Coldplay - A Head Full Of Dreams Tour 2017

What can I say? Truly a dream come true.

Managed to bring the whole family to catch Coldplay. Also first time at the National Stadium. Organization was impeccable. Sound system was really awesome!!! View could've been better but I'm happy just to have been a part of something so special.

Early Jan -> Tickets for first show sold out in 45mins. Failed to get.

Early Jan -> 2nd show announced. Tickets sold out in 2hrs. Failed to get.

Last Wednesday -> Two days before first performance, new restricted view tickets released. 

Last Thursday -> Mobilized a whole army to help me queue. I am very thankful, you all know who you are! Managed to get four tickets for the whole family.

Friday -> First sellout concert was superb. Got everyone super excited and pumped.

Yesterday -> Dream come true. Kids watched their first ever mega pop concert of the band they know the most songs of (together with Bruno Mars!). Witnessed the beauty of a Coldplay concert for the first time, colourful blinking wristbands, electrolights show and crazy band energy.

And then Chris Martin sings this song specially for Singapore, on a special pop up stage. Totally brought the house down. Take a listen!

Truly blessed. So happy. My happiness anchor.

#coldplay

#aheadfullofdreams

#postconcertwithdrawal