ACL Rehab Day #116

Completed yet another >5km jog last night.

I can jog for a longer period compared to the first time where there was alot of stop-start on the back half stretch.

The physio went through my jogging motions the other day and recorded my jogging patterns in slow-mo. Turns out that I'm jogging with my right leg slanted to compensate for my weaker calf and thigh muscles. That is something I will need to continue working on.

Still on track for recovery.

Local Thai Food

Meanwhile on the streets of Bangkok...

We had pig's trotters, large intestines, roasted pork knuckles and tom yum goong.

Mmm delicious!

Halloween Horror Nights 4

Was there with the wifey last night.

Great fun!

Here's five takeaways:

1) 4 Haunted Houses

Overall, I think RWS and USS did a great job with the place and setup. It was really quite scary and the props and actors were quite well made-up. The 4 haunted houses were the key attractions. For $50, this was quite a good deal. There was a theme for each house, The L.A.B. (aliens), Mati Camp (army ghosts), Jing's Revenge (school ghosts) and Jack's 3-Dementia (clowns). The best was probably Jing's Revenge because they did up the whole place like an old secondary school called 华信中学 with props and decor absolutely reminding me of the old Dunman High premises somewhat. There was also the traumatic scream from one of the ghouls at the wifey, “是你逼我的！”.

2) 4 Scare Zones

These were like free areas where no queuing was required and the ghouls and monsters just roamed about the elaborate props scary whoever. There was Scary Tales (fairy tale scaries), Canyon of the Cursed (cowboy and indians scaries), Demoncracy (ghouls invading city) and Bogeyman (child ghoulies). A few good scares here and there but these weren't all that scary due to the crowds.

3) Beware The Long Queues

Speaking of crowds, the one big drawback is the fact that it wa very, very crowded. For the haunted houses, one of them we even had to queue for an hour just for a five minute walk through. Even the Tranformers ride we had to queue for a good twenty minutes. And because it was so crowded, you sometimes miss the scares because the people in front got the 'pop out' scares already.

4) Good Clean Fun

I like the fact that the actors do not touch you. It actually prevents us and them from suffering any potential injuries or mishaps. Maybe some might feel that it decreases the scare factor, but with so many visitors milling through the haunted houses, here would bound to be a few manly types who would be more than eager to lay hurt on any effective scarers. Similarly the scares could potential cause visitors to fall if it turned physical. Kudos to USS, I noticed staff at many places inside the park and in the rides/houses. Queuing took quite long but were well organized and turnover was quite fast. In the end if it's good, clean and safe fun you want with a few good scares thrown in, then this is probably a good event for you. 

5) Pack Some Alcohol

I have to admit that knocking back a few beers definitely reduces the tension and jitters. I had heard tales of people leaving the theme park after one haunted house visit. But when you're at a good high, either you don't pay that much attention to the scares and sudden boos, or you're more chilled such that they just don't scare you as much. It sure helps when you have a scared wifey beside you. Plus you need buff and strong biceps of steel to withstand the infamous female deathgrip that is bound to cause bruises.

All in all it was a really fun event and I'd encourage everyone to go at least once. Could do with a smaller crowd though.

Quote Of The Day Rebirth II

Following the hilarious QOTDR I posted earlier, here's a few extra updates that are GOLD.

Same guy.
___________________________________________

"...whiskgar..." (wanted to say "whisky and cigar")

“Wow, this cup can withstand temperature of up to 100%!” (100 degrees)

“Sushi Tei cannot reserve one. It’s First In First Out."

Someone else: “Release the Kraken!”
Our man: “The dragon is released out of the cage”

“The peanut is very addicting.”

ACL Rehab Day #101

Achievement unlocked.

Clocked my first >5km slow jog in more than 6mths. That's slightly more than 3mths after I had my ACL reconstruction.

The jog itself felt quite ok on the knee as I was conscious enough to try and not take large strides so that there is less impact when my foot hits the ground.

This morning there is a kind of muscle soreness on my leg muscles and knee that I haven't felt in a very long time. I hope it is a good thing, although a part of me is afraid that this feeling is like the same feeling prior to my ACL completely snapping while I happened to be having an innocent lunch 6mths ago, a day after the major collision at football.

Hoping for a good recovery.

8 Years In The Same Company

Last Thursday, a few of us colleagues celebrated our 8th year anniversary.

From the original 25 of us who joined when the Singapore office first began, we're now down to 5.

How the time flies and how we've all grown alot older and not sure whether we're any the wiser (for staying in the same company for so long).

4 of us celebrated by having a feast at Hai Di Lao. Chinese hotpot!

There is little to regret in my case. And I have much to be thankful for I guess.

Thank you Saxo.

Mummy The Closet Railroad Whiz

Managing to use all the Thomas railroad tracks to form this very impressive track sequence.

Who would've thought mummy was a railroad track whiz!

Manchester United 2 Everton 1

Statement of intent! Two wins on the trot!

1) David de Gea Is My MOTM

Saves a penalty at the stroke of halftime, then 4 saves in the final 10mins including two almost certain goals. Today, this boy was in beast mode, no doubt about that. Literally earned the three points for us today.

2) Our Attack Is Scary

Even without Rooney, our front four of ADM, Mata, Falcao and RVP is scarily good. ADM and Falcao gets on the scoresheet, Mata with an assist and RVP beig a better captain than Rooney ever was. If only he was more prolific. At least he lead by example and fought hard, which is more than I can say whenever Rooney wears the armband.

3) Defence Is Coming Together

For the second game in a row, our defence put in a very good shift. Young Paddy McNair did well partnering Rojo to shut out Lukaku, Rafael was at his inspirational best, and Shaw was passable. Even when Shaw limped off, Blackett, who covered for him did a decent job at LB. We're getting better and when we do reach the level we expect, this team will be very difficult to score against. Just see the youngsters and it makes me so proud.

4) Daley Blind - Perhaps Our Most Important Player That No One Gives Enough Credit To

Funny how no one gives much credit to the people doing the dirty work, much less doing it so well and so efficiently. I'm just a HUGE fan of Blind because hats he type of player I am. He mops up, pressures and protects everything that comes near our defence and is the primary reason why we can transition from defence to attack and vice versa so easily. A joy to watch him and he is the true 'first name on the team sheet', not Rooney.

5) Climbing Up The Table

With this win, we're now fourth on the table. Had we not lost to Leicester in that stupid game, we would've been at an even sweeter cemented position. Next up is WBA followed by a tough run of Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea. Yet seeing today's win, I'm far more optimistic now compared to last year. LVG has done a fantastic job and I have no doubts that we will continue to improve.

GGMU!!!

Fav Boxers

The wifey sewed back my fav seven year-old boxers! Thanks dear!

Remembering Our Playgrounds

In time, this place will be a memory. For me, and for the kids.

Just like all the other playgrounds I've played in.