Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race 2008

I'm writing this entry from Sepang International Circuit. Yes, the day has finally arrived! It’s the Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race day.

I got here around 10:00 am and quickly made my way to the Red Bull Rookies pit (Parking was so bloody far away!)

Before we check out the pictures, let’s see what was written in the media today:

The Star:

"In the Class B race for cars between 1601cc and 1900cc, a local team led by S.T. Low came out tops with an aggregate time of 2:38.2. However, the all-women team from RedBull Rookies Racing Team, stole their thunder.

In her debut in the 12-hour endurance race, Leona Chin clocked a sensational 2:38.407 to help team-mates Phillipa Yoong and Puteri Ayu Jasmin to an aggregate time of 2:39.6 and second spot in the time sheet."

The girls has entered the track with bang, and hopefully they will do well!

The gals

Ready to race!

The team.

Ready to get into action!

Yeah!

12:00 noon : Let the race begin!

I'll try to update this entry from time to time.

2.30 pm: The front bumper of the DC2 fell off. But the car and the girls is still going.

3.30 pm: I saw a car with burning tyres! (Not the Rookies, don't worry)

4:15 pm: There's a huge dark clouds coming towards SIC. Looks like it's gonna be raining. Heavily.

6:00 pm: The clouds are gone! Someone must have hired a bomoh to handle it.

6.30 pm: 1 Aston Martin is out. It just crashed and the engine is smoking. But the driver is okay.

7.30 pm: The DC2 is in a pretty bad condition but still running

8.30 pm: I'm watching The Firm at the media centre

9.00 pm: The girls are picking up. They are in the top 10!

10.30 pm: I just put myself in a big problem. We were talking about having sexy umbrella boys next year and I agreed to be one if the gals made it to the podium tonight.

11.00 pm: It's really tight. They have chance to be in top 6! I am so in trouble.

12.00 pm: The race just ended and the gals got 8th place. We're very proud of them

UPDATE: The official result has been issued and the Rookies got 6th place. I am in big trouble.

~Cheers!

Inspiring VIP

I was at Sepang International Circuit to check out the briefing session for the Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race. The Red Bull Rookies will be part of the highly anticipated 12-hour endurance race this Saturday.

We have made prior arrangement with Datuk Mokhzani Tun Mahathir, Chairman of Sepang International Circuit to share some thoughts with the Rookies. Well, besides being the SIC Chairman, he is also a:

Yes, MME WINNER!

Throughout his visit, Datuk Mokhzani shared some valuable tips (and some really good, funny and scary stories) and encourages the Red Bull Rookies to perform their very best during the 12-hour endurance race.

He is one of the VIP that I really look up as he has always been very inspirational (and cool!).

Datuk Mokhzani, Puteri & Kenvin Low

Sharing some tips

Philipa, Datuk Mokhzani, Puteri & Kenvin

It was a good and very entertaining chat!

~Cheers!

p/s: I can't wait for Saturday. The Rookies will be racing and The Firm is on!

Serious Stuff

Manage to get this blur looking picture. It's so funny.

The person next to me is Mr Rizal, the Operations Manager of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. I know exactly what was going through my mind at this point of time. Just look at our faces.

~Cheers!

That is true

If you have been watching NTV7 and came across the advertisement for “The Firm” episode 5 and thought it was me. You are right.

I will blog about it (full story) soon. As for now, I’m just gonna paste the wordings from the Facebook invitation about that particular episode. (Thanks Robin!)

" The Mercatus Group will be featured in Malaysia's latest hit show "The Firm" on NTV7. The teams from The Firm have to complete a challenge set by Mercatus.

The Task - To hold a food tasting event for the Malaysian media at one of KL's busiest restaurants, "Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.", a client of Mercatus.

Will Peter be impressed? Will Aziz lose his cool? Will Robin eat all the food? Will the male contestants flirt with Desiree to score extra points? Will Bobby be blown away? Will Pui Fuen have fun? "

Saturday, 30th August 2008, 8:30pm NTV7

Wow

I'm having a crazy week. Busy Busy.

Something interesting happened. My blog counter hit 10,000 last Monday. It's been 11 months and i'm very happy with this.

It's not a big number, but i'm happy!

I know some people who reads my blog and I wish i could know more.

Here's the deal, if you read my blog, please drop a comment. I'd like to link your blog to mine :)

Sports

I must be one of the nominal Malaysians who are glad Chong Wei didn’t win gold last night. His lost had saved RM700,000.

"RM1 million is what Malaysia's Beijing Olympics gold medalist deserves while silver medal is worth RM300,000."

People have been saying the RM1 million should not be considered lavish as it befitted what the Olympics stand for. And other countries such as our neighbor, Singapore is also offering S$1 million (RM2.3 million), along with several other countries.

That’s not all, monthly pension of Olympic medal winners Gold medallists will receive RM5,000 a month, silver medallists RM3,000 and bronze medallists RM2,000.

We have spent a lot for their trainings, allowances (and god knows what else!) and it’s their responsibility to perform and bring back the medal. A small incentives is totally fine, but paying them generous bonus and pension is totally unnecessary.

I look at sport as a career. You choose to be an athlete, the government invested in everything you need and if you don’t bring back something, you should not be cherished as someone who fought for the nation’s pride. You just lost.

As for the money, we should use it wisely, for instance helping the orphans. Who knows, one day they can be good in badminton and bring back gold.

***
Let's look at what Lin Dan said after winning the gold medal:

"My performance was good because I was desperate to win. I knew that I couldn't let Chong Wei take control and I followed my gameplan."

And Chong Wei:

"I am sorry but I had no answer to Lin Dan's play today. He was almost perfect and I know, I was disappointing but I just couldn't cope with his speed,"

The apology was from the heart because Chong Wei knew that he had let Malaysia down.

"I tried to take control but as much as I did, I couldn't. This is the easiest I have lost to Lin Dan (his 10th defeat in 15 meetings) but this is because he was totally in charge."

I just lost RM700,000!

Image & Info Source: NST

~Cheers!

My Diary

I have a handful of events to attend this weekend.

*1*

Date: 15th Aug (Friday)
Time: 2.30pm
Venue: Mandarin Oriental
Event: KPMG Shareholder Value Award

My client, Magna Prima Berhad was awarded Overall Winner in the General Construction Sector. And i was invited to attend the event by the CEO of Magna Prima Berhad. A very "awarding" conversation took place upon our arrival. We were greeted by the organisers and i was introduced to one of the top people there

Me: Hi, I'm Aziz. We are the PR agency for Magna Prima Berhad
Response: Awh,yes, we saw the RSVP list. You are the only PR agency here.
My client: We are very proud of this award. And we have to share with our partner who has been working very hard for us.
Me: Thank you.

*2*

Date: 15th Aug (Friday)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil
Event: High School Musical, The Ice Tour

I got free tickets to watch the High School musical. The show was great, but i must say, I'm just too old for it. I was surrounded by kids who know the lyrics by heart. they were singging along throughout the show. Even the "Ooh... La..La...". Everything.

I tried to enjoy it. And i was certainly enjoyed by the 2-hour acrobats.

*3*

Date: 16th Aug (Saturday)
Time: 12.30pm
Venue: Shah Alam
Event: A family-friend wedding

Note: Decided to give it a pass as i need to go to Perodua Service Centre.

*4*

Date: 16th Aug (Saturday)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: Bukit Kiara
Event: Pesta Malam Indonesia

Note: I got these free tickets but couldn't make it as well. Gave it to a friend. Why? Because i have RSVP-ed for the below event earlier

*5*

Date: 16th Aug (Saturday)
Time: 8.30pm
Venue: Grand Millenium Hotel
Event: Prestige's Top 40 Under 40 Celebration Party

It's an award that recognises the Top 40 professionals below the age of 40. It's gonna be interesting.

*6,7,8,9,10*

Other than the above, I still have other stuff to do like cleaning up my room, organising my stuff at home, WORK, crack my head for Zaf's wedding, facing the daily life drama, hanging out with friends and pretend to have a life.

I love my life.

~Cheers!

Anak Yatim

My brother is looking for orphans or orphanage around KL / Selangor who may need some help for this upcoming Ramadhan & Eid.

The ones i know is pretty much supported. If you happen to know any orphans or even orphanage who may need help, please let me know.

Please leave your info on the comments section or you may even email me at aziz.laikar@gmail.com

***

Kalau sesiapa ada info mengenai Rumah Anak Yatim atau anak yatim di kawasan KL/ Selangor yang memerlukan bantuan bersempena dgn Bulan Ramadhan & Raya, please email aziz.laikar@gmail.com

~Cheers!

Dip and clean

Have you ever wonder what is the best way to clean up your antic pewter/ metal stuff? Just look at the picture below. It is suppose to be sparkling gold.

The basic and most common way is to use metal polish such as Autosol. All you need to do is spend few hours polishing it. I used to do it but after 15 mins of polishing, i will be polishing and cursing at the same time.

I figured an extremely easy way to do it.

All you need is this:

Stain Remover from Tesco. Only RM1.80 per bottle.

All you have to do is pour it in a container, and dip your metal items. You can see the effect almost instantly. Just dip it for about 5 seconds and quickly wash it. Wipe it clean.

See the difference!

Disclaimer: I am not an expert and I am not sure if there is any long term effects on your metal stuff. So, do it on your own risk.

~Cheers!

How to make an engagement card?

Well, you can just pick a design at the card shop, decide on the wordings, pay and get it done. That would be easy, no fuss and relatively common.

Or, you can make the card. From scratch. Let's look at what has been done for Zaff's engagement card.

1. Buy a bunch of Bamboo stick


2. Cut it into 10-inch long

3. Spray the edges with a sparkling gold color

4. On the other hand, print the wording onto a nice glossy paper

5. Once you're done with the printing, measure an inch from the side and cut it out. (A4 is too big for a card)

6. Once that is ready, you have to combine the 2 together.

7. How? Very easy... Just use the super powerful glue. Basically just glue the edges and roll the bamboo stick onto the hot glue.

8. There you have it. The card is almost ready.

9. The final touch is very important. Get a nice gold ribbon, cut it in about 2.5 inch long, glue the edges. Fold the card inward, making it like a scroll and then insert the ribbon.

And you have your nice, interesting card!

p/s: Haha... do i sound like Martha Stewart?

~Cheers!

Pissin me off

Source : http://www.coloria.net/dig.art/kuvat/06anger.jpg

According to wikipedia, Anger is an emotional state that may range from minor irritation to intense rage.

I am not sure why but I get angry quite easily, lately. The minor irritation phase converted into an outburst almost instantly as i encounter situations that just boil my blood.

Scene 1 –Me buying a battery for my Nokia 6600 at a crappy shop near my house. They claim it’s original but I doubt it.

Me : How much is this?
Salesman: RM55.It comes with 3 months warranty.
Me: Can u make it RM50?
Salesman: Nope. That’s the best price.
Me: Come on, let’s just settle it with RM50.
Salesman: Cannot. This is good quality. And the price is cheap enough already
Me: Yeah, yeah. Okay.
Salesman: If you want RM50 i can give lar..
Me: Huh? Okay... Thanks
Salesman: [Packing the battery] But this one is only one month warranty.
Me: Why? You said 3 months earlier
Salesman: Yea lah... You want Rm50!
Me: What? You are cutting down the 2 months warranty for RM5?
Salesman: Yes
Me: You gila! (You Crazy! -It just burst out loud)
Me: If I pay RM60, can I get 5 months warranty?
Salesman: No ( awkward smile)
Me: Here, take RM55.

I wasn’t being calculative about the RM5 at all. It’s the way he talk and ridiculous pricing.

***
Scene 2 –Me buying cigarette at 7-11. I buy ciggie from the same 7-11 every single day.

Me: Dunhill Menthol Lights
Cashier: Big one?
Me: Yes. They don’t come in 14s (i've said this about 300 times!)
Cashier: Here you go. [Handing Dunhill Lights]
Me: I said Dunhill Menthol Lights
Cashier: Awh sorry (giggling) and looking all over the place
Me: It’s the light green box next to Dunhill Lights.

Can you listen and read properly?

***
Scene 3 –Me at home on Thursday night. Not feeling too well and no energy to go out.

Me: One McChicken set, Medium, Coke. One Spicy Chicken McDeluxe.
McD Delivery Operator: Thank you for your order. Total charge is RMXXX… Your order number is XXX. If you don’t get your order within the next 40 mins please call to check the status.
Me: Ok, thanks.

45 mins later

Me: I’m calling to check on my delivery status.
Operator: Can I have your order number
Me: XXXX
Operator: I will check and return your call in a short while.
Me: Ok.

15 mins later

Me: I’m calling to check my delivery status
Operator: Can I have your order number
Me: XXXX
Operator: I will check and return your call in a short while.
Me: No. That’s what the person before you said to me. That was 15 mins ago. And my order was suppose to arrive like 30 mins ago. I’ll hold
Operator: Ok, hold on and I will check

After 4 mins

Operator: Sir, the outlet has confirmed that it’s on the way. It should be reaching your house in 5 mins.
Me: Okay, are you sure?
Operator: Yes, it should be arriving soon. About 10 mins.
Me: Can you please be precise, 5 or 10 mins?
Operator: 10 mins sir.
Me: Okay, thanks.

15 mins later

Me: Can I speak to Ms XXX
Operator: She’s on the other line, may I help you?
Me: I called earlier and she assisted me with my order.
Operator: I can help, can I have your order number?
Me: Okay… it’s XXX and please don’t say you will return my call.
Operator: Hold on, Sir.

2 mins later

Operator: Sir, I’m sorry for the delay but I have confirmed with the outlet and they are preparing your order now.
Me: The person before you said it went out and should be here 15 mins go.
Operator: There was a technical problem at the outlet. That’s why
Me: Now that is not my problem. Why was I told it’s on the way when it’s not?
Operator: Im sorry Sir, it should be arriving soon.
Me: Forget it! It was suppose to be here LONG time ago. I could totally tolerate if I was inform of the real situation.
Operator: There was a technical problem at the outlet, that’s why it delayed
Me: That’s not the point. Just forget it. Don’t send the food
Operator: Would you like to cancel your order, Sir?
Me: YES!!

I went to the restaurant near my house, ordered my food. On the way back to my place (with my food), my phone rang. –This was like 25 mins after my last conversation with the operator.

Dude: Hi, is this Encik Aziz?
Me:Yes. Who is this?
Dude: I’m calling from McDonalds Desa Pandan.
Me: Okay…
Dude: Sorry la abang, tadi ada problem sikit, sekarang order baru nak keluar (Sorry bro, there was a little problem earlier. The order is going out now)
Me: What? Now?? I ordered like 2 hours ago and cancelled the order about half an our ago. Now you are calling me to say it’s COMING OUT? Forget it. Don’t send me the food. You are very slow and inefficient. Don’t send me the food. I'm not gonna pay for this bad service.

And I hung up.

My neighbor’s house was wide open and my housemate was hangin out there. They all heard my screaming. I told them what happen.

I had my dinner at his house. About 40 mins later, a McD delivery guy came knocking on my door. I was still at my neighbor’s place. Since the door was wide open, that guy approached

Dude: En Aziz ada tak? (Is Mr Aziz here?)
Me: That’s me.
Dude: Ni order tadi.. (Your order)
Me: [EXTREMELY MAD]
My neighbor: Kitaorang dah cancel tadi. (We have cancelled the order)
Dude: [Looking confused]
My neighbor: You lambat sangat, dia dah cancel. I rasa you better balik je. [It’s too late, I think you better go]

I think that dude saw the madness on my face and understood that my neighbor was asking him to leave before I go mad.

***

Slow, inefficient, deaf and not precise -the complete formula to make my blood preassure go very high.

~Cheers!

Yet another achievement

Remember i wrote about climbing 38 floors (through the stairs!) for a good pics? Well, if you didn't, or forgot, or simply couldn't care less, click here.

My property & construction client has built a fantastic 6-star luxury palace within KL City Centre (KLCC) and we (Reputation Mercatus) submitted the project to the CNBC International Property Awards.

I was pretty determined to get the right pictures, so i went up with the photographer (and got my shirt was all wet) to 38th floor. But it was all worth-it :-

Congratulations to Magna Prima Berhad for winning this prestigious award. And I must also congratulate my colleague, Desiree who has mastered the art of reading floor-plans and architecturial documents during the submission. Haha... Great work team!!!

~Cheers!

Batman

My initial plan was to go home and proceed with my quest of cleaning my house. But somehow it ended with a nice dinner-and-movie hang out.

I wanted to watch "Jouney to the centre of the earth" whereas Fedo wanted to go for "Zohan". And there's also other must-see movies such as "The Mummy".

At the end, we settled with the majority vote -Batman; The Dark Knight.

I'm not a certified movie critic, but i'll write my point of view (and refer to relevant source!)

Throughout the 2.3 hours movie, i could not help but wonder why does Batman talk like the offspring of Clint Eastwood and a grizzly bear? It's just weird and annoying!

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, has a smooth voice but once he puts the cape on, the transformation of his vocal chords is just as dramatic as his costume change.

I must say, my main attraction to the movie was Heath Ledger. I wanted to see him carrying such a dramatic and crazy character. His death and all the stories behind it has somewhat generated interest to the movie.

His acting was superb. He has made the character religiously evil even I got scared! I wonder how did he (Joker) get the scars coz there was like 3 different stories!

I'll give it 3 stars (Out of 5) for the movie and 4.5 stars for Heath Ledger.

Scary Joker : Heath Ledger

Why So Serious?

~Cheers!

Zaf's Engagement

My Darling Zaf is now officially engaged. I'm so happy for her. It's a big deal for me coz she is one of my dearest friend. We've known each other for almost 8 years.

We came up with this idea of having the engagement ceremony themed "Pertunangan Dalam Istana" (Royal Engagement). Everything was properly planned, incorporating all the traditions and cultural elements.

I must say, the ceremony was very sweet. The deco somewhat portray the Palace presence. The grand music of gamelan was played throughout the day. The hantaran (gifts) was designed as per the royal items; Bunga Emas, Tengkolok, Keris, Sireh Junjung etc.

There was Dayang Istana accompanying the Puteri, and Pahlawan (or they call it Penghulu Dulang) bringing the Hantaran into the hall.

The actual engagement ceremony was entirely conversed in Berbalas Pantun. It was so sweet and entertaining!

I was a little moved when my best friend walks through the steps and make her way to the centre of the stage and her fiancée’s Mum completed the engagement. I could see her hands were shaking and I could almost hear her heart pounding.

Thing went a little more emotional when her mum was seated next to her. But her smile just eases the entire situation. As I was directing the sound-man to slow down the music, I saw a bright light of happiness in her face. And that is exactly what she deserves…

Selamat Bertunang Zaf!

Let’s check out the pictures.

The Pelamin

The Puteri

The Puteri, The Dayangs & The Pahlawans

Zaf & Her Dayangs

The Dayangs ( They love taking pics!)

Zaf's Hantaran

Hantaran from both side

It was placed along the aisle

Another angle

"The Moment"

With Opie's parents

Her Parents

The AJK... hehe... Me, Zaf, Fedo & Azli

Cheers!