Since this was from a group deal site I so thought to myself it would be better if I bring someone else along, and thus I brought my two good monkey buddies Vince and Sean for the ride to Menara TKSS at Jalan Segambut for some action. Located on the 9th floor of the building, City Square Shooting Gallery is quietly nested with soundproof padding at the top of the building. Founded in the early 2000’s in Ampang for gun enthusiast and security companies at the time, they are now relocated to this new location. After a time of exclusiveness for licensed gun owner, military, law enforcement and security companies, City Square Shooting Gallery is now open to the public who wish to immerse themselves in shooting as a sport.

After submitting your details for a background check by the ever beloved Royal Malaysian Police, only then you will be allowed to book your timeslot. Luckily for us, we’re not on any local or international wanted list or blacklist….yet. After arriving at one of the allocated time slots, new enthusiast or trill seekers will be given a 30-45 minutes briefing on gun safety and also on some tips to how to handle a gun on the firing range by one of the experienced instructors on hand. Proper standing position and how to properly grip your gun will be taught and its not as easy to get used to it in the beginning.

Later, at the firing range participants will be given a pair of safety goggle/glasses and also a pair of ear muffs. This must be worn at all times for your protection from the sound and flying god dammed bullet cartridges.

An instructor will be with you during the session to prepare the gun for you to fire as you will NOT be taught on how to reload the gun as it is considered as a basic weapons training program which they also provide. Assuming you have the money of course. Since this was a group deal thingy we were only allowed to use a Glock 17 Gen.4 which fires 9mm rounds. The selection of guns in their armoury is simply delectable if I have some spare notes laying around.

We’re then given the chance to fire upon a hanging target from 3 distances, 5 meters, 10 meters and 13 meters. Assuming we have any rounds left we are then given the chance to shoot at stationary hanging metal targets located at the end of the range. Firing the first shot will scare the heck out of you, but after a few pull of the trigger you will get used to it. The recoil after firing is not really as strong as I expect it to be though, which can be seen from the video below.

Overall, I have to say that I think I have kind of a knack for this. I will definitely return one day to make this my main sport as I definitely fell in love with it. Too bad I can’t afford the RM2000 membership for now. Otherwise, I’ll do it without a second thought. City Square Shooting Gallery also provide courses for gun enthusiast to learn more on how to handle a gun which are recognised internationally and also facilities for competitive shooters as well. This is one hell of an experience even if you do not like guns as you will have a new found respect for the machine you’ll be firing you have in your hands.

Besides, at least now your chances of survival are now slightly higher in an eventual possible zombie apocalypse…

...with some more than others. XP

]]> http://clowonline.com/2012/06/15/kl-gunslinger/feed/ 0 http://clowonline.com/2012/06/11/las-vacas-steak-massacre/ http://clowonline.com/2012/06/11/las-vacas-steak-massacre/#comments Sun, 10 Jun 2012 19:05:12 +0000 clow http://clowonline.com/?p=1228 Las Vacas meathouse and butchery. This place has been reviewed so many times I’m not even gonna bother. Bottom line here is that the steaks served here are premium great beef that is delicious to the last bite and made me say “This is good shit!” many a times. What I am going to rant about is where as there is good beef there will be me and especially so when Las Vacas organizes a steak challenge competition.

Las Vacas meathouse and butchery. This place has been reviewed so many times I’m not even gonna bother. Bottom line here is that the steaks served here are premium great beef that is delicious to the last bite and made me say “This is good shit!” many a times. What I am going to rant about is where as there is good beef there will be me and especially so when Las Vacas organizes a steak challenge competition.

Even though it did not make my girl happy about it, I joined the competition with my friends Fazri and Edo in a very much 1 month delayed food eating contest. The goal was pretty straight forward, eat as much premium grade steak as you can in 30 minutes and winners eats the most. Even though I wanted to wear a cow costume to freak out my fellow competitors while having well..beef. I could not manage to find the time to procure such an epic item. It was such a shame as it might had given me a higher chance of winning. Such a shame. Moo…

The winner of the competition would be taking home a 4day/3night trip for 2 to Gold Coast Australia and it was won not by a fat guy. Nope, it was won by…Bangsar Babe. I do not read her blog but from what I’ve heard this petite little lady has a mini black hole in her stomach. I salute her on her win. Heck, big buff guys were in awed as she literally wooped everyones butt 3 times over. She won with 1.9 kilograms of steak(about 7 pieces) when the closest person to match only ate about 1.3kilograms I think. I had almost 4 pieces (estimated 3.5 piece actually) but I could not go on as some steaks I got randomly was just too raw to even chew. Sad betul. I prefer mine medium rare thank you very much.

This would be my first and last time joining a steak eating competition. I do not think my fragile body could handle extream amounts of cholestrol at one go. Maybe a spicy one next time. Yeah, I think I’ll do just that.

After the Johnny Walker event last year I would never have thought that I would have the opportunity to attend another this year. Albeit sudden and without the company of madmen this time around. Held at MAEPS which is ironically located inside the grounds of UPM it was smaller in size in terms of attendees and venue. Though the air conditioner was working rather well it was made even more exclusive as invitations was rediculously hard to come by.

Being a mostly beer person, I took up the opportunity to attend as my sister had an extra invite at the very last moment to try some new concoctions created for the event. It was fairly interesting to say the least. There was a bartender who created a coconut with Jony Walker mixed with dry ice. It was quite a show I might quite add as the bubbling mixture looked as if we were going to drink some sort of magical potion. On a side note: Anything with alchohol is a magical potion. I prefer the my drink on the rocks pure just the way it was meant to be. Thank you very much.

Cue the bartender with the spooky glowing eyes.

The FREAKING AWESOME AMAZING chocolates were back. I can’t put it into words how this balls of chocolatey goodness can ever be made. I would love to know where they get it from. I could write a poetry and compose a song on how good it was but it won’t be today unfortunately. I wonder who/what supplied it. Have to find out one day.

Met a few of my sister’s friends and although I was getting really bored I bummped into my old friend Tony Eusoff. It’s been years since we had worked together and he still remembers me and my sis. Amazing how time flies.

Well, coming back to the event. The music was okay. The atmosphere was good. The gold label drank when I was invited into the VIP area was a VERY NICE touch I have to say. The attending crowd was in a lack of a better word very nicely dressed and was very pleasing to the eyes. *hint hint* Should have worn my suit though. It felt as if I was working during the event or something.

Overall, it was very well organised and totally exclusive as per stated. I just hoped that I would at least gotten a few invites to bring my buddies in though. We would have brought the house down. Well, maybe. Its nice to try new ways of drinking Johnny Walker but all in all as I had said I still prefer mine neat on the rocks as that how I prefer to keep walking.

P/s: Yes. I’m bloody hell back into blogging. For permanent this time I bloody hope.

With the untimely death of Yasmin Ahmad I really though I would never ever watch a good local made movie again. It was not until I saw the trailer and poster of controversial rapper/singer Namewee first ever movie. With a cast of local big names like Adibah Noor, Rashmonu, Aflin Shauki just to name a few it looked promising and fun.

Directed, written and staring Namewee himself it was a huge challenge for him in producing this movie. Albeit especially with a limited budget of less than a million ringgit. But all I can say that it was done rather well for a first time with limited budget and equipment.

The story in short (as I do not want to spoil the story for you) is about a boy who grows up to become Chef Huang (Namewee), a local neighbourhood hero who helps the people in the area of their problems. Facing financial trouble after his return from studying Chinese cooking in China he helps Xiao K (Karen Kong) to get back her father’s restaurant in a family dispute through a cooking competition.

Facing his arch rival from China, Lan Qiao (Dennis Lau) he goes on a journey after receiving guidance from Kak Noor (Adibah Noor) the incredible Nasi Lemak seller to make the best Nasi Lemak. On this journey he meet various people and find out the true meaning of Nasi Lemak.

A story full of satire based on Malaysian culture, race, food and general (mis)conceptions on everything Malaysian. It is a movie that will tickle your tummy silly and will blow you away with the witty dialogue and the parody of local current events. Worth every cent spend.

The movie however is not perfect but it is certainly passable. The editing and video quality need much improvement as transitions from one scene to another was quite sudden and sometimes just weird. Although how good a Canon Mk2 might be the quality can be seen to be not on par if it was shot with a more higher end professional movie camera. Camera work can be done a little better as well. Do NOT get me wrong. Even with this slight shortcoming due to the budget obviously it should NOT deter you from watching this movie.

Although mainly in mandarin which I do not speak although I understand it to a certain extent(I’m what you call a Banana, just don’t call me chao banana!) with a dash of various others like Malay, English, Tamil and even Hokkien and Hakka the script is witten pretty good, the music…funny, the story is awesome and you’ll come out the hall with a smile on your face. I highly recommend that you watch it with friends for the extra atmosphere especially if they are well informed about local current events.

The trailer:

Official themesong from the movie:

Will definitely rewatch again.

It is interesting. Very interesting indeed. An observation that is of people’s behaviour. Although the separation between right from wrong is distance with a wide grey area this is still in my humblest of opinion is hypocrisy.

What I mean is this. My observation started with a little known incident called the Great Tohoku Earthquake or also known as that big huge ass earthquake/tsunami that devastated Japan’s east coast. After that incident many people around the world and especially in my home country rallied to their aid. Collecting food, monetary aid, blankets and the like. I’m not saying its a bad thing. It’s a very good thing to do to help others and I highly encourage it. But then why the fuss? Read on.

Then one day about a month or so we could see many people still hyped up the aid thing by forming organizations and organising events to collect funds and to create awareness. Some of these people were my peers. Just like me they love Japan. Just like me it was because of anime, their music and culture that first spark our interest in Japan. But that is where it stops though. Although it was sad to see what has happen the general public should know that Japan with all of its economic might could and would be able to survive and rebuild even without much foreign aid.

Heck, we actually need more cold hard foreign cash than they do. In fact, Japan received so much in donations they didn’t even really had a system to set up to distribute it. Aid was aplenty but could not get through until the American military had to step in to help deliver it. This highly misplaced motivation to help didn’t really bother me actually until THREE freaking months passed and some groups were STILL at it collecting donations.

First month or so? Fine. After three whole months? You have got to be kidding me. The entire nation of Japan did not get swept into the sea guys. Yes, it is sad that many people still got killed. I felt really sad too. Almost 16,000 people died with thousands more injured or missing.

But lets put things this way, thousands of children are dying of starvation in Somalia due to extreme drought. Where’s the aid campaign? Hundreds of people are dying in the middle east due to political oppression and wars. Where’s the awareness campaign? How about the many natural disaster events that wreak havoc and death in the past year alone before this? I don’t think I see anything much done. Remember Hurricane Katrina? Nothing much too.

Some might argue that “Hey, I like that country so I’ll do what I can. I don’t really care about the others. So I’m gonna let others to handle it.” Yes, that is an acceptable argument but it will never right or wrong. I’m just saying that people need to set their minds to moderation in their actions. If you think that it is REALLY necessary then yes by all means go ahead. If not then just do what you can by your limited contributions. Some events need more of your help and attention than others. Lets try not to be so shallow minded okay? Don’t stop at helping only one person and not the other.

So since now that I have your attention how about we feed some malnourished almost dying child in some part of the world for once or something. Let’s earn some karma points people!

http://www.icrc.org/eng/donations/index.jsp

Due to the so called pressure mounted by the local music and movie  industry this initiative is being implemented. I would strongly suggest the local entertainment industry especially the movie industry to stop creating mind numbing crap in the first place before even mentioning that piracy affect their sales.

Blocking direct download sites is stupid as it will effect those who do NOT download copyrighted files from them. Direct download sites usually have users ‘flagging’ inappropriate content so that it can be removed. Besides, the MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantees states that the goverment will not censor the internet. This action would only bring a precedence of the goverment controlling the internet and thus giving control to certain quaters for their own gains.

More work should be done to combat piracy by making original products more affordable or by creating an enviroment whereby the normal average joe could actually afford those said original products.

A blue-ray disc in the US is RM35 after conversion but the same item cost about RM90+. A rediculous example perhaps but an example of why people resort to piracy in the first place. Smoke don’t appear when there is no fire.

Due to a stroke of unforeseen luck, I had the opportunity to attend this year’s Hennessy Artistry thanks to invites by Vince and Spinzer Tock. Hennessy Artistry boast one of the best music events featuring artist from all over the world(which yes does include our very own Malaysia as well). This year’s guest performance was by Spinderella, Vandalism and our very own Kyoto Protocol. Set this time at Opera in front of Sunway Pyramid the glitz and glamor can be seen from the impressive display of well…interactive showcases at the entrance. After checking in the registration counter, guests who registered themselves on the Hennessy Artistry Facebook page were given a special RFID tag that they could use to update their Facebook page with contents during the event itself.

I have to admit. Being the country with the most Facebook friends in the world, the ideas was BRILLIANT. Guest were invited to play a ‘Fruit Ninja’ like game on an iPad, take photo in front of a green screen and edit it Ala Purikura and also mix their own 60 second music by placing colored giant hockey puck like objects onto an interactive table and then upload the said music or picture onto their Facebook wall. The top five high scores on the ‘Fruit Ninja’ like game will even be given a limited special edition 70 oz Hennessy to boot!

I’ve only been to The Opera just once and it was more than enough to know that the place is small and cramped with pretty bad air flow in the middle. Although I thought that this time it will be different as being an invitation only kinda event that crowd control wouldn’t be a problem but oh was I wrong. It became packed. So pack that it looks like The Opera on a weekend and it isn’t a complement. Everyone felt so hot it wasn’t even sexy anymore.

Being a once-in-a-year event I was expecting to see a free flow of Hennessy being served. Pure or cocktail’ed. WE(as in everyone) were ridiculously disappointed. At the Johnny Walker’s Black Circuit event a few weeks back free flow was NEVER an issue and boy was it awesome. Hennessy however stooped to the level of being a scrooge on it and even opened its doors to outsiders who may enter if they open a bottle. What??? An ‘EXCLUSIVE’ event that serves limited amounts of alcohol and allows uninvited guest to attend? Yes. It just lost its exclusiveness. The event was supposed to highlight four new types of cocktails made by using Hennessy. Too bad at the end I had more non-alchoholic cocktail than what I’m suppose to be trying. In light of all this I really REALLY like that lemon-lime concoction. Damn it was refreshing.

On a high note, the music performance was incredible. All the bands were amazing in their own rights. Vandalism especially in my opinion or maybe its because I just prefer their genre of music. Anyways, it was kinda disappointing to see us Malaysian not getting into the mood of the performance though. When stuff like “Put your hands in the air!” was screamed/sung/mentioned 90% of the crowd went “Is she talking to me ah? Eh, I think she’s calling you lah!”. I mean seriously guys?

In the end, we left early since we had nothing else better to do there and in desperation for some booze we even chipped in to get a bottle of a Limited Edition bottle of Hennessy to drink. Golden bottle looks damn GOOD though. It seems that, right after we left part of the plaster ceiling collapse bringing the event to an early end. I actually had more fun eating at the nearby Chinese food stalls that standing at the overcrowded venue.

Overall, although its my very first(and maybe last) Hennessy Artistry event I would have to give it an equivalent of a 3 out of  5 stars. Assuming I gave start ratings in the first place la. The music was good. The drink was good but the amount was not. The venue was disappointing and the service? Well, it was bad. No exclusiveness for a supposed exclusive event. The money used for the additional attractions outside was actually really insignificant to the overall reason to have the event itself. Better take the money for a better venue and more booze. I may not be a VIP at the VIP lounge but then again if a rival company can do it then I don’t see why not.

And no, I’m not still kinda pissed for not being able to place at the top 5 for the “Fruit Ninja” game. I got kicked down to 6th place by some guy in front of me and I was not allowed to replay even after waiting stating that the game ends at 1am even though it wasn’t mentioned anywhere. Damn. Okay lah. Maybe I am, just a little…maybe.

P/s: Due to me being as blur as usual. I totally forgotten to bring my camera to the event. So all picture credits go to Denise with the Olympus E-PL1.

I was told of nonsense by my boss and yes I relayed what was said to me to those I spoke to. Although many times I have said that I do NOT care what he said and that I’m only trying to take the opportunity to use his resources to train the people I bring in, I keep getting misunderstood as “you felt for his tricks and gimmick”. Regardless, as much hurt and pain I’m reeling from this treatment I’m getting its nothing compared to the words of your love ones condemning you to shame.

One might ask me questions on my bad decisions and give suggestions to stay on and then give degrading statements that I’m useless and couldn’t hold a job but let me ask this:

“Are you happy? With  your current (first) job?” Yes?

“Do you like the environment you’re in?” Yes?

“Do you have great colleagues and an understanding and cooperative boss?” Yes?

If its yes the you have not been in my shoes. I’m looking for what you have right now. It might not be 100% the same that is true but I’m looking for the right environment and that’s why I change. The current company I am in is dying to a point where it cannot sustain itself due to mismanagement and very bad planning. I did not see this during most of the first month I was there but only during the second month and I then quit with the rest of the company at the end of my second month there.

Indeed, I am not perfect and I will make mistakes and continue to make mistakes in my life but it doesn’t mean one doesn’t learn from experience and move on. That is the part and parcel of becoming human. Show me one human being that has never made a mistake before and I’ll show you a portrait of Da Vinci painted by Mona Lisa herself.

Went to Seremban this year to visit my girlfriend’s family for the Chinese New Year. Worst decision ever. They hated me. Well hate is a harsh word so I guess “disagree with her choice” is the more appropriate one to use. Not to say I didn’t expect what will happen though. Don’t really blame them too. If I dated myself I’ll disagree too.

Anyways, I’m just gonna take things easy for the rest of the month and take my time finding another job opportunity. It hurts but I guess I should not be bothered so much about this. People will always say stuff about you after they met you only once(or twice). First impression as they say is important but as I always say…in life…”never judge a book by its cover” and “actions are better than words”.

Happy Lunar New Year to you and  your family and may prosperity shine upon you this new year.

2010 was a really REALLY weird year for me. It was a years of change, joy and also sadness. All mixed up in a giant blender top off with some disappointment.

1. FINAL YEAR PROJECT

Pretty hard to miss this one here. Its my Final year pursuing my degree in electronics engineering in Multimedia University. It was tiring, kinda fun, painfully sad and satisfying when this was all over. It was a solo project. Not a very smart thing to do mind you. It didn’t really work out in the end and although I wanted to do this in a team I was unfortunately to receive the short end of the straw…again. As usual, I could sum up my entire university life in just two words really. Lonely and disappointment. Yes I did meet some really great people and had some wonderfully crazy times but the times I had IN class with people just didn’t really work out.

The yellow block of cheese robot didn’t move in the end after building it up due to very bad board fabrication. Would have done a better job if I had a partner to do it with. Anyways, whats done is done. No use crying over spilled milk.

2. USA SUSI TRIP

The land of liberty and freedom. I had one heck of a shocker when I found out that I was selected as one of the 7 Malaysians to participate in the year’s summer Study of the US Institute program. I had loads of fun there. Meeting the people. Seeing the sights and listening to the sounds of a country I have admire from behind a TV screen all my life. The Americans and their lifestyle may not be perfect or great but no ever country ever is. They might have their problems but their ideals ingrained in every citizen is really something to admire about.

Its hard to describe something as an experience into words. Only that it was EPIC. Although, there was a certain incident that made the rest of the SUSI participants hate me. I blame it on the huge age differences and on how I view things differently. I will return to the US of A that I guarantee but without the extra baggage.

3. END OF STUDIES

About two months after the SUSI program ended, I finally completed my extra semester for an additional subject and also partly due to the US trip. I was actually pretty weird going to class without seeing most of the people I knew throughout the years. Almost all of them had graduated by the time I came back since the convocation was held during my entire flight duration back to Malaysia. Finishing up my degree should feel satisfying but again…I’m not really feeling it that much. Maybe because I have a freaking study loan the cost of a brand sparkling new Toyota Vios with automatic transmission to boot literally up my ass. That was really a punch to the balls especially since they decided to start the payment counter in May and NOT in October when Ive actually finished my course.

4.WORK WORK….CARRY ON NOW…

A couple of weeks after my final FINAL paper I started working with an engineering firm nearby as a project engineer. They were supposed to be dealing in building control systems as part of a green building kinda program. I though ‘Hey, this should be interesting as by joining the project team I will be learning so much and benefiting from it too. HAHAHAHAHA.’ I was wrong…I became a site supervisor instead. After over a month of not delivering what they hired me for I quit and a week later with recommendation from my sister, I’m now at my new job doing sales and marketing in an events company that specializes in trade shows. I do not know whether I feel lucky or not because I really hate conducting sales. But I’m now trying to stay positive….really…really hard. Hehehe. ;;>__> On the plus side, I’m now at least involved in the events field. Although, it is not what I expected it to be. This company may be small, old school and very obsolete but at least I’m being given opportunities to learn and grow.

It has been a tiring but not entirely not great year for me. I just hope and wish that this year in 2011, would be a better life changing year ahead. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY AND GOD BLESS!!!!!!

I just really hope that I would have more than enough cash for next year’s haul. I just hope I’ll be able to finish reading all this by that time though.