Olivia Newton John Concert - 29 Mar 2012

Attended Olivia Newton John's (ONJ) concert at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands on 29 Mar 2012.
Was looking forward to the event as always, it was good to see these legends LIVE!!
Most of the time, Arena of Stars starts promptly. However, this time it was delayed some 15-20mins late. When the lights dimmed, the opening act was by a singer named Farhan - don't know who she is. After 3 songs she made room for ONJ.  *clap clap clap*

Lo and behold, it was not to be! The lights were switched on! And then suddenly there was a mad rush for better seats by those who had bought cheaper seats, they were vying for vacant premium seats! I found it disgusting and ill organised. How can this be happening!!
Worse yet...we were made to wait some 20-25mins before ONJ came on. By then, the concert has lost its 'ooomph'! In between that, the techs came in to set the stage. OMG!!! International star but such poor organizing skills! 
Frankly, I was not happy with the entire bland set up. Mind you, the tickets weren't cheap and I felt cheated! There wasn't any backdrop and the entire set up looks like it was simply put into place without much thought, that's my personal opinion OK? Though I know many of her die-hard fans will disagree. Either that or I've set too high expectations. After more than a dozen live concerts, somehow, our expectations gets higher and higher.
The first 3 renditions, ONJ's voice was weak and pitchy. After that, I think she was more at ease and the songs got better. However, it seems to me still lacking in 'power'. To make matters worse, the PA system sucks and lacks the impact to create an awe & boom-boom feeling. Normally, I get goose-bumps when I attend concerts, sadly...this time around, I think they left for their vacation!
There were no dancers. ONJ's back-up singers acted as both dancers and duets. What a disappointment! Also, she wore slippers/sandals!!! Her entire wardrobe was merely a change of 2 jackets and a shawl. I felt a huge let down when I saw her in sandals. Perhaps, that led me to have negative opinion of the entire show.
The biggest insult was when she 'taught' her educated and affluent audience how to sing Country Road (sung by the late John Denver). Com'on...what the..... And then she went into a 70's & 80's medley but stops after each song?!?!?! Errr....shouldn't medley be continuous or overlapping sometimes? 
3 couples attended the concerts (rocker's brothers & spouses) and half agreed that the show was below par. I for one, being the vocal one had to hold my tongue as there were others who didn't share my thoughts. But I did admit it was a let down for me. I had to, or else its not ME!!!
Over the years I've learned...less is more! Like Rocker57 always reminds me "you win the battle but you lost the war". So I leave it to me myself to blog my views and let the ONJ fans to think otherwise. Afterall, to each his/her own. And I will honestly own up that ONJ's concert was a huge let down. It appears to me like everything was put up in haste for some fast bucks!
If u should notice, I didn't even bother to zoom-in to take the pix. Moodless!
Come to think of it...why all negative and nothing positive, right? Am I being unfair to her? 
Well, for one, she does look good for 63! But not sure if its plastic surgery/botox at work....oops, better stop! *less is more, less is more*

Birthday ride (2)

Sunvay Cycle now known as SC Premier Bike had their official opening on 18 March 2012 - also my 50th birthday!! What was supposedly a small event turned out to be a major highlight of the day! Rocker57 received the invite and told me we'll drop by but what we didn't expect was the huge turn out. It coincides with Kawasaki launching their cruiser W800SE in retro clothes. See, after less than 2 years, I've learned to speak bikers 'lingo'. Check out the pictures below! 
Ravi asked me 'Why W ah?' My idiotic reply was "Waaaah 800!" Come off it, now how the heck would I know? errr...I don't work for Kawasaki you know. Plus, my kids favourite reply whenever I ask them something "google-lah, mom"

Givi Booth

Rocker57 & superbikes

reception area with buffet

two rows of superbikers at the opening!

Ravi, Alex & Rocker57 ended up having lunch at the SC opening. I was turned off with the immense heat-wave and the bombastic PA system that 'killed' my appetite. Was glad that some of my fats melted that hot afternoon :)
We were about to leave when the lucky draw was announced, goes without saying we hung around to try our luck. It being my birthday, I half expected to get a lucky draw gift, at the least! As luck would have it.....we WON nothing!!! hahaha...but it was great to witness the opening.
After an early start, I had an afternoon siesta. Dinner with my loved ones was at Neroteca (Italian restaurant at Sommerset in KL). With salad, pasta, cold cuts & mix grill followed by desserts (tiramisu and something else which has gone pass me - happens quite often these days....signs of 'seniority' is catching up on me though I didn't try to avoid it - honest!) we were satiated to the max!!!

cold cuts

Mixed grill

      
It was a basic day but I just wanted to record the chain of events to be in my memory via my blog. Perhaps, when I'm 70, I'll look into my blog and say " I did that? WOW, cool man!" or maybe I would say " sigh...what a silly way to spend the day"....who knows what I'll think then....perhaps, if u follow my blog for another 2 decades, you'll find the answer.
Until then....have a great weekend ahead and stay happy always. Cheeeers!!!
And oh....of course I lugged my new LV speedy bag and wallet...a gift from my sweetheart...so loving it! Muaks!!

Birthday Ride (1)

Odd thing to do to usher in my 50th birthday recently. But I rather spend time with my loved ones on this special occasion than do something else. No regrets!
Was up early to meet Alex and Ravi, two of Rocker57's biker friends. We met at USJ2 Shell petrol station at 7am and headed to Janda Baik via Karak highway and then detour via the old trunk road. Mid way, we stopped at BHP petrol station for breakfast. If you do not know, this particular petrol station is like a 'renowned bikers rest stop' for those riding along Karak Highway (between KL to Genting/Bentong/Kuantan if you are unfamiliar). Today, was no exception and the crowd was maddening. We had the opportunity to witness the LOTUS group convoy meeting up there as well. Boy...the Vrrrooom & Revving of the vehicles can just drive your adrenaline up three folds....it was aaAawesooOome!!

Revvvvv!!!

Vrrrrooom!     

We have the Vrrroooms and the Revvvvs..... perfect 'marriage' of the two-wheelers & the four-wheelers! We stayed awhile longer than usual. Me, to 'suck-in' the powerful noise & check out any good looking guys!! Hehehe...my rocker's still the best-lah!!

We headed to Janda Baik via the old trunk road. It was a cooling slow ride as the 'blind was leading the blind'. As I suspected, the blind was really blind because we ended up in Bentong!!! Ravi missed the junction or thinks we actually passed the township?!?!!? 
Along the ride, we came across many cyclists. Perhaps, a good road for bikers are just as good for cyclists too. Easily 20-30 cyclists were sighted along the entire stretch right up to Bentong.
Bikers will not go hungry, I know because I've been riding pillion close to 2 years now. They always find a shop to 'chillax' after 1-2hrs ride. Following a quick chat, Ravi brought us to a corner shop in Bentong for 2nd breakfast and its not even 9am!!! We stopped at Lou Yu Kee for a good cuppa and Ravi slurped up a bowl of Bentong beef noodle. It's quite different from the beef noodles I've seen or eaten before. Unfortunately, I didn't get to taste it but I have a picture of it for u. Ravi says its delicious. Am making mental note to eat it the next time I'm in town. Or maybe you can check it out and leave a comment for me?

The black coffee was good. I find coffee served in small town coffee shops are thicker and the aroma intoxicating elsewhere most are diluted and lack the 'kick'. We met a sole biker on BMW800 eating by himself. Just before he left, we chatted awhile. 
 Strangely, I find it odd that superbikers or easy riders make the attempt to acknowledge one another when they 'bump' into each other. I wonder if the kapcai do that too? I have yet to see a Beemer owner say 'hi' to another beemer owner or other make of cars...guess its a 'unwritten universal guy thing'.

After Bentong, we headed to PJ for another event. The official opening of SC Premier Bikes Sdn Bhd or previously known as Sunvay Cycle. Also where rocker57 bought both his bikes.
Read more about SC in my next blog.....see you and don't miss out on it, ya.....till then.....
Vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooooooooom!! And ride safe.

SEREMBAN KING'S BEEF NOODLE

The signage

  King's Beef Noodle (KBN) is renowned in Seremban. KBN is a spin-off from the famous beef noodle in Seremban Central market. KBN belongs to the eldest son of the latter. It is managed by a husband and wife team for over 3 decades. On Feb 5, 2012 KBN finally closed its doors for good. Both husband and wife has decided to call it quits as age has caught up with them. With 3 grown up children & several grandkids, they want to spend their remaining years relaxing and traveling.


I had the good fortune to eat my last bowl of "Ngau Kon Hor" (dried beef meat in black sauce) on Feb 2, 2012 at around 2pm. Everything happens for a reason. My intention was to eat my favourite beef noodle after my dentist appointment. As luck would have it, my dentist was closed for lunch and would be back by 2.30pm. So I headed to KBN for lunch. Had I done my dental first, I would never have the luxury to savour my final bowl of beef noodle from KBN.

The chef & owner

She remembered me as I used to 'date' rocker57 for lunch at the very same shop that is now closed for good. We started chatting, catching up on lost time. By the end of my meal, she told me Sunday will be the last day she serves her famous beef noodle. "WHAT??!!! Are you for real?"  "YES!!!" She replied "Awww....should have told me before I finished my meal. I need to take a photo to remind me as well as to blog it". As luck would befall on me, two customers walked in. I quickly asked her to pose for me & manage to snap a picture of the famous KBN. Unfortunately, the patrons ordered it in soup form. Aiya...in hokkien we say " no fish, prawns oso can-la" 

Beef noodle soup

 I had to make a quick exit as I had to rush for my dental appointment. I made a hasty group 'whatsapp' chat to my family. Quickly, my son & daughter placed their orders to pack some KBN home. 

Immediately after my appointment, I rushed over to pack for my family...Alas...my luck has run dry. They were closed for the day. And so, my kids and Rocker57 did not get to savour the last of our favourite KBN.

Though KBN's sister has opened up in Kemayan Square under QUINN's, I still very much prefer KBN. The aroma & taste is stronger and noodle texture cooked just right. Well...as I 'witness' the retirement of my favaourite beef noodle, my dentist also informed me of his impending retirement in a year's time....Sigh, it finally sinked into me....I'm getting OLD!!! 

Indeed, age is also catching up with me. In 6 days, I'll be half a century young. But, I do not feel old except for the slight memory lost on trivialities. Apart from that, I feel, act and think like a 40 year old. I'm in better shape now than I was a decade ago. 
Soon, I'll be witnessing a lot of my old-time favourite joints closing down unless there is/are successors. Well, its life. We live on but cherish the bygones...

First day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school/kindy for many school going children in Malaysia. 

My daughter asked me a day before school reopened how she fared on her first day of school. I recalled that she was overwhelmed by the large number of children in her kindergarten I'd enrolled her in Johor Bahru. She was quiet, shy but she did not cry. However, she kept looking out for me for reassurance that everything will be alright. For reassurance, I took a few days off just to ensure that all is well before starting work in a brand new year. Afterall, it's my firstborn embarking on her new journey in life. A few days off is worth every penny. I must say that she has done well academically and is now gainfully employed, for the time being, with the Ministry of Health. 
Due to Rocker57's career, we were relocated couple of times. Hence, my daughter had attended 2 kindergartens and two secondary schools. The last relocation was the hardest as she had by then spent 11 years in Seremban and was reluctant to start over again. After much persuasion, reassurance and much convincing, she finally accepted. And now, she says she's glad that we made that move.
My son on the other hand was a cute one. First day at kindergarten, Rocker57 and I left the premises after we were sure that he had settled in. We returned to check on him during his recess. He actually hid behind a tree when he saw us. After some cajoling, he came out, wave his hands and asked us to "go home, go home"!! That's one brave lad, I tell you.

He openly accepted the relocation to Subang when he was 13. My daughter shared that she was envious that her brother could easily make new friends in the new school. Guess, he does have my 'social' genes :)   He has adapted well and presently still in Uni.

Flashback to 1975, I remember having to watch over my youngest brother when he entered into kindergarten. A shy, quiet and lonely lad, he was traumatised! I had to 'attend' classes (sitting outside the class) with him for almost a month or so. He was 7 years my junior and my other younger brother was 5 years his senior. He was too young to play with us, so he was mostly left on his own. Perhaps, that's why he was traumatised with the hoo-hah and lots of noisy, rowdy kids screaming and crying. 

I recall that my brother was bitten a few times by a gusty feisty girl! Now, that girl had bitten almost all the boys in her class! She wasn't afraid of no one. Even her mom was called to the headmistress office but the saga continues. Hmmm....wonder where she is now? Mind you, her bites leave huge dental prints on the boys hands & bodies! You can imagine how hard she bites! OUCH!!

It's good to reminiscent, lest Alzheimer sets in...then I can go to my blog and recollect my past. Ahhh...a simple question, yet an enriching recollection. Am glad my databank is still running well. Great kick start to 2012!

NEW YEAR RIDE : JB & MELAKA (Part 2)

Rocker collected our luggage from the concierge & we checked into our room. Eh, something isn't right! Did we enter into a wrong room or were we upgraded? The room has transformed!! I liked it immediately. 

Cozy, practical & tastefully decorated.

they even had a dressing table!

The room was cozy, warm lights, soft yet firm beds and so inviting that Rocker57 took a shower and went straight to bed!
After the siesta, we waited to be picked up by my former colleague, Winnie and her two sons for dinner.
Winnie and I do not like duck meat but I managed to convince her to try this one. Strangely, a local Johorean, she has NEVER ever heard of Duck Mee in Skudai. Of course I can understand since her favourite is "Ker Tiaw Keah" (thinly sliced kueh tiaw noodles with pig innards)....here little piggy....my Winnie BABE. I love you, gal - muaks!!
So, this manual GPS guided her to a place I've not visited in over a decade! A small wrong turn, detour and we were outside the shop in a jiffy. The GPS maybe a bit rusty but still usable! 

Add caption

Skudai Duck Mee, corner lot. A lot has changed since I last visited (the outlet, its surrounding but let me savour the food to decide if ALL else has changed).
We ordered duck meat for 5, braised groundnuts, braised intestine (dunno source of intestine, either pig or duck), vegy and braised eggs with 2 pieces of bean curd. Soups are complimentary and served hot! Let me tugged in!

Our spread at Skudai Duck Mee

Winnie was amazed that the duck meat was tender, moist and doesn't reek of the ducky smell. AHA....trip worth the trouble. Knowing she is a feisty gal that loves hot & spicy stuff, I recommended her to accompany her food with the chili sauce provided. Homemade recipe, the chili sauce is spicy, sourish, savoury and tangy all in one. It complements the dishes well. Her kids Aaron and Brandon tried and immediately got hooked!! It was a great meal and certainly a splendid get together with old friends.
Just before noon the following morning, we were in Melaka Raya waiting for Nadeje to open up. Ever the greedy one, I ordered 3 Millie crepe cakes - green tea, mocha chocolate & orange chocolate. Latte for Rocker57 and Cappuccino for myself. 

our millie crepe cakes

On second thoughts, let's do lunch as well. So, we ordered Penne Arabiatta. One each for the both of us. What a shocker I got when our pasta was served. It came with Miso soup and a small salad. Errr....odd right? Japanese soup with Italian pasta? Still baffled what made the chef come up with such combination?

Latte & Cappuccino

Pasta, Miso soup & salad

The cakes were obviously heavenly. Taste wise, me being a green tea addict obviously thinks the green tea Millie Crepe cake is supreme, followed by Mocha Chocolate and finally the orange chocolate. The orange chocolate lacks the oomph and tanginess. Also, it lacks the orangey flavour.
The Miso soup was good. Comes with a generous serving of seaweed, my favourite too. The salad was bland with too much mayonnaise & soft potatoes. I would have preferred tomato or carrot to go with Romaine lettuce to get the crunchy feel and more greens as oppose to an overdose of carbo. The Arabiatta sauce was not spicy, lacking in punch like the one served in Pizza hut. They were a tad stingy on the sauce, my Penne pasta looked dehydrated that I had to 'steal' Rocker57 sauce. But then again, I've been known to flood my food with gravy, sauces and chili sauce...so, my bad!
About to leave for Subang, and.....OI!!! OI!! who do we see. Rocker57's former colleague and our housemate in JB. What a small world indeed. In a population of about 600,000 in whole of Melaka, we meet Gan and his daughter!
A 15minutes catch up, exchange of name cards and Vrrrooom....the highways are calling!!! Vrrroooom...live to rideeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
 
 

NEW YEAR RIDE : Johor Baru & Melaka (Part 1)

Happy New Year!!

I had a great kick start to 2012. Rocker57 & I started our ride to JB (Johor Baru) at about 7.15am. By 8.30am, we were having breakfast at the Air Keroh R&R. A cuppa each & a plate of nasi lemak(shared as we were on an eating spree) and then we were off to JB. Made two pit stops before checking in to New York hotel. Rooms not ready, no problem! We went to visit our dear old family friend Low & his wife Jacklin. After a quick chit-chat, we went in search for lunch (about noon). I wanted to savour my favourite beggar's chicken in Sentosa. Along the way, we got distracted & decided to have beef ball noodle instead. I'd not eaten here in years and long to taste it. Low & Rocker57 concurred and yes, thankfully the shop was open.  

The proprietor was resting, drinking coffee while reading the papers. Time must have stood still since I last patronized her outlet as the owner still looks the same, ditto to the outlet too! Now, it was her daughter who served us. I ordered vermicelli (dried version). It was served with 8 springy, beefy mouth-watering beef balls minus the beefy smell. I was on cloud 9!! The taste, texture and size of the beef-balls has remained unchanged! However, the price has risen in tandem with inflation, obviously. 

My fav beefball noodles in J

After the initial bite, I know I've really missed the beef balls! It was RM8 for my portion, worth every sen! In comparison to the ones I have in Quin, Kepayang Square in Seremban and King's in Seremban town, Hock Heng's beef balls are more springy and has less beefy smell. They are bigger is size too. For the price we paid - Awesome to the max!!
Back to Low's house for catching up on family and relatives. By 3pm...we were in search for tea-time. What better way to cool down in the hot weather then to eat my favourite tahu bakar (toasted bean curd stuffed with rojak sauce and bean sprouts) and a bowl of Ice Kacang. It was a stone throw away from Low's house.

Tahu bakar, Ice Kacang & Rojak Specialist

I had to have my tahu bakar but could only have 1 because I need to have space for my ice kacang. Jacklin said that they are also known for their rojak & Ice kacang. So we had to have that too. Apparently, this is the daughter of the stall that was situated near Wisma Persekutuan where I used to patronize decades ago. The crowd was maddening and we had to wait to be seated. Patience, patience....


Ahhh....first came the tahu bakar. Then the ice kacang and then the rojak. 

tahu bakar - 7 Heaven!!!

Ice Kacang - Superb!

The tahu bakar was splendid. Piping hot, crunchy, savoury and tasty to the last bite. A rush of nostalgia overcame me. Sent me reminiscing of my years in JB. 
The Ice Kacang was unique as it was served with an over-generous serving of melted chocolate. Makes the Ice Kacang so palatable as it wasn't sweet especially for me & Rocker57. An ardent red bean fan, the dessert would have been Class A had they tossed in more red beans for me. But, it was the perfect dessert to sooth away the afternoon heat. The rojak? Hah! you thought I had forgotten, eh? NO WAY.

The best thing I like of the rojak is the toasted "Yew Char Kueh" or chinese crullers. It adds a special chewy yet crunchy bite to the crullers. Again lavish serving of crushed peanuts. But, I must say, I still very much prefer the rojak in Bayu Timor; Taman Megah, PJ. Having said that, I must add that almost every table has the signature rojak. Well, perhaps they have yet to taste something better? Or perhaps that's what the locals like. Oh well....one man's meat is another man's poison.
It was only 4pm when we went back to Low's house to collect our bike & to finally check in. 
Check out the next blog to find out what was in-store for us.....patience, patience....