The Not-So-Tall Tales of Giant Zucchini

This heartfelt message goes out to all who start school tomorrow...

I'M STILL ON HOLIDAY! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

Just an update on the Internal Competition a.k.a. We ARe Not Nerds:


Results of We ARe Not Nerds 2004:


Knocked out of Group Stage:

Quantum Enforcers
Raptor
Robodudes
The Loners


4th: Think!


3rd: Quantum Chaos 4: Ionized Carnage

2nd: Wheely Big Cheese

GRAND CHAMPION: Razer


Best Website Award: Quantum Enforcers

Best Mechanical Design Award: Think!

Best Robot Performance Award: Quantum Chaos 4: Ionized Carnage

FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN!!!

The first day of the SAS Robotics Club Internal Competition was REALLY REALLY FUN! Especially seeing bots getting pitted. All my original fears proved to be unfounded (Praise the Lord!) and all the teams managed to get a robot up and running by the start of the competition.

The friendlies weren't much, but it was never really important anyway. More important was the start of the competition, which was after lunch. I was in the first match against Quantum Enforcers. Bad start: Didn't manage to knock down the bumper on my side, they did. So they were ahead 25 - 0. Then I almost went into the pit TWICE, but managed to stay out. Meanwhile, they got stuck, and were immobilised, so I squeezed through a 25 - 50 win. After the next few rounds of matches, Match of the Day. Razer vs The Loners. Razer knocked down his bumper, while The Loners just spun around aimlessly. However, Razer got stuck, while The Loners were still moving. We were counting down the 10 seconds for Razer's immobilisation...10...9...8...7...6...5...then The Loners suddenly went full speed ahead...into the pit. Talk about a close shave! The closest to that was me vs Raptor. Right at the start, both bots knocked down our bumpers. I actually carried it around on my wedge. Then...I wedged myself under the black line/tape. I wasn't moving, so they were counting down. Then, Raptor slammed into me, then turned and drove straight into the pit. Another close shave. One of the most interesting matches of the day, Think! vs Robodudes. Think! knocked down his bumper, and so did Robodudes. Then, Think! basically went forward-backward-forward-backward...while Robodudes got immobilised on the wall. After the match ended, Robodudes split in half. So Snowstorm the Technical Director had a nice time counting the dropped pieces. Looking forward to tomorrow's matches. Raptor vs Quantum Enforcers at 10am, then 2 matches after that...the big one...Wheely Big Cheese vs Quantum Chaos 4: Ionised Carnage...

"What kind of a goalkeeper is the one who is not tormented by the goal he has allowed? He must be tormented! And if he is calm, that means the end. No matter what he had in the past, he has no future."
- Lev Yashin

2 Timothy 3
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Psalm 3
1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

"Protestantism of today is an empty shell, it’s nothing. But, back then, in 1912, they believed the Bible."
- Eric Jon Phelps

Today I Started Loving You Again

Today I started loving you again
I'm right back where I've really always been
Got over you just long enough to let my heartache mend
Then today I started loving you again

What a fool I was to think I could get by
With only these few million tears I've cried
I should have known the worst was yet to come
And that crying time for me had just begun
Cause today I started loving you again

Getting used to my new position as a goalkeeper. Fine-tuned my closing down one-on-ones and shot-stopping. Played back in school with 2E 2002, ended off with the Scorpion Kings vs the rest, first to 5, me keeping for the rest. After letting in 3 soft goals (including one through my legs Ian Walker style...), I finally showed them what I'm made of. Pulled back with 3 goals before half time to bring the half-time score to 3-3. After half-time, possibly the best goalkeeping display I have ever produced, and some of the best saves I've ever pulled off. The first: Gabes the Skilful unleashed a killer powerful shot to my near post. It hit my hand and bounced wide. The second: Mun Hon the Powershooter drove one to my right post. I palmed it away from the goal. Inbetween those 2 saves, we scored another, 4-3. Finally, we scored the winner, and we had defeated the Scorpion Kings, and I had a second half to remember.

Dave Barry's Words of Wisdom:
"Scientists tell us that the fastest animal on earth, with a top speed of 120 ft/sec, is a cow that has been dropped out of a helicopter."

I have 2 things to say.

1. England wuz robbed.

2. This is one of the best links I have ever seen on Dave Barry's blog: http://weblog.herald.com/column/davebarry/archives/013664.html#013664

I think I still have a certain...fear, apprehension, want to keep my distance, rather look from far away then from close range...like when I'm goalkeeping, also kind of explains the silly goals I let in...not really focusing on the ball, more on something far away...still get that chill down my spine, though...

Anyway, just got back from a really full lunch after church. A bowl of soup, a chunk of bread, 1/2 a plate of fried rice, 4 meatballs, 3/4 an open sandwich (a slice of bread with meatballs on it) in Ikea, and 2 Siew Mai and 1/2 a plate of Chai Tao Kuay in Jurong Country Club. So now just editing my FIFA and importing faces and crashing the game etc...

I'm supporting England, but I think France will win 2-0

Well, what a long time it has been. First off, thanks to Eric the Kungfu Master and Sam the Revolution for coming down for the SAJS gathering, and of course to Vignesh de Americana and Mr Tham for gracing my humble house. It was a great time of fun and games (Robot Wars and FIFA 2004) and I really enjoyed myself, especially with you people whom I don't get to meet very often, and especially Vignesh de Americana, who is perpetually stationed in America and our only communication is via MSN. Really looking forward to our next reunion!

Yesterday, played against some VS alumni. They came back to their old ground for some footie. Meanwhile, Joshua the Manc and I were training at the trees near the tuckshop, and they invited us to play. We, of course, agreed. When we left, the score was 4-3, Joshua the Manc and I both scoring for the winning team. The first goal: I took a shot from some way out, the keeper palmed it away, but my teammate pounced on it and scored a controversial goal. Second goal: My through pass found Joshua the Manc and he curled it towards goal. The keeper got a touch to it, but it was not enough to prevent the goal. Third goal: Own goal, our corner was headed in by an opposing defender. Just before half time, the 4th goal. A real skilful dark skinned guy from the opposing team rifled a shot into the near post. 3-1 at half time. The dark skinned guy scored again, lashing an unstoppable shot from a cross. Just before I left, I latched on a pass from the keeper, pushed it past a defender and outran him before cutting in and curling in my goal. 4-2. Just as we left, a long piledriver went just over the keeper, but the goal was counted. 4-3 final score when we left. I liked that match, both Joshua the Manc and I scored against the ex-Victorians. Possibly a grudge match (Remember VJC vs SAJC...), and we performed admirably.

Finally, I've got my favourite Dave Barry book "back", thanks to Terence the Hulk. Thank you for the book. You didn't have to buy another one for me, yet you felt compelled to for losing mine, and for that you have my respect.

Tomorrow...Euro fever culminates...

I am now caught in a dilemma. Should I go for choir and a capella and skip FOP? Or should I go for FOP and skip choir and a capella? Darn, I really enjoyed yesterday's FOP, really drew close to God. Really want to go for tonight...final night...ah well...

Last night's FOP was really really great. Of course, you can't go far wrong with a start like BETTER THAN LIFE! Then FREE! And then KING OF MAJESTY! Then a "new" song...ONE WAY! And a short clip of ALL DAY! By then the whole audience was jumping and praising the Lord. The atmosphere was TREMENDOUS! Then things slowed down as we went into Here I Am to Worship, and a few more slow songs. You could feel the Spirit of God moving in the Indoor Stadium. The Hillsongs team was really really good in bringing people to worship. This was followed by sermon, on Martha and Mary. "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Which brings me back to my dilemma. OK, dilemma settled with a phone call. Looks like I NEED to go for choir practice. So there...It is a pity. A great pity. I'm convinced tonight will really rock the Indoor Stadium to its knees. Last night was a great 3 hours of worship. Ended off the night with, you guessed it...CAN'T STOP PRAISING!!!


Can't Stop Praising

Try to find the words
To express the way you are
But the beauty of the Lord
Cannot be described in just one lifetime

Look at the sun over the seas
Look at Your grace that covers me
Now I know
Yes I know
Now I know
I know Your love has saved me

In the morning
I can't stop praising Your name
In the evening
I can't stop praising Your name
In the morning
I can't stop praising Your name
In the evening
I can't stop

And I want You to know
Yes I want You to know
Oh yes I

Lord You're so amazing
Every word You say is true
Better than the finest treausre
So glad that I found You

You held me close
When I was down
Your world has turned my world around
Now I know
Yes I know
Now I know
I know how much I love You

Hallelujah
We praise Your name
We praise Your name

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

I'm In a Hurry (and Don't Know Why)

I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why
Don't know why I have to drive so fast
My car has nothing to prove
It's not new
But it'll do zero to sixty in five point two

I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why

Can't be late, I leave in plenty of time
Shakin' hands with the clock
I can't stop
I'm on a roll and I'm ready to rock

I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why

Oh, I hear a voice
That says I'm running behind
Better pick up my pace
It's a race and there ain't no room for someone in second place


I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why