Told Ya, I'm Just Big Boned

Here's a fact that a lot of you might not believe: I am only 2% over fat.

I recently signed up for a weight management program - to have a scientific and empirical measurement of "looking better" weight-wise, they decided to get some metrics involved. Height, weight (or for purists, mass), body mass index (BMI), and percentage body fat. Height is 172cm, and weight is 6lbs less from my last inaccurate weighing - which really doesn't give YOU guys anything, hehehe.

What was interesting was how they calculated your body fat; and the results surprised me too. To calculate body fat, the nurse handed me a thingamajig with handlebars, and you're supposed to hold it the same way a newbie driver is meant to hug the steering wheel (but not as tight though). The results: I'm just 2% above the expected body fat ratio. There finally is proof that I'm really big boned; but don't ask me about that BMI.

You Can Greet Me Here!

I know, I know, it's been way too busy at work, so I really wasn't able to punch in a lot of entries recently. However, there is just enough time to squeeze in the fact that my first couple days in my late 20s (gasp, gurgle, zonk!) is overrated.

So here's my virtual libre - have a virtual beer, or if you're virtually driving, an iced tea (enjoy the refills, they're bottomless!). Do take some of the bar nuts (no, they're not a euphemism for my friends...) on your way out.

ps. I promise not to take a leave this summer and spend it at home - the weather is just scorching and humid.

Epiphanies on an Easter Afternoon

I woke up late on Easter Day, and peered outside our house. These yellow florets were, to borrow for e.e. cummings, carefully, everywhere, descending. After celebrating restless idling, it was a refreshing sight to see yellow rain.

Right then and there, I had two epiphanies. First, I love our home - ours is the green gate. And before I go all 7th Heaven on all of you (which I won't, you probably saw the marathon), it's a central area, near the necessary facilities, yet still tucked away from the bustle of it all. And to see kids play at our streets in the summer, while yellow blossoms dance around is indeed a bonus.



Second, I will buy a DSLR camera. I've been fiddling with the idea of getting one, with the pros (better images, unleashing the internal photographer in me), and cons (expensive, might not have enough time to tinker with it) - the image outside our house convinced me. I just realised that one of the most important thing I own would be my memories. To capture your memories would be to hold time in your hands - and for just for that second, everything is all and well.

*plays Yellow by Coldplay*

Old Music, New Hunt

I had intended to do this entry together with the newest hotshots on the tennis blog, but my laptop crashed, and lost all the album covers. Excuses aside, here it is, and I found an old gem sitting ob the shelves in Kuala Lumpur. And no, the title has nothing to do with a wedding (how does that saying go, anyway?) - but I tried the youngest people making a scene, and ended up with kids under their twenties. Boohoo, that makes me sound ancient.

I picked up Underage Thinking by Teddy Geiger, Beautiful Awakening by Stacie Orrico, and These Streets by Paolo Nutini. AT first I thought the Geiger record was brilliant, but then again, the adolescence is fairly obvious. Still, the album is still a credible effort, nothing to throw away, but it's a step above mediocre still.

What I found most enticing with the new Stacie Orrico album, was the simplicity of the melodies and the beats. The lyrics are only so-so, but the clarity of the message is there. I think I've overplayed the lead song, I'm Not Missing You so much that it's become rather anthemic (to which I now realise that it's become the opposite). I will not go into a long litany of personal issues here, lest I make penance for myself a wee bit early.

Most promising is These Streets - try to think of it as a Gavin DeGraw-esque compilation, minus the falsetto and oh-so-righteous edicts. Of course, Last Request stands out as the catchiest song in the albu, though I had initially heard a more tender version. It's a little to fast for a breakup-sex song. Hey, how many breakup songs have you heard anyway? Not to be disappointed, there are two bonus tracks on the end of the album, including an acoustic, more Scot version of Last Request - "Sloo doon, lie doon" he sings. I'm sure Grounddskeeper Willie would be so proud.


And for something old, I finally found Better Than Ezra's debut album, Deluxe. Woohoo! It's a definite throwback to the wonderful era of mid-90s alternative rock, where grunge as has just tempered, and glam was a definite no-no. Good is a certified Hall Of Fame song, and such classics as In The Blood, Rosealia and Porcelain make the album a must-buy. My favorite would be the nostalgic Time Of Year. You can feel it in the air, feel right this time of year. I'm hoping to find the rest of their albums, Friction, Baby and Before The Robots - but that's going to be a stretch, but we'll see. Apparently, I'm on the hunt once more.