[Music Monday] The Day I Tried To Live by Soundgarden

"One more time around,
Might do it,
One more time around,
Might make it," - The Day I Tried To Live, Soundgarden.

My life is ok, my work is ok (I think). But I do feel quite tired right now. Too many things, too little time.

But then again, at the same time, I think I didn't try hard enough. I believe I didn't hit the benchmark that I want and can be proud of. Hence: "one more time around, might make it".

The AF1 Theory by Hundred%: Malaysian Streetwear Movers and Shakers Take On Nike Air Force 1

Those who in the know most probably have been aware of Hundred% for the longest time but for those who doesn’t, well…it’s one of the most prominent streetwear retailer in Kuala Lumpur, to say the least.

Last week, the store has launched a rather interesting project called the AF1 Theory which revolves around sneaker customization and as the name implies, the focus of the project is the iconic Nike Air Force 1. However, it is not just any AF1 model.

[Music Monday] Something From Nothing by Foo Fighters

"Fuck it all, I came from nothing." - Something From Nothing, Foo Fighters.

So, the first song from the first episode of Dave Grohl's documentary on HBO a.ka. the making of Foo Fighters new album a.k.a love letter to American music, Sonic Highways is finally here. The song is apparently inspired by Chicago (the very city that was featured in the episode) and also featured the legendary guitarist from Cheap Trick, Rick Nielsen.

IMHO, Something From Nothing is yet another standard serving of Foo-flavoured rock song. Some hint of heaviness but at a level where most mainstream listeners should still be able to tolerate.

While it might not be as memorable or universal as per Best of You, I do love the lyrics though...especially the particular verse above. I bet plenty of listeners out there are able to relate themselves to this song as well, which is one of the factor that what made Foo Fighters so successful.

Meanwhile, yes, I already watched the first episode of Sonic Highways myself...but let me save that for another day. :)

Jordan x Slam Dunk Collection: When The Icon Meets Sakuragi Hanamichi, Available Now In Malaysia

I couldn't imagine how many folks got inspired to play basketball after reading Takehiko Inoue’s Slam Dunk. I’m one of them myself (played quite a bit during my school days) even though my first love is still football.

One of the aspects of Slam Dunk that I really love is that Inoue actually drew real life basketball shoes into the comic. Naturally, plenty of Jordans made an appearance in Slam Dunk. In fact, the main character of Slam Dunk - Sakuragi Hanamichi - actually wore Jordan VI and later, Jordan I (in the famed “Banned” Black/Red colorway, nevertheless which is also the color of Sakuragi’s team, Shohoku) in the comic.

That’s why it is not a surprise that Jordan has collaborated with Inoue to come out with the new Jordan x Slam Dunk collection.

[Music Monday, Merdeka Edition] Warisan By Sudirman

This Sunday marked the 57th anniversary of the independence day for Malaysia. Persekutuan Tanah Melayu or Federation of Malaya, if you really want to be detailed like that.

Just like previous years, Merdeka celebration is always tied together with a theme. Interestingly, this year's theme - Malaysia, Disini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta - is taken from a song called Warisan by the one and only Allahyarham Sudirman.

Now, I haven't listen to this song for a very long time but Amin (one half of SoyaCincau.com, one of the most renowned local tech blog that focused on mobile segment; in case you want to know) pointed me to the song when I posted the theme song for this year's Merdeka celebration on my Facebook page.

Man, it hit me in the feels immediately. I myself can't really explain why but as soon as I listen to the song and pay attention to the words that the Sudirman sang, my eyes starting to feel watery...

[Music Monday] Kalau Aku Kaya by Altimet featuring Awi Rafael

Kalau aku kaya...aku dah on the way ke New York untuk event Microsoft Surface esok dah. Too bad then. =/

Tapi apa-apa pun, aku tak perlu kaya untuk letak side mirror kat motor aku...tak macam motor Awi Rafael naik dalam video kat atas ni har. Safety first, beb! Tee hee hee. :3

[Video: Warner Music Malaysia Official YouTube Channel]

[Music Monday] Hari Baru by RAN

"Jangan pernah lelah berlari
Mengejar asa yang kau cari

Keep holding on pada mimpimu
Terus kejar tanpa kau ragu
Keep moving on, biarkan yang berlalu
Sambut hari baru" - Hari Baru, RAN.

As we enter May 2014, it has been one hectic journey.

The Lowyat.NET team is getting really busy, trying to keep up as fast as we could with all the tech and consumer electronic world have to offer especially now that there are plenty of new products are heading into the market as we getting to the end of 1H of 2014.

Additionally, the whole Lowyat MSC itself is going through transformation, which you guys should be able to see sooner or later.

Hence, I'm slightly tired...but I'm not down. Please. Far from it.

I can't be down. I only do so little...if I'm down, where can I hide my face from my team then?

Also, there are still a lot need to be done here. ^_^v

Meanwhile, as for the song. I discovered RAN when I was listening to Nokia MixRadio on my Nokia Lumia 1020 through one of the band's earlier song called Pandangan Pertama. I really like the band's mix of smooth RnB, funk, pop and neo-jazz which essentially equals to what I usually call "feel good music".

I went through all of RAN's four albums and all of them have the same feel good vibe. As you might know, the vibe from the music that you listens to can affect your mood; so, that's why I've been listening to a lot of RAN's music lately.

Just to keep the feel good vibe going. You know, just to keep moving on. :)

[Image: Jazzuality dot com @ Flickr, used under Creative Commons license. Video: Ran's Official YouTube Channel]

[NOMS] Magnum Gold Is Crap, Enter The Magnum Infinity!

 

It is hard not to notice Wall's Magnum Gold ice cream, thanks to the expansive campaign that Unilever has provided for the ice cream. Obviously, since I love Wall's Magnum especially the Almond flavour, I give it a try and...

...it's awful. The gold-colored milk shell tasted flat, and same goes for the (rather thin) sea-salt caramel that swirls around the inner vanilla ice cream. If I would need to put it in my Magnum's list, Magnum Gold is in the bottom of my list which is topped by the Almond flavour.

All in all, IMHO the Wall's Magnum Gold doesn't deserve all the hype that Unilever has thrown at it. You want to know what's good? This: the Magnum Infinity that I tried in Jakarta recently while I was covering the regional launch of ASUS ZenFone for Lowyat.NET.

This particular variant of Chocolate & Caramel flavour of Magnum Infinity is made of dark chocolate shell and within it is a chocolate ice cream with caramel (that tasted better than what Wall's put inside Magnum Gold to me) touch. Mmm, very naise. :3

But still couldn't kick Magnum Almond off my list though. :3 Do check it out if you are in Indonesia...and I believe its available in UK too, so yeah.

[Magnum Gold Image: Yukino Miyazawa @ Flickr, used under Creative Commons license. Magnum Infinity image is my own, available on my Instagram feed. :3]

[Humour] Dear, Why You Sleep So Late?

A girl realized that her boyfriend looks tired for the past few days. So, she asked him:

GF: Dear, why you looked so tired?

BF: Well…been sleeping late for the past few days.

GF: What was you doing till you sleep so late then?

BF: Mmm…been practising for World Cup.

GF: *rolls her eyes*

LULZ.

Okay, the above lawak hambar which I've been telling my colleagues at office is partially based on a true story.

While I slept late almost every day mainly due to work (so many stories to tell, so little time in the world), a small part of my time especially just before I sleep was taken hostage by the free version of FIFA 14 on Windows 8/RT and Windows Phone 8. :p

Couldn't help it when you have a large phablet like Nokia Lumia 1520 to play the game, you know. :p

…and yes, welcome back to the blog. :3

[Image: Albert Choi @ Flickr , used under Creative Commons license. Nokia Lumia 1520 is my own, thanks to Nokia Malaysia...or should I say Microsoft Mobile Malaysia now? :3]

First Blog Post of 2014: Right From The Top of A Hill

So, I start 2014 with something that I never done before. Actually, it's more like I don't want to because I thought it is a monumental task. Turns out, I did it alright and I actually enjoyed it: riding my bike to Genting Highlands.

Yeah, I know I made it sounds so dramatic and all but I'm actually scared to do it. Really...I bought the KTM 200 Duke just for me to get around. Truly, I'm not much of your typical "biker" here.

That being said, my friend from Singapore recently came down to KL with his Aprilia RS 125, threw the idea, and insisted we go there. So, challenge accepted loh...

Fast forward to today, 4 January, here I am at Genting Highlands once again. There's a good reason why but that's a story for another time. Since I'm here, thought of writing the first post of the year on top of the hill. Macam poyo...well, memang poyo pun. :3

So, 2014. I want to write more on this blog. I don't want it to lay dormant any more and I want to write more personal posts.

In general, I feel that personal blog have become unpersonal and "commercialized". Additionally, I feel that I have been caught in the hype as well. So, I want to get more personal once again although you can still me blabbering about my love for Nike, KTM bikes, Red Bull (and their shenanigans), and plenty of other random things. That one...can't be helped, they are just things that I love, to be frank. :3

All in all, I just want to write more for 2014 on this blog. Think of it like a new year resolution. One of many, actually.

Anyway, happy new year to everyone and may the odds will be in our favour throughout 2014. :D