| You Are Marge Simpson |
 You're a devoted family member who loves unconditionally. Sometimes, though, you dream about living a wild secret life! You will be remembered for: your good cooking and evading the police Your life philosophy: "You should listen to your heart, and not the voices in your head." |
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
The Simpsons Personality Test
What Should You Major In?
| Your Scholastic Strength Is Deep Thinking |
 You aren't afraid to delve head first into a difficult subject, with mastery as your goal. You are talented at adapting, motivating others, managing resources, and analyzing risk. You should major in: Philosophy Music Theology Art History Foreign language |
My Five Variable Love Profile
| Your Five Variable Love Profile |
 Propensity for Monogamy: Your propensity for monogamy is high. You find it easy to be devoted and loyal to one person. And in return, you expect the same from who you love. Any sign of straying, and you'll end things. Experience Level: Your experience level is high. You've loved, lost, and loved again. You have had a wide range of love experiences. And when the real thing comes along, you know it! Dominance: Your dominance is low. This doesn't mean you're a doormat, just balanced. You know a relationship is not about getting your way. And you love to give your sweetie a lot of freedom. Cynicism: Your cynicism is medium. You'd like to believe in true and everlasting love... But you've definitely been burned enough to know better. You're still an optimist, but you also are a realist. Independence: Your independence is medium. In relationships, you need both "me time" and "we time." You usually find it easy to be part of a couple. But occasionally you start to feel a little smothered. |
What Colour Heart Do You Have?
| Your Heart Is Red |
 You're a passionate lover - you always have a huge fire in your heart. Too bad it's hard for you to be passionate about just one person! Your flirting style: Outgoing and sexy Your lucky first date: Drinks and dancing Your dream lover: Is both stable and intense What you bring to relationships: Honesty |
Dungu's Johari Window
Would you take a few minutes to pick a few adjectives which you think describe me?
The Johari Window (as explained on the webbie) serves as a model for mapping personality awareness. Apparently it somehow explains the process of human interaction. Anyway, take a couple of minutes and pick a few adjectives would you? Just go to the URL below or click on this entry's header. Thanks! And be honest!
http://kevan.org/johari?name=sesater
The Johari Window (as explained on the webbie) serves as a model for mapping personality awareness. Apparently it somehow explains the process of human interaction. Anyway, take a couple of minutes and pick a few adjectives would you? Just go to the URL below or click on this entry's header. Thanks! And be honest!
http://kevan.org/johari?name=sesater
Monday, February 27, 2006
There's been an accident
Sis: there's been an accident
~ Dungu ~ : what accident?
Sis: our mutual sibling has been involved in an accident...and it's all Jim's fault
~ Dungu ~ : how serious is it?
~ Dungu ~ : are you at home?
~ Dungu ~ : I'll call you?
Sis: he planted a parasite in our sister and it's been there for 5 weeks!
~ Dungu ~ : an STD?
~ Dungu ~ : what's your number. Call you now?
Sis: aiya DUNGU! you're gonna be an uncle in 9 months time
I was going to kill my sis right then. She really scared me for a minute there! Apparently our mutual sibling is a little shaken. She's already thinking about the things she can't do with the baby...like she's not ready......blahblahblah... Jim had to down two pints of beer cause he too was shocked by the news. What a time to find out about the pregnancy! During their honeymoon! OOoHhhh... we're all excited about it! A little addition to the family is on its way!!!
~ Dungu ~ : what accident?
Sis: our mutual sibling has been involved in an accident...and it's all Jim's fault
~ Dungu ~ : how serious is it?
~ Dungu ~ : are you at home?
~ Dungu ~ : I'll call you?
Sis: he planted a parasite in our sister and it's been there for 5 weeks!
~ Dungu ~ : an STD?
~ Dungu ~ : what's your number. Call you now?
Sis: aiya DUNGU! you're gonna be an uncle in 9 months time
I was going to kill my sis right then. She really scared me for a minute there! Apparently our mutual sibling is a little shaken. She's already thinking about the things she can't do with the baby...like she's not ready......blahblahblah... Jim had to down two pints of beer cause he too was shocked by the news. What a time to find out about the pregnancy! During their honeymoon! OOoHhhh... we're all excited about it! A little addition to the family is on its way!!!
SUDC 03
Guess who? Zooming down the floor in the Quickstep.. my fave Ballroom dance... hoppity hop hop hop... boink boink boink...
SUDC 01
Taken during the team knockout in which London came 2nd. From left to right, Brad (short for Bradford and not Bradley :-S), Katherine, John (our Ballroom coach), Alison in front of him, me, and Jo.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
SUDC 2006
Another weekend gone and another dance comp has passed. Don't worry. This ain't going to be a long entry. Nothing much to report on the competition.
First, the team captain made us leave London ridiculously early to travel 25 miles to Farnborough where the comp was being held. We left at 6.45am!!! (or maybe 7am but still!!!) We arrived at 8.00am. Was a little kranky for arriving even before the hosting team (Southampton) could set up the hall. Walked around and found a cafe with Mike and Alison so had a proper breakfast. Got back to the hall at about 10 past 9. Offbeat went on at 9.30am. London came 3rd out of 6 which was ok.
After that they pushed the team knockout to before the ballroom section because Cambridge hadn't arrived yet due to an accident on the motorway. We were up against Southampton first. Safely knocked them out. Next was Bath. Rumba, Cha and Tango were picked out. I was told to dance the Rumba. Saw Bath toss out their best dancer (this guy who competes in Advance). Ran off the floor to teach the guy who was dancing tango just how to do a link and close cause he had NEVER danced Tango before. Thankfuly Alison could back lead. Knocked them out and faced Oxford in the finals. We came in second.
In the Ballroom section me and Jo made the semis which is really good considering we are a 'latin' couple and spend a considerable amount of time on latin. Still, I doubt we'll do as well in IVDC in the Ballroom section since it's going to be a Vienesse Waltz.. my second worst dance next to the Foxtrot. Also, I dont think some teams came in full strength. Oh well...
In the Latin section, we made the semifinals again which was okay. I have to admit, we both felt a tinge of dissapointment not making it into the finals. Though both of us had tried very hard not to let Sheffield (or even Leeds-Keele) boost our hopes, I guess there was still a slight build up. I guess, we were hoping that we would at least make the finals. It didn't matter if we came in last, but making the finals would have been great. I was worried we'd get knocked out before the semis though, seeing that we made the semis for Ballroom. Oh well... Liz and Yoni and Peter and Ly did superbly well. Peter and Ly won the Intermediate Ballroom and Liz and Yoni came second in the Intermediate Latin. Congrats to them! Also worthy to note are Finbar and Afsenah and Rob and Jane making the Novice Latin finals.
By the team match, I was getting a little confused. In the semis of the team Cha I couldn't hear the music properly. I started on what I thought was the correct beat (it was) but I really couldn't hear it properly. I actually had to watch other couples to get the beat off them cause I was worried I was embaressing myself dancing it off time. Jo said I was dancing a little too fast as well... which only frustrates me cause I don't usually have this problem. I think some of the music played that day was really rubbish...
Anyway, on the way home I felt quite ill. The bus driver wasnt helping with his crap driving.. same thing with the bus on the way home. Was in quite a state when I got back. Really felt like puking. But got rest and feeling a whole lot better now. Coughing like mad still though... oh... I also accidentally slapped Jo on her butt when she spun out at the end of one of the dances... was quite funny... hehe..
First, the team captain made us leave London ridiculously early to travel 25 miles to Farnborough where the comp was being held. We left at 6.45am!!! (or maybe 7am but still!!!) We arrived at 8.00am. Was a little kranky for arriving even before the hosting team (Southampton) could set up the hall. Walked around and found a cafe with Mike and Alison so had a proper breakfast. Got back to the hall at about 10 past 9. Offbeat went on at 9.30am. London came 3rd out of 6 which was ok.
After that they pushed the team knockout to before the ballroom section because Cambridge hadn't arrived yet due to an accident on the motorway. We were up against Southampton first. Safely knocked them out. Next was Bath. Rumba, Cha and Tango were picked out. I was told to dance the Rumba. Saw Bath toss out their best dancer (this guy who competes in Advance). Ran off the floor to teach the guy who was dancing tango just how to do a link and close cause he had NEVER danced Tango before. Thankfuly Alison could back lead. Knocked them out and faced Oxford in the finals. We came in second.
In the Ballroom section me and Jo made the semis which is really good considering we are a 'latin' couple and spend a considerable amount of time on latin. Still, I doubt we'll do as well in IVDC in the Ballroom section since it's going to be a Vienesse Waltz.. my second worst dance next to the Foxtrot. Also, I dont think some teams came in full strength. Oh well...
In the Latin section, we made the semifinals again which was okay. I have to admit, we both felt a tinge of dissapointment not making it into the finals. Though both of us had tried very hard not to let Sheffield (or even Leeds-Keele) boost our hopes, I guess there was still a slight build up. I guess, we were hoping that we would at least make the finals. It didn't matter if we came in last, but making the finals would have been great. I was worried we'd get knocked out before the semis though, seeing that we made the semis for Ballroom. Oh well... Liz and Yoni and Peter and Ly did superbly well. Peter and Ly won the Intermediate Ballroom and Liz and Yoni came second in the Intermediate Latin. Congrats to them! Also worthy to note are Finbar and Afsenah and Rob and Jane making the Novice Latin finals.
By the team match, I was getting a little confused. In the semis of the team Cha I couldn't hear the music properly. I started on what I thought was the correct beat (it was) but I really couldn't hear it properly. I actually had to watch other couples to get the beat off them cause I was worried I was embaressing myself dancing it off time. Jo said I was dancing a little too fast as well... which only frustrates me cause I don't usually have this problem. I think some of the music played that day was really rubbish...
Anyway, on the way home I felt quite ill. The bus driver wasnt helping with his crap driving.. same thing with the bus on the way home. Was in quite a state when I got back. Really felt like puking. But got rest and feeling a whole lot better now. Coughing like mad still though... oh... I also accidentally slapped Jo on her butt when she spun out at the end of one of the dances... was quite funny... hehe..
Monday, February 20, 2006
At the Rivoli Ballroom
The floor was just too dark and there wouldnt have been a point in taking pictures cause everything would have turned out too dark. But this is the only presentable picture of us in the Rivoli together. It was just before we left though.
The Pink Jukebox Trophy 2006
The Pink Jukebox Trophy is the London Ballroom and Latin American Dancing Championships for same sex couples. The 10th year anniversary was held at the Rivoli Ballroom yesterday, 18th February 2006. Couples from all over the UK (London, Telford, Chatham, Reading, Sidcup, Norwich, Dorking, Melden) to all over the world (Germany, Hungary, USA, Netherlands, Austria, Denmark) came to the Rivoli to compete.
There were 4 events. Men's Latin, Men's Ballroom, Woman's Latin, Woman's Ballroom. Each event was split into 4 categories (A, B, C, D) A being the best competitors and D for beginners. C and D categories dance only 3 dances (Latin - Cha, Jive, Rumba) (Ballroom - Waltz, Tango, Quickstep), B category is a 4 dance competition with Samba and the Foxtrot, and A category is a 5 dance competition with the Paso Doble and Vienesse Waltz.
Me, Sum, Alison, Jo and Kat decided to compete. We had put ourselves down for the D category not knowing what to expect at the competition. It would also be the first time I was going to dance with a man as follower in a proper same sex competition. With only 3 practices and 3 routines for each Ballroom and Latin categories, we were cock-sure we would only make it to C at most. Personally I feared that because of Sum's pushiness, we might end up in B Ballroom. We would have been in so much trouble because I've never properly led a foxtrot, let alone follow one!
Anyway, the day started with the Men's Latin and Woman's Ballroom. We danced in the 1st Preliminary Round. Sat down. Waited, and found out that we had been bumped up from D into B Category. Rushed over to the scrutineers. "WE DONT HAVE A SAMBA! WE'VE ONLY HAD 3 PRACTICES!!! GGGAAAHHH!!!". But they assured us that it wasn't a confirmed move as the judges may still move us back into C after the second round. Afer the 2nd Preliminary Round, they scrutineer came up to us and said "We're really sorry, but it was the judges unanimous decision that you stay in B". GAH! So I had to come up with an emergency routine as our 4th dance. Taught Sum a quick routine, practiced it a little and then we were in a 5 couples Finals.
After the Cha was the Samba, but suddenly Sum had cramps in his calves *idiot doesn't warm up with stretches*. Anyway, after MORE then 20 seconds of music had been playing, Sum realised they weren't going to stop for him. Couples were whizzing past us. The show had to go on. We HAD to dance. So we just kept dancing. We eventually came in 5th in the B Category Men's Latin. Can't say I am dissapointed though. I made a finals in the B Category in my first competition!
In the Men's Ballroom though, I really messed up in the 1st Preliminary Round. I really really screwed up my routines. For some reason I couldn't put it together, and dancing with Sum is NOT easy. He drags his partner around and he has atrocious floor-craft. I was already given a word of caution from his previous partner Alison. He also can be so pushy and he was really annoying and frustrating me at points. What a twat! ANYWAY, after we sorted out the routines properly and danced in the 2nd Prelims, the judges decided to keep us in C, which was a huge relief for me. We came in 2nd eventually.
People were cheering for us though. Tons of people came up to us to talk to us. Some felt we should have been in B Ballroom, but we told them we were quite happy where we are. Some thought we should have won C. Throughout the day we had people coming up to us asking us where we were from. Many good comments and wishes. A lot of random cheers from supporters from all corners of the room. We were getting so much attention as the newbies *and I think also cause we were the only 'Orientals' competing. One guy asked me to dance with him during the general dances. Made me dance a Sway and a Waltz with him. He was actually quite good. People liked our energy and style I guess... though for some reason, everytime I did a three step spin into Paso points in the Samba, I'd end up right in front of a camera. Still, the attention we were given was overwhelming.
When they announced the prizes for C Men's Ballroom, they came to second place and the emcee said, "In second place, and in their very first competition, couple number 63 from London!" At first people were just clapping half heartedly.. but when me and Sum walked out onto the floor, suddenly there was a 'thunderous' applause. I was feeling quite shy and 'paiseh' when I walked across the floor in front of everyone, but at the same time it felt great. People liked us. It was somewhat the same during the B Men's Latin when we came in 5th. People still cheered us on. It was all very sweet of them. My coach later told me that she got a call from someone she knew at the competition. She said that we had left quite an impression at the competition. :-D
At the end of the whole prize presentation, they extended a special thank you to a special couple who had been dancing together for years and years. They mentioned the had been 10 dance champions somewhere before and asked them to get back on the floor. They had special mention because they were announcing their break up in partnership and this would be their last competition together. When they graced the floor, there was a standing ovation. Then they asked them to dance their final Waltz together. When the music came one of the guys stood there with his hands to his face, in tears. And then, their final Waltz. It was even better then what I remembered from earlier when they were competing in A Ballroom. It was a beautiful way to end the event.
By the way, is it me, or are my blogs getting longer and longer? hhmmm...
There were 4 events. Men's Latin, Men's Ballroom, Woman's Latin, Woman's Ballroom. Each event was split into 4 categories (A, B, C, D) A being the best competitors and D for beginners. C and D categories dance only 3 dances (Latin - Cha, Jive, Rumba) (Ballroom - Waltz, Tango, Quickstep), B category is a 4 dance competition with Samba and the Foxtrot, and A category is a 5 dance competition with the Paso Doble and Vienesse Waltz.
Me, Sum, Alison, Jo and Kat decided to compete. We had put ourselves down for the D category not knowing what to expect at the competition. It would also be the first time I was going to dance with a man as follower in a proper same sex competition. With only 3 practices and 3 routines for each Ballroom and Latin categories, we were cock-sure we would only make it to C at most. Personally I feared that because of Sum's pushiness, we might end up in B Ballroom. We would have been in so much trouble because I've never properly led a foxtrot, let alone follow one!
Anyway, the day started with the Men's Latin and Woman's Ballroom. We danced in the 1st Preliminary Round. Sat down. Waited, and found out that we had been bumped up from D into B Category. Rushed over to the scrutineers. "WE DONT HAVE A SAMBA! WE'VE ONLY HAD 3 PRACTICES!!! GGGAAAHHH!!!". But they assured us that it wasn't a confirmed move as the judges may still move us back into C after the second round. Afer the 2nd Preliminary Round, they scrutineer came up to us and said "We're really sorry, but it was the judges unanimous decision that you stay in B". GAH! So I had to come up with an emergency routine as our 4th dance. Taught Sum a quick routine, practiced it a little and then we were in a 5 couples Finals.
After the Cha was the Samba, but suddenly Sum had cramps in his calves *idiot doesn't warm up with stretches*. Anyway, after MORE then 20 seconds of music had been playing, Sum realised they weren't going to stop for him. Couples were whizzing past us. The show had to go on. We HAD to dance. So we just kept dancing. We eventually came in 5th in the B Category Men's Latin. Can't say I am dissapointed though. I made a finals in the B Category in my first competition!
In the Men's Ballroom though, I really messed up in the 1st Preliminary Round. I really really screwed up my routines. For some reason I couldn't put it together, and dancing with Sum is NOT easy. He drags his partner around and he has atrocious floor-craft. I was already given a word of caution from his previous partner Alison. He also can be so pushy and he was really annoying and frustrating me at points. What a twat! ANYWAY, after we sorted out the routines properly and danced in the 2nd Prelims, the judges decided to keep us in C, which was a huge relief for me. We came in 2nd eventually.
People were cheering for us though. Tons of people came up to us to talk to us. Some felt we should have been in B Ballroom, but we told them we were quite happy where we are. Some thought we should have won C. Throughout the day we had people coming up to us asking us where we were from. Many good comments and wishes. A lot of random cheers from supporters from all corners of the room. We were getting so much attention as the newbies *and I think also cause we were the only 'Orientals' competing. One guy asked me to dance with him during the general dances. Made me dance a Sway and a Waltz with him. He was actually quite good. People liked our energy and style I guess... though for some reason, everytime I did a three step spin into Paso points in the Samba, I'd end up right in front of a camera. Still, the attention we were given was overwhelming.
When they announced the prizes for C Men's Ballroom, they came to second place and the emcee said, "In second place, and in their very first competition, couple number 63 from London!" At first people were just clapping half heartedly.. but when me and Sum walked out onto the floor, suddenly there was a 'thunderous' applause. I was feeling quite shy and 'paiseh' when I walked across the floor in front of everyone, but at the same time it felt great. People liked us. It was somewhat the same during the B Men's Latin when we came in 5th. People still cheered us on. It was all very sweet of them. My coach later told me that she got a call from someone she knew at the competition. She said that we had left quite an impression at the competition. :-D
At the end of the whole prize presentation, they extended a special thank you to a special couple who had been dancing together for years and years. They mentioned the had been 10 dance champions somewhere before and asked them to get back on the floor. They had special mention because they were announcing their break up in partnership and this would be their last competition together. When they graced the floor, there was a standing ovation. Then they asked them to dance their final Waltz together. When the music came one of the guys stood there with his hands to his face, in tears. And then, their final Waltz. It was even better then what I remembered from earlier when they were competing in A Ballroom. It was a beautiful way to end the event.
By the way, is it me, or are my blogs getting longer and longer? hhmmm...
Friday, February 17, 2006
One liners
"Men who have pierced ears are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought jewellery." - Rita Rudner
"Have you noticed how anyone driving slower than you is an idiot and anyone driving faster than you is a maniac?" - George Carlin
"I've been on a calendar, but I've never been on time." - Marilyn Monroe
"You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy and the tallest guy in the National Basketball Association is Chinese." - Chris Rock
"Have you noticed how anyone driving slower than you is an idiot and anyone driving faster than you is a maniac?" - George Carlin
"I've been on a calendar, but I've never been on time." - Marilyn Monroe
"You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy and the tallest guy in the National Basketball Association is Chinese." - Chris Rock
The fly
In a pub there is an English man, a Welsh and a Scotts. They each order a pint of beer. A fly then lands in the English man's pint. He looks at the others and pushes his pint aside. "I can't drink this. It's got a fly in it!" he said. Another fly lands in the Welsh's pint. He looks at the others and then looks at the fly in his pint. He then flicks the fly out of his pint and proceeds to drink his beer. A third fly then lands in the Scott's beer. He looks at the others and then looks at the fly in his beer. He picks it up by its wings and bellow "Spit it out you little bugger!"
Instructions for cleaning the toilet:
1. Lift the lid on the toilet and fill it with 1/8 cup of animal shampoo.
2. Take the cat in your arms and stroke it gently while slowly moving in the direction of the toilet.
3. At a suitable moment, throw the cat into the toilet bowl and close the lid quickly and either stand or sit on the lid.
4. The cat will now start the cleaning process and will produce generate plenty of foam. Do not be concerned about the loud noises coming from the toilet; your cat is enjoying himself.
5. After several minutes flush the toilet to start the “Power-wash” pre-wash and then flush again for the main wash cycle.
6. Ask someone to open the front door and ensure that no-one is between the toilet and the front door.
7. Get off the toilet seat and from a safe distance open the toilet lid quickly. The cat will dry off naturally due to the high speed he will be moving from the toilet to the front door.
8. The toilet and the cat are now both clean.
With best wishes,
The Dog
2. Take the cat in your arms and stroke it gently while slowly moving in the direction of the toilet.
3. At a suitable moment, throw the cat into the toilet bowl and close the lid quickly and either stand or sit on the lid.
4. The cat will now start the cleaning process and will produce generate plenty of foam. Do not be concerned about the loud noises coming from the toilet; your cat is enjoying himself.
5. After several minutes flush the toilet to start the “Power-wash” pre-wash and then flush again for the main wash cycle.
6. Ask someone to open the front door and ensure that no-one is between the toilet and the front door.
7. Get off the toilet seat and from a safe distance open the toilet lid quickly. The cat will dry off naturally due to the high speed he will be moving from the toilet to the front door.
8. The toilet and the cat are now both clean.
With best wishes,
The Dog
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Sheffield Social 2006
It's that time of the week again when I make an update though I'm completely knackered!!!
Anyway, left the house at 5am and left ULU at 6am. Arrived in Sheffield at about 9.45am and had to give the bus driver directions to the Octagon Centre. Lucky for London's team I know the way... Anyway, spent a little time in the gallery in the Student's Union cause they wont let us in till 10.30am.
Competition started about 11.30am. First was the Basic Waltz which was just okay. Next was the Open Viennese Waltz though. It was a complete disaster. I didn't realise how difficult it is to dance Ballroom in the Octagon Centre until today. Gawdddd... we were this teeny tiny couple from London and we were messing it up completely. At one point someone crashed into us. Again, we were road kill, but this time we were dancing with the big boys (ICOXBRIDGE). We didn't get a single re-call. It dampened our spirits a little, but since we've not put much effort into the VW, we didn't want to complain too much. Then the Intermediate Tango. Having had a lesson with Jill the week before and having come in second at Leeds-Keele, we were hoping to at least get through a few rounds. We didn't get a single re-call either! It was pretty demoralizing. We even lost to Liz and Brad in the VW!!! Jill said that it was very weird we didn't get through any rounds though...
Sigh. Oh well... after that we just didn't really want to dance Ballroom for the day. We just wanted to get changed for Latin, but we kept getting re-called for the Basic Waltz. Jill tried comforting us though by saying it's more difficult to do well in the Basic events, which is true to a certain extent since you're competing against Advance dancers too. Anyway, we got as far as the Quarterfinals which was not bad I guess, though I know we could do better on a normal day.
Anyway, after finally changing into my new Latin trousers, I was feeling a little anxious. Did the judges really dislike us? Was it just not our day? Anyway, Latin turned out to be a whole lot better for us. We competed in the Basic Cha, Intermediate Rumba and Open Samba. Basic Cha we got as far as the semis. Though was a tiny bit dissapointed in not getting re-called for the finals, it's still a very good result. 5 out of the 6 finalists were Advance competitors. In the Intermediate Rumba we somehow managed to convince the judges we were good enough for the finals. 7 couples final. Only one other London couple. The rest were ICOXBRIDGE couples. We came in 5th beating Peter and Ly. 0_o No idea how we did it. The Open Samba was an even bigger joke though. We were in the finals with all the Advance dancers like Scott Bradley and Nicola, and Paul and Vesna! 3 Cambridge A team dancers, Oxford's best A team Latin couple and IC's best A team Latin couple as well. We felt like imposters. Like somehow we didn't belong with those couples on the floor. They're all Advance dancers and we're just this teeny tiny unknowns from London. Anyway, we came in 5th again... but we're really proud of ourselves cause we beat Paul and Vesna... doesn't matter if they dance ballroom for team, but they've been around for ages so that places them in a different league from us.
Unfortunately we were too knackered to give it our best during Team Cha. Managed the semis and then were knocked out but I don't think we cared at all. We were just too tired. Then during the knockout, it was just unfortunate London had to meet a strong team (Liverpool) in the first round, so we were knocked out. I was not sent out cause it was 2 ballroom dances and 1 latin. In a way, it was fortunate for me. I was ssssooo tired. However, I've never danced in the Sheffield knockout before.. guess I'd never know how it would feel like. The demonstration couple was Andrew Cuerden and Hanna Haarala. I have nothing else to say about them. *yawns*
Anyway, after the last Waltz, we boarded the bus at 11.20pm ish and made our way back to London. Was dead to the world most of the way back. Have uploaded my vids and pics and am having instant noodles.. yum yum... catch you later!
Anyway, left the house at 5am and left ULU at 6am. Arrived in Sheffield at about 9.45am and had to give the bus driver directions to the Octagon Centre. Lucky for London's team I know the way... Anyway, spent a little time in the gallery in the Student's Union cause they wont let us in till 10.30am.
Competition started about 11.30am. First was the Basic Waltz which was just okay. Next was the Open Viennese Waltz though. It was a complete disaster. I didn't realise how difficult it is to dance Ballroom in the Octagon Centre until today. Gawdddd... we were this teeny tiny couple from London and we were messing it up completely. At one point someone crashed into us. Again, we were road kill, but this time we were dancing with the big boys (ICOXBRIDGE). We didn't get a single re-call. It dampened our spirits a little, but since we've not put much effort into the VW, we didn't want to complain too much. Then the Intermediate Tango. Having had a lesson with Jill the week before and having come in second at Leeds-Keele, we were hoping to at least get through a few rounds. We didn't get a single re-call either! It was pretty demoralizing. We even lost to Liz and Brad in the VW!!! Jill said that it was very weird we didn't get through any rounds though...
Sigh. Oh well... after that we just didn't really want to dance Ballroom for the day. We just wanted to get changed for Latin, but we kept getting re-called for the Basic Waltz. Jill tried comforting us though by saying it's more difficult to do well in the Basic events, which is true to a certain extent since you're competing against Advance dancers too. Anyway, we got as far as the Quarterfinals which was not bad I guess, though I know we could do better on a normal day.
Anyway, after finally changing into my new Latin trousers, I was feeling a little anxious. Did the judges really dislike us? Was it just not our day? Anyway, Latin turned out to be a whole lot better for us. We competed in the Basic Cha, Intermediate Rumba and Open Samba. Basic Cha we got as far as the semis. Though was a tiny bit dissapointed in not getting re-called for the finals, it's still a very good result. 5 out of the 6 finalists were Advance competitors. In the Intermediate Rumba we somehow managed to convince the judges we were good enough for the finals. 7 couples final. Only one other London couple. The rest were ICOXBRIDGE couples. We came in 5th beating Peter and Ly. 0_o No idea how we did it. The Open Samba was an even bigger joke though. We were in the finals with all the Advance dancers like Scott Bradley and Nicola, and Paul and Vesna! 3 Cambridge A team dancers, Oxford's best A team Latin couple and IC's best A team Latin couple as well. We felt like imposters. Like somehow we didn't belong with those couples on the floor. They're all Advance dancers and we're just this teeny tiny unknowns from London. Anyway, we came in 5th again... but we're really proud of ourselves cause we beat Paul and Vesna... doesn't matter if they dance ballroom for team, but they've been around for ages so that places them in a different league from us.
Unfortunately we were too knackered to give it our best during Team Cha. Managed the semis and then were knocked out but I don't think we cared at all. We were just too tired. Then during the knockout, it was just unfortunate London had to meet a strong team (Liverpool) in the first round, so we were knocked out. I was not sent out cause it was 2 ballroom dances and 1 latin. In a way, it was fortunate for me. I was ssssooo tired. However, I've never danced in the Sheffield knockout before.. guess I'd never know how it would feel like. The demonstration couple was Andrew Cuerden and Hanna Haarala. I have nothing else to say about them. *yawns*
Anyway, after the last Waltz, we boarded the bus at 11.20pm ish and made our way back to London. Was dead to the world most of the way back. Have uploaded my vids and pics and am having instant noodles.. yum yum... catch you later!
Monday, February 06, 2006
Me and Chris
Anyone remember Chris Dean? Sheffield A Team Jive 3 years ago? He's looking really good nowadays!
With Liz and Yoni
With Liz and Yoni in the line up after receiving our certificates where they came in 2nd and we came in 3rd. can't be sure, but I think it's either the Rumba or Jive...
Reverse Waltz
Me and Jo with our little trophies for winning the Reverse Waltz. We are considering swapping roles permanently.
Me and Jo
Huge lillac dress. Jo was initially worried she would look like a moving (white) meringue, but dont you think she looks really sweet in it? It was for the Team Quickstep.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Leeds-Keele 2006
The Leeds-Keele Northern Friendly Competition 2006 was a held on the 4th of February 2006. The Friday before the comp, I had been tremendously busy with a last minute application, and then I went to get a haircut followed by some chinese food shopping at China Town, and then practice. By the time I got home, cooked dinner, packed, prepared food for the comp and showered, it was already 2am.
The coach was leaving at 5am and I had to be out of the house by 4am! I had an hour's sleep, but couldnt sleep much more after that so I got up and watched 35 mins of Mona Lisa Smile. Left my place at 4.10am and arrived at ULU at 4.30am. Was the earliest so started prancing around to keep warm. We left at 5am and I probably caught another hour or so of sleep on the bus.
Arrived safely. Competed in the Advance Waltz and Quickstep, Open Tango and Vienesse Waltz in the Modern/Ballroom section, Advance Cha and Jive, Open Rumba, Samba and Paso Doble in the Latin Section. Durham has 2 very good couples this year. I was told one of them is a ranked EADA (English Amatuer Dancesport Association) amatuer. I did a quick check online and found out he was the top ranked Junior couple in both Ballroom and Latin previously!
Anyway, somehow me and my partner, Jo, managed to squeeze a 5th place for the Waltz and V. Waltz, 4th for Quickstep and 2nd for Open Tango (only cause there were fewer couples). 3rd in Cha, Jive and Rumba, 4th in Open Samba and 2nd in Paso Doble (again cause there were fewer couples competing). During one of the rounds of the Paso, me and Jo hadn't even gone into our starting position when they had already started the music! She spun in and we were like, shit.. hehe.. but we recovered so all was well in the end. Oh, also, we had to dance the Samba semis twice. The first time, the judge mistakenly wrote my number down twice! We also came in 4th in the team Quickstep but we didnt really care cause we dont usually dance team quickstep anyway. During the team knockout we were up against Warwick and I had to run out to dance against their Quickstep couple. We beat them, but later we didnt have anymore dancers to beat... I think it was Lancaster.... Ooohhh.. me and Jo were particularly happy about beating a mysterious lone couple who danced for Manchester in the team event. We initially thought they were from Liverpool, but now I'm not sure sure. They beat us in all the ballroom events, cause they were obviously way better then us, but we beat them in all the latins! Our initial impression of them was that they were really really good. Still, that stupid EADA couple was just too good for us. WAY out of our league...
Anyhow, it was the 'fun dance comps' at the comp yesterday that everyone absolutely enjoyed. First, there was the Reverse Waltz, then Musical Jive Statues, and the Snowball Waltz. The Musical Jive Statues is when you dance the jive with your partner and when the music stops you've got to freeze. I got pretty far in the Musical Jive Statues, having had to change partners half way through... then in the Snowball Waltz, you've got to dance until the music stops then you've got to get off the floor and dance with someone new. When everyone's already on the floor, the judge would pick the best 6 couples for the finals. I didnt know that we were being judged. I was actually just talking to my partner while dancing.. I thoguht it was more of a social thing. Anyway, I was called back for the finals and was totally confused at first, but it was fun.. hehe.. I came in 3rd.
In the Reverse Waltz in which my normal partner had to lead me and I followed, I tied a scarf around my neck and pinned the other end to my Latin Top's sleeve. Anyway, we were recalled into the finals... when going into hold, the judge was looking at us. It was Gary Foster. Notorious Uni Comp Judge. So I gave him a show and put it all in with the smile and the whole works really. 3 quarts of the way through the event I saw him out to of the corner of my eye approach London team's camp. Apparently he had asked them if I was the guy who had danced the "All Male Rumba" at the Manchester comp, and they confirmed it. I forgot that he had been a judge at that comp, but that was 2 years ago!! I had still be dancing with Mark then! We had won that year. According to Kat, he then said "He's bloody good!". I cant help gloating about it.. hehe.. anyway, right after the music stopped he walked over to me and my partner and he said "Your Waltz is nearly as good as your Rumba. I remember you from Manchester. *wink*"... well.. maybe I might have imagined he winked. Still.. haha.. it was great fun. We won the Reverse Waltz so I got 1 cute little trophy.
Left Leeds at 12.30am, arrived home at my doorstep at 4.00am (driver was a maniac). Showered, ate, uploaded videos, and was sound asleep at 6am... ZzzZzzzz...
The coach was leaving at 5am and I had to be out of the house by 4am! I had an hour's sleep, but couldnt sleep much more after that so I got up and watched 35 mins of Mona Lisa Smile. Left my place at 4.10am and arrived at ULU at 4.30am. Was the earliest so started prancing around to keep warm. We left at 5am and I probably caught another hour or so of sleep on the bus.
Arrived safely. Competed in the Advance Waltz and Quickstep, Open Tango and Vienesse Waltz in the Modern/Ballroom section, Advance Cha and Jive, Open Rumba, Samba and Paso Doble in the Latin Section. Durham has 2 very good couples this year. I was told one of them is a ranked EADA (English Amatuer Dancesport Association) amatuer. I did a quick check online and found out he was the top ranked Junior couple in both Ballroom and Latin previously!
Anyway, somehow me and my partner, Jo, managed to squeeze a 5th place for the Waltz and V. Waltz, 4th for Quickstep and 2nd for Open Tango (only cause there were fewer couples). 3rd in Cha, Jive and Rumba, 4th in Open Samba and 2nd in Paso Doble (again cause there were fewer couples competing). During one of the rounds of the Paso, me and Jo hadn't even gone into our starting position when they had already started the music! She spun in and we were like, shit.. hehe.. but we recovered so all was well in the end. Oh, also, we had to dance the Samba semis twice. The first time, the judge mistakenly wrote my number down twice! We also came in 4th in the team Quickstep but we didnt really care cause we dont usually dance team quickstep anyway. During the team knockout we were up against Warwick and I had to run out to dance against their Quickstep couple. We beat them, but later we didnt have anymore dancers to beat... I think it was Lancaster.... Ooohhh.. me and Jo were particularly happy about beating a mysterious lone couple who danced for Manchester in the team event. We initially thought they were from Liverpool, but now I'm not sure sure. They beat us in all the ballroom events, cause they were obviously way better then us, but we beat them in all the latins! Our initial impression of them was that they were really really good. Still, that stupid EADA couple was just too good for us. WAY out of our league...
Anyhow, it was the 'fun dance comps' at the comp yesterday that everyone absolutely enjoyed. First, there was the Reverse Waltz, then Musical Jive Statues, and the Snowball Waltz. The Musical Jive Statues is when you dance the jive with your partner and when the music stops you've got to freeze. I got pretty far in the Musical Jive Statues, having had to change partners half way through... then in the Snowball Waltz, you've got to dance until the music stops then you've got to get off the floor and dance with someone new. When everyone's already on the floor, the judge would pick the best 6 couples for the finals. I didnt know that we were being judged. I was actually just talking to my partner while dancing.. I thoguht it was more of a social thing. Anyway, I was called back for the finals and was totally confused at first, but it was fun.. hehe.. I came in 3rd.
In the Reverse Waltz in which my normal partner had to lead me and I followed, I tied a scarf around my neck and pinned the other end to my Latin Top's sleeve. Anyway, we were recalled into the finals... when going into hold, the judge was looking at us. It was Gary Foster. Notorious Uni Comp Judge. So I gave him a show and put it all in with the smile and the whole works really. 3 quarts of the way through the event I saw him out to of the corner of my eye approach London team's camp. Apparently he had asked them if I was the guy who had danced the "All Male Rumba" at the Manchester comp, and they confirmed it. I forgot that he had been a judge at that comp, but that was 2 years ago!! I had still be dancing with Mark then! We had won that year. According to Kat, he then said "He's bloody good!". I cant help gloating about it.. hehe.. anyway, right after the music stopped he walked over to me and my partner and he said "Your Waltz is nearly as good as your Rumba. I remember you from Manchester. *wink*"... well.. maybe I might have imagined he winked. Still.. haha.. it was great fun. We won the Reverse Waltz so I got 1 cute little trophy.
Left Leeds at 12.30am, arrived home at my doorstep at 4.00am (driver was a maniac). Showered, ate, uploaded videos, and was sound asleep at 6am... ZzzZzzzz...
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Is Honesty Really the Best Policy?
A lot of the job applications I have dealt with always asks for a reason... Why do you want to work at our firm? The answer would be, Because you've got a fantabulous firm, a great working environment in which I will be able to blossom into the best lawyer I can be, and I love the area of law you practice, bla bla bla...but is that really me? If I were being completely honest, I'd say, so I could get a visa to stay here and also so I could earn lots of money so I can feed my substance addiction, namely clothes and good food, and also so that I could pay to dance like a fairy... but I suppose that wouldnt look too good on my application.
For those of us who dont exactly have a passion for work, do we really need to lie in all our work applications to make our applications look good? Sure looks like it... so does that make us all liars? hhhmmmm... maybe it's all justified lies. We need money, so we need to work to get money. In yet to work, you need a job, so you've gotta apply for one. How to increase your chances of snagging a job? Send in an kick ass application with all the right things the firm/company wants to hear from an applicant. In conclusion, it isnt our fault. It's for our own survival! What's a few little white lies in a job application? ;-)
And how about honesty in a relationship? Isnt a relationship supposed to be built on trust and honesty? Like, you're supposed to share every thought, every thing you do and bla bla bla with that someone special. But what if you did something bad? Should you tell the other half?
"I started thinking about honesty. Maybe the whole idea was overrated. Maybe coming clean was the ultimate selfish act. A way to absolve yourself by hurting someone who doesnt deserve to be hurt. I cheated on a test in the 5th Grade with two friends, they confessed, got grounded, and failed the class. I never told anyone, and it never mattered. In a relationship, is honesty really the best policy?"
(Sex and the City)
Do we live with our guilt? Or do we owe it to our other half to be completely honest? Some people like to know everything about their partner. Even the bad stuff. They feel they'll get a better picture as to where they stood with their other halfs. Some people are wasps. They ignore the elephant in the room. If you don't speak of it, it does not exist. Still, is that how relationships are supposed to be? You keep all your sins and guilt inside and torment yourself? Sounds very S&M. Such revelations can either make or break a relationship. In my own opinion though, if a person cheated on his loved one, that is a major no-no. Even if the other person was honest, that would be a major deal breaker. Since such honesty would shake the foundations of any relationships, would it be wise to own up to one's mistakes or should they bite their tounge and wallow in their own guilt in silence? It's really hard to decide on that point...
For those of us who dont exactly have a passion for work, do we really need to lie in all our work applications to make our applications look good? Sure looks like it... so does that make us all liars? hhhmmmm... maybe it's all justified lies. We need money, so we need to work to get money. In yet to work, you need a job, so you've gotta apply for one. How to increase your chances of snagging a job? Send in an kick ass application with all the right things the firm/company wants to hear from an applicant. In conclusion, it isnt our fault. It's for our own survival! What's a few little white lies in a job application? ;-)
And how about honesty in a relationship? Isnt a relationship supposed to be built on trust and honesty? Like, you're supposed to share every thought, every thing you do and bla bla bla with that someone special. But what if you did something bad? Should you tell the other half?
"I started thinking about honesty. Maybe the whole idea was overrated. Maybe coming clean was the ultimate selfish act. A way to absolve yourself by hurting someone who doesnt deserve to be hurt. I cheated on a test in the 5th Grade with two friends, they confessed, got grounded, and failed the class. I never told anyone, and it never mattered. In a relationship, is honesty really the best policy?"
(Sex and the City)
Do we live with our guilt? Or do we owe it to our other half to be completely honest? Some people like to know everything about their partner. Even the bad stuff. They feel they'll get a better picture as to where they stood with their other halfs. Some people are wasps. They ignore the elephant in the room. If you don't speak of it, it does not exist. Still, is that how relationships are supposed to be? You keep all your sins and guilt inside and torment yourself? Sounds very S&M. Such revelations can either make or break a relationship. In my own opinion though, if a person cheated on his loved one, that is a major no-no. Even if the other person was honest, that would be a major deal breaker. Since such honesty would shake the foundations of any relationships, would it be wise to own up to one's mistakes or should they bite their tounge and wallow in their own guilt in silence? It's really hard to decide on that point...
Ignorance
You know, some people are just so bloody ignorant and it REALLY annoys me!!! First there's that guy who wanted to start his own magazine. He was going to make the first edition a 'learning project', and if it was successful, he was going to form a company and continue releasing an edition every month. The magazine was supposed to be 'inspirational and motivational'. He had wanted to put in articles about how to manage your finances, how to become rich, success stories... he wanted to call that section, "The 90% You Dont See"... emphasizing on the obstacles and ups and downs they had before they came to the fortune. Like.. helloOooo... have we not heard enough of these 'stories'???
All this crap coming from an undergrad and his friends. Who are they to tell us how to sort our finances out? Just because he's read Rich Dad Poor Dad doesnt meant that he knows any more then I do. It's really annoying because he can't see any further then his nose. I know this and so I've always tried to be just plain supportive even if I think it's a crap idea. Then he askd me if I would buy a magazine with the headlines "How to become rich in your pajama". He thought it was an excellent headline and smugly thought he knew how I'd answer. I said, I wouldnt give the magazine another look cause it looks more like a con to me. He blew up after that. He said I couldnt give him a valid opinion unless I saw it from his point of view. Like, WTF?! He couldnt take any criticism... he's always tried to force his 'values and wisdom' onto me and I completely hate it. That is why I have to lie to him most of the time. Just to get him to shut up.
Today I was talking to this other friend who started going on about how London has less fresh produce due to it's limited land surrounding it :-S. How, compared to Aust and Canada where they've got tons of chinese veg, London has limited choice. Like.. er... helloooooOoooOooo??? He said that the choice you see in a London market is limited. He seems to think that the only veg we get here is cabbage and peas!!! From experience it seems... he stayed in London for 2 weeks in 2004. I dont really understand how can he say that our choices are limited. You're talking about a one of the greatest metropolitans ... one of the biggest cities in the world. We've practically got everything here! Really... some people... ughz!
All this crap coming from an undergrad and his friends. Who are they to tell us how to sort our finances out? Just because he's read Rich Dad Poor Dad doesnt meant that he knows any more then I do. It's really annoying because he can't see any further then his nose. I know this and so I've always tried to be just plain supportive even if I think it's a crap idea. Then he askd me if I would buy a magazine with the headlines "How to become rich in your pajama". He thought it was an excellent headline and smugly thought he knew how I'd answer. I said, I wouldnt give the magazine another look cause it looks more like a con to me. He blew up after that. He said I couldnt give him a valid opinion unless I saw it from his point of view. Like, WTF?! He couldnt take any criticism... he's always tried to force his 'values and wisdom' onto me and I completely hate it. That is why I have to lie to him most of the time. Just to get him to shut up.
Today I was talking to this other friend who started going on about how London has less fresh produce due to it's limited land surrounding it :-S. How, compared to Aust and Canada where they've got tons of chinese veg, London has limited choice. Like.. er... helloooooOoooOooo??? He said that the choice you see in a London market is limited. He seems to think that the only veg we get here is cabbage and peas!!! From experience it seems... he stayed in London for 2 weeks in 2004. I dont really understand how can he say that our choices are limited. You're talking about a one of the greatest metropolitans ... one of the biggest cities in the world. We've practically got everything here! Really... some people... ughz!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
IQtest.dk
After some consideration, I decided to take another IQ test. Since Tim thinks I'm terrible for "cheating" on the last test and YD didn't really think the test was valid since there was no time limit, I just had to take another one to see what my real score is. YD introduced me to IQtest.dk.
It's design and development Anders Ditlev Jensen for Mensa Danmark.
"This test is developed with the aim of measuring your Intelligence Quotient (IQ). The test is Culture Fair, i.e. it minimises the effect of cultural variables, such as language, mathematics, etc. The test is based on logic, but is furthermore designed to test learning capability, memory, innovative thinking and the ability to simultaneously address several problems.
The test measures the general intelligence - g.
The calculation of IQ is based on answers from more than 250,000 people."
You've got 40 minutes and 39 questions. The level of difficulty of the questions increases gradually. Some of those questions were tough! I couldnt really make them out! :-S
According to studies, the average Brit has the calculated IQ of 120. According to this test, the average person has the calculated IQ of 100. 70 and below is Very Low, 71-90 is Low, 91-110 is Normal, 111-130 is High, and above that is 'Mensa Level'
According to this test, my calculated IQ is 138.
ps. this time I didnt cheat! :-p~!!!
It's design and development Anders Ditlev Jensen for Mensa Danmark.
"This test is developed with the aim of measuring your Intelligence Quotient (IQ). The test is Culture Fair, i.e. it minimises the effect of cultural variables, such as language, mathematics, etc. The test is based on logic, but is furthermore designed to test learning capability, memory, innovative thinking and the ability to simultaneously address several problems.
The test measures the general intelligence - g.
The calculation of IQ is based on answers from more than 250,000 people."
You've got 40 minutes and 39 questions. The level of difficulty of the questions increases gradually. Some of those questions were tough! I couldnt really make them out! :-S
According to studies, the average Brit has the calculated IQ of 120. According to this test, the average person has the calculated IQ of 100. 70 and below is Very Low, 71-90 is Low, 91-110 is Normal, 111-130 is High, and above that is 'Mensa Level'
According to this test, my calculated IQ is 138.
ps. this time I didnt cheat! :-p~!!!
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