Daddy's Little Helpers

To get some fresh air, the whole gang went out for a spot of lunch at Pavilion. I ha to settle my overdue bills as well, so I had no objections although I was still feeling worst for wear. The boys promised not to give me any headaches or ask for toys, so they were happy when I said yes.

My heart sank when I read that part of Jalan Bukit Bintang would be closed for street party. It did, but coming from where we were, it dis not really effect the flow of traffic. Everything was smooth. The first order of business was enquiring about an iPhone for Anita. More about that on another entry.

Once that was sorted out - Anita was due to pick the phone up on the next day, we headed for lunch at Michaeangelo's. The boys love tue pizza there and from our frequent visit, the staffs there had already knew the boys. They always get their pizza double quick, and always with extra topping!

Idlan carrying his Mum's bagHot chocolate at Michaelangelo'sDad and Mum shared some salad ......... and pastaAs I was really getting tired by the time dinner was done, Irfan - who volunteered to be mounted on the stroller so that I would not have to lift him, helped carry the extra pizza for supper, while Idlan carried his Mum's hand bag.

Now, that was what I called charming. At least we knew that when we were elderly, they would pick a nice retirement home for us ...... hopefully!

To My Friend Mr Celcom

After a good year of coaxing, Anita finally agreed to plunge on the iOS route. This followed an incident - an indecent one - with her friends when her phone went dead in the middle of a conversation, and everyone was blaming her trusty old Sony Ericsson. Well, one has to move on with the time.

She agreed to go for an iPhone 4, but only in white. Plus, she has already planned some lavish cover design which would put Paris Holton to shame. During our afternoon out in Pavilion, we dropped by the Celcom Blue Cube outlet there - ironically right opposite a Maxis branch. As we wanted to keep our identical Celcom number, we decided to stay loyal.

It was a Sunday, and only a handful of customers were around, but we still had to wait a good 15 minutes before being served although the sales rep did acknowledge we were there. She went through all the usual shpill about the right package for Anita, and we finally settled form a 32GB white iPhone 4.

Unfortunately, since both Anita's and my numbers were under my name, I had to cancel her numbers account and reregister under her name. Despite coming over to a Celcom branch, the process would take place after 24 hours ad we can only pick up the iPhone the next day. When asked about the logic behind it, there were just no explanation. "That's the rule!". My sore throat prevented me from going further, both in terms of conversation or walking quarter of a mile to Low Yat.

I did not mind the extra time waiting, but being a busy man, I really can't afford another round trip just to pick the phone up the next day. While can't they just bloody remote activate the damn phone. After all, if you pick one up at an Apple Store in the US, the come with an AT&T sim, which would can later be activated on your Mac.

Well, Mr Celcom, I'm sure you don't read complaints, but I think the only way to discourage the linters from buying illegal units would be to trump them at least in terms of customer service. If you can't even offer that, than the monopoly that these telco has certainly is an unhealthy one. It just curtailed retail progress, and made it blinding obvious that all they cared about was the bottom line. It was all down to money. A single subscriber pulling out won't bring them out of business ...... Anita still insist on getting the iPhone 'legally', so I had to just swallow it.

A New Landmark

This recently opened establishment called Sephora appears unique. It was situated right opposite the famous lotus water fountain at the Bukit Bintang entrance.

The architecture appeared boxy at first but from a distance one can come to appreciate the asymmetry. I was not sure how the form served the function though as I have yet to enter the building. I was too tired today to venture in. Next time I was about, I might bring my camera along as well.

Sunday Sunshine

I tried going out for a drive yesterday afternoon but it duly rained. I did get a bit of fresh air anyhow after the rain when Anita drove me to get some tandoori and pizza for the boys. She would be occupied with the boys this morning, and I had to pay my credit card bills. The plan was for me to have an early morning drive to Bukit Bintang, park myself there, pay the bills and have a quick walk, maybe until lunch time before settling back home, possibly for the day. It would all depend on my energy level.

The weather was certainly on my side - look at the gorgeous sun outside. I just wished that Anita could come along. I just couldn't pass up on such great weather!

19

Me waiting for the Tandoori earlier

I was planning to write an entry before the kick-off, while I was waiting for my order of tandoori earlier for fear of jinxing the result. To be honest, of all the league win we had - and all of them I was sure fully deserved - this season was the most obvious that we depended a lot of help from other teams capitulating, or even from up above. The sudden change-of-heart from Wayne Rooney. The stop-start form of Dimi Berbatov. How Nani flattered to deceive, and the flattering form of one Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez. All this added up to what looked like a jammy season for us by all accounts, and it was a title which could have easily slipped by us.

But what was always consistent was my steady supply of Tandoori on match nights. I would like to think that that had played some part, throughout the season.

We played the best games of the season when it mattered - the two-legged Champs League semi against Schalke and the league win against Chelski - mind you, winning three games against your nearest rival in the league in the space of a month made you deserved champions by all account. The revelation of the season was the combination of Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick in the middle of the park. They have been efficient if not spectacular. They kept the cog going and moving forward. Even though the goalscorers in Rooney, Nani, Hernandez and Berbatov would get the plaudits, those two in midfield were just as important. How Vidic did not win the Player of the Year remain the crime of the decade, but don’t get me started on that yet!

The game I witnessed just now summed up a few obvious points. We needed to replace the aging Giggs and Scholsey - and Scholsey still couldn’t tackle, and we need a proper goalkeeper to replace van der Sar. What I was trying to say was, we need to buy not because we do not have enough quality, but because we need replacement for those departing. Tomasz Kuszczak clearly does not have the chops to make it at United, as well as having too many Zs in his name. So he has to go. But who would it be. A lot depends on who would be coming in, and it took us six seasons to find the right replacement for Schmichael in van der Sar. We went through Taibi, Bosnich, Howard and the legend that was Barthez. Finding a top quality goalkeeper was never that easy.

Our next big game would be against Barcelona at Wembley. It would be a fascinating one, and I hope Sir Alex did not make the mistake of a couple of Finals ago, when we tried to outpass them in midfield. We should try it anywhere but the center of midfield I would have thought, at least as far away from Xavi, because he was a bit good. Oh, and man mark Messi as well, and make sure he does not outjump his marker for a header as he did against Rio back then. We shall go for number 4 then!