iwanz's Journal
 
[Most Recent Entries] [Calendar View] [Friends]

Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in iwanz's LiveJournal:

    [ << Previous 20 ]
    Monday, April 21st, 2008
    12:09 am
    stuff stolen
    So, I go sailing today & leave my car parked outside the yacht club. Only to return to find the passenger window broken & my phone missing, a bag with some t-shirts & jeans missing. Probably some spare change as well.
    I could live with all that, made the police reports and stuff.
    Then I find out they've been using my phone to prank call people, & even told my mom I'm on drugs & in trouble with the bikie gangs & stuff like that, which freaked her out.
    That really annoyed me.


    I turned to the one thing that I enjoy & knew that would calm me down, go grab the camera & do some nite shots... then it hit me, camera gear was in the back of the car.
    Now I'm really depressed.
    feeling lost..

    Current Mood: depressed
    Monday, November 12th, 2007
    10:53 am
    Driver Education
    Ok, authorities are claiming that there are too many accidents & number of road deaths are unacceptable, I completely agree with that. They are also blaming speed ,drink driving, not wearing of seatbelts as the main factors.

    How about Driver Education? Is it too easy to get a driver's licence in Perth? I think it is.
    Also, "L" Platers, is it really a good idea to let them drive under supervision of someone just because that someone has a driver's licence?
    Shouldn't the "instructor" be at least certified / qualified?
    This thought came to mind when I saw a guy teaching his daughter how to drive & had the "L" Plate directly in line with the rear vision mirror, there was no way the driver could see through it.
    Which means the "instructor" obviously doesn't use his mirrors during everyday driving.
    Scary Thought, Blind leading the blind.



    Wednesday, September 12th, 2007
    7:48 pm
    EARTHQUAKE
    Earthquake

    Well, experienced my 1st earthquake tremors today.
    I'm in my parent's apartment in Singapore doing my daily report for the selection trials for Singapore Sailing, when I suddenly felt like the table was moving. The sensation was very much like when you've spent too much time on a boat & then get back to land only stronger.
    So I had to wonder if it was just me & being out on the water all day.
    Looked at the curtains & hanging light fixture & they were moving.
    Hmmm, not good I thought.
    So I gathered my phone, passport & walked out of the apartment & to the stairwell where people where already on their way down.

    After a while I found out that it was not just our building but people all over the island have felt it.
    So back up.
    Only thing is, should I really have taken my time & gone & get my stuff?
    I wasn't even in a rush.

    Oh well, on the other hand, being a selector & coach for the national team is a very interesting challenge, the crews / candidates we have are very evenly matched, so its going to be hard to pick em.
    wish someone would screw up or bribe me.
    Friday, August 24th, 2007
    7:15 pm
    off sailing again.... not exactlly
    Well, I have decided that I would not try & do the South East Asian Games representing Singapore & went to inform the relevant authorities about my decision.
    They then proceeded to offer me a part time contract basis coaching position to coach the team that I would have been trying out for.

    Hmmm.. .new challenge... why not.. see what happens.

    visions of 'cool runnings' come flooding in.

    Current Mood: cheerful
    Current Music: superbeast- rob zombie
    Wednesday, August 8th, 2007
    6:25 pm
    Stolen
    My car trailer got stolen.
    *sigh* what can I say? nothing really, just thought I'd send this thought out into the world.

    Current Mood: sad
    Sunday, July 29th, 2007
    4:03 pm
    Anti-climatic
    Past couple of months, Denver & I have been busy getting Tim's wrx ready for the "dutton rally" everything was going great, a car to use, support from companies, time, even got some sponsorship.

    Unfortunately the old saying "all good things must come to an end" decided to pop its head.
    1/2 way through day one with reasonable results from yours truly & excellent runs by denver.
    The wrx decided it had enough & didn't want to play anymore.

    So.. what's next? who knows?
    We're planning for 2008 Dutton Rally which I suppose is a good sign (rather than just rolling over & dieing).

    Current Mood: disappointed
    Saturday, May 26th, 2007
    7:59 pm
    To Sail Or Not to sail
    Well, well, time's coming up & I've got to make a decision, do I sign up for trails for the South East Asian Games with Singapore? Or just stick with this lovely job I've got now?

    Retire gracefully with the ASIAN Games Gold or go chasing more wins?

    Thought it would be an easy question to answer, unfortunately doesn't seem to be.


    hmmmmmmmmmm

    Current Mood: confused
    Saturday, April 28th, 2007
    5:35 pm
    back into motorsport
    Well, its been a while, for those that have been wondering what I've been up too (besides the usual r/c sailing & mountain bikes) I've been working for an electronics parts supplier in the warehouse.

    I have recently however been dragged back into the motorsport industry.
    Go Gear Racing Services have been kind enough to offer me a position, good money, lovely environment, crazy workmates, close to home, what else can I ask for? :)
    Been there a week now & its looking good.

    ALso looks like I might be back behind the wheel, Tim's moved away & had his new car 1/2 finished (he rolled his white wrx) so I decided to offer to finish it for him & get it running in return for letting me use it for some event. His answer 'Sure, use it' Can't argue with that, so its mission time to get it running in time for me to get some practice & my target event is the 'dutton rally'
    Anyone want some cheap advertising space? The event is televised http://www.duttonrally.com/

    Current Mood: happy
    Saturday, March 3rd, 2007
    7:54 am
    Floating Around In Limbo
    Well, its been a huge change & very different experiences for me lately.
    I've sold my business, yes speedworks is no more under my tyranny & I have no more staff to abuse.
    So I've been looking at applying for jobs & such, what exactly? I'm not too sure yet, just dropping sonar's around & see what I find.
    I am entertaining the possibility of working offshore on oil rigs, so spent the last 3 days learning how to survive at sea (yeah considering all the sailing I do, I really should already know that).
    Also learned how to get out of a helicopter if it crashes into the sea & sinks.

    As for starting another business, no way, I'm looking forward to being able to actually take a break, & switch off after work hours & not worry bout the business 365 days a year.

    South East Asian Games at the end of the year is a possibility, if I don't find a decent job by july I'll probably go back & do the trails & see if I get a spot.

    In the mean time, I've finally finished my r/c sailboat & took out the club championships. Gonna attack the super serious & agro state level guys & see if I can upset some results, boat's going well but could be quicker.


    (she be da black boat, ahrrrr)

    Current Mood: mellow
    Thursday, February 1st, 2007
    11:12 pm
    I've been Stamped!
    Ok, so I'm back in Singapore, finishing up the last bits of my media duties for Singapore sailing, only to find out that I've been stamped.
    That's right, little old me is on a postage stamp.
    How do I feel about it? Good Grief! Aren’t faces on stamps reserved for Heros, world leaders, Queens & kings & such? I certianly am not part of that group.
    I am very honoured though.

    Now I gotta stop thinking about people licking the back of my head.
    (wonder if i can claim frequent flyer points for international mail)

    Current Mood: happy
    Monday, December 18th, 2006
    11:58 pm
    Time come back down to earth
    Well, what a ride its been, we did it, we WON, WE FUCKIN WON!!
    (for those that havent read the previous postings)
    We went 1-0 up & the 2nd race was held back for media & lack of wind, after several failed attempts we finally go the 2nd race underway & we got beat, 1-1 it was game on, how would we cope? Would the team be able to bounce back? We sure did, coming off a very average start & trailing at the top mark, we came back at the Indian’s & made the series 2-1. Time’s running out to complete the best of 5 & we knew that even if the Indian’s made it 2-2 we’d get the gold, on the round robin results
    Somehow we all didn’t want to win it that way, it had to end on the water, there was simply no other option than to have the results 3-1 in our favour.
    It was an awesome race, we came from behind, then the Indian’s overtook us, only for us to do it to them again.
    Then right near the finish line, we called for room to gybe to the finish which would have allowed us to hold the Indian’s out, they came back & there was a series of incidents which lead to the Indian’s having 2 penalties put on them.
    Crossed the line & it was mayhem on board, cheers, tears & of course the shoving of crew members into the water.

    How do I feel about it? I was in tears, & that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

    It's been several days now & although I've got some more media commitments tomorrow, its time to come back down to earth. I have enjoyed it, definatly the sweetest victory I've ever had.

    Some pics to share with you.












    Current Mood: accomplished
    Monday, December 11th, 2006
    9:54 pm
    Quick Update
    We're in the semi-finals..
    us V Korea
    other semi, Inda V Thailand.

    Current Mood: determined
    Thursday, November 30th, 2006
    9:47 pm
    Assalamu alaikum
    Well, I'm finally in Qatar at the games & its been amazing.
    10,000 Athletes, 39 sports.
    All the athletes are housed in a purpose built apartment complex & games village. Its huge, will try & get some time to get some photos of the complex.


    The games haven't started as yet, all we've been doing is training & confusing the opposition.
    Spirits are high in our camp, we've taken up this area in the sailing venue with 2 X 40 foot containers & a 20 foot container up in the corner giving us the biggest area & litillary the high ground, over looking all the other teams. We've got the stereo going all the time & I think its beginning to annoy some of the other teams. YAY!

    Opening ceremony tomorrow, then its all go for us till the 13th Dec.

    So far the bestest thing about the games... The FOOD HALL, ALL YOU CAN EAT, 24 HOURS A DAY!!!!!

    Current Mood: happy
    Tuesday, November 21st, 2006
    6:04 am
    Worst Fears
    Well, at training yesterday I experienced the one thing that I have always been terrified of happening.

    We left the spinnaker drop way too late & I ended up being completely wrapped up in it on the deck, that isnt all that dangerous, untill the boat heeled over & off the side I went, into the water, spinnaker and all.

    All I could think off was to hold my breath & try to rip the spinnaker so I could swim out.

    Luckily for me I didn't panic (no idea how), noticed an opening & swam out without any of my limbs being caught up. So this story had a happy ending.

    Some quick action by the rest of the crew helped too.
    Sunday, November 19th, 2006
    7:30 pm
    weekend
    Well, overall its been a great weekend, sin last night (after not being there for so long), playing cars yesterday, & the red bull air race today.

    Only downer was that I had my bicycle pinched from the back of the ute after the air race.
    Had it strapped down in the back, then needed to go to the toilet, came back & bike was gone, very annoying but most of the responsibility I suppose could fall on me for forgetting to lock it before I went.

    Oh, I dunno if its just me, but I felt rather annoyed when people showed up really late to the air race, & just seemed to barge their way into the front & inconvenience people, take spots that aren't really there, & even go as far as to just block others that have set up their spots nice & early.



    Thursday, November 16th, 2006
    1:19 pm
    Red Bull Air Race
    Training got canceled this morning, so I went to watch the Red Bull Air Race guys practice, & MAN was it awesome, so hoping to get to watch the finals.




    Took heaps of photos too:

    http://pics.livejournal.com/iwanz/gallery/00002rhb?.view=grid

    Current Mood: energetic
    Monday, November 13th, 2006
    9:01 am
    HOLIDAYS!!!
    Well, not actual holidays.
    We've got 3 days off training.
    Strange, the last few days I've been fighting to drag myself out of bed, but today I couldn't wait to start the day.
    I think I'm getting burned out, with being on the water everyday just training & not doing any actual racing.
    What am I going to do?? NO IDEA, Don't really care ;)
    Can't bother people as they are at work, probably need a haircut.

    Oh well.. WHO CARES?? hehehe...

    Current Mood: happy
    Thursday, November 9th, 2006
    8:53 am
    training, training, training
    Well, its been great training at home. The federation has extended our stay here till the 23rd as the under 15 squad is coming up to train here too.

    I really shouldn't complain too much, all I do is go sailing & gym everyday.

    HOWEVER, I am beginning to get sick of all this training, starting to get to the stage where I just want it all to end. Not a good thing, but something I'm going to have to get my head around. (LETS JUST GO RACING ALREADY!)

    We've been sailing out of 'South of Perth Yacht Club' & people there have been very friendly & helpful.
    Thankfully we're not sailing out of 'we only wear white to go sailing Royal Perth Yacht Club'.


    Also getting very tired & sore, can't wait for the 3-4 days off we're going to have next week.

    Current Mood: sore
    Monday, October 30th, 2006
    8:39 am
    Asian Games Simulation Camp
    Well, the games simulation was an interesting experience.
    Not just the whole getting into the 'games routine' but also too see how much support the sailors get now.
    Weather / climate / tidal information (stuff we dreamed about having back then)

    They ran the simulation down to the last detail, letting us know what the other teams have done to try to physc the opposition out, getting sparing partners to race against us, they even went as far as doing a random 'dope test'.
    All this + the usual talks, strategy, physology, pep-talks, weather... the list goes on.

    On a personal note:
    I don't think I've ever been healthier than in the last few days, food planned by nutritionist, massages, even 'contrast therapy' thats designed to aid in recovery (they dunk us in 12 degree water for a minute, then hot water for a minute for 5 cycles).
    Hydration tests every morning.

    I was a little concerned about getting along with the kids/sailors other than those on my team, but it didnt seem to be an issue, and that definitely made it more enjoyable, think I ended up braking some of them though, they decided to play my dvd of "Jay & Silent Bob Strikes Back", they definately had no idea what they were in-store for, everyone had a good laugh, & the littlest of the kiddies werent there so its all good.
    (yes many of them did miss a lot of the punch lines)

    So, now I get to go back HOME (for more than 36 hours hoooray!).
    Back in Perth from the 1st - 16th Nov, for more training, but its at HOME!

    Current Mood: happy
    Sunday, October 22nd, 2006
    4:46 pm
    Team Disaster Strikes Again
    Team Disaster Strikes Again

    We've been in Melbourne for the last 9 days training on the actual boats we'll be using at the games, being on the water & gym every day is taking its tole on the body (I'm getting too old for this shieeeet).

    Last day of training today, Wee Chin's shoulder decides it is not very happy with the rest of the body & detaches itself. Thankfully it didn't get very far, & the people at the hospital popped it back in without complications. As to how long he'll take to recover? *SHRUGS*

    On the non-sailing front, I may be out of a job, speedworks is probably going to be sold, what on earth am I going to do? Anyone? Anyone?

    (how do people sleep on planes? I'm so jealous of them, all sorts of noises & people everywhere around me are sleeping.)

    OH OH I almost forgot, the ex's mom rings again, spoke to her this time, apparently she just wants to catch up for a casual chat & a coffee, hmmmmm still wondering why after all these years (I cant help but to be suspisicious).

    *notes*
    Virgin airlines flight:- the chicken cesar wrap is actually rather yummy (or is it that I'm just uber hungry?)
    The Blue Train Cafe:- south bank? (along the yarra), sticky date pudding, to die for!
    Sofia's Restaurant:- Excellent pasta, Warning: do NOT order the "large" pasta unless ur feeding 3 people.

    Current Mood: tired
[ << Previous 20 ]
My Website   About LiveJournal.com

Advertisement