American aircraft carrier in Port Klang

Update: The aircraft carrier will be here for 4 days in which Sailors will have the opportunity to volunteer their time at several local community service projects, including work in two children’s homes and a senior citizen’s home. - Source

Sometimes I wish Kuala Lumpur is situated by the coast where you can see boats, yachts or even ocean-liners gliding by, or at least located alongside a huge body of water such as a lake or a river where you can enjoy watching people sailing or watch fishing boats go by. Lovely!

Not sure whether the vessel is still at Port Klang but the American aircraft carrier, USS John C. Stennis, made a scheduled port call yesterday. The name doesn't ring a bell?

This same aircraft carrier was used in movies including Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Executive Decision and others. It also responded to disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Indonesia.

Image source: The Star

Czech Pirates and Anti-Piracy Union draw up battle lines

Under the slogan “Linking is not a crime”, the Czech Pirate Party has launched two movie-downloading websites in protest against the prosecution of a 16-year-old boy from the northern Czech city of Liberec. The boy faces a 5 million euro (US$ 7.2 million) damages claim which has been brought by the Czech Anti-Piracy Union for posting links to copyright-protected works on his website. The first of the two websites, launched in early July, Piratskefilmy.cz. This site is reported to carry some 20,000 links to over 5,800 movies. The second Tipnafilm.cz, was launched in late July. It does not host any copyright infringing material but does furnish links to where it can be downloaded.

The good old days, when the Czech Anti-Piracy Union could call on
Lucky and Flo to sniff our polycarbonate, used in the manufacture
of counterfeit disks.  Hyperlinks smell the same, regardless of legal status

According to the current law in the Czech Republic, copying something for one’s own use and downloading it from the internet is not illegal -- but sharing copyright material, like a movie or a CD, is illegal.

Czech Pirate Party Chairman Ivan Bartoš has stated his party's objection to the police being run by "the propaganda of the Anti-Piracy Union" and to the harassment of "anybody who puts a video on his/her web page or Facebook page". He has also challenged the Anti-Piracy Union to "stop bullying the under-aged and to aim its preposterous claims at the Pirate Party.”  The Pirate Party adds that, although no one has contacted it so far regarding the two websites, it is preparing a team of lawyers to deal with any potential lawsuits.

The Czech Anti-Piracy Union has reportedly not yet released any statement regarding the two websites, saying that it didn't want to reveal its strategy.

Source: "Czech Pirate Party Launches Movie-Download Portals in Protest Against Prosecution of File-Sharing Teenager", 30 August 2011

Quick Game Day Thoughts -- SMU

This is just some quick game day thoughts I'm having before the Aggies take the field against the Mustangs later tonight:

1) Run and Run Often!  -- Watching college football yesterday it was clear to me once again what is true at the beginning of every football season:  players aren't conditioned.  You would think after 34-37 weeks of offseason they would have prepared their bodies for the grind of four quarters.  Nope.  A common sight was hands on the hips and gasping for breath by the mid 3rd quarter.  Especially if they were playing an up-tempo offense like the Aggies have.  Texas A&M has the luxury of two of the top running backs in college football on their roster in Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael.  Get them going and establish a presence on the ground.  The point is to get the SMU defense to run around most of the 1st half and tire them out.  Test them to see what kind of depth they have and if they are willing to rotate in guys to keep the team fresh without missing a beat.  I bet they don't have the depth to do that.  Make them pay. 

2) Special Teams!  -- It is always the one area of a football team that is lacking in week 1.  On Friday night it was TCU running down the field against Baylor on kickoffs giving them a short field, but then missing two field goals and an extra point that would have won them the game.  Utah State allowed a KR for a TD against Auburn and then couldn't grab the onside kick to give them the biggest W in school history.  Oregon couldn't keep the ball off the ground on punt returns and kick offs and allowed LSU to blow the game wide open.  Special teams seem to be the great equalizer in week one of the season, and we all know the Aggies troubles in this department in the past.  Here is hoping that coach Nick Toth and the rest of the guys are ready to execute this evening.  Don't give the game away here!

3) Attack and Blitz on Defense DeRutyer! -- I was a little shocked to see so many teams play in their base defense on opening weekend, especially in big games such as BYU-Ole Miss, ND-USF, and Boise St-Georgia.  Seems like every defensive coordinator was content with their 4 lineman trying to rush the passer and everyone else stay in coverage.  One team that didn't sit back but instead attacked?  Boise State.  They ran stunts all night on defense and made it a point to pressure Aaron Murray.  Georgia?  Didn't try to send extra guys to get to Kellen Moore thinking their SEC DL could do the job alone.  Who won the ball game?  It's a long season and some teams will try not to "show" to much in Week 1 thinking everyone will then figure them out.  Hey, aren't you trying to win the first game?  I don't think Coach DeRutyer will take a laid back approach to this game and he shouldn't.  Use the entire playbook to pressure Kyle Padron and do it early and often.  At least 60% of the time! Make his OL work and get in his face.  To hell with not showing everything in your playbook; all that matters is today.

Note:  It has come to my attention the wind conditions the Aggies may face tonight.  Looking at weather reports, the wind could be as high as 20mph from the north this evening and is already causing havoc on a lot of people's tailgates.  On the field, because of the stadium configuration, will cause the wind to swirl, especially near the Zone.  It will be important early in the game to see how this will impact throwing the football and the kicking game.  

BTHO SMU

Motorbike lanes in Kuala Lumpur

When I came across this website page of Shoei RF-1100 helmets, it reminds me of a former expatriate colleague.



Having just arrived in Kuala Lumpur and being a big bike fan, he bought a brand-new big bike and took it for a spin downtown.

As he was nicely cruising along taking in the city sights, a traffic policeman waved him down. Apparently, he was riding along a stretch of road that is designated for motorcars only. Motorbikes have to use an inner smaller road alongside.

The City is back to life

The almost-a-week-long holiday is fast coming to a close after the Hari Raya celebration. For those who made their way home to their hometown, most will be travelling back to the city today. If one were to see our highway from the air, the road would look like a lengthy slithering creature. The city is getting back to life, to its insane city jams and hustle bustle of activity.



Traffic jams and queues are really a test in patience - in a good way, of course. I once had to queue for two hours trying to get onto the cable car at the Genting Highlands Skyway. The line extended right down to one floor below! I'm kidding you not! I remember it was on a public holiday, Labor Day, and fearing there would be no parking uphill, we (friends and I) decided to park at the Skyway and take the cable car up instead. Officially known as Genting Skyway, the cable car station is located around midway from the foothill to Genting Highlands uphill. Genting Skyway is more or less opposite where Awana Hotels & Resorts is. This hotel complex (with golf facilities) is also part of the Genting Highlands chain of hotels.

Above, aerial view of Awana Hotels & Resorts borrowed from the hotel website.



After the day-trip, going downhill from the cable car station was another test. We were caught in the jam for another two hours. As if that wasn't bad enough, we had to put up with whiffs of burnt tyres as well. Quite an experience and a lesson learned on patience on this never-to-attempt-again Gentings day-trip on a public holiday..



Another queue I try to avoid is the supermarket checkout queue. Lining up behind shoppers with trolley loads of items is one thing, but having to wait for a cashier fiddling with (not her fault of course) a less than perfect POS system is another. One thing I've learned to avoid a supermarket queue is to check out at least an hour before closing. Also, to never pick up any item without a price tag and/or barcode tag.

BernamaTV cameraman killed in Somalia

This is sad. That a BernamaTV cameraman was killed in Somalia by a stray bullet on a humanitarian aid mission. Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, 41, passed away at 11.07pm while receiving medical attention.



From The Star: According to BernamaTV journalist Khairulanuar Yahaya, Noramfaizul was travelling with members of the electronic media on a truck heading to the city's commercial centre to send visuals that were earlier recorded.





Khairulanuar said shots were fired at a government army truck that was accompanying the media vehicle and a stray bullet hit Noramfaizul, who was seated by the door. The bullet pierced his lungs.

More..



May he rest in peace.



Related article:
Somali govt pledges probe into shooting that killed Bernama cameraman
PM: Cameraman a true hero
Condolences pour in for Noramfaizul’s family
Sombre mood as BernamaTV cameraman’s remains arrive home

Genting Highlands is still the place to visit when in Kuala Lumpur

Genting Highlands is still a great local holiday destination. I like it for its close proximity to Kuala Lumpur. Just an hour's drive will take you right up to the top of the City of Entertainment as Genting Highlands is known as.




The climate is still cool and it offers a reprieve from the heat and humidity of the city. When I was there late July, the thermometer at the lobby of First World Hotel showed a cool 15degC. For comfort, a sweater, a scarf or a little extra clothing may be required.

Starbucks at the entrance of First World Hotel is still the place to hang out for a cuppa though I wish people would use the e cigarette instead. The air outdoor leaves much to be desired. Have you been to Genting Highlands lately? Photos taken will follow in another post..