Fitness: OneFC - A very different Friday

[I'm actually waiting for a file to upload onto Dropbox for work right now, 25mins to go.]

Friday, 18th Oct 2013 was the first time I've ever been to a live fight championship! Thanks to a good girlfriend Abigail, who is apparently taking up BJJ (Brazilian Jujitsu) and her gymmate snagged some seats for us. I've only watched WWF (previously known as) and Fight Club etc onscreen movies, atleast that was it for me for professional matches.

Initially it was pretty hilarious as we were supposed to be on the sidelines of the entrance walkway of these fighters into the arena to cheer them on and reach out for the Hi-5 etc. After the warmer-up 3x rounds (which were all won by our locals and one of them being Abigail & Co.'s buddy  - GO SINGAPORE!!!!!), we went for a toilet break and never returned to that specific location. 

Alot of jargons, all not that alien cause some of my friends do talk my ears off about these and a series of human battles. The sounds of skin hitting skin, the crowds shouting/boo-ing/cheering on their favourite contenders, THAT hyper alert voice of the announcer, not-so-hot Ring Girls (according to Gail), a good ice-cold beer (A, one only k) and some popcorns made the night interesting to be in and part of. 

At the ONE Fighting Championship, Fri, 18th Oct 2013, Indoor Stadium Singapore

The reigning Champion from last year is only 21 and someone behind us comment "If in Singapore, need to serve NS!" which rendered a couple of snickers from us. Abigail's pal Juan Wen Jie won the Catchweight round, wee! Alot of the fights were interesting and kept us on the edge! The initial 2 matches had clearcut winners but subsequently it was all about technics and things-i-can't-remember-at-2.50am. How Shannon knocked out Mitch in the Featherweight challenge was awe-inspiring, how Sylvain turned the table of Jake in the light heavy weight round and flexed his puppies when he won was just showmanship. The Middle Weight and Featherweight rounds were the best! The contenders were in an all-out battle against each other but charmingly had respect for their opponents (although Japan's Aoki got hit in the groin). 

We left during the first round of the final match, pretty much all of us were yawning or running on reserve energy. Couldn't help but notice how when western was pit against Asians, the Asians gladly walked away with the win... hmm!! YAY! 

Of course being around all those toned people - NEED TO GO GYM!!

For more details, go here: http://www.onefc.livesport.tv/home

Music: Melodies of the Night & Obsessions of the Mind

Music has always has been something I turn to... for everything actually, unless I desired absolute silence and go into "coma" phase therein shutting the world out (yes it happens!!)

And when I like a song - it's on repeat for a couple of hours or days... weeks sometimes. An ex-colleague, CK, used to complain and bitch (AIYOOO!! NOT AGAIN!!!) when I had Adele's "Let the Sky Fall" (OST of James Bond version) on repeat while trying to "let them hear" the difference when songs have full orchestra instead of studio sounds. He even started to hate one of the songs he liked (okay I'll admit I was being obnoxious for that one).

This mind always seeks the sweet symphony of classics and melodies to calm it down. It also tunnels its way into the language and race I was born into - Tamil. 

Somehow, the impact of these songs are always atleast two-folds more... the lyrics, the way the words are carefully spilled and so inline with the melodies, the tune that wraps one in a warm embrace keeps you safe...  just breath-taking and magical. Makes you feel like floating sometimes. Oh, never try to do a direct translate of them! It's the beauty of the language (or maybe I'm bias). There's only 1 song that's made me cry and it's in Tamil, they've made me get goosebumps and feel like I've lost the "love of my life". 

I melt like warmed butter under the influence of the right music, or feel heartache/shatter or in some cases - dance like a crazy crackwhore. I'm that lunatic that suddenly smiles and eyes start twinkling when the right song is playing. You might also notice how my legs will be twitching or strained until I find a corner to do a simple twirl, sway, spread my arms and feel the wind. Can't help it!

In the sweet recess of tonight and the absence of other humans, my current wave pleasure comes from the harmony by a rising (at a very rapid pace) composer, the lyrics are minimal yet impactful and sung in the most soothing and soft manner, yet strong and with open vocals at the some points. The starting is really sexy - makes you want to stretch out and just wait to receive the song... A perfect calming blend to soothe thee mind. Erm, but the song is about getting your dreams "dissolved"...

Tadah - Kanavae Kanavae from Tamil movie titled David (it has a "killer" soundtrack btw) and this movie has an assortment of artists collaborating which is not the norm for this specific industry. This one: the music is and sung by Anirudh Ravichander and written by Mohan Raj. This track was used in bits - more of a background score, only amplified at certain points when needed. Anirudh... he's done yet another spectacular job and captured the essence required for a soft, subtle shattering track. No idea how to explain nor elaborate, it's just brilliant. 

Ah.. I love it!

Here's the track against a fanmade video hosted on YouTube:

Other songs I've had on repeat this month:

• Counting Stars by OneRepublic
• Bedroom Hymns by Florence + The Machine (OST of Gatsby version)
• Sail by Awolnation
• All Star by Smash Mouth (hahahaa classic?)

Going to pack up from office and head home... to dream.

TGIF!

Fitness: 5am Sunday toward Marathon Mayhem (& family/friends/work)

So for the first time this year (I think.. i think..), had to wake up at 5am to get my cranky ass on it's way to my first official 10.5km (1/4 marathon) at ECP, Singapore - Tri-Factor by Pokka Sportswater. But honestly snoozed and rolled out at 5.45am but was still on time to meet with the cousin by 6.50am at the Big Splash. (of course, picked Thuls on the way and we cabbed down).

WHY?!

• Initially, was supposed to be done with a good friend who was in town for 3months and her #hottestmaleever cousin. And then the PSI skyrocketed and we find ourselves fast-forwarding to Oct when Mona (said friend) is back in Aussie & transferred her race pack to her Sis. 
• I have honestly been wanting to do this for awhile to check on my stamina (cause the usual jogs only go for 5km+/-,and between Zumba and bellydancing only god knows what's going on with my fitness right now).
• Well, her cousin is really hot ;) I kid. 

The racepack did have the information we needed but up till Sat night 11pm me and Thuls were "where?", "what time?" mode. Racepack also included 2x Sportswater cans, sunscreen for FACE only, energy sachet from their sponsors, a voucher and of course the raceshirt. 

Pretty surprise we even made it and completed the rack in 1 piece. Interesting, I wouldn't mind doing it again but the registrations for a few lined up this year are already closed. (*Fingers crossed for Electric Run*) I'm waiting for the aching to begin but we'll see. Also waiting for the photos to be up on their website: http://trifactor.sg/

Here's some snippets till then:

I got home at 11am (which is usually the time I actually wake up during weekends), followed up with abit of work, did my laundry, went for "marketing" with mummy dearest and went out to catch GRAVITY with a couple of friends (old and new). Had a quick dinner at Wine Connection, Cuppage (one of my favourite hunts) and was home by 10pm. Upon which I had to settle some work things ;)

So after a busy weekend (took my cousin-in-law out on Sat!), here's to a relative early night and a strong week ahead with work & play! Looking forward to Tues and Wed where dinner plans have been lined up, yosh!

Happy October & into the 3rd Quater of 2013~