BODYCOMBAT 39

Alright, I've been wanting to post this for a few days already, but I've been busy with CNY and also I wanted to let the dust settle for BC38 having just launched it.

Now we are all eagerly awaiting the new release Bodycombat 39! The release which I did in Auckland, and this goes to show how fast time flies, because it's gonna be here soon!

BODY COMBAT 39 track listing

Warm Up - The One And Only (Topmodelz Radio Cut)/Calling All Lovers - Mario Lopez/Rogue Traders
Combat 1 - Cum On Feel The Noize - Group X/HeavyDance 2
Power 1 - Come With Me (Unique Mix) - Styles & Breeze
Combat 2 - Jump That Rock (Whatever You Want) - Scooter vs Status Quo
Power 2 - Johnny B Goode - The Undertow
Combat 3 - So What - Pink
Muay Thai - Hardcore Angel - Nick Skitz
Power 3 - Cry For You - September
Conditioning - I Won’t Be Crying - Infernal
Cool Down It’s All Coming Back To Me Now - Meat Loaf & Marion Raven

Read what I posted in an earlier entry right after filming. As I have been saying, the MT track is one of my all time favourites, and I can't even describe how much I love Power 3 (Cry For You)... I could go forever...


T1 - You get to sing "I am the one & only". Simple warmup but effective and good music too. I got a miscue (from not paying attention and being in auto-pilot mode haha) so I hope it's not too obvious in the DVD.
T2 - I love the combo. I don't know the song, but it sounds like a 'Group X' remix of a rock track.
T3 - Combo is great. Music is catchy too. And the guest presenter is fantastic! I loved her energy and form throughout the class. One of the best female presenters in a while.
T4 - A Scooter track. If anyone had caught my hint in an earlier post... This track will burn your legs.
T5 - A remix of a rock classic - Johnny Be Good. I love the CROSS part.
T6 - By now, the whole online LM community would have known that this track is Pink's So What. Simple track, but surprise, D&R modified the choreo. I love the new choreo. The old choreo was simple and actually it burnt the legs more, but somehow I enjoyed the new choreo. Always feel that T6 will be missing something without the back kick. (Initially no back kick)
T7 - This techno/rave sound ROCKS! And rocks big time too! Another long combo and the music is really superb and brings the energy up high! The song is so good because there are parts in the track which builds up the suspense. Watch out for the stinger...
T8 - Remix of September's Cry For You. This, or the MT (T7) could be my favourite track of the release. My shoulders were screaming in pain! "forever, and ever..."
T9 - Good workput for the core. A slight variation from the usual sit ups.
T10 - I really like this cool-down because I like the song. =)

Happy Lunar New Year

Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Lunar New Year. May everyone receive good fortune for the year ahead.

Today marks the last Sun class before it's officially removed from the schedule. Thanks to all those who turned up, it was fun while it lasted. Now that I have my Sunday free, I am going to do something else more meaningful, especially to myself.

What do I wish for in this year ahead?

- Something to make me happy and feel like all the hard work I've put in is worth it. Unfortunately, this doesn't come overnight, and I still have plenty of thinking to do.

- Markets to recover. I'm kinda sure that it won't recover so fast but the last thing I want is a Great Depression and I may even lose my job even though I can make more $ when markets are bad.

- Travel? This year many of my friends have stopped asking around for travel companions. Perhaps another trip to Auckland for LM filming and casino. Or maybe go Europe with family. My parents have never been there before and I do want to bring them there. And if I do go, I'll not blog about it lest people think I'm insensitive for blogging about holidays during economic recession. And if I'm going on holidays, I'm redeeming my Krisflyer miles which I've accumulated all this while.

- Classes. I'm kinda relieved that the uncertainty for my classes have been resolved, for the time being. I'm not looking for extra classes, but I'm hoping status quo for my existing ones. I'm comfortable with doing the odd cover here and there and some public holiday classes.

So I guess that's it for now, I do wish everyone all the best. May your wishes come true.

Times Are Bad

You know times are bad when a $150 shopping voucher angbao each year suddenly becomes $10. That's a whopping 93.33% decline. I'm not complaining, I never had an angbao from my employer before, this is the first time, but my colleagues are grumbling and reminiscing about the 'golden years'. So much for that.

You know times are bad when the economic situation is highlighted in every newspaper, news websites etc. Jobs are lost everyday, and pay cuts are coming through one at a time. Even gyms are cutting classes too.

You know times are bad when you don't have to call for cabs on weekday evenings in CBD, and there's no queue forming at taxi stands. But there's no reason for me to take cabs now because even my employer is cutting costs on transport claims.

You know times are bad when COE drops to $200 but somehow you wonder why no one serves you at the car showrooms because they're busy serving other customers.

You know times are bad when SQ releases 2 to go return fares to Paris/London at $1,200 all taxes inclusive. Damn it. I want to go. But strangely this year I've had less friends talking about going overseas. I'll probably redeem my miles if I want to go anywhere.

It's Budget Day today, and as usual, I wonder WIIFM - What's In It For Me.

For me, only the doubling of GST credits and 20% tax rebate. I would have liked more, but I guess having a few hundred dollars more to spend and saving 20% on tax payment is good enough. I shan't be too greedy.

Well, many of us expected a downturn, but this downturn is faster and more severe than many of us thought. What to do? I don't even dare punt on shares now. I think the best solution is to stash all the cash under bed.

Hold Me Ransom

This post is to remind myself that I will not be held to ransom. I'm extremely adamant about certain things and I will not compromise.

There are some people who think that money is everything and money can solve anything. I know myself. What I bring to the table is not something that money can buy.

Those who know me will know how EXTREMELY FUCKING DIFFICULT I am. Yes, and this post belongs to this blog because it's totally relevant.

What Will I Feel?

1 Event, 3 People, 3 Different Feelings

2000 - Jealousy, resentment, betrayal, disappointment. Why was I the last to know? Could I have done better? No.

2002 - Unsurprising, expected, encouragement. It was a necessity, and it led to a win-win situation. You scratch my back and I scratch yours.

2009 (11 Jan to be precise) - Elation, Pride and a little spark of hope as a by-product. Sense of achievement for the person.

Very soon, there will be a fourth. This time, the feeling will be entirely different.

Playlist

What I'm listening to right now



You should listen to this track too, if you...
1) like running
2) like to work your shoulders

Taking Stock

It's just one of those days when work hasn't exactly been smooth-sailing. I met up with some of my training mates for lunch to catch up.

During the conversation, the topic suddenly changed to fortune telling and the fortune teller we visited back during my training days in June. I wrote an entry about it.

http://zhengjie-auckland.blogspot.com/2008/06/fortune-telling.html

I retraced what was predicted for me for 2008 and I can hardly believe how accurate the fortune teller was. This whole thing kinda slipped off my mind until today's conversation. I think I'm pretty content with how things are going thus far so I'm not going to roll the dice and court any trouble.

We had a farewell dinner for one of my colleagues who tendered his resignation. Unfortunately there will be no replacement hire so we will have to split the workload. I'm pretty much used to the current workload and once in a while I do have my unproductive days (like today) when I simply don't have any momentum.

At work, my job scope is pretty much generate revenue AND 'kio sai' (clear shit) so it can get draining at times. I've become immune to it and sometimes wonder how a temperamental person like me can detach emotions at the workplace.

During yesterday's year-end review with my boss, I cheekily asked if there was going to be any salary increment, when I knew the answer to my own question. I'm sure all you discerning readers know the answer too.

Reliving Old Memories

Yesterday my team member jio me to play street soccer today with colleagues from other departments, and I agreed to join. I rushed my stuff today and left work early. We went to Alexandra Hospital street soccer court - I didn't know they have a court there and I don't think many people know about the place so we were undisturbed.

The most comical thing was we didn't have a ball. Luckily Queensway SC is just around the corner, so we went to get one. While purchasing the ball, I was looking at some street soccer boots.

Now, I've long contemplated getting a new pair but I've always resisted because I knew that I won't have much chances to use it. My current pair must be more than 4 years old because I still remember wearing to play during my uni days. I know it sounds ludicrous but I've actually attached some sentiments to my boots. I'm a typical crab here, living in my own world and fond of memories.

Well, I can say that it's untouched for nearly 2 years and it was just as well I took it out today. This coming Sunday, my buddy DY is getting married and I will be one of his 'brothers'. The theme will be street soccer so all of us will be decked out in street soccer gear with our names on our jerseys etc...

I did think about my dirty old boots, but I reckoned it could do one last round before I say goodbye. Strangely, as fate would have in, the session tonight intercepted everything. Do you believe in fate? I haven't used the boots for more than 2 years, and I get 2 chances to use it in the space of less than a week. Needless to say, playing for nearly 3 hours meant that my boots were damaged beyond repair and I even had to play out the last 1/2 hr as a 'keeper.

I guess I have to do some shopping after all. Last minute too. I'm glad I had a game today otherwise I don't know how embarassing it would be if my boots gave way on the way to picking the bride. I'm half decided between taking the easy option of buying it at shopping centres or going Queensway. But I think a visit to Queensway is long overdue.

Playing street soccer again brought back all the old memories. I played everyday after school during sec sch, even through O Level exams, even in JC, we still went back to sec sch to play. I cut down during uni, only playing during the occasional weekends, before my gang gradually disbanded due to commitments.

I didn't know any of the colleagues besides my team member, but it didn't take long for all the jokes and laughter to come out. I guess everyone was just playing at a leisurely pace until some idiot suggested that the team who concedes a goal do 10 pushups (or 20 if scored via header). Immediately the intensity picked up and we all ended the night with sore arms haha. Last goal of the night 20, and if it's a header combo, make that 40. Bunch of jokers.

I enjoyed myself immensely, we went for late dinner and drinks before heading home. I'm still feeling the adrenaline... can't fall asleep.

And earlier in the day. I just had my year end review with my boss today. During the discussion, he suddenly asked me to go buy a ROLEX watch. And out of nowhere too. I told him I have plans for my cash and intend to use it elsewhere. Right now 'CASH IS KING'.... or maybe a few blue chip stocks. But I just lost $1k plus today thanks to my itchy hands. I hate myself sometimes.

Or should I... Too early to decide. Wait till Feb.

2009

It's been one week since I posted here, and I haven't had the luxury of the time to sit down and write a proper entry. It's mostly work commitments and at night, I spend most of my evening monitoring US stocks till I call it a night. It's highly addictive.

Unfortunately I ended 2008 on a sick note. I was hit by a bug but still persisted in conducting my 2hr class on New Year's Day. I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout and did have a rather enjoyable class despite my illness. I played mainly tracks from the 20s releases, these tracks now start to feel old... Remembered all those moments when we were just launching these releases... the times when I was just starting to gather interest in BC.

2008. What can I say? During the year I suffered several lows, definitely not the all-time low I had in 2006, some call it a quarter-life crisis, but I call it a personal disaster - of wrong choices and wrong decisions. Life became a living hell. It was also the year which I made the transition to become an instructor. Frankly speaking, the transition changed my life and gave me focus. It was something to look forward to amidst all the dread. I needed something to direct my attention and energy to compensate all that I have lost.

Being in the financial industry is kinda like the worst place to be in right now. Frankly speaking, I have no idea at all if my job is even safe. Many of my colleagues and industry peers have the same worry. Somehow, I don't know whether it's a blessing in disguise. I got out of my living hell, I changed jobs and I kinda like my working environment now, even though I have compromised on my number of classes.

Going into 2009, I'm not sure what fate has in store for me. Someone calls me 'Mr Negative'. I don't disagree, though I think my colleagues will probably think otherwise. I think I've used up all my positivity at work (and during classes) so there's nothing left outside work.

Just had a discussion for 2009. Targets were set and numbers established. Here comes another round of madness. In pursuit of what? Happiness via monetary rewards? Or happiness just knowing you're still having a job?

But the truth is, I haven't been happy in a long long time. Fortunately there's always that one hour that allows me to go crazy.