Seiko Criteria Chronograph Watch

The season for shopping spree continues. Yeah! This is the second item – Seiko Criteria wristwatch – that I bought at the same time with the Yonex Arc Saber 10 badminton racket.
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I almost wanted to buy the earlier model a few months ago but I was not too determined. And when I see this latest model just launched in mid-December 2010, I just fall in love with it. This watch looks really yow yeng (got style).

These days, the fashion of wristwatch comes with a complicating design; never mind if we don’t make use of the functions or features. The new design comes with chronograph function with three smaller rings within the face of the watch.

The chronograph function is a complication inspired by everyday life, just as some other complications: world time, universal time, stopwatch, etc. While the digital watch can handle these requirements better with different user-interface displays, the analogue watch will have to display them all in one go.

Where is the second hand (in this watch)? It is obvious that the watch is showing 2:36 p.m. but that requires a bit of guessing with the number 10, 20, 400, 300, 240 not giving the actual indication. The second hand is not the orange hand (pointing at 12 o’clock direction); however, it is the small ring showing 34th second. The orange hand is actually the second hand for stopwatch function.

On the day that I proudly wore it to office and show to my fellow colleagues, upon inspection, she turned the outer ring. To my surprise, the ring with the calibration turns. Okay, I need to read the operations manual in greater detail for the various functions and features.

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I was first introduced to the chronograph wristwatch by Ronnie, a mechanic in USJ Subang Jaya who is also a Pacesetters runner. One day, he was hurriedly browsing a few magazines on watches instead of cars while busy working. He was trying to ask a customer who would be going to Japan to help him in buying a chronograph wristwatch.
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During the Mount Fuji Japan trekking trip in August 2010 ... click here, I actually went round looking for chronograph watches while sight-seeing in Tokyo. After the conversion rate, the equivalent prices over there are much higher than in Kuala Lumpur. As Ronnie explained, watches in Japan are made in Japan while similar brand of watches sold in Kuala Lumpur could be outsourced and made in China or Thailand; thus, cheaper.

In order to dispel the notion that product made elsewhere (other than in Japan) are of inferior quality, almost all prestige electronic or electrical products sold in Tokyo (that I saw) clearly display “Made in Japan”.

The Criteria comes with another five other models. I like the purple one (2nd from left) also.

Do click here for the enlarged and clearer photos of the watch.

Written by KC Leong
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Fireworks 31Dec2010

Happy New Year 2011: May this new year bring you a lot more happiness, good health and prosperity. Yeah, run more marathons and trek more mountains.

After discussing with a few of the photo kaki, I decided to go to Dataran Merdeka to shoot the year-end fireworks display; while others would go to i-City in Shah Alam or Desa Park in Damansara.

Append below are a few of the photos taken by yours truly – lots of firepower but also lots of smoke.

Do click here for the photos taken by yours truly (KC)

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Structures on the left is DBKL and KL Tower; rightmost is Maybank Building.



There are three launching areas: the main one in the centre; another smaller scale on the left and right.

Lots of smoke blown in my direction that affect the clarity of the photos

Do click here for last year's event (31 Dec 2010) at Dataran Merdeka but from a different angle.

Do click here for all other events of fireworks display taken by me.

Posted by KC

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I Bought a Yonex Arc Saber 10

This is the season for shopping again. I managed to buy something that is close to my heart during the year-end holiday seasons – a Yonex Arc Saber 10 badminton racket.
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This is not any rackets with a technical number such as Yonex Carbonex 30 MS or Carbonex 35. It is the racket uses by Peter Gade, World No. 2 badminton player.

The white sabre

I could have bought Yonex Armortec 900, the racket uses by Lee Chong Wei, our World No. 1 badminton player; or bought Yonex Arc Saber Z-Slash uses by Taufik Hidayat, World No. 5.

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While browsing through the wide spectrum of rackets display on a shelf, there is this Chinese state badminton player who was there in the shop stringing his racket. So I asked him for advice.

He said the racket uses by Lee Chong Wei is a little heavy, good for smashing and hard-drive attack. The racket uses by Taufik, the frame is slightly smaller than the standard racket which is not used to by many players. The racket uses by Peter Gade is light and balance overall.

I was surprise to see this player pulled out two Arc Saber 10 white rackets from his bag. He actually owns two of the white rackets. Needless to say, I have a good reference.

One runner, in his email reply, commented that “Almost RM1k for a racket is simply unthinkable!”

As they say, kalah tiada apa, style mesti mau (losing a game is not important, must have style).

Having played badminton for many years with a Yonex Carbonex 21 Special, I think it is good to upgrade to a world standard racket, never mind the skill ... :-)
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The creased newspaper advertisement that was kept by me for a while

One badminton player at the adjacent court asked me this question: which is more satisfying, badminton or running? After much thinking, I would say the answer is badminton where it involves tactical move, agility, accuracy (in placement of shots) and speed. On the other hand, running is about endurance and stamina which is necessary to sustain the badminton games.

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Click here for previous postings on badminton.
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Written by KC Leong

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KL Motor Show 2010

The Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2010 (from 3-12 December) was recently concluded to the delights of car enthusiasts. Staged at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, the event showcase the world famous automobile companies proudly displaying their latest achievements and latest models.

I am pleased to share with you photos by courtesy of Joseph Tan. He is one of the photo kaki who was there witnessing the event.

Do click here for the photo album.

A 3-wheel motorbike complete with air-conditioning system?

Mitsubishi Sports Air Concept car


The attractive model - leng che and leng lui (gorgeous car and beautiful girl) are a potent formula. If one is not attracted to the cars; most likely, one is attracted to the pretty ladies.
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Classy automobile with elegant model gracefully standing next to the displays

From Perodua

A Proton achievement

Posted by KC
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Mt KK Climbathon 2011

Imagine that the next time, your names and photos are published in the Star newspaper alongside with Yee Choi and Edwin Goh for the achievers of Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 2011.

Just like running a sub-4 in full marathon – it is tough. But it is something that is achievable.

We just have to set a target and stay focus in our training. With another year to go; with excellent group participation and encouragement; not forgetting the Mt KK Climbathon sifu around, we can seize the opportunity to arrive at Low's peak within 3.5 hours !!

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Medalist achievers at Mt Kinabalu Climbathon 2010 - Yee Choi (left) and Edwin Goh (right); posing with them is Jason Thiang

Edwin in his interview with the Star Metro said he took a 9-month period of training leading to the glorious moment. Definitely, we have more than nine months of training.

As planned, Edwin will lead us to a more challenging trail in hill running this

Saturday, 18 December; starting at 7:30 a.m.

Duration for one loop takes about 1.5 hours for running.

Minimum fitness requirement:
a. that you are a runner
b. or a serious trekker

After the training, we shall adjourn to Puchong Food Galore Centre since there are still so many outlets there that we have not tried before.

If you are interested to join us, do contact me for more details:
Kcleong3@gmail.com

012-266 8166

Posted by KC
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Veterans to the Fore - Mt. KK Climbathon

Congratulation to Yee Choi and Edwin Goh; they appear in The Star Metro Sports pg. M26 on Monday 13 December 2010
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The Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 2010 sifu, Yee Choi
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Written by Ng Wei Loon, Star Metro Reporter

Extracted version:

DESPITE a slower finish compared to his debut outing last year, veteran competitor Yee Choi fulfilled his goal to be among the finishers in the men’s veteran (above 40 years) section for the second consecutive year at the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon 2010 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah recently.

For the large organised group from the Klang Valley with a total of 45 entries in the pack, only two survived the gruelling race.

Edwin Goh

Besides Yee Choi, it was also a memorable trip for 41-year-old Edwin Goh returning with a respectable 5 hr 45 min.

Having failed to finish the race when his campaign ended one kilometre away from the summit last year, Edwin said he was determined in accomplishing his target of tackling the race in his recent appearance with a solid nine-month of training as a build up to the event.

“Following the setback, I realised that I needed to put in a bigger effort. I started my training as early as January. I also worked out in the gym twice a week during my lunch breaks.

Yours truly (KC in the middle) posing with Yee Choi and Edwin Goh

Do click here for the online version of Star Metro Sports

One group photo for remembrance after the climbathon
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Note: Lead by Edwin Goh, the group is going for hill-run training this Saturday morning, 18 December 2010 at Puchong Hill. If you are interested to join, do contact me.

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Do click here for presious appearance in The Star Metro on 20 October 2010

Click here for all previous postings relating to Mt KK Climbathon 2010. (This posting is included also; do scroll down the web pages; at end, click Older Posts for more.

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Posted by KC

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Running and Trekking Gear

Yeah! It is year-end holidays and sales promo period. So I take the opportunity to upgrade part of my trekking and running gear. I went to the World of Sports in Subang Parade, Subang Jaya and managed to buy four items in one go. With the credit card in one hand and the membership card in another, I just join in the frenzy of Buy! Buy! Buy!

One of the big challenges of confirming a purchase is to test out the right size. Out of the four items that I purchased, the Adidas running shorts was a bit tricky in idetifying the correct fit in term of length, width and waist, only to realise the wrong choice when I started to compare with the existing ones at home. Anyway, I managed to exchange a better replacement size the next day.
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Columbia Titanium trekking pants

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The Columbia Titanium trekking pants, which will be worn in jungle possibly viewed by monkeys, is much more expansive than my office pants.

To live up to the keng chow name, the pants come with the sun protection technology that helps block damaging UV rays from reaching our skin, allowing for more carefree hours in the sun.

The Titanium also keeps one dry and comfortable – This moisture transferring technology moves and disperses sweat away from the body for quick evaporation, keeping one comfortable during physical activity.

Columbia fleece jacket in preparing for Mount Rinjani Trekking trip in June 2011

Another good place to buy these trekking stuff with reasonable price is from Themes of Nepal. We usually buy them before we start the trekking trip (insufficient warm clothing brought from M’sia) or after completing the trekking (in preparation for the next trip). Though they are cheap and well suited for trekking in cold, one issue is the poor quality of the zips which spoil easily.

New arrival of Adidas running shorts


Mizuno dry-fit T-shirt

Lai Kuan, a passionate lady trekker, shares with the U2runTrek eGroup about her shopping experience:

Yes, Columbia has some very nice clothing designed for outdoors which comes in SPF protection, Omni-dry feature, etc. The set back is that most sports gear shops in Msia carry many more designs and sizes for the guys but limited to ladies. Smaller sizes (especially pants) are hard to come by. I'd many a times left 'drooling' at the sight of the items but unable to fit in!!

Let me share a joke with you: whenever I go overseas, I love to shop at the outdoor retailers. They have a vast variety of outdoor stuff, if only they didn't make a huge dent in the pocket! haha... To cut the story short, I was ecstatic to find a pair of women Columbia long pants in my size (in Australia), in the odd sizes bin coz it was size: XS ! Grabbed the offer, came back, took a closer inspection and guess what? It's made in Malaysia (not in China or India or anywhere else) !!!

Just for info, UNI QLO in Fahrenhiat 88 (formerly KL Plaza, Bukit Bintang) has some fantastic and trendy winter clothing for those who might be going trekking in colder countries. Plenty of fleece pullover to choose from whereas we usually find fleece jackets in other shops most times.

The down jackets are very light and compact – no longer the old fashioned bulky materials which take up space and weight! Their thermal inner wear comes in thin hi-tech material which works base on your own body temperature. 'Cool' stuff that keeps your body warm ... :-)

UNI QLO in Fahrenheit 88 (formerly known as KL Plaza) - This advertisement was published in The Star newspaper on Friday, 10 December 2010

I remember seeing in TV news that this Japanese shop was opened recently; I could see that shoppers were lining-up like crazy way before the opening enthusiastically wanting to buy stuff from this retail outlet. If I would have known that they had good trekking stuff, you would probably see me lining-up earlier than them also … :-) Okay, I shall make a trip there during this year-end holiday mood seasons to check the cool stuff to keep one warm.

Posted by KC
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