Leyland Atlantean

A package all the way from Australia was waiting for me in my mailbox. I wonder what it might be.

Oooh, it is the Public Transport Commission of NSW's (predecessor of Sydney Buses) Leyland Atlantean!

The model features route 372 heading to Coogee Beach via Cleveland Street, a route that has more or less remained unchanged till this day, except that Scania L113CRLs and Volvo B12BLEs operate on it.

Just a bonus picture of 8023 operating route 154. Also happens to be the first Soon Chow-bodied Volvo B10M Mk4 that I have photographed.

Credits go to the two unidentified gunzels I spotted camping under the train viaduct next to my block, which meant there was something interesting happening at Eunos Interchange. They were camping for 9807 on 60/60A, but I decided to hang around after that cameo and found out that 8023 was operating the next 154 out.

Scheduling Conflict

I just realised that 6th September 2009 occurs during the Ramadhan fasting month, so I can't do the 10km run. But the goodies are too enticing, so I have decided to WALK the 5km run which is $5 cheaper, but with the same goodies as far as I can read from the webpage.

Yay for that.

Also got a delivery from Australia. Unveiling pix will be uploaded tomorrow. I'll keep you readers guessing for the next 24 hours or less.

Passion Run 2009 Results

I just noticed that the Passion Run 2009 results have been published.


Ran the run at a very respectable 1 hour 5 minutes 5.36 seconds, but still no Newsletter, yet.

I'm so looking forward to my next run - the 21km Army Half Marathon. I won't be targeting an average speed of 10km/h, but rather something around 8km/h which I think is just nice for me to complete 21km without tiring myself early in the race.

The Yellow Ribbon Prison Run seems to be an interesting race due to the low price ($25, of which $5 goes to the Yellow Ribbon Fund), the relatively interesting gradients along the route, as well as the numerous goodies. It is on 6th September - 3 weeks after Army Half Marathon - and thus makes it a nice short run to insert into my 42km marathon training schedule. I think registration opens this Saturday.

Next in my plan is the 42km Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon which is a good 16 weeks after the 21km AHM and thus there is more than enough time to train for it. I have a confirmed partner for this event who has many years of experience in running the StanChart Marathon, or rather walking the marathon. His last timing was around 8 hours, which started off around 5 hrs a few years back. :)

Goodbyes

The past week, there has been at least four famous deaths, of which I can totally relate to one - Michael Jackson - and partly relate to two - Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon.

I kind of grew up listening to Michael Jackson. I was not a big fan of his music, but did enjoy the occasional airplay of his songs as well as the short period in 1993 where I had his Thriller album on repeat.

But what hurts most is saying goodbye to someone close to you and I had to say that to Jonathan.

Jonathan Lu
14th October 1981 - 21st June 2009

Jonathan was my classmate from Raffles Institution class of 1H and 2H of 1994 - 1995. I kind of lost touch with him since leaving RI, but got back together, along with fellow classmates, on an irregular basis in 2003 which became fairly regular in 2005 and pretty much every other week or month since late last year.

We had things in common and that pulled us together in recent months. His inclusion into our mini 1H/2H gatherings and board game sessions made us closer even as a group.

His passing was not unexpected, but, for me and probably a few others, very sudden. We had gathered at his place for a fellow classmate's birthday and board game session a day earlier.

I hope he now has found peace.

I'm running in this year's Army Half Marathon (21 km) and I'll run in his memory. I'm hoping to gather a group of 1H/2H classmates to run in this year's Stanchart Marathon in his memory. So far, I have a fellow 42km'er.

On another note, this is the 3rd passing from my class and sometimes, I cannot help, but wonder who is next to go.

2XU

Yay! After missing the previous Keypower International clearance sale, I have been looking forward to the next one, which started last Friday and ends tomorrow.

Got myself a pair of Team Australia cycle shorts ($49), an Elite Men's jersey ($59) and a running T ($29).

Other 2XU stuff were going at 20% off and I'm thinking of getting a pair of the compression running tights ($123 - 20%) or a pair of Newton running shoes, but I'll get them during the next sale as I plan on using my existing Brooks and existing compression shorts that I have.

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I don't usually post this on this blog, but I managed to breach the 16km mark during last Wednesday's run. This means I am on target to complete the Army Half Marathon this August 16th.

Yay for that.

1337

Bishan - Eunos is an elite route, or at least that is what my speedometer says.

Went to Toa Payoh yesterday to, hopefully, obtain a free CEPAS-compliant NETS FlashPay card, but apparently all have been given out. Kind of a wasted bike trip there, but at least I got my planned workout. Yay for that.

Tomorrow is the National Runway Cycling event and I am so looking forward to that.

LECIP Desto

Went chasing for the newly LECIP EDS-equipped Volvo Olympian on my bike. Packed my DSLR and EEEPC for on-the-go bus tracking, but stupid me forgot to bring my CompactFlash memory card, so I only had my teeny weeny W880i mobile phone to take photographs of the bus.

Shoutout for Fanfarlo

Just a quick shoutout for Fanfarlo. They are an indie band from the UK and are releasing their debut album - Reservoir - in digital download form for only US$1. Yeah, that is a single US dollar or around $1.50 in our currency.

Without sounding like an advertorial, you can buy their album from their website. I bought mine yesterday, but have yet to listen to the album in full. However, from the few streaming tracks I have listened to, they sound pretty good.

If only more bands would release their albums cheaply. I don't mind paying $1 or even a $2 - $3 for an album.