The Home of the Defender

Happy Chinese New Year

2009-01-26T10:12:00.002+08:00

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!

4 days of rest is definitely welcome.... Watched Love Matters with Kelvin Lin. It was pretty funny, but not one of the better shows I've watched. Maybe we've had an overdosage of Jack Neo's films....

CXQ Index: 2168 (+33)

2nd half of the 08/09 Season (2nd Sem in School)

2009-01-09T22:19:00.002+08:00

Stepped into Marketing 101 today and got taken aback by the aggressive discussion taking place in the class... I was fully prepared for the 1st lesson, but as usual I don't enjoy rocking the boat early, so I just sat along as questions were fired from one end of the Seminar Room to the other. It was quite a scene indeed....But not to worry, nothing is too tough for the defender.

I am starting questioni if I really want that Champions League spot? I didn't quite target that at the start, with a respectable UEFA Cup 6th spot, but surely I can't settle for that now that I'm among the Champions League contenders? Yes...It's settled. I will fight to keep my place!

It's....The Defence of the Ancients!

2nd Half of the Season kicks off!

2009-01-06T10:31:00.003+08:00

Defender FC currently sits 3rd placed in the SMU Premier League and needs to hang onto the Champions League spots up for grabs at the end of the season.

Initial pre-season expectations were to finish in the UEFA Cup places, but some good performances in the 1st half of the season has promopted Defender FC to try to hang onto 3rd spot and earn a dream Champions League spot for next season! Who knows, maybe Defender FC should be looking up towards the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool even!

2009 New Year Resolution

2008-12-31T22:51:00.003+08:00

Just 4 simple things to do in 2009:
1) Enjoy life in SMU
2) Do the best I can in SMU
3) Be a committed FAS Referee
4) Be a decent Premier Division Chinese Chess player instead of a relegation favourite.

and the biggest 1:
Hope Everyone has a good 2009

Coming Season's Tactics:
4-5-1
Short-Passing

CXQ Index: 2135 (+4)

Back from Home World

2008-12-29T19:41:00.005+08:00

Defender emerges from his Home World back to the New World....

Got thrashed upside down by the new kid on the block in Chinese Chess....Maybe my time in the Singapore Chinese Chess Premier League is up....To be honest, the Defender was outclassed by a better, fresher player...

Tried to convert to a citizen of the New World, but failed. Try again next time...

Until then...At least the defender is back....

CXQ Index: 2131 (+52)

Defender (2131M) v kimhobmt (2167M): http://www.clubxiangqi.com/viewer/?ID=57149617

Thanh_nha (2026M) v Defender (2101M): http://www.clubxiangqi.com/viewer/?ID=57097555

The Defense of the Ancients:
Defender (2090M) v LyThong_HY (1948): http://www.clubxiangqi.com/viewer/?ID=56889468

After Mahjong Camp

2008-12-18T23:34:00.002+08:00

After 24 hours of meeting and mahjong, the defender is back...

And got beaten upside down by the Lin Yicheng in Chinese Chess. He's becoming pro-er by the day....

CXQ Index: 2079 (-16)

The Defender's Headache

2008-12-16T22:33:00.004+08:00

I sat down on my chair, sipping my favourite Red Bull Sugar-free...I need a panadol to cure this migraine...

Regardless, the Defender played brilliantly to notch up 2 consecutive wins today on Club Xiangqi, to move myself back into the brink of 21xxM again. Things would've looked better had defender not been robbed by the rogue Oscar... Not to worry, defender isn't a vengeful spirit, and would not be out for revenge.

CXQ Index: 2095 (+2)

Highlights of Defender's back-to-wall win earlier:
http://www.clubxiangqi.com/viewer/?ID=56740500

The Vampire Hunter Trilogy (Part 3 of 3)

2008-12-15T17:50:00.003+08:00

After much discussion, we concluded that all we needed was to be together to face any problems, even Vampires. The famous Chinese saying claims that 3 smelly cobblers can be as good as one Zhuge Liang. Similarly, 3 youths can match a vampire. Communications was the key, and we packed up from our study room, just ensuring our handphone batteries could last the night. It was going to be a long night...

We were at the bus stop all ready to head for Kent Quay when the reply from Junior came...

"Vampire Guild? Encirclement of Youth? You've got to be joking! But hmm...you seem to know alot about Encirclement of Youth? What do you know of them and their rogue activities? 2 friends...hmm...I thought you were supposed to come alone?"

I decided to leave his questions hanging in the air until i met him at the 5-star kopitiam just along Kent Quay. It was not one known as a Vampire hide-out, but nonetheless we had to thread carefully.

And so it was 1900h. Marshall, Dranel and myself landed in Kent Quay. True enough, sitting in the 5-star kopitiam was Junior. Still looks pretty much the same...Slightly chubby, curly hair, about 6 foot tall....Maybe we were just...paranoid. Or maybe he was doing a good job...disguising his true identity...

We exchanged the common pleasantries before we had ourselves seated at a corner of the coffeeshop. We were all happily tucked in when the tail of the wolf started getting exposed. Junior took a second off to make a phone call, and 5 minutes later, a female turned up and sat next to Junior. It was his girlfriend.

The girl approached the charming Dranel and started a conversation. That was when i decided to apply some first-mover advantage. I decided to ask Junior to the toilet with me.

Jar-sik: It's nice of you to show me your girlfriend and have a good meal with us. It's been an amazingly long time since we met.But it's getting late...The encirclement of youth is a powerful guild which grows by the night. Would you join me in striking down this guild?

Junior: What have you heard about them? Interesting that you know so much about them... So why do you think they are evil?

Jar-sik: Vampires feed and gain strength from others. It's a vicious cycle which must end!

Junior: You are mistaken, good Jar-sik. They have done much good...Power....Strength...And special abilities... I could...show you the way....to power...and the way to the pinnacle of the guild.

Jar-sik: I'm a fool who does not deserve your help. My blood is expiring and I'm not half as capable as yourself. There is no point recruiting me into any guild...Let this end, member of Encirclement...As a symbol of continuing friendship, let us not involve each other in this...Farewell...And see you again.

I smiled to him and turned around as I walked to Dranel and Marshall. Sure enough, they have managed the female Vampire well enough and have shown her the light she so cannot live with...They were already waiting at the entrance. With haste, we proceeded to the bus stop for quick evacuation. But we were not quick enough. Suddenly appearing from thin air, the silhouette of Junior emerged, this time it was a much more muscular body with Junior's fangs sticking out promninently.

Junior: How dare you injure my fellow guild member? I should have had your blood, and your friends...

Marshall had already whipped out his handphone while Dranel and I got into defensive stances.

Junior: No...You are powerful enough to make it to the top....Bite on your powerful friends and you would be the most powerful Vampire ever! If you ever get that desire...Go across the road to that dark building....Called Encirclement of Youth! I am the Guild Leader and can give you the best guidance.....Until then....

Junior then faded away as we relaxed.... We would live to fight another day....

THE END

The Vampire Hunter Trilogy (Part 2 of 3)

2008-12-13T22:52:00.002+08:00

While we waited anxiously for a reply, Dranel proceeded to search his extensive networks for Vampire enclaves in the vicinity of Kent Quay. It was not to our surprise when we found a prominent Vampire Guild known as the 'Encirclement of Youth'.

"Jar-sik, we had better be prepared if we were to enter this Vampire area," spoke Marshall as we continued looking for other operatives in the region.

"Yes...We would have to be....Vampire Hunters," I replied in a serious tone as I read spy reports on the Encirclement of Youth.

It appears this powerful guild has its members working in groups and hunting down on isolated, lone targets. No surprise when I received an invitation to meet one-to-one. An ambush...perhaps?

My handphone vibrated while my imaginations ran wild about the "BRAVE" Jar-sik slashing the Vampire, with his best mate Marshall giving the Vampire a final blow, and the powerful Dranel plunging the stake right into the heart of it.

The SMS read:"Jar-sik, are you ok? Of course not! Hey...you seem to know alot about Vampires...You're making me worried though..."

I could only slap my forehead as I read the text. Of course, what an idiot. Vampires might as well stick a "I want your blood" sign on their forehead! Nevertheless, I was in a dilemma. I didn't want to destroy a friendship if he was genuine, but similar did not want to become sucked into the Vampire family. The readings about a group of Vampires attacking ISOLATED targets gave me an idea....I would invite Dranel and Marshall along.

"Pardon me for my over-sensitivity, my friend Junior. It would seem that as of late, there have been many Vampires around, and I've heard about this Encirclement of Youth Guild that has established itself recently in Kent Quay...I was just suspicious. But no worries, I trust you. However, I would like to ask two friends, Marshall and Dranel...Now you know Dranel....He was our school mate when we were young too! See you later..."

I sent the above text message and looked to Marshall and Dranel as we plotted our night of Vampire Hunting...Just in case....

To be continued..... (Watch this space for the FINAL part of the Vampire Hunter Trilogy!)

Pool with Kian Beng + Glossary

2008-12-12T22:41:00.002+08:00

After Mahjong Tournament Meeting, I met up with fellow Scorpion Tan Kian Beng. Got beaten by him in Pool, he seems to be improving in leaps and bounds. Either that or my skills are degenerating, though the latter looked more like the case. Only a degenerated player can foul on a ball in hand, which handed a game to a clinical Kian Beng who coolly slotted the 8 Ball home. 4-3 isn't such a bad score to lose by, so I guess I am still pretty happy overall.
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Just wanted to add in a glossary section for confused readers on some common terms used...Today I will introduce 3:

1) Bu Yao Huang - A term coined originally by the Legendary Kian Beng to assure people not to panic. Can be used in most situations when people get tensed.

2) CXQ - This refers to Club Xiangqi, which is a free online website which people can play Chinese Chess.

3) Place where birds don't lay eggs - Translates to Niao Bu Shen Dan De Di Fang. Refers to an ulu place where people hardly go. Term first used within my circle of friends by the Great AJC Council Member and Xiangqi Team-mate, Kelvin Lin Yicheng.

The Vampire Hunter Trilogy (Part 1 of 3)

2008-12-11T23:43:00.004+08:00

Disclaimer: This story is adapted from a true life story, but its content has since been sensationalized to increase reader pleasure. Any inconvenience or similarity to real-life characters are regretted.

October, 2008

Starring: The Defender Jar-sik , Marshall and Dranel.

Speak of vampires coming up to the Defender! In fact, nowadays villains don't even bother sending their minions over to pester you....It's simple....They SMS!

"Hey friend, haven't met you for 10 years Jar-sik! Really want to see you...Could we meet for dinner today at Kent's Quay?" was the mysterious SMS received from a childhood mate.

As usual, being a religious mugger, I was encamped in my Study Room with my trusted mates....Marshall and Dranel. Initially, I studied word for word of the text message, not wanting to trouble my best mates. Then I remembered....Dranel was also my childhood friend! So I decided to disrupt Dranel's train of thoughts and told him about the bus-ful of mysterious texts I have received. It was weird...Dranel hadn't received a mail...However further checks with other childhood friends found that some had received mystery sms-es asking them to meet INDIVIDUALLY at dark alleys (where birds don't even lay eggs). Now that was scary.

I was previously told that Vampires would hound in packs in search of isolated targets, before making them one of theirs, and getting that new member as his pawn, and adding on to the pack.
It was as though Vampires had learnt the art of MLM! The Chief Vampire bites his Sergeant, and his Sergeant bites the Corporal and the Corporal bites the Private...Everytime one more level is added, and the Chief Vampire starts promoting fast without doing anything as the chain of command grows inadvertedly. Ok...nvm, maybe MLM learnt from Vampires...That can be discussed another day.

It had to be a poor friend who had become a Vampire...Good hearted, and refusing to convert others into that form, he was probably starving and needed help. No way could I let Vampires roam around and hunt my friends. However, confirmation was needed before my team of Vampire Hunters acted.Hence I did what most brave men did, confronting the Vampire head-on...

I whipped out my handphone, and replied the SMS, "Are you a Vampire?"

To be continued.....(Watch this blog for Part 2 of the Vampire Hunter Trilogy)

A Visit To Red Sands Gamers Club

2008-12-11T23:16:00.002+08:00

Finally inked my first deal for Univantage, with Red Sands Gamers Club. Located in Kreta Ayer, Club Manager Jeffire does indeed have a cool set-up on the 2nd floor which I find worthy of people's attention. Services include Retail and Rental of consoles and games. Interested parties can head to his website at http://www.redsandsgamers.com/! The manager is a friendly guy, and I'm sure one would love doing business with him.

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Meanwhile, the Defender was in action in CXQ again! Played brilliantly in the first game to beat tuananh_bn (2102M) at http://www.clubxiangqi.com/viewer/?ID=56513249, but defender promptly capitulated in the second game with some dismal defending and over-eagerness to draw.

The theory of not killing during friendly is still in effect, unfortunately.

CXQ Index: 2093 (-)

Scorpion Shopping Outing

2008-12-11T00:13:00.002+08:00

Decided to do some work in school before heading out to meet Zhi Kai, Jian Ming, Ding Ji, Saiful, Xiang Duan and Song Ming. I'm a very poor shopper and naturally found it hard to concentrate...

Earlier, we went to a Halal shop which sells Chinese food at Bugis. The waiter told us to speak up when everyone ignored him, and he walked off muttering that we were "ah kao" (dumb). I decided not to cook up a storm over it, with all the ah bengs sitting around me....

CXQ Index : 2093 (-15)

The Defender battles his way into 21xxM!

2008-12-09T18:54:00.004+08:00

With an efficient combination of defensive capabilities and good time-management, the CXQ Master, Defender has finally battled into the realms on 21xx on Clubxiangqi.

Well...There's always some luck involved, and I won't be surprised I fail to maintain it. As they all say, enjoy success while it lasts!

Meanwhile, the Defender is looking for comrades to accompany him to the Singapore Flyer on Saturday. Time is running out...
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At the Football Association of Singapore, the 2009 insignia for FAS Referees is unveiled!

Wonder if this new colour would grant additional bonuses to my refereeing and physical ability...What's for sure though, is it definitely has a +15% to appearance. Just love that Neon Orange!

The Home of the Defender

2008-12-09T13:12:00.000+08:00

Built: 9 December 2008

Founded: 9 December 2008