The Post That Lost A Few Pounds

I've fallen in love again.

Yes, that's right. It was love at first sight. Or possibly second. But whatever it is, I want her. Badly. I could definitely see myself in her, and I could see she wanted love too. However before it starts sounding too suss, let me point out that I'm talking about a car. Not just any car, but a Alfa Romeo 147 GTA Monza.






It's basically a stock Alfa 147, but the 4cyl, 2 litre engine has been replaced with a big 3.2L V6 engine that develops 187KW, or 250bhp. This in a small hatchback, equals a lot of fun. Other add-ons are Brembo brakes, a more aggressive bodykit and a tweaked suspension to give it that performance feel.

To keep all those raging Italian stallions in check, one would assume that Alfa has installed a special differential system in the GTA, like the Limited-Slip Differential in a Ford Focus RS. Maybe even a 4WD system like the Golf R32... No. What you get is a normal differential controlling the 250 horses that drive the front wheels. The end result is a car that requires various electronical systems to prevent you from steering into a hedge, or a divider. Clearly this 147 GTA is an insane car, made for insane people.

Which is why I want one. But not just a normal GTA, but this particular one with the Monza badge. The badge is a nod towards Alfa's past racing history. They built the GTA Monza as a tribute to their 80th anniversary of their first win at Monza, a famous Italian racetrack. Only 100 147 GTA Monzas were built and that therefore makes it a classic already.

Anyway, enough of the history lesson and back to why I want this car: in addition to the fact that it is brilliant, it also had the most beautiful paintjob. She had a wonderful pearly-white coat which glimmered wherever the sunlight touched her. It's something that has to be seen, in the metal, to be appreciated. It was truly the most beautiful coat of paint I have seen on any car.

Maybe that's because it's an Alfa. A few months ago, I wanted a Golf R32 (this would've been a sensible choice) and up until today, a BMW 6-series E24 (which is a really beautiful GT car). But there's something about Alfas that makes you lose your senses. You think with your heart, not your head. You'd drive off to look at Audis, or BMWs, or Volkswagens... but you'd end up at the Alfa showroom.

It may not be the smartest choice, but at least my heart will be happy. I'm just hoping no one else feels this way about the car so come December, I'll be the one with the keys to my very own (2nd hand) 147 GTA Monza in pearly-white.

The Post That Came Out Last Saturday

I've had the newest FIFA installment, FIFA 09, since Wednesday, so I thought I've post my thoughts on it right here on my blog.

To be honest, I haven't been much of a fan of FIFA. Been finding Pro Evo the better football game out of the two. The gameplay's a lot better on PES I reckon, however FIFA's graphics are mint. PES isn't out yet, gotta wait til the end of this month. Until then, I won't compare the two games. Look out for a comparison review some time in November.

There are several things I like about FIFA:

- Firstly, the aforementioned graphics. EA once again has created awesome animations for FIFA. There is no way that PES could match the attention to detail on players' faces and their jerseys that FIFA has.
- Secondly, FIFA's brilliant physics engine gives the players a new 'life'. Now you've gotta position your players correctly to compete for a header. Other things such as jostling for the ball allows the stronger player to win the ball more often (eg. if Drogba was jostling with, say, Nasri for the ball, the big Ivorian would trump the Frenchman).
- Thirdly, the AI is great, as always. Off-the-ball runs and defensive covering is brilliant. However I find my defensive midfielder dropping too far back, and occasionally my players don't make the runs I want them to do.
- Finally, the menus on FIFA are a joy to behold. From the main menu to the mini ones in the various modes FIFA provide, they're simple to use.

That's really all I can say about the positives. I even had to nitpick for the last one. The thing that disappoints me the most is the gameplay, which is close to rubbish. It can be mastered after playing for awhile, but you'd get bored mastering it. In PES the game flows... in FIFA however, it sorta stalls everytime you make a pass. This makes playing swift counter-attacking football really hard to do. I cannot tell you how many times I've lost the ball after trying to play a simple through ball to my wingers, despite the fact that the AI is so good.

Also, the first touch is a bit too hard, and sometimes the players seem to lose concentration after running down half the field for the ball. This happens too many times, but it shouldn't happen at all. It's hard to explain really... you have your defender and an opposition striker running after a long punt downfield by the goalie. All of a sudden as your defender nears the ball, he slows down, allowing the striker to close him down quickly and occasionally claim the ball and score. I'm glad I've got Cech in goal so the scoring part doesn't happen as often as it would.

So basically, FIFA's got the style but not enough substance. To put this in an interesting analogy, FIFA's the gorgeous blond/brunette but is as interesting as a grain of rice. Her distant cousin PES on the other hand, has braces and glasses and all that... but she'll give you a great fun-filled day.

Put the good bits of both games together and you'd have the ultimate game TBH.

Bring on October 30th!

The Post That Won't Be Leaving Here With You

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. For each question press the ‘next’ button to get your answer.
3. You must write the name of the song down no matter what!!!
4. After you’ve answered all the questions tag 5 other people and let them they’ve been tagged and to do the meme themselves:

If someone says ‘is this okay?’ You say:
The Creeps - Camille Jones

What would best describe your personality?
Electioneering - Radiohead

What do you like in a guy/girl?
Brianstorm - Arctic Monkeys

How do you feel today?
Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys

Hah!

What is your life’s purpose?
She's Love - End of Fashion

What do your friends think of you?
Lust for Life - Iggy Pop

What do you think of your parents?
Yesterday - Beatles

Hah!

What do you think about very often?
Plug in Baby - Muse

What is 2+2?
Karma Police - Radiohead

What do you think of the person you like?
Dry Your Eyes - The Streets

What is your life story?
God Save The Queen - Sex Pistols

What do you want to be when you grow up?
When We Were Kids - The Galvatrons

What do you think when you see the person you like?
Can't Touch This - MC Hammer

HAH! Hammertime!

What do your parents think of you?
In the Summertime - Thirsty Merc

What... not when...

What will you dance to at your wedding?
The Greatest View - Silverchair

Hmm... not the worst choice.

What will they play at your funeral?
My Love - JT feat. TI

What is your hobby/interest?
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi - Radiohead

....

What is your biggest secret?
Hungry Like The Wolf - Duran Duran

What do you think of your closest friends?
Time is Running Out - Muse

What should you post this as?
Answer the Phone - Sugar Ray

But I prefer

Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand

Either way, NOT USING THEM. Sort of.

Tag:

Whoever can be arsed.

The Post That Has Blasted Into The Past

Hi, I am an Asian bloke, but no I will not respond to:

1. BEIJING! BEIJING!

2. Hey! Sushi!

3. Oi Mongolian!

Fucking white people. So damn ignorant. The last one, on the other hand is courtesy of my friend, Brandon, who is Chinese-Canadian. Damn Canadians!

Anyway, school's back tomorrow. 7 more weeks til graduation! WHOO!

The Post Which Couldn't Sleep Without A Towel

Sometimes when a few men sporting hangovers are trapped on the 14th floor of an apartment with a video camera, hilarity ensues.

The Post That Came With The Raincoats

1) At what age do you wish to marry?
After I'm 25.

2) If you have the chance, what would you probably say to your beloved one?
I would very much like to bang you, right now.

3) If you were to be stranded on a desert island, who are the 3 blog buddies you would take with you?
I'd take my good mates Yenchie, Addie and Catty.

4) Where is the place you want to go the most and with whom?
I want to go to Stamford Bridge, probably by myself because I don't know (m)any Chelsea fans.

5) If you can have one dream to come true, what would it be?
To have all my sadistic and selfish dreams come true!

6) Do you believe you can survive without money?
No.

7) What are you afraid to lose the most?
My manhood.

8) If you win 1 million, what would you do?
Buy a car, invest the rest.

9) If you meet someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
There's no need to confess anymore.

10) List out the good points of the person who tagged you.
Addie's always there when I need to talk about what's on my mind. Except when she's busy, or studying, or out, or not online, or showering, or eating, or in school... oh.

11) What am i doing now?
Listening to the awesome Arctic Monkeys while doing this tag.

12) Which type of person do you hate the most?
Those of a middle eastern decent who want to spoil air travel for the likes of us.

13) What is your ambition?
World domination. With more camps than Poland.

14) What is the thing that will make you think he/she is bad?
Who?

15) What do you think is the most important thing in your life?
Hard to say really, but apparently all you need is love.

16) Are you a shopaholic or not?
I'd say yes. -ish.

17) What do you see when you look into a mirror?
God.

18) Who is the person that you can share all your problems with?
Addie.

19) What is your desired age to lose ur virginity?
3

20) What are you afraid of?
Sometimes I scare myself.

Tag 8 people:
1. Anyone who's bothered, really.