Wu Song

Ever heard of the legend 'wu song da hu"? The evergreen story about this chap called Wu Song who killed the ferocious man-eating tiger with his bare hands?

You must be thinking how impossible it would be today, how the warriors of old were so strong, wielding axes and spears weighing in excess of 40kg, and the gargantuan strength needed to beat a tiger to death with your bare hands.

Think again. Here at metalfyre.blogspot, The Rantings of an ilkhan presents to you the Modern Day Wu Song .

A 73-year-old man used his bare hands to tear out the tongue of a leopard that attacked him in Kenya and killed it, a newspaper said overnight of an incident confirmed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

The 73-year-old Daniel M'Mburugu was working in his potato garden near Mount Kenya in the centre of the country when the animal, apparently aggressive, hurtled from nearby grass and charged towards him.
"It let out a blood-curdling snarl that made the birds stop chirping. I froze for some seconds, then it dawned on me that death was staring at me on the face," he told the Standard Newspaper.

M'Mburugu, a peasant farmer, dropped the machete he was carrying and forced his hand into the leopard's mouth, pulling out its tongue in an act of self-defence, according to the report in the daily.

"A voice, which must have been from God, whispered to me to drop the panga (machete) and thrust my hand into its wide open mouth, I obeyed," he said, explaining that the leopard sank its teeth into his wrist, but would not let go.

As the struggle continued, M'Mburugu realised that the animal's "breathing was belaboured", prompting him to keep pulling the tongue.

Villagers only responded when the animal lay dying and he gained instant status as a village hero, the paper said.

"Wardens said the leopard attacked the man because it was injured elsewhere ... wild animals are usually very aggresive and attack unprovoked when injured," KWS spokesman Edward Indakwa said.

"Nevertheless, he was lucky," he added of the incident that occurred early this month.

Incidents of human-wildlife conflict in the east African nation are common, mostly near game parks and national reserves.

At 73, most of our folks here can't even walk straight...

I don't understand why he dropped the machete tho...

Riding hard, fast, safely AND taking a few corners.

Initial D

Initial D. A movie eagerly anticipated by millions and millions of people. Some, ardent fans of the anime. Still others, for Jay Chou's debut.

I shan't throw in any spoilers, but for you anime fans out there, this show is the gist of parts 1 till 3 distilled into one movie . It skims through the outlines, and while some fans might bemoan the lack of variety, the no show FD, etc...overall I thought the show was worth every bit of my $8. And there hasn't been a movie I could put this claim to for a very long time.

Why? Simply put, this movie brings about, in its purest form, the crystallised meaning, the reason why I take to the roads. The reason I ride at all. To be reminded, to have the meaning of riding (to me) portrayed in the screen before me in such a manner, brought about emotions that swamped me; the kind that almost brings tears to your eyes. Just the opening of the movie, where they show the roads and the bends, bereft of cars, brought about such an adrenalin rush. The drifting...taking of corners. I could almost see myself in there, cutting the corners alongside the AE86, eyeing the next bend as it approached, selecting the best line of entry. A light tap of the brakes, a flick of the left foot to switch the gears, shifting the body weight ever so slightly to the opposite direction of the bend before leaning in...OooHhhhHHh~~I got so high!

And afterwards, whilst on our way to the Mop's dad's office, I grinded my right footrest on the ground making a right corner. A closer inspection revealed that I had pushed my bike to the limit in that corner; my chicken strips were gone on that side! It was exhilerating...achieving something I had been aiming for ever since I started riding. And I never imagined I could have been able to do it so soon...

Dammit...they should have more of these movies! Then I'll be able to clear ALL my chicken strips. But then again...seeing how there is most likely going to be many Takumi-wannabes on the road, I think not.

Oh, there's not just the racing. There were those sweet moments, when Ann Suzuki (damn she's hot) told Jay's character she'd bought a swim suit, or when they held hands, or when Ann Suzuki (dammit...I want her to ride my Suzuki) kissed Jay/Takumi. Made me yearn for something I once had. Made me think back to the sweet memories, things that were on the screen that I once had.

But our cinema's 'surround sound' snapped me out of it; we were unfortunate to be seated behind a group of 4 female Jay fans, and whenever he appeared, they'd squeal. When the kissing scene was being screened, those girls kept sighing and saying 'How lucky', 'I also want'. GeeZ...I think Jay is the lucky one leh...I want Suzuki!! I want 2 Suzuki! When Jay/Takumi cried, they were going 'awww...' and whimpering along with him. Wa kaoz...I cannot stand groupies!!!

And the sad thing is, somehow, my bike doesn't seem like that much of a challenge anymore. (Read boring)

I WANT MY R6!!!!!

No wait..

I NEED MY R6!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Riding hard, fast, safely AND taking a few corners.

Damage Control

I tried to repair the damage done in my own little way.

I sent her an email:

Dear Xiaxue,

First of, I'm not one of those 'rabid', faithful followers who rush to their PCs, flick on the moniter and go to your page, refreshing every 5 minutes or so,hoping to see a new post.

I'll be honest. From the very start, my initial reaction to your writes weren't very encouraging. Your 'in your face' approach and 'I don't care what the world thinks about me' kind of put me off.

But over time, I grew to appreciate the raw, unsalted honesty that extrudes from each of your posts. The fact that none of your thoughts are watered down gives your blog a more 'life-like' appeal, simply becausethese are things that everyone encounters going through our daily lives, things that everyone thinks but few dare express in such undiluted terms.

I know. It's hard to please the masses, and of late, I've noted a subtle change in your style of writing. Less fiery, opiniated stuff, and more posts possibly with the intent of pleasing your readers? I wouldn't know, coz I'm not you.

But ya, the crux of this email is simply to let you know that, hey, if half the male population is against you for what you said, this one here typing out this email at 5am in the morning would like you to know he understands, for what its worth to you.

It's not easy having to deal with all this attention and criticism. And it's not easy to blog with such scrutinity on each syllable and consonance you may bother to patter into your keyboard. I understand. I own a blog too, and while my daily viewership boasts of a mere 0.1% of yours since I try to limit readership to those I know personally, even then I do feel some of the demands pressing in. "Why no updates?", "Your posts are boring" etc... Why? I didn't blog in the 1st place to be a crowd puller or pleaser, and I don't think you did as well.

You do have your own life and demands outside blogging. And you are entitled to your opinion,especially on your own blog, without having to listen to anyone's 2 cent's worth or less about what you think.

If I may just quote one of the hate mails you posted to illustrate:

"Why kick up such a big fuss over SPG's blog? It's her blog and it's her goddamn prerogative to write what she wants."

Turn it around to your own advantage, like so:

"Why kick up such a big fuss over Xiaxue's blog? It's her blog and it's her goddamn prerogative to write what she wants."

See? If you look at it this way, why bother what others think? Go on and write the way you want to. You are answerable to noone else but yourself. Besides, if your detractors can tell you not to 'kickup a fuss' when they do so themselves, doesn't this show that they don't really know what they want? If they can say that you have nothing intelligent to say, that you scribble, and that your columns are a waste of space, and yet waste their time reading those things, doesn't it prove that they are simply confused individuals who possibly can't differentiate betweentheir gobs and a hole in the ground?

Or maybe...hmmm...being a guy, I do admit we allow our other head to do the thinking for us, and maybe that's what happened to those two when they saw the nudiepics...

Haha. Laugh it off, and get on with life. Life's to short so spend being frustrated over a couple of confused people.

Metalfyre


And she replied:

=) Thanks for bothering to mail me. I'm glad you understand, and that you grew to like the blog la. I mean I dont suppose you are the sort who'd spam me if u didn't like it but I'm glad u did like it anyway. I'm rambling, its 530am.

Painful eyes. Shall sleep. Good night!

Wendy


It's times like these where being a nice guy really feels worth it.

Riding hard, fast, safely AND taking a few corners.

Unbelievably Coarse

Of late, I've been a somewhat 'fence sitter' closet fan of Xiaxue, (haha especially since the test says I'm her)...going to her page whenever I feel bored, for the want of something to do when I'm waiting for my DOTA mates to log on. I'd read any updates, shrug, and go on with my business.

I've always been aware that Xiaxue has a faithful following of rabid fans who would jump to her defence, hurl themselves in front of her to catch that bullet. And I am also aware of the existence of people who don't like her, who dismiss her writings and stare disbelievingly at the 'Best Singapore Blog Award' badge she has emblazoned on her website. I know. I was one of them.

But what I do not understand is, the level to which the hate mail directed towards her stooped to. I mean, I don't even understand why it even exists in the first place; if these folk think that her writing or opinions suck, and that it is a total waste of time, why bother wasting time emailing her? Just close the bloody window and get on with it to other more pleasing sites.

These people who pen the hate mail are as confusing as girls. I don't understand how they can condemn a piece of writing as 'a waste of time' when they have very obviously 'wasted their time' reading it, and wasted even more time sending the email. If it's a waste of time, why even spend time reading the bloody thing in the first place?

These people are going to the blog and reading it for entertainment. Free entertainment. And rather than appreciate the mental effort required to put your thoughts to word, or think up interesting new stuff to post, they do the easiest thing and flame. Just like those who watch soccer and cuss at the players for fumbling the ball as if they could've done better. You think so easy, you blog and update everyday la...for a huge audience.

And the language. Ooohhh~...all the insults that are designed, intended to strike with sledgehammer-induced force. What's up with calling her ugly and asking someone to go and die just because they happen to entertain certain thoughts and happen to publish it on their blog?
For God's sake, she's just a 21 year old girl...would you use such language on any girl for that matter? If you don't like what she's writing, just go to another website and never come back again! Why the insults? They are unbelievably coarse, and if Xiaxue is a disgrace to all local girls, then surely these guys are a disgrace to all local guys; what other tag could you affix on a guy who goes up to a girl on the street and insults her after she'd voiced out her opinion, abeit loudly.
I mean, at the very most, most guys would mutter to themselves, or share their opinions regarding that loud mouthed girl, and then forget about it. Not march up to her and fuck her upside down. Hardly the behaviour of a gentleman.

Perhaps the other head is doing the thinking for these people; pictures of nude bodies tend to have that effect on us guys. And after looking at something that titillates them, it rouses their ire that someone else (another girl) claims that the specimen that made them as hard as a flag mast was not attractive, because it implies that they have no taste. And thus, all of these individuals turn around and say that this someone else is jealous, that she doesn't have the body yadda yadda. GeeZ.

If she was a really pretty babe, would there even be anyone flaming her? Sadly, its typical for some of our local guys to come out with all guns firing when the girl isn't attractive, but smooth it over when a more attractive girl happens to say the same thing. Excuses like 'her language is better' and 'the way she writes, her style better' or 'she doesn't stoop so low' will spring forth to justify the difference in treatment of the more ordinary looking girl compared to the jude one. But is there REALLY a difference in the 'writing style'?. What...are all you guys that handsome anyway?

Hello. I think SPG's body isn't all that great either. It's just that I haven't made mention of it here on my blog, simply because I didn't think it was worth mentioning. Heck, even Rockson thinks that her tits look like two mosquito bites. So..what are you waiting for? Come flame me la...I also don't have the body, I don't have big neh neh...I'm jealous...*rollseyes*

It's saddening. The level some of our local males have fallen to...insulting young girls. And looking at the level of English they employ, these are highly educated individuals. And to have some one who has been educated perpetuate in this kind of character assasination that is so uncalled for, just because she happens to be a normal looking lass with a fiery, opiniated writing style, is sad. Plain sad. All that education down the drain. What's the use, if you study so much but inside still like a 'jiao nang' (bird man).

Riding hard, fast, safely AND taking a few corners.

Rider Profile 2

In addition to the 1st installment of Rider Profile

600cc Sportbike You scored 9 moxie, 3 zeal, and 5 pomp!

You are a squid. Your bike is a 600cc Japanese Sportbike. Take your pick, it really doesn't matter, since you're going to wad it. You are the primary source of extra bits of fairing plastic on eBay. When you're riding in the mountains, you have a hard time keeping up with that Olde Pharte on a Triumph Thruxton without blowing the centerline in the twisties and going WFO on every straight. (You're not a bad rider, but you're just not as good as you think you are.) On a hot day, you're likely to be seen weaving through highway traffic at warp speed, wearing sneakers and a t-shirt blowing up your back. The good news for you is that this is a temporary phase in your riding career. You will either (a) buzzsplat or (b) become more acutely conscious of your own mortality after a few minor but eye-openingly lucky crashes. Take it to the track. You'll live longer.

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 91% on moxie You scored higher than 54% on zeal You scored higher than 70% on pomp

Link: The Motorcycle Personality Test written by iocaine on Ok Cupid

The bit about the 600cc bike is accurate, but hey...I don't zip at warp speed on hot days; heck..everyday in Sillypore is hot, and I cruise at an easy 100-110km/h at most. I only zip the corners.

I'm Xiaxue?

Congratulations Caleb, you are...

(I removed the picture because it's too big for my template, and everyone knows what Xia Xue looks like anyway)

'Xia Xue' Wendy Cheng of xiaxue.blogspot.com

You are a goddess/god. You've got the looks, the brains and the body. You have such an irreverent sense of humour, people listen to you religiously and worship the ground you walk on. On the other hand you can also be straightforward, blunt and very very controversial. That has the potential to offend many people, but of course you don't care, you just shoot. In the end, people either love you or hate you. Nothing in between.

Which Singaporean Blogger Are You?

Would you believe this?!? Dammit, why doesn't anyone worship the ground I blog on? I could turn my flat room into some shrine and collect entrance fees from those who want to worship that little square meter where I sit my fat arse down to blog. And I'd be rich...ok maybe not so rich..given the number of people coming to read this blog regularly...but heck.

***************************************************************8

English Genius You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 93% Expert!

You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go! Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it! For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 71% on Beginner You scored higher than 60% on Intermediate You scored higher than 51% on Advanced You scored higher than 92% on Expert

Link: The Commonly Confused Words Test written by shortredhead78 on OkCupid Free Online Dating

***************************************************************

Your IQ Is 130

Your Logical Intelligence is Exceptional Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Exceptional

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

******************************************************

The True You

You want your girlfriend or boyfriend to be more relaxed, calm, and composed.

With respect to money, you are a bit stingy.

You think good luck doesn't exist - reality is built on practicalities.

The hidden side of your personality tends to be satisfied to care for things with a minimal amount of effort.

You are tend to think about others' feelings a lot, perhaps because you are so eager to be liked.

When it comes to finding a romantic partner, you make opportunities to interact with many people through club activities or a hobby, then select someone you like.

Who's the True You?

****************************************************************

Your #1 Love Type: INFP

The Idealist In love, you crave a long term, harmonious relationship. For you, sex doesn't come quickly - it takes time for you to open up. Overall, you are supportive, nurturing, and expressive. However, you tend to be shy and protective of your personal space. Best matches: ENFJ and ESFJ

Your #2 Love Type: ENFP

The Inspirer In love, you are passionate and eager to develop a strong bond. For you, sex should be playful, creative, and affectionate. Overall, you are perceptive and bring out the best in your partner. However, you tend to hold on to bad relationships after they've turned bad. Best matches: INTJ and INFJ

What's Your Love Type?

****************************************************************8

Your Deadly Sins

Gluttony: 60%

Sloth: 60%

Wrath: 60%

Greed: 20%

Lust: 20%

Envy: 0%

Pride: 0%

Chance You'll Go to Hell: 31%

You'll die from food poisoning - and then the natives will feast on your fatty limbs.

How Sinful Are You?

Euch...I knew it. Me and my spare tire....

**********************************************************8

Part Romantic Kisser

For you, kissing is all about feeling the romance You love to kiss under the stars or by the sea The perfect kiss involves the perfect mood It's pretty common for kisses to sweep you off your feet

Part Shy Kisser

You *do* love to kiss, once your comfortable with it And that means knowing the person you're kissing pretty well You usually don't make the first move when it comes to making out But you've got plenty of intensity in return

What Kind of Kisser Are You?

Riding hard, fast, safely AND taking a few corners.

Underwater Scenery 2

I got the rest of the photos today, meeting the rest of the group save Jia Hui, who blur until thought the meeting is tomorrow...wa kaoZ.

Well, here goes. The Rantings of an ilKhan @ metalfyre.blogspot.com presents the largest Photoblog ever. The second installment from the first Underwater Scenery post. I uploaded the underwater pictures before the ones on the digital camera. Enjoy the 158++ photos (I lost count). Click on the photos to see the full resolution picture.

Seascape & some fish


Me and Yao Hong, my dive buddy.


The big, mean fish that almost bit Dawn...naughty naughty


Fish foraging at the seabed.


Blue Fish...duh?


Butterfly fish (recognised it from a stamp) below a set of flippers.


The female version of the mean fish.


Christmas Tree worms again..


Corals


Huge school of anchovies...yum yum..


An assortment of fish above corals.


Fish, taking refuge from me within the corals.


Fantastic seascape again.


Christmas Tree worms, and half my fat finger.


Jia Hui, Dawn and Yao Hong pointing to some coral Dawn is holding.


Huge blue starfish...


Dawn just had to pick it up for a snazzy shot with Jia Hui.


Yao Hong, hiding behind Jia Hui and Dawn.


Yao Hong, snapping me snapping him.


Dawn and my *sigh* fat finger again...


A black sea cucumber.


That's me, and Yao Hong at the corner.


Don't I look like some ninja turtle in that suit?


Fish n corals.


Arrival at Mersing Jetty. Yao Hong, totally bushed. Mini van 1, Yao Hong 0.


Me, utterly disgusted at the state of the toilets. Naah, the toilets were clean. I was just very hot. I think. Also starring Yao Hong.


Jia Hui, Me and Yao Hong, nursing his bruised hand.


I'm distracted, beside the red eyed demon Yao Hong (even his chinese name means 'red), and Dawn.


These bruised fingers are the reason Yao Hong saw red.


Arrival at Pulau Aur. A view of the jetty.


Me, totally wet and nauseated.


Yao Hong, enjoying free flow milo.


Me, trying to figure where that flower crab went.


The girls' room.


The beachside 'boulevard'


Dawn, trying to dance to the beat of Village People's 'YMCA'


Jia Hui, opting for the more classic pose.


The jetty.


The narcissistic duo, Jia Hui n Dawn.


At least now you are allowed a glimpse of the background..


Eagle Island. There was once an eagle there. Once.


Coconut trees. Many people die from falling coconuts annually.


Hey, I'm trying to sleep here! NS style bunking with Yao Hong and Ming Yao.


Jia Hui in her little bed booth.


Jia Hui, invading the guys' room.


Taking a little nature snooze.


Yao Hong, the human road block on the bridge.


A closer look at his nip...erm...Yao Hong.


Enjoying the sun and the sand.


Jia Hui looks like she caught something.


Jia Hui. Sitting on a rock.


Ninja Turtle Jia Hui, beached.


Dawn, posing prettily on the rock.


Er...it takes more than a handful of sand to bury me.


Jia Hui, trying to make it look like she's balancing Eagle Island on her finger, and failing.


Dawn, not doing any better.


Ninja turtle Donatello Dawn.


Gawd...I look hideous when I'm asleep...


Beach rugby; a tussle between Dawn and Yao Hong.


Yao Hong, with the Angle (ankle) Lock.


After effects of the beach WWF tussle.


I wonder why Dawn's pointing at my butt....


Jia Hui, with the baby shampoo cum demister.


Fish at the jetty.


There are so many...


Yao Hong and Jia Hui, watching the fish. See my foot? I'm about to boot them into the sea.


Lazy to turn the picture. So incline your head. That's Dawn, Yao Hong and me. I kicked Jia Hui into the sea..kekeke...


They forced me to admit it was me who kicked her down... :(


And applied excruciating torture...I couldn't help that face...honest.


The jetty by night.


Jia Hui, shaken by the ordeal.


Jia Hui and the oxygen canisters.


The girls have a finger fetish.


The boat that takes us out to prime diving spots.


Dawn, posing with someone else's gear...har har..


Yao Hong, Jia Hui, Dawn and I...about to take a crap


Jia Hui and Dawn, so awestruck by the myriad assortment of stars they fell asleep.


Our Feet.


Jia Hui and Dawn, bathing with their clothes on??


Me, Dawn, Jia Hui, Ming Yao and Yao Hong.


Me, Yao Hong and Ming Yao.


Kitchen area.


Dawn and Jia Hui.


Beach volleyball area. We use coconuts to play here.


The beach we stargazed from.


That's the derelict they use to transport the heavy equiptment.


Partially submerged corals.


Look how clear the water is..


Another view of the beach...


I wonder if Sang Nila Utama would've chosen this site for Temasek if he'd seen this instead...


Shoreline of Pulau Aur, with Eagle Island on the far left.


Clear, clear waters. You don't see this in Singapore :(


View of the dorms from the jetty.


Another look.


Dawn, Jia Hui and Yao Hong, all ready to leave.


Narcissistic me. I'm getting fat...


The lone, brave coconut tree.


Yao Hong and Ming Yao, walking to our boat. It's the slower one on the right.


Even so far out, the water's clear enough for you to see the bottom.


Corals, visible from the surface.


Sunni, our dive instructor, perched on the ship's prow. People, we have a new figurehead.


An oil slick.


Last look at the jetty.


More underwater corals.


Our Kampong-style resort.


On the boat. Facing us is Mr. Vomit and the kid who didn't dive.


Fair weather, not as much rocking as before.


Captain's Point.


Dawn, the unlucky one who got 'triggered'.


Eagle Island from the boat.


Looks like a dormant dinosaur...


A last look at Kg Sebukang.


Dawn and Jia Hui, posing with a Dive Log that isn't theirs.


Nelson, the Dive Master who taught me so much.


Leon, the other group's Dive Instructor playing brick game.


The 2 Dive Masters conferencing.Man I wish I had abs like that...


The 2 malay Dive Instructors.


The scars of the veteran. (Trigger fish bite)


Playing 'Asshole Daidee'...I'm winning...ohh yeah! The rest got so bored of watching me win they went to sleep.


The champion starting to get comfy...


Jia Hui likes my sunglasses...


Dawn likes them too!


Dawn, with the cards she stole from me. No shit..


Haha actually by then, Dawn was starting to win. The game gets boring (haha) and we shift our attention to the sunset.


Looks like it's gonna rain...> <


Looming clouds...


Sky getting darker..


Raining in the distance.


The cloud, spending its fury on some poor, innocent trees.


Jia Hui and Dawn..looking sian coz when they start winning, everyone starts looking at clouds...


Me, Jia Hui, Nelson and Dawn.


Clockwise from Bottom: Ming Yao, Me, Sunny, Jia Hui, Dawn and Yao Hong.


Er...act cute ah?


Oh ya...now I remember...we were trying to show Dawn how much of a wreck her hair was...


Back at Mersing.


I look like I need to take a leak...


Dinner time...yum yum...


My new ride...


Yeehaw...


Yao Hong, swigging almost an entire cupful of champaigne.


Okok that was chinese tea la...don't gimme that look.


They salted and packed the fish I caught on my diving trip... 



Riding hard, fast, safely AND taking a few corners.