Adrian Lai The FUCKING GAY MODERATOR OF GAReNA

FUCK I M HACKED !

2010-11-12T11:00:00.004+08:00

I HAVE BEEN HACKED
WULALALALALA

ADRIAN YOU SUCK CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD XD

PASSWORD REMOVED I DONT WANT TO SHARE IT
LAD aka La Dotta people hate you so stuck your head into the toilet bowl and flush it . Use secret question to recover your email to get this password .

I didnt do anything with your facebook good luck if it does happen meaning other people did it I shared your password for like 30 min good luck .

INFO :
Dont get panic your garena stuff is still safe I'm just a grey hat
I do no harm but it's just for fun to release stress XD

VISIT :
And chill out listen to Like A G6 song youtube it
Good Luck Getting your account back you can use your secret question to get it back if you want .
I didnt change that because I hack for fun not to kill you XD

REGARDS, GREY HAT

UNIQLO Opening

2010-11-12T10:57:00.000+08:00

Hey all,

Sorry for months of inactivity. From now on, posts on DotA will take a backseat as I'm working with an independent newspaper called The Malaysian Insider. This is my first story: Have fun reading!

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/uniqlo-fever-hits-kuala-lumpur/

LOST founder interviewed

2010-07-10T02:11:00.001+08:00

The man behind the LOST project, Ibrahim "luccianoz" Zebdeh, talks about his dreams and aspirations of making DotA a more popular game.

The man behind the LOST project, Ibrahim "luccianoz" Zebdeh, talks about his dreams and aspirations of making DotA a more popular game.

Ibrahim "luccianoz" Zebdeh made headlines a few weeks ago when he announced the creation of a new DotA team called LOST, which consists of the players from Ducky's Dream Team (DDT). Although the team only managed a top eight finish during Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC) in Paris recently, the LOST founder proved to the world that he is a serious sponsor willing to send a DotA squad to participate in a LAN event.

Just moments ago, Ibrahim sat down with Nirvana Sports for a brief interview about his current goals for the LOST project as he aims to contribute to the DotA community by promoting the game by sponsoring a well-known DotA team and organising his own DotA LAN tournament. He also plans to send his team to compete in the upcoming SMM Grand National DotA tournament that will be held later this year in Malaysia.

Below is an excerpt of the interview:

Statement Ibrahim 'Luccianoz' Zebdeh, CEO of LOST Project:
"People have been comparing me to Junsheng "loveen" Chang and I have to say that I am different from him; he is trying to create an unbeatable dota team, while I am trying to make DotA more popular. I never spoke to the guy but I respect him a lot for making such a great team. I am sure that loveen and I can be of great assistance to each other in achieving our future goals."
The LOST DotA team currently sets its sights on winning two of the most anticipated online tournaments this year, namely Peregrine MYM Prime Defending #12 and DotA League's Razer Global Challenge.

Help me win a Razer Naga Mouse!!

2010-06-02T08:46:00.003+08:00

Guys,

Help me win a Razer Naga mouse! It's a contest hosted my Razer called Get Imba and Share. All you have to do is click on the link below and my chances of winning it will get higher!

So what are you waiting for? http://www.razerzone.com/getimba-share-n-win/uc862zn

Thanks ALOT!

Nirvana.Fear and MuFC entertain New Zealand team

2010-05-09T19:16:00.003+08:00

Hey DotA fans,

The legendary Clinton 'Fear' Loomis just joined up with Malaysia's upcoming team MuFC.SC in a scrimmage against New Zealand's finest Team Yasu. Also included in the star-studded lineup is none other the Ks.LGD-TeKniqZ.

Download the 3-replay pack here:
http://replay.garena.com/view.php?id=4be6996a325b9 - 1st game.
http://replay.garena.com/view.php?id=4be69a2b2163b - 2nd game.
http://replay.garena.com/view.php?id=4be69a887540c

Enjoy. Next this team will face off against ex-AEON.cgc members in a new team called LGD.YS. Stay tuned for streams and replays!

Sociology Research Project

2010-05-01T16:59:00.003+08:00

Hi guys,

Since I have not been posting at all these past few months, I might as well entertain you with a sociological paper I wrote on the E-Sports Industry in Malaysia. I scored 89 for the Sociology so I'm assuming this is a good paper to read. However, the 2,500 word limit was a little frustrating for me as I had many other things to talk about in depth and detail.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading whatever I have to offer here concerning one of the passions of my life apart from writing: professional gaming. Feel free to post your comments and feedback via email, MSN, Facebook, Twitter or Blogger. Lastly, I would like to thank all the people who assisted in the making of this paper as well as the interviewees.

Happy Labour Day!

Download here (MS Word 1997/XP Compatible): http://www.mediafire.com/?znjonmj2fwm

Kingsurf: There has been a serious misunderstanding

2010-03-13T19:59:00.004+08:00

Kingsurf's manager released a press statement to denounce a news report made earlier about TeKniqZ's addition into the team.

Kingsurf has always been a household name in the world of DotA, having won numerous local and international championships over the years. Apart from getting 2nd place in ESWC 2008, they recently claimed 5th place in SMM 2009.

However when it comes to online tournaments, Kingsurf does not seem to perform that well most probably due to lag issues as they perished in the early stages of Gosucup #2. After the departure of Hock Chuan 'ChuaN' Wong early this year, Kingsurf seeked David ' Xiaoxiaofong' Yin Fong to fill the void and this has been their team roster ever since.

Several hours ago, the international DotA community was stunned after a news report was released on GosuGamers.net announcing the recruitment of Asia Elite DotA League administrator Sean Michael 'TeKniqZ' Mascarenhas. The fans were even more baffled after noticing veteran player Wei Siang 'papaxiong' Lee's absence from the current roster and questioned this audacious replacement.

Kingsurf without Papaxiong?

As we all know, the players from Kingsurf can barely communicate in English and the addition of TeKniqZ just does not seem right. Therefore, myMYM decided to investigate this matter and we were surprised by the statements we got from Papaxiong and Kingsurf's team manager, Ken Wee 'Ken' Low.

Statement Wei Siang 'papaxiong' Lee, Kingsurf player:

"This morning a couple of my friends including Tofu linked me to the news. I was actually taken aback after going through the article a couple of times. I was not aware that the recruitment was confirmed nor the fact that I was booted from the team without even knowing. After making an urgent call to my manager, I was assured that my place in the squad was never in any threat. Ken will definitely be giving an official statement soon to clear up this mess."

Statement Ken Wee 'Ken' Low, Kingsurf manager:

"Apparently, there has been a serious misunderstanding. First of all, papaxiong is still a part of Kingsurf and it will remain that way until he decides otherwise. As for Sean, he is still under probation and will remain as a practice partner and continue to participate in our practice games. Please note that all E-sports journalists should go through me first to validate any sources of information that relates to Kingsurf before posting it up. As the manager, I am entitled to that privilege."

Source: myMYM.com Written by: La_DottA

Of Jerks and Love

2010-01-28T12:30:00.004+08:00

The following message is dedicated to all the jerks in my life, whether I like them or not. I very seldom hate anybody but there are those who really annoy me and ruffle my fur. I know you won't know who you are but please try and look in the mirror sometime.

"A jerk, then, is a man (or woman) who is utterly unable to see himself as he appears to others. He has no grace, he is tactless without meaning to be, he is a bore even to his best friends, he is an egotist without charm. All of us are egotists to some extent, but most of us - unlike the jerk - are perfectly and horribly aware of it when we make asses of ourselves. The jerk never knows."

-Sydney Harris

And now the definition of Love by yours truly:

"Love is like a bouquet of flowers. Its assorted colours are breathtakingly beautiful, and its aroma can be mesmerising. You tend to it everyday, you water it, you take care of it. But it comes a day when its colours start to fade and its scent loses its splendour. Ultimately, you just throw it away, in search of a new bouquet in its stead."

2010-01-23T13:33:00.003+08:00

In the near future, DotA players will be able to reconnect to games even after they have dropped.

In IceFrog's latest statement, he has announced the introduction of a groundbreaking tool that allows DotA players to reconnect to the game even after they have dropped. Popular for his famous Ghost hosting bot, Varlock is the person responsible for creating one of the most useful tools for the DotA community to date.

IceFrog also states that Varlock has "done a successful concept test on this functionality and will work on implementing it for public use in the future." This innovative tool is expected to work on Battle Net, Garena and all other hosting platforms but it is still unknown when it will be officially released.

In theory, both the disconnected player and host must have the custom reconnect tool running for the former to rejoin. However, other players who do not have the program will not be affected in any way. If you have any feedback or enquiries pertaining to the tool, you can email Varlock directly at hogantp@gmail.com.

Source: PlayDotA.com

DotA Pride Asia League

2010-01-17T13:16:00.003+08:00

Hey guys,

Are you tired of games full of leavers? Ever thought of slugging it out with the region's professional players? Well you might just get the chance to do so as DotA Pride has opened up an Asian League that will cater to all players on the continent, including Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, China and the Philippines.

But that's not all, there is also a Public league which is open to the entire world!

All you have to do is post a vouch request containing your name, skill level, proficiency in English, and so on.

If you would like to get vouched for DotA Pride Public, visit this link.
If you would like to get vouched for DotA Pride Asia, visit this link.

Refer here for the latest news:
DotA Pride opens two new leagues.
Interview with new DotA Pride admins.

Xiaoxiaofong Joins Kingsurf!

2010-01-10T13:55:00.003+08:00

Hey guys,

I've written a news piece on Xiaoxiaofong joining team Kingsurf. Read all about it by clicking the link below.

Kingsurf fills fifth spot

The Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse Review

2010-01-09T15:53:00.003+08:00

Attention All Razer Fans,

I've written a short and concise review of the Razer Lachesis 3G Laser Gaming Mouse. Do let me know if it's of any use to you. It's my first time writing a gaming equipment review and it's quite tough at first.

The Razer Lachesis Product Review
By Adrian ‘La_DottA’ Lai

*Note: I’m leaving out the part about the unboxing as I lost the pictures (therefore I’ve merely taken pics from other sites) and I feel every Razer unboxing reveals the same boring stuff (cert. of authenticity, stickers, driver).

Introduction

The engineering maestros down at the Razer Research Facility never fail to impress gamers worldwide with their state-of-the-art innovations and stylish gaming equipment. This time around, I will be looking at one their newest additions to their range of gaming mice: the Razer Lachesis 3G gaming mouse. Compared to the its predecessors in the lineup, the Lachesis employs an entirely different technology with its third generation laser sensor. Equipped with a ground-breaking 4000 DPI (dots per inch) maximum sensitivity, this mean fighting machine should be coveted by every hardcore high senstivity gamer.

With its third generation laser sensory, Razer hopes to solve the many inadequacies that came along with the current second laser sensor mice, namely the Logitech G9 and the Saitek Cyborg.

However, what is most striking about this particular model is its radical and ambidextrous designs. Let’s have a closer look at the Razer Lachesis and decide if it deserves the ‘Bringer of Silent Death’ tagline.

Specifications

•*4000dpi Razer Precision 3G Laser™ sensor
* 32KB Razer Synapse™ onboard memory
* Nine independently programmable Hyperesponse™ buttons
* 1000Hz Ultrapolling / 1ms response time
* On-The-Fly Sensitivity™ adjustment
* Variable true dpi setting adjustments in increments of 125dpi
* Always-On™ mode
* Ultra-large non-slip buttons
* 16-bit ultra-wide data path
* 60-100 inches per second
•Colours: White, Red and Blue
•Retail Price: RM 268 (As of December 2009)

Features and Designs

The Lachesis is known for its trademark ambidextrous design which is an attractive selling point for left-handed gamers. This is certainly a god-send as most other gaming brands out there (Razer, Logitech, Steelseries) only cater to right-handed gamers.

However, after close inspection, the ambidextrous design is a flaw in itself: the side buttons are not as useable as they should be, and the mouse is not as comfortable to hold as it could be.

The Lachesis is comparatively long, flat and requires gamers to palm it in order to obtain a firm grip on it. It is also important to note that it will not be very comfortable for low-sensitivity gamers who prefer to drag their mouse around. Oddly enough, once the DPI is turned up high, the shape of the Lachesis works really well if you rest your palm on the back and move the mouse around with your fingertips.
Another awesome feature on the Lachesis would be its on-the-fly DPI adjustments. Without having to install any drivers whatsoever, gamers will be able to toggle between 4 pre-programmed DPI settings via the two buttons behind the scroll wheel. This allows gamers to play different games at different, customisable sensitivities.
Of course, every other button can also be customized and be saved in five separate profiles that can be switched back and forth at the bottom of the mouse. All this is made possible with its 32kb of onboard memory.

Picture Courtesy of techPowerUp

The mouse also comes with not one, but two glowing parts, namely the scroll wheel and the pulsating Razer logo on the back which really is a nice touch, not to mention the sense of style it generates.

Use and Testing

I’ve tried out the Lachesis for about two weeks now and the results are staggering. It took me approximately three days to get used to its over-the-top “Batmobile” looks and here is what I have come up with:

1. As I have mentioned earlier, the side buttons are not the easiest to use, compared to those of the Deathadder model, but nonetheless the DPI-swicthing buttons have compensated for them.

2. I have tried using the mouse on three different mousing surfaces, namely the Razer Goliathus, Steelseries QCK and Razer Destructor. On the cloth mats, you will not believe how much the cursor jerks by itself and not being responsive to my hand movements. This, I believe, is attritbuted to how the laser sensor reacts to the fibre of the mat which makes it unstable. On the hard-surface pad like the Destructor, however, the Lachesis works like a charm! The mouse elegantly glides over the pad without much effort and my hand finally feels at ease.

3. After using the Lachesis on RTS games like Red Alert 3, DotA and Starcraft, I have achieved pin-point precision as to where I want to move and move around my armies next. The 9 customizable buttons also help assist me in my microing skills. As for FPS games like Counter Strike and Team Fortress 2, the DPI-switching comes in handy for different guns and fragging becomes that much simpler.

Conclusion

Pros
• Stylish looks
• A hell lot of buttons
• Able to switch between DPIs with ease is an added plus
• 4000 DPI is a must have for super-speed players

Cons
• Bad ergonomics. Not one of the most cumfortable mouse to use
• Pricey
• Easily scratched and fingerprint magnet
• Fragile mousefeet that wear down easily after long use

In a nutshell, the Razer Lachesis is definitely a mouse worth using, just because it offers an insane maximum resolution of 4000 DPI. The mouse does need some getting used to but once you’ve tamed the wild stallion, nothing shall get in your way from dominating your opponents freely. The mouse does feel comfortable on a normal sized hand and works even better if you use your fingertips to control the mouse. This is a must-have if you are a left-handed player, or if you’re looking for a mouse that matches lightning-speed hands or even if you have the extra money. Seriously, this is a masterpiece that no avid gamer should miss out on.

Overall Score: 9.1 / 10

Applying to be a Movie Reviewer

2010-01-09T12:34:00.003+08:00

Hey guys!

Recently my good friend Kidson Ho introduced me to apply for a job opening as an editor for a company which owns several websites. As I was hungry for more working experience, I immediately applied and received two assignments which I had to finish in 3-4 hours: 1) write something on mink blankets and 2) write any movie review. They wanted to test me on my English and warned me not to plagiarize. Well this is what I've come up with so do have a read!

PS: I have sent my work and awaiting any good news :)
PPS: Do let me know what you think about these 2 articles. I would very much appreciate any constructive criticisms.

• As there are no specific guidelines for the writing of this article on mink blankets, I will assume it is meant to educate potential customers on what mink blankets really are and why they should purchase one themselves; which in turn serves as an efficient promotional advertisement.

Mink Blankets: A Global Trend!

Let’s face it, there are some things at home that we just can’t live without these days: the television, air-conditioning, the washing machine, beds, pillows and yes, blankets too. Believe it or not, blankets are virtually a must-have in every household in the world; many people out there, including me, depend on them to get a better night’s sleep! Most of us would know that quality blankets do not come cheap. More often than not, we tend to give up such luxury and devise ways to save that extra buck. Some fancy self-made quilt blankets which are inexpensive but requires hours of work. Others settle for inferior towel-like blankets which can keep us sneezing the whole night. Being a really experienced homemaker, I can get really fussy when it comes to choosing quality and comfortable blankets for my family and I.

Recently, I chanced upon a kind of blankets that may not be too familiar to some of us but has turned out to be a trend-setting phenomenon elsewhere across the world. I was first introduced to mink blankets by a friend of mine after I complained to her that my existing blankets were worn out and no longer comfortable. She then suggested that I try out mink blankets for a change. “After all, mink blankets are known for their comfort and beautiful designs,” she said coolly. Being a fanatical animal-lover, naturally my initial response was less than pleasant! However, I later realized that mink blankets are not what their name implies after all. They are actually made of acrylic material which only mimics the feel and texture of real fur. Mink blankets originated primarily from Korea and China where they adopted the name ‘mink’ to describe how soft acrylic blankets feel and how luxurious they can actually look.

After much persuasion and persistence, I finally went ahead and ordered my very own set of mink blankets from a Fine Mink Blankets Sdn. Bhd. outlet for each of my family members. After several days of use, we managed to come up with only one conclusion: the mink blankets were nothing less than exceptional. The new blankets needed no getting used to as they kept us tucked in bed longer than any of their dull predecessors. Besides looking really gorgeous with its colourful themes and detailed designs, the mink blankets left us absolutely impressed with its unrivalled comfort that is only comparable to real fur. I now realise, with some measure of guilt, how enjoyable it really is to be covered in a plush, furry and warm blanket while drifting off to a long, deep slumber.

* Please note that FMB Sdn. Bhd. is a fictional company.

Shortly after, I decided to explore the world of mink blankets even further by trying out different types of mink blankets which are manufactured by other companies, namely San Marcos, Novatex, Ibena, Beiderlack and Fingerhut. In comparison, each company was only able to showcase a couple of unique mink blankets at best while the rest of their offerings looked rather dreary and generic. The designers at Fine Mink Blankets (FMB) however boast a cool collection of over 75 equally beautiful designs that are complimented with premium grade acrylic fibre. Although FMB also offers a range of cheaper ‘standard’ grade acrylic, rival models simply cannot compare in terms of overall quality and merely fizzles out of the competition.

* The other companies listed above and real mink blanket manufacturers.

After some research and information-digging, I learned a couple of this company’s trade secrets and how these factors have attributed to their continuing success in the Malaysian market. Mink blanket enthusiasts might not realize that many of FMB’s animal and flower themes were designed by the world renowned Bayer textile company in Germany. This same firm also produces “Dralon” acrylic, arguably the best blanket acrylic in the world.

*Dralon acrylic is in fact an internationally famous acrylic fibre.

What impressed me most is how well my superior mink blankets look even after several times of washing. Unlike their more inferior counterparts, FMB’s mink blankets have certainly come out tops in the tests of determining quality. Unfortunately, I am not able to let you feel and experience the soft, delicate touch of mink blankets by just describing them in words or showing you pictures. If you are looking for durable, reasonably priced, comfortable and yet pretty set of blankets, then mink blankets are certainly the ones for you. Don’t worry about sizes and colour as you would be spoiled for choice: sizes range from throws to twins, queens and kings and come in seven unique colours.

Just head down to one of Fine Mink Blankets’ outlets and you are well your way to a better night’s sleep for years to come.

===========================================

2012 Movie Review

Now here’s a movie that attracts crowds. Droves upon droves of people would be more than willing to spend RM 10 on a movie ticket just to see Roland Emmerich’s version of how the world will come to an end. Well I’m sure everyone is somewhat excited when it comes to disaster film, even though each and every one of them offers the same few ingredients on the plate: violence, tragedy, carnage, death, and tons of explosions. Yes, moviegoers are expecting fireworks and they are out for blood. I believe we enjoy them so much probably because of simple reason: while we sit comfortably in the cinema munching on some popcorn, we relish the fact their we can laugh at our not-so-fortunate characters on the big screen juggling between saving the world and not get killed in the process. Only when we leave the cinema do we realise that Judgment Day could really just be two years away. That is what makes 2012 different from all the rest; it gives you a preview of what may or not may not come. But at the end of the day, it all boils down whether or not the entire flick was even worth watching.

In Roland Emmerich’s alter-Earth, he sets out on what could be his final disaster blockbuster and he’s pulling out all the stops on this one. Known for his other memorable works like Independence Day, Godzilla, and The Day After Tomorrow, fans and critics alike are expecting an extravaganza like never before. If you’re in for the much hyped about CGI scenes, then this movie will keep you at the edge of your seats. Forget it if you’re planning to watch a deep thrilling movie with a thick plot because this one is a definite no-brainer. You might be fooled because the movie itself starts off decently with a proper plot development and the introduction of key characters like Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) who is failed science-fiction writer and part-time limousine driver, and Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who first realises the Earth is falling apart. After 30 minutes of dialogue and lessons in Geography, Emmerich finally shifts gear and lets the CGI take over the silver screen. Doomsday is choreographed in real time with the destruction of California (yes, Arnold Scharwzenegger dies) and we see our heroes somehow managing to escape nature’s onslaught quite easily while millions other perish instantly.

If you’re catching my drift, this is where things get really insane, in a farfetched sort of way: what are the chances of Jackson Curtis acquiring an air-plane by just giving away a WATCH as collateral; have an ex-wife (Amanda Peet) who dates a plastic surgeon who somehow has training as a novice pilot? We’ll have to assume it’s sheer luck made possible only in Hollywood, since there is no other logical explanation. As Armageddon gets underway, Jackson Curtis and company finally arrive in Las Vegas where they meet up with his ex-boss, Yuri Karpov (Zlatko Burić), an Ukrainian billionaire who conveniently secures an Antonov aircraft and leaves just in time be to China where 3 arks are waiting for 400,000 handpicked and really rich individuals to arrive.

Here’s another flaw in the story which makes absolutely no sense at all: if I were someone rich like Karpov who has a ticket way in advance, knowing the world is ending soon, would I still be languishing in Las Vegas hoping an Antonov to appear from nowhere? But let’s be reasonable, people: for a movie to be fun, it has to be utterly nonsensical as well. As anyone would expect, the giant Antonov eventually runs out of fuel and crash lands on the mountainous region of China. You won’t see its passengers worry at all though, because beyond this vast wasteland, a fleet of People’s Liberation Army helicopters happen to pass by. Obviously only people who had tickets were airlifted but I can assure you Jackson Curtis is one blessed man and makes it to the ark anyway.

To sum it all up, this is one funny movie with scenes that are hilarious, although sometimes I suspect they were not meant to be so… ticklish. The plot fizzles away into the nothingness, the weak script would have destroyed the entire movie were it not for some decent acting by the cast and the CGI effects becomes a tee-wee bit repetitive and boring towards the end. Watch it once and you’ll feel this movie is like a salad bowl where bits of Emmerich’s previous movies are tossed into becoming one ‘great movie’. If it’s any consolation, 2012 is not at all a boring movie. It is a very entertaining movie which is quite satisfying but sadly not memorable.

Santa Claus, Father Christmas!

2009-12-26T16:08:00.007+08:00

Well after thinking for long hours and discussing with friends, I have decided on a winner!

Congratulations, Hoo91, I felt your entry best suited the Spirit of Christmas and what Father Christmas stands for; a symbol of peace, love and harmony! You have earned yourself 21 days of Premium Membership, as there are 12 days of Christmas. You might be wondering about the remaining 9 days? It was very hard to choose between entries because everyone had something special to offer.

Thus, I've also decided to include other people's creative insights on their own versions of Santa Claus. Your names will be mentioned under 'Honorary Mentions'.

Honorary Mentions

Neshan Sivaji
-F4D-rIsK.MaRio
Kill_Eu_Noobs
jiajiamon_90
-Impressive-r
Mz.D3vizZ^

Santa Claus
Father Christmas

By Neshan:

Affiliation: Neutral
Str: 24+2.5 Agi:15+1.6 Int:19+2.1
Damage:45-53

HP: 587

Mana:278

HP Regen: 0.9

Mana Regen:0.7

Attack speed: 1.5

Amour: 2

Hero Introduction

In my opinion, I would prefer to see Santa Claus as a neutral hero.

Santa Claus does not choose sides. Both the good and naughty heroes would still receive a gift from Santa.

As a hero which only appears to the land of DotA in the month of Christmas, Saint Nicholas strives to stop all the naughty kids a.k.a. the Lich King and his minions to stop waging war for a month and let them experience a peaceful and happy frosty Christmas!

With the aid of Rudolph the Reindeer and Santa's many magical elves, Santa is here to present every hero a magical Christmas this year! Ho Ho Ho :D

Skills

1st skill -Gift of Santa

This skill's effect is determined by how bad or how good you have been for the year. If you've been really bad.. Santa would give you a really good gift.

Throws a present to the target. Deals 1-500 dmg to an enemy, depending on how good or bad he had been for the year, or heals your ally for 1-500 hp depending on how good or bad he had been for the year. How good or bad you have been for the year? only Santa knows =D

Lv 1 - 1-200 damage or hp healed
Lv 2 - 1-300damage or hp healed
Lv 3 - 1-400damage or hp healed
Lv 4 - 1-500damage or hp healed

2nd skill - Elves of the North

The magical elven workers of Santa Claus are not going to let Santa the white old man battle alone. Summons magical elves which deals magic damage,granted with frost effect. Be rest assured that when Santa's in game's, his little minions are bound to join in the fun too!

Lv 1 - summon 1 magical elf
Lv 2 - summon 2 magical elves
Lv 3 - summon 3 magical elves
Lv 4 - summon 4 magical elves

Magical elves have 350 hp, are immmune to magic,deals 20-24 damage. Each elf has a 15% chance to summon another similar magical elf from the North Pole with every attack, allowing more of Santa's army to join in the fun.

3rd skill - Spirit of Christmas (passive)

After centuries of chimney climbing to give the children their presents, and falling down the chimney in the process, you always wondered why Santa never gets bodily pains or back problems.

The Spirit of Christmas comes in times of need and grants Santa never-ending abilities to climb chimneys and drop down without feeling much pain. Nothing stops Santa to give the kids their presents.

Lvl 1 - 15% chance to block half the damage received
Lv 2 - 20% chance to block half the damage received
Lv 3 - 25% chance to block half the damage received
Lv 4 - 30% chance to block half the damage received

Ultimate - Summons Rudolph the Reindeer down from his lazy sleep in the North, causing freeze effect for 2seconds and dealing 150damage in an AOE of 800 where Rudolph is brought down. Rudolph has chaos damage, frost attack, high hp, and has a slow aura which slows nearby units for 10% movement speed and 20% attack speed. Has greater resistance towards magic. Summoned Rudolph lasts 40 seconds.

Lv 1 - summons a Noob Rudolph ( 1000hp/ 50damage)
Lv 2 - summons a Lazy Rudolph (1350hp/ 80 damage)
Lv 3 - summons the Great Red Rudolph (1700hp/ 125 damage)

I guess that's all for the skills Santa would have if he were to be a hero in DotA Allstars =D

Christmas Premium Giveaway Update

2009-12-26T15:39:00.006+08:00

Hey folks,

I have received dozens of entries and most of them are reallly, really funny! You guys sure are fit for creative writing! Well, I will need some time to deliberate on whose 'Santa Claus the DotA Hero' is the best since all of them seem equally fun to play!

Happy Boxing Day :)

P.S. If anyone wants quality dental scaling in KL, I would suggest How's Orthodontics and Dental Surgery in Bangsar. Pain-free, lasts roughly 10 minutes, so comfortable that it makes you feel like sleeping and costs only RM 80. After the treatment your teeth will feel bright as day!

The DotA 6.65 Analysis!

2009-12-25T14:45:00.007+08:00

First of all, Merry Christmas to all my readers!

A couple of announcements before I move on:

1. To everyone who has trouble with his/her Garena account, feel free to post about it here: http://my.garena.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=36 [Account Support]

2. I have 21 days of Free Premium Membership to give away! All you have to do is submit:
a) Your Username (ID):
Username Number (UID):
b)Answer this question: If Santa Claus was a Hero in DotA Allstars, would he be a Sentinel, Scourge or Neutral Hero? Also give elaborate details of what kind of skills he has! The guide/essay which amuses me most will win! There is no fixed format to follow. Just be creative and have FUN!
c) Send your entries to charlemagne_rosperm@hotmail.com
d) Please send them by 26 December 2009 11.59 pm.
e) The best entry will be posted on this blog.

----------------------------------------------------------

http://www.playdota.com/changelogs/6.65

Well, finally two new heroes are introduced into the pool of almost 100. I've tried playing Slark the Nightcrawler and have come up with these thoughts:

1. Slark's early-game is definitely non-solo. His nukes are very expensive at first and it doesn't guarantee you an excellent farm, even if you stock up on several clarity potions. Also, his Dark Pact requires some HP sacrifice which is not at all wise to cast while laning. He does, however, possess decent last-hit capabilities and Pounce which is an OK escape mechanism.

So all he needs are some tangos to survive any harassings or a babysitter like Dazzle or Warlock.

2. But once he reaches Level 6, his Shadow Dance changes everything. He can now use Dark Pact and tank creeps at will because low HP is no longer a problem. All he has to do is be out of opponents' sight and regain HP at an incredible pace! All he has to worry about now is Mana, which can be solved by getting a Crystal Maiden in the team; or purchase some mana regenaration items.

3. I would suggest a Dagger/Lothar for this fella since his Pounce requires him to get as close as possible to an opponent for a successful lock. A Diffusal Blade would work well with him, or a Desolator. These 2 orb-effect items work very well with his 3rd skill, Essence Shift.

4. Last but not least, all Slark has to do is be able to survive early game (Hood/ Vanguard/ PT/ Poor Man's Shield) and the late game is definitely for him to own. Luxury items would be Butterfly, BKB (if he needs it) and Mjolnir/Satanic (assuming he doesn't get Deso/Diffusal)

5. Has anyone realised Slark can now be a ward-detector after Level 6?

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

With regards to other changes in the map, here are my favourites:

1. Love the part where my Ursa get to 'steal' Roshan's X'Mas hat after killing him.
2. WD's Ultimate is a Snowman throwing snowballs!
3. Kaldr is great, although I haven't played him yet (great combo with Pugna?)
4. Loved Alchemists' Unstable Concoction Remake. It's definitely a good nerf/balancing attempt.
5. Bone Fletcher is delighted to know he can now spam Searing Arrows at Level 3!
6. I don't really like reworked Jinada. But let's get used to the free maim ! :D
7. I like the new Urn, perhaps useful for heroes like Venomancer and Doombringer and also suppoters but I'll have to use it in-game a couple of times.
8. LOVE the new Teleport mechanism! The world of ganking is back!?!
9. Axe with Aghanim's Scepter = Ownage?
10. Blademail can no longer be abused so often.
11. Boots of Speed in the side-shop = Higher chances of killing/escaping early game without having to wait for a courier to send it over.
12. The days or Razor escaping with last-hits during teamfights may be over now with Vanguard getting nerfed.
13. I see they are promoting Maelstrom and Force Staff more these days :)
14. Radiance's AoE damage can now be toggled on and off! I wonder why? All I can think of so far is not attracting attention like Invisible Heroes (Bone, Weaver, Treant)
15. VARIOUSSS other hero buffs and nerfs which are making the game more balanced overall.
16. Visage still looks impressive with new nukes and stronger Blind Familiars.
17. Pugna can now decrepify Nether Ward? ROFLMAO can't wait to play noobs with this one.

Well do reply with a Blogger comment or email or drop a Facebook comment and furnish me with your own opinions on the new map.

Garena Malaysia Forum OFFICIALLY Launched!!

2009-12-12T22:20:00.003+08:00

Hey guys,

Today's is perhaps one of the happiest days of my life. After building a new home for so long, http://MY.Garena.com is finally complete! Gone are the days where we forumers had to cram all kinds of topics in one small country zone subforum! We now have so many sub-forums you can get LOST trolling in them!

So what are you waiting for! Visit http://MY.Garena.com/forum now and start foruming! You may even stand a chance to win exclusive prizes if you participate in our house-warming events and contests!

See you there!

Sponsor Us Please!

2009-12-12T15:42:00.002+08:00

Hey guys,

First of all an update on the Top Gear DotA competition that will be held on the 19-10 December 2009 in Taman Connaught:

1. Cheri Gaming will field in two girls for the competition, namely Suki and Sabee. Three guys who will make up the rest of the team will be Cybertime players. The remaining two Cybertime members will form another team with their manager. Although it has been agreed upon, I have yet to receive any confirmation of their attendance.

2. Meanwhile I am playing for a team called Say Your Prayers [SyP].

The bulk of this post however will lie here:

I've been notified of an upcoming tournament in China featuring all-girl teams only. This is indeed good news as teams like PMS, NyX and perhaps even Cheri would have a chance of playing competitively on level grounds. Most of my girls are willing to travel so far assuming we obtain some kind of sponsorship deal soon. Some well known female players like Shizuma also expressed willingness to join any team roster who is fully sponsored and subsidised

So, if you're someone who is resourceful, interested in competitive DotA and looking to promote Malaysian e-Sports, do contact me as soon as possible.

Introducing... Cheri Gaming!

2009-11-22T18:47:00.002+08:00

Hi guys,

I'm sure everyone knows Clan Always Best Clan DotA (aBcD) created and managed by yours truly, LaD. I've now decided to branch out and expand my 'franchise' even further by forming an all-new, all-girls DotA team. Any DotA enthusiast would also be familiar with the likes of PMS*Asterisk and NyX from Singapore. Well, it's time for Malaysia to show off her own counterparts. Ladies and gentlemen, it's with great pleasure I present to you: Cheri Gaming!

For more juicy information about them and our diabolical plans to rule the world, read here!

http://www.garena.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=874683&extra=page%3D1&page=1

Why Tinker Owns Viper

2009-11-22T15:03:00.008+08:00

Hey guys,

Terribly sorry for not updating in a long time. I've finally gotten rid of my writer's block. As it is the school holidays I have nothing better to do than once again enter the threshhold of competitive DotA. First off, a replay share of a draft match I had without some unknowns a couple of days ago. Oh by the way, the pictures above are the gaming gig I own and use during matches ^_^

Sentinel

Lich (Bottom then Roaming)
Lina (Solo top)
Viper (Solo mid)
Faceless Void (Bottom)
Tidehunter (Bottom then Top)

Scourge (My Side)

Necrolyte (Top - La_DottA)
Lord of Avernus (Top - Chun Kit)

Tinker (Solo Mid - Steve)

Vengeful Spirit (Roaming - Ming)

Sand King (Bottom - Kidson)

Pretty undesirable lanes, aren't they?

The Drafting Process

They started off banning 4 Intelligence heroes which was fair game in my opinion. I figured they wanted to take out these nukers to enable them to draft low-hp carries like Viper or Shadow Fiend. On the other hand, I was advised to ban Bat, Tauren, Shaker and Nerubian Assassin; 4 heroes we found difficulty in countering.

I believe their first mistake was to pick Viper first. That gave us ample time to bring out Sand King and Vengeful Spirit to take care of him. These 2 heroes make a good chain stun which serves massive damage which can obstruct, if not destroy, Viper's hopes of farming freely.

Their next picks were Lich and Tide, a fearsome duo I have faced several times. It took me quite a while to think of a solution but in the end I was convinced a Necro-Abaddon lane would ward off any threats in the top lane. They finished off their picks with Lina and a totally unorthodox hero: Faceless Void. Our last pick was probably the easiest and we decided to go with Tinker who could easily disarm Viper's domination until at least Level 6.

Post-game Analysis

I must say I'm 80% satisfied with how the game went on but it could have been better:

1. First and foremost, I made a terrible mistake letting Sand King alone in the bottom letting Faceless Void free-farm. But then again, the opponents made an even bigger mistake by letting Lina solo top; and not Lich-Tide as I expected.

2. Tinker did well against Viper until Level 5 since his Laser forced Viper to miss many of his toxic hits. What could have been better was to call for a gank on Viper when he had ulti and Tinker should have stocked up on TP scrolls as they can counter Viper's Poison Ultimate.

3. The warding and dewarding in our team was deplorable. We could have killed much more if it weren't for the enemies' strategic ward placings that alarmed them of an impending attack. However, this is a minor flaw that cna be brushed up with practice.

Well, I welcome more feedback from you readers after going through the replay. Also, if you're interested in scrimming with us, do drop a message :)

Adios!

Replay download link: http://replay.garena.com/view.php?id=4b08e3a3db912

In Need of Professionals

2009-11-01T18:42:00.003+08:00

Hi guys, just a short announcement. This is to be read by competitive, team-less and friendly DotA players only.

On the December 19th 2009, Top Gear Internet Cafe will be hosting its inaugural DotA competition. Tentatively, the prizes for the champion is RM 2000. Other prizes are not yet disclosed as discussions are still ongoing.

Most probably the top 4 Malaysian teams will be banned from attending so if you pros would like to form a team from scratch do contact me ASAP ;)

Regards,
LaD

P.S.: I'm sorry for not being able to update my blog sooner. I'm just looking for interesting topics to scribble about. Do stay tuned :)

Malaysian DotA Scene in Limbo

2009-10-17T13:25:00.010+08:00

This article is related to: Eryc: No legal action against myMYM.com

Pride of Malaysia: Kingsurf watches on as their then manager Eryc shakes hands with ex- Prime Minister Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi in 2008.

I am always on the lookout for talented teams and talented people, local or abroad. Believe it or not, watching them show-boating and displaying their mastery of the game spurs me on to continue playing. I'm glad to say I truly appreciate their efforts in making e-sports that much more exciting to follow. I'm sure millions of people around the world share the same adoration and admiration for these professionals as I do. But do you think these gifted players are given due recognition and respect from the world at large?

My answer is most definitely no. Sure, the best team in Asia, perhaps in the world, had the privilege to meet the Prime Minister and be wished good luck in person before their huge tournament in the US. They were also invited to talk on the 8TV Quickie program following their expected 2nd place result competing in the E-Sports World Cup (ESWC) in San Jose, California.

But with all due respect, all that is unnecessary and useless without proper endorsements and wholehearted support from the Malaysian government. What these players need is not just moral support, but monetary assistance from bigger organizations that is crucial to survive in this ever volatile industry.

Kingsurf showing off their silver medals after hard-fought battles.

If giant corporations like Telekom Malaysia are given a choice between professional Malaysian e-Sports and professional Malaysian football, choosing the former would not be such a bad choice. After all, Malaysia is considered as an Asian powerhouse in the gaming world. Were it not for general apathy from the public, government agencies and corporations, perhaps several of our prodigious gamers of yesteryear would have become commercially successful people today.

One such person who would have deserved it would be none other Paul Yan, who regarded his gaming career in Malaysia as 'successful' but ended on a negative note. I totally understand his grievances because relying on a small sponsorship a cyber cafe and paying his way through tournaments using his own money without the assurance of grabbing any prize money is not the safest way to earn big time as a professional.

Malaysian Warcraft III grandmaster, Paul Yan

Like many others across the world, it has always been my dream to play for a seeded team in top tier competitions. But so far this fantasy has not come to fruition. In any case, managing a group of promising individuals would be a more likely scenario. Of course, managing requires money: sending them to events, paying them salary, etc would cost quite a lot. However, what I have heard so far about the DotA business in this country has been far from promising, and quite disheartening in fact.

One of the best: Vasiliy "JoliE" Pepelyaev of Kingsurf International fame

Take Russian DotA legend Vasily "JoliE" Pepelyaev for example. His team was picked up by ex-Kingsurf manager Eryc more than a year ago as the international arm of the Kingsurf gaming brand. But apart from the joy of winning tournaments, he was deeply disappointed by how poorly his team was managed and that they did hardly received any salary in return for their efforts playing under the Kingsurf banner. In fact, his team had to pay for all transportation costs themselves while being assured they would be reimbursed in due time. Now, only the team's legacy remains as both the players and manager parted ways bitterly.

I personally do not feel surprised by this, although all these allegations have been denied by Eryc himself. Nevertheless, the money involved is pittance compared to the money involved in the lucrative industry of football, but as I've mention before, it fails to receive adequate attention by several quarters who can make a major difference and prevent such things from happening. Eryc is just one man, and he too may be at the mercy of external forces known only to him. In a nutshell, this proves to be yet another major setback or dterrent for aspiring teams who cannot afford to take gaming seriously as there are too many 'invisible barriers' to overcome.

Eryc with SK Gaming's former DotA Division.

What we need is a governing body, an organisation equal to the stature achieved by FIFA in the football world. This idea is not entirely new as it has been proposed by both players and managers alike. If the international community is willing to work together, the days of managers not paying for teams' expenditure, sponsoring cyber cafes who refuse to pay for event trips, dubious tournament organizers who do not pay out prize money should be over, once and for all. In Malaysia, the regulatory body for the DotA scene is Sendi Mutiara Multimedia Sdn. Bhd. (SMM) which watches over most major DotA tournaments across the nation. Apart from this, they also hold the biggest DotA festival annualy which offers one of the world's largest prize money which is an extra motivation boost to both local and international teams to soldier on. Let SMM help regulate what tournaments can be run, how much prize money is given out, get sponsors for teams and partners for tournaments alike. Provide us with a lifeline!

My hopes are that companies apart from SMM would finally understand the importance of e-Sports today and help play their part in expanding a field that I feel has great potential in the years to come. Let us not forsake those who have sacrificed their blood, sweat and tears in the name of e-Sports.

Palawan Island, a Lost Sanctuary?

2009-10-11T17:40:00.006+08:00

Last Friday, the class watched 2 Philippine documentaries about the natives who live on the island of Palawan, situated at the southern tip of the Philippines. Funded by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, the films set out to uncover the reasons behind the natives' dilemmas and miseries which have haunted them for generations. The indigenous ethno linguistic groups who live on Palawan Island include the the Tagbanua, Palawanon, Tau't, Bato, Visaya, Bugkalot and Igorot tribes. Some live in remote villages in the mountains and cultivated the lands there while seafarers occupy the coastal areas to fish and collect pearls. Apart from farming and gathering forest products, the Tagbanuan people are known to indulge in bird's nest-collecting activities which can provide extra income.

The films first attempt to introduce selected tribes in detail; the introduction may include their history, language, culture, performing arts, religion and economic activities. They do this by sharing knowledge of what they already know about a certain tribe and also excerpts from interviews of natives who provide the film makers with additional information. It is apparent that the director may have only chosen interviewees who could communicate in Tagalog, the basis of the national language of the Philippines, Filipino. The reason for this is perhaps for the convenience of the target audience, the Filipino people. The cameras also caught moments of everyday life: people dancing, eating, talking, smoking, etcetera. Perhaps the director aimed at portraying how simple life is in these parts, where people were care-free and blissful.

The films continue by discussing the grievances of the native people who were negatively affected by the forces of modernisation and how life was getting more complicated. For example, education in rural areas for the younger generation was generally opposed by the elders because they believed that Western education was a subversive element that could harm their people's mindset and uproot their millennia-old traditions. The natives also detested the mining facilities that were in place in the mountains to harvest valuable resources from the ground (which completely ruined intercropping activities) as well as blasting coral reefs to retrieve pearls. Again, the cameras are panned on the natives who express their dissatisfactions over such unfair circumstances. They do not seem to understand why they have to pay dearly for what the capitalists are doing to enrich themselves. One of the films openly criticises the Aquino family for playing a vital part in providing military support by sending in Marines to beef up security in areas controlled by Jewelmer, a famous local jewelry company which was harvesting pearls in the waters of Palawan Island. This angered local fishermen whose income was cut in half as they had no access to deeper waters.

As the films progresses, the audience is treated to more of nature's splendour, including the beautiful seasides, caves, Mount Apo and so forth. It is also interesting to note that the narrator often refers to the natives as 'they' and the audience as 'us'. Perhaps the films try to point out that the city folk or elitists have disregarded the indigenous people since they have barely any impact on Filipino society, though they have been around for 22,000 to 24,000 years. However, various quarters from several tribes are trying to make a difference by getting their respective tribes recognised by the national as well as the international community. For instance, obtaining the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) and Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) are personal victories for the natives that deserve a night-long feast.

The films then wrap up by asking the audience to not forsake their fellow brothers and sisters on Palawan Island as they seek the same things as all humans do: health and happiness. The films call out to the people to not despise them or regard them as an inferior race but instead help their fellow Filipinos to be independent and adapt to the changes of globalisation. The last few interviews also signals the natives' accepting change by sending their children to school and also enjoying the benefits of better roads, healthcare and wellbeing.

My Version of South East Asia (SEA)

2009-10-11T14:48:00.010+08:00

Last Friday, we were tasked by our lecturer Mr. Sharaad Kuttan to map out the South East Asian region without relying on the Internet or atlases, which proved to be a daunting challenge at that moment. I remembered the exact positions of all the ASEAN countries except Laos and Cambodia, but I was not able to depict each country's exact geographical features. Only then did it occur to me that I was oblivious to my own surroundings, and what was close to me: home. So here is my 'artwork' of South East Asia, relying only on my memory and common sense!

Now compare it with the official map of South East Asia:

Mr. Kuttan reminded us to not regard ourselves as merely Malaysians but also members of a much larger community. Besides remembering the geographical features South East Asia, familiarity with its rich history, cultures,politics and current events was also a prerequisite to be an efficient and knowledgeable journalist whose home comprises 11 nations and 581,000,000 people.

It was interesting to discover that much of South East Asia's geographical characteristics and politics helped shaped the region into what it is today. For instance, Thailand remained a 'free land' throughout its history partly because it acted as a political buffer. Wedged between British-occupied Burma and the 3 French territories, namely modern-day Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, it served as the keeper of peace. Everyone knows the British and and the French were never on good terms since time immemorial; both sides fought numerous wars against each other, including the Hundred Years' War and the Anglo-French Wars.

Therefore, Siam (now Thailand) was the only country that separated 2 potentially antagonistic entities, as an area between two rival powers that serves to lessen the danger of conflict. The then King of Siam had to concede Laos and Cambodia to the French to grant commercial concessions to France. This move ensured Thailand's independence but it became a buffer state between French Indochina and the British Raj.

It is also important to note that the formation of Malaysia was mainly a political move made by the British against the Indonesia's planned expansion to incorporate Malaya, North Borneo and the Philippines and form a massive Malay empire called Indonesia Raya or Maphilindo. Notice that the geography of Malaysia would provide a strong front and act as a vanguard against both impending Indonesian aggression and the spread of communism. The British also had Tunku Abdul Rahman as the prime-mover behind the federation of states of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore into the Federation of Malaysia; a popular political figure like himself could easily exert his influence over these states and disregard any attempts made by the Philippines and Indonesia to undermine his effort.

Finally, we as citizens of South East Asia must not only be familiar with each country's whereabouts on the map but more importantly understand and be aware of the political issues of yesteryear that helped shape the modern landscapes of today, not to mention the pressing regional issues of today which may prove critical in shaping South East Asia's social, political and economic future.

Cheers.

P.S.: Do feel free and drop a comment about your thoughts on several important issues related to South East Asia that is worth mentioning: Aung San Suu Kyi, Thailand unrest, 'Ganyang' invasion and so on.

News Agenda 28/9 - 2/10

2009-10-03T10:29:00.006+08:00

During the past week, there was alot of news that caught the attention of Malaysian media. One that has been hogging the headlines for a good 3 -4 days is about the massive earthquakes that shook Padang in Sumatra and American Samoa. This tragedy has been repeatedly highlighted in the news and in newspapers for one simple reason: the fear of experiencing aftershocks at home. Many were worried that a tsunami would strike Malaysian shores yet again but thankfully, it did not.

However, a total of 47 buildings in Peninsular Malaysia experienced mild tremors while 5 of them suffered minor cracks and damages. One expert in the Malaysian Meteorological Department stated that they expected one major earthquake to occur in three decades' time which could result in a tsunami that could devastate the West coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Some suggested also that the earhtquake could in fact hit Malaysia. This is a cause for concern since Malaysia is not prepared for such a catastrophe unless the authorities take the necessary steps to ensure its public's safety. One way is to reinforce existing buildings to be earthquake-proof and to make sure the early tsunami detection systems to be in tip-top shape if and when the catastrophe occurs.

On the local front, it was announced two days ago that the identitiy of an 'unidentified male' whose DNA was found on the deceased Teoh Beng Hock's blazer would be revealed yesterday. This proved to be a significant piece of news since it could be the key to solving Mr. Teoh's mysterious death and perhaps explain if someone pushed him off the MACC building. However, this finding also poses some important questions: we cannot assume that the DNA would belong to the person responsible for Mr. Teoh death nor can we conclude otherwise. Nonetheless, the press and the general public were anxious to find out who the mystery person to quench their thirst for sensational news. It was also important for people to know if the MACC really did go to such lengths and murdered someone in cold blood in their own office. Indeed, everyone was somewhat dumbfounded when it was revealed yesterday that the DNA belonged to M. Gopala, whose post-mortem was conducted on the same bench top earlier.

In the world of entertainment, Zhang Yimou, once someone labelled a persona non grata in China has become one of the most well-known public figure there. For much of the past quarter century, the Chinese director Zhang Yimou made films that highlighted his country’s struggle against poverty, war and political misrule to the outside world — films that Chinese, for the most part, never saw. More often than not, his bold and gritty epics were banned by the Chinese authorities because they showed China's ugly side. Once in the running to win an Oscar, officials lobbied for that movie to be removed from the nomination. However, he is enjoying immense popularity from the Chinese people and the government after he coreographed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and more recently, the celebrations marking China's 60 years of Communist rule. This proved to be a significant milestone for Zhang whose career if flourishing in a country where his films were once considered subversive elements. It is interesting to note that he is working very closely with the central government today to present China’s new face to the world with stagecraft and masterful wizadry.

In local political news, the upcoming MCA elections on the 10th October 2009 has been discussed widely among the Malaysian public. The election's outcome would prove to be extremely important in Malaysian politics since the MCA is an indispensable arm the National Front. While the internal conflict ensues, the current MCA President Datuk Sri Ong Tee Keat announced that he would immediately step down as party president along with his entire entourage should he fail to obtain a landslide victory against an opponent whose reputation is irreversibly tarnished following an infamous sex scandal. Still, the latter has succeeded in saving his political career and appears to be currying favour among the delegates. If this issue is not resolved next Saturday, Malaysia might suffer its aftermath: political insecurity and national instability. Therefore, it is of utmost important importance for the delegates to choose wisely and responsibly for the sake of a brighter future in Malaysian politics.

Lastly, Malaysian sports has been reached new heights by starting up its own Formula 1 (F1) team. Aviation mogul Tony Fernandes said on Monday it will cost about 450 million ringgit (129 million dollars) to put Malaysia on next year's Formula One grid and to complete the 19-race schedule. The project is spearheaded by Lotus which intends to re-enter the motor sport industry and is financially backed by Fernandez, 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn Bhd, a public-private partnership involving a string of top local entrepreneurs, as well as national automaker Proton. This will prove to be an attractive business proposition and is expected to turn profitable in the first year of operations. The main revenue drivers include sponsorship, sale of merchandise and share of profits with FOM (Formula One Management, the F1 commercial rights holders). This will not only boost Malaysia's image on the international arena but also generate profit for the country. Although the government will hold no stakes whatsoever, I believe the revenue earned by Tune Group and Naza Group will prove beneficial for the nation's economy on the whole.

Cheers!

Reflections on 'Videograms of a Revolution'

2009-09-19T15:57:00.001+08:00

Hey all,

After watching Videograms of a Revolution by Harun Farouki and Andrej Ujica, I was shocked to learn about an historical event that I had never heard of. These particularly violent string of events occured in Bucharest towards the end of Communist rule in the Eastern bloc. The Romanian president of that time, Nicolae Ceausescu, was guilty of 25 years of corruption and apathy towards his own country. After a successful coup, Nicolae and his wife Elena were summarily executed by firing squad.

Moments after watching this eye-opening documentary about the Romanian Revolution of 1989, my fellow coursemates and I were instructed to write about how television played a pivotal part in the week-long bloody uprising. So here we go:

First of all, it was interesting to note that state television was used both by Nicolae and the prostestors as an important media vehicle; a channel used to convey messages and information to their 'receivers', the masses. Nicolae frequently used the TV station as his main tool of spreading socialist propaganda. However, the airing of his last mass rally that was disrupted by the cracks of gunfire by the Securitate, signalled the beginning of the revolution the end of his dictatorship.

Nicolae's last speech on state TV

Eventual leaders of the new regime also utilised television, albeit differently, as a means of delivering the 'truth' and to inform the population that liberation had been achieved. With the old communist government overthrown, the National Salvation Front (FSN) needed the media and the military as important allies to help establish a new order in the country, a democratic one.

People marching in the streets of Bucharest

Besides announcing the victorious march to Palace Square, the occupation of the Central Committee building and the fleeing of Nicolae and his underlings, the dissidents used television as a stage to exhibit the enemies of the state, including Nicu Ceausescu, Nicolae's son and a bloodied man who was accused of trying to sneak into the TV station and assassinate the leaders responsible for the coup.

The protestors

Television crew was also rushed to the scene where millions of people celebrated the fall of Nicolae and the re-birth of their beloved country in Palace Square. In order to assure the millions of people glued to their television screens of absolute victory, television helped spread the cheer to countless households across the nation by broadcasting scenes of people waving the Romanian flag with its coat of arms torn of cut off, not to mention speeches made by the revolutionaries standing on the podium where Nicolae used to make his own.

Victory!

When 'terrorist forces', armed units still loyal to Nicolae attacked the vital points of socio-political life: the television, radio, and telephone buildings, the prostestors holed up in the TV station were quick to react by urging the public not to worry and stated that the 'army will protect us'. When Bucharest practically turned into a warzone, state television aired scenes where soldiers were fighting valiantly against subversive elements with the aid of civilians, thus boosting the morale of countless others who barricaded themselves at home.

The military and the people

After hostilities finally ended on 27th December 1989, the new and improved Românǎ de Televiziune (TVR) run by the new regime took the opportunity to parade their most valuable catches to date: Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu themselves! After failing to flee the country, they were caught by the people and the military and tried in a kangaroo court. After conviction and execution, their corpses were filmed and aired live to every working televsion set in Romania to the delight of everyone who was watching. They applauded the deaths of the infamous couple and hoped that the new year would usher in a prosperous new future for all Romanians and generations to come.

Working together against the enemy

In conclusion, television in Romania during that volatile period was totally different from the one we are used to watching. There were no rehearsed scripts, no actors, no propaganda for that matter. Only the truth was shown the moment communism collapsed in the impoverished state; the moment when that helicopted took off carrying Nicolae and Elena with it. All in all, television gave the opportunity to Romanians to be a part of history and to feel for themselves what it meant to be free once more from the grip of tyranny. For the millions more who did not take to streets of Bucharest, it did not mean they could not sing and cheer together with those who fought and died in the name of democracy. That, my friends, could not have been made possible without the help of television.

Nicolae takes flight

Nicolae on TV for the last time

P.S.: I found a video of Nicolae and Elena on trial in the kangaroo court, with audio! Now we can listen to how he actually defended himself.

Vox Pop!

2009-09-19T13:11:00.001+08:00

Hey guys,

So here's the result of the vox pop I worked on. Before that let me explain the process of coming up to the question and the strategy I used to collect vital information from the responses.

Vox Pop

Issue: UCSI's Reputation Among its Current Students
Formulated question: Would you encourage your friends to come study at UCSI? Why?
Gathered responses: 7

Notes: I wanted to gather opinions from current UCSI students about how they really felt about the institution. Their responses would actually reflect UCSI's general reputation and gauge of whether it succeeded in providing quality education for them. In order to obtain satsifactory and sincere answers, however, I was required to pose a question that would not be too direct as in "In your opinion, how is UCSI's reputation currently?"

Therefore, I figured that I could achieve my goal by asking a 'round-about' question and still receive well thought out answers from the respondents.

Response 1:

Well, I would say that UCSI would cater more to the locals since everyone can fit in nicely whereas it would be a hindrance for my foreign friends as they would they have to deal with the language, social and cultural barriers.

Response 2:

I must say no because UCSI is definitely a profit-oriented organisation which puts money first, education second. Behind this façade lies a capatalist company that practically ‘sucks’ the money out of everyone with its insane fees.

Response 3:

Yes I always encourage my friends from Indonesia to come study in UCSI because it is undeniable that UCSI is very experienced in certain courses and provides undergraduates with the opportunity to apply their knowledge by working via the co-operative placement program.

Response 4:

I would have to say no in the strongest sense of the word because of just one thing; the unbelievably high costs students have to deal with throughout their education. I am certain that UCSI is the only college that charges students RM 200 for a resit/supplementary paper.

Response 5:

If you asked me this question when I was a junior, I would have said yes. Now, however, UCSI is quickly losing its prestige with its mediocre administration and fails in its attempt to rebrand itself; even newer colleges like New Era is fast catching up in the competition.

Response 6:

I would be doing my friends back in Botswana a huge favour by telling them not to come to UCSI, ever. Besides the language barrier between the lecturer and the foreign students, I find it difficult to tolerate the cold treatment by the locals in the campus especially when black students try to socialize with them.

Response 7:

I would not encourage my friends to come here unless they have no other choice. The school is charging too much for substandard campus facilities such as the run-down PC lab and rusty gym equipment. I also think that the attendance system the school applies is ridiculous; students should have the right to choose whether to attend classes or not as they are young adults.

In a nutshell, only one respondent talked in favour of UCSI. The rest made very unsatisfactory remarks about the university, touching on a range of issues and problems faced by them everyday including the fees, facilities, school system and cultural barriers. I believe I have successfully captured their emotions in words as they talk passionately about what is really going on UCSI, plain and simple.

Cheers,

Adrian

Sketch of Self as a Consumer of News

2009-09-12T15:02:00.001+08:00

Hello,

The purpose of this entry is to furnish you guys with information oh how verocious I am as a consumer of everyday news, or not. Well, I guess I had better start from the very beginning. Of course, like any other child, life in the beginning was carefree and the news on TV never did left any impression on me. However, that would soon change.

My first piece of news that I could never forget came was when I was nine. The year was 1997 and the haze from the forest fires in Sumatra was getting on everybody's nerves. The situation was desperate. The public's health badly deteriorated and I will never forget the small details like how I used to wear face masks to school and how we could all skip PE lessons and play in class instead. I now realise that I became more attentive to the news then because it affected me. I became curious to find out where all this soot came from and who to blame for it. It is interesting to note that 1997 was a year particularly bad year (for me at least) as I could remember all the grave tidings the TV brought: Princess Diana's sudden death, the beginnings of the Mahathir-Anwar Ibrahim saga, the Japanese Encephalitis epidemic, the return of Hong Kong to China and the Asian economic crisis. I believe 1997 was the turning point in my life where I officially became a consumer of news.

Now let's flashforward to 2001. I was sitting near the coffee table supposedly doing my Math homework when my eyes were actually fixed on the TV screen, watching my favourite show (I forgot what it was, but it started at 9 pm). Suddenly it was replaced by a special bulletin or 'Berita Khas' in Malay. I did not know what to make of it since it never happened before. A mix of excitement and curiosity engulfed me for the first time in 4 years. The date was September 11th. Honestly, I could not believe my eyes when I saw a plane came crashing into one of te WTC towers. What I thought to be an accident was actually a terrorist attack on American soil. After 15 minutes, another special bulletin was aired and this time millions of cameras caught sight of a second plane crashing itself into the other tower. When CNN reported moments later that none other than Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda cohorts were responsible for the attacks, the first thing I thought about was "How could the FBI or CIA or whatever it's called so quick to find out who masterminded this plot?" From then on, I was a great fan of the post 9/11 controversy theories. One thing's for sure, 9/11 has certainly replaced 12/7 as the date that will live in infamy. The events that occured in both dates had something in common: the greatest army in the world set out in an honourable journey to exact their revenge upon those they deemed as the 'enemy'.

As the years past, my interest in news came from my eagerness to discover more about politics. My curiosity in politics grew daily partly because of the events that happened after 9/11 and also after I deepened my knowledge about history and its politics back then. I wanted to know all I could from the past so as to learn from other people's mistakes and be equipped with historical knowlege for the future. As George Santayana once said, "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it,"

In 2004-2005, most of my time was very much dedicated to the past. I borrowed plenty of books and after alot of choosing, the events that occured during World War II captured my heart. Well, nobody said I could not consume the news of the past! I skimmed through the great battles fought duing the bloody 6 year war but my interest was mainly in the politics that drove nations to war. National Socialism in Germany looked like the model government to rule over its population which was deeply affected by Great Depression and reeling from the aftermath of the Treaty of Versailles. As the Fuehrer Adolf Hitler placed blame on all Jews in Germany for her miseries, the masses which was so amenable to propaganda back then ensured that 6,000,000 Jews would be summarily murdered in later years. The then Minister for Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels once said to the German press, "Tell a lie enough times and it becomes the truth," Nazi Germany once planned to to carry out the Final Solution to the Jewish Question to "rid of all Jewish vermin" but the events that happened in recent past has proven that it has failed outright. The facts are these: instead of an extermination, survivors of the Holocaust propered in the Promised Land now called Israel. Because of the Holocaust, 50 years political unrest in the Middle East ensued with no sign of abating anytime soon. Without the Holocaust, perhaps it would have been a safer world today.

Back in the present, I became more aware about Malaysia's own past and how it helped shaped the country that it is today. Suffice to say, I was exposed to new terms like 'positive discrimination' and 'New Economic Policy'. Initially I was outraged to discover how much was done to ensure that all races 'played on a level playing field' and that the 'distribution of the economic pie was even' among all races. After piecing together the facts, however, I came to find out that without compromise and tolerance, the minority ethnic groups would not have survived till today.

But then again, I would rather not delve too much into only one topic or else life would be too mundane. I still do enjoy the finer things in life to keep my sanity, minus all the political fiasco that is occuring and the horrible things that are still happening worldwide. Keeping track with such news is important, but I find it useless to be obsessed over something you have no control of. That should not be mistaken for apathy, ever. Well, it's time to stop ranting about life and make way for more 'news-consuming' sessions. Yummy!

*searches for week's worth of newspapers*

Cheers,
Adrian