Cruisin'

It a public holiday..and the crew decided to take a river cruise along the Rhine river....Liverpool had just won on penalty..but not after a spectacular comeback from 3-0 against AC Milan. The Tap decides to pay tribute to what would go down in football's hall of fame, as one of the most spectacular miracles of football history.

Breakfast oddities

The Random XS's all things in XS...plus a good strong brew of African Blue coffee...

Tap's Breakfast, Jackrabbits Mushroomless, and my own...XS portions....was one of those mornings you get to make your own breakfast instead of going for a lazy breakfast of musli corneflakes and the works. Sure, the calories mount sky high, but an evening's jog should burn em up....yeah..right!

The Jackrabbit's mushroomless...The Random XS has this vision...that one day, the Jackrabbit will just wake up and find himself in the middle of a galactic mushroom farm..yeah...that'd be neat...for all of us *diabolical laughter follows*

A typical lunch, but with a twist. There was a whole fly in the sauce....well, it's better than having half a fly in the sauce. What a waste of mushrooms...what a waste of Schnitzel...but then again, the Schnitzel took ages to chew...it could well be bulletproof....

Of Birds and window panes...

Birds have a strange sense of depth perception, if any at all. Here's a bird in hand. Ready to fly. The Random XS rescued one of these which was trapped between two narrow glass panels. It was kicking up such a ruckus you could hear it from the Rhine river...then just as you let it fly...it slams right into another window pane, thinking that it was an actual way to fly, and slides itself into another trap totally out of your reach. BIRDS!

SUMO Mini?

SUMO Mini....on the way to the office the Tap and The Jackrabbit tailed one of these....the new Bavarian version of it just don't make the cut. SUMO's still cool.

Loose Cannons

The winning parry. That's Lehmann with an artful deflection of Scholes' critical penalty attempt. What a finish, what a final.

Gunners on the loose

The Gunners won the FA Cup, 5-4 after a penalty shoot em up. The TAP, is in Turbo Arsenal Pandemonium. Over a good dose of Koelsch and ready salted chips, the afternoon was an excruciating, albeit rewarding experience. Sir Alex F was visibly dejected, and the comical Wenger could well quote his "Unbeaten the whole season" or the likes again. And who is to argue with him? His team sure won the match, and the title as well. Well done Gunners. Go grab yer-selves a good couple of pints and celebrate.

Jack(rabbit) in a Box...

So WHAT is this?

This is the Tap's special Edition HALO BOX. WICKED box I'd say. This is where the Jackrabbit does his jumpin', the Tap does his sabotagin' and the Random XS does his random clobbering. WICKEED stuff...But for all the damage it did...WICKED box did provide a gazillion hours of delirious mayhem...The Trio revisited HALO2 again, and in a game of ROCKETBALL, there was laughter that could be heard a couple of blocks away on the streets...the culprit? Make a RANDOM guess...

Got shoes, will jog...

After much consideration, I decided to get my first pair ASICS running shoes. Yes...first one in my life. It's a simple one, this recent acquisition ...sporting no special features like GEL technology, this is as simple as running shoes get these days.
Compression molded EVA for durability and cushioning. On the outsole, it features AHAR...ASICS High Abrasion Resistance rubber....a much more welcome thing compared to blown rubber of yesteryear. It's been a good 12 years since I've delved into shoe tech...the days of AIR, GEL, ERS, HEX-whatever-lite....TORSION, ENCAP, G.R.I.D...and Hydroflow...everybody wanted to stuff something into their shoes...be it Freons....Silicones....honeycombs or whatever "Space Age Technology" they could put in there that the competitior didn't have.
And not much has changed...save colours got bolder (and names got bizarre)...on the other fronts...we have a massive renaissance of retro-like shoes as well..
But hey, I was only looking for a shoe so I could jog and work my permanent float off...and work it off I did...well...I did start, that is.

Holland-ed

Surfing through friend's Blogs today, I had a flashback of an incident that happened during those "green days" of conscription.
As the story goes, a group of cadets were on a navigation exercise. Prior to it all, one must prepare something called an NDS, navigation data sheet (or something like that...it eludes me....after all these years). So, one picks up an NDS (which is supposed to help you find your way through sometimes rather dense jungle), and heads out towards the designated checkpoints. The faster you finish, the more time you have to rest when you return. Rest was always a commodity during conscription.
So as the exercise progressed, you overhear the radio traffic (all channels are open as far as the control point is concerned). After all while, a group of rather distressed cadets radio in for guidance. The conversation goes like this:

*****Static*****
Cadet: Sir...we are lost, and it's getting dark
Sir: Roger, which checkpoint are your heading towards now?
Cadet: Checkpoint Delta.
Sir: And your previous checkpoint?
Cadet: Er.....****Sssstatic*****Tango Sir.
Sir: Roger, so you had just completed Checkpoint Tango, and heading towards Delta?
Cadet: ****Er.....yes Sir.***Ssstatic****
Sir: Roger, now can you describe your surroundings to me, any notable landmarks?
Cadet: *****SSSSsssstatic*****
****LONG PAUSE****
Cadet comes onto the radio again, enlightened.
Cadet: Sir! We got it, there are many trees around us!
Sir is speechless.

Oh those were the days....and hence the term, Holland-ed. One navigates from the Equator all the way to Holland.

A Word about Friendly Fire...

Playing Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow with the Jackrabbit can be perilous, for both the Tap and the Random XS. WHY? In one instant, the Jackrabbit is full of zeal, and is on the roll clearing "Tangos" outta his way. The Random XS follows behind gingerly. The sound of gunfire erupts as the Jackrabbit does his Rambo force of freedom thing... and then eagerly shouts "CLEAR!"
Now, tell me, what does "CLEAR!" mean to anyone who is in that situation? Or for that matter, what does "CLEAR!" mean to ANYONE in the context of urban warfare??? It means that the room is SECURED and CLEARED right? Right.
So, with the Jackrabbit being your faithful team mate (or so it seems)...you decide that the room is CLEAR of TANGOs (bogeys, bad guys, whatever).
So you forge ahead and take over to relieve your team mate, so he can recharge and go the next lap, fully loaded. Then, for what puzzles the living bejeebers out of anyone, you hear a deafening "BANG!". The world around you becomes blur, and breaks into a spin, and you collapse to the ground in an ever growing pool of red...

WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR MALFUNCTION YOU WABBIT? THAT's CALLED FATRICIDE YOU WABBIT!

The Tap shakes his head in dismay as he watches on...and the rest of the world follows. And this is just ONE instant. We have not mentioned about the misfortune of the Tap teaming up with the WABBIT. But it's late now, and the Random XS needs to recharge for what promises to be a busy day. One can be sure, that more gems such as these will arise.

But ladies and funky gentlemen, I'll let you take this with you for the day:
FRIENDLY FIRE, RARELY IS.

Breakfast Crew

The trio are at it again. Caught on Closed Circuit Television in this rare screen capture early this morning, they were raiding a fridge full of Wurstchens and eggs, as well as French loafs, these freeloaders managed to make it past all the "heavy security" that was supposed to have guarded the vaunted Fortress Bonnus. Somebody call in Rainbow Six, it's time for operation Black Arrow (the game, we mean...)

4 years ago on this day ...

Above: The Random XS whips up Brunch for the Tap and the Jackrabbit.
Any discussion initiated by the Random XS invariably ends up talking about food. So, what's four years ago, on this day got to do with this breakfast/brunch spread that appears on today's log? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not unless one considers bingeing.

As it turns out, four years ago, on the 9th of May, the Jackrabbit and the Random XS embarked upon a madcap journey that ended up with the two of them listening to some FM called 95 after one of the most bizarre recruitment exercises ever- four years ago, they quit being freeloaders and found themselves a decent job, and decided to celebrate by going to some Gelato joint and heaped enough calories on themselves to fuel an automobile drive ten times between the east and west of a little island near the equator.

And so, today, on the day leading to the 4th year cool runnings, the Random XS decided to turn the room of the Jackrabbit (pictured above) into some circus act theme park to mark the special event. The Freeloader Jackrabbit has graduated. Jackrabbit, meet Jack. Jack, meet Jackrabbit. Yes, it's Metal Gear Solid 3 here, and this is Operation Snake Eater... it will require all the promotion material available for SONY Playstation 2's flagship title, and a life-sized figure of the main character, posters and all the promo boxes XS managed to muster...all cramped into a room ringing to the tune of the game's opening theme. This, is where 1964 meets 2005.

Prolific

That's how the weekend has been for the Random XS. Hammering away at the keyboards of his trusty laptop chronicling his simple weekend exploits. Much of it has been a culinary adventure, rummaging through the sparse confines of the Jackrabbit and Tap's resident fridge. A new week begins, and it is unlikely that the Random XS will be afforded such an opportunity to log as many entries as he has this time round. It's late now, and one's eyelids can grow heavy after a very heavy meal of grilled chicken wings, pasta and Asian stir fry. It is little wonder the Random XS is who he is. It's tea time now. Good night folks.

Cryobotanics and Fungonamy

In the department of Cryobotanics:

Above Left: Freeze. Right: Thaw out the Spinacia oleracea please.

And for the Fungonamists (the Jackrabbit is NOT one of them) :

Above Left: First half...cap. Right: Second half...stalk, species: Agaricus bisporus
It is one of those afternoons where one opens the fridge and ponders over "What to cook for lunch?" Under normal circumstances, that would have been a breeze, but it is the fridge of the Jackrabbit we are talking about here, which is devoid of the understanding of stocking up (and for that matter, just plain devoid of anything save a generous serving of empty space). And whilst the Random XS does indeed comprehend what stocking up means, he tends to push it to the "Supply Depot" state. Armed with a couple of Euros, XS decided to stock it up a little. Lunch today, was a comfortable East meets West.
The menu comprised of finely sliced chicken breast filets seasoned with freshly ground black pepper pods, marinated in balsamico vinegar-olive oil mix, stir fried in a lightly oiled pan together with a generous serving of freshly cut champignons, and some fresh spring onions for crunch. The mix is brought to a simmer, and a corn starch-salad dressing sauce is poured on, with some freshly boiled Fusili thrown in for good measure. It is served hot, and eaten with a chopstick. Guten Appetit.

Tools of the Trade

Above: Random XS's old faithful - Canon IXUS Tactical Black. Accredited wtih more than 18000 shots through that glass.

Below: The trusty (and definitely dusty) DELL Latitude workhorse, having survived 2 hard disk bypasses.

Below: Ignition plug to XS's trusty steed, the Opel Vectra 2.0, after one battery change and tens of thousands of kilometres.

And finally, the Random XS's Nomad Pods.

These are no Creative Apples. They exist for the sole reason that the Random XS never is sure when he will need them...his stays in Wurstland are, well, random, and so he lives out of the box/pod. These are stashed away in some odd yard somewhere in the Blackforest, ready for deployment at a moments notice, so he can latch one of these to his trusty steed, Blog off, and then drive off, not before taking a picture or two of himself in the side view mirror. It's close to 2 am in the morning now...and it shows in the quality of the Blog. Good night.

IMPORTANTISSIMO

The dictionary defines fortissimo as:
for·tis·si·mo Music adv. & adj. Abbr. ff. In a very loud manner. Used chiefly as a direction.
so
im·por·tan·tis·si·mo.... means....TURBO IMPORTANT....no?

A while ago, The Random XS's Italian Connection helped procure a rather interesting instrument. Receving this contraption brought sheer joy to the XS....deciphering the cryptic instructions was another story...but operate the device the Random XS did... and he was rewarded with some strong brew, capped with the ever elusive "Crema". This, ladies and gentlemen, is the engineering genius of Alfonso Bialetti.

Cow Gazing - Part II

Above: The view that greets one before entering the Blackforest....real brown cows mooo-vin' around.

Before the Punk Rock concerts....there was cow gazing....a much calmer enterprise I'd reckon (how loud can cows chewing on dandelions get??)...there's of course a wider "Tonal Range" to take in.This was a day trip to the renowned Schwarzwald, where in areas, the green is so intense, it looks almost black...and hence it's namesake.

Below: Daylight breaking through the canopy of the Blackforest.


Panorama: Overview out of one of the rest stops along the trekking route.


The Random XS is at present, wreaking havoc along the Rhine, something to the tune of doing what Taz would do if he ripped through a room. The thing is, this ain't just any room, it happens to be the residence of the Tap, and the Jackrabbit. The duo has gone for some much deserved R&R and should be back this Monday....leaving the XS to do his Randomising the place a bit. In what appears to be a rather surreal experience, the Random XS will move from cow gazing to some less intelligent pursuits....a round of Mech Stompin' action in the XBOX.

O-Five O-Five O-Five

Above: The Blackforest, in all its misty, dreamy splendour.

Below: The Random XS does some Asian Wok Stir Fry.

An afternoon of fine wine, great Italian cuisine and some Asian stir fry rounded up a rather hectic week. It is a significant day, the 5th of May, 2005, with this post checking in at 5:55 pm.
Feeling in a somewhat contemplative mood, the Random XS sits by the window in the office of Dr. AutoFocus, gazing out into the Black Forest decked in a misty veil, teasing its lush Spring greens that have laid dormant since this year's somewhat lingering Winter. In what appears to be reminiscent of a scene out of The Lord of The Rings trilogy after a massive battle (to the Random XS...it was more like the aftermath of a massive artillery bombardment), many thoughts run through his mind.
Today is Ascension day. Being the bank holiday that it is, there is a moment of respite, in what promises to be a hectic weekend (a working one). With most of the town taking a long weekend off (4 days in all since Thursday is a holiday and Friday is declared a bridge day), the Random XS has to head up North along the Rhine for a project meeting starting 9 am in the morning.
It will be a very long weekend for the Random XS, with more time for solitude and further contemplation. What next? Trusting God is often a severe test to one. Waiting on God is an even sterner test on one's mettle. The question of Faith comes to mind. This weekend will prove to be one of the toughest the Random XS has ever faced in his life.

Crossroads II?

You come to the crossroads, and wonder what to do. Then out of the blue, a hurricane comes along, and fells a couple of logs of galactic proportions to your left and to your right....so what do you do? You walk on. And that was precisely the situation the Greasemonkey faced over the last week. This ain't exactly a roller coaster...IT'S WORSE. But I am not complaining. The brief respite that I have been afforded was much needed, and I am taking the time now to regroup, and work with whatever available resources at hand to come up with a knock out presentation. Above all, I've just got one thing to say: THANK GOD.

The WALAWALAMUCIWAWA will continue with sporadic dribs and drabs here and there, where the opportunity permits. This is not to say that we've got the all clear, but for now, we've been given the chance to carry on. We're making the most of it.

PS: Where is the sense in going to a punk rock concert with everyone wearing earplugs and the musicians crank the volume up to "BLOW-THEM-EARDRUMS-OUT". Frankly I am livid at the lack of preparation on the part of the band to TELL their listeners to do so...all they said was "Hooray! Hooray! May 1st is finally here. Outdoor !#&!ing begins"....I mean....they probably did 180dB in that underground "subway stage" they had...the acoustics was something to "SHOUT" about...you simply couldn't hold a decent "I-am-shouting-into-your-ear" conversation in there...funny I thought of switching my handphone to silent mode before I went in...