Charles and Diana: That Wedding 30 Years Ago

Published by simon on April 25, 2011

While most people are abuzz with this weekend’s wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, its interesting to note that the last great royal wedding, between Prince Charles and Lady (later Princess) Diana took place 30 years ago.

Sure, everyone knows Lady Diana, that tortured soul who died young, forever remembered for the sensational new coverage while she lived.

But i had the opportunity to remember watching the wedding on live TV as a small kid. I was barely into primary school, when one fine Saturday my parents turned on our old ITT wooden box television to watch it. I hardly knew what was going on, but quickly caught on when as i watched. I distinctively remember the walk towards the altar, Diana’s long wedding train, and the exchange of vows. I thought i remember it as Westminster Abbey (it was actually St. Paul’s Cathedral).

And when it was over, i remember the screen flashed that ‘this live broadcast was sponsored by Public Bank’ (or one of the banks, i’m not particularly sure).

I just caught the highlight re-broadcast of the wedding on Astro TLC just now. Retrospect is indeed a strange thing. Thinking back to all those thing that happened to Diana since that day when she was thrust into the world’s spotlight until her death 16 years later, it may not be to unkind to say that her fate was sealed on that day.

But having said that, I wish William and Kate all the best. I’d probably watch the telecast this Saturday, but will probably also get bored halfway through as i did watching the re-broadcast just now.

Non-Running Husband Goes to the Energizer Night Race 2011

Published by simon on April 17, 2011

So my wife completed her first official run yesterday, the Energizer Night Run 2011 at the Sepang Formula 1 Circuit.

Since running isn’t really my thing, I went as cameraman (and driver).

First off, a few of my friends were running in different races, but due to logistics we went separately and we didn’t get to meet up with most of them due to the sheer number people there – 10,000 participants, plus thousands of spectators and crew members.

This was my first experience going to the SIC, but first impressions were pretty poor. There was a HUGE traffic jam getting into the parking area, all caused by only 1 guy collecting money for parking. RM10 for parking. What a rip-off! But whatever, it was quite near the entrance.

Still bright and early. Didn’t really have to park that far.

Walking up to the entrance. I noticed there AREN’T many non-runners here… hmmm.

For the flag off, I stayed at the grandstand to take pics.

Got to sit right at the start / finish line. Wonder how much this seat costs on F1 race day.

First off the blocks were the 42k (full marathon) runners. It was slightly later than scheduled, no thanks to some VIP making an inane speech while all of them were raring to go. Peter’s probably
somewhere in there. Btw congrats on winning 3rd place!

Then it was the 21k, where both Patrick and Boone ran. The race was preluded by a cheerleading performance by a sponsor team, unfortunately it was performed in darkness and no one saw a damn thing, least of all the runners who weren’t in the front row.

Then it was the biggest group, running the 11k (2 laps round the track). They took off to some fireworks, which was quite cool.

Lastly it was the 5.5k runners to flag off.

Soon after that some runners (probably the 42k) started to complete a lap before going outside the racetrack.

This is the view of the other side of the track, the runners with their headlights on.

After the all the races had started I went down to the carnival area (not much of a carnival, except I got to watch a bit of Transformers 1).

One final pic with MY and WY after the race.

Overall, my wife and friends ALL had horrible things to say about the organizing of the event, Boone even called it the worst he’s seen. I have to agree, it was a huge letdown. But all in all, for my family it was on overall a fun experience.

Renewing My Passport at the New Immigration Office in Plaza Glomac

Published by simon on April 4, 2011

Usually, people have in their minds that

Making / Renewing passport = Long wait / a lot of hassle.

But i got to hand it to our immigration department, things have changed a lot since i had to wait a whole day when i frist made my restricted passport as a kid (not to mention must go back a few days later and wait to pick it up again).

If you’re in the PJ area, try the new immigration office in Plaza Glomac (recently moved from Subang Airport). If you don’t know where Plaza Glomac is, its the same road as Sterling PJ condo, or you can turn off the Subang Airport road after you exit the NKVE. Confusing? look at the map.

Went there last Saturday. Hardly anyone there (maybe coz everyone is away for Qing Ming). Did all 4 passports within 90mins (extra 30mins coz we didn’t realize kids can’t renew at automated machine).

There’s one of those ATM machines (KiPPas) where you can renew your passports instead of doing it at the counter. However if you have a kid below 18, you still need to do it at the counter since they need a thumb print.

Either way, you need the following docs to make or renew your passport:

Identification Card (MyKad)
2 copies of recent photograph with light blue background (3.5 X 5 cm)

For kids below 18, you need these additional items:

Birth Certificate
Parent’s Identification Card (parent must appeared in person together with applicant)

If you’re not the kind who can’t be bothered to prepare all the stuff beforehand, don’t worry, they have photobooths and photocopy machines there too. More info at their website. Open Saturdays and some Sundays, call to check.