#ong bak to where you came from

[snackugaki]

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhelp @donathan ‘s tactical turtles have commandeered my hand, please send negotiators for my release

*squashes down the urge to draw venus and jennika running around with karambit and batons*

ur dope and you draw dope things @/donathan <3

[kekabumi]

by Connie Khong

Growing up in a non-typical Chinese household, Chinese New Year always bring about different meaning to me. Why is it different? Because in the eyes of most Chinese in Malaysia at least, I am considered a ‘banana’. It means I’m yellow on the outside and white on the inside. In other words, I only look the part - but inside, I’m not the least bit.

I still speak a sprinkle of Hokkien in my household. And I speak Penang Hokkien so our Hokkien, similar to our cousins in Malacca, is smattered with Bahasa Malaysia. Except unlike a big percentage of my Chinese counterparts, I don’t speak the common Mandarin or the lingua franca of Kuala Lumpur : Cantonese fluently.

Thankfully, my late Papi's’ family is of  Hakka-Cantonese descendents and accompanied with TVB dramas growing up, I ended up picking up a bit of Canto here and there. Not the best since I don’t speak it as much, but I can still order some food or drinks and attempt some bargaining at the resident kopitiam - teh c ngalat, mm koi!

I didn’t think my Chinese New Year or me not able to speak Mandarin makes me any less Chinese - until I got older and hung around with other Mandarin-speaking friends. It was only then it came to my realisation that I am a bit different because I lack the ability to read, write and speak the so-called common language and that also meant, there is a whole universe I couldn’t access - which is apparently the license to be true Chinese. Nevertheless, I tried not to let these things bogged me down or define me - after all we still held some traditions or must-do things and practices which still hold dear to me - as a true blue Chinese or not.

So here are some things I do know about Chinese New Year!

1. Apa tu makan besar Chinese New Eve?

- Similar to your malam Raya, this homecoming dinner is THE essence of the storyboards you see in most of the Chinese New Year ads. Everyone will gather once a year to catch up with each other. Even if you don’t talk throughout the 365 days, it’s definitely NOT fine to skip the reunion dinner (don't be disrespectful to the food!). This is where the ‘how are you’, ‘when are you getting married and when are you having kids’ questions will be bombarded. But really, whether you’re true blue Chinese or a yellow banana, this means family quality time of coming together - of homecoming. Which is why the dinner is known as reunion dinner, 团圆饭 (tuan yuan fan).

Over the years, I am learning more important vocabulary because it carries much meaning to the things I celebrate and helps me connect with it better - with my roots and to appreciate it all the more.

2. Pantangs are real!

- Well, I’m a second generation Christian and honestly, most pantangs don’t or shouldn’t really apply lah. For your infomation, second generation Christian means that your parents are the first to believe in the household and you’re the second to follow after them. Well, for my household, more than beliefs, it has been customary that we keep to making sure

a) we have lots of red things in the house

b) spring clean wayyyyy before the 1st day of Chinese New Year and that means

c) not sweeping the floor especially on the 1st day (my late Papi insisted on it but my mother cheekily suggested to vacuum this one year when she forgot to spring clean the few days before)

d) putting the (fake) plum blossoms or any other spring items and decorations up

e) the word ‘fuk’ is placed upside down at the door or walls.

3. The upside down ‘Fuk’

Hahaha, nope, not THAT F word but fuk 福. I may not be able to read a lot of Chinese characters because I’m a Kebangsaan kid since primary - but this is one of the few that I know by heart. We will place it upside down and not right side up to invite all the fortune, luck and happiness into the household and then, pour it out to all the guests that enters and leave the household. Another reason why I remember it is because it’s also the same character used for Hok in Hokkien.

4. Khong Family CNY Signature Dish

- Not all family serve the same food you know? Like how we have different versions of Laksa, different household serve different must-have dishes : special to that group. For example, Jiu Hu Char (Stir fried yambean with dried cuttlefish) is a must in my Hokkien household and because we have our Hakka grandmother on my late Papi’s side, we also serve these gorgeous Kau Bak or Khew Yuk : Hakka marinated 5 spice pork belly, steamed with round yam. They are sooooo good - our go-to signature Khong CNY dish!

We would plan what to prepare for Eve, First Day and back then when my Papi and his parents were still around, the 2nd Day family lunch as well. Usually First Day are more vegetarian friendly - because we have had so much meat on the Eve and for the religious ones, they will observe 1st and 15th of the month as vegetarian days so it’s only apt that we try to incorporate more vegetable options as well.

And food have good meanings to them as well - onomatopoeia! So, it’s really common to find Mandarin oranges, pistachios, fish, and certain vegetables like mushrooms because in their Chinese pronunciations, they sound like words that means happiness, gold, prosperity, luck and the likes. That’s why they are a must-serve during Chinese New Year and even more on other auspicious days for the Chinese community like weddings!

5. Red Packets - angpow mana?

- Contrary to popular beliefs, not everyone gets angpow and not everyone gives. The golden rule of thumb, is that if you’re married, then you have to start giving. Because it means, you’re finally an adult and is able to pass on the (financial) blessings to others - especially the younger ones. Well, the amount is up to you - but it really depends on the economy (nowadays, the minimum has increased from the heyday of RM2 per couple or per pax to about RM5 or RM10 these days) but, to be honest, it’s the thoughts that really counts. And while married couples generally don’t receive, their parents still can give to them if they want to. While unmarried older relatives can give money, they don’t put them in red packets. Then there are some practices where the younger but already working siblings will give to their older siblings as a form of respect. Though this is not as common, it’s being practiced. But generally, any older relatives can start giving - and yes, even you - the twenties and thirties year olds, if you’re working and if you have younger cousins or nephews and nieces, you can give them as well. Just don't put them in red packet if you’re not married yet.

6. #OOTD: Colour to wear

- The obvious colour would definitely be red! But anything that represents prosperity, money, luck is good too. So colours like gold, orange (because in Chinese pronunciation, it means gold), green and blue. If these colours are too strong for your liking, you can even opt for pink and salmon. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t all wear cheongsams or samfus during the celebrations anymore. It’s not really a common practice but it's still fun to put it on for the occasion! While most people these days are not as superstitious, to be safe, black and whites are a no-no as they are seen as inauspicious and related to funerals.

7. Balik kampung time!

It’s a common practice for the community to travel or make their way back to their hometown. I believe it’s the same for most of our non-Chinese friends when it comes to their day of celebration. I mean, it only makes sense to head back to where your grandparents and extended relatives are at - and for some, where you grew up in. If you’re married, you would have to follow your husband to celebrate 1st day at his parents’ place and only to return on 2nd day to yours. It's really all about planning so you can celebrate with each other’s family.

8. WIND AND WATER

And this brings me to my 8th (which also sounds like fatt (prosper) in Cantonese) and last point. It’s apt for me to end with feng shui - synonym to all things superstitious Chinese. And how specific dates bring extra ong and huat to you (dates to get married or return to work, hoi gong in Cantonese) in hopes that choosing a good day to do things, it will make everything go well.

For others who believe in feng shui and the likes, the zodiacs and fortune telling is also another important thing to start the year with. Some say if your zodiac is the zodiac year or is against the Taisui (something like a guardian God overseeing people’s fortunes) for that year, you’re going to have a very tough year ahead.

So yes, that wraps up a few of the things I know. I am still trying to learn and reconnect with things that most, if not all, Chinese that still practices even up to this day. And to me, the most important thing is family and homecoming. That’s really the essence of Chinese New Year which lasts until the 15th with more mini celebrations in between such as Everybody’s Birthday (Yan Yat) on the 7th and pai ti gong by the Hokkien community on the 9th and the end of it all, Chap Goh Meh on the 15th night where the singles will head out to the river/seaside to throw oranges with number in hopes to find their potential partner.

So, join us welcome the new year in the lunar/Chinese calendar. And no, for the last time, you can be a Christian / Muslim / Buddhist etc and still celebrate Chinese New Year because you’re still CHINESE.

From all of us at Kekabumi to your family, we would like to wish you a Huat-derful Chinese New Year and may this year brings you lots of joy and prosperity!

[wildtige429]

Between Father and Son

@lynea-kureji​

Based on the video I have found and posted on my blog. Taken before Star surrenders her wand to Toffee in Storm the Castle.

WARNING!! Blood, bone breaking and violence!

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Come on, come on, COME ON!!!

He twisted the horns of his trusted dragon cycle, urging and revving it up to the point they are speeding down in maximum overdrive, leaving a big trail of blue fire in their wake across the city of Echo Creek, The Wyvern couldn’t focus on the damage he’s making in his rush.

Because his friends are in trouble.

He fished out his dimensional scissors, designed with wicked curves and blue flame designs on the handles and connected to a cord so he can use it to whip it back into his hand, and he threw it in front of him till the cord turns taunt. With a flick of his wrist, he rips open a portal and reels in his scissors just as he and Razor vanished into the glowing depths before it closes.

I’m coming guys! He thought, feeling the sweat pooling underneath his uniform, helmet and boots.

The other end of the portal rips open and they landed in a harsh drift, piling up dust clouds and small dirt hills. Panting, The Wyvern quickly hopped off his dragon cycle (calling out to it to wait there) and sprinted towards what formerly is Ludo’s castle. Using the claws of his gloves as well as his own, he jabs onto the wall and scrambled up to it like a fast-moving gecko until he finally reached the top window.

“That crystal is twice as strong now,” a familiar voice resonated from the top window that leads to the banquet hall. The masked lacertid vigilante hero snuck to the window, peeps down and saw what is going on. His breathe hitched in fear of what he saw.

He saw Toffee, sitting calmly and regally in the main chair where Ludo used to sit, Ludo’s former monster lackeys having outnumbered the princess and her new friend, to whom he believed is called Buff Frog with his tadpoles scattered around him, and Marco caged inside a crystalline cage that is slowly levelling down on him to the point it’s going to squish him into pulp.

His focus was aimed on the older lizard. An intense sense of justice and vengeance welled up into his heart, his hands clenching tightly until the joints cracked.

“Don’t worry, Star!” He hears Marco’s straining voice calling out to the blonde, seeing that he is now on his knees and struggling against the shrinking crystal cage that is going to crush him at any second, “I think I got it.”

“No.....”, The Wyvern breathed in panic, finding himself hyperventilating a bit. He reached for his pistols hooked behind his belt, spotting a look in Star’s eyes he knew what it meant.

She’s made a decision. A drastic one.

Wyvern found himself clenching his teeth in impatient panic, watching Star get onto the table before his number one enemy (holding down the tumbling plate before him) and outstretched her arm to him, wand pointing at him.

He couldn’t take it.

“LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE!!!!”

All heads snapped upward at the source. With an impatient cry, they saw The Wyvern leapt down from the top window, guns ablaze and began firing blue lasers after lasers at everyone present in the room (Star ducking down and covering her head after she got down on the floor to escape the gunfire), Toffee leaping back on the chair he was sitting on to shield himself from the gunfire. One by one, the monsters were stunned by the blue laser bullets. Those that were not hit charged at him with fists and weapons raised, battle crying.

Hooking his guns back in their slots, he struck them down like Tony Jaa in the movie, Ong Bak, breaking and fracturing some bones in each fistfight. The Wyvern unsheathe a dagger from the sheaths around his left shin and threw it directly at the crystal cage holding Marco. It struck the glass, instantly glowing blue and freezing it and halting its attempt to crush the boy.

“Wyvern!” the kids called out with joy to see his arrival.

“What’s the Wyvern doing here?” The masked hero looked to his left and saw the former monster boss cowering.

“Obvious!” Star, Marco and Wyvern answered him in slight annoyance. He clearly has no idea the masked hero came for their rescue.

When they were busy focussing on the avian, Wyvern didn’t sense a presence behind him and before he could react, felt a sharp cold pain pierced into his back, missing the spine and internal organs.

His howl of agony was mixed with Buff Frog, Star and Marco’s “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” as the knife slid out of his back, and he fell onto his hands and knees, his blood staining his uniform black and bright red. As the three watched in horror and sheer shock, The Wyvern tries to get up but a foot stomps down on his stab wound, hard. The injured hero let out a bloodcurdling cry of pain and agony. He was then suddenly kicked to the side, tumbling across the room until he hit the wall, leaving a trail of blood in his tumble.

“Wyvern, no,” Star sobbed, tears pricking at the sight of his pain.

“LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!” Marco roared, banging the glass in rage.

“Stay out of this, guys! This is between him and me!” Wyvern called out, grunting and groaning to sit up right. His healing has stopped the bleeding, yet the clot is thin and weak. Whipping one of his pistols out, he was about to pull the trigger at the grey lizard but his wrist was grabbed in a tight, bone-crunching grip, making him scream in pain as his pistol slid out of his fingers and clattered at his feet.

“It’s futile, Wyvern,” Toffee informed him, coldly, releasing his foe’s wrist that dropped senselessly. The vigilante’s head tilted heavily on his left shoulder in total exhaustion, breathing heavily and yet he from behind his visor, he was glaring at him.

“Now let us take a look at who is behind the mask of The Wyvern,” Toffee’s hands reached out to the edges of his helmet. The hero let out a panicked gasp, followed by Star and Marco. For Ludo, he was eagerly waiting to know the secret identity of his third enemy.

Slowly and carefully, Toffee slid the draconine-based helm of The about-to-be-unmasked Wyvern until it was already off. Long black hair, with one strand dyed bright green, tumbled out from the helmet and cascaded down his shoulders.

The sight of the unmasked Wyvern’s face brought a look of shock and horror upon the cold and calm face of the lizard. He was stricken so intensely, he lets the helmet tumble out of his hands and clattering down onto the floor at his face.

“No way....”, Ludo gasped in shock.

“It....cannot be...,” Buff Frog said in total disbelief and shock.

The Wyvern......is Star and Marco’s first monster friend, Toshi.

The monster lackeys, that were stunned by the gunfire and beaten up by the revealed Toshi, were gasping dramatically that The Wyvern is a monster.

“Sh....Shirogane!?” Toffee breathed, shock and horror evident in his voice.

Toshi breathed deeply, feeling that the stab wound is healing a bit and getting stronger, rose up to his feet and glared up into the older lizard’s face. Teeth bared, he hissed, “Hey......Dad!”

“DAD!?” Everyone, except Toffee, echoed in astonishment. The kids were beyond disbelief that everything that their friend has told them about his father was in fact this evil lizard overthrew Ludo and captured Marco.

No wonder he looks familiar. When Marco first met the guy before Star came, he noticed that he and Toshi have the same hair color and scale color. Their faces almost matched when he sees them together.

“He’s.....he’s the Dad you were talking about?” Star spoke out to Toshi, stunned by the reveal.

“Why? Why The Wyvern!?” Toffee suddenly snapped, “It was YOU the whole time!?”

“Someone has to protect the innocent from villains like YOU!” Toshi retorted, leaning into his face, “I don’t know what your plan is! But what I do know is....YOU RUINED MY LIFE!!”

“I NEVER ruined your life!” his father argued, suddenly grabbing his shoulders in his anger, “I left you and your mother for a better cause!”

Toshi could not handle his rage and without warning, lashed at his father with his claws, leaving his mark on his snout. His attack was backfired when he was suddenly grabbed and a sharp knee jabs into his stomach, winding him and bringing him to his knees. The recovering monsters secured him as their boss walked back to his seat.

“Star.....,” Toshi coughed weakly. He caught her attention, thankfully, “Don’t give him the wand. Please......”

The blonde just couldn’t sit there and watch this happen. Growing serious, she slowly got up to her feet and walked toward his father.

“No, NOOO!!!!” Toshi screamed, wrestling against his captors’ hold but was futile. With the cage unfrozen and resuming its performance on crushing Marco, he felt defeated.

I’m sorry, Mom, He let a tear stream down his streak.

From where he sat, he watches his father watching Star performing a whispering spell onto her own wand. He saw the magic drain out of the sacred object and he knew it was over when she finishes whispering.

“Now let Marco and Toshi go,” Star demanded. Toffee obliged, pressing the button of the cage that reverts it to its normal size. And Marco wasn’t turned into a squeezed out human. With a wave of his hand, the minions released his son, who fell onto his hands in defeat.

“What have you done?” He whispered to her in shame and despair.

A hand was felt on his shoulder, glancing up to see Buff Frog.

“Run!” he whispered. He saw the message clearly in his eyes just as the frog monster left with his tadpoles. He quickly snatched his helmet just as the drained wand begins to go haywire, and all of the monsters present began to flee in terror. Toshi he won’t make his escape fast enough seeing how intense the haywire wand is becoming.

Helmet in hand and scowling with hatred and vengeance, Toshi got up to his feet slowly and threw a hand grenade down at his feet that will turn into a shield bubble to protect him. Both father and son’s eyes met. And it was a look and face that Toffee will never forget.

What came next will haunt him forever.

“I wish you weren’t my father.”

The older lizard’s face slowly distorted into a hurt and shocked expression, his mouth agape by those hurtful words from his own son that were like a sword to his heart, ripping it into tiny pieces of it.

All Toshi could remember next was a huge pink flash. And then all he saw was black.

(Minutes later)

“Tos-!

“Toshi!”

“TOSHI!!”

He feels like he was bashed by a monster truck, his body stiff and he can only twitched the tip of his tail and his finger. He opens his eyes to see a white void but it slowly dims down to reveal the familiar faces of a human and a Mewman princess.

“What happened?” he croaked, his throat dry.

“Your shield grenade protected you,” Star explained, “But sadly...,” she giggled nervously, “You broke all of your bones from that explosion.”

“Except for the tip of your tail and your finger,” Marco added with a nervous smile.

Scanning his surroundings, he sees that he is in his own bedroom. Looking down, he finds that his entire torso is bandaged and supported with braces, and his uniform and such is replaced by his regular blue jeans.

“Don’t worry, when you were knocked out, I took off your uniform before my and Marco’s parents came to get us and used your scissors to send it to your hideout,” Star reassured him.

“So they don’t know I’m The Wyvern?” The teens nodded at him and he let out a sigh of relief that his identity has not been exposed to other people.

“Your mom was really worried sick when she sees the state you’re in,” Marco informed, “We just told her you went and joined a stunt bike competition and got knocked out from performing a free-style stunt.”

He nodded stiffly, a forlorn frown visible on his face, “What happened to my dad?”

The two friends glanced at each other in surprise until they looked down, with what he presumed is.......grief.

“Your dad........is dead,” Star told him.

The news was the most heartbreaking thing he has ever heard. All his life, he held a grudge with his own father who left him and his mother when he was a baby. Remembering the short fight when his father found out that his own son is The Wyvern and the last words to him before the explosion was enough to bring fat streams of tears streaking down his cheeks.

Star and Marco reached out and held his right bandaged hand, heads bowed and eyes closed in silent prayer and grief as their friend sobbed and wept on the death of his father.

Even if he hates his father, they know....that Toshi still cares for him.

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This has to be the saddest fanfic I have ever written!

[bonnergrady7-blog]

The Easter Gym Rabbit Exercise.

Greater than 200 females went into the inner sanctum of Mumbai's historical Haji Ali Dargah mosque on Tuesday after trustees at the site lifted a restriction on women site visitors. The last time I wound up viewing a Martial Art motion picture from Thailand I suffered through the abysmal rubbish of Ong Bak 3. Now while Power youngsters is extra watchable than Ong Bak 3, it's absolutely nothing from just what you would certainly anticipate from the normal Thailand Fighting style motion picture. Each of us has a greater or higher power watching over us. As I mentioned previously, there are numerous summaries for this entity we the better power. It wants to turn out the innovation onshore as well as at sea, building systems with the capacity to produce hundreds of megawatts" of power within the years. Movie critic Consensus: Power struggles with excessive plotting as well as using overly acquainted by-the-numbers tale elements. Many of the gyms require their participants to adhere to the guidelines to be able to enter as well as use the facilities. No, in spite of popular concepts and also the normal urban legends, Pfeffer contends that the path to power is considerably different compared to the preferred ideas we were elevated to think. If you see that you are getting squeezed in order to pay for your health club Sydney subscription then you are bound to pull out after a couple of days. It is just a partial payment to realise that the mystery likewise suggests that political hopefuls such as Donald Trump - angry, manipulative harasses - are less most likely to acquire power to start with. When the power enters a solar power inverter, you can obtain 120 volt of rotating current (Air Conditioning), the exact same electrical energy required to power most residences. Depending upon the company, you may likewise have the alternative of choosing between an electrical (AC) and a battery powered (DC) stairway lift. Meanwhile, on the surface of the Moon, Lord Zedd as well as his spouse Rita Repulsa saw the Power Rangers. The majority of them think that the only method to accomplish those is by burning cash at the fitness center and exercising on all gym equipment. Exercises such as chain bench presses, where you loop a heavy chain over either end of the barbell when bench pressing, or banded deadlifts, performed by linking a band over bench, basing on completions and deadlifting can boost power. There are local authority as well as office gyms which are often more affordable as well as have easier charging structures. The power clean is a three-part power lift that includes a dive, decrease and also catch with a crammed weights. The PS20 becomes part of a EUR1.2 bn series of solar power plants based upon CSP technologies consisting of tower plants and trough-style enthusiasts - where water is come on tubes directly before parabolic mirrors that accumulate sunshine - and also a few PV panels prepared by Abengoa. It needs to be kept in mind that one-rep maximums could be computed using submaximal loads, based upon weight raised and also the number of repeatings executed. Also, when the youngsters were more youthful they couldn't constantly have buddies over after college due to the fact that I needed to be offered to own Aly to the health club.. At studiosante.de of their situation the Clean Power Plan's oppositions have actually paintinged a massive fiction: A picture of a steady, healthy and balanced coal-based power industry happily supplying everybody with affordable electricity, till the big negative EPA came as well as interfered with every little thing, compeling the sector into turbulent change, and ruining the American power economy. Like sprints, there are few workouts much better for lower/full-body power compared to jumping. It was crucial that health clubs inquired from local disabled people on how to enhance accessibility, he added. Additionally in the bundle are ten different laptop power tips, making the most of the possibilities that will fit your computer. If you are already speaking with somebody, as well as you get in the lift with each other, it is just about appropriate to continue chatting. And that didn't even take into account all the times a person close to the Rangers had been put in danger. It takes 5-6 years to construct a nuclear power plant, yet identifying the future of power generation, Vivint developed a virtual/future power plant in 2 years. Exactly how this man had been captured after a long pursuit, after the moor, how he had actually stood unrepentant as well as strong prior to the man that had power of life and death over him, how he chose not to take the oath of commitment to the king, just how he had been fired dead before his cottage, as well as just how his spouse had been viewer of her husband's fatality. If you're considering signing up with a fitness center - or possibly you just joined one - you're on the right track! I will think that no one analysis this is impressive enough to strike up a discussion with a stranger in a lift (such people are no question too busy - drawing the avoid kittycats, sending news release about the number of shopping days left until Xmas - to check out useful write-ups on modern rules). Which is a far better concept for your children' health and wellness - Remaining at residence as well as enjoying TV while chewing their favored snacks, or playing around a sporting activities health club playing evade ball as well as having a get on the playground. The Anderton Boat Lift is just one of just two working canal boat raises in the nation, the other being the 15-year old Falkirk Wheel in main Scotland. On the heels of last season's new lift and also 997-acre surface growth, British Columbia's Red Hill goes to it once again in 2014/15. Various other no-frills chains you could attempt consist of Fitspace, Pure Health club and Klick Fitness, which is had by Health and fitness First. Gold's Fitness center offers different physical fitness classes that are shown by certified instructors. Professor Utonium discovers that the girls have exceptional powers and super-human strength, as well as he wishes they'll be able to improve life in the crime-infected City of Townsville. After that before you return it see to it to have it in the same problem that you received it in. The rental of lift tools can be a cash saver however not if you return it late or in a broken condition. Un nouveau centre qui à la power plate vient d'ouvrir sur bourgoin jallieu: SUNLIGHT PRESQU'ILE. You might be certain you remained in a Greek city if you saw a theatre, a seminar, a political debate-- and a health club. Cardio devices (especially ones with those foam-rubber seats), weights and devices are crawling with germs and also microorganisms," claims Brown. Something that'll sure obtain parents mad is that these children are actually hit as well as shot at in this motion picture, while it makes the film a lot more exciting parents on the other hand will not be appreciating it. Power Children is not a poor look for a Martial Art flick from Thailand, while the Mauy Thai does not look as impressive as it in did in the original Ong Bak and it's virtually the exact same thing here. Lift it enables you to do some other tasks in the video game, such as playing the guitar with Rosario or Larry.

[junker-town]

My mom ruined my dunking career before it ever really began

Personal sporting tragedy is a childhood rite of passage. The missed goal, the woefully botched shot that would have won the game, stepping out of bounds on a wide-open field on what would have been a touchdown. Mine was a little different. Just a 10-year-old boy, with a dunk contest dream and a mom’s mistake that ruined it all.

There aren’t adequate words to describe how amazing my mom is. She basically raised me single-handed after my parents got divorced when I was seven, and did her best to support my hobbies — even when it was a huge inconvenience. Twice a week we’d take two buses so I could play in the “JAAM Youth Basketball League” in Sydney, Australia. This is all a preamble and disclaimer to ensure y’all know my mom is amazing before I go on to detail how she left me crying outside a gym when I was 10.

The 1995 season was a good one for a young James Dator. I was placed on the Sonics (every team was named after an NBA equivalent), I got Shawn Kemp’s number (which was awesome) and perhaps most importantly I hit this sweet spot of growth where I was taller and heftier than most other kids in the league. For one brief year I was my own Charles Barkley — grabbing boards and manhandling kids, a brief blip in my existence before my Italian genes kicked in and stunted me at my current height.

I remember a specific game against the Knicks. They had a player named Alex Gold, who was just the worst. He looked like a spitting image of Ivan Drago from Rocky IV and an attitude to match. To make matters worse he was the only kid in the league to wear a mouthguard while playing — which even at the age of 10 I took as a pretentious affront. His parents, who my fleeting memory remembers as “bulldog-esque,” would bark instructions from the bleachers and trash talk other kids. In this game they kept yelling “Go after the big one,” and “He’s slow.”

This little brat elbowed me hard in the paint at the end of the first half and immediately I wanted my revenge. All game I waited for the perfect moment, and there it was — he went down to one knee for a brief second to tie his shoe. In ‘95 my go-to move was a layup where I led with the knee. Most of the time kids would be scared of getting kneed, so they’d get out of the way or move enough that I never got hit with charging. When I saw Gold on one knee in the key I knew what had to happen. I called for the ball and immediately charged into the lane with my signature layup, my knee connected underneath his nose like I was in Ong Bak and it exploded like a blood piñata in a nauseating crunch of cartilage. It was the grossest thing I’ve ever done, and still one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. That probably says a lot.

My knee connected underneath his nose like I was in Ong Bak and it exploded like a blood piñata in a nauseating crunch of cartilage.

That whole “destroying Alex Gold’s nose with my knee” was more for catharsis that this particular story, but all-in-all it meant I was good. Really good. I averaged 16 points and 8 boards a game in 20 minute halves, got selected to the All-Star team and most importantly, I was named as one of the five kids who would take part in a dunk contest.

When you’re 10 years old in 1995 there is nothing cooler in sports than the dunk contest. Isiah Rider threw down the between the legs dunk in ‘94, Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins is fresh in your mind — and you don’t even care that your dunk contest is taking place on a seven-foot rim with a size 3 basketball. You’re a damn superstar waiting to happen.

I had six weeks to prepare for the dunk contest, and how does a kid living in an apartment prepare? With the Nerf hoop attached to the back of your door. Every single day after school I’d practice dunks. I was distracted during dinner thinking up creative ways to throw it down. I would get so worked up and sweaty practicing in my tiny bedroom that I spent my allowance on stocking the fridge with Gatorade, because I thought that would help me.

After one week I had a small, but solid repertoire of Kemp-like power moves. Then I got more creative, throwing the ball from behind my back, bouncing it off the backboard, putting my hand over my eyes — you name it. Sure, my moves probably looked like the dancing hippos from Fantasia, but I was convinced I was a friggin’ superstar.

On Fridays my mom would let me rent a tape from the video store. For six weeks every single rental was a basketball mix tape — Michael Jordan’s Playground was my favorite. I wanted to emulate all MJ’s moves in preparation for the dunk contest and by the time the six weeks were up I was absolutely ready.

The contest took place at 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning, right before the All-Star game at noon. I remember waking up abnormally early, even for a cartoon-loving 10-year-old. I began harassing my mom around 6:30 a.m., asking if we could leave.

“Jamie, sweetheart. It only takes 35 minutes to get to Randwick. We’ll leave at 7:45 and you’ll have plenty of time.”

It was sweet of her to even give up that much sleep time on a Sunday. I patiently waited, lacing and re-lacing my sneakers for maximum comfort and precision tightness. I didn’t practice that morning, but sat in a chair palming the tiny ball and practicing windmills at the breakfast table.

The first bus was five minutes late, no big deal -- we were good. The second bus was another 10 minutes late. I was sweating it so badly. Now I’d only have, like, 20 minutes to get ready. I just wanted us to get there — to be in the zone, relax and be prepared for the contest.

You totally thought we were going to leave late, or the bus would break down, didn’t you? Nah, it’s way worse than that.

We pull up to the bus stop at 8:37, that’s what my digital watch said. Everything was okay, we made it. You totally thought we were going to leave late, or the bus would break down, didn’t you? Nah, it’s way worse than that.

Mom and I walk up to the gym and there’s a ton of noise coming out of it. A bizarre amount for how early it was. We open the door and I see a kid from the Warriors throwing down a two-handed reverse. Friggin’ amateur.

“These better be his warmup dunks,” I think to myself.

I walk over to the official to check in, and before I get to him he says, “James, mate — where were you?” Confused I look at the clock in the gym: it says 9:42. My heart starts pounding, I’m confused. I look back to mom and her eyes are wide with terror.

It was Daylight Savings, and she didn’t turn the clocks forward.

All the practice for nothing. All my dunks were pointless. That Gatorade ... I blew all my money on Gatorade! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?! I clenched my jaw as tightly as I could while mom came over to see how I was. I just barked out “I’m okay,” because I was at that point where I knew if I said anything else I’d burst into tears.

I quickly told mom I needed to go to the bathroom and went outside and immediately broke down in tears. I was absolutely crushed that I’d never get to compete in the dunk contest, perhaps never again. I knew that being away for too long would make it weird, but my face was covered in tears. I splashed some water on my face and returned to the gym.

I arrived just in time to see the winner receive his trophy. It was effing Alex Gold.

[howgrowtaller]

Comparing martial arts films of the 1970s to the action blockbusters of 2009/10

Red Cliff, Ip Man and True Legend are already iconic of the early 21st century "martial arts films"-although many can argue they are more action spectacle than true "kung fu" films. The 1970s, on the other hand, didn't rely on eye-candy effects and were defined more by the true grit of its martial arts actors: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, the Five Venoms, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Jimmy Wong, and other real fighters trained in genuine kung fu, karate and other arts.

Martial Arts Becomes Mainstream But Evolves Into Spectacle

Cult classics such as Enter the Dragon helped change Hollywood. Its growing popularity forced filmmakers to adopt martial arts into the formula of the "action flick." Through the eighties and nineties, spectacle thrillers were expected to deliver "the fight moves", even if it was only a few basic moves supported by some stuntmen and wires. Action movies became spectacles that required equal blends of story, drama, pace, "kung fu", special effects and improbable plot twists.

In the 21st century, this became less "equal" with films relying first on special effects, then improbably plot twists (surprise is important, right?), followed by pace, martial arts skills, drama and-last and possibly least today-story. This trend extended even to the hot movies of the last few years, including Kung Fu Panda, Forbidden Kingdom, G.I. Joe and even the Transformers.

Asian Film Industry Threatens to Out-Spectacle Hollywood

With the full support and weight of China's cultural industries, Asian film has blossomed into mainstream spectacles in high demand, led by CGI treats such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers and other instant classics. Arguably, Asian film long ago surpassed Hollywood for imagination, with the western producers buying rights to several hugely successful Asian films. With the largest population demographic in the world, there can be no doubt that Chinese films are set to dominate the film industry in years to come.

Red Cliff and Ip Man are perhaps the best known of these new hit-classics, but the rumor mills and fansites are buzzing with all the latest "coming soon" gossip. The big buz movies in 2010 is True Legend (Su Qi Er), starring Zhao Wen-Zho as the historical Begger Su, the originator of drunken kung fu. Donnie Yen returns in both part 2 of the Ip Man saga and in the much anticipated 14 Blades. Chow Yun-Fat breaks the mold and surprises everyone in his role as Confucius.

Both Hollywood and Asia Rely on CGI and Special Effects

The growing spectacle and importance of the "action film" is both enjoyable to the escapist and annoying for the aficionado of the true martial arts. While the actors in many of the films-in particular Asian films-are genuine martial artists (for example, Donnie Yen, Jet Li and Chow Yun-Fat)-the over-dependence on CGI and elaborate choreography turns the adventure into comic book. With notable exceptions, such as Ip Man and Tony Jaa in Ong Bak (and to a lesser extent Ong Bak 2 and 3), most action films rely on the "wow" factor of dazzling camera angles and computer-aided "enhancements."

Ninja Assassin and the Cross-Over

There are, to be sure, cross-over films such as Ninja Assassin, where actor Rain trained 14 hours a day for months to perfect real martial arts moves (albeit only a handful of repeated moves), blended together with rather Matrix-like special effects. To some, the beauty of the realistic CGI takes away from the pleasure of watching well-choreographed real martial arts.

Ong Bak, on the other hand, led by genuine martial arts expert Tony Jaa, got by on solid martial arts and good choreography. No stuntmen, thank you. Tony Jaa was hailed as the "next Bruce Lee" for this reason, with much buzz and excitement in the martial arts community, and martial arts film fansites.

There's No Escaping Escapism

Action films are, by design, escapist entertainment. They have become somewhat comic-book (pardon me, graphic novel), but that's what most audiences do want. We want to forget reality.

Kill Bill and Kill Bill 2 probably came closest to the ideal mix for both the escapist fan and the martial arts practitioner-fan. While it wasn't "real" by any means, and contained a brilliant and zesty blend of satire, comic-book, spoof, and choreography, it never-the-less nostalgically hearkened back to the wondrous days of Enter the Dragon and the classic Japanese Samarai films of the 70s.

Japanese Film Stays True to Martial Arts Traditions?

Perhaps the film industry most aligned with the older traditions of martial arts film making is Japan. Zatoichi, the Blind Swordsman, was a low-budget film, that became an instant cult classic. Zatoichi took movie audiences back to the classic real-sword skills of the old Samarai films of the earlier decades, and spawned video games and an entire industry.

Less is More? Where is the Real Martial Arts Skill?

Genuine martial arts actors still abound-led by superstars such as Donnie Yen and Jet Li-and most Chinese martial arts actors are proficient. In Hollywood, the film-makers opt for four-move choreography (two kicks, a block and a punch), multiple camera angles (particularly close ups when the skills of the martial artist are not genuine), pounding music, FX, and stuntmen. With the old hopefuls gone from the Hollywood big screen-Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme and the other promising real martial artists-there's now a world of difference between Asian film actors-who work in frigid cold, fourteen hours a day in often primitive conditions, hammering out genuinely complex martial arts moves for relatively paltry paychecks-and Hollywood films that now rely on computer and actor stand-ins.

Batman Now Does Kung Fu

Batman now does kung fu, and so does G.I. Joe, and even Hellboy. They're fun, but the martial artist fan misses the great luminaries of martial arts films who built their careers on the "real thing": Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, David Chiang, Sonny Chiba, Chen Kuan-tai, Tomisaburo Wkayama, Jimmy Wong Yu, Ti Lung and the Liu brothers.

Derek Armstrong is a journalist contributor to several TV news shows, magazines and newspapers. He has appeared as a reporter on HNN's Nancy Grace, the Larry King Show, MSNBC News, FOX News, Inside Edition, NBC's Dateline and the Dr. Phil Show. Armstrong is currently chief crime correspondent for Crime Report USA, and contributes to Films & Books Magazine, Advance Magazine, Canadian Money Magazine, Secure Net News, LINK World News Magazine, and EDI Weekly. Derek Armstrong is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ).

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