I’ve migrated all my posts so it is almost the same content-wise but with certain upgrades! Appreciate if you guys could follow me at kazitoshi.com now, thanks!

Update: I updated the video link because the YouTube was out of sync. A bit spotty still. I’d recommend letting it load before playing, otherwise quality is great!

Tudou Link Here

Out on the open road

Finally got around to completing my work blogposts about my Australia trip. Had to stop due to the wrist surgery I had last month. Been typing mainly with one hand since thought the left hand is improving. Downside is, relying on one hand is giving my right (and non-operated) side, all sorts of problems. Right now, I can’t straighten my right elbow and I can’t even lift a spoon to my mouth properly. Trying to take my painkillers and anti-swelling meds for it, but it really sucks.

Anyway, bout my work blog – You can read it in its full glory over at our Men’s Health site, Australian Outback Adventure Part 3. it’s mainly about my disdain for organised tour groups and how I try to pick holiday destinations that are as opposite as the cityscape as I can get. I just like to enjoy peace and quiet on holiday, nothing wrong there, right? I’ve never enjoyed crowds though yes, it is great when you meet a bunch of nice folks on a trip. But I don’t enjoy travelling in a large group especially when there are needy and bossy people who try and dictate where to go, etc.

Janelle Monae, B-Quartet, Casiokids, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Inch Chua…hopefully I’ll have time soon to get them all down on words.

But here’s a quick one about an up-and-coming artiste called Mike Posner. He’s one of the hottest new acts around and a pretty smooth cat. There’ll be comparisons to Justin Timberlake I guess, because they’re both white, sport a buzzcut, and dish out songs you can dance to.

But Mike sort of reminds me of Michael Jackson with that soft voice of his (go figure, listen to him speak) and more dance-pop than JT and his hip hop leanings. He even looks a bit like that Blake Lewis guy from American Idol, and I mean that in a good way. And apparently he was juggling all the music production while getting a degree at Duke University. Decent job eh?

Check out the single Cooler Than Me which makes me wonder if that’s how Jason Mraz would sound like he ditches the uke for a Launchpad and get a bit shimmery on the mix. The vid is below. He’s released a few mixtapes which got him to the labels’ attention and his debut, 31 Minutes to Takeoff, is to be released 10 August in the States. Singapore release is slated for September.

You can even download the track for free from his website in exchange for his newsletter.  Worth getting for a song that would get even the most stubborn wallflower on the dance floor.

Forgot to mention that I put up the 2nd blog post about my Australia junket. It’s about the memorable Sounds of Silence dinner we had under the stars. Surreal, serene and unforgettable, one of the most unique experience i’ll ever have.

i guess it’s this kind of things that the STB is looking for when it came up with the Uniquely Singapore tagline. If that’s the case, I’d highly recommend STB organise late night supper trails for tourists. Nobody likes their supper like us Singaporeans. We may not have our stars in the sky but so long as there’s food on our plate, we’re happy.

Oh yeah, the travel post I wrote can be found here.

Being stuck with one hand sucks and I’m still trying to get the hang of typing one-handed. I simply had to share my thoughts on the finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

It’s been a mixed bag tournament-wise, very team-oriented. No individual stars have really set South Africa alight save for maybe Muller (GER), Villa (ESP), Messi (ARG), Forlan (URU) and Honda (JPN)…nothing like Gascoigne in 1990, Robbie Baggio, Bebeto and Romario in 1994 or Ronaldo (the real one) in years after. Goals were slow at first but once everyone got used to the Jabulanis, I guess things looked up.

It’s great to see more teams stepping up while the older powerhouses concede their place on the big stage. A young and exciting German side captured third and look set to rule at international level for years to come; Uruguay became the sole South American survivor ahead of Brazil and Argentina; Italy and France capitulated early on while England again flattered to deceive. A young Ghana side (youngest squad with average 24.1 years of age) was unlucky for a missed penalty and the goalline handball and USA impressed beyond expectations as well.

Still the two finalist deserve their place. Holland has been unbeaten throughout and have been steady as they progressed, mixing a nose for goal with plenty of bite when not in possession; but total football, they’re not. Cut out Sneijder or make Robben cry and that’s probably enough. This article by Football 365 vouches quite well for Spain and why their style of play is near-perfect.

I’ve always enjoyed watching Spain, even before their recent successes. They’re not out to destroy a game, or maul opponents; they’ll always attack. But they always seemed to choke. Since the 2008 Euros, or slightly before that, they’ve been clicking though. Maybe it’s this new generation who’re mainly from Barcelona, but somehow the Spanish youth system is producing a lot of technically gifted players who can hold possession, see a pass and importantly deliver it. Credit for that strangely goes to a Dutch master Johan Cruyff.

Spain is fortunate they have the right personnel in the right positions – defence is solid yet quick, speedy and skilful strikers and wingers, and intelligent passing midfielders who are also strong on the ball. But it is this possession and pass philosophy which I think keeps them a step ahead. Watching them play is like watching The Matrix. That’s why I think, and hope, they will lift the trophy tonight. Plus, Paul the Octopus says so.

Paul’s gunning for the Germans to carry on their good form and to beat Maradona’s men. It’s all kind of fishy but then, this English-born octopus (I know right, traitor!) had predicted Serbia’s shock win over Germany so…perhaps this is one sotong that’s not so blur.

Castrol predicts outcome of Argentina vs Germany 2010 World Cup quarterfinals

I’m gunning for an Argentine victory myself, although the thought of Maradona eventually running naked through Buenos Aires is damn scary. Was checking out the Castrol World Cup Match Predictor and they reckon a narrow win for Messi and co. as well!

Castrol’s rolled out a few World Cup widgets which you can check out on their Facebook page. Maybe this can help you plan your bets!

Unless they had paid attention to Paul the Octopus who apparently has had a 100% record at the World Cup so far. He had apparently predicted an emphatic win for the Germans against their auld enemy. If I were you, I’d be tracking this octopus before I place my bets with Singapore Pools. Wonder who Paul is backing for the Argentina vs Germany clash?

Waiting for the balloon to deflate in the middle of nowhere.

Finally got around to blogging part of my Australian trip. They’re all going to be on my work blog – about 2-3 posts over the next 3 weeks.

First one is up already, about my virgin hot air ballooning experience! I have to confess, the thought of ever going up in a hot air balloon has never, ever crossed my mind. And it really didn’t hit me till I was actually in the wicker basket that, okay, I’m going to be up in the air with no parachute and not much to break my fall if we crash, except for the chatty teenage girl beside me. The things I do for work.

Do have a read if you’re interested to know what the hell I was thinking during the flight. I do feel privileged to have gone through the experience. Would I do it again? Hell, yeah!

The Irish Put A Hex On The French

That’s what you might think after watching the Frenchies do a Netherlands and self-implode with in-fighting and sulking (eh, but they’re French aye, what to expect). France has done nothing to show us they deserved to take Ireland’s place in the last 32 of the world’s premier football competition. Maybe they really did want a holiday and Thierry Henry spoilt it. He’s not even starting! Anyway, Raymond Domenech should have been sacked years ago, I’m not sure what he has on his bosses but they’ve gone backwards considering some of the young talents they have. I think Anelka was merely expressing what every French supporter thought of Domenech when he got sent home.

Why Are They Playing The World Cup In Winter?

Apparently, it’s in winter in South Africa now. Which explains why the Brazilian fans and many other supporters are bundled up. Now, to me, that is a travesty because one of the reasons we love watching Brazil is for their fans. Their samba crowd, their drums, party tricks and barely-clad women in tight lycra clothes…to see them lovelies all covered up just ain’t right, man.

Solution For England – Drop Lampard

The debate has always been whether Gerrard and Lampard can play together in the same team. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve never noticed Lampard perform as well as he does for Chelsea for the Three Lions.

If it’s deemed that Gerrard’s best position is in the centre, then why not drop Lampard and pair Gerrard with Barry. Unleash SWP and Joe Cole on the flanks and pair up Rooney with Crouch upfront. For the life of me, I’ll never understand the use of Heskey these days, he’s way past it. You have Gerrard and Barry patrolling the centre and the two wingers running at the defence and they will be less predictable than they are. Crouch is a good player both in the air, and on the ground and at least, the defence will be faced with different attacking choices instead of the predictable Heskey.