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Showing posts with label hong kong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hong kong. Show all posts

Thursday, 26 March 2009

White Collar Boxing Fight Night (Mar 26, Intercontinental Hotel, Hong Kong)

Well I didn't win unfortunately, but I was happy with my performance. My opponent was fairly technical and much more aggressive than I ever saw him in training. Having sparred with him before, I knew going into it that my chances were probably 50/50, thus my goal was to fight a good fight, not get pulled into a street brawl. My opponent fought very, very well and I congratulate him for a good win; I also hope he gets herpes.

It being my first amateur fight, I was extremely nervous about pacing and was happy that I did a pretty good job of that and had steam all throughout the three rounds. But I think the last 30 seconds of third round did me in, when my opponent just poured it on and got me with some really good attacks. I wasn't too hurt by any of them to be honest, but definitely gave up lots of points as a result. After the fact it's easy to recall all the defensive training I learned that I didn't use but that's the way it goes I guess.

The worst part of the whole night was being the last fight and the insane combination of perverse and terrifying excitement combined with inane boredom and restlessness. We had to be there at 6pm but my fight wasn't until almost 5 hrs later! Lots of pacing, talking with other fighters about their strategies, laying around and waiting.

But all in all I had a BLAST. Excellent promotion company, an impressive cause, fantastic people and a rip-roaring party during and afterwards. It's probably too soon to say that I'll definitely do it again, but I certainly can't retire with a 0 - 1 record now, can I? Thanks to everyone who supported me leading up to the fight, and a special thanks to those that attended - it means a lot to me.

Anyways, enough of my blabbering, here are the videos, courtesy of my fantastic wife/documentary director (me in the sexy blue trunks):

INTRO:

ROUND 1:

ROUND 2:

Round 3:

Tuesday, 3 March 2009

Hong Kong Sevens (March 27 - 29, 2009)

The world famous Hong Kong Sevens returns to the city, taking place March 27 - 29. Having sold out in 2 hours, the event (sponsored by Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse) is one of the city's largest tourist attractions, especially if the tourist is a raucous, alcohol chugging, party-loving, rubgy fan. I have yet to attend this event, although my office is very close to the stadium so I recall seeing plenty of fans walking to the stadium Friday afternoon (they dress up in all types of garb - think Halloween on acid) and see them all across the town over the weekend in various states of sobriety and disarray.

Travel Tip: tickets alone are sold out but there are still travel packages available which include tickets that I've heard can be fairly good deals so check them out if you're interested. Otherwise, I've heard scalping is definitely an option, which may cost you approx $500 HKD (about $65 USD) for a day ticket.


The event's history started back in 1975 when it was thought-up over pre-luncheon drinks (the best kind in my opinion). ADC "Tokkie Smith", the Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union was chatting with Ian Gow (tobacco company exec) who suggested sponsoring a Rugby tournament with top teams throughout the world. Less than a year later, the first event was held with teams competing from Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. I'm certainly not an avid Rugby fan, but from what I've read Sevens rugby is a crucial element in developing world-class players, and many of the top rugy players cut their teeth (sometimes literally I imagine) playing in Sevens tournaments.

I definitely would like to attend a game before I leave Hong Kong. From the stories I've heard, it sounds like your average sporting event, but with considerably more alcohol consumption. Check out this clip of what happened at one of the games with with empty beer jugs.


A friend who's been to a few 7's matches explains that the South Stands are, bar none, the messiest in every meaning of the word. For example, the jugs being tossed in the above video: based on the stories he shared, not all of the beer-colored liquid was necessarily beer. Yikes.
And ofcourse, as is common at sporting events around the world, the Sevens also plays host to streakers, like these two (who I believe are now serving 30 years in a maximum security prison for disorderly conduct):


Ofcourse, the other reason the event is such a tourist attraction is the PARTYING. Combine Hong Kong's never-ending party scene with Rugby fanatics/alcoholics, and you can almost hear the cha-chinging of bar cash registers and loud dance music blaring. The craziest place will undoubtedly be Lan Kwai Fong, which is actually Cantonese for "Vegas on Crack".
We partied here last year and to describe it as shoulder to shoulder is no exaggeration.



I know - crazy right? I can't believe that "The Final Count Down" still gets air time either. Stranger than fiction - you can't make this stuff up.

Wednesday, 5 November 2008

Everyday Pics from Hong Kong

I've been living in Hong Kong now for more than a year and while I'm quite settled in my life and have my daily routine, I'm keenly aware that to many of my friends and family back in the US, I've gone to go live in crazy Asia. Granted, there is certainly craziness here (I've never partied harder), but it's a place like any other with daily routines, boredom, excitement, bad and good things.


(street view in Sheung Wan)


(some ladies getting their early morning Tai Chi on in Victoria Park)


(Big Buddha at Po Lin Monastery)


(boats in Stanley Harbor)

What I will say is that Hong Kong is certainly more cosmopolitan and international than most people give it credit for. Obviously there are plenty of expats here (+71,000 as of 2006) even after the British hand-over in '97; and more often than not, these "guai lo" Hong Kongers are by defintion international, and sometimes Cosmopolitan. But local residents are also very well educated, trendy and generally well traveled. This makes sense given that this is arguably the premier gateway to Asia, thus it would be the most exposed city. That exposure invariably leads to Western influence (good and bad) through people, media, politics and business.


(Yes, even in Hong Kong, people drink until they puke up a liver)


(view from The Peak)


(competitors preparing for the start of City Chase Hong Kong 2008)


(Hong Kong's premier party district, Lan Kwai Fong, over Halloween)


(hiking around a rock pool in Sai Cung with some friends)


(view of Wan Chai from Victoria Harbour)

Hong Kong is a wonderful place to visit and certainly a unique place to live; I can't say that it's my first choice as far as cities in which to raise a family, but I'd place it in one of the Top 5 cities that every person should be lucky enough to experience at least once in their life time.

I will defiintely post more but I know I'm long overdue in giving at least some love to my home for the past year.

Tuesday, 4 November 2008

TRAILER: Push (Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle)

I want to see this movie, largely because it was filmed entirely in my current city, Hong Kong baby! I'm also a fan of Chris Evans (best role is still in Not Another Teen Movie), Dakota Fanning (not trying to sound like a weirdo but I guarantee she's going to grow up to be a hottie), and obviously Djimon Hounsou (have a feeling he is the other reason this movie will be well received here, as he had a giant CK underwear pin-up on the side of a building on Hennessy Road in Causeway Bay for about 6 weeks). So go see it when it comes out so you can get a glimpse into this kick-ass city (albeit a bit Hollywood slanted).

Saturday, 1 November 2008

World Climbing Championships - Chamonix, France

So my wife and I have started to learn how to climb and I've been having a great time with it and also meeting some really nice people with the group we climb with. While I do feel like I'm improving slowly but surely, I'm fairly certain there's no chance in hell of my ever competing in the world climbing championships. It looks like an awesome event however just to be a spectator so hopefully I can check it out once I win the lottery and spend my days traveling. At that point, I'll also buy mechanical arms and legs to replace my sickly/frail limbs that have failed me on multiple occasions already.

I have actually been to Chamonix before (maybe 15 years ago) and remember it as a beautiful place for skiing, hiking and photographing.