Charlize Theron is gorgeous

The dark side has clouded the Senate.

 

The Jedi are unaware that they are used as political pawns while the sinister and mysterious Sith Lord plots to bring about the inevitable disintegration of the Republic and of democracy.  Slowly but surely, the Senate (and ultimately the Republic) will fall under the absolute control of the Sith Lord.  Like a chess game, checkmate of the Jedi Order is near. 

 

In a last ditch effort to save the Jedi Order, Obi Wan Kenobi and the new apprentice of the Sith Lord, a former friend of Obi Wan now known as Darth Vader were engaged in a vicious sword fight. Despite his best efforts, Obi Wan was severely injured and beaten.  With no rescue in sight, he managed to escape death but is severely disadvantaged as there is no one out there to help him.   The Jedi Order has been almost wiped out entirely by Darth Vader.  Thoughts of the betrayal of his former friend almost consumed him and even he became tempted by the dark side.  Fear, aggression, anger, betrayal- all of which Obi Wan felt and experienced. 

 

Obi Wan will come out of his experience a stronger person.  Bad luck has followed him throughout his life but he is determined to fight on. 

 

Obi Wan’s immediate task is to train a new padawan learner.  One whom he can groom to face Darth Vader.  Time is short and there is much work to be done.

 

 

A story of a runner- a little bit of facts, and a little bit of fiction

 

BANG!  The gun goes off as 15 runners start the final of the men’s 5000meters.  Location:- Bukit Jalil Stadium.  Race- SEA Games trials, top 2 finishers to represent Malaysia in the upcoming bi-annual SEA Games.  All 15 runners come from various backgrounds, but the focus here is on a runner known as Nurotevil.  Nurotevil was born in Kluang General Hospital, and at 31 years old, is one of the oldest competitors in the field.  His story?  After a long period of playing competitive tennis, upon graduation from university, he focused on his career and neglected his health.  He started putting on weight.  He smoked casually.  He slept little and partied lots.   He had just got out of 7 year relationship.  He was emotionally spent and severely lacking in confidence.  That was in 1999.  For 3 years he continued with that lifestyle.   

 

In 2002 he met someone.  That someone rescued him from his existential funk.  She encouraged him to start jogging with her.  She did not realize she would unleash a monster.  Nurotevil got hooked into running- which is strange for him because he hated running before that and only associated pain with running.  He was wearing Nike Prestos when he started out.  She helped him regain his confidence and positive outlook of life.  Once again, he was happy.  Well, almost.  Every aspect except his job, which continues to bug till today.  He has always wanted to do something in which he has a passion for, but he could not find a job that satisfied him.  He has carried that feeling with him till the present day.  

 

Nurotevil saw running as a cleansing and detoxifying activity in its purest form.  Any feelings of stress, anger, aggression, inadequacy, paranoia etc are flushed away with each kilometer run.  It was a sport which he felt that you reaped the hard work you put in.  Unlike his job where his best never seems to be good enough, he knew that he would obtain great self satisfaction if he performs well in a race.  Other runners would appreciate his efforts because they know exactly how much hard work is required to reach a certain level.  He progressively increased his mileage, which culminated to where he is today- running in the final of the Men’s 5000 meters SEA Games trials.

 

Back to the race- after running 200 meters, the first 4 laps were run at 1:18, 1:18, 1:16 and 1:17.  The 15 runners stayed bunched together, with Nurotevil trying to save his energy by running near the back of the pack.  Kentut Busuk, a runner born and bred in Taman Negara was leading the pack.  The 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th (times of 1:18, 1:20, 1:16, 1:18) were led by 4 different runners, Ketiak Harum (runner from Pulau Tioman who trains exclusively barefooted and a proponent of legalizing marijuana), Bontot Kecik (a cyclist who rides 500km per day and does very little running – in fact he runs only once a week at Cameron Highlands, where he does only hill repetitions- 50 x 1000meters), Chee Yoke Farn (pork seller and butcher at Taman Tun Dr Ismail Market who runs 15km to and from the market, therefore daily km run- 30km per day), and Gigi Rosak (swimmer who runs by training exclusively in water- he says it helps with building strength and endurance but is so gentle and kind on the knees because it is very low impact).  Nurotevil in the meanwhile was biding his time, moving towards the middle, and then front of the pack by the 8^th lap.  As the 9^th and 10^th lap progressed (1:15, 1:14), no runners made any move and the pack stayed bunched together.  It was obvious that the race would come down to a kickers race.  Suddenly, at 11^th lap, Gigi Rosak made a break. Ketiak Harum, Bontot Kecik, Nurotevil, and Chee Yoke Farn followed.   Gigi, Ketiak and Bontot were running side by side while Nurotevul and Chee were just behind.  Both Nurotevil and Chee looked down to avoid stepping on the 3 front runners’ shoes.  They toured the lap in 1:12.  At the bell lap, the cheers of the crowd got louder.  The runners breathing were very laboured by that point, knowing that the end of the race as near.  Gigi, Ketiak and Bontot continued with their relentless pace and led Nurotevil and Chee by 2 meters.  At the 150 meter mark, Nurotevil suddenly piled on the pace and flew by the 3.  The crowd was going wild! Chee was falling back but Gigi, Ketiak and Bontot continued.  By the 250 meter mark, all were running at top end, with Nurotevil in the lead, followed Gigi and Ketiak side by side, and Bontot behind.  The position did not change as they entered the final straight.  The runners could hardly hear themselves as the crowd stomped the grandstand and cheered wildly.  At the 350 meter mark, Nurotevil was seizing up- he knew had had reached his absolute limit and his entire body was stiffening.  He could no longer feel his legs.  Still, the finishing line was so near! With 10 meters to go, however, Gigi, Ketiak and Bontot flew by as Nurotevil staggered.  He crossed the finishing line in 4^th position. 

 

Nurotevil was devastated by the loss.  But he found solace in the fact that he had run himself to the ground and gave the race his best shot.  At 31 years old, time was catching up with him.  The advantage is that the SEA Games are held bi-annually, so he will still be a young 33 years old.  But his speed may have deserted him by then and he may have to consider changing events.

 

Nurotevil has suffered another set back.  But he will bounce back.

 

Look out for more stories.