When I first picked up the shoes, first thoughts were “Wow, I’m loving the colour!”. I’m quite tired of the usual white runners with small highlights of colours. I was ready for something unusual. The second thought was, “Mel would love these purple shoes!”. True enough when I tweeted about it, Mel was the first few to @reply.

Reebok has been bubbling under other major sport shoe brands, and I sometimes wonder if it’s really because of the quality or just brand perception. I’m quite brand loyal, but it’s good to see what’s out there too.

The Shoe:

So these ZigTech shoes are Reebok’s most advance running and training show to date. It’s designed to “conserve and return energy back to the runner”. .

The unique zig-zag shaped sole absorbs the impact of heel strike. The technology results in up to 20% less wear and tear on key leg muscles, shins and hamstrings

I’m a perfect candidate for shoe tests and reviews, because I currently have 2 bad knees. With Chondromalacia patella and Tendonitis caused by either over-pronation of the feet and impact sports like running. So I’m always on the look out for shoes that support my arches or in this case reduces impact on the knees.

Verdict:

To be honest, I was unconvinced. Again, perception. If it’s not a adidas, Nike or Asics, it can’t be good for me right? Well…I’ve been wearing it to the gym lately and skeptical as I was at first, it seemed pretty good on my knees so far. The only thing that I would have liked is more support for my arches.

But it’s definitely got a 10/10 in the looks department. I like the combination of the faux leather and polkadots on the shoe. It’s a multi-purpose shoe for gym, court or track, so not just a running shoe.

Been loving the splashes of colours I’ve been adding to my wardrobe lately, and this shoe has been a great addition.

Regular retail price: S$149
Available at Stadium, Royal Sporting House stores, Sports Station and selected authorised dealers.

Did a little Googling to find some additional multimedia on the shoe.

ZigTech microsite <– microsite is pretty cool I must say. Wasn’t expecting it to be so interactive and fun! Try the game

It’s really trial and error to suit your taste and desired consistency. But it’s really made out of just 3 ingredients.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp roasted white sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp Shoyu (soy sauce)
• 1 tbsp sugar, to suite your palate
• 1tbsp water, to suit your desired consistency

Optional

• 1 tbsp mirin (sweet sake)
• tsp mayonnaise

Preparation

1. If you bought raw sesame seeds, toast them on a skillet until brown and stir frequently so it won’t burn
2. Crush sesame seeds in a mortar, or just use a food processor.
3. Mix the shoyu, sugar and water with the ground sesame seeds to form the dressing for the salad.
4. Optional to add mirin or mayonnaise. The latter just gives a creamier texture.

Horenso Salad

Toss baby spinach and some sliced button mushrooms with the sesame dressing

Fry up small amount of bacon bits and thin garlic chips and sprinkle on top

Stare into the Sun
Stare into the sun, stare into the sun
I’m gonna stare into the sun, stare into the sun

The ain’t a cloud in the sky, no nothing
I see the birds they fly on something
This is the summer, it’s the summer, full of colour baby

The sun is shining down for lovers
But not for me, it shines for others
You gave me love, babe
Gave me love, babe, now it’s over

I’m feeling blue ’cause love is gone
Guess I lose, but life goes on
I’ve got a few tears to dry
Before these blue shade days are gone
And I can stare into the sun

I’m gonna swim in seas of green, I tell you
I’m gonna run like I’m seventeen, forever
I see a rainbow, purple and gold, but it’s covered

Oh yeah, ’cause there’s a cloud,
she follows me round, wherever
Her last words keep raining down, on shelter
You took your love babe, took your love babe
Now the colors are melt together

I’m feeling blue, ’cause love is gone
I guess I lose, but life goes on
I’ve got a few tears to dry,
before these blue shade days are gone
And I can stare into the sun

Stare into the sun, stare into the sun
I’m gonna stare into the sun, stare into the sun

You gave me love, babe, gave me love, babe
You gave me love and took it away
You gave me love, babe, gave me love, babe
You gave me love and took it away
You gave me love, babe, gave me love, babe
You gave me love and took it away
You gave me love, babe, gave me love, babe
Oh man, I said oh lord

I’m feeling blue, ’cause love is gone
I guess I lose, but life goes on
I’ve got a few tears to dry,
before these blue shade days are gone
And I can stare into the sun
before these blue shade days are gone
And I can stare into the sun

I’ve got a fever baby!
Your love
I’ve got a fever baby!
It’s your love

I said I’m blue, baby
I said I’m blue, baby
I said I’m blue babe, blue babe
I said I’m blue, baby

I’m crying out late now
The sun is gone
I’m crying out late now
The sun is gone
I need you love
I need you love

Do you see me, baby, on the street?
And I’m her king, to her heat
And I love, babe

Mrs Mac’s is based in Perth and available at almost all gas stations and grocery stores. Brings back a lot of memories this one. My mum likes the famous beef pies and I used to buy back five to ten frozen pies home for her. Anyone in Singapore seen them at the frozen goods section?

House of Trousers (H.o.T) says goodbye to Gentle Reflections with a not so gentle party. The boys were moving out of their crib on Gentle Road and it was a good enough reason to have a costume party!

Theme was Wild Wild West, and yet again I was tasked to do the e-invite, which I must say came out pretty nice and was well received by everyone I do enjoy designing invites. First it was Kimmy’s Birthday, now the Wild West one. I did another 2 more after this which I will post later on.

I went with the cowgirl look coz it was easier to pull off.

- Bandit scarf
- Toy gun & holster
- Rope
- Cowgirl belt buckle
- My mum’s flannel-ish shirt (Which she made when she was in her 20s by the way!)
- Shorts
- black boots

Everyone looked fantastic! Effort! It doesn’t work if your guests aren’t game enough.

(Pictured above) Presenting the H.o.T boys, Sam, Chris, Adam & Joel.

But the real H.o.T.ties are my girls of course.

Till the next costume party…

More photos to follow, but here are the best few from the night.

It was 3m tall and it read “SFMRIOLWEN”, half resin half ice. Then I realized what they had done. They had mixed the words “Smile” and “Frown”. And with time, the “Frown” would melt whilst “Smile” remains solid.

Your worries will come and go.
But a Positive attitude
Can weather anything.

It was the first in the series of original art installations put up by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) in lead up to World Mental Health Day in October.

Here’s a video I found online about the art installation

I think it’s quite nice that they are advocating positive thinking. I for one certainly believe that life could be a lot more pleasant and happier if I wasn’t so pessimistic and cynical. It was a nice little reminder to Be Positive.

And at that very moment, I was grateful and thankful for all my life blessings you know what, I did smile.

After a little research online, here are the next 2 art installations. And Oooo the next one is quite near home, wonder what it’s going to be like?

Positive Art ‘Sunny’ Cheer Up!
3 – 5 September 2010
Toa Payoh Hub (tbc)

Balloon Art
9 – 10 October 2010
Marina Square