Raised the bar! - Part I

Yet another awesome year! I'm an extremely excited kid.

The excitement has yet to wear off despite F1 being over. Its going to be really hard to match this year - it has gotta be one of the best.

On Thursday, which was F1 day zero, caught up with Kevin & Jo for dim sum lunch at Raffles Hotel. They'd just arrived from UK the very morning. HAHA the jetlag was quite visible and they had to return to their hotel shortly after, not before sipping the customary Singapore Sling at the Courtyard bar, blowing like $50+.

I had time to burn, and heard/read beforehand that Massa and Webber would make appearances at Marina Square. Strolled there, waited for half an hour at the Bridgestone event before Massa and Button made their appearance. To cut the story short, after the Q&A with the press, Massa left and I simply followed the crowd and RAN in front of him.

Couldn't believe my luck, I actually managed get him to sign BOTH Friday tickets, Laine's and mine.

When Jenson left, I wasn't so lucky because I didn't have a marker on me! DAMN! =( Tried to get him to sign my BRITAIN book which Kevin n Jo had given me earlier.

A little downcast and sulking at the missed opportunity, I roamed around and stumbled upon Webber's event at MS 7-11. By now I'd mastered the art of stalking F1 drivers. You've to be right in front of them. LOL. I got him to sign a newspaper article and during the event, another Saturday ticket (Diana's).

When Webber left, I went onto the escalator in front of him and was right 1 step before him. Shook his hands and again, no marker, no autograph! =( haha!

After that was Driver's Autograph session at Paddock Club. Food and drinks, and then it was time to meet the drivers. Initially they allowed signing of items, and so I got Vettel, Massa n Alonso to sign on my Green Room Tickets!

But by the time Schumi came out, they stopped allowing it because it was taking up too much time. Awwww. =( And so I only got a postcard signed. But nevertheless, getting to meet your idol is such an absolutely wonderful thing.

Button and Lewis signed on the previously mentioned Britain book. Awesome! (and Button was amused at seeing the same book again!)

The great part about Michael was that he eventually told the staff off, saying that he was the one signing, and who were they to tell them what to sign! (Y). Too bad he left before I got to him again.

Next up was to deliver tickets to John, another buyer from the UK. He told me he was staying at the Carlton hotel. Went there, was told there was no such guest, the reception called the Ritz, and indeed, they were staying at Ritz. The roads were all sealed, and I had to trek all the way again from Raffles Hotel to Pan Pacific on foot to pass the tickets.

Friendly! =) I think most of them from the UK are! We spoke for a while and then arranged to meet up in the circuit.

On Friday, by the time most of my tickets had been snapped up/given away. Met Laines for B'day lunch at Kushinbo! Yays awesome (minus the fruits and desserts I tried!) LOL. And then for some mugging at Gloria Jeans (note: not white old town coffee, old white town coffee etc. haha)

And I can't believe Reynold Tan can be LATE for the Garage Visit. I didn't want to risk waiting for him and so went ahead first. YOU SUCK REYNOLD TAN! STOP BEING LATE!!

GARAGE VISIT was WOOHOO!!! It was like SURREAL. A tour of the Red Bull Racing Garage and entrance to the Paddock. I traded a cap (from refer a friend) for a Bridgestone winner's cap. WOOT! And then got Vettel to sign it!!!

But the best was yet to come, I camped and camped, and Schumi appeared!! OMG HEART ATTACK! This time I was sure to have my marker and got him to sign my Green Room Sunday ticket!

OH YEA OH YEA. I must've looked damn embarrassing celebrating it! And we glimpsed Bernie at the Paddock too.

Thereafter I met laines and we went on the Flyer with reynold the photographer. haha he used my green room ticket to get access to the Flyer. LOL.

The view was OMG GOOD! Because you could see the whole pit straight and major parts of the circuit. Daughtry was up next, after a long walk to the Village stage. We had dinner standing and when the concert started, Laines was so super duper hyped! =)))

Walked to the flyer for drinks after that and then it was another long walk to the Bay grandstand before we left the circuit.

There was a surprise in store! My bday surprise at Marina Square with lightsticks and cake! haha Thanks everyone! =)

And we headed home by train, thanks to extended operating hours.. =)