I bought them today!

They cost doubled because the NSTP (the news publishing house) said so. Actually the very reason I bought them was that I wanted to join a contest with total RM17K up for grabs. All I need to do is to tag the name players from both teams for their starting lineup/formation and submit. However, the trick was to collect the name tags published everyday until 23rd May 2005. (Good idea to increase sales of newspapers).

Initially, I thought the contest started on Saturday May 14th and was frantically looking for it. I called friends and relatives hoping they have a copy to spare but sadly, no one has. This morning a voice prompted me to give NSTP a phone call and ring them I did. As the person answered told me that they store past issues and I was delighted with excitement. Rushed out the house risking delay for my lunch appointment at 12.30 and got to Bangsar to purchase May 14th's issue. As I flipped through the pages I saw the players name but felt something was still amiss. Some players' names I arranged were not in this issue! Panic! but able to rationally suspect the contest started much earlier than 14th but when?

The person handling the counter did not look please of me asking so many times without able to make up my mind which past issues I wanted.

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Therefore, taking a risk I ordered May 12th and 13th. Again excitement spiraled in me finding those missing names. Annoyingly without my master reference, I could not determine whatever I have bought was sufficient. Got home, started my cut and paste job. Finally it looked better but with five critical players' name missing. (Baros, Hyypia, Garcia, Kaka and Cafu).

Disappointed yet undeterred I drove back to NSTP which was another 10KM, RM1.50 toll fees and 78 cents petrol away. Wiser this round, I got my notes, glue, scissors, envelope, pen and spare name tags all stored in a used Ferrero Rocher box. Making no mistake this time, I purchased May 9th, 10th and 11th. I found out that the contest started on the 11th and indeed I have collected that whole week's collection of Malay Mail for a price of RM10.00 (2.00 per copy).
Surprisingly also was the 5 names I was looking for were all in the 11th issue. Quickly I did my art work in the car and submitted the entry at 15.50 hours today. Praying I win something for the effort I have dump in.

It costed me in total RM25.40 for the newspapers, petrol and toll fees. Moreover, my car was banged from behind by this nice looking Malay lady who works at The Star Press. She drove a Toyota VIOS and the front bumper sustained deep scratches but no damage for mine. Settled then and there but regretted not getting her number else can call in case.

Lastly, I hope that this damn contest is worth all the effort. Tonight AC Milan vs Liverpool champions league finals!