I finally got it. I was granted 5 days plus 3 extra days leave after our official holidays to spend in Kuching and Miri. A total of 8 days of leave (Nov 9, 10, 11… 14, 15, 16, 17, 18). Kind boss he is.
The fact that I am taking a week’s leave (5 days straight) is heavy enough an issue for me to take extra 3 more days to accommodate my confirmed trip. I’ve already bought the flight ticket at cheap fare with Airasia to Kuching. Then I plan to spend another week in Miri. What was left to do was apply for 8 days leave. I only have 5 days left. Three more I hope to get as a favor. The end justifies the means they say. I was supposed to have this discussion on Friday but he was busy running all over the place.
“Ah, I could text him about this on Monday. I will come in on Monday, Oct 31, Wednesday Nov 2nd and Monday Nov 7th, take care of things when no one is in the office and take leave when everybody comes back from their holidays. A replacement of sort.” I thought.
We’re actually closed for business from October 31, 2005 through November 8, 2005. That’s a long break for Deepavali (1st Nov) and Aidilfitri (2 & 3 Nov). So, it is a lot to ask for 8 days leave right after. Replacements sound sensible enough to me. Besides, I’ve done whole Saturdays and Sundays before. A long break for me is not dificult to consider, I hope.
It’s complicated and I’m sorry. But my sisters and family will be in Miri starting from 14th Nov; school holidays. With me there, it’s a family reunion. And I would very much like to spend some days visiting friends in Kuching a week before that.”
And so I text-ed
“Mr. Boss, I need 3 extra days leave apart from remaining 5 days annual leave. So, today, Wednesday and next Monday I am in the office. I need 2 b in Kch and Miri from 9 to 18 nov. Up to 8 days leave. I will be available and online throughout my leave 4 urgent matters n clarification. Hope u’ll consider and grant this favor. Thank you.”
I hesitated before pressing send.
“He has responded to my messages before. He’ll think of something. He’ll call,” and I waited.
After a while Mr. Boss called.
“I got your message,” he began.
He asked about urgent matters at hand, pending issues and unfinished business. After reassuring him that everything has been arranged and I will be in touch during my vacation, he gave me the OK. Such excellent outcome. I wished him a good Aidilfitri Celebration and hung up. My heart raced with joy. My day in the office on Halloween and Deepavali eve just got sweeter. I am thrilled with partial disbelief.
Initially, my worst case scenario was to result in three days of unpaid leaves. A considerable amount of money. But in the end, all is good. My boos is good. There has been times when I thought of leaving but today is certainly not the day. For I am going on a much needed break. Yay!
Monday, October 31, 2005
Fiesta!
Great week this is. Halloween, Deepavali and Aidilfitri. Fun fiesta holidays celebration. Soak it in!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
kawanaku.com
It has been weeks since I revisited my early school days. Today, I’m on it again. There’s this great site that I find very exciting in tracking long lost friends, school friends, in Malaysia. It’s http://www.kawanaku.com/. Sort of like friendster.com but here you get to find childhood friends. I immediately signed up and started looking for friends. Sadly, only one friend from my primary and secondary school each signed up as members. Both of them I am already in contact with. This site has been out there for quite a while now but I only got to it today. There’s no telling when the rest of my friends will find out. No wonder there are just 2 of us in the class list.
I was also looking for my primary school’s website but with no luck. How I wish I could get in touch with my primary school friends and maybe have a reunion some day. That would be so cool. Reminiscing the old crazy times we has as crazy careless kids. SRB Saint Columba’s Primary School. There, that should do it. Let’s just hope someone out there will Google up this school name and find this link. Let's give it several more.
SRB St. Columba’s Primary School
SRB St. Columba’s Primary School
SRB St. Columba’s Primary School
Alright. We’re all set. The last thing I need to know is that it doesn’t work this way. Shhhh!
I was also looking for my primary school’s website but with no luck. How I wish I could get in touch with my primary school friends and maybe have a reunion some day. That would be so cool. Reminiscing the old crazy times we has as crazy careless kids. SRB Saint Columba’s Primary School. There, that should do it. Let’s just hope someone out there will Google up this school name and find this link. Let's give it several more.
SRB St. Columba’s Primary School
SRB St. Columba’s Primary School
SRB St. Columba’s Primary School
Alright. We’re all set. The last thing I need to know is that it doesn’t work this way. Shhhh!
Monday, October 24, 2005
Friday, October 21, 2005
ABC...
In anticipation of the upcoming Harry Potter movie, Goblet Of Fire, I watched The Sorcerer’s Stone last night. I tickles me a little to see the young Radcliff with his squeaky little voice. And now he’s all grown up in the GOF trailer. How we grow.
Seeing young Potter’s reactions on his first school days, looking amazed and puzzled at everything, kinda reminds me of my own first few days in primary and secondary school. Though not at all magical, they were somewhat strange, scary and amusing.
I was seven on my primary school registration days. Boys wore white shirts and navy blue shorts. Girls wore white blouse under navy blue overalls. Parents busy running around getting forms signed and paying fees. Kids looking around, screening for prospect friends. I spent one year in kindergarten and though the number of new kids was not unusual, I was delighted to see so many new faces. At the same time I worried how I was going to get by, all alone. Some kids obviously knew each other and some even wasted no time chasing one another playing ‘police and thieves’ or ‘tag-you’re it’. I, on the other hand, had to start from scratch. *Sigh*
Most of the teachers looked friendly but some seemed transparently not amused. I soon learned that they were not to be messed with. I also learned that some kids were thick enough to give this fact a frightful demonstration. I was the mild mannered kid, naïve and fearful.
Senior students would walk by and take an examining look.
“Lets see who’s the lucky punk this year…”
Some of us caught a glimpse of their piercing stare and quickly looked at other random directions.
“All right now. In pairs, make two lines. We’re going to tour the school” a teacher said and we all gleefully lined up.
.
.
.
.
.
Do you still remember your first school days?
Seeing young Potter’s reactions on his first school days, looking amazed and puzzled at everything, kinda reminds me of my own first few days in primary and secondary school. Though not at all magical, they were somewhat strange, scary and amusing.
I was seven on my primary school registration days. Boys wore white shirts and navy blue shorts. Girls wore white blouse under navy blue overalls. Parents busy running around getting forms signed and paying fees. Kids looking around, screening for prospect friends. I spent one year in kindergarten and though the number of new kids was not unusual, I was delighted to see so many new faces. At the same time I worried how I was going to get by, all alone. Some kids obviously knew each other and some even wasted no time chasing one another playing ‘police and thieves’ or ‘tag-you’re it’. I, on the other hand, had to start from scratch. *Sigh*
Most of the teachers looked friendly but some seemed transparently not amused. I soon learned that they were not to be messed with. I also learned that some kids were thick enough to give this fact a frightful demonstration. I was the mild mannered kid, naïve and fearful.
Senior students would walk by and take an examining look.
“Lets see who’s the lucky punk this year…”
Some of us caught a glimpse of their piercing stare and quickly looked at other random directions.
“All right now. In pairs, make two lines. We’re going to tour the school” a teacher said and we all gleefully lined up.
.
.
.
.
.
Do you still remember your first school days?
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Cuckoo...
It has been three days since I got this nagging flu. Nothing major really, just annoying fluid running down my right nostril. It did my left nostril yesterday. My workstation is full of tissue paper trash. Wet ones. If there was no sniffing sound coming from me, others would definitely think I can’t stop helping myself on porn. How many times a day can a man get it good?
I could just let it crawl slowly down my nostril but I’d be tickled to death before it touches my lips. Wouldn’t want that either. Notice how easy it is to just let your tongue out and lick any savory juice on your lips. Mmm…salty. What juice did you say it was? Tomato? Oh, naughty!
I go to bed with a blocked nose. I wake up with a blocked nose. Sometimes breathing takes more effort. When I blow, my ears get muffled. Sniff…sniff…slurp.
There are times when I sneeze up to 10 times in succession till my eyes get swollen and watery, my face feels thick and puffy. Rubbing my palm against my face vigorously feels good but most of the times it makes me look worse. Kinda like having a terrible itch. Feels damn good to scratch but gets worse at the same time.
Does this sound more like an allergy attack than a flu? Either way it sucks!
I can’t possibly have bird flu. My daily close encounter is only with chicks with hooters, or some indication of sort. Besides, I should have body aches and feverish body temperature. But how much longer should I sniff! This is driving me crazy.
Sniff…
I could just let it crawl slowly down my nostril but I’d be tickled to death before it touches my lips. Wouldn’t want that either. Notice how easy it is to just let your tongue out and lick any savory juice on your lips. Mmm…salty. What juice did you say it was? Tomato? Oh, naughty!
I go to bed with a blocked nose. I wake up with a blocked nose. Sometimes breathing takes more effort. When I blow, my ears get muffled. Sniff…sniff…slurp.
There are times when I sneeze up to 10 times in succession till my eyes get swollen and watery, my face feels thick and puffy. Rubbing my palm against my face vigorously feels good but most of the times it makes me look worse. Kinda like having a terrible itch. Feels damn good to scratch but gets worse at the same time.
Does this sound more like an allergy attack than a flu? Either way it sucks!
I can’t possibly have bird flu. My daily close encounter is only with chicks with hooters, or some indication of sort. Besides, I should have body aches and feverish body temperature. But how much longer should I sniff! This is driving me crazy.
Sniff…
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Blur me up!
Lately life’s feeling like a roller coaster.
Days gone by and it keeps on getting harder.
Work, it feels heavier on my shoulders.
Parties left me to be less than sober.
And I’m so broke I should be a beggar.
Does it help that I don’t have a partner?
The only sure thing I’m getting is older.
Oh well, such is the world’s order.
But I won’t give up, I won’t surrender.
I play my part in this great big theater.
And like art, not everything has to be crystal clear
Sometimes it just feels good to be this blur.
Days gone by and it keeps on getting harder.
Work, it feels heavier on my shoulders.
Parties left me to be less than sober.
And I’m so broke I should be a beggar.
Does it help that I don’t have a partner?
The only sure thing I’m getting is older.
Oh well, such is the world’s order.
But I won’t give up, I won’t surrender.
I play my part in this great big theater.
And like art, not everything has to be crystal clear
Sometimes it just feels good to be this blur.
For sure...
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Lights, camera, azan!
Scenes at KLCC Mosque on the first night of Ramadhan. 
Praying space....
Praying in perspective.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Lunch up...
“I’m hungry…no breakfast” said a colleague beside me and the rest gave a brief laugh.
Why is that funny? It's just breakfast...
As they continued giggling I realized that it’s the first day of the fasting month for Muslims. In a month, Raya will be upon us again. Celebrations and merrymaking. Food everywhere.
But for now, it’s fasting time for Muslims. No lunch for most. For me, I’ll have to find an outlet for lunch without anyone giving me that incriminating look. Where no restaurateur will ask if I’m a Muslim or if I’m supposed to be fasting like everyone else. Where I won’t be rounded up with the rest of the fasting offenders during an ambush by the Islamic Department Enforcement Squad.
Hmmm. Where could I get lunch today…
Why is that funny? It's just breakfast...
As they continued giggling I realized that it’s the first day of the fasting month for Muslims. In a month, Raya will be upon us again. Celebrations and merrymaking. Food everywhere.
But for now, it’s fasting time for Muslims. No lunch for most. For me, I’ll have to find an outlet for lunch without anyone giving me that incriminating look. Where no restaurateur will ask if I’m a Muslim or if I’m supposed to be fasting like everyone else. Where I won’t be rounded up with the rest of the fasting offenders during an ambush by the Islamic Department Enforcement Squad.
Hmmm. Where could I get lunch today…
Monday, October 03, 2005
Why so blue?
What is it about that blue screen stop error in windows. That bone chilling thrill that we get every time it slaps our monitor blue. The feeling that we would never see our faithful desktop any more.
***STOP
It goes on to say
If this is the first time you’ve seen this STOP error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps.
Check to make sure any new hardware blah blah blah….
There has been no new hardware added recently. And there are no new software installed. And I’m not geek enough to learn troubleshooting the error that summoned this Blue Screen Of Death, linked here. Neither do I have the time for it.
So, next time you decide to go blue on me, why don’t you follow these steps for a change.
Check to make sure that you have your foot up your arse and go funk yourself!
Monday, September 26, 2005
Bummer!
A shocking thing happened to me just now. At 4 pm I was heading to a sub-contractor’s office. On Jalan Tun Razak, traffic was on the usual crawl (but bearable since it’s not rush hour yet) I was minding my own space in front, stop-and-going with the flow. Behind me was a young couple in a black Hyundai Atoz. The chick’s kinda cute.
Moments passed as cars played choo-choo train, slowly and patiently moving to pass the bottle necking point up front. After IJN and in front of the Hospital compound, I casually braked and stopped, as did the car in front. Then, as immediate as it was sudden, a thud came from behind, I was jerked front to back. I hit the brakes, looked at my rear view mirror and saw the young couple tailing me earlier.
The chick looked alarmed but not horrified. The driver did not panic. My heartbeat was racing as I thought of what to do next. Cars in front were moving again and I grew more concerned. Looking at the couple behind, I motioned that we pulled over to the sides and to my relief saw a bus stand a couple of meters up front.
They must not get away before I can asses the damage. I quickly signaled and started to approach left toward the bus stand. Keeping my eyes fixed on the Atoz. When I got there the couple was still trying to cut the lane to move toward me. I got off and inspected my car’s behind, still focused on the Atoz. A cover patch on my bumper was dangling but very much intact. Good thing I didn’t lose it on the road. I stood up and waited for them to arrive.
*&%# ! How hard is it to just keep your distance and brake in time. It’s not like we were moving at 80 kmph! Everybody was doing 15 to 20 kmph for pete’s sake! Now they’ve given me unnecessary cardio beats. I'm a little angry at this senseless incident. My heart was still beating furiously. My mind, on the other hand, thought there was nothing major so I kept my cool. They finally got through the traffic and pulled over behind me. The chick came out first.
I looked at her face. Her expression was apologetic. She looked good though. But wait a minute, she was sitting at the passenger side. Hey! Where the hell is the driver? And why the hell did I force a smile?
“Did we hit you hard? Is the damage bad? We’re so sorry, mister” she pleaded.
“Not really. Just this thing popping out of my bumper.” I answered as I bent down and tried to fix the dangling cover back on. It didn’t go in easily. I had to let out a loud groan, just so they know this is not exactly what I intend to do under the sun beside a chick whose boyfriend was so chicken to come out first. At that point he was out of the car himself.
“Is it bad? We’re sorry man” he said.
I looked at him, turned to her and then bent down again to continue fitting the cover. Damn this thing is stubborn! My eyes scanned the rest of the section to see if there were any dents and scratches. None. Except for circles of dust caused by droplets of rain. Hadn’t washed my car in weeks and it's obvious.
Finally it clicked and my bumper was like new again, dirty no doubt, but without damage. I stood up, looked at the couple and they apologized again.
Do I want to give them a piece of my mind? Do I want to translate my beating heart’s rhythm into anger and dish out hot, flaming advice? Ask for damage repair money maybe? Given the traffic and blazing sun and all?
I asked this after I satisfied myself that there’s no dent and scratches on.
Looking at the chick, I just said ‘it’s okay’ as she apologized again. I uttered ‘it’s okay’ as well when the guy apologized next. I gave them an obvious fake grin with a twist of pissed off look, turned around and got back in my car. I clapped the dust off my hand, started the engine, gave a right turn signal and got the hell out of there. They must have waited a while so they won’t pass me somewhere in the queue since I didn’t see them far behind me.
I hate to say it but I have been kissed once now. It might not be a horrible incident but it taught them a lesson or two.
Keep your distance if you are incapable of focusing on the road. Especially when with a chick! When touching happens, pull over. When heavy petting occurs, get a room! When you’ve kissed someone, be scared, be very scared, coz there’s no telling what the psychotic kissee is capable of doing. It doesn’t matter if you’ve caused a scratch, a dent or nothing at all. If he’s not in a good mood, he might yell at you, call his posse, beat you up while they’re on their way, screw your girlfriend and rob you at gunpoint. He could easily be a convict on the run, a thug or a serial killer.
Beware…
On a lighter note, it also taught the driver another lesson. When in trouble on the road, if the situation permits, use your girlfriend to soften the male victim’s emotion. His anger might cool off when he sees a cute chick who’s tactful and charming. Let her get out of the car first, walk apologetically toward the driver and plead for forgiveness. For minor or no damage, the victim may just forget the incident and assure that it’s no biggie. He might show that he’s pissed off but you’re in no danger of being sued, fined or bashed up to death.
Hell! Who am I kidding, he knew this long before I did.
I’m a sucker for pleading chicks!
Moments passed as cars played choo-choo train, slowly and patiently moving to pass the bottle necking point up front. After IJN and in front of the Hospital compound, I casually braked and stopped, as did the car in front. Then, as immediate as it was sudden, a thud came from behind, I was jerked front to back. I hit the brakes, looked at my rear view mirror and saw the young couple tailing me earlier.
The chick looked alarmed but not horrified. The driver did not panic. My heartbeat was racing as I thought of what to do next. Cars in front were moving again and I grew more concerned. Looking at the couple behind, I motioned that we pulled over to the sides and to my relief saw a bus stand a couple of meters up front.
They must not get away before I can asses the damage. I quickly signaled and started to approach left toward the bus stand. Keeping my eyes fixed on the Atoz. When I got there the couple was still trying to cut the lane to move toward me. I got off and inspected my car’s behind, still focused on the Atoz. A cover patch on my bumper was dangling but very much intact. Good thing I didn’t lose it on the road. I stood up and waited for them to arrive.
*&%# ! How hard is it to just keep your distance and brake in time. It’s not like we were moving at 80 kmph! Everybody was doing 15 to 20 kmph for pete’s sake! Now they’ve given me unnecessary cardio beats. I'm a little angry at this senseless incident. My heart was still beating furiously. My mind, on the other hand, thought there was nothing major so I kept my cool. They finally got through the traffic and pulled over behind me. The chick came out first.
I looked at her face. Her expression was apologetic. She looked good though. But wait a minute, she was sitting at the passenger side. Hey! Where the hell is the driver? And why the hell did I force a smile?
“Did we hit you hard? Is the damage bad? We’re so sorry, mister” she pleaded.
“Not really. Just this thing popping out of my bumper.” I answered as I bent down and tried to fix the dangling cover back on. It didn’t go in easily. I had to let out a loud groan, just so they know this is not exactly what I intend to do under the sun beside a chick whose boyfriend was so chicken to come out first. At that point he was out of the car himself.
“Is it bad? We’re sorry man” he said.
I looked at him, turned to her and then bent down again to continue fitting the cover. Damn this thing is stubborn! My eyes scanned the rest of the section to see if there were any dents and scratches. None. Except for circles of dust caused by droplets of rain. Hadn’t washed my car in weeks and it's obvious.
Finally it clicked and my bumper was like new again, dirty no doubt, but without damage. I stood up, looked at the couple and they apologized again.
Do I want to give them a piece of my mind? Do I want to translate my beating heart’s rhythm into anger and dish out hot, flaming advice? Ask for damage repair money maybe? Given the traffic and blazing sun and all?
I asked this after I satisfied myself that there’s no dent and scratches on.
Looking at the chick, I just said ‘it’s okay’ as she apologized again. I uttered ‘it’s okay’ as well when the guy apologized next. I gave them an obvious fake grin with a twist of pissed off look, turned around and got back in my car. I clapped the dust off my hand, started the engine, gave a right turn signal and got the hell out of there. They must have waited a while so they won’t pass me somewhere in the queue since I didn’t see them far behind me.
I hate to say it but I have been kissed once now. It might not be a horrible incident but it taught them a lesson or two.
Keep your distance if you are incapable of focusing on the road. Especially when with a chick! When touching happens, pull over. When heavy petting occurs, get a room! When you’ve kissed someone, be scared, be very scared, coz there’s no telling what the psychotic kissee is capable of doing. It doesn’t matter if you’ve caused a scratch, a dent or nothing at all. If he’s not in a good mood, he might yell at you, call his posse, beat you up while they’re on their way, screw your girlfriend and rob you at gunpoint. He could easily be a convict on the run, a thug or a serial killer.
Beware…
On a lighter note, it also taught the driver another lesson. When in trouble on the road, if the situation permits, use your girlfriend to soften the male victim’s emotion. His anger might cool off when he sees a cute chick who’s tactful and charming. Let her get out of the car first, walk apologetically toward the driver and plead for forgiveness. For minor or no damage, the victim may just forget the incident and assure that it’s no biggie. He might show that he’s pissed off but you’re in no danger of being sued, fined or bashed up to death.
Hell! Who am I kidding, he knew this long before I did.
I’m a sucker for pleading chicks!
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Expected profanity
“You asshole!” yelled a friend after he realized I’ve pulled a prank on him.
I should have my heart sank to my bowels but this I did expect and deserve. To see the look on his face, priceless! Why, he found it funny too since he can’t refrain from smiling and eventually burst into laughter. Hah!
Happy to be an asshole once in a while. I can’t say I’ll enjoy it my whole life though, especially if I’m cursed into being one. My nearest neighbor will literally be a prick. Worse, two nuts are always hanging around with him. And don’t tell him this but I think he’s going nuts himself coz he’s always amused whenever he’s abused. Hah!
I should have my heart sank to my bowels but this I did expect and deserve. To see the look on his face, priceless! Why, he found it funny too since he can’t refrain from smiling and eventually burst into laughter. Hah!
Happy to be an asshole once in a while. I can’t say I’ll enjoy it my whole life though, especially if I’m cursed into being one. My nearest neighbor will literally be a prick. Worse, two nuts are always hanging around with him. And don’t tell him this but I think he’s going nuts himself coz he’s always amused whenever he’s abused. Hah!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Curse me silly and call me Harry!
I am bewitched! I succumbed to Harry Potter. I don’t know if I should ask ‘What took me so long!’ or ‘What was I thinking?!’
You see, I’ve read many Potter lovers and haters comments alike and nothing can be as opposite. Huh? W.T.F does that mean? Love, hate, duh….!
Let me explain. I used to not really care what both group say. How and why they love or hate Potter.
So what if they love Potter. So Rowling is a good writer. So I love the movie. That ain’t enough for me to pick up the book and start reading. Besides, there are six books out now. Which will I start with, having watched all three movies already?
So what if it’s child fantasy? So Harry is a teenage boy. So the adults reading Potter are somewhat childish. So the fan base is huge and all they say is how they love Potter. That ain’t the reason to hate. Besides, it’s a free world. We are all different and I have no right to judge.
*
Then, Half Blood Prince was released. And Goblet of Fire is being shot. One good friend tells me he got hooked on potter since last year. Another friend says she fell victim last summer. And another,.. and another. The point is, they are adults close to me. We are friends and therefore we bear compatible rationales. I do love all three movies. It doesn’t hurt to get a complete picture of the upcoming one. In fact, I anticipate a delightful experience knowing the story and discovering how brilliant the movie adapted to the book. I know that the book caters for children as well as adults so the read should be easy, however slow the start may be.
I don’t know how it happened but one day a friend lent me Goblet of Fire and it took me months to get a smooth sailing. Work and other interesting stuff, or so I thought, deprived me of a decent reading session. Months gone by and I still have many chapters to read. I don’t want to read as an obligation but my friend knows the book has been with me for so long. “What is he doing with it? Keeping it as a decorative ornament?”
So last Friday I made it a point to finally get on with it. One chapter went by a tad too slow. Then the next got better until I finally caught steam. I put down the book at around 4 am Saturday. Woke up on Saturday afternoon, went to Ikea and got back to reading at 11pm. I kept on reading till 7 am Sunday, had breakfast and dropped dead to devour some sleep, several more chapters to go. Woke up after noon on Sunday again and went to Ikea/Ikano again to get the fifth book, Order of the Phoenix, 20% discount I saw the day before. I rushed home to finish the remaining chapter in Goblet of Fire. I read with excitement as I know what is waiting for me as soon as I finished. The next book! A reward 20% less. Such a sweet deal. Done with Goblet of Fire, I immediately started the Order of the Phoenix. I reached the chapter where the children were explained about the Order of the Phoenix when Mrs. Weasley exclaimed “That’s enough!”
“I want you in bed now. All of you!” she added.
The clock says 3am and that’s my cue too. As if she knew I needed to sleep immediately or I’ll be a zombie at work on Monday!
So now I’m on the fifth book. I reckon I’ll need this weekend to finish the book. Nope, I’m not a die hard fan to get it done this few days but it will be good, like they say it would. I can’t imagine how I’m supposed to survive after finishing the fifth book. The sixth is still in hardcover and it costs 99 bucks! Will I buy it anyway? That depends on how badly cursed I am by then. Any news on the release of paperback version, people, anyone?
*
I guess by now you would have guessed that I’m no reader. I’m not the person who goes to the bookstore looking for the next big thing in bookworm world. But I’m not the person who doesn’t wake up and smell the coffee either, for I am still in this planet. It’s just that I know when I start to pick up a book, a good book, I will never put it down till it’s done. I know I will lose sleep and miss out on other thing I love to do when not reading, which is most of the time. I desperately have to achieve more but time stays the same. And I’m only getting older.
You would also reckon that I am now officially a Potter book fan. I now understand the intensity of love and adoration toward the character and the admiration for Rowling. Many times during my adventure in the Goblet of Fire I thought to myself, did she thought this all by herself? This looks like so much work! The never ending events, the intriguing characters and the brilliant buildup! Such brainwork!
I also understand the obsession hoards of people show when they lined up and camped outside stores days before every book release, enduring the mad rush and cold.
I understand the flip side as well. How people are tired of watching the avid fans’ behavior. How everything they hear seem to be related to Harry Potter, months after every book release, especially the sixth one. How the hype never seemed to end and they had to scream ‘get a life people!’ Most of all, I understand why some people just don’t get it. They haven’t read it yet.
You see, I’ve read many Potter lovers and haters comments alike and nothing can be as opposite. Huh? W.T.F does that mean? Love, hate, duh….!
Let me explain. I used to not really care what both group say. How and why they love or hate Potter.
So what if they love Potter. So Rowling is a good writer. So I love the movie. That ain’t enough for me to pick up the book and start reading. Besides, there are six books out now. Which will I start with, having watched all three movies already?
So what if it’s child fantasy? So Harry is a teenage boy. So the adults reading Potter are somewhat childish. So the fan base is huge and all they say is how they love Potter. That ain’t the reason to hate. Besides, it’s a free world. We are all different and I have no right to judge.
*
Then, Half Blood Prince was released. And Goblet of Fire is being shot. One good friend tells me he got hooked on potter since last year. Another friend says she fell victim last summer. And another,.. and another. The point is, they are adults close to me. We are friends and therefore we bear compatible rationales. I do love all three movies. It doesn’t hurt to get a complete picture of the upcoming one. In fact, I anticipate a delightful experience knowing the story and discovering how brilliant the movie adapted to the book. I know that the book caters for children as well as adults so the read should be easy, however slow the start may be.
I don’t know how it happened but one day a friend lent me Goblet of Fire and it took me months to get a smooth sailing. Work and other interesting stuff, or so I thought, deprived me of a decent reading session. Months gone by and I still have many chapters to read. I don’t want to read as an obligation but my friend knows the book has been with me for so long. “What is he doing with it? Keeping it as a decorative ornament?”
So last Friday I made it a point to finally get on with it. One chapter went by a tad too slow. Then the next got better until I finally caught steam. I put down the book at around 4 am Saturday. Woke up on Saturday afternoon, went to Ikea and got back to reading at 11pm. I kept on reading till 7 am Sunday, had breakfast and dropped dead to devour some sleep, several more chapters to go. Woke up after noon on Sunday again and went to Ikea/Ikano again to get the fifth book, Order of the Phoenix, 20% discount I saw the day before. I rushed home to finish the remaining chapter in Goblet of Fire. I read with excitement as I know what is waiting for me as soon as I finished. The next book! A reward 20% less. Such a sweet deal. Done with Goblet of Fire, I immediately started the Order of the Phoenix. I reached the chapter where the children were explained about the Order of the Phoenix when Mrs. Weasley exclaimed “That’s enough!”
“I want you in bed now. All of you!” she added.
The clock says 3am and that’s my cue too. As if she knew I needed to sleep immediately or I’ll be a zombie at work on Monday!
So now I’m on the fifth book. I reckon I’ll need this weekend to finish the book. Nope, I’m not a die hard fan to get it done this few days but it will be good, like they say it would. I can’t imagine how I’m supposed to survive after finishing the fifth book. The sixth is still in hardcover and it costs 99 bucks! Will I buy it anyway? That depends on how badly cursed I am by then. Any news on the release of paperback version, people, anyone?
*
I guess by now you would have guessed that I’m no reader. I’m not the person who goes to the bookstore looking for the next big thing in bookworm world. But I’m not the person who doesn’t wake up and smell the coffee either, for I am still in this planet. It’s just that I know when I start to pick up a book, a good book, I will never put it down till it’s done. I know I will lose sleep and miss out on other thing I love to do when not reading, which is most of the time. I desperately have to achieve more but time stays the same. And I’m only getting older.
You would also reckon that I am now officially a Potter book fan. I now understand the intensity of love and adoration toward the character and the admiration for Rowling. Many times during my adventure in the Goblet of Fire I thought to myself, did she thought this all by herself? This looks like so much work! The never ending events, the intriguing characters and the brilliant buildup! Such brainwork!
I also understand the obsession hoards of people show when they lined up and camped outside stores days before every book release, enduring the mad rush and cold.
I understand the flip side as well. How people are tired of watching the avid fans’ behavior. How everything they hear seem to be related to Harry Potter, months after every book release, especially the sixth one. How the hype never seemed to end and they had to scream ‘get a life people!’ Most of all, I understand why some people just don’t get it. They haven’t read it yet.
Friday, September 16, 2005
KLCC
These images were taken last night. Been meaning to get them for a while now. But they're still not sharp since I didn't use a tripod. I must get a tripod...
A portion of the KLCC park with the convention center located just over the pond.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
September
A lot’s been going on in September. Each year it fills with events big and small, short and tall, rise and fall.
Being the month after Merdeka, it shares the happenings brought about as the Malaysian Independence Celebration. It does help that the shopping month stretch between August and September. There is an air of celebration which still lingers on to this day.
Abroad unfortunately, the events are less of a celebration. Just look up the news front any day and you’ll be greeted with destruction, sadness and sorrow.
Planes crash in August through September and I can only imagine how relatives cope. After Katrina, onward comes Ophelia. It is comforting to understand that there is hope. Four years after 9/11, the survival lesson, was it learned?
Green Day tastefully sings for us all this September. My first impression told me that releasing this single then was a brilliant marketing strategy. The uplifting beat and the meaningful lyrics however , is enough to brush that impression away and acknowledge it is truly a brilliant song, apt for times like these. It makes me realize that not everything is about making big bucks.
The more I listened to Green Day’s September, the sadder I get. At times, my eyes water when I listen and empathize. The video says it all but when I relate to other events in September I get caught in the sadness of it all. When this happens, I honestly needed time to regain myself, hold back the tears and focus on what I was doing earlier, like I did driving to work today.
Extracts from Green Day's "Wake me up when September Ends";
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends
ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when september ends
Being the month after Merdeka, it shares the happenings brought about as the Malaysian Independence Celebration. It does help that the shopping month stretch between August and September. There is an air of celebration which still lingers on to this day.
Abroad unfortunately, the events are less of a celebration. Just look up the news front any day and you’ll be greeted with destruction, sadness and sorrow.
Planes crash in August through September and I can only imagine how relatives cope. After Katrina, onward comes Ophelia. It is comforting to understand that there is hope. Four years after 9/11, the survival lesson, was it learned?
Green Day tastefully sings for us all this September. My first impression told me that releasing this single then was a brilliant marketing strategy. The uplifting beat and the meaningful lyrics however , is enough to brush that impression away and acknowledge it is truly a brilliant song, apt for times like these. It makes me realize that not everything is about making big bucks.
The more I listened to Green Day’s September, the sadder I get. At times, my eyes water when I listen and empathize. The video says it all but when I relate to other events in September I get caught in the sadness of it all. When this happens, I honestly needed time to regain myself, hold back the tears and focus on what I was doing earlier, like I did driving to work today.
Extracts from Green Day's "Wake me up when September Ends";
Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
wake me up when september ends
like my fathers come to pass
seven years has gone so fast
wake me up when september ends
here comes the rain again
falling from the stars
drenched in my pain again
becoming who we are
as my memory rests
but never forgets what I lost
wake me up when september ends
ring out the bells again
like we did when spring began
wake me up when september ends
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Snap!
“Razak! I want your report” barked the boss from across the room..
“Yah, I’m doing it now” Razak reassured him.
“I’ve asked two weeks already now and I still don’t have your report. And yours also, Harith” the boss added.
“I was not in last week right? I’ll hand it in later” said Harith.
Whoa...! That's not the sound of music for the boss. The last thing he needs is a lame excuse. Just say yes boss. On the double boss. Consider it done later boss.
Oh, and Harith is one character you don't want to have in the office or anywhere near you but that's a whole other story.
“You people never report on time. You have no respect for me! I have to tell you so many times, remind you, demand from you, no respect at all...!” said the boss beaming his foul mood up in the air, like batman’s and thundercats’ sky flare, ever so loud and piercingly clear, for all us corporate mortals to fear…
And as he mumbles his way back to his office, everyone kept silent for a long moment. I guess to reflect on the fact that Katrina has hit our office shore and how we should watch our steps today.
Wow! That was tense. I seldom experience the intense moment when the boss snaps on us in the office. I felt it once in a while over the phone while on the way to the office, running late and this is the time when my office mates feel the heat. And quite often my mates will revisit these moments and others for my benefit whenever I missed them. Come to think of it, I do recall some moments now. Ooweeeh... Blazin'...
He doesn’t bark much when he’s not in a good mood. It’s when you have no answers when he needs one from you, when he hasn’t got what he asked and when he sees any one not in their cubicle for reasons beyond his knowledge that he gives a grave frown, an angry expression and a spike of angry remark. However, most of the times, this anger doesn’t come directly from the things that we did or didn’t do. It often comes from other events that just happen to come up during working hours and not all are work related. Most of the times we are left clueless.
To me, this is normal. And it doesn’t last all day. It will eventually disappear after lunch or tea break. We can only guess the reason why.
“Boss is in a bad mood” said Razak with a smirk on his face, indicating that he knows this is normal and temporary.
Oh but he is shaken now. And he is immediately stirred to drop everything he does and get to the report.
“Crap, to hell with these other stuff. I’m writing my report first!” he said as he immediately typed, his workstation beside me.
For a moment there I was expecting a bark too, as soon as he addressed Harith. I was in the line of fire you see. That is also how he barks, most of the times. When he is upset and needs to bark, he makes sure everyone gets the heat. And the fact that I came in late made me the next immediate target. I’m glad he stopped at Harith. Boy, that would really flush half my day away.
All is good now, but we’re still feeling a little cautious not to step on his toe. I hope the day gets better. It’s Wednesday for Pete’s sake. We need the remaining spirit to last till Friday. Maybe I’ll hit the club tonight, being ladies night and all. Ah, a lady friend comes to mind and I feel like a lucky punk.
Morning Snap!
Maybe I’ll hold the idea of hitting the club tonight. The boss is not the only thing that went Snap! today. Earlier this morning, I was brushing my teeth and went on to brush my tongue as well, recommended against bad breath.
In any case, tongue brushing always trigger puking action, soft or hard. You know, the sound that all men in the household make when brushing.
“Ooo~wek~ergh!!!!”
Mine was a soft one but it sure snapped my back as well. Is there any connection between the mouth and the back? I know the spinal chord is connected to every part of the body but not in this manner. If it does, then I best watch my mouth from now on. Be careful with what I say so I don’t get a nasty slap. Be extra cautious when French kissing coz she might just pull a muscle or two in there. While I’m at it, I better watch my rear end as well. I’d be careful when I crap coz one wrong push could render me mute! How then will I cry for help, sitting or worse, squatting helplessly in the toilet.
Nah, that couldn’t be it. I guess I didn’t stretch enough as I woke up this morning. The slight but instant jerk in my system, early in the morning, cost me my back today.
I thought I could walk it off at noon today when I do banking transactions and lunch. Oh the nagging pain! I had to walk with a straight posture, literally arranged my steps so that I don’t give unnecessary pressure to my back. I have no idea how funny I looked walking with a backache. Oh heck, many people walk funny. Those staring and think I walk funny can all fly wau bulan kites. The wind is strong this time of year. Yank enough and something will definitely snap.
A long walk didn’t help unfortunately.
After lunch I found myself grabbing a Salonpas patch at the pharmacy, something old married men and sportsmen often do. But I’m no athlete. I’m not married. Neither do I get a lot of action in bed.
I’m just old, and my back hurts!
“Yah, I’m doing it now” Razak reassured him.
“I’ve asked two weeks already now and I still don’t have your report. And yours also, Harith” the boss added.
“I was not in last week right? I’ll hand it in later” said Harith.
Whoa...! That's not the sound of music for the boss. The last thing he needs is a lame excuse. Just say yes boss. On the double boss. Consider it done later boss.
Oh, and Harith is one character you don't want to have in the office or anywhere near you but that's a whole other story.
“You people never report on time. You have no respect for me! I have to tell you so many times, remind you, demand from you, no respect at all...!” said the boss beaming his foul mood up in the air, like batman’s and thundercats’ sky flare, ever so loud and piercingly clear, for all us corporate mortals to fear…
And as he mumbles his way back to his office, everyone kept silent for a long moment. I guess to reflect on the fact that Katrina has hit our office shore and how we should watch our steps today.
Wow! That was tense. I seldom experience the intense moment when the boss snaps on us in the office. I felt it once in a while over the phone while on the way to the office, running late and this is the time when my office mates feel the heat. And quite often my mates will revisit these moments and others for my benefit whenever I missed them. Come to think of it, I do recall some moments now. Ooweeeh... Blazin'...
He doesn’t bark much when he’s not in a good mood. It’s when you have no answers when he needs one from you, when he hasn’t got what he asked and when he sees any one not in their cubicle for reasons beyond his knowledge that he gives a grave frown, an angry expression and a spike of angry remark. However, most of the times, this anger doesn’t come directly from the things that we did or didn’t do. It often comes from other events that just happen to come up during working hours and not all are work related. Most of the times we are left clueless.
To me, this is normal. And it doesn’t last all day. It will eventually disappear after lunch or tea break. We can only guess the reason why.
“Boss is in a bad mood” said Razak with a smirk on his face, indicating that he knows this is normal and temporary.
Oh but he is shaken now. And he is immediately stirred to drop everything he does and get to the report.
“Crap, to hell with these other stuff. I’m writing my report first!” he said as he immediately typed, his workstation beside me.
For a moment there I was expecting a bark too, as soon as he addressed Harith. I was in the line of fire you see. That is also how he barks, most of the times. When he is upset and needs to bark, he makes sure everyone gets the heat. And the fact that I came in late made me the next immediate target. I’m glad he stopped at Harith. Boy, that would really flush half my day away.
All is good now, but we’re still feeling a little cautious not to step on his toe. I hope the day gets better. It’s Wednesday for Pete’s sake. We need the remaining spirit to last till Friday. Maybe I’ll hit the club tonight, being ladies night and all. Ah, a lady friend comes to mind and I feel like a lucky punk.
Morning Snap!
Maybe I’ll hold the idea of hitting the club tonight. The boss is not the only thing that went Snap! today. Earlier this morning, I was brushing my teeth and went on to brush my tongue as well, recommended against bad breath.
In any case, tongue brushing always trigger puking action, soft or hard. You know, the sound that all men in the household make when brushing.
“Ooo~wek~ergh!!!!”
Mine was a soft one but it sure snapped my back as well. Is there any connection between the mouth and the back? I know the spinal chord is connected to every part of the body but not in this manner. If it does, then I best watch my mouth from now on. Be careful with what I say so I don’t get a nasty slap. Be extra cautious when French kissing coz she might just pull a muscle or two in there. While I’m at it, I better watch my rear end as well. I’d be careful when I crap coz one wrong push could render me mute! How then will I cry for help, sitting or worse, squatting helplessly in the toilet.
Nah, that couldn’t be it. I guess I didn’t stretch enough as I woke up this morning. The slight but instant jerk in my system, early in the morning, cost me my back today.
I thought I could walk it off at noon today when I do banking transactions and lunch. Oh the nagging pain! I had to walk with a straight posture, literally arranged my steps so that I don’t give unnecessary pressure to my back. I have no idea how funny I looked walking with a backache. Oh heck, many people walk funny. Those staring and think I walk funny can all fly wau bulan kites. The wind is strong this time of year. Yank enough and something will definitely snap.
A long walk didn’t help unfortunately.
After lunch I found myself grabbing a Salonpas patch at the pharmacy, something old married men and sportsmen often do. But I’m no athlete. I’m not married. Neither do I get a lot of action in bed.
I’m just old, and my back hurts!
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Friday, September 09, 2005
Home at last.
It's 10.30pm and honey I'm home!
That 5 hours drive from Kerteh, Terengganu to KL still left me with some Raikonen's touch in me. I felt like competing in a midnight daytona racing championship negotiating the hard lefts and sharp rights along the Genting Karak highway at night. I can still feel some residue of adrenaline in my system.
But now I'm home. No more work or driving hazard in my way. Just my bed to hug me tight tonight. Tomorrow is Saturday. Time for a good rest.
That 5 hours drive from Kerteh, Terengganu to KL still left me with some Raikonen's touch in me. I felt like competing in a midnight daytona racing championship negotiating the hard lefts and sharp rights along the Genting Karak highway at night. I can still feel some residue of adrenaline in my system.
But now I'm home. No more work or driving hazard in my way. Just my bed to hug me tight tonight. Tomorrow is Saturday. Time for a good rest.
Grande!
It’s a beautiful day.
Yup, that’s U2 playing on MTV as I write in this cool reading room of Residence Resort Paka, Terengganu. A great place to chill, on couch, online! Wireless baby…!
It sure is a Grande day. I’m safe and still in one piece. Far from any oil and gas related work hazard. The helicopter trip yesterday shrunk my nuts a little. We literally bounced from one platform to another before we were certain that the last take off was to head to shore.
The chopper arrived at about 5.20 pm. It was getting dark. Like GI Joes, we were ecstatic to hear the deafening claps from the propeller and the gushing air blow messing up our hairdo. With excitement we boarded the chopper, all six of us. I’m coming home honey. There were 8 more seats to be filled so I figured there might be crews from other platforms joining us before we head to the airport. The pilot confirmed this and he somehow decided to give us a little joy ride.
So we took off, heading to the next platform, Semangkok B, a satellite platform to Semangkok A, operated by ExxonMobil. The ascend freaked me out. Imagine sitting in a helicopter taking off from a helipad hundreds of feet above sea, wobbling and shaking, slowly and heavily it ascends two meters and then descends half a meter only to ascend again to finally take flight. Couple that with the deafening sound muffled by earplugs and headset and you get a suffocating anxiety attack. I must also add that this is an old, refurbished sikorsky helicopter.
Okay, so we travelled from point A to point B, it took 20 minutes but it felt like two hours to me. From B we flew to point C, Semangkok A, which took another 20 minutes. The 8 personnel we picked up at point B disembarked and off we went to another platform. As it turned out, we went to point B again to pick up the remaining crews to be sent back to point C. They too disembarked.
I wished the pilot did that before picking us up.
Anyway, after that, we finally headed to shore without further stops. It’s our point D, as in darat, which in Malay means the shore. The journey took 1 hour. Aggravating! Apart from fear, we endured the heat coming from above, the engine.
When we finally landed, I felt like dancing.
I’m still alive!
Now, where shall I start kicking?
And as promised, last night we hit a nice seafood restaurant, a halal Chinese joint. After that we had a cuppa at Awana Kijal, Terengganu. Believe me when I tell you, they too provide Streamyx Hotspot facility. Ah, Terengganu, bless you. You are now a happy wi-fi place.
Yup, that’s U2 playing on MTV as I write in this cool reading room of Residence Resort Paka, Terengganu. A great place to chill, on couch, online! Wireless baby…!
It sure is a Grande day. I’m safe and still in one piece. Far from any oil and gas related work hazard. The helicopter trip yesterday shrunk my nuts a little. We literally bounced from one platform to another before we were certain that the last take off was to head to shore.
The chopper arrived at about 5.20 pm. It was getting dark. Like GI Joes, we were ecstatic to hear the deafening claps from the propeller and the gushing air blow messing up our hairdo. With excitement we boarded the chopper, all six of us. I’m coming home honey. There were 8 more seats to be filled so I figured there might be crews from other platforms joining us before we head to the airport. The pilot confirmed this and he somehow decided to give us a little joy ride.
So we took off, heading to the next platform, Semangkok B, a satellite platform to Semangkok A, operated by ExxonMobil. The ascend freaked me out. Imagine sitting in a helicopter taking off from a helipad hundreds of feet above sea, wobbling and shaking, slowly and heavily it ascends two meters and then descends half a meter only to ascend again to finally take flight. Couple that with the deafening sound muffled by earplugs and headset and you get a suffocating anxiety attack. I must also add that this is an old, refurbished sikorsky helicopter.
Okay, so we travelled from point A to point B, it took 20 minutes but it felt like two hours to me. From B we flew to point C, Semangkok A, which took another 20 minutes. The 8 personnel we picked up at point B disembarked and off we went to another platform. As it turned out, we went to point B again to pick up the remaining crews to be sent back to point C. They too disembarked.
I wished the pilot did that before picking us up.
Anyway, after that, we finally headed to shore without further stops. It’s our point D, as in darat, which in Malay means the shore. The journey took 1 hour. Aggravating! Apart from fear, we endured the heat coming from above, the engine.
When we finally landed, I felt like dancing.
I’m still alive!
Now, where shall I start kicking?
And as promised, last night we hit a nice seafood restaurant, a halal Chinese joint. After that we had a cuppa at Awana Kijal, Terengganu. Believe me when I tell you, they too provide Streamyx Hotspot facility. Ah, Terengganu, bless you. You are now a happy wi-fi place.
Now, I’m sitting in this reading room, cool and breezy, complete with soundtrack courtesy of MTV. And I’m browsing! God bless the hotel for providing TMNET Streamyx Hotspot facility! I’ve got two more hours till my appointment with a client at 3pm. An available power outlet simply sweetened my day. I’m making hay! Do I sound gay? Most definite-lay! 
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