Fisch

I took these pictures at 1 Utama's rainforest several months ago. Tropical!

I get excited every time I see a school of fish, in a pond or aquarium. Like a school kid I would rush to the fishy scene, a big grin shines on my face as I soak in the experience. Especially colorful fish like koi. I tend to watch them tirelessly. It makes me calm and soothes my mind...

Such zen.

Arghhh....

Just finished doing a week's worth of work in a day! All because of our resources decided to pop up suddenly, one day before tender submission date. I mean, all this while I was not expecting to submit the tender. My workmate did mention last week that this would happen but I thought less of it.

"Ahah! We got it. I wonder if it's enough." he said as I entered the office this morning.
"Here, the price and some brochures, I've printed them for you." he said in a rush, like he was going to go somewhere.

"Where are you going?" I asked.
"I'm still on a holiday, so I'm going home" he answered quickening his pace.
"But I can't figure out the price on my own. I've got technical documents to cover." I reminded him, since he's the one figuring out the price and all. He is after all the senior business manager.

"Just mark up **%. Discuss with the boss." He said.
"I may not be able to make it today; the pricing and technical documents. Maybe I'll submit tomorrow" I said, half indicating a threat.
"No, it has to be delivered today so they can open it tomorrow!" He added with a stern voice.
"Oh alright! I'll do whatever I possibly can today" I finally said, barely concealing my frustration.
Then I thought to myself, "Whatever I have! Don't be surprised if you see them coming back with tons of queries!"

I seldom get pissed with him. He's an old timer and my main reference. We're basically friends at work. But today he's being impossible! Why can't he stay a while to figure out the price and let me worry about the technical issues. He practically came into office this morning to tell me that we're going to submit the tender after all. Why can't he just stay home and ignore the mail? It's not like it's a complete and detailed resource. There is even a table of non-compliance which is still being drafted and will be submitted in a week! It's like, hey, we can't comply to most of your specifications but you will only know of it in a week. Fat chance!

But hey, whatever I can possibly dish out!

So, from morning till just now I was running franticly across and around the office, without my workmate's help. Still, the lack of information from our principal made it a bit easier as I gave many ‘information not available at time of submission’ notes. I’m gonna get a handful next week though.

Still, it’s okay! It’s on its way to the tender committee, via courier. Now I can go home and lay dead. Next week, I brace myself, and so will my business manager.

Just browsing, NOT!

Just when you think it’s safe to window shop, the holiday season shopping madness is here yet again. After enduring the abrasive DeepaRaya shopping season, I will be forced to face the Christmas version soon, extremely soon. Every time the Sale! posters come up, I would say, “I’ve bought most of my clothes last time around and spent my equivalent of a fortune.”

I don’t really need to get more clothes since I haven’t worn some of them, mostly because of suitability and surroundings issue. It’s only been a few months. How can I be out of style by now. Yeah, I know the items I bought were off 50% to 70% and must be from last seasons’ collections but so are everybody else’s. I live and play in the majority’s world, not in posh upper most class society. I don’t need to be as up to date as they are. All I need is a good fashion sense, at a discount.

Note the use of words like most and more because when the time actually comes and I find myself browsing the items on discounts, I would then say, “Hmm, this one is different and really worth it. It’s a steal damn it. I have most but this one I have not.” And away it goes.

Such is the reality of me being prudent and rational. The fact is, one can never have enough. There is always room and reason for more. The only limit is your resources. Even that can be stretched. Have we no control?

Say it, mean it.

I say things, it’s just me. Sometimes I only mean half of the things I say, and sometimes I only say half of the things I mean.

Does it make any sense?

Have a great weekend guys.

Perahu tambang

'Perahu Tambang' to get across the river

Bright yellow paint to display the sponsor

Oh, how could my thoughts not ponder

When I see them without a customer

This is a picture linked from http://www.monash.edu.my/studying/sumexc.htm. It is a scene taken from across the river, or from another perahu tambang. Why can't I be sure? Because I did not capture it myself.

I like this picture very much and I thought you'd like it too. I portrays the nostalgic perahu tambang's slide along the river, against a very urban setting of Kuching City, accentuated by soft cotton-like clouds hovering in the beautiful blue sky.

There, that should do it.

Tip : try this, type kuching waterfront and search images in Google. Tons of pictures for your viewing pleasure. Do that for any picture you want to see. You'd be surprised of what you'll find, your face even! Besides porn of course.

Miri, Sarawak

This is a bird's eye view of Miri City. Not much. But for those from Miri, this is a heck of a view! This is actually a larger than life poster at Miri Airport's arrival passageway, literally. It is approximately two meters high. I thought I'd share it with the world here. By now, the marina bay (patch of reclaimed land on the right) are full of trees and some buildings, like so,



Also pictures of a large poster at Mega Hotel Miri's lobby.

We is back!

Hahaa. I’m back! Home sweet home! It’s been nice going away, and catching up with close distant friends was highly refreshing and invigorating. I made a couple of new friends along the way as well. Sadly, so many friends, so little time. Another trip perhaps.

As usual, being away makes me miss my crib. Any place is home sweet home for me once I make it. And the place I missed most is the web. Though there are wi-fi enabled places, nothing beats the comfort of my own cubicle. Yes, I’m supposed to be working and not do other stuff like blogging but I’m addicted. Even when I’m having fun hanging out with friends I am somehow reminded of the blogosphere. Especially if I missed a day, or worse, two. How now? Heck, life goes on.

Miri, wireless and free.

I was wondering if café’s in Miri’s gone wi-fi. So this morning as I walked around town, guessing the places that have, this place came to me. Bakery café.

The signage gives a typical coffee shop impression but the Lavazza poster quickly grabs my attention. I love espresso see.

When I first caught sight of this café, I made it a point to check it out. A café setup no doubt. And the espresso, well, it’s Lavazza. It’s fair; plus, you seldom go wrong with one of the best brands can you? And in Miri? For me, that is saying a lot. Much room for improvement though.

They serve pastries as well as savories. I can’t really give points coz I haven’t tried most of them. And this is not a food review.

And so, this time around, I walked in hoping to get online. To my delight, the owner was browsing his laptop behind the counter. So I asked, “Do you have wi-fi here?”

“Yes” he said, with much confidence.

“And it’s free?” I asked again.

He gave me another ‘yes’ and told me to have a seat first. I ordered double espresso and a cheese cake, like so…

After this I'm continuing my expolration throughout the town, walking, as I needed the exercise coz I've been munching a lot lately. Later.

Meaow...

I'm in kuching now and today is my first online day in this Borneo Jewel called Sarawak. Didn't do much here coz I got no wheels and I'm too lazy to catch the bus. Right now I'm in this nice cozy cafe called The Gallery Cafe. Hotspots Wifi and artsy setting, noice. Let me see if I can get permission to take some snap shots.

Too bad, she says her boss won't allow it. I guess it's because the place is also a gallery. Oh well, some shots from my 'mobile phone' olympus won't hurt. It's not like i'm selling them anyway. So, here are some. Shhh, the manager doesn't know...

The counter

Seatings

Nasty

A friends’s blog was smeared with nasty shit last week and it makes me sick. After the first nasty comment was deleted the MF came back, meaner and amplified.

“………..Dont delete this comment if you are a man..loser. Your friends: Give it to me man...give it to me..are you really friends of this guy???”

WTF! And she is anonymous. Shocking!

Ah heck! Just check out the comments for this link and you’ll see.

If you don’t like what you see, leave in peace. After all, you came looking for it. Don’t go to their house and leave a big note telling them off. Having quietly done this, the jerk hid in a corner, waiting to watch the victim's reaction and of his neighbors and friends. A great coward. She doesn't think she needs to reveal herself because she is no man, as she proudly declares.

And to actually seek his friends reaction? Huh?



And get this, in reaction to support from her victim’s friends, she wrote

“These guys are writing good words not just to back you up but they are seeking and waiting insatiably for something that you might have. Just be careful dude.”

First she offends, then she rubbed some salt and finally gives advice. And now we know why she makes friends. Oh she’s a gold digger. She’s a psycho over money.

Wish granted!

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!

Fiesta!

Great week this is. Halloween, Deepavali and Aidilfitri. Fun fiesta holidays celebration. Soak it in!

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!

Oh my!

Click this link and get an earfull. This is said to be a real conversation recorded by the angry Singaporean. Phew! For your ears only. Don't sue me.

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?

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…

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.

For sure...

Lights, camera, azan!

Scenes at KLCC Mosque on the first night of Ramadhan.

Praying space....

Praying in perspective.

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 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!

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!

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!

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.

Have a nice day

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.

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

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!

In memory of 9/11 victims

...








...

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.

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.

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!

To the shore we go...!

It’s 1.56 noon and I’m still at sea. Due to platform shutdown, the number of personnel onboard has doubled the max and my team needed to leave the platform uhh, yesterday. But our remaining work made the management allow one more day to slip.

There is hardly enough place to sleep though. The situation now is to spread mattress side by side and let sleepy men lay themselves carefully close to each other. Much too personal and offensive if you ask me. But we can only complain. So, apart from having unfinished business, I am delighted to leave. However the chopper doesn’t land till after 3 pm. So here I am typing the time away.

Oh I can’t wait to get to shore. Life at sea sucks! We share the sea till we hit the shore. Oh what a bore!

Only work and meals can get our mind off the shore.

And I am constantly reminded of the unpublished post I wrote several days ago. I thought I could quickly upload it once I typed it in my laptop but here in my laptop it remained. Since there is only one internet post for public use and the public really use it, I was left to yo-yo the idea. I figured the only good time to log on is after midnight but because I am either in bed or working, I never did log on.

Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to publish it as a delayed issue today.

I promised the team we’d hit a good seafood joint to adjourn the rendezvous this time around. They have worked hard and that should have them look forward to completing the job on our next visit. Maybe I’ll throw in some entertainment as well.

All my bags are packed and I’m ready to go.

Petronas Carigali's Dulang B Platform, offshore Terengganu.

All at sea.
The post I wrote several days ago.

It is now 5 days after Malaysia’s 48 independence celebration. The dust have well settled and every citizen is up with everyday chores as usual. I am now out at sea myself, on Dulang Oil Production Platform, offshore Terengganu to be exact. Having been here since Friday the 2nd, my mind wonders to the shore once in a while. I can’t say I am enjoying it but I make do with what I have. And what I have now is the ocean, the sea. As far as the eyes can see. As wide as my head can turn. And the longing to be home miserably burns. But when I think of how much I’ll earn, it makes much sense to hang on.

Work does take the mind away from missing home. Especially when it treats me fairly. No stress, no depression.

And the fact that I left my blog void for so long makes me wonder; was my last entry the end? Have I lost interest in this seemingly intriguing quest to fill the webspace with trivial issues, sometimes mindless pouring? How will my readers, if I have any, ever go back to check out new entries when all they saw upon visiting was the same post they read weeks ago?

I will never know. I’ll just have to keep on going, like I did when I first started. I will have to trust that someone out there will come across this blog while leisurely browsing other pages that somehow links to this page. And so I write on, with whatever i have.

Are you with me?

Pregnancy

This is so cool. It describes how pregnancy happens, with fun cartoons and hillarious story telling. Mildly offensive but you have been warned.

http://flickerlab.com/pregnancy/

Star*ucks

Berg confesses that he secretly went to a comic signing session to meet a girl. This shocked Irene and she started to hyperventilate. She even asked for the other woman’s address.

Berg : No, Irene, don’t over react okay, we just had coffee

Irene : And coffee leads to sex! Everyone knows that. God! Why do you think there’s a Starbucks on every corner in America?

This is a dialogue extracted from episode 77 (season 4) of Two guys and a girl. It is one of my favorite sitcoms. Too bad it ended in 2001 and all I have is reruns of it. This episode I watched last week. And thanks to TV capture cards for PC, I have my own TiVo. The picture quality is low though.

Ah, I get another shot of it tonight at 10.10 on NTV7. Can’t wait. My favorite characters are Michael Leslie "Berg" Bergen played by Ryan Reynolds and Ashley Walker played by Suzanne Cryer.

But lets go back and talk about sex and Starbucks shall we. Wow, I’ve never had that combo in mind. It does make sense though. No wonder there are t-shirts with Star*ucks these days. It fits so freakin’ well.

“Hey, you want to come in and have some coffee?”

Oh that is so yesterday.

Come to think of it, that was not the only thing that reminded me of Starbucks this few weeks. Just two days ago I went to Starbucks to meet up with an ex high school junior. We exchanged life histories over the past years and I discovered that we both share a passion for coffee. I should have known better since he is effectively the store manager, duhh…

He a cool (may seem eccentric to some) dude and his life journey is nothing short of inspiring, having roughed out the trials during his early adult life and still come out doing pretty well for himself and his family. He’s a law graduate but he chose to stay in the coffee business. I guess it beans a lot to him. Hey, I would stick to it until I get to the top myself , had I brewed my passion a little longer.

But all is good. I now have a connection in the business. And for starters, he even offered me his benefits as a staff to get me discounts and free gifts on beans purchases.

"You'll get a mug for a bag of beans. But knowing your love for espresso, I'll let you have the espresso cup and saucer"

"Oh seriously, you'd do that?" My eyes widened, my ears pricked and my face beamed a joyful smile.

Friends with benefits, how's that for a cuppa. But seriously dude, you have no idea how much I appreciate that.

And there we have it, two good things from Starbucks.

Hmmm, looking at the time it’s almost six. Time for me to hit the road home. Yep, Thursday has left the building. Tomorrow I thank God it’s Friday. I have scattered plans over the weekend but Friday night is still lonely.

Starbucks ladies? Anyone?

Tuesday, and I'm alive again

Ah, nothing like the fresh morning breeze of Tuesday morning. Look ma, I survived Monday!

This morning I left the car window open while driving from home to the office. Loved the journey till I entered the city, when the morning's rush hour pollution kicked in. Blow my trusty air cond did. And it was nice again, all the way to my cubicle.

I couldn't say the same for yesterday though. It was Monday and I felt like shit. No, I'm not talking about the typical Monday morning cliche'. And I don't normally bitch about Monday mornings either but yesterday was different. I felt so tired and lack of sleep. I guess my bedroom renovation on Sunday really took its toll on me, phisically. All the rearranging and reorganizing. Woodworking and screwing my new D.I.Y. wardrobe to optimize space in my decimal place ached my whole body. The wardrobe was done by nightfall but the entire space needed some rearranging. I did some and left the rest undone because I so needed some sleep.

But I couldn't get my eyes shut. I kept tossing and turning. It was half past three and I was still looking at my watch, trying to note the time I dozed off. When I finally fell asleep, the alarm knocked me out of bed. So I obliged and got my butt to my cubicle, punctually at 0900, Monday! Now that's new.

Geez the morning sucked. I've never felt sleepier. Having lunch didn't help either. Since all the blood I needed to stay alive was working in and around my tummy. So, not only did I feel bad, I looked bad. I mean, what was I to say when one of my workmates say I look pale. Swell! Now I'm a zombie. A half life. I struggled through the day nodding off time and again until it was 5 pm. I guess by now you would have guessed that I really had nothing to do at work. And you're right! Gosh I need to get off work early. Half hour early. I waited till the coast is clear and at 5.30pm, I disappeared and hoped I survive the journey home.

When I finally got home, it was 6.30pm. I wasted no time, curled into bed and slept till 11.30pm. It was weird waking up at 11.30 at night. Now there's something I haven't done in a long time. I even got a minor headache. That gradually disappeared though.

I made supper, ate, continued rearranging my room and slept at 2am. This time I really slept.

So now, here I am, feeling like any other day again, at work, and what do I do? I browse and blog. That's why I'm still here. Lovin' it.

Temptations : Part 1

Going through a diet program is never easy. Hell, it's hard to even start one, let alone maintain. I had no idea how much sacrifice I'd be forced to make before I set on this journey. Think about not being able to indulge in food you enjoy so much before. Think about giving up staple food like rice and bread. Think about times your friends or coleagues eat around you, the great food they partake while yours is reduced to cow chew. Even if you are having the same thing, the guilt and fear of derailing from your goal is enough to make an emotionally tough guy cry.

It gets worse when you are the only one in the household on a diet. I'm lucky since I live pretty much on my own. My two housemates and I, we eat at our own time and place. We get home at different times so eating together is often out of the question. But it's a different story at work. My coleagues eat in the office pantry. They buy takeouts and have lunch together. That was also my lunch routine until recently. The problem is, well, it's not really a problem. I would call it the challenge. The challenge is that the pantry is open and a mere two meters away from my workstation. I feel like the character Jerry in Tom and Jerry every lunch hour. I'd be the mouse floating toward the food, hooked by the smell.

And getting visual stimulation on food doesn't help either. For example the ad for pizza hut, lying seductively on the pantry table. Everytime I walk by it kicks me in the bowels.

Tell me you are not the least tempted. I mean, this is definitely a visual stimulus to every pizza lover. Myself at least. With the three cheese present, and a crust full of holes so the cheese comes out oozing from the juicy core. The image looks so divine, my religious conscience whisper... Holy Trinity!

And let me tell you this image goes by me not once, not twice, but everytime I get myself a glass of water to dilute my gaster juice down, because it is in the pantry. And since the pantry is on the way to the rest room, guess what I see everytime I need to go? And if you count the times I get up to get some fresh air, a different angle or just to get away from my cubicle, this image feed could easily cave in on my determination to lose weight! Oh, the frustration! The anger!

Why the hell do I feel this way today?

Cheeses crust! Get a hold of yourself. Breathe deep...ooozaaaa

Savvy Accident

This just in. They came from mail forwards. Looks like the commercial is not true after all. Note the date.





Built tough my ass.

Help

Somebody save me. I’m a couch potato! Nothing gets done around here. Not tonight!

I got home ten to nine, made dinner and ate. A quarter past nine and I’m well in front of the tv. The channel ; Star World on Astro. The show is Desperate Housewives. God it’s desperate. I never thought I’d go through a whole hour of four ladies trying to get by their lives in Wisteria Lane. May I also tell you, there is no all-women-issue when it comes to TV. I have issues.

Just when I thought the night is over, Tru Calling comes grabbing me by the nuts. And it’s a whole hour too. There is one word that’s good for it; brilliant. However, what really bugs me is this line at the end, spoken by none other than her morgue boss,

“Have a seat Tru. I’m about to tell you all that I know”

That left me dangling and craving for the second part, which comes next week. I don’t have another week! Not when someone else knows the real thing about Tru. I wonder how she's going to go about saving the dead after this.

It’s eleven, and guess what comes next…Friends

I know the show is no more and I watched every episode but hey, it never gets old. Friends still makes me laugh, no matter how many times I sit down and watch. Imagine having all seasons on DVD and still catching the repeats on TV. What can I say, I'm a fan. And given my slow pick up speed, I get a new joke each time I watch an episode. This time it’s the one with Ross’ new sparkle, Charlie the paleontologist.

And as I’m typing this line, Ed comes up next. I used to follow Ed. The show feeds me. However, it’s now 11.37pm; time to get ready for bed. So I reached for the remote and gave silence a chance. This way, I can finally finish this line and stuff some more juice to this initially short post.

Cat food

A friend is in Kuching this week and she is very excited about the idea of travelling outside of KL, especially in the capital of Sarawak. Whenever the day approaches lunch hour and she sees me online on Yahoo Messenger, she would buzz me up and one of the topics is where and what to eat next.

Now, I'm not an expert on eating out in Kuching since I don't live there. Plus I rarely hang out for lunch during my visits there. However, I do have my cravings when it comes to Sarawak food, particularly Kuching food.

"Have you tried Sarawak Laksa?"

"Or mee kolok?... .... ...."

And the blank is left empty due to the fact that I have no more suggestions. You see, when in Kuching, those are the only food that comes to mind when it comes to my mission.

And my mission, to explore the places that serves good Sarawak Laksa and mee kolok. Occassionally, friends have brought me to some good places. However, I have never gone all out on a gastronomic adventure to come up with a reliable list. Time is always the essence, besides keeping obesity and cardiac disease at arms length of course. So don't sue me.

Where is this leading you might ask. Well, since I can't help her and whomever is interested, based on my own experience, I present to you the stories of two foreigners, living in Kuching. These guys give out useful information on touring Sarawak. One of their fields of research is eating out and food in Kuching. The aricles were passionately detailed. Some are also funny but all are very useful, especially for a native like me who has less means and resources for discovering on my own. So, enjoy.
Gastronome's guide to Kuching : BorneoTravel.com : Both by Wayne Tarman and Mike Reed

If the suit fits

The weekend was a blast! I went to a good friend's wedding reception. The bride, Anisah Tinguan. The groom, my good friend, Azhan Abdullah. The venue, Alor Setar, Kedah. The day, Saturday. So I drove up with a couple of friends on friday, arriving a day before.

The reception starts around noon. But the bride and groom gets ready early. So was I, at my sister's place in Sungai Petani, when a message came in.

"Agus, be my best man. Terrence could not make it. The suit is all ready."

I replied, "Sure, but only if the suit fits"

So I got ready even faster to speed off to the venue. I borrowed my brother in law's suit just in case my friend Terrence's would not fit.

I arrived at 11 am, tried the suit and wha'd'ya know, they fit!

Didn't know much about Malay wedding. What's a best man supposed to do?

"Kipas pengantin, lap muka pengantin..."

Oh, that's easy. But when we arrived at the dias, there was no kipas. So I stood beside the couple, smiling away.


Group photo with friends from PPP, ITM.


Pose upon arrival.


Hanging around after the ceremony.

This is certainly one of the bright moments of my life. And all was captured for a lifetime, in prints and moving pictures. Thanks a million Azhan.

Tip toe

A routine visit to my favourite waiter gave me something interesting to think about today. Tipping. It has long been a big issue in the restaurant business worldwide. Well, at least between America and the rest of the world.

Just look at the divided opinion from the comments page for the post. The original post is the waiter's response to Steven Shaw's suggestion to implement the 'service charge' instead of tips, much like the rest of the world. And the response to it, love them. Simply fascinating. Do yourself a favor and enjoy discovering where you stand on this matter.

Let me tell you, I'm 100% behind the rest of the world when it comes to tipping. Dont get me wrong. I love waiter rant. His stories, fantastic. But tipping is just not my thing. Plus, it's very uncommon here in Malaysia. It bugs me that I get to pay for service charges when there is hardly any decent and worthy service given. I've never gone so far as to decline paying the service charge after getting bad service or no service at all. It always makes me feel that I have been cheated and that makes it harder to live the day.

I've had my share of waiting in my life. And thanks to hollywood movies, I knew waiters in America receive tips rightfully deserved. Boy did I wish I worked in America and wait the American way back then. Coz I waited damn well. But that is just not how it works here. And that didn't change my attitude toward waiting either. Waiting on tables is a real job and I did mine with pride and responsibility. I always knew I did well when a customer is satisfied and they show it with a smile, a thank you and come back for more. That kept me going and helped me through rough times.

As a diner, it is always nice to be in a place with good service. And it is common knowledge that the higher standard restaurants charge more for good food and service. But that is not always the case and it's on days like these that you just feel like tearing the whole place down. Never ask "does it get worse?" because it never fails to.

So, whats the difference between paying service charge for good and bad service? Not much, just paying it with a satisfied and content feeling and you will definitely come again. No doubt.

Dog in the city

It's a doggy dog world they say. What with the cars and busses here and there. At this corner, minding my own business, I contently sit. My bones are tired but I can't sleep.

It's a doggy dog world out here. But after a while, I got used to the atmosphere. People, they walk about, they pass me by. They find it's easier to let sleeping dogs lie.

It's a doggy dog world, I have no complaints. No job, no insurance, no bills, no rents. But here I am, enjoying the happening nightlife. I mean, would I be here if I had a wife?

Even if I do, I'd still be here as I wish. Coz my wife, she'd be such a bitch.

It's a doggy dawg world and you should see. Get on with life, live it full and free. Remember to stay fit, young and healthy. Coz nine lives, they're only for pussies.

It's a doggy dawg world, for tonite, I'm done. Same time, same place, tomorrow, I'll come. Like them I walk these lines and surrender my post. Good nite to all, hasta la vista, mi amigos.

Starry, starry night

I don’t know why but this ringing suddenly floats in my head. Like there aren’t enough things to occupy this Malaysian idle.

I guess it’s the hazy, hazy days.

Anyway, it’s kinda nice to be reminded about Vincent today. It made me Google him up.

His work, so great. His life, so sad.

Vincent Van Gogh

My first artist interest. Back when I was in form 4 or 5, the year, 1995, there was this collectible series from Marshal Cavendish. Whatever your interest, they publish them. In collectible partworks. There was the dinosaur series, handicrafts, the universe and more. First issues were usually sold at introductory promotional price, half.

I wasted no time and picked up Great Artists. The first issue featured, you guessed it, Vincent. Being a student, I could only afford half of anything so I never bought the remaining i-don’t-know–how-many issues. With the only edition available, I absorbed the contents for what it’s worth. I learned to appreciate his work and feel his life.

It was touching to learn about a life so troubled, and yet, so inspired. He was doing great but his health just went the other direction. As if his tragic death wasn’t bad enough, his loving brother gave up living soon after.

Years passed as I went to college. Eventually I learned about this song, Starry, starry nights. It was a beautiful song and it still captivates me now. Don Mclean did it right. And Josh Groban nailed it tight.

Click here to feel starry, starry night.

Hazy hazy days...

Remember the hazy days last week? Well, they're still here. Many are complaining they're getting sick. Sore throat, flu and all. Rain has decided not to pay a visit. It's not worrying yet but still, a cause for concern. I can still see where I'm driving. I can say I feel fine. But for how long? Hope it goes away. Hope it rains today.

Sign of the times

Two thousand and five.
This year, it fills with drive.
We have struggled, we have strived.
And thus far we have survived.

But as I scan these generations of lives,
An unsolved equation slowly derives.
As the world got hectic like a beehive,
Has our time eventually arrived?

This was the question that bugged me as I tried to sell the idea of a collective blog to my high school friends. Most of them are 28-ish by now. No doubt they have heard of blogs. But never in their mildest dreams have they thought of sharing their thoughts online; open for all to see. Let alone trying to start a personal one. I suppose this blog thingy wasn’t around back when we were in high school. Even if we do have our own personal blog, none of us ever got to link each other up. Maybe it's a confidence issue. Or maybe ...

Even stuff like friendster is still trying hard to penetrate into our slice of the cake. Again, I suppose it’s because we weren’t exposed to it during our young and dangerous days. Kids these days have it easy, I always believe. Almost everything is served on a silver platter. And judging by the number of servers web-wide, it just get easier. Just Google it up and viola! Answers galore!

Whatever it may be, there’s one thing I know for sure. Getting older, being the child of the times, career focus or ignorance should not be the issue. Me and my friends, we are not about to fade behind thickening curtains of the digital tech world just yet. Besides, who ever put any age limit on catching up with the world anyway.

Sure we will never come close to understanding how stuff works behind the glitzy and glamorous GUI but how many truly have that? The least we could do is swim with the current. Fly with the flow. Believe me, we’ll do better when we work collectively. Like migrating birds we provide air lift and support to each other, flying in proximity.

All that said, I’m pretty happy with the outcome. It was difficult for me to start selling the idea but once I sense the excitement, curiosity and longing to have and belong, I know it is going to be great. Nothing is going to waste. I am sure it would turn out great. So guys, here’s to a rewarding blogospheric experience.

Peace out.

Hazy days

Yesterday was awfully hazy. No idea why it was. Probably some major forest fire in a land nearby. Usual suspect; Indonesia. A fire in KL wouldn’t cause such haze. Besides, it engulfed the whole KL. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole Malaysia had the same problem.


I could see some people wear respiratory masks, the ones usually worn by doctors and carpenters. It's a good thing I drove. It was approaching late evening but if it got much darker than it was supposed to, that would really be something.



















Creepy thoughts crawled my mind.

Warning! Movie spoilers follow.

Having watched War of the Worlds, I know I won’t survive if a series of freak lightning ensued. Heck, skip the agonizing fear and zap me right now, pants down and all. Unless I was born Tom Cruise’ character. How’z abbout that guy huh? Was he invincible or what. He AND his mama in-law.

“Oh, and don’t forget to spare the whole clan too, okay, aliens”

The story build up was incredible. Helplessness and frustration quickly cloaked everyone in the cinema. I do agree with what some reviewers think of the aliens there; TOP CLASS. They scared the jiga-nuts out of me. Forget about 3D, I swear I was there, almost zapped by the bastards. I could smell my hair burning. And what’s with the spraying of blood to create a creepy crawly forest man…













The climax, well, I couldn’t tell. Was there even a climax? I mean, there was the fall of the invaders. It was definitely ass-kicked. But none of that is caused by human. They just finished up what the tiny organisms did. Yeaaaap, our beloved bacteria and viruses.

Here’s what I got. Since the aliens just came in, they have not managed to evolve to counter react with the effects of our tiny friends, living in air and water. So, little bacty and virie beat the crap out of the newbies. And we human, got on with the show. Maybe Spielberg should have portrayed the aliens contract diseases and suffer painful deaths caused by bacty and virie. Now that would make for a swell climax.

The climax wouldn’t be human though. Contrary to popular flavor. How’s that for a taste of hopelessness, eh mate! Uhuh. We, somehow, are not very fond of being out of control. People we care and love are dying and there’s nothing we can do about it. The idea of a remarkable happy ending, brought about by things so tiny, hurts our ego.

Why didn’t I think of that? Why couldn’t I do that? How did it managed that? I’m better than them tiny guys. What’s wrong with my solution?

Well, doesn’t that ring a bell?

What bell?

Try Afghanistan. Try Iraq.

New York. Madrid. London.
No, we are not talking about fashion capitals.

The bell of war. The war against terrorism. That same terror, killing everything that breathes. Men, women, children. Senseless. They’ve done everything in their power to stop the slaughter. Air and ground infantries. Guns and grenades. Rockets and missiles. Invasions and embargos.

But the bloody violence keep on blasting. Fresh new recruits ambushed and slayed. Erroneous hunt-down ending in tragedy. Like horrific deja vous. They all swear it happened somewhere, sometime before, but nothing they did to stop it, helped. And so it repeats when it’s least expected. I guess they just can’t figure out its weakness.

Where are our tiny little friends? In what form shall they appear, assisting us in ending this war?

Is this wishful thinking? Will we ever win?

Unlike the movie, this, our war, is raging on. So much damage has been done and yet, here we are, fumbling as we desperately look for answers. Sheer frustration racing from every side and every corner. Those who bear the burden, they march forward. Those affected, they seek shelter and solace.

Those hearing the news, we pray;
for the victims, a better day,
for ourselves, none alike comes our way.

And just as I watched in the theater, helplessly, I now watch the news unfold in the comfort of my living room. I can only empathize with the victims and their grieving families. Tragedies that strike away from home remind me time and again, not to take peace in this land, for granted. On the disturbing flip side, it saddens me that people die so we can wake up. I wish the deaths and suffering remain as nightmares, disappearing as soon as we’re awake. Then we would all thank God it was just a bad dream. But alas, it does not work that way. In this real world, nothing is fair.

So now, with my gratitude huge and afloat, I truly thank God I’m blessed with a peaceful and secure setting. Born into this safe land I call home. Yes, there came hard times, but I am glad I read it in history texts instead of living through them. All thanks to heroes, fallen and alive.

Happy Independence Malaysia. Peace and harmony fill this world, eventually. God willing.

Your mother

Yesterday I received a mail from a friend, a well mannered, no BS kinda girl. The subject read "UR MOTHER".

Now some of us will immediately think that this is a forward of the joke of the day, some insult or something. But coming form her? It puzzled me a little.

The next thing that came to mind was that there was something wrong with my mother, a bad news of sort. And since she lives in my hometown, in the vicinity of my neighborhood, and knows my parents, it worried me even more. So I quickly opened the mail and to my relief it read,

"I was visiting someone in your neigborhood yesterday and your mother was there. She and several moms were cooking dishes together".

Oh my goodness! What a relief. For a moment there I was preparing for the worst. The subject really prompts grave concern. The first impression however suggests humor. Second thoughts, offence. Like, what is going on?

Any way you view it, it's a suspense. It hits you all the same. The only difference is the resulting feeling, governed by reading the content. Thank God everything is alright.

And now, everytime I browse my inbox and come across her 'UR MOTHER' mail, I don't really know how to react. Should I be humored, offended or alarmed?

Why don't you try it on your friends once the opportunity comes up.

For now though, knowing the content, I'll just smile. Maybe giggle a bit.

1 Utama Landscaping

Love the tropical setting.