Tsunami

Time for us to reflect the reason for our being in this life.

Long Layoff

Firstly, my modem went kaput on 27 Nov. Until now I have not the time to get a replacement. My jobless situation has been getting a bit desparate but at the same time I am also resolved to go on my own. The only thing that make me having sleepless nights is the risk I am putting my family into. I am confident of pulling off the business I am contemplating of doing especially with my potential partner having so much confident of my involvement, but the current state of scraping the bottom of the barrel is worrisome.

My dad just had a cataract removal surgery done at one of a private clinic. The rate of recovery is fantastic and I would recommend this clinic. I am impressed with the professional attitude and the level of concern he showed towards my dad, especially an old 69 years of age from a kampung surroundings. What touches me was that 2 hours after surgery, my dad cried and told the good doctor that he could now recognised me the moment I entered the post op room.

I need to wipe out the tears in my eyes now.

Bye for now

ps - I am writing from a cybercafe.

Whoever received this list of raya festival unlawful activities? I received mine almost yearly. This year the prices were a bit steep due to higher demand and the crackdown. I guess next year I'll try to market the mini portable version of that ubiquitous 'meriam buluh'. 

My doodling during my idling. Proposal to the wife for the front pergola. She askedfor refinement. Yeah. Hard client she is. Never do business with da own wife. 

Dropping In

Selamat Hari Raya and Happy Deepavali

Had a hectic raya this year, the jobless situation I am in right now did not dampened the mood. But the thought is still spinning at the back of my mind. Now that everyone in the neighbourhood is back to their workday routine, I am left with practically nothing to do. Managed to drag myself out to run some 'document errand' (is there such a term?) this past few days and watch gleefully the normal traffic crawl, knowing fully well now that I don't really have to rush for that office clock.

I had this piece written last week but cannot really finished it and posted - I'll append in the ps line... Now that I am fully conversant with Picasa photo blogging, I find more option to regular posting method. wokay for now

PS.

The new DeepaRaya ads really stroke me to the core... reminds me of my childhood friends during the time of pure inhibitions.... the race factor was not so glaringly put to us so we just enjoyed the companys.....M. Poobalan - who kicked football into my eyes; M. Chandran, R. Sathiaseelan, Santhilatiban, M Vijayan, Murthy, Parameswaren.. wherever you are Happy Deepavali

My trusty jalopy since 2001 

Running Errands

I guess I am still under Blog withdrawal syndrome. Due to my inability to get online on a regular basis, my blogging activities remains a luxury rather than a necessity. I have a a lot to write and share with you all. In a week significant events contributed to our daily dosage of gloomy news. I remember when growing up there was this kids show on tv - Mr Gnu... the news reader .. sort of. (That was before TV3 and Wan Zaleha) " No good news on Mr Gnu's news..." John Kerry was defeated, the evening storm is now a regular fixtures for buka puasa, Yasser Arafat pronounced dead, PTPTN payback proposal by some good for nothing public administrator etc. There are good news though, the school break is here and oh, I might get a break in my job hunting. Of all correspondences I did sent out this past weeks, I only received a positive call from ...... not Ulu Klang but the real UK, Yeah, you heard me right. 3 e-mails, and followed up by a midnight call on my hp for a 'comprehensive interview'. That was something. Should the offer came, I might have to really sit down and re align my priorities. Until then, I am considering another offer for a JV with a small but potential outfit. There is another chance for me to be on my own feet. Another option is teaching! Ha that would be something to talk about.... Now that my significant other has found a ready helper for her kuih raya preparation in me, I have to be on call for that errand run to the local tuckshop.

Temporary Routine

I am sorry for not updating this blog for past few days. (did anybody noticed?)
Since cleaning up my desk last Friday, I was having kinda 'blog withdrawal syndrome', sort of like the inability to decide whether to blog or not. In my mind then I was having doubts on continuing with blogging. The main reason was the lost of broadband, yeah I totally missed that part of my 'working' life. Now that I only have 56kbps tmnet which is unreliable at times and 'sharing' home pc with my eldest daughter who is by now able to keep her list of e-mail contact addresses more than mine, the strain of logging on and off is daunting enough. Until, I realized that my decision to blog was made entirely by my subconscious needs of actualising my hidden dream, that is to write.
There you are. I will keep blogging. I am making a promise to myself. Somehow I'll beg my other half into letting me upgrade to streamyx. (they told me it will take two weeks!)
Update on my routine now that I am literally jobless. Today, I took off to the heart of KL to meet up with acquaintances. I had Zohor prayer at Kg Baru Mosque (my last being 2 years ago) I was told that I missed 'someone' praying there last Friday. I dropped by Pejabat Pos Besar and send out few resumes and bought bigger postal box for my little sister (my mom made some pineapple tarts for her Hari Raya in Japan)
As for my immediate future plan, well I have a few options that seemed plausible. Keep you'll update. One thing for sure, I won't miss my dose of NFL games every monday and tuesday this season. For start, today I understand why George Allen (Redskins) was highly revered.

ps_ tsk tsk Baylor Bears broke Aggies heart! 35-34

Blast from Past

I had a blast yesterday with my ol' buddies on our 10th buka puasa reunion of ex-collegues. Only 8 of us made it. The place was cosy and simple nut the biggest surprise was it is opened just for us yesterday. (the owner told us the restaurant buka puasa only available during weekends) Thank to one of us who helped design the interior, therefore we were permitted to hold the gathering there. The restaurant main theme and presentation is Sarawakian - therefore I managed to taste the terubuk asin, sambal serawak, umai, urap and kari melayu. The dessert main piece was this pizza-like meshed dates(kurma) topped with baked oats(quaker oats). It was one of the best since the first one in 1995. Partly because the group was smaller therefore everybody had the chance to speak. We touched on various topics, life, work, a sprinkle of politics (you wouldn't believe how different politically we are on certain issues) and mostly on future outlook. In this small group I truly feel a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. Kind of an extended family that provide you that 'time-out' moment from pressures of life. On my way home later, as I began to re-assimilate into the real life, there was a feeling of refresh. I need it this time - list of contacts for possible employment.
1995 - MICASA, 1996 - Swiss Garden Pudu, 1997 - MATIC,
1998 - Impiana Hotel, 1999 - Vistana Hotel, 2000 - Grand Season,
2001 - Felda, 2002 - KDE, 2003 - Passage to India, 2004 - Cafe Aroma

Word of Wisdom

I am finishing my last few days of my life in this company. Yesterday, a few more of my colleague's received the 'boot' orders. Some took it calmly, a few broke down(especially the SYTs) and quite a few went straight home. The hard times has befallen on us. I, for one, still have not been lucky so far. Yesterday I took care of my belongings, packed them in that A4 boxes. I was surprised to see my personal effects that I managed to 'compile' in less that a year. All in all there were 6 boxes full of loose files, documents and manuals (two more I am reserving for my last day, this Friday, just in case I miss out any more small items) and two 3 foot high stack of books (more that half are from my home library - now returning to its shelves at home) much to the chagrin of my wife who had made the shelves spiking clean without books (are bookshelves meant not to take in books?) for this coming Hari Raya.

I still leave my beloved Roget's Thesaurus and Websters Pocket Dictionary on the desk for Friday, just in case I need to fill in this blog then and lost of superlatives. Other than that I am transferring files from my pc onto my 256PenDrive.

Just now, a senior colleague drop by my place. It seemed that he is also in the list. We chatted for better part of the hour and promise to keep in touch. Another lady colleague from another department send me advert clippings of job openings via internal dispatch! (how nice) As I was cleaning up my cubicle wall, hidden behind the large post-it-notes is this piece e-mail attachment....

George Constanza's ...WORD OF WISDOM...

"The most unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean, life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A death. What's that, a bonus?!? I think the life cycle is all backwards. You should die first, get it out of the way. Then you go live in an old age home. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension. Then, when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work forty years until you are young enough to enjoy your retirement. You drink alcohol, you party, and you get ready for High School. You go to primary school, you become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities, you become a little boy, you go back, you spend your last 9 months floating with luxuries like central heating spa. Room service in tap, then you finish off as an orgasm!!! Amen"

Earthquake

My lil sis send her e-mail informing that she is ok. The city she is in is about 150km away from the epicenter of the earthquake the rocked Japan last Saturday. I was frantically searching for bit and pieces of any news from Japan via internet last weekend, cos my mum was hysterically concerned about her. I seemed that mum was in a middle of tele conversation with her that evening when the line was cut off abruptly. Then she heard the news on tv1 (she only watches 'arus perdana' tv, mind you) about the earthquake on Sunday. My sis informed me that the aftershocks are still active 2 days after. I am thankful that her foster parents are doing their best to make her feeling safer.

The Letter

Voluntary Resignation

The above matter refers.

I refer to our conversation in your office on 19th October 2004 of which I eventually concurred that due to the impending company's restructure exercise, my service is now in excess. Upon the advice options, I am hereby tendering my official two (2) months notice of resignation.

I was made to understand that in reciprocity for exercising the option, the management has made some fair allowances to me which includes: that my attendance from now till Dec 31st will be optional, that I will have exclusive (and responsible) usage of the company's assets accorded to me until Dec 2004, and an equitable compensation benefits for a year of service.

I am virtually privileged to have been associated with this esteemed organization and believe that the experiences and camaraderie I've gained during the past year would eventually spur me to a higher achievement in the future.

Thank you

Sincerely

Writings on the wall

Well, I saw signs of it coming, but didn't expect it to be this early. I was called in to meet the HoD. The moment he asked me to close the door behind me, I already prepared for the worst. Anyway I thanked him for being very casual about it and not making it harder on me. I am about to be terminated from the this organization, less than a year after joining in with full hope. Due to the current construction industry climate, less and less of the project pies to hand around, the organization decided to to exercise, Last in First out policy. I fully understand it, but somehow I guess the whole retrenchment thingy has not been fully absorbed by me yet. How will this effect my family well being until the end of the year. With the house loan still be paid off etc... Hmmm let me take in the whole emotions step by step, go home and get prepared for the berbuka posa, then tonight I'll have to sit down with my other half on the next course of action. Wish me luck.

Malaysian Lampoon: Jalan Riong: J'ACCUSE:

I am defending my rights (whatever there are left in our Malaysian context) to blog freely and responsibly without fear.
Link Malaysian Lampoon: Jalan Riong: J'ACCUSE: The �Jalan Riong� Affair
I might disagree with what you said but will defend your rights to say it.

Bulan Puasa

So today is the first day of Ramadhan, the fasting month. Time to let the natural tummy trim phenomenon to take its effect. But then how to, when there are lotsa buka puasa invitation to fulfilled. I guess this year I will limit myself to once a week appointment. Including my yearly gathering of ex-colleagues. This gathering has been going on for the last 6 years every Ramadhan. From a group of 8 office mates to last years gathering of 16 mates, 8 of whom (including myself) were former office mates, and 4 of them are non-Muslims!. This year, I knew of the exs will be 10 since 2 more left the company since then. I guess these are my friends (for now) besides my other circle of ex-school friends that still are keeping in touch. Wonder who are my newer friends at the gathering will be.?

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I received a call from my little sister in Japan last night. It seemed that she will also commence fasting on Friday. Wonder where they go to see the anak bulan(he he he). Anyway, this is her first time fasting and to celebrate raya away from Malaysia. I guess it is harder on her compared to my time in the States. Not only Muslims in Japan almost non-existence, but also there are no adult Muslims anywhere near her place. She is going off to Okinawa for a 5 days school trip. Looking at the world map - Okinawa Island is halfway between Japan and Philippines - now that is long way off. Shoot, I love to be in her shoes right now. Come to think about it, its equivalent to a Malaysian high school (let say St John's Institution for an unknown reason?) trip to East Timor ie Timor Leste.

Holy hosts and racists

ESPNSoccernet.com: Europe: Holy hosts and racists
Here is an article that try to put the whole Aragones vs Thierry Henry via Reyes latest 'slip of a toungue' in proper perspective. I am not justifying racism, nor I am a hardcore Gunners (I am an Anfield sleeper fan). Just read and try to visualize in Malaysian context.

Teaching Stint

How is it like to be a teacher? Well, I had my time (2 months exactly) as part time teacher for my former primary school. I taught standard two. The first day I reported for work I got myself acquainted with the teachers in the teachers room. All the male teachers warned me of to look 'baik' instead must look like a lion just out of the cage! But I disagree, paid the small price of minor annoyances of 8 years old much to my horror and the teachers glee. So instead of really teach them the books, I took them into a short journey of my life experiences. I impressed on them my view of the world and encouraged these kids to think instead of regurgitate from the textbook. I admitted I didn't enjoyed it - I lost my voice after the third day. But as days gone by, I could sense a new vigor in these kids eyes. There was this 'naughty' kid who made the loudest noise and never seemed to do his work at all and most days I would punished him by standing on the chair (to the horror of the HM when she walked by! - I didn't know standing on the chair was no longer allowed then though it was a standard punishment during my time.) However, a week before my last days teaching at the school, I had to attend a job interview therefore I took a day off. The next day, this same kid came to my desk and blurted - "Cikgu? Mana engkau pergi semalam? Aku rindu sama cikgu..." The last week of my short teaching career was the most satisfying moment (so far) of my working life. To that kid, who would be 21 by now, wherever you are - Godspeed!

Reminiscing Pak Sako

Back in my school days, I was the Chairman of a Society (elected democratically by fellow students against an handpicked guy by the seniors whom I later appoint as my Vice chairman to save face lah. Trust me no vote buying were involved then). So it happened in that particular year, we managed to invite Pak Sako to give talks to the student body. However, a few weeks before (in Pak Sako's famous Di Simpang-Simpang Jalan column) he rambled about disciplinary problems among secondary schools that made headlines, be there ragging (a lot of it!), smoking, truancy etc. He noted a few schools among the Jalan Tenteram (the road to Kg Congo, now Bandar Tun Razak) and conspicuously my school was noticeably missing. So I took the opportunity during the break to pose him the question on why my school wasn't mentioned in his article, was it because he either didn't know the existence of the school or not worth mentioning.?. He took one look at me, inhaled few puffs of cigarettes (he chain-smoked in the school compound!!!), and with a smile he patted me at the back and went off to continue his talk. Then that was it, until a few weeks later, he mentioned the conversation in his Di Simpang-Simpang Jalan column. I recalled he wrote the reason why my school wasn't mention because it is in his good book. Thank you Pak Sako. Even though he didn't mention explicitly my name nor my school, but deep inside I knew it was for me.

Footnote:

However few 'registered-name' generation down, the school was later branded as the worst disciplined school in Malaysia by then the Education Minister one En. Anwar Ibrahim!

To Sopak, Pochong, Waltzco, SirCome, Urther, Weng, Pub, Bulues and others wherever, and whatever you all are now, thanks for the collective experiences in adolescence.

Finally!!!

After nearly 10 months working, I finally received my official Job Description.
What an extensive list .. let see...
Job Summary:
1)....manage relevant engineering descipline and respective consultants.....
2)....to value engineered where possible....design review process...
3)....assist tendering, procurement and contracting....
4)....assist business development... on business procurement strategy
5)....conduct r&d... to familiarised with latest industry technology.
Key Responsibilities:
1)....quality of work...
2)....adequate and approved procedures....adopted to acheive objectives
3)....regular design review....
4)....ensure original design intent....through contract reviews....
5)....project documentation....
6)....monitor and review measurable quality objectives....
7)....provide leadreship to relevant project team....
8)....ensure tendering requirement are met
9)....ensure reporting personnel are adequately trained and armed!!!etc etc
I like responsibility no 9 most... now! where can I get al qaeda contact numbers?
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Thanks to sherrina for being the first (one and only...tsk tsk) blogger to comment.

Tremors of the mind

My sis e-mail me today of the earthquake tremors she experienced last night in Japan. For a 18yrs old kampung girl who has never felt anything similar like it(except the Port Klang blast back in 1981 - oh wait she was not even born yet then. damn!) and living in a completely different culture, language the whole thing is scary. Her foster parents made sure she is safe. She was not hysterical, maybe that indescribable feelings of awe and shocking but at the same time exciting. She's preparing for the Ramadan fasting month, and I am glad that her foster parents were prepared and understands the whole rituals. Funny how when you are in foreign land, the locals seemed accommodating enough to let us feel at home. The sense of mutual respect to each others beliefs is astounding. Wouldn't it be nice when we could from time to time step back and see other people's side, wear other people's shoes in place and take up their perspective just for a few glancing moments? I think I'll start doing it more frequently.

HBTY to Nunui

My eldest had her 13th Birthday last Wednesday. Since she was having her exams that week, we decided not to overdo the occasion. But me being the first born myself, feel the need to show my appreciation of her 'leadership' qualities and becoming an examples to her siblings. So off we went to the nearest Thai Restaurant (the nearby F1 has been replaced by the omnipresent mamak franchise). It is actually a perfect way to instill Fine Dining 101 in a not so refined atmosphere. (Just so that I won't be that embarrassed if any of my offspring decided to behave 'erratically') We managed to go thru the whole rituals, you know, the hot towels, tidbits entree (how to request replenishment), the order of drinks (do not order milo ais) the main course (avoid seasonal price items) and eventually the "check please!". The grade then - come back again next semester! Anyway, she had her part during the weekend, a secret recipe moist chocolate, with the presence of her cousins besides watching AF reunion konsert.

Teruskan Perjuangan

A piece that I rather not just put a link to.......
MalaysiaKini Oct 1, 04 1:56pm
Tanggal 2 September 2004, kira-kira jam 10.30 pagi, SMS pertama daripada berbelas-belas lagi yang diterima berbunyi: ‘Alhamdulillah! Anwar bebas’. Percaya dengan tidak, sebak, sedih, gembira bercampur baur. Memang diakui semangat reformasi kian luntur kabur hala tujunya. Apatah lagi selepas Barisan Alternatif (BA) tewas teruk dalam pilihanraya lepas. Tetapi SMS ringkas itu seolah-olah kembali menyuntik semangat, meresap seluruh urat saraf, Nostalgia enam tahun lampau menyelinap ke seluruh batang tubuh. Bermula episod pemecatan Anwar, lereng Jalan Setiamurni menjadi bukti betapa kebenaran itu pasti terjawab. Setia kita kepada semangat keadilan sejagat semakin jelas. Malaysia maju bererti Malaysia yang mendukung rakyatnya yang dahagakan kemajuan diagihkan secara adil dan saksama, undang-undangnya tidak memihak, bersatu bukan di bawah nilai Ringgit Malaysia.

Rentetan dari cerita itu, maka bermulalah gelombang kebangkitan rakyat. Dari Bukit Damansara melalui Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Masjid Kampung Baru, Dataran Merdeka, meriah dengan semburan pemedih mata di depan Istana Negara, dihambat lagi di Jalan Kebun, hinggalah ke Cerok Tok Kun, Kemunting dan Sungai Buluh. Sanggup bermandi peluh, adakalanya bermandi darah, berkejaran mengelak belantan dan asakan perit gas pemedih mata (polis) FRU. Majalah, buku, kaset, VCD berlawanan kerajaan berlambak dijual. Kes rampasan pun mula bertimbun. Manakala lamanweb juga bercambah hebat. Mereka bangkit atas kesedaran suci tanpa dibayar sesen pun. Kini segalanya bagai ternoktah, atau sebenarnya baru pun bermula. Dulu, saban malam bersama rakan-rakan berasak sesak memanjat lereng bukit rumah Anwar selepas beliau dipecat tanda simpati.

Kini, ada antara rakan-rakan sudahpun berkahwin dan beranak tiga. Saya juga baru saja berkahwin. Pernah dulu, tiga tahun selepas itu, saya melawati Jalan Setiamurni melepaskan rindu pada Anwar. Lengan sepi. Tetapi pada malam 2 segalanya terpercik kembali, episod enam tahun lampau berulang lagi. Datang bersama isteri tercinta, dan bercerita tentang sejarah lereng bukit ini. Orang terlalu ramai, kami terpaksa balik awal. Keesokan hari, selepas solat Jumaat, diberitahu orang tidak ramai kecuali wartawan. Kami terus ke rumah beliau. Alhamdullilah saya berkesempatan besalaman dengannya dan membisikkan 'Teruskan Dato' Seri'. Ramai juga berbaris menunggu peluang menatap, bersalaman, kalau boleh memelukcium wira rakyat ini. Letih, sedikit susut, namun penuh semangat. Ada perjanjian tawar menawar atau tidak, itu bukan soalnya. Hanya beliau dan Pak Lah saja yang tahu agenda itu. Terpulanglah. Umumnya, Anwar telah bebas, bebas dengan pelbagai spekulasi, kaitan sebab dan musabab. Anwar telah mencetus gelombang kebangkitan rakyat. Suatu ‘aura’ luar biasa yang jarang dimiliki orang lain. Hebat! Kalau Dr Mahathir boleh bina kota Putrajaya dengan kuasanya, tetapi percayalah Dr Mahathir tidak mampu mendatangkan semangat halus rakyat marhain membanjiri Dataran Merdeka tanpa bayaran atau konsert percuma. Ini salah satu daripada kebolehan dan kehebatan Anwar. Satu Malaysia, mungkin seluruh dunia mengakui kehebatan beliau. Rintislah, wajib perjuangan ini mesti diteruskan. Kesan pedih sepanjang tempoh itu masih dirasai. Esak tangis kakak reformis teringial-ngial terbaring di atas jalanan bila ditarik sesuka hati. Pedih mata, parah sepak terajang terut berdunyutan. Andainya Anwar meneruskan perjanjian sumpah perjuangannya enam tahun lampau, mungkin kesakitan ini sedikit reda. Biarlah birat lebam ini tersimpan untuk anak cucu sebagai bukti perjuangan menuntut keadilan, hak dan kebebasan.

Majulah, bersatulah umat Melayu. Bukan di bawah terang lampu korupsi, tetapi di bawah bumbung semangat Melayu jati, ada sopan santunnya, budayanya bertunjangkan Islam. Anwar wajib membuka sejarah baru umat Melayu Malaysia. Sejarah yang akan dinilai suci oleh anak cucu kita. Kebangkitan ini sewajibnya diteruskan dengan apacara sekalipun demi mereka pewaris kita. Supaya mereka tahu, mereka faham dan mengerti bahawa kita sayangkan mereka. Kita bukan penggadai maruah bangsa, kita takkan jual Tanah Melayu ini. Kita mahu Merdeka sekali lagi!

Waghrieh Ekau (Without explicit permission)

Wan & Karam

It has been a while since I last heard from Karam Singh Walia. Who? THE Karam Singh guy that made special reports section of TV3 Buletin Utama a must see program slot. Who would forget that special waving of left hand and spicy 'pepatah' (malay idiomatic expression) much like DSAI budget speech, but has since been one up by Wan Kamarudiin NTV7 of his "Apa Ke Jadah..." expression. Between Wan and Karam, we have two of highly rated 'expose' journo (too bad Mazidol has the potential but wasted so far - no offence my dear 'puting'). Last night Karam produced a piece about stinking 'problem' for houses at Puchong. I totally disagree with that one piece Karam. That dumpsite was there even before LDP was born! The houseowners should have realized that they are buying a property next to a major Klang Valley Dumpsite! With it comes the smell and other grey matters. The State Government or Local Council should have set aside any development plans for the immediate areas until such time deemed suitable for any dwellings to be built. It is baffling that now these 'poor' (more of dumb and desperate to me!) homeowners could get my beloved Karam to highlight the stinking matters? Or some sinister arrangement to close the site and make the incinerator more acceptable? (as for the incinerator, why don't just relocate to Precinct 8 Putrajaya, since they claimed it to be such 'environmental friendly endeavors?)

Goes back to a year ago, when residents of some posh condo in Bukit Kiara objected to the cemetery expansion next door. Again, can't they sees the existence of the cemetery before decided to go and purchase the units then? I was one of the 'potential' buyers then but decided not to have 'the view of future' each time you look out the window for the rest of my life. Guess I snickered a lot when these people put out their true selfish tendencies (aren't we all?) for the whole world to see.

Small Perjuangan

I am not oblivious to the happenings around the country this past week. In fact one of my colleagues jokingly surprised by my being in the office instead of following 'other colleagues' donning the baju melayu and make the presence at the certain PWTC. I told him back 'half jokingly', "What in the world made you think I would do that?" His reply was that I seemed to him to be opinionated on certain things that normally would belong to such groupings. Well, he is entitled to his opinion, and I took that as a compliment. No, I can't bring myself to it. I admitted I came from the maternal lineage full of hardcore party workers. My mother is still in despair that I chose to take sides in 1998 (Heck, she still keep a b&w photo (you know the A7 one with that flower jagged edge) of her and that one successful women minister during an opening of a beau salon - no kidding). My grandmother was a mid ranking bigshot that held the election ports of PJ back in perikatan days (cap kapal layar). I was a branch youth secretary! Yes that's a confession. Somehow I began to feel uneasy whenever this group met to discuss politics. Back stabbing, surat layang, were the norms even for a small branch. A branch leader has the 'authority' to decide who gets a spot for low cost house or a lot of medan selera shop. Heck he got to keep few for himself and sell them off later for profit (I was offered but declined). I couldn't subscribe to that. The higher you go the more 'tainted' you would be. At division level you'd be offered a token share of, not one but some, shadow companies that always gets money rolling development projects - (remember that one fellow who 'hold' a million cash purportedly for election contribution in the area where now the MRR2 fiasco is taking place) And of course as rite of passage to take on second wife. woah that's enticing enough! As faith does it, all this disillusionments, smokes and chalices made my choice seemed clearer when the time came. I made small contribution for the setup of a local BA division (at a price that cost my association with local communities and some so called friends and relatives)

Beta Test

I had a pretty busy week. Now that a whole department shift to my department, the scene on this floor is hyper. We were used to a solitude and an occasional beehives whenever projects are being prepared, now it seemed like everyday is project due day. Even my HoD started to be cranky and left office at 5 sharp. As for me, still grappling with the 'culture shock' of working in a big organization, with so many levels of 'administrative' procedures just to get paper clips, I just carry on doing my best - that is hitting the keyboards sometimes aimlessly but purposely. (did I just coined a new term "purposely aimlessly"?) My colleagues introduced me to a new vector software's that is less intimidating than AutoCad. I've been getting myself familiarized with it, seeing whether is it worth investing. I 'sticked' (copied onto the memory stick) the software and brought it home for another session of beta test - this time with my trusted kid (hey I just get his monitor replaced). I guess we get something out of it for my personal home pergola project. I'll try to input it in this blog.

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I was at MALBEX 2004 The Mines for that annual 'walkabout' of the construction industry personnel. This time the fanfare is less but the quality is better that last year's. Met a few of my former colleagues and old time suppliers. They were mostly surprised to learned that I have 'shifted to the other side'. (the term when you sit on the other opposing side of the table in construction meetings) I get better treatment from suppliers whenever they scanned my visitor pass and seeing the name of the organization I am now representing. I get to asked few more questions than I normally would. I guess I didn't shift sides for nothing.

Rummaging Sunday

I was rummaging through my old things for the supposedly store cleanup day (my wife had been 'hinting' about transforming the room into kind of linen room - since when we are operating a hotel?) when I found my old bind notebook cum sketch (before I used the real sketch book for my Arch Degree). In it were some of my poems (sajak jiwang) an indication of my literary leanings (sort of) during my pre US years. I think I 'm gonna compile them and insert it once a while in this blog. My cleanup day ended without much progress (mind you that it was supposed to be my lazy day weekend - the case of me planning without the other half consent!) To make up I put on the apron and conjured up a specialists sardine dinner (minus tomatoes), cauliflower cabbage combo soup sprinkled with anchovies and 5 eggs omelet (telur dadar) with chopped onions. Since we had late breakfast (more like brunch) no lunch, when the dinner was served at 6:30pm, everything on the table was practically gone by 7pm. The leftovers were served to the cats mixed with Friskies. The house shut down by 9pm!

Lazy Sunday

I guess I'll lazy it out this weekend. Why you might asked? I decided to give myself a break for a whole Sunday. I used to have the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) free for things until this year when my new job requires me to spend half of Saturdays at the office. Although the morning traffic is not that troublesome - I got to visit my favorite nasi lemak shop Tasha at USJ10 foodcourt each Saturday morning and still made it to the office by 8:30am, the realization that not everybody is up for work brings in a tiny sense of deprivation. Well I reasoned by justifying this small sacrifice with the kind of responsibility the job offered me (and the dole too!). No regrets. My previous line of work allow me for a few discretionary 'absence' as long as the jobs gets done, but those kind are hard to come by especially with the current freeze of mega projects. Anyway, time to hone my skills on other things. By the way, I received a call from my former colleague the other day informing his newly opened lightings retail shop. He finally took the plunge head on. Out of admiration I gave him a visit. The shop is impressive (for a 2 months old business) We had lunch and I guess he needs a lot of encouragements (which I gave in abundance - he needed it) Me being myself, gave a few ideas and promised to help him up with his brochure design. (who? Me?) I want him to do well. Perhaps I should learn a thing or two from him too. I guess I did imagine myself being a sole proprietor someday (the one venture I did a few years back doesn't count - okay!). Godspeed!

Dead Goose

I dropped by my parents home after work yesterday (well sort of... had to pay through two toll booths) . One of the geese dropped dead (they had two). Now I had to determine the cause of death (bring me the scaple please...) not with the bird flu thingy we had to be carefull. I asked my dad whether he'd ever bring the goose out for any 'goose fight'. He replied in negative laughingly, in fact that it was a she-goose (sic?). Now the plot thickens! Should I start to check on all the chicks, ducks and even the rabbits around the house (mind you they have the whole lot down there... as a form of protest for not allowing them to 'keep' one of kids company - well thats a different story) or just staright away do the 'culling method'?. I guess I'll come back this weekend and bring reinforcement (my kids?) for the 'culling exercise'. In the end we found out that the probable cause of death might be due to overdose of ant-killer powder my dad keep next to the coops. Anyway, mum managed to get hold of another she-goose from the neighbour's coop for nature's 'reproduction exercise' to run its course. Well the he-goose got himself a new partner within a day! That's what I call efficient chiken-coop management. They don't teach these at UPM or MARDI. I think I have to watch CSI more often. (Scaple please!!!)

Second Hand

I bought my son a second hand 15" Samsung Monitor to replaced his worn down( and out) that went dead a few weeks ago. Sorry for taking so long to get it replaced son, but you should have taken care of it better. Instead of letting the end cord banging to the wall each time you and your little brother hit the table (not to mentioned those two little sis too) during those crazy Mario races. At least your room had its share of quietness for a couple of weeks. Actually I had to get the replacement done sooner cos they have started banging my XP.

Why second hand you all might asked. Why not? Its cheap and came directly from Japan (as told by the shop assistant) I got to choose from the rack, had it tested then delivered to the car 3 storey above. Besides, I got it bundled with 256mb USB stick drive and a headphone. Its a steal and I don't have to explain too much to the wife. (she keeps the account mind you) Funny how much favor you could squeezed from the kids the moment they knew the about the replacement monitor. Suffice to say, besides a good leg massage from little fingers, they promise not to touch my XP and the wife need not do dishes for a week. Life is a bliss!

Times Roman

I was monitoring the development of the CBS documents that 'purportedly' contains certain confidential memos of Bush jr services in TANG (Texas Air National Guards). Instead I was sucked into the History of IBM selectrics, Times typefaces, innerworkings of a typewriter, etc. Interestingly I relishes these 'misdirections'. I can now spar with somebody over kernings and type spacing, electrical typewriter and heck, I could even understand more about US National Guards and differentiation with (now vanished into thin air) Iraqi Republican Guards.

Weekend Ramblings

Wah.. I am very very much busier this week then ever. The euphoria over the release of DSAI still in the air. Even I got the chance to hint to my lil sis over in Japan about the news (just to make her 'jealous' because we used to spar and spat over the whole episode with my mom on her side).

Baru hari ni legaaa sikit, boleh continue blog... Biasalah kalau kerja yang ada deadline tak menentu nih (keje ape yek.. tungguuuu) Anyway, kat sini kita kira 'minoriti' lah. Jadi kalau nak merasa jadi orang 'minoriti' kat negeri sendiri cari lah korporat-korporat tertentu yang 80% pekerjanya dari kaum tertentu. Bukan racist tapi realiti. Nak tahu budaya kerja dan mendalami 'duduk perkara' yang membolehkan mereka berada dalam braket kehidupan selesa walaupun pada luarannya banyak 'halangan' dan baggage yang perlu dibawa.I'll try to bring up this part of my life as objective as possible and any tinge of 'personal mumblings' is unavoidable. Biasalah tu kan. Actually, I sesungguhnya jealous dgn Datin Dairies yang sungguh articulate tapi pada masa yang sama begitu personal. I guess somewhere inside me is a writer, yang terpendam mungkin masa yang menetukan. I would threat this blog as my introduction to writings, mengasah bakat (kalau ada yang sudi nak tunjuk ajar , ambil galah tolong jolokkan...) Time for me too to get back at my thick green College Literature books.
I am sorry for the 'bilingual' entry, because I think I could express them better this way for now. I guess my train of thought has gone haywire since forced to adopt American thinking back to local thinking and so forth. So that is another bit piece of info about myself. To those who think they know my true identity, feel free to let me know and we could meet up for a short 'discourse'. For now, I'll stick to my Websters Dictionary and Roget's Thesaurus.

Gusti Putri

After much hype I dragged my other half to watch PGL. Truly I enjoyed the movie but honestly (after reading so much about the cost) I could not find compelling justification for the RM15M++ expenditure. I was still sitting while the credits rolled and patrons jostled out from the theatre and although sated but a tinge of unsatisfied feeling for the execution. "Could have been better" while my other half said back to me, "okay le tu". My perfectionist instinct kicked in. Credits to Tiara for the effort though. In comparison I tend to be apologetic when watching Lang Buana (yes... ) but evenly satisfied seeing an effort with limited budget.

The setting for Istana Melaka, built from scratch, does not convey the feeling of grandness, in fact it is empty all the time. (having involved with building of Istana Melawati does put me in quandary) The walls were too brownish fake and the motifs too little. The Gusti's Karaton also lacks character and the common bond brick wall is too glaring to be ignored.

I gave high marks for the dialogs. What surprised me was that I eagerly await patiently and all ears each time Datuk Bendahara (Rahim Razali) opens his mouth to speak. Such deep meanings as if hearing the Jedi Master speaks. The fight scene made me cringed due to its uncharacteristic used of explosion. The place where Hang Tuah 'disgraced' himself by the river banks need to be clear of footmarks before shooting. Again these little things here and there needs attention to make it worthy of International audiences.

I think I want to go and see the film once again (surprise!) just to hear once again Rahim Razali's dialogs.

A Day after V Day

I'm gonna drop by the mosque near his home today. Sure bigger congregation than normal. I want to see the khatib's face and reaction (not to forget what he will churn out for today's sermon). I guess he will be more fired up than before. Later I'll linger around the area and check out the 'carnival' outside. I remember 6 years ago I waited at this place and followed him back to Kg Baru mosque for the Friday prayer which later evolved to a much bigger 'explosive' events. The atmosphere now is a different. The crowd (yesterday) was more 'matured' and 'dignified' unlike the whole gamut of 'haggard' personalities and rowdies that made up the crowd six year ago.

My old 'enemies' (the other side of the 'battle' line) alerted me early yesterday morning (8:30 am) on the impending release. How could these 'scums and cronies' managed to get hold of the 'info' was beyond me. Something to speculate but I don't really care now. As I watched the news, actually I wanted to surf TV3 to see how their coverage like now that the guy is released compared to the news relayed to us six years ago (sans Dang Suria), my kids asked me questions about the whole thing and surprisingly which I can now reply gleefully as opposed to the news six years ago that involved word such as 'liwat' and 'sodomy'. (At such time I could bring myself to even buy Utusan for my kids to read).

I can't describe how my feelings now. The emotions were to great to fathom but I am sure it is a good one.

Merdeka!

What is the true meaning of Independence?

Today, is the day that I think someone who truly deserved one received his. I remembered 'drawing the line' after his ordeal unfolded back in 98. I was literally in the thick of actions, especially since I was at Kg Baru the entire episode. Now, 6 years later, the memories flooded back and a sense of renewed energy sips through me.

And somehow the Merdeka spirit belatedly catches on (albeit 2 days late). To whomever you are... godspeed.

Proud Malaysian Sports Moment

One night in 1980.... (who could forget these lines)
"Hassan, cocok Hassan, masih lagi Hassan, kepada James!!!!)

Looking back, I think that was a night when all Malaysian became one entity. Malaysian football were never able to reach that level of euphoria that still caused my hair to stand just reliving the moment in the mind. How proud I was then. How I longed for that moment. The closest was when we turned the tables on the Thais at Shah Alam few years back with our Rusdi Superman.

I guess to be fair, another moment was this one...

16 May 1992 - Stadium Negara

The determination of Rashid, the steely performance of Kok Keong and the Dream Provider of Soon Kit and Beng Kiang (of course Hasbullah's rantings past midnight). And I wonder who is that bespectacle, skinny fellow gyrating in the stands (wherever you are).

My personal pick for the recent Proud Malaysian Sports Moment was the SUKOM 98 hockey semi-finals against India. (because I was there!)

The above my dear friends were true Sport Performance where I could be proud of.

now back to the Olympic

(remind me to write about Nolan Ryan) who?

Electoral College

US politics always fascinates me. Since I took my class in American Politics back in 86 (Thanks to Mr Burgess, for making it an interesting class and enthusiatic explanation of Judge Bork's 'de-selection' to Supreme Court easier to understand), I kept comparing the goings-on in the US with our 'so-called' parliamentary democracy practice and hope for a better execution (not). Its election year again in the US. Thanks to Michael Moore, I think its' gonna be a 'bloody' affair, (not in a literal way) - Americans never failed to make a fool out of themselves 'democratically' for the whole world to see. Either we love them or hate them, they don't seemed to care anyway. I look forward however to Hillary Clinton's turn, hopefully sooner and make Mr Burgess proud (wherever u are).

The Shopping Mall

I was at Alamanda to see the 'soft' opening of THE SHOPPING MALL of Putrajaya. Apart from the non-existence PA (can't hardly make out whatever the person's speeches was all about) the yellow clad ladies of the complex personnel made the event bearable till the end (end here means until the makan time - its free lunch everybody!) Anyway the yellow clad ladies sure can take on the MAS stewardesses anytime .wink wink

I think that place will be full each time at lunch - with all the govt employees making the bee line (the end of Anjung and Souq?) come night time, that is another story. Unless Bangi, Sepang, Serdang and even Puchong folks managed to find their way to Parcel Z (which I doubt unless its a weekend thing)

The parking layout and location is good (Malaysian shoppers don't want to walk far to entrance) except for the fine dining restaurants located outside the mall area. Other than that the minimalist design is interesting. The abundant amount of sunlight entering the mall area creates an outdoor 'feeling' indoors. The only thing is that repair works are being carried out here and there (plus almost 50% of the shoplots still being boarded up for renovation) and I think the center court need more sitting benches.

ps -

my wife want to see this yellow clad ladies herself when I told her about them. he he he

Highways

It's official, RM20.00 (RM19.60 to be exact but not including toll for KL-Karak) one way for ECE (East Coast Expressway). Now I have to rethink the Cherating getaway I've been planning for year's end (AirAsia, here we go). Maybe I'll have to meet halfway, travel to Temerloh and sample that 'Sup Gearbox' near Jengka, then make a U-turn, drop by Karak town and buy few kilos of Jambu Rias.

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I took an LRT ride to KLCC yesterday evening. It has been quite sometime I 'drop-by' downtown KL, since 2001 my line of work no longer requires me to be in Kg Baru ( yeah I worked there for almost 10 years.. go figure) and my recent job only put me at the perimeter of KL (I managed to avoid the traffic jam hassle). Back to KLCC, not much different this time of the year except more and more of Middle Eastern tourists flocking around the areas, and they love to travel in a group do they. This one family of 15 (I guess) maybe of 4 generations, Dad and GranDad with one stroller (couldn't see any babies inside, not with the shopping bags and all) lingering around the foodcourt, at one end of the floor the 'Burkha' ladies flocking one accessories stall, trying out few earrings and so forth, while the mom and her mom shifting inside the boutiques. After a short while some teenage boys exited one electronic shop with bagful of digicams, pdas, hps etc. Later they regroup at a designated place (take a wild guess?---The Glass Lift of course) all this happened while I take a long pause before entering Kinokuniya (I love to watch people - should have been a psychologist or sociologist instead of......) KL has turned cosmo instead of metro.

I got inside and went straight to get whatever I planned to do (to get some Malay-Japanese Dict for my lil sis who is now in Japan for some exchange program - more of that later). I thought of staying back a little while longer and enjoy my outings, when my wife sms me reminding to be back in time for the Amazing Race at 8:00 (I wouldn't miss that would I?) With that, I scooted to LRT station and enjoyed my few moment of new cosmopolitan KL rushing crowd.

Athens Olympic

I was at home last night switching channels on ASTRO (Now that 'demam AF2 dah kebah' = recuperating from the AF2 fever) when my attention got to the skeet shooting final... Hey isn't that Al Makhtoum feller looks familiar? Well when he nails the clinching shots for gold with only one missed shot (he missed another 2 after that) my mind just wandered off wondering whether Letterman will make a reference to it later or not.. We'll see....

Then the blows.. all our shuttlers faltered.... what to do... another 4 years down the road I couldn't pin point the younger shuttlers moved up the ranks. How jealous I am when I saw other Asian countries started to flood the podiums or at least showed the fighting spirit that make us want to believe them. (ok our shuttlers did showed glimpses of that.. I trust them, but still..)

Oh by the way... way to go Puerto Rico.
Now.. besides EPL.. I'll keep in touch for NFL and College Football (from this side of South China Sea)

Welcome

I've been wanting to do this for quite a long time....
Well here goes nothing...