About Me

I have done a lot of things in my life and have also worked in many different jobs to make a living and to experience life. This blog is just some of my musings, sometimes funny, sometimes inspirational, sometimes sad, sometimes angry, sometimes simple but all the time, it's just me.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Whatever happened to good old comics



Remember MAD?
How about Dandy or Beano?

My dad use to buy us MAD magazine about once a month. They were not cheap comics, each would cost about RM3.25.

Do you know how much each cost now? Oh about RM25.

We also used to get Dandy and Beano every week or so. At about 50cents a pop, now they cost about RM5 or more.

It's not even so much about the cost. Those days you would get comics from your normal newspaper vendor.

Nowadays, you can only get comics from specialty shops.

I remember when I was young, we used to go to good old Sri Intan, my dad would have a few beers and we would get our coke floats or seven up floats.

We would have Imbi's food. Imbi was this nice lady that made Indian food in Sri Intan.

There was a magazine vendor in the corner and we would get our comics every week.

Sri Intan was one of thos classic food courts where you was actually a drive-in but most people got out of their cars and sat inside.

Good old days in Penang, Sri Intan, coke float, Imbi's food and a comic book in hand.

MAD magazines fold-ups, classic parody of current events or movies and the regulars like Spy vs Spy.

MAD is an influential American humor magazine founded by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines in 1952.

The magazine offers satire on all aspects of American life and pop culture, politics, entertainment, and public figures. Its format is divided into a number of recurring segments such as TV and movie parodies, as well as freeform articles.

Mad's mascot, Alfred E. Neuman, is typically the focal point of the magazine's cover, with his face often replacing a celebrity or character that is lampooned within the issue.

Among the latest movie parodies is Scumbag Billionaire.

MAD just published it's 500 copy and I would sure like to get my hands on a MAD magazine again.

Take care and be well.

Monday, June 29, 2009

The weather is always great

I like the weather, it is unpredictable.

Over the years, meteorologist have had more sensors and electronics and computers to detect wind, wind movement, barometer and barometric pressures, tides and tide movements, satellite pictures to track cloud movements, high pressures and low pressures and etc etc etc.

And yet, weather remains something that is not easily predicted.

And that makes weather wonderful.

How the sun shines and heats up the place and brings out life, new leaves, trees, flowers and bees. It allows me to go for a walk on the beach with my boy.

How the rain nourishes the earth, cools it down, cleans up the air. It allows me to be inside, snuggle up with loved ones, watch a movie and listen to the wonderful chorus of frogs outside my house and the gentle sound of raindrops.

In other climates, the winter snow makes everything white and pure. The air cold and crisp. Allows me to build snowman and snow forts to have snow ball figths. It allows me to go skating on a frozen lake and skiing down the hill or across the jungle paths.

In autumn/fall the trees turn to wonderful color and show all the colors they have been hiding in the summer. You see, green is just chlorophyll and just part of the color of the leaves. The other colors do not show up when the chlorophyll is so strong. But in autumn, the other colors get to show themselves off. The fallen leaves, raked up and jumping into them. Halloween and making pumpkin heads.

And spring, when the snow melts, time to go boating by the lake, mountain biking, look at things coming back to life.

Weather is wondrous.

And on this night, in Miri, it is raining, the gentle sound of the rain, the crash of the waves against the sand and the chorus of the frog orchestra outside my house with Al E sleeping by my feet and me typing this blog, watching House and reading a book.

Weather is truly wondrous.

Life is truly wondrous - just make the best of it, everyday, no matter how the weather is, no matter how the circumstances are and no matter how tough it gets.

Take care and be well.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Billie Jean / It's Charlie, Angel, time to go to work

I remember trying to do the moonwalk, wear white socks with black shoes and pull on my crotch.

I remember having an Angel's picture in my wallet.

I remember how iconic the Thriller video was.

I remember the time when We Are the World.

I remember watching sexy curly haired woman kicking ass on television.

Datuk and I were joking on how at one time we used to have Farah Fawcett's picture in our wallet.

We even signed it and used to show friends that we got an autographed picture from her.

My first Michael Jackson album was Off the Wall. Of course I knew him since the Jackson 5 but Off the Wall was really off the wall.

Songs like Don't stop till you get enough and Rock with you.

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) and Farah Fawcett (February 2, 1947 — June 25, 2009) - may both of you rest in peace, you will always be remembered as part of my generation, part of my growing years.

In your memory, I will strike a pose with a gun and do the moonwalk.






Take care and be well.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Half full or half empty

Half the year has gone by, it seems it was just yesterday that 2009 greeted us.

But now it is half gone.

6 months. 50%. Gone. Ain't coming back.

Then again there is half a year still to go.

6 more months and 50% more. Coming soon.

More exciting, more lively, more positive and filled with wonderful changes.

Wooohoooo.

Life is great.

Take care and be well.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Unconditional

Four, four, four, four.

Not fore, I am not playing golf here.

And not Ten, Ten, Ten, Ten either.

But I have been sleeping only 4 hours every night since Sunday night.

Today and tomorrow, I will be working at least until 11pm.

Then there is the insomnia. The insomnia likely cause by numerous stress. Numerous stress caused by numerous incidents. Numerous incidents caused bu numerous reasons. Numerous reasons that I have made up to explain and give myself an excuse to be stressed and have insomnia.

I need to learn more about life from my four legged companion.

Eat well, drink a lot of water, play with your favorite toys everyday, sleep whenever and wherever when you are tired and always provide unconditional love to everyone that is nice to you.

Why? Don't question it, questioning is like adding conditions.

Unconditional.

Take care and be well.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Is this Barrack Obama?

Is this Barrack Obama or a look-alike? Was he giving a speech? Was he singing? What is on his neck - some device to communicate with aliens perhaps?



Look again. This was taken from a video in 1982. The main singer in Trio does have an uncanny resemblance to Barrack Obama.

Da Da Da You don't love me, I don't love you but that is okay.

I know I am posting this video again but the song is so fun and funny. Puts a smile on my face on this hot hot hot day.



Take care and be well.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Saturday Night Fever, Sunday Morning Itch

Called a few friends over for dinner, namely Kupps, Chandran and Uding but only Chandran and Kupps could come.

Anyways, I made a appetizer of some fried Indian stuff, then some bee's comb chines spiced tofu and buttered spinach rice.

Simple but I think very nice, especially the tofu and the spinach rice which you can see below.



After that, we were browsing the net to look at songs from YouTube to help Kupps choose some songs and also discovered that Mack was also choosing her songs for our mix CD (an idea that I will blog about once everyone has chosen their songs).

Kupps was having some difficult time choosing, so we were just checking his shortlist and asking what the meaning of the song was for him.

Anyways, friends left at around 10, and I was with Al E combing him and watching some tele. When I was falling asleep, Al E was licking me on a spot on my leg which was really itchy.

The itch I thought was just a mosquito bite or a sand fly bite, both which are notorious near my house - so while I am used to it, it still itches like hell.

Anyways, this morning, I got up to the pitter-patter sound of the rain on the roof and balcony and Al E and I got out to go breakfast at Ipohtown. The weather was nice and cool for once.

Anyway, I realised that the itch on the leg was still there and I was subconsciously still itching it. Then I realised that it was swollen and therefore likely not a bite from a mosquito or a sand fly.

If the swell remains as the picture of my hairy leg below, it would be time to check it out with a doctor.

For now, some antibiotic cream has significantly reduced the swelling.



Take care and be well.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Big Screen

At work, I have a laptop... which many of us will have to give up soon due to so called cost cutting matters that are looking at the smaller stuff rather than focusing on big ticket items that really require a reduction. Anyways. this article is not about cost cutting measures.

With the laptop, I get a docking station, keyboard, mouse and a HP LCD 17 inch monitor. We are encouraged to use this rather than our laptop screens so that we do not strain our eyes too much.

Some people have been lucky to acquire larger screens either because of their work or because they got hand me downs. I have been trying to get a 20 inch through a hand me down but no such luck yet.

Anyway, I have been using laptop at home and through the "bad" influence of friends (and myself really needing it), we all decided to go get monitors yesterday.

4 of us, Datuk, Ah Boon, Kupps and myself got ourselves flatscreen monitors.

While Datuk and I went for a little higher end HP HDMI 22 inch screen monitors; Kupps and Ah Boon got the 23 inch Acer monitors.

When I first set it up, I was like wow, I got to sit further away, this things lights up the whole house etc etc.

After a few adjustments, I am liking the big screen for my work, it is easier on my eyes as well.

Just for comparisons, have a look at it below.

Take care and be well.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Funny Happy People

I came accross this old pics in one of my thumb drives and nearly burst out laughing. I had used some of these pics for a presentation in DHL basically showing how I have evolved.

Below as per chronological years of my life:


In University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 1989. Letting the hair grow and wearing really "fashionable" glasses.

In University of Wisconsin - 1990. In my dormitory, spoting the stache and looking like a 70's pimp. 1990 - 1991. This picture of all career counselors in our lecturers house, a end of year sort of party.I think close to graduation in 1991. This card was actually sent out to invite people to my party at home after graduation. This picture was taken in New York when we went camping.In my room in Bangsar when I was working as a journalist in The Star newspaper, 1992. Are you scared?


As a journalist in The Sun, 1993. Looking a lil smarter and less scary. Sporting a gold ear stud and again fashionable gold framed glasses.


Raja Gelek, Datuk M Daud Kilau. Well, for a party anyways. In Texas Instruments, likely 1995/1996.Trip to India, I cannot recall but I think 1999 or 2000, maybe 2001.
Rasta Man, likely 2001
No more rasta. In Sabah, likely 2001.


2002. Long hair, girly look. Or was this earlier .... hmm, I cannot remember but I am sure wifey will correct me. A trip to Europe for the 1st time, 2002.
An aging professor at my tuition center, I think 2003.Maldives, I honestly cannot remember when but I think 2004 or 2005, after the big Tsunami. Like my grey hair?
In 2004, at Cyberview Lodge. Just before joining a company in Cyberjaya, I took a short vacation in Cyberjaya.


Chubby chubby me, in Singapore in 2005.In DHL, likely 2006.


This picture I cannot place exactly which year, I am thinking 2006 as well.



Trip to Egypt, September 2008. Andainya aku pergi sebelummu (Alleycats).


Ad's wedding. Dec 2008. Gaya, Mutu, Keungullan.


Amsterdam February 2009. Quite recent during my assignment to The Netherlands. It was bloody cold at that time still.


Well, I hope all of you'll reading this had a good laugh or at least a big smile on your face cause I burst out laughing looking at some of these pics.


Take care and be well.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

"Baby born without a penis"

The Star headline screamed at me. I was intrigued.

In my mind, a baby born without a penis is common, in fact more than 50% of babies are born without penises - they are called female.

Anyway, this article was obviously about a baby boy born without a penis.

Apparently, the birth certificate of 10-month-old Muhammad Nabil Mustaqim Rodzake states that he is male, he lacks a penis.

Now this poor boys name is all over the paper, imagine 6 years later when he starts going to school.

The article also showed a picture of the parents proudly holding Nabil, all over the national newspapers.

Oh how some parents just like to embarass their kids. Lucky for me, my parents were a little more private - and no, I am not born without a penis or a ball or any deformities, I do not have 3 tits like Chandler Bing etc.

I am sure there we some nudie baby photo's lying around but none that were published.

I knew a person whose father was a weirdo. As such, his whole life, he and his brother just used initials. He was A.H. and his brother was B.M.

You see, the father had named them Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.

Ah, parent's sometimes do very interesting things without looking at the future consequences to their children. My heart goes out to Nabil.

Take care and be well.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

A glimpse into a small mind but huge love person

I wonder what goes through Al E's head sometimes, especially when we take him to the airport.

Most of the time, he sees people going into the building and never coming out.

Today, he sees his human mommy go through and disappear. So, there is a kind of bemused look in him. He is uncertain, unclear what happens in this building.

He is sad because he has come to realisation after all these trips to the airport that someone is going away, for a longer period of time.

He mops around the house like he has lost his favorite playmate.

I wonder what he felt when I was away for 3 months.

Then on occasions he sees people coming out from the building.

He starts wagging his little stump of a tail. He recognises a familiar face, a familiar smell and he is so happy to see the person.

Al E's greets are just marvelous, kisses, jumps, licks and again a bemused look which seems to say, "Where the fuck did you go and why did you leave?"

Al E really hates seeing people go away at the Miri Airport (the only airport he knows) and loves people returning.

Not unlike Al E, this small brained and huge love author of this blog is no different. It is always sad to say goodbye and it is wonderful to see people coming back. It feels the same to me even when I leave.

Oh well, my hopes and dreams will come true and I am sure Al E's hopes and dreams will also come true.

Until then, both of us will mope around a little, sulk a little, feel a little sad and life will go on .... eat, sleep, shit, go to the kennel (my office for me, also in a cubicle) and another day goes by.

Take care and be well.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Generation Einstein, MTV Generation and The Ignored Generation

Brighter, quicker, more socially minded.

I have been told there is a new generation in the world. In fact I feel like I am from an ignored generation, Generation X is over, Generation Y is also over and there are new kings in town.

The new Generation is sometimes referred to as Generation Einstein.

A new name for the generation born after 1991 that grew up in the digital information society. Supposedly brighter, quicker and more socially minded.

In contradiction with the generation before them, Generation Y, Generation Einstein does not have a individualistic, but a collectivistic mindset.

The growing-up in a information society of this generation born after 1991, has caused a way of information handling which shows more similarities with the creative and multidisciplinary thinking of Albert Einstein than with the rational, logical and linear thinking of Isaac Newton.

I question the more social part though. I see most teenagers as less social. Stuck on their 3G phones playing games while in transit in buses or trains and continuing with their Xbox, PS3 or Wii games at home.

I am also feeling lost with Generation Y, also known as The Millennial Generation or MTV Generation.

This is a term used to describe the demographic cohort following Generation X. Its members are often referred to as "Millennials" or "Echo Boomers". There are no precise dates for when Gen Y begins and ends. Most commentators use dates from mid 1980s to early 1990s.

I consider Generation Y a confused bunch of people - deep inside a little unsure of themselves but outside as cocky and too sure of themselves. Commonly considered to be the future leaders in business and politics, but if what they say of Generation Einstein is true, then bye bye Gen Y, you'll just become Generation Why? Why did we even have that.

Generation X, commonly abbreviated to Gen X, is a term used to refer to a generational cohort of children born after the baby boom ended and usually prior to the 1980s.

The term Generation X has been used in demography, the social sciences, and marketing, though it is most often used in popular culture.

However, Generation X is also known to be the ignored generation. We come at a time when the baby boomers are too young and still rule the world and the Why's and Einsteins are now taking over. We are the in betweens, the ignored ones.

And as such, the unknown, the dangerous, the intelligent, the well rounded.

As a Gen X'er, I am in peace with my role in this world. I'd rather be an ignored person but intelligent, well rounded, balanced, less stressed and really wealthy.

I come from a time where I transitioned from cassettes to Cd's to MP3. From Pong and Donky Kong to PS3 and Wii. From analog round dial phones to IP and 3G smart phones. From abacus to computers. From black and white cathode ray tube television to hi-def multi colored multi pixel tele's. Many many inventions that enabled Gen Y and Gen Einstein to exist was invented by Gen X.

Yes we are the ignored generation and damn bloody proud of it.

Take care and be well.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Sporting events

I my life, I would like to attend a whole lot of sporting events. Why am I writing about sporting events? Well, mainly because I am a good sports spectator. I am not any goods at sports but I enjoy watching some sports at some times.

So, here goes a list of sporting events I would like to attend.

1. Football World Cup

2. Summer and Winter Olympics and Paralympics

3. Tennis Grand Slam Tournaments - all four

4. NBA Basketball Championship Series

5. Americas Cup Sailing Competition

6. Cricket 20-20 World Championships

7. All Manchester United football matches for 1 year

8. American Football Superbowl

9. All Formula 1 car races for the whole year.

10. Tour De France bicycle race

Okay, so where and when do I start watching these. Maybe 2014 World Cup in Brazil could be a start but we will just wait and see. The world and God works in ways where our wishes will come true, I just have to believe in it.

Take care and be well.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Late Night Hunger

Lately I have been getting quite hungry late at nights, like after 10pm and I know it is not good for me to eat that late.

Unfortunately, the way my body is wired is that if I do not eat, and I am hungry and my stomach is growling, I will not be able to sleep. I will go to bed and toss and turn all night long thinking of food.

So, instead on concentrating on the hunger, I decided to do some tasks, like reading and writing this blog and researching some stuff. I also decided to drink lots and lots and lots of water.

I also think Nigella Lawson is a bad role model for me, my God the amount of delicious food she makes and her late night binges.

Anyways, while searching, I came across many diet related articles on how to stop hunger pangs but found the advice that I have pasted below to be the most practical, at least for my situation.

So, here are 5 things one could do to avoid the hunger pangs especially late night ones that are the least healthy.

1. Do tasks
Have you ever noticed when you're involved in doing something, whether it be reading a book, or some other very focused activity, you tend to think less about eating food and more about what you're doing other than eating food I've noticed myself that when you tend to be immersed in doing something, foods seems the last thing on your mind but when you're bored you probably notice, that your head may be in the fridge quite a lot I know mine can be when I'm not doing anything in particular so it does work give it a try and see what you notice.

2. Drink more water
Sometimes when you feel hungry the actual feedback you're getting from your body is drink some water, this is also a good thing to do before you eat a main meal it will feel your stomach up and you will eat far less.

3. Have some vitamins
Sometimes the reasons you can get hungry is because you're not getting the right amount of vitamins in your diet this can cause hunger pangs for some people, so have a look at your diet and do some research to find out what vitamins you are missing sometimes a supplement is better for some people i.e. vegetarians or vegans.

4. Prepare snacks
Prepare some healthy food in a small plastic container, so you can take it where ever you go especially when you're out, fill it with foods that contain water like tomatoes, peppers, grapes oranges so if you do get hungry you have something healthy to eat, and are far less likely to eat something bad for you instead.

5. Eat some protein
This neat little trick will send the " am full signal to the brain" also protein takes longer to break down in the stomach, good sources of protein are eggs, fish, beans and cheese preferably low-fat as we know protein has 4 grams per calories whereas fat has 9 calories per gram.

So, these are the tricks I will try to follow to control that late night food binge. Maybe you may want to try them too, but remember, do eat healthy meals throughout the day. Just avoid the late night binges.

Take care and be well.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Noah and the Ark - current version

This email was forwarded to me and I thought it was just hilarious. I also saw RPK published it.

This is just for fun, so laugh and enjoy, don't take things too seriously.

In the year 2020, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in Malaysia, and said: Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flash before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living things along with a few good humans.

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying: You have six months to build the Ark before I start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard, but no Ark.

Noah! He roared. I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?

Forgive me, Lord, begged Noah, but things have changed.

First, I need to have a BUMIPUTRA PARTNER who is linked to UMNO. Then I needed a building permit from DBKL and also have to pay under-counter money to get the permit.

Then I've been arguing with the BOMBA inspector about the need for a sprinkler system.

My neighbours complained to The Malay Mail about the height of the Ark I was going to build and the next day it was in the headlines claiming that I've violated the neighbourhood building by-laws because my Ark is going to exceed the height limitations. I appealed to the magistrate and it was approved.

The Opposition then took advantage of the situation and said I was a government crony and they did nasty things with my face in the Internet. I don’t know how they managed to superimpose my face on a naked body with naked MP’s and portrayed it on the YouTube. Oh Lord you are the All Knowing and you know I did not take the photos of the MP.

Then there was another stop-work order even before I could start work. After that the Badan Cegah Rasuah arrested me for pornography.

I talked to a lawyer who looks like Ambitah Bachan -- talks like him, acts like him, but is not him. He said he knows the Chief Justice and the Prime Minister -- the Apa Nama -- and can clear my name but I have to buy them tickets to Australia.

After clearing my name I had to again go to the DBKL Appeal Board for a decision to allow me to build the Ark.

Then the government, after approving the plans, said I must use only SIRIM approved goods and that I must buy from their list of CLASS F Bumiputera contractors and their prices are 15 times more expensive than the Chinaman hardware shop.

Then TNB and JPJ demanded that I post a bond for the future costs of moving power-lines and other overhead obstructions to clear the passage for the Ark 's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the timber for the Ark was another problem. SUKHAM and the JABATAN HUTAN NEGARA said that there's a ban on the cutting local trees in order to save the Orang Utan.

I tried to convince SUKHAM and JABATAN HUTAN NEGARA that I needed the wood to save the Orang Hutan but they said no go.

When I started gathering the animals, JAKIM and an animal rights group sued me. JAKIM said I cannot put the chickens and the pigs next to each other as it WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED HALAL and the animal rights group insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued that the accommodations were too restrictive and that it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then JABATAN KERJA RAYA and JABATAN KAJIAN DAN GALIAN ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an Environmental Impact Study on your proposed flood.

I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many Bumiputera contractors I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.

JABATAN IMMIGRASI and RELA are checking the status of most of the people who want to work.

The trade unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only union workers with Ark-building experience.

As I started to clear the area to build the Ark, six gangsters came and demanded protection money. They said they will control the area for the selling of drugs and the supply of prostitutes to my workers.

When I complained to the POLIS, the next day the IGP sent an ASP who came in full uniform. Unfortunately he also happens to be one of the six gangsters who were demanding protection money and so he doubled my protection fee.

Then there was a by-election and I was forced to become an UMNO member to get my permits approved and was made to pay a donation by the Barisan Nasional candidate in the so-called spirit of MUHIBBAH. Otherwise they will make life difficult for me.

Every department I turned to is asking what they call “Kopi Wang”.

I calculated that if I paid all the so-called “Kopi Wang” and also give them the donation they ask, the cost to build the Ark will be 20 times higher. But I refused to give them the “Kopi Wang” as I am faithful to you Oh Lord.

Then some top-level politicians became very disappointed with me for not giving them the donations and they started calling me a Murtad. I told them my name is Noah and not Murtad and they got very angry and said they have connections.

Suddenly I became a suspect in the murder of a Mongolian lady because the place where she was murdered happens to be on the land where I am going to build the Ark and I was then arrested.

To make matters worse, the Jabatan HASIL seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. I have just been released from ISA.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, you mean you're not going to destroy the world?

No, said the Lord, the Malaysian Government beat me to it!

Author unknown

Take care and be well.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Oops upside your head

pay attention now
say oops upside your head say oops upside your head
say oops upside your head say oops upside your head
now I want all you gappers, and finger snappers
you toe tappers and you love rappers

I want you all to
say oops upside your head say oops upside your head


2 nights ago, just before going to bed, I went to pee.

Of course being a man, I never turn on the lights and walk to the loo in the dark, which is fine. And the light from outside the house is bright enough as well so I don't miss.

However, on the way back to bed, the room is totally dark because we have blackout curtains.

But hey, I can walk back, I know where the bed is, right?

Obviously I do, but there is Al E's bed next to mine on the floor. So, I hit his basket and trip.

Being tall, I did not fall on him and he was not injured or anything. No oops upside his head.

But my head came landing on the corner of the bedside table before my hand stopped the rest of the fall.

The impact was quite hard and I could feel the concussion and something more, so, I hold my forehead and press the pain. When I pull my hand away, I see some red streaks on my palm.

So, in my daze and dizziness and a little concussion, I go to the bathroom and see a small cut.

In my mind I think, oh thank God, just a small cut. The dizziness and banging on the head feels worse, so I went off to bed again.

This time wifey has come in because of the loud bang earlier and notices and immediately puts a plaster on it.

Next day, for work, I obviously remove the plaster. Having a plaster on the forehead just would attract too many question and I would have to repeat the story a hundred times over.

But removing the plaster, I noticed a mark on the forehead.

This did attract a few questions, but not as many and I usually joked that it was my horribly failed attempt to be like Harry Porter.

Oh well, no Harry Porter am I, just some oops upside my head and if I press it, it still hurts a little bit but it will heal and unfortunately I have no wizard powers. SIGH!!

Take care and be well.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

New Seating Arrangement

So, over the Gawai, my old cubicle was torn down and new ones were built.

My seating moves a little, over the other side of the wall. As well as a little larger space and a window.

Previously I did not have a window behind me but a wall, in fact the very wall that I am moved over from.

Not much view from the window but still a window.

Also, a new cubicle mate. Since I joined, Bu Bu has been my cubicle mate, but as things change, people change as well.

Bu Bu is no longer and has moved away, also having a window view looking over the noisy cafeteria.

For me, my view looks over nothing but still, a window and therefore natural light.

Also, the larger space means I can have another chair in my cubicle and this time, I took a nice sofa chair that was in another cubicle.

I went one day over Gawai t unpack the 3 boxes I had and to arrange my additional cupboard.

The things are just dumped in the cupboard and the drawers and the actual decoration will happen on Monday after I get back to work from the Gawai break.

A new place, a new cubicle, a new cubicle neighbour, but an old friend. You see, the person sitting next to me actually joined on the same day that I joined and we have been friends since.

Watch out for pics that I will put up later on Monday or maybe Tuesday.

Take care and be well.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Dragon restaurant with dragon price

Yesterday, went out for dinner at Dragon Seafood down in Luak Bay after the esplanade.

As there were non vegetarian people, we ordered a small assam fish, a tofu dish, a mix vegetable dish and a green leafy vegetable.

Heard that the place is good but expensive but we thought nothing could be as expensive Marina Bay seafood restaurant which is supposed to be really expensive.

Anyhow, to make a long story short, I think we did not get a fish but a dragon instead cause the price was RM126 for 700 grams of fish.

The total meal cots was RM186.

We thought the fish was made of gold or maybe cooked in some liquid gold or something.

While it tasted good, I have never paid this much even in Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Kota Kinabalu where the seafood is a lot better.

I would not say do not go to this restaurant, but I would say bring a lot of money and go to this restaurant if you have money to waste.

For all of us that went there, the bill was sure a total shocker and totally unexpected.

Next time we better ask the price before we order anything.

Take care and be well.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Obedience Training

Nope, not for me although I am sure some people may think at 40 that I still need some obedience training.

But as they say, you cannot teach old dogs new tricks. Looks like I am stuck this way in terms of obedience.

We started obedience training classes for Al E Baba.

It is not very easy.... not because Al E is difficult but more because of the corrections.

Command, Praise and Corrections.

Commands are easy enough but Al E needs to learn them. We have though basic things like sit, down and come here but not well enough.

As the master, I am the only one allowed to attend the training.

Eventually he will learn to heel or follow me closely when walking instead of running in all directions.

Praises are also easy and we do give him a lot of praises like good boy and giving him a treat.

We also managed to teach Al E to pee and poo in the cage when he was young and he is doing a good job at this.

Going back to corrections. Corrections are basically the pulling of the collar or yanking of the collar and saying ah ah, like no. And he will choke and he will cough.

Now, that is what is a bit heartbreaking. But I have to do it and he has to learn. Once he learns he will choke, he will stop pulling to avoid the choking and he will follow the commands.

Yesterday after the training, he seemed so upset and angry. But I guess that is how it is going to be for a while.

This morning, back to normal. All is forgiven and licks all over the face and following me like I am his GPS (global positioning system).

I have to do this commands on a leash at least 10 to 15 minutes daily.

This starts today. But Al E is also a little unwell, so, maybe just 5 to 10 minutes later today when it is not too bloody hot.

I wonder how our first lady managed to obedience train her roving husband, but that is a story for RPK to write rather than me.

Take care and be well.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

What type of dog am I and other stuff

A lot of people say they are getting fed up of Facebook including myself but still, there is some attraction to it.

Everyday or every other day, I would go to Facebook to update my status. Lately, I am into quotes.

Some of them as follows:
I guess when your heart gets broken you sort of start to see cracks in everything. I'm convinced that tragedy wants to harden us and our mission is never to let it.

Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

One of the most beautiful gifts in the world is the gift of encouragement. When someone encourages you, that person helps you over a threshold you might otherwise never have crossed on your own.

My goal in life is to be a person as good as my dog already thinks I am.

If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth.

We should talk about our empathy deficit.The ability to put us in other's shoes;to see the world through the eyes of those who are different from us-the child who's hungry,the steelworker who's been laid off,etc.When we think like this,when we choose to broaden our ambit of concern & empathize with the plight of others,whether they're close friends or distant strangers,it becomes harder not to help,harder not to act.

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profundity. Kindness in giving creates love.

Look to this Day! For it is Life, the very Life of Life. In its brief course lie all the verities and realities of your Existence. The Bliss of Growth, The Glory of Action, The Splendor of Beauty; For Yesterday is but a Dream, And To-morrow is only a Vision; But To-day well lived makes every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness, And every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope. Look well therefore to this day.

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

And many more.

I have also taken many quizzes except for the personal ones like whether I know Mr A better or Miss B better or how much I know a certain person.

What kind of dog am I? According to the quiz, I am a Golden Retriever, but deep in my heart, I know I am an English Cocker Spaniel.

I have stopped playing all games in Facebook, no more Mob wars or Mafia Wars, no mare fairies or gardens, no more vampires or zombies, no more hatching pets or hatching eggs, no more speed date or Texas hold-em ... all that I have stopped.

But I still will accept most things people send me, just don't expect me to send you a plant or poke you back.

I will still accept friend I know and every now and then look for new friends.

Oh well, Facebook is still somewhat interesting, and I would continue to use it for a while. Another story for Friendster though, I do not even remember my password anymore.

Take care and be well