Its been a year since I blogged. Mainly I've been hooked on facebook. It's quite a nice medium for keeping in touch with friends. You can put all sorts of stuff up. Set privacy levels so only friends can see them and its like your own BBS. Much better than writing emails.
However, I'm making up my mind. I will maintain 2 blogs and I will write at least once a week. About what? I don't know. One blog is basically going to be my blather about life in general. The other most likely will be specific happenings, maybe current affairs. It'll probably help consolidate my thinking or opinions and who knows.. I might improve on my writing.
I've been putting stuff on facebook for the past year. I've managed to catch up with many of my old school friends from overseas. Even if facebook starts charging for their service, most likely I'll pay for it .. gee that shows how much I like this stuff.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Surprising what you can get if you complain
So there I was wandering the local appliance shop looking at big screen tv's. Had my grubby heart set on a wonderful example of tv engineering - the Sony 60" SXRD. It met several of my criteria - it's big, it's bright and it's a Sony (actually belay the last).
Anyway went to ask a honest looking salesperson (an oxymoron) who gave me the worst sales experience of my life. Anything I asked was refused because according to the moron, he would only assist me if I undertake to purchase the tv of my dreams that day. Being one of the unwashed masses ( I looked like one, in sandals, shorts and a rather dirty shirt 'cos I had been doing the gardening before the missus dragged me out of the house), I told him that I would really like to have a demo of the TV before making such a decision. Being the dux of the local "School of How Not to Make a Sale", he continued on insisting that he not help me. So I stalked off and after cooling off, decided to write a feedback letter to the proprietor of the store pointing out that it would be good if some staff were sent to the "School of Why Customer is Always Right?" to get some post-grad qualifications and that I was severely disappointed in my experience and that it ruined my entire day out resulting in me having to hit the bottle causing it to break cutting my hand. *sigh*
To my surprise, I had an email response to my feedback. The proprietor agreed that more schooling was necessary and that he apologizes for what happen and he would offer me the TV at a price that was below what I have seen advertised in the country to date. Now.. what am I to do?
Decisions.. decisions.. decisions..
Anyway went to ask a honest looking salesperson (an oxymoron) who gave me the worst sales experience of my life. Anything I asked was refused because according to the moron, he would only assist me if I undertake to purchase the tv of my dreams that day. Being one of the unwashed masses ( I looked like one, in sandals, shorts and a rather dirty shirt 'cos I had been doing the gardening before the missus dragged me out of the house), I told him that I would really like to have a demo of the TV before making such a decision. Being the dux of the local "School of How Not to Make a Sale", he continued on insisting that he not help me. So I stalked off and after cooling off, decided to write a feedback letter to the proprietor of the store pointing out that it would be good if some staff were sent to the "School of Why Customer is Always Right?" to get some post-grad qualifications and that I was severely disappointed in my experience and that it ruined my entire day out resulting in me having to hit the bottle causing it to break cutting my hand. *sigh*
To my surprise, I had an email response to my feedback. The proprietor agreed that more schooling was necessary and that he apologizes for what happen and he would offer me the TV at a price that was below what I have seen advertised in the country to date. Now.. what am I to do?
Decisions.. decisions.. decisions..
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Iraqi Solution (or Lack of One)
The headlines the past few days have been all about how Australia should have a clear position on Iraq. Let's faced it, Australians have been lied to and fed misinformation about the entire Iraq (and war against terror) issue since this began. Granted that September 11 incident gave rise to fear which played into the hands of a wily Australian politician seeking another term in office. However, the Australian Government is accountable to the citizens of this fine country on what it intends to do with Iraq.
Australia has always tried to be a model global citizen. We've taken part in many wars and battles for the interests of justice and for human rights. This war on terror is the latest part of our dream for a world where our children need not fear if we are going to get blown to bits riding the subway or flying in a plane. Yet so far, the cost to the Iraqi nation has yet to be counted. We have got ourselves tangled in a vicious circle of blame and counter-blame between parties seeking ultimate power in a population that despises outside interference. By interfering in Iraq, we have dealt a blow to the pride of a nation. This will not be forgotten lightly.
I think our Government should articulate clearly what are the conditions that has to be met before Australia will start withdrawing its troops and also a timetable for a withdrawal should the conditions met. The same should also be articulated for when we should tell the Iraqi people that we can only do so much, and that ultimately they are responsible for the security of their homeland.
We are Australians and we decide our future. Not America.
Australia has always tried to be a model global citizen. We've taken part in many wars and battles for the interests of justice and for human rights. This war on terror is the latest part of our dream for a world where our children need not fear if we are going to get blown to bits riding the subway or flying in a plane. Yet so far, the cost to the Iraqi nation has yet to be counted. We have got ourselves tangled in a vicious circle of blame and counter-blame between parties seeking ultimate power in a population that despises outside interference. By interfering in Iraq, we have dealt a blow to the pride of a nation. This will not be forgotten lightly.
I think our Government should articulate clearly what are the conditions that has to be met before Australia will start withdrawing its troops and also a timetable for a withdrawal should the conditions met. The same should also be articulated for when we should tell the Iraqi people that we can only do so much, and that ultimately they are responsible for the security of their homeland.
We are Australians and we decide our future. Not America.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Memory Lane In Ipoh
Sat down for a coffee with a mate and talked about old times. Had a thought about my younger days spent growing up in Ipoh. The Ipoh I remembered is vastly different from the Ipoh of 2006, when I last visited with my family. The Ipoh in my memories was a clean town, I still remembered when it was named the cleanest town in Malaysia. I guess that claim has long since been forgotten.
Rummaging through those dusty boxes of memories I came across one marked "Memories - Ipoh 1986". It brings back many poignant memories. It was my last year in Ipoh because in 1987 my parents gave me the chance to study overseas. Since then I have never stayed permanently in Ipoh as I have made my home elsewhere with my wife and daughters. Yet somehow, deep inside, Ipoh still tugs at my heart strings. I think it is because that's where I spent so many of my formative years.
The school that I spent 11 years - 6 years of Primary schooling and 6 years of Secondary schooling still exists. Its hard to miss because it is quite an imposing building and located in a quite prominent part of the Old Town. St. Michaels Institution or SMI as we called it. Did a search on the web today and found out so many threads and discussions by students. Incredibly it would seem that someone even made a movie about 8 scouts on their Pengakap diRaja 5 day hike from the school's troop. The movie "Goodbye Boys" is directed by someone I know from the scout troop- Bernard Chauly. It seems Bernard is well-regarded in the film making circles and I would wish him every success. I hope to get a copy to watch one day.
02 Kinta Scout Troop mentioned in the story is actually the almagation of the 29th Ipoh Troop and the 24th Ipoh Troop. The 2 troops were fiercely competitive, and the merger was not without its complications - boys being boys. In those days I was in the 29th Ipoh mainly because of family ties. My dad and uncle had a long history with the 29th and SMI in those days. Actually come to think of it, my dad had a love for scouting that dates back to his time in the scouts. I think he was one of the last to receive the Queen Scout Award in '57.
I digress..
The last trip I went back to Ipoh I didn't go by the old Alma Mater. I had many good memories of my school and I was afraid that going there might change my perceptions or tarnish the rose-tinted haze that I tend to view my memories through. Ipoh has changed. No doubt about it. Gone are the calm and cool mornings. Gone are the trees that used to line the main roads and the pots of flowers that used to sit in the central divider of the main streets in the city centre. No longer is there a Sunday market near SuperKinta and the old Perak Emporium where the streets are closed for traffic. My favorite popiah stall is gone (the one near Lido/Cathay) and if anyone knows where it went, please let me know. The one thing I miss of all that has vanished are the flowing fountains that once had once graced several roundabouts in town. They have vanished, sacrificed on the alter of progress.
Entranced by my journey, I began to use other tools of the World Wide Web. .I checked on Google Earth and found such amazing changes that have happened to the town. The overgrown plots of land that dotted randomly across Pasir Pinji, Kg Simee, Gng Rapat have been cleared and rows and rows of terraced houses and shops now fill them. Gone are the fishing holes of disused mining pools and the sandy bike trails that unofficially linked housing developments with each other.
Each time I go back. I find that I lose another fond memory to the march of progress. What I remember is no longer there and that fills me with a sense of loss. If only I could preserve those memories into something that I can see but somehow the present seems to overwrite the past and as such sometimes I don't want to go back for fear of losing more. Isn't that weird?
Rummaging through those dusty boxes of memories I came across one marked "Memories - Ipoh 1986". It brings back many poignant memories. It was my last year in Ipoh because in 1987 my parents gave me the chance to study overseas. Since then I have never stayed permanently in Ipoh as I have made my home elsewhere with my wife and daughters. Yet somehow, deep inside, Ipoh still tugs at my heart strings. I think it is because that's where I spent so many of my formative years.
The school that I spent 11 years - 6 years of Primary schooling and 6 years of Secondary schooling still exists. Its hard to miss because it is quite an imposing building and located in a quite prominent part of the Old Town. St. Michaels Institution or SMI as we called it. Did a search on the web today and found out so many threads and discussions by students. Incredibly it would seem that someone even made a movie about 8 scouts on their Pengakap diRaja 5 day hike from the school's troop. The movie "Goodbye Boys" is directed by someone I know from the scout troop- Bernard Chauly. It seems Bernard is well-regarded in the film making circles and I would wish him every success. I hope to get a copy to watch one day.
02 Kinta Scout Troop mentioned in the story is actually the almagation of the 29th Ipoh Troop and the 24th Ipoh Troop. The 2 troops were fiercely competitive, and the merger was not without its complications - boys being boys. In those days I was in the 29th Ipoh mainly because of family ties. My dad and uncle had a long history with the 29th and SMI in those days. Actually come to think of it, my dad had a love for scouting that dates back to his time in the scouts. I think he was one of the last to receive the Queen Scout Award in '57.
I digress..
The last trip I went back to Ipoh I didn't go by the old Alma Mater. I had many good memories of my school and I was afraid that going there might change my perceptions or tarnish the rose-tinted haze that I tend to view my memories through. Ipoh has changed. No doubt about it. Gone are the calm and cool mornings. Gone are the trees that used to line the main roads and the pots of flowers that used to sit in the central divider of the main streets in the city centre. No longer is there a Sunday market near SuperKinta and the old Perak Emporium where the streets are closed for traffic. My favorite popiah stall is gone (the one near Lido/Cathay) and if anyone knows where it went, please let me know. The one thing I miss of all that has vanished are the flowing fountains that once had once graced several roundabouts in town. They have vanished, sacrificed on the alter of progress.
Entranced by my journey, I began to use other tools of the World Wide Web. .I checked on Google Earth and found such amazing changes that have happened to the town. The overgrown plots of land that dotted randomly across Pasir Pinji, Kg Simee, Gng Rapat have been cleared and rows and rows of terraced houses and shops now fill them. Gone are the fishing holes of disused mining pools and the sandy bike trails that unofficially linked housing developments with each other.
Each time I go back. I find that I lose another fond memory to the march of progress. What I remember is no longer there and that fills me with a sense of loss. If only I could preserve those memories into something that I can see but somehow the present seems to overwrite the past and as such sometimes I don't want to go back for fear of losing more. Isn't that weird?
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
An absence of 10 months
Well.. it's certainly been a busy year. Finally qualified out of my parole period of 1 year with the new company. It's been interesting to say the least. Sooo many projects proposed.. none actually made it out the door. Gee the success rate for getting a project running is exceptionally low. But with so many changes in the air for this company, not least with a new CEO among other things, I wouldn't be surprise if things stay the same for a few more months. Nobody knows what's going on. If they do, they ain't saying.
Ah yes.. a new baby arrived not too long ago and my parents too. Talk about an insane combination. If I survive the next few months it would be due to a miracle. Hopefully these blog postings will continue. Not even sure if anybody reads this and if you do, you'll probably forget it anyway.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
On the issue of Taiwan
Flashback to November :
So there I was snoozing peacefully when in bounced in to the room my other half. She wants me to be part of this pro-Taiwan lobby group that she's setting up. Me, someone who's political inclination is somewhat flatter than silicon wafer used for fabricating transistors. The last time I voted.. which I can't even remember when as I've never voted in any election of any country that I belong to, lived in, a citizen of etc. You're about me. Ultimate non-voter.
What the heck. I thought to myself, life is full of interesting bits and politics, especially the issue of Taiwan and its odd-ish situation might be fun to dabble in. So I agreed.
Fast Forward to December:
The lobby group met for the first time, and it was a small group. It was a very small group. In fact it was me, my other half and two others. But it was fun. We had apples, oranges, a bit of cake, some Cokes and of course we had Taiwanese green tea. Oh we talked about Taiwan too, how unfair it is to be treated like the kid in school with hairy ears. Usual stuff about being bullied by the school bully (China) and how the hall prefect (US in this case) is turning a blind eye to to the milk money extortions.
Fast Forward to Now:
Since then we had several meetings, and lots of food at those meetings. But now we have set our aims at getting Taiwan into the World Health Organisation. The WHO is supposedly to forward the health and well being of human beings world wide but somehow Taiwanese seem to fall outside that rather narrow definition subscribed to by the WHO. This meant that Taiwan has no representation and has no access to all the wonderful fun programs that the WHO runs like athlete's foot eradication, family planning issues (ha.. obviously China's been playing truant on those) and of course the WHO network for telling member countries about infectious diseases. It's some sort of early warning system for warning people not to travel to certain countries because there's an obesity bug that's infecting people living in the US of A or not coming Down Under because you get bitten by the "Slap anothe prawn on the barbie" mosquitoe. I'm still puzzled as I believe CNN would be far better than that. Oh well.
So, here I am writing about Taiwan. It's a fair dinkum country. Been there twice. And must say, food's good. Toilets are clean (better than China and Singapore). It doesn't deserve to be treated the way it is 'cos, not only its democratic but it's also a capitalist state. C'mon, it's more US - like than Australia. Them Taiwanese play baseball. They also eat seaweed but that's another matter altogether.
What I am saying is though, Taiwan deserves to be recognised as a country. It has laws, it has a constitution (convuluted and outdated but its still one!), it looks after human rights, it gives its people a voice, a vote and in the bad old days, it even pays them to vote (not now, I've been assured). Most people believe they aren't Chinese (yep my other half definitely resists that label) so there! If they say they aren't Chinese, who are we to say they are, and besides why do we care what China says, we've always stood up for the underdog, the ones who are brave enough to say "We want freedom. We want to decide our future ourselves!" . Isn't that how all countries are formed?
Ah my 2 cents worth.
So there I was snoozing peacefully when in bounced in to the room my other half. She wants me to be part of this pro-Taiwan lobby group that she's setting up. Me, someone who's political inclination is somewhat flatter than silicon wafer used for fabricating transistors. The last time I voted.. which I can't even remember when as I've never voted in any election of any country that I belong to, lived in, a citizen of etc. You're about me. Ultimate non-voter.
What the heck. I thought to myself, life is full of interesting bits and politics, especially the issue of Taiwan and its odd-ish situation might be fun to dabble in. So I agreed.
Fast Forward to December:
The lobby group met for the first time, and it was a small group. It was a very small group. In fact it was me, my other half and two others. But it was fun. We had apples, oranges, a bit of cake, some Cokes and of course we had Taiwanese green tea. Oh we talked about Taiwan too, how unfair it is to be treated like the kid in school with hairy ears. Usual stuff about being bullied by the school bully (China) and how the hall prefect (US in this case) is turning a blind eye to to the milk money extortions.
Fast Forward to Now:
Since then we had several meetings, and lots of food at those meetings. But now we have set our aims at getting Taiwan into the World Health Organisation. The WHO is supposedly to forward the health and well being of human beings world wide but somehow Taiwanese seem to fall outside that rather narrow definition subscribed to by the WHO. This meant that Taiwan has no representation and has no access to all the wonderful fun programs that the WHO runs like athlete's foot eradication, family planning issues (ha.. obviously China's been playing truant on those) and of course the WHO network for telling member countries about infectious diseases. It's some sort of early warning system for warning people not to travel to certain countries because there's an obesity bug that's infecting people living in the US of A or not coming Down Under because you get bitten by the "Slap anothe prawn on the barbie" mosquitoe. I'm still puzzled as I believe CNN would be far better than that. Oh well.
So, here I am writing about Taiwan. It's a fair dinkum country. Been there twice. And must say, food's good. Toilets are clean (better than China and Singapore). It doesn't deserve to be treated the way it is 'cos, not only its democratic but it's also a capitalist state. C'mon, it's more US - like than Australia. Them Taiwanese play baseball. They also eat seaweed but that's another matter altogether.
What I am saying is though, Taiwan deserves to be recognised as a country. It has laws, it has a constitution (convuluted and outdated but its still one!), it looks after human rights, it gives its people a voice, a vote and in the bad old days, it even pays them to vote (not now, I've been assured). Most people believe they aren't Chinese (yep my other half definitely resists that label) so there! If they say they aren't Chinese, who are we to say they are, and besides why do we care what China says, we've always stood up for the underdog, the ones who are brave enough to say "We want freedom. We want to decide our future ourselves!" . Isn't that how all countries are formed?
Ah my 2 cents worth.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
On the topic of personal development
"Between a stimulus and a response lies freedom of choice" some quote by a famous dude who survived Auschwitz.. that's what I was told by our personal development facilitator at a recent workshop I attended. I must say.. it was quite insightful. I've never considered that I had freedom of choice ... well not since I got hitched anyway.
So the company sends me off for 2 days of "training" which equated to around 8 hours sitting on my butt listening to how my amygdala's get to hijack my rational thought processes to cause me to flail around with my fists, running my legs off in flight or stand there in stasis frozen by fear. (Amygdala's are two almond shaped gland thingy behind your ears). Also.. I've been told that my true happy, child-self is somewhat hidden behind my fears, my regrets, my anger, my shields and my so-called poker professional bright eyed and busy tailed smiling face..Hmmm... and I always thought that I, me and myself were the only inhabitants between the ears, now I've got the Amygdalas and all these pent-up emotions that is just bursting to take control of me. Golly geee.. where's the prozac? I'm getting depressed to think I have to eat for all these fragments of my psyche.
Speaking of eating.. the food served was fair dinkum good. We had this held at a hotel, one of the better ones too if I dare say so.. and to top it off, after lunch we have meditation sessions.. Ommmmmmmmm listen to my breathing... Ommmmmmmm listen to my stomach purring...... Ommmmmmmmmmm shit I need to hit the porcelain throne after that lunch.
Anyway.. I came back feeling refreshed and finding all my inner creativity has been unleashed upon an unsuspecting world. Quite scary as I believe I have one of those psyches if psyches were people, I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley in a moonless night. So personal development.. does it work? Yes. How does it work? Take 2 bottles of ice filtered lagers with a couple of aspirins and if your attitude still needs adjustments come by in the morning and I'll hit you with my cricket bat.
Ahhhhhhhh... now excuse me while I go do some meditation on the type of medication I'm supposed to take to suppress my inner child and unleash the cold blooded cynic in me ;)
So the company sends me off for 2 days of "training" which equated to around 8 hours sitting on my butt listening to how my amygdala's get to hijack my rational thought processes to cause me to flail around with my fists, running my legs off in flight or stand there in stasis frozen by fear. (Amygdala's are two almond shaped gland thingy behind your ears). Also.. I've been told that my true happy, child-self is somewhat hidden behind my fears, my regrets, my anger, my shields and my so-called poker professional bright eyed and busy tailed smiling face..Hmmm... and I always thought that I, me and myself were the only inhabitants between the ears, now I've got the Amygdalas and all these pent-up emotions that is just bursting to take control of me. Golly geee.. where's the prozac? I'm getting depressed to think I have to eat for all these fragments of my psyche.
Speaking of eating.. the food served was fair dinkum good. We had this held at a hotel, one of the better ones too if I dare say so.. and to top it off, after lunch we have meditation sessions.. Ommmmmmmmm listen to my breathing... Ommmmmmmm listen to my stomach purring...... Ommmmmmmmmmm shit I need to hit the porcelain throne after that lunch.
Anyway.. I came back feeling refreshed and finding all my inner creativity has been unleashed upon an unsuspecting world. Quite scary as I believe I have one of those psyches if psyches were people, I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley in a moonless night. So personal development.. does it work? Yes. How does it work? Take 2 bottles of ice filtered lagers with a couple of aspirins and if your attitude still needs adjustments come by in the morning and I'll hit you with my cricket bat.
Ahhhhhhhh... now excuse me while I go do some meditation on the type of medication I'm supposed to take to suppress my inner child and unleash the cold blooded cynic in me ;)
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