Quickie - 15/11/2009

The wedding invitation card is ready. Yay!

As promised, well... promised or not I'm inviting you, my blog readers to my wedding reception.
Details are as on the card. Click for the bigger version




Hope that you guys can make it. On behalf of my soon-to-be wife (current status; fiance), thanks for all of your support, prayers and blessings so far. May Allah bless us and everyone forever~~~

Quickie - 12/11/2009

1 month to go... in case any one of you who do read this blog ever forget, i'm getting married in December.
The wedding invitation card is ready, but it seems i can't find the time nor can i remember names of everyone whom i should invite over. Luckily for me, since the evolution of internet has made information easily accessible to everyone, i guess that for those that can access it i better be sending them an e-invitation.

so for you guys out there, the reader of this blog, you're invited. i'll try to post the invitation card here by the end of the week. if i can get the scanner up and running. My office scanner can only give B/W scans. Crud

Anyway, nothing much happened. A couple of bent rims on Aoi-chan (fixed), 1/2 consumption campaign (eat 1/2 of what i usually consume in a day, food that is), hectic work schedule, the lot.

And of course, the reason as to almost 1 month of non-posting... the connection to the net in the office sucks bad.
The end

Quickie - 20/10/2009; Deepavali, UPM, Jenson Button, Malaysia Day and condense

As usual, got cought up in the real world that i soon forgot to update the blog. Oh well... i guess i have to face the fact that i'm not able to do it so often now...
Onwards then with the posting this time around;

First and foremost, i'd like to wish all of our Hindu friends a very happy (belated) Deepavali~ Hope your celebration of lights will shine upon everyone around you~

Secondly, got invited to give a talk at UPM (Universiti Putra Malaysia) at their Engineering Faculty. The topic was; Mass Engineering - Cheaper but superior. I guess i had a good time although since it's my first time in giving out such seminar, there's room for improvement. Would like to thank and congratulate Acap and his team members for their invitation and effort on staging the event.

Third, and i guess i got this news late, a big big congratulations for Jenson Button on becoming an F1 world champion. I believed can become one when i saw him and how he showed his passion when he came to one of Top Gear's shows. And now, he is. I guess only he knows that all the ups and downs was worth it. Congrats again.

Fourth, Malaysia Day. Nice, another public holiday to be added on the long list of Malaysia's other public holidays. But i think this one is correct and can't be seen as a political stunt. Merdeka Day is on the day we became an independent country, but Malaysia Day is when our home soil became as it's known today. Thanks to the government for acknowledging this fact.

Last but not least, i plan to condense the 3 blogs i have right now into one. It seems that one is almost defunct, whilst the other have no coverage. And at least i'll be able to manage it properly... i think.

Nice, all of the entries completed. Have a good day~

Quickie - 29/9/2009; Furnitures and OPS

Will be getting the first batch of newly purchased furnitures this evening, bought in preparation of the house for my soon to be wife after our marriage... and because of the price surprise. Rather astonished that given a bit of effort, you can save a lot and still get good deals on them. I'd suggest that anyone out there thinking of buying new or replacing their current crop of furnitures have a snoop around the Cavenzi furtniture outlet. You'll be as staggered as me, i can bet you. Of course, by default, do also take a peek at IKEA. They sometimes provide quite a lot of quality and design for a decent price.

OPS Sikap 20 ended recently and thank God, although the death toll have gone up by 53 over the OPS Sikap 17... none of the deaths were due to accidents involving the public transportation. A pat on the back for the people of JPJ and also the bus companies. The highest death count was from the motorcylist, which seems logic since they have no protection whatsoever against any form of accident... guess my children will know later that the soon to be established household is an anti-motorcyle one. Cars... well here i must say that although they're safer than the bikes, but should a big accident occur, the death count will be higher per case as they carry more passengers on board. So likewise, the summary can be read like this; Don't ride a bike to "balik kampung", take a bus instead. If you are driving, don't be a stupid driver and put everyone who is ferrying with you at risk.

Oh, one more thing... none of the incident reported on TV had anything to do with speeding. It was always a case of some idiot just wanting to get there faster than everyone else or another idiot falling asleep behind the wheel. Idiots. Case closed

BIG Quickie - 23/9/2009

Phew~ Just got hold of a proper internet connection.
Some people say that wise people say less. Then i'll let my artwork do the talking~

*Please click for bigger view. Nicer~

Enjoy your holidays with your loved ones~~~

Quickie - 9/9/2009; Timing, McBlog, Fireworks and Road Safety

Dunno if some of you realized that the entries i put in my blog are rather random (both in terms of date and topic). Last week was rather busy, so no blogs there. Why suddenly today? Found a new route to work and although it cost me RM0.60 more in terms of toll... the time and energy saved outweigh it. Will be looking to see if it's a possible fixed alternative to my usual route.

Oh, by the way, just for this entry... i shall rebrand my blog to bvc100's McBlog. No no no... this has nothing to do with the fact that McD just lost a battle for exclusivity to use the "Mc" trademark over a curry house which rebranded itself as McCurry 8 years ago. It's odd really that they had thought the use of "Mc" is for themselves. Maybe i should bring some people into the court for having my name... and then lose the battle completely

Firecrackers or fireworks. Can't live with them, can't live without them. But then again, i think i'm on the government's side on this one. Yes, fireworks should be enjoyed by everyone but it should ONLY be handled by pros. To parents; DON'T BUY THEM FOR YOUR KIDS! THEY'RE NOT TOYS AND ARE NOT STUFF THAT CAN BE HANDLED BY KIDS. KIDS ARE NOT PROS!!! I still can't believe that some parents are still thickheaded. "Oh, tak raya la kalau takde bunga api (Oh, it's not fun without fireworks)", a parent i asked answered. Believe me, some things are banned for a reason. You don't want your kid to lose their arm/finger/eye/life just for that milisecond of fun, do you? But then again, like i said, some are just thickheaded.

Road safety... hmmmm... i think i've been banging on this topic for way too much. But then again, as a good samaritan i'll just remind whoever is bothered to read this blog on what to do before you set out on your journey, especially in this festive season;
1. Do some pre-drive checks; the engine oil and coolant level, tyre air pressure, lights (all) and brakes
2. Fill your car up before moving. You never know how long that traffic jam will be
3. Wear your ##@!@!$$%#@$ seatbelt! And that means your children as well! Tak selesa (Uncomfortable)? Tell that to God if you die in an accident only because you didn't wear your seatbelt (i say those that doesn't wear theirs whilst on the move are just trying to commit suicide)
4. Be committed to your driving. A lot of us are competent (some aren't), but almost all of us aren't committed to our driving; SMS, calls, put on makeups, etc... while driving. Nice~ NOT!
5. Think of the rest. I'm tired of typing. If you can drive, that means you should be able to think and differenciate what's safe to do and what's not. If you can't... then sod off

Quickie - 26/8/2009; Ratio, current issues and signalling

First and foremost i'd like to congratulate PAS on their win. And for the losing party, good luck on the next election. In any case, although the media has reported that the number of the majority that PAS won over BN is lower, i wonder how it is in terms of ratios? Usually, although the number in it's base form (in this case the number of votes counted) seems lower, but if you put it in terms of ratio (let's say, votes over the actual turnout) it could tell a different story.
For instance, if the number of voters are 1000 (selected for ease of understanding) and you won since you got 70% of the votes (700 vs. 300), then your ratio is 70%. If the outcome is slightly lower (say 500 people voted), then a 80% win over the other party means that you got 400 votes (vs. 100 for your opposition). Thus is you compare the base values, you're winning by a smaller margin (300 votes majority with 500 number of voters vs. 400 votes majority with 1000 voters) but the ratio say otherwise (80% vs. 70%).
That's what we usually do in engineering since the ratio gives you a more correct look of a situation you're looking into. Perhaps it should be used here as well.

Wouldn't want to discuss anymore regarding the Kartika issue, although it's very tempting to do so. I'll leave it to the 'proper' poeple for them to solve since i think the issue is getting a wee bit too much attention from everyone. As the saying goes (correct me if i'm wrong); "You can satisfy a person most of the time, but you can't satisfy everyone all of the time". In any case, i've stated my stand in this on the previous post.

Signalling... where do i begin. Let's cut it short; Malaysians! I plead to you! Use your indicator stalks more and tell the other road users where you intend to go by signalling left or right! And for heaven's sake don't put on your emergency/hazard signal unnecessarily! I haven't crashed into anyone not doing so yet (but a million times near misses... including a few this morning, THANKS A LOT!!!) and i don't intend to. Use it or you might end up killing someone or your beloved ones in a bad accident someday!

Quickie - 25/8/2009; Traffic jam, TNG & equality

Went back as per the temporary work schedule for the month of Ramadhan and regretted it. Should've stayed back a bit longer (which i will today) and let the congestion fade off a bit before making my move. Ended up making a usually 20mins (maximum) journey a 45mins one, mostly being static.

One thing which i rather found amusing is how we Malaysians use the TNG system, in specific the Smart Tag. I wonder why most of the people in front of my wave their Tags as they approach the dedicated lanes. Of which 50% will fail causing everybody to slam their brakes to avoid a collision. Those sensors are supposed to pick up your Tag's signal at a certain distance and angle; as specified with the diagram given with the thing when you bought it. I confess that even i don't stick it in place as suggested, but i leave it on my dashboard in the middle and close to the windscreen since it works just as well. The reason being for safety, as with those who waves the thing about. And that method hasn't skipped a beat yet. So people with the Tags, don't wave the thing like an idiot when you get to the lanes and cause an accident if the sensors don't pick up your Tag's signal. Put it on the dashboard (it works, trust me) and store it somewhere safe afterwards. I don't want to be in one (the accident of course).

I know everyone is aware of the Kartika issue currently hot on the news. Let's face the fact, in any law syariah or not, women and men are to be treated equally. Some feminist movement are asking for equality in everything, so being treated equally in the judicial system is part and parcel of the package. One more thing, those who do any sort of wrong are to be given their judgement. Since the issue of Kartika is related to the Islamic religion (i'm sure every religion has it's own rules, regulations, laws, etc.), then her punishment is equal to that of a male of the similar wrong-doing. In any case, Kartika, i salute you for being honest and facing the fact like a true Muslim.

Quickie - 24/8/2009; Despair, hope & Ramadhan

Had a very jumbled up time last week. Had to do this and that, whilst preparing myself for the month of Ramadhan... and made a very2 big mistake in sending Aoi-chan for a wash. I have to admit that it was entirely my fault that Aoi-chan looked screwed up (full of scratches all over) after the wash. I gave them the order to remove the dirt (which was actually cement, darn that construction site!) and... i think you get the idea. Adding insult to my already bad injury, i had a go myself at removing the rest (they stopped once they realized that if they didn't, it'll only make matters worse) but... again, you get the idea (i screwed up... even more). Despair! AAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!
Three options were laid before me (hope); leave it as it is (rejected point blank; am i mad to leave it like that?) or gamble on a full body polish or get a respray... in which i chose the second option. Largely because it's cheaper (although it's a gamble) and partially because i need to use Aoi-chan since my sister had already taken the spare car to IIUM. Alhamdulillah... although some of the scratches are still there, at least Aoi-chan looked better than before the treatment. And more sparkling too. Money well spent then, for now. Here's hoping that those remaining scratches will not do harm later on... gulp!

Oh, lest i forget, i'd like to wish every Muslim out there

Ramadhan Kareem~~~!
Happy fasting! And may Allah bless and protect us all throughout the month!

Quickie - 13/8/2009; Headlines, Schumi and words

Noticed that the H1N1 is slowly losing it's grip somewhere; the headlines in the free Sun newspaper i read every morning. It seems that either the news does not sell anymore or it's just not attention grabbing? Either way, if suddenly there's a spike in the number of deaths it'll sure to come out as a front page. As usual; good news sells fast, bad news even faster. Add to that commonplace news doesn't sell, hot saucy ones do. The end.

Also read the other day and today regarding Schumi cancelling his comeback (temporarily or not) to F1. As sad as his fans are (me included), i'm quite sure that he's having it even worse. All i can say to Schumi is that it's ok. Everyone will say this and that, it's natural. In any case, do what's best for you, within our limited powers as human beings. Me and the other fans will always support you. As for the other people out there, remember this; Accidents do happen, but just stick to 4 wheels and not 2.

Found it interesting to read about new and usually unused words in the papers from time to time. The words are often introduced (or popularized) by our fellow people leading or running the country. The hot words right now? One of it is "sedition". And no, it has nothing to do with being sedate. Go look up the meaning somewhere. Wonder what's the next word to eb popularized? Here's hoping it's one with a good meaning...

Quickie - 11/8/2009; Opened, haze and current issues

Found out yesterday that the new Masjid (Mosque) near my apartment have opened recently. The design of the building is rather simple and elegant. And rather big too. Dunno why there wasn't any ceremony to officialize it's opening; either i missed it, it hasn't happended yet or not going to happen at all. Seeing the fact that i'm going to be there for quite some time, guess i'll pop-in regularly (whenever possible that is) and get involved with the Muslim community of the area. Nice!

The hazy condition that used to spoil my mornings over the few weeks have been reduced significantly this morning thanks in part to the heavy downpour of yesterday evening and wuite possibly some more last night. Taking a breath of air this morning seemed clearer and fresher. Should thank God for that and hopefully no idiot will spoil this again (here's hoping). Another nice!

Still in a daze of why the health ministry is letting people loose in this H1N1 pandemic. I would rather have had the schools, institutions or anything that have the suspected H1N1 infected people quarantine everyone in the place rather than having them go home. Think about it; a week of quarantine at home? If you're a kid and both of your parents are working, isn't this like a special long holiday for you to play around? If you're a University student, this is the chance for you to enjoy and go on dates... the result? More intense and severe local transmissions. Good work whoever thought of that one. "GOOD WORK!"
Funnily enough, it seems that some Malaysians are rather, clueless shall we say that even though they know that the pandemic is still not settled, they're banging on about something else that only flocks loads and loads of people together and quite possibly make more local transmission of the darn thing in the process. One i can point out is the by-election at Permatang Pasir slated for Aug 17. Can't they consider doing it at a later date? If they still need to do it (guess that one place can't be run without a politician eh?), can they somehow modify the process of coming over to a particular place to vote? Just this once. Don't want to have a hooo-haaa election, but kill some people accidentally along the way. Again, here's hoping.

Quickie - 5/8/2009; Fear

Being human, i think this feeling or part of us is truly unique. For instance, i fear of the speed camera. One click and a summon is coming your way. Hahahaha~

But one of the thing i feared happeing in the current pandaemic appeared in the free Sun newspaper this morning; Tamiflu resistant Flu was found. Although it's in US, in time if were not careful, could be found worldwide. Ouch. Everbody needs to play their role in this thing. Nobody's a winner right now.

Another thing which i don't fear but don't like is the state of the smog in our air here. This morning is worse than yeasterday, which in turn was worse than the day before. Not good. My nose is sensitive, but with the recovery from my sickness has become even more sensitive than ever.
Hope it rains soon... *Cough cough cough!

Quickie - 3/8/2009; Sickness and Muhassabah

Been sick since Wednesday last week. Thank God it's not H1N1. I haven't fully recovered up to this point, but well enough to get back in the office. Only the occasional cough and the still sore throat bugging me from time to time.

Being sick has it's wonders for me. For a person whose immune system is odd to the extent that it's hard for me to get sick but it's worse than others if i did, i see it as a time for me to Muhassabah myself. It seems that i haven't been taking good care of myself the past weeks, more importantly i haven't been taking care of my conduct at all. Seems that God is only fair in giving me His warning. In any case, i'd like to apologize to anyone whom i've taken some stick to lately. I'm only human afterall.

Blog to continue as usual~~~

Quickie - 28/7/2009; Amused and frustrated

I'm amused that this time around, i had cleaned up Aoi-chan after about 4 weeks since the last one. I'm also amused with the fact that after 10 years since my first self-initiated hair-do, i'm still sticking with the local barber rather than following the trend and shifting myself to the salons. Maybe it's because of the price? (i'm a cheapskate after all?) or maybe it's because of convenience? (my middle name perhaps?) or maybe it's because of the rather warm and friendly atmosphere? or maybe it's because of the free mini-massage you get at the end?
In either case, i'm still sticking to it.

In another tone though, my frustration. I'm rather shocked that some lorries on our roads were found to be using the second-hand winter tyres. FYI, as the name says, those tyres are to be used only in 4 season countries. They just couldn't stand the operating conditions of the Malaysian road and weather combo. People out there who're only interested in making quick profit are literally sending out mega-tonne bombs on our roads. Tell that to the relatives of the dead caused by freak accidents.
Also adding to my frustration is Aoi-chan's newly found out problem. Read about it in my other blog on Aoi-chan, link at the sides as usual.
Oh... and the Rm280++ bill for the washing machine at home also has made me frustrated. It needed fixing... and that's the price. Cruddy fish.

Quickie - 16/7/2009; Of Parking, Security and Death

Noticed that the management of the apartment i bought recently put up a signage board telling us to park our vehicles within the apartment compound at our own risk. Odd. Then what pupose does the hired security guards have? Toll booth / Gate controller? i also remembered that most shopping malls are the same. Park at your own risk.
Look, the sole purpose of the security guard is to guard our security. This in turn encapsulates our personal belonggings and stuff (house and car). If we are to park at our own risk, ensure that we take good care of our house's security and the management aren't responsible for the loss of our stuff within the compound... then the security guard isn't necessary at all. A total waste of the residents'/shopper's money.

Read in today's free copy of The Sun that a well known guy and his wife had undergone 'assisted suicide'. Read more on the net or something. The point i'd like to make here is that, assisted or not, suicide is a definite no-no. If you believe in God (i believe in Him), then you should know that only He is allowed to take your life. For He created you and He knows where He set your end. We don't know and we're not given the privellege to do so. So please people, believe in Him. All that happens in life is due to His will. We as human can only try, but is He who will determine everything.

p/s: The quickie will now come with a short title as to give a glimpse of what i'm blogging about. Helps you to avoid reading boring stuff that i put up. Hahahaha~~~

Quickie - 15/7/2009

Whoa... mid month already. That was fast.
Started my routine of excercise that i left for a long time a few days ago. One of the key elements that pushed me to restart it again was the health checks made by various exhibitioners at our HR weeks' booths.
All i can say is that... i'm not that healthy. Funny, since i am in terms of EQ... but the figures say otherwise for my FQ (Fat Quotient... i made this up myself). Oh well, gotta keep this body in good shape. Need to use it for another 60 or so years...

Speaking of good shape, ever felt like punching someone in the face (change their shape) for answering a serious question in a very2 dumb way? I had a slight urge to do so last week during a seminar that i attended. The representatives from our 'beloved' government agencies gave some of the worst answers ever to the questions thrown at them during a panel discussion session in the seminar. It's either bad manners or pure idiocy. What seminar? Go find out yourself. i'm too ashamed to say... that way i can spare them from embarassment.

Quickie 6/7/2009

News Strait Times featured on their front page a pic of a smashed up Toyota Hilux pickup truck and it's equally smasehd up driver... in the drain with her arm torn off. Again, this is just another rather unfriendly and horrific reminder that we should always wear our seatbelt whilst on the move. Flying out of your car in an accident only to have part of you torn off along the way or get run over by another vehicle or hitting the static object your car had smashed into isn't funny...

On another note, the shocking exposure by The Star (also on the weekend) of the welfare home was indeed disturbing. As usual, some claim that it isn't true... but how true can you get than seeing it by yourself? C'mon, don't turn away from something that is the truth only because you are afraid of it (who told you to get involved in the first place?)
Now, all i can say is true or not. Get your acts up and do what you're suuposed to do...
Do the right thing right!

Quickie - 29/6/2009

It's getting close to the end of the month and frankly, that just means that the big day is coming soon (as in another 5 months time that is). Good~ Two more months and quite possibly all hell breaks loose; a lot (and i do mean a lot) of things need to be settled.

Strangely, i came into the office this morning and lo and behold... the office looks bigger. Literally... The wall/barrier that once separated the ED and CAE department have been removed for use somewhere else and the effect is nice. Refreshing to say the least. Now it doesn't feel like we are isolated anymore~

Suddenly remembered watching MJ's thriller video on the TV a few nights ago and can't help to laugh. Not at the dead King of Pop, but at another clip 'trying' to copy it... badly. Go to Youtube and try to search for "Girly-man" and see what i mean (it's sort of Indian/Tamil song clip, if you get something else... it's not my fault). What a laugh. Seems that i can agree with the statement in today's copy of my free The Sun newspaper; The legend is dead, but will live on through his music.

Biggie - 21/6/2009

People, the pics have been uploaded.... at long last.

The texts here should be shorter than my usual quickie, but the contents (via the links) should be long (or lots in this case)

Enjoy~

1. Majlis Pertunangan Pics (Engagement Ceremony Pics)

~Link to ceremony pics~

2. Figurines for sale pics - Offered price and status will be put up tomorrow~

Link to figurine pics

Quickie - 17/6/2009

Read in The Sun this morning that helpers (that's amah/bibik/maid to us Malaysians) are to be given a day off per week starting from next year. Seems fair, until you actually give it a real thought; The helpers are there to help you. So you need them 24/7, even on the weekends. Thankfully whoever thought of this might have one (or more) and thus gave the option of no day off but pay as usual (pay 7 days wage instead of 6). I know that some 'troubled' (or troublesome or scrupulous) employer will not give them any day off and pay them only 6 days wage, but then shame on them since there level of thinking is as low as the deepest sea (that low, you'd better not call them human...). All in all, i think this is fair (we're humans right? Humanitarian approach lah). The rest is down to the deal between the employer and the employed.

Another thing i found interesting in the papers this morning is regarding Saab being taken over by Koenigsegg (or as Jeremy Clarkson spells it; Koenigsegsonfiajbakikzazzdafhoaf...). Wow! Imagine having a really mad Saab. As i see it now, although Saab utilizes some of the older platforms of the old GM group, their cars are rather atractive and interesteing but as sensible as Volvo (which means very sensible). If Koe-whatever do take them up, the first thing i'd suggest is to put one of their powerful engines into the Saab cars and give them that madness that isn't there. That'll sure spruce up the brand~~~ or they could be even more mad and make that concept-X or sumthing (the one with the fighter jet like entry system)

Go on Koe-whatever. Take up Saab and make it proud!

Quickie - 16/6/2009

Still got this feeling of unbalance and loss of accuracy / sense of distance this morning. Yesterday, as i was walking back from the office to the car i somehow almost lost conciousness. Knowing very well it's really dangerous to faint on the busy delivery roads in Proton, i kept myself awake and stumbled slowly to Aoi-chan. There, things got worse with me losing that sense of distance thingy... and to add more, everything sounded like they're amplified 10x to my ears (5x this morning... this key tapping noise is beginning to bug me. Help!). Since i can't do much while sitting in Aoi-chan at the parking lot, i bravely drove (albeit slower than usual) back to Puchong and rested. Heck, i even gave in before 10pm when everything became worse.

Thank God it's a bit better this morning though. If i ever feel as dizzy again... i'll just stumble to the clinic at the front. Hope that there's nothing immensely wrong though...

And just to update on my stats, i've moved up one step on the ladder of marriage by finishing the Pre-marriage course last weekend with Nurul. Strangely, it seems that nothing can be done for the next few months as most of the documents and tests needed to be made or carried out only have a lifespan of 3 months. So say goodbye to early preparation and hello to final-minute preparation (typical of us Malaysians, wouldn't you agree?). Very nice whoever thought of this... VERY 'NICE'!

Urrrgh..... i feel sick. Doctor~~~

Quickie - 10/6/2009

Alhamdulillah~ My engagement with now my fiance went well last weekend. Thinking back, i did imagine that i'll one day be engaged with someone, and here i am.

Thank you Nurul... I love you so much.

Pics? i'll see whether i can make it to the cc tonite and upload it. Got tons of good ones, by virtue of an UNDeR gang member and one of our good friend. Here's hoping to share it too~~~

Anyhow, let's get back to reality. Another maid took refuge from her country's embassy. Reason? Abuse. How bad? Look at today's newspaper and see for yourself. i'm gutted.
What's up with Malaysians taking up a maid and then treating them like.... *tuuuuut? i mean, my family had a few in the past and frankly i've never seen the maid beat up like this. Heck, we never even laid a finger on them. And now, it's like we hear on the news occasionally that one is badly beaten up, not paid their promised salaray, denied of their religious faith and treated like *tuuuut.

Malaysians, please realise that even though that they are maids, they're never slaves. Slavery is only during the period when civilization haven't existed, and we are not in that period now. Grow up. If they don't do their work well, coach them or if you're lazy... chenge for another one. Don't be stupid and say "I am you master! Kneel before me and get punished for your (sometimes minute) errors!!!".

I know i'm being one sided here, but to the maids... please do play your role as well. You aren't paid to lounge around and do mistakes all of the time. But at the very least, please do let your "masters" know that you're human too... and you do slip up sometimes adn will try to improve as you go along.

Hm.... maybe some of us still live in the dark ages. Master and slave? Let's just leave that in the past.
bvc100 in support of better relationships between maids and employers.

Quickie - 4/5/2009

On the motorway; Glance around, open window, throw out rubbish, close window and look smug...
Everywhere else; Glance around, throw rubbish anywhere, look smug...

We Malaysians are generally rubbish, and by that i mean we create a lot and throw them away as we like. Just this morning i saw one idiot walking casually out of his house (a nearby flat to my apartment), glanced around, and threw his rubbish (one red medium sized plastic bag, full with whatever) into a drain, and popped back into his house... looking smug. Yesterday night as i walked by the community board of my aparment, there was a notice for us dwellers to throw away our rubbish at the designated rubbish room (that's what they called it) and not leave it in front of our doors. And guess what i found? My next door neighbour placing his/hers in front of their door.

What is it with us that we can't bother to throw away rubbish in a rubbish bin or at the designated place? Are we that bad and sad? i mean, c'mon! It's not like it takes a gazillion of energy for us to do it properly. Or maybe i can sum it up in one word; lazy. That's right, we are lazy. We're too lazy to do anything, so we're also lazy to dispose of our rubbish properly. Sickening.

And let's not start with the motorist. This is even worse. The most common sight would be the smoking idiot in front leisurely holding his cheap cigarette out whilst smoking it... and then throwing it away... again looking smug. Worse still, i once was following behind a van whose passenger suddenly threw out, and i'm not joking, a plastic bag full of rubbish whilst on the highway at about 100km/h. What a ###### (i ran out of words)!!!

Malaysians, i plead you. We're proud of our clean homes, we love clean surroundings, we love clean stuff. But are we really clean if we keep mucking up one simple task? Damn, i know i sometimes do throw small bits into the drain but that's it. Maybe the odd candy wrapper or two. Nothing else. Please do dispose of your rubbish properly. Do yourself some justice.
Don't be an idiot!

BVC100 Special Announcement

Err.... God i'm late in informing you guys about this. But it's better now nonetheless.

I'm getting engaged. It'll be on this Saturday, 6/6/2009

... coinciding with Agong's Birthday.

With whom? Well... it's a long story. To cut it short, i met my soon to be fiance in PROTON, but she's in a different department. Somehow or another, she seemed like the person i've longed to find for so long. And here we are.

Date for marriage? Well... that one i'll announce later. But whenever it is, i'll be sure to put it here as a special invitation for you all.

Would also like to take the opportunity to say Happy Birthday to our beloved Agong, congratulation to KE (my now former housemate), Izad, Pakya, Zayd and the others (forgive me if i miss out your names) who got married last weekend or getting married this weekend. May Allah bless our lives~~~

Quickie - 3/6/2009

Another RM few million in the dust, literally. The news that the still new-ish (1 year old if i'm not mistaked) sports complex (the main stadium) at Terengganu losing it's roof is rather embarassing. And a bit of a shocker. You see, last week we were shocked with the news of a building soon to be demolished crashing down and killing 7 in the process. Before, we heard of newly completed buildings cracking here and there, bursting it's water supply pipes, yada yada yada... the list goes on.

What bothers me is the fact that these buildings are made under the government with people's money (bar the one last week. Dunno why the don't do the controlled demolishing via explosives though, seemed like a better choice). And it doesn't come cheap. So if the buildings made are as strudy as cornflakes, where does the money spend on making them go? For heavens sake guys, if anyone out there reading this is involved in another project of making a public/government building and is currently choosing a contractor for it, please please please avoid the cheapest one AT ALL COST. We know it's good to save, but sometimes by spending more you get a whole whole lot more. And if by spending the extra money makes the buildings not detonate itself, leak or have any other embarrasing faults, then the people's money is better and well spent.

Quickie - 26/5/2009

Phew. What a weekend. Though the crowd wasn't interested in whatever that we're doing at CAE or ED, the Karnival PROTON Bersama Rakyat was a fun experience. Partially due to the uniqueness of the crowd (non-Metropolitan types; different background and interest), but mostly what i experienced. Which brings me neatly on to the reason of why i dread travelling by bus. Sorry but i can't hold it in, i hate busses and i personally dislike the egoistic and insanely dangerous way the bus driver (we travelled by bus. Why? Don't ask me) drove with us and our stuff in it. Which begs the question; Haven't these people realized that the mercy of the passengers' lives are in their hands? Don't they know that even if they went into hiding from the authorities should their stupidity cause a fatal accident, will hunt them for the rest of their lives?

I could go on, but i don't want to remember it. This is the last. That's it. No more busses for me. Why this today and not yesterday? The DJs on the radio this morning plucked this topic for discussion (though their focus was on the public transportation system) and somehow, i got ticked. Again, i state my stand; i hate busses.

Oh, and i hate whoever is proposing that Chin Peng and his communist friends from the black Malaysian history be given the right to return 'home'. What home? They've got none here in Malaysia. And if they did in the past, then there's no more then, now adn forever. Politics or not, it just isn't right. Don't want to comment further, but i'm in the camp of against for this issue. Nobody in their right of mind would, and if someone did... then their mind isn't straight.

Quickie - 21/5/2009

Alhamdulillah.... we're almost H1N1 free. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who was involved; the people who could've been infected, the medics who was monitoring them, the authorities that covered everything else. Thank you.

I'll be heading to Jeli today along with a few colleagues from R&D PROTON. We're having a mini carnival there on the 23rd of May. But i've yet to know exactly where... Anyway, yours truly is representing the department as usual. i'm looking forward to the event, but not so to the journey... by bus. i'm sorry but the last time i was on one, it was the journey back to KL from Kelantan. The driver happily watched the movie on his telly (offset for the viewer's convenience and not to be seen from the driver's seat, which he did) and slept halfway through the movie whilst still 'driving' the bus. Thank God i'm still here... Hope this one doesn't do any of the things i mentioned, yet doesn't do anything at all.

Insya-Allah.... Amiin. Gulp!

Quickie - 19/5/2009

Hmmmm... still early. Got in the office very very early today. Odd, but good since i can put something up here~

Heard on the radio this morning that 69 of all of the passengers aboard the AirAsia plane to Penang with the Influenza A suspect have yet to come up and surrender themselves to the authorities for monitoring. And as usual, being Malaysians, i'm quite sure there out there somewhere in hiding. Too scared to face the truth and too selfish to care.

I wonder what they're thinking? Could it be; A. "I'm scared. I don't want to know if I've been infected and what they'll do to me if I am...", or (which i think is more, shall we say, realistic?) B. " I don't care if I'm infected or not. If I am, then I don't care if the other people of Malaysia suffers as well".

Look guys, don't turn this into a big issue. Why the authorities are doing so is to protect you and everyone around. Even if you are infected, they'll do their best to heal you. That's it. Why is it so hard for you to surrender yourselves? Look at the people around you, your loved ones. If you ARE infected, do you want them to be the first to get it from you??? C'mon! As Russel Peters said in one of his stage acts; Be a man! (or woman)

Please, i beg you to go. Get the medical attention you deserve and if you do fall in the process, people will recognise your bravery to avoid the other Malaysians from getting it. And to those that have done so.... i thank and salute you~

Quickie - 18/5/2009

What gives? Just heard the radio on the way to the office this morning and was shocked to hear that the authorities will want to negotiate and 'assist' cabbies (that's taxi drivers lah~) that wants to apply for PSV (or their licensing or whatever) that isn't competent in the Bahasa Melayu. I'm sorry, but this is all another stupid move from our very 'clever' people who thinks that by this method, they're 'helping' everyone.

Why? Look at it this way. We've been an independent country for quite some time now and, although i'm writing this blog in English (coz i want to share with everyone around the world about whatever), i'm quite sure that all Malaysians should at least know to communicate and use the Bahasa Melayu (One Malaysia anyone???). Second, which for me is much2 more important, if the cabbies are only fluent in their mother tounge (English? Forget it... if they don't know the Bahasa, do you think they'll know this?), it'll affect the nation in terms of both efficiency of the public transportation system and of course the tourism industry. Picture this, a cabbie who's not competent in the Bahasa or English will go straight past a potential passenger who isn't their race for reasons that they can't communicate with them. So now people will miss their ride to work and the economy of the nation is crippled... along with the cabbies as well (it affects them in the long run you know...). The same can be said with the foreign tourist. "Can you bring us to the #### (place)?", the tourist said, " No understand, no understand!", the errant cabbie said and left the tourist in the dust.

Helping 'everyone' out? I don't think so.

Quickie - 14/5/2009

Mat Rempit.... illegal street racers on modified 'kapcai' bikes. What are we going to do with them...? I don't want to comment much but as the saying goes; Prevention is better than cure. For me, i wouldn't put the blame on the authorities. But i'd rather point my fingers to the parents and the individual themselves. Why them? Parents: Don;t bluff me by saying that it's because you care for your kids that you provide them with a motorcycle. You just aren't. One; you risk them by putting them on a bike instead of a car (if you can't afford the latter, what's wrong with the public transport?). Two; If you love them, you won;t lend them yours if they're underage. Three; .... this could go on and on...
Let's just leave it there and move on. I know that everyone knows how to get over this. But as usual, we just couldn't care.

On the brighter side, now that RON92 is going to be replaced with RON95, i'd like to say to all motorist that we should go for it. RON is actually the octane number for petrol (diesel has their own rating number). The higher, the better but not in terms of performance but in terms of overall. You can read more about RON and how it works at wikipedia or sumthing but as far as i'm concerned, with RON95 selling at almost RON92 price and having the option to shift to it from RON97... i'd say that's a bargain on the long run~

Aoi-chan~~~ It's RON95 for you from now on~~~ (unless if the price difference isn't that big. Then i'll just stick to RON97. Huhuhu)

Quickie - 4/5/2009

My dad just came back from NY this morning and Al-hamdulillah~ he hasn't been infected with the pig flu virus thingy.
Gotta meet him tonite in any case. Got loads to discuss with him, especially on the preparation of purchasing the current house i'm renting (i told you guys rite?) and a few other things. Speaking of which, expect some good and really unexpected news from me within the next month or so. Gotta admit that it'll be more shocking than me selling off my precious collection. Ahahaha~!
All things said, i'm currently happier than before. Hope this clue will help~~~

Quickie - 28/4/2009

Didn't include this one yesterday, but what the....

It seems that i made a hash of this, but as per usual... it's nobody's and everybody's fault. It's now the Income Tax season and the best bit is the deadline is tomorrow. Nice.

Since this is my first time, i didn't know of this very very VERY short deadline. I just had my EA a few weeks ago (not months, so there), and didn't know what to do with it next. Had done my registration earlier, but didn't do the so called e-filing. Now, as we Malaysians love to do (yes, me included), there's this mad dash to meet the deadline as we are all afraid of the consequences if we didn't (which again... i don't know of). Anyhow, i'd just like to comment that the system is rather flawed (got an idea on improving it, will put it up here later) and the worst bit is that although the e-filing can be done from home or work via the internet, these poeple seem to forget that during these times (the mad dash), their servers need to be able to perform (or at least work properly). Which it doesn't...

Oh well, i could just fret on and on. But i think i'd better get it done.... Hey presto! It's done! Wahahaha~~~! I beat everyone.... not

Quickie - 28/4/2009

Heard on the radio this morning that only 15% of the Bumis and the rest the non-Bumis have a Halal certificate for the products. Now, i dunno about the others but for me this whole Halal thing is important. Especially when it comes to food.

Now, correct me if i'm wrong but the Halal certification process is divided into 3 portions, of which all 3 must be passed before considered as Halal. Focusing on food it is the material (raw ingredients), preparation (place, tools, etc.) and personnel (cook, baker, mixer, etc.). Anyhow, seeing that the above isn't that hard to do since all of the items are easily obtained in Malaysia, i wonder how this situation occured in the first place. And by the way, especially to my Muslim friends out there, not all things in Malaysia is Halal... and that includes some of your popular eating outlets/restaurants.

Speaking of outlets, Krispy Kreme opened their first outlet at Berjaya Times Square yesterday (or was it on Sunday?). Looks tempting, but from the various ads i've seen in the newspapers so far, i can't seem to find one with the Halal logo as a proof to their Halal-ness... and that also includes Dunkin Donuts.

I wonder if all the mainstream donuts makers are actually producing non-Halal products? Hmmm...

Special Quikie - The death of a great man

This was supposed to be posted earlier, but having seen that the proper people were informed beforehand, i guess now is a good time to inform everyone...

My grand-dad by the name of Hj. Abdul Samad bin Hj. Salleh passed away peacefully on the night of 18/4/2009 at 10:35pm. He died of old age.

Wouldn't want to make a blog of all the good and bad times i had with him, but glad to share it when you meet me somewhere later.

In any case, may Allah bless his soul and may He bless us all. Amiin~

Alfatihah...

Special Quickie - The New Proton Exora

An there you are, ladies and gentleman...
The new Proton Exora~

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate my colleagues, managements and all staffs in Proton. And i'd like to also thank you, our customers for your support and drive that fuels us to make products that better serves you.

Won't say much, please head over to Proton Edar's Official Website or any of our Showrooms to view our latest offfering~~~

Enjoy~~~

p/s: I'd say, if you're looking for a very affordable, very Malaysian MPV (big, good lloks and affordable), this will fit the bill perfectly

Quickie - 13/4/2009

Don't ask me why, but this what you're reading is true...

Attention my dear friends!

All (yes All) of my collections (figurines only) are now put up for sale. If you're interested in any one (bar Kureha, someone booked that already), please contact me via my hp (016-2205357, sms only!) to discuss the details (price, conditon, yada yada yada).

There. A very quick one. Why?
Don't ask. Hehehe~~~

Quickie - 6/4/2009

Mazui~!
It's almost one month since my last post. Thanks in part the extra task that required me to be on my tippy toes all of the time. Thank god the weekend wasn't affected.
One thing that i learned throughout the project that i can share; Everything isn't as it seems.
Why? Well... there's the non-supportive support, non-effective effect, non-anything everything. But hey, i've learned a lot and that alone is enough to cover up all that i just mentioned. Speaking of learning, you guys ever heard of Russel Peters? The Canadian-Indian stand up comedian? If you don't mind some rather abrasive language and do enjoy some poke in the eye fun, go google it somwhere. It's that good.
Will have more frequent update now that i'm back to normal mode. Hope to put something interesting soon. Hehahu~!

Quickie - 21/3/2009

17 days since last blog... and thank God for it. Not that i've given up blogging or anything. The fact of the matter is that the days un-blogged is a testament to how things have gone about for the past 2 weeks or so.
Got this special task assigned to myself and a team of some freshie like me by a special person. After two weeks of trying to find the solution, all i can say is this; Prevention is better than cure. Full stop.
I can't share much regarding the actual task we have in our hands, but the fact of the matter is that it's trying to fix a sinking ship with some gaffer-tape. Yeah it might work, but it'll be slightly less bad if not just as worse. But still, what we found out so far is something beyond belief and begs us to ask this question to everything; WHY???
Oh well, to do something about that sinking ship is still better in a way than just leaving it as it is. The task is due in a few days time, and somehow or another the progress of our team is almost spot-on. Good.

Quickie - 04/03/2009

As you can see that there's a bit of a gap since last i posted an update here. Factor (or alasan as some people call it); Been busy with things and trying to make ends meet. And the latter has nothing to do with the financial crisis bugging me. It's something else that i find more complicated, i'll share when it's settled.

In any case, last week was a rather hectic week due to me being the representative of my department in a roadshow at the UTM Skudai. Some of you might've noticed since the media did cover the event... albeit for a few seconds or with some texts.

But, just to share, on the last day we did find some spare time to go and have a peek at Singapore and boy was it a surprise. Now, i'm not gonna say that what i'm stating here implies on everyone, but for me apart from the huu-haa wowweee side of Singapore (the main bit and it's tourist attractions) everything else seems rather... dull and sedate. There's that Britishness feel at the things that you see and it's atmosphere, but i'd rather enjoy that at Britain. Adding to the fact that unnecessary restrictions (go there to find out) and some rather unfriendly customs/immigration officers ruined the journey there, i'm not bought over.

February Artworks

Haven't posted any of my artworks for a while. Slipped of my mind, and because there's no internet within my grasp (that's why i'm in this CC today. Thank god)

Anyways, below are the artworks for the month (and January for that matter). The calendar for January was scrapped mainly due to the file being corrupted before i can finish it. Nuts. Anyhow, as per usual, enjoy the artworks~~~

February calendar V2.0

February calendar v1.0

This is the base artwork for the February calendar (coloured version)

This was another artwork which i made for the calendar, but ditched it because the colouring for the clothes is a bit off...
Candidate artwork for March, original version...

... and the coloured one. Not good. Will have to re-colour it again
Compilation of all for this blog entry~~~

Quickie - 3/2/2009

Yesterday was my first anniversary (anniversary???) of my life in Proton. What better way to celebrate than... Aoi-chan having one of her headlamp bulb burn out. It's as if i was blowing out a candle or something to commemorate this milestone. Crud. Last time she became ill when it was my birdthday (see previous blog). Another RM30 spent on her...

Anyhow, let's not make this sour. Looking back, it seems that i've hit quite a few highs and lows. The low in particular should be seen as falling into a hole of unknown depth. All in accumulation of my stupidity for not listening to others and my quite bad state of health. But due to that experience, i've reached the highs. i think i'm more mature now in my way of thinking and in dealing with stress, people, time and life. Guess that whatever my parents always raved about at me when i was younger makes more sense now than ever before.
Mature huh? i'm talking like i'm an old man... oh wait. i am old... not too old, but still older than before... oh wait, that's not true right? Er....(sign of an old man???)

Quickie - 29/1/2009

I've failed to post/upload anything to the net yet again. Nuts. I just can't seem to get myself near a cc or some computer which i can upload/download stuff. i'm still eager to show the pics i promised with the previous post along with some new ones taken just recently.

Speaking of recent, my housemate got into an accident. Again. It's not like he's a dangerous rider or something, but like me, it seems that we both attract unnecesary hazards which sometimes leads to an accident (hopefully small... all the way). So, this dude was on his way home yesterday and was hit by a Perodua car. It seems that the driver of the car wasn't so sure of which road they were going to take and hence their last minute decision to turn into a particular road resulted in them hitting my friend. And worse still, the driver sped off after that incident. This is hit and run and for me by far the worst sort of sin a driver can do. Luckily the guy only sustained minor injuries and some good samaritans helped him back on his feet.

Oh yeah, here's a message to the driver of that Perodua car from me and my friend:

SOD OFF! GO RETAKE YOUR DRIVING EXAM AND LEARN TO USE THE INDICATOR SIGNALS! AND WE HOPE GOD REPAYS YOUR STUPID SINS BACK!!!

Nuff said...

Quickie - 25/1/2009

Seems that my hunches are now justified. As i type this, i'm currently lounging around in the Golden Club lounge of the MAS, whilst waiting for the 10 o'clock flight to Kota Bharu. Now i'm watching A1 GP, Fairuz just passed someone.

Yesterday, i had a very hectic evening trying to debug something related to my work. Thinking that was it, i was then bombarded with another task. In other words, my weekend was robbed.

But thankfully, that was it. Since Monday and Tuesday are public holidays (in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration) so i can now enjoy the company of my family. Oh yes, this is a family trip. Don't get me wrong that i suddenly decided to splurge some dough unnecessarily... unless if it was a road trip.

Anyways, hope everyone will enjoy the remaining holidays as how i expect to enjoy mine... oh wait, i can't. That's why i brought my laptop. Still got work to finish off. Rats

One more thing, to all our Chinese friends out there

Gong Xi Fa Cai

and may you have a prosperous year ahead~~~

Quickie - 19/1/2009

"What the .... (fill in the blanks accodingly)!!!!"

That were the words i shouted out in Aoi-chan throughout the track-day event yesterday at Sepang. Yes, i wasn't supposed to take Aoi-chan in any hard-driving event (stopped going to Genting already) before her 60,000km major maintenance, but having been poisoned by a few friends of SAVOC and seeing that i've done quite a few upgrades to Aoi-chan and wanted to test it badly, i jumped at the opportunity. As a bonus, the weather was nice throughout the event.

Going back at the sentence, as much as i try to enjoy it, i still find it hard to go through the session without having to shout and wave my fist at some idiotic drivers for either driving blatantly or just trying to kill me and others whilst showing off their machine's prowess. To those of you rading this and find it insulting... Sod off. Go and learn back track day ethics and things like racing lines and braking points. Maybe then you'll be fit to drive, enjoy your car and the session plus gain respect from other drivers on the track. This specially applies to some type-Rs, a GTR with a W plate and all Satrias and Scoobies of yesterday's session.

Apart from that, everything went well. Regarding Aoi-chan, i'll put up the photos and some extra comments at her blog...

'Not so' Quickie - 15/1/2009

Though this is kinda outdated, but i think its good that i share this bit of experience for your info.


Went to a couple of car showrooms a few weeks back to assist a mate in looking at possible candidates for him to buy later this year. First on his list was the new City, which he liked the design so much especially with the modulo bodykit. i however find it... challenging. Exterior wise, quality seems to be okay, up to par with the previous Cities. But inside, dare i say i find it quite... dismal. OMG! what sort of manufacturer gives this kind of sh#tty plastics on a RM80k car? Heck, the plastics are just as good (or bad) as Aoi-chan's. I was hoping some better, softer plastics were used, kind of moving upmarket from the rather okay previous generation. Nope. If you think i'm just bluffing, the car was totally removed from my friend's list (he too found the interior to be totally unacceptable) and if you've spare time... go to a Honda showroom and see for yourself.


After this encounter, the next manufacturer fared better. Volkswagen is kinda known for the vastness of the group and their model lineup. But somehow they've small presence here in Malaysia. No wonder then since their cheapest car that we looked into; the Cross Polo, was priced at RM108++k. Ouch. But, the car itself justified the price. A rather handsome exterior (don't go for the bright colours, darker ones make the car look grown up), an interior made like it was hand-crafted (read as OMG high quality plastics), an array of airbags and a host of safety features (EURONCAP 5 star rating, no doubt about safety here). But since the price is above the friend's upper limit, he had to take it off the list as well... sad.


Next, we stumbled upon a Mazda showroom. Knowing very well that their baby was the 3, i didn't expect it to cost as much as the VW. Nope, wrong again. Although dealer said that it was CBU (completely built up; the car was shipped to Malaysia in one peice... not pieces) and after the bar for cheap (okay, not so cheap) CBU car was set by the VW, this one was scored off the list as well.

Another showroom that we went was Suzuki's at Damansara and no, we weren't there to see possible two wheel alternatives. Although Suzuki cars aer typically well made and reliable, we both find it hard to remember what we liked about the car in general and it's interior in specific. Though a special offer was made to us for the last unit of the hot Suzuki Swift Sport, seeing that the friend is looking at their SX4 Sedan and how mundane it's interior design was. Another car was scored of the list. Gaaahhh!!!

Okay, i had to admit that i did persuade him into looking at Proton cars as well, but guess what? He was glad that he did. And more surprising was that he even considered the latest Persona (SE or not) and the facelifted Gen.2 as nice to drive (he did have a short test-drive of the latter), well built and designed (and i'm not making this up). Considering the price, he found this as more than acceptable. Truth to be told, the Gen.2 FL with CPS manual is currently on the top of his list and that in a way is an honour to me and all fellow colleagues of Proton. Who says we can't build good cars?

Again, let me remind you that this is our experience from my perspective. If you do have the time, go and visit these mentioned manufacturer's dealerships and maybe... just maybe, you'll be surprised as well.

Too long! End here! Tatata~

2009! Let's start it with a bang!!!

... more like let's start it with some updates of my artworks. Please click for larger image.
Enjoy~~~