The One With Thirty Sen 

Hmm.. another 0.30 sen per litre.. the highest increase so far..

Yet some typical quotes/excuses..

- "This will be the only increase of the year"
- "The burden of subsidy and tax exemption borne by the Government from January to February this year was RM1.19bil and RM1.44bil respectively"
- "Although the Government is raising the price of petroleum products, diesel and LPG, the price of petrol and diesel in Malaysia is still cheaper than in other Asean countries except Brunei"
- "Penjimatan kewangan yang dibuat melalui harga produk petroleum pada kali ini akan digunakan bagi membiayai projek-projek pembangunan dan meningkatkan sistem pengangkutan awam demi kepentingan penduduk negara ini."

Remember in the good old days when I drove a Kancil.. full tank was RM20.. now a friend told me, his Waja full tank is RM120!! My GOODNESS!!


Looking at the chart, 1l petrol in Brunei = MYR1.22 equivalent to BND0.53.. Imagine if a Bruneian earned BND2000 per month on average, petrol per litre is only 0.50.. so kewl..

any job opening in Saudi/Dubai/Brunei??

The One With The Wish 

Interesting to find a friend of mine are joining the Married Club..

Even more interesting to have other friend wish him "Semoga berbahagia ke anak cucu".. yet, another replied "Semoga berbahagia ke hujung nyawa".. last but not least another one wish him "Semoga berbahagia dunia akhirat".. (can anyone top that?)

The One With The Shopperlog 

Item : A00001 - MJ/MBK Members Sneak Preview Sale

Somebody promised to buy me a new pair of shoes last week.. so we went to OU and found one nice pair but did not have my size.. so we decided to check at another outlet at MVMM last nite..

Again, there were other sizes, bigger and smaller, none fit my feet.. Showing our determination of buying the same pair, we went to MetroJaya (MJ) since there are a small corner selling that brand..

Co-incidently, it was also a Sneak Preview Sales for MJ and Maybankard (MBK) members.. but again, no size for me.. maybe it wasnt meant to be mine.. :P.. tired and hungry, we thought of going back to the main outlet since the saleslady promised she can ask for a stock transfer from BB outlet to hers.. what a kind salesperson she is.. but as I said, it might not to be mine, yet.. browsing in MJ, I found another nice pair of shoes, but cheaper by a hundred ++.. plus additional 20% discount only for that nite.. :D wat a buy.. so.. I got a replacement for this good old shoe.. as well as a new short sleeve shirt, a belt and a suit!!.. :))

Mrs got herself few shirts, pants, loafers and Jr got himself ABC toys, a bag and a potty!! heh.. he's so growing!!

It was hell of a shopping.. we never really shop like that before.. (we aren't shoppaholics, OK)..

But there was something that really disappoint me last nite.. As I was about to pay, I noticed that MBK holders may enjoy a 0% interest scheme for purchases above RM500 charged to the card.. taking advantage of this, I asked them to do so.. unfortunately.. none of the cashier knows how to process the transaction.. they had to call for a senior staff from other floor.. some trial and error being done.. they even didnt know that card terminal need to be plug with a phone line.. :P.. I was so pissed off tht point of time.. very tired and very hungry then, stuck at cashier counter for half an hour.. they finally resolved it by swiping my card at other counter on other floor..

And that wasnt happened just once.. Mrs also found herself in trouble of paying.. and the same staff, from the same floor needed to be called.. and another half an hour wasted.. We arrived home around 1230 am last nite.. very very tired and very very hungry..

Lesson learnt.. two words but important one.. 'Knowledge Sharing'.. imagine if 10 people or even 100, asked for that kind of transaction (or any other transaction, in global) at the same time.. you have the technology all over the place.. but only one have the knowledge to handle the thing.. how much extra effort need to be done, how much extra time need to be spend.. how much money might have lost.. if at least they share the information, a lot can be saved.. and we could be back earlier to see Jr playing with his new golf set.. :P

p/s: 23/02 3pm - MJ management called just now to further investigate the issue.. and apologized on the matter.. kudos to MJ CS team..

The One With Stages of Grief 

Since both of us are so crazy about House right now, I wish to share sumthing learnt from Dr House.. I remember a scene where one of Cameron's patient discovered suffering a terminal illness.. Cameron couldnt accept it.. and House listed these stages of grief :

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Depression
4. Bargaining
5. Acceptance

Thanks to Google, I found this page to learn more.. (in which I'd already experienced after Papa passed away due to a sudden heart attack)

Quote :

Stages of Grief

Stage	Behavior	Feelings
Denial	Shock Verbal denial Behavioral denial Fantasy/Reality struggle	Numb disbelieving confused Isolated Panicked
Anger	Anger words Questioning Crying Shouting Belligerence Hostility Sarcasm Bitterness	Bitterness Guilty Hurt Irritated Cheated Angry Enraged
Bargaining	Shopping for doctors and diagnosis Making bargains with God Making promises to others	Losing control Panic Wish to postpone Guilty
Depression	Withdrawn Less communicative Focus on loss Physical upset Emotionally liable Life pattern upset Quiet	Empty Helpless Sad Lonely Hopeless Useless Overcome Dejected
Acceptance	Contemplative Tired Weak Gradually withdrawing Illusions Separation from reality Quiet Not demanding Sharing with others Expressing love Expressing forgiveness	Tranquil Feeling less hurt Sorrowing Resigned Accepting Able to feel pleasure Loving Trusting Forgiving

The One Where We Got Tagged.. (part 1) 


Errkk.. wats this Miss Db? Ok la.. I skipped quesera's tag last time.. doing it this time.. since Db tagged both of us, mine will only be the first two.. :P

Four Jobs I've Had:

1. Taukeh nasik order NH - muahahaha.. go figure..
2. Team manager of Kiss my @r$3, Premier Fantasy Football Game
3.
4.

Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over

1. The Rock, 1996 - (not the wrestler..) starring Nicholas Cage, Sean Connery
2. The Patriot, 2000 - starring Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger
3.
4.



Four Places I Have Lived

1. Sungai Buloh, Batu Pahat.. - confused? it is Kg Sungai Buloh.. :P
2. Kuala Kangsar - so will Faeq :P
3.
4.

Four Television Shows I Loved to Watch

1. CSI Vegas - awesome Grissom...
2. House - superawesome Dr House..
3.
4.


Four Places I Have Been On Vacation

1. A Famosa, Alor Gajah - (buleh kira ker?)
2. Bali - could've, shd've, would've but cancelled.. :P
3.
4.

Four of My Favourite Dishes

1. Ayam masak merah
2. Pot roast.. - (cam nih eja betul ker?)
3.
4.

Four Websites I Visit Daily

1. Soccernet
2. Google
3.
4.

Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now

1. In front of PS2 - with my kiddo sitting on my lap holding another controller pretending he's playing too..
2. On my wife - (borrowing mokciknab's :P)
3.
4.

Four Bloggers I am Tagging

1. supersomething
2. Limau Purut FC manager
3.
4.

The One With The Amazing-Race-Asia 

Remember Linz family? Uchenna and Joyce? Freddy and Kendra? Chip & Kim? Reichen & Chip? Flo & Zach? Chris & Alex? Rob & Brennan?

These are all The Amazing Race winners for season 1-8.. all have won USD1m.. now its your chance to be one.. register yourself at axn-asia..

Submission deadline is on 15 March 2006.. Hurry.. hurry.. hurry..



Living in Asia, legally - checked
Able to drive stick - checked
as well as your teammate crazy - checked
Married - checked
Above 21 - checked
Immigration friendly - checked (i guess)
Willing to give up your rights to privacy? - ermmmm...

ps: papi/mami.. want to join aa?

The One With the Routine 

Our condo need a security access card to enter the main gate and at every block main entrance.. so normally, after parking our car.. i'll hand the access card over to faeq so he can touch it to card sensor.. the sensor will go 'beepbeep' and 'Open sesame'.. once the door open, i'll ask faeq to put the card inside my pocket so he'll not drop it anywhere..

I thought at first 14-month-old baby acts by remembering his daily routine..

Last nite, as we arrived home late at 11pm.. as usual, i handed faeq the access card.. when approaching entrance, he didnt want to touch the card to its sensor but held the card firmly and kept on pointing to the sensor with his other hand.. we were like 'Faeq, come on, hurry up.. touch the card..' still he reluctant to do so.. thought that he was probably tired and sleepy.. (which very much unlikely for that lil 'Batboy').. getting fed-up, we took the card from him and touched it to the sensor..

Subsequently, no beepbeep sound.. Then i noticed green LED light wasnt on as usual.. aaaaaaaa.. the sensor wasnt functioning.. No wonder he kept on pointing to it.. perhaps he was trying to tell us sumthing..

Apparently it was us who act by the routine.. :P

The One With The Shoes 

Speaking of shoes.. I think the time has come for me to buy a new pair leather shoes.. have been using this good old shoes since my first job.. hmmm almost 5 years that is..

Only one problem.. I cannot find a better replacement.. or at least something at par.. :P (not at the correct price perhaps).. else.. i'll bring out my Bruno Magli wedding shoes to office.. :P (italy mali tu.. thanks bebeh..:D)

ps: some tips to share..

Proper Shoe Fit Can Prevent Foot Problems

Foot problems affect most, if not all, people at some point. For example, 71% of elderly in one study reported foot problems with 39% consulting their physician about the problems. Note that foot care for diabetics and other people with more serious conditions should see a physician for treatment.

There is one general recommendation that can ease discomfort associated with many foot problems: buy shoes that fit. Poorly fitting shoes not only make symptoms worse, they can sometimes cause the problem in the first place. Properly fitting shoes will be comfortable to wear right out of the box; they don't need to be "broken in."

Try on shoes at the end of the day when feet are largest. Try shoes on both feet while standing and walking. There should be a space of one-half inch between the end of the shoe and the tip of the longest toe; allow up to one inch of space in athletic shoes. Be sure that shoes are wide enough across the ball of the foot, but the heel should fit snugly. Lace-up shoes allow for more adjustment, particularly for a proper fit across the instep.

The One With Mentor 

No its not regarding TV3 reality show 'Mentor' (I dunno wat that show was about, ok).. I was reading a book at MPH OU the other day.. one of a few books that wasnt in plastic wrap.. I dont know since when they start to wrap all technical books.. it was about - quick guide to be a better consultant (or something like that)..

So some few tips that i can remember are :

1. One of the greatest sin for a consultant is to give what customers want, and not what they actually need.. (but, customer is always right maaa..) NOTTTT!!!!! Customer is always wrong :P
2. Over deliver and under promise
3. Get yourself a mentor

Well the 3rd one was damn important i think.. when I was working in my first company, I had few good mentors.. they all were good teachers and good friends too.. then when i moved to 2nd company.. it was more a lone ranger job.. I couldnt find a mentor nor being one.. I could only stay for a year.. (which I think good enuff.. I heard my replacement survived only for 3 months.. :)) ).. then I moved again to this company.. Where I was introduced to a better mentor..

Too bad after a year and a half, he told me he's leaving back to his country.. He's been here for few years and its time to move on..

And that made me think.. to move along, or start to grab this opportunity to fill in his shoes.. which apparently is quite a large one.. Hmmm.. i still dunno.. just wait and see..

The One With Sexual Harrassment in Work Place 

I met with a good friend of mine yesterday.. Quite sometimes since the last meeting.. I think it was when she was about to join some multi-national-company which was one or two years back.. soo.. I asked her about her job now.. first reply was.. "errrmmm.."

By "errrm".. i figured there must be something.. heh.. she explained that everything is just perfect for her since previously she was quite a hopper.. celebrating her birthday twice with this company was quite an achievement for her.. hahaha.. everything was just perfect except her manager..

Their project team are pretty small.. less than 10 people.. her manager, not that old, married with three kids, although holding a quite high-post, is very approachable and friendly.. and sometimes too friendly i supposed.. even too friendly to share with everyone of their team members (which 70% are girls) about dirty jokes, double-meanings words, his sexual life, sexual fantasy etc.. hah.. a bit crazy eh?

Imagine when u come to office one day and your boss says to you "What a nice sexy red lacy bra you have.." or "I personally think X got nicer butt then Y".. WTF..

I told this friend of mine, maybe it was just a reverse psychology to tell his staffs to wear more decent office outfit, or he just being nice to complement his subordinates.. :)).. she totally disagree.. after she told me that guy once explained a detail steps-by-steps on making love to one of her senior colleague who was then getting married.. I also disagree with my own 'positive thoughts'... ahahahaha...

Well.. it wasnt the first time i hear this kind of story.. there was one team lead in my first job who behave quite similar.. but as his level is not that high plus his team members were also as crazy as him.. quite understandable.. hehehe..

But hello.. for me, personally.. wake up!!.. it is not high school or college society.. we are all professional.. you wanna talk, you talk with your other GUY colleagues while at bar having drinks etc.. never talk with other opposite gender office-colleagues.. no matter how cool & crazy they are, I'm not sure whether they will enjoy such talks.. plus, as a leader this kind of attitude will not bring urself up but will surely losing others' respect to you..

So my advice to this friend of mine.. erm.. you can be cool and just listen+ignore his 'so-called-jokes'.. or tell him in his face that u are bothered by all those.. seek further advice with HR manager on sexual harrassment in work place guidelines..

any other advices you guys wanna add? or experience of such? care to share with us.. :D

The One With the Record Breaker 

Shortly after a Sournessless life at Newcastle, another great news received from St James' Park.. 64 minutes played against London based team Charlton, Amoebi flicked a clever backheel through to Alan Shearer, the great number 9 made no mistake, slotted the ball under Addicks' keeper Dean Kiely and hit the net at Gallowgate.. 5 Ringgit!! The striker went on proudly celebrating his goal with typical pose at Strawberry corner.. the record has been broken!! 201th goal for club.. passing the double century mark set-up by late 'Wor Jackie' Milburn back in the 50s..

Earlier on, Super Al was denied by Kiely after strings of attempts.. the former pounced a powerful header but blocked by keeper, N'Zogbia received the rebound and scored, 1-0..

2-0 the final score.. Newcastle first league win this year.. a well start by the caretaker and his assistant.. :D.. hope this good result will continue to survive the Premiership..

As for old Mr Shepherd.. he will have to think deep for permanent replacement to succeed caretaker Roeder.. make no mistake this time, or he'll be the one who shd go.. As for the replacement, his first task would be to sign a new great number 9 as the current legend will hang his boot by the end of the season.. heh.. it took one 50 years to break the record.. wonder when the next one will be..

The One With Strike Three! You're OUT!! 

I arrived office exactly at 9am today.. managed to listen to Fly news on radio..

AT LAST.. the news i've waited for soooo long.. Newcastle United manager Graeme Sourness (sic) finally shown his exit door.. What took that old man Shepherd so damn long.. Late penalty missed by Villa's Barry, last minute leveler by Clark while hosting Smoggies, Shearer scored his 200th goals against lowly Mansfield 10 minutes from time still kept Sourness his job but three losses (includes two at home) in a row, said it's the end of the worst Newcastle AK (After Keegan) era..

Lets look at the Newcastle Premiership Managerial records..

Manager	From	To	P	W	D	L
Keegan	n/a	01/97	143	78	30	35
Cox	01/97	08/98	1	0	1	0
Dalglish	01/97	08/98	56	19	19	18
Craig	01/97	08/98	1	0	0	1
Gullit	08/98	08/99	40	11	12	17
Clarke	08/99	08/99	1	0	0	1
Robson	09/99	08/04	188	83	51	54
Carver	09/04	09/04	1	1	0	0
Souness	09/04	02/06	56	16	17	23

Personally I think he is the worst ever.. worse that Gullit sexy football.. he offloaded potential players, keeps and added in more crappy players, failed to manage good-player-but-bad-temper-boys (Bellamy, Robert, Jenas, Dyer to name a few).. finished 14th last season, record worst in AK Premiership history, unable to hit the back of the net in first 4 games this season.. Shall I add more?? Yet, shortly after buying Owen, he targeted to finished for Europe..Haha.. Dream on.. Nuff said.. Game over Souness..

As for temporarily replacement, Glenn Roeder will be in caretaking the team, assist by current great number 9, Super Al.. Fighting for relegation is a more realistic target now (against Mackems & Smoggies, perhaps).. and hopefully, above 14 to make Souness the worst Newcastle (AK) manager.. All the best to the Magpies..