29.3.11

What's wrong with this news?

Heard this on radio the other day.



"A man was sentenced to six months in jail by the High Court today for illegally smuggled [indistinct amount] snakes to Jakarta without a permit."



What? Okay, wait...

Oh? So, if I have a permit, I can legally smuggle now? Where can I get a form?

Is the newswriter trying too hard? "Smuggle" in a word itself is a violation of law - it's an illegal act. Is the word "permit" even necessary?

English isn't my first language.

Anyone can shed a light?

21.3.11

The longest too

On Friday, Zoky called while I was slaving my work past midnight. She was lost about her work, and her relationship. Just what we both needed at that time. Friends to talk to.

We had the longest phone conversation since.

Before we hang up, she asked what I'll be doing on Saturday. If I could tell her I have a life beyond work, I would. Unfortunately, it won't be it until coming midweek. I playfully suggest her to give me a prison visit. We hung up without promising anything.



Came morning, she called. Will be coming over for lunch! Great!

Working weekend isn't that bad after all, eh?

I left to the office. Continued where I left off while waiting for her to come. It wasn't long when my phone rang. We met up soon after. She was craving for chicken. Specifically the breasts. I'd asked. She wasn't pregnant. Claimed it was yoga. Huh?

Ended up at a pasta place. Since she had no plan, asked if she can come up to lepak. A teman at work! Even better!

We spent the next 5, 6 hours in the office. Side by side. I'm doing my work. She's surfing the net. Occasionally, looked over each others shoulder to kepoh. Had some laugh, had some smoke, had some cotton candy. Time passed - when she asked for dinner, it was already 9.30! We went down before the restaurants are closed. And walked her back to her car.

Exchanged a couple of text after she got home.

I ended my day 2 more hours later.



This is the second time she came up to the office. Also the longest. I was worried that I couldn't concentrate on my work. Surprisingly, it was the most productive time I had in that week. No, it wasn't her. Guess I was overly tensed over the deadline.

Oh! I was in the ladies again.

17.3.11

Does it stick?


I did the mess



As a sticky note, yes.

They used to be the best. At least for my standard of an image library - comes with the largest (in size) low resolution download-able images without watermark (only if you are a registered creative). I've been using them ever since, until recently.

As a gift, it's a cute idea. Good word play and relevant. Simple and straight to the point. It does remind me of them. Thumbs up to the creative team who thought of it.

Branding wise, no. Unless they do something about their product and services. Similar to what the competitor is offering, if not the same. Not just an idea, not
just a word play. Or I'll stick to the competitor.

And bring back
what sticky note should look like.

The old-fashioned, fluorescent papers.

12.3.11

Just a quake one

Quarter passed six.

Was about to call it a day.

Suddenly, I felt dizzy.

I palmed the head, on top of my ears.

Trying to gain my focal point that were never at one spot for long.

Then it stopped.



I was in confusion. I then realized something, and turned to my colleague... it wasn't me!

I logged on to Facebook and wrote on my wall. Apparently, some friends felt it too. From around the city center, down to Singapore. News feed started flooding in. Southern Sumatra had just been struck by a 7.6 earlier!

This was back in '09.

Very subtle, yet felt even on the mezzanine floor of the office.





Stay strong, Japan.

11.3.11

License to kill

Myself.

I was having my puffs at the secret base.

Cat Eyes came in. She was on the phone. Apparently, with someone from the event management. Trying to mind my own business, not to eavesdrop. Daydreaming. Yawning.

She hung up after some time. Finally.



"You have ciggy?"

"Yeah... (offering her)"

"What brand is this? Manchester!?"

"Yeah... for emergency. I don't have ciggy at home. I took my mum's."

"Your mum smokes!?"

"So is my dad. He quit for years now."

"So... you have license 'dy?"



How old am I? Of course I do.

Though my folks smoke, but they are against us to pick up smoking.

I got my license from Mother through bribery.

There was once when her crave kicks in. But she don't have any with her. She came and asked for one. Wait. Before I go any further, I must stress that I was caught by her a number of times before. She "knew" I smoke.



"You have cigarette?"

"... er... yeah... (handing her one)"

"Expensive cigarette, eh?"

"So... are you gonna tell Dad? (Before she could say anything)... Better not. Next time when you're out of stock, at least you can take mine!"



She gave me that look. Quick thinking kan? Opportunities like these must kasi grab punya! I'm a late teen then.

Getting one from Father isn't easy. Took me some years through hard earned, ear-drums-exploding effort experience. His ratio of catching me as compare to Mother was a 1-to-5. Where every 1 time Mother caught me, he did 5 times.
Mother's was through discovery or exploration of my room. He's good! Or pure lucky.

Not only he caught me, but catches me red handed all the time. With a ciggy in my mouth. Or visibly with the burning, bright red tip. At least holding one. From mamak, to public toilet at the place where I'm doing part time, to dropping it off my pants in front of him at Cindy's. Everywhere.

The mamak's was a classic.

I skipped school. Still with uniform. I was there with Since Primary Two, and Pilot 4+2. It was my first stick of the day. Just as I was about to put the bud at my lips, he came in! What the hell!? I really didn't expect that! He's back from work early! Of all days! Seriously...

I turned pale. Lost weight and size right there and then (as claimed by my bros).

He sat down. Ordered a chapati and teh tarik. Gave me a scolding while having his late lunch. My bros left after a while. They kena from him too. I'll spare the details of what happened next.

The "chapati / teh tarik" was made an inside joke up to now.

After many, many years, I was given the license. For free!

I took a 2-week event job up north in Penang. It was my "first" driving-alone-long-distant. So he tag along. And take the opportunity to visit Cindy too while I was there. We left near the wee hours. On the way there...



"If you're tired... sotp the car... tkae smoe rset... have a smoke... hvae a laek... wsah yuor fcae..."

"Wow..."



I was in selective hearings.

There you go. Two different ones.



Looking at the experience I had, don't you agree it's similar to dealing with the G? If you know what I mean.

Bila orang nak, kena kopi.

Bila orang tak mintak, die die dia kasi.

5.3.11

Optimism #23

Half an hour earlier than yesterday.

Tomorrow... I mean... later will be another day. Guess I'll be in and out the office over the weekend. Won't be free until the preso on Tuesday. If we can force the suits to push the deadline.

Well, at least the girls at the mall on weekends are a prettier crowd. *wink*



Contemplating whether or not to bring my boxers, towel and pillow in.

4.3.11

Optimism #19

The beauty of knocking off at 3.30 in the morning is that you own the road for a good 10, 15 minutes.



Have been busy working with babies and children for the past week. Will stalk catch up with you people if the time job briefs permit. Till then, good night and good morning, whichever deems fit.