Ber-Tenaga

Finally, it's all done.

I'm the proud owner of The Home. Mortgage another story lah, of course.

That aside, I'm actually impressed at the professionalism of Tenaga.

No. That was not sarcasm, really.

If you agree, one could loudly say the professionalism in government (linked) departments is a myth - the tidak apa attitude. But after what I have experienced today, it's not an urban legend after all.

Armed with hope, and all required duplicates and forms-filled, we went to the counter only to be disappointed by a system down, halfway processing the transfer. We left the building with a pout and frown.

Barely 5 minutes of driving away from that area, the same staff called. Twice! I missed the first one.



"Our system is back online! You can come back and finished it!"

If you agree again, even if the system is back on, they wouldn't bother to call. Not stereotyping, but true story.

Thumbs up to Ahmad Fazira, if I got the name right. +1 to Tenaga KL-Utara, Sunway Technology Park. And thank you so much for calling back.

On a separate note, I noticed the staffs here are of younger generations. Attentive, and very proactive. Most importantly, also speaks fluent English.

Though good things like these rarely happen, it's worth a pen.

Let this be a record in the Internet.

There is still hope.

Mad Valley

Recently they blocked the road at the south for the construction of don't-know-what-eco-fuck mall and/or an exhibition hall.

Huge diversion of traffic coming in and out of the ring. For those who are not working here, big confusion as they are hesitant in a life-death situation of should-I-turn-or-go-straight moment. That split second creates a wave effect all the way to the adjacent roads around the area.

Monday, like the title suggests, madness! Mad-madness! It was pouring almost the whole day too.

Half an hour into the crawl, I called up Handsome who an hour earlier asked if I wanna have a dinner / drink as he's stuck in the parking - I declined, my bad. Thought the traffic will be better when I leave later - he has just left the barrier at the exit. I then called As Long As Her. She already tak tahan, and went back in the mall.

It took me almost an hour.

An hour from level 6 to level 4A! The ramp of 4A that is. The ramp to level 4 is just a couple of cars away. I can almost smell the paint on the wall of level 4. Almost.

I swerved out the line and park at the first spot I see. Met As Long As Her at Kim and have a drink, while looking at the almost non-moving line of cars.

We left after 9.30-ish.

Some observations throughout the week.

Tuesday. Where is the traffic? Nice!

Wednesday. What is wrong again!? Even worst! People from G and H aren't allow to move over to the Gardens side of the traffic. One, big round to get to wherever you wanted to go. Glad to have stayed up at the office, looking down at the ants.

Thursday. Where the fuck is the traffic? Is there some sort of a game they are playing on us?

Friday. Too drunk to even bother.

For those of you who wants to come over to shop, don't!

It's a trap in here.

Cannot be

"Eh, bro. I gotta go up for a while. Copy check. Be right back."

" 'kay, man."



I continued to chat with the headhunter.

Yes. Half a Macha and yours truly met up with an agent from a reputable, industry talent agency. They dug my details online weeks ago. We've been so caught up with campaigns back to back, haven't got the time to even breathe until now.

I referred him as my partner. To go as team. The interview was not so much of which big boys has opening, but more of an initial get-to-know. First impression thingy lah.

Half a Macha came back not long after.



"Hey, bro! Mama-san wants to see you!"

"Oh, shit..."






























An hour later, I'm back at my cube with a noticeable crescent. I can see Half a Macha's teeth clearly piercing through the dim lights. 12.5 increment for me. Gonna update our salary to the headhunter soon. Anyhow, it's still can not justified the works we have done these couple of years.

We nodded and catch a beer at the end of day. We are still dreaming if we get to step a foot in Brother & Brother abroad.

But did my boss know something's up?

Pure coincidence lah kan?

I'll be (s)watching you

I got my first Swatch 25 years ago. It was a gift from Father.

1987 was also the year I stepped into school. It has been a good companion throughout my primary days. Not to mention, the bragging rights and attention I(t) got - numberless watches are rare then, at least in my memory. Even I can't tell the time correctly. And look at the design. It's in during the mid-80s. No?

Not until recently I found out it's a ladies!

Talking 'bout the mid-midlife crisis, eh? Remember me being a "talent"? Retrostalgia strikes again. I've been searching for it...

I went to collect my Tissot at the Swatch Group this morning before heading to work. The auto-wind went cuckoo recently. Have to masuk kilang a couple of weeks lah. Since I'm there, I asked if they still make old models of Swatches, or had them stored anywhere. Just hoping high lah.

Attractive Attentive Malay lady, by the way. Hmm...

Anyway, they don't.

Swatch only make limited numbers of the same model. Even if you're looking to replace the strap on an older models, it's impossible. Unless you wouldn't mind changing to other strap designs.

Yes. I did write an email to Swatch. Thank you for asking. They tak layan me lah. I have yet to hear from them. I used my work mail, you know? Very professional on my side.

What happened to mine? They are disposable accessories, as quoted in Wiki. It breaks down. The strap snapped. The battery leaked. It turned yellow. Yes! The body is still in this house somewhere the last I saw it!

I guess some things are meant to be carved in memory. But no harm trying, right? I'll bug them again like how I bugged Brand's.

And there's no prize for guessing my age.

Poker face

"Eh... is that a tattoo on your neck?"

"Yeah! It's been weeks."

"I'd always wanted to ask, but just wasn't sure."

"It's a self-reminder, Aunty."

"What's the meaning?"

"Remind myself to be more vocal. To express more."

"Good! Agree! You should!"



Aunty K, being the motherly figure of her, telling me just that. And begins a warm lecture for me to open up. Am I that introvert a person!? Am I that not expressive!?

*Poker face*

I shouldn't be doing advertising!

Las Vegas, here I come!

Inked

It's a on-and-off kinda steam lah.

The thing is, I don't know what I wanted.



My name? Every other person is doing it.

Tribal? Nah. Pilot 4+2 did a modernised tribal on his arm - angular as opposed to the organically shaped ones. That would be nice, if it's big.

I love Yakuza's. Only if it's sleeved. I don't want that huge of an art. Not just yet?

I like Iban's floral patches too. But I was told you need their permissions to do that. Or you'll be head-hunted. Thank you for that.

Bar codes are dated then. So I thought of QR code. But what should I link it to? My Facebook? My portfolio? Or my number? AR code is totally out of the question. Maintaining an AR engine is expensive. This kinda "code" tats will have the same fate as the bar codes later.

Here's an interesting video of a guy who did a QR code tat linked to a Youtube vid of an animation. "First Ever Animated Tattoo" is a misleading title.









The Pair did a couple-tat recently. One of the many that I can see on their body.



"When's your turn lah?"

"Want meh!?"

"A designer must have at least one lah..."

"... a pair of double quotes...?"



Some weeks later, we were having some beers after work. The suits brought two ladies from the mall management to join us. One of them had tats, which triggered the topic. Half a Macha has one on his left calf. Planning to get a new one, and asked if I want to join him. Despite being a little tipsy, the "double quotes" came into my mind again. A little more specific this time - at the front of my neck.

Why double quotes? Why neck? I didn't know, until recently.

Even the tat artist thought I was crazy for having my first one on the neck. Bro labelled me as "hardcore". The one-week anticipation is killing me. Even more when I'm lying on the recliner. Can't get any worst when Since Primary Two telling the tat artist to give me hell, while Fun Size standing outside the room giving me that smile.

With the needles buzzing closer and louder...



"Oh, fuck. Oh. My. Fuck..."






























Huh? What? That's it!?

It's not that bad after all! There are some spots which are more annoying than pain. To a point it's irritating. I have to stop chatting to hold my breath in. And don't believe everything you read on the Internet. "Neck is one of the most painful spot to have a tattoo.". Konon.

What's in between? Nothing. Just the Adam's apple. Just a self reminder.



"Don't keep too much things inside. Express more, Birthmark."



The reason why I started this blog in the first place.

Different people have different pain tolerance, but you can quote me for the painless process.

A small bit of China

Zoky was supposed to go with the then-boyfriend.

They broke up not too long ago. It's non-refundable. Needed a replacement on the queen. Yeah, how you all wished. She later changed the rooms to twins.

One photo a day for the five days I'm there.

Backyard garden of a once corrupted mandarin.

Bistros and pubs at Shanghai.

Wuzhen. An ancient water village.

Wuzhen at dawn. Traditional wedding exhibitions.

An alley at Hangzhou.

I'm back a happy man.

And don't ask. Nothing happened.

A simple nod

"I have not pay the balance to the valuer, you say!?"



When the property valuer were asking for a payment, not once I have missed a call. The bank is rushing them for reports. They are doing a job. Which is fine with me. I paid, and sent a copy of the bank draft. And thank you for reminding me for a report done. I paid, and again, I sent a copy together with the earlier draft.

That was two weeks ago.

Not once I get a ring / text / email / snail mail / pigeon mail / Morse code / smoke signal if they got it. Not once on both payments. Not. Fucking. Once.

Since the figure was discussed over the phone, there is no black and white. I clearly stated in the mail to confirm the deposit and balance. Nada. Till the bank called today. I forwarded the bank drafts right after. And begin a series of complaints to the valuer. Kena fuck kau-kau lah this valuer girl.

She texted later at night for my postal address. Also sent the same message to my mail. Thank you. Thank you so fucking much for waking up.

I really appreciate any, I say, any kind of acknowledgements.

Just a simple nod to make the world smile.

Sunday

With much enthusiasms, I reached slightly over 12.

Unfortunately, I left my tags at home.

For over an hour I was at a kopitiam, armed with my Tissot Classic and boredom. Saw a red. Peeping through a sheer white dress. Cheek length. Somewhat perky. Almost an upskirt.

For the next eight or so hours, I was alternating between my desk and the studio artist's. Checking the visuals. At times, adjusting it on my own. Facebook. Facebook. And more Facebook. Somewhere in between, Since Primary Two tempted me with a Klang seafood suggestion. How I wished I could leave early.

Ended the day with a long awaited, overly priced bak kut teh - client's bill.

That's my Sunday. My beautiful Sunday.

May be long

Not dick. I'm all width and curve.

What you read recently are random slots in between. On a bigger picture, I don't even know where to start. The good? The bad? Maybe, the ugly?

Since Shades left, things are really different with Almost Blind. He is much more intense. Both good and bad, depending on how you see it. Every one of us will have his / her time with him. But thanks to all the ranting and shoulder-lending, we survived.

Soon after, he left too. Our new lady boss brought in a contract-based ECD / CD duo from her ex agency. Half a year for half a day. Half the pair, at times. I would say we are on a wobbling, captain-less ship. True to the heart, no one knows what is going to happened after six months. It's like a dating game.

Many left. Those who are still clinging on, are still looking. Me, no exception. I got an offer at a hot shop through a headhunter which I turned down. These happened in a span of just two days. From the interview, to hiring. Yeah, they needed people that urgently.

The team that I used to know are left with Half a Macha and As Long As Her. Even Diam-Diam that I worked closely with since day one are leaving to pursue her own interest. In fact, Half a Macha almost left. We decided to cling on after some bro-talks. We have been through the small shops and mid sizes. If we're stepping out, we'll make sure to knock on large doors. I don't want to go through these all over again too.

We've got a dream brief from a new client. Briefs like these are so rare that many creatives might not get it in their lifetime. If we manage to pull it off, it will be a talk of the industry. If not, we got nothing to lose. Just take it as David and Goliath. We are David.

Got my appraisal recently. I've worked hard for the past two years. I expected for a big raise. I've even updated the management of the intentions and offers I got, before and after the appraisal. Fingers crossed for now.

Business are booming. New clients. More projects from existing ones. Replacements ada, but not enough to fill the lost and gap. Looks suffocating, but not once I have to work late or on the weekends.

Well that's a lie.

Worked once to midnight. Once up to 2am. And once at 7.30 in the morning for the past six months. Not a day on the weekend. Not bad for an agency what! New bosses, new ways of working. I love it now.

On a even brighter side, I bought my first property.

Fun Size's parents shifted there last year. And said I will love it. Had a visit on their Christmas party and I fell in love with that place. And so the scouting begins. With the value of money that we had now, many said it is hard to buy one. I couldn't agree more. My savings are almost dry up.

Not to forget the stacks and stacks of legal documents that I need to initial on. Fast forward to today, I've just signed the last piece of document.

Thank you!