Easr43Street wishes all visitors a prosperous New Year 2011.
Friday, 31 December 2010
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
LIN DAN THE GOLIATH OR JUST A LITTLE CHICKEN LIN?
THE STAR
Thursday January 21, 2010
By CHOW HOW BAN
By CHOW HOW BAN
Lin Dan: Why I’m still out of action
BEIJING: Recent impressive performances by Lee Chong Wei have raised the alarm on Chinese badminton star Lin Dan.
BEIJING: Recent impressive performances by Lee Chong Wei have raised the alarm on Chinese badminton star Lin Dan.
The world No. 2, who withdrew from the Malaysian Open, said that his arch rival showed great promises in the Korean Open, winning the title without dropping a game in five matches last week.
“Although I did not go to Seoul, I followed the tournament closely. Chong Wei is now really in great form. He is a very well-rounded and world-class player,” Lin Dan told sports.cn from his training base here on Tuesday.
On why he withdrew from the Malaysian Open, Lin Dan said that he wanted to train harder and regain tip-top form before going to Kuala Lumpur to compete in the tournament.
“But I have not adjusted to the best of condition. If I go for competitions in a hurry, I will not only be unable to play to my best ability but I will also risk getting injured,” he said.
He added that it was inevitable that other Chinese singles players, Chen Jin and Bao Chunlai, could not play to their true ability in the Korean Open as they had not been training systematically thus far.
Lin Dan said that he would start his season with the defence of the All-England title in Birmingham in March.
Note :
East43Street always believe that Lin Dan is a much better player than Lee Chong Wei and couldn't wait for another clash between the two world class champions in The Malaysian Open. East43Street has no longer believe that. The act of pulling out of tournament when learning that your opponent is in top form is not admirable at all. Lin Dan is not sick or anything. Come on Lin Dan, or you are just a little chicken Lin.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
HAS PETRONAS BEEN LESS PATRIOTIC BY SPONSORING MERCEDES GP RATHER THAN MALAYSIAN-BACKED LOTUS F1?
Lotus F1 has lost Petronas sponsorship bid to Mercedes GP. With Petronas on their stable, Mercedes GP is now known as Mercedes GP Petronas. This event has drawn a lot of local criticism mainly on how Petronas is less patriotic for not sponsoring Malaysian-backed Lotus F1 team.From day one of its inception, Petronas has been all about serious business and has never been in 'syok sendiri' mode. Sponsoring an untested Malaysian-backed team is just another 'syok sendiri' affair which is appeared not to be in Petronas vocabulary. A bet between Tony Fernandes, the Lotus F1 Team Principal and Richard Branson, the Virgin Racing Team Principal on which team would be in front is a clear evident of a Malaysian 'syok sendiri' story. Tony vowed to get Richard to wear Air Asia's flight assistant outfit and to serve on Air Asia's flight. Yes, it is good to read, but it doesn't impress Petronas at all. It won't contribute to Petronas high performance fuel and lubricant global business. In short, it would be a gain to Tony but none to Petronas rather than to get Petronas' logo displayed on the Lotus F1 cars during the races, if Lotus F1 cars ever made it to the camera. Well, it may not been covered at all if the cars left as the back markers during the races.
Azam Aris had said in the Edge of 11 January 2010, "So, in this scenario, sponsoring the Mercedes team is the perfect platform for the national oil corporation to continue its business development journey via F1. Branding wise, the exposure that Mercedes gets thorough various mediums, notably television and media - especially with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher as the driver for the 2010 season is a sure winner. Petronas , which now gets back its corporate green colour on the team ensures the name Malaysia is also on the livery of the Mercedes GP Petronas team."
According to Aris, "on the lubricant side, Petronas will be the OEM supplier (notably Syntium) to Mercedes' operations and market in China, the UK and Turkey where Petronas lubricant will be used as "first field oil" (one fill by the manufacturer during production) and subsequently, in the "service field" as the factory recommended oil. China, which is the fastest growing lubricant market in the world, is certainly a place where Petronas want to be."
This is definitely a winning situation for Petronas. It may increase the 2% command of world lubricant market that it already has. As for patriotism, by establishing a renowned global Malaysian brand is more than what we could asked from Petronas.
Saturday, 31 October 2009
IBRAHEEM MOUJOOD AND HIS MANY TRIPS TO PILGRIMAGE
A few my friends had flown to Mecca for pilgrimage in the Haj season this year. As a Muslim, we are required to go for pilgrimage in Mecca for at least once if we can afford it. Upon praying for their safe return, I suddenly remembered an old acquaintance of some 20 years ago. His name is Ibraheem Moujood.
He was working as a chauffer in Baghdad with office where I worked. A pious Sri Lankan Muslim, Ibraheem Moujoud had never missed his 5 times a day prayer. Ha had performed Haj for more than four times in Mecca. His wife and children lived in Colombo and Ibraheem sent them monthly subsistence without fail. A good man he was.
I sometime spent a few hours in his living quarters, especially after finishing my work late in the evening. He made a good curry and I often help myself to the kitchen and ate his curry with whatever available there.
Ibraheem liked to drink. He always had a few type of alcoholic drinks under his bed. He was a habitual drinker. It was good that he didn't drink while working, or otherwise I would be the first person to get him terminated from his job. This was made known to him and he did not dare mix his drinking habit with his work.
During my few visits to his quarters, I repeatedly argued with him that it is useless to pray five times a day without fail and performed haj many times if he is still drinking. Ibraheem just came out with a simple answer. For him, he can do as much sins as he can and all the sins would be washed out when he went to pilgirmage in Mecca.
I do not know exactly how this is correctly interpreted in Islam, but I totally don't agree with Ibraheem. To me getting rid of your sin is not as simple as washing your clothes. For those who went to Mecca for Haj and thought that they can simply wash away whatever sins and misdeeds they may have done, well, they should try to think again.
As for Ibraheem, I have never heard of him again. Probably the number of his trips to Mecca has quardrupled over the years.
He was working as a chauffer in Baghdad with office where I worked. A pious Sri Lankan Muslim, Ibraheem Moujoud had never missed his 5 times a day prayer. Ha had performed Haj for more than four times in Mecca. His wife and children lived in Colombo and Ibraheem sent them monthly subsistence without fail. A good man he was.
I sometime spent a few hours in his living quarters, especially after finishing my work late in the evening. He made a good curry and I often help myself to the kitchen and ate his curry with whatever available there.
Ibraheem liked to drink. He always had a few type of alcoholic drinks under his bed. He was a habitual drinker. It was good that he didn't drink while working, or otherwise I would be the first person to get him terminated from his job. This was made known to him and he did not dare mix his drinking habit with his work.
During my few visits to his quarters, I repeatedly argued with him that it is useless to pray five times a day without fail and performed haj many times if he is still drinking. Ibraheem just came out with a simple answer. For him, he can do as much sins as he can and all the sins would be washed out when he went to pilgirmage in Mecca.
I do not know exactly how this is correctly interpreted in Islam, but I totally don't agree with Ibraheem. To me getting rid of your sin is not as simple as washing your clothes. For those who went to Mecca for Haj and thought that they can simply wash away whatever sins and misdeeds they may have done, well, they should try to think again.
As for Ibraheem, I have never heard of him again. Probably the number of his trips to Mecca has quardrupled over the years.
Saturday, 20 June 2009
TRADERS CAUGHT BY SHARP MARKET PULLBACK
PETALING JAYA: The sharp market pullback this week caught many traders by surprise but analysts feel that the uptrend remains intact in the longer term.
“Valuations were too rich and a correction is healthy,” Kenanga Research head of research Yeonzon Yeow said.
The index had climbed 30% since the middle of March before correction set in earlier this week. From a peak of 1,095.91 points on June 12, the KL Composite Index (KLCI) dropped to a low of 1,052.48 on Thursday.
“I think there’s still about 10% to 15% of correction to go from the peak,” Yeow said.
“When we start seeing real economic recovery after the third quarter of this year and fresh catalysts come onstream, the market will react positively.”
Areca Capital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Danny Wong also remains bullish on the market in the medium to longer term. “I actually think this is the start of a bull run and investors should accumulate on weakness,” he said.
“Asia will take the lead in the next couple of years. Compared with the pre-Asian financial crisis days, our gearing levels are lower, earnings stronger and we have a more resilient banking system.
“Already, we are near the bottom or off bottom, of an economic recovery.
“As equity recovery generally moves six months ahead of an economic recovery, I would say we are at the beginning of a bull run,” Wong said.
Aberdeen Asset Management Sdn Bhd managing director Gerald Ambrose concurs. “With interest rates down all over the world, money tends to find its way to the most attractive investment and to me, that’s Asia,” he said.
However, he feels that the KLCI is going to “wobble around in this trading range for a very long time”.
“I don’t feel a soaring confidence about the West; my gut feel is that momentum has gone there, and if we are going to be following them, it’s going to be difficult,” Ambrose said. “Certain quarters have priced in a full recovery there (but), I don’t believe in that.”
Pong Teng Siew, head of research at Jupiter Securities, believes the liquidity, which had been driving the market up in the recent rally, has reached its tail-end.
“The recent rally in Malaysia was supported primarily by domestic funds. The next peak might not happen until later this year as foreign funds gradually move into emerging markets following the easing of the interest rates there,” he said.
Source : The Star Saturday June 20, 2009
By Yvonne Tan
east43street:
Yes it is a heavy correction. After correcting downward, it will start to correct upward. There are so many companies so cheap out there. It is still not too late to own a good pick.
“Valuations were too rich and a correction is healthy,” Kenanga Research head of research Yeonzon Yeow said.
The index had climbed 30% since the middle of March before correction set in earlier this week. From a peak of 1,095.91 points on June 12, the KL Composite Index (KLCI) dropped to a low of 1,052.48 on Thursday.
“I think there’s still about 10% to 15% of correction to go from the peak,” Yeow said.
“When we start seeing real economic recovery after the third quarter of this year and fresh catalysts come onstream, the market will react positively.”
Areca Capital Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Danny Wong also remains bullish on the market in the medium to longer term. “I actually think this is the start of a bull run and investors should accumulate on weakness,” he said.
“Asia will take the lead in the next couple of years. Compared with the pre-Asian financial crisis days, our gearing levels are lower, earnings stronger and we have a more resilient banking system.
“Already, we are near the bottom or off bottom, of an economic recovery.
“As equity recovery generally moves six months ahead of an economic recovery, I would say we are at the beginning of a bull run,” Wong said.
Aberdeen Asset Management Sdn Bhd managing director Gerald Ambrose concurs. “With interest rates down all over the world, money tends to find its way to the most attractive investment and to me, that’s Asia,” he said.
However, he feels that the KLCI is going to “wobble around in this trading range for a very long time”.
“I don’t feel a soaring confidence about the West; my gut feel is that momentum has gone there, and if we are going to be following them, it’s going to be difficult,” Ambrose said. “Certain quarters have priced in a full recovery there (but), I don’t believe in that.”
Pong Teng Siew, head of research at Jupiter Securities, believes the liquidity, which had been driving the market up in the recent rally, has reached its tail-end.
“The recent rally in Malaysia was supported primarily by domestic funds. The next peak might not happen until later this year as foreign funds gradually move into emerging markets following the easing of the interest rates there,” he said.
Source : The Star Saturday June 20, 2009
By Yvonne Tan
east43street:
Yes it is a heavy correction. After correcting downward, it will start to correct upward. There are so many companies so cheap out there. It is still not too late to own a good pick.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
MY GOOD FRIEND AND HIS ADOPTED DAUGHTER
A long lost friend visited me yesterday. We became friend a long time ago, way back in 1989.
Yes, it was twenty years ago.
He still looked the same. A same person, except that he is now in a different stature. He is going to a country representing the King, the SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong. He is a new Ambassador of Malaysia to that country.
He had five passports in his hand and he showed me one of them, a brown covered passport. I took it and realised that it was a travel document called Certificate of Identity, belonged to a pretty five years old girl. It was actually not a passport, but can be used to travel in-leiu of passport.
He told me that he had adopted the girl and the girl cannot be issued a proper passport because she is stateless. Meaning that she is not a citizen of Malaysia and also not a citizen of any other country. Her mother, an Indonesian lady abandoned her five days after gave birth to her in Malaysia. Because she was abandoned right after birth, no one can register her birth in the Indosesian Embassy to claim her citizenship as the right to register is only accorded to her maternal parents, who had already disappeared.
After hearing the story, I knew that my friend is taking a huge responsibility. Not only he will look after the girl's welfare, he would also have to accept the girl as his own. When she grows up, she will definitely ask a lot of questions about her identity as she is diferent from other siblings. Any wrong words from the family members would have a huge consequences.
I asked a quite important question to my friend. Would he take the girl as his own and he said yes. I asked him another question, if he considered the girl as his own, is he going to distribute his asset and property fairly between his children including the adopted girl knowing it very well that the girl is not entitled even a single cent from his estate. He told me that he knows it very well that the girl would not be entitled of anything in the event of his death under the Islamic Law of the country. But he had already vowed that the girl is one of his own. To make sure the girl would get a fair share of his estate, he transfered one of his plots of land in Kedah under the adopted girl's name and the land is left under a trustee until the girl reached the age to hold the property. He told me that if he dies tomorrow, he will die happy because he did not abandon the girl, not just like the girl's real mother abandoned her.
The law may not recognised the girl as his own child, but his action would secure her welfare and she would have no doubt as being part of the family.
I was amazed. Not everybody have the same heart as my friend.
I wish him well for his new ambassadorship. May god bless him.
Yes, it was twenty years ago.
He still looked the same. A same person, except that he is now in a different stature. He is going to a country representing the King, the SPB Yang DiPertuan Agong. He is a new Ambassador of Malaysia to that country.
He had five passports in his hand and he showed me one of them, a brown covered passport. I took it and realised that it was a travel document called Certificate of Identity, belonged to a pretty five years old girl. It was actually not a passport, but can be used to travel in-leiu of passport.
He told me that he had adopted the girl and the girl cannot be issued a proper passport because she is stateless. Meaning that she is not a citizen of Malaysia and also not a citizen of any other country. Her mother, an Indonesian lady abandoned her five days after gave birth to her in Malaysia. Because she was abandoned right after birth, no one can register her birth in the Indosesian Embassy to claim her citizenship as the right to register is only accorded to her maternal parents, who had already disappeared.
After hearing the story, I knew that my friend is taking a huge responsibility. Not only he will look after the girl's welfare, he would also have to accept the girl as his own. When she grows up, she will definitely ask a lot of questions about her identity as she is diferent from other siblings. Any wrong words from the family members would have a huge consequences.
I asked a quite important question to my friend. Would he take the girl as his own and he said yes. I asked him another question, if he considered the girl as his own, is he going to distribute his asset and property fairly between his children including the adopted girl knowing it very well that the girl is not entitled even a single cent from his estate. He told me that he knows it very well that the girl would not be entitled of anything in the event of his death under the Islamic Law of the country. But he had already vowed that the girl is one of his own. To make sure the girl would get a fair share of his estate, he transfered one of his plots of land in Kedah under the adopted girl's name and the land is left under a trustee until the girl reached the age to hold the property. He told me that if he dies tomorrow, he will die happy because he did not abandon the girl, not just like the girl's real mother abandoned her.
The law may not recognised the girl as his own child, but his action would secure her welfare and she would have no doubt as being part of the family.
I was amazed. Not everybody have the same heart as my friend.
I wish him well for his new ambassadorship. May god bless him.
Monday, 23 March 2009
BANDWIDTH SPEED TEST
Today is probably one of the best day for me. I switched on my computer, go to the internet and I noticed the speed is a bit fast. I go to the Bandwidth Place Speed Test, click the test and I found out that my speed today is 780 kilobits per second. Wow! The fastest since I got home 6 months ago.
I normally got 175 kilobits per second for the suppossedly 1 MB bandwidth that I paid monthly. When opening the account, they told me that I should get at least 800 kilobits per second. I gave up complaining to Streamyx Service Centre and adopted a wait and see attitude. Just to see how long they would resolve it. It took them 3 months. Repeat 3 months. Bravo TM Net. I almost gave up posting a new entry in this blog.
By the way, when I was in London, the minimum speed was 1.5MB per second, and I used to get 2MB per second.
That was then.
I normally got 175 kilobits per second for the suppossedly 1 MB bandwidth that I paid monthly. When opening the account, they told me that I should get at least 800 kilobits per second. I gave up complaining to Streamyx Service Centre and adopted a wait and see attitude. Just to see how long they would resolve it. It took them 3 months. Repeat 3 months. Bravo TM Net. I almost gave up posting a new entry in this blog.
By the way, when I was in London, the minimum speed was 1.5MB per second, and I used to get 2MB per second.
That was then.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
WISHING YOU HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009
Frau Shin, Fräulein Rotkopf, Fräulein Lilz, Ketot (the street cat that we brought home) and me wish all visitors and commentors of this blog a very Happy New Year 2009. May year 2009 be ours.
To all bloggers linked to this site, I wish you all a prosperous 2009.
To all bloggers linked to this site, I wish you all a prosperous 2009.
Ketot in his own world
Sunday, 14 December 2008
INTERNET CONNECTION FINALLY..... PHEW..
After 3 months without internet at home, I finally got the connection yesterday, after fighting with the streamyx technical support for 3 previous sleepless nights. I collected a dubious looking modem from their agent's shop and I couldn't connect to the internet. The technical support when called, kept on blaming my notebook which forced me to switch to my daughter's computer and yet still no connection. I told them that there must be something wrong with the modem for the last 3 nights but they insisted that the modem was okay because 'the link light was stable'. I finally shouted to them on the fourth night that their modem was made in Puchong and I wanted a replacement or else. They sent me a new modem yesterday and when connected, I got my internet straight away. Bravo streamyx for making my life and I believe others also, difficult.
With the internet connection working, I hope I will be able to update regularly, I hope.
With the internet connection working, I hope I will be able to update regularly, I hope.
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
BETWEEN AUTOCRATIC AND NOT UP TO THE STANDARD
I had short conversation with a few old friends during tea break today. This one particular friend had been praising the current PM for allowing his ministers to speak out of their mind so freely unlike during the 22 years reign of PM Mahathir. He said PM Mahathir had run his cabinet ministers so autocraticly that nobody were allowed to speak.
Hmmm.... this particular friend must be a true believer of Malaysiakini, a convert of Karpalism or idolising the erected Anwar's giant cutout statue in Batu Caves.
Please bear in mind that during PM Mahathir reign, non of his cabinet ministers ever come close to his standard. During the cabinet meetings, most of them couldn't answer the questions thrown by Mahathir to them. They couldn't speak up because either they were not prepared of they were caught wrong footed.
Those days when Singapore was still in the Federation, there were 8 maverick MPs from Singapore. They were very smart and very sharp, and of course one of them was Lee Kuan Yew. The only MPs that can argue with them were Dr. Mahathir and Dr. Ismail (the late Tun Dr. Ismail).
Ask if any of the present cabinet ministers to be at par with Dr. Mahathir, Dr. Ismail and Lee Kuan Yew. The answer is none.
So, if you could not even come close to the standard of Tun Dr. Mahathir, don't blame him if you could not speak up your mind to him.
Hmmm.... this particular friend must be a true believer of Malaysiakini, a convert of Karpalism or idolising the erected Anwar's giant cutout statue in Batu Caves.
Please bear in mind that during PM Mahathir reign, non of his cabinet ministers ever come close to his standard. During the cabinet meetings, most of them couldn't answer the questions thrown by Mahathir to them. They couldn't speak up because either they were not prepared of they were caught wrong footed.
Those days when Singapore was still in the Federation, there were 8 maverick MPs from Singapore. They were very smart and very sharp, and of course one of them was Lee Kuan Yew. The only MPs that can argue with them were Dr. Mahathir and Dr. Ismail (the late Tun Dr. Ismail).
Ask if any of the present cabinet ministers to be at par with Dr. Mahathir, Dr. Ismail and Lee Kuan Yew. The answer is none.
So, if you could not even come close to the standard of Tun Dr. Mahathir, don't blame him if you could not speak up your mind to him.
Monday, 22 September 2008
LOOSE ENDS
I am already back in KL for good and it is already for more than a week now. What a hectic life. It started with getting the children to school immediately a day after touched down while staying in a hotel for almost a week. Followed by searching for a house to rent in a few different locations. Fighting with traffics. Getting lost on the road (this is the worst part). Setting up phone and utilities accounts. Fasting month. All in all I have lost more than 5 kg. Not bad at all.
Now for the loose ends.
1. September 16 Just Passed By
The famous 'Black-Eyed September' ten years ago is not being remembered at all. September 16, 2008 just passed without being noticed. The so called new government is not happening. His credibility is tarnished. Has he got the froggy MPs? Yes, I believe he got the names. But just the names. Has he got the signed declaration by these MPs? The answer is of course no. Has he got the signed declarations, he would have paraded them and rally in a big way to the parliament and the King. Now he is in a face saving mode. Plan number one, request the PM to convene parliament emergency sitting, to put forward the motion of no confidence to the PM himself. What a joke. Can you imagine the PM is calling the parliament's emergency sitting to remove himself.
Plan number two to go to the King. This is the biggest face saving tactic. Of course we can expect the King to advise him not to go ahead with his plan for sake of national interest. He will play this to his advantage. He will heed to the King's advise and will not to go ahead with his plan in the name of full respect to the King. His face is saved, hoping that nobody would notice.
Just wait and see.
2. The World's Financial Crisis
The new Finance Minister declared that the re-pegging of the Ringgit is not necessary at the moment. He added that the Malaysian economy is resilient and has a little exposure to the US subprime financial crisis. This is quite true due to the fact that Malaysian banks unllike Singapore, do not practice selling and re-selling over and over again the mortgage papers, letters of guarantee, junk bonds and a lot more financial derivatives which became cancerous to the US financial system (imagine selling and re-selling the same papers for so many times, it is just like a 'Pak Man Telo' or 'Labu Peram' get rich schemes) . Although worried of the domino effect to the Malaysian economy, Tun Mahathir must be laughing to the US right now because he had predicted the scenario much earlier, but nobody bother to listen to him.
Successful US technologies like Microsoft, HP and many more are buying back their stock in a big way. Microsoft is spending US$40 billions for this buyback scheme. Good for them as they are buying back their stock at the low price at present. They are actually protecting their interest. Successful Malaysian companies should do the same as their counters are traded so cheap in the KLSE. For those who has cash, I think this is the time to buy these oversold shares in the KLSE. Most good counters are traded more than 50% below their actual value.
Now for the loose ends.
1. September 16 Just Passed By
The famous 'Black-Eyed September' ten years ago is not being remembered at all. September 16, 2008 just passed without being noticed. The so called new government is not happening. His credibility is tarnished. Has he got the froggy MPs? Yes, I believe he got the names. But just the names. Has he got the signed declaration by these MPs? The answer is of course no. Has he got the signed declarations, he would have paraded them and rally in a big way to the parliament and the King. Now he is in a face saving mode. Plan number one, request the PM to convene parliament emergency sitting, to put forward the motion of no confidence to the PM himself. What a joke. Can you imagine the PM is calling the parliament's emergency sitting to remove himself.
Plan number two to go to the King. This is the biggest face saving tactic. Of course we can expect the King to advise him not to go ahead with his plan for sake of national interest. He will play this to his advantage. He will heed to the King's advise and will not to go ahead with his plan in the name of full respect to the King. His face is saved, hoping that nobody would notice.
Just wait and see.
2. The World's Financial Crisis
The new Finance Minister declared that the re-pegging of the Ringgit is not necessary at the moment. He added that the Malaysian economy is resilient and has a little exposure to the US subprime financial crisis. This is quite true due to the fact that Malaysian banks unllike Singapore, do not practice selling and re-selling over and over again the mortgage papers, letters of guarantee, junk bonds and a lot more financial derivatives which became cancerous to the US financial system (imagine selling and re-selling the same papers for so many times, it is just like a 'Pak Man Telo' or 'Labu Peram' get rich schemes) . Although worried of the domino effect to the Malaysian economy, Tun Mahathir must be laughing to the US right now because he had predicted the scenario much earlier, but nobody bother to listen to him.
Successful US technologies like Microsoft, HP and many more are buying back their stock in a big way. Microsoft is spending US$40 billions for this buyback scheme. Good for them as they are buying back their stock at the low price at present. They are actually protecting their interest. Successful Malaysian companies should do the same as their counters are traded so cheap in the KLSE. For those who has cash, I think this is the time to buy these oversold shares in the KLSE. Most good counters are traded more than 50% below their actual value.
Saturday, 30 August 2008
THE STORY OF FOUR PEOPLE
It happened in almost every workplace, mine included. This is an old story about four people:
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it.
Everybody was sure Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about it because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that.
Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when actually Nobody asked Anybody.
Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it.
Everybody was sure Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about it because it was Everybody's job.
Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that.
Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when actually Nobody asked Anybody.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
HOME SWEET HOME
In a couple of weeks I will be home for good. Should be there in the middle of Ramadhan and I will have Aidil Fitri in my hometown. It is not the Aidil Fitri that really matter to me, but seeing my mother is that I am looking forward so much. My mother has been sick for quite some time and I have been away for almost 9 years. Yes I am guilty for being away for so long and I am going to make amend to that. I am looking forward to see my mother in every available weekends that I have.
I also missed the lake just behind my mother's house and I look forward to bring my youngest girl fishing whenever we are there.
Home, here I come.
I also missed the lake just behind my mother's house and I look forward to bring my youngest girl fishing whenever we are there.
Home, here I come.
Sunday, 29 June 2008
GOLF, NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN
I always wanted to play golf, but I have never made an attempt to start. In 2002 when I was on duty trip to Cairo, I met by previous boss who did his best to talk me to start taking up golf. Despite my natural interest for golf, I still couldn't bring myself to the game. Probably I just don't want to leave my two girls in the weekends as golf could take the entire Saturday or Sunday.
But last week for some unknown reason, I bought a second hand golf set. I got a good friend to bring me to the driving range and he taught me and the Mrs to swing. He is good, probably by being a single handicapper and a regular tournaments leader. As for my swings, not too bad for a beginner. It cost £4.00 for 60 balls, not a bad price at all.
For the unknown reason, I think I have to blame it on the Wii console that I bought a few weeks ago. Golf looks so easy in Wii. The girls and I managed to get load of birdies and quite some eagles. But in the real golf, to hit the ball correctly is so difficult. I just learned that at the driving range.
Well let see if I am going to stick for the golf in Wii or golf in the real world.
In the meantime, do enjoy this video, forwarded by a friend, again. Korean trade unions struggle is a weird passion and the character fits that passion well.
But last week for some unknown reason, I bought a second hand golf set. I got a good friend to bring me to the driving range and he taught me and the Mrs to swing. He is good, probably by being a single handicapper and a regular tournaments leader. As for my swings, not too bad for a beginner. It cost £4.00 for 60 balls, not a bad price at all.
For the unknown reason, I think I have to blame it on the Wii console that I bought a few weeks ago. Golf looks so easy in Wii. The girls and I managed to get load of birdies and quite some eagles. But in the real golf, to hit the ball correctly is so difficult. I just learned that at the driving range.
Well let see if I am going to stick for the golf in Wii or golf in the real world.
In the meantime, do enjoy this video, forwarded by a friend, again. Korean trade unions struggle is a weird passion and the character fits that passion well.
Sunday, 22 June 2008
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I went for a lunch with an old friend recently. Having a good time and caught-up with some good old days stuff that day. The thing that I am writing here is not about my good old friend or about the good old time stuff, but the manner how we are dealing with the ruthless or arrogant waiters or waitress who served us.
On this particular day, not only the waiter brought the wrong order, but he had refused to admit his mistake and responded to us in a very rude manner. I wanted to have my order changed and I wanted to see the manager. At this point my friend stopped me from getting the new order, but he let me see the manager. He said he will explain later on why he didn't want me to have my food changed.
At our request, the manager saw me and he apologised. He even offered me the new plate with the correct order, but my friend told him that we are okay with the present food. Since I was not changing for a new plate, the manager offered me half price for the food that afternoon. Not bad at all.
At coffee my friend told me that he was once worked as an assistant chef in one of the pubs in KL. He told me that he was in the same situation while working there. Being busy and tired, they, the people at the back kitchen did not like complains from the manager and most of the time the cook would spit in the replacement plate before being delivered to the complaining patron. I was shocked. Now I know why he refused to let me have my replacement order.
A lesson learnt that day. Do not let our food to be prepared at the mercy of other people who we do not come to term with.
Anyway, please enjoy this video, forwarded by a friend. You probably have seen it anyway.
On this particular day, not only the waiter brought the wrong order, but he had refused to admit his mistake and responded to us in a very rude manner. I wanted to have my order changed and I wanted to see the manager. At this point my friend stopped me from getting the new order, but he let me see the manager. He said he will explain later on why he didn't want me to have my food changed.
At our request, the manager saw me and he apologised. He even offered me the new plate with the correct order, but my friend told him that we are okay with the present food. Since I was not changing for a new plate, the manager offered me half price for the food that afternoon. Not bad at all.
At coffee my friend told me that he was once worked as an assistant chef in one of the pubs in KL. He told me that he was in the same situation while working there. Being busy and tired, they, the people at the back kitchen did not like complains from the manager and most of the time the cook would spit in the replacement plate before being delivered to the complaining patron. I was shocked. Now I know why he refused to let me have my replacement order.
A lesson learnt that day. Do not let our food to be prepared at the mercy of other people who we do not come to term with.
Anyway, please enjoy this video, forwarded by a friend. You probably have seen it anyway.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
HOW TO BEAT THE FUEL PRICE HIKE? GROW A LOT OF BANANAS AND SELL THE LEAVES
Once upon a time on one lazy Sunday afternoon, I asked the Mrs. to make some 'lepat pisang' and in response she asked me to go to Wing Yip to get some banana leaves. So, off I went to buy the illusive banana leaves, the item that is reserved only for the the rich and famous.
In Wing Yip, the banana leaves were sold in the vegetable section, hidden among the 'kangkungs' and the long beans. Grabbed a packet and straight I went to the cashier. The taste of the freshly steamed 'lepat pisang' to go with the afternoon tea is already in my mind. The cashier scanned the packet and looked at me. 'Sir, the price is £4.82, do you still want it' she asked. I almost jumped. The last time I bought banana leaves there, the price was between £1 to £2. This time the price was more than double. But without the banana leaves I won't have my 'lepat pisang' that afternoon. So I just closed my eyes and paid £4.82 (RM30) for 575 grams of banana leaves.
Back home the Mrs asked, 'how much?'. I replied, 'macam biasa je'. So I got my lepat pisang that day. I felt like eating the 'lepat' together with all the banana leaves when thinking the exorbitant price that I had paid.
But what to do. If you want something, you just have to pay for the price.
In Wing Yip, the banana leaves were sold in the vegetable section, hidden among the 'kangkungs' and the long beans. Grabbed a packet and straight I went to the cashier. The taste of the freshly steamed 'lepat pisang' to go with the afternoon tea is already in my mind. The cashier scanned the packet and looked at me. 'Sir, the price is £4.82, do you still want it' she asked. I almost jumped. The last time I bought banana leaves there, the price was between £1 to £2. This time the price was more than double. But without the banana leaves I won't have my 'lepat pisang' that afternoon. So I just closed my eyes and paid £4.82 (RM30) for 575 grams of banana leaves.
Back home the Mrs asked, 'how much?'. I replied, 'macam biasa je'. So I got my lepat pisang that day. I felt like eating the 'lepat' together with all the banana leaves when thinking the exorbitant price that I had paid.
But what to do. If you want something, you just have to pay for the price.
Friday, 13 June 2008
BLOGGING CROSSROAD
When I started blogging, I just wanted to write about the good old days and a few experience in trading in stock market. Only lately I started writing about some political situation in Malaysia, which I slowly found to be petty and boring. Issues brought by the opposition are petty, response by the ruling coalition are petty and highlights by a few bloggers are also petty. I don't have to add myself and my blog to the list and therefore I will try not to write about politics anymore.
God bless our country.
God bless our country.
Monday, 14 April 2008
THE CIRCUS IS IN TOWN. ACT 1 - KHALID IBRAHIM, TERESA KOK AND THEIR PIG FARM
Khalid Ibrahim and Teresa Kok had proudly announced the development of the biggest pig farm in the country, probably the biggest in the South East Asia. It is very clear that they are implementing the concept of ‘Malaysia Boleh’ that was incepted by Mahathir Mohammed quite some time ago, which made me wonder if there is any different between the BN and the PR. The pig farm is claimed to set an example for other states in Malaysia to follow. Wow, a grand PR vision, probably bigger than Vision 2020.
Well now it is clear that the first priority of the PR government is to have a mega modern pig farm and Selangor is taking the lead. Probably more to come when Anwar becomes the Prime Minister.
The play will become more interesting soon when the reaction of the local residence fell into deaf ears of the PR leaders. If they don’t listen, they too would become just like the BN, out of touch with the people.
The next time Teresa having a roast party, please don’t forget to invite Anwar Ibrahim, Khalid Ibrahim and all the Tuan Gurus from PAS. The more, the merrier. After all there are a lot more roast to come after the project is completed.
What a circus. A good show Pakatan Rakyat.
Well now it is clear that the first priority of the PR government is to have a mega modern pig farm and Selangor is taking the lead. Probably more to come when Anwar becomes the Prime Minister.
The play will become more interesting soon when the reaction of the local residence fell into deaf ears of the PR leaders. If they don’t listen, they too would become just like the BN, out of touch with the people.
The next time Teresa having a roast party, please don’t forget to invite Anwar Ibrahim, Khalid Ibrahim and all the Tuan Gurus from PAS. The more, the merrier. After all there are a lot more roast to come after the project is completed.
What a circus. A good show Pakatan Rakyat.
Sunday, 6 April 2008
IT IS SNOWING IN APRIL
Last week we had just adjusted our watch to add one hour ahead, for the daylight saving time, which mean spring is already here. But today, yes.... today we have snow fall......... in April? Whatever happened to mother nature. It was not snowing in winter, but it is snowing in spring.
The tulips that came out are covered by snow. I hope the tulips will still be there tomorrow.
The tulips that came out are covered by snow. I hope the tulips will still be there tomorrow.
The front neighbour's children are playing in the snow. They must be missing the snow for the last whole year. Noticed the little girl with a pink teddy bear, she is cute.
A visitor came by in the snow. This shot is dedicated to Ms. Foxy who despised the 'musang'.
The view of the house from the backyard in snow.
Thursday, 3 April 2008
KLSE, A VERY WEIRD AND STRANGE MARKET
Have you noticed the behaviour of KLSE lately? Noticed that there are a lot of companies with a good returns, but their share prices are cascading down. MAS has returned to the black, but its share is going down. Air Asia's profit and its fleets are increasing, but its share is going down. Even the house itself, the Bursa Malaysia Berhad has made 123% profit for the year 2007, but its share too is also going down. Likewise to all other profitable companies.
When the rest of the Asian's markets are going up, KLSE is going down. So, what is happening? Is it in any way related to the non-confidence of the government? The political uncertainty? Or Malaysia is no longer attractive politically and economically to the international financial community, which resulted the foreign funds just stop pouring in?
Or because everybody are busy reading Khir Toyo's blog?
When the rest of the Asian's markets are going up, KLSE is going down. So, what is happening? Is it in any way related to the non-confidence of the government? The political uncertainty? Or Malaysia is no longer attractive politically and economically to the international financial community, which resulted the foreign funds just stop pouring in?
Or because everybody are busy reading Khir Toyo's blog?
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