As 2012 Marches to a close ...

This is the year of speculation about doomsday ... the question is if it will come true ... and if it does which dates? 20.12.2012 or 12.12.2012 or 31.12.2012 or ...? While whether this is going to happen or not, one thing does matter: think about our lives for a moment. We are all rushing from one event to another, be it a job working for that increment, promotion, year end bonus ... looking for another job or business opportunity ... looking for love ... worrying about the kids ... there is just so much stress and pressure in this world that even our so-called fun moments are either mere coincidence that bumped into our pressured schedules or we squeezed a small moment out of the weeks that unfold ...

As I sit here this morning, on my balcony, on my own enforced weekend of doing nothing related to work ... and wondering what to type on this blog ... or diary ... that's what is actually going through my mind ... and I have to relook on this year and the remaining months and ask myself ... what do I really want to do if the world is indeed coming to an end?

Of course we have to plan for the future as if lives will continue and world doesn't end ... but it just makes me want to find more of those moments to doing what I enjoy most ... and not just work and crumble under the pressure until life is just one blur moment

So while my mind is still running around in circles about all the things that can go wrong on my future projects and all the outstanding work to be done ... I have to learn, like it or not, to just let it be. Work is never done. If the owners of my company, their families and those in senior positions can let things slide and dump it all on me hoping I can fix it ... then I should just do the best I can in my allotted time and find time of my own to live a life to call my own ... they are not sacrificing personal time with their families and friends going for holidays and functions and religious activities while I have been doing so for the past 16 months ... well it's my turn now. I have been on over-stressed since Oct 2011 when doctor diagnosed and this year is worse ...

Yup ... I will take time out to find true love ... to take some risk in finding true love ... to chase my passion of painting and writing ... and find time for my family and having a family of my own as well

To all of you out there, who is reading this, I wish you the very best in your life and may the Creator bless us all and guide us all in our paths!

Return of the Were Pigs ...

Guess what readers? As expected, the were-pig is back today and true enough, he comes back refreshed, recharged as a full on were-pig. Actually the problem is I have no idea if he is being a were-pig or being sincere ... that's the damn problem ... all these were-people!

So what did he do today? Well after not meeting for nearly 2 weeks, I had to officially update him on what was going on but instead of being focused on Gee Pee Tee or share his traipsing about trip in Chai Nah, he asked about my Indonesian trip. Of course he used Master Gun's name. So over breakfast, I gave him some brief details only. When we reached office, he came back inside and again said he needed updates on my Indonesian trip. I am left wondering if this is true. Why would Master Gun be so keen and asked him to check with me when Master Gun does call me about the hotel performance and what-not? In addition, Master knows he is not involved with Indonesia so far and none of them invited him over even though he has the huge title of We-Pee of the Industry that shall not be named (sounds so Harry Potter-ish, yes?)

While I was giving him more casual updates, I was messaging the H-Man and he kept silent. When I messaged other things, he replied. So I know what could be going on. Basically the were-pig could be trying to know what is going on so he can sound intelligent and tell the Gun as if it was his input. Sigh! So it really is the were-pig who wants to be the idea-snatcher and no one else. All this while, I have always had the feeling it was him who is doing this. He always pretended to be my friend saying everyone is against me but not up front, he is my shield against everyone and he gets trashed and he is trying to protect others from stealing others. So he wants me to tell him everything and then let him be the one who presents first to the Masters G and W. So I tell him, he presents without me around ever. What does this sound like to all of you? Doesn't it sound like he who is trying to ferret out ideas and present first so he gets some credit? Sigh!

Were-pigs ... I just have to know how to balance things I guess. Why can life not be simple? Why can people not just do their damn work instead of being involved in politics?

Time to Grow Up!

First day back in the office and already stressed! Stressed not because of the work (nope I am actually so pumped up after my Indonesia trip) but instead stressed because of people. When I talked about people, I am not referring to the junior staff or even supervisory but rather the senior staff, the ones labelled with the big M, called Managers and what-not

I mean, come on! You apply for a job, you negotiated a package, you received it. Is it too much to expect that you perform based on requirements?!?!?!?!?!

As readers of this blog knows, the company I am working on is in the midst of upgrading its services, product delivery and in the middle term, clientele. Hence we have partnered with one of the bigger companies that delivers successfully on this criteria. Do you know that the juniors are not whining? Only the seniors and worse of all is the politics. They are getting behind each other using this. I am so annoyed

And then when you tell them they need to work at it to be successful, they either give you excuses or say I left my last job for this ... well yes you left to join here ... but this is not a retirement home ... you knew when you join what to expect ... and when you are here, we give you in writing the goals so go and do it ... surely they cannot expect to receive big paychecks and continuously fail to achieve, right?

Because it seems that some people seem to think so. They seemed to think we owe them a favour or something. So tired of talking nicely to people especially when they are all earning more than me and getting more perks than me including time off while I am so nice to cover them all this while - well people Enough is Enough!

Damn!

Worst of all is when I talked to the Thai leader. I worked at it on him and true enough after several minutes he opened up and BANG we got the truth. Backstabbing by someone

Disappointed!

Bye Bye Jakarta ...

So after 9 days of travelling for work and pleasure, it was time to bid farewell to Joyous Jakarta yet again ... and I do hope to be back ... fingers crossed and all that ... hahaha ... even this morning's breakfast did not dampen my spirits ... I knew it was going to be bad and it indeed was ... crowded ... no coffee or tea ... no pastries ... no sausages and bacon topped up throughout our entire stay ... sigh!

Anyway, after that, we just chilled out in our room online gaming, chatting until time to say farewell and headed for the airport (cutie alert!!!)

Everything was surprisingly smooth ... and no plane delays thank goodness!

The airport is getting better and better - T3 is definitely miles better than the older T1 and T2 where there is overcrowding until we frequently sit on the walkway to the waiting room and sweat (I kid you not for those of you who have not been to Jakarta's international airport). I will upload photos the next time if I have the opportunity to use that airport (ugh!)

So all in, a good close to a good business trip ... and here's to my own hotel chain ... Insyallah! God Willing!

Fuck fuck fuck ... the damn plane delays ...

As if my week isn't bad enough, thanks to Air Asia, it is made worst! I mean, what the fuck! At 3:00pm in the afternoon, we are told that our 7:00pm flight will be delayed for 2 hours. What the fuck!

This is how my day started:

I slept fitfully (for once) and thought I would have a good 7 hours sleep but guess what? The fucking phone rang in my hotel room. I got up, answered and the person said wrong room. O go fuck yourself. It wasn't even 7:00am yet. Then I realized that I could hear the cutlery etc rattling at the pool 4-storeys below - so much for great sound proofing and insulation

At breakfast, we were told to queue but no one came to seat you .. so basically you go get what you

After that, as I checked out, guess what? No one offered to help you with your bags from one end of the hotel to the other and up 2 flights of steps. By that time, I was already sweating and the back pain is coming back. I tried, I really tried to de-stress but this is just so contrary an experience

I even went to a huge place for massage and guess what? The therapist had body ordour. The towels and bedsheets smell and worst of all, the therapist is ill or something. She had to sit on my bed to give me a massage! And then she didn't do the body scrub but pour stuff all over me and left it drying! That is not a body scrub mind you!

By the time I was done, I was starving until my stomach had developed cramps. I went to the mall looking for decent food but it seems like there is only coffee or items with cholesterol. Nuts I tell you

Finally I reached the airport and decided to splash for the so-called exec or vip lounge as I needed a power point or two and some weak ass AC ... otherwise it was simply too hot to stay for 3 hours until flight time

You can bet the cramp on my back came back on

You know what? Fuck all the people I have to handle. I need to de-stress. I have had enough of carrying everyone's worries and concerns from my parents to sis to other half to colleagues and listening to their crap. I am going to keep to myself and act like boss and be done with them. I cannot continue like this until I am sick. I have rarely had a good day since Apr

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH YOU FUCKERS!

Bangkok here I come ... Part 1 ...

Of all the bad luck, today is flying day for me and I had to wake up with a stiff neck. Lucky thing I could find a last bit of koyo and that was a bit of a blessing even though it was partially scrunched up. At least, the medicinal heat is there ... am at Coffee Bean typing this now ... keeeping it live, so to speak! Hah!

And then there is the tsunami ...

Today is Saturday. I decided to have the day off and drove down to 1 Utama on my own without a GPS. I decided enough is enough. I am a COWARD AT HEART. See? I am admitting it because without this, we cannot move forward, right? And I thought as the day is nice, I need to destress and just go for it and go I did. And you know what? Going down was a breeze and reached there with no dramas. Coming back was a bit of a challenge as I followed the signs instead of gut instinct and went out through a different point to the highway, a bit further but still okay. So all in, it's good

I also admit going down, I had the stomach butterflies and same for the trip back. But hey, that's probably anxiety factor. Another thing I am learning about myself that I am psychologically so scared of trying anything different and appearing a loser that I made myself physically ill

So it is time TO CONQUER IT ALL

Okay. So from the last posting, basically the summary is I stayed in Malaysia for about 2 years before I ventured forth. It was with a company that had been contacting me before for a post in the Maldives but I never accepted that until this time. And I had a great time in Maldives. I will go back to those years and "construct" my diary/ blog but for this real time post ... the summary is I stayed in Maldives working on 2 different hotel projects for about 16 months ... I was on vacation ... and had to fly back on Christmas Day ... as the island where I am staying on was predominantly French speaking, every time we had English speaking guests, I joined in to make them feel welcome ... so I was asked to stay the night at Hulhule, airport hotel to join guests in the morning

It was harrowing because as I was waiting for the guests ... suddenly there is a rumbling of confused voices and people were turning to the seas ... we were all looking and wondering WTF are they talking about ... at first it was nothing then the water level just started to rise ... there was no massive waves like those in Thailand ... but it was worrying as we thought what could have happened at sea like a massive vessel upchucked or something causing the tide to rise (I know, I know, foolish thinking!) ... then phones went down so no one could even call anyone to find out what is happening

And then the scary part started ... boats that were parked at the jetty had to drift out to sea ... otherwise the rough and tumble would make it hard to remain parked safely ... and then the waters rose onto the road and snaked closer and closer to the airport stalls and where we were all waiting. People who loitered on the roads started walking in ... and then we moved even deeper into the airport as the waters kept on sneaking across the tarmac ... we were wondering what we were all going to do because the airport is quite flat and if waters kept coming?!?!?!?! Good thing, it stopped before we had to run into the arrival area!

But then as passengers disembarked, we had another challenge. How do we hail our boat waiting out in the sea? In the end, wading through water, we stood at the edge and just waved like mad until the boat saw us and came to pick us up. Our guests were confused as all phones and radio didn't work

And when we reached or neared our resort, BANG, it had disappeared! We saw the diving boats loaded with other guests and we were told that it was a tsunami as some of the international guests had satellite phone that they could receive news on. The island was submerged. We could see the roofs of some of the villas and that's it. Our crew used a small boat to go back to the island to search for food, water, etc. There was even ice-cream and it was passed around the three boats for people to eat

Toilet was a towel. Someone would squat at the edge of the boat and another person would hold a towel to give you privacy and everyone would look away while you do your business

We did that from morning until late afternoon when waters started to recede. Staff first made it back to the island to see if any areas could be lived in ... and then we shipped the guests back ... everyone spent the night together sharing a hastily reconstructed open shower, washing clothes and cooking whatever food not spoilt ... and waited until the airport reopened to fly home the guests

One thing I will say ... in tragedy, everyone bonded together ... from the lowly educated and poor workers (all of us) ... versus our rich guests ... no one minded and no one pretended they had class

I saw so many incidents where some staff lost their nerves especially 2 of the foreigner staff and had to be shipped home for good as they could not contemplate living and working in a place like that again

We were so blessed that the Maldives consists of small low islands where the waters could cut across the islands ... this meant no built up of pressure and no huge damage and sending guests out to sea to their deaths unlike elsewhere

I will end this posting here ... and give my thanks to the Lord for his mercy that day and for the people who were there with me ... you guys and girls are great!

Sep 11, 2001 ...

Yes, for those of you who read my blog be it sporadically, first, or regular, you will know that I generally bitch about my life in general, work, love and all sorts of inconsequential stuff. So why tonight did I put that on the title of my blog entry?

Am I trying to cash in on the event and thus cheapen the issue? Honestly, no. I have just watched Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the movie on pay-per-view TV and was so wrapped up in it. Then while watching, my other half texted me and half chatting, half watching, suddenly from out of nowhere, it hit me

And I remembered. In fact, it was one of the main driving forces that changed my life

And no, I am not American or even Caucasian

Here then is my story

On the day of Sep 11, here where I was, it was evening. I had stopped working for Star Cruises in May and started a job on land. However, in 3 months, I was extremely unhappy and found that I missed life onboard the seas seeing new horizons every day and living the life with a group of mates. So I decided to apply further afield to different cruise liners. It was the nomadic spark within me calling. Both my grandfathers moved around a lot in their younger days and so did my dad. So at that time, it felt most natural to me. Anyway, I got an application through to a company and they arranged for a phone interview. An hour or two before that time, I went back to Park Plaza KL (now the Maya Hotel). I waited and waited and I remembered I was so excited and nervous

However, as the appointed time came and went, I was wondering why there was no call. I dared not leave my room even though it was well past dinner and I was feeling a bit peckish. Then someone contacted me and asked me to switch on the TV. I hadn't done so because I was concerned that I would not hear the phone ring. So I turned it on and I was stunned speechless to see the tragedy unfolding on the tube live!

It floored me and left me there sitting alone in my room feeling all numb and lost. I do not know who to call or who I can go to be with. It was a horrible feeling. And I felt so sad and was kicking myself. I mean, there I was, concerned about a lousy job interview from a company in USA and there on the tube, drama unfolding. Of course, I could not be blamed for not knowing what was going on but when you see that, it made all your concerns so small, doesn't it?

After a few days, the company contacted me to explain that all new recruitment have been frozen. Naturally, I understood perfectly and even stopped looking for a job out of that place. I stayed there for about 2 years or so before I even considered a job elsewhere

And where did I go next? Well, that is a story for another day but that? It's also where tsunami hit

To all the people who died that day in the towers tragedy, and all the surviving family and friends, may the Lord bless you and yours!

I will not type anything else in this entry to cheapen the posting above

James Bond - back to the top of the heap

Skyfall - watched it today with my folks. Dad was bitching about the cost of the ticket especially since it is in Penang and day time slot but after the show, both of the older people agreed that it was very good. Thank goodness because in the movie? Dad commented almost throughout and I was concerned about complains from other cinema  patrons. It was a good thing the people who sat next to them are in the same seniors category. Hehehehehe!

So what's good about this movie? Well for those of you who have watched both Casino Royale and that rubbish called Quantum of Solace, you will be pleased to know that this is more the former. For me, Daniel Craig killed it in Casino bringing an edge to the Bond movies that is different from his predecessor. It is a spy, gadget, rough action movie and that's great. Then in Quantum, it seems like they are celebrating their own genius in part 1 by doing more of part 2 and that's why it failed

But in this Skyfall, they remembered the ingredients and actually made this movie an important chapter in the early life of Bond. We are finally introduced to the characters that will actually appear in the Bond mythos waaaaaaay back from the early  Connery movies. After all, you get a quirky but youthful Q and Miss Moneypenny and finally ... okay, I will hold it back for now on the last reveal

Aside from the above, I would love to continue elaborating but I suggest you read my movie review section on this blog, eh?

Movie aside, I will not bitch about work or my so-called relationship. I will instead say I am GRATEFUL yet again for the opportunity to meet yet another old friend/ ex-colleague. This time I caught up with dear Or-Dray. We went out in pouring rain, she shared her latest trip which was to Peru with a lady from Shanghai or some such and we chatted over sushi about marriage, love, sharing lives and what-not

Love Air Asia? Yes and No ...

I love Air Asia because since they started and of late cleaning up their services and being better and more on time and more friendlier, it definitely has made travelling for me and my family and friends much easier and more frequent. And hey, who doesn't like that, eh?

What I do not like? Sometimes, it becomes a little too impersonal and the wonderful reasons you get just doesn't make sense to the normal person

Example: yesterday, they rushed us to board. Then when we are seated, they announced to wait because there is a Petronas issue i.e. Petronas is late so they cannot refuel and so they cannot take off. One has to wonder if they are not aware of this before rushing everyone onto the wonderfully uncomfortable seats in their planes. It is true that Petronas has yet to refuel because after more waiting, we were told to unbuckle all seat belts because the refuelling process is going to start and you can see the tanker outside the little windows. Sigh! Total waiting time? Wow! Maybe all in 30 to 45 minutes for a 45 minutes flight. Not good

Example: last week, they rushed us out onto the airport walkway to the plane. Then as we approached our plane, we were stopped. Why? Because they were still doing disembarkation of the same plane. More than half the passengers have yet to disembark. I tell you: standing in the middle of the airport, in driving rain, with so much noise pollution is no fun

So how is Penang? Well, it rained all day for which I am happy. This may be one trip that I will feel better while I am here instead of falling sick. I continued clearing up my comics collection, I actually did a little "sweat it out" session to clear the impurities, I did a little ice therapy session on my foot and managed to watch a DVD

So all in, today is a good day

Day Two: Kicking @$$ and carrying monkeys

Last night was a super nice night. I was supposed to have as room mates Unker Case and  the Eye. But last minute for some reason, the Eye didn't show up. While we are all friends, I am secretly pleased. This is kind of like 10 years ago with Will Yam and Yosh-Sha. Hehehehhehe!

And the best part is we shared a platter of sandwich and fruits and when I showed the Case some photos, I asked him to join me on the sofa sitting side by side. O if only I can just reach out three inches and placed a warm, caring hand on him, eh?

Yeah, right, in my dreams

But at least I tried because in the evening, as he mentioned that the Eye is more popular with the ladies etc, I said he is handsome but he kept on denying and I said okay if he is gay for the Eye and he said he doesn't do gay on gay stuff ... hmmm ... chances for me? O I so wish!

As for today, I had to again listen to people who are either higher position or make more money than me whine about their insecurities. The worst part of it all is ... do they think I cannot see through their weak attempts at convincing me of matters? Sigh! So obvious

Example: The Dare Man was going on and on about how I should not share with others all my plans but only tell him and he will packaged it to the chairman so we get max credit and he will support me all the way. Really? So I come up with ideas, sources, drive the business, find the funding and all he will do is present to the Board and say it is our team effort? He thinks I am unable to think at all?!?!?!

Example 2: the Ash Burnt Man was whining about the new company and maybe they didn't like him while indeed the clunking Robot Man appears to have it in for him. Dude - there is still 6 months. Find a good job if someone doesn't want you, right? Then move on and be happy. I had to send him 2 job vacancies. While he works hard, I have to admit, he is still not much of a thinker and planner. He thinks small scale just like the Justice Man who is old school 5-star not the luxury market. Sigh!

Other than that, the kicking ass bit is me writing to Arr Varr Knee and telling them off about their so-called efforts at recruitment. I must admit, they are not that smooth inspite of the picture they presented

Seriously, at this juncture, I feel like I really want to go out there and do my own thing. Sigh!

Day One: Ar Var Nee

Well, finally the big day, the official day, the move-in day ... o call it whatever you want to, the day is here - Nov 1st, 2012 when the Mai Nor Group came to Malaysia to operate its brand of hospitality. Yup, they said today is the day and they are here, all 15 of their people as a task force for our hotel to switch from the old standards to the new standards

Anyway, this morning started on a very bad note because ... guess what? Yes, you are right, the beeping. It sounded again but at least I didn't wake up several times. At least, this night/ morning, I managed to sleep for about 4 to 5 hours and for me, that felt so good. Am I completely healed? Nope. But I don't think it is just purely my imagination. I do believe my body is stitching itself back together again quite nicely

I went over during breakfast to say HI to the Thai people and from there, I did my own thing. After that, I spent the rest of the day getting my act together and following up on miscellaneous matters after last night's meeting and putting together my own ideas for the golf course, the theme park, future developments and a few other stuff in Indonesia. Naturally, later in the day, when the DareMan hears, he keeps on saying that yes, he has spoken to the Gunn Master and shared that we will not be part of the active team in Ass Gee See but we will do like right now, choose a project and work on it! O wow - how generous is he! He just wants to ride on my efforts for the next few years?!?!?! Good thing he is married to the right person, eh?

Aside from that, I touched base with an old acquaintance: SiautheSeow and hopefully everything will fall into place

About the only main negative for the day is my health. I still have headaches here and there and hope it is nothing serious but lack of sleep and what-not. I still have back aches from the massage on Tuesday and I cancelled my trip to Vietnam. I think I better go back to Penang

Now comes the real downer of the  day: I went to collect my medical report!

Blood count etc - normal
Sugar level in urine etc - normal
Uric acid - down to almost borderline - so maybe 1 more month or so of the allopurinol
Cholesterol - sky high! Ugh! No more red meat in terms of beef and lamb, no more chicken skin, no more egg yolks and immediately exercise 30 minutes a day plus medication

That's ... the horrifying news. Ugh!