Wow...I didn't realise that is was already the end of the month!! Guess that I didn't have very much to write this whole month.
I just watched Flight 93: a short movie to remember events of 9/11: well as expected it glorified the efforts of the passengers in preventing the suicide attempt of the fourth plane on White House/Capitol building, but a fairly good movie nonetheless. I remembered that day: I was getting ready to go to work when I switched on the news on CNN - they were already reporting the crashes into the World Trade Center. I remember thinking initially that a fire broke out, until I saw the footage of the planes crashing into the towers. I was glued to the TV set since I got back from work and stuck for a few days there after. I guess those events set in motion everything that happened till today: the war in Afghanistan, then Iraq, the oil price rise etc. and who knows what's next.
So the PM said that they would not raise the salaries of civil servants. Well I guess it could be because that the government is spending more on the constuction projects being rolled out. However it is inevitable that the salaries would have to go up sometime soon. It was 14 years since the last review; true that there are a lot of allowances, but most are based on the base salary - if the salary go up, then the allowances go up as well - so it's about time. Maybe next year...when the election draws near, and cost of living continues to increase. And the fact that next year would be the 50th anniversary of the independence. Not a bad time to increase the salary!!
Anyway, life goes on...for now.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
A very sad, sad fact
The death of the House Officer who was killed two weeks after an accident which happened when she was escorting a patient to Hospital Selayang brought to light a very important fact: we doctors as well as other medical staff which performs transfers of patients everyday between the various health centers are not insured against accidents!!! Worse off if we have not been confirmed in service!! We are not 'eligble' for compensation. What in the world does the Health Ministry mean by this?? Are we serving the people without adequate coverage as to our safety as well as the future of our families? How sad this is...This occurred in an urban area with good roads. We have heard of accidents involving medical staff in rural areas where roads are much worse, or even without proper roads. There are cases of flying doctor helicopter services which crash in Sarawak killing medical staff but hardly brought to light. In all these cases, the medical staff hardly got any compensation for their accidents. It is a very sad fact which had not changed all these years.
Somehow this makes me think twice about getting onto an ambulance and going out there to provide a service for the profession I love. Well, you may say that it is selfish of me, but if something happens, who is going to care for my family? Judging from the Health Ministry's response...no one but myself!!
So should I risk my life for it? Not yet...the ball is in your court Mr. Health Minister!!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Wishes are still wishes...
Oh well, it's good to dream and wish. But as expected the wishes did not come true.
But at least we got our yearly bonus: as expected one month only. Well, I really did not expect any increase in the salary or the increase in the bonus amount; on the flipside we should be thankful that we got a bonus. At least it would help to alleviate the increase in cost of living we are all experiencing: petrol price increase, vegetables, sugar etc.
We must look always look on the bright side!!!
But at least we got our yearly bonus: as expected one month only. Well, I really did not expect any increase in the salary or the increase in the bonus amount; on the flipside we should be thankful that we got a bonus. At least it would help to alleviate the increase in cost of living we are all experiencing: petrol price increase, vegetables, sugar etc.
We must look always look on the bright side!!!
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes... #1
My wish list this coming Budget 2006 (hey, everyone is entitled to his/her wish):
1. Salary increase
Yahoo! A salary increase for all civil servants. We know civil servants are poorly paid for the amount of work we do (I'm strictly speaking of health staff), but sadly I can't say the same for the rest of the service. Maybe it'll be a motivation for a better working environment and discorages corruption to a certain extent (am I kidding myself??) It's been a long time coming you know...
2. Reduction in personal tax
Actually at approx 12-15% for most people, the tax rates are quite low, but based on actual take home income it's quite high; so there's a possibility of it being lowered. maybe certain allowances such as on-call allowances can be made tax-exempt as well. Hey, I'm a nice guy (since I won't be able to pay tax next year...that's how low my salary is, and hence #1), I can wish for others too can't I?
3. Tax rebates for more purchases
Now limited to computers (once every five years, sheesh!), books and magazines. Maybe it should be widened to other electronic equipment, cars, houses etc. Would really promote domestic spending, I think...
4. Higher sin taxes
Increase the taxes for cigarette and alcohol companies. You look at the people around you and you know how much these two are generating in terms of revenue. Especially cigarettes. Nowadays more and more people, especially the younger generation are smoking. And since smoking and alcohol consumption is associated with a lot of diseases, increasing taxes and hence raising the selling price would deter consumption wouldn't it? Nah...but at least the government will earn a bit more...
5. Bonus time
It's about time the government gives a bigger bonus than the regular one month bonus...maybe two months bonus this year, in view of the price increases we have to tolerate. And keep it up for the subsequent years, unless they increase the basic salary for us civil servants.
And that's my wish this year. Hope it comes true...
1. Salary increase
Yahoo! A salary increase for all civil servants. We know civil servants are poorly paid for the amount of work we do (I'm strictly speaking of health staff), but sadly I can't say the same for the rest of the service. Maybe it'll be a motivation for a better working environment and discorages corruption to a certain extent (am I kidding myself??) It's been a long time coming you know...
2. Reduction in personal tax
Actually at approx 12-15% for most people, the tax rates are quite low, but based on actual take home income it's quite high; so there's a possibility of it being lowered. maybe certain allowances such as on-call allowances can be made tax-exempt as well. Hey, I'm a nice guy (since I won't be able to pay tax next year...that's how low my salary is, and hence #1), I can wish for others too can't I?
3. Tax rebates for more purchases
Now limited to computers (once every five years, sheesh!), books and magazines. Maybe it should be widened to other electronic equipment, cars, houses etc. Would really promote domestic spending, I think...
4. Higher sin taxes
Increase the taxes for cigarette and alcohol companies. You look at the people around you and you know how much these two are generating in terms of revenue. Especially cigarettes. Nowadays more and more people, especially the younger generation are smoking. And since smoking and alcohol consumption is associated with a lot of diseases, increasing taxes and hence raising the selling price would deter consumption wouldn't it? Nah...but at least the government will earn a bit more...
5. Bonus time
It's about time the government gives a bigger bonus than the regular one month bonus...maybe two months bonus this year, in view of the price increases we have to tolerate. And keep it up for the subsequent years, unless they increase the basic salary for us civil servants.
And that's my wish this year. Hope it comes true...
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Memories #1
Well I was a bit nostalgic this week, thinking of my childhood. It's a bit sad because I can't remember very much of my early childhood; but I do remember somewhat the later years.
Lets see: was in kindie in 1980s, was a kindergarten near where I live: it's called Joy Kindergarten. I remember going there from 9 am to 12 pm everyday, by bus. Yellow-coloured mini-bus (which incidentally I used until Standard Six) - well I called it Auntie bus. Guess I enjoyed kindie a bit, used to get a lot of stars for my work. It's how they reward our work (A's and B's were not there yet). I used to have some of the work until a few years back; did some house cleaning and threw most of the stuff away. Looking at it brings back a bit of memories. I didn't remember much of kindie though.
Primary school: SRK Seaport. Was there for six years. Met a lot of people; but they come and go. Met my best friend there too: now he's in UK as a physician. Yeah I remember the first time we met: he helped me tie my shoelaces. Since then we remained best of friends, though we may have lost contact a bit, but we still met together. Well, we had a few friends, but the years passed very fast. I remember this hopscotch game and this marble game (guli: we used to dig a small hole, each of us had a marble ball which we used to put the marble into the hole, or smash our opponent's marble to bits in order to prevent them from going into the hole!!) I also remember the bottle cap game, card games (that was trying to flip as many cards using palm power), frisbee and chopping (similar games, trying to hit another person using a frisbee [wasn't a real frisbee: we used the plastic milk can covers] and tennis ball). I was first bullied then, Std Four I think. Cried all the way to the headmistress' office. Brings back memories... And in Std Six, classmate asked me what masturbate was (because my English was good); I thought it was master-bed and told him so...was a bit miffed when he laughed, so I got back and checked the dictionary: that was the end of my innocence.
Hmm, guess the 80s were prime days for me. Remember Beat It (MJ) and Every Breath You Take (Police) very well. Also a lot of songs by Cyndi Lauper. Oh those pop songs were wonderful. Then came Phil Collins, New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul. Sports wise, I remember the 1985 Heysel disaster (actually I woke up to see the match and saw a lot of smoke, and found out that the match was delayed, so I went to sleep, and didn't find out about the disaster till the next morning!!). Selangor were kings of football then. Otherwise nothing much about sports other than that.
TV shows: Greatest American Hero, A-team, McGyver, Knight Rider, Airwolf and Blue Thunder. The period was great for family sitcoms: Gowing Pains, Silver Spoon, Full House, Alf and there was this series about a robot girl VICKI. Sci-Fi: hmm, I remember V, the old Battlestar Galactica. Cartoons: Transformers of course, parts of Robotech, things like He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Visionaries, Voltron, and i think many others. I went for my first cinema screening in 1988: sad, isn't it...guess what show? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, har...har...
Well, I'll continue my memories later.
Lets see: was in kindie in 1980s, was a kindergarten near where I live: it's called Joy Kindergarten. I remember going there from 9 am to 12 pm everyday, by bus. Yellow-coloured mini-bus (which incidentally I used until Standard Six) - well I called it Auntie bus. Guess I enjoyed kindie a bit, used to get a lot of stars for my work. It's how they reward our work (A's and B's were not there yet). I used to have some of the work until a few years back; did some house cleaning and threw most of the stuff away. Looking at it brings back a bit of memories. I didn't remember much of kindie though.
Primary school: SRK Seaport. Was there for six years. Met a lot of people; but they come and go. Met my best friend there too: now he's in UK as a physician. Yeah I remember the first time we met: he helped me tie my shoelaces. Since then we remained best of friends, though we may have lost contact a bit, but we still met together. Well, we had a few friends, but the years passed very fast. I remember this hopscotch game and this marble game (guli: we used to dig a small hole, each of us had a marble ball which we used to put the marble into the hole, or smash our opponent's marble to bits in order to prevent them from going into the hole!!) I also remember the bottle cap game, card games (that was trying to flip as many cards using palm power), frisbee and chopping (similar games, trying to hit another person using a frisbee [wasn't a real frisbee: we used the plastic milk can covers] and tennis ball). I was first bullied then, Std Four I think. Cried all the way to the headmistress' office. Brings back memories... And in Std Six, classmate asked me what masturbate was (because my English was good); I thought it was master-bed and told him so...was a bit miffed when he laughed, so I got back and checked the dictionary: that was the end of my innocence.
Hmm, guess the 80s were prime days for me. Remember Beat It (MJ) and Every Breath You Take (Police) very well. Also a lot of songs by Cyndi Lauper. Oh those pop songs were wonderful. Then came Phil Collins, New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul. Sports wise, I remember the 1985 Heysel disaster (actually I woke up to see the match and saw a lot of smoke, and found out that the match was delayed, so I went to sleep, and didn't find out about the disaster till the next morning!!). Selangor were kings of football then. Otherwise nothing much about sports other than that.
TV shows: Greatest American Hero, A-team, McGyver, Knight Rider, Airwolf and Blue Thunder. The period was great for family sitcoms: Gowing Pains, Silver Spoon, Full House, Alf and there was this series about a robot girl VICKI. Sci-Fi: hmm, I remember V, the old Battlestar Galactica. Cartoons: Transformers of course, parts of Robotech, things like He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Visionaries, Voltron, and i think many others. I went for my first cinema screening in 1988: sad, isn't it...guess what show? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, har...har...
Well, I'll continue my memories later.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Monday, August 21, 2006
Snapshots
EPL Away!!
OK, OK so Liverpool didn't do too well in their opening game...so what? They're slow starters, and there's the Champions' League Qualifiers on Tuesday to worry about. But at least they showed some fighting spirit in the second half. Will need to give time for the midfield and new attack to gel. The EPL is a marathon and not a sprint. Let's hope the stamina is there this year.
Merdeka!
Just under ten days to go to our country's 49th birthday. Nothing special I guess. Patriotism? I don't fly the national flag. But then again I don't see that many of them flying in the wind this year. Silent protest against price increases? Who knows? And I don't get this flying-the-Jalur Gemilang-to-show-your-patriotism thing the leaders cry out yearly. I still work like a dog for the government and have no plans to leave; I pay my taxes in full and on time; I defend the country when people make disparaging comments against it. Isn't that patriotism enough? Outward show of does not always cut it; it's what you actually do in the sidelines that really counts. I guess we laymen have a different interpretation of patriotism.
Early Budget
It's a bit odd that the Budget tabling is due right after Merdeka Day on Sept 1. Is there something special waiting in the wings? Especially after all the price increases we have to suffer this year. Hmmm...hopefully it's a pay rise and not the one-off bonuses we hear year after year (err, that would be good too, in addition). The Government can afford a pay rise, and it will certainly boost morale in the civil service, I think. Tax cuts maybe...but I'm not hoping much. Otherwise I don't see anything other incentives the Government has too offer. If not this year then maybe the next, seeing that next year is the 'Golden Jubilee'...
Senseless muders
Deaths which have rocked the country. Senseless murders that borders on insanity. Snatch thieves. Why would anyone kill for a few ringgit? Are society getting so impoverished that we need to steal for a few ringgit? Junkies we say...maybe, and who knows? And where is the safety and security we once cherished? Can we afford to walk in the night, even in the bright lights of the city and feel safe nowadays? We are becoming more modern as we speak. It's a reality of life.
Next: shooting and guns in the schools; freely available drugs in the streets; underage abortions shooting through the roof; unemployment rising. Sounds familiar? It happened to the once most powerful economy in the world. You know what I'm talking about. The price we pay for modernisation and urbanisation. Our 2020 vision is fast becoming a nightmare.
OK, OK so Liverpool didn't do too well in their opening game...so what? They're slow starters, and there's the Champions' League Qualifiers on Tuesday to worry about. But at least they showed some fighting spirit in the second half. Will need to give time for the midfield and new attack to gel. The EPL is a marathon and not a sprint. Let's hope the stamina is there this year.
Merdeka!
Just under ten days to go to our country's 49th birthday. Nothing special I guess. Patriotism? I don't fly the national flag. But then again I don't see that many of them flying in the wind this year. Silent protest against price increases? Who knows? And I don't get this flying-the-Jalur Gemilang-to-show-your-patriotism thing the leaders cry out yearly. I still work like a dog for the government and have no plans to leave; I pay my taxes in full and on time; I defend the country when people make disparaging comments against it. Isn't that patriotism enough? Outward show of does not always cut it; it's what you actually do in the sidelines that really counts. I guess we laymen have a different interpretation of patriotism.
Early Budget
It's a bit odd that the Budget tabling is due right after Merdeka Day on Sept 1. Is there something special waiting in the wings? Especially after all the price increases we have to suffer this year. Hmmm...hopefully it's a pay rise and not the one-off bonuses we hear year after year (err, that would be good too, in addition). The Government can afford a pay rise, and it will certainly boost morale in the civil service, I think. Tax cuts maybe...but I'm not hoping much. Otherwise I don't see anything other incentives the Government has too offer. If not this year then maybe the next, seeing that next year is the 'Golden Jubilee'...
Senseless muders
Deaths which have rocked the country. Senseless murders that borders on insanity. Snatch thieves. Why would anyone kill for a few ringgit? Are society getting so impoverished that we need to steal for a few ringgit? Junkies we say...maybe, and who knows? And where is the safety and security we once cherished? Can we afford to walk in the night, even in the bright lights of the city and feel safe nowadays? We are becoming more modern as we speak. It's a reality of life.
Next: shooting and guns in the schools; freely available drugs in the streets; underage abortions shooting through the roof; unemployment rising. Sounds familiar? It happened to the once most powerful economy in the world. You know what I'm talking about. The price we pay for modernisation and urbanisation. Our 2020 vision is fast becoming a nightmare.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Red Storm Rising?
Well here goes the football season. By that I mean the English Premiership season 2006-2007!
The Community Shield match started off this season's proceedings: the game between the Reds and the Blues were up to expectation. As expected Liverpool won the match 2-1, with Crouch and Riise scoring the goals. Rafa tried some new players in new positions while resting the old; Chelsea came with their strongest squad. Yet that was not enough. Sissoko was a rock in midfield, while the Carragher-Agger pairing akward as it was, held firm against Schevchenko and Drogba; Zenden, Riise and Gonzales terrorised the Chelsea defence; Crouch and Garcia could do no wrong. But it was 1-1 only at halftime. Rafa injected some urgency into the Reds attack bringing on Gerrard, Alonso and Bellamy into the attack: this paid off with Bellamy producing the cross of the match for Crouch's winning goal. Chelsea were in tears...but in all fairness Mourinho was outsmarted by Rafa, and his team outplayed by resurgent Liverpool.
So what will we expect of Liverpool this season? More of the same I hope. Consistency is the key. Sisoko should hold the fort ala Hamann; Alonso, Gerrard, Gonzales, Pennant and Zenden rotating in midfield; but the attack pair of Crouch-Bellamy should provide the punch lacking last season. Defence? Carragher and Hyppia would be the rock they were the last two seasons, and with Paletta, Agger in the wings, Liverpool finally has the depth they lacked so much.
Liverpool would be the team to watch.
Next week, Sheffield United. We wait for the storm to come ashore...
The Community Shield match started off this season's proceedings: the game between the Reds and the Blues were up to expectation. As expected Liverpool won the match 2-1, with Crouch and Riise scoring the goals. Rafa tried some new players in new positions while resting the old; Chelsea came with their strongest squad. Yet that was not enough. Sissoko was a rock in midfield, while the Carragher-Agger pairing akward as it was, held firm against Schevchenko and Drogba; Zenden, Riise and Gonzales terrorised the Chelsea defence; Crouch and Garcia could do no wrong. But it was 1-1 only at halftime. Rafa injected some urgency into the Reds attack bringing on Gerrard, Alonso and Bellamy into the attack: this paid off with Bellamy producing the cross of the match for Crouch's winning goal. Chelsea were in tears...but in all fairness Mourinho was outsmarted by Rafa, and his team outplayed by resurgent Liverpool.
So what will we expect of Liverpool this season? More of the same I hope. Consistency is the key. Sisoko should hold the fort ala Hamann; Alonso, Gerrard, Gonzales, Pennant and Zenden rotating in midfield; but the attack pair of Crouch-Bellamy should provide the punch lacking last season. Defence? Carragher and Hyppia would be the rock they were the last two seasons, and with Paletta, Agger in the wings, Liverpool finally has the depth they lacked so much.
Liverpool would be the team to watch.
Next week, Sheffield United. We wait for the storm to come ashore...
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Control freak
It befuddles me how our government tries to control every facet of our lives. There are certain areas of national importance which I fully understand, but there are areas which I certainly do not.
Broadband has really made a difference in our lives. But wait a minute. Why would a regular day-to-day user like want to use broadband, unless I want to access the Internet and need high download or access speeds? There lies the crux of the matter. TMNet (almost the only Internet service provider out there) has decided to regulate the amount of access speeds to certain sites. I mean in my case torrent sites (for the uninitiated, torrent sites are sites where individuals may download programs, music, movie etc. for free - granted that the sites may be illegal) and P2P file sharing sites. Downloads are awfully slow recently. A TV show of 350 MB takes me about 18 hours instead of the usual 2 1/2 hours to download. Imagine downloading movies of 1 GB...
Their excuse is that these sites take up the bulk of the bandwidth available. Of course it does, and it's about the only reason why we would pay RM 88/month for Internet access: so that we can see and download our favourite shows/movies, which we could not get here (or wait for it to arrive here)!!!
Changing service providers is not the option, since the only other competitor is being priced out of the game. In short, we are at the mercy of TMNet.
What will be next: other sites? It will never end. It's about time that the government grow up and trust us, or provide us with alternatives (which are currently not available).
In the mean time, please be a good and understanding big brother...
Broadband has really made a difference in our lives. But wait a minute. Why would a regular day-to-day user like want to use broadband, unless I want to access the Internet and need high download or access speeds? There lies the crux of the matter. TMNet (almost the only Internet service provider out there) has decided to regulate the amount of access speeds to certain sites. I mean in my case torrent sites (for the uninitiated, torrent sites are sites where individuals may download programs, music, movie etc. for free - granted that the sites may be illegal) and P2P file sharing sites. Downloads are awfully slow recently. A TV show of 350 MB takes me about 18 hours instead of the usual 2 1/2 hours to download. Imagine downloading movies of 1 GB...
Their excuse is that these sites take up the bulk of the bandwidth available. Of course it does, and it's about the only reason why we would pay RM 88/month for Internet access: so that we can see and download our favourite shows/movies, which we could not get here (or wait for it to arrive here)!!!
Changing service providers is not the option, since the only other competitor is being priced out of the game. In short, we are at the mercy of TMNet.
What will be next: other sites? It will never end. It's about time that the government grow up and trust us, or provide us with alternatives (which are currently not available).
In the mean time, please be a good and understanding big brother...
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Gotta write something
Yeah I know, it's nearly two weeks since I blooged about something...so here's my two cents worth about last week.
Well, was quite sick last week. Started off with a scratchy throat which turned into pretty high fever, nearly 40 degrees. Had to go out with a friend who came nack for holidays from the UK, despite the fever. You can imagine how that turned out... Wednesday's was the worst. Couldn't get outta bed, and had to go to work nonetheless. Was like a zonked out zombie at work...thanks god I didn't kill any one.
Fever finally broke on Saturday I think. Now I feel a bit better, but tired from the after effects of the infection. Will probably take a few more days before I'm finally up to speed.
The Israel-Hizbollah conflict is hogging the limelight so far...but it is a piece of distressing news. I guess the Israelis played right into the terrorists' hands by bombing and targeting civilians. Guess it's bad publicity all over again... We'll just have to wait and see what happens, and whether the International community can force a cease fire, and more importantly what they are gonna do about Hizbollah, and similar terrorist organisations.
I guess that's all for now. Have to pace myself you know...
Well, was quite sick last week. Started off with a scratchy throat which turned into pretty high fever, nearly 40 degrees. Had to go out with a friend who came nack for holidays from the UK, despite the fever. You can imagine how that turned out... Wednesday's was the worst. Couldn't get outta bed, and had to go to work nonetheless. Was like a zonked out zombie at work...thanks god I didn't kill any one.
Fever finally broke on Saturday I think. Now I feel a bit better, but tired from the after effects of the infection. Will probably take a few more days before I'm finally up to speed.
The Israel-Hizbollah conflict is hogging the limelight so far...but it is a piece of distressing news. I guess the Israelis played right into the terrorists' hands by bombing and targeting civilians. Guess it's bad publicity all over again... We'll just have to wait and see what happens, and whether the International community can force a cease fire, and more importantly what they are gonna do about Hizbollah, and similar terrorist organisations.
I guess that's all for now. Have to pace myself you know...
Thursday, July 27, 2006
One month older
Hey I'm a month old now...look how strong I am!!Well, the pic's a bit blurry because he's moving a lot!
A month of crying non-stop at nights...mainly because of infantile colic. Sleepless nights for the whole family, myself included...but that's baby life isn't it?
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Lost in Translation...
Phew...didn't realise it was already nearly a week since my last blog. Was a blur of a week, with work and sleep, work and sleep, work and sleep...
Hmm, for starters patients at the hospital are really a pain. You know when you work at Emergency Department, you expect emergencies, not 'cold' cases. It's takes a lot out of you if you are busy trying to sort out the wheat from the chaff if you are busy. I had two cases 'bounce' back because I was trying to be quick about it...and I hate this about my job. But life still goes on...
Had been trying this Yahoo! Answers thing...has anyone out there been trying it? It's pretty interesting and weird at the same time, a learning and unlearning experience. Think it's an experiment on how the society would take on to this open book experience...but it's going astray. Hey, just look at the amount of rubbish questions out there, as well as the weird answers...and oh, I'm guilty of some of it too :))
My weekends gonna be dominated by the Stargate series...gonna be a long tenth Stargate season as well as third Stargate Atlantis season. Just waiting for the new CSI seasons to start, and I should be a very busy mouse potato. Meanwhile I'm just downloading whatever comes to mind...
Well, till the next time around...Yahoo! Answers!
Hmm, for starters patients at the hospital are really a pain. You know when you work at Emergency Department, you expect emergencies, not 'cold' cases. It's takes a lot out of you if you are busy trying to sort out the wheat from the chaff if you are busy. I had two cases 'bounce' back because I was trying to be quick about it...and I hate this about my job. But life still goes on...
Had been trying this Yahoo! Answers thing...has anyone out there been trying it? It's pretty interesting and weird at the same time, a learning and unlearning experience. Think it's an experiment on how the society would take on to this open book experience...but it's going astray. Hey, just look at the amount of rubbish questions out there, as well as the weird answers...and oh, I'm guilty of some of it too :))
My weekends gonna be dominated by the Stargate series...gonna be a long tenth Stargate season as well as third Stargate Atlantis season. Just waiting for the new CSI seasons to start, and I should be a very busy mouse potato. Meanwhile I'm just downloading whatever comes to mind...
Well, till the next time around...Yahoo! Answers!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Me...a mouse potato?
Mouse potato: "Someone who spends an inordinate amount of time using a computer. An interactive couch potato."Hmmm...I've been thinking a lot about that lately. Do I spend an inordinate amount of time in front of a computer? Gee, I may surf the Net 18 hours a day, download gigabytes of movies, rarely move out of my room, and lately, eating IN, but no, I don't think I spend an inordinate amount of time in front of a computer. Hey in fact I think in this interactive world everyone is in a way, mice potatoes!
Btw, what does inordinate mean? No biggie...I'll just check it out online!
Human interaction is not my strongpoint. Huh? And I'm a doctor you say? Well it's true...I don't have that many friends, and the ones I do I don't spend much time with. Sure there's the IM availability, but only if they're online. And talking to patients and talking to another human being aka person may not be the same. I feel more comfortable talking to patients on an impersonal level rather than talk to a friend on a deeper personal level. I guess people do not understand me. Or is it because I read too much into the body language of a person I talk too? Too confusing? Aaah...that's why I have decided to become a mouse potato.
Err...I'm not fat, but I did put on some weight. Guess about 15 kg now, and with a waistline to flaunt. It's about time I get out and get bigger sized pants, but I'm too lazy. Hmmm...if only buying stuff online was that easy here in this country.
In the future I hope to work out of my room. Ha...ha...fat chance. No human touch my esteemed professionals will say. But it's true. Being a doctor one has to use all six senses. Six you say? Yup, the sixth sense to know when a frigging patient is lying to you. I worked that sense up pretty good so far.
Gee I think I better get back to my surfing. And clear off my movies on the hard drive. Stargate and Stargate Atlantis new seasons will be starting tomorrow. And there goes the plan to the beach. But nothing beats sitting in front of my comfy seat, wide inch LCD monitor and trusty desktop to watch the latest entertainment has to offer.
Life is good...and I love being a mouse potato.
Click and off...
A Year Older
I am writing this post World Cup blues. Actually didn't really have the chance to get much of a hangover, as work is really heavy. But I did manage to scrape in a two-day rest and relaxation.
Well it's official: I am a year older now. Gee still feel like a kid though. Spent the morning at the mall: think the last time I went to a mall was three months ago. Didn't miss a thing though. Everything looked the same. Got a shoe for myself. Rest of the day spent sleeping and watching Disney channel movies. Told ya I was still a kid at heart.
What does the new year hold for me? Hmm...maybe I'll think of quitting my job and retire early. But then I'll have to find a new job. Aargh...life is so tough, especially when it involves money. Sad isn't it? A girl? That'll be a dream...but a dream is a wish your heart makes isn't it? Well, I'm not dreaming it just yet...
Baby nephew is two weeks old now. Oh I didn't blog it as we were in midst of the World Cup. looks a big bigger now. Maybe around 3 kgs. Quite a feedee and crier, but doesn't wake me during the nights. Thank God I have insensitive ears, to crying of course...
Ok, ok...he's crying again. Need to go to see what's the bother. And then figure out what to do today. Life is Ruff...
Well it's official: I am a year older now. Gee still feel like a kid though. Spent the morning at the mall: think the last time I went to a mall was three months ago. Didn't miss a thing though. Everything looked the same. Got a shoe for myself. Rest of the day spent sleeping and watching Disney channel movies. Told ya I was still a kid at heart.
What does the new year hold for me? Hmm...maybe I'll think of quitting my job and retire early. But then I'll have to find a new job. Aargh...life is so tough, especially when it involves money. Sad isn't it? A girl? That'll be a dream...but a dream is a wish your heart makes isn't it? Well, I'm not dreaming it just yet...
Baby nephew is two weeks old now. Oh I didn't blog it as we were in midst of the World Cup. looks a big bigger now. Maybe around 3 kgs. Quite a feedee and crier, but doesn't wake me during the nights. Thank God I have insensitive ears, to crying of course...
Ok, ok...he's crying again. Need to go to see what's the bother. And then figure out what to do today. Life is Ruff...
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Final Hurrah!
So the World Cup Finals are over. Italy are champs for the fourth time, admist the scandals that rocked the football mad nation. Was a so-so match; turned out less boring than most have expected. But oh how I wished that it was the quality of the third-place playoff. Now that was a match worthy of the finals.
Zizou's last stand ended shamefully...and to think that it took the referee (with help of his assistant) a full five minutes (?!) to send him off!! Speaks volumes of the standard of refereeing. But a sending off it had to be. For a player of his stature, no amount of taunting would warrant such a behaviour. I expect further suspensions/fines? Or maybe not... And despite that he was named Fottballer of the Finals? Must have been a boring finals.
Now life must go on. I look forward to 2010 in South Africa. First finals in the continent...let's hope it's a better one.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Germany Schwein-song
Brilliant third place playoff game. Out and out football, end-to-end attack and defence, and four goals. Wow! Burst into life in the second half, I think the game was never in doubt once Germany scored. Two brilliant goals by the man-of-the-match and the game was virtually over. Portugal in tears once more.
A new Michael Ballack? Maybe. A bright future awaits Schweinsteiger. And playing for the numero uno German team would only help to further his prestige. Probably playing alongside Ballack some time in the not-so-near future? Time will tell...
Now the finals are up. France are favourites, Italians the underdogs. It promises to be a great match. Referee Elizondo? Hope he is not aiming for another record-breaking match.
See ya tonight!
A new Michael Ballack? Maybe. A bright future awaits Schweinsteiger. And playing for the numero uno German team would only help to further his prestige. Probably playing alongside Ballack some time in the not-so-near future? Time will tell...
Now the finals are up. France are favourites, Italians the underdogs. It promises to be a great match. Referee Elizondo? Hope he is not aiming for another record-breaking match.
See ya tonight!
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Crocodile Tears?
Boo...hoo...Aaah...a failed attempt at diving?
So the knives have been sharpened against poor old Ronaldo. Oh, not Ronaldo of Brazil, but Ronaldo of Portugal. English press have launched scathing attacks on him, so much so I wonder how he could come back to perform at the Theatre of Dreams without fearing for his life. His antics against Wayne Rooney...feigned or not may cost him dearly...aka some certain South Korean in 2002?
But coming to his defence is his national coach. I do not disagree that he is a great dribbler and wonderful football player; and I agree as well that there are worse 'simulators' out there than him. Then again he is in the spotlight now for what he has done. It may have gotten Portugal a place in the semifinals, but cost them their place in the final instead.
Great footballer, with skills or not, he is a well-known simulator. During the match with England I counted at least three theatrical dives, feigned injuries etc. I wonder how these players live with themselves. It's bad enough to deceive a referee; worse to try to get fellow players sent off. They should be punished for their attempts.
Simulation is a rampant behaviour nowadays. I remember the days in the early Premier League: there were hardly any diving and players played their hearts out. It all started when foreigners started coming into the Premier league, and once it took hold, it spread like wildfire. Foregone conclusion. And it is even more rampant in the Spanish and Italian leagues. Wonder whether it has anything to do with the presence of South Americans...
Here in lies the beauty of video evidence. The authorities should use it to good effect. Punishment should be heavy, both in terms of suspensions and monetary fines. Would serve as a deterrent against future budding simulators.
At least then we may not see so much crocodile tears...
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Hurrah Les Bleus!
So in the end we have a Italy-France final.
This morning's semis showed that Portugal gamesmanship would never work against French resolve and finesse. The Portuguese players tumbled and rolled to their utmost, and credit to the referee, ignored them. Probably the theatrics of their two previous matches worked against them. But they actually are able to play good football if they set their mind to it, but unfortunately they don't always do.
On the other hand, the French rarely were troubled by the Portuguese, and had for most time, contained the Portuguese to ineffective dribbles and set pieces. The penalty won by Henry was probably fair, and Zidane showed the English takers how to score one with the goalkeeper diving the correct way. After that the likes of Makelele and Viera just stifled the creativity of Ronaldo and Deco to the death.
Now all eyes are on the Finals on Sunday. Italy and France are two well-oiled defensive teams, with France probably holding a slight advantage in the attacking field, especially with Zidane and Ribery, and the spectacular Henry in the wings. For their part, the Italian midfield of Gattuso and Zambrotta have their hands full to support the Italian defence. It'll probably be a battle of wits. Who will prevail? Odds on, France.
But I hope the Italians will give them a run for their money!
This morning's semis showed that Portugal gamesmanship would never work against French resolve and finesse. The Portuguese players tumbled and rolled to their utmost, and credit to the referee, ignored them. Probably the theatrics of their two previous matches worked against them. But they actually are able to play good football if they set their mind to it, but unfortunately they don't always do.
On the other hand, the French rarely were troubled by the Portuguese, and had for most time, contained the Portuguese to ineffective dribbles and set pieces. The penalty won by Henry was probably fair, and Zidane showed the English takers how to score one with the goalkeeper diving the correct way. After that the likes of Makelele and Viera just stifled the creativity of Ronaldo and Deco to the death.
Now all eyes are on the Finals on Sunday. Italy and France are two well-oiled defensive teams, with France probably holding a slight advantage in the attacking field, especially with Zidane and Ribery, and the spectacular Henry in the wings. For their part, the Italian midfield of Gattuso and Zambrotta have their hands full to support the Italian defence. It'll probably be a battle of wits. Who will prevail? Odds on, France.
But I hope the Italians will give them a run for their money!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Italy In, Germany Out
What a match! The ideal football game, end-to-end, with a lot of action. Perhaps we could have done with more goals, but it took a while in coming. Italy started off brightly, but as expected Germany took control for much of the game but could not find the net. As expected the Italian defence held out firmly; so much so that the German forwards couldn't make much inroads. Schneider had the one clear chance in full time, but blazed over the bar. For the Italians, they sat back and soaked up the pressure, and when it mattered most, they struck.
So when you don't take your chances...the opposing team will. Two beautiful goals when everything seemed set for a penalty shootout. Delightful chipped goal by Grosso, and finished off by del Piero...breaking the German hearts out there in an instant.
But gracious in defeat, Klinsmann paid tribute to the Italian team...as do I. Wish them well in the finals. As for Germany, see you for the third place match playoff.
So when you don't take your chances...the opposing team will. Two beautiful goals when everything seemed set for a penalty shootout. Delightful chipped goal by Grosso, and finished off by del Piero...breaking the German hearts out there in an instant.
But gracious in defeat, Klinsmann paid tribute to the Italian team...as do I. Wish them well in the finals. As for Germany, see you for the third place match playoff.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Chivalry dead?
Read this: Uncommon Courtesy
Wow, did this article brew up a storm here in KL and nearby PJ! We Malaysians pride ourselves as being kind, polite and courteous, as well as having all the 'Eastern Ideals' we show to visitors to our humble country. To all you KLites out there, you really believe that? You really believe that we deserve to be ranked higher than the lowly 33rd we have been accorded? Then come forward and prove me wrong!
Granted that the tests performed to assess our 'manners' were crude, narrow and woefully inadequate in number, but I think that it actually tests our spontaneity to a situation, which I agree is a better measure of our manners than a questionnaire of sorts (something akin to our Moral exam papers, hah...even a five-year old boy can pass that crap!!)
Before we browbeat others into submission, deny the facts of the survey, and flood the newspapers with excuses, hang on for a moment!! Do we actually, hold the door open for others behind us, or stoop to help a person picking up their fallen belongings, or say thank you to a customer? Do we? We have to be honest about ourselves...
I think we would probably do best in the third category, and last in the first. Most of us do get a 'Thank You' when going to a shopping complex, fast food joint etc. but less if we go to a government department, especially in the LHDN (read Income Tax Dept!!) I guess the former two are just not in our blood. Like some of the excuses given by particpants questioned: afraid of being mugged, need to rush off for work, or just plain simple 'Why should I?'
Some would say that the younger generation has lower tolerance for courtesy compared to the older generation, but not simply true. I have seen the 'older generation' shout obscenities, show the finger, cut in line, much to my chagrin. So much for being a good example. But we do not let the young ones off the hook either. There is a definite deterioration in the values of young ones today, and we have to stop the rot at the root of it all: the family core.
Luckily they have not expanded the survey to things peculiar to the ugly Malaysian: like giving way to oncoming cars, standing in line to get on a bus or God forbid, allow others a chance at the food during an open house. Now with that survey, I wouldn't be surprised if we rank so low that even the esteemed Reader's Digest would blush at publishing...
So over the weeks there are many opinions: from the man-in-the street to the top politicians, but there is one unescapable fact: we are that uncourteous. And we need to admit that, before we can move forward and improve ourselves.
Or are we too proud to admit to the obvious?
Wow, did this article brew up a storm here in KL and nearby PJ! We Malaysians pride ourselves as being kind, polite and courteous, as well as having all the 'Eastern Ideals' we show to visitors to our humble country. To all you KLites out there, you really believe that? You really believe that we deserve to be ranked higher than the lowly 33rd we have been accorded? Then come forward and prove me wrong!
Granted that the tests performed to assess our 'manners' were crude, narrow and woefully inadequate in number, but I think that it actually tests our spontaneity to a situation, which I agree is a better measure of our manners than a questionnaire of sorts (something akin to our Moral exam papers, hah...even a five-year old boy can pass that crap!!)
Before we browbeat others into submission, deny the facts of the survey, and flood the newspapers with excuses, hang on for a moment!! Do we actually, hold the door open for others behind us, or stoop to help a person picking up their fallen belongings, or say thank you to a customer? Do we? We have to be honest about ourselves...
I think we would probably do best in the third category, and last in the first. Most of us do get a 'Thank You' when going to a shopping complex, fast food joint etc. but less if we go to a government department, especially in the LHDN (read Income Tax Dept!!) I guess the former two are just not in our blood. Like some of the excuses given by particpants questioned: afraid of being mugged, need to rush off for work, or just plain simple 'Why should I?'
Some would say that the younger generation has lower tolerance for courtesy compared to the older generation, but not simply true. I have seen the 'older generation' shout obscenities, show the finger, cut in line, much to my chagrin. So much for being a good example. But we do not let the young ones off the hook either. There is a definite deterioration in the values of young ones today, and we have to stop the rot at the root of it all: the family core.
Luckily they have not expanded the survey to things peculiar to the ugly Malaysian: like giving way to oncoming cars, standing in line to get on a bus or God forbid, allow others a chance at the food during an open house. Now with that survey, I wouldn't be surprised if we rank so low that even the esteemed Reader's Digest would blush at publishing...
So over the weeks there are many opinions: from the man-in-the street to the top politicians, but there is one unescapable fact: we are that uncourteous. And we need to admit that, before we can move forward and improve ourselves.
Or are we too proud to admit to the obvious?
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