Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Man Rules
The Man Rules.
At last a guy (not me...) has taken the time to write this all down.
Finally, the guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good.)
We always hear ' The Rules ' from the female side.
Now here are the rules from the male side.
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done.
1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like WINDOWS default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A COLOR.
PUMPKIN IS ALSO A FRUIT.
WE HAVE NO idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' we will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or GOLF.
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!
1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight.
But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.
Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh.
Pass this to as many women as you can - give them a bigger laugh.
At last a guy (not me...) has taken the time to write this all down.
Finally, the guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good.)
We always hear ' The Rules ' from the female side.
Now here are the rules from the male side.
These are our rules!
Please note... These are all numbered '1 ' ON PURPOSE!
1. Men are NOT mind readers.
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Sunday sports - It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.
Let it be
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:
1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the OTHER ONE
1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done.
Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like WINDOWS default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A COLOR.
PUMPKIN IS ALSO A FRUIT.
WE HAVE NO idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched.
We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' we will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or GOLF.
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!
1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight.
But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.
Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh.
Pass this to as many women as you can - give them a bigger laugh.
Another good laugh contributed by 'Absolutely Introvert'
Monday, May 25, 2009
Oxymoron ...
I almost lost my temper today.... and...
I almost lost my cool dealing with the head of the building management team...
We booked an auditorium for a seminar this afternoon....
The weatherman had forecast a 34 degree C for today....
When we stepped into the 400 seater auditorium at 1.45pm, we can sensed that the air-conditioning had just turned on not too long ago... The hall was almost empty then...
I waited....for the auditorium to cool down..
By 2.30pm when the main body started settling in, it got stuffy.... it did not get any cooler...
I headed down to the building management office, cos the auditorium technician said the main control is 3 floors below.... (huh?....)
I made my concerns known to the 2 ladies at the office.... I was told that they'll inform the 'in-charge'....
I left that office, and tried to keep (and contain) my cool... (I was already perspiring.....)
By 3.30pm, I was already pacing in and out of the auditorium, and I was not the only one....
I just cannot focus on what the speaker was saying.... neither did the few in the back rows...
Participants in the auditorium were busy fanning themselves.... Some left because they felt dizzy and one had difficult breathing. It was so stuffy and stale inside....
I made my last and final attempt to get hold of the building mgt team in-charge ... I was not happy with the fact they they are not doing anything fast enough to solve the problem..
My guest speaker was apologizing on stage about the air-con...
After asking around the buliding offices, I got hold of the in-charge's mobile, I made known my concerns and relayed to him the situations...
It was then that he told me that they are checking the chiller and the pump... (only then ?...)
It was almost at the end of the seminar... OMG !!!
By the time that 'in-charge' appeared outside the auditorium, I had to hold my temper ... it was almost 4pm then !!!... My booking ends at 4-ish...
He got the cheek to tell me that he only got the message 15 mins ago about the auditorium's temperature.... SO WHO THE HELL WAS I SMSing WITH EARLIER???
He tried explaining that its a hot day outside, his techs told him it was 36 Degree C as recorded by his system....
THEN WHY DID HE NOT NOT INSTRUCT HIS GUYS TO ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT IN THE HALL BEFORE ALL OF US GOT SO UNCOMFORTABLE ???....
WHY DID HIS TECHS TOLD HIM ABOUT THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE FOR ??? SO THAT HE CAN GET A GOOD TAN ??...
Need we have a rocket scientist to analyze the situation meh ???....
WAS THIS MAN USING HIS BRAIN TO THINK ???...
Never have I sat in a commercial auditorium sweating like this afternoon.....
Never was I so worked up with poor environment situations, slow services and indecisiveness.....
Its Singapore !!!.... Its a quasi gov facility open to the public !!!.... Its not acceptable !!!....
And this is the 2nd time this auditorium is giving us the poor services and lousy air-con .... especially after this new management team took over the facilities...
I know there are so many talks on energy savings and all the crap....
Don't tell me paying end-users (almost 400 of us) like us have to suffer like that in the name of energy savings??...
We had to make advance payments so as to confirm our booking and they can't just tweak the air-con in time for us ?.... Its just plain stupid policy !!
It just add on to my disbelieve about this energy saving movement...
And to think this organization pride itself for setting high service quality standards ????...
Its an utter oxymoron.....
(Venting session like this helps to keep my sanity.... I have low tolerance and patience for nonsense like what happened this afternoon...)
I almost lost my cool dealing with the head of the building management team...
We booked an auditorium for a seminar this afternoon....
The weatherman had forecast a 34 degree C for today....
When we stepped into the 400 seater auditorium at 1.45pm, we can sensed that the air-conditioning had just turned on not too long ago... The hall was almost empty then...
I waited....for the auditorium to cool down..
By 2.30pm when the main body started settling in, it got stuffy.... it did not get any cooler...
I headed down to the building management office, cos the auditorium technician said the main control is 3 floors below.... (huh?....)
I made my concerns known to the 2 ladies at the office.... I was told that they'll inform the 'in-charge'....
I left that office, and tried to keep (and contain) my cool... (I was already perspiring.....)
By 3.30pm, I was already pacing in and out of the auditorium, and I was not the only one....
I just cannot focus on what the speaker was saying.... neither did the few in the back rows...
Participants in the auditorium were busy fanning themselves.... Some left because they felt dizzy and one had difficult breathing. It was so stuffy and stale inside....
I made my last and final attempt to get hold of the building mgt team in-charge ... I was not happy with the fact they they are not doing anything fast enough to solve the problem..
My guest speaker was apologizing on stage about the air-con...
After asking around the buliding offices, I got hold of the in-charge's mobile, I made known my concerns and relayed to him the situations...
It was then that he told me that they are checking the chiller and the pump... (only then ?...)
It was almost at the end of the seminar... OMG !!!
By the time that 'in-charge' appeared outside the auditorium, I had to hold my temper ... it was almost 4pm then !!!... My booking ends at 4-ish...
He got the cheek to tell me that he only got the message 15 mins ago about the auditorium's temperature.... SO WHO THE HELL WAS I SMSing WITH EARLIER???
He tried explaining that its a hot day outside, his techs told him it was 36 Degree C as recorded by his system....
THEN WHY DID HE NOT NOT INSTRUCT HIS GUYS TO ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT IN THE HALL BEFORE ALL OF US GOT SO UNCOMFORTABLE ???....
WHY DID HIS TECHS TOLD HIM ABOUT THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE FOR ??? SO THAT HE CAN GET A GOOD TAN ??...
Need we have a rocket scientist to analyze the situation meh ???....
WAS THIS MAN USING HIS BRAIN TO THINK ???...
Never have I sat in a commercial auditorium sweating like this afternoon.....
Never was I so worked up with poor environment situations, slow services and indecisiveness.....
Its Singapore !!!.... Its a quasi gov facility open to the public !!!.... Its not acceptable !!!....
And this is the 2nd time this auditorium is giving us the poor services and lousy air-con .... especially after this new management team took over the facilities...
I know there are so many talks on energy savings and all the crap....
Don't tell me paying end-users (almost 400 of us) like us have to suffer like that in the name of energy savings??...
We had to make advance payments so as to confirm our booking and they can't just tweak the air-con in time for us ?.... Its just plain stupid policy !!
It just add on to my disbelieve about this energy saving movement...
And to think this organization pride itself for setting high service quality standards ????...
Its an utter oxymoron.....
(Venting session like this helps to keep my sanity.... I have low tolerance and patience for nonsense like what happened this afternoon...)
Friday, May 22, 2009
ANGRY !!!!!!
DAMN !!!.....
Some asshole just dented my car !!!.. SHIT !!!
Must be carrying some shit load of crap and while loading it into his crappy shitty car, and bumped the tailend of whatever shit he was carrying, onto my left front window pillar !!!!
Left 2 freaking dent marks !!!
ARRRGhhhhhh
TMD !!!! F#$^&*(*) !!!!
Got to spend money to fix it, such an eye sore !!!!!
May I bless this crappy driver with 50x more deeeeeepppperrrr dents on his car and spider cracks on his windscreen in the next 50 cars he would ever drive !!..... And he'll need more tire changes cos they will be punctured every week, and he'll need to replace his windscreen and rear screen and windows every now and then..... from today onwards !!!
May his shitty car breaks down in the morning along the highway and tunnel every other day...
May all the bird shit descend upon his car from all the 4 corners of Singapore and Malaysia, granting him the permanent showers of blessings, forever and ever after.......
Some asshole just dented my car !!!.. SHIT !!!
Must be carrying some shit load of crap and while loading it into his crappy shitty car, and bumped the tailend of whatever shit he was carrying, onto my left front window pillar !!!!
Left 2 freaking dent marks !!!
ARRRGhhhhhh
TMD !!!! F#$^&*(*) !!!!
Got to spend money to fix it, such an eye sore !!!!!
May I bless this crappy driver with 50x more deeeeeepppperrrr dents on his car and spider cracks on his windscreen in the next 50 cars he would ever drive !!..... And he'll need more tire changes cos they will be punctured every week, and he'll need to replace his windscreen and rear screen and windows every now and then..... from today onwards !!!
May his shitty car breaks down in the morning along the highway and tunnel every other day...
May all the bird shit descend upon his car from all the 4 corners of Singapore and Malaysia, granting him the permanent showers of blessings, forever and ever after.......
Monday, May 18, 2009
We Won ?!?!....
'Hell Week' has past..... the toughest week yet as scheduled, the Vesak Day week... that came and went .
I survived !!! Yeh !!!
The next 2 weeks is gonna be less hectic for me provided no last minute drama happens...
During the last packed week, I was 'volunteered' to represent the dept to compete in the Wii Tennis Game on Fri evening. Not forgetting that I was having back-to-back training for the whole week...
My partner was especially excited about it and he was all decked out for a thundering 'show-time', in his gold limited Addidas trainer.
For me, I was there to do my best and getting into quarter final was the max I could think of.... There were 16 teams from all the various dept. The Mktg Blue Boys was one of the toughest I imagined to beat, but we trashed them with 2 straight wins !!! Thanks to Ace Serve !!!
After a few rounds of 'Best of 3' matches, we squeezed into the finals.
We final emerged as the 2nd after the Best of 5 matches !!
Considering my current fitness level and my 4th or 5th exposure to Wii, its a heck of an accomplishment !!!
On hind sight, we lost because all the previous straight wins, we were playing doubles on the right-side. But during the finals, we played on the left and before we had time to get used to it, we were already down. But we denied them a straight win of 3 games. There were long drawn rallies that got the whole room cheering for us....
I get this feeling that my HoD may migrate her family's Wii set to office soon (after watching us play in the biggest training room)......
Who would not, I would too !...
High power projector and huge screen and all round overhead sound system in a big training room, its as real as it can get and you have all the place to run around, swinging your controller all over the shop !!!
Though next 2 weeks is gonna less hectic, there are other corporate 'ECAs' lined up for us afte work...
Well, real busy is better than trying to look busy....
I survived !!! Yeh !!!
The next 2 weeks is gonna be less hectic for me provided no last minute drama happens...
During the last packed week, I was 'volunteered' to represent the dept to compete in the Wii Tennis Game on Fri evening. Not forgetting that I was having back-to-back training for the whole week...
My partner was especially excited about it and he was all decked out for a thundering 'show-time', in his gold limited Addidas trainer.
For me, I was there to do my best and getting into quarter final was the max I could think of.... There were 16 teams from all the various dept. The Mktg Blue Boys was one of the toughest I imagined to beat, but we trashed them with 2 straight wins !!! Thanks to Ace Serve !!!
After a few rounds of 'Best of 3' matches, we squeezed into the finals.
We final emerged as the 2nd after the Best of 5 matches !!
Considering my current fitness level and my 4th or 5th exposure to Wii, its a heck of an accomplishment !!!
On hind sight, we lost because all the previous straight wins, we were playing doubles on the right-side. But during the finals, we played on the left and before we had time to get used to it, we were already down. But we denied them a straight win of 3 games. There were long drawn rallies that got the whole room cheering for us....
I get this feeling that my HoD may migrate her family's Wii set to office soon (after watching us play in the biggest training room)......
Who would not, I would too !...
High power projector and huge screen and all round overhead sound system in a big training room, its as real as it can get and you have all the place to run around, swinging your controller all over the shop !!!
Though next 2 weeks is gonna less hectic, there are other corporate 'ECAs' lined up for us afte work...
Well, real busy is better than trying to look busy....
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Busy busy busy Pt 3
Just about 15 days ago, I log an entry with the same title.
Since then, it was the almost non-stop back-to-back training for all the advisers.
Up to date, we rolled out the tenth batch, out of the 15 of so scheduled for. But I'm also been informed of the additional Managers and Advisers make-up session in early June. Maybe another 2-3 more sessions...
It was very very tiring and mundane for the last 2 weeks for me.
Unlike my other 'routine' programmes that happens once a week or one a fortnight, the current compulsory training runs back-to-back almost everyday. Every batch is 1.5 days...
I could be finishing a class before lunch and a new class will begin right after that. Then the next day, when I'm done with the half day till lunch, another will out in the afternoon....
Can die man!!!...
Since then, it was the almost non-stop back-to-back training for all the advisers.
Up to date, we rolled out the tenth batch, out of the 15 of so scheduled for. But I'm also been informed of the additional Managers and Advisers make-up session in early June. Maybe another 2-3 more sessions...
It was very very tiring and mundane for the last 2 weeks for me.
Unlike my other 'routine' programmes that happens once a week or one a fortnight, the current compulsory training runs back-to-back almost everyday. Every batch is 1.5 days...
I could be finishing a class before lunch and a new class will begin right after that. Then the next day, when I'm done with the half day till lunch, another will out in the afternoon....
Can die man!!!...
Monday, May 11, 2009
New Extended Family Soon...
Since our last meeting here, Uncle is back again for his regular quarterly home visits from Vietnam.
The last round in Feb 09, he brought 'her' and her elder sis here. I was their tour guide cum driver for the 2 days plus.... Posting on Ronald Home Visit.
This time round, it was Uncle Ronald and his confirmed beau... just the two of them..
Over dinner on Sat night, just before they fly back to Vietnam on Sunday morning, it was apparent that wedding plan is on the table. IT IS FIRMED !!
He has chosen !!! ....
Refer to Posting on A君B 君
Looks like we'll have to make a trip to HCMC by the early of next year, maybe around CNY period, to celebrate Uncle Ronald's 第二春 !!!
Before we drop the couple off after dinner, she was so happy and reminded us to go over to HCMC to witness the big day....
All of us are so happy for them !!!
Mom and I were joking about having another 'new cousin' in the near future.... and we are more than 40yrs apart... Gosh !!! And not forgetting another 'young aunty'.... Wah lau eh !!!
With that, I would now have extended family in Hong Kong, my dad's birth place; in Penang, my wife's birthday place; and many more extended families and relatives in KL, Batam, Taiwan and Vietnam (real soon).
The last round in Feb 09, he brought 'her' and her elder sis here. I was their tour guide cum driver for the 2 days plus.... Posting on Ronald Home Visit.
This time round, it was Uncle Ronald and his confirmed beau... just the two of them..
Over dinner on Sat night, just before they fly back to Vietnam on Sunday morning, it was apparent that wedding plan is on the table. IT IS FIRMED !!
He has chosen !!! ....
Refer to Posting on A君B 君
Looks like we'll have to make a trip to HCMC by the early of next year, maybe around CNY period, to celebrate Uncle Ronald's 第二春 !!!
Before we drop the couple off after dinner, she was so happy and reminded us to go over to HCMC to witness the big day....
All of us are so happy for them !!!
Mom and I were joking about having another 'new cousin' in the near future.... and we are more than 40yrs apart... Gosh !!! And not forgetting another 'young aunty'.... Wah lau eh !!!
With that, I would now have extended family in Hong Kong, my dad's birth place; in Penang, my wife's birthday place; and many more extended families and relatives in KL, Batam, Taiwan and Vietnam (real soon).
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Transformers 2 Revenge Of The Fallen - Official Trailer 2 [HD]
I can wait for the premier !!!!!....
My next eager expectation after Angels and Demon !!....
Chinese Horoscope Compatibiliy Chart
During CNY this year, the few of us in office were exchanging notes on personalities traits vs horoscopes or astrology.... Then ET researched the web and came out with this interesting site that talks about which sign would flow and which would 'langga'....
Last night over a BBQ with Wendy and company, we drifted into the same topic and I thought, since I'm gonna pass this link to them, I might as well reproduce it here for all of you to check it for fun....
If I may suggest, take it with a pinch of salt....
But as far as I am concerned, the Oxes in my life seemed to be very true. I always have problems with this group of people, kind of lock horns most of the time....
Compatibility with other Signs
According to the Chinese Astrologists, the characteristics of an individual can be determined from the year, month, time and place of birth. The reality of such prediction is about 60% accurate since one can change ones character and attitude either for better or worse as the years go by. The environment and our determination can also affect those characteristics.
Sincere, kind and truthful attitudes are valuable for establishing good friendships whereas arrogance and flattering approaches are to be discouraged.
The following information could help you to know about your relationship as well as compatibility with other signs. More importantly, one should always realize personal shortfalls and learn from the positive attitudes of others.
Two most compatible signs for each animal sign: Starting from your own sign, say, as number one, count either clockwise or anti-clockwise to 5 and these will be two compatible signs.
e.g. If you are a Rat sign, then two compatible signs are Dragon and Monkey.
Either competitor or compatible: Directly opposite to each other.
e.g Rat and Horse
Normally, these two signs cannot see eye to eye with each other (in this case as competitor), BUT if the elder sign yields to the younger sign, then the relationship will be compatible
Possible non compatible combination: Starting from your own sign, say, as number one, count either clockwise or anti-clockwise to 4 and these will be two very likely non-compatible signs.
e.g. If you are a Rat sign, then two non compatible signs are Rabbit and Rooster.
For a husband and wife, parent and children or brother and sister relationship that falls under such combination, there will be quite frequent disagreements. The possible reason for meeting in such circumstances in this life are partly due to destiny or previous unresolved deeds, depending on who is the debtor or debt-collector.
Anyhow, RESPECT for each other will lead to having a peaceful home.
For a friend, business partnership or colleagues relationship, such combinations could establish into a good friendship or friendly working environment provided one respects and values each other.
Other signs: In general, when the large animal sign is willing to give in to the smaller animal sign, they can become good-friends or compatible.
Large animal signs:- Ox, Tiger, Dragon, Horse.
Small animal signs:- Rat, rabbit, snake, goat (sheep), monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Remember, 'Respect others, and others will respect you', then non-compatibles can become compatible. Learn good attitudes from others in order to compensate own shortfalls.
Note: Check this out first, if you born in the month of January or February.
Click on the Sign against your Birth Year
For more info and details of match and management, go to this site...
http://www.west-meet-east.com/horcom.htm
Last night over a BBQ with Wendy and company, we drifted into the same topic and I thought, since I'm gonna pass this link to them, I might as well reproduce it here for all of you to check it for fun....
If I may suggest, take it with a pinch of salt....
But as far as I am concerned, the Oxes in my life seemed to be very true. I always have problems with this group of people, kind of lock horns most of the time....
Compatibility with other SignsSincere, kind and truthful attitudes are valuable for establishing good friendships whereas arrogance and flattering approaches are to be discouraged.
The following information could help you to know about your relationship as well as compatibility with other signs. More importantly, one should always realize personal shortfalls and learn from the positive attitudes of others.
Two most compatible signs for each animal sign: Starting from your own sign, say, as number one, count either clockwise or anti-clockwise to 5 and these will be two compatible signs.
e.g. If you are a Rat sign, then two compatible signs are Dragon and Monkey.
Either competitor or compatible: Directly opposite to each other.
e.g Rat and Horse
Normally, these two signs cannot see eye to eye with each other (in this case as competitor), BUT if the elder sign yields to the younger sign, then the relationship will be compatible
Possible non compatible combination: Starting from your own sign, say, as number one, count either clockwise or anti-clockwise to 4 and these will be two very likely non-compatible signs.
e.g. If you are a Rat sign, then two non compatible signs are Rabbit and Rooster.
For a husband and wife, parent and children or brother and sister relationship that falls under such combination, there will be quite frequent disagreements. The possible reason for meeting in such circumstances in this life are partly due to destiny or previous unresolved deeds, depending on who is the debtor or debt-collector.
Anyhow, RESPECT for each other will lead to having a peaceful home.
For a friend, business partnership or colleagues relationship, such combinations could establish into a good friendship or friendly working environment provided one respects and values each other.
Other signs: In general, when the large animal sign is willing to give in to the smaller animal sign, they can become good-friends or compatible.
Large animal signs:- Ox, Tiger, Dragon, Horse.
Small animal signs:- Rat, rabbit, snake, goat (sheep), monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Remember, 'Respect others, and others will respect you', then non-compatibles can become compatible. Learn good attitudes from others in order to compensate own shortfalls.
Note: Check this out first, if you born in the month of January or February.
Click on the Sign against your Birth Year
| Rat Ox Tiger Rabbit Dragon Snake Horse Goat Monkey Rooster Dog Pig | 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 | 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 | 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 | 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 | 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 |
For more info and details of match and management, go to this site...
http://www.west-meet-east.com/horcom.htm
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Gathering of the old cocks....
Just a few nights ago, to be precise, on Tue night, I met up with a bunch of old cocks from my Air Force days. We met up for dinner.
Come to think about it, it was somewhere in 1989/90 that our lives cross path with each other... So our friendship is about 20 years now....
Daniel, aka 'slang'; Trevor, aka Soh-sang; Andy, aka 'skong or ong-ji-kee', and our high flying boss Doug F, chief of a local sushi chain and many more...
Though I was a little reluctant to go that night cos I was really dead tired, I dragged myself there. I was happy we met up after such a long time...
The last time the 4 of us met up was easily 4-5yrs ago, in one of Doug's high-end Japanese restaurants.
Though I was not exactly sure the restaurant we were in that night belongs to who, I suspected it was a joint investment between Doug and Andy...
After a couple bottles of red, it was only natural we started to talk about our lives during army days, it was really nostalgic and entertaining. Trevor as usual, provided most of the entertainment with the comical narration of our army days events....
We spoke about our Junior Term days in SOCC, though we were not all from the same platoon, we all have our stories to share...
Then when we talked about our Senior Term in our ADA Units, and it got even more funny and crazy !!...
Stories of miss-fires, heat stroke, battalion exercise, live firing exercise, chin-ups, chicken pox, turn-outs and our days in PLA, Passing Out Parade, etc ..... it was so funny !!!...
Seated there, listening to all the stories from the past, at some moment, I felt a little lost.....
Believe it or, I could not recall some of the events that happened on me and with the guys during those fun times....
For example that 'glorious moment' when we had to do SOC in the wee hours of the morning and made a final assault up Elephant Hill to receive our rank as Senior Term Cadets..... I was the only one that has totally forgotten that super highly charged experience.... They tried to help me piece together my memory...
After that, we drifted to the fact that we are all in our 40s now...with me being the oldest at 42 next birthday, while the others were either just past 40 or 41....
Time waits for no man and we all agree that once we past the magic 40, like it or not, things start to degenerate. From eye sight to memory, and I was one example.
Somewhere somehow, we drifted our attention to Doug.
We were all teasing him if he would be invited to be a NMP ?....
Our friend is already sitting on some many gov or quasi gov Boards either as a chair person or acting as an Adviser.... He is so in demand and involved in some many non-business 'ECAs'.
On any given week, he said he could be in 3 different countries for businesses and meetings.....
We all wondered how he managed his time and his family.
But he just smile and brush it off..... Neither did he admit or deny that possibility of being invited to be an NMP.... We'll have to wait and see...
After dinner that night, we adjourned for drinks in CQ before we parted.... If not for our families and work, we could have stayed later....
I wonder when we will all meet again in the same fashion ...
Come to think about it, it was somewhere in 1989/90 that our lives cross path with each other... So our friendship is about 20 years now....
Daniel, aka 'slang'; Trevor, aka Soh-sang; Andy, aka 'skong or ong-ji-kee', and our high flying boss Doug F, chief of a local sushi chain and many more...
Though I was a little reluctant to go that night cos I was really dead tired, I dragged myself there. I was happy we met up after such a long time...
The last time the 4 of us met up was easily 4-5yrs ago, in one of Doug's high-end Japanese restaurants.
Though I was not exactly sure the restaurant we were in that night belongs to who, I suspected it was a joint investment between Doug and Andy...
After a couple bottles of red, it was only natural we started to talk about our lives during army days, it was really nostalgic and entertaining. Trevor as usual, provided most of the entertainment with the comical narration of our army days events....
We spoke about our Junior Term days in SOCC, though we were not all from the same platoon, we all have our stories to share...
Then when we talked about our Senior Term in our ADA Units, and it got even more funny and crazy !!...
Stories of miss-fires, heat stroke, battalion exercise, live firing exercise, chin-ups, chicken pox, turn-outs and our days in PLA, Passing Out Parade, etc ..... it was so funny !!!...
Seated there, listening to all the stories from the past, at some moment, I felt a little lost.....
Believe it or, I could not recall some of the events that happened on me and with the guys during those fun times....
For example that 'glorious moment' when we had to do SOC in the wee hours of the morning and made a final assault up Elephant Hill to receive our rank as Senior Term Cadets..... I was the only one that has totally forgotten that super highly charged experience.... They tried to help me piece together my memory...
After that, we drifted to the fact that we are all in our 40s now...with me being the oldest at 42 next birthday, while the others were either just past 40 or 41....
Time waits for no man and we all agree that once we past the magic 40, like it or not, things start to degenerate. From eye sight to memory, and I was one example.
Somewhere somehow, we drifted our attention to Doug.
We were all teasing him if he would be invited to be a NMP ?....
Our friend is already sitting on some many gov or quasi gov Boards either as a chair person or acting as an Adviser.... He is so in demand and involved in some many non-business 'ECAs'.
On any given week, he said he could be in 3 different countries for businesses and meetings.....
We all wondered how he managed his time and his family.
But he just smile and brush it off..... Neither did he admit or deny that possibility of being invited to be an NMP.... We'll have to wait and see...
After dinner that night, we adjourned for drinks in CQ before we parted.... If not for our families and work, we could have stayed later....
I wonder when we will all meet again in the same fashion ...
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Worry worry worry....
Besides the saga that unfolded on Sat, I was watching closely how H1N1 is escalating in the world and at our doorstep...
For the first time, I am reacting to this potential pandemic as a fulltime salaried staff. I was actively selling way back in 2003 when SARS happened. I recalled my business was poor then and prospects or clients were not comfortable to meet sales people like us, for fear that we were potential carriers...
I can understand that, I would if I was in their shoes too.... I had to meet so many different people everyday, it was part of my biz routine then.... Potential exposures were indeed very high. I ended up at home most of the time then....
Now back to the present....
Over the weekend, my mind kept wondering if our Snr Mgt had started the Biz Contingency Plans and what kind of solid preventive measures would be put in place come Mon when I report to work...
It was already Code Orange last week and many places had set up Thermal Scanners and temperature scanning and contact recording as a SOP... as per gov advice...
The first thing I realised when I walked through my tower lobby, it was like any other day.... I was a little concerned... Building management is not responding to the alert state. No temperature checks, no contact recordings and so on...
Then I overheard my HoD rushing off to an urgent meeting on BCP. Its 'no-duff' (real scenario situation) and unlike the exercise I participated in last year, its the real thing now...
But the post meeting briefing was not very happening, as far as I am concern...
Half of the back & front end support will move to Great World City office as the alternate operations site tomorrow.
The planning committee even suggested we mobilize 3-4 trainers over to GWC.... But I asked my HoD if there are training rooms and if it is really feasible to have a satellite training centre?
She agreed its not feasible...
Somehow I feel the planning committee don't seemed to understand the nature of our work ....
Moreover, as a learning centre, the volume of human traffic that passes on our level alone exceeds hundreds everyday!
I think we need our own preventive measures and checks until some realistic measures are rolled out.
Why am I reacting you wonder?....
Well, if a probable case happens to be on our level, receiving training with the tens or hundreds that move about in our 5 training rooms everyday, with the whole premise enclosed and airconditioned, the mulitplying effect is unimaginable...
The lobby, the lift car, the centre's corridor and so on....
For me, my family will be affected indirectly if I am infected. For others, their families too would likely be infected.....
The current proposed measures when rolled out does not effectively block or stop a potential cases from entering the tower premise altogether....
I just hope that the flu bug would die off without any 2nd or 3rd wave.... If there's a case here, let it be quickly contained and isolated for the good of everybody...
For the first time, I am reacting to this potential pandemic as a fulltime salaried staff. I was actively selling way back in 2003 when SARS happened. I recalled my business was poor then and prospects or clients were not comfortable to meet sales people like us, for fear that we were potential carriers...
I can understand that, I would if I was in their shoes too.... I had to meet so many different people everyday, it was part of my biz routine then.... Potential exposures were indeed very high. I ended up at home most of the time then....
Now back to the present....
Over the weekend, my mind kept wondering if our Snr Mgt had started the Biz Contingency Plans and what kind of solid preventive measures would be put in place come Mon when I report to work...
It was already Code Orange last week and many places had set up Thermal Scanners and temperature scanning and contact recording as a SOP... as per gov advice...
The first thing I realised when I walked through my tower lobby, it was like any other day.... I was a little concerned... Building management is not responding to the alert state. No temperature checks, no contact recordings and so on...
Then I overheard my HoD rushing off to an urgent meeting on BCP. Its 'no-duff' (real scenario situation) and unlike the exercise I participated in last year, its the real thing now...
But the post meeting briefing was not very happening, as far as I am concern...
Half of the back & front end support will move to Great World City office as the alternate operations site tomorrow.
The planning committee even suggested we mobilize 3-4 trainers over to GWC.... But I asked my HoD if there are training rooms and if it is really feasible to have a satellite training centre?
She agreed its not feasible...
Somehow I feel the planning committee don't seemed to understand the nature of our work ....
Moreover, as a learning centre, the volume of human traffic that passes on our level alone exceeds hundreds everyday!
I think we need our own preventive measures and checks until some realistic measures are rolled out.
Why am I reacting you wonder?....
Well, if a probable case happens to be on our level, receiving training with the tens or hundreds that move about in our 5 training rooms everyday, with the whole premise enclosed and airconditioned, the mulitplying effect is unimaginable...
The lobby, the lift car, the centre's corridor and so on....
For me, my family will be affected indirectly if I am infected. For others, their families too would likely be infected.....
The current proposed measures when rolled out does not effectively block or stop a potential cases from entering the tower premise altogether....
I just hope that the flu bug would die off without any 2nd or 3rd wave.... If there's a case here, let it be quickly contained and isolated for the good of everybody...
Monday, May 04, 2009
Very Scary....
I spend the whole afternoon digesting the Sunday Times and watching the video on CNA, trying to soak in on how the cat-fight saga unfolded at Suntec on Sat.
Like many Singaporeans, I did not care much about the fight until when I read about the programme's stand on homosexuality in some of our local schools. Somehow this particular topic screams at me every time I read about it on the daily ST reports.
Then there were numerous views in the build up to the Sat's meeting... Words like pro-choices, plurality, inclusiveness, value-based sexual education, religious influences, leadership style, passion, leadership hijacked, unethical take-over and so on.... A lot of smoke at times, a lot of hidden agenda I sensed...
All these somehow again gave me an impression that the organisation already has a strong representation, a prominent voice for a group of people of a different sexual orientation... And they want to use the organisation to propagate their rights of existence and acceptance in our society...
I cannot help but wonder as a male citizen, with no kids, no strong religious views, where are all these heading...
Women standing on chairs shouting like crazy, boos and jeers were heard as reported; with strong views expressed on the floor, especially from one crew cut lady that spoke so passionately about her views and condemning the 'new guards' openly.... Its very very scary !!!....
What's next ?... More homosexual or lesbian activists represented in parliament?....
Let's see who is the first woman to stand out in the open and declare that she is a lesbian and wants her rights to be recognized and accepted in our society....
Like many Singaporeans, I did not care much about the fight until when I read about the programme's stand on homosexuality in some of our local schools. Somehow this particular topic screams at me every time I read about it on the daily ST reports.
Then there were numerous views in the build up to the Sat's meeting... Words like pro-choices, plurality, inclusiveness, value-based sexual education, religious influences, leadership style, passion, leadership hijacked, unethical take-over and so on.... A lot of smoke at times, a lot of hidden agenda I sensed...
All these somehow again gave me an impression that the organisation already has a strong representation, a prominent voice for a group of people of a different sexual orientation... And they want to use the organisation to propagate their rights of existence and acceptance in our society...
I cannot help but wonder as a male citizen, with no kids, no strong religious views, where are all these heading...
- A few that were quoted on Sunday Times are lesbians or pro-homosexuals activists...all wanted the old guards to be back in action... How I know ? I have friends from there too and the circle is very small....
- Pink seems to be the color of choice. The heading banner on Sunday Time's article; the new chief's cheong-sum, the Muslim activist's tudong.
- I am under the impression for many years that 'pink' is the color of choice normally associated with the PLU ( People Like Us, the lesbians and gays communities code) Our local media coined the 'Pink Dollar', the 'Pink Economy'. Our leaders coined the term 'Pink Collar' community.... Was it deliberate ?... A subtle message to those that can decipher ?...
- I wonder how many of those that voted for the old guards are straight...
- Value base education or no value to base on ?... If no values attached to sexual education, no black or white and 'things' can be seated on grey when it cannot be categorised, then its very disturbing...
- Neutral is neither right or wrong ? Neutral is ok?.... I would get the view that its okay to try same-same sex relationship and so on.... Where are we heading ah ?....
- Showing Spider Lilies is ok.... Then show Broke Back Mountain too I suppose... to our teens so they too can make informed choices? Pro Choices ?...
- One Malay man was quoted on Sunday Times that he has 3 daughters and he supported the organization's controversial programme in school. I wonder if he really knew if there were any hidden agenda in the programme and would he say the same thing if some of his daughters decided to have a permanent partner of the same sex next time...
Women standing on chairs shouting like crazy, boos and jeers were heard as reported; with strong views expressed on the floor, especially from one crew cut lady that spoke so passionately about her views and condemning the 'new guards' openly.... Its very very scary !!!....
What's next ?... More homosexual or lesbian activists represented in parliament?....
Let's see who is the first woman to stand out in the open and declare that she is a lesbian and wants her rights to be recognized and accepted in our society....
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Batam Day Trip on May 2nd 09
Came back from a near disaster day trip to Batam yesterday..... How so?....
THE FERRY...
Normally the 50min or so ferry trip would be a breeze. But the one we took, the air-con was not working well. So it was warm and stuffy on our way to Batam, Sekupang ....
At that point, something in me told me that the day may not work out so well... My gut feel was right !
THE ADMIN & THE GUIDE....
Upon arriving, I was happy to see a young chap receiving us after the swift Customs clearance. He directed us to the washroom to freshen up and told us to wait on our bus thereafter. It was bus 62.
As abiding citizens, so used to instructions, we boarded the coach.
Once everybody was up, about 38 of us, he started to check names... (but he did that earlier at the arrival ?)
Next he called out the groups that are on the day trip, so as to collect the return ferry stub and the $7 return port taxes...
He went up and down the aisle many times....
Somehow, I knew this chap was very weak in his admin.... He mixed up my group with another group of 7 pax a couple of times. He came asking me for my return tickets after he had collected mine 5mins ago...
To cut the long story short, the whole collection exercise took him close to 30mins... He collected the wrong ticket and money from another group.....
Only upon satisfying himself that he got the money and numbers right, he took another 5mins running back to the terminal to book confirm our return ferry for the evening....
All those time taken were our precious 1 day tour time....
THE SICK JOKE AND NARRATION:
When we started moving, he apologized. Trying not to allow a bad start to ruin our day, we tried to accept it in our stride. We were in Batam, its a norm that things don't work fast or efficiently, it a norm to accept Batam style of working, slow and messy at times...
So on the bus, he did his tour guiding thingy.... Tried to crack jokes that only he can laugh at and about Swine Flu. Sensing that we are not responding, he went on to explain our itinerary for the day...
But one problem, he failed to realize that half the bus were senior citizens from Singapore that only understand Mandarin.... He was talking the whole morning (or what's left) with his half boiled English.... He kept apologizing that his command of English was poor and he said the same when he explained that his Mandarin was poor too.... So Cleo and I were very puzzled... since both were no damn good, how you got your job then !??....
Anyways, I was quite cheezed off when he tried to explained two things enroute to the brdge...
He talked about funerals (inspired by the fact that drove past a cemetary)....how Indonesians are 'buried' in Indonesia, though not exactly in Batam.
He talked about the 'Sky and Air' Burial.... I'll skip the grusome details here.....
Why would he want to talk about such crap to a bunch of senior citizens whom are out happily for a day trip ???!!!.. Talking about death !?!? Talking about how the body was supposed to be sliced out in pieces to feed fishes after death ??!!!! Trying to impress that one Ang-moh or a small group of Indians for a fat tip? Trying to show off his geography??...
First stop was the famous Barelang Bridge.
Just before we arrived at the bridge, he tried explaining some history of the bridge before he exhibited his sick persona once more...
He talked about why many Batam folks go there... >>>>>To commit suicide !!!
He further stressed that once you jumped from a particular spot, sure die !!! Hey, are we there on a CSI field visit or what?...
With that kind of start.... my day was a washout already.....
MORE DELAYS AND BAD MASSAGE ENCOUNTER:
We were delayed for lunch at Prawn 933... A very old establishment and has since expanded to many other businesses...
So with one delay and it just snow balled....
The massage was SUCKS !!!!! The place was SO disorganised and noisy !!!! Despite the fact that he sold so hard that the massage places he is arranging is so darn good and professional !!! ANd because it a peak season, it would be tough to get a good therapist and so on...... It was the total opposite !!
It was obvious, it was S$20 for 90mins session, he could have easily pocketed S$10. And we did not have a 90mins session after all the commotions. It was a rip-off !
At Negoya Hill Mall, we can easily get the same thing for less than S$10 !!!
Since we were off to a day trip a knowing well guides needed some extra income from arranging optional tours like these, we thought we'll let him earn his keep.... but he failed to be responsible for the add-ons that he took us to....
Our last stop was the Negoya Hill Mall.... what was supposed to be a 1hr 30mins shopping time to wrap up the day (on itinerary), with all the cockups and over-runs.... we were left with 30mins to shop there.... SHOP WHAT ?!?!?!.... OMG !!!!
DEPARTURE CHAOS...
If that was not bad enough.... he situation at Batam Centre Ferry terminal was like refuggees wanting to escape the country....
The Departure was jammed packed with passengers, all standing at the glass doors waiting... I cannot see any staff on duty, not sure where to queue.... Like our coach for the day, the freakin air-con in the hall was down....
By the time we realized that we were standing behind a big group of people, which looked like a big fat queue to the right gate and right ferry, a voice annoucement came through telling us that we should be at another gate.... from gate B to gate A
So the whole group, easily about 50-80 passenger moved enmass towards the other gate.... It was chaotic !!!!
THEN.... the same stupid voice said.... So sorry.... Batam Fast Ocean Raiden pls go to Gate B again.... faint!!!
Chaos 2..... from front kenna pushed to side and all over....
By then, I was boiling deep within !!! I can see myself being one of the few that would bash that freakin Indonesian up should there be a free for all....
Hot and humid, shoulder to shoulder, big bags small bags all over, waiting and nothing happened.... it was already 6.40pm, the stipulated ferry departure time.... The whole day was rubber time, filled with overruns, delays and rushing from point A to point B... I wasn't sure how long I could manage my temper then....
OLD MAN STEPPING AWAY...
I was partially relieved when all 7 of us made it to the ferry when that bloody gate finally opened, we all sat separately.... I sat by the aisle.....
I thought I can sit down, relax and compose myself and try to forget what happened the whole day.... An old man pissed me off big time !!!....
He moved in and sat beside me with his wife.... I had a bag of stuff on my lap, so I had to grab my stuff before I can let him in..... He moved past me, stepped on my feet, so did his wife.... I told myself, they are old and cannot move well, so its ok, be tolerent and kind...
Then he stood up suddenly from his seat, saw his friends and wanted to offer his seat... without warning and letting me move my bag away, he pushed my bag aside and moved across my seat impatiently ..... stepping on my feet again... I looked at him, quite stunned with what he just did to me....
With my bag held tightly against my chest, knees tucked in, expecting him or another to move across me.... But it was him again... apparently his offer was not taken...
He moved across me like an elephant ! I gave him all the space and respect he needed as an old man... He stepped on me for the THIRD freakin time !!!!
Cleo read it all on my face....
I called out to her in Cantonese.... "IF 'people' around don't move in and out some many times, I'll won't be so fedup !!!! "
After that he settle down quietly all the way back to Singapore....
HOME SWEET HOME....
Home air and level of efficiency has never been felt so good.... things moved fast despite the thermal scanning...
I was so glad that all of us came home in one piece.....
Will try not to go Batam on a peak public holiday weekend, its MAD !!!!
THE FERRY...
Normally the 50min or so ferry trip would be a breeze. But the one we took, the air-con was not working well. So it was warm and stuffy on our way to Batam, Sekupang ....
At that point, something in me told me that the day may not work out so well... My gut feel was right !
THE ADMIN & THE GUIDE....
Upon arriving, I was happy to see a young chap receiving us after the swift Customs clearance. He directed us to the washroom to freshen up and told us to wait on our bus thereafter. It was bus 62.
As abiding citizens, so used to instructions, we boarded the coach.
Once everybody was up, about 38 of us, he started to check names... (but he did that earlier at the arrival ?)
Next he called out the groups that are on the day trip, so as to collect the return ferry stub and the $7 return port taxes...
He went up and down the aisle many times....
Somehow, I knew this chap was very weak in his admin.... He mixed up my group with another group of 7 pax a couple of times. He came asking me for my return tickets after he had collected mine 5mins ago...
To cut the long story short, the whole collection exercise took him close to 30mins... He collected the wrong ticket and money from another group.....
Only upon satisfying himself that he got the money and numbers right, he took another 5mins running back to the terminal to book confirm our return ferry for the evening....
All those time taken were our precious 1 day tour time....
THE SICK JOKE AND NARRATION:
When we started moving, he apologized. Trying not to allow a bad start to ruin our day, we tried to accept it in our stride. We were in Batam, its a norm that things don't work fast or efficiently, it a norm to accept Batam style of working, slow and messy at times...
So on the bus, he did his tour guiding thingy.... Tried to crack jokes that only he can laugh at and about Swine Flu. Sensing that we are not responding, he went on to explain our itinerary for the day...
But one problem, he failed to realize that half the bus were senior citizens from Singapore that only understand Mandarin.... He was talking the whole morning (or what's left) with his half boiled English.... He kept apologizing that his command of English was poor and he said the same when he explained that his Mandarin was poor too.... So Cleo and I were very puzzled... since both were no damn good, how you got your job then !??....
Anyways, I was quite cheezed off when he tried to explained two things enroute to the brdge...
He talked about funerals (inspired by the fact that drove past a cemetary)....how Indonesians are 'buried' in Indonesia, though not exactly in Batam.
He talked about the 'Sky and Air' Burial.... I'll skip the grusome details here.....
Why would he want to talk about such crap to a bunch of senior citizens whom are out happily for a day trip ???!!!.. Talking about death !?!? Talking about how the body was supposed to be sliced out in pieces to feed fishes after death ??!!!! Trying to impress that one Ang-moh or a small group of Indians for a fat tip? Trying to show off his geography??...
First stop was the famous Barelang Bridge.
Just before we arrived at the bridge, he tried explaining some history of the bridge before he exhibited his sick persona once more...
He talked about why many Batam folks go there... >>>>>To commit suicide !!!
He further stressed that once you jumped from a particular spot, sure die !!! Hey, are we there on a CSI field visit or what?...
With that kind of start.... my day was a washout already.....
MORE DELAYS AND BAD MASSAGE ENCOUNTER:
We were delayed for lunch at Prawn 933... A very old establishment and has since expanded to many other businesses...
So with one delay and it just snow balled....
The massage was SUCKS !!!!! The place was SO disorganised and noisy !!!! Despite the fact that he sold so hard that the massage places he is arranging is so darn good and professional !!! ANd because it a peak season, it would be tough to get a good therapist and so on...... It was the total opposite !!
It was obvious, it was S$20 for 90mins session, he could have easily pocketed S$10. And we did not have a 90mins session after all the commotions. It was a rip-off !
At Negoya Hill Mall, we can easily get the same thing for less than S$10 !!!
Since we were off to a day trip a knowing well guides needed some extra income from arranging optional tours like these, we thought we'll let him earn his keep.... but he failed to be responsible for the add-ons that he took us to....
Our last stop was the Negoya Hill Mall.... what was supposed to be a 1hr 30mins shopping time to wrap up the day (on itinerary), with all the cockups and over-runs.... we were left with 30mins to shop there.... SHOP WHAT ?!?!?!.... OMG !!!!
DEPARTURE CHAOS...
If that was not bad enough.... he situation at Batam Centre Ferry terminal was like refuggees wanting to escape the country....
The Departure was jammed packed with passengers, all standing at the glass doors waiting... I cannot see any staff on duty, not sure where to queue.... Like our coach for the day, the freakin air-con in the hall was down....
By the time we realized that we were standing behind a big group of people, which looked like a big fat queue to the right gate and right ferry, a voice annoucement came through telling us that we should be at another gate.... from gate B to gate A
So the whole group, easily about 50-80 passenger moved enmass towards the other gate.... It was chaotic !!!!
THEN.... the same stupid voice said.... So sorry.... Batam Fast Ocean Raiden pls go to Gate B again.... faint!!!
Chaos 2..... from front kenna pushed to side and all over....
By then, I was boiling deep within !!! I can see myself being one of the few that would bash that freakin Indonesian up should there be a free for all....
Hot and humid, shoulder to shoulder, big bags small bags all over, waiting and nothing happened.... it was already 6.40pm, the stipulated ferry departure time.... The whole day was rubber time, filled with overruns, delays and rushing from point A to point B... I wasn't sure how long I could manage my temper then....
OLD MAN STEPPING AWAY...
I was partially relieved when all 7 of us made it to the ferry when that bloody gate finally opened, we all sat separately.... I sat by the aisle.....
I thought I can sit down, relax and compose myself and try to forget what happened the whole day.... An old man pissed me off big time !!!....
He moved in and sat beside me with his wife.... I had a bag of stuff on my lap, so I had to grab my stuff before I can let him in..... He moved past me, stepped on my feet, so did his wife.... I told myself, they are old and cannot move well, so its ok, be tolerent and kind...
Then he stood up suddenly from his seat, saw his friends and wanted to offer his seat... without warning and letting me move my bag away, he pushed my bag aside and moved across my seat impatiently ..... stepping on my feet again... I looked at him, quite stunned with what he just did to me....
With my bag held tightly against my chest, knees tucked in, expecting him or another to move across me.... But it was him again... apparently his offer was not taken...
He moved across me like an elephant ! I gave him all the space and respect he needed as an old man... He stepped on me for the THIRD freakin time !!!!
Cleo read it all on my face....
I called out to her in Cantonese.... "IF 'people' around don't move in and out some many times, I'll won't be so fedup !!!! "
After that he settle down quietly all the way back to Singapore....
HOME SWEET HOME....
Home air and level of efficiency has never been felt so good.... things moved fast despite the thermal scanning...
I was so glad that all of us came home in one piece.....
Will try not to go Batam on a peak public holiday weekend, its MAD !!!!
Friday, May 01, 2009
Busy busy busy Pt 2
Looking back at the month of April... it was a crazy month....
I only logged 10 entries, most of which were videos that I watched in the evening to relax and de-stress....
The whole of April, I was busy developing and preparing for the compulsory programme, that was planned to roll out from end April all the way to early June... It was no day no night, packed full of meetings to firm the contents after presenting all the research work and what not...
Then came the execution.
First was the Sales Directors session, which was not done by me.... Then to all the Sales Managers, 3 sessions with 1.5days on each session.... I was involved partially....
Managing their response and reactions were challenging.
Some came into class with care-less attitude while some are so eager to engage and to pick up new skills set...
I value managers like these.... They pick things up so that they can better coach and motivate their teams.... They came forward to share to you personally and thank you for giving them a refresher and how they are revitalized and re-energized to reach out to their teams...
With a mixed bag like that in every session of about 80-90+ mgrs, it was quite a challenging session each time, to manage and execute.
I made my fare share of mistakes too...in the manager session... almost lost control during the facilitation phase.... it was like a mad house !!
I was not very happy with my performance to say the least.
Though I was assured(by both my bosses) that it was my first full blown delivery and execution to this 'exclusive group' of people, and it is the first couple of runs for the mgr package, and was told not to be so hard on myself....... I cannot help it.
I had to deal with my shortcomings and emotional swings
Interestingly, seated in the classes, some were very junior managers, but they carried with them the 'I-know-all-attitude' and they just put on the 'screen-saver' mode, or busy themselves with SMSes or games on their handphones or PDAs.... Such a shame.
While some (old birds) tried to make sarcastic remarks, trying to challenge the trainers.... But these latter group simply exposed their immature side and made of fool of themselves before other fellow managers, even after years in the business.... They just want air time and spotlight... Just want to make some noise .....
Just this week, the very last week of April, we rolled out the adviser's package. 1.5 days too but the emphasis and pitching was different. These group we want them to take away skills and knowledge they can take away and use in their daily work.
With the exposures and experience we gathered from the Directors and Managers package, guess we manage to skew and fine tune the package better towards these last group of trainees.
We ran 2 classes already, there are still areas that we can improve, especially the execution aspects....
I'm not gonna think too much about it.... It May Day long weekend...
Coming Monday evening, both my bosses had called for a meeting, to de-brief and set some directions on how we can better deliver the rest of he 13-14 sessions, all the way till June...in clock work precision and consistency.
I would raise the issue of the current Swine Flu (H1N1) pandemic contingency plan and the likely exposures that we may face in the office as many trainees stream into our level everyday for training....
I only logged 10 entries, most of which were videos that I watched in the evening to relax and de-stress....
The whole of April, I was busy developing and preparing for the compulsory programme, that was planned to roll out from end April all the way to early June... It was no day no night, packed full of meetings to firm the contents after presenting all the research work and what not...
Then came the execution.
First was the Sales Directors session, which was not done by me.... Then to all the Sales Managers, 3 sessions with 1.5days on each session.... I was involved partially....
Managing their response and reactions were challenging.
Some came into class with care-less attitude while some are so eager to engage and to pick up new skills set...
I value managers like these.... They pick things up so that they can better coach and motivate their teams.... They came forward to share to you personally and thank you for giving them a refresher and how they are revitalized and re-energized to reach out to their teams...
With a mixed bag like that in every session of about 80-90+ mgrs, it was quite a challenging session each time, to manage and execute.
I made my fare share of mistakes too...in the manager session... almost lost control during the facilitation phase.... it was like a mad house !!
I was not very happy with my performance to say the least.
Though I was assured(by both my bosses) that it was my first full blown delivery and execution to this 'exclusive group' of people, and it is the first couple of runs for the mgr package, and was told not to be so hard on myself....... I cannot help it.
I had to deal with my shortcomings and emotional swings
Interestingly, seated in the classes, some were very junior managers, but they carried with them the 'I-know-all-attitude' and they just put on the 'screen-saver' mode, or busy themselves with SMSes or games on their handphones or PDAs.... Such a shame.
While some (old birds) tried to make sarcastic remarks, trying to challenge the trainers.... But these latter group simply exposed their immature side and made of fool of themselves before other fellow managers, even after years in the business.... They just want air time and spotlight... Just want to make some noise .....
Just this week, the very last week of April, we rolled out the adviser's package. 1.5 days too but the emphasis and pitching was different. These group we want them to take away skills and knowledge they can take away and use in their daily work.
With the exposures and experience we gathered from the Directors and Managers package, guess we manage to skew and fine tune the package better towards these last group of trainees.
We ran 2 classes already, there are still areas that we can improve, especially the execution aspects....
I'm not gonna think too much about it.... It May Day long weekend...
Coming Monday evening, both my bosses had called for a meeting, to de-brief and set some directions on how we can better deliver the rest of he 13-14 sessions, all the way till June...in clock work precision and consistency.
I would raise the issue of the current Swine Flu (H1N1) pandemic contingency plan and the likely exposures that we may face in the office as many trainees stream into our level everyday for training....
