2011 Favourites

Writing and sharing, things I like. With dedication and discipline, I have produced 125 entries every year for four years straight so far.

I am consistent. =)

Of the 125 entries this year, I like the following more. Perhaps it's because I think the entry is wittier than usual, or it's about something worthwhile, or simply because it has some special personal meaning.

If you have not been an avid follower of this blog (there is no such person! =P), these are my favourites for this year.

Without further ado:

I can lift 20kg

Big O Small O

Chopping Board

One-liners

=)

Smart Accessory

Malaysian Time

Gathering

The Two Kings

蓝蓝的天空几万里 miles and miles of clear blue sky

If you want something done...

I, Pastor

Hug Deprivation

Recent Events

Curse of the Moon

What are you waiting for? Go read ler! =P

Smile

Moved office for what, a few months now? I really can't remember, but definitely it has been several months.

I haven't even set up my workstation yet. It's not that I have been lazy or slacking, I simply wasn't in the office all that much.

My dungeon master level is pretty darn high now, I kid you not.

Since I wasn't in the office much, I really haven't made acquaintance with the neighbouring colleagues who weren't from my department.

One lady colleague with nice long hair caught my attention (what lar? I am a guy!). Yes, I like long, straight, soft silky hair. Sue me.

All these months we were like total strangers, but lately we passed by each other a few times when I trudge towards or back from the dungeon I have been "sold*" to.

After several times of such encounter, and on a day when I wasn't as bogged down with the endless issues I have to deal with, I smiled at her instead of just passing by like stranger.

Guess what?

Since then, she smiles too when we bumped into each other.

Smile. Such a simple act, yet powerful.

Are you smiling now?

Please do. =)

Smile, and the world smiles with you.

* colleagues on friendlier term over at that dungeon joked that they are working like Bangla, and I am like Bangla's Bangla...

Know what is sadder?

It's true. >_<

Over

Took Friday off as replacement for the overtime I did a few weeks ago, so I had four days long weekend to rest and rejuvenate.

But it has come to an end.

=(

Didn't really get the rest and rejuvenation. The two kings are not capable of understanding their father's need and very capable of creating loud noises and mayhems.

Didn't do any books categorising. My aim is to categorise a shelf each weekend so eventually I will have the whole 'home library' categorised. Missed the last two weekends.

Didn't get the book review done. Original plan is to complete the review for novels read since April 2010 to December 2010, and post it this weekend. Then I have another whole year's worth of novel review to do for 2011...

Well, pretty much didn't get anything I planned to do this weekend done. >_<

Except, I resisted the urge to turn on my laptop and check my work e-mails. Oversaturated with work, so no thank you.

What did I do then?

Well, visited a relative, attended a wedding dinner plus an impromptu gathering of old friends, spent some time playing with the two kings, and spent the remaining time either reading or playing World of Warcraft (unsubscribed, but 7 days free game time for holiday season).

Holidays, could really use more of it, and preferably without being woken up everyday while I still wanted to sleep.

I can always dream.

So much for the initial plan of just posting "Four days break over, sian".

=P

Inadequate

Colleague ridiculed my Mandarin standard after reading my previous entry. On the spur of the moment I decided to translate it into English, just because I can. =P

So here it is.

I

not suffice

Sole bread earner

for family of four

even with simple frugal lifestyle

some months expenditure exceeded my income

Wifey said if this moment

salary increased by half

would be sufficient

I am

inadequate

On a side note:

Now I know which of my colleagues read my blog and can't be bothered to click one of the reactions, bleh! =\

On another note:

I know I categorised this entry as gibberish, but it's actually not. Barring the poetic licence, if you truely understand it, then you really do know me. =)

 

缺

我
不足

一份薪
妻儿和家
简单的生活
开支仍常负荷

贤妻说当今
收入增半
就皆好

我是
缺

Luck & I

Departmental annual dinner tonight, food quality was so so, though the quantity was insufficient. Good thing I didn't remain a gentleman and went queuing up half way through (I was hungry!). Pity those who let the others went first.

Wonder why the committee asked for our food preference? They published the list to the whole department so everyone knows who the vegetarians are, which is harmless but apparently they didn't make use of the information in a more appropriate way. My vegetarian colleague ended up having to pick the vegetables from various mixed dishes to get her dinner. =\

Also, the emcee cracked some real cold jokes to siok sendiri. Good thing there was that fantastic lady singer, if only I could sing as well as her.

Anyway, I went to the annual dinner for one reason only: lucky draw.

=P

I so desperately want one of the first two prizes, the Acer Aspire S3 ultrabook.

Not for myself, mind you, it's for wifey since her netbook has gone down and despite my attempts, the netbook can no longer function properly.

The published attendance list says 187 people accepted the dinner invitation, and the actual number of attendance was pretty close to that despite the rain. I guess the lucky draw prizes were very tempting. =P

There were 137 prizes, 130 of them were consolation prizes and the remaining 7 were the "real" prizes. Basically 73% of those attending would get a prize, assuming all 187 people turned up. Probably easier to say there were 50 unlucky people than to say there were 137 lucky winners...

The consolation prizes, according to draw sequence:

40 x water bottle

40 x food container set

10 x recycle bag + photo frame

10 x towel

10 x umbrella

05 x t-shirt

10 x wireless mouse

05 x headset

Funny how we all didn't want our number to show up during this phase. =P There were those who were not happy to get a prize, heh! Well, at least during the consolation prize drawing.

Of course they might have thought differently if they knew they would be the 50 unlucky ones...

The "real" prizes:

5th prize (x3): 1TB portable harddisk

4th prize: Samsung Galaxy W smartphone

3rd prize: Samsung Galaxy Tab

1st prize (x2): Acer Aspire S3 ultrabook

I never won any lucky draw in my life, hence the previous entry. Well, I am not beneath asking for help when I know my luck sucks! =P

Thanks to the one who left a comment wishing me luck, and those in the closed group in Facebook, I finally won something in lucky draw!

Though the good luck wishes were not powerful enough to propel me all the way to the ultrabook, they didn't even got me to the wireless mouse or the headset, which I have real need for.

I got the food container set. 17 containers to be exact. Err... wifey, how about 17 containers instead of 1 ultrabook?

Well, at least it's something. I would not be surprised if I was one of the 50 who didn't get anything. Honestly. So thank you to those who had sincerely wished me luck. =)

Now I just have to figure out how to get that darn netbook to work. >_<

siok sendiri = Malay for entertaining oneself

Ducky & Friends #005

#005: Say a little prayer for me?

View all Ducky & Friends entries by clicking on the quack quack category.

Curse of the Moon

Full moon rises as stars twinkle

land baths in luminous white

Tainted bloods tingle

eyes shining bright

As the pale orb crests

afflicted ones moan

There is no rest

with the curse of the moon

Giving credit where it's due

Local policemen never really gave me a good impression.

I cannot pinpoint the reason, perhaps it's the numerous bad press that we are exposed to, but I have little faith in policemen doing the right thing or upholding law and justice.

Somehow I think they are just doing whatever they are doing to increase their chances of getting some side income, in terms of bribe from the offenders or lawbreakers, when there is little to no risk involve.

Sorry to say that I never associate local policemen with these adjectives: brave, courteous, fair, righteous, clean, just.

Well, today, while on my way to work*, I witnessed something that I simply have to give credit for: two policemen on motorcycle stopped to help a blind man cross the road.

Of course for this particular incident, any decent person should help the blind man. I am just surprised to see the policemen actually doing something decent.

Guess I just have a really bad impression of policemen.

I know I am a cynical, grumpy, and sarcastic person who likes to vent and rant but I do recognise people for their good deed, hence this entry.

Recognise instead of criticise, something we all should do more of. =)

* yea, working on Saturday. Slacker point -1. Dungeon master +1.

Deprivation

Wifey and the two kings went to the in-law's today, I got home after badminton to find the bedroom deprived of my babies.

=\

Can't say I will miss the shouting and screaming, nor the fighting and crying, the noise and mayhems the two kings generate.

Okay, maybe I will after a few days and when I am not sleeping.

I do know I will miss their warm greetings (when they are in the mood), the goodnight hugs and kisses, and their laughters.

Positively sure is that I will miss wifey's hug. It's a daily thing! And often more than once per day. =)

Well, to be precise, it's really 'I will miss hugging my wifey'. Yes this is different to 'wifey's hug' simply because she almost never initiate a hug, I am the one who embrace her, sometimes she doesn't snuggle back as well.

The need to cuddle seems to be my thing, not her thing...

=\

Oh well, gonna be deprived of these pleasures and comforts until the weekend after next.

=(

Litterers Beware

Throw your rubbish in the rubbish bin, an act so simple my two years old son knows how to do it.

Sadly, there are many who don't measure up to my son. Shame on them.

So I am rather happy when I read that those caught littering at Gurney Drive are going to be fined RM50. =)

Yay! Go get them irresponsible ones!

Of course the skeptics will say it's just another way to take bribe, which is probably true for some of the litter wardens, but it's still a good thing. The fine that is, not bribing.

Let's make this clear, I do not condone bribery, but those irresponsible litterers who paid, whether the fine or the bribe, are likely not going to litter again.

Well, at least not going to litter for a while until their thick-headedness returned full force. *roll eyes*

It's of course all down to the execution, how frequent, how strict, how persistent, how professional. Sad to say that I have little faith in the professionalism of most governmental executions, but I will be glad to be proven wrong.

Anyway, something is better than nothing. If this news is going to raise awareness and to cause halt, temporarily or what not, to the irresponsible population, I am more than happy to help spread it.

Public service rendered. (karma +1)

Recent Events

Recent events and happenings in chronological order.

-----

- the two kings -

Hsiang has been behaving better for the last couple of weeks, he started conversing in Mandarin with his grandmother as well, so he is not a 'banana' after all, phew... We rewarded his good behaviour and positive change with two presents thus far, hope he keeps it up.

Young, on the other hand, is becoming more difficult and naughtier, *sigh*...

-----

- Bali, there and back -

The latest Ducky & Friends entry was actually a tongue-in-cheek jest on my trip to Bali. =)

Escaped from my crazy work life for a few days (yes, leaving Ducky behind) to Bali island in Indonesia, primarily to attend sister-in-law's wedding.

In Bali, flies reign supreme. Well, at least that's how I feel whenever we are having a meal. =P

Also, for the first time in my life probably for the last time as well, I am a millionaire! My only regret is that I didn't take a photo of myself holding one million Rupiah. =\

As the trip is mainly for the wedding, we only managed to visit the Lake Temple and Tanah Lot during the few days there.

I had my first ever massage in Bali, by a petite Indonesian lady with surprisingly strong hands. First massage, as in not counting the one wifey gave me when we were skiing in France all those years ago, and the ones she gave me when I had severe headache.

I have an aversion to stranger touching me, I don't mean the gentle pat on the back or shoulder, the social hand shake, or even a brief hug from those who are close, but massage by a stranger covering my limbs and my back is definately not within my comfort zone.

If only wifey knows how to do the full body massage. =)

If there is to be a next time to Bali, I am hoping it will be a relaxing trip, just me and wifey to somewhere secluded that has all the facilities we want. Just chill and relax.

Ubud Hanging Gardens, perhaps?

-----

- beautiful wedding -

Congratulations to my sister-in-law and Adrian! Lovely wedding, just beautiful.

It warrants an entry on its own, so I am saving the details for a proper entry with many photographs. =)

-----

- happy anniversary my dearest -

Happy anniversary my dearest wifey, thank you for being you, and for entering and sharing my life.

Seven years and going strong, here's for the many more to come. =)

Hmm... seven years. Make sure to scratch each other if either of us ever feel the "itch". =P

-----

- bumped -

While driving home on the BKE highway one evening, a black metal bar came flying out from the divider (I think) and rolled on the road in front of my car. I was doing 90km/h and there was a car behind so I didn't hit the brake.

That metal bar cracked my bumper and left a gapping hole.

Wallet got squeezed for money I don't have. =(

Why it has got to be when I drove by? *Sigh...* so suay.

-----

- Torchlight -

Public service to avid RPG gamers who follow my blog diligently:

Torchlight is on sale for a limited time, bargain price of USD7.50, offer valid until 10a.m. PST, 28th of November.

Ya I know, not much time left at the time of my posting, so hurry if you like to get a copy.

I got myself a copy when I found out about this sale, I used the Paypal option. I don't have a Paypal account but it's not required anyway, the purchasing process was smooth and painless.

You can find out more about Torchlight on the net, basically it's a single player only RPG created by some of the people who created Diablo. Torchlight 2 is in the making and will be out in near future, Torchlight 2 will have multiplayer option.

Also on sale in the same time period is Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty, USD29.99, which is 50% the original price. Check out Blizzard store if you are interested.

-----

- bookfair -

Another public service, mainly for Penangites but applicable to all who want to come to Penang:

Popular Mega Bookfair from 25th of November to 4th of December, at Straits Quay, 6th floor.

Good time to hit that RM1000 tax relief target for year 2011 if you haven't already. =)

-----

- happy birthday my dearest -

Happy birthday to my dearest wifey!

Sorry for not getting you any present, unless you really consider that Torchlight purchase as your birthday present... =P

Totally defeats the purpose of going out for a birthday lunch when you didn't even order a meal for yourself.

>_<

Women and their warped sense of body size, meh!

There's nothing wrong with a bit of flesh, so much nicer when hugging and cuddling. All bones are uncomfortable!

-----

Ducky & Friends #004

 

#004: Gone...

 

 

 

 

 

 

View all Ducky & Friends entries by clicking on the quack quack category.

11.11.11

Once in a century... so?

Just another day, another set of numbers.

Many people choose this kind of date, those with repeating number or number that's supposingly mean something special, for their important milestone event.

I guess they feel special choosing such a date. After all, it must be real special when a gazillion other people have exactly the same thought and doing the same thing... =P

Reminds me of the sentence from The Incredibles: "when everyone's super, no one will be."

It's what we do in a particular day that makes it special, not the number. =)

So don't start hating me all you newlyweds and induced babies, you got married today, or you are born today, so that makes it special for you and the gazillion others!

Well, better stop talking about this...

What was I doing at 11:11 hours on 11th of November 2011?

Working ler! Abohthen?

Slacker extraordinaire is a man of principles, and one of the principles is that I do not blog during working hours.

I veli the professional one! *straight face*

Anyway, my beloved slacker month has not been nice thus far. I have been overloaded.

If you have been following my rants, then you would know that I have been busy and doing long hours for months now. But starting November, the workload has been brought up to a new level.

That's just crazy! There is absolutely no way I can deal with so many tasks, unless I clone myself a few times.

And of course, my fellow higher grade, higher pay colleagues in the same project are lounging in their cubicles, going home early, and basically being their usual selves when all real action and work are happening in the lab or factory floor.

Gotta say the thought of changing job has crossed my mind. But then I am no quitter, and I figured there will always be people like them in any work place.

So I slave on, and grumble, and rant, and pray that the management will deal with them.

Yea, I know, dream on. -_-

Happy Birthday

Happy 4th birthday Scribble Pad!

Alrighty, as per tradition, here are the number of misguided viewers according to the counter:

2008: 4746

2009: 13300

2010: 23226

2011: 31677 + number in those few weeks when counter stopped working

Breaking off from custom, this year I am not going to harp on bestest month, bestest number, etc. Those who still don't know about them and who are really interested can check it out: 2008's, 2009's, 2010's.

My slacker sense is tingling, plus I am lazy and a tad tired today. It's slacker month after all.

Maybe I will harp again next year. =P

Though started off rather horribly, the bestest month is showing sign of going back on track. Not surprisingly, turning point falls on the day with the bestest number.

^_^

I am so ready for the long weekend... slacking!

Potong Stim

Wifey and I were discussing whether to let our elder son attend full day kindergarten next year instead of the half day session he is doing now.

When I asked what are the concerns, I was rather shocked that cost came up as one of them.

We are talking about an increase of about RM300 per month, and wifey, the finance manager, informed me that no, some months we do not have RM300 left.

Bummer.

I am seriously disheartened.

Working like a cow yet I can't even afford to send my son to a full day kindergarten, this is extremely demoralising for parents who have decided to put our children first.

I am not sure if we could live any more frugally than we do now to cough up the money. Guess I better pray the bonus will cover it or I have to start digging into our saving, either bank or what little amount of shares I have.

Bollocks. Just bollocks.

For those who don't understand the Malay language, which is quite a number considering we can count with one hand the countries that use this language, potong stim is literally 'cut steam'.

Potong stim means killing joy, dispiriting, demoralising, disheartening.