... unless you're willing to write thank you cards to each one of them.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Everyone's Making Fun Of English Football
Has anyone else noticed how the English national football team is being made fun of in movies? For example, I was watching the animation Flushed Away and in that show itself they made several jokes about England... SERIOUS!! Let me list down what I can remember...
>> When the hero (Roddy) was about to do something impossible to save the day while the world was watching the World Cup Final, the heroin, Rita, said "that's not possible!!"... Our hero answered " England's winning, anything's possible!!"
>> The last time the score was revealed, England were beating Germany 4-1... That was before half-time. But at the end, the headlines of the newspaper was "ENGLAND LOST ON PENALTIES"...
And after all that, a new movie is coming up next April. The movie is called The Game Of Their Lives...
"America's Finest Moment In The World's Greatest Game"... wow. Want to guess what that finest moment was??
Haha... It's funny. Seriously...
It's America beating England in the 1950 World Cup finals after training together for only 10 days.
>> When the hero (Roddy) was about to do something impossible to save the day while the world was watching the World Cup Final, the heroin, Rita, said "that's not possible!!"... Our hero answered " England's winning, anything's possible!!">> The last time the score was revealed, England were beating Germany 4-1... That was before half-time. But at the end, the headlines of the newspaper was "ENGLAND LOST ON PENALTIES"...
And after all that, a new movie is coming up next April. The movie is called The Game Of Their Lives...
"America's Finest Moment In The World's Greatest Game"... wow. Want to guess what that finest moment was??Haha... It's funny. Seriously...
It's America beating England in the 1950 World Cup finals after training together for only 10 days.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Too Busy To Put Up Warning Signboards
Car plunges into sinkhole along highway
(source)
2 elderly women in their 60s are injured because they were TOO BUSY to put up the warning signboard. You know what they were busy doing??
That's right, they were calling for a press conference to announce the exciting news that the toll prices will increase next year. Then they have to throw a celebration, and then set up a committee to come up with excuses as to why the toll prices will increase.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Public Transport - Trains (7)
This is my 7th post on the train commuting system of KL. I remember being frustrated many times more than 7 times.
It was rush hour, a Friday evening. The weekend has come & everyone is extremely anxious to get home. The train was late again, and that resulted in more people having to squeeze into 1 train. It's common for commuters of Seremban - Rawang route. We can never understand why the Port Klang - Sentul trains come more often & on time when they carry less passangers. When they pass by, you would think it's an empty KFC with drops of water flowing down the windows.
And as if that's not enough to cause someone to scream & yell & kill somone (here I must congratulate Malaysians for being EXTREMELY PATIENT), the train stopped in between Putra & Segambut. We were on a stand still for 10 minutes before the captain announces that something fell onto the tracks (AGAIN!!)& we'll have to share a same track with the trains coming from the other direction.
And finally, from the silent & frustrated crowd, people started bickering (YES!!)... Strangers began to talk to each other about the many many frustrations they have faced while commuting, people started to call their loved ones to inform that they aren't physically dead - that only their HOPE DIED... And admist all these reactions toward the announcement made earlier, one stood out. In fact, he literally stood up. He & his 5 la-la friends had seats, but he suddenly stood up. For the next 2 seconds, you would hope that this young man would walk away from his seat & allow some poor old lady / a guy carrying his 2-ton laptop to have his seat.
But for the next 10 minutes, he was just standing up at his seat. He didn't allow anyone to take his seat. Nope. He was just standing there. He and his friend were still chatting happily (you can afford that when you have seats in a crowded train) when after 5 minutes 1 of his friends asked the question everyone else in that crowded coach was asking...
"Why are you standing up ar?"
You tell me if his reply wasn't enough to yell at him, put your hand on his throat & squeeze, or take out your camera phones (like the SN k800i I didn't get) and snap & blog about it the next day.
"because my butt hurts..."
It was rush hour, a Friday evening. The weekend has come & everyone is extremely anxious to get home. The train was late again, and that resulted in more people having to squeeze into 1 train. It's common for commuters of Seremban - Rawang route. We can never understand why the Port Klang - Sentul trains come more often & on time when they carry less passangers. When they pass by, you would think it's an empty KFC with drops of water flowing down the windows.
And as if that's not enough to cause someone to scream & yell & kill somone (here I must congratulate Malaysians for being EXTREMELY PATIENT), the train stopped in between Putra & Segambut. We were on a stand still for 10 minutes before the captain announces that something fell onto the tracks (AGAIN!!)& we'll have to share a same track with the trains coming from the other direction.
And finally, from the silent & frustrated crowd, people started bickering (YES!!)... Strangers began to talk to each other about the many many frustrations they have faced while commuting, people started to call their loved ones to inform that they aren't physically dead - that only their HOPE DIED... And admist all these reactions toward the announcement made earlier, one stood out. In fact, he literally stood up. He & his 5 la-la friends had seats, but he suddenly stood up. For the next 2 seconds, you would hope that this young man would walk away from his seat & allow some poor old lady / a guy carrying his 2-ton laptop to have his seat.
But for the next 10 minutes, he was just standing up at his seat. He didn't allow anyone to take his seat. Nope. He was just standing there. He and his friend were still chatting happily (you can afford that when you have seats in a crowded train) when after 5 minutes 1 of his friends asked the question everyone else in that crowded coach was asking...
"Why are you standing up ar?"
You tell me if his reply wasn't enough to yell at him, put your hand on his throat & squeeze, or take out your camera phones (like the SN k800i I didn't get) and snap & blog about it the next day.
"because my butt hurts..."
Thursday, November 23, 2006
My Want
Tomorrow night, my company will have our annual dinner. Because we are a very profitable yet small company (less than 30 staff), everyone gets to win something (worth at least RM200) via lucky draw. Last year our doorgift was a 128MB thumbdrive, with our own company logo on it. Sweet huh? I wonder what this year's doorgift will be.
Last year the 2 big prizes were a Sony Ericsson phone (don't know what model) & a Motorola phone (don't know what model). This year, there are 4 big prizes - 2 Sony Ericsson, 1 Motorala & 1 Nokia phone. So you can imagine that our company is getting more & more successful.
Last year I only got a RM200 Giant voucher. This year, I want to get this:-
If I do get this, I'll start using Celcom. So Mr.Celcom, can you please make sure I get this phone? Ok thank you.
Last year the 2 big prizes were a Sony Ericsson phone (don't know what model) & a Motorola phone (don't know what model). This year, there are 4 big prizes - 2 Sony Ericsson, 1 Motorala & 1 Nokia phone. So you can imagine that our company is getting more & more successful.
Last year I only got a RM200 Giant voucher. This year, I want to get this:-
If I do get this, I'll start using Celcom. So Mr.Celcom, can you please make sure I get this phone? Ok thank you.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Missing The Point
So now they are questioning the wisdom of broadcasting the UMNO general assembly. They are saying that because of the live feed, people have a misconception of UMNO... I question that reasoning.
I question that reasoning, because I have not watched a minute of the live coverage. I merely read the newspapers' reports, and those alone were enough for me to consider moving away from this country in fear. I fear for my life & my loved one. I fear for the country's development & future. All that emotion & considerations were stirred by merely reading. It wasn't at all about how loud they said it, or how they veins were popping out when they gripped their fists, or the sight of people kissing the keris... It was what they said - the intent & content of those speeches.
So what happens if the same things are said & there's no live coverage?? Don't let reporters write about it?
The Star Online's columnist Wong Chun Wai shares my views. But he concluded that "after all, they get their votes in the general election from not just one but all ethnic groups". It shouldn't be about elections. Not at all. I believe that that mindset is the very thing that causes politicans to play the racial card. It should be about making Malaysia a safer place, creating a better future of our children... where they can live peacefully together with each other, without the ancient wounds that we carry.
I question that reasoning, because I have not watched a minute of the live coverage. I merely read the newspapers' reports, and those alone were enough for me to consider moving away from this country in fear. I fear for my life & my loved one. I fear for the country's development & future. All that emotion & considerations were stirred by merely reading. It wasn't at all about how loud they said it, or how they veins were popping out when they gripped their fists, or the sight of people kissing the keris... It was what they said - the intent & content of those speeches.
So what happens if the same things are said & there's no live coverage?? Don't let reporters write about it?
The Star Online's columnist Wong Chun Wai shares my views. But he concluded that "after all, they get their votes in the general election from not just one but all ethnic groups". It shouldn't be about elections. Not at all. I believe that that mindset is the very thing that causes politicans to play the racial card. It should be about making Malaysia a safer place, creating a better future of our children... where they can live peacefully together with each other, without the ancient wounds that we carry.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
The Reporter & The "Sorry" Politician
Extract of transcript of council president Datuk Abu Bakar Hassan’s press conference (source) + comments by me (J).
Q: Dr Teng (state Local Government committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan) has said that you denied making the remark.
A: There is a misunderstanding. I have said in the press release that I apologise if my remark had hurt anyone’s feelings, including Melissa (New Straits Times reporter Melissa Darlyne Chow). I openly apologise.
J: wow, this guy apologise. Amazing. But what's that misunderstanding? Where got misunderstanding? You said something stupid, everyone is clear on that.
Q: Can you explain why the misunderstanding occurred? We had asked you whether you thought the reporter was sexily ...?
A: Reply: No ... no ... no. I have explained (in the press release) that it is a misunderstanding ... that is all.
Q: Do you think all the reporters (at the function) quoted you wrongly? We confirmed the remark with you twice.
J: This reporter is good!! Respect!!
A: I was talking about the dress code. I said (newsmen) must not wear sexy dresses (to cover council meetings) ... please do not relate this remark to the CCTV incident. I did not say because she was sexy, the incident occurred. I did not mean that.
Q: That day you said “being sexy is the issue ... and then you said if she had worn a normal dress, this would not have happened. We all heard it.
J: and that was what i read....
A: My statement was misunderstood. I was only talking about the attire in general. Do not relate it to this case because it is unfair.
Do you think that's a sincere apology? He didn't apologize for making that statement. He apologized for the being misunderstood. Can reporters take that sitting down? He's apologizing for using words that are too deep that reporters cannot understand & misintepreted the statement. Hmm, is he saying that reporters are dumb?
Q: Dr Teng (state Local Government committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan) has said that you denied making the remark.
A: There is a misunderstanding. I have said in the press release that I apologise if my remark had hurt anyone’s feelings, including Melissa (New Straits Times reporter Melissa Darlyne Chow). I openly apologise.
J: wow, this guy apologise. Amazing. But what's that misunderstanding? Where got misunderstanding? You said something stupid, everyone is clear on that.
Q: Can you explain why the misunderstanding occurred? We had asked you whether you thought the reporter was sexily ...?
A: Reply: No ... no ... no. I have explained (in the press release) that it is a misunderstanding ... that is all.
Q: Do you think all the reporters (at the function) quoted you wrongly? We confirmed the remark with you twice.
J: This reporter is good!! Respect!!
A: I was talking about the dress code. I said (newsmen) must not wear sexy dresses (to cover council meetings) ... please do not relate this remark to the CCTV incident. I did not say because she was sexy, the incident occurred. I did not mean that.
Q: That day you said “being sexy is the issue ... and then you said if she had worn a normal dress, this would not have happened. We all heard it.
J: and that was what i read....
A: My statement was misunderstood. I was only talking about the attire in general. Do not relate it to this case because it is unfair.
Do you think that's a sincere apology? He didn't apologize for making that statement. He apologized for the being misunderstood. Can reporters take that sitting down? He's apologizing for using words that are too deep that reporters cannot understand & misintepreted the statement. Hmm, is he saying that reporters are dumb?
A Right To Express
Check this out:
'He told reporters later that the statement by a Penang delegate (that the Penang Malays are being neglected) was important for the Penang government led by Gerakan deputy president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to take stock of the situation and address the problems faced by the Malays in the state.
“The actual message is that the Malays are feeling dissatisfied in Penang and they have the right to express their feelings,” he said. '
Read here for more.
I wonder if that same right is available to all Malaysians.
'He told reporters later that the statement by a Penang delegate (that the Penang Malays are being neglected) was important for the Penang government led by Gerakan deputy president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to take stock of the situation and address the problems faced by the Malays in the state.
“The actual message is that the Malays are feeling dissatisfied in Penang and they have the right to express their feelings,” he said. '
Read here for more.
I wonder if that same right is available to all Malaysians.
The Racial Card Crap.
"We must remember that creating a Malaysian natoin will not be possible on narrow thinking and chauvinism. Don't gamble the future by championing race politics" - Umno Youth chief.
Read here for the full report .
I don't understand the thing about "Don't play the racial card"... The fact that our Barisan National constitutes 3 political groups, each representing the 3 largest races in Malaysia, shows that it is impossible to not play the racial card. In his speech, he passionately declared that Umno will continue to fight for the Malays. He also warned others by saying "Do not make fun, question and challenge the position of the Malays and Islam in the country. Any movement in the name of freedom of religion, freedom of speech or freedom of the media will not be allowed to challenge our rights". Now with these 2 statements, isn't he protecting the Malays? Isn't he championing the cause of his people? I sn't he clearly, therefore, playing the racial card?
"We will not compromise our country's future," he told the Youth assembly yesterday (link). Amen to that, I say. And I sincerely believe that's the desire of every person living in Malaysia - politician or not, Malay or non-Malay. Unfortunately, different people have different opinions of how the future should be, and how to get there. Like Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute that claimed that Malay corporate equity could have already reached 45% and the NEP was no longer needed, and how the Umno Youth deputy chief slammed that report and said that "If we want to use the Asli figures, let's set a new target. Let's make it 70% for the Malay equity." (read here and here for more.)
I too agree that politicians should stop playing the racial card. So, shall we disband MCA, MIC, and UMNO, and create a truly MALAYSIA political group that would champion a cause for ALL MALAYSIANS?? Rightfully, this should be the way to go. But the truth is, no one can see that happening. Not in the near future, anyway. Can a Chinese feel secure without MCA? Can an Idian feel safe without MIC? Can a Malay be protected without the existence of UMNO? Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein pointed out that "beneath the surface, it's still very fragile", and I couldn't agree more. & that is exactly why there's UMNO, MCA, and MIC; that's why these organisations will continue to fight for their people; that's why he will continue to not compromise the rights and privileges of the Malays, and that's why the racial card will continue to be played.
Rightfully, we all need to be united as ONE NATION. But how far are we from that ideal? Ancient wounds need to be healed. And they won't be healed if all we do is shut up and not discuss about it. How long more shall we remain silent and let anger, pass hurt, unforgiveness & hatred hinder us from achieving TRUE UNITY, TRUE HARMONY, AND TRUE MALAYSIA?
Read here for the full report .
I don't understand the thing about "Don't play the racial card"... The fact that our Barisan National constitutes 3 political groups, each representing the 3 largest races in Malaysia, shows that it is impossible to not play the racial card. In his speech, he passionately declared that Umno will continue to fight for the Malays. He also warned others by saying "Do not make fun, question and challenge the position of the Malays and Islam in the country. Any movement in the name of freedom of religion, freedom of speech or freedom of the media will not be allowed to challenge our rights". Now with these 2 statements, isn't he protecting the Malays? Isn't he championing the cause of his people? I sn't he clearly, therefore, playing the racial card?
"We will not compromise our country's future," he told the Youth assembly yesterday (link). Amen to that, I say. And I sincerely believe that's the desire of every person living in Malaysia - politician or not, Malay or non-Malay. Unfortunately, different people have different opinions of how the future should be, and how to get there. Like Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute that claimed that Malay corporate equity could have already reached 45% and the NEP was no longer needed, and how the Umno Youth deputy chief slammed that report and said that "If we want to use the Asli figures, let's set a new target. Let's make it 70% for the Malay equity." (read here and here for more.)
I too agree that politicians should stop playing the racial card. So, shall we disband MCA, MIC, and UMNO, and create a truly MALAYSIA political group that would champion a cause for ALL MALAYSIANS?? Rightfully, this should be the way to go. But the truth is, no one can see that happening. Not in the near future, anyway. Can a Chinese feel secure without MCA? Can an Idian feel safe without MIC? Can a Malay be protected without the existence of UMNO? Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein pointed out that "beneath the surface, it's still very fragile", and I couldn't agree more. & that is exactly why there's UMNO, MCA, and MIC; that's why these organisations will continue to fight for their people; that's why he will continue to not compromise the rights and privileges of the Malays, and that's why the racial card will continue to be played.
Rightfully, we all need to be united as ONE NATION. But how far are we from that ideal? Ancient wounds need to be healed. And they won't be healed if all we do is shut up and not discuss about it. How long more shall we remain silent and let anger, pass hurt, unforgiveness & hatred hinder us from achieving TRUE UNITY, TRUE HARMONY, AND TRUE MALAYSIA?
Monday, November 13, 2006
Still No Beckham Recall?
Of the original 28-man squad, 8 have been hit with injuries (Read here and here). Aaron Lennon, who was expected to claim his first England start, won't make the trip to Holland... What should Steve Mclaren do now?
One possibility is to use Steven Gerrard on the right. He has proven that he can do a decent job for England there, but that won't go down well for Liverpool fans - who are much wiser than the club manager, knowing that Gerrard is meant to play in central midfield. Another alternative would be Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has played well every time he comes on for Chelsea as a substitute. But his crossing aren't world-class. And with Mclaren likely to drop their tall man for Andrew Johnson, crosses from the flanks need to be of the highest quality.
With all these factors coming into consideration, would Mclaren give David a call? If both Gerrard & Wright-Phillips join the injury list soon enough, that might just happen. But you would wonder if something fishy is going on... =)
Bring back Beckham!! (*or more players will get injured)
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Why Are You Doing This To Me? I HATE YOU!!
I watched you as you turned your sight away from me, not that we had made any eye contact previously.
I patiently waited for you. I didn't open my mouth & ask but that does not mean you can ignore me. You can't pretend that I'm not standing right in front of you. I treated you with respect, are you not capable of the same?
Let's reason like civilized human beings here. Sure, I took what's yours but I have already paid you. Why can't you just give me back what's mine? You're not being fair to me. I gave you exactly what you deserve but now you're treating me like a piece of shit?
Come on, we are both adults here. We know what's expected of each other. You give me what I need, I pay you, and then you return to me what's mine. Hey, stop bickering to your friends about it, ok? I don't owe you anything. What are you talking about anyway? Can't we settle this first? After all that we've been through, can you at least give me the attention I need? What's done is done, we can't change that. Just give me what's mine, so I can go on my way & we won't have to see each other again...
AHh, finally. Was it that hard? All you had to do was push some buttons & return me my 20 cents change.
(thoughts while waiting for the cashier to return me my 20 cents).
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Blunt Truth
Last night I was listening to the tv2 news while playing Winning Eleven... yes, again... Only this time, it wasn't funny.
The newscaster reported a conversation in the parliament. One dude was expressing his concerns for providing equal opportunities for all races to handle government projects, or the lack of that equality. Immediately I paused my game & turned my head towards the tv. On screen was another dude, I think lah, and obviously the footage was from the 'parliament tv'. Tv2 didn't let us hear the exact words he said, but he looked extremely calm to me.
He said something along the lines of "yes, the malays are getting all the projects, but this will still benefit all races". He continued to say that in fact, other races are benefitting more because most of the suppliers are Chinese & Indians.
I don't know what you heard, but I sense a great vibe of RACISM here. But I would like to hear your thoughts first before writing more.
Oh The Lameness
2 of my colleagues were discussing about the doorgift for the company annual dinner...
Colleague A: So what's on your mind?
Colleague B: My brain...
Joash: Stupid. Your mind is in your brain. Your brain is in your head, not on your mind.
Colleague B: OK loh, you win loh...
Don't say I reacted unnecessarily. Seriously, I can't take it anymore. Having a 2 hour lunch with them earlier had really taken a toll on me. Maybe it's the age difference, but their humour is totally of a different brand. It's senseless to me, but everyone else laughs. Worse when they use me as the subject matter... ARgghh!! Their jokes are so lame & senseless, I can't even remember them!!
--
_ joash.
http://b4jc.blogspot.com. http://fccjournal.blogspot.com . http://malaysianlah.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
We Want Answers
I was reading Jeff Ooi's blog, and in it I found the statement released by Dr. Mahatir on 28 Oct 2006.
"The questions and issues I raised have not been answered. What is being questioned is my right to comment and criticise."
It's tragedy, really. Even the former Prime Minister can't comment and criticise the government. What about us then? Surely we must have the right to fight for what is right. Surely voting isn't the only way Malaysian citizens and commoners can contribute to our beloved country.
There are actually genuine cries out of sincere hearts, with the desire to make our country a better place for everyone. But all they get is "Don't criticize", "Take back that comment", "Don't kacau me and let me work", "You go to jail, bad boy".... What happened to the art of answering a question with an answer?
Joash Chan
Malaysian Citizen & Commoner.
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