points to ponder...

Boy, 15, shot dead by cop.

Public's Response:-

1) He's only 15, are there no other alternatives but to fire shots at him?

2) The only crime he committed was sneaking out from his home at 2am in the morning, and driving without a licence, and beating several traffic lights.

3) The cops are hungry for blood and above the law.

I'm not saying that I'm siding with the cops, nor am I siding with those who are calling for justice, but I'm just looking into this matter objectively.

It's 2am. The cop doesn't know who is manning the vehicle. The suspicious car tried to escape from the cops and sped past several red lights in the chase before being stopped by the patrol car. The deceased reversed and rammed his car into the patrol car.

If you're the cop, and in such situation, what would you have done?

ice kacang puppy love...

Time to hit the cinema, Ice Kacang Puppy Love will be coming to the big screen tomorrow.

I must say this is one of the movies in 2010 I'm looking forward to catch besides Iron Man 2, and after watching the trailer, I must say that I am very impressed.

The movie, directed by Aniu - who also starred in the movie -, boasts big name artistes which includes Angelica Lee, Gary Chaw, Fish Leong, Victor Wong, Yi Jet Qi, Eric Moo, Nicholas Teo, Penny Tai, Hong Kong Bruce Lee-lookalike Chan Kwok Kwan and apparently Michael Wong as well (although I don't see his picture in the poster or in the trailer).

Apart from directing and acting, Aniu also produced, co-wrote and edited the film which is some sort of semi-biography of his own first love. By roping in the internationally-recognized all star cast of singers (and friends), this is almost like an extended music video-styled movie that lasts close to two hours, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Set in the 1980s and filmed in the mining town of Tronoh in Perak, Ice Kacang Puppy Love first got my attention when Aniu was promoting an audition through 98.8 radio station to search for an Indian man to play a motorcyclist who sells junk food (although come to think of it now, isn't it a bit funny to look for an Indian to go for audition through a Chinese radio station?). It was already widely publicized back then (I can't remember but that must be over half a year ago) when the casting was announced.

From the trailer it looks to be a class above the CNY movie 'Woohoo!', and this is one local movie I'll be watching in the cinema in the coming week.

Malaysia Boleh!

transformation...

Pardon my disappearance for some time, I have been pretty occupied with these...

That took me about a month to change the entire outlook, and for a first timer, I guess it's not bad huh? And if things go as planned, it's going to give a cash on cash return (COCR) of 27.6% and 11.6% rental yield beginning from next month.

Requote something I read some time ago,

"The harder you try, the luckier you get."

signs…

PT950.

0.31.

H.

VS2.

Here goes nothing.

hello 2010...

Turn of the new year, and I became an uncle. My brother's baby son came to the real world last week and that instantly made me feel old.

But I'm not really.

Seriously.

2010. So what do we expect?

From a personal POV, I sure hope this year will sail through smoothly. Just like every other year.

Career? A little bit tensed but I'm coping well, and hoping to make some major statements.

Relationship. Seeing so many friends around getting engaged or married is indeed a real pressure. Let's just say something will happen this year alright? No wild guesses please, we don't wanna make things too predictable, do we?

Financial. Sabotaged by red bombs hurled around. Okay, just kidding. Hopefully it'll be steadier than last year, I had some bad moments towards end of 2009 but everything turned out well and good things are spilling over to the new year. Will slow down a little in my real estate portfolio and saving up for another important 'aspect' in life, although I won't rule out any good deals if they come along at the right time and price.

Health-wise, will need to watch my food intake. High level of uric acid but yet to see any symptoms. High level of bad cholesterol. Goodbye to Bak Kut Teh.

Won't be making any new year resolutions, at this age I'm starting to feel that my goals are for life, and hopefully I won't be setting myself any short-term targets and risk getting in the way of what I want to achieve in life's marathon.

Happy New Year to all. Be nice.

end of 2009...

It's the final day of 2009, and there's not much of a plan to celebrate.

Still stuck in the office and all clients are on a one-week break, so nothing much to do except for paperworks and closing files for the year.

Will be away for a day trip to Ipoh with ex-housemates tomorrow, and next there'll be a belated New Year BBQ party (again, I'm going to charge venue fees soon, hehehe...) this Saturday that gathers friends from different phases in my life: primary school, secondary school, Form 6 and university. Let's hope it's not gonna be awkward.

A big off day on Sunday and I'll be back for 2010.

new toy...

Finally decided not to remain an el cheapo and spent a little money in getting a new gadget. No, not those we used to build during camps.

I've been to the Maxis Centre earlier this week to make a conversion from my current plan to the Blackberry plan.

Yes, if nothing goes wrong in the coming weeks, I should be getting a Blackberry Curve 8520 very soon.

Very rarely anyone would find me spending a huge amount of money for the latest technology-related gadgets, and to be honest I still don't think I will succumb to the lure, yet. I've been thinking for the past two weeks before finally getting the phone (which is available for a lower price when you sign up a value plan contract with Maxis), where the convenience of retrieving emails wherever I am helped me to make a decision.

I have yet to receive the phone yet, I've been informed that the earliest will be in a week and it may take up to a month latest.

Till then, I will still be with my Nokia ExpressMusic.

away for the weekend...

A break from work, and trip away from home.

Hong Kong, here I come.

i can't believe i'm being blamed for this...

Today I received a call from a client whose sole purpose is to give me a tick off. And it was a lengthy one as well.

I delivered some samples for viewing to the said client this morning for selection of prints, and she was not in when I arrived. I am not sure how ‘professionals’ deliver items, but being an ‘amateur’ dispatch myself I passed the samples to her colleague and reconfirmed that the parcel is supposed to be handed to her before I left it with them.

Less than 2 hours later I got a call from this client, and I assumed that she called to inform that she has received the parcel. Unexpectedly, the first thing that blurted from her mouth was ‘Is this how you deliver things? I can’t believe you’re so unprofessional.’

I was like, WTF?

I made a delivery. She was not in, during office hours. I passed the parcel to her colleague and left a message that it has to be handed to her.

And somehow, that made me unprofessional.

To summarize the telephone conversation, let’s just say that they have some office politics and internal problems between themselves, and I look to be a very good scapegoat for someone who’s probably enduring THAT time of the month.

The samples aren’t P&C (and mine by the way), and I know very well how I should handle the deliveries should they involve monetary or confidential documents.

I do not know that your colleague is a troublesome employee in your administration, and even if she is, I honestly don’t think that’s my problem, is it? And I definitely do not know that this colleague of yours is getting fired soon for her inadequacies.

Let’s sum it up, so now I am not professional, because…:-
1) You’re out of the office, during office hours.
2) Your colleague is a prick in your office.
3) Your colleague will be getting the sack soon.
4) I do not know information (1) to (3).

Ah, the common sense in a woman’s mind.

I do not intend to analyze how the conclusion came around that I am at fault right now. It’s futile.

government maths...

Government losses can reach RM28bil a year – or more due to overpayment

RM28 billion.

Hmm.

That's RM28,000,000,000.

Malaysia's population is 27 million.

That's more than RM1,000 from each Malaysian.

Say if I pay RM1,000 tax every year, that will mean the government 'lost' my money all these while.

Welcome to Bolehland, where everything 'boleh lesap' just like that.

first experience in auctions...

Perhaps this doesn’t equate in an ordinary manner, but I traded approximately three weeks and 50 bucks to buy an experience in property auctions.

Before anyone jumps into conclusions, I did not manage to get the unit auctioned.

Here’s how the story goes.

I spotted a pretty decent auction unit while rummaging through the classifieds 3-4 weeks back. After the usual queries, an agent alerted me of another condominium studio unit in a location which has been interesting me a long while. I got the common information I could get from the agent and paid the unit a visit the following day.

Visiting the auction property is a must, if you do not know yet, because you’ll never know if you are buying an auction unit with a corpse tucked nicely in the fridge (you know, the Mont Kiara case several years back). But having said that, 99 of out 100 times you’ll never get to view the inside of the unit because 1) the unit’s vacant with padlocks intact; and 2) the person staying there refuses to open the door for you. Well, unfortunately but expectedly, yours truly belong to the group of 99.

Anyway, knowing the area and location, I was somewhat confident that the unit is decently priced below the market value and after a week of research, found that the unit’s being auctioned for the second time (and 10% cheaper than the original auction price). Also, after checks with several agents and database, figured out that it’s around 15% below the market value, which is pretty decent.

The following week, I arranged with another agent to view a unit for rent which is identical with the auction unit so that I can look at the actual layout with my own eyes. Not the nicest thing to do, I have to admit, but that’s the best I can do to have a good grasp of what I’m getting into.

Within the same week, I also visited the land office twice. I arrived at the land office in the afternoon for the first time and got turned away because the land office does not check documents in the afternoon (?). Don’t ask me why, but that’s the reason uttered by the man over the counter. In Bolehland, anything can happen and that includes government employees being barred from searching for documents after 12pm. Good luck in achieving Vision 2020.

Anyway, had to return the following day to make the title search, as well as to check whether any caveats are lodged on the property. After being directed to 3-4 different counters, I finally manage to get the property’s strata title presented in front of me.

It’s but a whole load of jargons.

Can’t really decipher anything encrypted in all of the 3 pages and considering that I can’t photocopy it, I end up staring blankly at the documents not knowing what I should be looking for. I had to request the office staff to explain the important things that I want to know, which is 1) if the defendant the rightful owner of the auction unit; and 2) whether there are any private caveats lodged on the property. And I got good news for both.

Went through the proclamation of sale with the agent again after that and was assured that the bank will bear all outstanding arrears so everything seemed fine. All the recipe for a perfect buy.

But if some things seem too good to be true, usually it’s too good to be true.

Several days ago, I dropped by the auction unit again and this time I lingered around with the security guards to know more about the current owner. Little is known about the owner except that she defaulted payment amounting several thousands, and the weird thing is the neighbour of this unit is so reluctant to talk to me (I bumped into the neighbour in the lift) he’d rather stare right at the lift’s wall than to speak up.

This bothered me for a couple of days. What if the owner’s still staying there? What if she refuses to move out after the auction? Is she even alive? Why is the neighbour so afraid when I asked questions about the auction unit?

After much consideration, I decided to back out from the deal.

But having gone through almost the entire procedure, I went to the auction anyway, and bought the banker’s cheque that will enable me to enter the auction room.

Thank God I made up my mind early, because on auction day there were 7 other bidders who’re targeting the same unit. And the proud new owner of the auction unit is a middle-aged lady who’s obviously a newbie in auctions.

How do I know?

Because she raised the last three bids without anyone counter-bidding and she got the unit at a price 15% above the market value (might as well scout the market for sales if you’re gonna pay a price like that). The judge actually had to stop and ask if she knows she’s upping the price herself before the hammer finally comes. Not my problem anyway.

It was fun while it lasted, and despite all the hassles and troubles I think it was a worthwhile experience. I’ll be glad to go through the entire ordeal again if I can unearth another gem in the auction market in the future.

you know you're old when...

…friends are throwing red bombs at you from all over the place.

I am invited to FIVE wedding dinners in the space of one month. This is simply outrageous (and burning a bloody big hole in my pocket!).

Work commitment means I can attend only two of these weddings, but that does not mean it did any kind to my wallet.

At a time when I’m planning a decent trip to overseas. Crap.

done and dusted...

It took almost seven months, but anyhow I’m glad that the deal’s finally concluded.

It was right before Chinese New Year this year that we went to view this condo unit, which wasn’t even put up for sale back then. We were merely viewing another similar unit belonging to an extremely fickle-minded owner, and for that this condo unit was presented there and then to us by an agent, from a person who didn’t thought of selling at all.

Immediately after the first viewing we made up our mind that this is the better choice (thanks to the other owner’s decision to increase the selling price 3 hours BEFORE we sign the agreement), and we made an offer to this current unit which he agreed after almost two weeks of consideration.

I had some doubts during the early stages, but seven months down the road, the path looks so far so good. The current tenant is continuing until end of the year, which as least will give us several months’ buffer which can be used to cover the gap when we take over for renovations after vacant. Hopefully, we’ll be able to increase the rental and get it occupied before the turn of a new year.

The entire duration of this transaction hasn’t really gone that smooth, but at the moment I pretty satisfied with the extra knowledge and experience gained throughout the past six months. I’m sure I’ll be better equipped for the next target, although I may have to push the plan further back to accommodate some far more important plans at the moment.

Plans, plans, plans.

celebration at leonardo's...

This post is long overdue. I've been wanting to write up a picture post but with my desktop currently dying on me, I kept finding excuses that prevented me from doing so.

Back in May, during The Lady's XXth birthday, I made a reservation at Leonardo's Dining Room & Wine Loft in Bangsar. It was a lottery really, as I browsed furiously in the world wide web to find a decent fine dining restaurant and this place popped up in the first page.

Thank my lucky starts that this place didn't disappoint me. Leonardo's is superb with very little crowd (in fact, I think they can house a maximum of 30-40 pax only), and with soothing music being played in the background, you can feel that they really make it a romantic venue for couple the italian way.



Leonardo's serves modern Italian cuisine, and while fine dining restaurants have limited items in the menu, there wasn't short of options here.


I can barely remember the names of the dishes that we ordered that night, but looking back at the photos it's pretty apparent we had mushroom soup as a starter. The Lady ordered spaghetti (forgive me but I really can't tell what kind), while I took up the chef's recommended Port Knuckle. Plus a Kahlua Tiramisu for dessert.

The spaghetti was okay, but the Pork Knuckle was simply delicious. Which surprises me, I didn't even notice that Leonardo's is a non-halal restaurant until the waitress recommended this dish.

Leonardo's also organizes talks, book launches and exhibitions occasionally during the weekends, according to the notice board found at the staircase. I'm sure this place attracts plenty of intellectual groups, and usually classy ones.

If you ask me, I'd definitely return to this restaurant again, probably with a small group of friends for a good round of dinner. I tell you, this will make you look pretty darn professional; dining and sipping wine in a classy restaurant located in a secluded row of shoplots hidden in Bangsar.

Leonardo's Dining Room & Wine Loft

61-1 & 61-2, Jalan Bangkung,

Bukit Bandaraya, 59100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 6.03.2096.2226

all's well, end's well...

The past week has just been non-stop action, if we are to put it into a film, hahaha...

Anyway, job assignments have sent me to Santubong (Kuching), Ipoh, Kuantan and Nilai back to back in a little over a week. As fun as it sound, things didn't really turn out that great.

The job assignments were completed without any major troubles, although some must've been wondering if it's just our luck that some things fall right into place despite some really unexpected misfortunes that happened along the way.

Santubong came first when I departed on Saturday, the weather in Kuching was horrendous and the haze was suffocating. Our job resumed despite the recent H1N1 scare, and on Sunday it was 6am-11.30pm continuous run before I hit the sack. The event itself was close to perfect (from our side at least), until the moment we have to depart to the airport at 5pm. One of the rented vehicles' engine couldn't start, and with our flight's check-in time at 7.30pm (Santubong is one hour from Kuching International Airport) time wasn’t with our side. Speedy arrangements were made on the spot and we ended up renting two tourist MPVs from the Santubong Resort to send us to the airport.

The crazy things didn't end there. When I arrived at the airport (we traveled in 4 different vehicles), one van was missing. After several phonecalls, it was revealed that the petrol station attendant has mistakenly pumped petrol into the diesel-engined van, and will need a mechanic to assist in flushing out the mixed fuel. If you think things couldn't get worse, the mechanic's car broke down on the way to the petrol station. Just managed to check-in everyone but one of our two flights got delayed for an hour and a half (WTF?). We finally get to gather back at the office in KL and reload our equipment at 3am, and then headed straight to Ipoh.

Arrived at Ipoh approximately 5.30am on Tuesday, we’ve got about half an hour to refresh before we began work. Several hours into the job we realized that a baggage was missing from our loading. My colleagues in KL spent an hour or so searching through the office while we ransacked our hotel rooms to find it but to no avail. Finally, we had to get someone to drive all the way to the LCCT and what do you know, the missing baggage was left unclaimed outside the airport.

The assignment in Ipoh ended at 4pm Wednesday, and after a late lunch we departed back to KL. Heavy rain in the city didn't help and after dropping off my colleague at the office I reached home at 9pm for a quick shower and repack my luggage. A burger Ramli was enough for dinner and 10.30pm we began our journey to Kuantan. By the time everyone arrived at Kuantan town it was already 3.30am Thursday.

Work started at 6.30am, and for once everything went without any shortcomings. The assignment finished at 3pm and we got into our cars sped back to KL. Again, heavy rain slowed the journey and lunch was at 5pm in Karak, before reaching KL around 7pm. We finished reshuffling the equipment for Saturday’s event and went home around 9pm that Friday.

Saturday’s work began at 5.30am and it was a breeze handling this job after 7 days of constant traveling (and quite a distance too I may add). Finally got everything wrapped up by Sunday 1am and went home to sleep.

During the entire trip, there were also ongoing assignments back in KL beginning with the Friday before I depart to Kuching, and every single day thereafter until Saturday, hence the lack of manpower. Not forgetting that the office and retail shops were practically open for 24 hours that week as there were night shifts as well.

For all the hectic scheduling, I guess I will have to thank whoever that has prayed that everything went smoothly and well. No major incidents happened and despite all the late night traveling and lack of sleep everyone are safe and sound, and still coming to work these few days with no hints of H1N1 infections (touch wood) despite being in contact with over 15,000 graduating students all over Malaysia during this period of time.

As for me, I slept the entire Sunday and woke up at 7pm for dinner, and slept all the way until this morning.

hangover...

Couldn't really pull myself out of the bed this morning. If it wasn't for some smart client who calls on a Saturday morning, I think I'd be spending the entire day tucked nicely in my bed.

Haven't had any off days for quite some time, and considering that KL's traffic condition to be static today it meant I'm able to stay at home instead of going to work. And also had a good night out last night.

Ministry of Sound was celebrating Juice's 7th birthday with a party called "Future So Bright" on the 31st July, but to be honest the real attraction was the free flow of Chivas between 9pm-11pm. Though not a fan of liquor, I didn't pass the chance to attend especially since it's been some time I've gone out clubbing. And also because a big number of my primary school friends will be having a good gathering there as well.

Upon arrival, it turned out to be a major disappointment when news broke out from some of my friends who're already inside that every patron is limited to only two glasses of Chivas (heck, that's a major fraud case), and the long queue didn't help. In the end we hopped over to Coco Banana instead.

Coco Banana was expectedly less happening, but within an hour the crowd started moving over from MOS, and quite a few complained being duped by the 'free flow liquor' adverts, coupled with boring fashion shows (??) being the main agenda of the night.

It was the first time I met several of my long lost friends, definitely over a decade since I saw them. Clubs aren't really the best place to sit down and catch up on our pasts, apart from a few small chats everyone were basically dancing all night long and boy, aren't they serial clubbers. ;)

2-3 glasses of liquor was okay. 4-5 glasses, still good. 12 glasses within 2 hours? Well, I'm surprised that even with a dozen glasses of Chivas I'm still sober, although to be very honest had I stayed on for another glass I'd be puking all over the place. I'd have to thank the lady for having a seminar early morning today, that was a good excuse to leave early (1.30am is considered pretty early for them).

Took a shower and hit the sack immediately after I reached home, and I couldn't really do anything but lie straight on the bed, at that moment any movements could've triggered my 'puke' action. A double dose of paracetamol in the morning helped little to ease the headache.

I'm still wondering why do people enjoy getting wasted. I certainly don't. But I do enjoy catching up with old friends though.

weekend plans...

Since my last post, I have been traveling non-stop again, and for a change, come this Sunday it's exactly one week that I've managed to remain within Klang Valley.

The workload didn't lighten though.

Must be some sort of miracle that in the midst of my busiest season, nothing major falls on the date of my birthday this coming Sunday and I will be able to spend some quality time at home. And a dinner plan arranged by The Lady. :)

Nic is back from US and suggested a BBQ session on Saturday night, which will be extremely late considering that both The Lady and I are working our socks off till night, so by the time we start burning up the food it'll most probably past midnight. No problems for Nic and Jacky, as both are attending the Man Utd - Malaysia football friendly match at Bukit Jalil (hmm, I wonder if Nic's back in M'sia just for the game).

Nonetheless, I'm happy to have a decent break from work this weekend, even though for only a day.

on the road...

16 June

0700hrs - Depart from KL to Tanjung Malim to pick up a colleague.

1100hrs - Depart from Tanjung Malim to Penang for an appointment.

1400hrs - Meeting in Penang that lasted 2 hours, late lunch followed.

1700hrs - Depart from Penang to Kota Bharu.

2330hrs - Arrive at Kota Bharu.

17 June

0730hrs - Work till evening.

1830hrs - Got back to hotel for shower, dinner and sleep.

18 June

0500hrs - Got up for work.

1400hrs - Job assignment in Kota Bharu over. Depart to Alor Setar.

1730hrs - Dinner somewhere near Temenggor Lake.

2100hrs - Arrive Butterworth for light meals.

2330hrs - Arrive at Alor Setar.

19 June

0500hrs - Got up for work.

1400hrs - Job assignment over. Depart to Tanjung Malim.

1700hrs - Arrive Tanjung Malim. Depart to KL.

1900hrs - Arrive KL. Preparations for next assignment.

2130hrs - Arrive home.

20 June

0630hrs - Got up for work.

1830hrs - Job assignment over.

2130hrs - Meet up with friends for a drink in The Curve.

+0130hrs - Arrive home.

21 June

Rest

22 June

Standard working hours.

23 June

0500hrs - Got up for work.

0600hrs - Depart to Jerantut.

0900hrs - Meeting for 4 hours.

1300hrs - Depart to KL.

1630hrs - Arrive KL.

Coming assignments:-

Penang 27-29 June

Pardon me for neglecting the blog at the moment.

exhausted...

This year has been somewhat different from previous years. Work-wise.

In previous years, I would've gone off at least once on vacation outside Malaysia by June. With a different working schedule/season this time around, I find myself having quite some difficulty taking long leaves from work.

Prior to 2009, the first half of the year always seemed a little more relaxed with few major assignments, and I'll have most weekends to myself. This year, my work has started as early as February, and there have been a healthy stream of commitments that tied me down, and as a result, I failed to plan for any holidays until today.

Going back to my record, I have taken only 2-days leave in the past 6 months, and almost every other weekend there is an assignment.

Honestly, I don't think it's good for me mentally. My performance have obviously been compromised, and this isn't something I expected. These days, I can actually feel like 'floating' when walking about, easily more forgetful of recent incidents, at times very moody and passive, and I can't imagine myself doing something very productive the moment I step into the office.

Even blogging seems like hard work to me nowadays.

i'm leaving on a jetplane, don't know when i'll be back again...

You know, back when I was younger I wished that I will get a job that takes me to different places all the time.

While there wasn't any guarantee of this when I joined the company, there has been a lot of outstation and overseas assignments for the past year or so, and it seemed all rosy to travel around as part of my job then.

About a year later, I begin to feel a little tired of traveling.

I still enjoy traveling mind you, but there has been way too much of non-stop journeys all over the country to my liking; occasionally overseas, and I'm starting to feel like puking at the sight of highways and airports.

My job has brought me to Sg Petani, Penang, Ipoh, Tanjung Rambutan, Seremban, Kuantan, Marang Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu, Tawau, Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan in the past 6 months, and for majority of the above-mentioned places I've been there at least 2-3 times. And then there's Singapore and Hong Kong as well, although I can't complain for getting some exposure outside the country.

Apart from work, vacations in recent years have brought me to Phuket, Bangkok, Butterworth, Gopeng, Malacca, Muar and Johor Bahru.

While the experience is good; the vacations are generally relaxing too, spending so many hours driving or sitting in ultra-cramped seats of Airasia planes is beginning to look dreadful.

Even more on trips when you depart in the morning and return at night.

The long hours on the highway.

Hours of waiting at the terminal.

Every hour spent to travel from home to the LCCT or KLIA.

And back from there.

I just came back from Sandakan on Monday night for a one-day trip. Before that I just came back from Penang on Sunday night. And I'll be flying off again to Kota Bharu next Tuesday. Then coming back on the same day.

And at the moment the routine doesn't look to be ending anytime soon.