Job Offer

Ex-employer contacted me 2 days ago offering me a job in Tanzania for better employment conditions. Frankly I long to visit this country mainly because of safari and the culture. I brought up this issue to my immediate superior and friends, detailing the situation. Their common advice is "decide yourself". I reckon my resignation would disappoint my colleagues, and may tarnish my reputation being a freelancer. On the other hand there is no negative internal factor from my present employer that I could excuse myself. As yet I'm still insisting on "personal loyalty" to my present employer, but a friend warned / advised me otherwise.

After Work

Lingering at bar with a colleague has become my routine lately. It is relaxing to stay away from my computer and e-mails. Used to have a couple of beer each time, with a plate of snack, a few nonsense chat exchange with the bartender…and smoking cigarillo, simply for fun.

2nd Letter From My Sponsored Kid

It has been quite some time since I received the first letter from my sponsored kid on 05-Jul-07. Instead I'm too lazy to reply message to him. Unexpectedly I received 2nd letter from him yesterday. Immediately I spared my time to compose a letter. He said he will study English this semester, I would like to send him some books but I couldn't find any in this small town. Will try to ask some friends around…

Busy

My brain was in the state of mess in the past weeks. The hectic work has drained out my energy largely, coupled with family's problem, just do not have time and mood to think about posting article to this blog. Hope I could clean up the pile of doc on my desk within the next 2 weeks

夜

连续五个晚上与同一位同事流连於同一家酒吧喝酒。自己健康不好，也只能奉陪喝上两瓶。喜欢露天酒吧的宁静、侍应生的礼貌（以及美貌）。看着休闲来回的人潮，体会懒散的生活节奏，有感我何必把自己忙得绷紧。

昨晚上喝得比较晚，特意绕了一个圈才回家，借冷风醒醒微醉的脑袋。原来这朴素的小镇午夜过后有另一番景象。有人徘徊在昏暗的公园仿佛在寻找猎物（或等待被猎）、有热恋的少男少女忘情地热吻、有不想回家的孩子三五成群地在街上溜达。突然很怀念国内的大排挡，很想吃一碗皮蛋瘦肉粥。

Islamic State / Secular State

Malaysia society has developed into unprecedented chaotic lately, due to some power eager barking politicians. These bastards intentionally provoke sensitive racial issue to unearth and intensify the fragile relationship in this multi racial society.

The recent announcement of the Deputy PM cited that Malaysia indeed is an Islamic state. What is his intention to bring up this issue while Malaysia is going to celebrate the coming 50th independence anniversary? Being one of the most respectful politicians in Malaysia, his statement for sure receive resonant echo from the fanatic voices. Meanwhile, our PM, as of his common practice, does not interfere to silence the dispute, guess he would let this issue boiling for a longer period. In case of the protest is mild, Malaysia would be crowned as Islamic state officially. Otherwise the present status being recognized as secular state would be remained for a slightly longer term and does no harm to the majority Malay ethnic.

Probably this is another dirty trick of politics to divert the concentration of non ruling parties from the more desperate crucial topics like NEP (New Economy Plan).

2 week ago former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan publicly praised Malaysian government for their efficient effort in managing the multi racial society, which should be consider as a successful model to other countries. He must be blind(folded) and did not see the real event. What should we expect to hear from this Diplomat? If he doesn’t know the background, pls shut up!

Professional

I think I'm working with a bunch of idiots around. Everyone claims to be expert, professional, specialist, but none of them has any hands-on experience. Their fantastic comments stretch my nerves to breaking point. The 12 year experience I had on the job seems to be total shitty… Fxxk!

1st Reply

Glad to receive the 1st reply from my sponsored Thai kid today. Letter was written in Thai language with English translation (probably done by WorldVision). A blue roofing small purple wall house is drawn at the corner, with the orange windows over size the yellow door. He briefly introduced himself in the letter - typical essay structure I used to learn in school. Well, what should I expect from a 10 yr old kid to write something thoughtful to a person he has never met? Hope to meet him someday.

挫折

妹最近学做生意，经过几个月的筹备上个星期终于开张了。正满怀信心开始大展拳脚之际，却收到新业主逼迁的通告，原来妹没签署有效的租约，无处投诉只能自责粗心。他给我通了电话，说了缘由，还被我批了数句。我不是落井下石，只是出于关切。只能劝他 take it easy 别屈于这小小挫折。罗文曾唱过“小小苦楚等于激励。。。”

Irresistible

This album cover is simply irresistible… J Lo's first ever Spanish language album Como Ama Una Mujer is an instant #1 storms the Billboard Latin chart. The album is very Spanish, a good change after getting fed up with her previous hotchpotch hip-hop albums.

Survey

Went with my colleague to learn site survey today (probably this is the first time in my career). This work is fundamental in our project, of course it is easy to describe theoretically, but the site work is tiring. In fact I did feel a little boring. Walking and transporting equipment and material consumed most of our time. Not to mention the summer heat was enhancing lactic acid production causing muscle fatigue.

The main idea I planned this trip was to experience and understand the site works, would be useful to manage the project.

The Satanic Verses

British author Salman Rushdie was awarded knighthood on Sunday in Queen Elizabeth's birthday honours list for his service of literature. The Islamic world immediately recalls a death warrant on him with lucrative award.

I read the controversial novel "The Satanic Verses", frankly I have stopped flipping the pages after going through 1/3 of the book. The story was so dull (do not expect any commercial element). A simple topic occupied pages to describe the details. Secondly my English level is simply too poor to understand his powerful vocabularies, causing me losing interest on it.

P/S: I do not know which part of the novel has committed blasphemy against Islam…

Minimum Wages

An article on the newspaper today has listed the minimum wages among the EU countries.

Highest : Luxembourg (€1570), Ireland (€1403), UK (€1361)
Lowest : Bulgaria (€92), Romania (€114), Latvia (€172)

I do admit the life in Bulgaria is cheap (comparatively), therefore it is advisable to travel to the east bloc countries before the living standard soaring high.

粤剧

孩时妈总在做饭时扭开收音机听粤剧，偶尔哼上两句。当时觉得这戏曲就是嘈，千篇一律。时代转移，现时空气播送的尽是流行曲，皆因粤剧捧场者越是见少。

今天上网看到了这熟悉的名字-唐涤生，察看了他的资料。原来他对粤剧影响重大，可惜在四十三岁就逝世了。我只对两段粤剧有兴趣-《帝女花之香夭》以及《紫钗记之剑合钗圆》。曲词皆佳不落俗套。

《帝女花之香夭》

女：落花滿天蔽月光　借一杯附薦鳳台上
帝女花帶淚上香　願喪生回謝爹娘
偷偷看　偷偷望　佢帶淚帶淚暗悲傷
我半帶驚惶　怕駙馬惜鸞鳳配
不甘殉愛伴我臨泉壤
男：寸心盼望能同合葬　鴛鴦侶相偎傍
泉台上再設新房
地府陰司裡再覓那平陽門巷
女：唉惜花者甘殉葬
花燭夜　難為駙馬飲砒霜
男：江山悲災劫　感先帝恩千丈
與妻雙雙叩問帝安
女：唉盼得花燭共諧白髮
誰個願看花燭翻血浪
唉我誤君累你同埋蒘網
好應盡禮揖花燭深深拜
再合巹交杯墓穴作新房
待千秋歌讚註駙馬在靈牌上
男：將柳蔭當做芙蓉帳　
明朝駙馬看新娘
夜半挑燈有心作窺妝
女：地老天荒情鳳永配痴凰
願與夫婿共拜相交杯舉案
男：遞過金杯慢咽輕嘗
將砒霜帶淚放落葡萄上
女：合歡與君醉夢鄉
男：碰杯共到夜台上
女：百花冠替代殮裝
男：駙馬珈墳墓收藏
女：相擁抱
男：相偎傍
合：雙枝有樹透露帝女香
男：帝女花
女：長伴有心郎
合：夫妻死去与樹也同模樣

《紫钗记之剑合钗圆》

李益：雾月夜抱泣落红，险些破碎了灯钗梦。唤魂句，频频唤句卿须记取再重逢。叹病染芳躯不禁摇动，重似望夫山半崎带病容。千般话犹在未语中，心惊燕好皆变空。
（喊白）小玉妻。
小玉：处处仙音飘飘送，暗惊夜台露冻。雠共怨待向阴司控。听风吹翠竹，昏灯照影印廉拢。
（序白）雾夜少东风，是谁个扶飞柳絮，
李益：是十郎扶你，
小玉：生不如死，何用李君关注。
李益：愿天折李十郎，休使爱妻多病痛。
（序白）剑合钗圆，有生一日都望一日呀，
（续唱）并头莲亦有根基种，权势尽看轻只知爱情重，与你做过夫妻胜梁鸿。
小玉：坟墓里可尽失相思痛，憎哭声，喊声将霍小玉叫回俗世中。
（序白）生生生，我虽生何所用呢，
（续唱）你再配了丹山凤。把白玉箫再弄。则怕你红啼绿怨，由来旧爱新欢两边也难容。祝君再结鸳鸯梦。我愿乞半穴坟，珊珊瘦骨归墓冢。
李益：云罩月更迷濛，是谁个误泄风声播送，瑶台未有奇逢。
小玉：你既非负心，胜业坊与太尉府只是一街之隔，你胡不归来。
李益：泪穷力竭严如落网归鸦困身有玉笼，一朝翅折了怎生飞动。
小玉：谁信你，想你见我变卖头上紫钗，已知我今非昔比，我想那卢家小姐，
（接唱）佢在你乘龙日半绕盘龙髻，插玉燕钗腰肢款摆上画阁中，投怀向君弄髻描容，佢斜泛眼波，微露笑窝，将君轻轻碰。指玉燕珠钗不惜金买来耀吓威风。
（白）你又可知新人髻上钗，会向旧人心上刺。
李益：郎未变爱，针锋相迫刺郎未免阴功。
小玉：我典珠卖钗，以身待君，盼君望君，醉君梦君，你到今竟再婚折害侬。
李益：盟誓永珍重。我未负你恩义隆。枕边爱有千斤重。大丈夫处世做人，应知爱妻兼尽忠。
小玉：真既，（接唱）既尽爱何以未洁身自重。
李益：咪再错翻醋雨酸风，当知衷心隐痛。
小玉：侯氏报消息那有不忠。
李益：经拒婚摧恶梦。
小玉：未信君你入赘绣阁，敢拒附凤与攀龙。
李益：十郎未惯同床异梦，更忆小玉恩深重。
小玉：柳底问有摺摺薰风，且听君将在颂。
李益：日挂中天格外红，月缺终须有弥缝。
（序白）千差万错，错在我吹台赋诗，有不上望京楼之句，
（续唱）佢便借诗中意谣言惑众，有心逼我乘龙。玉燕钗又再相逢，我誓死不向遣贵附从，吞钗拒婚拚命送。
小玉： 十郎十郎, 你可曾為我吞釵拒婚, 不慕權貴.十郎, 若是真情以釵還我, 自釵燕失春風, 憔悴不出眾,我再將紫釵弄漸露笑容, 玉潔冰清那許有裂縫, 今宵壓髻有紫釵用.

The Italian

An Italian couples came to Russia to meet their chosen child for adoption has stirred the orphanage. 6 year-old Vanya was chosen and was nicknamed "Italian" by other mates. He was deemed having blessed and would escape from the unpromising fate in his homeland. While everyone else envies Vanya having this good opportunity, a thought to find his maternal mother sprouted. With assistance from the elder mates, he escaped from the orphanage and started his journey.

The little actor is truly adorable, but the director has endowed the character a far matured thinking. This Russian movie is not bad.

WiTricity

Among colleagues we used to joke if electricity power could be transmitted wireless like the electronic signals, everyone has to be cautious not to be electrocuted.

Yesterday the newspapers worldwide reported that the scientist at MIT has successfully demonstrated this significant breakthrough based on the concept of magnetically coupled resonance instead of electromagnet radiation. They have dubbed it "WiTricity".

When this technology turns matured and commercialized, that's the time I have to look for new job.

美丽时光

昨天看了这一部台湾旧电影《美丽时光》，在没有期待下反而被深深吸引。平实的故事、平凡的人物，描述两位生活在低下层年轻人的故事。相对于高盟杰的‘放’，我较欣赏范植伟的‘内敛’。

电影笼罩着一股压迫感，让人体会到生活的累与无助。导演诚恳地说戏，可能是要提醒我们去追寻和享受美丽时光。

放逐

心情很不舒畅。尝试压抑情绪但不得要领，越觉烦闷！工作、家庭事宜都有些但不是重点，只想放逐自己一段日子而之后再投入工作。

Renouncing Religion

An article on the newspaper reported that about 2000 Hindus renouncing their religion and converted to Buddhism in a mass ceremony in Mumbai last Sunday. The fact is that these people are categorized as low-caste Hindus according to the traditional biased social system.

Apparently the main idea of this conversion does not imply that Buddhism teaching is more convincing but it has been used to abandon their "low-caste" status in Hindu society, of which being an obstacle in their living – education, job application, marriage etc. Pathetically religion has been abused / wrongly used to fight for human rights.

On 14-Jan-07, I have posted an article concerning a case of a Muslim renouncing Islam in Malaysia. Today the Federal Court dismissed her appeal to remove the wording "Islam" on her identity card. The Judge cited that this case should be handled and approved by Syariah Court instead.

Malaysia's constitution stated freedom of belief to the citizens, obviously this clause does not apply to Muslims. Should I be pleased to be granted this priceless spiritual "freedom"?

Dance With My Father

Came across this song of Luther Vandross… brought back too many memories…


Back when I was a child

Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me and then
Spin me around till I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure I was loved

If I could get
Another chance
Another walk
Another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
How I'd love love love, to dance with my father again

When I and my mother would disagree
To get my way I would run from her to him
He'd make me laugh just to comfort me (yeah, yeah)
Then finally make me do just what my momma said
Later that night, when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he would be gone from me

If I could steal
One final glance
One final step
One final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
Cause I'd love love love to dance with my father again

Sometimes I'd listen outside her door
I'd hear how my mother cried for him
(x2) I'd pray for her even more than me

I know I'm praying for much too much
But could you send back the only man she loved
I know you don't do it usually
But dear Lord she's dying to dance with my father again

Every night I fall asleep
And this is all I ever dream

Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell

I must admit that this American TV series "Prison Break" obsess me greatly. It is one of the most wonderful series ever made.

I went shopping today in Sofia with 2 colleagues of mine. Unexpectedly I recognized this familiar face and voice of Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell (played by Robert Knepper). I couldn't be absolutely sure of him, and followed him walking into Nike outlet. He speaks American accent English, wearing a cap and carrying a little blond curly hair girl. My colleague suggested to approach and takes a photo with him. C'mon, we are already in our late 30's and it would be awkward to behave like little fans asking for autograph. We waited till he left the outlet and passed us by. Well, at last still we didn't confirm if he is really T-Bag. I think it couldn't be mistaken unless he has a twin brother looks identical to him.

Dean Koontz's Frankenstein – Book 1 Prodigal Son

Finally I finished reading this book after lying beside my bed for 2 months. The story is not exciting and the way how the author tells the story is dull. Not one character is lively. This is the book 1 of the author's trilogy. Guess I won't look for the next 2.

Sandstorm

Friends from Khartoum sent these photos of sandstorm alleged to be the strongest since decade. The fine sand/ dust is being carried along when the wind crossing Sahara Desert. The view of the storm approaching was extravagant, like the surreal movie scenes constructed by computer graphics. The dust enveloped the space, everything… air quality is seriously worsening and the visibility is adversely affected (click to enlarge the photos to sense the power of nature).

Weird Chat

Newly met a staff from Client today, had the following weird chat.
-----
Guy : Where are you from?
Me : Malaysia.
Guy : Why are you working here? There is no job in Malaysia?
-----
Me : (Pointing to my boss) We have been working together for 10 years for different projects.
Guy : You mean you cannot work without each other?
-----

Melting

Today's temperature is soaring high. Everyone predicts this coming summer would be very warm. The snow clad mountain in front of my window is melting much earlier this year… hmm… melting… just thinking of cheese Fondue. Colleague introduced this Swiss communal dish to me lately. Simple but delicious!

不适

上司近日身体非常不适，很担心。劝他回国做彻底检查再休养一段日子。他始终放不下工作，坚持在项目上了轨道之后再作安排。与他一起工作近十年了，很了解他的脾性，亦师亦友。与他一起工作是愉快的。

Black Sea

Travelled to the Black Sea with 2 colleagues last Saturday. The city, Burgas is not really attractive, though it is among the famous beaches during summer season. The chilly breeze is quite uncomfortable for sunbathing and swimming yet.


The scenic small old town Nesebar, built on an outcrop island, is located 40km northeast of Burgas. It's designated by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. The historical value of the Byzantine church ruins is the key attraction, but most of them are really small, empty or close for public. The influx of tourists makes this town expensive, over commercialized.


The adjacent Slanchev Bryag (Sunny Beach) is said among the best beaches in Bulgaria. In fact, I have been to some much better beaches. Small amount of rubbish dotted on the beach, and the water is partially choked with seaweed. The stretch of a few km beach is fully packed with hotels, bars and facilities catered to the summer tourists.


Sozopol is relatively much less quieter than Nesebar. The small town is serene, and as expected, most of the bars on the beaches are rushing for final touch up to welcome the summer tourists.

Movies

Watched these movies recently, though not exceptionally excellent but all worth the movie ticket.

The Pursuit of Happyness – A dramatized true story of Chris Gardner's struggle (Will Smith) before becoming a successful broker. The predictable storyline is no excitement. Will Smith and the kid actor deserve the credit, no overacting. The last scene when he deemed having pursued the happiness was contagious.

300 – A movie composed mainly by computer graphics. Naturally I tried to relate it with LOTR, but the latter is grander and the story is more solid. The comic-like movie is deviating far from sense and reality, largely served for visual entertainment, I could hardly recall it after 1 hr.

Blood Diamond – A piece of pink raw diamond triggered the greediness of everyone. Though I'm not a fan of Leonardo, I have to admit that he is a good actor. His African-English accent sounds familiar to me. The movie is trying to convince us the existence and brutality of children soldier in Africa. Curious if this is the real event, or just common dramatic exaggeration for "movie" sake.

Perfume: The Story of A Murderer – Another non-sensible story. Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a guy with extraordinary sense of smell and magical ability to produce best perfumes ever. To him, the natural body scent of the virgin young lady seems to be the best fragrance. The ultimate perfume possessed power to provoke love (and losing mind…) The ending was unpredictable.

Blogs Registration

The following article is extracted from Reporters Without Borders.

…… in order to prevent the spread of “negative or malicious content,” bloggers will soon have to register with the government.

While claiming they do not intend to censor bloggers, they have warned that bloggers are not above the law when they “disturb peace and harmony” in Malaysia.

“This measure could jeopardise online free expression,” Reporters Without Borders said. “It could push many bloggers to opt for anonymity or censor themselves out of fear of reprisals. The deputy minister’s statement once again demonstrates the government’s desire to exercise improper control over the online flow of information inside Malaysia. The obligatory registering of blogs is a measure that so far has only been adopted by countries such as China that violate Internet users’ rights.”

---

The government has expressed their worry over the freedom of public info distribution on the internet, citing that the irresponsible rumours on the net have caused unnecessary chaos aiming to shatter the social integrity / stability. Considering the major multimedia channels are controlled by the politicians, only the filtered info in favour to the concerned is published. Ordinary citizens were fed with decorated news and are discouraged to pursue the facts.

The progressive IT enables the information distributed efficiently and widely bypassing the conventional censorship board. I believe some accusations are not groundless. The bloggers are acting as watchdog to force greater transparency of the governmental operations. Sadly this term has been abused by our law enforcers (politicians) traditionally.

The recent governmental high level corruption issues are among the investigations triggered by the bloggers. The official response is ambiguous and intentionally noncommittal. How much do we expect our government would do to unearth the deep rooted issue, since the head of the Anti Corruption Agency is being accused of corrupted??!!

I M POSSIBLE

Received this message from someone today...

"Nothing in this world is IMPOSSIBLE... coz' the word IMPOSSIBLE itself says I M POSSIBLE."