And I continue to wait.

Waiting and waiting no more. Got a copy of the Malay Mail newspaper and flipped to the sports page. Still the euphoria of de soccer match of the decade has not subsided. Same goes for the competition I joined. Three out of hundreds of submission will be selected and my chance of getting a prize is slimmer by the day after comparing the probable teams line up by the newspaper agency themselves. Even their prediction has more accuracy than mine.

Anyway the results will be out in Saturday�s June 4th Malay Mail in which so co-incidentally I am in Singapore.

Manage to contact an online friend since many months of silence. It is strange to know someone online by mistake and develop an acquaintance ever since. We never met face to face but only exchange pictures. Corny huh? If we take away the technology that enables this, it�s no different from Malaysian Post Pen Pal days.

Ah!! Those were the days, Malaysian Post thrive, the newspaper that talk all nonsense with �factless� truth. I wonder if anyone still has a copy before it was decommission. If you do, scan a copy and e-mail it to me at joeaggas@gmail.com . Thanks.

Strangely, somehow I just recalled MondayBluer wants to go HK - Disneyland. I wonder if that is true? Now I continue to wait for the results.

The Italians scored really early. The English was trailing by 3 goals at 45th minute, I decided to sleep instead. Knowing that even if I stayed awake may not change the fact of events that may erase my prediction since March.

I was referring to the competition which I only managed to salvage 25 correct out of 32 selected names. The unpredictable formation from Merseyside cost me to lose so many points. Nevertheless, I only managed to name 5 correct reserves for both teams but the most impressive was the Italian�s line up. I managed to predict 100% accuracy with a 4-3-3 formation and the players playing at their correct locations.

What now? Now, I wait impatiently throughout the day or even week worst the freaking month. Not able knowing whether there are better answers than mine. Worst still my mind played tricks that someone got 32 / 32 correct or a conspiracy from organizers or I only manage 4th place. Yes, I�ll be damn if I ever get 4th which can likely be because happened many damn times.

Awaken at 7am checked the scores and was very fudging incredibly surprised till the nuts sprung alive doing the Macarena because the English won! A cheeky twist of event of 3 goals in 7 minutes.

Damn I hate this wait. Fuck! Time to pull some petals�. Did I win, did I not, did I win, did I not, did I win did I not��
 

Final steps to finish my entry

Found the last 5 names


Cut them out


Set the names in place


Place into envelope


Seal it first. Expensive envelope you know?



Ready, submit and hope.

I bought them today!

They cost doubled because the NSTP (the news publishing house) said so. Actually the very reason I bought them was that I wanted to join a contest with total RM17K up for grabs. All I need to do is to tag the name players from both teams for their starting lineup/formation and submit. However, the trick was to collect the name tags published everyday until 23rd May 2005. (Good idea to increase sales of newspapers).

Initially, I thought the contest started on Saturday May 14th and was frantically looking for it. I called friends and relatives hoping they have a copy to spare but sadly, no one has. This morning a voice prompted me to give NSTP a phone call and ring them I did. As the person answered told me that they store past issues and I was delighted with excitement. Rushed out the house risking delay for my lunch appointment at 12.30 and got to Bangsar to purchase May 14th's issue. As I flipped through the pages I saw the players name but felt something was still amiss. Some players' names I arranged were not in this issue! Panic! but able to rationally suspect the contest started much earlier than 14th but when?

The person handling the counter did not look please of me asking so many times without able to make up my mind which past issues I wanted.

Posted by Hello
Therefore, taking a risk I ordered May 12th and 13th. Again excitement spiraled in me finding those missing names. Annoyingly without my master reference, I could not determine whatever I have bought was sufficient. Got home, started my cut and paste job. Finally it looked better but with five critical players' name missing. (Baros, Hyypia, Garcia, Kaka and Cafu).

Disappointed yet undeterred I drove back to NSTP which was another 10KM, RM1.50 toll fees and 78 cents petrol away. Wiser this round, I got my notes, glue, scissors, envelope, pen and spare name tags all stored in a used Ferrero Rocher box. Making no mistake this time, I purchased May 9th, 10th and 11th. I found out that the contest started on the 11th and indeed I have collected that whole week's collection of Malay Mail for a price of RM10.00 (2.00 per copy).
Surprisingly also was the 5 names I was looking for were all in the 11th issue. Quickly I did my art work in the car and submitted the entry at 15.50 hours today. Praying I win something for the effort I have dump in.

It costed me in total RM25.40 for the newspapers, petrol and toll fees. Moreover, my car was banged from behind by this nice looking Malay lady who works at The Star Press. She drove a Toyota VIOS and the front bumper sustained deep scratches but no damage for mine. Settled then and there but regretted not getting her number else can call in case.

Lastly, I hope that this damn contest is worth all the effort. Tonight AC Milan vs Liverpool champions league finals!

Was it a holiday?

MondayBluer and I didn't feel the blue on Sunday evening. Did not question our emotion that night, we chose to be silent and ignore it completely until MondayBluer asked, "Is it holiday tomorrow"? Yes it was!

Sadly for me it didn't feel like a holiday but the traffic was sure smooth during the weekend. A replacement holiday from Sunday's Wesak Day and left us Monday to do something constructive. Therefore, I decided to complete two chores that I procastinated for like weeks. Picture as attached.

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Stopping is not quitting. To stop's an act but quitting is a decision.

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Glanced at the skyline, hinted me to reach out to it for touch. Yet "sky's the limit" are simple words of wisdom from many ambitious people. Solely the framed arches tinted to hold and withstrain one inside not letting him lose. Many of us may felt the same. A view from inside the cage of solitude engulfing the possibility of impossibilities. I shall differ or to charge forward with no thought of the outcome. Lost a day dreamer is.

Posted by Hello

Solve vs workaround.

At times especially in my profession, I am very much aware the difference between solving a problem and working around a problem. However, most people I know lump both of them together. Here lies some examples to distinguish the two.

Problem : Toilet flush not working and dying to shit.
Solution: Shit first then fix flush later.
Workaround : Shit somewhere else.

Problem : No sexual intercourse for months with girl or boyfriend.
Solution: Strip naked and start touching each other.
Workaround: Masturbate or pay or find someone else.

Problem : No sensation when fucking with condom.
Solution: Don't wear a condom and do what porn stars do. (A bukkake-lite will do).
Workaround: Fuck the ass!

You see the difference now?

Rainy morning!

As I exited Subang Jaya Toll into Federal Highway going towards Shah Alam / Klang, I couldn't help but noticed motorcyclists underneath the fly-overs avoiding the morning shower.

Then a flashback of myself once experienced their predicament. Once not long ago, I commuted on a two wheeler. For the first few months, it was just a short distance between office and residence. However it became further when I joined TheCompany. Riding was and still is fun but must stay as just fun. However, riding to work or official appointments one word sums it up, suckx!

In reality, it makes economical sense to own a motorbike. Fuel price hike, lower maintenance, cheaper insurance, cheap registration and most of all a conquerer in traffic jams.

Nevertheless, knowing where my origins were, I can surely 100% understand the challenge that these motorcyclist are facing.

How do we park now?

BU123-Full HouseS
Originally uploaded by joeaggas.

This is a typical night when everyone is back. Total 6 cars before the new tenants arrival with 2 cars. The Car No 4 will be gone. To see which is car no.4 click on the picture to load the NOTES.

Strange, but this is not the ideal parking condition. The question is how to re-arrange the cars to optimize the limited space we have.

I employ a method called 7 Sigma Valet System. [chuckles]] I was just kidding but abiding by the rules of car parking at open areas in Malaysia that is to squeeze as much in as possible. A method first surfaced in the alley way of KL most famous buses... MINI BUS!

Guardian angel vs Day dreaming.

Today somehow the things I did seem to be hinting to me for a restart of what I wanted to do all this while but fucked it up, by myself, years ago. Not going to mentioned in specifics, but it just seems appropriate at this point to undergo the process. Down to even the song that I used to listen while driving reminds me the mood I was in during those years. Well, those were the days I once felt contented, relaxed, care free except financially and sunnier weather.

My point is that at times my days’ activities seem to hint me to do certain things. Is that the voice and coaching of our guardian angels? Perhaps it might just our imagination or shall I say day dreaming!

Fixed!!!

Ignition Circuit S
Originally uploaded by joeaggas.

Ok the evening did not turn out that bad afterall. Car fixed but I am RM370.75 poorer. They changed the ignition circuit board. You know, the thing that regulates the voltage to the spark plugs. Actually that may not be true but just the slightest understanding of the mechanic's explanation. Click on the picture to see where the ignition module is.

Well the vacant room in the house has been rented out successfully after a bloke has agreed to move in with his girlfriend. Therefore, there will be total of 7 people. Yes 7 people and 7 cars. Crazy hor? How to fit all 7 cars into the house? Wait, one day lemme take a picture when all cars are back.

Finally, landlord agreed to extend 1 year tenancy without increase of rental, I hope.

The soul of a car.

I have always believe that anything in this world has a soul or at least a given soul. Given soul means a human imagining a particular object of having feelings and responsiveness. For myself, my car has a given soul. Why do I say that?

Currently it is dead not working right in front of the house I am renting. However, it is possible that the car knew I am not going to trade her off for a newer and more reliable vehicle therefore it became lazy and letargic to start. However, when I get it to work and in my heart triggering a thought to trade in for a new model, it will function obidiently without a complaint. If I give it a bath, it will feel lighter as you drive it away clean.

Crazy you might say me, but think of it may be true when u are driving a long distance road. Try talking to you car and see it's reaction. It may respond back with sudden gush of torque. Cheers.

Nothing Works!!!

Damn, a typical KL Monday morning. Car did not start and Astro no reception as of 10.30am. Used to be after midnight. Why? Why? It has happened to me many times throughout the past. A morning filled with shit events and no astro to so call "Ceria kan hati saya".

Do you know? The best part of experiencing a shitty day is the good stuff that will follow suit. For me, that is true because I remmeber there was once the whole weekday was shitty. However when the weekend came, the gloomy days seems to fade away giving light a chance to brighten up my subsequent weeks.

Details about that bad week.
Monday morning tire puncture and late for first experience in teaching.
Tuesday boss scolded me for not following up on an important matter.
Wednesday cheque didn't come in, no money to fix Monday's problem. Cash reserve low for the week to even eat and still need to take cab to Sheraton KL.
Thursday even worst cash reserve dangerously low, don't even have money to feed dinner.
Friday, cheque banked in. Fixed car, spend the rest of the hours in office no work no worries.
Saturday quiet weekend without girlfriend away back hometown.
Sunday all charged up after a hearty banana leaf rice for lunch.
Sunday night, a reflect back of last week's madness and thankful I am still alive for the birth of a new week. MONDAY MORNING!!!

Damn my car is still not able to start, what the fucks wrong with it? Must threaten it.

Friends and networking

The last 4 months of a year is challenging for my budget. However, this year is pretty much scattered. Coming at unexpected months of June, September and December. Question is go or not to go. An issue of your relationship with the person. Old friends, college friends, colleagues, family friends and of course customers. Now this gets multiply by 2 if you have a girlfriend or wife.

I am talking about Chinese Wedding dinner.

Is it better if I limit my attendance? Perhaps only to those who may potentially re-attend your own auspicious event. What would you do? Somehow, most wedding I attended seems to have the fakeness in it except for a few exceptional ones.

During the day, the groom or bride may not even have a clue you have attended because they are confuse and struggling to put up a smiling face for like forever to them. Imagine in a time space of 2 to 3 hours with 500 to 600 guests.

What excuses would you use to not attend someone's wedding especially Chinese wedding dinners? Oh! yah in Malaysia, when an invitation card has been shove to you. No matter if you are present or absent, you are expected to give. Such practices has been seeped into the local society here. Easily noticeable when asked if you are free on a particular month and continue to state that they are going to hand you a 'summon'! Gosh! Talk about conscience.

I am very eager to get out of such situation but ain't easy because civilization thrives on networking humans. Probably retring or cutting all communications or probably migrate to become a monk are potential options. If this happens here and there can be no guarantee that it won't happen elsewhere. Brace yourself everyone.

Volvo S40 2.0 Turbo year 2000.

According to a local author back in year 2000, Volvo S40 2.0T was estimated to be RM175,000.00 OTR. Star Motor Guide
Today, after searching through the classifieds, the same model and engine car cost at a used value of RM81,800.00.

Now that would mean a loss of RM93,200.00 over a period of 5 years. That maybe interpreted as a loss of RM0.04 per minute! This calculation is flawed because it did not take into account the overhead of purchase, cost of maintaining the car and yearly inflation rate for Malaysian ringgit.

RM 0.035 per minute
RM 2.13 per hour
RM 51.21 per day
RM 358.46 per week
RM 18,640.00 per year

thestarVolvoS40T
Originally uploaded by joeaggas.

That may ultimately mean you will lose RM2.13 after lunch if you own a Volvo S40 2.0T since year 2000. The me and my mind at silly thoughts again. Have a nice day.

Hokkien people

I was introduced to a person who happened to be an Hokkien dude, once upon a time ago. Hokkien by the way, is a language spoken by an ethnic majority from Penang and Johor in Malaysia. However there are variance depending on the geographical location. Originally, "Hokkien emerged from China's Fujian province in the area surrounding Min River." as according to Hokkien.org .

Anyway, after introduction during our conversation, me being mischievous uttered a few Hokkien phrases to delight this new found friend. From that day onwards, no matter how many times I told him I have limited understanding of Hokkien or even declaring aloud that I am a Hakka boy, he kept on talking to me in Hokkien. Puzzled and inexorable he was, I approached a Hokkien colleague of mine and asked "Why do most hokkien people talk to me in hokkien even if I have told them I am not"? He said, "it feels more brotherly if we converse in Hokkien".

Now that explains it all. Well, this may work out to be an advantage somehow. In conclusion, speak more Hokkien. It can promote brotherhood even if meeting Hokkien friends you go salute aloud "Oi larn chiao, kan nae nei. Cho har mik bo call wa? Hor lang kan la lu." (approx translation : Hey dick, fuck you. Why you didn't call me? Go get fucked someone else) would make these brothers feel more at ease and bonded with you in a way a Hakka boy like me is trying to comprehend.

Mother's Day

A bouquet of red carnations
Originally uploaded by joeaggas.

Do you know Mother'€™s Day is celebrated on the 6th March 2005 in UK and 8th May 2005 in the United States? Have you actually asked why? Before I get to that answer, here are my thoughts for Mother's day. There are two sides to look at. To my understanding, it is a celebration of our Mother's undying love and sacrifice in bringing us to this world. Giving what they have for our well being, caring when we are sick and nurturing our soul when we are weak. On the flip side question of, why bring us to this world? Was it because by human sexual drive or there was nothing better to do that faithful day to experiment with reproductive organs or was it our grandparents'™ wishes? I wonder? Try to ask that question to your parents and wait for the answer.

Ok to answer the above first question for this blog entry. In 1600, Mother's Day was called the "Mothering-Sunday" to honor all mothers of England. That day was celebrated on Mid-Lent Sunday or 4th Sunday of Lent or now known as March the 6th.

Then in 1872 Julia Ward Howe of the United States of America suggested to celebrate Mother'€™s day as a dedication to peace but that wasn't a good enough to promote the idea therefore abandoned.

However later came 45 years old unmarried Anna M. Jarvis, daughter of a minister, who persuaded influential ministers, businessmen and congressmen to declare national Mother's Day. Why? If I read correctly, she wanted to remember the anniversary of HER beloved mother'€™s death. Evidently it has nothing to with world peace but just Anna M. Jarvis own mother'€™s death anniversary. You see, she was unmarried then, likely a virgin, spent most of her years with for her mom and that can have serious psychological effect on this lady. Can you imagine the closeness between herself with Anna Reese Jarvis? She persuaded her mom's church to celebrate Mother's Day on the 2nd anniversary of her Anna Reese Jarvis's death i.e. the 2nd Sunday of May. Do you know carnations the flower on Mother's Day? That was in fact Anna M. Jarvis mother's favorite flower.

The more I think of it, the more I believe that this was one woman'€™s wish to remember her own mom and in return made economical sense to the businessmen, opportunities for influential ministers to demonstrate their powers and congressmen can debate about it.

Therefore, it is important for us to understand the history of Mother's day or any other celebration because with it teaches us the meaning of our existence and being part of civilization.

Disclaimer : Information about the history of Mother'€™s Day was extracted from http://www.floramex.com/li-momsday.htm

Person with 4 alarm clocks!

As I was typing, all the freaking alarm clocks in my room began to annoyingly sound. Do you know ‘MondayBluer’ has 4 alarm clocks.
1) My Hi Fi scheduled to go at 7.30 to MIX.FM
2) The analog bell alarm clock
3) A small snoozer digital alarm clock
4) A Nokia mobile phone.

Analysis of a person with 4 alarm clocks is a person who won't be awaken even if an airplane crashes into our neighbor’s house. Oh! this reminds me of one of those pop-quiz questions;

Imagine you are in an airplane with your girlfriend, sandwiched in between two strangers. You noticed she was sleeping and snoring aloud. What will you do?
a) Pretend you don’t know her.
b) Pretend to sleep and ignore the look from other passengers.
c) Snore louder in hope to drown hers.
d) Wake her up.

This incident seriously happened, ladies and gentlemen, I shit you not.

Car Club

I was pausing at the traffic lights in front of One Utama and noticed a bumper sticker of a Proton Perdana. On the sticker was written the website domain “v-sixers.com” and it is catchy and so I was curious to have a look of the content. Here is an excerpt from their site, “The primary objective of the club is to create a community of members where the binding factor is the ownership of a Perdana V6”.
Two sides of a coin and here they are;
1) A good community club for gathering all proud owners of Perdana V6 to share and to connect with one another.
2) A way to legitimize ‘lepaking’ in the name of gatherings and healthy activities. No longer riding modified kap-chai or RXZ Panthers, now use modified cars. Imagine an activity of going bowling in a convoy of Perdana, sounds fun! Perhaps it’s a channel to comfort one another that Proton Perdana V6 is not a bad car since it’s a rip off technology from Mitsubishi and no doubt the engine is good. I wonder where does the identity originates from if Perdana V6 is OEM from the Japan? Probably the precise laser cut, ultra sophisticated plastic trimmings with Integra like back lights.

Bottom line, this is website looks nice.

Disclaimer : Just my reflection of thoughts and ideas therefore it may not be entirely true or real.

No effort to remember

I woke up a abnormally early at 6 due to warm room temperature. Noticed, I lost my MP3 album for Garden State Soundtrack, am waiting for ‘June’ to reply. She has been missing from Yahoo for awhile now.

Recently I realized that for many occasions, I make the least effort to remember something. Take for instance a topic like this. Reminding myself before penning, typing, it down. Aware of my habit, I decided to take mind corrective measures by using symbolic representation of the thing I want to remember. For instance, like placing everything together in a pile before leaving the house. As a result sadly, I will likely forget why the pile of stuff was there the first place. When it comes to thoughts or ideas I will rely on my faithful T68 to record voice memos. Thus this led to my urge to spend for a more complete device to store my schedules, mobile porn, a phone, voice recorder, WiFi surfing, digital camera, anything and everything under the sun. Yes, a smart phone which reminds me of that topic …the last of 4 installments. Hope this blog will remind me to write about that.

Got Framed

Shadow coin quilt
Originally uploaded by joeaggas.

Not me but the two paintings I bought from Bali for like RPH1,050,000.00. They are 100x120cm and 100x130cm in dimension. That will ultimately cost me another 260 to get them frame for display. How will it look? I am anxiously waiting for the result later in the week.

Ideas to fight piracy.

What if Malaysian Government provide tax incentives for purchases of local made original DVD / VCD movies? I missed SEPET at the cinemas but made up by purchase original VCD. Too bad they don’t have DVD version.

What if our population of mid working class executives are as high as Singapore?

What if our cost of living is lower but at the sametime standard of living goes better with the government to provide? Would we still pirate? My answer is yes, look at Brunei.

Lost and found.

Mondaybluer was able to visit and try out merchandizes at SHUZ and MNG in between after ordering till the food arrived. Impressive but she lost the bracelet I gave her. Gosh! “That woman ahhh!!!” excerpt a thought in my mind without uttering it out. Luckily, found it later.

A prisoner of your own room.

I am perspiring so much today. Perhaps due to my recent increase of mass with a slight feeling of clumsiness that causes this or it could be the feng shui. In other words the weather. What makes it worst is, my room is messy. Innate in me at a particular light of day, I have all the patience of a cool headed and jolly molly sort of a guy who can ignore all of this. However, with the hot warm weather, sticky body, my messy long hair and my uncomfortable soreness of my throat sums up the factors to ignite the rage within. My neck felt hot, an irresistible notion to just cut my long hair because it can cool down my head.

Anyway, back about my room. My room, does not feel like mine because;
1) The table is full of stuff and leaves too little space to experience a zen balanced workarea.
2) Bags all around.
3) Well for the past two weekends it was ok but before that I got moved out of the bed because someone was sleeping diagonally. I have proof!!
4) Pens and pencils used are not placed back into position.
5) Tit bits started to appear at random places.

As a person with an analytical mind on issues, I would like to see this problem as to a few factors of cause.
1) I, or my partner or we both may have too much things.
2) I am a lousy person to arrange things.
3) I have failed to strategize in freeing up space.
4) I am just blaming I whereas the we are not thinking at all?

Even the space I have now is so unmanageable; would it be worst when we have a bigger place? Papers, magazines, pamphlets, one too many calendars, more pamphlets, empty plastic drinking water bottles, wires, dusts, more bags and one really chaotic mind lying here silent with a bad throat with no understanding or feeling at all that I am in such condition.

Sometimes, I feel that I am being taken for granted but sometimes I felt that I should provide as much, to share as much, give if I can, smile and be happy that I did something right. Yet sometimes, situations make things seem unfair. May I heal with time?

Fat Man

Fuck I am fat and I am not going to gym because I felt they are a bunch of over exploitive ‘dookies’ that takes advantage of mid working class guys and gals by selling some sort of a brandish lifestyle workout in wood laminated flooring with mirror around to see how fat yourself is. I have always preferred swimming to any type of sports due to a few reasons. You get to be submerged in water, zero impact compare to jumping or running that can damage knee cartilage in the long run, total body workout and the seed of my perspiration would not make me uncomfortable. I feel clumsy too.