would you have stopped and given a helping hand?...

Earlier today I was told by a friend who is a company secretary of a large banking group that she helped someone who met with an accident yesterday morning on her way to the office. This poor lady (not my friend but the victim) was in her myvi and she had just rammed into a concrete pillar near the LRT station near the A&W PJ. It happened almost immediately after dropping off her husband at the LRT station. She was trying to avoid another car. Her car was smashed she was injured and was shouting for help and nobody came to help her. There were people around but they just looked. And guess what? 3 matsalehs (kwailos) who were in a taxi, alighted and came to her aid. Soon afterwards my fren came and helped her, picked her handbag and stuff, wiped the blood off her face, calmed her down so she could call her husband. Still, the rest of the people, just looked and didn't bother to help. Some just came to my fren and ask her 'eh akak, apsal ek?' Hey, what's happening to us? Apa dah jadi? I thought we malaysians are friendly, courteous, helpful always willing to lend a helping hand? What happened to all that? Malaysia truly Asia? What, what? ape dah jadi nie? What if the same thing happened to members of your family? Owh well, I am sure there are hundreds of explanations (evil wink). The poor lady's husband who arrived later, nak jadikan cerita, haha, turned out to be my fren's office mate who is now at another site. My fren had never met his wife.

Moral of story? not many people wants to help or get involved in accidents these days. Is it fear? Indifference? Attitude? Global Phenomena? or just plain 'i do my thing, u do your thing' lets not cross each other's path...times are bad...so please, i don't wanna get into unnecessary problems kinda tingy...hmmm...think about it? if something similar happens to you....text or call me immediately..(the fact that you have my handphone number means that you consider me a fren...and the least I cud do, iz alert the necessary authorities or the nearest available assistance...(wink)....errrm on second thoughts...they may all be worried of WHO level 4 alert on swine flu (hehe)...2 points closer to a global pandemic. have a great week ahead folks.

llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerrychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch...

Haha...that's the longest named railway station at Anglesey. Next weekend is labour day (friday may 1) and there are going to be 2 'family day'. One is the aberystwyth (formerly university of wales at aberystwyth) university alumni malaysia family day and AGM in Port Disckson and the other, our own MRC family day at pangkor island resort. Although I am only honorary alumni of 'aber' but that my association with the malaysian alumni started way back in 1989...so one can imagine how attached I am with/to that said alumni, having accumulated and cemented lasting friendships with alumnus, officers of the university including a few of the vice-chancellors some of whom have retired. I was karaoke champion at last 2 reunions hahaha. so I thought I could do a hattrick this year! Nevermind, let the younger set take over the crown this time around (hehe). All yours brother Suffian... I was told many (Tan sri Arshad, datuk Zawiah etc etc) are going to attend this year's do as it will also be AGM time and Faris told me he is stepping down as president. Welcome to 'the immediate past presidents club' bro hahaha. I too am enjoying my immediate past presidency of the University of Hull alumni Malaysia.

At the OSA Easter Reunion Dinner at Aberystwyth in 2006, I sat beside Mr Rhys Hughes and he promised to send me the train ticket of the train station with the longest name 'LLANFAIRPWLLGWYNGYLLGOGERYCHWYRNDROBWLLLLANTYSILIOGOGOGOCH'.

Thanks Rhys, he actually did send me the ticket..haha (see above). That easter reunion was also the last time we were with Mrs Waldo Mair Thomas. The most efficient alumni secretary ever (and I won't even mention her age, lest I put some of you young woman to shame...hehehe). Have a good family day and AGM my frens. I have to be with my team this time around...

Yayasan Arshad Ayub...

About an hour and a half ago, His Royal Highness The Sultan of Selangor, launch Yayasan Arshad Ayub (Arshad Ayub Foundation) at the Sime Darby Convention Centre, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. It was a momentous event, short of being historic. It is an endowment fund sort of, to enable needy bumiputera students get the necessary education funding should they need one, among other objectives of the foundation. Tan Sri Arshad Ayub (my ex-boss, mentor and friend for 3 decades now) is 80 this year and still moving along like there is no tomorrow, when many others his age are already having difficulty walking, let alone carry their own body. It is during occasions like this that we catch up on long lost friends. Bumped into Hamzah Sidang retired Schools Inspectorate Asst Director. Datuk Prof IAB who is now back here from Dubai at the INTI campus in Nilai, Dr Salleh, Hamidah of Prestige Communications, and many others dot dot dot. Tan Sri Arshad, he is blessed. I just wanna thank friends who took time off, accepting my invitation to join me at my table tonight. Thank you all....oh I forgot, Wadi could not join us. Reena called to inform me that he had been robbed by 3 men earlier this evening at Ampang....we will know the full details tomorrow morning...

from chevening to NACRA to MOYA...

One would not appreciate fully the meaning of being a part of success, if one had not been a part of failure, some would say. Smooth sailing success can have devastating dysfunctional consequences. They say, calm seas, do not a great sailor, make...heheh. Congratulations Wadi on today's announcement of you winning MIM's young manager award (MOYA 2008). I can still feel your heart palpitating with extreme excitement and exuberance. Always count your blessings, not your sorrows hey scottish chappie! As you can see from the fourth picture, hey we're all there to give you the moral support. I have been watching your development from the chevening scholar days to the hattrick certificate of merit for NACRA and last year's glass-breaking entry into the records of 2008 NACRA Awards and this morning's MOYA award. Need I say more bro? ...

an academic breakfast?...hehe

The AIM Alumni in Malaysia was to have visited Cotabato, Mindanao early this month but due to unforseen circumstances, the trip had to be deferred. YBhg Dato' Syed Ahmad idid (2nd from left...retired High Court Judge of Malaya) however, went ahead with the trip and gave a public lecture on good governance at Cotabato. This morning the Alumni and academics from the faculty of business and management UITM honured Prof Abhoud (seated fourth from left) with a 'fairly heavy' (hehe) breakfast at UiTM Hotel before sending him off to the airport. As usual, I was inconveniently not forgotten to be invited (hahaha). I then rushed off to attend MIM's CEO Forum and Awards at the Renaissance Hotel Kuala Lumpur. (details next posting...hehe)

exora or edora...where art thou?...

I just got home from Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre about an hour and a half ago. Was invited to the launch of the new Proton (the national car) MPV named EXORA by our YAB Prime Minister, Dato' Sri Najib Tun Razak. The dinner prior to the launch was very good indeed. Was with Dato' Salamat former PUSPAKOM CEO, Zahamail, Technical Director of Road Transport Dept, Datuk Suret Singh DirGen of Road Safety Dept Malaysia, VC Universiti Malaysia Pahang Professor Dato' Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim and many others. The shot above showed a section of guests which included GLC head honchos and other big kahunas of the financial community, the automotive and related industries.

Can I share with you a little secret?, owh well not really a secret but I was not really invited (in a sense lah). I got myself invited hahaha. I told my head of research and the group HR director of Proton that I would love to attend the exora launch. And you know what? This morning at about 1030am, the invitation, in a sealed envelope, was personally hand-delivered by proton chaps to me at my office. Wow! I am honoured and flattered (hehehe muke tak malu betol kan?...hahaha). My chaps told me the trouble they went through to get me that invitation. Thanks Hairul, I owe you one! hahaha. It was a great event. Datuk Syed Zainal, Proton MD & CEO was in top form. Congratulations to Warga Proton! Seperti Sireh Pulang Ke Gagang...Tun Dr M, Datuk Nazmi, Proton's Chairman, made an impressive comeback. Afterall, he (TDM) was the man who gave birth to the idea of proton....Things seem to fall into place...quite neatly, for now I guess. And that's really a good sign, I hope (erk). Much accolade has been given to exora...so I shall not exonerate...hehehe. Oh, on second thots...if it was named adura...you can be sure hell its gonna be selling like hotcakes in kota baru (evil wink)...haha.

of pens and pirates?...

I took the day off to be at home so I could observe my 12 year-old son who had high fever lastnite. It has subsided a bit but still relatively feverish. Even at home, I was still working which only confirms that in today's scenario, there is a grey area separating work and play. You play at work and you work at play..huh? sounds oxymoronic isn't it? hahaha. Ya ya, with blackberry and all, broadband, wimax and what have you...its like there's no sleep. One can really be up 24x7. So much to read, so much to catch up. Just take this week's The edge for example, I started by reading 'frankly speaking' and whoala! very neatly the pressure (subtly sometimes brutally I think at times..hahaha) begins...like asking G to walk the talk and release the PKFZ report; disclose recipients of stimulus package (again citing US examples..ya ya ya); asking G to make KPIs public (eh who's idea izzit aah this KPI tingy? KPI is the fashionable management babble which in the 60s and 70s we call MBO (management by objective), while I have nothing against processes and procedures, it is a necessary evil, but I worry we waste precious time on unproductive problems. Sorrylah I may sound simplistique but the KPI for the PM as far as UMNO is concerned, I was told, a long time ago (hehe) is economic growth. If during the tenure of a PM (sape sape lah tak kire...) the growth is from O to 5%, kire dah hebat sangat dah tuh! (hehe); and finally picking on Proton again...poor Proton hahaha. Dah la susah nak jual kereta! ah kong ah meng maniam osman dok asak cam macam...cam ade jerk yang tak kene dengan the national car make tuh. Kesian depe (hehe). I have been analysing the reports and writings in The Edge for a few years now...it is interesting how some articles are written (in malay we call it yang tersurat dan yang tersirat hehe). Very bold and brave indeed, the way it was crafted I must say...like for instance this one by RB Bhattacharjee (page 8, corporate big money). Just look at the title: "Najib's mission: to save a leaking ship" wow! (can you imagine what the topic suggests or imply?). He ends the article by suggesting that there are still plenty of skepticisms but they will dissipate, he contends, if the new cabinet do not over promise and under deliver. Reiterating that they must walk the talk (quote and unquote).

Which reminds me of walking up a plank on a pirate ship (hehe). Pirates? haaa it conjures many things on one's mind (evil wink..hehe you know what I am getting at don't you? you notti fellow?). Piracy has been around since time immemorial, pirated DVDs, software piracy, pirates of the malacca straits, pirates of the caribbean...and very hot these days are the ones off the Somali coastline. Read here for an interesting candid literary history of pirates by a Cambridge scholar...hahaha.... Pirates are everywhere aren't they? hehehe

tribute to shahar banun jaafar...

lunch break with classmates, York, England

Summer School, Hull, England, September 1992 with Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz at the Annual Distinguished Lecture Series at the University of Hull (Shahar is 7th from left)

I was speaking to a group of malaysian universities undergrads with former UiTM Vice Chancellor Datuk Ir Prof Hj Ahmad Zaidee Laidin, Assoc Prof Rasid (the first asian Risk Management PhD holder), saudara Jamal and another PhD fren, when my mobile "squirted' (borrowing a term frequently used by Dr Rasid hahaha). Norazmah Aziz or fondly called by frens as just AZ, called me to inform that our dear fren (MBA classmate in my case) had dearly departed. She was Director-General of the National Library prior to retirement. She died at about 2 pm yesterday,after visiting her doctor to get new stocks of her medicine (she was asthmatic) before leaving for Uzbekistan scheduled for the coming april 28th with the Malaysian Historical Society. I was told she felt difficulty in breathing inside her car and that she died at the hospital minutes later. I rushed to her house at taman ibukota, gombak and informed all our other MBA classmates, while on the way. Met many old frens there. Datuk Hj Jumaat former Director of Schools Ministry of education and former Director-general of Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka, Datuk Zaiton Osman, Khoo Siew Mun (she is 70 oredi) both were former Chief librarian Universiti Malaya, Tan Sri Asiah Abu Samah (former DG of Education was also present. I chatted briefly with her and that we last met at a wedding of the daughter of the Language Institute Director, Lembah Pantai; Datin Mariam (former Director-General the National Library Malaysia - Shahar's former boss, Carol and many other librarians who knew me when I was with Oxford University Press. May she rest in peace. Marilah kita sama-sama sadakahkan Alfatihah buat sahabat kita Shahar Banun Jaafar yang sudah meninggalkan kita semua, Amin. Farewell my friend...

death race...the movie

"2012 - the US economy collapse. Unemployment hits a record high, crime rates spiral out of control, the prison system reaches breaking point. Private corporations now run all correctional facilities for profit. Terminal Island Penitentiary streams a series of cage fights live on the internet. They are the new gladiators and Terminal Island is their Coliseum ...

(hrmmm...I miss my Coliseum Cafe Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman sizzling steak! hahaha).

But like the mobs of ancient Rome, the modern audience soon become bored...they demand more... "

no no no... hold your horses. That's just a movie opening script hahaha! I love this DVD bought for me by one of my DVD 'supplier' (Richard - my senior database build administrator). Its called Death Race with The Transporter star Jason Statham as its lead role. I love watching damn good quality DVDs on my new VAIO Z series with Blue Ray Disc player (hehe). Sundays are good days to catch up on lost time, missed movies, in the privacy of your study. I just saw James Bond's Quantum of Solace also on DVD. My favourites are still The Last Samurai and Alien vs Predators. Really great cinematography. Of course there are others. Enjoy the rest of the weekend folks.

father knows best...or is it?

"The clear message is that everyone wants a government that is responsive to the needs of the people today. The era where the government has excessive control and adopts a 'government knows best' attitude is over...

I believe that the effort to reform the country starts with revamping the government, with a new cabinet with new responsibilities and a new structure...

Datuk Seri Najib Razak"

New Straits Times (NST) Headline, April 10, 2009, on the day the new cabinet was announced. The quote above gives new meaning, perspectives and a completely new ball game to the business of government, if you ask me. I want to think that this 'new' approach is a positive step forward but I do have some reservations as the statement may have implications and probable dysfunctional consequences. Who is the government referred to here? The civil servants? or civil servants and political masters? Correct me if I am wrong but when we say 'the government of the day', does it not mean the politicians in power and the civil servants entrusted with the administration and management of the country? Again, if we want to be petty with real definitions, administration and management have distinct features separating each other (which I would not want to elaborate now). Perhaps it is the new regime's way of redefining government's roles and responsibilities that is not far off from Osborne&Gabler's 'reinventing government' propagated by Tun Mahathir in 1992? Read here. Just my two sen thoughts for the weekend... I think most people look forward to a strong government. Anyone preferring a weak government please raise your hand? Oh by the way, Congratulations to YAB Prime Minister and his SAF is in order I believe.

when the sun sets.....

Hah...nothing like having a great cup of freshly brewed coffee, some finger food and browsing the internet in the comfort of the Regency Club Lounge on the 13th floor of the Hyatt Regency Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (courtesy of management) while appreciating life's natural beauty...the sun set view... O ya, of course, not forgetting snippets of the historic moments of the swearing in of our 6th Prime Minister on the LCD screen...hehe. One can always enjoy the sunset in Sabah, but for their politicians, the sun is only just, perhaps, beginning to rise at the Federal level (wink). I always remind my good fren and classmate (masa kat UPM dulu) training manager nuclear Malaysia, Shafaee, to let me know if he and his boz are going to be in Penang or Kota Baru. Little that both of us expect to bump into each other at the same regency lounge hahaha. He reminded me that at this year's international quality management symposium (Nuclearmalaysia signature annual forum), I will be moderateur. I said thank you (gawdwilling) cos honestly, am getting old, tired and lazy. Lazy to prepare papers these days. I juz love to chair conferences, being a panelist or moderateur would be purrfect (hehe). Easier job, doesn't need that much preparation but one still needs to do some background reading ok? My colleagues from THATCHAM are in town (KL) for the F1...we will be having a busy week come monday. After 6 days away from blogging...I have plenty to comment actually (wink)...but I guess I will leave it for later...do have a good rest fellas...

a commonwealth award-winning remote school...

the welcome committee...

the locals showing off their skills...also a show of respect and appreciation for visiting them

Getting there takes you about 12-13 hours on former timber dirt-track road...


the pristine cool villages...

the pre-school is part of the commonwealth award-winning Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK)...

When my wife asked me if I'd like to join her visit a remote school in a village called Ba' Kelalan, in a district called Lawas where its faster to reach from Miri, Sarawak on an 8-seater dornier and then travel in a four wheel drive for 12 hours on timber dirt track with knee deep mud at times...to this most remote school in a village called Ba' Kelalan...wow...that sounded like a great safari-like adventure! But alas, I could not make it as I had a meeting in singapore. Would you like to miss out on an opportunity like that? Haha no way man, but as I said, I had to take a pass...what a waste. Some photos she bluetoothed me (above) to share on my blog fellas...

of pagans and headhunters...

Owen Rutter, born 1889, as a young man, spent five years in Sabah as magistrate and district officer for the British North Borneo Chartered Company. The Pagans of North Borneo, is an attempt at a systematic description to the non-muslim peoples of Sabah. At the time of its publication the book was meant as a contribution to contemporary colonial policymaking, but even then it could be read as history. The modern reader might balked at the use of such terms as 'savage' and 'primitive', and at Rutter's relegation of Sabahans to a lower scale of civilisation. But the valuable information he compiled should not be thrown out along with the cultural chauvinism. In essence the book remains of fundamental value, an invaluable source of information for various aspects of Sabahan society ranging from traditional warfare and headhunting (given sympathetic rather than sensational treatment) jungle and river craft and adat to popular folklore and music. (first published in 1929 by Hutchinson & Co, London, Reprinted by Oxford University Press in 1985)

Carl Alfred Bock (1849-1932) was a Norwegian naturalist and explorer who occupies a not unimportant place in the gallery of European officials, merchants, missionaries and adventurers who visited the Malay Archipelago in the nineteenth century. He was certainly one of the first European writers to realize and exploit the exotic potential of Borneo. Despite its sensational title, Carl Bock's accounts of his travels in the 1870s in both Borneo and Sumatra covers much more than the well-known cephalic pursuits of the Dayaks. Commission by the Dutch colonial authorities to make a journey into the little-explored districts of West Borneo, Bock proved to be a keen observer not only of the way of life of the peoples ofthe interior but also of their tutilar Malay overlords and of various aspects of colonial life. Similarly, Bock's descriptions of his journeys in Sumatra, taken in this instance primarily as a naturalist, also potray vividly scenes of contemporary life and society in an era of Dutch expansion along with observations on the flora and fauna. Written in a clear and unpretentious style. (first published by Sampson Low, Searle & Rivington, London, 1881, this edition published by Oxford University Press, 1985)

I hope my frens, loyal readers and casual visitors alike, are enjoying this great warm sunny sunday afternoon. You may be wondering why I chose these two books and both (coincidentally are books about Borneo (heheh). Borneo, both the Malaysian and Indonesian territories and oh well, Brunei too I guess, have been European's favorite destination even up till today. They find the place exotic, even among Peninsula Malaysians (wink) which explains the regular meetings, seminars or conferences being held there, by both private and public sectors (apart for reasons other than what you and me probably oredi know meh? hahaha). Now that I am an immediate past president of the University of Hull Alumni Association in Malaysia (we just had our AGM at the Royal Lake Club this morning and I have, with dignity (wink) handed over the baton to my successor), I can spend a little more time now reviewing interesting old books on my blog hahaha. But jokes aside, there seem to be an uncanny coincidence that some power transitions are about to take place too right? April 2, if I am not mistaken, from reading the sunday times awhile ago. My choice of two interesting books on Borneo in my possession, was not randomly done ok? (evil wink). It has to do with some recent erections and nacionale poriticar deveropmen as well... again, as usual...your guess is as gud as mine...dot dot dot

of party erections and repairo-insuro-mekaniko babblomania...

Danny the MC making a brief welcome remark and introducing us, Kong STFK(wink), me, Cho Chee Seng (FOWOAM president), Richard Pratt CEO I-CAR Australia and Fiona Chew, GM Messe Frankfurt HK

with Richard Pratt CEO of I-CAR Australia, my fellow speaker at automechanika malaysia 2009 at KL convention centre yesterday ( no no I asked Richard and he confirmed that he is in no way related or connected to the family of Pratt&Whitney the manufacturer of one of the world's great jet engines hahaha)

Wahlauweh...Cho checkmated me when he asked me to speak at his annual convention in conjunction with Automechanika Malaysia 2009 (which is held once in 2 years the last being in 2007) at the KL convention centre. To add insult to injury (hehe) giving me a difficult topic and making it even more challenging and hazarous cos I was to speak in front of repairers (some of whom only understand mandarin or cantonese hahaha). Then there were general insurers , adjusters, JPJ, automotive chaps and component manufacturers from Taiwan, China, and elsewhere and other stakeholders of the industry that I have to be careful what I say lest I be sued for defamation (evil wink). Well, in simple language, I must be politically-correct...hehehe. While busy with all that, I did not forget to follow the proceedings of a certain party convention taking place at another venue concurrently. I was , like other fellow malaysians, eager and excited who was going to get erected in the party erections...(evil wink). My reactions? hahaha much like sweet and sour fish and ya ya your guess, again lah...is as good as mine....have a great weakend folks! (wink).

of rising premiums and inflated injury claims down south?...

At MAS golden lounge changi airport singapore. Short quick trip. Nice when some people remember you, but upset when they don't provide your favourite peanuts anymore (uwaaa). And even more upset after having been a loyal enrich member, you don't accumulate enough points, and they downgrade you to silver (uhu hu hu). Anyway, we had a good meeting at the new premises of the general insurance association of singapore (GIAS) just before lunch . They are impressed with what we do to contain costs of claims, reducing subjectivity and dispute resolutions to the malaysian motor insurance industry. CF Lim, PIAM executive director and me, we decided to take the earlier flight home. We're suppose to fly back on SIA at 5 pm actually. The singaporeans asked me how come we are members of RCAR (Global Research Council for Automobile Repairs)? I said only four countries represent Asia. Korea, Japan, Australia and Malaysia. And you must first be representing your country's motor insurance industry and membership is by invitation only and must be approved by other research centres during its annual meeting (wink). GIAS is worried over a report carried in yesterday's singapore straits times (read here). We hope they would not get into unnecessary problems. When I read that news report...I said to myself...hmmm sounds like a familiar plot, storyline much like a chicken and egg type situation. Simple economics of demand and supply and owh well, a zero sum game...in this instance...the losers are the motor insurers having to bear huge claims payout, then, as a punitive measure, premiums are raised and who cries foul now? well..your guess is, as usual, as good as mine...

is thinking a habit?...

I have not been sharing Moje's articles in the Manila Times quite awhile now. But this latest one, read here , is interesting and being the notti (twisted mind as some has already labelled) me, I find that it could be well, quite oxymoronic. Here's why I say so: she said that habits are what we do when we are not thinking. But thinking can also be a habit meh? right or not? Therefore, if thinking equals habit, following standard simultaneous equation solving processes (wink), does that not mean that we would also not be thinking when we're thinking? hehehe. Think about it folks and let me know while you're at your habits over this great weekend.....hahahahaha LOL.

baby boomers and the lost generation?...

Half an hour ago I gave a return call to a schoolmate (Sukumaran) from std 5 GES PD right up to form 5 Science 1, SMI PD. He was headboy then in 1971. I was secretary to the prefect's board, Heng Yick Heang was Treasurer. Sukumaran, this handsome malayali bugger, is closest to me after Tiruchelvam well I mean they are both the only schoolmates we keep in contact until today. We will probably have tehtarik much more frequently after retirement, if we live long enough. You know lah these days, anything after 55, is a bonus. As usual, we (me and suku) would be lamenting the state of the nation, the current issues, problems and hopes and of course the bodoh stuff people appear to be saying in the newspapers that made us feel more 'bodoh' hahaha (evil wink).

Then suku said, those born before 1957 were british subjects but we chose to be true blue malaysians hahaha ( I never thought of it before...I mean being british subjects and all hmmm hehe...so I guess the next time I meet my partners from THATCHAM, I would say...hey guys, don't pray pray aah? (of Phua Chu Kang fame) we're british too u know? ya rite...).

Then we touched a bit about the younger generation and what will happen 20 years from now as we imagine it to be....and I remembered what a new friend I made at the conference earlier on today, Victor Chau K Fong from Hong Kong and as we chatted about 'our' baby-boomer generation, the young ones are known as the 'lost generation' in HongKong and of course in mainland China too and the difficulties teachers and parents encounter, in managing them. Read here. having said all that, I always believe that most, if not all, generations wil ripen, come of age and rise to the occasion. Its a global phenomena. I think its the same everywhere. When I read that article, ahah...sounds familiar...I look at my own children...its tough...sometimes I feel I have failed in that department. My friend Victor said, this 'lost generation' is the most pampered lot. Perhaps we, the baby boomer generation is also at fault? let me know your thoughts folks? nanait...nid to catch some quality sleep.....

when the going gets tough...the tough gets going..they say

I am chairing the Malaysian Property Market 2009 Conference at the Grand Millennium Hotel right now...and this young lady lawyer from Shearn and Delamore is updating delegates on developments on taxation of land transactions. Ya ya...this is unscheduled. Chairing the conference today I mean. I had a phone call 2 days ago and as usual, being obliging a guy I am, I agreed. But am glad I agreed as I too learnt alot of new things. The previous 2 speakers this morning was very good. Dr Cheong shared very bluntly the grim realities with hard data (hehe). There were some politically incorrect observations too, but I guess we should blame it on the economists hahaha...not the politicians (wink).

In between while the speakers speak, i was checking my emails and eheh heh updating my blog. When times are bad, people are easily infuriated and everyone starts to check on everything. Even Obama is pissed with AIG (wink). You thought right, even Vice-Chancellors of UK universities were not spared public scrutiny...hahaha...please read here.

of crashes and gadget gizmos...

Dependence. Yes very drug-like. How do you feel or react when you realise you've left your handphone at home? What happens to your moods patterns or work schedules when your notebook crashes and you just can't seem to be doing anything at all? Can't surf the net, check your mails, update your blog, facebook with frens, ya ya most importantly, finish the few papers you set deadlines to meet? It's unbelievable how dependent we are on technology these days. Ya ok you still have your blackberry, but its not the same as having a computer, a real notebook you have been accustomed to. And when the server at the office is down, look at the faces, the exasperation, the fury, the sighs, the panic it reverberates. Gosh, its like a war zone, its like we're under some alien digital attack haha. As if we did not already have enuf of viral attack fears or trojan horses... I get all kinds of reaction on my facebook when I tell my frens that my notebook crashed! Its definitely not planned obsolescence. It could be anything from not treating it (the notebook) with the minimal TLC (tender loving care? huh) cos you know lar how delicate sensitive and fragile hard disks are kan? (wink...ngalahkan owang pompuan plax.hehehe). Or could it not be IE or Vista? I hear many complaints about Vista and some suggested I go back to XP or wait for windows 7 (Beta version oredi out I wuz told hehe). But the comment I like most folks, is the suggestion that its time a get a new one! hahaha...hmmm let me see... shall it be the VAIO Z series which would be phased out soon? or the 17 inch MacBook Pro just launched? hehe...any ideas? While I am at that, perhaps I should reward meself with the newly going to be launched soon iPhone 3G? ya ya don't push your luck too far aiek, gadget gizmo? hahahahahaha

of 6Es, 6S and culture?...

I think there are more than enough bloggers writing about sensational issues, topics and yes politics too (wink) etc etc. Perception many people have of the internet and blogging, abounds. We all, well most (I hope) know the fact that the internet and now blogs, are double-edged swords. It can help one win a battle but lose the war, or risk losing entire kingdoms too heheh. Go ask King Arthur and his Knights of the roundtable (evil wink). Its dark and gloomy this saturday evening (6 pm local time) and a storm is on the way, I think.

I was looking at my old note pads where I scribble stuff I like and here's some of them. First is the 6Es which are Enthusiasm, Emotion, Excellence, Energy, Excitement and Entrepreneurism. The next one is the 6S which was Tun Daim's favourite advice to young upstarts in the corporate world: Study, See, Seize, Strategise, Scrutinise and Slog away...hahaha. Good advice eh? And finally folks before you go away to enjoy the rest of the weekend...this quote:

'If I could have chosen not to tackle the IBM culture head on, I probably wouldn't have. My bias coming in was toward strategy, analysis and measurement. In comparison, changing the attitude and behaviours of hundreds and thousands of people is very, very hard. Yet I can see in my time at IBM that culture isn't jus one aspect of the game - it is the game! (Lou Gerstner ex CEO IBM in his book Who Says Elephants Can't Dance?)