My 'speck in cyberspace' is back...I hope...;)

Its been a while since I posted because both my personal and professional email domains decided to duke it out and claim me as theirs. One demanded that I delete and set up a new personal account, the other asked me to move whatever's personal and start fresh with whatever's left. I didn't want to do either cause that would be like telling me 'OK Shy, you can take your brain with you but you'll have to leave your liver behind'. 'Like, what??' Or to put it more politely, 'Excuse me?' 

Today a friend suggested starting a blog and I began thinking of this speck of mine already out there in cyberspace. So I went to my FB link and hit it. Lo and behold, I'm back and able to blog, but the email address that goes with this blog, is weird. So folks, whatever you do, do not email me at that weird email add. If you're my friend, you'll know how to get to me.

Guess I'll be adding to the clutter in cyberspace. 

Goodnight all. Its good to be back.

Cheers...:)

Bravery ...Redefined?

I like tinkering around the house. Earlier this week I took it upon myself to do something about the filtered, yet not-so-filtered water that has been staining my white towels. I decided to install an indoor filter for my washing machine. After confirming the size of the pipe (0.5 inch pipes run into the 0.75 inch filter sockets and reverse on the exit) and appropriate valves and 'nipples' ( interesting name for threaded pipe connectors), I went shopping at my favourite hardware store in KS.

The owners, the Yongs, are so used to me and DIY projects that they did not bat an eyelid when I started rattling off my shopping list whilst offering technical advice. The one who was caught by surprise was their shop assistant. She dutifully followed me around the shop helping me get things I needed. She is relatively new; she started working there after I finished my room repainting project, some time in April. As I stood there comparing fixtures, she asked me why was I buying all those things. I happily rattled off my plans for my indoor plumbing stint. She gave me this look of disbelieve (I am used to getting that look from most hardware shop owners) and amazement ( Not a look I am used to) . However, the words that came out of her mouth were the ones that surprised me. She said,

' Wah! Kakak sungguh berani. Ini kerja lelaki, bukan perempuan. Itu bukan kerja senang. Wah!'

(Literal translation 'Wow! Sis (you are) so brave. This is man's work, not woman's. Its not an easy task. Wow!')

Happy to report that my filter is installed (but I put a red basin as a back up measure ) and I have done a few cycles of stain free laundry.

Calling my actions brave, and this coming from a girl who has left every thing and everyone she knows to earn a living to support her loved ones, I feel unworthy. She is the brave one. I merely did what needed to be done. Interesting though how some people perceive doing what needs to be done is today an act of bravery. In my case, plumbing.

Lazy Days

It just encases your brain and joints with goo...makes you respond slower...puts you in that "The world can wait" mode - Lazy Days.

The weather is my catalyst, especially if its the weekend and there is time for me to lounge/marinate in self indulgence (sleep/snooze being at the top of the list). As I scan my brain setting up my to-do list for the day, the temp gauge in my system will check suitability and my brain will auto self portion a huge chunk of it for me to slow down and just chill. Procrastination throws a parade when I am in this mode but thankfully my brain has a contingency back up plan for moments like this - burning the midnight oil, if necessary.

Lazy days - its a luxury for many cause time is a task master...tick-tock.. the clock doesn't wait for anyone. Most people yearn for it, even the most anal of the lot. However, if your life is one long string of lazy days, you might just want to indulge yourself in the occasional mind jamming, heart thumping, bowel squeezing day to keep yourself primed and heighten your senses for the next Lazy Day to come your way.

Happy marinating...;)

WAKA WAKA...Its time for AFRICA

Oh yeah, the beautiful game, football madness...WORLD CUP is upon us.

Lines have been drawn and sides taken. Battle for the remote is on, especially when the others in the family are on the edge of their seats wondering what their favourite soap star is going to do next!

Me and football are more like acquaintances but even I am not immune to the spirit of WAKA WAKA...got to love Shakira singing the song...very contagious..:)

Been asked a number of times whom I would support...so after much thought, this is how I have decided to align my support :-

1) Argentina ( for the unpredictable Maradona..:) )

2) South Korea (just like them after their previous WC performance when they made it to a semi)

3) the underdog of the finals if my No.1 and No. 2 choice don't make it there..;)

If the world had to go mad, this is one cool way to do it. However, to all bosses and those of similar position, good time to work on the deep breathing coz for many it will be awesomest of times, whereas for you and productivity, its going to be the worst of times..:)

Now to go con my parents into giving me the remote...WAKA WAKA! :)

Lyrically TWISTED...

Driving back to PJ today, I heard Usher's Daddy's Home and I could not help but grimace when I recalled how many girls dedicated that song to their dads on Father's Day. Then right after that, Eagles Hotel California came on and I just burst out laughing. That song, along with Europe's The Final Countdown, used to be very popular at many weddings. People should really, and I mean REALLY, start listening to the lyrics and not just be swayed by the tune, especially if a dedication is planned.

If you take the time to Google Daddy's Home, you will find that the lyrics are SO inappropriate unless you belong to a family where incest is a game that everyone plays. Yeah, OUCH & EWWWW!!!

As for the guys and the bridegrooms doing the air guitar riffs to Hotel California and The Final Countdown, wonder if they realised that with the first song, the bridegrooms are announcing that they have just signed the guest book to a life in hell for all eternity and the next one is like announcing to everyone, hey we just got our 'legal' status so we're gonna go have sex now and we don't know when we're gonna stop!

A lot of words no longer carry their initially intended meaning and as users, we must be aware of what the words mean today. Pussy cat, Pussy cat where have you been? I've been to London to visit the Queen I quote an old English Nursery Rhyme. However, use the phrase in bold minus the cat, and it takes on the meaning or becomes a referent of female genitalia. Head over to the US and unlike when in Malaysia, when you say Hey, do you have a rubber I could borrow?, either you're going to get the dirtiest looks or people are going to be laughing at you. Perplexed, you're going to be standing there wondering what the whole thing is about when all you wanted was an eraser. (Rubber in the US translates to condoms). The term Mistress once refered to the lady of the manor, a position of honour and dignity; today it is not the case - she's the other woman, the home wrecker. Last but not least, my favourite, one has to use other words to describe feelings of happiness cause screaming I'm feeling so GAY today, will have people either applauding you for being so brave and willing to admit your sexual preference or shunning you for going against the norms of the society. All you were doing was professing your feelings, state of mind at that moment...sigh.

Coming back to the lyrics. Once again, please, please, please, please, please, please, please (say please in a sing song manner), bear in mind that no matter how awesome the tune is, Google the lyrics before you go on air and dedicate a song that could create some very embarassing situations in the future.

(Piece was edited on 18/8)

The Dream Reapers - The 7 Deadly Sins

No, its not the biblical kind...only dreamers and visionaries are in danger. Dreamers and visionaries sow ideas and they need time to manifest, germinate and take root. Reapers are merciless. They move around spewing Paraquat which not only kills the germinating idea, but most times renders the 'soil' around it useless...Put bluntly, they bludgeon your idea, rip your creative soul right out of you and torch it in front of your eyes.

It has always been debated, which is mightier...the pen or the sword...well both have their moments in the sun ...however after pondering further I would say that neither can stand up to that boneless appendage in our head...the tongue. Nothing is more powerful than the tongue...it sets forth the ripple effect that can either take the form of an enabling wave that will send you high on your way or a devastating tsunami that could alter the entire landscape of your existence.

Dream Reapers are everywhere...in your homes, schools, working places, government, even the man on the street, the one sitting next to you, the one smiling at you ....why go so far...I could be it myself.

Dreamers and Visionaries have followers. Everyone runs from a Reaper (hence the ever continuing search for the elusive Fountain of Eternal Life). Marilyn Lustgarten (The Star 160110) listed the 7 deadly sins that are associated with the Dream Reaper. Go through it and if you find yourself nodding to more than two, it may be time to reevaluate your beliefs, especially if you have the power to alter a life.

SIN NO 1 - EGOTISM

This is the "It's all about me attitude - your ideas, your way, only what's good for you."

People will walk away from you as your constant arrogance, self serving interests and constant need to take credit for the good work of others will drain or kill their interest and enthusiasm.

SIN NO 2 - INSENSITIVITY

You have a total indifference to the feelings of others and are clueless about how what you say or the decisions that you make effects others or impact their output or lives. You expect them to get over it and when they start complaining or try to explain their concerns, you say, " Quit whining; if you don't like it, leave!"

People will walk away if you fail to consider their feedback and a lack of empathy kills the heart they used to put into their work.

SIN NO 3 - NO CREDIBILITY

No one believes you know what you are doing or that you are capable of realising what you claim you are capable of.

If it does not come through, eyes roll and people think:"Yeah right". People will walk away when you fail to inspire belief and it also makes them wary of every decision and kills their willingness to 'just trust me on this'.

SIN NO 4 - MISTRUST

Do you look for hidden agendas or second guess the motives and decisions of experienced people? Are you needlessly worrying about your back and micromanaging others until they tell you to get off theirs?

People will walk away if you fail to trust them as it kills their initiative and makes them dispassionate robots - just filling time doing exactly what they are told to do.

SIN NO 5 - INDECISION

You keep putting off a decision because of uncertainty what to do. Worse still, you don't allow others to give their opinions or you disregard them because of SIN NO 1.

People will walk away if you are unable to make decisions and stick to them as it causes confusion and frustration about what is next and kills any hope of progress.

SIN NO 6 - NEGATIVITY

You are a constant naysayer. No matter what anybody says or does, it isn't right. The glass is always half empty and the sky is falling, and when something doesn't turn out, you say: "See, I told you it wouldn't work!"

People will walk away as constant negativity kills their desire and motivation to turn problems into opportunities.

SIN NO 7 - PURPOSELESSNESS

You demonstrate a lack of focus and confuse activity with results. Your decision making is aimless. You try too hard to impress and don't do it very well.

People will walk away if you lack vision and clarity about your purpose or function in the group as your goals may confuse them and kill their willingness to follow.

People do not walk away from you unless you have given them reason to...so have you?

Good , you're saving the earth...

I carry my own bags when I go shopping or I try and do away with as many bags as possibe. The part that I dont understand is the vendors themselves cynically commenting how my not taking the plastic bag is going to save the world. I mean why can't they look at it positively?

1) For every plastic bag I refuse, its money saved for them. And I am sure, I am not the only one...so the only business person allowed to 'curse' me would be the plastic bag vendor.

2) For every plastic bag refused, there will be one less plastic bag floating around, chocking up storm drains that could cause flash floods. That is no business loss for the shopkeeper, except for the plastic bag vendor.

3) For every plastic bag refused, R&D revs up to make environmentally friendlier plastic bags cheaper coz the plastic vendor has seen the light for the need of innovation to sustain profit margin (or he could just go into the recycle bag industry or reuseable container industry - the Tupperware people will be SO happy to read this).

Its win win people. So the next time the shopkeeper says 'Good, you're saving the earth...' in a sarcastic tone, I will just smile and say 'Thank you and have a nice day!' its coz its in my blood to B+ and yeah, I am proud to do my part for Mother Earth.