Car Quotation

I felt the need to post what I’ve posted. I wont deny the fact that I was actually near the stage of self destruct. But blurting it out makes me sane again. Blogging makes sense. Here’s a copy of the quotation given to me by Thong Hing Motors in Jalan Ipoh on the 27/6/05.

As can be seen, the price of certain parts were reasonable albeit a bit higher than standard, but wtf were they thinking about when they charged me RM 750 for battery as seen in the picture! Were they putting 3 superchargers into the car?? For me, the final straw was the incredulously excessive and high labor costs! That completely put me off immediately! I rung them up and was subsequently told that it was actually a typing error which they rectified but the point was, if I hadn’t called, I would be charged RM 5,042 for it. Anyway, the total quotation still came up to about RM 4,400 which I think was still high. Hence, I opted out, towed the car all the way back to Ipoh and got this final quotation where work begun yesterday.

Quotation in Ipoh *(KL Prices are in bracket)

1. Bumper : RM 180 (RM 310)
2. Bonnet : RM 250 (RM 320)
3. Headlamp RH : RM 200 (RM 290)
4. Grille Front (or called Sarong+ no. plate) : RM 100 (RM 210)
5. Engine Repair (cond., fan, radiator, rad hose, etc) : RM 800 (RM 1,058)
6. Labour Charges : RM 500 (RM 1,680)
7. Painting : RM 400 (RM 340)
8. Service Tax : RM 0 (RM 80)

Total Payable (Ipoh)

– RM 2,430 + RM 490 (Towing Fees for KL-Iph, Iph-Gpng)
– RM 2,920

Total Payable (KL- Thong Hing)

- RM 4,288 + RM 80 (Towing Fees Sgmbt – Jln Ipoh)
- RM 4,368

Price Difference : RM 1,448

One can imagine what I can do with the extra RM 1,500!! The car is in the garage now and repairing works are underway. Hopefully in a week or two, it'll be ready.

p/s: I am still sane...

Black Monday: Before & After

Before ...(5 minutes earlier)

...After (5 minutes later)

It was supposed to be a fine Monday… had breakfast, gave the car a good scrubbing, a bit of wash and wax, a bit of admiring, BUT 5 minutes later… all there was, is a wrecked car. Its hard for me explain, more so to comprehend and come to terms on what had happened on that fateful morning. The last two weeks have been turbulent… I am not gonna even go into it… but it has been SHITE! I’ve never felt sicker and disappointed with myself ever before like this… every aspect of my life has changed. The angst and frustration is slowly but surely building up in me. Things don’t look rosy at all anymore… Life in KL is intoxicating… (offence retracted)! but I am NOT retracting my thoughts.

I miss those times back there… everyone... Liverpool… the KOP… Sefton Park, you can just go there and sit there for hours and you wont regret every second of it… or you can just walk along the cobbled lanes of Matthew Street and feel the vibe that brings the city to its ultimate and glorious stature. I really miss the passion and freedom of Liverpool that will never ever be found here. At the moment, I fucking hate the position I am in! I fucking detest my life back here! Everything’s so not kewl, so screwed up, I have messed up my life, and I am about to mess other people’s life up! Maybe its just me or maybe I really need to start accepting reality quick that says “Welcome Back!” But one thing for sure, the crash really summoned up all the fucking luck, angst, dejection and depression I’ve been going thru since I got back. It’s not the first, and it certainly wont be the last. I am currently ¾ thru my Wolf Blass… its leaving a sour taste already. I used to LOVE it. It was there at the top. Will it come back? Will it taste the same? I certainly hope so. I’m so very numb now. ..

D-Day

D' Arrivo D-Day... the day I've been waiting for. Two separate offers on the table and having listened to both sides, both offers were equally tempting. I find it hard to choose but I would be lying if I said I wasnt leaning towards the corporate fence. The earlier was good but somehow I find HuaWei much better in terms of context and its aesthetics. Went for an interview today with Huawei at Menara MNI... it was good and the offer was better. Never expected that but all is left to be seen as there'll be another 2 weeks wait before I get any news from them. Hopefully, I can get in. If not, tough luck, I'll try another day. I am currently blogging from my friend's place and so sorry I couldnt upload the Chamonix pictures as promised. Will do so when I return to Ipoh. Gotta go now... wish me luck. ta'

Sinful Saturday Night: The Morning After

Its the first time I am blogging on a Sunday... nothing special abt it but yes, its my first. And there's something interesting... never knew Garfield is 27 today! I still remember reading his section in the papers everyday in the past and I use to be at awe in his ability to gobble up anything he can find. I grew so fond of his laziness and cunningness that eventually, he was my number one comic hero (I know he isnt any Marvel superhero!) but hey... he was cool and during art lessons, I loved sketching and drawing him out in all sorts of poses that I can imagine, in tux, as a pilot, fireman, football star, etc.. (basically all that I aspire to become)... he was simply my hero then. Now that I look back, it has been almost 18 years now since he existed in my life. How time flies.

Anyways, this weekend also holds many 'firsts' for me after a long long time. Last nite, I had a brief reunion with the most unhygienic food of all time.... the 'Lok-Lok'! There are only I think 2 of these stalls in Ipoh (which I know of...there could be more); one in Ipoh Gdn South (which I also presume is the longest serving Lok-Lok in the community ever since them hey days) and another in Ipoh Gdn East. I knew it was sinful to even think about what they were offering but I couldnt resist it. I was actually waiting for this car to get out so that I could park my car, and thanks to the over time-generous-couple-cuddling-kissing-in-the-car, they were actually really taking their time... but thanks to the 'Lok- Lok', I actually managed to control myself from going berserk... but that's also where I've sinned Father. I wound down the car windows and saw plates and plates of tastefully decorated skewers of fish balls, livers, crabsticks, etc.... and people (including a few ang mohs) were actually savouring these sinful 'delicacies' with enormous appetite and I was actually drawn into their laughter and moment of joy (in slow-mo) as they enjoyed every skewer they could grab. That was it... that was it... I told myself as my friend and I got down from the car (without even parking) and grabbed a few sticks, dumping them into the boiling soup. The aroma was too tempting... the stakes were high but we didnt care. As we shoved each skewer into our mouth, there was this satisfaction beyond imagination... it was 12 years in the waiting because the last I had it was in 93'... and I never had a chance to taste it again because I was advised not to.

Finally after about 20 skewers or so, we paid up and left the premise feeling so satisfied and nostalgic about the whole damn thing! One part of me was...man.... when was the last I had a chance to do whatever I wanted! In actual fact, not many can achieve this and if we ask ourselves properly, the probable answer would be a blank stare at nothing and a big sigh. Anyway, we went off to our next stop and that was when the 'sinful act' began to sink in. We were still trying to deny our wrong-doings but not our stomach. We began to feel uncomfie, a blank stare at each other, a quiet moment and yes!.... we agreed in silence that the after effects were beginning to get the better of our satisfaction. Lesson learned? Definitely! Moral of the story?... Do not disregard other people's kind advice. 'Lok-Lok' is SINFUL yet sumptuous, unhealthy yet tempting. For me, that'll be the last I'll ever have it. This morning, I had a brief recollection of the events and moments that took place last nite... It was absolutely horrendous.

1. Apart from our own few skewers in the boiling water... there were other skewers in there as well which meant that other ppl were also using that particular pot, which also meant that it was a continuous process that the water wasnt or hasnt been changed for a long time.

2. There was this particular moment of this chap that took his skewer out, took a bite and thought to himself... oh... it isnt cooked yet! The fish balls or pig vein balls (translate into cantonese) were half bitten, and was subsequently dumped back into the water together with the rest of the skewers to be cooked again. Urrrghhh!

3. Everyone was dipping their sticks into the same pot of satay and chilli sauce (I need not elaborate on this).

4. The man who was preparing the skewers wasnt wearing any gloves... and in between the intervals of shoving meat into those skewers, he had to perform a multitude of tasks including counting the skewers of those who finished, handling of money, talking on the phone, wiping sweat off his forehead, etc etc.

5. Someone actually sneezed without covering their mouth albeit not towards the stall but.... (I need not elaborate on that too).

Therefore, after experiencing the never-again situation last nite, I'll take every precaution not to go near it or even be tempted to look at it again. This applies to all other sinful acts as well. My advice..Be strong! Always stand on your moral grounds!

And yes... I have frequented the loo over the past few hours, it hasnt stopped and dont think it'll be that soon.

Let this be a lesson. Till I blog next, might put up some pictures of Chamonix Ski Resort. I am working on it. Ta'

p/s: I forgot to take some pics of this sinful 'lok-lok', so, hope you guys know what I mean.

Prague: The Immortalized City

Spectacular Prague

Prague Castle from far

The Infamous Charles Bridge

The spireson top of the building which gave this city its nick (City with a thousand spires)

The famous Astronomical Clock which gives out an eerie chime that spells out the character of the city, charming and unique

One of the serene and cobbled streets found in the city of Prague

The Grand Prague Castle by night

After a long layoff, it feels good having to look back at these pictures. Although these pics are fairly recent, it seems a long time from the last 3 months. I am back in Ipoh now, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, away from the depressing feeling that has engulfed me for the last few weeks. Its not that I feel better back here... but its a welcoming respite from the norm. These pics give me a sense of serenity knowing that such places exists in the world and it gives me great comfort especially when I've been there. How I wish I can turn back the clock.

Went for an interview with HuaWei Technologies (M) the other day...2 infact in a matter of 2 days. Result? I am still contemplating. In a way because I wasnt offered the position that I wanted but was given a challenging role instead. Neither the company nor me is holding the upper hand as both parties are stuck. On my part was the interest. On their part, the language barrier. Stalemate! Still thinking. But I would be silly if I refused them... rite? Hmmmphh... What about our principles then? ... that its sad if we do the things that we dont wanna do? Or shall we just fuck that and treat it as a stepping stone? HuaWei is a huge MNC and the Msia HQ in KLCC is responsible for the AP region spanning 15 countries in total. I might just have to doubly consider it since the job has so much of a corporate pulling power and future. Hmmmph...

Stephannie has started work and she has been coping pretty well considering the fact that she has been complaining abt the whole Msian thing. Good Luck Steph! But you really have impressed me very much. Proud of you! In fact, the past few weeks or even months have been tremendous. Together with Stephannie, we've been through such a drastic transition... from the monotonous to the uncertainties, from the highs to the lows and most of all, our perspectives and focus on the three most important things, life, money and career has shifted into another gear. Its easy to say that we just have to move along with it... but doing it is another thing. However such, things have calmed down a little and I am just hoping for the best, taking each day at a time without stressing myself out!

Hopefull the next when I blog, I can post some pictures from my other Euro destinations. Ta'...

Ritual Inadequacies: M'sian Grievances

What meritocracy bullshit the government has practiced over the years irked me most is, their ignorance over QUALIFIED students. What sicken me are those who qualified with practically results that spell BOLLOCKS!... and I know a few. These are just one of the few little things that has been overlooked by the government, and APPRECIATED by others and we just cant fault these students for not returning home after their education just because they are wanted there…can we? And still, the government has the balls to pass the buck back to us by saying that we (ooopps), have to return and serve the nation, when all they did was to ignore student’s plights in the first place. How can you ever fault us or these students? These are people that really deserve it for every sweat, hour and second that they pour into their effort. To be honest, during my time there, I’ve seen and known some great scholars, and MANY MANY undeserving scholars… and what really irate me is that none of these geezers are appreciative of the extremely kind gesture that the government has given them that many many many other deserving ones could have had. To me, those people are called ignorant and unappreciative bastards. Assholes to be precise. And if I were to highlight some of the things that has been done and still is a continuing trend up todate, you’ll be in for a shock. The entire system is absolutely atrocious and it should be completely overhauled. In time to come, no one can blame anyone for anything done…and this is with special reference to our overzealous government. Think! …but apart from that, nothing new, another year, same ritual and life goes on.

I read an article in The Star on Friday (10/06/2005) regarding a rape…or was it a sodomy case which took place in Kelana Jaya. An Indonesian construction worker from a nearby site watched and monitored the woman’s every move for weeks before attacking her by climbing 4 storey’s high to her condo unit before raping her. Think!... I sometimes wonder what value does our society hold… or for that matter, in this instance, what does the government do? How can we make this nation a much safer place to live in? I am a returning scholar and to be honest, what I have read in the past and what is still a continuing trend is very worrying not to mention, appalling, uncivilized, and sickening.

The government has a lot on their hands and heads. Please do something to really improve the nation’s grievances… listen, think and rectify. It isn’t hard to do. Its really not just about world class infrastructures… we need that, but we too need educating… education on how to behave like one and not like low life assholes. Not third world mentality anymore. Wake up! Wake up to the nation’s cries and distress call! Address issues that assure your citizens a fair share of the pie, security and noble mentalities. Its really something not very hard to achieve. Think!...