Rants From The Upper Lobes
Sep 30, 2009 Me, Myself & I, Rants
Lobe: noun lowb
1. (anatomy) a somewhat rounded subdivision of a bodily organ or part.
2. (botany) a part into which a leaf is divided
3. The enhanced response of an antenna in a given direction as indicated by a loop in its radiation pattern
4. A rounded projection that is part of a larger structure
I highlighted it in red just so that I can lull myself into believing that there’s bigger things coming. Is there?
Interestingly, I had a banter with Bangau last night about what a business should be.
Before I get to that part, let me bring the debate a little earlier where I mentioned casually of how certain stuffs can be monetised in a certain way (I can’t recall what it was so let’s call it as ’certain’ here..) and immediately Bangau quipped that I’m starting to view everything as a business opportunity. Quipping back, I pointed out that that’s only because I see a certain value in a certain item and that this value is potentially harvestable (monetize-able) which could bring about even more value! Now that’s business value!
Of course, Bangau commented that a business should be about profiting the community overall. Something that would benefit socially instead of just for pure monetary gains, and I’m all agreement with this point as well.
Wait, did I mention that before this banter we had an earlier conversation of the methods our prophets used to spread the religion and how the community back then wheeled and dealed. Naturally, Bangau was in a ‘conscientious mind’ whereby what the business receives, it’s given back in some way or another. Profit, or whatever there is left, should be used only to increase the potential/ability of the business.
Now again, I’m mentioning all this off of my head, and not based on some teachings or education which I’ve received ( or never received?) so I do not endorse nor ensure there’s any accuracy, if any, in this post. I’m just a regular guy, doggedly working day by day, by day, by day.. You know~
So who’s right here? Me or Bangau? In fact, I believe, that there shouldn’t be any right or wrong because it all depends on whose perspective you choose to view a business from. Me, I’m only viewing the banter subject from an economist point of view while Bangau chose to see it as a socialist, but we’re still cool. We’re gamers, so everything is debatable.
Anyway, back to this post’s introduction: lobe. ‘A rounded projection…’. My current mish-mash of opportunities and problems? ‘…that is part of a larger structure.‘ My future, or what’s left of it? I’m not sure if it’s really even large but… I do sense opportunities coming, but at the same time also that the road I’m on seems to be constricting even more. It’s getting tougher, but tell me, what isn’t?
Tags: Rants
Needs More Time
Aug 30, 2009 Me, Myself & I, Rants
Life in camp offered me the chance to reflect a little on life, and I grabbed it greedily, which I’ve covetously endured for the past few months.
BIG stuffs like contemplating that baby steps into the world of internet marketing, fulfilling that online tee store fetish that seems to be put off for far too long, and other trivial mind-boggling things that border on insanity like resigning from my day job — just so that there’s more time for everything else.
Indeed I’ve gingerly worked out an equation whereby the key component missing and preventing me from ‘living the life’ (as put by my gaming buddies han and bangau) is time, but that’s very cliche eh? I don’t care, bite me.
I realised that work has been hampering my developments elsewhere, but, unfortunately and gratifyingly at the same time, it’s fueled them too.
There’s this crazy equation in my head, but as crazy as my logical head and heart deciphers, the possibility of it tempts me — and as easily tempted as I can be, I’m just not that easily moved.
I don’t know, times are looking good for any kind of movement at all, and I really need to move again soon. Back to camp again. Gaaaaaaah!
Perhaps I need more time to decipher and decode? Well that’s all just too cliche all over again! Heh~
Tags: Contemplating, Life
The NS Week
Aug 23, 2009 Me, Myself & I, Rants
What a week it has been. Let’s recap briefly a little. So I….
1. Completed days of planning only to find it foiled in the end, and having to replan the plan.
2. Spent almost $30 at the doctor getting myself Prospan only for the cough to get worse during camp. Visited the doc a week later and got myself 2 bottles of hard core cough med. Power. This time, just 2 takes and cough almost gone. *Feels high*.
3. Have began to feel less tensed when talking to my men, but actually feel honoured to be able to lead them and teach them *hopefully* my values, if any, and stuffs. This is a case whereby if I cock-up, then they also cock-up. Haha.
4. Got to find out a lot more about internet marketing and eventually finding myself opening a can of worms, the deeper I delve into it the more opportunity/scams/endless loop of worms that appear before me.
5. Thankfully, Ramdhan is here again! Lovely, except that my training days concide with it (last year also same case lah), and that meant IPPT will be a lot tougher! Mind is boggled just wondering how I’d cope with the run and the heat and the exhaustion. Wahh. I wan my $600 worth of incentives (if I get Gold/Marksman) but this is asking too much liao!
6. Yes, I finally earned $0.06 just from reading emails!!! Haha, its not much (yes, just 6 cents) but hey, at least I’m earning reading emails — are you? Well, it’s free for anyone to reegister/signup, so why hesitate?
7. Managed to reformat my Asus netbook at Godma’s after a hal.dll error <– this is a fatal comp error! So sad to see it cos it meant that all my photos for Redlabs Photography got eradicated from the reformat. Oh well, no choice in the solution there = no respite lor~
AND then there were a few interesting conversation that I had, which at that point in time I thought would make good biscuits/cookies for a blogpost, which at this point in time I have totally forgotten about! Hooray for hectic schedule, hooray for drowsy cough med, hooray for everything else!
AND I still want my moviethon, presumably after my reservist. Right Dils? Heh..
Tags: Recaps
Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ 3D movie slated for worldwide release on October 28th
Aug 13, 2009 Me, Myself & I, Rants
Michael Jackson is back1! No, not from the grave kind but some judge over in US have already given the green light for a movie release, about the comeback show that never was. Mark your calendars hombre and that is October 28th, 2009. Now I’ll be eagerly anticipating this one.
So I’m already into a few days of my Reservist tour of duty and work has been calling me up incessantly. It’s a little annoying when you’ve just returned home from duty at 5pm, trying to catch 40 winks and work’s calling you 5, 6, maybe 7 times and spoils the nap, and you’ve barely even began dreaming, let alone even ‘feel’ that power nap take place but forced to stay up with a headache instead.
It’s even more annoying when you reach office at 8pm only for your colleague to manage to overcome the initial problem which was supposedly un-overcome-able and required your immediate presence! That’s it lah, this frust-mostat inside me is almost reaching critical point, and with that I suppose that this is the post where if my life takes an unexpected turn of events (for the better presumably), it will somehow remind me of that derilious decision I was forced to make?
*calms down* (… and for the records, I calm down and pacify easily. Perhaps too easy??? )
Thankfully, Mustafa Ctr was nearby and I managed to divert my frustrations into shopping for the cheapest pair of socks, boxers/briefs and singlets in preparation for my in-camp training. Almost bought a jersey but thankfully I resisted the urge, amidst all the ‘excitable’ looking items on display.
Oh, have you been to Mustafa Ctr? At first I thought that it was just a glorified mamak provision shop, but after a few visits there I am convinced that it’s not just a glorified mamak provision shop, but a gigantic, humoungous, everything-you-can-find glorified kind of a mamak shop! There’s so many things that even items that costs $79 or even more get strewn all around the shelves as if they’re $7.90 insstead — and somehow, there’s this comforting ambience that goes within these shelves, like it’s such a friendly or down-to-earth super-department store or should I say, the godzilla of mamak shop?
Heh, I coined that term after most mamak food stalls sells their drinks after legendary creatures.
Come to think of it, why do they even use legendary creatures like dinosaurs and godzilla? Why can’t they just use a term like ‘upsize’ or ‘upgrade’?
Anyway, about the Michael Jackson movie.. I have a tingling sensation that it’s gonna be the godzilla of all movies. I can’t help but wonder what with all the posthumous attention that the late artist has received, will this be another record breaking event?
You know, it’s gotta be, because… this is it1!
By the way, this has to be the longest post title I’ve ever had. Wow.
———-
1Sweet. Here’s the link: Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It’ 3D movie slated for worldwide release on October 28th!
Tags: Michael Jackson, Reservist
Experiential Upstart
Jul 4, 2009 Me, Myself & I, Rants
Funny term eh? Someone I know calls herself an experiential upstart. Interesting actually. Maybe I could call myself an Experiential Upstart Failure, after a few mundane experiences in my various ventures thus far.
Lately I’ve found that it’s not an easy feat juggling games night, enduring a day job, maintaining an online store, searching for ad spaces, doodling little fishes and stuffs, learning a new song, becoming a good son/brother, befriending 2 persistent felines, completing a venture proposal, expanding your list of watched movies, updating all the various websites/blogs, cracking your mind for a new pasture and trying to find time to buy food.
Unfortunately I tend to skip that last item while spending wayyy too much time on the first item, while I would have really wanted to dive deeper into my ‘lost’ passion for the arts. Arts, meaning drawing, illustrating, editing, songwriting and even photography.
At work, I don’t know what to make of it. It seems that there’s a lost cause going around lately. The ship’s not sinking anytime soon but the crew are growing restless. The original 3 founders of Jacky Printing are starting to lose grip of each other. New colleagues have added a pinch of tension and contempt into the working culture. I’ve realised that once given a little sense of ‘power’, some people do really lose touch of their sense of gratitude and perhaps respect. There’s a Malay saying “Bagai Kacang Lupakan Kulit”. Bah.
I recall the days when the 3 of us would work our ass off, in tandem in trying to lift the company up. Those were the days. Now, I suppose the term ‘familiarity, breeds contemp’ aptly and succinctly describes the new kids on the block. It’s still a happy-go-lucky-never-say-die culture that we’ve carried on but a lot of our old mojo has gone. I’m starting to feel like I used to back when I was with my old company, where all I wanted to do was finish my to-do list and get home as quickly as I can (‘cos work was too toiling!), except that there’s no nagging bossy boss harping me now and anyone who is constantly ordering me around.
Heh, at least there’s respite but I think that there’s not a lot of management going on, because the management are working with their hands tied behind their backs, and it’s starting to create tiny cracks here and there among the crew. I’ve never doubted the importance of adequate management, without which work gets clustered and cluttered and ultimately people will want to move on.
When one of the original 3 voiced me his intentions of ‘moving on’, I thought that he echoed my sentiments exactly, and though I was taken aback and a little shocked, I wasn’t surprise. We may be the founders of the company but these past months it’s never seemed so and I sort of understood his position.
Anyway, I’ve considered my options too many times already. I’m Still looking for that big break and still searching for that one evasive spark that’s eluding me, but it feels like time is never on my side. Then again, time’s never on anyone’s side. Time never picks sides, but one gets to pick time, and I suppose I haven’t been picking and spending my time wisely enough, like still blogging away while it’s way past 4am already, where the evening clouds are making way for dawn.
Ahhh, I sense something promisingly beautiful to be experienced. I sincerely hope that it’s beautiful. I suppose before day breaks, night commences right? *crosses fingers*
Tags: Randoms
Tripping.
May 21, 2009 Me, Myself & I, Rants
Whoever wins American Idol won’t affect me. No I won’t be shrieking over the loser like these girls (their mom secretly taped their reactions in the 2007 American Idol season), but thinking and considering about the people around me gets me all soft and dewy hearted.
You see, Dad hasn’t been working for more than a year now and even Stepma has been docked at home for the past few months. I’m not entirely sure how both manage to get through with their dailies but its quite evident that they’re working on a shoestring budge, ever since they’ve enrolled for the Haj or pilgrimage package. In fact, they were supposed to go last year, but situations in Arab denied them and thus they’ll have to endure for another year.
Dad part-times but I can see that he’s growing weary trying to make ends meet — and I see him tired and weary most of the time! I try to help him whenever and wherever I can. I never ask him for anything cos I do not wish to add to his todo-list anymore, but I do advise him time and again on starting out on his own, which in a way he did, for a short period of time, with his friends in their KL-Singapore logistics venture. For now, I think he’s just focusing on his Haj plans. Keep it simple, he says.
And then there’s my brother who is preparing for his wedding next year. I help him with his expenses now and then, over the years and I’ve never asked him for them back, because I know its going to be difficult for him to repay them. Not that I really bother about getting them repaid, I just hope he gets through the wedding and settles down sufficiently. If someone dear needs my help, then I’ll help. Whether the loan gets repaid or not, that’s their prerogative. I guess that If I were a licensed moneylender, I’d be out of business in no time.
Like how I financed my sister-cousin’s diploma at MDIS and not really expecting anything in return. Mind you, its a hefty sum but I’m proud that she got through the year successfully and has achieved a decent certificate with her life. Although I am now a little concerned that she’s showing a lack of ambition when it comes to knocking onto any career doors. You see, there are doors opening but I guess she’s yet to walk through any of them.
I haven’t seen any laudable efforts and maybe that’s why my concern as a brother kicks in. I mean, watching videos of boybands and serial dramas, or window shopping online and regularly participating in forums doesn’t really pay the bills, eh? I’m already doing my part to support her and Godma for a while now and I hope it doesn’t come to a point where I ask myself ‘Is my spoon supporting the future or only feeding for the day’? I’m sure she can do much more and be an inspiration to her younger sis.
And what about my step-sis, who half the time seem to be plagued by her dreary outlook everytime she’s home? She’s finishing her poly tenure mid next year, and despite her moans and complaints about schoolwork, I think she’s going to get on well. She’s got ambitions, loads of it and nothing malign about that, but of which can cripple her capabilities at times. She’ll come to me for advice and help and it seems to me that this one wants to be able to do everything, like me, and to not being able to achieve a target is truly disappointing. However she’ll appear moody when that happens, unlike me who’s hell bent on being positive and to find a lighter, brighter side of things. I suppose I need to teach her how to Dota as an escape?
Wow, I’ve yet to reveal the whole iceberg and I’m already so wordy on its tip. Gee, I’m ranting like I’ve never ranted before here, and I suppose being squeezed financially makes me blurt. You see, commissions aren’t coming in like they used to. The economy isn’t looking great at all, and still I’m still glad about where I am at the moment, but here’s something that reeks: I’ve been resting on my laurels for many months now and somehow I got a kick on the butt via a song. Yes, a song woke me up. The song’s playing on my blog right now, thanks to David Cook.
You see, it’s a song dedicated to the passing of his Cancer strickened brother, Adam Cook. On my birthday 8 years ago, I got a wake up call with the passing of my late mum. That event led me to being positive and determined on working hard and to continue living against all odds. Today for the first time I listened to the song ‘Permanent’ and quite contrary it strucked me that nothing is really permenant. What if Jacky Printing went out of business? What would I do then? What if my loved ones pass on and I’ve never really got to shower them with the kind of life that they’ve been dreaming of? Then it strucked me again on another level that I’m not even through with the adult stage yet, where marriage and having children kicks in, sweeping you along with all the lovely problems that raising a family could bring. Let’s take things one at a time eh?
Arrghh.. Though I’m not even close to spiralling out of control (and neither are the people around me) I wish life could be… simpler? I’d sure would love to see more pro-active mind sets, firm decision-making, and plenty more smiles to share around. Why make life harder for someone else right?
Oh well, what a way to introduce my latest project. Tsk. Angry Little Fish. His name is alf. He is a fish. An angry fish. I’ve yet to post any pictures of him, but do peek back for more updates on Alf.
I think I have a good quote to end this post, which goes like this. “Why.. So.. Serious?” Bah.
Tags: Rants
Oh my dear eyes.
May 14, 2009 Me, Myself & I, Rants
Nah, nothing’s wrong with em but they were extremely, and surprisingly, sleepy this afternoon, after lunch — and I had an extremely quick lunch on my own, where my customer didn’t believe that I’d already taken it. He thought I was off to the toilet and reckoned that I couldn’t finish my lunch so fast. Seems like NS at Tekong has taught me well in cutting short your meal times~
Even as i write this, they (my eyes) are looping the eyelids incessantly in an effort to get me to sleep, but I’ve only reached home and I’ve yet to DOTA for the day! I’ve targeted to get at least
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HAPPY VESAK DAY!
May 9, 2009 Me, Myself & I, Rants
I’m a little disappointed approaching this holiday weekend.
3 Reasons. 1 — that I’m not gonna have a proper holiday as I’ve to come back to work, since my colleagues are all back in their hometown in Malaysia. 2 — that one of my cusomers project got stalled due to my supplier’s ignorance and then proceeding to blame me for not giving proper instructions. Yeah right. And 3 — not being
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Tags: Rants
The Effing Cheque Clearance
Apr 13, 2009 Rants
I deposited the cheque on Wednesday night. It only got cleared this afternoon, 5 effing days later, on a Monday.
And isn’t the cheque deposit box supposed to make things faster and smoother? Ahh, guess not.
DBS/POSB, something isn’t right eh? Bah.
