Just a Hiccup in the Office

We are in the virtual business. A part of our corporate direction is to build a sustainable content business for the country. You can consider us as a Content Provider, if you like. But only a fraction of it though.

In the past few months, we were accused of illegal spamming by the Mobile Operator. All our shortcodes for our Short Message System (SMS) services, totaling seven altogether had been blocked since late June 2006 pending investigation by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commissions (MCMC).

Our gateway provider, “X” Sdn Bhd has received notifications from Digi Telecommunications (Digi) saying that the reconnection of all shortcodes will depend on the investigation of MCMC. What more, Digi will continue to charge the monthly fees for all connections even though the connections are suspended. To add more insult, all revenues will be held permanently.

I was so furious over it when the gateway provider, “X” Sdn Bhd. putting the weight on us when the spamming accusation was forwarded by the Mobile Operator to them. Quickly I had our Network Engineer to get all the records in our database checked. We intend to compare data with X Sdn Bhd but they put it as obscured. I was mystified.

It is to me incomprehensible that only one out of three mobile operators seemed to have this problem with our contents. We don’t have problems with Maxis & Celcom. If we were to spam, we could’ve spammed all the mobile operators. I do suspect there is a technical glitch on our payment gateway provider, X Sdn Bhd but it is a little early to say things because we have to wait after our “ruler”, MCMC to do their job first.

As far as I am concerned, I am now in the middle of preparing all the necessary documentations to be ready for the OFFENSIVE mode instead of defensive. When the place is being marked as “X”, sure we mean business. Financial losses have been imminent, loosing a lot more is not a good option. The only choice we have now is to gain.

The owner of the legal firm we are in business with is now all smiling …



GAB: Funny… not a slightest of thought came to me when I was at home with my family

Leader of the Pack

The Prime Minister was coming to town. It was just a matter of days now.

Haji Malik. He was the busiest person in that kampong for having the responsibility to bring 20 busloads of supporters during the PM’s visit. Armed with cash provided by a disclosed source, it was rather easy for him to have it arranged. But, in a way it was not that easy either. For him to arrange buses was easier than having the target for number of people reached - 1000-strong. When you are in a stronghold of the opposition party, it is less glamorous even when you carry a title of Ketua Cawangan like him.

Haji Malik was a fighter though. Nothing could stop him when he had already mastered the skills to attract. It went unspoken; lunch and dinner would definitely be free. The real attraction was when the participations were rewarded with some pocket money. He also had a way of planting paid agents to persuade others to participate. These agents were paid with handsome amount of cash. If in the context of a structure in a corporate company, it was as good as a pay for a senior managers but of course it was not that so in Haji Malik’s organization.

Generally accepted principle is, when people are more than willing to participate even if there is no monetary rewards are given, those are the people with clear notions, and wise too. But when it is executed in such a manner, the right thing looks so wrong. The stinky thing is just swept under the carpet.

No fool. All buses were loaded with people. Off they went. This was the day that Haji Malik would firmly shake hands with his superior telling that he has done the job with cinch. Proven by 20-bus-loads of people to his credit. True enough, someone from Bahagian greeted him when he reached the place. He grinned from ear-to-ear when his "immediate boss” gave compliments and spoke highly of him in front of his people and others of the same rank as him from other areas.

The PM was scheduled to arrive in no time now but Haji Malik still had his hands full. He had to make sure the welfares for his people as promised were well taken care of. Being in a small or maybe messy organization like Haji Malik’s, the boss still has to do almost all the tasks. He was even still busy coordinating the last bus arrived to park safely when he was actually supposed to line up for the reception. If lucky he would be able to shake hands with the Prime Minister.

.

By the time the PM arrived, he rushed like crazy to the reception area but he was drowned in a crowd.

Nobody had even noticed he was not around in the line-up of important people to greet the PM…. Let alone to care!

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.

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GAB: I am very sure Haji Malik would brag over shaking hands with the Prime Minister for days if he managed to be in time.

Wrapped In a Flag

True to the form as a patriotic person, I would feel almost sinful if I do not write a line or two to honor the coming national day. I allege myself to be a nationalist, patriotic and loyal to the country as much as it has to be as her citizen. The country has done a lot to me. I am in some way a product of its system. Without it, I won’t be who I am as I am today.

The patriotism in me did not come easy. I have gone through layers of process to understand the essentials of being opportune to belong to the soil. In my first year in overseas, I was told by my seniors that in the year before our batch arrived they sang the national anthem, Negaraku on the National Day. I laughed like hell thought it was only a fool to be such a drip. Only to value their patriotism after my rebellious years were over. When those years were over so then only I realized no more chance for me to sing it in the foreign land. What do you expect? I was in my heyday as a teenager at that time.

As the numbers and more numbers are added to my age, I could see more clearly the importance of appreciating the livelihood that we are enjoying today. Admire better the hardship and struggle of our forefathers in achieving the independence for the country. Without their efforts, in simple arithmetic it shall equate; we won’t have what we have now.

I am fortunate to have the opportunities to travel far and wide and to have lived in a few different countries. Seeing what I saw in the foreign lands, feeling what I felt anticipating being their citizen and running lives in their homeland as they are fated to be, I could never have felt luckier than being a Malaysian and live in it. In any standard you want to measure with, when you sum up all the points; our lives in Malaysia wins it hands down. Thus, it builds up more to my conscience to allow patriotism to be running in my blood.

It is imperative to note that, nothing soother than being under the flag of our beloved country. The flag itself signifies the pride of the nation and we are blessed to be under its shadow. Speaking of being under the flag, I would love to thrust further… make it wrapped in it. With this metamorphosis of slogan, it sounds a lot more of a grip as a citizen and it won’t be wandering off easily. And speaking of being wrapped in the flag, there is a story to literally define meaning of being wrapped in a flag. Perhaps this what actually is!

It is 2nd month of schooling for the pupils in Standard 1, majority of them are yet to celebrate their 7th birthdays. On that day, only one or two parents are still in the background for having the children still scared and insecured to be left alone in the classroom. In due time, they will be all on their own just like any other pupils.

Puan Rohani, the English teacher is introducing them strange sounds of language. Having had not attended preschools, all the pupils do not know what to expect, what more learning foreign language. Pupils comprehend based on what they heard and have no idea what they actually are. Don’t worry, in any time they’ll get hold of it.

Teacher Rohani: Ini kereta. This is a car
Pupils: Ini keghetaaa…. Dis is a ka

Puan Rohani realized the pupils just repeat after on whatever came out from her mouth and cuts off the initial words and goes…

Teacher Rohani: This is a car
Pupils: Dis is a ka
Teacher Rohani: Car… Kereta! Kereta… Car!
Pupils: Ka… Kegheta! Kegheta… Kaaa!
Teacher Rohani: This is a car
Pupils: Disss isss a kaaa…

Puan Rohani points her finger at the picture of a car… and said… Lagi!

Pupils: Disss isss a kaaa

It repeats and repeats. Even louder when the pupils are in rhythm with some of them say it out on top of their lungs even though some are just mumbling and some are just staring at point blank while some also are just busy twisting and turning around looking all over the places.

Teacher Rohani: This is a bird…
Pupils: Dis is a bw…der…erd

Puan Rohani introduces a picture of a bird and the pupils are trying to grasp the way it sounds and collectively comes out with strange sound as the pupils are not fully get it just yet. Strange as it sounds, even stranger when a pungent smell fills up the classroom now. Puan Rohani has been teaching for years, proven by the scars of experience in her face she refused to call it wrinkles. The experienced teacher like her can instantly recognize it.

She inspects all corners of the classroom to identify where the smell comes from and the pupils are reacting over it with mixed and varieties of responses. Bahar in the far right row screams followed with his kiddy kind of giggle. A few follow Bahar’s way of reacting. Ramli that sits next to Maimunah just simply put his two index fingers deep in the nostrills and makes a blow with the mouth closed until it distorts the look of his face and Suriani laughs at his distorted look. Nisah joins the laugh also. Amran is just looking on. He looks puzzled. May be he is being perplexed by the funny look of Ramli's face until it scares him a little. Ismail is self-inspecting himself and put up a worry look in the face but nothing happens. It is a relief to him after bending forward checking his own crotch for a few seconds. Hasni tries to lift up his collar to cover his nose with a few others imitate. Anuar points his finger at Azizah accusing her for something she did not do until she is about to burst into tears. He tries to do the same on Noraini and he retreats after she fashions a hostile look in a face for not being pleased with the accusation. Some even attempt to make an exit through the back door. One or two are pretending to be gasping for air and laugh. Some put up no reactions in their faces as if nothing happens, just like Hamidah, Syukri and Nordin at the back of the classroom. Anyway, all in all it is a noisy affair.

Finally, Puan Rohani asks the class to be quiet and all are ordered to stand up. All stands up except Yusof at the extreme right row three seats behind Bahar. He is about to cry knowing what he did but quickly Puan Rohani pampers him up with some nice words. Little time is wasted before the school gardener, Pak Mail is summoned to clean up the mess. Sure it is less than pleasant sight to see.

Obviously the pants also need cleaning and Pak Mail is at it, not his choice but he has to do it anyway. After all it is not his first. And there is another problem arises. No spare pants for Yusof. Pak Mail has to find solution quick. He has not much of a choice. So, while waiting for the pants hang on the fence to dry up in the sun, he has to make do with a Malaysian flag to wrap Yusof in from the waist below. That is the only clothe available in his store room apart from worn-out towel used for other cleaning purposes and his “Good Morning” towel wrapped around his neck almost all the time.

Everything is subdued. Back to order. Yusof is back in the classroom just in the nick of time before the class resumes.

Puan Rohani continues teaching…

Teacher Rohani: This is a bird
Pupils: Dis is a beedd
Teacher Rohani: Bird… Burung! Burung… Bird
Pupils: Beedd…. Bughong! Bughong… Beedd!
Teacher Rohani: Once again… Lagi sekali… Louder… kuat-kuattt!
Pupils: Beedd…. Bughonggg! Bughong… Beedddd!
Teacher Rohani: Very good… Bagus… OK… Hamidah…Hamidahhhh… burung…. apa?
Hamidah: Bughong Merpati
Pupils: Hahahaha

Puan Rohani smiles because the picture of the bird can fairly be recognized as a pigeon.

Teacher Rohani: No… No… No… Tak… Burung… What is in English? Apa sebut dalam Bahasa Inggeris? Ikut cikgu…. Biiiird!
Hamidah: Bd!

Short. She swallows her word and looks very uneasy. Puan Rohani decides not to press more on her knowing that at any time now, she would be crying.

Teacher Rohani: OK Class… Say it louder… Sebut kuat-kuat! This is a biiird!
Pupils: Disss isss a beeeddd

It echoes cross the lush greenery of rice field and it is nice to hear from a distance.

Being a small kid Yusof just cannot sit still. While sitting, he moves all the time. Toss to the left, hurl to the right, turn to the back… twisting… spinning…until the flag that wraps him in becomes loose and left him naked when he stands up.

It is very much to the amusement of his classmates seeing that. They laugh out loud when it happens.

Puan Rohani helps wrap him back.

Surely, Yusof’s own "bird" also enjoys the English lesson that day while he is being wrapped in a flag.

GAB: It happened in my classroom but I can assure you, Yusof wasn’t me hehehe

SELAMAT MENYAMBUT HARI KEBANGSAAN KE 49

You Watch and You Are Watched

People are around you. They are all strangers to you. They carry similar expressions in their faces. You will be lucky if you can have eye contacts for more than a second before either you or they look somewhere else. All seems to know where they are going, very distinct in their steps taken. Not much of conversations take place except when one is accompanied by another person or when they move in a group. People are walking at their own speed of choice. Some walk quite slow. Some are very fast as if their grandmothers are about to give birth at the hospital or something. Sometimes you have to make way for them when you are about to bump into each other. At one time or another; others have to make way for you as well. It is not uncommon if you have to brush shoulders with one another. Sometimes you may mistakenly touch people without their consents but you can get away with it with a simple excuse. If unlucky you may be stared at like a criminal when the other party thought it was too much. Or else you are being touched.

After a rule of a thumb is being observed, the oncoming and ongoing traffic of people just know which side of the way they are supposed to be at. Still, you have to judge the speed of a person walking in front of you as not to step on his or her heel. In turn, if you are too slow, other person at the back may step on your heel, or crash in the rear. It happens naturally as if it is being choreographed in such a manner until it works almost perfect.

The scenario above is a set of a sample depicts an experience when we are at a busy station getting off from a bus, commuter train or LRT.

In that kind of situation, I sometimes would get away from the exodus of people and choose to be standing in the less hectic corner watch people go by. While watching, I will be observing.

There was once at the Masjid Jamek LRT station when my eyes were stapled on a lady in the executive attire. She was busy on her cellphone and what caught my attention was; she looked well-composed. Good disposition and walking style. She looked so confident. She was quite good looking with shoulder length dyed copper-blonde hair and the height above the average of Asian ladies. I could tell she had a high taste judging from the YSL handbag she was carrying and the watch she was wearing looked classy and the shoes too. I am not too sure what brand the watch and shoes were because I was a few meters away when she passed by but I know they were expensive. Of course I cannot tell the difference between the original branded goods and close-to-ori counterfeit products of Petaling Street either. The ones who know how to dress up will minimize the make-ups and accessories used and even much elegant to go with simple pearl earrings on, and she was. Oh, did I tell you she sports green-colored contact lense as well, and... and the eye-lashes were so neat?

After finished her conversation over the phone, she put her cute little pink-colored cellphone back into the handbag. Her right hand was shoving the cellphone in while another hand taking care of the magnetic-lock fold of the handbag of which hanging on the left shoulder. While both hands were occupied, she sneezed. Achummm…! So cuuute!

I can swear I saw a bubbly slimy gooey thing came out from her nose when she sneezed. The slimy bubble ballooned up to a size bigger than a ping pong ball before it popped. As quick as the sneezing occurred, at a lightning speed her right hand came out from the handbag, split-second after releasing the cell phone in and wiped up the slimy bursting bubble just to mess it up further until to her cheek and it oozed out of her palm. Could you imagine how gross it looked?!

With a quick body twist to the left, she resigned herself to the wall of the tunnel that leading to Masjid Jamek side of the station. She tried to shield off from people’s view as much as possible by slouching the body position square to the wall and face pointing downward at 45-degree-angle for the hair to fall free around the cheeks. I guess the hair was also dirtied with the mucus. She then used tissue paper to clean up after a few long seconds scavenging through the handbag.

I felt so sorry for her but one thing I admired, she was able to maintain her composure.



GAB: Hehehe Accident happens and you think it’s funny but it is not!

Moments Before I Sat Down

This morning I had my breakfast at a restaurant on the ground floor of my office building. That is the closest place for me to eat. It is just some 20 meters away after coming out from the elevator. The walkway of the section for the restaurant is elevated by one foot high. It is nicely decorated with beautiful floral motive tiles for the floor that distinguished from other part of the walkway. Sometimes you feel guilty to pass through when people are eating at the place because it looks as if the area is exclusively belongs to the restaurant though it is meant for public access. There are some 5 tables placed on that walkway. Right... the food there is not that bad either.

When I reached the place, four tables out of five at the walkway have already been occupied by the customers. I was a bit baffled for a while seeing tables No. 1 referring from the far end until table no.4 were occupied by one customer each. All customers were seated at the same side and chair position of the tables facing the same direction from where I was coming. To add to my curiosity, table No 1 and 3 were men and tables No 2 and 4 were ladies, sweep-swap from one another. That left table No. 5, the most immediate table when I reached the place, yet to be occupied.

I was standing next to the table, and at the very instant, the usual me started calculating, analyzing and hypothesizing on what I saw. For no apparent reason, I started formulating a theory in my head to explain why it happened that way?!

This is what was running in my head moments before I sat down:

First to arrive – Customer Table No. 1:
The gentleman at the table No. 1 at the far end came in first. Considering that’s the best seat with commanding view, no doubt he chose to be seated there facing the open view and close to the railing for comfort. Table No. 5 facing the opposite direction is just as good also but the eyes cannot go as far as it is viewed from table No. 1. I would do the same thing also if I were to arrive earlier.

2nd to arrive – Customer Table No. 4:
She was a lady in a tight and short skirt, seated at table no 4. It was only right for her not to sit too close to the first guy since he was a stranger to her and not facing him. She could also was trying to avoid naughty eyes from the guy when she sits in. She chose table No. 4 instead of table No. 5 which was farther because the comfort level on the distance was already sufficient and not to be that obvious showing her insecurity. To be seated close to the railing comes naturally then. The railing is a catalyst for security just like a rostrum for a speaker to hold upon while giving speech. There she was seated, 3 tables away from the first gentleman.

3rd to arrive – Customer Table No. 3:
The next one who came in must be the guy that seated at table No. 3. It is obvious; this guy was a cheeky type. He chose to be right behind the lady taking advantage on seeing the beautiful curve of the lady at a close range from rear view. Seating position at table No. 5 facing opposite direction from the lady is better but I think he didn’t want to make the lady feel intimidated.

4th to arrive – Customer Table No. 2:
This lady perhaps cared less on where to be seated. The most immediate table available when coming from the other side of the building was table No. 2, so she sat there. It would've been better if she had chosen table No.5 instead of being flanked by the two guys. Anyway, may be she likes to be noticed by the guys. Quite naturally as well, she tried not to face the guy at table No. 1. Tried not to brush her back with the guy seated at table No. 3 might be a point also. And again, the railing provides such comfort and security. So then, there she was.

I then took my seat.

I sat diagonally to the sitting positions of them, away from the railing facing all four of them. Thought of facing the same direction as them but it was no fun, that damn pillar blocked my view. I tried to be as innocent as possible by acting just like not knowing what was around me making sure the sexy lady does not feel intimidated by my eyes stealing a look at her thighs. “Oh... Come on you guys, do not try to be that good by telling me that you’ve never steal a look at sexy ladies, especially during the time crosslegged lady in a short skirt is switching leg from one to another”. Urrp… ladies, just take it as a compliment, OK!... We do admire good and beautiful things!

To prove my point right, the sequence of them leaving the place was; the guy at table No.1, the lady at table no. 4, the guy at table no. 3 and lastly the lady at table No. 2.

I left after the lady paid her check only feeling stupid analyzing things for no apparent purpose.



GAB: The analytical mind cannot be stopped and it is NOT stupid, but to document it up in a blog, makes it closer to that. HAH... HAH... HAH...!

Attention Bloggers!

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Prime Minister has issued a warning – those who spread untruths and slander on the Internet will face the law.

d

If information in blogs, websites and online portals were incorrect, bordered on slander, caused disturbance or compelled the public to lose faith in the nation’s economic policies, their authors would be detained for investigation, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

d

“We cannot allow such matters to flow through uncontrolled,” he told newsmen after attending a briefing on the proposed Islamic Civilisation Park in Pulau Wan Man here.

Another Siti and 1-day too late

It is a talk of nation on the upcoming wedding of Siti Nurhaliza, a popular female pop artiste of the country with Dato’ K; coined to be the wedding-of-the-year. It is scheduled to be on 21st August 2006. The craze is as such until the never-seen-before local TV stations racing neck-to-neck to have rights for live telecast of the ceremony. The local media, like nobody’s business, have been drumming up the impending matrimony starts from the announcement of the much awaited nuptials date; was even made the breaking news, live on national TV and subsequently made front-page in all major newspapers in the country. Never in the history had such thing like this happened to anyone in her class, being treated way better than the Royal weddings.

Long before the announcement was made, the media has already wasted much space in the news columns, countless hours of TV airtime speculating and gossiping. We don’t talk about the tabloids, periodical, magazines and what not just yet. Have our media now gone into a state of ridicule or something? For what it’s worth, we cannot blame the media for doing so because they are in business of selling news and stories about her sells. Anything about her, newspapers sell better, magazines increase in circulations. The bigger the captions on the issue the more the readers will be attracted to. Her stunning and glittery look indeed graces the front page; innumerable publications eagerly have her to be their cover girl. Iconic, her presence on TV attracts more audience. TV ratings shoot high. The suffering of the Lebanese people being pounded by the Jews is just a mockery. The news on Tsunami, oh well, people have heard it before; it was even bigger when it hit Acheh. The awe is not that great anymore. With or without our concern over it, things just happened. What about the important figures of the country appear to say something for the rakyat? Nah, they are just the politicians. When politicians make statements, people know it too well, all are rhetoric. After all, it’s not so much entertaining in the first place. News on Siti Nurhaliza is different. It is even made headline during prime time news. This is what people want to hear, want to see. People are interested to know everything about her, engrossed over her, even down to the less than important things treated as news like how much the wedding gown costs, who designs it, what color, how much the dowry would be, where’s the place of their choice for honeymoon will be at, how many horses will be used for the stagecoach in KLCC – the curiosity is infinite.

As much as I like her for her charm and beauty, apart from talents, I would love to urge people to put a limit to it. We’ve got many other better things to concern about. I think we have gone too far idolizing a celebrity.

On the other anecdote, I have a younger brother. He is 29. He belongs to the Alumni of MRSM Jasin. He went through with flying colors for both PMR and SPM. He had had a heart for Japan for further studies instead of me back then pushing him for England since I had a way to place him there. Adamant, he was. So then, he is a graduate from a prestigious university in Kansai, Japan and is now a Mechanical Engineer with Hitachi, based in KL. He spent years in Japan study and work. When he was there, he used to send me pictures of him with his car, Skyline, much to my envy. Oh, by the way, he speaks good Japanese language and he brags of speaking immaculate Kansai dialect with a great deal of amazement to even the Japanese people. I learned that Kansai dialect is a dialect that hard to master in, just like Kelantanese dialect if it is in our country. Anyway, to his credit, he has taught my kids to sing Doraemon song with correct dictions. He did it in a way how Shafinaz and Paul Moss are commenting on the contestants in One in A Million reality TV show, swiftly point out when my kids muffle in their singing. Hehe!

The thing is, just like Siti Nurhaliza, or rather say Dato’ K, he is getting married too. The coincidence is as such, he’s marrying Siti too. But, of whom it is another kind of Siti though, Siti Hajar. Pretty close! The irony is; both families have agreed upon the date long before the announcement was made by Siti Nurhaliza. The date is 22nd August 2006. Siti Nurhaliza / Dato’ K came up with the date 21st August 2006. One day earlier.

I’ll bet my brother’s wedding has been downplayed by Dato’ K to have us beaten by one day. Hahaha!

Another Siti and 1-day too late…

GAB



It is reported in the paper, according to Siti, the sons are all well-groomed by the father, Dato' K and that's a pointer for her attraction


I can see that...

No wonder our people prefer news related to Siti Nurhaliza rather than news on Lebanon. What is there when all about Lebanon are misery with pictures of dismembered and charred remains of the children? This one is uhh... I have to agree with people... !

Nothing Much To Say....

http://fromisrael2lebanon.info/

Let the pic above speaks for itself...

So then … We are dealing with KATAK

I used to train hundreds of trainers and give presentations to thousands of audience, but, the presentations I am about to give to the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications bring chills to my spines. May be this is due to my hope that the presentations will go without glitch and at the end of the day manage to have some sense of implementations secured. Much time and energy has been spent throughout months of prototype development, perhaps as good as one year if it refers from the Day 1 of the conceptualization. It’s now a matter of green light given by their side for me (us) to go and present.

Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications, better known as KTAK or I prefer to call it KATAK, has come up with the strategy called MyICMS 886 (Malaysia Information, Communication and Multimedia Services 886). What is that 886? It refers to their strategy; 8 elements in Services, 8 in Infrastructure and 6 Growth Areas. [Note: This is a good strategy. We are not short of planners in this country but the people to execute are]. After a scrutiny, we found that we overlap under that 8 Infrastructure and more in the Growth Areas of the Ministry’s strategy. During the instigation, it turned out to be, the ones that with clear focus for KTAK is in the Services and Infrastructure part of it and not in the Growth Area of which the latter is somewhat in a grey area, overlie with other ministries’ jurisdictions. We are banking in on Competence Development, Content Development and ICT Education Hub. The closest is on the Competence Development.

There goes, we had to switch over the strategy and approach on our side to fit in the MyICMS 886. I came up with the proposal focusing on the pilot project for the continuity of the services and infrastructural set up of KTAK. The main point we played upon in the proposal was the services & infrastructures need to be clearly seen in the practical usage of it. The underlined issue is CONTINUITY to see the finished and polished product. Hey, the KSU of KTAK bought the idea and commissioned over MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commissions) to look into it seriously.

But, to me this is not a blessing. It looks like the game now is bottom up, not like the way initially intended to look like. That worries me. I do not want to leave it to chance. I cram myself up for weeks already. Thank goodness I do have a very competent partner to work with. The game plan is as such; still stick to the proposal we created initially - to sneak through the Ministry’s strategy on the pretext of providing the back-hand in the integrity of the ministry to have the infrastructure set-up and services offered with a practical means and it is readily to be used and effective too.

I’ll be the main presenter to outline the whole set of presentation and in later part my partner will come in to underline the points.


Wish me luck!


GAB: If things do not work out well, I’ll be looking for a good spot in the area I'm staying at, Saujana Utama to set up a stall selling burger.

There goes my lunch hour… hehehe

Management Skills

Today’s Saturday. It’s not a working day but my practice for years; I’ll make a point to be by myself working things out (if any) or just simply do what I like doing. As far as official work is concerned, Friday has called for a close already. Nobody’s around in the office now except handful of marketing personnel doing their things.

My mind still cannot get over with the management meeting that I chaired yesterday. I have elaborated things like planning, organizing, development, work milestones and what not. Now then I realized, effectively, to maximize results out of all these, it requires skills.

So now, I want to touch on a topic of management skills here. At all level of management, the need of technical, human relations and conceptual skills will differ accordingly.

To give you better idea, let me break down the time proportions on the conceptual, technical and human relations skills by levels of top management, middle management and supervisory management.

1. TOP MANAGEMENT: Conceptual-70%, Technical-10% and Human Relations-20%
2. MIDDLE MANAGEMENT: Conceptual-40%, Technical-40% and Human Relations-20%
3. SUPERVISORY MANAGEMENT: Conceptual-20%, Technical-60% and Human Relations-20%

Conceptual Skills are thinking skills. It is the ability to picture a scenario in the future: to envision. It would also include the ability to understand how change can affect the future of the organization. Top managers are very much involved in activities that require this skill.

Technical Skills would mean the ability to use procedures and techniques. Generally, supervisors would have a greater need for technical skills compared to middle-level managers.

Human Relations Skills would involve the ability to communicate well, motivate subordinates, lead individuals and groups. It would also refer to ability to emphasize. Managers at all levels need human skills, an attribute that is very important when it comes to working with people.

Technical skills are more structured and may be learned through training and practice. Human relation skills are more complex and practice does not come easy. Compared to other skills, conceptual skills are relatively difficult to acquire as they require creativity and lateral thinking.


GAB

Snake Bite

Today is Friday. Come Friday, I always feel good. I feel like; this is the day for me to wrap up the week. The night before I watched TV until it was very late of which I always get caught with TV program over ASTRO on this particular night. And... during the daytime so then it'd take a toll on me, very sleepy.

I was out from the office a little early, around 12:00 noon. I took time to walk around the area close to my office and I timed myself up for the lunch to have it finished minutes before the muazzin call for Friday prayer. I had a good one. Gerai Kak Melda over at the corner never failed me. You know, ayam kampung when it is properly prepared, it is very tasty.

During the sermon, oh boy, I felt so sleepy. I could hardly comprehend what the khatib was talking. Stood up, went to wet my face and tried to focus again. I did it twice.

After the prayer's over, everyone was invited for sembahyang hajat for Save Palestine but I could not join. Instead, I went to the back of the masjid and lied down. In seconds I dozed off. Hey, I have never done things like this before. The funny thing is, I had a dream when I was sleeping. It was a strange dream. I dreamt of a snake bit my neck and I woke up. All I know I was kind of dazed and confused, a little. The masjid was practically empty by then. Washed my face and drove back to office.

In the office, I sent message to TUN telling about my dream and BUYIE too. I was asking whether the dream was signaling me of having yet another marriage in a near future. Hahahaha! Malays do believe that anything to do with dreaming of snake bite, the maidens would be having a good surprise of either engagement is around the corner or someone is coming over for merisik or even marriage.

But that is for the maidens, and I am NOT!

A Place To Eat

I used to write in January 2006 about one of my favourite hangout places, the Dome, KLCC. I did enjoy my time there. I liked the ambience of the place as much as I loved the food & drinks. Rather unfortunate… I came across friends experienced otherwise. Let’s look at what Faei has to say about it…

QUOTE:
My husband and I were having brunch yesterday at Dome KLCC. Now, we are not the type of people who like to aimlessly lounge at KL eateries. Actually we were there to do a little shopping for Arislan’s clothes, and also to surf the internet at the Maxis Utopia hotspot to do a little e-banking and to read the Champions League post match commentary on soccernet.

The waitress who took our order was all dull and sullen. No smiles were offered, no friendly greetings. She has an expression that is probably more sour than the zestiest lemon. As we were munching on our meals, a group of male foreigners sat at the table near us. Instantly, the same sour waitress swooped on them, complete with the brightest smile and the most cheerful greeting. All of the sudden, she came coquettishly chatty, suggesting this dish and that.

My husband and I were looking at each other in disgust. “C’mon,” I said, loudly. “Let’s get out of here before I puke to death.”
What’s with all this ‘worshipping’ of gwailos anyway? Are all Malaysian men not capable of any manners or charm?

Faei

The above is to show the example of not-so-right-attitude by Malaysians. I, for one, am pissed off with this kind of attitude as well. Wherever I eat or dine, be it a quickie as it is for my lunch, casual for high tea with colleagues or elaborate dinner with the family, I am very particular on the treatment by the waiters / waitresses. Regardless of what standard of the diner, be it at the stall, cafeteria, café, bistro, “half-cooked” western food places, and restaurant or at a flush hotel, I expect the best as a customer.

I cannot really comprehend discriminating the patrons by these “kids” working as waiters/waitresses. (The actual blame is on the management, not these kids) Is it there to do with prejudice over who looks like having lot of money? Or is it to do with being certain race will belong to certain class? That's not even funny. All are craps, I must say... What is so special about the western people? Is it due to them are better looking than the Asians with blonde hair and blue eyes and all? Yeah, generally they are but we are here as customers.

I am quite flair in English language with Mid-Western accent and I used to experiment over with my vocalization skills when dining at a flush eatery. Guess what? They chickened-out and treat me as if I am heck of a guy that belongs to certain class of the society. But when I purposely pronounce those funny French words on the menu like the Malay lingo does and none of the English laced in the words, hey, they’d size you up. Back in my mind, I said, “O fudge... your momma... you don’t know a shit what classy is all about”. It does not necessarily the ones don’t speak English is not classy. “I can all not know a word of English and yet I am still standing tall and you supposed to respect my BM when I am using it, what more I am upholding the language as an official language of the country”.

"I don’t respect you when you are respecting me because of what’s what but all that I need is for you to treat me as a customer! "

Psychologically, this has got to do with the inferiority complex among Malay ethnics.

(I’ll find time to write on the psychological factor that contributes to this inferiority complex among Malays / Malaysians)

GAB

Terkenang...

CAK KEK KOK KAKI AYAM

GAB ni anak zaman komputer belum wujud. Masa duduk kat kampung hanyalah sampai darjah 6. Lepas dari tu tak pernah le GAB merasa hidup kat kampung.

Bila dah dewasa ni, sesekali teringat masa kecik dulu, main macam2 permainan tradisi. Hubungan di antara kawan2 amat rapat, atau mungkin juga permainan yang budak2 masa tu main membuatkan hubungan lebih akrab. Dalam banyak2 permainan tu ada satu yang membuatkan GAB tersenyum sendiri.... Cak Kek Kok Kaki Ayam!

Permainan Cak Kek Kok Kaki Ayam ialah sejenis permainan yang menguji daya kekuatan kaki seseorang pemain. Ia dimainkan oleh kanak-kanak lelaki dan perempuan yang berumur 6 tahun ke atas. Jumlah pemain yang diperlukan ialah antara 4 hingga 9 orang. Permainan ini dimainkan di tanah lapang dan rata serta mudah dipermainkan kerana ia tidak memerlukan sebarang peralatan.

Para pemain akan membuat undian bagi menentukan giliran permainan masing-masing dan sebagai permulaannya hanya tiga (3) orang pemain akan bermain dahulu. Mereka dikehendaki menyilang sebelah kaki masing-masing dan menindihkannya dari belakang.

Sesudah itu ketiga-tiga orang pemain itu akan berdecak berkeliling dengan silang kaki yang terlekat itu. Pemain yang jatuh semasa decakan itu dianggap kalah dan digantikan oleh pemain lain.

Pemain yang tindihan kakinya tidak pernah jatuh ketika bermain akan dianggap sebagai pemenang. Permainan ini boleh diteruskan untuk beberapa pusingan sehingga semua pemain bersetuju memberhentikannya.

1. Hanya tiga orang pemain dibenarkan bermain dalam satu pusingan.

2. Pemain dilarang menolak mana-mana pemain lain yang berada dalam decakannya.

3. Pemain yang jatuh ketika bermain (kakinya terlepas dari decakan pemain lain) haruslah diganti dengan pemain yang lain.

Any of you read this... please share the game that you enjoyed most when you were kids. GAB ada banyak lagi game yang susah nak jumpa bebudak sekarang main.



GAB