Historical terms

"GIPA", "Headmaster", "Tuk Tak Tuk Tak Machine", brodifacoum, "PP581", "PP910", "Gramoxone", paraquat, "No Talking Flight", "Made for Bigger Things", PPD, ICI, CCMB, "What do you call", "Ba si cal ly", "Many ways to skin a cat", “Tusker”, "Romancing the Customers", "Cake & Icings", "Taipan Club", "Orchard Club", "Your Trusted Crop Care Parnter", "2G1T", “Qing Mah Loon”, "Every sunset, there is a sunrise", "Mata Gelap", "Tok Guru", " 'I' specialist", "NST", "Better and Surer Than The Rest", "TIMOR", "Assault100A", "Matikus", "Mitac", "Zeneca","Novartis", "Syngenta", "Liberty Square", "Centre Point Langsuan",
"Wisma Damansara", "Wisma Sime Darby", "SAW", "ACBA", "ABA", "Touchdown",
"HO", "P&D Clinic", "MACA", "MCPA", "World Class"...

(first listed in Oct 2007)

Sunset, Sunrise..

"After every sunset, there is gonna be a sunrise."

This used to be my favourite phrase those days to counter those negative people in the so-called "sunset industry" we were in.
Now the sun is slowly but surely going to set on many of my contemporaries... you tend to look back at history with nostalgia, with pride or with regrets...Don't hold onto the past.. you have to let go the past glories or disappointments and move onto the next phase of your well-deserved golden years.
Somehow, there are more songs written and sung about yesterday than tomorrow. The few songs that I know about tomorrow are not too optimistic too like "I don't care if tomorrow never comes" and "If tomorrow never comes". Of course, you will find "Yesterday". "Yesterday once more", "Yesterday when I was young", "Only yesterday" and "Yesterday man" etc.

Surely everyone must have occasionally or frequently, experienced the following feelings, as expressed in this scene in the musical "Oliver":

Who will buy
This wonderful morning?
Such a sky
You never did see

Who will tie
It up in a ribbon
And put it
In a box for me?

Who will buy
This wonderful feeling?
I'm so high
I swear I could fly

Me oh my
I don't want to lose it
So what am I to do
To keep the sky so blue?

Every day is a new day that the Lord has made for you and me. Rejoice and be glad in it. Live it well because today will be yesterday soon. The sun will sure rise again tomorrow, with or without us!

Today is my moment and right now is my story...
I'll laugh, I'll cry and I'll sing..
p/s the sun has set on my digital Ixus750 7.1Megapixels camera I think. It's time to get a new one soon otherwise how to capture the blue skies, sunrises and sunsets?

Forgive them....

For they do not know what they are doing.... forgive them...

I don't believe true Muslim teachings lead you to protest and to deny others of a place to worship their chosen religion in a land where the Law provides for religious freedom. Using a freshly slaughtered cow's head is provocative and potentially can incite riots from the affected section of the population.
If this is not the Islam way, then why did this happen?
If this is a political maneuvering, misusing religion as a tool to achieve the goals and ambitions of some, then we must expose them. Playing with people's feelings and emotions can lead to serious repercussions and tragedies.
Rational thinking people must stay calm and not be manipulated by these acts and react.
A small group of the Section 23 Shah Alam residents used a cow's head to protest in front of the Selangor State Secretariat building yesterday against the proposed hindu temple in their neigbourhood. What will happen if some groups react tomorrow by presenting some dog's head or pig's head or chicken's head or cat's head in other mass demonstrations?
But we must voice out our displeasure and concern. This is not only an issue affecting HINDRAF or the Hindus.... other religious leaders must come out to condemn this. It's imperative that the leaders in power today should stop this unacceptable public showmanship and open challenge to believers of other faiths.
I only can pray....

Kalau benar..

IF you have watched the 15M short film entitled "The Son" (released 28/8/09) ...and

IF you have read RPK's A Challenge to The Malaysian Government to Explain This (The Corridors of Power 24/8/09 posting)... and

IF you put these two together.. and

IF the "hidden" negative emotions are universal and widespread ...and

IF the "hidden preparation" by the ruling elite is a serious recognition of the current state of affairs ...and

IF these are in fact, factual... and

IF you have a little bit of imagination and flashing back your memories to 1969........

You should be very worried and scared. I am.

Are we building on our racial diversity or destroying it?

Tun

There are broadly 2 categories - To Utter Nonsense & To Utter Nothing.

After 52 years

Jalur Gemilang

This Bolehland where I was born, bred, educated ..... toil, breed, vote and vote and vote, hope and hope and hope...
The above picture really has many long stories to tell..... and many of us know them first hand.
The big flag belongs to my Haji neighbour while the other one is mine. He is one good neighbour for the last 27 years and we are ONE people living next to each other but when we both turn on our TV sets, probably viewing different channels, we often see and hear different propaganda being drummed into our subconscious minds.
After 52 years, the very small flag, (obviously not flying very high and slightly pushed to the sideline), really reflects the feelings of many of us towards this democratic land . We had enshrined First World ideals into our Constitution, but still struggling with Third world mentality of governance.
In reality, the relative size of the flags also depicts the reality of economic cake distribution and other opportunities between the "protected" species and the "non"s.
Must this and can this go on for the next 52 years? Many of us may not be here.....will the small flag still be standing ?

He ain't heavy, He is my brother

This 1969 hit by The Hollies has been my favourite and it added real meaning to me today when I can sense and feel the gratitude and thankfulness of my brother in burden.
What good of us if we, who are able and capable, do not lend a helping hand or just be there, when help is needed? It has been a long and tiring day, but Lord, it was all worth it.

He is one of the 1% who has to go through with his conditions, and it is beyond his control... deep inside he is such a family man that his whole life revolves around them and his sibblings. In his own way, he has brought joy and delight to his few lonely and desolate friends, by regularly lending his listening ears to them.

He is simple and innocent in his love for his family. It is heartening to see that his daughters are showing appreciation for their dad who has always placed his priorities on their welfare and well being. He gave what he had got.
I pray that he will not be one of those lonely people in the world as Father Mckenzie or Eleanor Rigby who was the title of one of Beatles' songs.

His welfare is my concern... The weight does not weigh me down...
He ain't heavy, he is my brother... always!!!

Empty Garden

.... I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine, there is gonna be a little rain sometimes..
..When you take you got to give
So live and let live and let go....
- few lines from the 1970 hit, Rose Garden by Lynn Anderson.

Recently my dear friend shared with me, the song Empty Garden (by Elton John) and I quote a few lines here..
..He must have been a gardener that cared a lot
Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop
Its funny how one insect can damage so much grain..

These led me to write something about this book I read yesterday... Mind Garden by Christina Chia, a lawyer turned writer, founder of the Dr Napolean Hills Foundation Malaysia.

My takeaway: Our Conscious mind can rationalise, analyse and think whilst our Subconscious mind is just like a reservoir, not being able to differentiate right or wrong. Subconscious mind is quite similar in all human beings where all the positive emotions (like faith, love and enthusiasm) and negative emotions (like fear, greed and anger) are stored, principally deposited there by the Conscious mind.

If the Conscious mind is the Gardener, then the Subconscious mind is the Garden. The Garden will grow and reproduce what the Gardener sows in it. Good seeds will produce good crops; good thoughts will result in good emotions and habits..
We are governed by the Law of Cosmic Habitforce.. we are ruled by habits which are fastened upon us when thoughts and experiences are repeated. Thoughts and characters are one.
Our Garden may be full of weeds and all the negative emotions and that will be translated into our daily living reality....

Or like what the song says, we could be that one insect (from our Conscious mind) to have damaged all the good crops in our Subconscious mind.
Again, nobody promised us a Rose Garden... but with a little bit of rain along with the sunshine, we could start to sow and cultivate good crops in our Garden.
A Gardener plants flowers to last for days; trees to last for years and ideas for eternity. Makes sense?

Two quotes to end this sharing:

"Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude will determine how you are going to live your life." - Joel Osteen, Senior pastor Lakewood Church, Houston USA.

"There are two ways you can live... as if nothing is a miracle or of everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein (1897-1955)


Time to check my own garden - empty garden or rose garden or garden full of weeds?

My Park, maintained by DBKL

Newly built rest house at Kiara Park

This is a new facility at Kiara Park, completed about a year ago and still looking elegant and majestic against the green background. You can enjoy your ease, per entry, if you produce RM0.20 cash. If you are a jogger who has a habit of visiting this new establishment whenever you exercise or sweat, make sure you carry this minimum cash with you.

Readers may be impressed with the look from outside but if you were to be near it within a distance of 10m, you will definitely smell it!! There must be a leak in the underground piping system and DBKL has been duly notified surely. Maybe the contractor is being hunted to make good the defects or the "no smell guarantee" period has expired and needing to appoint a new contractor? The stench, to put it mildly, is repulsive and it really spoils the fresh air in this popular park, frequented by many - young and old (mainly oldies).

Let's hope that the problem will be fixed soon, otherwise the permanent residents there (the monkeys) may be even driven away, let alone the visiting 2-legged species.

I treasure this park where I sweat it out daily, before the incentive of the first meal for the day.

Police Report: Dompet

Weekend past, I made a police report of the loss of my Dompet (BM word for Wallet), containing my IC, Driving licence, ATM card, Credit card etc plus some cash. This police station is located in my rich neighbourhood.... rich, because of the fact that within a Par-5 distance from my house, there are 5 commercial banks!!
I must compliment the lady police constable attending to me that Saturday morning... she was friendly and pleasant. I dictated to her my story in fluent G. Semanggol Bahasa and she typed it straight onto her pc and printed out 3 copies, all within 10 minutes. No fuss and no fee.
I guess my fluency in her Mother's tongue did make her very much at ease and thus had some influence on the entire process.
I remember watching a video clip recently of a senior Bolehland Minister rudely refusing to entertain a question asked in English, by a local English newspaper reporter. He snubbed the reporter "Cakap Orang Putih eh??"
Anyway, I only realised the economic value of that Police Report when I went to the bank to apply for a replacement copy of the ATM card and Credit Card. With a copy of the police report, all replacement fees were waived!!
Now I will need to know from my nephew who recently lost his International Passport to a snatch thief, if his police report entitles him to a free replacement of his passport?? I don't seem to recall this waiver when I made my application for replacement of my lost passport in 1993.

Want kind of name is this?

You may have tried checking the dictionary for this word "illement". No such word?
My "learned, scholarly, gentlemen friend" (as described by King David), introduced me to this word "Recueillement" which, according to Wikipedia, is a French word for Introversion.
In the English language, it pertains to a genre of contemporary poetry.

My learned friend, whose wide reading and linguistic skills befit the original word , recueillement .... had used "Recue" as his blog title. I thought it would be a good idea to use the other end of this word.... which would rightly reflect on my linguistic skills which lie between "ailment and illness".
But I can only improve if I keep writing....... and at the same time, not wasting away my typing skills (with all 10 fingers, self-taught Pitman) with a speed of 39 words per minute.

There's life after retirement

Sharing these 2 "profound" quotes about retirement life:

"After brushing teeth in the morning, the day's job is done."

Wife to Husband: "Watcha doin' today?"
Husband to wife: "Nothing."
Wife to Husband: "You did that yesterday"
Husband to wife: "I wasn't finished."

One Spanish proverb sums up what retirement life should be.... "How lovely it is to do nothing at all and then rest afterwards".

I guess "doing nothing" is not just stay idling at the "waiting room" to heaven.
Many retirement books dwell about financial planning but very few deal with the emotional, pyschological aspects of losing the "life's identity" - being out of the job market. We are identified by the work we do, the profession we are in... and the world's views about you are set, and you would be "compartmentalise" into certain typical behaviours ...once you reveal what you do for a living. Once you are not working.... you have turned into a "nothing" in this world?
I came across a preview of this book by Ernie J Zelinski entitled "The Joy of Not Working" (for individuals who absolutely, positively want to retire happy, wild and free). The title itself is actively positive as opposed to many books with title starting "How to retire..."
I think this book has a positive attitude, it is practical and it is fun. Will try to get a copy soon....not seem to be able to find it in the bookstores in Bolehland sofar....

Sheep or Goats?

On Judgement Day, are we going to be on the right with the sheep or on the left with the goats?
That is the question.
Believe without faith is futile; Faith without deeds is useless.
Challenging questions to us include 1) Have we grown older and colder? 2) Are we inward-looking and an injured lot? 3) Have we too often used the 4 most tragic words "I am too busy"?
In joy and in grief, He is always there.
So seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given unto you as well (Matthew 6:33)
An excerpt from RBG "The Word for Today" (July 26, 2009):
"People who cling to resentments, who don't know how to handle disappointment with grace; who have long memories; who choke on the words, "I am sorry" or who sulk and pout and whine, always finish up on the short end of the stick.
Losing well is an art that requires all the grace we can muster. It means having the humility to face reality with no excuses but with the confidence not to allow losing to define our identity or make us feel "less than". It means no excuses, no blaming, no self-pity - but no self condemnation either.
It means having the discernment to know when to quit and when to persevere. It means learning to say "Congratulations". It means letting go of an outcome we cannot change but holding on to the will to live fully and well, and seeking to glorify God in all that we do."

What kind of a man is this?

They call you "The Heavenly King". You may have more than 100 films and 300 mini series to your name; huge fan base all over the world.... ya I heard about you (the Media play a big role in your promotion and for their own pockets too) and it is good for you to have achieved all that.
You are just another entertainer to me.
I only get interested to know what kind of a man you are only when this old man Zhu, died in Malaysia. Rumours (again from your hero-worshipping and profiteering Media) have it that you have this 24 years relationship with Mr Zhu's daughter and you have a daughter too, in this relationship...
If these rumours are true...
Is this a mistaken relationship? Something you have regretted? Something you are not proud enough to reveal? A burden to your career? Is this the way to "protect" your career and your fan base? Is this a passport for you to continue as a bachelor so that you can "fool around" in your kind of industry? What kind of a legacy you are leaving behind for your daughter? What kind of lesson you are imparting on the young fans of your? Role model? What kind of girl would stick with you as an "underground" spouse? Where is basic human respect and dignity?
You can only answer these questions yourself.... don't let the press answer for you. Rule out or own up as a man (龙 的 传 人??)
Until then, my response to all the "song and dance" about all your talents and successes ....SO WHAT?

(notice, I have avoided even mentioning your name).

Premium Pork Shop and Cafe

Was invited by the Ng Family to this official opening of the dedicated premium pork shop cum cafe at SS2 this wet Saturday morning...

Conceptually it is similar to EuroDeli but the big difference I guess is that the pork is from their own ISO22000-certified farm in Mersing Johor....."From Our farm to Your table" using refrigerated truck. The pork products are marketed as Beta Agonist Free; No Drug Residue and hygienically produced and prepared.

Be warned, it is still not halal, ok?

So if you want something premium and peace of mind, you know there is this place in SS2 opposite the traditional pasar pagi where you can still get your roadside stores pork.

Sanbanto : Japanese-sounding shop name..... hopefully not at the First World prices.

Branding Kopi Malaysia

My first encounter with a Kopi Menu which has a market differentiation of the various popular sources of coffee from all over Bolehland... one is apparently missing is the one from Cukai Kemaman. Uncle Lim's brew is quite unique too. My kampung favourite is the Kluang Railway Station brew.

If you have the chance to visit this Cafe in SS2, you will have a chance to look at reading materials about Bolehland, which are not in the main stream media..

Teoh Beng Hock Inquest

Shah Alam Magistrate Court No.5

"Justice for Beng Hock" is what every right-thinking Malaysian's desire, on this case of tragic death of this witness called to the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) office in Shah Alam.
I was personally encouraged that justice would be done and the truth would be pursued when the Government appointed a private sector criminal lawyer Tan Hock Chuan to assist the Coroner in this inquest. I think my brethren would do his very best not to disappoint us.
At the end of the 10th day session, and after 16 witnesses, particularly the 2 medical forensic experts' "consistent" findings, the conclusion was pointing towards a "Suicide death". This is one
"unpopular verdict", if at all, and there would be theories put forward as to why should a young man in his early 30s, about to get married the next day, would have chosen this way to end his life? Or the populace at large would be forced to accept this case as another mysterious unsolved crime in the country.....
Then came this letter, which was handed over to G Singh, the lawyer who is on a watching brief for Beng Hock, at the end of the 18th August hearing. The Court has the agreement from all the lawyers who had a copy of the letter, not to reveal the content of the letter until the Police is given time to investigate .... and the next session of inquest due next Monday, 24th August.
However, this is Bolehland... and the letter has been posted in the cyberspace.. and it will be voted "The Most-Read Bahasa Malaysia Letter Over The Weekend" in the country of 23 million people plus a few millions concerned citizens overseas. It is 5-page long (typed and unsigned) and purportedly printed on the MACC letterhead, originated in PutraJaya office and authored by a group of MACC officers. A top ranking officer of MACC and a politician were named and could have direct bearing on the inquest proceedings to come...
The shit has hit the fan? The truth is about to be revealed.....??

From Char Siew to Teo Chew

The invitation to a treat of the best 'char siew' in town (Seremban favourite) was not to be, as it was closed (Tuesdays rest days).... instead Teo Chew next door was as good, albeit more expensive stuff, topped up with extra oysters too.
This Special occasion was celebrated in advance of 23rd August, and it was not to be broadcasted aloud, ok?
The red wine was left to breathe in individual beer mugs (the smallest glassware in the shop!)

Y E Yang

You are the "Wrong Man" (according to the Western Press) to have won the 91st US PGA Golf Championships, 2009. Why are you such a big spoiler??
Congratulations from all of us whose staple food is rice.... You have won it in champion style and you should go on from here to prove that you are no fluke. Breaking Tiger's record of never losing a big tournament after leading 54 holes, is yet another feat.

Unanswered Prayers?

Ruth Bell Graham (wife of Billy Graham) once said, "God has not always answered my prayers. If he had, I would have married the wrong man several times."
Philip Yancey has something to say about the Unanswered prayers of Jesus himself!http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1998/february9/8t2152.html
Pastor Jerry Sittser (of Chicago) said "Unanswered prayer is God's gift... it protects us from ourselves. If all our prayers were answered we'd abuse the power.. use prayer to change the world to our liking, and it would become hell on earth. Like spoiled children with too many toys and too much money, we'd grab for more. We'd pray for victory at the expense of others..intoxicated by power..we'd hurt people and exalt ourselves..... Past unanswered prayers which lfet us hurt and disillusioned, act like a refiner's fire to prepare us for future answers."http://www.thevine.co.nz/word/archive/2009/07/31
Dr Dale A Robbins has got 11 reasons on why certain prayers are not answered.http://www.victorious.org/unprayer.htm
The Third Millennium Ministry has one article on this subject too.http://www.thirdmill.org/answers/answer.asp/file/99734.qna/category/pt/page/questions/site/iiim

Zest

More photos from UncleChillies as promised earlier...

Scandals?

In a land where you can (sometimes) get away with murder, the list below is just a "way of life":

Lest we forget (in order I remember them..)..

Gomez Incident 1992
BMF loss of RM2b, 1992
Altantuya C4 (literally in Cantonese) 2006
ECM Libra 2005
Kugan tortured to death by Police 2009
Harun Joe Frasier Boxing 2005?
Lingam Video correct correct correct "looks like me, sounds like me" 2007
Scorpene submarine (RM3.2b) 2003
Eurocopter deal (RM1.4b)
Teoh Beng Hock's death as witness at MACC 2009
Jasin MP "Close one eye" 2006
BigFoot "bocor" 2007
RM24m MB Dentist house
Datuk Z Istana RM6m
MIC Sec Gen Sex Video (Indian version) 1989
MCA VP Hotel Sex (Chinese version) 2008
Melaka CM statutory rape (Melayu version) 1994
New Kuching Prison (delayed by 10 years) from RM132m to RM249m
PKFZ unfinished project RM12.6b and counting..

The list goes on....

ST Rhodes' Club

Those who are related to the planting industry and those who play golf would recognise this Club, at Cha'ah Johor. It is now over 54 years.... and one of the few estate golf courses, still surviving til today (9 holes in this case). Have you heard of Ulu Remis Golf Club too? That was where I started my golf... 1986

Not sure if anyone out there knows what is the title "MME" ?

Chin Mah Loon

Non Mandarin speaking friends in the working days, had assumed that this is a customer's name and had asked why was he so popular... frequently mentioned in the meeting??

Hello, we must not assume everybody knows what we are referring to and those who are not sure, ask. My favourite saying.."It is OK to be ignorant but it is not OK to remain ignorant". Ask.

Ain, Chin Mah Loon adalah Cameron Highlands!

When the Hokkien boss kept saying "how siau"..... don't assume that he is complaining about how to sell - "how sell". He is saying ... you are bluffing!

Chin Mah Loon is still up there but global warming is felt up there... more hills are cut down for cultivation and buildings... the significant increase in the Indian vegetable growers and businessmen have resulted in the MP being from MIC..

The Golf Course is still caddied by the orang asli community... and the Club House is being renovated into an international tourist class attraction. Green fee for unlimited rounds per day is RM52.20 (seniors discounted rate RM42.00)..

Silence is Golden?

The original intention was to create a space for all to share and chat... but knowing the group, there is a big portion of "silencers"... not sure if they are just disinterested or just not keen to communicate or put thoughts in writing or too busy (too busy??).

Encouraged by one "follower" so far and one fella who used to blog but taking a rest for now..
I hope he, with his flair for language and his wisdom... would continue to put thoughts into words that we can encourage each other.

Will keep going.... putting out items without naming names or exposing visuals of close associates..but those who know, will know... and in this way, those who are interested will visit the blog, those not interested or too busy will not be bothered or bombarded with volumes that had necessitate some to create dedicated email boxes to "store" all the "junk"?

Current hot topics in Bolehland:

H1N1 - deaths todate over 60

PKFZ main contractor sued; CEO - big guy, FooChow, from Sarawak claimed RM10m donation to MCA President.... police reports everywhere, including one from Mr Opposition Emeritus -"one of them is lying; or both of them are lying about the RM10m donation"; free chartered flight provided by PKFZ contractor to Minister of Transport, not paid (RM40K?)

Had suggested to some friends with journalistic background to start compiling a book on "The Scandals in Malaysia" - not lacking in materials at all for a nation of 52 years, starting with the corruption case of the ex Minister of Education in 1965. The Wikipedia currently lists 19 scandals (mainly political and financial ones) but there are lots more... When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn? The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind..

Lavish dining at UncleChillies

Was invited to this fine dining with wines and cigars and Philippino entertainers..... if you are more interested in the entertainers....will put up more visuals next posting..

Eat all you can durians

My favourite Rojak kiosk

Not sure if this is appealing to those who are now going through winter down down under...

I thought I would start off my blog journey by this .... after all it is makan mah..

This is my regular mobile rojak/cendol kiosk parked in front of the TTDI Petronas/Post office (now under major renovation)

Tambah sotong, it is RM4.50 per plate.