30 September 2003
Unfinished work
Got a load of unfinished work on my desk and less than 2 weeks to submit it in. I also have a presentation tomorrow and I haven't even started working on my power point prsentation yet. However, I still have the time to read other blogs and write something down here. Its the 'Tidak Apa' bug again. I am not the type to do my work at the last minute but I guess I am getting infected by the easy going atmosphere around here. Got to hypnotise myself. Stop reading the e-mails. Shut off the Yahoo and hotmail messenger. Pull out the LAN line. arrgh! Couldn't do it! Its going to be a late night, tonight.
29 September 2003
Edisi Siasat
Edisi Siasat on NTV7 has become one of my favourite TV programmes. According to my friends, however, of late the topics they cover are not that interesting anymore- if you know what I mean. They have moved on to safer subjects like "rice smuggling". I heard that viewership ratings hit the ceiling and I guess it will be on the slide down from now. In fact the first episode I saw was the "Ulu Yam" story. I had gone over to my friend's place to ask him out for a drink when I found him glued to the set. I was just in time to see the head of girl in Tudung moving back and forth. Being a shy type of guy, I closed my eyes (Yah! right). Anyway! my friend told me that Edisi Siasat is soooo boring now.
I ended up wondering why many people found the stories so shocking or interesting. There was nothing new about the stories and is considered a fact of life in Malaysia. Prostitution, homosexuality, effeminate men 'Lelaki Lembut', pornography, making love in public. Nothing new at all!
Let me tell you about my experiences:
Masked prostitution- Went to a Karaoke bar on the invitation of a friend who was entertaining clients. I imagined that I would be there to sing some songs and even took strepsils. My first impression when I got to the place was that it must be highly popular. What with all the Mercs, BMWs and Jags. Took some time finding a parking space. However, the first view of the dimly lit room, pretty girls with minimum clothing made me realise that something was wrong.
The mummy (see list of terms below) quickly called a girl to attend to me. Didn't know what to do as it was my first time in such a situation. I was in fact shivering when she put her hand on my thigh. After a while her regular client booked her for the night and I was left all alone. The mummy felt pity (she was happy after I praised her voice + loud clapping after a singing session. Sweet talker, thats me) and called another which was less pretty but very talkative. Part of the conversation:
Scene1:
GRO: Brrr! I am so cold. (Pointing at the Air con vent.)
Me: Yes! no wonder cos you are wearing only a tight miniskirt and a top. You should have put some warm clothing on.
(Gave me a strange look)
Scene 2:
Me: Do you drink?
GRO: I used to when I was younger, not anymore.
Me: Younger! how old were you. (Don't blame me. She looked like she just crossed 18)
(Gave me a strange look)
However, inspite of butterflying (see list of terms below) she became quite friendly and opened up a lot to me and told me that she had to rush back home before 12 am. I took out RM20 but the girl gave me the sad look and said, "Aw, only 20" and so I gave her another RM10. My friend scolded me afterwards for paying too much but I learnt that I got popular and a few girls were asking for me the next time he went (he's a regular). Another girl came and joined me for a few minutes but I left soon aftwards.
My friend said I was lucky as I had the company of 3 girls whereas he had only 1 and that too a very talkative girl who got drunk.
I learnt a few new terms that day such as :
Butterfly - Go from one room to another at regular intervals and try to get clients to book them for the night or move on to the another.
GRO: Guest relation officer - job position of the girls.
Mummy - The lady in charge
Tip - money that you pay for the sweet talk without any action.
I regret to say that I never went back.
Some say it is not prostitution as the real action depends on the girl but...
On the way out, saw though an open door some dirty old man singing a P Ramlee song with his arms around a PYT.
Homosexuality: Some of my best friend are gays. Few of them even hold managerial positions. Two of them had girl friends for a while (bisexual) but decided that guys are better. And No, I am not gay by the way.
My lady friends in their late 20s lamented that fact they have so few choices now. According to them all the eligible guys are either married or gays. I don't know about that and would love to hear the opinion of other ladies.
They also differentiate between gays and effeminate guys. Gays are guys who like guys. Effeminate guys are simple guys who are like girls. Some like guys too but imagine that they are girls INSIDE (More competition gals).
I don't know whether its my imagination but there has been a increase in the number of Lesbians too, with more and more out in the open. I once was sitting at a table next to this couple - tough looking girl dressed very masculine and the girl friend, very cute feminine looking girl with a nice sexy top. Whoo. conversation censored.
I could write on an on about my experiences, maybe later.
I ended up wondering why many people found the stories so shocking or interesting. There was nothing new about the stories and is considered a fact of life in Malaysia. Prostitution, homosexuality, effeminate men 'Lelaki Lembut', pornography, making love in public. Nothing new at all!
Let me tell you about my experiences:
Masked prostitution- Went to a Karaoke bar on the invitation of a friend who was entertaining clients. I imagined that I would be there to sing some songs and even took strepsils. My first impression when I got to the place was that it must be highly popular. What with all the Mercs, BMWs and Jags. Took some time finding a parking space. However, the first view of the dimly lit room, pretty girls with minimum clothing made me realise that something was wrong.
The mummy (see list of terms below) quickly called a girl to attend to me. Didn't know what to do as it was my first time in such a situation. I was in fact shivering when she put her hand on my thigh. After a while her regular client booked her for the night and I was left all alone. The mummy felt pity (she was happy after I praised her voice + loud clapping after a singing session. Sweet talker, thats me) and called another which was less pretty but very talkative. Part of the conversation:
Scene1:
GRO: Brrr! I am so cold. (Pointing at the Air con vent.)
Me: Yes! no wonder cos you are wearing only a tight miniskirt and a top. You should have put some warm clothing on.
(Gave me a strange look)
Scene 2:
Me: Do you drink?
GRO: I used to when I was younger, not anymore.
Me: Younger! how old were you. (Don't blame me. She looked like she just crossed 18)
(Gave me a strange look)
However, inspite of butterflying (see list of terms below) she became quite friendly and opened up a lot to me and told me that she had to rush back home before 12 am. I took out RM20 but the girl gave me the sad look and said, "Aw, only 20" and so I gave her another RM10. My friend scolded me afterwards for paying too much but I learnt that I got popular and a few girls were asking for me the next time he went (he's a regular). Another girl came and joined me for a few minutes but I left soon aftwards.
My friend said I was lucky as I had the company of 3 girls whereas he had only 1 and that too a very talkative girl who got drunk.
I learnt a few new terms that day such as :
Butterfly - Go from one room to another at regular intervals and try to get clients to book them for the night or move on to the another.
GRO: Guest relation officer - job position of the girls.
Mummy - The lady in charge
Tip - money that you pay for the sweet talk without any action.
I regret to say that I never went back.
Some say it is not prostitution as the real action depends on the girl but...
On the way out, saw though an open door some dirty old man singing a P Ramlee song with his arms around a PYT.
Homosexuality: Some of my best friend are gays. Few of them even hold managerial positions. Two of them had girl friends for a while (bisexual) but decided that guys are better. And No, I am not gay by the way.
My lady friends in their late 20s lamented that fact they have so few choices now. According to them all the eligible guys are either married or gays. I don't know about that and would love to hear the opinion of other ladies.
They also differentiate between gays and effeminate guys. Gays are guys who like guys. Effeminate guys are simple guys who are like girls. Some like guys too but imagine that they are girls INSIDE (More competition gals).
I don't know whether its my imagination but there has been a increase in the number of Lesbians too, with more and more out in the open. I once was sitting at a table next to this couple - tough looking girl dressed very masculine and the girl friend, very cute feminine looking girl with a nice sexy top. Whoo. conversation censored.
I could write on an on about my experiences, maybe later.
28 September 2003
Disturbing news
Read the headlines in NST today "RM3 million scam in Penang". 3 million is a lot of money and I was wondering what I could do if I had that much money. I could put the money in a bank and live off the interest. Of course, there's the Sports car I was dreaming about and that nice bunglow house with a view. What about my around the World trip?
But enough of dreams, I wonder which stupid bank let these people get away with a scam? In my organization, it takes about 3 months to clear a stupid check of only RM300 and these people are giving away millions over the counter.
But enough of dreams, I wonder which stupid bank let these people get away with a scam? In my organization, it takes about 3 months to clear a stupid check of only RM300 and these people are giving away millions over the counter.
27 September 2003
Chittys of Melaka
Just read this interesting piece in the Star Online about a Chitty wedding ceremony.
The Chittys are a unique community in Malaysia mostly in the state of Malacca (or Melaka). They number around 2,000 people and date back to the 15th century when they migrated from the south Indian region from where is now the Indian state of Tamil nadu around 1420-1500 AD. This was when the Malacca Kingdom flourished. Many of them married local women, adopted some local Malay customs and language while retaining their own religion – Hinduism. Many Malaysians don't know that they are different from the Chettiars, traditionally moneylenders in the olden days. Read this interesting article from the online edition of NST.
The Chittys are a unique community in Malaysia mostly in the state of Malacca (or Melaka). They number around 2,000 people and date back to the 15th century when they migrated from the south Indian region from where is now the Indian state of Tamil nadu around 1420-1500 AD. This was when the Malacca Kingdom flourished. Many of them married local women, adopted some local Malay customs and language while retaining their own religion – Hinduism. Many Malaysians don't know that they are different from the Chettiars, traditionally moneylenders in the olden days. Read this interesting article from the online edition of NST.
24 September 2003
Different browsers
Just found out that this blog looks different on older versions of Netscape and the Tag board does not work. Disappointing.
Mixed marriages and the melting pot
Just yesterday I was talking with a friend, having a teh tarik at a mamak stall. He's an ethnic Indian (Tamil) and is a fourth generation Malaysian Indian, their family having come to Malaya from India during the British Raj nearly 100 years ago. That's even older than some melayu families I know. His wife is a Malay and he was telling me some funny and not so funny stories about reactions from society and the problems he had to go through - especially when he converted to Islam from Hinduism. There are many similar stories like that in Malaysia which has become a melting pot for different ethnic groups and cultures. Of course this is not new and has been going on for ages. Many people have come, intermarried and settled down in the Malay peninsula to call this place their home. The Chittys and Nonyas have developed their own unique culture - a mixture of their origins with the culture of their new home - now old considering that they have been here for ages- for hundred of years
I often hear the term Chindian, a term commonly used only in Malaysia used to refer to the offspring of Chinese-Indian marriages. And amazingly, most of them look like Malays. I checked and its not even in the dictionary. Of course there is the joke about Skihs married to Chinese but I won't mention it here. Oops! I guess it slipped away. Lets not forget the Eurasians, some of whom have become very popular in the local entertainment industry - Sharimah, Wardina, Sasha, etc.
One friend joked that in Indonesia, people are divided along ethnic lines - from Bali, Javanese, Sumatra, Aceh and so on, even fighting for independence but when they come to Malaysia, everyone becomes orang Melayu and can live happily together.
I also know of several familes with members following different faiths but living together in harmony. For example one of my friends from Sabah is the only Christian in the family. All the rest including his father converted to Islam. Another friend who is also a convert to Islam lives with his mother who is a practising Hindu. Thats amazing isn't it. Thats Malaysia.
I often hear the term Chindian, a term commonly used only in Malaysia used to refer to the offspring of Chinese-Indian marriages. And amazingly, most of them look like Malays. I checked and its not even in the dictionary. Of course there is the joke about Skihs married to Chinese but I won't mention it here. Oops! I guess it slipped away. Lets not forget the Eurasians, some of whom have become very popular in the local entertainment industry - Sharimah, Wardina, Sasha, etc.
One friend joked that in Indonesia, people are divided along ethnic lines - from Bali, Javanese, Sumatra, Aceh and so on, even fighting for independence but when they come to Malaysia, everyone becomes orang Melayu and can live happily together.
I also know of several familes with members following different faiths but living together in harmony. For example one of my friends from Sabah is the only Christian in the family. All the rest including his father converted to Islam. Another friend who is also a convert to Islam lives with his mother who is a practising Hindu. Thats amazing isn't it. Thats Malaysia.
23 September 2003
I love my job
That's not what you hear from many people now is it. Well! I really love my job. After working in small companies run by inefficient and inconsiderate people, I feel great. Of course, its not that easy and I am still busy but I love it. There's no one looking over my shoulder all the time anymore. And if you work hard and acheive something the credit goes to you and not to the boss. Now I don't have to stay in a small cubicle or sit in rows like in a classroom anymore. I have my own room with a nice view, with my own computer with free internet access. My Department head leaves me alone as long as I do my work and contribute to the organization. What more can you ask?
Then why are all these guys complaining for? I don't get it.
Maybe its true what they say about human behaviour- "Human wants are unlimited".
You got a Perodua Kancil, you dream of a Merc or Ferrari. Even when you have a Ferrari you are still not satisfied, then go on to buy another car. This goes on and on.
Then why are all these guys complaining for? I don't get it.
Maybe its true what they say about human behaviour- "Human wants are unlimited".
You got a Perodua Kancil, you dream of a Merc or Ferrari. Even when you have a Ferrari you are still not satisfied, then go on to buy another car. This goes on and on.
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