Lady Drivers

I recently got a copy of the Police Report of the car accident which happened just prior to CNY.  Attached together with my report was a copy of the other vehicle owner's report.  Excerpts of her report are as follows:

"I looked to my right and left. There was no car in sight.  I moved out of the junction onto the opposite road.  Suddenly a car sped fast towards my direction even though there were speed humps and speed break lines."                                                                                                    
She shot herself on the foot.

How can I drive so fast if there was a hump right in front of me?  How can she not see a car coming her way when there is a road hump to break the speed limit of oncoming traffic having their right of way.

Obviously she was taking a chance.  She was hoping that she could drive pass me.  What she did not anticipate was the oncoming traffic from the direction where she was going to join.  The traffic lights had turned green.  The vehicles were speeding and she could not join in.  So she was stuck.  Luckily I did not smash into her driver's door.

Just yesterday on the highway a vehicle pulled right to the left front of my car just as I have signaled and was already turning left.  If I had not anticipated and braked, another accident was to happen.  I told myself that the driver must be a lady.   Sure enough it was.  She was sexy, well dressed and driving a reasonably priced car.  But obviously she has no cow sense of driving at all.

Which brings me to my observation of lady drivers and the conclusion I have come to.  To be diplomatic, I would simply say that lady drivers fail to realise the need to anticipate the situation on the road.  They do not practice defensive driving.  On a harsher note and in reality, they believe that the treatment of the fairer sex and "ladies first" extends to the road.  Little do they realize that there are just too many external factors which are beyond control that dictates the condition on the road.

I may be accused of being sexist or a male chauvinist, but I can predict the gender of the driver by the way the vehicle is driven.  If only I can do the same for the 4D lottery!

In 6 hours time...

In six hours time, all of us would be back on the grind.  The traffic will build up and tempers will fly.  Some of  us who happen to start earlier last week would not feel the stress as much as those of us who have rested for the whole week. 

The season of joy and merry making starting with Christmas, then the New Year and now the Lunar New Year shall come to an end soon.  If we are to meet the target we have set ourselves at the beginning of the new year, we shall need to go that extra mile starting today.  No point lamenting over what we should or could have done when stock take day comes at the end of the year.

Welcome back everyone!!!

Humbled

Chinese New Year is a time of the year where people gather.  Families come together and reunite.  Foes forgive each other and make up.  People take this opportunity to rekindle old friendship.  Business associates take the opportunity to meet their clients to network.

In our pro bono activity, we are in a position where we give out contracts.  Some are big whilst others are small.  Interested parties will court you and treat you really well.  They will give you their ears and try to please you at all cost.  In short you get to be the Boss.  We have always been cautious.  We always made sure that contracts are given to those that can perform.  We made sure that our decisions are not clouded and shrouded with other agenda less we land up on the fourteenth floor and be found sprawled on the fifth.

Today we were invited for a Chinese New Year dinner by one of them.  I thought it would just be another CNY Open House.  Lots of people, lots of food and lots of merry making.  When I arrived, I noted that no crowd was to be seen.  I entered the house and then I realized that the host was cooking just for us!  It was a family affair.  The home cooked food was good.  The fellowship was great.  Service was very personal.

I am humbled.  How people go out of their way to make sure that you are taken care off.  Just because their rice bowl depends on the decisions you make.  They go out of their way even though you can find no fault with the service they are providing.

Even though I have always been mindful of my speech and actions,  I am sure that I have at times over stepped my boundaries.  We all do.  We give ourselves plausible "reasons" to justify the wrong actions we take. When we reason it out to ourselves enough times, even the wrong will be right.  Through this event today I am again reminded to do what is right.  Power and position is a responsibility.

Faith Hope Love

Faith makes all things possible
Hope makes all things work
Love makes all things beautiful

A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime

From the beginning...
Previously...

A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime

When someone is in your life for a  REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,
or to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally, or even spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend to you, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

...

Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

...

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they just walk away.
Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

...

When people come into your life for a  SEASON,
it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
And like Spring turns to Summer and Summer to Fall,
the season eventually ends.

...

LIFETIME  relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway);
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas in your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being part of my life.

...

Used with permission
~Brian A. "Drew" Chalker~

to be continued...

Letter 1

From the beginning...
Previously...

I wrote to you an email...excerpts of which are as follows:

For the first time, I never felt a need to surf those websites anymore.  I also had no urge to chat with others.  I suddenly realized that I have slowly learnt how to love again.  I felt that I have found the person I would like to be with.  For the first time, I believed that this person would be able to fill the emptiness in my heart and life.

From a humble background, you know exactly what yo want in life.  You are independent, works hard to realize your dreams and have self confident.  You are humble and well grounded.

All I wanted was to have dinner with someone on my birthday.  You were sent as an answer to my prayer.  During the dinner, you never really stood out physically.  However as the night wore on, I found you intellectually stimulating, charming and well grounded.  You were far more mature in thinking for a person your age.  I told myself not to but I was slowly but surely bowled over with your character and demeanour.  I simply just let my heart rule the day (it was my birthday anyway).

I know that you would have to choose between the two of us (I know for sure that you were choosing and I have my reasons for saying that).  Maybe I did not sound as sincere as you wanted it to be.  I was sheepish and did not want to divulge much during our meet.  I did not know you well enough.  I had been hurt badly before.

For now I am contented to be your close friend, maybe if you allow me, as a brother.  I hope you could be there for me too.  I will have to pick up the broken pieces alone because in this life of ours, we can never be open, for this way of life is never accepted  by the community.

to be continued...

The Beginning of The End

From the beginning...
Previously...

I texted you again on Monday.  You did not reply.  I tried calling you.  There was no reply.  You then texted me that you were staying over at a relative's place.  You were sick.  I wished you well and hope that you would recover soon.  We managed to chat and sms again on Wednesday.  You told me you felt better.

I noticed that you are not the same now compared to before.  You do not seem that talkative anymore.  You were reluctant to chat much more than is needed.  Along the way through the week we had a little tiff.  The sms reply was not fortcoming.  When you finally got in touch with me you lamented that I do not understand you.  That I should know that you are not free if you did not reply.  Well, this is the first time you are behaving this way.  Normally you would text me to tell me you would be unavailable.  Then you would instantaneously text me back the soonest possible time you can.  This time I waited for days before I could get in touch with you.

The following Monday arrived.  I asked how you are.  You replied, " I am fine.  I hope you are fine too".  I tried to call you to no avail.  I managed to finally call you on Tuesday.  You were quiet.

Then you broke the news.  "You are nice.  Far too nice as a friend.  You treat me very well, too well actually.  I have just started seeing someone.  Actually yesterday I drove all the way back to see him..."  My heart sank.  I asked, "Who is he?  What does he work as?  How did you get to know him?"  He is the same guy you met for dinner on the Saturday I was coming back from Singapore.  "He is a psychiatrist. He is a Specialist.  He is very sincere."  Apparently something sparked on that Saturday night out with him.  I was literally asking you to go easy, get to know him better first.  I also asked what happened to the three year period you wanted to stabilize your career.  You were quiet.

Shattered and broken, I confided in you that I actually like you.  I have fallen for you.  On the same note, trying to put up a bold and brave front, I told you it was all right.  It was not suppose to be my day.  I wished you well.  You could always come to me if you wanted someone to hear you out.  Maybe we could be a close friend, maybe I coould be your brother.  Deep inside me I knew it was game over.  I was trying to salvage whatever pieces there was left.  I was trying to cling on to the impossible.

to be continued...

The Weekend

From the beginning...
Previously...

During the week we chat and text each other, I asked if you could fetch me from the coach terminal upon my arrival from Singapore.  You were quite happy to do that.  Two days later you told me you had other plans for Saturday.  You told me you would be meeting up with your patient friend and his friend for dinner.  Then you all would adjourn to the club.  I was a bit disappointed.  I was hoping to see you then.  You consoled me by saying that we could have dim sum the next day.  I relented.

In the coach from Singapore we texted each other.  You told me you were hungry like a horse and your friend has not arrived.  That it was raining cats and dogs in KL.  About two hours into my ride I texted you again.  Cheekily I told you I would be waiting and expecting you to fetch me.  You told me you can't.  I persisted.  Again I was trying to pull your leg.  I was playing with you.  More messages were sent to and fro by us.  We stood our grounds.  I wanting you to come and fetch me.  You telling me that you can't.

The way you persisted made me a bit weary.  During our meeting I know that you could get physical quite easily.  I was telling you all sorts of stuff through the sms.  You replied that they are your friends.  You would not do those stuff and they would not do that to you.  Besides, they are together. Things got a bit out of hand.  I remember you texting me: " We (I and you) are nothing k."  I was down. While waiting for transport home, I texted you that I was mugged.

I arrived home.  We managed to chat a while on the line.  It was short and abbreviated.  You sounded tensed.  I sensed that you were upset.  You told me you cannot talk long and that they were expecting you in the club. You asked if I was indeed mugged.  I told you it was true.  Maybe you thought that I was seeking some attention from you.  That you asked probably showed that you were concerned.   I asked if we are still having breakfast in the morning.  You told me you wanted to sleep in.  I was now really disappointed.

to be continued...

Crash Boom Bang and A Double Whammy @*&$T^&#%

The traffic in town had been really bad lately.  Every driver seemed to be rushing and I can feel their blood boiling by the way they drive.  I made sure that I kept my cool each time I drove and I was more vigilant.  I kept my vehicle distance.  I was also telling my friends and colleagues to be careful less they end up without their wheels on CNY.  Every driver seemed to want to have a "fight" on the road.

Alas it was to happen to me.  I crashed my vehicle onto a car coming out from a junction.  Obviously the lady thought that she could cross the busy intersection but vehicles coming from the direction where she was heading started racing towards her.  She was caught.  I was caught too.  Now you don't see her car,  now you see it!  Crash boom bang!!@#$&#@$*  So there goes my wheels. I just got it polished.  I was looking forward to a nice drive in KL during this festive season.   I was looking forward to flaunt it in front of my classmates during our annual CNY reunion.

Now what I have is a damaged bumper, headlights, fender, bonnet and fog lights.  It is going to cost me some money since the insurance is not going to pay the full amount for the wheels to be restored to its pristine condition before.  So sad. 

The Fengshui Master told me everything good comes in double this year!!!  I wonder if the bad also comes in double?  On CNY eve, I experienced a tyre puncture on the car I borrowed from my friend!  I have never had a tyre puncture for a long long time.  What a start to a new year!  I just cannot believe the timing of the unfortunate events.  I ponder and wonder if this whole year is going to work out this way.   The only consolation was that it happened right in front of the house and not while I was driving on the road.

Hopefully all will be smooth sailing from now onwards.  May it only be double fortunes from now on.

Gong Xi Fa Cai and Happy Valentines Day to my friends and fellow readers.

Orgasm

I received this text message:

"Orgasm achieved! Sexy@#*@$& reopens today.  B intoxicated by the brand new ice bar under our big ass fan.  Call 03-1232432325 for a sublimely sensual experience!"

I thought someone sent me a suggestive sms.  I was wondering how a low profiled person like me got into such a mess.  I could not believe my eyes and I read it again.

By the third reading I realised that it was sent by a high end food outlet.  People in the high networth circle and "whose who" count as their patrons!!  Time must be bad.

Anyway I thought the message was sexy, seductive and real cool.

A Real Traffic Jam Experience In BKK

This is probably my fifth visit to Bangkok.  I thought I got a bit smarter by arriving just past noon so that I can get more done while the day is still bright and young.  Since it was still early, I had time to kill.  I took the Airport Bus AE3 to Sukhumvit.

The driver stopped at the toll plaza to ease himself.  The caucasian passengers looked at each other, smiled and shoke their heads off.

Ten minutes into the ride after that, we were caught in a jam I have never experienced before.  I was so engrossed listening to the songs in my iPhone.  I did not realise how long the bus had been stationary.  Somehow it struck me that the sun has begun to set.  I boarded the bus in bright sunshine and now the sun is glowing in golden hue.  The bus hardly moved a metre for the last hour and a half!!!

I looked at the faces of the caucasians.  They probably now realised why the driver eased himself earlier!  Lucky for me I did not drink much water.  Everyone was now busy checking from the map they have where they are.  Some asked for the driver to drop then off on the street.  When the driver finally pulled near a BTS station Ploen Chit, I got off the bus and took the BTS to Sukhumvit.  I finally arrived at fifteen past seven!!!  YES.  Now I believe that the traffic in Bangkok can be really bad.

Morale of the story: The locals know best.  Lesson learnt: Take the cab the next time.

The Feel

From the beginning...
Previously...

We continued texting each other throughout the days while I called and we chat for what seemed like hours in the evenings.  You were telling me where you were going and what you are doing while at work.  I did not ask.

I am beginning to feel that maybe there is some chemistry in this whole thing.  We seemed to share so much in common.  I like what I have heard from you so far.  I am attracted to your demenour and character.  Your sincerity is real.  You seemed untainted.  Maybe this is the missing piece of jigsaw that will solve the whole puzzle.

You may not know it.  I never told you not because I was afraid you would reject.  Deep inside me, I have fallen for you.  I did not tell you because I wanted to get to know you better.  I wanted to know if indeed you are the right one.  I wanted to size you up.  I did not want anyone of us to get hurt.

I have always told myself never ever to get into another relationship again.  I do not want to get hurt again.  It took me three years to recover from it.  I have just come out of it.  You needed three years to get you career stabilized.  You do not want any for now.  That suits me just fine.

I was contented to wait, be your friend and let water find its own level.

to be continued...

After Dinner

From the beginning...
Previously...

We left the restaurant.  I drove.  I was not sure if you would permit.  There was no indication till now.  But I wanted to.  My left hand grabbed hold of your right hand, held onto it and squeezed it lightly while my right was on the wheels.    Except for the time where I needed both my hands to manoeuvre the wheels, my left hand was clutching on to your right hand which was now on my lap.  You allowed me. I was a little surprised. What is the significance of you allowing me to hold onto your hands?

It was still raining.  I stopped the car somewhere quiet and away from the trafffic.  We chat more while the care engine continued running. As we speak in the car under the canopy of the street lights, I watched you.  We looked into each others eyes.  I cannot remember but I believed I asked for your permission, "May I?"  The next thing I knew our lips were locked. I was scared of getting caught.  I pulled my lips off.  We did that several times.  In between we felt each other.  I still remember what you said when you did what you did.

We could have gone further.  I was absolutely sure of that.  But, I did not want to pursue it.  I have been having this "feel good feeling" since our first chat on the fateful evening.  I have never had this feeling before. Very peculiar and unusual.  That there was no actual physical contact made it even more meaningful. Deep inside me I wanted to get to know you better.  When it happens, I wanted it to be for real.

I sent you home, bade you good night and drove off.  Way past midnight, I texted you:
"Thanks for the lovely evening.  I hope you would allow me to get to know you better.  Good night and sleep tight".

to be continued...