My internet connection has been out since Friday. A few days earlier, the internet provider sent a notice to all customers that they would be upgrading their systems to better serve its customers. Instead of getting a faster connection and surfing speed, I was completely cut off.
First, Customer Service tells me that there is congestion. Next, they tell me their whole system is down. Later, they tell me I am connected to a station which they cannot locate. Can you beat that? Am I connected to Mars? From telling me that my internet connection will be up in one hour, then extending the downtime to a few more hours, Customer Service finally said: "We are upgrading our system. We are having some congestion problem. We sympathize with you but we will need you to help us monitor your internet connection for the next two weeks!!!"
So what does that mean? I will be cut off from the world for two weeks? I asked for a rebate which they quickly obliged. But what about my lost time and inconvenience? What if I need the internet access for business or work purposes?
The customer service asked me to monitor and wait for two weeks!!! Can you believe that?
Twenty years ago, it would take about two weeks for a mail to arrive at the UK. Now by the press of a button, your UK friend would be able to receive your mail almost instanteneously. Two weeks is so very very long in this cyberworld today. They have the cheek to ask me to wait and monitor the situation for two more weeks! I wonder if they know what impression they are giving me on their company? What if I still cannot connect?
In two weeks the world could have fallen apart!!!
This is so Malaysia Boleh. Completely unbelievable. We started wiring the country about the same time South Korea did. But we are now heaven and hell apart!
I rest my case.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
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!
"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!
Monday, February 22, 2010
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!!!
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!!!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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.
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
Hope makes all things work
Love makes all things beautiful
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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.
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
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.
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.
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.
~Brian A. "Drew" Chalker~
to be continued...
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...
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...
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