As soon as I entered 7-Eleven at Projet Wangsa Maju this morning, it had already caught my eyes.
"Petrol Price Up 30 Sen."
Some people's instinct can be very accurate I guess. (read: mine)
It's very timely that I bought the Bus/LRT pass for March. It's priced at 125RM. I hope to use the pass for this whole year.
I have high hopes that the pass price won't increase another 18 percent like the petrol price. The LRT pass increased already late last year from 70RM to 90RM.
No words can describe what I feel about this. STELLAR won't see much of roads anymore.
And I can only see the roads from way above, when I ride the LRT of course.
20060228
20060226
Darling Is Back
20060222
Hot Plate
As most say, Minis can never be perfect. Occasionally, something will break. (read: weekly)
As of last night, STELLAR suffered his worst clutch binding to date. In the rain. On Jalan Tun Razak. Big mistake. Heading towards Seremban Highway. Bigger mistake. Imagine that!
Being in a traffic jam with a modern car is relieving enough, compared to being in a Mini, with an increasingly hot and binding clutch. Add to that a pinch or two of stiff clutch pedal spring, and you will get a sore leg muscle in no time.
Fighting the pain, I had to hold on to the clutch while balancing the throttle, or the engine will die. If I shift into neutral gear, it will stuck there and not go into any gear anymore.
I learnt my lesson. The lesser I use the clutch, the lesser the chance of it to bind.
So today, I intend to avoid the morning traffic altogether. At 6.30am, I departed for work. It's simply a big treat for both of us.
Probably Wednesday next week, STELLAR will get its intensive rest. I may drive him sometimes to catch the intercity bus, twice a week.
And I vow never to pay another mechanic for at least 3 months. For that, he needs all the rest he can get.
PS: Missing Muzaffar so much! Been three weeks since our parenting sabbatical.
As of last night, STELLAR suffered his worst clutch binding to date. In the rain. On Jalan Tun Razak. Big mistake. Heading towards Seremban Highway. Bigger mistake. Imagine that!
Being in a traffic jam with a modern car is relieving enough, compared to being in a Mini, with an increasingly hot and binding clutch. Add to that a pinch or two of stiff clutch pedal spring, and you will get a sore leg muscle in no time.
Fighting the pain, I had to hold on to the clutch while balancing the throttle, or the engine will die. If I shift into neutral gear, it will stuck there and not go into any gear anymore.
I learnt my lesson. The lesser I use the clutch, the lesser the chance of it to bind.
So today, I intend to avoid the morning traffic altogether. At 6.30am, I departed for work. It's simply a big treat for both of us.
Probably Wednesday next week, STELLAR will get its intensive rest. I may drive him sometimes to catch the intercity bus, twice a week.
And I vow never to pay another mechanic for at least 3 months. For that, he needs all the rest he can get.
PS: Missing Muzaffar so much! Been three weeks since our parenting sabbatical.
20060220
In Threes
Three weeks, three gaskets and three 200 dollar bills later, STELLAR finally made it on the road again.
I don't know how he will cope after the final repairs, but I have high hopes.
I felt like making up for lost time.
Three weeks of driving will do.
But I vowed to use the public transport come next month.
I guess one week will do then. Starting tomorrow.
Starting tomorrow....
I don't know how he will cope after the final repairs, but I have high hopes.
I felt like making up for lost time.
Three weeks of driving will do.
But I vowed to use the public transport come next month.
I guess one week will do then. Starting tomorrow.
Starting tomorrow....
20060217
First Rock Album
Now let me tell you a story.
In 1988, one new student at my school introduces me to a cassette tape, and ask me to take a listen to it at home. It was by Def Leppard, titled Hysteria. The cover was apt enough, an image of hysterical proportion.
Before this, I only listened to Alleycats my uncle gave me.
I took a listen, and coincidentally, the first track I listen to was the first of the second side, which is Gods Of War.
It blew me away, seriously! So this is rock, I say to myself.
That song, and a couple of nearby songs, became my staple favorite, since cassette needs rewinding, so I usually ejected the tape after Gods Of War and Don't Shoot Shotgun, to listen to Pour Some Sugar On Me and Armageddon It on the other side. And I kept listening to the same tracks over and over again, until it breaks. A new copy I bought broke again in around 1992, so I have in my hand a third copy, until now.
I told my friend about how I loved the feeling I have by listening to it, and he gave it to me straight away. I don't know for sure if he hated it, and only wanted to get rid of it, or maybe he have several copies, but I do like the decision he made.
At that era, only my dad has a cassette player, and I usually secretly take a listen to this album with it. And I got caught several times as well.
Those four tracks, including others such as Women and Hysteria, are my most frequently played tracks, up to now.
Now I tell you why all four songs mentioned still stood my test of time.
This cassette was the only album I ever owned for four years, from 1988 up to 1992, until I bought the newly released Def Leppard album Adrenalize, on April 1992, a month after its release! From that point onwards, it escalates.
Hysteria has become my all-time favorite rock album. The CD is permanently put in our Proton Wira CD player or the in-car CD pocket. And the said tracks are still spectacular to me. I guess they have the future in mind when recording this album.
In 1988, one new student at my school introduces me to a cassette tape, and ask me to take a listen to it at home. It was by Def Leppard, titled Hysteria. The cover was apt enough, an image of hysterical proportion.
Before this, I only listened to Alleycats my uncle gave me.
I took a listen, and coincidentally, the first track I listen to was the first of the second side, which is Gods Of War.
It blew me away, seriously! So this is rock, I say to myself.
That song, and a couple of nearby songs, became my staple favorite, since cassette needs rewinding, so I usually ejected the tape after Gods Of War and Don't Shoot Shotgun, to listen to Pour Some Sugar On Me and Armageddon It on the other side. And I kept listening to the same tracks over and over again, until it breaks. A new copy I bought broke again in around 1992, so I have in my hand a third copy, until now.
I told my friend about how I loved the feeling I have by listening to it, and he gave it to me straight away. I don't know for sure if he hated it, and only wanted to get rid of it, or maybe he have several copies, but I do like the decision he made.
At that era, only my dad has a cassette player, and I usually secretly take a listen to this album with it. And I got caught several times as well.
Those four tracks, including others such as Women and Hysteria, are my most frequently played tracks, up to now.
Now I tell you why all four songs mentioned still stood my test of time.
- Intriguing beginning and ending.
- Showcases of the obvious riffing contest of the twin guitarist.
- Contains soaring and stellar choruses
- Simple songs that contains perfect bits and pieces of fillings.
- Drenched rhythm section (bass and drum).
- They spell "FUN" and "SUSPENSE" with capitals.
This cassette was the only album I ever owned for four years, from 1988 up to 1992, until I bought the newly released Def Leppard album Adrenalize, on April 1992, a month after its release! From that point onwards, it escalates.
Hysteria has become my all-time favorite rock album. The CD is permanently put in our Proton Wira CD player or the in-car CD pocket. And the said tracks are still spectacular to me. I guess they have the future in mind when recording this album.
20060216
Get Stiff
After the badminton session with my office mates last night, with a stiff body I woke up, and a late one at that.
And I have to face the site at TLDM Kuantan to attend a ship maintenance with this body.
And with friends onboard the ship shaking hands with me, I felt my shoulder socket about to pop.
I guess the visitation is light enough though, and we get to retreat after three hours.
And the hot day on the highway doesn't help either. My eyes have to remain closed, so most of the time, I seem to look like doing the nap.
A long nap on a medium-soft bed could be the answer I am seeking.
And I have to face the site at TLDM Kuantan to attend a ship maintenance with this body.
And with friends onboard the ship shaking hands with me, I felt my shoulder socket about to pop.
I guess the visitation is light enough though, and we get to retreat after three hours.
And the hot day on the highway doesn't help either. My eyes have to remain closed, so most of the time, I seem to look like doing the nap.
A long nap on a medium-soft bed could be the answer I am seeking.
20060214
Thrift Consideration
Been contemplating on using the public transport.
It might commence come next month, and lasts for a whole month.
At least I know that the fastest time to arrive at work is 8.05am, and the latest by 9.30am.
And I usually procrastinate when it comes to going back, even by using public transport. So I may arrive at around 9pm, or a bit earlier.
But I'd like to try out at least once before I do, how fast can I get home. It's more important than how fast I can get to work. Using just RapidKL and NadiPutra.
This is my planned route to work.
The cost, about 145rm. That should save me some bits.
Now to find one very fine day to time-track.
It might commence come next month, and lasts for a whole month.
At least I know that the fastest time to arrive at work is 8.05am, and the latest by 9.30am.
And I usually procrastinate when it comes to going back, even by using public transport. So I may arrive at around 9pm, or a bit earlier.
But I'd like to try out at least once before I do, how fast can I get home. It's more important than how fast I can get to work. Using just RapidKL and NadiPutra.
This is my planned route to work.
- NadiPutra from Precinct 16 to JPM Precinct 1
- RapidKL Bus 868 from JPM Precinct 1 to Central Market
- RapidKL PutraLine from Central Market to Wangsa Maju
- RapidKL Feeder Bus from Wangsa Maju to KLSC
- RapidKL Feeder Bus from KLSC to Wangsa Maju
- RapidKL PutraLine from Wangsa Maju to Masjid Jamik
- RapidKL StarLine from Masjid Jamik to Sungai Besi
- RapidKL Bus 868 from Sungai Besi to JPM Precinct 1
- NadiPutra from JPM Precinct 1 to Precinct 16
The cost, about 145rm. That should save me some bits.
Now to find one very fine day to time-track.
20060211
Hoping That He Stops
It's been nine days since Muzaffar stayed at Seremban with his mother's parents.
We hoped to have him stop breastfeeding this way.
But we missed him so much.
Will pay him a visit later today.
We hoped to have him stop breastfeeding this way.
But we missed him so much.
Will pay him a visit later today.
20060209
Myoclonus Or Not?
Was it a normal freezing? Was it merely a disruptive invisible creature that pin bodies?
I can't really tell what is plaguing my sleep all this while.
I read somewhere, that it's myoclonus, or muscle twitching while sleeping.
Even doctors acknowledge it's a musculatory problem, or symptom.
But personally, I do believe something out there pinned against my body while I sleep. In Malay, it's called "hantu himpit".
Personally, I have been pinned against, blown in the ear, pinned at certain parts of my body, and more I can't recall right now. The pinning was countless, and sometimes happens several times in a night.
Once, the so-called creature even took me flying when I pulled its hand, mistaking it for my wifes'. As soon as I took its hands, it took off like a Boeing passenger jet, complete with real jet engine sound, and an actual stagger that rocks my body so violently. The whole ground seem to shake with me. To me, this experience felt almost real.
Another one happens at just the right moment. Coincidentally, its hands was near mine, so I managed to grip both at the lower arms. In retaliation, its knee pinned a certain part of my body I dare not mention, and I have to release my grip. I dare say it's a female, since the arms feel rather soft, and its size close to my sister's.
Sometimes, I treat it like a message. The blowing to my ear happens probably because it wants me to go pray the Isha that I procrastinated. Thanks to him.
And sometimes, it's downright upsetting. It made me fear sleeping. It made me wildly imagine, what the heck is lingering in my bedroom at the moment?
Whatever it is, I think I am getting used to it already.
I can't really tell what is plaguing my sleep all this while.
I read somewhere, that it's myoclonus, or muscle twitching while sleeping.
Even doctors acknowledge it's a musculatory problem, or symptom.
But personally, I do believe something out there pinned against my body while I sleep. In Malay, it's called "hantu himpit".
Personally, I have been pinned against, blown in the ear, pinned at certain parts of my body, and more I can't recall right now. The pinning was countless, and sometimes happens several times in a night.
Once, the so-called creature even took me flying when I pulled its hand, mistaking it for my wifes'. As soon as I took its hands, it took off like a Boeing passenger jet, complete with real jet engine sound, and an actual stagger that rocks my body so violently. The whole ground seem to shake with me. To me, this experience felt almost real.
Another one happens at just the right moment. Coincidentally, its hands was near mine, so I managed to grip both at the lower arms. In retaliation, its knee pinned a certain part of my body I dare not mention, and I have to release my grip. I dare say it's a female, since the arms feel rather soft, and its size close to my sister's.
Sometimes, I treat it like a message. The blowing to my ear happens probably because it wants me to go pray the Isha that I procrastinated. Thanks to him.
And sometimes, it's downright upsetting. It made me fear sleeping. It made me wildly imagine, what the heck is lingering in my bedroom at the moment?
Whatever it is, I think I am getting used to it already.
20060207
Disturbing Behavior
STELLAR got very hot today. I'm worried.
Headed to Bangi again. I hope the new gasket stays strong.
Maybe I neglected the radiator.
Maybe the engine oil's low.
Maybe the gasket's not tight enough.
Maybe the timing was out.
Maybe the carburettor's rich.
I can't imagine what STELLAR might be feeling right now.
But then again, I do think now, that maybe STELLAR's better off in the capable hands of Pak Syed Ariffin, the Mini mechanic, rather than somebody new from Bangi.
Headed to Bangi again. I hope the new gasket stays strong.
Maybe I neglected the radiator.
Maybe the engine oil's low.
Maybe the gasket's not tight enough.
Maybe the timing was out.
Maybe the carburettor's rich.
I can't imagine what STELLAR might be feeling right now.
But then again, I do think now, that maybe STELLAR's better off in the capable hands of Pak Syed Ariffin, the Mini mechanic, rather than somebody new from Bangi.
20060205
Car Wash
20060202
Live Life Normal
Ever since I got to know Iranian PM Mahmoud Ahmadinizad, I come to like him already. I really admire people like him. As a leader, he lives a simple life. Just like a normal citizen.
This may bring to mind the likes of Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz, the MB of Kelantan state of Malaysia, who live his similarly.
Both sets a good enough example for me. That's exactly how I want to live my life. As normal as can be. As simple as can be.
And I really admire their bravery. Iranian in general, and Mahmoud especially. They are not afraid to do what they believe in, contrary to international belief and paradigm.
My prayers goes to them, and all Muslims in general. May Allah offer utmost protection to Iran from international harm, Insyallah!
Credits to TabrizCartoons.com
This may bring to mind the likes of Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz, the MB of Kelantan state of Malaysia, who live his similarly.
Both sets a good enough example for me. That's exactly how I want to live my life. As normal as can be. As simple as can be.
And I really admire their bravery. Iranian in general, and Mahmoud especially. They are not afraid to do what they believe in, contrary to international belief and paradigm.
My prayers goes to them, and all Muslims in general. May Allah offer utmost protection to Iran from international harm, Insyallah!
Credits to TabrizCartoons.com
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