Not The New Year

I don't celebrate the new year. I don't even celebrate Merdeka!

I cherish only the yearly Awwal Muharrom's now.

All these colonial things are meaningless for me. They are just relics. And hedonistic in nature.

I will pray my wishes and resolutions on the Islamic New Year instead.

Islam Above All!

Green Ice

Been attending a soft skills seminar for the second day today.

I should have brought STELLAR for its first day last night. But I forgot the late-night bowling session. And in turn, I have to take the ERL instead, because the bus service to Putrajaya stops at 10pm. Waste of money!

The upside is though, for two days, I ate like there's no tomorrow. The lunchtime green ice-cream was a delight! Yes I betrayed two of three sinusitis no-nos already.

And last night's bowling was okay I guess. I got more than 100 for each of the two rounds, which is good enough for me.

Well, that's all for now.

Long Ride Alone With Him?

Been imagining me driving on a long journey with Muzaffar in my Mini for a while already.

Maybe on a small journey around Selangor, on a 300km ride like what I do five years ago.

Or something like backpacking.

Only with him.

And leave Mama and Adidek alone at home for a day or two, for their own sweet time together.

I would love to bring all three, but Mama doesn't like STELLAR. Furthermore, STELLAR doesn't have rear seat belts. So there...

I have yet to find the time, and have yet to replace the ball joints to my suspension.

Probably after doing that, it will commence.

Did A 140

Only two out of five departments are open today.

By the way, I tried the new KL-Putrajaya highway today.

Some of the prominent points I gathered during the drive was:

• It will be 10km before I even entered the highway.
• Max speed at first will be 60kph, and then 90kph.
• There's a rest area almost immediately, which is the aptly named Seri Kembangan R&R.
• The first exit will be Bukit Jalil, and the first landmark I see there was Sports Complex, and then Endah Parade.

Will try it again on my way back.

By the way, I ended up doing 48km, almost 6km more than my usual one-way mileage. So I guess, back to taking the bus then...

Refreshment Drive

After more than a month's wait, I finally gave up and picked up my Mini on Monday.

The mechanic's too busy, so I might as well do the repairs somewhere else. He did repair, of all things, the brakes, which are spongy.

Pending stuffs to repair, are fan belt replacement, clutch release bearing replacement, ball joint repairs, and some more stuffs of smaller importance.

I already felt like giving my car a refresher drive for a few days.

Afterwards, I will get back to using bus.

Very Close To Being Ideal

I think I am slimmer, or am I full of myself.

I regularly saw myself doing 60 or 61 on the scale. And I beamed a hidden smile everytime.

But knowing my scale always read a kilo less, probably I am really doing 61 or 62 instead.

Judging by my belt notch, I can safely say that I have lost about 1.5 to 2 inches at my lower waist.

My upper waist, no comment. My abs, not yet multi-packed, to say the least.

But I do feel healthier nowadays, apart from the canker sores, which still persists.

Probably from my current eating restrictions. And lots of walking in between transits.

New Home 2

The new home we just moved in at Precinct 11 is okay, I think. Only there are several glitches.

Most of it involves "nature"

• The drain outlet of the lower floor toilet is clogged. Lucky it didn't involve the toilet bowl contents.
• The fan of two rooms are creaking and clunking loudly.
• The lights of the top balcony and the house number illuminator is not functioning.
• The store is wet from two drain pipes that leak.
• Some water taps drip.
• The garage is a wee bit on the narrow side.

Other than that, everything else is perfect. And we both agreed that we like the house somehow.

Unpacking has yet to finish, and a lot more are deemed suitable for disposal.

Next, I felt like exploring the neighborhood with my bike.

Probably after that, look for a spot for my RC Mini to terrorize.

And hopefully all will be done in a week or two.

I am already suffering from multiple canker sores from the pressures of moving house. So that reminds me to really be serious in disposing the less needed stuffs, to minimize pressure for the much anticipated moving in 2009 to Dengkil.

New Home 1

Moving house is really tedious.

I am not keen at all about it.

Furthermore all the packing of small stuffs are the actual cause of pain among all.

Thus, I admit, that I had hoarded a lot of junks in.

That's why I have made up my mind to explore all of the things I hoarded over the years (4 long years, since July 2003) and to eliminate most of it.

I have a year or a bit more to do it.

And then, probably the house in Dengkil is ready for occupation, and we will have a bare minimum of stuffs to bring over. Like we hoped for, minimum clutter, maximum space.

Hopefully it will be easier to maintain and clean up. And less vermins loitering around.

We Are Moving

We are moving.

Personally it's not a good timing for moving, as we booked a house already in Dengkil. But thinking I am doing a great favor for my wife, I agreed anyway.

The irony is, both the letter of instruction to move and the letter of approval of housing loan came together on the same day, the 22nd of October! How coincidental...

Much to our relief, it is a large enough unit, and I anticipate enjoying the life in it, however short the stint is.

Come December 10, the big moving truck will haul most of the big stuffs, but we are already starting to do things on our own.

Trafficking?

Demonstrators are NOT to be blamed for the traffic snarls.

For one, the traffic was controlled by the police.

Blame the police!

We asked for a spot to demonstrate, and was dismissed. Of course we will take it to the streets.

And of course, the businessmen and ladies are only concerned about making money, that is economics. They will not care for social and political stuffs anyway. What do they expect?

Both the latter concerns them too.

Muzzammil is sick. He got the chickenpox.

Still, that doesn't stop him from having fun.

He reminds me so much of his older brother, whose fun don't stop, even while getting ill.

Not To Indulge

As part of my recovery against sinusitis, I am to avoid these types of food.

1. Cold food and drinks
2. Seafood
3. Heavy snacks and chocolate

The third one will be difficult. I have been indulging ever since Raya, and this needs will power.

The others, well, I guess I am okay with it.

In fact, I might eat veges heavily.

I think I felt a little better already after a few days doing this.

Missing That Familiar Sight

The buses are way unreliable.

I should have just gone to Putrajaya Central, instead of waiting for them at JPM.

The first RapidKL bus (the E5) finally arrived at 7.35am, 55 minutes later.

Tomorrow I'll just board either the E1 or the U42 bus, or the Metrobus.

All these made me think of fitting STELLAR with a lightweight NGV kit. So I can just drive daily without worry.

Missing him so much...

Norkiah 8310 Missing

I lost my beloved mobile phone last Friday.

I never realized it happened. I think I was pick-pocketed.

No problem though, I did all the necessary stuffs, barred my line etc.

The culprit are those foreign workers boarding the bus.

They don't queue, the mobbed the bus door, and I got pinned.

I don't mind my handphone. But I hate to see people crushing each other just for a seat.

And today, there's some improvement. The RapidKL staffs nearby made them get in line.

Those not wanting to queue got pushed aside just like that.

Pushing uncivilized foreign workers we like!

Watch Out For Small Eyes

Muzzammil can't stand people eating around him.

He will surely approach the eater, and show his pity face.

Some times we will give him the safe enough food.

But most of the time, the food is not suitable. Oh you know, chocolate, crackers, the stuff..

But he will not give up. He will try and try again.

In the end, we will give him consent and a wee small bit of the food we ate.

One more thing, he can't stand the sound of crumpled plastic wrapping. He knows its food being opened for consumption.

That's how interested he is in foodstuff, especially those eaten by adults.

ACCA

You guys maybe wondering why TG Nik Abdul Aziz never reported the bribery case 16 years ago.

But I think most of you knew the answer already.

Knowing the reputation of BPR, I don't think it will take any action.

They might turn instead to the person who reports the bribery.

Why should he report his case? No, I think he should keep it to himself.

No, he did not commit any crime.

Why must he waste his time? He's a busy multi-tasker, and I bet he has got none for time-wasters.

He's the best living example I have seen so far. Other than Mahmud Ahmadinejad that is.

Both live a normal person's life, even though they are in the limelight all the time.

Heavy Day Today

Nik the D40 is heavy.

And I wish it wouldn't.

So I decided to use it for those special occasions only.

For one handed shooting (like when I was carrying Muzzammil), I will rely on my first Nikon, the 4600 I bought aeons ago.

When both hands are free, I will use Nik (especially for kids pictures).

And the Zee (my FZee5), when I feel like having the best of both worlds.

By the way, I didn't get to try the one handed method while on HomeDec 07 today. My back overwhelms all my energy from carrying Muzzammil while collecting all those literatures.

Scratch The Surface

International air shipping is very expensive.

But it's 1-week wait is convenient for those desperate moments.

On the other hand, surface shipping is very cheap.

Shipping a cylinder head might cost 10 pounds surface, but 100 pounds for air. That's the difference I'm talking about.

If I only knew, I would have used it.

I don't mind the 6 week wait time.

After this, a duplex vernier will only be around the corner for me.

Induce Vomiting

Just back from the clinic.

You see, I have this indigestion problem, partly after the feast last night.

First, there was this SMAP reunion. And then the Taman Pinggiran Golf feast.

I simply ate too much.

And at 5am, the stomach pain overcame me.

I had to purge it all out. And I did, at 8am.

After that, I felt so liberated.

Next, came several bouts of diarrhoea, and then high fever.

I swear, no more pile up of satay for me.

Mel's Hole

Just read about this for the past 1 hour.

This is as intriguing as The Bloop, or other good enough mysteries like The Bermuda Triangle, Atlantis, Shambala, Lemuria etc.

It is mysteries like these that makes my life more exciting.

I am so joining them looking for this hole.

About Mel's Hole

Mel Waters interview transcripts.

Another About Page

Allegedly the hole location in WikiMapia

Abandoned

Been celebrating moderately the Eid.

Visitations are the normal things, among others, like eating your hearts out, which I didn't.

Photography with my new baby Nik is not forgotten, covering mostly Jamel and Japar, apart from my cute sister in laws.

But while celebrating, I've been worried.

Actually my worry concerns STELLAR, lying abandoned at home.

So I visited him today. I even started him, just to feel his current emotions.

Maybe sometimes after Eid, I might buy him some spare parts.

Parts such as new suspension ball joint, new radiator hoses, head gaskets and belts.

And concerning expensive parts, a close ratio gear kit, a vernier cam pulley, a central oil pickup pipe, and some new carb jets.



Delicious verniers



Yummy gear kit

Fall Guy

Our meticulous attempt at protecting our son's head, turns out being not good enough.

Finally Muzzammil followed in the footsteps of his brother Muzaffar, by falling down the bed!

He cried the longest this time.

It caused quite a scene of frantic cooing and comforting which lasted 30 minutes or so. By everyone, including my brother-in-law's wife joining in the effort.

We were watching Zombi Kampong Pisang, and laughing quite loudly, which probably is why we wouldn't be able to hear his cries for company.

But I actually wouldn't worry too much. I reckon his head is quite strong even for my jaws, which he bumped several times already.

Much to our relief, he suffers no after-effect, especially the dreaded high fever, and according to my doctor to be sister in law, loss of hearing.

So from today onwards, we will never put him in bed again, unless we are with him.

As you can see, most of the time, the babies sleep on comforters at floor level.

But I think there's more to come. For one, he's got this habit of standing-and- then-releasing-his-hold. There has been lots of near misses, and probably the odd one or two semi-serious bumps.

Watch out for him, we should.

Nurin and James

All these talk about Nurin Jazlin, made me recall about a case 14 years ago in Britain, the James Bulger case.

James Bulger was 3 years old.

His mother got carried away while shopping, and she paid her price with his death.

He was abducted. And tortured to death. In one day.

Perpetrators are two 10 year old kids by the name of Jon Venables and Robert Thompson.

These two kids decided to have fun, and one of them had stated that "I'd like to beat up a kid today".

That was in 1993. And we have child killers in the form of kids? What have human become?

I am worried about what "ordinary" people could do. I myself have wife and kids to take care of. And criminals may come in many form.

Actually we can never tell if somebody has wicked intents. That is beyond our control. But we can at least do something about it.

I'd like to ask parents to look out for your children.

Never neglect them. Accompany them anywhere. Fetch them at school. Watch over them. Fight for their survival.

Secure them in child seats when driving. Yes it costs money, but what's priority?

Discuss with teachers or school officers about any concern.

It's the least we can do.

The House

This is the house I that I deem ends our house hunting endeavors.

Currently only show house lots are available.

It is located near to Putrajaya-Dengkil original road.

There are several housing estates already around. And the abundance of shophouses nearby should make it a pleasant area to live compared to Desa Pinggiran Putra or Bulatan Mekar's housing, although it may not compare to Bandar Baru Bangi's wealth of shops.

It will probably be another 14 months before the house is completed.

We can't wait!

Selamat Hari Raya Fitrah to all Muslim, Mukmin and Mujahiddeen.

The Quest Ends Here

What starts as a few minutes drive to prove a point, up being a four hour home hunting spree.

Went first to the rather aged housing estate of Taman Desa Saujana, deep in Putrajaya woodlands.

Actually I was demonstrating to my wife the rather brief drive from Alamanda to the housing, which is a simple 6 minutes.

But then we are quite disappointed with how the owners inflate the price of those aging houses.

Then it all starts from there.

I got pressured to head instead to Kota Warisan, and finally the pressurer feasted her eyes on the new housing estate which is in progress.

It is at Kota Warisan, when we stumbled upon Kamso Sdn Bhd's Seri Delima housing project near Dengkil. It's 198k price was valid enough to render a sold out status. Very dissappointed we do feel.

And then, Kamso informed us of some Taman Mawar. So off we went to Jenderam Hilir. But to no avail, as there's no link houses yet. We do love to look for proof, so we need at least a show house to see, and a few more houses as performance testimony.

While we we contemplating on going to Banting to see more bargains, I happen to spot a small sign of some Taman Kristal 2. And then, went to Dengkil, and found Taman Emas Phase Two, type Mercury.

They have modern enough design, and it is about 10km away from the city, if you know what I mean.

The multiple Sepang drizzle does not bother our 100-plus kilometers of journey much.

Dengkil seem to offer the sort of life similar to my past life in Bukit Tunku TNB quarters, and I led me to believe might have the sort of home I prefer.

I was not ready to look for a too tranquil place for accommodation. I prefer some noise, though not exceeding my personal expectation. Its' beyond words if you ask me.

I can safely say now, that our quest to find a good enough home has concluded.

Wish List

I seem to have an endless wish list.

But I guess I try to list most of them.

For STELLAR the Mini, I wish he have a(n)

• Enkei Racing Wheel (he didn't have a spare tyre yet)
  
• Close Ratio Gear Kit
• Adjustable Camshaft Timing Set
• Race Cylinder Head
• Mini Minus Chassis
  
• RC40 Exhaust
• K&N Air Filter
  
• Oil Filter Opener
  
• Torque Wrench

For Nik (my Nikon D40), I wish he have a:

• 1:1 Macro Lens (must be a Nikkor AF-S)
  
• Very Long Telephoto Zoom (a Nikkor is a miracle, but an Opteka's fine)

For myself, I wish I have a:

• MP4 Player
• Nokia Communicator (any one of them)
  
• Nikon FM2
• House (yes, the big thing people call home)
• year 2000 up Peugeot 406 or year 2004 below Kia Optima

I counted a figure of 10k for STELLAR alone. So you can imagine if I can just call it a wish.

One thing at a time will do.

Nik Names

I have unofficial names for some of my "gadgets".

My first son, of course, is Japar.

My second son, is Comel.

My current car, Austin Mini 1275GT, is called STELLAR.

My past car, Austin Mini 1000, is called SYCLONE.

My family car, the Proton Wira, is aptly called Warrior.

My R/C Mini toy, is called STELLAR Jr.

And then, my Panasonic FZ5, is simply called Z.

Nikon D40, I call him Nik.

One of these days, I am gonna call more of my gadgets by nik (sic) names.

My house, my driveway, my plants, my stand fan, my PC, my sofa, my dining table, my TV, my sports rim, my torque wrench...

Test Your Ears

Can you hear this sound?

Low down, I can hear 20hz which is good enough. But I can barely hear 17khz.

I guess tons of years listening to Def Leppard has reshaped my ears.

My colleague here barely hears 15khz.

Go test your ears at http://www.jimmyr.com/blog/hearingloss.html

Shopping Bug

The shopping bug has almost bitten me.

Suddenly there seems to be too many things I feel like buying.

But I hope I can refrain from doing such for the time being.

Wonder what I feel like buying? Hmmm, for one, Nikon FM2N. Go read about it. One classic camera!

And then there were tools. Tools like the torque wrench. I am even thinking of opening my own mobile workshop. One that goes around.

And then, performance parts for STELLAR. Yummy! That said it all.

Nik Bullen (NOT)

After two years of enjoying my Panasonic FZ5, finally feel that it needs some rest.

And guess what, in his place, comes the Nikon D40.

But, I won't sell the Z, cos it means so much to me already to let go.

This is probably the start of my 1-camera-every-2-years pattern. The FZ5 in 2005, the D40 this year.

What's in store in 2009 you may ask, and what about 2011? Well I have not thought much about it, but I guess I'm going retro. Probably back to film?

Since 1997, I have never pushed my cameras to the limits, and I probably won't, so I think the plateau ends with the D40 as my first and last DSLR. But who knows?

The Beginning

A very pleasant wish to all Muslims all over, good or bad alike (no such thing as a moderate Muslim I am sure)

Happy Fasting!

Hoping to make great all the benefits of this glorious month.

And all you smokers, bawak2 lah berenti. Korang bukan bebudak lagi, pikir la elok2.

Rock Hard

Ever so suddenly my death metal listening season rekindled overnight.

Suddenly I crave for bands such as Morbid Angel, Brutal Truth, Bolt Thrower, Napalm Death, Godflesh and Pitch Shifter, and especially their materials of the early 1990s.

I kept playing them over and over. But at the moment, only when I'm at site. And I will intensively hum the guitar or bass parts of favorite songs.

And such compilation tapes are overplayed; Battle Of Fear, Earplugged, Corporate Rock Wars, Deaf Metal Sampler, The Pleasures In Life, Rock Hard Presents Monsters of Death and countless others.

It's been a week since, and I don't feel like stopping anytime soon.

Mobilization Blues

For me, doing site work is so-so.

But the thing that disinterest me so much more is mobilization.

Choosing the tools, packing the spare parts, checking things, filling the forms, entering the site and the walking (especially when it comes to Naval bases) are such things.

That's why I love to travel light.

But this particular Kelantan site has the worst weight of total stuffs to mobilize.

And yet, I must go.

The show must go on.

Another Pastime?

The question now is, whether I need another hobby.

I have quite a busy life now.

Night times, usually are time for kids.

Even later at night, are usually for reading. Or attending to the you know who...

So I have time only when I am at site, after hours.

This hobby I have been interested for quite some time, is amateur radio.

Whatever it is, I am looking forward to attending the RAE come November. Hopefully.

And then I'll join the bandwagon, small-timingly.

What interests me most, is the unlimited communication possibilities with such. And doing service for the community especially in times of disasters.

Public Nuisance

Just back from Langkawi.

I am wondering, are we able to do something about the widespread smokers among us?

My point is, is legal action possible?

I am beginning to lose my patience in public. Especially thinking about my sons wellbeing, and having the smokers puffing away without care.

I feel like suing them.

Can we do that?

If not, I'll just think vigilante justice.

Investing In People

I thought I bought the last child seat. NOT!

I bought another one today. A Britax, yeah, sounds expensive. The previous one was a Graco.

But I got 30 percent discount for it. So 969 becomes 678. Good and fair enough. Lucky we dropped by.

It is a "grow with your child" seat, just like the Recaro Start child seat I once fantasized not long ago, but never found, and probably won't, anticipating the price shocker.

The Britax is for Muzzammil, and the Graco Muzaffar. The old seats they once used, I'll have to think of how to still utilize them. Probably for my Mini...

Hope the kids can really use it until they are 12 years old. And more importantly, hope they like it, like I am concerned with their safety.

And yes, I shopped for myself too. A Walkman (can't get enough of tapes), three Maisto Ferraris (still lovin' die-cast model cars) and a white satin cloth, to make the rock shirt I thought I saw Steve Clark wore.

Don't tell Muzaffar I still have those Ferraris at home, as he will treat it like it's his at once!

Van Halen - Dreams

World turns black and white
Pictures in an empty room
Your love starts fallin' down
Better change your tune

Reach for the golden ring
Reach for the sky
Baby just spread your wings

Well get higher and higher straight up well climb
Well get higher and higher leave it all behind

Run, run, run, away
Like a train runnin' off the track
The truth gets left behind
And falls between the cracks

Standing on broken dreams
But never losing sight
Spread your wings

So baby dry your eyes, save all the tears you've cried
Ohh thats what dreams are made of
Oh baby we belong in a world that must be strong
Ohh thats what dreams are made of

Higher and higher who knows what well find
And in the end on dreams we will depend
Cause thats what love is made of


PS: Suddenly I'm in love with the chorus, I just can't stop humming it.

Five Hundred Reasons

Bought new car seat for our kids.

This one will probably be the last one.

It can handle up to 36 kilos of kid weight, or in age term, 12 years old.

It's basically an essential investment for any children.

And I can never understand why most people don't bother buckling up their kids.

In a 40 kph collision, those 12 kilos kids are as good as a 500 kilos missile hitting VERY HARD anything in its path.

Not something your hands can handle anytime.

Just Like The Olden Days

Not so long ago, people used ships to go to Hajj.

Even longer than that, horses.

So I have had this crazy thought of going to Hajj by car.

Yes, by driving STELLAR, to Makkah.

But, my Iraqi friend immediately ask me to refrain.

Said, the Middle East was too hostile.

I tell him, the Americans made it hostile.

He said, Americans are our friend now.

Obviously he's converted.

But the fact remains, probably I might not make it when I reached Middle East. Especially those "hot" areas like Afghanistan.

So for now, there it remains, just a dream.

Probably if I did, the only few things I'd bring, are oil filters, hoses, and belts. And change the tyres first. And overhauled the engine. Etc etc (the list could never end) before I even start.

It'll be so exciting. Just thinking about it doesn't do it justice.

B-Grade

Everything escalated.

Too escalated.

Now for Plan B.

A Q I Q A H

Finally he's bald.

Last night was the ceremony. But today is the ultimate shave.

But he didn't seem to grow hair anyway.

So now, it seems hard to resist not to feel his new hair. I kept stroking my hands on top of his head to feel the resistance.

And I think he looks better bald. Seems to look more handsome.

Brings to mind Kojak, my kidtime hero.

Freshly Baked Tyres

Just fitted new tyres to STELLAR's front side.

It really did have the freshly serviced feel to it afterwards.

It did set me back quite a lot, but hey, safety first.

And the newly serviced front disk brakes are wurth every penny...

Falling In Love

Muzzammil is enjoying life at the moment.

He loves rolling and then lying on his stomach.

He can roll both sides already.

And it could be at any moment that he will crawl, or swim, depending on how one look at the style.

And boy how he loves making sounds. We are so entertained, words fail to describe how I love the feeling.

I have too many books.

Not just those at home, but at my parents home as well.

So I might as well build a library.

But meanwhile, I'll sort out those less read books, and store them first. Those I frequently read, will remain there at the bookshelf.

Almost Heroic

Had a reality dream last night.

It seemed so surreal. I saw a woman inside a room, cornered by two men.

They have this obvious "rape intent" look on their face.

They are just about touching her fully clothed body, when I grabbed a chopper I just saw nearby, and dashed into the room, slashing wildly at what I hope will only be those guys' flesh.

I didn't stop slashing when they seem lifeless. And I still don't when they stumbled down.

I pity them and their dying bodies afterwards, but I also can't help feeling satiated.

Then I woke up. I actualy started thinking.

There's more to this that just being a dream. It's an inner feeling of anger and bewilderment collecting inside me.

What had happened, what currently, what will.

All these crime against humanity. From petty handbag-snatching that leads to death, from rape. To full scale pollution. To white collar corruption. To murder. All these.

I actually fear all the mayhem another person are capable of.

And yet, some of us disagrees about the Hudud. They fear the most by these..

• Amputating the hand of theft
• Slashing and stoning of fornication

Don't they realize that these will save them?

Those who fear these are the people who actually commits it.

And all these man-made punishment are far from being adequate anymore.

Ancient Obsession

I am very obsessed with ancient sites.

Ohh you know, those stuff like Atlantis, El Dorado, etc.

Others include:

• Lost continents like Lemuria and Mu
  
• Nazca site
• The actual path where Moses cross the Red Sea
• Adam's Bridge
• The docking point of Noah's Ark
• what happened to Easter island
• the actual sites of prophetic catastrophes such as Sodom, Ubar
• prophetic sites such as Solomon's mine, Makkah
• ancient war zones
  

Natural catastrophical events also fascinates me.

• Tunguska event
• Volcanic eruptions such as Santorini and Tambora
• Noah's deluge

I am always reading and wondering about them.

It's the free-flowing ideas and imagination that does the trick. The how's and why's and the what's.

Transformer Gets Transformed

I am worried about the new Transformers movie.

For one, the main players are not assuming their original forms.

Megatron is a jet? He must be a shooter, in any form. Tank, cannon, artillery, Walther. Acceptable. Jet? Nope...

Bumblebee must be a cute car. Beetles and Minis, original or new, should be acceptable. Nothing else. Well, Audi TT is quite ok I guess.

There's no Soundwave. He's a key figure for the Decepticon.

Scorponok can hide inside a helicopter? He should be CITY-SIZED!

These few points disappoints me straightaway.

I have a theory regarding this. They want an all-American cast to be in the movie. The robots must change to something American.

I bet I will suffer in trying to recognize which is who and. Most of them are lanky and almost having the same colour.

But I'll watch the movie anyway, coz I think I'll recognize Optimus Prime and Starscream. At least something I can relate too.

Ferrarita

Elo..

Been busy collecting Ferraris. Obviously...

I swear to God, I thought they are meticulously made so that the F50 went faster than the Enzo.

The F430 and 360 didn't stand any chance at all.

And last night, I bought another Enzo.

Five Months...

Time flies I know..

It almost seems like yesterday when he's blindfolded.

And here he is, busy rolling and lying on his stomach. And then complains.

Still he did that countless times, and still complains.

Human nature.

Sometimes I imagined him still in the UV cradle, eyes shut. Arms and legs flailing, as if wanting to escape.

Brought anybody to tears.

Thank God for him. And his current state.

Fanatical About Conditioning

Wira's airconds has problems...

And I can only imagine the cost involved.

But then again, it's a small sacrifice for a bigger investment we are nurturing.

Small token for a big cause.

After Wira, STELLAR's airconds. Self-satisfaction. And for rainy days...

Moonlighting

Mmm...mmm...ooh...
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...
Don’t you change

Some walk by night
Some fly by day
Nothing could change you
Set and sure of the way

Charming and bright
Laughing and gay
I’m just a stranger
Love the blues and the grays

There is the sun and moon
They sing their own sweet tune
Watch them when dawn is due
Sharing one space

Some walk by night
Some fly by day
Something is sweeter
When you meet along the way

So come walk by night
Come fly by day
Something is sweeter
‘Cause we met along the way

We’ll walk by night
We’ll fly by day
Moonlighting strangers
Who just met on the way
Who just met on the way
Who just met on the way

Bus Day

For three weeks, I've been on standby to go to Kuantan for a meeting.

Lucky it's not fixed to a certain day.

But for three weeks, I've been driving my car.

It's fun I know, but my pocket's been complaining.

Lucky I know how to adjust carburettors. If not, the gas mileage will either be high or low.

So tomorrow will be the start of THE BUS DAY again for me.

Crazy About Night Driving

I love night driving.

I find it very enthralling

Tackling the corner while accelerating, thinking of the unknown lurking in the darkness of the road, overtaking other people while enjoying the echo of the engine, feeling the cold night air beating against your face, turning on the beamer at the slightest absence of opposite lights, feeling the gentle slide of the tyres from the wet road, and fighting the steering wheel which grips and slips at the slightest of disturbance.

It's crazy thought, I know.

It's almost seem like a perfect way to unwind.

And now, I look forward to driving anytime the night permits, anyplace the road permits.


PS: I want to fit rally spotlights and the RC40 exhaust badly, but with less of a budget, not yet...

I'm Single

My wife stays at Seremban until the wedding reception is over.

The plus side is, I get some free time for myself, for several days some more.

The minus side is, I will miss them and their antics, for several days...

Well, you can't have it both waysss...

Penang Bridge At The Wrong Time

Blogger's been acting funny lately on my PC.

It seems to not stop loading, but the page never materializes anyway.

By the way, I feel like complaining.

It's tiring when you drive long distance, but it's more tiring not driving the Mini.

Actually it's more tiring with the Mini, but you tend to forget the feeling when the fun factor suddenly seems to overwhelm it at a moment's notice.

OK complaints stop here.

It's actually an intriguing drive. Especially with the thought of my brother-in-law finally getting married in a few hours time lingering in the air.

But first, we have to stop several times. This apply everytime you travel with a baby or two.

And then, the gruelling Penang Bridge entry, to pick up my sister-in-law near Penang Medical Center.

And then, the easy drive heading to Sungai Petani, the wedding site. The drive is easy, but not at the train crossing. Everybody is to avoid this T-junction LIKE THE PLAGUE!

Here we are at Kedah. Finally we arrived, and stayed at Seri Malaysia, obviously.

And finally I get to cover some sleep. NOT! Hopefully tonight...

Short Story

"I'll break away, yes I'm on my wayyy..."

I sorta feel dependent on a car, after a long while of using public transport.

For one, I got the freedom yet again.

And I could use the extra time for my family, which I rarely feel enough, ever since Muzzammil exists.

I have even contemplated on car-pooling. That is currently under discussion.

And, talking about cars, I finally did make STELLAR lower. But I only did the rear sides for now. Though I have yet to find time to sort out the front side.

I am also more confident of adjusting the carburettor too. It just needs two screwdrivers, one short version, and the other a long version. And your index finger to rev the engine a bit while adjusting.

And I wish I had more confidence to do more than just that.

Maybe, like, repairing the radiator. Or sorting out the front skirting.

Afterwards, to sort the noisy disc brake cover. First, I need to buy a new one first.

And then, to eliminate the brake servo, as it's not so necessary to have one anymore.

And then to lighten my car from any unnecessary weights.

Finally Some More Def Leppard

After some umptenth years of waiting, I finally downloaded the "In The Round-In Your Face" videos by my childhood heroes Def Leppard that I have long waited to watch.

Considering I have bought the 1988 Historia video in 1993, it is a long wait indeed.

I cannot find In The Round anywhere at all.

But now I can enjoy the only Armageddon It live version, complete with Steve Clark!

Took my breath away all at once after that.

Phewww!

I miss him and his antics...

Not So Flowery Feeling

I counted nine ulcers in my mouth.

4 of them formed what seems like a flower decoration to me.

Oh God help me!

Sometimes I just got so tired of tolerating all the pain, I felt asleep.

The only remedy to desensitize them, is to inflict pain to them. My electric toothbrush will make it easier for me to do just that.

The probable cause, I think, is the warm Putrajaya climate the past weekend.

No Free Time

Too many things to read...

Yet too little time left in a day.

Some of the things I want to read badly, but can't seem to finish off (khatam):

• Kesilapan Ketika Sembahyang (Imam Ghazali)
  
• Halal Haram (by CAP)
• Fikah Harian (by Haron Din and brothers)
  
• Pelik Tapi Benar Dalam Solat (Abdul Rahman Mohamed)
• The Baby Book (a 1970s book my mom used to read)
• Menghalusi Solat Bergambar (Abdul Rahman Mohamed)
• Tip Tip Cemerlang Daripada Quran (Danial Zainal Abidin)
• several copies of Siasah

On top of that, I can't seem to finish off even a newspaper a day. Usually it's The Star. So I usually skip to the favorite parts only. Letters To The Star, MMS Pictures, Current Commodity Price, and several pages of headline.

Of course I can read something while on the bus, but usually the lights are off, and sometimes I get reading-while-travelling sickness.

I doubt I will find more time at home, since Muzzammil always took most of it. Not to mention Muzaffar too.

A Slaughter Lyric

I remember like it was yesterday.

It was 1987.

I was at Paka Turtle Hatchery, listening to the radio while accompanying my grandfather with my brother and cousin.

The radio is audible.

And they were talking about gold price.

It was 28rm per gram.

Back to 20 years later. Now.

It is already in the 70s. Ringgit I mean.

"If I knew then, what I know now..."


PS: Burning Bridges song in the last line.

Blitzkrieg Every Morning

Did I tell you STELLAR is back home?

I think it must have been almost 2 weeks since.

I must admit, the long repair session has indeed brought out the beast in him.

Albeit no performance upgrade, he seems wild.

I guess his original performance must have came back.

I love it.

Only thing is, he needs some extra lowering.

One inch or a bit more at the rear, and one centimeters at left front.

And then, he will at least look as wild as his performance.

And, the exhaust needs some extra silencing.

Why did I feel like I am announcing my departure to office everytime I start him up? Yes that's how I feel on a daily basis.

Cool Names

I have heard some of the coolest stage name bands ever used.

Here's my short list, since I can't remember all of them.

Agnostic Front Acid Reign Anacrusis Biohazard
Bathory Brats Carnivore Carcass
Cryptic Slaughter D.R.I. Def Leppard Danzig
Exodus Fall Of Because Fates Warning Forbidden
Final Fate Godflesh GWAR Immolation
Morta Skuld Morbid Angel Metal Church Mekong Delta
Mickey Ratt Omen Old Lady Drivers Pestilence
Pantera Powerman 5000 Raging Slab S.O.D.
Sadus Sacred Reich Sabbat Stabbing Westward
Tankard Toxic The Revolting Cocks Vio-Lence
Venom Wolfsbane Watchtower Warrant

I have to eliminate half to save space. And I have listened to almost 80 percent of the bands listed.

The Little Ones

Oh they’ve killed all the little ones
while their faces still smiled
With their guns and their fury
they erased their young lives
No longer to laugh no longer to be a child
Oh they’ve killed all the little ones
while their faces still smiled

Now they’re burying the little ones
and they’re making the graves deep
So the world cannot see
that tonight we may sleep
While they wash away the blood
the mothers all weep
Oh they’re burying the little ones
and they’re making the graves deep
Yes, they’re burying the little ones
and they’re making the graves deep

But where will the devils go
when that day comes 
When the angels drag them out
to face the little ones
Oh they’ve killed all the little ones
with their eyes open wide 
There was no one to help them
on the day that they died
No bed to run under no cover to hide..
Oh they’ve killed all the little ones
with their eyes open wide
                                                                                     
But they’ll be raising the little ones
with no sin to atone
In the light of high heaven
they will sit on tall thrones
Where playtime lasts forever
and God's mercy never ends
They’ll be raising the little ones
and they’ll all be best friends
They’ll be raising the little ones
and they’ll all be best friends


PS: Lovely thoughtful song by Yusuf Islam.
    God bless all of them.

YouTube vid of the song here

Investment In My Eyes

I see myself investing in gold, instead of other options such as real-estate, unit trusts, Internet trusts, and share market.

It may be less popular but that is getting there.

Looking forward to buying my first bullion. Don't know when though. But the Kelantanese Gold Dinar is a probable second option.

Why all of a sudden? Gold is the most stable investment.

Read about it in http://www.libertydollar.org/

When I Travel Alone, I...

• put in my favorite cassette tape. Sheila Majid' one of them.
• breathe in longer, and breathe out longer.
• do air drumming, air bass-playing, air guitar-strumming, or air-singing.
  
• eat bread and drink chocolate milk or fresh orange.
• drive moderately or slowly, at around 90 to 110.
• sometimes steer with my knees.
• take photographs of only the sceneries in front.
• phone good friends and talk like they are in the car with me.
• think of something to search in the Internet.
• talk like my son, or sing the songs he sings.
  

That's why I love car-traveling alone. I'm very much free to do anything without disturbing anybody.

Exiting A Decade

Today is the first day that I exit my current decade of life.

The next year's will be my first day that I entered another decade.

Guess?

I even got a nice surprise, which I was quite hesitant to accept though.

A 700rm F1 ticket, courtesy of my company Chairman. It's for the first corner grandstand, K1.

Looking forward to tomorrow's showdown.

Too Many Singers

Out of the hundreds that enters a singing reality competition, only a person or two made it through.

The rest, are bound by unfair contracts and can't get out or left hanging in the balance.

And a few even sacrificed their better jobs for the unknown future of such competition, which is plain stupid if you ask me.

Malaysia has too many singers, and it's not a good market for the surge of extras.

I sing too, but will not make it a career anytime soon. I'm too old anyway. And I'm happy singing for my own satisfaction.

Love Tracking

Been looking all over for these few friends of mine.

Anybody care to help me?

• Philip Chen Kok Leong
• Chow How Kit
• Eunice Koh Chang Ching
• Norzie Uda

PS: Jejak Kasih Literal Translation

The Selfish

Somebody needs to educate those selfish people that uses LRT and trains that I patronize everyday.

It's not that they don't know about queueing up, but they seem oblivious about its importance.

They should know better, since most of them disembark at popular spots like KLCC or KL Central, and should have seen the long queue lines.

Only thing is, they can't seem to copy the practise at Wangsa Maju, or Pasar Seni etc.

The operators too should play a part in instilling the civic and moral to the users.

And then there's the bus problem. No queues are ever formed when entering buses. Usually it's a rush.

50 years of so-called independence has not taught most of us anything except selfishness.

And The Award Goes To...

I wanna change some things in my life.

For one, I want to stop eating mass-produced chicken. Country chicken is okay for me though. Fish and a little beef is okay. I read about chicken rearing, and it's not pretty at all. So, it's all vegetable, fish, and half plate of rice for me. And snacks? Only once a week.

Then, I want to stop living in debt. I mean really. I don't want to buy a car, buy a house, take loans. Nope. I have been thinking about it, and I don't think buying anything with interest is going to benefit me, especially long term. So my point is obvious. I'd rather rent than buy a house, and I'd stay with my Mini.

I wanted to stay active too. One of my inspiration, is my cousin who just got married. She's hyperactive, and I want to be at least a quarter as active as she is.

I actually started to walk more. I walk the whole way from KLSC area in Wangsa Maju straight to the Wangsa Maju LRT station. It's not really an epic walk, but at least I burn something off my body in the 40 odd minutes walking. And usually in Putrajaya, I walked from Parcel E (Ministry of Education) bus stop to my apartment in Precinct 16. That is 25 minutes walking distance. Walking made me feel great, and I guess I feel better not having to wait for a bus ride. You know how infrequent those buses are.

This, made me want to rely less and less on cars. I even contemplated of selling STELLAR. Well I might not just yet. But the truth is, I don't really need a car. It sure does seem like a necessity sometimes ago. But now, not really. STELLAR is a want, not a need. But since I patronize public transport for more than a year already, I do not miss him so much. And for a year, I have been driving the company car to site, instead of my own car.

But while I still own him, I might as well drive him, though not as regularly. Maybe once or twice a week. This also means less servicing, and less wear and tear.

I feel strongly about saving money. Since I have not been able to save up yet, I want to do so badly. Saving up, to the few of us, are the way to go to buy things, rather than doing so on credit. It's the least I can do for my family.

I worry about the future. What might happen. Especially to my kids. The least I can do is to do something about it that I am capable of, like changing my own self first.


PS: Credits goes to Utusan Konsumer, for highlighting the better side of life.

Frustrating Wait

Sometimes I really felt like repairing my own Mini.

I mean, really really doing it.

It's frustrating waiting for your beloved people carrier, and then having to pick it up, and waiting for it to be really finished while you wait.

And then, the damages restarts.

I need an allowance of 500rm, to buy myself a torque wrench.

And then, I can party! (if you can call it party)

No Guitar Licks

Why is it that in radio edit versions, most hard rock or pop rock songs lose their guitar solos (or called licks in rock term)?

Is it because they need to trim down the length?

I just can't stand the omission.

For me, guitar solos provide the feelings for a rock song. Without it the song is bland, soulless, emotionless, lifeless, and it suddenly becomes another normal pop tune.

Indeed, a pop tune in the R&B or rap group.

Instead, rap songs especially in the 90s, ala 4U2C or sorts, have blazing guitar solos, that should or must be omitted. The reasons simply, the rap song suddenly becomes a rock number. The guitars seems so out of place, and it appears to be a mismatched component.

I know most of anybody couldn't relate to this. I listen to Sinar FM, while most do Era.

And I just can't get enough of the 80s, I simply felt that I refuse to grow up.

Maroon 4

Marooned at Paka for 4 days. The system's fault? Windows very-own Blue Screen Of Death.

Aha, on top of that, SD RAM is faulty too.

Actually I have been attempting to head back as early as Wednesday night, but along the road, I was called to return to site.

Lucky I was just entering Kuantan. And not KL.

After a Windows reinstall, and a RAM swap, it was good as new. Err not really. But it works fine and that's all that matters.

To anybody using Windows 2000, the Windows Repair Procedure simply won't work. Just reinstall it instead of repairing it.

Will head back soon afterwards.

Stuck In An Era

Most people disagreed with me especially in terms of musical interests.

Who can blame them, they were born in the 80s.

And I am a decade older.

Why you may be wondering, am I stuck with 70s and 80s music?

• For one, the music was subtle. No more no less. Especially rock and roll.
• The scene is more interesting. The vibe, the color, the glory.
• They really are technical on the songwriting.
• Everytime you hear them, you remember them.
• The music gives more and more, the more you listen to them.
  

I grew up in the 80s and by chance, have heard most of them before, and can relate to them. Deja vu yes.

And then, grunge destroys everything.

All things won't last I know, so at least I will be some of the people who perpetuates the interest.

And I know someday I will get bored too.

Saturday Night Starts On Friday Morning

It's always been that way ever since I drove to and from the office, six years ago.

The scene around any roads, or motorways for that matter, is worse than Monday.

And most of the time, Friday mornings are the time when I woke up late.

Not to mention, Friday evening traffic is no better.

And Saturday afternoon.

Saturday morning is ok though, and that's quite wierd.

I guess people enjoying Saturday nights enjoyed Friday nights first, and rested the morning after, before the grand finale that night.

I felt lucky that I enjoyed the country roads more than city roads and highways.

Motor's Stuck

Tiny Mini motor's stuck!

So overhauling time!

With Muzaffar prodding nearby watching me "cutting" up the electric motor open, I carefully diagnosed what's wrong.

A wire was disconnected from the motor, and compressed itself in between the magnet and the carbon. Ahhh that's why.

And now I felt like modifying the amount of turns. But later I guess.

It's simple enough though. I can only imagine at the moment, as I don't have the materials yet.

MoreoverMuzaffar was prodding closer to my knees that I am quite irritated by. So I'll frighten him a bit in return with the motor's sound.

Come testing time, it's as addictive as listening to VTEC induction.

I like it when Muzaffar imitates the whine of the motor. So cute!

Muzaffar In His Elements

Muzaffar appreciates the book more than the TV.

We observed him to be more interested in learning now.

He knows letters from A to Z, a to z, numbers from 1 to 30, and all Arabic letters.

He keeps repeating them like there's no tomorrow, which worries us sometimes.

He seems to be studying for exam.

We just hoped he continues this way for a long time.

Fast Food Scare?

All these fast food scare is making me more concerned about my diet.

Reading this book Jauhi Bahan Kimia Dalam Makanan by the Consumer Assoc of Penang (CAP) makes me wonder, are the chemicals the actual culprit to blame in most modern day disease, especially cancer?

I do believe so. Most of us never actually cared about what we eat anymore.

Most people are more concerned of the costs. Actually the thing that costs less may be laden with more chemicals, than the more natural ones.

Actually it's nothing new to me. I have been concerned with trans fatty acid the first day I saw the words.

There goes all the peanut butter, margarines, Amos biscuits etc.

CAP will have a field day explaining to the public why there is a need to be concerned with the processed food product.

Although I know I cannot easily give up on chocolates yet, I do think I can have a better alternative somehow in that. Maybe, bitter chocolates will do to me in time.

Maybe I need to detoxify. Maybe not eating anything for a week? A diet of water only?

Forty Day Old Cough

I have a cough that lasts for forty days already.

It even begins a day before Muzzammil was born.

And now I disturbed his sleep with all these explosive coughing and wheezing.

I wonder, should I stop or pause my Linzhi intake, the supposed cause?

Let's try that one out, and see if it's the cause.

Tiny Mini Me

Dusted off my tiny Mini today.

It's been quite a while since I played it. About two months I guess.

After being busy with prior commitments, now deep inside me felt like speeding around again.

And the screamer terrorizes Paroi housing estate...

Shhhh...

I have a secret to confess.

I have a guitar in my office.

It begins with a tune I can't resist not playing. Thin Lizzy's Roisin Dubh (The Black Rose).

It's tasty, and if you remember I blogged about the song's video on YouTube not long ago.

Now I am playing several other songs, simple tunes like

• Def Leppard's Armageddon It solo
• Yes' To Be Over
• Ratt's Lay It Down solo
• arrrgh I forgot...

Later dude, wanna play them now.

Adventurous Drive

Sometimes while driving alone, and cruising on the highway, I make both my hands available.

Instead, I steer with the left knee, or the lower left thigh.

Then I can use my hands to put on, for example, stereo headphones connected to my Walkman, or beat the hell out of the steering wheel to any drum patterns, or closing a stuck windowscreen.

Don't try this anytime, unless you are confident. But really, it's quite simple.

Get Motored

At the advice of my dentist, I somehow thought of buying a motorized toothbrush.

Actually the only advice she gave me was by polishing my teeth while doing a scaling session. So I got the message immediately.

And I finally decided to get one on Friday.

As you can see, it really does felt different.

Downside is, it's quite noisy.

But it's worth the 27 dollars I spent anyway.

Now I can do the critical motorbrush at night, and brush conventionally in the morning.

Wanna Be 60 Again

Yep, that's in Kilogram.

I am still 68 and I am not really amused by my looks. Ahhh talk about not being grateful.

Anybody feeling like helping to show the way?

I feel that later, my bicycle will get worn in no time, in achieving such dreamy figures which I lost since 2002.

I just imagined riding on the bike for an hour, 5 days a week. Muscle ache for a few weeks.

I don't ask much. But hopefully I will lose the fat, low-profile Falkens or Goodyears around me midsections.

And then I might be able to carry my own weight plus one 15kg kid for half an hour, at least.

Brothers

Muzzammil looks so much like his brother Muzaffar at newborn time.

In short, a spitting image.

I loved his antics. And his cries. And his etc etc.

I could go on forever.

We just loved him!

And I think, I could do this again and again.

G6PD Deficiency

I was still dazed after the Sunday morning phone call from Kuantan Navy Shipyard, when my wife called.

Muzzammil has intermediate jaundice.

Medically it's known as G6PD Deficiency.

He's going to have to stay at the hospital for five more days. And he will need exposure to the UV lights for about two days.

I hope the results are better come Tuesday, when the results are made known.

Now I have to read further about this.

Welcome To Our Life

My son is safely delivered today.

We are gonna name him Muzzammil. Note the extra Z.

He weighs 3.6kg.

C-section delivery.

Putrajaya Hospital.

I hope both the mother and the son are doing good.

Long Quarter

I have these on and off feeling of wanting another car.

I know STELLAR won't like it. But sometimes I also felt like selling him, and use the money for something. A car, or a home downpayment. Or whatever.

But if I do, at least I want to make him worth more first.

And then sell him for 20k or something.

And the worst part is, I haven't driven him for nearly 4 months already. I just can't tell how much I cannot wait any longer.

He might as well be fully finished when he gets back from Rawang Intensive Care Unit.

It's Always A Bad Investment

I know from the start that buying car magazines was the right move.

I started buying them from 1991, when the first Lamborghini Diablo test drives were published.

Although I can never own the Lambo, at least I can read about it, look at its picture, dream about it and so on.

But what really matters are, those small or medium cars published.

Right now, my interest and my probable next purchase of cars are from the mid-90s era leaning to the millennium.

And I have enough magazines to read reviews of just that.

The same goes with my music tapes.

But now, everything is on the Internet. And I actually don't need all this magazines to do the job anymore.

If only I don't start buying them in the first place, I think I would have enough money to end up with an actual car right here right now. Apart from STELLAR the Mini that is.

The moral here is, I invested in a dream world. Not in a reality.

Come to think of it, I should have known better...

Adjusting Well

Muzaffar loves learning, we can see just that clearly.

He adjusts well in school. And he's almost three years old. But he did better than the majority of 4-year olds in his class.

And everyday he went back home after schooling, we can see the progress just about daily. Especially the kindy songs he sung.

"Circle Bulat, Circle Bulat" etc etc...

He's going to be 3 years old in 3 days. Happy birthday in advance my boy!