This was a bad week for the whole office, mainly because there was an internal mail sent by our new pointy haired boss trying to restrict our freedom. Needless to say, it caused us a lot of grief. We're still griping about it.
Here's a small sample of the oppression of the bourgeoisie upon us. (Yes, if you know me well enough, I swore for 1 hour straight, and drowned my sorrows in very bad Johnny Walker the rest of the night, bitching to a largely unsympathetic industry guy who laughed at my plight).
Office Timings - Monday to Friday: 0900 hrs to 1800 hrs (inclusive of 1 hour lunch break from 1245 hrs to 1345 hrs).
9am?!!! Who in their right mind comes to work at 9am in this industry?! On a regular day, there is very little or no market until after lunch. And then the market starts, and ends at around 2am, when US closes. How about those of us who watch the night market? Who pays our overtime?!!
On working days, staff coming in office after 1000hrs or leaving office before 1600 hrs, will be debited half day leave.
What are we? Mcdonald's?!!
An attendance register will be available at the reception and all staff must enter their signature with time at entry & exit on every working day. The receptionist will make a daily attendance list and send it by email to all supervisors before 1200hrs.
No, actually we're a farking factory!
The manual filling up of attendance slip will be replaced in due course by a computerized system currently under construction.
Argh!! Oppression!!
Under Part IV of the Employment Act, an employee is entitled to 11 public holidays a year. Following are the 11 gazetted public holidays and 2 half days:
Two days for Chinese New Year.
One day for New Year’s Day, Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Haji, Good Friday, Labour Day, Vesak Day, National Day, Deepavali, Christmas Day.
Half day for New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve
Acceptable in theory, but our operating days should be governed by the operating days of the oil market assessment agency, because if the agency isn't working, nobody quotes, and there isn't a market, and then we're just sitting on our asses doing jackshit. Case in point: today.
All staff going on leave must give ample prior notice on their planned leave dates (preferably 3 months).
In that case, in theory, I should be planning my leave for APRIL next year now! *cry*
This should not coincide with the leave dates of his/her immediate department colleague. Every department has to be properly manned/attended at all times. The criterion for this is that each department has to be manned by at least 50% staff at all times.
If the trading department has 2 traders, 1 analyst and 1 risk, can the 2 traders go on leave?
“Proper notice” [pertaining to leave] means that you call and obtain approval from your supervisor unless a verifiable emergency makes it impossible for you to do so.
A robbery is not a verifiable emergency. Certainly is an emergency though.
If you fail to give proper notice of absence, as explained in this policy, you may be subject to stern disciplinary action, which may include immediate termination of employment.
Ooh. Scared!
All supervisors and managers are advised to make themselves available to attend such calls.
Instead of going for business meetings to negotiate multi-million dollar cargo deals.
For a planned half day leave application from Monday to Friday, working schedule will be as below:
• AM leave - begin work at 1.45 pm*
• PM leave - leaves at 12.45 pm*
• Leave application emails for half days must be stated clearly whether it is for morning or the afternoon period.
In which universe can you get more anal than that?
Today, in frustration, the traders brought the whole team down for a meeting in Conrad Hotel, and made the company pay for it. After the meeting, we all trooped back to the office, to find the pointy haired boss sitting around the trading area, pretending to have a conversation with the Indian chap, though we were sure he was there checking to see if we would return or if we'd gone off work early.
I wish someone would tell him it's not how hard you work; it's how smart.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Twas the Night Before Christmas
I got this from the broker's report. I think he very free.
Twas the Night Before Christmas when all thru the trade house
Not a screen was illuminated, no one at his mouse
The traders were gone
The P&L was sorted,
No risk of big VaR
No markets cavorted
The bankers were weeping about their Q4 results
Showing falling values, fractional bonuses & general tumult
The M&A business was dead & wealth management gone
Who knew that to be long was oh so so wrong?
The principals were off down in Grand Cayman drinking
While I was alone in the office alone but still thinking
With what burst, which was a big massive bummer
This major event that we saw expand in the summer
Despite Paulson's efforts and the many central bankers
The markets tanked, thanks to insolvent wankers.
I thought of the oil market's previous problems
like Aerochem, like Metro, and Amaranth & Enron
with created past trouble, and bad debts to send on
But this was the new Recession I saw, right here on my lawn
That gave us this volcano & pushed devaluations on
Down from the roof, at the end of this year
Making more danger than global warming to reindeer.
Who can know what the next year will hold?
Bigger busts, bigger doom & lo and behold,
Bigger government, more rules & sovereign investment
More dollar excitement & probable divestment
Out the office I walked into the December night,
Wishing all Amerex customers thank you,
Merry Christmas,
and to all a Good Night!
Twas the Night Before Christmas when all thru the trade house
Not a screen was illuminated, no one at his mouse
The traders were gone
The P&L was sorted,
No risk of big VaR
No markets cavorted
The bankers were weeping about their Q4 results
Showing falling values, fractional bonuses & general tumult
The M&A business was dead & wealth management gone
Who knew that to be long was oh so so wrong?
The principals were off down in Grand Cayman drinking
While I was alone in the office alone but still thinking
With what burst, which was a big massive bummer
This major event that we saw expand in the summer
Despite Paulson's efforts and the many central bankers
The markets tanked, thanks to insolvent wankers.
I thought of the oil market's previous problems
like Aerochem, like Metro, and Amaranth & Enron
with created past trouble, and bad debts to send on
But this was the new Recession I saw, right here on my lawn
That gave us this volcano & pushed devaluations on
Down from the roof, at the end of this year
Making more danger than global warming to reindeer.
Who can know what the next year will hold?
Bigger busts, bigger doom & lo and behold,
Bigger government, more rules & sovereign investment
More dollar excitement & probable divestment
Out the office I walked into the December night,
Wishing all Amerex customers thank you,
Merry Christmas,
and to all a Good Night!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Insomnia
That's right. I can't sleep. For the life of me, I've been trying!! Until yesterday I've never had insomnia ever in my life, even in the thick of exams. And now, 2 days in a row, and quite out of the blue, I can't sleep.
It isn't that I'm stressing out about anything in particular, nor that I did any sort of vigourous exercise just before bedtime (yeah it's the truth, stop winking already). It isn't even because I'm upset about anything. I do have quite bad cramps right at this moment though, but it isn't close to being all that bad as to keep me from sleep.
I am stressing out a bit from not being able to sleep and hence not being able to wake up for work tomorrow, or being not so sharp, or whatever. And admittedly my rib bone is hurting a bit from somehow jutting out against the springs of my bed. And I am hungry despite eating dinner at 11pm.
I'm rambling!! I desperately need to sleep!!! HAAAAAALLLLPPPP!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Food!!!
Yes I know. It's been a while. I haven't anything interesting to report really, or anything that can be read in this medium that wouldn't render me sackable, I mean. Heh heh. Work's been alright. Frustrating, but this is meant to be a happy post, so I shall not elaborate!
So anyway! I picked up ice cream making! And revisited my old cookie skills (which are WAY rusty!).
My guinea pigs are still alive as we speak.
Angie, with my cranberry and mango cookies! And pork floss cookies too. All quite lau hong, sad to say! Will work on it! ;)
Adrian! Hamming it up with my durian ice cream! He wants more bitter durians!
Next time, I'll be more conscientious with the posts (right) and put up more pictures of the food rather than just eating it all up.
So anyway! I picked up ice cream making! And revisited my old cookie skills (which are WAY rusty!).
My guinea pigs are still alive as we speak.
Angie, with my cranberry and mango cookies! And pork floss cookies too. All quite lau hong, sad to say! Will work on it! ;)
Adrian! Hamming it up with my durian ice cream! He wants more bitter durians!
Next time, I'll be more conscientious with the posts (right) and put up more pictures of the food rather than just eating it all up.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Epitaph
I was reading an interview with Max Lucado, in which he quoted an epitaph that impressed upon him many years ago.
Sleeps, but rests not.
Loved, but was loved not.
Died as she lived, alone.
Among the myriad of possibilities, I wonder if she wrote that epitaph for herself in a moment of sorrow, or if a silent observer, documenting her sad existence, chose those words.
The world tends not to accomodate outliers very well: the socially awkward, the unpopular, the loud and rude, the quiet and withdrawn. Most of us damn ourselves with the decisions we make; the people we choose to be. And more often than not, in real life, the stories don't end the way they do in Disney films. The hunchback doesn't get the beautiful girl, the beast doesn't get the beauty, the prince doesn't arrive in time to wake the sleeping princess, Mulan doesn't save China (although, yes, that's a true story).
So I wonder. I wonder who the woman described in the epitaph was really like. I wonder who she is and how she lived. I wonder how she loved. I wonder if, like me, she was socially awkward. I wonder if she was a loner. I wonder if she had a nasty temper. I wonder if she's just like me - completely not in control as my life careens desperately and dangerously off the course I had prescribed.
Perhaps there is something to be said for a complete dependence on a higher Being. But, God, that would mean letting go!
Sleeps, but rests not.
Loved, but was loved not.
Died as she lived, alone.
Among the myriad of possibilities, I wonder if she wrote that epitaph for herself in a moment of sorrow, or if a silent observer, documenting her sad existence, chose those words.
The world tends not to accomodate outliers very well: the socially awkward, the unpopular, the loud and rude, the quiet and withdrawn. Most of us damn ourselves with the decisions we make; the people we choose to be. And more often than not, in real life, the stories don't end the way they do in Disney films. The hunchback doesn't get the beautiful girl, the beast doesn't get the beauty, the prince doesn't arrive in time to wake the sleeping princess, Mulan doesn't save China (although, yes, that's a true story).
So I wonder. I wonder who the woman described in the epitaph was really like. I wonder who she is and how she lived. I wonder how she loved. I wonder if, like me, she was socially awkward. I wonder if she was a loner. I wonder if she had a nasty temper. I wonder if she's just like me - completely not in control as my life careens desperately and dangerously off the course I had prescribed.
Perhaps there is something to be said for a complete dependence on a higher Being. But, God, that would mean letting go!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Behavioural finance?
I don't get today's oil prices. As we speak, oil is trading at 1.58 below close, at 99.60, a 6-month low, the day after hurricane Ike hits Texas, the United States' largest oil production centre. This happens the same weekend of Lehman's impending collapse and the renewed fears of the US credit market. This is an excerpt swiped from Reuters. I'll just quote pertinent bits so I don't get sued for any sort of infringement.
On oil
"The oil market is selling off because the early indications show Ike didn't do as much damage as feared," said Chris Jarvis, senior analyst at Caprock Risk Management. "That said, this sell-off could prove to be a bit premature, since it could be a while before things get back to normal."
On financial
U.S. stock futures and the dollar sank late on Sunday as the first official trades of a new business week took place while talks to sell Lehman Brothers <LEH.N> faltered, shaking confidence and pushing dollar-exposed investors towards safe haven U.S. Treasuries.
"It appears that Lehman will file for bankruptcy and the risk of an immediate tsunami is related to the unwind of derivative and swap-related positions worldwide in the dealer, hedge fund, and buyside universe," Bill Gross, the chief investment officer of Pacific Investment Management Co (Pimco), told Reuters. Pimco oversees more than $812 billion in assets.
Uncertainty about the health of the U.S. financial sector was running high with the fate of the 158-year old investment bank Lehman Brothers still unclear. In addition, a takeover of Merrill Lynch & Co <MER.N> and huge asset sales by American International Group <AIG.N> were being talked about in markets.
Britain's Barclays Plc <BARC.L>, which had appeared to be the frontrunner to take over Lehman -- excluding its bad mortgage-related assets -- pulled out of the bidding early in the afternoon, according to a person familiar with the matter.
That raised the risk of a Lehman bankruptcy. Lehman hired law firm Weil Gotshal & Manges to prepare a potential bankruptcy filing, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday in its online edition, citing a person familiar with the matter.
I think the only explanation that would make sense for the crude to be this way is demand destruction. Either on the refinery side, or the consumption side. There seems to be no other explanation.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Mensa Invitational
This is arguably one of the funniest emails I have received, ever!
The results of the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply ing a new definition. The winners are:
1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
2. Ignoranus : A person who's both stupid and an asshole.
3. Intaxication : Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
4. Reintarnation : Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
5. Bozone ( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
6. Foreploy : Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
7. Giraffiti : Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
8. Sarchasm : The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the Person who doesn't get it.
9. Inoculatte : To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
10. Osteopornosis : A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
11. Karmageddon : It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.
12. Decafalon (n.): The gruelling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
13. Glibido : All talk and no action.
14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
16. Beelzebug (n.) : Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
17. Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.
The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words. And the winners are:
1. Coffee , n. The person upon whom one coughs.
2. Flabbergasted , adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.
3. Abdicate , v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
4. Esplanade , v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.
5. Willy-nilly , adj. Impotent.
6. Negligent , adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.
7. Lymph , v. To walk with a lisp.
8. Gargoyle , n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.
9. Flatulence , n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.
10. Balderdash , n. A rapidly receding hairline.
11. Testicle , n. A humorous question on an exam.
12. Rectitude , n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.
13. Pokemon , n. A Rastafarian proctologist.
14. Oyster , n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with yiddishisms.
15. Frisbeetarianism , n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.
16. Circumvent , n . An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men
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Wednesday, August 06, 2008
The Sandwich Solution
This really doesn't just apply in the context of marriage, but in any interpersonal relationship. An interesting read.
The Sandwich Solution
How one wife returned good for evil
By Gary D. Chapman
Has your spouse ever cursed you? I hope not, but if it should happen, Jesus gave us clear instruction: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28). That approach to verbal abuse is so counter-intuitive that it seems almost incredible. We're so accustomed to "fighting fire with fire" that the thought of putting water on the fire by means of kind words and actions has seldom crossed our minds.
Too many of us have become so intent on holding each other accountable that we have difficulty even hearing the words of Jesus. Many believe that if they take Jesus' words literally, they'll end up being "stepped on" by their spouse.
I believe the opposite is true. Undeserved kindness has the potential of deeply penetrating the heart of your spouse. Isn't that God's modus operandi? The apostle Paul recognized this when he said, "God's kindness leads you toward repentance" (Romans 2:4). God is our model, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to return kindness in the face of harshness.
One husband told me that his wife had tried to have a conversation with him while he was watching a football game. He responded harshly, "Can't we discuss this later? I want to watch the game." His wife left the room and 20 minutes later returned with a tv tray with a sandwich, chips, a drink, and a cookie. She placed it in front of him, kissed him on the cheek, said, "I love you," and walked out of the room.
The husband said to me, "I was overwhelmed. I didn't deserve her kindness. By the time I finished eating the snack, I knew I had to apologize. I turned off the tv, walked into the room where she was reading a book, and said, 'I'm sorry I snapped at you. I hurt you, and you turned around and made me a sandwich and told me you loved me. Will you forgive me for being so insensitive?' She smiled and said, 'It's okay. I forgive you.'"
He told me that he offered to talk with her immediately and not to watch the rest of the game. Her response was, "No, I can wait. I know you really want to watch the game, and I wasn't thinking about that when I started talking to you. We can talk when it's over."
Not many of us have learned to apply the teachings of Jesus to our marriages. We're happy to leave his words on the pages of Scripture and never translate them into life. However, those who do will soon discover that blessing those who curse you is a powerful way to enhance marital unity.
Many of us have read so much about "tough love" that we've failed to practice "tender love." I'm not suggesting there's no place for tough love in marriage. I'm suggesting tough love should be the last resort, not the first option. When you return good for evil, kindness for harshness, and pray sincerely for the spouse who mistreats you, you're creating a relationship that will make tough love much more effective if and when it is necessary.
If there's been no warmth, no tenderness, no turning of the other cheek, then tough love will often lead to divorce. The attitude of the offending spouse will be, Good riddance. Your spouse will shift his or her own guilt to you and blame you for the breakup of the marriage. If, on the other hand, you've walked the road of kindness, the offender who refuses to change his behavior will realize in the face of tough love that he's about to lose someone who is important to him. The erring spouse is far more likely to be repentant and seek reconciliation.
I am fully aware that without divine help, none of us will be able to follow Jesus' teachings. Our natural inclination is to respond to harsh words with harsh words and to mistreatment with mistreatment. However, this approach leads us spiraling downward in our relationship. The apostle Paul summarized Jesus' teachings when he said, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). Taking the high road of "blessing for cursing" creates a climate where we can more readily process our differences and learn to work together as a supportive team.
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Sunday, August 03, 2008
Sanity (Or lack thereof)
Went out to run errands with the brother. We were stuck in a traffic
jam for about half an hour and were kidding around in the car. Suddenly
he uttered a scream.
jam for about half an hour and were kidding around in the car. Suddenly
he uttered a scream.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing"
"Must be the sun."
"No, actually it's the daughter."
(Wahahahhaha)
I think extended exposure to me does things to my brother's sanity.
Friday, July 25, 2008
The 3 Little Bears
Probably one of the hardest challenges in working life is navigating people issues. There is a convoluted tangle between ambition, hidden agenda, greed, pride and lust for power (among other things).
Last night, the little bear was trying to make porridge for the family. It was a very adult thing to do, and Little Bear felt very responsible and grown up. "Let's see," thought Little Bear, "Mama said to put salt AND pepper", and so he did. The porridge looked very nice when it was cooked, and so very proudly, Little Bear presented his concoction to Mama and Papa bear.
"Here you go, mama and papa! I took the initiative to make you porridge, seeing that you're tired from a day of foraging in the forest!"
"Excellent! I'm hungry!" roared Papa bear, and he grabbed a big bowl and gulped it down, before coughing and throwing it all up on the floor. "What is this slop?", Papa bear growled. "It's too salty! It tastes like sea water mixed with mud!"
Mama bear took a little taste of the porridge. "Well it *is* a little salty, Little. Try soy sauce in the future." (because they were oriental grizzlies)
"You said salt, didn't you, mama?" asked Little Bear, confused and embarassed, for the neighbours were already crowding around the den to see what the commotion was about.
"That might have been another recipe, honey," replied Mama bear, "I've always used soy sauce."
"Perhaps," said Little Bear, sorely disappointed at the lack of appreciation.
Later that evening, Little Bear trawled through the recipe book, and found that it WAS salt, and not soy sauce. Mama must have adjusted the recipe to suit the taste of oriental grizzly bears, but Little Bear never really knew. However, that was the last time Little Bear would try something like cooking again, for the bears who stood to benefit were not appreciative, the information was only shared in a small group of like minded bear cooks (although unintentional), and Little Bear was publicly humiliated, and afraid to try anything new again.
Last night, the little bear was trying to make porridge for the family. It was a very adult thing to do, and Little Bear felt very responsible and grown up. "Let's see," thought Little Bear, "Mama said to put salt AND pepper", and so he did. The porridge looked very nice when it was cooked, and so very proudly, Little Bear presented his concoction to Mama and Papa bear.
"Here you go, mama and papa! I took the initiative to make you porridge, seeing that you're tired from a day of foraging in the forest!"
"Excellent! I'm hungry!" roared Papa bear, and he grabbed a big bowl and gulped it down, before coughing and throwing it all up on the floor. "What is this slop?", Papa bear growled. "It's too salty! It tastes like sea water mixed with mud!"
Mama bear took a little taste of the porridge. "Well it *is* a little salty, Little. Try soy sauce in the future." (because they were oriental grizzlies)
"You said salt, didn't you, mama?" asked Little Bear, confused and embarassed, for the neighbours were already crowding around the den to see what the commotion was about.
"That might have been another recipe, honey," replied Mama bear, "I've always used soy sauce."
"Perhaps," said Little Bear, sorely disappointed at the lack of appreciation.
Later that evening, Little Bear trawled through the recipe book, and found that it WAS salt, and not soy sauce. Mama must have adjusted the recipe to suit the taste of oriental grizzly bears, but Little Bear never really knew. However, that was the last time Little Bear would try something like cooking again, for the bears who stood to benefit were not appreciative, the information was only shared in a small group of like minded bear cooks (although unintentional), and Little Bear was publicly humiliated, and afraid to try anything new again.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Reflections: Malaysia
I was out in KL with YC over the weekend, and boy was it fun!! I didn't exactly tell her straight out, but I was really impressed by her courage and independence in living abroad, since there's also a constant need for her to fend for herself, chart her career, make new friends as well as excel in her job. All this without much counsel and sound wisdom. A lot of my friends are doing this. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to. Probably not.
There's lots that I'd brought back with me in terms of wisdom, though this isn't exactly the medium in which I'd share it. Something that had struck me though was the inflation, if you will, in Malaysia. YC's blogged about it, and this is general knowledge, but it never struck me as hard as it does to be on the streets paying those ridiculous prices for food and stuff.
A rough survey at major shopping malls and even hawker centres generally tell the same story; that despite the relative strength of the SGD, things in Malaysia are no longer cheap. A bottle of shampoo that retails at SGD10 would cost RM24, a kinder bueno selling at SGD1.50 would cost Malaysians RM3. That would be ok to stomach if the Malaysian wages were double that in Singapore. I don't see that happening.
You see, as I understand it, Malaysians generally earn the same that we Singaporeans do dollar for dollar, for relatively non international jobs such as sales, project management, stuff like that. When I say that, I mean for example, that if a project manager in Singapore earns an annual income of SGD60k, a project manager in KL would earn about RM60k (give or take a few ks).
What's happening, in this case, is a massive hike in the cost of retail products and services, effectively halving Malaysians' purchasing power, since wages are not moving up to the same degree in tandem. What with the sudden lifting of petrol and agricultural subsidies, we're witnessing the dichotomy between the effect of world trade as a great equalizer of product prices and the closing of arbitrage gaps, and the inefficiency of the labour market to adapt to these changes.
Why is the labour market not following the retail market? Why is it that the added resource from savings in labour does not channel back into the labour market? It probably has something to do with the fact that labour, or services, is (or are?) not as mobile as goods. In a relatively conservative country such as Malaysia, where citizens are brought up in a culture of communal living, to have to choose between a higher paying job abroad and staying at home with the family earning a meagre salary is a no brainer. It could also be evidence of a widening income divide, where those that are willing to move are being paid more, and the ones that choose family over money are punished with increasing distress over his ability to support his family of 10 and extended family of 25. I am, of course generalising a lot of things here, but stay with me. I believe that there will come a point where an as-yet undefined wage tolerance will be breached, and there will be an outflow of talent overseas which will bring wages back on par with international standards... Or at least improve the situation over there.
There's lots that I'd brought back with me in terms of wisdom, though this isn't exactly the medium in which I'd share it. Something that had struck me though was the inflation, if you will, in Malaysia. YC's blogged about it, and this is general knowledge, but it never struck me as hard as it does to be on the streets paying those ridiculous prices for food and stuff.
A rough survey at major shopping malls and even hawker centres generally tell the same story; that despite the relative strength of the SGD, things in Malaysia are no longer cheap. A bottle of shampoo that retails at SGD10 would cost RM24, a kinder bueno selling at SGD1.50 would cost Malaysians RM3. That would be ok to stomach if the Malaysian wages were double that in Singapore. I don't see that happening.
You see, as I understand it, Malaysians generally earn the same that we Singaporeans do dollar for dollar, for relatively non international jobs such as sales, project management, stuff like that. When I say that, I mean for example, that if a project manager in Singapore earns an annual income of SGD60k, a project manager in KL would earn about RM60k (give or take a few ks).
What's happening, in this case, is a massive hike in the cost of retail products and services, effectively halving Malaysians' purchasing power, since wages are not moving up to the same degree in tandem. What with the sudden lifting of petrol and agricultural subsidies, we're witnessing the dichotomy between the effect of world trade as a great equalizer of product prices and the closing of arbitrage gaps, and the inefficiency of the labour market to adapt to these changes.
Why is the labour market not following the retail market? Why is it that the added resource from savings in labour does not channel back into the labour market? It probably has something to do with the fact that labour, or services, is (or are?) not as mobile as goods. In a relatively conservative country such as Malaysia, where citizens are brought up in a culture of communal living, to have to choose between a higher paying job abroad and staying at home with the family earning a meagre salary is a no brainer. It could also be evidence of a widening income divide, where those that are willing to move are being paid more, and the ones that choose family over money are punished with increasing distress over his ability to support his family of 10 and extended family of 25. I am, of course generalising a lot of things here, but stay with me. I believe that there will come a point where an as-yet undefined wage tolerance will be breached, and there will be an outflow of talent overseas which will bring wages back on par with international standards... Or at least improve the situation over there.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Chao keng day
I was trying to convince Mel to lunch with me around Orchard where my
doctor was, because I think I'll be on sick leave tomorrow for my bad
tennis knee. Bloody clumsy idiot I am.
doctor was, because I think I'll be on sick leave tomorrow for my bad
tennis knee. Bloody clumsy idiot I am.
Mel: got to work.. you wanna come eat in woodlands?
(Of course not, Mel!)
Me: I got no car.. Parents are in KL..
Mel: roles reversed i'd say the same thing. you'll be much closer to
your parents in woodlands
Me: Haha. Nice try. I'm king of the hill here. The boss. I'm in charge
of the house. My brother has to do my bidding.
Mel: yeh yeh.. like wat? cook for you?
Me: No actually I cooked for him. *sheepish look* There are no benefits
being boss. Being my brother's boss, I mean. He's an evil little twit.
Well I meant that in the most loving way!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Shart
So I was having a conversation today with someone, who told me to look up the word "shart". So the helpful word of the day today is
Speaking of toilet jokes, my brother sent this to me. It's pretty funny, I tell you.
And lastly, at the risk of getting struck by lightning, this is by far the funniest.
A testament to the fact that I generally collect friends of this ilk is the following conversation, in response to my definition of shart:
Adrian: interesting portmanteau!
Me: Haha. I'll say! My new word for the day.
Adrian: it's just like the time someone told me, "A wet fart isn't really a fart." which i agreed
Me: Hahahha. Ew! I should know better than to discuss stuff like that with you. It's like having a competition to see who gets grossed out first.
Adrian: i can go on!
Me: Yes, I'm sure you can! Wahahaha
Adrian: i like winning these things, but i usually get gruesomely surprised along the way
Shart : a small, unintended defecation that occurs when one relaxes the anal sphincter to fart (blend of "shit" and "fart")Ok, I don't know about you, but I found this quite hilarious, to my embarrassment. I think my sense of humour has a tendency to veer towards toilet jokes.
Speaking of toilet jokes, my brother sent this to me. It's pretty funny, I tell you.
And lastly, at the risk of getting struck by lightning, this is by far the funniest.
A testament to the fact that I generally collect friends of this ilk is the following conversation, in response to my definition of shart:
Adrian: interesting portmanteau!
Me: Haha. I'll say! My new word for the day.
Adrian: it's just like the time someone told me, "A wet fart isn't really a fart." which i agreed
Me: Hahahha. Ew! I should know better than to discuss stuff like that with you. It's like having a competition to see who gets grossed out first.
Adrian: i can go on!
Me: Yes, I'm sure you can! Wahahaha
Adrian: i like winning these things, but i usually get gruesomely surprised along the way
Thursday, June 26, 2008
A real post.. But not a very happy one.
I realise that I haven't been doing proper blogging the way I used to, and taking the lazy way out by simply exerpting conversations that I've had with people. I can see how that might be superficial to some of you who actually are entertained by my ramblings, or who are genuinely interested in my welfare, so I will deign, once in a while, to write a few actual posts. Part of this realisation I guess is spurred on by speaking with Calvin, who happens to think that my writing style requires very little mediation. Whatever that means.
The truth is that there have been many things that have happened the past few months, none of which can be shared in this medium. I have grappled with several issues which, if I think about it, forces me to make difficult decisions about my life and how I want to live it, about people and how I want to treat them, about friendship, about God, about life and separation and loss and love. As you can tell, all this is pretty heavy going, so I try not to think about it as much as I possibly can.
There have been a flurry of activity around me recently, but despite everything, I've been feeling lonely. Alone. The sort of coldness in the heart that cannot be filled by yet more parties to go to, or more money earned, or more good deeds done. The bible says that God gives a full and joyful life. Am I missing the point somewhere along the way? Am I not God-centred enough? Have there been too many things that have clouded my view of the cross?
The truth is that there have been many things that have happened the past few months, none of which can be shared in this medium. I have grappled with several issues which, if I think about it, forces me to make difficult decisions about my life and how I want to live it, about people and how I want to treat them, about friendship, about God, about life and separation and loss and love. As you can tell, all this is pretty heavy going, so I try not to think about it as much as I possibly can.
There have been a flurry of activity around me recently, but despite everything, I've been feeling lonely. Alone. The sort of coldness in the heart that cannot be filled by yet more parties to go to, or more money earned, or more good deeds done. The bible says that God gives a full and joyful life. Am I missing the point somewhere along the way? Am I not God-centred enough? Have there been too many things that have clouded my view of the cross?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Yeah, another one of those
My nick on MSN right now says "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." (This is in response to a situation I'm facing right now, but enough of that. I had a funny conversation with *Jamie who appears to be fixated with the nick.
*Name disguised to protect his reputation - though we all know who it is, right Ed?
Jamie: tats so cliche. how abt mine.. the strong eats, the weak is meat
Me: You're an idiot. :P
Jamie: how bout u?
Me: I'm not!
Jamie: wht r u then?
Me: I'm bright, and chirpy, and smart!
Jamie: chirpy?
Me: Yeah! Chirp chirp chirp
Jamie: yuck
Me: Dun like that lar.. Chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp
Jamie: i tink u r a nutcase
Two hours later...
Jamie: if u kena fooled for e third time then shame on who?
Me: Shame on you! For asking stupid questions.
Jamie: he he i know that one is coming ha ha
Me: Jaime I hate you! :'(
Jamie: why?
Me: Disturbing me during Platts!
Jamie: u can ignore me wot?
Me: Cannot. I'm obsessive compulsive. Must clear all my blinking IM screens
Jamie: then u shouldnt hate me. hate urself! MUAHA HA AH AHAH
Me: *faint*
*Name disguised to protect his reputation - though we all know who it is, right Ed?
Jamie: tats so cliche. how abt mine.. the strong eats, the weak is meat
Me: You're an idiot. :P
Jamie: how bout u?
Me: I'm not!
Jamie: wht r u then?
Me: I'm bright, and chirpy, and smart!
Jamie: chirpy?
Me: Yeah! Chirp chirp chirp
Jamie: yuck
Me: Dun like that lar.. Chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp chirp
Jamie: i tink u r a nutcase
Two hours later...
Jamie: if u kena fooled for e third time then shame on who?
Me: Shame on you! For asking stupid questions.
Jamie: he he i know that one is coming ha ha
Me: Jaime I hate you! :'(
Jamie: why?
Me: Disturbing me during Platts!
Jamie: u can ignore me wot?
Me: Cannot. I'm obsessive compulsive. Must clear all my blinking IM screens
Jamie: then u shouldnt hate me. hate urself! MUAHA HA AH AHAH
Me: *faint*
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Mag again
I was talking to Grace just today about life back in OH, and she complained a little about my "arch-enemy". Well, she isn't really, but I was reading with interest this email correspondence I had with her last year. I'll highlight the pertinent bits. I do think, on hindsight, that I tend to be quite bitchy and condescending when talking to her. It honestly wasn't my intention. Perhaps I don't put too much thought into phrasing my words. Or more likely, I'm just a bloody bitch.
This email was addressed to the ED and I was copied on it.
Mag (to all): During the last year recycling exercise by the Student Council, the vendor came twice, both time they paid our students $50.
Me (to all): Wonderful! Thanks, Mag.
Mag (to me, copying Andrew): You may want to find out who is keeping the money and how you intend to record all these petty cash.
Me (to Mag, copying Andrew): Incidentally, I’m getting a bit confused here. Is Andrew the resource person for the Student Council? Why is David asking you all these questions? [I guess I should have worded this properly. Realised on hindsight she got defensive because of the way I asked]
A long email from her (I'll just edit out the details):
You have problem with me getting involved in some of the students council? btw I am constantly asked information with regards to the Student Council, just because I am HM.
In fact most of the time, I don't get enough information from you or Andrew about the SC and it makes things very difficult for me. SCREAM!!!!!!! [Now she's blaming me and A for keeping info from her!]
I am doing things out of a need rather than from a point of control. "I eat, sleep also not so free". I know you are very efficient and capable, but at times you may not be in the office with our bosses and we need to fulfil some of their quiries.
So my response, in equally bitchy fashion:
The reason you don’t get information is because you’re not the SC resource person as far as I know. Would you like to be on the mailing list?
The current procedure, which you would know if you were on the mailing list, is [blah blah blah]
I don’t care if you want to be involved in the SC. I had no issues reporting to either you or Andrew. You just need to let me know. I was there when you taught Indora how to inventory the items. Did I make noise? No. Was I defensive when you chased me for the date of PK’s dinner with SC3? No. I am not being defensive about you. I am defensive about ED poking his smelly nose into SC stuff.
Incidentally, why do we need 2 resource people in SC? Are they out of control? Please don’t misunderstand again. This is feedback for me.
You might have probably guessed that I’m a bit stretched with the 2 councils, AHM duties, ensemble (which is unofficial), the movie club, my cluster, and now with the floor party as well as my personal life and exams and work and family. And I haven’t cleaned my room. I’ll be more than happy if you can help out in the SC. You just need to let me know so there is no confusion in reporting. And there’s no need to double report.
As far as I remember, there was silence from her. So there. The way to treat Mag is *not* to be silent in her face because you cannot understand her argument, but to argue till you're blue in the face, and *she* becomes silent.
A point of interest (and amusement) for me is how poor, innocent Andrew constantly gets dragged into my fracases with Mag.
This email was addressed to the ED and I was copied on it.
Mag (to all): During the last year recycling exercise by the Student Council, the vendor came twice, both time they paid our students $50.
Me (to all): Wonderful! Thanks, Mag.
Mag (to me, copying Andrew): You may want to find out who is keeping the money and how you intend to record all these petty cash.
Me (to Mag, copying Andrew): Incidentally, I’m getting a bit confused here. Is Andrew the resource person for the Student Council? Why is David asking you all these questions? [I guess I should have worded this properly. Realised on hindsight she got defensive because of the way I asked]
A long email from her (I'll just edit out the details):
You have problem with me getting involved in some of the students council? btw I am constantly asked information with regards to the Student Council, just because I am HM.
In fact most of the time, I don't get enough information from you or Andrew about the SC and it makes things very difficult for me. SCREAM!!!!!!! [Now she's blaming me and A for keeping info from her!]
I am doing things out of a need rather than from a point of control. "I eat, sleep also not so free". I know you are very efficient and capable, but at times you may not be in the office with our bosses and we need to fulfil some of their quiries.
So my response, in equally bitchy fashion:
The reason you don’t get information is because you’re not the SC resource person as far as I know. Would you like to be on the mailing list?
The current procedure, which you would know if you were on the mailing list, is [blah blah blah]
I don’t care if you want to be involved in the SC. I had no issues reporting to either you or Andrew. You just need to let me know. I was there when you taught Indora how to inventory the items. Did I make noise? No. Was I defensive when you chased me for the date of PK’s dinner with SC3? No. I am not being defensive about you. I am defensive about ED poking his smelly nose into SC stuff.
Incidentally, why do we need 2 resource people in SC? Are they out of control? Please don’t misunderstand again. This is feedback for me.
You might have probably guessed that I’m a bit stretched with the 2 councils, AHM duties, ensemble (which is unofficial), the movie club, my cluster, and now with the floor party as well as my personal life and exams and work and family. And I haven’t cleaned my room. I’ll be more than happy if you can help out in the SC. You just need to let me know so there is no confusion in reporting. And there’s no need to double report.
As far as I remember, there was silence from her. So there. The way to treat Mag is *not* to be silent in her face because you cannot understand her argument, but to argue till you're blue in the face, and *she* becomes silent.
A point of interest (and amusement) for me is how poor, innocent Andrew constantly gets dragged into my fracases with Mag.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Austrians Not Amused
I swiped this off here.. It's hilarious!
British tourists have left the residents of one charming Austrian village effing and blinding by constantly stealing the signs for their oddly named village.
While British visitors are finding it hilarious, the residents of Fucking are failing to see the funny side.
Only one kind of criminal stalks the sleepy 32-house village near Salzburg on the German border - cheeky British tourists armed with a sense of humor and a screwdriver.
But the local authorities are hitting back with the signs now set in concrete, police chief Kommandant Schmidtberger is on the lookout.
"We will not stand for the Fucking signs being removed," the officer said.
"It may be very amusing for you British, but Fucking is simply Fucking to us. What is this big Fucking joke? It is puerile."
Local tourist guide Andreas Behmueller said it was only the British that had a fixation with Fucking.
"The Germans all want to see the Mozart house in Salzburg," he explained. "Every American seems to care only about 'The Sound of Music' (the 1965 film shot around Salzburg.) The occasional Japanese wants to see Hilter's birthplace in Braunau."
"But for the British, it's all about Fucking."
Guesthouse manager Augustina Lindelbauer described the village's breathtaking lakes, forests and vistas. "Yet still there is this obsession with Fucking," she said. "Just this morning I had to tell an English lady that there were no Fucking postcards."
British tourists have left the residents of one charming Austrian village effing and blinding by constantly stealing the signs for their oddly named village.
While British visitors are finding it hilarious, the residents of Fucking are failing to see the funny side.
Only one kind of criminal stalks the sleepy 32-house village near Salzburg on the German border - cheeky British tourists armed with a sense of humor and a screwdriver.
But the local authorities are hitting back with the signs now set in concrete, police chief Kommandant Schmidtberger is on the lookout.
"We will not stand for the Fucking signs being removed," the officer said.
"It may be very amusing for you British, but Fucking is simply Fucking to us. What is this big Fucking joke? It is puerile."
Local tourist guide Andreas Behmueller said it was only the British that had a fixation with Fucking.
"The Germans all want to see the Mozart house in Salzburg," he explained. "Every American seems to care only about 'The Sound of Music' (the 1965 film shot around Salzburg.) The occasional Japanese wants to see Hilter's birthplace in Braunau."
"But for the British, it's all about Fucking."
Guesthouse manager Augustina Lindelbauer described the village's breathtaking lakes, forests and vistas. "Yet still there is this obsession with Fucking," she said. "Just this morning I had to tell an English lady that there were no Fucking postcards."
Sunday, June 08, 2008
My widdle baby wabies...
Look what I spent the whole of today making!
Now see, I've never been very good with the presentation of my food. They taste fine though. Those nasty black patches aren't really black patches at all, but brown, nicely caramelised bits of my portuguese egg tarts. Again, my Blackberry makes my pictures look like a huge crow crapped on it. And I haven't any idea where my normal camera is.
I made apple crumble, as well as banana crumble. It's supposed to look golden brown, but for some reason (blame the moronic BB) it looks like I didn't give them a tan. When warm, these babies melt in your mouth! The crumble is light and flaky, the apple filling gives it a sweet/sour taste in your mouth (I used a mixture of Granny Smith and Fuji). The banana crumble was warm and soft, with just the right amount of cinnamon to give it a pleasing aftertaste. Couple it with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, and you have yourself a real treat.
Now see, I've never been very good with the presentation of my food. They taste fine though. Those nasty black patches aren't really black patches at all, but brown, nicely caramelised bits of my portuguese egg tarts. Again, my Blackberry makes my pictures look like a huge crow crapped on it. And I haven't any idea where my normal camera is.
I made apple crumble, as well as banana crumble. It's supposed to look golden brown, but for some reason (blame the moronic BB) it looks like I didn't give them a tan. When warm, these babies melt in your mouth! The crumble is light and flaky, the apple filling gives it a sweet/sour taste in your mouth (I used a mixture of Granny Smith and Fuji). The banana crumble was warm and soft, with just the right amount of cinnamon to give it a pleasing aftertaste. Couple it with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, and you have yourself a real treat.
Self cheering
Desmond says I'm self-cheering. I think I have such a weird sense of humour that I can actually tell jokes to make myself happy. So anyway, I was trying to entertain myself today by annoying the vulgar broker.
Me: Eh Natasha Low Pei Lin
VB: whos tt
Me: WAHAHAHAH I guess one.
Me: Natasha Low Mei Ping
VB: siao ar
Me: Mei Ling?
Me: Rumplestiltskin?
VB: u must be sarah chnag bi qi
VB: bi qi = bitch
Me: WAHAHAHAHA
VB: u muz have missed talkin to me like crazy
Me: Ha! Pls!
Me: Natasha Low Ai Que? (I should have spelt it Ai Kew)
VB: is natasha low fa ker
Me: Wahaha. Better!
Me: If only your surname Soh. Natasha Soh Chor Lor.
Me: Damn entertaining man, you.
VB: biqi
Me: I know you luff me!
Me: Eh Natasha Low Pei Lin
VB: whos tt
Me: WAHAHAHAH I guess one.
Me: Natasha Low Mei Ping
VB: siao ar
Me: Mei Ling?
Me: Rumplestiltskin?
VB: u must be sarah chnag bi qi
VB: bi qi = bitch
Me: WAHAHAHAHA
VB: u muz have missed talkin to me like crazy
Me: Ha! Pls!
Me: Natasha Low Ai Que? (I should have spelt it Ai Kew)
VB: is natasha low fa ker
Me: Wahaha. Better!
Me: If only your surname Soh. Natasha Soh Chor Lor.
Me: Damn entertaining man, you.
VB: biqi
Me: I know you luff me!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
I'm baaaack! Miss me?
So just the other day, I was having a conversation with the guy that works in the next building.
Life's less fun without Alley. Now it's just me and guy-that-works-in-the-next-building.
Life's less fun without Alley. Now it's just me and guy-that-works-in-the-next-building.
Monday, June 02, 2008
The end of the ordeal
Some of the changes in tax that didn't appear in the syllabus that I was studying for:
Corporate tax rate is now 18%
Partial exemption limithas been raised to 290k
CPF contribution is now pro rated
GST is prorated
Dividends are now exempt
Foreign income is now exempt
Personal tax rates have been revised
The topper: You can no longer choose which questions to do; you have to do all the questions in the paper!
Goodness knows what else has changed since 2005 (haha). I spent the last 25 mins going over my answers in pen because the invigilator said that the answers had to be in ink and I'd written in pencil! Complete waste of time!
I don't know why I put myself through this year after year, though admittedly studying for the thing is really quite fun! In any case, I'm glad it's over... Now I can go back to watching CSI without the guilt.
Supposed-to-be-studying-chronicles Part 3
I'm sitting here thinking how to fail my exam in the most glorious way.
Crash and burn, they call it. Perhaps I'll write something amusing to
entertain the person marking my question, and in the process salvage
some marks, and some dignity. I toyed with the idea of just writing one
line before walking out of the exam hall: "You guys should really get
those sticks out of your assess and start having a life". But I paid
money for this exam lah. I'm conservative like that. A bit of that
accountant streak got into me from all this studying.
Crash and burn, they call it. Perhaps I'll write something amusing to
entertain the person marking my question, and in the process salvage
some marks, and some dignity. I toyed with the idea of just writing one
line before walking out of the exam hall: "You guys should really get
those sticks out of your assess and start having a life". But I paid
money for this exam lah. I'm conservative like that. A bit of that
accountant streak got into me from all this studying.
I suspect that I put myself through this because I like the adrenalin
rush from going into an exam hall without being prepared at all. That
would also explain why it is that I study outdated syllabus, why I was
out playing the whole day when I should be mugging away, why I'm writing
this post when my paper is just 3 hours away, and why I watched CSI when
I was supposed to be on my one-week hiatus.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
One of my more beneficial dreams
I had a rather vivid dream last night about market structure and the price of oil. Then I dreamt about my friend an oil trader running his own company who punted on the flat price which went up 300 bucks since he entered into position, and how the out of control crude might bankrupt him. (This is true by the way. I mean about him punting flat price, not him being bankrupt. Thankfully!) And a strangely firm resolve not to punt flat price unless I'm sure of its direction.
Yes, I've been on leave and I know crude's gone down. Dreams don't have logic.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Supposed-to-be-studying-chronicles Part 1
Staying home studying for the exams can be really really boring. Other than the very obvious lack of discipline on my part to just sit down and study, there's the little fact about my 30-minute attention span. I blame my father (he's like that too).
Nevertheless, I've managed to make some progress, so we'll just have to see how this goes. I think that at this stage in my career, the objective isn't really to get yet another degree or certification, but to learn, and admittedly, sitting down for hours upon hours studying this material is tough, but learning is its own reward. I'm not entirely confident that I'm learning the right stuff. My notes were from 2005 - That's 3 budget speeches ago, but hey. Doesn't matter. :)
Was just logging on to the office computer to do some work cuz I didn't feel like doing the next long question on individual taxation, and had a conversation with a friend that was quite hurting; somewhere near the opening act of our conversation he made a statement: you won't pass the exam. It was unprovoked and, I felt, completely uncalled for. He called it speaking the truth in love. My ass!
I've always told myself to watch my temper, and because of that, I tend to hold myself back a lot more than I do unleash my fury. I have always wanted my temper and its release to be a strategic thing, to get things accomplished, to bring a point across. Because what is the use of venting an anger if it accomplishes nothing but make meetings awkward and makes you unapprochable? So it might seem to some that I'm a pushover. And sometimes people do push boundaries, to see what it takes to incite a reaction.
Some wise person once told me that there exists people in this world whose hearts are seared. I didn't quite know what that meant but I imagine that it had to do with hearts being numb to the point of not being able to feel. In the context of our conversation, he was talking about those that lacked self awareness; who would God-speak yet whose lives are unchanged; who did not have the ability to look into their own lives and to see how God could work there as well. It is not for me to judge, but just to be aware, so that in wisdom I can protect myself.
Nevertheless, I've managed to make some progress, so we'll just have to see how this goes. I think that at this stage in my career, the objective isn't really to get yet another degree or certification, but to learn, and admittedly, sitting down for hours upon hours studying this material is tough, but learning is its own reward. I'm not entirely confident that I'm learning the right stuff. My notes were from 2005 - That's 3 budget speeches ago, but hey. Doesn't matter. :)
Was just logging on to the office computer to do some work cuz I didn't feel like doing the next long question on individual taxation, and had a conversation with a friend that was quite hurting; somewhere near the opening act of our conversation he made a statement: you won't pass the exam. It was unprovoked and, I felt, completely uncalled for. He called it speaking the truth in love. My ass!
I've always told myself to watch my temper, and because of that, I tend to hold myself back a lot more than I do unleash my fury. I have always wanted my temper and its release to be a strategic thing, to get things accomplished, to bring a point across. Because what is the use of venting an anger if it accomplishes nothing but make meetings awkward and makes you unapprochable? So it might seem to some that I'm a pushover. And sometimes people do push boundaries, to see what it takes to incite a reaction.
Some wise person once told me that there exists people in this world whose hearts are seared. I didn't quite know what that meant but I imagine that it had to do with hearts being numb to the point of not being able to feel. In the context of our conversation, he was talking about those that lacked self awareness; who would God-speak yet whose lives are unchanged; who did not have the ability to look into their own lives and to see how God could work there as well. It is not for me to judge, but just to be aware, so that in wisdom I can protect myself.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Do not pray for easier lives, pray to be stronger men.
... Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work will be no miracle, but YOU will be a miracle. ~Phillips Brooks
(Obviously assuming that the task is way above your current ability.)
Life, currently, blows.
(Obviously assuming that the task is way above your current ability.)
Life, currently, blows.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Taxidermis - A review
You know how everyone's just reviewing movies on their blog? Problem with me is that I ain't got time to watch a movie. But I'll do my review anyways, just to remain "competitive". And my reviews are always kickass lor. ;)
Friend: eh i watched this movie called taxidermis
Friend: the most fucked up yucky movie ever
Me: Haha. I can expect.
Friend: if u hate someone buy the ticket
Me: Yeah. They'd be 2 hours older after the movie, and none the wiser.
Friend: its crazy man! sick to the core
Me: Gore, violence or nudity?
Friend: all sorts of sick shit
Friend: starts off like a pron flick with this guy masturbating and putting his dick on fire and fucking a dead pig alll sorts of wierd shit then goes to become this eating and vomiting movie
Friend: yuck
A glowing endorsement, methinks. I give it -23 stars.. Out of 5
Friend: eh i watched this movie called taxidermis
Friend: the most fucked up yucky movie ever
Me: Haha. I can expect.
Friend: if u hate someone buy the ticket
Me: Yeah. They'd be 2 hours older after the movie, and none the wiser.
Friend: its crazy man! sick to the core
Me: Gore, violence or nudity?
Friend: all sorts of sick shit
Friend: starts off like a pron flick with this guy masturbating and putting his dick on fire and fucking a dead pig alll sorts of wierd shit then goes to become this eating and vomiting movie
Friend: yuck
A glowing endorsement, methinks. I give it -23 stars.. Out of 5
Monday, May 05, 2008
Kinging it
Was reading this devotional a couple of days ago, and something caught my eye. I guess just because I am who I am, I can't just sit still. I can't do the same thing day after boring day after boring day. Which is why this passage speaks to me. I shall exerpt it.
I didn't say I won't lose my patience when people do/say stupid things though.
God knew David had the quality of integrity. Today, we live in a world that says, in many ways, "If you make a good impression, that's really all that matters." But you will never be a man or woman of God if that's your philosophy. Never. You cannot fake it with the Almighty. He is not impressed with externals. He always focuses on the inward qualities, those things that take time and discipline to cultivate. God trained David for a leadership role with four disciplines.And then Dr. Swindoll talks about the areas in which God trains us in character. The one that caught my eye, and indeed, my conscience, was the third one:
Which leads us to the third training ground, monotony. That's being faithful in the menial, insignificant, routine, unexciting, uneventful, daily tasks of life. Life without a break... without the wine and roses. Just dull, plain L-I-F-E. Just constant, unchanging, endless hours of tired monotony as you learn to be a man or woman of God... with nobody else around, when nobody else notices, when nobody else even cares. That's how we learn to "king it."And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. I'm gonna learn to "king it" by being disciplined; not complaining when the going gets tough, or when the work is menial, or unimportant, or if people treat me with disdain. I will pay attention to the little details and not think that I'm far above all that stuff I'm tasked to do. I'm gonna have a good attitude.
I didn't say I won't lose my patience when people do/say stupid things though.
Friday, May 02, 2008
The hike
Never Saw Blue - Hayley Westenra
Today we took a walk up the street,
We picked a flower and climbed a hill above the lake
Secret thoughts, u said aloud,
We watched the faces in the clouds
Until the clouds have blown away
Today we took a walk up the street,
We picked a flower and climbed a hill above the lake
Secret thoughts, u said aloud,
We watched the faces in the clouds
Until the clouds have blown away
I wish that was it. The truth is something a little more sombre. We walked in the thick of the night, through some of Singapore's more secluded spots. All in, we walked about 21.4km, and although I *should* feel a sense of accomplishment for it (and I suppose in the deepest recessess of my psyche I do, that sado-masochistic part of me that is), all I feel is pain. Deep, numbing, crippling pain. The muaythai - flu - hike - muaythai combination is slightly punishing for my body, as it turns out.
So this morning, I google-mapped the route, and this was what I found out:
View Larger Map
I didn’t really get the sense that we travelled really far, even though I did remember vaguely learning back in primary school that the width of Singapore is about 20+km. Only after looking at the map was everything put in perspective and it was also then that I realised that we travelled almost a quarter the freakin' circumference of Singapore. I suppose the fact that the guy who suggested this outlandish idea (let’s call him KC) “motivated” us into thinking that it wasn’t that long a distance.
KC: The distance is about 10km
CG: WAAAAAT?? That’s crazy! Such a long distance!! *groan*
KC: Come on! 10km is chicken feed. About 1.5 - 2 hours max?
CG (reluctantly): OKaaaaaay..
On the day of the hike:
Me: Taxi-fare from start point to end point is $12! That’s a really long distance!
KC: Hm. I might have miscalculated. Maybe the distance is about 12-15km.
Me and YK: *faint*
At the end of the hike:
KC: Congratulations! You guys completed 20km!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
A puzzle
So recently, I was thinking about an imaginary puzzle. Obviously simple to some, but I’m dumb , so you have to indulge me.
Say you saw this snazzy guitar on Ebay, autographed by guitar legend Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi fame, and it’s really underpriced. You reckon that you can earn for yourself a tidy little margin by buying it and selling it for a higher price in Singapore. Because this guitar is one of a kind, so it’s subject to demand fluctuations. Fluctuations based on the current popularity of Bon Jovi as a band, because it is currently making a comeback with 3 new singles in their latest album, you should eventually be able to sell the guitar at a reasonably good profit.
(At this point, it is beginning to sound like a math question from secondary school hell. But moving right along…)
Sounds like you’re all set right? Problem is, you have to pay in USD. Now, we know about the instability of the USD in the current tumultuous market right? And remember, your customers are in Singapore, so they will only buy from you in SGD. So how? The currency might turn against you, and the fluctuations might eventually erode away your profits!
Now, being a finance person yourself, you would want to hedge yourself against this fluctuation right? And obviously, the timing of the hedge is of the utmost importance. Hence,
Question 1: When are you exposed, and when should you set up your hedge?
Question 2: When will you close out your position?
Question 3: What instrument will you hedge this fluctuation with, and why? Take into account transaction costs, risk exposure and the ease of closing out your position/transferring your risk.
Sometime between the time you won the auction and the time your guitar arrived, a scandal broke out. It turns out that Richie Sambora slept with Jon Bon Jovi’s wife, and the band is threatening to break up. Notwithstanding the fact that in times like these the price of memorabilia should go UP, you are of the belief that everyone now hates Sambora, and the value of the guitar is falling as we speak.
Question 4: You need to hedge against the declining value of your asset. What do you do? (Ok, this is MCQ)
A) You go on eBay and sell the item right NOW (you set up a forward position)
B) You conditionally sell the guitar to your brother, who is a Sambora fan, and you make him promise that if the price falls below the margin that you are willing to accept as profit for.. ARGH. Ok this is not fun anymore. The analogy stops here. I am really unproductive at work today.
But I think I did a relatively good job at simplifying a problem I'm having at work. Heh heh.
Say you saw this snazzy guitar on Ebay, autographed by guitar legend Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi fame, and it’s really underpriced. You reckon that you can earn for yourself a tidy little margin by buying it and selling it for a higher price in Singapore. Because this guitar is one of a kind, so it’s subject to demand fluctuations. Fluctuations based on the current popularity of Bon Jovi as a band, because it is currently making a comeback with 3 new singles in their latest album, you should eventually be able to sell the guitar at a reasonably good profit.
(At this point, it is beginning to sound like a math question from secondary school hell. But moving right along…)
Sounds like you’re all set right? Problem is, you have to pay in USD. Now, we know about the instability of the USD in the current tumultuous market right? And remember, your customers are in Singapore, so they will only buy from you in SGD. So how? The currency might turn against you, and the fluctuations might eventually erode away your profits!
Now, being a finance person yourself, you would want to hedge yourself against this fluctuation right? And obviously, the timing of the hedge is of the utmost importance. Hence,
Question 1: When are you exposed, and when should you set up your hedge?
Question 2: When will you close out your position?
Question 3: What instrument will you hedge this fluctuation with, and why? Take into account transaction costs, risk exposure and the ease of closing out your position/transferring your risk.
Sometime between the time you won the auction and the time your guitar arrived, a scandal broke out. It turns out that Richie Sambora slept with Jon Bon Jovi’s wife, and the band is threatening to break up. Notwithstanding the fact that in times like these the price of memorabilia should go UP, you are of the belief that everyone now hates Sambora, and the value of the guitar is falling as we speak.
Question 4: You need to hedge against the declining value of your asset. What do you do? (Ok, this is MCQ)
A) You go on eBay and sell the item right NOW (you set up a forward position)
B) You conditionally sell the guitar to your brother, who is a Sambora fan, and you make him promise that if the price falls below the margin that you are willing to accept as profit for.. ARGH. Ok this is not fun anymore. The analogy stops here. I am really unproductive at work today.
But I think I did a relatively good job at simplifying a problem I'm having at work. Heh heh.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Psalm 73
Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.
Those who have no regard of God, who did not see it fit to factor God in their lives, who broke every single commandment in the Bible, they are living the dream life! They have good jobs, their relationships with people are excellent, they are smart, they are not lacking financially, or lacking in favour, or lacking in esteem. Their lives are perfect!
Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.
They say, "How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?"
This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.
Look, I'm having a party! Why are you in church? Why do you waste time volunteering when you can live for yourself? It's ok to sleep with someone to get business. It's fine to have a mistress on the side, as long as the wife doesn't know. If you are so pure and innocent, I don't see how you can get into this business.
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been plagued;
I have been punished every morning.
If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
I would have betrayed your children.
When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me
It's not difficult to become jaded when all around you, the wicked prosper: The bitchy ones are popular, the arrogant ones get great jobs which make them more proud, the sneaky and conniving ones get away with cheating the system, and here I am, the fool who follows God's commands, who tries to store up for myself treasures in heaven. To what end?
till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
It was when I saw God face to face; when I saw His immense glory and His infinite wisdom, that I understood. I understood the grand plan of it all - The plan that we who are so finite are unable to see but for the eyes of wisdom, and the heart that understand God's heart.
Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.
Life is but a blink of an eye in the light of eternity, and fleeting in the grand scheme of things. And like chaff that is blown away, we are inconsequential. And because there is judgement, there is punishment, there is vindication. And there is reward for those who persevere.
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Forgive me, O Lord, for becoming cynical; for believing that you are impotent and that you would be unjust and blind to my plight. Forgive me for not believing that you would love me, and that what happens to me matters to you.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
You are sufficient. You overflow. All of You is more than enough for all of me.
Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
Because You are a just God. A fair God.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
Hallelujah
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.
Those who have no regard of God, who did not see it fit to factor God in their lives, who broke every single commandment in the Bible, they are living the dream life! They have good jobs, their relationships with people are excellent, they are smart, they are not lacking financially, or lacking in favour, or lacking in esteem. Their lives are perfect!
Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.
They say, "How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?"
This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.
Look, I'm having a party! Why are you in church? Why do you waste time volunteering when you can live for yourself? It's ok to sleep with someone to get business. It's fine to have a mistress on the side, as long as the wife doesn't know. If you are so pure and innocent, I don't see how you can get into this business.
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been plagued;
I have been punished every morning.
If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
I would have betrayed your children.
When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me
It's not difficult to become jaded when all around you, the wicked prosper: The bitchy ones are popular, the arrogant ones get great jobs which make them more proud, the sneaky and conniving ones get away with cheating the system, and here I am, the fool who follows God's commands, who tries to store up for myself treasures in heaven. To what end?
till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
It was when I saw God face to face; when I saw His immense glory and His infinite wisdom, that I understood. I understood the grand plan of it all - The plan that we who are so finite are unable to see but for the eyes of wisdom, and the heart that understand God's heart.
Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.
Life is but a blink of an eye in the light of eternity, and fleeting in the grand scheme of things. And like chaff that is blown away, we are inconsequential. And because there is judgement, there is punishment, there is vindication. And there is reward for those who persevere.
When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Forgive me, O Lord, for becoming cynical; for believing that you are impotent and that you would be unjust and blind to my plight. Forgive me for not believing that you would love me, and that what happens to me matters to you.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
You are sufficient. You overflow. All of You is more than enough for all of me.
Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
Because You are a just God. A fair God.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
Hallelujah
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Something quite funny
Here's a little something funny to cheer us up.
Friend: nice ppl die young
Me: Oh no. My time is almost up then.
Friend: hahah. u have long life
Me: Haha. By saying that, it looks like you won't. Because I will muay thai you the next time I see you.
Friend: at the rate i m bitchin, i might live to 100
Me: Hahah. You better delay it as long as you can. I heard hell very hot.
Friend: install air con lor. i m sure LKY will be there
Friend: LKY will aircon the whole hell
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The scene at sea
The mood was sombre. Four small ferries floated in the middle of the Singapore Straits. Some spectators clambered over to the other ferries for a closer look. Across from me, Rafi clutched his head between his hands and looked down, as the monk started laying out his equipment, his bell on the floor before him. Emmanuel's expression of unutterable grief was barely hidden behind his Oakley shades.
A girl from the other ferry passed out some white roses. Daisies and carnations were handed round on the other ferries as well. An aide lighted up a bunch of incense, and the sweet fragrance floated up into the midafternoon sky.
Soon, the activity died down as the monk started chanting his spiel. I looked around at the spectacle before me, as the crowd trained their eyes on the monk. There were Chinese and Malays, Australians, English, Filipinos, French, Singaporeans. Divers of diverse backgrounds and origins, joined together in their love of the sport and the love of a fallen comarade.
Soon, the chanting stopped. Puffy-eyed, the girlfriend paid her last respects to the little red bundle of ashes that were laid before them. Mother, father and sister in turn touched the little bundle of remains before returning to their spot on the ferry. Gathering together the fruit offering, the monk handed these to the mother, who dropped them into the sea. The scarlet bag holding what used to be our friend was slowly peeled open as the red-eyed parents scattered the white ash into the wind and into the sea. As if a signal was given, the spectators tore the petals from the flowers they were holding on to, and threw them into the sea as well.
The last bell was rung. In unison, we nodded our heads as a sign of last respects to the friend who protected us, who shared the good times, who would offer to share the last slice of watermelon with us after recovering from a dive, and who took up our challenge of downing ever larger quantities of booze. A mental picture of Darwin's cheeky grin flashed before my eyes.
I heard a quiet sobbing behind me. Not long after, more sobbing. As our ferry pulled away from the others, I looked back to see the brightly coloured petals bobbing under the clear blue sky.
A girl from the other ferry passed out some white roses. Daisies and carnations were handed round on the other ferries as well. An aide lighted up a bunch of incense, and the sweet fragrance floated up into the midafternoon sky.
Soon, the activity died down as the monk started chanting his spiel. I looked around at the spectacle before me, as the crowd trained their eyes on the monk. There were Chinese and Malays, Australians, English, Filipinos, French, Singaporeans. Divers of diverse backgrounds and origins, joined together in their love of the sport and the love of a fallen comarade.
Soon, the chanting stopped. Puffy-eyed, the girlfriend paid her last respects to the little red bundle of ashes that were laid before them. Mother, father and sister in turn touched the little bundle of remains before returning to their spot on the ferry. Gathering together the fruit offering, the monk handed these to the mother, who dropped them into the sea. The scarlet bag holding what used to be our friend was slowly peeled open as the red-eyed parents scattered the white ash into the wind and into the sea. As if a signal was given, the spectators tore the petals from the flowers they were holding on to, and threw them into the sea as well.
The last bell was rung. In unison, we nodded our heads as a sign of last respects to the friend who protected us, who shared the good times, who would offer to share the last slice of watermelon with us after recovering from a dive, and who took up our challenge of downing ever larger quantities of booze. A mental picture of Darwin's cheeky grin flashed before my eyes.
I heard a quiet sobbing behind me. Not long after, more sobbing. As our ferry pulled away from the others, I looked back to see the brightly coloured petals bobbing under the clear blue sky.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Life is fragile
Darwin Peh, one of the dive masters who assisted us during our Open Water certification in Tioman, passed away yesterday afternoon at Changi General Hospital. He was wakeboarding with friends when he had seizures and his heart stopped. The doctors could not revive him. Darwin is survived by his parents and a sister.
His ashes would be scattered at sea over the Singapore Strait tomorrow at around 9:30AM. Wai*ki*ki divers and friends would be there to bid farewell to their beloved dive master, comical drinking sometimes non-drinking companion, and true dive buddy whether in or out of the water.
Hopefully, we would all always remember Darwin with warmth and fondness in our hearts. Wherever he may be now in the vast deep blue, he would surely be smiling at us with his boyish grin and giving us the (diver's) A-okay sign as we fin through or drift with the currents of living in this world.
****************
I liked Darwin very much. He was a great guy, responsible dive master and lovely friend. He was only 34 years old. I'm gonna miss the dude.
His ashes would be scattered at sea over the Singapore Strait tomorrow at around 9:30AM. Wai*ki*ki divers and friends would be there to bid farewell to their beloved dive master, comical drinking sometimes non-drinking companion, and true dive buddy whether in or out of the water.
Hopefully, we would all always remember Darwin with warmth and fondness in our hearts. Wherever he may be now in the vast deep blue, he would surely be smiling at us with his boyish grin and giving us the (diver's) A-okay sign as we fin through or drift with the currents of living in this world.
****************
I liked Darwin very much. He was a great guy, responsible dive master and lovely friend. He was only 34 years old. I'm gonna miss the dude.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Charles Spurgeon
I listened to this inspiring sermon about the testimony of Charles Spurgeon, and it filled me with tears.
Charles Spurgeon was saved by the weak and trembling preaching of a man who has been forgotten by history. This was Spurgeon's account of the man's sermon that day.
Charles Spurgeon was saved by the weak and trembling preaching of a man who has been forgotten by history. This was Spurgeon's account of the man's sermon that day.
The man who preached on that snowy day chose Isaiah 45:22 as his text, and the passage said, "Look to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth." And the man said, "Look, that is not hard work. You need not lift your hand, you do not want to lift your finger. Look, a fool can do it. It does not need a wise man to look. A child can do that. You don't need to be full-grown to use your eyes. Look, a poor man may do that, no need of riches to look. Look, how simple." Then he went on: "Look unto Me. Do not look to yourselves, but look to Me, that is Christ.Taken jointly from Joshua Harris' sermon Proclaiming Christ Crucified and Gold from Dark Mines, The Journey to Conversion of Six Famous Christians By Irene Howat Published 2005 by Christian Focus Publications Ltd p. 162-165
"Look unto Me; I am sweating great drops of blood for you; look unto Me, I am scourged and spit upon; I am nailed to the cross, I die, I am buried, I rise and ascend, I am pleading before the Father's throne, and all this is for you.'"
Spurgeon says now that simple way of putting the gospel had enlisted my attention, and a ray of light had poured into my heart. Stooping down the gallery, the preacher looked directly to Spurgeon and said, "Young man, you are very miserable."
"So I was, but I was not accustomed to be addressed that way."
"Ah," said he, "and you will continue to be miserable if you don't do as my text tells you, and that is look to Christ." Then raising his voice to its limit, he called out, "Young man, look! In God's name, look! And look now. Look! Look! Look! You have nothing to do but look and live."
And God's Holy Spirit saved Spurgeon on that day. "I did look," he said, "Blessed be God! I know I looked then and there, and the darkness was gone! The cloud rolled away, and in that moment, I saw the sun. I could have risen in that moment and sung with the most enthusiastic of them, of the precious blood of Christ, and the simple faith that looks alone to Him.
That was probably the most unlearned sermon Charles Spurgeon had ever heard. It might have been the emptiest church he had ever sat in. He was probably as uncomfortable as he had ever been in church, soaked through with melting snow. But a transaction took place between him and Almighty God because Charles did look to Jesus and was taken from the despair of his heart into 'fullness of joy and hope.' He had left home at 10.30 that morning a sinner oppressed by the weight of his sinfulness, and as he walked home less than two hours later his heart was so joyful it wanted to make his legs dance! He must have felt once again like the 15-year-old he was.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Of all the sick and twisted things
I came across this article after listening to an interview on BBC. It was pretty gross, but I'll let you judge for yourselves. You can read it here and here.
Father and daughter have a baby together after 30-year separation
A father and daughter confessed on television last night to spending seven years in a sexual relationship and conceiving two children.
Jenny Deaves told how she was reunited with her long-lost father, John, 30 years after he left her mother.
She was 31 when they met again but instead of a normal father-daughter relationship, they fell in love.
As their own marriages failed, they became intimate.
"John and I are in this relationship as consenting adults," Jenny told Australia's 60 Minutes programme last night.
"We are just asking for a little bit of respect and understanding."
They showed their nine-month-old daughter Celeste, who appeared fit and healthy - although their first child died of a congenital disease within days of birth. Jenny, who has two children from a previous relationship, is now 39.
She said that soon after reuniting with John she saw him as a man first and her father second.
"I was looking at him, sort of going, oh, he's not too bad," she said. "Like you might look at a man across the bar at a nightclub."
Mr Deaves 61, who lives with his daughter in the town of Mount Gambier, South Australia, admitted he "initially" thought having sex with her was wrong, but "emotions took over".
"I knew it was illegal, of course I knew, but you know, so what," he said.
Jenny said the physical relationship with her father was like "a sexual relationship with any other man". Mr Deaves said it was "absolutely fantastic".
Last month Jenny and her father were placed on a good behaviour bond for three years by a judge in Mount Gambier after admitting two counts of incest.
A condition of the bond is that the couple do not have sex again. A police spokesman said they "were being monitored".
The father and daughter claimed on air that they have ended the sexual side of their relationship and would find it easy not to sleep together again because of the risk of imprisonment.
"We will continue living as a normal, happy family for years to come," Jenny said.
Father and daughter have a baby together after 30-year separation
A father and daughter confessed on television last night to spending seven years in a sexual relationship and conceiving two children.
Jenny Deaves told how she was reunited with her long-lost father, John, 30 years after he left her mother.
She was 31 when they met again but instead of a normal father-daughter relationship, they fell in love.
As their own marriages failed, they became intimate.
"John and I are in this relationship as consenting adults," Jenny told Australia's 60 Minutes programme last night.
"We are just asking for a little bit of respect and understanding."
They showed their nine-month-old daughter Celeste, who appeared fit and healthy - although their first child died of a congenital disease within days of birth. Jenny, who has two children from a previous relationship, is now 39.
She said that soon after reuniting with John she saw him as a man first and her father second.
"I was looking at him, sort of going, oh, he's not too bad," she said. "Like you might look at a man across the bar at a nightclub."
Mr Deaves 61, who lives with his daughter in the town of Mount Gambier, South Australia, admitted he "initially" thought having sex with her was wrong, but "emotions took over".
"I knew it was illegal, of course I knew, but you know, so what," he said.
Jenny said the physical relationship with her father was like "a sexual relationship with any other man". Mr Deaves said it was "absolutely fantastic".
Last month Jenny and her father were placed on a good behaviour bond for three years by a judge in Mount Gambier after admitting two counts of incest.
A condition of the bond is that the couple do not have sex again. A police spokesman said they "were being monitored".
The father and daughter claimed on air that they have ended the sexual side of their relationship and would find it easy not to sleep together again because of the risk of imprisonment.
"We will continue living as a normal, happy family for years to come," Jenny said.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The investiture and the school
I was going to do this rant about the Student Council Investiture speech made by the Gas of Honour, and although I have not forgiven the beady-eyed bastard for saying the things that he did, I am still not able to conjure up enough bile to lambast him good and proper in a post. Strangely enough though, I had this weird fantasy just now as I was heading home, that I had interrupted his stupid speech and countered each and every point he made and publicly humiliating him. Alas, fantasies are just fantasies.
In short, I think the resident beady-eyed bastard (I wish I had a picture of his ugly mug to post up here for all to see) was trying to discredit his mortal enemy - Andrew - who is also my good friend (or used to be). BEB had the impression that Andrew was trying to turn all the volunteer staff in the hostel against him and the management, and, I believe (and I'm saying "I believe" because I want to avoid a lawsuit here), had been planning from last year to oust him from the hostel. The fact of the matter is that Andrew *is* rather antagonistic, though with good reason. The management has these indescribably stupid and hare-brained ideas that display a complete non-understanding of the workings of the hostel, the welfare of the boarders, and a total disconnect as to what are the important issues that matter to the kids. Obviously this caused a minor uprising in the ranks and we volunteers had been voicing out rather strongly against the incompetent ED's incredibly stupid ideas. Andrew's got a fairly good bullshit detector and being the first line of defence, got the brunt of the management's wrath. So with effect from last month, he was immediately terminated. They called it a "resignation". These ball-less pricks didn't even have the guts to admit that they fired him, but we know better.
Anyway, back to my main point: The SC Investiture speech. In it, the beady-eyed bastard (whose massive ego would not fit through the main entrance if it were an actual, tangible, material thing) criticised the SC in a public speech with many invited guests from MOE, other hostels and schools. Being trained in diplomacy (the idiot is a failed diplomat with ambitions to ambassadorship but never quite made it, and relegated himself to simply bossing around foreign students in a hostel), airing dirty laundry is a definite no-no (not that the laundry was actually "dirty"; many of the points were flawed and could easily be refuted by people who were actually involved in the SC, and not some distant non-person who managed by email), and for him to publicly do this was a clear and calculated move to discredit Andrew before the guests and especially the students, who loved Andrew like a father. So anyway, rather than to go into the details of the speech, which would really emotionally exhaust me, and clearly, the work of the councillors will vindicate them, I would rather dwell on the many wonderful memories I have of the beloved place in which I spent 5 memorable years.
So let me present to you.. That-hostel-within-the-campus-for-pretentious-young-boys!
This is the driveway along which I used to walk every morning to get to work, and every evening when I would chug exhaustedly up the slope. You can actually see my room from the front driveway. It's the second highest floor, the first 2 windows from the centre block. The first window is where my bed was, and the second was right in front of my computer, from which I had typed many of my blog entries.
Here it is again, up close. You can see the main glass door from here. Many a delinquent student who stay out past midnight had loitered around this area, while frenetically calling their AHMs who would (depending on their mood), wake up sleepily to open the door for them in the wee hours of the morning.
I had spent more than one memorable evening just sitting in the school premises either having conversations with close friends or journalling. It was here that I poured my heart out to a friend, and received insight about myself, encouragement about my spiritual walk and even some rebuke for some of the choices that I had made. It's probably safe to say that part of the decision that I had made to get right with God came from a conversation I had right here in the school campus. I know it's strange, but there's something about the stillness of the campus in the middle of the night, the cool breeze that blows through the silent compound that makes you feel so attuned to the spiritual things.
Ah the pool. I loved coming here to swim, though not as often as I would have liked. The obnoxious ACS boys tend to hog them a lot. Especially the poseur obnoxious ACS swimmer boys.
In short, I think the resident beady-eyed bastard (I wish I had a picture of his ugly mug to post up here for all to see) was trying to discredit his mortal enemy - Andrew - who is also my good friend (or used to be). BEB had the impression that Andrew was trying to turn all the volunteer staff in the hostel against him and the management, and, I believe (and I'm saying "I believe" because I want to avoid a lawsuit here), had been planning from last year to oust him from the hostel. The fact of the matter is that Andrew *is* rather antagonistic, though with good reason. The management has these indescribably stupid and hare-brained ideas that display a complete non-understanding of the workings of the hostel, the welfare of the boarders, and a total disconnect as to what are the important issues that matter to the kids. Obviously this caused a minor uprising in the ranks and we volunteers had been voicing out rather strongly against the incompetent ED's incredibly stupid ideas. Andrew's got a fairly good bullshit detector and being the first line of defence, got the brunt of the management's wrath. So with effect from last month, he was immediately terminated. They called it a "resignation". These ball-less pricks didn't even have the guts to admit that they fired him, but we know better.
Anyway, back to my main point: The SC Investiture speech. In it, the beady-eyed bastard (whose massive ego would not fit through the main entrance if it were an actual, tangible, material thing) criticised the SC in a public speech with many invited guests from MOE, other hostels and schools. Being trained in diplomacy (the idiot is a failed diplomat with ambitions to ambassadorship but never quite made it, and relegated himself to simply bossing around foreign students in a hostel), airing dirty laundry is a definite no-no (not that the laundry was actually "dirty"; many of the points were flawed and could easily be refuted by people who were actually involved in the SC, and not some distant non-person who managed by email), and for him to publicly do this was a clear and calculated move to discredit Andrew before the guests and especially the students, who loved Andrew like a father. So anyway, rather than to go into the details of the speech, which would really emotionally exhaust me, and clearly, the work of the councillors will vindicate them, I would rather dwell on the many wonderful memories I have of the beloved place in which I spent 5 memorable years.
So let me present to you.. That-hostel-within-the-campus-for-pretentious-young-boys!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Evil? Moi?
One of the broking houses had a party last night, and I was obliged to go. Twas quite fun, and my best friend Johnny (Walker) was there. So this morning, Mr. Guy-whose-business-card-I-burned messaged me.
CY: u alive?
Me: Yoho! Never better.
Me: How? They got make you drunk and rape you anot?
CY: u hv sicks tots young girl
Me: Haha. These oil people are scary lah. Lucky thing you're a guy!
CY: beneath the girlish appearance is a devil
Me: Hehe. Canny, but pure. It says in the bible (and I quote) Be cunning as a serpant but pure as a dove.
CY: Hahah
Me: Stop laffing. I smack you!
CY: ai yo.. talk abt drunk, rape, smack... u r worse than those other oil people
Me: Haha. Moi?
Me: I pure lah..
CY: pure evil
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
Steve
Bro: i am bored. talk to me
Bro: i am very happy today...
Me: Haha. Who are you? Where's my brother? [My brother's a cynical melancholic]
Bro: he is probably in hell somewhere [Ah that's more like it]
Me: From ill treating his sister issit?
Bro: wa i didnt know giving u mars bars is ill treating u. i think i better stop torturing u
Me: Unceremoniously kicking me out of your room is.
Bro: i will kick u out ceremoniously nxt time
He asked me to get a book for him from the library. He sent me a link and asked me to choose the best book. The lazy bastard.
Me: That's a lot of books! Which one you want?
Bro: i mean what are the gd ones? i really dunno!!!!
Bro: cmon time to work steve [Steve is *supposed* to be my imaginary solitary brain cell - It's an old joke]
Bro: he is getting fat sitting on the mind-couch
Me: Haha. Yeah man time to work Steve. You should stop feeding him chips and mars bars.
Bro: steve is yours... i can keep him off the mars bars but the twisties is your jurisdiction
Me: Haha. Mine is like Nemo's dad's offspring, before they got eaten by the shark. Yours is Steve.
My brother's funny. The problem is that nobody seems to appreciate his sense of humour because nobody gets it.
Bro: i am very happy today...
Me: Haha. Who are you? Where's my brother? [My brother's a cynical melancholic]
Bro: he is probably in hell somewhere [Ah that's more like it]
Me: From ill treating his sister issit?
Bro: wa i didnt know giving u mars bars is ill treating u. i think i better stop torturing u
Me: Unceremoniously kicking me out of your room is.
Bro: i will kick u out ceremoniously nxt time
He asked me to get a book for him from the library. He sent me a link and asked me to choose the best book. The lazy bastard.
Me: That's a lot of books! Which one you want?
Bro: i mean what are the gd ones? i really dunno!!!!
Bro: cmon time to work steve [Steve is *supposed* to be my imaginary solitary brain cell - It's an old joke]
Bro: he is getting fat sitting on the mind-couch
Me: Haha. Yeah man time to work Steve. You should stop feeding him chips and mars bars.
Bro: steve is yours... i can keep him off the mars bars but the twisties is your jurisdiction
Me: Haha. Mine is like Nemo's dad's offspring, before they got eaten by the shark. Yours is Steve.
My brother's funny. The problem is that nobody seems to appreciate his sense of humour because nobody gets it.
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Ermine
Pastor Ben was speaking today about Godliness, and how we are to aspire to that, and train for it. The passage we exposited was found in 1 Tim 4:12.
The ermine is this cute little fella here.
Legend has it that the ermine is very fastidious about its coat, and refused to get it dirty. Hunters, knowing this peculiar trait, smeared mud on the entrances and along the sides of the walls of their homes. Rather than sully their coats by running through the dirty entranceway, the ermine, exhausted by the chase and unable to escape the hounds, would wait outside their homes for the hunters to kill them.
What really struck me vividly was that these ermines were ready to die rather than defile themselves. These little rodents set a high standard for us, don't they? Maybe even higher than we have. Do we value purity over death?
Do we, as Christ followers, set an example for believers by choosing not to stumble our brothers with our dressing, with our words, with our lifestyles? Do we value purity more than appearances, attitudes or fitting in?
How about our speech? Is our speech pure? Do we swear a lot? (I know that I am certainly guilty of this). Do we speak in riddles and deal in vaguaries? Do we tell lies, whatever colour they are? Do we avoid the truth or misrepresent the truth of the matter through actions, unfinished sentences, implications or simply by avoiding the question?
I think that just this one verse puts on us Christians a tremendous burden, happy burden though it may be. We are called witnesses - witnesses because we have experienced the tremendous changing power of Jesus Christ, and witnesses because our lives act as a testimony of God's faithfulness.
Purity to the death? Perhaps not now. But we try, and as we go along, God gives us the power to change because each day, we breathe in the Spirit of God, we receive the strength to go on.
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.In explaining "purity", he cited an example of a story he heard some time back about the ermine.
The ermine is this cute little fella here.
Legend has it that the ermine is very fastidious about its coat, and refused to get it dirty. Hunters, knowing this peculiar trait, smeared mud on the entrances and along the sides of the walls of their homes. Rather than sully their coats by running through the dirty entranceway, the ermine, exhausted by the chase and unable to escape the hounds, would wait outside their homes for the hunters to kill them.
What really struck me vividly was that these ermines were ready to die rather than defile themselves. These little rodents set a high standard for us, don't they? Maybe even higher than we have. Do we value purity over death?
Do we, as Christ followers, set an example for believers by choosing not to stumble our brothers with our dressing, with our words, with our lifestyles? Do we value purity more than appearances, attitudes or fitting in?
How about our speech? Is our speech pure? Do we swear a lot? (I know that I am certainly guilty of this). Do we speak in riddles and deal in vaguaries? Do we tell lies, whatever colour they are? Do we avoid the truth or misrepresent the truth of the matter through actions, unfinished sentences, implications or simply by avoiding the question?
I think that just this one verse puts on us Christians a tremendous burden, happy burden though it may be. We are called witnesses - witnesses because we have experienced the tremendous changing power of Jesus Christ, and witnesses because our lives act as a testimony of God's faithfulness.
Purity to the death? Perhaps not now. But we try, and as we go along, God gives us the power to change because each day, we breathe in the Spirit of God, we receive the strength to go on.
Friday, March 28, 2008
One of those bohliao days
Me and the vulgar broker were having a conversation, then suddenly,
VB: brb
VB: toilet
Me: Tamade. Just brb will do.
[After a while]
VB: wahahaha
Me: Pee so fast arh?
Me: This week my shit quite ok. All floaters.
VB: WTF
VB: BITCH
VB: i'm gg to copy this for my boss
Me: Haha. DUn!
Me: I lose respeck
VB: *analanalyst*: This week my shit quite ok. All floaters.<< is this the bitch u spoke to when i'm not ard
VB: wahaha
Me: Nooooo...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Obama: Sermon on Mount Justifies Same-Sex Unions
If I were an American, as a general rule, I would vote for Democrats, but this year's lineup is disappointing, to say the least. This is not going to be a rant - I had considered it, since I was ranting the whole of yesterday - but honestly, don't have the energy or the righteous indignation to do it now. Just want to point out some of the fallacies in his statements and underscore again, how people can argue the middle ground and justify their unChristian stand using the word of God.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) told a crowd at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio, Sunday that he believes the Sermon on the Mount justifies his support for legal recognition of same-sex unions. He also told the crowd that his position in favor of legalized abortion does not make him "less Christian."This verse does not explicitly refer to gay unions by any stretch of the imagination, and should not be construed as such. To link a general guideline for Christian living to something which is expressly forbidden in many other parts of the bible is wrong. Let's see what the Bible says on this issue:
Obama's mention of the Sermon on the Mount in justifying legal recognition of same-sex unions may have been a reference to the Golden Rule: "Do to others what you would have them do to you." Or it may have been a reference to another famous line: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
1. Genesis 2:24-25: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. [Wife - not gay partner, not companion, not husband, not best friend]Is this not clear enough for you, Obama? This is what he says about his faith.
2. The men of Sodom and Gomorrah were punished for their sexual perversion. The gist of Genesis 19 goes like this: The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening. Before Lot and his guests had gone to bed, all of the men came from every part of the city of Sodom. Young and old men alike surrounded the house. They called out to Lot. They said, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us. We want to have sex with them." [We know later in the story that Sodom and Gomorrah were both decimated.]
3. Jude 7: The people of Sodom and Gomorrah and the towns around them also did evil things. They gave themselves over to sexual sins. They committed sins of the worst possible kind. They are an example of those who are punished with fire. The fire never goes out. [Doesn't explicitly say homosexuality, but read on in points 4, 5 and 6 what God means by sexual sins.]
4. God said to Moses in Leviticus 18:22: Do not have sex with a man as you would have sex with a woman. I hate that.
5. God said to Moses in Leviticus 20:13: Suppose a man has sex with another man as he would have sex with a woman. I hate what they have done. They must be put to death. Anything that happens to them will be their own fault.
6. Romans 1:26-27: So God let them go. They were filled with shameful longings. Their women committed sexual acts that were not natural. In the same way, the men turned away from their natural love for women. They burned with sexual longing for each other. Men did shameful things with other men. They suffered in their bodies for all the twisted things they did.
7. 1 Corinthians 6:9: Don't you know that evil people will not receive God's kingdom? Don't be fooled. Those who commit sexual sins will not receive the kingdom. Neither will those who worship statues of gods or commit adultery. Neither will men who are prostitutes or who commit homosexual acts.
"In terms of my faith, there has been so much confusion that has been deliberately perpetrated through emails and so forth, so here are the simple facts," he said. "I am a Christian. I am a devout Christian. I have been a member of the same church for 20 years, pray to Jesus every night, and try to go to church as much as I can when they are not working me. Used to go quite often.Like my pastor always says, going to church and praying does not make you a christian, just as going to McDonald's does not make you a Big Mac. It's clear that 20 years of church-going has done nothing to transform his value system, nor deepened his love for the Word of God. If you *do* vote for him, be clear that you're voting for him based on his campaign promises for reform, and *not* his purported christian values.
"These days, we haven't been at the home church--I haven't been home on Sunday--for several months now. So, my faith is important to me. It is not something that I try to push on other people. But it is something that helps to guide my life and my values."
Monday, March 17, 2008
JPMorgan to buy Bear for $2 a share
Since the whole world is talking about it, I shall jump on the bandwagon. Heard the breaking news this morning on BBC about how they settled the bailout at $2. It was rumoured to be $20 previously. Cheap cheap!
Why so cheap?
How does their cash flow look like?
To whom are their obligations? What are the maturities and when are they due? A company may be asset heavy (and I'm not saying that BSC is), but may not be able to meet its immediate cash obligations if lenders are not confident enough to be able to accept their commercial papers, or if their assets are not liquid enough to immediately convert for cash. Their market cap would be entangled in a death spiral.
What consititutes their book value?
Even though this deal was done at many times under the book value, there is the underlying accounting uncertainties: What are their assets? Tangible or intangible? Or would much of their book value be eroded with the declaration of bankruptcy? What I mean is, can BSC be sold for parts and still allow JPM to be in the money on the deal?
Obviously, for the bears out there, this ostensibly good deal might signal weakness in the market and the lack of confidence in the economy. It could perhaps hurt the USD even more. This deal, just because it was done over the weekend, could possibly have averted a collapse of the US financial market.
[Update]
Ok, some clarification thoughts on the BSC deals yah.
Myth: wah liew.. 2 USD somemore leh. now USD cheap cheap too
It's a stock for stock deal - No cash; 1 JPM share for XX BSC shares. In any case, there should not be any FX exposure since both companies' revenues are largely in USD, and both stocks are traded in USD.
Having said that, there is a risk of dilution of ownership with this deal, though the way I see it, when the deal is done and all the debts are absorbed into JPM, it might weaken JPM's financials and consequently their share price after the next results announcement (assuming this expectation is not already priced into their shares from the outset). Then JPM management will swoop in and buy their shares back! *MUAHAHAHAHA*
JPMorgan Chase said Sunday it will acquire rival Bear Stearns in a deal valued at $236.2 million -- or $2 a share -- a stunning collapse for one of the world's largest and most venerable investment banks.
The last-minute buyout was aimed at averting a Bear Stearns bankruptcy and a spreading crisis of confidence in the global financial system.As usual, the first thoughts are:
Why so cheap?
Bear Stearns shares close Friday at $30 a share. At their peak, the shares traded at $159.36.
The deal marked a 93.3 percent discount to Bear Stearns' market capitalization as of Friday, and roughly a 98.8 percent discount to its book value as of Feb. 29.The bullish side of me thinks this is a good deal, and JPM was smart enough to milk it for all it's worth. Seems BSC didn't really have a choice on this. It's either Chap 11 or collapse. And they even got good ol' Uncle Sam to pay for the deal.
The Fed will provide special financing to JPMorgan Chase for the deal, JPMorgan Chase said. The central bank has agreed to fund up to $30 billion of Bear Stearns' less liquid assets. Risky bets on securities tied to subprime mortgages -- loans given to customers with poor credit history -- crippled Bear Stearns, the nations' fifth-largest investment bank.It does appear to be in everybody's interest though, for the BSC buyout.
A collapse of Bear Stearns could have created a further crisis of confidence in world financial markets amid a deepening credit crunch. JPMorgan's acquisition of Bear Stearns represents roughly 1 percent of what the investment bank was worth just 16 days ago.
Wall Street analysts say the bid to rescue Bear Stearns was more than just saving one of the world's largest investments bank -- it was a prop for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. An outright collapse could cause huge losses for banks, hedge funds and other investors to which Bear Stearns is connected.Some nagging thoughts that I have at the back of my head regarding this deal, although I presume the smart bankers would have done their due diligence on this, are:
How does their cash flow look like?
To whom are their obligations? What are the maturities and when are they due? A company may be asset heavy (and I'm not saying that BSC is), but may not be able to meet its immediate cash obligations if lenders are not confident enough to be able to accept their commercial papers, or if their assets are not liquid enough to immediately convert for cash. Their market cap would be entangled in a death spiral.
What consititutes their book value?
Even though this deal was done at many times under the book value, there is the underlying accounting uncertainties: What are their assets? Tangible or intangible? Or would much of their book value be eroded with the declaration of bankruptcy? What I mean is, can BSC be sold for parts and still allow JPM to be in the money on the deal?
Obviously, for the bears out there, this ostensibly good deal might signal weakness in the market and the lack of confidence in the economy. It could perhaps hurt the USD even more. This deal, just because it was done over the weekend, could possibly have averted a collapse of the US financial market.
[Update]
Ok, some clarification thoughts on the BSC deals yah.
Myth: wah liew.. 2 USD somemore leh. now USD cheap cheap too
It's a stock for stock deal - No cash; 1 JPM share for XX BSC shares. In any case, there should not be any FX exposure since both companies' revenues are largely in USD, and both stocks are traded in USD.
Having said that, there is a risk of dilution of ownership with this deal, though the way I see it, when the deal is done and all the debts are absorbed into JPM, it might weaken JPM's financials and consequently their share price after the next results announcement (assuming this expectation is not already priced into their shares from the outset). Then JPM management will swoop in and buy their shares back! *MUAHAHAHAHA*
Monday, March 10, 2008
Business card...
One of the junior traders from this oil company was jokingly boasting that his business card, which is made of some plasticky material similar to our dollar bills, cannot be torn nor burned. So, taking him at his word, we tried tearing/burning it. Here's what it looks like (ok my BB camera is quite shitty):
So he's right: Can't be torn. (Though you can see evidence of that failed attempt near the top edge of the card). Next, we tried burning it. He's right there too - Can't be burned. It kinda melted, hence the big holes.
He wasn't very pleased with what we've been doing to his card.
CY: u very free hor
CY: deface my card
Me: Hhaa. Funny right?
CY: you people no good
CY deface my card
CY: call me "sis"
Eli: i tried burning it
Eli: it works! hahahahah
CY: i heard it can used a toy too
CY: try sticking it up yr a$$
WAHAHHAHAHA...
So he's right: Can't be torn. (Though you can see evidence of that failed attempt near the top edge of the card). Next, we tried burning it. He's right there too - Can't be burned. It kinda melted, hence the big holes.
He wasn't very pleased with what we've been doing to his card.
CY: u very free hor
CY: deface my card
Me: Hhaa. Funny right?
CY: you people no good
CY deface my card
CY: call me "sis"
Eli: i tried burning it
Eli: it works! hahahahah
CY: i heard it can used a toy too
CY: try sticking it up yr a$$
WAHAHHAHAHA...
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
An incident before lunch...
A quick post just because I have some time after the window.
I was walking out of Millenia Tower to go to lunch, generally minding my own business. This guy sidles up to me, and I turned around to seeif it's someone I know. It wasn't. I continued walking.
So this guy comes up to me and the following conversation ensued:
Guy: Excuse me, where's the nearest ATM?
Me: Which bank are you looking for?
Guy: UOB
Me: UOB's that way. [point in general direction of Millenia Walk]
Guy: Thank you very much! I'm not very familiar with this area because I don't work here. I'm visiting a client.
Me: I see. Alright. Have a good day. [attempt to walk away]
Guy: Hey wait. Can I have your number?
Me [suspiciously]: Why?
Guy: Don't worry, I'm not going to sell you anything. I just want to thank you for showing me where the ATM is.
Me: It's quite alright. You just go that way. [point again]
Guy: Why don't you give me your number, and I'll just text you mine.
Me: I don't think that's necessary. Thanks anyway. [makes to walk away again]
Guy: Let's be friends. I just want to thank you.
Me [weakly]: Why? It's really not necessary.
Guy: Or you could just give me your business card.
Me: Yeah. Thanks. It's really not necessary. Your ATM is that way.
Guy: [silence] Why not?
Me: Your ATM is that way.
Guy: Goodbye then. And thanks.
Wasn't that simply bizarre?
I was walking out of Millenia Tower to go to lunch, generally minding my own business. This guy sidles up to me, and I turned around to seeif it's someone I know. It wasn't. I continued walking.
So this guy comes up to me and the following conversation ensued:
Guy: Excuse me, where's the nearest ATM?
Me: Which bank are you looking for?
Guy: UOB
Me: UOB's that way. [point in general direction of Millenia Walk]
Guy: Thank you very much! I'm not very familiar with this area because I don't work here. I'm visiting a client.
Me: I see. Alright. Have a good day. [attempt to walk away]
Guy: Hey wait. Can I have your number?
Me [suspiciously]: Why?
Guy: Don't worry, I'm not going to sell you anything. I just want to thank you for showing me where the ATM is.
Me: It's quite alright. You just go that way. [point again]
Guy: Why don't you give me your number, and I'll just text you mine.
Me: I don't think that's necessary. Thanks anyway. [makes to walk away again]
Guy: Let's be friends. I just want to thank you.
Me [weakly]: Why? It's really not necessary.
Guy: Or you could just give me your business card.
Me: Yeah. Thanks. It's really not necessary. Your ATM is that way.
Guy: [silence] Why not?
Me: Your ATM is that way.
Guy: Goodbye then. And thanks.
Wasn't that simply bizarre?
