Sport

I always have a liking for sport. Football, hockey, golf, tennis, badminton, swimming, rugby, athletics.....yes, you name them, I sure will love them. Unfortunately, I was never good in any of them. I was the also ran. Nevertheless, I try to keep abreast of all the sporting events that are happening around the world. Nowadays, the TV provides many live coverage for many of the sporting events. Add to it the power of the internet, I am able to keep myself up to date most of the time. Not like those old days when my only source of news were the papers. Even then, it was a few days late!

This morning

It was breezy this morning. The wind was stronger than usual. A lot stronger. It was cooling too. I could feel it right down my spine. Wow! I thought. If only everyday is like this. Jogging would be a dream. I could run and run and not feel tired. Then suddenly it rained. It was heavy straight away. I had no time to seek shelter. What to do? Keep on running till I reached home......

Could that be the cause?

My tummy has been getting bigger and bigger. I used to be able to wear trousers measuring 28in or thereabout but now even at 31in, I can feel the tightness. What makes it even more worrying is that I do not know what to do to bring it down. As always, I enjoy my food. I go jogging. I sleep well at night. I read. I blog. I watch TV. I am doing what I have been doing before except for working full time. Could that be the cause?

Shooting a scene

While jogging this morning, I came across a production team shooting a scene for a local drama. The schoolgirl is actually an actress waiting for the shooting to start. The other people in the photo are the production crew.

Cowheard mentality

When a leader is tainted and yet the people in the party still give their undivided support, something must be truly wrong with the party. Some call it the cowherd mentality but I think it is more like stupidity. Sure she is only the wife but can she be not involved when the whole family is in it? Anyway, the longer she remains, the better it is for the opposition. They will have plenty of stories to tell ........ till the cows come home

Free and fair

If the general election is held in a free and fair manner, I have no reason to doubt that the opposition will win it handsomely. Unfortunately, democracy doesn't work that way all the time. The ruling party, with all the power in its hand will do all it can to win the general election, even if it has to play dirty most of the time. Just look at the electoral role. From what I read, there are thousands of dubious names in it. Yet the resolve to clean it is lacking! Why?

Just as busy

Even though I am not working now, I am never short of things to do. Almost everyday, there are things to do. Its been a year now since I stopped working but I still find the days passing by so quickly. Before I knew it, one week has passed. Thought in retirement the days would be long and boring but no, it don't work that way. I am just as busy, although I am not working!

The good old days

Two days ago I had to go back to my former employer to collect a cheque due to me. Took the opportunity to visit my old office and meet former colleagues. Its good to be back after a long time, even for just a short while. Felt like the good old days, when life was a bit hectic with me busy earning a living. Still, I wouldn't trade anything for my lifestyle now. Nothing beats retirement, I can tell you that.

It is nothing

After a wretch of a day yesterday, I woke up this morning driven by a new wave of optimism. My spirit is high and I am roaring to go. Things are only going to get better cause it sure cannot get any worse. I have much to look forward to. God has given me all that I need. It is up to me to make the best of it. Be grateful always. What is a small hiccup in the way of living! It is nothing! Yes! Come to think of it. It is nothing!

Testing time

Yesterday was the among the most testing time of my life lately. Everything that can go wrong went wrong. For a while, I thought the whole world was against me. Right from morning till late in the evening, I was facing one problem after another. By night time, I have had enough. Tried to sleep but couldn't. My mind was working overtime, going over and over the things that had happened earlier. It was almost four in the morning before I fell asleep!

Bridge under the water

The only reason why the PM is still not calling for the general election is because he is not confident of winning. However, the longer he waits, the better it will be for the opposition. That's the way it is. He should have called for the election within a few months of his taking over the PM's post. Then, the acceptance level was high, as he was the new PM. People were just warming up to him, eager to see what the new PM would be like. Especially for the fence sitters, they would surely had given their vote to him. However, it's all bridge under the water now. It will be an uphill struggle for BN. May be, the opposition will just make it.

Not my cup of tea

Can't remember when was the last time I did any drilling. Must be a long time ago. Anyway yesterday I had to do some drilling to fix the curtain and my oh my, it was such a core. I even hurt my hand. The professionals do it on a daily basis. They make it look so easy. Me, I struggled throughout, from the measuring to the actual drilling and finally fixing the curtain. It took me hours. It sure is not my cup of tea.

You will live to regret

There are all kind of people in this world. The good ones are not a problem. You can't get enough of them. Its the bad ones however that can give you all kind of headaches. To this kind of people, cheating and lying is second nature. They don't give a damn about it. They feel nothing about it, not even the fear of God. They live their live like everybody else but be careful. Don't ever get involve with them or you will live to regret.

Meeting again

Its been such a long time since I attended a meeting I almost forgot what's its like to be in one. However this morning I found myself doing just that, in a meeting. I felt awkward at first. After all, its been almost a year. My last meeting was in Port Dickson. At that time, I said to myself this would be my last meeting. I would never have to be in another meeting for as long as I live. How nice but alas! one can never say never. This rang true for me today!

Only God Knows

When I visited Pak Hamka's house of birth in Padang, I marveled by the fact that he was born in a place so far away from everybody. Even now, to get to the house, tucked in a remote corner of Sumatra, you have to drive through winding roads that will lead you to a place so deep in the village, so far removed from civilisation. How can a person born in such a place become such a famous 'ulamak', only God knows. Allah Akbar.

We get beat by all of them

Going by the results of the Olympic qualifiers, it will take a long long time before Malaysian football can rise from the pits. It will need a lot of thinking, a lot of creativity, a lot of planning plus a lot of doing before we can even hope to see the light. At the rate we are going now, I dare say we are going nowhere. At the moment, we can't even match the second rung teams of Asia. We get beat by all of them.

All it takes is rm500

It is shocking to hear a minister saying it is rm82 only. Sure, it is pittance by his standard but by the thousands and perhaps millions of ordinary rakyat struggling to make a decent living, rm82 is a lot. His statement just goes to show how detached the present government is from the people. While they live in luxury, with one minister spending almost half a million ringgit for a daughter's engagement, the rakyat struggles. I really don't understand why people can still be so gullible. All it takes is rm500 and they are sold!

Just writing

What is this about her resigning? She did not resign but her term will expire by that date. That's all! Trying to put wool over our eyes?
I used to like reading this particular blog but the blog has been making a lot of stories recently that is not substantiated. Some have even accused it of making fairy tales.
Our football continues to be mediocre, if looking at the results of the Olympic team is the benchmark. They lost all of their matches. Terrible!
The same goes with badminton. There's Lee Chong Wei and there's Lee Chong Wei. That's all.

I enjoy the anonymity

When you are working, with a title to your name, people respect you, perhaps because of the little power that your title gave you. However, once you're a retiree, instantly you become a nobody. The respect is gone because you don't have a title anymore. For some people, this drastic transition can be difficult. Me, I enjoy the anonymity. I can do my own thing, in my own time, at my own pleasure.

Only God knows

Its been almost a year since my days of rushing to work in the morning. Nowadays, life is less hectic. Its waking up, do my obligatory morning prayer, read the Quran and then its watching TV, surf the internet, read the papers while having a leisurely breakfast. Some days, I will do the night prayer if I happened to wake up. If I have to go out, it will usually be after nine when the road is less traveled. This is the life I'm living now. I'm enjoying it to the hilt. As for the future, only God knows what is in store.

A bridge too far

Woes keep on piling for Tiger Woods. A leg injury is the latest, forcing him to withdraw from the final round of the recent PGA tournament. This latest setback is just one of the many he has suffered since that infamous car accident that led to his divorce. I hope he gets over all his problem soon. I really would like to see him breaking Jack Nicklaus record of eighteen majors before he retires. For the moment though, that seem like a bridge too far.

I choose my time

The past two days I have been busy doing many things like going to the bank in Subang Jaya to collect my cheque book, to Pantai hospital for medicine, to the post office in Sg Buloh to collect a letter, service my car in Petaling Jaya, to Seremban to pay some money, to Damansara Perdana for some business, to Cheras..etc etc. Its been a busy two days indeed. Thank God on both days I was able to finish all the things I wanted to do by afternoon. By the Asar prayer I was already at home. That's the privilege of being retiree. I choose my own time!

The movie Bunohan

Since many moons ago, I have not been to the cinema. The movies don't interest me anymore, what with the box in the house able to dish out just the same. Can't even remember when was the last time I watch a movie at the cinema. However, I happened to read reviews of the movie 'Bunohan'. They were all positives, some even saying this is one of the best malay movie ever. Without much hesitation, I decided to see it for myself. My verdict?

Where's the beef?

Its been a week but I'm still waiting. Was told it will be sent to me soon but till today, there's no sign of it. Don't know how long I have to wait! Its making me anxious and edgy! Hope it will come soon. I will be the happiest person in the ........

I scratch my head

I don't understand why people would want to sit for hours surfing the internet at a public place where there's connection. Example at Starbuck, at Mamak restaurants, etc. etc. Don't they have internet connections in the house? Surely surfing the internet in the comfort of one's house is a lot better! I scratch my head every time I see these people, so engross with their computer, for hours on end!

Is there anything worse?

Yesterday was supposed to be an easy day. I mean rest and relax in the house, doing nothing much. It was that way too until 6.20pm when I received a call from a supplier telling me they were already at my doorstep in Cheras, waiting to deliver. That signal the start of a mad rush to be there as soon as possible at a time of the day when the traffic was at its most terrible. Is there anything worse?

Untuk mak dan bapak

When I was small, my parents were my best friend. They were everything to me. As I get into my teenage years, I begin to question some of their action and decision. I thought I was wiser than them. I resent their constant nagging. Then as I get older and understand more, I begin to slowly see their side of the story. I appreciate the things that they have done for me. It must have been hard with the little that they have but somehow they managed. Later when I got married and have children, I began to see even more. I understand now the sacrifices that they made, the love that they gave, hoping nothing in return. They brought me up the best they can, the way they know how, putting my interest above theirs every time. They never wavered in their task of bringing me up to be a man. They may have their short comings but dear father and mother, you are the greatest. My love for you will remain forever.......... I miss you dearly.

Rain again

I knew it was bad but never thought it could be that bad. I'm talking about the rain day before yesterday of course. There were floods all over KL. Lucky thing I was at home that evening. Otherwise I could have been caught in the bloody rain plus the jam. Yesterday in the morning I braved the rain to go to PJ to service my car. It was a whole day affair. Thank god it didn't rain in the evening. I reached home safely without any problem.

Rain rain go away

The rain is still heavy this morning. Thought I wanted to service my car but the rain is giving me second thoughts. I'm giving it another hour. If it stops within that time, I will go. Otherwise, I might just stay in the house for the day.

Time to make a statement

The more they reveal about the cattle fiasco, the angrier I become. I guess that's how these people become rich. Using their influence and power to obtain easy tax payer's money for a purported business venture but instead, using it for personal gain. That's how cronyism works. This is only one case. There may be many more similar cases. While these elite group of people take the millions, the thousands of ordinary people are given crumbs rm500 worth. Its time these people make a statement, through the ballot box!

Rain rain go away

Its raining cats and dogs. Been that way for quite sometime now. Very soon it will be time for the rush hour home. I have a feeling it is going to be a bad day for everybody. The roads will be full of vehicles caught in a terrible jam. For some, its going to be a long long night. In times like these, I think about the days when I was one of them. Well, those days are over now. I'm not on the road. I'm safe at home. Glad though I am, can't help but feel for those caught in the dire situation now. Hope it will be over soon.

Tomorrow can wait

I'm feeling tired and drained. My mind felt totally blank. Outside, the sun is beginning to set. Over in the distance, I can hear the call for the evening prayers. I'm already by the prayer mat ready to answer the call. Its been a long day. All I want to do now is to fulfill my obligations before shutting off for the day by having a good sleep. Tomorrow can wait.

A day in the life

Early yesterday morning I went to Shah Alam to do some banking. After finishing with two banks, I headed for a third before realising I had forgotten to bring along a document. Without it I cannot do the transaction. As a result, I went to another bank, this time in Subang Jaya for yet another transaction before heading home to collect the document. After that, I went straight to another bank. With the document in hand, the transaction was completed although it took almost an hour. Then it was off to Damansara for some shopping till almost seven in the evening. On the way back, stopped at a mosque for the Mahgrib and Isya prayers before heading back home. By the time I reached home, it was almost ten at night.

Its over

Over the last week or so, it has become common knowledge that the reign of AVB at Chelsea was going to end soon. Sure enough, the axe fell a few days ago. His reign was among the shortest. Less than a year! I feel pity for him but perhaps, he is glad that he finally got the sack. The pressure that has been mounting was just too much too bear for a young man like him. Now that the pressure is gone, he can relax, unwind and enjoy the money. I wouldn't mind being in his place!

We let them die

On BBC yesterday, they showed the dire situation in Homs, Syria. The tragedy of Homs is just insane. How can the world let it happened? Its unbelievable! Women, children, aged parents etc. they are being pushed to the brink by a brutal regime that is only interested in holding on to power. I don't know whether to be angry or to cry but my heart bleeds. We have failed them. We let them suffer, we let them die.......

I'm excited too

Expectant mothers and their husbands were everywhere in the room waiting patiently for their turn. I walked in and quickly chose a sit near the door while my other half headed for the registration desk. Our number was fifteen. That's means a wait of more than an hour....sigh. That's the consequence of arriving late, I said to myself. Not knowing what to do, I busied myself with the pad, reading but not really reading, if you know what I mean. I felt a bit out of place. After all, the other parents were all young, some half my age. They have that excited looked on them. Eager perhaps. I'm excited too. My last baby was twenty long years ago.

Desperado

There's a politician who has been going round saying negative things about 'Hudud'. I know he is desperate for his party to win big in the coming election after they were soundly beaten in the last one but to go round saying such things is really in bad taste. What is even more upsetting is that he has been allowed to do it without any censure from the authorities! is it because his party is part of the ruling coalition?

In trouble waters

England is in trouble waters as far as their Euro Championship is concerned. It is just three months away but the team is without a permanent manager and captain. Certainly not the ideal preparation for any team. They have a temporary manager by the name of Stuart Pearce but his choice of captain left me speechless. A player with less than ten caps was chosen ahead of players with considerable experience, like Gerrard, the Liverpool captain for example. I can only assume his captain is also temporary.

As long as you are living the life

I have two transactions involving a considerable sum of money that are still outstanding. One has been delayed for quite a length of time while the other is not that long. Nevertheless, as they involve money and not a small sum at that, I have been on tenterhooks ever since. One was supposed to be closed today but did not while for the other one, the latest closing date is six working days from now. I guess that's how it is. As long as you are living a full life, you can't help but get into this kind of situation. Otherwise, you might as well go and live in the jungle!

Early morning rush

Yesterday early in the morning I had to leave the house because of an urgency. It was 6.30am in fact. Been a long time since I did that. Sure enough, I was caught in a jam as there were thousands of other people rushing to work as the same time. I felt a sense of pity to them as they have to go through this kind of jam everyday. But then, not too long ago, I was one of them as well. I used to leave the house at 6.20am just so I can avoid the jam. Now my time is over, Alhamdulillah.

Its a massacre

Its a disaster what's happening in Syria. While the world sit and watch and argue, a deliberate massacre is happening right before our eyes. Helpless people are being systematically killed everyday. Why the seemingly lack of interest in Syria? Is it because there is less oil?