...make bad bed partners, especially if one of the parties is my Trillian.
The story is, one day while I fired up Trillian, I got a popup message asking me if I wanted to update to the newest free version available. So I upped and went to Cerulean Studio's website to download it. Installed it. Ran it.
Worked perfectly for a while, then the whole thing froze. So I tried clicking the x to close Opera. Then Opera froze. So I did what everyone else would do: I aimed my mouse randomly over the screen and clicked out of frustration. Then my computer froze. Whoopdedoo.
After restarting, I fired up Trillian again, only this time none of the IM clients connected. There was no way to get my old Trillian back. Now, I'm using Miranda. Unfortunately, for my ICQ list, it doesn't display nicks, just UINs. I'm not going to bother checking which number belongs to who so I'll not be messaging anyone, ya? Unfortunately2, try as I may, Miranda doesn't blink when I receive incoming messages. Well, it DOES blink, but not every time, and erraticness sucks. If I haven't replied you in a while, I'm either oblivious to the fact that you've said something or I'm in the loo. Probably the former, since I rarely spend more than 5 minutes in there.
The kicker? My brother told me to never ever download new versions of anything until it's been certified to work better than the old version. Unfortunately for me (that's the third one already), he told me about 4 hours after I installed the new Trillian.
Moral of the story? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Newer models may be flashier, but older models are more reliable (ahem to a certain someone, please take note *grins*).
January 04, 2005
January 02, 2005
Fish and Bicycles
FOR THE FISH, CLICKITY CLICK.
I have a problem with guys who insist on paying for me when we go out.
It's not that I'm a modern woman who feels offended because my ability to fend for myself is slighted. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not a militant feminist. I totally support abortion, prostitution, beauty contests and women in tacky french maid uniforms frolicking suggestively with dustpans and being caught on Kodachrome.
Okay, so people who make pornos prefer to use equipment that spawns grainy porn videos with terrible 8-bit sound that makes fake moans and wet slapping sounds sound even more torturous to the ears, but that's no reason to stop hoping that one day Kodachrome would make a return.
(I actually have no idea what Kodachrome is, but my photography-nut friend assures me that it is the equivalent of a machine the size of an iPod that can play all PS2, PC and Xbox games)
Maybe the reason I'm so anal about going dutch has something to do with the fact that my parents have deeply ingrained into my pysche that it is not okay to blithely take things from other people. When I was a kid I was forbidden to borrow money from friends (especially during the typical end-of-the-month brokeness) no matter what. If it matters, I have a problem with my friends paying my share for me as well.
FOR THE BIKE, CLICKITY CLICK.
It sucks even more if you really like the guy, cos once you feel outraged and he feels cheated, it's hard to go anywhere beyond being hi-bye friends. That is, IF you manage to stay friends at all.
Of course, I totally expect comments about the archaicness of my generalisations, my belief that a guy will expect something in return for the money that he has spent, and I admit that this is grossly unfair to the guys who're being genuinely nice, but I find paying my own share easier to deal with. It completely eliminates the 'what if' factor, and at the end of the day there're no misconceptions and/or expectations that I have to deal with. These things could get really ugly, really fast.
This way, I'm not obligated to repay the favour and the guy's not obligated to spend a bomb to buy sex. And let's face it, that's exactly what it is when you take 'love' out of the equation, not that I have anything against buying sex. I just like to call a spade a spade.
Besides, if it's obligation sex, where's the fun in that? I figured this way, at the very least the guy I'm with knows that if I blow him, it's not because I want him to buy me jewellery.
Title of blog post totally tongue-in-cheek. Cross my heart. *grins*
Gripes make the world go round
Because I'm stupid, I decided to heed JW's call to take the LRT to KLCC today. If you don't already know this about me, I have a principle that I adhere to, which is to avoid places like KLCC, Midvalley and 1 Utama like the plague on weekends, and especially on weekends that coincide with public holidays.
And yet for some reason, I decided to break that rule today. Well, yesterday, to be exact, but my (funky) internal clock is still in 2004, so bleah.
The day got off to a bad start when JW woke up late. I remembered to call her after I gau tim-ed my loo stuff, and woke her up. We ended up arriving at the LRT station at 11.30 pm, hence kissing movie tickets goodbye. By the time we got to the Putra station, things were not looking up. The throngs of people at the ticket counter should be the clue to turn back right that moment, but then I'm the girl who once stood at the (now closed) Metrojaya bus stop for 2 hours and 45 minutes waiting for an Intrakota bus to come take me home, so you can see I'm not exactly big on changing travel plans. To the point of being stupid, yeah. :p
SAFFRON WAS HERE!When the packed, and I mean PACKED (caps and italics for added emphasis) Putra train rolled to a stop, we managed to squeeze in. Here's an FYI for travellers: You don't always have to stand where the metal bars are located. The Putra guys have conveniently installed those rubber handheld thingies on the overhead bars that would prevent you from falling when the train stops/moves/jerks/stalls etc. Well, provided you're actually holding on to them.
I forgot what time we got there (I don't wear a watch), but it was dfinitely after noon. WS managed to squeeze into her own Putra train after work to meet us there, oh, say noonish. Yes, she's working on New Year's day. No, she does not get extra pay. Yes, we have told her to find another job not where she is not supervised by Eqyptian slave-drivers. No, she is not listening to us. Yes, she is crazy/stupid/nuts.
So, KLCC huh? Wow, they renovated the place. And wow, the scary Ribena tree from last year was back with a vengeance.
RIBENA TREE, WITH CLUSTERS OF GRAPES!After dilly-dallying for a while, we ended up eating at Chillis and holy cow the servings were huge. Cheese is good. :) I sipped hot tea while WS + JW had a ball with the limey lemonade that looked really good. Willpower maut, sheesh.
Walked around the place after we got tired of sitting on our asses and stuffing our faces with food. WS was the only one who managed to buy anything. Figured I had to wait while they were trying anyway, so I tagged along in fitting rooms and tried on clothes as well, just for the heck of it.
After KLCC, spent another 20 minutes or so squashed in the Putra train. Another FYI for travellers: it is always courteous and polite to stand aside and let the people who wanna get out of the train get out before you attempt to shove your way in. It is not nice to ignore repeated Excuse Me-s that're coming out of my mouth. I'm not saying it because I like the way it sounds, and you better get out of my way before I fucking elbow you in the nose for standing in my way.
FYI3, the elbow is the strongest part of your body. Go ask a doctor or something. If I'm right, that's probably why you see footballers and NBA behemoths doing it so much.
The STAR LRT station was, as usual, packed with people. Okay, FYI4: Just because the escalator (no one uses the stairs, a waste of concrete and tiles) takes you up to a certain point doesn't mean you have to stop and stand there like you're rooted to the spot. Walk a few steps to where the first car would stop and you'll be guaranteed a more comfy journey. Yes, I realise that that part of the station would be packed with people, but it's more than likely that the people at the other stations down the line are as lazy as you are and rarely take the time to walk the short distance, so you won't have this huge mass of people heaving in every time the doors open.
I have to say though, the kiddies who take the LRT were much more well-behaved.
After we reached our destination, we piled into JW's claptrap car and drove to a cafe where we had our yamcha session + bitch fest. JW drives a really old tank car with doors that're practically unhinged, and I'm not exaggerating. On the upside it's kinda fun to see those flashy Benzes move out of her way because the owners are afraid of friendly JW ramming into their RM600-a-pop headlights. FYI5, never ever get into a on-the-road pissing contest with an old claptrap car. You know, the type with peeling paint, a missing side mirror, rust on the doors and a real iron bumper. You'll definitely have more to lose.
To end this on a high note, public transport just makes my heart expand with luuuurve for the mass of humanity who call KL home.
Notes
gau tim: completed. 'Tis Cantonese.
yam cha: drink tea. 'Tis Cantonese.
Where did Saffy get the money? Last year's remaining ang pow loot. *grins* Instead of being sensible and budgeting stuff for this month's lunches, I decide to blow it all on a good meal.
LRT pics stolen from this site.
Ribena tree pic stolen from this site
All images are credited to their respective owners.
And yet for some reason, I decided to break that rule today. Well, yesterday, to be exact, but my (funky) internal clock is still in 2004, so bleah.
The day got off to a bad start when JW woke up late. I remembered to call her after I gau tim-ed my loo stuff, and woke her up. We ended up arriving at the LRT station at 11.30 pm, hence kissing movie tickets goodbye. By the time we got to the Putra station, things were not looking up. The throngs of people at the ticket counter should be the clue to turn back right that moment, but then I'm the girl who once stood at the (now closed) Metrojaya bus stop for 2 hours and 45 minutes waiting for an Intrakota bus to come take me home, so you can see I'm not exactly big on changing travel plans. To the point of being stupid, yeah. :p
SAFFRON WAS HERE!
I forgot what time we got there (I don't wear a watch), but it was dfinitely after noon. WS managed to squeeze into her own Putra train after work to meet us there, oh, say noonish. Yes, she's working on New Year's day. No, she does not get extra pay. Yes, we have told her to find another job not where she is not supervised by Eqyptian slave-drivers. No, she is not listening to us. Yes, she is crazy/stupid/nuts.
So, KLCC huh? Wow, they renovated the place. And wow, the scary Ribena tree from last year was back with a vengeance.
RIBENA TREE, WITH CLUSTERS OF GRAPES!
Walked around the place after we got tired of sitting on our asses and stuffing our faces with food. WS was the only one who managed to buy anything. Figured I had to wait while they were trying anyway, so I tagged along in fitting rooms and tried on clothes as well, just for the heck of it.
After KLCC, spent another 20 minutes or so squashed in the Putra train. Another FYI for travellers: it is always courteous and polite to stand aside and let the people who wanna get out of the train get out before you attempt to shove your way in. It is not nice to ignore repeated Excuse Me-s that're coming out of my mouth. I'm not saying it because I like the way it sounds, and you better get out of my way before I fucking elbow you in the nose for standing in my way.
FYI3, the elbow is the strongest part of your body. Go ask a doctor or something. If I'm right, that's probably why you see footballers and NBA behemoths doing it so much.
The STAR LRT station was, as usual, packed with people. Okay, FYI4: Just because the escalator (no one uses the stairs, a waste of concrete and tiles) takes you up to a certain point doesn't mean you have to stop and stand there like you're rooted to the spot. Walk a few steps to where the first car would stop and you'll be guaranteed a more comfy journey. Yes, I realise that that part of the station would be packed with people, but it's more than likely that the people at the other stations down the line are as lazy as you are and rarely take the time to walk the short distance, so you won't have this huge mass of people heaving in every time the doors open.
I have to say though, the kiddies who take the LRT were much more well-behaved.
After we reached our destination, we piled into JW's claptrap car and drove to a cafe where we had our yamcha session + bitch fest. JW drives a really old tank car with doors that're practically unhinged, and I'm not exaggerating. On the upside it's kinda fun to see those flashy Benzes move out of her way because the owners are afraid of friendly JW ramming into their RM600-a-pop headlights. FYI5, never ever get into a on-the-road pissing contest with an old claptrap car. You know, the type with peeling paint, a missing side mirror, rust on the doors and a real iron bumper. You'll definitely have more to lose.
To end this on a high note, public transport just makes my heart expand with luuuurve for the mass of humanity who call KL home.
Notes
gau tim: completed. 'Tis Cantonese.
yam cha: drink tea. 'Tis Cantonese.
Where did Saffy get the money? Last year's remaining ang pow loot. *grins* Instead of being sensible and budgeting stuff for this month's lunches, I decide to blow it all on a good meal.
LRT pics stolen from this site.
Ribena tree pic stolen from this site
All images are credited to their respective owners.
January 01, 2005
To live in a world where...
More than anything else, I pride myself on being a follower. :) This is where the 'naive and idealistic' part in my profile really shines through, so if being cynical is your cup of tea, you might wanna give this a wide berth.
...it is safe to trust again.
...compassion and empathy are not such rare commodities.
...being good for the sake of being good is not a sign that your brain needs serious rewiring.
...groups of people are not labeled as if they are something less-human because of the choices or mistakes that they have made.
...you can either judge or love. You can't do both at the same time. And if you absolutely have to judge, let it be based on merit.
...it goes without debate that religion does more good than bad for the world.
...teachers, country leaders and police officers are respected and looked up to.
...children are not forced into the rat-race so young that they are deprived of the joys of finding tadpoles in a monsoon drain.
...screwing people over to get what you want is not acceptable.
...it is mandatory to think something through before saying it out loud. Especially the important things.
...changing your opinion or belief doesn't mean you're weak. Being irrationally persistent in the belief that something is right when it has been logically proven wrong is weak.
...rewards and punishments are given based purely on merit.
...it is safe enough to smile at the person standing next to you at the bus stop.
...it is understood that people always have their own reasons for doing the things that they do. No one arbitrarily decides to jump out a window or rape someone. Once the reason is understood the problem can then be tackled.
...really bad people get their just desserts in this lifetime.
...things that are private should remain private and not be subjected to unneeded scrutiny from the nosy public.
...people believed in "judge not lest ye be judged" and "let he who is without sin cast the first stone".
...your beliefs are really yours, and you are capable of defending them no matter who calls you out on them.
...women are not blamed for every single social ill.
...someone who helps out of the sheer joy of helping is not viewed with suspicion and distrust.
...there will no longer be a need for jails.
Happy New Year!
...it is safe to trust again.
...compassion and empathy are not such rare commodities.
...being good for the sake of being good is not a sign that your brain needs serious rewiring.
...groups of people are not labeled as if they are something less-human because of the choices or mistakes that they have made.
...you can either judge or love. You can't do both at the same time. And if you absolutely have to judge, let it be based on merit.
...it goes without debate that religion does more good than bad for the world.
...teachers, country leaders and police officers are respected and looked up to.
...children are not forced into the rat-race so young that they are deprived of the joys of finding tadpoles in a monsoon drain.
...screwing people over to get what you want is not acceptable.
...it is mandatory to think something through before saying it out loud. Especially the important things.
...changing your opinion or belief doesn't mean you're weak. Being irrationally persistent in the belief that something is right when it has been logically proven wrong is weak.
...rewards and punishments are given based purely on merit.
...it is safe enough to smile at the person standing next to you at the bus stop.
...it is understood that people always have their own reasons for doing the things that they do. No one arbitrarily decides to jump out a window or rape someone. Once the reason is understood the problem can then be tackled.
...really bad people get their just desserts in this lifetime.
...things that are private should remain private and not be subjected to unneeded scrutiny from the nosy public.
...people believed in "judge not lest ye be judged" and "let he who is without sin cast the first stone".
...your beliefs are really yours, and you are capable of defending them no matter who calls you out on them.
...women are not blamed for every single social ill.
...someone who helps out of the sheer joy of helping is not viewed with suspicion and distrust.
...there will no longer be a need for jails.
Happy New Year!
2005 wishlist
For 2005, I would like to get a good boyfriend.
...you didn't honestly think that was all I was going to post on the first day of the new year, did you? I may be trivial, but not that much so.
Onwards to the REAL wishlist
...you didn't honestly think that was all I was going to post on the first day of the new year, did you? I may be trivial, but not that much so.
Onwards to the REAL wishlist
December 30, 2004
Celebrations cancelled
PM sez, "celebrations cancelled".
Saves me the trouble of thinking about whether to go out or not to go out. Nothing like a decision made to make the day look up.
I can't donate any money because I'm not working. I can't ask my parents for money cos they've already spent a bomb on me on account of the stupid bronchitis, and I don't believe in the power of prayer. So what's a girl to do? Apart from giving blood, I could only think of giving clothes and toys and maybe some of my books. Or maybe some of my brother's books instead of mine, heheh.
Later today I will be sorting through piles of my junk to see what's usable and what's not usable, and then I'm going to look for places that're accepting stuff for the victims. Then I'm going to talk my granma into giving some of her clothes, cos she has a huge pile that she never wears. Tonight I will be calling my friends to collect stuff from them. If everyone gives a t-shirt it'd be a good start. Time to polish my persuasion skills.
If you don't think you can donate money, there's always some stuff that you can give. Clothes and shoes that you haven't worn in 3 months will most likely end up forever lonesome in some dank corner of your wardrobe, so why not dig everything out and give whatever you don't need?
Holey mouldy t-shirts and cockroach-gnawed pants with loose waistbands are NOTHX, okay?
Saves me the trouble of thinking about whether to go out or not to go out. Nothing like a decision made to make the day look up.
I can't donate any money because I'm not working. I can't ask my parents for money cos they've already spent a bomb on me on account of the stupid bronchitis, and I don't believe in the power of prayer. So what's a girl to do? Apart from giving blood, I could only think of giving clothes and toys and maybe some of my books. Or maybe some of my brother's books instead of mine, heheh.
Later today I will be sorting through piles of my junk to see what's usable and what's not usable, and then I'm going to look for places that're accepting stuff for the victims. Then I'm going to talk my granma into giving some of her clothes, cos she has a huge pile that she never wears. Tonight I will be calling my friends to collect stuff from them. If everyone gives a t-shirt it'd be a good start. Time to polish my persuasion skills.
If you don't think you can donate money, there's always some stuff that you can give. Clothes and shoes that you haven't worn in 3 months will most likely end up forever lonesome in some dank corner of your wardrobe, so why not dig everything out and give whatever you don't need?
Holey mouldy t-shirts and cockroach-gnawed pants with loose waistbands are NOTHX, okay?
December 28, 2004
I learned numbers back in school, but I can't grasp this. It's like telling me some star is 20 million light years away, I can't understand that. I know what it means, but I can't see that figure. Much the same way I can't see how so many people have died.
The number makes sense, the bloody earthquake measure 9.0 on the Richter scale, but at the same time it doesn't make sense. Oh hell, even I'm not making sense. No more news reports for me. I'm not watching anymore. This is getting too much for me, I need to stonewall.
Salutes to the people, local or otherwise, who're carrying out relief work in all the affected areas. I have a great deal of respect for people like these.
The number makes sense, the bloody earthquake measure 9.0 on the Richter scale, but at the same time it doesn't make sense. Oh hell, even I'm not making sense. No more news reports for me. I'm not watching anymore. This is getting too much for me, I need to stonewall.
Salutes to the people, local or otherwise, who're carrying out relief work in all the affected areas. I have a great deal of respect for people like these.
Christmas Day
I'm not taking my codeine tonight. Hello sleepless nights.
On Christmas day, I awoke to the voice of my mom, telling me, "Will you get your lazy ass out of bed already? Yi ma and popo are coming over for dinner tonight and I need to you to help out in the kitchen!"
Saffy goes, "Eh?"
Great way to spring a surprise on your poor, bronchitis-infected daughter, mommy dearest. I hate being jolted awake. Gets the whole day off on a bad start.
So, being a Chinese daughter, I dutifully lugged my lazy ass to the bathroom, did whatever I needed to do in the loo and spent the rest of the morning in my PJs, systematically decimating entire piles of organic produce. I sliced button mushrooms, diced tomatoes, cut up those pepper thingies shaped like lanterns, snipped broccoli and cauliflower into cute little edible portions, minced bacon, hacked a whole chicken to bits so it can be ground up, sawed shoulders of lamb into manageable portions and chopped about 3 pounds of garlic, chillies and onions.
We need to get a grinder. One of those mechanical appliances that help you chop up stuff nice and quick. Either that or we need to get a chef's knife, something light and breezy and not as unwieldy as a meat cleaver. :p
So anyway, while mom and dad went out to buy tomato paste or something like that, I slinked off to my dad's room to play spider solitaire. After I finished one game (I lost), mom came back and started making some noises that meant if I don't haul my ass to the kitchen right now and start helping her out I'm going to be the next item on the chopping board.
Ah, the fine art of communication.
So I spent the rest of the afternoon helping my mom make lasagna (it was a colossal failure), stew lamb (great), grill chicken and boil soup. In addition to making about 7 pizzas, I also managed to build a spaghetti sauce from scratch that was, and I quote my yi ma, "Amazing." I also managed to sneak 2 glasses of vodka lime, muahahaha. In retrospect, it probably made my bronchitis worse, but I slaved all day and it's Christmas, and I'm 22, I can do whatever I want.
I found out I can cook. I'm like supergirl. Heheheh.
Notes
Yi ma: older sister of my mom.
Popo: mom of my mom.
Pics will be uploaded once I've uploaded them.
On Christmas day, I awoke to the voice of my mom, telling me, "Will you get your lazy ass out of bed already? Yi ma and popo are coming over for dinner tonight and I need to you to help out in the kitchen!"
Saffy goes, "Eh?"
Great way to spring a surprise on your poor, bronchitis-infected daughter, mommy dearest. I hate being jolted awake. Gets the whole day off on a bad start.
So, being a Chinese daughter, I dutifully lugged my lazy ass to the bathroom, did whatever I needed to do in the loo and spent the rest of the morning in my PJs, systematically decimating entire piles of organic produce. I sliced button mushrooms, diced tomatoes, cut up those pepper thingies shaped like lanterns, snipped broccoli and cauliflower into cute little edible portions, minced bacon, hacked a whole chicken to bits so it can be ground up, sawed shoulders of lamb into manageable portions and chopped about 3 pounds of garlic, chillies and onions.
We need to get a grinder. One of those mechanical appliances that help you chop up stuff nice and quick. Either that or we need to get a chef's knife, something light and breezy and not as unwieldy as a meat cleaver. :p
So anyway, while mom and dad went out to buy tomato paste or something like that, I slinked off to my dad's room to play spider solitaire. After I finished one game (I lost), mom came back and started making some noises that meant if I don't haul my ass to the kitchen right now and start helping her out I'm going to be the next item on the chopping board.
Ah, the fine art of communication.
So I spent the rest of the afternoon helping my mom make lasagna (it was a colossal failure), stew lamb (great), grill chicken and boil soup. In addition to making about 7 pizzas, I also managed to build a spaghetti sauce from scratch that was, and I quote my yi ma, "Amazing." I also managed to sneak 2 glasses of vodka lime, muahahaha. In retrospect, it probably made my bronchitis worse, but I slaved all day and it's Christmas, and I'm 22, I can do whatever I want.
I found out I can cook. I'm like supergirl. Heheheh.
Notes
Yi ma: older sister of my mom.
Popo: mom of my mom.
Pics will be uploaded once I've uploaded them.
December 27, 2004
Of compassion and feeling on BBC
I just watched the 11pm BBC news coverage on the quakes, and heard a Victor Wee who's some sort of vice president or something of Malaysia's Tourism department speak about the situation in Malaysia.
Personally, I don't know the guy, so I have no idea what kind of person he is. Listening to Lucy Hockings interviewing him though, my first impression is I really don't like this guy.
Dear Mr Wee, in the future, when speaking to an international audience after a major catastrophe, kindly employ more empathy and compassion instead of trying to hard-sell Malaysia. Saying that hotel operations have returned to normal and that things are as usual makes you sound like a callous and insensitive person who's only interested in tourist dollars. Moreover, when the tv screen shows scenes of devastated houses, destroyed boats and people standing around in shock, 'normal' isn't exactly the first word that comes into mind.
So please, can the emphasis on normal, because I'm sure the families of the victims felt normal. I'm also sure the occupants of the 400 destroyed houses were feeling normal too. Or maybe it's just the tourists who matter, and the local people who live in coastal areas do not.
That was sarcasm, btw.
Ugh. I just hope none of the people who were affected by this tragedy heard him speak.
Notes
I think this is the guy, if I'm not mistaken. Someone tell me either way.
If you haven't already, please donate. There're many areas (here) worst hit (here) than us, and they could really use all the help they can get.
Personally, I don't know the guy, so I have no idea what kind of person he is. Listening to Lucy Hockings interviewing him though, my first impression is I really don't like this guy.
Dear Mr Wee, in the future, when speaking to an international audience after a major catastrophe, kindly employ more empathy and compassion instead of trying to hard-sell Malaysia. Saying that hotel operations have returned to normal and that things are as usual makes you sound like a callous and insensitive person who's only interested in tourist dollars. Moreover, when the tv screen shows scenes of devastated houses, destroyed boats and people standing around in shock, 'normal' isn't exactly the first word that comes into mind.
So please, can the emphasis on normal, because I'm sure the families of the victims felt normal. I'm also sure the occupants of the 400 destroyed houses were feeling normal too. Or maybe it's just the tourists who matter, and the local people who live in coastal areas do not.
That was sarcasm, btw.
Ugh. I just hope none of the people who were affected by this tragedy heard him speak.
Notes
I think this is the guy, if I'm not mistaken. Someone tell me either way.
If you haven't already, please donate. There're many areas (here) worst hit (here) than us, and they could really use all the help they can get.
Freaking slow reactions
Watched BBC yesterday, caught a whiff of the quake. Didn't think much of it cos initial estimates had 500 people dead or missing worldwide. For a quake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale, that's a very lucky number. Didn't think Malaysia was affected much, cos we're supposed to be protected from the waves by Sumatera.
We spent the last 2 hours trying to call our relatives in Penang. Luckily they're alright. Unfortunately, not everyone could say that of their loved ones. Please consider donating here.
It might be prudent for you to read up on what causes tsunamis and whether it is possible to predict earthquakes. Google works wonders.
Take care, world.
We spent the last 2 hours trying to call our relatives in Penang. Luckily they're alright. Unfortunately, not everyone could say that of their loved ones. Please consider donating here.
It might be prudent for you to read up on what causes tsunamis and whether it is possible to predict earthquakes. Google works wonders.
Take care, world.
Why You Don't Want To Date A Gamer
Reason Number 5: Gamers speak a different language altogether
...and I don't just mean 1337 sp34k.
At the 70% off bins during MNG sales.
"Eh, tank for me while I try to bust in, ya?"
When he notices that the entire rear end of his car has been decimated by an incompetent driver who never looks in the rearview mirror when reversing.
"I'm gonna frag that freaking SOB!"
After a male's spending ability is significantly limited by him 'handing over' his paycheck to his girlfriend for 'safekeeping', he moans to his mates.
"I've been goddam nerfed!"
Minutes after a drinking competition in which he wins.
"I r0x0r your b0x0r!!!" (the geekiness shines through even though gamers are doing something normal and cool like consuming large amounts of alcohol)
Imagine trying to understand all that. Who has the time? You're better off dating someone normal who doesn't speak in riddles, yes?
Reason Number 4: Gamers make obscure (to you) cultural references when dealing with everyday stuff
Pretend you finally managed to drag your gamer boyfriend off to a pub and you're dancing and having fun when suddenly some uncle sidles over and starts hitting on you. Your boyfriend might very well scream "Nobody steals our chicks and lives!" before trying to smack the guy's fist with his face.
Or him going, "CHA-CHING! Hahaha!" when he manages to break open a kuaci without having small bits of shell in his mouth. This mightn't be very bad, but then there's only so many times you can tolerate your guy saying, "What is your major malfunction?" whenever you say 'we need to talk.' Or saying "Your face, your ass, what's the difference?" with a smarmy grin when you're sexy and horny in the bedroom. Oof, moodkiller baby.
Reason Number 3: Dating
Your idea of a night out is going for dinner and a movie. Or embedding shotgun pellets into a dummy doll followed by a nice romantic picnic dinner on the beach. You know, whatever floats your boat.
His idea of a night out is joining up on the Lineage II server and hunting some werewolf mobs. Or maybe whispering sweet nothings to each other on the private RO server that his friend set up. If you're dating seriously old school gamers then a night out may be a pen-and-paper D&D where he's the Orc barbarian and you're his cleric healer.
Because relationships are give-and-take, you may want to oblige him by getting together in the MMORPG world every once in a while because after all, he did agree to go with you to Zouk last week. This is a bad thing to do, because once you start 'obliging him' he will take it as a sign that you have the spirit of an inherent geek in you, and you just need to cultivate it.
Eventually, "getting together in the MMORPG world" will replace phonecalls and real dates, and you'll find yourself wearing identical armour to replicate the real world CLZ Syndrome and getting married ala RO style complete with virtual rice and have your other MMORPG friends cheering your union. Just hope that a hostile mob doesn't spawn out of nowhere and ruin your virtual wedding the way rain ruins a real one. For picture references, go here and here.
(In the second pic, the pumpkin scarecrows and the cute little pink round things wearing santa hats are monsters. The sprites lying on the ground are dead people. The only female left standing is an NPC. What a way to end a wedding. *grins*)
Reason Number 2: Gifts
For your birthday, he may get you one of these. That's a LOTR TTT (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition Collector's Gift Set) from Amazon.com, complete with a scaled-down model of Gollum. Yeah, it's a nice movie, but Gollum? Gollum?? But hey, at least it's not a D20 gift set.
And finally, reason Number 1: In 10 years's time...
You know you want to be more important than StarCraft 2.
Notes:
1337 sp34k: language invented by CS players (I think) where alphabets are replaced by numerals. Somehow they think this is funny nd amusing to do.
tank: In RPGs, usually a character with high Strength and Constitution, used as a shield for weaker characters in a party like mages and rogues. Imagine a wrestler. Big, strong, loud and tough, but with no skills.
nerf: situation where your character's abilities have been lowered after some tweaking. Happens when new patches are released for games.
frag: another word for "I will shoot your brains out and drag your bloody entails all over the floor". Used in FPS games, origins rumoured to be from the Vietnam War. I'm too lazy to look it up, Charlie.
R0x0r your b0x0r: another word for "I own you, noob!"
Kuaci: pumpkin seeds.
CLZ: Ching Lui Zhong, which is cantonese for bad taste. Certain couples like to wear similar clothing (colour, style, pattern, etc) whenever they're out of the confines of their own home. Losing your individual identity and fusing into one single mass just because you're dating isn't exactly my idea of fun, but hey, what do I know?
NPC: Non Playable Character. Self-explanatory.
StarCraft 2: Most anticipated game of all time, and the reason why Blizzard can do no wrong. :)
"Nobody steals our chicks and lives!" uttered by Duke Nukem <3.
"CHA-CHING! Hahaha!" uttered by Tanya.
"What is your major malfunction?" uttered by the Siegetank.
"Your face, your ass, what's the difference?" uttered by Duke Nukem <3.
RO pics from RO Empire.
...and I don't just mean 1337 sp34k.
At the 70% off bins during MNG sales.
"Eh, tank for me while I try to bust in, ya?"
When he notices that the entire rear end of his car has been decimated by an incompetent driver who never looks in the rearview mirror when reversing.
"I'm gonna frag that freaking SOB!"
After a male's spending ability is significantly limited by him 'handing over' his paycheck to his girlfriend for 'safekeeping', he moans to his mates.
"I've been goddam nerfed!"
Minutes after a drinking competition in which he wins.
"I r0x0r your b0x0r!!!" (the geekiness shines through even though gamers are doing something normal and cool like consuming large amounts of alcohol)
Imagine trying to understand all that. Who has the time? You're better off dating someone normal who doesn't speak in riddles, yes?
Reason Number 4: Gamers make obscure (to you) cultural references when dealing with everyday stuff
Pretend you finally managed to drag your gamer boyfriend off to a pub and you're dancing and having fun when suddenly some uncle sidles over and starts hitting on you. Your boyfriend might very well scream "Nobody steals our chicks and lives!" before trying to smack the guy's fist with his face.
Or him going, "CHA-CHING! Hahaha!" when he manages to break open a kuaci without having small bits of shell in his mouth. This mightn't be very bad, but then there's only so many times you can tolerate your guy saying, "What is your major malfunction?" whenever you say 'we need to talk.' Or saying "Your face, your ass, what's the difference?" with a smarmy grin when you're sexy and horny in the bedroom. Oof, moodkiller baby.
Reason Number 3: Dating
Your idea of a night out is going for dinner and a movie. Or embedding shotgun pellets into a dummy doll followed by a nice romantic picnic dinner on the beach. You know, whatever floats your boat.
His idea of a night out is joining up on the Lineage II server and hunting some werewolf mobs. Or maybe whispering sweet nothings to each other on the private RO server that his friend set up. If you're dating seriously old school gamers then a night out may be a pen-and-paper D&D where he's the Orc barbarian and you're his cleric healer.
Because relationships are give-and-take, you may want to oblige him by getting together in the MMORPG world every once in a while because after all, he did agree to go with you to Zouk last week. This is a bad thing to do, because once you start 'obliging him' he will take it as a sign that you have the spirit of an inherent geek in you, and you just need to cultivate it.
Eventually, "getting together in the MMORPG world" will replace phonecalls and real dates, and you'll find yourself wearing identical armour to replicate the real world CLZ Syndrome and getting married ala RO style complete with virtual rice and have your other MMORPG friends cheering your union. Just hope that a hostile mob doesn't spawn out of nowhere and ruin your virtual wedding the way rain ruins a real one. For picture references, go here and here.
(In the second pic, the pumpkin scarecrows and the cute little pink round things wearing santa hats are monsters. The sprites lying on the ground are dead people. The only female left standing is an NPC. What a way to end a wedding. *grins*)
Reason Number 2: Gifts
For your birthday, he may get you one of these. That's a LOTR TTT (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition Collector's Gift Set) from Amazon.com, complete with a scaled-down model of Gollum. Yeah, it's a nice movie, but Gollum? Gollum?? But hey, at least it's not a D20 gift set.
And finally, reason Number 1: In 10 years's time...
You know you want to be more important than StarCraft 2.
Notes:
1337 sp34k: language invented by CS players (I think) where alphabets are replaced by numerals. Somehow they think this is funny nd amusing to do.
tank: In RPGs, usually a character with high Strength and Constitution, used as a shield for weaker characters in a party like mages and rogues. Imagine a wrestler. Big, strong, loud and tough, but with no skills.
nerf: situation where your character's abilities have been lowered after some tweaking. Happens when new patches are released for games.
frag: another word for "I will shoot your brains out and drag your bloody entails all over the floor". Used in FPS games, origins rumoured to be from the Vietnam War. I'm too lazy to look it up, Charlie.
R0x0r your b0x0r: another word for "I own you, noob!"
Kuaci: pumpkin seeds.
CLZ: Ching Lui Zhong, which is cantonese for bad taste. Certain couples like to wear similar clothing (colour, style, pattern, etc) whenever they're out of the confines of their own home. Losing your individual identity and fusing into one single mass just because you're dating isn't exactly my idea of fun, but hey, what do I know?
NPC: Non Playable Character. Self-explanatory.
StarCraft 2: Most anticipated game of all time, and the reason why Blizzard can do no wrong. :)
"Nobody steals our chicks and lives!" uttered by Duke Nukem <3.
"CHA-CHING! Hahaha!" uttered by Tanya.
"What is your major malfunction?" uttered by the Siegetank.
"Your face, your ass, what's the difference?" uttered by Duke Nukem <3.
RO pics from RO Empire.
Warm coppery tones
This year, Christmas Eve was lonesome. My parents had a Christmas party to attend, my granma went to my aunt's house because she was organising a mass feeding session and everyone was invited, and my brother went out with his friends and feasted on turkey. He ended up spending the night at some girl's house (ahem), but since he's 18, spending the night doesn't involve any sleeping. I have no idea what kind of drunken hijinks took place, but I'm told there were a lot of people there, and at no point was he alone with any girl.
Somehow, the images of pagan orgies keep flashing in my mind.
Me, well, I spent the night alone in my house with all the lights on, because I am afraid of the dark. So I'm alone, I'm horny and I have my Streamyx back. Guess what I did? *grins*
I also fiddled with Photoshop and Flash, and made something that I'll shamelessly put here even though it's very amateurish. Remember, I only recently learned how to resize stuff with Photoshop, so judge based on context. ;p
Can't figure out the code to put a flash file, so what I made (which is also very amateurish) will stay in the deep recesses of my HD for now.
Somehow, the images of pagan orgies keep flashing in my mind.
Me, well, I spent the night alone in my house with all the lights on, because I am afraid of the dark. So I'm alone, I'm horny and I have my Streamyx back. Guess what I did? *grins*
I also fiddled with Photoshop and Flash, and made something that I'll shamelessly put here even though it's very amateurish. Remember, I only recently learned how to resize stuff with Photoshop, so judge based on context. ;p
Can't figure out the code to put a flash file, so what I made (which is also very amateurish) will stay in the deep recesses of my HD for now.
Like a leper
I'm gonna talk about my dinner experience today.
It's a day just like every other, and we went out for dinner in Pandan Indah, another one of those generic HK style eateries that're springing up like slugs after a downpour. That about tells you how I really feel. :p
However, today's post is not going to be a food blog. Oh no, today, I'm going to share with you the experience of being treated like a leper. Before you wonder, no, I am not deformed or something like that. I've been diagnosed with bronchitis, and as a result have been coughing rather err, dramatically, to be subtle.
I didn't actually notice how bad my coughs were when I was quarantined at home for close to three weeks now, but in public it was really bad. The people sitting around us were visibly recoiling from me, and no, I did NOT launch phelgmy projectiles at my fellow diners. Unlike the uncouth fishmonger barbarians at the Pudu market, I cough with my hand over my mouth. :)
Still, it's mildly disconcerting to have people glance at me, worried that the terminally ill TB patient might transmit her germs to their kids skating around in their stupid shoes with wheels. You know, if you're too lazy to walk when you're 7, you might as well die of bronchitis/TB/whatever now and save us the trouble of feeding another mouth. We only have so many resources, and we can't waste it on lazy slobbering kids.
But this is not about kids, this is about me. The reason I'm posting this now is because I can't sleep. Lying down seems to exacerbate the coughs, bleah.
Thanks to Narrowband for alerting me about my clumsiness.
It's a day just like every other, and we went out for dinner in Pandan Indah, another one of those generic HK style eateries that're springing up like slugs after a downpour. That about tells you how I really feel. :p
However, today's post is not going to be a food blog. Oh no, today, I'm going to share with you the experience of being treated like a leper. Before you wonder, no, I am not deformed or something like that. I've been diagnosed with bronchitis, and as a result have been coughing rather err, dramatically, to be subtle.
I didn't actually notice how bad my coughs were when I was quarantined at home for close to three weeks now, but in public it was really bad. The people sitting around us were visibly recoiling from me, and no, I did NOT launch phelgmy projectiles at my fellow diners. Unlike the uncouth fishmonger barbarians at the Pudu market, I cough with my hand over my mouth. :)
Still, it's mildly disconcerting to have people glance at me, worried that the terminally ill TB patient might transmit her germs to their kids skating around in their stupid shoes with wheels. You know, if you're too lazy to walk when you're 7, you might as well die of bronchitis/TB/whatever now and save us the trouble of feeding another mouth. We only have so many resources, and we can't waste it on lazy slobbering kids.
But this is not about kids, this is about me. The reason I'm posting this now is because I can't sleep. Lying down seems to exacerbate the coughs, bleah.
Thanks to Narrowband for alerting me about my clumsiness.
December 23, 2004
Frustrate me, please!
I'm back! :)
The previous posts were written in the downtime. Just because I can't blog doesn't mean I can't write, though it wasn't easy with my head flinging around from the recoil of my coughs.
Here's a timeline of what happened since last week.
Sunday: Streamyx acting up, connection was slow during the day. Couldn't connect at night.
Monday: Same same, connection improved marginally in the afternoon. Couldn't connect at night. Had a flu and feeling feverish.
Tuesday: Connected for 5 minutes in the morning before it broke completely. Tried again in the afternoon, and managed the exact same thing. Results for BF's BAC not sent out due to this reason. Onset of fever, voice changed due to flu. Ex used to call it 'my sexy voice'. Note to ex, sexy and flu do not go together.
Wednesday: Sitting at home, bored out of my skull, nursing a fever and blowing my nose every 5 minutes. Nose red and tender from tissue burn. Called up Streamyx techies and was told to "You cuba connect la. Kalau masih tak boleh, tunggu tiga hari." (translation: try connecting every once in a while. If it doesn't work, wait three days)
Thursday: Fever gone, flu still around, starting to cough. No sign of Streamyx.
Friday: Voice reverts to normal. Cough not getting any better, but not getting any worse either, which is always a good sign.
Saturday: Recovered from everything. Mild 'khem khem's every once in a while. Nothing big. Called up Streamyx techies and was told to "Tunggu sampai Isnin. You cuba connect la." (translation: Wait until Monday. Meanwhile, try connecting. In other words, You're Screwed.)
Sunday: Developed a hollow-sounding cough that seemed to reverberate in my chest. Bad news, cos it always gets worse when it comes to this. Apparently sounds very TB-like to everyone around me. Dad shudders whenever I cough, so I alternate between holding back my coughs and hiding in my room. Plan not working out. Mom starting to worry. Can't sleep at night due to coughing.
Monday: Skipped school. Cough starting to sound like TB patient on her last breath. Developed chest pains from constant coughing. Bro looked at concernedly when I was coughing on the sofa while he played Disgae again. Mom is very worried. Called Streamyx Techies. Still no idea of what the problem is. Still no idea of when it will be fixed. My terse question of whether I will be billed a quarter of RM88 less this month (which is RM22) was answered with a burst of nervous giggles.
Tuesday: Still can't sleep at night. Developed headache from constant coughing. Experiencing bouts of blurness after I cough for prolonged periods of time. Feeling nauseous and dizzy all day, can't stand up for long. Too sick to care about Streamyx. I want to die. Mom, Dad and Granma very worried about me. I want to die even more.
Wednesday: Getting used to the coughing, though it sounds worse to everyone else. Headaches have gone, though blurness persists after I cough for a long time. Mom talked to colleague about Streamyx problem. Colleague gave her phone number of a guy. After a phone call to him, a lady called us at our home number at 5pm and told us to try connecting. It worked. Lady called again at 8pm to check status of Streamyx. Still working fine.
What would have happened if my mom's colleague had not had an insider's phone number? In Malaysia, it's not what you know, it's who you know.
The previous posts were written in the downtime. Just because I can't blog doesn't mean I can't write, though it wasn't easy with my head flinging around from the recoil of my coughs.
Here's a timeline of what happened since last week.
Sunday: Streamyx acting up, connection was slow during the day. Couldn't connect at night.
Monday: Same same, connection improved marginally in the afternoon. Couldn't connect at night. Had a flu and feeling feverish.
Tuesday: Connected for 5 minutes in the morning before it broke completely. Tried again in the afternoon, and managed the exact same thing. Results for BF's BAC not sent out due to this reason. Onset of fever, voice changed due to flu. Ex used to call it 'my sexy voice'. Note to ex, sexy and flu do not go together.
Wednesday: Sitting at home, bored out of my skull, nursing a fever and blowing my nose every 5 minutes. Nose red and tender from tissue burn. Called up Streamyx techies and was told to "You cuba connect la. Kalau masih tak boleh, tunggu tiga hari." (translation: try connecting every once in a while. If it doesn't work, wait three days)
Thursday: Fever gone, flu still around, starting to cough. No sign of Streamyx.
Friday: Voice reverts to normal. Cough not getting any better, but not getting any worse either, which is always a good sign.
Saturday: Recovered from everything. Mild 'khem khem's every once in a while. Nothing big. Called up Streamyx techies and was told to "Tunggu sampai Isnin. You cuba connect la." (translation: Wait until Monday. Meanwhile, try connecting. In other words, You're Screwed.)
Sunday: Developed a hollow-sounding cough that seemed to reverberate in my chest. Bad news, cos it always gets worse when it comes to this. Apparently sounds very TB-like to everyone around me. Dad shudders whenever I cough, so I alternate between holding back my coughs and hiding in my room. Plan not working out. Mom starting to worry. Can't sleep at night due to coughing.
Monday: Skipped school. Cough starting to sound like TB patient on her last breath. Developed chest pains from constant coughing. Bro looked at concernedly when I was coughing on the sofa while he played Disgae again. Mom is very worried. Called Streamyx Techies. Still no idea of what the problem is. Still no idea of when it will be fixed. My terse question of whether I will be billed a quarter of RM88 less this month (which is RM22) was answered with a burst of nervous giggles.
Tuesday: Still can't sleep at night. Developed headache from constant coughing. Experiencing bouts of blurness after I cough for prolonged periods of time. Feeling nauseous and dizzy all day, can't stand up for long. Too sick to care about Streamyx. I want to die. Mom, Dad and Granma very worried about me. I want to die even more.
Wednesday: Getting used to the coughing, though it sounds worse to everyone else. Headaches have gone, though blurness persists after I cough for a long time. Mom talked to colleague about Streamyx problem. Colleague gave her phone number of a guy. After a phone call to him, a lady called us at our home number at 5pm and told us to try connecting. It worked. Lady called again at 8pm to check status of Streamyx. Still working fine.
What would have happened if my mom's colleague had not had an insider's phone number? In Malaysia, it's not what you know, it's who you know.
December 22, 2004
Honest tunes
At times like this I'm thankful that I have people in my life who're honest with me. You know, the kind who'll tell you straight to your face that your ass looks big, you smell bad especially in the underarm area, or that you're not a particularly likeable person.
Oh wait, that's me.
My friends and family are generally more tactful than just to blurt out what they're thinking. Considering how long I've been with some of them, you figure some of that should have rubbed off on me by now.
Anyway, I'm glad I have a few friends who're honest enough with me to tell me when my bum looks big in that skirt I like sooooooo much. I'm-
I'm glad that my brother thinks he's big enough to be safe from me when he tell me I 'look weird' in some clothes I choose to wear before I leave the confines of my home. Erm, actually, he is big enough that my puny little fists won't hurt him much, but that's not the point. I'm also glad my friends can tell me that they think I'm out of line when I really am, which, I am sad to confess, happens quite often. It appears I have no sense of propriety. I should be really popular with the guys. ;)
Of course, it hurts to hear that the hairdo you like so much really makes you look like a cat died on top of your head, or that the outfit you spent 2 hours coordinating looks like something one of those tacky J-pop artistes would wear, but on the upside, these are things you'd rather hear while you're still within safe territory (ie home). It'll be three times worse to have people snicker at you when you're walking along in Midvalley, blissfully unaware that the stripey knee socks you love so much actually make you look like an Ah Lian. (yes, I do like stripey knee socks, but I will never wear them in public)
So back to the point. Most of all, I'm happy that my best friends will say "I think he's really not worth it," when I'm doing something I'm not supposed to be doing. Like pining away for a guy who doesn't even realise that I exist, or waiting for days for him to send me a sign that he's still alive, or sending 4 SMSes to him with nary a reply from the other end, or scrawling "I'm gay! Call me!" in male toilets with his phone number below, or calling his stand-up parents with an Ah Lian accent and telling them I'm pregnant with his kid. You know, normal stuff girls do when they're slighted and/or bored.
In the above paragraph, 'He' doesn't really refer to the same guy. Scary, innit? ;)
Sometimes when you're thinking of pursuing a relationship with a completely inappropriate guy who's just gonna take you on a joyride that's the opposite of joy, you need to have some close friends and family, the very people you'll actually listen to, to kick some sense into your otherwise-usually-very-rational self. What can I say, sometimes feelings can make you go bonkers.
It's completely okay for you to make a fool of yourself, and everyone has to make a fool of themselves once in a while. Just preferably not in public where everyone can gawk at you and where you'll forever be branded as the girl on the frat house mattress. In addition to helping you hide bodies, that's also what good friends are for.
To wake you up when you're about to sleepwalk over a cliff, blissfully unaware of the perils that are usually associated with dropping off a high-altitude area.
Namely, splat!
Notes:
Post triggered by reading an article in the Star about women who don't get it when the men they're interested in aren't interested in them.
Oh wait, that's me.
My friends and family are generally more tactful than just to blurt out what they're thinking. Considering how long I've been with some of them, you figure some of that should have rubbed off on me by now.
Anyway, I'm glad I have a few friends who're honest enough with me to tell me when my bum looks big in that skirt I like sooooooo much. I'm-
THIS PROGRAM IS INTERRUPTED TO BRING YOU AN
IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
To the males who’re not aware of this, certain pants/skirts DO in fact make our derrieres bigger than they seem. Sometimes it's the fabric, sometimes it's the pattern on the fabric, and sometimes it's just the fact that the piece of clothing is so badly made that it doesn't hug where it should hug.
"Does my ass look big?" is not a question we like to toss out just to make you sweat.
Okay, so some women like to place landmines where they know your foot is going to land, but I am definitely not one of them. And you should totally trust me. Muahahahaha.
WE NOW RETURN TO OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING
I'm glad that my brother thinks he's big enough to be safe from me when he tell me I 'look weird' in some clothes I choose to wear before I leave the confines of my home. Erm, actually, he is big enough that my puny little fists won't hurt him much, but that's not the point. I'm also glad my friends can tell me that they think I'm out of line when I really am, which, I am sad to confess, happens quite often. It appears I have no sense of propriety. I should be really popular with the guys. ;)
Of course, it hurts to hear that the hairdo you like so much really makes you look like a cat died on top of your head, or that the outfit you spent 2 hours coordinating looks like something one of those tacky J-pop artistes would wear, but on the upside, these are things you'd rather hear while you're still within safe territory (ie home). It'll be three times worse to have people snicker at you when you're walking along in Midvalley, blissfully unaware that the stripey knee socks you love so much actually make you look like an Ah Lian. (yes, I do like stripey knee socks, but I will never wear them in public)
So back to the point. Most of all, I'm happy that my best friends will say "I think he's really not worth it," when I'm doing something I'm not supposed to be doing. Like pining away for a guy who doesn't even realise that I exist, or waiting for days for him to send me a sign that he's still alive, or sending 4 SMSes to him with nary a reply from the other end, or scrawling "I'm gay! Call me!" in male toilets with his phone number below, or calling his stand-up parents with an Ah Lian accent and telling them I'm pregnant with his kid. You know, normal stuff girls do when they're slighted and/or bored.
In the above paragraph, 'He' doesn't really refer to the same guy. Scary, innit? ;)
Sometimes when you're thinking of pursuing a relationship with a completely inappropriate guy who's just gonna take you on a joyride that's the opposite of joy, you need to have some close friends and family, the very people you'll actually listen to, to kick some sense into your otherwise-usually-very-rational self. What can I say, sometimes feelings can make you go bonkers.
It's completely okay for you to make a fool of yourself, and everyone has to make a fool of themselves once in a while. Just preferably not in public where everyone can gawk at you and where you'll forever be branded as the girl on the frat house mattress. In addition to helping you hide bodies, that's also what good friends are for.
To wake you up when you're about to sleepwalk over a cliff, blissfully unaware of the perils that are usually associated with dropping off a high-altitude area.
Namely, splat!
Notes:
Post triggered by reading an article in the Star about women who don't get it when the men they're interested in aren't interested in them.
The Next Amber Chia
I got this from Friendster.
Hi,
I'm a talent scout. If you were given the chance to appear in print advertisements or TV commercial, would you be interested ? there is no registration fees, no product selling, we don't provide any modeling or grooming classes.
Actually I would love to tell u more about what am I doing ~
Everyone can be talent, your family members, your friends, your cousins, your aunty uncle... grandma grandpa also can!! To be a talent or model is very easy, as long as they would like to join and comfortable to be a talent or model. Then others should be no worries at all. Coz is not a time consuming thingy!!
TO be a talent or model doesn't mean catwalk or fashion show. To be a talent or model can be like, those print ads we see on newspaper, billboards, brochures, leaflet, magazine or etc. Sometime, we only need your face, some features or your body feature on be on prints ads only. Thus, height is not a problem, if u tall enough of course there is another advantage.
When you see those advertisements like Maxis, digi,YTL, there are few models and talents with their happy face. They are not professional model... they are just talent... we are looking people who have character and not only the look to be on Print Ads.
So, u can make an appointment now ~
No forcing.. if u dunwan..
Just let u know more about it ~
Is just a simple process, come to our studio we'll let u fill up a form.
Then we will snap few natural photos of you,
Those photos we will submit to advertising company, if there is any ads suit u .
We will call u up for photo shooting.
Dress code “ Smart n Casual”
No need bring anything… kekeke..
you can bring as many friends as you want ~ we are looking for new faces....
If you are interested, please reply me with your name, age, race and contact number. My studio at Cheras Business Center,
Future Production ( 001449657 - A)
20-1-12 Cheras Business Centre
20, Jln 2/101C,
Batu 5, Off Jln Cheras
56000 Kuala Lumpur
Fax 03 - 9130 6666
Office 03 - 9132 1111
Mobile 012 - 355 0604
Give us a call before u come,
Lotsa print ads need new faces....
Do u think u can make it ?u can bring along ur friends n parents t00 ~ erm.. if u have cousin sister brothers... kids.. who are cute.. photogenic... love to be talents... just get them to come.... n0 w0rry ~ we need kids to elderly from 3 yrs old to 80 yrs old male n females.
Let me know ur appointment with us >?
ok?
thankss.s..
Regards,
Jasmine
Of course, being the paranoia-ridden librarian that I am, I thought legitimate talent scouts don’t go around looking for prospective potentials through, of all places, Friendster. So I gave her my email and she emailed me a map to the place. If this is a hoax mail, it’s done pretty shrewdly. Not that I’m interested at all, heheh.
Map here.
So, I’ve decided not to think about the legitimacy of this and just pretend that she really did want me to contact her. Major ego boosts are good for health, particularly to girls who’re coughing like terminally ill TB patients.
On a sidenote, if anyone decides to go and give this place a shot, remember to drop me a line to tell me how it went. Of course, in the event that you get drugged, tied up and have your naked privates committed to celluloid, I’m not responsible for any mental or physical trauma you may have suffered. On the other hand, if you become the next Amber Chia, remember who launched your illustrious modeling career!
Remember kiddies, screw morals. Kickbacks are completely acceptable.
Hi,
I'm a talent scout. If you were given the chance to appear in print advertisements or TV commercial, would you be interested ? there is no registration fees, no product selling, we don't provide any modeling or grooming classes.
Actually I would love to tell u more about what am I doing ~
Everyone can be talent, your family members, your friends, your cousins, your aunty uncle... grandma grandpa also can!! To be a talent or model is very easy, as long as they would like to join and comfortable to be a talent or model. Then others should be no worries at all. Coz is not a time consuming thingy!!
TO be a talent or model doesn't mean catwalk or fashion show. To be a talent or model can be like, those print ads we see on newspaper, billboards, brochures, leaflet, magazine or etc. Sometime, we only need your face, some features or your body feature on be on prints ads only. Thus, height is not a problem, if u tall enough of course there is another advantage.
When you see those advertisements like Maxis, digi,YTL, there are few models and talents with their happy face. They are not professional model... they are just talent... we are looking people who have character and not only the look to be on Print Ads.
So, u can make an appointment now ~
No forcing.. if u dunwan..
Just let u know more about it ~
Is just a simple process, come to our studio we'll let u fill up a form.
Then we will snap few natural photos of you,
Those photos we will submit to advertising company, if there is any ads suit u .
We will call u up for photo shooting.
Dress code “ Smart n Casual”
No need bring anything… kekeke..
you can bring as many friends as you want ~ we are looking for new faces....
If you are interested, please reply me with your name, age, race and contact number. My studio at Cheras Business Center,
Future Production ( 001449657 - A)
20-1-12 Cheras Business Centre
20, Jln 2/101C,
Batu 5, Off Jln Cheras
56000 Kuala Lumpur
Fax 03 - 9130 6666
Office 03 - 9132 1111
Mobile 012 - 355 0604
Give us a call before u come,
Lotsa print ads need new faces....
Do u think u can make it ?u can bring along ur friends n parents t00 ~ erm.. if u have cousin sister brothers... kids.. who are cute.. photogenic... love to be talents... just get them to come.... n0 w0rry ~ we need kids to elderly from 3 yrs old to 80 yrs old male n females.
Let me know ur appointment with us >?
ok?
thankss.s..
Regards,
Jasmine
Of course, being the paranoia-ridden librarian that I am, I thought legitimate talent scouts don’t go around looking for prospective potentials through, of all places, Friendster. So I gave her my email and she emailed me a map to the place. If this is a hoax mail, it’s done pretty shrewdly. Not that I’m interested at all, heheh.
Map here.
So, I’ve decided not to think about the legitimacy of this and just pretend that she really did want me to contact her. Major ego boosts are good for health, particularly to girls who’re coughing like terminally ill TB patients.
On a sidenote, if anyone decides to go and give this place a shot, remember to drop me a line to tell me how it went. Of course, in the event that you get drugged, tied up and have your naked privates committed to celluloid, I’m not responsible for any mental or physical trauma you may have suffered. On the other hand, if you become the next Amber Chia, remember who launched your illustrious modeling career!
Remember kiddies, screw morals. Kickbacks are completely acceptable.
December 18, 2004
I'm not dead
What a way to start a post. :)
Just a little FYI, I've been sick for 4 days and coughing leads to chest pains and headaches, not to mention sore throats. FYI2, my Streamyx has been down for 4 day. I'm now using my friend's line to log on, and he's already making some noise cos I'm taking up his WoW time. Just to let my loyal readers (ahem) know that there's not gonna be an update any time soon.
As far as I can understand the problem, apparently the Streamyx techies have been fiddling with their server and after that little session that very server now hates my modem and doesn't want to talk to her. At all. So it sucks to be me.
All I want for Christmas is my appetite back. Getting my connection too would be a huge plus. I've been a good girl, Santa!
Happy holidays, folks. :)
Just a little FYI, I've been sick for 4 days and coughing leads to chest pains and headaches, not to mention sore throats. FYI2, my Streamyx has been down for 4 day. I'm now using my friend's line to log on, and he's already making some noise cos I'm taking up his WoW time. Just to let my loyal readers (ahem) know that there's not gonna be an update any time soon.
As far as I can understand the problem, apparently the Streamyx techies have been fiddling with their server and after that little session that very server now hates my modem and doesn't want to talk to her. At all. So it sucks to be me.
All I want for Christmas is my appetite back. Getting my connection too would be a huge plus. I've been a good girl, Santa!
Happy holidays, folks. :)
December 12, 2004
A Night Of Unbelievable Firsts
The venue: PWTC
The Ocassion: DHL's Annual Dinner and Party Thingy
My Status: lowly peon to be ordered around by everyone in an M Stage t-shirt. I'm like the slime that resides at the bottom of a pond, but in consolation, I'm intelligent slime. :)
Instead of focusing on the unbelievable chaoticness of the guest registration system or the unbelievable ineptness of the women at my counter (how quickly I could process guests hinged greatly on their competence), I think today I'll stop being the Blogger Who Always Complains and look on the bright side of things today. Hence:
A Night Of Unbelievable Firsts.
Number 1: I worked for RM50. Well, actually, I didn't. I worked because my best friend JW called in a favour since she was short 3 workers. First real working experience with real money.
Number 2: After we were done registering all the guests for DHL's Annual Dinner and Party thingy, we were sitting around an empty table eating our dinner and drinking pink water at 10.30pm when this guy in a suit comes up and wordlessly plonks down 2 tall glasses of beer, one for me and one for my bro.
First time I got beer without having to ask (read: beg/grovel/pay) for it.
Number 3: I played barmaid to the soundcrew and danced to the tune of some 70s song (it was Retro Night) while balancing 3 glasses of beer on my second beer-delivery trip upstairs. I have a whole new level of respect for the Oktoberfest barmaids now.
At the point where I was dancing with beer, this convo took place:
JW: "You're drunk, you know that?"
Me: "Probably. Want a sip of these before we give it to the crew?"
Number 4: After doubling as barmaid and cabaret dancer, JW and I got back downstairs and sat with my bro and SE, when the nice man who gave us beer the first time came by and refilled my glass without me having to signal (read: beg/grovel/pay) for it. He then told me that I was drinking too slowly, and told me to hurry up.
First time in my entire life I was given free refills of anything ('coffee' that's not real coffee doesn't count). First time I was told I'm drinking too slowly. First time I'm told to drink more. Unbelievable Wowness x4.
Number 5: When the band played Queen's We Will Rock You, we were all singing and bouncing on our seats to the tune. When the band played Uptown Girl, I downed the entire glass of beer, jumped out of my seat and started dancing.
First time I'm dancing, ever. I hope no one took pictures or it would extremely good blackmail material. Btw, it's very likely that I got the chronology of the songs wrong.
Number 6: I have no shame. Okay, so that's not a first, but wait. I actually did the YMCA. In public. And as if that's not enough, I actually broke out John Travolta's Saturday Night Fever moves. In public. I didn't even know I knew the moves to SNF.
I am tainted for life. Remember what I said about hoping no one took pics? I really really REALLY hope no one took pics of me while I was living the life of the swinging 70s. (not re-living because I wasn't born yet. I'm not that old, haha)
That's about all.
Now that the haze of alcohol and shamelessness has cleared a bit, I seriously think that I can handle going to pubs now. After all, I look good in a slinky top and tight jeans, and I can drink beer instead of wine so it won't KO me so quickly. I can dance once my inhibitions are slightly lowered and not sit there like some poor wallflower, and if I can do the YMCA and SNF in public, there's absolutely nothing I won't do for free beer.
I can't believe I just said that. :( Remember what your mama always said about choosing your friends carefully? I think it's all JW's fault. Seriously though, I enjoyed last night, and I wasn't even drunk. Considering how extensively I've managed to humiliate myself, the non-drunkness of my person is the scary part.
The Ocassion: DHL's Annual Dinner and Party Thingy
My Status: lowly peon to be ordered around by everyone in an M Stage t-shirt. I'm like the slime that resides at the bottom of a pond, but in consolation, I'm intelligent slime. :)
Instead of focusing on the unbelievable chaoticness of the guest registration system or the unbelievable ineptness of the women at my counter (how quickly I could process guests hinged greatly on their competence), I think today I'll stop being the Blogger Who Always Complains and look on the bright side of things today. Hence:
A Night Of Unbelievable Firsts.
Number 1: I worked for RM50. Well, actually, I didn't. I worked because my best friend JW called in a favour since she was short 3 workers. First real working experience with real money.
Number 2: After we were done registering all the guests for DHL's Annual Dinner and Party thingy, we were sitting around an empty table eating our dinner and drinking pink water at 10.30pm when this guy in a suit comes up and wordlessly plonks down 2 tall glasses of beer, one for me and one for my bro.
First time I got beer without having to ask (read: beg/grovel/pay) for it.
Number 3: I played barmaid to the soundcrew and danced to the tune of some 70s song (it was Retro Night) while balancing 3 glasses of beer on my second beer-delivery trip upstairs. I have a whole new level of respect for the Oktoberfest barmaids now.
At the point where I was dancing with beer, this convo took place:
JW: "You're drunk, you know that?"
Me: "Probably. Want a sip of these before we give it to the crew?"
Number 4: After doubling as barmaid and cabaret dancer, JW and I got back downstairs and sat with my bro and SE, when the nice man who gave us beer the first time came by and refilled my glass without me having to signal (read: beg/grovel/pay) for it. He then told me that I was drinking too slowly, and told me to hurry up.
First time in my entire life I was given free refills of anything ('coffee' that's not real coffee doesn't count). First time I was told I'm drinking too slowly. First time I'm told to drink more. Unbelievable Wowness x4.
Number 5: When the band played Queen's We Will Rock You, we were all singing and bouncing on our seats to the tune. When the band played Uptown Girl, I downed the entire glass of beer, jumped out of my seat and started dancing.
First time I'm dancing, ever. I hope no one took pictures or it would extremely good blackmail material. Btw, it's very likely that I got the chronology of the songs wrong.
Number 6: I have no shame. Okay, so that's not a first, but wait. I actually did the YMCA. In public. And as if that's not enough, I actually broke out John Travolta's Saturday Night Fever moves. In public. I didn't even know I knew the moves to SNF.
I am tainted for life. Remember what I said about hoping no one took pics? I really really REALLY hope no one took pics of me while I was living the life of the swinging 70s. (not re-living because I wasn't born yet. I'm not that old, haha)
That's about all.
Now that the haze of alcohol and shamelessness has cleared a bit, I seriously think that I can handle going to pubs now. After all, I look good in a slinky top and tight jeans, and I can drink beer instead of wine so it won't KO me so quickly. I can dance once my inhibitions are slightly lowered and not sit there like some poor wallflower, and if I can do the YMCA and SNF in public, there's absolutely nothing I won't do for free beer.
I can't believe I just said that. :( Remember what your mama always said about choosing your friends carefully? I think it's all JW's fault. Seriously though, I enjoyed last night, and I wasn't even drunk. Considering how extensively I've managed to humiliate myself, the non-drunkness of my person is the scary part.
December 11, 2004
5 Don'ts When Hitting On Random Strangers
Since I've put my contact info on the left sidebar, I've been contacted by some people who thought I was fascinating (as in museum specimen) enough to warrant some mutual touching of bases. A lot of them are really nice, and I'd name names if I weren't bound by our confidentiality agreement. Some others, however, have the honour of being the inspiration for today's blog post.
So in the name of education, allow me to introduce today's topic: 5 Don'ts When Hitting On Random Strangers.
Don't be say hi for the sake of saying hi
People communicate for a reason. This principle applies in online communication as well. As a general rule, you're not supposed to click on everyone in your contact list and then type "HI!" and just sit back and wait for replies. Specifically, don't do this:
Random Idiot: hi.
Saffron: [AWAY MESSAGE]
Saffron: Hi.
Saffron: who're you?
Random Idiot: I'm RI.
Saffron: ok. I'm Saffron.
Random Idiot: hi saffron
[CUE AWKWARD SILENCE]
It is a generally accepted practice that the person who initiates a conversation with an unknown person should always think of at least 3 topics in advance so that the conversation doesn't go into the awkward silence mode 17 seconds after the first "hi!"s are uttered.
Don't play coy
When the person you're talking to asks you who you are, don't play coy and ask him to guess. If he decides to humour you and makes a guess (that would most probably be wrong), don't be annoying and go "Lalalala, you're WRONG!!!!!" and ask him to guess again. And again. And again. If he knows who you are, he won't be asking you that question now, would he?
People generally don't like to talk to people who're entertained by such juvenile antics.
Don't speak in weird languages
While it may be appealing to your warped little mind to speak in your own language as a mark of your identity' and a 'symbol of your community', it is generally considered bad form to tYpE LikE tHiS fOR loNg PEriOdS oF TimE bECauSe iT is VeRY anNoYiNG tO reAD. It is also advisable to only use l33t sp34k only when you are talking to your Geeky Gamer friends. Do not use l33t sp34k with girls, because they will dismiss you as a raving lunatic and put you on their level 3 block list. If you are lucky, it will not be for life.
Sometimes Nerd/Geek brands can never be washed off, no matter how hard you scrub with Vim.
Don't be boring
Interesting people are generally nice to talk to. They engage you in the conversation and amuse you with their topics. For those of us not endowed with the gift in interesting-ness, we have to resort to stupid and embarassing (but hopefully funny) anecdotes and self-deprecating humour to entertain the people we're talking to. While not many of us are gifted with the ability to be completely charismatic, there are ways to keep people from sleeping and subsequently drooling all over the table when they are conversing with you. One of these ways is to avoid doing this:
Random Idiot: hi
Saffron: [AWAY MESSAGE]
Saffron: hi
Saffron: who're you?
Random Idiot: asl??
Nothing kills off a convo quicker than typing "asl" less than a minute into the convo. Remember that. Now to continue the conversation above, for there is another point I wish to illustrate.
Saffron: 14 m pg
Random Idiot: pg??
Saffron: penang
Saffron: you?
Random Idiot: got pic??
Remember what I said about nothing killing off convos faster than "asl"? If you're not satisfied with the thawing direction of the convo after "asl", you can choose to follow up with "got pic?". That's a sure-fire guarantee that whoever you're chatting with will do this:
Saffron: [EXECUTE: LEVEL 3 BLOCK]
Don't say you're a stalker
Even if you are, pretend you have some other, legit reason to talk to her. Just because you've never met her doesn't mean you're not allowed to be able to recite the complete and unabridged family background of 18 generations of her ancestors, yes, but the key thing here is to NOT let her know about it.
Normal people generally don't like it when random strangers pop up on their IMs and start talking about their (not yours) grand aunt in a familiar manner. And though you may not understand their motivations, they may even be extremely cautious of you and react in a way cornered animals do when they're forced into a small area between a hard place and a rock.
This would significantly truncate any communication you have had with her, or it may completely wipe out any future possibilities of communication, and you, being the cute little stalker that you are, would not want that now, would you? So to recap, don't betray your ulterior motives until she's well into the net you've woven for her.
If you have any doubts about the above tactic, it actually worked on TV Smith, so you can see it's not exactly the product of an overactive imagination!
Good luck with your endeavors, fellow (scary but cute) stalkers!
So in the name of education, allow me to introduce today's topic: 5 Don'ts When Hitting On Random Strangers.
Don't be say hi for the sake of saying hi
People communicate for a reason. This principle applies in online communication as well. As a general rule, you're not supposed to click on everyone in your contact list and then type "HI!" and just sit back and wait for replies. Specifically, don't do this:
Random Idiot: hi.
Saffron: [AWAY MESSAGE]
Saffron: Hi.
Saffron: who're you?
Random Idiot: I'm RI.
Saffron: ok. I'm Saffron.
Random Idiot: hi saffron
[CUE AWKWARD SILENCE]
It is a generally accepted practice that the person who initiates a conversation with an unknown person should always think of at least 3 topics in advance so that the conversation doesn't go into the awkward silence mode 17 seconds after the first "hi!"s are uttered.
Don't play coy
When the person you're talking to asks you who you are, don't play coy and ask him to guess. If he decides to humour you and makes a guess (that would most probably be wrong), don't be annoying and go "Lalalala, you're WRONG!!!!!" and ask him to guess again. And again. And again. If he knows who you are, he won't be asking you that question now, would he?
People generally don't like to talk to people who're entertained by such juvenile antics.
Don't speak in weird languages
While it may be appealing to your warped little mind to speak in your own language as a mark of your identity' and a 'symbol of your community', it is generally considered bad form to tYpE LikE tHiS fOR loNg PEriOdS oF TimE bECauSe iT is VeRY anNoYiNG tO reAD. It is also advisable to only use l33t sp34k only when you are talking to your Geeky Gamer friends. Do not use l33t sp34k with girls, because they will dismiss you as a raving lunatic and put you on their level 3 block list. If you are lucky, it will not be for life.
Sometimes Nerd/Geek brands can never be washed off, no matter how hard you scrub with Vim.
Don't be boring
Interesting people are generally nice to talk to. They engage you in the conversation and amuse you with their topics. For those of us not endowed with the gift in interesting-ness, we have to resort to stupid and embarassing (but hopefully funny) anecdotes and self-deprecating humour to entertain the people we're talking to. While not many of us are gifted with the ability to be completely charismatic, there are ways to keep people from sleeping and subsequently drooling all over the table when they are conversing with you. One of these ways is to avoid doing this:
Random Idiot: hi
Saffron: [AWAY MESSAGE]
Saffron: hi
Saffron: who're you?
Random Idiot: asl??
Nothing kills off a convo quicker than typing "asl" less than a minute into the convo. Remember that. Now to continue the conversation above, for there is another point I wish to illustrate.
Saffron: 14 m pg
Random Idiot: pg??
Saffron: penang
Saffron: you?
Random Idiot: got pic??
Remember what I said about nothing killing off convos faster than "asl"? If you're not satisfied with the thawing direction of the convo after "asl", you can choose to follow up with "got pic?". That's a sure-fire guarantee that whoever you're chatting with will do this:
Saffron: [EXECUTE: LEVEL 3 BLOCK]
Don't say you're a stalker
Even if you are, pretend you have some other, legit reason to talk to her. Just because you've never met her doesn't mean you're not allowed to be able to recite the complete and unabridged family background of 18 generations of her ancestors, yes, but the key thing here is to NOT let her know about it.
Normal people generally don't like it when random strangers pop up on their IMs and start talking about their (not yours) grand aunt in a familiar manner. And though you may not understand their motivations, they may even be extremely cautious of you and react in a way cornered animals do when they're forced into a small area between a hard place and a rock.
This would significantly truncate any communication you have had with her, or it may completely wipe out any future possibilities of communication, and you, being the cute little stalker that you are, would not want that now, would you? So to recap, don't betray your ulterior motives until she's well into the net you've woven for her.
If you have any doubts about the above tactic, it actually worked on TV Smith, so you can see it's not exactly the product of an overactive imagination!
Good luck with your endeavors, fellow (scary but cute) stalkers!
December 10, 2004
And the clan goes out!
The food blog, as promised. If you're on a diet, there are pictures of food in this blog post. :) You have been forewarned.
My dad loved Nagisa since the last time (which was also the first, btw) we went there. The buffet was nice with a reasonably varied spread, and the price wasn't too bad. The only downside is you may meet some very inconsiderate people who think nothing of taking all the salmon sashimi even when yours truly was standing behind them patiently waiting for her turn to attack the sashimi tray.
Best feature of the buffet: loads and loads of fat juicy strawberries! The last time I was there I had 3 dinner plates full of the stuff after my real dinner, and I would've went back for more if I could eat without throwing up. What can I say, I like strawberries. *shrugs*
Before I go off on another tangent, today's blog is not about Nagisa. The buffet was only available on weekends, and since ala carte the menu was very Japanese (ie, no pictures, just Japanese names and English descriptions. Bad English descriptions) we decided to go someplace else.
Someplace else being Zen in Sunway Pyramid.
It was a very pleasant change from Nagisa's atmosphere. I was listless and apathetic in Nagisa (after flipping through the menu), I was excited and hungry in Zen. First of all, the environment was contemporary, with none of that stiff Japanese etiquette you'd expect to find in a typical Japanese restaurant. Second of all, they didn't play Geisha music (with all that horrendous warbling the Japanese call 'singing').
A waiter tried to seat us in a circular table with a wind chill of 4 degrees Celsius because all other tables are apparently 'reserved', but there was no way anyone could've eaten in that vacuum. Seriously, the moment I sat down my top was fluttering, and it's not a loose top. :p Dad threatened to go to another restaurant when the captain came over and lead us to a table in a much more habitable climate, and all was well.
Because we are typical Malaysians, we cannot order food if there are no pictures for us to pick from. Unless, of course, we're eating in the local dai pai dong. Zen's menus are delightful, with HUGE pictures on every page. The lesson in catering to your customers must be learned here. Malaysians generally don't know a heck lot about Japanese food, other than Sashimi means raw fish, Sushi means raw fish with rice, and Wasabe is not to be taken by the spoonful. Malaysians also generally don't understand what akageno means. There's a high probability that I have mis-spelled that word, btw, which only serves to further illustrate my point.
The tactic to draw people in? Classy menus with nice big pictures of what I'm going to eat.
We had a very nice waitress who explained every detail about our orders to us. My grandmother was there with us and she's a strict vegetarian, so she painstakingly explained what the stock for the soup was made of and blablabla stuff like that so reassure my dad that it was safe to order the beancurd. I lost concentration after she mentioned beancurd, and spent my time examining the menu with my brother.
Now for the game of the hour: Challenge Saffy's Memory. Let's see how much I remember...
For starters, we had Sashimi salad, which was complimentary because it was a Thursday. It was drizzled over with some sort of red coloured sauce that was really savoury. Unfortunately, the sashimi were really small pieces, which made us think of the leftover parts when you're done slicing up the real stuff for the paying guests. Still, the salad was really good, and I deeply suspect it's because of the sauce.
Unfortunately we all dug in before I remembered to take a pic. This is what the salad looks like after the all 4 of us poked at it with our chopsticks. It looks much nicer when it came. :)
Dad also ordered soft-shelled crabs because we're all suckers for it. This time, I did manage to take a pic before the dish was attacked. It was nice and crunchy without too much oil, and they were generous with lemons. There's a little bowl of tempura soup-thingy that comes along with this dish, but I forgot to take a pic of it.
We also ordered a bowl of green peas, steamed and salted. I like green peas. :) This one is 2 ringgit more expensive than the Sushi King version, but it's heaps better.
My granma's vegetarian sushi. I can identify mushroom sushi and the beancurd sushi. The rest are really beyond me. She said it was good.
These pics didn't turn out so good, but they're still better than the pic of my dinner. On the left is a vegetarian miso soup which my granma raved about. On the right is two sticks of grilled shitake mushrooms that tasted a bit sourish and bitter. Not very nice.
Dad ordered some sorta beef rice, and I forgot what it's called in Japanese. His set had some fruits and Chawan Mushi. Unfortunately for him, he was the hungriest, and his set was the last to come. According to him, it was pretty good but the beef was a little too salty. No pics are available because I know better than to come between a hungry man and his dinner. Can you imagine what he would've done to me if I said, "Ba, wait wait, let me take a pic first!"
I'm not prescient, but I think it's pretty safe to go with "spillage of blood".
I ordered a BBQ Beef + Sushi dinner set, and it came with miso soup, Chawan Mushi, assorted fruits (papaya, honey dew and dragon fruit, all sweet), a small bowl of what appeared to be 2 pieces of brinjals soaked in soysauce (do not eat it) and some sort of pickled purple and yellow stuff. Unfortunately, the pic of the entire set didn't turn out at all, so here's what the beef looked like.
Could've eaten the beef with rice, as it was pretty tasty, but then there were also 8 pieces of sushi, so I decided to forgo the rice since I've had helpings from everyone's orders.
My brother ordered the Chicken + Sashimi set, and it came with basically the same side dishes as mine. Let's see...yeah, the same.
His chicken was tastier than mine, but then they were supposed to be eaten with his bowl of rice, so I guess it would've been overkill to make my beef as salty as his chicken was.
Sashimi was, and I quote, "Very nice. I like the way they shaved the ice to make a mini Sashimi ice-kacang." Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, I smell a professional restaurant reviewer in the making, heheh. And no, he didn't go and eat the 'ice-kacang'.
My mom ordered a sharksfin/crabmeat soup that came in a small container that was really pretty. Unfortunately, they balled the sharksfin into 1 lump, so there were no strands of fin in the soup. My brother got the lucky spoonful. There was a lot of beancurd in the soup too. No pic is available because we were too busy eating.
Mom's main course is a spicy seafood soup that wasn't really that spicy to begin with. Maybe it was because I expected tom yam. :p They didn't skimp on the seafood, and my mom liked it very much, as evidenced by her almost draining the entire bowl, except for the pieces of salmon, which she gave to my dad. As you can probably guess, Mom is not really a gourmet, heheh.
While I was entertaining myself in the loo, my brother went and ordered a plate of salmon sashimi. It was a pretty good deal, priced at RM15 for 8 pieces. That comes to less than 2 Ringgit per piece. Do me a favour and stop going to Sushi King for stale Sashimi. Hit Zen instead.
According to my brother, the presentation for the salmon sashimi was the best of the night. Unfortunately, he didn't take a pic of it because we had completely forgotten about the existence of the camera at this point, until it was time to leave. It's a good thing we didn't leave it behind, heheh, or this would've been one boring blog.
Finally, to finish this post off, here's a pic of the view from where I was sitting.
This is the best I could do under the circumstances. I'm too repressed to be able to stand up and take a pic of my surrounding area without feeling self-conscious. :p Circular thingies on the ceiling are the lights, circular thingies on the ground are the tables with comfy wraparound couches. The third circular couch from my mom's pixelated head is the table with the extreme wind chill effect.
Notes
dai pai dong: roadside stall, usually dirty and unhygienic, but with really good food. What's a little food poisoning once in a while? ;p
Pics were alternately taken by both my brother and myself. Blurry sashimi pic belongs to him. The small, bad pics are mine.
Zen's website. It might be prudent to book your seats in advance, cos we went on a Thursday and the place was completely packed by the time it was 8pm. They serve buffets on Sundays at RM49++ per person, if I'm not mistaken.
My dad loved Nagisa since the last time (which was also the first, btw) we went there. The buffet was nice with a reasonably varied spread, and the price wasn't too bad. The only downside is you may meet some very inconsiderate people who think nothing of taking all the salmon sashimi even when yours truly was standing behind them patiently waiting for her turn to attack the sashimi tray.
Best feature of the buffet: loads and loads of fat juicy strawberries! The last time I was there I had 3 dinner plates full of the stuff after my real dinner, and I would've went back for more if I could eat without throwing up. What can I say, I like strawberries. *shrugs*
Before I go off on another tangent, today's blog is not about Nagisa. The buffet was only available on weekends, and since ala carte the menu was very Japanese (ie, no pictures, just Japanese names and English descriptions. Bad English descriptions) we decided to go someplace else.
Someplace else being Zen in Sunway Pyramid.
It was a very pleasant change from Nagisa's atmosphere. I was listless and apathetic in Nagisa (after flipping through the menu), I was excited and hungry in Zen. First of all, the environment was contemporary, with none of that stiff Japanese etiquette you'd expect to find in a typical Japanese restaurant. Second of all, they didn't play Geisha music (with all that horrendous warbling the Japanese call 'singing').
A waiter tried to seat us in a circular table with a wind chill of 4 degrees Celsius because all other tables are apparently 'reserved', but there was no way anyone could've eaten in that vacuum. Seriously, the moment I sat down my top was fluttering, and it's not a loose top. :p Dad threatened to go to another restaurant when the captain came over and lead us to a table in a much more habitable climate, and all was well.
Because we are typical Malaysians, we cannot order food if there are no pictures for us to pick from. Unless, of course, we're eating in the local dai pai dong. Zen's menus are delightful, with HUGE pictures on every page. The lesson in catering to your customers must be learned here. Malaysians generally don't know a heck lot about Japanese food, other than Sashimi means raw fish, Sushi means raw fish with rice, and Wasabe is not to be taken by the spoonful. Malaysians also generally don't understand what akageno means. There's a high probability that I have mis-spelled that word, btw, which only serves to further illustrate my point.
The tactic to draw people in? Classy menus with nice big pictures of what I'm going to eat.
We had a very nice waitress who explained every detail about our orders to us. My grandmother was there with us and she's a strict vegetarian, so she painstakingly explained what the stock for the soup was made of and blablabla stuff like that so reassure my dad that it was safe to order the beancurd. I lost concentration after she mentioned beancurd, and spent my time examining the menu with my brother.
Now for the game of the hour: Challenge Saffy's Memory. Let's see how much I remember...
For starters, we had Sashimi salad, which was complimentary because it was a Thursday. It was drizzled over with some sort of red coloured sauce that was really savoury. Unfortunately, the sashimi were really small pieces, which made us think of the leftover parts when you're done slicing up the real stuff for the paying guests. Still, the salad was really good, and I deeply suspect it's because of the sauce.
Unfortunately we all dug in before I remembered to take a pic. This is what the salad looks like after the all 4 of us poked at it with our chopsticks. It looks much nicer when it came. :)
Dad also ordered soft-shelled crabs because we're all suckers for it. This time, I did manage to take a pic before the dish was attacked. It was nice and crunchy without too much oil, and they were generous with lemons. There's a little bowl of tempura soup-thingy that comes along with this dish, but I forgot to take a pic of it.
We also ordered a bowl of green peas, steamed and salted. I like green peas. :) This one is 2 ringgit more expensive than the Sushi King version, but it's heaps better.
My granma's vegetarian sushi. I can identify mushroom sushi and the beancurd sushi. The rest are really beyond me. She said it was good.
These pics didn't turn out so good, but they're still better than the pic of my dinner. On the left is a vegetarian miso soup which my granma raved about. On the right is two sticks of grilled shitake mushrooms that tasted a bit sourish and bitter. Not very nice.
Dad ordered some sorta beef rice, and I forgot what it's called in Japanese. His set had some fruits and Chawan Mushi. Unfortunately for him, he was the hungriest, and his set was the last to come. According to him, it was pretty good but the beef was a little too salty. No pics are available because I know better than to come between a hungry man and his dinner. Can you imagine what he would've done to me if I said, "Ba, wait wait, let me take a pic first!"
I'm not prescient, but I think it's pretty safe to go with "spillage of blood".
I ordered a BBQ Beef + Sushi dinner set, and it came with miso soup, Chawan Mushi, assorted fruits (papaya, honey dew and dragon fruit, all sweet), a small bowl of what appeared to be 2 pieces of brinjals soaked in soysauce (do not eat it) and some sort of pickled purple and yellow stuff. Unfortunately, the pic of the entire set didn't turn out at all, so here's what the beef looked like.
Could've eaten the beef with rice, as it was pretty tasty, but then there were also 8 pieces of sushi, so I decided to forgo the rice since I've had helpings from everyone's orders.
My brother ordered the Chicken + Sashimi set, and it came with basically the same side dishes as mine. Let's see...yeah, the same.
His chicken was tastier than mine, but then they were supposed to be eaten with his bowl of rice, so I guess it would've been overkill to make my beef as salty as his chicken was.
Sashimi was, and I quote, "Very nice. I like the way they shaved the ice to make a mini Sashimi ice-kacang." Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, I smell a professional restaurant reviewer in the making, heheh. And no, he didn't go and eat the 'ice-kacang'.
My mom ordered a sharksfin/crabmeat soup that came in a small container that was really pretty. Unfortunately, they balled the sharksfin into 1 lump, so there were no strands of fin in the soup. My brother got the lucky spoonful. There was a lot of beancurd in the soup too. No pic is available because we were too busy eating.
Mom's main course is a spicy seafood soup that wasn't really that spicy to begin with. Maybe it was because I expected tom yam. :p They didn't skimp on the seafood, and my mom liked it very much, as evidenced by her almost draining the entire bowl, except for the pieces of salmon, which she gave to my dad. As you can probably guess, Mom is not really a gourmet, heheh.
While I was entertaining myself in the loo, my brother went and ordered a plate of salmon sashimi. It was a pretty good deal, priced at RM15 for 8 pieces. That comes to less than 2 Ringgit per piece. Do me a favour and stop going to Sushi King for stale Sashimi. Hit Zen instead.
According to my brother, the presentation for the salmon sashimi was the best of the night. Unfortunately, he didn't take a pic of it because we had completely forgotten about the existence of the camera at this point, until it was time to leave. It's a good thing we didn't leave it behind, heheh, or this would've been one boring blog.
Finally, to finish this post off, here's a pic of the view from where I was sitting.
This is the best I could do under the circumstances. I'm too repressed to be able to stand up and take a pic of my surrounding area without feeling self-conscious. :p Circular thingies on the ceiling are the lights, circular thingies on the ground are the tables with comfy wraparound couches. The third circular couch from my mom's pixelated head is the table with the extreme wind chill effect.
Notes
dai pai dong: roadside stall, usually dirty and unhygienic, but with really good food. What's a little food poisoning once in a while? ;p
Pics were alternately taken by both my brother and myself. Blurry sashimi pic belongs to him. The small, bad pics are mine.
Zen's website. It might be prudent to book your seats in advance, cos we went on a Thursday and the place was completely packed by the time it was 8pm. They serve buffets on Sundays at RM49++ per person, if I'm not mistaken.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)