Saturday, March 29, 2008

Whine and dine


What a restless restless weekend.

I am all ready to be a housewife. Sigh. Being a career woman is not all it is cracked up to be. Its so TIRING. Migraines now constantly drop by for a cup of tea and a ponstan.

A vacation right about now would be so good. Somewhere where the weather is bright and the seafood fresh. I think I am sunshine deprived.

Right now I am working on an article on upper endoscopy. How much joy do you THAT brings me, eh? It is taking forever by the way. And I oh, my my next project - colonoscopy! I am looking forward to that like I would a lobotomy.

If you don't know what colonoscopy it is then - good. It means your doctor has not precsribed you one, yet.

Lets just say it involves a long tube and being sedated.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

C60 fullerene

Out of the blue, today I had a vivid WHAT IF moment (Sharon, I have totally stolen this term from you).

In college I actually entertained the notion of studying pharmacology and developing a career in it. Sure the lab coat is cool but wearing safety goggles over glasses instantaneously turns anyone into a Class A dork. Not that I minded that of course. But regardless I had major issues with benzene rings in my youth, I don't quite know why I could not do well in Advanced Chemistry.

Advanced Physics I anticipated because I really (REALLY) can't bring myself to care if two objects collide - be it one stationary and one moving at say a speed of 15 m/s on an inclined plane angled at oh, 30 degrees maybe.

Or what if I did take that scholarship that Maine offered and majored in Political Science, minoring in Economics. Or if I decided to stay in London instead of coming home. And lets not talk of relationships. Potential fairy tales to doomed tragedies. You and I, we have brushed against them all. People, places and the hand of destiny.

And more

Tis interesting times indeed.

So the latest cabinet has been announced. My my!
We see a couple bigwigs dropped (bye bye Rafidah), and old guards coming back into the fold (Muhammad Muhammad Taib, hidup lagi engkau).

But the one that surprised me is the appointment of Zaid Ibrahim. Certainly the judiciary needs to be reformed but are you sure giving it to the founding partner of one of the biggest corporate law firms in the city is a good idea?

Just as much as it is said that justice must not only be done; it must also be seen to be done, I say so do transparency and independence. Well, we will see. No doubt Zico will benefit from this one way or another. Yet I am tempted to cry CONFLICT! But fine, fine, its premature.

AND the gloves are off! First Mukhriz Mahathir and his letter to PM asking him to step down, now Ku Li is "volunteering" to contest for the UMNO party presidency.

There is more to be said about the abolishment of the affirmative action that is the NEP but I will let it rest tonight.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

My Own People

This is my absolute favorite episode of Goodness Gracious Me. Sara is SO spot on. I know someone like that. *shudder*

Chow Kit Sdn Bhd?

First I thought it was Malaysian branding! But then its just a pack of camping cutlery comprising a plastic knife, fork and spoon.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Well it IS memorable

Only in Taiping.
Update: And apparently in Singapore too

Friday, March 14, 2008

Solitude

..is one freaking hard thing to find. Being alone now is close to impossible. Life has not been the same since I took up this new job and while the stress levels have on occasion hit the stratosphere, as they say, what does not kill you, makes you stronger. Or at the very least makes you entertain violent fantasies of the death and destruction of your enemies. I know, I know, I exude charm.

Nevertheless, after almost a month of feeling (and looking, for that matter) like a raccoon on speed, I am seriously in need of reflection, serenity and Ben & Jerry's. Not necessarily in that order.

In anycase, I did manage to hit most of my career resolutions made last year. However, even my friends have noticed that I am so highly strung, I can launch arrows.

Fatigue lowers defenses which in turn creates Fear. As you know, Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to Anger. Anger leads to Hate, and Hate leads to Suffering.

I think I am more or less at Suffering.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

5 states! (updated)

Now this is a surprise.
I am sure the Opposition is just as surprised.

I am very happy that there will be better representation in parliament yet I have my concerns with the capabilities of the opposition. I admit, I did wake up this morning anticipating some demonstrations if not scuffles. I am glad that calm prevailed. I hope calm will be maintained. And if the Opposition is stupid enough to hold a victory parade, I will denounce them myself.

Although it is hard to quantify, I do not discount the immense impact netizens and bloggers have had on the recent elections. Its thorough the tireless efforts of these people who I am sure hold day jobs just like everyone else, that local politics have become greatly more accessible, a platform for dissent is created and there is actually some debate going on. And we get to use expletives. And with no police permit necessary. Heh.

But then, the deliciously interesting ones that are notorious independent or seditious, depending on who you ask, are already being watched anyway. Hats off to RPK and the bloggers who have stayed courageous and united. So political bloggers, well done and thank you. Jeff Ooi of Screenshots is going to parliament! Blogger turned Politician. Not one of my favourite bloggers but its indeed a victory for all us netizens.

I will certainly be keeping a close eye on Penang and Perak to see just how the Opposition intends to bring about change. Its one thing to be critical, now lets see these fellas lead. Coalition goverment with PAS and DAP sharing power, this is bound to be very interesting.

Here's to a new tomorrow.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Sonnet XXV

I am generally not a poetry fan. Especially those angst-filled, juvenile, self-indulgent nonsensical prose that calls itself poetry just because it comes in broken paragraphs. Unfortunately self appointed poets that give birth to these are particularly prolific. I mean, if you want to rant, go get yourself a noose. Or a blog.

Nevertheless, I was introduced to Neruda completely by chance by a trivia partner who knows even more useless stuff than I do. Neruda is indeed a precious find. His works are dusty, old and unapologetically nostalgic. Earthy even. And the sadness - transcendental.

Before I loved you, love, nothing was my own:
I wavered through the streets, among
objects:

nothing mattered or had a name:
the world was made of air, which waited.


I knew rooms full of ashes,
tunnels where the moon lived,
rough warehouses that growled 'get lost',
questions that insisted in the sand.

Everything was empty, dead, mute,
fallen abandoned, and decayed:
inconceivably alien, it all

belonged to someone else - to no one:
till your beauty and your poverty
filled the autumn plentiful with gifts

Paulo Neruda


Sunday, March 02, 2008

All I can think about is a wookie

And the war of the flags have begun. So festive. Next election I must go into business with a professional photographer and get these candidates to pose better.
I mean obituary style is so not fortuitous. What more with a pangkah on the side. Choy!

Ah well. The wheels of the different propaganda machines have been on overdrive these past week. You may cheer, you may hurl, bottom line is - printing presses and vendors of loud hailers are making a killing!

Perusing the political blogs lately, well, they are no better than the mainstream media. I am not going to even attempt any commentary because I don't think I can ever be as eloquent at being logically offensive.

So instead I will write about getting a non-stick pan at 70% off. Best bargain of the year. I mean imagine getting a 28 inch pan for 71 bucks at House of Presentation! And its just the right size. With a glass cover. I think will baptize it with my crowd pleaser, kaim chye (thats salted vegetable) chicken curry.

In anycase, work has been insane. I have been a little insane myself. Came very close to volunteering to join the ranks of the dedicated unemployed. Still. I continue to prostitute my principles and sanity for the sake of food, shelter and the odd non-stick cookware.
Sucks much, mon ami.