A forum I sometimes nick in for info got a bit active today. Someone then decided to open up an IRC chatroom to facilitate the ongoing exchanges. So, for the first time since my introduction to the internet abot 10 years ago, I entered a chat room. This is after years of hearing about IRC but never bothering to go through the setting up process. But since the forum has become a favourite of mine, I thought I should at last find out how this IRC thing works. I shouldnt have bothered. I mean, how on earth does one strike any enjoyable conversation in a medium like that? Unless of course, one wants to chat with a specific person, whom one already knows, and it time and space means one cannot meet up and have a drink with such a person, hence IRC. So there…

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

There appears to be a demonstration of sorts outside the Chinese Embassy at Jalan Ampang this morning (round 8am). Bunch of people sitting/squatting outside, with one person even lying down on a mat. Heavy police presence, too – FRU, from the looks of things. Big red shields, batons, stuff like that. Nothing on it from Malaysiakini as yet; probably later, if anything at all.

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

Over an hour ago, I had an appointment moved to accomodate someone who wanted to reschedule something. After I had moved it, she said her boss is now able to see me in an earlier slot. I told her I had moved an appointment for the rescheduling. She was sorry (that’s what she said), and she would call again to confirm final appointment time. She still hasnt called. This is annoying. Yet, It is an appointment I desperately need at this point, so would probably put up with it.

Why do people do that anyway?

“So, I commend the enjoyment of life.” (From the Bible – really. Eccl 8:15)

Wifey sent me this story today about a Harvard MBA and a Mexican fisherman. First saw this 2, maybe 3 years ago, making its rounds thruogh cyberspace. Wifey either just picked it up or must have thought I needed to read something like that. It was a story about a contented Mexican fisherman who worked half a day and enjoyed himself for the rest of the day, with his wife, kids and friends. The MBA guy said he could show the fisherman how to be more successful – you know, so that he would, 15-20 years later, be rich and dont have to work so hard anymore. Story’s supposed to be about a silly chasing of what we already have. I replied wifey asking if the Mexican’s kids got sick and needed good medical care, he probably couldnt afford it? And, his kids probably would not have the choice of picking another line of work? Wifey was too sentimental to think about that. She was probably too concerned about my feelings about my work recently. God bless her. I was watching the 20,900th re-run of Sound of Music on Astro lastnight. The line about “Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good” always stuck out. I think that applies to me, everytime I think of how sweet my wife is, for thinking about me so much. Thank you God….

The public meeting on concerns over law and order, against rape in particular, is now postponed again, probably imdefinitely. This is all very strange. The MidValley is run by Tan & Tan, an establishment corporation, I guess. It has refunded payment and cancelled reservations. Strange…

Now, the elections commissioni is trying to patrol cyberspace and clamp down on cyber campaigns covering “sensitive areas”… THIS, is NOT strange. Common, Malaysia – surprise me…

Come to think of it, the MidValley decision would probably have a reason which would not surprise many

There was to be a public meeting and a march this weekend, themed “Citizens Against Rape”. This was to be the response to a recent gruesome, but strange, case of rape-cum-murder in a richer part of the city. I guess the media (owners), and the local circuit feel it more when it happened at their doorstep. Even so, the case of rape and assault/murder in and around the city has escalated – the reported (media) cases, anyhow. So, this has climbed up the social agenda. For now. What do the cops do? Precious little, apart from dishing out new emergency nos to call. In their minds, Malaysians must have fantastic retention abilities for 8 digit numbers. Forget easy ones like 999 or 911. Nos like 22626555 (Police HQ) should be easier to remember, and therefore, better suited emergency nos.

Problem is, most dont feel safe on the streets anymore. Most ladies are also afraid of getting into a cab alone. Last night my wife and I were on our way home, we were 2 blocks from our home, around 8.30pm, when we saw a lady walking alone. She was dressed in shorts and sleeveless blouse. We immediately thought her foolish.

The link to KS Ong’s observations should be this:

http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/200307150034826.php

For every person who says what he sees or thinks like a certain KS Ong (see link below), I believe there must be scores, indeed hundreds, who just go away fearing for their own safety. What IS happening?!!!

Found a way to fix the time stamp; it looks okay now. You must forgive a novice blogger.

The heavens are opened in KL; rain is pouring down, heavy enough for another flashflood to be excusable, in the eyes of the city hall clowns. Chances are traffic will be hell again tonight.

KL folks are amazing; we put up with all sorts of nonsense. A half hour rain can wreak havoc with our traffic, turning a half-hour journey into a 2-hour one, and KL folks will only be worked up a little. Certainly not enough to march down the streets to city hall and demand the troupe there be sacked. Maybe we’re just inert people. We should have a bit of the New Yorker in us, perhaps. Kick some city hall arses. At least give them the hairdryer treatment.

Driving in to the office today, saw this MPV. Sparkling “pearl” white. Windows tinted black as Stevie Wonder’s shades. It wasnt a new vehicle, plates WHJ something. So, must have been extremely lucky or lots of know-who. Where are the cops? Where’s the follow up for all those Ops?

Saw another vehicle – a bus. One of those really old bus companies. Belching out black smoke so thick you’d need floodlights to see through. Imagine being on a motorcycle – talk about high chances of getting cancer. Again, what happened follow-up to Ops whatever (“Asap”, if I remember correctly).

Saw several kapchai’s bolting in and out of streets – running lights, going the wrong way of one-way streets, everything. The works.

Who cares about doing the right thing if you can almost always get away with it…