Travel notes to the land Down Under…

After waiting for an eternity (actually its plus minus half an hour) at Sydney, we decided to report the delayed baggage as we do need to catch a connecting flight to Canberra. Tried my best to describe the bag, and after being assured it will be looked into,  were given a reference number.

We then make our way by bus to the domestic terminal, (its quite a distance away) but little do we know that actually there are two different domestic terminal which caters to different numbered flight. Went to T2, but were told that our flight is at T3. WTF!! Our flight is slightly more than an  hour away. Luckily its just within a walking distance. Phew!!

Nick hazard a guess that most probably we will be flying a 737 to Canberra, but I told him that we might be flying in a turboprop ( I checked early on) and rightly so, we are on a turboprop. A DHC-8. At least a turboprop will fly much, much lower than a jet plane, so it could mean more photo opportunity :)

Canberra is not unlike Putrajaya to us, as its the administrative capital of Australia. Surprisingly, it has no international airport. Nick commented that the airport at his hometown, Nelson (pop:50K) is about the same size. To put it into perspective, one of our domestic airport are bigger than Canberra (International) airport. Really.

The crew (minus one bag of course) checks in at our accommodation which is equipped with a kitchenette. So, what else, the three of us raid the supermarket afterwards, which is conveniently located at the back of our apartment. Sweet. It is made sweeter by free wi-fi available so me and my mate (hehe) could be online all day long.

Did a web check on my delayed/missing luggage (yup, you could do that). but it is yet to be located. Hmm…

It has to happen sometimes…

As I was writing this, I am at the Sydney Terminal 3, waiting for my flight to Canberra. It has been a hectic travel day for me as I have been travelling since 11am yesterday, driving more than 400km and to catch my 2210hrs flight to Sydney.

Make good time and reach KLIA well in time for boarding. Have dinner and board the plane as scheduled. The flight is surprisingly full but we make good time as the strong tailwind works to our favor and we are scheduled to reach Sydney 50 minutes early.

We are early, so we taxied to another part of the terminal and ferried by bus.  The immigration was a breeze, but as I next prepare to declare the existence of some food items in my checked baggage to AQIS, lo and behold, it happen…

My bag was nowhere to be found.

To be continued…

Selfish, selfless

We are selfish creatures. We think about ourselves most of the time. Its all about what is in it for ME, ME and ME. We laments the fact that no one seems to understand us. How come they do not see things the way I do?

I was having a discussion with a close friend about our differences in looking at some things. We debate on how we see things differently on the same matter. One common thing could be interpreted and looked at from two different point of view. How we agree to disagree.

Working together is an art, looking past our differences while recognizing each of our personal strength. Some of us have grown up and have made a name for themselves, so we are no less a person than the next person. But then again, it is never easy to step into other people’s shoe, so how do we know our shoe is bigger than their shoe?

Communication. Miscommunication. We tend to believe what we wanted even if it is a bit off the truth. Not trying to see the other point of view. Being a man, and stepping up to the plate is more honorable than grovel and pointing fingers at others, easily saying everyone missed the whole point.

I am willing to make concessions and look over the past. Are you? Or are you still stuck to the memories of yesterday?

And then, the phone rings...

I got a phone call today, which informs me that the event that I'm supposed to attend in PNG has been postponed to a later date. Hmmm... bagus la tu, tell me about the cancellation four days before I am supposed to fly. Tak boleh awal sikit ke? It cost the company money, not to mention the nagging that you get from the Finance people.

Anyway, as I do still need to be in LGK, the news is good, if you look at it positively. I do not think that I'll cancel my flight to PNG and book a flight from KUL-LGK instead, but the event cancellation will allow me to be in LGK a day earlier. I do still need to look for the best way to get to LGK but at least I will have an extra day to work with the sailors. I was checking AirAsia website and was wondering if I should bring my bike there.

After all, I would be there for a few days, just like late last year. Hmm, just need to calculate how much will it cost me then...

The flight that escapes me...

I am supposed to travel up north next week for some work related matters. Needs to be in PNG and LGK, but that is not the problem. I travel quite often, just that at times, one missed small things could make your travel less easy than it should be.

My travel is handled by a division in our office where we provide them with our planned itinerary and they will do their best to accommodate our request. All this while, it is quite straightforward. I send the request to the respective department once approved, with a planned itinerary duly printed, all the way down to dates and times and where applicable, the specific flight code.

Well, in view of the recession, we switched to a budget airline. No problem with me, but as I explained to the (new) person in charge two weeks back, I need to catch a specific flight from PNG to LGK on that specific date as it make no sense for me to fly back from PNG to KUL and then back to LGK. The person involved said, not to worry as the travel agency will handle it.

So imagine my surprise a few days back when I receive a copy of my itinerary, which is a total screw up. It says that I have a return flight to PNG. Apa la! I have even given them a printed copy of my planned itinerary that states my travel is KUL-PNG-LGK-KUL. And what I get? KUL-PNG-KUL. And they did not even catch me my flight to LGK, and by the time I checked again online, its already sold out.

I was then asked to deal with the travel agent myself. They admit the problem and will send me a new corrected itinerary of KUL-PNG and LGK-KUL. As of today, I havent received the new flight itinerary as yet. And I need to figure out how am I going to Langkawi from Penang. By road? Ferry? Anybody have an idea?

Nothing comes for free, young man...

I was informed that some people from an institution on the east coast will be visiting my humble outfit (office), and as the visit was rather informal I was not too worried as I could just give them some information on my operations off the cuff. As they were running late, I was already changed into my test gear, when they finally came about.

I welcomed all of them, and as I was only given 3 minutes to explain (in general) my operations, things go on quite fast. I was sharing information with them how my outfit could assist them, when THE question came.

'You would be assisting us for free then?', came the question from a young chap. I looked towards him and retorted, 'If you asked me, nothing is for free in this world. The things that you got for free wont be appreciated much, so everything has a price' I explained making a point. 'Other similar institution who are extended our expertise, are being charged a nominal fee, so I don't see any difference in your case'.

'My views on that does not necessarily reflect my boss's view but everything is negotiable' I ended the conversation and thanked them, as I need to continue with the planned test. If my stand seems impolite or brusque, so be it, but I need to put forth what my stand are. 

Nothing comes for free in this world.

The top and the bottom of it...

I was in a rush tonight. I was supposed to meet the guys at the RV point at 830pm. The time now is five minutes after 8, and I have yet to put in the bike in the car. Rushing down with bike, water, gears, GPS and HRM and chuck it into the car. Backed up the car and was on my way in no time.

Along the way, calculated the best route to be at the RV point by the stipulated time. I have been late a few times already (what else is new?) so I'll try not to be late again this time. Called Big and he's in SuRaDa, so he should be a bit late. Called Wari next and he says he's on his way, which means that I might not be that late after all. CH is taking a rain check, he's tired after a long testing session in the afternoon.

I stopped somewhere along the way, within good time to reach the RV point, and decided to do some extra kilometers on the bike. Put out my bike, take the wheels and put it up. Strap in my transmitter and GPS and suddenly I stopped in my track. @#%!^&*(!@#%! How could I forget?

In my haste, I forgot to bring two things. My helmet. And my cycling shoes. Hence the top and the bottom of it. That, ladies and gentlemen, means the end of my ride for tonight. I am not sacrificing safety and pedaling efficiency.

The moral of the story: Prepare well in advance and never rush. Better late than never (better to come late to a ride than not riding at all, cheh!)

The long holidays and the small sharp rock...

The long holidays have not been good to my cycling. The Christmas break on Thursday and the New Year on Monday does not mean that it is easier to go cycling. the holidays also means more weddings to attend, and more places to visit.  It is also the best time to visit immediate and distant family/friends/shopping complexes/etc... you get the drift.

It has been a week since I last cycled. So I planned (need/want) to put in a ride tonight, and invited the usual suspect. CH and Lei says yes, Big says maybe and Warimad is still on leave. No worries, even if its three people, we'll still ride. Tries to coax Big to commit, but he says he is still tired from the journey last night. Sure, no worries. Take a rest mate.

Go back home early and cook something to eat. CH asked if we could meet a bit later, while Lei is still on his way home and will confirm his coming later. In the end, Lei could not make it and I SMSed CH to meet at 915pm at the usual place. Felt heavy though. It could be the nasi goreng agaknya... malas betul rasanya nak kayuh!

Am not wearing my usual long cycling pants so I felt a bit 'exposed'. The night is cool, and my legs is cold, and it took such a long time to warm up. I only felt better after Alamanda, climbing that incline and continued to crank it up going down towards PICC. The new RD seems OK but there is still some problem with shifting. Nothing too big except for the fact that CH overtook me before the top. Must be my leaden leg.

Decided to do a double loop so before long we are away from PICC towards Alamanda sprinting away when disaster struck. I suffered a puncture. No bang, no sound, no fireworks whatsoever. Just a sudden wobble of the back tires and that spells the end of my ride. I was stopped by a small sharp rock. Ceh!

The problem tonight is that my rear tire is on a deep rim, and the tube that I brought along has a shorter valve. Not to mention I did not bring my patch kit lest I could have patch the offending tire there and then. thought that the front tire has a long valve, swapped the tubes but to no avail. So, after the futile attempt to repair the puncture, I asked CH to ride back to the RV point and get the car. 'Come rescue me'

The moral of the story is : Make sure you have the basic cycling survival skills. At least you preferably know how to change your tubes. Bring the right sized tubes. And patch kits (if needed). Or have the numbers of the taxi service hotlines, hehehe...  They could come and rescue the stranded cyclist. Like me. Or maybe you.

It is so easy to make a living here

I just got down from the bus at one of the smaller town on my way back home when i decided to grab some food. Looked around and after walking to check out the choices that I have and proceeded to walk to a nearby shop (actually its the only shop open). As I make my way there suddenly a long haired guy with a backpack walked beside me and said...

'Abang, saya nak balik Alor Setar, tak cukup lagi RM2 aje. Abang boleh bagi dua ringgit?'  he asked.'Mana ada bas ke Alor Setar dari sini?' I retorted. 'Ada bang, pukul 1030 malam. Boleh la bang, nanti tak sempat nak beli tiket' he pleaded.

I told him that I don't have small change, but he was persistent. I was in no mood to argue more and I told him if he wants the two  dollars, he will have to wait for me finish eating. Menyusahkan orang aje la. Anyway, my hunger pangs get the best of me and I opted for bubur pulut hitam.

After my meal, I went out and sure enough the long haired guy walked towards me. I gave him the two bucks, grab his wrist and says, 'Kata nak beli tiket tadi, jom la kita pergi kaunter. Nanti tak sempat pulak'. He refused saying that he will buy it in a short while, to which I am still adamant of taking him to the ticket counter and getting him a ticket to wherever he wants to go. 

'Jangan la macam ni bang. Sebenarnya, saya nak makan, bang. Tapi malu nak minta duit nak makan', he said. WTF! Badan sihat, tapi malas nak kerja. Tahu minta duit saja. Tapi bila dikata sebagai masyarakat yang meminta-minta, cepat betul melenting. Tapi realitinya, ada juga segelintir ahli masyarakat yang dengan mudah menyalahkan orang lain, dari berusaha dengan tulang empat kerat mereka untuk mencari rezeki yang halal.

It is so-oo easy to make a living in Malaysia. If you do not feel like working, just ask for money. There are many generous Malaysians are willing to part with their hard earned money and give it to you.

Do bad luck come in threes?

Once kena already, twice also kena already la...

Yesterday is not that good for me. I have to cut short my ride (even if i have been cycling around Langkawi) and Sonny is hurt. I accidentally dropped him while trying to balance him on a ledge and now he can't retract his lens. Macam lanun pakai spyglass pun ada. bad luck 1?

Luckily (I like to be positive) I broke my spoke almost nearing Kuah town. I do not remember going through a pothole so I can't say what actually broke the spoke other than the immense (downward) pressure my humungous butt puts on the rear tire (and rim). bad luck 2?

Scotty limped back, am grateful to be in one piece, all the while the rear tire rubbing the outer chainstay. Talked to Sahril, and he suggested a shop in town which he says could do it. A few other people also suggested the same shop, so I guess thats the place to head to. Don't want to trouble Sahril so I took the cab there. Hmm, macam kedai buruk je, betul ke ni?

I saw a few frames from afar, and someone who looks like a mechanics working on a bike. Maybe its not that bad after all. Walking closer I saw a Bianchi, a Scott. Maybe this is the place. After all, someone walking around holding a road tire is not your usual daily occurence. So I asked the mechanics if he could help me to true the rim...

" Ini rim road bike ka? Sini takda buat road bike punya la... kalau mountain ada. Sini susah mahu jumpa itu road bike" is his reply. My next question as to other options met with a blank stare. There goes my biking adventure in Langkawi. bad luck 3?

Note to self : Next time, bring a mountain bike to Langkawi.

And the dogs make short of it...

Last weekend I make an effort to transport my bike back to my hometown (actually I was able to hitch a ride both ways, hehe). JKC has been organising a weekend ride for the past few weeks now and he says that I could either hang out with his 15kmh group or the fast 25kmh one on Sunday. The invite to hang with the slow one is welcomed indeed (haven't had much mileage in my legs la)

I make the most of the night before giving lots of tender loving care, wiping it over, caressing and scrubbing, cleaning and lubricating where needed. Hep, I am talking about my bike la people. Checked with JKC on the scheduled meeting point, the meeting time, how many people are going etc. And I go to sleep that Saturday night with anticipation. Even if its raining a bit that night...

So imagine my dilemma on Sunday morning when JKC told me that the ride is off as its still raining. His reasoning is that most people on his ride is newbie, so he do not want them to catch a cold. Ceh, do I pack and bring my bike all this way only to be kayoed by some slight drizzle?

Definitely not, so I suited up and readies my bike. Hmm, the road is still wet so better be careful. Thought of riding all the way to Sg Lembing, as the rolling hills would give a good workout. Its still drizzling but I took it all in my stride and treat it as a refreshing ride (other than needing to hose down the bike later :( )

As I was minding my own, my canine radar was suddenly alerted by a  slight movement 200m up the road. You see, I have always been terrified of dogs since I was chased by a group of 20 stray dogs when I was 11, which fortunately I outsprinted somehow. Putting a brave front, I cycled cautiously by the dog on the roadside. He gave out a bark, and my heart jumped. Ceh, buat takut orang je...

With that under control, I continued in the rain feeling quite good, until a few kilometers away. As I reach the Chinese cemetary, the road gradually rise on the back of three rolling hills. No problem. That is up til the middle of the second hill, when... BIG PROBLEM. I saw 5 dogs, making a line at the top of the hill looking menacingly at me. Shite!

That means I DO need to turn back. There is no way I can outsprint 5 dogs going uphill. If its downhill, I'll take my chances, even if its wet and drizzling. What else to do, have to cut short my ride then. Baru 14km nih...

But rather than going back, I took a slight detour and decided to enter the highway. Just to check how long will I be on the highway before being hauled up by the authority (as it is illegal for a bicycle to be on a highway), hehehe. But thats another story :)

And the clock goes, tick, tock, tick, tock...

I do not really understand the need to have long meetings. Unfortunately, in the course of my work, meetings seems to form the staple of "things to do". I would like to think of myself as an aspiring scientific guy (the word scientist seems too distant) with some administrative function to boot - they trust me enough to let me run my own department, hmm.

To be given that kind of additional administrative responsibility is not the actual problem really, other than when...

1. I need to attend a meeting (administrative/finance/operations/etc in nature), that unfortunately...
2. starts later than the start time stated on the memo, which means...
3. the meeting will end later than expected, when sudedenly...
4. some wise guys JUST HAVE TO parrot and repeat what has been said earlier, or..
5. suddenly went off tangent and starts to regal us with some oft listened grandmother/'when I was younger..." stories, that...
6. will definitely lengthen the agony of listening to all these which...
7. has no connections whatsoever to what is REALLY being discussed in the meetings minutes of this..
8. sometimes ad-hoc meetings which could be done in a shorter time in the first place!

I have had some meetings that spans a whole day (that is not a workshop, mind you, just a normal monthly meeting), meeting held over two weeks (4.5hrs each part) with the average meeting last 4+ hours. Maybe for some people this is normal, but I do think the longer the meeting are, the harder it would be to keep ALL quorum to be genuinely interested in the meeting. Btw, I DO have a short attention span, hehehe. 

I do think meetings is where information are disseminated, tasks are divided among quorum, objective decided, deadlines reminded and updates reported. My own department weekly meeting tops out at 1hrs max, most of the times 30-45 minutes each. Keep It Short and Simple. So, whats your kind of meeting?

Is it all really about power and control?

In 2007, a few of us get together and toyed with the idea of creating an alumni society for the performing arts group that we use to join in uni. So, in good faith we called everybody we know to attend the inaugural meeting. The turnout was good, considering the short notice and we proceeded  to set-up a committee to formalize the process of registration.

We tried to be nice to everybody, by trying to have each batch represented in the committee. Its not easy, as the timeline of membership spans almost a decade. Once everything is in order, we then try to get the signatures and forms ready etc. We got everything in, except for Bung's signature. That delays the process.

Fast forward to 2008. Out of nowhere, we heard that another group of people are reviving the process. They are, it seems, in the middle of registering the alumni group with the respective body. We applaud them for their action, but its the manner of how it is being done, left a bitter taste in our mouth.

Firstly, this group of people are being so secretive about it. In 2007, we had the good faith to involve everybody in the process. Alas now, we are left out of the picture completely and not informed in any way. And to think that some of them are actually in the former pro-tem committee. The reason given to justify their action, are hollow to say the least.

In retrospect, I am not the least concerned about who actually registers the alumni society. In fact its good. I do not have to think about management, finances or the members expectation. I can just be a simple member. Its not about my group versus their group. Its really about our group. 

Unfortunately, by not extending the good faith to those other than your own, you might inadvertedly burn the bridge. Or, its just a simple matter of wanting to be in power AND having control?

When you get things for free...

In my line of work, we are entrusted with the management of a facility, which at times are used by other parties either for scientific purposes or just recreational. We often times do not charged for this facilities as we like to think that the facilities are for most of us to utilise and not really to make any profit out of it.

It so happens that last weekend one of the NSA has applied to utilise the facility, for its so called National Championships. This group of people had a few times utilises the facility, so on good faith we acknowledge and approved, notwithstanding a report on the last usage where they failed to keep the house in order.

This morning I got a shock when I checked the venue. Rubbish and half bottles of mineral water are strewn everywhere. Ciggy butts are visible. Needless to say, even if it was an individual doing, the NSA should have taken the necessary steps to inform and remind the participants of the facilities do's and dont's.

Most people take other people kindness for granted. We only thought of the kind things we do for other, and the return expected. When you got things for free, sometimes you do not value it enough. Needless to say, the NSA will be in our BLACKLIST.

Some courtesy needed please...

I am expecting a new staff to report to work a few days back, unfortunately I got an early morning text message that conveyed this message

"Greetings Mr Bon. I am John Doe and I'm supposed to report to your organization today. I regret to inform that i would not be able to join due to some other matter"

WTF! You already indicated acceptance of the offer we sent out, and on the very day you're supposed to report, send me a text message? And I'm to be cool about that. Actually, I am cool about that person not coming in to work (as that is his prerogative), what is lacking is the manner of how things are done.

For something this important ie declining a work offer etc, at least have the courtesy of :

1. Do not assume that text message will suffice, a call would be a better option
2. Other than calling me as the HOD, DO NOT forget to call Human Resource to inform (and DO NOT expect me to do it on your behalf)
3. Follow-up the calls with an official letter thanking the organization for the opportunity and explain the reason why you have to decline it (bluff if you have to)
4. On the phone, sound (terribly) upset on having to decline the offer and not giggling around while breaking the news. I am NOT your friend
5. If you know beforehand that you had problems reporting in on a specific date, call and discuss on the alternative dates if you are really serious on joining the organization. And not on the date itself, it shows poor planning.

I called John Doe and give him a piece of my mind. I am not at all slighted by what he did, but the manner that it is done, annoys me. If he cant join my department, I am sure its due to some valid reasons. Just remember to do the necessary things, properly.

Hazard

Today, it was raining heavily on my way to work. Good thing that I only planned to cycle on alternate days, so I'm driving to work today. The rain became heavier as I reached SJK, and visibility was low. So, its slow driving then.

Suddenly I saw one car with the hazard lights flashing, moving quite slowly. Hazard lights are used to warn other motorist of possible danger, be it a stalled car on the emergency lane or some other emergency, and I don't think (I could be wrong) that car in particular are having any problem other than just being slow.

Except maybe, the driver is unsure of herself driving in such condition, and wanted to warn everybody that she is not that good a driver (yet). stay away! Its just misleading, unfortunately. If in doubt, just switch on your lights so other drivers could see you from either the front or the back.

So, if you are NOT in any hazardous situation, do not use the hazard lights. Aiyoh!

Express Lane is for...

...less that ten items.

Most hypermarket would have a few counters that caters for customers who have less than ten items to pay called the express lane. So, me and you, who just buy a few items would not be queuing behind the 'makciks' that have two trolley full of groceries, tv, foodstuffs, and everything under the sun.

A few days back I was at one of these markets and were just going to pay for 5 items when i realised that the lane I'm in is not moving. Luckily the next (normal) lane is opening, so some of us moved across. 

Hmm, as i was waiting to pay, only then I realised, that the so called express lane is being held up by a 'makcik' with her trolley full of items to pay. Aiyoh, its already written in BOLD there that it is an express lane AND only for ten items or less. But the makcik (and hubby) acts nonchalantly, treating the lane as if its a normal lane.

Whats so hard to understand about 'express lane'? Some people are just plain inconsiderate (and clueless?)

Its not a yellow box for nothing

As I was driving back today, I was reminded of another one of my peeves. Those who do not give one (or two) hoot about the (traffic) yellow box, and stopped in the box without any consideration (or guilt) for other people.

HELLO! You are prohibited to stop in the yellow box as to not obstruct traffic, be it at an intersection, traffic lights or where flow of traffic are not to be hindered. So, it pisses me off when my path are blocked by another car which idiotically stopped in the yellow box even if the yellow box is supposed to be kept clear.

The best things is, dah la buat salah, lepas tu buat-buat pandang depan pulak as if orang tak nampak dia dalam kereta tu. What do you actually hope to achieve in the yellow box? Buat marah dek orang je. Aiyoh!!

Next time, please respect other people's right of way and not just think of your selfish self.

I need (my) oil and my warning light are blinking!

This is what happen on the 4th of June, as I remembered it :)

The latest revision of oil price (and reduction of subsidy) caught the citizen by surprise, either in timing, implementation or quantum. Previously, the government assure us that the oil price will only be revised in August. So, when it was announced in the afternoon of June 4th, to be effective on the very next day, many sees it as an insensitive (and crazy?) move by the government.

The increase in quantum, as explained by The Leaders, is inevitable due to the spiraling price of the commodity on the free market. Unfortunately many citizen are fuming mad as the 92 cents (41%) increase in quantum is steeply surprising. Many would think that a gradual increase i.e 30 cents per revision over some time, could better prepare the citizen for the changes in lifestyle needed.

As the news spread like wildfire, everyone rushed to petrol stations to fill up before the new price came into effect at the stroke of midnight, resulted in long, no, make that very long queues at every petrol station. Everywhere you look, the situation is the same. 

Just my luck, my fuel tank is running empty (the warning lights are on) so naturally I make my way to the petrol stations. but, on seeing the (very) long queue everywhere, just gave up and goes straight back home.  Mana la tahu, tak pasal-pasal kereta mati tengah jalan sebab takde minyak, lagi naya. Disumpah dek orang je.. Belum kira bergaduh sebab ada yang cuba nak potong queue. Sumpah seranah jangan cerita la, berbakul-bakul.

So rather than trying to save some 30 dollars by 'trying' to fill my small car tank full before midnight, I would rather be sleeping at home. A friend who goes to a station to fill up, spends an hour in the car, inching towards the pump. That kind of stress, I could do without.

It makes me think, the powers-that-be who make this (insensible) decision DO NOT actually fill in their own petrol, so what do they know about how we, the citizen are coping?

A sticker do not maketh a person

As i was driving to work this morning (I do work on weekend sometimes), I was caught in a jam at the usual place. Most probably its caused by the traffic light down the hill (and no traffic police manning the traffic flow over the weekend).

As I was stuck, i saw a car adorned with a few sticker about spca, which is an animal shelter, and i thought to myself, there are still a lot of compassionate people out there. After all, God asks us to be kind to all, not only human. These people must be animal lovers, I opined.

So, as we inches forward, and the many lanes of cars are coming to a single lane, suddenly, i was overtaken on the wrong side by the animal lover car, zooming forward without any signals indicating its intent. WTF! 

Cheh, it seems that animal lover DO not have that much respect for fellow human. Sia-sia je letak sticker macam tu.