Jack of Many Trades

Business- Science or Art

2006-06-01T01:28:00.000-07:00

"Is Business Science or Art?" Joe asked me the last week when we failed to get a RM3 million ringgit deal.

I was a little bit upset and disaapointed over our failure. But in business, you have to look ahead and not grunt over the lost deal. I replied, " It depends."

Joe have been assisting me since last year. We made a team. He is helpful and tolerant. He sees things in a very peculiar way. That's why to him a project given to him, must ultimately be successful. " I believe it is still a Science."

"Why do you say so?" I finally asked him. "Is it because Federick Taylor said "management is a Science" so business is a science too?"

"I see in this way. To get a deal done in business, there is a prescription. See, first you get an exposure. Then you explore, Then an enquiry. Followed by a discussion. Then some exchange of hopes and pricing. Then bring in the discussion and to the higher authorities for approval. Present the case. Get the permission and approval of the other party. Bingo a deal is strike. Ain't this scientific enough?" Joe theorised.

"Sounds proper. A gap left out is easily patched up within the system you have just said. At the surface it is scientific enough. " I said.

"But then why the system failed us?" Joe enquired.

"I'm wondering too. The only reason I can think is because in the system we are dealing, the human factor is in the way. That's where business requires art." I conjectured. He must be sending in his feelers to know exactly why we failed. The boss gave no reason to us why he disapproved the deal, although we have given more than enough explanations on the risks involved. " After all, in business, the risk factor will ultimately be the deciding factor, scientifically speaking." I told Joe.

"But why does boss meant when he said that he is helping us by not getting the deal through. This deal is good and would bring in the required income and acsh flow for the company. The risk is pretty low, much lower than some of the deals we have done earlier on." He felt perplexed.

Knowing Joe is young and aggressive with a clear mind-set to get business done and Boss who is middle-aged and having a clear mind-set with business done, I am certainly going to say that business at certain stage is more art than science. I told Joe, " Well we shall see that the next deal is going to be scientific. Let's focus on the next one."

Joe is a brillant young guy with excellent academic results from a reputable institution. He has been trained to get excellent results and there is no failure in his test. This time a real test is failed. He must be wondering why we can take it when he finds it hard to accept the fact. He sure has a lot more to learn.

Dearer Petrol

2006-03-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, we listened to our teachers, " Early to sleep, early to rise, It keeps you healthy and wise." So I went to sleep early on 27 Feb 2006, the Monday night.

It was more than a shock the next day when the newspaper stared at me , "Petrol up 30 sen". I started curing and swearing at the bladdy people involved in making that decision, in all kinds of language and dialects I knew.

"When was the announcement being made"' I inquired as I stepped into the office.

" At around 10.50pm-lah." replied Mat, the office boy.

" Why so late made the announcement. Normally, by 6 o'clock, everyone would know the next increment and people would drive to the kiosk to top up before the adjustments are made by the kiosk owners." I said.

" Yesterday's night, suddenly at 11pm, a lot of people drove to the kiosk to top up. A bit too late and so many could not top their tank at 12 midnight. The owners put the sign 'TUTUP'. Then many motorists were unhappy. Best moment to learn all the 4 letters foul words." Mat said.

"What-lah . Want to increase price , also must sneaky, sneaky announce at 11pm. Wait for 80% of the people sleep , then announced. Why like like-wan?" said Tom, the salesman.

Mat said, " No difference-lah. Announced at 6 pm, kiosk owner would put 'Petrol Habis' at 8 pm. Same one-lah. People have to pay high price , that's the rule of the Game."

"No what. Gomen said we are the cheapest in the region." I said.

" They always say that. They find difficulty in saying we are dearer than Brunei." Mat laughed.

Then I walked into my place to do my work. There goes my holiday plan to go to Langkawi. I thought of driving up there and laze around the beaches. Now there goes off my plan and the hotels there must be very frustrated when I cancelled my stay. There goes off another business deal for them.

Why we stop blogging

2006-02-06T00:55:00.000-08:00

I must admit that some bloggers have the stamina to continue writing non-stop. Some would stop for a breather, then after an isotonic drink, resumed writing again. Some stopped , and then stopped indefinitely.

Actually, writing a blog requires a lot of self-discipline, of course not that type of discipline of a shaven bald head that was mentioned by a senior police-officer. This discipline requires time, energy and most of all away from distraction.

I must admit time is one of the factors that made me stopped for a moment. At times, I like enjoying a hot drink in a half-torn road-side mamak stall. By the time I knew, it was a wee too deep into the night. Why blog?

At times, I stopped because of job commitment. This is the easiest excuse or fact to give-lah. Blame the boss.

Perhaps another reason could be we got intimidated by some "seow-lan". They thought we made a FOOL out of them. But they saw pleasure when we stopped. But bloggers are die-hard writers , they continue somehow.

The other reason we stopped is we are facing an exam. This is common for the students. But the employed ones when faced a project, learning a new trade, or having a dating course, they take a break. The latter one is the most compelling reason to stop. Wait the steady one reads the blog about her or him, habis cerita-lah.

Then the last reason I may add is beacuse of plain laziness. You know-lah, laziness has become a privilege in life. If we can afford to be lazy, procastinate a bit, take a break, phwee, life is so wonderful. Why blog?

Busy Busy

2005-10-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder why STPM, SPM, PMR and UPSR are held between September and December every year? Why not held them in March like what the local universities do with their final exams?

It's only when one is working, they know why. After all, the schools are institutions of training someone to get them ready to work too.

Most working people would agree with me and dread this time of the year. Maybe when the school exams are on, the kids would be busy with their exams, hence giving the elders some time to get serious with their work. Most working people would have to get the daily works performed, and on top of that have to get third quarter reports, the next year's budgets, the next year's strategies and forecasts ready, the current staff-performance reports, well-wishing for clients in the coming festive seasons ( Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas) and worst of all, preparing the company's annual ball.

No wonder everyone has to be extra healthy, extra fit and be working extra time in this final quarter of the year. However, the unfairness part is that a lot of heavy-weight executives would be on annual leave, the excuse have to be with the kids for the holidays, and always extend their festive-leaves too. The younger, tougher, fitter, and the unmarried ones WILL HAVE to get everything done and cut-short their off-days. "You will have the days we have now" says the married heavyweight.

So now the training of getting busy at the end of the year has already been happening since in the school-days; so one cannot complain if you have to burn mid-night oil too when you are working. No wonder Cliff Richards sang for "Summer Holidays" and never sing for a happy year-end.

I think I may be wrong here as the end of the year is summer in the South. Or is Cliff wrong?

Going MAD

2005-09-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

Boss called for me this morning, bypassing Head. Sure something not so good or very good. So strolled into his room.

"It's time for you to go for a refresher course. It'll be good for you and US." Boss said.
"Have to attend course again." I said, trying to remind Boss that I just attended one at the beginning of this year.
"This time is different. You will be attending a course entitled, 'Make a Difference" (aka MAD)' . This course...(blah..blah..).."

My ears started to ring. The left ear was tuning itself to something like " Nie mm kau chee sin.." . The right ear heard something like, " lu boh kau seow.. so must attend MAD course baru boleh tambah gila sikit."

"I thought this type of course was meant for Human Resourses people or maybe Marketing personnels?" I interjected.

"Ms HRM is unable to attend as her dad-in-law is hospitalized after a stroke. The marketing man is going for his annual holiday that time. The account gal has to get ready the accounts before the year end. You are the most suitable one-lah." Boss said.

Then Boss gave me the letter with a "P & C" on the envelope. Wah some more private and confidential.

I took the letter out and upon stepping out of the door, Ms Clerk, Ms Administration Asst smiled and Ms Steno asked me, " So confirmed you are going for MAD." I showed her the envelope, " P & C - lah". I said. How come 'P & C" matter, boss just informed me, people already knew and I'm still blur-blured-wan.

How I wish to inform Boss earlier that I would like to go for a holiday in Melbourne and take a chance to see Suzen. Then don't have to be a MAD participant. Ghee... this is getting me MADDER. Take a more positive view attending the MAD course, be the MADDEST man and be happy there.

Sales Gimmicks

2005-09-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

Two lady collegues wanted to shop in CarreFour. So Head and I decided to go for our lunch in a nearby chichen rice shop while the ladies shopped. We realized that there many shoppers although it was only 12.40 pm, and it was not the end of the month yet.

After finishing our lunch, we went to look for the two ladies. They certainly were great shoppers carrying loads of goodies inside the numerous plastic bags. They then lined up to redeem some "free gifts" and some fun cards to try their luck for some prizes.

The ghiven fun card given is to be put into a sort of a juke-box where there will be light-bulbs blinking and music accompanying. The bulb light will light up when the music ends and match against the prizes. The prizes include rice cooker, rice, umbrella, cup and mystery gifts which is a pen. The Grand prize for the week could be "A paid trip for 2 to Australia" or "RM10,000 worth of jwelleries" or "RM10,000 worth of vouchers". Of course the unlucky ones would be given a note, "Come again Tomorrow".

Ever since these lucky fun cards are given out for a certain minimum sum purchase, many people have been coming here to do their shopping and at the same time trying out their lucks. The two ladies at the end of the 15 minutes wait, got a pen each. Each of them has at least eight to ten fun cards.

The waiting to try their luck was long, as some customers have more than a score cards. They would care less what the others are waiting and they keep trying their lucks with the fun cards. I saw one man having a stake of the, easily amounted to 30. As the lunch break wass short and the waiting was long, Head and I were worried that the two ladies might have to stay back overtime to finish their work in office.

The sales tactic is good and attracts a lot of customers. ButI think I may ask the management of that shopping centre to limit each player five fun cards each time they play during lunch break. Otherwise those office workers will be fired in due time when they go there for a SHORT shopping trip.

A Day Trip to Penang

2005-09-09T02:11:00.000-07:00

A business phone call came and I had to go to Penang. I haven't been there for three years. So I looked forward positively to the trip although it was only for a day.

I reached Penang at 11 am via the scenic Penang Bridge. The appointment was to be at 2.30 pm, so I still had some time to rushed to the sea-side to enjoy the sea breeze. The weather was hot and I reached the Maimi beach only to see it was quiet. I took a short stroll and bought a can of 100 Plus from the stall-operator.

"Today, the beach is quiet. No people-wan?" I asked
"Ya-lah. Working day-mah. Afterwards evening, people will come." he said.
"Why no 'guay-low' here?" I asked further.
"Ya-lor. very few of them compare to last time. But now got some Arabs come." he said.
"So business okay?" I enquired.
"Not so-lah. 'Guay-low' come and enjoy and so speed-boat people got business, parachute-boat people are happy, We are happy too. The Arabs come here and see, see only. Difficult-lah." he explained.

I left the beach and quickly put a stop at LOrong Selamat for the Sister 'fried kway-teow'. The impact of the inflation must have been felt as a small plate costs RM5.00 but it is delicious. An iced-cool glass of Nutmeg juice helped to drain down the spice.

I then drove to Bayan Baru to fulfill my appointment.

After that I took the trip back via the ferry. As it was only 4.00 pm, the passenger portion of the ferry was quite quiet with a handful of people unlike before where it was always full of people. How things have changed. Penang has quiet down a little unlike those bustling moments I had experienced years ago.

In the Kopi Stall

2005-09-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I like taking a cuppa in the kopi-stall and do some observations on people. It is usually hot under the stall and the fans are just transfering the heat from left to right and then vice versa. But that doesn't deter me from going there for a cuppa.

As yesterday was a national holiday, I got up a little bit later than usual. I took a lazy stroll to the nearby kopi-stall, where I had 2 "yau-cha-kuei" and a cup of black "kopi". So I took my time enjoying dipping the cha-kuei into the hot kopi and slowly put into my mouth. "Wah... " what a satisfying feeling!! Who cares if the thermometer reads 90 degree Fahrenheit.

I flipped over the newspapers but nothing really pulled my interest. Then a couple with a 2 or 3 years old kid walked to the table next to me. Now my sense of observation began to stir.

The man quickly sat down. His wife, despite pregnant, had to carry the child and brought her to the chair next to the man. The man merely sat until the child was on the chair. His wife then went to the counter to place her order.

The cute little girl was very happy at first, smiling sweetly. Upon resting on the chair, she put her little hands on the table and started to gather the things that were still left on the table. Suddenly a thumping sound was splashed on the table by that man and he gave a single monotone "Ugh.."

The poor kid got startled and looked shocked. Her smile immediately disappeared. Her hands stopped to move and slowly retreated to her sides. Then her eyes just stared into her father, who gave her a stern look instead. Both sets of eyes were locked until the mother returned.

The mother then pulled a stool from my table over to hers. She put down the plate of noodles on the table. But the child didn't move at all until her mum got seated and she wanted to be attached with her. Again the father gave another " ugh." The child did not look at him at all but tried to grab her mother's hands.

What surprised me was that the child DID NOT cry at all. Normally, if such situation occurs, and from most observations, the child would cry. I could only guess that the child has been seasoned with her father's anger or maybe the father need to be more firece. Or otherwise the child would only cry if there is cane. Hopefully not.

Donations

2005-08-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

I was at a nearby market, hunting for my breakfast. After a nice meal of "pan-mee" and a glass of barley, I strolled by the busy market. Then I heard someone's outstanding voice among the already noisy place.

"Please donate. Please donate. For every donation, we give a pen."

So, I strolled towards where the shout came from. There I saw a man standing at a corner, with a file of pictures of an organisation and some photo-stated copies of letter of approval to collect donations on his right hand and some pens on his left.

A man passed by, and gave a ringgit, he quickly said, "thank you" politely and gave him a pen.

Then another kind lady gave RM5.00, and the man gave her a ball-point pen. He then gave her an additional card and told her that the organisation thanked her for her generosity and may God blessed her.

That attracted me , so I watched for a little while. This is definitely something which was not taught in any Marketing course. I began digging into my pocket.

A few persons passsed by him while he kept shouting his request for donations. But nobody gave him any money. Then he added extra words to his sentence, " Come, come donate us. It's good to donate. It is EVEN BETTER than praying to God. " Everyone just ignored him and walked away.

After hearing that, I walked away too without donating. He would surely fail in the Marketing Course 101.

At the Library

2005-08-14T23:38:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, I went to the National Library at Jalan Tun Razak to see if there is any new interesting books. I was already a members years ago and renewed the membership last year when I had to look for materials for my project. Luckily I managed to get a parking lot within the library compound.

Surprisingly, the library was packed with people. I must be damn proud to be a Malaysian. Everybody suddenly is interested in reading and the library is more than full. The right wing of the library is undergoing a renovation for expansion.

I had to pass through the security at the ground level before I proceeded to the upper floor. I saw many people queueing up to be members. However, most of them are students.

At the first and second floors where the reference books are stored, the tables were all taken up. Many were raeding, some were looking at people, while some were busy whispering amongst themselves. But many were reading their revision books for their coming public exams.

I walked along the corridor, but there were some sitting by the corridor flipping some of the books they had taken from the shelves. Then I saw two students flipping through and fro over some law journals, the AMR ( All Malaysian Reviews) and the MLJ ( Malayan Law Journals) , discussing among themselves. I stole a glance and I saw one of them holding a Mimi Kamariah's Criminal Procedure reminding that they must be looking for some criminal cases. I let them to look for their cases. At least I could see that we have some good law students striving very hard.

I walked to the third floor still looking for a place to sit. Unfortunately I could not find an unoccupied one. The library was actually noisy. I wondered whether readers could absorb what they read in such situation akin to a market. There seemed there were endless walking about, laughters among the students, whisperings turning into talks as the noise level slowly picked up.

An interesting dialogue I picked up

"Tengok tu, Budak yang pakai tudong putih tu. Lawa-lah" said A.
"Oh yang itu, dengar Rosli syok sama dia." replied B.
"Mana si-Rosli tu. Ah..dia cakap aje, Mai kita pi cakap sama dia." A decided for an action.
"Yang tudong hitam sebelah dia, Sipa tu? Boleh tahan juga?" B began his hunt.
"Jangan tunggu lagi. Mai pigi karang." A moved away. B followed.

There were two photo-copying machine at the fourth level. Many students were queueing too for the services. The magazine section is located here. But again I could not find a place to sit so I have to be on the move again. I passed by the sections where maps were stored and economic and social science journals were available. Still the empty seat eluded me.

Then I went to the left wing of the fourth floor ans was the "Harvard Corner". Here a lot of Harvard publications were available, mostly on economics and business stuffs. I stood there to flip some books by well-known Harvard authors like Rosenbeth Moss Kanter, Micheal Porter "Can Japan Compete?", Robert Kaplan of the Scoreboard fame and many others. I wondered how my legs could last 30 minutes standing and I must had been absorbed by the articles.

I decided to go back as the air-con could not arrest the rising heat of the increasing crowd, the librarians could not control the increasing sound level and the numbers of new pairs and couples added a new dimension of what a library ought to be. I did not borrow any books as I knew I won't be reading them either. I passed through the security again and walked towards my car.

At The Shopping Mall

2005-08-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

The Haze was really BAD on Thursday. So could not go to the typical restaurants and road-side stalls for lunch. Head decided we go to J Shopping Mall nearby, so we need not be exposed to the acridic atmosphere. How nice of him.

So we had our lunch at the food-court. But then I saw many young boys and girls arouind the mall. I went for a short call after the food and told Head that we would meet each other in front of Eu Yan Sang at 1.30pm. We had another 30 minutes to roam around and some friends took this opportunity to do their shopping.

When I was in the toilet, something caught my eyes. I saw a group of 3 youngsters, likely 15 or 16 years old standing by the door next to the toilet. Whwn I went into the toilet, their eyes trail me and one follow me in. At the same time, another man came in, the youngster who followed me quickly sneaked out.

So, I decided to play some spy game with this group of youngsters. I walked out and stand some 10 meters away and watched them. Then there was a youngster who went into the toilet. One of the youth quickly followed him in. Then a while another went in. The other was still standing "on guard". Then I let time ran for a couple of seconds , before I walked towards the toilet. Quickly the youth "on guard" knocked into me, and said "soli" . I think he intended to delay my entry into the toilet and that gave a signal to his friends.

The other two friends of his came out immediately and together walked off coolly. When I was in the toilet, the youth looked so stunned and he was just standing by the sink. I didn't ask him what happened. But from the look of his, he must had been "hijacked" of something , maybe his money or handphone.

I walked away and told myself, "What the heck is this going now? Why are the youths doing this unworthy thing?"
Now it seems it is even unsafe to go to the shopping mall. I could not tell this to the security at the shopping mall as I was not the victim and the victim preferred to remain quiet. Maybe some detectives should be proactive and look into this matter in the shopping malls.

At the Food Court

2005-08-09T00:57:00.000-07:00

At the restaurant at Jalan Alor

So my collegues wanted to go for "Sister" curry-mee at Jalan Alor. Okaylah so long didn't have lunch there. So four of us driven by the Head headed to Jalan Alor.

Traffic was heavy and parking there is "Just park, worry later". We double-parked next to another car and walked into the restaurant ( more like a typical kopitiam). The crowd was there and we looked around for a table. Had to wait for a while and then quickly got a seat. Then we ordered the "curry mee" which is akin to the nyonya-style and the chendol.

Just as we were about to slurp the curry, the car we double-packed hooted out, so Head had to drive his car to make way for him to drive out and then took the parking lot. The weather was hot, so the heat inside the shop was sweltering hot. The fans were just returning the warm air that had risen. The hot curry soup immediately caused all the sweat pores to open up.

Just then a lottery seller came around, "Dua belas juta, 12 millions" and threw a bunch of tickets into the table like as if the cash had fallen from heaven onto the table. We had enough of all these tickets and prefered to eat the curry mee. " Tak mau" we said. The seller was insistent, " tiga ringgit satu-mar, pun tak mau." Head told him, " U bagi satu gerenti dapat tiga juta, wau bayar satu juta ringgit pun boleh." He went off immediately.

Then came a nice school-boy, must be from those Chinese independent high school selling some tickets, I think. He said for renovating fund and blah..blah.. Aiyah want to eat pun susah. Head took out RM5.00 and dipped into the donation box and said "no need tickets-lah".

Another then a China woman taking some VCDs and DVDs and asked us if we want to buy. Latest show...we could see Head was damn heated up , I didn't know if it was the curry or the China woman. "Don't wantlah..want to eat only." he said out loudly in Cantonese. The woman quickly moved away.

Finally we were about 80% to finishing the meal, two couples stood beside us. They said, "Got place already, this table want to finish already. Very quick-one." Head was really sore now and his face was really red. The curry was too much and the chendol could not keep him cool. " Leng lui, I got one more bowl-lah, not yet come. No need to wait here."

Soon we finished the meal and nobody wanted to talk. The curry mee definitely tasted well and hot, but the interruptions between meals were simply too many. Head didn't say a thing but I guessed the heat remained with him in office.

At the Permaisuri Park

2005-07-25T02:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a Sunday and it didn't rain in the evening. So I decided to go the the Permaisuri Park next to the KL Football Stadium and opposite the HUKM for a stroll. Thought wanted to jog, but since haven't been exercising for a long time better take an evening walk.

The park was well-designed and there was a track for joggers and walkers to have their exercise. There were many people of all races. By the look at the crowd's determinations, KL people are sure serious about their health.

I took a leisurely stroll and kept my ears sharp. I had no intention to eavesdropped, bue conversations here and there got into the ears.

An lady, a stone too heavy was running after her two kids of between 4 and 7 , " boy,boy don't run so fast. wait for me. I cannot run so fast."
Boys replied, " faster, fasterlah ma..., so slow better don't run . Just wait for us ."

A senior couple breezed me by, " Wah...uncle so strong-ah, can still run." I told him
"Ya... have been running for a while . You'll get use to it. Why not run?"
"Frighten leg cramp-lah..." I replied.
"Start slowly-mah...then (pant..pant...) can run faster.." he said.
"Thanks for the advice, uncle...see you." I said as he overtook me.

A couple of syt jogging overtaking me.
" huh...huh...huh........." they panted.
"wo...wo..." I said softly.
They turned back and gave me a stare.
As they ran and whispered themselves, " hamsaplow..."

I took a short rest by a tree. Under the tree, there was a couple holding hands and very close loving birds.
"Bang...aku tak laratlah..." the woman said.
"Ah..tak apalah..abang laratlah..." the man replied.
"Bang...aku letihlah.."
"Ah...abang kuatlah.."
I better cut short my rest as the evening had turned darker and for the couple, the night had just begun.

At the bus station

2005-07-20T20:47:00.000-07:00

I was at the Pekeliling Bus Station, awaiting to take a bus to the east coast at 7.30 am last Tuesday. The bus would depart at 8 am. Since I had taken my breakfast and paid for the ticket, I took a stroll around the station. Then came a middle-aged man and conversed with me in Cantonese.

Man: Hey! I got something to tell you.
Me : I don't know you.
Man: Aiyah , don't know can be friend what.
Me : Er...
Man: Okaylah friend, I want to tell you somethinglah. Don't worry, I won't hurt you.
Me : What's it?
Man: Yesterday, a few of my friends were injured in a fight.
Me : I don't knowlah. (This imust be some gangster thing)
Man: That's why I tell you. They are now hospitalised.
Me : Er....
Man: See now need some help from friends-mah. Contribute some cashlah..
Me : I also got no money.( I normally don't carry much cash when I travel. Reach there , then to ATM)
Man : No money?? Cannot be. You want to go east coast and no money, how can one.
Me : How you know I want to go there?
Man: I saw you buy ticket-mah. Come, come help my friends. Next time you are here , got problem see me.
Me : I also don't know you.
Man : Now you know. You say my name, Ah Loong (Dragon),no one dare to disturb you. See this one. (He show me his tattoo on his left arm.)
Me : Like that also no point. I have little money. (Purposely show my wallet got Rm22.00. Balance from the ticket and the early breakfast).
Man : Can also, got money can-lah. Contribute the Rm22.00.
Me : I give Rm20.00. Wait half-way stop want to take a drink so need the Rm2.00.
Man : (Quickly took the money) Remember, you know,. Got people disturb, say you know Ah Loong.

Shit... just got conned off Rm20.00. What a morning?
I later told the bus driver is this frequent in Pekeliling Bus Station. He said that this is normally done by the drug addicts. There is no sign of security post there. So be warned if you are there.

At the Kopitiam

2005-07-15T12:48:00.000-07:00

Lim asked me to join him and his wife to the market last Sunday morning. His wife went to do her marketing, while we went to a nearby "kopitiam" for a drink.

The kopitiam was packed and we saw a round table which can accomodate at least 8 persons with only a middle-aged lady, Ah Soh. When we wanted to sit that table, she said "oh, soli-ah, got people one."

So , we squeezed to the next table with a couple and two children. We ordered the kopi-o and the "roti bakar". So while waiting for Mrs Lim, we read the newspaper. That Ah Soh had the newspaper but she just flipped over and over.

Every minute or two some people would come and want to share that round table, she would say the same answer, "oh, soli, got people one."

Then Lim asked the Indon maid, "hey, apasal sudah penuh, itu Ah Soh ambil satu meja besar?"

Indon maid answer," Dia selalu macam itu. kadang kala dia punya kawan ada mari dan duduk jam-jam."

"Oh macam itu." Lim understood.

Then we heard her talking into her hand-phone, " What, no come-ah..aiyoh I wait so long....now you tell me no come... You come nowlah. I can still waitlah. Veli fast...quick.." she did sound disappointed.

The couple next to us left and another pair of couple joined us after rejected at the Ah Soh's table. After 10 minutes, Ah Soh talked into her hand-phone again, "Aiyah....sure no come. Comelah, comelah... I can wait-one. ... Like that-ah..okaylah.."

We continued to read our papers. Then another call. This time, Ah Soh said, " What you also don't want to come? Why?...Like that I don't comelah.." Then she called the Indon maid and paid her the kopi and left in a bad mood.

I asked the Indon maid, "Apa dia minum satu kopi, manyak lama.."

"Ya-lah. satu jam..duduk sana ...tunggu saja." The Indon maid said.

Lim and I plus the couple just shook our heads.

At the Mamak stall

2005-07-13T00:45:00.000-07:00

One evening , after a nice wonderful teh tarik session with a friend, I called out for the boss, " Taukeh, mai kira."

Without any calculator, he displayed his mental calculation abilities, "Ya, taukeh.. ene...teh....rene.... semua tujuh ringgit empat puluh sen .." he said with the wildest smile.

"Ya-kah... ada kira salah-kah.." I asked him.

"Oh...solilah....ene...teh .....rene.....ahh...tujuh ringgit lapan sen saja....tadi ada kira salah sikitlah." he smiled again.

"Apalah lu kira....teh tarik dua ...dua ringgit...roti telur dua....tiga ringgit.....tosai, satu ...RM1.20 ....semua enam ringgit dua puluh sen," I told him. "saya selalu datang makan sini tau..."

"Aiyah...solilah....tadi saya kira..saya punya kepala sakit.. yalah ...Rm6.20 saja." he quickly corrected himself and put on again his wildest smile.

I paid the money and left with my friend. Hmm...isn't this sound familiar at the mamak stall.

The Return

2005-06-15T01:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys. Encounter some technical problems but luckily not the "Encounter of the FIFTH dimensions".

Hopefully this will be stable, and not easily hijacked.

Will post soon. Thanks.