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Of Corona beers and other things.
2008-03-21 11:12:00
Drinks are definitely better in the right company. Take out a whiny lovesick pal who's constantly mourning a betrayed love story, throw in some colleagues and an interesting character, and you get an evening of drinks that, although took place in a pub that was surprisingly not crowded on the eve of a public holiday, was nevertheless a good way to pass the night.Of course, it did affect me somewhat initially that we were caught in a jam while driving to meet the dude and another colleague at the pub. I think my usual cool demeanour was somewhat tarnished by the curses and swearing as we inched slowly through the highway en route to the watering hole. Bloody hell, where do all those cars come from anyway?? I don't fancy being stuck in traffic for twenty minutes without progressing beyond two hundred metres from where I was a while ago, and all this while I was fighting for space at the highway exit, which must have scared a very young female colleague seated at the back of the car,...
More About: Things , Beers , Corona

Shades of truth.
2008-03-19 15:29:00
"How could she?"Those were the only words he could mutter as we met up for some drinks after work. Like, his entire vocabulary now consisted of only those three words, repeated again and yet again as he downed one pint after another.He is none other than the dude who had this habit of calling me at odd hours asking for help as he tries to pursue this chick he got himself so head-over-heels gaga over. And the problem now is that he's so into her after 3 dates (they started holding hands and trading some spit...er, kisses) he's started seeing her as an "exclusive deal" even though she hasn't said anything official about it yet, and just last night, he thought he'd drop by her place because she's just flown back from Hong Kong and he wanted to surprise her, and the last thing he thought he'd see is some other dude leaving her doorstep and them frenching at the door.Dude then confronts the girl and she admits she's been seeing the other guy as well, but it's an "on and off thing...
More About: Truth

Random rants.
2008-03-18 15:17:00
"Flirt" seems to be my middle name, and it's something I shouldn't be proud of, really.I get myself into all sorts of trouble, whether intentionally or not, simply because I have the wandering eye syndrome (which afflicts like 99.9% of men around you)-- but if it's just a roving eye, it's not all that bad. It's bad when you move on to the drinks and the small talk, the phone numbers, the flirty teasing looks, the small touches... need I go on?And sometimes, I do cross the line-- for instance, if I flirted with my financial advisor and she in return, that does mess up the professional part of the relationship doesn't it?FYI, I never said I was the gorgeous hunky sort; if women find me attractive, it's more because of my confidence (a little on the arrogance side, rather), and my ability to make a woman laugh. Ok, also throw in the fact that, when I am engaged in conversation with an attractive woman, I do compliments on the way she smells, the way she does up her hair, her clo...
More About: Rants , Random

Unbelievable
2008-03-16 16:35:00
Morning trip to Cold Storage, and I learnt a lesson: some people still act and behave as if we're still under Colonial rule in Singapore.I won't go into details in case I upset anyone, and neither do I wish to start an inter-racial debate here, but I would like to think that in this day and age, such a mentality would cease to exist here especially given that we have already been an independent and sovereign state for more than forty years now, but evidently, based on comments I heard this morning and the scene I witnessed, there are certain people who still behave in the old days of the big White Man in town.It's definitely something I don't stand for (and I didn't), and I absolutely have no respect for people who don't respect the cultures of others, especially when they are of different racial and religious backgrounds.*****
More About: Unbelievable

Roses are red...
2008-03-14 16:23:00
"I love you from the bottom Of my pencil case..."The office romance. Good idea/bad idea? There's nothing wrong with finding love from the safety of your cubicles, but try tone down the lovey-dovey bits while we're at work and in the office, okay?Well, technically speaking, the lovey-dovey lovebirds at the office didn't get on with their hanky-panky while the division meeting was on, and neither were they touchy-feely when the rest of the 3 teams were in the office having our official opening and little office warming party, but as the night drew on, perhaps spurred by the champagne and red wine that were generously served at the table, things started to get a little too close for comfort for romancing at the office.So much so I had to bump into the lovers making out at the balcony while I stepped out for a smoke...and "accidentally" caught them in the act. And was it my imagination, or did the girlfriend give me glances that made me feel a little uneasy all through the evening u...
More About: Roses

Shitheads.
2008-03-14 05:34:00
There are somethings I don't quite understand. Why is it that there are people out there who actually bother to comment on other people's lives and lifestyles even though I don't even know them personally?It's weird isn't it? You go to someone's blog, you read about what he or she writes, and just because there are certain things that you don't approve of or share the same opinions, beliefs etc, you still go ahead and make your judgments-- as if they matter, really. I mean, if you were Donald Freaking Trump making similar comments, I would probably take heed and listen. But the fact is you're obviously not someone important, and worse, you hide behind a veneer of anonymity and expect me to take your comments seriously. And you probably used a fake email address to that effect.I'm of the opinion that if you have something to say, positive or negative, at least have the balls to leave your real identity behind. Else, you're no better than online slimes who try to push Viagra...

Day after.
2008-03-13 13:44:00
Thanks for all the well-wishers, be it in the form of comments, emails or online greeting cards. Big thanks too, to the fellas at work who so kindly got a little birthday do on my return to the office (was on leave yesterday), complete with a very creamy cake.What would make it really great is if I had a client who called to say I closed yet another deal, but unfortunately, it hasn't happened. YET. Believing in the Law of Attraction, I shall use the word "yet"-- it's gonna happen, and I feel it in my bones, I just have to be patient and wait for it.***** Being underdressed is the worst thing that could ever happen when you run into an attractive dame dressed in the pretty kebaya uniform of Singapore Airlines on your way toward the elevator at your condo (and she's making her way out of the lift and onto the walkway). She was all dressed up and looking pretty, complete with a tinge of Dior perfume (I think), and there I was, wearing a drawstring karate pants, a singlet and trainer...

Of candles and cakes.
2008-03-12 03:58:00
I turn 32 today.If I were to compare where I am today and where I was a year ago, then I'd certainly lived up to my birthday wish last year: get some headway careerwise, because for the past 4 years prior, I didn't seem to be getting anywhere after my first business venture crashed.But before I let loose the streamers and pop the champagne, I certainly still have a lot to work on, especially given one day before my birthday I lost a pricey deal, and I now know that "exclusive deals" aren't really exclusive at all, and that my competitors (bloody bunch of vultures and hyenas) are already trying to make an impression with some of my key accounts.I will allow myself one day of rest since La Femme planned out the program for today. But come tomorrow, it's back to business and I plan to hit out harder than the vultures and hyenas. You wanna pick at the scraps? I'll make sure there are no scraps for you to even sniff at.Anyway, I'm theoretically at the start of my prime years. It's...
More About: Cakes , Candles

Costly lesson.
2008-03-11 15:06:00
It is my own complacency that led to a costly lesson today: I lost a $45,000 deal simply because I had let my guard down and let my competitor gain the upper hand. Pricey yes, painful yes, but after the initial kicking myself in the butt, it's time to move to the next project and work things from there. You win some, you lose some, I guess, but I'll win more the next time around.*****At least someone made things a lot better this evening with her sultry surprises. *grins*
More About: Lesson

On the hunt.
2008-03-11 07:32:00
I am on the hunt for:1. Senior Finance and Accounts Manager to be based in Batam for an electronics manufacturer. Incumbent needs to know Indonesian tax regulations and accounting compliance practices, and experience with large headcounts (300+ and up) 2. Plant Operations Manager (Batam), with potential for development to GM of the plant. Preferences for candidates who are currently production or manufacturing managers in a large manufacturing (electronics, semiconductor) setting. Would appreciate leads and welcome write-ins, and for more details, drop me an email.*****The things I do for my Aston Martin...
More About: Hunt

Phone call in the AM.
2008-03-11 01:45:00
Friend calls me up first thing this morning at 7am, just when I fresh out of the shower and getting ready for work."Dude, you've gotta help. Things with Lady M isn't looking too good."Right. Fuck you expect me to do, especially since I was still in my birthday suit."Mate, you've got to loosen up...and at least let me put on some clothes", I replied, and admiring La Femme's slender frame lying cosily in bed. The girl's having a good time taking a week's break from work, and man, it would have been a good idea to crawl back into bed with her, perhaps even rousing her for a quickie...that's another story altogether.So anyway, the crux of the story is that the dude screwed up the first date real bad: she told him at the end of the day that he wasn't exactly her idea of boyfriend material, but they could still remain friends (ouch). Thing is, dude seems to have decided she's the one for him and asked how he could convince her otherwise.But really, when a woman tells you things l...
More About: Phone , Call , Phone call

What, all over?
2008-03-10 16:11:00
Not quite. I just thought it would be a great idea to delete all 120 posts over 6 months and start over. Crazy as it sounds, I just felt it's a real good idea to hit the "restart" button, and this time, we'll see how things shape up. Life gets a lot more interesting and fun when you do things differently, and less predictably, no?*****On a separate note, can someone tell me who are the wise asses who decide where to place traffic lights? I mean, I understand if you need to plaster a couple of stops at intersections and cross-junctions, but who's the smart ass who came up with a formula of "one traffic stop 100m before and after any bus stop/public building/MRT station/whatever that's piled and stands on pillars"??Additionally, who's the dumb ass too, who decided goods vehicles, lorries and trucks laden with goods/people are allowed into the middle and right lanes instead of the extreme left lane where they rightfully belong?But as always, there's nothing the blaring of horns a...

Zoom zooms
2008-03-10 01:04:00
Clearly there is a difference between the cars men choose, and the cars women fancy. Which is why I decided I shall not let a woman decide on my ride come August when it's time to trade the Megane to another. My choices (in no particular order of preferences):(1) Mazda RX-8(2) BMW 335i /BMW 128i (when it comes later in the year)(3) Subaru Impreza SG-T (4) Mitsubishi Evo X(5) 2008 Honda Accord Euro R(6) Mercedes Benz CLK/SLK And if you noticed, there's one underlying common node connecting all the choices: speed and torque, but with style. Her choices:(1) Mini Cooper Type S (hmmm)(2) Volkswagen Beetle convertible (sheesh)(3) Volkswagen Bora (and what, look like a taxicab in Shanghai??)(4) Audi A4(5) Volvo S40(6) Renault Megane II (meaning NO CHANGE) Well, I have a couple of months to convince her my choices are a lot better. :P *****
More About: Zoom

Sex appeal.
2008-03-09 02:24:00
A story in the Straits Times' Sunday Lifestyle reportedly wrote that, to woo his third (and very much younger wife), Rupert Murdoch organised cruise trips, sent flowers and even worked out to impress her.The things men do to make themselves more "marketable" and noticed. Then again, it's true for the rest of the animal kingdom isn't it-- it's always the biggest (go figure), brightest, and smartest dude with the most brilliant plumage and drive that lands the prized females. It's the law of natural selection, baby, and if you're not up to the task, forget about homeruns.I suppose, too, there will be moments in his life when a dude begins to wonder about his sex appeal. I did, a couple of weeks ago, when the boys decided to hit the town and have some drinks, and then I realised I wasn't seemingly attracting as much attention from the female species as I used to. Not that it matters a lot, especially since, as one of my pals put it, I already landed myself a really dishy babe th...
More About: Sex Appeal , Appeal

Temptation.
2008-03-07 05:05:00
I've been scouting around for a new ride, given it's been 5 years since I last switched cars, and though the current one still offers a good drive, it's somewhat lacking in performance. And seeing I haven't made enough (sadly) for my dream car (Aston Martin DB9 or DBS, if it ever comes here), I thought of an alternative: Yup. The RX-8. Financially, it's not too much of a drain given my other commitments, and I have been looking, really. Ask some of my friends, and they will be telling you what a chore I must have been asking them to go on test drives and discussing about what car I should be getting etc.So, if all goes well, I'd probably be zipping around in a 1.3(A) 6 speed RX8 by July or August. ...and yes, I will stop for leggy babes. :P*****"I'd like to see you naked, baby, tonightIf that's all right... "
More About: Temptation

There goes another...
2008-03-07 04:10:00
Honestly, I don't really feel a thing when a colleague expresses an intention to leave, or already is in the process of leaving the company.I mean, really, at the end of the day, we're all really concerned about our own stomachs to really go consider the impact of someone leaving, however close you may have grown to that person. If that move was a career progression, or even if it was to exorcise frustrations with the company, it's all a cause for well-wishes and such, but the bottomline is: really, it's none of my business.Perhaps you'd be right to say I'm unfeeling, perhaps too, you could accuse me of being self-centred and even nonchalant about the people around me. Unfortunately, there are some of us who are more concerned about our own career goals and achievements to bother with the "oh-you-are-leaving-and-I-feel-so-sad" bullshit. It's all transient and transactional, even: people come and go, and life goes on.In fact, when I make decisions about joining a company, ofte...

Crap.
2008-03-05 12:34:00
Oh fuck.I did something I really shouldn't have, and things are gonna get awkward. Now why do I have a tendency to get myself into situations like this? Is this normal-- part of being "male"-- or is it just me? *****...and in this instance, chai latte moments are definitely not helping much. I should just migrate to Tibet or something.
More About: Crap

Yes! Yes!
2008-03-05 01:03:00
Things in life where, if you should ever find yourself thinking or asking thus, would inevitably be "yes":He/she isn't interested in you (enough said)Her father doesn't like you much (yup, but he's a clown as well)It's really your fault, even though she said "it's not you, it's me" (uh-huh. we've heard that one before right?)She just doesn't want to have sex with you. (get a makeover or something. or hire some hot models to act as your stand-in girlfriends)He's having an affair (my condolences)She's faking her orgasm (double condolences)Your boss thinks you're an idiot (unfortunately...)Your fellow workers don't like you a lot (and yes, they're laughing about you)They must think you're a social idiot (what did you do, turn up underdressed and overturned plates at the event or got drunk on punch?)Your boss has access to all your emails and knows what you do online at work (red alert)Someone saw you doing something, and he/she sure as hell is telling (you're front page ...

Mindset shifts.
2008-03-04 17:13:00
Got some great insights off one of my candidates, a brilliant 38 year old GM who's worked with 2 of the largest corporations on the planet:A job is something that pays the bills and the rent, and all you do is take from it. And as a result, you start to rant and rave about things, and you won't really get happy from it. Also, you're just a digit that's expandable, and you won't break the glass ceiling, try as you might, if you keep seeing what you do everyday as "simply a job".A career is something that offers growth, and it's about you giving back to the organisation. That's the surest way to break through the glass ceiling, and suddenly all doors to senior management positions open up. And you'll get a lot more joy and satisfaction out of what you're doing, and you feel appreciated at all levels. Food for thought, and certainly an enlightening conversation we had over tea and coffee.***** P.S. I think I am now officially addicted to chai lattes.
More About: Mindset

One of those things.
2008-03-04 01:36:00
How do you tell if that someone is meant for you, or if this person is the someone who could be a potential life partner? Here's my take: you both meet, you start dating for a while, you take a break from each other (not necessarily on a bad note though), and if you find yourselves still drawn to each other after the few months of being apart and seeing other people, then you'll get an answer. Perhaps it all doesn't need to be that complicated, but that's just a thought. And oh yes, things get a lot more passionate from all the wantings and yearnings. *****
More About: Things

Accidental voyeur?
2008-03-03 13:52:00
It was La Femme who first noticed this: there's this family in the apartment directly opposite ours, and mom, dad, two sons (about six or seven years old) and a teenaged daughter does something really disturbing--whole family walks around the house completely naked, and they don't think twice about drawing the curtains and blinds to shield prying eyes from looking into the apartment.I'm sorry, but isn't there a law that makes all this highly illegal? I mean, kids or not, it's bad enough the young boys go around showing little willies to everyone, and then there's the teenaged sister. And as if it's not bad enough, you get the two parents who do it as well. WTF??And La Femme's wondering if she should go talk to someone about this. Family welfare services perhaps?Or are we being just plain nosy if we told to the wind about this? I certainly wouldn't want to be seen standing at the balcony talking on the phone or smoking as I sometimes do and have some woman scream "PERVERT" a...
More About: Voyeur

Life choices
2008-03-03 05:11:00
I?ve come to believe each and every one of us has a designated place and role to play in this little theatre we call ?life?. The thing is, you are the sole director and actor, and rather than have a role and script handed to you, you define every act and compose your own lines.It?s like improv, if you like, and you choose if you want your story to be one of laughter and joy, or a melodrama played out day after day. Which is why life is so precious and interesting, I think.There was a time many years back when I started off my career in teaching. I know?that seems like the most unlikely of career choices, if you knew me?and it wasn?t surprising nothing good came out of that very shortlived stint. I lack compassion and patience, it seems, and much as I still respect the noble role educators play, I?ve come to understand and appreciate too that it isn?t everybody?s cup of tea, easy as the job may seem.I correct myself?it isn?t that I am not compassionate, for that would make me inhuman...
More About: Life , Choices

Weekend thoughts.
2008-03-02 15:17:00
Ever noticed how, no matter how your life twists and turns, and no matter how bad things appear in your life, there always seems to be a way out of things?If I could write one song, it would be to celebrate life-- not broken hearts and lost loves, nothing about being angry with the world and all that-- but celebrate how great life can be.Which is why I am such a huge fan of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, and his rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I daresay no superstar can outdo the man's opus and take that glory of his, try as they may.Israel's definitely a great inspiration to many, and I think we need more people like that-- someone whose true beauty comes from the heart and his soul instead of a jarful of mascara and makeup. The man don't even use no electric guitar, for goodness sake, but makes music with raw soul with a simple ukelele.Here's to the big man, once more:
More About: Singapore , Thoughts , Weekend

Along came a spider...
2008-02-28 16:39:00
Dinner at the club.I was seated at a table with a friend of mine, a lawyer by training, when some elderly dude in a tie (who wears a tie after work hours??) came over, conveniently pulled a chair over, and tried to engage us in conversation."Hello. My name is _______", and he hands over his business card.2 words on that piece of card stated that like me, he made a business out of stalking and snagging prey: venture capital.Lawyer Dude looks at me puzzled as if to ask what the fuck does he want with us anyway?? But our curiosity was shortlived."I heard from some of the boys in the club that between the two of you, you have some pretty interesting business ideas. I'd like to hear about them."Hmph. Interesting business ideas. How about you give each of us $1 million each, we go out there and set up sleazy massage parlours for $10k a shop in your name, then take off with, oh I don't know, say $800,000 each and have a good laugh between us at some other club in Tahiti or something?Unfo...
More About: Spider

Wisdom is boundless.
2008-02-27 13:46:00
A very wise and dear friend gave a good insight today-- watch the tide, there's a big storm a-coming-- and I totally agree.True, he may not be a George Soros, neither is he a multi-millionaire banker, but I said before that one only needs to be able to read the signs and take heed. And of course, trust your intuition-- no one else makes a better decision for you than yourself.So you might say we're being nay-sayers here, you might say our insights and this whole "intuition" nonsense are inferior to the advise of professional financial and business analysts, market watchers and brokers-- the very people who make a living reading and breathing the markets-- but sometimes, I get the feeling we use too much of our brains to actually listen to our hearts, the "gut feel", if you like.In any case, to each his own. I'm confident of one thing: when all around is in chaos, that's where and when I'll make and leave my mark.But all that aside, I've really grown to appreciate my pal for hi...
More About: Wisdom

Waiting in the wings.
2008-02-27 01:20:00
Client says "The problem with the so-called Gen Yers is that they set very unrealistic expectations. Many have talent and potential, but they just think too highly of themselves."And I agree. I mean, yeah, I've been there, I've been in the very shoes of the people he was talking about-- the world's my oyster (still is, by the way), and I'm a whole lot talented and capable than many of my ex-superiors. Still, over time, I've grown to appreciate there are some things you just can't rush. Like building your track record (and hence your credibility) and personal branding.You say fuck all that, I've got ideas, I'm ready to take on the world and I can make a difference. We say "prove it". And if you can't stay on long enough to prove you are even capable of seeing through the simple and seemingly mundane tasks given to you as tests, you can forget about taking on the big stuff. Afterall, there are budgets to take care of, and no CEO will risk his or her neck for some upstart to p...
More About: Wings , Waiting

Finger wagging.
2008-02-26 01:24:00
"Didn't you read the signs? I read the signs."- Reuben Tishkoff, Ocean's TwelveIt's a case of "could have said I told you so": property prices are going soft in this island, and prices are likely to continue to fall, although it wouldn't be as drastic a case of a market crash-- God forbid-- unless some idiot of a rogue speculator decides to fuck everyone up.And the next thing I'm expecting is for COE prices to fall in the next quarter.It's no rocket science-- it's economics at work, once you understand the dynamics of market corrections and market conditions.*****
More About: Finger

Ok, so...
2008-02-25 14:08:00
"You talk too much sometimes, baby-- now shut up and make love to me."Short, simple, perfect commands. And what a way to mark the 100th post (again) on this blog!The evening's working out to be...perfect. Like many other things.*****

*grins*
2008-02-25 01:37:00
I wonder how many of you get those moments when you sit down and think through, with a glass of Martini in hand, the major events in your life and then go, "gosh, look how far I have come." And when you do, do you actually congratulate yourself, or is your journey one that was filled with more negative events than good ones?I found myself doing that little exercise-- I'm wondering why I'm suddenly getting nostalgic and searching for things like this lately-- but yeah, there you go, in between the sips, there were times when I went "did I really do that" or "how the heck did I pull that one off" or "heh heh, I must have been pretty ballsy to have done that" etc. More often than not, I was patting myself on the back, and my only wish was that there had been someone else around to discuss such things.Well, my life journey thus far had been pretty mixed, but taking checks, I think I am on the way to the kind of lifestyle I planned for myself when I left school. There were detours and ...

!Ay Carumba
2008-02-20 13:13:00
The Head Honcho came by the new office today (he's normally in some place else in the APAC region) and did his little walkabout while trying to catch up with the folks at the office-- you know, that little "how are you doing" ritual.I was out of the office on a meeting when he was in, and apparently he'd stop by my workspace because he had been attracted to this little montage pasted next to my PC:He then dropped me an email later in the afternoon saying "I like that little picture on your desk. Can I have one too?"Riiiiiight... But it's nice to know he's flying off to some other HQ tomorrow, so there's a chance he'll just forget about it.*gulp******