Another Crossroad - Part 2

Continuing from where we were in the first part of this topic, Alpha-Male returned from Ta1wan.

He made a bee-line to my office as soon as he got to the office and shooed my assistant away whom I shared my room with.

Once the door was shut behind her and locked, the conversation started.

With GM, it was a curt but friendly conversation. GM made it known that he was merely playing the role of the messenger and that we were not to be shooting at him.

Alpha-Male tone of voice was that of a softer elderly gentleman. Saying that the numbers were not final and open to negotiations.

Er.... good cop bad cop?

I revealed that in the short period between the bombshell and this conversation, I have already activated my feelers and made contact with KL. Perhaps, it was intended to make known to him that I will not be cornered into accepting whatever nonsense they intend to dish out to me.

I have a way out. Well, sort of at the moment.

Still, the sentimental masochistic fool in me is yearning to take on this bull of a challenge by the horns and wrestle it into a whimpering calf.

I shared also with the folks I have been talking to, that KL is a job somewhat like a goalkeeper while this one in QQland is that of an attacking playmaker.

Think Roy Keane. Think Eric Cantona. Think Zinedine Zidane.

KL is somewhat like trying to windsurf in the swimming pool of somebody's condo. I want to be swashbuckling inside eye of a hurricane while staying afloat in the swirl of the whirlpool. Coz when I get through the storm, that cup of coffee in the calm waters thereafter is going to be tasting mighty fine. Oh and did I mention the booty that I would be sitting on while sipping the cuppa?

Well, that is IF I survive the storm.

So perhaps for now, I am stay put but leaving my feelers out there. KL is not ready for me to cross over as I am scheduled to meet them again in KL during the coming CNY.

Thus until now till CNY, I guess I'd still be hanging around here.

Besides, I still have a bottle of gin at the pub that I haven't finish.

Image Credit: http://dreamwalker.files.wordpress.com

- Voxeros

Another Crossroad

It's coming close to two years since I left home for the Land of Taobao and all I can say is that it has been a joyful ride.

The work has been very challenging in both sense of the word and it has made me feel alive again.

Now the time has come as I reach yet another crossroad.

When I was back in Singapore just last week, I was approached by another company to join them.

It was totally out of the blue and I was baffled by the cloak-and-dagger approach as they sounded out my dad first about me.

Why couldn't they just come talk to me direct? My dad and I knew these guys for decades and I continued to keep in touch with them even when I was in Taobaoland during my first tour of duty, when I got back and when I left for Taobaoland again for a second stint.

I concede the fact that I am most flattered by their gesture and the fact that they 指名道姓 wanted me first, then figure out the job scope and rest of the details later, was just the cherry on top.

Still the cynic in me says not to pop the bubbly until the dotted line is signed.

However, the truth of the matter was that I turned them down. Well, not exactly an outright rejection but I kinda gave a non-committal answer saying that I need some time to think about things.

The reason I didn't jump at the chance right away was that the current company that I am working now is undergoing a very unstable phase and the bridge is going to be burnt if I decided to jump ship at this time.

I told them that I am interested but I felt a need to fulfill my commitment to my current employer. I would consider moving when the company finds a stable footing.

Then yesterday, GM called from a closed-door meeting and the news broke. Looks like the company wants me to take a pay-cut or take a golden handshake.

Perhaps the planets were aligned in my favour as I marveled at the sequence of events, how they fall into place neatly like a well-scripted choreograph.

In a way, the decision was one of no-brainer. I mean, do I really have a choice?

Still, I am a little bit hesitant as I am not willing to let go of the current trapeze without the other one in sight. I have made that mistake once when I was younger but certainly not ever again. Especially now when the stakes are much higher as a result of my age.

I have yet to tell them of my decision as I wanted to speak to Alpha-Male in person even if it means bidding adieu.

So, the new horizon ahead.

As I have shared with a few people during my earlier trip to Singapore, the job is based in Kuala Lumpur. I understand that the conglomerate has just spun off a new business unit in Singapore and I believe they are playing the "you-get-to-go-home" card to entice me.

Oh how wrong are they going to be. I am never going to return to Singapore. The prospect of Kuala Lumpur appeals to me more. Perhaps I am a junkie for all the perks and benefits that comes with the title, "Expat".

No way am I heading home to Singapore. Nothing there for me.

I rather be out roaming the world and enjoying my freedom to the fullest.

More updates when I get more info.

Image Credit: http://watermarked.cutcaster.com

- Voxeros

Can CSM Do No Wrong?

Daphne Maia (daphnemaia) on Twitter via kwout

Daphne's tweet got me thinking what I felt was a very good question.

The way I see it, as long as he remains in the limelight, he will continue to do good.

We have seen how the other politicians are where as soon as the spotlight is no longer on them, they slack off.

Over the last decade of two, our political apathy has given our incumbent politicians a free pass to 为非作歹. 一手遮天.

During the election period, when the media spotlight was on each and every one of them, you see how they are so on the ball doing this and that and this for the people.

Now that the media attention has faded, do you still see them as goodie as before?

For the case of Chen Show Mao, the media attention is still very much on him, not from the mainstream media but from his own updates on Facebook. Perhaps that is the very fuel that keeps him going and as far as I am concerned, I say he is doing a great job at it.

Keep it up and come the next election, he will get to keep his seat.

Well done, so far. :)

Image Credit: https://www.singaporeink.net

- Voxeros

It Ended At 51

• JayWalk Online (28 Feb 2008) - 48 Years And Counting...

Called home yesterday only to find out from dad that Uncle Tay passed away.

This is a guy who lived his life to the fullest. An old chap with an effervescence personality.

He was 80 and married for 51 years.

Sad to see him go. Aunt Tay is going to be so lonely and the house so quiet after this. :(

Goodbye Uncle Tay.

- Voxeros

Ladies Sitting Through The Ages

少女: 我要坐的矜持一點

少婦: 我要坐的成熟一點

老婦: 拎祖嬤爽就好

Got this in an email from my cousin.

Funny shite!

hahah

Image Credit: http://www.mop.com

- Voxeros

Bloop Bloop Bloop

• ChinaSmack (12 Oct 2011) - 17 Million RMB Luxury Boat Sinks Immediately After Christening
  

This was so tragic that it was actually very funny.

Had they said that they were launching their new submarine, they then wouldn't need to scoop up such a big piece of disaster crap. If only they learn this from the Royal Malaysian Navy earlier.

At 17 million RMB for a ship that can't even float, one can't help but smell the reeks of cut corners and grey area accounting. A friend quipped that the officials should have been on board the ship when it launch so that they can all go down together.

Do watch the video. Very tragically funny. I hope nobody got hurt though.

I only have 2 words to describe this.

Gua gua...........





Image Credit: http://www.chinasmack.com

- Voxeros

Steven Paul Jobs 1955 - 2011

Though I am not a fan boy of Apple, one cannot deny the remarkable achievements that this man has contributed to modern consumer technology.

I have had a few Apple products in my time ranging from the Apple ][e to iPod and then the iPad.

I remember the era where we use to punch a hole on the opposite edge of the 5-1/4-inch floppy just so we can use the other side of the diskette.

Commands like PR#6 (boot from floppy), PR#3 (activate printer), PR#2 (active Software Automated Mouth (SAM)) seemed like it was only yesterday.

I remember my first use of the mouse on the Macintosh and how much grief it gave me as I run out of table top to move the mouse.

Ah. Memories.

It was a time when Apple was heading towards ruin when Steve Jobs single-handedly turned it around into one of the greatest company in modern history.

The Lisa, Apple III, Apple II GS all tanked and thank goodness for iMac (the very first of the "i" series) that turned the company around. It was a genius product where you just need to get the iFruit out of the box, plug in the power and the telephone socket and you are good to go.

Just.Like.That.

I remember one of the pet peeves of the iMac is that it eliminated the 3.5" floppy drive and introduced the LS-120 mb drive instead. That, in the end, was my impression of Steve Jobs and subsequent Apple products. Great idea of a product BUT there will be that one stark thing missing deliberately to self-sabotage what could have been the PERFECT product. One that would kill all competition in a single blow.

I remembered my first iPod (5th Gen). How I loved it and at the same time how it drove me nuts coz it does not come with a FM receiver.

I also remember how everyone was swooning over the first iPhone only to have to bitch about the lack of MMS and copy & paste.

Why? Why always stop a step short of reaching Gadget Nirvana? Why?

Still, life goes on when the bitching stops eventually.

Speaking of life going on. Steve Jobs' legacy will go on too hereon.

Rest In Peace

Steven Paul Jobs

24 February 1955 to 05 October 2011

Image Credit: https://www.channelbiz.fr

- Voxeros

MYP Award Ceremony 2011

Dear friends,

Yes, we are 8!

The 8th Maximize Your Potential (MYP) ceremony will be held on 24th September 2011 (Sat).

Venue: Geylang Methodist School (Primary), Level 4 AVA Room.

Time: 10 am.

Come, meet and encourage the students you have sponsored via the Run For Funds (RFF) movement.

You make a difference in the lives you touch. Please email, whataspp or SMS me to RSVP (for catering purposes). 

Click on this link to access the report of last year’s MYP award.

Thanks for your continued support of the RFF movement.

Cheers,

aL

---

JayWalk Says:

Yeah. We are 8 this year. It's has been a long journey thus far but how time flies when you are doing something without once looking back.

The projects are still going strong but unfortunately our legs aren't. I doubt if we are able to complete anymore marathons which ironically defeats the name of this project from which it all started.

Perhaps it is us not thinking the name far enough into the future that we did not have a continuity plan.

Still, it is just a name and it won't change our hearts when it comes to the projects that we have done, am doing and will continue to do.

Anyway, while the mail from aL invites only sponsors and well wishers, I hereby extend the invitation to all who is interested to find out more about this project. Drop me a note and I will send your RSVP onwards to aL. Cheers.

p.s. I am still thinking if there is a way to form a cooperation between RunForFunds and Willing Hearts?

- Voxeros

Good Man Wen

Wen considered divorce, cables claim - The Standard via kwout

• The Standard (07 Sep 2011) - Wen Considered Divorce, Cables Claim

I am known to gush shamelessly about the Chinese leader in my entries. This wikileak hardly come across as a scandal. On the contrary, I feel that it is more of a compliment than otherwise.

• JayWalk Online (13 May 2008) - Earthquake 12 May 2008
• JayWalk Online (15 May 2008) - I Think Ch1na's Got A Better Deal Than Us

I am a bigger fan boy of Wen J1aBao even more now. *swoons*

- Voxeros

230 of P230

I didn't start plurking about this until slightly later which explains why there aren't any plurks from 1 to 37 of P230.

It was a hare-brained idea hatched late last year. It was originally meant to be a countdown for my return to Singapore on Christmas Eve 2010 and I reckoned that I was going to be able to cleared 230km on the treadmill before I board the plane home.

Lo and behold, one disruption after another from business trips to work to unfavourable weather to travelling, I finally completed the Project of 230 km on 08 Sep 2011. Almost a year later.

During this one year (almost), I learned a few things from my past related plurks.

• Cold weather running is more siong than warm humid weather conditions. The cold temperature really make your heart pump all that blood in order for you to maintain your body temperature. Initially, I thought the warm and humid weather is worse as it hinders proper breathing. I was wrong, the condition of the cardio takes precedence over your pulmonary.

• My fitness need to be continuously maintained and I backslide to zero pretty quickly to the extent whenever there is a disruption that I sometimes feel that all my previous mileage didn't count for anything at all.

• I "nearly died" twice. I am a 7% drama queen.
• Polar Heart Rate monitor sucks monkey balls. Will never buy another one evar.

So there. 

It is done. 230 of P230. Finally. 

p.s. Click here to see the entire set of Plurk captures.

- Voxeros