Thursday, April 27, 2006

Su My Ass

OK, so Sudoku is big. It's everywhere! There's a column dedicated for Sudoku in the papers. There's some 85 million websites which popped up when I googled Sudoku. Even the Iron Lady Rafidah plays Sudoku in her spare time.

Have I tried playing it?

Pfft! Of course I have!

(for like 2 seconds?)

Heh. OK, so it's boring. And I hate numbers. And I just can't be bothered wasting time on such puzzles. Then again, I love word puzzles. I love unscrambling words, I love crosswords, etc.

So if you have just emerged from your cave and have not heard of Sudoku, don't worry, you're not missing out on much.

Then again, if you insist, this is how it looks like.

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So how do you play it?

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. Simple enough?

This is how the solved puzzle should look like.

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But who cares?

Till I saw this at the bookstore recently.

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A whole aisle of books just for Su-fuc-do-king-ku! Shit.

Posted by Doreen at 5:37 pm



    

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Ladies, Hope is Not Gone!

I hate being stereotyped, therefore I (try to) avoid stereotyping.

But last night I caught myself stereotyping, but I guess I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was way off with my stereotyping of this one particular guy.

Jake recently ended a 10 year relationship with his girl, and needless to say, he's devastated. He's always been one of those happy, chirpy ones, and an all-round nice guy. Me and Jake, we get along fabulously. And no, we do not want to get into each other's pants.

So there - 30 years of age, single and very much available. Jake is also well-built, speaks eloquently, currently pursuing a Masters degree, has a steady job, and well, he's pretty much got it all going for him.

Everything. But. The. Girl.

So I thought that Subject Jake: 30 y.o., single, and doing well, would take some time to grieve over a broken relationship and then start playing the field. I mean, seriously, I thought men this age are in their prime years and therefore think that they are God's gift to women! No wait, scrap that. Men, irregardless of their age (and status in society), think that they are God's gift to women.

But that's where I was wrong.

Jake does not want to play the field. Jake does not want to bed a different girl every weekend. Jake does not want to have no frills, no strings attached relationships. Jake wants to be committed to one girl. Jake wants to settle down. (Chorus: Awwwwwww)

I thought a sane 30 year old bachelor, who just ended a 10 year relationship, would jump on the Promiscuous Boat and enjoy being single again! But nooooooooooooo! He wants to have someone to love, someone to love him back, and all other things Hallmark.

Phew. Ladies, all hope is not gone! There are still some decent men out there!

Posted by Doreen at 9:07 am



    

Monday, April 24, 2006

Quiksilver Revolution Tour

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Thanks to Natalie who gave us the passes, we found ourselves braving the Saturday afternoon crawl outside of Sunway Pyramid, heading for the Quiksilver Revolution Tour!

Sunway Lagoon was the first stop of the launch of the South East Asian tour of this Quiksilver event. It promised to be a "skate, surf, music" extravaganza, with pro skaters and surfers from the Quiksilver international team.

Entry to the event was via the Elephant Walk, but we parked at the mall since we made a pit stop for lunch. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find that there were shuttle bus making to and fro trips from the mall to the entrance of Elephant Walk. Pretty thoughtful of the organizers!

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I was all smiles boarding the yellow mini bus. When was the last I sat in a bus like this? 13 freaking years ago!

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Sunway Lagoon was transformed into a super cool playground, with lots of beautiful people milling around half naked. The sunny skies made it all the more awesome.

We were greeted by a few kids doing some stunts on the small ramp, with a couple of bikini-clad babes oohing and aaahing away. What the hell? What happened to the 14 feet ramp which was to be built by the pros from Australia? Is this all? Dang.

Well, that was BEFORE I looked further than my nose.

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Now ain't that a baby?

After admiring this skateboard ramp for a few moments, we decided to walk around for a bit since there was no action happening there yet.

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Hotlink, being one of the partners for this event, had a booth or two on the premises selling merchandise and products, and of course a couple of games here and there.

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A giant stage was also erected for performances by some local underground bands and of course, Click Five. Didn't get to see Click Five because they only came on close to midnight, as a finale to the day's event.

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Over at the surf pool, we saw a couple of youngsters learning how to surf from the pros... but not before the pros showed us their stuff.

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Didn't get to go closer to catch the surfers in action because I was not prepared with a change of clothes.

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But can camwhore from the beach!

And well, that was it really. Two skateboarding ramps, one giant stage, some surfers doing their stuff, a couple of booths here and there... so we headed back the the giant ramp and found some skateboarders doing warm ups, so we stuck around.

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That's Nugget and Josh Roullion (topless)

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This is James Kennedy.

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That's Josh with a slip.

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Me and Resh in the background.

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Me and the boyfriend who obviously isn't too keen with the weather... he was sweating like.. oh, I don't know.. like.. a pig? Do pigs sweat?

And then the skateboarding action started to draw in the crowds as people crowded around both sides ramp..

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Up on the ramp where the topless, hot bod men hang out.

After about 4 hours of sun, we decided it was time to call it a day. And on our way out, we were amused by some group of boys. Obviously inspired by all the professional skateboarders, they too want their share of action....

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But boys, you don't just place your board on the floor and then run around it silly as though you're doing a dance ritual!

Oh well. We had fun!

Posted by Doreen at 9:42 am



    

Friday, April 21, 2006

Models

From America's Next Top Model...

"We're always trying to figure out Tyra's mail, but we never get it right," said one model to the rest.

Duh. Whaddya expect? You're models!

Posted by Doreen at 1:31 pm



    

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Prayers Don't Work

I'm terribly stressed. Even this prayer which I've got stuck onto the wall of my office don't seem to be helping much either...

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A Prayer for the Stressed
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I cannot accept
And the wisdom to hide the bodies of those I had to kill today
Because they got on my nerves

Also help me to be careful of the toes I step on today
As they may be connected to the feet I may have to kiss tomorrow

Help me to always work 100%
12% on Monday
23% on Tuesday
40% on Wednesday
20% on Thursday
5% on Friday

And help me to remember...

When I'm having a bad day
And it seems that people are trying to wind me up
That it takes 42 muscles to frown, 28 muscles to smile
But only 4 to extend my arm and smack you in the mouth!


And I feel like sending this out to the people who give me shit...

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When things go wrong
And they usually will,
And your daily road
Seems all uphill,
When machines are down
and tempers are high,
When you try to smile
but you can only cry,
And you really feel
youd like to quit...
Don't run to me
I don't give a shit!


Oh well. Work is work innit? Daddy always reminds me to never sell my soul to the company. "Doreen, take it easy lah!" he will say. "You're just an employee, no need to go all out," said the wise old man.

But sometimes, it's impossible isn't it? With deadlines looming, your bosses harping at you to move faster, your clients demanding this and because the customer always comes first, the boss continues harping at you to submit to their beck and call.

And in return, we get a comfy chill out zone at the office.

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Yes, it's lovely and so very inviting.

Now all we need is a mini bar filled with an assortment of beers and liquors, and an ashtray somewhere.

Posted by Doreen at 6:31 pm



    

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Mamak Boss and ESPN Updates

Frank Lampard scored the first goal for Chelsea during yesterday's match against Everton.

"Well, now you know his parents definitely aren't Hokkien," said I.

Also, the boss of Al'Ali mamak near my house could probably qualify as a one-stop information centre for soccer updates.

"Damn, how come no updates for the MU game?" asked the boyfriend anxiously.

"Ask boss of the mamak lah!"

"Ah neh! MU score berapa ah?"

"Menang 2-1, dua dua dari Rooney," said boss of mamak excitedly.

Sadly, the Title will go to Chelsea again this year.

Posted by Doreen at 10:44 am



    

Monday, April 17, 2006

Man of My Dreams

At one of my recent freelance stints, I met the man (boy) of my dreams. He was absolutely gorgeous, cheeky and just to-die-for.

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He was cheekily messing around with another boy who is obviously bigger than him.

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Big boy moved away, but my man continued harrasing big boy. Don't you just adore men who are persistant and know how to get what they want?

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Men at work! He was one of the models for the day, parading outfits from Soda Kids and Poney. Look at how confident and suave he is!

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Awwwww.

Isn't he just adorable? Johnson is 7 years old, and very small in size for his age. But I have no doubt he will grow up to be big and strong, and have girls all over him like bees! Just look at those eyes and that cheeky smile of his!

Awwwww.

Posted by Doreen at 3:43 pm



    

Friday, April 14, 2006

Got Rojak! Or Not?

Rehearsals conducted a day before opening night included robotic movements around the Sentul Park...

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Some wicked portraits and photos of the cast outside the entrance to Pentas 2 which you ought to check out!

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If you have not yet been to the KLPAC, you had better head there now! The place is amazing, by day or by night.

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And well, you missed the opening night... but fret not! Rojak will be staged until this Sunday! So hurry!

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13 - 16 April 2006 @ 8:30pm
(Matinees @ 3:30pm for Saturday and Sunday)

Pentas 2
KLPAC (Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre)

RM 22 (Adults)
RM 17 (Students, Senior Citizens, Disabled)

* More on Rojak! *

* Rojak Season's Progress Chronicled by Cast & Crew *

Posted by Doreen at 9:19 am



    

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Downtown Hell Hole

Instead of driving some 300kms on my own down to JB, I always depend on coach services for shuttling back and forth the North-South Expressway.

Since I seldom go home, aside from say Chinese New Year and the few odd trips home now and then, I look forward to the time when I can excuse myself from work and take an extra day or two to be home. Plus, the thought of mom's home cooked food usually sends me into a state of delirium. In a good way of course.

But there's always two sides to a coin no? To get to heaven, one must first exit from hell.

Yes, I'm talking about the ugliest and stinkiest piece of shit KL has to offer - Puduraya Bus Terminal.

I've been taking the bus home from Puduraya ever since my student days, and back then, it was worse! In the last couple of years, they've actually taken the effort to refurbish the place and fixed it up a little, though the only thing that looks nice is when you look up towards the ceiling. It still is bad though. Old. Stuffy. Hot. Smoky. Dilapidated. Packed. Urgh.

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The ceiling could have you fooled for say, a train station in Tokyo?

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Then the camera pulls back to reveal some old rusted fans mounted on the walls. Not quite Tokyo anymore is it?

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Puduraya is perpetually packed with travellers at any time of the year. Of course the human traffic (and sweaty body odour) escalates during the festivities. Old and young, sick and healthy, able and disabled, Asians, gwailos, crying babies, cigarette smoke, students, families, couples, little stalls selling sweets, newspapers and food stuff, touts yelling in your face: "Genting! Penang! Ipoh! Singapore!", vehicle fumes... it's one helluva concoction I tell you!

Of course, the usual dos and don'ts apply here as well...

* If you are of the fairer sex, avoid wearing shorts, miniskirts or tiny tees to this place to avoid unncessary attention.
* Always clutch your bags containing valuables tightly in front of you, and if you're using a waist pouch, I know it looks cool when you have it at the back of your waist, but we all know pickpockets love it. Especially in crowded places.
* Hold your breath when you are about to squeeze through a crowd of people to get to where you want to go - the smell is not quite Estee Lauder's Pleasure!

After purchasing a ticket from the counter, I made my way to the departure platform as indicated on the ticket, one floor below.

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Goodbye daylight, welcome hell hole.

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The platform where passengers board their bus.

The ground floor of the bus terminal has always been dark and dingy as far as I can remember. This is the place where the buses park and get ready for departures. This is probably the most suffocating part of the entire journey. A waiting bus leaves his engine running while waiting for passengers. A bus with the engine running emits black fumes from their exhaust. Now multiply that by say, 30 buses at any one time all parked on the ground floor.

This means that passengers waiting at the side of the buses are forced to inhale everything. Alternatively, you could walk further from the buses where there is some daylight (read: a little bit of fresh air) and wait there.

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The air vents above me are black, greasy and dirty. The cemented ground has papers, leftover food stuff, cigarette butts; all littered everywhere, and oil stains and puddles of water form motifs on the ground. You smell something nasty.

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Stagnant water in the drain clogged up with rubbish. Bah!

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Dodgy looking isn't it?

Finally, it was time for me to board the bus heading down south, and we were soon out of the hell hole.

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Phallic looking trees that line our expressway.

Posted by Doreen at 11:34 am