I'm sorry

To whom it may concern (Whoren),

I'm taking my block (5 days) leave effective Monday, meaning as of tomorrow, I won't be blogging until December. Actually, in December, I'm going to a new department where my boss might care what I do, and where there's no privacy. This means that I'm probably not going to blog much in December either. So, I'm sorry that there won't be any inane news items for you to read in the morning, or useless lists trying to organise my life (I'm starting to feel a little bit like Mr Monk).

And now, I'm going back to killing the next 15 minutes of my life so that I can run out the doors a free woman. For the moment.


Regards,
me.

NST: Rules on nip-and-tucks

OMFG! From NST: Rules on nip-and-tucks:

With immediate effect, private general practitioners are not allowed to carry out procedures such as breast implants, liposuction, eyelid surgery, laser and light-based therapies and hair transplant.

and

[Director-general of health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican] added that the general practitioners could, with proper credentials and training from a recognised institute, advise on matters such as medical cosmetology, chemical peels, cellulite control, hair removal and nutrition.

CRAP! I mean, I'm all for government control of medical practitioners, and the "no-dealing with unapproved agents" or no using non-evidenced based and scientifically proven stuff, but no laser hair treatment? No light-therapy facials? Wtf am I going to do now?

NST: Teens prey on passers-by for money and valuables

Friday November 23, 2007
NST: Teens prey on passers-by for money and valuables
By YIP YOKE TENG

A NEW breed of troublemakers has emerged in several parts of Bukit Bintang lately.

They loiter around from sundown and disperse only when the city awakes again in the morning. They are often high on glue and think nothing of harassing or even robbing passers-by of their money and valuables.

The worse part is that these street terrors are teenagers, some of whom are still in their early teens.

It has been observed that most of these teenage terrors loiter around the open car park at Changkat Thambi Dollah (opposite the Pudu Jail). They are also seen roaming the back lanes near the Berjaya Times Square.

According to shopowners in the area, about 300 of these teenage boys and girls assemble there every Saturday. They say that judging from the youngsters’ small build, they could even be primary school pupils.

They would start to gather at about 6pm, some sitting on the kerbs while others would perch themselves on vehicles parked there. Others would started revving their motorcycles to attract attention. The gathering would usually peak at about 8pm. This phenomenon is said to have started several months ago.

A shopowner in the area said the teens would drop by his shop asking for plastic bags which they would use for glue-sniffing. Many carry rods and penknives.

“We’ve had innocent boys running into our shops to hide with their shirts soaked in blood after they had been beaten up and their belongings snatched by the glue-sniffing teens.

“They would casually come in to sit and eat at my shop after beating up people, not at all worried that the police might nab them.

“They have also harassed my customers, thrown glass bottles into my shop and some of the girls have even stripped in public!” he said.

He said shopowners in the area believed that syndicates gathered the teenagers there every week.

“There are often hundreds of youngsters and they would have about 50 motorcycles between them. We believe syndicates are encouraging these kids to snatch mobile phones and then help them to sell off the devices for RM30 to RM50 a piece. We are now a bundle of nerves. We are scared to operate businesses here.

“I have been doing business here for 26 years and I’ve never encountered incidents like this before,” he added.

Another shop operator said the matter had been brought to the attention of the authorities but the measures taken have yielded no results.

He said the police and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall had sent their officers there but the teenagers would disperse immediately and gather once again after the officers had left.

“The police once captured some of the teenagers and discovered that many of them were from other states, mainly Terengganu, Kelantan and Perak.

"One of their best tricks is to pass the stolen items among themselves so that the police would not find any evidence of the crime on them,” he added.

Bukit Bintang MCA division chairman Datuk Dr Lee Chong Ming said he would organise a dialogue involving the police, City Hall, Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIS), NGOs, residents and shopowners to find a solution for the issue.

“Parents have also complained to me that their teenage daughters have gone missing. They are likely to have joined this group,” he said.

“This issue has to be dealt with carefully as we are also worried that it may cause racial misunderstanding,” he said.

Dr Lee also said that apart from Changkat Thambi Dollah, teenagers dressed in punk attire were often seen loitering around Dataran Maybank, Jalan Bukit Bintang, harassing tourists, extorting money and even foraging for scraps in litter bins.

He said another group of teenagers was found hanging out at the dimly lit garden adjacent to Menara Maybank in Jalan Pudu.

Lee said that these youngsters were often high on drugs.

“I believe many of these children are from rich families as the punk attire and hairdos are not cheap. Parents should really keep a closer watch on their children,” he said.

City police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zul Hasnan Najib Baharudin, when contacted, confirmed that police reports had been lodged and that the police had arrested 41 teenagers from the group.

“The police are doing everything we can, such as patrols, to deter the teenagers from gathering there and harming civilians,” he said.

City Narcotic Chief Asst Comm Kang Chez Chiang said the large-scale operation that arrested the 41 teenagers from the group gathering at Changkat Thambi Dollah was conducted in September, and was a joint effort between his department and City CID headed by Senior Asst Comm II Ku Chin Wah.

“The ones arrested were slapped with strong warning and minor charges. We believe they have made a comeback; the police will do its part to prevent them from harassing and harming ordinary citizens, “ he added.

Disturbing.

Oh so much news...

Where do I start? Okay, how about with the Malaysian Indian suing the British government and trying to get the Queen to provide him with a lawyer because he's too poor to afford one?

Reuters: Malaysian sues Britain over ethnic Indians' woes
Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:59am ET
By Clarence Fernandez

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - An ethnic Indian in Malaysia is using an audacious strategy to highlight the plight of his mostly impoverished community by suing Britain, the country's former colonial ruler, for $4 trillion.

The Malaysian government dismisses the case as baseless, but lawyer Waytha Moorthy is determined to pursue it, even vowing to appeal to Britain's Queen Elizabeth to appoint lawyers for the Indian community, which he says is too poor to find its own.

Moorthy wants Britain to pay damages of 1 million sterling ($2.06 million) to each of Malaysia's 2 million ethnic Indians for rights abuses he traces to colonial-era labor schemes that brought their ancestors to Malaysia as indentured workers.

"We are seeking compensation because we were permanently colonized during British rule, and now, under the government of the ethnic Malays," Moorthy told Reuters.

"We have lost touch with our roots and have been suppressed so far," said Moorthy, who accuses British officials of failing to honor their responsibility to protect ethnic Indians when they granted independence to Malaysia in 1957.

In colonial times, many impoverished Indians and Chinese flocked to work and settle in Malaysia, drawn by government schemes meant to attract cheap labor for the country's then lucrative rubber estates and tin mines, he added.

Some might feel that Moorthy, who paid court fees of more than 2,000 pounds to file his case in London's Royal Courts of Justice, has already got a run for his money from the Malaysian newspaper headlines that have trumpeted his story.

But the episode highlights a very real dilemma: after 50 years of independence, ethnic Indians, most of whom are Hindu, own just 1.5 percent of the country's national wealth.

The group, which forms about eight percent of Malaysia's 26 million people, says a decades-old affirmative action plan for the country's Malay Muslim majority has deprived it of opportunities, and the government has done little to improve living standards.

The affirmative action plan, adopted after deadly race riots in 1969, favors politically
dominant Malays in housing, education, businesses, jobs and state contracts.

Ethnic Indians say the policy is discriminatory. Poor education further cripples their chances of upward social mobility, forcing them to continue being laborers, although some are now losing out to cheaper foreign workers.

"Indians have suffered under the Muslim-majority Malay government and also during British government rule for the past 200 years," said Moorthy.

His suit also asks the British courts to declare the Malaysian constitution void for not safeguarding the rights of ethnic Indians, and seeks British citizenship for the group.

Moorthy said he was gathering 100,000 signatures for a petition to Queen Elizabeth to appoint lawyers to represent the Indian community, which was too poor to pay its own legal costs, which he estimated would reach a million pounds.

"We only want justice in the United Kingdom courts," he added. "Whatever justice is given to us we will accept."

(Editing by David Fogarty)

Some fair arguments there. And to bring it back home, the news about the Indians supporting the cause having a rally this Sunday:

2007/11/22
NST: Rally to petition Queen E 'stirring religious sentiments'

PUTRAJAYA: Police will not be issuing a permit for the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rally this Sunday.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum said judging from text messages being circulated, Hindraf appeared to be playing up sensitive issues which included the demolition of Hindu temples.

"Some of the text messages are overboard and can incite feelings. They are blaming the government, the police and Umno. If a rally is held in such a situation, it can lead to instability," Johari said yesterday.

Hindraf is planning to hold a rally outside the British High Commission in support of a class-action suit against the British government for bringing Indians to Malaysia as indentured workers, for exploiting them for 150 years, and for failing to protect their rights as a minority in the federal constitution when Malaya's independence was granted. The rally is to petition Queen Elizabeth II for a Queen's Counsel to represent the Indian community in the suit, which was filed on Aug 30 in the United Kingdom.

The sum sought is STG4 trillion (RM27.7 trillion) in compensation for the community from the British government.

Second political secretary to the British High Commissioner Dawn Houghton said they will be ready to receive the petition on Sunday.

"We are aware of their plans. Any demonstration is between Hindraf and the local authorities. There should be someone receiving the petition," she added.

The application for a police permit was rejected by Cheras police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Amir Mohd Hashim who explained that the application had been made by an individual, rather than by the organisation.

Under Section 27 of the Police Act 1967, any application for a permit to assemble in a public place must made by an organisation or jointly by three individuals.

Police have expressed doubt as to the capability of the applicant to control the crowd, which could disrupt traffic as well as law and order.

In response, Hindraf legal adviser P. Uthayakumar described the reason cited by the police as "flimsy", explaining that the organisation is a coalition of NGOs and not a registered body in its own right.

Uthayakumar also argued that the duty to control traffic and to ensure law and order lay with the police, not Hindraf.

"In fact, we have told the police that we will have 100 people helping to organise this peaceful assembly," he said.

Uthayakumar insisted the gathering would go on. It is expected to attract a large group of Indians. The MIC and police have warned the Indian community to stay away from the gathering, which is now deemed illegal.

So, Sunday = rally near the British High Commission, mmkay? Don't say I didn't warn you. In other local news:

2007/11/23
NST: Rela to look after illegal immigrants in depots

PUTRAJAYA: Rela will look after the thousands of illegal immigrants locked up in 14 depots or detention centres nationwide, Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said yesterday.

He said the cabinet had relieved the Prisons Department of its jurisdiction over depots and that the handover would be completed by the end of the year. However, Rela's control over the depots was temporary while the Immigration Department settled its application for new appointments and finished the training of new officers. This will take up to two years.

In the meantime, Radzi said Rela members would work on shifts and would be paid allowances. They would receive training in such areas as policing and handling of riots.

Radzi said Rela members were now manning the detention centres in Sepang and Pasir Gudang and had been doing a good job.

He said it was only logical that jurisdiction of the immigration depots was given to the Home Affairs Ministry as agencies under its purview were the ones that handled the movement of illegal immigrants. Rela, for instance, was carrying out about 40 operations to nab illegal immigrants every night.They have so far picked up 30,332. Speaking at his office yesterday, Radzi also said the cabinet had approved the construction of two more depots -- in Tawau and Sandakan, Sabah -- at the cost of RM26 million.

The government also plans to expand the 11 existing ones, which are very congested, including the one in Semenyih. Radzi said to enhance the image of Rela, the ministry had established the Rela Elite Squad, comprising 177 members, last month. They will receive intensive training, including on policing, identifying foreign and local documentation and the relevant laws. The squad is based in Kuala Lumpur.

"They will be better trained and prepared. They are eloquent in English and understand etiquette and the law better.

"If they are effective, we will set up these elite squads in states which are having problems with illegal immigrants such as Johor and Penang," he said.

Radzi said his ministry would promote the use of the "I-Visa" and "E-Visa" that he hoped would replace the visa on arrival.

The two visa systems, he said, would give the authorities details of each tourist, including his destination, relatives in the country and amount of money carried.

This would make it easier for the Immigration Department to seek out those who overstayed.

"Look after". Right. And now for news that's slightly relevant, but somewhat contentious. As you may recall from my "The Star: Govt: Proton has turned the corner...", the government has recently called off between Volkswagen and Proton. Or did it?

A lot of news items (international, of course) detailing the calling off seems to indicate that it wasn't the government's (or Proton's) call. On the one hand, we have Autoblog, which claims that Volkswagen called it off. There's even a little commenting and reply-to-commenting between blogger Sam Abuelsamid and Paul Tan, renowned Malaysian car blogger in the entry:

• Autoblog: Volkswagen to Proton: I'm just not that into you!

And yet, after some awesome Googling skillz, it seems that it wasn't just the Malaysians who were reporting that it was VW who was desperate for Proton, and that Proton was the one who called it off:

• paultan.org: Proton-Volkswagen Partnership: no go!
• Malaysia Today: VW drops push for control in Proton talks
• CarAdvice.com.au: Volkswagen and Proton end talks

And then Paul Tan, being the uber-blogging industry insider that he is, gave us a detailed explanation as to why it didn't go through:

• paultan.org: Why Proton-Volkswagen was a no-go

There is actually quite a fair bit of information in there which makes it logical for the talks to fall through. Nevertheless, are we going to remain as optimistic as Anonymous? Analysts seem to think not:

• Business Specialist: Malaysia ends talks with VW, GM over Proton

It would be nice, though, if they really could turn themselves around.

Quite unfortunately, this whole incident proves that industry protection could, in the long-run, be more detrimental to society than it is beneficial in the short-run. They've been up and running for over 20 years, and didn't take any serious measures to fix themselves up. And then the threat of local competition and less protection comes in, and BAM! they suddenly think they can turn themselves around. *sigh*

And also, another reason that I don't like royalty:

2007/11/23
NST: New palace may cost RM650m

WORKS Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has denied that the cost of the new Istana Negara in Jalan Duta is RM1 billion.

In dismissing the claim by Salahuddin Ayub (Pas-Kubang Kerian), he admitted that construction costs had gone up.

"It is RM650 million and is divided into two components.

"The first is the palace while the second component is extra features to be incorporated into the istana complex." Samy Vellu said the extras included quarters for the palace workers, security system, an underground car park, interchanges to the Istana and earthworks.

Last November, following a ground-breaking by former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, Samy Vellu had pegged the cost of the new palace at RM400 million. Samy Vellu told the house that several plans were submitted for the istana, located on a 98ha plot, at the time but none had provided for some of the features which the government wanted to incorporate into the complex.

"For example, the underground car park will ensure visitors can park with ease and walk to the palace," he added.

Why? Why do you have to build it there? It's already trafficky enough at times. And also, damn:

2007/11/23
NST: Year-long Ops Sikap from January

By : Minderjeet Kaur

PUTRAJAYA: Ops Sikap, the seasonal traffic operation to check reckless driving, will be implemented all year round from next year.

The RM300 on-the-spot fine for offences such as speeding, weaving dangerously and using emergency lanes will also be imposed on a permanent basis.

Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh said yesterday the decision was made after looking into the effectiveness of Ops Sikap.

"Despite having almost two million cars on the road, the number of fatalities drop during the festive seasons." It is estimated that the average daily road deaths of 17 people nationwide dropped to 13 or 14 people a day during the operations.

This is probably because drivers are more careful as the chances of getting caught for infringements increases from 18 per cent on normal days to 55 per cent during Ops Sikap.

"Since it has worked, the enforcement bodies have decided to carry out Ops Sikap throughout the year."

Suret said year-round operations were possible with the additional manpower in the police force and Road Transport Department.

"Year-round operations were not possible before due to lack of manpower," he said, adding that the operations were a co-ordinated effort between the police, Road Transport Department, Road Safety Department and Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.

Electronic cameras will also be placed at accident-prone areas nationwide. Suret said about 1,500 speed trap cameras would be installed by March and these would be operational round-the-clock.

The cameras will zoom onto the vehicle number plate and a summons will be issued to those found driving recklessly.

"Once this is in place, we might see a reduction in accidents as motorists and motorcyclists know the probability of getting caught is higher." The Ops Sikap includes checking the condition of express buses and drivers before they depart from bus stations. He said Ops Sikap would be intensified during festive seasons such as Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri as the number of cars on the roads was expected to double.

"We will be putting about 5,000 enforcement officers on the road during festive seasons," he said. Other than enforcement, a community-based program- me for housewives, retirees and those in between jobs had also been launched by the Road Safety Department. These strategies are to reduce the present road fatality rate from 6,000 yearly to 2,000.

Suck.

BBC: New York hunger levels 'rising'

Last Updated: Wednesday, 21 November 2007, 23:55 GMT
BBC: New York hunger levels 'rising'

Over 1.3 million people, one in six New Yorkers, cannot afford enough food, with queues at soup kitchens getting longer, anti-poverty groups say.

The New York City Coalition Against Hunger says the number of people who use food pantries and soup kitchens in the city increased by 20% in 2007.

Some of the food distribution points are struggling to meet demand.

The coalition blames the situation mainly on increased poverty as well as government cutbacks in food aid.

No Thanksgiving turkey

"This annual survey of food pantries and soup kitchens shows that more working families, children, and seniors are being forced to seek emergency food," Joel Berg, the coalition's executive director, said in a statement.

"Given that hunger continued to increase in the city, even when the economy was still strong last year, it is no wonder that now, when the economy is weakening, lines at pantries and kitchens are getting even worse."

Some food outlets said they would not be able to distribute turkey rations for Thanksgiving on Thursday, because their federal supplies of food had been cut by as much as three-quarters.

Food Bank, a non-profit organisation which distributes food to about 1,000 pantries, said its shelves were half full compared with usual levels.

According to a survey, 59% of New York's food programmes, up from 48% last year, said they did not have enough resources to meet demand.

The US Department of Agriculture says 12.6 million households nationwide, or more than 30 million people - 10% of the population - did not have enough food at some point in 2006.

It's always sad when people can't afford food, one of the most basic necessities of life. It's a sad state of affairs when these people are in one of the richest countries in the world, and where some of the most extravagant people in the world live.

I suppose this is why I supported a child for my birthday: www.worldvision.org. Not every bit of your dollar donated goes to the child, but when an organization has people depending on it, there's no other way to do it than to run it like a business, where you hire full-time workers and have to give them benefits too. It's high-impact, dependable and continuous, and there's a lot to be said for that.

In the news today...

Following up on the news item in the "One step forward, two steps back" entry:


Last Updated: Thursday, 22 November 2007, 00:00 GMT
BBC: Saudis back rape victim sentence

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have defended a judicial sentence of 200 lashes for a rape victim.

The justice ministry said in a statement that the sentence was justified because the woman was in a car with an unrelated man.

The case has aroused controversy at home and condemnation abroad.

US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton said the sentence was an outrage and urged President Bush to put pressure on Saudi King Abdullah.

The 19-year-old, who has not been named, was travelling in a car with a male friend last year, when the car was attacked by a gang of seven men who raped both of them.

She has become known as the "Qatif girl", a reference to the largely Shia town which she comes from.

Four of the men were convicted of kidnapping - but the court also sentenced the woman and her friend to receive 90 lashes each for the crime of "illegal mingling".

Last week the court increased the woman's sentence to 200 lashes and six months in prison.

It also banned her lawyer from the courtroom and took away his licence.

Democratic reaction

The Saudi justice ministry has defended the verdict and warned against "agitation through the media" - a sign of how sensitive the authorities are to the fact that the woman and her lawyer have sought to use the media to highlight the case, says BBC Middle East analyst Roger Hardy.

Meanwhile, Mrs Clinton, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the US presidential elections, strongly condemned the Saudi sentence.

"The Bush administration has refused to condemn the sentence and said it will not protest against an internal Saudi decision," she said.

"I urge President Bush to call on King Abdullah to cancel the ruling and drop all charges against this woman. As president I will once again make human rights an American priority around the world."

Other Democratic candidates joined in the criticism, with Barack Obama writing a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, urging her to condemn the ruling.

John Edwards said in a statement: "I am outraged that President Bush has refused to condemn the sentence"; and Joseph Biden called on King Abdullah to overturn the court's decision.

A state department spokesman on Tuesday called the verdict "astonishing", but said it was not its place to call for the ruling to be changed.

The US-based Human Rights Watch said it sends victims of sexual violence the message that they should not press charges.

Disturbing. I didn't know that the male companion got raped too. This story is still wrong on so many levels. It's nice to know that Hillary and Obama are condemning it, but would they have done so if they were president?


Last Updated: Wednesday, 21 November 2007, 20:57 GMT
BBC: Jellyfish attack destroys salmon

A jellyfish invasion has wiped out Northern Ireland's only salmon farm, killing more than 100,000 fish.

A Northern Salmon spokesman said last week's attack could cost more than £1m.

Billions of small jellyfish, known as Mauve Stingers, flooded into the cages about a mile into the Irish Sea, off Glenarm Bay and Cushendun.

The jellyfish covered an area of up to 10 square miles and a depth of 35 feet. Rescuers tried to reach the cages but the density of fish made it impossible.

Managing director John Russell said he had never seen anything like this in 30 years in the business.

"The sea was red with these jellyfish and there was nothing we could do about, it, absolutely nothing," he said.

"It's a disaster for this company - you cannot legislate for something like this."

He says the firm could take at least two years to recover.

The company has some high-profile clients, with Irish chef Richard Corrigan serving Glenarm salmon to the Queen on her 80th birthday last year as part of the BBC's Great British Menu programme.

The Department of Agriculture's fisheries division has carried out a full investigation, and talks with NI Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew have taken place to try and rescue the farm and save the jobs of 12 staff.

Also disturbing.


Last Updated: Tuesday, 20 November 2007, 14:43 GMT
BBC: Policeman hijacks payroll plane

Police in Papua New Guinea have shot dead one of their own reservists after he hijacked a plane carrying nearly $2m he was meant to be guarding.

Two other alleged robbers were caught, and another two are being sought. Most of the money - payroll cash for a mine in Western province - has been found.

The two Australian pilots flying the money were found handcuffed to a tree in a mangrove swamp, but safe.

The authorities were alerted by an emergency signal from the plane.

The drama began on Monday when the pilots set out in a light plane from the capital, Port Moresby.

Minutes into the journey, the two armed escorts - both police reservists - pulled their guns on the pilots and forced them to land on a nearby island.

Three other men were waiting for them. The five then reportedly set off in a getaway boat for the mainland, leaving the pilots handcuffed to a mangrove tree.

But police had already begun a huge sweep after air controllers noticed the plane had left its flight path. It also sent out an emergency signal.

In the manhunt, police shot dead one of the armed men and captured the second, who is said to be the brains behind the plot.

A third man was also caught, leaving two at large. They are being hunted by more than 100 police.

"My men are searching the hillsides and mangroves," said police commissioner Gari Baki. "It is only a matter of time before the other two are captured."

Exciting! A manhunt! And you thought our police were corrupt.

Wrapping up 2007

I know it's a bit early, but I want to. I feel like I've achieved a lot in 2007. I know it's a bit cheating to only write my to-do list at the end of the year, but I tried to remember all the things I wanted to do. Look:

Either way, I feel rather proud of myself and my friends. I think we've all achieved a lot in 2007, what with graduating, getting jobs, pursuing our dreams in different countries and everything... Kudos to us all.

We've come a long, long way together, through the hard times and the good. - Fatboy Slim

The Star: Govt: Proton has turned the corner, does not need foreign partner

Wednesday November 21, 2007
The Star: Govt: Proton has turned the corner, does not need foreign partner
By Wong Sai Wan

PUTRAJAYA: The negotiations for Proton between Khazanah and two major international car manufacturers - Volkswagen and General Motors - have been called off.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said there would be no foreign partner for Proton for the time being as the national car manufacturer was showing signs of a turnaround.

He said the Government called off negotiations with Volkswagen and General Motors after the Cabinet Committee on the National Automotive Policy met last week.

“The committee, comprising several ministers, decided that the circumstances to seek a foreign strategic partner has changed and the objectives for such a partnership have also changed.

“We have to look at the issue of a partnership in the present circumstances (now that Proton is making a turnaround in terms of its business),” he said when commenting on Khazanah Holding’s announcement that it was stopping all talks with VW and GM over Proton.

He said the negotiations had not entered into the discussion of terms but was at a stage of “whether the Government wanted to go or not go” with the decision to get a partner for Proton.

“Terms and conditions would only have been discussed after due diligence had been done. Our negotiations had not reached that stage,” he added.

However, Nor Mohamad said this did not mean the Government was rejecting the possibility of an alliance or partnership with a global car manufacturer.

“As Proton improves, it would be easier to go into a strong alliance. We have a little more time for that,” he added.

Asked if the Government had informed VW about the decision and what the reaction was, he said: “We have informed them and, of course, they were not happy.”

Analysts said the Government had looked at the deal again to avoid any fire-sale situation.

They pointed out that when Khazanah started negotiations in December 2006, Proton was in dire straits and urgently required a foreign partner. The situation has now changed with Proton starting to make money again, they added.

Nor Mohamad revealed that the present Proton management had made inroads in getting more export orders and improving quality.

He also expected Proton to return to profit by 2009.

The national carmaker suffered a loss of more than RM500mil at the end of its financial year on March 31.

He also stressed that the move to call off the negotiations did not mean the Government would increase the prices of other cars.

“We will not deprive the consumers of choice.”

The Second Finance Minister said a major sign of the turnaround was that for Proton’s next financial year, the losses would be “significantly reduced.”

The other indicators of the turnaround are: Proton’s market share has increased from 22% to 31%; Increased export orders from China, Iran, Indonesia and Thailand; Number of dealers reduced from 362 in March to 304; Closer cooperation with Lotus to ensure technology was transferred to Proton vehicles; Sales have increased with 21,580 bookings in the past three months; and Reduction of inventory by 50% from three months to about a month.

Nor Mohamad also said the recent deal with Jinhua Youngman Automobile Manufacturing Co Ltd would see 30,000 Gen 2 cars being assembled and re-badged as Europe Star in China.

He also cited the Iran and Indonesian deals where Wajas will be exported to as taxis.

Nor Mohamad also revealed that a new model – at the moment code named BLM which will replace the Saga – would be launched in February and a seven-seater MPV in January 2009.

Sure or not? I appreciate that it's not easy to start a car manufacturer, but isn't that all the more reason to ask for help? If business hasn't been going well for the past - gee, I don't know - 23 years, isn't that a sign that your business model isn't working?

Feeling like I belong

This week being my last week, The Namesakes took me out for lunch. They're such sweethearts, even though we don't talk very much at work. The reason we don't talk very much at work being The Bossman. The main topic of conversation at lunch was, of course, The Bossman.

You see, part of me thought that all this time, these three months, I might have been a little bit harsh in the way I speak about my boss. The fact that his style doesn't match mine is no way to judge. And then there was lunch, and everything was confirmed. And then some.

The Namesakes unloaded to me about everything. He's actually nice to me, as opposed to them. He never apologizes, even if he's wrong, and even to his wife and kids. He told another boss that after a fight with the department secretary. He doesn't abide by his staff members bypassing him. He doesn't ever create a friendly relationship between him and his subordinates, which, if you ask me, isn't a way to run a department. The list goes on.

So, no. It isn't just me, and I'm not exaggerating. And if you come to this unit, you're trapped. You can't transfer out, because he won't release you. Your only option is to quit.

Yes, I feel like I belong and that The Namesakes have something in common, as opposed to that first lunch when I'd just joined (where they took me out for lunch because The Bossman didn't), when we had almost nothing to talk about.

Other things that made me feel like I belonged today:

Reuters: Afghan boy dancers sexually abused by former warlords

Reuters: Afghan boy dancers sexually abused by former warlords
Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:08pm EST

PUL-E KHUMRI, Afghanistan (Reuters) - They are known as "bacha bereesh", boys without beards, teenage boys who dress up as girls and dance for male patrons at parties in northern Afghanistan.

It's an age old practice that has led to some of the boy dancers being turned into sex slaves by wealthy and powerful patrons, often former warlords, who dress the boys up as girls, shower them with gifts and keep them as "mistresses".

Afghan police are battling to crackdown on the practice which has angered Islamic clerics who say those involved should be stoned for sodomy, forbidden under Islamic law.

In a society where the sexes are strictly segregated, it is common for men to dance for other men at weddings in Afghanistan.

But in northern Afghanistan, former warlords and mujahideen commanders have taken that a step further with competitions for their dancing boys.

"Every boy tries to be the first. They are dressed in women's clothes, have bells on their feet and have artificial breasts," said Mohammad Yawar, a former mujahideen fighter against the Taliban and resident of the northern town of Pul-e Khumri.

The practice, called "bacha bazi" -- literally "boy play" -- has a long history in northern Afghanistan, but sometimes it does not stop with just dancing.

"I very much enjoy hugging a boy. His smell and fragrance kills me," said Yawar.

The 38-year-old businessman said he recruited a 15-year-old boy three years ago to help him with his work.

"I have had him for at least three years, since he was only 15. He was looking for a job and I gave him somewhere to stay," said Yawar, showing the boy's picture.

"I don't have a wife. He is like my wife. I dress him in women's clothes and have him sleep beside me. I enjoy him and he is my everything," he said, kissing the photograph.

MARK OF PRESTIGE

Having the best-looking boy and the best dancer is a mark of prestige.

"Everyone tries to have the best, most handsome and good-looking boy," said a former mujahideen commander, who declined to be named.

"Sometimes we gather and make our boys dance and whoever wins, his boy will be the best boy."

Former mujahideen commanders hold such parties in and around Pul-e Khumri about once a week.

"Having a boy has become a custom for us. Whoever wants to show off, should have a boy," said Enayatullah, a 42-year-old landowner in Baghlan province.

"I was married to a woman 20 years ago, she left me because of my boy," he said. "I was playing with my boy every night and was away from home, eventually my wife decided to leave me. I am happy with my decision, because I am used to sleeping and entertaining with my young boy."

The men say they lavish money and gifts on their boys.

"I was only 14-years-old when a former Uzbek commander forced me to have sex with him," said Shir Mohammad in Sar-e Pol province. "Later, I quit my family and became his secretary. I have been with him for 10 years, I am now grown up, but he still loves me and I sleep with him."

Ahmad Jawad, aged 17, has been with a wealthy landowner for the past two years.

"I am used to it. I love my lord. I love to dance and act like a woman and play with my owner," he said.

Asked what he would do when he got older, he said: "Once I grow up, I will be an owner and I will have my own boys."

But Shir Mohammad, at 24, was already getting too old to be a dancing boy. "I am grown up now and do not have the beauty of former years. So, I proposed to marry my lord's daughter and he has agreed to it."

POVERTY

Many local residents have called for a crackdown, but are skeptical it will work as many of the men are powerful and well-armed former commanders.

Jahan Shah, who lives in Pul-e Khumri, said government and security officials should take tough action against unIslamic and immoral acts.

"If they don't stop this, it will become a custom and hundreds of other boys will be involved in it," he said.

Police and security officials in northern Afghanistan say they have been doing their best to arrest the men involved.

"It is sad to state that this practice that includes making boys dance, sexual abuse and sometimes even selling boys, has been going on for years," said General Asadollah Amarkhil, the security chief of Kunduz province.

"We have taken steps to stop it to the extent that we are able," he said.

Amarkhil said poverty, widespread in Afghanistan after nearly three decades of war, forced teenage boys into compliance.

"We have taken very strict measures to save the lives of the boys and punish the men," he said. "We are monitoring to find out where these men and boys gather, then go there and arrest them."

Those found guilty of abuse would be jailed for at least 15 years, said Baghlan chief prosecutor Hafizullah Khaliqyar.

"We have 25 cases of such immoral acts. They are being processed and we are trying our utmost to tackle the problem," he said.

Islamic scholars recommended harsher punishment.

"Those who do this are the devil," said Mawlawi Mohammad Sadiq Sadiqyar, a scholar and prayer leader in the main northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. "Under Islamic law, those who practice this should be stoned to death."

But some of the men say they are not interested in women.

"We know it is immoral and unIslamic, but how can we quit? We do not like women, we just want boys," said Chaman Gul, aged 35 of Takhar province.

O_o

So, you take away contact with women, and all they do is move on to the next best thing. There's no getting around it, is there?

Miscellaneous News Items

Last Updated: Monday, 19 November 2007, 11:02 GMT
BBC: Kittens 'adopted' by pet rabbit

Six abandoned kittens have found an unexpected new mother figure - a pet rabbit.

Veterinary nurse Melanie Humble took the three-week-old kittens to her Aberdeen home.

The kittens seemed to think Summer the rabbit was their mother and began to climb all over her and try to feed from her.

Efforts will be made to find the four males and two females permanent homes in the
coming weeks.

Melanie, 29, told the BBC Scotland news website: "The abandoned kittens were handed in when they were about three weeks old and I took them home.

"Summer the rabbit was taken inside on Bonfire Night because of the fireworks and the kittens seemed to really like her and thought she was their mother."

'She's gigantic'

She added: "They were trying to get milk from her and climbing over her. And Summer was not bothered by them at all.

"Summer is five months old and she's gigantic. It is lovely to see them all together.

"They are all doing well and Cats Protection will re-home them."

Aww so cute!

Engadget: Heathrow Airport's parking garage to get automated tracking system
Posted Nov 12th 2007 12:29AM

by Joshua Topolsky

Finally, someone has had the kindness to step in and solve the age-old problem of finding your car at the airport. Britain's Heathrow -- a major hub for scores of European airlines and their travelers -- is about to unleash a new wing known as Terminal 5, and as part of the package, its parking lot is getting an upgrade. A new automated system in the garage will snap a photo of your license plate as you head in, direct you to a space using illuminated arrows and an infrared camera tracking system, then issue a ticket which can be read at a kiosk when you get back. When you insert the stub into the reader, a digital display shows you a 3D map of the carpark, and points you to the exact location of your vehicle. According to planners, the project will reduce traffic, cut carbon emissions by 397 tons per year, and will halve the number of relationship-ending arguments that occur while trying to find a car.

Cool.

Reuters: "Lust, Caution" prompts virus, medical warnings
Mon Nov 19, 2007 3:34am EST

BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese anti-virus company has warned against free downloads of Ang Lee's steamy spy thriller, "Lust, Caution", saying several hundred sites offering the service were embedded with viruses.

And Chinese doctors have warned moviegoers not to try some of the more ambitious sexual positions featured in the uncut version of the film.

The movie has been a big hit in China, reaping 90 million yuan ($12.12 million) in its first two weeks, despite losing seven minutes to the censors, and has been tipped by some to be the year's biggest box office success.

"People should be wary of Web sites that offer free downloading services because their personal passwords can be stolen," Li Ting, of Rising International Software Co. Ltd., told Reuters.

She said several hundred Web sites promoting "Lust, Caution" were embedded with viruses and 15 percent of download links were contaminated.

"Hackers are taking advantage of popular entertainment hotspots for movies and music to attack personal computers and spread viruses," she said.

An engineer with the company was first to encounter the virus last week -- his screen went blank and he lost his instant messaging password.

Set in World War Two Shanghai, "Lust, Caution," features long and sometimes violent sex scenes that director Lee has hinted were real.

Lee, who won the best director Oscar in 2005 for his controversial gay cowboy drama "Brokeback Mountain", personally cut on-screen sex and other scenes in "Lust Caution" to allow it to pass Chinese censors and screen on the mainland.

The cuts, however, prompted a flood of Chinese moviegoers in southern China to cross the border into Hong Kong to see the full version.

Chinese doctors warned moviegoers not to try some of the more acrobatic positions featured in the uncut movie, according to a report posted on Xinhuanet (www.xinhuanet.com), a news portal for the official Xinhua news agency.

"Most of the sexual maneuvers in 'Lust, Caution' are in abnormal body positions," the report quoted Yu Zao, a deputy director at a women's hospital in southern Guangdong province, as saying.

"Only women with comparatively flexible bodies that have gymnastics or yoga experience are able to perform them. For average people to blindly copy them could lead to unnecessary physical harm," Yu said.

"Lust, Caution" won the Venice Film Festival's top award, the Golden Lion, earlier this year.

($1=7.427 Yuan)

(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; editing by Nick Macfie)

Fun.

Customer Service Review: Malaysian Paintball Academy

Business: Paintball training and services
Location: Kompleks Sukan Astaka, Petaling Jaya
Website: N/A

The situation:

My uncle wanted to try out his new paintball gun on live, moving targets that weren't squirrels, so we all piled into his 4x4 and drove up to Kompleks Sukan Astaka for a morning's session. He'd booked some playing time the day before.

The happening:

One of the staff members greeted us quite warmly for 10am on a Sunday morning (only crazies are friendly at that time, if you ask me), and promptly asked as what we needed in terms of equipment and what package we were looking for. He provided us a quick rundown of the packages and recommended one for us, which we took.

A trainer then popped up out of nowhere, all decked out in full paintball gear, meaning the padded shirts and pants complete with rambo-style bandannas with Gucci logos all over it. He explained the safety precautions, and then gave us an extensive run-through of how to play paintball, complete with tips on how to hide and shoot for best effect.

After some testing of the guns, we discovered that crazy old man's (i.e. my uncle) personal paintball gun wasn't working properly, and after some time a cousin decided to wake up and show up, meaning we tested the staff's ability to respond to surprises quite a bit. They responded well, promptly bringing up guns and pellets from nowhere. I swear, it's like a magic show.

The staff also facilitated the big playing field quite smoothly, allowing us to play, and then allowing other teams to play while we rested. It was pretty good. All in all, their customer service was off the charts. Friendly, prompt and uncomplaining. What more could you ask for?

The verdict: Awesome.

Are you ready?

"In my country, the less dark side is the lesser of two evils. As far as political parties go, those are the only choices we have. One evil is the hardcore Muslim political party which will force me to be everything that I'm not. And I mean force. The other evil is the croney-ist, no-more-corrupt-than-other-regimes-in-the-area-and-does-stupid-things-but-still-has-good-economic-sense regime." -Anastasia Beaverhausen.

Are you ready for it?

Monday November 19, 2007
The Star: Pak Lah: I will determine when to dissolve Parliament

KUALA TERENGGANU: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the power to dissolve Parliament is exclusively his.

The Prime Minister said it was not possible for Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman to know when the next general election would take place.

“How would he know? I have yet to dissolve Parliament to pave the way for the elections. It's I who will decide when to have Parliament dissolved,” he said at a press conference after his visit to the Islamic Civilisation Park in Pulau Wan Man here yesterday.

He was commenting on the recent indication by Abdul Rashid that he knew when the general election would take place but was not at liberty to divulge the information.

Abdullah said it was not necessary to be too concerned about when the elections would be held.

“You have to wait,” he said.

Nevertheless, he said the Barisan Nasional election machinery was prepared for the polls, which could be called at anytime.

He said he was satisfied with the overall performance of Barisan MPs and state assemblymen.

However, he said there were some assemblymen who are non-performers but declined to elaborate whether they would be dropped from contesting in the polls.

“Some have performed well, some are weak. That's the scenario,” he added.

On the claim by certain quarters that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had condoned the
illegal rally held in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 10, Abdullah said: “It is a desperate move by certain quarters to create an issue thinking that the election is close.”

Abdullah went on a day-long visit to Terengganu where he earlier launched Sutratani, an agriculture project in Setiu, and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the state animation centre in Paya Keladi.

In Setiu, Abdullah called on Malaysians to discard any feeling of low self-esteem that could impede personal development. He said people also should stop thinking that there were tasks that were impossible and hard to achieve.

Abdullah also challenged Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh to find the right solution to elevate fishermen from poverty.

2007/11/04
NST: Election, contracts, the kris, NEP and all
By : Zainuddin Ayip, Kadir Dikoh and P. Selvarani

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak says it’s best if there is an image of greater cohesion among BN leaders. Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak talks to ZAINUDDIN AYIP, KADIR DIKOH and P. SELVARANI about this week's general assembly.

Q: What’s the significance of this year’s Umno general assembly which could be the last one before the general election is called?

A: The Umno general assembly will be a historic event this year as it is being held in conjunction with our 50th Merdeka anniversary celebrations. The spirit of the celebrations and the pride we feel for all our patriots who sacrificed and fought for independence, for Umno’s struggle in fighting the Malayan Union and in forging a multi-racial country will be felt at the assembly. The assembly will also be significant politically. We regard it as an important time for us to further enhance co-operation and commitment at all levels in Umno, in preparation for the general election. The assembly will focus on consolidating the party and getting our leaders ready, making sure they convey Umno’s and the government’s message to the people, including the new initiatives launched by the prime minister, such as the regional development corridors.

The development initiatives will draw the attention of the delegates, especially on how they can contribute to making them successful.

The assembly also may be aimed at an Umno and Malay audience, but we must be sensitive and make sure the proceedings reflect the spirit and our commitment to the Barisan Nasional’s principle of camaraderie.

Q: What are the “hot” issues that would be debated?

A: I don’t think there will be anything “hot", but there are some topics that may attract the attention of the delegates, which have been highlighted in the newspapers, such as crime, social problems, the increasing prices of goods, education, and how we are going to ensure the success of the regional development corridors within the context of the Malay agenda.

Q: There are still those who consider that Umno’s focus on the Malay agenda means that Malays are still lagging, lazy and difficult to change.

A: To change from a certain culture and style of thinking takes time. We have achieved success, especially in reforming government-linked companies (GLCs). This shows that the Malays and Bumiputeras have the ability to engage and succeed in major business enterprises.

The success of Permodalan Nasional Berhad and Petronas, among others, can be considered a success in terms of proving our leadership skills.

What is not yet achieved is producing a Bumiputera Industrial and Commercial Community (BICC). The number of successful entrepreneurs is still small. We have a long way to go, but the goal is not impossible to achieve. We must also explain that if we talk about the Malay agenda and a continuation of the (spirit of) New Economic Policy, it does not mean that we are only helping the Malays or Bumiputeras. We view it as a national agenda. If we achieve fair and balanced development, all races will be able to share the economic cake, and this would be good for the country in terms of national unity. Many are quick to belittle us when we talk about the NEP or the Malay agenda, as if this is to help the Malays or a specific group only. We must explain the situation to them clearly.

Q: It is a fact that the Malays today still largely rely on and hope for government assistance.

A: This is because we have not yet created a BICC. Once we have a BICC, they can be independent and will have a solid network, including with other races. Then, they would no longer need government help. At present, the Malays will not be able to become successful entrepreneurs without the government’s help.

Q: There has been much effort to help the Malays, but why is the number of Malay entrepreneurs still small?

A: Cultural transformation takes time. Even if we give them the relevant opportunities, it would not amount to much if they stick to the old culture or misuse the opportunities due to a negative attitude. We have to take a holistic approach if we want to be economically successful. We cannot just focus on providing more opportunities. The government must also look at inculcating a more competitive and forward thinking culture among the Malays. We must try to emphasise merit when considering the award of contracts or business opportunities. We must award these to the best among the Malays so that they will continue to be more competitive and successful. The Malays must practise meritocracy, the principle of “know how", not “know who".

Q: There have been instances of Umno figures getting upset when they do not obtain these opportunities.

A: I am aware of this. It’s a political reality. For example, a division leader may have his needs and we cannot overlook these altogether. In general though, the principle of meritocracy must be applied. We must also guide Bumiputera companies that are
about to be listed in the near future. Once listed, they would be able to be more independent. We are in the process of identifying these companies.

Q: But there are still very few listed Bumiputera companies.

A: There are not many. That is why we must look into the methodology and new approaches in a changing environment. Ours is not a closed environment but one that is open as a result of globalisation and liberalisation. The Malays must adapt to this.

Q: How do you view the commitment of the younger generation of Umno members, as there would be those who joined the party mainly for personal interests?

A: We must ask ourselves why we are in Umno, what is our contribution to the party, not the other way around. We must adopt good practices and values in our struggle. When we choose to do this, we will be successful in our cause and the people will have more respect for Umno. Our challenge is to defend Umno’s continuity. When we pass the torch to the next generation, they must be able to continue running with the torch.

Q: How is the process of grooming new leaders in Umno going?

A: I remember even from the time of my late father (second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein), how several young leaders and professionals were co-opted into the government and appointed as parliamentary secretaries and deputy ministers.

The process had begun even then... it’s ongoing, and we are today working with grooming second and third generation Umno members. I am part of the second generation. My generation now has to groom the third generation, and we need to mould and nurture these people to be future leaders.

Q: The problem in Umno is that some veteran members do not want to make way and insist on holding on to their positions.

A: That is the political reality... so we have to know how to carry ourselves as leaders. If we can do this, God willing, we will succeed.

Q: There are also some young leaders who want to run even before they can crawl.

A: That’s why I say we have to understand the political reality. We must know how
to carry ourselves. We must also have wisdom. Although we may be younger, it does not necessarily mean we should only think like a youngster. We must have maturity in how we think and the way we act.

And not all young people will succeed. Even from back then, there were those who did not. Those who did had a certain quality.

Q: Looking at how some delegates may use the assembly as a platform to lobby and campaign for seats, what are the considerations when selecting Umno’s general election candidates?

A: I don’t think they can (lobby for candidacy), because the delegates who will speak at the assembly are chosen from the state liaison committees. It is not as if whoever aspires to be a candidate can take to the stage and address the assembly.

Secondly, all speakers selected represent the views of their state Umno. They cannot claim that they are the best. They must understand that they’re there due to the trust placed in them by the state Umno to express its views at the assembly. However, on the sidelines during the course of the three-day assembly when they have the opportunity to meet leaders, then maybe that is when they will try to lobby. The political reality is that sometimes they have to show that they are interested in being considered. Otherwise, people will say that they are not. So they try to show they are interested, but in a subtle way.

Q: What are the qualities required in general election candidates?

A: Ability, and being accepted not only by the party but also by the voters. We must consider whether one is acceptable in that area. You can be a good orator but if people don’t like you and don’t accept you, then you can’t be a candidate. . Voters get very angry if we try to impose a candidate on them.

We must also know the people’s needs, their sensitivities and the conditions in a particular constituency. We also consider things like whether the candidate should come from Wanita Umno and so on. But the bottom line is that our candidate must be someone who will be accepted in the area and who can win.

There is no point putting up a candidate who is unelectable. We must always put winnable candidates. That is the bottom line.

Q: In the past, it has been said that you could field any candidate and he or she would win as long as the person ran under the BN ticket.

A: Those days are gone because another important factor is the personality of the candidate. The candidate’s personality can be a plus for Barisan Nasional. Some of them, by virtue of their personality, have that additional strength in that particular area. But if you put someone else from the same party, the result might be different. In other words, both the party and personality of the candidate count. But above all, the person must be a winnable candidate.

Q: What about the distribution of seats between the BN parties?

A: The distribution of seats is not a problem because there is no addition to the number of seats. When there are no additional seats, it is basically status quo, unless you can persuade a party to give up (some of its seats) in favour of another BN component party.

Q: In the last general assembly, several speakers spoke in a manner that hurt the feelings of others, including some in Barisan Nasional component parties. How will things shape up this year?

A: We will guide them. They must be aware that when they speak at the assembly, their speeches are also followed and assessed by those outside the hall, including non-Malays. What we say should not hurt the feelings of others.

Q: What is your view on the Umno Youth assembly, which will see the kris raised again this year?

A: It is how you choose to interpret it. It is actually a non-issue if you view it in the context of what the kris means. The kris is not a weapon to signify war or confrontation.It is a cultural symbol symbolising a perjuangan (struggle). And perjuangan doesn’t mean confrontation. Perjuangan doesn’t mean you are against anyone. That’s why I said we are committed to the concept and spirit of Barisan Nasional and to work together to develop our multi-racial country. So it is how you perceive it. I think people are making too much out of it.

Q: How do you view the present Umno Youth leadership?

A: The Umno Youth leadership is capable of representing the aspirations of the younger generation. They have shown that they are willing to face up to anyone on certain issues that may threaten the party. During by-elections, they have given us good co-operation.

Q: Do you think the recent spat among Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor will affect public perception about unity among Umno leaders?

A: I don’t think so. But it would be better if there was an image of greater cohesion among the leaders. I think it is incumbent upon us to try to resolve things among ourselves because we are colleagues. So, if we disagree, we should either raise it in cabinet or we should call up each other to work it out.

It's your choice.

Goodbye free time?

So next week I take my block leave (5 days compulsory leave by law). Yay! Off to Chengmai with the parents to drive around in gas-guzzling, air-polluting beasts. I admit it, and I feel slightly guilty about it, but goddamn I love the damn things.

After that, I go to a different department which, under normal circumstances, involves working late. I've gotten word from my inside man that they're currently short-staffed. So yes, GNN, Whoren and the Deeds. I will be joining your ranks in the tired, hungry masses of the entry-level working woman of Malaysia.

Most likely, starting in December, I won't be able to go on MSN (horrors!) or blog (die!). On the other hand, I've decided that I'm not going to wait around for certain people to move out or decide to fix the internet, because even though certain people are in different countries, they insist that the modem stay in their room so that they can have 24-hour access to their computer in KL. From a different country. What I'm getting at is that I will be getting internets on my home machine. Joyous!

So that's the gist of my life's developments. Like you didn't know.