The Annabelle unmasked

OK... a little late, but the Annabelle is finished and unmasked. It better be the best looking boat on the lake, old man!

Sorry kids... Santa's stuck

*hahahahaha!!!!!*

I go crazy in bookstores

Yup, it's confirmed... & Liz would agree... I go crazy in bookstores... Barely 30mins in Times and I'm walking out with the following...

• What we believe but cannot prove - edited by John Brockman
• Sophie's World - Jostein Gaarder
• The sex lives of cannibals - J. Maarten Troost
• Tyrant - Valerio Massimo Manfredi
• The Godfather returns - Mark Winegardner

Well, more reason to shut myself at home next week and not go out at all...

Am I really a people person?

I’m what you’d call a people person cos I get along with a lot of people… or at least I think I do. The thing is, I just love to socialize. I need people around me. Maybe it’s cos I live on my own basically. Because of that, during my waking hours, I prefer to be around people cos I get plenty of time to be on my own? I love people watching and I love conversations… I can strike up a conversation with any stranger that will smile back and responds.

I try to get along with everyone… that is, until they rub me the wrong way… then I tend to become fairly judgemental. I don’t believe I hold grudges, but sometimes I find I cannot forget a trespass. I may forgive, but I don’t think I forget… but let me get back to you on this cos I haven’t really figured it out myself.

So this has been on my mind recently… am I superficial and pretentious? I try to get along with a lot of people but do I get close to people? Take the old man for example… anyone who knows me would automatically assume that we’re really close and best of buddies and all… which is sort of true… we’re really close… but yet… there are a lot of things which I don’t tell him. There’s so much about me which he doesn’t know… maybe it’s a guy thing… somethings we just don’t talk about among close friends, we just accept ourselves and never bring it up unless necessary?

Take seahorse for example… he’s known for years now that we used to be seeing each other, but he never really heard it directly from me. When it ended, he merely accepted that it ended and we carried on. He was affected by the fallout and I'm sure he misses her company as well, but he didn't harp on it. Only last week, after so long, when I finally told him of the circumstances around the split that he truly realized what had happened. You could see the reactions as actions and words from the past fell into place and the understanding finally settled in. Or maybe he was just being a good friend by not probing or meddling into the issues unless I spoke about it. I think there’s something for me to learn here…

Where are the boys?

*sigh* Normally at this time of the year, I’d be hanging out with friends at the malls, doing our christmas shoppings, planning our shenanigans for Christmas and the New Year’s eve party. Instead this time, I’m stuck at work while my friends are on holiday, whiling their time away waiting for the festivities to start partying. In fact this time last year I think I was equally as bored but at least I was being bored at the malls, not at the frickin’ office past 7pm!

At least the Christmas tree is out. It looks rather forlorn though. Also got off my you know what over the weekend to get some shopping done. Not exactly a marathon session but got quite a lot out of the way. Before I go on… I have something to get off my chest.

Actually I gotta gripe about this a bit. Fellas, why are all of you getting only daughters… Do you know how difficult it is for a single male to shop for Christmas presents for little girls? 6!!! I have to buy presents for 6 little girls ranging from 1 month to 6 years. Where are all the little boys? I know they ain’t blanks, but what’s wrong with your shots? *eh-hehehe* All four of you! *hmmm*

Anyway, we did the golden triangle over the weekend. Been ages since I’ve been to Starhill, Lot 10, etc, but it was a great idea, Liz. We’d probably have suffocated if we’d gone to the usual ones like 1U or MidVal. And yah, sorry we couldn’t do Borders cos I had to rush home to watch Liverpool lose in the finals of the World Club Championship. *grrr…* But we’ll do Borders tomorrow… also still have 3 little girls to sort out too. Oh, need to head back to Thann as well… yup, decided on the home spa stuff for the doctor. And, yes, I did end up buying more stuff for myself than actual presents for folks.

I'm so running out of time too... still have shopping to complete and the party this Friday to sort out. If only this project can sort itself out by tomorrow!!! I give up... I'm going home!

I'm diving back in... for real!

After a long hiatus, I’ve once again committed to getting back underwater. Yeah, yeah, to some of you that’s a familiar statement and I’ve made it before only to end up remaining on dry land. This time, it’ll be different, I promise.

I used to do it at least once a month, but then just stopped. Well, I think I stopped mainly cos my usual scuba buddy & I split up. Once that happened, it was just the occasional dive with the old man or flyboy and in the end we just plain stopped. Not entirely sure why, but I did, and it’s not like I’ve not had opportunities to keep on doing it. I just didn’t do it anymore.

I gotta admit, I used to be really passionate about scuba diving. I’ve dived some really exotic sites as well as the usual Malaysian sites. I’ve dived the exotics, such as Sipadan, Layang Layang, Luconia, Maldives, Krabi, Phuket, Andaman to the local sites like Perhentian, Aur, Sibu, etc.

Come to think of it, those experiences were among some of my most cherished moments. The actual dives, the time between dives, the shenanigans we’d get up to on the trips, the mischief, the dares, the books and making the logs… actually simply everything about it, simply great memories. More about all these in some future posting, me thinks. I mean, I simply have to share my encounter with dozens of Hammerhead sharks in a single dive and the time I was encircled by hundreds of Jacks or of getting disoriented by a plankton surge, the near catastrophic BCD failure on a night dive... oh yeah, definitely worth several good postings… coming soon…

This year, I’ve been close to getting back into the water several times, but this time I’m gonna make sure it will happen next week. I’m heading up to Langkawi with the footballer and we’re gonna have some fun underwater.

Getaway

Texas rules...

Getaway

Stuff I didn't do

Stuff I was supposed to do before the end of 2006 that I’m fairly certain won’t happen:

* Not procrastinate
* Stop being lazy
* Not fall ill
* Clean up and fix all the problems around the house
* Complete J’s projects
* Visit & party with friends in Singapore
* Visit friends in Perth, Australia
* Clean up my desk at work
* Stop smoking entirely (2-3 month layoffs don’t count)
* Move to a new role in a new organization or country
* Buy and move to a new home
* Buy a new car
* Buy a new watch
* Travel to Japan for a holiday
* Start my postgraduate course
* Stop losing interest in people too quickly
* Start talking to seahorse again
* Sort out my life

ok. I'm gonna stop here before I depress the hell out of myself.

Gabriel

This fella's registered name is Hurley Marrokean, English Cocker Spaniel, whelped 6th of August in 2002, sired by Doggy Champ Walt Elite (MAL CH), and mummy is Aspipi Rosy Gin (MAL CH). That aside, meet Gabriel... he's my messenger of god. (don't ask, I don't really recall why). Also better known these days as fatboy. Adorable, no? *hmmm... the women I could chat up with this fella around... *

Anyway, he doesn't live with me anymore. As I'm only home a couple of hours at night, he'd be furious if I kept him at my place. You see, Gabriel loves company. Leave him alone for a couple of hours and he'd be desperate for company. And he's not content with just lying there in plain sight of you or even if you just lay your hand on him. He'll insist on nuzzling up and if you don't stroke him, he's gonna nudge you even more. Even when we're sitting quietly on my sofa, he'll insist that I keep stroking his fur. If he's satisfied, he'll trundle off and plop down at his favourite spot... all the while keeping an eye on you.

He now lives with my parents and living like a king too. With a sweettooth like his and my parents lovingly feeding him... I now call him fatboy. I don't see him as much as I like to and I'm sure he sees it that way too. During the weekends, when I go back to my parent's place, he's always immensely glad to see me. He'd be running to the gate even before I've gotten out off my car. If he's not outside, the minute I walk past the gate, he'd be running hellbent at me. Makes my weekend everytime that happens... =)

Gabriel used to be non-chalant with cameras hence some really cool adorable shots. But these are at least a year old now as he's grown to be incredibly camera shy. He's smart too... he knows when it's a camera and when it's simply a silver case. He'll continue playing and running around with a simple silver case, but once the camera comes out, without fail, he'll turn his back on you or just plain walk off.



One day, Gabe... I'm gonna getcha. But that would mean spending more time at my parent's place. Hmmm... maybe I should.

Playing in the rain

There's something about me and rain. I love heavy pelting rain, none of those wussy drizzles. It's got to be a massively heavy downpour, and when that happens... I get this urge to stand out in the open and just let it rain on me. Unless there's lightning and thunder of cos... Having said that, I'm still desperately trying to shake off this damn flu. Not that it's got anything to do with playing in the rain, mind you. Anyway, the flu is in the recovery stage where everything thickens up and I end up talking like by dose id blocked.

Well, I'm super bored and stressed at work again, so it's been candle & music theraphy these past few days. This one I like... rain related too... not mood related... from one of my long time favourite bands, Texas. =)

Bad Weather - Texas

Lovers come and lovers go

Nothing lingers on

Its more fun to take it slow

Then it goes on and on

I need to explain

You can't stand me I've always done it for myself

I do it again

You can't explore me you've been so good for my health

Chorus:

I know we can walk through rain

But I don't want to end up drowned again

Too much dancing in bad weather

Makes it hard to stay together

Tell me where you want to be

Losing who we are

That little place that we both need

It sometimes seems so far

I need to explain

You can't stand me I've always done it for myself

I do it again

You can't explore me you've been so good for my health

Chorus (x2)

Wait a minute baby

I'll be here for a while

Just wait a minute baby

You know I love your style

Chorus (x2)

Returns 2006

'nuff said...

It's giving up...

My ultimate driving machine is giving up. It’s 12yrs old and beginning to act its age in every area. Recently it started leaking lube and today, on my way into work, the radio gave up, which means that the whole stereo system has called it a day. Several weeks ago, the CD player ceased so the only music I could listen to is from the radio.

Now with it giving up as well, I’ve been driving in silence. And that itself raises new concerns… In the silence, I can hear the engine and gosh… it sounds rough. Certainly too rough for an ultimate driving machine. To make things worse, as I got out of the car and armed the security, there’s this thumping sound coming from the window. For BMWs, on arming the security, it will roll up any windows that were left down. It seems that something has failed and it’s trying to roll up the front driver’s window that is already up!

Sigh… I guess it’s really time for me to get off my butt, head off to the car show rooms and get a new ultimate driving machine… or maybe a Mazda 6.

Christmas is coming...

Not that long ago, I used to get up to enough mischief that one day, I got this as a Christmas card. I loved it...

WooHoo... Christmas is just around the corner... urks... need to get my shopping sorted out soon then... & my tree's still not up yet!!!

Wow...

I've never been a big fan of Jennifer Aniston. She's beautiful and all, but wasn't ever a hot favourite of mine. It still hasn't changed, but have you seen the recent cover of GQ? Jennifer Anniston is the first ever GQ Woman of the Year! And the cover... wow... When I first noticed it, I thought... nice waist... *ahem* then I looked further up and realised it was Jennifer Aniston! Looking good! Oh, btw... it's also a good article... ;-)

My guardian angels

When the fella mentioned last week that I have someone who watches over me, it made me think about something I strongly believe in. My guardian angels.

I’ve always felt that I was watched over. Over the years I’ve gone through some stuff that could have ended up a lot worse and in reflection, when it happened, I felt protected or in some way pre-warned.

When Leen was ill, she befriended this spiritual healer that practiced Reiki. I remember when I first met her. She said that I had a strong spiritual aura and I had 3 guardian angels. Imagine that. I guess I tend to get myself in a fair amount of mischief to warrant 3 guardians. But it’s something I feel grateful and thankful for. I might look her up one day as she did mention she could teach me how to talk to them or rather, how to listen to them.

These days though, I think I’ve taken my guardian angels for granted. I’ve gotten myself in a fair amount of trouble repeatedly and yet things have turned out well. Sometimes I think that I certainly don’t make their task any easier.

For my guardian angels, thank you for watching over me…

Angels – Robbie Williams
I sit and wait

does an angel contemplate my fate

and do they know

the places where we go

when we´re grey and old

´cos I´ve been told

that salvation lets their wings unfold

so when I’m lying in my bed

thoughts running through my head

and I feel that love is dead

I’m loving angels instead

and through it all she offers me protection

a lot of love and affection

whether I’m right or wrong

and down the waterfall

wherever it may take me

I know that life wont break me

when I come to call she wont forsake me

I’m loving angels instead

when I’m feeling weak

and my pain walks down a one way street

I look above

and I know ill always be blessed with love

and as the feeling grows

she breathes flesh to my bones

and when love is dead

I’m loving angels instead

and through it all she offers me protection

a lot of love and affection

whether I’m right or wrong

and down the waterfall

wherever it may take me

I know that life wont break me

when I come to call she wont forsake me

I’m loving angels instead

Palms up...

Me and the boys haven’t been to our regular bar for a while now, I think simply due to the fact that I'd grown bored of that place. But when left without plans, me & the old man decided to hit it up and check things out. Turns out it hasn’t changed much… after all it’s just been a little over a month, that’s all. But part of the staff has turned over, as is usually the case anyway. Other than that, it's same old-same old.

Some things are a little different though… for one, Louise seems to be a little more tanned than usual and I must say I like it! As it turns out, it’s a fake tan… it’s merely makeup. Here’s the thing though… A lot of women strive so hard for that porcelain white skin tone and she’s one of them. But it seems that a tanned look is now the trend and there she is, applying a makeup that makes her look tanned. Ironic, eh? I for one have always loved women who are a little bit tanned. To me, a bronzed reddish hue is simply more attractive than a pale shade of white. Mmmm… *hehehe*

Anyway, the highlight of the night was when J had his palm read… casually. Of course I was a little intrigued and had mine read as well… So… from an amateur palmist… this is what she said my palm had to say about my life...

I’m smart and level headed. I’m studious and excel at work when I put my mind to it and will do well in business if I pursued it. I’m an artist or love things that are beautiful and find myself easily distracted which sometimes looks as if I give up easily, but am actually fairly stubborn and persistent.

I think too much and stress myself unnecessarily about affairs of the heart. Apparently I have many options but will marry only once, (sorry mum, guess that’s not gonna happen again…) but not to my true love. Huh? No surprises there... after all she left me cos of that... ;-) My health’s gonna be a little rocky as I grow older. Yikes! I won’t be in want of money and I have someone watching over me. (hmmm... that's nice to hear I guess...)

*hahahahah* well, what can I say? Things seem rosy right? Somehow it just hasn't felt that way for a while now…

Friday funnees

I was doing a little bit of house-cleaning on my old files with the intent of sprucing up this blog with a little christmas feel... and came across this classic... I luv it!

I back up almost everything... I keep all my files... even emails from back in university... geez... I wonder wut that says about me... but that was then... now I probably can't even find a file from last week...

Unless I'm hit with a catastrophic hard disk failure, I have stuff from wayyy back... So prepare yourself.. there's gonna be a flurry of golden oldies...