Flashback

A picture says a thousand words...

I was (still am) wading through a hundred pages of a document I'm translating when I came across a photo of the guides at the park. The immediate thought that flashed into my mind was - looks like a bunch of thugs. But then something warmed up deep in my deepest memories and into my heart - and I remembered - these people are probably the most genuine people you could ever find.

I had realised that they look exactly like my friends from my university days. The point is, outdoorsmen are probably the kind of people I'd trust most. People can fool you while having a cuppa in Starbucks, but you tend to catch the hidden self after 3 days out in the wilds. Climbing up a mountain takes stamina and mental strength. It strips you of all pretensions. A guy could look like "pijak semut pun tak mati", but on a trip, you can quickly see who likes to take advantage, who does his daily prayers and who are the real deals. So Taichee, I envy you. I really do.

I remember our favourite Abangs from our camping days - Ajie, Anjang, Star, and ntah sapa2 lagi i dah tak ingat. Especially Ajie, who was THE MAN at that time. He's been to more places than we knew existed, he rode a hot superbike (Cagiva, not Harley. Cagivas are WAY hotter than Harleys), he had this irreverent manner, but we knew he has a heart of gold. I wonder where he is now...

Ah.. those were the days... Climbing a mountain or a camping trip is not just an adventure thing. It's bonding, camarederie, doing crazy stuff together, through thick and thin, experiencing hardship and laughter... Life's different for me now, but the memories remain forever :-)

Of Wooly Brains and Shots in the Dark...

Why do some things come out of the blue and jar you out of your comfort zone just when you just settled in?

Have made up my mind to sod employment and register as a sole proprietor when suddenly my darling Bollywood star calls me and tempts me with a job opening in his department. Unable to resist, I submitted my application and this afternoon found myself in his office, being interviewed.

It was kind of hard to explain why I applied for that job when I've been happily freelancing for half a year. And I tried so hard not to overpromise, I might as well have written down - don't give me the job. Sigh. And since my career history goes rambling all over the place, I don't think I impressed anyone of my single-minded pursuit of glory. Double sigh.

Don't you just hate it when you analyze every minute of the interview in your head and suddenly realise the crucial points that you failed to make? Like why in the world did I not make the point that Internal Audit is all about COMPLIANCE. The most crucial keyword, and I failed to put it across? I might as well have been a foetus who knows nothing. Sheez. And it was such a good opportunity...

Oh well... since my life is full of all kinds of surprises and miracles, maybe I'll get another one and somehow get this one too. You never know, do you? :-)

Waiting to Exhale...

This is F***ing ridiculous! My cheque has been "on the way" for six weeks already, more or less.
I could afford to be patient earlier because I had other income. But it's almost 5 months already, some bills need taking care of and my next payment won't be in until mid-December.

My patience is getting thin, and I'm so closed to murdering the bloody idiot who sent my cheque to the faculty I haven't visited in 3 years. Who did he think was there to receive it? Bini dia?

After that they promised to courier it to me. That was a WEEK ago. I still haven't received anything as of today.

Asshole.

Courage

I'm sure everyone has received this in the mail at some time or other. I received it again from a friend, and I realised how pertinent the message is. It is one of my motivators of the day.

To all my friends, wishing you success in facing your difficulties and may happiness be yours forever.

xxx,
Oza

Clueless

Oh God! I just wasted months of my life doing stuff for someone so clueless that I don't think we'd ever get anywhere. My fault for trying to be nice and give him a chance... This is it. I'm not going to bother anymore. Case closed. Finish.