Noh should do 10 ear squats!

Noh Omar's apology, which was made after a rebuke from the PM, should also come with 10 ear squats in public! No more Noh-sense, please.

Read All The Books

All of the books that we will ever need to make us as rich, as healthy, as happy, as powerful, as sophisticated and as successful as we want to be have already been written.

People from all walks of life, people with some of the most incredible life experiences, people that have gone from pennies to fortune and from failure to success have taken the time to write down their experiences so that we might share in their wealth of knowledge. They have offered their wisdom and experience so that we can be inspired by it and instructed by it, and so that we can amend our philosophy by it. Their contributions enable us to reset our sail based upon their experiences. They have handed us the gift of their insights so that we can change our plans, if need be, in order to avoid their errors. We can rearrange our lives based on their wise advice.

All of the insights that we might ever need have already been captured by others in books. The important question is this: In the last ninety days, with this treasure of information that could change our lives, our fortunes, our relationships, our health, our children and our careers for the better, how many books have we read?

Why do we neglect to read the books that can change our lives? Why do we complain but remain the same? Why do so many of us curse the effect but nourish the cause? How do we explain the fact that only three percent of our entire national population possess a library card—a card that would give us access to all of the answers to success and happiness we could ever want? Those who wish for the better life cannot permit themselves to miss the books that could have a major impact on how their lives turn out. The book they miss will not help!

And the issue is not that books are too expensive! If a person concludes that the price of buying the book is too great, wait until he must pay the price for not buying it. Wait until he receives the bill for continued and prolonged ignorance.

There is very little difference between someone who cannot read and someone who will not read. The result of either is ignorance. Those who are serious seekers of personal development must remove the self-imposed limitations they have placed on their reading skills and their reading habits. There are a multitude of classes being taught on how to be a good reader and there are thousands of books on the shelves of the public libraries just waiting to be read. Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary. We must not permit anything to stand between us and the books that could change our lives.

A little reading each day will result in a wealth of valuable information in a very short period of time. But if we fail to set aside the time, if we fail to pick up the book, if we fail to exercise the discipline, then ignorance will quickly move in to fill the void.

Those who seek a better life must first become a better person. They must continually seek after self-mastery for the purpose of developing a balanced philosophy of life, and then live in accordance with the dictates of that philosophy. The habit of reading is a major stepping stone in the development of a sound philosophical foundation. And in my opinion it is one of the fundamentals required for the attainment of success and happiness.

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

Got independent enquiry or not one?

Pak Lah: "I have been briefed on the case and I have decided that an independent enquiry be carried out," he told reporters upon arriving from Malta at the Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) Base in Subang, here.

Noh Omar: “I dare say everything was done following the rules,” he said in response to the public outcry over a video-clip which shows a Chinese woman made to perform squats in the nude in a police lock-up.

Is Noh Omar suggesting that 'semua OK' or he wants to 'lawan' towkay? That the independent enquiry is no longer necessary?

Hoi, who is the PM here? Got independent enquiry or not one? You guys don't talk to each other one meh? Tolong lah, stop conflicting each other and make fools out of yourselves, can or not? Cos the whole world is watching.

Success

Just a word of caution

I received this message from a mailing list I subscribed to. Thought we should all know.

Quote ...

Just a word of caution. The Communications and Multimedia Law which I was actively involved in designing, expressly forbids delivery or circulation of certain content over online media such as the internet which relates to objectionable subject matter. In this case other laws also apply, including the Conmputer Crimes law, because the matter is currently already under official investigation. Why do I suggest caution when the matter is being discussed and circulated like wildfire? Because when the powers that be do decide to prosecute anyone for online wrongdoing, they only need to catch any one person who furthered the subject matter and not just the initiator.

... Unquote.

We have to SHOOT the messenger!

When the Deputy IGP Datuk Seri Musa Hassan said the police needed to find out who took the video clip, I thought he made sense. That person could become a key material witness to whatever disciplinary action or prosecution that is highly expected from the result of the ongoing investigation.

How naive and stupid I was; because just as many others feared, Musa has come to the open defence of the policewoman who is in the middle of this controversy. He instead said that person who took the video clip is the perpetrator whom "we are after." Yes, that's right, between the lines, he said, "We have to SHOOT the messenger!"

Someone, please remind Musa of the "Saya anti-rasuah" campaign he launched just recently.

Please also remind him that covering-up for a subordinate is a corrupt practice.

Where is IGP Mohd Bakri Omar?

I have been asking the same question asked by Lim Kit Siang in this blog entry: Police Abu Ghraib scandal - time to set up IPCMC.

"I find it significant that the Prime Minister had contacted the Deputy IGP and not phoned up the Inspector-General of Police."

Yes, indeed. Where is IGP Mohd Bakri Omar?

More on these links:

Who Runs the Malaysian Police Force?
Eerie parallel to Abu Ghraib
Malaysia going places, naked

Prison Vs. Work Debate

IN PRISON...you spend the majority of your time in an 8x10 cell.
AT WORK...you spend most of your time in a 6x8 cubicle.

IN PRISON...you get three meals a day.
AT WORK...you only get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it.

IN PRISON...you get time off for good behavior.
AT WORK...you get rewarded for good behavior with more work.

IN PRISON...a guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you.
AT WORK...you must carry around a security card and unlock and open all the doors yourself.

IN PRISON...you can watch TV and play games.
AT WORK...you get fired for watching TV and playing games.

IN PRISON...you get your own toilet.
AT WORK...you have to share.

IN PRISON...they allow your family and friends to visit.
AT WORK...you cannot even speak to your family and friends.

IN PRISON...all expenses are paid by taxpayers with no work required.
AT WORK...you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for prisoners.

IN PRISON...you spend most of your life looking through bars from the inside wanting to get out.
AT WORK...you spend most of your time wanting to get out and go inside bars.

IN PRISON...there are wardens who are often sadistic.
AT WORK...they are called managers.

Perpetrator Identified?

In this blog entry, Lim Kit Siang is suggesting that the perpetrator of this shameful act has been identified. Now, what next?

Drunken Yoga

John P. forwarded me this picture, which he calls the Scottish Yoga. I think Drunken Yoga would be more apt for the posture demonstrated. ;-)

Originals can be found here.

A National Shame!

It's a NATIONAL SHAME to which Jeff Ooi rightly asked: Who is bared naked... the Chinese woman or our Police?

FREE Food Safety Induction Online Course

If you own a kitchen or a fridge in the house (who doesn't), this FREE and EASY to follow Food Safety Induction Online Course should bring out some awareness on the Do's and Don'ts of food handling in you.

The course is structured, as follows:

• Food poisoning.
• Contamination.
• Temperature.
• Personal hygiene.
• Cleaning and disinfection.
• General food safety rules.
• Knowledge assessment.
  

This course comes with a full audio narration and will not function effectively on a PC without sound capability.

Other system requirements are: a PC running a Windows OS, Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher, Flash Player installed, Javascript enabled and a screen resolution of 800 x 600 pixel or higher.

Instructions are available if you have any of the above missing in your PC.

If you are ready to start this FREE course, click on the preferred setting to start the course. This should be at the right of your screen.

Do not worry about registration because none is required.

Happy learning.

The Frog and The Truck

While hopping about one day, a frog happened to slip into a very large pothole along a country road. All his attempts at jumping out were in vain. Soon a rabbit came upon the frog trapped in the hole and offered to help him out. He, too, failed. After various animals from the forest made three or four gallant attempts to help the poor frog out, they finally gave up.

"We'll go back and get you some food," they said. "It looks like you're going to be here for a while."

However, not long after they took off to get food, they heard the frog hopping along after them. They couldn't believe it!

"We thought you couldn't get out!" they exclaimed.

"Oh, I couldn't," replied the frog. "But you see, there was a big truck coming right at me, and I had to."

Jessie Chung

Right or wrong, who am I to say and pass judgement on the million dollar wedding of Jessie Chung and Joshua Beh? That's their decision and their life. Let them be.

Her string of academic credentials which she posted in her website, however, is now a hot topic of discussion in my favourite community forum.

Question - Is Jessie as qualified as she claims to be?

New Shoplots in USJ 10 Taipan

On paper, the two barricaded lots in Jalan USJ10/1 were meant for food stalls, but the signboard states shop lots are being built.

An alert resident pointed out to The Malay Mail that it was clearly stated in the development layout plan that the two lots were earmarked for food stalls.

• Why are shops being built instead?
• How can the local authorities allow this to happen? Was it approved?
• How about social obligations?” he asked.

Full details here.

Breast Cancer

I was told today that breast cancer is attributed to men who smoke!???

DeepaRaya Open House

Inspector Shan extends his invitation to all USJ residents to the USJ 8 Balai's DeepaRaya Open House on 24 Nov 2005.

A Death Sentence

Following my earlier blog entry Make Time for Your Family, comes this next question; the answer to which would be pretty obvious to the majority.

What would you do, how would you spend your time, if you learned today that you only have 6 months to live? That you will enjoy the best of health for the next 180 days and on the 181th day, you have to depart.

Think about this; do we have to be under a sentence of death to spend more time with our family?

Wisdom

When We Believe

The following was delivered to by mailbox yesterday, courtesy of Goals 2005.

"The only thing that stands between what you want from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible. The truism, “faith can move mountains” contains nuggets of wisdom for realizing our goals and dreams. When we truly believe that something is possible, our efforts are permeated with determination, perseverance and hope. Whatever you can vividly imagine and conceptualize as being achieved, before it actually happens; when you sincerely believe, that is when great things happen.

So don’t rule out the impossible! Who defines impossible anyway? What is impossible to one person is not impossible to another. One of my favorite quotes is from Eleanor Roosevelt, “The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams." Do you believe in your dreams? Better yet, do you believe in YOU?

As you reflect on 2005 there are goals that were achieved and those that were not. Believing you have failed is the end of the journey. Believing in yourself is an endless destination.

Great things happen when we believe.

You are what you believe. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!"

How big?

How big can this fish grow? As big as the fish bowl and no bigger!

Sadly, that's the state of our current and foreseeable future generation of graduates. A rather heavy price to pay in the fettered environment they are forced into. Just like the fish. Through no fault of theirs.

Hello, long time no see!

Meet YB Lau Yeng Peng, Member of Parliament for Puchong. Part of USJ (16-22) is under his kawasan. I first and last saw and met him when he was campaigning for this seat in 2004.

Yesterday, we met again.

I was at the MPSJ DeepaRaya Open House and there sitting across the same table as me was Mr. David Copperfield. I ignored him at first and engrossed myself with Yap Yun Fatt who was on my right. After some time, I looked up and asked, "Who is that man? He looks familiar"

"Oh ... ha .. ha .. ha ... that one your MP lah!" Yap laughed.

"My MP Lau Yeng Peng ah? Oh ... hello, long time no see. How are you?" I extended my hand. I hope he understood.

An Erotic Ghost Story

He enjoyed himself and screwed the ghost EVERY NIGHT for 16 years. This Kevin fella ha ... must be a superman lah because 16 days direct for many people (yours truly included) also the knees go weak already. What more 16 years! Can you believe that?

This tale should make it into the Erotic Ghost Story series.

Full story in The Star, 19 Nov 2005: "... The 34-year-old man from Kuala Lumpur, known only as Kelvin, said he felt very tired every night as the long-haired ghost would lure him into making love with her by appearing in different images.

“I have been having bad luck since she appeared in my dream. I have not been able to get married although I have had five girlfriends.

“My employers fired me because I could not concentrate on my work,” Kevin said, adding that he had changed jobs at least 10 times. Kelvin said his nightmare began ... "

In Your Footsteps

A father and son were walking along the beach. The boy was lagging behind and suddenly shouted, "Look, Daddy, I'm walking in your footsteps!"

Thicker Brains

Here's something interesting I just read about meditation.

Accordingly, a new study shows key parts of the brain actually get thicker through the practice. The study also indicates that regular meditation may slow age-related thinning of the frontal cortex. Most of the brain regions identified to be changed through meditation were found in the right hemisphere, which is essential for sustaining attention.

My wife tends to agree with the findings, at least on the thicknening part. She thinks my skull has thickened since 10 months prior!

Secrets of Longetivity

The National Geographic (November 2005 issue ) features an article on the secrets of longetivity, carrying some pictures of people aged from 75 years to above 100 years old. In this feature, Dan Buetter wrote about the research that has been done in recent years to uncover the keys to longevity in three of the healthiest, most long lived groups in the world.

Is it something in the water? In the food, maybe. So what is contributing to the high incidences of longetivity being experienced by the people in Okinawa, Sardina, and Loma Linda (the Adventists), California when between them, they have many differences in backgrounds and beliefs, some as diverse as vegetarian diets to higher fat and protein “mediterranean” diets. They also have some striking similarities in practices. Therein, it is suggested, lies their secret to long life. Sepuluh tahun extension, at least.

Okinawans - Keep life-long friends, eat small portions, eat fish, stay physically active, keep working & have a definite purpose in life.

Sardinians - Drink red wine (in moderation), share burden with spouse & and devoted to family, eat high omega 3 foods (pecorino cheese for example), stay physically active and never stop working.

Adventists - Eat nuts, beans, grains, fruits and vegetables, do not smoke, obeserve the Sabbath, have faith, & strong social and family ties

There you are. The secrets to long life.

My Life, Rated

From Hear My Rants, I got to The Rate My Life Self-Help Quiz . Try the quiz and find out to find out where you stand in life. Will your bars be shades of orange, or blue? Note that this quiz is intended for entertainment purposes only. Have fun.

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	6
Mind:	5.7
Body:	4.9
Spirit:	4.8
Friends/Family:	6.6
Love:	5.5
Finance:	4.9
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

Malaysian Homes are Fortresses

The NST (17 Nov 2005) reported that ... Three-quarters of urban Malaysians live behind greater security than a front door, according to a study on home security by global research company Synovate. The survey showed that the majority of Malaysians in major cities have obstacles like gates, doors or barriers before their front door could be reached - with the higher income groups generally having more security measures ... Read more.

That we have to live in fear of crimes and fortify our homes is very telling, isn't it?

Your little bird what colour one?

Nice try, Mack. I bet that little bird of yours has got blue feathers one and I also bet he got you the wrong R!

;-)

The 360 Degree Leader

If you have read John Maxwell's books on the leadership series, i.e. Developing the Leader Within You and The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership among others; you might be interested to know that "The 360° Leader" releases in mid-December 2005. According to reviews, this will be a defining book for leadership development.

Just Like Me

Four questions that I constantly ask myself - a reminder of sorts, in terms of setting examples.

1. What kind of WORLD would my world be if everyone in it was just like me?
2. What kind of COUNTRY would my country be if everyone in it was just like me?
3. What kind of COMPANY would my company be if everyone in it was just like me?
4. WHAT kind of FAMILY would my family be if everyone in it was just like me?

Batang goncang, batang goncang ...

Ha .. ha ... ha ... a Chinese poem, translated into Bahasa by Cheng Kiat in his blog - Taiping Coffee. Familiar name but do I know him?

Angin kencang tiup ke arah pokok keseronokan
Batang besar goncang, batang kecil pun goncang
Batang goncang, bantang goncang
Duduk bawah pokok keseronokan
Tengok batang besar goncang, batang kecil goncang
Batang goncang, batang goncang ...

Who said that?

"The politician is the person who thinks about the next election; the statesman is the person who thinks about the next generation."

Anybody knows who said that?

For Sale

Lye Hock's colleague is selling his Palm Pilot and DVD writer. Both are both in relatively good condition.

Palm Pilot - RM 450
DVD Writer - RM 150

Any takers?

No more canned dace for me

There goes my favourite canned fried dace which I always consume with my porridge. This China made product is reported to contain a cancer-causing chemical known as malachite green (MG), according to the Malaysian Health Ministry here and here.

The Two Hunters

Two friends, both hunters, shot a deer. They were dragging the deer by the tail back to their truck. There were losing their balance and tripping as they went about doing that. Along came a farmer who asked, "Boys, what are you doing?".

"Oh, we are dragging this deer back to our truck."

"Well, boys, God provided that deer with handles for dragging and you're not supposed to drag it by the tail. You're supposed to drag it by the antlers."

"Oh, that makes alot of sense. Thank you very much, sir," one of the hunters replied.

So they walked around and started dragging the deer by the antlers. They dragged for about 5 minutes before they converse between themselves again.

"You know, the farmer is right. It goes easier by the antlers."

"Yeah, but we are getting further and further from our truck"

The moral of the story? Are we getting any closer to our truck of life? Or are we getting further and further away and living scary lives just like these people who never seem to be able to make ends meet?

Rare Blood Group

The recent public requests for rare blood donors prompt me to re-look into the prospect of starting a rare blood group, to be recalled in times of emergencies.

If you are unsure, please point your browser to HowStuffWorks - How Blood Works to learn more about blood types. If you are of a Rh negatuve, that means you belong to approximately 16% of the population; considered a rare blood group. Your blood is wanted. Please drop me an email.

Report Cards

OK, so the “report cards” on rogue housing developers are now on public display at the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s website. Now, how about report cards for our public service providers and wakil rakyats?

A perfect timing to call for this since Nov 5 has been declared as National Integrity Day. So let’s give integrity a push and make integrity our way of life.

Perhaps, the community in my neighbourhood can take a lead and start with this not-forgotten Aku Janji pledge!

From The Star: Weaving integrity and ethics into everyday life.

The answers have changed

Albert Einstein was teaching at Oxford in 1942 and he had just administered an exam to a senior class of physics students. He was on his way back to his office with his teaching assistant who was carrying the exam papers.

As they walked across the campus, the assistant said, "Dr. Einstein, that exam that you gave to the senior class, wasn't that the same exam that you gave last year?"

Einstein replied, "Yeah, yeah ... it's the same exam." "But Dr. Einstein, how could you give the same exam to the same class two years in a row?" "It is very easy, the answers have changed!"

If you were asked what your worries were a year ago, have the answers changed? What was your major problem a year ago? What was your major health problem, your major personal problems, your personal financial problems, your major worries, your relationship problems. What were you preoccupied with this moment one year ago?

Have the answers changed?

Think about it this Monday morning.

The Society

I was at the Subang Parade on Wednesday and was looking for John Grisham's The Broker but had to settle for Michael Palmer's The Society instead, as the former was not available. By the first day of Hari Raya, I had already finished the book, a review of which is posted here.

Ad hominem

Thanks to Bob, I learned another new word today.

ad hom·i·nem (adj.) Appealing to personal considerations rather than to logic or reason: Debaters should avoid ad hominem arguments that question their opponents' motives.

What colour was the bear?

Someone set up a camp from which to go bear hunting. Leaving camp, the hunter walked 10 miles due south, then 10 miles due west. At this point, he found a bear and shot it. He dragged the bear back to his camp, a distance of precisely 1o miles. What colour was the bear?

If your children lie

This I heard from Brian Tracy's audio CD as I was driving home from KL this morning;

"If your children lie, who has made them afraid to tell the truth?"

Wooow ... something to think about as you enjoy your holidays.