Don't know how to write lah

Yo yo yo! So, I was told to update my blog. Aiya... I haven't had time (cough) to actually write. Well, that's not entirely true. Since moving across the sea separating PenM and EM, I think I've spent more time learning acronyms. Like -- PenM, and EM! Sorry, I created that myself. Don't want to start sounding stupid when you're surrounded by "smart" people in my (new) line of work.

But writing, I have done. In different forms -- regret letters, approval letters, condemning letters (just kidding!). Mostly regret letters, since this is the time of regrets: "Sorry sir, due to the economic downturn, we are unable to grant you the request. We regret the situation but hope for a better future for us all. Well, mainly for us but we don't mind wishing you luck as well. So, good luck! You'll need it! Sincerely, Bearuang." hee...

So what's everyone been up to? I spent most of my time in the office, and in another office -- the kind where you walk out either feeling chirpy, quirky, or plain drunk; never sexy. Burpppp! Yea, it's that kind of time-wasting (Noooo... Langkaufiction will say "NoooOOOoo" to that) place that keeps me occupied cos I don't really have much to do after work. Not that I have that much to do at work either... muahaHAHA. No no... that's not true. I retract my statement (boohoo).

I want to write. I mean, write again like I did when I was rubbing shoulders with the upper socs. But I don't even know if I can string two sentences together and make it sound like something from err, Mills & Boon?? [Back to the future - it's 2003]: "Use simple English. Simple English" -- yes, I won't forget what my editor used to remind me. Ok lah, I won't complicate things. I shall leave writing off my mind lah. Aih... what da heck am I doing now then? Crapping? Yes yes... crapping I am.

Anyways... there's a psycho lurking in FB right now. Ok. I won't divulge more. There's a psycho lurking in FB... I mean Pee Ass Why See Hatch Oh! Wo... Man! Be careful. Some people with phucked up personalities are floating around. Block if you need to. Delete if you need to!! Aargh! I don't know what I'm blabbering about.

See... I don't know how to write anymore.

I say YO to my favourite Liverpool fan! ;)

Adios...

The last ride?

How long have I been living in KL? 5 years straight now. How long have I been living (on/off) in KL? Coming to 12 years now. The amount of friends I've made during all those years? Too many. Have I achieved what I wanted to do? Almost. I've always wanted to be in the media industry, and I did just that. Last official posting was as editor of an international title. I've gone into advertising, radio, HR/Training, PR, IT, sales; heck--I even went on to brand-manage a band! But there was one thing that I never did get a chance to delve into--Oil&Gas. Okay, not that I'm an engineer or anything, but it's always been a gapping frustration in my CV. I tried 8 years ago--failed miserably. I stopped trying. Until one day I got a call. And then, suddenly, I find myself preparing to uproot myself from KL to try my hands in Oil&Gas. This, should be my last ride. The one empty slot in the file. Do I miss all the things I've left behind? Yes. Friends, colleagues, my work. My passion. But we all have to move on I guess. I remember when I was working in HR, a senior consultant once said to me: "You know, when the train leaves the station, it leaves. You either jump onboard or be left behind. You choose." Well, I've chosen. No turning back. For now. Hee...

Gulping for Gas?

Well... what else can I say? All the ranting about the petrol price hike in Malaysia has been well greased by everyone. Even I made my displeasure known on my editor's letter for the July issue. But then, I'm thinking: "Let's just drink instead lah". Damn it. Woohaa!

Be like a blogger...

Three days ago, I went to Starbucks at Centrepoint to meet a lady friend and this new guy I got to know after I started working at MUD. We were there to talk about the merits of the new media. Not the bloggers. I mean "new media" -- the merging of online, mobile, video, etc. That "new media".

Basically we were discussing the merits of it when this blogbabe walked past us. We all stopped talking (well my lady friend and I did). This new dude was still on power-drive. I was just nodding absently while staring at her walking further away. My lady friend was not so affected by her presence but she couldn't help but noticing me looking rather "in my own world". "Hey you okay?" she asked. "Ya am fine," I told her. She turned around to look at what it was that got me so occupied. "Is that..."

"Yes," I said before she could finish her question. So there we were - two editors (and non-efficient bloggers), looking at a well-known blogger. For me, it was like seeing a superheroine in her normal disguise. People were oblivious to her. Well, that wasn't so true either. The guys were checking her out; so I noticed. And then, this CEO dude noticed that we weren't paying him any attention. He turned to look as well. "So who's that?"

"Err... this gal blogger. Fireangel. Heard of her?" she asked. "Ya I think so. She's quite famous oso right? "I guess it looks like that," I added. "But I like her stuff. It's basic and to the point. No frills kinda thing. There are those who go beyond just doing it for fun. Especially once they start making money through doing branding work," I smiled.

He smiled. "True. Like that one blogger... always see her face at glamour events. Now, she has to write very cordial stuff. Now become like a writer except online. There's more restraint now."

Then the conversation suddenly diverted to being celeb bloggers. "You know, you guys are writers. Now editors. You should be like them bloggers. See, they make full use of their online presence," he commented. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Yalah, you guys already know how to write. Why not do something online and be famous. Then you can attend all these parties, become the celebrity. What a waste. You guys will always be doing the writing for others, " he said.

He actually got me wondering: I've been with the print media for several years now. We do all the reporting... technically the same thing like bloggers but we have to write them properly minus all the rantings and the vanity. We have real deadlines. But we don't get treated like some bloggers. You are paid to do this job whereas they just do it for fun but in the end they get paid for doing something for fun. As for us, we're in the same shit-hole all the time.

I remember one time this writer nugged me at a watch boutique opening: "Look at them. We work like mad bringing their brand news to the public and they'd rather crown these people. [Points at some celeb bloggers] And some of them don't even talk nice about the brands in their blogs yet they are rewarded. What do we get? A paper-weight? Who needs a fucking paper-weight these days when you have a laptop or a pc?! Maybe later they'll give us some cheapo watch? Probably rejects from their factory. And to think that I have to go back to office and write about how glitzy their opening was. Shit man."

I just smiled at him. It didn't really bother me cos I figured that we all have our duties and we all have our dues one way or another. But I can't deny feeling a bit cut from his words. Heck, there I was the editor of this magazine (while hearing him say all this) staring at an ex-deputy editor of the magazine I am in now, who was standing all celebrity-looking upfront. And he didn't even get to editor-level. So yes, it did cut. Just a bit.

Back to Starbucks and my two friends. After keeping quiet for a while, I said to my new friend: "You know what, I like being a writer. I may not be that good at it but I am a writer and I've done some worthy articles on print. I may not be a great nor close to being a competent blogger, but I do blog. I blog because I just want another avenue to write the way I want to write. It's not a means to vent my frustrations alone but more of a means to a freeform writing style, deviating from the writing style of our magazine. So if you think you wanna make money out of blogging and be some celeb, please, go ahead."

My lady-friend just stared at me. HE stared at me.

Suddenly he laughed. "Aiya! You ah. We talk about this interactive thing instead lah. Sure can make more money."

We all smiled at each other. "Yes, let's do that instead," I said, finishing my fifth Mocha for the day.

Curious...

I can't help wondering about this scenario few days back: I was next to the KL Federal Highway, stopping at the junction-turning-left onto the highway, while looking to my right at the oncoming traffic. At that moment, it was their right of way, so there were motorcyles speeding by me,in hordes. A few feet away (in that same direction I was facing), there was a traffic policeman manning the traffic. Manning. Yea.. Because of the influx of motorcyclist passing by, I couldn't cut in. Well if I did -- imagine a bowling ball striking all the pins down. That would've been the case. So while I was waiting for some clearance, suddenly the policeman started pointing at me. He gestured with his gloved hand, that I should move on. He kept waving his right hand in a "shooing motion". Just like when you're shooing away a cat or a dog, or a human being.

But the amount of motorcyclists were still in loads. So I didn't bother. And obviously that got the cop upset/annoyed/irritated. I can't hear him but I could see his mouth forming the word "Jalan!" (Move!) Yes, I could sense the exclamation mark there too. His eyes were bulging (just like his tummy). And his mouth was forming like he was crazy! (just kidding). Anyways he was shooing me away and shouting "Jalan! Jalan!". I got quite irritated and without winding down my window, I gestured back at him by pointing to the oncoming traffic. I mouthed the word: "How?!" Yes, with my own exclamation mark and my bulging eyes to match. He couldn't see my bulging tummy hidden by the car door, so I looked slim to him I'm sure. We had a glaring-at-each-other showdown for a few seconds. Then the coast was clear and I drove off. I guess the guy behind me was so caught up in the whole scene that he forgot to do his obligatory honking as it is common here. All that happened in about 2 - 3 minutes.

So I'm curious: if I were to cut in because I was pressured by the policeman, and then crash into a few motorcyclists (not counting the cars), is it my fault? Of course it is, right? And the traffic dude, would in return, go and detain me? Hell yeah! Like he's gonna say it's his fault. The same dude who insist that I "Jalan!" even though he could see with his bulging eyes, the sight of the oncoming/ongoing traffic. What kind of dumbness is that? And just today I read in the STAR, the authority/government asking us (drivers) to be more aware of motorcyclists on the road cos apparently we are the main cause of their accidents/deaths on the road. Well, duh-phuckin-huh??!

Anyways, I went to do my photoshoot for my May issue the other day... now I know how tough it is to pose. Damn man... I felt abused...

SAY CHEECKO UMBRO!