Oktoberfest!

If you were a sales person from the 60's, you probably do not need a reason to drink for you drink and smoke almost everyday. Mad Men (a TV series) made that very clear. Now, if you were in Malaysia in the 70's / 80's and even the 90's and is in the business of selling or in any other business, you probably have had to drink your way to closing deals. Has it always been like that? Is it still like that? Will it continue being like that? As with all things, there are exceptions to every rule (this i quote from a movie whose title I no longer remember).

Besides the usual drinks and the smokes, another item on the checklist of those trying to move up ladders are probably golf. Many claims that playing golf is the key to climbing up in ranks. Is that so? I have no idea. I guess it is probably true if you choose for it to be true. There is always two sides to a coin and many ways to Rome. I thought hard work and perseverance with a dash of humour, a positive personality and some balls (not golf balls) were all you need.

I am probably the lousiest drinker of alcohol on earth. Half a mug of beer and I go out like a light and if you run a brothel, you can probably use my face as a red lantern and save on your electricity bills. Talk to me about golf and I am thinking if anyone has tried chasing after that golf ball after it has been erm.. what is the term for hitting a golf ball? Oh well, you get the idea. I am just surprised no one has done it yet, chasing after a golf ball.

So, to all you fellow non drinkers, non smokers and non golfers, there is hope yet. I know some of these people who have made it without doing any of the above for their interests lies in other things. Warning: They are labelled as geeks though. Hahahha. Boy, am I proud to be one.

Here is a listing of the "reasons" I overheard for a drink after 5pm.

1. "Hey, it's raining today, gonna be congested, let's go for a drink before going home"
2. "Hey, it's hot today, let's go for a drink and cool down"
3. "Hey, it's cloudy today, let's not waste such good weather and head for a drink"
4. "John got promoted today, let's drink"
5. "Alice got the sack today, let's drink"

........ and the list goes on. To every man their own. Drink responsibly though and this not applies only to those who are driving. Let me share something I have seen with all of you reading this.

It was a couple years back and happened in a shopping centre in Damansara. It was around midnight and I was at the parking lot, paying my ticket and guess what I saw.

"Two guys, Two girls"

Seem pretty normal ain't it? Well it was not cause one of the girl was pissed drunk. She is so drunk she was dead weight. The two guys? Well, I guess they were not entirely sober after all. The only sober one was the other girl.

Now, the two guys were carrying this girl and their hands were all over. She was wearing a skirt and a top and they were just yanking at her, pulling her, dragging her and it was like a lingerie freak show. Her clothes were exposed and a free view was for all to see. The two guys were trying very hard to get her to their vehicle but having had a drink or two, they were not exactly sane. The sober girl just kept screaming...

"Carry her properly!!"
"Don't tug at her bra!!"
"Why are you grabbing her privates?"

Now, no wonder parents / partners / friends get worried. Brains up the anu*, if you asked me. Imagine if a video were taken and posted on the net or worse, if the girl was further violated. Wise up, there is no shame in saying you cannot drink. Yeah, sometimes, you may be laughed at by lesser beings but hey, there still is no shame in not drinking. Go get happy doing other things, watch a comedy act, watch a play, go water rafting, paintballing, go-karting, have makan sessions with friends.

They are not really a friend if they force a drink down your throat or try to charm you into drinking. Do not be afraid to say NO, in a polite manner if you can. =P

Look left, Look right

The above image was taken off Modenas's website. I saw a gruesome sight yesterday and decided to blog about this. I was on my way home after sending PMP home and traffic was slowed down after the first 2.20 toll (from Klang headed towards Kota Kemuning). Congestion in that part of the road is unusual, especially at around 11+ pm. I thought there was a road block. Well, a block there was but not by the police.

A bike was on the ground, its rider sprawled heads first on the ground with his helmet a couple of feet away from him. All these were on the middle lane. He wasn't moving and it was to dark to see if there was blood on the dance floor. I wonder if he danced the dance of death. A helmet is flung away like that if it is not fastened properly I guess.

A couple of feet down the road, a grey Satria was parked by the side of the road, its owner at the back of the car with his hands on his rather bald head. The passenger, a female was alighting from the car. Now, if you think I slowed down deliberately to watch, I did not. I just train myself to take in details, as much as I possibly can, the way many others train themselves to catch the number plates of vehicles involved in accidents. I take in the scene, not the numbers, that's all.

"Wah!!! Accident ar, faster take down the number plate, later we strike 4D"

Shame on you, if you do that. I called 999 and requested for help. I have to say, these guys are quick. Plus, there was not a moment of delay picking up my call. I was informed that an ambulance is already on its way over to the scene. If this inspires you to volunteer or to contribute in one way or another, mayhaps you can contact the St. John's ambulance of Malaysia to find out how one can help in one way or another. This is their website http://sjam.org.my/ The ambulance in the following picture is one of their vehicles.

The next question is "Why was he on the highway?". That question beats the crap out of me. There is a motorcycle lane along Kesas highway but do the motorcyclists use them? If they do not, why dont they use it? Is it so unsafe that riding on the highway together with all the other vehicles seem safer?

If you use the Kesas as often as I do, the part headed towards Northport; you will notice that prime movers uses this part of the road very often. Optimus Prime was probably inspired by a prime mover as he is exactly that. While those we have in Malaysia does not transform into a giant robot, they are equally dangerous. Will you look at the size of this mother trucker and imagine what it can do to you and your vehicle?


Use the motorcycle lane if you are able to. If you drive a car, please be cautious and be respectful to our fellow road users who are on a motorcycle. It is extremely dangerous, I was on my mountain bike on Old Klang Road once and another time on Federal Highway (motorcycle lane), up Frasers Hill from Selayang and to Putrajaya from Puchong so the next time you are in your car, look left, look right and be alert and on the lookout and last but not least, be considerate to all road users, lest you end up sprawled on the ground, face down.