Toxic

One of the basics you look out for in a friend is the ability to listen. Even if they can't give you good advice or actually care about your problems, what you want is someone to just listen and, at best, make you forget what made you have to vent the first place. 

So there's this one person who has been telling me about her issues with life and people around her. Then one day, I get quiet having my own things to mull over and she says "if you ever need to talk, I'll be here". The offer is genuine, I'm sure. 

However the day came when I wanted to talk about a certain idiot we both know, and when I told her that he'd pop up just as suddenly as he left, she just replied "I'm done with him, he played me", and that was the end of it. No room for anything that I might have had to say. 

So what if I wanted to talk about the idiot, even if you got played by him, you can't even let me say what I wanted before cutting me off? 

Well, won't be bothered with all your crap anymore really and I'm not bothered this time around when you're being played again. 

Bye Felicia!

Hot Topic

Read this article (originally by Ruby Browne) and reposted it on Facebook and it ended up being one of the quickest reposted link, and possibly the most reposted one on my feed. Other than the fact that I do have a lot of friends who are or were in the coffee industry, the real reason is that the article definitely hit every nail on the head. Although the article is written by someone who is basing the ten points on the culture in America, the issues seem like a worldwide problem, or perhaps a problem with people in first-world countries.

Point #5 and #7 are usually by people who try to act like they know everything about coffee as they transition from traditional coffeeshop-style coffee (kopitiam kopi). Kopitiam coffees are definitely cheaper as they firstly use cheaper beans, and they basically leave a giant sock of coffee that is slowly thickening in a pot throughout the day, diluting the coffee with scalding hot water when you order a cup. That's how you get your extra hot coffee at a relatively low price starting from one dollar. However, these set of people go into espresso-based coffee joints and hope they get the same thing but don't realise that even the milk used is different.

Point #10 is obviously something that has gotten worse in recent times. I understand sometimes someone happens to call just as you need to communicate with the counter staff, what I don't understand is why you can't ask the other person to wait for a minute. If you know what you want to order, you would have it down in less than thirty seconds, with only the staff asking for your name. Another way would be to tell the other party that you'll call them back or just let it be a missed call. You are taking a break with coffee, take a break from your phone too.

Point #6 is very common, and even though Starbucks is one of the bigger names, why would you think that Starbucks' drinks menus are copied by everyone. I did have fun when people came in ordering like they would usually do in a Starbucks and I'd just act like they were talking alien. There is a reason why every coffee joint has their own blend, and their own menu of drinks. Other than the standard coffee drinks, specials are suited to the cafe's own signature coffee blend. Even coffee shots are made differently and that is why some people are die-hard fans of only one coffee joint.

These are the few that got me giggling while reading the article, and I bet most of my friends as well. Every repost had a discussion as to which point was the most irritating, and it brought back loads of memories. If I ever get to start a cafe, I'd definitely print this article out really big and stick it on the wall.

Gender Issues

Five things that irritate you about the same sex? Opposite sex?

Same Sex:

1. They way some of them complain about being fat when they are already walking lollipops. If you're fat, what the hell am I?
2. The kind that take stupid photos of themselves with their eyes exaggeratedly large, cheeks blown up like chipmunk's, pursed lips and the signature peace sign placed somewhere around their face. U just look like a blow-up doll, and most likely, guys will use you as one.
3. Wearing 5 inch heels but end up walking with your neck sticking out to balance yourself. Why bother when you don't have an arse to enhance in the first place.
4. Walking as if you're marching and one of those carrying the flags. Seriously, is there something stuck between your legs?
5. Wearing tights as pants and nothing long enough to cover your camel toe. VPL is ok... camel toe? NOOOOOOOOOO!

Opposite Sex:

1. The dumb ones who carry their girlfriend's handbags. Worse still if they act as though the bag is their own.
2. The kind that talk like they know everything but know nothing at all. If you don't know about it, just admit that you don't.
3. The kind that think women are bad drivers. We're all human, everyone has their good and bad days. One thing to note though, taxi drivers are mostly men.
4. How some sit as if they've got big testicles. If they really are that big, you might want to get them checked for an infection.
5. Wearing pants too low, like below you butt is too low. Or wearing that weird fisherman pants that seems like you're wearing diapers that are drooping because it's full of crap.

Hate

Something you hate.





People who are just stupidly rude. The kind that don't have an ounce of courtesy in them no matter what the reason may be.

Is it that hard to say excuse me to ask for a bit of space should you need to pass another person rather than barge through, possibly stepping on someone else' toe or hurting the other person? Sorry might be the hardest word to say but if you were courteous enough to say excuse me in the first place, you most likely wouldn't need to say sorry after.

Then there are the kind that don't seem to understand what an appointment is when they decided that canceling right the very minute you're supposed to be there with no proper excuse. If you can't make an appointment, cancel it in advance - like maybe in the 2 hours you had before the appointment? If you're going to be at least 15 minutes late, then let the other party know. Don't leave people waiting for half an hour without a word, or tell the other person "Hey I'm in a hurry, I got to go, will pass you the items tomorrow or next week" right at the very minute the person arrives to meet you. So unless someone died, or is dying at home within the last 30 minutes to the appointment, please don't pull stupid stunts that just piss people off.

Another is to not respect other people's property. If you want to use something that is not yours, do ask the owner for permission. Do put items back where you found them or in the same condition you got them. If you're asked about the specifics of the usage, don't lie and use it for something it shouldn't be used for. If it's meant for a square, don't use it for a rectangle. It would also be nice if you would return things once you're done using them.

Finally, don't take advantage of people's kindness by assuming that they would go out of their way just to do things for you. If you need something from someone, you have to think that they are going out of their way to help you in the first place, so don't go demanding for things. Another thing is, if you should borrow something, do return it to the owner once you're done and not wait till the owner calls for it to be returned. Don't go asking/expecting the owner to come get their own things, especially when they sent it over to you in the first place. It is one way to ensure that no one will loan anything to you though.

In the end, it all boils down to your character. If you're rude, you end up looking rather uneducated and uncultured, which most likely, you are.

No Action, Talk Only

There comes a point where people who just keep talking and talking end up being thought of as useless as the everyone knows it's easy to speak out. Ask that same big mouth to do it, and it won't get done as actually moving their arse to get it done will zap them of their full tank of energy. They will, however, spend that little bit of energy, raising their hands to point a finger to assign someone else to get it done... and amazingly this movement can be done faster than their big mouth can open.

Then there are people who say they will do it, and in the end, they do get it done, or get it done too bloody late. Why bother really, if you can't do it or won't do it in the first place, don't make promises. Don't offer something you can't deliver, and if you did, at least APOLOGISE to those you've let down. Don't just pretend nothing happened, or that no one informed you, or that you didn't get the messages when you can reply to a later message pertaining to the same item.

If you get things done, but much later than the deadline, don't expect people to use your idea, especially one that has no link to the project. Don't think just because it's an interesting idea that we HAVE to use your idea. If it is submitted late, it might as well not have been submitted at all. And why so? Because the whole project might have been completed by the time your submission was given, and why should anyone change the whole project just to fit your CUT & PASTE idea?

Well the good thing out of all this is that there is a presentation to be done. Presentation means you have to talk it all out. Since that is your speciality dear NATO members, the 2 of you can point the fingers at each other and try to figure out who should do it. Sadly, I won't be there to watch you talk your arses off, but then again, none of you bother to even get the presentation from me.

Oh Well..... Think I should join the club and just talk about passing the presentation off to someone, but then don't bother doing that either.

Get On With It

As one of my number one pet peeves is for someone to call before 12p.m., my second one to that is for the person to find out that I was sleeping before I answered the call, and then attempt to get me to go back to sleep by saying they'll call back later. Just continue the conversation and get on with it.

After you woke me up by making my phone ring, don't tell me you'll bother me again at a later time as you already have my attention. I've already managed to grab the damn phone, spot who is calling me (which means I do reject some people, which means you've already got priority if I answer, which means your call better be worth my damn time!), hit the answer button, and grunt my greeting - that should indicate to you that I'm awake enough to listen to what you have to say. With that in mind, don't beat around the bush and just get to your point. Seriously why do you care why I'm still sleeping at that hour? I've got nothing better to do, so I might as well rest, and if it was the day I fell sick, I wasn't even awake for more than 3 hours in the whole 24 hour period. Yes I can hibernate like a bear....

Now touching on being well-rested, I guess the lack of it was part to blame for me getting sick, other than the person (yes... you... Mr Yong) coughing in my face. So if you do find out that I'm not well, then either don't ask me to run an errand, or just go straight to the point and ask if i could run an errand, but DO NOT ask me to go back to bed and rest because you ALREDY WOKE ME UP!

Now I probably will get myself out of bed after ending the conversation with you, but I might have to head back to bed later because you interrupted my sleep. If that's the case, the reason why I won't allow you to call me later is so that you won't wake me up again, interrupting my much-needed sleep. 

Never Make Me Lose My Trust In You

Recently I heard about some things that someone I used to work with had said behind my back. It made me think of the time when some people exploited the information that I gave them, using it against Adi to create trouble. I guess their first mistake was to use it against Adi, which was how I got wind of what they did, and now I don't trust them anymore. The trust that you gained through years of working together, lost in a second.

Obviously that wasn't the first time I lost my trust in certain people, there's definitely the ones that borrowed money and are no where to be found, and the one person who was just too stupid to try and hide the truth when I already knew everything.

So this bitch decided to tell Y.C. that I would not call when I can't show up for work. The people who have worked with me before will know that's not my style, although if I'm going to be a few minutes late, I won't bother calling as I'll show up at work by the time the call got through - plus I see that it's a waste of time to call and spend the few minutes saying I'll be late when I can use my hands to get dressed faster. Well since I don't really like working with her, it wasn't much of a loss to me if I didn't work at the outlet when she was around. As I believe, Karma's a badass biatch, and she's out of my life.

More importantly, what I don't get is why these people have to try to make others look bad. Would it actually make you look good in other people's eyes? If people found out the lies you spin, then the one at a loss would be the liar in the first place as no one would trust you anymore. Personally I think trust is one thing I really, really treasure - it's one reason I don't have many best friends, the same reason I don't confide in many people about some issues. I don't understand it when some people can not just trust the person they're with and let things be. The other issue is when someone abuses your trust and yet you still stick with the person, yet gripe about how you don't trust him/her - then why stay with the person? Some say people do deserve a 2nd chance, but a 3rd and a 4th is a bit too much to ask for. As for myself, I will only give you a second chance if I think you're worth it.

In the case of the 3 people I work with, I won't bother with the second chance. If you can't even play nice when I don't even threaten your position at work (or do I?), then how would you treat me as a friend? If you're already using and abusing me at work, I won't be stupid enough to want that when we're out of the outlet. So not trusting the 3 of you is rather good as it helps me eliminate more useless people in my life, along with the leeches and the idiotic.

Thank You For Your Concern But....

Just like you turn to certain people when you have issues, so do I. There are people I know who understand my point of view, who would instantly understand why my emotions run high concerning certain issues. To put it more clearly, I don't just have one person I talk to about my problems, I have 2 I can trust not to blackmail me, and 1 I'm now considering to be part of the pack. For those of you who think that my mom is one of them, you've got it wrong. Even though I do tell her the more mundane and ridiculous things some people do that irritate me, she won't understand where I would be coming from regarding certain issues and all that would do is piss me off more. 

There's also one major thing when I decide to let you in on what's bothering me - TRUST. If I don't trust you, why would I tell you anything? So one might think that I would be contradicting myself as I post some of my issues here, but what you don't realise is that I've already bitched about the issue to the people I trust, and what is on here has gone through quite a bit of censorship.

For one person in particular, I would have to apologise and say that I'm grateful for your concern, but the problem lies with me - that I can not talk it out when I'm at the point of killing someone. Yes, you're the person I'm considering as my 3rd confidant, but I guess there might still be quite a while to go before I trust you enough. It's just that at this point, I'm not sure why I'm so comfortable talking to you about certain issues.

As for the people who have your own problems to attend to - don't bother about me. If you can't bear the weight on your own shoulders, don't try to take on mine. The reason why you started talking to me in the first place was to gripe about what is bothering you in your life. Even the niceties exchanged during the initial part of the conversation were just so that you would know I was actually paying attention to you. Even if during the conversation, you decide to ask me about my life, don't take it too seriously if I tell you I need a break. As time and time again, just maybe with the exception of the past 2 weeks, my problems tend to fix themselves. Or maybe you should realise that the break I need is actually from people like you,

Why Should I Bother?

You email me regarding the fact that you finally finished writing the letter (that would have taken you much longer if I didn't set a dateline... the same sort of letter which my other former company took just a week to complete by the way...) and to call to make arrangements to pick it up. Then when I did call back, you inform me that the letter was passed to my colleague to be brought back to the outlet. Over the phone, you had the cheek to tell me to contact you if there was any problem with the letter.

So after 1 whole month, you couldn't even try to find my employment records, but you could go around asking some previous manager of the outlet that I didn't work about me. Then instead of taking my word regarding the month I ended my contract with the company, you decide to take the word of that person I didn't work with. So what would be the difference, TO YOU, between taking the word of someone I didn't work with who just gave you an estimate of my employment duration, and taking my word that I ended my employment on that specific month? Would it have cost you money? Or would a finger drop off for every month you indicated wrongly? In that case, I think that you'd have dropped 4 fingers then.

Seriously, why should I bother calling you back if you have already shown that you couldn't be bothered to help me in the first place. Will I have to wait another month to get the letter with the correct duration printed on it? By the time you get things done, I think I would have missed another chance to apply.

Thinking about it, I'll just apply with the useless letter you gave me, and if someone asks about the discrepancy, then I shall point the finger at you and your laziness.

Thanks for nothing.

Don't Try To Mess My Relationship

I've come to the point of wondering if working with one of my besties is actually a good idea. Before a certain person came into the picture, there was already attempts to keep us apart during work, and possibly outside the work environment as well. I would understand why an attempt would be made if the two of us didn't get any work done during our shift, but to try and keep us apart even after? You seriously have to be kidding me.

Well after the move to the new outlet, the people behind that plan to keep us apart didn't have much control  over our shifts anymore. So it was all quiet for a while until one of the people behind that 'evil' plan transferred over and we wondered if problems will arise again. Thankfully nothing of that sort happened.

Then came the day I started talking to this one certain person - my current manager - who keeps thinking that it's a good idea for me, as a best friend, to talk to Adi concerning work ethics. Time and time again I refuse with the reason that Adi will not take me seriously even thought the matter might be serious. If I were to switch positions with Adi, I'd be laughing my head off, which is exactly what she did when I told her what he wanted me to talk to her about.

So basing her reaction doesn't seem to be a good enough excuse not to talk to her. I did give the reason that I'm only a part-time staff, while Adi is the supervisor, and he's the manager. If he wanted someone to talk to Adi before he did, then it should be the one person that fills the gap between their positions in the outlet.

Now even after the first incident that was strictly work-related, what had me really pissed off was the day that he kept asking me to talk to Adi about a personal matter. Honestly, the choices Adi, or anyone else, decides to make regarding their life is up to them. If she decides to quit soccer, I can't stop her even if I think she's might be throwing away a good future. Even if she decides to consult me regarding something, the ultimate decision is still hers. I can't possibly be watching over her, or all of my besties, to just let them experience the good, and avoid the bad in life. It's their life to lead and to do with.

Seriously, the next person who tries to mess with any of my relationships might just end up with a knuckle sandwich for dinner.

Be A Smart Customer

After a discussion with Syndyk earlier about the service sector in Singapore, and how bad it is in many aspects, this article proves the one thing I was trying to say; that the customers need to change their mindset when it comes to service.

Other than trying to make people a little nicer by trying to get them to clear the table so the next patron could have a relatively clean one to dine on, it did point out the one bit about people being used to someone picking up after them. I told Syndyk that customers here are also one cause of the crappy attitude of service staff when they've been treated as though they're maids. Maids are, at least, still humans. There are some people who think that service staff are dogs - clapping or whistling is not a way to get our attention. So if my dog ignores me when I whistle at him sometimes, what makes you think I would give you my attention if you whistle or clap your hands?

Haven't people heard about treating others the way you want to be treated? Well if you decide to treat the service staff like crap, what makes you think you'll get the best out of the service staff? Seriously, not all of us might have a great education under our belts, but when it comes to class and culture, I think we can definitely beat the clappers and whistlers.

Another good point the article did put across was the fact that customers ought to change their mindset if they want to start getting prices down. More manpower to clear your leftovers, means more cost to the company, which ends up as cost to the customer. Well, everyone will argue that it might be a whole load of bullcrap and that higher prices is just another excuse to earn money. However, if you think about it, in the days when people in the hawker centres had their assistants to clear and wash their bowls/plates, the prices were much lower before common cleaning crew was hired to service the hawker centre. Now you have to carry your own food to the table, and the stall owner has lost his assistant, yet the price of the food has gone up. If you asked, the answer is the extra cost of the cleaning crew.

So get smart, change your stupid old habit, and just clear your tray. It's not as though you have to carry a pile of plates that might break and make more problems for the staff. It's just a plastic tray, with empty paper boxes, wrappers and cups. If kids can do it, I don't see why an adult can't.

Starting Your Life Together Cursed By The Neighbourhood?

So it has probably happened to everyone that is around my age - getting asked that dreaded question, "So when will it be your turn?", in reference to mrriage. Every time I get that question I'd answer that if I find someone to settle down with, I'll not have a wedding. If I didn't have to sign papers, I wouldn't even bother.

This morning's event just made it all more likely that I'll stick to my ideas. While here I was happily snuggled up in my bed, someone started honking their car horn, followed by another and joined in by a few more, which eventually ended as one big blast of horns for about 10 seconds. As if the first honk didn't wake me up, the group blast just made me start cursing at whoever was blocking the one-way exit (or so I thought). It didn't end there though. The idiots had to keep on honking as if honking would make whatever blockage disappear.

The horns stopped blaring after I heard some screaming, and I was glad for the person who got more annoyed than me to get up and curse, but again I was mistaken. The screaming continued, joined in by guys who were also shouting, and I just had to have a look at the clock. 7.30 a.m.! Bloody 7.30 a.m. on a Sunday morning and these idiots have to start a fight (...or so I thought again)! Then came the shout that made me realise what the fuss was all about...

"HUAT AH!!"

...and I was about to get out of my bed and shout something of my own in response.

My hopes of them ending their 'conversation' between the guys on the street and the girls from the apartment were dashed when the next thing I heard was "1...2....3... I want nobody, nobody... bak chiu..." Yeah "bak chiu" was what I heard, and I seriously wanted to give them black ones at that point. Now in the midst of wishing I had a deaf ear like mom, they went on to sing the damn thing two more times. Finally making the squealers in the apartment happy, the grunts made their way up just to create more noise.

Looking out of my house, I see that there were quite a few neighbours who were out wondering what the fuss was about, and the faces didn't seem all to happy about the noise these people were creating. Then I wonder how many neighbours were actually cursing these people just as I was? It could be just me, but I doubt anyone who was out partying last night, and people who planned to sleep in on their only day off in the week, would appreciate such a irritating wake up call. Weddings held under the block usually start getting lively at 10am, even funerals don't make as much noise as these idiots did.

So maybe you planned on telling the whole world you spent quite a bit on getting the ugly car for your special day, want to show off that you have the support from a good bunch of friends, that you're bride has an equally supportive bunch. Please, save the show for any other day except Sunday, or at least give some consideration for people who are resting even though you have opted to use up your Sunday. I know tradition sometimes need the people to get to a certain place by a certain time, but it didn't say to make so much noise that people start cursing upon you.

Now You Know Who You Are?

Another thing is I don't get where this stupid idea of blasting your car horn came about, but I know one thing is that the horns are supposed to be honked when the groom arrives back to the brides' parents' home, AFTER the bride has visited her new in-laws. NOT when you come to pick your bride up. If taking tradition into consideration, what horns were blasting when there were only carts pulled by horses/men in the olden days?

Guess for all of you who intend to get married and stick to traditional ways, be a little considerate as to the time and day which you decide to start waking the whole neighbourhood up. Or maybe you just don't think your marriage will last in the first place, and don't mind a few curses towards you both on the day you start your journey together?

Gut Feelings

Chatting with some friends of mine, I realise that it's not first impressions that actually tell you if you should keep that person as a friend, but rather, it's better to go with your gut feeling. I'm not saying that going through thick and thin with someone isn't a good way to know if you've got a good friend beside you. However, there is a handful of people that you just know you'll never be friends with, no matter how many times people want to try and reassure you that the person just has a quirk. Having a quirk is one thing. being lame is another. I've got a load of friends who I treasure and each of them has at least something odd about them. None of them, however, give excuses for any opportunities that they've missed, no matter how small.

This one person, whom I've not liked since school for some odd reason, is the main focus of this post. I still remember that she was the first one I spoke to during my first day in school, and I clearly remembered frowning at her because I gave up asking her to repeat herself as she just didn't stop mumbling. Since that very day, I've treated her as a classmate and nothing much more. Some of my friends in class would tell me to give her a chance, to get to know her, and that she's probably trying to get to know me better. So even after years of knowing this person, I never really got to know her.

Finally we started chatting and I got to understand her a bit more, and maybe I've found out too much about her character that she hasn't actually realised. Other than being needy, which I seriously cannot tolerate, she is constantly putting herself down for things that might not even involve her. Another thing is the snooping that she seems to try and do, and thinks that two people she keeps asking about don't see what she's doing. Why is it that some people just can't ask a question to the person who is directly involved and instead, goes to someone else for that information?

What got me really irritated is that she told the Mia something that involved me, which should really be a conversation between herself and I. However, she decided to contact both of us to set a date for something, but in the end, sent a private message to Mia and said that it takes so long just to get a day to meet up. Now how is it that when you're faced with 10 days to choose from, you only have the one-track mind to choose the date that I've already said I will be busy on? How dare you actually complain about it as well? Seriously, 10 days, of which 4 I've said I'm busy, then for the next 6, none of us are working, yet you can't choose any of the 6 available days to go out? The countless times that you've been asked to let us know if you'd be available on the dates we are have always ended with you either sending us stupid exclamation marks, no reply at all, or a quick dash to get out of the conversation. So if that's the case, don't point out the fact that you decided to pick the date where I have to work to meet up, and use that as an excuse for why it takes us so long to meet up.

In the first place, I don't even meet up with most of my best friends as often as you want to, and here you are, someone I didn't even treat as a friend in school, trying to meet up with me as often as possible to do something you think I like. You obviously don't know me well enough to know what I do when I feel a certain way. I don't shop or eat my problems away - I blog my problems away, cry all my anger out, and cook out all my stress.

I think in the end, my gut feeling about you was right - I should just stay away. If people want to stay friends with you, entertain you when you're feeling down just to hear u talking non-stop about something not many of us are interested in, then let them go ahead and do that. I for one, cannot be bothered to listen to you and your excuses, and escpecially won't stand for the fact that you constantly put yourself down even when you're told that you're not at fault.

Is your skull that thick?

Why Are You So Needy?

Alright. I've finally figured it out and pinpointed the problem that has got me into such a crappy mood. No matter how much I might like you as a friend, I cannot stand it once you get needy. I'm not talking about the few hours that you might need to unload some problem off me. I'm talking about the clingy, 'I have no one to hang out with', 'wish the day didn't end so quickly' kind of sickening need that just suffocates the life out of the one you decided to latch on to.

I know probably being by yourself can get extremely lonely, but don't you have things that you might need to do on your own one of these days? Don't you need your time alone? Well if you don't, I certainly do, and even if I'm not working on a permanent basis, doesn't mean I'm always that free to go out and cater to your every whim and fancy.

Worse part of it all is that you keep contradicting your own words with your actions. Somehow 'having a lot of things to do at home', and 'having to be home by a certain time' seem to fly out the window once we've met and there is definitely no rush to do anything when the attention is all on you. I wonder if you even think about the other people who have already asked for my time way before you, and even think that you're starting to impose on the time I've set aside for others.

Now I understand why I got so worked up when we travelled together. I guess with you I've to set the whole day aside and not even bother meeting anyone else even hours after the 'time you're supposed to be home'.

Nothing Better To Do Than Stir Up Problems?

Was going about my daily surfing spree when this article caught my eye. The issue that didn't sit right was the quote "Chili crab is Malaysian. Hainanese chicken rice is Malaysian. We have to lay claim to our food,". Particularly "Hainanese chicken rice is Malaysian".

Now it's not for me to say where dishes like the Chilli Crab, Nasi Lemak, or Laksa originated from, but to say a dish named Hainanese Chicken Rice would originate from Malaysia and not China. It's like saying Penang Char Kway Teow or Penang Laksa originated in Johore. Then why bother calling it a Penang dish if it came from some other state?

The article then states "Some creations, such as chicken rice, were introduced to Malaysia and Singapore by ethnic Chinese workers who settled here after leaving China a century ago." - shouldn't this give you a clue where that very dish's origin is?

Other than a lot of other words that come to mind, I think this whole idea is ridiculous. Seriously.... is there nothing better to do?

I Won't Lie That I Don't Tell Lies

I lie a lot. Mostly at work. Sometimes to keep certain secrets safe. Sometimes because I just can't be bothered with you and the rest of the world. Now if someone says "I've never told a lie", then I think that the person has never communicated.

Anyway... back to telling lies. Part of my job scope is basically to lie through my teeth and make people believe that certain things are worth purchasing. As I tell a lot of people, "I lie for a living." - which isn't far from the truth. It's not the entire job, but when somethings have to be sold, the lies come straight out like they're the truth.

Lying, I think, does have a special art to it. When you can actually believe your lie, somehow it slips past the other person much more easily. I wonder if that's the secret behind actors/actresses receiving those nominations? Could it be that they believed that they were actually the person they were supposed to portray? But then again, Hollywood can be rather soft-hearted and give awards away out of sympathy.

Associating acting with lying does bring up a thought. Other than actors/actresses and people who are undercover spies (basically a person who has to pretend to be some other person to get the job done), how sick are the people who actually live two different lives. I'm not talking about someone who has multiple personality disorder*. I'm thinking about someone who lives a lie so much that they believe their own lies to actually live it through, and start doing things they can't afford to do just to show/prove that their lie is true. Confused? Nevermind.

Well what got me on this topic was not a thought about some sicko, but more about lying and thinking that your friend will be stupid enough to fall for it. For some odd reason, some people think I'm gullible enough to believe everything they say. Too bad for them I've learnt to do a lot of info digging, and with the accessibility of the Internet, it's a bit hard to try and fool people, especially for personal gain.

I realised, while I was shopping with some friends, that one of them was a bit full of shit. This person acted like they knew everything and seems like the info given was mainly wrong. I'm not sure if the reason for the info was because this person didn't know better or was just trying to get us to get something that they preferred (personal gain). Somehow I got a warning about this person a long time ago, and I've been keeping my eyes and ears open ever since. I think I've come to a point where this person's opinions don't matter anymore, and careful consideration has to be put in when it comes to releasing any information.

A few months down the road, when this person got something that needed to be put together, I realised maybe this person really didn't know better. But something in the back of my mind kept bugging me about it and made me wonder if it was again for some sort of personal gain. The whole incident wouldn't have allowed for any personal gain however, and this got me feeling insulted. So maybe girls don't usually put things together, but that doesn't mean they can't. What irritated me most was that this person lied and thought that I would believe it like some bimbo.

I think people have to realise that I don't go around telling the whole world what I know. I mean realistically, everyone knows their fair share of information, and have a certain set of skills. Not everyone goes around bragging what they know, and I think people have to realise that they should start assuming that people know what to do. Or rather ask if the person knows how to get something done, rather than assume that they don't and insult the person by treating them like an idiot.

There are other issues with this person, sort of linking lies with personal gain. The thing that really caught my attention was comments on food. So food is subjective, but I'd say that someone would realise that something is a bit too salty/sweet/tart/bitter or just plain strange if they're not out to butter up the cook. The apparently 'great cook' had put too much wine in a pie filling that just didn't go well with it's crust. So how is this for personal gain? Well, flatter the chef and they would probably cook for you, no charge to you, again in the near future. Now if this person has known you for a while and every time they cook for you, you polish up the plate and sing praises, I'm sure you've got free food coming your way for a long time to come. Somehow I believe in giving more honest replies than exclaiming that "THIS IS THE BOMB!" for something that tastes like a molotov cocktail going into your stomach.

A big contrast is like what one friend said about the pie that was served during Christmas, "I wished I wasn't so thin-skinned cos I wanted to take more of the second pie but was afraid there wasn't enough. The second pie was much better than the first." Does that honesty keep her from being invited to the next Christmas party? NO... in fact, if we're going to test out pie recipes, she'll get the call to be in the survey group.

I guess the biggest issue I have with this person is the 'high and mighty' attitude that seems to exude with everything this person says. I'm not sure if it's because this person thinks I'm some naive little girl, that they know a lot, or that fact that they realise that I'm actually smarter than them and is trying to put me down. Whatever the reason is, I'm not liking it.

*Multiple personality is easiest to explain from the clinical viewpoint. Every person has various sides to her nature. She can become aware of her sides if she pays close attention to her moods. Sometimes she is happy, at other times she is sad. Sometimes she is reasonable, at other times she is demanding. Sometimes she is confident, at other times she does not know what to do. Depending on the particular environmental stimuli, one of her moods happens to be dominant in a given situation. All the moods are in mutual contact, influence each other, and perceive themselves as one mind. This is totally normal, but when something causes these neuropsychological entities to become mutually isolated, multiple personality is produced.

Multiple personality disorder (MPD), also known as dissociative identity disorder (DID), is a relatively permanent state of mind; the mind is split into partially or completely isolated neuropsychological modules. Each module has its own memories, emotions, and preferences, and behaves as a unique person. Some modules (called personalities or alters) are aware of the existence of other modules, whereas some personalities believe that they are the only mind in the body.

Snake On The Clothesline

The voices were irritating me from my sleep and I woke up realising it was the busybody of our apartment level asking my mom some questions, and the dog didn't help to the situation with his whining. I heard her asking my mom why she called the police.

The police? Who is sneaking around? What looks rubbery? Or is there a robbery?

WILL YOU ALL SHUT UP?!?!

Then another neighbour came by and the picture was painted more clearly..... My mom found a snake on the clothesline, which, in her blindness, thought it was a rubber toy. So to play it safe, she called the police who would have the basic equipment to get it. By this time I've given up on going back to sleep.

Next thing I know I hear more voices and then I hear a message coming through on a walkie-talkie. Oh the cops are here... Will they save the day? What I heard next was clinking of metal and a collective gasp from the 3 ladies watching the event unfold. Hmmm... what happened?

I finally get myself out of bed and head out to check out the big fuss. The neighbours have gone back to their homes and my mom was already playing with her DVD recorder. I asked what happened to the snake and she told me it flew away. FLEW AWAY??? Yeah, the snake got scared and jumped out, probably landing in the grass and made a quick escape. By the time the cops went down 5 floors, the snake was no where to be seen.

Anyhoo... asked if she got pictures, and when she said she did... The idea for this post came into mind. So here are pics of the snake that got away:

Oh my brave momma!

No Hablo Inglés?

The subject was posted in the papers recently when someone wrote in about hiring foreign workers as front-line service staff, and that all front-line staff should at least have some basic knowledge of English. I'm not too sure how the article was written and how it may have offended someone else but I do agree with the fact that front-line staff should have a basic knowledge of English, or at least are willing to learn, and thus, pick it up rather quickly. I'm fine with having foreign workers in the front-line. I actually work with a few foreigners and the first thing we tell them is that if they don't know how to answer or what they're being asked, just call for one of the senior staff to help you out. One reason why we do so is because we work in a rather fast paced environment and the more time u waste, the more frustration you create. Miscommunication also creates frustration, and not only with the customer, you get the wrath of your own coworkers.

Which reminds me...In another reply to the article, the lady wrote that it would be nice to get an answer for your simple queries. The very night I read the article, I had my own experience with one staff who couldn't answer my simple question which was "Do your pizzas have a thin or thick crust?" And I asked her 3 times; 1st try just orally, 2nd try pointing to the list of pizza choices, 3rd try gesturing the difference between thick and thin. She then goes into her native language (which I will not specify so as not to hurt the fragile hearts that the people of the same race might have) and asks if I could speak to her in that language. At this point her coworker comes along and I just asked for his help instead. English didn't sound like his first language either but at least I got my answer and even more information than required. Now in the first place, why do people assume that just because you're of a certain skin colour that u can speak a certain language? Why couldn't she just ask me to wait while she got another person to help me out instead? Well I'm sorry that I cut her off and just called her coworker over, but I was getting frustrated myself and thing is I don't even know how to say what I was trying to ask in the other language.

Wonder if she stays away from the tables she assumes she can't comprehend.

I Hope You Choke On It

"Excuse me, why does my ice cream have ice in it?"

Now if you're in a restaurant/cafe not owned by me, you could expect the usual "oh... do u want me to change it for you?" routine. But if you were in one that I own, please expect this response:

"Well, u see, ice cream has to sit and wait in a freezer till a dumb arse, like you, decides to have a banana split, and only until then does it get scooped up and served on a banana boat, melting in the heat of the cafe. So unless you want your banana swimming in 3 different flavoured creams, you should expect a bit of ice in your bloody ice cream as the bloody thing is part liquid! Now eat that shit and stop complaining cos you ain't gonna get another split after eating half of the first one."

Unless there's a big CUBE of ice in ur ice cream, don't ask me, or any service staff, a stupid question like that. No one will know how to answer that dumb question of yours and we all know u're just a bloody greedy arse hoping to get a discount out of the whole thing.

I hope u enjoyed your split and that ur arse will after all the curses we've thrown at you. Or else, choke on ur next one!

YOU STOOOOOPID IDIOT

I Dislike (Some) Cyclists

Not all cyclists. Noooo.... only the stupid ones who think they own the road. I'm fine with the cyclist who can actually ride like they're in competitions, the ones who speed down the road, maybe racing a car, all in the hopes of getting their daily dose of exercise. The ones I can't stand are those who are cycling to the market to get a carton of milk, or the ones who are taking their "sunday ride", or the ones who are just wobbly.

And the worse are the kids who think they're funny, playing with their own lives, riding up the sides of a car and making a U-turn infront of the car. Now if I knock you down, I'll ask if you're alright. And if you are alright, I'll kick you in the head so that you aren't and send you to hospital after that!

Actually the government ought to do something about this. Why can't we just have some sort of cyclist lanes? Since cyclists aren't allowed to ride on the pavements, then don't they deserve a safer way to travel? Why can't there just be cyclist lanes, where anyone other than cyclists caught travelling through them would be fined? Yes, set up the cameras and plant all the spies. Well a fine for every offense is one of the best ways to mold the people's behaviour anyway.

Anyhoo... back to disliking cyclists. Now what I really dislike is that some of you are wobbly. You might think you're cycling in the extreme left or right of a lane, but what you don't know is that you're actually wobbling left and right, using the road right up to the centre of the lane. Now here I am trying to overtake your slow arse, but how can I? I'm supposed to leave at least a 50cm space away from you while overtaking, but if I'm on a one way street, I'd have to drive up on the curb just to overtake you. Not that you didn't know I'm behind you, ready to take a gun to ur head, but you've looked over your shoulder and instead of stopping so I can pass, you decide to carry on slowly wobbling along the way.

Mama Said Knock You Out