Malaysia on the table of a Mamak Stall.

Malaysia in general, is everything on a table of a mamak stall. There's the talk on the General Election GE13, sports, numbers and other stuffs to go through the night over several cups of teh tariks. Not to mention, the prices had gone up considerably over time since I last had one glass of teh tarik four months ago. It still taste as sweet as before.

1. The 13th General Election had gone by, with some certain quarters not liking how the result had came out. Several rallies had been staged and the opposing parties is bringing the results to court for unfairness and so on. I don't blamed them because the numbers tallied doesn't really on par with the number of parliament seats that were allocated. My Facebook's page were fully busted with so many postings of unfairness and cheating here and there by people who were monitoring the election. I can only sit back and wait. So, I am going to see, down the road, which party will earn the most honor points in the next five years. Both parties will fall under heavy scrutiny by the rakyat. 

2. Dinner event, I was chosen to represent my department and I was put in-charge with setting up banners, streamers, logos and last minute, a video or animation; supposedly to depict the company's historical growth. Banners, streamers and logos were as easy as it is but the animation was not so because i had lost touch with Director. It took me two days to re-familiarize with the software. Guess what? Macromedia Director is the 90s, ADOBE Director 12 is the "now" software. Though it was bought over by ADOBE, the functionality like sprites and Lingo Scripts stays. The animation went smooth despite the audio was a little bit jerky. 

3. My girlfriend is busy engrossing herself with cooking vegetarian food. She bought a nice and thick vegetarian cook book. It has at least 400 types of menu in it; and all is vegetables and other tofus. I had been having vegetarian food for lunch and dinner. I missed pork, beef, chicken and fish. One of these days, I will need to buy back some fish and chicken to eat. Not to mention, roasted pork. I always say, "A Chinese menu is not Chinese until the roasted pork comes in and sit on the table.". There you go, my diet for the past three months. Vegetarian, aye. And nay, I still eat some pork and fish once in a while to even out my diet. 

4. My gig on animation with Director lasted for two weeks only. Now I am back doing my usual stuff in the office. Development and troubleshooting SAP stuffs. It is still as challenging and interesting as animating some graphics with Director and edited using Photoshop. The company dinner won't come for another two years. Now here's the interesting part of the story, if you are new to the company, there is high chances you will be pick to participate in organizing the event. Furthermore, if you are from IT dept, you are most likely expected to prepare stuffs that is related to IT like design using softwares or multimedia presentation. However, all these could be sourced out to a designer house, but time given, if it is short period, you will need to roll up your sleeve and do the heavy work. Tough luck, I should've told them I am not good at multimedia design. Anyway, it's done and past. I feel relieved and at home I feel like a free man because I don't have to do extra job on the photo editing and going over again the animation sprites.

Beer, cigars and sex are man's biggest sin... I only have the first and the last; not the middle one. Go figure...

williamwilstroth... election, dinner event, multimedia, hope, sex...

Experience living with an owner. If you don't like it, get out.

I had just moved out a week ago to a new and better place. Now, I have my own kitchen, living room, the balcony, the laundry room and 3 other bedrooms to myself. That means I can do whatever I want and need. The reason I moved out of my rented room was due to the following reasons. 

1. Crazy live-in owner. There are moments he's mood is blown off, like you forget to pay your dues. Neither talking to you nor just ignoring you off. Although you tried talking to him but the returned feeling is like you owed him money. My pride had fallen because the owner's frequent ignoring my greetings made me feel unwanted. Fortunately, when the time comes to paying my rental, he will be magically happy and all-smiling to you. This was the last straw.

2. The room rent is RM400. Although it is as good as it seems because it is fully furnished with all the perks but I am not sure if he'd hiked it up since I moved out. It's a small room with a queen size bed that largely took up the whole room. And I had to move the bed to another corner so the room looks spacious. 

3. There's ample of parking space but you need to rent it. It's RM140 per month. The parking condition is good except that I parked near a construction site and a lot of used and rusted nails kept falling onto my parking space. It's dangerous if I don't regularly check the floor for some of it. Although I had a choice not to rent it and park out of the condominium's area but I am worried about my car's safety. So I had no choice but to rent one out for my car. 

However, this is the condition in the island. Those who can't park inside, they had to endure muddy parking or park along the roadside at your own risk. I find this is dangerous. Aiyo, my car's Proton only lar, no problem lar. Then, you are good enough to park there.

4. So altogether, I am paying RM540 for this place that I can only do light cooking and practically can't do much. You come to your room, eat, sleep, shit and go to work. It's a prison staying in this room. 

6. That's not all, I need to add in some utility bills like RM34 (on average if you tried hard to save) for the electricity bill. Water is dirt cheap RM2 yet he claimed he brings water back from Ipoh to save water. What the fuck?!

6. Then all together, the total is RM574. If you look at this figure, it's almost RM600. Why don't I go out and try to find my own place with this RM600? And I don't have to endure this sour plum owner? And guess what, I do and did pay my dues, and kept your house clean, asshole.

7. Moreover, you cannot bring back your girlfriend for a night over. Shitty life, huh? Shitty life for the owner and I don't intend to lead a shitty life.

8. There's no fair wear and tear staying here, anything that's broke, you are the first to be blamed for the damage. "You broke it", said the owner. It's a wooden door attach to a bathroom. You expect it to stay in size after getting splashed so many times by our bath water? And you blamed it on us and claimed you didn't know that the door is not plastic? Shit. So, it's risky staying there. If the washing machine or the microwave breaks down, be prepared to pay for it on your own because the owner will eventually say, "You broke it".

9. He's fairly nice to the other room mate. What did I do to deserve this? The other room mate is not that good either. He's way of washing the toilet is just scrubbing the walls and floors only. He left things un-closed after using most of the electronic appliance. So, this is a good tenant I guess. 

 

I guessed all these bullying is due to the fact I did not sign any agreement with him. That's make him brave to do anything all above that seems one sided.

So, after four months of soul searching and an agent who helped me, I finally found a modest, clean and good to live for a long period condominium unit. It is so much better than the room I had rent one week ago. 

1. I don't have to live with an owner. The owner lives in the mainland. She seems a nice lady. She even allowed me to nail a few places to put up my stuffs. And even let me rent out one room to anyone, if I wanted to do so. She's nice. 

2. The plus is the owner does not live with me. 

3. I can do my own cooking irregardless light or heavy ones.

4. I have my own freedom to do whatever I like as long as I stay within my lines as a tenant as stipulated in the contract. Yes, there's a contract and I intend to keep it as my word to the owner.

Conclusion, if you guys are trying to rent my room at 104-02-06, Villa Emas, Penang, think twice. The owner might seem nice at the beginning, but it is not so rosy after that because he's a fussy prick. I had endure it for 7 months. It's time for me to go to a better place. What more can I say? Biasa lar, kalau tak suka, keluar lar! So, I am keluar-ing lor.

Advice : Be cautious and always think twice hard before renting a room with a live-in owner. Serious.

williamwilstroth... that's why I am moving out...

2013 comes and please be good...

I am still in Penang and I am well into the new year, 2013. Happy New Year to you all. For the Chinese, this is the year of the Snake. I am getting by okay and standing back firmly on my feet slowly. Lately, my stress has been reducing slowly unlike the very first few months after my divorce. My mood and emotion went crazy like the whole world was on me. Yes, I know now that it is a painful process. Thanks to everyone beside me has been very supportive.

I just hope my 2013 will be a good one. As for relationship, I am not too eagerly to jump into any new ones. Though I am in a relationship now but I am not too sure of the future. Sometimes, I grew tired when I am with her. Sometimes, I find myself forcing to be happy with her. It is all too fake but I need to learn to de-stress myself. Yeah, sometimes a little conversation with her would just struck off my stress meter. In comparison to the few months back, today my stress has improve but there's still a little sign of regret and sadness dwelling deep in my heart.

My room is not as big as it is but the place is good and pricey too. I am not complaining too. Well maintained by the owner and he does housekeeping once every week. My next room's housemate and I tried our best not to mess it up. As usual, I go to work in the morning and reach my office within 15 minutes. It's very near. Unless, I have to take her for breakfast in the town. Life's now pretty constant. Thank God, I don't think I want another exciting adventure again. Whatever happens in 2012 is more than enough to fill up my level of experience. Perhaps later in 2013, there will be another one with my current partner. I am not sure at all. My friends have told me that I should not drag the relationship too long if I do not have any intention at all to marry her. Well, I just got divorce and of course, I am not thinking of it so soon...

williamwilstroth... 2013, please be good and I need it...

Rivers of Babylon by Boney M

So it seems today is our last day and tonight is End-of-World. I'm still sitting at my cubicle, trying to solve my SAP issue. Made myself a hot cup of white Boh tea. It is now sitting next to my notebook. I can smell its aroma. It's nice. The taste is rich of milk and I just took a sip. It tasted good. 

Of course, if the world comes to an end then I won't be attending work tomorrow. Definitely, the IT Dept's Christmas party gone too. I bet everyone wake up at Pearly Gates with the largest and longest queue that God would ever see in his ever presence since the dawn of humanity. However, if the tonight pass out without a flick of explosion and screams, then rest assured there will be another one coming, 2035. Will there be another movie on this?

Anyway, let's all join hands and sing "Rivers of Babylon" by Boney M : 

williamwilstroth... 2012, Rivers of Babylon, end-of-world

Citibank and extra cash to give?

An unknown number called and I picked it up, 

Unknown : Hi, Is this William?

Me : Yes, I am. 

Unknown : I'm calling from Citibank. It's regarding your credit card.

Me : Okay.

Citibank Sales : Do you have any balances that you want to transfer to your Visa Clear Card?

Me : No. 

Citibank Sales : How about any extra cash you want so to help you on your business?

Me : No, I don't own any business. 

Citibank Sales : Ok, thank you and bye.

Wow.... That's fast. Now here's the thing. The catch is not to ask the person if you want any bank transfer or extra cash but telling you it is regarding your credit card. So, they have change their tactics so they don't get any hang-ups immediately. Good approach but still I don't need any transfer or extra cash. If extra cash that I don't have to return then it's good.

Oh boy, i am so tired lately...

williamwilstroth... I don't feel like a young man...

Had a choice and I made one.

It's been almost 5 months since I moved out from my rented old condominium unit. Leaving several memorable things or stuffs behind. Some DVDs underneath the bed and several good old books in her drawer. I left behind an iPad too. It's all for her. I'd packed my last clothing into every suitcase I can find. I have no idea she packed that last suitcase for me. I have no idea, 6 years from now, I am leaving my wife. I've always wondered how did she felt when she packed my suitcase? Yes, she packed a suitcase and some bedsheets for me. I guess she had it all ready and knew that I had to leave. Some said our time had come to an end or it's just pleasantries to make this whole divorce sounds more comforting?

We signed our divorce paper on the 3rd August 2012, this year. That was 5 months ago and I'd received my copy of divorce paper and hers too. We are now officially back to our single life. She's back at her own work. For me, I am back as a single man with someone whom I think I am not so sure if I want to be with. Every time when I drive to Pulau Tikus or Georgetown, I can't just stop thinking of my ex-wife. 

Anyway, what's done it's done. There's no way I can turn back the clock tell myself don't walk the wrong path. I had a choice and I made one. Was it a good choice? I do not know.

1. I wish  I had taken the long road, grab a map, identified all the places I wanted to visit with my ex-wife. Instead of just going to and back from work and stay at home. 

2. I wish I had plan more vacation with her. 

3. I wish I had plan more food exploring with her.

4. I wish I did not just keep buying stuffs for her and spoiled her.

5. I wish I did not just nodded to all her request and spoiled her.

6. I wish I had kept to my promise and bring her to a honeymoon; not always with the family.

7. I wish I've listen to her more often and talk more to her. 

8. I wish I could've drag her along to all my outings.

9. I wish I could've done more as a husband to her in the past 6 years...

Five years from now... I've no idea... 

williamwilstroth... divorce is not easy...

Twisted Thoughts : Never Turn Back.. Part 1

Author's Note : Yes, it's Rome in the future. Enjoy! How are you all? I hope everything has been going on well and life's treating you good too. Here's another Twisted Thought story for you. Just that this week I am very into Rome and its famous commander Julius Caesar. Have a good read.

 

'It's not what you think', he looked down to the wasted city below. 'It has been many years, the war had taken it's toll and we are the only ones left, Caesar', Marcus stood behind and stared out to the sky above. 'Yes, the war had been devastating to both sides but I believe in my heart she still stood there outside', Caesar looked at his own reflection on the glass panel. 'If I have not left her behind,' he touched the glass panel on the observatory deck. The Tenth Expeditionary Legion commanded by Caesar had been exploring the waste city for two weeks and nothing unusual had been reported by Scout Officers. 'If this mission goes on for another week without any action I am going to go crazy', Marcus flicking his cigar on top of the ashtray and sucking it hard again. Caesar stood still and said nothing at all as he stared out of the observatory deck.

'Orders are orders and the legion is to serve the Senate', murmured Marcus to himself trying to mock his companion. Legionary Septimus walked into the observatory deck and gave his salute to Caesar and Marcus, 'Your order, Sir'. Caesar hesitated before he turned around to look hard at Marcus, 'I am going down there one more time'. 'Are you crazy, we do not know what we have down there!', Marcus stood up. 'I'd have this feeling she is there', Caesar gripped his commanding staff so hard that his knuckle turned white. 'The last time you went down, you nearly got kill! I am not going to let you go down anymore', Marcus was about to turn to standing by legionary Caesar had walked out of the observatory deck. 'Send 20 Legionaries with him. For GOD sake!', and the legionary saluted again and hurried out with his latest orders. 

At the deployment bay, 20 high ranking Tristi Legionaries of The Tenth was getting ready to march into the Legionary Shuttle. 'Sir, your Legionaries are ready', Legionary Septimus reported to Caesar who is ready to enter into wasteland. Suddenly, a radio officer came running in and shouted, 'LF (Life Forms) detected at sector 270, just 5 km from where you are landing, Sir!'. 'Go!', Caesar shouted to his legionaries. The Personnel Legionary Shuttle closed it's bay doors, it's engine began to roar and took off. It flew out of the deployment bay and into the dark skies. 

'Sir, will there be any fight with this ULF (Unknown Life Forms)?', Legionary Septimus stood by his commander's side as the shuttle sped through the clouds and begining to make it's descend as it gets nearer to the wasteland. 'We never know until they start shooting at us. Stay vigilante at all times', Caesar examining his gear and he had wished that every time he goes down there he had an answer to it. 'Septimus, how does it feel that your love one went missing and not found?', a fear that he had always wished that it will go away although the war had ended. 'Sir, I never will understand how it feels. My wife is doesn't approve me in the Legionary', he tried to smile at his commanding officer. The big black bird that is carrying the legionaries begin to slow its flight. 'Designated point in 5 minutes', it beep to it body contents. 'Men, get ready', shouted Septimus. Each of the legionaries immediately make their way to their own personnel deployment unit. As each legionary stood in the unit, the bird begin to prepare to spit them out to the landing zone. 'Deployment in 5 seconds,' the bird begin to count. 

'Release Activated', the shuttle holds down its throttle and open it personnel deployment hatch and spill out its occupants. All the legionaries were begining sent down and before the legionaries could touch the ground with their feet somewhere had already begin firing at the bird and at them. 'Sir, gun fire!', cried Septimus. 'Armed and shoot to kill!', Caesar replied back. Before the bird could unleash all of its legionaries, a stray rocket had blasted through its hull and killing its pilots. The bird begin to lose its altitude and slowly nose dived and hit the ground. Five of the unfortunate legionaries went down with the bird. 'Damn! They are everywhere!', Septimus is now having a rough time trying to pin point where are the enemies located. The shooting seems to be coming from everywhere. 'Formation Legions!', shouted Caesar. With all their shields held up right and their body begin to move closer to each other to form a mini defensive wall over themselves. 'March, slow, shoot and Aries report to Mother Ship!', Caesar shouted again as gunfire begin to get louder and louder. 'Forward on!', cried Septimus. Suddenly, they heard a lot of weird shouts and they could hear a lot of footsteps running. 'Sir, I detected two groups of ULF running at our direction!', reported Aries. 'Boys, brace and kill', ordered Caesar. 

'Good lord, they are human!', said one of the legions beside Caesar's left side. 'Sir, you really want us to take them down!', another legion asked Caesar. 'Shoot blue flare, Septimus, quick!', as Caesar finished his orders, Septimus had already had the blue flare gun and shot up into the sky. 'They are still charging at us, Sir!', another cried. 'Wait, hold on, they don't look human now, shit!', another legionary held strongly to his shield. 'Its the Dark Forms!', yelled Septimus. They were getting nearer to the legionaries now. 'Impact in 10 seconds!', Aries shouted and every legionary begin to draw their swords and pray hard.

Meanwhile in the Expeditionary Mother Ship, Marcus was tied back and his mouth gagged and left alone in the prison cell. 'Good, let the Dark Forms devour Caesar once and for all', Sulla sneered at the latest update from his scout. 'We are taking this ship and we will see from very far away', he laughed and walked out of the prison cell. 'What about the whole Tenth Legionaries?', as Sulla walked out Antonidus asked his General about the remaining team in the Mother Ship. 'Kill them all!', was the last words Marcus heard when his room went black. 

william wilstroth... Never Turn Back...