I'm posting this from the lounge at LCCT waiting for my 7.25pm Airasia flight to Singapore. Seriously, it's been quite a while since I flew to Singapore. Usually I take the four hour plus drive through the second link and straight to Singapore city with the GPS on.
But heck, this morning I thought why not just go to KL sentral get a ticket and fly down. Easy peachy. So that's what I did at 9.30am this morning. Had breakfast with Puteh and then she dropped me down at KL Sentral.
I walked to the Malaysian Airline ticketing office in the building near the entrance of the train to KLIA.
Okay, it has been sometime since I bought a flight ticket to Singapore okay. So, please excuse for saying that I got a shock when the ticket counter told me my economy return ticket to Singapore is RM1,020!!!!
I stood there like a bloody idiot. I travel to Jakarta return costs me RM400-500. I travel to Bangkok about the same cost. On KLM to Jakarta never more than RM600 return.
And then suddenly, I have to pay more than 1 bloody k to Singapore on Malaysian Airlines.
So, I put back my credit card into my wallet, smiled at the Malaysian Airlines staff, thanked him for his troubles and walked off.
I took the train to KLIA and then a bus to LCCT, went to the Airasia ticket counter and bought a ticket for RM580 return. End of story.
Jeez! Remind me to check flight costs again before going to KL Sentral or KLIA!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
REUNION OF SORTS
During my Form 5 years, I hung out with a group of friends that were tight. We do everything together - watch hockey matches (this was during the time when Malaysia was a force to be reckoned in world hockey), movies, warungs and even group dates.
We were not all from the same school - most were from La Salle PJ, but some were from Bukit Bintang Boys School and also from St. Johns. The girls who hung out with us, however, were mostly from Assunta.
So, since we left school, we have met irregularly at off-the-cuff reunions organised by some of us who had the tenacity to gather us together.
One of these guys is Abang Hamzah, now Capt. Abang Hamzah, who is actually my senior in LSPJ. He has been very active in organising reunions, even with his own Class of 73 LSPJ.
Last Sunday, was one of the reunions that he organised. This time, however, he also invited his MAS batch of friends (which included my brother Capt. Arjunaidi).
Below are photos that Abang took of the reunion.
We were not all from the same school - most were from La Salle PJ, but some were from Bukit Bintang Boys School and also from St. Johns. The girls who hung out with us, however, were mostly from Assunta.
So, since we left school, we have met irregularly at off-the-cuff reunions organised by some of us who had the tenacity to gather us together.
One of these guys is Abang Hamzah, now Capt. Abang Hamzah, who is actually my senior in LSPJ. He has been very active in organising reunions, even with his own Class of 73 LSPJ.
Last Sunday, was one of the reunions that he organised. This time, however, he also invited his MAS batch of friends (which included my brother Capt. Arjunaidi).
Below are photos that Abang took of the reunion.
Prominent lawyer Dato' Rahman (former LSPJ) and Nasir.
Nabir Ishak, a very close buddy and classmate from LSPJ and his family. He arrived after I left, so we didn't meet at Abang's house.
L-R: Hatijah, Norana and Addie (ex Assuntarian) and almost famous salsa dancer-cum-architect, Amer Abu Baker also La Salle old boy. Missing from the Assuntarian group was Nurjannah and Suharti.
DREAMS - STRANGE AND DISCONCERTING
Dreams can be weird. Had a disturbing night last night. At about 4 in the morning my mom woke me up and said calmly that my dad had fallen off the bed. I rushed to the room and saw my dad looking slightly bewildered on the floor by his bed.
My youngest son and I carried him back to his bed. He was okay and said that he had a nightmare and fell off the side of the bed. But luckily he is okay. No bruises at all.
Then when I went back to sleep, I got into a fitful state. I woke up every fifteen minutes. And when I did manage to fall asleep I had the strangest dream.
I was walking with my brother I think when I happen to glance upwards and saw a small plane flying past us. A split second later, I saw a commercial plane veering away i the sky without a wing and smoke was trailing its tail. The plane sort of flipped and went careening to earth and crashed behind us. We rushed to see the place wreck, and came upon a beach full of debris and other people picking up the pieces. And then I woke up.
I cannot remember what place it was but it was definitely not Malaysian Airlines of AirAsia. I don't believe in premonitions but the dream was so real and quite disconcerting.
In the papers today, AirAsia announce they were doing away with their fuel surcharges and giving away 500,000 free tickets. Malaysian Airlines on the other hand announced in an ad today their really great promotions for the next two days.
No, I doubt these events are connected. But heck, I was a little taken aback by the dream.
Nevertheless, I need to watch over my dad closely these days.
My youngest son and I carried him back to his bed. He was okay and said that he had a nightmare and fell off the side of the bed. But luckily he is okay. No bruises at all.
Then when I went back to sleep, I got into a fitful state. I woke up every fifteen minutes. And when I did manage to fall asleep I had the strangest dream.
I was walking with my brother I think when I happen to glance upwards and saw a small plane flying past us. A split second later, I saw a commercial plane veering away i the sky without a wing and smoke was trailing its tail. The plane sort of flipped and went careening to earth and crashed behind us. We rushed to see the place wreck, and came upon a beach full of debris and other people picking up the pieces. And then I woke up.
I cannot remember what place it was but it was definitely not Malaysian Airlines of AirAsia. I don't believe in premonitions but the dream was so real and quite disconcerting.
In the papers today, AirAsia announce they were doing away with their fuel surcharges and giving away 500,000 free tickets. Malaysian Airlines on the other hand announced in an ad today their really great promotions for the next two days.
No, I doubt these events are connected. But heck, I was a little taken aback by the dream.
Nevertheless, I need to watch over my dad closely these days.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
WHEN WHITE GUYS PLAY FUNK AND DISCO
The 70s were memorable years for me. I finished secondary school, lost my virginity, danced to disco music, earned my first pay cheque, and etc etc etc. Heh heh. It was also the era of great dance bands - Earth Wind and Fire, B.T. Express, Commodores, Chic, Kool and The Gang. Even Africa produced a great group called Osibisa.
However, some of the most memorable, if not corny music during the disco era, came from the white guys. Check out below for some of the white bands that made it big during the 70s and early 80s. Listen closely too to the great lyrics. Do you remember their names? Not in the same order as the videos - K.C. and The Sunshine Band, Rick Dees, Silver Convention, Leo Sayer, Bee Gees, Andy Gibb, Rare Earth, Wild Cherry and Walter Murphy. Hahaha.
There's more....now come to thing of it, who killed disco? I think the white guys did it.
However, some of the most memorable, if not corny music during the disco era, came from the white guys. Check out below for some of the white bands that made it big during the 70s and early 80s. Listen closely too to the great lyrics. Do you remember their names? Not in the same order as the videos - K.C. and The Sunshine Band, Rick Dees, Silver Convention, Leo Sayer, Bee Gees, Andy Gibb, Rare Earth, Wild Cherry and Walter Murphy. Hahaha.
There's more....now come to thing of it, who killed disco? I think the white guys did it.
TWO GIANTS OF GUITAR - BENSON AND SANTANA
This is rare! A live performance of Benson's hit song Breezin, between Benson and Santana.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
LAST THREE EPISODES OF BILIK NO. 13
Tomorrow, the 11th episode of Bilik No. 13 will be aired. The title is Pelawat Malam written and directed by my son Aidyl Abadi.
Next week, episode 12 is entitled Kelab Ronggeng, my nod to Quentin Tarantino's Dusk To Dawn and Creepshow's Bordello of Blood. It stars Eman Manan and Harun Salim Bachik.
Episode 13 wraps up the second season with the secret of Bilik No. 13 exposed. It stars Catriona Ross and Anne Abdullah.
There have been mixed response to the second season. RTM insiders said the stories were stronger by casting was weak. For some, the scary parts took too long to begin and they would have changed the channel to TV3 to catch Kekasih Ku Seru.
On the positive side, die hard Bilik No 13 fans really liked the series and want more.
We took all these criticisms to heart. However, we were a little concerned and disappointed that RTM did not promote the second season at all. Eventhough we have prepared promotion materials for them at the beginning of the season, they did not deem it necessary to remind the press about the series.
This is sad, because the first season was a big hit for RTM2, and for them to assume that the popularity would be maintained or improve without promotion is unfortunately shortsighted.
We are in fact still waiting for the greenlight for season three. I was surprised when one of the officers said they are waiting for the final ratings. Suddenly they are concerned about ratings? Imagine if they had promoted the series ever week - the ratings would have soared.
Once again, all I could do is just wait. If you don't have patience and a strong heart, don't be a producer for RTM. You might just go nuts. Hmmm, now that's a great story for an episode of Bilik No. 13.
Next week, episode 12 is entitled Kelab Ronggeng, my nod to Quentin Tarantino's Dusk To Dawn and Creepshow's Bordello of Blood. It stars Eman Manan and Harun Salim Bachik.
Episode 13 wraps up the second season with the secret of Bilik No. 13 exposed. It stars Catriona Ross and Anne Abdullah.
There have been mixed response to the second season. RTM insiders said the stories were stronger by casting was weak. For some, the scary parts took too long to begin and they would have changed the channel to TV3 to catch Kekasih Ku Seru.
On the positive side, die hard Bilik No 13 fans really liked the series and want more.
We took all these criticisms to heart. However, we were a little concerned and disappointed that RTM did not promote the second season at all. Eventhough we have prepared promotion materials for them at the beginning of the season, they did not deem it necessary to remind the press about the series.
This is sad, because the first season was a big hit for RTM2, and for them to assume that the popularity would be maintained or improve without promotion is unfortunately shortsighted.
We are in fact still waiting for the greenlight for season three. I was surprised when one of the officers said they are waiting for the final ratings. Suddenly they are concerned about ratings? Imagine if they had promoted the series ever week - the ratings would have soared.
Once again, all I could do is just wait. If you don't have patience and a strong heart, don't be a producer for RTM. You might just go nuts. Hmmm, now that's a great story for an episode of Bilik No. 13.
AMERICA HAS A NEW PREZ - AND HIS NAME IS HUSSIN
So, the results are in. Barrack Hussin Obama is now the president-elect of the US of A. I thought I never lived to see the day the Americans actually voted a non-caucasian guy as President. Now, it has happened. Not only is he black, he is intelligent, impeccable, eloquent and he is persuasive.
I wonder who is planning to cast himself as Barrack in the up-coming movie (well, I'm sure there's a movie already planned).
My choice would be Chris Rock...though his voice is completely different. You can't cast Denzel Washington - they look too different. So too is Samuel Jackson (too old).
Maybe Jim Carrey can play the role if he does a black-face make-up job like Robert Ironman Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder.
Maybe Don Cheadle would be in the running.
Anyway, it's about time US of A has a new leader. Anyone is better than George W. Bush Jr. Anyone. Oops except maybe Sarah Palin. Right?
I wonder who is planning to cast himself as Barrack in the up-coming movie (well, I'm sure there's a movie already planned).
My choice would be Chris Rock...though his voice is completely different. You can't cast Denzel Washington - they look too different. So too is Samuel Jackson (too old).
Maybe Jim Carrey can play the role if he does a black-face make-up job like Robert Ironman Downey Jr in Tropic Thunder.
Maybe Don Cheadle would be in the running.
Anyway, it's about time US of A has a new leader. Anyone is better than George W. Bush Jr. Anyone. Oops except maybe Sarah Palin. Right?
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