I so hate office politics...
Really. It does nothing but create a negative atmosphere and saps productivity. After landing this job, seems that it finally caught up with me. And it was not pleasant at all.
What started it came when I first joined and somehow, got to know this person, A. He is a little bit abrasive and also talks a lot. Now, because I was new here, I have to be very careful in who I friend and who I do not. Since he's a long term staff, I lowered my guard a little but still, I was very wary. Because when it comes to some things, I realised that people used the friendship to cloud your judgement and/or force you to look at things their way.
So it happens that A was in charge of a project with a December deadline. Its a very important project which even the GM has emphasised the deadline many times. And so, in order to help him, I told him one of my ideas where we would help him by taking the system and deploying it on site while he installs the software in the office and also perform on-line maintenance when the systems are up. Not only would this lessen the workload but it could actually meet the deadline. However, as days turned to weeks, we waited and waited for the systems while he was 'busy' with other things. Finally, I took him to a corner and asked him about his project since I can see where he is going but I was rebuffed and also, I was told that everything is under control and there is no more deadline. Right, but I know this is not true since the GM has not said anything.
So, we sort of left him alone and went about our tasks until one day we received the email stating that we are now required to deploy the systems at certain locations. Here, I made a mistake of forgetting to inform him that my offer stops after December, and which he took as carte blanche. And so, after some terse emails from me, things around the office suddenly started to become hostile.
[Update 08042013]
OK, this is getting too long but suffice to say, the situation has changed. B is now gone, and A has lost his marbles. And I have been pulled out of my cosy Dept and into his, to help deploy those software as fast as I can. Something which is very out of my league but I was told, I am the most qualified person right now. And so, I had very limited time to learn how to install the software, deploy and perform on the spot training.
So, OK. Its not that difficult after all. But the most difficult was to glean information from A who doles out bit by bit. And in some cases, A will conveniently 'remember' how to do things/info once you found out the hard way. Me, I don't care about this anymore as I have my targets to meet.
But right now, I really cannot see where I am heading. And people are starting to assume I will be taking over B's post in which, I am actually not qualified at all. But I am not going to worry about these things right now, even if I need to use his room to install the software before I can deploy more. Yeah, people walk past, whispers and before you know it, they ask, "Are you really taking over his job since you're now in his room? Can you fix my printer/email/password, etc?"
Yeah, outstation trips, here I come!
Kaelynn's First Day
Today is Kaelynn's First day and this time, its a Primary school. Surprisingly, in her class, not many students were seen crying. But as for Kaelynn, she was OK with everything since she knows Kristine's class is upstairs and also, well, to be honest, she loved school.
One weird thing was, I have planned for us to leave the house early so that there would be ample parking space. Alas, even arriving before seven in the morning, the whole place was full. Its as if everyone had the same idea and decided to beat mine by coming even earlier...
One weird thing was, I have planned for us to leave the house early so that there would be ample parking space. Alas, even arriving before seven in the morning, the whole place was full. Its as if everyone had the same idea and decided to beat mine by coming even earlier...
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| However, early in the morning, she looked very lost. And not only that, like Kristine, she looked very small when compared to her classmates. |
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| Recess time. Each class came and he students sat in their allocated places. When everyone was accounted for, they started on their Milo drinks and buns while the parents stood around the perimeter. Some feared that the light snack was not enough, bought them more food... |
Nice little Diary
My Wife just passed two Diaries to me, asking me to pick one. I chose this one since this was the last Customer which I dealt with before my Life changed again. I am not sure if the customer has chosen more designs and this was part of their package but I am very happy that they are still with my Company.
Part of me wants to go back as I am starting to like the Diary Manufacturing or rather, the designing part. But part of me wants more technical challenges.
Part of me wants to go back as I am starting to like the Diary Manufacturing or rather, the designing part. But part of me wants more technical challenges.
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| This time, I have noticed that they have used new material and also made the elastic much better. And the best part is, the paper is in the right shade of yellow with the faint Logo printed on. However, you won't get this being sold on the street though. Its very exclusive. |
My new Toolbox
With my new job, I felt that its quite appropriate that I have a new Toolbox with me. Oh, I can use back the old one but I want that to be the House Toolbox. And so, finally, yesterday, I was the proud owner of a Hilti case. Now, when it comes to tool cases, the Hilti, to me, is a very hard to get item. Not that no one is selling but it has a lot of conditions attached:
1. You must buy it with the tool, or
2. The shipping fees are horrendously obscene, or
3. Its always the wrong item.
And so, after so many years of on and searching, I finally got one. And the best part of all? It was a swap, well, more or less.
This is how it happened...
During my 'free' time for the past few months, I tend to end up at HHQ, esp on Saturday afternoons. As a result, I start to get to know more about the 'regulars' there and also, the owner Mr. Low, starts to get friendly towards me as well. (No, I did not buy the whole shop). And so it happens that one day, we struck a conversation about toll cases and I was looking for a Hilti. Although there was a member working at Hilti downstairs, it was not possible to get one. But this kind gentleman, I call him 'Kow Lou' menationed that he has a lot of tool cases and if he did find a Hilti, he will get one for me.
Fast forward three weeks later, when I came to HHQ, I saw one below the table and sure enough, it was for me! And so, after much pleasantries, I offered him something in return for his troubles but he would not accept. When that failed, I offered in exchange, my Army ammo case which I am using as a tool case. And he refused too. However, one of the regulars heard about it and wanted it. So, in the end, I gave it to him.
And here, we learn more about the ammo box-
A. At a roadblock, you can be detained for owning such item, pending on the searching person. As this is an Army 'item', he would like to know where/how you got it, you see.
B. Its a machine gun ammo box, which was made in 3rd November, 1985. (Oh-oh)
C. The seal is intact and if it was submerged, the items inside would still be dry. (Well, they're bullets, of course)
1. You must buy it with the tool, or
2. The shipping fees are horrendously obscene, or
3. Its always the wrong item.
And so, after so many years of on and searching, I finally got one. And the best part of all? It was a swap, well, more or less.
This is how it happened...
During my 'free' time for the past few months, I tend to end up at HHQ, esp on Saturday afternoons. As a result, I start to get to know more about the 'regulars' there and also, the owner Mr. Low, starts to get friendly towards me as well. (No, I did not buy the whole shop). And so it happens that one day, we struck a conversation about toll cases and I was looking for a Hilti. Although there was a member working at Hilti downstairs, it was not possible to get one. But this kind gentleman, I call him 'Kow Lou' menationed that he has a lot of tool cases and if he did find a Hilti, he will get one for me.
Fast forward three weeks later, when I came to HHQ, I saw one below the table and sure enough, it was for me! And so, after much pleasantries, I offered him something in return for his troubles but he would not accept. When that failed, I offered in exchange, my Army ammo case which I am using as a tool case. And he refused too. However, one of the regulars heard about it and wanted it. So, in the end, I gave it to him.
And here, we learn more about the ammo box-
A. At a roadblock, you can be detained for owning such item, pending on the searching person. As this is an Army 'item', he would like to know where/how you got it, you see.
B. Its a machine gun ammo box, which was made in 3rd November, 1985. (Oh-oh)
C. The seal is intact and if it was submerged, the items inside would still be dry. (Well, they're bullets, of course)
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| And so, Ladies and Gentlemen, I present you, a Hilti case |
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| Of course I cannot use it straight away since I need to remove some of the walls... |
NERF Damansara 13102012
Just a stop-by for me as its raining and all. I was rushing to just meet up with the peeps and give a bit of support before heading off to ICW.
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| Billy with his broken running shoes |
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| Taking shelter from the rain |
Backlane action
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| So, why the sofa at the backlane? Its definitely not for the cats, I can tell you that... |
My new VISA card
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| Well, not really. Its a VISA Debit card. I opened a RHB bank account because my new job requires me to do so and not only that, it allows me to pay/receive money directly to my PayPal account! |
Little Ms. Engineer?
As I came home from the temp work, what I saw shocked me. There, sitting at my usual place on the table, was Kaelynn, holding a screwdriver. She was opening the battery hatch of her Tamagotchi toy. The battery I gave her a few days ago has died and so, she found another piece and well, decided to replaced it herself.
The first thing you must know is that I did not teach her how to use a screwdriver. Nor did I show her where the battery hatch is. I asked my Wife and she too, denied teaching her. So, in conclusion, she did this all by herself.
After talking to my Wife for a bit, we speculated that Kaelynn could have seen and observed me working on stuff. So, this is where she picked up the knowledge.
The first thing you must know is that I did not teach her how to use a screwdriver. Nor did I show her where the battery hatch is. I asked my Wife and she too, denied teaching her. So, in conclusion, she did this all by herself.
After talking to my Wife for a bit, we speculated that Kaelynn could have seen and observed me working on stuff. So, this is where she picked up the knowledge.
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| I am both happy/proud but also afraid since I did not teach her about the dangers of mains electricity |
Kaelynn's First tooth...
Now, its Kaelynn's turn...
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| Well, almost. Its juts little loose now... Its the one on the bottom right, or fourth from the right |
Things not to do on the plane...
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| The girls with the swing which they call it their plane |
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| I am very confident that Kristine made the sign herself |
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| Clockwise from top left: No piping (No pee pee-ing), No Pupying (No poo-poo-ing), No climbing assep pilot, No vomiting, No drawing and No food/drinks |
Kristine's first Monopoly game
Kristine bought a Monopoly set from her school yesterday for RM3.00. OK, I was a bit angry because she used her pocket money for it. But then, I realised that this is her first boardgame and well, for RM3.00, apart from the quality, its a steal.
And so, we played together for the very first time. And yes, Kristine went to JAIL on her very first dice roll. Then Kaelynn bought most of the properties and ran out of money. As for me, well... I just had most of the cash...
And so, we played together for the very first time. And yes, Kristine went to JAIL on her very first dice roll. Then Kaelynn bought most of the properties and ran out of money. As for me, well... I just had most of the cash...
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| But I am going to get them a proper set since the Property cards and the money are all the same colour. Its very confusing and also sucks the fun out of the Game... |
The Interview
To be honest, when Jeffrey Loo asked me to call this company, I was quite reluctant since the person there, although he was someone was both knew when I was in Tele Dynamics, I was not sure if I would accept this job mainly because it was located in an area I was not so comfortable with.
Still, I cannot let my friend's goodwill go to waste. I mean, I'll just go with the interview and get it over with. I mean, worse to worse, it just to meet up with an old friend and see how he's getting along, right? Yep, you got me there, I really wanted to throw this one.
And then I got the job...
I GOT THE JOB! WOO HOO! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
Still, I cannot let my friend's goodwill go to waste. I mean, I'll just go with the interview and get it over with. I mean, worse to worse, it just to meet up with an old friend and see how he's getting along, right? Yep, you got me there, I really wanted to throw this one.
And then I got the job...
I GOT THE JOB! WOO HOO! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
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| Guess where I will be come November 1st? |
Conversation with Kaelynn
While we were burning the offerings, we had some conversation. At first, it was about me not being happy with them watching TV, esp Kristine who never listen to her Mom. Then, it shifted to my Brother whom Kaelynn was revealing her feelings...
"When Grandma died, Sook-sook did not do anything but went up to watch TV whole time. I feel very angry because he did not help..."
OK, this came from a girl who is not even seven years old and she already can feel and realise when things go wrong. I sat there speechless, with my jaw on the floor.
And the Fire kept on burning...
"When Grandma died, Sook-sook did not do anything but went up to watch TV whole time. I feel very angry because he did not help..."
OK, this came from a girl who is not even seven years old and she already can feel and realise when things go wrong. I sat there speechless, with my jaw on the floor.
And the Fire kept on burning...
Pencil Lead Art
Sometimes, you really need to be alert and also, be aware of your surroundings. This was because with the two girls around, I really had to be stingy when it comes to praising them. Oh, they're good with their imaginations and all, to achieve the end result.
But its the middle process which really gets them into trouble.
But its the middle process which really gets them into trouble.
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| Take this pencil lead art for instance. Its nice and very creative of the girl/s. The the next question that comes to your mind: How can they finish so much pencil lead in such a short time since their daily homework did not involve writing lines and lines of text. |
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| So, now, I have to be very suspicious when they ask for more pencil leads... |
Temp-ting work
I would like to relate to you a very bittersweet irony I just experienced. For weeks I was applying for work online and at the same time, trying to get as much part-time as I can. Both to me, were as common as Unicorns strolling around in a park. Online job applications are a great help when it comes to jobs because when we were looking for technicians years ago, we had a lot of applicants passed to us. On a daily quota. Within a specified time period. Because that's how much we paid for it.
But from a potential employee point of view. It sucks. There would be a lot of potential employers reading your resume but there would be no response from them (just like in this Blog) apart from some sympathetic, automatic email from Jobstreet, stating, on their behalf of the companies you have applied for, that the position is now closed yada yada yada.
It really makes you feel unwanted, as if confirming your position as some low-life pariah in the society.
But the funny thing was, within a day after my 'outburst' on Facebook, I had a minimum of three potential leads for a job from my friends. Three jobs. Yes, three actual jobs and they're all 100%, ready to confirm, ready to start jobs. That is the power of friendship and social media.
And also, in the meantime, I had a temp job from one of my good friend and classmate, Raja Azhar. Its a 5-day week job until the end of the month. Its a win-win situation because not only do I help him, he also teaches me the ways of garnering awareness and also, how to start online businesses.
By now, I have more or less decided on the job I want to take and all I have to do now is to give them a call and see how we can go from there...
But from a potential employee point of view. It sucks. There would be a lot of potential employers reading your resume but there would be no response from them (just like in this Blog) apart from some sympathetic, automatic email from Jobstreet, stating, on their behalf of the companies you have applied for, that the position is now closed yada yada yada.
It really makes you feel unwanted, as if confirming your position as some low-life pariah in the society.
But the funny thing was, within a day after my 'outburst' on Facebook, I had a minimum of three potential leads for a job from my friends. Three jobs. Yes, three actual jobs and they're all 100%, ready to confirm, ready to start jobs. That is the power of friendship and social media.
And also, in the meantime, I had a temp job from one of my good friend and classmate, Raja Azhar. Its a 5-day week job until the end of the month. Its a win-win situation because not only do I help him, he also teaches me the ways of garnering awareness and also, how to start online businesses.
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| And so, every morning, I get on the LRT to his office after I did my morning chores. |
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| Nice keyboard. Niiice keyboard. Dont die on me. Please don't.... aw no. |
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| The good thing is, on some occasions, I get to walk over to meet up with Bruce for lunch via the KLCC walk. I cannot remember how long the stretch was but when I brisk walk, it took me about 15 to 20 minutes. |
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| Woo hoo! My first cheque! I am rich again! Now I can buy all the tin food I could not have for dinner! |
PISCEAN WORKS
As adviced by a friend of mine this morning, I have started a Facebook Page. To be honest, I don't even know what a PAGE was not that it exists. But its there now. And I noticed that it was started on a special date too.
The name PISCEAN WORKS (I wanted it to be PISCEAN WERKS, though) was drawn from various combination of personal reflections and well, I wanted to start a new Company and all but did not have the balls to do so since at that time, I was really unsure of the future. I know that anything I started, I can not see it to fruition mainly because of other commitments and/or being too impatient.
The FB Page, I realised, was a good in-between medium because if I post it on the blog here, if you did not follow the 'series', you'd be lost. And I cannot post it on my Website as its not 'completed' yet. So, this FB Page sits right in the middle which also helps in getting my product/s known to a wider audience. So, I will now post most of the electronic stuff and projects there and make this Blog more personal.
The name PISCEAN WORKS (I wanted it to be PISCEAN WERKS, though) was drawn from various combination of personal reflections and well, I wanted to start a new Company and all but did not have the balls to do so since at that time, I was really unsure of the future. I know that anything I started, I can not see it to fruition mainly because of other commitments and/or being too impatient.
The FB Page, I realised, was a good in-between medium because if I post it on the blog here, if you did not follow the 'series', you'd be lost. And I cannot post it on my Website as its not 'completed' yet. So, this FB Page sits right in the middle which also helps in getting my product/s known to a wider audience. So, I will now post most of the electronic stuff and projects there and make this Blog more personal.
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| Move your mouse to see something disappear. Click on it or the LOGO above to go to somepelace weird... |
You... light up my type...
To be honest, the keys are a little stiff and I had to get used to the new layout especially where the RETURN key is concerned. Also, the left TAB keys are a little too small. Although the keyboard is a little stiff (did I mention that already?), I was realyl enjoying typing on the new keyboard.
[Hours later]
Yes, i am love this new keayboarf and althoug there are some mitype of works, I can near with it.
[Much more hours latr}
Yes, this keyboaf is qoog. befy very good and my ginfers are gettinga realy wrokout. Yep, I lvoe thes keyboarf.
[Very much more houts late\
My hands are hnting and its vey ptoinsful to type sin ful witho ut muych iztakes.
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| Sadly, this beings me to the quet ofgf geting new lghted keyboard liek dell isf I can. |
Sisterly Love
With the coast being clear, I let Kristine walk across the school basketball courts to get Kaelynn. And both were happily walking back to the car. What I am trying to do here is to get the girls closer and also, let Kristine know that as the eldest of the two, she has a responsibility to her sister.
Yes, and Kaelynn admitted to me that she likes it when both of them walked across the School Basketball Courts. Maybe she feels proud that her Sister came for her when she was waiting with her other classmates and teachers.
Yes, and Kaelynn admitted to me that she likes it when both of them walked across the School Basketball Courts. Maybe she feels proud that her Sister came for her when she was waiting with her other classmates and teachers.
The Sleeping Beauty
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| Yeah, she came down to the floor level and continued sleeping. In actual fact, it was Kristine who like sleeping on the bed and not her. |