Bonnie & Clyde

i just had a sense of empathy.

A young fella, in his mid twenties. From the tie n shirt n the pen n organizer, seemed like he's not earning a fortune. From the slightly untidy hair, and the grease mark on his handkerchief, he must had been traveling around town, in n out of the car, going from offices to offices. Oh, his office is in Jln Ampang; judging by his flexibility of setting appointment to meet me, probably he's not meeting many clients in Shah Alam area.

I didnt see a glimpse of tiredness when we met. He was explaining his company's product, in a manner that's a little robotic, but enough enthusiasm.

I was quite busy during the meeting for we were interrupted quite a few times when my employees were getting urgent reply from me. I didn't see him being impatience.

I didnt buy nor confirm anything for him. So he left, giving me his namecard n left a smile too.

Few minutes later, i walked out of my office, i saw him n his Proton Iswara, opposite of my factore, besides the road, talking to somebody in the phone. Seemed like he's trying to go for another appointment. The 1.5l Coca Cola bottle refilled with plain water, must be warm, after some sunbathing in the car.

I just remember myself, 10 years ago. Those r the years full of sweat n dust. I was a new salesman, and i was like dying for every opportunity to meet every potential customers. Eating in the car, drinking warm refilled water, wiping off the grease on my face before a meeting, long wait, taking nap in a car etc etc.

It's a time of being raw, wild, n bold.

I was so dying for every single client's approval, every single confirmed order, every single appointment successfully made. And i was hoping, every single day, i would meet a lucky star who would give me a sales that would fulfill my sales target.

I did dreamt of a lucky star, so i could at least, for some time, took some rest.

And i hope he will meet his lucky star today; it's not me unfortunately. But i wish him best of luck.

i have this little song which i always sing to myself.

It's not a commercial song, nor does it has any lyrics.

I can't sing it anytime i want, for I've never learned to sing it, and i do not know how it goes.

During the times when i m quiet down, the song will just slipped out from my lips; it's like a natural melody i carry with me.

Mebbe it's the sound of my soul. I need a certain quietness in order to hear my soul.

This is my secret little song.

If Life has a voice.

If Life has a voice, then I would like to ask Her why do I only see clearly now? Is it because I was too busy enjoying my moments when all was fine and dandy?

The company I used to meet and talk to everyday, whom I cherished and took so much pains to maintain relationships with, are not the same entity I can look to when things aren't looking up. Well, not all of them anyway. Sometimes a simple gesture is all it takes. Why is that so hard?

On the other hand, the shadows of my past, ties I only renew once in a blue moon, these are the ones who drop everything and run to my aid, give me support, encouragement and hope. My well-being is on their mind at all times.

Like I told someone in a similar situation recently why it is a good thing to be down, "So I can look up, squint at the sun a little and see who's really holding me up."

If Life has a voice, She would have a funny sense of humour.

If Life has a voice, She would tell me it's not too late to prune my branches, reseed and prepare myself for the next spring.

Praise God for Life.

:)

just read this:

十年生死两茫茫，不思量，自难忘。 千里孤坟，无处话凄凉。 纵使相逢应不识。 尘满脸，鬓如霜。

夜来幽梦忽还乡, 小轩窗, 正梳妆. 相顾无言, 唯有泪千行. 料得年年肠断处, 明月夜, 断松岗.

Used to study this poem, but it didnt strike me. Maybe i m getting old.


I m thinking if some years later after i died, probably she is the only one who would remember me.

Marriage is truly a blessing from God.

It's kinda embarassing to say this actually, and a bit awkward too. Dunno if it's bcoz I am no longer working full time or I had the space and peace to really really reflect on myself but..

I kinda embraced my arch nemesis - the much dreaded annual CNY celebrations.

I didn't resent all the cooking and cleaning as much but instead I did more this year, and I believe I actually attempted to reach out today, the 1st day of Chinese lunar calendar. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss the hustle and bustle of 14 busy working years at all or the pinch at having to miss another year of fantastic bonuses, the juicy lunchtime gossips, the constant bickering in the office for the sake of deadlines and QC, but I didn't cringe at the stampede of visiting relatives and kids running about the house. Nothing's changed at all, but something, SOMETHING is going right.

*back slaps*

Now this girl is going to reward herself with a good 90 minutes aromatherapy massage tomorrow.

Little Rosie and Lily were the best of friends at the school playground.

Everyday, little Rosie and Lily eyed the swing during playtime, but it was always occupied by the other kids. Some days, both girls would line up hand in hand for their turns. Other days, they talked about how cool it would be to find another swing all to themselves.

One day, little Rosie and Lily did exactly that. In another playground, Rosie sat on the swing. Oh, how high she went! And how fast too! With the sun on her cheeks and the wind in her hair! What a delightful time that was!

Not only that, other kids liked Rosie better and offered their turns on the swing to Rosie. Little Lily wasn't half as lucky. She had to wait and wait for a turn that never came. Rosie said to her one day, "Oh Lily! I don't know what to do! I have been on the swing like, everyday now! Not only that, Daisy and Orchid and Iris and Jasmine is like, offering me their turns! I have too many turns! What a bother! All this swinging is like, giving me a headache! I can't say no and hurt their feelings! What do you think I should do?!!"

Call Lily a sour grape but she has a pretty good idea what Rosie should do with her turns and where she should place it. -_-

I loved my car.

From the overall aerodynamic design to the colour, I always felt there is a bitable-chewy-gummy-like-substance-thingy laquer surrounding the metallic sheen of light blue that makes her look kinda yummy. Interior is compact with simple chic. Sporty yet classy. Love it.

Until recently, when a gearbox problem started and my warranty expired ngam-ngam around that time. It took me alot of pain, stress and time trying to get it fixed under warranty. For starters, I sent my car in 3x and fault not detected coz 'computer says no' and thus, problem not solved. To complicate matters further, the SC manager was away for a week and after that, Clyde and I went overseas for 2 weeks. There was also alot of he says-she says from different mechanics from the same SC so I sourced for advice and opnions from other owners in a car forum coz a little extra knowledge won't kill anyone rite. All in all, I had to send my car in 5x within a month, much to the amusement of friends, family and colleagues.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, gearbox was not replaced but the manager in question returned, some other parts was replaced, minimal charges to labour and ATF oil. Problem solved. Everybody happy. Back slapping all around. The end. Or so I thought.

Until.

I got flamed in the forum.

Some dude (let's call him M) chastised me for turning to forumers for help instead of respective authorities. M also said since I brought a fellow forumer to the SC, all mechanics "taada soong" and will "leok kaw kaw" me. He also advised me to buy mechanics teh tarik as the main solution instead of sending in complaints and claims. If I didn't like it, I should keep it to myself and sit tight, or sell my car.

And this the new millenium we are talking about, in modern day Malaysia, not some backward-thinking, shady-corrupted, bribery-taking, gangster-character 50's company that only layan customers bcoz we geng la brudder.

I guess we can never rid ourselves of 'sampah masyarakat', the type who know a little but talk like they know alot. The same ones who keep quiet during a drama, but after everything is said and done, he/she puts on a white wig and play judge and starts reading our sentences.

There is one in every community. I have found mine.

Have you?

(sounds like slogan for an 80's ad!)


Follow up note: Dunno true or not, heard this through the grapevine... my case is under monitored and has been classified as 'red flag', meaning it won't be any easier to claim parts or have major fixes in the future. This is what you get when you stand up for your own rights.