Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The Cute & Lovely Fat Couple

While taking a public bus ride today, I couldn't help but notice this adorable fat-boy and fat-girl couple giving each other some TLC on board. Nothing to passionate and intense but just plain cute.
They seemed in a world of their own and couldn't care less about the rest of the population except for the occasional glances of the view outside. Here are my recollection of some of the sequence of events that took place:
1) Fat-boy makes way for Fat-Girl to take a seat inside the 2 seater chair.
2) Fat-Girl smiles at Fat-boy. Fat-boy smiles back.
3) Fat-Boy puts his laptop bag on his lap and puts one arm around fat-girls head&shoulders.
4) Fat-Girl playfully pokes fat-boy in the stomach. Fat-boy jumps up and down occasionally due to the sensational feeling.
5) Fat-Girl begins to unzip fat-boy's laptop bag zippers. Fat-boy tries to stop fat-girl from un-doing the zippers.
6) Fat-girl re-attempts for at least 5 times until all the zippers come undone.
7) Fat-boy and Fat-Girl laugh, kiss and cuddle.
8) Fat-Girl grabs hold of fat-boy's wallet from laptop bag. Fat-Girl puts her arm around and takes a super poke at fat-boy's excess tummy fat (spare tires). Fat-boy screams delightfully.
9) Fat-Girl begins taking out Fat-boy's belongings from his laptop bag one by one and inspecting them. The fay couple give each other some pecks on the cheek and the back of their ears.
10) Fat-Girl leans her head on Fat-boy's head.
11) They repeat steps 2,4,7,9,10 in a random fashion.

I couldn't help but to smile along and think to myself....what a wonderful world!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

"Egg Price" logic - How to reduce petrol price

A very interesting article about Disrupting the Supply CHain in an effort to reduce petrol price. I've seen another one that says don't buy petrol from the two largest oil producers in the world for a few days.
If everyone does it, the impact would be quite drastic I can imagine. =)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

A man eats two eggs each morning for breakfast. When he
> goes to the
> grocery store he pays 60 cents a dozen.Since a dozen eggs
> won't last a week
> he normally buys two dozens at a time. One day while buying
> eggs he notices
> that the price has risen to 72 cents. The next time he buys
> groceries, eggs
> are 76 cents a dozen.
>
> When asked to explain the price of eggs the store owner
> says, "The price
> has
> gone up and I have to raise my price accordingly" .
> This store buys 100
> dozen
> eggs a day He checked around for a better price and all the
> distributors
> have raised their prices. The distributors have begun to
> buy from the huge
> egg farms. The small egg farms have been driven out of
> business. The huge
> egg farms sell 100,000 dozen eggs a day to distributors.
> With no
> competition, they can set the price as they see fit. The
> distributors then
> have to raise their prices to t he grocery stores. And on
> and on and on.
>
> As the man kept buying eggs the price kept going up. He saw
> the big egg
> trucks delivering 100 dozen eggs each day. Nothing changed
> there. He
> checked out the huge egg farms and found they were selling
> 100,000 dozen
> eggs to the distributors daily. Nothing had changed but the
> price of eggs.
>
>
> Then week before Thanksgiving the price of eggs shot up to
> $1.00 a dozen.
> Again he asked the grocery owner why and was told,
> "Cakes and baking for
> the holiday". The huge egg farmers know there will be
> a lot of baking
> going
> on and more eggs will be used. Hence, the price of eggs
> goes up. Expect the
> same thing at Christmas and other times when family
> cooking, baking, etc.
> happen.
>
> This pattern continues until the price of eggs is 2.00 a
> dozen. The man
> says, " There must be something we can do about the
> price of eggs".
>
> He starts talking to all the people in his town and they
> decide to stop
> buying eggs. This didn't work because everyone needed
> eggs.
>
> Finally, the man suggested only buying what you need. He
> ate 2 eggs a day.
> On the way home from work he would stop at the grocery and
> buy two eggs.
> Everyone in town started buying 2 or 3 eggs a day.
>
> The grocery store owner began complaining that he had too
> many eggs in his
> cooler. He told the distributor that he didn't need any
> eggs Maybe
> wouldn't need any all week.
>
> The distributor had eggs piling up at his warehouse. He
> told the huge egg
> farms that he didn't have any room for eggs would not
> need any for at least
> two weeks.
>
> At the egg farm, the chickens just kept on laying eggs. To
> relieve the
> pressure, the huge egg farm told the distributor that they
> could buy the
> eggs at a lower price.
>
> The distributor said, " I don't have the room for
> the %$&^*&%
> eggs even if
> they were free". T he distributor told the grocery
> store owner that he
> would lower the price of the eggs if the store would start
> buying again.
>
> The grocery store owner said, "I don't have room
> for more eggs. The
> customers are only buying 2 or 3 eggs at a time. Now if you
> were to drop
> the price of eggs back down to the original price, the
> customers would start
> buying by the dozen again".
>
> The distributors sent that proposal to the huge egg farmers
> but the egg
> farmers liked the price they were getting for their eggs
> but, those chickens
> just kept on laying Fin ally, the egg farmers lowered the
> price of their
> eggs.
>
> But only a few cents.
>
> The customers still bought 2 or 3 eggs at a time. They
> said, "when the
> price
> of eggs gets down to where it was before, we will start
> buying by the
> dozen."
>
> Slowly the price of eggs started dropping. The distributors
> had to slash
> their prices to make room for the eggs coming from the egg
> farmers.
>
> The egg farmers cut their prices because the distributors
> wouldn't buy at a
> higher price than they were selling eggs for. Anyway, they
> had full
> warehouses and wouldn't need eggs for quite a while.
>
> And those chickens kept on laying.
>
> Eventually, the egg farmers cut their prices because they
> were throwing away
> eggs they couldn't sell.
>
> The distributors started buying again because the eggs were
> priced to where
> the stores could afford to sell them at the lower price.
>
> And the customers starting buying by the dozen again.
>
> Now, transpose this analogy to the gasoline industry.
>
> What if everyone only bought $10.00 worth of gas each time
> they pulled to
> the pump? The dealer's tanks would stay semi full all
> the time. The
> dealers wouldn't have room for the gas coming from the
> huge tank farms. The
> tank farms wouldn't have room for the gas coming from
> the refining plants.
> And the refining plants wouldn't have room for the oil
> being off loaded
> from
> the huge tankers coming from the oil fiends.
>
> Just $10.00 each time you buy gas. Don't fill it up.
> You may have to stop
> for gas twice a week but, the price should come down.
>
> Think about it.
>
> As an added note...When I buy $10.00 worth of gas that
> leaves my tank a
> little under quarter full. The way prices are jumping
> around, you can buy
> gas for $2.65 a gallon and then the next morning it can be
> $2.15. If you
> have your tank full of $2.65 gas you don't have room
> for the $2.15 gas.
>
> You might not understand the economics of only buying two
> eggs at a time
> but, you can't buy cheaper gas if your tank is full of
> the high priced
> stuff.
>
> Also, don't buy anything else at the gas station;
> don't give them any
> more
> of your hard earned money than what you spend on gas, until
> the prices come
> down..."
>
> just think of this concept for a while.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Recycle, Recycle @ TTDI

Time: Every 3rd Sunday, 2 - 5 pm.
Place: Service Road between Mobil & Esso, Jln Burhanuddin Helmi

The TTDI RA has just finalised arrangements with Alam Flora to start a recycling programme in Taman Tun. This will be held every third Sunday of the month and interested residents with items for recycling can bring them to the service road between Mobil & Esso, off Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi. Alam Flora will pay for the items sent for recycling.


Do your part for a greener environment now! My take - It's important to constantly create awareness to recycle and don't just throw, throw, throw. So, tell a neighbour and tell a friend today.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

The Talent Management Crisis

Talent Management Refers to the process of developing and integrating new workers, developing and keeping current workers and attracting highly skilled workers to work for your company. Today’s growing “war for talent” is making it more and more difficult for organizations to keep current employees and to find qualified replacements.Turnover is greatest for IS/technology and sales positions.
An employee’s relationship with his or her supervisor or manager and work-life balance are the most important determinants for staying with an organization.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Power & Gas Speculation

I read in The Edge today that Petronas is the most Profitable company in Asia. In the recent debate over the Fuel price increase to RM2.70, the question posed to Anwar by one of the panelist was "Why he chose to critic the government through this avenue?". The answer, obviously, is because it is a big bucks industry and money talks. He's trying to make the Rakyat see that the Government has made too much money at the expense of the people.

I have officially postphoned my plan to install the NGV kit on my car on rumours that there will be an increase in Gas Price too. Who will benifit from this exercise? NGV kit installers who had so many customers lining up in the recent weeks? Maybe a 41.5% shareholder of Gas Malaysia is going to get a windfall by the millions. MMCCORP on bursamalaysia.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

People of Convenience

One of the most biggest opportunity in our country today is the industry of Convenience. People in our community are willing to pay far too much in order to obtain this facility of Convenience. Sad but true, that is the situation that our beloved country faces today. Workers on all levels take opportunity for the need of Convenience and abuse their power to obtain some extra income/rewards in the name of greed. The only way we can stop this disease is to stop paying/rewarding these individuals who seek to gain from the need of convenience. Wake up Malaysia! Stop giving money to those who do not deserve it.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Malaysian Mega Sale!

The malaysian Mega sale is back.... this time around, without much publicity as the years before. Perhaps because the economy is bad, or perhaps the ministry of tourism has tighten their pockets with their advertising budget. Definately a good move not to channel so much funds into motivating people to spend. I'd rather see our taxpayers money going into things like improving the infrastructure of public transportation. At the end of the day, the shoppers will shop & the spenders will spend.

Monday, July 7, 2008

The Value of Credibility

Credibility is a strong word. It carries with it Trust, Confidence, Reliability. For instance, banking with a bank you can trust or purchasing a product that you can count on in terms of quality, reliability and customer support. When a person makes 3 promises and doesn't deliver, his/her credibility goes down the drain(kind of like the boy who cried "WOLF"). Worse of is a person who swears under oath on matters and then later, totally revolking his/her statement(s). Evidently, uugement should be brought upon such individuals in the hope that the eventual truth would one day prevail.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Wheels Powered by H20...

People should stop fighting over oil in the sand and sea and start working on developing water powered vehicles for commercial usage.

Are We Heading For A Recession?

Slump, Downturn, Decline, Depression, Collapse. These words describe our Malaysian economy at the moment. Are there any signs of better things to come? In my opinion, not in the near future. The 10-Year downturn Market cycle seems to be happening as economist predicted time and time again. If you're holding Malaysian Equity at the moment, I'd advise a complete sell out. Otherwise, you'll just be like a salmon swimming against the current. Afterall, there are always other instruments to invest in global markets worldwide.

Just my 2 cents,
Fund manager in-training.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Are ATM's really safe?

If you think that the recent attacks by robbers on several ATM's in the Klang valley is worrying, check this out:

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/2/business/20080702140730&sec=business

Having had 7 years experience working with ATM systems, let me assure you that these threats really do exist, even in Big Corporations. No system is perfect and there will always be potential flaws and loopholes to exploit. A Reputable Financial Organization can put all the security mechanisms/processes in place but at the end of the day, it still can happen.

Conclusion? Keep your cash under your pillow while you sleep.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Global Water Shortage to Come

There's much talk going on in town about a potential global water. What's all the hype about you might be wondering?

As we in water-rich countries take our daily showers, water the lawn or laze about in the pool, it's easy to forget that fresh water is a life-or-death issue in many parts of the world. Shortage.

Of a population of roughly 6.1 billion, more than 1 billion lack access to potable water. The World Health Organization says that at any time, up to half of humanity has one of the six main diseases -- diarrhea, schistosomiasis, or trachoma, or infestation with ascaris, guinea worm, or hookworm -- associated with poor drinking water and inadequate sanitation. About 5 million people die each year from poor drinking water, poor sanitation, or a dirty home environment -- often resulting from water shortage.

With the Selangor State Government's proposal to subsidise the 1st 20 cubic waters of water for residential properties in Selangor, people will start to waste more water because of the mere fact that it comes free/cheap.

So the next time you think about taking a nice soak in the comfort of your bathroom. Think twice. Be a man, do the right thing. Here's a couple of things you can do to help in the home and in the garden:

http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Publications/FactSheets/20waystosavewaterinyourhomeandgarden.pdf

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Malaysian ASTROnomy

It's interesting when you try to count how many residential homes in Tmn Tun have that Sat Dish attached somewhere to their homes. Recently when I was in Penang, I notice that even the small rumah papan's have the Sat dish attached to their homes. That's outright monopoly! Its not like you can choose another Satelite TV co. What ever happened to Consumer rights? Even Democracy lets you choose. I personally don't fancy those services. Why, you may ask? Here are some points to ponder on:

1)When it rains, it shows on your TV(Weather monitoring system- at least those indoor people won't have to look out their windows to tell if its raining cats and dogs).

2) A few weeks ago, there were rumours flying around taking that Co. private. Now, the Co.'s financials show a net loss of RM 2.61 mil for Q1 2008 and most research houses are recommending a SELL on that Co. Bad management or is someone trying to be greedy again? My take, SELL the shares and Terminate your subscription if you have one. Afterall, there are always nearby mamaks with similar service if u really want to watch ur fav chinese soap opera. Moreover, other channels are showing Euro 2008 Live telecast too. Kudos to them.

3) Pay Per View TV? I mean come on.... I'd rather pay RM 10 and watch a movie at the cinemas. They already have skyrocketing prices as it is. Someone should cry foul and the refree should give them a red card.

4) IPTV to make a breakthrough? Imagine getting HDTV signal through the internet? Say bye-bye to Sat TV.

Talks about changing their smartcards once again. Rumour has it that the encrypted satelite signal managed to get hacked again.

There are countries that provide sat tv for free or a minimal charge. Personally, I wouldn't pay more than RM 30 for Sat tv. Honestly, I'd rather buy DVDs. ;)
Wake up my fellow malaysians! Lets all watch TV through the internet for one month! Boycott!

An interesting article - http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/74878

What else can i use my Sat Dish for?:
http://ittutor.net/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t28962.html

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

B-52 Bombers @ the War Zone




Beware of Crows hovering over Shophouses near 7-Eleven, Mobil, Esso in Tmn Tun. These jet planes have been a constant tourist attraction in the area. I've heard some Chinese superstition saying that It's Good luck if you get some bird droppings landing right on your head(personally I don't believe in this kind of stuff). Anyone fancy trying thier luck for a walk in the "Battlefield" for a Blast?

MAKNA Volunteers bring meaning to Life


I was approached by some MAKNA(Majlis Kanser Nasional) volunteers last weekend while enjoying my cup of "teh tarik" at a mamak shop in Tmn Tun while getting my dose of the daily news. They were dressed in MAKNA T-Shirts and had Identification on them. Politely and with a friendly smile, they introduced themselves and ask whether they could just spend a few minutes talking to me about MAKNA. I asked them to have a seat with me and began asking a lot of questions about them and MAKNA. They were very informative and provided me a decent amount of information about the non-profit organization that they belong to. Soon, I learned that they don't accept a one-off donation but instead have a Direct Debit Donor Programme that will allow one to commit a fix sum of money every month(Makes perfect sense for MAKNA and their donors that saves manpower in the long run).

More details can be obtained easily with a few clicks at http://www.makna.org.my

MAKNA's HQ:
BG 03A & 05, GROUND FLOOR,
MEGAN AMBASSY,
225,JALAN AMPANG,
50450 KUALA LUMPUR.

Telephone : +603-2162 9178
Facsimile : +603-2162 9203
e-mail : makna@makna.org.my

Make a difference and bring meaning to someone's life today! Join the fight against Cancer!