Bank Review

Not talking about the financial disaster on which bank is better, but back to basics. A couple of days ago, I needed to buy a bank draft. Personally and for business, I bank with Maybank.

First, I went into Alliance Bank. After taking a queue number, I asked the cashier gal for the form. She gave me one. Complete it. Waited for more than 30 minutes before it was my turn. Guess what? She asked me for my account number. I said, I am not a customer. What the eff? She said that bank drafts are sold only to customers. I was mad. Firstly, I have already waited for 30 minutes. Secondly, the bloody form said I could pay by cash - meaning, I didn't need an account there. Thirdly, it is a paid service - meaning, I have to pay them or I have to buy it. The draft isn't for free. Buggered by Alliance. Long queue and super 'unfriendly' rules. Just imagine - I am not their customer now and they give me the shits. What do you think? I will sign up with them tomorrow? This could well be a case for the F-bomb.

Next stop was UOB. Singaporean bank in Malaysia. Worse still. Only one cashier working. So, the wait would have been long. Asked another office and guess what, the fellow hasn't got a clue if I could buy the bank draft.So, no UOB bank for me either.

Third - Hong Kong Bank. No queue. Super fast service but alas, they only sold it to customers. What the heck. Again, I have no idea why couldn't they be nice to non account holders. Last check, I have more liquid cash to loan out compared to some banks.

Finally, I went back to Maybank. Deciding to test them, I just completed the form to purchase the draft - didn't disclose anything that I have an account with them. I waited only for less than 5 minutes and it was my turn. No questions asked, just the money for the amount of the draft plus a fee. That's what I call being professional. Just simple business - demand and supply. No grandfather's story nor grandmother's requirements.

Nett nett, I guess I will stay with Maybank for some time to come. The rest of the lousy banks ( I like Public Bank too) can go F themselves. Imagine the irony of them, spending tonnes of money with marketing and promotions trying to get people to use their credit cards, and when you walk into a bank for a core transaction, they piss you off. Their marketing managers should really take note. Till then, my message to them is, F off!

Mandy, oh Mandy

Yup. Got Mandy to be my long term friend-with-benefit. Got her in bed, or rather, she led me to bed. Super horny gal with very sexy boobs... I think it is more than a C cup. I just enjoy seeing her enjoy herself during our xxx sessions.

As usual, I will keep our relationship discreet. Cannot possibly post every darn thing here. Hahaha. But will keep this blog updated.

The passing of Tuanku Ja'afar

I was in Melaka yesterday when I heard that Tuanku Ja'afar, the Yang Di Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan has passed away. Sad news indeed. I grew up in Seremban - so, Tuanku Ja'afar was the Head of State since I was born.

Never making much of the headlines, but I could remember him from my school days. He would be present for some functions. In Convent (no, not where I studied!), he would be there when the school concert was on. It used to be a yearly affair a long time ago. Don't ask me how I got involved. I was still a kid back then, so it has nothing to do with chasing skirts. Tuanku Ja'afar was usually on time for the functions and he sure did take an interest in the schools.

Such is life. Some how, I will miss my Yang Di Pertuan Besar a lot.

No pic no talk

I was contacted by a gal recently on Skype. She wanted to chat. Guess she was lonely. Not entirely sure what her motivation was, but something puzzled me. She did put her photo on Skype. I had my usual pub photo there.

To digress a little, it is a picture of a pub Reading, England. It was a 'terrible' trip for me. Before Reading, I was in Acton, USA - that's near Boston - for only 2 nights! Then, off to Reading. Arrived totally zonked out, severe case of jetlag. And knowing my good colleagues there, the first thing they did was to take me to the pub! Not bad at all. Nice quiet pub, good beer and great lamb stew. Feel kind of guilty, when I am travelling for business and the priority appears to be pubs.

Anyway, back to this silly gal. She started complaining it was unfair that she showed me her pic and I was not being opened. Making an issue out of it. After a few minutes, we just said good-bye. People... pay attention. This is the Internet. I could have just shown her my grandfather's picture ( I would use the one taken in 1950 - he looks great back then), and she wouldn't have known.

In other words, stop being silly and go around asking people for pictures. Hell, it could be anyone. What more, looks can be very deceiving. Sure, everyone wants to look good. Every one wants a partner that looks great, but there are other stuff that's more important. Attitude, the outlook to life is very important.

In the most swallow way, some say pretty gals are good in bed? Huh? I think looks and skills are complete unrelated. I have met some pretty gals who happen to be limp fishes in bed. Not very good. And trust me... when it comes to skills - that's the really important one. Who cares about looks!

Be careful with what we wish for

Not too many moons ago, Malaysians were wishing for cheaper petrol. Wish granted, together with a stinky economy. The moral of the story? Be careful with what we wish for.

I am also very surprised to learn - not many know how the economy works. Yet, without a clue, they invest heaps in share markets, or in bonds. They have no clue how it works. No clue how others scam the system. And more would even scam the scam. That would be me.

I have manage to make some money out of the down turn. I sure hope to make more from the stock market. But the thing is, if one doesn't know how it works, please don't dump your money there. Any vendor (that's the guy selling stocks, your broker or a unit trust agent) would never say their goods are not good. It is their job to say they sell the best. So, be smart. Learn more, before you part with your money for good.

One of my friends lost more than RM 100,000 in the stock market. She bought Timedotcom shares when it was high and when the main shareholders - UEM was selling like no tomorrow. Now, she's stuck with them. I told her last year to just get rid of all her shares and keep cash. She told her friends, and my friends, that I was a nutcase. Told her again to sell it in February - she said she wanted to keep it because of some losses. I told her to cut loss and just sell. She didn't. In the end, by September, she asked me for some serious advice. I told her to sell. She did. It didn't go down any further, but at least she has some cash now.

I am no economic expert, but the signs where there. Reserve banks started to raise interest rates last year, signalling a overheated economy. That's the sign to sell. When the Reserve Banks cut interest rates - it means shit has happened. I am no expert, but I just listen to the governors. They may not be 100% accurate, but they sure know hell a lot more than I do, in terms of economics at least.

Nett nett - just be careful with what we wish for. It might just come true.

The other position vacant

It has been sometime since I've a long term friends with benefits. H has been very busy. I have started going out with M. Let's just say she's has a nice set of racks and super sexy. Always very horny. We've been groping and kissing a lot, but no cigar yet.

Still trying hard to get her in bed. For some reason, she's a bit worried. Suspect it has something to do with her ex - that is, not wanting a serious relationship but misses the sex. Same here. Will work on it and will keep all posted. Can't wait to see her again. The thoughts of her alone makes me hard and horny.

***

Some months back, I've posted about a gal pregnant with twins and she did return to her home. Gave birth to the twins about two months ago, but the babies did not survive. Both died due to heart failure and lung complications. Indeed, it is very sad. Now, I am wondering if abortion would have been better. Or was it better by just giving the babies a chance? But what chances would they have for a underage teen runaway mother? The mother is young and broke. Gosh - she ate poorly during her pregnancy - often surviving on instant noodles and some soya milk. Spent a fair bit of my money buying and sending her food. And she had really bad skin. I've no idea what it is, but it is like rashes and think and dark patches on joints.

Alas, there was only so much I could do, and indeed her other friends helped her out. I guess we must really educate out teens on pregnancy and tell them all about how to prevent it - including staying away from sex. That's bloody difficult, as I would understand.

This reminds me of a Australian mother. She said, she would rather her daughter have sex safely in her own bed, then to do 'it' in some back alley or a dirty toilet cubicle. Or get filmed in a budget hotel while enjoying sex. So, this mother would say, yeah - it sure is hard to consent her daughter (of legal age but still young) to have sex, but no point it making her have unsafe sex. Que sera sera.

Position Vacant

By position, I am not referring to a sexual one, albeit that position is vacant too, for the time being. That's for another blog entry.

Trying to hire an assistant and trust me, it is extremely difficult to hire. Firstly, with all the internet and websites for jobs, applicants just apply for any darn job they see, without any consideration. In short, the employers (me in this case) gets a whole load of garbage. I have technicians applying for the position of Sales Managers. What the heck. Unsure if they can sell at all, to begin with. They sure did not sell themselves to me very well - in the sense of selling their resume to me.

Then, there is the whole bunch with names all typed in lower-case alphabets. Sorry, but I would hate to hire someone who cannot even get their own names correct in a resume. Some just have a terrible command of English. Others change jobs in about 10 months. Fresh graduates are asking for RM 3500 per month. Gosh. For fresh graduates, it going rate is only RM 1800, depending on field that is. Some ask for huge sales commissions. I usual ask them for some penalty if they fail to hit the target. Imagine, asking for RM 3500 per month and a huge commission. What the eff.

When I call them, endless bozos (both males and females) would ask "Where is your office?" The first thing on their mind is location. Hell, I remember my interview with Motorola Penang. The HR Director asked me if relocation is a problem. I laughed and told him, if the package is right, I would bloody report for work the next morning! In other words, screw the location. The overall package is important. If it is just location, try the Pizza Hut or McD in your neighbourhood. They have jobs too. Just remember to ask "Do you want fries with that."

It's never easy to hire someone good. Miss the old staff I hired in Nible2. Took me 6 months to get them, and they were great. In case you are wondering, yes, Motorola Penang did make me an offer. Alas, it wasn't good enough.

Let there be light...

Emergency lighting at home is a matter of life and death. Imagine a fire and the power is out. This is even more critical if you stay in a high-rise building. Let's say, still no smoke. But you do not have a torchlight. Mobile phone can provide limited lights. Try this at home. Completely blackout the place (and close the curtains too! This is to simulate a total black-out when there is no moon).

Do it when you are in the bedroom. Let's see how long do you take to find your house keys and have the front door opened. Mind you, it can be dangerous. Stairs are a hazard and you can trip over a large variety of items. Nevertheless, it is a good practice, in case of fire or a disaster.

In general, I have a Maglite Torchlight with me. Usually in my backpack - so, it is with me when I work, when I drive, when I travel. I own a small AA cell type - good enough. Why I like Maglite? It is very hardy? I've sent it flying down one floor before, by accident and it survived. It has a spare light-bulb. It is very bright. It is reliable. The cheap ones are not so reliable. Too bad, Maglite cost a fair bit. And no, they will not float, but I suspect they will have some that will.

Having a torchlight alone won't do well. It needs batteries. Test them and have them replaced often. I found a reliable batter to be Panasonic's Alkaline Battery. Duracell and Energizer leaks very often - from my observation. I have no idea why. They use to be good - almost never to leak, but lately, it's just bad. And they start to leak at least 2 years or 3 years before expiry!

Another item I am planning to invest in - emergency light. Cost about RM 80 each. They will automatically come on when the power fails. Very useful when things go wrong.

History Repeats Itself

Sad times in Malaysia, with the deaths due to landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa. That area has be so prone to landslides. I truly feel sorry and sad for the victims. I admire the rescue workings, working in a dangerous situation - mind you, they are hardly paid enough to just work, let alone in a disaster zone.

And the blame game continues. Who exactly is responsible. In my opinion, it is all about demand and supply. Without blaming the victims, Malaysians as a whole, has to be smarter consumers. We must wake up. If there is no demand, there will be no supply. Take for example prostitution. It's the world's oldest profession. As long as there is demand, there is a supply. Simple.

So, for all those buying houses - don't bother to buy houses in forest reserves or hillside. We have to be smart. We cannot leave it to a bunch of engineers with conflict of interest to say a place is safe. We can no longer leave it to the government.

Some residents want to sue the government. That's OK with me, but at the end of the day, that's really shooting ourselves in the foot. Why? The government will just use taxpayers' money to compensate the victims. Individually, nothing ever happens. Instead, I would suggest (or perhaps in addition) to bring back local council elections. Yup - kick the bunch of rascals out when they screw up.

Also - it is time to blacklist the owners of the developers. Don't bother to blacklist a bunch of private limited company with peanuts as paid up capital. That won't work. Instead, blacklist the individuals. Publish names. Publish their other business, and yes - boycott them. Hit it where it matters, and that's the wallet. Sure, it can be below the belt, but hey, life isn't fair and for once, it isn't fair in their advantage.

Really, it is time Malaysians take care of themselves. We cannot rely on politicians or acts of God to save us. We have to be smart. We savvy. Like cars, we just have to learn to buy better cars, instead of just "Wow - nice colour. Sexy design too". In short, time to look for some brains instead of just beauty.