May you find the happiness that has always eluded you.
Don’t forget the things I’ve said to you back at your mother’s place.
Hope you have only happy birthdays from now on.
Bless Me Father For I Have Sinned…
I was depressed and went shopping again today (well, yesterday since I’m writing this past midnight).
See what depression and fever coupled can do to a person.
Not too bad though…I only spent around RM650 this time on several things.
Someone reminded me about 5 minutes ago to sleep early and not to be another Johan. Johan was my batchmate who passed away in October 2003 because of a massive heart attack. He was 38. Another, Rahman, passed away in June this year of the same reason. Both of them are known to be somewhat insomniac, much like I am, and used to work their asses off. I remember receiving an e-mail from a batchmate who is a GP telling me to get more sleep since I am known to have arrhythmia with the same parting shot: “I don’t want to see another Johan in our batch.” My more famous senior by one year and also was a good friend of mine, the late Hani Mohsin, overworked himself literally to death.
Kimi also sent me a YM message earlier saying I look haggard in the latest photos and looked as if I have not had enough rest and is not well. BINGO!
This is what you do to yourself when you have to hug yourself to sleep night after night.
Thanks for being my minder tonight.
Time for my medicines.
Last Sunday’s Pool Session
This is a video taken by Adik. I am seen here testing a DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle) for a company and I am supposed to provide a technical write-up for it. Oh, you should be able to see Hazyr somewhere in the background in white top some 14 seconds before the end of the video. She was going to work across the road and came to join us all for lunch.
My 12th Year
Today is the 4th December.
12 years ago I stopped wearing my uniform…leaving a life I loved most.
Where living on the edge was the order of the day – everyday.
Missionary Position
As usual, idiots voted into Parliament will once in a while show their true colours.
Syed Hood Syed Idros (BN-Parit Sulong) and Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) should learn more about Islam.
The former asked if the crucifix on missionary schools will be removed, and the latter commented that in an Islamic country, the statue of the Virgin Mary should not be allowed to adorn the entrance to missionary schools.
First and foremost, it is because this country IS an Islamic country that the crucifixes and statues should stay. If these two people were to exist during Muhammad’s time, I am sure they would be among those ordered to be put down when Muhammad wanted to rid the Arab peninsula of false prophets.
Luckily I am not a Member of Parliament, otherwise I would ask for the banning of the tudung, serban and beard (goatees) because those are so unIslamic.
As a matter of fact, they are more Christian than they are Islamic. Tsk! Tsk!
Singapore’s Moves
I think it was sometime last year before Thaksin was ousted in a military coup that Singapore acquired the lease of the Udon Thani Air Force Base in Thailand’s northeast on the pretext of setting up a training base. Prior to that, when Malaysia announced that it was getting the Scorpense SSKs, Singapore immediately bought four used submarines from an European country. When Malaysia announced it was getting the PT-91 main battle tanks, Singapore bought Apache tank-busting helicopters – and when the Pt-91s were operational, Singapore bought used Leopard tanks from Germany. To counter our ASTROSS MLRS (multiple-launch rocket systems), Singapore has recently announced getting a similar system. Singapore already has a detachment of its air force fighter jets in Darwin, Australia, citing the lack of airspace for training.
Most recent, Singapore has come into a deal with India to lease two airbases for training purposes: for its F-16 fighter aircraft. Again citing the lack of airspace (Australia and Thailand must be really small). India jumped at this opportunity to learn more about the F-16, which is the mainstay of rival Republic of Pakistan Air Force.
So?
Well, the thing is, India is where Malaysia sends its technicians to train on the servicing and maintenance of its Sukhoi SU-30MKM air superiority fighters. And I am sure, Singapore is interested to know how the Indian’s SU-30MKI perform, so they can judge the tactics our SU-30MKM would have.
I still maintain that Malaysia should purchase more SU-30MKM (forget the stupid F-18 Super Hornets…they’re not half as good as the SU-30MKMs are), several more guided-missile frigates (FFG) armed with Yakhont SSMs., forget tanks but buy tank-busting aircrafts like the Mi-24 Hind or its newer siblings (I prefer the Mi-24 because they’re battle-proven).
If we cannot protect ourselves, then no way can we feed ourselves.
Oh, and promote Countloon to the rank of Major please. 😀
Scuba Dynamics Annual Dinner
It was a great night. Friends from MUW and MDC were there, as well as other non-forum affiliated friends. Orange juice was free-flow, liquor…pay yourself. I won three lucky draw prizes: a t-shirt, a free course to upgrade from what level I am at now, and a free dive trip for two, full-board. Haha! That makes four Sipadan trips next year alone. Food was also great: so as not to offend anyone, so everything was lamb-based. Excellent!
Henry Batzer announced to the whole diving community of me, the “great friend and a very experienced technical diver” (what la you Henry…bikin malu saja…I know you read my blog from the registered IP…hahaha…but thanks, you are a great friend too!). Then Blackbear also told me how his diving friends in Phuket and Bali told him how “great” a diver and a friend I am…and almost every single dive shop owner knows of me and immediately gives him discounts. I think Ryzah was also told by Henry of “this diving legend called SeaDemon when she and I visited Scuba Dynamics before I went to Sipadan.
Met lots of friends: from MDC – Aaron, Vincent, Say Leng, Harfiezuddin, Kurt and wife Trisha, Scubaholics, Weng Ruh, Alice and others; friends from MUW – Martinjoe, Lord Nabil, Pisha, Comrade, Ikan, Snafu, Ridrahim, Momo74, Tulip (Marina), Miezegreat, Duyong, Alin, Kapal Selam, jgshuwei, Blackbear, MT Tank, Poisson, Deepblu, Spazm, Shafi, Shazay…and many others. PADI’s Regional Manager, Johnny Chew, was also there.
Okay, enough of that masuk bakul naik rocket.
After the whole thing ended, we all adjourned to Hartamas Square where Kapal Selam, Snafu, Blackbear and I discussed further about next year’s events. Miezegreat, Duyong and Tulip (Marina) took my camera and had a field day taking nasty pictures. Thank you, girls.
Thanks also to jgshuwei for the drinks. I drove back fine. It took me just 23 minutes to my house from Hartamas Square via Penchala Link.
Spotted here: Spazm (who’s diving in KK today), Shazay and Deepblu
With Trisha (she asked me to post this one and not the rest)
Blackbear and his nasi lemak carrier
Adik and I after a few rounds of spiked orange juice
Fried lamb meatballs, Sheperd’s Pie with minced lamb, Spaghetti with minced lamb
Marina (Tulip), Duyong and Momo74
With Spazm and Kurt (a.k.a Alopias, Trisha’s hubby)
More Sipadan Pics – Final Part (The Story of Aaron and Calvin)
These pics were taken on the boat on the way to Semporna. This sequence is called “Sifu and Apprentice” starring Aaron Wong and Calvin Lim.
Aaron: “Calvin, let us bow our head and pray for our safety on this boat. Remember what happened in Tioman recently?”
Calvin: “Yes, Sifu.”
Aaron: “Since this is a 40-minute boat ride, I think we better pray harder and bow our head lower!”
Calvin: “But, Sifu, do I have to pray THAT hard?”
Aaron: “Haiya! Don’t ask so many questions lor! Just do as I say otherwise I will not teach you how to take nice photos!”
Calvin: “Okay la Sifu. I will do as you say. Is this low enough?”
Cameo appearance by Blackbear
Blackbear: “I tell you la. These two can really sleep! Lazy to story la!”
More Sipadan Pics – Part 11 (Goodbye)
After 6 days, it is time to leave reality and face nightmare again. Sad fact of life.
Zue, Meen, woren76, self, Aey
Farewell group pic
Long walk to goodbye
Retail therapy at Tawau Airport
Having tea at Tawau Airport
More Sipadan Pics – Part 10 (Beach Full Moon Party)
Celebes Safari culminated in a dinner cum full moon beach party. Certificates of participation and support were handed over to representatives of the various organisations that supported the event. I represented MUW. Our very own Blackbear a.k.a DJ Cva Quma rocked the house that night. However, as Mabulians sleep very early, the party ended at 11.30pm…just as KLites were out having roti canai before adjourning to Zouk and the likes (wow…I can’t even name name of clubs in KL). Here are some of the pics taken:
Kapal Selam’s Girl Friday, Zue – the woman behind the organising of the events
The Japanese group
The party people: Russians
Meen – imitating an Ampheprion
Blackbear getting intimate with Dive Guide Amanda
Cultural dance show
Receiving certificate of participation from Kapal Selam
The certificate
Meen and I
Russian partymen
Staff having fun
Blackbear rocking the house with Siti Nurhaliza songs
No this isn’t a HINDRAF demonstration
The ASEAN group
Back row (l to r): Amanda (BDMR dive guide), Calvin Lim, self, Blackbear, Sharon (Air Asia), Woren76, Liyana (BDMR dive guide), Leslie (PADI Magazine), Clement Lee (MD Borneo Divers), Ajisan
Front row (l to r): Kapal Selam, Aey (FiNS), Francis (MD Paya Beach Resort), Meen (FiNS), Aaron Wong, Roland (GM BDMR)
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