22:22hr 22 Feb

Though my day did not start quite delightfully, I had kind of a great day today. Bulk of this year's birthday greeting came in form of Facebook posts; Zukerberg, you are one mean geek.

I had a wonderful brunch at Bei Sheng, though I really hope to be eating Japanese food triggered off by yesterday's handroll.

I had one present and one birthday card and one friend to accompany me the whole day.

To me, those are more than enough for me.

p.s. Happy Birthday Rose, Daisy, Apple, Nini-the-Cat, Mini-the-Cat and Wang-the-Pig.

Dark ray

Onion told me - during my trip to vehicle servicing at Jackson and wife's shop - that I should just brush off certain pissing events as isolated, one-off incidents. But I told myself, I should not be overly concerned about other people's feeling.

I pictured a dark ray coming out of a cathode ray tube, shining towards a mirror. The light bounces off and got reflected to a few more mirrors. And the process is repeated.

Why should that mirror even prolong its stay in that position perpendicular to the incident? It got me thinking.

I am slightly affected that today, my colleague is showing an upset face. I tried to be concerned, but I think I am being a busy body, and for that, I was punished with a cold shoulder and more black face. Well, fine, lesson well learnt.

p.s. Where has Nini been the whole day?

Before I leave

In the final hours before setting off for the land of smiles' city of angels, I got 2 calls from the event planners of a customer. It was irritating. Very irritating. I wanted to give her a piece of my mind, but I do not want to mess up my own holiday mood.

I woke up the usual time this morning and could not get back to sleep again. I hope I can make up for some eye-shut later on the plane. Some inauspicious thought ran through my mind last night when I left in the longing gaze of Rose. Will I be caught in an aircraft accident? Or will I meet with some mishap in the foreign land?

Before I left, I fed Nini-the-cat her favourite pouched fish, patted Rose, Daisy and Ah-Wang, paying particular attention to Rose, the old lady. Topped up the dog's food container. Bought a new pack of Nini's dry food and 3 rows of pouched fish.

What I will worry about? Will Rose be scared dead in another thunderstorm? Will Nini have enough water to drink, lest she drink from the waste water pail? Will there be people feeding Daisy when Ah-Wang finishes her food? Will there be someone opening the gate, asking Ah-Wang to return to the warehouse and not roam outside?

I will return.

Plan

If I have to say something bad about National Service, it really has to be that it disrupts all my education plans, that is, non-academic wise. I had plans to sign up for a certification course with either SCAL or BCA, but I had 2 concerns. One, my holiday plans from 4th Dec to 7th Dec. Two, National Service. I had to give up the SCAL option because of concern number one, and I had to give up the entire plan to go for the course because of concern number 2. Since, this course runs for 6 months from January, and my call up starts on the 4th May 2011, I could not attend the course and I am effectively 6 months slower in life. Bad luck.

On my way to toilet today. I saw Nini at the far end laundry area. It puzzled as Nini do not usually venture that far out. She was not looking too at ease. I whistled her out and carried her back, gave her some chow and top up her water and carried on with my latrine plan. When I am back, her eyes were shining and she was looking much happier. I do not know what had happen before that, but I hope she is ok.

Difficult times

I am seeing the two faces of some of my colleagues. When boss is here, they behave so co-operative, be it with each other or with me. However, when boss went on a holiday recently, the supervisor upped his level of laziness, fat driver show attitude, old driver tried to play leader. The victim? Me.

Today, I came in with 2 aims: Finish all my deliveries, and make life difficult for the folks. I'm not sure whether I can do the latter, but the former is definitely do-able.

Good luck and best wishes, Shureido.

p.s. Maybe I'll just add in another task, to buy chicken rice for Rose, Daisy and Ah Wang. Nini-the-cat had her pouch this morning.

My beloved greasy cat, where are you?

Our affinity on lasted half a day.
You are gone, and I do not know where.
But wherever you are, be good and eat well.
You'll be in my heart.

CCK Kittens

I walked down the staircase of the multi-storey carpark and spotted her (gender still unsure) sitting at a corner, looking out to the direction of the link hall, seemingly waiting for the return of someone dear. It's the second time I am seeing her. I stroked her, no response of hostility, and I boldly stroked her more thoroughly before picking her up.

She looked at me with those innocent eyes, totally showing no signs of unease. I held her in my hands for a couple of minutes more before returning her to her place to carry on her wait. As I am typing this, I am reminded of my Mini, who died a month ago. I wish I could bring her to depot, but the thought of separating her with her family deters me.

Everytime I see her, I will worry about her future. How will the fate of the family of felines be? Will they make the estate their new home? Or will they get adopted? Perhaps some spastic residents will file a complain with the town council who will mercilessly call in the pest control. Or will they just die one day in a traffic accident? I dare not imagine.

Goodbye my Mini

Today will go down in my memory as the day where 1 month ago (20th May 2010), Mini moved from the fence, tick-stricken, rain-drenched, to my work place. Today, Mini move from my physical world, to doggy heaven, where she would find Smiling Apple looking up from a thick juicy bone. She would enjoy the same love she got from Daisy and Rose, and the least, myself.

If I say that I am not sad, I would be bluffing everyone, but not myself. In fact, my heart bleed once more from the same wound that saw Apple lose to Tetanus. But, what can I do? I do not want appear sad for the sake of the situation, yet I could not find a reason to feel otherwise. My only favour to Mini was to add 1 month to her life and make her feel love for the month.

Sorry Mini, I could not be there when you depart.

Saved.. hopefully

Here is something I am not particularly proud of.

On my way home today, I saw a group of Malay girls bringing, from the road to the roadside, an injured cat (let me call it Brindle for namesake). I was concerned, but not enough to go near to them and Brindle. My eyes locked in that direction as I carried on my way to the lift, with the painful cries ringing though my ears.

As I have my dinner, my heart grew heavier, for I became so worried about Brindle. My concern for Brindle became strong enough a driving force as I forgo my insignificant shower and went down to take a look after registering SPCA's telephone number on my phone. Brindle laid there beside an open pack of Whiskas food pouch, the food untouched. I called the SPCA who has already received the same report, albeit having gotten the wrong block number from the previous caller. I filled in more details for the SPCA officer and crossed my fingers.

At 7:35pm, I instinctively took a look downstairs from my flat, and there was the SPCA truck flashing the amber hazard lights. I heard the familiar meowing cries, evidence that Brindle is still alive. My mind finally returned to normal.

"Mini" shall be her name

I had pondered over "rain", "fleas" and "fence" and all other names, but I finally decided on "Mini", simply because she is a mini version of Nini-the-cat.

The day I found her at the fence

Name: Not decided yet
Date found: 20th May 2010, 930am, picked up at 1030am
Situation: Drizzling, wet thoroughly, fleas infested. Administered Frontline spray and fed. She stayed well with the protection and love of Daisy.

It's my fortune to have them with me today.

Happy Birthday Rose, Daisy, Nini-the-Cat, and Apple in heaven.

On the third day of CNY

I return to office on the third day of Chinese New Year, knowing that it is still a holiday, but my worry for Rose, Daisy and Nini-the-Cat pulls me back. I bought a pack of instant noodles at the Depot Heights Fairprice mart, just in case the food centre is not open yet, or they jack up the price sky high.

Rose was thrilled at the sight of me. She appeared happier than usual. Absence really makes the heart grew fonder. The feeling is mutual. I whistled to Nini, who arrived in 2 minutes from her hide, which I gave up searching for after her frequent attempts to change places. When I topped up her dish. I knew Nini has been doing her job these few days.

Degraded humans

I read in today's paper that someone is claiming that a dog leaves more carbon footprint that a human driving a car. How shameless! Humans have degraded to turning to blame a helpless community for climate changes, rather than reflecting on their own actions. The article claimed that manufacturing of dog food involves huge amounts of meat and so on. And of course, they repeated the same thing on cats and hamsters.

In the first place, how many dog owners really feed their pets with high meat content pet food? Look at your pet food's ingredient list. Is meat anywhere at the top? If we think of how many dogs can feed on the left overs at buffets and banquets, or even hawker centres, tell me, how valid is the finding in the papers.

Selfish humans.

My simple happiness at work...

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That day and today in pictures

Congratulations to for giving birth to yet another couple of puppies. This time in an assortment of colours.



I thought all of them were dead? I was pleasantly surprised that this one is still here. Still on deworm treatment. What shall be the name?



Nini likes her breakfast.

In the past 10 days

. My birthday only reminds me of a cruel 4 letter acronym - IPPT or individual physical proficiency test. Or is it the opposite? Every year, as my birthday drew near, my stress level would increase. I would be thinking of ways to sneak pass my IPPT. This year is a bad year for IPPT. Martian took another 2 weeks of medical leave after her month long leave, which leaves me with all the work at the office. I became increasingly worried that I could not pass my 2.4km run without training. Fortunately, I did.

.. Shuyan stinged me a chat on MSN a couple of days ago. The first since 3 years has passed. Thought the contents of the chat were nothing intimate, it was enough to stir a mini storm in my almost pacified memory. 

The bigger the pond, the further the ripples will travel. 

The deeper the emotions, ... ...

... I wanted to get Rose, Daisy and Apple, and Nini-the-Cat some goodies yesterday for, I have dedicated my birthday to them. But I had to help with work because of a short of manpower for the work yesterday. Nonetheless, I am certain I will get them some good stuff these few days.

.... I picked up my degree certificate at RELC a few days ago.

..... 劍 invited me to follow him back to China next year. I am contemplating.

...... I had a bad dinner at ThaiExpress 2 days ago. But I made it up with a good one yesterday at See Hoi (101).

....... I got a bad haircut at Jantzen, courtesy of Johnson. Seamonkey got one average haircut and a bad hairwash, courtesy of Fanny and BuiBui. Fanny was not as bad as Johnson. Could not blame the hairdresser, Ann was just too good.

Thanks to Geok Cheng, Bang, Tiko, Wanping, Gohzi & Emilia for yours wishes.

Hairy Encounters

Two days ago, while I was looking at my guys doing some set up at a food manufacturing factory in Woodlands, I walked by this dying rat. The rat is near the last few minutes of his life. It must have been the work of the Rentokil rodent bait. I felt sad, yet I could not do anything. It may sound fake, but I have this special affinity with rodents since young. Probably due to the excessive socialisation and conditioning that has made thought that I am somewhat linked to the rodents for being born in the year of the Rat, which happens to be ending at this point I am typing. I left Mr Rat to breathe his last, for I could not bear to see him slowly waste to a lifeless carcass.

Today, I went into Truely Asia to have a haircut. As I pass by Segget's corner, I saw this ultra adorable cat. I am drawn to the coat of Ms Seggets because it's the same as Nini, Avenue3 and Ginger.

My friends at Jantzen had to slog till 6pm, Chinese New Year's eve. My heart goes out to them. And I thank Ann, Joey and Ah Lian for their services today.

Another sad day

Father called this morning and asked whether I am at the office. I wasn't. I thought I had nothing much to do today because I am done with my swimming on the X'mas holiday, and also more or less cleared the paper work. But Father told me a piece of news which is just a piece of bad news made worse. Xiang will be leaving on the 29th Dec. And Father was asking whether I was at the office, so that I can process his wages. 

Most of the time, I would be very happy to give out money to the workers because I know they are happy to be receiving the money they got from their hard work. But today in particular, I hate the feeling.

The only comfort I got today was from Nini the cat, who performed her signature death-roll for me, and Rose, Apple and Daisy who showed me the innocence of life.

Zhiling suggested that I feature her void deck pet on my blog, which I shall oblige. This is Ginger the cat. She has the same coat as Nini and Avenue3. Her 'meow' sounds delightful and cheery, and she walks (and skips) with excellent agility.

Seeking comfort playing with Nini the cat

I had another dose of the government departments' rubbish today, again.

As adviced by the ministry of morons, Bui brought Xiang to the idiots and cretins authority(ICA) to have his stay extended till his flight date. Lo and behold, the idiot at the ICA said that she could not do what we requested. 

I called up the idiots and cretins to asked about it and the idiot at the other end of the phone directed me to the moron ministry once more. Oh, I have to make a special mention that I waited 40 minutes of my life listening to "Our officers will attend to you shortly" and "Sorry, we are experience high traffic, you may wish to hold or call us later", and the on-hold music of course.

If you cannot give me a solution, please do not give me more problems.

Feeling helpless, I wandered around the office aimlessly. Nini the cat appeared out of nowhere and performed a death-roll. I played with her for a couple of minutes and gave her a personalised photoshoot.

I'm here

A close up.

Return of the killer brush

EVILMODE ON!

Give it to me...