Sunday, November 28, 2010

ASTRO...

Before ASTRO, TV entertainment was kinda like dead. There was a time when those lifeless days moved so darn slow and the weeks and months moved like they could never end. The only thing to do was to read or listen to radio. Permit me to take you back to those retro years when TV was all I had to entertain myself with. And it did not go down well with me for the sole reason - TV was entertainment nightmare and in many ways I never really fancied watching TV either.  

Back then it was all about black and white programmes on TV. I could never imagine TV in colour. Imagine watching sitcoms like Hawaii-5-O, Buck Rogers, Ultraman and many more in black and white plus with a snowy screen. I even remember watching the first lunar landing on black and white TV (tho’ this was proven as a coy / bluff by the Mythbusters on ASTRO).

For many in those days, TV was all about munching fingernails and constantly looking at the wall clock for the transmission hour to come on. To me that was the most exciting thing I ever watched - watching others waiting. Goshh! life was boring then. TV was just about all of that for a good many 20 years or so. We had a TV alright but there was a problem. The reception was bad. When it rained, that's the end of TV for the day. How my family and many others craved for clear TV receptions those days only the residents of Bukit Mertajam know.

The crude problem was - we lived and still live opposite a hill called Bukit Mertajam. Due to the proximity of the hill and the nearby housing estates, TV receptors were not good neither tall enough to harness TV waves. The hill was partly to be blamed. After fruitless complains, angry residents erected tall steel rods above their houses just to get an hour of clear reception. When the rains came, which on any given day, it will rain “cows and goats”, the owner will find the rod twisted and collapsed as winds just blew away anything dangling above roof tops. So, for all, TV was merely an idiot box to decorate the house and have a flower vase with plastic flowers on it. TV was also the yardstick for many women to show off their crochet and embroidery talents. All sorts of fabric will be put on the TV to show-facade. TV was nothing more than a box until ASTRO arrived.

ASTRO stunned and churned out a new set of TV nerds and geeks and of course 'couch potatoes.' It paved way for a new generation of cable TV viewers as well. In the beginning, it was like the Internet at your finger tips and the price was a bomb then. Many eager and frustrated residents subscribed to ASTRO and paid hefty sums to watch good programmers as what many Malaysians had craved for. I too wanted to do the same but the fees were way too high a price to pay. All I did was get entertained by ASTRO from any Mamak stall. With a glass of teh-tarik, I get ASTRO for the whole duration of the teh-tarik - sip by sip.

When all was nice and ASTRO being the craze amongst many, there is a downside to this as well. ASTRO isn't all that ASTRO rosy after all. It was and still is shortchanging its customers. Some of the programmers are reruns and old. Since it is owned by one single entity, ASTRO is monopolizing the TV entertainment industry to its fancies.

For example - almost all sporting rights are bought over by ASTRO. And I do know ASTRO paid a colossal sum of money to buy EPL screening rights too. This isn’t fair to those who can't afford cable TV and also to those who still rely their trust on the good old TV programmes from Angkasapuri. To monopolize the mainstream sporting and entertainment industry by one single entity is how greed is spelt.

The subscription to ASTRO is not justified either. Many pay to watch redundant programmes. Why do we have to pay for something we can’t possibly understand what more watch? Why can't ASTRO charge its customers by the choice of programmes one wants.

Yes, I do agree...there are programmes in ASTRO which are worth more than the money you pay, but it's only a selected few. What about the loads of programmes that makes nonsensical at all?

I mean, see it this way - why would Hindus watch loads of crap Chinese programmes and the same likewise. It all comes with the subscription and as a customer,  you don't get to choose either.

ASTRO have  Arabic programmes as well. I believe this is to entice the few Arabs who live and make their home here and for the tourist too. But these programmes  are forced upon those who don't need them. Which only the Malays watch tho many can’t speak read nor write Arabic. But they're made to subscribe to all those crappy programmes. Can't they be exchanged to other channels of choice.

Then comes the adverts. Why must cable TV subscribers watch adverts? By way of subscription, are we paying for the adverts too? I don't think we should. But ASTRO screens all those adverts when we pay ONLY to watch ASTRO programmes.

Disgruntled subscribers have countless times called in to ASTRO to complain and many or almost all were told off by the rude bastards manning the call -centres.

One ASTRO staff when called said, “If we don’t show adverts, we can’t sustain the ASTRO industry.” Then he continued without the caller asking, "If you don't like close your TV la."

I DO HOPE ANANDA KRISHNAN READS MY BLOG...

And the other part to this - they're many entertainment billionaire moguls our there. My question is, "Why should there only be ASTRO? What has come about the other cable TV networks?"

If they're more than one cable TV in the country, not only the fees but having it will be a healthy competition. But then more adverts will be shown too. Either way you look into it, the viewers are the real losers. They'll need to suck it up to ASTRO and the ASTRO idiots will have the last laugh.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Accident ...followup...

Finally, settled my car issues and the DUMB moron (girl) agreed to pay for the damages.

In installment that is...

The days of HELL....


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Dreaded Morning...

Aagh!!!!.....what a dread morning when the driver seat window of my car smashed with a loud explosive noise knocked by a STUPID girl from the back.
Bumpers dented as well.

Sent it to the service centre and the guy says he needs to order the replacement from East Coast...  what!!!!  @#$%^&&*

And this is the Service Centre at Shamelin...reputed to be one of the best for Toyota Cars.

Underlining statement of the day. Don't buy Vios Cars. 

Spoilt my day and had to skip work as well.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Father - A year in memory....



















It's been a year since his depart..
Fondly remembered and etched in our hearts...

Sunday, November 21, 2010

and God created woman...

Women are women. Nothing precedes that else of course if she's from Venus or Pluto. I don't know about the ones from far off planets but I do know a bit or two about the ones right here in OUR planet. The ones here strive to gave equal opportunity to earn a living, build a home, raise a family or even run a Government if they can. I don't see anything wrong with that.

Girl, lady, woman, wife, mother, single parent, homemaker, grandmother - they come in all shapes -  names and nouns. All nations on this planet are called Motherland except Germany. Another accolade to their 'womanly' presence. So, what are we to do with this species? Nothing much then to talk praises and shower chocolates and flowers upon them. But sometimes, such high esteem recognitions should not be right fully given to them for reasons only men know best and yet fail.

For one, you can't tell a lady not to and listen to gossips. They do it anyway.  You can't tell the fairer gender not to 'cosmetic' themselves either. It'll only fall on deaf ears. I wonder why they disfigure themselves when God had given them rightfully a face to call woman and not a jackass.

You can't tell women to mind or mend their own business. The wrath over that statement on you will melt glaciers. You can't tell a woman not to bad mouth either. It'll only hit back at you with more devastating repercussions.

Again, what are we to do?  There is a saying - you can't live with them all-the-same you can't live without them.

I've in my time met many femme with tales to tell but its better to let those tales grow tails. Talking about on such matters only harbours ire and detestment. They may be the conundrums themselves to their own misgivings but with the conundrums comes sometimes the wisdom that grows in and out of it, sometimes profound sometimes ... oh dear .. you wished you were eaten alive by a great white.

Again, what are we to do with that?

Lately, I had a modest spat over some trivial issues and what I felt it being a lil' comical jester became into a smouldering volcano. Goosh! Blame me for being a lil'bit wiser over the choice of words used over an opinion. 

"Ouch...mummy always says "Never to play with fire for you can only fight fire with fire."

Again, what am I to do about that?

But alas, they're things women should right fully be barred from doing or gaining or even saying?

What those are is of anyone's guess.

I've a list here collected on what women SHOULD NOT DO and with that valid reasons as well.

Here goes...

Women should never be ...

1.  Prime Ministers - she would talk of World Peace and have UN conferences over Tupperware parties and end up selling tupperwares to the Third World and inflate debts.

2.  F1 Drivers - it's scientifically proven women have slower reflexes then men. F1 is all about super speed reflexes. 

3.  Car mechanics - Can't even fix a tyre, and expect them to fix cars!

4.   Fighter Pilots - They would rather pack their cosmetic gear first then the parachute. And flying at the speed of sound, they would use the cockpit glass mirror to doll up and paint.

5.   Driving Instructor - Oops! how can they be driving instructress when they switch lanes without indicators.

6.   Chef - Proven boldly, men are better chefs then women. Need no explanation.

7.   Tour Guides - One asked me if it's cheaper to send a consignment to Jakarta from Malaysia by train. Oh dear!

8.   A Millionaire - With all the money, all they do is buy shoes, bags and lipsticks and shoes again.

9.   Army General - else every soldier would have to wear apron to war.

10. A Traffic Cop - The male would be looking at the cop and not the directions.  

11. Pillon rider - Believe me, they'll guide you only to ditch.

12. Last -  Women should never be bosses nor play HUSBAND.

This ain't taking a swipe at womenkind for my late mum was too a woman.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Medical amiss...

The saying, doctor knows best is always deemed right.

Yes. it's deemed right but never perfect.
See the below snapshot I took with my little Nokia HP at a clinic..and see if you can spot the "never perfect."

This clinic even offers reneval of JPJ Driving license...Ha ha ha

Uncensored No Underwear Subway Ride

No Pants Subway Ride 2010

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Henry and Delhi...hahahahahah

I really really like this statement..hahahaha

Quote:

"so appropriate because she's Indian"


Unquote"

Hahahaha....this got to be the joke of the year.

Henry, a former New Zealand TV host on Delhi's Chief Minister's name - Dikshit - Pronounced as DeepShit.  hahahahahahaha

Bollywood Hero Flash Mob in Times Square


Indian fools in NY Times Square.

Cold hard strange facts...

1. The Sahara Desert:--
Do you know in 15,000 years from now, that is 2010 + 15000, the Sahara desert will be a lush green fertile land where humans will dwell and cities will sprout up. Lakes and marine life will form again. This is true as the Sahara was once a land filled with life form, green and farmers and whales - yes whales.











 2. Pulsar
They rotate so fast that they can spin a million times faster then a blink of an eye. They're the guiding blinking lights-map of astronauts who venture  into space.


3. Malapascua, Phillipines - The rarest shark is often and only seen in the waters along this Island. The shark is distinctively known with its big black eyes and a tail twice longer than a samurai sword. This is a rare marine critter often mistaken for sword fish. 







4. Did you know Hawaii is an Island made purely out of Volanco's lava and the island is still growing. The most active volcano on this planet Kilauau is in Hawaii. Daily, seabed volcanoes in and along Hawaii islands excrete lava and a new seabed-rock is formed. Its the build-up and the formation of these islands that brings about the giant waves to Hawaii. I bet you did not know this.



5. This is surely a fake. Never heard of a seven headed snake ever but the picture says otheriwse However, the background looks too good to be true.













 6. 18 foot Oarfish caught by locals from a Southern Californian sea.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Birthday Wishes...

Happy Birthday to my Elder Sister 

and many Happy Returns of the Day

Friday, November 12, 2010

Religion...

Lately there have been lots of issues on religion across the masses. Each one is trying to bite the other's head off championing his / her own faith / religion...

Many claim being sanctitude towards religion but practise the opposite abusing and hurling curses and blaspheming the very sacred of one's faith.

I want to blog more on this but then, If I do, what difference is there between them and me. I would "become them"  too.

The funny thing is, the true culprit here, I deem, is God Himself.

An answer.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Does this matter...sure it does....

This isn't an irony but I see it as a cursed part of a human point of perspective.

From the very first breath of mine till now, and without battling an eye or the lid, I can easily vouch and say, I've attend more funerals then weddings in my life time. This thing I just coughed up could mean many things.

One. Either my buddies or people I know are departing faster than I can type this or many of my (again) friends / buddies aren't getting married.

Two. I may not be viewed as a good omen to weddings. Maybe a blessing to funerals. What a lame rascal I must be. The part that is rather encapsulating with fear within me is that I'm constantly being reminded that my end is near.

Am not gonna contemplate on the above three or maybe more reasons, but looking at my medical bills, there is a sure tell-tale sign that the drum-beat to the end is nearer that it was a year ago.

Reflecting back, I feel uncomfortable and at times miserable when I get "invitation"  to funerals more than to weddings. Who wouldn't?

The other day over lunch, meeting up with old friends, I asked, if this was a good or bad sign. Many stood gaping at me and one, I could swear, had the word, '"You are sick" written all over her face. 

I mean no harm to the dead. What else can I do to the dead anyway?

Oh! dear me, am still thinking why??

Monday, November 08, 2010

Brewing trouble up in the Northen Skies....


The above pics were taken 24 hours before the Northern floods crippled Kedah and Perlis. Having lived in Penang almost half my life, I sensed something not right when I looked up into the skies.
On the hindsight, I did sense there was bound to be rain. Birds flew low and the wind blowing into my hometown was not the usual breeze we get early  morning. And I saw hawkers with their shanty stalls closing earlier than usual.

Alas, after an hour it rained like God's tears.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Tagged.com and It SUCKS big time...

Tagged.com is a social web site. I'm sure many of you know. I've seen net users using this site to socialize. I don't see anything wrong with that more so when they're many lonely ones out there looking for partners, friends or even potential spouses.

This site is quite interesting with lots of graphics and cookies to show your appreciation and feeling by way of sending and receiving messages. Cool. No issues. But, for me, I don't fancy the idea but then if 10 or more people like it, who am I the 1 person to hate.

I chanced upon this site some long time ago and started browsing it to see if it had got any worth. When someone like me starts browsing such sites, there is bound to be trouble, because I'm the person who reads what is on the site and have it checked reading between the lines and challenging the administrators to see if they know what they're talking about.

I noticed many tagged users put all sorts garbage into this site making it look like they're the dream person for one to meet (mainly ladies). Many write stuff akin being in no man's land. I really don't know if at all what they write is true or simply playing a donkey's drama of lame tales. Many don't even know what they put in their own tagged.com sites. This site is grossly mis-used by the users themselves without knowing or realising it.

I've come across many profiles of users who, on a long shot, I can tell you the user is either a MORON or does not know the meaning of the word "friend." 

Let me give you a few of the many examples...

Example No 1.
A girl of age 19++ (Melayu / Malay) has got something like 7,937 "FRIENDS." I ask myself if you've that many friends, wow Puteri UMNO could use her to buy votes and get her to stand against anyone in the polls even against PKR's Nurul Izzah at Pantai Dalam.

The thing is, one should understand, no human on this planet at a tender age of 19 can have that many friends. Not even the Prime Minister has that many friends. This is a clear case of MELAYU betul betul BODOH and syok sendiri.

Example No.2
There was this one profile where this girl, 21 years of age, prolly a defunct fool has got 12,331 friends. One in her list is a friend of mine whom I know too well. I was surprised he was in her list of "freinds." So, I wrote her a message and asked if she ever knew that one particular person. She replied  "Apa you cakap?"  This clearly shows she does not even know what or who she has added into her DUMB tagged.com profile and yet proclaim she has more friends than anyone alive. Another clear case of an imbeciled dumbass.

Example No.3
Some users have pictures of movies stars in the profile. When asked where is their picture, they say the picture on the profile is her. Hahahah... This only goes to show many especially girls live in a superficial world clouded with narcissism. And mind you, most profiles are written with the worst rotten English ever. Even Elementary kids write better.

They're way too many fake ones out there. Some even have no idea why they have a profile in tagged.com when asked.

All one need to do is jettison them and park it as spam.

So much for Tagged.com.

Friday, November 05, 2010

Divali

Today is Divali.

We, as family are not celebrating this year.

We'll catch up with it next year, 2011 Divali - hopefully a lil grander then ever before.

Stay Blessed.