Tuesday, May 15, 2007

8 Monkeys

Put eight monkeys in a room. In the middle of the room is a ladder, leading to a bunch of bananas hanging from a hook on the ceiling. Each time a monkey tries to climb the ladder all the monkeys are sprayed with ice water, which makes them miserable. Soon enough, whenever a monkey attempts to climb the ladder, all of the other monkeys, not wanting to be sprayed, set upon him and beat him up. Soon, none of the eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.

One of the original monkeys is then removed, and a new monkey is put in the room. Seeing the bananas and the ladder, he wonders why none of the other monkeys are doing obvious. But undaunted, he immediately begins to climb the ladder. All the other monkeys fall upon him and beat him silly. He has no idea why. However, he no longer attempts to climb the ladder.

A second original monkey is removed and replaced. The newcomer again attempts to climb the ladder, but all the other monkeys hammer the stuffing out of him. This includes the previous new monkey, who, grateful that he's not on the receiving end this time, participates inthe beating because all the other monkeys are doing it. However, he has no idea why he's attacking the new monkey.

One by one, all the original monkeys are replaced. Eight new monkeys are now in the room. None of them have ever been sprayed by ice water. None of them attempt to climb the ladder. All of them will enthusiastically beat up any new monkey who tries, without having any idea why.

This is how many companies' policies get established and entrenched!

Tags: Human Resource, Teamwork, Monkey

Accident Involving Alcohol

Most of us have heard a sad story about an accident involving alcohol. In my life I have never encountered an alcohol related accident as tragic and devastating as this one. Just looking at the picture brings tears to my eyes.
Tags: Accident, Alcohol, Funny, Humour

Monday, May 14, 2007

Hard Rock Cafe

For Kuala Lumpur residents, we could have drinks with friends at Hard Rock Cafe Kuala Lumpur ("HRC"). Food there is quite tasty.

HRC shares the same building with Concorde Hotel. 2 motorcycles could be seen moving round & round on a rotating base.

Tags: Hard Rock Cafe, Kuala Lumpur, Concorde Hotel

English Premier League Champions

At long last, after a tough fight with Chelsea in the English Premier League 2006/2007 season, Manchester United capped a marvellous season with their 16th league title. (left pic sourced from Man Utd website)

Liverpool still holds the record of 19 league titles. Not far to catch up with them.

Season finale will be the prestigious FA Cup final this coming Saturday, 19 May, against the nemesis, Chelsea.

Wish I was there in the massive celebration. Painting the city in red.
Tags: Manchester United, English Premier League, FA Cup, Chelsea, Liverpool

Sunday, May 13, 2007

African Night (II)

A great happening at my church where the Nigerian congregation came together to present the African Night of praise and worship - Nigerian style of course.

Started off with some slow songs.
And their choir team was next.
Up came 3 young kids. The girl on the left is 13 yrs old while the other 2 were 12 years old. They have full confidence while belting out their song "Melody in My Heart".
Christian rap song by 2 Nigerian brothers.
Back to praise & worships session with the singers in their colourful attires.
A portion of the crowd.
Offering boxes were left in the front and as the praise session was going on, the congregation moved out from their seats and gave their offering. It was over flowing.
Men dancing while swinging their hankies. Sort of a tradition.
The crowd having warmed up earlier are moving to the front enjoying the Nigerian beat.
A group of Nigerian guys dancing together.
The crowd is up on their feet now!!! The Nigerian beat - hard to resist.
Nothing's going to stop them from making a joyful noise unto the Lord.
Another rapper belting out his song for God.
In their traditional costumes, a group dance was performed. They really know how to shake their bodies.
A lady in her traditional attires.
The event started at 6pm and ended at 10pm. Four hours of non-stop music. In the middle of it, a message was shared by a student.
The talk amongst them now is about the next African Night. Nigerians from other churches came as well. The attendance was easily at about 250 people, majority Nigerians of course. With such response on the 1st time, I'm sure the next African Night will be an explosion.
Feedback received was that the Nigerians really felt that they were back in Nigeria yesterday night.
Not forgetting our brother, Shaun, who brought along his traditional costume while studying in Malaysia. I would all the Nigerians in our church are only students. No matter how far they were from home, the God they worship in Nigeria is the same in Malaysia.
A night to remember indeed for them and for me, it was enriching.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Energy Drink - Cocaine

With mind and heart concentrating on $$$$$$$$$, a drink manufacturer in USA, Redux Beverages LLC, produced an energy drink called "Cocaine Energy Drink". Of course it has nothing to do with the real cocaine drug. 1,100 milligrams of caffeine, slightly more than a large Starbucks coffee. The name doesn't matter as long as it brings in money/profit to the company - that's their main criteria. Redux will be going to court to fight for its right in using the said name.

Meantime, due to pressures from US Food Drug Administration (FDA), Redux will come out with a new name/label soon. Redux tried to inform Yves Saint Laurent ("YSL") that they might be hunted down next as YSL has a fragrance called Opium. Will FDA act on YSL?

In a humorous way, Redux has placed a notice (as seen on left side) in their website to signify the demise of its energy drink.

Reading: 'Cocaine' energy drink to change name after pressure by 'the man' - Yahoo News!

Tags: Energy Drink, Cocaine, Redux Beverages LLC, Caffeine, US Food Drug Administration, FDA, Yves Saint Laurent, YSL, Opium, Beverage, Food

Happy Mother's Day

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said I love you but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you. The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it impossible to visit her, only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

"What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. "I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed, "she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting".

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded.

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation - nothing extraordinary, but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVE YOU!"and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than God and your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."

Here is a movie dedicated to Mothers of the world. Not more than 3 minutes. Very
touching. A Very Happy Mother's Day to those who are mothers and those who are not, remember your mother for all she has done for you.

http://www.tonyrobbins.com/Marketing/Mothersday/mothersDay.html#ec=135

Enjoy it....and have a wonderful Mother's Day
Tags: Happy Mother's Day, Mother, Mom, Mommy

Pattaya International Fireworks Festival

Pattaya is definitely firing up its presence internationally. Covid19 has hit many nations really hard and Pattaya wasn't exempted from ...