I have all of Bill Watterson’s Calvin & Hobbes books. There are about six of them, not including the treasuries. I have been a huge fan of his work since the Star started running his strip in the mid-80’s. As most of you know, Bill stopped the series about 10 years ago, due to personal reasons. At that time, the strip about the six-year old and his stuffed tiger was the most successful and widely published comic strip in the world. The reasons for Watterson’s retirement were well-documented: He had been increasingly disillusioned with the publishing world’s rigid demands, fights over merchandising rights (he was against ANY kind of merchandising),…

KL city drivers are a diversified lot. Some are insane, some are arrogant, some are suicidal and then there is the silent majority. But by and large, however you react to someone one cutting in on you, we all adhere to an unwritten hierarchy system of drivers. It’s all here from Class 1 to Class 9. The law of nature is simple, a lower class driver must give way to a superior class, and don’t ask any questions. Failure to do so can be very detrimental to your health and wallet. Class 1Royalty and ministers in their motorcades, with the usual 20 police outriders.The outriders go ahead of the black…

Just like nsds3, I can’t start my day without a cup of coffee. If I don’t get one first thing in the morning, I’ll be cranky and uptight for the rest of the day. Woe to any clueless supplier and telemarketer who calls me on those days. I think it all began the day I started working. I’m not a morning person. Coffee helps me wake up fully. My first job, our tea lady made this killer pot of Nescafe for us every morning and afternoon. So much so I always had 2 or 3 cups of it. Those days I could drink up to 5 cups a day. I…

Ten Things Not to Say to your Boss (by Simon): “Yeah, sure I have a blog. And the topics about you are the most popular!” “Hey, did you know you look just like the pointy-haired boss in Dilbert?” “My appointment letter did not specifically say I can’t call you a ‘moron’.” “Please note the company server will be down Monday while I install the World of Warcraft patch”. “Is this a picture of your daughter on your desk? Whoa, hot babe! Is she 18 yet?” “The term ‘lunch hour’ is SO subjective. It can also mean ‘a few hours’, right?” “I’m so jealous. You stare at your secretary’s legs all…

Ladies and Gentlemen, the closing date for submitting your tax forms is 30th April, this Saturday. Judges decision final, no late entries will be entertained. Proof of postage is not proof of receipt. Winners (and losers) will be notified by post some time later this year. As late as yesterday, the 27th, some people I know are just starting to fill out their forms. Talk about cutting it close. But I suppose it’s the Malaysian-culture of doing everything last minute, and then blame it on insufficient time given by the authorities. Despite what you hear, filling out tax forms is actually very easy, especially if you’re an entry-level employee (where…

You know its time to change the TV channel when you hear the following: “The umpires want to look at the video replay one more time before they can decide…” “Nampaknya belum ada gol dalam babak pertama aksi Liga Super Malaysia antara Bank Pertanian dan pasukan Bomba…” “Stay tuned for the live telecast of the thrilling Lawnbowls championship from Bukit Kiara…” “Datuk Seri, what can you comment on about the current diesel shortage?” “We take you live to the White House for President Bush’s press conference on the latest search for WMD in Iraq.” “Masuk! Masuk! Smash yang cukup hebat! Ataupun keluar… Nampaknya Wong Choon Hann ketinggalan sepuluh mata…” “Harap…

US supermarket tabloids like to give nicknames to celebrity couples or their famous court cases that grab headlines. The most recent is “Bennifer”, referring to Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s botched engagement. Bill Clinton’s affair with his intern is dubbed “Monica-gate”, named after the infamous intern. Clinton’s illegal land sale investigation was nicknamed “Whitewater-gate”, after the name of the said property. Or George Bush and his “Iraq-gate“. Here are some suggestions I can think of: “Bennifer” – Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez’s botched engagement. “Bennifer II” – Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner’s planned engagement. “Brad-nifer” – Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston’s sudden divorce. “Manly Fur” – Elton John & his…

Top Five Reasons Why CSI is so Popular: We just love gory murders and corpses. It’s compulsory viewing for Med students in IMU (4 hours credit). There is hardly anything else good to watch. All Astro subscribers have AXN for free (and Star World sucks) Amateur serial killers watch it to learn how NOT to leave clues. Top Five Reasons Why Smallville is so Popular: Kristin Kreuk Kristin Kreuk Kristin Kreuk Tom Welling Kristin Kreuk Top Five Reasons Why Reality TV is so Popular: In reality, our own lives are really boring. Hot babes and six-pack abs. These people have an uncanny talent to instantly cry, bitch, swear, backstab and…

Yeah, I know I swore not to step foot into Berjaya Times Square again, but I’d make an exception for Borders. I read a few blogs saying that it was quite a disappointment, but I went to see it for myself. It was quite nice actually, not as big as I envisioned it to be, seeing all those empty shoplots at that place, anyway. Comparisons will inevitably be drawn with Kinokuniya KLCC and MPH Midvalley (or 1 Utama new wing). I won’t go into the details, but I feel that Borders in still in the setting-up stage, they would probably fit in more shelves and sections in the near future.…

Can’t wait to read these books. But won’t be able to buy them yet, I just made a cheque out to Income Tax for RMxxxx that will keep me broke for at least 3 months. Even though I’m going to Borders this weekend (despite some negative comments from friends) to check them out, I’ll probably just stand at the aisles and flip through them (while trying to blink back the tears when looking at the price tag). Anyway, if any of my good friends are reading this and just can’t think of what to do with their money, you know what to do… Lirael by Garth Nix (yeah I know…