The BlueTie says...

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the final ablution corner

Lately, staying at home during weekend has becoming something we leisure more compare to going outside to mall or cinema. The kids especially, they have more things to accomplish at home or at the gazebo rather than being with the crowd at the mall.

So, I took the opportunity to complete a few DIY

Ablution

I used a walk-way between the newly converted reading room and the dining area, since this open space has an water outlet to the courtyard gutter. projects at home and one of it was this DIY ablution place, a dedicated spot for ablution away from the usual 'in the bathroom' approach.

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Firstly, was the budget (well, global crisis does also hit me at home). After due consideration, I did what I was supposed to do long time ago.. forgo the backyard mini -garden and cement rendered it for other usage (this will be one of the future to-do list).

The fittings from the mini garden were taken for re-used project, which include this ablution project. The cement-ferro slabs were used together with the white river stones..some black stones from the garden were sent to my wife school for its landscape FOC.

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I fully trained my biceps and triceps to clean, carry and arrange these heavy slabs.

And finally, the end product, after a long sweating morning is...

Yesterday, the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Assoc (FOMCA) has initiated a week long campaign themed "Turn Off the TV" with objective for parents to spend more time with their children and less in front of the tube.

More news are avail here ...

For some, TV time is a must, be it during the peak time of 8:00 - 9:00 pm, and for some its during the favourite series time; i.e CSI, Hereos, Idol, AF, etc. For some its during the trading time and for some it's early morning news etc. Well, my take, it has to be Us to control our time and NOT to be controlled by the TV programme time.

Tv

I used to have the luxury of TV time, now it's history, so, the "switch off TV" concept has already started in my family agenda for quite some time. This TV lounge has now become a family reading room.... I tell you, the pleasure is all for us,,,, 

What about U?

Menganang

Above is a price list of local delicacies available at an open market. Anyone can assist me in identifying which is which, I am fairly confuse.

Last few days I had several near-miss accidents. Firstly, in the early morning of Wednesday, while driving my kid to school, this 'speedo big exhaust ' mo-jo driver, like from nowhere, just came out from a junction, and without slowing down, just came in to the main road where I was driving. It was 'a few inches' away from touching each others car. My son screamed and shrieked,,, and poor him, is still traumatized till today.

Then during lunch break on the same day,, I was on my way to my usual lunch spot, while at a round about, came this lorry,, from the left lane, just changed lane to the right, without signalling or slowing, may be the drive was able to read my mind, and did sent me a RF to slow or stop. I pray for him, for not doing this as a habit....

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... true enough, the same lorry was then stopped by the police traffic, may be for the same offence...learn your lesson!

Salam and Hi to all, friends and friends.

After a long break (phewws it was a good long break), I am back into Vox. Hope those friends which I met over here are not forgetting me and my little page.

Many things happened during the 'vacation' time. Not enough time to post it as entries, but ONE good thing that has happened, my life continues...

So, guys, happy voxing, again.

At the end of 2008, while the rest of the world seemed to be so concerned about the bleak economical environment of 2009, with a slower recovery expected, many if not all our local leaders were not sharing the same opinion.

Some of our leaders, and also our mainstream media which are controlled, were on continuous denial, with statement that our economy is so strong with fundamentals and will not be affected with the global downturn.

Today, the same media has reported; 45,000 Malaysian workers from manufacturing industry are going for a 'forced leave' because of the slower demand and also a longer Chinese New Year break. Also reported up to Jan 12th '09, already 14,000 workers were retrenched and now in the job-search list.

This denial approach by some of our leaders should stop. On Saturday, KT bi-election was triumphed with over 2,600 majority, lot more than about 600 during the GE12 last March08. But some key leaders said that the lost has no major impact to the majority held in the country.... Some seem to ignore the numbers and never learn.

Hopefully the RM7bil stimulus package announced earlier will stimulate the 2009 outcome.

I have not voxing for some time due to other commitment but YES it feels good to have this opportunity to vox once a while.

I want to put a note about my search for a book. The book is not a mass production type of book and can be considered as small volume kind of publication. It is a series of 8 books but one book can be for a whole year long teaching.

My search started with PKNS kompleks in Shah Alam, after trying at 3 shops but failed, the 4th one has the series but not book no #1 which I was looking for. So place an order immediately and paid RM100 deposit for RM150 book cost. Had to wait for a week. After 10 days I have returned to the shop to collect my book, but to my surprise the shop assistant said he hasn't place the order since he only order once every two weeks. But he was the one who promised me last week. Well, prove No#1 that our Malays traders are complacent with their current status and couldn't care less about the new customers. He just returned back my deposit and asked me to go myself to Wisma Yakin KL and buy if I want it immediately.

I then went to another outlet within PKNS Kompleks, this is shop No#5 and asked for the book. The trader said yes he has the copy. I was all smile since my class will start the night after so I will be equipped with the new book. My joy only last a few sec and halted when the trader said I can only get the book if I buy the whole set of 8 books at RM1,150! :- (, I was stunned. How could he uses this approach, and force buyers to buy the whole set when we only need 1/8 of it!. He said that it how it is since 22 years of his trading business. Lesson No#2 our Malay friends only think short terms and not flexible when dealing esp with new customers like me. I then make up my mind, will go to Wisma Yakin next Sunday!

So comes, Sunday I went to Wisma Yakin near TAR Road and went straight to the shop. Wife came with me but she went and disappeared into SOGO Mall for her new hand bag search, that is a diff story. At the bookstore, I was so happy to see the series of similar books and when asked the guy said he has plenty of stocks of the book and offered me to buy the whole set at RM1,090 only. Hah! RM60 less just for the effort. But also selling in boxes and not single by single book. Frustrated with what happened I then walk to the nearby old bookstore at the main TAR Road, asked and then was so shocked when the seller said he's selling the whole set for just RM790!. That is RM300 price different for about less than 300 steps away. Lesson No#3, some of our Malay traders really want to make quick bucks even to his Brothers..

Since I had not enough cash (only carry RM300 thinking the RM150 book price), went straight to a money changer and took out 2 notes of USD100 (I already have intention to change this USD anyway), then get my RM790 to pay for the set. Finally, after almost 12 days of search... and these are the books

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In the first week of 2009, may be it is not too late to wish the usual new year greeting to all, and to all Muslims may this 1430H be a better Hijrah to all. While I was absent from the blogworld since mid Dis08, lot had happened in my life and some if not all will be unforgettable ones.

I am taking this opportunity to seek forgiveness from everyone in this small world of vox. Due to new life commitments, I am taking a few steps away from this Vox. Will be here once a while since the urge of voxing has disappeared since....

A Bientot.

I'll take a week off, for an official trip but this time with my life partner, to Nusantara Water 2008, Jakarta plus a technical tour in Bandung.

I can't explain why the tours and conference places are located nearby shopping outlets. But just be it and take the opportunities to meet new friends. I remember someone told me recently;

makes friends with others bcoz 1,000 is too small in numbers, and make no enemy since ONE is a huge number (for having an enemy).

Ok, Byeee