The Casino of Life

What is good for me is not necessarily good for you. However, there's that possibility that it is. Hence, how do you determined to believe that I am right or wrong is by the democractic believe of common sense or from the minority pool of independant geniuses, or possibly impudent fools.

I have written 3 past entries in regards to this casino of life. How we choose our lines of freedom and the definition immorality, how our cultural background affected our values and the tricky empirical minds. To sum, are we on the right track? Do we need to know that we are? Hence, the existance of faith. Just as we believe that stars are the lights of heaven.

I assume that not everything needs to be justified or rationalized. Sometimes we see the results and it may or may not justify the means. We read on yesterday's paper that a country was saved from its swindling blood-sucking ruler. Yet, on a smaller note, at a cost of a few thousands soldiers and a staggering number of civilians; women and children. The casualties of war were respected and died in honour for the country, as any common media put it.

This was the path that was chosen right from the start. The modern day hero knew that this is the price to pay for a better perceptibly foreseen future. "For a better future!", he chanted till the legendary Sword of Omen stabbed through the black heart of the evil Mumm-Ra. As any ancient history had been written, the evil empire was brought down by the heroic knight of shining armour.

Let's not forget, a problem solved means a birth of another.

Anyway, today, casualties have become a part of the calculations of war. It was perceived as accidents but it is definitely not an unforeseen one. Something like during Hari Raya season back at Malaysia, you know hundreds of people will die on the road in a span of no more than a month. Accidents are supposed to be unexpected incident don't they? Oh wait that's a different issue.

The point is, do you dare to trigger a critical mission to kill a ruthless leader to save millions of people for a cost of thousands innocent casualties? How about saving 10 people for the cost of 3? How about destroy 10,000 employments to save the world economy? Kill a cat to save your mouse? Where is your line of conscience?

I can't find mine.

Introducing, Tommy

I have an alter ego, so I'd like to call it. A character fictioned by my own imagination for a purpose I hardly recall anymore. I named him Tommy and he's been with me for many years. Maybe I'd say he was here since I first came here to Wellington. He took on many shapes before but most of the time he represented my actual ego-self whom I blamed for all the ridiculous arrogant narcissistic behaviour bastard I was once, or perhaps still a tad am.

However, I always have liked to picture him in a soft exterior, in conflict to the hard, sophisticated, egotistical wannabe self. Possibly, that is how I really am, or wanted to be, or totally the opposite as one would never know. Regardless, there's no possible relevance to justify the existence of this fella. He humor me and that is all I need from a fictional figure, same as Batman and Maya Karin.

I'd say he can be my conscience in some ways, if possible. Despite the ego-oriented perceptions and opinions he only mattered, he sometimes can be very analytical or perhaps genius as some might say in his imaginary world. He told me to dress well on certain occasions, exceeds my comfort zone, aim higher even non necessary, etc. Although I do realize it is still me talking to myself but having a sheep (a cool kind) to tell me stuffs, well, seems more convincing.

Hence, as this is the first official time, may I properly introduce you, Tommy.

Latest updated portrait.

You Can't Have It All

One of the theories in project management is the Project Triangle. I'm not too sure whether its applied for all kinds of projects around, but everyone is bound to learn about this particular theory, whether the easy or the dreaded hard way.

It is our human nature that we want things to be of better quality, made faster and cost you a lot less - heck, we'd want it free damn it. Oh how we love a good bargain. Yet, as we have become more mature, we learn that we can't have it all, well, sometimes maybe - unless you're a seven years old reading this blog. Hence, the theory of this triangle.

This theory only allows you to have only two of the possible given three things mentioned above; good quality, fast and cheap. Thus;

1. You can make things to better in quality and faster but it won't be cheap
2. You can have it cheap and faster but it won't be in good quality
3. You can possibly still have it in good quality and cheap but you won't get it fast.

However this hypothesis may not apply to all situations. Of course you may get good quality and cheap Ramli burger quickly next to your nearest 7 eleven. Anyway, I do believe there's an extensive truth in this because too often we find ourselves in a complicated situation where we want as many things to be as perfect as possible, but we couldn't.

Not that we shouldn't strive for the best of things. People can be realistic, idealistic, visionary, optimistic, or just simply want beefstik or orang cantik. As long that we're happy with the decision we make and handle the outcome with upmost professionalism, I always believe we'll be alright.

Should I, Really?

NJB: I'm having a sexy Japanese babe on my wallpaper now.
Tommy: Why?
NJB: Cos' I'm already bored with Maya Karin. Next up: Bolly beauties.
Tommy: No, I mean why you're telling me this?
NJB: ... just thought you might be interested to know.
Tommy: Should I be expecting more of this in the future?
NJB: Should you even exist anyway?
Tommy: Get help dude, or a girl.

DOTA or Any of Equivalent

Everyone is pretty much occupied at the moment. Perhaps literally or most probably not even so. I will try not to use the term 'busy' because many of us do still manage to spend their time shopping, playing games, bergayut and a long list of other things that we often do to procrastinate. Although I still believe many of you are actually genuinely busy so this entry is certainly not for you heheh. Anyway, procrastinate is possibly one of our solutions to reduce stress so that we can then perform our academic duties a lot better. Hence, procrastinate can be grouped with eating and sleeping since we need these things to fuel ourselves physically, healthily, mentally, emotionally and so many other -ily things we like to make up to justify why the bloody hell we're playing with Facebook now. Thus, we are actually busy.

I was pretty occupied for the last few weeks. I am never proud with my time management so I may seem relaxed while I'm suppose to be busy and somehow busy while I'm suppose to be relax - if that even make sense.

Nonetheless, I am now, however not officially, relaxed. I have another exam to go through on the 23rd but that will be "next week me" problem. Well, the "current me" wants to plan his summer break that I'll be spending the whole 3 months here in Wellington. So what's your summer plan? I think I'm psyched, or clueless. It's a mixed feeling. Many of my close friends here will be leaving soon for good. I, meanwhile, am hoping to stay longer but that will remain unfinalized until end of December for an elaborated reason. I'm not so good with goodbyes. 5 years in Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 1 year and a half in International Education Centre and now 4 years in Wellington, New Zealand.

I had a good start, a well elaborated content and like any good essays, the conclusion will say best about the whole story. I am still drafting, or perhaps add another chapter?

Windy Wellington

Kerel just reminded me of this. Kinda my annual October thing to do I suppose. This is my 3rd time writing this, or cut and paste from last year's entry, whatever.

---------------------------------------

Wokeh, some useful stuffs which I think us who're living in Wellington should know (..or maybe at least do care a bit?)

All of us are well aware of that Wellington is windy, but how exactly is windy? It's October now and I do think this post over here serves very well on the topic. Why? Fact number 1: October is generally the windiest month of the year in Wellington with average of 27 days with wind speeds over 15 knots and 19 of these days are over 20 knots (Approximately 37 kmh). Ahh, did I get you interested already?

Alright now, lets start this thing slowly. Why Wellington is specially windy? Geographically, to put into simple terms, this city is somehow positioned in the middle of the "Wind of Rivers" of New Zealand. Not that simple eh? Well, we're located in a gap between the long range mountains from North and South islands which cause high acceleration of wind through the Cook Strait (Wellington is located next to it). It's like a wind corridor between the North and South islands. Simple enough?

This is turning into a kind of lecture eh? Fact number 2: Wellington is possibly the windiest city in the world with the highest windiest month average of approximately 36kmh and the highest least windiest month average of 24kmh.

Okey, enough of the boring stuffs. I can go on more about this thing; wind directions, wind breakage in the cities (of course you won't experience the total 80kmh wind gust on Cuba Street), global wind statistics and other stuffs. If you're interested, drop a question. If you think this is boring, feel free to make fun of this post down here as well. It is enough for me to know that just by the end you're reading this, you would tilt your head a bit in awe knowing that Wellington is one of the windiest cities in the world and October is the windiest month of the year in Wellington.

Wellington is unique. Brag this to your friends in Christchurch, Auckland or Otago. Enjoy :)

---------------------------------------

Dos and Donts of Wellington in October

1. Don't read newspaper while crossing the streets.
2. Don't run while holding uncapped cup of coffee (Well don't do this in any other months either).
3. Don't reorganize your sheets of papers in outdoors for whatever reason it could possibly be.
4. Don't jump off the harbour cliffs to experiment how strong it really is.
5. Do look at flying birds. It's funny.
6. Do hold on tight to your belonging when walking outside.
7. Girls, please do wear skirts. :)

Add more if you like.

Marketing 101

I found this somewhere and I think I have read it before somewhere else from someone or at some place. Thought of giving credits. Anyway, what is marketing?

1. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!"
- That's direct marketing

2. You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says: "He's very rich. Marry him."
-That's advertising

3. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and get her telephone number. The next day, you call and say: "Hi, I'm very rich. Marry me"
- That's telemarketing

4. You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. You get up and straighten your tie, you walk up to her and pour her a drink, you open the door of the car for her, pick up her bag after she drops it, offer her ride and then say: "By the way, I'm rich. Will you marry me?"
- That's public relations

5. You're at a party and see gorgeous girl. She walks up to you and says: "You are very rich! Can you marry me?"
- That's brand recognition

6. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" She gives you a nice hard slap on your face.
- That's customer feedback

7. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say: "I am very rich. Marry me!" And she introduces you to her husband.
- That's demand and supply gap

8. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and before you say anything, another person come and tell her: "I'm rich. Will you marry me?" and she goes with him
- That's competition eating into your market share

9. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and before you say: "I'm rich, marry me!" your wife arrives.
- That's restriction for entering new market