Money..money..Money..

..Money money Money

..it’s a rich man world!!!!!

This must have the quietest Christmas ever....for the first time in as many years I have no invitation to a party...dinner......luncheon.......from friends and relatives because they are not celebrating due to financial difficulties.

I looked around me ...the neighbourhood.....the streets.......I can hardly see any decorations....Christmas trees...........people are just not celebrating......even the midnight Mass saw less people judging from the cars park along the road soulders......

There weren’t any sounds of gaiety ....crackers....christmas caroling...........save a few songs here and there from the television...

...most restaurants were not doing well .......no reservation is needed......less clientele even if there is ...they went for the less expensive.....mainly very tight fisted.

Where is faith ...is it so shallow.......it is all about money.....is it!

.........I remembered the good times...when they sang praises.......when they wept with joy .....of their love for God.....when they hug one another in the name of brotherhood.........sisterhood.......of.....their Paradise......

...I remembered also their devotion.....their love...their sigh...their incoherent sound of praises.....chit...cit...ha....

....... and then money ran out........... All is quiet .......this Silent Night.

...the Economic crunch got the better....God is feeling the pinch too!


...........and in another word.....“who is God to these people...God or money.”


I read once, How the Government expects the people to be loyal when they have no money to buy flags.........in another words....do not expect the citizen to be loyal when their stomachs are empty.......the same holds true for the so called “Reborn...”

I am a Chinese....then a Buddhist.......I made no pretense....I am not Holier than thou type........Money makes the whole go round...that’s the fact...

Like most Chinese....money is our Religion.....to most, Money is everything...to some, Money is the only thing....... and ...we strive for it.......we pray for it ...we pray to it..
Worshipping money unashamedly .....It’s OUR GOD!.......FULL STOP.

...to a Chinaman....”No Money, No Honey”...that simple.


I differ from the norm.....and deviate a little from the stereotyped Chinese...to me ....“Money means Financial Independent”....so that I do not have to worry about all the earthy things associated with money......it means Freedom of the heart and soul..... to be able to concentrate on doing social work......to meet peoples....to help people....
...to serve Humanity in my own capacity.

..and in another word.......Money makes me HUMAN....(so to speak).

( which holds true...look around you...Bill Gates and the like..)


I end this with a note of wisdom (perhaps, love) ....

...“When poverty knocks on the door, love flies through the window.”


Happy New Year to you all...let the coming year be a productive one for you and me.

Love......Robert.



......some of the Children I met....it touches my heart a lot to see brotherly and sisterly love.....their parents are hawker, selling fried fritters down the road.

The World's Ugliest Gatepost.

Along with the Dodo bird, Chivalry became extinct………….Common sense went the way of the dinosaur…and good taste, if any at all, is in the domain of the horseshoe crab.

To each his own…a man’s home is his castle….who are we to talk about one’s home…the sanctuary of one’s heart….but for the life of the horseshoe crab,
…. how could anybody sees something so blatantly ugly and not talk about it….only to shake the head in quiet disbelief at something so loudly repulsive.

I can’t…I need to speak up not to spite but to do justice to the conscience of my thoughts ….so integral a part of the journey…..I undertook to share life experiences without fear or favor in the name of humanitarianism with a touch of humor and a pinch of salt to lighten up the daily grind of day to day living.

Here is where the philosophy ends….the fun starts….where the rain stopped and the Sun shines…..So without further ado…I again digress.

I bet you to the last dime in my pocket that the house owner is one of the contractor or the security officer of the Petronas twin Towers….who had so benefited from it to be so unabashedly attached to it that he had a replica of it constructed as a gatepost to remind him of the good times….now that he had retired. It makes absolute good sense to deduce it as correct because who in the world would have done so….NOBODY.

The World owes it to him for not being the contractor or the security personnel of the World’s Ugliest Building…..it would have been UNTHINKABLE.

One more lesson in life manifest……before anyone laments about their misfortune…their lack of beauty…height….that nobody cares a hood…nobody notices
and whatever…….spare a thought for the less fortunate……the children of Africa…..
….and the people of that neighborhood...[.I can’t imagine living near there]….like the saying goes “You can’t choose your parents”.


Spare a thought for the luckless >>>>>>>>

Bakar the Cobbler.

Bakar the Cobbler

Bakar has been plying his trade at this busy sidewalk of this busy street somewhere in Kuala Lumpur….. he is an unlicensed trader…and he is constantly harassed by the municipal officers in their tour of duties.

….The Enforcement personnel would issue him summon which he dutifully pays and at time they would confiscate his tools of trade and he would have to pay a levy to have it back.

Tell it to Bakar and thousands of them like him….they would laugh it off …..the summonses and the levies are as RENTALS and computed as cost of doing business….they are earning a decent living supporting their families…..most of them (hawkers and roadside traders) are earning more than an Executive or a Manager of an organization and many became Millionaires through maverick FRANCHISING.

Earning a decent living is easy in Asia…..and THEY ARE THE HEROES OF ASIA.

Last Joe.

Old uncle is the last of the few craftsmen left in this ‘sunset industry’. None of his children are keen to follow his footsteps and it is left to be seen whether his craftsmanship will survive into the next generation.

Uncle told me that the supplies of cane is shrinking due to rabid urbanization that resulted in the deterioration of the environment affecting the ‘virgin jungle’…where most of the canes are harvested by the aborigines and sold at an exorbitant price to the cane industry.

Gone are the days…where cane harvested by the aborigines were exchange for basic necessity like salt….sugar…rice …cooking oil and the likes….thus hiking up the prices of the cane products beyond the reach of the segment of market (the ordinary village folks) traditionally its staunchest supporters…..but for the better…the cane furniture are re-classified as ‘up-market’…adorning lobbies of Hotels and Clubs.

Though the industry is experiencing a resurgence of interest and demand…..it is left to be seen whether it will survive the environmental impact of modernization on the supply of canes and or the business acumen and shrewdness of the aborigines.

Will uncle be the ‘Last Joe’…..

Mobile Steamboat.

If business doesn’t come to you….you bring business to them…..that’s the Key Strategy
..in today’s dog eat dog world…You undercut…..You fast forward…You one step further….You overdo….You Cultivate….You Motivate and You INNOVATE.

Mobile Steamboats have been mushrooming faster than rabbits……and to stay one step ahead…this fella innovated….he incorporated grilling and barbecuing …and business was brisk.

Sit tight. Before the month is over….we will see Sizzling BBQ Mobile Steamboat all over town. What next .?? ….Mobile Sushi !!!

Homeless.

Last night……while I was walking to the car park…I saw this dog all by itself …LOST.

I tried to coerce him to come home with me…but failed. I wished Sam was with me as she is very good with animals.

I brought out some biscuits and sweets ….left it near him before I drove off.

GOOD LUCK BOY!!!!

See the homeless boy >>>> talkthreetalkfour.blogspot.com

Sisterly love.

I have never seen a better demonstration of sisterly love than these visual recordings registered by me in a small village called Titi…a town that I frequented for businesses and pleasure.

The plaiting of hair done by the elder girl is just about the closest physical statement of affection akin to a chimpanzee searching for ticks and lice of its loved one.

A lot of positive messages manifest from these recordings…and I for once, let the pictures speak…for want of a better reason….words aren’t enough to fathom the humanitarian equations and mankind’s proclivity to reason.

Visit Sisterly love >>>>>> talkthreetalkfour.blogspot.com


I love children.

At the Market.

Market.

I started coming to this market about three months ago to get supplies for the dogs’ fried rice and my favorite smoked tofu.

Here’s my story.

For some strange reasons, the dogs suddenly decided that the food which comprised of anchovies and rice that they love so much over the years… decided to stop eating all together….it went on for few days.

Worried… Sam decided to fry some rice to entice them to eat…they love it!

From then on…….….Steady, Trusty, Ashitaka and Lucky can’t wait for their meals to be served and looking out for a second helping.

Sam had to get up every morning at six to prepare breakfast for the family and to fry rice for the dogs (twice a day). The rice is fried as if serve to human minus the monosodium.

The ingredients used for the fried rice consist...…. 3^rd.grade dried prawn, meat dust and “free sorted unwanted vegetables”…....which can only be found in this market and sold cheaply.

…Ashitaka….posed a new problem…eversince he came back from the vet…he refuses to eat his favorite fried rice without gravy…and so…..all gravies like curries and the like were kept to be mixed into the fried rice especially for Ashitaka.

It was not until a few days ago that I found out the reasons for the sudden change in the dietary habits of the dogs……..and it was all WHISKY’S fault

…Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr……Whisky…WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ll write about it next.

Uncle Barber Joe.

Uncle Barber Joe.

After a life time having my hair cut by “Barber Joe” (posted on17^th.Aug.2007) I made a switch to “Uncle Barber Joe”……mainly because “Barber Joe” keep increasing the price of haircut citing fuel hike and rising living cost. He charges $15 per haircut not including shaving that would cost another $5.

Since, I am feeling the brunt of the higher cost of living; I decided to switch to “Uncle Barber Joe”. I chanced upon the Shop about a year ago in a small town 80km away …..where I would stop by at my favorite restaurant for lunch before embarking on to my destination.

“Uncle Barber Joe” may be the oldest practicing barber in the world….he is 76 years old and he had been working in the same barber shop for over 60 years…cutting hair on the same chair. The younger man is his current boss.

This is that much I know about him but I shall try to uncover more information from uncle in due course.

Experience speaks volume…I am more than satisfied with the cut and the shaving though unnerving is the best shave I have ever had without the slightest “burn” or rash…he is as gentle as a kitten.

I have posted five video clipping of my hair rising adventure…one of the clipping shows how the shaving was done by his boss (face, ears and throat) ….the last one showing the ‘nail biting shaving session’ done on me by uncle…video tape by me.

For the record, this is the last time I allowed Uncle to shave me because…just to be on the safe side…it is like playing “Russian Roulette” when the blade is on the throat….you know what I mean.

The hair cut plus the shaving cost $5. (USD 1.50)

Indian Food Stall.

Indian foods stall.

This afternoon with some free time to spare…I drove 30km to this Indian stall to pack some “Roti Canai” home for my family. The “Roti Canai” ( I do not know the English equivalent) is a type of flour pancake….something like the Italian Pita,….and it is eaten with Curry dips. The Roti Canai is the Malaysian favorite food enjoyed by people of all races.

I have tasted Roti Canai all over Malaysia from 5 stars hotel…restaurants to stalls and this particular stall is currently the best. The fish and vegetables curry condiments to go with the fluffy pancakes is simply PERFECT in every sense.

I bought 8 at 90cents (USD 25cents) per piece.

Feast your eyes on the best ROTI CANAI>>>> talkthreetalkfour.blogspot.com

The way I feel.

The way I feel…

Yesterday was hell for me….I was all washed….drained off every ounce of energy both physically and mentally.

While driving home..... A song by the Bay City Rollers came aired over the radio….. In my opinion, “The way I feel tonight” … is one of the most romantic song ever composed…and I just had to record it for all of you.

The reception was poor and hence the inferior sound quality but nevertheless you will get to feel the way I felt that night…... come accompany me on a drive.

Come journey home with me.

The way I feel.

Karaoke..My Way.

Karaoke..My Way.

Just next to Bobbit’s coconut stall is the “fried noodle” stall with a different..

..It’s a Karaoke noodle stall…only one in the Universe…..I’m quite sure.

The proprietor (seen seated ) is a jolly fella with a big mouth to boast…

….claimed that when he was younger..he was the first ice-cream seller on the go with music machine mounted on his tricycle…and now he is the owner of the only “Open Air Fried Noodle cum Karaoke stall” in Malaysia.

He told me that his fried flat rice noodle (Chau Kwai Tew) is the best of the area….seriously, I believe him…having eaten out so many years…and seeing his ingredients and his pan-fried skill..I have no doubt whatsoever.

His stall will be jammed pack in the evening.

He asked me to order a plate..I declined mainly because I just had coconut and was feeling quite full but promise him I shall the next time round.

All his patrons will be allowed to sing for free and those non-eating customers would have to pay fifty cent per song.

The Enterprising fella….asked me to sing…to which I decline because I don’t know how to sing Chinese…

[No problem…I got …Flank Sinata….My Wai ..(Frank Sinatra’s My Way)..

…fifty cents only lah!!!.. very cheap!!]

I recollect the time when Karaoke was at its height…My Way was the most butchered song…everybody who thinks he is somebody or anybody at all would sing “My Way”. They would sing with full emotion of their arrival to this point…some with tears….we would laugh our heads off discreetly (my friends and I).

One night, after a few Margaritas…Tom Collins…Bloody Mary….boost it up with AK-47…something took over me..I finally volunteered to sing after so many years…I sang “My Way”…not because I have anything to shout about but rather that’s the only song I have practice year in year out in the private of the bath. So, I sang…they cried discreetly.

Ronnie (my pit-bull) stood up to clap…and everybody followed like-wise.

We adjourned later to our regular joint to have our late night supper…all my boisterous friends, ten in all, were strangely quiet and subdued. I was the only person eating while the rest were just having tea (unusual for a bunch of gluttons). Nobody cracks jokes…nobody talk……everyone was looking somewhere.

After supper, we went separate ways…two cars…one sent me home. My mother was at the gate coincidentally…she open the gate..I got down from the car pissed-off walk towards the gate.

Suddenly, I heard a loud shrill from the car…the doors opened…they burst out hysterically…squatting on the road …holding one another…patting each other…faced red…choking …coughing….LAUGHING like Hyenas

Ronnie vomited….I walk back to check…and started laughing…Mother was laughing too……it was so contagious.

Walk back inside…leaving my mother outside with them laughing their heads off.

That was the last time we went to a Karaoke.

Coconut and Bobbit.

Coconut and Bobbit.

Yesterday, I stopped by a coconut stall to quench my thirst……I was amazed by what I saw…….the coconut lady frightens me…she splits the coconut with consummate finesse and prowess that left me wondering about her husband…….and boy!.....I sympathize with the man.

I was laughing my heads off inside while maintaining a smiling composure…..when I drew parallel of the possible impending situation with relation to the woman’s husband and Mr. Bobbit.

For the benefit of those who went on a space expedition during the Bobbit’s tribulation…I will give a blow by blow summarized account of that fateful night.

Fed-up with her husband’s philandering pursuit…Mrs.Bobbit decided that enough was enough …on that night…Mrs.Bobbit sliced off Mr.Bobbit’s ‘family jewel’…..and drove off…while driving she decided that the ‘jewel’ is not worth the keep and she tossed it out from the window.

Mr.Bobbit was taken to the hospital and the police was informed…Mrs.bobbit was caught and told that she threw the ‘jewel’ out…

A search party was immediately activated to look for the ‘missing link’…while Mr.Bobbit was waiting eagerly to be reunited. Luck was with Bobbit…a boy scout found it…it was packed in ice and helicopter-ed to the hospital…The Surgeon successfully attached ‘the link’ and the REUNION was solemnized.

Both the Bobbit went separate ways….both made a fortune selling the memoir…Mr.Bobbit wrote a book about his “journey to recovery”…

….Mrs.Bobbit who emigrated somewhere wrote about her “journey to self-dicovery” ..the last I read was that she is LOOKING for MR.Right (may God be with him) ..and Mr.Bobbit found Miss. Right (thank God for Viagra).

It weren’t so lucky for two fellow down in Philippines….one had it cut off and fed to a goose and the other guy’s wife decided to send it back where it came from…God….so the “Link” was attached to a balloon to be taken to heaven.

New word coined by Robert not inserted into the Thesaurus yet which may be of some use.

Bobbit: verb, ..to slice and only applicable to coconut other then body parts.

Eg. She bobbited the coconut with consummate finesse.

Bobbitisis: noun, a psychological condition: fear of being bobbited.

Eg. He was suffering from Bobbitisis thus having sleeping disorder ever since his wife bought a pen knife from the book shop.

Bobbitism: noun, a new teaching mostly embraced by women folk .

Bobbitist: noun, followers of Bobbitism.

Bobbitish: adjective, word describing a noun eg. He was feeling bobbitish when he received a letter opener from his wife for his birthday.

ENGLAND.

England.

……………………………Long live the QUEEN

I stopped at a traffic light ..looked up and there before me …England.

It was windy and timing was crucial……the cloud formation might change within seconds…honk! .....the light turned green…honk!....honk!...

..for some strange reason…the camera was still in its fold when it should be on the standby…precious seconds wasted….honk! honk!.....took out the camera from the casing…click and waited….honk! honk! honk!

Ready to shoot…..HOOOONK!!!!....took my time….I was not about to let any impatiently fetish motorist disrupt the Moment……HOOOOONK!

…HOOOOOOOOOONK!........ adjusted the mode….steadied myself…aimed….positioned…HOOOOOOOOOOOOONK!...HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK!...HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK!

……waited for the clouds below the formation to pass…HOOOONK!

..HOOOOONK!...honk!...honk!.......click…click…..aimed….click……shift position…

…...click..click..HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK!!!!!!!

Wound down the window….:thumbsup:..and drove off…

…...10 seconds in all!!!....dude…what’s the rush…you probably hadn’t finish picking your nose….some PEOPLE.

Steamboat and Good Deal.

Steamboat and Good Deal.

Last night, I took Sam out for dinner….we had Steamboat. I absolutely dislike it but it is Sam’s favorite….that’s all that matter. The Steamboat came with two soup base: Spicy Tom Yam on the right for Sam and the standard stock for me on the left. Several varieties of seafood were cook in it.

Needless to say….Sam enjoyed it thoroughly….and strangely I like it.

After dinner, we went for an hour drive to nowhere before heading home.

This morning, due to depressingly poor situation on the business front….I decided to take Sam out with me for company and lunch. We chanced upon a promotional drive of a cell phone network provider and we decided to check it out.

It cost $8.50 to subscribe the prepaid ($5 airtime and $3.50 sim card)….with free gifts….keychain, memorabilia and a cup of Popcorn (which would have cost $5 outside a cinema).

Since we were the early bird…we got to choose the best number and Sam chose the number ending with 119…phonetically in Chinese “Yat Yat Kau” …in English it means “longevity and forever”.

I, on the other hand got my 2 seconds of fame (courtesy of Sam)…..of me receiving Freebies on camera to be aired later on TV…..don’t BLINK!!

Something happen...

The movie mode of the camera is my new toy….I am beginning to get accustomed to its function. This allows me to document a short documentary of the daily highlights (if any)…the things I see…the place I went…the people I meet….the things I eat … the cultural happenings and etc. but not necessarily in chronological order.

I was at one of my favorite place this afternoon and I always wanted to show the jetty that I love to stroll on right up to the end when something happen…..too embarrassing to tell but you might have guess right.

Journey to the Moon - D.J.J.

DAILY Journey Journal

Odometer: 183260

Trip meter: 135.6

Vehicle Used: Frontier 4WD

Destination: Port Klang and K.L.

Place of Interest: None

Culinary Delight: Chinese food (B+)

Remarks: BUSY.

Malaysia dated: 26th.November Monday.

Journey to the Moon - D.J.J.

DAILY Journey Journal

Odometer: 183150

Trip meter: 135.6

Vehicle Used: Frontier 4WD

Destination: Port Klang and K.L.

Place of Interest: None

Culinary Delight: Chinese food (B+)

Remarks: BUSY.

Malaysia dated: 24th.November Saturday.

Journey to the Moon - D.J.J.

DAILY Journey Journal

Odometer: 183014

Trip meter: 169.2

Vehicle Used: Frontier 4WD

Destination: Port Klang and Jenjarom

Place of Interest: None

Culinary Delight: Chinese food (C)

Remarks: BUSY.

Malaysia dated: 23rd.November Friday.