Untopple

Feeling heavy, off-center today
A small misstep upon the fray
Our hero starts to fall, and calls
Hands splayed out, to the wall
But misses the railing
And goes sailing
Down the stairs
Balance impaired
And palms the floor
When
Someone grabs his collar
And pulls him up - lucky fella!
Choking, with gratitude, he smiles
Off-center, off-colour, for a while.

Ha Ha Ha, Hallelujah.

(A nonsense poem to brighten up your day.)

Ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha!
Ho ho ho ho, ho ho ho!
He he he he, he he he!
Ha ha ha, hallelujah!

When times are good, hallelujah!
When times are bad, hallelujah!
When feeling happy, hallelujah!
When feeling sad, hallelujah!

In the sun, hallelujah!
In the rain, hallelujah!
When in health, hallelujah!
When in pain, hallelujah!

Do it, even though you may not get the credit

I really like this video, even though it is in Thai, and not English. The short midget in the video is the embodiment of the "never say die" attitude that we need among the citizens, and his selfless efforts are enjoyed by all.

It is true that in life, we sometimes sacrifice for others without them even knowing. And other people, who may know it or not, often take credit for the work that we do. But if you want to do something for the good of the people, do it, even though you may not get the credit.

Too often, we hear others grumble that this isn't good enough, or that isn't as it should be. And if you should catch them in that moment when they grumble in response to something that has just happened, it is the right time to ask, "What will you do about it?" And you shouldn't be surprised to hear the response, "I will not do anything...."

Why do some people insist on doing nothing?

Because it's easier to do nothing, than to do something. Just stay put.

Because doing nothing costs nothing. And you don't believe in being generous.

Because when you do something, you risk doing it wrong. And getting criticised for it.

Because there are just too many things that need doing. And so it's easier to leave it all aside and let it sort itself out.

And because doing nothing frees up time for doing something. Because when you decide to do something, you cannot do nothing.

But there's a misconception there.

Because by doing nothing, it costs you nothing today. But that doesn't mean that it will not affect you tomorrow.

Because what you do (or don't do) today will affect you, tomorrow.

And because doing nothing when you could have done something means having forfeited your right to take positive action to save yourself.

So do something.

Save the country. Save yourselves. Don't just stand there....

New Year is in God's Hands

Christmas has just left. Happy New Year!!

When you wish someone "Happy New Year"...

We always wish our friends and relatives, "Happy New Year!" simply because it's the end of the year. What are some of the reasons that we say, "Happy New Year"? Here are three possibilities. . .

First, you are happy that it's the new year. Hence, "happy" new year. "I'm happy that it's the new year," you tell your friend, "and so you should be."

Second, you may hope that the new year is happy. Hence, "happy" new year. "I hope that the new year will be a happy one for you," you are saying, "and here's hoping that everything will go smooth!"

Third, you might imagine that it's a seasonal greeting, and you say it because it's the "appropriate" thing to say. Hence, "happy" new year. "It's a public holiday, and I'm so happy to see you," you are saying, "so let's just shout happy new year together and drink a toast to that!"

But wait, there might be a fourth possibility . . .

How I fell sick

Chills ran down my spine
Hands shook and knuckles white

I held her bag and clenched my teeth
She and the kids, had a biscuit spree

The aircond overhead blew
Its gusts so cold and true.

Her basket was finally full
And then, I said: "Ah choo!"

I'd waited, and got the flu.

Alternatives to Google Scholar

I'm currently doing some further study. One of the things I notice is, whenever we mention something to a professor, the next thing they do is type it into Google Scholar. If it's an author, they will Google Scholar him. If it's a paper, they will Google Scholar it, too.

Google Scholar is great, because it sometimes gives links to PDF copies of the journal article that are floating around the Internet. Of course, all that's changed now that I have found Sci-Hub... the lady behind it has my undying thanks.

But once in a while, we get tired of Google Scholar, so I had to seek out some other academic journal article search engine.

Here are some that I have tried, and I think are worth using again.

1) ERIC - I like it that you can get links to the DOI, and that you can also specify how recent you want your search results to be.

2) JURN - Presents a Google-like interface, very clean and bare. But the search results can include government websites, university websites, and the like.

3) RefSeek - Good search engine that links to academic websites and open access journals.

4) Academic Index - A meta-search engine for academic papers.

You Were The Best One

So here's a story for you.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who lived in a small kingdom. The kingdom was high atop a mountain. When the princess was born to the king and queen, the whole kingdom rejoiced. Her face was so beautiful that the stars in the heavens sighed with amazement. People came from afar to pay tributes to the king and queen, and to catch a glimpse of the princess. They all left amazed.

As the princess grew up, suitors came for her hand. Always, the king and queen turned them all away, saying, "She is still not of age. Come again when she is older."

When the princess had grown up, the king and queen said, "She is now old enough. Let us find her a proper suitor."

The king and queen then issued a challenge and a promise: They would build a tall tower, armed with defences. Every month, for three weeks, brave princes could come and try to conquer the tower. If they breached its defences, they would find the princess at the very top. And then they could have her hand in marriage. 

But for one week in each month, no man was allowed to come near the tower, because it would be under maintenance mode. Anyone who came near would see a signboard with the big letters, "404: Under Maintenance".

It's how you react to it that matters

We can't always choose what happens to us.

Some things just happen to us. Maybe it's something bad. Like, someone mistook you for a bad guy and came up to you, and slapped you. Or maybe, your wife decided to spring a surprise on you and demanded that you sign up for 50 sessions of personal training. Maybe your wife suddenly has a fetish with baby diaper bags. Maybe she just has a thing for buying new things every week and you find that it's a bit too much to handle.

You will panic. And that's when you hit the panic button. 

"Woof! It's not what happens to you that matters... It's how you deal with it!"

What happens when you panic? Maybe you'll lose your temper. Maybe you'll burst out with a torrent of words. Maybe you'll slap someone, because you're just too angry to consider anything else.

Pergi Bala, or How I Misheard A Song

Recently I was attending an official function.

We wanted to celebrate our athletes who had done well in Rio. And so we invited them to come for a special dinner. All the athletes who had gone to Rio came, including the silver medalists.

Their names were called one by one, and they marched in to jubilant cheers. Even the ones that weren't so famous got the cheers. But not many people were clapping, because many people were taking photos.

We need to learn how to hear the important messages in life.

We stood close to the red carpet, and one of my friends asked us to turn our backs to the carpet so that he could take a group selfie with the athletes walking in the background. But once the athletes started walking in, lots of people started crowding behind us, and blocked the view of the athletes. So we stopped trying to do that.

How to show up

Some success gurus like to say that 50% of success is just showing up.

And I agree with that. We should all show up, because 50% of success is just showing up. Woody Allen puts it at 80%.

But how the hell should you show up? That's the part they never tell us. "Show up", they say. "You're already better off than those who don't show up. You're winning!"

So how should you show up? 

Eighty percent of success is just showing up - Woody Allen.

The Man Who Betrayed His City

It was a hot afternoon in ancient Bethel.

A man came running from the city of Bethel, a small speck on the horizon. He ran towards a group of men hidden in the bushes. They looked at him anxiously. "Quick! What news have you got?"

The man was sweating. He was still catching his breath. He took a seat and asked for some water. Then he briefly reported his findings. "The city is well fortified. I observed it from within, and it was peaceful. There was no garrison, but still ... the walls are without weakness."

The men of ancient Judah had been despatched to attack a city called Bethel. Their scout had gone ahead to gather intelligence. But the news did not sound good. The city seemed invulnerable to attacks. It would be difficult trying to attack Bethel.

The commander of the small army of Judah was not intimidated. God would help him.

"Keep watching," he said. "Something may crop up."

The city was fortified and well guarded. The men were looking for a way in.

Do not impose your religion on others.

Once upon a time, there was a headmaster in Sarawak.

The headmaster was a Muslim. He was overzealous, and he converted a non-Muslim student to Islam. The parents made a big fuss over it, and he was transferred to a new school.

Then, at the new school, he was just as overzealous. He decreed that all crosses and crucifixes were to be removed. Even the ones kept below the students' blouses. The ones that hung around their necks and nestled easily next to the students' hearts.

Yes, even those.

Here is a link to the original article.

The flag of Sarawak.

Three Lessons from Absalom's Life and Death

Quick Note:

Absalom was a son of King David. This piece was based on his life as portrayed in the Bible.

---

Absalom was David's favourite son.

Absalom was charming, handsome, and King David's favourite son. Some said, Absalom was the most handsome man in King David's kingdom.

But he was the third child born to King David. That meant that he wouldn't become king, not when his eldest brother was still alive.

King David's eldest son was called Amnon, a brother from another mother. Amnon had the same father as Absalom: King David. They all lived in King David's house, one big happy family.

Absalom was handsome and his father's favourite son. He would rebel against his father and declare himself king.

Moving On. Life After the Petrol Blog.

I'm giving up on PetrolMalaysia.com.

So you may have visited PetrolMalaysia.com. It's been my place to ponder and pontificate about the petrol industry. I have written more than 100 posts on that blog, and it's had more than 200,000 views. 29 followers. 

In contrast, this blog has 400 posts and less than 3,000 views. I can only surmise that my personal writings were never interesting. It does not matter. I write for myself. One day I will compile all my writings and compile it into an EPUB book. And then I'll give it away for free.

I'm willing to give away the PetrolMalaysia blog. Just let me know if you're interested. And show me some samples of your writing. If you've been writing consistently about energy and petrol, you'll be very welcome to take over the blog. Domain name included.

I'm grateful for the chance to have run my blog, Petrol Malaysia, for a good number of years. 

People Get Angry When They Don't Understand You.

We went to a faraway court today.

Today's session was to seek clarification on the consent order. It was in another state down South.

On the last date, there was a mediation. My client and his wife had negotiated, and they had reached an agreement. The court applauded them because they had settled the matter amicably. The lawyers shook hands. Everyone was smiling. The court announced a consent order.

We win and lose in life. That's normal. But we have to learn something from the experience.

Learning to Toot My Own Horn

I was fresh out of university.

Then I got a job at the family firm. I had a million ideas, when I was back in university, about how I would spend my first salary. 

When I was a teenager I thought that I would buy music albums from my favourite bands, books from my favourite authors, and musical instruments so that I could play music in the comfort of my home. I made plans to get a laptop. A mobile phone. All those things that teenagers want.

But a friend made a remark about my man boobs. I was young. And foolish. And easily devastated. So, I signed up for a gym.

Beep beep. Probably the modern day version of the horn.

Imagining and Pretending Yourself into Action

Some days I feel lazy. I don't even want to get out of bed.

But then I have to work. I have to earn a living. And I have to take care of three other individuals.

I need to do things. Walk here, go there, take this, do that. We all do.

During my school days I learned about inertia. It's why things don't move and they need a kick in the butt to get them moving. And once they start moving they keep moving : It's also inertia. But in reality, there's also friction, and energy loss. Resistance. This causes loss of speed.

We need to get things done. But it's easier to make believe and pretend than to take action. If you don't believe me, just go to a coffee shop with your friends and start talking about how we could improve the world. You'll get lots of ideas. And then you should ask, "Who's interested in putting what we discussed into action?" Don't be surprised if they all keep quiet.

Pretend that you are number two. Work hard. Get to number one. 

My Last Will and Testament

Why Now?

Because life is too short, and we don't know what's going to happen.

And because it might not be the final one. Every will is going to have that phrase "the last will and testament", but who knows when you'll make another one.

But if I were to die tomorrow, I would want my family to honour my wishes.

These wishes.

Remember, we are stars wrapped in skin.

4 Lessons from My Grandfather's Life

He was the third child in the family.

I think there were more than ten of them.

It was the 1920's. Times were hard at the turn of the last century. His father had just died. There wasn't enough to pay for the coffin of my great-grandfather, and so some of the family members had to sacrifice.

My grandfather's life was not a smooth one. He had moments of gloom and yet he had moments of radiant joy. In this post I try to draw some lessons from his life history.

Think of the Baby Before the Babe

If you go to an event and meet a babe...

And she connects with you, smiles at you, and says that she'll be in touch.

Remind yourself that you have a wife and kids at home.

What you invest your time in defines who you are. Who you invest yourself in determines who you will be.