"Don't accept a job offer, if you won't join"

To further Tan Kin Lian's letter to Today here is my take on the state of the employment landscape in Singapore:

I just find that employees in Singapore lack loyalty to the companies they work at. This problem is excaberated by how employers treat their employess as little more than cattle at times. It kind of ends up as a chicken-and-egg situation where employess are always on the lookout for 'better prospects' even in employee-friendly companies. Employers do not help stem the problem by not giving staff under their care a sense of belonging and joint ownership. Pretty soon a good employee treats his job..as well.. a job. Nothing more, nothing less. It becomes only a matter of time before the employee moves on to 'new challenges'.

I myself been through a number of jobs. I may be the exception to the norm but I have never taken on a job with the idea of using it as a stepping stone to something else. I just took whatever job that I had as my career choice for that period of time. I only parted ways after working at the places became unbearable due to shit head colleagues and middle management.

(gets off his high horse.dismounts his pedestal. or is it the other way around?)

I guess the demands of upholding our lifestyles and realsing our dreams in urban Singapore makes job hopping almost fashionable. The grass is always greener on the other side. The next job is always better than the current one.

I do not quite know what to say here next. Just kind of started off on a topic..and just kinda lost my way. hahaa...

But my point is that we should do more to cultivate loyalty amongst our staff and give them a part in the success (or failure for that matter) in their work. Employees for their part should strive for longevity and not variety on their CV's and resumes.

some stuff about stuff

Celle give her hilarious take on how CV photographs can influence your chances of clinching that dream job. Hilarious stuff!

random rants and pointless ponderings

There has been a backlash of sorts lately regarding Xiaxue's new found fame and all that entails. Seems like the general consensus is that she is letting the fame get to her head and getting a little too big for her shoes. Her recent article about the guy who got killed whilst trying to retrieve his shoe a case in point. It was kinda harsh and made light of a tragedy. I am all for discussing current events in blogs as I do at times. But as Uncle Ben once expounded,"With great power comes great responsiblity.." . With her burgeoning readership Xiaxue should be more responsible in what she says because lots of lunatics actually 'worship the ground she walks on'. It seems she attracts a rabid fanbase which defends her every word and action and flame anyone who voices dissent. Very diva like that ,leh.
My rant here is not so much Xiaxue but the morons who go around treating her every word as gospel. Please go get a life and actually have a grasp of the issue being discussed before running off to give your 2 cents worth on it. You make yourself and Xiaxue look like wankers(if she actually had a dick that is).

It is Agnes birthday today. I am kinda in a conundrum now. Agnes is not the sort for elaborate and grandiose celebrations. Or so she says. I guess the main issue here is the moolah involved. But thing is I love pampering her and doing stuff for her. So I got to somehow find ways to make her birthday memorable without having to spend lots of money. Old habits die hard. Maybe I can get my creative juices flowing and rack my brains for economical solutions to this. There is lotsa stuff we can do without having to spend a bundle. Just that it does not feel very birthday-worthy to spend nothing. But in the end it is the thought that counts or so they tell me.

Me thinking of changing my phone. yes...again. It has been like what....5 months since I changed my phone. 5 months. An eternity in phone-terms. Actually there is not much wrong with my motorola e680, just that there is always a tendency to want to upgrade. New phones come out all the time. Newer, bigger,better,nicer phones. Just food for thought.

New star wars episode 3 toys are out. gonna go check em out soon. I am a freak for collectibles especially star wars and wrestling toys. Woo-hoo...

The latest in the Star Wars saga comes out on May 19. I am all pumped up for it. Gonna rally the troops and go catch it on premiere day in one of them cinemas in town . All the teasers and trailers just makes me so primed. Oh god! More than a month away still. *pouts* Meantime I will that placate myself with the cool episode III wallpapers on my desktop. *wringing hands*

Been kinda taken aback that someone I am close to would treat the girl I love with such disdain. You make your bed, you sleep in it. Not only that, it has come to my attention that she has also been making less than favorable comments about our relationship behind our backs. Kinda ironic. I guess they deserve each other. Birds of a feather flock together. Scum sinks to the bottom. Shit floats to the top. Nuff' said.

Got some flak from the others for not attending their Seoul Garden dinner treat at Causeway Point. I had already made plans for Friday anyway. And Seoul Garden is not a place I especially enjoy going to. Did not sit right to go especially since it was Ko Koh's treat. Agnes did not feel at home to go either. Just one of those things. I follow my heart, and my heart told me not to go. Simple as that. Guess not everyone operates on the same wavelength.

On a similar note, I think I am finding myself spending more time with Agnes than all the other people in my life put together. Good for me, bad for everyone else. Seems like I am the only one not entitled to a life. I get peeved when people suggest I am spending too much time with my dearie. There are not enough hours in a day for us to spend together as it is. And I do not think this is just a phase we are going through. If I could I would spend 24 hours a day with her if that were possible. And no...I will not get sick of seeing her every living moment.

Phase 1 of my wardrobe up heaval is done. Agnes and I went to Raffles the other day and I bought...get this... a shirt! We are really on a roll now...

the week in retrospect

Monday:
Was ok.First day with ismail back. So I got to work under the new scheme thingy we discussed where import staff do IMPORT stuff. Had the time and flexibility to do a good job for a change instead of the usual rushing about from site to site doing inspections which so encumbered our work earlier.

Tuesday:
Felt like crap in the morning. May have more than a little to do with the cough mixture the doctor had me take. Leaves me feeling all wasted till afternoon. Strong stuff that.
A condition made only worse by Dr Ali's 'balls-less-ness'. He has this annoying tendency to say one thing and do another at times. A case in point was how he put Ai Khim in a bad light in front of all the other inspectors so as to appear as the good guy. I know they see through his veiled attempts to cover his hairy ass but still I am pissed. It is hard enough to do a decent job given our working conditions, but to have people constantly back biting one another. Does no one any good. All people do is complain about their lot yet when push comes to shove they choose to keep their mouths shut and let the so-called higher authorities decide what is good. For all her faults, at least Ai Khim stands up for what she believes in and sees her objectives to the end instead of beding to the whims and fancies of people who do not have the interest of our work at heart.
Anyway I took my half day off in lieu today. Could not take the crap. Went home after lunch with Dr at Nee Soon. Later on picked my dearie up from Cantonment Rd where she was on course. We drove around aimlessly for a bit before heading back to my place. Had an awful hor fun soup dinner at Wah Hoe's. Never tasted something so bland in recent times. Felt like eating soggy paper at best.
Then it was back home where we spent quality time together in my room until time ran out and Agnes had to go home.
*pout*

Wednesday:
Seems a blur here. can't seem to remember what i did. Probably involved char siew rice and Agnes's house. Hung around the house as Agnes had dinner, had her shower and practiced her piano. We all need time doing nothing at all once in a while...

Thursday:
After work met Agnes at Raffles City. Procured the tickets for Sound of Music. then we went about the Marina Bay area shopping before heading back to her place. Her mum vetoed our Batam trip this weekend on account of an impending 'tsunami'. So there goes that bright idea. We spent the rest of the evening cuddled up on the couch in her living room.

Friday:
Met up with Agnes at Yishun MRT. Waltzed across to Northpoint and had dinner at Burger King. We then headed off to the....Night Safari. Had a good walk around the various trails before enjoying a relaxing tram ride round the place. So romantic on a night such as this one. Too bad there were other people on the tram otherwise things coulda got a little animalistic. Hee...

Almost Here - Delta Goodrem (featuring Brian McFadden)

Just love this song.Speaks about how I feel sometimes...

Did I hear you right
'cause I thought you said
Let's think it over
You have been my life
And I never planned
Growing old without you

Shadows bleeding through the light
Where the love once shined so bright
Came without a reason
Don't let go on us tonight
Love's not always black and white
Haven't I always loved you?

But when I need you
You're almost here
And I know that's not enough
And when I'm with you
I'm close to tears
'cause your only almost here

I would change the world
If I had a chance
Oh won't you let me
Treat me like a child
Throw your arms around me
Oh please protect me

Bruised and battered by your words
Dazed and shattered how it hurts
Haven't I always loved you

But when I need you
You're almost here
And I know that's not enough
And when I'm with you
I'm close to tears
'cause your only almost here

Bruised and battered by your words
Dazed and shattered now it hurts
Haven't I always loved you

But when I need you
You're almost here
Well I never knew how far behind i?d left you
And when I hold you your almost here
Well I'm sorry that I took our love for granted
And now I'm with you I'm close to tears
'cause I know I'm almost here
Only almost here

how to get more hits for your blog

Just remember to add in keywords that you know people will use on search engines.

here goes:

Pope John Paul II

Sumatra earthquake

miss singapore universe 2005

cheryl tay

IRAS

Formula 1

These are the top searches in singapore this week on Yahoo

in the US these are the top searches:

Top Searches overall
50 Cent
Britney Spears
American Idol
Lindsay Lohan
Ciara
Usher
Eminem
Green Day
Jennifer Lopez
Jessica Simpson

Top television searches:
American Idol
The Contender
Desperate Housewives
The Apprentice
The Simpsons

Top movie searches:
Star Wars
Napoleon Dynamite
Sin City
The Incredibles
Revenge of the Sith

Top sports searches:
NASCAR
NBA
Anna Kournikova
NFL
NCAA Basketball

a 100 questions (1-18)

100 QUESTIONS SURVEY
1. Full name: Leon Luis Boyd
2. Age: 32
3. Eye Color: Medium Brown
4. Height: 1.74 m
5. Hair: Dark Brown, straight, fine and slowly thinning
6. Siblings: Noel (27), Leonard (36)
7. Do you like to sing in the shower? nope...but I used to conduct math classes on the bathroom walls using soap.
8. Do you like to sing? Yes, I do, but never in public
9. Birthday: October,31 1973
10. Sign: Scorpio although I dun believe in horoscopes
11. Address: Upper Thomson.More precisely Casuarina Road.
12. Sex: male last I checked
13. Right or Left: I presume this refers to whether I am right or left-handed...RIGHT!
14. What do you want in a relationship most? trust and respect
15. Have you ever cheated? I do not think so. But that is subjective...there was this one time at band camp...
16. Marital status: extremely,happily,deliriously,totally attached!
17. Do you have a car? YES! Call it Sunny. btw it is a Nissan Sunny.
18. What kind of car do you want? Hmm...a Volkswagon Beetle or a Mini Cooper

With or Without You

See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you

My most favourite song from my most favourite band U2. You can say it is a rather dark song about love and how it sometimes hurts so much to be in relationship where you want out, but find yourself unable to find that strength within to do so.

Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait without you

Daniel Mallett put it like this:

'U2's With or Without You is a song about how painful life can be. So often we are torn in two by our feelings, thoughts, and actions. We want something, yet it scares us to death. We hate having to say good-bye to someone we love, yet we are relieved somehow when the person is gone. We want to believe, love, and trust in God, yet to do so can mean giving up so much that we can't seem to let go of.
All this inner turmoil wears on the soul, it makes us question why we're ever put here on this earth to suffer on that bed of nails. Why do we love someone so much, yet hate what that might mean to our lives. Why do long to believe in a loving God, yet love to do evil. It hurts, it leaves nothing else to lose, we can't live either way.'

With or without you
With or without you

Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And I'm waiting for you

I guess that this song is a great song in it's own right. But it really hit home when I faced troubles, confusion and hurt in my previous relationship. Although I loved her with all my heart, I did not get the same love and devotion back. Instead I was made to feel like a lesser man just because she had this so-called goals which overshadowed everything else. But through it all I loved her inspite of herself. At times I wondered why I even bothered in the first place. I even had close friends tell me to forget about her but yet I remained true to her until almost the end. It became a vicious cycle where I got continually hurt and still came back for more. Everytime things went wrong I was the one to apologise and make amends.

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you

At time I flirted with the idea of having an affair.There were so many girls out there who appreciated me much more than she seemed to show. Maybe to just dump her and get over with it. But I never actually did those things. I could never understand how I could love someone so dearly despite all her shortcomings,yet never feel loved as much as I needed in return. I got increasingly frustrated and wallowed in self-pity most times.

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away

I gave up lots of the things that meant the most to me just to satisfy her and maybe somehow she might appreciate all the sacrifices I made for HER. But that never came. For 10 long years I tried and tried but somehow it seemed that the more that time passed the more self-centred she became. But still somehow I still held on to the belief that 'in the end' love would win the day and her cold,cold heart would thaw.

My hands are tied
My body bruised, she's got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose

The last things she said before we said our last goodbye was that she 'has lost all feelings for me', 'your family is not what a family should be' and that I 'was not a real man'. Fucking bitch. I felt hurt but said nothing and just let her be. But through all her cruel words and hurtful actions I still thought we could at least be cordial and remain friends...

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give
And you give
And you give yourself away

Things went ok for a while after that.But true to form she suddenly built up walls and ignored me for a few weeks after that. her reason for her actions was that she did not want to get in the way of my happiness. How so very 'noble' of her. I went into depression after that. Thank God for the support of my friends and family or who knows what might have happened.

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you

Time heals all wounds and I have found someone who loves me more than she ever did. In a way that has blunted all the hurt. My broken heart could only be put back together by love in it's purest form.And I have that now...

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
With or without you


I really appreciate Agnes so much more after all the shit I had to go through. I know never to take her for granted and love her with all my heart, knowing that she will love me right back!

Video code provided by MusicVideoCodes.com

The NUS Love Story

Some of you may or may not know about the video that has been making it rounds all over cyberspace.

The story goes like this:

Guy likes ger.

Guy gets a sporting lecturer to let him profess his love for her (with powerpoint presentation somemore!)

Gives the (un)lucky ger a bunch of flowers in front of everyone.

Whole thing gets webcasted, NUS servers melt down from the load from the sudden interest in a Maths lecture.

Ger becomes an overnight celebrity.

Guy slinks into some hole and wishes he was swallowed up by the earth.

Who would've thought all this romance and passion can be found in NUS Engineering?

the link if ya wanna view the video and be another pair of eyes at the utter humiliation of two human beings.

To heap more misery on the hapless ger go read her blog

If ya are having difficulties viewing it maybe it is a good idea to download this codec from http://www.xvidmovies.com/codec/

enjoy...

(ponders if Agnes does take up her Masters if such shenigans will occur)

the long and short of it

Been a week since I last blogged (I think). Was supposed to make up for it this week with another slew of postings but alas this blog is the only one I will do. I may be able to do some more after gym tomorrow (if we do go that is). So I thought I might articulate some of the stuff I did this week and some new stuff you guys can expect here.

• Went church with Agnes and Faith today. You have no idea how much that means to me that Agnes is joining me at NCC. She really seemed to enjoy it and seems keen to come again the following week..and the following week.... It was what I was hoping for and finally it came to pass. As usual Faith was good company and the girls really seemed to hit it off.
• back to the grind again this week.Hopefully the guys will be hitting the gym again tomorrow. God knows I need the workout.
• Was supposed to go to the Night Safari on saturday but the weather kinda put paid to that idea. That along with the fact that I was onto another round of cough mixture which 'may cause dizziness' that we stayed home in bed. Later on we had dinner/supper at Serangoon Gardens Chomp Chomp. Coolness!
• Pope John Paul II passed away today. Sad. I guess he touched more people during his tenure that any other human being in modern history. The passing of a truly great man. The new guy has big shoes to fill.
• I have a list of 100 Questions for Agnes to fill up. Hopefully I can get them to her and she could answer a few questions some of them which I will post here in due process.
• I am also gonna do a profile of the various people in my life not unlike the one Nadia did a while back. It is just that I have so many interesting people in my life and stories to relate it is crazy.
• Another new development is the Songs to Live By series. Basically in each one I will tell about a song and how that song has played a part in my life. Songs somethings signify an event in your life you remember or may choose to forget. Sometimes music articulates your feelings and emotions in a way that transcends all the words in the world. Look out for it.
• Looks like the last round of medication is working well. I feel much better than yesterday. sigh. If only the doctor I saw last week prescribed the same stuff I would not have been in such a state all of last week.
• Agnes 's Barfday is coming up next week and I am planning a dinner and stuff. So much fun to do stuff for the lady in my life. Hee. *slight glint in the eye*
• Still not started on the mosaic jig saw I bought.Maybe I could say what I said last week. "I will do it next week."
• Foiled once more.Drats! Bought lavender candles for use in my room and once again they produced no discernible lavender smell. I am beginning to think it is a scam set up by the scented candle companies to take money from hapless scented candle buyers like myself with candles that have no scent when lit. I sense a rat.
• Agnes says my chest is too hard. Mainly bone matter quite honestly. Must hit the dumbbells or just plain do more press ups. I used to have a good chest before. But I kinda neglected that part of my fitness regime in recent times.
• There was a time when I posted up old pictures of me and my family. Was supposed to be a series of sort which kinda got lost in the shuffle as I moved on to lesser things. May just do that again.
• Much to my mum's dismay I am gonna clear out my wardrobe again someday soon. Just feel I need a new (hipper and cool) image. Lose all the dowdy threads and get some new fangled shirts and pants into my fashion consciousness.
• I also endeavor to workout more. It seems that I only maintain the discipline to hit the weights when I am single. The moment I get attached I seem to lose that frame of mind and I tend to lapse. Not sure why that is. Maybe complacency.Maybe it is just that I plain do not have the time now. But it also soon follows that whenever I compromise my fitness programmes that I start to fall ill and become lethargic. Just do it!
• Thinking it is time Agnes sends out those resumes for a move away from AVA. I have the feeling that this time she will snag the job she wants.*nodding*
• On a like note, it came up for discussion today that maybe one day Agnes could teach piano! Sounds like a good idea. Then she could do all the 'leg-shaking' at home. Of course that is all hinging on whether she reaches a competency to do so and various other factors. But it is an option worth considering down the road.
• the Star Wars collectibles for Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith were released last night (or is it morning) at the Toys r Us at United Square at the stroke of midnight. Saw some of the new stuff at Carrefour today. Have a good mind to get some of them to add to my collection of Star Wars memorabilia.
• Also in the works a Q&A with Leon. All you never wanted to ask me and were were afraid to ask.
• Camou seems to be deteoriating healthwise. I can't quite put my finger on any one thing but I guess he lacks puppy love. It is the only reason for his destructive habits and bad poochie behavior that I can think of to explain his recent actions. He does not seem as lively and bright as he used to be. Part neglect and part ignorance I think. A Chihuahua needs lotsa love and attention and he is not getting any. He is now living a life of a cat. Eating the same food the cats eat. Playing with the cats. Gets as much attention as the cats,which is little. I just think he needs more than that if he is to regain his mojo. Wish I could do more but with all the stuff in my life my priorities have changed. He is still glad for his evening walks. Hope to do more of the same this week. Agnes and I will bring him for grooming and to see a vet sooner rather than later.
• Planning to go on a trip with my dearest later this year. Tentatively the place in question is Australia. But the trip is contingent on whether Agnes decides to pursue her Masters or to take on a new direction career-wise. Then there is always the question of getting married which is also in the balance pending what Agnes decides to do next. So much is uncertain and up in the air now. Hope we gain some clarity in the coming weeks where we are headed. On a sidenote, there is also talk of taking a few road trips up north to perhaps KL, Malacca or something to that effect. Seems doable but I have to make sure Sunny is up to the rigours of a long road trip. But I am sure we can make it into a reality. Maybe someday we can even do that Peninsula Malaysia round trip thing I discussed a while back. You know the one where we head north up to the Thai border via the North-South Highway and come back down via the East Coast side of it?
• isn't life exciting when you are flushed in love? The endless possibilities and plans you can make. The places you wanna go. The dreams you wanna fulfill that were long forgotten. All things are possible now for the first time in a long time.
• Isn't life a bitch? It seems that when you need something you can't find it. But when you do not need it, it is always around. Almost like it is teasing you to use it. Just my two cents worth on how I seem to have lotsa foodstuff in my room, among them cup noodles and little packets of breakfast cereals which I have no need of at the current time. But I have a feeling that once I give it to someone who 'needs' it more than me, I will find that I need to sock up once more. sigh