Yee ‘O Lost Souls

Yesterday night Kaoru nearly went insane with all the print jobs I gave him. He even sucked in two papers at a time!

Thanks to other people’s procrastination, I had to stay up till late to finish things. Sometimes it sucks being editor because the final product has to come from you. Add that to my picky-to-perfection attitude and you got yourself one grouchy editor.

I am not a perfectionist, just that I want to avoid as many small errors as possible. My goal is always been to produce works that I am proud of. Besides, what’s the point of producing something you are ashamed of anyway. But that proposal we did was excellent and the lecturer said we could even just submit the thing for our report. Yay ^_^.

She even went as far as to have me pass the proposal around so the rest of the class could see how a proposal is supposed to be done :D. As Khaye said, I was really ‘basking in my glory’ hahaha.

One interesting thing I note yesterday was that…I found another competition. Khaye said during our class exercise that the girl in front of me kinda rolled her eyes at me when the lecturer looked at my work and nodded approvingly. Khaye said she was obviously jealous.

I am not too surprised. Because I get at least one of these every semester or so. I have had people ‘targeting’ me often saying stuff like "I’ve tried so hard but how come I can’t beat you??"

Err really…why would you want to beat me anyway? I’m struggling with my grades too!

That was an example of a subtle one. Non-subtle ones are more though. I would act nonchalant when discussing an exam paper and other people wold fuss at one wrong answer like it’s the end of the world.

But well, I didn’t say I hate it did I? It’s a boost to my ego XD. As you already know, I am proud.

Anyway, back to this girl. She was really friendly and all smiles when she talked to me without even hinting that she wanted to ‘beat’ me too. Khaye said she probably wouldn’t even talk to her when she found out that girl was being a two-face towards me.

I told her I wasn’t too surprise and I even welcome it. The whole drama enriches my dull life. Hahahahaha.

Totchi should get abck in class and experience the whole drama herself. Hahaha.

Ta’ra!

As you guys already know, I spent my weekend in KL and had just got back. But I am an accountable and responsible group leader so as the deadline for my members are fast approaching, I messaged them asking how things are going.

And guess what I get?

3 out of 4 of them hadn’t completed it. Why? lemme quote a reply  I got from that ‘unofficial deputy’ of mine:

"I’ve done it, but haven’t typed it. We went to college on Friday wanting to use the computers but none were free."

Was she expecting me to TYPE them for her??

Pissed, I replied back:

"Whatever it is, there is a cybercafe. By this afternoon, save everything in a pendrive and I’ll edit. Get it?"

As if it wasn’t clear enough, she said some more useless crap:

"But [another group member] haven’t finished too"

Now tell me everyone, how is THAT going to help us finish the proposal?

Taking on my no-nonsense, take responsibility, do-whatever-it-takes attitude, I replied:

"Get it done by 5. No excuses."

I didn’t get a reply.

I asked the other three. One said she finished late last night and will be giving me back my pendrive I borrowed her today. One more replied saying she hadn’t finished and will submit to me tomorrow. I told her we’re submitting the proposal tomorrow and how am I supposed to submit to the lecturer if she too was submitting to me tomorrow huh?? Not unless her English was excellent.

One more didn’t reply me. I’m too pissed to even call her.

So far I only got 1/4 of the contents and the one I received was pretty good. I can see the elements of copy and paste but at least everything flows together and some real effort went into it.

That’s what we want to see, people. Effort. Effort.

The last thing we want are excuses.

Now my group members may say I don’t have anything big to prepare for the proposal so I can’t say it’s not hard to do. Geez I have had my share of doing other people’s grunt work too okay? I mean come on, these people only have to do about 4-5 minutes of speech and from experience a speech that long is only about 1 page long! I could do this thing in one night!

And even if it was really hard, deadline is deadline. I’ve had, several times in my life thought things could have gone easier or my hard work would not have been wasted if I had only taken action. And I don’t blame the lack of a computer, time, or other people for it. I blamed myself. It was my lack of competence and planning that led me to my own misery, heartache and disappointment.

So far my goals in life have been to reduce those moments.

All I asked is that my group members be accountable for their own things. I gave them a whole weekend to do it and they said it was fine. How come this one member could do it, even though she got her part later, and the rest couldn’t? Furthermore, in my other group, the member who’s supposed to submit to me her info today also couldn’t do it over the weekend coz she was also going to KL. BUT! She said she’ll find the info and submit to me later tonight. She’s doing it as I type.

She may not be on time, but at least she’s doing it. What more could you ask for anyway? I excuse her because she had proven her reliability before. A good track record helps, you see.

Honestly, I shouldn’t be the one agonizing over other people’s idiocy and incompetence. But they are everywhere. Is it so hard to be accountable and responsible for your own actions? I mean geez, you’re adults already! If this keeps up I may have to take out the whips and chains on these people. If they regretted their choice, too bad.

I asked them twice if they really wanted me to be leader.

Ta. Ra.

p/s "In the success equation, other people’s idiocy and incompetence are constant variables." Atziluth, 2007.

Yes! Today is the fated day of Hyde’s birthday! I already bought cakes. Two of them, in fact. Because I’m a glutton, that’s why. Hahahaha.

Today I also just got back from KL. I had a great weekend at home. Well-deserved after my hectic week. I went back on Friday and on Saturday I went to Shah Alam with my friend to visit another friend. That day was the first time I went on four public transports cosecutively. Firstly I have to get the monorail, then LRT, Then KTM Komuter, then a taxi. Reverse process.

When we got to Shah  Alam, the four of us went and watch a movie. We took the 12:10 pm showing of Epic Movie and then ate lunch. After lunch I asked around what they wanted to do since it was only 3 something. I blurted out going to the movies again and they went for it!

We wanted to watch Deathnote 2 but the enxt showing was 5 pm so we watched Night at the Museum since two out of three of us that day hadn’t watched it. WOW! I was finally able to watch dum dum! I was so glad I got a chance to watch it! Hahahaha. It was such a good movie I am already planning on getting the DVD!

So yeah, we went for a movie marathon that day. But the fun thing was that, they were totally unplanned. I mean, if we had planned it we wouldn’t be as relaxed. We would have been looking at our watches every five minutes during lunch if we did. But man! The cinema was so freaking cold I thought my nerves had freeze over!

After we spent the day at the shopping complex Farida went home with me to KL. She said she’s ‘running away’ from home because her housemate and her freaking boyfriend quarreled again. She’s very convinient to have around. Not a lot of people could stand my mood swings when I’m having a bad flu.

Today I went back to the hostel taking the bus, alone, for the first time. I specifically went to KL Central, both to send off Farida who’s taking the commuter and me, a Rapid KL bus. I know. I’m picky. My overall expense going home becomes 4.10 as opposed to going to Kotaraya and taking a Metrobus, 3.40. Now let’s not fuss over a 70 cent difference, okay? Just look at how peaceful it is!

I just noticed that I have a bus icket on both Aoi’s and Hyde’s birthday! Look!

Waaah. I’m so ‘geela’.

I’ll post up photos of Hyde’s birthday cakes later okay?

Ta’ra.

p/s proceed to next post for updates on my group assignment.

Is my life all about editing now? I have four subjects this sem you see, and 3 subjects have group assignments. Sighs.

But at least this time I was ready. If I have to be in a group, I shall group myself with people I choose and above all, people I consent to. For the first group in Company Law, I shamelessly ignored the person sitting beside me and had my sights on someone else. This girl is the only girl whom I consider genuine enough to group with and seems to be the only one on par with me. She’s not afraid to stick out and participate in the classroom’s discussions and she can speak Sarawakian to boot!

Prior to this we were already good friends. Although she hangs out with her bf most of the time, she always took time out to talk to me whenever we stumble upon each other outside of class and at the mall. So yeah, and she’s dependable at least.

I alligned myself with her in two groups. The first group I kinda muscled my way in XD while the second group she was conviniently sitting beside me so I immediately asked her to join me. Then we had a third person and she was dependable too.

The third group, well I can’t say I had much choice in the matter but the people are just ‘okay’ you see. That’s because I didn’t attend the first class and was lucky enough to be accepted in a group. sighs. But this is a big group of 5 and it’s essential that as much people as possible do the presentation. So during today’s first meeting, the first thing I did was propose we elect a leader.

I was promptly elected leader without question. To be honest, it wasn’t that I didn’t see this coming though.

So I was leader. The first thing I did was told them to not regret their choice and as leader elected by them, I expect them to listen to what I say. I tolerate no nonsense.

In a way I was relieved too. When I’m leader I can exercise authority over the members. If someone else were leader, it was fine too. The point is a leader is present. Even if someone else was leader I could still push her to do things right. Yes, I am pushy. But my neck is in the line too you know.

I got to work right away. But as discussion went on it was apparent that I have an unofficial ‘deputy’. I found it funny how when I asked a question inviting them to brainstorm, they all turned to my ‘deputy’. Kinda makes me wanna wave to their faces and say ‘HELLOOO! Who’s the leader here huh??"

But I overlook it. I gave them clear guidelines on what they should do, how to do it, and when to submit it. And I gave them ample of time: over the weekend. Since I’ll be gone for the weekend I have them submit their stuff to me on Monday for final editing and compilation.

Yes, editing has become my full-time job.

I even stressed that they edit their work carefully, no copy-paste crap and avoid big words if they don’t understand them. I warned them that I’ll have them redo the whole thing if I have to.

Sounds tyranical, but it must be done. Too much heartache and misery from my previous experiences has taught me well.

Tonight I finished a presentation due tomorrow with the help of that girl I told you about. She came over and we did it together. When I think about it, I could very well do the whole thing myself since I have all the resources. But it will take some time and I will end up very stressed by the end of it. However, when you have someone else with you, and have them write things down even though you’re gonna type them up later, it kinda, takes some load of stress off you. It’s not just about getting the work done. Honestly I can finish them alone no problem. But you just need the companionship to act as a support system. Sure, there’s only one computer and only one person can surf at a time to look for info, but it’s more fun doing it with someone else. At least I’m not so stressed and I’m more motivated to finish things quickly.

Tis funny, this thing called camaraderie.

I have a feeling I’ll be having this mini-assignments every week. Sighs. At least for now I can be assured that I am paired with dependable people.

Even if they aren’t, I have their number and I’ll harrass them if I have to. Mwahahahaha.

Ta’ra.

Slaves.

Mindless servants who should always be ready to act upon your whims.

Once you get one, utilize them shamelessly. And you are free to blame them for anything that goes wrong. Yeah, that is the noble fate of a slave.

Gary, make yourself more useful. I have yet to state my purpose and talking to you and YOU ALREADY LEFT!!!

Totchi, bring down the wrath of the heavens upon him.

So we went. Although our host arrived a little later. Okay, maybe not a little, but a lot. But it’s not too late. Either way, I brought cake to his house. Four slices of them. He took us to his apartment by bus and the bus conviniently stopped in front of the apartment. Even though it was already some time before 3 he hadn’t cooked yet. He said he can’t cook and pick us up at the same time. Well the actual reason is that he overslept :P.

I forewarned him I won’t help him cook. I can’t cook and I’m no good at cutting onions. So he cooked while we explored his house. His unit was smaller than ours, but I like the look and feel of it. The kitchen is very small and cramped, but the flooring on the rest of the house is greyish marble and the bedrooms had parquet flooring. Unlike ours, everywhere is boring white tiles. He lives alone in the master bedroom. Sighs.

I wish I had his room. The only defining feature of my ‘master bedroom’ is that it has an en-suite bathroom. His apartment is quite nice-looking, classier than ours and has a nice view of the hills. sighs. Just look at the swimming pool!

The shape of the pool is self-explanatory, but look at the well-manicured gardens surrounding it! It looks like it was taken out from a part of a resort somewhere! Still though, I must say the facilities at our hostel apartment is better. At least we have more shops in the base level and better Internet services. And getting to college from this place requires some effort.

As they say, humans are never satisfied. Hahaha.

I said before I wasn’t gonna help with the cooking but I did help put on his bedsheet for him. The lazy ass has been here for two weeks and he still sleeps without bedsheet and pillow case. Other than that, I was watching TV and talking to his online friends. As him. Hehehehe.

Our host, slaving away in the kitchen.

The end results look like this. It’s some Omani food. Chicken and potatoes with coconut sauce. It’s good :D.

This other one didn’t quite make it. It’s like a wheat and chicken porridge if you ask me. He made so many ‘alterations’ and ‘corrections’ to it that it ended up tasteless with a strong hint of vinegar. To be honest, the way he kept flipping through the cookbook kinda worried me too.

I didn’t even get to find out how that thing is supposed to be eaten.

So after the cooking was done, we finally ate at about 5-something. A lunch has become an early dinner. But well, our host was proven a good cook :D.

I had a second helping of those chicken and potatoes afterwards.

Tis but a simple meal. But living as I am right now, I’m pretty grateful having food cooked just for me. That’s why I try to avoid eating those ‘nasi kandar’ things. The food are always cold and lukewarm.

That was one of the nicest meals I’ve had here. Thank you Tariq!

After we done eating, we basically just lounge around his place and watching TV coz his house has Astro and Animax is a free channel. Our host then returns to talking to some of his online friends as…well, himself. Hahaha.

He tried to impress us with his non-existent guitar playing, but it was the effort that counts.

Some time after our meal we had cake. It was Aoi’s birthday after all so mine was a little special :D. I know Totchi is waiting for this. Hahahaha.

The cake was Caramel Cream Cheese cake I bought from Secret Recipe hehehe. I even went to Sushi King especially the day before just to get one of those toothpicks to make the stickie. Either way, I had a good lunch there hehehe.

We stayed over till about 9 and our host sent us home driving his friend’s very Ah Beng-like car.

Till this day I cannot believe that I had ridden such a noise polluting machine.

And when I got home I bought a plunger and took care of my toilet problems. I’m so proud of myself.

Well that’s it, report over.

Conclusion: Although we didn’t do much there, I still had fun visiting and expanding my horizons since I haven’t been to that part of town. Since then I’ve made a vow to try and visit all of my visitable friends :D. Next weekend I plan to go to Shah Alam :D. Wait for me!

Here’s me, signing out!

Ta’ra!

Sorry, this is just a false alarm because the pictures weren’t loading and I just wanted to see how it would look like.So I deleted the previous post. I will post the actual one once this crappy blog decided to accept pictures. I had 16 phantom pictures uploaded already. sighs.

Anyway, my toilet problem is solved. All thanks to the power of the Plunger of God. Okay, that was inappropriate but still. It’s a miracle as to what you can achieve with a 4-ringgit plunger. This website helped me out a lot. Who knows I might become a real DIY-er one day. Hahahaha!

Ta’ra!

My boredom has led me to do many things just to make life more exciting. One of those things is the excessive download of anime, Which led to 4 gig of hard disk space, which led to panic, which led to mass burning of animes on disk.

That aside, I have decided that it’s my turn to go visit other people. Living in the glitzy area of BB has been my sole reason for having other people to come to me because BB is so easy to reach. Even when I’m at the hostel I’ve had Muni visit several times already then I’d feel left behind when she leaves on a Rapid KL.

You might say that I’m tired of sitting around doing the waiting and playing host for now. When I think about it, I have friends living at different parts of KL and Selangor. It might be fun going to visit them instead of the other way around. And afterwards, going back home is easy. It pays to live in the city sometimes. Hehehehe.

For today though, I’m going to visit my Omani friend’s house. He lives on his own so I thought it would be nice to brighten his dull life by having him play host hehehehe. Besides, he prides himself in cooking might as well force him to make lunch at the same time. He promised us good stuff.

I’ll give details later.

And OH MY GOD!! Today is Aoi’s birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AOI!!! I LOVE YOUUU!!!

To celebrate his birthday I shall buy a cake and a put a stickie with his face on it on the cake.

That’s all. Ta’ra.

p/s God I need a plunger.

I am waiting for lunch to de-freeze. ….don’t ask.

Last night I finally clicked on boxtorrents.com again. I even forgot my username somehow. But it’s fortunate since I use all the same password for the occasional odd sites I sign up for (mostly anime or manga-related) and pretty much the same user ID. I have this list of three user ID I often use. So if its not one, it’s the other. Makes things easier for someone sloppy like me hehehe.

Anyway, I checked around for some mangas I’ve been reading that has stopped due to it being liscensed. One of them is Mekakushi no Kuni. The English translation was the World of Illusion or something like that. This is your typical high school shoujo manga. It’s about a girl who is able to see the future, met a boy who can see the past. And they met another boy, who also sees the future. The story is about how they each use their power and how they deal with people who know their secrets while at the same time deals with adolescent stuff.

It’s pretty nice. At first I got them from the scanlation group’s own website. Then they decided to drop it and directed people to another group who is pursuing the project (and eventually finished it). I got hold of the torrent and set the priority to high to the folowing chapters to that I last read. Hehehehhe.

Hehehehehehehehe.

I’m so running out of things to say.

I think I’ll go and do more about my comic. Ta’ra!

A snazzy title don’t you think? Yesterday my otaku phase officially ended. At least for now. So I turned Kuja off, giving him a well-deserved rest. Since Kuja was off, his lid was in front of me and so was these:

They re leftovers from Katan’s phone crystals. I actually needed just one to replace Katan’s orange scroll button that had fallen off. But this pic was post-insignia. Hehehehe.

So, back to Kuja. Lookie here, Kuja has a HYDE insignia!

I am unsure whether these were the best choice of colours, but I suspect pink and red would clash horribly with Kuja’s peacock blue chassis. (Yes I’ve just got to say the right name too :D). It’s not exactly a Product of Eng-ness, more like a product of boredom. And besides, they are easily removable if I don’t like them anymore. And yes, I realize they are not the best of works. But I’m not really a very creative person :/. (or very careful, at that)

Last night I caught up on some reading. I finally finished Kate Thompson’s The Fourth Horseman. And man, I need to remind myself each time why I’m attracted to Thompson’s works. Her other two books I have are The Alchemist’s Apprentice and The Beguilers. My favorite of the three books is the latter. The thing I noticed about Thompson’s stories is that they are 60% self-narration pertaining the protagonist’s journey or everyday life as their adventure goes. And her character development are stupendous. That’s where Thompson shines the most. Her protagonists always end the story a whole new person, better, stronger and approach life witha fresh new perspective. And not in the magical kind of way, but through sheer hard work and determination. Something everyday people like us can always relate to. You will put down the book feeling truly inspired.

So inspired was I that I even dreamt about it last night.

Although it may seems at times that even though her stories are themed fantasy, with the hints of magic and stuff in her titles, you will always go through the story searching for that little hint of magic and wonder what could it all meant to the characters and their future even though the setting is modern day today.

Intriguing.

I have new books to buy so I want to make sure I read all that I have right now hehehe.

Ta’ra!