Everyone is talking about Mas Selemat for the last two days, the terrorist who managed to escape from ISA detention barracks on wed. Perhaps he was inspired by prison break, but honestly speaking, I don't see how a limping man can give security the slip considering it is such a highly secured place. He single-handily activated probably the whole police force and army units on standby just to search for him. I guess alot of people find this very happening, afterall how often do we get to see so many soldiers outside public during the day patrolling, but I really pray they catch him soon, cos as my colleague reminded me, the longer is he out there, the possibility of Mindef calling back reservist units just to raise security will be higher. I really don't understand why the ISA has kept him alive for so long. He is a trained terrorist, he is not gonna ever divulge anything, taxpayers have to feed him. Since he wanted to hijack a plane and crashed it into Changi Airport, the ISA should crash his balls into a lamp post. Nah I would boil a big pot of hot water and throw him in to burn.

I noticed more and more people recently conjugating in various areas in small groups and talking bad about others. It is so Survivor. Office politics is getting bad, esp after today when one of the boss shoot arrows at a few engineers. I realised that a couple of people in LTA have invisible ranks on their shoulder. No doubt they may seem ordinary, but their 'rank' give them alot of bullying power. Of course this doesn't affect me much, but I stay very loyal to my lunch tribe, so I support them. They never fail to make me laugh during lunch, cracking sex jokes, calling those 30yrs old and above uncle auntie, poking fun at fat people. I find working in my department pretty fun, everyone is of the same age, slightly older than me. Everyday someone will bring snacks and share ard, today eat kueh again, almost everyday I eat kueh. I think I gonna start bringing cookies and biscuits next week to share around.

I went for a jog just now because today was a very sinful day for my stomach. In the morning we were supposed to go Serangoon Gardens to check site, instead we ended up in macdonalds. For lunch, there was free buffet at our club house due to surplus of welfare funds. In the mid afternoon, the cleaner auntie gave me ming jiang kueh to eat, being a nice guy, I couldn't bring myself to turn her down. LTA really feeds the workers well. Anyway the club house just installed an arcade, so at least instead of slacking in the library, I can now visit the arcade.

I am glad that LTA has increased my IA pay by $100+. I am hoping it will be about $150. The increment may sound like peanuts to some, but to me, that extra cash will come in handy when I visit Singapore pools.

How I wished I had recess week here too.

When I came home from work today, I happened to see a one dollar coin on the floor before I took the lift. Of course I picked it up. I am going to use this one dollar coin to buy Toto. I believe that this is a sign from above. My boss spent 100 bucks on Toto while the rest of my colleagues spent 10 bucks. I believe in destiny, I believe that if it is yours, it will be yours. This one dollar coin is a gift from heaven.

I am getting bored of work. I hate waking up early in the morning, squeezing with the morning mrt crowd, sleeping early. I need a break.

I really respect Rafa Benitez. I admire his guts for having the courage to stay on in the Liverpool job. Ok, so he won the champions league in his first season, so what? He finished 20 over points below Chelsea that year, in fact Everton beat them for fourth spot that year. Last season, he won nothing and finished about 20 points below Manchester United. It seems to me that Liverpool play well in the Champions league only because they have nothing to fight for in the Premier League, therefore they can throw games and rest their players while Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd do not have such luxury as they have to fight for all three compeitions. Before the start of every season, my mate and I shit ourselves laughing when pundits confidently claim that "this will be Liverpool's season". To me, it has to be the joke of the century. Especially this year, when Fernado Torres came, the cocky scousers confidently boasted that this would be their year. Look where they are now. After last night's loss to Barnsley, I guess their ambition this year at best will be to vie for fourth spot again. I have not been to the circus since primary school because I only need to tune in to Liverpool games to watch a bunch of circus clowns. I hope Rafa Benitez stays on, because every year that he is still manager means they will never ever win the premier league. I look forward to more laughs and jokes from Liverpool.

To top it off, last night's trashing of Arsenal was sweet. Lehmann was shite, so was Gallas and Fabregas. It says alot when Darren Fletcher can score two goals in a game, he played his heart out and displayed a man of the match performance. He is a typical Scottish player, a player who rises up to the big occasion. Scottish players may not be the most skillful ones in the world, but when it comes to games of passion and fiery, there are nobody better than them. Well done son, stand up and be counted.

My dad sent this to me. Thought it was pretty funny.

First and foremost, Happy New Year to everybody, esp the Rats, we rock!

I just got back from Singapore pools. Not a very wise choice to bet on a sunday because the queqe is pretty long thanks to the ah peks buying horse racing. The place was damn packed. I think the favourite horse lost because everyone was cursing and swearing at this particular horse saying it kelong. But anyway I managed to buy my Toto and soccer.

Egypt Huat!
Inter Milan Huat!
Toto Huat!

If both Egypt and Inter win tmr, I can eat restaurant food. But seriously thinking, my luck for gambling so far not so good judging from chinese new year, played 大小, blackjack at relative place, overall lose. My father taught me and my sister how to play russian poker or otherwise known to the older folks as chap sa ki. I am amazed at how fast my uncles can see whose hand win because I take quite some time to compare all the cards. Maybe the fengshui master is right, gambling for rats this year no good.

Caught the movie Kungfu dunk with ms how and Kim Hock yesterday, it wasn't so bad, overall I wud say its better than shaolin football. Kim Hock bought a plain white shirt from banana republic, to me the shirt look like hawker centre uncle wear one, but better not say much, wait he upset. Also, Ah Meng the orang utan died, I am pretty impressed with how much coverage it has received, even SR Nathan paid tribute. For me, I don't really remember Ah Meng much. In primary school, I only looked forward to seeing the Giraffe and Polar bear.

I am feeling very tired now. Before sending my sis off at the airport today, my family had a meal at crystal jade restaurant. The meal was pretty heavy. The waitress gave us extra 'char siew so' by mistake. We should have told her but fat hope, we whacked the bugger straight into our stomach. But all the food in this festive period is leaving me 'heaty', feeling abit sick. Tempted to take mc tmr.

Nonetheless, I hope I win money tonight. Egypt and Inter Huat Ah!!!

I am so dead beat. Last night I had to work ot until 22 30 all because I had to visit the moron who wanted to sue me. He probably realised his mistake and was at least gracious enough to apologise to me for his outburst. I also had to wake up early this morning and reached Peicai Secondary school by 630 to do site monitoring. Thankfully the school operation manager was nice to buy all of us coffee after that, perhaps to 'speed things up' ? Hahaha. He shared with us his experience of being the school's OM and how he was once a major in the navy, how he used to sleep in the same cabin as now minister Teo Chee Hean, remarking how fast and high Mr Teo has risen up to while he is still stuck as an OM. I also learnt alot of dirty office politics from my team members in the car today while we were driving from site to site. At least now I know who the taichi masters and sweet talkers are.

I should be resting now but instead, in two hours time, I shall be meeting my buddy for our weekly booze session at our nearby coffee shop. I am slowly but surely embracing the kopitiam drinking culture together with the ah peks.

I thought today would be a better day since it was the weekend mood. Wrong again. The taxi driver had to call me in the early morning again.

Mr Tang: Hello, Mr Tang here, the taxi driver, I spoke to u yesterday

Me: Ya, ok what u want now?

Mr Tang: I wan to complain, what is ur name first?

Me: Parry

Mr Tang: Huh? Curry?

Me: No, its Parry, P A R R Y

Mr Tang: Huh? C U R R Y

Me: No! P A R R Y,

Mr Tang: Oh, C U R Y

Me: No No, its PARRY

Mr Tang: Oh Ic, ok look Curry I want to complain to ur boss

Me: AArrhh ok la curry curry la, anyway he not ard, call back later.

I seriously gave up. No matter how I pronounced my name, he would still call me Curry. That dickhead then called my other colleagues and in their words, he said "your colleague Curry know how to do his job anot? " They were all baffled at who the heck Curry was until they figured out that it was me and for the rest of the day I was jacked left right centre. See kids, this is why u need to go to school and study, so that when u grow up u know how to spell other words and not only know the word Curry in ur vocab. So much so for calling himself an ex-army officer. Can't believe such dim wits still exist in Singapore.

This has been the worst day of work so far. Early in the morning before I could even settle down, I had to listen to an asshole reprimand me on the phone for not doing my job. I rejected his feedback suggestion because after going through every guideline and discussion with my superior, the idea was not feasible. He did not want to accept my explanation, went on to criticize the whole organisation, demanded to know why we are not ensuring safety on the road. He went on about how he was a police officer last time, how his cousin is some chief of army, his father dunno some big shot. Seriously his father can be a dog for all I care. He went on aggressively demanding this and that, eventually I lost my professionalism and cool. I told him to run for transport minister or finance minister in the next general elections since he is so zai. Somehow he didn't get the idea, he demanded to speak to my superiors, say even my superiors must listen to his orders. Honestly speaking, if he so zai, why now drive taxi? I then told him what I thought of taxi drivers driving recklessly on the roads, how taxis only appear during midnight onwards. In the end, he insisted on coming down to meet me. Come lor!

The day got worst when the surgeon I spoke to last week is now threatening to sue me for giving him incorrect information. But after listening to his story, it was pretty apparent that he changed his story and in fact lie about I told him. I remember clearly telling him in clear proper English about every detail and if he cannot understand English, it is seriously not my problem. The pissing part of it all is that he has twisted his story and distorted what I said. My goodness, Dr Singh, I can't believe u are stooping this low. In fact, if I see u in court, I will sue u for defamation. I am grateful to my boss for cracking a joke to lighten me up and offering to help me on this issue. The worst case scenario is to draft in LTA's lawyers. I am not worried, I know what I said and if he wants to play English with me bring it on. U son of a bitch. Dun vent your frustrations on work and take it out on me.

After work, I went to play street soccer with my department lads and they are a bunch of bollocks! I swear my father can play better. To end the depressing day, I went for a drinking session with my buddy to wash away my frustrations. Nothing beats Heineken for being there for u in times of need. Thanks Heineken, u are a fren indeed.

Received a piece of sad news today. It left me thinking about the fragility of human life again. A few weeks ago I was donating blood platelets to a fren's dad and unfortunately he passed away this morning.

My colleague has been advising me to stay low during work because the deputy director is supposedly looking for me to task me with some projects. Ever since then, I practically kept real quiet and seldom venture passed his office. I was laughing at my colleagues today for listening to 95.8 fm and in turn they warned me that in a few years time I will be classified as an uncle soon. Thinking about it, ya its true. Fuck! Work is slowly becoming abit more fun especially since everyone has opened up and I am beginning to join in the banter. Even the boss likes to join in the talk cock session which is good to see.

I still my miss my old bed. Currently sleeping on my sis bed, not used to it, very hard. Still waiting for my new mattress to come. I like my hostel room bed, very solid. In fact, I miss my room. I miss my ex-roomie (James). Every night we would be sharing a laugh, talk about soccer. But now, I have to diligently sleep by 1230 whether I like it or not. Haiz, miss schooling.

Yet another heartbreaking semi final loss. So near yet so far. But I will not subscribe to "the other team was better than us" mantra, I only believe in we were just not good enough. But chins up, we never gave in. Good job Parry.

I finally got an email account so more work is starting to come my way. This week I have been speaking to operation managers of schools, liaising with MOE on certain details. But in between, I still sneak out of office to slack in the library. Well I am not alone, alot of NTU interns can also be found there. Guess we all have a common tradition.

Just came back from Huiwen's wedding dinner. The dinner was good, Tong Luk restaurant. But the location quite off. When I first reached Paramount hotel, I thought I was in the wrong place because the whole ground floor was filled with Thai and Vietnamese 'business women'. Everywhere all KTV bars except for the tiny little restaurant at the corner. Dunno why they chose there, to get to the restaurant muz have will power not to enter the bars. Haha. My table swee la, all young ladies except for me and my fren. But sweet as they look, they were animals when the food came. Within one min the food all kanna 杀. I will cherish the wedding table pic. : )

Today my boss got a long service award. He treat everyone to tau sar pia. Shiok. But the jovial mood kanna spoil by one complain from some idiot. He claims that public cars always park in front of his house, want me to paint white line on the centre road. I told him the procedure will take one month, he not happy, say he is a surgeon, need to operate on people to save lives and threaten to sue me if patient die because of me not implementing the white line and blah blah blah. He accused me of not taking action despite me speaking in proper precise English that I WILL implement it just that it will take time. However he kept emphasizing that I am being irresponsible, want me to write statement that I will personally claim responsibility for his patients lives if he is unable to rush down because car block his driveway and so on. Keep giving me bullshit about paying road tax, hello every son of a bitch also pay loh. Can't believe he is such a dickhead, want to sue me go ahead la ah, I got ur house address, I'll fucking burn your house to the fucking ground and feed your children to the pigs. Wankers!

4 more episodes to go. Unfortunately I'll miss the next two episodes. I am referring to the channel 8 drama 黄金路. I find it pretty entertaining. Kangli, u should watch, got ur childhood friend Li Naxing. My mom is also an avid follower of the show, recently she is getting more agitated easily because of Tay Pinghui's character. She will curse and condemn him whenever he does something bad. I can't help laughing sometimes.

On a sad note, while lying on my bed on sun, the bed suddenly collapsed. Fuck, now have to buy a new one. Will miss my old bed, it has kept me company through thick and thin since 1993. I am missing it oreadi.

I went to the LTA gym after work today and I must say I am impressed with the infrastructure. Also the changing room is like a spa. The background is so serene, just like Banyan tree resort, it gives one a very relaxing feeling after work.

I did absolutely nothing today, basically stared at the computer screen and day dream. I found out that LTA has a sports committee and out of 33 government agencies in Singapore, they came out 2nd in the overall league for the past two years. The soccer team is in the first division for the government league. I think I shall try out for the trials seeing that farrer park field is just opposite my work place. Quite tempted to take up tennis, unfortunately have to travel to Kallang to learn. There are so many other sports to learn like wushu, heard the coach is Picasso Tan, the ex-national fighter. But somehow I dun see anyone training on the court as stated in the website. For now, soccer looks more practical.

Before work finished, my colleague came up to me, took a deep breath and smiled at me. "So Parry, today u never do anything right". I didn't want to shit him in his face so I replied embarrassingly "Ya loh". Surprisingly he laughed, "thats good to hear, keep it up!" I felt so guilty la. But after that Matthew taught me how to draft the road hump on the Gdm map. In short, there will be a new road hump at Hougang Ave 3 Blk 166 in a few months time, courtesy of me. I am currently drawing up the plan right now. Feel so important.

Pretending to act zai

Obstructing fengshui

So today I went down to the on-sites to do investigation. Some were pretty crap like a private estate owner in Burghley drive who claims that the road hump sign outside her house is against her superstition. Waa u think ur father Lee Kuan Yew ah, u say change muz change for u only hor. I also went to a few primary schools to talk to their Operations manager to find out more about complains regarding safetly issues on the road just outside their school. Err actually my colleague did the talking, I only walk around act machiam really like LTA officer and pretend to look zai. Manage to take alot of photos of the cases. Shall upload them tomorrow.

Had dinner with my pri school frenz today at Bugis Junction. It was to meet up before Huiwen gets married next wed. Funny to hear how she and her soon to be husband just recently argued with each other , haha ya this close to their wedding day. After that we drove past Joo Chiat rd, despite the newspaper 我报 claiming that the place is cleaned up, I beg to differ, on a wed night the place to me is still pretty 'happening'.

So for the 2nd day of work, my department head had a chat with me in the morning. He basically briefed me on how the system is being operated. As a lao jiao, he shared his experience of dealing with complains over the years. I read a couple of old cases and I must say Singaporeans really are a problematic bunch. Some people write in to complain why their estates got no bus stop then when it is built they write in again to say cannot build directly below their house becoz affecting their fengshui. Then when shift the neighbours complain.

Another classic case is when residents complain to Traffic Police and Traffic Police say not their problem so residents complain to neighbourhood police then neighbourhood police say since even traffic police dun bother all the more why should they bother so in the end LTA take the shit. When all else fails, they write in to the MPs or ministers which according to my boss is sure win becoz in his words, "this is Singapore, u noe la ah young man, u can never win the government". I read up on a couple of cases in my Aljunied district and most of the complain letters had the backing of the MPs.

I really respect my upper study, he all the way one man show, I can read his emails becoz he gave me his password to assist him and indeed alot of arrows and complains were forwarded to him. He had overdue cases which should have been solved long time ago. Can see he is overworked but somehow he puts up a happy and positive face all the time. Today a female colleague suddenly broke down and cry during snack time. Some big shot came down to pressure her to finish up her work and apparently she couldn't take the shit. It was nice to see the department head and the rest of the colleagues gathering around to help her and give moral support. They are quite a nice bunch of people, often trying to chat and strike a conversation with me, helping me with the computer programmes. I feel so welcomed. Tmr I shall be going around places near my estate to do on-site investigation. I hope to have fun.