Rants & Ravings

Something to brighten the Monday blues

Thanks to Andy for the heads up.

No more status quo?
A while back, there was a criticism about comic strips nowadays becoming repetitive and losing their creativity. This is usually seen by starting out with a large cast, but then whittling the cast down to just a few. One target of this criticism is "Garfield". Garfield is honestly one of the first few comic strips I ever read because my aunt got me like 3 books from UK. After which I was hooked and got another probably 10 more books before I got hooked on Calvin and Hobbes.

Anyway for long time readers of "Garfield", you would know that he used to have a large cast of people. There was Arlene his girlfriend, Nermal his annoying friend, Odie his nemeis, Liz the vet, even the mouse who shared the same house as him (I can't remember the name now. Anyone fill in the gap here?) Anyway I started paying attention to the strip early this week and what do you know.. the status quo may be changing. Jon finally didn't get rejected by the vet Liz. It could however be an elaborate setup, but I think it's time the comic rebuilt its supporting cast.

Sometimes it's as obvious as the nose on your face..
Had a briefing this afternoon and one of the questions that was posed by the adults really amused me. The solution was really simple and obvious (to me and people my age) but the adults seemed to just over-think it. Maybe it's a sign of growing old.. or maybe I'm just too brash/rash with youth and all..

That and Km's getting old.. haha.. she found the music loud this morning.. and I can say anything I want to on that subject cause she doesn't come here..

Anyway work is still quite relaxing.. well fairly compared to the people around me so I can't really complain and will most likely remain this way for another 2 weeks because my mentor (who gives me work) is away fighting for his country. Or rather training and being prepared to fight and die for his country one day.

Time just seems more fleeting now that I'm working...

You win some, you lose the rest..
Somewhere along the week when I was watching tv, the phrase "you win some, you lose some" came to mind. While tossing about the phrase in my mind, I realised that's not possible.. it's more accurately, win some, lose the rest. Draws don't count. I mean how often do you have draws in life? Draw is a concept either founded by that game show or people who just wanted to comfort people who lost..

"To the victor goes the spoils and to the rest, the hole in the donut."

On a more upbeat note, saw a tag thingy on cheryl's blog.. may do it soon.. haha..

Not 1 but 2..
Funny incident in class today. While one of the trainers was trying to explain a concept, he ended up giving not 1 but 2 middle fingers and showing them to the whole class.. haha.. for about 15 seconds. Was trying hard not to laugh. Think Vincent also was trying not to laugh. Also I think I might have a mild concussion. Hit my head quite hard on a white board while picking up a water bottle. There's a mild swelling.. dang it.. Oh well, happy NDP to all who are celebrating. Else to those who don't care, be thankful that we get a holiday.. although some of us have assignments to do.. sigh..

TGIF!
The long and tiring week has finally come to an end. Lots of reading and work to be done but I'm still glad it's the weekend. At least I can wake up a bit later. Anyway somethings I've noticed at work:

1) The chinese nationals and indian nationals are vegetarians. Most, if not all of them are vegetarians. I've noticed this in the past in NUS, but now just really observed. Not sure why also. Guess it's healthier compare to what we local chinese eat.. haha.

2) People here at work rarely smile. They always have this busy/stressed look on their face. I mean everyone is always buried in work of some sort. Also lots of workaholics here. My department manager is a self-confessed workaholic. My colleague in the same cubicle as me also is. I mean he sits there from morning to going off time. Rarely looking away from his computer screen. He only goes for lunch and even then it's like 20 minutes and he's back. He doesn't take morning or afternoon breaks. In fact most of them are like that, until I feel bad asking them questions cause I feel like it's taking them away from their work.. so sad.

3) What goes in does not equal <> what comes out.
This is the observation I made about the shuttle bus that I take to and from work. More people take the bus home then the bus there. So far I have come to only one possible explanation why this would be so. Incoming has less people cause people come to work late. Outgoing has more people cause nobody wants to leave work late.. haha.

edit: Found out a possible reason why. 2 buses go. 1 bus comes back. Hence a more crowded return trip. My bad.

4) My department has people from many varied countries. From the more usual China and India to countries like the Philippines, Korea and Indonesia. My boss is korean so it was hard to pronounce her name initially and spell it when I filled out the name of my supervisor.

Oh well, that was the first week. Things will get harder soon.