Miri Resort City.com - Inane ramblings

747 over Miri

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:09:52 +0800

Royal Brunei 747-400 flying circuit over Miri. They've been doing this on and off for quite some time. Apparently, they're practicing over here because Miri Airport airspace is so sparse.

The Clocktower, 2 years on

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:54:42 +0800

So two years on, the flyover's been built, fuel prices skyrocketed, crime skyrocketed but where is our faceless clocktower?

Here it is: Unchanged since Day 1 when I first reported on it.

They even said in order to 'preserve' the clocktower landmark, they actually built the flyover AROUND the clocktower.

Preservation of old landmarks is all good except.. what use is to preserve it if you don't even keep it working and let its sorry state to view to the public and tourists? And what good is preservation to one small clocktower when all those really old buildings in Old Town are totally torn down to be built up instead of the more logical approach of just renovating them?

Car theft on the rise.

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:05:51 +0800

About 6-8 cars were reported missing last night alone (10th June 2008). Not sure of the exact figures but it was around that.

My parents' car was also stolen.

In fact, we had sort of expected this to occur - this says a lot about the crime problems in Miri. It's not that we think it 'only happens to someone else' but we expected it to occur. Th problem is just 'when'?

Few days back, a friend's friend's Perdana was also stolen, but he was lucky as the police managed to spot it and get it back. It's interesting to know how they stole the cars - they simply drilled through the key hole, open the door and - if the car had a gear shift lock - using a hammer or heavy object, hit it hard enough so the lock mechanism breaks, but makes it drivable.

Steering locks are a deterrent but if they really wanted the car they'd be able to get past it anyhow (looking at the above example, a gearshift lock didn't work).

5th June, 2008 - Fuel price hikes causes massive jams at petrol stations

Thu, 5 Jun 2008 09:51:58 +0800

Petrol will be RM2.70 a litre at midnight tonight The new price of petrol is RM2.70 per litre beginning midnight tonight, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced just a moment ago. The 78 sen hike or 40 per cent increase is still below the antiticpated RM4 per litre price projected earlier and among the cheapest in Asia.

Diesel prices increased by RM1 per liter, and petrol by RM0.78. It sucks to be a diesel owner now.

Oh by the way - transportation vehicles usually run on diesel. So that means, we shall await the effects of the huge jump in diesel prices to be reflected in the prices of goods. Will this be the price hike 'tsunami' everyone's been anticipating?

Finally! Some breeze & light rain!

Wed, 28 May 2008 14:09:01 +0800

The weather had been an oven lately just right after the high winds. This lasted several days and thankfully it started to rain intermittently (just as I had the car washed! It had to happen!) and it poured a lot last night.

This morning, we're finally getting breezey winds! And no haze!

Orang Utans are in Peril!

Sun, 11 May 2008 14:35:28 +0800

First off, what are Orang Utans? Let's get to know the animal we're talking about here before we go any further about them being in peril. The orangutans are two species of great apes known for their intelligence, long arms and reddish-brown hair. Pretty ugly by ape standards, but nevertheless we should not be bias about saving cute animals only.

They are currently found only in rainforests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. These are the last places on Earth they are known to exist - these are cause for concern. Interestingly however, their fossils have been known found in Java, Vietnam and China.

Their name derives from the Malay and Indonesian phrase "orang hutan", meaning "Jungle Man". The orangutan is an official state animal of Sabah in Malaysia.

As far as I know, none exist in Sarawak. Right now you're probably thinking, "This Ian is a weirdo, why it be any of our concern if there are (apparently) none in Sarawak?"

Well, simply because - Sarawak is part of that Borneo, and as a whole, we needed to be aware of these things and help the effort in getting spreading awareness. The Bornean species of orangutans is endangered, and the Sumatran species is listed critically endangered.

It is this news article that got me thinking about the severity of situation.

Very shocking quotes from the article:

"For Central Kalimantan, the species will be gone as soon as three years from now"

"Experts believe the overall extinction rate of Borneo orangutans is nine per cent per year, but in Central Kalimantan they are disappearing even faster due to unchecked expansion of palm oil plantations."

So this is what got the conservationists jumping up and down three years ago when they accused Sarawak's oil palm plantation of destroying the orang utan's habitat (as mentioned before, none exist in Sarawak). They simply got bad geography and actually meant Central Kalimantan, where they are hunted as pests to prevent them eating palm seedlings!

Even though Sarawak does not have Orang Utan, we're still part of that Borneo, the island we share with the Orang Utans. It is this island that not only are they killing Orang Utans mercilessly, but deforestation and irresponsible field burning adds to not only the Orang Utan's demise, but probably ours very soon as well. Suddenly the border dividing Sarawak and Kalimantan becomes meaningless.

Please help spread the awareness, especially to our young children, so they'll grow up with this in mind, possibly even changing our world and treatment towards animals for the better in the future. The future lies in their hands, because the current generation of humans are such screw-ups when it comes to awareness of endangered animals.

To learn more about Orang Utans, please see the reference links

The News Article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orangutan

http://www.orangutanprotection.com/

http://www.savetheorangutan.org/

It's haze season again.

Tue, 6 May 2008 02:07:17 +0800

It's the time of the year again when all you smell is smoke - especially during the night, when the air is cooler, bringing down all the smoke particles from some open burning somewhere. During the daytime, the smoke is less intrusive, but forms a layer at the upper atmosphere and trapping the heat - the temperatures are unbearable.

This 'phenomenon' occurs every year -- usually involves stupid people taking shortcuts and simply setting fields ablaze for a quick clearing of the land for plantation of who-knows-what. Sometimes blamed on our neighboring country, Indonesia, but most of the time comes from our own backyard (but never made mentioned much about). What better time to have this during our mid-year May / Gawai festivals?

Ah, now you see why people describe Miri as "hot" when they visit -- it's like an oven here at times like this.

What's the number of lung disease cases in Miri like?

THE RULES OF BEDROOM GOLF

Sat, 3 May 2008 13:38:00 +0800

1. Each player shall furnish his own equipment for play, normally one club & two balls.
2. Play on a course must be approved by the owner of the hole.
3. Unlike outdoor golf, the object is to get the club in the hole & keep the balls out of the hole.
4. For most effective play, the club should have a firm shaft. Course owners are permitted to check the stiffness of the shaft before play begins.
5. Course owners reserved the right to restrict the length of the club if it may cause damage to the hole.
6. The object of the game is to take as many strokes as necessary until the course owner is satisfied the play is complete. Failure to do so may result in being denied permission to play the course again.
7. It is considered bad form to begin playing the hole immediately upon arrival at the course. The experienced player will normally take time to admire the entire course with special attention to well formed bunkers & delicate bushes.
8. Players are encouraged to have proper rain gear along, just in case.
9. Players are cautioned not to mention other courses they have played or are currently playing to the owner of the course being played. Upset course owners have been known to damage a players equipment for the reason.
10. Players should assure themselves that their match has been properly scheduled, particularly when a new course is being played for the first time. Previous players have been known to become irate if they discover someone else playing what consider to be a private course.
11. Player should not assume that a course is in shape for play at all times. Some players may be embarrassed if they find the course to be temporarily under repair. Players are advised to be extremely tactiful in this situation. More advanced players will find alternate means of play when this is the case.
12. Players are advised to obtain the course owner's permission before attempting to play the back nine.
13. Slow play is encouraged, however players should be prepared to proceed at quicker pace, at least temporarily, at the course owner's request.
14. It is considered outstanding performance, time permitting, to play the same hole several times in one match.
15. The course owner will be the sole judge of who is the best player.
16. Players are advised to think twice before considering membership at a given course. Additional assessments may be levied by the course owner & the rules are subject to change. For this reason, many players prefer to continue to play several different courses.

New Proton Ordering System (P.O.S.)

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:46:03 +0800

As many of you had known, the new Proton Saga was announced. It's a step in the right direction for Proton, setting their targets realistic and offering an affordable car design. (Remember they want to target German cars with their Waja? I thought it was April's Fools). It's also probably the ONLY new model that retained its model name.

For now, we will see whether it offers value and a low cost of ownership and live up to its original 1985 predecessor.

Therefore with a new car it's fitting they come out with a new system to order your new Proton, based on heavily researched studies by Proton to suit M'sian tastes and expectations to ease ordering. This system is known as Proton Ordering System (P.O.S.)

Base model = "Proton Saga Kosong"
Mid-range = "Proton Saga (Standard)"
Top model = "Proton Saga Special"

Black paint = "Proton Saga O"
Light paint = "Proton Saga C"

To call for Tow Truck = "Proton Saga Tarik"

A Little Wise Dentistry

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:35:38 +0800

I went to the dentist yesterday to have my problematic wisdom tooth surgically removed.

You see, for some odd reason, my so-called 'wisdom tooth' decided to come in at an angle that got itself embedded in my mouth with nowhere to grow out of.

Not so wise now, eh Wise Tooth?

The surgical procedure is relatively simple; first, the gum is cut open so that it exposes the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth.

Then, while the gum is bleeding profusely and I slowly die of hemorrhaging, this wise tooth was cut up into many itty bitty pieces, so that it can be removed bit by bit from its root, with its root the final part to be taken out.

And that's it, really.

All I have to do is just sit there with my mouth gaping wide open and slowly drift into a deep delirium and hallucinating magical elfs under anesthetic while the dentist pokes and drills around inside my head with all sorts tools that sound like mini chainsaws.

For an hour.

Wisdom tooth, indeed.

P.S. After some googling, I found out such occurances are fairly common, and is known as an 'impacted wisdom tooth'. That's right, 'impact'. It's what would happen when the angled tooth collides with the straight ones head on. Seatbelts and airbags for teeth aren't yet invented, so that's why they need to be taken out. See, we learn something new everyday.

Darn stupid banks!

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:37:17 +0800

This is the third time I've been locked out of my own account.

I mean, if I am a thief, and if I already have all those details, I would probably have gotten in without any problems. Logically, locking out such accounts is to stop random key password attacks, right?

And what the $%@$#&@! is "credit line number (example 4000)"??? Did the page explain?

Nooooooooooo.

So after a measely TWO attempts at it the system decides that I'm a thief and locks me out. On a public holiday.

Calling the helpline didn't help one bit.

My experience with a lot of banking systems is that they lock out their own customers anyway. So much for 'online banking efficiency'!!!

SESCO FIASCO

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 15:09:29 +0800

On the 22nd Saturday and 23rd Sunday evenings of this month (December) - half of Miri was once again sent back into the Dark Ages due to a total power failure on the whole of south side.

As expected, traffic lights stopped working, MiriResortCity.com went offline, cars went crashing into each other, and probably someone took the opportunity to burglarize someone else's home, candle sales soared, babies bounce and cows start jumping over the moon, etc...

This year alone there was at least 5 major power disruptions I counted, and there are several smaller ones. There was at least a few power surges, one of which took out some of our sensitive computer hardware (and who knows how many others more) and puts a huge strain on our backup batteries (of which darkness eventually prevailed).

Naturally, this is also the year that they decided to increase our electrical fees.

I think I speak for all of us when I don't want to bother with the excuse that SESCO, our power supply company, has to say. The results speak for themselves. Either shut up and fix it, or aim to keep the disruptions minimal.

What a way to end the year, eh? Or is this supposed to be part of what qualifies to be a true city status?

Spotted! Overloaded truck!

Mon, 3 Dec 2007 21:05:02 +0800

This truck was spotted along Pujut main road piled with wood in broad daylight as I was on my way up to Brunei today (3rd December 07). Piled with lots and lots and lots of wood.

Shouldn't the authorities be doing something about this?

And news today.. Robbery crime rates decrease! Not.

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:17:47 +0800

Just thought I'd like to share today's news, taken from a chinese newspaper. Doesn't matter you don't read chinese, I made a rough translation of the headlines;

"ROBBERY CRIME RATES DECREASED, SAYS POLICE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDANT."

but, look what's on the second page story headline...

"4 ARMED MEN COMMIT ROBBERY CAUSING HURT"

Up to you who to trust.

Riches vs reality

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 14:48:02 +0800

I got this interesting email from my financial friend, please read.

LEARN FROM THE PRO...

Title: Young and pretty lady wishes to marry a rich guy. Fantastic reply
from a financial person

A young and pretty lady posted this on a popular forum:
Title: What should I do to marry a rich guy?

I'm going to be honest of what I'm going to say here. I'm 25 this year. I'm
very pretty, have style and good taste. I wish to marry a guy with $500k
annual salary or above. You might say that I'm greedy, but an annual salary
of $1M is considered only as middle class in New York. My requirement is not
high. Is there anyone in this forum who has an income of $500k annual
salary? Are you all married? I wanted to ask: what should I do to marry rich
persons like you? Among those I've dated, the richest is $250k annual
income, and it seems that this is my upper limit. If someone is going to
move into high cost residential area on the west of New York City Garden
(?), $250k annual income is not enough.

I'm here humbly to ask a few questions:

1) Where do most rich bachelors hang out? (Please list down the names
and addresses of bars, restaurant, gym)

2) Which age group should I target?

3) Why most wives of the riches is only average-looking? I've met a
few girls who doesn't have looks and are not interesting, but they are able
to marry rich guys

4) How do you decide who can be your wife, and who can only be your
girlfriend? (my target now is to get married)

Ms. Pretty

Here's a reply from a Wall Street Financial guy:

Dear Ms. Pretty,

I have read your post with great interest. Guess there are lots of girls out
there who have similar questions like yours. Please allow me to analyze your
situation as a professional investor. My annual income is more than $500k,
which meets your requirement, so I hope everyone believes that I'm not
wasting time here.

>From the standpoint of a business person, it is a bad decision to marry you.
The answer is very simple, so let me explain. Put the details aside, what
you're trying to do is an exchange of "beauty" and "money": Person A
provides beauty, and Person B pays for it, fair and square. However, there's
a deadly problem here, your beauty will fade, but my money will not be gone
without any good reason. The fact is, my income might increase from year to
year, but you can't be prettier year after year. Hence from the viewpoint of
economics, I am an appreciation asset, and you are a depreciation asset.
It's not just normal depreciation, but exponential depreciation. If that is
your only asset, your value will be much worried 10 years later.

By the terms we use in Wall Street, every trading has a position, dating
with you is also a "trading position". If the trade value dropped we will
sell it and it is not a good idea to keep it for long term - same goes with
the marriage that you wanted. It might be cruel to say this, but in order to
make a wiser decision any assets with great depreciation value will be sold
or "leased". Anyone with over $500k annual income is not a fool; we would
only date you, but will not marry you. I would advice that you forget
looking for any clues to marry a rich guy. And by the way, you could make
yourself to become a rich person with $500k annual income. This has better
chance than finding a rich fool.

Hope this reply helps. If you are interested in "leasing" services, do
contact me .
Signed, J.P. Morgan