Back from a short trip

Penang--KL trip
18 Dec 2009 to 21 Dec 2009.

I don't know what's a trip without misadventures.

We weren't given transfer tickets by the Singapore branch.  We won't have a bus fetching us the next day.  The hotel gave our rooms away and it was fully booked.  Shops closed before 6pm in Penang and we missed out the chance to try a local restaurant.  The driver was no where in sight after 15 minutes and we had to resort to getting a taxi at a cut-throat rate of RM$35 for a 5 minutes drive.
In KL, the traffic was horrible, rendering the exorbitant taxis useless.  I encountered a pickpocket who opened my sling bag without my knowledge.  KLCC viewing was closed on Mondays.  The hotel de-activated our pass card despite having requested for a late check-out.

Fortunately, most of the things were simply hiccups.  The hotel somehow coughed up a room in 30 minutes, hastily made.  The driver agreed to fetch us.  We had a panic attack when he didn't turn up as our coach was to depart soon.  Luckily, he was simply late and we did not have to pay for a ride that might be 1400% over-priced.
I didn't lose anything from the pickpocket attempt.  He wasn't too interested in tissue papers and water bottles.  However, discovering the attempt was a kinda kill-joy.

Otherwise, we enjoyed our trip.  Our random tasting of food in Penang was good, even to the hotel dine-in service.  The shopping in KL was an eye-opener, with Times Square and KLCC being very large and comprehensive malls.  We look forward to giving these cities more time in future.

Diner Dash?

Is moving diners in and out of your restaurants in the most efficient way, the direction we should go?

Case 1:
We made a booking for 10 for 7pm.
6.30pm.  Some of us has arrived.  Waitress would not release table as not everyone has arrived.
6.45pm.  8/10 arrived.  Table cannot be released yet as not everyone has arrived.
6.55pm.  All arrived.  Told that it's full house.  Please hold.
7.20pm.  JW was furious, kept suggesting to go Fisherman's Wharf instead.  Group wanted to wait it out.
7.30pm. Manager explained that a particular table was designated for us.  A group had arrived at 6pm and they had not left yet.  Hence we have no tables.
7.31pm.  The group that supposedly held our tables sang "Happy Birthday".
8.00pm.  They collected 10 places for us, as providence provided us with 2 groups departing at the same time.

Case 2:
7.30pm.  3/7 arrived.  Manager would not give seats.
8.00pm.  Still 3/7.  Manager would not give seats.
8.30pm.  5/7.  Manager would not give seats.
8.45pm.  7/7.  Manager had no seats for us.  Told to step out of the queue.  We would be informed if there's a table for our group.
9.00pm.  Ate at Fish n Co instead.

Sianz...

totally no mood at work today.  hope tomorrow will be better.

cos i really love to work

The Princess and the frog

Liked it. Funny and a light moral-of-the-story.

Star Wars - R2-D2 Deluxe Statue

link: http://eshop.tfh.com.sg/product_details.php?prod_id=859

Spiral UFO puts Norway in a spin

[excerpt]
A MYSTERIOUS giant spiral of light that dominated the sky over Norway this morning has stunned experts — who believe the space spectacle is an entirely new astral phenomenon.
[/excerpt]
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2764647/Spiral-UFO-puts-Norway-in-a-spin.html#ixzz0ZL4dhGRd

[update]
Russia admits missile caused UFO lights
[/update]
read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34362960/ns/technology_and_science-space/

Winter Bells

Guide the rabbit skywards by jumping on a stream of falling winter bells.

play: http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g3/bells.htm

All recovered..

but tired tired.
in 2 weeks I shall have a little trip.
yay!

Arctic Mosquitoes

http://www.athropolis.com/arctic-facts/fact-mosquito.htm

Opportunist

When you see cash lying around, do you take it?
When you see a handphone left behind, do you keep it for yourself?

Recovery

Foot recovered.
Now for that frickin cold...