1. This is a game which either you don't even play it or you love + hate it. You love it when you hit good shots and score better than self-expectation. You hate it when you lost your swing path or when tee-offs fly all directions except center fairway or when you make embarrassing blunders such as air swing, which the golf ball didn't even move at all. Or when you have to search for the bloody ball in long rough because of poor shot.
2. All golfers will agree that this is one damn game that can cause you to auto-forget or auto-ignore other things in your life and sometimes can be very damaging. I know a golfer who plays almost the whole week and neglected his wife too long that both the husband and wife nearly gone into divorce. He golfs once a week nowadays and things are improving at home. I hope non of my current golf buddies need to encounter this.
3. But strangely, golfers, while playing on BIG fairways can be affected emotionally by SMALL happenings during playing time. The common ones (at least to me) include:-
- Bloody marshal's noisy motorcycle engine when tee-ing off;
- Golf ball drop into the sand bunker;
- Golf buddies whispering or talking when taking a shot;
- Mobile phone ringing;
- Golf ball miss by 1.0 cm of the hole;
- The air is too stuffy or too hot;
- Putting surface of the green too sandy;
- Grass length on rough too long;
- Caddy provided wrong info on course condition or green elevation; and
- Golf buddies are playing too slow.
4. I am for one can be affected by the above-s. As a human and a person who just took up golf as recent as late 2007, I have to admit that I am still learning to adapt to the above SMALL happenings. Well, these are my so-called targets. Targets that are meant to be nullified.
5. As the year is tailing its end, I can report that my game in 2008 is better than in 2007. I pray and hope that I will have another year of improved golf in 2009.
6. First thing first, I have to break the 100 jinx in terms of score.
Golf - Lovin' It, Not Too Deep Though.
26 November 2008
14 November 2008
From Goodwill to Listen, Remember, Observe & Ask
Have you ever been thru a moment which you took your heart out to - highlight/ remind/ alert/ save - a person from the embarrassment he or she may encounter but you ended up seen as over-concerned and worse, 'kena taruk' (scolded)? Often, these goodwills are ignored or the person does not even want to hear the so-called 'nonsense'. How disheartening isn't it?
Well, I truly had it today for believing that my action would at least allow my boss to take note as to what eventually be heading his way and so that he is well prepared to face whatever questions laid upon him by an analyst. For a moment (a bout 10 seconds, I think), I just wanted to walk away but the consequences can be far reaching beyond two of us. Took a big gulp of the air, I pleaded my boss to give me chance to explain in full before he interjects with his thoughts and views.
That was the turning point, he kept quiet and listened. I stuck to what I believe is important to him, my boss. And he too calmed down, perhaps seeing me raising my voice and at the same time pleading to him. He listened in detail, thought about what I told him, ask me a few questions and nodded in acceptance. The rest were history.
A very respectable person once told me, "LISTEN to what people has to say, OBSERVE things you see and ASK when you are in doubt. These are all FREE!" Recently, the same person shared more, "LISTEN & REMEMBER what people has to say."
I think my boss learned something today.
Well, I truly had it today for believing that my action would at least allow my boss to take note as to what eventually be heading his way and so that he is well prepared to face whatever questions laid upon him by an analyst. For a moment (a bout 10 seconds, I think), I just wanted to walk away but the consequences can be far reaching beyond two of us. Took a big gulp of the air, I pleaded my boss to give me chance to explain in full before he interjects with his thoughts and views.
That was the turning point, he kept quiet and listened. I stuck to what I believe is important to him, my boss. And he too calmed down, perhaps seeing me raising my voice and at the same time pleading to him. He listened in detail, thought about what I told him, ask me a few questions and nodded in acceptance. The rest were history.
A very respectable person once told me, "LISTEN to what people has to say, OBSERVE things you see and ASK when you are in doubt. These are all FREE!" Recently, the same person shared more, "LISTEN & REMEMBER what people has to say."
I think my boss learned something today.
12 November 2008
History, Time and Place Changed Barack Obama
1. When the result of the US Presidency election swept thru the entire globe, early last week, I have to admit that I was pleased with the outcome. Perhaps because I am a believer of Change when Change is necessary during times like this, i.e. "How Worse Can It Get?"
2. Summer 1999, I was doing my final semester in Michigan State University, a great school located in a boring college town called East Lansing, surrounded with the 'Great Lakes' causing extreme cold weather during Winter. During that final semester, I remember taking a Sociology class studying the American Society, its history, the Great Depression 1929, the Founding Fathers, the Constitution and of course, Black Slavery. In that class, the lecturer was a African American and there were about 30 of us comprised of many skin colours, White, Black, Yellow and Brown - a good mixture of student with various background from all over the world. When the semester reached the Black Slavery part, I have to say heavy debates in the class sufficed among stakeholders. Obviously the emotion of the African American was a bit on the high side and the White boy was always on a defensive mode. But at the end of the day, no fist fight or what so ever as both understood that it was something of the past and slavery was ended by the white men in Congress since 1865.
3. Still, at that time, nobody would dare to bet their dollar for a Black President in the next 50 years to come. Klu Klax Klan, Martin Luther King's assassination, race discrimination in Southern part of America and poverty among the African Americans are some of the factors that no one would suggest a Black guy as the most powerful man on Earth. I believe the key turnaround was when Colin Powell was appointed as the Secretary of State in 2001, i.e. the first African American to hold the post. When he stepped down in 2005, there were urges that Colin Powell should go for President. Looking at his resume, he is way up there compared to Barack Obama. But, it takes one man's guts to do the most 'sensitive' move of his life. For Colin, if he fails, everything on his resume becomes worthless. For Barack Obama, when we first heard of him, "Who the hack is this guy?" That was my reaction when I got to know that he was going against Hillary Clinton for nomination. At that time, I thought Hillary would nail him easily. He had nothing to lose as he is a junior politician himself.
4. His victory is sending a very powerful message to the rest of the world that Change can be possible even if it is impossible to change. Adding to that, you have 50% of the world population who are younger than 27 years old, better educated and the demand of better quality of life. It's economics. When Demand is higher than Supply, you have to pay a higher price.... Many conservative and long time Governments around the world paid the price. I suspect more to come in the next few years.
5. In America, racial issue is still a sensitive topic in particular those residing in the southern part of America. That explains why Obama won the West, East and Northern states but the South. But, over the years since 911, Americans have started to have common enemies of the outside rather than within. These had united the American in a big way. When they chose Obama as President, the country, United States of America. was placed higher above the rest. It is easier to unite behind a common belief.
6. Barack Obama was at the right time and place. I pray that he himself will not Change after taking office. After all, he is still a Politician and a Human.
2. Summer 1999, I was doing my final semester in Michigan State University, a great school located in a boring college town called East Lansing, surrounded with the 'Great Lakes' causing extreme cold weather during Winter. During that final semester, I remember taking a Sociology class studying the American Society, its history, the Great Depression 1929, the Founding Fathers, the Constitution and of course, Black Slavery. In that class, the lecturer was a African American and there were about 30 of us comprised of many skin colours, White, Black, Yellow and Brown - a good mixture of student with various background from all over the world. When the semester reached the Black Slavery part, I have to say heavy debates in the class sufficed among stakeholders. Obviously the emotion of the African American was a bit on the high side and the White boy was always on a defensive mode. But at the end of the day, no fist fight or what so ever as both understood that it was something of the past and slavery was ended by the white men in Congress since 1865.
3. Still, at that time, nobody would dare to bet their dollar for a Black President in the next 50 years to come. Klu Klax Klan, Martin Luther King's assassination, race discrimination in Southern part of America and poverty among the African Americans are some of the factors that no one would suggest a Black guy as the most powerful man on Earth. I believe the key turnaround was when Colin Powell was appointed as the Secretary of State in 2001, i.e. the first African American to hold the post. When he stepped down in 2005, there were urges that Colin Powell should go for President. Looking at his resume, he is way up there compared to Barack Obama. But, it takes one man's guts to do the most 'sensitive' move of his life. For Colin, if he fails, everything on his resume becomes worthless. For Barack Obama, when we first heard of him, "Who the hack is this guy?" That was my reaction when I got to know that he was going against Hillary Clinton for nomination. At that time, I thought Hillary would nail him easily. He had nothing to lose as he is a junior politician himself.
4. His victory is sending a very powerful message to the rest of the world that Change can be possible even if it is impossible to change. Adding to that, you have 50% of the world population who are younger than 27 years old, better educated and the demand of better quality of life. It's economics. When Demand is higher than Supply, you have to pay a higher price.... Many conservative and long time Governments around the world paid the price. I suspect more to come in the next few years.
5. In America, racial issue is still a sensitive topic in particular those residing in the southern part of America. That explains why Obama won the West, East and Northern states but the South. But, over the years since 911, Americans have started to have common enemies of the outside rather than within. These had united the American in a big way. When they chose Obama as President, the country, United States of America. was placed higher above the rest. It is easier to unite behind a common belief.
6. Barack Obama was at the right time and place. I pray that he himself will not Change after taking office. After all, he is still a Politician and a Human.
02 November 2008
New PM & The Malaysian Economy 2009
1. A lot of people whom I know have been talking about the 2009 economy and of course the politics within the country. Events during the weekend has relatively installed Malaysia's 7th Prime Minister due to the landslide nominations within his political party. So, how will this man serves his rakyat? How will he improve the conditions of the economy, the poor as well as the disgruntled voters who denied the Coalition of the majority they so fancied? And thousands of questions beyond these....
2. Sticking to economy, I guess the new PM has no choice but to undertake a fiscal approach in areas of infrastructure spending by rolling out construction projects from 2009 onwards. Many are forecasting that 2009 will be worse compared to 2008. If true, the retail and service sectors will definitely be battered in the next 14 months. I have a friend who is in sales and marketing for a well-known golfing equipment and apparel company confirmed sales are very much slower and sales budget 2008 will not be met. Sub-contractors within my industry, i.e. construction, are leaving the scene to avoid further bleeding. The volatile construction material prices before September 2008 practically and naturally reduced the number of private funded projects in Malaysia. Hence, all in all consumer spending and private funded projects dipped. As such, who else has the motivation to spend? answer is no other than our Government.
3. From end 1980s to just before the 1997 financial crisis, the economy practically grew at the fastest pace. How did we do it? Dr. M and the Construction industry. Some have said that if you want to inject liquidity and activity into the Malaysian economy, the only way is by pumping tonnes of monies into the construction industry by rolling out mega projects. These will in turn flow in auto mode within the value chain of businesses in the country when cash flows to suppliers, sub-contractors, officials, service providers and others, where in turn these recipients would continue to spend on their end. The retail and manufacturing guys will then can sell more. Hence, everyone says that they are able to cari makan (able to survive on). So, I believe construction is the only, most direct and fastest manner to fix our economy.
4. Like it or not, 2009 is a vital year for the ruling Government should it still has the motivation and presence to regain the support of the Malaysian majorities. When the new PM takes office, he has less than 4 years to implement strategies to regain the popular votes. If construction sector is the choice to pump prime the economy, projects have to be rolled out in 2009 - 2010 so that these projects are completed prior to the next election. He needs to 'show' what he can plan and implement before voters puts a few 'x'-es onto those colourful ballot papers.
5. Economy growth in 2009 is expected to be slower and there is a high chance that Malaysia will avoid recession thanks to the high saving rates. Things will recover and expand in the last quarter of 2009. In construction we trust!
2. Sticking to economy, I guess the new PM has no choice but to undertake a fiscal approach in areas of infrastructure spending by rolling out construction projects from 2009 onwards. Many are forecasting that 2009 will be worse compared to 2008. If true, the retail and service sectors will definitely be battered in the next 14 months. I have a friend who is in sales and marketing for a well-known golfing equipment and apparel company confirmed sales are very much slower and sales budget 2008 will not be met. Sub-contractors within my industry, i.e. construction, are leaving the scene to avoid further bleeding. The volatile construction material prices before September 2008 practically and naturally reduced the number of private funded projects in Malaysia. Hence, all in all consumer spending and private funded projects dipped. As such, who else has the motivation to spend? answer is no other than our Government.
3. From end 1980s to just before the 1997 financial crisis, the economy practically grew at the fastest pace. How did we do it? Dr. M and the Construction industry. Some have said that if you want to inject liquidity and activity into the Malaysian economy, the only way is by pumping tonnes of monies into the construction industry by rolling out mega projects. These will in turn flow in auto mode within the value chain of businesses in the country when cash flows to suppliers, sub-contractors, officials, service providers and others, where in turn these recipients would continue to spend on their end. The retail and manufacturing guys will then can sell more. Hence, everyone says that they are able to cari makan (able to survive on). So, I believe construction is the only, most direct and fastest manner to fix our economy.
4. Like it or not, 2009 is a vital year for the ruling Government should it still has the motivation and presence to regain the support of the Malaysian majorities. When the new PM takes office, he has less than 4 years to implement strategies to regain the popular votes. If construction sector is the choice to pump prime the economy, projects have to be rolled out in 2009 - 2010 so that these projects are completed prior to the next election. He needs to 'show' what he can plan and implement before voters puts a few 'x'-es onto those colourful ballot papers.
5. Economy growth in 2009 is expected to be slower and there is a high chance that Malaysia will avoid recession thanks to the high saving rates. Things will recover and expand in the last quarter of 2009. In construction we trust!
31 October 2008
Not the Tomato Ketchup
Took this name for this blog because I personally love ketchup and its main source of origin, Tomato. Ketchup is also spelled 'catchup', i.e. "Catch Up". Everyday, we (those who bother) try to ketchup with things, news, updates, friends, and what(who)-so-evers evolving around us. Ketchup-ing often followed by comments/ opinion/ feedback, bla bla bla..... These days, where else better to talk about ketchups? So, lets see what I ketchup now and then....
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