The Chronicles of Andy

What a surprise I had when I just finished my last bite of capati for lunch - a familiar face whom I’ve been dying to see, in person - Daniel Lee! Now if you haven’t watched our own Malaysian Idol shows, you can just turn away from this page and brew a cuppa coffee.

He was the last (so far) winner of the infamous Malaysian Idol, a reality show where budding singers are discovered (and tortured throughout) and ‘groomed’ to be the ultimate singing machine. FYI, he was Malaysian Idol 2005 Season 2 after Jaclyn Victor , winner of the Season 1 back in 2004. Not sure whether the TV station decides to bring back Idol but here are my crossed fingers.

I knew he would be shorter in life than in the idiot box as I have seen him from afar at open shows.  There he go again, smiling at the people in the cafeteria of my office, walking towards getting his own grub with an assistant.

Do we look like brothers?? Joking laa!

Daniel was friendly to have a picture with me. It was a very short moment though but I had the chance to ask him why he was here. He replied that he is here to for an interview, to be featured in the entertainment magazine of this company. It was a nervous reply to my question but I didn’t care as I was having weak knees too. You may be wondering how I can be his fan, being a big, tall guy, but hey, it’s good to be out of the rigid mask that you wear and just be your true self coz eventually its what I like makes my day all the more interesting.

Anyway, just to share to you guys that I finally had the opportunity to be upclose and personal with Daniel. We shook hands to end the session.

Feeling a bit free today so I was thinking of sharing with you my current wife. Let me introduce to you Ms. AD Resort. She was born in Japan from Mr. and Mrs. Nissan.

Before

It comes with a carburated 1599cc GA16DE engine.

After

New paint, new look and new butt.

Why am I posting pictures of my wife here is because i am so obsessed with stationwagons. Started to have this ‘disease’ since 2002 when a local car modification magazine featured a ‘dancing wagon’ of the same make. I was like, WTF, like that also can ah?? Then after I went for a short holiday and back to start looking for a job, I needed a car, desperately. My budget was around less than MYR30k.

I went to a car dealer in Cheras (coz it was near my house) and found the right car. There it was, sitting at the front of the dealer’s office, freshly brought in to be sold. I checked it out and took a test drive. I felt in love immediately I got it the car! After a short spin around, I booked it immediately. The following week, I was the new owner of the then 9 years old car. I didnt expect to really own the car that I drooled upon the year before. But hey, for MYR26k, 1.6 litre engine, like-new interior, superb stability and lots of space in the back, whatelse could you ask for. Although it was dubbed the ‘coffin car’ or ‘the car for uncles’ (I was 22 yrs old then) the whole package was to die for and right up till today, the car didnt give me big headaches. Besides the minor wear and tear, she was running just fine and I love every minute with her. This model is derived from our ubiquitus fleet of Genting taxis that has been in operation for more than 10 years. I brought her up north to Penang and down south to the tip of Johor and even to the peak of Genting Highlands without any problems (so far) and I must say I’m more than satisfied of her inner abilities.

My wife is turning 12 yrs old this year and I hope to keep her until the end, of course, if possible. Now that the powers that be of Bolehland has ruled that vehicles above 15 years will be sent to scrap, I now starting to feel that she is nearing its end pretty soon. I sure hope that she stays with me till the end but looking at my measly salary, I dont think I can afford to keep her, if I ever get another wife. I was thinking of passing it to my other half coz she dont do alot of driving therefore it wouldnt hurt the car whereas I will either get a bike or a pickup truck. But, we’ll see la how..

If everything went smooth for our local distributor of Nissan cars, by right, the AD Resort is replaced with the latest version of it called the AD Van in Japan, as below:

Sleeker, modern looking wagon this time.

Sigh.. so how ah? To let go or not to let go ?

As mentioned in my earlier posting, I’m eyeing on the Toyota Hilux but this time its off. Too many news on Hilux owners being hijcked and taken for a terror ride in this country so whats the point of owning a car and yet worry about it whenever you drive or park in public areas? SIGH… What a waste laa..

This weekend I will be joining the Ford’s Lanun Darat mini expedition to a small jungle in Pahang. This would be my first venture into 4×4 motoring, same time testing out the new Ford Ranger TDCi Details of the expedition is here. I will be posting my experience here so stay tuned!

On the following weekend, I will be test driving the Mazda Fighter pickup. There wont be an expedition to actually test this baby but we’ll see what will happen then.

Wish me luck for this weekend’s affair!

Loga (third from right) with his bandmates, Alleycats, and his brother (second from left)

Had a rude shock while I was having my dinner last nite, when the news at TV3 reported that Loga of Alleycats fame died. :O It was due to lung cancer that was diagnosed 8 months ago. Gosh, I guess it was at the final stage of cancer that neither TCM (traditional chinese medicine) or any God could save him. He leaves behind a wife, a son and a daughter. More stories HERE.

Alleycats was very popular when I was spending my childhood years in KL when my mom moved me up from Johor to stay with her. As I was attending Malay school, I get influences of the Malay culture and their songs. Mom always turn on the radio whenever she puts on her make-up for work while I was still on my bed, half-awake, listening to the sounds of Alleycats on RMKL back then. Sometimes I get to watch them perform in TV and have always been amazed of their afro hairstyle that both brothers have right up to this day! 

His brother-business partner-bandmate, David, was the lead singer for their popular hit back in the 80s, Andainya Aku Pergi, or Should I Leave Ahead of You (in English) seemed to realised this time. It seems like a curse beneath the song that one of the band members is destined to ‘leave’ the group. Here is an excerpt of the lyrics:

Andainya aku pergi dulu sebelummu
Janganlah kau bersedih hati
Andainya aku tiada lagi di sisimu
Janganlah kau memencil diri
Bayangkanlah masa-masa bahagia
Semasa engkau dan aku
Bermesra di langit biru
Di waktu kasih berpadu
Full lyrics HERE

Should I leave ahead of you
Don’t you ever be in sorrow
Should I be gone from your side
Dont you ever stay inside
Do recall our happy moments
Whenever you and me
Having good times under the sky so blue
While our love so strong it grew

That’s the direct translation of the Malay song in English. Laugh if you may as I am no songwriter But that’s what it meant, about living on when you have to leave a loved one to another realm.

My condolences to Loga’s family for his passing. May his soul be blessed in peace. We will all miss him most dearly.

I’ve been eyeing on the not-so-new Toyota Hilux Vigo for the past week. Have been doing lotsa research on online forums on how great a monster this machine is. It still boggles my mind on the reason why prices of pickup trucks are quite affordable in Bolehland. I mean, you get a 2.5 liter engine with airbags, heights, looks and lots of muscles on this machine at a mere price of MYR88k+! So much cheaper than MPVs and SUVs which would cost somewhere between MYR99K - MYR250k! I’ve always been a fanatic of cars with an ass that can swallow enormous weights and loads although I dont really carry weights on my car daily.

Check out some pics, copyrighted by their respective owners:

Exterior - Toyota Hilux Vigo 2.5L D-4D Diesel

Truck you say? Nay, its a car INSIDE!

Hilux with a hard top canopy, bonnet scoop and bull bar (only available in Thailand - 3L Turbo-diesel)

A souped up version with projector head lamps, sports rims and bed cover. *droooool* :)~

What I love about this machine is the height and the interiors. Toyota has always been THE name in comfort for non-European vehicles. This I defend as I had the chance to test drive this monster last weekend and had my other half to enjoy the back seat (coz the salesman was next to me) I must say it was a pretty smooth ride around the showroom in Cheras. Better comfort compared to a rival car maker that I had driven a year ago I must say, in terms of rear load feel and it was gentle on my bones too.

Then it was time for the Ringgit and sense part. Monthly installment of MYR1120 over 7 years with interest rate of 2.6% is not too bad on my budget. What a temptation! Everything looks good - the pickup, the price and the package, but not the salary on paper. :(  After days of pondering and deep thinking, I decided to give it a pass to this idea of owning this baby. I wouldn’t pass the banker’s requirements with my miniscule salary. *SIGH* It was a potong steam moment when I did all the maths. And there I was, trying hard to accept the fact that it was, for now, impossible to own that truck. Double SIGH. To rub salt into the wound, the yearly roadtax and insurance would cost a whopping MYR3k. A full tank of diesel at MYR110 that would last about 5 days (about 500-600km), change of engine oil and filter at around MYR150 (per 5000km) and tyres around MYR250+ each.. I must say I havent reached that income level yet to upkeep this truck. I always tell to my peers that anyone can buy any car even a Merc or a BMW but try maintaining it and see…

To console myself, I would first clear all my debts and be financially fit first before I even think of buying a car. However, ogling over beauties in showrooms won’t do any harm, doesn’t it? Maybe I should not be too impulsive to change to a new car. Maybe it’s taking a turn for the better for me to actually finish up my homework before amaking a desperate purchase on anything my eyes had laid upon.

Lately, this Hilux has been hot among car-jackers and thief syndicates to steal or acquire from owners, either at knife point or while driving. Now this is not the kinda thing I would want to expect if I ever own this pickup. Like I said, the whole package is to-die-for but not AFTER you actually own it. One’s life would be in great danger either in stationery or in motion. There were many cases (and still more) of Hiluxes being stolen/hijacked each week. Word has it that the crooks would steal and dismantle or slice every part of the car and sell to our northern neighbour. This I dare not be sure as it was just words in the air.  But why ?

No matter how much you invested on your beloved car, when they want it, they would do ANYTHING to get it. I am now breathless to sigh anymore..

But, still, I’m not giving up on this dream to own a Hilux. Even if in a few years to come, the HIlux would be better improved and, if God willing,  I would be at that level to eventually own one.

I am in no representation of Toyota Motors or their customers to praise/condemn on their products in this blog. It is merely a sharing of my passion to all readers of this blog. 

It all started when i was driving my other half back home when a part of my bumper fell out that created a thunk sound while driving somewhere in Cheras. When i pulled over at a petrol station to pick that part up, it was a step too late - an oncoming car swooshed by right on top of the part that was lying steadily, middle of the road. My heart shattered like a glass against a wall, I could only pick up the pieces of the part, sulking my way back to my car.

The part was the tow hook cover that was incorporated with the front skirting of my front bumper. FYI, it was a Wira SE edition front skirt that I got it for RM90 from a forumer in ZTH. I actually installed it some 6 months ago all by myself. Mind you, it wasnt a task you like doing but thinking back how I did it was really crazy.

Enough of the (grandfather) story. My other half SMSed to me after I reached home saying that everything is OK and that my first ‘wife’ is time to be replaced. Hmm… she was right, for a moment there… It was really time to consider for a new car~ Addition to that, I heard that Bolehland will announce the new ruling that cars above 15 years will be sent to scrap! All of a sudden I felt my car became sooo old. Its a 12-year old Nissan AD Resort that I got since late 2003. I was so crazy of this wagon then, and still is! The problem is that I cant really go far with this machine. I mean, I had saved up since last year to turn this wagon to what it is now - a souped-up ’space’ wagon with wings and curves that makes your head turn (well, at least for a while for any laymen). It never come to my head to sell this baby away for a new car ever since I bought. But what to do, to love is to let go *sniff* or else it will ‘eat up’ on you.  Love it or hate it, life still goes on.

I have been considering lately to get which car and have been getting lots of input on it. What will it be? Stay tuned to find out on my next post!

Life has been very interesting lately. Life is more relaxed in fact. The past year has been a living hell as it was all stress and no play. Running your own business full-time is not as easy as one thinks ( I never thought it was) but now that I am back in the workforce, I have no complaints. Not to say that I have quitted the biz but now its converted into a freelance business. Customers still stick with me, thanks to my rapport with them, they still support me no matter where I go. Now, this is very valuable. I am still learning the ropes of effective customer relationship though so dont think that I’m an expert yeah.

Now that I have a salaried job, I’m looking towards to seriously realising my dreams. Well, at least getting a job is one of a dream realised, I’m in full swing now to not only makan gaji but to really give more value onto this job. Let’s call it a career from now on.

Since I’m into motoring and automotive stuff, feel free to check out my new category - Automotive, on this blog. I will eventually phase this category out to be 100% automotive blog but for now it will be sharing space here. I mean, I cant be separating my passion from my life, right?

Stay tuned guys, I got lots of pictures in mind to put into text. I start to feel the fire is burning again to continue blogging (due to some *ka-ching* reasons) Dont worry, Friendster has been doing a great job informing to you all on any latest updates.

Sorry guys, had been really busy to the max. I know its a  lame excuse to give when some pals ask me out for a cuppa but it’s really been tough to juggle this life. Even my beloved other half had been waiting for my free time to come so that she can be with me. Poor girl, you just have to be a little more patient with me as I have lots of plans with you that needs to be fulfilled and savoured togehter. HAHA! Are u getting the goosebumps??

The year is left with only 3 months to end. I have my resolutions that I made weeks ago and I am starting to doubt whether they can be accomplished or otherwise. Rather scary whenever I sit at my desk, looking at the pin-up of the ‘hit-list’ every day. Lately has been rather  hectic  in my mind  (not body)  as to the short-term  plans that need to be  fulfilled and yet I am still  ‘loitering  aimlessly’  trying hard to  grope  in the dark for that much-needed beacon to kick-start my plans. Tough but I am not giving up. When you put fire at your butt, you will find ways to get away from it. Thats what my sifu always remind me when the going gets tough.

Sometimes I wonder, why am I at this particular moment (while I am on my wheels), or why I am myself and not that guy (in terms of existence) Questions that I have been asking myself quite frequently since few years back. Its not about religion here. The more I ask myself, the more I come to understand that humans are just objects with souls inside. It makes more sense that our bodies are temporary but our souls are eternal, that facts that I find it hard to digest when I was growing up. Not that I had lost a loved one in the past but its really fascinating to know that we humans are just so vulnerable and fragile in the face of Earth. Of late, the tragedy that happened to our beloved Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, had the whole world been saddened and left in shock. I mean, of all the animals in the wild that he had handled and wrestled, why a stingray? Of all places, why the heart ? Why not the arm, leg .. or even his butt? To add to the mystery, stingrays dont really sting humans, we dont also hear cases such as this happen unlike pythons and tigers eating humans.

It was also studied that the animal race that Steve is trying to save had betrayed him, took away his life instead on that particular date. Much to do with feng shui (I am a fan and an unofficial practitioner of Vasthu) of his birthdate and the date when he was struck by the ray.

So, you see, life is so fragile. Too bad we humans only live once. To make the most out of it, share your love to everyone around you, even to your enemies. Forgive them of what bad they had done unto you as life is too short to keep grudges at heart. Love everyone like you never loved before as if today is the last day you will see the sun. So, be kind to anyone whom you meet everyday.

But still, if you have noticed in your lifetime, those who do good tend to leave us much sooner, unexpectedly… whats your say on this? :p

Alrite, I admit it. I activated this blog but havent been doing a good job updating it. Not to mention update, even the first introductory messages wasnt even posted at all.

Ok, to prove my point of negligence, I have been shopping around for blogs and how bloggers blog their way around. Not a newbie on the Net here (started chatting on MiRC since 1997) but I just wasnt sure of my mindset on writing my own virtual diary and letting everyone read it.

Speaking of diary, I got a small collection of diaries of my own (yes, i do) back when i was in high school. For the first 2 years, i diligently write down everything that happened in my life. Day in and day out, my life was documented on papers, not by the minute but the significance of that particular day. I cant say that I’m sissy coz most diaries are written by gals, I knew I had to write it then due to a fact that I cant bearly recall. Anyway, it wasnt that sissy after all. It actually recorded  the things and events that had took place in my life, which will never happen again in the present day. Too bad, I had stopped writing diaries when I was preparing PMR exams, my third year in high school.

So here I am again. Back on track. Tapping on my keyboard, transferring words in the air into this blog, keeping everyone happy (or sad, whatever) on what life had, is and will be like. Along the way I will highlight my personality and traits based on the events that takes place at any particular time.  It will be an interesting way to tell you more about myself, simultaneously keeping my viewers wanting for more of me (am I too vain?) HAHA! U know I am joking…

I welcome feedbacks on your opinions on my maiden journey in the world of electronic diary logging. Wish me luck guys, whoever you are!