Tuesday, May 30, 2006
So I'm on my duty, loads of work coming my way. I've just managed to clear the pile of work that's built up over the last seven days. But none of it bothers me, because I'm coming (given that it's for a short while and with a highly pack schedule but still... ... ) back.
Well of course I HAD formulated a little puzzle for you all to work out the date AND time but then it seemed not many people wanted to play. Pity I had a good time working it out.
Never mind that I'm back from Taipei and I've spent more than I'd ever care to on jeans and clothes. Edwin Jeans were having 50% off and Bum equipment were having 30% off. That and I got a nice naruto gashapon to play with.
Loads of lovely scenery, loads of mountains, lakes and all that nature stuff. Got to see the olive green waters of Sun moon lake. Cycled half way up the mountain before giving up (The gradient was steep and we had to leave in 2 hrs). Immersed myself in aborigine culture, ate bamboo rice. And even figured out where SISPEC went for their R&R.
But as usual my descriptions won't do my trip justice so you'll have to wait for the video.
Back in the MTL my new padawan has been chosen. Now typically for most other vocations in the MTL the handing over can be done in under a week. But in the case of my job it takes about a month or more to bring in a technician with ground experience and train in the fine art of administration and office politics. Not that my padawan is a willing one but still someone has to do what I do.
Now for the Next person in the line up.
Adrian Tong Aka. Ah Tong, kangaroo.
He's lived in Australia and studied there for quite a bit of his life. Yet (and this of great importance) he doesn't have an Aussie accent. He's the bugger that handed down to me the ever infuriating job of Network IC (i.e. I'm in charge of the network here. offend me and muahahahha). Which is a very important and powerful position here. A position Tong chose not to abuse. A mistake I don't intend to make.
To his credit I think he's a fairly responsible person albeit slightly manipulative one (but manipulation is a good thing). Though he's abit silly when his IC (Jimmy from the previous post) isn't concerned about the stock take, and him pulling his hair out over it.
I can still remember an event happening not too long after I'd arrived. After the MTL had abit too much to drink we found him hugging a dustbin and moaning " Jimmy the VESPA how? Jimmy??" to comical effect.
He's a bit of a hedonist by nature though I mean that by way of him liking to have fun a lot more than I personally care for. Anything from clubbing to cycling he's got a passion for.
One can't help liking him after you've met him. On the whole and excellent person. In fact he's one of the few people I regret not getting to know better over here before he's EOTed.
Right then here's Jonathan's Gem for today:
Jonathan will return on the X of June at YXZZhrs
Where 'X' is a prime number (for pratical reasons is less than 7)
When 'X' is added to the age of Jonathan's Sister 'W' (you can ask her),
the value when deducted by 'B' the date of his birthday this year (as in 'B' 06 06) is another Prime number 'S', Where when 'S' is deducted by the value of the typical age of a person who first takes his O'levels, The resultant value is 3.
where 'Y' is the Only one that Needs no Exceptionally long math.
Where when 'Y' divided by 'Z' can lead to either infinity, a very very small number or an error on your calculator.
There. How's that for a puzzle. It's not hard, just tedious, and if anything my sister will have to reveal her age.
That is all
Jon.P™
Well of course I HAD formulated a little puzzle for you all to work out the date AND time but then it seemed not many people wanted to play. Pity I had a good time working it out.
Never mind that I'm back from Taipei and I've spent more than I'd ever care to on jeans and clothes. Edwin Jeans were having 50% off and Bum equipment were having 30% off. That and I got a nice naruto gashapon to play with.
Loads of lovely scenery, loads of mountains, lakes and all that nature stuff. Got to see the olive green waters of Sun moon lake. Cycled half way up the mountain before giving up (The gradient was steep and we had to leave in 2 hrs). Immersed myself in aborigine culture, ate bamboo rice. And even figured out where SISPEC went for their R&R.
But as usual my descriptions won't do my trip justice so you'll have to wait for the video.
Back in the MTL my new padawan has been chosen. Now typically for most other vocations in the MTL the handing over can be done in under a week. But in the case of my job it takes about a month or more to bring in a technician with ground experience and train in the fine art of administration and office politics. Not that my padawan is a willing one but still someone has to do what I do.
Now for the Next person in the line up.
Adrian Tong Aka. Ah Tong, kangaroo.
He's lived in Australia and studied there for quite a bit of his life. Yet (and this of great importance) he doesn't have an Aussie accent. He's the bugger that handed down to me the ever infuriating job of Network IC (i.e. I'm in charge of the network here. offend me and muahahahha). Which is a very important and powerful position here. A position Tong chose not to abuse. A mistake I don't intend to make.
To his credit I think he's a fairly responsible person albeit slightly manipulative one (but manipulation is a good thing). Though he's abit silly when his IC (Jimmy from the previous post) isn't concerned about the stock take, and him pulling his hair out over it.
I can still remember an event happening not too long after I'd arrived. After the MTL had abit too much to drink we found him hugging a dustbin and moaning " Jimmy the VESPA how? Jimmy??" to comical effect.
He's a bit of a hedonist by nature though I mean that by way of him liking to have fun a lot more than I personally care for. Anything from clubbing to cycling he's got a passion for.
One can't help liking him after you've met him. On the whole and excellent person. In fact he's one of the few people I regret not getting to know better over here before he's EOTed.
Right then here's Jonathan's Gem for today:
Jonathan will return on the X of June at YXZZhrs
Where 'X' is a prime number (for pratical reasons is less than 7)
When 'X' is added to the age of Jonathan's Sister 'W' (you can ask her),
the value when deducted by 'B' the date of his birthday this year (as in 'B' 06 06) is another Prime number 'S', Where when 'S' is deducted by the value of the typical age of a person who first takes his O'levels, The resultant value is 3.
where 'Y' is the Only one that Needs no Exceptionally long math.
Where when 'Y' divided by 'Z' can lead to either infinity, a very very small number or an error on your calculator.
There. How's that for a puzzle. It's not hard, just tedious, and if anything my sister will have to reveal her age.
That is all
Jon.P™
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
I'm on my first day of my next major vacation. Or rather first morning to be precise. See, I figured it would be a much better idea to travel at night to my location. This way I save on day time and accomodation. Trouble is there's a lay over time of about 4 hrs and sleep deprivation.
So here I am in Tai Chung at this quaint lan shop for those 4 hrs typing this blog out whilst downloading RO(ragnarok online). Lan shops here are a cheap way to while the time away. Better still this one is fairly decent, which in my travel standards includes dark wooded desks, decent lighting, clean floors, a fully functional commode and a smoke free environment. Best thing about this place is the price; 30NT for 6hrs (that's about SGD$1.50). Of course i'm not going to spend the full six hours here but it's just nice to know that you got a good deal.
Tai Chung as you well know is famous for it's Tai Yang bing and in fact, this place is littered with loads of shops selling just that and the like. Also it's famous for it's night spots, namely KTVs most of which being seedy ones. Trying to out do one another with neon lights, accompanied by ridiculous names and suggestive figures. How could anyone possibly believe that a neon sign with jiggling/flashing body parts in comprimising positions is promise of a good time is beyond me.
This is one or the longest trips i have ever taken here; seven days. Touring the central portions i intend to go to one of the off-shore islands (shhh I'm not really suppose to do that). Cycling up a mountain and visit the aboriginal tribes in the area and maybe even throw in a theme park or two. Then I'll be heading towards Taipei to spend about two days in my natural habitat; shopping centers. Hopefully I can get a few things there. Nothing really comes to mind at this point of time, but I do agree with Dumbledore that one can never have too many socks. In fact I've been losing socks ever since i got here, I swear that dryer eats up socks like a glycemically deprived cookie monster. That and underwear.
I'm travelling with Wei Bin sad as it is. There were supposed to be other people on this trip but due to one thing or the other they couldn't come.
Right then, on to the next description.
Jimmy aka. Vespa IC, Baldy, Ji mei
Jimmy was the Vespa IC. He's always been nice to me and in a way that kinda reminds me of Samson Lam.
Now the first thing you'll notice about his appearance is that he's balding, rumour has it that it's because of too much of the local cup noodles but I doubt it(I love the noodles here). Second, that he's red faced, even more so when he's agitated. Almost like he's perpetually drunk only he isn't, he's known for not have a very good stomach for the drink.
He's also plenty cunning. For one thing, he's managed to trick people into paying for his gaming. Here's how he does it:
1. Jimmy is on excellent terms with the Bai Tien (white shop) which the bunch of us use to get to Heng Chun, since we don't like to walk all the way to the bus stop.
2. The Typical price for this is about NT50 pax.
3. But Since Jimmy is on excellent terms with the Bai Tien people (long story). The driver will usually charge him a round fee of NT150.
4. Therefore for a group of about 7 people that would be an extra NT200 for his gaming and trip back. Worst still if the Bai Tien vehicle is take back to camp.
5. Wei Bin informs me that he does this without remorse.
That is just plain disgusting to me. A balatant waste of manipulative talent. Why with his genius what on earth is he doing in the Army? Why imagine all the wonderful means of employment in the outside world with him. He could be business person or a the very least a con man. Pity pity... ...
I'm still waiting for my RO to download but i am too sleepy to go on typing. So in abit then.
That is all
Jon.P™
So here I am in Tai Chung at this quaint lan shop for those 4 hrs typing this blog out whilst downloading RO(ragnarok online). Lan shops here are a cheap way to while the time away. Better still this one is fairly decent, which in my travel standards includes dark wooded desks, decent lighting, clean floors, a fully functional commode and a smoke free environment. Best thing about this place is the price; 30NT for 6hrs (that's about SGD$1.50). Of course i'm not going to spend the full six hours here but it's just nice to know that you got a good deal.
Tai Chung as you well know is famous for it's Tai Yang bing and in fact, this place is littered with loads of shops selling just that and the like. Also it's famous for it's night spots, namely KTVs most of which being seedy ones. Trying to out do one another with neon lights, accompanied by ridiculous names and suggestive figures. How could anyone possibly believe that a neon sign with jiggling/flashing body parts in comprimising positions is promise of a good time is beyond me.
This is one or the longest trips i have ever taken here; seven days. Touring the central portions i intend to go to one of the off-shore islands (shhh I'm not really suppose to do that). Cycling up a mountain and visit the aboriginal tribes in the area and maybe even throw in a theme park or two. Then I'll be heading towards Taipei to spend about two days in my natural habitat; shopping centers. Hopefully I can get a few things there. Nothing really comes to mind at this point of time, but I do agree with Dumbledore that one can never have too many socks. In fact I've been losing socks ever since i got here, I swear that dryer eats up socks like a glycemically deprived cookie monster. That and underwear.
I'm travelling with Wei Bin sad as it is. There were supposed to be other people on this trip but due to one thing or the other they couldn't come.
Right then, on to the next description.
Jimmy aka. Vespa IC, Baldy, Ji mei
Jimmy was the Vespa IC. He's always been nice to me and in a way that kinda reminds me of Samson Lam.
Now the first thing you'll notice about his appearance is that he's balding, rumour has it that it's because of too much of the local cup noodles but I doubt it(I love the noodles here). Second, that he's red faced, even more so when he's agitated. Almost like he's perpetually drunk only he isn't, he's known for not have a very good stomach for the drink.
He's also plenty cunning. For one thing, he's managed to trick people into paying for his gaming. Here's how he does it:
1. Jimmy is on excellent terms with the Bai Tien (white shop) which the bunch of us use to get to Heng Chun, since we don't like to walk all the way to the bus stop.
2. The Typical price for this is about NT50 pax.
3. But Since Jimmy is on excellent terms with the Bai Tien people (long story). The driver will usually charge him a round fee of NT150.
4. Therefore for a group of about 7 people that would be an extra NT200 for his gaming and trip back. Worst still if the Bai Tien vehicle is take back to camp.
5. Wei Bin informs me that he does this without remorse.
That is just plain disgusting to me. A balatant waste of manipulative talent. Why with his genius what on earth is he doing in the Army? Why imagine all the wonderful means of employment in the outside world with him. He could be business person or a the very least a con man. Pity pity... ...
I'm still waiting for my RO to download but i am too sleepy to go on typing. So in abit then.
That is all
Jon.P™
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
You see one of the job hazards that I face working here is high turn over rate. Just when you feel comfortable with the people that are there, their term ends and they're flown back to Singapore back, to add to the growing number of the "People who have worked in Taiwan"support group. But you really do get to meet all sorts of folks here.
Seeing as you lot haven't the slightest idea who I work with...
And to prep y'all when I return and drone on
And on about the people I work with here
And to utilize this blog to immortalize these people so years from now, I can look back and answer that fundamental question that comes with time " Where did they go wrong?"
That and to give me more material to write about
I will endeavor to introduce one or two people (per post) that I've met along the way in my term here. The raw unedited gut feelings and opinions of these people that I hope never find out about this blog...
Starting with the most recent to depart from us...
Nicholas LXX YXX BXXX aka. Nicky, Daddy, Nicky Butt, Ah Fat.
I went on a trip to Taipei with him, for one he's not a pushy person when it comes to his agenda (quite unlike me). Very easy going. Excellent person to play Warcraft with. For that matter he was the previous LAD clerk, and therefore my " Shifu ". Everything I know about LAD work can be traced back to him.
Sadly he's a endomorph with a belly big enough to make Santa proud/jealous of. In a way, we tried to spur each other on to exercise and lose all that unwanted poundage that we gained in Taiwan but pity neither our will powers could hold out...
Oh yes! I will remember his kindness when i first arrived . It was him that let me use his laptop durig that crucial "away from home period ".
One thing though he is prone to the "black face syndrome...."
Next in line: Jimmy and Adrian
Jonathan's Gem for today: "Excitement brings out the goon in everyone"
That is all
Jon.P™
Seeing as you lot haven't the slightest idea who I work with...
And to prep y'all when I return and drone on
And on about the people I work with here
And to utilize this blog to immortalize these people so years from now, I can look back and answer that fundamental question that comes with time " Where did they go wrong?"
That and to give me more material to write about
I will endeavor to introduce one or two people (per post) that I've met along the way in my term here. The raw unedited gut feelings and opinions of these people that I hope never find out about this blog...
Starting with the most recent to depart from us...
Nicholas LXX YXX BXXX aka. Nicky, Daddy, Nicky Butt, Ah Fat.
I went on a trip to Taipei with him, for one he's not a pushy person when it comes to his agenda (quite unlike me). Very easy going. Excellent person to play Warcraft with. For that matter he was the previous LAD clerk, and therefore my " Shifu ". Everything I know about LAD work can be traced back to him.
Sadly he's a endomorph with a belly big enough to make Santa proud/jealous of. In a way, we tried to spur each other on to exercise and lose all that unwanted poundage that we gained in Taiwan but pity neither our will powers could hold out...
Oh yes! I will remember his kindness when i first arrived . It was him that let me use his laptop durig that crucial "away from home period ".
One thing though he is prone to the "black face syndrome...."
Next in line: Jimmy and Adrian
Jonathan's Gem for today: "Excitement brings out the goon in everyone"
That is all
Jon.P™
