Bring it on!!! I'm not afraid of you haze!!!

It's been years since Eccentric last posted anything but now that he has just changed his job, he has the free time to do so once more. What are the chances it happens on the haze season? It isn't a really good start to a day when you awake to the smell of smoke lingering in the air. Suffocating.... Assailing.... Yet life must go on.......

On June 23, 2013 - A date that will live in infamy. Nilai has been suddenly and deliberately attacked by the combined might of ash and smoke by the empire of the haze. It is obvious that planning the attack began many weeks ago. During the intervening time the haze government has deliberately sought to deceive Nilai by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the Nilai people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory!!!

The Eccentric began the morning with a do or die mission to breakthrough the blockade set by the haze.

He knows the best way to mask his presence would be to use the train system. The haze now guards the station but Eccentric's camouflage capabilities successfully hide him from unwanted attention. After 40mins of  hiding in the train, he jumped off the moving train at Midvalley. Moving with the crowd, he blended in and evaded the guards to infiltrate the building.

His objective is to obtain crucial database for the war efforts in the cineplex at the top floor. However his move was anticipated by the haze. Despite the fact that they are unable to locate the Eccentric, they activated their back up plan and blasted the air con to the max inside the cineplex. The Eccentric had to endure more than 2 hours of freezing hell for those data, all the while shivering to generate as much heat as possible. 

With the vital information stored in his brain, Eccentric escaped into the Gardens to escape the numbing chill. He knows he had to restore his body heat if he is to survive. He gobbled up all the chicken and cheese he could find without hesitation, striking a terrible blow with this heroic action - cutting off the haze's supply line.

Having rested and restored his strength, Eccentric began to make good his escape. Will he make it out of that place alive? May the force be with him.....

Their Valentine 2011 (Part 4)

Up up and away!!!!

14th February 2011: This is the final entry to the Valentine story. J and V arrived at the hanging ship in the late evening. The sea breeze is blowing strongly against them. As abruptly as it arrives, the wind subsides gathering its full strength before returning again. Every step towards the ship gets heavier. To thread lightly would result in both of them being blown away and be lost forever.....

Access to the ship is provided by elevators, one at each tower which suspends the ship in thin air. The view from the ship is indeed breath-taking. The entire island could be seen from the ship. Ordinary ships that cluster the sea could clearly be seen from the incomparable ship of concrete. Another view that captured the attention of the couple is the gigantic flyer, another marvel which this splendid country had to offer. Travelling there proves easier than expected, barely 15 minutes walkaway from the ship both J and V are standing on.

Holding hands, the couple walked along the Helix bridge, the most beautiful walkway compared to others that provided access to the flyer. By the time they reached the place, the sky was darkening. By the time they entered the capsule it was already dark.

The capsule was for spacious than both of them had guessed, able to hold about 20 person. The dim lighting coupled with the beautiful night sceneries provides a romantic atmosphere for all those lovely couples in the capsule.

The ride was fun while it lasted but to all things must come an end and so must the ride. I will not tell of how this story ends. This chapter may have ended but there are still many pages in their book of life. And those pages are not to be written..... not yet.......

Their Valentine 2011 (Part 3)

Into Atlantis....

*the following story had been fantasized and is factually incorrect*

The sudden drop of temperature in the air signifies they are near to their destination. They approached the elevator that will take them into the lost civilization of Atlantis. The glass tunnel seems unaccessible to outsiders until J and V saw the stairs. Walking down the long winding stairs they found themselves standing in a hall filled with glass windows. Taking a peep outside the windows they are greeted by hosts of marine creatures that seem to swarm towards them, greeting them. Colourful fishes dance around, giant crabs clack their pincers, jellyfishes changing colours; all welcoming the couple to their haven.

After acknowledging the welcoming party, J and V continue towards the hallway. Unknown to them a trap was laid in the place to trick the minds of unwary travelers. A great white shark appears out of nowhere screaming towards J and V eagerly to consume both as snacks. Fighting back fear the couple stood their ground. Unable to scare its victims the shark comes to a standstill. After what seems like an eternity the couple took a step nearer and realized that the shark was merely a holographic projection, a clever devise as a first line of defense for the underwater world.....

Holding hands, J and V continue along the hallway until the water itself seems to block them off from the tunnel ahead. The two of them debated on the next course of action when a gigantic sting-ray swam towards them with exhilarating speed. The couple did not notice the ray until its too late and was swallowed up alive....

J opened his eye and found himself lying face flat on the dank floor. He sat up and found V right beside her, awakening to the strange ordeal they had both just encountered. Perhaps its just a dream or another defense mechanism by the underwater world. Staring out across the new surrounding the couple found themselves inside a glass tunnel surrounded by water. Sunlight pierces the water and flood into the tunnel giving it an eerie yet beautiful radiance. Large fishes and sharks swam around the tunnel staring at the couple as if sending them a silent warning against some unknown threat.....

Rather than wasting time watching the sharks they continue down the tunnel, expecting the unexpected. The sharks continue to tail the couple but for some unexplained reasons the sharks stayed their distances. After what seems like an eternity, schools of smaller fishes begun to be sighted along the tunnel. Even the sharks have all disappeared from view. Stones and ruins of an ancient civilization littered the floor bed, disrupting nature of this place. Peering into the distant dark water they could see the walls ancient buildings, cracked and damaged but have yet to succumb to age. The fact hammers into their brains at last; this must be the lost ruins of Atlantis that they have been looking for.....

Suddenly a blinding white flash appeared out of nowhere. J closed his eyes yet the intensity is so great that it flooded his mind. J hold on to V, hoping that she will be fine from this maddening ordeal. As quickly as it appears the light recedes from their brain. Out of a sudden they hear cheers and laughter all around them. Slowly J opened his eyes and adjusted to the new environment not realizing that his hands are still wrapped around V's. Both of them exchanged a glance, thankful that both of them are not hurt before turning to their new surrounding.

They found themselves in a large theater surrounded by stone steps. The steps are filled with people of all races and ethnics, sitting on those steps and facing towards the centre of the theater. Instead of a stage, there was a pool located at the centre of the theater. Dolphins and fur seals are performing various acts and stunts to the spectators who was applauding the aquatic performers loudly. J and V looked at each other amazed at what they had both just gone through and was just glad that none of them was hurt. A silent agreement came to both of them and they both sat down on the steps. Perhaps an entertaining show is a good cure to the after effects of a dream..... or was it real?........

Their Valentine 2011 (Part 2)

Getting together

J exited the LRT at P station. Directly opposite of him was the workplace of V. With the time almost approaching 5pm, J wasted no time. He entered the building and searched blindly without knowing where V is working. Luckily he was saved by the directory board located beside the lift. J took the lift and as fate would have it he was looking directly at V and there goes the element of surprise J was hoping to have on V. If V had not seen J he would have waited for V to finish her work and appeared out of nowhere surprising her ^^

Few hours later, they were both taking a stroll in the night life of the city of lion. The lights gives the city a spectacular view whether from the ground or air. Fate once again helped us, guiding us with invisible hands towards the magnificent Esplanade theater, a place which we can only see across the lake yet unable to reach. J took V to an underground shop selling chocolates where they came across a tunnel to the Esplanade. At the other end of the tunnel they found themselves inside Esplanade ^^

Another breathtaking view would be the architectural magnificence of Marina Bay Sands. Three towers supporting a concrete ship suspended in the sky coupled with its ever changing lights, it would be a sin to not marvel at the building. V was taking J on a walk to Clarke Quay when the opportunity for the photo below to be taken appeared ^^

Despite having traveled a great distance, with cramps on the leg and sweat on his head, J doesn't feel tired nor pain. All he could think of at that moment was V, the soft smooth fingers and hand wrapped around his hand, the brushing of their arms together whenever they bumped into each other, the sweet voices coming out from V's mouth, everything about V. Without even remembering how, J found themselves staring at the Merlion. They spend sometime relaxing and taking photos before making the long journey back......

Coming out from the tunnel once again they appeared before a cathedral. The European classical design reminds J much of his school. Knowing that V is getting tired after the long walk, J hastily took a picture of the place and left with V.

Thus 13th February ended. A new story will unfold on the 14th February......

Their Valentine 2011 ( Part 1)

How the escapade began....

The story begins in a night much uncommon like others. It was chilly, with the winds blowing fiercely into the room. J was sitting on his bed nervously waiting for the time to come. He checked his watch. It was 10.30pm on the 12th of February 2011. The time has come for J to meet up with his colleague R who will send him to the airport. J made one last check on his baggage and took the first step towards his dearly beloved V....

The journey to the airport proves to be uneventful. J bid R a farewell and walked into the airport. He stared around, wondering how to kill time until his flight departure on the next morning. His emotions start to change after arriving at the airport, with excitement slowly replacing nervousness. Without a reason past memories of J's internship at the airport starts flooding back like a movie. With those memories come a sense of peace and J eventually doze off on one of the many seats in the terminal.......

It was freezing in the departure hall. J, as usual is clothed in his short sleeve shirt was shivering. The watch showed 5.00am. After checking in on the 13th of February 2011, time moved slowly. J could barely feel his numbed fingers. Even the toilet failed to escape the torment of the cold air. Holding on to his memories for V, J endured and waited......

Without realizing it, J was standing at a foreign land. Exploring a new place would have been an adventure for J but not this time. J is here for V and nothing will distract him, not this time. Guided by V's direction and the sign boards, J had no problem finding his way around this foreign land. J cannot help but be amazed at how efficient the public transportation system of this country which practically speed up J's journey greatly compared to driving. Standing in front of a cathedral, J took his next step.....

J opened his eyes and the image of the room's ceiling came into view. He sat up and adjusted the table lamp. J turned the dial slowly on the table lamp and the room brightens up. The room's design is simple yet has its own sense of elegance. Once again like before J looked at his watch. Its 2pm, it is time. Despite V's concern for J's exhaustion after the long journey, J insisted on meeting up with V at her work place. No distances or exhaustion will stop J from seeing V, nothing will. Taking a quick shower to freshen up himself, J left the room. The time has come for J to meet V and pick her up from work.....

New Year Eve celebration at work

This year was the first time ECCENTRIC had to work during Chinese New Year. The experience is indeed a new and unique one. Not only does he get paid well for that few days but he also get to witness how the Vietnamese celebrated the new year while at work ^^

ECCENTRIC was invited to celebrate new year eve with his Vietnamese operators. Clearly work does not stop them from celebrating the new year. It's almost 7pm when the commotion began. The Viets began preparing for the party at the restroom and the shouting can clearly be heard from the office (the Viets are a rowdy bunch when it comes to celebration). After the preparation is done ECCENTRIC was invited to the restroom for the party.

People say a picture says a thousand words so it's best to let the photo do the talking:

festive mood

no celebration is complete without singing songs

makan time ^^

makan time ^^

left to right: Thom, Thanh and Bao Triet

left to right: Thi Giang, Thi Lieu, Duc, Thi Lung

front: Tuan

On my left: supervisor Ruzaime

From left: Lien, Trinh, Thu, Tuan, ECCENTRIC, Thom, Thanh and an unidentified Bangla from QC section

From left: Ba Loi, Duc and ECCENTRIC

Thi Lan and ECCENTRIC

Even though everyone was tired after working for hours, the party still went on energetically. There was shouting, cheering, singing and joy. Although it's just for one hour still it was special and memorable. Never before ECCENTRIC experienced such mood during New Year before.

A brand new year.....

It's been almost a month into 2011. The year so far had been challenging to ECCENTRIC. Work has been tough. Life has been a shamble. Love has been separated by a sea. Family has been blocked by mountains. Overall 2011 has been a spiritually tiring year for ECCENTRIC so far.....

Work has its ups and downs. A brand new year means a brand new series of responsibilities. ECCENTRIC has been meeting and collaborating with new people. When things go as planned, a sense of fulfillment fills his heart. When things don't go as planned.....well let's not get into it. Working as a shift officer yet have to do normal shift officer's work is really burdening. It's like doing two man's job but only getting paid one man's salary :(

Personal life haven't been too exciting. Life has been dull so far. The only small contention ECCENTRIC can get is from watching movies and wondering around shopping malls. Other than that rotting would best describe his life when he's not working.

Seeing your dear once every few months is not really the ideal type of relationship one would hope for. It's been more than a month now since ECCENTRIC last saw V. Every night he would wait for V to finish work so they can chat online. With V's roommate around, there's no privacy for even phone chats. Thanks to his work, its hard for him to even stay awake to wait for V to online. Had it not been for the constant sms, things sure wouldn't last long.....

Work in Nilai. Home in Ipoh. Driving from one place to the other would cost 3 hours per trip. Thanks again to work, ECCENTRIC only have 1 rest day per week. In order for him to go home, he have to drive home after work and drive back to working place the following evening. 1 day is all he get. One night is all he have.

2011 has been cruel so far. May the chinese new year bring new hope and life to ECCENTRIC. May everyone including ECCENTRIC have a prosperous chinese new year GONG XI FA CAI!!!