CK on a not-so-bad day

Bad days just happen sometimes. Some are days when you wake up in a very bad mood and this is one of those days that I knew up front that ‘I hate being me’. But, I swore I didn’t wake up at the wrong side of the bed. I’m in a sour mood, but I keep telling myself one or two things that happened today that aren’t that bad. Rehearsing lines in my head that ‘today was not all that bad after all’. Somehow, Monday blues has started to kick in. Got through a busy week and another one to go. I wish I had the love to go to work, that will definitely help me advance. Here's to Monday meetings and dumb presentations. On an exciting note, I’ll be out of town for 3 days. I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend.

A bus full of screaming, pooping, crying, children

Your car won’t start, dead battery.

You got busted at work, not your fault.

It’s raining outside, you're drenched.

Aaaarrggghhh!

Beef, It's What's NOT for dinner

This post is a little insight to my personal self. Friends call me CK, hence the blog name, and they all know I do not consume any beef related food period. I am half a Sikh and I do take ‘not-eating-beef’ a serious affair. It has never been in my diet from birth and I don’t feel the need to put it in now or any other time. A lot of people have their misconceptions to why we, Sikhs do not consume beef. The Sikhs believe that we should not eat meat that are ritually slaughtered and I don’t think there is any philosophy of worshiping the cows has got anything to do with it as Sikhs do not give any animals, any higher status over others. The Hindus however, do not eat meat for a different reason; to say the Hindus worship cows or consider cows holy would not be completely right but, rather, in times when food is scarce it would be shortsighted to kill a cow for food when it can provide milk for many years. It took me years to grasp the idea to why beef was never served at the dinner table and most times friends would say, “CK, you’re missing out on sooo much!”…but really am I? I don’t feel it though. I took some time to think about the food I cannot eat. Here’s the short list and what’s your say?

NO: Nacho melted in beef sauce, Big Mac, Spaghetti Bolognese, Sirloin Steak, Oxtail Soup, Ribs, Sheppards Pie, Lasagnia, Beef Satay, Tapsilog, Cornbeef, Rendang and I think there's many more.

If you're feeling like this...you're not alone.

Was I excited...

...for the Olympics? Hell yeah! What did I think about it? It was amazing just like how amazing that every product you pull off a shelf is ‘Made from China’. You reckon London can outdo them in 2012? We’ll just have to wait patiently now but what I do know is that it would be less controversial compared to this one. A question that everyone keeps asking would be, ‘Did Brunei send anyone?’ The answer to that question days before would be ‘I don't have a clue’ and the answer to that now is here. My friend told me that his country has got 200 or so people taking part and expecting to bag 5-10 golds or so but you know how, the Olympic is in Beijing, I wonder if the Chinese would dominate? With over a billion people surely they can ruffle up some big feathers but I’d seriously be disappointed if a Chinese wins the 100m finals. That’s just wrong. Poor Africans running everywhere in search of food, wives, running away from the police, etc etc. They have had free training and I mean it in a way that it's a good thing. I love Africans. Super endurance, naturally built for speed and marathon runners.

The Remedy?

My friend Reggie from Wellington was listening to me over net radio (streaming was terrible so he could only hear jack all) and I have not heard much from him in months! I used to dominate him in a game of pool. Was soopa good at it or maybe he was just that bad. Reg is an intern. He just started on a new rotation of paediatrics and checked up on an 8 week old today, she smiled at Reg like he was her dad. That must be intense! It was quite emotional for Reg. He told me docs have to hold it together at least in front of the patient at times. He also recommended me to listen to one of Kiwi’s best radio station. Apparently their breakfast show is hilarious.

Here are recommendations from Dr. Reg when feeling sleepy at work:

Do a little dance, it'll send blood to your brain or alternatively hit your head on the table. Reg will be certified next year so his suggestions are almost fully valid. In fact it's actually gospel so you shall adhere to it. After all docs know best.

CK’s recommendations when feeling sleepy:

D.A.N.C.E also. Try this something I call fishing, just pretend you have a fishing rod and that you are using it. That’s a dance move. Do it to the left, right and centre and the back. I’ve got plenty of other moves which I can only show you, it’s hard to describe Oh the pop drop and lock is a good routine too. I also like a 4 step routine like left foot forward at an angle to the left, right foot follows, then right foot to the right horizontal and left foot follows. Ahh it's too much to describe.

Murder Still Haunts

Photo seen around the world: Grieving villagers carried Senkwekwe, a 530-pound silverback, from Virunga Park on July 24, 2007. His murder, and that of half his family, ignited worldwide outrage.

Remember this from last year? This photo led tears to my eyes while reading last month's issue of NGM . Mountain gorillas are an endangered species with some 700 alive. Nearly half of these animals live in Virunga National Park which borders Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The gorillas are caught in the middle of the Congo’s ongoing civil war between militia groups and the Congolese Army. 700 remaining and counting down. Shameful conservation corruption.

Who Murdered the Virunga Gorillas?

Heavily armed militias shatter the stillness in this central African park. Desperate refugees crowd park boundaries. Charcoal producers strip forests. Then, last summer, someone killed seven of these magnificent creatures in cold blood.

What shall we do with the dead iPods?

Have had my iPod Video for two years now and still haven’t figured out how to use it yet! Ok, I haven’t tried that hard since the initial few tries. The problem is I can never understand how to sync my iPod with the itunes. I'm an idiot to pay for an iPod as a fashion accessory and I speak for those who have dead iPods cluttering dust. If Apple products are overpriced and over-hyped, why is that I want an iPhone 3g too? All in the name of fashion? (please ignore my retro mac template, its just pretty)

Hey Hey, Dalai Lama, How many ppl did u fool 2day?

Read an article on the “Eight Don’t-Asks” When Chatting with Foreigners. Some people find this a laughing matter but other people say it doesn't deserve the mockery. Now, why don't the Beijing Olympic committee just come up with "Eight Do-Asks" questions instead as a more approachable friendly gesture to avoid cultural clashes. Taking a look at the list, what is it that one should ask instead? Somehow, I'm sure the locals are well aware of the differences in cultural etiquette, conversation openers and small talk taboos. Here are the 8's. Read on.

Don’t ask about income or expenses.
Don’t ask about age.
Don’t ask about love life or marriage.
Don’t ask about health.
Don’t ask about someone’s home or address.
Don’t ask about personal experience.
Don’t ask about religious beliefs or political views.
Don’t ask what someone does.

p/s: Read also etiquette for interacting with handicapped athletes and proper behavior for commuters and pedestrians.