Ketua Perangkap Tikus

Britain has a new Prime Minister. While David Cameron may have been very busy in appointing ministers and officials to key government positions, there is one post that greatly interests me. That is the position of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office (this title - as with a lot of other titles or names - holds a lot more glamour than its malay translation).

Appointed officials are considered 'civil servants' and reside at the iconic 10 Downing Street. Operating from such a position, you will get the opportunity to be involved in the heartbeat of the current administration, rub shoulders (among many other body parts you can choose from) with top dignitaries from around the world and be the social and media darling. Downside? You only get paid £100 per year. Oh and you must meow.

As the name suggests, your job is to exterminate the little furry rodents that scamper around the hundred or so rooms at 10 Downing. The last Chief Mouser was Sybil.

Looks like her dad must have been a cow at some stage

Sybil started her term on the 11th September 2007, but failed to settle in and left after six months. It was rumored that Gordon Brown disliked Sybil, though I suspected it was the other way round. She died in July 2009.

Sybil patrolling the grounds

Now, her predecessor was something of a legend. Humphrey held the position so long that he served under 3 Prime Ministers.

Some highlights of Humphrey's career:

-Humphrey was said to be of considerably better value than the Cabinet's professional pest controller who charged £4,000 a year but was reported to have never caught a mouse.

- In November 1993, Humphrey was found to be suffering from a kidney ailment and a strict diet was instituted. A ban on feeding him treats was put in place.

- In June 1994, Humphrey was accused of killing 4 robin chicks who was nesting in a box outside the office of the Prime Minister. Then Prime Minister John Major exonerated him the next day.

- In June the following year, Humphrey went missing. He was found patrolling the nearby Royal Army Medical College where he was taken in on the assumption that he was a stray. Upon his return to 10 Downing, Humphrey issued a statement through the civil service saying, "I have had a wonderful holiday at the Royal Army Medical College, but it is nice to be back and I am looking forward to the new parliamentary session."

- Humphrey was manipulated out of office months after the Blairs moved in to 10 Downing Street. He was apparently sedated and forced into retirement.

- He died March 2006.

I could definitely make use with a Chief Mouser in my office too... but too bad, I'm a dog person.

Movie Karma

Going to the cinema to catch a movie has turned out to be something of a luxury for me. It hasn't always been like this - but with many other social and work commitments it has been relegated down the priority list. Its usually confined to public holidays and even then, not always.

This schedule effectively means that I will miss lots of blockbusters ... the 2012 movie showing being one of them. I thought it would't be that bad since I had borrowed a DVD version, but it turned out to be a dud.

I'm Dud

Fortunately the Gods of All Things Cinematic (Oh yeah, its a real deity alright! Talking loudly during a movie will ensure you get crappy front row seats for the next few movies you attend...that sort of thing) has decided to step in and show some mercy. When my wife found out that 2012 will be showing in a test run to the opening of the new GSC at Suria Sabah, we jumped at the chance.

It may have been a long time in coming, but well appreciated nevertheless. You know what the best part is?

It's free! Heheh.

Pano for iPhone

I'm pretty sure that I'll be bored with the iPhone one day. Its always the case with technology, something will render it obsolete sooner or later. Not now though, I'm still having loads of fun with it. Got myself the Pano app over the weekend. (Please click on the pics for a larger view)

Putting the app through its paces

Sundays at the gym, that's one of the reason why I like to go at that time. You can set all the treadmills at the same speed then run all the way from the first one on the left to the last one on the right by treadmill-hopping.

Mixing Pano and Macro - Pacro!

This app makes me taller too!

Why My Mom Is Great

Does your mom brush her teeth with the same toothbrush she uses to scrub the toilet? WELL MINE DOES! BEAT THAT!

Ok, I have to explain that was my fault. My sis was hospitalized and my mom sent my dad home to get supplies for her to spend the night there. My job was to grab her toothbrush. Well, we were in a rush... and...er...it was a toothbrush.LOL.

Good thing moms are forgiving. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.

It's Been A Year

A year has passed since I've gotten married. Sharing your life with someone means a life of compromise, a need to embrace new responsibilities and shed some old habits.

One of those habits that immediately got axed was my unhealthy snacks. Within minutes of officially moving into our home after our wedding, my wife did a stock check of the supplies in the kitchen. She found some packets of instant noodles, (bought by my family members who stayed over at my place for the duration of the wedding in Kota Kinabalu) said 'Don't eat this stuff - its not good for your health' as she placed it into a black plastic bag that was destined for the dustbin.

I wouldn't say I really love to eat instant noodles. It falls under what you call the 'comfort food' category - easy satisfaction and cheap thrills. I do however like to eat my mi goreng in a very specific way.

-----Ted's Mi Goreng Special(TMGS)-----

1) Mi-Goreng - 3 packets

Indomie/Ibumie/ Mi Sedaap all ok- but not Cintan, somehow the taste doesn't go well with the third ingredient in this list.

2) Eggs - 2 of them

When the noodles are almost done, crack two eggs in and just let the egg whites cook quickly. I like to leave the yolks runny, so later when you drain the noodles, you break the yolks and let it run all over the noodles.

3) Cheese - 3 slices

Then you add the cheese slices into the still hot noodles (with the runny yolk) and let it melt thoroughly. Ohhh~ *salivating*

---------------------

That's like what... 1300+ kcals there? I usually like to have the TMGS a few times a week, and mostly as supper after work late at night. This is one of the reasons why I ballooned to 85kg at one point.

Its been a year since I've last had the TMGS, but I can still remember exactly how it tastes like. While shopping for groceries last weekend on our anniversary, I did suggest we get a packet of instant noodles...for old times sake. My wife gave me a look that would have re-frozen all the polar ice caps. *shudders*

Maybe next year la...

Take Your Meds

There are many people who refuse to take medicines. I have a customer that comes very frequently to check her blood pressure. As far as I remember her reading has never dipped below 150/90. Initially, my advise for her was to meet with her doctor as soon as possible. After many times, she just refuses to listen. Nowadays, after she finds out what her reading is, she runs away before I say another word. -.-"

This sort of thing is common. If she refuses to help herself, I won't lose sleep over what she decides to do with her health. Unfortunately, I have a close friend who has the same predicament and is equally as ignorant with her health.

Having been diagnosed with hypertension by at least a few doctors a year ago (yes she has had many second opinions done already), she still believes she can get by without blood pressure meds. Frighteningly, her pressure hovers around the 170/100 range. She complains frequently of headaches and eye pain.

I've had many talks with her regarding this. I've tried reasoning with her, warning her of the risks she is taking. Such a high pressure in her system is damaging her organs on a daily basis. She has even taken care of a bedridden family member who has had a stroke - witnessing firsthand the distress and all. So you can say she is pretty well versed in all this. She knows what she is going up against but still decides to treat herself with 'herbs.' It has reached a point where anything more I say will constitute nagging.

A few days back she had such a terrible headache that she could not walk. She vomited in the car on the way to the clinic. The clinic visit revealed what she knew was wrong with her. The doctor tried to admit her to a nearby hospital but he was valiantly turned down. She went home and watched National Geographic.

The Unfinished Portrait

Former US President Franklin Roosevelt famously complained of a 'terrific headache' during a portrait session before he slumped forward in his chair and died of a stroke shortly after. The painting was never finished. I fear my friend may be willingly walking down this path as well. There's really nothing more I can do short of force feeding her the medications . I've considered putting blood pressure medications in her food...but that will mean I have to follow her around daily with a bottle of crushed Norvascs. Worse still she if she credits her improving stats to the 'herbs' which obviously don't work.

Please, all of you who have been prescribed medications, do take them. It would be very foolish to do so otherwise. You can play around with your money all you want, but don't neglect your health. The next words I say to my friend may be a 'I told you so' besides her hospital bed. Even then she may not recognize me anymore.

Yoga's Killing Me

Or to be more specific, my wardrobe.

Right in between the family jewels section

This is the second pair of pants I've had to retire recently - and I suspect due to the body contorting acts I endured during yoga. I probably still can wear it in public, provided I walk tightly and real cautiously. Notwithstanding the title of this post, I still think yoga is very beneficial. Time to shop around for new gym clothes soon then.

Another good news, this is the last of the Vincent clothes! Ever since the dobi somehow chose to address me as Vincent (despite my laundry receipt having the name TED), I've been living in Vincent's pants, literally that is. Now Ted can finally really be Ted. Bye Vincent!