Don't lose focus please sir..agreed..lets settle this..

The whole LRT system was out on last Tuesday, if I can remember correctly. So many things happened with the whole public transportation systems lately. A minor or major, here or there, that does not matter. I am already late for my meeting! It is not just the train systems, the ticketing, the gates, there all go hairwire that particulat day! Queue snaked at the KL Sentral.

Taxi service is another problem. Before you enter a taxi, the driver asked you where you want to go! That line shouldn't even be in the taxi's drivers script! Afterall they will be paid for wherever we want to go. They (taxi drivers) may have they preference, but standard execuses from them, " I am going back home, the other way. so not going that way..sorry", "It is jammed there.. sorry", " I am on call and passenger waiting that area",...how far is true..but most of these answers are standard answers..hope they will improve..

Moving on .. Singapore 7-9 August 2008

I was recently in Singapore. Meet with some people in the industry and meet new friends. Yes it has been sometime that I have left this blog, but will keep this open as my travel diary...

Kota Bharu, Kelantan

It has been sometime now. can't really recall when was the last time, I have been to KB. It is a day trip only for this time. The airports the the venue and then back home again tonite. Can't expect anything except job done by 3.30pm today. However, flight for tonite is scheduled to be at 8pm.

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Nothing is really perfect....

It is raining heavily this morning, now. I am waiting for my next train at 7.58am to KL.

Yesterday evening, this ERL has encountered technical problem. It was the combined service as alternative. Transist and Express all in one! The train was packed! Chaos of course. The guy, from India, even pushed the station's trolley into the train to get his luggage in which made situation worst!

At Cyberjaya/Putrajaya station, saw a train on tow, that must be the problem. 


It doesn'tmatter, things happens and sometime you just have have to accept,nothing is perfectly alright. 
I reached home, not too bad around 9pm.

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The long wait...nothing new..

Public transport, moving forward, what are our expectation? Nothing heard of, from the public transport bodies just some general complement that it will better and nothing specific yet.

So what are our expectations? Don' ask, we wait and wait and wait and wait and wait....die!

Men have pride too, don't take things for granted!

The first photo was taken when the Chinese president went to US.

The second photo was taken when Bush went to China

Footsteps

Fast footsteps up the escalators, I heard from the platform and the trains neared the station. Those footsteps belonged to the late comers, like me always, but not today. Today, I take the late train and I have conditioned myself to be 'ok' of the situation. 
No rushing, be cool, take care of my precious health.

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The Waiting

7.05pm, I was late by 2 minutes this evening. Before Sentral KL, I was on the Putra from Kerinchi. 6.55pm it was packed and we were again "crushed" after picking up others at Bangsar. It was the last station prior Sentral! Everyone wants to go home in time! The skies was full of rain clouds and was already small showers here and there. It would be worst if it rain heavily.

Arriving late or early, depending on which train you are waiting, doesn't seemed to make any difference. You have ample time to update what ever you have not update yet in the air-con waiting room.


The train finally arrived at 7.25pm.


rgds joQ

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Listen to it pours....

It's raining again KL! Things can be difficult for us to move around. When it rains the heavens seem to come to the ground, pouring out all it have. 2 days ago ( I was on leave) the rain had caused the train to slow down giving an extra 30 minutes the least! It heavy just now. Just hope this train will not be affected.

rgds joQ

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Predictive Methodology?

It is the cosy train again! Seem like some of the assets are dwindling in peformance. Yesterday, there is only one serviceable out gate. Just imagine the queue. My friend, Wan has to sit on the staircase to wait for his turn to get out of the station at S.tinggi. 
Blame the weather or whatever, isn't there any predictive maintenance methodology at hand?

Rgds joQ

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Deo is on the move.....

Today is the 2nd day for Azrul@Deo, my friend, at his new work place, another organization. Did not call him yesterday, his first day and furthermore I was taking a day off to service my car in Seremban. He is on the move. Good for him because he is on the left of the bell curve and rising whilst I am on th right! Hope he remembers his friends and read the blogs like always, why not, 'cos, he is my blogging teacher!

rgds joQ

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Islands

Don't favour islands position at Sentral KL. Limit your mobility especially at peak hours. You have to have agility and some acrobatic skills to get you through the crowds and the limited passage ways. Hope they are thinking more the commuters conviniences rather then the islands' rentals. A better positioning of the islands would to have them on the sides instead of the middle. Commuters converge in the center from more than 6 directions, mostly, need to rush to catch the next train or bus or taxies. But with the islands in the middle, it causes a lot of stess for us.

So KL Sentral, think again, who are your customers?

rgds joQ

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Plugged ears

Standing from Salak Tinggi this morning. Well, not too bad. The next stop will be Putrajaya and someone will get off in 7 minutes. I will take the seat then, then only I can scribble on my blog better. Saw those seated already have their eyes closed. Some have their ears plugged with headphones.

The train slows down as it nears the station and stop. One MAS employee got off and I took his seat. I am sitting next to the guy who have his ears plugged! And I can hear the music! Wondered what he is hearing!

Other got into the train and they stand! The train closed it door and was on the move again.

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Gadget Man

4 seats, 2 facing each other, 2 guys one back from the US showing and telling his friend his new gadget! PDA phone! Telling his friends all the functionality of his new phone, "Best! Best!" The other guy acknowledge. The girl across me, quietly answering some calls once in a while. She looks patience enough on the tech talks between the 2 neighbours. All about gadgets! Me? Busy taking notes and observing. Almost Petrajaya still same topics..ahhh..they are from my organization. No wonder! Stay low, never let them know who you are! Haha!

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My 4 days Break!

Many things are to be said but are not able to, since going on leave last Thursday. I flew over to Miri where my other siblings are and so are my full grown nieces and nephews not to mentioned the older generations. That is where my roots are. Not that they are far away, but seeing them once in almost 2 years average can be more exciting. Visits after visits and backed at sis place late at night. So packed and tired by end of day..so I just left this blog unposted for the
moment.

However, I will try to catch.
rgds joQ

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The Practical Trainee

Remember Hamid? One of his big size so is sitting facing me. He is on 5 months practical training for his tech/mech drawing certificate, so as he told me, some way at Techpark, Bukit Jalil. He will have to get off at Tasik Selatan, take the Star to Bukit Jalil and then the bus to the Techpark. Every day of the 5 months! He'll have about 2.5 months more to go! Young man, no problema.

Best part is, he got paid RM750.00 per month by the IT company! Rgds joQ

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The Football Officer

Meet a football coach this morning. Not so big name team - Education Labuan. Told me me was here for briefing and the league draw of the Piala Ketua Pengarah. First time meeting in Putrajaya, a hussle for him. Hotel is Pan Pac KLIA, no time for KL because meeting will be a
whole day! 
Labuan has changed now, if your last visit was 2 years ago, according to him.


The ERL train stopped at Putrajaya. I did not get his name right but I knew who he was - Football Office, from the badge on the left of his jacket.



rgds joQ

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The Dew and Monies

It will be a hot day today. At least in Salak Tinggi and Nilai. Why? It is a misty morning. The dew settled to be at same level of the lalang. My sifu told me of this sign before.



So my monthly pass has expired. Need to buy a new pass for the month, RM225.00. The previous pass have around RM86.00 remaining but again, consider that burnt!

Platform now filled with eager workers of all categories bound for KL. I can see the train now. It is the express model. Lately, we commute in this model. Maybe they encountering problems with the transist model. hope this will be permanent! The seats are much cozy here.


The sun is shinning brigthly from the East. Yes, a hot day!

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Overheated

Hamid, a man I knew in the train, commuted daily with his 2 sons, big in size like their father, stopped his van immediately after the turn from the main highway. "Temperature naik" which mean, overheated which I hardly heard the words because of the traffics and my helmet! I can only make the word he said through his sign language, showing his index fingers and slowing flicking it. Oh..ok! It's ok he said, because he has his other son to bring along the water for the radiator. I reached the station late, so need to wait for another half hour.

Then at 7.56, I saw Hamid appearing at his favorite spot at the platform.


Rgds joQ

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The Test Rider

Time is 7.09am. I bye-byed everyone and speeded to the station. I felt small when a big kawasaki zoomed by. My throtlle was already at 90km/hr. Moments later, a rempit overtook me! I thought I was already doing ok! Dare not to go fast on a busy highway. Too many lorries this morning. Noticed a pair of shoes on the road, meters apart. Something, must have happened earlier. My sixth senses was playing with my emotions. Better take extra care from now today. Yeah, soon I turned into the long straight road to the station. It is ok now, I rammed at
120Km.

See my bike can go!

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Space

How much space is comfortable in a public transport? The seat was design meant to be for one person per seat, sitting down and maybe fiddling his or her mobile or reading a book . Reading papers? That will be crossing your neighbour's privacy. A good approach maybe, by offering the other fold-outs as a gestures saying" sorry, man, I got to read this now, hope you don't mind!" The norms will be a head nod or "thanks" . Some may just tell themselves "..can't you just read without spreading your wings too wide!". What about you, what will you be saying saying?

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The Dash

Those days I used to compete in the huddle and the steeple chase and never won! This morning, my instinct to catch the train was strong. It was maybe about 200 meters or more to the platform and I have to run under a minute with the pebbles, the gate, up the escalator and down the staircase! The prize - 7.30am train! I was the last to hop into the coach! I was still panting and sweats are building up while logging this dash!
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Mondays

Whilst you are always eager and motivated to be at work on Mondays, it must however be taken with reservation, because Mondays usually have surprises.


As usual, after 2 days or more left idle my 150cc bike need several kicks before the engine roared.

So, off I went and 3 minutes later at the roundabout, already there was an accident!. A light brown proton wira with it's bonnet in argony! Must be a hard slammed from a big vehicles. It's hazzard lights flickering away. Looked like only the car was hit badly.

The sky is just breaking up at 7am and I continued my ride, praying, ..."O Allah, make it a good Monday for me, have me savely home by end of the day."

Rgds joQ

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Handicap using ticket?

She, a blind women, stepped into the LRT from Bangsar to KL Sentral. It was peak hours time, the train packed like sardines. No, she choosed not to be seated because she is going just to KL Sentral.

A young veiled malay girl hold her during the short ride. Getting off is maybe scary for her, I guessed, so I stayed close behind her. Seemed that she is not familar with the station tropo. Saw her white stick hitting the floor vigorously. I guided her to the escalator. I left her there and I took the staircase.

We have to queued at the exit. Again I heard that familiar sound. I turned around a saw her going for the queue. She had a ticket in her hand! The security on duty took her through the side gate and she was waving the ticket in her hand. The security put it through the reader. Then she walked on "tick, tick, tick, tick, tick....."

I don't know, do special citizens need tickets for public transport? Can't the counter or any of the staff on duty see her buying the ticket or going through the gate where she got in..Bangsar?

p.s. Do they have to buy tickets at movies? Maybe, they'll get through if the ticket counters staff are not sensitive!

rgds joQ

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Temporary Slip

My monthly pass was unreadable yesterday evening on my way back home. The gate says "ticket unreadable". The counter gave me a "temporary slip" and told me to collect my unreadable monthly ticket at anytime a day after.

With the slip it is much faster, no queue required. The side auto-gate is faster.

Now, question is, can I have the "temporary slip" permanently?

rgds joQ

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Aunty take this seat

"No, it's all right, thank you!" That's how 'some' people answer you, surprisingly! So, not all taking advantage or opportunity. Some understandbly knowing they arrived late at the station will be at disadvantage, that they have to stand throughout the journey, not long though. 10 minutes to Tasik Selatan or 20 minutes to Putrajaya or 30 minutes to Salak Tinggi. Ok..enjoy the trip standing aunty wherever you will be getting off.

Almost first stop now..and someone near her stood up to get off the station Tasik Selatan, and now she have to sit throughout the rest of the journey..I felt good seeing her seated.

rgds joQ

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Next 30 minutes

Saw the ERL crossing the interchange. I'll missed my usual train, the 7.28am. Missed it by 3 minutes! The next train will be at 7.58am. ETA office a bit tight 8.45am. That's 15 minutes late! However, you can compensate by completing your tasks, way after 6-8pm. Swept my monthly pass through the gate. RM135.00 remaining. No problem with the pass, after all, it will be invalid when the period is dued in early April. So there goes some RM80.00 (more or less). Just consider that as a sunk cost for the month's transportation. It is still very cheap.

Two airplanes flew over the station. They just took off from KLIA. Their flight paths has always been the same. So are the 4 express ERL trains that went passed the station both ways.

Announcement in the station saying our train will arrive in 2 minutes. Better pack now, the crowds are building up.

Rgds joQ

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30 Minutes

Talking about bliz talks, tonite I met Mokni of HR and Rizal of GEMS on the LRT and ERL. Talks focus on current movement in the organization. Mokni said the confusion over the letters sents was due to non-availability of valithe dated lists of and names from units/divs sent to them. Rizal talked about the future and beyond of where the organization will be. Everyone has their rights to worry.

Rgds joQ

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Transfer

Finally, despite the chaos that I went through daily for the last 2 days, I finally got my transfer order. I have been here for about a year and a half and it is time to move on to get more operational experience. The effective date forf tansfer will be 1st April 2008 and that is just next week! So it nothing new, just a transfer but the job will be almost the same.

Rgds joQ

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Appreciating

Some people do have problem with appreciating. I don't know why. Life must have been so cold that appreciation is no longer a word in their dictionary. I tried my best to protect so that the function and the unit will still hold a reputation. Somehow my trying was looked the other way.

Again, I am in control of my emotions. I knew that, that he wants is just info and that's nothing to do with life and death! So, what the hack! Just get a phone call and that's it. It is good that he has a sandbag somewhere in his unit. I still can absord it. I think, better this way that react because from what I see, I can never win in words. Not all is right. Sometime his explaination are wrong. But again, you can never win! Make it easy on him, give him what he wants. Sometime it is just impossible to be doing 2 things at a time and you are also at two different places! So silence is the best strategy

Rgds joQ
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Friends

Friends are good to have. Simple things on train can changed good ideas.Most popular topic is current political issues. Can't go detail now just testing on mobile posting.

Rgds, joQ

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