Category: Random Musings

I’ve been back in Malaysia for almost 3 years now and have been driving in KL since. After spending several years abroad, I can say that I am no longer the driver that I used to be – I am far more patient and break less rules these days. However, there are a bunch of things about KL drivers that piss me off:

• Greedy algorithm – KL drivers have this greedy algorithm running in their heads. You give them an inch and they will take it, even if it is ultimately to their detriment. Orang tamak selalu rugi. This often happens at traffic light junctions and round-abouts. Sometimes, all they need to do is to back-off and the traffic would flow smoothly but KL drivers would rather squeeze and jam the whole place up.
• Sense of entitlement – KL drivers have this notion that they are the most important people on the road. They will speed on the right lane even though they wish to exit left, and only move to the left when they are right up to the exit. As a result, they will jam up all the lanes by blocking the legitimate traffic with their insistence to exit when they are well past the point.
• Crazy taxis – KL taxis are dangerous. I have learned to never ever follow or even drive close to a taxi. They would randomly slow down, speed up, change lanes etc. I guess that this is partially because they are unfamiliar with the road but that’s no excuse with cheap GPS available these days. They really like to drive well below the speed limit, hogging up the road.
• Super speedsters – KL speeders think that they are the boss. If you are on the fast lane, driving real fast, they will flash and tail-gate you if you are not fast enough. These speeders are usually driving well beyond the speed limit and will not hesitate to engage in all manner of dangerous driving in order to get their way. I usually just ignore them.
• Parking woes – KL drivers think that they own the roads and will just park anywhere they please. Some cars even have permanent notices on their dash-board with the driver’s phone number. This has become standard practice where they will double and triple park and expect you to call them if they are blocking you. Roads are parked until there is only a single-lane left for bi-directional traffic. Idiots.

I’m sure that there are lots more issues with driving in KL but these are some that cropped into my head at this moment.

Tomorrow, the Muslims in Malaysia begin fasting for the month of Ramadhan. There are some non-Muslims who are also fasting along, for various personal reasons.

This got me thinking.

I’m one of those people who has an early dinner. My last meal is usually before sunset, around 6pm. Then, I typically skip breakfast and my first meal of the day is usually lunch at about noon. So, I don’t eat for around 18 hours.

Of course, I spend part of this asleep – typically just 6 hours each day. That means I fast for about 12 hours a day, each day of the year. Just in reverse.

From dusk till dawn (often noon).

A few evenings ago, someone mentioned to me that there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and another one between insecurity and confidence. Personally, I think that I alternate between the three states regularly – sometimes literally context switching very quickly during a conversation.

This person also told me that being insecure is not a bad thing. One needs a healthy dose of insecurity in order to constantly strive to get better. If we do not have insecurities, we will never push to improve ourselves. I think that this makes some sense.

The trick is to learn how to manage this insecurity and not allow it to overwhelm. Actually, it’s also important to manage the confidence so that it doesn’t cross too often into arrogance.

But once in a while, it’s fun to just let things be as they may.

Wow.

Catch Avenue-Q if you ever get the chance to. I loved it when I watched it several years ago. It’s really good.

I want a Malaysian Prime Minister who can inspire, who can preach of hope, and can sell a future that we can all believe in.