I'm Not Asleep, My Eyes Are Just Closed

I was on a plane home and was making small talk with the lady who sat in the same row as me. I'm not one for chit-chatting but you know it's one of those things when you are on a plane: it would be rude and perak not to say a few words to your immediate neighbour. Especially since I had just climbed over the her lap to get the window seat. Neighbour: So, where do you live in KL? Moi: I live in Subang actually. I'm on leave from work, so I'm going home to see my parents. Neighbour: Oh, so you work in a factory here? Moi: (trying to keep a straight face) Uh, no. At this point, some would say that I should have puffed out my chest, turn up my nose and say in my haughtiest voice, "Hey, saya doktor tau!" Truthfully, it would be more embarrassing for me than her if I did say that. Not that there's anything wrong in being a factory worker, and I'm not so full of myself that I'd get offended if people don't lick my arse and say, "Ya Tuan Doktor...

Being in the operating theatre is like being in an oasis of calm. It's a blessed escape from the bustle of the wards where people shout from one end of the ward to the other. There are no visiting hours in theatre. It's infathomable to me why many people think that going to the hispital to visit sick loved ones is a good oppurunity for a fun day out with the family. God, I hate screaming kids. I can hate them but I hate the parents more for neglecting to teach their kids how to behave. Rolling around in a tantrum on the ward floor and playing with your grandma's cathether bag is NOT acceptable behaviour! If Scotland has made laws banning parents from smacking their kids, can there be a law allowing us to smack the parents instead? The other good thing about being in theatre is that you can pretend to be doing IMPORTANT things when you are actually swinging your feet having a cup of coffee waiting for the next patient to roll in. Ah, yes, everything is clean and orderly in t...

This week I celebrated my 28th birthday. This week I was accidentally stabbed with a needle contaminated with the blood of a patient with Hepatitis B. It was all going so well, I thought. The patient had already been screened for HIV and venereal disease and she was in the clear. What are the chances that she would be positive for Hepatitis B? Well, 100% as it turned out. I wasn't terribly upset at first. It was a small nick that didn't bleed much, though it surprised me enough that I yelled in the operating theatre. Everybody froze when they realised what had happened. My colleague felt bad for accidentally stabbing me with the suture needle. As I pointed out, it was an accident. I was double-gloved and we were all following the correct procedures, so it was unfortunate that I got a needlestick injury. What pissed me off was the attitude of the staff when I was trying to get all the various forms filled out and sent off to the correct persons. Their primary concern seemed to b...

1. The limited pressing new Delays EP ‘Love Made Visible’. Only 2000 copies available, aacccckkk! 2. A new set of headphones – my long-serving and long-suffering JVCs are falling apart. 3. All the episodes of Dexter that I haven’t seen. The longer I go without any new Dexter the higher the chances I will go to Television Without Pity and ‘spoiler’ myself. 4. World peace. Nah, just kidding.

5058 It’s mocking me. It has been 5058 for a good half an hour now. Surely somebody must be working behind there. I see people moving about but no change in the queue number. I am number 5079. Welcome to the Immigration Department. 5059 I’m bored out of my skull. I’ve read through three different newspapers, including the classifieds, the ingredients on the gum wrapper and all the notices on the information board. (My gum contains sodium stearate which I have never come across in chewing gum before. This is also an indication of how bored I am that I actually bought gum to chew.) 5060 I’m out in the lift lobby calling the hospital to say I’ll be at least another hour an a half. That is actually wishful thinking on my part but I hope to get my papers sorted today. A dozen men in chains march past accompanied by two immigration officers. Both of them are carrying batons. Somehow, they all squeeze into the men’s toilet. I wonder if they get their chains taken off. That reminds me. I need ...

Once upon a time, I had no idea how I was to survive the end of the Supernatural season. First, there was the anxiety over whether there would be a third season. When confirmation came through that there would indeed be more of The Delectable Winchesters, I couldn't believe how long I had to wait for the next season. But the television heart is resilient - it finds other ways to fill the void. It limits its visits to the Supernatural website and slowly weans itself off The Brotherly Medicine. It finds other television shows to like, other forms of entertainment to obsess over. Time flies when you're having fun, and lo and behold, it is now October and the first episode of season 3, entitled The Magnificent Seven , will be airing in the US tomorrow, the 4th of October. My 'ardent admiration' for Supernatural has faded a bit but I am keen to see what happens next. How will the Winchesters dig themselves out of the hole they've dug themselves into? How much ragging wil...

Music Editors - in the days when they wore loose jeans This month has been devoted totally to the awesome goodness that is Editors (not the) whose addictive tunes and passionate delivery have made me swoon in musical delirium. Thanks to the fan forum on the official website (yes, yes, I go to forums now, let’s leave it at that) and their plethora of hardcore and tech-literate fans, there is an abundance of live footage and live recordings of the band’s performances for one to covetously download and savour. (Especially when yours truly has little chance whatsoever of seeing them live). So, when I'm not skulking on the interweb, I'd be enjoying some of the gems below: 1. Fall (live video recording Pukkelpop Festival 2005, Belgium; London Calling 2005, Netherlands) On record, 'Fall' is hypnotic, morose and almost ponderous. Played live, it’s a different animal altogether – intense and oozing dangerous sexiness that climaxes into a frantic scream of guitars. A favourite...