Speed don't kill, Recklessness and Idiocy does!

As I was driving back to Penang using our national highway(which is in a shambles), I couldn't help but notice so many billboards reminding car user not to speed. And speed kills a lot of people on the road each year. While I tend to agreed high speed collision is much more deadlier than slower pace one, it is people's recklessness, lack of awareness, carelessness and idiotic thinking that is usually the root cause of an accident.

Ok, occasionally some stray cows or animals decides to cross the road and that causes fatalities as well but more than not it is the human factor that is the reasons for accident to happen or waiting to happen.

While I was on the way back, it was drizzling and it was around 8 plus in the night. The sky was pouring half way through and it is generally a havoc for less talented drivers. For me, the coupe was comfortable doing 180kph along the way and never once it felt nervouse or untidy. I know my car limits, I am aware of my limits and I take precautionary steps like flashing lights from a far to let the car on the slow lane know I'm coming in fast, and occasionally some horns are blared to shoo off stupid drivers who verve into the fast lane trying to overtake a slower car while never judging the speed of the incoming cars.

Anyway, some pictures of my car and the gps readings....

A modern classic!

Just reached Ipoh and checking out the trip meter on the GPS

Look at the Max Speed column...hehe!

Speed dont kill, People kill People...or sometimes it is God's will!

Blaming speed for the fatalities on the road is akin to blaming Mc Donalds for the obesity problems affecting millions of kids worldwide, it's not Mc Donalds fault, it is the parents fault their kids is fat and lazy and that is the fact no matter which angle you look at it!

*I would like to confess that I'm a speed junkie but a very responsible, safe and conscious driver! Speed is an addiction.... 

Being upset over someone else mistake is an Injustice to yourself!

While I was having my breakfast today, I overheard a middle aged couple argue the next table. Though I'm not someone who is nosy, I can't help but to listened to every word exchange they had. Of course sitting at such close proximity helps, so does the morning serenity and quietness! It goes something like this; "I'm always doing this and doing that while you're always full of excuses" Both of the conversation centered aroung "I" which describe themself and "You" which accuse the other. It makes the whole morning thingy I enjoy bad, so I decide to leave while my morning is still sacred and nice!

On my way to office, I thought of the difficult time I had recently with the deparmental changes and some unpleasant rumors! It is horrific and very damaging to my ego, motivation and image. It also strained my relationship with my co-workers most notably JT and CiY. Though I'm trying to instill my new manager's advice; not to be too close with people you work with and try to be more professional in everydays work, ol'Jon is a sentimental fella. The negative and bad thoughts filled my mind and it was to proving to be a bad day in the making!

God as you know him, will give you a chance to cherish and remember the good things in life. By chance, I saw a Soya Bean stall(not open yet) and instantly my mind flew to Silly Bean. Some how, the thought of Silly Bean makes me smile and make me feel warm in my tummy. It re-energize me and purge the unhealthy spell I'm having. I feel alright and felt good and was smilling all the while chirping out my favorite renditions N'Sync song; This I Promise You. I remember too all the while during this difficult period Silly Bean was my pillar of strength, supporting me and comforting me in a way only Silly Bean knew how to. She was gentle but steadfast, cozy while firm and never once throw herself and Natster into the occasion. All she did was to make me chose the path I want without weighing in herself and the ridiculously cute Natster into the occasion. She told me if I wanted to resign it is ok with her as long as I'm happy. She took care of everything else so that I can concentrate on the problem. She shielded me from other problems while I'm out soul searching, looking for a way out.

I'm so thankful for Silly Bean's support and understanding. Listening to my grumbling and displeasure. Absorbing the negative 'chi' and purging the negativity spell that I was going through. I'm just so lucky to have Silly Bean along the way; Ikh Ho Van Jo Cp!

Here I decided to post the picture who has directly or indirectly gives Jon Ooi the strength and support during the dark hours...thank you everyone and I'll remember your deeds forever! I'm humble by the support given~

Natster(bout 5 months) with Silly Bean shopping at Jusco

A silly Natster half awake!

Silly Bean and Natster at Malacca

The infamous Little Red Riding Hood - wahaha!

DeNatster doing his stuff ~ being cute and cuddly

Mdm Ooi(my mother) with Natster~

The always soft-spoken mum who support me 100% even though she don't understand what is going on! Thank you mama~

My dad, a man with few words but each is a bit dramatic nonetheless; his reaction to my grumblings? "No need to work for this company, look for others!" Though I seldom say it but he is my idol for being a very patient and well mannered person.

Dad and Jasmine, her smile and innocent looks melt my heart!

Jasmine enjoying her day out shopping with me(with toys and ice-cream all kids will be happy!)

Last but not least, the dynamic duo. Joan is loud and hilarious but she cares for her friends and has a very good heart. Wei Ling is hardworking and reliable and she go the extra mile to help a friend in need!

Thank you for the prayers(Joan) support(Joan - encouraging words & Wei Ling - day to day work) and the friendship! Kam Sia CDK's prettiest, hottest and sexiest(according to Joan anyway!)

Seems like life is not that rotten anyway! Cheers~

Bad things don't stay Bad for long if we have the determination to CHANGE it!!

Ok, today I'm going to touch on cars or more specifically car manufacturers. There is a time in history that when someone wants to be left alone, all he needs to do is to buy a Korean car. The parents will be ashamed of the son, wife opting for public transport and kids generally call out some strange name in Bangladeshi language to their father at the first sight of their transport home arrive at the school gate. Such was the reception and such was the impression that Korean cars gives to their owner. Generally, if you want to be disowned by your parents, get a quick divorce and make your kids to hate you; all you need to do is go over to the nearest Hyundai or Kia dealership and sign on the dotted lines to purchase the ANTI-SOCIAL machine. Instant loneliness beckons......don't believe my ramblings? Take a look at these..

Ok, not a person to sugar coat or mince my words, why anyone would fathom owning this instant automotive turn-off is beyond me. If it is given for free then it is understandable. If I ware given one as a present; most probably the person who gave me a Hyundai or Kia hates me and want to destroy my life. Jeremy Clarkson once mention that if someone he knew owns a Korean car, he would take them off the Christmas card mailing list, pretend not to know them and be utterly embarrass to stand beside one.

Truth to be told, Korean cars of the early 90s are crap. There is no design fluidity, there is no design identity, there is no signature image, there is crappy Mitsubishi technologies and there is zero 'lust' factors in their car design. Only patriotic Koreans buy them and perhaps a few people intend on being alone and pushing love ones away. There was a sick joke that if you want a divorce, get a Hyundai.

However, Koreans are resilient. Their cars used to be crappy, but it is cheap and cheerful. A D-segment car would sell at a C-segment car prices. You pay dirt and get a lot of wheels, perfect for those looking at cars as a mere transport from point A to point B. In short, folks who own a Hyundai or Kia would probably hate their cars and could be considered borderline sadist; the way they hurt their own eyes and the eyes of others!

Koreans, the people from KimChi land took it all in. No complaints, no reasons being given, no blaming others and no nonsense from them. They work their arse off, hire the correct people based on their ability not nationality, knuckle down, grit their teeth and work their socks off. They learned to create soul in their cars from the Italians, attention to details from the Germans, efficiency from the Japanese and Determination to succeed from cultured from their KimChi spirit, the end results speaks very highly of their effort;

The 2010 Hyundai Sonata(I might get this one, hehe!)

2009 Kia Koup(too bad I love my Fiat too much but a stunner nonetheless)

North American Hyundai Genesis Coupe(another hit by the Kimchi ppl)

The New Hyundai Tuscon - Looks better than the RAV4

2011 New Kia Sportage - Move aside CR-V

Kia Sorento - Silly Bean's new car if all goes well

So come end of the year, I might be owning 2 Korean cars! To think that a decade or two ago they were the laughing stock of automotive world is scary. They improve so much during the 2000's churning good quality cars with solid engineering foundations with cars like the Accent, Elantra, Rio and Spectra. It was cheap and good to run but lacking that design finnesse of top notch car manufacturer possesses.

And now the coming of age for the Korean cars. And I'm so ready to own a Korean car now and wouldn't be risking my friendship, relationship and style. Moreover KimChi cars has lots of goodies with low pricing, slap that together with a desirable body-shape and we have a winner! Moreover the tech department of the Korean has improve so much that there is little room to differentiate between Japanese, American or French cars in terms of reliability, power, refinement, efficiency and so on! So let's hope my plan goes well and I'm be having some KimChi cars to go around soon....

Moral of the story, do not be afraid of criticism and insults. Take them as positive energy and prove that you have what it takes to succeed. You can sulk about it but you can also do something about it. If you choose the Korean way you will endure a lot, learn a lot and will probably have just reward! So here you go, Korean cars will be the next big thing in the agenda, and the Korean car jokes will sound like an awful tasteless joke in the next few years. Maybe we can choose Proton as the mule the next time we want to crack an automotive joke!

Long live Hyundai & Kia(World Number 5) and slow death to boring cars from Toyota!