a bit fed up lah

This week was tough but next week will be harder. Lah.

This week i had the following series of challenges -

1. Joining a revolution of minions against management thus living out the concept of activism within

Bad enough minions are working in subhuman conditions with inhumane workload excessive health exposure to tuberculosis (its back!) hep C, skin diseases and conjunctivitis (i was all red-eyed for 4 days) - all under contractual conditions that don't hold a candle to the UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights).

So we formed a union and did what we do best - advocate and lobby for OUR rights for a change. Needless to say management not happy. Negotiated with management with as much bravado as could muster.

Halfway through had moment of weakness, because always seem to put myself in this sort of shit, so am very tired of it. Am not exactly flaming torchbearer of activism success but not entirely namby-pamby conformist either. Was motivated by colleague who told me that it is worth living like 'Che'. At least most of the world wears his t-shirts, she said. Ah, moments of activist cliches. But it did help.

Conclusion: management will 'discuss' and 'consider' and hold 'follow up meetings'.

We have nothing to lose but our chains.

2. Un-salt of the earth clients

It didnt help though that 2 of my clients this week were blatant lying bastards. I gave them the 3rd degree but then realised that prison was probably punishing enough. lying bastards.

3. Robotic production line

We have a quota to meet for the end of this month even if it kills us. As a result, this may be my last blog entry.

4. Event manager for pre-teen party

On top of the catastrophe unfolding, i get a call from my aunt asking if i would organise games for my 12 year old cousin's birthday party.

So i get myself over to the house and i have about 15 pre-teens in front of me. I am quite nervous and stressed at this point. I suggest the usual (right?) - musical chairs lah, passing the parcel, treasure hunt ???

The only one that was approved was a Taboo-type game i spent a good hour doing up, and which they finished in about 15 mins. All the following were described with one sentence and answered by a booming chorus in the space of 2 seconds:

Category: Food
PIZZA
Description by player - Makanan mana yang M punya favourite?

Category: Toy
Barbie
Description - Yang kita main hari-hari

Category: Toy
Hello Kitty
Description - Kucing Jepun yang ada handbag pink dan takda mulut

Category: Animal
Jaguar
Description - Yang sama dengan Kereta Formula 1
(although someone did shout out brightly 'UNSER')

Category: Fictional Character
Harry Potter
Description - Orang magic yang paling best

Cateogry: Famous Person
George Bush
Description - Orang Amerika yang orang lain paling benci

The winning team had 2 boys in it (majority were girls). I handed out the gifts, thinking - this is really the most rewarding moment. The boys tore it open then looked at me and said "Ni sesuai ke untuk orang lelaki?"

I had to admit, a kucing jepun with a mini skirt and giant headbow with the words "Kippy and Friends are forever in happy and lovely gardens" isn't truly lelaki. Also i think it was a ciplak version of Hello Kitty. How tak class.

Then i tried to get them to play 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey' but they obviously had other plans. Much better plans.

The boys got this 'magic wand' with blinking colourful lights at each of its 5 points - so i asked them - ni sesuai ke untuk orang lelaki?

Tak de lah, they said. Ni untuk main disco, they explained.

MAIN DISCO?

Curious, i followed them, the solitary un-fun and un-happening adult.

They got into a room with the other girls, turned off the lights, and waved the wand around to create a 'disco' effect. Then, they started jumping up and down, and chanted "I want to move it, move it, I want to move it, move it".

Then the 8 year old stopped everyone and said, "Seorang cakap lyric, yang lain ikut". And so she led, and they followed.

Meanwhile, i sat on the bed, watching my 5 year old niece turn into a club raver. One of the boys shouted across the room to me, "Macam ni lah baru party, kak"

Next year, M turns 13. Will be safely at home when that happens, listening to ABBA.