Culturally Preconditioned

Just a quick review of the 2007 Resolutions I made earlier this year.

(1) Finish up at least a chapter for my novel-in-progress every month

Yes yes yes.. that goddamn Daud In Distress is putting me in distress. FUCK YOU, DAUD. Anyway, I’ve decided to be more realistic. Personally the whole NaNoWriMo thingy puts too much of a pressure. I might still attempt it this year, but not on my precious baby. This baby needs careful thought and time put into it. So, we’ll start a chapter a month. That seems plausible.

— BWAHAHAHAA are you kidding me? I’ve retitled the title to Distressed Daud.. Is Dead in November. And I only got up to a paragraph of that.. so.. I have totally FAILED miserably for this one —

(2) Finish reading at least one novel a month

I’m currently trying to read two novels a month. One novel lies on my workdesk in the office. And the other lies on my bedside table. Theoretically, I can always squeeze in 30-45 minutes everyday for these novels, but there’s always.. I don’t know. I would like to say ‘distraction’, but it’s not. It’s just excuses. There’s internet connection on my workdesk, and there’s also internet connection on my bedside table. That’s the culprit, right there. And don’t ask me to read on my 1.5 hours commute to/from work everyday, that’s time for my iPod.

— Well I’ve managed start reading about 8 novels this year, and I think I only finished half of that. I don’t know what the hell is the matter with me. I used to read a LOT before. Urgh.. I should put more effort into this. Verdict : FAILURE —

(3) Actually send in application form and video for TAR Asia

I have actually filled in 75% of the application form, but we ran out of time, trying to beat the deadline. We needed more time to think of a catchy and interesting application video. By hook or by crook, I’ll make damn sure that we send in an application if there’s going to be a Season 2 of TAR Asia. I will still be putting in ‘Lucy Lawless’ to describe my team mate, but I’m still undecided on choosing which 3 adjectives to describe myself. Judgemental? Foul mouthed? Lardass? Slightly camp? Obnoxious? God.. this is impossible.

— SUCCESS!!!! Even though we didn’t get a callback, that’s fine.. at least I’m not kicking myself for not doing it (ps. fuck you TARA2 casting assholes). And for what it’s worth… the three adjectives I chose to describe myself were (in order) 1. Sarcastic 2. Witty 3. Uninhibited. Maybe next time I’ll put 1. Everything opposite of Roviltwunt 2. Everything opposite of Roviltwunt 3. Everything opposite of Roviltwunt —-

(4) Save and put away 20% of my salary (untouched till next year)

Now this actually seems plausible, putting away 20%, since my car loan only has a few payments left. I’ll be a free man soon. FREE I TELL YA!!! But then again, there’s still that fucking house loan to settle. Anyway, I’ll try to put away that 20%.. but letting it stay untouched will be the most hardest thing I’ll ever have to do. My prediction for this is that I will fail miserably.

— FAILED miserably with the ‘untouched’ part —

(5) Try out at least 20 new dining places (!!)

Okay, kinda contradicts with my number (4) plan but what the hell. Twenty seems like a reasonable number to spread out over a year. And with the abundant food blogs that we have around, I’m 100% sure this will not.be.a.problem.whatsoever.

— SUCCESS! A little too much though… the ones that I remember.. at the top of my head : Bujang Lapok Cafe, Jombali Cafe, Rakuzen Hartamas, Tambak Johor Shah Alam, Kluang Station, that place in Lygon Street, Fitzroy Street, the Docklands and the Harbour, Koko Black, Santai Tesco, Rakuzen Chulan Square, Puzzini, Tony Roma’s, Kari Kepala Ikan Bangsar, Chef & Brew, Just Heavenly Pleasures, Ichiban, Restoran Sup Adabi (VILE), Azim’s Burget @ Rasta (EXTREMELY OVERRATED AND SUPER VILE), Delicious Bangsar Village, Suchan, Hooked, Uncle Lim’s, Big Apple Donut, Raja Sup, Cheng Lock Laksa, Siam Corner Oldtown, Kura One World, Asam Pedas Royal Bintang, Santai Taman Tun, Ayam Penyet Ria, Vienna Bagels, Mariott Putrajaya,  Shabu Shabu, Siam Express, Shangri La, J Co, that Italian place in Streetmall, that Udang Petai restaurant in TTDI, Anjung Merah.. and last but not least.. FUCKING KRISPY KREME!!!! If I had to forgo everything on that list for just Krispy Kreme, I would do it in a heartbeat. Seriously.. Krispy Kreme > Dunkin Donuts + Big Apple + JCo combined. When the FUCK is the franchise coming over to our shores?? (I’m guessing you might’ve just gained a few pounds just a few pounds after reading this lardass post) —

(6) Lose 10 kilos (sure, why not)

Sorta contradicts with my number (5) plan but well, since everyone’s doing it nowadays.. *rolleyes*. It’s not impossible though. I think I just have to eat sensibly. But I’m still sticking to the no-gym rule. Hell, if I can lose 18 kilos in 6 months before, I sure as hell can lose 10 kilos in 12 months!

— Urgh FAILURE. I lost SOME initially, and then gained MORE. I can’t help but being a fat bastard. Mmmm krispy kremeeeessssss mmmm One Doughnut To Rule Them All *mega drool* —

(7) Stay at my current workplace and not look for new jobs

Yeah one of the more toughest challenge for me, personally. I get bored quickly, but so far, things are working out okay. Granted that everything ain’t exactly hunky dory over here, I still get to go back from work at 5pm sometimes (only to be called up at 2 and 3 am in the fucking morning).. but everywhere you go, you’re still gonna get some form of shit from work no matter what company you are. If it’s not shit, it ain’t work. So I might as well try and stay here in hoping that I will get some sort of bonus this year.

— Ummm.. FAILURE, but in all fairness, I don’t give a shit cause I fucking LOVE my new job and new workplace (granted we’ll be outsourced in a couple of months time).. and technically, I didn’t look for this new job, the new job found me (my resume was in their resume bank for the past 3 years).. so, I’m going to change this to success —

(8) Hold at least one awesome party at my new apartment

The challenge is not in holding an awesome party itself. The challenge is preparing the awesome environment in my brand new apartment. First step, getting that dream kitchen of mine in place. So that means more money.. which in turn contradicts my number (4) plan. Fucker. Well in any case, I will hold a decent housewarming party when the apartment is done, with or without that damn kitchen.

— FAILURE.. but not my fault since I will only be receiving the keys to my new apartment in a couple of days. OMG I’m moving into my own place in a couple of weeks!!! NO MORE ROOMIES EVAHHH!!!! (and yes, yes.. the lamb rack WILL be served) —

(9) Cancel off one credit card

If I can do this one, I will be most happy (forget the fact that I have eleventy billion other credit cards). This will be hard to do, but not entirely impossible. In fact, it’s a must do.

— SUCCESS!!! I didn’t think I could do it.. but I did! Yay me! 1 down, 26 credit cards to go. Credit cards = The passport to hell —

(10) Stick to at least 50% of my resolution

Hope springs eternal, eh?

— Let’s see… Success for (3) (5) (9).. Failure for (1) (2) (4) (6).. Failure but kinda not (7) (8)…. BAHHH!!! Who am I kidding? Number (10) is a big fat FAILURE. I should lower down the figure for next year’s (will be posted sometime before midnight tonight — if I can be bothered) —