Eight is Always Great!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Read bout Airplanes!
I just pulled the following article off one of the links in The Economist. It details a real first hand experience due the idiocy of some members of the society. I pity this guy and i feel for him.
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Vance Gilbert.
I live in Arlington, MA.
I am a homeowner, having been here 10+ years, I have a partner, and we have two 52lb Standard Poodles.
I am a 6 foot tall, bespectacled, slightly greying, 52 year old, 230 lb African-American male with a close hair cut.
On August 14, 2011, I boarded United Airlines Flight UA #3483 from Boston to Dulles on time and was seated in an isle seat #9C on an Embraer 170. I was dressed in shorts, baseball hat, t-shirt, hiking boots, and unbuttoned Jimmy Buffett Hawaiian shirt (covered with airplanes). As the door was being closed, we were told it was a full flight, meaning 70 - 80 people. I had my backpack under the seat in front of me, and my fanny pack/wallet behind my heels.
After the doors were closed the flight attendant came down the isle checking security buckling, bag clearance etc., and asked if she could put my fanny pack above me in the overhead bin. I replied to her that I'd be fine just stuffing it next to my back-pack under seat in front of me as it contained my wallet etc and that I'd rather have it near. She seemed fine with that resolution. All that was done without consternation or belligerence, and I thought nothing of it.
Now, I am a musician by trade and an amateur aviation historian, studying mostly European transport aircraft between WW1 and WW2, and some after. I was on my way to two different music festivals. When I travel I delve into reading about this era of aviation. I had taken out and was reading a book of Polish Aircraft circa 1946 and I was also looking at views of an Italian aircraft from 1921.
I think you see where this is going...
The plane went all the way out to the take-off point, in the queue for take-off. All the while I noticed a lot of phone pinging back and forth between the flight attendants. The young woman flight attendant was also crouched next to and conversing seriously to a dead-heading pilot about 4 seats up on the other side. The plane then proceeded to turn around and head all the way back to the gate. Once at the gate, the jet bridge was positioned. The Captain announced, "We have a minor issue, and we will continue our departure once it's resolved." He left the aircraft.
After about 5 - 10 minutes, 2 Mass State Policemen, 1 or 2 TSA Agents, and the bursar for the flight come down the isle and motion me to get off of the plane. I do not remember if they called me by name. We stepped out into the breezeway where one of the State policemen asked how I was doing that day.
I replied, "Sir, I think you're going to tell me I could be doing much better..."
Policeman: "Did you have a problem with your bag earlier?"
Me: "No sir, not at all. The flight attendant wanted it secured elsewhere other than behind my feet, and I opted to put it under the seat in front of me. It's my wallet, even though there's only 30 bucks in it…And all that was done without belligerence, or words for that matter…it was all good.
A few beats...
Policeman: "Sir, were you looking at a book of airplanes?"
Me: "Yes sir I was. I am a musician for money, but for fun I study old aircraft and build models of them, and the book I was reading was of Polish Aircraft from 1946."
Policeman: "Would you please go get that book so that i can see it?"
I go back onto the plane - all eyes are on me like I was a common criminal. Total humiliation part 2.
After a couple of minutes he says, "Why, this is all Snoopy Red Baron stuff..."
Me: "Yes sir, actually the triplane you see is Italian, from 1921 a little after World War 1..."
Policeman: "No problem here then, you can go on back on to the plane, sorry to inconvenience you...and have a nice flight".
We were now at least, after re-queuing, over an hour late. No one looked me in the eye, flight attendants, passengers. I missed my next connection, and had to cancel that portion of the flight (fair $ value equaling ??) and rent a car ($270) plus fuel ($30) to my work (lost 1/2 wages = $100), and I was afraid to read for the next two flights.
I silently wept the whole flight to DC. I've never been so frightened or humiliated. I'm shaking even writing this.
How much money was lost between the airline, the other travelers? - I couldn't begin to calculate.
How damaged am I from this experience? I'm not feeling particularly American. I'm angry, dumbfounded, frightened.
Would this have happened to the 30-ish Caucasian woman sitting across the aisle from me (who left her seat, water bottle, and book, never to be seen for the rest of the "completely full" flight)? Is it now against the law to be dark and read a book about historic aircraft?
What's my take-away from this experience as a taxpayer, United Airlines patron, Black Man, teacher, mentor, American? I was broken hearted and speechless as I overheard my friend's wife try to explain to her kids what happened and what he and I were talking about over dinner. They never did get why.
What do I tell your children?
Enough.
What do I do now - please advise?
Please contact me at the email above
Thanks in advance,
Vance Gilbert
Arlington, MA
AKA
Flying While Black & Reading Antique Aviation Books
My name is Vance Gilbert.
I live in Arlington, MA.
I am a homeowner, having been here 10+ years, I have a partner, and we have two 52lb Standard Poodles.
I am a 6 foot tall, bespectacled, slightly greying, 52 year old, 230 lb African-American male with a close hair cut.
On August 14, 2011, I boarded United Airlines Flight UA #3483 from Boston to Dulles on time and was seated in an isle seat #9C on an Embraer 170. I was dressed in shorts, baseball hat, t-shirt, hiking boots, and unbuttoned Jimmy Buffett Hawaiian shirt (covered with airplanes). As the door was being closed, we were told it was a full flight, meaning 70 - 80 people. I had my backpack under the seat in front of me, and my fanny pack/wallet behind my heels.
After the doors were closed the flight attendant came down the isle checking security buckling, bag clearance etc., and asked if she could put my fanny pack above me in the overhead bin. I replied to her that I'd be fine just stuffing it next to my back-pack under seat in front of me as it contained my wallet etc and that I'd rather have it near. She seemed fine with that resolution. All that was done without consternation or belligerence, and I thought nothing of it.
Now, I am a musician by trade and an amateur aviation historian, studying mostly European transport aircraft between WW1 and WW2, and some after. I was on my way to two different music festivals. When I travel I delve into reading about this era of aviation. I had taken out and was reading a book of Polish Aircraft circa 1946 and I was also looking at views of an Italian aircraft from 1921.
I think you see where this is going...
The plane went all the way out to the take-off point, in the queue for take-off. All the while I noticed a lot of phone pinging back and forth between the flight attendants. The young woman flight attendant was also crouched next to and conversing seriously to a dead-heading pilot about 4 seats up on the other side. The plane then proceeded to turn around and head all the way back to the gate. Once at the gate, the jet bridge was positioned. The Captain announced, "We have a minor issue, and we will continue our departure once it's resolved." He left the aircraft.
After about 5 - 10 minutes, 2 Mass State Policemen, 1 or 2 TSA Agents, and the bursar for the flight come down the isle and motion me to get off of the plane. I do not remember if they called me by name. We stepped out into the breezeway where one of the State policemen asked how I was doing that day.
I replied, "Sir, I think you're going to tell me I could be doing much better..."
Policeman: "Did you have a problem with your bag earlier?"
Me: "No sir, not at all. The flight attendant wanted it secured elsewhere other than behind my feet, and I opted to put it under the seat in front of me. It's my wallet, even though there's only 30 bucks in it…And all that was done without belligerence, or words for that matter…it was all good.
A few beats...
Policeman: "Sir, were you looking at a book of airplanes?"
Me: "Yes sir I was. I am a musician for money, but for fun I study old aircraft and build models of them, and the book I was reading was of Polish Aircraft from 1946."
Policeman: "Would you please go get that book so that i can see it?"
I go back onto the plane - all eyes are on me like I was a common criminal. Total humiliation part 2.
After a couple of minutes he says, "Why, this is all Snoopy Red Baron stuff..."
Me: "Yes sir, actually the triplane you see is Italian, from 1921 a little after World War 1..."
Policeman: "No problem here then, you can go on back on to the plane, sorry to inconvenience you...and have a nice flight".
We were now at least, after re-queuing, over an hour late. No one looked me in the eye, flight attendants, passengers. I missed my next connection, and had to cancel that portion of the flight (fair $ value equaling ??) and rent a car ($270) plus fuel ($30) to my work (lost 1/2 wages = $100), and I was afraid to read for the next two flights.
I silently wept the whole flight to DC. I've never been so frightened or humiliated. I'm shaking even writing this.
How much money was lost between the airline, the other travelers? - I couldn't begin to calculate.
How damaged am I from this experience? I'm not feeling particularly American. I'm angry, dumbfounded, frightened.
Would this have happened to the 30-ish Caucasian woman sitting across the aisle from me (who left her seat, water bottle, and book, never to be seen for the rest of the "completely full" flight)? Is it now against the law to be dark and read a book about historic aircraft?
What's my take-away from this experience as a taxpayer, United Airlines patron, Black Man, teacher, mentor, American? I was broken hearted and speechless as I overheard my friend's wife try to explain to her kids what happened and what he and I were talking about over dinner. They never did get why.
What do I tell your children?
Enough.
What do I do now - please advise?
Please contact me at the email above
Thanks in advance,
Vance Gilbert
Arlington, MA
AKA
Flying While Black & Reading Antique Aviation Books
Just because a black man was reading a book about airplanes, don't go blow things out of proportions thinking he's reading his manual on how to blow up planes. Some discretion and thought is what was needed to avoid such an embarrassing scenario, Sighhh.....
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Saturday, July 09, 2011
July 09 2011
It is times like these that you asked yourself. Where were you when they took over the world? To remain apolitical at this hour is not an option as it shows a great sense of apathy and neglect and the condemnation of ones future.
The people should be given the right to peaceful protest as that is their right in a democracy. Having been denied that freedom, can we still consider ourselves to be in a democracy? Or are we in a sham pseudo-democratic governance?
Obstructed and hindered by our nation's security forces spoon fed by the ruling party. The Rakyat had to endure beatings, tear gases and barricades of barb wire. But standing firm and persevering, we have achieved our goals and aims.
Reports of security forces firing tear gases into a maternity hospital has been confirmed by witnesses account on twitter. Have they gone mad? Were we on our way to become another Syria where the security forces sided with the ruling Dictator sprayed on innocent citizens?
No, we are not. The extent of action was dropping tear gas canister from helicopters onto people's head and into maternity hospital suffocating toddlers. That is the humanity showcased by our security forces. That is the reaction meted out to the peaceful protest.
I condemn you for your actions, the Rakyat condemns you and the World will condemn you. You are but living on borrowed time, the economic reforms and public service reform are but a decoy to cast a mist in our eyes. But we see through it all. Your time has come.
RAHMAN will hold true.
The people should be given the right to peaceful protest as that is their right in a democracy. Having been denied that freedom, can we still consider ourselves to be in a democracy? Or are we in a sham pseudo-democratic governance?
Obstructed and hindered by our nation's security forces spoon fed by the ruling party. The Rakyat had to endure beatings, tear gases and barricades of barb wire. But standing firm and persevering, we have achieved our goals and aims.
Reports of security forces firing tear gases into a maternity hospital has been confirmed by witnesses account on twitter. Have they gone mad? Were we on our way to become another Syria where the security forces sided with the ruling Dictator sprayed on innocent citizens?
No, we are not. The extent of action was dropping tear gas canister from helicopters onto people's head and into maternity hospital suffocating toddlers. That is the humanity showcased by our security forces. That is the reaction meted out to the peaceful protest.
I condemn you for your actions, the Rakyat condemns you and the World will condemn you. You are but living on borrowed time, the economic reforms and public service reform are but a decoy to cast a mist in our eyes. But we see through it all. Your time has come.
RAHMAN will hold true.
Monday, June 20, 2011
House Always Win
I think one of the major pull about casino is not you'll always have the chance to win since you'll have an equal chance to lose, but the probability of using a small capital to win big amounts.
Though how many people and how often these people win big is up for intepretation.
So what makes these people keep coming back? The psychological effect of winning is so big that they will remember winning even if it's for that one time and they will keep going back to rekindle the memory of that feeling.
But it will never be the same. They will never be able to achieve that emotional high of winning for that very first time unless, unless they hit the jackpot or an amount they never fathom they could win. That, will be the new psychological benchmark.
This makes losing acceptable. It's part of the process, you win some you lose some. They will console themselves. Always. That's probably the reason why losers are not quitters. Even if they have to borrow or beg, they will return to the casino floor.
The gravity of winning overwhelms their ability to control their lust.
Though how many people and how often these people win big is up for intepretation.
So what makes these people keep coming back? The psychological effect of winning is so big that they will remember winning even if it's for that one time and they will keep going back to rekindle the memory of that feeling.
But it will never be the same. They will never be able to achieve that emotional high of winning for that very first time unless, unless they hit the jackpot or an amount they never fathom they could win. That, will be the new psychological benchmark.
This makes losing acceptable. It's part of the process, you win some you lose some. They will console themselves. Always. That's probably the reason why losers are not quitters. Even if they have to borrow or beg, they will return to the casino floor.
The gravity of winning overwhelms their ability to control their lust.
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
UEFA Final Defeat
Barca why must you be so cruel? Is it not enough that you lift the cup? Do you really need to hammer 3 goals into the back of our net?
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
First week of Internship
Today was the first time in 2 weeks that i had the energy and want of going out. Watching Man Utd lift the cup was very uplifting if you leave out the last 6 dull minutes of the game. I would've preferred them to go at it for another goal then to just sit back boringly and secure the win. But that's just me.
For the past 2 weeks I've been waking up at 0700 hours daily on weekdays to get my lazy ass over to Technip at Jln Tun Razak. I'll be undergoing an internship that lasts for 3 months until the first week of August. All very exciting,
On my first day, i wore new shirt and pants and even spotted a tie. I even polished my new shoe. First impressions are important unless you're working at site then you're an idiot. Tried to look less of a schoolboy as possible but I dont think i succeeded very well. After registering with Ms. Vicky who recruited me, I was given a short briefing together with other newbies to the company and mini tour.
Technip has an auditorium and a pool table. Immediately i told myself damn, i'll be spending quite a lot of time here.
That dream was shattered after the first week.
There isn't many hot chicks there. And on my floor there's only one girl and she's quite senior. Life was looking rather dull and sad. Until the department secretary handed me some DWP and GWP.
My first 2 days was spent reading those. It was a sleep test according to a senior draftswoman. And boy was she correct.
DWP - Department Working Procedure
GWP - General Working Procedure.
I almost failed. Almost.
Then i was given my first task:
Complete or try on the examples given in STAAD Pro. I thought like hey, im pretty good with computers so doing these wont be too difficult rite? WRONG!!
Blardy hell, some commands cant even be found and others you have to type it yourself! I didnt even know there's an editor before!
Well, i didnt take Software last sem. Take concrete some more! Quite the useful what. Sigh...
Anyway, after spending a full day on those examples i finally know how to do member offset and response spectrum to name a few.
I'm not gonna spill much bout my work but all in all, it's been rather good for me. I am not enjoying it much since I look like a dumb schoolboy over there but I like the working environment. It's challenging. I enjoy it much. Cant wait for my next task. I'm sure it's gonna be another challenge.
Je ne peur pas!
For the past 2 weeks I've been waking up at 0700 hours daily on weekdays to get my lazy ass over to Technip at Jln Tun Razak. I'll be undergoing an internship that lasts for 3 months until the first week of August. All very exciting,
On my first day, i wore new shirt and pants and even spotted a tie. I even polished my new shoe. First impressions are important unless you're working at site then you're an idiot. Tried to look less of a schoolboy as possible but I dont think i succeeded very well. After registering with Ms. Vicky who recruited me, I was given a short briefing together with other newbies to the company and mini tour.
Technip has an auditorium and a pool table. Immediately i told myself damn, i'll be spending quite a lot of time here.
That dream was shattered after the first week.
There isn't many hot chicks there. And on my floor there's only one girl and she's quite senior. Life was looking rather dull and sad. Until the department secretary handed me some DWP and GWP.
My first 2 days was spent reading those. It was a sleep test according to a senior draftswoman. And boy was she correct.
DWP - Department Working Procedure
GWP - General Working Procedure.
I almost failed. Almost.
Then i was given my first task:
Complete or try on the examples given in STAAD Pro. I thought like hey, im pretty good with computers so doing these wont be too difficult rite? WRONG!!
Blardy hell, some commands cant even be found and others you have to type it yourself! I didnt even know there's an editor before!
Well, i didnt take Software last sem. Take concrete some more! Quite the useful what. Sigh...
Anyway, after spending a full day on those examples i finally know how to do member offset and response spectrum to name a few.
I'm not gonna spill much bout my work but all in all, it's been rather good for me. I am not enjoying it much since I look like a dumb schoolboy over there but I like the working environment. It's challenging. I enjoy it much. Cant wait for my next task. I'm sure it's gonna be another challenge.
Je ne peur pas!
Monday, May 02, 2011
Osama bin Laden : DECEASED
 |
| DECEASED |
The war on terror has finally achieved it's utmost priority, the capture or death of Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9-11 attacks.
He was killed in a firefight off the city of Islamabad with US ground forces claiming his body after the battle. It appears that his body in now on its way to the United States.
But this might be sort of a subterfuge. By the US maybe? Take a long look at it, The war on terror doesnt seem to be going very well. Ground forces are locked in a stalemate and there wasnt any 'big' news to be considered as success.
Or it might just be a ploy from Osama bin laden, to take some heat off his back? Maybe he got bored of living in the caves of Tora Bora? How hard would it be to find someone that looks exactly like him or to pay surgeons to create a look alike? After all, once the firefight has died down, there is much to rely on physical appearance to determine the validity of the person.
Unless you're a CSI fan.
Anyway i think we should all take this as what the media is feeding us and REJOICE. That 3000 over lives lost has finally been revenged on. So is 1 = 3000?
Damn.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Canada
Geoffrey Canada : Every day, Canada is driven by a deep belief that all children can succeed, regardless of race, wealth or ZIP code.
He definitely didn't come to Malaysia
He definitely didn't come to Malaysia
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Next Semester
I've been thinking recently, i wonder what should i take next semester. Should take English speaking or should i enhance my proficiency in the other languages?
I've almost forgotten my German and it's such a shame. German was so interesting and fun to learn. It might be due to meine lehrerin being such a sehr gut Frau. I think it might be because it isn't too difficult to grasp and understand.
Unlike French, Il est facile pas et tres difficile. Envidenment im having a hard time remembering words and learning new ones. Blardy french is very similar to English and some words are even spelt the same but gives a whole different meaning. Peut-etre the English copied the french. Nevertheless, french is still kinda sexy for me and lvl 300 looks rather tempting.
I am able to write a little but still unable to speak as fluent as i like. Maybe taking the next level will enable me to fake a parisian-born-chinese speech. Il y a tres bon pour montrer.
I've almost forgotten my German and it's such a shame. German was so interesting and fun to learn. It might be due to meine lehrerin being such a sehr gut Frau. I think it might be because it isn't too difficult to grasp and understand.
Unlike French, Il est facile pas et tres difficile. Envidenment im having a hard time remembering words and learning new ones. Blardy french is very similar to English and some words are even spelt the same but gives a whole different meaning. Peut-etre the English copied the french. Nevertheless, french is still kinda sexy for me and lvl 300 looks rather tempting.
I am able to write a little but still unable to speak as fluent as i like. Maybe taking the next level will enable me to fake a parisian-born-chinese speech. Il y a tres bon pour montrer.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Monday, April 04, 2011
Mr. A Teaser Video
This video is rated -U-
Sesuai untuk ditonton oleh semua lapisan masyarakat.
No actual sex scenes are shown. All you get are some saggy boobs. So is he or is he not the man in the video?
Video has been removed due to the fact that police are looking for the person who uploaded the vid hence i fear they will also look for ppl who is spreading. I do not want to be ISA-ed. Screw me for being a coward.
Would definitely have hired a hotter girl. Might as well make full use of it rite? I am saddened when newspapers blared foreign! I thought maybe Russian or some woman from Uzbekistan. Bloody hell, CHINESE IS FOREIGN???
Bo ko leng!
Sesuai untuk ditonton oleh semua lapisan masyarakat.
No actual sex scenes are shown. All you get are some saggy boobs. So is he or is he not the man in the video?
Video has been removed due to the fact that police are looking for the person who uploaded the vid hence i fear they will also look for ppl who is spreading. I do not want to be ISA-ed. Screw me for being a coward.
Would definitely have hired a hotter girl. Might as well make full use of it rite? I am saddened when newspapers blared foreign! I thought maybe Russian or some woman from Uzbekistan. Bloody hell, CHINESE IS FOREIGN???
Bo ko leng!
SP rekect moi
I just got rejected by SP setia. According to them, I have excellent credentials and qualities but they just can't fit me in their organizations.
These rejection letter makes u feel so good about yourself that u might forget you're being rejected and that all those niceties are just a load of bullshit.
These rejection letter makes u feel so good about yourself that u might forget you're being rejected and that all those niceties are just a load of bullshit.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Poco-poco dance
This is the poco-poco dance.
Recently it has been banned by a local mufti who is pursuing the issuance of a fatwa to ban it being danced at in public places.Apparently it contains elements of christianity and the worship of idols. Is that just a fancy way of saying taoism?
I had no idea what a poco-poco dance is but hving read it from The Star i went to youtube to search for a video on this poco-poco.
Poco-poco apparently means CHUBBY in indon. Unless my translation is way off. After watching the video, it looked like an ordinary stupid dance that people are always inclined to organize at events. It looked harmless and could even be a load of fun.
Many people were disappointed with the decision of the Perak JAKIM and it is rather outrageous that a dance will be banned in public for no solid reasons. But what's more important is that we have this overtly zealous elite making decisions on behalf of the people that is driving us backwards.
We are like sheeps and they the shepherds, herding us towards the wrong direction. Religous fundamentalism is growing in Malaysia and that bodes ill for many of us. What i detest most about the fundamentalists is that they are always just too conservative or too extreme. They never did know how to balance things. And i dont think they know how either.
I think we're all gonna be screwed if religous idiots are given seats of power and as it can be seen, some really do make it and began proving their idiocy right off the mark. I think i'm gonna go pray to that statue sitting on a tall table. She might just hear my prayer.
Recently it has been banned by a local mufti who is pursuing the issuance of a fatwa to ban it being danced at in public places.Apparently it contains elements of christianity and the worship of idols. Is that just a fancy way of saying taoism?
I had no idea what a poco-poco dance is but hving read it from The Star i went to youtube to search for a video on this poco-poco.
Poco-poco apparently means CHUBBY in indon. Unless my translation is way off. After watching the video, it looked like an ordinary stupid dance that people are always inclined to organize at events. It looked harmless and could even be a load of fun.
Many people were disappointed with the decision of the Perak JAKIM and it is rather outrageous that a dance will be banned in public for no solid reasons. But what's more important is that we have this overtly zealous elite making decisions on behalf of the people that is driving us backwards.
We are like sheeps and they the shepherds, herding us towards the wrong direction. Religous fundamentalism is growing in Malaysia and that bodes ill for many of us. What i detest most about the fundamentalists is that they are always just too conservative or too extreme. They never did know how to balance things. And i dont think they know how either.
I think we're all gonna be screwed if religous idiots are given seats of power and as it can be seen, some really do make it and began proving their idiocy right off the mark. I think i'm gonna go pray to that statue sitting on a tall table. She might just hear my prayer.
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