Another Setback

Just when I was enjoying myself with my early morning walks and the tennis in the evenings disaster struck. I had arranged for a game of doubles at 5.30pm. We had to finish the game by 6.30pm as my wife and I had to attend a dinner at 7.30pm. Everything was going smoothly. My wife and I won the first set. During the second set I was at the net trying to poach when the calf muscle of my left leg gave way. I think they are called 'gastrocnemis' and 'soleus'.


I couldn't move as any slight movement caused pain at the calf. The muscles there were tightening. That was the end of the game for me. Fortunately there was a lady tennis player who was warming up at the retaining wall. She gladly took my place. I was carried out of the court. I was also 'carried' to the car by my wife and my lady opponent who is also a good friend.

Went home and applied a cold pack at the wounded part. Nothing else to do. Now using crutches to move around. I found this pic showing how to treat an injured calf muscle.

Missed the dinner. This means at least two weeks of rest. The orthopaedic surgeon (who was one of my opponents-the other was an orthodontist) said the key word is rest. That settles it. Back to the keyboard and the tv remote. Maybe by two weeks my fingers and arms will be stronger. heh heh..

RM 4.4 billion

Our Prime Minister has asked the people not to dispute the decision to use the RM4.4 billion raised through savings from the reduction in fuel subsidies to improve the public transport system. I wonder who is the idiot who wanted to dispute that? The world is full of idiots.

But anyway, the recent spate of demostration that was not reported in the media was about the reduction of the fuel subsidies and the glaring non-transparency in the funds from our petroleum company - Petronas and not about how the RM4.4 billion was going to be used. We do not have enough information about the dealings in Petronas and where the money earned from our natural resources goes to or goes to whom!

Most Malaysians were happy to hear that statement from the Prime Minister when he said the money will be used to improve the public transport system. Our public transport system sucks. In my city I don't think we even have one. We do have some buses plying certain routes and if the bus driver likes you he might stop....heh heh.. just kidding. We don't really have an efficient transport system like the Singaporeans . As long as we have touts we don't have a system. The proposal by the PM is in the planning stage. If he doesn't oversee this baby I am very sure it will go 'kaput'.

When the PM said public transport system I am sure he meant for the whole country. I fear the sharks have already prepared beautiful working papers of how to improve the transport sytem in Bertam, Putrajaya and the Klang valley for RM4.4 billion! At this stage they can even prove how every cent is spent. The beautiful part of it all is you don't even know who they are but they have access to the Prime Minister's department!

I bet we will see some new bus companies run by Bumiputras under this plan, some new flyovers for the Works ministry to foul up in their construction and plenty of rural roads in Kelantan for the next election. The Indians in the estates can go and watch their favourite movies arranged by their minister. Life goes on.

City of Alor Star

Alor Star is the capital of the state of Kedah which is in Malaysia. It is located in the northern part of peninsular Malaysia nearer to Thailand as can be seen in the map below :

Here are some photos of Alor Star city.