Unstable Angina

My sister complained about chest pain and was warded in HUKM in Cheras yesterday. I got to know about it this morning. The initial diagnosis-unstable angina. The doctors have seen her and administered 2 injections. She will be wheeled off this afternoon to do an angiograph.

I just got a call from her not to come to the hospital as she is under medical supervision. She said possibly she will be in the ward for at least another 2 to 3 days.

What is unstable angina? This is the more dangerous type as it does not follow any set pattern. It can occur with or without physical exertion and is not relieved by rest or medicine. Immediate medical treatment is required as it is a sign that a heart attack may take place any time.

I pray to the good Lord to take care of my sister and to speed her recovery.

Amen

Heartsong

Sojourn in Penang

The family took a break and went to Penang from 14-17 December 2007. One of our shortest stay. As usual we put up at my brother-in-law's place in Lorong Hijau off Batu Lancang Road.

The journey up was okay. Apart from the intermittent rain, we had to slow down on many stretches of the toll-way undergoing upgrading. Those going back for the CNY should enjoy a more pleasant free-flow ride.

We reached Penang at 1.10 pm in the afternoon after being caught for some 40 minutes before the Penang Bridge entrance on the mainland because of a three-car accident on the bridge. The three-lane exit at the toll soon turned into a five-lane snarl and crawl, making matters worse. Penang drivers can really be a nuisance, cutting into lanes and ignoring good driving manners!

So, after checking in at my brother-in-law's, we had our chak kuey teow without fail at Taman Lip Shin. Not bad; especially as it is fried with duck eggs. Lor mee was next followed by Penang-style nasi lemak.

We then visited with Mabel and family at Ivory Towers.

The children had a good time.

Besides the food (which was to include tim-sum, kuey tiau teng and Penang bak-kut-teh, Shang Pin Restaurant), I also saw the movie, The Golden Compass at Queensbay Shopping Mall. Someone lost two tickets and my son picked them up. So my brother-in-law and I went in to see the movie. Funny thing happened. The person sitting to our right had to be called up by the usher mid-way as he had come in for an earlier show instead of his 4.00pm screening. What a joke!

The movie was run of the mill but the editing was quick and the sound effects was exceptionally good. Good to see Nicole Kidman in a nasty role for a change!

Came back yesterday at 3.45 pm. Slight shower along the way.

Home, sweet home!

God Bless. Amen.

Heartsong

The Wild Bunch

The Wild Bunch continues to be one of the most controversial films ever made. It is equally hated and admired upon it's release over 30 years ago. Today, the debate still goes on unabated; proof of it's tenacious staying power. Has Sam Peckinpah created a screen masterpiece or a monstrosity of a movie?

Seeing the movie,through adult eyes, 30 years later, I am inclined to think that Peckinpah has indeed contributed one of the finest films of the last century.

The alchemy that Peckinpah used to transcend from book to celluloid is brilliant. William Holden and Ernest Borgnine as the leaders of the Bunch, played their roles with effortless conviction and no-holds-bars tenacity. Robert Ryan, once an outlaw with Holden, and now forced to hunt him down, portrays the tortured individual caught between an old friendship and the threat of incarceration in a vicious prison. Ben Johnson and Warren Oates are solidly believable as real life brothers as they depict their roles as lecherous money- grabbing, whoring Gorch Brothers. Finally, there is Jaime Sanchez displaying the ethos of the fiercely patriotic Mexican, Angel.

The Wild Bunch is a film that you can re-visit time and time again and yet relish the depth of the characters and feel their desperation as the west that they knew has now become a distant memory.

Great casting, good scripting and editing, wonderful cinematography, gripping dialogue and first class gunfights-that is the Wild Bunch for you-a movie that will continually be looked upon as one of the most important films of the silver screen.

So go out and grab a DVD and enjoy the masterpiece once more!

Heartsong

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

One of the great musicals I missed on its first release! It is still so enjoyable and a pleasure to watch on DVD!

This musical captures the mood of the times and the evergreen songs! Such a wonder to the ears and eyes. Dick Van Dyck never did get an Academy award but he sure has made many kids happy through such movies as Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. What a dancer and entertainer!

A fore-runner to the James bond franchise, Chitty was Ian Fleming's seed that spawn the idea of outrageous and outlandish spy gadgets for the fictitious James Bond. Albert Broccolli was to branch out from this landmark movie, Chitty into producing the never-ending Bond movies.

Chitty is one well-crafted, timeless fairytale. Full of suggestive double meanings, it is much like the Warner Brothers cartoons of the 1940s - the type of things that shoot straight over kids' heads and make adults snicker knowingly. With Ian Fleming doing the screenplay, this should come as no surprise.

Dick Van Dyke is Caractacus Potts, a wacky inventor who inexplicably lives in England with his two inexplicably English children. Caractacus Potts...wacky inventor,,, get it? Hoo hah! Potts and his two children live with the senior Mr. Potts in a windmill/laboratory on a hill.

Caractacus rescues a junked motorcar from rusting in a field and restores it to new creation-Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, named after the sounds the car makes. Soon thereafter, in one of those Pipi Longstocking-esque child-arranged dates, Potts and his two children go on a picnic with local rich girl Truly Scrumptious - possibly the best Bond Girl name since Pussy Galore. As the day winds down, Potts tells the children a story, in which the foursome embark on a great adventure in the resplendent Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which Potts has rigged to fly, float, drive itself, and perform other turn-of-the-century Batmobile-like functions.

In dream-like fashion, the troupe ends up in a far away kingdom of Vulgaria ruled over by the Baron and Baroness Bomburst, a terribly sad place where children have been outlawed, rounded up, and kept in a dungeon. The gang and Chitty invade the kingdom to rescue Potts' father, who has mistakenly been identified as the inventor of the flying car and kidnapped. There, they befriended a toymaker who hides the children while they attempt to spring grandpa Potts.

I like Sally Anne Howes, as she reminded me simply of Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins. I wonder who was modeling who.

The music and songs are catchy. Watch Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang and have truly scrumptious fun!

Heartsong

The Right Stuff!

Inspired by Author Wolfe’s book, The Right Stuff focuses on the desire to find out why astronauts accepted the danger of space flight. The film probes the enormous risks test pilots took and the mental and physical characteristics required for and reinforced by their jobs ("the right stuff").The astronauts are likened to "single combat warriors" from an earlier era who received the honor and adoration of their people before going forth to fight on their behalf.

It is a beautifully crafted film showcasing the space race between the US and the Russians to put the first man into orbit. Even though the Soviet Union's early space efforts are mentioned only as background, and the film tend to see space missions through the eyes of the U.S. space programme, it continues to be as riveting.

Any one desiring to see the entire US maiden space exploits i.e. the Mercury space programme and its 7 astronauts can get an indicative and enjoyable dosage here.

Fun stuff; every one should see it!

Heartsong

Ego, Emotions and Anger

It had to happen sooner or later at the Slow Shop.

Service at the food shop was slow as they only had two cooks. So when customers asked them how they can get fast service, they advise that they call ahead with the orders and come to the shop later.

And so it came to pass.

Yesterday night, we ordered ahead and came to the shop at the appointed time. Within 15 minutes we got served which irked some customers who had waited for an unduly long time. So they called up the captain of the shop and give her a piece of their mind.

My wife spoke from our table and explained we got our food earlier because we ordered for it through the phone in advance. I hushed her not to be involved. To those in confrontation, they want others to see their point of view. Seething with anger,they would not budge.

When ego and emotions get the better of people they get real mad. Do not try to bring reason in at their moment of anger. They will not listen to rationality and you may be scolded as well for getting involved unnecessarily.

So, that is one hazard of the job, the down side to private arrangements in business solicitation.

Ah Chan, the captain is a beautiful girl. Too bad to get the lashing from the ill-tempered customers!

Heartsong

Buying PA Insurance

Almost every one thinks that buying a PA insurance cover is no big deal.

I have checked some of the quotations over the internet and I believe that there is more than meets the eye.

If it is death coverage, then there is no issue.

However, what about payments for loss of limbs or parts thereof? Some policies stipulate limbs must be severed fully before compensation can be entertained. Some ignore totally loss of fingers or toes. Also, there are those which ignore internal injuries caused by accidents. Then there is bone fracture concerns.

Before, one buys a PA insurance, one must be certain the kind of coverage that is required.

For those who travel by public transport, best to buy a general policy that gives you double indemnity. For others a policy covering bone fracture and post operational concerns is paramount.

Thus for those who intend to buy insurance to cover their children while they are doing their national service stint, buy one which will cover bone fractures. A bit expensive but the coverage is better.

Heartsong