Like in most countries, I get these calls from banks trying to sell me something.
In Singapore, when I was (rarely) in the mood, I would entertain the caller.
I do remember one particular call, about 10 years back, the CSO proposed to me!
She offered me a small gift if I signed up, but I said that for me to sign up, it'll need be a bigger gift.... and she asked like what.. I said... how about a flat screen TV?
Then she said that she'll have to marry me if she gave a TV?!!!!
And it was me who was then speechless....
Well, here in Indonesia, it almost always goes like this (with me)
CSO: (Bahasa) Are you [Name]? I am calling from [Bank]
Me: (Intentionally in English) Yes, how can I help you or sometimes, Yes, how can you help me?
CSO: (Broken English) Oh... Can you speak Indonesia (sp)?
Me: Can you speak in English?
CSO: No...
Me: Ok, thank you - bye. (hang up)
Yesterday, was a bit different.
After the usual verification, and my usual reply
CSO: (fumbles mike and passes to another person)
CSO2: Hello
Me:So what do you want?
CSO2: (quickly passes to another person)
CSO3: Hello...
Me: So, what do you want?
CSO3: (Confidently in English) Oh, I don't want anything...
Me: Ok good. Bye.
They didn't call back.
Friday 8 May 2015
Wednesday 6 May 2015
A slice of Heaven?
I love my bible study group.
Last night was rare, to have all men - our study on 2 Corinthians 13:12 on giving each other "Holy Kiss" didn't go so well....
As we were sharing prayer points with each other, it occurred to me that just in our midst, us 9 guys were folks from 7 different countries! England; US; Japan, Holland; Iraq; Indonesia (of course)... and even Singapore!
Over the many Sundays, I've met people from Iran; Australians; Nigerians; Afghanistan; South Americans; Canadians; Scottish; Irish; Chinese; Malaysian; Bulgarians; even a Russian of Korean decent.
There are many things which I think could be better at church, but that diversity is something which I've never quite experienced before.
And it seems that right there (back to my bible study) - it is perhaps a picture of what Heaven will be like. And it'll be pretty neat.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV)
Tuesday 5 May 2015
Facebook Sabbatical
I'm quietly angry, and I don't want to blog why.
So I'm going to do something radical - I'm going on a Facebook Sabbatical.
Why Facebook? I don't know. Seems like an easy target, that hurts.
Eilen Wong was the first to introduce me to FB back in... 2006? Wow, that is a long time.
It was actually when I started my first blog, and we got talking somehow. And she introduced me to FB then, which like Friendster - I thought... really? But it's for kids!
Anyway, I signed up, most of my friends weren't on.
I remember playing online games like "Counter-strike", silly game which I got addicted to, then I deleleted. Then Warbook (most addictive and time sucking of the lot), Empires and Allies, Candy Crush - oh..... I do like these little games don't I? Each time, I found myself too addicted, too unwilling to let go, I knew I had to go cold turkey and delete the game. Only way to go.
Like smoking. ish.
So nearly 10 years on Facebook, and I think not a day passes without me checking in, used to be to see what my "friends" are up to, but nowadays, for trending and breaking news. It's the easiest single source of info.
Every single day... for the last 10 years or so.
Anyway, I am upset... did I mention that?
And I'm going to take it out on Mark Zuckerberg, although I doubt he would lose any sleep over my drastic action. In fact, I bet no one would notice. Doesn't matter - I'll notice.
For one, I want to see what impact this has in my life. Hello withdrawal symptoms!
Secondly, just curious to see if anyone notices... probably not... how sad after giving 10 years of my life to this.
Thirdly, being hurt, I want to inflict pain on myself - not physical pain of course - just.... emotional pain? I want to cut myself off. I want to withdraw... socially.
Ok, Facebook did warn me that I would lose all admin privileges on the pages I manage.
So I chickened out, and created a second dummy account. And I set it to be "auto activate after 7 days". I wanted longer, but... I was afraid. Who knows, I may log back in just to extend a longer de-activation.
Ok, changed my mind! Reactivated my account. Not bad... survived 5 minutes. Hands barely shook.... I set the auto activate to 28 days.
So.... by the time this post gets on Facebook, whenever that is... probably in a month.
Did u miss me? I didn't think so.
Bah!
So I'm going to do something radical - I'm going on a Facebook Sabbatical.
Why Facebook? I don't know. Seems like an easy target, that hurts.
Eilen Wong was the first to introduce me to FB back in... 2006? Wow, that is a long time.
It was actually when I started my first blog, and we got talking somehow. And she introduced me to FB then, which like Friendster - I thought... really? But it's for kids!
Anyway, I signed up, most of my friends weren't on.
I remember playing online games like "Counter-strike", silly game which I got addicted to, then I deleleted. Then Warbook (most addictive and time sucking of the lot), Empires and Allies, Candy Crush - oh..... I do like these little games don't I? Each time, I found myself too addicted, too unwilling to let go, I knew I had to go cold turkey and delete the game. Only way to go.
Like smoking. ish.
So nearly 10 years on Facebook, and I think not a day passes without me checking in, used to be to see what my "friends" are up to, but nowadays, for trending and breaking news. It's the easiest single source of info.
Every single day... for the last 10 years or so.
Anyway, I am upset... did I mention that?
And I'm going to take it out on Mark Zuckerberg, although I doubt he would lose any sleep over my drastic action. In fact, I bet no one would notice. Doesn't matter - I'll notice.
For one, I want to see what impact this has in my life. Hello withdrawal symptoms!
Secondly, just curious to see if anyone notices... probably not... how sad after giving 10 years of my life to this.
Thirdly, being hurt, I want to inflict pain on myself - not physical pain of course - just.... emotional pain? I want to cut myself off. I want to withdraw... socially.
Ok, Facebook did warn me that I would lose all admin privileges on the pages I manage.
So I chickened out, and created a second dummy account. And I set it to be "auto activate after 7 days". I wanted longer, but... I was afraid. Who knows, I may log back in just to extend a longer de-activation.
Ok, changed my mind! Reactivated my account. Not bad... survived 5 minutes. Hands barely shook.... I set the auto activate to 28 days.
So.... by the time this post gets on Facebook, whenever that is... probably in a month.
Did u miss me? I didn't think so.
Bah!
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