A random post

... just because.

There are 5 people co-authoring this blog, and the fact that a new post only appears sporadically, and at unexpected moments, is a testament to our collective attitude towards blogging.

I don't have anything clever or profound or even remotely interesting to share.

Except for the following.

1) The gadgets

Us BT reporters have been getting envious sighs, looks and comments since we got our cameras. Apparently, not only does the 400D have a rockin' reputation, the fact that we only have to pay a fraction of the total cost also makes us the coolest kids on the block.

Now, we are each attached to our new baby/sweetheart/toy that it has become a part of our psyche, in addition to our existing components.

Except for Miss S.H, of course, who has gone and locked her camera in her desk drawer, and lost her keys.

Full of sympathy and understanding, we tried to make her look at the bright side. Our uplifting chorus of "At least it's safe" wasn't received very well, and she responded with her trademark eyeroll and scatching "Whatever!"

Two of our colleagues tried - and failed - at lockpicking. My mispronunciation of lockpicking - picklocking, said I - earned a dirty look from F.P. who wrote a Feature on it.

(I am so not cut out to be a small-time criminal. I would probably call a concealed weapon a 'thingy' and pronounce street fight as freet sight.)

S's camera is still in the drawer. The rest of us are learning how to use ours.

2) We have two new colleagues - B and J. Their addition to the workforce has lightened and evened out the workload somewhat, and we were able for the first time in ages to send a reporter to Temburong, that dreaded assignment destination.

3) Oh, I caught on fire yesterday. Really.

I was wearing pink, and I was lucky to get away with just a small hole in my tudong.

I shall say no more.

4) I also got to go onboard the Tenyo Maru, a Japanese ship.

Having nothing to do in the afternoon, I decided to join D on her assignment to Muara Port. F and S, having done their assignments, also tagged along. We also brought B with us, seeing that he is a newbie and he also had nothing to do.

So there we were, 5 reporters with 4 brand spankin' new cameras between us. Clambering onboard a ship with narrow hallways and small rooms. Plastering ourselves against any convenient wall so as to take up the minimum amount of space that 5 reporters can occupy.

Add in a Minister and a Permanent Secretary into the mix, and about 20 or so Japanese sailors in white uniforms. Plus some students in red overalls. And government officials.

It was one sempit ship.

I also had a cameo in the local RTB news broadcast later in the day. It lasted about 0.9 seconds, but it was clearly me, peeping in the doorway to gawk at the captain of the ship and the 40 or more people crammed into the 'conference' room.

5) The heat. It was an extremely warm, sunny day. Poor B was melting as each minute passed by, and homed in on any available source of airconditioning. He was practically breathing in the AC in D's car on the way back to the office.

I promised myself when I came back from my US trip that I will never again complain about the heat.

I am trying very very hard not to.


5) And - saving the best and most personal for last - I went out.



As in, went out went out.



I had the loveliest time.













And I am still smiling about it, days after.