The weekend was one of mixed emotions. On one hand, i tried to patch up someone's broken friendship with another, and in the process get brushed aside. Wasnt surprised though. Had decided to back off. The incident on saturday was the right catalyst to say my final goodbye. I have written about this earlier, days ago. The person i used to know, is no longer. I cannot cling to memories and look at the future. The goodbye was brief,with best wishes for the future. Naturally had wanted to say, if ever there was a need for someone to talk to, to just contact me. But then, i knew better then to make a fool out of myself, again. As much as i want a friendship, if its distorted in such a manner that only brings sadness, its best i dont intrude. This time though, am certain. I must not intrude anymore.

It was otherwise, a nice quiet weekend with the family. The kids are a joy to be with. K is beginning to crawl a bit. She doesnt like being alone, and needs company at all times. D has grown up a lot and beginning to talk more. Very active, and loves chocolates. And cartoons. Sigh, guilty we are for introducing cartoon movies to her. She also has the tendency to bite or pinch or hit K. This is a constant worry. We try to make sure theyre equally loved, and ensure D is never left out, that at least one of us are with her at all times. The rain on Sunday put paid to all our plans to bring the kids out. Managed to sneak out that night to the computer fair and get my printer ink catridges though. As usual, there was nothing new at the fair.

As for golf, monday afternoon was a pleasant one. A big jump in the yahoo fantasy golf rankings, to 253 out of 280769 teams. Breaking into the top 50 and being listed on the yahoo page is always the target. Many more months of competition. Can only hope for the best since theres a lot of luck involved here.

This morning too saw a few of us here talking about life here. How things are done. How accountability is a word alien to those in position. How time after time, blunders are commited by ministers, department heads, civil servants, people in managment, and its all covered up. Not a single one it seems have ever taken the fall, to hold themself to be accountable and to tender their resignation, save for one. Was it not Tan sri elyas omar, the ex mayor of KL who resigned, taking responsibility of the shortcomings of his subordinates? Contracts are given out blindly, with hardly supervision. Money, public's, is spent without a thought. It has become apparent over the years, money is spent with only one thing in mind. What's the kickbacks involved. That sadly is the state of the country.

We have the johor state declaring this year to be the Visit Johor Year. Its already end of July and we still see half the town still being dug up to construct proper drains, lighting and pavements. Shop owners crying foul over lost business and inconvenience. Rubbish all over. Hardly a proper signboard to warn people of works being done. A total mess. An eye sore of the highest degree. One need not mention about the infamous Sungai Segget, with its notorious smell. Decisons made without any thought. Are we so devoid of intelligent people in the decision making sections of our country's administration. Doesnt common sense tell one that you improve things, make the city presentable, for it is after all the southern gateway of the country. And then only do you go on an aggresive tourism promotion to encourage people to visit you.

Which brings to mind a possible rationale. Elections could be coming soon. Transitions in the government. It could be better to have all the spendings this year and skim their "cuts" while they can. Its appearing to be like their God-given right to take a cut of everything.

How would i solve this problem? Am i just an armchair critic? One simple suggestion, that will solve and curb this problem.

Every single civil servant and politician holding public office, must declare their entire asset list every year. Best to include the assets of their spouses and children too in that list. Would be interesting to see what each one of them have accumulated over the years. Naturally this is one proposal that will never see daylight. It will help too if the ACA was made to be an independent authority answerable to the Parliment, and headed by a committee of say 10 persons voted in by the public in a nationwide election. Farfetched? Who knows, it could work.

Whatever happened to that earlier mentioned case of someone supposedly copying my words and flow of thought? Well, though asked to stop communicating with me, the person persisted with yet another email. Naturally i replied and bluntly told off the party. Copy by all means. Proclaim your intelligence and ability to write by all means. But at the same time, the similiarity is so damning that even a lay person will tell you its copied. Blocked the email address and refuse to indulge further in that matter.