Workaholics

As extracted from an article on workaholic, "Death in the office" by Emilie Filou published in the World Business (Issue 4, July-August 2006) in association with INSEAD (The Business School for the World) :-

WHAT IS A WORKAHOLIC?

Common myths
- workaholics are always working (many are chronic procrastinators);
- workaholism affects only high-powered executives;
- it's only stress and can be 'managed' with stress-reduction techniques;
- no one has ever died of hard work;
- workaholism is profitable for corporations;
- workaholism is a positive addiction; and
- workaholics are super-productive!

Hmm. those are my thinking of a workaholic, anyway........

Actual characteristics
- multiple addictions;
- denial i.e first defence of any addictive process;
- self-esteem issues;
- dishonesty i.e exaggerated achievements and minimised failures;
- inability to relax;
- obsession i.e life centres around work; and
- isolation i.e no life outside work!

In both China and Korea, there are now words for 'death by overwork', guolaosi and gwarose, respectively. In US, workaholism has been recognised as a form of 'obsessive-compulsive behaviour' and in Japan, 'karoshi' is thought to kill nearly 1,000 people a year!

I am a workaholic! a phrase to describe 'addicted to work'! All workaholics work towards rewards except me. I am working in a listed Company and I am holding the most senior position. So there is no chance of me being promoted. While for monetary rewards, I do not expect any at the moment due to the Company is in the red for the past few years.

What am I doing now to my addiction and being burned (burn-out) alive? Hopefully, the wake-up call is not from my family problems!

View of my Penang Apartment

Penang Apartment
Originally uploaded by See Teck.

This is a 'rainy-night' view of my 32-storey apartment block where I am staying in Penang, Malaysia. I am staying at a 3-rooms unit at the 28th floor.

I used to be afraid of height but I'm almost cure.

Scary View

Cloudy Day
Originally uploaded by See Teck.

This is a scary view from the balcony of my Penang apartment. Don't know whether there is any alien spaceship hiding beneath the dark cloud.

My Children @ Polo Ground

My Children
Originally uploaded by See Teck.

My children, Ernnes & Ernni, enjoying themselves at the playground

Polo Ground @ Ipoh

Polo Ground @ Ipoh
Originally uploaded by See Teck.

When i am back to Ipoh on weekend, I'll bring my wife & kids to the Polo Ground, for Sunday morning exercise. The park is a popular place for Ipoh folks to relax and exercise. Music blasting throught out the park courtesy of Majlis Perbandaran Ipoh. They also organise group aerobic every Sunday morning.

I'm on 3G Now

Sony Ericsson
Originally uploaded by See Teck.

On a spur of the moment, I decided to upgrade my Sony Ericsson K700i hand phone to K610i, a 3G phone.

As a matter of record, I'm on 3G with effect from Wed, August 16, 2006. My first video call was to my lawyer friend, Parmjit Singh!

The different between a 2G & 3G phone is that on a 2G phone you put it near to your ear and speak, while for a 3G phone, you speak to the phone... Take some time to get use to it.

Lost & Found

My most important gadgets in my working life i.e from Top clockwise, my pda 'Palm TX', my bluetooth handphone 'Sony Ericsson K700i' and my Mont Blanc ballpen. These gadgets are like my lifeline. I can't go to work without them!

Recently, I had misplaced my Mont Blanc pen and had been searching for it for 2 weeks. I felt so sad and was thinking of buying a new pen. However, the cost of the pen deter me to sign my credit card. The current price is RM1,200.00! Eventually, with much initiative and will power, I back trace and managed to get the pen back 3 weeks later. I called my ex-boss to ask his driver to check his Jaguar backseat, there was where my pen was found!

Last week, when I sent my car for washing I accidently drop my handphone without realising it. Half an hour later, after discovering that my handphone was not with me, I went around the town to look for it. When I went back to the car wash place, I was told by the operator that somebody had picked it up and left his handphone no for me to call. I called and managed to get back my handphone but at a price, RM50.00!

For my pda, I have been more carefull as I have misplaced an earlier one, HP3715 which cost RM1,800.00. Due to my carelessness or as my wife put it "big head prawn" (in cantonese), every now and then I will check my pda, to ensure that it is in my sight!

How I wish some genius will design some gadget which can locate your lost gadgets!

Happy birthday doc of docfiles

Close-up of Grill Salmon in Butter sauce
Originally uploaded by See Teck.

Celebrating doc's birthday at Soba Yoshi Japanese Noodle Restaurant at Krystal Point.

Don't ask me why but it seem that i always order salmon dishes. The Grill salmon in butter sauce set was delicious and affordable. Only RM18.00. SpecialIy requested for more butter sauce.

Doc and I just found out that the next time we patron the restaurant, we will order the Kobe beef!

Puncak Gelombang Sculpture @ Tanjong City Marina

Tanjong City Marina
Originally uploaded by seteck1638.

The original I-beams of the Church Street Pier were used as a support structure for the slab and the pier main post.

The I-beams has been removed during the redevelopement of Church Street Pier and used as a sculpture. The sculpture was design to reflect the element of ripples and wave movement. The blue colour reflected the original colour of the I-beam structure.

The sculpture is loacted at a wide open area at the seaside in Tanjong City Marina. As it is just open, the greenaries there are not mature yet.

A nice place for an evening walk!

Mooring Point At Tanjong City Marina

Tanjong City Marina
Originally uploaded by seteck1638.

Mooring point or better known as ballard or bid among the sailors were used to tie-up boat or ship when landed at the Church Street Pier in 1897.

The mooring points were diligently used as part of the landscaping in the new redevelopment of the Church Street Pier into Tanjong City Marina.

Ferry in Penang

Tanjong City Marina
Originally uploaded by seteck1638.

A ferry approaching the terminal bringing in motorist from the mainland.

With the opening of the Jelutong highway, it is actually faster to take the highway to/from the maianland using Penang bridge.

However, if there is any major accident, be prepared to be struck at the bridge for maybe 30 minutes or more!

Old Church Street Pier, 1897

Tanjong City Marina
Originally uploaded by seteck1638.

The restoration of the old Church Street Pier, 1897, became part of the new Tanjong City Marina, the only city marina in South East Asia.

Jalur Gemilang Convoy

Jalur Gemilang, the name of the Malaysia's flag.

In conjunction with the National Day, the Superbikes Association of Malaysia is organising the 6th Jalur Gemilang Independence Adventure 2006, a convoy of 500 superbikes and 4-wheel drive vehicles to round the nation in 12 days.

The purpose of the event is to firing up patriotism in Malaysian and to encourage Malaysian to fly the Jalur Gemilang.

The Deputy Information Minister, Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and rock singer Ramli Sarip, the convoy's ambassador, will be heading the convoy.

The above picture captured and published in The Star newspaper on Monday, July 31, 2006, shown Datuk Ahmad Zahid and Ramli riding the superbike without a helmet! Aren't they aware, they have committed an offence in such a high profile event!

View From My Office

When I feel stressful with my work, i will go up to my office rooftop to de-stress. The serene view across the channel with small sampan and the blue sky are the perfect antidote to de-stress!

Birthday Present

My birthday present from my daughter, Ernni.