What a day!

It was a bad day yesterday; some sort of.

After a tiring 2 days of seminars in Kuching, I was happy to be on the flight back to KL. Tiring, exhausted, and coupled with the fact that my legs were in deep pain due to gout, the journey couldn't be relaxing. The pains on my heels were acute and to add to the situation, the plane parked at B11 gate which means I had to take a long walk, journeying the labyrinths with a swollen angle.

Reaching the exit gate there were a large group of people arriving back to KL from Medinah, probably after performing the Haj. So, you'll find a extremely big crowd of relatives and friends occupying the whole exit hall without leaving a passage for travelers to squeeze out. Callings of "please" "please, make way" wouldn't help as they are not listening. So I had to literally plod through the hall to the taxi stand.

Felt relieved after getting into a cab, I had a good chat with the driver about the possible general election that may be held soon. I wanted to hear his views on whether he thinks we had a good government. I was astonished when he mention 80:20 rule. I don't think he knows about Pareto's Law, or the fact that 80:20 is Pareto. But he was sure the 80:20 rule works in Malaysia; that, according to him, he don't mind that the pilferages of the system is 20% of the wealth of the nation but that it has come to a situation that he had observed had exceeded 80%.

Another aspects pointed out is the fact that inflation is eating into the lower and middle income group and the pinch is deep and painful. As pointed out, Marzuki (the driver) shared his anxieties and deep concerned about the high fuel cost and the high rental rates charged for hiring the cab.

According to Marzuki, taxi drivers are having a difficult time to make ends meet and he will have to drive at least 6 trips daily to be able to pay the expenses and earn a little for the day. In the event the vehicle breakdown, then he will need several days earnings to pay up the repairs bills.

I asked Marzuki whether he sees better days in the coming times. He told me he wanted to have a little hope, but that it's so hard to convinced the self to cling on to just a little. It's a struggle to cling on with such an expectation. To add salt, we have news everyday such as, "NewsFocus: Eateries say hike in food prices likely", which are signs of inflationary pressures and a greater fear of shrinking pockets. With such information and news to read everyday, it will be made far onerous.

Rafidah was right; Many don't know how to mark 'X' Rafidah Aziz said many voters just did not even know how to put a cross on ballot papers. This, I agree with her.

Finally, Marzuki got me home at about 11pm and we bade goodnight to each other. When I got into my study I suddenly felt that my wallet is not with me. panicked I searched around and got hold of the ticket and call the toll free line. The lady on the other side gave me a number to call. I called a few times but no one picked it up. So I called the toll free line again and was given a mobile number of the officer in charge by the name of Azmi. He was a friendly guy and he took down my information and promised to call me back.

I waited for half an hour but there was no call from Azmi. In my anxieties I called Azmi and was told he is still trying to contact the cab driver. I waited in great anticipation and exasperating concerns. I tried calling Azmi a number of times at each 15 minutes interval and this enraged him. To cool matters I apologise and promised not to call.

After waiting another hour, there was still no response. I tried calling Azmi but he didn't pick up my call. He must be mad with me. So I tried calling the office number given me by the lady and he was the one who pick the call. Apologizing profusely I told him I am now a desperado and have only to rely on him and his graciousness. He assured me he is doing his best and tell me to go to sleep as he will call me tomorrow. Could I sleep?

Anyway, in a couple of minutes he called me and told me he got the cad driver but it seems the driver couldn't find it. Azmi then gave me the mobile number of the cab driver En Marzuki and I called. Marzuki told me he will stop his vehicle and check it another time and asked me to call back in ten minutes. I did and thank God, he said he found it. He promised to deliver it to me immediately. I was relieved and thankful. I called up Azmi and told him the good news and also to express how grateful I am for his kind assistance and for bearing with me in those hours of desperation.

I walk out and waited at the road side, eager to see En Marzuki. I waited, and waited, and waited. There was no sign of him and his vehicle. Probably, I was too anxious to see it, my wallet. I didn't dare call and disturb him. I ran into my room and get hold of a book so that I could read while waiting. That book helps to take my mind off the anxieties.

Finally, Marzuki arrived. He gave me what was mine. He asked me to check the monies and documents within. I check the documents but not the money; I didn't care about the money; I could earned it again, for whatever reason. I am 200% sure the money was in tact. The documents were far more important to me - the IC, Licence, Creditcards, ATM cards, etc - for I will have to go through a series of stressful running, reportings and the hassles to get replacements.

I thank Marzuki a thousand times. He deserve a reward and I wanted him to have it. He was reluctant but I insist. I think he was a happy man, but I'm sure I'm far happier. I went to bed, and snored away...