The Brooding Lizard

The Singulair Dilemma: A breath of fresh air or Uncertain breaths?

pinknpurplelizard — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:00:27 +0000

I have been an asthma sufferer for as long as I remember. My first acute attack was when I was around 4 during Chinese New Year. I was having fun playing with firecrackers with my cousins and siblings when I suddenly felt that I couldn’t breath. In fact, I started to wheeze.

So my life has been pretty medicated with pills, puffs, powders, steroids, liquids and nebulizers. Having to carry my blue Ventolin Inhaler everywhere I went was a stigma. I couldn’t go without my Inhaler as I did often start to wheeze. Although I started to swim regularly to help my lungs, I still carried that stigma and being the only one among my friends/classmates to have asthma didn’t help.

There are 2 paths in an asthmatics life, neither which you can choose from,

Get plagued your entire life whether seriously or occasionally.
It becomes dormant thus making you think that you’re cured BUT comes back with a vengeance; often causing death like in the case of Teresa Teng (the Taiwanese Singer).

Path 1 is the one I am on. I now have to carry not only the blue Ventolin Inhaler but also take the brown Pulmicort Turbohaler twice a day. All of which are costly; Ventolin – RM20 and Pulmicort – RM81.50; and one of them are not readily available in every pharmacy.

This year, I have been sick with the flu rather often and couldn’t exercise as often as I did last year. Exercise helps keep Asthma at bay. Madame Flu visited me almost on a monthly basis this year. The dirty air filled with allergens didn’t help me either. It was then a pharmacist recommended me a drug called Singulair; a once daily 10mg drug. This was a miracle drug because I could breathe easy for the first time in months. I had purchased a strip of 7 pills for RM36. After 3-4 days of being on Singulair that I felt the side effects. My throat was often dry, tongue was swollen and my mood became somewhat negative. I stopped taking it after the 6th pill and felt like my normal self again after a few days. Out of curiosity, I started to research on Singulair and found some terrifying information.

The side effects of Singulair are aplenty and some ex-users and families of users have adamantly campaigned against the drug. The FDA also carried out their own investigation into it. It seems that Singulair causes depression and all the other symptoms I have. There are some who have committed suicide driven by their drug-induced depression. These were statements from parents and families. I do not doubt them. I was on the drug for 3-4 days and I felt the effects so what more for those who’ve been on Singulair for years. The FDA later sided with the drug company to state that there wasn’t enough evidence to state that Singulair caused those deaths.

My dilemma is now for me to choose a life where my breathing is congested or a potentially shortened life where I can breathe easy…. It is not easy to choose.

FDA probes suicide link to Singulair

Families Say Merk\’s Singulair Changed Their Kids

Salty Popcorn

pinknpurplelizard — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:37:27 +0000

The cinemas at GSC now serve salty popcorn. I am one for the salty buttery kind rather than the sweet caramel ones that you get in all the cinemas and supermarkets in Msia. I hadn’t had this sort of popcorn ever since I retired from scholarly life down under; so you could probably imagine my absolute delight!

The first few times I had it, I ordered a small order and went into the cinema for a movie but soon came running out to get another larger box of it! I didn’t care that the movie had started or I was missing out on the scenes! The taste of buttery popcorn was truly nostalgic… *Droool…*

On movie day this week, Bosscat and I went to watch Harry Potter 7. Was lining up at the concession counters awaiting my turn. Waiting patiently for the nice salty and buttery crunch to stuff my mouth with. *lol* When it came my turn I ordered;

Lizzy: Can I have one medium Salty Popcorn, one mineral water, one Mister Potato Chips and one medium coke, please?
Counter dude: So… One medium Salty Popcorn, one mineral water – cold or normal?
Lizzy: Cold please.
Counter dude: One mineral water cold, Mister Potato and medium coke….
*Counter dude and his minions help assemble the order as he punches in the order*
Counter dude: That will be $$$$
*Lizzy pays and leaves*

As I was leaving, I heard the lady was lining up behind me convey her order.

Lady: Aaarr…. One medium popcorn. I want sweet one.

I didn’t bother to listen to the rest of the order but just burst out laughing. Don’t think the lady knew that I was laughing at her. She looks like a mom who was bringing her 3 kids aged between 9 to 14 to watch a movie. Probably she’s not a movie regular either so I excuse her for her silliness.

In this country, when you order a popcorn at a cinema’s snack counter, you would normally get the caramel types. Just a little FYI…

Now I’m craving salty popcorn again! Aaargh…

Ramadan goes astray

pinknpurplelizard — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:31:17 +0000

Bosscat told me about these some racist Ramadan adverts over drinks. She commented the same comment as many other forums and bloggers; “TV8′s Ramadan advertisement is RACIST.” After watching the video, I do deem that it is racist and utterly inappropriate. The idea and production of the video was definitely borne of a Malay mind or the very least of a radical Muslim mind. I am not trying to condemn any Malays or Muslims in this post. Do bear in mind that every article, publication and video has a signature. This underlying signature is able give an insight to the mind of the creator or author. It’s like how one is able to know whether a house or car has a Chinese or Malay owner. There are visible signs.

I was told by senior Malay Muslims that Ramadan is actually not only a cleansing month but a month that actually tests one’s will and faith. These men told me that there would be temptations along the days of fast but it is up to the person himself to not sin in his mind and heart. Moreover, it was always reinforced in my mind that life is suppose to continue as normal during Ramadan except you have your meals between dusk and dawn instead of dawn to dusk.

Call me inconsiderate if you will but these videos connote that most of our fellow Malay Msians are need to be shielded in a bubble in order for them not to sin. The adverts also connote that non-Muslims, mainly the food greedy Chinese are the ones who behave inappropriately and cause others to sin. In fact, if I were a undergoing a strict diet, lent or a fast, I’d like someone to eat in front of me and see if I’d be tempted or envious.

The depiction of the Chinese girls behaviour in the advert is way off by a mile. Yes, the Lalas might behave as typical airheads but I do think that they wouldn’t behave like that. Bosscat also mentioned that whenever she goes to a Pasar Ramadan or Ramadan Market, she doesn’t eat the food instantly after purchasing it. That’s true in my part too as I’d always buy it and bring it home to share it with my family in the privacy of my own home.

There’s also the part of dressing in revealing clothing; let me first say that I’ve seen Malays and Muslims themselves dressed in these such attires like spaghetti strap tops, tight outfits, etc when they shop at a Pasar Ramadan. Tell me, is it inappropriate for non-Muslims to dress like that when Muslims themselves dress as such? Are they going to ban an Indian lady dressed in her traditional Sari from going into the Pasar Ramadan? Isn’t Ramadan supposed to be a month of abstinence and a test to see if you as a Muslim will lust sexually and are able to block it out of your mind and heart? Ramadan is a month of abstinence so its a good test.

A tried and tested person stands the test of pressure far better than ones who’ve been shielded from adversity. I am not sure who’ll agree with me in this but that is my stand. That is my stand even if you pelt rotten fruit at me and hurl insults at my face. Let’s think about it, we (the non-Muslim community) have been told to be considerate of our Muslim countrymen but when will we see Muslims in Msia be more considerate towards us?

p/s – why is it that only Malaysia sets such a ridiculous strict rule about Ramadan when all the other Muslim countries do not have such laws. In fact, it is in this country that the Muslims handle haram things and the hotels serve pork bacon (instead of beef bacon) next to the other food.

Note: The advert has been removed from youtube and other sites. Probably not a copyright issue as they claim but more than that. But let me give a little snippet of what the advert is about.

Part 1 – A Chinese girl goes to the Ramadan market, she sees some food and starts talking obnoxiously about how delicious the food is in front of the Malay aunty who sells it.

Part 2 – The same Chinese girl goes to the same place and stops at a watermelon stall. After acting and talking obnoxiously, she reaches out to hug the Malay uncle who mans the stall.

Part 3 – She goes to the market in a sort of revealing sleeveless top and bares her armpits.

In all 3 parts, the crowd stares at her like she is a circus animal and the TV8 announcers speak of how inappropriate it is to act that way and how we should act.

The Crooked Old Lady

pinknpurplelizard — Sat, 07 May 2011 08:58:13 +0000

There once lived a crooked old lady. She lived in a unpredictably weathered state. She was known as the ‘Crooked Old Lady’ to those who knew her and those who didn’t. She loathed yet loved her moniker; the moniker that gave her fame. Born during the era of the stars of old like Elizabeth Taylor, she lived her life along the crooked coastline.

She adored these the lives of these stars and; the rich and famous of her era, yet was too scared to live that life. The Crooked Old Lady lacked courage, loathed attention but yet she was strong and brave for her stature; and thrived in the limelight. She lived a life obscure from prying eyes but yet larger than life to those who deemed her as friend. For none knew that this Crooked Old Lady was crooked not only in person but also in heart. She was not what she presented herself to be, she was a living paradox.

In her youth, the Crooked Old Lady was outwardly straight. Nature and fate soon dealt her a cruel hand. Time passed and soon her inner waywardness soon translated outwards; matching her inner self with a more suited crooked exterior. She could have averted her crooked fate but she was brave at the right moment. Her friends reasoned and advised her with the straight truth on how to avert her crooked appearance. The Crooked Old Lady did not heed their good-willed pieces of advise; truth be known that she chose to heed the words of another wayward individual. Soon, she shrank in height and turned bitter. Her crooked life and crooked self became unbearable to live with even for herself and those who loved her.

The Crooked Old Lady had mislaid her trust. She trusted the wayward but mistrusted the Straight. Yet as God would have it, she lived a somewhat charmed life. The Straight still saw that not all was crooked and wayward in the Crooked Old Lady. They saw a glimmer of hope that this Crooked Old Lady would one day, in the seasons to come, straighten herself – like crooked palm that rights itself towards the nourishing light.

Picture sourced from Yeungstuff.com

Lizzy is turning older but wiser?

pinknpurplelizard — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:24:33 +0000

Today marks the day that Lizzy was born many long years ago. Lizzy graced this world after spending several months in a claustrophobic, wet and solitary environment. It’s surprising that Lizzy has turned out the way she has considering those months. From a physciatric point of view, Lizzy would’ve been one disturbed individual to live in the environment mentioned above. LOL

This age marks a milestone for me. Many always say that they’d like to achieve several things when they turn this number. A lot of wishes and a lot of fantasy probably clouded my sense of reality when I thought about my list of things to do. This list was compiled when I was on the edge of adulthood with little sense of how twisted and harsh life could be to a human being. Some I did achieve but most I didn’t. Like climbing a certain peak in the region.

Perhaps now; that I’ve seen a little more of the world, met a larger pool of people, discovered new skills/abilities (wanted and unwanted), uncovered certain passions and realised where I ought to be naturally (but am not yet there); I can draw up a new list that is within my reach and more realistic.

Though this day ought to be a celebratory day for this particular reptile, I’m sorry to say that it won’t be. Why? I’ve to spend today and the remainder of the week attending training sessions and courses. I’d rather be digging graves for the newly deceased than sitting in my seat frozen and bored to death. For some reason, I never fare well in these courses. I’m able to preach and prepare dozens of preparations for any ingredient found in the markets; this comes so naturally to me like how a fish takes to water but am unable to learn the shrewdness of conducting myself when paper is concerned. Those white sheets of paper with alphabets always make me frustrated. I do wonder sometimes if I have Autism.

Enough with the ranting, here is to the dual-coloured reptile! Another year and another shedding of skin (and hair), turning wiser (hopefully) and better (gambatte to this!)….!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LIZZY!

“I’m different and unashamed of being different.” – PinknPurpleLizard

Telemarketers

pinknpurplelizard — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 14:00:14 +0000

I have come to an age where I’m just sick of telemarketers. Such is my temperament towards them that I even use them for my entertainment or punching bag when I’m in the mood. Or at times I can just be plain rude.

Yes, I understand that it is their job but isn’t there another method for these companies to get their sales other than through the phone? Ok…. Emails don’t work coz we can just set-up some filters or trash the thing. Postage and printing stationeries are getting a little too costly to swallow.

Everyone’s phone number are sold to one agency or another. Our phone numbers are prized commodities traded by the very traders who’ve always sworn never to disclose our numbers. I’m fine if you’re calling from a bank that I have dealings with. I just have a problem with those who call from companies that I have never dealt with and have always refused to deal with. Whenever I enquire how they got my number, they always say that their company provided them the number or that I’ve dealt with them in the past.Which is all a bunch of bollocks.

I’m especially suspicious about those who call from unheard-of agencies. And if they start prattling on after I pick up the phone. I have had many calls where they start speaking in languages I don’t understand or they can’t speak English when I politely ask them to.

Nowadays, it is the norm to get calls regarding the sales of insurance, credit cards and loans. I have some lines that I normally use for these calls which sometimes draw the most amusing reactions and rhetoric from the telemarketers.

For insurance calls (normally selling Personal Accident Insurance Policies and Health Policies);

I’m a licensed agent myself. So why would I buy from you when I can get the exact same package for myself. Or my other insurance friends could sell one to me. I would be able to get a discount as well.
How about I sell you the same package? I’m a licensed agent for 2 companies.
So how much commission do you get out of this? Why would I buy from you when I can get from my friend so he will be able to benefit from getting the commission?
You and every other telemarketer is trying to sell me the same thing. What’s the difference? They’re both the same product. Are you gonna share your commission with me?
I had a policy with your company but I’ve just cancelled it. Didn’t seem to be as good as the other company.

For calls on credit card applications;

Why would I apply for your bank’s card? Citibank’s credit card is the most cloned card in the world and it has a high rate of declines when making a transactions.
I’m sure you can’t beat the benefits of my current card. It gives me points and instant cash back. Plus I get discounts at all major stores.
I wouldn’t mind having the card if you’re bank would settle all my remaining credit card balances with the other banks.
Can you bank guarantee that no annual fees and government taxes would ever be imposed on my card? Plus you would never impose any interest for any late payments or better yet if your bank is able to provide me with an interest-free instalment repayment of all my charges.
I’m a strictly cash term person. Used to have several credit cards but I’ve destroyed them all. Having a bunch of plastic is not as satisfying as having a wad of cash in hand.

For loans;

I’ve no use of any loans. I’ve already got too much money on hand, how about I make a loan to you? I’ll give you better terms than what you’ve just quoted me.
I’m currently jobless so how am I to qualify for your loan if I don’t have a stable income?
You gotta understand that I’m pretty loaded. So I’ve no need for your loans nor do I need to even work.
If your bank is so generous in giving out loans, why do they attach so many terms and conditions on them? They should trust that I will pay back the loan.
Did you know that my last car was purchased in cash? If I was able to do that, why would want to take up a car loan from you?

Image from connect.in.com

For any telemarketers who may be reading this, do understand that I do try to cut the conversation short by saying I’m not interested. By doing that, I save time and energy on both sides if the call ends there. It’s just that you ppl are so persistent in fulfilling your sales and quotas. You guys are worst than bloodhounds on a trail!

Some of you may think that I terrorize telemarketers for my own entertainment. Pls understand that I hate to be wasting my time on some product that I know I will be most unlikely to buy from a telemarketer. I have only ever bought 1 item through a telemarketer but later received a letter from them telling me that there was something wrong with the transaction. So I didn’t get what I signed-up for. Please don’t get me wrong on this, I am not bitter over the incident; am merely stressing that I have ever signed up to one product after hundreds of calls. Yes, hundreds. Why? I get a call every other day. If you were in my shoes, you would be annoyed as well…

Raw Talents

pinknpurplelizard — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:04:53 +0000

There’s a lot of undiscovered talent on Youtube; its just that I really wished that they never found Justin Bieber.

Beware and be aware

pinknpurplelizard — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:20:35 +0000

Beware of the items that chooses its owner.
Beware of delicious hot chocolate drinks.
Beware of the unseen.
Beware of glowering creatures.
Beware of exotic creatures and items.
Beware when everyone is sated and complacent.
Beware when all around you are impatient.
Beware of strange unnatural sounds in the night.
Beware of folly which causes a ripple effect unto others who are close.
Beware of innocent vessels.

Beware…

Reflections

pinknpurplelizard — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 07:09:43 +0000

When I reflect on a year gone past, I become a bit balmy. Why? Reflections of the time gone past often bring out a large palette. Relevant yet irrelevant. I started to think about the festivities that we in Msia has had the privilege of celebrating – Chinese New Year, Thaipusam, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, Christmas, etc.

First thing I need to blow steam on about 2010 is that my year was cut short by 1 crucial day! PM is trying to buy votes by having declaring a public holiday. Lame move but may be just one to swing some groups. He should use his brain and know that the last working day of the year is crucial to us in the commercial and working world!

Frankly, I’m not really sure how to sum up my year of the Tiger. If I were to put it simply, I’d say that no 2 years have been the same since I left school. When I was in school, life is was very routine. A routine that was necessary for me to function.

What did I like about my 2010? I planted my feet in places I never planted b4. Perhaps that would sum it up better.

What’s in 2011?

I’m getting OLDER!!! Midlife crisis may just come earlier than expected. Birthdays aren’t a big thing to me nor my family but numbers are. LOL. Confusing?

Improvement in many areas. Constantly inching upwards but never finding the peak until I’ve breathed my last breath.

Keeping the passion alive. Before anyone starts with the naughty thoughts, I’m referring to something else.

Gallivanting (I hope). My Grand Tour will be in sections unlike those of centuries past. My Grand Tour, my way.

Blogging. Keep this poor lizard alive. Been neglecting it.

Happy 2011 to all of you. Despite there being ups and downs in the future just remember to stay true. That way, you’ll have not much regrets when things come to past.

CHEERS!

Merry Christmas 2010

pinknpurplelizard — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 14:23:03 +0000

Hope everyone has a great Christmas!

Stuff yourselves like turkeys but don’t pop like a bottle of bubbly champagne.

Hope you’ll all smile like Cheshire Cat as you unravel the wrappings of your pressies!

Be thankful for all the gifts you’ve had, have and will be having.

Let us also remember this day not just for the gifts and food;

But also for our families, loved ones and friends.

Here’s Lizzy wishing everyone