Micro Manager Chapter 1

The definition of a micro-manager is not like math which can be definite and sure. To what extend micro-managing is considered micro-managing is a rather subjective matter. The intrusive factor vary from employee to employee.

Some managers takes a very open concept by telling his or her employee to tell him or her how they prefer to be managed. This is smart. Because it throws the ball back to the employees' side.
Come to think of it. Do you think many employee really know how they want to be managed ? If one says he loves to be left alone and not be micro-managed , after a while he might have the impression that his boss is not giving him enough attention. On the contrary if preferred to be micro-managed, he might feel so restricted and too peered into.

We are inconsistent ourselves as human beings. Groups and teams are always dynamic. Being observant and practising good judgement on what to deploy is probably the way out. Adhereing to anyone style will stiffle creativity in managing.

California Raisin

In my new $62 dollar sport shoe, free Reuters sports bag and a ten time free California Fitness Trial card I head for my second visit to the Bugis Jackie Chan Sport California Fitness Gym. My mind was running thread mill before i reach. Jogging through the things i need to complete. 15 minutes of threadmill, 5 mins cycling, 5 mins gliding,10 mins weighs, 30 mins people watching and my day is up. But it seems more than that.

Stormed into the entrance as if i am a veteran member said hi and shamelessly showed my flimsy ten time free cali firness coupon and let the pretty malay lady put a chop on it. I think she looked at me and decided not to attach a personal trainer to me. Maybe on my forehead she scanned " free loader ". Heck i went up to the gym. Smarter this time i brought my own lock. $0.50 only. I bought at the cheap cheap shop.

In no time i am stumping my way on the threadmill. Eyes are already in full work out looking at tight butts and sweaty nice calfs. God there is many people jogging. I got a machine in front of the channel news asia screen, far cry from my sport channel. Sian. But it is ok ... i told myself. After threadmill i did some gliding machine while over hearing what happened in the mass cycling room. It seems interesting and i think i may want to join the next class.

" Ok , ladies and gentlemen, we are about to start our next cycling session with debbie. Well if you would like a good work out please come in and join me for a refreshing ride. " Sounded through the whole cali fitness.

My heart says go in and chop a bicycle. But then i dunno why i went up to look at people do weighs.

There is another studio on the second floor. Inside there are some people seemingly getting ready for some class. The cat in me walked near the glass panel ( open glass concept studio) and peeped. Before my heart says yes i have stepped in knowing i just wanted to join a class.

The rest had a board lying in front of them. I figured that i need one suddenly. So i frantically ran to the back of the room to get one. Coming back to my space happily with one laying it down nicely, laughing inside myself (am chio) that i look damn professional and veteran. i started stretching and do all the warming up moves to make myself more like one of them. A class of 30 people. 5 guys. Of course i was the only one with new shoes and long hair. I wonder whether they can guess i am not veteran. Suddenly, from the corner of my eyes i saw the board that the girl in front of me. It has TWO black bricks holding the board up. To my horror i knew i was not prepared for the class. Stopping my swinging i pretend to walk normally yet concerned to the back of the class to collect my two bricks to elevate my board. God hope that i acted well.

By this time the instructress came in. She looked like any other. Energetic, nice tight buns, tight fitting gear, blonde hair. Yes it is an ang moh. " Hi I am Betty. Nice to see you guys again. "

" For you information for those who are new, this is a step aerobics class. It is an intermediate class. So for those who are new you can TRY to see if you can manage .. " snort snort i am chio-ed in my heart. How difficult can it be. Just a board. Step up and down. Duh..

" If you find that you can't get the hang you are always welcome to join my beginners class... " Roll eye ball .. can't wait for it to start.

Tumz Tumz Tumz... the music came... Loud and clear techno reverving the whole studio. " Now left heels up, right heel.... " This was the last sentence i can follow for the whole step aerobics class. After 1 minute they are doing things cerebelum cannot follow. The spinning, twisting, up and down. I will consider myself lucky if i can follow what they do two seconds ago.

I tried very hard. I followed the girl in front of me. Can't get the hang of it. I followed the girl beside me, can't get the hang of it also. I tried to follow the instructress it is even harder. But i improvise well i think. Act act a bit. Try to look enthusiastic. Recalling what the towel man told me " Have a refreshing work out ! " I pushed on.

After a while she gave us a rest. I had a sip of water. Some i saw are already sweating like a bull. But there is this girl standing behind me who looks so nice. her body is sooo nice that it gives me inspiration to have a toned body. Tight shorts and nice top. Every girls dream body should be like hers. Anyway it was a short break my mind was focusing on getting the fundamental steps right. Tumz Tumz Tumz it starts again...

" Alright lets do it now ... " shouted Betty. " Come on Up and Up and Hooverang .. " What the hell is Hooverang ??!!@#$" Anyway everyone turned i just turn my body. By the time i recover from my turn they are doing another step already. " Up and up and gallop .. "

By this time i discover that maybe just maybe i am not talented in locomotion coordination. It was dreadfully long waiting for the break. I thought it would end soon and yeah she said " ok now for the finale " by this time i saw many already walking out of the class room. I look at the exit and found many people starring through the glass at us. Like looking at some animals in the zoo. I must have been the joker they are starring at since i am the nearest to the glass door. My motion is the only thing that went out of phase with the rhythm.

So for the so called finale i thought it is the cool down. But i was wrong. The techno volume went thru the roof this time. The real thing has arrived. " Come on, Hooverang , up and up ... down ... three stumps , pump pump pump... " To put it simply , i catch no ball. I looked at the girls north south east and west of me. They are all doing different things. Only then i discovered that they dunno as well. hahaha.. So it is ok .. i consoled myself.

Well 45 mins came to an end. We cooled down finally and gave ourselves a clap. In the veteran manner, i put everything back to where i found it and left the room. Intermediate step aerobics 1101. Thanks and no thanks.

I have 8 more sessions of exploitations. Maybe i will try some combat thing next time. I am SURE i can do combat.

Jay Chou and Lyrics

The time of the year again listening to Jay's latest album. Studying his lyrics like literature. It is home work to many people I guess. Slowly i think somehow i get immerse in the lyrics and the stories that they are telling.

And maybe i get a bit sad with it or maybe happy with it, which ever the song is trying to portray. And i think this is what makes it worth it to pay the $19.90 for the CD. For the piece of ownership of the songs and stories.

Feeling better now. 1 hour to end of work. Time to think about other things....

Stolen

My baby was stolen. Just like that. Stolen because it was not thanked. Stolen because it was not appreciated. Stolen because it was taken by force.

I will miss the days when my baby was used with care and appreciation. When it was admired for its beauty.

If something means something to you you will feel sad. And now i feel sad.

Thinking about it

陈洁仪 Chan, Kit

心痛 第 5 首

立特唱片1994年11月


作词：许常德　作曲：Joe Curiale/Pete Hawkins

车窗外　天渐渐暗了　还有很长的路要走

你想听我说故事　故事才说到一半　

你已经 累了也困了　像个孩子似的贴着我　

静静地睡了 困了也累了　

你那不安的手还抓住我 紧紧地握着　紧紧地握着我向你的梦里走

往后的日子还很长　知道你不是最坚强

有多少风雨在交替　轻轻摸着你的脸　

知道你 爱情会到什么地方　一站一站

醒来的你是否永远　真情不变　

永远爱我　想我　

知道你 多希望能够一辈子这样爱你

Above is a song by Kit Chan in her first album. Sort of like brought me back to the older days when life is much simpler and more hopeful. All in all i must say this is one of my most favourite Kit Chan album. Every song is so good because it brings me into another state of mine everytime i listen to it. Despite being her first album she actually presented very good voice and singing techniques. Heard that now she is happily with a rich banker who is stationed in Boston. And of course she follows suit to live her so call Tai Tai live doing what she wants to do - Singing or maybe even some art or writing. Do some off Broadway musicals etc etc. Easily imaginable coz that is just what she wants and love to do and most important of all can afford to do now.

Yesterday I had dinner with a close group of friends that i knew from University. Had some good laughs and catch ups. Come to think of it actually we are all in very different industries. Very unique come together of diffrent people who so call had pretty much same background. Last time we used to gather around a bench and just waste time away stoning or chit chatting. Now we still waste time away but in our own works and chores. Each take turns talking about their job and life, a few jokes and call it a day. Perhaps it is just the way things are going to be for anyone living in such context.

Very soon perhaps we will start to talk about marraige, kids, house, car etc etc. I certainly hope that will not be the focus of my conversation. Maybe i need more interesting topics to keep my life just a little bit different from others.

It is a holiday and yet i am in office working. It is actually better. Less people less noise more time to think about myself and my life while working.

Today is also Two Year Anniversary of me and my girl friend's relationship. So kiddy but yeah it is the day two years ago while i first held her hand officially. :) 03/11/2003