The sausage launch ... -ed!

With the newness of this blog, my mind has been flipping through its filed memories, searching for the potential blog entry. The folder “Dive Hin Daeng, Andaman Seas, 20-25 October 2006” popped out … and I knew I had to post it.

When my friends and I began dive lessons back in May/June 2005, we attended hours of lectures and pool sessions before heading for the Open Water (OW) certification at Lang Tengah, off Kuala Trengganu. Unfortunately, I never did get to practice launching the safety device, commonly know as the "sausage." Divers use this to alert boatmen of their whereabouts before they surface.

Trust me, I have seen the "sausage" launched by dive instructors and dive masters every single time, and in my mind, I was convinced I could launch it easily. After all it looked so simple.

My chance to launch the sausage came sometime between my 50th and 60th dive and almost a year and a half after I got my OW license. It was during a live-on-board "Sea Moth" trip to Hin Daeng islands, Andaman Seas, at the start of the whale shark and manta ray season.

Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for YOU, my dive instructor captured on video this dive blooper.

Note to non-divers: In order to appreciate this video, read on to understand what should and should not be done while launching a "sausage":

1. Only one diver is required to launch the "sausage." Buddy divers, generally, need not assist.
2. Diver should be reasonably steady at 5 meters while doing the safety stop and not float up towards the water's surface (or float upside down, for that matter!)
3. Octopus (the yellow alternative mouthpiece/breathing apparatus) should fit nicely in the "sausage's" opening (in this case the opening seemed too small! Argghhh ... those b!%^#& Taiwan "sausages"!)
4. The weight should be sufficient to hold the string down (under no circumstance should the divemaster be tugging on the string.) In this case the string was way too long!
5. Diver need not do a ritual dance around the "sausage" before launching it. It does not enhance the performance of the "sausage."
6. When the "sausage" IS launched, diver should remain at 5 meters to complete the 3-minute safety stop and not float up with the "sausage."
7. When at the surface, the "sausage" should be fully inflated, not limp!
8. The whole action should take no more than 60 seconds. In this instance, it took a full 2 minutes and more to launch the "sausage."

Hummm ... I have been told that “laughter is the best medicine.” I hope this one does it for you, as it did the group of 20-some divers last October. As always, I became the main entertainment for the evening.

Now, you can watch the video!

The Malaysian Topless Exposé

When you recognize Cliff Richard songs at a concert you didn’t plan to attend but attended anyway and drive convertibles you love but can’t afford, life gets pretty interesting, don’t you think?

Singing along to “Summer Holidays” and “Bachelor Boy” on a Saturday evening took me down memory lane. Cruising topless in a Mercedes-Benz SLK 280 and the BMW Z4 3.0si on a Sunday afternoon created memories that will last.

“I wish these cars belonged to me,” I remembered thinking. “But it’s pretty d*** hot to be going topless in sweltering heat.” I don’t know how Europeans do it at nude beaches!

A few shades darker, a bad hair day, and layers of dust later, I still could not fully enjoy these roadsters. And it’s got nothing to do with the head-turning moment of fame or whizzing by average-looking cars.

Don’t be mistaken. I think these are absolutely gorgeous cars. The Merc is elegantly stylish and a solid performer, while the other … ooohh, a daredevil and totally wicked!

The truth is, while convertibles are definitely to be coveted, it’s pointless to go topless in them in sunny or rainy Malaysia. But if you must have them, I would recommend the Merc for high fashion, high society occasions requiring meticulous deportment and a strong head on your shoulders.

The Beemer would do well when you dare put on that skimpy outfit that has been hanging in your closet and when you find the James Bond mate to attend out-of-this-world type parties.

Happy convertible-ing, if you must!

For the record in case you have a really wild imagination - I didn't go topless, rather the roadsters. Hahaha!

Coming to terms with age

While I beam when little children call me che che Michele, I must admit that it's been quite awhile since I first came into this world!

Recent experiences have brought me to this time - posting my very first blog entry as I spend time with my parents watching the Spring Festival on CCTV9, which I don't understand as it's in deep Beijing mandarin.

Anyways, this is a story that I believe is worth remembering.

Last Saturday, I went with my mom and her group of senior citizen friends to Sir Cliff Richard's concert at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands. I did not plan to go but at the last minute, Dad was not able to go because of a bad cough.

When we got there, I bumped into a colleague of mine, and I said, "Hey! What are you doing here?"

He said, "I am old you know." I responded in desperation, "But, I am young ... (and shouldn't be here)!" Embarrased.

The concert began with his first song "Summer Holiday." "Hey, I know this!" I thought.

After a few more songs, he sang "Bachelor Boy" and I thought, "I know this too!" When it came to the chorus, I sang along with the rest of the fans in the fully packed arena:

I'll be a bachelor boy, and that's the way to stay
I'll be a bachelor boy, until my dying day ...

At that point, I smiled as I felt God telling me that I was young, once upon a time. Now, I am young at heart! :-)

And when Sir Cliff sang "Faithful One" I felt the presence of God. I was in a safe place ... coming to terms with my age and knowing that even when one moves into a different phase in life (when young children ought to call you "auntie Michele"), it is possible to use your God-given talents with great passion and be fulfilled. Well, look at Sir Cliff ... still singing his heart out because that's what makes him happy. That's what makes him feel alive.

I must say, coming to terms with age is an odd experience. But recognizing ones age and being able to continue in the things that makes one happy and alive is truly an enriching experience. That's a gift of God that I definitely want to embrace.