Health check, reality-check

Yesterday, I was with boss at a health-screening programme at his constituency. He was invited to officiate at the event, which was, well, what you can expect from such functions. There were kiosks for visitors to check their blood pressure, health information booths and even a place where dental checks were done. I also noticed some doctors on standby dispensing advice. True to being a bersama rakyat programme, everything was free.

The official opening even had clown act to keep the kids entertained and silat performances. Children could also take part in a colouring contest. The response was rather good. I mean who wouldn't want to get a free health-check - rudimentary as it may be - and a chance to beramah mesra?

After my job was done, I headed for my car, ready for my next assignment, hoping to reach the venue before the boss did. As I was crossing a road, a car drove past me and stopped. The aunty driver, who must be in her 40s and sporting a huge white hat, wound down her window.

"Is this the place where you get your blood pressure examined?" she asked in Cantonese, pointing to the tents set up for the function. Her tone was rather anxious and she couldn't seem to care that she could be blocking traffic flow.

"Errr... yes, it is," I responded and must be subconsciously looking at my watch, hoping she could sense I was already running late.

"Crazy woman!" she said with huge relief. And before the irony sank in on me, she went on to explain: "One woman just now told me that this is where the elderly get their blood pressure checked. After that, they will chip in money for their own funeral expenses when they die."

"No, no, it's not," was all I could summon, still in a daze and before I knew it, she had sped off.

Ah... just another day of fire-fighting (of a different kind!) and a better understanding of the depth of human gullibility.

Umno General Assembly

Yesterday, I dropped by PWTC where the Umno general asembly is being held. The boss was there for the opening, but he wasn't the main reason I was there.

I was there primarily to touch base. Met soooooo many friends, especially journalists. Practically, the who's who in the media fraternity was at THE political event of the year (ok, doesn't mean journos who were not covering were nobodys!).

Yesterday was my first time attending the event as a non-journo, and in some strange ways like in the past, had mixed feelings about the - for lack of better word - "carnival". I miss the adrenaline-rush, especially this being an election year. But the cigarette smoke chokes me all the same. Thank god, I did not stay long enough to listen to speeches littered with racial slurs. Oh yeah, the traffic jam leading to the country's inner sanctum of Power and the quest for a parking bay affect journos and non-journos alike.

Still, it was still a good trip. A good two-hour or so with good company. Thank god for that.

Parliamen-tree Dislikes

Here are some top reasons why I dread Parliament sessions (in random order):

• I have no idea whether I need to be in the House until the very last minute because some smart alec decided that the Order Papers for the following day is only ready after 5pm.


• If I need to be there, I have to wake up extra early to beat the jam, especially now that the whole world is using the Besraya highway which has stopped collecting toll at Salak Jaya, which ought to be a good thing, but somehow, on days I need to make official trips to the Parliament, it is not.


• I need to tug my laptop back home more frequently, given the boss' uncertain schedule when the August House meets.


• I need to help scrutinise some sleep-inducing papers (eg MP's queries on the Ministry's plans to expand airports in places you never quite knew airports existed).


• On certain days you never know what time you get to leave. For example, during the winding up on the mini Budget, the team waited for hours for the Ministry's turn. But surprises, surprises, we did not make it because the day's session had to end at 10.30pm. Did I say 10.30pm?


• The food sucks in Parliament.


• I blog less when there is sitting (that may be quite obvious).

The Lower House meets for an extra three days next week. Phew, the end is near.

Senate, which sits the following week, should be more bearable I hope.