Entry Four

Yesterday, the 28th of February was a historic day, especially for us. Then again, it was a historic day only because of us come to think of it.

Our final task of the two assignments we have taken on was finally completed yesterday, and the 28th was memorable in a lot of ways.

Unlike last week's assignment where our team handled the entire auction event for 3 different property auction houses, it was every man for himself yesterday. Each of the auctioneers had their own methodology of doing things - politely speaking.

Truthfully (as I prefer), it was nothing short of an opportunity to rub it into our client's rival auctioneers gangrenous wounds that our presentation software was classier, cleaner, and (with the airy pretentious voice of a Victorian era courtesan) incomparably sophisticated compared to theirs.

While they are stuck with static, inflexible and ugly PowerPoint slides, which meant the entire auction would depend on the auctioneer's charisma; we showed that the auctioneer need not even be human with FusionCore - as we could easily display the bidding price for the audience and even proclaim the winner's bidding number on screen.

Yes, I concede that is a less than usual anecdote.

Yesterday was a thorough and complete victory for us. Not only did we not so quietly indicated our superiority to the opposition, I finally managed to do an air guitar scene in front of two people - one of them whom I didn't notice until Chong Yang told me I had frightened away one of the early bidders. Ah, The joy of youth.

Before the event was over, the three of us left Dewan Sri Pinang (as our turn was over) and made our way to Palma Housing to print out the auction report for them.

The laptop was hooked up to its charger (this would come to haunt us later) followed by the menial task of report printing using an ancient HP LaserJet printer. After handing over the report to our client, we were pretty much done for the day - except we had two other important activities yesterday; namely two-directional interview with Peter Chong, and last minute shopping for yesterday night's celebration dinner.

As Tommy was attempting to secure a deal with a potential client, we had to postpone Peter's interview by half an hour.

Since me and Chong Yang had time to kill, he opened the source code of FusionCore for some further improvements - namely, picture resizing.

Somehow, I got dragged away into Tommy's car and found myself (for a while) in full control of is car. Until that is - he realised I had never driven an automatic vehicle before.

Yes, it sounds as ridiculous as a worm preferring parched sand over brown earth; but in defence of myself, I have become very much accustomed to clutch control.

So there I stood watching, outside Palma Housing's security-enabled glass door, as Tommy conducted a masterful display of perfect harmony between man and machine - reversing the MyVi between the Honda and the wall.

Joined by Chong Yang, we picked up Peter and conducted the interview at Starbucks - because of the free WiFi.

A lot of stuffed was discussed, and basically, here's what you might see in the coming months:
- Peter substituting me as Sautern's blog updater and English columnist;
- Peter become Sautern's Chief Marketing Officer;
- Peter finally becoming a millionaire.

We dropped Peter of at Batu Kawan Stadium at about five yesterday. He explained he was there to give moral support to his younger brother who was running in the 4 x 400 Relay.

After saying our goodbyes, we made a u-turn back to Gurney because there were still a few hours before dinner for us to spend.

The Apple Center was one of a few places we did what I presumed to be window-shopping. There, I finally had my first real iMac experience - and as they say - there is no turning back.

I solemnly swear I will never use Windows again in any future computer I might purchase.

Wading through shops selling mobile phones, card games, figurines, and such, the triumvirs finally settled down at MPH - which was where we spent the remaining hour before dinnertime.

There, Chong Yang as always, looked through thick programming manuals, Tommy browse through the business and self-help section, while I salivated over The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy that was retailing for only RM 59.00. This would be expensive under normal circumstances - but seeing as it was being sold at RM 159.00 a few months ago.

After the literature sojourn, we continued our hunt for the elusive mozzarella cheese block.

The signs weren't good however, when we found our cheese, but passed a line of patrons lining up in front of one of three hole-in-the-walls. The other two were out of service.

Seeing as we had ran out of funds for our cheese and a last minute addition of Campbell's Mushroom Soup, we reluctantly climbed back into the car, zipped through traffic, and withdrew cash directly from Maybank, before the now ingrained trip back to the cheese section of Gurney.

Dinner at Tommy's.

Skipping all the trivial parts, the three of us basically made aromatic spiced-up oven cooked lamb chops and hot and appetizing pasta filled mushroom endowed lasagne in a kitchen measuring one metre at its widest.

But it was cool.

Hey, how many of you out there have actually attempted to prepare a RM 500.00 five-star dinner out there?
We also found out that Tommy once worked in a French restaurant under a genuine French chef - who incidentally, once prepared cuisines for presidents and prime ministers.

Dinner ended with 10-year-old red wine (which was too bitter for this ones taste) and a glass of fresh milk.

After dinner, a minor problem threatened to foul up our night.

Apparently, we managed to somehow leave behind our laptops battery charger at Palma Housing - thus explaining the great regret above.

However, I have since been notified earlier on the 2nd of March that the charger was right there on the table where Chong Yang had set up the laptop for some last minute work.

Must be that darn red wine.

NOTE: Due to technical issues (for further details, check out this coming week's edition of A Stray World) publication of this entry was postponed by 24 hours. Any complaints or deaths as a result of the tardiness of this entry is sincerely regretted.

Minor Update: Sautern's main site is online.