Dear Diary,
Two years ago, the political landscape changed when the Umno-led Barisan Nasional lost a general election for the first time.
However, it is now back in power by being “sort of” in the Perikatan Nasional coalition. Will it still be the government of the day come May 18?
Such drama, no wonder I hate politics.
Anyway, I’ve been watching way too much television during the Movement Control Order (MCO). The Hits Movies Channel on Astro is quite good (despite the repeats). I’ve recorded a bunch of movies and am slowly making my way through them.
I’ve always enjoyed Sleepless In Seattle and watching it for the umpteenth time last night was the perfect way to end the day. The soundtrack is one of my favourites.
Tonight will be another Meg Ryan-Tom Hanks movie, You Got Mail – great movie and a great soundtrack too. We need a little romance in our lives, right? As long as it’s not any from the now-defunct Diva Channel! Can’t wait for another repeat of Notting Hill.
Here’s how Day 53 of MCO unfolded
7.53am: POLITICKING AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE – A look at the political landscape.
8.30am: GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES – Formula One boss Ross Brawn in talks with drivers over racing return on July 5.
9am: MATTER OF INTERPRETATION – I had a similar problem when buying tickets for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker last year. I bought them on Saturday (Dec 7) for a show on Dec 18 and told my wife they were for “next Wednesday”. She assumed it meant Dec 11 (and being a public holiday in Selangor opted for 7pm show). She had to scramble back from work just to make the Dec 18 show!
What do you think?
10.38am: NO MORE MAGIC – Magician Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy has died of complications from Covid-19. He was 75.
11.21am: FINALLY – I visit Decathlon’s USJ outlet. It’s not crowded but I’m a bit disoriented as the layout is slightly different. Home Minister says no to buying a stationary bicycle until we get rid of some of the junk at home.
11.55: TIME LIMIT – Giant USJ now has a 20-minute shopping limit.
12.02pm: HELPING OUT – Since I couldn’t be bothered to line up just to shop for 20 minutes, I decide to donate blood as a team from University Malaya Medical Centre is doing a donation drive in Giant. They will be there until tomorrow evening so head on down if you want to help.
Was a regular blood donor but that was years ago when I just left school. The needle didn’t hurt – pulling the plaster off did. Should have shaved!
1.49pm: CAR TROUBLE – Reach home, turn off the car engine, but there’s a noise emanating from the front. $igh! It stops after about five minutes.
2pm: MONEY – The Covid-19 fund has raised RM40.2 million since its launch March 10 says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Those undergoing Covid-19 treatment and those identified under contact tracing and instructed to undergo mandatory quarantine will be given RM100 a day.
He also advises teachers to call their district education office to clear any confusion over whether they need to be present in schools. Although schools are still closed, teachers may be required to prepare syllabus and lessons.
Separately, Ismail Sabri says bus operators should not be asking for fares from parents and adds the Health Ministry and Women and Family Development Ministry will hold a discussion on SOPs for kindergartens to reopen.
3.01pm: GHASTLY – The number of Covid-19 cases worldwide surpasses four million.
4.49pm: STILL HIGH – There are 54 new cases, taking the total to 6,589. One death takes fatalities to 108 while 65 patients were discharged today. That means 4,929 people have been cured.
5.30pm: A WINK AND A SMILE – I bought all of Harry Connick Jr’s early albums. I also reckon he looks a bit like former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler. Imagine my surprise when I found out his full name – Joseph Harry FOWLER Connick Jr! This is from the soundtrack of Sleepless in Seattle.
