Simple. 'Coz the guys I always fall in love with are movies / TV series characters. Sad, right? *sigh* Yeah, I know.
Lately, I've just finished all 3 Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers & The Return of the King. And yes, weirdly but sadly, I'm so in love with Aragorn and Legalos. Gosh, don't you think they are handsome?
Why? You may ask. Why not the superstars instead? It just doesn't make any sense to fall for... people that only existed in the movies! Ya ya, I know that exactly. But... they just look so different in real life and in the movies, and most of the time I'm attracted by those unreal people in the movies... 'coz I know it's almost impossible to find such good-looking gentlemen in this real world!
Still don't get me? Ok, never mind. Give you an example. See the photo below? They are Viggo and Orlando, the ones who casted Aragorn and Legolas (for LOTR fans, you surely know them better than I do). Now, compare this photo with the photo above (LOTR's).
Thanks to the darn itchiness and would-be scars that sand flies had left on both of my arms, I wasted some time to surf up and search up. Well, they have the chance to bite me this time, but never for the next.
Honestly, I've never expected myself to have an encounter with them this time. I was totally unprepared, 'coz the last time I was there in Bintulu I didn't even meet them. Due to their small size, no one (at least none I know of right now) bothers to do away with them. Even me, I under-estimated their "ability".
Here are some information which I got from the article Biting Fliesby University of Florida. I hope it would be useful for those who are frequently working outdoor. Of course, this can be extra knowledge for some of you.
Sand fly (Culicoides). Credits: J. F. Butler, University of Florida
SAND FLIES
Often called "punkies", "no-see'ums," or biting midges, the sand flies are vicious where they occur. They are often more troublesome than mosquitoes because they can easily enter dwellings through ordinary 16-mesh window screen. The presence of these insects can decrease property values and severely hamper use of recreational areas. Vacationers and campers literally have been driven away from areas by these tiny biters. Sand flies can also cause loss to cattlemen in terms of annoyance to cattle and transmission of various nematode diseases.
Sand flies are members of the insect order Diptera and undergo a complete development with egg, larva, pupa, and adult forms. The adults are less than 1/16 inch long, dark gray to black in colour and have one pair of wings which are spotted. The sand flies breed predominantly in salt marshes; however, some species that are found inland breed in fresh water areas and tree holes.
Larvae of sand flies are found in mud, sand, and debris around the edges of ponds, springs, lakes, creeks, and in tree holes or on slime-covered bark. In the water they are free swimmers and are commonly found on floating twigs or leaf trash. The larvae pupate on floating debris or at the water's edge. The adult females, like mosquitoes, require blood to mature the eggs. Males do not bite. Sand fly larvae can be found in marshes the year-round; however, the period of greatest adult activity is June to August.
Sand fly activity is associated with air movement. Adults of most species seldom bite when there is air movement. Sand flies are also sensitive to temperature. Animals having a high body temperature are attractive to great numbers of female sand flies. Persons performing hard labour out-of-doors frequently are severely annoyed by these insects.
How to keep them away
Most biting flies (including sand flies) bite in still air. Increase air movement in porches, patios, and picnic areas will keep biting flies away but will not usually provide complete protection. Burning candles, coils and torches containing citronella or other biting fly repellent will sometimes help reduce bites. Burning these items produces a smoke which repels biting insects. Most biting flies will usually rest on low vegetation until they detect a host. Pruning shrubs, mowing weedy areas, and opening up the environment for air flow will reduce numbers of biting flies in an area.
[Adapted from Biting Flies by P. G. Koehler and F. M. Oi, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science.]
My second time to Bintulu was a fun one. I've got the chance to fish using the fishing rod (I'll get the pictures up as soon as I get them from my darling colleague). More exciting still, I was working together with a Caucasian colleague of mine. I've never expected myself to have such an opportunity to spend time with a Caucasian! So I really enjoyed myself. Ahh, too bad, Boss, you weren't there to share our joy and fun. *Sigh* I'm sure it would be even more fun to have you around... since you're also "one of the kind." Kakakak... *evil laughter*
I have, of course, brought a lot of memories back home... which includes the many scars caused by the unwelcomed sandflies. I'm so proud as to show you all the memory which I will never forget for the rest of my life...
My left arm. Look at the red spots... they itch like hell!! And this is no kidding... I couldn't even sleep the other night due to these darn bumps!!!!!
My right arm. Not so bad for this side of my arm. With one hand, I failed to take the sandfly bite mark at the back of my arm. Same as my left arm, they itch like... no words can I use to explain the seriousness of it.
I've tried all kinds of creams, but nothing works. So anybody out there has any suggestions? I would appreciate your help and advice.
Am supposed to post these 3 photos last month, but I've totally forgotten about it until I checked my photo folders today.
So for those who have been to Bintulu years ago but has not landed in the new airport, there you go...
Saw a guy who's showing his butt? Yep, that's the arrival hall. The departure hall is at the 2nd floor (nope, you can't see it from here. It's at another corner).
The outside view from inside the airport.
The only shop in the airport. Another one which is just next to the arrival hall (not in the picture) is a makan shop. The guy standing there pressing away at his handphone? He is no other than my boss. Hehe. [Well, you see, Boss, you will be popular if you travel with me more often, 'coz I'll make sure you appear in every picture. *evil grin*]
So what do I have to say about the new Bintulu airport? Errrm... it's a mini Kuching International Airport; the structures wise are similar but its size is much much smaller than KIA.
I just came back home an hour ago after going for a drink with a few aunties and uncles. Although I get to meet them every Friday, we seldom have the "yam cha" (go for a drink) activity to catch up with each other. So despite the pile of work that is waiting for me at home, I went with them.
Anyways, when we were all leaving the coffee shop for our cars, I saw one of the uncles who was walking beside me bent down for something. So I stopped out of curiosity, only to find a 1 cent coin lying on the ground. And I saw him picking it up, uttering "Ohh, one cent," and then held it in his palm.
Haiyo... 1 cent you also want? I asked him. Eh... 1 cent can become RM100, you know! He snapped back at me. What the *tuuuut*... I thought to myself.
When I was in the car with another 2 aunties, they started talking between themselves.
Who doesn't like money? Everybody does! Said one of them. Yeah! 1 cent also money what... Another agreed. Heh. Some people want something of more worth. 1 cent is nothing to them. The first one said. True. But even if you only collect 1 cent coins, you can transform that little worthless 1 cent into RM100 after some times!
Well, that makes sense to me. It makes PERFECT sense. But that is not the principle I live by. For me, what is not mine, is not mine. Even if there was a RM1000 note on the ground, I wouldn't be bothered to pick it up at all, UNLESS I was really in need of money at that very moment.
You may say I'm stupid. Yeah, I know I am. But let me explain.
Now think about this. Say, you dropped your wallet/purse when you were climbing into your car. You only got to realize it when you reached home. So you drove all the way back to the places you've stopped by, only to find your effort in vain. How would you feel? Sad, disappointed, or you might even curse the person who took it, would you not? Let's say that everyone, or majority, feels that the rule of "finder's keeper's" is bullshit. Do you think you can find your wallet/purse?
Well, that's what I've been thinking of all these while. And that's why I don't give a damn to things not belonging to me. Only what is mine, is mine.
IF ONLY there were more people like me in this world... Don't you wish so? *grin*
Here are some interesting 'facts', which I got from Granpa Chuck's Blog. I didn't know they actually have such a survey. Read on...
Would you stoop to pick up a penny on the street? According to the latest Coinstar National Currency Poll, three out of four Americans would bend their knees for a copper.
Age affects attitudes toward change. Of more than 1,000 adults polled, 90 percent of respondents over the age of 65 said they would stop to pick up a penny. Only 67 percent of the 18-34 year-olds would. In fact, two-thirds of the 65-plus crowd said they had never in their lives bypassed a chance to pick up a coin.
Twelve percent of those surveyed said they wouldn’t pick up a coin if it were heads down -- they consider it unlucky. Eighteen percent of people surveyed in the Northeast agreed.
Image also counts. In the Northeast, 7 percent of respondents said they would be too embarrassed to ever pick up a coin in the street while 5 percent of those in the West said it wasn't worth the effort.
Damn it!!! I failed the Weird Test!!! I'm only 40% weird?!?!?!?! I thought I'm abnormally weird... but... but... BUT... Ok, fine. I'm normal but with 40% weirdness... Hmm... that sounds weird.
You Are 40% Weird
Normal enough to know that you're weird...But too damn weird to do anything about it!
What? You've never flew with Air Asia before? You might ask.
My answer is: Yeah, there's no big deal about it, you see. Why are you so shocked anyway? Do you think that everybody is as priviledged as you are, to always have the opportunity to fly? *Sigh* Buddy, be thankful that you're one of those who are always flying from place to place.
Alrights. Maybe you still don't believe me that I've never been onboard of an Air Asia plane before. Never mind. Let me show you the proves.
Voila! The confirmation mail and pass. Hmm... so the Air Asia ticket is only a piece of paper? That's really really different from MAS. For me, it's kinda dangerous too, 'cos if anybody is not careful, they might lose the pass.
Pretty air stewarders. *grinned* They were.... pushing a trolly and selling food and drinks. I find it kinda weird. You see, there are so many people complaining abut the price of the food and drinks, and yet, there are still so many people who buy from them. I really wonder why.
Look at that... one can of Lipton Ice Tea costs RM5. A cup of Cola is also RM5. What on earth.....? OWH. Maybe the cost to produce the brochure is also included in the pricing? Good to look at, bring satisfaction to the tongue; therefore, extra charge!! *LOL*
Too bad that MAS no longer offers flights from some of the main towns in Sarawak. A good example is Bintulu (from where I've just came back). One question to ponder: Will Air Asia take over MAS one day? - I don't know.
Welcome to my most private world that is not-so-private after all!!
What to expect? Anything and everything!! All the posts are purely my most personal opinion, some are just fantasies, some are truths laid bare, some solely rubbish. Agree or/and disagree with me? Feel free to voice out (or else I won't know what you're thinking)!
The only shop in the airport. Another one which is just next to the arrival hall (not in the picture) is a 
