I use a monthly pass to get on the PUTRA LRT, Malaysia’s urban subway train system. The following is a recollection of how I single-handedly managed to avoid, uh, paying a fine. But first, a how-I-got-there appetizer!

But first, why such a late update? College projects! Three at a time! Fail and re-sit two semesters!

So yeah, I had to hand in a demo CD by 5 PM yesterday. I finished burning the CD at 4:40 PM and tried to flag many cabs. I got my lucky break with an old Chinese guy. I told him I’d give him 5 Ringgit extra if he’d go faster a bit.

He asked why I was rushing. I said I would fail if I didn’t hand in the project in time.

I don’t know if RM 5 was a lot in terms of going faster, but he was going fast (and aggressive) as well! He cursed at motorcyclists in a British slang (Bloody motorcyclists want to die!)

He also had this weird calmness, singing and humming happily to the national anthem!

The fare came to RM 8, and I paid him RM 13. I don’t know if I would have the same treatment if I didn’t offer to pay more, or if I didn’t say I was going to fail.

5:10 PM. I ran to college, and fortunately my lecturer was at the coffeeshop below. I handed him the CD and asked when was my mandatory present-my-crappy-demo time. Tomorrow afternoon, he said. (4 hours from time of writing this.)

I then headed over to the cheapest place in that expensive area (Ampang Park), McDonalds. Forbidden luxury comes in McShaker Fries. Just above RM 7 for that meal.

I then sat in college to nod off at World Wide Web Fundamentals. I also got my progress test results. 19 out of 60. This is what you get for giving a real-life answer and not something out of the textbook. Of course, the textbook is sad too – it writes about cutting edge killer applications back in 1998. 2003? Failed and forgotten. Not that those were bad ideas… those just never got round to being introduced. I forgot which Internet bigshot said that the browser didn’t have any real enhancements. Quite true that was – new releases have just more support for fancy layouts. 🙁

To heck with RMI, Java Beans, CORBA and other one-article-wonders. 😛

Now here comes the exciting part!

I went back through the Ampang Park PUTRA LRT station. There was nobody to check my monthly pass. Yes, that’s right – all I need to do is flash the pass at the guard. No touching or magnetic strip involved!

I took it to Masjid Jamek, flood central (and also where I take my bus home), where on my way out I was stopped by the guard. He confiscated my July 2003 collector’s item. 🙁 (Well, I collect them anyway…) He then directed me to the booth, still on the paying side of the station.

I told my friend, who used the Touch-and-Go magnetic card system, that I was going to the toilet first. I snuck off, and upon coming out of the toilet, I went back down to wait for another train!

I came out at Dang Wangi, one station away. Darn. There was a guard there. Ah well, I walked in and out of the toilet, and then got on the train to Kg. Baru.

That one had no guard, so I walked past, going up and down the escalator. God knows why I need to act so much. I then went to the booth and bought my August 2003 monthly pass.

I took the train to Pasar Seni, walking distance from my bus stop. On the way there I couldn’t help notice them Swedish-looking summer-wear female tourists. Yes, summer wear, with the whole abdominal part showing, not just a strip of midriff!

I bumped into a friend on my way out. Is the world becoming smaller, or am I getting more popular? 😛

You drive a car? Big deal. What are the chances of you bumping into someone on the road? I’ve bumped into many old friends on the train. You car-using people can only bump into people at places where you have to pay parking. Haha!

Plus, the PUTRA LRT is an easy exercise in voyeurism. Why must she get offended at my transfixed gaze? Hmmph. A beautiful tree doesn’t get offended!

Oh yes, linkage comes in cute farts in my About Me! page like Uneeq.