(Not) Young and Dangerous Dinner

One unfine day, Ninja (Francis) called me on my mobile phone. I had left GIT by then and therefore I did not recognise the called numberat first. After chit-chatting for a while, he said he would like to meet up for dinner. I am not so close to Ninja but I suspect CKS had given Ninja my contact number. So I sms CKS after the call with Ninja for dinner suggestions as I don't mind having dinner with both of them.

After a while, we agreed on Young&Dangerous (Y&D) the next day at 7pm for dinner. I was glad that after all this time, I am still remembered by the Revered in GIT. I reminder CKS via sms to inform Ninja as well as to provide Ninja wih the directions to Y&D.

The next day after I had picked up my wife; I sms CKS at about 6.30pm that I will be late as I am still stuck in the traffic jam. It would be better for him to order the food first and not having to wait for us to arrive.

Imagine the pleasant surprise I got when CKS sms me saying that his "Visa" application to his "reporting officer" has been denied so he will not be able to join us for dinner. I felt so sorry for him in missing out on the dinner. He must have gone hungry that night.

I was so glad I found that out that piece of news by myself. I am so pleased with myself for having the initiative to sms else I would never have known until I reached the eating place. The sense of responsibility and respect for my fellow human being has not been lost on me.

I arrived late with my wife at about 7.30pm. (Better late than never) But imagine the next pleasant surprise that was installed for me. I saw Ninja with 5 other "assassins".

Apparently Ninja had "jio" 5 other "deities" for the dinner. They turn out to be 5 engineers from HK (Hong Kong, not James = Horny King) on duties in the Singapore office. "Safe to sit down", I assured my wife.

It was one of the most fruitful and enjoyable dinner that I ever had in all my 25 years. I had a good 2 hours of intense conversational Cantonese training as well as all the SS7 technical updates that I will ever need all my life. For that, I am eternally grateful!

The only downside for me regarding this whole dinner was that I did not contribute to anything at all to the betterment of my fellow dinner mates at the same table - technical or financial.

I had great regard for CKS when I left GIT. I always felt that he was the misunderstood soul that all (not only the engineers) in GIT were envious and loathed at the same time. I was there to witness his progress and growth in GIT. He is the prodigal genius that will never be understood and appreciate in his time.

After that night, I stood in awe of the enlightenment as well as a twinge of sadness that I probably would never in my remaining years ever be in the presence of his greatness again.

Hence, I humbly thank you for such a wonderful and unforgetable evening. Never again.