People stories

Perak Food Trail, Going Places, May 2009

What's the greatest thing about being a writer?

Is it the travel perks? The free food? The schwag?

"Lexicophilia," I used to answer without hesitation. I did go into writing because I loved words. As much as I enjoy word-play, these days I've uncovered an even more powerful dope - the chance to live vicariously.

During an interview which will be published in October, I found myself saying, "Every time I meet someone for a story, I learn something new," when he asked me why I chose to write, rather than say, sell computers for a living. (My old job, if you didn't know)

You don't just write stories about people's lives - in the process of coaxing the story out of them, you LIVE that person's life. When you talk to people who are still madly in love with their work/craft/pursuit, you get the privilege to relive their highs and lows, see through their eyes, walk in their shoes.

The heroes from my favouritest burger stall in the world :), Thum's Burger

What other job provides you with this window of opportunity, over and over again?

....

Sorry for lack of updates. Byline also made recent appearance in:

The Star Weekender Last Saturday of every month

Going Places June 2009 Rustic Rendezvous; August 2009 Renewed Wows

Quill (Jul-Sept '09) That's the way the cookie crumbles The Hard Life of Writers

Millionaireasia (Sg & Malaysia) Personality Profile Tiah Joo Kim, TA Group's Heir Apparent

Malaysian Insider Numerous. Please visit http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/blogs/category/food-blog/

Racing Aces swoon over their Mean Machines

(L-R) Lars Erik Nielsen, Mokhzani Mahathir, Sven Herberger

MillionaireAsia, Nov-Dec 2008

We all like fantasy. Everybody wants to read about the powerful, the rich, the glamorous. Even if we can't all imbibe champagne on a yacht or zip around in maseratis all the time, at the very least, we can live the good life vicariously.

Thus, as writers, sometimes our JD includes trafficking fantasy.

Though I've met my fair share of datuks and tan sri's who think they're God's answers to mankind's prayers, these guys defied the usual stereotypes.

They were charming, professional, and always gracious. Lars Erik-Nielsen, the silver-haired one on the left, even obliged to playing photographer, while this giddy journo posed disbelievingly in the cockpit of their Porsche!

You can buy fame, but admiration has to be earned.

Skypark at Subang

The latest jewel in Malaysia's aviation crown
MillionaireAsia, Issue 3, Volume 1, 2008