Once you use Beats by Dr Dre earphones, the white earphones that came with your iPhone/iPod will sound even crappier.

If there's ever a time where I might die from being overworked, this month could be it.

Check out Faizal Tahir's new music video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCcFnuZvBsg

It's a wholesome video suitable for the whole family. Hope you like it.

Let me introduce you to my son, Liam. He is almost 6 months old. He has absolutely no regard for personal hygiene. But I still think he's pretty cool. I hope he grows up to become a doctor or accountant. Pray that I don't mess this up.

Seen or heard anything interesting lately?

By the way, I have music at soundcloud.com/audimok if you're interested.

Just so you know, we have started work on Faizal Tahir's new album. We are doing things that we've never done before like planning. Also, this time around, there are no ballads.

Wow. A blog entry!

Since you asked...

This morning, for the third time this month, I forgot to pack my clothes to wear after my workout at Bangsar Village.  Again, for the third time this month, I had to go to a store in my gym clothes and get a whole new outfit.  Today was extra special because I had specific clothing requirements for a photo shoot later in the afternoon: Plain white T-shirt and dark jeans.  (Thank you Anugerah Juara Lagu!)

I walk into Ted Baker on the ground floor.  I can sense the Ted Baker retail staff looking at me thinking "Why is this guy in shorts and a gym shirt here?  He can't possibly afford this!"

I am the only customer.  Three retail staff.  I get no assistance.  This has happened before.

Hurriedly, I pick out a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt.  I try them on.  Seems OK.  The price tag on the jeans says "RM420" but it has a "30%-off"tag on it.  I sneak in the reason why I am in a hurry.

I'm thinking, "RM294 for jeans."

The T-shirt is RM99 with 30% off.  Never thought I'd pay RM60 for white T-shirt but since I screwed myself over, I'll pay the price.

I get to the counter and the total is RM519.

You see, the price tag is AFTER the discount.  To which I am thinking, "Sneaky bastards!"  If you are already going to put the price after the discount, then why bother put the discount percentage there?  You might as well put "90% off"!

Of course, I could have not paid for it.  But I needed the clothes and I didn't have the time.

My beef is not the RM519.

So, I pay and leave.  I go the gym and do my thing and experience the wonders of the treadmill.  Take a shower and put on my new Ted Baker clothes.  Damn, the RM100-white T-shirt seems a little large now.  I put it on anyway and head back to Ted Baker.

I explain to one of the three retail assistants.

"I just bought this shirt.  May I try on a smaller size?"

I understand how it looks.

"I just took a shower and this shirt has only been worn for less than 2 minutes.  Less time than if someone where to try on the clothes in your store.  And I am fresh out of the shower with Adidas Team Force Shower Gel.  I am sure you have had filthier customers try on your clothes and then put them back on the rack.  If it will make you feel better, I could go back and change."

The three stooges looked at each other dumbfounded.  After watching them struggle for about 2 minutes, I just walked out.

"It should not be that difficult to satisfy a customer."

Here is a business that has no concept of customer service.  They are giving me shit over a RM100-T-shirt after I paid RM400 for a pair of jeans.  You can imagine how much desire I have for wanting to shop at Ted Baker again.

Ultimately, I blame Ted Baker management because they failed to empower and train their staff to handle these situations.  More importantly, they fail to allow them to exercise common sense.  As a result, they lost me as a future customer.  I have ill-feelings towards the brand and I will communicate this within my friends.

The burning question now is, would they have treated me this way if I were a white guy?

(In response to the comment posted below: It is not an issue based on racism but I'd expect them to be chicken-shit about it and give the expat what he wanted. Possibly out of fear, intimidation, pseudo-worship, or a combination of all the above. This double-standard exists. Don't kid yourself.)