Is air-conditioning human rights?

Obviously, not!

Rephrase the question, Is air-con a must have in a tropical country like Malaysia, when air-con is all you (people like me) know?

The condo, the elevator, the gym, the lobby, the car, the malls/shops, food in the frozen food section, and the office all have one thing in common.

Yes, they are more expensive today than yesterday and the day before, but not the topic for the day.

The air-con is the escape from Malaysia’s two seasons: hot and hot/humid or hot/humid/raining.

Okay, so I forgot to pay the electricity bill, but the precision efficiency of the power company (we shall keep it anonymous) cutting it off is of first world effectiveness.

I am impressed, and will not forget again. Power company is like the tax authorities, don’t pay obligations, immediate consequences (fear).

If only the ability to cut off power to delinquent paying-bill tenants can be applied for other areas requiring precision and efficiency, Malaysia would be a super-power: from economic (G20 country) to financial (capital markets bigger than banking sector) to intellectual (huge number of patents) to even military (self-explanatory).

Lesson to self

Be vigilant on all obligations, like calling mum on Mother’s day, spouse on anniversary or birthday or daughter on her birthday

Become soft, understand a little bit of hardship shows character, resiliency, and need to be able to rough it; have we, rather me, become a society of wimps? My ego won’t allow me to accept, so stiff upper lip, while rest is sweating.

Sticking to the bedsheets, where the glue is sweat, which is not conducive to a good night sleep, but see number 2 (above) about the wimp issue. Understand, that the sticky bedsheet alarm clock works even better than alarm clock for Fajr prayer.

Smoking a cigar before sleeping, with the hope it will help you sleep under these conditions, does not work, and you wake up with a drum-roll headache, see above issue on sleep.

Must say, the water was warm, so no cold shower, but the latter felt good on body and conscious, as did not have to use non-existent electricity to heat the water.

Must say the flash-light function of the iPhone 6 is extremely effective in an efficient showering, shaving and getting ready in the dark.

Must say had no appetite for breakfast, as left condo as soon as soon as changed. Did not want re-start sweating too soon. May be a potential fad of the month diet?

Must say, learned a bit of sleep deprivation, it works: coordination isn’t so good (don’t operate heavy machinery, like a juicer) and speech is slurred (not good to do presentation or conference talk).

Must say, if know of electricity outage at residence, an ideal opportunity to have 6am meets in office. Those who show up are either committed to work 110% or also without electricity.

Thankful that office is few minutes walk from the condo and had light-bulb moment of placing next day's suit, matching socks, keys, access pass (to office) on the way out. Suspect it is part of that vision thing that nice people tell me that I have.

Best feeling when turned on air-con at office, possibly last time I will complain it is too cold, nay, probably not!

Concluding thoughts

I hope the bill gets paid and accepted today, as I very much appreciate electricity.

Suggestion for power company, please send email before cutting off, make sure it does not go into my spam box, so do not write (in the Subject) as a discounted offer.

Condos should have battery powered fans available in such situations as part of the amenities. Re-circulated air is better than no air.

I feel good that I roughed it, but let's see where my mind and energy level is at noon today. Prelude to Ramadan!

I very much appreciate all those who have lived without air-con in tropical countries, those who live under stress of black and brown outs without back-up generators, and those who can smile through it all.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. – Abraham Lincoln.

Or take (electricity) power away for a night.

Have a good day, folks! – May 15, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.