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The Decode Diary episodes
- Snippet: The Miserable And The Horrible, And Whether He Is HappyIn the movie Annie Hall, Woody Allen describes that there are two groups of people - the miserable and the horrible. I asked Hong Ben what he thought about this and liberating he said. Should have seen this coming.In this snippet, Hong Ben shares with me whether he is happy or not. His response never fails to surprise me.Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LgJFlyASfb1e4C4f4XYF4?si=TpF_n3oGQgyABzcYyl73Wg14 min
- Snippet: He Directed And Shot His Own Film
Because I know Hong Ben, because I know he loves movies and cinemas and everything about them, because I know how he loves telling stories and entertaining people, I knew this was coming. Hong Ben wrote a script, directed it and shot it with the hope that one day his own studio would come alive. We talked about this when we were discussing the movie Hugo in which the filmmaker George Melies showed his undying passion for films.
In this snippet, he shared with me how even until today he still seeks opportunity to shoot his films the way he wants it. Unless, of course, it is company related.
Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LgJFlyASfb1e4C4f4XYF4?si=TpF_n3oGQgyABzcYyl73Wg
8 min - Snippet: Watching Old Hong Kong Movies With His Grandmother
I'm pretty sure when we were younger, we used to sit and watch with our parents or grandparents movies or whatever was on TV. The moments we will never be able to revisit but also we had no idea about. When Hong Ben told me everything about his priceless and treasured moments with his grandmother, I felt within me the urge to relive the moments with my parents.
Spending more time with them whenever I have the chance is what I would do and is the only thing I can do.
Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LgJFlyASfb1e4C4f4XYF4?si=TpF_n3oGQgyABzcYyl73Wg
11 min - [FULL] Hong Ben: “That’s Just How People Are, Love Fades”, The Two Movies That Say Everything About Him And How He Treats Love, Life And DeathAll this while knowing Hong Ben, he is a fellow cinephile and his taste and choice of movies have always been a point that I bring up whenever we talk. This time around, he sent me two movies that tell everything I need to know about him, and we brought it to the table to discuss them. Sure enough, I could see Hong Ben in the movies he sent.I think when we are growing up, we absorb so much of the traits and characteristics of the people and matter around us that in one way or another, we become reflections of them. Slowly, we build on top of these uninvited behaviors and turn into who we are today. Talking about movies, especially Hugo and Annie Hall with Hong Ben has been such a liberating conversation.Timeline:[00:00] Hugo 2011 - A love letter to cinemas and silent movies[06:07] Feeling inspired by Hugo[09:33] His grandmother & her old Hong Kong movies[19:29] Watching films from the director’s perspective[20:42] Magic tricks and filmmaking like George Méliès[28:49] He shot his own short film[36:02] Isabelle of Hong Ben[37:47] How he would refilm Hugo[41:20] Annie Hall 1977[47:42] His first date move[50:15] The Woody Allen joke[52:19] Is Hong Ben happy[01:03:16] His love of jazz music and Woody Allen[01:06:36] “That’s just how people are, love fades”[01:10:18] Empty areas in his life[01:13:48] Seeing the women’s perspectives[01:16:04] NYC is a dying citySound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com1 hr 21 min
- Snippet: Renting Your Unit On Airbnb
Renting your unit on Airbnb is probably the hottest method of generating side income these past few years. In fact, I just recently saw that the total earnings coming from female hosts in Malaysia exceeded RM200 million in 2023. So much so that many places are banning Airbnb.
Of course, this is only one side of the coin and to find out whether we as the owner of our unit should continue renting it out on Airbnb, I took it to Ganesha to learn what it is all about when you rent your rooms out on the world's largest accommodation hosting platform.
Listen to the full conversation here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0II96jbgeMDuzc5u1iyrcZ?si=vYDmfjwlS4mXVoE2LJ0zbQ
13 min - Snippet: The Dilemma Of New Development Vs Subsale Properties & High Rises Vs Landed Properties
I gawked at the idea of buying a new apartment which will supposedly take a few years to complete. For a few reasons of course. New projects are definitely preferable because when it is yours, it will be yours only. I didn't like the idea.
The reason is because it takes a few years for you to start generating revenue from it. That is, if you are thinking of renting it out. But come to think of it, it was only a one-sided opinion and I lacked the necessary homework. In this snippet, Ganesha did my homework. And I hope you did yours too.
Listen to the full conversation here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0II96jbgeMDuzc5u1iyrcZ?si=vYDmfjwlS4mXVoE2LJ0zbQ
14 min - Snippet: The Importance Of Location When Buying A Property
When I first started looking at properties, I wished I had known this vital piece of information - location, location, location.
It is not that the location demands your entire savings account, but knowing your property sits at a developing township will probably enable better quality of sleep. Ganesha shared with me in this snippet how choosing the right location does not mean it should be right next to the MRT. Or LRT. If you happen to stay in Kuala Lumpur, this snippet is for you.
Listen to the full conversation here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0II96jbgeMDuzc5u1iyrcZ?si=vYDmfjwlS4mXVoE2LJ0zbQ
17 min - [FULL] Ganesha: “A Condo Beside The LRT Or MRT May Not Be The Best Investment”, Renting Out Properties And Understanding Your Loan EligibilityAs soon as I started working, I was very vigilant about my money and finances. Trying my very best to make more money and think long-term has always been part of me due to the insecurities when I was younger. Therefore, I am exceedingly grateful that this conversation took place.Ganesha, just like anyone else, bought his first property for all the same reasons, but he’s being smart about it. And he’s on his way to get his second one.Growing up, the topic of finance never really took place in my household. Avoiding debt is the number one thing our parents would let us hear about day in and day out. But they never really taught us how we should buy a property for our own living, let alone for investment purposes. In this episode, Ganesha shared with me all the tips and tricks he learnt from his mentor about property investment. If you are like Ganesha and I, this episode is for you.Timeline:[00:00] Living his early life at Cochrane Cheras[02:15] He wanted to do nuclear engineering, but ended up in electrical engineering[06:48] Posting about property investments on his Instagram[07:54] Rule of thumb to start investing in properties[10:07] How do you know if you can afford[12:05] Delaying cash flow after buying your first property[15:03] Short-term vs long-term rental[17:34] The importance of location[33:57] New developments vs sub sale properties[43:35] Buying landed houses[46:59] Loan eligibility[52:38] Airbnb[01:04:40] Getting a mentor and understanding the risks of investing in properties[01:14:32] How many properties does he have?[01:19:46] What is next for him?Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.comFollow Ganesha on his Instagram @ganeshanachar1 hr 24 min
- Snippet: "From My Younger Self To My Future Self" And Her Definition Of Happiness
It is easy to detach from your own character and say you are what you say you are. Kindness, being understanding and even being happy, these are just some of the behaviors that truly show who we are, not what we say.
When Melissa speaks of writing a letter to her future self, the monologue within me hoped that she would be able to embody the positive traits she found while she was traveling Japan. It will be interesting to talk to her again once she starts her new job.
Listen to the full conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5LetS779Lo68SsBV9hgwWg?si=fkjsHKgrQFOLvqOQv7HKsg
12 min - Snippet: "Serendipitous Encounters" And Strangers Kindness
Depending on your company setting and culture, the work environment may be toxic and believe it or not, you have no choice but to become someone without compassion, kindness and empathy. We succumb to the demands of our work environment, often prioritizing efficiency over compassion, but once we leave the office, a different persona emerges, one characterized by empathy and kindness.
Melissa shared with me how she was withdrawing into herself, knowing there was no kindness needed when she was all alone in Japan after she quit her job. But a stranger's kindness turned everything around. Serendipitous encounters like this are what make us believe that humanity and mercy exist. But it is us who make this possible.
When was the last time you show compassion to a random stranger?
Listen to the full conversation: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5LetS779Lo68SsBV9hgwWg?si=fkjsHKgrQFOLvqOQv7HKsg
9 min
About The Decode Diary
From the publisher's feed
The Decode Diary isn't just a podcast; it's your passport to the untold stories of the average-looking but extraordinary Joes who try their best to make it in life. I first stumbled upon the idea of…
providing insights and perception of the general public when I had so much to talk about but also had so much to learn from those around me. The Decode Diary is a journey and process to decode and decrypt the everyday actions of these people with whom we can relate so much. If you are interested in learning their behavior and actions, this is for you. Welcome onboard.