The characters in this entry are as follows:
WR = My boss, no prize for those of you who guessed who that is.
Den/ Uncle = ME
L2 = Affectionately known as Auntie, even though she's born in the 80's

And so the story goes... Scene 1: On 28th Sept
L2: Uncle... come come read this mail... WR asked me why I wanna take half day urgent leave.
Den: Ya, why har? Usually your leave all planned one mah.
L2: Tired mah, dun feel like working, so take leave to go back rest lor.
Den: Then just tell him got something personal on lah, he can ask but you dun have to tell him
reason mah
A few minutes later...
L2: Uncle come read this 'Ok but let me know if we need to talk ok... Thanks'
Den: What the ...? Siao kia, take leave only mah... what's there to talk... Anyway Auntie, next Fri
take half day oso can?
L2: Wanna go pak toh issit? Lantern Festival wor, go lah....

And so... Scene 2: on 5th Oct
WR (calls me on my extension) : Dennis, can I talk you?
Den: Yup (then walks over to his cubicle)
WR: You want to take half day on Fri ar? Why ar? Dun scare me lei... (then laughs awkardly,
man how I hate his blardy laughter)
Den: Personal matters lah, dun worry lah, if got something will tell you one (yeah as if...)

The point is, if the f... (oops, promised Yvonne that this post will be 'fuck' free... hahah) management is aware that the support staff is gonna leave, then why not think of how to retain us? Stop givng us crap like 'We'll be giving you more opportunities to shine by giving you guys more projects to do, then we'll monitor your performance to see if you can make it for MX positions'

Balls to you understand? Why should we, proud MSOs who has attained our degrees, continue to be subjected to your ridiculous blabberings and continue to lead projects, initated by you? So that once, its being done and all is good, you may then walk proudly to the toppest management and say, 'We have completed this project. The greatest achievement from all this is that I can see my staff grow and work independently without supervision.' And then ta da... kudos to WR, for being able to lead his team well, while we will continue to slog pathetically, without recognition? I'm flicking my virtual middle finger to that!

And then, take another colleague for example, she's been here 8 years, promoted twice and when there's a vacant position for MX, what happens? In comes a fresh graduate from oooo... the prestigious NUS/ NTU and poor Miss 8 yr-old MSO with degree continues to be MSO with degree, leading projects for the fresh grad MX...

So I ask you, who in their right minds won't be taking half day leaves and go for interview?
So Mr WR, if you yourself are aware of the fact that we, the proud MSOs who had attained our degrees will no longer be willing to be under your beck and call cuz we, the proud MSOs who had attained our degree now deemed ourselves as your equal, then either swallow your pride and take us as equals or stop asking stupid questions like why we are taking leave and telling us brainless things like 'must give me notice'... I'll give you your notice when I give you da letter... dawg!

P.S. :
For those not in civil service, MSO = positions for diploma holders and MX = positions for degree holders. Usually MSO with degree don't get emplaced into the MX position, not in All Goons' Department, anyway.

And also, Auntie is a very good co-worker and a responsible one at that who normally do not take urgent leave to rest, unless she's really very stressed up or tired or fed-up with work or all of the above.