My Haiku:I wrote this haiku
with the hope that just maybe.
It blows you away.
Introduction:The name is irrelevant.
The person is male.
The age is older.
The stories are true.
This blog is mine.
Stuff to surf:o Rage against the machine
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o Internet Movie DB
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Blogs to read:o Kai
o Pon
o Nona
o Afti
o Sue
o Naddywoman
o Poe
o Borro
o Kuman
o Chit Chat Bola
o Maverix
o The Datin Diaries
o Kengster
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o AG
o Nik
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o Affy
o Mooke
o Idlan
o Dhilia
o Shapeng
o Ninie
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Credits:o francey design
o blogger
DVD Clubs
Blog about Star Wars I will
Kings of the Kop
@#$%&. Cuba try.
The Questions
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How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
Cat Killer
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Weekend at Stoney's
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...George Lucas had this brainy idea of an intergalactic battle between Good and Evil. 28 years on, the final piece of that saga comes to an end with The Revenge of the Sith. and since everyone's talking about Star Wars lately, why shouldn't I?
i guess the movie deserves a posting of its own based on 3 reasons:
1. maybe the 2nd movie ever that i went to see at the cinema twice. can't remember the first one.
2. it's probably the last Star Wars movie. (note the probably, because when it comes to money-bags Lucas, who can be sure?)
3. it's Star Wars, damnit!
and to tell you the truth, if u really wanna feel like u're in the midst of the battle at Coruscant or experiencing every light sabre clashing in Mustafar, u gotta see it in a THX cinema. it really makes a difference, man...because i was lucky to be able to compare a so-so cineplex in Seremban up against the mighty THX-driven cinema in MidValley. and no...George Lucas is not paying me anything for saying this, but if he'd like to offer me something...u know how to find me, Mr. Lucas.
Star Wars is one of those things in life that connects almost each and everyone of us. i mean...who has never heard of Star Wars? our fascination with the Star Wars universe and how our lives was affected by it has become stories we grow up with. most people will remember the first time they watched Star Wars, their favourite character, their first action figure, and countless other Star Wars-related memories. i remember i had those Storm Trooper action figures and how i used to love my Star Wars bedsheet with a picture of Luke against Darth Vader. i could go on forever with these kinda stories, but the simple fact is...Star Wars is a simple story that captured our imagination. add to that, Lucas's brilliant concept of merchandising and u get....a full-blown multi-million dollar industry that is the Star Wars universe alone. to see the funny side of the Force, i would recommend Mel Brooks' classic Spaceballs to see how seriously crazy we've become of Star Wars.
but i have to admit that the 2 previous episodes of Star Wars was a dissapointment. i watched Attack of the Clones only once, which was the first time in the cinema. i guess everyone was really waiting for Episode 3 because it linked the Star Wars universe that we love so much back in the 80's with whatever crap that Lucas gave us in the late 90's. it was the final jigsaw in the life of Anakin Skywalker that we have become so familiar with.
and in all honesty, i loved ROTS. i guess u couldn't complete the saga in a better way. if there were any complaints, it would be the lack of appearance by the black-suited, new-and-improved-yet-breathing-assisted Darth Vader. but who the hell was responsible for writing those awful one-liners from Obi-Wan? it makes a mockery of the larger-than-life Ben Kenobi that we've grown accustomed to thanks to the great Sir Alec Guinness. i don't blame Ewan McGregor coz i think he himself was cringing in his Jedi robe as he spoke those corny lines.
all in all, Revenge of the Sith was a great finale or should we say finale till Luke grows up. a lovely piece to link all 6 movies. so i guess we won't be anticipating any new Star Wars movie for the time being. i heard that Lucas is planning to re-issue all 6 movies in 3D starting from 2007, so it's good to hear that he won't be poor anytime soon. heyy...where else would we use our hard-earned money if not to contribute to the Lucas cause?
hopefully in 3-4 weeks, all this Star Wars hooplah will subdue so we can go on with our lives until the next summer blockbuster comes and sweeps us off our feet (not to mention wallets). and oh yeah...please stop all those Yoda-ish talks. irritates me it does.
with you, may the Force be.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
i would have showed you last night's Champions League Final between Liverpool and AC Milan.
last night's match has got to go down as among the best ever Cup Final. probably THE best ever. and i haven't seen only a handful of games, i tell ya. though i have been lucky to watch a number of memorable ones, last night probably takes the cake.
and why shouldn't it be? coming back from 3-0 in a cup final against superior opposition, Liverpool should be applauded for such a super-human effort. i'm no Liverpool fan. my team sucks big time (sorta like me), but my love for the game never stopped me from appreciating quality performances like the one showed by Liverpool. it was great to watch as a neutral. it doesn't matter which team u support, even if u're an Evertonian; don't call urself a football fan if u didn't enjoy last night's game. unless maybe u're an AC Milan fan. heh.
i went into last night's Final as someone who wanted Liverpool to win. being the sucker for underdogs that i am, i couldn't help myself. and plus, i've always had a soft spot for English teams playing in Europe. some people may call it lalang (ehem), but it really isn't. i've never revealed this (maybe due to the fact that i never enjoyed Man United's dominance) but on the night of the European Cup Final at the Nou Camp in 1999, my heart and soul was for the Red Devils. i jumped and screamed as Solskjaer (betul ke spelling ni) and Sheringham stole it from underneath Bayern Munich's noses. 6 years on, i celebrated Liverpool's triumph for the simple fact that they are an English team.
why English? i grew up watching English league football. my early heroes were the likes of Rush, Grobbelaar, Barnes and Linekar. see the Merseyside connection? thank you.
and plus, i never enjoyed Italian football. too technical. boring. yeah...u win matches that way, but u don't win the fans. like what we used to say back in college when we lose: Biar menang di hati peminat. yeah, it's cheesy. but it's great for sour grapes like us.
critics may argue that Liverpool aren't really good ambassadors for the Premier League, in contrast to the free-flowing football of Chelsea and Arsenal. but what they lack in technicality, they make up with their passion and desire. because football isn't just about tactical and technical know-how. it's how much you want it. and how u were going to fight for it.
so here's my take on last night's Final, a fitting end to what has been an incredible season:
The Final score: Liverpool 3 - AC Milan 3 (Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties)
The Final score they didn't tell you: AC Milan were leading 3-0 at half-time. 3-0!! with Milan's starting 11 that reads out like a Fantasy Football manager's dream team, honestly u didn't believe that Liverpool could do it, could u? i certainly didn't. u had a back four of Stam, Nesta, Cafu and Maldini. air liur aku pun meleleh type nama-nama ni. and i'm not even talking about the strikers yet.
Man of the Match: omigod. do we really have to name one? there were so many heroes of the night. it's funny that the match was a Tale of Two Halves. Liverpool looked like crap in the first 45. and AC Milan were not really pretty in the 2nd 45 too. but if they are names to be mentioned, Carragher was the pillar of strength in the Liverpool backline. as he has always been all season long. Dudek should be noted for the 2 point blank saves in Extra Time. and of course, winning the penalty was largely because of him, who mentioned Grobbelaar's antics in the '84 Final as his inspiration. talk about licking the Kop.
but ultimately, my vote would go to Captain Marvel himself, Steven Gerrard. his goal started Liverpool's revival in the 2nd half. sometimes, u need that little bit of magic from special players. though it wasn't one of his better games, i give it to him because when your team is down 3-0, u need leadership on the field that honestly believes your team can do it. and Stevie G provided that leadership. with style. will u still be in Liverpool next year? now that's a question for another day.
Quote of the match:
"I said Milan was going to win it, but not by this scoreline. I thought it was going to be a close game."
One of ESPN's football pundits, during half-time. Errr...care to rephrase?
You knew Liverpool's name was on the Cup when:
Dudek makes a mind-boggling point blank save from Shevchenko, of all people in extra time. i think that will be Shevchenko's only miss of the season. one out of a hundred. maybe a million.
Special mention goes to:
The medic team for last night's game. they ran into the field carrying the stretcher for numerous times, only to be dissapointed that no player was seriously injured. like what Andy Gray said, "It keeps them fit."
And kudos to Rob Hawthorne and Andy Gray for great commentary. there's something about Andy's voice that's uniquely 'football'. somehow, i keep on hearing his dissapointed voice saying, "Push it away, son. Push it away. Ohhhh." as PSV's keeper let in a late goal to put Milan in the Final.
so an end to another memorable football season. what a night it was. tak sia-sia aku stay up. it's ironic though, that the 2 best teams in the semi-finals didn't feature in the Final. but since when was football fair? sometimes u have to accept that certain things were meant to be. u could be 3-0, 4-0 up...but if u're gonna lose it. u just lose it. thank you to AC Milan for being such a sport. they were humble in defeat and that's great to see. it wouldn't be a memorable game without both sides playing a part.
congratulations to Liverpool for such a Herculean performance. u guys really proved that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. so now Liverpool can really start asking if they can defend their Cup for next season. i certainly hope so, because when it comes to this issue, you'll never walk alone on this one.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
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Tuesday, May 24, 2005
until i realized i never knew what i was asking.
darn it.
Monday, May 23, 2005
hmmm...occasions like this always reminds me of how time flies by. EE is engaged. wow...when i remembered how we used to have fights and quarrels as kids, it really strikes me that time is never a slow chap. and how the nama manja of EE was given to her by me, who as a small kid could never be able to mutter the name Ida properly. and so, i guess i just blurred out 'EE' and the rest is history. (i do not think she would approve of this information on the world wide web, but since this blog is unknown to my family members, it should remain that way)
on another note, it was a hectic day. family members from the Negeri Sembilan and KL area came and slept at the house on the night before, just to lend a helping hand. family gatherings are such a treat. the sight of people sleeping everywhere in the house on Toto mattresses reminds me of the days at rumah Arwah Tok Chik during Hari Raya. even my cousins who lived a few houses away slept over, just for the fun of it.
and the day itself...my goodness. from picking up the cake across town, setting up the tables (oh yeah...the catering people were d***heads) and being part-time photographer-cum-usherer-cum-runner cum laude, i was a deadbeat by the time the whole thing finished. and yet, it was satisfying. Mama and Papa looked pleased as well, maybe a bit relieved that the whole thing is over. i think ceremonies like this bonds family members, because i noticed that a lot of people were catching up on each other's activities. though a lot of cousins and relatives are working in the KL area, it's only times like these that we can sit down and catch up on each other...and talk crap as well. and we never ever run out of crap, that i tell ya.
so i'm looking forward to the wedding end of this year, InsyaAllah. my dad's giving me signs for me to be the Project Manager for this event (macam Apprentice la plakk). heh.
i shall look forward to that, if given the opportunity (rubbing hands). mana la tau kann...if this works out, maybe i'll consider a career as a wedding planner.
yeah. whatever.
anyways, here's a picture of her, my sister, the engaged woman:
.
Congratulations EE!
*for more perspectives, browse here
Thursday, May 19, 2005
i guess these people really wanted to prove this because according to researchers, there's a scientific reason on why teens are lousy at chores.
mannn....where were these people when i was a teenager?? at least i can show this article to Mama everytime she nags me to clean up my room. but come to think of it, i still hate doing household chores. maybe my brain hasn't fully developed yet. now THAT would explain a lot.
in any case, it's kinda funny that these kinda research are being carried out. i think i have a better idea. give me all those research funds and i'll tell you the reason why not just teenagers, but also why EVERYONE hates doing chores:
MALAS.
but if u really wanna research, give me a scientific explanation on why men love to scratch and sniff. in public.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Guess what happened today. While filling out the forms for a job interview I attended, I wrote 'blogging' as one of my hobbies. It was really suprising. I never thought of blogging as a hobby. Entah laa...tetiba tergerak pulak hati nak tulis tu. I guess I grew tired of putting down football, movies, reading and other stuff that were universally accepted as hobbies. (Ironically, someone even asked what my hobby was last week. Haha)
And you know what, Blog? They didn't even know what a blog was, except for this one guy who jokingly said, "So today's entry will be about this interview, eh?" Well, he was close about that though. He even wanted to know your name, but don't worry Blog. I'm didn't tell him nuts. I know you love your secrecy, so I'm gonna respect that. But I couldn't help talking about you. I think my face glowed as I described you. And they were really interested to know more about you. How you help feed the little writer in me. How you listen to my rants and rumbles. How you shared my joy and happiness. How you never fail to listen to my endless stories of crap and then more crap. And more crap after that.
Oh, I do hope so that I do not bore you. You are my pride and joy. Please don't leave me, Blog. Without you, I am a lesser man.
Sayang bangat sama kamu.
Yours sincerely,
He-who-loves-his-Blog
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
They love to tell you stay inside the lines
But something's better on the other side
there's something about the unknown that both frightens and yet fascinates me.
but we won't know if there is something better on the other side if we don't venture there, do we?
i'm no risk taker. i really suck at gambling.
and yet, i am restless in my own comfort zone.
did curiosity really killed the cat?
i don't want to be the cat. wish me luck, people.
Monday, May 16, 2005
1. Amazing Race Season 7 Finale. yup, i would have to agree with Aizuddin that this was probably the best ever final. i mean...what more would u want? underdog coming up tops, dramatic ending, nerve-wrecking turn-around decisions, near-misses and pure bad luck. and plus...the winners didn't even have a single cent to spend on the final leg. haiyooo...bloody hell you Bruckheimer making me look like a lunatic shouting in front of the telly. but keep 'em coming people, here's to more exciting races in the future.
2. probably the best ever finish to the EPL season, in terms of the relegation battle. who would have thought? West Bromwich Albion, nama haram tak glamer, who was sitting pretty in last place back in Christmas, did the impossible...they stayed on in the Premiership for another season. in a day filled with drama, the Baggies came out on top. hats off to Bryan Robson for pulling off such a remarkable feat. though i salute their spirit, my heart goes out to Southampton, who were last relegated 31 years ago. such a proud tradition shattered. i'm a football romantic, i hate it when lesser teams who have fought all this while to stay in the top-flight ends their long run. reminds me of Coventry City a few years back, who have been in the top-flight longer than Manchester United, only to be relegated and now wandering in the football wilderness that is the Football League. i guess Southampton was one of the teams you never minded to support. somehow, i still remember their 6-3 demolition of the Red Devils a few years back. (nampak sangat ke aku tak suka Man U?? hehe). memories of classic games at the Dell and the telesmatic Matt Le Tissier reminds me of the days when foreigners were a minority in the EPL and the Nike swoosh was a rare sight in football. i wish Southampton all the best and i do sincerely hope the Saints go marching back to the Premiership next season.
oh yeahh..reality TV and football can be hazardous to your health when taken too serious.
sakit tekak.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
i personally, was shocked and bewildered when i first heard the news. i mean...come on laaa...have we lost our inner conscience and care for our fellow mankind? his family of 4 lived on his mother's RM 150 salary. 150 in today's world? i bet the judge gets higher than that in one day alone.
u could argue that you have to put your foot somewhere in laying down the rules. as the judge said that it should serve as a lesson for other National Service shirkers. i myself, take pride in being a patriotic Malaysian. i love this country of ours. but in cases like this, maybe Ahmad Harizal didn't have the luxury to be patrotic because he was busy worrying how he was gonna eat today. i couldn't care less if he was a spoiled middle-class brat, but seeing his family background...don't tell me u didn't have sympathy?
it's funny u know, that the ones who usually suffer...well..maybe suffer is too harsh, let's just say people who feel the effects of Government policy are people in the lower class group. i mean..i dunno the facts laaa...but how many teenagers who are the sons and daughters of Datuks and Tan Sris are selected for National Service? yeah, yeah...so they select people at 'random'. but random is still something controlled by humans, right?
i mean...i'm not saying National Service alone. look at our education policy which changes with every passing Minister. and when u see that most politicians send their children to study abroad, doesn't that strike as being suspiciously strange? if they trust the policies that they've implemented, why are they sending their kids overseas? lead by example, they say...lead by example.
and going back to Ahmad Harizal's plight, well...the law is still the law. but laws are also created by man, so maybe cases like this should be studied and reviewed so that future Ahmad Harizals would not be punished for doing something he didn't really have the luxury of choosing from. no one is above the law, but since some people act like they're above it, why not act for people like him too...
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
normal 3-4 paragraph entries have turned into a few one-liners. there's two possibilities, i guess. Is it:
1. writer's block?
or
2. a good example of, "You say it best when you say nothing at all"?
Alamak....kantoi dengar Ronan la plakkk..
Monday, May 09, 2005
i've noticed that this is the 2nd year straight that i'm wishing my mother from a simple phone call. u could say that this entry here comes from being partly guilty for not going back to Seremban for the weekend. like the guy on radio said, "It's only half an hour!"
yeah, yeah...so kill me would ya?
in any case, i have my own reasons. and besides, i don't need a special day to tell Mama i love her. (alasan terbaik when u forget about a special occasion)
mothers are truly special people. we often underestimate the powerful role that they play in shaping society. think about it...would the world have seen the likes of Hitler, Pol Pot or Dahmer had they had better mothers? though each individual are responsible for their own actions, outside factors also play a role. and u would have to say that mothers are a big factor.
how big a factor do they play? according to the CIA's World Factbook, the total world's population is 6,446,131,400. the total fertility rate is 2.6 children born per woman. since everyone is this world is somebody's child, i could estimate that there are 2,479,281,307 mothers in the world. though this might not be a good estimate, since the fertility rate ranges from year-to-year, it gives a good idea on how many people we have who are mothers to politicians, bank robbers, sports icons, serial killers and other beings who walk this Earth. quite a number, isn't it? even typing the number out was a handful.
so bearing the job position of 'Mother' is no small task. though fathers also play a part in human development, mothers are the CEO. it takes more than hard work, discipline and patience to become a good mother. though there is no clear-cut definiton of a 'good mother', any mother who loves their children should be considered one.
so here's a big thank you to all mothers, mamas, bondas, ibus, maks, umis and okaasans of the world, especially to one in Bukit Chedang.
Selamat hari ibu.
Monday, May 02, 2005
in any case, u gotta admit that was a pretty good introduction, huh? actually it has nothing to do with what i wanna blog about here. in this day and age of instant mee and one minute quickies, i'd like to summarise some things that's been on my brain's playlist for the last 48 hours, coming to u fast and hard:
1. just watched Finding Neverland today. i just fell in love with it. almost shed a tear too (haven't done that for quite a while). u know...it's so true that most people find happiness in their childhood fantasies. nothing can beat the awesome power that is our imagination, which we are sadly devoid off as we grow older and become more miserable.
2. FAM announced today their new General Secretary, Datuk Seri Dr. Ibrahim Saad, which meant that my application was thrown out of the window. on a more serious note, i wish Dr. Ibrahim all the best in bringing Malaysian football out of the rut it is currently in. it's not about the position, it's the commitment and responsibility to deliver, because mannnn...it's been a long, long, long time. and FAM has the obligation to all Malaysians who still hopes and dreams of the past glory days.
3. kenduri season...and contrary to most of u, the kenduris i'm busy with this weekend has nothing to do with marriage. 2 of 'em are cukur jambul and one is a kenduri kesyukuran. ahhhh...nothing beats the hustle and bustle of my makciks clashing and the smell of daging masak lemak in the air. ohhhh..u can just taste the fat and cholesterol oozing out of the aroma. lovely....
and oh yeahhh...Happy Labour's Day for everyone who works their socks off for a decent pay. and maybe to those who just work for a decent pay as well.
Stone. Out. (i've always wanted to say that)