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
o This Modern World
o Footie
o Toon Army
o Kaki Seni
o Alanis Morrisette
o Makcik Oprah
o Anything 80s
o Michael Moore
o AlterNet
o Wiretap
o Bernama
o Internet Movie DB
o Project Petaling Street
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
o Chics
o AG
o Nik
o Nadia
o Affy
o Mooke
o Idlan
o Dhilia
o Shapeng
o Ninie
Contact:o Send me stuff
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Credits:o francey design
o blogger
DVD Clubs
I miss Alanis Morrisette
Sucking too hard on a lollipop
The Drogba Double
I don't even have a title
Obor Olimpik
Tempat Baru
Post Election Blues
Thank God for Tesco.
Tesco? Yeah. On my final night, I went to Tesco to look for socks and tea. Way past ten, which explains my gratefulness for stores that upon till late (or never closes at all). No explanation needed for the socks and tea though.
Tesco and socks aside, tomorrow marks a new chapter in my life. For twenty eight years, I've lived the life. Been there. Done that.
Tomorrow I step into unknown territory. For those twenty odd years, I've learned to adapt to new places and surroundings: Starting school in a foreign land, went to Ipoh at thirteen, started my working adult life in the big bad city of Kuala Lumpur, and other new adventures. But this time, I don't know what to expect. Married life is a different life. So people tell me.
"You live your own life."
I've always held on to those words since I started learning that life doesn't always lead you to where you want to be. I can't recall where I first heard those immortal words. It must've been something I read. Or some Oscar-nominated movie. Or maybe an overheard conversation on my many rides on our public transportation system.
Whatever it is, I've learned there is no road map in life. There are no Dummies book either. You live. You learn. Like Alanis used to say.
I miss Alanis Morrisette. Maybe she can shed some light on how married life is. Write a damn song, for goodness sake.
I don't know what to expect tomorrow. Didn't I say that already? Which is true, really. But I'm looking forward to my life ahead. New things to do. New stuff to explore. Where do I go from here? You tell me.
What I can tell you is that this will be my last post before I'm officially a married man. I will continue blogging, which has always been something dear to me. But other than that, I'm about as clueless as Alicia Silverstone.
Goodbye single life. It's been one hell of a ride. Wish me luck for the days ahead. I'll see you when you get there.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Not with work, but wedding preparations. Work is okay. Boss not around so all of you know what's going on when that happens. Unless you're the Boss. To whom I say I am working on that paper right this minute.
A little update won't do any harm, no? I just had the itch to write, so here we go (itch to write? Wah! Macam penulis tersohor seperti Ahadiat Akashah)
I am:
1. Listening and loving 'Tears on my Guitar'. Chicks on six strings just blows me away.
2. Very busy with final preparations. I can't seem to finalize the guest list. It's driving me bonkers. I have to cross out names and I hate doing that. I want everyone that's been significant in my life to be there, be it a thousand people. Sadly, I am not Siti Nurhaliza :(
3. Contemplating to go and see Marie Digby in action. But she's performing in a shopping mall! That's sooo Ziana Zain? Nurul? (insert local female artiste here)? She deserves better. These people have no respect for YouTube superstars.
4. Going to go for a movie marathon after the wedding. The last thing I watched on the big screen was American Gangster? That was a decade ago!! I'm going for Indy on IMAX! Not even Harrison Ford's wrinkles on the big screen is gonna ruin it. Come on' Dr. Jones! *cue Indiana Jones theme song*
5. Happy when I listen to Mika. Have a go at the video here and tell me it doesn't make you tick. Oh, do mind the rabbits please.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Last night just epitomizes how special the Champions League is compared to other cup tournaments. This tournament is the premier club competition where all the top players and top clubs wants to excel in. Players never say die on European nights. Just ask Liverpool.
All credit to them, they never gave in despite trailing 3-1 in extra time. And when Ryan Babel scored with 3 minutes remaining, you know Liverpool aren't done and buried yet. Such a great match. Kudos to both teams for making it a semi-final for the ages.
And what about Frank Lampard? A story book tale waiting to happen. I feel with you, mate. I know what it's like to lose a parent. And for him to step up and take the penalty after a tough week just shows character. What a masterclass performance.
Part of the experience in watching Champions League games on ESPN is the great commentary. Last night it was Andy Gray as usual making great comments and reactions. I just loved it when Lamps was about to take the penalty: "Good luck, mate." Scotsmen are a passionate lot, aren't they?
So a great final is on the cards. Man United against Chelsea. You don't have to be a genius to know who I'm rooting for. 3 weeks till Moscow beckons. I will surely be up that night, being amused with Andy's antics no less. To Moscow, comrade!
Monday, April 21, 2008
1. My dream of completing a full marathon looks bleaker by the day. Do they have it in virtual reality?
2. I am going to be overweight around this time next year. Only my pants will prove me right or wrong.
3. I am becoming a dinosaur. Like, all these new artists really confuse me. MTV doesn't fit me no more. I am more at home watching MTV Classic or those One Hit Wonders. Let's not even talk about the radio stations I listen to. I am edging towards Lite FM and Sinar *gasp!*
4. Hollywood movie writers are running out of ideas. Last year they made Die Hard, Rambo sequels. Before that it was Rocky and Bullwinkle. This year it's Indiana Jones. I'm not even going to touch on the re-makes. What next? ET Strikes Back? Poltergeist 4? Nightmare on Elm Street 20? Friday the 13th Part Hundred? Senario 15??!
5. I might not have anything to write about no more. I am not watching any movie. I am not reading anything. I am not doing anything. Did I say I was becoming a dinosaur? Make that petroleum.
Friday, April 18, 2008
If you didn't know already, it's a big deal okay. Like seriously, since the last time we hosted a leg of the Olympic torch run was wayyyy back in 1964. I don't reckon any of you were born back then, huh?
Add to the events surrounding the Olympic torch runs in Paris and London, and heck it's an even bigger deal. I think all these protests surrounding the Tibet issue shouldn't hamper the Olympic Games. I for one, don't see how China's human rights records should be held against them in hosting the Olympics. Come on now, no one gave a rats' ass when the big 'ol US of A hosted the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake back in 2002. If you need reminding, that's fresh from their invasion of Afghanistan post 9-11. Which lead to the establishment of Guantanamo Bay as a prison facility for 'war criminals'. Now I don't recall Guantanamo Bay getting a seal of approval from Amnesty. Double standards by the superpowers, I presume?
It would be interesting though, to imagine pro-Tibet activists extinguishing the Olympic flame right here in our own backyard. And with Karam 'pepatah tak penah dengar' Walia being slated as one of the torch bearers, things can get even more exciting. How cool is that, huh?
So mark your calendar and make your way to Dataran this Monday. If the anti-China protesters aren't there, the Olympic flame and our own weather will certainly provide the heat. Malaysia boleh (padam api Olimpik)!!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
A new place. A new environment. And of course...
A new boss.
I enjoyed my time at the district level. There were many challenges, especially from the wise rakyat of Seremban no less. I visited places I've never been to before, and wouldn't have if it wasn't because of the job. Ever been to Broga? Pajam? Maybe Kg. Sompo? Welcome to Seremban.
I will surely miss the people and the place. It was quite sad as I punched out for the last time yesterday at about 10.30pm, as I had tons of things to clear out. I had a great group of people working with me, from the Boss down to my expert pencari fail.
I learned a great deal from my boss. He's been in the land management line for years and he knows the Land Code from the back of his hand. I've always dreamt I could be an expert on land issues, being a walking Land Code just like the Boss. Alas, maybe there are other things in store for me as I moved into human resource. Being close to the State Big Boss makes it all more exciting, yet intimidating at the same time. Not a hot seat. Suam-suam aje.
So today was a new day. Many things to look forward to. I just hope and pray things work out for the best. I'm thankful for the opportunity given. Alhamdulillah. Rezeki kahwin agaknya.
Wish me luck!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
A day that will certainly go down in history as a milestone in this great country of ours. From where we go from here, the future will prove us right or wrong. Like Charles Dickens would say, these are the best of times, these are the worse of times.
So many has been written and said about this election. The reviews, the post-mortems, the analysis, you name it. I also have my own opinion regarding the matter but let's do that over a cup of teh o suam and roti bakar, shall we?
What I would like to share here would be; in my mind, the most interesting experience one could have in our nation's biggest show of democracy. You guessed it, the Pilihanraya Umum.
I was fortunate (or unfortunate, whichever way you see it) to be part of the EC's crew for PRU-12. Being in this position, we were called upon to assist Tan Sri Rashid and his men in the smooth operation of the pilihanraya at the district level.
I was a late comer to the show. If you noticed, arwah Papa passed away during Nomination Day so it wasn't a week till the big day that I really was heavily involved. Even in these hard times, being preoccupied with the election somewhat took my mind of the sadness that we were in. Certainly, I took a keen interest in politics from a young age, thanks to my late father who was always concerned with the what and what nots of this country.
For the people who have always questioned or doubted the transparency of our election system, I personally would tell them it would be very, very difficult for a certain party to manipulate the system. The system is a very transparent. So much so that it makes it quite a hassle for us running it to make sure all proper procedures are met. Leceh but it all needs to be done to make sure everything follows the rules. This is not pemilihan UMNO isn't it? Oops.
It's quite ironic that this is my second time actually running an election. My first taste of democracy was when I helmed the Fifth College Elections during my 3rd year in Uni. FYI, Apai my roomate won the race for College President. Haha Transparency International would have gone bonkers.
Being in the frontline here didn't give me any advantage on the upcoming 'tsunami' as we all know now. I was in charge of the postal votes, so during the counting process things seem to be same 'ol same 'ol with the dacing leading the way. It was not until I got to the tabulation centre that I got first hand views of the results at the other polling centres. And how shocked I was. Then came the SMSes from friends in the other states. Samy out. Selangor crippling. Shahrizat knocked. This is gonna be a looonggg night.
And by the time I got home at 3 in the morning, results were still pending for certain areas. I knew then that Malaysia would wake up the next morning facing a new chapter in its political history. The election process proved that our democratic system is still alive in this country. The power is still in the people's hands. And with that, I think Tan Sri Rashid and his men deserve an apology from the people, especially those who are now holding office; for the numerous backlash and not to mention red paint hurled towards the SPR. The system may not be perfect, but I honestly believe our election process is among the best in the world.
That's for the rakyat to judge. I'm just saying what is right is right. Honestly, most politicians whether the Opposition or otherwise just talk cock about the elections. I would hope since most of us are well-read, to read the Peraturan Pilihanraya. You can get it at any local bookstore. Read it. Understand it. Then point out what was done wrong. Because when you talk shit like that, I just lost my respect. It further proves to the public how sore a loser you are.
Just a simple advice for those planning to run in the next elections: From what I've seen and experienced for this GE, please make sure your PACAs (Polling agent & counting agent) KNOWS what is going on. In other words, make sure they understand the rules. Senang cite, ko khatam Peraturan Pilihanraya tu! It goes a long way in ensuring a fair and balance election that you and I can be proud of. And it also spares you the humility of saying bull to your legions of supporters.
Here's to democracy in Malaysia. Power to the people!