7th Day of Separation

Last Saturday was the fifth day of Raya. Got up late, really late. Bored as hell. Exactly 7 days without my girlfriend and daughters around. My daughters were still not back yet from their trip. My girlfriend was not back yet, either. Luckily I have my mom around.

Had lunch at my auntie's place in Kelana Jaya. Good lunch. Gloomy weather, though. I guess the damped condition outside created the extra appetite for everybody. After that, had nothing much to do as my cousin was not around. If not, we would have been battling our way with his PS2. Winning Eleven is the best football game, ever!

So, guess what I did? Played poker for a while. Took me just a few rounds to go broke. So, I turned myself into a semi-pro photographer, pulak! I took some pictures of the house backyard with my Nokia N73. My uncle was my assistant cum model. Interestingly, I got some cool pix! Very impressed with its picture quality. Check them out!
Well, at least, it helped me to kill the time. Luckily, my girlfriend was coming back the next day.

Quiet Riot and Raya

Me cousins and me self

Back from my hometown this morning. Gone for 5 days. Had 2 hectic days of Raya celebration. And 1 Good break.

This year's Raya, few things I missed. Like, the traffic jam at the PLUS highway, which was a good thing. Opted to travel via air, this time. A friend told me, he was driving 20kph at the highway for 2 and a half hours! Yikes! Also, the sky was clear, no haze! Really missed the haze when I was away....NOT!
My late dad. Missed him so much!(since 2003, actually) I did visit his grave. I'm blessed coz my mom is still around. The absence of my sister and her family, who now resides in London. Lastly, I missed my 2 beautiful angels since, this year, it's their mom's turn to celebrate their Raya with.

Sigh.

Me mom, Chak and Chu Sengkuang, kuah rojak & peanuts!

On the contrary, a few things were pleasant and new. After travelling for about 50 minutes, at the speed of 422.31kph, my 'Now, Everyone Can Fly' plane, finally touched down at the Alor Setar airport. Upon disembarking from the plane, I had a pleasant surprise! A brand new airport all together! Quite nice. 2 storey building some more you know! Very impressive, indeed. I just hope they know how to maintain it. Malaysians have the habit of building stuff and let it die after a few years. Less than 10 hours later, I celebrated Deepavali with some family friends. Had a good time and, not forgetting, the delicious food. Yummy! Auntie Patma's chicken curry is da best! Also, my favorite auntie's chocolate cake! Apart from it's weird shape and all, Aunt Che Pah's choc cake is one of the best ever!

And, during raya eve, got to main mercun with my family. Firecrackers rock! Heheheee... really enjoyed blewing up stuff! Funny thing was, it was an all-adult affair...nobody was below 12 years of age! Took my thoughts back when I was a kid. Aah! the good old days.

Normally, when I go back to Alor Setar, me and my buddies would go to Yasmeen Restaurant to meet up. Over the years, it became our favourite meeting place. Apart from its strategic location, its superb food made it a hit for everyone. How it grew from just another restaurant to 'A Must Go And Eat If You're Back In Alor Setar' eating place was phenomenal! It was a shock for me at first as the restaurant was packed to the brim, from 7pm - 3am, NON-STOP! Quite chaotic and almost looked like a riot at times. From the first day till the second day of Raya, I lepak there with my buddies from 12 midnight till 3am. And I noticed, 15-20 people would line-up to order the food. Shockingly, this queue would remain the same length for as long as I was there! To be in a pack restaurant, in Alor Setar, at 3am, is revolutionary! And the best part was, on normal days, Alor Setar would be dead by 9.30pm.

Buka puasa at Yasmeen Restaurant

Oh well... other than that, it was quite a quiet Raya.

Selamat Hari Raya & Happy Deepavali

I would like to wish all my muslim friends and readers, wherever you are, Selamat Hari Raya/Eid Mubarak! And to all my hindu friends and readers, Happy Diwali! Others, have a good break. Drive safely and have a good celebration. I will be back to my hometown, for a couple of days. Be back next week. So till then, SEE YA!!!

Hooters Are Here!

ACHTUNG!

To all the straight, women loving, red-blooded, guys in Malaysia, Hooters are here!!! Well, Hooters magazine, that is. I know... I can't believe it, either. Until a colleague of mine showed me one. Right smack on my face. His face was beaming and full of pride, when he showed me his proud belonging (magazine la!, what were you thinking?). The moment was so joyous for the two of us that it made us looked like a couple of kids that just got a candy or something.

"Dude, like where did you get this?!", my voice was almost at the top of my lungs, when I uttered the question.

"I got it off the shelf in Mid Valley!"

"Whoa, that's, only, like a couple of kms away". So near, yet so far.

Yes, mom, I know it's puasa month, and it's not appropriate to talk about this, blah blah blah. But, gimme a break la. So, to any guys out there, so far, only 2 places that these gems were spotted, NZ Magazine Shop, Mid Valley and Mynews.com, KLCC. Get them fast before somebody from you know where, finds out about it and ban it from existence ever in Malaysia. I don't wanna go so explicit on the content, but, one word - S..U..P..E..R..B!

So, guess where I'm gonna break my fast, today?

Grrrrreat Scot! The Haze Is Here To Stay!

Believe it or not, this picture was taken, around 7.30am today, while I was driving to work! It's exactly the same scenario 9 days ago from my previous post. Can't even remember the last time I saw the clear sky. God! I've forgotten how the sun looks like, or how bright the moon would shine at night!.... sigh. Makes you appreciate things you actually take for granted before. I guess it's God's way of telling us be thankful.

I myself, is feeling stuffy already. No wonder puasa wasn't that tough this year, had haze to fill in my stomach! Yucks! So pathetic...

Movie Website Review

Last week, I checked out for year end hot new movies in the internet. Browsing my firefox, I bumped into several movie website, movies.com, rottentomates.com, movietickets.com, futuremovies.co.uk, even our own local gsc.com.my and several others. Quite nice and very informative. I especially like movies.com website, very easy and clear cut. Others are a bit ceramuk and messy. So I came across the must see movies line-up, like Transformers, Casino Royale, Open Season, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning AND lastly, our very own Cicakman (what a pathetic title to begin with)

So, I checked each movie's website. Wanted to view the movie trailers and whatever interesting. Transformers' website was cool! There was a contest where you can actually submit a line for Optimus Prime to speak in the movie, can you believe that?? Way cool! The trailer was good as well, although a bit short, but I got the glimpse of what to come this 7.4.07. Can't wait! Next, was Open Season. Cute website. Targeting kids, obviously, it offers...er kids stuff. The trailer was fun, as well. Spontaneously, I had the urge to bring my daughters to watch it once it's out.

Casino Royale was next. Very, very cool and suave website. The trailer was breathtaking. God! Made me wanna be the guy! You can actually download the trailer to PSPs. The soundtrack was superb, as well. It has online James Bond game, too. And guess what? The website offers poker game online, as well! With so much offerings, and I totally believe, a super cool James Bond movie this going to be, I will be among the first, lining up at the movies come Nov 17...in London! Coincidently, I'll be leaving for the city on that day!

Next, was Cicakman. An ambitious website, I would say. Nice graphics. BUT as usual, Malaysians like to do it halfway. Very disappointing in terms of what it offers. Several options were made available in the website, like, About the Film, Downloads, Gallery, Trailer, Get Updates and etc. I checked all of them and almost everything replied with COMING SOON. And this was from a movie that was supposed to be out very soon. Except for Downloads, which only offers one pathetic wallpaper of Cicakman himself, nothing else worked. The website was not user friendly as well. The screens kept overlapping on each other. Overall, it's a total embarassment to our local movie scenes. I can bet that the movie will be half baked as well.

Sigh, still waiting for that day, when I get to be proud of our own local stuff.

The Return of the Biggie!

Okay guys, the wait has ended. The Malay Mail Big Walk 2006 is back! Back with a bang! In a break from tradition, the upcoming Biggie on Dec 16 at Dataran Merdeka, will be held in the evening, from 3pm till midnight. First time ever being done in Malaysia! Participants can kick back after the race, soak up the carnival atmosphere and party the night away! Also, in line with the new 'youth-centric' outlook, the Malay Mail Big Walk 2006 will have a new category, which is called Fun Walk, open to everybody. Forms will come out on the 18th of October onwards in the Malay Mail. For more info, check out www.mmail.com.my

Can't wait to join the walk and be a part of history!

Yikes! It's Friday the 13th...again.

Yesterday, A friend of mine reminded me of Friday the 13th. Making a pathetic hantu sound, he thought he could make my heart tremble. Although, Jason did come into my mind for a second. One of the scariest movie I've ever seen.

"Bro, your face alone is enough to scare people, ok! hahahahaa..." He didn't seem amuse with my remark.

Just for fun, I did some findings on Friday the 13th. Did you know that in 2005, Friday the 13th came only once. In 2006, Friday the 13th comes twice, in January and October. Same will be for 2007 but back to once in 2008. Fascinating. So, how did this myth start? Googling my way in the cyberspace, I found that, apparently, friday the 13th is considered the unluckiest of days in many superstitions, unless, you were born on that day itself, in which case, it's you're lucky day! Hmmm... interesting. I dug deeper.

Did you know that fear of friday the 13th, is called paraskavedekatriaphobia, a phobia of the number thirteen. Amazing! Never knew such word exist in the first place and how can anyone come up with such name? Plus the origin of Friday the 13th has many versions. One of them is that Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit on Friday. It is also linked to the fact that there were 13 people at the last supper Jesus, who was crucified on Good Friday.

Another belief suggested that it originated from a Norse Myth, about 12 Gods having a feast. Loki, the uninvited guest, gate crashed the party and arranged Hod, the blind God of Darkness, to shoot Baldur, the God of Joy and Gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. Baldur was killed and as a result, Earth plunged into darkness.

Frigg

Also, 'Friday' was named after Frigg or Frigga, the Norse Goddess of Marriage. She was confused with the Goddess of Love, Freya, who later identified with Friday.
Freya (not bad, eh?)

When the Norsemen and Germanic tribes became christians, Freya was to be banished to the mountains as a witch. Soon after, Friday was known as Witches of Sabbath. And it was believed that on this day, 12 witches and the Devil met. 13 evil spirits Annual Convention, I guess.

Well, at the end of the day, it's all up to us whether to believe. Personally, I believe that God gives us the wisdom to think and choose what to believe. In Islam, ironically, Friday is the chief of all days. And Friday is the day of worship. The day to remember all the blessings that God has bestowed on us. Well, I guess, one has to respect one's opinion. For me, one thing's for sure, THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY! Yeehhaaaa!!!

Seha Passed Away

Pagi tadi ada member called me and informed of the bad news. Norsehah Abu Bakar, or famously known as Seha from the group Freedom, sadly, passed away this morning kat GH.

Jenazah akan dibawa balik ke rumah Abangnya, di No.9 Jalan Kesuma 2, Taman Kesuma Ampang. Insyaallah, akan dikebumikan selepas zohor, hari ini.

Sesiapa nak pergi melawat, do so, by this afternoon. Al-Fatihah.

Seiring dan Sejalan, No More.

Had a lengthy discussion with a friend of mine, yesterday. Apparently, she was on the verge of getting a divorce. The D word is no stranger to myself. What amazed me was how she spoke in a very cool manner. Not that she was heartless or anything, but how she sounded so firm. Tried to share my thoughts with her, of how hell it would be if she decided to go ahead with the divorce. Financially, mentally and physically she will be drained out. And this won't just affect her, but her 8 year old girl and a baby son, too. As a friend, I tried to talk her out of it, scaring her a bit, but she sounded adamant with her decision. She tried to justify her option by sharing with me her torments.

"Being married for more than 10 years and suffering halfway through it, wasn't a joyride", she muttered.

Apparently, she was lying to herself for 5 years in order to save their marriage. And marriage is suppose to bring out the best in you, but in her case, more of hindering of her true self from coming out. Now that's mental torture. Plus, eventhough they worked in the same industry, and yet, there was no true communications between them. Sad but true.

Divorce rate among the Malays are bloody high. In 2004, a total of 16,509 were recorded, compared to year 2000, with 13,536 cases. A staggering 21% increase in 4 years! In 2004, Selangor leads the pack, with 3,136 cases and shockingly, Kelantan comes in second, with 1,952 followed by Johor, 1,690.

http://www.kpwkm.gov.my/panel/Upload/Jad%206.4.pdf

Before we hung up, I wished her well and all the happiness. She was calm, eventhough I could tell from her voice, she was under immense stress. I knew she had to make the decision, come what may. I guess, sometimes, in some cases, separation is the best.

Grrrrreat Scot! The Haze Is Back!

This morning, I was in Scotland. Driving to my office in Glasgow. With all the morning mist, felt really cold. I guess winter is coming. Ah! can't wait for the snow to visit the highlands, again. What a wonderful White Raya we're gonna have this year...NOT!

Wait a minute, I'm not in Scotland! Stupid KL haze again! Surely the scenery helped a lot with my dream. My nose is stuffed, my eyes are watery, throat is choked! What the hell is going on here?? It's been 8 years since the first haze blanketed Malaysia, why aren't the Government doing anything? For God's sake, I've never been to Scotland, but it surely felt that way this morning. Sigh...I just hope we're not having white hazy raya, this 24th.

Proton Syndrome in Local Film Industry

Here we go, again! Not another Proton case! I'm just pissed off with all these stupid regulations. And I'm tired of this pathetic mentality. This time it's FINAS. It has set a wajib tayang policy, for cinema operators to screen seven Malaysian made films in November and December. As a result, operators must allocate their biggest halls for our local flicks and give foreign movies the backseat. What the hell, la? It just doesn't make sense.

Why? Why do we need such protection? Why must FINAS do this? Can't they see what's happening with Proton now? It's been over 20 years, and they still can't walk without the Government holding their hand. Don't FINAS see they are spoiling the industry? Like what Dr. M used to say, look at the root of the problem.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? Our local movies SUCK! And we don't want to admit it.

HENCE? No support from local crowd.

HOW TO CURE? Do homework and make good quality movies la, if possible to go and sell to overseas market, as well.

Here are some of my interesting findings-

1) Like what I've wrote previously (Creativity Limited?), our film makers are only looking at ways of making quick-money. They don't care about the long term. Same as the pathetic Proton Co.

2) Our film makers don't do extensive research or homework before producing a film. Same as Proton, just look at their R&D. s...a...d.

3) Our film industry people can't get a job outside the country, be it directing or acting (except for Datuk Michelle Yeoh and Angelica Lee) Same as Proton. Can't sell their cars outside the country as well (except for Australia and war torn country, Iraq, itu pun jadi kereta polis!)

4) Films produced nowadays - lack quality, bad directing, pathetic acting, sad script, etc. Hey guess what? Same as Proton. Lack quality, bad parts, sad engine, etc.

5) Same actors, use over and over again. Example: hero - Rosyam Noor, Awie & Yusri. Proton, same car models, produce since 1985 till today. Example: model - Iswara, Wira

6) Both need Government intervention to survive. Wajib tayang and car import tax.

Can you see the resemblance?

I know it's easier to just say than done, but that's the real truth. When are we going to learn to face the facts, pick up the pieces and stand on our own? It's time to grow out of this mentality. I'm proud to be a Malaysian and I'm sure as hell want to be proud of our local made products! But I don't see that in the next change!

To Err Is Human, To Buy Is To Waste?

A funny thing happened to me yesterday. Nah, I won’t call it funny, perhaps fascinating would describe it best. Really made me think. Puasa as usual. Didn’t wake up for sahur, though. Too tired. Needed the extra hour of sleep. Hugging my bolster and just when I though it was still early... RRRRRRIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGG!!!!

6.05am* Got up and did the usual morning stuff.

8.15am* At the office.

9.47am* Stomach started to keroncong. Another 9 hours plus to go...aaaarrrrggghhhh!

FAST-FORWARD

5.03pm* Getting ready to go back.

A minute later, all of a sudden, with my stomach sounded like a rock concert already, my mind started to wander. A place so special. A place where millions of people pushing and shoving each other. Sort of a mini riot. Regardless the age or sex, human beings give no respect to each other anymore. Mothers abandon their kids, husbands forget about their wives. Everybody is too busy, concentrating on just one thing - FOOD!

Well, I may sound a bit extra exaggerating. But that's how Bazaar Ramadhan looks like through my eyes. I guess, my being extra hungry didn't help. I guess, the smell of ayam percik, ikan terubuk bakar, murtabak kambing and air kelapa muda create the hallucination. I don't know. But despite all these 'hell break loose' situations, nothing beats the joy of walking from stall to stall, choosing my favourite dish or dessert.

So, there I was at USJ4 Bazaar Ramadhan, after an hour and a half battling my way through the KL traffic. I almost left my car unlock due to the tantalizing aroma coming from the stalls. Suddenly, it hit me. Only RM6 left in my wallet!

"What can I get with a measly six bucks!"

I didn't know whether to cry or to scream. I knew my mom had prepared food at home, but still, the ayam percik and satay were driving me crazy! In the end, I only got air bandung, a few currypuffs and a murtabak. Sad. I was cursing at myself non-stop, while walking back to my car. If only I had more money. Me and my carelessness.

7.06pm* Buka puasa time! Not a second wasted, I wrestled my way through the dishes. Pajeri nenas, pari bakar, gulai siput, ayam masak madu and air kelapa muda never knew what hit them! Delicious!

7.47pm* Stomach bloated, I felt like I couldn't even lift a finger. And just like that, another puasa day was gone.

As I was about to leave my table and wash my hands, I gazed through the main table. Among the empty plates, and glasses, I saw something that made my eyes popped! My currypuffs and murtabak, neatly on a plate. God! I realized that I didn't even touch them. And there I was feeling so bloody-full, so kenyang! Questions began to pop inside my head.

"What if I had more money earlier?"

"What if I didn't forget to withdraw my money?"

...what if I had bought more food? Who's gonna finish them?"

What ifs. This incident might look trivial to someone else, but for me, it really hit me. Earlier, I was this thoughtless person, looking for food to feast my eyes and stomach. Never once thinking of the wastages I would incur. Not a second, thinking about being in the spirit of Ramadhan. I was a totally different person then. I let my hunger dictated me. And I'm sure that moment of madness didn't just hit me. What if there's another a hundred more like me, or a thousand more like me? Think of all the food that we'll be wasting. Better to use the money or food to feed the orphans or something. I felt remorse. What a test.

Sigh.

It's almost five o'clock, again.

I guess, later, walking through the "millions of people" won't be the same again. I hope...