You do the maths.

It's been awhile since I last made a satirical and sarcastic post about pure lunacy of the society, so here comes one, brace thyself!

I accidentally read this one old article on the smuggling of pangolins or rather fondly known as tenggiling for the locals. I admit that I'm big fan of animals and reading materials like these really saddens me and it begs the question "Why does this happen in MALAYSIA AGAIN??"

Looking back at our animal smuggling history, Malaysia has been known as the hotspot for wildlife trading, the illegal ones. Heck, even the world's most notorious smuggler Anson Wong comes from Malaysia. We have a jungle of diverse animals and plants, but instead of treasuring it, we give them away for leafy greens which is not even green to begin with.

It's pretty simple, really, to understand the equation. First and foremost, look at how ridiculously low the penalty for smuggling wildlife in Malaysia is!! 5 months jail and RM2000 fine??! Who wouldn't kill for that?! Let's put the statistics on the board, even though my statistics failed me badly, but nontheless, if a math-idiot like me can understand it, how can the Government not?!

Let's just use the pangolin case as a drawing board. Poachers get RM50-RM95 per kilo of pangolin and an extra RM150 to RM180 for the scales. Juvenile pangolins are preferred in the market, fetching up to prices of RM2000 each. In Peninsular Malaysia, prices of live pangolins range from RM30 to RM330 per kilo, depending on season and location. These pangolins are then shipped frozen or live, with live being more valuable to countries that has demands for it, say, America, Thailand and China? A pangolin would usually weight from 3 kilo to 15.8 kilo. Let's just take the mean and put it at 10 kilo as an average.

Now, bear the variables in mind and put them into this equation. The biggest case involved with the seizure of a container lorry carrying 100 polystyrene boxes filled with 530 frozen pangolins. Two men were arrested in this case where each were sentenced to 6 months of jail and a fine of RM9000. So, put the average of all variables in. 530 frozen pangolin x 10 kilo x RM80 = RM 424 000 of profit and they were only fined like.. what? RM9000 each? RM9000 x 2 person = RM 18 000. Take the risk and versus the profit, now you tell me, who wouldn't kill for these kind of money?

Now, let's take the Malayan Tiger case. Jail time maxed out at 6 months (once again because that is the max.. stupid ain't it?) and a fine of RM 10 000 regardless of the number of tigers. And for the variables. Each tiger skin fetches RM 15 000 in the market. We have even yet to look at the price the tiger's tooth, claws, meat, bones and even the tiger's penis will bring in the market! Overall, an adult tiger can fetch a total of almost RM 100 000 just like that.

So.. now you see why Malaysia is such a bloody haven for wildlife smuggling? Simply because PERHILITAN, the Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara or in English, The Department of Wildlife and National Parks, is corrupted to the core. How can smuggling and illegal logging activities be done right under their noses? Like seriously? And also, this also calls for greater pressure to push for an amendment to our current law. Simply that, and you'll see a better future for all our generations to come.

Of Lèse majesté in Malaysia... though we don't have one anyway..

Q : How often do you see placards stating "DAULAT TUANKU!" in a demo?
A : When it's being used against Pakatan Rakyat.

Why does it look so redundant that EVERYTIME there's a demo against the PR, there would be a placard literally screaming "LONG LIVE THE KING!". Don't get me wrong here, I love my King, YDPA Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, for he is one that stays above politics and religious zealots, a figure that shows fairness and just above all. But for some reason, I'd like to point out his subjects have undermined his names to no end.. okay, maybe at the political end. Take scene A, when MP Karpal Singh was misunderstood for "insulting a Sultan", out came a bunch of unruly hooligans under the name Barisan Nasional, trumpeting their "Daulat Tuanku" chants like no tomorrow when all MP Karpal Singh mentioned was even a Sultan can be subjected to the Federal Constitution and can be charged in court. Nothing is wrong there, in all context according to the Federal Constitution. BUT, by using the Sultan's name, perhaps these goons were hoping to get the media's attention and what not, the Sultan's.
NOW, scene B. GAPS - also known as Selangor Anti-Irregularity Federation, rallied against MP Anwar Ibrahim's call for the removal of "Ketuanan Melayu" which, in the first place, shouldn't even exist in Malaysia as no one is master to any, and no one is slave to any either. In fact, it didn't even exist in the first place, but this ideology was implanted into these goons' mind, with the constant chanting of "Daulat Tuanku" as a motto to bring more bloodthirst into their vein, or brain. I'm sorry to say this, but in all respect, every citizen here love our King as a fair and just leader, but stop misusing his name to create tension and pressure for political gain please? I'm not saying that the King should be displaced from his throne, but I'm saying that the King should be colour-blind to race and religion, as he should be. If they say "Ketuanan Agong" no one will give two shit about it, seriously, because we know, the King is the supreme ruler in this secular Government. Perhaps BN forgotten to tell their goons that, you know, the Parliament's decision can overwrite a King's decree, and the most the King could do is... delay it for 90 days, that is by not agreeing to the act that has been passed, and not signing for it. But regardless, in 90 days, the act still goes as if nothing had happened. So, back then, when BN was totally in charge, where was your "Daulat Tuanku!" slogan?
You know what's funny? Our Bad-Rude-Din (Badrul Hisham Badrudin) who backed the GAPS' move claimed that the low turnout for the protesters was due to many roads to the stadium has been blocked, with a approximate 500 supporters making it to the event that aims to submit a memorandum to our King alleging of misappropriation of funds by the currently PR controlled state government, and once again placards of "Daulat Tuanku!" are highly visible. MEANWHILE, the protest against the hike of water price in Selangor due to the Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd's decision come in throngs amounting to thousands, mostly carrying a flower as a symbol of peace; albeit most of the roads being blocked and guarded by the Federal Reserve Unit. And also, not forgetting the risk that these protesters faced against the FRU. (some were beaten up by the FRUs)
What I'm highlighting here is, if you have a poor turnout for your event, don't blame it on the roads, dude. If one is determined to protest, they will make their way into the event in a peaceful way. In fact, there's no need to play the King's name in your political game. It's downright disgusting and that's what I would like to call "Lèse majesté" for misusing the King's name, which is an insult, to your own political gain.

Logic Fail!

It's downright idiocy, if not lunacy. The claim that the recent price hike for petrol was to cut back on annual subsidy by a whole RM1.2 billion. Now don't get me wrong, as an economist, I view it as a positive move to not spoon feed and babysit our nation, lulling them into thinking that our lives can go on like this forever, but what irks me about the hike was the way the money saved was spent.
Ever wondered why such hike would cause total chaos among the nation? It's because of the natural way we have been oppressed, duped, conned and cheated all these while by the people in charge. You claim to save RM1.2 billion from the price hike, then what? Build a no-good, stupid RM5 billion tower that doesn't even help our economy one bit? Claims that the mega tower would spur economy, by all honesty, is not a lie, but the real question here is BY HOW MUCH? Looking at the facts and figure, we already have more than enough empty lots around us to be fully utilised before building more nonsensical good-for-nothing building just to show "Malay Supremacy". No, no, no, I'm not being racist here, but the past comments used during the UMNO general assembly stated that "It will be a mega tower built amongst the sea of non-bumi land" and that is their goal and aim all these while? To show that, you know, "WE TOWER OVER YOU, FOOLS!"
I'm sorry to say this, but many have been lulled and drugged into believing this is going to empower our economic stand further, but of course, we're doomed since favouritism has been practised ever since the recorded time in our national history, (not forgetting the fact that our history is biased too) because chances are any contract revolving around the tower will be awarded, not openly tendered, to BN cronies. It's just that simple. And few years down the road, expect yourself to equip yourself with an umbrella and walk into a rainforest called the the 100 storey mega tower as we'll only find leaks here, there and everywhere, just like how these buildings built in Malaysia have been.
Our trust has been undermined and we no longer are being considered. If that dude really regard us as a nation and values our every concern and thought, take a look at the god damn poll that shows how many people are against your stupid 100 storey Jenga block. If you're so eager to build a legacy of your own, rule fairly and just, then no one would even complain.

Random Rant, again.

As I read a column in the news paper today, I was quite sadden to agree that life nowadays are a-changing. No longer do we live in that simple world that I use to be, or at least I can proudly say I live to see the change in the world, the entry of the electronic media.
I don't know much about you guys out there, but my childhood memories are filled with bicycle rides, pebble throwing, hopscotch, shuttlecocks, badminton, spinning tops and a lot more us budak kampung would do. I don't really blame the changing of trend, I blame the consequences of such change, and while I'm at it, let me hit out some points that I find disgusting to the core.
Long ago, during my childhood days, we look forward to November the first if my memory serves me well. Well, it's a special day for us children to commemorate the National Children Day, where we get little goodies from our good old teacher, celebrated and played and enjoyed like no tomorrow. It was certainly one of the best days in schooling life. Along came chocolate biscuits, jellies, candies and chips, and all that for being a child. Life certainly was good back then. We also had competitions, decorations, parties and what not, fun.
What I do see now, is shame, SHAME I TELL YOU! For, no longer are Children Day being celebrated as it is meant to. No longer do children get to play like they use to. The simple life has become something so complex that even I as an adult now can barely understand. Where were the days where we played skipping ropes? Do children nowadays even know how to spin a traditional top? Are they capable of shooting bottle caps? (the metal ones, duh.. plastics are for sissies)
What I'm trying to say is, the Children Day is no longer a day where children experience fun, but more of a day where we are reminded of a Child's Right. No longer are they safe, or free to enjoy. No longer are there celebrations. It's just national level act on the Child's Right, which I think is WRONG! Who could imagine such a drastic change took place and ruined the childhood nowadays? Electronic medias are now the tops, the skipping ropes, the bicycles, the shuttlecocks, the badminton, the bottle caps, the hopscotch, the five stones and the ice cream sticks that I used to play back in the 90s. 20 years down the road, and a new saga is born. For better or for worse, no one is to tell. Rampant cases of abuse, torture and trafficking of children plagued the newspapers almost on a daily diet enough to make me feel sick. The beast in sheep's hide should be eliminated as soon and as swiftly as possible. 人诛 if not 天诛.

The JB Getaway.

Here I am, stealing the chance to go online in this conveniently placed Starbucks right across my hotel in a busy afternoon. Not exactly the exciting trip as I expected, but nevertheless something to break away from the hectic days in Malacca. (Did I say hectic?)
Anyways, JB's quite cool, compared to little ole Malacca. Neat roads, tall buildings (god do I wish for these in Malacca, don't ask me why!) nice little malls for me to walk around on. If there was anything marring this little city, it's the number of beggars on the road and I mean ABLE-BODIED BEGGARS AS YOUNG AS TEENS sitting on the sidewalk and whatnot, the pedestrian bridge. Not my typical cup of tea, to give charitably to these people, all for a simple cause, they are just plain lazy bastards. I mean, you've got freaking working limbs and healthy and all! Go get your worth, stinking bastards. (Sorry, but I'm quite worked up)
It's quite saddening to see this one young Malay boy sitting on the pedestrian bridge and boy does he dress well as a beggar; jeans, red shirt emblazoned with the word "Quicksilver" and a punk-ish hairdo. It really makes one wonder if this boy REALLY is a beggar or just one plain lazy ass. Then there was the Chinese bespectacled ah pek and another Malay pak cik and the Indian Ah ne.. all able-bodied but share the same job that reaps sympathetic charity from the ever-charitable Malaysian society, if not with a tinge of generous Singaporeans swarming in from across the border. (I happen to be just beside the transit between M'sia and S'pore)

Now, enough of the ugly. Now, moving on to the wonderful.

CHRISTMAS IS NIGH!! Ahem... Yes, the Christmas spirit is in the air already. I wish a wish for a White Christmas. Can't help but help myself indulge into Starbucks' latest offering for this joyous season, PEPPERMINT MOCHA! <3 (Yes, I know it sounds oxymoronic but bear with me)
This year's Christmas list? Go caroling as I've always intended to do ever since three years ago but failed miserably every time. This time I'm quite the determined one to do it. Theme, black and white, preferably more of a white over black, to play along with the White Christmas. So, this 25th December, I'll be caroling in Dataran Pahlawan. Thus far, a few people seems interested to join my source of fun and madness, anymore takers?

*sips the said Starbucks peppermint mocha*

Ahhhh~

Surely you jest? Me? Not doing anything?

Note : Ya know, if you hate people who whine and complain almost half the time, I can just tell you to stop reading here and go live in your happy and flowery world. No point getting offended by someone who has a more critical stand on the government's actions, right? I'd just say tits or gtfo.

Well now. I'm quite the upset being reading that someone says I'm all shouts and vents but not being proactive on my words into helping changing my dear country into a better place. Honestly? I think these people who are having a better life OUTSIDE of our country should just think twice before putting up a statement like that. Like, pot calling the kettle black? Happened three times already recently and it's saddening. First occasion would be my argument on reforms and the benefits society gets. The second would be my arguments on the liberalization on sexual orientation and gender.

Recently, I've just log heads with a fellow Malaysian now residing in Australia. I was told by him that all my venting on how the Government has been leaving out crucial things in society when making a reform. Take for example, Malacca itself. I'm quite sure many of you who have been to Malacca could see lots of development within the state itself in mere years, but then again, let me ask, who benefits from all these transformation of a small city into a world heritage? Are they, us, the citizen, or are they the Government themselves, earning revenues and praises from Malacca's "improved economy".

Although the development is good, but nothing comes without strings attached. Take the icons of Malacca, the river cruise, the revolving tower of Taming Sari and the soon-to-be-removed Eye of Malaysia. Do you think we, as Malaccans would even want to spend the money into riding any of these things? The only profit form these architectures and machinery would be the revenue it generates, for the Government, and what goes back into the citizen? Nothing. Nothing but continuous floods, dengue outbreak and corruption. Let me point out, dear readers, that in Australia, a dengue case only happens like, once in 60 years. So, to that guy who is in Australia now, I'm sure you're happy that I caught dengue do you? I mean, it was fun, letting them draw my blood endlessly everyday for monitoring and losing weight.

Surely now people would ask if Mr boy-genius here has any suggestions or solution to these matter, well of course I do. Flood is not something new in Malacca as we know it. And the worst part was, flooding happens more often in our town itself. Shouldn't our town, being a town itself, be equipped with more contingency plans? Oh! Right! Actually we do! The recent flood was caused by SOMEONE who didn't released the floodgates at the Malacca river and now HE wants to use public money to build an automated pump that pumps water out of the river in case of flashfloods. I'm like, dude! Just make sure there are automated orders instead of directive orders to open the flood gate in case of heavy rain or flood indications, that's more than enough! We don't need to spend another billion on a single pump! Save us the money and invest them into Malacca's public transport would ya?! Malacca has never gone any better by the way, spending power is still low, social ills are still about and rampant, corruptions are still aplenty, medical treatments are still pretty much backwater and services in various sectors are still poor. Now you tell me. So, what have I done? Oh, I'm only complaining. I did nothing really. I am just going to do what a small man like me can do, denying votes. Unlike some people who have left us here and couldn't even be bothered about casting votes.

Now, on to my second argument of liberalization of sexual orientation and gender. This is one sensitive topic to talk about honestly, as many people have differing opinions on this taboo, but regardless I think Malaysia should really grow up by now and be more sensitive towards this issue of gender and sexual orientation. Lately, one friend of mine was relieved from his work because it was found out he was gay. (Don't ask me how, but it happened) So, let me ask, what was his sin in this case? Did he steal? Did he hurt anyone? Does it matter what your orientations are while you're working?

Two guys were granted asylum in the UK for being gay last month. Yet, they were accused of abusing the law and going for greener pastures on the other side of the country and worst yet, these accusation come from fellow Malaysians. I guess this needs no further ranting from me right? I'm quite tired repeating this over and over again. Though I'd really like to see Marina's opinion on this. Surely she has a better and wiser opinion.

Then, allow me to point out a news that many people didn't know or read in the papers. A hermaphrodite, (for those who doesn't know what hermaphrodite means, go wiki it.) was constantly taunted and bullied in school. She (because her appearance resembles more of a girl) always have a hard time choosing between the gents and the ladies because entering either one would create more obscene taunts anyway.

So, what can be done about these problems? I'm just going to sulk here if you don't mind. I think the Government should have a law that forbids gender and sexual orientation discrimination. And even though we do have, there are not enough contexts to cover every single angle and are not taken seriously enough. Surely my friend there in the Europe can understand these liberty instead of accusing me for being a hell full of hatred? Come back to Malaysia, would you? And tell the world your orientation! We'll see how musical-basket your life would be right after that.

I'm just a man with opinions. I'm just a man who have been through many things that lots of people haven't been through, and trust me on that. I may have my own views and approach and if you don't like them, that's just too bad. I'm not apologizing for my thoughts and my push for justice on these people who were victimised daily. And surely I do hope my friend Carol (not her real name) would understand my outburst in her Facebook wall recently and would see things my way for awhile. I'm just a man.

Are we ready for that kind of relationship?

Yes folks. Today's blog would be another one of my thought-provoking question on life and love. I just had quite a chat with a friend of mine. As outgoing as she seems, she ended up opening up to me all her pain that she was enduring all these while. (sounds so like me by the way..)
Apparently, my dear friend has been quite in the mud on how to deal with this one boy she was with. You know, those relationship-in-a-puddle-of-mud kinda thingy? Like, you don't know where this is heading. Like, you don't know what to do right now. Like, everything is just not the same anymore, not fun anymore. So we ask ourselves once again, are we ready for that kind of relationship?
She even told me about her ex, who is her best friend now. She did ask him this one peculiar and interesting question after their relationship fiasco. She asked, "Did you ever love another while we were together?" Pretty much of an innocent question isn't it? But, quite a heavy one too, seeing how she had totally guilt-trap this guy. Anyway, this was the guy's reply, "Yes, I did, but I didn't meet her at all because we were together."
Noble answer indeed, young man. And now for the second trap!
My friend asked again, "Did you do it out of responsibility or you didn't meet her because you have forgotten about her?" Now, this, is the final touch on the masterpiece. I find this one question truly truly thought-provoking. And, as it seems, this poor guy couldn't quite answer for awhile and he ended up saying, "I did it out of responsibility." But oh well, either way it's a die-die situation for him.. I mean, girls are good at guilt-trapping guys.
So here's the conclusion. You date a girl, and didn't meet another because of RESPONSIBILITY? So, what if someone did indeed cheat? Is he irresponsible? But saying that you've forget about the other girl would totally be lying wouldn't it? Haha.
Still, when questions like this arise, we ask ourselves once again, as I have mentioned before, are we ready for that kind of relationship? I seem to find the younger generation nowadays seem to take love easy, something which I don't quite approve. Just the other day, I've heard another friend asking an opinion on how to handle a partner who flirts with another person too much till it's unbecoming and uncomfortable. You can't blame someone for flirting can you? It's a kind of boost for their self-esteem to be admired and wanted, but a dose of jealousy is good too, and do let them know you are envy (NOT JEALOUS) of their actions because you think it's unhealthy for your relationships. Also, emotionally-wise, it makes them realise that they are wanted and eventually, leading to a sense of stability, reliance and protection.
Though, back to my ranting, I see people nowadays coupling like nobody's business. It's like, you can be with this girl AND another girl at the same time, thinking it's just a sheer game where you will continue winning as long as no one finds out. Isn't this just.... WRONG?! The kind of mentality embedded in our younger generations is just.. stupid, to say the least, if not irresponsible. Is he ready to be responsible for the outcome should anything untoward happens? Not forgetting the fact that humans nowadays have a more fragile mind that shatters like a glass with a simple blow of crushed relationship, and WHAM!! Commit suicide... again.
I guess this is as much as I would say now, knowing that some people actually bothered listening. Anyway, thanks for reading this little breath of mine.

I just wish I can sleep and pretend nothing had ever happened.

In the words of Duffy, I guess I'm just reiterating her points again.

I've been confused, out of my mind lately
You think you're loving but you don't love me

So. Yes, I have been confused and crazy lately. Why did I ever felt this way again I don't really know. As soon as I realise that I have been dreaming, I am quite sad to say that, well, I've been hurt, by myself once again, for being naive. I can have the whole world, but everything means nothing I guess, if I I ain't got you.
You know those silly little feelings of you hanging between the balance of love and like is so depressive. You want to love but you can't. You want to like, but you felt remorseful over the idea. And you end up with a broken heart and lie in your bed, waiting for he day to end, hoping that someone would ask "How are you today?" and you'd really really love to reply "I have been missing you and want to see you badly." but you just can't because those words are so forbidden, so dangerous and risky to say as if you're putting your current status quo on the line, risking of losing a friendship (at least, what's left of it) the you cherish too much until it became love.

I guess.... Red and Blue just don't mix huh? Just going to remind myself not to live the teenage dream anymore.

Sedarlah, wahai manusia yang tengah aku kutuk ini~

Aku sekarang memang amat berharap engkau akan berhenti merepek dekat depan orang lain sebab perangai kebudak-budakan, dengki, hasut dan fitnah engkau itu adalah amat memilu, memedih dan menyakitkan hati aku yang selama ini menganggapkan engkau sebagai kawan. Sampaikan hati perut anda menikam aku di belakang disebabkan anda tidak mendapat apa yang aku memperoleh dan semua ini adalah disebabkan perangai anda itu yang menakutkan orang ramai. Bertaubatlah wahai manusia jahil. Anda telah diingatkan supaya dilarang merepek!
Aku selama ini tidak pernah pun menyangka anda adalah makhluk sebegini. Perlukah anda berbuat demikian? Yakni tuhan yang maha esa akan membetulkan perangaimu itu (walaupun diriku tidak pernah percaya wujudnya "miracle" disebabkan bantuan tuhan selama ini.. ironiknya~ Hahahaha!)
Kalian, aku meminta maaf jikalau anda terasa tersinggung atas kata-kataku yang berat dan terpendam dihatiku selama dua hari ini. Biar aku meyakinkan para pembaca sekalian bahawa mesej ini hanyalah ditujukan kepada seseorang dan seorang sahaja malah aku amat sedih dan pilu dengan perbuatannya yang telah membelot kepercayaan yang telah aku menaruh ke atas dirinya. Aku tidak faham mengapalah manusia sebegini wujud di dunia ini.. Tidakkah anda puas dengan apa yang telah anda ada dan peroleh selama ini? Tidakkah anda puas dengan hidupmu yang senang-lenang berbanding dengan hidupku yang merana di tempat ini? Anda telah pun meninggalkan negara ini selama hampirnya dua tahun kalau aku tidak silap, namun anda masih tidak mampu meletakkan segala yang sudah pun anda tidak mungkin peroleh ke belakang hidup anda dan menuju ke arah depan hidupmu sekarang. Sedarlah, wahai manusia yang tengah aku kutuk ini.. Berbaloi ke perbuatan anda itu? Berbaloi ke perbuatan yang bak kata pepatah batu hasut? Biarlah hidup sepekarangan denganlah pepatah buang yang keruh, ambil yang jernih. Anda yakni akan menempuhi hidupmu dengan lebih keriangang dek hari.
Para pembaca sekalian~
Sekali lagi, aku ingin menyusun jari sepuluh aku ini tanda memohon maaf jikalau anda menyangka aku tengah mengutukmu. Biarlah siapa yang memakan cili, dialah yang terasa pedas. Kadangkala kita perlu juga menyuarakan pendapat kita walaupun perbuatan sedemikian akan mengeruhkan dahi sesetengah manusia, namun jikalau perbuatan sedemikian mampu menghasilkan lebih kebaikan daripada keburukan, yakni dalam hidup kita ini, kita tidak sekali pun akan menyalahkan diri kita dan menyesal suatu hari nanti sebab tidak berbuat sedemikian bila adanya masa.

Sekian, terima kasih.

- David

Misery

Oh yeah
Oh yeah
So scared of breaking it
But you won't let it bend
And I wrote two hundred letters
I will never send
Sometimes these cut are so much
Deeper then they seem
You'd rather cover up
I'd rather let them bleed
So let me be
I'll set you free

I am in misery
There ain't nobody
Who can comfort me
Oh yeah
Why won't you answer me?
Your silence is slowly killing me
Girl you really got me bad
You really got me bad
I'm gonna get you back
I'm gonna get you back

Your salty skin and how
It mixes in with mine
The way it feels to be
Completely intertwined
Not that I didn't care
It's that I didn't know
It's not what I didn't feel,
It's what I didn't show
So let me be
I'll set you free

I am in misery
There ain't nobody
Who can comfort me
Oh yeah
Why won't you answer me?
Your silence is slowly killing me
Girl you really got me bad
You really got me bad
I'm gonna get you back
I'm gonna get you back


You say your faith is shaken
You may be mistaken
You keep me wide awake and
Waiting for the sun
I'm desperate and confused
So far away from you
I'm getting near
I don't care where I have to run

Why do you do what you do to me, yeah
Why won't you answer me, answer me yeah
Why do you do what you do to me yeah
Why won't you answer me, answer me yeah

I am in misery
There ain't nobody
Who can comfort me
Oh yeah
Why won't you answer me?
Your silence is slowly killing me
Girl you really got me bad
You really got me bad
I'm gonna get you back
I'm gonna get you back

No money, no medical care.

If it's not anger that channels my words, I wouldn't know what else does. Today, I was given the big runaround in Mahkota Medical Centre all for a blood test result which I already have the brightest idea of the outcome. It all started on that past Thursday where I was visiting the doctor to get a comment on my second blood test result. All in all I needed another one more blood test the next day to conclude if my illness is serious, though I do feel really healthy anyway. The doctor said to come on Friday which is a public holiday, again for a blood test. I asked if there were anyone around on that day and he said yes. Fine! I was told to head directly to the laboratory for the people there to get a sample of my blood. So, off I went on Friday (it was a public holiday) and there was like little to no people at all. I was clueless as to where to head to because there were no one in the laboratory at the moment. So I headed to the reception and was told by the receptionist to wait while they check my record. Then, I was told to pay up the administration fee.. which I settled with my medical card. But there was this one catch, I have no Guarantee Letter from my medical card supplier, meaning I have to wait for an entire hour just so they can fax one over to the hospital to confirm that I am a beneficiary of that medical card. Fine! So I waited. And got that done. Then I head to the lab to give them a sample of my blood. But hey, I was told I couldn't get my results today cause, well, it's a public holiday! And I have to wait until Monday (today) In my mind, my brain is already telling me, "Thank god I'm not in dire straits or I'll probably die first because it's a public holiday and this five star hospital has no doctor to analyze my blood sample."
Off I went today, to collect the result. Following what I was told, I headed for the clinic in that hospital to get my blood result. The receptionist was there, but she don't have my result! And she have to make several calls to locate my result. I was like, what the hell? You people aren't really organized.. Then, the nurse came and ask me what the problem is. I related to her that I'm here to get my blood result and she said "Where did you go that Friday?" I told her I went to the lab, as instructed by the doctor. And I was told this, "No no no! You should have went to the emergency ward, then they will take you to the lab to get the blood sample."
At this point, I was really really... annoyed, angered, displeased, and whatever semantics are available. Did she just hear what she say? I went to the lab as instructed by the doctor. She said I should go to the emergency ward, then they will bring me to the lab. I mean like, hello? And she bloody insisted that she did mention to go to the emergency ward. I'm like, NO, your doctor told me to go to the lab. Even the receptionist down there told me the same thing. And she is still insisting that she is right and I was wrong. That's it, really. I got so fed up at this point, I just said, "Great. Now you can't locate my blood result. What next?" And guess what? She said "GO register yourself and pay up the administration fee first." That's it. I just lost it. I went off just like that, without even taking my blood test result. Like, screw it. You call yourself a five star hospital but I feel so degenerated here. What a bunch of money-minded bastards..

Detour.

I'm really sorry, fellow readers, for being lazy of late in my postings. Many interesting things happened, so the by. Anyway, what prompted this sudden urge to blog was my pretty extraordinary trip today to Kaz's house which is a supposed 1 hour drive away.
Today was a beautiful day. I'm serious. Lovely weather, cloudy and cool. Not too hot, the type I would love to laze in given the chance. I receive this one call at about 12pm from Kaz asking if I would like to go to his house today as Michelle (his girlfriend) is going there, so I could at the least hitch a trip along her side since I did promise Kaz of reviewing his drawer of clothes to help him style up a bit. The whole motive of being there was to study in the first place, but oh well..
Anyway, by 3 pm I was already at Michelle's place, getting ready to leave for Kaz's. We had quite a long chat on the way. From music to fashion and some really funny gossips. Twas quite enjoyable. Though that wasn't the whole highlight. The highlight of course, was... Michelle getting us erm... a detour.

So I asked, "Are you sure this is the way to Kaz's house?"

And she answered "Yes, of course. Kaz said to go straight all the way and when we hit the end, turn left."

Fine~ All cool and dandy. I mean, how difficult could it be to drive straight ALL THE WAY and turn left right? I think I did write ALL THE WAY right? Actually.. we weren't supposed to go ALL THE WAY.. We were supposed to turn left at a junction but Mich drove on.. which brought us to a new... horizon.. I was.. erm.. enlightened. I see trees are green... Red roses too.
Anyway, yes, in case you haven't notice, genius, we're lost. Like, waaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy lost. Though it wasn't quite an ordeal. I find it rather amusing and entertaining. Michelle totally kept her cool like woah. (She was driving, by the way) I mean, how often can you get level-headed girls that could still drive calmly and laugh our asses off the entire journey? We were supposed to go to Kaz's house in Sungai Udang, but we ended up in Durian Tunggal, Tebong, Machap Baru, (see that photo at the top of my blog? Yeah, like that photo's taken in Machap Baru~) almost to Lendu then a right turn at the right junction brought us back to Alor Gajah and all the way back on track to Sungai Udang. Did I mention the trip took us a good 2 hours? We could have been in KL by then, but meh.. XD
So, the journey, which was supposed to be a 45 min to 1 hour drive turned into a big, like really big detour that took us 2 hours and countless gossips. It was fun, honestly, though I'm not too eager to do it again.
When we finally reached there (surprisingly, we did) we sat for a bit, then we had some satay which was really nice and saw some lame stage performance. Then it's back to town for us. Mich is still the driver. And guess what? We got lost again.. This time not too bad though. We ended up at UTeM main campus instead of the Ayer Keroh highway, but a small u-turn pretty much fixed everything. A little 10 more minutes and I'm here at home, at long last.

Of Black and White in the Week that Was.

And now I'm going to tell you the tale of the forgotten Dark Knight.



*disc screech*

Haha. Got you didn't I?

Weee.... So, last week, I have been pretty busy with Chess Week and Chess Closed competition, not as a participant but as an organizer, so I guess dressing up real nice is something I find necessary to complete this event as an organizer? Haha.
Some of my friends thought I'm mad, to wear formal/half-formal for four freaking days. Well, like I always say, no harm dressing up once in awhile for someone or something eh? Does it really hurt to look nice?

Oh and so the by, I was all dressed up for another reason as well, PRESENTATION! Jeng jeng jeng~ One of those times where I can really show my talent in speaking and capturing people's attention just with words. Haha. I swear once I start speaking, everyone shuts up and listen and I love that kind of magic. Not that I'm bragging. XD

On the first day I was wearing formal black and white, to compliment the Giant Reversi, which is the highlight of our chess week. Haha!





On the second day, I wore all white. I seem to be glowing in this picture..



On the third day, I was in all black.



On Saturday's Chessed Closed, I was in Black and White again.



All in all, it's been a wonderful week dressing up and having fun in Black and White. Here's a shoutout to all my working committee, YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST AND THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL MEMORY!

It's Been A Bitter Pill, But I'm Better Now. ^^

Yes, if any of you have been keeping up with me, I suppose most of you do realise that I have been conned of my laptop, phone and some cash. I'm not too hardup about the materials that I have lost, but more of the contents of the laptop and the numbers that went missing along with the phone. It was quite a nightmare for me, (well, not really, but for the sake of looking like a damsel in distress, just play along with me aight?) I pretty much have two sleepless nights rolling on my bed at night die to utter boredome. I got my number back by the way, but much to my horror, that bastard used my number to con another friend of mine a Rm500. I was really surprised to know so many things can happen in one night. I didn't even have enough time to block my number. XD
Looking on the bright side, it's not like I lost everything. I pretty much spent his RM2000 on clothes, not forgetting the meals we had, the money he spent on other things too. So, my dear laptop costs about Rm 1800, after depreciation, and the RM400 something cash I lost to him, so all in all I didn't really lose everything. In fact, I recovered pretty quickly and I didn't even shed a tear because I know doing that would be pretty useless. Hehe.
I've been busying myself lately with my university's Chess Club. No, it's not like I'm a big geek or anything, but I find Chess Club to be the only club without politics, whereby we all are like one big happy family and I swear to the fates I do mean it. We've just finished one major event call Chess Week today and lemme tell you guys it was one of the best event I have ever been as an organizer. XD
The participation was great, the crowd wasn't as big but was bigger than what we expected, the members were cool despite some setbacks but we pulled it off and everyone was happy.
So, my friends in that particular event were quite caring as of my condition. The lost laptop, handphone and cash.. what not? Any given people would be sad, but I guess I have stayed above the clouds of emo to not let my setback cost everyone's day. So I pretty much smiled the entire time, to not let others lose hope. They were pretty much smothering me with words of comfort and I was like, "Guys, thanks. I feel alright. Don't worry about me. Now I feel like playing chess. Any taker?"
And immediately they knew, they knew that I'm not the kind of guy who endorses a sudden raincloud over a bright sunny day. I'm just more concerned about the amount of damage that bastard have caused to my dignity, friends and more importantly, my trust on other people. Yes, I admit, I'm more screwed now. I don't realy trust people anymore. Or maybe, that's just how I'm feeling right now. Who knows?
Last but not least, I am quite happy now. Haha. To know that someone wants to hug me. XD

It's been a bitter pill to swallow, but I'm better now!

Where are we heading now?

Verily the idea of implementing a firewall on pornography website is going to make me sad. Malaysia is already currently under the talks of implementing what China did to its netizen, censoring pornography from the general public. Then, in today's local paper, I couldn't help but feel cryptic about an idiots suggestion to censor online games as well, making it sound like computer games are the root of all evil misdeed nowadays. Surely the ideas he pitched was good, but not reasonable. As in, how the hell do you want the Government to ban online games? Surely its implementable, but then again, to what extend? And how frustrated will we get if we can't even play games to release our tension? Like seriously?
Suppose, if you say students are playing truant, ending up in cybercafes instead of being in school, I don't think the video games are to be blamed. It's more likely the students who play truant who are to be blamed. I mean, addiction is one thing, but suppose if a student knows how to rationalise the problem, it wouldn't even be a problem in the first place. So, instead of blaming the games, how about a self-reflecting moment for the parents? I don't see me playing truant in school before because of video games, although I'm pretty much a hardcore gamer myself.
If there were anything to be censored in the internet, it's propaganda. Look at the bigger concern right now. Isn't fighting online terrorism one of our biggest problem now? Students from our country are being recruited into terrorism network, and plus the fact that the students targeted are mostly Muslim students in public university, this is indeed worrying to the core.
Then, instead of worrying about something as trivial as someone watching pornography, how about trying to curb rape and premarital sex amongst students? I still don't know why our country is still backward when it comes to sense and sensibility. I mean, can't we discuss about sex openly under the sun than to sweep it under the carpet when the question arise? Why are we shying ourselves from the fact that the youngsters nowadays are lacking the brains to think and have been using their dick to make decisions? I was most surprised when I learn of students from my former high school as young as 15 were already having sex with others about their age. And without protection too. I am definitely most impressed. How bold they are nowadays. Haha. Well, I can only say they are quite stupid and when things do get out of hands, Happy Father's Day to you kids. What is so hard implementing compulsory sex education in school? Some times, they are just too stupid..
Anyway, I'm a little tired now, forgive me for the lame rambling. I kinda have a feeling that my post here isn't quite as impressive and lack the uhm... firebrand that my posts always have. I promise a more juicy and awesome post next time.

Ciao.

Reality TV, not?

So I'm into this whole idea of dancing and dancing and dancing lately. Couldn't get enough of it. And if that's not enough, apparently, whenever I drink coffee, I feel charitable, as in morally and physically charitable, not monetary-wise. (Yes, I'm still a cheap-skated bugger)
Kinda just watched So You Think You Can Dance? and it was really nice. Especially with one of my favourite stand-up comedian, Ellen DeGeneres as one of the jury. She's just so witty. Wish I could be more of a joker like she is. And this brings the question, why didn't Malaysia have such a great platform for budding dancers on national cable? Oh sure, we have lame-ass programme that promotes dances, but guess what? Nobody watches it. It's called Sehati Berdansa which is honestly, really lame. I don't intend to watch silly programmes bounded to religious rulings and culture bindings. When you dance, wear comfortable and good-looking clothes. I actually once saw the advert for this reality show on tele and guess what? I almost died seeing a couple dressed in clown attire, complete with make-up dancing. Wrapped up from head to toe, I'm seriously impressed that they didn't die from heatstroke.
Okay, before anyone start flaming me, yes, I know, we had "So You Think You Can Dance? (Malaysia)" back in 2007 and 2008. But what happened?
And what happened to "Malaysian Idol"?
WHY IS "AKADEMI FANTASIA" STILL GOING ON?! That's like one of the lamest untalented-show on earth. Those singers can't really sing! They croaked! I guess we all know the reason why these lame programmes are still going on while epics like "So You Think You Can Dance? (Malaysia)", "Malaysian Idol", "Project Runway Malaysia", "One In A Million", "I Wanna Be A Model", "Project Superstar", and god knows what happened to this one reality show that made quite the buzz, "The Firm", an alter-ego of Donald Trump's "The Apprentice".

Okay.. for some unrelated post, god forbid I might die from excessive caffeine intake from my habit of drinking coffee everyday. But at least coffee makes me feel and do good. Haha~

That's all for now. Keep an eye on my blog ya?

How about free hugs everyday?

Yes, how about giving free hugs everyday to random people everyday to make at least someone happy everyday?
I would kinda love that, not only at the receiving end, but also on the giving end. lately, this one smack of spiritual wave hit me quite hard and I felt compelled to do something nice at least everyday, then I'd feel reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllll good. Maybe it's the coffee.. Iono. But if coffee could make me feel good, worthy and happy every time I drink it, I'm sure as hell gonna drink at least a cup everyday.

Some time ago, there was this one guy in New York who decided to stand in the busy streets, offering nothing more than a free hug. You might think, "Hey, is this guy nuts? And what's the big deal? It's only a hug."
Truth being, this man has not only offer something so sincere that it comes from the bottom of the heart, he has also made life for someone seem more colourful for that particular day. Lemme ask you guys now, how many of you guys ever had a hug in the morning? Surely it felt good, didn't it?

So how about we do it in my campus? Haha. I would love to be the pioneer to extraordinary things like these. Mob flash, free hugs, free dancing classes.. Haha.
Any takers?

HOLLYWOOD! STOP REMAKING ASIAN ANIMES AND GAMES!!

Like as if the high time ever-failing Dragonball and The Legend of Chun Li of Hollywood wasn't enough.. Here comes... AVATAR! THE LAST AIR-BENDER! And if that didn't quite blow you away, then upcoming, TEKKEN!

Look, it's not like I don't like these genres being brought to life by Hollywood, but at least, do it right. Let's see where they have gone wrong.





And as if those two blunder wasn't enough..



And now this?!



NO! HOLLYWOOD! NO MORE!!!! PLEASE!!!

If it's Asian, it's Asian! If you HAVE to remake it, use the original race of the cast! If it's an Asian, USE AN ASIAN! ASIANS AREN'T THAT UGLY!!
Oh dear... Thank god I haven't quite watched all of those movie save for The Legend of Chun Li.. Was watching that movie just for the sake of mocking it anyway.

Still, I call for a boycott of the two new movies. ><
Work with me people! Let them know that the anime coffer is not simply up for grabs.

The week that was... Certainly a busy one indeed.

So, another week has passed and I have yet to write anything new. This is promising of me.. ==
Anyway, I had quite a week since the last. Monday started with a Chess Club HiCom meet at 9.30 pm right after the weekly chess practise that starts at 8 pm. Then I went home late because of after-hour meet.
Another meeting was conducted on Tuesday, along with an interview for MILE. Tuesday's meeting's about Chess Week which starts at 8pm and duly ended at 10pm with after-hour meet right after that too. Went back late again..
Wednesday morning, meeting on MMU Chess Closed, 10 am to 12 pm at the library. Then it's class and more after-hour meet.. Went home late again.
Thursday, was supposed to have a Chinese Chess Tournament meet, skipped it. 8pm to 10pm with definite after-hour meet again.
Friday, too, was supposed to have a International Chess Open meet, but apparently their director was kind enough to let me off the hook and once again I didn't attend any meet. And thank god for that I had more fun on Friday than I expected. Haha.
So yes, I've been busy lately, so sorry about the delays in my posting. Will try to update it more often this week.
Stay tuned!

ISA, The Last National Weapon In Case Any Political Firepower Failed.

Lately in the news, I can't help but somewhat laugh at some really preposterous manner of the politicians. Note the "s" at the back, because many of them, mainly from the Government bloc, are behaving like asses.

Senator Wee, was threatened to be tried under ISA.. Wait, why am I saying "tried"? ISA doesn't try you. It's imposed on you. You get no trial, no testimony, just a cold, damp room, locked away from public to keep you out of nonsense.

The ISA, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Security_Act_%28Malaysia%29

Section 73(1) Internal Security Act 1960: "Any police officer may without warrant arrest and detain pending enquiries any person in respect of whom he has reason to believe that there are grounds which would justify his detention under section 8; and that he has acted or is about to act or is likely to act in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to maintenance of essential services therein or to the economic life thereof."

Section 8 ISA: Power to order detention or restriction of persons. "(i) If the Minister is satisfied that the detention of any person is necessary with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to the maintenance of essential services therein or the economic life thereof, he may make an order (hereinafter referred to as a detention order) directing that that person be detained for any period not exceeding two years."

Section 8(1) theoretically restricts detention to a period not exceeding two years but this limit is readily circumvented because under Section 8(7), the duration of the detention order may be extended indefinitely in increments of up to two years The extension of the detention order may be made on the same grounds as those on which the original order was based or on different grounds. In delivering the judgment of the Court, Steve L.K. Shim CJ (Sabah & Sarawak) in Kerajaan Malaysia & 2 Ors. v Nasharuddin bin Nasir (2003) 6 AMR 497 at page 506, ruled that the powers extended to the Home Minister are valid under the Malaysian Constitution. In addition, preventive detention is also now allowed by the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985 and the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) has recently recommended that the ISA be repealed and replaced by new comprehensive legislation that, while taking a tough stand on threats to national security (including terrorism), does not violate basic human rights.

A detenu can make representations against his/her detention if an order of detention has been made against the detenu by the Minister under Section 8(1) of the ISA but under Section 73 however, the detenu seems to have no such right. Generally, the attitude of the Malaysian courts in respect of detention under Section 73 is that the courts have jurisdiction only in regard to any question on compliance with the procedural requirements of the ISA and they seldom grant any substantive rights to the detenu.

Article 151 of the Malaysian Constitution gives to any person detained without trial (under the special powers against subversion) certain administrative rights. By the terms of Article 151 the authority, on whose order a person is detained, shall, as soon as may be, inform the detainee of the grounds of detention and the allegations of fact on which the order is based. The detainee shall also be given an opportunity within three months, of making representations against the order to an Advisory Board . The Advisory Board as the name implies is not a court. Its determinations are also mere recommendations that the government is under no obligation to accept. It may also be handicapped in its deliberations by the discretionary power of the government to withhold facts, the disclosure of which would, in the executive’s opinion be against national interest.

Any person may be detained by the police for up to 60 days without trial for an act which allegedly threatens the security of the country or any part thereof. After 60 days, one may be further detained for a period of two years each, to be approved by the Minister of Home Affairs, thus permitting indefinite detention without trial. In 1989, the powers of the Minister under the legislation was made immune to judicial review by virtue of amendments to the Act, only allowing the courts to examine and review technical matters pertaining to the ISA arrest.

So, get the point now? ISA is used when you somehow are thought of to be threatening the securities of Malaysia. So, Senator Wee (from MCA, a coalition of the National Front, ruling party of the current Government), in fact, not only him, even Senator Ibrahim Ali (Independent, formerly a contender under the PAS ticket who later on abandoned the PAS ship and now is the senator for Pasir Mas) from the Independent Bloc is now currently in the news because some egoistic and brainless politician from the main Government Bloc kept the constant chanting of

"Dia patut dicuba di bawah ISA!
("He should be tried under ISA!")

I mean like, come on, grow up. From here, right now, from the stupid bickering, we can already see how this small time politicians are cashing in on the spotlight and trying to be overlords by invoking the usage of the decade old draconian law of ISA albeit it's still worthy of keeping. This tyrant often times keep this last resort as a measure to improve their ratings by playing the racial card and at the same time using the ISA card as a chain link. I don't know about some of you guys, but remember "Yugioh"?

"You activated my trap card!!"





So it's all pretty much a trap for politicians to step one other politicians' heads to climb higher.

Peace out for now.

Water... Water everywhere....

Yesterday, my house was flooded.. again. Haha. Not really a big deal, not really a small one either.



This pic was taken somewhere outside at the street before turning into my house. Out in the street, it wasn't that deep.



Somewhere nearer to my home,



It's almost past my ankle. At the front of my home, it was like.. shin deep.



Yes, I managed to camwhore a bit.. Haha. Well, I took some a lot of photos but I'll spare you readers of the misery.

And the McDonald's that I bought that night for my supper.. ended up being my breakfast.. T_T

Underappreciation and bending it like Obama.

Right. I know I've committed the mortal sin for not posting any new posts for more than a week, so a thousand apologies to those who bothered to check up on me. Thanks a million for being so patient. Truth be told, I was quite the busy man of late and deserved a nice break on the weekend. Away from stress, away from obligations and away from binds that hold. I've been quite the lucky bastard this weekend. Anyway, enough about me.

Onward to the daily grouses. Just today, I've read in an article in The Star, our local English paper, claiming that our National Laureate Datuk A. Samad Said wants to move his work over to New Zealand. That name strikes a familiar tone in us doesn't it? "The Dead Crow" and "Di Hadapan Pulau"? The guy with the "sexy beard" as my BM teacher said. The guy with his initials being A.S.S. ?
Okay.. okay.. jokes over. Anyway, this cool dude with long beard threatened to take his original work all the way to NZ where his work would certainly be more appreciated than here in Msia. If there's one thing about Malaysia, it's the lack of respect and recognition that artistes alike receive for the handiwork. Let's not look too far. Our beloved Yasmin Ahmad was never really appreciated by the Government until the day she died. Come on.. everyone knows that. Singers like Fish Leong (correct me if I'm wrong) and Michael Wong, better known as Guang Liang know, they KNOW that staying behind in Malaysia and living off the entertainment industry is not really and option. The Government failed to realised that stars like these are what makes us proud to be able to shine on international stage. Datuk Ahmad Samad Said's poems and stories have entertained us for decades yet, the Government turned a blind eye on his brilliant work, making it seemed like they were the least interested in artsy stuff like these. The Information, Communications and Culture Ministry should be held responsible for having such a stupid attitude. I dare bet they are gonna give an excuse and say there must be some communication misunderstanding and try to undo their mistakes, like they always do. Apparently, due attentions to artistes are heaved upon the wrong idol, one such with the bald head and stupid goatee, namely Mawi. Never a talented singer and was made popular through a lousy "idol-like" competition that almost nobody approves, called Akademi Fantasia. You know what a real Idol is? Jaclyn Joshua Thanaraj Victor and Daniel Lee. They are real idols who could sing in several languages without any problem. We don't need baldies that is tone-impaired to entertain us like a clown.
With that being said, I certainly do hope Datuk A. Samad Said's work will be given the due appreciation, especially on his literary works.

Apart from that, another stupid thing that have transpired over the week was, the stupid decision of buying a Persian cat by the Prime Minister himself. I know you're loaded. Everyone knows that. Even some dead Mongolian actress knows that, but let me remind you that adoption is certainly better than buying. But then again, that's not the real grouse I'm having here. The real grouse is, our PM aka Najib, playing it up with the buying of his cat. You know.. When Obama got a dog, similar press sensation was skewered into the nation, causing a pet-frenzy across USA. I think Najib is just flexing his political influence by buying a cat and then as if he bothered, asking the nation what to name it. It's like... the hell. It's your darn cat that you bought with RM650. You name it! Playing it up and asking the nation to name it as if you would care is stupidly lame for a political stunt. Call it copy cat, since you pretty much lay it down like Obama. Or maybe, call it SELCAT.. Iono. Have fun with your cat then. One thing's for sure, this little kitty's gonna be the centre of attraction for quite awhile and I'm quite sure watchdogs like RSPCA and PAWS will be waiting to pounce on any mistreatment the Persian should receive.

That's quite what I have in mind right now. A very good night dear readers. Ciao for now.

The Week That Passed.

Revelations after revelations. It's been awhile now since I last felt human and little. Took the car for a snow wash today and was really relaxed as I watched the dragonflies zooming around on the open field while I waited for my car to be cleaned. Lately, there has been a lot of things bugging me that needs my immediate attention such as my course registration and the such but I will be skipping those and prolly spare you people of my boring predicaments.
Just the other day, I promised Raphael to help him with promoting his mini theater, Jubilee Cabaret, featuring colourful and lively cabaret dances coagulated along with Malaysian cultural dances and song and not forgetting our Malacca's own baba nonya dances, songs and a lot more. So it's generally a whole new refreshing thing for me when I first watched it. Things of course got better as time goes by because they will often times slot in new performances and kick out the old such as Chinese New Year specials to keep things in time and fresh. Certainly a must watch for people who enjoys a good time on vibrant and happy performances. Little nonyas in kebaya, seronok sekali. Hahaha~

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulng82/sets/72157623178302718/


An Indian dance as performed in the Jubilee Cabaret. Certainly very VERY entertaining.

Now, back to topic. As I was saying, I promised to help Raphael in promoting Jubilee, so I met him one afternoon to accompany him around town, visiting hotels after hotels to ask if they would allow us to place Jubilee pamphlets on their counter/tourist info section/etc.. Mind you, it's quality paper Raphael ordered for the printing of these pamphlet. Not some cheap thin material that people use to stick adverts on your windscreen. Glossed finish, thick quality paper. Certainly it's not too "low-class" to be displayed on a counter of a hotel right?
Of course, since we're asking for other people's help, you gotta expect the worst to come. We stepped into this little hotel called Malacca Straits Hotel. The receptionist was a guy and he was quite the pleasant man to talk to as he was really REALLY polite, like how hospitality services should be. We asked to see their Public Relation Officer to tell of our request and the man kindly nodded and told us to wait for a minute on the cushion. As much as the interior decor was a total overhaul, I cannot help but smell of a very familiar smell. You wanna know what that is? Sterilizer. The Malacca Straits Hotel used to be a hospital. Many may not know of this but us Malaccans know better. It certainly was funny when someone once called my dad and ask if he had stayed in that hotel before cause, my dad was admitted to that hospital and stayed in that building before it was turned into a hotel.
And 5 minutes later, this lady in headscarf came out from the room she was in and mind you she did not even greet us. (Talk about Public Relations Officer.. pfft~)
This rude lady certainly left us with a very bad impression of the management. She was bossy and was not even compromising. As we pitched our idea, she asked what's in it for them (the hotel). We said that we will be issuing two complimentary tickets for them to see the show so as to better understand the show and hence, be able to explain to the guest or our potential customers. The following reply was the most shocking and in fact, the worst you could explain from a PR officer.

"Apa? Dua tiket saja? Lepas tu? Bukan tiap-tiap bulan bagi?"

("What? Only two tickets? What about after that? You're not giving us tickets every month?")

I was certainly shocked! SHOCKED I say! The ticket was a COMPLIMENTARY, meaning we are already incurring loses to invite you to see the show and you DEMAND more?! One word to sum it up, greed. What a tard! She actually wanted more! I mean, we're only borrowing a 20cm x 10cm x 7cm spot on your precious little tourist information board to put some pamphlets and you wanted more?! Plus, you're only a freaking PR. And all the more because you're a PR, shouldn't you be more gracious on your choice of words?! The only salvation the hotel has I dare bet, was the receptionist. It's a tiny little hotel that charges a hand and a leg for a room BUT albeit the pricing, I saw a contingent of cyclist who's contesting in SUKMA (Sukan Malaysia) staying there. Does the Government has so much money to pamper these athletes that aren't even promising in the first place? I swear they are not promising because of a personal incident I had with a customer of this very hotel (A car signaled late and just blindly turned into the hotel compound without noticing this poor guy on motorbike, who happens to be yours truly, was right beside him and clashed into me.) and these cyclists have to butt their nose into our argument, ganging up on the Chinese guy (which is me) and end up being reprimanded by their coach for being busybodies. They lack the brain and logic while arguing (They claimed I was speeding and overtaking a car from the left. For god's sake, a motorcycle's lane is on the freaking left side of the road! And the fact that I was still sitting on my motorbike while the accident happen proves that I was riding within a safe speed or I would end up some meters away, implanting myself face-first on the tarred road during the collision. >< ) and also the courtesy on the choice of words. I swear I didn't even use any vulgar while arguing and all the while they kept spewing words like "fuck", "butto" meaning ass and the such, inclusive of racial sediments.

And so that quite summed up my boring days on the week that passed. My arm was left with a really big ugly bruise but thank god, nothing permanent and I am alright. That'd be my ranting for this moment. Thanks for reading. Ask me out for tea sometimes okay, for those who stay in Malacca, and for those who are going to be in Malacca, ask me out for tea too~ Follow me on my Facebook if you guys are interested in looking up for me. I'll bring you to places in Malacca where they are under the tourist radar yet charming altogether. Good food, beautiful beaches, breath-taking mountain view, you name it. Haha.

http://www.facebook.com/audesxerxes?ref=profile#!/audesxerxes

Cheerio!

PS : When adding me on FB, send me a note explaining how you got my address. Don't like strangers on my FB.

A filler for now. Long Hair!

So I have been talking about other stuffs so often, I've quite forgotten to talk about myself of late. How silly.
I'm currently considering a change of hairstyle; a shorter one maybe? But pretty much reluctant at the same time cause I love my hair when it's long. It's almost like Hugh Jackman yo.





There we go, no joke. LoL~ Check my older photos of me with slightly longer hair in facebook if you want. X3

Of course, that would be me if I don't change my hairstyle and leave it long in accordance with time. But what if I change my style by a little, parting in the mid to look like this?



He Jun Xiang.... smexy hair.. Gah~

Well, many would be wagging their tails by now, I'm quite sure. Seriously though, my hair curls at semi long lengths. Hence it's not too wavy and is at just the right volume to boot.

And now.. to drink more hair growth tonic.. Haha. Ciao people. Until next time.

When the society defashionize...

Right now, I'm sipping and paying my daily homage to the great Java. Blended to smooth perfection, the roasted taste is just.. ecstasy. Sitting here inside Starbucks, it instantly reminds me of Joanne Loke's blog. The thoughtful thought of a young lady who pretty much provoked my thought and got me thinking. Right.. I'm just being random.. Blame the coffee.
So, many would be wondering what am I doing here instead of being in class. Well, arguably, one has to take time to chill off after a few hectic weeks of planning and gathering. I've been so up and about that I haven't even have time to actually enjoy my semester break albeit it's no longer semester break anymore.
Well, at this wonderful afternoon, I pretty much took a tour around Dataran Pahlawan's West Concourse, keeping a mindful eye and limited glances all the while checking out society and it's behaviour. I'm quite the curious one when it comes to human behaviour and also the snarky one when it comes to criticizing it.
So, here's what I noticed. Kids nowadays, (Mind you, anyone younger than me I deem them as kids. I'm 21 anyway.) have quite the poorest sense of fashion. I'm quite sure some do, but on a general populous, it seems like the younger generations are moving in onto a weirder and weirder sense of fashion which I pretty much disapprove although my little opinion may not matter. As the school holiday breaks, many can be seen loitering about in this shopping complex. Quite the scene, really, to see so many people on a Wednesday morning yet Starbucks remains as lonely as ever. Don't think kids enjoy coffee on the same level as most of us adults do.
Now, to shoot my point, I noticed that the younger generations have a great liking to wearing sunglasses in shopping complex. I admit that I'm guilty of that too, but only once and that was because I was doing a photoshoot in this very same complex, yet, may I ask a question now.. Is it really THAT bright and sunny inside a shopping complex that you have to wear AVIATOR sunglasses? I mean.. if you are some celebrities stuck in a scandal, I can understand that but for real?
Here and right now I would like to coin the word "DEFASHIONIZING" out of frustration. It simply isn't because of a slanted perspective of me in the fashion industry. It simply isn't because of solely my opinion that the younger generations are fashionably numb BUT it's out of sheer anger at how fashion has been tainted by these retards. Imagine a group of scrawny kids dressed in tube jeans, tight canvas shoes, tees with obscenity or some controversial message that makes absolutely no sense scribbled on it, ridiculously gelled hair and aviator glasses stuck on their face but slides down their nose almost half the time. And I do mean a GROUP of them, dressed in the same way, only with a different tee. It's really a plain sore to the eye and believe me, this kind of fashion can only be seen on certain people of certain race. I'm sorry to say this, but it's the hard truth that everyone has to swallow.
That's not the end. Let me move into the other race. Chinese boys nowadays too, can be spotted wearing short pants and plain tee. I mean, yeah maybe it looks alright, but with a handbag? And it's not only one of them, but a bunch of them together, parading around with their LV bag.. OH MAI GOD~ LV BAG! God knows if it's even a fake. It doesn't stop here. Most can be caught guilty of wearing glasses frame and I do mean only the frame. Pray the lord I was able to convince one of my friend to not wear it because it only makes him look "Ah Dai" (meaning "nerdy") and it's such a liability on his looks. White skin, slim face, but with a nerdy frame on.. =_= And don't get me started on the girls. It would have been endless, so I'm skipping that for now.
Indians, on a national scale, well, I kinda noticed that their sense of fashion has not changed since the past decade. I don't know if it's because of Samy Vellu's continuous presidency (sorry, couldn't resist.) or they are quite comfortable with the way they are. Indians here will dress almost casually. A simple jeans and a simple tee and that's it. Maybe a gelled or dyed hair at the most. Simple yet acceptable and that's how it should have been if one wants to look normal. They don't quite get in the scene when it comes to fashion.

So.. right now, I'm still sipping and paying my daily homage to the great Java... and I'm loving it. Peace out people.

Reiterating the Points.

To reiterate my point of our Government getting their priorities really wrong, once again, allow me to point out yet another disappointing news that has befallen onto our nation.
The Government has recently announced the motion to slash subsidies off from our daily necessities. It is a motion that receives mixed emotions with some lauding the move while others cringed so much at it, it almost look like they have been suffering from constipation for the past thirty years.
As someone who views our nation's economy in a long term, I approved the motion, though not whole-heartedly. It is partly because of a flaw in the motion, hence why the rejection from several parts of the Rakyat.
First off, the cut of subsidies in the wrong necessities of course, earns the nation's wrath as it was deemed as unnecessary and almost trivial yet causing a nationwide problem. The cut of subsidies in wheat, sugar and petroleum was of course, frowned upon because of the imbalance it might trigger in the market. Here's the reason for the flaw. Suppose you propose a cut of subsidy, wouldn't it be fair and wise to actually impose a minimum wage ruling to help out our Rakyat? A minimum wage, in the long term, boosts economy even if there is a price hike in local commodities. It's basic economy that the Government has failed to look at thoroughly.
I know, some of you people out there are already chiding me for being naive. I do agree that the minimum wage policy can't be implemented because of Malaysian's attitude in general. Lazy, unmotivated, yet wanting an easy job that offers high salary. Now you tell me, where in the world can we find such a job? Even prostitutes in Taiwan have to make a living by working hard, not forgetting the part where they have to pay taxes too. Honestly, part of the reason why the Government is suffering from a deficit every year is due to very VERY obvious reasons. Let's list them.
A. Corruption.
B. Unnecessary spending on stupid projects. (Like planting stupid deco flowers along the street only to change the entire plot after a month with NEW different flowers or incidents where there are ten people from the Government sector working on digging the road where three are working and the other seven supervising. Once again, wrong priorities.)
C. Tax evaders, and we know who they generally are.
D. Poor/wrong investment. (During the fall of Wall Street, our Government could have bought and bail out the entire entity, but our Government eventually chose to buy out a bank in Indonesia instead.)
E. Unequal/Unfair subsidies.
F. Tributes. (Almost too sensitive to say. I'm not going any further on this one. I still cherish my friends.)
G. And of course, general subsidies.


So, it's pretty clear on how the taxpayer's money is spent on.
And now, let's get back onto topic. Apparently, there was a hike which I, as a part of the nation lauded the movement entirely, which is the hike of price for a 20 stick pack of cigarette. It's really a move which deserves a praise yet I don't think the Government has done enough. Singapore charges a S$13 for a 20 stick pack while in United States - Alabama to be precise, according to a friend of mine there, it costs a freaking USD15 for the same amount of cigarette. Malaysia on the other hand, proposed a floor price of RM6.40 per 20 stick pack. In case there are some readers who didn't know our currency, when converted into USD, it's about USD2 or a little more?
Now, seriously?! I mean, you wanted to curb smoking. You don't even enforce any rules. And when you do, you don't even do anything at all to punish the people caught smoking for various reasons. The Malacca Government hung up several posters earlier this year and launched a "Smoke-free Melaka" campaign.


http://www.seatca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=776:smf-melaka&catid=1:regional-updates&Itemid=57

I don't know about you people, but I seem to notice that nobody gives two shit about it. I still see cigarette butts strewn all over the Victoria Fountain square, courtesy of "beca-pullers" or trishaw drivers. I also see locals puffing away like no tomorrow in our so-called "smoke-free zone" which covers the entire Melaka town area. I also spotted workers of the MBMB public swimming pool smoking away right inside the compound, just beside the "No Smoking : Fine RM 1000" sign. Is this for real? Good work oh Chief Minister Ali Rustam, the minister whom was convicted of money politics by his own political party yet can still sit comfortably in our senate and become a Chief Minister. It just proves how silly our Government is, with their empty promises of erasing corruption. There's just a bitter lack of enforcement and it's very EVIDENT.

Okay okay.. I've been drawn way out of topic. About the price hike of tobacco. Right. So, if our Government imposes a higher tax for cigarette, wouldn't it be killing two birds with one stone? I mean, you can curb smoking and gain more money at the same time. And about taxes, stop taxing our Rakyat from luxuries like foreign cars just because you want to protect your own national car's market! Suppose, if you remove the subsidies from petroleum, then lower the tax from foreign cars as well! It's like, you're happy and the people are happy. Win win situation. Problem solved. Government saves money, rakyat gets luxury at lower price. You can't exactly have it all and force it down our throat!
Also, to anyone who has bothered to check, Malaysia is ranked 3rd, freaking 3rd for selling the cheapest cigarette worldwide by the Marlborough Company, although sources may not be reliable because the result was based on invested countries by the company itself. So, Malaysia is actually selling Marlborough, one of the deadliest and oldest cigarette around which offers packs which doesn't have filters at a really low price if compared globally. Indonesia ranks first, followed by Turkey. The little hike in price is definitely not enough. Oh, I've just realised, I haven't disclosed the amount of hike. It's a mere 20 sen and every bloody smokers are already complaining. For the love of your own health, just be grateful that it's only 20 sen and not a few ringgit to match our neighbour!

Cheers people. That's it for now. I know, economy is not something that can please everyone but if it's for the greater good in a long term, I don't mind spending a few more, that too, if the Government enforces minimum wage policy.
Most of the content's ideas are courtesy of my former Economics teacher, Mr Lee Tick Siong and also from a good friend of mine, Sharvan Bhojwani.

When We Get Our Priorities Wrong..

It has been awhile since I last posted anything. God forgive, I have been really out-of-thought on what to write for awhile. It's not that I'm busy. I'm mostly free honestly. In fact, I'm pretty much stuck here in my own town in a three week-long holiday not going anywhere for a fresh breath of air. (Unless you consider going to visit your brother in another state as a holiday, well that's the only salvation for me I guess.)
So I've decided to tell you people how wrong our priorities can get. To quote an example, I should be on holiday, not stay at home. That's how a priority gone wrong. To quote a better example, Malaysia, in general has got its priority REALLY wrong. In fact, it's not just Malaysia, I believe the whole world is. Still clueless on what I'm speaking about? I'm blabbering about the World Cup fever!
It isn't as eminent yet, to see the fever striking youths here. I mean, I haven't seen any betting going on yet. But the again, don't you people think it's pretty silly for 20 people to chase after a single ball? Okay, I'm not delving into the silliness of football, so a thousand apologies for that statement. Let me get back to Malaysia first.
During the period of Uber and Thomas Cup, I literally saw NO adverts on the idiot box showing or depicting our national hero in action or practically anything related to badminton. Seriously? I mean, look at us! We're like, PARTICIPATING in Uber and Thomas and there's almost nil advertisements on it. Nil propaganda to make us cheer on our Malaysian team! The only feedback was, "Oh, he did well. He should work on his footwork." and that's it. And giving ourselves a small pat on the back, we consoled ourselves that we've been and DID support the country in Uber and Thomas.
BUT when it comes to World Cup... Something that Malaysians are not even participating.. we have gazillions of adverts on it, not to mention that stupid advertisement of Malaysians dancing as if they have cramps on their feet in Astro. That's gotta be like the WORST advertisement I've ever seen. Astro seems fond of making stupid advertisements at times. And it's a sad fact that we are paying to watch it.
I mean, honestly, don't you think we've got our priorities REALLY wrong on this one? Food for thought.

Nice guys are ugly, hot guys are jerks, and hot nice guys are gay.

So how true does this hold for some people? Mind me not for saying this, but I’ve got like tonnes of other girl friends asking or rather, telling me the same thing. It’s definitely something these girls are pretty afraid nowadays, considering the population of guys living on this planet although ironically is more than girls by figures, but undeniably the number of homosexuals are also on the rise.
Girls, how many times have you been in this situation? You head to a bar/club/bistro/whatever casually and you eye a hot guy at one corner, sitting alone. You thought to yourself that he’s pretty attractive; the square chins, the ruffled hair, the slim and toned body, that charming smile, the flattering height, the gentlemanly behavior; definitely a whole package itself wrapped up there just tempting you till no end. And then the thunderstorm came; another guy, almost of equal beauty and character with the first guy came over, sat beside him and gave him a tender kiss on the cheek. Your world just tumbled and crashed. Your jaws hit ground zero. Your eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. You ask yourself, “Is he for real?!”
Let’s give it another situation. You met a guy on the bus, and once again, he looks suave. He offered you his seat while he stood up. His sexy voice drowns your mind. You got to know him. You learned where he works/studies. You got his number. You both went out for a dinner, and you ask him to be your other half. Much to your chagrin, he tells you he can’t. You insist on wanting him to give you a reason, and he says, “I’m not into women.”
Again and again I hear my girl friends confessing to me how their boyfriends mistreat them in the harshest way possible, even if it was just an SMS. If you think this poor girl had it coming, allow me to tell you that the only “sin” this girl committed was going out for a “yumcha” session with other guys from her faculty and it’s common knowledge that the number of guys in her faculty is outrageously higher than the number of girls, hence it’s only normal that she make more guy friends than girl friends. If you think this situation is wrong, wait till you hear this.
Another friend of mine was constantly under the “surveillance” of her boyfriend who is not in the same state as her as she is now pursuing higher education, she moves to another state. What transpired was, she wants to go out for a movie but out of respect, told her boyfriend about it. Boyfriend goes skeptic and demand to know who is going. Girlfriend tells name, her roommate. Boyfriend calls the said roommate. The said roommate confirms it. The said roommate was then told by the said boyfriend to make sure that the said girlfriend does not sit beside another stranger, especially guys. Now let’s take a reality check here. If you are going to the movie, granted unless you are sitting on the less-desirable side of the cinema, you’re most probably going to end up sitting somewhere in the middle, or in between some seats. What’s more, imagine this, if you are with your friend, only the two of you, and you’re going to the cinema. How exactly can you make sure you’re not going to sit beside any stranger unless you’re sitting at the said less-desirable corners?! If this is not ludicrous enough, I rest my case.
Rest assured that the title is only a jab on the society, spoken with tongue in cheek. It meant no factual reports or whatsoever, yet on a more surreal level, it does apply to some, undeniably. Nevertheless, at the way society is heading, more and more metrosexual guys/girls are starting to emerge as the world shifts towards a more gender-equal civilization. Handbags are no longer for the ladies. They have manbags now. Short hairstyle on girls is no longer unacceptable or deemed immoral anymore. Even the tolerance against homosexuality has gone lower, albeit by a little.
I ask you now, how did this phrase come up, if these are just blatant lies? Admittedly, a slight number of female friends I have confessed having crushes on their homosexual friends, although they know fairly well that they stand no chance at all. Most of them claimed that they like being around homosexual guys because most homosexuals are pretty open-minded and are able to understand girls better than their heterosexual counterparts. Some girls are even spotted chilling out at gay bars. Queer? NOT! This is because they seem to find it safer, considering that they will not have to bear sexual harassments or catcalls from hetero males in normal bars.
As the world opens up to newer and newer generations, there are still a slight number of people who withhold their principal or religious believes whereby homosexuality is a sin and homosexuals should be punished. As justified as it may sound, this activity, known as gay-bashing has been highly looked-down by many alike who claims that these are just religious zealots that tend to hold their faith a little too close for comfort, what not contradicting their religion for hurting people, physically, emotionally or mentally.
The dawn is upon us to make or break. Taking on the stand “Whatever floats your boat.” seems to work best by looking at how society works. A word or two if you must, but do be gentle as they are still human and all, just like us.