Hello Again
Hello world. Goodness, it has been ages once again since I posted an entry in this blog. Blame the loads of work in the office.. haha! I would like to thank those who still came by to check on updates however in those times when I’ve been missing. Really, I can’t really express how much I appreciate your visit. I wish I could have updated more than I have, but I find it so difficult to get inspired to write anything worthwhile. I am hopeful somehow that you guys would come by to visit again, and perhaps by then I should have regular entries enough to entertain any visitor. Talk about having a writer’s block even when I’ve not even written much.. a good start to my writing aspirations eh?
I have not been up to much of late. Am thinking of going to watch the 3rd instalment of the Lord of The Rings movie, The Return of The King. I was going to watch it last Wednesday on Christmas Eve, booked a ticket through my phone’s Easy Access. And what do you know, after queuing for almost an hour on that day to collect my ticket I was told by the person over the counter that the computer system had screwed up and my reservation was recorded for Friday instead. Since I already had plans for Friday, I had to cancel. Went to a ‘kenduri’ today and someone accidentally told me of what happened in the Return of The King. Doesn’t it annoy you when someone asks you whether you’ve watched a movie yet, and then proceeds to tell you what happened in the movie without waiting for you to reply? For instance, “Have you watched Return of The King yet?” And before you could even swallow the chicken you are munching on to answer, the excited fellow continues, “Smeagol dies in the movie. It’s so sad.” By this time I would have told the other person I had not watched it yet and he would say, “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t know. But don’t worry, at least Smeagol died happy”. Argghh… Sorry if I’ve spoilt it for those out there who has not watched it as well. It is partly intended. Hehe…
Hope to be back more regularly this time to update. Pray with me for it will ya..
Saturday, December 27, 2003
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Interesting Article
Someone forwarded me this article written by our former deputy prime minister today through e-mail which I find interesting. Honestly, the views presented in the article cannot exactly be considered as original or new. But still, in a time where people's memories are short, it serves as a good reminder or an occassional nudge on our shoulders of the reality of the state of the Islamic society today. And even more importantly, suggestions of what needs to be done in the face of that reality.
Happy reading.
We Muslims Must Reform Our Own Politics
By Anwar Ibrahim
(From THE ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL)
(Editor's Note: Mr. Anwar, a former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, has been in jail since 1999. He is currently appealing his conviction by a Malaysian court on charges of corruption and sodomy.)
Affirmations of brotherhood and lamentations over the elusiveness of a long-sought fraternity are two perennial themes of modern Muslim rhetoric. It seems that no summit or conference would be worthy of the name unless displays of such sentiments were somehow woven into the agenda. The 10th summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to be held outside Kuala
Lumpur from Oct. 16-18, will probably be no different.
Few will be surprised if the opulence of the conference venue is matched by an appalling poverty of ideas on how to cure the Muslim malady - poor governance,
the economic deprivation of millions, political restiveness among citizens, and, of course, the bad press the community has been receiving. Sure, the delegates will be vociferous in condemning terrorism. They will also
express disgust with the U.S. for its imperialistic designs. And they will launch diatribes against the World Trade Organization, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for their failure to address the concerns
of developing countries.
No doubt, these groups are all culpable in some way, but ranting about insidious neocolonialism and issuing pious platitudes about the superiority of the Islamic approach are no substitute for a workable plan to address
the depressing state of the Muslim community. And their Muslim audiences are not likely to miss the irony of living under virtual one-party systems.
The Palestinian question will continue to be the dominant issue at the conference. Israeli state terrorism must be condemned before there can be any effective check against the desperate and retaliatory acts of terror
that the dispossessed Palestinians resort to. Many Muslims see the U.S. stance in this conflict as diabolical, and the outrage has been aggravated by the occupation
of Afghanistan and Iraq.
But concerned Muslims are asking where this Muslim outrage was when the Taliban insulted the Islamic tradition of respect for other religions in their destruction of the two statues of Buddha at Bamiyan? And why was there damning silence for decades in the face of Saddam Hussein's atrocities against the Kurds, Marsh Arabs and Shiites; and what about his war against Iran and
conquest of Kuwait? Indeed, when the body count is tallied, Muslims will find that more of their brothers and sisters have been butchered by their own leaders than by non-Muslims. Even now, Muslim governments have expended little or no effort in the quest for a just and peaceful resolution to the conflicts in Chechnya, Kashmir and Aceh.
Thus one can appreciate the widespread cynicism among ordinary Muslims about the OIC. They see it as a body too frail to champion Muslim causes and a loose ensemble operating on ideas out of tune with the tenor of the times. One testimony to their ineffectuality is the Islamic News Agency. Formed in the early days of the conference, it was, on the face of it, a noble idea. Its role was to correct an imbalance in international news coverage due to the perceived biases of Western news agencies.
But it was doomed at its very inception because it was not to be an agency selling uncensored news and featuring vigorous reporting and critical commentary. Its creators meant, instead, for it to be a recorder of
official views and a peddler of reports on national development and successes. In short, it was to be an internationalized propaganda agent. It is not
surprising, then, that al Jazeera, hailed as a new voice of independent journalism in the Middle East, is viewed with apprehension by many Arab governments, even as it irks the U.S.
Paradoxically, though, the controlled national media have been parroting the most naive utterances, perpetuating stereotypes of Islam and Muslims. Thus the ruthless and secular Saddam Hussein has been styled an "Islamic
dictator,"the perverse policies of the Taliban equated with the Shariah, terrorism ascribed to Wahhabi teachings and the Shia community characterized as people with a propensity to violence. And then, it is a simple matter of sticking the label Taliban, Wahhabi or Shia on dissenters and political opponents before
eventually arresting them under draconian laws allowing detention without trial.
Many developing countries welcome the wind of democratic change sweeping across the globe, embracing reform to ensure the enlargement of democratic space, the entrenchment of fundamental liberties and the promotion of economic growth. But a large section of the Muslim belt remains stuck in political systems that are anathema to freedom. And, as a cultural group, Muslims
appear to be the most resistant to democracy. Their economies, straining under dirigiste systems, are slumping the fastest. Western academics observe
that the few Muslim majority countries that can claim some measure of economic success have done so because of secularism and democracy, as in Turkey,
or the presence of industrious Chinese, as in Malaysia and to some extent Indonesia. To them, the dynamics of Islam have no relevance.
Yet after half a century of independence, we hear the standard sermon of the self-serving Muslim autocrats that their subjects are incapable of participating in a democracy. Who in his or her right mind does not
want to be free to exercise choice? Could there be morality without freedom? These are questions that should be hurled at the enemies of democracy. They have
to be reminded that the notion of choice is deeply embedded in Islamic theology.
It is a moral imperative for Muslims to make the leap to responsible government, departing from oppressive and corrupt policies. Having been embittered by the Central Intelligence Agency and Mossad, as they claim, Muslim leaders should know better than to use intelligence apparatus such as Saddam's Mukhabarat or the Special Branch in Malaysia to harass or terrorize citizens.
Instead of denigrating the Shariah and demonizing Ulama, the Islamic council of wise men, Muslim leaders should ponder the reasons why an increasing number
of Muslims, including young professionals, see the Shariah as a viable alternative to the current systems in their countries, where the rule of man has supplanted the rule of law and the institutions of justice have been
all but physically destroyed. A legitimate and presentative government, with adequate constitutional safeguards is the best insurance of peace and harmony, and economic
progress. And while it would have clearly defined parameters against threats to stability, it would have the flexibility and latitude to engage those leaning toward extremism.
To be relevant to our times, those claiming to represent Muslims cannot afford to gloss over these burning issues. Most of all, they must accept the inevitability of a predominantly democratic and pluralistic world. The
Muslim world must navigate its way toward freedom and justice, which, after all, were integral components of the Prophet Muhammad's mission. What path it should
take is secondary, but the commitment is indispensable.
Someone forwarded me this article written by our former deputy prime minister today through e-mail which I find interesting. Honestly, the views presented in the article cannot exactly be considered as original or new. But still, in a time where people's memories are short, it serves as a good reminder or an occassional nudge on our shoulders of the reality of the state of the Islamic society today. And even more importantly, suggestions of what needs to be done in the face of that reality.
Happy reading.
We Muslims Must Reform Our Own Politics
By Anwar Ibrahim
(From THE ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL)
(Editor's Note: Mr. Anwar, a former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, has been in jail since 1999. He is currently appealing his conviction by a Malaysian court on charges of corruption and sodomy.)
Affirmations of brotherhood and lamentations over the elusiveness of a long-sought fraternity are two perennial themes of modern Muslim rhetoric. It seems that no summit or conference would be worthy of the name unless displays of such sentiments were somehow woven into the agenda. The 10th summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to be held outside Kuala
Lumpur from Oct. 16-18, will probably be no different.
Few will be surprised if the opulence of the conference venue is matched by an appalling poverty of ideas on how to cure the Muslim malady - poor governance,
the economic deprivation of millions, political restiveness among citizens, and, of course, the bad press the community has been receiving. Sure, the delegates will be vociferous in condemning terrorism. They will also
express disgust with the U.S. for its imperialistic designs. And they will launch diatribes against the World Trade Organization, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund for their failure to address the concerns
of developing countries.
No doubt, these groups are all culpable in some way, but ranting about insidious neocolonialism and issuing pious platitudes about the superiority of the Islamic approach are no substitute for a workable plan to address
the depressing state of the Muslim community. And their Muslim audiences are not likely to miss the irony of living under virtual one-party systems.
The Palestinian question will continue to be the dominant issue at the conference. Israeli state terrorism must be condemned before there can be any effective check against the desperate and retaliatory acts of terror
that the dispossessed Palestinians resort to. Many Muslims see the U.S. stance in this conflict as diabolical, and the outrage has been aggravated by the occupation
of Afghanistan and Iraq.
But concerned Muslims are asking where this Muslim outrage was when the Taliban insulted the Islamic tradition of respect for other religions in their destruction of the two statues of Buddha at Bamiyan? And why was there damning silence for decades in the face of Saddam Hussein's atrocities against the Kurds, Marsh Arabs and Shiites; and what about his war against Iran and
conquest of Kuwait? Indeed, when the body count is tallied, Muslims will find that more of their brothers and sisters have been butchered by their own leaders than by non-Muslims. Even now, Muslim governments have expended little or no effort in the quest for a just and peaceful resolution to the conflicts in Chechnya, Kashmir and Aceh.
Thus one can appreciate the widespread cynicism among ordinary Muslims about the OIC. They see it as a body too frail to champion Muslim causes and a loose ensemble operating on ideas out of tune with the tenor of the times. One testimony to their ineffectuality is the Islamic News Agency. Formed in the early days of the conference, it was, on the face of it, a noble idea. Its role was to correct an imbalance in international news coverage due to the perceived biases of Western news agencies.
But it was doomed at its very inception because it was not to be an agency selling uncensored news and featuring vigorous reporting and critical commentary. Its creators meant, instead, for it to be a recorder of
official views and a peddler of reports on national development and successes. In short, it was to be an internationalized propaganda agent. It is not
surprising, then, that al Jazeera, hailed as a new voice of independent journalism in the Middle East, is viewed with apprehension by many Arab governments, even as it irks the U.S.
Paradoxically, though, the controlled national media have been parroting the most naive utterances, perpetuating stereotypes of Islam and Muslims. Thus the ruthless and secular Saddam Hussein has been styled an "Islamic
dictator,"the perverse policies of the Taliban equated with the Shariah, terrorism ascribed to Wahhabi teachings and the Shia community characterized as people with a propensity to violence. And then, it is a simple matter of sticking the label Taliban, Wahhabi or Shia on dissenters and political opponents before
eventually arresting them under draconian laws allowing detention without trial.
Many developing countries welcome the wind of democratic change sweeping across the globe, embracing reform to ensure the enlargement of democratic space, the entrenchment of fundamental liberties and the promotion of economic growth. But a large section of the Muslim belt remains stuck in political systems that are anathema to freedom. And, as a cultural group, Muslims
appear to be the most resistant to democracy. Their economies, straining under dirigiste systems, are slumping the fastest. Western academics observe
that the few Muslim majority countries that can claim some measure of economic success have done so because of secularism and democracy, as in Turkey,
or the presence of industrious Chinese, as in Malaysia and to some extent Indonesia. To them, the dynamics of Islam have no relevance.
Yet after half a century of independence, we hear the standard sermon of the self-serving Muslim autocrats that their subjects are incapable of participating in a democracy. Who in his or her right mind does not
want to be free to exercise choice? Could there be morality without freedom? These are questions that should be hurled at the enemies of democracy. They have
to be reminded that the notion of choice is deeply embedded in Islamic theology.
It is a moral imperative for Muslims to make the leap to responsible government, departing from oppressive and corrupt policies. Having been embittered by the Central Intelligence Agency and Mossad, as they claim, Muslim leaders should know better than to use intelligence apparatus such as Saddam's Mukhabarat or the Special Branch in Malaysia to harass or terrorize citizens.
Instead of denigrating the Shariah and demonizing Ulama, the Islamic council of wise men, Muslim leaders should ponder the reasons why an increasing number
of Muslims, including young professionals, see the Shariah as a viable alternative to the current systems in their countries, where the rule of man has supplanted the rule of law and the institutions of justice have been
all but physically destroyed. A legitimate and presentative government, with adequate constitutional safeguards is the best insurance of peace and harmony, and economic
progress. And while it would have clearly defined parameters against threats to stability, it would have the flexibility and latitude to engage those leaning toward extremism.
To be relevant to our times, those claiming to represent Muslims cannot afford to gloss over these burning issues. Most of all, they must accept the inevitability of a predominantly democratic and pluralistic world. The
Muslim world must navigate its way toward freedom and justice, which, after all, were integral components of the Prophet Muhammad's mission. What path it should
take is secondary, but the commitment is indispensable.
Sunday, October 12, 2003
The Week That Was
It is past midnight and it is now Sunday. It has been a rather eventful week. Work is murder as always, and I am going to the office tomorrow (or today rather). Was thinking of going today, but my mind and body just rejected the idea. All work and no play makes Izwan an unhappy boy.. hehe.. So I went to accompany my parents and my sister with her hubby and 2 nieces for shopping. The traffic on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman was horrendous. It made me realize it has been a long while since I went there for shopping. Was it last year’s Raya? Hmm… can’t remember.
Been doing some surfing of other fellow bloggers’ sites. It has been an eye-opening experience. The blog that caught my attention the most is Nisa_rk’s. I have to say that her banner is rather daring, and she has some interesting items as well in her entries. The one about the footballer’s penis showing out of his towel while he’s celebrating his team’s victory in a picture on a national newspaper is something that you don’t get to see happening everyday. The picture was published in Singapore’s Berita Harian. For those who wish to take a peek (of the picture, not the penis… well, what’s the difference..), you can click here for direct access to Nisa_rk’s site and the story which was posted in her blog on the 29th September 2003.
Another fellow blogger is a lecturer in UTP. She is still young, in the age range of 21-25. It is kinda interesting reading her related experiences of teaching, and the sort of things that she has to deal with as a young lecturer. An entry that she made on a poem by Robert Frost titled ‘The Road Not Taken' is of particular interest. It is a favourite poem of mine too… An excerpt of the poem (and arguably the most famous of the poem too) is as follows:
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
Imagine giving someone advice on a better way to do something and adding this bit of the poem to that advice. Whoa.. won't that make you look good. Coincidentally I was going to put the poem up on my blog too, but she beat me to it! For more interesting musings of a UTP lecturer, you can click here for direct access to Ain's blog.
Watched a movie this week titled The Roman Springs of Mrs Stone. I didn’t quite get to watch the whole of the movie, but a quote in the movie caught my attention. ‘When you’re in love, never listen to the things that he/she says out of anger, but just look in his/her eyes and see the love’. Kinda catchy I thought.
Well off to bed for me for now. The office awaits tomorrow… boo hoo!
It is past midnight and it is now Sunday. It has been a rather eventful week. Work is murder as always, and I am going to the office tomorrow (or today rather). Was thinking of going today, but my mind and body just rejected the idea. All work and no play makes Izwan an unhappy boy.. hehe.. So I went to accompany my parents and my sister with her hubby and 2 nieces for shopping. The traffic on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman was horrendous. It made me realize it has been a long while since I went there for shopping. Was it last year’s Raya? Hmm… can’t remember.
Been doing some surfing of other fellow bloggers’ sites. It has been an eye-opening experience. The blog that caught my attention the most is Nisa_rk’s. I have to say that her banner is rather daring, and she has some interesting items as well in her entries. The one about the footballer’s penis showing out of his towel while he’s celebrating his team’s victory in a picture on a national newspaper is something that you don’t get to see happening everyday. The picture was published in Singapore’s Berita Harian. For those who wish to take a peek (of the picture, not the penis… well, what’s the difference..), you can click here for direct access to Nisa_rk’s site and the story which was posted in her blog on the 29th September 2003.
Another fellow blogger is a lecturer in UTP. She is still young, in the age range of 21-25. It is kinda interesting reading her related experiences of teaching, and the sort of things that she has to deal with as a young lecturer. An entry that she made on a poem by Robert Frost titled ‘The Road Not Taken' is of particular interest. It is a favourite poem of mine too… An excerpt of the poem (and arguably the most famous of the poem too) is as follows:
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
Imagine giving someone advice on a better way to do something and adding this bit of the poem to that advice. Whoa.. won't that make you look good. Coincidentally I was going to put the poem up on my blog too, but she beat me to it! For more interesting musings of a UTP lecturer, you can click here for direct access to Ain's blog.
Watched a movie this week titled The Roman Springs of Mrs Stone. I didn’t quite get to watch the whole of the movie, but a quote in the movie caught my attention. ‘When you’re in love, never listen to the things that he/she says out of anger, but just look in his/her eyes and see the love’. Kinda catchy I thought.
Well off to bed for me for now. The office awaits tomorrow… boo hoo!
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
The EPL is back!
Well, this might sound like 8 games overdue (with my snail pace blog updates and all) but the English Premiership season is back yet again! And my team Arsenal is making a good start to their season too, despite not being able to strengthen their squad like the other favourite teams to the League title. The odds might be against them this time around to finish the season triumphant as champions but as a loyal fan, I have faith that they’ll do fine to the end. Over the weekend, Arsenal maintained their position at the top of the league with a hard fought 2-1 win over Liverpool, with Chelsea very hot at their heels with a win over Middlesbrough which ended with the same scoreline.
For the record, I’ve been a Gunners fan since 1987, back when I was 10. The story behind the beginning of my support for the red and white team is rather unique (at least I think so!) It was the 1987 FA Cup final and Arsenal were playing Luton Town that year. And in those days, my brother and I just loved to placed ‘empty’ bets on who would win games at final. Empty meaning we would place big bets such as a million dollars or so with the idea that one of us who loses the bet would pay the other much later in our lives. Or the bet would be nett off if the one who wins the bet this time loses the next one (I know, it’s kid stuff :-p) And on a hunch I chose Arsenal, probably because the name sounded groovier then just a Towner team. Well, Arsenal lost the final that year and I lost a million dollar bet to my younger brother (which would have made him the youngest millionaire ever, had I had the money…). But my allegiance with the Gunners had begun, and I’ve become a loyal fan since. It helped that Arsenal won the League title the year after (1989) and another in 1991, when Man U were still scraping in the mid table. In a space of 16 years, Arsenal are still there among the teams chasing for the title. I could have done worse and chose Luton Town in that historic moment in 1987, and God knows where they are now. And what about my brother? He’s now a Gunners too!
Well, I think every guy would celebrate the return of the English football season. To those who are single, there is now something to look forward to during the weekends. And to those who are not single, it’s time to look up the internet or survival kits on how to make up excuses to your spouses to avoid making arrangements on football nights. Who’s your pick to win the EPL this time? Will it be Man U again? Will Arsene Wenger’s men be determined enough to win it back from Man U after last year’s fall at the last hurdle? Will it be only one season for the Roman army that is Chelsea to build the beginning of their new empire in English football? Or will it be Liverpool’s year to end a drought that has lasted 13 years now since they last won the League? The drama and suspense will unfold come May 2004.
Go Gunners!
Well, this might sound like 8 games overdue (with my snail pace blog updates and all) but the English Premiership season is back yet again! And my team Arsenal is making a good start to their season too, despite not being able to strengthen their squad like the other favourite teams to the League title. The odds might be against them this time around to finish the season triumphant as champions but as a loyal fan, I have faith that they’ll do fine to the end. Over the weekend, Arsenal maintained their position at the top of the league with a hard fought 2-1 win over Liverpool, with Chelsea very hot at their heels with a win over Middlesbrough which ended with the same scoreline.
For the record, I’ve been a Gunners fan since 1987, back when I was 10. The story behind the beginning of my support for the red and white team is rather unique (at least I think so!) It was the 1987 FA Cup final and Arsenal were playing Luton Town that year. And in those days, my brother and I just loved to placed ‘empty’ bets on who would win games at final. Empty meaning we would place big bets such as a million dollars or so with the idea that one of us who loses the bet would pay the other much later in our lives. Or the bet would be nett off if the one who wins the bet this time loses the next one (I know, it’s kid stuff :-p) And on a hunch I chose Arsenal, probably because the name sounded groovier then just a Towner team. Well, Arsenal lost the final that year and I lost a million dollar bet to my younger brother (which would have made him the youngest millionaire ever, had I had the money…). But my allegiance with the Gunners had begun, and I’ve become a loyal fan since. It helped that Arsenal won the League title the year after (1989) and another in 1991, when Man U were still scraping in the mid table. In a space of 16 years, Arsenal are still there among the teams chasing for the title. I could have done worse and chose Luton Town in that historic moment in 1987, and God knows where they are now. And what about my brother? He’s now a Gunners too!
Well, I think every guy would celebrate the return of the English football season. To those who are single, there is now something to look forward to during the weekends. And to those who are not single, it’s time to look up the internet or survival kits on how to make up excuses to your spouses to avoid making arrangements on football nights. Who’s your pick to win the EPL this time? Will it be Man U again? Will Arsene Wenger’s men be determined enough to win it back from Man U after last year’s fall at the last hurdle? Will it be only one season for the Roman army that is Chelsea to build the beginning of their new empire in English football? Or will it be Liverpool’s year to end a drought that has lasted 13 years now since they last won the League? The drama and suspense will unfold come May 2004.
Go Gunners!
Sunday, October 05, 2003
Another weekend at the office
My.. how time flies. It felt like only yesterday that I made my last posting here, when in actual fact it has been 4 months. Pheww... and how so many things have happened in that same time. I remember when I did my last posting about my toilet extravaganza, I just sat for my ACCA exams. Which probably explains why I was in a such literary mood at that time. I guess studying in your spare time does that to you. I know I've been so quiet since that it's a wonder that I still have hits coming into September. Well, perhaps it wouldn't come too much of a surprise if you realise that I've got a strong backing for visitors with my site being generously listed in Sarini's blog. I could not thank you enough Sarini. You tips and pointers on blogging will come in useful.
At the moment, it is another busy season for me at work. I was in the office yesterday, and nearly went again today if not for a family engagement that my mother insists I could not skip (among the things mothers will say to corner you into submission). September being the half-year of my company's financial period, it is the time of half year audit and performance reporting to the company board. What will make it more interesting this time is that for the first time, I would have to be at the forefront of all the action, since my senior colleague, who's been the person in charge all this while, will be going on maternity leave. I am feeling kinda anxious about the prospect of being passed the reins completely. Of course, I've never backed from a challenge and would relish the prospect. I do feel it is high time for me to be given something meatier at work. Hey, you would never know how tough you are until you scale a real challenge right? When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.. hehe.. which means regular attendance for me at the office over weekends for the next few weeks. With a life like this, who needs a social life right? Haha.. I'm talking from my backside again.
I hope to post more interesting stuffs here more regularly from now on. Sorry my blog environment is rather bland. I'm either too IT illiterate to put some extras to my blog make-up, or just too cheapskate to spend on the means that would allow me to do so. Any suggestion out there on how I could improve the make-up of my blog? Don't expect any free gifts for great suggestions though.. : - )
My.. how time flies. It felt like only yesterday that I made my last posting here, when in actual fact it has been 4 months. Pheww... and how so many things have happened in that same time. I remember when I did my last posting about my toilet extravaganza, I just sat for my ACCA exams. Which probably explains why I was in a such literary mood at that time. I guess studying in your spare time does that to you. I know I've been so quiet since that it's a wonder that I still have hits coming into September. Well, perhaps it wouldn't come too much of a surprise if you realise that I've got a strong backing for visitors with my site being generously listed in Sarini's blog. I could not thank you enough Sarini. You tips and pointers on blogging will come in useful.
At the moment, it is another busy season for me at work. I was in the office yesterday, and nearly went again today if not for a family engagement that my mother insists I could not skip (among the things mothers will say to corner you into submission). September being the half-year of my company's financial period, it is the time of half year audit and performance reporting to the company board. What will make it more interesting this time is that for the first time, I would have to be at the forefront of all the action, since my senior colleague, who's been the person in charge all this while, will be going on maternity leave. I am feeling kinda anxious about the prospect of being passed the reins completely. Of course, I've never backed from a challenge and would relish the prospect. I do feel it is high time for me to be given something meatier at work. Hey, you would never know how tough you are until you scale a real challenge right? When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.. hehe.. which means regular attendance for me at the office over weekends for the next few weeks. With a life like this, who needs a social life right? Haha.. I'm talking from my backside again.
I hope to post more interesting stuffs here more regularly from now on. Sorry my blog environment is rather bland. I'm either too IT illiterate to put some extras to my blog make-up, or just too cheapskate to spend on the means that would allow me to do so. Any suggestion out there on how I could improve the make-up of my blog? Don't expect any free gifts for great suggestions though.. : - )
Monday, June 09, 2003
Of Faulty Toilets And Critical Moments
I was in a very critical situation today. The slightest movement that I made could have made the difference between disaster and safety. I was experienced however, the same situation had happened to me a number of times before. Therefore, I was patient, and I was calm. I knew the slightest mistake could make this entrapment into a bloody mess. I stood still without moving a muscle, and after what felt like forever, the water level in the toilet bowl with the automatic flush ebbed, just enough to allow me to make an escape before the predatory toilet would flush again.
I wonder how many others had had the same experience before? It is kinda sad when technology meant to make things easier for you could potentially make you a victim of faulty technology. The first time it happened to me, I wasn't too lucky. I was kinda naive back then, and when the water level rushed to the tip of the bowl, I panicked and moved too much (what anybody who is trying to put his pants on would do, even more so in such a critical moment). I ended up spending an extra 30 minutes or so washing up my feet and slippers from the incident. The second time it happened, my reaction was faster however. As the water level rushed up menacingly once again, thinking more of avoiding the 'excretes' of over 20-30 people on that floor sticking to my feet, I just ran out from the cubicle in my own natural state. Lucky for me, in that exact moment I made the escape, the toilet was empty. Had it not been, I guess I would have been remembered for eternity by people (and if I'm even more unfortunate, staffs of the future) on the floor for my commando appearance. Believe me, it's not really funny when it happens to you. You'll have to wait for at least 5 minutes, in the state that you are when water level had risen, before you could make any move. And that is if the toilet block is not so bad. The reason why I ran out the cubicle the second time was because I had been in there for more than 15 minutes, and I was ready to take the risk of my escape. Of course, I took my cue from the sounds of people coming in and out of the toilet.
Tips for anyone out there if you ever face the same predicament:
1. Stand up and stand still, and hold onto your belongings, pants etc. There is a sensor near the toilet bowl that would sense any movements before it flushes once again. Remember, any sort of movement is dangerous. Do not underestimate the tolet bowl sensor.
2. Be prepared for the inevitable, and rush out from the cubicle. Weigh your options. Listen for the movements in the toilet for your escape, and make sure you move swiftly (if you are not wearing anything especially) to the next cubicle before anyone comes in. Some practice from running around cones would be a useful exercise for this purpose.
3. If you are still in the cubicle, standing still waiting for the water to ebb, wait until the water has at least dropped to less than half of the bowl. Then do what you have to do, put on your pants, open the door and make for it. You would have one flush and a half to make your exit without getting stained with 'brownies'.
Good luck trying (though I hope you won't ever have to!). Indiana Jones would have been proud...
I was in a very critical situation today. The slightest movement that I made could have made the difference between disaster and safety. I was experienced however, the same situation had happened to me a number of times before. Therefore, I was patient, and I was calm. I knew the slightest mistake could make this entrapment into a bloody mess. I stood still without moving a muscle, and after what felt like forever, the water level in the toilet bowl with the automatic flush ebbed, just enough to allow me to make an escape before the predatory toilet would flush again.
I wonder how many others had had the same experience before? It is kinda sad when technology meant to make things easier for you could potentially make you a victim of faulty technology. The first time it happened to me, I wasn't too lucky. I was kinda naive back then, and when the water level rushed to the tip of the bowl, I panicked and moved too much (what anybody who is trying to put his pants on would do, even more so in such a critical moment). I ended up spending an extra 30 minutes or so washing up my feet and slippers from the incident. The second time it happened, my reaction was faster however. As the water level rushed up menacingly once again, thinking more of avoiding the 'excretes' of over 20-30 people on that floor sticking to my feet, I just ran out from the cubicle in my own natural state. Lucky for me, in that exact moment I made the escape, the toilet was empty. Had it not been, I guess I would have been remembered for eternity by people (and if I'm even more unfortunate, staffs of the future) on the floor for my commando appearance. Believe me, it's not really funny when it happens to you. You'll have to wait for at least 5 minutes, in the state that you are when water level had risen, before you could make any move. And that is if the toilet block is not so bad. The reason why I ran out the cubicle the second time was because I had been in there for more than 15 minutes, and I was ready to take the risk of my escape. Of course, I took my cue from the sounds of people coming in and out of the toilet.
Tips for anyone out there if you ever face the same predicament:
1. Stand up and stand still, and hold onto your belongings, pants etc. There is a sensor near the toilet bowl that would sense any movements before it flushes once again. Remember, any sort of movement is dangerous. Do not underestimate the tolet bowl sensor.
2. Be prepared for the inevitable, and rush out from the cubicle. Weigh your options. Listen for the movements in the toilet for your escape, and make sure you move swiftly (if you are not wearing anything especially) to the next cubicle before anyone comes in. Some practice from running around cones would be a useful exercise for this purpose.
3. If you are still in the cubicle, standing still waiting for the water to ebb, wait until the water has at least dropped to less than half of the bowl. Then do what you have to do, put on your pants, open the door and make for it. You would have one flush and a half to make your exit without getting stained with 'brownies'.
Good luck trying (though I hope you won't ever have to!). Indiana Jones would have been proud...
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Movie Watch: "AI: Artificial Intelligence"
Being in the midst of a very busy season in the accounting field, I have not been able to find the decent time to write recently. Thank goodness I have a good friend who's been kind enough to assist me in improvising the looks of my Blog while I was away. The Blog could have been in danger of being listed as a museum item without your help Sarini. Thanks... :-)
Among the things I will be writing in my blog would be my review of the movies that I've recently watched. Hopefully, this will become a permanent feature in my postings, and I would be more than happy to receive feedbacks on my reviews from others.
I watched AI : Artificial Intelligence on HBO last night, and I have to say it was the most moving story that I've read or seen in a long time. Before I watched the movie, I had heard people reviewing the movie as the 'modern day Pinocchio'. To be honest, that does not give a fair impression of what the movie is really about. In synopsis, in the not-so-far future the polar ice caps of earth have melted and the resulting raise of the ocean waters has drowned all the coastal cities of the world. Withdrawn to the interior of the continents, the human race keeps advancing, reaching to the point of creating realistic robots (called mechas) to serve him. One of the mecha-producing companies builds David (starring Haley Joel Osment), an artificial kid which is the first to have real feelings, especially a never-ending love for his "mother", Monica. Monica is the woman who adopted him as a substitute for her real son, who remains in cryo-stasis, stricken by an incurable disease. David is living happily with Monica and her husband, but when their real son (Martin) returns home after a cure is discovered, his life changes dramatically.
The drama is set when the mecha David, having a particular software downloaded into him by his 'mother' Monica to enable him to love like a real human, finds that he can't compete for Monica's love with her real son Martin. As a result of this, to add to the result of 'sibling' jealousy from Martin, David increasingly becomes a liability to the family and was eventually dumped away by the family. And so began David's journey to find the Blue Fairy (the fairy that turns Pinocchio into a real boy in the fairy tale) with the hope that he could also be turned into a real boy, and win back the love of his 'mother'.
The most touching aspect of the movie is the undying love that David has for Monica that lives with him for eternity. The childlike belief that there is a real Blue Fairy that could turn him into a real boy, and fulfill his wishes to win back the love of a 'mother' who dumped him, and the perilous journey that he took to find the Blue Fairy. What would you do if you actually met David and he asked you where could he find the Blue Fairy so that he could be turned into a real boy so that his mother could love him again? What happened at the end of the movie was enough to bring lumps to my throat and made me struggle to hold back tears. And to think, I’d usually laugh at my sister when her pipe works keep bursting in the midst of Hindustan movies.
Some good messages that can be taken from the movie:
1. Loving and making someone to love you is a very big responsibility. Love is perhaps the most difficult, if not impossible, feeling to erase, and once you have loved, that feeling will stay with you forever. Unrequited love will leave behind scars that will remain with one till death. So be careful when you sow the seeds of love with someone. Someone once made an analogy about love with fishing. Once a fish has taken bait, the scar from biting the bait will stay with it forever. Even if you throw the fish back into the water, it will live the rest of its life in pain as a result of that scar. And so will someone who has been loved and unloved.
2. True friends will stick by you even under the direst circumstance. There is nothing as reassuring than to know that there’s always someone there to hold your hand and walk with you when you’re down in the dumps. Someone who is always there to tell you that you’re never alone, that I’ll always be here with you. A teddy can surprisingly be more reassuring than you would think. :-)
3. Nothing is as pure as an innocent child’s love for his mother. And vice versa. I wonder if it was a coincidence that the movie was shown on Mother’s Day.
And then, some interesting facts about the movie that you might not have known:
1. When work began on the movie in 1993, Joseph Mazzello, who was the kid who starred in Jurassic Park in 1993, was cast as David.
2. Spielberg used the water-filled set from Perfect Storm, The (2000) for the flooded world of the future in this movie.
3. One of the reasons for Kubrick waiting so long to make the film, is that he wanted David (Haley Joel Osment's character) to be played by a robot.
4. The movie was originally to be titled A.I., but after a survey it was revealed that too many people thought it was A1. The title was changed to A.I. Artificial Intelligence to prevent people from thinking it was about steak sauce.
5. The film shows the World Trade Center towers standing 2,000 years in the future.
That's Pinocchio for you...
Being in the midst of a very busy season in the accounting field, I have not been able to find the decent time to write recently. Thank goodness I have a good friend who's been kind enough to assist me in improvising the looks of my Blog while I was away. The Blog could have been in danger of being listed as a museum item without your help Sarini. Thanks... :-)
Among the things I will be writing in my blog would be my review of the movies that I've recently watched. Hopefully, this will become a permanent feature in my postings, and I would be more than happy to receive feedbacks on my reviews from others.
I watched AI : Artificial Intelligence on HBO last night, and I have to say it was the most moving story that I've read or seen in a long time. Before I watched the movie, I had heard people reviewing the movie as the 'modern day Pinocchio'. To be honest, that does not give a fair impression of what the movie is really about. In synopsis, in the not-so-far future the polar ice caps of earth have melted and the resulting raise of the ocean waters has drowned all the coastal cities of the world. Withdrawn to the interior of the continents, the human race keeps advancing, reaching to the point of creating realistic robots (called mechas) to serve him. One of the mecha-producing companies builds David (starring Haley Joel Osment), an artificial kid which is the first to have real feelings, especially a never-ending love for his "mother", Monica. Monica is the woman who adopted him as a substitute for her real son, who remains in cryo-stasis, stricken by an incurable disease. David is living happily with Monica and her husband, but when their real son (Martin) returns home after a cure is discovered, his life changes dramatically.
The drama is set when the mecha David, having a particular software downloaded into him by his 'mother' Monica to enable him to love like a real human, finds that he can't compete for Monica's love with her real son Martin. As a result of this, to add to the result of 'sibling' jealousy from Martin, David increasingly becomes a liability to the family and was eventually dumped away by the family. And so began David's journey to find the Blue Fairy (the fairy that turns Pinocchio into a real boy in the fairy tale) with the hope that he could also be turned into a real boy, and win back the love of his 'mother'.
The most touching aspect of the movie is the undying love that David has for Monica that lives with him for eternity. The childlike belief that there is a real Blue Fairy that could turn him into a real boy, and fulfill his wishes to win back the love of a 'mother' who dumped him, and the perilous journey that he took to find the Blue Fairy. What would you do if you actually met David and he asked you where could he find the Blue Fairy so that he could be turned into a real boy so that his mother could love him again? What happened at the end of the movie was enough to bring lumps to my throat and made me struggle to hold back tears. And to think, I’d usually laugh at my sister when her pipe works keep bursting in the midst of Hindustan movies.
Some good messages that can be taken from the movie:
1. Loving and making someone to love you is a very big responsibility. Love is perhaps the most difficult, if not impossible, feeling to erase, and once you have loved, that feeling will stay with you forever. Unrequited love will leave behind scars that will remain with one till death. So be careful when you sow the seeds of love with someone. Someone once made an analogy about love with fishing. Once a fish has taken bait, the scar from biting the bait will stay with it forever. Even if you throw the fish back into the water, it will live the rest of its life in pain as a result of that scar. And so will someone who has been loved and unloved.
2. True friends will stick by you even under the direst circumstance. There is nothing as reassuring than to know that there’s always someone there to hold your hand and walk with you when you’re down in the dumps. Someone who is always there to tell you that you’re never alone, that I’ll always be here with you. A teddy can surprisingly be more reassuring than you would think. :-)
3. Nothing is as pure as an innocent child’s love for his mother. And vice versa. I wonder if it was a coincidence that the movie was shown on Mother’s Day.
And then, some interesting facts about the movie that you might not have known:
1. When work began on the movie in 1993, Joseph Mazzello, who was the kid who starred in Jurassic Park in 1993, was cast as David.
2. Spielberg used the water-filled set from Perfect Storm, The (2000) for the flooded world of the future in this movie.
3. One of the reasons for Kubrick waiting so long to make the film, is that he wanted David (Haley Joel Osment's character) to be played by a robot.
4. The movie was originally to be titled A.I., but after a survey it was revealed that too many people thought it was A1. The title was changed to A.I. Artificial Intelligence to prevent people from thinking it was about steak sauce.
5. The film shows the World Trade Center towers standing 2,000 years in the future.
That's Pinocchio for you...
Thursday, May 08, 2003
Friday, April 18, 2003
The Blog's 1st Day
It's been a rather uneventful first day for the blog. There is so much to do in terms of facial construction. Feels like a person who's just moved to a new house with no furnitures. I have managed to get the services of a professional to help me with designing the make up of my blog. So she's gonna be like an interior designer to my blog before I would dare to commercialise it and invite more people to my blog warming. I managed to get her to put up a comment engine on my blog today, so feel free anyone to drop a comment or 2. Promised my consultant that she'll get free advertisement rights and perhaps a trip or two to the local Baskin Robbins for her services. That's the price I pay for having a female consultant. Oh well, it could have been worse. Hehe!
Thanks a lot Sarini. :-)
It's been a rather uneventful first day for the blog. There is so much to do in terms of facial construction. Feels like a person who's just moved to a new house with no furnitures. I have managed to get the services of a professional to help me with designing the make up of my blog. So she's gonna be like an interior designer to my blog before I would dare to commercialise it and invite more people to my blog warming. I managed to get her to put up a comment engine on my blog today, so feel free anyone to drop a comment or 2. Promised my consultant that she'll get free advertisement rights and perhaps a trip or two to the local Baskin Robbins for her services. That's the price I pay for having a female consultant. Oh well, it could have been worse. Hehe!
Thanks a lot Sarini. :-)
Thursday, April 17, 2003
The Birth of Izwan's Blog
Hello everyone out there! If there's anyone out there that is. Am finally trying out the blog world, having browsed around a few blogs on the net that inspired me enough to create one of my own. Well, as a new born blog, I guess it is only natural that the blog is filled with enthusiasm (either that, or it was something that I had for dinner tonight). The running commentaries in my head have always made me itch to write my mind out, but really I've never really found the proper avenue for me to do so. Recently, a friend mine started her own blog space, and I have to say I'm inspired by the idea (after initially dismissing it!). Hopefully the running commentary in my head will be consistent enough for me to provide updates to this blog, and that I would have enough hits to motivate me enough to continue (hey, everyone has to have the motivation to continue living). Since I really am an IT illiterate by today's standard, you'll have to bear with me with the limitations of this blog's appearance. So many ideas but very little know-how. It is rather frustrating. Then again I guess, just like a new born, you don't get to walk and run immediately. Bad excuse for an IT illiterate eh? Hehe... I am trying here.
Hopefully this blog won't just die off like another statistic of infant mortality (hangat2 taik ayam le tuh!). I guess the best part of the internet community is that you get to die off quietly without even getting noticed (apart from to close friends whom you've been commercialising your blog to). So it seems that I've got not much to lose. We'll see where it goes from here....
Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to Izwan's Blog!
Hello everyone out there! If there's anyone out there that is. Am finally trying out the blog world, having browsed around a few blogs on the net that inspired me enough to create one of my own. Well, as a new born blog, I guess it is only natural that the blog is filled with enthusiasm (either that, or it was something that I had for dinner tonight). The running commentaries in my head have always made me itch to write my mind out, but really I've never really found the proper avenue for me to do so. Recently, a friend mine started her own blog space, and I have to say I'm inspired by the idea (after initially dismissing it!). Hopefully the running commentary in my head will be consistent enough for me to provide updates to this blog, and that I would have enough hits to motivate me enough to continue (hey, everyone has to have the motivation to continue living). Since I really am an IT illiterate by today's standard, you'll have to bear with me with the limitations of this blog's appearance. So many ideas but very little know-how. It is rather frustrating. Then again I guess, just like a new born, you don't get to walk and run immediately. Bad excuse for an IT illiterate eh? Hehe... I am trying here.
Hopefully this blog won't just die off like another statistic of infant mortality (hangat2 taik ayam le tuh!). I guess the best part of the internet community is that you get to die off quietly without even getting noticed (apart from to close friends whom you've been commercialising your blog to). So it seems that I've got not much to lose. We'll see where it goes from here....
Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to Izwan's Blog!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
