Snuzing my way through life ...

Lessons in song

2012-01-29T00:57:00.001+08:00

(Severely personal post ahead. You have been warned.)

Majalah 3 tonight featured Mr. Abdul Halim Yazid, a dikir barat artiste and his travels in the Deep South of the United States to trace the story of the blues. I only caught it halfway when my ears pricked to the call of prayer from Senegal that was featured on the show (caught the rest on online). I happily abandoned the dishes I was washing in the kitchen and sat down to watch.

It was nice to see how musicians from different backgrounds and musical traditions could mesh together so beautifully when they sit down for a jam session. But what made me tear up was the song "Al-Fatihah untuk Ayah" (Al-Fatihah Prayers for Father) that Mr Abdul Halim sang together with some blues musicians. No one uploaded that version just yet, so here is the plain dikir barat version.

It was a beautiful tribute from a child to his father, singing farewell to his father who has departed this world for the next. My understanding of the Kelantanese dialect is poor, but I got the gist of the message of the song. The words were simple but heartfelt, the melody plucking the heartstring as it beats along to the rhythm of the drum.

(The rest is undercut for intensely personal navel gazing which may not be of interest to you.)

Like many out there, I am guilty of taking my parents for granted. I am a recalcitrant and disobedient child and at this hoary age, still I aggravate them to no end. People say that terrible children come from terrible parents; I am the example of the contrary. My parents are hardworking and disciplined, polite and mannerly; their child is a termagant who is arrogant and lazy. I had the best of examples to follow, but I wallow in my weaknesses and has yet to act my age.

*sigh*

I am grateful that my parents are still alive and hopefully I will learn to mend my ways and one day make them feel proud that I am their child. The scholar at one halaqa I attended urged the audience that when we go home, we should call our parents, if they do not stay with us, and ask them to make du'a (supplication to God) for us. For those whose parents are no more, cry because you have lost so much. When I listened to that, I was awash with a multitude of emotions. As a Malay, we ask our parents to make du'a for us only when they go for pilgrimage in Mecca, because it is said that prayers in front of the holy Ka'abah has greater oomph! to it. It is a little odd to ask for it otherwise. But the fortunate creature that I am is privileged to know that my father includes my sister and I in his supplications after every prayer five times a day, so I don't need to ask him to do so.

Does the fact that I am still a sorry example of a good child mean that God doesn't answer my father's prayers (and my mum's too)? I would like to think that having me as a burden on them will make their passage to Paradise much quicker and with less arduousness, hehehe. I am not yet a parent, and as my mum often told me in a dire tone, perhaps one day I shall be blessed with a child that is just like me.

*shudder in fear*

So love and honour thy parents while you can. And if you can no longer do so, remember them in your prayers.

Song that make you go hmm ...

2012-01-26T05:53:00.000+08:00

and then think.

Stolen from Ashare Alias' post. There are lyrics there.

Midweek Sh*ts and Giggles: dating scene

2012-01-25T05:44:00.000+08:00

Sweet addiction

2012-01-24T14:17:00.006+08:00

If you have high speed internet connection, a personal space and a computing device, I will bet that you have used all three to search for some sexually titillating media for your personal enjoyment.

But I ain't judging you. Each to their own. It's a billion dollar industry in the US of A and makes gobs of money world wide. Which ever taste you swing towards, there will be a porn of it somewhere.

Some would say it is better to indulge in some porn-driven personal time than to be unfaithful to one's partner or indulge in illicit sexual activity. Again, each to their own. However, there is a major downside to porn that is rarely discussed: inability to hook up with a REAL PERSON.

Porn is like McDonalds: cheap, easy and satisfying. But unless you want to be afflicted with poor blood chemistry profile and a waistline that rivals the circumference of the equator, you may want to indulge only on occasion to just take the edge off your appetite. If you have a gourmet kitchen and available material, why not take the time to prepare something that is much more satisfying and healthy than to consume processed product that no longer look like food?

Romancing your partner may take some time and effort. But surely a 3D enthusiastic partner is better than a 2D quickie?

But then again, each to their own.

I will let you go back to your previous activity.

Let's go watch this, guys!

2012-01-18T06:48:00.000+08:00

I love it when women kick ass and take names.

Ah, Herr Fassbender, you had it coming.

Eye candy!

2012-01-18T06:26:00.001+08:00

Mmmm ... delicious start to the day.

On house husbands and local drama

2012-01-16T00:26:00.000+08:00

Last night I did something that I have not done in a very long time.

I sat down and watched a Malay telemovie from the beginning till the end.

Not just that, I actually shut my mouth and refrained from criticising the acting / plot / storyline / etc.

Mr Labuci (Mr Sequins) was aired over the Cerekarama slot on TV3, told the story of Malique who quit his job to become a house husband. In the beginning, his wife, Zulaikha, was supportive of his decision. His good buddy, Alfi, was initially skeptical of his decision, ended up using his presence at home as a hang out to escape the pressures from working for his own father.

What first struck me about the movie was how natural the actors were. If you follow any of the Malay dramas, you will note how over/under acting are usually the norm; with unconvincing melodrama tossed in for good measure. I like how the dialogue did not seem forced and was delivered in a natural manner. Azhan Rani, the lead actor, did an excellent job conveying his role as husband/father/son/friend. The delightful young actress portraying the daughter is also refreshing and appear spontaneous in all her scenes. Rozita Che Wan did a decent job, but I wouldn't be surprised if many viewers were distracted by not the glitter on her outfits, but rather how well they fit her enviably hourglass figure.

The storyline was also a nice surprise, the treatment of the issue of how a man deals with the potentially emasculating job loss and how he developed his passion for sewing and beading (hence, the title of the film) was done in a sensitive AND sensible manner. I liked how Malique dealt with his mother's nagging regarding his lack of job and all the other role reversal that he played; however, I felt the confrontation with his wife when her true feelings about the situation came to fore and the resolution at the end was a tad too slick, but I accept that he just may be the rare breed of men who actually practices the kindness that was practiced by the Rasulullah SAW.

All in all, a nice weekend surprise and I wouldn't mind looking out for more shows with Azhan Rani in it.

Do you appreciate your senses?

2012-01-14T02:56:00.000+08:00

As a music aficionado, I love the luxury of listening to aurgasms (the first 2 definitions, please). I try to be cautious with my headphones and earbuds, not to listen at too high a volume which could damage my hearing in the long run. But as I mentioned before, many people are not as careful. Are you one of them?

Like many of our senses (sight, taste, feel) we take our hearing for granted. I only appreciate my voice (although I am a mediocre singer) when I had a horrid throat infection to the point that I completely lost my voice. And yes, my youngest uncle was right. Once you stopped talking, it is very hard to start again, even if you are a chatterbox.

Do we think about other people who are deprived of their senses, either from birth or due to disease or accidents? Have you ever thought how it would be like if one day you can no longer hear the voice of your loved ones, no longer see the beauty of this world, no longer taste chocolate, no longer feel the silk against your skin? If your answer is yes or no, pray to God that you will never experience it.

It is easy to feel sorry for people who are unable to enjoy one or more of their senses due to a disability. However, many of them refuses to be the object of pity and made a life for themselves that is fulfilling and rewarding. And yes, even deaf people can enjoy music. Evidence are below.

Grenade by Bruno Mars

The New Sh*it by Marilyn Manson

Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri

Of damaged heroes and cynical heroines

2012-01-13T03:00:00.002+08:00

Hidden Honor by Anne Stuart

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the first book I finished in 2012! Let's see how good I am at cataloguing all the stuff I read for this year. *grin*

I have always enjoyed reading Anne Stuart's books; she is a master at crafting stories involving two damaged people and how they survived their adventures to live happily ever after. Hidden Honour explored the choices available to aristocrat women in Middle Ages England as its background. Perhaps their existence was better than serf-dom but they were still repressed with limited choices apart from marriage and nunnery. They were little more than goods for barter and had little say about their future.

Ms. Stuart is fond of writing of the termagant-type heroines; female protagonists who are strong, speaks their mind and very competent in what they do with a tender underbelly that makes them vulnerable. Lady Elizabeth was a healer who was leaving her father's keep for St Anne's to take up her vows accompanied by the villainous Prince William and his entourage. And that's when things start to get interesting.

Can't say much more about the male protagonist as it would spoil an important plot of the book, but suffice to say that the complex intertwine between the Church and life in Middle Ages Europe makes for difficult choices and a great back story for the hero.

Highly enjoyable stuff.

View all my reviews

Farting danger ...

2012-01-13T02:51:00.000+08:00

... particularly so if you are an astronaut. It's not just the smell, but potential for explosion.

And unlike what you see in most movies, explosion (and farts) in space are silent.

Snake oil debunking

2012-01-12T22:42:00.001+08:00

OMG! Love this guy!

Midweek Sh*ts and Giggles

2012-01-12T06:25:00.001+08:00

For the love of pr0n!

This clearly illustrates that bitches don't see themselves as bitches.

Like the Evita song, "You Must Love Me".

Stereotyping is bad!

I snorted my tea listening to this.

(moar under cut for NSFW-ness)

Stereotyping is really bad!

Scientists should look into this.

Heh.

Not asking for much at all.

OMG!

*shudders from total revulsion*

Everyone needs love.

Explanation in this video.

Creepy roommates will creep.

So am I! *grin*

The Thing!!!!

2012-01-11T03:27:00.000+08:00

The Thing has always been one of the scariest movies I have ever seen. Pingu the Penguin is an adorable claymation character. What happens when you merge them?

This.

Learning from nature

2012-01-11T01:52:00.001+08:00

Apologetics arguing for certain types of behaviour tend to borrow from nature to justify whatever stand that they propose (e.g. homosexuality, bullying etc.).

Here's another example: domestic violence and divorce.

Happily ever after also elude arthropods, it seems.

Parenting

2012-01-09T23:23:00.000+08:00

This picture explains a lot about the reasonings of your toddler.

You're welcome.

And if you ever castigated yourself for being a bad parent, stop that. There are worse parents out there, examplified by this video.

Gothic nightmare

2012-01-08T08:08:00.000+08:00

Lovely sounds to disturbing imagery, no?

Happy New Year!

2012-01-05T07:08:00.000+08:00

Okay, okay, I am a few days over due. But what can I say? I'm an inveterate (invertebrate?) procrastinator. I'd tell you that it's my resolution to change, but then I would be lying.

Anyhoo, enjoy some sweet music from the delightful Zooey Deschanel and her dashing friend, Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T20:05:00.002+08:00

Felice navidad, joyeux noel etc to all celebrating this fine holiday.

Hope you have lovely goodies and no coals in your stocking, Freddie and Angie! No overdoing the eggnog, okay?

AAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH

2011-12-23T06:45:00.000+08:00

*clutches chest*

I wants! I wants! I wants to watch The Hobbits!

I struggled through the book for the better part of three years, but perhaps this is easier to digest, no?

This is mega TAK SENONOH!

2011-12-23T06:33:00.001+08:00

You have been warned. Seriously skirts Not Safe for Work-ness.

But the reason I wanted to share this video is because it examplifies how tolerance and accommodation of the needs of both partners can lead to a harmonious relationship.

Now, I know that the dude's gotta be dysfunctional for his preoccupation, but world champion, what? At least he got famous for it and is okay with it.

*stolen from Nik Elin*

Bare your soul

2011-12-20T06:05:00.000+08:00

This guy is mega courageous. The awesome Mr Reznor opens up on NPR.

Yo, Joe!

2011-12-15T01:17:00.001+08:00

I loved the GI Joe cartoon as a kid. I understood well enough that it was nothing more than an American propaganda, but it sure was fun to watch.

I got to watch the 1st film courtesy of Sophie and it was awesome!

The latest instalment's look pretty cool and fun too. And now that it's got Bruce Willis AND Adrianne Palicki?

Bring it!

*rubs hands with glee*

Midweek Sh*ts and Giggles

2011-12-15T00:45:00.000+08:00

This is soooo coool ....

2011-12-13T06:14:00.000+08:00

If only I had maths teachers who could make maths this simple and fun; perhaps I would not have been so frightened to do chemical engineering and be making gobs of moneh.

I ... have no words ...

2011-12-12T03:42:00.000+08:00

(It should be spelt bestiality)

One of the great sexual taboo (no, not getting it on with your long lost sibling), is getting it on with the family pet / pastoral sheep / etc. Apparently, now there is a better reason to stay away from the furry lures of the animal of your choice: sex with animals increases your chances to be infected with STDs as well as develop penile cancer.

You have been warned.

Moar tak senonoh stuff under the cut.

Be afraid.

2011-12-07T05:13:00.000+08:00

Be very afraid.

Stuxnet: Anatomy of a Computer Virus from Patrick Clair on Vimeo.

But you gotta admit, this is super cool.

Reality check for elementary schoolers ...

2011-12-06T02:23:00.002+08:00

Scrooge, much?

*buries my giggles in my facepalm*

Seriously, I would like to think I am just like the last kid. Just keep smiling in the face of misanthropy!

The tree song

2011-12-05T02:56:00.000+08:00

This song is mega cute!!! Pity it didn't progress to the finals for the Anugerah Juara Lagu this year.

Hi, my name is Snuze and I am a music addict

2011-12-03T19:27:00.000+08:00

Do you have a soundtrack to your life? Does it change with every period?

Mine currently is Pet Shop Boys on a loop *grin*.

I began my love affair with music ever since I started to learn to bop along to Men At Works The Safety Dance when I was six. Music is a major part of my life even though I cannot play a single instrument and am a mediocre singer. If you drive in and around Klang Valley and see a demented woman howling and/or headbanging along to something in her car stereo, there is a possibility that person you were observing was me.

I got a feel for the music, 'k?

My affection for music crosses genre and language; for me the musical experience is about the harmony of sound and rhythm. Listening to the formerly known as Radio 4 on weekend nights taught me appreciation of opera and classical music (Rimsky-Korsakov anyone?). Klasik Nasional.fm helped me to get in touch with my Nusantara roots: inang, asli, gambus, zapin, ghazal and traditional Javanese music. Keroncong, however, lies together with rap, hip hop and trance music when it comes to my inability to appreciate it.

One of the best birthday presents I ever got was this Sony mp3 player that my sister and brother-in-law got for me a couple of years back. 4 Gb of space makes for a goodly time for auditory bliss. I've changed the original earphones with excellent Phillips earbuds and now I interchange between earbuds, headphones and a speaker (also gifts from sis and B-i-L for last year's day of age celebration). The earbuds are so good that I can listen happily at volume level 1 (maximum is 30) when alone in my room (with no interference from the aircondition or fan).

Because I am a music addict, I am very afraid of losing my hearing due to prolonged use of the earbuds/earphone. The New York Times Magazine had published a lovely (if abbreviated) background to the history of the earphones, its contextual place in the society and a cautionary tale about possible hearing loss due to over-exposure to loud music. The earbuds are particularly dangerous as one tends to crank up the volume to very high levels in public places to block out the external noise. I am often concerned when I sit in the light rail transit and I could hear Lady Gaga from the person seated 3 persons away from me.

If you like to listen to music on the go in loud environments, I would suggest you invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. However, a really good pair + loud music = you not hearing the mad honking of the driver before you were flattened on the street.

At least Ally McBeal was mildly entertaining...

2011-12-01T06:49:00.001+08:00

In the Barrister’s Chambers by Tina Gabrielle
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The premise was intriguing; a historical romance novel about lawyers written by a lawyer? Sounds awesome, right?

Don't judge a book by its blurb.
Sadly, the follow through was kind of a let-down. The female protagonist came across a little too die-away for my taste even though attempts were made to make her feisty. The hero was bland and the storyline a little too pat (c'mon, the brain tumour trope to explain away villainy? puhleese) for my taste.

Another hope to find a fun new author to read dashed on the rocks.

:(

View all my reviews

Go forth and multiply!

2011-11-30T05:19:00.003+08:00

How big is the biggest family you know? 8 children? 12? 29 kids by way of 4 wives?

How about 150 kids?

No, I am not kidding. A sperm donor in North America has fathered 150 offsprings based on the tracking records by this website. That's right. One man. 150 kids. One donor fathered 70 children and had to keep track of them using a spreadsheet. Genetically speaking, this is unhealthy, not to mention increasing the risk of inadvertent incest from siblings who are unaware that they share the same father. Yeah, yeah, the pro-'cest camp will say that the incest taboo is a social construct, but consanguinuous relationships often produce unhealthy offspring who may suffer from physical and/or mental disabilities.

Sperm donation (intentionally or inadvertently due to cheating) has been around since time immemorial to overcome the problem of the male partner shooting blanks (or is just an annoying git whose genes must NOT reproduce). But never has it hit in such a big way as it does today with fertility clinics and sperm agencies flourishing to fulfill baby-making needs world-wide.

I often wonder what drives a man to donate his sperm. Is it out of altruism to help infertile couples? Is it an ego boost thing to be populating the world with his little babies whom he doesn't have to support? Or is it as simple as because the financial transaction for a few fapping sessions is pretty lucrative? (Apparently you get paid more if you are nice looking and have a college degree, but do recipients really know if the donor looks like Brad Pitt or a troll, particularly for anonymous donation?)

The question of sperm donor motivation has been the focus of several studies. A 1994 study in Scandinavia painted that the majority of the donors are driven by monetary gain. I guess a guy gotta finance his grad school education some way; not everyone could be a singing telegram or strip for Chippendale. Or maybe just an ordinary guy wanting to pay his bills.

Paternity is a word that is both frightening and exciting. If it was something sought by a guy, it is probable the happiest news ever. Unless of course, he's left holding the bag for someone else's seed. Or became an inadvertent daddy like the guy in the video below.

(One of the best romance novels trope, yo.)

Now that we have welcomed the 7th billion person on this planet, should we keep multiplying like bunnies?

*contemplate*

Dance!

2011-11-24T00:29:00.001+08:00

I have always been a fan of Pet Shop Boys since the 80s (yes, I am that old. Shut up.). They have a gift of combining novel musical elements together into something dance-y and yet suffused with a darkness in their message. PSB is also big on stunning visuals and have no compunctions to slip into crazy outfits with every new album they produced.

I don't know how I could have missed out this video; it was released last year. But then again, I kept (and still do) losing the battle for the remote control.
But this! The engaging storyline, mellifluous shots and flow ... a master craftsman product of a video.

Enjoy.

Midweek shits and giggles

2011-11-23T00:54:00.000+08:00

Late to the party

2011-11-18T05:10:00.003+08:00

I have just lost my nerd credentials: I only found out today that 2011 is the International Year of Chemistry.

And me, who believe in better living through chemistry.

*hangs head in shame*

And there are pretty posters! Swiped from here.

Matter as elucidated by Einstein.

Graphene: the strongest material known to man.

Hydrogen: Explosive and yet when combined with oxygen, is the elixir of life.

Radiate! Marie Curie style.

Chemistry is about elements forming substance forming the universe as you and I know it.

Vive le chimie!

And what does 2012 hold for us? Armageddon?

Nah.

Just the International Year for Cooperatives. No pretty posters yet.

What they never tell you ...

2011-11-16T01:58:00.000+08:00

I have always been a bit of a science geek. I did well enough in high school that they pushed me to science stream and I entertained delusions of being an otorhinolaryngologist (ear nose and throat specialist).

Needless to say I'll bet many students have ideas of science as illustrated in the top panel. If they are daft enough (like me) and go into post-graduate research, then they'll discover the truth (as seen in bottom panel).

WTF moment of the day

2011-11-09T01:04:00.000+08:00

Don't care. Got Johnny Depp.

Midweek shits and giggles

2011-11-08T03:12:00.002+08:00

Indifference

2011-11-07T07:49:00.000+08:00

Humanity? Pfft.

WTF moment of the week: Friday

2011-11-04T06:55:00.000+08:00

All those FB status about stop bullying should have been accompanied by this picture. Revenge of the bully victims ahoy!

WTF moment of the week: Thursday

2011-11-03T06:35:00.001+08:00

The soundtrack to this relationship is this:

WTF moment of the week: Wednesday

2011-11-02T06:28:00.000+08:00

It goes both ways. :p

WTF moment of the week: Tuesday

2011-11-01T01:50:00.000+08:00

Don't call me baby.

WTF moment of the week: Monday

2011-10-31T01:41:00.000+08:00

Men, mock arachniphobia at your peril.

Thinky thoughts

2011-10-29T04:16:00.000+08:00

We grew up bombarded by images; stills and videos, in our media saturated world. I am sure many of us are skeptical about the idea of subliminal messages and how we are manipulated to buy, to believe, to act, by a group of nameless and faceless people driving media corporation.

But how many of us believe that pretty girls cannot do maths? How many of us believe that blondes are hotter than brunettes? How many of us obsess over what a female senior administrator look like rather than how well she can do her job?How many of us believe that women are emotional, conniving jerks? If you ever entertained such thoughts, please watch the video below.

If you have mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, I hope you rethink your stance.

There is hope!

2011-10-29T03:33:00.000+08:00

... in the face of freaky people who don't believe in science.

Totally WTF.

A horror story

2011-10-28T01:13:00.000+08:00

Truly the mind of David Shrigley is a wild and fantastic terrain.

Hugh! Hugh! Hugh!

2011-10-27T05:41:00.000+08:00

Tonnes of Hugh Laurie and a new-found fear of hospitals coming up once you finish watching this video.

*grin*

A yellow mind is a mellow one ...

2011-10-25T02:34:00.000+08:00

I have been horrible about posting, and I do have stuff lying around in my brain waiting to be regurgitated. But in the mean time ...

(Moar under cut ... beware of tak senonoh stuff)

OMG!!!!

2011-10-16T02:27:00.002+08:00

*flails*

When is this coming out?

Emotification

2011-10-12T18:10:00.000+08:00

I love the honesty in her vocal expression. What music rocks your world? Do share.

Pity wishes aren't horses ...

2011-10-11T04:14:00.000+08:00

... because, Freddie, I want someone to sing this to me in the morning, hehehe.

I love the 80's pop soul sensibilities. Very the Hall and Oates, no?

Violins and moonbeams

2011-10-10T03:22:00.000+08:00

One of the sweetest and most romantic songs ever.

I give you Hujan's "Dikala Bulan Bermain Biola"

I hope you enjoy it.

Midweek sh*t and giggles

2011-10-06T01:15:00.000+08:00

I have a lot of things I want to blog about, but am too lazy to organise my thoughts. So here's some more pictures!

On how I freaked out my friend at the movie theatre

2011-10-02T04:35:00.000+08:00

It started really innocuously. I went to watch this movie with Naz ...

And I was a sobbing mess at the end of it. Haven't cried like that watching anything; not since the staging of Lantai T Pinkie and Erma Fatima's amazing monologue way back in 1997. That one was really bad in that there were 4 of us watching the theatre with only 2 pieces of Kleenex between us. FML.

Anyway ... most of my friends know that I have been frothing at the mouth to watch this movie thanks to this man,

who is not only dastardly attractive and massively talented, but also warm and kind and just bloody adorable as seen on his interviews.

But I have to say that I was absolutely ecstatic with how Gavin O'Connor crafted a family drama with mixed martial arts as a sport as a background.

Mad fangirl squeals and massive spoilers ahoy!

Warrior was actually about the dynamics of a dysfunctional family and how people deal with things that shatter their lives. The theme of growing with an abusive drunken parent is not a new one but the treatment of the issue was handled in a very testosterone rich environment here. It was about three men; brothers, sons and father, dealing with their past and reconciling it with their present and future. Jennifer Morrison as Brendan's wife, was the only female character of note in the whole film. With only 1 female character providing the gender communication balance, the contrast between how clear the lines of communication between Brendan and Tess makes the snarly mess of the connection being forged between Paddy and his sons more poignant.

I love how realistically the complex relationship of the characters were portrayed here. Paddy, the father, is a recovering alcoholic and former Marine, living quietly with his audiobook cassettes and AA sessions. I think it was telling that throughout the film, he was listening to Moby Dick, particularly passages on Captain Ahab. His home was clean, shabby, and filled with mementoes of the family he had driven away with his drunken rages. Nearly all the walls have pictures of his sons at various stages of their childhood and teenage years along with the trophies of their sporting triumphs.

Tommy came back out of the blue, offering him a drink and a chat. Their exchange was rich with sarcasm and recrimination on Tommy's part, but Paddy tried to defuse the conversation by acknowledging his guilt and impotence in making things right. It looked like Tommy was bumming around with dependency issues like his old man, except that he was a loner and avoided people whenever possible.Tommy was mostly silent, whatever came out of his mouth was usually curt and to the point, except when dealing with his father and brother. Mr Hardy did an amazing job here, his subtle facial expressions told most of the hidden story that Tommy never voiced.

Brendan, the older brother, had the perfect life: a good job that he enjoyed as a physics teacher, a beautiful wife and 2 adorable little girls. He decided to return to the life of cage fighting upon discovery that the bank was about to foreclose on his home; evidently a teacher's salary is crap the world over. He sought help from a friend, Frank, to train him to enter Sparta, the mixed martial arts tournament with a 5 million dollars purse to the champion.

Tommy had his own reasons to enter the same competition and bullied Paddy to be his trainer. Both of them endured brutal training but under highly different regiment to prepare for the tournament. Paddy is an old school trainer, largely utilising running to increase endurance and brute strength training to build up the power of Tommy's body. Frank's approach was closer to New Age, using Beethoven and relaxation techniques to help the fighter focus.

Both brothers were also diametrically different fighters, matching their physicality and personality. Brendan was a technical fighter, often his matches ended with his opponent tapping out. He often looks for windows of opportunity and was willing to endure punishing blows in order to trap his opponent in a vise-like pin that wouldn't be amiss by a python.

Tommy, on the other hand, was a decisive and brutal fighter, his bouts were usually short and forceful. His kicks and hits were very powerful; often he would knock down his opponent and finish them off with brutal blows. He rarely acknowledged the audience and walked away immediately after winning the bout. It was evident that to him, the fight was merely a means to an end and he fought with the intense ferocity of a no-frills predator.

As Tom Hardy eloquently puts it, "There’s things about Tommy, Tommy’s not fighting for anything but to be heard, to get rid of the noise so it’s silent. The noise is in him, the fight is in him when he’s still. The chaos when he’s in the ring, it’s completely on the outside, it is silent on the inside, until he meets his brother and then he falls apart. It’s an intervention in the ring."

The film was very satisfying in how it dealt with all the issues and the ending ... that was what turned on my waterworks. The fight scenes were beautifully crafted and choreographed, making the actors appear as very convincing fighters. All in all, if you enjoy testosterone and drama, go watch.

Anticipating the weekend ...

2011-09-29T01:58:00.000+08:00

(Moar under cut)

Midweek sh*t and giggles

2011-09-28T01:59:00.002+08:00

Bloody tak senonoh stuff under cut! You have been warned.

*grin*

Ear candy but sweet on the lips too ...

2011-09-21T06:50:00.001+08:00

If you perceive music more than just a single sensory indulgence, when you listen to this, you may have the sensation of sinking your teeth into a sinfully luxurious Boston creme pie on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

And if that was Boston Creme, the one below is more along the lines of dark chocolate mousse.

2011-09-21T06:37:00.002+08:00

Belladonna by Anne Bishop

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I did not like Anne Bishop's style or the universe she created. I find her unnecessarily convoluted and her storyline unsatisfying. The characters feel like caricatures to me; basically, the protagonist is the textbook definition of a Mary Sue, in my humble opinion.

Am I too harsh? Maybe I got spoiled by Patricia Briggs' sword-and-sorcery books that have the plots tightly woven peopled with engaging characters. But then again, sword-and-sorcery is not a favourite genre of mine anyway.

Ri, jangan marah ya. Nanti kena jual. :p

View all my reviews

Selamat Hari Malaysia!

2011-09-16T06:27:00.000+08:00

48 years ago on this date the Federation of Malay States, Singapore (until the secession in 1965) and Sabah and Sarawak decided to come together to form the great nation we now know as Malaysia.

Stolen in its entirety from Freddie Kevin.

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray to God my soul to keep
Should I die before I wake
I pray to God my soul to take

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray to God my country do success reap
Should I die before I wake
I pray to God a peaceful land my country make

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray to God my children's love for country deep
Should I die before I wake
I pray to God bless my country future generation's sake

Original post is here.

Happy Malaysia Day!

Book Response: Deepest Kiss of Winter

2011-09-16T06:11:00.000+08:00

Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I read this, hoping against hope that I'd find 2 new authors to read. Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter are prodigiously productive, but alas, it was not to be.

(Under cut for spoilery spoilers)

I've read Kresley Cole before and found her world build up too complicated and unnecessarily messy. But hey, it could be a book debut thing. Maybe I'll like her books now. But no.

It doesn't help that her time line and plot flow is weird (probably due to the need to synchronise with events from other her other books). But the real deal breaker is how annoying her female character is. They are like the penultimate Mary Sue; weird name and superpower and all. But 2,000 years old and you still behave like an immature brat who didn't get her way? WTF? If she is in her early 20's and still in the drama queen stage, I get it. But surely two millennia is enough to produce a mature, rational protagonist, with wit and snark and lose the some-day-my-prince-will-come gig?

*sigh*

Gena Showalter created an interesting Man-in-Black kind of 'verse. Unfortunately, her characters leave some to be desired. If you have a hero who has been planning for 2 years to cross wormholes to build a new life on a new planet with his people, would he be distracted to play hide the nookie with the female protagonist? Build some emotional and sexual tension first, for the love of God. And then have the explosive no-holds-barred sex.

Many plot holes and poor carry through crippled my enjoyment of this. But them's the breaks.

*sigh*

View all my reviews

Traipsing down memory lane ...

2011-09-15T00:42:00.001+08:00

I was eleven the first time I listened to this song. Although I was a callow child with little understanding of romantic notions, but the sincere emotions illuminated by a sweet melody and illustrated by prosaic lyrics really struck me. The song evoked a visceral reaction in me and I remember going to school, humming this song and trying to recapture the sensation I experience even from the opening bar of the song.

Since then, I have been a fan of Robert Palmer and am working towards collecting his discography. He was a talented musician and singer who delved in genres from pop to progressive rock to swing and jazz. But I love him best when he croons love sweet nothings.

Now, I all I need to do is find a guy who will dedicate this song to me. *grin*

Start your week right!

2011-09-12T02:05:00.000+08:00

More tak senonoh stuff under the cut!

And how was your weekend?

TMI!!!!

2011-09-05T02:16:00.000+08:00

Hahahahah ... now that it is no longer Ramadhan, I can post this picture.

So ... which number are you? Either one.

*grin*

Rhythm mechanical

2011-09-05T01:12:00.000+08:00

I have a tendency of loading video clips without watching; when immersing self into auditory bliss, visual input is not needed. When I listen to this video, I just get this strangest floating sensation ... pleasant and yet eerie.

And then I actually watched the video.

Video below cut for disturbing theme. You have been warned.

Don't blame me for any pyrophobic dreams plaguing your tonight, okay?

*hearts How to Destroy Angels*

Non sequitur

2011-08-25T04:07:00.000+08:00

Can't. Wait. For. Weekend. To. Start.

*collapse*

Midweek sh*t and giggles - Hollywood style

2011-08-24T06:47:00.000+08:00

Join the revolution!

2011-08-23T04:46:00.000+08:00

The green one, m'dear.

(Video under cut for sheer NSFW-ness)

You are my sunshine from green.tv on Vimeo.

Sounds gassy

2011-08-23T01:07:00.001+08:00

No, it's not a fart symphony. But something way cooler than that.

Go watch.

True meaning of Ramadhan ...

2011-08-22T20:57:00.000+08:00

... is often forgotten as one is busy chasing Syawal, no? I love how these two video illustrated the sins of vanity

and gluttony

in relation to the holy month.

Men, you should realise by now that when you try to compete with a woman, you're often outclassed. Hee!

A yellow mind is a mellow one ...

2011-08-21T00:52:00.002+08:00

Okay, I admit it; I have a suspect sense of humour. If you've read any of my previous posts, you'll know this already.

Following pictures may affect the pahala of your puasa. You have been warned.

(Under cut for incredible tak senonoh-ness and NSFW quality)

Hope your weekend has been a good one.

Personal philosophy

2011-08-19T06:34:00.000+08:00

We all have it, whether we realise / acknowledge / want it or not. The two postcard graphics below defined something essentially "ME"; I swiped it from Sue Anna Joe's blog.

Tell me, what is your personal philosophy?

Animalia giggles

2011-08-18T22:29:00.002+08:00

Happy weekending, y'all!

Moar funneh beasties (some NSFW) below cut!

Midweek sh*t and giggles - hysterical history

2011-08-18T06:57:00.002+08:00

Walking down memory lane ...

2011-08-15T01:16:00.001+08:00

Facebook interaction sparks the weirdest things. A friend shared a hari raya song that made me crave to be home and baking cookies and the ensuing conversation unearthed the following video. Ah, recollecting songs of one's youth ... this was before Elton John went Disney-fied and my liking turned to loathing.

It is amazing to note that once upon a time, models in video clips actually look like real people.

The weekend is coming!

2011-08-12T06:45:00.001+08:00

For some, it is already here.

Have fun!

How David ate Goliath

2011-08-09T22:29:00.000+08:00

In nature, size sometimes do not matter. It's all about your strategy (bite location, poison etc). In the case of ground beetles, it takes bite location, sheer cussedness to hang on to a wildly bucking prey and poison to fell the stronger and bigger toad.

Don't click on video if you do not want to see nature red in tooth and claw. As in live consumption of prey by said beetle. You have been warned.

Ah, Toad. R.I.P.

Courtesy of New Scientist.

Riding like a boss

2011-08-09T06:39:00.003+08:00

I want to ride my bicycle

I want to ride my bike

I want to ride my bicycle

I want to ride it where I like ...

- Bicycle Race (Queen)-

Riding the bike is a green transportation strategy. Many cities, particularly in Europe, embraces biking in the cities as a means to reduce pollution and traffic congestion.The Netherlands is popular for both canals and bicycles (with no doubt a number of the latter ending up in the former, thanks to great beers that the Netherlands are also famed for). To encourage more people to opt to cycle, these cities set aside a bicycle lane for cyclists' safety.

But of course, where there are space near the curb (or affectionately known in Malaysia as shoulder of the road), so shall appear assholes who want to park there. In developing countries, drivers don't even bother with space; double and triple parking is pretty normal. How to overcome this? The mayor of Vilnius, Lithuania decided that a drastic approach is needed.

What I am interested to know is, can we do this here too? The crushing of inconsiderate motorists' vehicles, I mean.

Oh dear God ...

2011-08-08T22:25:00.000+08:00

... let this film come to our shores on the date displayed ...

Yes, I have a thing for Mr Hardy. He is gorgeous, articulate, naughty and has a voice and lips to die for. I am shallow *shut up*.

But you put Mr. Hardy with Mr Benedict Cumberbatch and Gary Oldman and Cieran Hinds and Mark Strong and oh my Lord ... *topples from palpitation*

Sin no more?

2011-08-08T04:08:00.000+08:00

Easier said than done. Especially with the discovery of this site.

*facepalm*

How goeth your Ramadan?

*sigh*

Indispensible ...

2011-08-06T00:54:00.000+08:00

... is this diagnostic tool to most modern doctors. The CT scan (X-ray computed tomography), or more affectionately referred to as the Cat Scan, became more widely known to the general television watching population, thanks to drama series such as ER, General Hospital and most popularly, House.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear if there are people (hypochondriacs, most likely) who insist on having their aches and pains examined using the Cat Scan in order to rule out major problems. Of course if they know how much it really costs (ask your local friendly hospital services marketing personnel!), they may swallow their indignance and ask if blood tests (some of which may cost nearly as much) are sufficient.

However, in the interest of levity and fun, I invite you to visit the Cat Scan site for more of gems like the following:

People do the darndest things

2011-08-06T00:42:00.000+08:00

Gentlemen, when you visit a lady (or gentleman) of the night, kindly ensure that you have sufficient remuneration to compensate them for their time and enthusiasm; lest you end up like this poor soul who had to visit the surgeon for an embarrassing outcome (see page 2, 2nd column at the top).

Christmas candles should NOT be found in ANY bodily cavity, thank you very much.

(Semi) Clean humour for Ramadhan, yes?

2011-08-03T22:22:00.004+08:00

A little geek humour to start with ...


Segue into the war of the sexes ...

Well, maybe this one ain't so clean (or those following it).

You are what you read?

2011-08-03T06:47:00.003+08:00

At least, according to Markus Appel, an associate professor at the Johannes Keppler University of Linz, Austria. He conducted an experiment where the subjects read a really dumb story about a really stupid fellow and then gave them a general knowledge test. It looked like those who read the tale of the idiot did worse at the general knowledge test than those who didn't. It was not known whether the test subjects were daft to begin with.

If that is so, will reading urban fantasy make me into a supernatural monster?

Anyway, who cares what is the capital of Libya?

Sick puppies 'R' us

2011-07-27T22:26:00.000+08:00

All under cut ... totally NSFW sentiments all around.

You have been warned.

Love is a battlefield

2011-07-27T14:35:00.001+08:00

Cut for NSFW sentiments ...

Get your mind out of the gutter!

2011-07-27T12:32:00.000+08:00

Cloudy with a chance of rain

2011-07-14T01:22:00.000+08:00

Today was the first time I went on a company sponsored trip for work purpose. I was delighted to get the window seat and entertained myself peering over the wings of the plane looking down on the ground.

From KLIA, the earth is a verdant, emerald carpet, thanks to the #1 cash crop of the country, oil palm. Breaking the greenery are the developments, clusters of cookie-cutter housing estates and townships. Angry red welts of exposed raw laterite marks areas where the earth has been gouged for new development. As the plane made its (seemingly) desultory pass over the hilly areas, I wonder how long before those proud peaks are levelled for more development. :p

But I digress.

Looking at the clouds drifting in fat clumps outside the window of the Fokker F-50 (I think), I remembered that as a child flying towards Europe, I looked at the blanket of white below and wanted to ask the pilot to stop the plane for a while, let me out to play in the clouds before resuming the journey. I was seven years old and did not understand that clouds are merely condensation and those cartoons depicting people living on clouds with harp and wings (heavenly, really?) are NOT REAL.

However, at this hoary age that I am at right now, gazing at the expanse of thick whiteness with jagged peaks, reminiscent of pristine Antarctic icefields, still makes me want to ask the pilot to stop and let me go play in the clouds. Granted that I now know that by doing so I'll be plummeting to a horrific death in the South China Sea, but the feeling still remain.

I should stick to playing in the snow (when possible).

Here are a couple of songs I love that features clouds.

This song of Tori Amos has a way of tugging my heartstrings. So poignant and resonant; not a bad feat considering I barely understand her enunciation.

I adore The Cardigans for their subversiveness. Such cheery, pop-py melody teamed with dark themes and slash-your-wrist sentiments as demonstrated by Cloudy Sky (dang youtube no let me embed). Superb.

No wonder one of my favourite past times is lying around watching the bouffant poufs of water above drift by with my earbuds firmly plugged in and my MP3 player on shuffle.

Beyond Hammer House of Horror

2011-07-06T06:49:00.000+08:00

Because you're worth it

2011-07-06T01:31:00.000+08:00

Hugh Laurie hopes that he is. Is he flogging L'Oreal? I can't tell from this video.

Can you?

Two bloody tissues ...

2011-07-05T06:52:00.000+08:00

As a wake up call, nothing beats multiple personality display on the interwebs.

Thanks to Suzi.

Monday, Monday ...

2011-07-04T01:51:00.000+08:00

AAAARGGHH!! It's here!

But something like this

or this

or even this,

surely helps to ease the pain.

Teen idol ... dream idol ...

2011-07-04T01:08:00.001+08:00

If anyone ask me how long I've been a (semi/kinda/sorta)hipster about music, I'll have to say: a long time.

It really started in high school when I turned up my nose at New Kids on the Block and many other teen pop idols of the day. Yes, I am old enough to know NKOTB and listen to the band as they shoot to stardom. Shut up.

I once sneered to a classmate (who is a diehard NKOTB fan with school file featuring said band, natch), that Donnie Wahlberg looked like a convict and Danny Wood looked like he's the missing link. She, who is one of the most on-the-narrow sort (and became a respectable prefect the year after, mind you), actually lunged at me and almost throttled yours truly except for the grace of God and the excellent reflexes of fellow classmates.

Hence, I learned that you mock the teen idol of the day to a hardcore fan at your peril.

I had something to say about all the members of the band, but the one that got me kicked the hardest was when I said that Jon Knight looked like he's gay. Which of course was met with strenuous protestation that he's so cute (what does that have to do with which way he swings?) and that he's straight 'cause he's dating girls like Tiffany (whose eyes they want to gouge out).

And guess what? Thirteen year old me was right.

Do I have great, precociously developed gaydar or what?

Time - place setting

2011-07-02T13:11:00.000+08:00

Time-place setting is a debating term to denote a strategy to restrict the parameters of the debate unfairly. But time-place setting, as expounded in the video, gives an insight to how people perceive time and how that affects their decision-making.

I am amazed at the animation and I love the idea. Now I have something else to blame for my slothfulness. My geographical location.

If only ...

2011-07-01T02:04:00.000+08:00

Team Fortress 2 is an animated show, I would so go for it.

Sigh.

Love this guy.

Pimping!!!

2011-06-29T01:18:00.001+08:00

I have always been a little embarrassed that I could read and write better in English than I could in my own mother tongue. It had not always been so: I could only read English well only when I was eleven years old (thanks to my sister). Before that, I read exclusively in Malay and mastered all kinds of simpulan bahasa. I could even recite syair correctly.

So here is my attempt to write in my mother tongue.

http://kelkatu2serupa.blogspot.com/

The content are fictional accounts derived from my imagination or from stories I heard at my father's knee. And yes, he is good at telling some rip-roaring tales.

So please. Do come and visit. And tell me what you think.

Doc Horror

2011-06-28T22:23:00.000+08:00

If this is an animation series, I would watch it religiously. But since it's a computer game ... *shrug*

Also, this is why you should google your surgeon first before going under the knife.

Midweek sh*t and giggles

2011-06-28T01:09:00.003+08:00

Under cut for NSFW stuff.

Swing it!

2011-06-27T21:02:00.000+08:00

For those who enjoy steampunk novels, here is the genre that would be the perfect soundtrack to your reading pleasure. Caravan Palace is a marvelous example of the melange that is electro swing. Big band sensibilities with electronica edginess, this genre is whimsical and magical with an underlying darkness like hidden teeth.

*is swinging away to the beat*

Groovy, baby!

2011-06-24T01:47:00.000+08:00

Gettin' your groove on, owl style.

Unsafe for work cat sentiments below cut for moar lulz.

Horrorwood

2011-06-22T01:25:00.000+08:00

So pretty ... *swoons*

What you would love to say about douchebag colleagues.

There are some things that even Freddy Krueger wouldn't touch.

Be afraid, Fido. Be very afraid.

Arachnophobia. It gets to us all.

When you are made of awesome.

Happy belated Father's Day?

Male pregnancy is now more than just fanfiction.

Somehow, I prefer the Sheryl Crow cover version better.

Moar under cut ... (NSFW stuff)

Experimenting with friends.

PETA should take a look into this.

I knew it!

Camouflaging pedobear.

Photoshopped images: not just for female stars.

Blast off!