It's amazing how much hands can express and evoke emotions.
Showing posts with label Admiring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Admiring. Show all posts
Saturday, April 23, 2022
Sunday, July 26, 2020
Not for those who suffer from pollen allergy
Pine flower cake from scratch for those who are against processed food.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Holiday in Paris? Piffle.
Every time I listen to this song, I feel like I'm sashaying into a space elevator to board an interstellar ship for a trip to the next galaxy, my micro-gravity suitcase floating by my side.
And what a joy to discover these beautiful treasure trove of space travel inspired NASA posters. Perhaps one day we will be Instagramming our holidays on Mars.
Moar gorgeous art under the cut.
And what a joy to discover these beautiful treasure trove of space travel inspired NASA posters. Perhaps one day we will be Instagramming our holidays on Mars.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Coulrophobic no more
I've always found clowns creepy. No, I never saw or read It. I just don't like the idea of people whose faces are disguised from me; it rouses such violent impulses in me. Heck, I'd decap Ronald McDonald given the opp.
But this video goes a long way to make me look at grease-painted jesters with a little more equanimity.
But I still doubt I'd date one.
But this video goes a long way to make me look at grease-painted jesters with a little more equanimity.
But I still doubt I'd date one.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
A is for admire
I have no talent for drawing or any kind of art-linked endeavours. Couldn't even draw a straight line with a ruler. But I love pretty things and these pictures below really speak to me.
These are the works of Ms. Rebecca Mock.
I love the eloquence of her art, elevating something as prosaic as reading on a train or in the outdoors into something whimsical and delightful. The pictures are so evocative, you could almost feel the movement of the train of the warm breeze caressing your skin while you lounge on the balcony. The feel of the grass under you separated by the blanket. You could almost hear the chirp of birds and the buzz of bees collecting nectar in the flourishing garden.
Doesn't her work remind you of the animated pictures and portraits in the Harry Potter series?
These are the works of Ms. Rebecca Mock.
My favourite activity in my favourite mode of transportation.
Age doesn't inhibit embracing technology.
I love the eloquence of her art, elevating something as prosaic as reading on a train or in the outdoors into something whimsical and delightful. The pictures are so evocative, you could almost feel the movement of the train of the warm breeze caressing your skin while you lounge on the balcony. The feel of the grass under you separated by the blanket. You could almost hear the chirp of birds and the buzz of bees collecting nectar in the flourishing garden.
Doesn't her work remind you of the animated pictures and portraits in the Harry Potter series?
Friday, March 21, 2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
The Perils of Doing Laundry
What have been seen cannot be unseen.
Try not to watch this where people could see you howling with laughter like a complete loony.
Try not to watch this where people could see you howling with laughter like a complete loony.
Friday, September 13, 2013
What is truer than truth?
Title stolen from Isabel Allende in this video.
The following two videos underscore how story telling goes beyond mere entertainment. In the ancient days of my motherland, we have the penglipur lara, the storyteller, who travel from village to village, sharing stories, news and relating historical myths of the ancient kings. Their stories gave wings to the imagination of the ordinary folks and their arrival was much anticipated.
Technology and globalisation have changed the way stories are narrated. The penglipur lara may be dead for hundreds of years, but his stories continue to be told in different media. This is the power of stories: it evolves, are adapted and become incorporated into another narrative. In a way, stories are immortalised beyond the lives of the tellers.
But have we ever examined the origins of the stories we consume? Who delivered them? What was their intention? Were their sources right? What inspired them?
Herein lies the danger of the single story narrative.
I will admit to being guilty of the same thing. You tend to swallow what was told to you, especially as children. I am sure that many of us grew up with all kinds of stories about the "other" people. People who don't look like us, don't behave or pray (if they pray!) like we do, don't think like we do. Some of it is relatively harmless (or not); like mothers of the old admonishing wayward children to behave or "The benggali* will come and catch you!"
The more malevolent were like, "If you have to choose between killing a snake and a (insert ethnic/religious group of suspicion), it is better to kill the ethnic/religious person." This is about dehumanising the other person, making them alien and difficult to identify with. It would also make it easier to denigrate them, and to look down on them.
I am struck by her words about how the people in power made the definitive story and this could be used to dispossess the people, hijacking their history and culture. When a story is repeated over and over again, somehow it gained the veneer of truth and became accepted as a fact. This is some particularly profound for me, as my ethnic group is often painted as lazy, lacking initiative and always looking for a shortcut to solve problems. This perspective of our former colonial masters was countered by the eminent humanities scholar Syed Hussein Alatas in his book The Myth of the Lazy Native (which I will admit to having yet to read). But this idea of Malays being lackadaisical, etc has been so tightly woven in the nation's narrative, that it is difficult to disentangle. And like a self-fulfilling prophecy, we make it come true.
Like Ms. Adichie, the stories I write in my head (and occasionally pen down) often feature people from other countries because I have been steeped in American and Western culture, thanks to a steady diet of books, music, television and films.
*shame-faced*
While Ms. Adichie felt that Asian and African and South American and other non-white writers should be working towards developing narratives that is a contrast from the Western world view, Ms. Shafak felt that the manifestation of identity need not be utterly personal, so one could write from the viewpoint of people who is not oneself.
To her, the most important thing is that the story need to be informative and well researched, written to evoke emotions and perhaps, create connections and empathy. One must not be limited to one's nationality, gender and sexuality. It is a very liberating thought, but I do believe that one should be free to tell the stories that speaks to one. However, it does seem that white authors get more leeway than non-white authors, who are expected to write only about their own culture and experiences.
Ninot Aziz, a celebrated Malaysian author, is reviving the hikayat, the folk tales and legends of the Nusantara. Although the stories are sourced from Malay folk tales, she believes that the cosmopolitan nature of the stories transcends any cultural dichotomy and will speak to us regardless of our background.
Her book, Hikayat - From the Ancient Malay Kingdoms is up for the Anugerah Buku Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia - RTM. Please vote for her here. The author name is Ninot Aziz and the ISBN number of the book is 978-967-61-2540-80.
Here's to more excellent stories coming out of Malaysia!
* corruption of the word Bengali (someone from the state of Bengal in India). Usually the Sikh or other Bengal ethnic man who wore a turban and was an itinerant merchant of cloth and other household items during the pre and post Independent Malaya.
The following two videos underscore how story telling goes beyond mere entertainment. In the ancient days of my motherland, we have the penglipur lara, the storyteller, who travel from village to village, sharing stories, news and relating historical myths of the ancient kings. Their stories gave wings to the imagination of the ordinary folks and their arrival was much anticipated.
Technology and globalisation have changed the way stories are narrated. The penglipur lara may be dead for hundreds of years, but his stories continue to be told in different media. This is the power of stories: it evolves, are adapted and become incorporated into another narrative. In a way, stories are immortalised beyond the lives of the tellers.
But have we ever examined the origins of the stories we consume? Who delivered them? What was their intention? Were their sources right? What inspired them?
Herein lies the danger of the single story narrative.
I will admit to being guilty of the same thing. You tend to swallow what was told to you, especially as children. I am sure that many of us grew up with all kinds of stories about the "other" people. People who don't look like us, don't behave or pray (if they pray!) like we do, don't think like we do. Some of it is relatively harmless (or not); like mothers of the old admonishing wayward children to behave or "The benggali* will come and catch you!"
The more malevolent were like, "If you have to choose between killing a snake and a (insert ethnic/religious group of suspicion), it is better to kill the ethnic/religious person." This is about dehumanising the other person, making them alien and difficult to identify with. It would also make it easier to denigrate them, and to look down on them.
I am struck by her words about how the people in power made the definitive story and this could be used to dispossess the people, hijacking their history and culture. When a story is repeated over and over again, somehow it gained the veneer of truth and became accepted as a fact. This is some particularly profound for me, as my ethnic group is often painted as lazy, lacking initiative and always looking for a shortcut to solve problems. This perspective of our former colonial masters was countered by the eminent humanities scholar Syed Hussein Alatas in his book The Myth of the Lazy Native (which I will admit to having yet to read). But this idea of Malays being lackadaisical, etc has been so tightly woven in the nation's narrative, that it is difficult to disentangle. And like a self-fulfilling prophecy, we make it come true.
Like Ms. Adichie, the stories I write in my head (and occasionally pen down) often feature people from other countries because I have been steeped in American and Western culture, thanks to a steady diet of books, music, television and films.
*shame-faced*
While Ms. Adichie felt that Asian and African and South American and other non-white writers should be working towards developing narratives that is a contrast from the Western world view, Ms. Shafak felt that the manifestation of identity need not be utterly personal, so one could write from the viewpoint of people who is not oneself.
To her, the most important thing is that the story need to be informative and well researched, written to evoke emotions and perhaps, create connections and empathy. One must not be limited to one's nationality, gender and sexuality. It is a very liberating thought, but I do believe that one should be free to tell the stories that speaks to one. However, it does seem that white authors get more leeway than non-white authors, who are expected to write only about their own culture and experiences.
Ninot Aziz, a celebrated Malaysian author, is reviving the hikayat, the folk tales and legends of the Nusantara. Although the stories are sourced from Malay folk tales, she believes that the cosmopolitan nature of the stories transcends any cultural dichotomy and will speak to us regardless of our background.
Her book, Hikayat - From the Ancient Malay Kingdoms is up for the Anugerah Buku Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia - RTM. Please vote for her here. The author name is Ninot Aziz and the ISBN number of the book is 978-967-61-2540-80.
Here's to more excellent stories coming out of Malaysia!
* corruption of the word Bengali (someone from the state of Bengal in India). Usually the Sikh or other Bengal ethnic man who wore a turban and was an itinerant merchant of cloth and other household items during the pre and post Independent Malaya.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Let's shimmy
I have a thing for 60's psychedelia-inspired music and soul music of that era. In this song, I get a beautiful combination of both in a single track.
Cover versions can bomb badly; just check out the covers made by most boy bands (*shudders at Westlife*) but this re-interpretation works beautifully.
The original song is this one by Velvet Underground.
Cover versions can bomb badly; just check out the covers made by most boy bands (*shudders at Westlife*) but this re-interpretation works beautifully.
The original song is this one by Velvet Underground.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Excitement!
I love her contagious enthusiasm: I will never look at a penis (mammalian or otherwise) the same way again.
I admire how she could discuss something titillating in a funny and creepy way.
(Undercut because pretty NSFW)
I admire how she could discuss something titillating in a funny and creepy way.
(Undercut because pretty NSFW)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Scent for trouble
Limburger cheese is now helping to eradicate malaria. But perhaps not the way you would think so.
Let your curiosity guide you to look for answers in unlikely places!
Let your curiosity guide you to look for answers in unlikely places!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Genius unappreciated
An awesome comic paying tribute to the unadulterated genius of Nikola Tesla.
Stolen in entirety from here.
Monday, April 30, 2012
It's the numbers, baby ...
Universal language which I don't speak or write.
I ♥♥♥ this guy so much.
Have a nice Labour Day everyone!
I ♥♥♥ this guy so much.
Have a nice Labour Day everyone!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
When you're in prison ...
Let's hope none of us ever had to put on the orange jumpsuit, yeah? Or whatever the local equivalent is.
However, exceptions can be made when your cellmates are this pretty. Maybe.
But what is the likelihood of that? Better to stay on the right side of the law, neh?
However, exceptions can be made when your cellmates are this pretty. Maybe.
But what is the likelihood of that? Better to stay on the right side of the law, neh?
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Forever yellow skies
I am sure everybody have fond memories of the music of their teenage years. Mine is pretty checkered because I'm a bit of a hipster when it comes to music, even when I was a mega spotty teen. I loathed most of the hit songs when I was 16 but it got better the year I turned 17 when rock music became cool again thanks to grunge and the second wave of British invasion made its appearance.
When I heard that the Cranberries was going to perform in Kuala Lumpur for their Asia tour, I was totally psyched. The band's albums pretty much provided the soundtrack to various highlights in my life. I fell in love with them thanks to Linger, but the anthemic Zombie was the one that propelled them into rock and roll hall of fame leagues.
The stadium pretty much was shaken to its foundation when this was on.
I think this cements them as a pretty awesome stadium class rock band, don't you think?
Dolores sounds just as good live as she does in the albums; she's not much for audience interaction, but she delighted us all with her trademark hip gyrate, head banging and back-and-forth stiff armed march which was so cute. The rest of the band was equally indefatigable. The fangirls screamed when Fergal Lawler took off his sweat-soaked t-shirt; no surprise since the man is built like a brick shit house. Not bad for a forty-plus dude, eh? I guess bashing the drums do help a man develop his guns (mmm...).
I had teary moments during the first 30 minutes of the concert; it was just unbelievably amazing to be with so many other fans who were also hollering along to the same songs. And just like the Carpenter's song; it truly was Yesterday Once More.
When I heard that the Cranberries was going to perform in Kuala Lumpur for their Asia tour, I was totally psyched. The band's albums pretty much provided the soundtrack to various highlights in my life. I fell in love with them thanks to Linger, but the anthemic Zombie was the one that propelled them into rock and roll hall of fame leagues.
The stadium pretty much was shaken to its foundation when this was on.
I think this cements them as a pretty awesome stadium class rock band, don't you think?
Dolores sounds just as good live as she does in the albums; she's not much for audience interaction, but she delighted us all with her trademark hip gyrate, head banging and back-and-forth stiff armed march which was so cute. The rest of the band was equally indefatigable. The fangirls screamed when Fergal Lawler took off his sweat-soaked t-shirt; no surprise since the man is built like a brick shit house. Not bad for a forty-plus dude, eh? I guess bashing the drums do help a man develop his guns (mmm...).
I had teary moments during the first 30 minutes of the concert; it was just unbelievably amazing to be with so many other fans who were also hollering along to the same songs. And just like the Carpenter's song; it truly was Yesterday Once More.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Maths rule!
Okay, I flunked maths. A lot. But there is no denying that the universal language is really numbers and mathematics. If you go to the Andromeda, only earthlings speak English/Arabic/Malay/Mandarin/whatever. But all over the universe, 1 + 1 + 1 will always equal 3. When it comes to numbers and equations, there is no need for a translator, the meaning doesn't change across linguistic acrobatics.
The wave equation explains why some sounds are pleasing to our ears and why some just makes us grit our teeth (nails down the chalk board, anyone?). It is also modified in studying earthquakes to let us understand the phenomenon and predict little stuff like tsunamis.
Maxwell's equations are the base of our communication technology: from the old telegraph to our mobile phones. Schrodinger's cat may or may not be in the box (or both dead AND alive), but his equation translates quantum mechanics into things like your DVD player and smart phones. As for Fourier transform, suffice to say that you can thank him for removing unwanted noise from your recording and the manipulations to make your digital photographs prettier.
Vive le numbers!
*All stolen from newscientist.com.
The wave equation explains why some sounds are pleasing to our ears and why some just makes us grit our teeth (nails down the chalk board, anyone?). It is also modified in studying earthquakes to let us understand the phenomenon and predict little stuff like tsunamis.
Maxwell's equations are the base of our communication technology: from the old telegraph to our mobile phones. Schrodinger's cat may or may not be in the box (or both dead AND alive), but his equation translates quantum mechanics into things like your DVD player and smart phones. As for Fourier transform, suffice to say that you can thank him for removing unwanted noise from your recording and the manipulations to make your digital photographs prettier.
Equations make the world go round.
Vive le numbers!
*All stolen from newscientist.com.
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