Monday, March 12, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Sisterhood, yo
It's the International Women's Day today!
We made grands strides in less than a century. Women can now vote, get an education (though many places still frown on educating the females), get a job, smash through the glass ceiling and CHOOSE to stay at home and raise their babies (it used to be terpaksa-rela or it-really-ain't-a-choice-sugar). It's good to be a woman in this age because we live longer and are less likely to die in childbirth (unless you live in Afghanistan, Chad or something). And we have more opportunities than our grandmothers and great grandmothers, and all this changes over a mere two generations (barely three weeks if you are a fruit fly), at least for the women in Malaysia.
But we are still crippled by body image issues; trading corsets (yes, in Asia, we wore bengkung) for anorexia, the white ones burn themselves in the sun or in salons, the darker ones peel their skin with harmful chemicals to become fairer. We still earn less than men while working twice as hard, still get stuck with more household chores than our partner (maybe not an issue for lesbian couples, *LOL*), and we are expected to remain a virgin on our wedding nights when the men get approving thumps on their back for being a lothario. Our days off are not necessarily days off like a man would describe it and in fair weather or foul, the expectations on us don't change.
We are still not in control of the decisions to be made on our body. In the US, the Congressional hearing on contraception was a panel of men; so yeah, they know so well about a woman's reality about birth control and abortion *rolls eyes*. Did they not think that supporting the former means reducing the need for the latter? What with global warming and the stress of accommodating the needs of a burgeoning world population, having children in a more judicious manner is only logical.
Our clothes remain a hot topic for everyone, whether one wears too much or too little. Frankly, I believe that a woman has a right to choose whether she wants to wear a bikini or a burqa. Women's clothing has been an issue of contention at political and social level, as though the what we wear is the fabric of the society. Face it: the real major causes of social ills are poverty, lack of access to education and opportunity, lack of respect and empathy to fellow humans (and non-humans) as well as greed.
NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT WE WEAR OR DON'T WEAR.
A few historians and sociologists remarked that civilisations begin to decline when the society begin to segregate women from the rest of society (reference here and Fatima Mernissi's wonderful books Women and Islam: an Historical and Theological Inquiry as well as Islam and Democracy: Fear of the Modern World). In an attempt to attain purity, maintain "honour" and satisfy false masculine pride, women are isolated from the rest of society, denied rights of basic citizenship (e.g. their children not given citizenship status if their partner are foreigners) and denigrated as a human being (i.e. when violence against women is condoned by the society).
Women still don't get much respect: we get blamed when we get raped, we are the first to be economically marginalised when the country's financial system experience a meltdown, women's worthiness are still judged by their youth and looks and in any social crisis, women are among the first and most consistent victims.
Hence, inasmuch as we made leaps and progress towards improving the lot of women in this world, there are still plenty that needs to be fixed. For some society, the progression is remarkable and heartening, for some, social conditioning and culture made change a lot harder. We must never lose faith, ladies, but rather continue to work towards evolving our world to a more just and harmonious place. Not just for women, but for everyone.
We made grands strides in less than a century. Women can now vote, get an education (though many places still frown on educating the females), get a job, smash through the glass ceiling and CHOOSE to stay at home and raise their babies (it used to be terpaksa-rela or it-really-ain't-a-choice-sugar). It's good to be a woman in this age because we live longer and are less likely to die in childbirth (unless you live in Afghanistan, Chad or something). And we have more opportunities than our grandmothers and great grandmothers, and all this changes over a mere two generations (barely three weeks if you are a fruit fly), at least for the women in Malaysia.
But we are still crippled by body image issues; trading corsets (yes, in Asia, we wore bengkung) for anorexia, the white ones burn themselves in the sun or in salons, the darker ones peel their skin with harmful chemicals to become fairer. We still earn less than men while working twice as hard, still get stuck with more household chores than our partner (maybe not an issue for lesbian couples, *LOL*), and we are expected to remain a virgin on our wedding nights when the men get approving thumps on their back for being a lothario. Our days off are not necessarily days off like a man would describe it and in fair weather or foul, the expectations on us don't change.
We are still not in control of the decisions to be made on our body. In the US, the Congressional hearing on contraception was a panel of men; so yeah, they know so well about a woman's reality about birth control and abortion *rolls eyes*. Did they not think that supporting the former means reducing the need for the latter? What with global warming and the stress of accommodating the needs of a burgeoning world population, having children in a more judicious manner is only logical.
NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT WE WEAR OR DON'T WEAR.
A few historians and sociologists remarked that civilisations begin to decline when the society begin to segregate women from the rest of society (reference here and Fatima Mernissi's wonderful books Women and Islam: an Historical and Theological Inquiry as well as Islam and Democracy: Fear of the Modern World). In an attempt to attain purity, maintain "honour" and satisfy false masculine pride, women are isolated from the rest of society, denied rights of basic citizenship (e.g. their children not given citizenship status if their partner are foreigners) and denigrated as a human being (i.e. when violence against women is condoned by the society).
Women still don't get much respect: we get blamed when we get raped, we are the first to be economically marginalised when the country's financial system experience a meltdown, women's worthiness are still judged by their youth and looks and in any social crisis, women are among the first and most consistent victims.
Hence, inasmuch as we made leaps and progress towards improving the lot of women in this world, there are still plenty that needs to be fixed. For some society, the progression is remarkable and heartening, for some, social conditioning and culture made change a lot harder. We must never lose faith, ladies, but rather continue to work towards evolving our world to a more just and harmonious place. Not just for women, but for everyone.
Books read: week 10
I have a habit of re-reading books, especially those I love (like this one and the second one in this list) that it slowed down the number of books that I devour.
1. Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke
Hero: 3/5 stars
Heroine: 2/5 stars
Storyline: 4/5 stars
Pacing: 3/5 stars
Fun Factor: 2/5 stars
Repeat Reading Factor: 1/5 stars
I heard good stuff about Ms Guhrke and she was recced to me by a friend on Goodreads. I really want to like her books, I do. After all, I need new authors to follow to feed my insatiable reading habit. Alas, though the premise was interesting, the follow through was disappointing. The hero was okay to me, but when the heroine suddenly devolved into this fishwife after being no more exciting than a doormat, the book just lost its lustre for me. The bits that pulled the heroine's bacon out of the fire was a bit too pat for my taste, but in the absence of other readables (and the fact that I forked out money to rent it), I consumed it till the end.
2. Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells
Hero: 3/5 stars
Heroine: 3/5 stars
Storyline: 3/5 stars
Pacing: 3/5 stars
Fun Factor: 3/5 stars
Repeat Reading Factor: 1/5 stars
Again, another recced author. Premise was all right, lousy follow through and the development of characters and plots were meh. Pity since she is quite prolific.
*sigh*
3. Set the Dark on Fire by Jill Sorenson
Hero: 5/5 stars
Heroine: 5/5 stars
Storyline: 4/5 stars
Pacing: 4/5 stars
Fun Factor: 5/5 stars
Repeat Reading Factor: 3/5 stars
This book was a pleasant surprise. I picked it up because I had a few more bucks of rental money, but it was a nicely constructed book with interesting characters and great plot development. I adore how "real" the characters were, flawed and yet still striving to do the right thing.
It was a little disconcerting in places because of the shifting POVs, but once you kept track of the major players, it was a breeze. The character interactions were fluid and realistic, the imagery crisp and descriptive that you feel the head of the dry lands of south east California.
I will look for her other works next time.
4. Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James
Hero: 5/5 stars
Heroine: 5/5 stars
Storyline: 5/5 stars
Pacing: 4/5 stars
Fun Factor: 5/5 stars
Repeat Reading Factor: 4/5 stars
This book is a reinterpretation of the classic Cinderella tale, except that this time around, the heroine doesn't wait around waiting to be rescued. Oh, and the prince wasn't really that charming.
Great banter, great characters, great plotting.
I hope that the butler gets his own story too.
5. Blood Royal by Jonathan Green
Hero: 3/5 stars
Storyline: 4/5 stars
Pacing: 4/5 stars
Fun Factor: 3/5 stars
Repeat Reading Factor: 1/5 stars
6. Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
Protagonists: 5/5 stars
Storyline: 4/5 stars
Pacing: 5/5 stars
Fun Factor: 4/5 stars
Repeat Reading Factor: 3/5 stars
Now, to find book number two ...
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
TGIF
(Under cut for massive NSFW pictures)
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.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Girls who are boys
This movie is unlikely to make it to our shores. Watch it and you'll see why.
I went to an all-girls school from Year One to middle secondary. Tomboys are not uncommon; many show this tendency right from Standard One. These are usually the scruffy girls with really short hair who takes the boy's roles in drama enthusiastically and are commonly athletic. Some become that way because their family encourage it; these girls are like substitute sons. Many are like so because something deep inside them say that they are not girls.
Bear in mind that I am not discussing athletic girls who like being rough and tumble and yet enjoy feminine pursuits as well. Those are tomboy-ish, but they are not true tomboys. I climbed trees and picked fights, but I have never had any desire of wanting to be a boy or feeling wrong in my own body. I've dreamt that I was a man (and boy was it fun being that physically strong and able) but that's not the same thing.
Unlike in an all-boys school where effeminate boys get bullied and are made miserable, tomboys in an all-girls school are often looked upon positively*. The teachers may rebuke them and ask them to be more lady-like (or something like that) but in general, the other students do not seem to mind their behaviour. The tomboys could be depended upon to do stuff that require strength and often take it upon themselves to do dangerous chores like putting up buntings in high places. You usually would want a tomboy in your sports team because they are more likely to help you win.
You may hear some people say that tomboys will outgrow their behaviour. Some do. Many don't. Some go the penultimate way and modify their bodies to appear masculine. Breast binding is not unusual; many chose weight training to increase muscle mass and widen their shoulders. Out of school, they dress like men and some of them carry it off so well you wouldn't believe that they are female. Most of the tomboys are sexually attracted to girls; they often date really feminine girls whom they court ardently.
Valentine's Day in my school was a perfect way to rake in the moola what with the song dedications, chocolates, candies and flowers that you could order/buy and send to the girl of your dreams. Some of the popular girls would go home with their arms laden with flowers and schoolbag bulging with assorted dedicated goodies. Do bear in mind, however, that in an all-girls school, sometimes the one doing the courting is not the tomboy; but the feminine counterpart. One of the most popular tomboys in my school was a prefect who often walked home on Valentine's with quite a haul. Also, girls have no problem expressing platonic admiration with gifts like candies and flowers, hence the majority of the gifts given are among "pet sisters".
The last time I went to Penang, I was quite surprised at the large number of tomboys who are openly walking about with their girlfriends, being affectionate and all. In fact, I think there are more of them there than there are in Kuala Lumpur.
Last week at a meeting I met a couple of transwomen (transgender man to woman) representing a civil society. They spoke of the difficulties for transgenders to get a job and many became sex workers because no one wants to employ them. From what I observe, tomboys (or transmen) have it easier because most that I've seen appear to hold decent jobs and can support themselves, but I have not seen any who are in upper management.
I think it's more than about time that we stop discriminating people based on their gender and sexuality. Nobody wants to be out of step with what is "normal" in something so basic about their self identity. Nobody asked to be challenged with attraction to their own sex, nor does anyone want to feel wrong in their God-given body. Please stop blaming the victim and try to accept them as they are. If you can't make their lives better, don't make it worse.
We are all God's creation who strive to do our best in this life that He has given us. He gave us different challenges, to prove our steadfastness and strength. How can we trivialise the trials of others? If you have not walked in their shoes, denigrate not their path and choices. Do we know if we are worthy? Are we aware of how well (or not) we dealt with our own trials? Only God has the right to judge each and every one of us.
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
*All above are from my personal observation only; I did not conduct a scientific study on the phenomenon.
I went to an all-girls school from Year One to middle secondary. Tomboys are not uncommon; many show this tendency right from Standard One. These are usually the scruffy girls with really short hair who takes the boy's roles in drama enthusiastically and are commonly athletic. Some become that way because their family encourage it; these girls are like substitute sons. Many are like so because something deep inside them say that they are not girls.
Bear in mind that I am not discussing athletic girls who like being rough and tumble and yet enjoy feminine pursuits as well. Those are tomboy-ish, but they are not true tomboys. I climbed trees and picked fights, but I have never had any desire of wanting to be a boy or feeling wrong in my own body. I've dreamt that I was a man (and boy was it fun being that physically strong and able) but that's not the same thing.
Unlike in an all-boys school where effeminate boys get bullied and are made miserable, tomboys in an all-girls school are often looked upon positively*. The teachers may rebuke them and ask them to be more lady-like (or something like that) but in general, the other students do not seem to mind their behaviour. The tomboys could be depended upon to do stuff that require strength and often take it upon themselves to do dangerous chores like putting up buntings in high places. You usually would want a tomboy in your sports team because they are more likely to help you win.
You may hear some people say that tomboys will outgrow their behaviour. Some do. Many don't. Some go the penultimate way and modify their bodies to appear masculine. Breast binding is not unusual; many chose weight training to increase muscle mass and widen their shoulders. Out of school, they dress like men and some of them carry it off so well you wouldn't believe that they are female. Most of the tomboys are sexually attracted to girls; they often date really feminine girls whom they court ardently.
Valentine's Day in my school was a perfect way to rake in the moola what with the song dedications, chocolates, candies and flowers that you could order/buy and send to the girl of your dreams. Some of the popular girls would go home with their arms laden with flowers and schoolbag bulging with assorted dedicated goodies. Do bear in mind, however, that in an all-girls school, sometimes the one doing the courting is not the tomboy; but the feminine counterpart. One of the most popular tomboys in my school was a prefect who often walked home on Valentine's with quite a haul. Also, girls have no problem expressing platonic admiration with gifts like candies and flowers, hence the majority of the gifts given are among "pet sisters".
The last time I went to Penang, I was quite surprised at the large number of tomboys who are openly walking about with their girlfriends, being affectionate and all. In fact, I think there are more of them there than there are in Kuala Lumpur.
Last week at a meeting I met a couple of transwomen (transgender man to woman) representing a civil society. They spoke of the difficulties for transgenders to get a job and many became sex workers because no one wants to employ them. From what I observe, tomboys (or transmen) have it easier because most that I've seen appear to hold decent jobs and can support themselves, but I have not seen any who are in upper management.
I think it's more than about time that we stop discriminating people based on their gender and sexuality. Nobody wants to be out of step with what is "normal" in something so basic about their self identity. Nobody asked to be challenged with attraction to their own sex, nor does anyone want to feel wrong in their God-given body. Please stop blaming the victim and try to accept them as they are. If you can't make their lives better, don't make it worse.
We are all God's creation who strive to do our best in this life that He has given us. He gave us different challenges, to prove our steadfastness and strength. How can we trivialise the trials of others? If you have not walked in their shoes, denigrate not their path and choices. Do we know if we are worthy? Are we aware of how well (or not) we dealt with our own trials? Only God has the right to judge each and every one of us.
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
*All above are from my personal observation only; I did not conduct a scientific study on the phenomenon.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Be careful what you ask your Dad ...
... he might just tell you.
And your life will never be the same again. MWAHAHAHAHAH!
And your life will never be the same again. MWAHAHAHAHAH!
Steam punk romance are the H-bomb!
I have always enjoyed reading Meljean Brook stories in anthologies. Her short stories are tightly plotted, well-paced with peopled with awesome characters you fall in love with. However, I found her Guardian series disappointing, but who cares when her steam punk romances are like totally awesome?
Hero: 5/5 stars
Heroine: 5/5 stars
Storyline: 5/5 stars
Pacing: 5/5 stars
Fun Factor: 5/5 stars
Repeat Reading Factor: 5/5 stars
Basically, it's about two damaged people drawn together in an adventure fraught with megalodons and kraken monsters, zeppelin airships and nanoagents. Can't say much more without massive spoilers, but seriously, read this. Guys will enjoy the adventure and technology aspects, the romance addicts will be swept away but the grand passion.
All in all, a fabulous time was had while reading this.
Ear candy
I grew up listening to Madonna way back when she was still the Material Girl. Her poppy songs were the anthems of my younger days but I quit listening to her when she went overboard with the auto tune and got too hip hop for my taste. I love her songs in that they are easy to sing along to, even if you don't have a distinguished voice. I've never fancied myself as a Celine Dion and won't attempt her songs at a karaoke, but give me the Madonna 80's and early 90's catalogue and you'll pry the microphone from my cold, dead fingers.
It made me rejoice that Madge appears to be returning to her musical origins in her latest single. Maybe I will want to buy this album after over a decade of turning up my nose at her output.
It made me rejoice that Madge appears to be returning to her musical origins in her latest single. Maybe I will want to buy this album after over a decade of turning up my nose at her output.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Drums of war
"We go to war to teach Americans geography."
-- paraphrased from someone or other --
I grew up during the last dregs of the Cold War. Unlike most of my classmates, I watched the news (cos news time is sacrosanct to my Dad) and read the newspaper (I ran out of fun things to read), so I had an idea on how the West and Eastern bloc have a hard-on for each other. Hollywood's depiction of bumbling Communist spies also fed this idea. It was only while I was watching a Bruce Willis movie featuring the cold-eyed Eastern European baddie that it made me wonder: how do the filmmakers in the Communist Bloc feature Western spies?
I was 12 when the Berlin Wall came down. It was a severe buzzkill when you go to school telling people about this awesome event and most of them don't even know what is the Communist Bloc.
*head desk*
For a while the world was giddy with the thought of real world peace. It shouldn't be an impossibility, right? Now that everyone are friends and democratic-like. But we forget greed and human ambition has a way of changing the best laid plans. Yugoslavia imploded thanks to historical resentments and ethnic disputes. The states in the former Soviet Union began demanding autonomy and re-drawing of the borders; now we hear of exotic locales like Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan and the knowledge that there is another Georgia outside of the US of A. Warring factions in Africa never really stopped killing one another and the unfortunate civilians who occupy their disputed lands. The Dark Continent feeds our need for the minerals that adorn ourselves and run our electronics; turmoil ensures that the supply flow never ceased at a price that we can('t) afford.
In other words, business as usual.
September 11, 2001 changed the game plan yet again. The West have a new boogeyman and it is the Muslims who are out to destroy them cos the Muslims "hate their freedom" (paraphrasing George W here). Which ever theory subscribe, even those who say that the attack was a conspiracy by the Americans themselves to expand their strategic influence, there is no denying that the world is no longer the same as when the WTC was upright in Manhattan.
Iraq and Afghanistan was invaded in the name of rooting out the nasty Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organisations that are out to get the West. Hundreds and thousands of civilians are dead, maimed and displaced in the name of American freedom. As bad as things were under Saddam Hussein's regime, I wonder if the Iraqis would trade him for life under the Americans. It is nice that the American troops are withdrawing, but after near everything that made life bearable (like water treatment system, sewage management and electric plants) was reduced to a rubble by uranium-depleted shells, with nothing but a shaky government that has yet to show real ability to unite the people and move the country towards positive development and progress, I wonder if it is any different than the US abandonment of South Vietnam.
And now there is all this talk about attacking Iran because the nasty Mullahs are building nuclear weapons and not just developing alternative energy sources. First, the sanctions and trade embargo by the US and some of the other Western countries. In retaliation, Iran is refusing to supply oil to British and French firms. Reports are coming in about how dangerous it is to be an Iranian nuclear scientists. Apparently, if the car bombs don't get you, dudes with guns/killer cars will.
*sigh*
I was privileged to have had an opportunity to visit Iran back in the 90's. My impression was of a country frozen in the 70's, manic drivers, and air perfumed with thousands of years of history. It was there that I see what military presence in the capital looks like (men with AK-47s at street corners and in front of strategic buildings). These were left over from the war with Iraq. Nearly every Persian men have gone through national service and know how to bear arms. The Persians are almost one and all friendly and proud of their historical and cultural heritage. They can tell you which king was ruling Persia in 789 AD. They are not Arabs and do not speak Arabic. They have excellent desserts. Pistachio is cheap there.
The government is repressive, women can't wear bright colours and the people worry about who is eavesdropping on them. But they don't hate the West, or the Sunnis (unlike Sunnis who think that Shiites are no better than heathens) nor do they want world domination. The Iranians want to join the rest of the world and be able to progress just like everyone else. They won't abandon religion altogether in the pursuit of moderation and liberation.
I think that an attack on Iran would be a terrible mistake. It would definitely be a costly and protracted one, and the only winner will be those with oil and gas interest who will take this opportunity to rape the country.
This song encapsulates the feeling of the ordinary citizens at the height of the Cold War. I think the sentiments are still the same right now for all of us the world over. Let us hope that the rattling of the sabres remain just that and that no weapons get unsheathed (except for your friendly neighbourhood flashers).
Freddie, I am sure this song brings memories of your youth, no?
-- paraphrased from someone or other --
I grew up during the last dregs of the Cold War. Unlike most of my classmates, I watched the news (cos news time is sacrosanct to my Dad) and read the newspaper (I ran out of fun things to read), so I had an idea on how the West and Eastern bloc have a hard-on for each other. Hollywood's depiction of bumbling Communist spies also fed this idea. It was only while I was watching a Bruce Willis movie featuring the cold-eyed Eastern European baddie that it made me wonder: how do the filmmakers in the Communist Bloc feature Western spies?
I was 12 when the Berlin Wall came down. It was a severe buzzkill when you go to school telling people about this awesome event and most of them don't even know what is the Communist Bloc.
*head desk*
For a while the world was giddy with the thought of real world peace. It shouldn't be an impossibility, right? Now that everyone are friends and democratic-like. But we forget greed and human ambition has a way of changing the best laid plans. Yugoslavia imploded thanks to historical resentments and ethnic disputes. The states in the former Soviet Union began demanding autonomy and re-drawing of the borders; now we hear of exotic locales like Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan and the knowledge that there is another Georgia outside of the US of A. Warring factions in Africa never really stopped killing one another and the unfortunate civilians who occupy their disputed lands. The Dark Continent feeds our need for the minerals that adorn ourselves and run our electronics; turmoil ensures that the supply flow never ceased at a price that we can('t) afford.
In other words, business as usual.
September 11, 2001 changed the game plan yet again. The West have a new boogeyman and it is the Muslims who are out to destroy them cos the Muslims "hate their freedom" (paraphrasing George W here). Which ever theory subscribe, even those who say that the attack was a conspiracy by the Americans themselves to expand their strategic influence, there is no denying that the world is no longer the same as when the WTC was upright in Manhattan.
Iraq and Afghanistan was invaded in the name of rooting out the nasty Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organisations that are out to get the West. Hundreds and thousands of civilians are dead, maimed and displaced in the name of American freedom. As bad as things were under Saddam Hussein's regime, I wonder if the Iraqis would trade him for life under the Americans. It is nice that the American troops are withdrawing, but after near everything that made life bearable (like water treatment system, sewage management and electric plants) was reduced to a rubble by uranium-depleted shells, with nothing but a shaky government that has yet to show real ability to unite the people and move the country towards positive development and progress, I wonder if it is any different than the US abandonment of South Vietnam.
And now there is all this talk about attacking Iran because the nasty Mullahs are building nuclear weapons and not just developing alternative energy sources. First, the sanctions and trade embargo by the US and some of the other Western countries. In retaliation, Iran is refusing to supply oil to British and French firms. Reports are coming in about how dangerous it is to be an Iranian nuclear scientists. Apparently, if the car bombs don't get you, dudes with guns/killer cars will.
*sigh*
I was privileged to have had an opportunity to visit Iran back in the 90's. My impression was of a country frozen in the 70's, manic drivers, and air perfumed with thousands of years of history. It was there that I see what military presence in the capital looks like (men with AK-47s at street corners and in front of strategic buildings). These were left over from the war with Iraq. Nearly every Persian men have gone through national service and know how to bear arms. The Persians are almost one and all friendly and proud of their historical and cultural heritage. They can tell you which king was ruling Persia in 789 AD. They are not Arabs and do not speak Arabic. They have excellent desserts. Pistachio is cheap there.
The government is repressive, women can't wear bright colours and the people worry about who is eavesdropping on them. But they don't hate the West, or the Sunnis (unlike Sunnis who think that Shiites are no better than heathens) nor do they want world domination. The Iranians want to join the rest of the world and be able to progress just like everyone else. They won't abandon religion altogether in the pursuit of moderation and liberation.
I think that an attack on Iran would be a terrible mistake. It would definitely be a costly and protracted one, and the only winner will be those with oil and gas interest who will take this opportunity to rape the country.
This song encapsulates the feeling of the ordinary citizens at the height of the Cold War. I think the sentiments are still the same right now for all of us the world over. Let us hope that the rattling of the sabres remain just that and that no weapons get unsheathed (except for your friendly neighbourhood flashers).
Freddie, I am sure this song brings memories of your youth, no?
Friday, February 17, 2012
Captain Obvious
Don't we wish we have the mental agility for such elegant and witty responses in the face of Captain Obvious when they cross our path?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
New stuff I've read this year ... so far
It has been 7 weeks and I have only read 8 books! Been so busy, so slow down a lot. Yeah. Right.
I read mostly romance and I don't apologise for it. I don't care if I don't know who won the Booker Prize, I don't want to read 'em. If it's a Nobel Laureate of Literature, please don't pass it to me. I am a Phillistine and I am okay with it.
Once I fall in love with the work of an author, I obsessively search out her/his catalogue of work and read everything I can get my grubby hands on. I follow them and urge (silently) that they type faster and publish more to keep feeding my reading habit. Hence, 6 out of the 8 authors below are authors I have been following, some since my teenage years.
Since I am a creature of habit, I keep gobbling whatever it is they write even after they shifted style or had become plodding or whatever. Hey, we all evolve, right? Hopefully for the better, but if not, whatever. So even if they have shifted style into something that makes me go "meh", but I will continue to read them until they no longer write. Or I no longer have money to rent. Or the books really just swerved into "Do not go there!" territory. Whichever comes first.
Under cut because of loads of pictures. Not in chronological order.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Your online privacy is ephemeral, kids
If you have kids and they have Facebook, it behoves you to check out what they are up to online every so often.
I felt for this guy, I do. Heck, his kid and I aren't too dissimilar, except I'm not stupid enough to bitch about my parents on Facebook when my Dad works in IT.
I felt for this guy, I do. Heck, his kid and I aren't too dissimilar, except I'm not stupid enough to bitch about my parents on Facebook when my Dad works in IT.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
DON'T BE MY VALENTINE
Especially if you got crazy fathers/mothers/siblings/ex-boyfriends/ex-girlfriend/spouse/what-fuckin'-ever.
Midweek Sh*ts and Giggles - The Scientific Life
Y tu mama tambien.
Reason why drowning fatalities were pretty high in Netherlands.
It's okay if it comes in a prescription.
A sweet disposition doesn't come easy.
Ballistics experiment in parlour games.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Greatest love of all ...
In my blog-hopping adventures, I was privileged to find all kinds of interesting stuff: from amateur Malaysian porn (freely available with no passwords, mind you) and how to make tiramisu cake as well as semi-fictitious accounts of life in the armed forces.
No, I am not going to share the porn sites. You can look for it yourself. It's easy.
But today I found a most profound observation about naughty children and us. Who of us have never given the lethal evil stare to children who ran over our feet with their roller sneakers in the shopping mall? (I freely admit to a burning desire to stick my foot out and see them fly over the Center Court ballustrade at Midvalley). Or the screaming running children in the mosque/temple/church before/during/after prayer times? What about the kids who stole the semi-ripe mangoes from your tree, ate half of it and threw the rest away where you can see it?
Do we ever recall that we were once pain-in-the-arse-little-shites ourselves?
Okay, perhaps some of you were perfect little angels who never questioned the authority, get dirty or done something that felt so good at the time but later regretted. But the point here is that we all evolve.
There have been students from religious schools turned whore-monger and drunkard when they experienced the bright lights of the big city for the first time. There are those who used to raise hell, found God and is now living an examplary life. We all capable of change as well as being agents of change.
Let's show a little more compassion to the naughty little ones and show them the better example of being the best that they can be. In a good way, of course.
And not follow Whitney Houston's crash and burn. Keep remembering that we all live in glass houses; no one can afford to throw the first stone.
No, I am not going to share the porn sites. You can look for it yourself. It's easy.
But today I found a most profound observation about naughty children and us. Who of us have never given the lethal evil stare to children who ran over our feet with their roller sneakers in the shopping mall? (I freely admit to a burning desire to stick my foot out and see them fly over the Center Court ballustrade at Midvalley). Or the screaming running children in the mosque/temple/church before/during/after prayer times? What about the kids who stole the semi-ripe mangoes from your tree, ate half of it and threw the rest away where you can see it?
Do we ever recall that we were once pain-in-the-arse-little-shites ourselves?
Okay, perhaps some of you were perfect little angels who never questioned the authority, get dirty or done something that felt so good at the time but later regretted. But the point here is that we all evolve.
There have been students from religious schools turned whore-monger and drunkard when they experienced the bright lights of the big city for the first time. There are those who used to raise hell, found God and is now living an examplary life. We all capable of change as well as being agents of change.
Let's show a little more compassion to the naughty little ones and show them the better example of being the best that they can be. In a good way, of course.
And not follow Whitney Houston's crash and burn. Keep remembering that we all live in glass houses; no one can afford to throw the first stone.
Friday, February 3, 2012
One of the most retarded ads I've ever seen.
Sorry for not being politically correct but I have no other of expressing how I feel.
Stuff to watch in 2012
Guys, when these come out, let's go! Let's go! Let's go!
One: Where Liam Neeson kick wolf ass.
Two: Where we get our hearts broken and mended again.
Three: We need to read the books for these!
Four: Edgar Allan Poe! Edgar Allan Poe! Edgar Allan Poe!
Five: Animated ginger girl kick ass.
Six: Old men kickin' ass and taking names.
Seven: Would I actually watch this? I may scream the cinema down. :p
Eight: I don't care if the movie is lousy. It's got Taylor Kitsch.
One: Where Liam Neeson kick wolf ass.
Two: Where we get our hearts broken and mended again.
Three: We need to read the books for these!
Four: Edgar Allan Poe! Edgar Allan Poe! Edgar Allan Poe!
Five: Animated ginger girl kick ass.
Six: Old men kickin' ass and taking names.
Seven: Would I actually watch this? I may scream the cinema down. :p
Eight: I don't care if the movie is lousy. It's got Taylor Kitsch.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Lessons in song
(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.)
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.)
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sweet addiction
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Let's go watch this, guys!
I love it when women kick ass and take names.
Ah, Herr Fassbender, you had it coming.
Ah, Herr Fassbender, you had it coming.
Monday, January 16, 2012
On house husbands and local drama
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.
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.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Do you appreciate your senses?
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
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
Friday, January 13, 2012
Of damaged heroes and cynical heroines
Hidden Honor by Anne StuartMy 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*
Farting danger ...
... 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.
And unlike what you see in most movies, explosion (and farts) in space are silent.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Midweek Sh*ts and Giggles
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)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The Thing!!!!
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.
This.
Learning from nature
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.
Here's another example: domestic violence and divorce.
Happily ever after also elude arthropods, it seems.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Parenting
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.
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.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Happy New Year!
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.
Anyhoo, enjoy some sweet music from the delightful Zooey Deschanel and her dashing friend, Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
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