Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Anthematic: Gone Away
My Brightest Diamond's Gone Away + Sherry Thomas book (any) = cry fest.
When you read, do you have a soundtrack that plays through your head? I do, especially if the story is truly engrossing and compelling.
This is why I love authors like Carrie Vaughn and Kim Harrison; they share the soundtrack to which they write the book du jour.
Fabulous way to discover new music, yo.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Connect ... Disconnect ... Hang Up ...
Those who remember having used this type of telephone
would understand the importance of patience when calling someone. After all, it is often located in a stationary position (unlike mobile phones that you can take with you all over creation including the bathroom, ew ...) and if the person we call did not pick up, we don't go all paranoid android that the person we are contacting is trying to avoid us.
We understand that the person we call is probably:
1) Not at home
2) In the shower
3) Running out of the loo but was too late to pick up the phone.
We work at trying to call people because dialing itself is an effort (no speed dials or automatic calling from phone book function), not to mention requiring little grey cells that store a string of numbers of the person(s) with whom we wish to connect.
Human connection is beyond one individual calling another individual for conversation, be it amiable or a screaming match. Human connection extends to the pesky neighbours whom you think are whispering about you behind their lace curtains, the colleague who always share stories about his colicky baby and sleepless nights, your best friend in school who still go out to get drunk with you and many other people who make up the social fabric into which you are knitted.
This connection reinforces our personal identity and helps to orient us to our position in this world and our community. Unless you are a survivalist nutter who thinks that the aliens/government/whatever is out to get you, you are likely to live in a community (be it urban, suburban or rural) where you are required to interact with people at some point in your day.
But what happens when your sense of personal identity somehow does not mash with the community in which you live? What if you feel disconnected, disjointed, the jarring note in the harmony, the nail that sticks out and keeps getting hammered? What if you feel like all your life and actions are totally meaningless in the grand scheme of things? What if you feel like you never knew what acceptance feel like; even something as mundane as an automatic smile from the bus driver never comes your way because you feel that your personal identity is not acceptable to others?
All this came to my mind as I was listening to Prof. James Piscatori at the Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies yesterday. Prof. Piscatori has been studying Muslim politics throughout his academic life and had shared his views on "Muslims in Europe: Towards a New Civic Pluralism".
Muslims in Western Europe are largely recent migrants who moved en masse in the middle of the twentieth century, thanks to liberal immigration laws of the time. Like all immigrants, they had to adapt to life in the decadent West and try to reconcile it with their faith and culture. Some have been successful, as evidenced by the rising number of the Muslim middle class. Others are stuck and unable to achieve social mobility due to lack of education, discrimination in the job market and other factors.
Prof. Piscatori explained that Europeans shouldn't fear that they'll become Islamised by 2030 (or whenever); the numbers of Muslims in Europe are often exaggerated and are actually just about 15% at the greatest estimate (he quoted numbers polled by the Pew Forum). He also mentioned something very surprising: terrorist acts by Muslims in Europe from 2006 to date are actually LESS THAN ONE PERCENT.
This is definitely not the sort of thing that we see or read on the BBC, CNN, Deutsche Welle or Paris Match. Prof. Piscatori was quoting figures collected by the Europol in their annual report on terrorism. Apparently, most acts of terrorism were actually perpetrated by leftists, separatists and eco-anarchists.
The strangeness of Muslims and Islam make them a convenient target to fresh and old fears about the changing landscape of European society, thanks to globalisation. They look and sound foreign; their women are wrapped up like birthday gifts! You can't bond with them over a glass of bitters at the pub after work, and they have this strange habit of washing their face and hands and feet and falling on their face several times a day in the same direction.
There is this concept in Islam about strangeness and being strangers in the land. It is not regarded as a bad thing to not conform with those who are corrupt. It is, in fact, an ideal. However, there is a fraction of a fraction of a percent who, in their failure to participate in the society on their terms, respond with misanthropic reactions such as bombings in public places and killing people one perceives as the enemy combatant.
It makes non-Muslims think of Muslims this way:
when they are actually:
But to go back to the figures, LESS THAN ONE PERCENT of the terrorist acts are committed by Muslims. We don't quite see the sensationalisation of Basque separatists (have you even heard of who they are?) or Italian anarchists (aren't they busy doing fashion-related stuff and/or eating pasta?). Because to the European, these people are not the weird OTHER as Muslims are in their society. So they don't make as good as a boogeyman as these Quran-quoting, hijab/bearded people who speak with a funny accent.
As rightly pointed out by Kenan Malik,
"The real issues we need to confront are issues such as the contemporary sense of social disengagement, and not just among Muslims, the corrosion of the institutions of civil society, the lack of a progressive counter-narrative, the collapse of the organizations of the left, and the continual attacks on liberties in the name of security."
*read the rest here.
Towards the end of his talk, Prof. Piscatori touched on the crisis of multiculturalism in Europe: is it a choice between imposition of liberal values on a conservative society or tolerance of difference? Would tolerance of difference actually promote segregation? What is real integration? Is it better to choose assimilation and conformity or empowerment for social participation?
I am sure I was not the only who think that this is a mirror to the social situation in Malaysia. We pride ourselves on being Truly Asia; we are a hodge podge of culture, language and appearance. But as we could see after the 13th general election, we still have a great deal of suspicion towards one another, we poke and whisper behind each other's back, we still clutch our nasty thoughts about the "Others" close to our breasts.
Hence, this song is sincerely apropos to our situation.
Communication is not a threat. We should start talking to one another and not just lambast and share inflammatory stuff on Facebook and Twitter. We should actually connect in the real world, find out what the other fella eat, drink, watch and which football association he/she backs. We should learn about their faith and customs, and share with them our own practices so that we will no longer be strangers to one another.
So we will stop being "Others" to each other.
Written while listening to this.
 |
| Stolen from http://mylusciouslife.com/retro-vintage-antique-phone-pictures/ |
would understand the importance of patience when calling someone. After all, it is often located in a stationary position (unlike mobile phones that you can take with you all over creation including the bathroom, ew ...) and if the person we call did not pick up, we don't go all paranoid android that the person we are contacting is trying to avoid us.
We understand that the person we call is probably:
1) Not at home
2) In the shower
3) Running out of the loo but was too late to pick up the phone.
We work at trying to call people because dialing itself is an effort (no speed dials or automatic calling from phone book function), not to mention requiring little grey cells that store a string of numbers of the person(s) with whom we wish to connect.
Human connection is beyond one individual calling another individual for conversation, be it amiable or a screaming match. Human connection extends to the pesky neighbours whom you think are whispering about you behind their lace curtains, the colleague who always share stories about his colicky baby and sleepless nights, your best friend in school who still go out to get drunk with you and many other people who make up the social fabric into which you are knitted.
This connection reinforces our personal identity and helps to orient us to our position in this world and our community. Unless you are a survivalist nutter who thinks that the aliens/government/whatever is out to get you, you are likely to live in a community (be it urban, suburban or rural) where you are required to interact with people at some point in your day.
But what happens when your sense of personal identity somehow does not mash with the community in which you live? What if you feel disconnected, disjointed, the jarring note in the harmony, the nail that sticks out and keeps getting hammered? What if you feel like all your life and actions are totally meaningless in the grand scheme of things? What if you feel like you never knew what acceptance feel like; even something as mundane as an automatic smile from the bus driver never comes your way because you feel that your personal identity is not acceptable to others?
All this came to my mind as I was listening to Prof. James Piscatori at the Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies yesterday. Prof. Piscatori has been studying Muslim politics throughout his academic life and had shared his views on "Muslims in Europe: Towards a New Civic Pluralism".
 |
| He kinda reminds me of the dad in Numb3rs. |
Prof. Piscatori explained that Europeans shouldn't fear that they'll become Islamised by 2030 (or whenever); the numbers of Muslims in Europe are often exaggerated and are actually just about 15% at the greatest estimate (he quoted numbers polled by the Pew Forum). He also mentioned something very surprising: terrorist acts by Muslims in Europe from 2006 to date are actually LESS THAN ONE PERCENT.
This is definitely not the sort of thing that we see or read on the BBC, CNN, Deutsche Welle or Paris Match. Prof. Piscatori was quoting figures collected by the Europol in their annual report on terrorism. Apparently, most acts of terrorism were actually perpetrated by leftists, separatists and eco-anarchists.
The strangeness of Muslims and Islam make them a convenient target to fresh and old fears about the changing landscape of European society, thanks to globalisation. They look and sound foreign; their women are wrapped up like birthday gifts! You can't bond with them over a glass of bitters at the pub after work, and they have this strange habit of washing their face and hands and feet and falling on their face several times a day in the same direction.
There is this concept in Islam about strangeness and being strangers in the land. It is not regarded as a bad thing to not conform with those who are corrupt. It is, in fact, an ideal. However, there is a fraction of a fraction of a percent who, in their failure to participate in the society on their terms, respond with misanthropic reactions such as bombings in public places and killing people one perceives as the enemy combatant.
It makes non-Muslims think of Muslims this way:
 |
| Stolen from http://harvardhumanist.org/2012/12/19/the-misanthropic-humanist/ |
 |
| Out to support the slain soldier by the ravening mad fellow in Woolwich. |
As rightly pointed out by Kenan Malik,
"The real issues we need to confront are issues such as the contemporary sense of social disengagement, and not just among Muslims, the corrosion of the institutions of civil society, the lack of a progressive counter-narrative, the collapse of the organizations of the left, and the continual attacks on liberties in the name of security."
*read the rest here.
Towards the end of his talk, Prof. Piscatori touched on the crisis of multiculturalism in Europe: is it a choice between imposition of liberal values on a conservative society or tolerance of difference? Would tolerance of difference actually promote segregation? What is real integration? Is it better to choose assimilation and conformity or empowerment for social participation?
I am sure I was not the only who think that this is a mirror to the social situation in Malaysia. We pride ourselves on being Truly Asia; we are a hodge podge of culture, language and appearance. But as we could see after the 13th general election, we still have a great deal of suspicion towards one another, we poke and whisper behind each other's back, we still clutch our nasty thoughts about the "Others" close to our breasts.
Hence, this song is sincerely apropos to our situation.
Communication is not a threat. We should start talking to one another and not just lambast and share inflammatory stuff on Facebook and Twitter. We should actually connect in the real world, find out what the other fella eat, drink, watch and which football association he/she backs. We should learn about their faith and customs, and share with them our own practices so that we will no longer be strangers to one another.
So we will stop being "Others" to each other.
Written while listening to this.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Midweek sh*ts and giggles
Words to live by.
I wish. Because it would spare me from some really disappointing authors.
Tea time at Hammer's House of Horror.
Poor Ultraman.
Libertarians R us?
I want one of these.
Compression complete.
It's positively Darwinian.
Your dreams. They have been dashed.
Next on the franchise, yo. It's gonna be a blockbuster.
Any and every excuse to jack off.
If it's friggin' urgent, then invest a dime and call.
You are doing it WRONG.
Theory of relativity proven.
Spoil me and I will END you. Never mess with a biblioholic.
I'm one of the horn-y ones. You?
Good thing I don't people watch.
'Nuff said.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Empathise emphasise
Looking outside of yourself to discover who you really are.
It can change your life.
It can change your life.
Monday, May 27, 2013
We must keep vigilant for empathy ...
I got that fabulous quote from this video:
which I stole from here.
This just underscores my immense love for the brothers Green.
And it's not just because of this picture.
Current love doom, La Cumberbatch giving not the Vulcan sign "Live Long and Prosper," but rather the NERDFIGHTER sign, OMGWTFBBQ!!!
I think y'all got a pretty big clue of the kind of nerd I am, yeah?
which I stole from here.
This just underscores my immense love for the brothers Green.
And it's not just because of this picture.
Current love doom, La Cumberbatch giving not the Vulcan sign "Live Long and Prosper," but rather the NERDFIGHTER sign, OMGWTFBBQ!!!
I think y'all got a pretty big clue of the kind of nerd I am, yeah?
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Have a good weekend!
You just can't please everyone
Yeah. That's hot. Right.
Breaking up is hard to do.
How's the scenery viewed from your padded cell?
Forever alone.
I like that word. I used it to hang my friend in Hangman.
Jurassic love.
You are ...mythical.
You are adored, Mr Cumberbatch.
You don't mess with Mr Walken.
I'm a Cumberbitch Peggster Urbabe.
Not unless I'm being chased. And maybe not even then.
No surprise but they are no longer together.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
You've Got a Tweet
Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa MedeirosMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Teresa Medeiros is a great source if you enjoy comedy romances. She writes mostly in the historical genre, but her forays into contemporary writing is also quite fun.
I gulped this book in about two days (if I read it straight, would probably take me 2-3 hours). I love the font; nicely spaced and easy-to-read serif (I can't identify what kind).
Ms. Medeiros explored the life of a one-hit-wonder author facing a massive writer's block and an uncertain future who discovered microblogging. In the light of many people who found their partners online, her examination of this reads to me like watching an Ephron sisters' movie. Fast paced and peppered with witty repartee, this book shows how our online persona becomes markedly different, thanks to digital anonymity.
Unlike her usual trademark of strong swashbuckling heroes, Ms. Medeiros' Mark Baynard is very much an ordinary fellow with a secret. Abby and Mark navigated their online courtship to lead to a satisfyingly happy ending with the usual pitfalls, angst and tearful reconciliation.
You may think that this has been done to death before, but nonetheless, Goodnight Tweetheart has a sweetness and realism to it that smacks of real life poignancy that is charming and wistful.
Male protagonist: 4/5 stars
Female protagonist: 4/5 stars
Storyline: 4/5 stars
Pacing: 4/5 stars
Fun Factor: 4/5 stars
Repeat Reading Factor: 4/5 stars
View all my reviews
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
My Mama says ...
... say something nice or say nothing at all.
I wrote on Saturday about Anas Zubedy's campaign Time for Healing. I think this is a very important campaign in the light of the when you see a lot of people (and friends!) become polarised, thanks to politics.
Politicians are terrible creatures, so we must not let them keep us from enjoying our friends and families, from having good and kind thoughts and deeds to each other, and we mustn't let them encourage us to look at each other with seething anger and suspicion.
And no, politicians are not cute like this guy:
I think we could all do a little bit for the "Say Something Nice" campaign (no need to do it formally). Let's start with a smile for someone we don't know and work from there.
From non-verbal communication, we should graduate to something like ...
"Malaysia have LOADS of GREAT FOOD."
What? You think I am full of ideas? Let me work on it, okay?
This morning at close to 1 am, the last of the 13th General Election (thank God it's over) result has been announced. I was asleep when it happened; I prize sleep higher than any kind of aggravation that I suspect the announcement will give me. I think it's better to just get it over with at one go (kinda like ripping off a Band Aid) rather than the waiting with bated breath for each announcement in between political pundits droning on and on.
I think most Malaysians greeted this day with this face:
And not just because today is Monday.
Doesn't matter if you're rooting for the ruling coalition or the Opposition. I doubt anyone is perfectly happy with the outcome: the Oppo supporters were hoping for total house revolution, the government supporters want to seize back Penang and Selangor (fat chance; not to mention Kelantan is a law of its own).
At the end of the day, life must go on. Put aside your personal disappointment and collective outrage and just keep living life as you always have. We have to accept that life is not a meritocracy. The best doesn't always win. The righteous doesn't always prevail. And many times, the evil dude wins the day.
As much as we wish the coalition that we back had done this:
It didn't happen.
I also suspect that evolution is not just about survival of the fittest, but it includes the positioning of the fortuitious. Otherwise, how do you explain lampreys?
*shudder*
Politicians are terrible creatures, so we must not let them keep us from enjoying our friends and families, from having good and kind thoughts and deeds to each other, and we mustn't let them encourage us to look at each other with seething anger and suspicion.
And no, politicians are not cute like this guy:
I think we could all do a little bit for the "Say Something Nice" campaign (no need to do it formally). Let's start with a smile for someone we don't know and work from there.
| Smile. It makes them wonder what you're up to. |
"Malaysia have LOADS of GREAT FOOD."
What? You think I am full of ideas? Let me work on it, okay?
Saturday, May 4, 2013
X marks the spot
Malaysians who are registered voters will be making X's and ticks on the sweet spot on the ballots to choose which joker gets to represent them at the state assembly as well as the national Parliament tomorrow.
Things have gotten a bit tense with both sides going all out badmouthing the other party and praising their own (non existent) virtues, or as the Malays put it, masuk bakul angkat sendiri, (literal translation: getting into a basket and lifting it yourself. No, not in an elevator).
One side is promising transformation of the country into higher income nation and has put in place a number of policies to make this happen. The other side accuses the incumbent of corruption, cronyism yada yada yada and is urging for CHANGE at any cost for whatsoever reason. Just give them a try. You know, like that outfit you liked at Debenhams. Except that you're gonna keep buying (and paying for it) for the next five years. According to them, if we don't like them, we can return them after the five years are over.
Right.
It is quite common to have a lot of mudslinging and accusations of money politic (face it; you'd do the same if you have the moola). There's really nothing new to that. Those who are intensely political (whether a member of a political party or no) are prone to grand pronouncement of the evil being/has been/will be perpetrated by the other side.
However, the vitriol appears to be magnified with social media. Facebook, Twitter, tumblr, blogs etc has made lobbing accusations, speculations, half truths and downright lies to muddle things up beyond all recognition downright effortless. What with the pictures and videos and innuendos and blatant statements, there is no peace in scrolling down my FB wall. I am not going to put up examples of the idiocy they keep spewing every ten minutes; I don't think keeping my blood on boil is good for my health.
I actually longed to see anything but those toxic sewage and would gratefully accept my married friends posting sweet nothings to their significant others or the mommies crowing that their precious child had scored all As/had bowel movement/won the Nobel prize. Mind you, these are things that often made me grit my teeth and want to do massive de-friending.
It's enough to make me want to run screaming into the night.
I do believe that for our government to work well, we need a strong and decent Opposition. Sadly, that is not what we have. We have a loose "coalition" of three parties (actually five, but one got absorbed into the Big Brother's party and the remaining adik is being mercilessly bullied by the rest) which doesn't even share common goals or ideals. But hey, politics make for stranger bedfellows and all the best to those who believe in their earnest exhortations on how they are actually BFFs (who stab each other in the back on a regular basis) who are the best people to run Malaysia. They will give us free education! Lower the price of petrol (or gasoline to those who speak American)! Abolish toll roads! Vote us and you'll go to heaven!
And the BS goes on.
(Yeah, you can probably see which side I'm leaning on, hehehe).
What really got my goat is their rallying cry of "Ini kalilah!"; an abuse of the national language which does not endear them to me AT ALL. Kalau aku tanya "Baru turun tongkang ke?", marah pulak nanti...
Anyhoo ... if you are a registered Malaysian voter, please understand that you are incredibly precious to the country. Not just your contribution to the country's economy, but also for ensuring that we elect the right person to lead the nation.
You are spoilt for choice! You can choose from the incumbent coalition, the Opposition (in a few places, they actually fielded more than one candidate from different parties. I told you it's a loose coalition *rolls eyes*) and a whole slew of Independent candidates (most of whom are actually sulkers from either the incumbent or the Oppo; a few are genuine believers that they have a chance at winning).
Whichever party that wins, we must come back together as a nation. It is sad that politics have driven a wedge that separates us, but I have faith that Malaysians can see the bigger picture and put aside our differences to continue to make our country the best that it can be.
For that purpose, Anas Zubedy of the famed "Let us add value" advertisements (that rival Yasmin Ahmad's films on triggering tearful reactions) that appear in the newspapers during the National Day and Malaysia Day has initiated a campaign to heal this rift.
So please participate in this, and help us put the silliness of the elections behind us as quickly as possible. Let us make a conscious effort to not hold grudges, to stop reading and spreading poisonous materials that are put up on our FB walls, and to just keep on living our lives the way we always have (or at least aspire towards): with dignity, grace and kindness.
 |
| I don't know photoshop or I'd change the flag. |
One side is promising transformation of the country into higher income nation and has put in place a number of policies to make this happen. The other side accuses the incumbent of corruption, cronyism yada yada yada and is urging for CHANGE at any cost for whatsoever reason. Just give them a try. You know, like that outfit you liked at Debenhams. Except that you're gonna keep buying (and paying for it) for the next five years. According to them, if we don't like them, we can return them after the five years are over.
Right.
Whoever voted a pauper into office?
However, the vitriol appears to be magnified with social media. Facebook, Twitter, tumblr, blogs etc has made lobbing accusations, speculations, half truths and downright lies to muddle things up beyond all recognition downright effortless. What with the pictures and videos and innuendos and blatant statements, there is no peace in scrolling down my FB wall. I am not going to put up examples of the idiocy they keep spewing every ten minutes; I don't think keeping my blood on boil is good for my health.
I actually longed to see anything but those toxic sewage and would gratefully accept my married friends posting sweet nothings to their significant others or the mommies crowing that their precious child had scored all As/had bowel movement/won the Nobel prize. Mind you, these are things that often made me grit my teeth and want to do massive de-friending.
It's enough to make me want to run screaming into the night.
I wish I could escape too.
Politicians have behaved as they always did since people discovered that they can screw up society beyond belief (and profiting from it!) by holding elections. After all, a dictator only needs to make sure the gulags in the most inhospitable of countryside are well supplied to house any and all dissidents; no popularity contests needed. Since Malaysia boasts a democratic process to populate the Parliament under the Constitutional Monarch (our beloved Yang Dipertuan Agong), we see the shenanigans amping up since the nomination day some three weeks ago.
Just change the flag in the background and this is applicable worldwide.
Both sides claim that they can do the best for the country. I am pretty partisan, don't get me wrong. But this post is not about preaching to the choir or trying to convert the infidels. I am just as cynical as many about what politicians can actually deliver. The crushing blow experienced during the 2008 election has made the incumbent work harder to satisfy the grassroots, sometimes doing ridiculous things that make even their hardcore supporters wince or even explode in outrage. Nonetheless, this isn't necessarily a bad thing; gone are the days they can put up a flag pole as a candidate and they'll get the votes. They have to amp up the game and do whatever possible to make sure that this time around they'll coax the voters to give them a comfortable majority.
Glad-handing once every four to five years. In between election, the elected official often vanishes into the aether.
I do believe that for our government to work well, we need a strong and decent Opposition. Sadly, that is not what we have. We have a loose "coalition" of three parties (actually five, but one got absorbed into the Big Brother's party and the remaining adik is being mercilessly bullied by the rest) which doesn't even share common goals or ideals. But hey, politics make for stranger bedfellows and all the best to those who believe in their earnest exhortations on how they are actually BFFs (who stab each other in the back on a regular basis) who are the best people to run Malaysia. They will give us free education! Lower the price of petrol (or gasoline to those who speak American)! Abolish toll roads! Vote us and you'll go to heaven!
Standard campaign promises. For some, the manifesto is not a promise.
And the BS goes on.
(Yeah, you can probably see which side I'm leaning on, hehehe).
What really got my goat is their rallying cry of "Ini kalilah!"; an abuse of the national language which does not endear them to me AT ALL. Kalau aku tanya "Baru turun tongkang ke?", marah pulak nanti...
It's definitely a chicken vs egg situation.
Remember, your vote counts. Unless you spoil it.
You are spoilt for choice! You can choose from the incumbent coalition, the Opposition (in a few places, they actually fielded more than one candidate from different parties. I told you it's a loose coalition *rolls eyes*) and a whole slew of Independent candidates (most of whom are actually sulkers from either the incumbent or the Oppo; a few are genuine believers that they have a chance at winning).
Choose which ever your heart desires ...
Whichever party that wins, we must come back together as a nation. It is sad that politics have driven a wedge that separates us, but I have faith that Malaysians can see the bigger picture and put aside our differences to continue to make our country the best that it can be.
For that purpose, Anas Zubedy of the famed "Let us add value" advertisements (that rival Yasmin Ahmad's films on triggering tearful reactions) that appear in the newspapers during the National Day and Malaysia Day has initiated a campaign to heal this rift.
So please participate in this, and help us put the silliness of the elections behind us as quickly as possible. Let us make a conscious effort to not hold grudges, to stop reading and spreading poisonous materials that are put up on our FB walls, and to just keep on living our lives the way we always have (or at least aspire towards): with dignity, grace and kindness.
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