UnDerEstiMated-OverEstiMating

Am currently confessing to having two residence: One in Bangi, and the new one in IOI Resort, which is an apartment not aptly named Puteri Palma.

The reason for such a confession: An update on my otherwise mundane life ;P

So if I ever was chatting happily with you one minute and simply taking off on the next, please don’t take heart, it’s just that I have to go back to the night abode, which doesn’t have any wireless net.

No, no, my parents are both still married to each other. It’s just that some members of the family are still traumatized by the experience of being robbed in the comfort of our own home some months ago (and I swear if I ever had the chance to sever the limbs of each @#^$Y$T#^ robber, I’d do), to the point that they cannot fall into deep slumber in the Bangi home. Talk about waking up to the sight of three monkey-looking-parang-and-tool-wielding strangers.

But I know I can. And I’m completely in love with Bangiville.

Scarf: A garment worn around the head or neck or shoulders for warmth or decoration - from WordWeb program.

Hmm… why does the western culture, or better still ideology finds the scarf intimidating? Fundamentally, a scarf is simply a clothing worn either neatly or carelessly on one’s head. It covers the Burqa, to the downright simple women BN MP’s style. It is as if we are sprouting jagged swords on our heads.

Women of other religion do sport scarfs on cold and windy days. Even the ever-sexy vixen miss Marilyn Monroe has some of her pictures taken with a scarf on. What gives?

I found this entry on Marina Mahathir’s blog: The Danish People’s Party or DFP, the far-right movement that unofficially props up the weak centre-right government of the prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, is on the warpath. A couple of DFP
politicians compared the headscarf to the Nazi swastika. One described
the prospective MP as "brainwashed".

How can one equate a garment to a political ideology? Talking about ideologies, Nazis do not support religious beliefs, be it Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and the rest of the existing religions of the world. "But they were cleansing Germany of its Jews population." Believe me, if Adolf Hitler thinks us Muslims as a threat, he WOULD have taken to the offense to us. Humans have the tendency to categorize issues into ‘manageable’ categories, but always fail to categorize accordingly.

There are many angles one can choose to look at an issue, why does it always have to be the negative ones which catches one’s eye?

I have a few questions that I hope my Christian friends could clarify: Why are nuns wearing a garment somewhat identical to a scarf? And why don’t the general Christian wears them?

I’m not trying to glorify or start a comparison between religions (and I do believe such an exercise will not benefit anyone), I’m simply trying to state my bewilderment on the controversy such a garment could make. The way I see it, a scarf is just a garment that is worn on a person’s head, be it in a neat or messy way, and for whatever reasons the person has. Don’t talk to me about women in headscarfs being suppressed, it all boils down on how sincere a person is in following the person’s religious requirements.

I thought the freedom to express oneself entails the whole spectrum of a person’s being, including the clothes a person wishes to wear. But I guess, it only covers how much skin can be exposed, how  high a skirt should go up, how skimpy a dress should be.

Sometimes I wish people would stop thinking about our disparities and rather concentrate on appreciating the uniqueness each of us brings to this world. Wishful thinking of a Nazi swastika bearer ;P

P/S: Please do take the time to peruse Ms Marina Mahathir’s blog… and Mr Patrick Teoh’s blog . In fact, I guess I’m more inclined on reading blogs now since it’s not restricted to government patriarch watchful censoring.

Home lyrics by Chris Daughtry.

I’m staring out into the night,

Trying to hide the pain.

I’m going to the place where love

And feeling good don’t ever cost a thing.

And the pain you feel’s a different kind of pain.

I’m going home,

Back to the place where I belong,

And where your love has always been enough for me.

I’m not running from.

No, I think you got me all wrong.

I don’t regret this life I chose for me.

But these places and these faces are getting old

So I’m going home.

Well I’m going home.

The miles are getting longer, it seems,

The closer I get to you.

I’ve not always been the best man or friend for you.

But your love, remains true.
And I don’t know why.

You always seem to give me another try.

So I’m going home,
Back to the place where I belong,

And where your love has always been enough for me.

I’m not running from.

No, I think you got me all wrong.

I don’t regret this life I chose for me.

But these places and these faces are getting old.

Be careful what you wish for,

‘Cause you just might get it all.

You just might get it all,
And then some you don’t want.


Be careful what you wish for,

‘Cause you just might get it all.

You just might get it all, yeah.

Oh, well I’m going home,

Back to the place where I belong,

And where your love has always been enough for me.

I’m not running from.

No, I think you got me all wrong.

I don’t regret this life I chose for me.

But these places and these faces are getting old.

I said these places and these faces are getting old.

So I’m going home.
I’m going home.

It looks like there’s another clown amongst our cabinet ministers =). Not just Mr Samy Vellu (aiseh sesukati je aku downgrade taraf dia), Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin (or nicknamed Zam), is apparently doing his hardest to join Mr Samy’s club. If I remember correctly, just last week he was on the war path against us bloggers and the blogsphere. But this clipping on one of our national dailies, seems a tad… abnormally placed. I wonder why?

Did he wake up one day and suddenly was enlighten by the fascinating world of blogging? Take a peek on the following article:

Sunday May 13, 2007

Spread info via SMS and blogs, Zam tells officers (errrr??)

KANGAR: Use the short message service (SMS), blogs and websites to keep abreast of new information technology.

That’s the directive Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin has for RTM officers.

“Many officers are still using outdated methods in disseminating information and are not maximising advertising space to the fullest.

“Sometimes, their thinking may have prevented them from taking a more radical stand in effecting changes,”
(ahahahahahahahaha… kutuk diri sendiri ke bang??) he told a press conference after chairing the National Information
Council (NIC) meeting at Putra Palace Hotel here yesterday.

He said that before blogs or websites were up, RTM and newspapers were among the popular sources of information for society.

Of
late, he added, more would resort to getting news from blogs and
websites. However, only the intellectual society was able to gauge the
reliability of information derived from such sites, he said. (the same ‘intellectual society’, or mainly part of it which he once condemned as stupid-blood-sucking-war-hungry geezers).

Zainuddin
said he met the president of the French Printed Media Association in
France who voiced out the growing threat faced by the printed media
from blogs.

“I’m not
disputing blogs as the latest means of disseminating information
through the Web but there is this fear that information posted on these
sites are baseless and not obtained through reliable sources. (I guess in between this line is actually an acknowledgement that the government of the day cannot FULLY CONTROL what is put up in blogs, thus implying that its a threat to their security).
 
“Not everybody who reads them can differentiate the truth from the rumours,” he added. (Wahahahahahahahahahahahaha~~  I guess this includes you, good man?)

He
also said there was a proposal for RTM to put up information in the
form of “wall newspapers” at bus stands like in China for easy
accessibility to information from the Government. (China is such a good example to follow when it comes to propagan…sorry, information, isn’t it?) <– I just had to put this up Marina!

I can’t believe nowadays I have to read or hear our minister’s comments to make me smile from ear to ear. Keep it coming!!

I
KNOW I HAVE TO DO THIS…

Dear
Mr Samy Vellu,

For
the third time I’m writing you this. Think of it as a token of appreciation for
your efforts in pocket… I mean… nation building.

As
I believe most people have known that some time back you had tabled to the
parliament on the disparity on the numbers of projected tolled highway road
users, which you claimed amounts to 30-40%. I recall you being a bit stumped
and stated that such a projection is pretty hard to estimate. You also
mentioned that it is impossible to build all the required highways at one go,
which to a commoner like myself agrees whole heartedly.

MalaysiaI
guess it is my role as a responsible citizen of  Malaysia,  to suggest to you, to
include the average tolled highway user’s monthly wage into your equation.
Please note that 1/5 of it is used to commute to and from work, and accounts
the tolls paid, oil and parking fees.

I
also need to point out that some of your road’s conditions are rather cruel to
our vehicles, namely those on Kancils and motorcycles. Potholes appear out of
no where, springing up and taking the road users by surprise. The maintenance
costs for our vehicles have swelled dramatically due to the shocks applied by
such holes. Please do include that into your projection equation too.

And
there’s always the reliable komuter, LRT and STAR to ferry us to and from work.
Should you be interested in conducting a study on your tolled highway dilemma,
it is rather a good idea to have a cost comparison study between your tolled
highways and other transportation alternatives. You might go undercover and be
part of the bustling morning and rush hour crowd, just to savour the
commoner’s daily routine. Do not forget to try and drive yourself through a
jam. It’s an experience like no other, especially on your tolled highways.

Well,
you don’t actually need to go through such hassle. Just spend another 6 months
and RM22million to accentuate your earlier findings. I believe it is not that
hard to find suitable and able workforce to do it. But then again it defeats the propose of such study since it is you who needs the experience of going through the average taxpayer’s daily commute.

I
believe that my views will be given its due credits and proactive actions will
commence as soon as the RM22million needed is in your pockets… I mean your
budget. Will be looking forward to a better infrastructure for the rakyat in
the near future. I do believe you will not disappoint, you wouldn’t want to
lose your constituency would you?

Signed,

~ShawnSharif~

P/S: Forgive me for my Grammar-related mistakes. It was never intended that I have a way of screwing  up rules.

I haven’t posted the answers given by some of my friends to the questions on the post "We Were Strangers There".  I’ve been meaning to, and here they are:

Why do we not use zebras as a mode of transport?
- Zebras mood swings are far worst than donkeys, and they’re suppose to be intelligent.
- Zebras are not big enough to carry us.

Why do the Malays invent the sampin?
- As a mode to cover their modesty.
- As a belt replacement.
- To make the guys look more modest. You never know when you’re gonna forget to zip the fly.
- As a cover since the Sultanate’s time was pre-underwear times. Bad for the guy’s image.

Not good enough answers? We don’t know. We only care when we are bored. And to add to the boring equation, why is it that girls are suppose to keep long hair, and boys short? How did the people of long ago decided on such an arrangement?

Lalalala… banyak nye beta blogging arini ;P

I guess I kinda forgot how to let loose and let ka
run like the wind. I have been hoping for too much. I wanted things a tad too
much to my precognition.  

Lets just chase cars in our heads shall we?

I mean, I kept whining and groaning that I don’t
watch enough movies, when I do have some long-ago leftover CDs and DVDs waiting
for my perusal. And to think my newly acquired laptop has a movie (more of a
documentary kinda deal), which I haven’t actually seen in it, that is
definitely not a good sign. I do have, and I’m just not that keen in making “I
got no time kinda excuses”, because time in itself has its niches and it’s up
to us to manipulate it.

(I’m writing blindly, simply to get the juices
running and the dexterity flowing.) 

Now I’m thinking of kissing the rain, though it is
sunny outside.

I need to go out, have a little sun absorbed and
exploit to radiate my skin. Good for my pore prone skin. I wished my gum would
heal and stop bleeding, its been five hours plus since I had my huge tooth
pulled from its socket. Believe me, it didn’t hurt a wink, and it was over in a
blink. But the blood that came after, I had to suck it all in. Hehe. No wonder
I was so famished, I had to eat, rice and fried chicken laced with a tinge of
salty blood and saliva.

Opps… the point which I’m trying to make here, I
don’t know. Every now and then, you’d come to mind.

Is there some place far away, some place where all
is clear? The pool downstairs is inviting, but then again I wouldn’t want my
bleeding gum to change the colour of the water, wouldn’t I? I tried the pool
out last week; the water was crystal clear, even better than all the pools
available in

Malaysia

’s
hotels. There were no slimy green growth anywhere on its walls, and to top
things off, we’ve never noticed anyone cleaning up the pool.

Anyone up for a sweet escape? I wished I could go
some place, far away, but I think I’d need a top to bottom makeover. Hahahaha.
I’m seriously at my lowest boiling point, waiting for someone to save me. It
would be good to start with the car, pimp my ride. Turn it into the charming
mini that I’ve always been dreaming off, and of which many people thought I’d
already have. Hehe.

Ever notice the difference between a hard rocking
American band and an all out British rock and roll outfit? Its in the
daringness and rawness of the sound. To top things off, Brits do have a way
with words. Our hopes and expectations, black holes and revelations… you can
actually feel the context and texture of such music intertwined, simply blowing
you into a universe of its own proportion. (Goodness I’m slowly writing like
Sean the Sheep!!) You electrify my life man!! Rock on!!

Music in the American sense, it’s a black hole.
There’s always a void that needs to be filled with feeling. I seriously do not
dig My Chemical Romance and Good Charlotte. They make noise which doesn’t
entertain sense. As for the Britney wannabes, I pray to God you’ll turn into
toads, and will be stuck in the desert.  

Kiss the rain, whenever you need me; kiss the rain,
whenever I’m gone too long. But I’ve always been here. Duhhh.

I’ve actually translated my thoughts and feelings,
and a little dash of reality, synergizing it with the music from my current
playlist into this, inscription. It won’t make sense to most people, since I’m
not most people. It will start to make a less of sense to me once I’ve removed
my latest playlist muse too. 

So shall we chase cars in our heads?  

Are
there any checks or studies done on the halal-ness of cosmetic products,
especially on lipsticks?

Mak has been wondering in out of pharmacies checking
out Maybeline (spelling), and all the other lipstick brands available over the counter
for any signs of halal approval. There were none. She asked those manning the
counter and the many helpful shop assistants, and they too began to wonder, is
there or is there not a mechanism in place to determine the halal-ness of such
products?

We ALWAYS take such things for granted.  

I
had never given thought to such an issue; for one I do not use lipsticks. Another reason? I simply couldn’t be bothered. But
I can’t help but wonder: what about the facial cleansers, the lotions and
moisturizers, should there be a method to validate its halal-ness, and if so,
who should do it? (hahaha not pointing any fingers to anyone anywho ;P)

Given
the knowledge that animal based chemicals, especially the fatty types, are
ALWAYS used in such products, since, its properties will give the desired
result of said products. I understand the said products are not for
consumption, but even the touching of the piggy’s fat is forbidden.

What
about those who actually need such products? Eczema sufferers, those prone to
allergies?

I
once asked a chemist (errr, I think so laa… since it was at a big shot kinda
Chemical conference gig) with the Jabatan Kimia

Malaysia

, how do they test whether
a substance does contain the forbidden piggy’s hide? They’d do it the CSI way;
mash the poor substance into blobs, expose it to such chemicals and wait for
the reaction. There is a guide to show which is which. Then they will inform
their good friends in JAKIM, and from there, take the decisions whether to
stamp the halal sign or not.

I
told Mak, what I thought about the JAKIM fellas: they do not actually perceive
the usage of lipstick as an integral part of dressing up (for the lack of a
better phrase). Most of them perceive it to be a tool to attract the opposite
sex… (all the related pun so intended) =D.
Well, that’s my point of view. If you want to bash me up on my perceived
notion, please do so politely in the comments section.

Hahahahaha.

Or maybe
they do not have any female staff to point out the obvious: cosmetics and even
pharmaceuticals do not have any halal labeling on them (well, for the most
part). Or if they do, they are a bit like me, not liking (and I do believe
their reasoning is more of a religion based as opposed to mine) to put on make
up.  

But
come to think of it, what other reasons are there for them to overlook such a
huge industry as the cosmetics industry? It does not only cover make up, it
includes all those toners and facial washes and creams and moisturizers. Ask
any chemical engineer. Or consult a dicky, if that is more ideal.

Bottom
line, where have all the halal stamp gone? For one, it was time consuming going in an out of shops asking for halal branded lipsticks (oh yeah kesian kat aku yg habih tak tau brand2 lipsticks ni) blur .

Hail all Malaysian bloggers… you
good for nothing war mongering-immature-liars!! Finally we got noticed… by the
tourism ministry ;P 

Have they ever even browsed
through the thousands of blogs available? Most of the blogs are pretty
personal; why I got to class late, I met with my ex, I had dinner and then
lunch kinda thing. I wonder where the lies are intertwined in the text? It
seemed pretty factual to me, considering those kind of blogs are the ones that
actual people actually go through. Day in day out. Or is the minister not
seeing the

nor

malcy of the content
due to his ‘highness’ post up in the government throne, not mingling and caring
of us common folks? 

And to think he can obtusely
point his stubby fingers at women-unemployed bloggers, lashing such a
chauvinistic attack at them (ohh I’m not one-of-them, I’m employed ;P). We
spread the wars of word eyh? We advocate violence and anti-government
sentiments eyh? For all I know, most women don’t give a hoot what gives in our
government, partly due to the lack of representatives in the government (euwww…
why am I being political here?). If there were some representations, I do think
we could have fared better without them (thank God I can vote now ;P). My
innocent (though a tad myopic observation of mine on the Women’s ministry) take
on them is that they are too… submissive, too… 1920s kinda mindset. I cannot
detach myself from feeling transgressed over Shahrizat’s statement that women
shouldn’t be too picky and demanding in finding a life partner (now I’m
sounding like a feminist). She could have advocated for a proactive approach,
which is to be reasonable in making choices (which goes to say applies to men too).

What gives? (goodness… I’m an anti-government,
war-mongering, political feminist!!)

Register all bloggers you say?
The picture painted is not that pretty my dear baby sitters (as in the
Government). Most of the free blogs are hosted overseas. That would be a
paramount challenge that I am sure the babysitters will not be willing to take
on. Putting on the censorship whip? How are you going to sensor a blog which is
full of terms only a few select member of the public can understand (I’m
talking about slangs and short-hand writings here). The only way I see it, is
to ban the access to the net. Hehe. Which is next to implausible. 

I guess, the paternal role that
the government has been playing for all this while should be lifted. No
seriously. Stop this healthy discussion on the current issues especially those
that affect us all and you’ll kill our creativity. It hampers exchange of
ideas. It hampers transparency. It’s going against the campaign manifesto that
you have so loudly proclaimed during the elections. I’m begging here to please
let us have the room to explore our own options and opinions. As it is, we are
all minnows in our own oysters.

Women bloggers. How emotionally
unstable can they get??