Are We Not, Already?

There was a village in the east coast. The population was growing strong and the people happy as many of them then, had no house nor land of their own. The then newly elected State Government awarded the land to them. It was like a small fairy tale. Small and rarely heard as it was, all fairy tale must have evil creatures and the village was no exception. That, the evil creature came soon after the next General Election where a new State Government was put in place via some dubious vote count.

The people of the village who were mainly Malays tried to put up resistance. But against baton-wielding enforcement officers and at least one bulldozer, they were badly outnumbered. Their new homes were demolished without consideration and care.  The only empathy shown that day was by the driver of the bulldozer as he was about to demolish the village surau. The engine died and he failed to restart it and after several attempts, he just broke down and cried. And of the mercy shown by the villagers towards him - they helped him down and even gave him water. But for the villagers, there were none given. They were, in the words of a popular lawyer, 'bastardised' in a land they were born.

The exact date I cannot remember but it was in May 2005, and that village was not a solitary incident.

In Selangor, many villages fell too as the then State Government had a new slogan: Zero Squatters Colony. The fact that most of the 'squatters colony' were awarded 'Pioneer Status' mattered little to them as the land where once stood such villages became the property of property developers. Of the many, only Kampung Berembang stood defiant and victorious but only after their homes were demolished and the subsequent battles in and out of court. The hero for the villagers there is none other than YB Tien Chua.

It was Tien Chua who stood defiant against the enforcement officers and their machinery. But hey. isn't he a Chinese who stood alongside the Malays, when the Malay MPs of the ruling party were notably absent and worse, silent throughout the tragedies that occurred then? "Bastardised', the people were.

In Islam, a bastard - those people born out of wedlock - are never guilty for their being. Rather, it is their parents who are. In the world today, the word is almost akin to a 4letter word. However, a more hideous, heinous 4letter word that has yet to make as an entry in many dictionaries is a word that begins with the letter 'u' and ends with an 'o'.



*Updated:

Title: Behind Bars / A Possible Future: A Self Portrait

Self Time, Long Exposure

Pudu Jail

Forgetful, We Can Be.

I was in the mood for something loud the other day. That day, the anniversary of the date my beautiful Emak gave birth to me, but the moment I sat in front of this laptop, everything I wanted to do and write disappeared like the wisp of smoke. But no, I am not going senile but there were too many things on the block up there. Oh yes, we hermits do think quite a bit, mind you. Maybe not as much as 2.6 billion times but of matters relating to the number, and how despicable, dishonourable and thick skin a person and his minions can be. Correction: 2 persons.

I don't have to justify nor explain on the matter above as many would have read about it. What I would like to do however, is provide another view from 2 people, one of them I know and respect. Their views were published on Malaymail Online and can be found at :

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/political-funding-and-transparency--an-islamic-perpective-dr-maszlee-malik .

Do accept my apologies for not putting up the link proper as I would not like my blog to be tracked by certain quarters associated with any of the minions mentioned above for reasons  as stated in the heading of my blog. In any case, I have also learned that many people hate to go to links provided. Thus, I'll try to give a summary in a story from one of the pages in Islamic History.

"Bahlool, a pious and honest man, once walked into the palace of the Khalifah Harun Ar-Rashid. When he reached the throne room, he saw not a single soul around and took the opportunity to sit on the throne, wondering what it was like. 

The moment he sat himself, a guard walked in and immediately asked Bahlool to get up. Not waiting for a reply nor action, the guard pulled Bahlool from the throne and began beating until Bahlul was heard crying. At the very same time too, the Khalifah walked in and put a stop to the beating.

As the Khalifah knows Bahlool personally, he commanded the guard to apologise for the pain caused. On hearing this, Bahlool said "I was not crying because of the pain. I had sat on your throne but only for a brief moment and received a torment while you have been sitting there much longer; I wonder how you will feel (later)".

 *Bahlool is not to be confused with the Malay word/slang 'Bahlul' which means stupid.

In short, being a leader is not a matter of grandeur. Instead, it wears heavy on the shoulder and leaders should not only be honest, but also transparent on affairs related to the nation.


The song below I dedicate to the minions of the 2 persons as well as minions of any corrupt leaders worldwide.



The translation below is my adaptation of the lyrics and I dedicate to Muslims who support any corrupt and evil regime. Oh, I am very well aware that none I wrote will change anything much but I will keep on trying. And if you Malaysians would like to give it a try too, why not join the walk on the 29th?.

Theme From Mahagony Pt1,

Do you know where you're going to
Dunia semakin tua. Pelbagai kekotoran meracuninya. Dan hari demi hari
ianya terus diracuni dan di cemari oleh durjana durjana bernama manusia,
bersama syaiton dan sekutunya. Kemanakah arah tujuan kita?



Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Korupsi, maksiat, jenayah minda dan fisikal berluasa tanpa batasan.
Adakah ini yang dinamakan kehidupan?Dan adakah ini kehidupan yang dicari?



Where are you going to?
Bukankah arah tujuan kita untuk kembali?



Do you know?
Tapi tahukah kita walau sekadar membaca kompas untuk arah tujuan?



Do you get what you're hoping for
Jauh di dalam hati, ramai yang bermohon dan berdoa untuk, walau sekadar
kedamaian, ketenteraman, namun kesemua itu akan sia belaka



When you look around you there's no open door
Kesejahteraan abadi tiada lain jalan nya melainkan Ad-Deen.



What are you hoping for?
Atau adakah kita meminta perkara yang sementara, yang bathil



Do you know?
Tahukah kita di mana yang bathil dan yang Haq?


By: Lekaran.



***

Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah
(sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the
Last Day, let him say what is righteous or keep silent. Whoever believes
in Allah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbor. And whoever
believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be generous to his guest."

[Saheeh Muslim]

Shoes For Men

From previous posting.

3 MUST-HAVE SHOES FOR MEN

Men are simple but men also share the same love towards shoes as the ladies do. Although men hardly buy shoes compared to women, they still find nice shoes to match with their outfits every time they go shopping. Whether you are a man who follows the fashion or not, there are three must-have shoes that is compulsory for every men to own. For the individuals who hardly have a clue what types of shoes for men to own, check out these three suggestions.

1. Leather shoes

Leather shoes are perfect for men who work in a professional corporate setting. However, leathers shoes also come in handy when you are busy job hunting, attending multiple interview sessions, formal events or even dinner invites. Match a classic black or brown leather shoes with your trousers and step out in confidence.

2. Loafers

Men can also add loafers into their fashion wish list as the footwear serves a perfect combination of casual and sophistication. Besides that, loafers are versatile to be worn to any occasion without looking out of place. Mix match the loafers with jeans or casual shorts and still appear dashingly handsome. It is also easy to slip on and you can rock in style without wearing socks.

3. Sandals / Flip flops

Men always prefer simplicity but never forget looking stylish at the same time. Spend your casual days during the weekends or days off work wearing a pair of sandals. Some men prefer flip flops as it lets their feet breathe and affordable. No matter what you choose, the sandals or flip flops definitely gives you the comfort after a long day. There are many trendy designs of sandals and flip flops you can opt for which can show off your fashion taste without making you appear sloppy.

Shoes For Men aka Footwears

 *This post has been edited and reposted new. Sigh...suits and creative, when will they stop fighting.

Beside being a jackass, I am also a romantic fool; I can't deny both. A lady reader stumbled across my blog and requested I put up her article and link. Don't know why she chose my blog or perhaps a few others but being both of the above I readily agree. Hmm...a Marc Anthony in the making? I think not. The subject matter in which this lady requested to put up however, is rather important. Well, at least for someone like me, who, when in need of a new pair, is all blanks when he's at the store.

Picking the right footwear is very important, which is why I am grateful for having been in the Military Cadet during my schooldays. Well, at least for the tip one Army Sergeant told us: pick a tight-fit boot to avoid bruises. He, however, never touched on matters relating to fashion nor casual wear. For him, the footwear must always be black and hard. Much like the safety shoes many heavy industries used, I guess. And many of us who were there. followed his words. Even to this day.

But honestly, picking the right shoes is as important as the other wears. I mean, imagine a guy wearing something fancy on top and at the same time put on a shiny golden pair where the tips curl inwards like some Jinni's shoes. OK, the fact he was heading towards a fancy dress party is irrelevant but can you imagine yourself wearing something like that to an important meet? I'm exaggerating, as usual but there's some truth there. I think.

 OK, here's what the nice lady wants me to put up:

3 MUST-HAVE SHOES FOR MEN

Men are simple but men also share the same love towards shoes as the ladies do. Although men hardly buy shoes compared to women, they still find nice shoes to match with their outfits every time they go shopping. Whether you are a man who follows the fashion or not, there are three must-have shoes that is compulsory for every men to own. For the individuals who hardly have a clue what types of shoes for men to own, check out these three suggestions.

1. Leather shoes

Leather shoes are perfect for men who work in a professional corporate setting. However, leathers shoes also come in handy when you are busy job hunting, attending multiple interview sessions, formal events or even dinner invites. Match a classic black or brown leather shoes with your trousers and step out in confidence.

2. Loafers

Men can also add loafers into their fashion wish list as the footwear serves a perfect combination of casual and sophistication. Besides that, loafers are versatile to be worn to any occasion without looking out of place. Mix match the loafers with jeans or casual shorts and still appear dashingly handsome. It is also easy to slip on and you can rock in style without wearing socks.

3. Sandals / Flip flops

Men always prefer simplicity but never forget looking stylish at the same time. Spend your casual days during the weekends or days off work wearing a pair of sandals. Some men prefer flip flops as it lets their feet breathe and affordable. No matter what you choose, the sandals or flip flops definitely gives you the comfort after a long day. There are many trendy designs of sandals and flip flops you can opt for which can show off your fashion taste without making you appear sloppy.

/-

So now that it's up, guys like me can always use this as a guideline. Just one thing though: Do not ever start throwing shoes at people. But if you have to, throw them at those I do not like ya :)

A Strain

There's a line in a trailer of a TV series which haunts me. In the trailer, a girl said "I use to keep fish. Then, one got sick and the other ate him". The first thing that came to my mind when I heard it the first time was "Oh no! Not the Swimming Dead!".

Comical as it may sound, these Swimmers as I call them - in line with 'Walkers' of a horror/drama TV series - have been around for a very long time. But instead of feeding on the flesh of a human, they feed on the wealth of our nation. Sadly, not unbeknownst to the population who at one point of time, just could not care less. Now that the people do, the Swimmers are changing tune quite like rats jumping ship. More so as the ship is listing at the bow.

Never before today, all throughout this ordeal our nation, which if one were to look back, stretched right to Day One, had these Swimmers thought of anything but themselves. All these while and especially the latest, the only thing they worry about is their stupid organisation and how to save it. "Save our organisation! Save our orgaisation!" they yell from one meet to another. Never "Save our nation!"...till today. But don't put your hopes up high.

The Swimmer who finally did utter what may have been taboo, was thrown overboard sometime recently. He's got nowehere to go and nothing else to lose.  A last ditch effort perhaps, but not quite like the Ardennes. That, the Ardennes here, will be the organisation last desperate attempt to save themselves. Pity we don't have The Hague here.

As have been said by many before, this strain of mutated human has to go. Their shell may well look human but that is about all that can be said. Would there be a need for me to write what I feel about them?

And So, I Met Thor

Just before this past Ramadhan, sometime late June, my siblings and I had to make a trip to Kota Bharu. Since it was intended to be a day trip, we took an early flight from Subang Airport. Now, I've not been traveling by air these past 8years or so but thought nothing much has changed. I mean, the Stratosphere-Jump Flight envisioned more than 2 decades ago my many in the aviation industry seem to have stalled. The theory, if I remember right, was to shoot a commercial liner up like a rocket and then glide down to the scheduled destination taking advantage of the Earth's rotation. Something like those rockets they send out, and that's all I know. Back to the story, and to my horror, the plane we got on was a propeller! I mean, hello! Can't say much but soon as I found my seat, I closed my eyes the entire short flight. But it was not the flight nor the plane that had me in shock, rather, it was the security. 

As per norm, there's the x-ray machine where you put everything you have on your body for it to scan. Now, I was wearing one of my yesteryear's pants which needs a belt to hold it up. I like wearing them as it gives me more room in my pocket as well as easier to move, But at the security check, one security officer suddenly said out loud "Belts off, please!" Double hello! 

Reluctantly I did as he said and walked through the metal-scanner with one hand holding the pants up. Just as I stepped nearer to a security officer on the other side, he said "Raise your hands, please!" 
 My mind goes "I need a Hero!". 


Growing up with a father who is an avid reader helped my siblings and I to become readers too. While they poured themselves onto school books, one though, found more reading pleasure with comics and uh, comics. Having graduated from British publications such as Beano and Dandy, Great Battle Library and War Battle Library as well as my favourite to this date, the presently unavailable 2000AD, I soon found DC and Marvel publications. And boy, what great reads they were for a boy who was always looking for an adventure.

 The small library of comics I had included the entire X-Men stable (Uncanny, Classic, X-Factor and single issues) Conan The King and Conan Barbarian as well as a new found hero in the name of Dare Devil. Thor, was not to my liking. But as the years rolled by and with the price spiraling up, I soon outgrew them, or so I thought...

Now, before I get to how I did meet Thor, let me just reminisce about the Thor I read as a child.

Just like in the movies, Thor is from Asgard, But when he's not fighting some villains somewhere in the universe, he would assume his alter ego here on Earth as a doctor who limps and walks with the assistance of a cane. Hmm...sounds like House, doesn't he? Anyway, that was the Thor I remember.

 So on that particular day, I was pacing the with of a hall in a hospital while waiting for my number to be called. The pace was tiring, I don't mind telling you but it was kind of worth it for what was to happen soon. As per normal with us Pacers, when we get tired of pacing we find the nearest available seat to rest a while. And as per normal when we do put ourselves at ease, the number miraculously comes up.

 I knocked on the door and peered in. "Come in, come in" the doctor said. I did and took the seat across the desk.
"Give me a minute while I read your blood report" she said. That was it it, the cue I needed.
"I'm sorry Doc" I said, looking down at the floor and putting up a sad face.
"Huh? What's wrong?" and she put down the file and sat erect.
"I did my best but all the places I know, even the wholesalers said it was out of stock"
"Wh...what is out of stock?" she asked with a more sincere inquisitive mind.
"The wholesalers said as it was approaching mid February, everything's gone" I said, ignoring her question.
"Wha,,,what's gone?" with a serious look on her face.
"Mosquito Heart" I said softly.
"Mos.,..what?"
"Mosquito Heart" I repeated and continued "The Lady of Mount Ophir said it was a prerequisite to win a woman's heart".
"Who?" she had the confused look on her face and so I said "Puteri Gunung Ledang".
Whack! She hit me on my left hand with the nearest long medical equipment she could get her hands on. Then she laughed and we became friendlier.

My best bet is that it must be difficult for a doctor to do her duty while trying not to laugh and at the same time be friendly with a patient. She got on the phone and asked another doctor to come in and assist.

The new doctor walked in tall and erect and while the 2 doctors were talking about something medical not relating to my case, I noticed the name tag.
"No! It can't be!" my mouth must have been opened wide and I must have said it loudly for both the doctors looked at me. There was no cane and the walk was without any limp.
"You can't be Thor" I said pointing my fingers at the name tag. But the doctor is.

Thor, to my surprise is real! The greatest shock is that Thor, is a lady doctor! She is, and she's currently serving in a hospital bordering KL and Petaling Jaya. And while she admit to not being a superhero, she is rather attractive.

/-


To all my Muslim friends, brothers and sisters, I do apologise for not doing this sooner but Eid Mubarak! May we meet the month of Ramadhan next year.

"First Encounter"

Theme: Nature, Flowers

Exposure: 25seconds

Lighting: Torchlight.

*Cropped - I do not own macro lens.