Growing Up Aje

I was reading through some of my old postings. Not for any reason, but that I found myself different than when I was first forced into the blogging world. Can't explain it as well as I would like to, but I guess when you add this and that of life, then yes, I think I have totally deviated.

Let's see now, there was the GE12, and the BERSIH 10-11 March before that; the antics of some goons and their followers who have been insisting to the world that they, and only they, have right to steer this country to where ever they think Malaysia ought to be (forgetting that for the past 22years and the 35 before, we were somehow in a much better place without them); the 6 long years of sending news each night except for holidays (it got so that now I have developed a phobia just to open my working emails!); the unwarrented attention I have been getting from some authorities; the medical attention I have not been able to seek (can't seem to find the right medical personnel, it seems. Tak serasi, as the Malays would put it); and about a million and one more reasons. Well, that last bit maybe a bit of an exeggeration, but...

Anyway, while reading through, it dawned upon me that I have unwillingly and much to my quiet protest, grown to be more serious in my outlook! That, is a very drastic change for some who likes to talk only, wouldn't one agree? I mean, at 46, I suddenly find myself a grown-up man! Unthinkable, but true. And after going through a self-examination (wish a Doc could do that to me. A lady Doc, mind you), it then cross my mind that I need to go back to where I was, and thus, the need to get a new blog just to write whatever the mind pleases (can't do it here for reasons told in the the blog), leaving this blog only for matters which concern others in a more serious matter and manner.

The new blog, Personal, will be like its namesake, more to personal matters. And, as the url would most implicitly suggest, there the mind would run free. A mind, or a guy, would certainly need to do so in a world that has really gone mad. Also, as mentioned but quite the opposite of it, at 46, I do find the need to go crazy every now and then.

A Good Read

Been missing the past few issues of Harakah print due one reason or another. However, I did manage to get the latest issue date 8-11 Ramdhan (8-11 September), and as usual immersed myself into the English Section while leaving the rest to Emak. And I am so glad I did get to do so as I do love to read Fan Yew Teng and LanH.

Soon after reading ES, I tried clicking the English Section at Readscentral, but found that the address is now just another link to harakahdaily; the ES, seem to have been taken off for the moment...I hope. Kind of disappointed as I wanted to link or copy FYT's article to my Islamic and Interesting Reads, one of the blogs I have neglected since last March 8.

Anyway, I've scanned the article regarding Italy and Libay's past and put it up here, and in this entry here too. I know many of my friends do buy and read Harakah, but for those who does not, perhaps they may want to read this article which I find moving; just click on the text images to read. InsyAllah, soon after Aidil Fitri, I will continue updating IIR.

A Blog Shelved, A Blog Born.

I had initially wanted to make a picture blog dedicated to November 10. Though I received several more pictures and links, executing the idea could not take place. This, is either I'm not too bright or the mechanism does not allow it.

What I had I mind was to dedicate a page each from the various sources. Then I i discovered that though that is possible, the titles would disappear with time, leaving only the months of each entry visible instead. It would be better than to just put the links and let anyone have a peek when they want to. Thus I decided to shelve the idea.

Now, I'm quite sure an inquisitive mind or two wonder why on earth would I want to create this said blog in the very first place. Good question!

As a moderator for several political e-groups, I have many times received requests from subscribers to have certain pictures delivered as attachment to their email addresses. The pictures they received embedded within emails, are of different system and thus, does not appear.

Next question you may be tempted to ask: why don't these people just surf the net and go to the links?

Well, you would be surprised to learn that the net is still a whole new world for many Malaysians - the inter-net penetration is still at a less than the desired figure in Malaysia! Many Malaysians still rely on their office connection. Further, many offices restrict the connection to receiving emails only and perhaps one or 2 other uses. Worse, the government-related-corporations, uses key-words to block out news which are deemed 'unhealthy'. I say this from th 3 years of experience as a moderator and many times feel compelled to oblige such request mentioned earlier. And this gave birth to the idea of a dedicated 10 November blog which sadly, has to be shelved for the moment. In lieu, another was born...

Many times I have noticed certain emails by individuals are exceptionally good but does not receive much response. Sometimes, the news are a combination of 2 sources such as 'Banding: 2 Contoh Kehidupan Rakyat Malaysia'. Another would be like the missing file for Kampung Berembang court case, which unfortunately happened during the heat of November 10. Then, there's the individual's email as I mentioned earlier. Call me a romantic fool or even by any other names, but I find them worth the effort to put in safekeeping less I forget later.

Strangely, no sooner had I put up the blog - News You May Have Missed - it received some 183 hits! Hello! How the hell did these people know about this new blog? Never mind...

By the way, whilst constructing the blog, I decided to experiment with some free widgets. Thus, if it is somewhat unsightly now, do not give it much heed. InsyAllah, in time, it will be better (I pray).