Yet, Another Tag!

I've been tagged...again! And this tag is again, from Rerama Salju. So, if ever anyone tag me next, I'll know who to top the list next ;) <--- evil grin.

Anyway, it start with:

1. Do you think you're hot?
You got to be crazy asking such a question to a guy who lives where there is no midnight sun! And the fact that its an hour to midnight and with the rain-cooled breeze blowing, no, I am not hot. (was that the question?).


2. Upload a favourite picture of you.

Yvonne Ridley and cakapaje.

3. Why do you like the picture?
Well, I actually do not like the way I dressed in there (what, with a vest and long sleeve?). What I like though, is the thought that an amateur reporter like yours truly, was able to grab the time and attention of a world-famous journalist!

I remember asking her how she find it now that her role has been thrown completely reversed - though she still is a journalist, she is more of a celebrity to the Muslim world. She said she's taking it well and not let it go to her head. Her siblings, she said, does the reality check for her. So, she's quite alright there.


4. When was the last time you ate pizza?
Honestly? I think its been more than a year now.


5. The last song you listened to.
'Don't Leave Me This Way' by Thelma Houston. But only because it was on the radio before I got out of the car.


6. What are you doing right now?
This must be a trick question similar to asking what a person should do first when he gets into a car. Anyway, pretty obvious I think - I'm typing this tag down in my blog! :)


7. What name would you prefer besides yours?
I gather this is meant to suggest other than real names. Well, I certainly would like 'Sayang', 'Darling', 'Abang' (in the softest tone possible), and...

Wak Kasiran dropped in my house the other day. He lost his handphone and all the contact numbers along with it. Thus, all he wanted was my number. After he keyed in my number, and as he was about to type my name, I said "Hensem". Thus yes, I would like like to be called "Hensem", too.


Now, the tag calls for me to name several individuals. I only know of 2 who does not mind doing so, where one, I believe, is now in Mekah performing her Haj - kema. The other, well, there's always kerpie.

Tagged! - 15 Dalil

Our dear young kerpie has just tagged me! And simply by being a member of bloggers community, I guess I do have to comply, or get thrown out the window of his 5th floor apartment when I visit him next. Yup! Even if its a Raya visit! Hmm...somehow, I do suspect that several visitors have 'cabut' already, fearing they might be tagged next. Anyway, before I do, I'd like to introduce another blogger, and would like to encourage all visitors to read an entry about the malamine scare.

Now, this blogger I would like to introduce is no stranger to Harakah readers. In fact, I have also mentioned about him several entries ago. Though he is an editor at Harakah and is more prominently known as a writer in the English Section, this blog he has now is written in Malay. A word of caution though, his entries are not joy reads as he touches on issues which some may find hard to swallow. Still, I rate him as a 'Must Read' simply for the humbleness and honesty of his writing. Roslan H, or better known as LanH14, puts the touch of reality which I find hard to resist. Do read him here (http://lanh14.blogspot.com/), even if it be just once.

With regards to the melamine scare, it would be best for one to read a related issues at http://consumersrighteousness.blogspot.com/, beginning with here and then here; I wont say anymore.

OK, now to the tag. I have to write 15 dalils about myself. Hmm...so, here goes.

1. I am a 46year young bachelor. Off course, many do know that already. However, in an alternate universe, I have 4 wives, and a harem of concubines. But off course, in that alternate universe, that guy who looks like me, talk like me, laugh like me, is not me.

2. Though I have never mentioned it before, I do have a 'twin' brother. No, we are not identical twin, but our semblance can be uncanny at times, forcing me to introduce him as my doppelganger. But for the benefit of people who does not believe in doppelgangers, then I introduce him as my twin, also known as Danny Devito, while I am, off course, Arnold. Yup, he's that Sofian guy, the same guy who created this blog and forced me into blogging. (Don't worry, he's reading this, I believe).

3. Born in the year of Tiger, I have nine lives, of which I think 5 or 6 have already been used up - past expiry date! But hey, the 3 or 4 remaining should still be good enough. Right?

4. My childhood dreams is to be General Jumbo, a character in the old Beano/Dandy comic books. This is, off course, as opposed to General Dumbo, which that Bijan guy dreams off.

5. As a teenager, I had more than my share of girls clamouring after me. But since I was dumb then, I just did not give them much notice.

6. As a 46year young man, I still have girls giving me the eye. But off course, in the alternate Universe, there's more of them there.

7. I can be quiet as a mute, or noisy as a chatterbox; all depends on who is in front or beside me.

8. I can play the piano like a concert pianist. The fact that the wrist and finger movement does not move to the score one hear, is none of my concern.

9. Niki Lauda taught me a lot about Formula One driving. That was way back in 1984 or '86, when F1 was shown 3months late after each race. He was also the pioneer in long distant learning then.

10. Though not a steeplejack, I once climbed all the way up a tree. Off course, that was when I was 10 and did not know the meaning of the word 'gayat' then. The fact that the top of the tree is about 10feet high is irrelevant.

11. I had my first ride with escorts and sirens wailing some 20 years back...just after a horrible auto accident. That, qualifies me as a veteran driver.

12. I am, in truth, a billionaire. But one who has yet to make his first hundred grand.

13. I dream of having 24 children - 18 boys and 6 girls. 8 of the boys will feature in the starting 11 of Malaysia's winning World Cup soccer team.

14. I am of a Khan lineage. The fact that my Emak is a Malay with perhaps traces of Chinese or Northern Indian blood, and that my dad is of pure Javanese is not my fault.

15. Though I was once a stage actor (itsy bitsy role at the age of 8 and 13), I was given the screen name Shah Rir Khan.


OK. That's my 15 Dalil. Can I now be the Prime Minister, please?

What say you: Alyn, Alina, ydiana, Malaysian Tigress, Minci, GM, kema, Intan, Marinie - WL, Rerama Salju, snowflake, Muha, and off course, Sofian (that is, if you have your blog) - you are all tagged! :)

Award

Truth is, my mind is blank tonight and am not fully up...body and soul. Thus maybe this is the best time to pay a debt. But heavens...since when does an award becomes a debt? Well, since the award is actually a tag in disguise. Being a gentleman and partly barbarian, I guess I do have to comply. Hey! Reramasalju is a lady, mind you! And a pretty nice one, it seems. That, and the fact that we may have at least one common link, one which I intend to pry more information. But that will be later on, off course.

Anyway, this award is called BRILLIANTE WEBLOG, and the rules are as below.

Brilliant Weblog is a prize given to sites and blogs that are smart and brilliant both in their content and their design.The purpose of the prize is to promote as many blogs as possible in the blogspere.Here are the rules to follow:

1.Put the logo on your blog

2.Add link to the person who awarded you

3.Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4.Add links to those blogs on yours

5.Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.


Now, I will be nominating a few blogs as stated above, but do not expect the nominees to follow through as I know quite a number of people are plain tired of tags. However, I would certainly like to see the first few (marked with asterisks) names comply. So...(drumrolls) the nominees are:

***1. Muha - My adpoted brother is one heck of a guy, one that I truly admire and respect. He was diagnosed with brain cancer and though have had surgery to remove the affected parts, it seem to also have left him without sight and wheelchair-bound. Yet, he takes everything in good stride and is a very patient and brave man. He still blogs using a software to read out the text, and types by memorising the keyboard. I have much to learn from this young and good-looking guy. Problem is, he is seldom online of late. May Allah s.w.t. bless you, Muha.

***2. Alina - Now, I don't know how this young lecturer take to awards and what not, as her blog is pretty serious. I am, however, impressed with her manner of putting things in words. Can't say much else about her as I do not know her personally, having missed the opportunity to meet (Young People's Corner) some weeks back. InsyAllah, we will, one day.

***3. ydiana - This talented young lady is more than a yearling in blogging though we've come to know one another rather recent. As the days passed, she seem to be more than just mere words - with more than 5 blogs of her own! And her nimble fingers, they seem to be dancing more fluidly on the piano now, which makes that cakapaje guy more 'malu' to make comments there.

Nos 4, 5, 6 & 7 - Just about anyone who would like to receive this award. I would have named more, but fear many may not be too kind to the idea.


There, in a half-sleepy mode, I managed to put some sentences together.

For Muha...My Brother

I am at 2 minds in writing this. But my 'lift' brother (adik angkat - though we have never met; boleh ye Muha), have requested I do this tag. The soft spot in me made me accept though it would mean revealing a past which I would rather not dwell. Still, to write or do the tag, I feel I must be honest, even if it means being ridiculed at. We each have our bad dreams come true, and I am no exception.

The tag's theme is "Age I wish To Go Back To".

Before I begin, I do have to excuse myself for not showing any photographs. Its not that I do not want to, but due to circumstances, its either I don't have any (for this tag purposes), or they are somewhere in this house, hidden under a pile of boxes which has not been opened for ages.

And so we begin...

Age I wish To Go Back To.
There are times in our life when we come to a major crossroad. For many of us, the choice between the 2 roads ahead were made knowing that such choice would reflect in our future, but never fully realising the consequence of such a choice until it reveals itself at a certain future point. For those blessed with religious guidance, the choice made seem to be crystal clear already. But for those who are not so lucky, the battle cry was 'que sera sera'.

Some many years back, I was asked to submit an application for a post in a small organisation. Since my small own small business was not exactly shining, I decided to give it a try. The job description did not seem too difficult to handle, and I have always wondered about working in such an environment.

There were only 2 candidates that came for the interview - a highly qualified and experienced man who brought a pile of papers as his testimony, and I, who had only a piece of paper outlining my qualifications and work experience.

As the man was interviewed in a cubicle with walls half made by glass panels, I sat outside watching but not thinking of anything. Though no words could be heard, I could see the man showing his papers as proof of his capability. I, by then, had given up any thoughts of being employed there as I could see the man was indeed a better choice. Soon after the man walked out of the room and I was called in.

I begged excuse for my single resume paper, and then began replying to the questions put forward. Another office bearer walked in and began barraging me with some questions which I was not prepared for. At the end of the interview, we shook hands and were told to wait at the lobby of the building.

It took the office bearer several hours to deliberate and when the news came, I was made totally speechless. Somehow, the office bearers chose me over the other guy. It was a decision I should have felt happy about, but I was not. Even then, I felt something was not quite right, but most of all, I felt a deep pain for the other guy as he was desperate for the job.

I will not touch on the office affair, but a year later I submitted a resignation letter which was turned down. By then, I knew my gut feelings after the interview had begun to manifest in some shady things which I was powerless to act. Still, I continued on for another year and then again resubmitted my resignation. This time I was adamant; though I have come to love the office for its possible contribution to the society, I had to leave. To stay on, would mean I have a vested interest in several irregular matters.

I cannot say I left with pride intact, but I can say my conscience is clear and that under circumstances then, I have tried my best.

Today, mainly because of some bureaucratic nonsense of a government body which the organisation is beholden to, the office is almost non-existent.

Now, looking back, if there is an age that I could go back to, then it would be the age when I accepted the job offer. For knowing now what I did not then, I would not have accepted it in the first place.

Muha, I hope this entry would suffice. My apologies if its not what you had hoped for. But I do have to thank you. Strangely in writing this, it helps to chase one skeleton out of the cupboard. Now....for the remaining 99. Oops! :)


ps. I will not tag anyone out of respects for any skeletons that may be hiding. But, do feel free to do it if one do so wish. Just kindly inform me so that I too can read it. Thanks :)

A Minci Tag!

Hmm...these tags are really spreading aren't they? From one, you get another, and they spread almost like virus. Still, there are the good and the bad virus strains. And since this tag came from a lady who is doing medicine, I gather it's safe for me to comply. So, here goes:

LIST OUT THE TOP 5 PRESENTS YOU WISH FOR:
Mama mia! For one who seldom receives any, one would have thought I would already have a list as long as my arm! OK, so my arm is not that long but...

1. A midnight sun for everyday that I live.

2. Several good pair of leather shoes.

3. An SLR Digital Camera

4. A Piano

5. A Basement Studio of my own, complete with D-I-Y stuff with a large aquarium filled with an assortment of small fishes.


Trying to figure what I want was already a headache, but now I have to...
LIST OUT THE REASONS FOR YOUR CHOICES:
1. Aaaah! Need it be said, that my nights won't be dark, ever again! And with it, my days too![Hmm...that's not exactly a picture of the midnight sun I have in mind ye :)]


2. OK, I have always had problem with my shoes. For one, I have learned from a pious man that we should not own more than 5. Currently I have 3, but ever since 10-11, I have been able to use only one! Somehow, there's still a small swell on my left leg, and I can only wear my Lee leather shoe. And I do hate going shopping for myself.[See that shoe up there - I had a pair of it just after school. Then when my friends started calling me taukeh ikan, or the shoe motor-boat, I gave up on it. But you have to blame John Travolta for that.]


3. Slinging a large video camera while on duty, I have noticed some particularly good shots which only a still camera can afford! This is most especially true when the subject is a good distance away, where the zoom of the still camera performs better.[Off course, I have to relearn still photography all over again]


4. Hmm...I don't think I need to go through that all over again.

5. While I'm not a real D-I-Y man, I sure would like to pick up on Wood Carving again, a hobby I had to give up even while in school due to the dust and mess the hobby creates. Thus, if I have my own basement, I have precious little to worry about unexpected visitors and so forth. Everyone is welcome to the basement, but don't expect it to be like a living room.


THE PERSON WHO TAGG-ED YOU IS: Minci! 5 IMPRESSIONS OF HER:
1. Initially I thought the name peculiar; you know, like Kuaci. But soon found out she's more than that!

2. Radiantly beautiful.

3. Quiet and shy if she does not know you...but don't that fool you as she can pick your brains out!

4. Warm and friendly.

5. Perhaps the most important thing is, she knows her hukum and is religious abiding.


MOST MEMORABLE THINGS SHE HAS DONE FOR YOU: She lit a day in my life with a simple statement "berusahalah..."


MOST LOVED INVENTION (doesnt have to be technically advanced)
The shoe. Has to be it! Otherwise you would find me dancing in the streets, quite like when one first step onto a bed of rocks with the sun blazing its most! Hmm...could this be why some tribes somewhere invented the Rain Dance?


WHAT DO YOU DESPISE THE MOST: Uncivilised drivers! The kind that hogs the fast lane while going at 70kmph; who either don't use their indicators, or don't turn it off; queue-jump; does not stop at zebra crossing even when there are pedestrians crossing. They, go hand-in-hand with corrupt politicians who abuse the trust of the people and nation!


6 PEOPLE YOU WANNA TAG:
Hmm...I think I have used my share of the quota. But if there's one left, that would be kerpie :)
1. kerp
2. Mat Salo (but he's seldom online these days)
3. GM! I think she likes doing tags.
4. Amin (but he's in Taiwan now covering the Taiwanese elections. Further, he's kind of serious when it comes to blogging!)
5 & 6. My 2 stray cats: Ku and Ching. But for the life of me, I just don't know where they are off to presently.
And oh, if I may add: anyone who is interested to do so.

Tagged!

Oh dear! I have been tagged again! I think it was a well laid trap set up by Pak Zabs, and I was the first to have fallen into it! Caramba!

Anyway, the rule of this tag is that I have to share 5 of my favourite links and...

1. MUST be clean. No X-rated sites.

2. Only FIVE links.

3. MUST tell 5 people.

4. A link back to the person who tagged you.

5. An active link.

So, I now display 5 of the many links I favour, though not in the order of ranking.

1. http://www.youtube.com/ As the name would suggest, this is the place for me to search for the video songs I would like to watch and see.

2. http://www.harakahdaily.net/bm/ This site serve as my main source of political news in Malaysia.

3. http://www.zaharuddin.net/ Like Pak Zabs, I too read this site for more knowledge.

4. http://readsonly.blogspot.com/ I am not trying to be vain here, but I do visit this blog of my own quite regularly to refresh my knowledge and ensure the entries I put in are correct, or to use it for reference. Undoubtedly there's nothing much now, but I do hope to build a small library, and attract people who want some light reading material for one reason or another.

5. http://malaysia-today.net/2008/ A highly controversial site for some, I visit Malaysia Today regularly for some thought provoking news.

Now, regarding the 5 people I am supposed to tag, I will update this entry later tonight after I gain their Ok.

UPDATE:
Ok, seems not so Ok...sigh. Been running around I did not even get the chance to ask any except for Minci. Then, since our bro kerp likes to do tags, I will tag him too. So, the choice is:

1. Minci
2. Kerp
3. Cikgu (if you are up to it)
4. Water Lilly
5. Pak Shah.

Kena Tag da...

Thanks to Pak Mior, now I have been tagged! Ok, I don't mind that. But before doing it, I thought I should put here a message I just received from Raja Petra this morning. It reads:

"Fwd msg: Komen kes Batu Buruk dan 31 Hindraf oleh pengerusi Suhakam pada 20hb Dis.07 jam 11 pagi di Surau al-Falah, Jln Desa Pandan, depan Polo Desa Pandan. Tlg sebarkan pada semua press."

Another message followed:
"For futher info contact Ishak at (those wants Ishak's hp number kindly email me). Pet"
/end. Er. That me is as in cakapaje ya.

Now, for the tag...

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night.
A guy by the name of Mat Rock. Don't know him at all, but his email contains a video which you should watch here. The second video I added just for fun too :)

2. What were you doing at 0800?
Hmm...as the yankees would say "ah was doing muh conshtitutional right!" In other words, I was in the loo.

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
You mean before bloghopping? Ok, I bumped into my s-i-l at a bank. We were literally standing beside each other filling out forms without realising it until, she spoke to quietly to herself and I glanced at her. Then we laughed and she shoved me. Ouch!

4. What happened to you in 2006?
Last year? Hmm...nothing significant to note.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
"ouch!" as in number 3 above.

6. How many beverages did you have today?
2 lor. I normally need 2 good cups of hot beverage every morning.

7. What colour is your hairbrush?
Well, if fingers count as one, then its got to be dark brown. Or perhaps, as I would prefer to say, tanned? :)

8. What was the last thing you paid for?
You've got to be kidding me! Living in Klang Valley, the toll ticket, what else?

9. Where were you last night?
Depends at what time...Other than that, I was at home.

10. What colour is your front door?
Mahogany.

11. Where do you keep your change?
Loose change, you mean? Ok. If its not in my pocket, then in a plastic bag in my room.

12. What's the weather like today?
Happily sunny.

13. What's the best ice-cream flavour?
By itself, vanilla. Otherwise, vanilla, strawberry and double chocolate.

14. What excites you?
You've got to be crazy to ask a bachelor that! On accounts of self preservation, I exercise my Miranda! "I have the right to remain silent..." :)

15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Well, if I do, I'll be a Kojak! But, I am seriously contemplating that.

16. Are you over the age of 25?
When a girl ask me that, I'll say yes, but below 40...with a serious look. But in reality, yes, I am.

17. Do you talk a lot?
Nope. Unless the subject matter riles or excites me. And that, I assure you, is quite rare...I think.

18. Do you watch the O.C?
I think I know what it is, but no, I don't.

19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
Personally? Nope.

20. Do you make your own words?
Once only. And that was when I was reacquainted with a dear friend by the name of MB. The word is, or was "F*****g s***t!".

21. Are you a jealous person?
I can be.

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter 'A'.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi? Er..no, he can't qualify as a friend. Ok, Aiman, my nephew. Hey, I treat him as a friend ok.

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter 'K'.
Hmm...kerp?

24. Who's the first person on your received call list?
Er...my brother?

25. What does the last text message you received say?
That's easy. Read at the beginning of this entry.

26. Do you chew on the straw?
Must I? Hmm...no.

27. Do you have curly hair?
Not when its short - Number 1 haircut. Easier for the barber, easier for me too.

28. What's the next place you're going to?
Bed. Does that count? Otherwise, nowhere lor...

29. Who's the rudest person in your life?
MB, can I put you here or not?

30. What was the last thing you ate?
Mee Maggi perisa kari.

31. Will you get married in the future?
I intend to.

32. What was the best movie you've seen in past 2 weeks?
If reruns count, then its "DOOM"; mindless blood orgy and violence. Goes to show there's not much of anything else on air, huh.

33. Is there anyone I like right now?
Gottt! But got malu also to put here la.

34. When was the last time you did the dishes?
Earlier this morning.

35. Are you currently depressed?
Not when I think about number 33.

36. Did you cry today?
Should I?

37. Why did you answer and post this?
For fun lor...

38. Tag 5 people who would do this.
Hmm...that's kind of difficult seeing this thing has been going around and many have done it.
a. Kerp
b. Cikgu
c. Doc TA
d. Waterlilly
e. Fatin.

Ok. That's my part done. Happy tagging, guys.