Telling Stories of Yasmin Ahmad, the Storyteller

First, it started off with Sepet. One of my lecturers and mentors - Mr Abel played the movie during one of his Mass Comm lessons... and I have a faint memory of myself sobbing with a smile tugging at the lips when the credits rolled.

Then Gubra. It's an extension to Sepet which I am so fond of.

Then I went on for Mukhsin. So sweet and pure. Real, even.

Muallaf. Can't help but sobbed away.

Talentime. Was so hooked to the OSTs at one time.

Beloved, respected, talented, sweet and gentle Yasmin Ahmad. 
You will be missed forever more.
Happy Birthday.

Al-Fatihah.

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One of my favourite songs by Yasmin. "Keroncong Hujan"


Mega mendung di angkasa
Hembusan bayu dingin terasa
Gerimis berderai di merata
Bagai mutiara

(Swirls of dark clouds in the sky
 Feeling the billowing cool breeze
 The drizzling came crumbling down
 Like fallen pearls)

Rahmat dibawa bersama
Limpahannya meresap jiwa
Adakala bahgia terasa
Meskipun duka nestapa

(Bringing together the blessings
 Overflowing and seeping into every soul
 Sometimes happiness is felt
 Even during testing times)

Tika hujan turun
Sayup mendayu hujan keroncong
Merdu irama dialun
Bersenandung

(When the rain falls
 Playing a faint and melancholic tune
 A melodious rhythm is strung
 And hummed)

Hujan membasahi bumi
Melahirkan keluhuran budi
Mengeratkan perpaduan suci
Kasih sayang abadi

(The rainfall wets the Earth
 Expressing its magnanimity
 Forging sincere ties and unity
 Of undying and eternal love)

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Re-watched snippets of Talentime and I still sobbed away.

A Dip in Positivity

Taokeh, less negativity please!

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Hours after hours of discussion on Whatsapp and the moment when you finally nail something down. The feeling itself is: ON TOP OF THE WORLD.

Realisation hits much later - communicating with artists ain't easy-peasy, in fact it can be scary-merry.

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When a 65 years old texted you for work advise, you know you're doing your work RIGHT.

Alicia's #shoutout in the background: Professionally, I never doubted you but I just can't say the same for matters of the heart laaarh!

Ain't running but a singing man: Lee Kwang Soo Fan Meeting Malaysia

And the three ladies went running to meet Lee Kwang Soo of Running Man.

Lady A: I think I watched one or two episodes before.
Lady B: Oh, cos' I got complimentary tickets. So, who wanna go with me?
Lady C: Running Man! Not my favourite, but he will do!

Nevertheless, the Running Ladies trio went ahead to attend Lee Kwang Soo Fan Meeting in Malaysia 2013 at KWC Fashion Mall.

Huge, towering, fluffy (?), like a polar bear - was my first impression of Lee Kwang Soo.

Although he is affectionately known as the 'Giraffe' by his fans. Due to this, there's a lot of giraffes running around the place. Giraffe headgears complete with blinking lights, giraffe floating balloons, giraffe jackets, giraffe jumpsuits, giraffe bags, giraffe plushies - I kinda enjoy watching the crowd of giraffe-look-a-likes gathering at the fan meeting. Oh. So this is what a Korean fan meeting looks like. Interesting.

Personally, I love the emcee more. Talented and fun Baki. Proficient in multi-languages, still quirky as ever and his sudden Ya Allah! Baru naik pentas nak peluk lagi! Berdiri tepi dulu!

It was a nice experience. Was reminiscing the fact that, back then when I was still at the age of chasing after celebs and stars, I do not have the financial support or connections to gain access to the concerts or fan meetings that I would love to go. When I am actually out of it, complimentary tickets or special accesses came by so often that I attend just for the fun of it.

Definitely not a case of showing off. *smirks*


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And so I played host to a dear friend who came all the way from Ipoh to pay me a visit. We went to the poolside and have some fun reading, chatting and best of all - camwhoring!

At the end of day, the way my dear friend described it - it was as if I'm running a resort-style backyard and she actually came for a holiday getaway instead. Right. I know the pool and the palms are scenic. And the true beauty of Samsung smartphone's camera.

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A small #ShoutOut to few dear friends and acquaintances: Thanks much for your kind words of encouragement and support.
"You did a stellar great job."
"Your copywriting is powerful. None of my friends nor clients use words like you. All those flowery words. Imaginative. Funny!"
"You would do great alone."
"I'm relying on you for my words and content management moving onward."
You know who you are - thank you for these kind words and compliments.
I am really flattered (nope, not flattened, in fact, far from it!) and of course, I would work harder in 2014!

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Of humour, love and beauty in 2014.

More Writing. More Reading. Less talking? Nope!

Bought books!

Just can't resist em'. As much as I like to write, I love to read too.
I read less in 2013, and in 2014 I am determined to read more.
A sound resolution? You bet it is!

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A dear, long-standing friend from those university days came to visit. I am glad and happy that she is doing well and venturing into a new course soon. We talked, we swapped stories and those fuzzy, warm memories of the old days came gushing back. It feels like being embraced in a bear hug. Cozy. Snuggly.

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Instead of ordering my usual joe during mealtimes, I actually went for fresh blend of fruit juices. Upon getting that look of surprise from my friend, my explanation actually sent her into second rounds of shock.

"Aging. Need more vitamins to maintain the youth and charm."

Yes. I am 24.

Altoids to the Rescue, Unblocking the Writer's Block

Today is a dry spell. Stifling weather together with a writer's block ain't the best combination in the world.

Really.

Hit the bottleneck while working on some translation projects and my only remedy is the metal tin of Altoids mint candies. At least they made me feel better.

Slightly better. After all, "For 3 days in 1924, Altoids were stronger than the U.S. Dollar".

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Reflecting back on 2013, it was a year with endless transitions, surprises - both pleasant and unpleasant ones, opportunities, obstacles and challenges, and blessings.

It was a year of great gatherings with the Downstairs Gang. Though most of us left, but our friendship survived the separation, I'm glad. I became an Aunty Pillow to little Dina, whom I referred to as a cool baby; as cool as both the parents. An adorable and surprising low-maintenance gem!

Next, got jaded and tricked by the typical businessman-employer. Nasty ordeal, but I suppose everyone gotta learn their life lessons somehow. Things didn't work out, fortunately it lasted only for a brief period of time. The saddest part? Break an arm - lost a friend.

And then, an opportunity presents itself. Things gradually pick-up and eventually ends with a big bang. It wasn't really a bed of roses but it was perhaps the most blatant display of behavioral change that I ever witness in such a short span of time. Then again, a dear friend reminded me this: Are you referring to animals or humans? If its the latter - then don't be surprise.

It was a year of outings and travelling. From island hopping in Krabi, Thailand to Brunei, the land of gold palace tops and the Abode of Peace - to Penang foodie trip, chillaxing session at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort etc. The extreme sunburn that made the doctor snickered - everyone kept telling me that I resembled a lobster just came out from the soup; the solo travelling that got me an earful from mom; the wanderings and gatherings that strengthen friendships - it was most memorable.

It was a year of meeting great and not-so-great people. Good-natured and supportive ones. Calculative and full with hidden agenda ones. Gentleman turn disaster ones. Friends who became potential partners. Haughty-mighty ones. Those who can't write proper English but use-it-to-threaten-people-anyway ones. Is it possible that my Mr Right is in the list? You bet. Hopefully Santa grants my Christmas wish for 2013!

It was a year of meeting new, lovely people whom eventually sparks fly and became very dear friends.

It was a year of losing that special touch and connection with few former war mates.

It was a year of attending star-studded private functions. It was a year of special entrance passes and VIP tickets to 'live' shows and concerts. It was also a year to have a better insight into productions and back-stage management.

All in all - 2013 is fruitful. A year of endless transitions.

My wishlist for 2014?

More writings. (More rantings?)
Santa granting my Christmas wish. (Blushes)
Lesser transitions, and a more-focused environment and scope.
Travel to Myanmar to see Pagodas and experience the Jakarta traffic jam.
A healthier me. (Mom's nagging is way too scary to forget!)

God bless.

With the in-coming good news - I look forward to a great 2014!


Now, back to unblocking my writer's block. Meh.

Victory Return in 2014, I think I surprised Myself - meh!

Can't believe I'm actually on hiatus from June 2011 to Jan 2014!!
I think the gap of the break is wider than potholes on Malaysian roads.. Or not.

2014 is a year for writing (nope, not just another new year resolution kind-off thing) - I mean, serious writing. More writing. Content writing. Script writing. Website writing. Copy writing. You-name-it writing.

*Crackling knuckles*

Dear people out there, who has been telling me all these while that: You should write a blog *coughs*
...erm, I'm back?


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Confetti please!

Those who enjoyed my people-thrashings and mindless rantings please feel free to grab your pillows and settle-in nicely. Oh, while you're at it - brew me a pot of coffee too. On a second thought - a bottle of chilled cider beer is not half-bad.

Keep on Guessing

Too much guess work of late, figures that I am typically those type of people who should be kept pre-occupied at all times; if not, you can hear the brain whirring -- those wires might got em'self tangle-up sometime pretty soon, I reckon'. 
Does second chances came by often? 
No, they don't; yet, why the appreciation rate is still so low? Or was it due to slow reflexes? It took me long enough (not to mention much thoughts and efforts) to actually make the initial approach, and why aren't you making any moves? Stop contemplating by yourself and got drown by your own thoughts; talk to me and perhaps we can tackle this together. At times, you gotta have faith in wisdom of the crowds. As they say, two minds are better than one.

Buff-up your sexual skills to reduce household violence, says OWC

Sexual lessons to tame your hubby, keep em' happy and don't visit prostitutes; anyone?

This is the solution to domestic violence, as suggested by the Obedient Wives Club.

[For more info, click here and here.]

Back then, when I'm still doing my secondary education; we've been asked to write Fakta (factual) essays, in which one of the most common topic is -- domestic violence. In the long list of facts we put into our karangans as to what causes household violence, the general ideas would include irresponsible parenting, unemployment, work stress, financial burden, business failure, loose familial bonding ...etc; somehow, I don't recall "unsatisfactory sex" is in the list.

According to OWC, domestic violence could have been avoided if the wives listen to their husbands and provide them with satisfying sex; thus, the men would not have to seek out prostitutes... as suggested by the club's spokesperson, "Wives should welcome them(their husbands) with sexy clothes and alluring smiles when in the privacy of their homes."

And so, domestic violence and social vices can be curbed with sexy lingeries, alluring smiles and good bedroom techniques? I have never thought that such long-standing social problems can be curbed so easily, somewhat with few extra sex lessons then drunk-and-unemployed husbands will not beat the shit out of their children - just get the wife to shed  few pieces of clothing, seduce the husband and work em' out of it eh? 

Wives should listen to their husbands, aside from supplying them with satisfactory sex. What if the husband suggests that swapping sexual partners with his friend or relatives for better sexual experience? And he promised that if you listen to him, he would not abuse the kids or to indulge in prostitution. Any suggestions or advice?

Domestic violence and other social ills are caused by a wide range of causes; high unemployment rate perhaps? Psychological and health problems maybe? Bad vices such as alcohol addiction and getting drunk all the time, miserable childhood experience and trauma and many more... to think that with sexual lessons and counselling sessions to get wives to pleasure and satisfy their husbands would be able to solve the problem is a very simple and outrageously stupid thought indeed.

Women, in any case - should be independent and learn how to protect themselves and their kids from domestic violence. Women can be obedient to their husbands, be the good mother and the good cook, at the same time, women should also know the importance of being wise and having wisdom - but not a puppet. Talking bout women rights and protection of the female community, ha!

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Indeed, it has spiralled into some kind of international joke. Check below for list of foreign media featuring the news:-

• Huffington Post
• Washington Post
• Times of India
• France 24
• Yahoo! News S'pore
• The China Post
• The Seattle Times
• Temasek Review
• Miami Herald
• Las Vegas Sun
• New Zealand Herald
• The Independent, UK
• Sign On San Diego

...etc. Purr-lease, stop blaming the women for unsatisfactory sex or not having tip-top bedroom skills that directly causes social ills and domestic violence. Get your facts right people!