Today 45 years ago, on the 16th of September 1963, Sabah & Sarawak
joined with the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
media antics
familiarity with msian newspapers have lead me to these conclusions:
1) comments
comments...they drive me up the wall. not just any comments mind you. comments from the authorities or politicians. especially if it comes from so-called ministers. then again, not really their fault.
Msian media has this habit of asking for comments whenever any issue strikes d nations fancy at the time. i know that on slow newsdays, you have to find SOMETHING to fill up the newsprint but comments? what good are they really, think about it.
a comment is just that, a comment. no real value to indicate yes or no, good or bad. its an opinion (of an individual), made as one. that means its value-less, useless as it carries no weight in an official capacity for whatever purpose be it to sanction, disprove, rectify whatsoever.
which is plain stupid in my opinion. instead of asking for comments, shouldn't you ask them for an official press release instead? with an official press release, then it carries weight simply because its an OFFICIALLY sanctioned statement, one which carries weight in a black & white YES or NO fashion. no buts, ifs & maybes.
look at the US government. do their journalists ask the US president for a comment on important & not-so-important matters? no right? why is that, hmm...think about it, because they know it carries no weight!
they wait for the officially appointed spokesman from the White house, or state department (for foreign policy) & they hammer their questions there because they know the spokesperson speaks for the president & his decisions. accountable & responsible for whatever comes of that decision.
but i guess msian government cant do that. the reason is pretty clear. decision-making & policy is so flipflop, so kneejerk reaction that whoever they appoint as the spokesperson would lose all credibility in a short time. not that i'm holding my breath that this would ever come to pass..
2) making a statement for nothing
the authorities, and politicians in particular have a habit of making useless statements to the media...for nothing. there are so many examples of this. just look at any newspaper & you'll find them.
long bombarded by them, one becomes far too quickly used to seeing them. worse is that, yr so used to seeing them, the addled brain is so numbed by the sheer idiocy that they hardly register as a useless statement.
just because you hold a press conference, and make a statement doesn't make it a fact (refer to No 1), doesnt necessarily change things (for better or worse) & doesnt necessarily make it right/legitimize whatever it was said or done.
i dont have to list them down, im pretty sure you could think of ALOT of examples.
3) in the news for the wrong reasons
way too many idiots running around, making idiots of themselves. and the press writing up about them & making us pay attention to them. and giving them useless airtime/column space. wayyy too many examples to quote.
4) if, but, could, might, maybe headlines
you get these all the time, open any newspaper... And these items count as newsworthy, worthy of appearing as frontpage material? why come out with a statement in the first place if there isnt any concrete decision/action yet.
until it comes out & implemented officially why report it & more importantly why waste our time listening to your rumour mongering? & they accuse the people of listening to rumours!
my philosopy in this regard is simple. until its OFFICIAL, dont bother.
1) comments
comments...they drive me up the wall. not just any comments mind you. comments from the authorities or politicians. especially if it comes from so-called ministers. then again, not really their fault.
Msian media has this habit of asking for comments whenever any issue strikes d nations fancy at the time. i know that on slow newsdays, you have to find SOMETHING to fill up the newsprint but comments? what good are they really, think about it.
a comment is just that, a comment. no real value to indicate yes or no, good or bad. its an opinion (of an individual), made as one. that means its value-less, useless as it carries no weight in an official capacity for whatever purpose be it to sanction, disprove, rectify whatsoever.
which is plain stupid in my opinion. instead of asking for comments, shouldn't you ask them for an official press release instead? with an official press release, then it carries weight simply because its an OFFICIALLY sanctioned statement, one which carries weight in a black & white YES or NO fashion. no buts, ifs & maybes.
look at the US government. do their journalists ask the US president for a comment on important & not-so-important matters? no right? why is that, hmm...think about it, because they know it carries no weight!
they wait for the officially appointed spokesman from the White house, or state department (for foreign policy) & they hammer their questions there because they know the spokesperson speaks for the president & his decisions. accountable & responsible for whatever comes of that decision.
but i guess msian government cant do that. the reason is pretty clear. decision-making & policy is so flipflop, so kneejerk reaction that whoever they appoint as the spokesperson would lose all credibility in a short time. not that i'm holding my breath that this would ever come to pass..
2) making a statement for nothing
the authorities, and politicians in particular have a habit of making useless statements to the media...for nothing. there are so many examples of this. just look at any newspaper & you'll find them.
long bombarded by them, one becomes far too quickly used to seeing them. worse is that, yr so used to seeing them, the addled brain is so numbed by the sheer idiocy that they hardly register as a useless statement.
just because you hold a press conference, and make a statement doesn't make it a fact (refer to No 1), doesnt necessarily change things (for better or worse) & doesnt necessarily make it right/legitimize whatever it was said or done.
i dont have to list them down, im pretty sure you could think of ALOT of examples.
3) in the news for the wrong reasons
way too many idiots running around, making idiots of themselves. and the press writing up about them & making us pay attention to them. and giving them useless airtime/column space. wayyy too many examples to quote.
4) if, but, could, might, maybe headlines
you get these all the time, open any newspaper... And these items count as newsworthy, worthy of appearing as frontpage material? why come out with a statement in the first place if there isnt any concrete decision/action yet.
until it comes out & implemented officially why report it & more importantly why waste our time listening to your rumour mongering? & they accuse the people of listening to rumours!
my philosopy in this regard is simple. until its OFFICIAL, dont bother.
Friday, August 29, 2008
alangkah bahagia ny...
he/she/them/they/it/makhluk: jim bang jim bang / pepokpepokpepok / $^%$#^#$$**
mua: "..."
he/she/them/they/it/makhluk: JIM BANG JIM BANG / PEPOKPEPOKPEPOK / $^%$^*$*$
mua: "..."
selang beberapa masa yang tak dispesifikasi...
mua: {mutter} ....."bankai"
gashin! ton...
he/she/them/they/it/makhluk: " "
whaa...alangkah bahagia ny ^_^
mua: "..."
he/she/them/they/it/makhluk: JIM BANG JIM BANG / PEPOKPEPOKPEPOK / $^%$^*$*$
mua: "..."
selang beberapa masa yang tak dispesifikasi...
mua: {mutter} ....."bankai"
gashin! ton...
he/she/them/they/it/makhluk: " "
whaa...alangkah bahagia ny ^_^
Thursday, August 28, 2008
kata kata bernas
"Finish each day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely
and with too high a spirit to be cumbered
with your old nonsense."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely
and with too high a spirit to be cumbered
with your old nonsense."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
jokes i dug up... (3)
A mother passing by her daughter's bedroom saw an envelope propped up prominently on the bed.
The letter read:
Dear Mum, I eloped with my new boyfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with you and dad.
John is the love of my life.
I love all his piercings, tattoos, beard, and motorcycle clothes.
By the way, I'm pregnant.
John said that we will be very happy together.
He wants to have many more children with me.
In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for Aids so John can get better.
Don't worry Mom, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself.
One day we'll be back to visit so you can get to know your grandchildren.
Your daughter, Judith
PS: Mum, none of the above is true. I'm over at the neighbour's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than my report card that's in my desk drawer. I love you! Call when it's safe for me to come home.
-----------------------------------
Three men: a philosopher, a mathematician and an idiot, were out riding in the car when it crashed into a tree.
Before anyone knows it, the three men found themselves standing before the pearly gates of Heaven, where St Peter and the Devil were standing nearby.
"Gentlemen," the Devil started, "Due to the fact that Heaven is now overcrowded, therefore St Peter has agreed to limit the number of people entering Heaven. If anyone of you can ask me a question which I don't know or cannot answer, then you're worthy enough to go to Heaven; if not, then you'll come with me to Hell."
The philosopher then stepped up, "OK, give me the most comprehensive report on Socrates' teachings," With a snap of his finger, a stack of paper appeared next to the Devil. The philosopher read it and concluded it was correct. "Then, go to Hell!" With another snap of his finger, the philosopher disappeared.
The mathematician then asked, "Give me the most complicated formula you can ever think of!" With a snap of his finger, another stack of paper appeared next to the Devil. The mathematician read it and reluctantly agreed it was correct. "Then, go to Hell!" With another snap of his finger, the mathematician disappeared, too.
The idiot then stepped forward and said, "Bring me a chair!" The Devil brought forward a chair. "Drill 7 holes on the seat." The Devil did just that. The idiot then sat on the chair and let out a very loud fart. Standing up, he asked, "Which hole did my fart come out from?"
The Devil inspected the seat and said, "The third hole from the right."
"Wrong," said the idiot, "it's from my asshole." And the idiot went to Heaven.
-----------------------------------
One day while walking down the street a highly successful executive woman was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter. "Welcome to Heaven," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had an executive make it this far and we're not really sure what to do with you." "No problem, just let me in," said the woman.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in." "Actually, I think I've made up my mind...I prefer to stay in Heaven," said the woman. "Sorry, we have rules..." And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down to hell.
The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all of her friends and they were all dressed in fine evening wear and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved good-bye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went back up to the Pearly Gates and found St. Peter.
"Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said.
So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her. "So, you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity," he said.
The woman paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I never thought I'd say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell." So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went back to Hell.
When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her. "I don't understand," stammered the woman,"yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable."
The Devil looked at her and smiled. "Yesterday we were recruiting you. Today you're staff."
The letter read:
Dear Mum, I eloped with my new boyfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with you and dad.
John is the love of my life.
I love all his piercings, tattoos, beard, and motorcycle clothes.
By the way, I'm pregnant.
John said that we will be very happy together.
He wants to have many more children with me.
In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for Aids so John can get better.
Don't worry Mom, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself.
One day we'll be back to visit so you can get to know your grandchildren.
Your daughter, Judith
PS: Mum, none of the above is true. I'm over at the neighbour's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than my report card that's in my desk drawer. I love you! Call when it's safe for me to come home.
-----------------------------------
Three men: a philosopher, a mathematician and an idiot, were out riding in the car when it crashed into a tree.
Before anyone knows it, the three men found themselves standing before the pearly gates of Heaven, where St Peter and the Devil were standing nearby.
"Gentlemen," the Devil started, "Due to the fact that Heaven is now overcrowded, therefore St Peter has agreed to limit the number of people entering Heaven. If anyone of you can ask me a question which I don't know or cannot answer, then you're worthy enough to go to Heaven; if not, then you'll come with me to Hell."
The philosopher then stepped up, "OK, give me the most comprehensive report on Socrates' teachings," With a snap of his finger, a stack of paper appeared next to the Devil. The philosopher read it and concluded it was correct. "Then, go to Hell!" With another snap of his finger, the philosopher disappeared.
The mathematician then asked, "Give me the most complicated formula you can ever think of!" With a snap of his finger, another stack of paper appeared next to the Devil. The mathematician read it and reluctantly agreed it was correct. "Then, go to Hell!" With another snap of his finger, the mathematician disappeared, too.
The idiot then stepped forward and said, "Bring me a chair!" The Devil brought forward a chair. "Drill 7 holes on the seat." The Devil did just that. The idiot then sat on the chair and let out a very loud fart. Standing up, he asked, "Which hole did my fart come out from?"
The Devil inspected the seat and said, "The third hole from the right."
"Wrong," said the idiot, "it's from my asshole." And the idiot went to Heaven.
-----------------------------------
One day while walking down the street a highly successful executive woman was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter. "Welcome to Heaven," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had an executive make it this far and we're not really sure what to do with you." "No problem, just let me in," said the woman.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in." "Actually, I think I've made up my mind...I prefer to stay in Heaven," said the woman. "Sorry, we have rules..." And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down to hell.
The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all of her friends and they were all dressed in fine evening wear and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved good-bye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went back up to the Pearly Gates and found St. Peter.
"Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said.
So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her. "So, you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity," he said.
The woman paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I never thought I'd say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell." So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went back to Hell.
When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her. "I don't understand," stammered the woman,"yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable."
The Devil looked at her and smiled. "Yesterday we were recruiting you. Today you're staff."
Monday, August 18, 2008
weekend movie roundup
1) Mirrors
intriguing first half , but lost it half way through. they turned what could have been an interesting contest of wills between the hero & demon into a fistfight; PLUS including the obigatory hollywood explosion. what a disappointment, which the twist ending nonetheless sadly failed to save. 2.5/5
2) Wall-e
no one else but Pixar could have made us root for, and emphatically make us believe that two robots could fall in love. as much a cautionary tale as am electronic love story, this film works on many levels as only a Disney/Pixar collaboration can successfully pull off.
the ending conveniently left off what will happen to the original space-service droids + wall-e once humankind returns to rebuilding human civilization once again; as the ever-evolving technologically adept man develops newer and advanced models, what becomes of the older, redundant but still sentient droids?
as the master computer Auto did, would they not want to continue to live on instead of willfully powering down to 'serve' mankind better? ah, shades of The Second Renaissance ;) 4.5/5
3) Star Wars: The Clone Wars
fun, action-packed story but it won't advance the Star Wars storyline much (make that at all). basically an extended, cgi-fied tv episode, this'll make star wars fans swoon, give ordinary cinemagoers one half-hour plus of mindless entertainment & nothing much else. the only reason i watched it was to see more footage of the clone troopers & the walkers (my fav part in the star wars universe) in action. 3/5
intriguing first half , but lost it half way through. they turned what could have been an interesting contest of wills between the hero & demon into a fistfight; PLUS including the obigatory hollywood explosion. what a disappointment, which the twist ending nonetheless sadly failed to save. 2.5/5
2) Wall-e
no one else but Pixar could have made us root for, and emphatically make us believe that two robots could fall in love. as much a cautionary tale as am electronic love story, this film works on many levels as only a Disney/Pixar collaboration can successfully pull off.
the ending conveniently left off what will happen to the original space-service droids + wall-e once humankind returns to rebuilding human civilization once again; as the ever-evolving technologically adept man develops newer and advanced models, what becomes of the older, redundant but still sentient droids?
as the master computer Auto did, would they not want to continue to live on instead of willfully powering down to 'serve' mankind better? ah, shades of The Second Renaissance ;) 4.5/5
3) Star Wars: The Clone Wars
fun, action-packed story but it won't advance the Star Wars storyline much (make that at all). basically an extended, cgi-fied tv episode, this'll make star wars fans swoon, give ordinary cinemagoers one half-hour plus of mindless entertainment & nothing much else. the only reason i watched it was to see more footage of the clone troopers & the walkers (my fav part in the star wars universe) in action. 3/5
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