tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28568467727321199192024-03-04T23:56:25.787-08:00In VertigoWe live in interesting times...in a world that is falling apart...in a world where unpredictability has become so predictable. This blog isn't vertiginous.......THE WORLD IS...Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-31061926017589526952013-12-02T19:42:00.003-08:002013-12-02T19:42:57.505-08:00A long DecemberIf I could sum up how December is going to be this would be it.<br />
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"Hollow"Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-84525317490542452162013-10-07T10:11:00.003-07:002013-10-07T10:12:27.490-07:00Gravity - "Houston, we have a problem"<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Space....the final frontier. Immortal words spoken at the start of Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We always thought that the idea of being in outer space is cool. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But few would tell us how freaky space can get too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first viewing of the Gravity trailer - it looked like a 15 minute movie premise and reminded me of Open Water and another movie about hopelessness, Buried. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we the rave reviews that I was getting, it perhaps seemed worth a watch. And watched it I did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my verdict? It was simply awesome. Terrifying, scary and lonely at the same time. Probably one of the best movies I have watched in 2013. Besides Pacific Rim (I will do a review of that later).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It reminded me of two similar movies about hopelessness in space. Ridley Scott's </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alien (not the James Cameron shoot em up Aliens, which I loved too by the way) and Moon. Yup. I loved Moon. The trailer for Moon is below. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, back to Gravity. It was intense. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You get to see things being blown up without the explosive sound effects. They got that right. That there is no sound in space due to the immense vacuum! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sandra Bullock well, was just Sandra Bullock. But it was awesome. And George Clooney played like he was Danny Ocean. Except that he was in space still cool and composed. Make no mistake. It was good acting from them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now you see, the premise is actually quite simple. Bullock and Clooney play these astronauts, one a rookie astronaut engineer and the other a veteran on his final mission and spacewalk, going on a simple (I'm guessing) mission to rectify the Hubble Telescope. All is well, until Houston sends a message to abort a mission. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems that an anti-satellite test conducted by the Russians (they basically blew up one their unused satellites) and it has caused debris to be flying around in space. Fatally damaging space stations along the way including the Explorer where Bullock and Clooney were based in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With debris travelling at warp speed, things go horribly wrong and a simple mission suddenly becomes a life or death situation. One cannot help but imagine the horrors of perpetual floating, forever in space without anything to stop you from spinning on your own orbit and this was what happened to Bullock's Ryan. And this is where things got interesting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I won't spoil it that much for you. Go watch it in 3D. I didn't. I wish I did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, damnit! I enjoyed every minute of the 90 it had to offer and as I blog about this, I am also listening to it's haunting soundtrack on Spotify. I downloaded the soundtrack too by the way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is this movie Oscar worthy? I don't know considering it would be the shortest movie to win an Oscar (please correct me if I am wrong). But it is definitely generating a lot of buzz for all the right reasons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, this has been the best movie for me so far and it also makes me realize the harshness of space and it's beautiful emptiness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so glad to be in the safety of the Earth's gravitational pull. And I will never take Gravity for granted. </span></div>
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Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-24015022453005341702013-05-09T10:28:00.002-07:002013-05-09T10:29:04.153-07:00There is only ONE Sir Alex Ferguson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgl_2v8eeiBT3GIJKy5LP7z1QZtuvszw2crU32pvjVVebDuyANn0yRRkLXdVQ6pUHCCjWN1-RdCcOWvSEEAK1bpS-bK23eGtS6hXnNnDfbwqMtWhu_6k1KhHaOpdac2Tn8h1S_v2K_DSm/s1600/alex-ferguson_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgl_2v8eeiBT3GIJKy5LP7z1QZtuvszw2crU32pvjVVebDuyANn0yRRkLXdVQ6pUHCCjWN1-RdCcOWvSEEAK1bpS-bK23eGtS6hXnNnDfbwqMtWhu_6k1KhHaOpdac2Tn8h1S_v2K_DSm/s320/alex-ferguson_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love him or loathe him. It's undeniable. There is only one Sir Alex Ferguson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a mellow week here. We lost democracy on Sunday. And then on Wednesday, Man Utd lost its greatest manager. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Appointed as manager in 1986, SAF did not have the best of runs. In fact, due to lacklustre results, United were lingering at the edge of the relegation zone in the 1989-1990 season. If not for the League Cup semi-final win against Nottingham Forest that season, it would have been the boot for SAF. He won the League Cup eventually after beating Crystal Palace 1-0 in the final replay after an earlier 3-3 draw. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But his league win didn't come in until 1993, for United lost out on the league title to Leeds after leading the table for much of the season in 1992. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then he got Cantona from Leeds in 1993 and that's when fortunes changed. Cantona was perhaps the catalyst needed, but make no mistake, it was also SAF's charisma and leadership which had paved a new era for Man Utd. They won the league in 1993. It was that year, that the Premier League was first introduced and United were the first winners of the Premier League. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the 1993-1994 season, United continued their winning streak and this time, picked up the Premier League title and the FA Cup. SAF was on his way to further success. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in 1994-1995, that's when I first noticed Manchester United as a force to be reckoned with. My first thoughts on SAF? He is one arrogant pr*ck. Yup. His remarks, his shrewdness. But you gotta admit it, its this driving force which makes United champs. The tough and unnerving attitude to succeed which managers such as Brian Clough share. United lost the title to Blackburn that season, but managed to grasp the title once again in the 1995-1996 and made another double with the FA cup. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But shrewd as he was, he was already planning ahead. And with the emergence of the class of 1992 or Fergie's fledglings (Scholes, Beckham, Butt, both the Neville brothers) and the Welsh Wizard Ryan Giggs and his acquisitions of Roy Keane, Gary Pallister, the Great Dane Peter Schmeichel, Andy Cole, United probably were on the way to have the best team in the world....ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">United continued their winning streak picking up another Premier League title in 1996-1997 before losing it again to an emerging Arsenal under the guidance of Arsene Wenger in 1996-1997. And in 1998, United won the treble. More success to come. But to cut the long story short, it was SAF's guidance which had made United prosper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For him, the club is paramount and no one is above the club. Known for his temperament and outburst behaviour, he has always been one instills discipline onto his players. even his favourites such as Beckham, Stam and Keane would eventually learn the hard way that no one is above the club. And quite rightly so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only is he a manager, but he also acts as a father figure, nurturing young talent and guiding them. Players like Beckham, Christiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney would benefit from this and they went from strength to strength becoming greater players under his wing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps, not as sharp an eye as Wenger on picking talent, SAF did make some purchasing errors. Players like Veron who didn't fit into the English game, the great blunderer, Massimo Taibi and the ancient Laurent Blanc were only the few of the non-performing players that he had acquired. But nevertheless, he made important acquisitions too which proved to be game changing players such as Keane, Van Nislterooy, Rooney, Vidic and quite recently, Robin Van Persie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SAF was also known for yelling at referees when referees make er....crucial mistaken calls (I may be challenged on that) and chewing gum non stop. I would normally wait for the post game press interview and until now, I found it utterly difficult to catch his sentences due to the thick Scottish accent! But it's also his never say die attitude which was vital for United's success. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alas, with 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA cups, 2 UEFA Champion's League titles and a few other lesser cups, he has created a legacy where many managers thereafter would have difficulty emulating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although this is not the first time he has mentioned about retirement as he did so by the end of 2002, still, it came as a shock to many United fans such as myself who would have perhaps relish the idea of him managing for another 20 years. Like how Sir Bobby Robson devoted himself to the game until his death back in 2009.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now on the 8th of May 2013, he has announced his retirement for good and will move up the ranks as director of the club. His presence will still linger but his legacy abound. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many managers were cited such as Pep Guardiola and even Mourinho, but in the end, the managerial duties fell squarely on David Moyes (who was at one time speculated to helm United one day too). And Moyes knows the shoes Fergie left are huge ones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So begins a new era for Manchester United without it greatest and longest serving manager. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this is my tribute to you, Sir Alex Ferguson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Thank you for making United what it is today. The board had faith in you and you have repaid the board in bountifully. And now, Sir Alex Ferguson, you have joined the ranks of not just United's greatest managers, but as one of the greatest managers of all time that the beautiful game has ever seen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is and always will only be one Sir Alex Ferguson. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-65714036102733714712013-04-08T07:52:00.002-07:002013-04-08T07:52:43.245-07:00Politics is stupid <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Still think politics is stupid? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nuff said. </span>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-23610739962501707642013-03-18T09:54:00.001-07:002013-03-18T09:57:29.549-07:00Here's to a Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've never watched the movie. Nor do I plan to watch it anytime soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I know the premise of it which is set in the World War 2, Japanese occupation period. Amongst the more interesting facts of the movie was that it starred David Bowie (Mr Ziggy Stardust himself) and a composer known as Ryuichi Sakamoto. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Impressively, Mr Sakamoto is also an </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">activist, a composer, a record producer, a writer, a singer, a pianist, and an actor. From my reading of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryuichi_Sakamoto" target="_blank">wikipedia</a> over his achievements, I understand that he is pretty experimental in music as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He composed the theme for the movie Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence entitled "<i><b>Forbidden Colours</b></i>". Over time, the title of the song eventually became <i><b>Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence</b></i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first heard the song, I thought it was one of the most beautiful oriental pieces ever written. It is a mellow tune, where the intro starts of rather softly, the same 3 notes over and over a few bars until the melody begins. There is much variation to it but the same continues until it reaches the bridge, where you get the same melodic sequence but in a heightened and climatic fashion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I'm not too fond of the original score with David Sylvian in vocals. I very much preferred the song without the lyrics sung. So I shall not post the same herein. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But here is perhaps the original score in the movie. And yes, the young Japanese bloke in it is Mr Sakamoto himself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now this is the lone piano version of the song which is also beautiful in its way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this is another beautiful version of the same, played by Ryuichi Sakamoto himself and Everton Nelson on violin and Jacques Morelenbaum on cello. Equally as beautiful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5mfyCI82lWM" width="420"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The song would not be complete without a guitar version of it. And the best guitar version I was able to find on the internet is the one below. Sakamoto on piano, but only playing a supporting role and Kaori Muraji (a finger-style guitar artiste in her own right) on guitars. I am still trying my hand to play the song, but I'm stuck in the intro. Perhaps with great will and might, I 'might' be able to play the song one day. But below is the beautiful guitar version of it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZA-NjYpRn34" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just when you thought that the song already has its share of versions, then there is the pop version. Utada Hikaru mixes it up with some pop sensibilities and makes the song sound good in an RnB fashion. I like it. It's not usual for me to like remixes, but this is far from a remix and may stand as an RnB song on it's own right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GSnkDS8h8h4" width="420"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So by now, you would probably guess that in writing this blogpost, I would looped all the above versions of <i><b>Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence</b></i>. Bored do I get? I assure you not. I'm in love with this song, and perhaps I will keep looking for the different variations of this song. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you are fed up of this song already, Ryuichi Sakamoto was also the composer for <b>The Last Emperor</b>. I remember as a kid, I found the movie to be slow and boring, but had a good impression of the music in the movie. Of course when I watched <b>The Last Emperor </b>much later in life, I found the movie to be a beautifully directed movie by Bernardo Bertolucci and it's victory as the best movie of 1987 was quite fitting. My impression of the music however was further fortified. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Ieave you with two haunting tracks from <b><i>The Last Emperor</i></b> perhaps evidencing the brilliance of Mr Sakamoto as a musician. Take the time to listen to these beautiful tracks. I keep saying beautiful, because that's as plain as it can get. Beautiful. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PcGY0dStHuA" width="420"></iframe><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8tKfYwc4zxA" width="420"></iframe><br /></span></div>
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Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-56870467399575377052013-03-12T12:18:00.000-07:002013-03-12T12:21:32.224-07:00I Dare You to Move<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iOTcr9wKC-o" width="420"></iframe> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure, Switchfoot plays really melodic tunes and sometimes hinge on the emo-rock / pop rock genre.Nevertheless Switchfoot continues to write positive and affirming lyrics and their songs are pretty down to earth, resonating on every day issues that the everyday man (or woman) encounters. They are a band of Christians, and not a Christian band and thus their music appeals even to the secular market to which people from all walks of faith could enjoy. They are a great live act as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it is this song that I share today, is a song which has been held closely in my heart for many years, ever since I first heard it and fell in love with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is not just an anthemic tune, but a song of hope, a song of encouragement. To lift our spirits and challenge us to rise above the obstacles ahead of us. I'm pretty sure that the lyrics have some connotations on faith and with God, we know all things are possible and we can overcome them. But for that assistance, we must perhaps take the first step towards recognizing it and from that recognition, to move towards His assistance to overcome the everyday obstacles which are constantly ahead of us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all have our own disappointments. Because we live in a world so full of diversity and a world of choices, we are sometimes left feeling disappointed when our expectations are not met due to the actions or choices of the people around us. As much as there is beauty in diversity and choice, therein lies too the tensions it creates and this is also very real to us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />From this disappointment, what then do we do? Do we continue to wallow in self pity and blame the rest of the world for our circumstances? Or do we dare ourselves to rise above the occasion and prove our detractors wrong?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only recently I have encountered events that were painful and disappointing afflicted no less by the people around me, some of whom I had the pleasure of working for and some who were as close to me as brothers come. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From conversations with a friend of mine, I came to understood that I was a 'marked man' in my old workplace, something which perhaps denote a more sinister and negative remark as an employee. The firm which I have toiled day and night, made me a marked man some time ago only confirming my suspicions of the treatment I perhaps have received during those times. And they were only confirmed by an outsider after I had decided to leave the firm. I resigned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And also recently, despite several on going discussions with a good friend of mine and getting my hopes up on starting afresh, certain issues couldn't be 'resolved'. This fresh start that I had hoped for didn't work out. Finding out the reasons of why it 'may' not work out made it even more painful. Due to choices which were made. Due to the diversity of expectations from the both of us. I understood his points and respected them. Nevertheless, the painful feeling of disappointment was very much as real and was never any less. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided that despite all these happenings, no bridges need be burned. In fact, it would be wise not to burn any bridges, for there will come a day where we would cross them once more. But for now, I understood that there won't be any crossings. Not for the interim period. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite all these recent disappointments in life, the only way out of it, is to pick myself up and continue this journey. Afterall, these are merely bumps ahead of a long journey ahead. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the many disappointments that you and I will perhaps encounter. Rejection from the powers that be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hurtful actions of the people who are close to you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps unrequited affection towards another. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or issues that we knew needed to be dealt with at some point of time but were not dealt with due to the fear of failure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or that we sometimes think we are any less worthy in the eyes of other people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe we can overcome these disappointments or hurdles if we allow ourselves to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will always be in the scrutinizing of eyes of people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will always be judged by people unfairly whether we like it or not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we can always choose to rise above these judgments and disappointments .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And for that to happen, we first need to move. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To pick ourselves up. Like today never happened. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the song I share today, shall be a challenge to readers out there who need to take that step. Enjoy the lyrics and perhaps let it sink it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I dare you to move. As I dared myself to move. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>DARE YOU TO MOVE - SWITCHFOOT</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Welcome to the Planet</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Welcome to existence</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Everyone's here</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Everyone's here</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Everybody's watching you now</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Everybody waits for you now</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What happens next</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What happens next</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to lift youself up off the floor</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Like today never happened</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Today never happened before</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Welcome to the fallout</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Welcome to resistance</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The tension is here</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The tension is here</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Between who you are and who you could be</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Between how it is and how it should be </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Like today never happened</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Today never happened before</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Maybe redemption has stories to tell</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Where can you run to escape from yourself?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Salvation is here</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I dare you to move </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Like today never happened</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Today never happened</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Today never happened</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Today never happened before. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-87768042079858259012013-03-12T11:17:00.004-07:002013-03-12T11:17:44.363-07:00The follies of our youth<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were once young and foolish....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These days, we are just foolish....... </span>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-16834541776513994872013-03-12T03:48:00.000-07:002013-03-12T11:15:26.163-07:00Pax Automata - Progressively Great<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCTkVOnDw0NrrlF5qJqio_RUWSPDBNBrT9AtAZeOBSqhS6jebsmdgr2rxSnwDszzmXmEpMYCtnt1-SPImYhhGuxPfuSWUEw1EGBlT5CG1MHR_3m5rswBKyzFEpVixgJJTR2AimxrbWLsT/s1600/photo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCTkVOnDw0NrrlF5qJqio_RUWSPDBNBrT9AtAZeOBSqhS6jebsmdgr2rxSnwDszzmXmEpMYCtnt1-SPImYhhGuxPfuSWUEw1EGBlT5CG1MHR_3m5rswBKyzFEpVixgJJTR2AimxrbWLsT/s400/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is has been long overdue. At least for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the never-ending search for great Malaysian music (and I don't mean the likes of Siti Nurhaliza or Search), I have noted some in an old post of mine. Click <a href="http://vertigosp.blogspot.com/2011/08/homegrown-talent-past-present-future.html" target="_blank">here</a> for results. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tempered Mental is perhaps my favourite Malaysian band. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their EP or their debut was mind blowing as for the first time, I witness a bass playing lady with the ability to scale and run the bass while keeping melody with her singing. It is already difficult for me to sing while plucking the guitar, what more the scaling the bass the way she does? The EP cemented their credibility as Malaysia's most exciting band, in my books. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCTkVOnDw0NrrlF5qJqio_RUWSPDBNBrT9AtAZeOBSqhS6jebsmdgr2rxSnwDszzmXmEpMYCtnt1-SPImYhhGuxPfuSWUEw1EGBlT5CG1MHR_3m5rswBKyzFEpVixgJJTR2AimxrbWLsT/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their full album, The View From Here was a powerful album and it had musical gems like Space and Simple. Crunching riffs, progressive melodies and drumming which is mis-timed to perfection with it's odd time signature. I wouldn't be surprised if they cite Tool, Rush or perhaps even Dream Theatre as their influences. Let's put it this way, this trio of Melina William, Jimmy Tan and Jack Lian are as technicaly gifted as they are melodically. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I waited with bated breathe for Pax Automata, their latest release. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With some peeps of mine, we ventured into The Bee in Publika for the release and gig. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What we witnessed that night was a soundscape of epic proportions. The band started off with <i><b>Automata </b></i>which is their first single and it blew our minds. Not only were they tight in composure, the energy was electrifying! The first thing my friend said to me was, "Damn they are tight!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well anyway, this posts isn't so much about the gig as I didn't knew the title of the songs, but was drowned in musical awesomeness. It is their album which I will review. I bought the album even before the gig had begun, thus perhaps showing that I trusted that the album would not disappoint. Heck, even if it was disappointing, I'm sure it would have topped any album from any local artist all the same. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below is a review of some of the tracks of the album:- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Automata </b></i>- The first song introduces the entire mood for the album. With an explosive riff for an intro with technical guitar sensibilities, the tempo of the song remains consistent throughout. This is easily my favourite track of the entire album as we have not 1 guitar solos but 3 guitar solos and a chugging bridge. The chorus is pretty interesting as within the standard 4 bar chorus, the first two bars show a minor progression while the last two bars shifts from minor to a major progression (please correct me if I am wrong). And this is only the first song, setting the progressive rock tone which would be evident throughout the entire album. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And Stay Out</b><i> - </i>This song, unlike the former, starts of rather slowly, building to its climax from the pre-chorus to the bridge. Once again the change in progression is noted. By the time the bridge is played towards the ending, it would have seemed like an entire different song altogether. Another chugging bridge to savour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Break </b></i>starts off with a pretty interesting intro, a dual attack of bass and guitar riffs without the usual distortion, which eventually forms the pre-chorus. There is a full guitar attack during the, well, guitar solo. Very Dream Theatre-ish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Run</b></i><b> </b>is perhaps a rather fun tune. Or starting of as a fun tune, with its drumming which is reminiscent to Paramore's That's What You Get. But that's as friendly as it gets as the song takes a turn for a more sinister melody at the turn of the bridge, before reverting once again to the friendliness of the introductory tune. Radio friendly perhaps, but a great tune nevertheless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Matilda</b></i> - This song starts of strongly with its heavy drumming, guitar riffing and bass pounding. A heavy start which gradually settles to a more sombre verses before building up at the pre-chorus and then finally unleashing an assault of sound at the chorus. This goes on for a good deal of time, before the bridge is played. The bridge sounds somewhat different with its raggae drum beat and running bassline and eventually it ends in the same heavy way as it had started. This would be my 2nd favourite track of all and one that I would love to drum for due to its 4 different parts. This is would be a good example of progressive rock with 4 different parts combined into one rocking song. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Sleep </b></i>- Not a favorite track of mine as the songs is relatively straightforward. I only fancied the pre-chorus. Not really a filler, as the track is still a good one. Just not my favourite. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Be</b></i><b> </b>- This is a good example of a song which starts of slow and sombre. And it gradually builds without with steady progression unlike some of the earlier songs and it ends heavily with some melodic chaos. Kind of like Live's Dam At Otter Creek which starts of slow and light and ends heavy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Ants </b></i>is reminiscent to their track from their debut full album, entitled Cold. Also a moody track and perhaps one that is lyrically catchy and perhaps sinister all throughout. The guitar solo at the bridge is one which is chaotic and very Soundgarden-ish. Wait, heavier than Soundgarden's solos I would say. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Fight </b></i>is another good song. It starts with a pumped up intro. You will notice the evident bass slapping with its catchy bassline. The song is pretty straight up rock save for the guitar solo which transcends from a drumming beat of 8/4 to a 4/4 beat and then back to it's original 8/4 beat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Cocooon </b></i>- Now this is a pretty interesting tune. It starts of with a dreamy tune, no thanks to it's dreamy lyrics too. Easily one of my favourite tunes. The song picks up at the second verse and is a song with a steady song with clean guitars. However, the best bit is the variation of the bassline at the final verse or stanza of the song. The bassline is very evident and I love that bit of it which highlights the song for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Blindfold </b></i>is a song of well, epic proportions with its beautiful acoustic melodies and subsequent strings. Also starts of as a dreamy tune which transcends into a progressive metal tune. Also easily one of my favourite tunes of the entire album. The guitar solo is very Satriani-isque and sounds very spacey. Something of the Satriani guitar scales perhaps. But as one listens to this tune and wonders how a tune can change from a dream pop song to a metal song, we can only accredit it to the technicalities that Tempered Mental brings in music. This song is perhaps an apt ending and an opus for <i><b>Pax Automata</b></i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There ya go. Wow. Nerver knew I enjoyed doing progressive rock reviews. So many parts to review and not your usual run of the mill stuff. So once again, I deemed Tempered Mental as one of the best Malaysian bands ever. This album not only tops the list of best albums I have ever owned but also takes the local music one ante up. Its not a good follow up to <i><b>The View from Here</b></i>. It is a GREAT follow up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This review is done for the love of great music. Now if only Yuna's new album would costs less than RM85.00, then perhaps I could get my hands on one and do a review......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Till then I leave you with <i><b>Automata. </b></i>This video is taken from this <a href="http://dissectingtheeuphony.blogspot.com/2012/12/tempered-mental-pax-automata-2012.html" target="_blank">link</a> which also dissects the album rather aptly. Credit is given to them and I take no credit in this video. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy<i>!</i> </span><br />
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Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-56360014092585451752013-03-01T11:08:00.001-08:002013-03-01T11:08:30.264-08:00GE 13. Are we ready?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a week's time, 5 years would have passed since the 8th March 2008 political tsunami which saw a massive power shift towards the opposition. 10 years ago, this would have been virtually impossible, and many did not see it coming although anticipation was built up leading towards that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We Malaysians know that the time for the 13th General Elections (GE) are near. And we also anticipate that this GE promises to be the dirtiest of them all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in between the 5 years, many things had happened. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have seen an opposition state fall back into the hands of BN through dubious means. On a positive note, that incident spurred a need for the nation to understand the Federal Constitution and the Malaysian Bar initiated the Malaysian Bar Constitutional Committee. The object of it was to advance awareness and teach the rakyat, the basics....their fundamental rights under the Federal Constitution. Further fundamental political awareness was brought with the inception of the UndiMsia programme lead by Edmund Bon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the last 5 years we have also seen a change of Prime Ministers when Tun Abdullah Badawi handed over his post as the top man to Najib Tun Razak. it was an imminent move and perhaps one that is gleefully relished by the Prime Minister's wife, Datin Rosmah Mansor. And in the last five years, the First Lady of Malaysia was also birthed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have also seen more deaths in custody, but most infamous of them all, the tragic death of Teoh Beng Hock, the political aide to Ean Yong Hian Wah. Not under police this time, but under the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), did this tragic incident occured. Questions poured out; was it suicide or was Teoh Beng Hock beaten, tortured and then subsequently thrown out from the building onto the pavement many floors below? At the inquest, the court gave an open verdict, which was not conclusive, stating it was neither suicide nor homicide. A Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) was subsequently set up and a team led by the Malaysian Bar Council to question the methods of investigation conducted by the MACC. In the end, the RCI concluded that it was suicide due to the intense pressure of interrogation by the MACC. However, many of us are still unsatisfied with the findings of the RCI and still believe that Teoh Beng Hock couldn't have killed himself. As of now, no one is responsible for his death and this would forever remain a dark mark in the passages of Malaysian history. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In any event, the inquiry although a tragic episode, was not without it's lighter moments. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below is a video of the inquiry. And not how we have bumbling fools acting as the Federal legal counsels. Enjoy. This is cross examination clip of Dr Pornthip, the Thai pathologist involved in the investigations of the cause of death of Teoh Beng Hock. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/maQK3jNrg9E" width="420"></iframe></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have also seen, within 5 years, 3 massive demonstrations. Acts of expression. Bersih 2.0, Bersih 3.0 and the recent coalition gathering which was housed in the Merdeka Stadium (the demonstration with the biggest turn-up thus far). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://vertigosp.blogspot.com/2011/07/after-week-of-sleepless-nights-for-fear.html" target="_blank">9 July 2011</a></b> - Bersih 2.0, the people were still living in fear as the government tried to stamp its hard-line tactics to wield it's authority. STREET DEMONSTRATIONS WERE BANNED! ARREST WAS IMMINENT. TROUBLE WAS IMMINENT. And despite all the warnings, people braved the weather and the barricades and turned up all the same. The people wanted change. The same change that happened 5 years ago. It was a success, although not without casualties and the death of a retired soldier. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xMtV7zj5yMA" width="560"></iframe> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://vertigosp.blogspot.com/2012/04/bersih-30-new-experiences-new-faces.html" target="_blank">28 April 2012</a></b> - Bersih 3.0. Street demonstrations were still not the way to go, so says the government. Still the organizer's venue of choice, Dataran Merdeka was not allowed. The people still gathered and the police geared up their tear gas and batons. What seemed to be a peaceful gathering, later turned out to be euphoria due to some unforeseen circumstances. Perhaps, due to the acts of some unruly protestors, it gave the police more reason to react, even if the reasons are of the slightest in nature. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v1OsMD4CQWk" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>12 January 2013</b> - HImpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat. Ok. I wasn't there. I was having a jolly good time in Genting Highlands. However, I received sources from friends who said that the rally was a success. Given that there are at least 80-90 thousand participants gathering in and out of Stadium Merdeka, this is by far the largest rally ever in Malaysia. And my friend also stated that it was the most boring one. Boring is good. Boring means that the rakyat did not have to face police action or brutality. So, boring is good sometimes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And during Chinese New Year, 2013 to be exact, our dear Prime Minister, perhaps due to some really really bad Publicity (PR) advisers, decides to go down the 'cool' route to win the hearts of the people. First a mandarin advertisement on air and then another nonsensical advertisement on TV, playing the chinese drums. Anyway, the TV advertisement is reproduced in this blog for your viewing displeasure. Nonsensical I say? You will get what I mean once you view it. Remember, citizens of Malaysia. You paid for this video....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7FTYE3rAu3k" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also the CNY celebrations in Penang, when the BN government decided to pay RM3,000,000 (me thinks) to get PSY (Mr Gangnam Style) to perform 1 song. That's right. 1 song. I mean its good business for PSY and I think he is an awesome chap. It's just that BN are so desperate to be cool, to blend in with pop culture that they decide to go down this route. Of course, nothing is without any consequence. When the people of Penang were asked if they were ready for PSY, they greeted with a resounding YES! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the people of Penang were asked if they were ready for BN, they replied with a resounding NO! Not once, but 3 effing times!! I' It's like Peter denying Christ times before the rooster crowed. Anyway the video is posted below for laughs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh yes, and PSY apparently refused to join in the 'lou sang' festivities with the BN Ministers for being apolitical to the situation herein. GOOD FOR HIM! I shall post his video here too for your viewing pleasure. Come on! What is there not to like about Gangnam style eh?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7CDA5FOMJ20" width="420"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sorry BN. But votes are not based on pop culture references and CNY adverts and other sweeteners such as book vouchers. Votes are determined on the confidence of people that their representatives in power are able to tackle issues such as poverty, security and safety, policies, more job opportunities, cheaper houses and finding solutions to other problems through understanding the need of the people and to have constant communication with the people to find out that need. BN just never learn now, do they. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if security is an issue, we have further seen this in the Kampung Tanduo stand-off in Lahad Datu, when 180 militants who claim to be the Royal Sulu Sultanate Army, took control of Kampung Tanduo. Reason being, to reclaim North Borneo to be part of the Sulu islands. 3 weeks of negotiations went by. In the end, there was bloodshed after negotiations failed and the death toll was 11 people including 2 from the VAT 69 forces who defended Malayia's honour. Our government should look into issues like these when it involves security. After all, this is not the first time that Lahad Datu had been trespassed. Once again, we never learn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many things more which have happened during the last 5 years. But the above are perhaps the more memorable ones for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I conclude my rant, I hope all you who are Malaysian and are reading this, have registered as a voter and will exercise your vote during the upcoming GE 13. Your vote counts. Each and Every one of you count for the country. Don't let anyone else or your own doubts tell you otherwise. As we await the news for the dissolution of Parliament, let me just assure you that there will be more exciting events in the days to come. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know who I am going to vote. Do you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GE 13. Are you ready? </span></div>
Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-27285209313441633062013-02-01T20:38:00.000-08:002013-02-01T20:38:00.415-08:00Floating <br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It has been 2 weeks now since Mary last heard from
her mother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mary last saw Martha, at the airport, waving a
goodbye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She understood that her mother was leaving to
somewhere, only she did not know where. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her mother told her that she will return in a week.
A promise made. Never kept. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mary hung on to that promise but never lost hope in
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Father told Mary that Mother had extended her stay,
because she was enjoying herself over there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Father however knew better. Christopher had been
following the news ever since the plane crashed. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hoping against hope that the news reports were not
true, it was rather unfortunate that Martha’s return trip would be her last. As
time wore on, whatever glimmer of hope left before, was now completely gone. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How was he to tell Mary of the truth? She was only
6. She would never comprehend the situation. The truth was beyond her and was
too overwhelming, or so he had thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And t’was two weeks since Mary last saw her mother.
And that night after two weeks, Mary awoke from her slumber and saw her mother,
in front of her. She rubbed her eyes, half asleep and smiled at her mother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“You’re late Mama…” she whispered softly. “I have
been waiting. I miss you Mama…” she continued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“I know baby.
I know. I miss you too…”</i> Martha replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Daddy said you wanted to stay there a little longer.
He said you were happy there...” Mary said with tears flowing in her eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“I’m happy to
be here now, baby. I’m happy to see you.” </i>Martha smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Mama, why are you floating?” Mary asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“We all float
over here baby. Everybody floats.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And Mary hugged her mother tightly. Letting her
emotions pour out. Not letting go of her mother. And Martha embraced her
tightly too. Perhaps for one final time. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-10187154398574201612013-01-28T22:56:00.000-08:002013-01-28T22:56:23.831-08:00From Whence Comes My Help?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In times of troubles and need, where do I seek my help from? Where does my solace come from?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was once given a self made bookmark by a girl whom I was interested in. This was about 15 years ago. The bookmark had a verse in it. It was a silver bookmark with engravings of the verse in it. Of course, given a gift by someone I had feelings for probably made it the greatest gift in the world back then. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hadn't kept in touch with her ever since after high school and what she was doing now is something I wouldn't know. The bookmark may have been gone. But what remained is the verse in the bookmark and how it speaks to me everytime I read it or recited in church or anywhere for that matter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I share this psalm with the lot of you and hope that it gives you the strength and assurance, as it has given me the same:- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Psalm 121 (NKJV) </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>God the Help of Those Who Seek Him</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A Song of the Ascents </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I will lift up my eyes to the hills</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>From whence comes my help?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>My help comes from the Lord, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Who made heaven and earth</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He will not allow your foot to be moved; </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He who keeps you will not slumber. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Behold, He who keeps Israel</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Shall neither slumber nor sleep.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Lord is your keeper; </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Lord is your shade at your right hand.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The sun shall not strike you by day, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Nor the moon by night.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He shall preserve your soul.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>From this time forth and even forevermore. </i></span></div>
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Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-3348314770541176952013-01-15T09:09:00.001-08:002013-01-15T09:22:17.571-08:00Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love my country, Malaysia. <br />Do you know why I love my country?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cause more often than not, you get stupid twits (not tweet, mind you) who say things and think they can get away with it, without being held accountable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Or so they think. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank God for the internet :). Everything we say or do in public,( or private even sometimes), becomes the scrutiny of the eye of the public. Once your act is recorded, BAM! There you go. Hit after hit after hit on youtube. BAM! You're famous. or Infamous for some. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, if you think teaching a puppy to stand by torturing it or hitting babies who cry is a good idea, I've got news for you friend. You're gonna be so famous, you're E-mail inbox will explode. And that's just the inbox. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Capitalizing on the hottest and most tweeted topic in Malaysia, I'm proud to announce the latest catchphrase. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">"Listen, listen, listen, listen, listen...."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now...what is this you wonder? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This my dear reader is how forums are done in Malaysia. :) And if you are the speaker of such a forum, you moderate the forum. You moderate the rules and procedures of the forum. You are impartial to the issues debated because you are simply moderating the debate / forum. You are the balance between the opposites of the two spectrums. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ahaaaa, that's what you think. Not in Malaysia. They speakers rule and reign and might I see, lean towards a very very biased view. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o_YEKBkUmLw" width="420"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a snippet of a forum in University Utara Malaysia (UUM) on December 8 2012, addressing the issues on whether "graduates and politics are aligned?" which touched on some issues, such as Ambiga Sreenevasan (the Chair for Bersih 2.0) and other more vocal activists like Samad Said as agents of chaos and whether rallies are harmful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I capitalize on the remarks made by the speaker of the forum, one Miss Sharifah Zohra Jabeen (cool sci-fi name), president of an NGO (non-governmental organization) named Suara Wanita 1Malaysia, aptly abbreviated (or initialled) as SW1M. How she seems to have commited error after error in her endeavour to make her points clear. Here are my views on the errors that she has committed:-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">(1) She erred by saying "Listen" too many times to get the attention of one Miss Bavani who bravely put forth her questions when the floor was opened for questioning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">(2) Now, as the speaker, I would hardly think that she should address the questions of this brave young Miss Bavani.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">(3) Let the panelist address the issues and the questions put forth. That's what they are invited for. To give their two cents worth on issues. Plus, they are the pros. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">(4) Please stick to the issues in the forum even if, as the speaker, you decide to break your peace and show your allegiance. Do not wander off into the woods by talking about irrelevant issues which are disjointed. Animals do have rights yes, but that is a point of another forum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">(5) Before embarking on an explanation about illegal gatherings, it would be nice to do some research. At the very least, know that there is this Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (which itself is pretty fallacious, hastly enacted to counter Bersih 3.0 at that point in time). Thus Section 27 of the Police Act 1967, to which I'm sure Miss Sharifah was relying, when referring to an illegal assembly consisting of 3 people gathering (even her definitions were wrong), was already deleted by an amending act in 2012 (Act A1421). At least have the decency to back up what you quote.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">(6) Whilst she maintains that it is her human right, to berate poor Bavani, I suppose it is Bavani's human right not to be berated by Miss Sharifah as well. Whilst you proclaim to exercise your basic rights, you should not encroach the rights of others as well. Herein lies the checks and balances. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I may think i have the right to call someone's mother a whore (freedom of expression, Article 10 of the Federal Constitution), we need to counter-exercise the need of calling one's mother a whore and what benefits or harm it would bring to oneself or to the other person. Beneficial therefore? Hardly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">(7) Please, as a speaker, do not be rude to the panelist. Kesian. They come from far places I'm sure and the last thing they would want a speaker to do is to ask them to sit down and shut up. And lastly:-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">(8) Understand that forums may be heated at points, but duality of points of view is needed so a common ground can be achieved (if any). That's what forums are about. To lay down issues and to address them from different perspective and points of view. The speaker here unfortunately has failed terribly in that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyway, for some of the misc reports, click on <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/video-of-university-forum-panelist-insulting-student-goes-viral-092706199.html" target="_blank">this link</a> to have a read. This is reported by Yahoo. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyway, I was joking when I mentioned that this was how forums are done in Malaysia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On the contrary rather. This is the first and its pretty embarassing. Funny but embarassing. At least for poor Miss Sharifah. Clearly she has no idea what she has gotten herself into. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The bigger picture however depicts even grimmer. This is a sign of things to come. The future who will take over the reins of the country. And what a gloomy portrait is portrayed on the canvass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Places of tertiary education should be places, where people explore idelogies and expand their minds. No. Not in Malaysia. We are fed propaganda after propaganda (And I'm speaking through experience in a local varsity I attended once) on how we should think and what we should believe and follow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Students are often not encouraged to participate in political rallies or be involved in any political activities and YET, it is the very powers that force-feed their political agendas into , these young people, making them think that this mainstream view is the correct view. If this is not forcing them into politics, I don't kno what is, looking at politically charged points of view. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">At best, if they want to play it that way, open up the stage for students to free their minds and to gather all information on all political things. Let them decide who to vote for and on what merit that vote is counted for. A level playing field at best is a fair one. And we know BN don't play fair. Oh well....anyway. I leave it for the readers to decide. Readers who I'm sure are matured enought to come to their own rational conclusions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If I quoted any Act or Statute mistakenly, please correct me. I very much welcome the corrections. We all learn together. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I leave you here with two videos, one made by the brilliant troller, Namewee and another a remix of the current hit, Listen To Me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Have a listen :) LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN!!</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7Qcd6GkPM-k" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UgdoHdE16po" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly kudos to the people who turned up for Saturday's rally, 12 January 2013. The numbers for the rally were nothing short of amazing. And it was a peaceful one without any tear gas or watrer cannon retaliation. Let the detractors say what they want about demonizing Bersih 3 and Bersih 2 because of this example. The detractors will always say what they want to say and they will always report these events in a less aahn accurate fawshion . But the people know better. And the people have once again shown that their numbers matter collectively as one voice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I sat this one out for fear of lack of dissemination of information with regard to the assembly. I was proven wrong once again. OK. I was actually having a rather good time in Genting Highlands, breathing the cool air and well, drinking some much needed free coffee. But my heart goes out to the people who gathered and once again fought the good fight. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank You!! Goodnight!</span></div>
Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-49141218071519527092013-01-04T04:23:00.004-08:002013-01-04T04:25:26.506-08:002012 - In retrospect<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a 4 month hiatus, I'm breaking the duck once more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a rally, the past 6 months. More so, it had a lot to do with work. Being a litigator is not easy. I've thought I knew the costs of being one. And I'm reminded once more of how tiring it can be. Managing an average of 5-6 hours of sleep a day (I know, some people say that it's quite a lot and perhaps it is), sleepless nights aren't much fun especially waking up in the weee hours of the morning and just staring into deep space, counting sheep, hoping that you fall asleep once again without much fuss. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But all that said and done and looking back at those times, it wasn't so bad afterall. We eventually survive. We will survive, since we live on hope even when hope seems to be nothing but a tiny flicker, yet, we latch on to it to get through the night. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a roller-coaster year indeed, and also a year which sets out the foundations for my decision making and risk taking. Not yet, but I will get there very soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, in retrospect, here are my bests and worsts of 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Movies</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously, this is a really tough decision to make..........nah. I'm just kidding. I should have perhaps chosen an Oscar contender, but alas, I'm bias and I follow my heart. I</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlec514kXBTU0ugsLW2FFgytXC6TH-iouiiOHS_leexxuEC1DjC7JoqJZzPMmgCrBVtj3iwrPFB-lVPRv5JUHnxcFby3EN42hDMliDNWtTVuUHqiIqZvctZGwFlTV00zGVUnURncOdiMCs/s1600/the-dark-knight-rises-dvd-cover-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It would be, yes you would have perhaps guessed it, <i><b>The Dark Knight Rises</b></i>. It's not as good as its predecessor, <b><i>The Dark Knight</i></b>, but it's an epic on its own. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlec514kXBTU0ugsLW2FFgytXC6TH-iouiiOHS_leexxuEC1DjC7JoqJZzPMmgCrBVtj3iwrPFB-lVPRv5JUHnxcFby3EN42hDMliDNWtTVuUHqiIqZvctZGwFlTV00zGVUnURncOdiMCs/s1600/the-dark-knight-rises-dvd-cover-69.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlec514kXBTU0ugsLW2FFgytXC6TH-iouiiOHS_leexxuEC1DjC7JoqJZzPMmgCrBVtj3iwrPFB-lVPRv5JUHnxcFby3EN42hDMliDNWtTVuUHqiIqZvctZGwFlTV00zGVUnURncOdiMCs/s320/the-dark-knight-rises-dvd-cover-69.jpg" width="224" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong. I love many other movies as well. And <b>Avengers</b> would have been a close second. But comparatively, the intensity and drama didn't match the aforesaid Dark Knight who remains as brooding and conflicted as ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other notable movie mentions which are favourites of mine are <i><b>The Amazing Spider-man, Judge Dredd </b></i>and <i><b>Moonrise Kingdom</b></i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favourite comedies, I've watched many comedies this year but Sacha Baron Cohen's <i><b>The Dictator </b></i>definitely takes the cake for it. I expected it to be another <i><b>Borat-ish</b></i> mockumentary but was quite delighted to find that there is a proper story set out <i><b>The Dictator</b></i>. So it has my vote for favourite comedy of the year, followed by <i><b>Ted </b></i>(seriously, who can resist a potty mouthed teddy bear?) and Will Ferrell's <i><b>The Campaign</b></i> (great stuff and a parody of the American election which is quite endearing). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR49PNl0V14SjCNVf0FWZzLQdotnEn8CMh9n_XcofqZL2Q_VdW4DzzGE6UZbFxVeUw_mftjaOvyBehKuJqS3vkGzE0TW1-J6jVOyrFMG7N7byrnaWCtj4snb1g7rRix0X6qJFuKmim7Dmk/s1600/the-dictator-image-5-461385817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR49PNl0V14SjCNVf0FWZzLQdotnEn8CMh9n_XcofqZL2Q_VdW4DzzGE6UZbFxVeUw_mftjaOvyBehKuJqS3vkGzE0TW1-J6jVOyrFMG7N7byrnaWCtj4snb1g7rRix0X6qJFuKmim7Dmk/s320/the-dictator-image-5-461385817.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Music</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now....we were suppose to go to Singapore to watch the <b>Foo Fighters.</b> Tickets were bought and plans were made. Alas Dave Grohl had a really bad throat infection and lost his voice. Monies were refunded, but it was a waste cause it would have been an awesome concert. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To compensate the misfortune, I bought myself <b>L'arc En Ciel</b> tickets for their concert in Singapore. I was gearing up for that so much so that I started downloading the music which was kept in cassette form by me, which was eventually disposed off. So yes, it was downloads and new <b>L'arc En Ciel</b> album acquisitions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But alas.......national service came a-calling. And on 28 April 2012, on the day of the <b>L'arc En Ciel</b> concert, <b>BERSIH 3.0</b> happened (which will be covered below). And I would miss <b>L'arc En Ciel</b>'s first and perhaps only ever tour in South East Asia. Damn.........</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyhow, no regrets going for Bersih 3.0. I would have decided to go for Bersih 3.0 anyway. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the <i><b>Avenged Sevenfold </b></i>(<b>A7X</b>) concert more than compensated for the above bereavement and grief of missing out on two concerts thus far. <i><b>The Avenged Sevenfold </b></i>was really tight and each beat was played out precisely! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never was a fan of <i><b>Avenged Sevenfold</b></i> and was only there so that I get to see a concert in 2012. But like many other prudent people going concerts, we listened as much as we can to AX7 and slowly but surely, I developed a liking for them. And on that day of the concert it was a done deal. I was an official fan of <i><b>A7X</b></i>. Energetic, frenetic and I wished I could sing more of their songs at the concert, but I can't cause I'm not familiar with the lyrics. Anyway, here's a video for you if you are either curious or interested.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the best album, that I've bought for myself, would definitely be this one:-</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tempered Mental's Pax Automata</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been anticipating their follow up album after <i><b>The View From Here</b></i>. I loved their previous album and the EP (<i><b>Honestly</b></i>) way way earlier. But this one transcends my expectations. The songs were executed with perfect timing and pinpoint accuracy. The songs were edgy and tight. And progressive rock never sounded so good. Melina was as usual, slapping the bass and singing where no men (or women) can master. Except Les Claypool of course. Jack's guitar shredding puts him on top as one of the best (and technical) players this side of Malaysia. And Jimmy does what he does best, keep the timing tight and attack when needed. Purely technical but enjoyable and rocking stuff. I had the opportunity to watch them launch <i><b>Pax Automata</b></i> and what an experience it was. I've been to many Tempered Mental outings but this one was easily the best. Malaysia's best band in my humble opinion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that's my album of 2012. Yes Sir. Crap. Can't upload any videos from the launch though. :(</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Events</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were many events that had happened over the year. There were some weddings. There were some wakes and funerals. There were performances. And then there were demonstrations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest event for me in 2012 would be the Bersih 3.0 rally. 5 years down after the first Bersih rally back in 10 November 2007, the people marched on for cleaner elections and a more transparent process. I have in my own words documented this in my post <a href="http://vertigosp.blogspot.com/2012/04/bersih-30-new-experiences-new-faces.html" target="_blank">here.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In light of the upcoming general elections, pressure needed to be asserted to ensure that the <a href="http://translate.google.com.my/translate?hl=en&sl=ms&u=http://bm.bersih.org/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbersih%2B2.0%26hl%3Den%26tbo%3Dd%26biw%3D1152%26bih%3D697&sa=X&ei=A0XmUJPWDceGkQXc0IDoAg&ved=0CD0Q7gEwAQ" target="_blank">terms of the Memorandum</a> from Bersih 2.0 will be clearly adhered to. Dato' Ambiga, chair of the Bersih coalition had warned that the upcoming elections would be the dirtiest. From the events that happened since the political tsunami of 2008, one would not challenge that assertion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things are changing still and the process will be even more evident. But once again, it was encouraging to see familiar faces once more (veterans of the Bersih rallies, and I'm one of them if I do say so meself :) nyahahah) and new faces who have joined in to voice their concerns of the decadence of the ruling coalition. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speculation on the dates for the general elections were pushed further and we may see experience the general elections in the first (or second quarter) of 2013. We will be ready then. And hopefully we see more change happening. The good fight continues on....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The other notable event would be the KL Bar Charity Night. SYB performed once more. I should be blogging about this as a tribute to our cover band. But here's the nutshell of it. It was a great night. We played our hearts out. The crowd was supportive and enjoyed our music (hopefully) and we hope we will continue to play for more events in the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We played a few covers. 6 in all. The list goes like this:-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. King of Wishful Thinking by Go West</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Rolling in the Deep by Adele</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Don't Stop Believing by Journey </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Zombie by Cranberries</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. That's What You Get by Paramore and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. I Dare You to Move by Switchfoot</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But here's 3 of the videos. I will perhaps post the rest up in another posts. If anything we're just a cover band, so we're not perfect :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lovely Raja Nadia Sabrina was our guest singer for two of the songs. This one is Zombie</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then below, Swtichfoot's Dare You to Move</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully I get all the videos of SYB and I can post up a full song list in my next post. Whether you like it or not! Muahahah!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />By the way, we also performed at the KLCC Plenary Hall. Michael Bolton held a concert there 3 weeks later. Just saying. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also notable was my trip to South Korea. It was an experience, culturally and err socially. Its a fact, there are many good looking people in Korea, and how do they all look so good? :) Well........it's your guess. But I enjoyed every bit of the trip; from the food I've tasted, from the wonderful places we visited and the people we meet along the way. Heck, given a chance I would go back there once more. Then again, there are many places I've yet to step foot on. Still the idea is an idea kept in view. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We traveled cheaply and backpacked as much as we can. It made the whole trip even more worthwhile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now here's the funny thing. Up this part, I can no longer posts any pictures. Probably I overused my quota of pictures for 2012. Hahaha. Oh well, just my luck. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh yeah. And <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Michael%27s_Institution" target="_blank">St Michael's</a> had it's centenary dinner finally. It was a gathering of familiar faces. Ancient and young. Alumnis of La Salle who made their way from all over not only the country but from the globe as well. We gathered, we sang, we feast and we drank. And I'm reminded of why it is possibly the best school on Earth, ahahah (We Michaelians are a proud lot). And it has been an honour to have spend the best (and worst days) of my studying life in St Michael. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To that I say, <b>Quis Ut Deus</b> (who is like God?)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>World Events</b></u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obama wins the presidential elections and will yet serve another term. Joy to the Democrats. Not so the Republicans. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were tragic events as well. Notably, two shocking and shooting events in the US. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first in Aurora Colorado where a lone gunman fired into a movie theatre whilst showing the Dark Knight Rises. The gunman was arrested. The identity of the person was later revealed to be James Eagen Holmes. His trial is still and on-going event. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then there was the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Reminiscent of the Columbine massacre in 1999, only this time, it's in an elementary school. The death toll and fatalities was about 20 odd children and 2 adults. The lone gunman, Adam Lanza committed suicide after the shooting before help arrived. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst I read about this and vicariously experience the tragedy, one can not help but ponder once again on what is it that drives some people to the edge. Over these episodes, questions arose, on whether gun enforcement should be stricter, or whether these gunmen are themselves victim of social ills? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In India in December, 2012, notably the brutal sexual assault of an medical student on board a bus (her friend was assaulted as well) and thrown off a moving bus has sparked outrage in the heart of India. It was one of the most crushing and heartbreaking news of 2012, on how the student cling on for life after the assault only to die 13 days later in a Singaporean Hospital. We can only hope that this event, would have sparked not just an outrage but also spark reforms on what seems to be the chauvinistic attitude towards women. Not just in India, but around the world, to strip down the chauvinistic attitude that men in some archaic nations (including ours) have always harboured and to pound in them the humility and respect that they owe women around the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, I felt kinda depressed penning down the last bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a sunnier note.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Sports</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the sporting front, Manchester United lost the title to their noisy neighbours, Manchester City. Was it shocking? Not really. The most shocking thing was of course how United lost the lead whilst ahead by quite a margin by losing game after game. But the title was tightly contested nevertheless and in the end, the title was won on goal difference. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were in South Korea in the district of Itaewon (not many EPL fans in Korea I reckon) drinking our beers and drowned our sorrows when QPR conveniently lost to City in the dying minutes. A draw would have sufficed but at the end of the day it was not to be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the noisy neighbours take the 2011/2012 title and United are left reeling. Of course, now, with the acquisition of Robin Van Persie at the expense of Arsenal, things are looking bright once more. Lets hope it stays that way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then our Dato' Lee Chong Wei put up a gallant fight but was unable to deny his arch-nemesis and friend, Lin Dan of China from taking home the gold medal at the Olympics. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was my highlight of the Olympics. :) Wished I could remember the other medalists, but not at the top of my head right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And Spain prove itself to be a formidable force once more in football by trashing the Italians 4-0 in the finals. Not only are they the World Champions but they remain the unbeaten champs of European football. A feat not easy or unprecedented even, that a team would win 3 consecutive championships. Spain has come of age and are no longer playing second fiddle to the powerhouses of old, i.e. Germany and Italy. I supported the Netherlands in this one. But they couldn't kick themselves into second gear and bowed out horribly without any point. They came with great expectations but collapsed under the burden of that expectation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below are the highlights of the final. Watch how Italy is made mincemeat by the Spaniards. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xpELlIUQfec" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b>Conclusion</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ancient Mayans predicted that the world would end in 21.12.12. It didn't. We survived the 'apocalypse'. But having said that, we are in our last days anyway, so it's just a matter of time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But anyway, with 2012 gone and I've resigned from my current job, changes will come, rest assured. New challenges will be ever present. And I will continue blogging as long as I can with the things that interest me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I end 2012 with this:-</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2012, an epic, I have not, </span></b></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But a rhyme or two, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A ponder, a thought.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It brought the worst,</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And the best of times, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In friendships and fellowships, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And brotherhoods that bind.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Events that ensue, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of wakes and weddings,</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of life and death, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of funerals and blessings.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The successes and joy, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Together we shared, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And tragedies that ensued, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In solidarity to bear. </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of hopes and dreams, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That may have fall short, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of lessons we learnt, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Let them not be forgot.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So we bring new hope, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the days to come, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of planned resolutions, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">May they be done. </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I shut the doors, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For a year gone by, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I usher in a new year, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With a smile and a sigh.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A memorable 2012, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Has it at all not been, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy New Years to all, </span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy 2013. </span></b></i></div>
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My grammar sucks. Bite me. </span><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-57359092287183351222012-08-26T08:14:00.001-07:002012-08-26T08:14:50.141-07:00Homegrown talent Part 3 - Kendrick K<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wrote a <a href="http://vertigosp.blogspot.com/2011/08/homegrown-talent-past-present-future.html" target="_blank">post </a>on Malaysian homegrown talent not too long ago. It was a series of two posts. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Time and time again, we find that musical talent in Malaysia is simply abundant. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unfortunately, I'm really not too sure why the local music scene is not as thriving compared to other countries, even Asian ones like Korea (Gangnam style for example). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe that's cause we are all feeding on the mass mainstream market; people like Justin Bieber and Miley Cyruses to name a few. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because of that, it's really encouraging news to know that once in a while, a Malaysian creates more than ripples in the music industry. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://vertigosp.blogspot.com/2011/01/yuna-decorate-my-money-was-well-spent.html" target="_blank">Yuna</a>
did it. We Malaysians were thoroughly excited when we saw her
performance on Conan O' Brien. Even Rihanna tweets about her. Then of
course there is also Zee Avi. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">More
Malaysian talent on the way to bigger things perhaps. I'm always a
supporter of local Malaysian music :) Or at least the music that I'm
interested in. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So there, I introduce a new, up and coming talent. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kendrick
Koh. He is a friend and a fellow church member. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">His influences are
mostly John Mayer, Jason Mraz (though I often tell him that there is more to life out there besides the two J's) and very much into fingerstyle guitar
playing and some other Indie stuff. I never knew those methods were
called fingerstyle playing (Always thought it was just normal plucking!
AHAHA). Then again, I'm a noob at the guitar.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So
here's two videos, covers of Indie favourites Foster the People and
MGMT (I'm not sure if MGMT is defined as indie though, but what the
hell).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The videos are nicely done, with the curtains blowing from the wind and all the dramatics. Heheh. So, Enjoy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kids - MGMT</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_oG_mzYsWs" width="640"></iframe></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People </span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Vd3hDFWh0vg" width="640"></iframe><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hey, I don't get paid for promoting Malaysian music. But if there is talent and it's worth sharing, I'm all for it :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And if you want more, below is the album trailer for the upcoming Tempered Mental album. Exciting stuff!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/q8xpmzp5Mjw" width="640"></iframe><br />
</span></div>
Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-54550709858127342632012-08-20T11:55:00.002-07:002012-08-20T11:55:39.463-07:00Gangnam Style goes to Gotham<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
You know, sometimes there are music videos that you really love to hate? That kind that is so bad that it becomes so good? That was what <a href="http://vertigosp.blogspot.com/2011/04/so-bad-its-good.html" target="_blank">Rebecca Black's</a> video did. That went viral. And that song became the Thank God It's Friday anthem. Catchy and lyrically stupid. But who cares? The sillier the better right?</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
This year, the video it's the Oppa! Gangnam Style video that's viral. So bad that it;s good? Not really. I think this is actually really good! </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Humour, parodied events and good looking ladies aplenty, what's there not to like about this video? Muahaha.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Never knew who PSY was, but he was quite a famous rapper and character in South Korea. I wonder how I missed that during my 10 days in Korea. Then again, though I like some Korean girl bands, I didn't really caught on with the K-pop rave. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Anyway, I like this video a lot cause it doesn't take itself too seriously. So, enjoy it while the waves are riding high. :) </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9bZkp7q19f0" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
So riding on the Dark Knight Rises wave, there is still buzz with the Bat. And While I was searching in youtube for the video above, this was what I found instead. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YSsCU3FcOkw" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I gotta say, there are many Gangnam and Batman parody videos. But this is probably one of the better ones (together with the Call Me Maybe video starring Batman) </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Haha, it's about time the Asian wave hit the global market. You know you made it big when people start parodying your stuff. Yes. Even Rebecca Black was big. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At one point in time :) </span>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-36068587951836384152012-08-10T23:11:00.000-07:002013-03-12T11:18:55.655-07:00Writing a blogpost whilst stuck in jam in KL citySo I'm stuck in KL city.<br />
I'm still stuck in a jam as Im writing this.<br />
The jam is so bad I have just finished listening to a Bad Religion album. The whole album on the same road. <br />
And my friend wanted to see me write a post in the jam.<br />
So, I did.<br />
I'm still stuck in the jam even after writing this postMr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-67519449648212349792012-07-25T10:54:00.001-07:002012-07-25T10:54:31.179-07:00Remembering Aurora, Colorado<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Something I didn't address earlier in my Dark Knight Rises review. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
But amidst the summer blockbuster season, tragedy struck in Aurora, Colorado when a lone gunman fired onto unsuspecting cinema goers during the opening of the Dark Knight Rises on 20 July 2012. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_shooting" target="_blank">12 people died and 58 others were injured</a>.The shooter? A suspect named James Eagen Holmes. </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
It's unfortunate that the summer will be now remembered for this tragedy and the movie which is associated with it. It will also perhaps raise questions on laws relating to firearms ownership in the United States (firearms are banned in Malaysia, or so I understand it to be). </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="christian bale dark knight rises christian_bale_visits_aurora_shooting_victims_july_24_2012_1" class="attachment-medium" height="640" src="http://cdn.wwtdd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/christian_bale_visits_aurora_shooting_victims_july_24_2012_1-450x602.jpg" title="Christian Bale visited Aurora shooting victims, go Sox" width="476" /> <br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
It's good to hear however that the Christian Bale took the time to visit the victims of the Aurora shooting and the visit was unannounced except that it was tweeted and facebooked :) </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bale is an excellent lad! And my respect for him grows, not just as a terrific actor but as a terrific person as well. In all the gloom, I'm sure his presence at the hospital would have been uplifting one, not just for the victims of the Aurora shooting, but for the community as well. </span><br />
<br />
Source:- <a href="http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/07/christian_bale_is_a_good_dude.php" target="_blank">Topless Robot </a>, <a href="http://www.wwtdd.com/2012/07/christian-bale-visited-aurora-shooting-victims-go-sox/" target="_blank">WWTD</a>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-84154722341188380632012-07-24T10:45:00.001-07:002012-07-25T10:55:40.841-07:00The Dark Knight Truly Rises<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUoMGsdlDJo/T9gsPZMsLdI/AAAAAAAAR3k/NbHRt5lM9Og/s400/the_dark_knight_rises_trilogy_posters.jpg" style="height: 625px; width: 429px;" width="274" /> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
It is only natural that I would
do a review on the Dark Knight Rises. I mean seriously, this was the movie that
I was waiting for ever since Batman rode off into the night in the Dark Knight.
<a href="http://vertigosp.blogspot.com/2008/07/enter-dark-knight.html" target="_blank">Heck I even did a review on it.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Although Avengers being a mega super-hero
movie, unprecedented and all that, it was the final installment of Nolan’s
Batman which was the movie to look out for. Hmm, I probably should do an Avengers review,
yeah. Perhaps later. </div>
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For now, it’s all about the Dark
Knight and how the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dark Knight Rises</b>.
If you have seen it, then you will understand or perhaps even empathize what I’m
about to write. If you haven’t seen it, please go back to google and search for
something more constructive. </div>
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Ok. I really loved the movie. I
gotta admit, although the story this time had plenty of holes to fill (perhaps
done intentionally), the movie was still in my opinion, EPIC. I admit though,
that I preferred the Dark Knight as the story was more seamless compared to
this one. So, if anything, the Dark Knight edges the Dark Knight Rises by just
a bit. </div>
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This is how my the trilogy rating
would work out to be – The Dark Knight (TDR) > The Dark Knight Rises (TDKR)
> Batman Begins. </div>
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No, no no. Don’t get me wrong. I
loved Batman Begins. As an origin story, it was superb and was well done. Just
that the latter two ranked a wee bit higher. </div>
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Ok. Now on to my review. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>THE STORY (the short of it) </u></b></div>
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The Story goes that Batman has
gone into retirement 8 years after taking the fall for Harvey Dent’s (Two Face)
death and now lives like a recluse in his now completely rebuilt Wayne Manor.
Only thing is, he is doing a Gollum and remains mysterious to almost everyone including one time crime partner, Commissioner Gordon. And he apparently is suffering from a bad case of weak knees. The Dent Act is introduced to now curb all mob
activities and as I understood the inference of its implications, the Act is
somewhat draconian (similar to the Patriot Act in the USA and the Internal
Security Act In good ol’ Malaysia). Detention without trial. Instead of Arkham Asylum, the prisoners are now detained in some prison. Not Arkham, remember that.</div>
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So, the streets are cleaner and
mob activity is close to zero. The last time the TDR played out, it was like a
mob / cop movie masquerading as a super hero movie. This time round, no Sal
Maronis or the Russian or Carmine Falcone wannabes in sight. Of course, this peace which was built on a lie
(Batman’s murder of Dent) was only temporary as darker forces are in play. As
the Selina Kyle aka Catwoman aptly points out “A Storm is coming”. The storm
comes in the form of Bane. </div>
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If you are familiar with the
comic book events of the Knightfall series, Bane was the mastermind terrorist /
villain who broke Batman’s back. This was back in 1993 when I first started my
foray of collecting comics. So yes, I was expecting for Bane to break the Bat
here and he did not disappoint. </div>
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So Bane hatches this plan to help
destroy Wayne Enterprises and had begun building and underground army for an
all out assault on Gotham. Why? Because of his links with the League of
Shadows, as revealed later that he is a disciple of Ra’s Al Ghul. Now even before
the movie was out, I saw the link coming and Nolan made it seamless to give
Bane a higher purpose and not just be an ordinary James Bond terrorist, hell
bent on destroying the world. </div>
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Well, besides Bane, Selina Kyle was introduced as a cat burglar stealing the pearl necklace that Martha Wayne wore the night Bruce's parents were gunned down. This leads Bruce to finally go back to his detective roots and starts investigating. Apparently Selina wants Bruce's fingerprints for a more sinister purpose which will eventually leads to Bane's plan of destroying Wayne Enterprises. </div>
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So, then the Commish during one of the investigations was injured by Bane's henchman and hence calls upon this young rookie named John Blake to look for Bruce to seek the Batman's help. Blake goes to see Bruce and confesses that he knew that Bruce and Batman were the same person. How this is so? I don't really know. But I have my views which I will reveal later.</div>
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So when Bane finally shows the public his face, this is where Batman re-appears once again. And as one older cop tells his younger colleague "Oh boy, you're in for a show tonight!" And this is how the Bat re-enters the foray and my personal opinion, of all the movies, this has to be his strongest entry ever!! I was excited as hell. </div>
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So, anyway, Bats finally confronts Bane and fights to the death. Or near death in Batman's case cause he hasn't been in the best of shape and sure enough Bane breaks Bruce's back, but not before revealing Bruce's identity to Catwoman, whom had earlier double crossed Batman and put him in this trap. </div>
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So Bane, then places Bruce in this prison he know controls called the Pit, somewhere in Africa or the MIddle East (it is not revealed where this place is). With Bruce terribly injured, Bane tells his plans of destroying Gotham to Bruce and says "When Gotham is in ashes, you have my permission to die". And Bane goes on this onslaught on Gotham, trapping the lot of the Gotham police force in the sewer. Oh yeah, and there is this potential nuclear device which threatens to blow up Gotham within 4-5 months. </div>
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Anyway, Bruce makes new friends at the pit, learns about the value of life and to will to start living, finally recovers from his broken back (this would be the part which is somewhat unbelievable) and manages to climb up the Pit where none had done before except a child (thought to be Bane at first instance). </div>
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He goes back to Gotham to have a final showdown with Bane and also meets the other mastermind behind Gotham's impending doom. And this finally comes to an epic close. :)</div>
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Ok. My review on the story. There are many holes which need to be filled as said earlier. However, Nolan ties up the beginning from Batman Begins, uses the events in the Dark Knight to set the finale for this movie. To fully appreciate the whole trilogy, you need to watch or revisit both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight to see the bigger picture. And what a beautiful picture indeed. </div>
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<u><b>THE CHARACTERS</b></u></div>
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<b>Batman / Bruce Wayne</b></div>
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Like many critics say, this is more a Bruce Wayne movie than Batman movie. Yes it is indeed. It comes full circle. In Batman Begins, it was about Bruce. In the final movie, its back to Bruce. Because Batman is what fuels Bruce and Bruce is what gives the Bat it's physical being. So vice versa. But it starts from Bruce. And here Bruce has given up. Ready to die. So there is no longer real motivation since Rachel died in the Dark Knight. Ok. This kinda pisses me off because as Batman, his motivation was always the rage inside until it consumes him. But anyway, this is how this story is told. Perhaps taking the rap for everything has a psychological toll on him as well. But anyway, the beauty of his character is, he realizes that life is worth living and thus now fights for it. So the story of Bruce is about redemption and rebirth. Bale as always is fantastic. As for Bruce's recovery of the broken back, as what Ra's Al Ghul said, "Training is nothing, Will is everything!" (Batman Begins, 2005)</div>
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<b>Alfred Pennyworth </b></div>
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Always the steady butler, but even as stead as he comes, he still cares for Bruce. As he has been the guardian of his welfare since the death of his parents. Like a surrogate father. And Michael Caine doesn't disappoint. This time, there are some teary exchanges between both "father" and "son".</div>
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<b>Commissioner Gordon</b></div>
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He carries the guilt of living the lie. And in the end, he buckles to the pressure and finally admits that the Bat is needed once more when things get tough and awry. Definitive scene, the hospital scene when he grabs Bruce by the hand and pleads for Batman to return to face the rising evil. </div>
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Gary Oldman as versatile as he is delivers a good performance as the Commish though in this movie, he is more of a fringe player as compared to the earlier ones. </div>
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<b>John Blake</b></div>
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Now who is this guy you may ask? Well, his first name is Robin. :) Get the picture? So the fact that he knew who Bruce was in the beginning clearly show some semblance that he is based on the Tim Drake Robin. And for his brashness, perhaps the Jason Todd Robin. And taking over from Batman in the end, the Dick Grayson Robin who eventually becomes Nightwing and then becomes Batman :). So he is the beacon of hope that Bruce needs to hand down the mantle to. Will Nolan do a movie on this new Batman / Robin? I doubt it. But it serves as a perfect closure for this Batman series knowing that the legacy continues. Joseph Gordon Levitt shows that he is capable of taking on big roles as last seen in Nolan's inception and his role in this movie is rather a meaty one.</div>
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<b>Bane</b></div>
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Another Inception alumni. Tom Hardy. Its a pity his face is behind the mask almost 99% of the movie. But as one critic reviewed, even with only 20% of his face shown he can do so much more than the crop of actors around. As Bane, he was menacing. He was deadly. He was a wrestler from hell but with the mind of a strategist. And, don't ever, ever compare with him with that piece of crap from Batman and Robin. This Bane is a cold blooded killer and mastermind. Although i gotta admit he may not be as charismatic as Heath Ledger's Joker. But Bane's villain was one which Batman could not defeat and probably never will. </div>
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<b>Selina Kyle / Catwoman</b></div>
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Now many early critics have scorned the thought of Anne Hathaway playing Catwoman for she is far too sweet and perhaps nubile to play the Cat. I'm glad Anne Hathaway prover her detractors wrong! She kicked ass! She held her own and was there to rescue Bats when the time needed of her to. Of course, she also betrayed him earlier on, but Bruce reckons that she is capable of bigger things and hence offers her redemption. A lesson on grace perhaps? :) Ahaha. Anyway, Selina Kyle here is very much different. Never the victim but never the villain as well, and like other comic incarnations have always been shifty. Her character here kinda reminds me of the Catwoman in the Hush story-arc. So Anne definitely has my vote as the best catwoman ever. There is even a scene where the Cat does a ninja on the Bat leaving the Bat to say "So....That's how it feels like". It had me laughing silly. </div>
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<b>Lucius Fox</b></div>
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I thought he had resigned from the events of the Dark Knight. Apparently he didn't. And is still the CEO for Wayne Enterprises. Morgan Freeman plays Lucius effortlessly. I beamed with the introduction of the Bat. Batman's new toy. Not as sleek as the Batwing, but in Nolan-verse, this seems to be the closest thing you can get to a functional Plane-copter-machine. </div>
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<b> </b></div>
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<b>Miranda Tate/Talia Al Ghul</b></div>
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I admit. I didn't see that one coming. Though I though that a love interest for Bruce Wayne (with the introduction of Catwoman) was pretty....err...unnecessary. Of course I see the plot much later on. With Ra's Al Ghul or at least the idea of it and the League of Shadows, it was only a matter of time before Talia Al Ghul showed up. Just in case you wonder, Talia Al Ghul is Ra's daughter and also the lover of Bruce and mother of his child, Damien Wayne.<b> </b>Marion Cottilard serves as eye candy although I had a friend who mistaken her as Rachel Weisz. Too bad her character wasn't expanded.</div>
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<i><b>Symbols</b></i><br />
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Let's face it, the entire Dark Knight trilogy was told in cryptic symbols and many scenes were <b>symbolic</b>, at least to me.<br />
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For the the TDKR, here are a few;<br />
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<i>Climbing
out of the pit</i>, which shows Bruce's will to continue living and to live to fight another day, rather than give up.<br />
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<i>The fact that for once, Batman fights in daylight</i>, perhaps to show
Gotham that he will no longer be in the shadows and to show Gotham its
true self. Or maybe the bomb just couldn't wait till night to blow up
haha.<br />
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<i>Alfred's fantasy of Florence and the final scene</i>. Alfred's fantasy was explained in the beginning of the movie, that Bruce would one day live a normal live with a loved one. The significance of it was played out in the ending. Some people say it's a dream like in Inception. However, have another viewing and the dream conclusion would definitely seemed less probable.<br />
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<i>The idea of mortality here is a very real and grim one</i>. If you think super heroes only die extravagant deaths, then this is a movie which clearly shows that one bad judgment call could lead to death. Such as the fight with Bane when clearly Bruce is not physically ready. Although, I would definitely prefer the Knightfall story arc of how Bruce was weaken by Bane's plan and Bane capitalized on a weakened Bruce. Here Bruce is definitely no match for Bane's physique and strength and played the underdog.<br />
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<i>The final showdown between the cops and the terrorists. </i>The daylight and final battle showed that anyone, even ordinary folk can rise to be heroes. And so is the converse where the ordinary folk too can be villains if guided wrongly. This is really relevant in today's world where extreme elements are introduced to tilt the balance between right and wrong / good and evil.<br />
So it's not just the Bat who rose, but the people of Gotham who rose to fight evil as well. <br />
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Those are the few that I can think off right now. I may add in
more when I do get round to figure it out. </div>
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Best quotes of the movie<br />
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<span class="bold quote_actor">Bane: </span><span class="line"><i>U</i><i>sing
darkness as your ally?I was born in
it...molded by it. I didnt see the light until I was already a man. By
then it was nothing to me but blinding!! The shadows betray you because
they belong to me!</i></span><br />
<span class="bold quote_actor"><br /></span><br />
<span class="bold quote_actor">Selina Kyle: </span><i><span class="line">You don't owe these people anymore, You've given them everything</span></i><br />
<i><span class="line"></span></i><span class="bold quote_actor">Batman</span><i><span class="bold quote_actor">: </span><span class="line">Not everything, Not yet.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="line"></span></i><span class="bold quote_actor">Batman: </span><span class="line">A<i>
hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring
as putting a coat around a little boy's shoulder to let him know that
the world hadn't ended.</i></span><br />
<i><span class="line"><br /></span></i><br />
<i><span class="line"><br /></span></i><br />
<b>Conclusion</b></div>
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I was happy to see many cameos such as those of Ra's Al Ghul and Johnathan Crane aka the Scarecrow! Thought i would be able to see the Joker too but it was a decent move to not mention that character in honour of Heath Ledger. </div>
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The Dark Knight Rises played out like a comic book movie. One that tries to ground itself on reality and sometimes, it doesn't fully succeed on the grounding. As compared to the Dark Knight, the Dark Knight was more of a crime caper where Batman battled the mob and the Joker got in the way. In the Dark Knight Rises, Gotham is even in a bleaker state and so is Bruce. But it played out to be a bleak, dark and wonderful symphony in the end. </div>
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Of course it also raises questions:- Why didn't Bruce use the rope to pull himself out of the pit to escape instead of using the path of the broken ledge? (Some say that the rope was only half way, which probably made sense since we can't really tell from the camera angles if the rope reaches all the way to the top). Also, how was Bruce healed from a broken back? (Unless the doctor has some secrets, it would probably take years to recover) Then again, as Ra's pointed out, "Will is everything". </div>
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But I'm happy and fine with the ending and I thought i was a good closure. To kill of Batman but let Bruce live his life normally. Something that the comic Batman will never have the luxury of as he will be a perpetual Dark Knight to Gotham. </div>
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As much as many have said that this movie was really long, being 2 hours and 45 mins, I felt that they had to rush it even and so many parts were left hanging hence my earlier questions. And perhaps like any other Nolan movie, they always manage to spark discussions on issues pertaining to it. Inception is one. And here's where Nolan succeeds as a filmmaker :) To raise questions and allow it's audience to come to its conclusion. Some say that Bruce never survived even,. I take the view that he did as it seems more plausible :) </div>
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Even the soundtrack seemed to grow from strength to strength. I have the opportunity of listening all three movie soundtracks and this one is really the more epic of the lot. The chants of 'Rise" will raise goosebumps for anyone listening to it. </div>
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So, ends the Dark Knight trilogy as it manages to reboot the entire Batman series, making a force to be reckon with and has created a phenomenon. </div>
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The Dark Knight Rises - truly epic and marvelous. Until the next Batman, which I hope won't come until 20 years later, we shall once again revisit the Bat. For now, I'm planning to watch it the second, third, fourth - 15th time :) And with a heavy heart, I shall now say goodbye to the Nolan Dark Knight trilogy.</div>
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"<i>Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up</i>."</div>
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<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/534536_10150934926438015_1160333804_n.jpg" style="height: 595px; width: 595px;" width="320" /></div>
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Enjoy the trailer below :) My fav amongst the other trailers<br />
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</div>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-31056299215158847912012-07-09T21:13:00.000-07:002012-07-10T17:58:16.953-07:00Great Power, Great Responsibility<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"With great power, comes great responsibility" </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHwX2AFRFs2PqywkT13JZvEFuJNpic5e8o3ez3BSkR8wK32172wjPWDxTbb3QP74Nt5uAATAhkagOIWOVZ4ToMXW4hY_zlqRNSQTV6mJJUsYaQD5j09wktWNPE9OwirUU9tNc4oiFElO-/s1600/Spiderman-amazing-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHwX2AFRFs2PqywkT13JZvEFuJNpic5e8o3ez3BSkR8wK32172wjPWDxTbb3QP74Nt5uAATAhkagOIWOVZ4ToMXW4hY_zlqRNSQTV6mJJUsYaQD5j09wktWNPE9OwirUU9tNc4oiFElO-/s320/Spiderman-amazing-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
Amazing Spider-man will do like what Batman Begins did for the Batman franchise.
An edgier, grittier and perhaps even funnier Spider-man than the Sam Raimi
version of things.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Unlike
Batman Begins, where the reboot was wholly necessary to fix the order of things
(the atrocities of Batman and Robin still linger in the thoughts of many) to
bring life back into an already tainted depiction of the Dark Knight, the
Amazing Spider-man seemed wholly unnecessary. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Why
was it unnecessary? Because Raimi’s vision of Spidey was excellent, except that
Spider-man 3 suffered from the greater expectations after Spider-man 2 and also
, the villain casting in Spider-man 3 was left wanting. Otherwise, Raimi had it
spot on! Tobey Maguire as the mild mannered Peter
Parker and aloof at times. Being a spidey fan (and Batman fan as well) for most
of my kid life and teenage life and college life even, I thought Spider-man
defined comic movies! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So,
<span style="display: none;">So, </span>I went to watch The Amazing
Spider-man with low expectations, thinking that this formula is nothing new to
me anymore. And I came out….wanting even more!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And
here’s my assessment on it:-</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
movie’s pacing was, to some people, slow, but I thought it was necessary to lay
the foundations for the main character, Peter
Parker and the more important supporting characters, Gwen Stacy, Uncle Ben and
Aunt May. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Like
Raimi’s version, he took an hour to introduce the characters and how Spidey
came to be, before he finally dons that spandex suit and started swinging
around. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This
version did the same. Only this time, Parker is still a teenager, still in high
school, more angsty (teenagers!) and is awkward. I believe this version takes
it’s liberties from the Ultimate Spider-man franchise instead. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I
have read some Ultimate Spider-man books but I wasn’t too interested in this
continuity, where Parker was still a teenager. I guess I’d prefer the classic continuity
instead. But anyway back to this post…..</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Casting:-</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
Which brings me to the casting – Andrew Garfield is an excellent Spider-man and
perhaps in my opinion better than Tobey Maguire. Don’t get me wrong, I loved
the Tobey Maguire version. It’s just that Andrew Garfield edges it a little. He
is edgy as Peter Parker, who is
always a conflicted character and has seen more share of tragedy than any other
superhero in the Marvel universe but light hearted as Spider-man with his smart
aleck sarcasm and quips! Just the way I’ve always wanted Spider-man to be. Like
Deadpool, always saying something sarcastic. Tobey’s Spider-man just didn’t had
that. Heck, he even carries a bagpack and a cell phone like a kid! </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Emma
Stone, has been one of my favourite actresses this generation. More so cause
she was in comedies like Easy A and Superbad (One of the best comedies of all
time). So, I like her spunk and her penchant for comedy. So casting her as Gwen
Stacy merely enforces that. Gwen Stacy is a strong character here and is not a
damsel in distress. Very much different from the Mary Jane from the last
trilogy (somehow, I’ve always thought Kristen Dunst was miscast). </span></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sad
to say, I'm quite sure Gwen Stacy will die in the next movie, if the
Green Goblin has anything to do with it. She is a good character but a
doomed one unfortunately. That's tragic. <br />
</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Uncle
Ben and Aunt May (Martin Sheen and Sally Field) – now here you have Award
winning peeps taking on these roles and they do not disappoint. Uncle Ben comes
across as a caring father-figure and doer of what is morally right whilst Aunt
May is no longer the aloof aunt but the caring mother-figure to Peter’s conflicted character. They both come off across
as people who have been in our lives. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Rhys
Irfan played Dr Curt Connors really well. Though some people may not be able to
see the angle of his character, whether he has some good or is truly bad, but
one thing, for sure, he is not a one dimensional character. But he is shady and
his motives may left one to wonder. As for the Lizard, I was a little disappointed
that he did not fit the description I envisioned. He didn’t have that classic
lizard snout and comes across as a scaly faced man with a huge body and tail. I
thought this character could have expanded a little bit more. I guess it’s
difficult to compete with the likes and charisma of Willem Defoe (the Green
Goblin) and Alfred Molina (Doc Octopus) who till this day remain as the bests
villains in Spidey history. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As
for Captain Stacy, played by Dennis Leary (from the Ice Age series), his
character could have been explored a little more. But I suppose he had to die
anyway. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">The movie</span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now,
I’m not going to spoil the story too much for anyone who hasn’t seen it. But
here’s my review of it. The story would provide a good introduction story to a
whole new franchise. As I have said earlier, it is a darker story and the
bigger scheme of things in this would be Peter’s
parents, who they are, what happened to them, and Oscorp would have a larger
role to play in all the movies this time round. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The
characters of Norman and Harry Osborne are not yet introduced, but in due time I
presume.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So
there we start off with Peter as a
kid. His parents leaving him because they have a higher duty to attend to, or
perhaps escape even, and thus he is left to live with Uncle Ben and Aunt May.
He grows up as an awkward kid and as always Flash Thompson will be there to be
his tormentor. He then finds out a secret that his parents’ had hidden (perhaps
meant for him to discover when he has come of age) which ultimately leads him
to Dr Connors who is working on a miracle of regeneration. Stem cell research?
Hardly. This is an entirely new method and Peter
has the equation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Peter</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> gets bitten and suddenly he is endowed with all these powers, climbing
walls and being super agile. Now, he doesn’t have his webs yet, and that’s
where it gets interesting. Like the comics, he builts his own web shooters and
so that’s something I liked. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tragic
would soon befall him as Uncle Ben dies due to his negligence and arrogance.
Once again, I was touched and emotions stirred during the death of Uncle Ben.
And Andrew Garfield made it even more so. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And
finally he learns that “with great power comes great responsibility”, though
the words are not uttered, the idea and principle remains throughout the movie.
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So,
Dr Connors finally develops the serum to regenerate with Peter’s
help but is reluctant to test it on patients when asked to do so. Upon being
told that the serum will be tested on the patients anyway, he decides then to
test it on himself first. It works, hand regenerates but the becomes a lizard
instead. And this is when all hell breaks loose, and hence, go watch the movie
to find out </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Just
a summary. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But
more importantly, I felt that this movie was written really well. I couldn’t
find that many holes in the plot and the execution is well. Even the action
sequences were more believable, perhaps thanks to recent technology and so
forth. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What
I loved about this movie is that not only is Parker more relatable to us in
real life, the other characters too are people you see in life everyday. Even
Spider-man is vulnerable and flawed. And the dynamics of how that worked out
well would be the key to why this film is good, if not great. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sure
it doesn’t hit the high of Spider-man 2, but with Marc Webb, I won’t hold back
on that. This film had potential to build up to greater things. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Most
definitive and emotional scene :- handing the overdue eggs to Aunt May after a
hard day’s work. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In
conclusion, whilst I love the first franchise, I think this Spider-man presents
itself as a more relatable and realistic Spider-man. And hence, Andrew Garfield’s
portrayal tops Tobey Maguire’s, not by a mile but a slight edge. And because of
that, I can’t wait for the next installment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">With
the Avengers gone and Spider-man done with, will the Dark Knight Rise to
challenge the box office as the comic-book event of the year? 2 weeks from now.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But
until then, the Amazing Spider-man has appease this fan-boy. With much pleasure.
Thank you Marc Webb and Andrew Garfield. Thank you. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCtAY-3b1roBc1mEFGSlHLYWzSVR7C_6HmGrEJMj8VeFsazsxfmcBdfMnDICycuCG50Oa8BJ3zO9ZwWQgv7Hdhp2_KIzmr7NWLY1QFjeZ5xCCC1Ib96cozDk90UUAsrqr-_N6UKoJC96k/s1600/amazing-spider-man-swing-shift-20070312053059609-000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCtAY-3b1roBc1mEFGSlHLYWzSVR7C_6HmGrEJMj8VeFsazsxfmcBdfMnDICycuCG50Oa8BJ3zO9ZwWQgv7Hdhp2_KIzmr7NWLY1QFjeZ5xCCC1Ib96cozDk90UUAsrqr-_N6UKoJC96k/s320/amazing-spider-man-swing-shift-20070312053059609-000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-44979752286516382842012-06-26T20:01:00.004-07:002012-06-26T20:08:54.024-07:00The Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 - An Overview<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
This is a reproduction of an overview by <b>Professor Shad Faruq</b>i,
one of the leading academics in the area of Malaysian Constitutional
Law. He happened to be one of my lecturers during my days in law school
as well. </div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br />
And here is the brief overview for an understanding of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. </div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
The link to the article as published in the Star today, 27 June 2012 is <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/6/27/focus/11552419&sec=focus" target="_blank">here. </a></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Previously, everything was prohibited unless permitted. Now
everything is permitted unless prohibited. This is a significant shift
in civil rights thinking.</b></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
IN early legal systems, the
primary end of the law was to keep the peace. In modern legal orders, a
just balance between the might of the state and the rights of the
citizens is attempted. No field better exemplifies the difficulty of
achieving this fair balance than Malaysia’s law relating to assembly and
procession.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
The recently enacted Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 has
received much criticism in the media and deserves scrutiny of its high
and low points.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Police permit:</b> Previously under Sections
27 of the Police Act, citizens had to apply for a police permit for
gatherings or processions of more than three people.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
Under the
new Act, there is no requirement for a police permit, but organisers of
assemblies must notify the authorities 10 days in advance under Section
9(1). No notice is required for meetings in designated places or if the
assembly is an exempted assembly.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
If in response to a notification the police do nothing, then under Section 14(2) silence is deemed as consent.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
Previously,
everything was prohibited unless permitted. Now everything is permitted
unless prohibited. This is a significant shift in civil rights
thinking.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>No power to ban:</b> Under the Police Act, assemblies and processions could be prohibited outright or conditions imposed.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
The
new Act in Section 15 permits the OCPD to impose significant
restrictions and conditions including the date, time and place of the
assembly. However, there is no power to issue an outright “No” before
the assembly takes place.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Time limits:</b> Just as citizens
are required to give advance notification of 10 days, the police
response must also be communicated within a stated time limit of five
days: Section 14(1). An appeal to the Home Minister must be decided
within 48 hours: Section 16(2).</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Designated places:</b> The Act
permits the minister to designate places where assemblies may be held
without notification to the police. Critics have charged that this is an
attempt to isolate Opposition gatherings in distant and low-impact
places.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
This is an overly cynical view. Actually it is a good
idea to designate some fields, stadiums and Speakers’ Corners for public
assemblies.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
What would be improper is if the owners of
designated places indulged in the selective granting or refusal of
permission. If this happens, judicial review is likely on the (Article
8) principle of equality or the administrative law principles of
reasonableness, irrationality or abuse of power.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Exempted assemblies:</b>
This Act does not apply to election campaigns, strikes, lock-outs and
pickets under the Industrial Relations Act and the Trade Union Act:
Section 1(3).</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
It is also inapplicable to religious assemblies,
funeral processions, weddings, open houses, family get-togethers, family
days and meetings of societies or associations: Third Schedule
Paragraph 9(2)(b).</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
The words “meetings of societies and associations” are very broad and permit vast possibilities.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Right to object:</b>
All persons likely to be affected by a proposed assembly have a right
to be informed and to raise objections. In principle this is acceptable.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
However,
there is a perception that the police may pander to extremist groups;
subordinate minority rights to majority concerns, and discourage lawful
but unpopular assemblies. This perception needs to be proved wrong.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Judicial review:</b> Mercifully, the Act has no ouster clauses for excluding judicial review.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Counter-assemblies:</b>
The Act takes admirable note of counter- and simultaneous assemblies,
and seeks to regulate them by giving preference to the assembly first in
place. It also provides for alternative sites, times and dates for the
counter- or simultaneous assembly or assemblies.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Spontaneous gatherings:</b> These are not contemplated by the law and are presumably not illegal.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Involuntary presence:</b>
The definition of “participant” leaves out anyone who is
unintentionally or involuntarily present at an assembly. This will be a
useful defence to a citizen who is the subject of a prosecution.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
Despite the above wholesome features, the reformed law still bristles with some controversial provisions.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Street protests:</b>
These are a form of assembly in motion, a procession or a
demonstration. They were permitted (within limits) subject to regulation
under Section 27 of the Police Act, but are now absolutely banned.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
Other
ambiguous aspects of the law are that a street protest by definition
involves “walking in a mass march or rally.” So if there is no walking
but a motorcade of cars or bikes, that will not be caught by this law
and the authorities may have to use Section 268 of the Penal Code or
some provision in the Road Traffic Act 1987.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
Further, although
“street protests” are banned, the Act refers here and there to
“processions” and “assemblies in motion.” One has to struggle to
understand the distinction between a lawful procession and an unlawful
street protest.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>Police discretion:</b> Under the Police Act,
police discretion to grant or withhold a permit was more or less
unfettered and the power to impose conditions was very wide, although
subject to occasional judicial review as in <i>Chai Choon Hon v Ketua Polis Kampar (1986) and Patto v CPO Perak (1986)</i>.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
Similar
to the Police Act, the new law in Section 15 still confers on the men
in blue very wide discretion to impose “restrictions and conditions,”
arrest without a warrant any person failing to comply with a restriction
or condition, or order the assembly to disperse.</div>
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It must be
acknowledged, however, that such wide discretion is known in other
jurisdictions like Britain, Finland and the state of Queensland in
Australia, but subject to external review.</div>
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<b>External control:</b>
Unlike the recent Security Offences (Special Measures) Act which
subjected the powers of the police and the Minister to judicial control,
this Act makes no effort to subject police discretion to external,
non-executive control.</div>
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An appeal lies with the minister, which basically means there is an appeal from the executive to the executive.</div>
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Fortunately,
however, there is no ouster clause, and judicial review on the first
principles of administrative law is a possibility.</div>
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<b>Public places:</b>
These are defined too broadly, so they include private places open to
or used by the public by the express or implied consent of the owner or
on payment of money. This means that private premises, hotels and halls
to which members of the public are invited or permitted are deemed
public places!</div>
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<b>Constitutionality:</b> It remains to be seen
whether the courts will review the constitutionality of some parts of
this law. Issues germane for discussion are:</div>
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> The total ban
of street protests without linking it to public order and national
security may well fall foul of Article 10(2).</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
> The ban on
people under 21 organising an assembly may be challenged as a violation
of Article 10 (free speech) and Article 8 (equality). It is noteworthy
that case law has established that parliamentary restrictions on human
rights must be reasonable by objective standards (Hilman Idham).</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
>
One of the grounds on which the police may exercise the power to
regulate assemblies is “the protection of the rights and freedom of
other persons” (sections 2, 3 and 15). These words of limitation do not
occur in Article 10(2), and may therefore be seen as an extra
constitutional limitation.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
In most countries including the US and
Malaysia, courts have accepted implied limits on human freedoms and
have often carved out common law restrictions on fundamental freedoms.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
In
sum, the Act has many wholesome features. But it is defective in that
it imposes no objective restraints on the police and ministerial
discretion.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
Nevertheless, as judicial review is not excluded,
courts may provide a proper balance between police powers and
fundamental freedoms. Whether the courts will play such a balancing role
remains to be seen.</div>
<div style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<i>- Shad Saleem Faruqi is Emeritus Professor of Law at UiTM.</i></div>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-44843707822438402192012-05-21T08:47:00.003-07:002012-05-21T08:52:52.771-07:00Avenged Awesome Sevenfold<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
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This has been a long time coming, but I finally did this concert review. <br />
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So i missed the L'arc En Ciel concert on 28 April. I mean, I was really gearing up for that. Listening to the old stuff, buying the new stuff, downloading the other stuff, looking up the lyrics, though I have absolutely no idea what they were singing (without translation of course). I mean really, I wanted to go for that. But then Bersih 3.0 came and went. </div>
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My only saving grace was the Avenged Sevenfold concert on 29 April. I was half hearted into it. Daren gave me an entire mp3 CD worth of Avenged Sevenfold songs. I listened to some, but I was listening more to L'arc En Ciel songs just so that I'm familiar with them. </div>
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OK. So I listened to some songs from the A7X CD and there were some that I really liked. Afterlife, Beast and the Harlot, Nightmare, Buried Alive. And then Colin introduced me to the really epic musical sounding piece titled A little Piece of Heaven. Sounded corny but when the metal bits kicked in, it was hardrockin'....and funny at the same time. But that was about it. Nothing more than that. </div>
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So i went to the concert without knowing the names of the band members. OK, to be honest, I heard of Zacky Vengeance and M Shadows. But that was about it. And the ex-drummer was called the Rev and it was a pity he passed on. The new drummer is this dude from a band of Christians called Confide. Really awesome stuff, that Confide. Daren and Colin told me that his name was quite hard to pronounce. </div>
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So, we queued up in Sunway Lagoon. We waited and waited and waited. And finally we were in! a good 45 minutes later, but this is standard la. Queued even longer for Muse! :)</div>
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We bought the RM98 tickets, which is the cheapest and effectively, we were at the far end from the stage. Zone B and Zone C (where we were at) was only separated by a metal barrier. Those that you see in your school canteen, ok, at least my school canteen, just to make sure the students formed a uniformed line when buying food. That kinda metal barrier. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6meXBgF-YT2gMRqu2dlTJy1B-kXga9Z6TOXQFruK1u7SL0fmVheE3c-yxZCYWPqA9Piggc8bKvzzpu37rZt63-18HYCiWQwsprcqNRrwqT99bwycV-IZqcuAjI2OvGHgHmluAGPcf20jW/s1600/P1020919.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6meXBgF-YT2gMRqu2dlTJy1B-kXga9Z6TOXQFruK1u7SL0fmVheE3c-yxZCYWPqA9Piggc8bKvzzpu37rZt63-18HYCiWQwsprcqNRrwqT99bwycV-IZqcuAjI2OvGHgHmluAGPcf20jW/s320/P1020919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Love Me Butch opened and the energy was intense. I thought their set was pretty good and I was headbanging to Generation SOS when it was played. Unfortunately, the crowd behind was not so responsive. I figured that they didnt know who Love Me Butch was. Nu metal or post metal they are deemed. But whatever their called, they knew how to rock! :)<br />
Once they were done, then it was back to the waiting game and this time for the main event. <br />
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Whilst waiting, I turned to look at where we were after 30 mins and suddenly Colin was in the front! Daren and I were quite puzzled cause 3 young punks were suddenly standing in front of us. But it was ok, they were cool. </div>
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And suddenly a bunch of kids were standing behind me. They probably are too young to even drive. But one of them, the skinny douchebag, was ultra irritating to say the least. He kept shouting the stupidest things like "M Shadows! I love you. I wanna suck your.................(let your imagination run wild here)..!" </div>
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"I wanna have your babies!". HIs friends thought it was funny. And then when they played Metallica songs, he sang the Kirk Hammet's guitar solo bits, annoyingly! He started playing air drums and said to his friends, "hey man...uh uh.....look I'm a one man band...uh uh....heh heh heh..you think it's easy being a one man band? Uh Uh heh Heh..!" DUDE IF IT AINT EASY THEN SHUT THE HECK UP!! I told him to shut it when he started encroaching my space and nudged me a bit doing his stupid air drum impersonation. </div>
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Now, I've been to many concerts, probably more than this punk right here and I know human proximity is pretty high. That's fine. What's not fine is stupid douchebag punks who think they are funny but are not. </div>
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Even his friends eventually got tired of his antics and just asked him if he still has any energy left for A7X. That didn't stop him though. In my head, I would have loved to elbow him when the band starts playing. You know jumping in the euphoria and then Ooopps..."sorry that's your head right?" :D. Of course common sense held me back. </div>
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And then the band started playing. <i>Nightmare</i> was the song If I was not mistaken! And what an intro it was! The skinny douchebag screamed and into my ear no less! I actually felt the pain! Dumb kid! By then everyone was jumping like crazy and the mosh had begun! We were too busy jumping and headbanging when suddenly the barriers collapsed and we all suddenly rushed into Zone B, which is the RM198 area and we were so much closer to the band!</div>
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(My utmost sympathy goes to those who bought the RM198 ticks who now had to share the space with us, the cheapskates :)too bad..) </div>
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The songs then kept coming. <i>Critical Acclaim</i> was next, followed by <i>Welcome to the Family</i>. I didn't know the song titles so I had to keep asking Daren. Earlier he fell behind because he helped a guy to get on his feet and from being trampled by the crowd after the barriers collapsed. Such heroism :) </div>
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Other songs were played. Things got emotional when they played <i>So Far Away</i>. A song for their fallen comrade. It was emotional as the crowd lighted their lighters and started swaying their hands. The continued with assault after assault of metal goodness. And when they played the <i>Beast and the Harlot, </i>the crowd was in a frenzy. The video below was taken by my Iphone. </div>
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It took magical powers to even hold the phone when the moshing began. And then they played the twisted musical of a love song, <i>A Little Piece of Heaven</i>. The crowd was alive. And the chorus was resounding, </div>
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It was also a good thing that M Shadows was really putting effort in conversing with the crowd. It was nice of him to try to chat the crowd up, like asking if we have been to the United States. And if So, they would take us to <i>Bat Country</i> and the riffs started for that one :).</div>
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They did 3 encore songs; <i>Fiction</i>, <i>God hates Us</i> and <i>Unholy Confessions</i>.I know the crowd desired further. </div>
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I personally left the concert wanting more. Though I wished I participated in the mosh pit but I know I'm not getting any younger. And besides, I had a trip to Korea to catch so, ending up with further torn ligaments (I have a torn ACL as we speak) was the last thing in my mind. The energies of youth. How I miss thee.<br />
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From a non-believer, I probably left the concert a disciple :) Why? Because I liked their music :- heavy chugging but melodic riffs. Metalcore plus harmonies and double guitar solos are always my thing. So, I missed L'arc En Ciel but this makes up for it big time.<br />
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And so, I leave thee with pictures from the A7X Malaysian concert.<br />
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Our night was truly Avenged......Sevenfold :) <br />
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<br />Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-19015112131990663952012-04-30T08:24:00.001-07:002012-04-30T20:17:22.785-07:00Bersih 3.0 - New Experiences, New faces, Same Fight, Same outcome - The fight for the country continues<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UyYUMoacPog" width="560"></iframe> <b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> Bersih - 10 November 2007</b> - 10 years after Reformasi, street rallies were still taboo. Street rallies were still deemed illegal, but we went anyway. The objective was to march to the Palace and to deliver the memorandum to the Agong for cleaner elections. Reports back then said around 30,000 - 50,000 people. Mission accomplished. <a href="http://vertigosp.blogspot.com/2008/04/its-been-month-and-8-days-after-general.html" target="_blank">This is the link to my experiences after Bersih and what happened thereafter, back in 2008</a>. First account of teargas and water cannons. Something new. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bersih 2.0 - 11 July 2011</span></b> - ILLEGAL! <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The PM, Home Minister and practically the govt had a pre-emptive strike to stop Bersih 2.0 from happening. Bersih 2.0 was ILLEGAL! Wearing yellow was a crime (ridiculously true)!! The city was at a lockdown. Stadium Merdeka (the proposed venue) was closed and barred and heavily guarded by the police and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU). But still we pressured on. Though no memorandum managed to reach the hands of the Agong this time, the presence of the people sent tremors across the country and internationally. Police violence against protestors made international news and people get to see the other side of things. I personally met new faces as well as old ones, and the motley crew of us once again experienced teargas and water cannons. Only this time, the effects were more painfully potent. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But it became a wake up call for many Malaysians. 20,000 rallied that day and it was a beautiful event on all accounts. My accounts on that <a href="http://vertigosp.blogspot.com/2011/07/after-week-of-sleepless-nights-for-fear.html" target="_blank">event are here</a>. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bersih 3.0 - 28 April 2012</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When Bersih 2.0 announced that the rally would be held </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">on April 28, my heart sank. It sank because I had bought concert tickets for a really awesome band called L'arc En Ciel. Now, who are they you would ask me? They are a Japanese band who are really awesome. The video to their latest single is posted below :- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/u1fRy346838" width="420"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I thought I would go for the concert this time instead. I spoke to the usual fellow rally goers, Colin and Desmond. And Colin said it right, that if I do go for the concert, I would be missing out in another piece of history taking place in Malaysia. And he said that I wouldn't go for the concert in the end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Indeed he was right. I didn't go for the concert cause I know I would be much too bothered about how my friends are doing and I can only read tweets from afar and only wonder that much on the state of things on 28 April 2012. Tried selling my tickets though and was desperate enough to post in FFK.Me.com. Well, tickets for L'arc En Ciel are not exactly Russell Peters material and in the end, my mate Aaron (another L'arc fan) took his wife instead of me to the concert. If I can't sell it, best to bless others right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Prelude</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The momentum leading up to the rally was rather quiet this time round. The euphoria surrounding the rally wasn't as great as Bersih 2.0. I suppose the police knew that any more negativity on their part, since the last crackdown would heavily damage the ruling coalition's hopes of retaining the heart of the people it purports to serve. However, that is not to say that there is no news on this matter. In fact, the Occupy Dataran Movement served as a prelude to what was to happen on 28 April. Applications were made to DBKL and the Police for the rally to be held at Dataran Merdeka but it was rejected (no surprises eh? yeah, I had none too). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Home Minister instead, <a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/hisham-dbkl-should-give-alternatives-perhaps-stadium-merdeka-for-bersih-3.0/" target="_blank">offered Stadium Merdeka and would insist that DBKL allows for it.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Less than a week before the actual day itself. Bersih 3.0 insisted on going ahead with the Sitting protest in Dataran Merdeka. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By 26 April 2012, the entire Dataran Merdeka was cordoned off. Not only with barricades, there were <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbed_tape" target="_blank">razor wires </a>actually used instead of barbed wires. Such is the fear of DBKL to allow people to use it. The Police later said they would allow the rally / assembly provided no one goes into Dataran Merdeka or some other roads as stated in the Court Order obtained by the Police. However, despite all this, the numbers in our group swelled and by the end of Friday night, our group numbers at or around 60 odd or so. Old faces and new ones. Rally veterans and first timers. It was exciting to say the least. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We read of news that the police would use a new weapon, the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) as a means of crowd control this time round. Advice to bring headphones or earpolugs were then circulated. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>The Morning</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The few of us, consisting of my sister (miracle of miracles), Wil Liam, Alvin Cheah and Kien Mun took the LRT to the city at around 930 am. We were met by hordes of yellow shirt wearers. The atmosphere was pretty different from that of Bersih 2.0 where many had to hide their tees in their bags for fear of being arrested (orders were given out for the arrests of anyone who wears yellow - a crime only in Malaysia and in June 2011). Our spirits were uplifted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When we reached Pasar Seni, we rallied at the first point which is Lai Foong Coffeeshop and this time, the coffeeshop was bustling, once again unlike Bersih 2.0. We met familiar faces, but at the same time new ones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some of us then headed to Petaling Street to meet up with another group, my sister's church group, and we had breakfast there instead. Believe me, chicken rice was the first to go, so I ordered some rice with sotong sambal. Not good. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We then rallied back to the Central Market car park, the original rally point and all the satellite groups met up to form the original group which was co-ordinated and facilitated by Colin Pal.There was a crowd gathering and more and more people gathered. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ambiga and perhaps, some members were giving speeches on stage. We were quite a distance away however. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The atmosphere was carnival-like and we entertained ourselves while we wait for further directions to move towards Dataran Merdeka. People from all walks of life greeted each other and new friends were made by many I'm sure. </span><br />
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<i>The Protestors and their afternoon prayers. I truly admire their discipline in prayer :) </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>The March</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At about 130pm, orders were finally given to the crowd to start walking from Central Market. By then, on an estimate, it could have been about 3000 here? My estimate is quite horrible I must admit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoEyAzJZYiFL5MFJYSaUsPXvS90ZihGdE2EMvtvkE6EXNdCrhrG-2RSvjw4YTClg0kPtz_0AMiHxLN6CtV0fWW4F9SxNK7_zZ-OugMiBJGBAuSag5derZAKdibAfoOqcJXPvcFcdGw0zU/s1600/P1020869.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoEyAzJZYiFL5MFJYSaUsPXvS90ZihGdE2EMvtvkE6EXNdCrhrG-2RSvjw4YTClg0kPtz_0AMiHxLN6CtV0fWW4F9SxNK7_zZ-OugMiBJGBAuSag5derZAKdibAfoOqcJXPvcFcdGw0zU/s320/P1020869.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAncC7LR1qplPTIzGDfC49ESisOAAz7IWFWEq6bcppKFGw-WhyOJIM6u7xL874H1Lj2-EQcIx8FTEtj2w1sBPB0Iwv-uvi3ym_BqGmT2OutSvToQsLoBGQKFjP1VFKHXFh2GSEQY3KZf6/s1600/P1020861.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAncC7LR1qplPTIzGDfC49ESisOAAz7IWFWEq6bcppKFGw-WhyOJIM6u7xL874H1Lj2-EQcIx8FTEtj2w1sBPB0Iwv-uvi3ym_BqGmT2OutSvToQsLoBGQKFjP1VFKHXFh2GSEQY3KZf6/s320/P1020861.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjF4SpQge5PshUgKQgbSi0X7wG7AkUkGjFgbQGdrJkrnimMXlrHVrJJ8pQanFnHLKGDLkq3qb7B7LSGQtE0HcAhH0oS2KeWj4ZmoSCVtS0p2Wehndj0wdkXAOwl0SiM4vGi0ajwofCByB/s1600/P1020871.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjF4SpQge5PshUgKQgbSi0X7wG7AkUkGjFgbQGdrJkrnimMXlrHVrJJ8pQanFnHLKGDLkq3qb7B7LSGQtE0HcAhH0oS2KeWj4ZmoSCVtS0p2Wehndj0wdkXAOwl0SiM4vGi0ajwofCByB/s320/P1020871.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We took the Kota Raya route which took us to Leboh Pasar Besar. We continued to walk towards the Leboh Ampang. I had the opportunity to meet Haris Ibrahim and as usual, he always came across as a really humble chap. Haris Ibrahim, the person who coined up the Pakatan Rakyat moniker and his life is a testimony of the good fight. A true Malaysian hero! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJxGrDJNEBsva_4q4U8LY2Cfub1RoHOHBlIMiDy-PDYMMaewhy6-TYklpOais6FO8oK5iz4-jt-d5O9BOYazuzfhmhXL5lzxyaUZbeaMaxE00KeQTheYNTJqa0jy_IlZ4_31lEPMNE8AD/s1600/P1020872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJxGrDJNEBsva_4q4U8LY2Cfub1RoHOHBlIMiDy-PDYMMaewhy6-TYklpOais6FO8oK5iz4-jt-d5O9BOYazuzfhmhXL5lzxyaUZbeaMaxE00KeQTheYNTJqa0jy_IlZ4_31lEPMNE8AD/s320/P1020872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>DUDUK BANTAH</b> !!</div>
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We arrived at Leboh Ampang finally and that’s where we met
the PR convoy of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang. Ambiga was already
some platform on top of a truck and speeches were given. We couldn’t hear much
from behind and we proceeded to the front. At some point, orders were given for
the crowd to sit and that’s where we DUDUK BANTAH (Sit In Protest). </div>
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We arrived at Leboh Ampang finally and that’s where we met
the PR convoy of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang. Ambiga was already
some platform on top of a truck and speeches were given. We couldn’t hear much
from behind and we proceeded to the front. At some point, orders were given for
the crowd to sit and that’s where we DUDUK BANTAH. </div>
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<b> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTprv1nRdmGZEO_6WEfMWy_7qPn8ipZ7dLmTLSIC0uMm4o7-iE0rBgRGBuZtXlrDZEhrpcapUELPq3LraSpVQEob6AKWrfIVehpigin1lusd4cBZKAK0fPLPzLYcal_ozUFz7nLSALsNa0/s1600/P1020893.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTprv1nRdmGZEO_6WEfMWy_7qPn8ipZ7dLmTLSIC0uMm4o7-iE0rBgRGBuZtXlrDZEhrpcapUELPq3LraSpVQEob6AKWrfIVehpigin1lusd4cBZKAK0fPLPzLYcal_ozUFz7nLSALsNa0/s320/P1020893.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSLRpxKsLwUebUfQB2g0_RyByp56iyhmr79Qex7eLs8kwC7WC6vCawgFMSQBK9NKw5-er-m6mdVUupPR3jepLnhP7K5lWLcr4nPYgviDhxjN5s361m3W9iBisWijwf0caO0dTaR9uBA9t/s1600/P1020894.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSLRpxKsLwUebUfQB2g0_RyByp56iyhmr79Qex7eLs8kwC7WC6vCawgFMSQBK9NKw5-er-m6mdVUupPR3jepLnhP7K5lWLcr4nPYgviDhxjN5s361m3W9iBisWijwf0caO0dTaR9uBA9t/s320/P1020894.JPG" width="320" /></a><b> </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EyNwBBcmJuUg7wKXSm-2R3ad6X7tcWMUVRaks5pm2d8VwBEkizev_z-4mTEu1R4ymuHf5iBhLxE4g_JYNI6vNuFi7rL4r5zIm2KMGcL-TM38nyL8oY-UwaIwi9sy_ihctql2XhSjrXNW/s1600/P1020891.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EyNwBBcmJuUg7wKXSm-2R3ad6X7tcWMUVRaks5pm2d8VwBEkizev_z-4mTEu1R4ymuHf5iBhLxE4g_JYNI6vNuFi7rL4r5zIm2KMGcL-TM38nyL8oY-UwaIwi9sy_ihctql2XhSjrXNW/s320/P1020891.JPG" width="320" /></a><b> </b></div>
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<b>Calm Before the Storm</b></div>
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Around
15 minutes into the DUDUK BANTAH we were asked to later disperse. That was the
end of it. Or was it? The crowd was curious, some of us were asked to push
back. Then again there were some who said to march on into Dataran Merdeka.
Here is where I got a suspicious. We rallied on however. As we passed the KL
Bar (Wisma Kraftangan), protestors started to chant ‘Buka Buka, Buka Pagar!” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Open up the gates). </i>And here is where I
felt that something was about to go down. We had promised not to go into
Dataran and that is that. But to open the barricades, that wasn’t part of the
plan. </div>
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<br /></div>
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And
before I know it, the police started firing teargas. From afar we saw the smoke
and I knew, we have walked into a trap of sorts! </div>
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I
opened up my salt pack and started taking some to avoid the sting of the
teargas (experience helps this time round). We offered salt to people around telling them
to put it in their mouth to avoid the sting! We pushed back as more and more
tear gas canisters were fired. </div>
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“B*stards!”
I thought to myself. I knew all too well
that they would use their teargas canisters, cause they’d probably need to
achieve a quota of how many canisters were used for the day. The more
canisters, the higher their brownie points would be recorded.</div>
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Some
protestors, who were falling back started shouting to the others to run for it.
Together with some of the more experienced protestors, we shouted in reply “TO
WALK! JALAN! JANGAN LARI. BERTENANG!” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to walk and not to run and to keep calm) </i>knowing
full well that anything out of control would cause a stampede and that is the
last thing this peaceful rally really needs. </div>
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Most
of got separated here and some of us decided to rally back to Central Market
since the Rally is over. We took the exit on the right off Burger King to head
back. More tear gas was fired but by then we were at a safe distance (at least
the remaining few). We walked back to Central Market but before that, stopped
to get some water. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJJwu67yn-sY8Z-rGYLQQs2b9tpOQvYGLkyfaKn3P_gxqvROjYyyVKRR8VKkDJtecpaXZYigVJFpRSmJHHxT9mjlihdYUHgOqfNEEY4EiWNdartp2UPFgtsLWum-Gv_iYhfsNAp3d_lxg/s1600/P1020901.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJJwu67yn-sY8Z-rGYLQQs2b9tpOQvYGLkyfaKn3P_gxqvROjYyyVKRR8VKkDJtecpaXZYigVJFpRSmJHHxT9mjlihdYUHgOqfNEEY4EiWNdartp2UPFgtsLWum-Gv_iYhfsNAp3d_lxg/s320/P1020901.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I
received texts of others who were separated to rally at Central Market and we
all agreed and decided to head there. We were then at Central Market waiting
for the rest to get back. And this is when we received news that the police had
fired tear gas in these few spots, Kota Raya, The Bar Council and Central
Market. This was absolutely ridiculous!! We hear that the Bar Council was also
attacked with the FRU Water cannons! Believe me, chemical laced water is the
last thing you want on your skin. And this is what the rally-goers at the Bar
Council had to endure. </div>
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As
the group re-assembled once again, teargas was coming our way and this time the
effects were more potent than before. I had
to admit, I choked. But thankfully, the tear gas formulae was not as potent as
the ones used in Bersih 2.0. But it was still bad nevertheless. When I
recovered, I joined Colin and the others to offer salt to some of the others. This is when we see police personnel starting
to assemble and we decided to leave for good. Those who were separated were already
on their way to KL Sentral and we decided to rally at that point since the
Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek and Dang Wangi LRT Stations were now off bounds
(another ridiculous decision made by the powers that be for no good reason).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgvmhMGZXQ6_cYr91ySb7I8_UW0x9X-G906XppQpYLsLp93IowvYSgQEPFg57C8LP55Kl-y34UT4-1UQY0MX1THf7Sa71WaoKw-h38-gFn_NAn4osgWs6ZmljiFwdPHjpbb9BukHwmtci/s1600/P1020903.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgvmhMGZXQ6_cYr91ySb7I8_UW0x9X-G906XppQpYLsLp93IowvYSgQEPFg57C8LP55Kl-y34UT4-1UQY0MX1THf7Sa71WaoKw-h38-gFn_NAn4osgWs6ZmljiFwdPHjpbb9BukHwmtci/s320/P1020903.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PTRvyTuY5CkiXIM2qdBJcdNI6KWJZNwnIoXk799KRWGcP6jsDXFs6oUuVRVZJ_tGz9wr3zWkfQ4GJ5tgPPU8SLWFvRce__HJsKIDYJGrWcwlSf9YdSJX9bqHtpguFodxOhXw7hXrVCx7/s1600/P1020904.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PTRvyTuY5CkiXIM2qdBJcdNI6KWJZNwnIoXk799KRWGcP6jsDXFs6oUuVRVZJ_tGz9wr3zWkfQ4GJ5tgPPU8SLWFvRce__HJsKIDYJGrWcwlSf9YdSJX9bqHtpguFodxOhXw7hXrVCx7/s320/P1020904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We
reached KL Sentral and had our really late lunch at Burger King. And this is
where we found out that some protestors were knocked over by a police car in
the Sogo area. Not only that, the car was subsequently overturned by angry
protestors. At that point, we felt really sad for we know that this would be
the talking point and the negative aspects that Bersih has been trying to steer
clear off, would now be pinpointed based on this incident. </div>
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</div>
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</div>
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Colin told us that Ambiga and Co would be
doing a press conference at KFC in KL Sentral. We headed over to KFC once we
are done only to find out that the press conference was already over. </div>
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<br /></div>
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However,
we managed to have a word with Wong Chin Huat, member of the steering
committee. In light of all the negativity that had happened, he requested that
we help mobilize a team to clean up the streets which have been left littered.
The streets were Masjid Jamek, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Raja Laut. </div>
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By
now, some of us were really tired. We informed those who were realluy tired to
go home first while the rest who still had the energy, to do something, start
mobilizing themselves and gather people for the cleaning up exercise. We
started tweeting and see if there was response. Eddy, Sean I and some of the
rest who had left earlier decided to come back. However,
we told the rest that we would go to Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman since
there was news of unrest in Masjid Jamek. With the help of a very nice Burger
King manager, we got ourselves black plastic bags. </div>
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<b>Rubbish Collecting</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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By
the time we got there, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman was empty. But the police
formed barricades, and they were looking really serious. We didn’t bother and
we continued our cleaning up exercise. We met another chap, Rahul who decided
to help us with the exercise. Now this is 1Malaysian spirit. J </div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyway
, I got nearer to where the police barricade was to pick up some rubbish there.
It was there that one of them confronted me and asked me if I was paid for doing
this. I said I wasn’t paid and that this was a voluntary exercise in good
faith. A plain clothed police, Inspector, I reckon then told me “Get your
friends, your family and stay out of here. If you don’t want any trouble, get
out now. A police has just died!”. I
didn’t exactly believe him but he has spoken. I retreated and told the rest of
this. We decided to then head to Raja Laut and continued to pick up the rubbish
and see what the conditions were like over there. We perhaps heard sounds of
police approaching and we got scared. The idea of being arrested now is even
more so real since, now its just the ragtag group of less than 10 of us VS the
PDRM. We then decided to head home, but not before throwing the bags of rubbish
that we had. At least for that moment, we made the world a cleaner place.We were dead tired and we called it a day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkIIDydM1d1pvuEgWNOa7V0i9IdkM3zmM09Rrj1pA6wEvaC8snh-ynRbf48X2zB4ozygoan6jOn4vPUYv4otD_AOj6WpEj-pFUYGeKhjL7cczdwWV9cMPYiXBLjuppLmCxum26brblYgZ/s1600/P1020908.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkIIDydM1d1pvuEgWNOa7V0i9IdkM3zmM09Rrj1pA6wEvaC8snh-ynRbf48X2zB4ozygoan6jOn4vPUYv4otD_AOj6WpEj-pFUYGeKhjL7cczdwWV9cMPYiXBLjuppLmCxum26brblYgZ/s320/P1020908.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9r3J1kGHrgOVoyQIcKH-zAP-IqpBnBdGv4MyLxDsWbKyLOjxG0eGp1ZPCCZuPrITbTOTVPFNJ75XXSGOmTORqmiWUK6DUF_Yd-TOyBRouWTTqpHzxxqh2zcYuS-D4fDHpIfh1EcNU62W/s1600/P1020910.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9r3J1kGHrgOVoyQIcKH-zAP-IqpBnBdGv4MyLxDsWbKyLOjxG0eGp1ZPCCZuPrITbTOTVPFNJ75XXSGOmTORqmiWUK6DUF_Yd-TOyBRouWTTqpHzxxqh2zcYuS-D4fDHpIfh1EcNU62W/s320/P1020910.JPG" width="320" /></a><b> </b></div>
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<b> Post mortem of Bersih 3.0</b></div>
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It
would seem that the tables have turned this time round for Bersih 3.0. </div>
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Protestors’
acts of violence would now be the main drawback of the otherwise peaceful rally
by protestors (notwithstanding the acts of the police). Especially the turning over of the police car
aka the SOGO incident. Was this action
warranted? After viewing some of the videos,
I could reconcile the fact that they overturned the car because there was
genuine suspicion that someone could have been trapped under the car since the
car was seen ramming through a protestor before hitting the wall. </div>
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Was
the police man at fault in driving at such a pace? </div>
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No.
If one was to observe, he was probably in shock from the attacks carried out by
some of the protestors and he could have sped for fear of further endangerment
to his life. It was truly tragic then that someone was hurt in the process, an
innocent bystander no less. I was informed later that the police car was
attacked at traffic light junction. Now, violence by protestors cannot be
condoned. What is shocking to me is that the usual group of protestors are
usually very well behaved and if you can see from one of the youtube videos
posted here, some of them tried to protect the policeman from being harmed by
other angry protestors. Surely, there are people who still act responsibly and
I’m truly proud of them. </div>
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However, there will be other questions which perhaps would be left unanswered.</div>
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Was the barricades breached by the protestors or on some accounts, was the barricades removed as part of an enticement and a trap for protestors to enter Dataran, and to give the police full reason to retaliate? I'm not sure, but from the accounts that I read such as <a href="http://www.loyarburok.com/2012/04/30/bersih-perfect-assembly/" target="_blank">Marcus Van Geyzel's post</a>, it could be well possible that it was a trap. As for me, I believe that this would have been carefully planned out and hence my suspicions as earlier mentioned in this post. </div>
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Other questions would be, was the force inflicted by the police against the protestors warranted? The excessive use of tear gas, the water cannons and finally police brutality against unarmed protestors? I read news and heard reports of reporters being harrassed by the police and having their camera equipment snatched and destroyed. Truthful reporting is dangerous and this is a proven fact with these incidents.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/y8fzCE_gjAI" width="560"></iframe> </div>
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Below is a video of excessive force administered onto one individual. </div>
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The force of police retaliation can never been seen as equal or proportionate. As Edmund Bon tweeted, its about proportionality. You don't bring the entire house down to catch a fly. </div>
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And it is sad, that this is prevalent in this country. </div>
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Above is the comparison between what is reported by International media and what our mainstream media wants us to see and believe.<br />
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I was also disturbed to read that someone said that "if the someone swallowed their pride and accepted the offer to hold it at Stadium Merdeka instead of going ahead to rally at Dataran Merdeka, this won't happen". I wish it was all that simple but time and time has proven that offers from the government always end up as empty promises. If anything, it is history that has taught us that (Bersih 2 is an example). For me, I would be supportive of sticking to the plan of rallying around Dataran Merdeka and that was not a mistake. </div>
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What I believe would be a mistake is for DBKL and the Police to cordon off Dataran Merdeka without any cogent reason or valid excuse. Clearly what they have done is unconstitutional and goes against the spirit of Article 10 of the Federal Contitution (I believe the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 is also in itself unconstitutional). </div>
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All said, I believe there will be more questions in search of answers in days to come over all this. <br />
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But please, amidst all these negativity and euphoria, remember that the people gathered at their own will to voice for one goal. That is, for clean elections. To stand for what is right and just. And to tell the powers that be, that we will never be scared of bullying tactics. T</div>
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And that is what Bersih is for. Let not all these things take the beauty of solidarity as I have seen away from Bersih. The beautiful view that I share with thousands and thousands of others. </div>
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There may be allegations that the rally was hijacked by the Opposition. I
believe even if it was true, the people know full well what goes on in
this country and has chosen, with or without an opposition card, to
gather at Kuala Lumpur to voice out against tyranny. </div>
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And we hope that what happens at Bersih 3.0, let us remember that the fight for this country continues. Even if there is a need for Bersih 4.0 for better governance. </div>
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For this peeps who have been fighting alongside, it is such an honour walking with you guys. You know who you are. Of course you do, your pictures are posted here !!! ahahahaha! </div>
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Thanks for reading. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-13753507749050032482012-04-22T22:06:00.002-07:002012-04-22T22:08:22.909-07:00Bersih 3.0 - Sit. But walk if we have to.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kFqwi-OHK5pIEIsbTUcYe9RTsluTNDyykOrGreePDIOjleRofJ1FNRVDJp5Kn-mI9mjPtlVEICBEcF1_tlB_GuVvcO7NnNNS4y6dE5FnkOwQKBxUIpmXQcZ5kCenyT1sfTdE4LxeIzz4/s1600/Berish3(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kFqwi-OHK5pIEIsbTUcYe9RTsluTNDyykOrGreePDIOjleRofJ1FNRVDJp5Kn-mI9mjPtlVEICBEcF1_tlB_GuVvcO7NnNNS4y6dE5FnkOwQKBxUIpmXQcZ5kCenyT1sfTdE4LxeIzz4/s320/Berish3(2).jpg" width="221" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">28 April 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once again, Malaysia will be in the international spotlight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As we move closer to the 13th General Elections, we see the government's efforts in trying to gain the upper hand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's nothing new. But this time, we see that these efforts are getting desperate. And in this desperation, desperate measures are employed to make sure circumstances favour the ruling coalition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hence, the 13th General Election promises to be the dirtiest of them all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After parliamentary drama and fiasco on Friday, 20 April 2012, amendments were bulldozed pertaining to the Election Offences Act 1954, to give room for further abuse. Parliamentary sitting on that day, as I was informed and understood ended in the wee hours of the morning (around 2 am, though I stand corrected if this is not so). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Below is the press statement made by Dato' Ambiga, co-chair of Bersih 2.0 after the proposed amendments. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Bill for the proposed amendments can be seen <a href="http://bersih.org/?p=4744" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I urge you readers to read this and if it doesn't make you angry, I don't really know what will. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Other bills were passed and amongst them is the replacement for the Internal Security Act, the said bill known as the Securities Offences (Special Measures Bill 2012). I haven't truly scrutinize the said Bill but said Bill can be viewed <a href="http://malaysianlaw.my/attachments/DR152012E-Security-Offences_29735.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> for anyone interested to read it. Feedback is that it may not be any much different from the previous ISA. I'm not too sure but it would be worth a read to see if the Govt's promises hold water. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From the wonderful track record of Government promises, we already know what to expect. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And to further incense things, peaceful campers who had camped at Dataran Merdeka (the official gathering venue for Bersih 3.0 and also known as Merdeka Square) for the <i>Cccupy Dataran </i>protests for free education and the abolishment of the PTPN, were harassed by thugs in the morning. This happened on 19 April 2012 at close to 3pm. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, I have my reservations on the PTPN issue as well, i.e. that whatever loans taken must be paid no matter what, but if it is for free education, then it is worth looking into and to study the potentialities of it.<br /><br />But regardless of this, NO ONE is to be subject of any harassment by thugs! Unfortunately my suspicions on who these thugs are only lead to one conclusion. Yes. If you reading this and your suspicions bring a wry smile on your face, your conclusions should be the same as mine. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Furthermore, when the police were asked to intervene (as they should!!), their lacklustre attitude shows even more so that these attacks could have been planned. Orders from the upper ranks? Perhaps :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The latest is that our Home Minister seeks to provide the protestors a <a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/hisham-dbkl-should-give-alternatives-perhaps-stadium-merdeka-for-bersih-3.0/" target="_blank">venue</a> for the rally. Playing the role of the reasonable minister and perhaps pushing the responsibilities on DBKL for not allowing the peaceful assembly to take place at Dataran Merdeka (<a href="http://bersih.org/?p=4739" target="_blank">by the way, the reasons given for the rejection were simply unfounded and to put it simply, STUPID!</a>) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyway, back to Home Minister: Here's what someone has to say. <a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/city-shenanigans-over-bersih-3.0-justice-seeker/" target="_blank">An opinion that DBKL is not as independent as the Home Minister puts them to be</a>. Read it, analyze it and decide for yourself if the Home Minister is truly sincere in his offer. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well anyway, forget my rants. If you love your country, then be there to support the cause. We will <b>peacefully assemble </b>and be at our best behaviour as I still have faith in my country. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, I'm not sure I will be there and I'm making my arrangements to be there quite badly. But spread the word if you will. And God-willing I'm there, I will see you there. Either in KL or in JB. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's some interesting posters I've downloaded from this website. Very nicely done. So enjoy :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Will do another write up of my experiences soon on this :) Hopefully I will be able to. </span><br />
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</div>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-24936939404082116472012-03-08T08:45:00.007-08:002012-03-08T09:45:32.471-08:005 Ways to Get Through A Jam<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWKTFrLXzsCXqY5c09oVfHqcaDfFU8WXpBQ1svnGQc5bE-JDDlnbstCQc3PbmumUOOsC2w5lV4Dz49_yAeGpWXVqa6F9uR93xHjdUaTqBBkfOSyNpXve8BsKS2yjam9XwakYOwpznFj11/s1600/Traffic-Congestion-in-KL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWKTFrLXzsCXqY5c09oVfHqcaDfFU8WXpBQ1svnGQc5bE-JDDlnbstCQc3PbmumUOOsC2w5lV4Dz49_yAeGpWXVqa6F9uR93xHjdUaTqBBkfOSyNpXve8BsKS2yjam9XwakYOwpznFj11/s400/Traffic-Congestion-in-KL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717580312045062706" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Traffic Jams.<br />If you live in Kuala Lumpur, then you've gotta endure that kinda crap everyday.<br />I know, cause I do endure that kinda crap everyday when I go to work. Even in my hometown of Ipoh, traffic is starting to get congested.<br />Very rare back in the good ol' days. But not in KL. KL is the jam capital of Malaysia.<br /><br />I was even told off by a judge once that traffic jams is never an excuse for being late in court. I agreed wholeheartedly and all I could only do is muster my most sincerest apologies. I had nothing more to say about being late as it is the truth but the truth is just never enough on those occasions.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Why do traffic jams happen? Sometimes a stalled car. Sometimes an accident. Sometimes, people stopping by the side of the road to offer help to these victims. Sometimes people stopping by the side of the road to GET THE CAR PLATE NUMBERS of those victims (my best guess is that they feel lucky and their next destination would be the lottery joint). Sometimes events only God will ever know. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So, what do we do when we are caught in a jam? Do we get angry? Do we complain? Is complaining going to help? Nah. It won't but we complain anyway. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Here are 5 ways to make your jams less intolerable:-</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">#1</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lots and lots of music in your car</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Be it your CD collection or stuffing butt-loads of music into your mp3 player or even listening to HItz FM gotcha calls in morning, it works. Well at least it works for me. If I'm feeling intelligent I would listen to BFM, 89.9, the only business radio station :). </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">If you had a long hard day and you just wanna let loose, play some heavy metal music. Or equally as loud and bad, play some classical music or opera! Or if you feel that your heart is heavy, play some jazz or some Engelbert Humperdinck. And if you're feeling suicidal, some BSB or N Sync might just do the trick :) </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">#2</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Play your favourite air instrument</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />If you are a musician, then play your favourite air instrument. Be it the air guitar (this is / or should be by far the most common of air instruments), the air drums, the air cello, the air bass, the air harmonica, or heck, even the air harp if you will.<br />Well if you are not a musician, it doesn't matter. It's not rocket science and you don't need a musical degree or background to play air guitar, I kid you not. Just follow the music and it will flow naturally.<br />As for me, I choose the air drums, but I would alternate between bass and guitar too. Oh, the air harp too at times.<br />If the car next to you thinks you're crazy, so what? I bet he secretly wants to play the air harmonium if only he knew how!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#3</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Get a smartphone</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />If you have smartphone, i.e. Iphone 4S, Galaxy S2, Galaxy Tab or the rest, then this is the best time to utilize the smartphone. See, now you can check your Facebook or your friends' Facebook statuses even in a jam. Or you can complain and tweet about how bad the jam is on Twitter, and if you're in luck, your friends are probably stuck in the same jam as you are! And if you have Words with Friends, isn't this the best time to reply and think of an awesome 'word' to put on the board? That way you don't have to waste your sleeping time or your work time to play Words! Now, please don't start playing Temple Run in a jam though. Just because its on a smartphone, it doesn't work the same as what I mentioned above. And if your car is stationed next to a police car, please for the love of Pete, throw that smartphone away!<br /><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">#4</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Smartphone? Then do a car census</span><br />Find a specific car that interests you. Count how many same type cars are on the road. What better time to observe and make your own census without getting into an accident right? Yes it is harder to do census cause you need to concentrate on your driving when you are actually driving! By the end of the week, you will know which are the highest and fastest selling cars in the market after this exercise! Please do not do any Perodua or Proton car census as your efforts will then be futile. Too many of those on the road.<br /><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">#5</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">See if the driver in the car next to you is a hottie</span><br />Whether we like it or not, we often meet people in the pathways of our lives. A jam is no different. So, look to the left or to the right to see if the driver next to you is a hottie, or an 'auntie'. At least you get to 'cuci mata' and this makes your jam more bearable. Who knows, that person may be observing you too. And if your eyes meet and sparks fly, who knows what may come eh? If not, please don't stare too long. It will probably creep him/her out and if he/she whips out her phone and starts dialing, you can bet your ringgit he/ she ain't replying his/her friend on Words with Friends!<br /><br />Ok. So, there you go.<br />Some suggestions to make a more pleasant driving experience under terrible jams. But please practice safe driving alright. Especially do not practice #3 when there are cops in the vicinity. I won't be responsible for your driving summons. And #5 if you see Jealous girlfriend or boyfriend sitting next to hottie.<br /><br />Of course if you have court attendance in the morning, please don't ever be late! Nothing above will make a pleasant experience, this I can promise you!<br /><br />Or, if anything goes, you can always do a Dave Grohl :)<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4PkcfQtibmU" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />Ok. Good night now.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856846772732119919.post-16122976098630977482012-03-07T10:59:00.004-08:002012-03-07T11:32:24.983-08:00KONY 2012<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With all the hype surrounding KONY 2012, naturally I decided to have a view of the youtube video which has been circulated like wildfire. </span><br style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />But before watching the video, I wiki-ed this person, this war criminal known as <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/the-deadly-cult-of-joseph-kony-1001084.html">Joseph Kony. </a>And that's where I learned that Joseph Kony or Kony (as he is now being made famous for) is the head of the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_Resistance_Army"> Lord's Resistance Army or the LRA</a> which operates in Uganda and formed as early as 1987. </span><br /><br style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This LRA is a militant group which has syncretic Christian ideologies, with an intent to build a theocratic government based on the 10 commandments. </span><br style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />However, their methods are extreme and like every other despot or tyrant, it is all about how much power one holds. The LRA is known for the atrocities committed such as murder, abduction, mutilation, rape of children and women and most notably drafting children into the militia. Children as young as 4 I believe, training them to become killing machines. </span><br style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Before this, I have only read of Taliban children children soldiers and that itself is a horrible thing. Children shouldn't be carrying guns, and the only guns that they should be carrying are those that emit light and sounds and not pellets and bullets. </span><br style="font-family: arial;"><br style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The video that I post below, is an endeavour by an American NGO called </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Invisible Children</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> to bring awareness to the globe at large. Awareness that only tools such as Facebook and Youtube can garner. Usually, people would only be made aware of issues such as these from Time or Newsweek. </span><br style="font-family: arial;"><br style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But the media landscape is changing and the media is now a very powerful tool, more powerful than ever. And perhaps it is with the hope of this awareness, that we may see a tyrant who is currently number one in the indictment list of the ICC (International Criminal Court), once and for all be brought to justice. <br /><br />I won't blog much about this, but as stated in an <a href="http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/03/07/stop-kony-yes-but-dont-stop-asking-questions/">article posted by my friend, Simon</a>, Kony may not be the last, but at least its a start, for lay people like me, to be aware that as we live our lives in blissful slumber, there are others out there who are suffering under tyranny.<br /><br />And this is how I lend my support, to spread the awareness all around. The video speaks volumes for itself, more than what i could ever write.<br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y4MnpzG5Sqc" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /></span><br /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div>Mr Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02227292559727466915noreply@blogger.com0