MILE Drama : The Merchant of Venice

              MILE Drama : The Merchant of Venice

The hardest part in seeing something fall is knowing that you were the one who brought it up. Clearly, I've went through twice of the same experience of late and regretfully, I knew I had to let them go. But it matters not anymore, since I've took the old road home. That past month was one filled with exhiliration and excitement. The Multimedia's Initiative for the Language of English (MILE), technically, the university's English Society has once again thrown some purpose into my university life from that one single event called the MILE Drama : The Merchant of Venice. From all that dancing to drama to emceeing, I've found some new ways to better myself artistically. As I have mentioned before, I'm someone who gets bored too darn quickly and with a stale brain, my creativity dies exponantially. But luckily, those unruly routines of dances till the early morning (try staying with the crews till 4am) despite the gruelling and aching sores, stinking and sweaty bodies, the product of our hardwork was worth the while.

                                                 The Final Strike

Anyway, the ladies have been really brilliant on the day itself and the guys just marched in line. The crowd was cheering us on and oh the magnificent feeling of being showered with camera lights when we guys walked into the stage.

Though of course, the dance wasn't all that I'm part of with. I've got a comment per se asking why am I not acting in the MILE Drama. Twice! Well, to begin, I had a feeling that I should let the younger bloods get involved into bigger roles and those roles where they can't fit in, that is where I come in. Code One of "Le Ops de Noir". Since we have plenty of brilliant young minds who are keen to act and perform, why not let them have a go at it right? So I struck a deal to forgo acting but I shall reprise myself as the emcee for the night; and thank god I did. A win-win situation it was, the younger members were quite the actors for their role while I think I have carved my name in the emceeing line as I realised many MMUians have lately recognised me as the emcee for that night. Commendations from the VIPs were greatly motivating too and since that night, I was offered another role to emcee for another company. Good pay and benefits, why not eh? =)

Also, apart from that, my name, in MMU has since been known as "David The Cunning", mainly due to my Facebook. "The Cunning" has hence became a household name, I kid you not. Lecturers and students alike has been referring to me that way!

https://www.facebook.com/audesxerxes

Take one. Lecturer was conversing with me, I helped her for a bit and she said "Why thank you David... the cunning."
I swear I was stunned for two seconds.

Take two. Yesterday night, I was having my yumcha session with my buddies, a friend of mine, Jo, walked passed us and didn't notice me. She was with her friends some tables away from us. Despite making eye contact with her, or me calling her name, she couldn't recognise me. (which was quite depressing, really)
Soon, her friends started pointing at my direction and she took another glance at my table. I then conveniently took out my phone and rang her up, that's when she knew I was there. She sashayed over and apologised to me cause she didn't quite see me, to which I took a jab back that she also forgotten about her hearing aid (obviously she don't need any, but that's for not hearing me calling her name at an arm's length)
Anyway, apparently, she realised I was there when her friend starts pointing at my direction and here's how their conversation went.

"Isn't that your friend named David?"

"David who? Which David?"

"You know, David The Cunning?"

"Oh yeah! That's him."

That really made me laugh my arse off.

Anyway, marking my presence as the emcee of the event also was another VIP from the Students Activity Division (STAD), Mr Nizam.

One cool funny dude whom shares mutual interest with me ranging from coffee to attitudes. =D

The event was a success, considering the sheer number of audience who SAT THROUGH THE ENTIRE DRAMA and never left. And of course, the lucky draws.

AND WE HAVE A WINNER!

Of course, everyone wants a piece of the grand prize anyway, which was an acoustic guitar, promptly suggested by yours truly.

The lucky winner for the night!

Seeing the crowd going wild from their seats when you're conducting the lucky draw is definitely one of the most surreal feeling you can get. You know you have the crowd's excitement in your hands (their lucky number is in your hand, but oh well...) and you know you have to make full use of the excitement to the best extent.

Crowd-strong of 700 plus which sat through the entire drama!

After all that's been said and done, we busied ourselves with photoshoots of our own.

And last but not least, a big thank you to everyone who has poured out their heart and soul for the success of one of the greatest event MMU has ever seen. =)

Just a filler for now.

We've been through this, many of us. A break up. Mine wasn't too bad. I was just upset that I was loved not because of who I am but more of what I had. Such discouragement, but nevertheless I'm not really perturbed by this small matter.

Anyways, once in awhile, I have been on the verge of breaking down from madness, either due to stress or it's just a normal thing for me to be mad. My health has been rather nice prior to this because as of right now, I have this ache on my ribs, probably from lying down flat for too long and have a very bad feeling that a fever is coming up next, but it doesn't matter cause it's not like I have things to live for now.

Right now, I'm somewhat free as a bird, doing lots of stuff to pass my time. THough I've been observing some changes around people I know. Have you ever noticed, how hard, people around you are trying to prove themselves so much, that they just end up trying too hard? Sometimes, we should just lighten up a bit and not be so uptight.

But then again, as I did mention before in one of my FB posts, in times of difficulty, you will see who your true friends are. In fact, it wasn't I who is in difficulty. Such sad and materialistic world we live in.

Hope my art-rush comes back to me again so that I can burn myself up with more artistic stuff instead of being unproductive. Unproductivity kills me and my ideas very quickly.

The Middle Income Trap

These are merely unbiased thoughts of myself and noone else's. Should you feel not comfortable reading it, you may very well leave this blog and never come back.

Don't know if anyone realised this, in Malaysia, the rich gets richer while the poor gets poorer, but what is even more dangerous is being trapped in the middle income. This "middle-income trap" in economic term is the biggest class in Malaysia where most citizens sweat and toil like a machine everyday and yet still have to pay off a huge house loan, car loan and some other smaller loans. (maybe like education loan etc..)

By simply raising our GDP as suggested by some beloved leader of the country is not going to help us change into a high-income nation. While the rich gets richer is has made the borders of being in the "high income group" go higher and higher, hence no matter how hard the middle income strive, unless they can earn more than the high-income group, they can never reach the high-income status.

Apart from that, you (in the middle-income group) can never be poor as well if the poor gets poorer as they drag the poverty line lower. Unless you intentionally fuck yourself financially, say like throwing all your cash into a huge bonfire, you are not going to be so poor that you cannot afford to have a meal a day! It's virtually impossible for this to happen in Malaysia! Ask yourself, honestly, when was the last time you hear any news saying someone died of hunger from poverty in Malaysia?

So, how can this work out, you might ask. This matter corelates with the productivity of our nation. But given the rich natural resources and the seemingly talented dear Malaysians, why are we having this kind of problem? Shouldn't we be having a sustainable productivity? The problem is pretty simple actually. Brain drain and also financial drain.

The brain drain starts with pure genius talents in Malaysia migrating elsewhere for a better prospect or any other reasonable reasons. (Of course eloping could also be one of them, trust me.) We've heard enough of this from even our own relatives and parents to know enough on the reason why Malaysians leave their own land for a greenerpasture elsewhere.

The financial drain in Malaysia can be divided into two accounts. First and foremost, our issatiable reliance on foreign workers. Foreign labours; cheap, lasting, easy to manipulate and dispose, government-supported for election reasons. With an influx of these foreign labours, the currency of our nation plummets so much because of the outflow of our currency which ended up offshore. IF our currency goes offshore but is re-invested back into our country, that would be a different story. Point-in-case, money going out, never come back, Ringgit devalues, we're fucked. So no you know why there are more and more Indons, Banglas, Nepalis, Myanmars and etc around Malaysia right? Clear? Good.

Another account of financial drain would be corruptions and I don't mean petty ones, happening in our country. Huge large sums of money meant for civilian welfare just go up and off in thin air through quick-schemes and contracts shared among the corrupted "brotherhood" created to milk the resources of our country and directly into their own pocket for good. And because the tracking of money would be more difficult hen transfered offshore, hence, don't expect the sum to appear in our nation's statistics as these corrupted money will end up being spent out of Malaysia. You can also see many little "middleman' company being set up (with the help of our beloved government, new laws have allowed some go-to companies to be set up with a minimal fee of RM2) JUST to help with the transaction of these contract and thus, earning commission from the transaction. The ambiguousity that appears from the company with a sole purpose of helping the ONE transaction could never be more pertainingly curious. Why do we need these kind of company in the first place? Why waste more public money on nonsensical spending?

As if that is not enough, let me quote a case. The Australian company LYNAS whom attained green lights from the ruling bloc of the government albeit huge protest from the opposition and civilians; is coming into our grounds to set up a manufacturing plant.

Let me brief out the impacts this company would cause. First off, roughly putting it, LYNAS is a company that produces radioactive parts meant for high-end technolgy, such like your handphones, computer and etc. The waste from these company are dumped into our soil, devaluing not only our land but also our health. Apart from treating our land like a dumpsite for their production, to add insult to injury, this company is let in and given tax-exemption for 12 years. The ruling bloc Barisan Nasional actually allowed this company to come into our land, pollute the grounds, killing the health of the lower and middle-incomers nearby, lowering living standards and as if that is not enough, they are given tax-exemption for UP TO 12 YEARS! What's wrong with the government??! And there you have this question, but as question lead to question, we shall ask, whta goodies did the ruling party receive already from these foreign countries that they in turn are getting such great contracts? This is where and how the rich and powerful gets richer and more powerful.

So, to make the income gap smaller, it's pretty simple. Stop the rich from getting richer from dirty deals and help the poor from getting poorer. Perhaps instead of killing the lower and middle income group, the high-income group can try investing into social welfare for a higher living standard in our country.

If all else is not working... well, we just need a new government.

Seksualiti Merdeka in Malaysia : Of Bad Politics and the Casuality That Comes With It.

A quick read up in the Wikipedia and you will know what Seksualiti Merdeka is by every mean. Here's the link for you lazy bums.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seksualiti_Merdeka

"Seksualiti Merdeka features a programme of talks, forums, workshops, art, theatre and music performances, interactive installations, and film screenings, organised by a coalition of Malaysian NGOs, artists and individuals."

So please excuse me when I ask, how the F*** can someone say Seksualiti Merdeka is equivalent to a "Free sex festival" ?!

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/marina-mahathir-livid-over-free-sex-slur-on-seksualiti-merdeka/

The latter link reveals how national "propaganda" media highlighted Seksualiti Merdeka as. Perhaps, you know, they probably translated Seksualiti Merdeka directly.. I mean, of course, Merdeka in every means mean Free or Freedom if you may but how they hell did the idea Seksualiti Merdeka is an open orgy as described by these propagandas came about really baffles me.

Founded in 2008 by Pang Khee Teik and Jerome Kugan, things have been, in a way, rather smooth-sailing until this year, when news of Datuk Ambiga, Bersih 2.0's chairperson was involved in this year's LGBT's biggest moment in Malaysia. I mean, why now? This is infuriating as any blind men can see, this is a cheap political salvo fired just to garner more political milestone ahead of the General Election in Malaysia which is predicted to be taking place early next year.

With serious backing from the mostly Muslim NGOs and mainly the rabid-mouthpiece chairperson of Perkasa or rather known as the BN's loose canon, Datuk Ibrahim Ali, championing most of the (illegal) demonstrations against the organization and launching of Seksualiti Merdeka, it all seem to conspicuous and sudden to actually see all these rubbish being piled up and flung at the sexual independence programme.

And of course, not fleeing out of the limelight was the ever-resilient Datuk Ambiga Sreenavasan, who, from the mouth of the horse (no offense, it's just an idiom) was quoted saying :

"You (national propaganda media, TV3) have been misleading the public, you have been calling this (Seksualiti Merdeka) a free sex festival. I challenge you to carry everything I say now or I assure you, you will be hearing from my lawyers on this issue,”

Picture from the courtesy of www.themalaysianinsider.com

Food for thought. The question here now is, most certainly "Why now?" Are you saying that all these years, since the beginning of Seksualiti Merdeka in 2008 till now, the cops have been unaware of this annual LGBT event? Does this mean that all these while, the police have been sleeping? And more importantly, is this programme doing any harm to anyone?

I think I probably read this from an article in the newspaper (Yes I do read newspaper from time to time!), most probably spoken by Pang himself while being interviewed :

"Talking about HIV will not spread it. Keeping quiet will."

Now, ain't that a quote of the century? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not brushing or polishing up Pang's shoes, but as my friends know better, I do believe in the freedom to live and love as long as it doesn't harm anyone. It's like a religion altogether, only in a different context. (Don't start hating me, it's only an example.) This is as good as saying you can't practise your religion because MY religion thinks it's wrong! Now that's just pure phobia isn't it?

Fishy isn't it? Back when Datuk Marina Mahathir (Daughter of the former Malaysian premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammed) was chairing these event, I don't see no problem cropping up, at least, until Bersih 2.0 happened and the chairperson happened to be involved in the organizing of the Seksualiti Merdeka.

Ask thyself, don't you think this is pure payback by the Government to Datuk Ambiga for the successful Bersih 2.0, albeit all these self-praise of them (the Government) being "morally upright and just"? When only will the cries and plight of the silent minority, crushed by pressure created by the majority society's point of view of what is morally right and wrong in these modern times, shall be heard and attended to? We've been living too long in a closed-minded society that inadvertantly, while preaching the words of God, harmed the ones that was borned different.

My hearts to you guys out there, and to the four people detained and quizzed by the police; Datuk Ambiga Sreenavasan, Pang Khee Teik, Irene Fernandez and Maria Chin Abdullah.

We shall remember the name.

Don't you just hate it?

Last posted : July 24 2011

That was some time ago.. I believe I got lazy after awhile. Anyway, what I'm going to express today is deeply my own feelings towards certain people whom I find, as much as he is a friend to me, he is also a very lousy boyfriend to another girl.

I hate guys who.... well, have a girlfriend already, but would instantly go all out to help another girl. As much as the girlfriend doesn't mind but deep inside she is still a woman who wished her man would not be so EAGER to help another woman and neglect her feelings. The worst part would be, the guy denies that he have done anything wrong and said he had no choice because he "can't leave the girl in despair" as if without his help she will die. And don't think your friends aren't aware, you aren't only helping that one girl. ANY girls who approach you, you will end up helping them too.

Come on la, we all know your attitude when you meet another girl. I also know you are somewhat the attention-seeking kinda guy who always want to prove yourself in front of girls. That once I caught you faking was more than enough to make me revise everything you have ever said to me. As much as your girlfriend is bemused by your so-called "connection" at your hometown, you know.. all those "people behind you" who you can ask them to beat someone up anytime at the call of a phone, is starting to feel and sound lame.

Let me tell you, this is your biggest flaw. You are just a plain flower-hearted guy whom if given a chance, would cheat on your girlfriend ANYTIME. I really feel sorry for that girlfriend of his.

Oh well, there goes my ranting. Have a nice day y'all and Happy Halloween.

When I Was Small

I was told that cactus actually could ward off evil spirits and wills. Funny ain't it how when you're small you'd believe in anything?
Back when I was a child I'm very much afraid of ghosts lurking around every dark corner I could see. Nightmares were abundant and the only person I'd turn to in the depths of my despair, my good old aunt who babysat me till I was like 10. Of course, she was the one who told me all these olden stories and tales about legendary folklore and beliefs that now helped me much in the development of my creativity. It doesn't take all the imagination in the world to be creative when you're a child. You just.. imagine.
Now, back to the cactus story. My aunt was the one who told me that cactus could ward off ghosts and spirits because of it's spikes.



How exactly, I didn't know. But one thing's for sure. I DID plant a cactus at the back of my house. It was a "Prickly Pear" (After Googling the name out, only did I know)



That's how a Prickly Pear looks like and is probably one of the most common ornament plant that people tend to plant outside of their house probably because of the lack of thorns and their beautiful flowers.

The thing about cactus, instead of its horny feature (excuse the pun) it is quite the spectacular plant as a nutrient for our body.

Excuse the Pun! And the disturbing picture here.

Cactus juice are known to be cooling agent for the heaty body and are really great nutrient for supple skin. (or at least, that's what people who are selling cactus juice are telling, I mean, they'd even say consuming cactus juice can make you live till 130 years old if they have to just to sell their products)




That would be all on this wonderful Sunday, have a great evening you all!

How did we end up being in a state like this?

The recent crackdown on the Bersih rally has brought many Malaysians wrath to a par of level unknown. It really got us thinking, "Why is the government so afraid of the Bersih rally's call for a clean and fair election?" This is pure bullshit if you ask me. The government is actually opposing a call for clean and fair election.

All around the world, Malaysians have gathered in numbers under the name of Bersih irrespective of race, religion and age, to garner the spirit to ensure the citizens' message is sent clearly to His Majesty Tuanku Mizan, King of Malaysia. The Bersih's purpose of having that rally was to send a memorandum to His Majesty so as to call for a clean and fair election next year. But then again, how is this peaceful march being treated by hands of the government aka police and federal reserve units?








Note : Police were out of handcuffs. XD

I was also told that there was a Malay man distributing salt to all who took part in the Bersih rally. The salt was simply to neutralize the effect of the tear gas to avoid yourself from choking should you inhale it. The distributing wasn't the key to this story. It was the generosity of that man, because soon after distributing, he had left none for himself. This, may I make a stand now, is 1Malaysia. I've been busy reading #bersihstories in Twitter. It wasn't the rally that made us realised that we're are one. It is the little things that happened DURING the rally, where, we, Malaysians, are one.



Madam Annie Ooi, Malaysia's new heroine. She's 65-years old. tear-gassed 4 times, once hit with "blue chemical water canon" <-- in words of her daughter
Anne, from Setapak, took a bus ride down to KL, ALONE, in support of the rally. She was stopped 4 times, being asked her IC, and questioned by the police on why she's wearing yellow. "Why can't I wear yellow?" was her reply.
She didn't know what time the rally was scheduled to start, she didn't know where, she has no one with her; all she knew was to get down to KL, and stand for what she believes in. A true Malaysian story.

A quote by Madam Anne herself,

“Why do we have to feel so scared (and threatened) in our own home land… and by own countrymen?”

Sometimes, some things are just so pure, it makes you want to cry. Here's a video of our national anthem Negaraku being sung in Melbourne at the time of the rally.





Is this the 1Malaysia we so desire? Are we really living in Malaysia or Myanmar? The question "Why are we being bullied and threatened in our own land?" arises among many Malaysians lately. The public who are rallying in a peaceful demonstration are actually being beaten up! (Sorry, can't find more photos on police brutality at the moment, though I know I saw a bunch of them in FB, shall try to save them pictures when I do see them.)

And this is what our Home Minister's reaction towards this rally's call for fair and clean election. Home Minister Hishamuddin aka Kerishamuddin blatantly rejected any idea/speculation/suggestion/evidence/proofs/videos/images/etc of police brutality and promised to punish any media caught reporting "false" news about the Bersih coverage.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/home-ministry-to-punish-media-for-false-bersih-coverage/

How did we end up being in a state like this?