A little good for the heart...

I have always believed that if man really put his mind to it, he can really change the world...Looking at the television everyday, we get bombarded with images of war and poverty..All products of man himself...Millions live in poverty all over the world, on an income less that USD2 a day...imagine! u, mum, dad, 4 sisters all living on that income...and yet, the only difference between you and them is where God decided to let u be born...

Very often we wait for a billionaire to come and give charity...We have barely enough to accomodate all our material needs in this hedonistic world to give away, and therefore most are of the opinion that the rich should give in and help this problem..interesting..it is a well known fact that the rich-poor divide is ever widening in developing countries, and capitalism is a main factor for this..however, i dont care about all that, and i am not going to give a lecture on it too...

Lets see what we can do..I have always had the belief that the solution to end poverty is through education...Poor people do not send their children to school, as they could use extra hands to feed their families..Education is a luxury, a liability that they could do away with..However, through education, the poor have a chance of getting themselves off the circumstances that they are in. Even if the results are not seen immediately, the long term results can be fantastic. Giving rise to a knowledge-reservoir that the country can use in the future, i dont really see any major drawbacks to it..

My first suggestion is that all governments provide free education for all citizens from all classes for all levels, from primary to tertiary. Make all governmental educational institutions free for all, and let those eligible by merit prosper. This way, we are giving all a fair chance. True, this can lead to unspeakable corruption, but its a small step nonetheless. Awareness should be spread about the importance of education, and its long term benefits. I remember Bill Gates once saying that education is the biggest investment that one can make with the biggest rewards..How true!

Apart from education, there is another way where we can help the people around the world...We do not need to be millionaires to be helping the poor, nor do we need to donate in bulk..We are all small people, with our own lives to care for, we do not need to go all out to help people...We can do it in small steps...like the malay saying "sikit sikit jadi bukit"...We all have our homes, hometowns from where we come from...I am from a small coastal village in Sri Lanka...And there are bound to be people who are poor there with nothing for themselves...Similarly, every year we see massive exoduses from the rural areas to the city, seeking greener pastures...most of them never go back, nor do a favor back to those people there...Your best friend from school could be living on a hand-to-mouth basis, while you eat premium popcorn at a posh theatre...you see, these are ways how these divides occur...What can we do as normal people??

What i propose is simple...first of all, take good care of your family, which includes your nuclear family and those back home. This is a basic responsibility for everyone. Take care of ur nuclear family first. If they are all good, and if you have money to spare, try to take care of ur extended family. Good. Now, if u feel you can give more, try giving it back to the community you come from, the poor people back in ur village. It doesnt have to be much. you can help with as little as USD10 a month...yup! you heard me! thats enuf...If everyone gives back to the community in small doses, and if its implemented in all communities, then over time, effects of poverty can be reduced..Maybe some of you may feel that it is not ur obligation and responsibility and that these are what the governments should do...Lemme tell you my friend, the rate of poverty in a country is directly proportional to the level of corruption in that country's government...you really wanna put ur trust in that government???

If all of you can take care of ur family, and community, slowly, you can help in making this world a better place...you dont need to wait till you are a millionaire before u have to start making an effect..do it small...Rather than donating to mosques, temples, churches, and other boxes lying around, you can directly buy rice, or other necessities and give them directly to the people..

Dont just give money, money can be unaccounted for...It is always better to give in forms of necessities, like rice, clothing, even mosquito nets (for places where malaria is rampant)...if you ask me, rice and other staple products is a safe bet...

And if you ever go back to your hometown, another thing that you can do, if u have the time and motivation, is to visit a school or two in the vicinity, and spend an hour with some classes to spread awareness about the importance of education...i am sure that they would appreciate that, and even if you manage to inspire at least one student, that is more than enough...

On a more personal basis, I really want to see the world becoming a better place. Poverty is a man-made thing, and i believe that we can all help alleviate it. We all have a desire inside to help, its just that many of us dont have the means, time or motivation. You have to admit that the way the world is today, has transformed us into materialistic beings, where we see everything in monetary terms...Sad but true...Please do remember that there is a God watching over our every action, and that we are accountable for all that we do..Praise God, for you are well enough to be reading this article, as there are millions of others who may never get the chance to be as well off like you...Peace...

Heartbreak...

And so it finally happened. The unthinkable. Me and Orika called it off after we saw that there was no way that the parents could agree. Her parents by the way. I was at the disadvantage of being 2.5 years younger, and not havin a job yet, and maybe having the curse of being born on the wrong part of the country. The funny thing is, these issues never ever came up between us in the 3 plus, almost 4 years we were together. And trust me, we were together in all senses. Almost everyday we would see each other, set aside some time in our hectic schedules for at least a tea, if not dinner, and share our daily experiences.

It was a comforting feeling, knowing that someone is waiting for you, knowing that someone loves you as much, respects you as much. Our relationship was more of respect than anything else. We had a rocky start, as it was a jolt to our personal space. But that sorted out mighty fine fast, and there was rarely a bump after that. We did a lot of stuff together, shared many experiences, created history at parts, and lots of happy memories. We were comfortable, as we both had our own personal space and friends, yet we remained together and were there for each other.

All seemed fine, as we finished our studies together, and our parents met up to seek a proposal. However, the age factor dint seem to work out, and so, we had to break it off, as there was no other way...

It would be an understatement to say that it hurts. Heartbreak is one of the worst pains that a man can go thru. The pain that cramps ur heart, not letting it go, is like as if ur heart is rebelling with you, seeking vengeance for afflicting pain on it. things would have been different if we fought and broke off, or anything else that wud make us angry with the other. In my case, we were all fine and happy and ready to go ahead with marriage, when it all came crashing. The fact that she is in another country now, when it all happened, dint help at all...prior to our break-up, we had been far apart for about 6 months...even our goodbyes were rushed, with no chance of a proper farewell...

Well, all's done now. She's there and I'm here. It took me a month for realisation to sink into my world, that i have lost Orika forever. Sucks eh? Just when we think all is going well, something comes out of the blue and turns our world upside down...Thanks to God and my best friend, it dint take long for me to come to terms to it...However, I wish Orika the best of luck, and may she be happy wherever she goes. I just pray she gets married to a guy who will be good to her...

As for myself, though I m healing emotionally, the physical pain of heartbreak is something which i was not born for. its gonna take time to heal, and I know i will bounce back, even higher than I ever would be. I just need to get life back in check, and re-evaluate the way things are gonna be for the next 2 years, as i pursue my Masters...Anything can happen anytime, in any way...But this is to all of you my friends, thanks for being there, especially you bunny-girl...Pray for me...

He didnt know....

All of a sudden, the world suddenly seemed to be the most beautiful place...he became fully conscious of everything, in its entire beauty...everything was beautiful...the air which he breathed in, gave life to his soul...the rays of the sun striking his body, giving a brief sense of warmth, not getting too hot...the trees seemed to be passing universal secrets to each other, as it sways in the gentle morning breeze...he stood there, alone in the park...he took off his shoes, and let his feet sink lightly into the mildly dewed soil...he closed his eyes, and concentrated all his sensses to the soles of his feet...he was in a world he never knew existed, though it was one in which he had been all his life...so much had he gone through in his life, but never had sensed a sense of calm such as this moment...the world was a very beautiful place in its raw sense...so much have we done to pollute this beautiful earth, with our acts, sins and desires...so adulterated yet pure, the air continues to sustain us...he wondered, was there a god after all? or is this entire architecture manufactured by chance collisions and developments of random particles floating in space...he knelt on the ground and looked up...it was a cloudless sky...just blue, pure blue, and nothing but blue...he was alone in the park...he had always been alone...unknown to him, a drop of tear flowed down from his eyes, up and down the contoured stubbled cheeks, and into the ground, one more deposit into the earth...he felt love in his heart at that moment...love for what, he didnt know...but it was love...he then knew that he didnt want anything else anymore...the sunlight brought more heat now, the trees seemed to have stopped, and he felt all eyes of nature focused on him...he reached into his pocket and took out his latest posession, perhaps his only one...smiling, he put it into his mouth...he was in love...it was all he wanted in this moment...his knees were rooted to the ground...the sky had no cloud anywhere...no clouds meant no silver lining...no silver lining meant no hope...the sky was as clear as his mind...maybe there is a god after all...it didnt make a difference at this time...he closed his eyes, and pulled the trigger... a moment later, there was a slight breeze...the trees started to sway again, singing its hymns to the skies...it was a very beautiful day, as it had been the day before, and as it would be the day after, but that, he didnt know....

Gimme Some Goals BABY!!!! Part 2.....

Human Beings are very funny creatures. They place their lives on trivial things, and are indifferent to things that may affect them. Emotions are wasted on stuff that does not matter, and sympathy is denied when required. Material satisfaction transcends all, and the cheaper it is to attain it, the better. Ok…Before I confuse you any further, let me bring you to my line of thought.
As discussed in Part 1, we can see how football unites mankind. How people are passion about all that goes on the field. There are 11 players on the field, whom you support, whom you would want them to win, at any cost. And each time they score, you let out a ferocious roar of joy, and each time they fail, you curse them to high heavens. Yet they keep on playing, playing proudly for their country. The referee is there in the field, ensuring fair play, and he tries his very best to succeed, as he knows that any mistakes he may make in judgment may have serious implications. On the sidelines, we have the coaches of respective teams, trying desperately to figure out a way to lead their team, their sishyas, to victory. The coaches know that it’s a do-or-die tournament, and that their reputation is on the line. Millions, oops sorry, billions of viewers all around the world, watch on intently, holding each and every team under scrutiny. At any time, ask a fan about the biodata of his team, and numbers will spill out from the back of his head. And no doubt, he’d only be proud to tell you whatever he knows about it.
Now, take a moment to reflect on the paragraph above, and you would realize that everybody is involved in the process, and that there is no room for error by anyone. Players have no room to err, as they would face retribution back home. Imagine the wrath of a nation if one player fails to perform. It is a period of tension of great expectations, and everybody would do whatever it takes. However, what I would like to highlight is not the players, but we, the spectators, who are so passionate about the game.
Look at the country that we live in today, whichever country you may be in. Who is ruling it? Chances are it would be the democratically elected politicians. Men and women, elected by you, put up in the government, to control each and every part of your life in your country. From the tax you pay, to the buses you ride, to the education that your children receive, everything is controlled and monitored by the government that you have appointed. However, little do people realize that the government is a by-product of themselves, and seldom give true thought of their performance in the government. Some just vote for the fun of it, some just influenced by the number of posters coloring the streets during the campaign. Some may vote after truly understanding the consequences of whom to vote for. Very often, we can see about these ministers and politicians not performing their tasks up to mark, and therefore neglecting their responsibility to the public who put them there. Depending on the country, the reaction of the public may vary. Some wont give a damn, and some would do whatever it takes to address its issues.
Now, lets zoom out for a moment, and look at it on an international level. Lets look at the performance of our country with another. Ok, for example, just an example, lets look at Sri Lanka and America. I do not need to explain the statistics, but we all know that one is a giant, while the other a minnow. Same thing applies to other countries. Some are giants, while some are minnows. Some may be large in size, but technologically incompetent, and some vice versa. In some countries, you get a higher standard of living; while in some people can barely scrape through. Various countries may have various degrees of freedom of speech, though all would be under the same umbrella of democracy.
However, the politicians and government alone do not make the well being of a country. It all comes down to the citizens. Ultimately, it is the citizen’s responsibility for the smooth running of its administration, from the election of politicians, right down to the civic grassroots. A country with first-class infrastructure and technology, but with third-class public mentality can only see doom in self-implosion. However, a country may produce the best brains, but yet remain backward due to improper administration.
Ok, I am sure by now, most of you are wondering about the relation of politics to world cup. I am almost there. Hold on J
Obsession of material wealth and success has become man’s main objective, so much that the sun goes around the earth. Nobody would really care if their neighbor is starving, as long as there is enough to last oneself in the fridge, it’s a sunny day. On a rainy day, one would try make sure it only rains in his compound. Love of society, and country has long ago faded. This is evident everywhere, from the international arena to the common man.
Countries are forever trying to control others, denying their rights and bullying them. We have self-appointed referees and illegal warmongers, who do not care about what the world says. We also have self-proclaimed pacifists, who insist that no one disturb them as long as they don’t disturb anyone. We have countries that are so rich, so rich that they are too rich to help out their poor neighbors. We read these in the news everyday. And we can only be angry about it. That’s the least we do.
Whatever happened to democracy? How I long to see the democracy that was practiced during the Greek civilization, and even during the times of the Prophet. People can be so passionate about a sport, which gives them pleasure, but then be so indifferent over the affairs that occur in their own countries. Nobody really cares what goes on in the government, as long as their lives are ok, they are happy. With this assured complacency, there are many politicians and ministers, who are unfit for the post, bamboozling away with the public funds. Whoever may be in charge of monitoring them, can be easily influenced into joining them. After all, money speaks a thousand words.
Look at India. It is a perfect example of how a potential superpower is bogged down by ruthless politics. Look at Malaysia. A country with everything it needs, yet the people are concerned with making the largest roti jala and longest teh tarik. Look at Saudi Arabia. A nation so rich in resources, it still prefers to cater to the United States rather than their poor Muslim brothers. Look at the United States. They want to be in everyone’s business, and just can’t mind their own. Look at Iran. They are denied nuclear technology for civilian purposes due to unjustified insecurity by certain quarters. It’s a shitty world we live in, but then nobody is willing to stand up and address it directly. Healthy competition is no longer there, where everybody wins out of his or her own hard work. The world just doesn’t seem to become a better place.
Simply put, the mentality that arises when watching your national team play in the world cup should also be aroused when you are watching your government perform its job. After all, the government should be looked at like a football team. We have the kind or president as the coach, the prime minister as the captain, and all other politicians as players. We should select the best politicians for the job, just as how we want the best football players to play. Keep as many qualifying sessions as you want, as long as you get the best people for the job, it will be all for the better. Let loose your government to a friendly match with that of another country’s, and watch both become better and stronger. The public should then stand behind its own government, and support it with everything they have. They should scrutinize each and every issue, and should voice out their concerns. It is the governments that should fear its people, and not the other way round.
Today, we can see many governments going against the public. If you ask me, the public has only themselves to blame for this situation. When we transfer control to politicians, we should monitor them, and MAKE SURE that they be the representation of the public.
We can be so passionate about football. We can see how it breaks barriers, and brings about people from all over the world onto a common platform. Don’t you find it inspiring to see people of all countries, coming together and having a good time? Imagine a world where people come together and better themselves in technology, progress and lifestyle. The rich can help the poor, the strong can help the weak, and nobody would have to worry about any pre-emptive strikes. Imagine healthy competitions between countries, each trying to become better than the other in a healthy way, with improved progress among the citizens too. There wouldn’t be complacent politicians, and also disconcerted public. If the public were to be fully involved in elevating the progress of their country, like how they are involved in a football match, the world would be a much better place and the results will be much more satisfying and tangible. Trust me, when your country (government) scores a goal, with your support, nothing can be better in this world. You can be proud of yourself and take part in the joy.
I know what I am writing here, is way too utopian to be true. Of course, it is much much much easier to sit back and cheer a football team, than to elect and cheer your government, being a responsible citizen at the same time. But hey, this is life we are talking about. And if we don’t do anything about it now, then do not forget that your children would be living in the same, or even worse, society as you are now.
The world doesn’t need superheroes. The world doesn’t need superpowers. The world needs supporters like you. What the world needs, is responsible people, who really care about themselves, their societies and their countries. The world needs a strong sense of nationalism, not ethnocentrism. The world needs a little bit of love, one that you can afford to give. The world is loaned to you by your children, and not bestowed to you by your parents. Maybe I wont live to see it, but one day, the same passion for our football teams, may rub off into our civic lives. The world still needs the World cup, coz, if all else fails; at least, let the world’s most beautiful game unite us all. Praying for goals to be shot!!!

Gimme some Goals baby!!!!!

Every four years, mankind witnesses a phenomenon that can surpass none other. The unity of hearts towards one passion, one game, one cup. The most beautiful game in the world. Football to the world, soccer for the disinterested Americanos.
Never has a sport stirred up so much emotions, generating interest both financially and emotionally, bringing people together from all over the world, arm in arm, to one arena, to witness a sporting event that would draw billions, in both people and dollars.
From the huts of Africa, to the condos in France, to the slums of India and the ghettos of Latin America, football is on everyone’s lips. People throw away their worries of the world, and focus on the game, talking about their teams all day, and immersing themselves in the midst of the action with their sheer love for the game.
Technology, and multiple camera angles allow the home viewer to experience a greater depth of realism in their couch, allowing replays to fuel their debates. Heated discussions occur over the replay, and feelings run high.
Just when we thought that testosterone would rule the earth for 30 days, we are brought to a very different reality. Women have equal interest in the most beautiful game on earth, and they too, have their piece of the cake.
It is so heartening to see a team from Africa play with a team from Europe, with refereeing handled by Asians. Added to the color are glimpses of yellow and red to add to the action.
From the starting whistle to the final, our hearts start racing, tension building up with every second. The suspense, thrills and tension held by the 90-minute game, can never be surpassed by any movie produced by man. The intense feeling that creeps up within us, as we watch the match live, is one that can only be experienced and not put in words.
The skills displayed, passing of the ball, exquisite dribbling and handling of the ball by world class players, the turns and curves of flight, all adds up to increased heartbeats and intense emotions, that culminates in an ultra-orgasmic roar of victory and joy, when the ball finally finds its way to the back of the net. Never has anything aroused so much emotion and passion in men and women around the world. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that it is the ultimate tool of unity for mankind.
The sheer pleasure derived from watching 90 minutes of pure football, is what one can witness. With players playing to bring glory to their country, patriotism is always at an all time high during this period among players and supporters. A high sense of pride prevails, and brings about strong nationalism exhibited by painted bodies and colorful clothes . Players know that lifting the world cup can be an once-in-a-lifetime glory, which can never be overshadowed by any other award in this world. Such is the respect commanded by the cup of life.
I can go on and on talking about football, and my passion for it. However, I have just stated facts above about the world cup. I want to extend this article in to something else, but that would be in Part 2. However, anyways, all I would want now is to lose myself in football, pure football. Watching the superstars do their stuff on the field, GIMME SOME GOALS BABY!!!!!
To be continued….

Charity begins at home...

Guys, just picture this...I am walking by a road in Chennai, and i pass a huge building, probably a business centre. Now, this building, has a long red wall fencing it off from the main road. So to avoid the crazy autos and rickshaws making a 5 lane road off a 2-laner, i walk as close as i can to the wall. However, upon closer inspection, i notice that the wall used to be white. Lime white to be exact. And then i wondered, How did this white wall become red?

Little did i expect my answer to emerge right before my eyes...because, just 5 feet away, i see an old guy, very well dressed, hands on hips, chin raised up...and with one fast movement, his face comes down, like as if he is sneezing, and spits out blatantly the remains of his betelnut onto the once-white wall. Well, the great natural engineers they are, the guy fortifies his 'paint' by pissing right on it, in the middle of this busy street, and then so casually zips up, adjusts his tie, and makes his way to his Hyundai parked nearby, and makes off into the melee...

Well, yes it was a comical sight to behold, not to mention gross, but most of all, it was shocking. I mean, i am in the middle of a city, right in front of this huge flashy building, with hundreds of people on the street, and there we have a well-to-do old guy spitting and pissing in the middle of it all. What is it that we can derive from this little behaviour.

Trust me guys, this is by no means a little behaviour. After all, this is just one of the millions roaming in the streets, and i doubt that many would have a guilty conscience over this act.
Before i go further, i need to remind all you reading this that this article is not about criticising any specific person or country...however, it deals with a rather general concern...

Civic-mindedness is almost absent in the majority of the urban population in developing countries. I dont think i would be able to imagine anyone spitting out betelnut and then pissing on it right on Wall Street. that would be sacrilege. which brings me to wonder, almost everyday, on how people can be made to think responsibly and become civic-conscious about the environment in which they live in. And mind you, these arent little kids that we are talking about, nor are they teens. These are fully grown up adults that I target here.
let me strike a bit closer to home. I am willing to forgive what I saw in India, but then the mentality of the general public here in Malaysia is just despicable. And I do not say this with a happy face, coz i've lived all my life here, and it is sad to see the people having a freakin third class mentality with all the first class provisions they have here.

if I were to write on this topic, i would go on forever, but of course it is not of mine to criticise entirely, as everybody has faults including yours truly, but then I feel that I would not be acting responsibly if i dont voice out some...

1) There should be a special subject in schools dealing with how to behave when getting on and off trains and buses

Trust me, this is where my mood gets spoilt every morning and evening without fail. As soon as the train doors open, and you get ready to get off, you see this huge sea of adults, smelling nice in the morning and stinking in the afternoon, just waiting to stampede thru you and the other tens standing behind you. I try my best not to push anyone, but these people who just cant wait to get in, really grates the nerves. It wouldnt be surprising for you to believe that several times i was not able to get out at my stop, coz of these stupid impatient people who want to get in at the cost of us getting out. This often creates a very much unneeded congestion at the entrance of the train, and the pushings just do not get lesser by the day. And the worse part is, nobody seems to give a damn about it. If I were to be in the crowd pushing thru, I'd feel damn bad of the people I bump against, which would have me spewing out apologies. But no, I have never heard a sorry from any of the public who have forcefully nudged against me as I try to get down. By the was, the experiences I relate here occur on the KTM Kommuter, which is actually driven by a driver. If it was the unmanned Putra Lrt, i would understand to an extent, but not forgive. Very often, you see people laughing as they try to squeeze thru, as if they were in a funfair or something.

This is worrying, as children watch and learn from the grown-ups. Is this how you want your children to behave when they grow up? Not having a consideration for others, Machiavelli is the order of the day. In almost every sense of it. You get this young man rushing and sitting on the special seats reserved for the elderly, while an old lady would be standing right in front of him. He would look up, smile at her, put on his earphones, and then rock his head away to the beat, as if he had already achieved everything in life. IT IS SICKENING!!! Same thing applies for the bus. I dun knw if there is a witch living at the back of the bus, but people just plainly refuse to stand at the back. What results is a bus which is jam packed with people in its 1st half, and the 2nd half of it with plenty of standing space. The bus driver is powerless, as all he can do is shout. He cant come out with a rotan, and scold each and everyone. Come on, we are all adults here, how difficult is it to understand to act responsible.
With each and every word I write here, I become angrier and angrier...not at them, but at my own helplessness at the situation...

2) Thou shall eat everything that you take on your plate.

Ever watched Aladdin? there is a scene of a woman and her son rummaging through the dustbins for a bit morsel, and then Aladdin gives them the food which he painstakingly had stole from a merchant. Everyday, we watch, well at least I watch, the news on the famine in Africa, and then they show these images of some bones covered in skin, upon closer inspection, is an image of a really malnourished child who just has that bit of life in him, and without choice, spends it in starvation. What can we do for them??

If you ask me, the least that you could do is to appreciate the food on your plate, and finish EVERY SINGLE BIT OF IT, and then end your meal with a grateful prayer. To all of you reading this, ever been to a public open house? To those in UIA, the sight of the plates in the canteens, esp Ali canteen, would say a thousand words, and would probably feed a thousand more...People take more that they can eat, and then leave half their food fashinably for wastage. Its like as if the sanctity of the food we eat is lost forever. I can bet my life that on any said day, if one were to collect all the food left after dinner, you could probably feed many families with it. If you ask them, they say "Its my food, I can do anything with it". Oh really!!! You may feel as frustrated when reading this, but then what can we do anyway. it all comes down to the mentality of the general public again. If it were just being done by a small handful, i'd go punish them Anniyan style in the night, but then almost everybody is doing this, with the least of regret. You see kilos of cooked rice and other dishes constantly heaped into a big black plastic bag, where they can only rot. and those starving people on other parts of the world, all they can do is to stare up at the gods, and eat the sand beneath their feet, if any.

Its so sad. People are taking everything for granted. Thats probably because you did not have to work for anything anyway. The government gives you so many benefits, you feel that since you pay taxes, you can do anything you want.

I do not want to go into a number three, coz I believe that change should be developed in steps. I feel that if people begin to act responsibly for a small thing, they would feel motivated to continue..After all one good deed begets another..You never know, today you act responsibly, someone else who has watched you will be motivated by it, and follow...

Just tell me, how much would it hurt to wait patiently for people to disembark before you get on a train...Does it require strenuous physical labour??

how much would it hurt to get up and give up your seat for an aged person, or a pregnant lady? would you lose a leg over it?

How much would it hurt to move to the back of a bus, so that more can find a place? Do i have to kiss your feet for you to do so?

However, i would kiss your feet for this : Please finish whatever food that you may have on your plate. Please do not waste food. Waste your money, waste your petrol for all i care, but then please do not waste your food...

Ok ok, actually I have no right to tell you what to do, but then all of you have a right to be responsible, and it is a right that you have to exercise. Set a good example for others, even if your life depended on it...And trust me, you will go a long way...

Praying for a better world for my children to live in....

Mahees

The Blood Diamond Effect....

You gotta admit, the movie "Blood Diamond" is one of the most hardhitting movies to come out of Hollywood in recent times. Though there will be many mindless entertainers that may relieve your souls of anxiety, these films come about with a knockout message, reminding us that people are suffering and dying, and that as we were born in different lands and situations, we are fortunate enough not to be one of them.

I watch films of any language, as long as they are good. I dont care what dialect they speak, how goodlooking the actors/actresses are, or the budget or genre. I just want a good story. Some fiction, some on true events. But when you sit with someone and watch a film, and he pats on your shoulder and tells you that he has witnessed in real life what is being shown on-screen, then you take up a completely different perspective on things. Those actors, are suddenly not acting anymore, and emotions may set in. Which is why i m writing this today.

Hollywood comes up with some gems, though rarely, that showcases what many would not know. I applaud directors who make a movie for the sake of social responsibility, and to expose atrocities in certain parts of the world. I wish i could make films too, so that i can bring several nagging issues to light.

Some good films I can recommend are "Constant Gardener", "Syriana", "An Inconvenient Truth", "No Man's Land", and to an extent, "Fahrenheit 9-11".

But the main thing which i would like to do is to highlight certain issues that may be causing problems to the world and society through my blog, and hope that it brings a change someplace, somewhere in the world. It is the least that I can do to my society. Thank you.

Scarborough Fair

Hi and hi again guys...for this post, i felt like sharing one of my all-time favorite english folk song, which was drummed into my head by my music teacher when i was in primary 3. Got to listen to it again after a long time, Sarah Brightman's version, and then i realised that the meaning of this song may go as deep as you want it to be...So if you guys get the chance to listen to it, please do..its a chance you wont regret... :)

Scarborough Fair

Man and Woman
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.
Remember me to one who lives there,
For she once was a true love of mine.


MAN
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Without any seam nor needlework,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.

Tell her to wash it in yonder dry well,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Which never sprung water nor rain ever fell,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.

Tell her to dry it on yonder thorn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Which never bore blossom since Adam was born,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.

Ask her to do me this courtesy,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And ask for a like favour from me,
And then she'll be a true love of mine.

BOTH
Have you been to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Remember me from one who lives there,
For he once was a true love of mine.


WOMAN

Ask him to find me an acre of land,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Between the salt water and the sea-sand,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.

Ask him to plough it with a lamb's horn,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And sow it all over with one peppercorn,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.

Ask him to reap it with a sickle of leather,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
And gather it up with a rope made of heather,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.

When he has done and finished his work,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Ask him to come for his cambric shirt,
For then he'll be a true love of mine.

BOTH
If you say that you can't, then I shall reply,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
Oh, Let me know that at least you will try,
Or you'll never be a true love of mine.

Love imposes impossible tasks,
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme,
But none more than any heart would ask,
I must know you're a true love of mine

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trivia
During late medieval times the seaside resort of Scarborough was an important venue for tradesmen from all over England. It was host to a huge forty-five day trading event, starting August 15, which was exceptionally long for a fair in those times. People from all over England, and even some from the continent, came to Scarborough to engage in business.

The song tells the tale of a young man, who tells the listener to ask his former lover to perform for him a series of impossible tasks, such as making him a shirt without a seam and then washing it in a dry well, adding that if she completes these tasks he will take her back. Often the song is sung as a duet, with the woman then giving her lover a series of equally impossible tasks, promising to give him his seamless shirt once he has finished.

*Lyrics and Trivia reproduced from Wikipedia...If you want to learn more, you may check it out..

The Yardstick of Morality

Barbaric. Ancient. Uncivilized. Primitive.

Ever heard those words? Any mention of the words above, and the image of the apeman probably comes to your head. Hmmm, apeman aint what we are today, but hell, it all depends on what you choose to believe. I was flipping through the newspapers the other day, and I came across a very interesting headline. It was titled “Modernizing Islam”. That set me wondering. Why should Islam need modernization? I have never come across any topic such as Modernizing Christianity, Modernizing Hinduism, Modernizing Buddhism. And so why was there such a huge debate about Modernizing Islam.

That set me thinking, and the more I thought about it, the more I found myself outside the circle of religion, and I ended up in the pool of absolutivity. Why should there be modernizing when the modern world will one day become primitive? What are the boundaries and conditions for culture and religion to be “modern” in order to be acceptable by all? Why is there such a stress on modernism and its appeal? For this, I checked up the roots of it.

According to uncle Wikipedia, modernism is a trend of thought that affirms the power of human beings to make, improve, deconstruct and reshape their built and designed environment, with the aid of scientific knowledge, technology and practical experimentation, thus in its essence both progressive and optimistic.
Cool! What I like about the definition is the assertion of the power of human beings to continually change their environment, which is ultimately shaped by culture and belief. What is intriguing about the definition is the assumption that modernism has to be progressive and optimistic.

Science and technology has taken great strides over the centuries, and man can be arrogant enough to declare him god by trying to play god. The world has become a crowded place, and with resources running low, it is science and technology that is continually trying to ensure that we do not self-destruct. Or is it?

But then science does not only make our lives, does it? How about culture? Belief? Can we apply the same assumption of modernism into our culture, beliefs and values? Physiologically, we are of the same form as those of 5000 years ago, the only difference is that they probably had a lot less to worry about. Our instincts, functions, needs and desires are basically the same, only cultured through education and practice. Are we in a better state than them now? How can we define modernism in morality?

Let’s see what Wikipedia says about morality. Morality refers to the concept of human ethics which pertains to matters of good and evil —also referred to as "right or wrong", used within three contexts: individual conscience; systems of principles and judgments — sometimes called moral values —shared within a cultural, religious, secular, Humanist, or philosophical community. Personal morality defines and distinguishes among right and wrong intentions, motivations or actions, as these have been learned, engendered, or otherwise developed within each individual

Hmmm. Morality deals with the concept of good and evil that is shared within a society by a particular standard. Personal morality is up to the individual’s belief. Great! I am getting somewhere.

Suppose I told you that I witnessed a man cutting up a cat, only to cook its meat in a microwave, what would your reaction be? Barbaric! Gross! How about the concept of child marriages? Primitive! Outdated! Hey hey hey, heard about the love between these two cowboys on Brokeback mountain?? Oh how sweet! Their love story is such an epic!

These reactions are a result of modernism. The way we think, the way we perceive things all change with time, and the basic assumption is that man knows more now that he did a 1000 years back, therefore the modern man has the better set of values of judgment in identifying right from wrong. And that would be the exact logic of how men a 1000 years back would have thought of their ancestors.

Now comes the debate, who is right? If a person tried to emulate his ancestors, he would be labeled as primitive or old-fashioned. Be it good or be it bad. All you need to do is to emulate your grandparents in anything, and you will be jeered. But then what is now primitive, was at once modern, and at another era, was futuristic.

What causes these change? A large part of the blame can go to science and technology, and so I will leave their involvement at that. I want to know about morality. Humans are humans today as they were 100 years ago and as they were 1000 years ago. All man has conscience, and all man had judgments on the good and bad of things.

A simple example. Maybe one that can relate to all. Lets talk about relationships. The relationship between man and woman has undergone great changes over time. AND, the relationship between man and man has undergone great changes over time. In today’s world, it is acceptable for the man to have many girlfriends whom he can have unlimited sex with before he finds ‘the one’, while it is ‘oppression’ if he has, let alone four, two wives. It is ‘uncool’ to live with your parents after you are an adult, and its only ‘natural’ if you discover that you are gay. In the past, children are the receipts of a marriage, but today marriage is a step so big, even after you have 8 children with your partner. People used to be beheaded in the past, but today they are only electrocuted.

Hmmm. Progression? Optimism? Are we better off?

How do we put a measure of goodness or badness of a belief or a practice in an absolute sense, without looking at the time frame? Is it ever possible? Looking at the definitions above, it is almost impossible for modernism to bring about any negative effect, as the assumption is that we can only progress with time, science and knowledge. I wasn’t lying when I said that this got me thinking. So the next time anyone brings about modernizing anything, you should ask him back. Define modernism. And can there be any morality yardstick that can be checked of the effects of modernism? What are your thoughts?

Postpone the Grief!!!

Till about recently, I was regarded as a hot-head among my clique, a time-bomb with a short fuse, one that would immediately burst upon two pricks. Though I acknowledged my short temper, it still continued, and it took its toll one fine night, and it was a very heavy price to pay.

That incident, sent me back into introspection mode. Why I was the way I was, and what i could possibly do about it. I surely wasnt born this way. The blame game soon started. I Could attribute it mostly to my hectic student life. But it wasnt a good excuse. I could have attributed it to genetics, but I guess my parents are a bit cooler than they could have been. Friends?? Hey, i got Jewels as friends, except for a granite here and there...Then I found that I could only blame only one thing : MYSELF

The moment I realised that I am the only one responsible for who I am, the actions that I do, and for the consequences that come out of it, It was like attaining Nirvana. Life took a completely different perspective, and a truth dawned onto me. Life could be a simple as it is, and if it seems complicated, it is all of our doing. I am in full control of my life, and I have the power to choose if I am happy or sad.....to be continued...

Musica Gloria

Say what you may, i guess, after prayer, Music is the best healer of the wounded, lonely soul...May God always bless good music, for they have the power to transform ur day from the routinely mundane to a wildly optimistic one. Be you sad, be you happy, be you hurt, be you angry, be you depressed, be you lonely, there is always something out there in the airwaves that would seep in through that chest of yours and tug at your heart, beckoning it to fulfillment. Aaaaaaah! the pleasure is just.... :)

I am on holiday at home. I aint lonely, but i am bored. And my usual bunch of friends aint all around to lighten up this otherwise restless soul, and therefore, i turn to the net to relieve my emptiness. I go thru whatever audio files i have, and i come to this folder where i had songs that i have been listening to for the past 10 years. Classics. Memories.

As i begin to listen to them one by one, i am transported back to the era during which these songs got released. Through this random thought of mine, memories come back crashing in, reliving moments long forgotten, feelings long ignored, friends long appreciated, memories that deserved retrospect. Soon the focus goes off the song, as you close your eyes, and your life plays itself out like a dream, with the song as a background music. The strings of memories play itself out like a slow composition, which lasts long after the song ends. Flashbacks of happiness, sadness, bittersweet joy, so many lessons found when you look back.

I love music. It keeps my sanity in check. It reminds me of the person I am. It motivates the creative side of me. It reminds me of the past. And it always makes my day, no matter how i feel. The complexities of several pieces, always manage to keep you in awe. It is a reminder that for all the pains that man has inflicted upon himself, it is up to man to find a cure. Music is mine. :)

Job seeker...

Its been about a month now since i finished my final rites as an engineering student, thus, closing a chapter of a very mechatronical life. And I have been sittin at home since, enjoyin the freedom that i so very much deserve, after 4 years of tireless service. And i am slowly beginning to get subtle hints from various members of the household, suggesting that there could be some work that I could do to prevent that little spare tyre from growing. Point taken.

And so the newspapers ruffled, databases ransacked, classifieds pored over, just to find a suitable job. Well, looking at the classifieds and other sources, it is unbelievable as to how many jobs were being offered each day, yet there are so many unemployed graduates who are complaining to the government that there are no jobs. And these are no blue-collar jobs mind you, but very well-paid jobs with wide scopes. So much for laziness.

Me being stuck in a quandary, being a foreigner in this country, who has just graduated, and wanting to find a small part-time job, the opportunity is thus limited. I can only find a 1001 ways to spend the money that i have, but not earn. Looking at the jobs for offer, I cant help but wish that I was born in this country, as there are endless opportunities that I would love exploring for the rest of my life. Well, I didnt decide where I should be born, so I can safely leave the blame ( or honour ) to God :)

And so I have applied to several universities overseas for Masters. There is a high chance of getting the admission, but once again, my heritage gives way to visa struggles. Though a few bad apples may screw me apart, there is no way that I am going to stop trying. I am gonna get thru it.

However, back to the present, thanks to my fragmented train of thought, I applied for a job in corporate sales, and had to attend an interview today. The main reason that I applied for this post was because I can have a more interactive way of life, meeting people, and selling them packages, gettin commission, etc. however, after an exhaustive interview, i was told that all sales would be conducted by telephone, and that i had to generate leads and prospects outside office hours, which is kinda like a bummer in my bum. Should i take it, should i not. I dont know, but i know that i aint goin to be happy bein constricted. Well, i cant be too demanding, and so, I will just have to sleep on it, and come up with something tomorrow.

Gatecrasher!!

Hey hey hey, here i am, uninvited, unknown, and completely uninhibited in the world of bloggers. Used to have a couple of blogs, but no one really read them, plus i think i'd let all my worries out to where it belongs - the world. A bit about me, well, i am an introspective extrovert who is constantly left dumbfounded about the incredulity of events that occur around me. A bit of fantasy, dreamy escapades, sarcastic candour with a tinge of realism, flashes of intelligence, hehe, thats what i am all about, and thats what my posts will all be. Well, as sed, this is my dreamspace, come and dream with me :D