pakai buang pakai

A sorta short story :: 001

2009-10-26T23:20:00.007+08:00

"Today, I got caught in a heavy shower while walking along the street. Fortunately, I had my umbrella and my rain-cape; however, both were in the boot of my car, which was parked some way away. While I was running to get them, I thought about the strange epilogue life signals us all: we always have the necessary resources to face the storms that life throws at us, but most of the time, those resources are locked up in the depths of our heart, and we waste an enormous amount of time trying to find them. By the time we've found them, we have already been defeated by adversity."

You know now; always be prepared.

The Coen Brothers should do a collaboration with Alan Ball.

2009-10-04T16:42:00.010+08:00

The Coen Brothers have got to be in my TOP 3 list of favorite filmmakers. It all started with Fargo, one of my all time favorite movie (I heart Willliam H. Macy since then. And am I the only one who sees the resemblance in William and Flanders from Simpsons?). The brilliance in the variety of odd characters they create, the cinematography and of course the storyline. Their latest film was released on October 2nd 2009, but I'm pretty sure its VISA has been declined here in Malaysia, and will forever be. Cause yea.. A Serious Man is about Jews. Ah Long in SS2 will get it for us, surely :)

Czech the glossary of Yiddish terms used in the film here, cause there ain't no subtitles for that: A Serious Man : Glossary

I'm eager to write more about the brothers, but my brain is currently re-booting from the long weekend. So I'll bake that another day.
Coen Brothers :: A Serious Man

The best rojak this year.

2009-10-01T22:04:00.000+08:00

Florence and the Machine - You Got The Love (The XX Remix) http://bit.ly/2pD5zV

Weird contraptions.

2009-09-24T23:49:00.003+08:00

This musical machine is like New Age on auto pilot. Ping pong balls are randomly catapulted onto some kind of xylophone. This surely makes it a one hit wonder. You'd probably get bored of it fast, but you'd impress a hell lot of bunnies too.
Jeff Lieberman :: Quartet 2008

Quartet 2008 by Jeff Lieberman, Dan Paluska from Heloisa Sartorato on Vimeo.

Sinking deeper in the weird, this very strange ferrofluid is a liquid which becomes strongly polarised in the presence of a magnetic field. Sachiko Kodama has experimented this fluid through Scultpures in Motion, in the most unbelievable organic and hypnotic shapes.

Sachiko Kodama &Yakushi Miyajima :: Morpho Towers

Kid, I hope you will be like this pencil when you grow up.

2009-09-21T12:47:00.003+08:00

Qualities of a pencil:

"First quality: now and then, we have to stop writing and use a sharpener. That makes the pencil suffer a little but afterwards, he's much sharper. So you, too, must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows, because they will make you a better person.

Second quality: the pencil always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps to keep us on the road to justice.

Third quality: what really matters in a pencil is not the wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. So always pay attention to what is happening inside you.

Fourth quality: it always leaves a mark. In just the same way you should know that everything you do in life will leave a mark, so try to be conscious of that in your every action."

Gaki no tsukai - 5 Rangers

2009-09-19T11:57:00.003+08:00

Known as the 5 Rangers, this Japanese comedy is a series of 13 episodes, about 6min each. @aletbahaya recommended to watch all episodes to get the humor, and indeed, you MUST watch all episodes. Also if you are into fashion/costumes, this is for you.
Give yourself an hour to watch them all, bend your mind like the Japanese would, and allow yourself to have a good giggle. Seems that the actors are longtime comedians and well known to the country.
Gaki No Tsukai aka 5 Rangers :: Episode 01

Gaki No Tsukai aka 5 Rangers :: Episode 02

All of them seem to have a hard time keeping a straight face in all episodes, their costumes are just TOO MUCH at times. Watch all 13 episodes here:
5 Rangers :: Episode 03
5 Rangers :: Episode 04
5 Rangers :: Episode 05
5 Rangers :: Episode 06
5 Rangers :: Episode 07
5 Rangers :: Episode 08
5 Rangers :: Episode 09
5 Rangers :: Episode 10
5 Rangers :: Episode 11
5 Rangers :: Episode 12
5 Rangers :: Episode 13

Word Up :: 006

2009-09-15T23:48:00.008+08:00

« And yet what are we to do about this terribly significant business of other people, which gets bled of the significance we think it has and takes on instead a significance that is ludicrous, so ill-equipped are we all to envision one another's interior workings and invisible aims?» "American Pastoral" - Novelist - Philip Roth

Nico Digi - VQ1005

2009-09-10T23:11:00.004+08:00

So I've been showing my moody faces at office for the past few months, due to too many irritating reasons. One day OK, one day KO. Lucky me, it's an "all girls" office so they have all been very understanding and supportive of my PMS days. And even if I hide my bad days with a smile on, the girls just know when I am down, for the real.
Last friday, after our french toast teatime, @dramajess took me out for a ciggie break and had a nice little chat. It's nice when people actually take the time to ask you "how you've been doing girl?", or "how was your day?". Too many people tend to forget the importance of that.. as we chatted away, @dramajess pulled out a little (but BIG in meaning) present she got for me :D JOY JOY (as she'd always say)
This tiny Nico Digi - VQ1005 camera, which i had never seen before. You see, @dramajess has always been very supportive of my blog, AND my passion for photography. She knew i had resorted to using a disposable camera until I'd have the "duit" to buy myself a digital one. This present is to inspire me with my passion and through my little down days. This gesture is priceless Jess, extremely thoughtful of you. THANKS A MILLION ON DA ROCK!!!

Look now what I've shot over the past few days. Didn't get a picture of @dramajess that day cause she was sick at home. She's feeling better now and indeed good karma got her back. Future is looking bright for you next month woman :)

Proof that @avril.may.june IS taller than Geisha
day before @samseng.poh's 16th birthday
Teppanyaki and ciggi in staircase like old days
We left @samseng.poh's satria for a wash during lunch, and look how good it looked after the wash!! SPEECHLESS..
@ChoowieRoo at SS2, where your taste bud belongs

You can find out more about this little james bond camera right here: http://www.theclickshop.net/shop/nico-digi/

Gummo :: Cock-a-Doodle-Doo

2009-09-09T19:21:00.009+08:00

This movie has got to be one of the most hyperrealistic yet surreal film in my library. It was a VHS tape we bought in 2002. Alas my VHS tape player has literally exploded 3 years ago. Made in 1997, it was written and directed by Harmony Korine who created a collage of vignettes depicting offbeat characters living series of randomness rather than having a linear narrative. It isn't for the soft soul, it is twisted as a pig's tail. In all, it is disturbing yet splendid and very memorable.

The plot itself has very little to say, but the documentary-like cinematography draws us into another universe during the entire film. Gummo exploits a range of issues such as: profanity, animal cruelty, grief, homophobia, sexual abuse, mental illness, violence and much, much more.. such an unusual style, as provocative as it could be, and eccentric in variety. Whether you love the film or hate it, you'll probably find yourself watching the entire thing anyway. Here's Rabbit opening the credit:

"Gummo premiered at the 24th Telluride Film Festival on August 29, 1997. During the screening, numerous people got up and left during the initial cat drowning sequence."

The Cove :: Flipper the dolphin ideology?

2009-09-02T11:48:00.009+08:00

The recent documentary The Cove has been one of many teatime talks lately. It won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. I have not yet seen the documentary, but from the look of the trailer it does seem like a pretty fierce production work .

Documentary :: The Cove

However, I am still feeling very controversial about this documentary. This line made me feel the documentary was exaggeratedly dramatized: "When we first got to the country we had no idea who was following us..do you think they know we're here?...we didn't know if it was the whalers, or the Japanese mafia." This wouldn't happen if you did your homework on who you might piss off in the Japanese fishing business before you get there. From the trailer, it just seems the documentary focuses more about the secretive, the forbidden, the mafia, the drama, the hidden camera perspective which gets any human being hyped about because we all love voyeurism now don't we. The Cove better be full of relevant facts, and from all perspectives.

For your information, mercury is not only found in dolphins, but also in tuna and swordfish, yet we still love our tuna mayo sandwiches, don't we? I guess tunas are just too butt-ugly to make a documentary about. I can't help but commenting on this rather selfish westernized thinking. You have to accept reality and actually respect the cultures of different countries. In India, we all know that cows are sacred and will always be. Have you seen them making movies and protesting about our culture of beef eating? And gawd knows how the reckless slaughtering of many cows would flip your stomach upside down if you saw it for yourself.

Good on the people who actually dig dedicating their lives to riding dolphins and holding on tight to them so the fishermen won't be able to hunt them down. As for the rest who sit home, criticize and rage against a minority of Japanese for having a different culture than yours, I recommend you focus your energy on doing something more productive and actually relevant to the life you are living and directing. Get your own flight ticket to Japan and hunt down the fishermen if you really care. But don't complain if the whole of India comes after you for having that grilled steak while waiting to board your flight at the airport.

The team of "The Cove" better be serious extremist vegetarians.

Word Up :: 005

2009-08-28T21:00:00.004+08:00

"Flowers leave some of their fragrance in the hand that bestows them." Chinese Proverb.

The xx - Crystalised

2009-08-28T00:08:00.006+08:00

The xx have really got me hooked on their debut album day by day. Unexpected, brilliant song and lyrical arrangement with a consistent intimacy. They're British too, you can tell. Shy to the bones in real life (yea cause i know them..not) so they let the music speak for itself. Let's hope the fame doesn't get up their soft spoken buttocks.
They have covered few songs from other artists, but have proven to really make it their own.
"With a cover you should take the essence of it and completely change the music side of it." No further critic, let the music speak.
The xx :: Crystalised

CAKAP FRENCH :: véridique (veʀidik) = truthful

Dan Deacon's beacon.

2009-08-26T10:48:00.009+08:00

This man is living in fame. Dan Deacon is best known for his live shows where he keeps his electronic music devices to ground level, mixing with the crowd at his feet. He loves to get the crowd involved with his sets, and will very often get everyone to do crazy performances, such as getting the crowd to run in a huge circle making a human spiral. And it works everytime, INSANE!

He studied electro-accoustic and computer music composition at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College in New York. He also shared classes with the talented Soviet-born singer/songwriter Regina Spektor. I know..waaaaah o.O

His music videos are damn raw, but there are few questionable "easter eggs" which keeps the interest going. Check it out, straight to the tripping point.

Dan Deacon :: Crystal Cat

Dan Deacon :: Snookered (Live set)

Word Up :: 004

2009-08-25T22:06:00.006+08:00

« Never look down on anybody, unless you're trying to help him up. »
Civil Rights Activist - Jesse Jackson.

This world needs a new kind of army - The Army of the Kind.

2009-08-25T13:35:00.007+08:00

Lately, I had slowly stepped away from being nice candy to everybody as I have let myself be the "doormat" way too much. I can blame others, but I blame myself most, I'm like that, I'm neurotic. After a series of disappointing events the past years, I recently learnt to prioritise my values and to actually take a stand to apply them in my life. To sum it up, it's about living life, in FULL honesty. FULL STOP.

Last night proved to be another inspiring moment. I watched the latest Pixar film "UP" together with @ellyberrie. I had absolutely no expectations from it, did not know the story behind, and that made it even more extraordinary. I teared up twice, of joy and marvel. I laughed out loud so hard, like that contagious laugh only @tianna aka Tee-Rex can trigger in me. It was by far the best Pixar work, so much goodness to it, in so many aspects. A phenomenal work which reminds us of kindness and love, and the importance to live the adventure of life to the fullest. I am having a kind day, by choice. Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together. And as Plato once said:

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

CAKAP FRENCH :: gentillesse (ʒɑ̃tijɛs) = kindness

Captain Abu Raed :: I see magic.

2009-08-23T19:08:00.005+08:00

Was there a rabbit in the hat? I think not. It's another kind of magic..
I've been having serious goosebumps hearing about this film. Captain Abu Raed (2007) was written and directed by Amin Matalqa, and is the first feature film produced in Jordan in more than 50 years. The film has won high recognition through numerous awards since its first release, including the Sundance Film Festival Award 2008.

I'm a little baffled that the movie has only been released in US and other few countries this August 2009. I doubt it will be shown here, nevertheless, I'll get my hands on it one way or another. I recently saw an interview of Amin Matalqa with Riz Khan on Al-Jazeera while having lunch at mamak. I'll tell you that was the best lunch time I've had in a while :) Some of the kids acting in the movie were discovered in refugee camps and orphanages. In one of Amin's interview, he recalls his first encounter with this little boy (one of the main cast), and he asked the boy:
« What do you want to be when you grow up?
and the little boy replied joyfully:
- I want to be a captain!»
Amin smiled, it was an obvious match.
Watch the trailer here, and let's a organize a communal viewing I say. This makes me smile.
Captain Abu Raed :: Official Trailer (US)

Speech Debelle: she fresh like a cucumber in yogurt.

2009-08-19T20:30:00.016+08:00

« I'm getting older now, I'm starting to make sense of it. »
Speech Debelle has got the humbleness in the rap and that's a first innit now? There's no argument that her songwriting, lyric and diction all together stand strong and represent Europe in style; she's Brit-British yep. She slides playful whispers on her words with a youthful warmth and confidence. She pierces a deeper darkened honesty with each rhyme done. She's fresh to the flex and still humble. I said that already, but it's worth saying in twice really. Cause when you're not a hiphop fan in general, rap artists can only take your grip with their authentic original skills and style. That's when they get your appreciative recognition.
Speech Debelle :: The Key

In her case, it's the offbeat, upbeat, jazzy, folky production of the album that makes her stand on her own boulder. She's humble in her dresser too. It's a good change from today's fashion rumble.

If you ain't convinced of her astounding talent, do me a favor and GIVE THIS VIDEO A GO. A live street performance proves a true artist. High props to the band too. Start the day with it, it's breezy.
Speech Debelle :: The Key (live street performance)

Give a damn for GOOD.

2009-08-18T16:02:00.006+08:00

Be part of the GOOD community here: www.good.is

CAKAP FRENCH :: viabilité (vjabilite) = sustainability

My First Whateverthatwas Anonymous Session.

2009-08-17T13:39:00.014+08:00

Sundays are my favorites, for I rise early in the morning and get a full on day going. I wasn't always an early birdie, but I really enjoy making the most of my days now. I attended a workshop preview with @ovidiawang in the afternoon at 95%. We arrived late probably due to our sense of loss in direction when looking for Wisma Dicklin.

After we sign in for a quickadeequak registration, girl guides us to the meeting room. Not the typical workshop seating layout I expected. @ovidiawang and I found ourselves seating on the two last chairs of the semi-circle facing the lecturer, @MsJanet, at the two very ends of eachother. I am surprised they didn't label the chairs with our names..Hmm. The truth is @MsJanet knew more about what/who/why I was brought to that meeting more than I actually did. So what is 95percent? 95% according to 95percent:

"It is said that if you give a man a fish he eats for a day. But if you teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime. We go beyond that. We lead him to discover why he wants a fish. Once he understands why catching fish is important to him, he will search out the best way, or even create his own way, of catching fish.

At 95%, we provide skills trainings that are built on a foundation of personal growth. This empowers the individual while developing the skills."

It's about generating the most inventive ideas and carry them forward while taking risks, whether your ideas succeed or fail. This workshop is definelty most relevant for the advertising field, whether you do copywriting or design. Yet, it has proven to improve varied personal skills in many other fields. It's learning how to generate and have the courage to execute a creative/innovative idea, without popping a pile.

Great publicity shared by @MsJanet yesterday:

Adidas - Japan :: Impossible Is Nothing (Vertical Soccer)

Brilliant idea to convey the slogan. It breaks the conventional advertising medium, creates street hype, and it's larger than your mum's headstand. A FIRST.

Deadline Express Courier :: Self-Destructing Billboard Message

This courier service firmly assures you that they always deliver on time. This billboard countdown was done over a period of 30days i believe. Imagine the hype the public got, wondering what would really happen once seconds came down to zero. It's not New Years, it's pressure time..

To wrap up the power of words, here is Lopez Murphy's publicity campaign for President, which won the Silver Lion at the Cannes Lions Awards 2006. A veryliciously strong public awareness message, the wittiness shines through.

Lopez Murphy for President :: The Truth

If you gave me another 15sec of watching this awareness message, my tear would have flipped out. Instead, I "WOOOAHED" out loud, to break to moving silence. LOVE IT :D
For more information on the workshops they offer: www.95percent.com.my

Word Up :: 003

2009-08-15T00:26:00.010+08:00

« If all the insects were to disappear from the earth, within 50 years all life on earth would end. If all human beings were to disappear from the earth, within 50 years all forms of life would florish. »
Medical Researcher and Virologist - Jonas Salk.

Dean Chamberlain does it bright.

2009-08-14T12:35:00.022+08:00

David Bowie - Wilderness

I'm bringing focus to Dean Chamberlain who has clearly made the lens his own. I was mostly struck by his portraits of celebrities. It is obvious the man has a distinctive way of storytelling (he carries a strong attraction to do portraits for musicians and artists). Dean uses a deadly slow shutterspeed together with breathtaking lighting technics. There are absolutely no photoshop effects done with his work.

Tree, Root, Steps   -   Kenny Scharf

Keith Haring

Paul McCartney - Muir Trail

Get blinded with more of his work at www.deanchamberlain.com. Following is the motion video he did for Duran Duran's side project band.
Arcadia :: Missing

I will keep to my 10year plan, and I will be the photographer I want to be in my 30's. I'm using a disposable camera for the time being. Keep it at that.

I do this OCT - On Company Time

2009-08-13T10:52:00.014+08:00

Being in the creative department, I consider this time researching and blogging valuable and relevant to my work. I need to reboot and rejenerate my creative cells every now and then. Besides swinging by creative/designers websites and magazines, it is a must to educate myself with other irrelevant randomness. Because when you dig your nose for an idea, you often get the lightbulb triggered by the most random and unrelated subjects to your work.

@natashanair directed my attention to this article in CREATIVE REVIEW online magazine. Created by the Sydney based ad agency Publicis Mojo, here is one of the six typographical posters that was sent to CR recently.

See now how my random research OCT could be just as handy for future work. From urbandictionary.com:

DROP THE NEEDLE: to play a vynil record.

CLAP BACK: to return fire (eg: if someone shoots at you, you clap back at their ass.)

EAR WORM: a song that is stuck in your head.

COLD LAMPIN: innactive, chillin' similar to the cool temperature of a light in a lamp that has not been used in some time.

CHEVROLEG: the kind of vehicle you own when you can't afford a car.

LOCK BLOCK: when one person prematurely tries to open the passenger door on a vehicle while the driver simultaneously unlocks the door, causing it to relock and keep the passenger outside.

GREEN THE LIGHT: used by a frustrated person who believes he/she can ask the help of a higher power to make a traffic light turn green for him/her. It originates from firemen who actually have the power to make the light turn green.

That's my own creative poster time, inspired by the creative and the randomness. Quickly done OCT, no time wasted.

Word Up :: 002

2009-08-12T20:38:00.013+08:00

"You don't get your tooth back. I keep your tooth. I drill a tiny hole through it, wear it around my neck. I become your god." Weeds - Season 4. Nancy.

Metric - Live It Out

2009-08-12T16:34:00.014+08:00

Lotsa splashing rock alternative bands come from Canada, like Metric. Bands which have brought a live stage to life. Of Metric's discography, I have to say Live It Out has got the most punch of all. It conclusively made it hard to beat, but the latest release Fantasies still remains one of the best album for 2009.
Metric :: Handshakes
«Buy this car to drive to work.
Drive to work to pay for this car.»

You see, Metric always manages to add that pinch of unknown spice within a song and breaks the conventional song structure we are all so familiar with (the verse, the chorus, then verse II, then the chorus again, then the breaker, then the chorus..i haven't got any decent musical technical terms in my catalogue besides THIS. Nevertheless, I'm sure you all get where I'm at.). I strongly sense from those videos, that Metric is better live than recorded. Emily Haines has got much more attitude and honesty in her singing when on stage. Plus the stage production / lighting. Shit like that always bring me to tears, of ecstatic happiness. On the album, it's a little more controlled, better pitch maybe. But we like them loud and raw. Just like that:

Metric :: Monster Hospital

Word Up :: 001

2009-08-11T16:58:00.006+08:00

"i'm like a dog. if i see a ball, i run."
my natural expertise at tennis - moi.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Shena Ringo

2009-08-11T14:39:00.009+08:00

I once suggested to one of our local fashion designer (I'm not dropping any names, nope) to bring his "futuristic line" to a new dimension for the fashion show. Look at Karen O rocking the gold fit in the midst of the african looking soil. Contrast at its best.HOT. But no, designer wants to keep robot-robotic theme, cause it's the futuristic line doh. Hopeless --_--

You just can't beat this song and video. It's in perfect harmony.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs :: Gold Lion

Shena Ringo goes way back from my days in HongKong. She's the fierce Jap rock/pop. Though I don't understand a word you're saying, I feel you girl, I feel you.

Kenapa ko takleh multi-task? Because you are men.

2009-08-10T16:24:00.004+08:00

Women are better at multi-tasking than men are, at work and in life. That's a fact. We can jaga a career, family, friends, hobbies, household choirs and anything else, you name it, we can DO IT simultaneously. Nike should consider endorsing more women for the simple fact that we JUST DO IT without being affected by other tasks in our lives. Yep, we've got multiple channels in our brain that allow us to think, do and listen at the very same time. Take Sir Ken in his speech at TEDTalks about Creativity, I quote (a lot lately):

« There's a shaft of nerves that joins the two hemispheres of the brain called the corpus collasum, and it's thicker in women. Falling off from Hellenistic era. I think this is probably why women are better at multi-tasking. Because you are, aren't you? There's a raft of research, but I know from my personal life.
If my wife (Terri) is cooking a meal at home.. (pause) ..which is not often.. (pause) ..thankfully.(LOL) No but she's good at some things. But if she's cooking, she's dealing with people on the phone, she's talking to the kids, she's painting the ceilings, she's...doing open heart surgery, over here.(LOL) If I am cooking, the door is shut, the kids are out, the phone is on the hook and if she comes in I get annoyed. I say Terri pleease, I'm trying to fry an egg in here!(LOL again) Give me a break!»

Accept it boys, that's just fact.

I'm sure I've quoted enough of this guy's speech now. I can only strongly recommend everyone to watch this 20min video. I've been watching it many times over the past 2years. It's just timeless.
TEDTalks 2006 :: Do Schools Kill Creativity? by Sir Ken Robinson

Eeerm..since i've mentioned Nike, and that makes it twice now, do i get endorsed too?
Nikeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's thrice.

Kids aren't afraid of being wrong.

2009-08-09T15:04:00.002+08:00

Following my latest post about being right v.s wrong, and how that affects our creativity and originality, I'd like to share one of Sir Ken's anecdotes which makes me laugh every single time. I will post his video from TEDTalks in the next post, but this quote is for the lazy ones who don't believe the video IS really worth watching:

«I heard a great story recently, of a little girl who was in a drawing lesson. She was six and she was at the back drawing. The teacher said this little girl hardly ever paid attention, but in this drawing lesson she did. So the teacher was fascinated, she went over to her and said:
- What are you drawing?
And the girl said:
- I'm drawing a picture of god.
And the teacher said:
- But nobody knows what God looks like.
And the girl said:
- They would in a minute!»

PRICELESS :))

Fail. Fail again. Fail better.

2009-08-08T10:59:00.012+08:00

I recently got the book "It's not how good you are, it's how good you want to be.", a best-seller by Paul Arden, whom in 1977 became Executive Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi. The few books he has compiled are brief recollections of his learning in the business during those 15years. (We should also mention he was in advertising for 18years previous to that.) @alushaness was given the book "Whatever you think, think the opposite" by her dad as an inspirational guidance to her transition in her career path. Thumbs up for that!

I wanted to share an extract of the book I got. That it's wrong to be right, and it's right to be wrong :

«BEING right is based upon knowledge and experience and is often provable. Knowledge comes from the past, so it's safe. It is also out of date. It's the opposite of originality. Experience is built from solutions to old situations and problems. The old situations are probably different from the present ones, so that old solutions will have to be bent to fit new problems (and probably fit badly). Also the likelihood is that, if you've got the experience, you'll probably use it.

This is lazy.

Experience is the opposite of being creative. If you can prove you're right, you're set in concrete. You cannot move with the times or with other people. Being right is also being boring. Your mind is closed. You are not open to new ideas. You are rooted in your own rightness, which is arrogant. Arrogance is a valuable tool, but only if used very sparingly. Worst of all, being right has a tone of morality about it. To be anything else sounds weak or fallible, and people who are right would hate to be thought fallible.

So: it's wrong to be right, because people who are right are rooted in the past, rigid-minded, dull and smug. There's no talking to them.»

«START being wrong and suddenly anything is possible. You're no longer trying to be infallible. You're in the unknown. There's no way of knowing what can happen, but there's more chance of it being amazing than if you try to be right. Of course, being wrong there's a risk. People worry about suggesting stupid ideas because of what others will think. You will have been in meetings where new thinking has been called for, at your original suggestion. Instead of saying, "That's the kind of suggestion that leads us to a novel solution", the room goes quiet, they look up to the ceiling, roll their eyes and return to the discussion.

Risks are a measure of people. People who won't take them are trying to preserve what they have. People who do take them often end up by having more. Some risks have a future, and some people call them wrong. But being right may be like walking backwards proving where you've been.

Being wrong isn't in the future, or in the past. Being wrong isn't anywhere but being here.
Best place to be, eh?»

It relates back to the importance of creativity, which supports Sir Ken Robinson's speech on TEDTalks, "SCHOOLS KILL CREATIVITY". We have all been taught from a young age that making mistakes will make you fail, in school, and later in life. But in reality, only children will take a chance at failure. If they don't know (from experience and teaching, unlike us adults), they'll have a go. Children are not afraid to take risks, they are not frightened of being wrong. If you are not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with something original. And this is the reason why children are at their highest creativity state, when they take a chance without worrying for the consequences.

The next meeting, I'm throwing my idea on a paper plane.

CAKAP FRENCH :: échec (eʃɛk) = failure

I always hated history, it's got nothing to do with me.

2009-08-07T21:37:00.016+08:00

This may be my last "philosophical" day. Or so I'll try; to follow my freaking guts, stop reflecting on life and why things happen to be a certain way. It's good to have an understanding of life's nature and human behaviors. Yea I give myself a pat for that. But that time spent reflecting could be spent DOING. If something bad happens to you today, we always comfort ourselves that tomorrow will be better. After the fall, we can only rise again. Surely, that theory applies to most of us. In reality, not all of us.

There are millions (if not billions) of people in the world who simply have no better tomorrow. People who are in real deep misery for the rest of their lives. And I am not talking of the urban misery related to our surroundings, jobs, debts or any other personal issues that could have been created by today's mass media,TV, magazines, politics, urge to be successful, famous, have a good job, a good family...etc. FORFUCKSAKE!!! We were all born for the survival and we forget about the real deal. Cause for this century, we have been fed with superficiality.

Take Somalia for instance; a young man who lost his parents, has got eight siblings to care for, no job for that matter and only knows hunger. As sad and horrifying as it may sound, or as banal/obvious it may be, he really has no hope for a better future, and he will not have a better future, ever in his life. There is absolutely no better tomorrow for him. No Brangelina or Madonna to give him a hope for tomorrow. Remember that, and be only grateful for everyday you wake up, for a new challenge. Take on it however YOU want it!!!

Don't step on people's head, nor let people step on yours.
You gotta live in-between and keep your thighs clean.

Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto

2009-08-01T20:25:00.010+08:00

This short video is from Robot Chicken series written by Seth Green. This thesis of the Five Stages Of Death is a classic. We all went through that at some point, but we never learn cause it's only human to hit the bottom, only to rise again. Too bad Giraffe is dyslexic, but he still can keep his head up high. LOL. Good thing I learned how to recognize and walk beside a quicksand. And I noticed lately that I am dyslexic in my speech. Is there such a thing?
Robot Chicken :: The Five Stages Of Death

CAKAP FRENCH :: cliché (kliʃe) = cliché

The grass is greener on the right side.

2009-07-31T00:22:00.004+08:00

Keedos, do try everything once, or twice so you know what we're talking about. But never be excessive and become obsessive. It will fry your brain sooner, or much later. Eight f*cking years, and i finally don't schedule around this anymore. The grass is greener on the reality side.
Weeds Season 5 Teaser :: A Brief History Of Weed
(that's one education + fun montage, with all the facts we need. and i like the marching song for this teaser, even without visine)

And then there was Katie Melua.

2009-07-30T22:53:00.005+08:00

Katie Melua is without a doubt one flawless singer, songwriter and musician. Made a massive début in 2003, when she was only 19. She is now amongst the seventh richest British musician under 30. Fortune is estimated at £18 mil. And she's worth every penny!
Katie Melua :: I Cried For You

The year two thousand and nine has been rhyming nasty from a to z. I'm throwing the doormat away. It's been crap all along, and it doesn't pay the bill to be nice candy. So the shit just keeps hitting the fan, one day after an other, one month after..i just can't bother. Everyone should just mind their onion really. Be the best you can. Now, i can't even be arsed to type about this. Just ask eachother about the future. The sky's the limit..since some moron decided there's a limit. Moving on. This song is inspiring, we like getting down to the facts.
Katie Melua :: Nine Million Bicycles
«There are six billion people in the world,
more or less, and it makes me feel quite small,
but you're the one i love the most of all.»

CAKAP FRENCH :: vélo (velo) = bicycle

Blonde Redhead's rebirth.

2009-07-27T22:38:00.012+08:00

I came across this band about 4 years ago, when epitonic.com was still running fast. Such a pleasure it was to browse through infinite new coming indie band from around the globe. Shame they just haven't updated anything since then.

Blonde Redhead comprise of Japanese Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simon and Amedeo Pace. Discovered by Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley who then went on to produce the self-titled debut album in 1995. The song "In Particular" from the album "Melody Of Certain Damaged Lemons" (2000) caught me in a trance. Kazu Makino's singing reminded me much of Jane Birkin, partner in crime of French legend singer/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. Erm, Jane is a legend of her own too really, speaking french with the brihtish accent..and a lot of silent "h" and "sh" in her speech. We love her back home :)
Blonde Redhead :: In Particular (LIVE)

Once I came across the above mentioned album at RockCorner (thanks to An-drou's wide range of music library), I had to get their late following album, "Misery is a Butterfly" (2004), which was already on the rack. In between the making of these two albums, Kazu Makino's experienced a horrifying accident, being tramped by a horse. (Trust me I got knocked out twice from a horse and it ain't pretty when they hit your head). The recovery was long and reflects much in the visual and lyrical imagery of the following song from the album, "Misery is a Butterfly".
Blonde Redhead :: Equus
« Sometimes i think i must, just let you be, let you be a horse.
All i want is to be a rider. Afraid I'm so afraid, to lose you.
If someone looks at you, turn into donkey, pretend you are lame.»

At last the dark and gloomy days were gone, the band released the album "23" in 2007 which most of you are familiar with for its deep crying satisfaction. TEYH ROKKINYO!
Blonde Redhead :: 23

CAKAP FRENCH :: rêve (ʀɛv ) = dream

Arab Strap - The Band..i must specify.

2009-07-26T23:38:00.013+08:00

I wrote this post last night, but considering I had started uploading this video when Jesus entered puberty, and was still waiting on Sunday 26th July 2009@1am for it to finish, I went to bed and left it for today. At last now..

Arab Strap were an indie band from Scotland, which were a central part of Glasgow's influential late 1990's music scene. Alas they split in 2006 but they have remained strong in my playlist. The music video is just blah, but hell with it, this song is crystal pleasure in sound. I know i want a piano.

Arab Strap :: Dream Sequence

Some of you may know, what Arab Strap means. If not, just wiki-wiki-it.

CAKAP FRENCH :: Fruits de mer (fʀɥi/də/mɛʀ) = seafood (translates directly to "fruits of the sea"..don't ask me why)

Put your red nose on.

2009-07-25T23:51:00.007+08:00

Red Nose Day - The greatest minds in advertising brainstorming.
Do something funny for money. A substantial way to contribute our great work and raise money for multiple charitable associations around the globe. It took place this year on March 13th, and raised £78,237,675 up to date.I can't wait to put my little red nose on in 2010. Must team up and brainstorm on an idea NOW.

I heart a good commercial, really.
But I found myself very controversial. I don't believe in globalization. I believe that every country/person has a different culture which must be embraced and need not to be invaded by manipulators and ideologies coming from the biggest brands out there. But a witty manipulator must get some recognition :)

Durex Balloons - Latest commercial 2009 (which of course has been banned).
So kiut the spank.

The Greatest Remote Control - Loewe
Brilliant, witty and the greatest remote control. Now i believe. (keep in mind, I am very teh gullible)

CAKAP FRENCH :: bouré (/buʀe/) = drunk / full (double meaning)

Beverly 90210, we flushed you.

2009-07-22T13:23:00.008+08:00

Yesterday, @alushaness and i decided to get our half-deposit back from the agent as we felt unease about the apartment somehow. There's construction starting right opposite the residence, and we seriously weighted the pros and cons. We both agreed to continue searching for other more reasonable places to shift to.

Our appointment with @AgentSharon was set for 1pm at her office, and having spoken to her over the phone the night before, we knew we were in for a heated argument to get our deposit back. According to @AgentSharon, the owner had requested for a full payment of the deposit (which totaled up to RM6787..WTF!!!!) in consolation of the pull-out. @alushaness and i knew we had to stand strong on the only Black & White agreement we had signed. Whatever we had not signed would not be relevant to the discussion. Here is the ONLY document we had in our posession:

Our copy of the Agreement to Rent was very basic and @AgentSharon did not take the time to fill in the important points. Leaving all these info blank allowed us to get out of this conflict.

The thing is @AgentSharon filled in those blank spots only AFTER we had signed the agreement (probably the night before, right after my phone call..), and her argument was then based on her NEW document. We considered that completely irrelevant f*ck information to our pull-out, since we both had never seen the filled document before. You can't simply make us sign a document and later on add in additional info to it. bodohbodohbodoh.

We kept our cool while keeping firm and confident. @AgentSharon being a professional Negotiator, she assured us (all these in whispers) that she was trying her best to help us, and she left for a while to call the owner and re-assess the case.

DONE, they agreed to give us back our FULL money (DAMN RIGHT!!!); 15min for them to write the cheque, and thef*ckoutofthere we were. High-five @alushaness cause we handled it like pros. who's the real negotiator now :P

CAKAP FRENCH :: négocier (negɔsje) = negociate

Who gonna drop acid on Mickey?

2009-07-19T02:16:00.005+08:00

It took me 15longass minutes to log into my blog for a new post. I'm still new at this yet, i do understand clearly what "Sign in" means. But to my great surprise, after typing in my username and password, blogspot brought me back to my very first blog, which dates back from 2005 and had only 3 miserable posts (laughlaughlaugh). One of them deserves a re-post. It's an extract from the book NO LOGO by Naomi Klein. This book is a fascinating journey starting with the birth of branding, leading to mass marketing and how it has affected our society to struggle between corporate power and anti-corporate activism. It is part sociological thesis, part design history, and it goes something like this.

The art of being in-between:

"Following the late ethnologist Michel de Certeau, we prefer to concentrate our attention on the independent use of mass culture products, a use which, like the ruses of camouflaged fish and insects, may not 'overthrow the system', but which keeps us intact and autonomous within that system, which may be the best for which we can hope .. Going to Disney World to drop acid and goof on Mickey isn't revolutionary; going to Disney World in full knowledge of how ridiculous and evil it all is and still having a great innocent time, in some almost unconscious, even psychotic way, is something else together. This is what Certeau describes as 'the art of being in-between', and this is the only path of true freedom in today's culture. Let us, then, be in-between. Let us revel in Baywatch, Joe Camel, Wired magazine, and even glossy books about society of spectacle, but let's never succumb to the glamorous allure of these things."

SPOT ON. (fullstop)

Watch the music if you can't listen to it.

2009-07-18T12:10:00.002+08:00

Phoenix will be playing on the 1st of August in Jakarta at the Bengkel Night Park. I am STILL planning my extended weekend there, alas, my change of leave dates from work has yet to be approved. The ideal itinerary would be to arrive on the 30th July in Jakarta, hang with makcik @jade and let her drag me to the best makan spot, cause I'm still thin as a toothpick. I need some meat god damnit.!! Then we'd come back together on the 2nd August to Kuala Lumpur. We'll see what monday brings us, in the meantime, here's Phoenix :: 1901 music video:

While I'm at it, you all should check out Passion Pit for they are SUPERB!!! Here's :: Sleepyhead (LIVE) for you:

I'm off for more house hunting now. Checking out Sunway Damansara, TTDI, more BU and lunch with @ening. I'd like to think I'm also celebrating tonight, but lately things just flip around to a flop.

CAKAP FRENCH :: couilles en or (kuj/ã/ɔʀ/) = golden balls

Department Of Eagles :: No One Does It Like You

2009-07-16T19:27:00.002+08:00

They can play in my pocket anytime they want.

Beverly Residence aka 90210 Wannabe

2009-07-16T11:28:00.002+08:00

I have spotted this residence in BU11 before it was even completed. It holds only 36 units, 3 floors, and as I strongly suspected (and prayed for), the 3rd floor units come with their very own rooftops. That alone, sold it to me.

After being turned down by 8 previous agents, all saying their units had been taken up already, @alushaness finally found one available unit, on the third floor. About 1200sq feet for the apartment, plus 1030sq feet at the rooftop. Oooh that damn rooftop is calling our names for some fierce babi BBQs..I can see us in our inflatable little pool, sipping on a pina colada with a little umbrella poked in the cherry (though you know it really is just gonna be a can of tiger or something..).

Here are some pictures we recently took during the numerous visits to the apartment. (OH OH I'M HAVING A DEJA VU RIGHT NOW..sharp and clear, i know my colleagues are coming back from a meeting noow..waiting for the main door to beepbeep..yes?no?..ok maybe it's a Deja Vu of a previous Deja Vu; which really just makes this a flashback. DOH.):

While it clearly seems to be the perfect bachelor's pad, @alushaness and I are both reconsidering the place, because of $$$..let's not live beyond our means yeah. We'll be looking for more places over the weekend. Good Luck to us!!!

CAKAP FRENCH :: toit (twa) = rooftop

Damn you domain names!!!

2009-07-12T16:27:00.001+08:00

What a pain in the butt it is to find a domain name for a blog. But with the fairy help of my good friend @alushaness, we came up with a pretty good and simple name: PAKAI BUANG PAKAI (I almost said “buah”there..), translates from bahasa directly to “wear throw wear”. Nevertheless, in my country of croissants and escargots, I translate it to “use throw use”. Rediscovering all the good things that are disposable in life and to not take things too seriously.

It might have started from the (very traumatizing) flashback of when my mother once bought me a set of disposable underwear for my first trip to Bali when I was 16 (SIXTEEN FFSake!!). Despite my mother's good intention, I threw the set of disposable underwear before they were even made disposable, thankyouverymuch, and I had my first tattoo inked instead.

I then remembered the good old, or just plain old disposable cameras we all had. Since my current NIKON COOLPIX5400 is short of breath and my nonexistent savings are nowhere to be found, I’ve resorted to using disposable cameras for the time being. Scanners have been fun too. We’ll see what comes outta that little box. :)

P.S: I’ll be teaching you a “French word for the day” at each post. As we all need to know how to order a “croissant” and scream out “SACRÉ BLEU!!!!” while the waiter spills coffee on your …

CAKAP FRENCH :: jetable (ʒətabl) = disposable