Ops... They Did It Again!

"So what do you think?"

"I'm shocked!" I said to my housemate after he saw me reading the list. Yes, I really really upset with most of the categories, especially after I found out that Fatimah Abu Bakar was not in the Top 5 of the Best Supporting Actress category. Looking at the nominees, please allow me to conclude that the jury just can't accept under-acting because all five nominees employed the same class of acting, which is over-acting!

Was I watching a different film from the one watched by the jury? I find it very, very annoying, irratating and torturing watching Aznil with his interpretation of Dr. Klon. Hmmm...

And Pierre Andre for Best Actor category! Ya, Rabbi... Mohd Syafie Naswip is much more better than him.

And please don't make me go on with other categories. I thought I was quite impressed with the editing of Puaka Tebing Biru but unfortunately it's not being recognised by the jury. Instead, they nominated Jangan Pandang Belakang, which I was so disappointed, simply because the editing failed to make me scared or stimulate my appetite for spontaneous suspense.

You may call me biased, but I really think that Mukhsin's screenplay is much better than Tentang Bulan, Waris Jari Hantu and Sumolah. Don't we remember that something less is better?

Ya Rabbi... Ya Rasul... I better stop before I got too emotional!

Ya, Rabbi...

When I decided to buy myself a car a year ago, I said to myself... it's time and I shouldn't wait any longer.

And I know, since day one, that I'm not a good driver. After two weeks of driving my beautiful yet tough (hehehe) NEO, we got ourselves into our first accident. Although it was a minor one, but it's still an accident and I was slapped with my first summon!

Since then, I've lost count on how many dents and calars on my NEO. And the latest was yesterday morning as per the above picture. Gempar lah!

This morning, when I went to stall no.1 to buy me a glass of teh O, the owner smiled at me and said this, "Wah... abang bawa NEO banyak laju ya!"

With my senyum kelat, I asked him when was that.

"Pagi semalam di Bulatan Dato' Onn. Abang pergi ke arah Jalan Kuching. Saya pergi ke arah sekolah."

I just smiled back at him and left his stall with my drink. I think I also have lost count on how many times I hear people commenting my driving skill. And I remember an old saying that goes something like... if 40 people say so, then it must be true.

Well, let me check... Mak, Lan, Faizal, Mus, Rejas, Maz, Niza, Nek Chu, Ojot, Bai...

Ya, Rabbi! Ya, Rasul!

When I first read the statement by YB Senator Wan Ubaidah last week, if I'm not mistaken, I was taken back to one of my chattings with close friend of mine on jati diri.

Well, we argued and argued and can't agree on every single thing, but one. The key to a successful (and survival of a) nation is the jati diri of her countrymen.

Everyday, we can read on newspapers, listen to radios or TVs and see on our own eyes that Malaysians are this, Malaysia are that. And it's quite funny to see that we are always caught in the wrong situation at the time. When it's time for us to be rationale, we're emotional. When it's time for us to be humble, we're arrogant. And when it's time to be proud, we feel inferior.

I can understand the frustration of rakyat on Buatan Malaysia products, especially our national car. But to hear it from our politician, it is very much heartrending. I totally understand that sometime we make good decision and sometime we make unwise one and it's indeed a good practice to criticise in order to put in place check and balance. But we really need to be more responsible and smart too. If we think something is wrong, but all means put forward comments and views with fact and suggestions too. Don't just drop sweeping statements.

I feel like laughing everytime I read or listen to any comments made about our national football team. Oh, please... don't we all know that we're not going to win the ASIAN CUP and guys... we're going against China, Iran & Uzbekistan and not Singapore and Brunei!

If you guys are way, way better that those players, why don't you go for the MY TEAM II selection!

I think we really need to stop our obsession on the longest, the tallest, the biggest, etc. and start to be ourselves. What is that?

We try to be a good Malaysian. We stay healthy, we stay rationale, stay productive, embrace the spirit of RUKUNEGARA, preserve our culture, enhance our skill and knowledge and be proud of ourselves. What ever we do, we give our best.

Ain't we a merdeka nation? Why must we chain ourselves with those irrational madness? Betul tak?

Desperate Wives, Desperate Husbands!

According to today's NST, more mowen are now cheating on their husbands and it has been on the rise over the past 10 years! Am I shocked? Hmmm... I don't think so.

Well, don't call me a sexist or feminist or chauvinist or yang sewaktu dengannya, I'm not shocked at all with the findings highlighted by Minderjeet Kaur and Jennifer Gomez. Do I believe this? Yes, I am. But I'm not sure how significant the number is, I do believe that more and more women are cheating on their husbands. But I've the feeling the number is lower than the number of husbands cheating on their wives.

And we need not to play the blame games - my partner ignores me; I was forced to marry him/her; bla... bla... bla... but more importantly to revisit the importance of this so-called marriage institution.

Have more studies and intellectual dialogues with various parties and come to the conclusion - whether or not marriage is still relevant in today's world.

Most of you will think that I'm otak tak center. But I really think that the society needs to believe or have faith in marriage, in order to uphold all its rules, values and virtues.

What is the purpose of getting married? Zuriat? Most of all know that you can still have zuriats without the need to spending thousands for wang hantaran, wedding reception & spouse.

The government agencies, community leaders, academicians & scholars need to formulate the institutional framework for marriage in Malaysia. Start to have policies which contain family values, for instance. What will be a conducive environment to people to stay in marriage, to have beautiful families, to uphold marriage institution, etc. Well, this may sounds funny or merepek, but we really need this.

Yeah... you listen this crap from single male! What? From a bujang terlajak?

Although I never sit in front of the kadi for a akad nikah or never sit on pelamin, but trust me, I still believe in this institution. (Janganlah gelak!) And to me, if you have decided to commit your life with the chosen one, then by all means, you should try your very, very best to defend this union. Why should we point fingers after it starts to go wrong?

Alah... hang bolehlah cakap. Hang tak kahwin lagi...

Betulkah? Aku tak tahu sebab aku tak kahwin lagi? Hmmm...

p/s: The author was diagnosed with Kawin syndrome after a chat with his two uncles regarding kawin, of course!

Sign of a Good Day?

I arrived at the office around 8.30 am, and guess what... I parked my Satria NEO next to another NEO. Hehehe... To all my friends, which one of these two beautiful cars is belonged to me!

Zack, Azzril & Hafiz came by last night and we (plus my housemate, Ajoi) watched the Studio Bintang Kecil. Ya, Rabbi... I loooove Nadia's tone. Which one? The one that Zack labelled as "the-DIVA-to-be! She was in the second group, singing Di Akhir Garisan. The plus size girl with husky voice. Cuma kurang penghayatan saja! The three boys were equally good too. Same as the other plus size girl in the last grounp, singing the traditional Malay song, which I totally can't recall. Hehehe.

Did I mention that we also watch Qabil Khushry Qabil Igam. Mak datuk... for me, it was another tough film. I've no problem with the acting (again, I'm impressed with Rusdi Ramli's performance. Tak malu lah untuk berlakon bersama-sama Fauziah Nawi & Dato' Rahim Razali!) but I really, really had tough time with its script. Very weak!

Anyhow, thanks Ajoi for lending us this VCD. Terima kasih daun keladi.

Okay guys... I better start testing the system now. If not, I will be getting another long week. Ja mata!

3 Guys and One Message

I just returned from a karaoke outing with my office friends. Five of us, melalak tak hingat, from 12pm to 3pm.

While listening to my friends giving their 100%, belting out their emotions, I just realised that the hit numbers of 3 Malaysian singers, namely, Hazami; Kaer and Fazli Zainal have the same message - how regret and emotional a man is to end his relationship with his lady. Hmmm... do you think the same thing that I think now? Hehehe.

Alahai...

p/s: To Mus, Ani, Zetty & Usop... our dearest friend, Syam is getting married next Sunday. Tunangnya, Ita jemput kita ke majlisnya di Selayang. Insya-Allah, aku pergi. Kalau nak ikut, beritahu ya!

Yang dikendong... berciciran?

You know what... it's tough to maintain a blog. Ask anyone around you who has a blog, I'm sure they too have lots of stories to be shared about their experiences running blogs. And it's even harder to maintain more than a blog, as what I'm (insanely) doing right now.

If I'm not mistaken, I started writing a blog in 2002 with my first baby named "e-journal". I'm having it for more or less, three years before I stopped due to unavoidable reason. I was hibernating for six months, doing nothing but karaokeing; running in this run, that run; treasure hunting, together with Fezal, Miji, Mus, Salizan, Chap & Rohana. In August 2005, I started again with a blog called "cabutibulu" and a couple of blogs in 2006, including this blog - graha residenKu.

I’ve to admit that it’s very taxing to run these blogs, and luckily all my blogs have its own specific purpose. If not, I’m sure they will become like 70% of blogs on the Internet – hidup segan, mati tak mahu. And let me say it upfront, all postings to these blogs are written outside office time.

Talking about blogging, my favourite blog as to date is Life’s Like This by my dearest Zetty. Like what ReenaZack said the other day, reading Zetty’s blog makes you feel good about yourself. One of the lessons I’ve learned is I am what I am, and if you can’t handle that… pity YOU! Thank, honey for sharing with me your beautiful life you live in.

Another message that I got from reading blogs like Life’s Like This or Emotion-Expression-Experience or Here I am…, no need for opening new “branches”, just stick to one. Your life will be easier, so do others.

Hmmm… status quo? Consolidate? Kill my other babies?

Alahai…

Maaf zahir dan batin

My dearest ex-housemate,

You're right, that I was specific and I agree it was NOT a wise action. And I'm really sorry for that.

I guess you too don't get my point, honey. It just that when you repeat the same joke again and again... it will "become" real, my friend. And I find it a bit annoying. Anyhow, I totally buy your reasoning.

I've to admit that me too, sometime, have difficulties to differentiate which one is a joke and which one not. But believe me, my dear friend... I'm adjusting... just give me time.

Anyway, I'm really sorry if I hurt your feeling when I tried to expressed my opinion. Will continue to learn how to write effectively.

Love you and others too.

An Open Letter to Mus The Great

My dearest ex-housemate,

I read your post dated 16 July 2007 with great interest. Well, to tell you the truth… I’ve heard this “complaint” before, and I feel very sorry to hear about your incompetent.

As for me, I live a beautiful life. I’ve a loving family as well as caring friends. I’ve hectic weekdays and productive weekends. Oh… not to forget “prolific adversaries and some constraints too!

It might be true that I might spend more during weekends than weekdays. But I totally believe it is like that because I choose it to be as such. In order for me to live an enjoyable life according to my own definition & interpretation, I want to go to cinema, maybe once a month. Similarly, I usually plan for a karaoke outing with friends once a month too. Or go for a quick climb @Bukit Tabuh, also once a month.

Other than that, I will stay at home, cleaning the house, watching DVDs, doing laundry or go down to the swimming pool and pretending that I’ve finished five laps! Go to Selera Utara for my lunches and dinners at the gerai near my Graha Residen.

Once a month or once in two months, I will join the Geng Keji or Geng Bank or Geng Fezal or Geng Kathy or Geng Melaka for “proper” outings.

And I see my parents every two or three months.

Should I complain? Yeah… buka pekung di dada about my ineptitude!!!

Well, my point is we’re all adult. And we lead our own lives. And I don’t think it is right to blame others for our inability to say NO!

If a productive weekend means lazing with your TTM at home, so be it. If a meaningful weekend equals to driving your housemate to all places, so by all means… do as you please. But please… don’t put blames on your other friends which are not as important as your TTM for burning a hole in your wallet.

Oh yeah… when was the last time we watched movie together?

My dearest ex-housemate… I think I hear more “I would love to join... but” than the total number of our karaoke sessions together. Am I right? Yes… I am.

Perigi cari timba? More unmarried men than women? Who cares!

Yesterday, while driving to my office, I switched on to HOT.fm. They (yeap... Fara and FBI) were discussing about another petty issue i.e. what if women make the first move, instead of men.

And this morning, they (nope... no Fara today, but FBI & Seelan) we talking about the increasing trends of men put marriage on hold. As usual, some argued about higher cost of living led to higher dowry to the extent that it reached a level which is beyond of the financial capacity of the grooms-to be. Some also said that women are becoming more financially independent and men are becoming more financially distressed due to poor performance in studies or workplace.

Do I care that perigi cari timba? Do I care with the findings that males are becoming less eager to tie the knot? NO.

Can we have more productive discussions like practical ways to improve public transport? More buses? Better and wider coverage of LRT & KTM Komuter. Tax incentives for the operators? Rebate for money spent on public transport's fares? Car pool?

Or how to turn KL into a world-class city? More sustainable parks? Attractive and viable art and cultural activities? Better public infrastructures? Well-maintenance amenities? Clean and conducive environment for us to work and socialise?

Am I asking too much? Or should I continue pretending that I'm very, very excited listening to the makciks next to me talking about the brawl between Hans Isaac and Erra Fazira? Oh, God...

Pengumuman... Pengumuman!!!

Well enough said about my Graha Residen. Insya-Allah, from now on, I will write about what I feel about life or according to Zetty Julia, life as it is! Or as what Sufian Sharis said, my takes on life.

But that doesn't mean I won't talk about my Graha anymore... it's just that this blog, although named as graha residenKu, will enlarge its scope of coverage. But the bottomline is it's all about ME.

Hehehe... jangan marah!

Hujung minggu ini, Ajoi dan aku berkelana. Ajoi ke Pulau Pinang dan aku pula ke Melaka sebelum ke Ipoh, Perak. Tinggallah, Din seorang diri jaga Graha Residen.

Malam tadi Hafiz, Azzril, Mus dan Ezat datang ke rumah untuk Desperate Housewives Marathon. Tapi Mus singgah sebentar sahaja untuk meminjam CD aku.

Aku jamu mereka kway teow ladna dan buah rambutan.

My adopted brother, Shah stopped by at my Graha last weekend after we bowled with Otam & Zack at the Ampang Point Superbowl. He came to KL with his family and they stayed at his sister's place in Setiawangsa.

Mak datuk, penatnya! Zack & I played 3 games while Shah & Otam played 5 games. Next to our lanes, there were Salih Yaakob & Danny X-Factor! Kenapa aku tengok Danny tu macam sudah buncit? Kwang3x...

Sebelum itu, sebelah petangnya... Rina, Mus, Zack & Ezat came to my place for another swimming session. By the time we came down, the pool was half full with kids and some students, which I haven't seen them before.

Tiba-tiba pula aku dan Rina tidak "berselera" untuk berenang. Cuma Mus dan Zack sahaja yang berenang, sambil aku, Rina dan Ezat memerhati dengan penuh teliti dari atas. Mana lah tahu... kot2 diperlukan credible lifeguard like us. Hehehe... berangan. Kalau setakat pandai terapung saja... janganlah pasang angan-angan sedemikian. Hehehe

Oh, ya... aku ingin memaklumkan bahawa aku sudah punyai, bukan seorang, tetapi dua orang teman serumah. One is Din and another one is Ajoi. Din is from Kelantan and graduated from the Universiti Utara Malaysia, if I'm not mistaken, he holds a degree in IT while Ajoi is from Perak. He graduated from the University of Malaya with an engineering degree.

Insya-Allah, will upload pictures of them later.

Ajoi's sister came by once again on Sunday to pass him some necessity items. Comelnya kedua-dua anaknya! Jemputlah datang lagi ya, kak.