blowing bubbles

Hello, Mr.Karadzic!

2008-07-22T08:47:00.001+08:00

Finally, he can face the music for what he had done in the past.

Dewan Keaiban!

2008-07-17T22:07:00.001+08:00

Dewan Keaiban!

Dewan Kemahsyuran!

-somewhere in Hulu Langat........

Cukup Makan??

2008-07-16T08:01:00.004+08:00

You said, "Rakyat cukup makan?"

Look at the stuff we bought for the poor for our Ramadhan's Feed The Fasting program. RM50 for all that and to feed a family of five. And due to price increase, the items is less than what we bought last year. Do you think they will 'cukup makan' with that for even less than a week?

Damn Shabery!

Note: I will update you on how you can feed the poor during Ramadhan 1429H with just RM50.

50 Kedai Buku Terbaik!

2008-07-13T17:05:00.007+08:00

Saya benar-benar teruja apabila 2 daripada 50 kedai buku terbaik di United Kingdom yang disenaraikan oleh akhbar The Independent UK baru-baru ini,ternyata saya sudah lawati dahulu.

Saya kira tinggal lagi 48 buah kedai buku yang saya harus tanda dalam senarai tempat-tempat yang perlu dilawati sebelum ajal.

Saturday's thought

2008-07-12T14:19:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend and she told me that she just lost her relative to cancer. We talked for quite some time, so today I’ve decided to be a bit in touch with my sentimental side.

After working with a cancer charity for years, meeting people who are dealing with death, you must think that I’m used to the idea of loss. The truth is, I am not. So I take it as a reminder that life is short. I take my time to rethink about people that I have in my life. My family, my friends, people that I know through my variety of projects. And I am thankful everyday for being able to be me and get the support from the people that I care about.

Talking about how short life is, it’s amazing how time flies. In our life, we are gifted with so many relationships that complete us. Everyone we have in our life helps us to fulfill our every different side.

I want to talk about the comfort of having somebody who knows you for so long, so well. When you know somebody for more than a decade and she had been your prime witness through all your ups and downs in your adult life, it’s hard to describe that sense of comfort. It is such a relief to know that I have someone to talk to, whenever I want to talk to, whatever I want to talk to. I can have a crappy week, get a major headache from weird friend all week, feel like the whole world is my enemy but then, a few minutes conversation with her and I am ok again. She is my loudest cheerleader, my worst critic, she can my greatest supporter at one time and become totally indifferent the next. It’s weird that sometimes I think I know her so well but there are times where I asked my self ‘Who are you?’

But most of all, it’s just amazing how well she knows me. What ever my concerns are, I’ll just blurt it out and she helps to describe my issues to me. She listens well, supports well, acts well and exaggerates well. To have somebody who accepts me for what I am, wants the best for me without prejudice or hidden agenda, I am a lucky man. That is how I can afford to be me, share my passions with others.

There is never a right thing to say to people who are coping with death or losing their loved ones. As for me, whenever I think about the people that I lost, all that I can think about is how lucky I am to got to know that person. It’s the time that I have with him or her that I cherished. I take it is as a reminder to count my blessing, to celebrate every relationships that I have in my life. I am so lucky just to be able to be me, do the work that I enjoy, living my passions, keeping the connections with people that I care and welcoming new friends in. So busy counting for my blessings that I have no room for complaints, regrets and craps.

I got to talk about this the next time I see her, but then again she’ll probably has the same thing in her mind, preparing to describe my own thoughts for me completed with her versions, emotions and exaggerations.Well…… on the second thought, I got to recount my blessings now…

I Pray For You

2008-07-09T22:35:00.000+08:00

I pray for you.

If the biopsy result turns out not to our favour, I still pray for you.

If it turns out to be alright,I still pray for you.

Kedai buku

2008-07-09T20:19:00.001+08:00

Sejak kecil lagi saya suka merayau-rayau di dalam kedai buku.

Tabiat yang terbawa-bawa sehingga kini.

Semasa kecil, Kedai Buku Dian Enterprise di hadapan Balai Polis Jerantut menjadi sasaran.

Semasa alam sekolah menengah pula, kedai buku Novel Hut di Yik Foong pula tempat saya melepak.Minat kepada Reader's Digest mula bercambah di sini.

Ketika menuntut di Bradford,UK, kedai-kedai buku seperti Waterstone's dan Dillon's di Kirkgate, memberi saya ketenangan semasa 3 tahun "menderita" menghabiskan pengajian di universiti.

Saya sanggup ponteng kuliah (selalu ponteng pun!) dan berlari-lari menuruni bukit sepanjang Richmond Road semata-mata hanya mahu 'lemas dalam aroma kopi di Waterstone's dan bersila selesa dicelah-celah rak buku sambil melayan antologi puisi Pablo Neruda.

Kadang-kadang menyelinap ke Haworth dan leka di antara rak buku di kedai buku di pekan kecil itu.

Semasa saya bertugas di Vientiane, saya gelisah kerana tiada kedai buku yang agak baik di kota itu. Ada 1-2 kedai buku, tetapi buku-bukunya mahal dan judul-judulnya terhad kepada novel-novel Inggeris.

Sama juga di Thailand. Banyak kedai buku tetapi kebanyakan buku dijual di dalam Bahasa Thai. Cuma semasa singgah di Bangkok saya dapat melepaskan kerinduan dengan mengunjungi Kedai Buku Asia Society berhampiran Stesen MRT Nana.

Apabila pulang ke Malaysia, Kedai Buku Kinokinuya di KLCC pula menjadi tumpuan. Sekali-sekala sempat juga menjenguk timbunan buku di Pasar Chowrasta,Penang.

Bila berpeluang ke New York City tidak berapa lama dahulu, Barnes and Noble di Washington Square menjadi tempat persinggahan.

Dalam banyak-banyak kedai buku yang saya sudah lawati, kedai buku kecil di hujung pekan Wigtown, Scotland menjadi pilihan utama saya untuk kembali semula menjenguknya.Anda harus ke sana sendiri untuk mengetahui sebabnya!

Train rides

2008-07-07T23:19:00.000+08:00

I love train rides.

Yet, I can still clearly remember my first train ride from Jerantut (the station is just few hundred yards from my parent's house) to Pasir Mas with my aunt. I was seven at that time and that was my first time taking ride on a train by tagging her along during the school break at her place in Rantau Panjang.

It was a terrifying journey. Not because of the many hours-long and arduous journey plus the never-ending stops at small and remote stations like Dabong or Manek Urai during the journey.

But rather, her incessant blabbering for 12 hours straight and only ceased for a little while when she went to the cramped and smelly toilet at the end of the 3rd class coach and came out again looking very fresh. Apparently she was perhaps the only one in that coach who had the pleasure taken the bath. How I wish back then I could jump off the train and cried out aloud,

"She's not my auntie!!!!!"

Langkawi, Hay-on-Wye, Wigtown

2008-07-07T16:08:00.000+08:00

(Kg. Buku Langkawi dalam kenangan)

Ini entri tentang 3 tempat berbeza tetapi mempunyai persamaan.Masing-masing terkenal dengan gelaran Kampung atau Pekan Buku (Book Town) yang dipelopori oleh jutawan "eccentric" bernama Richard Booth dari Wales. Langkawi di Kedah.Hay-on-Wye di Wales dan Wigtown di Scotland.

Kampung Buku Langkawi saya pertama kali bertandang semasa saya menuntut A-Level di PPP/ITM Shah Alam.Saya berkenalan dan berbual panjang dengan Pengurus Kampung Buku Langkawi waktu itu, Hj Ismail, bekas Pegawai Pendidikan Langkawi. Melalui beliaulah saya mengetahui tentang sejarah kewujudan pekan-pekan buku seperti di Hay-on-Wye, Redu dan di Amerika. Sejak itu, saya memasang niat untuk ke setiap pekan buku yang ada di seluruh dunia. Sayangnya Kampung Buku Langkawi di Lubuk Semilang itu telah berkubur sejak beberapa tahun yang lalu.Entahlah idea bagus tetapi perlaksanaannya mungkin tidak segigih pelopor agaknya.

Apabila saya melanjutkan pelajaran ke UK, saya mengidam-idam untuk mengunjungi Hay-on-Wye dan Wigtown. Hay-on-Wye dapat saya kunjungi semasa cuti musim panas tahun 1998. Saya dan rakan-rakan dari Bradford ketika itu sedang melawat Stratford-upon-Avon yang tidak payah diperkenalkan lagi sebagai kota kelahiran Shakespeare, Bandaraya Cardiff dan bandar tepi laut Aberystwyth di Wales. Oleh kerana Hay-on-Wye terletak tidak jauh dari Stratford-upon-Avon, saya tidak melepaskan peluang keemasan untuk memangkah nama Hay-on-Wye di dalam senarai tempat-tempat di dunia yang saya harus lawati sebelum saya mati.

(bersambung....)

Scholarship application

2008-06-30T21:39:00.002+08:00

I should have sent my clowning scholarship application to DPM's office instead! Duh!

Membebel (2)

2008-06-29T17:26:00.002+08:00

Oh! Puhlezzee guys...Get some fresh and new ideas please! Hire Roger Von Oech to knock your head lah bro.......

http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/290608_sodomee.html

Malu lah beb!

2008-06-24T08:38:00.004+08:00

Funnylah how these people work.

When he needs their help not so long ago, they don't really go all out for him. "Lepas batuk di tangga"and he lost it.

And now, they use him to promote their work.

Malu lah sikit akak Kiah oi!And please go and get fresh idea lah. Balik-balik idea sama.

Bila nak maju ni?There's nobody is stopping you now anyway.The sky is the limit and yet....what a pathetic move!

Whatever......

p.s Sekali sekala saya nak membebel dalam blog apa salahnya kan?

Monday's quote

2008-06-23T07:19:00.002+08:00

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it,rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.

Rachel Carson (1907 - 1964)

Marine Biologist & Writer

Charity Notice Board: Baitul Fitrah, Rawang

2008-06-20T06:09:00.003+08:00

I came across Baitul Fitrah's blog recently (set up by volunteers) after reading Cik piza's blog and they urgently need these items:

1. Fridge - just 1 more unit (They bought 1 unit and I got 1 unit donated by a masjid)

2.TV - 2 more units ( I got 1 unit donated by a masjid)

3. Washing machine - 1 more unit (they bought 1 unit,I got 1 unit donated by a masjid)

For complete list go to their blog.

Selamat beramal!

Calling Volunteers!

2008-06-18T12:01:00.004+08:00

Calling for volunteers this Saturday, 21st June 2008, to help out with sorting out donated items at Islamic Relief Malaysia's office at Taman Serdang Perdana, Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

These selected items (toys and books) will be sold at Pekan Sehari Putrajaya, Pasar Awam Presint 8, Putrajaya on the 29th June 2008 (Sunday).

Interested? Call Madam Fadilah of IRM at 03-89486334 to register your interest.

(Pix: sorting out donated items session at IRM office last Saturday)

Mabok Kepayang

2008-06-17T12:00:00.003+08:00

CD EP Mini Album "Mabok Kepayang" karya kumpulan muzik Dewangga Sakti boleh didapati sekarang! Harganya RM15.00 dan boleh dibeli di KL-Tools & Trade,Kompleks Campbell) atau telefon atau sms Saudara Zulkifli Ramli di 013 2078407 untuk dapatkan edisi terhad ini. Tuan Jiwarasa sudah review album ini di sini.

Boleh dengar Mabok Kepayang di sini.

Never give up!!

2008-06-10T00:19:00.003+08:00

Thank for your prayers,support and ideas on Norway trip's dream.

Unfortunately, done everything and just ran out my options already and duly informed Mr Fusetti to give the scholarship to other aspiring clowns.

I never ever give up.Just no (a little less) luck this time.

Again, thank you for your thoughts/ideas/support and prayers!

Ado rezeki den nanti,Insya Allah!

Pak Lah,Pak Lah!

2008-06-06T23:23:00.002+08:00

Pak Lah, Pak Lah, harga tepung naiklah!

Pak Lah,Pak Lah,harga beras naiklah!

Pak Lah,Pak Lah,harga petrol pun naiklah!

Pak Lah, Pak Lah, boleh jalanlah!!

Poem by DR Bubbles, at petrol station somewhere in Kedah on the day the price of oil gone up.

One in a Million!

2008-06-01T20:42:00.011+08:00

I received this email from the man himself few minutes ago.

Dear Iskandar,

Liz in Boulder has kept me updated about your situation with funding and official procedures.

I have a proposal for you that might be helpful. As you know I also teach a clown intensive in Norway this summer, from June 24th to July 20th. It corresponds to the Red Nose workshop that I teach in Boulder. You can check online for the details on my web site.

It happens that we have a couple of scholarships that we are offering and we think that you could fit into one of them.

It would be a consistent reduction: Liz would divert your deposit to this training and the rest of the tuition would be covered by the scholarship.You would have to take care of travel and accommodation.

Please let me know if that would be an option for you.If so, please let me know as soon as possible, given the short time we have.Once confirmed you would proceed with your travel plans.

You could come to Norway on a tourist Visa, or a student visa, and if necessary, we will provide certificate of enrollment for the training.

Sincerely & best regards

Giovanni Fusetti

Seriously, it is a one in a million kind of offer! And frankly, I don't know what to do.

To raise funds for airfare & accommodation within 2 weeks is nearly impossible (If only if I could just cross out that "nearly im..."). And the fact that, I just started working and to ask for long leave is another nearly impossible!(Again, if only if I could just cross out this second "nearly im..." from the sentence).

I haven't got any clue on what to do next or even courage to reply to his email.

Don't give up!

2008-06-01T20:42:00.006+08:00

There's still some light at the end of the tunnel.

I just paid the deposit for Giovanni Fusetti's workshop yesterday.Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous person whom I never meet in person yet willingly to lend some money to me to pay for the deposit.For that gesture, I am forever grateful to the person mentioned.

It means that I still have time until 15th July to see whether my grant application with KeKKWA will be approved. Should by then, I don't hear anything from the ministry, I can still defer my application to next year's session to be held in Summer 2009.Still, I am looking forward to go this year.RM15,000 all I need to realise the dream to study under one of the great theatre clowns in the world.

It was during the workshop conducted by Avner Eisenberg back in 2005, how I realised theatrical clowning can be used to tell stories and proudly promote the richness of Malaysian culture and heritage to the world after watching the "One Day in Her Life" by Hilary Chaplain who potrayed her Jewish culture through "bar mitzvah scene" in her performance. She had only used kitchen towel as props in that particular scene and it was very funny!

And this conviction to explore further the purpose of clowning beyond the hospital clowning towards promoting my culture and heritage was inspired after watching another fellow multi-talented clown, Iman Lizarazu who potrayed element of deep Basque's patriotisme in her scene. In her piece of work, she brilliantly told us the story of how her family had to leave their beloved Basque homeland and migrated to America only by using a rola-bola and technique of 'flash theatre' taught by Avner Eisenberg and Julie Goell.

Don't you think it would be interesting to tell the story of Pak Pandir or perhaps 'berkhatan' through theatrical clowning?

That's one of the reasons why I want to continue my clowning journey this year, Insya Allah!

"It's human to stretch, to go, to see, to understand. Exploration is not a choice,really;it's an imperative." - Micheal Collins, Apollo 11

let go

2008-05-30T10:04:00.004+08:00

I have to let go my wish to study theatrical clowning under Giovanni Fusetti this year. I can't even raise the deposit USD400 to hold my place for the workshop before the deadline tomorrow (31st May 2008) .

Perhaps, in the near future, I will meet you Mr.Fusetti.

(photo credit: http://lazerbrody.typepad.com/)

Pasca Projek Machang (2): Next Project?

2008-05-28T14:43:00.004+08:00

Wah!Sudah ada orang bertanya saya bila pula 'next project' akan dijalankan?
Buku-buku berbaki masih ada lagi dalam simpanan.

Hmmm....

P.S.: Sila belek majalah ANIS (kolum Semaian Kasih, muka surat 82).Ada cerita tentang Projek Perpustakaan di Machang yang ditulis oleh Kak Anis (Prof.Amida Abdulhamid).Beliauada menghadiahkan 5 naskhah memoirnya yang bertajuk Kasih disemai Sayang dituai untuk projek perpustakaan ini.

Pasca Projek Perpustakaan Asrama Bakti Batu 25 Machang (1)

2008-05-28T11:00:00.000+08:00

Inilah asrama anak yatim paling teruk saya pernah lihat dalam hidup saya.

Bukan salah anak-anak yatim itu yang digelar 'bermasalah' dan 'memberontak' tetapi kesalahan itu harus dipertanggungjawabkan kepada pengurusan asrama yang gagal mentadbir asrama tersebut dengan baik.

Kami nyaris membatalkan projek perpustakaan di situ kalaulah kami hanya mendengar cerita satu pihak sahaja (pengurusan asrama) . Alhamdulillah, setelah mengamati kelakuan dan melalui sesi 'ramah mesra' dengan 9 penghuni asrama anak yatim berkenaan (bukan 30 orang seperti yang dimaklumkan sebelum ini), lain pula ceritanya dan kami mengambil keputusan agar projek perpustakaan diteruskan juga.

Namun, sebelum itu, kami terpaksa menjadi 'bidan terjun' membersihkan persekitaran dan bilik-bilik asrama berkenaan yang begitu 'daif' keadaannya.

Hanya pada sebelah malamnya kami bawa turun buku-buku dari kereta dan menyiapkan perpustakaan di bilik asrama mereka. Saya amat terharu sebenarnya apabila buku-buku yang belum pun sempat disusun di rak buku,sudah dicapai oleh anak-anak itu. Mereka membaca dengan tekun.

Buku Trilogi Komik Tin Tin berbahasa Inggeris yang saya sengaja beli hanya tinggal 1 di dalam rak.2 lagi buku 'hilang'. Sudah pasti ia berada di tangan salah seorang daripada mereka.

Kami memberi hampir kesemua buku yang dibawa.Malam itu, saya dan rakan-rakan serta anak anak yatim itu memilih buku-buku yang mereka sukai. Cuma sejumlah kecil buku-buku yang mungkin sesuai untuk bacaan dewasa di bawa pulang ke Kuala Lumpur. Hajat saya untuk perkenal mereka dengan karya-karya sasterawan negara terpaksa 'ditangguhkan' dahulu. Namun saya teruja apabila salah seorang daripada mereka mencapai 68 Soneta Pohon Gingko oleh A.Samad Said untuk disimpan di perpustakaan berkenaan.

Alhamdulillah semua dana yang terkumpul sebanyak RM6790 dibelanjakan untuk membeli buku dan rak. Saya akan 'scan' resit-resit pembelian dan siarkan dalam entri seterusnya.

Projek Perpustakaan Machang Ahad lepas

2008-05-20T22:09:00.006+08:00

Sila baca dulu blog ryzah dan aliff untuk laporan terkini.Mohon beri sedikit masa untuk saya siapkan laporan lengkap.

Syazwan (3)

2008-05-17T12:12:00.002+08:00

It was heartbreaking when this question popped out from a 5 year old boy,

"Kenapa doktor nak buang mata Baby?"

I brought along soft jellylike hairy slinky ball for him. He was quite awake just now but only his fingers playing and caressing the ball.