‘Peace’ of Mind®

THIS is not to encourage road racing or illegal racing in any form. I just want to share my experience traveling and driving throughout peninsular Malaysia for a good 6 years. As some people would’ve known, driving is not just merely going from point A to point B, it is the manner of how you travel between those 2 points is what really matters.

I’ve been traveling a lot since I got my 1st car some 6 years ago. And to be honest with you, I’ve been watching MotoGP (formely known as World Grand Prix) and Formula 1 since I can remember being into life. I love motor racing more than I love football. Even to this date football is second to motor racing in my sporting interest.

If I were given the choice to pick between a professional career in GT racing or a professional football player for Manchester United, the answer will be the former, without second thought.

Racing discipline does not teach you just about speeding. The fundamental aspects of racing are, among others, awareness, reflexes, car control, patience and defensive driving. If everybody on the road applies these aspects on their everyday driving, you can only imagine how safe our road would be.

Let me put a brief explanation on how the above aspects, when applied on the road, can lead to a safer environment.

1. AWARENESS:
- In racing: awareness of the flags, stalled car, radio communication, pit signs

- On road: awareness of other slower cars in front, side and rear. Take notice of all the road signs and warning signs.

2. REFLEXES:
- In racing: how quick you can react in emergency (accident in front of you). The higher the speed, the faster you learn to react

- On road: the faster you react to a situation, the higher the chance you can avoid an accident

3. CAR CONTROL:
- In racing: rear wheel drive and high torque= over steer, wheel spin. Better car control improves your lap times.

- On road: put car into good balance after avoiding a dangerous situation, better handling in rain (u know how fast to go and how hard to brake)

4. PATIENCE:
- In racing: contrary to popular belief, racing driver is more patient than the average Joe on our normal road (including you!). They will always wait for the RIGHT moment to overtake, even if they had to follow another car for 20 laps or more.

- On road: the key to safety! If you can be patient for 20 laps behind a slower car, of course you can wait the right moment to overtake an 80-year-old grandpa on a single busy trunk road.

5. DEFENSIVE DRIVING:
- in racing: racing driver applies defensive driving when they ANTICIPATE what will happen in front of them and take the necessary measures to prevent from being involved in an accident. e.g.: slow the car down or take a different route

- On road: same. If you anticipate something is going to happen in front of you, then you can take necessary measures to avoid it. e.g.: slowing down, take a different route, honk, etc.

REMEMBER! When you took your driving license, they did not teach you the 5 aspects in details, especially Patience. But in racing, these are the BASIC knowledge that every driver has to have to become a pro race driver.

REMEMBER! Racing is not all about speed alone, there are more than just pure speed and gut-wrenching overtaking maneuver. Speed only does not kills, but recklessness and carelessness do. If a racing driver is careless or reckless on the track, he can be punished/ fined/ expelled/ suspension from the race immediately. Speed + careless can kill. Speed + reckless can kill. Slow + careless can kill. Slow + ego can kill. Slow + sleepy can kill.

If you think that speed alone kills, then every week any racing driver that pushes his car 300km/h on a straight line would have died mysteriously.

Take this scenario for instance. If a road that has a speed limit of 110km/h, and EVERY single driver drives at a speed of 110km/h, what you think will happen? Do you think them all going to die? If everyone drives at a constant speed 110km/h, there is much less tailgating and less overtaking because nobody has to push others because they are all on the same speed limit. If you reduce the chance of overtaking and tailgating, you automatically reduce the chance of an accident.

If you reduce the chance of accident, you reduce the chance of fatality. Only those who drive ABOVE the speed limit may have the chance of accident, but driving above the speed limit is speeding + reckless, and reckless driver may get into an accident.

If we all can apply these aspects of driving in our everyday driving, InsyaAllah, our road will be safer and everybody can drive with a smile on their face. I hope this article does educate me and somebody out there, and together we can make road a better place. AWARENESS & PATIENCE is key.

DISCLAIMER:
This is not a conclusive statement and should not be taken as-it-is or applied by anyone on any road in any means purely by reading it. I am not responsible for any mishap that might happen as a result of anybody heeding and applies this article into their driving. But if you benefited from it, that is great! THIS IS JUST AN OPINION THAT CHALLENGES CRITICAL RESPONSE AND FEEDBACK BY ANYONE. I AM TRYING TO EDUCATE FELLOW DRIVERS AND PRODUCE SOLUTIONS SO DRIVING WILL NEVER BE SO DANGEROUS AGAIN.

Rasuah adalah satu amalan yang boleh dikatakan diterima oleh masyarakat kita dan dianggap bukan suatu kesalahan atau dosa untuk mengambil atau memberi. Ini boleh dibuktikan dengan melihat keadaan di sekeliling kita, kawan, saudara mara, ahli keluarga dan teman sepejabat.

Definisi rasuah bermaksud 1 perbuatan yg salah di sisi undang-undang spt menerima atau memberi wang suap (pecah amanah, menggelapkan wang, mencuaikan tanggungjawab dll). 2 sesuatu yg diberikan atau yg diterima sbg sokongan.http://prpm.dbp.gov.my/carian.aspx?cari=rasuah&domain=PRPM

Pernahkan anda dengar ungkapan seperti “Biasala bang, nak hidup“. Daripada pemerhatian saya, saya mendapati individu yang menggunakan ayat tersebut banyak terdiri daripada golongan perasuah. Tetapi bagi mereka, apa yang mereka lakukan bukanlah rasuah, tapi salah satu cara untuk mendapat projek atau kontrak ‘demi mencari rezeki’. Maka, disebabkan dengan perkataan ‘rezeki’, segala amalan yang dilakukan untuk mendapat projek atau kontrak tersebut dianggap halal atau ‘biasa’.

Bagi sesetengah orang, atas alasan ‘mencari rezeki‘, individu sanggup melakukan hampir apa saja untuk mendapat sesuatu projek seperti merasuah. Tetapi mereka tidak mencuri, merompak atau ‘tikam belakang’ pesaing mereka kerana pada mereka, itu semua adalah jenayah dan berdosa. Tetapi mereka tidak tahu bahawa rasuah adalah salah satu bentuk mencuri dan merompak, cuma cara melakukannya lebih ‘low profile’ dan bersifat ‘under table’. Maka individu- individu ini berani melakukan rasuah tetapi takut untuk mencuri atau merompak, walhal semua perbuatan tersebut adalah jenayah dan sama sifatnya. Cuma modus operandi nya sedikit berbeza. Rasuah adalah mencuri. Rasuah adalah merompak.

Rasuah adalah amalan yang diterima oleh masyarakat kita, dan sekarang sudah menjadi budaya hidup kita. Kenapa? kata mereka ‘demi mencari rezeki’, ‘nak hidup’, ‘mencari sesuap nasik‘ dan bermacam- macam ayat simpati yang lain. Saya pasti anda mesti pernah mendengar orang disekeliling anda menyebut ayat- ayat tersebut. Mereka tidak sedar bahawa perbuatan mereka adalah sama seperti mencuri atau merompak kerana niat untuk merasuah bergantung pada beberapa sebab:

1. mendapat projek atau kontrak dengan cara paling singkat/ mudah

2. mendapat kelebihan berbanding pesaing anda dalam sesuatu tender

3. mendapat projek atau kontrak tanpa melepasi syarat- syarat tertentu

Apabila anda merasuah untuk mendapat salah satu objektif diatas, ia boleh dirumuskan sebagai mencuri atau menipu. Anda merasuah untuk mendapat kelebihan yang tidak adil berbanding pesaing samalah seperti merompak, kerana anda tahu tanpa rasuah, kemungkinan untuk anda mendapat projek tersebut amat tipis. Maka bagi anda, perbuatan merasuah boleh dijadikan sebagai ‘jaminan’ untuk mendapat projek tersebut. Itulah mencuri namanya. Mencuri dalam erti kata mencuri peluang pesaing anda untuk mendapat projek tersebut secara adil dan saksama.

Dalam proses tender, client akan memilih satu daripada beberapa pembida projek tersebut atas beberapa faktor seperti sebutharga, bekalan stok dan kualiti produk. Tetapi, apabila salah satu pembida merasuah client dengan wang ringgit, client tidak lagi akan membuat keputusan dengan menimbang 3 faktor tersebut, tetapi akan memilih pembida yang merasuah beliau kerana telah diberikan kelebihan yang tidak diberi oleh pembida lain, iatu wang. Tetapi dalam proses tender tidak ada mengatakan bahawa sesiapa yang memberi insentif wang yang lebih banyak akan mendapat projek tersebut, maka perbuatan memberi insentif wang kepada client adalah ‘mendapat kelebihan berbanding pesaing anda dalam sesuatu tender’. Itu adalah rasuah, dan itu adalah jenayah. Tetapi mereka akan kata “biasala bang, nak hidup” dan orang disekeliling mereka akan buat- buat bodoh dan buat biasa. Orang kita.

Kerana itulah saya menyatakan bahawa ‘rasuah adalah satu amalan yang boleh dikatakan diterima oleh masyarakat kita dan dianggap bukan suatu kesalahan atau dosa untuk mengambil atau memberi’. Kerana disebabkan ‘nak hidup’, ‘mencari rezeki’, ‘mencari sesuap nasik’, amalan rasuah tidak salah malah harus dilakukan. Bangsa kita sudah boleh menerima amalan rasuah sebagai salah satu amalan hidup demi mencari rezeki di dunia. Tetapi mereka memutuskan untuk lupa bahawa rasuah itu sama saja dengan mencuri, merompak atau menipu kerana rasuah memberi jaminan pulangan di masa hadapan. Ingatlah perasuah- perasuah semua, perbuatan anda sama saja dengan mencuri dan merompak. Ini adalah amalan yang keji dan anda berlindung dibelakang simpati orang lain dengan menggunakan ayat- ayat seperti ‘nak hidup’ atau ‘mencari rezeki’. Anda perlu tahu bawaha untuk hidup atau mencari rezeki, rasuah bukanlah cara yang perlu diikuti dan ia adalah satu bentuk jenayah baik dari segi moral dan agama. Itu tidak boleh dipertikaikan lagi.

Saya sedih.

Written by: Ridhuan Abubakar @ Diwant

2008 is gone, enter 2009. Since writing become one of my weapon, I felt this is a right time to shoot down some words on how 2008 went for me, and why 2009 should be better than last. Like everyone else, a year cannot be seen as going up or down all the way, at some point there is a time where the progress gone backwards against your will. But this is what it’s all about, LIFE.

There was nothing much to shout about in the first few months, until probably the biggest event of the year, the 12th General Election. After much talk of change and rigorous or best to say ‘dirtiest’ campaign, in the end the government remains the same, minus 5 including 4 of the wealthiest states in the country that falls down to the opposition. While federal powers and antics still in the hands of the Master-servant Alliance, the general political landscape did change quite dramatically last seen in 1969 they say.

One of my targets for 2008 was to finally start a business, whether on a full time or part time basis. Thanks to Radzi and his Pixelworks Photography & Design brand, my participation into the team can be said as a highlight of the year. Although it is only on a part time basis, I see that as a platform for better things to come, some sort of a breakthrough. This year also marks a new addition to my collection of equipment, a sexy 17-40 f4 L lens which was quite a big investment comparing to my financial status. But it was worth all the money that the capital was recovered within the same year, alhamdulillah.

I’ve been saying this all the time, that driving is a passion for me. While some argued that driving is just a journey from point A to point B, I say the most important thing is HOW you go from point A to point B. And plus my deep interest in motor racing since my childhood days, 2008 became a year where I made karting a monthly routine. It is an expensive hobby no doubt about it, but trading it with the safety on the normal road? I’ll do it anytime mate. Go-karting brings out the best of you.

No doubt about it in work terms, it was the busiest, hectic and stressed year in my life yet. 2 big, I mean BIG projects in just over a year with limited resources do take its toll on the quality of my life and I paid dearly for it. Plus minor projects and site supervision throughout the year, definitely at one point something slipped down my grasp. But instead something let me go. Well it’s always the best decision if you’re firm about it don’t you?

So because of that we made a decision to go for a vacation, a very good vacation. The usual suspects were me, Zaidi, Nizar, Jay & Manchi. Destination? The peaceful and beautiful island of Tioman. It was a refreshing trip to free your mind and reflect your life while snorkling, island hopping and playing cards. The ‘boat-hugging’ drama was definitely the highlight of the trip. Only those who witnessed it can tell what its like to hug a boat with your bare hands, hahaha. Thanks to those who made the trip, it was so enjoyable that 3 days felt like 8 hours (a cliché’ thing).

After our ‘master’ decided that RM2.70 p/liter is the best way to help the ’servant’ combating their (and mine) economic mess, I also decided to do something about it. So after about 3 years I decided to move out and find somewhere else for the better of my economy and time management. Thinking back, it was the right decision to make and everything just went from OK to good from there on.

Hari raya this year feels like any other years where nothing special or significant happened. Just a family trip up to Penang, visiting relatives and friends. One thing that slackens the whole thing was my little sister, being so little she made a stunt that nobody in their right frame of mind would like to see or do. She deserves the punishment though. This year’s Futsal Raya was a surprise success, last seen in 2004, where attendance was recorded at probably 26 in total.

October 2008 also marks the month where me, with, Nizar, Zaidi & Manchi went to MotoGP at Sepang for the first time.

After successfully navigating clear from a volatile year, why not celebrate it with something that gives me the support all the while, FRIENDS. So, I throw a BBQ party sort of thing to celebrate and a mark of thankfulness to those who has been with me and for me whenever possible. Without them I don’t know how my year was going to end up. Thanks to those who made it to my place that night and hopefully you guys enjoy the home made food thanks to youtube (especially the chicken marinade preparation). InsyaAllah this year we can do something better or bigger so more people can come and have a good time.

After almost 6 years in the working environment, I believe that 2008 was a breakthrough year for something big ahead. Few projects has been planned for next year and a few people who are involved in it would like to see 2009 where it finally kicks off. And as I’d experienced it, you can never get everything you wanted. There is always a trade-off, a compromise you had to make or face, and you cannot complain, because we are not perfect, we are just human and we have our limit. In some areas in my life, I believe I’d reached the limit.

As the stock market suggest, last year for me was full of sharp increase and shock downturn, as volatile as the green lines on the board. Never take things for granted and don’t ask too much if you NEVER want to commit to it. Moderation is the way of life as our religion would tell you. But alhamdulillah the year ends quite on a high. Does it mean ‘the storm before the calm’? I’m praying for it, I’m begging for it! Let us all turn a new leaf of life and work for the better. It’s 2009/1430 bai, let’s do it…

In order to get on with our lives, we can’t look back and regret the mistakes we’ve done and try to fix it back. We have to learn from it and try to be better in the future. Some say it’s easier to say than done, but that’s the only way to move on with our lives.

Women teaches men to be men, expose our weaknesses, and as a reflection of who we actually are. They tests our patience, critical of our movement, and provocative towards our judgment, but that is just how they are. We can’t change that nor try to mature them, but as a man, we have to adapt to it, and try to get the best out of what we have. The key word here is ‘try’. Always give your best, but not everything. When people say life’s not perfect, this is what they actually mean.

There are men who falls into the category of ‘the perfect gentleman’, in simple terms, a person who will always say ‘yes’ to women, no matter how bad the asking is. These people usually lacks principle, but very lovable among women.  The other category will be the not-so-gentleman type. These people are firm with their stands, mostly because they know what they’re talking about, and as a man, they know the responsibility of protecting his ‘property’. They don’t always agree with their other half, but once they do, the effect can be to great effect simply because the decision is strong. Some women see this as a threat to their ego. These men don’t have many women around them, but once they have it, they only plan for the best. Sadly, not all women can see that.

Love is part of life, it is NOT life. It teaches us, but it does not define us…

1. Pulp Fiction

2. The Rock

3. Transformers

4. Bourne: Ultimatum

5. JFK

6. Ocean’s 12

7. Bourne Identity

8. The Matrix

9. Back to The Future 3

10.

(comments coming soon)

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     Have you
ever wonder is there any food outlet
in Malaysia that can be categorized as “Cepat, Sedap dan Murah”? It’s a rare combination of
3 positive ingredients especially the place that I’m about to mention is a
Malay restaurant. I believe you guys surely have at least a name in your mind
about a place that can be categorized as cepat, sedap dan murah. I’ve been to a
lot of food outlet, be in expensive, cheap, or fine dining, thanks to my other half who is a keen food critic,
but nothing came down as close as the Village View Restaurant in Bandar Baru
Bangi.

     Firstly, I
don’t get paid for writing this blog, but in the spirit of justice, we have to
be prepared to give credit where it’s due likewise we condemn things that are
negative. Secondly, before I elaborate more about the food and stuff, let me
tell you the easiest way to get there, in case you got your hands itching to
come down here to have a taste of ikan
pari bakar berempah! (did I raised some eyebrows here?). Take the KL –
Seremban highway from Sg Besi toll, exit at Kajang exit which is the second
exit after the Serdang/UPM exit. The toll fare is RM1.80. After the Kajang
toll, look for the Bandar Baru Bangi signboard, which will lead you to the left
road (right is a flyover to Putrajaya), and there is a traffic light just ahead. Go straight after the
traffic light and you’ll see Shell, Esso and Petronas petrol station
respectively. Just after the Petronas
station, there’s a left junction, turn left. Drive a little bit of downhill,
than the place is on your right. Easy.

     The setting
of the place is nice for anybody and any occasion, be it family gathering,
romantic candle-light type dinner or office function. The space is ample and
clean, you’ll have no complain about it. There are 1 big fish pond welcomes you
at the entrance with scores of hungry Koi fish. You’ll head straight to the
cashier counter in the middle, and the tables are arranged in lines throughout
the place. The concept for the place is of course traditional Malay village
style, with dark wooden table and chairs. The roof is high as to free up the
smoke and better ventilation. The floor is cement render and the kitchen were
place at a roofed open area at the right top of the place looking from the
entrance. This makes it accessible for patrons to have a look at how the
cooking are being made and wonder why your dishes can be served below 10 minutes at best, or 15 minutes
at worst. It is very rare that your
food is served after the 20 minutes mark. That is fast (cepat) considering how
big the place is and how many customers are there at peak hours.

     But how
about the food quality? Is there any passion
in the cooking? You might ask. Hey, Penang char koay
teow are mode within 20 seconds, but it is still one of the best char koay teow
in the country if not the best. There
a wide range of Malay food, Thai food and a little bit of western. I’ve never
tried their ‘Siakap 3 rasa’ before, but try to order ‘ikan pari bakar berempah’
which is our all-time favourite. Priced at only RM12, it is well cooked and the
sauce is great too. Btw, I heard the 3-rasa range is great. The range of
tomyam; seafood, daging, ayam, campur is nice and quite hot, just nice I should
say. For those who like to spice up their ass a little bit more can always
request for extra hot. I recommend tomyam campur
as it combines all of the above in 1 bowl. For starters or snacks, you can try
the ayam pandan or chicken boxing,
which is priced at around RM4.5-5 p/plate of 6. The others are normal a-la
carte dishes, but don’t get me wrong, it does taste good, better than any other
places we’ve been through the years. I can say that every dish is unique in
taste and the ingredients are very well measured every time. The quantity in each serving is adequate for two
persons. The cooks never had a bad day in office I should say. Some people say
the food there are normal, but for me, considering the speed of their cooking,
it does taste better than most tomyam shops we’ve visited. Take a sip of the kailan ikan masin sauce and you’ll know
what kind of detail I’m talking about.

There are a wide variety of drinks
available, from normal drinks such as the
tarik, Nescafe tarik or orange juice, but my favouite is surely hot
Cappuccino. Priced at only RM2, you rarely get to drink cappuccino at tomyam restaurants.
Specialty drinks is called Combo or Combo Blended, a bigger cup for a mere
RM4-5. It is enough for you to get through the meal. For first timers, I
suggest you order the following;

1. Nasi
        putih x2
2. Tomyam
        campur x1
3. Ikan
        pari baker berempah x1
4. Kalian
        ikan masin x1
5. Ayam
        pandan x1
6. Combo
        drinks x2 (big glass)

 The above selection will probably cost you less than RM35
for two. Not a bad price to fork out for a ‘Cepat, Sedap & Murah’
restaurant, plus the relaxing environment, and friendly waiters. There are
hundreds of tomyam outlets in Bangi alone, but people keep coming back to this
place. Do you think they keep coming back just for the ‘normal’ food they offer?
In fact, there are 3 other restaurants in the 500 meters radius alone, but this
place draws the biggest crowd every dinner time. For all the combination
mentioned above, it’s worth the money, only at Village View Bandar Baru Bangi.

 

CEPAT, SEDAP & MURAH

After the shocking tsunami wave hit our west coast shores a
couple of weeks ago, it is time to put something back into perspective. I am
not a natural movie fan or film critic until about a year ago, but I’m a big
fan of music. What kind of music does not matter, as long as it has something
to do with rock, no matter how tiny the substance is. In saying that, I do
consider Gangsta Rap has a little bit of rock influence in it.

 

For some, music is life. Others say music is just a bunch of
different tunes put together. No matter how you define music, or how music
influences your life, we can never deny that music played a huge part in
controlling our emotions and sometimes our decisions making process. So, on my
part, I present to you my Top 10 All-Time Best Ever Album produced;

 

1. What’s
        The Story (Morning Glory) by Oasis (1995)

- Wonderwall

- Don’t Look Back in Anger

- Cast No Shadow

- Morning Glory

- Champagne Supernova

For me, this was the best album produced by Oasis and make
them what they are today; Legends. They
take Rock N Roll to a completely different level with their more dynamic
melodies and songwriting. To be honest, I never get bored listening to this
record especially the 5 songs above.

 

2. Hybrid
        Theory by Linkin Park (2000)

- One Step Closer

- Crawling

- In The End

- Papercut

 

What else can you say about them? This very album were sold
around 27 million copies worldwide as of 2007, making them the best selling
debut album in the 21^st century. The only reason I can think of as
why they’ve been receiving negative reviews for this album is because of
jealousy.

 

3. Californication
        by Red Hot Chili Peppers (1999)

- Scar Tissue

- Otherside

- Californication (best ever song)

- Road Trippin

- Parallel Universe

 

One of my all-time favourite band with their unique live
performance appearance (without clothing, sometimes naked), this album marks
the change of direction in their style of writing music, and indeed it was a
great move. Although not all tunes were completely different from its previous
albums, few songs made way to a more melodic oriented riff (Scar Tissue,
Otherside). Great Album

4. At The
        End of The Day by Disagree (2004)

- Crumbs

- Suicide Note

- Please

- Angel’s Orchestra

 

Although not as huge as Butterfingers in their heyday, this
debut album does set them apart from other local artiste. Very deep meaning
songs and touching melody, you can listen to Suicide Note 50 times a day
without getting bored at all, believe me. I really hope they will eventually
come out with new materials soon to fend off any ‘seberang laut’ invasion. If
you want to support Malaysian music, this is the band you should look for. Pure
music, original.

 

5. Transcendence
        by Butterfingers (1999)

- The Chemistry (Between Us)

- Stolen

- Faculties of the Mind

- Wet Blanket

- Mystery

 

This is not just ‘another’ local band trying to make a name
for themselves. They once define what local underground music is all about.
Butterfingers was the biggest thing to happen to local music scene (not
industry). People say they were just copying Nirvana’s song and mix it up with
a bit of Malaysian flavour, but who cares? That time, there were millions band
trying to be Nirvana, but how many did people remember eventually with some
degree of respect?

 

6. A Rush
        of Blood to The Head by Coldplay (2002)

- In My Place

- A Rush of Blood to the Head

- The Scientist

 

This band make me fell in love with slow rock/ alternative
rock if you like. The melancholic The Scientist really takes your heart as high
as the sky, beautiful melody and strong lyrics. Still the best Coldplay album
ever produced to date.

 

7. Nimrod
        by Greenday (1997)

- Hitchin’ a Ride

- Redundant

- Good Riddance

- Nice Guys Finish Last

 

May not be the best Greenday album, but in my book, the
combination of songs in this album bettered any of their other albums. I would
like to include Welcome to

Paradise

and When I Come
Around in this album, but it is not right, hehe.

 

8. Make
        Yourself by Incubus (1999)

- The Warmth

- Stellar

- Make Yourself

- Drive

- I Miss You

- Pardon Me

 

Probably the best Incubus album to date, I was lucky to
catch them live in action in Bukit Kiara in early March 2004. Their music we
basically alternative rock with some experimental element in it with a lot of
samplings, which was very good. Brandon Boyd mellow tone really suits the
band’s style of play and image. If you’re looking for some tension-breaker song,
try The Warmth.

 

9. Chocolate
        starfish and the Hotdog Flavoured Water by Limp Bizkit (2000)

- My Generation

- My Way

- Rollin’

- Take a Look Around

 

The best Limp Bizkit album in my opinion. Very raw but
experimental. Stylistically, the album is one of the most diverse the band has
ever produced, and one of the most melodic. My Way is clearly the best song in
this album.

 

10. Be
         Here Now by Oasis (1997)

- D’You Know What I Mean?

- Stand By Me

- Don’t Go Away

- Be Here Now

- All Around the World

 

This album features some of the best slow rock/ rock n roll
songs of all time in my book. Stand By Me was the theme of the youth back in my
school time, but Don’t Go Away is the best song in this album. Nothing beats
Oasis in this genre of song, and no it’s no wonder why they’re the closest to
be compared to the legendary The Beatles.

This is the summary of my Top 10 best ever album ever
produced by a Band.

ridhuan abubakar®

   Let’s face it; the 2008 General Election is the
talk of the nation at the moment. For the moment, the high profile Altantuya
murder trial, the controversial VK Lingham tape scandal and the wasteful Port
Klang Free Trade Zone case seems to be forgotten for a while to pave way for
the propaganda machine to do it’s duty, and were instructed to do it WELL,
meaning that 99.5% media coverage just for the Ruling Coalition. In this short
frame of time, the public were brainwashed to forget for a while about the ALLEGED
sinful acts (remember they’re not guilty until proven so. yeah right!) of some
actors in exchange of the (usual) promises for better future,
economy and development. But, 4 years later after we’d chosen the ‘clean chap’
to be our leader, what we got in return was rising petrol price, increased cost
of grocery goods, economic slowdown and 2 rusty submarines. How about the
increased scrutiny on public speeches and gathering? You answer that.

   I’m sure the opposition will not win over the current crop of
‘intellectual’ leaders (remember the infamous al-jazeera interview of the Info
Minister?) of now, but what I’m damn sure is that their seats will be less warm
then before, thanks to the presence of the so-called ‘liars’ and
The-person-who-will-bankrupt-Malaysia, although his function is merely just behind the
scene, at least for 2 months more, among others. Why they will continue to lead the
nation? My answer is simple. Forget the vote rigging, oppression, fraud,
Phantom Voters and money politics, the single biggest reason why they will win
this election is because of the 99.5% (0.5% being the news about the launching
of the opposition party’s manifestos) media coverage biased heavily on the
coalition. You name it, channel 1,2, 3,7 & 9, Messenger, Daily News, all
they do is to promote the propaganda, the ‘fake good deeds’ of a few selected
representative, the ‘rise’ of the economy, the continuous ‘development’ of the
nation, etc. In fact, the media are trying too hard it seems, that it looked
like a joke.

   Take this into perspective. The leader of the ESTABLISHMENT is
always the ‘Uhm-No’. The party is/used to be representing the majority Malays
in the country, which consist of roughly 60% of the Malaysian population. Well,
as we all know, majority of the Malays still lives in rural, sub-urban areas,
where media coverage like free TVs and mainstream newspapers are the only
source of info they can get for updates on current issues at the moment. They were indirectly
trained to listen and read the usual stuffs about the good deeds of the
establishment’s rep. everyday in these mainstream Medias. Access to the other
side of stories and left-wing materials are hard to get as it is a controlled
commodity, i.e. internet, alternative newspapers, flyers.

   Take that into account, the only
almost-free-of-political-influence media right now is the internet. This is the
new-age media for alternative news and info about the country and what has not
been showed in the mainstream media, which has been increasingly relevant
recently, like the ALLEGED miss-use of public funds, abuse of power, sex
scandals and so on. This is certainly what the majority of the rural Malays
don’t have access to. What they got is what they believe, i.e. channel 1, 2, 3,
Messenger, Daily News. So, IF YOU CONTROL THE MEDIA, YOU THEORETICALLY CONTROL
THE MALAYS.

   If the majority Malays in the rural areas keep voting Uhm-No, they
will continue to rule the country. The fact, Uhm-No have the most state and
parliament seats in the country. You do the math, simple as that. Until the
media ceased to be biased VERY heavily on the coalition, nothing is going to
change. And I believe they don’t ever considering to. Poor us. I know politics
are more complicated than this, but this is the single biggest reason why the
country is not going to change, in my opinion. Do we need a change? YES. Why? Read
the 2nd sentence in the 1st paragraph.

   Finally, it’s no fun ending my writing without having a go at the
authorities. This is my list of the Top 10 Worst Road in the 1st World Infrastructure State (I guess they forgot to note
that road is actually an infrastructure). Where are the funds? Don’t ask me!

1. Jalan Gombak (Worst of the worst)
2. Jalan Ipoh
3. Jalan Genting Klang
4. MRR2
5. Jalan Kepong-Jinjang
6. Jalan Ampang
7. Jalan Sentul
8. Jalan Sri Hartamas 1
9. Jalan Keramat AU3
10.Jalan Cheras

ridhuan abubakar2008

   Although I’m not a big Hip Hop fan, as a universal music listener, I can’t help but to admire some of the tunes, bits or whatever you want to call it created by the acts of this genre. People that are so much into this music genre are called ‘The Bling- Bling Culture’, or who wants to be associated in that culture, are called ‘Wannabes’. Sorry for my lack of knowledge in this ‘Baggy Pants’ business, here I presents to you my Top 10 Hip Hop/ R&B bits ever:

1. Eminem - Stan
2. The Game - How We Do
3. 2Pac - Changes
4. Dr. Dre feat. Eminem - Forgot About Dre
5. Snoop Dogg - What’s My Name
6. 2Pac - California
7. Baby Bash feat. Akon - Baby I’m Back
8. P. Diddy - I’ll Be Missing You
9. Mario Winan - I Don’t Wanna Know
10. Paula DeAnda feat. Bow Wow - Easy

   Special reservation for Souljah Boy with the song Crank That for being the Most Annoying Hip Hop Songs Ever, at least in my book. The bits and the yelling s**t really gets to my nerves every time it airs on local radio stations.

ridhuan.abubakar®

   Minat saya dalam bidang penulisan ni datang secara tak langsung, yang datang dari hobi saya yang suka membaca majalah- majalah dan melukis. Daripada membaca, saya mula berfikir, berfantasi, dan mula berjinak- jinak untuk menulis cerita sendiri. Menulis, seperti juga melukis, adalah cabang seni yang perlu dilakukan dengan teliti, berfikiran waras dan selalunya mengikut kata hati. Daripada kata hati, perkara tersebut akan dikembangkan dengan pemikiran waras, dan ditulis dengan tangan yang teliti. Maka, akan terhasillah satu penulisan yang amat bermakna, walaupun hanya pada diri sendiri. Blog saya kali ni akan ditulis dalam Bahasa Malaysia supaya lebih mudah difahami oleh ‘orang kebanyakan’ di Semenanjung dan cubaan memperkayakan bahasa ibunda kita yang semakin lama semakin dipinggirkan. Betul ke?

   Bercakap mengenai Bahasa Malaysia, saya masih teringat zaman sekolah rendah dahulu, dimana dalam matapelajaran Bahasa Malaysia kita akan disuruh memilih satu topik yang kita minati dan membuat penyampaian di hadapan kelas, dengan menghafal atau secara spontan. Ketika itu saya berada di darjah 6 Melati, Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Gelugor (1826), Pulau Pinang. Apabila cikgu Bahasa Malaysia (BM) menyuruh kami memilih topik yang kita minati dan membuat penyampaian, otak saya terus berfikir kepada satu perkara, secara spontan, Formula 1 dan mendiang Ayrton Senna. Disebabkan minat saya yang begitu mendalam terhadap Formula 1 dan terutamanya Ayrton Senna ketika itu, saya terus membuat keputusan untuk membuat penyampaian mengenai bekas Juara Dunia 3 kali itu, tetapi bukan mengenai kehebatannya, tetapi mengenai kematiannya yang dianggap ‘the darkest day of Formula 1’ sehingga ke hari ini, dimana seorang lagi pelumba telah mati pada hari sebelumnya. Berikut adalah transkrip penyampaian saya untuk hari tersebut (ketepatan ayat- ayat dan perkataan yang saya gunakan dibawah adalah lebih kurang 30% saja daripada apa yang saya sampaikan 14 tahun lalu, tetapi isi kandungannya hampir sama):

   

   “Selamat pagi diucapkan kepada cikgu Zaharah dan murid- murid sekalian. Hari ini saya akan menyampaikan kisah kematian pemandu Formula 1 yang terkenal dan juga idola saya, Ayrton Senna. Ayrton Senna adalah juara Dunia Formula 1 sebanyak 3 kali, tetapi pada 1 Mei 1994, dia telah menemui ajalnya. Pada perlumbaan di litar Imola, Italy, sedang dia mendahului perlumbaan, tiba- tiba keretanya terbabas di selekoh laju, lalu melanggar tembok batu pada kelajuan 178km/j. Setelah keretanya melanggar tembok batu, ia berpusing- pusing (sambil membuat isyarat tangan) 3 kali sampai ia berhenti beberapa meter dari tembok batu itu. Keretanya hancur, serpihan- serpihan besi berterbangan di kawasan kemalangan, dan Ayrton Senna tidak bergerak seperti sudah pengsan. Kemalangan tersebut disiarkan secara langsung di TV, dan disaksikan oleh jutaan peminat seluruh dunia. Ambulans datang untuk merawatnya, dan kemudian dia dibawa ke hospital menaiki helikopter. Darah berlumuran di tempat kemalangan. Tetapi tidak lama kemudian, berita mengatakan bahawa Ayrton Senna telah meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan teruk di dada dan kepala. Seluruh dunia bersedih dengan pemergian seorang wira, dan juga idola saya. Sekian terima kasih”

   

   Begitulah lebih kurang teks penyampaian saya pada hari tersebut yang masih segar di ingatan saya kerana:

   1. Pertama kali bercerita di depan kelas

   2. Bercerita mengenai topik yang amat saya minati, Formula 1.

   3. Saya berjaya bercerita tanpa merujuk kepada nota bertulis.

Betapa minatnya saya pada Formula 1 ketika itu, mak saya terpaksa menyembunyikan surat khabar yang melaporkan berita kematian Ayrton Senna daripada saya supaya saya tidak hilang ‘mood’ pada hari tersebut. Tetapi akhirnya saya tau jugak, itupun 2-3 hari selepas berita tersebut dilaporkan. Saya meminati sukan permotoran seawall dajah 4, terutamanya Formula 1 dan Motorcycle Grand Prix (sekarang MotoGP). Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Wayne Rainey (lumpuh pada 1993), Wayne Gardner, Eddie Lawson, Kevin Schwantz (juara dunia motosikal 1994) dan John Kocinski adalah sebilangan nama- nama besar pada awal 90an yang pernah menggegarkan dunia permotoran dan memberi inspirasi kepada generasi sekarang. Sifat- sifat yang boleh diambil daripada lagenda- lagenda tersebut untuk dijadikan panduan adalah keazaman untuk menjadi yang terbaik, tidak mudah mengaku kalah dan tidak takut bersaing dengan sesiapa sahaja.

   Kesimpulannya, membaca, melukis, bercerita, menulis dalam apa jua bahasa dan dialek bukanlah menjadi isu untuk didebatkan, tetapi yang penting sekali adalah isi kandungan perbuatan itu sendiri, minat kita terhadap perkara tersebut dan kejujuran kita untuk menyampaikannya kepada orang ramai, dengan niat untuk menimba ilmu dan memperbaiki kelemahan kita sebagai manusia, terutamanya diri saya sendiri. Utamakan bahasa ibunda, ya, tetapi utamakan ISI KANDUNGAN dahulu sebelum menyampaikan kepada orang lain.

   

Sekian, terima kasih…