How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Yet another wedding dinner...

this time at the Royal China (Ipoh) Tropicana Grand Ballroom, which is new and next to Bangunan Umno which in turn is next to Impiana Casuarina Hotel, along Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh.

The groom's mother is my wife's former classmate in Sekolah Sultan Yussuf, Batu Gajah while his father's sister is my former classmate in TAR College, K.L. - one of 4 out-of-town students who I used to chauffeur on my way to Cheras (borrowed premises then).

We were half an hour late, which is normally acceptable (the dinner started an hour later), but our table No.58 was full and given No.67 instead. But the problem was the location, at the tail end of an L-shape of the hall. Thus, we could not see what was on stage - the MC, the dance, a long-winded politician giving speech (did not miss this one) and an old-timer Hawaiian band (this I particularly missed) because one of the guitarists, Jimmy, is a friend.

I wasn't even aware there was a band performing because of the poor sound system (a surprise, considering its recent opening and its purported stature) or was it because of the uninspiring vocalist? Anyway, I spotted a few seniors wearing almost similar patterned short-sleeved shirts outside the hall and I saw Jimmy among them. Then it clicked. Later when I heard music being played, I walked a few tables away to see who were in action and sure enough, Jimmy was there.

I am glad for him that he managed to rope in enough musicians (not sure how many are original members) to re-form the Hawaiian band because I was told before, that they were great in the '60s.

For a number of years, poor Jimmy (a bachelor) had been looking for a job at cocktail lounges without success because he is not a singer. If only he could sing well, then he can be a good entertainer with his guitar playing skills (more towards jazz and he has difficulty playing with the usual pop guitarists). There are many good vocalists relying on their keyboards working as one-man band (cheaper to the host) and with options to add a guitarist, bassist or a pretty lady vocalist. At one time, he was even seen playing for this music equipment boss at the Sunday flea market in Ipoh, which was where I overcame my stage fright by playing drums on the pavement outside the shop, in front of all and sundry walking by!

Anyway, this Thursday, I have to attend another wedding dinner in KL! The invitation card is with a brother and the invitation was by my cousin (on behalf of the host, his nephew) over a telephone conversation! How could I refuse a former Headmaster of a Chinese school next to my former school, MBSS, Sentul? Then on Saturday, there is another dinner - my mother-in-law's 90th birthday in Ipoh, and this one, cannot refuse even though I am expected to be glared at!

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