Business Models I Don't Get

As explained in the cartoon.

Commissioned Work

J's calling card. Inspiration for pic came from the sleeve cover (Renoir) of Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 & 2, Naxos Classic 8.5550123. This is a Penguin-rated CD, and it has served me many fine nocturnal moments.
Pianist: Istvan Szekely and the Budapest Symphony Orchestra (Gyula Nemeth).
Recording: 1988
Playing time: 69' 07"

KitSiang's Guest Columnist Bakri Musa on Malaysian-Obama

This is a satisfying read. However, why a Malaysian Obama? Let us not be misled by a charming politician that we begin to think of the cream but missed the substance. The idea is to get the structure of our constitution right that may just propel the Malaysian Obamas forward. However this is a bloated dream not just in Malaysia but elsewhere.

Practical politics? Perhaps, but let us not seek to dazzle and bedazzled in turn. Let us get our structure in place and have the courage to hold it up. Make the minds of all in the nation that each and everyone of us can BELIEVE AGAIN.

Encik Najib, think again sir, come March'09. Hail not "Kita Pun Boleh!" or "We Also Can!" but give us the BELIEVE. Perhaps you are from the old school entrenched in the old ways of doing things, and perhaps you are not quite in position to do things your way but we want you to sacrifice yourself to this deed to propel the nation to become civic again. Can you do it, sir?

PBIM'08

I had a little fun spoofing the original design of the Penang Bridge International Marathon organizers. I have been running in this event for about eight times as it's one of my favorite local events. However the past years giveaways, notably the running vests were woeful, to say the least. Anyhow we will still support our local events. Come on organizers, this year since you will be under the banner of PKR, can we see a better treatment for your supporters? We want PKR to do a good job, and we know you want to do a good job - with or without Federal support. Woe to the partisan Federal.

Living Cost

I have heard rumours of gangster contractors in Penang forcing new high-rise dwellers into submission by doing business with them. What is worse, is the exorbitant sums they charged for renovation works. Sloone has more.

It's hell either way you go. What can we do about it? Organized crime comes in legal and illegal ways, and the way things are, they have become legitimate entities. Peace-loving people are made to feel they themselves are the criminals eventually. The way that we are squeezed, the call to self-arm is of utmost importance, as there is no protection in a way that is affordable for us.

Reformed Judiciary

Reformed Judicial system? RPK's release is celebrated with joy by all of us, but...

Now my question is: is our judicial system on its way to reform? With the same old people deeply ingrained in a hierarchy, entrenched in its ways and means (that unearthing one or two just won't do the job) running the system, I do not have the confidence to think so. I hope with the release of RPK, this is just not a theatrical act to win back the people's support by the monopoly organization running this country.

Once they have figured it out hows and whats, and deeply entrenched, we are all sold for good. I still don't have the confidence in the system. No one should.

RPK, lets get back to work!

Yes We Can! New Camelot in White House

The White House has a new Camelot with the chant of "Yes We Can!"

Someone here in Mar/09 will chant perhaps... "Kita pun BOLEH!!!"

There is always somewhat something similar with these two places.
However one is a real leader (through fiercely guarded constitution) in all aspects of our lives regardless of where you live, and the other, err... with somewhat misplaced aspirations that ruin our lives with a constitution that mostly fails to hold up.

In the words of Studs Terkel "Hope dies last" - I hope it never does for the sake of this beautiful land where I bleed.

Studs Terkel, 1912 - Oct 31, 2008

Studs Terkel, a man of conscience.

It was only a few months ago that I first saw him on BBC's HardTalk programme with Stephen Sackur, speaking from his home in Chicago, frail but very alert and engaging. He passed from this existence last night.

One ought to hear him, to get a glimpse of what life is.

"We can't make any choices unless we connect the past with the present. The thing that horrifies me is the forgetfulness." --Studs Terkel

Justice Never Come (for ordinary people)

Pain and resignation, engulf my calming rage,
Is this my fate?,
For ordinary man, justice never come,
If ever, comes way too late.





Can you comprehend?,
The pain that burrows deep inside my heart,
If you can feel it, from beginning till end,
You would wish it's never your heart.




"The legislation, the administration of law and order, the deliverance of justice, I am the sole purveyor of it all" --ultra monopoly nuetering organization

Wicked Humour

Does this resemble anything of the hellhole you're in?

Copyright material: Dilbert comics

Turing Test

The Turing Test lives on. Have your fun here.

QOD: "What we need is either less corruption, or more chance to participate in it" --random quote from slash

Blind Spots

Where is my blind spot?
If I know it, is it still my blind spot?
If I do have one, surely this question do not arise because that would make my question invalid - because I do not know what, when, and where of it.
The irony of unraveling as comically told by Ian McEwan's Solid Geometry - man, what have you done to your unfortunate wife!

Once a bloke told me he had lost some of his memories. I just had to laugh out loud.

Wind of Tao "Those who know do not speak, those who speak, do not know"

Poignant

I bade my son farewell today
A Father's Yoke
Jul 16, 07 5:00pm
malaysiakini.com (extracts)

My son, Ryan, who is 18, left to further his studies in Australia today. He goes to embark on his tertiary studies at a reputed university - ordinarily, something to be proud of. However, it was more sadness than pride that ruled the day

I have pondered many a time as to why we come to a point where it is like tossing your child out of a flaming or sinking ship. We have many universities here, yet we have to sacrifice so much to send them abroad. Why? Thanks to the politicised education system, it is not in his interest to study here - even when we are now a global village.

Many nations who lagged behind us have closed the gap or gone ahead. Had he gone through the local universities, his mobility in terms of employability worldwide would be seriously curtailed. The major corporations in Malaysia generally prefer the foreign graduates - especially those from ranked universities.

The polarisation that is systemic ensures that his circle of friends more likely would be non-Malay or non-Muslim. This would be a major disadvantage in a multi-cultural society - increasingly the trend in many progressive countries. When I was a student in the 70s, our friendships were not determined by our race or religion. In fact, in many cases, we got to know our friends' ethnic origins many years later when they got married and we attended their wedding ceremonies.

In today's increasingly common parlance, I am reminded repeatedly that I am a third generation 'pendatang'. My son therefore will be the fourth - one who like me, speaks only English and Malay. ‘Pendatang’ nonetheless. Scholarships by and large are a mirage for folk like us. Just like crumbs and morsels that fall off a dining table.

So what are we griping about in the land of blue skies and 'ais kachang'? Our land of blue skies could and should have been a land of milk, honey and plenty. Instead, we have increasingly unfettered corruption, polarisation, degeneration of our education system right from Standard 1 to full blown chaos at the tertiary level.

The perception of fair play as played out in the judiciary gives one little to look forward to in seeking justice. Our sports achievements - barring a few rare exceptions - have seen a massive slide. Even this has been politicised. From a feared soccer nation, we are now below Singapore and Thailand. Sportsmen sell out on their honour and country. Wonder who they learnt this from. From multi-racial teams for soccer, hockey and rugby, we put out almost homogenous teams today. The results speak for themselves

When my son is ready to join the job market, the civil service would not even be a considered option. Turn back the clock about 50 years and one sees the stark difference - when the best brains competed to join the service.

So, as a 'pendatang', my advice to others like me is that you cherish and value the limited time you have with your children because unlike others, you are not guaranteed the opportunity to be at their side - or even a short distance behind - to see that they don’t tumble along life's walkway.

When they are packed off at 18, the chances of them returning is so much less. The plus side is that as parents, we know that we have given them the opportunity to make their best shot for the years to come.

Farewell son, the grass may not be greener on the other side, but the skies are more blue. And even if the grass is not greener, it is grass you can stand on with your head held high. God Bless.

---

I am the legislator, the administrator, the adjudicator...

Of the law that is, and what can you do about it?

We have laws alright, but the administration of justice is subject to our interpretation.
And you, small people are the fringes of our fancies. If you happen to have justice served, it's not because we deliver justice to you but you happen to fall under our radar of justice. Today you're lucky, tomorrow we shall see.

What can you do about it?
Nothing. You can fawn at us or You can bark at the hills, either way admire us strut our stuffs, breathe in our belch or get trampled and see what dirt we have beneath our feet.

That is the message of the Political Ultra Kings (not DYMM) in Malaysia since Malaysian-time beginning.

And TDM, whenever I read histories of you and your deeds, it reminds me of a certain God with multiple heads, trunks, limbs, etc. You taught us something, and to react is not right until it has balanced up to serve the desired purpose. You are an amazing man indeed. I do hope you did and do set us towards a destination full of hope and courage, and not the dirt that snowballs into huge avalanche today. Keep talking, Sir, because we do listen.

Speak up for RPK, everyday, everyone. Direct your prayers to RPK and his family. The first thing you wake up, think of RPK and his deeds for the small voices among us and offer a prayer of gratitude. Or show your support here.

Truth, Liberty, Justice.
A peasant's staple diet but it has been priced out of reach everywhere.

MCA wants to serve sincerely, says Kong Choy

Above mentioned Quote: N8, The Star, Mon 29th Sept, 2008
Next to it: Tee Keat screams, "stop the smear campaign"

Yes? Since when? And last time you were not?

OK, if you guys have that quality of intention to serve, why is that after vying for top party posts, and the debris of elections has settled, do MCA evolved into whats-not-alphabet factions?

There are no greed that drives these factions?
Not yesterday, not today?

Speak to me again, men of decorations.

Sins of EPL, BPL, whatsnot-that-league-name

Sir Alec Fug and Ruffled Ben committed the most hideous sins in the world of English football today, i.e tearing apart the golden gild of Spurs. Look where Spurs has ended up today.

Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane will never be the same again as when they were with Spurs. Both can only go on to score paltry goals for their respective managers and ended up wondering what have befallen them. Someone ought to remind these two lads how to recognize their destinies and come to recognize that both of them are meant to be together.

And Mr Fug and Mr Ruffled? Shame on you both. Of course your tasks are to deliver results but you also ought to recognize what a good job Spurs had done for themselves - building up a formidable team.
To tear the team apart just because you can? You destroy not only Spurs but the EPL. And the whole of England? You ought to be ashamed to let this happen in what is your most lucrative institution ever built.

p/s
• I couldn't help noticing this, as our TV screens and media are deluged with this thing called English football
• Displeasure is directed at two crimson entities alternatively known as ManU and Kops - one of the many accosted them

MCA, Gerakan Speaking Up for Chinese Rights

Yes, finally they have done the right thing - that is defending the Chinese rights, speaking up against ISA.
Should we celebrate?
Should we rejoice?
Should we throw our weight behind them?

Yeah, right, we might, just might - first both you MCA and Gerakan burn in hell and see if you can come back cleansed and purified.

Too late, way too late, you filth of the earth - burn and rot in hell.
You have sold us out and now being in the doldrums of your political abode, you wanted to eke out another thread to save your filth?

I file my complaints through your website and where were you?
I seek for your assistance, where were you?

And Dr Chua SL, please, if you are a true gentleman, save your last honor if you can - don't show up your face in public again.

MCA, Gerakan, Go Burn in Hell!

Anjali Rao Flirting

Did you see her flirting with Bobby Chinn in TalkAsia programme this morning? She's guilty of making him disconcerted in his own abode. Hmm, a first for me to see her being kissed by her guest.

A Good Speech

She sounds presidential, perhaps to offset his blooper of making this statement earlier: "So let me introduce to you, the next president..."

Then there's this playful "obamabinbiden".

Quote:
"Tolerance and apathy are the last virtues of a dying society" --Aristotle

QOD: Olympic spirit is about beating people

Quote of the Day:

"We don't intend to make a whole lot of friends here, the Olympic spirit is about beating people, not living with them" -Dwayne Wade, Miami Heats (Basketball team), USA, Aug 7th, 2008

Nation's leaders bankrupt of ideas

The present comic tragedy involving another repeat incident of sodomy laid bare our leaders' lack of ideas to propel the nation forward. The self-serving opportunist leaders will go at any length with disregards towards public morality to justify their means and ends. Is it any surprise that the nation's public agenda - to develop the nation's mental fortitude to first world status, is once again being fed to the dogs - strays that is. Even strays know when not to cross the street but our leaders? Shame is not in their vocabulary. Not enough with paying lip service and cheap talks, to outrage public morality with total disregard, has destroyed any remaining confidence the young has over the nation. This is prostitution of the nation's soul - despicable act on par with spitting on the flag.

The Earth Moves for Nadal Today

Last Sunday to be exact. Nadal playing King Federer on Centre Court was something to behold.
During the first two sets the earth moves under Nadal's will but Federer was tugging too. Both contrast, majestic, and Kings in their own right. The result does not matter. Magical.

Welcome

Announcing my web-presence to the world of web, graphic design, and programming. I'm a little outdated with tech's pace though. It's hard and I'm old :)

You may commission my time for graphic design and layout of anything from web images to actual prints. As for programming or any new tools for that matter, I need incubation time in a real working environment but once I reach comfort level which usually is not long, I'm as prolific as my brain's energy will allow.

Contact me by dropping a comment in my chatbox.

We thank you for your time in visiting our blog.

You may commission me for any type of artwork but strictly no porn or anything that breaks the law of your country.

Meanwhile I wonder if DSAI's office would be interested in this caption below...lol










Notes:
Regardless of your political affiliations, the caption above is not meant to invoke unrest or antagonize your personal views. The drawing was done in jest with the current upheaval that has roused the nation.
Notwithstanding the man behind the scene, the caption is my personal conviction and belief that this is the basic tenets for a society to triumph