Tabula Rasa

And the Not So Good News

And not for the not so good-news:  

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao reminds me why I always wanted to leave Malaysia when I was growing up. 

At pg.83: "Twenty-odd years of the Trujillato had guranteed that. Hers was the generation that would launch the Revolution, but which for the moment was turning blue for want of air. The generation reaching consciousness in a society that lacked any. The generation that despite the consensus that declared change impossible hankered for change all the same...It was like being at the bottom of the ocean. There was no light and a whole ocean crushing down on you. But most people had gotten so used to it thought it normal, they forgot even that there was a world above." 

I felt trapped then when I was in the all girls secondary school where we weren't allowed to have pictures of any pop stars adorn our files/pencil cases or wear non black/blue/white watch straps (the reasoning just felt wrong, still feels wrong after all these years). 

Felt trapped in the co-ed secondary school where we weren't allowed to laugh out loud, celebrate birthdays with candles on cakes, speak to boys at the corridors, or speak our mind to anyone for that matter. 

And now as a tax paying adult (well ex tax paying) I still feel trapped... especially when I think of the fatwa on tomboys that was recently issued, the fatwa on yoga that is forthcoming any day now and a thousands of other equally daft rules that come to light each year thanks to the Council of Fatwas, Muftis, Politicians, Cabinets, Prime Minister blah blah blah. And yet racial discrimination policies, bribery and corruption still reign supremo.

Its a sad state of affairs. The only comforting thing is that these days under the current (soon to be ex) Prime Minister, we do hear dissenting voice(s).  Even if they are drowned out by nonsensical utterances of Bigots in Cabinet.  e.g. A Minister has asked a person to repent for challenging the rights of Malay Supremacy. The masses are warned not to 'speculate' about the mysterious disappearance of a Private Investigator the day after he makes an explosive statutory declaration re: a murder case. There is more but I don't have the energy.  

The saddest part of it all? I know a number of people who think nothing wrong with the examples I have provided above. And the fact that most people had gotten so used to that they think it it normal, and forget even that there is an alternative world beyond.

Some good news

Good news first:

1. Acupuncture relief progress 

After 7 sessions of Acupuncture, I can feel my energy level rising, my anxiety level decreasing and a general improvement in my mood and disposition.

2. Azuredec and I are in the same time zone again

Which makes it so much easier to catch up and chit chat.

3. SFM is home again after another long-haul trip.

And its not just because I can prod him for night duties. Its really lovely to have him in the house after week(s) of him being away.

4. I am loving the book I am currently reading

 The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.  I find myself chuckling out loud - like  I did with Catch 22. There are some books that just manage to tickle my funny bone - this is one such book.

The Nut Graph | Making Sense of Politics & Pop Culture

I like this new(ish) site which discusses politics and pop culcha of Malaysia. The web name, colour scheme, graphics and text all appeal to me. What a great idea. I wish I had thought of it and delivered the product to the masses.

Happy as Larry...

about the election results in the US of A. Found it very difficult to get out the car at 9am Singers time yesterday (and miss the exit polls reports on the Beeb World Service) and once out almost hopped jumped skipped to get on to the computer so can log on and watch history in the making on the (multiple) news screen.

love the speeches - both of them.

been even more obsessive about the media output than normal. various news channel first thing in the morning, aunty in the car and every conceivable page at ahem the office (alongside work stuff of course).

have read some cynical/skeptical journos saying that one man cant change the system. yes yes yes we know, but at least 1. Here is a man who appears to be trying and 2. Isn't it nice to have someone with charisma and brains leading the super powerful nation after 8 years of crap?

ps: Last week I heard on the beeb a session with Alice Walker and her thoughts on Obama which I thought was very touching. Today I found a link to her open letter on bibliobibuli and thought, what a lovely letter. I hope he takes the advice.

GOOOOOOD LUCK Azuredec

 

Hope there will be blue skies and good weather to see you through from the start line to the tape right at the end.

Lots of love from us here in Singers who wish we could be there to cheer you on in Central Park. Though we are not there in the flesh, we are certainly present in spirit - Lots and lots of go go go and yeay yeay yeay from us here in Singers!

Halloween

Ah..typepad has migrated to a new and better platform.. for all save Mac users. As a result all my entries are screwed time wise. Oh well. Never mind, better late than never.

Here is the post that was meant to be published on Friday 31 October 08.

__________________________________________________

 For some reason, out of all the festivals and occasions, its always been Halloween that marks time for me. Perhaps because I always associate it with the change of season and colours in my most impressionable age (20-30). For that reason, every year, this date, I cannot help but recall (usually in chronological order) past events, places and people I associated with Halloween of yesteryears. As I carve this year's pumpkin, I  celebrate those I have carved pumpkins with, made pumpkin pie for and shared happy Halloween times together.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN.