Assalamua'laikum....

I happened to be rummaging through an antique chest and this is what I found. An old brown envelope, tattered and aged with time, it was still secured with the Lyon Family Crest seal. On the face of the envelope it was addressed to someone in the name of Aloin Alexandre de Toulouse. The sender, a lady it seemed, a descendant of the Lyon family, had meant to send out the said letter to the gentleman mentioned. However, by any means or reasons, the letter did not make it to the end receiver at all. Instead, the old dusty piece was put away in an old oak chest which has been long forgotten. The lady sender, Madamoiselle Carine Chantel de Lyon, as the name reads on the cold melted seal, must be a well-read, charming enchantress, as indicated by the intricate French cursive handwriting on the high quality hand-made writing paper in the envelope. The date reads, 18 Janvier 1911.

The French Love Letter.
By Lizardeouss

A Mon Cher Rouge,
Je veux dire a vous, " Je vous aime, mon cherie..." Avec l'amour, du fond de mon coeur! Vous etes mon meilleur ami. Mais, helas, nous somme defendus pour tomber dans l'amour. Nous etions des limites par une promesse de notre amitie. Et comme les amis que nous resterons ensemble.
Mais cet amour qui j'ai pour vous! Seulement Dieu sait que mon couer vous a attendu. Mon couer fait mal. Je veux etre aime par vous. Pourqoi c'est comme ceci? "Savez-vous que je vous aime?" J'ai demande. Je suis pris au piege par cette emotion, j'espere que vous comprenez. Vous le sentez aussi, mon amour? Si vous faites, s'il vous plait la reponse avec une rose. Si vous ne faites pas, s'il vous plait la reponse avec une lame argent. Mon couer saigne pour vous.
Je vous aime.
Veritablement le votre,
Blanc.

Which simply means....

To my dear Scarlet,
I want to say to thou, "I love thee, my darling..." With love, from the bottom of my heart. Thou are my greatest friend. But, alas, we cannot be falling in love. We were bounded by the promise of friendship. And as friends shall we stay. But this love I have for you! Only God knows how my heart longed for thee. My heart aches. I want to be loved by thee. Why is it like this? "Do ye know that I loved thee?" asked I. Trapped I am in my emotion, hoping for you to understand that. Do thee feel the same too, my love? If yes is the answer, please reply with a rose. If no be the answer, please reply with a silver blade. My heart shall bleed for thee.
I love thee.
Truly Yours,
White.

A love unrequited? Or the sender had passed away before sending out the love letter? The mysteries contained in my questions cannot be answered by the letter itself. Why is Carine so deeply in love with the gentleman? I might like to find out more, but as I kept the piece of letter away in a drawer, I simply knew that these two people involved in this relationship is perhaps long gone dead. Could their love lives have been more better if the said letter had reached the receiver? Mills & Boon, I certainly need some help here.

And with that, I bid Wassalam......

Assalamua'laikum!

I Am Writing This While Listening to King Diamond's Haunted from Fatal Portrait album.

I'm happy to be blogging today. I had a good day at work today and pay day's around the corner.

And right about now, I am peeking through websites, on the interest to search for 'pocong'. And granted my wishes were, I read through some of the stories pertaining to 'pocong', stories from Indon and Malaysia. Fifty percent of the stories are irrelevant. Ah! Boring ah.

So, I decided to write about a story of 'pocong' which I heard over the radio sometime about October last year. Currently, my favourite radio station is Malaysia's THR.FM 103.7fm. Apart from turning on ROCK music all night long, they have forums about all sorts of things. Then, one day came about this forum about 'Kisah Benar'. It goes like this........

"This young lady from Malacca, (name long forgotten, so I replace with a pseudo-name) Lina, related of her first meeting with a 'pocong'. Lina was in an all-girl's school which is near to a kampung which had a bleak history of the supernaturals. The kampung residents were all too familiar with one regular 'visitor', so this 'visitor' was given the name "SWEET". Hence the name, a 'pocong' whose knot at the top of the head stays untied, looked definitely as a candy, a sweet which you may find at the Mamak shop. And so, this SWEET went roaming about the kampung ever so regularly that it would visit the school on many a nights. To find virgins? We do not know. Lina and many other girls stayed at the school's hostel being the fact that these girls come from afar. The hostel's lights out time was at 10pm. As usual, Lina and her other 3 room mates weren't sleepy yet and therefore commenced in night conversations in the dark till each and everyone of them falls asleep. They were discussing about their Form Three examinations and soon were involved in the conversation about SWEET. When at last all the other girls were fast asleep, Lina still hadn't been visited by the sandman yet. She lay in her single bed on one side, facing the window. A gust of wind swept into the room through the window. It blew the curtains open, the sound of the night crept into the room. Lina did not blink her eyes. She lay still, looked at the other beds, her roommates in deep sleep. Motionless, she controlled her breath. The thumping of her chest can be heard almost loudly in her ears. The only fear she has was of SWEET. A limp, frail 15 year old schoolgirl couldn't ask for more than an avoidance of these unwanted fears. Lina prespired under her blankets. The wind that had entered the dorm did not stop. The curtains continued flailing about like a lost kite. She shut her eyes tight and chanted prayers from the Ayat Kursi. By this time, something had just entered her room, not through the door, not through the window. It seemed that the 'pocong' had sneaked in effortlessly into the girls' room. Lina's 3 roommates weren't awaked by any slight disturbance at all. Lina could not even raise her voice for attention. Her throat is choked. There, in bed, she opened her eyes again and sees that SWEET is now in the room, SWEET hopped over one of Lina's roommate's bed and hopped over to Lina. She could not make out the face of SWEET in the dark, only the outstanding tall white shroud that was visible from where she lay. SWEET hopped over to the foot of her bed, she thought that SWEET would bend over her, but SWEET had hopped onto the open window and disappeared from there. Lina was so astonished of her experience that she could not stop crying till one of her roommates was finally awakened."

Dou you find that story believable? Wallahua'lambisawab. Fact or Fiction, it depends well on the readers.

And with that, I bid Wassalam.... SWEET be nimble, SWEET be quick, SWEET jump over, the candle stick. Hehehe.

Assalamualaikum.

Superstitious Me?

I liked spooking people. Be it little kids, grown ups, friends, colleagues, whoever. I liked the look on their faces when I tell them about somethin' unnatural. It makes myself scared of my own shadow in return! Freaking myself out in the end. Acting the Miss Bloody Cool, when in fact I am a shrinking jumpy person. Heeheehee. That is until when I reached my adult stage of life, I began to outgrew my fears. I gathered up all strength and courage in me and placed it upon my hands and hold it out like a guiding light. Until when my closest buddies taught me to overcome the darkness and never fear. Until I began to teach myself of the existence of the untangible. I just started to ignore and let these things pass by me like any other being would. However, if I were to be left out walking alone at the abandoned bungalow at Gunner Rd, I beg to be voted off. I still can't stand being watched, followed by the unknown.

I remembered when some intellect friends of mine had labelled me as "Superstitious". Whatever things and situation that I try to make light of, they say that I'm telling old wives' tales. They would go saying things like "Where got this type of explanation?" and "Why must be superstitious?". I ain't being a superstition freak nor am I a believer of old wives' tales. My explanations are just what they are supposed to be. One example, I have seen a friend's nipple once and I said, "Dark nipples means you've had lost your virgin". Wo! That friend of mine got into a whirlwind of shock and begged for a moment of truce with me. Now, dark nipples simply tells that someone has given birth before. Am I true, ask any doctors in the house. But then, this fact of life was being discussed between me and my gentlemen friends. Guys, give me a break... learn more from me. Let me give you an account on 'Cat Superstitions'. Enjoy reading!

One of the most common superstition about cats is that they have nine lives.
1. A cat following you means money. [Emmmm]
2. A cat jumping over a corpse , the corpse will become a vampire. [Buahahahahaha! Utterly nonsensical.]
3. A cat jumping onto a table, unlucky. [says who?]
4. Having the family cat at your wedding, good luck. [As the Guest of Honour, perhaps.]
5. A three coloured cat protects a house from fire. [Unless someone plays with matches, that is.]
6. In Japan and Britain, to have a black cat to cross your path is lucky. [Harem.... where are you?]
7. A cat washing itself in a doorway, someone is coming to visit. [This one, my Mum says is quite true.]
8. A cat with double claws is doubly lucky and must be protected. [Could use as a weapon of choice.]

I do not recommend wholefully for anyone to believe the above accounts. It does not involve any persons dead or alive, any coincidences is pure unintentional. Don't try it at home.

Time for me to listen to Stevie Wonder's Superstition.
Wassalam.....

Assalamualaikum.... Buddies!

Cerita Hantu (Ghost Story)

My buddies...
Cerita Hantu nombor Satu: Coretan gua hari ini adalah mengenai cerita lama yang gua pedengari dari Nyai gua. Ia telah berlaku di dalam kawasan tahun 40'an.

"Nyai gua berasal dari Muar, Johor. Beliau telah dibesarkan di kampung di Muar dan pernah menolong Buyot gua menoreh getah pada waktu pagi. Ada sebuah pohon kapas yang tinggi dan amat terbesar di kampung beliau. Pada suatu hari, pohon kapas itu telah tumbang akibat ribut sehinggakan akarnya tercabut habis dari bumi. Ini mengakibatkan sebuah lubang yang tertinggal di tapak itu. Lalu, hari demi hari lubang itu dipenuhi air dan seekor ikan haruan telah mendiami lubang itu.

Orang kampung amat kagum dengan kejadian itu namun mereka berhati-hati agar tidak mengganggu ketenteraman ikan haruan itu. Ikan haruan itu diberi makan dan dijaga dengan baik. Sehinggalah suatu hari, seorang penduduk kampung telah berhasil memancing ikan haruan tersebut dan membawanya pulang untuk dimakan sekeluarga. Sejurus selepas memakan ikan haruan yang dipancing itu, pada malamnya penduduk kampung itu telah mendapat suatu mimpi sewaktu dia beradu. Di dalam mimpi itu, seorang perempuan telah muncul kepada beliau dan meminta pulang ikan haruan yang telah dimakannya itu. Ia diberitahu jika tidak dapat memenuhi permintaan itu, ia akan menerima maut. Si penduduk kampung itu menyampaikan cerita mimpinya kepada sang isteri. Keduanya terpinga-pinga oleh sebab ikan telah pun hadam di perut.

Oleh kerana tidak ada apa yang dapat dilakukan lagi, si penduduk itu menjalani kehidupan sehariannya, sehingga cukup 3 hari, beliau pun kehilangan nyawa."

Rangkaiannya: Kalau nak, Mintak. Jangan curik.

Cerita Hantu nombor Dua: Berkenaan keris dan tongkat kepunyaan Arwah Buyot.

Arwah Buyot gua, walau pun tidak dapat gua temui beliau sekalipun, pernah memiliki sebilah keris dan setiang tongkat sewaktu hayatnya. Keris tersebut berupaya untuk menjaga rumah arwah Buyot gua dari serangan harimau yang berkeliaran di belantara berdekatan kebun getah di Muar. Menurut penjelasan dari Nyai, keris itu akan berdiri tegak dengan sendirinya apabila ada harimau mendekati rumah beliau. Dan apabila suatu hari seekor harimau menumpang teduh di bawah kolong rumah itu, keris itu tidak terhenti-henti mengetuk lantai rumah dalam keadaan berdiri sambil melompat-lompat. Tentang tongkat pula, arwah Buyot gua amat menyayangi tongkatnya itu sampaikan ia simpan di bawah tilam ketika beradu.

Dalam tahun 1950, Nyai gua dan arwah Buyot gua datang ke Singapura untuk menetap di sini. Apabila arwah Buyot gua meninggal dunia dalam tahun 70an, dia meninggalkan keris dan tongkatnya kepada Nyai gua. Dalam seminggu, keris itu dipulangkan kepada empunya yang mengisi keris di Muar. Tongkat kepunyaan arwah Buyot gua pula masih di Singapura dan mulai berjalan-jalan di lapangan rumah dan berbunyi "tok.. tok... tok...". Mummy gua yang waktu itu masih dalam lingkungan remaja, amat ketakutan apatah lagi saudara perempuannya yang lain. Kejadian 'tongkat berjalan' itu berpanjangan selama seminggu sehinggalah ia berhenti sendiri selepas 40 hari kemudiannya.

Rangkaiannya: Kalau keris mencari sang harimau, tongkat mencari sang pemakainya.

Gua rasa banyak cerita-cerita aneh/seram yang terisi di benak fikiran lu orang masing-masing. Cerita yang tidak pernah dikeluarkan di Variasari. Dengan itu, gua ucapkan selamat menulis dan selamat berhibur!

Gua punya cerita hantu yang sebenar ialah, sepatutnya gua kerja half day hari ini. Oleh kerana semalam kami telah pergi mengejar naga di atas air, gua tertidur overshort dan bangun lambat. Gua siap dengan selekas mungkin, hanya untuk mendapat phonecall dari rakan sepejabat mengatakan bahawa hari ini adalah 'off-day' gua. Kenapa tak cakap dari semalam siang? Cerita hantu!

Wassalam......

Assalamua'laikum, Rockers... Jammers...

Eddie Veder Is That You?

Eddie Veder has cropped his hair. Watch Pearl Jam's new single release video on MTV, song title Save You. Eddie, you look like someone else... I muttered to myself. Now, the essence of ROCK does not only depends on the length of your hair. Metallica seared off their locks in 1996 and with that, released their albums Load and Reload. We should be expecting another new album from Metallica soon this year. They are back in the studios right about now, so a new baby should be out some time soon.

The ROCK essence is in you, your heart, mind and soul.

Pearl Jam's new album RIOT ACT is already out in stores now. Check it out.

Talking of cropped hairs, which then comes to mind about Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Anthony Kiedis has spotted short hair since RHCP's Californication album, bleached his hair like some b*tch, more like an American Ah-Beng. However, that Anthony dude still gyrates sexy, man! Handsome 41 year old rockin' man, a pervertness in his own trademark. I am still ogling at RHCP's gig in 2000 where they only had a sock over their love sticks and not a thread of clothing on their bodies.

However, Eddie Veder, you rock my world. You stay charming and handsome as always, okay baby. I will stay truthful and faithful.... to your music.

Wassalam.... keep on rocking in the free world!

Assalamua'laikum.

How was your first day @ a new workplace, cat?

I would like to simplify my day as marvellous. My new workplace is situated near my place of dwelling. At a mere 20 minutes' bus ride, I am heigh-ho early on my first day. The first two hours on the job, I was a nervous wreck. Then, as the hour hand ticks by, I regained back my self confidence and myself. First day is such a breeze being the reason that it's only the first day. When I was making my way back to my flat, I thought, could I be as stressful as ever in this job, like the previous freight forwarding days I had before? I am hoping to be not.

Today I had 'sandpit-trapped' in my own seat when I met Siti Norhenny coming in for an interview at my workplace this afternoon. What was I expecting? I wasn't hoping for some one like her to come work in the same office as me. Not that I am being territorial or selfish, but you guys who know who she is might understand. But I kept my cool. Asked about her daughter. Daughter's in primary 2. She told me I was getting fatter. Like I don't know? A pot calling the kettle black. Crack-mouth. Jurong is so small, I realized. Nay, say no more.

I look forward for more happy days to come. And by the way, I will be dealing with life rafts, life saving equipment, boats and more boats. Shall we "Sail away tomorrow?"

Wassalam.... Orang kalau kasi aku bingit, aku buat dia lebih bingit.

Assalamua'laikum dear fellow friends.

From The Journal Notepad of Liza r d e ouss..

Resulting from a post which I had submitted the other day, a dear friend who have been domesticated long enough with the rock music scene in Singapore responded to me in a manner of coolness. At the same time applauding the acts of fellow ex-Yuhuans in the music scene, this particular friend forwarded a question so excruciatingly immensing me in tremendous pressure and sweats for not including such a (more) experienced and talented him. O-kay. I surrender. I had to admit, this man has substance and yet downright firm. Quite bonkers this man is, when it comes to chill out sessions at 7-El. A man by the name of Zulkifli Ibrahim. A half-haji. A man with looks, a man with a fine vocal bestow. I shall full stop there, in any case he floats on cloud nine while reading my report.

I am damnfully right sure that everyone knows bands like Rusty Blade, Lovehunters, Sweet Charity, vocalists like Suhaimi (Search), Hanafie Warren, Yantzen, musicians Art Fazil, M.Nasir and Ramli Sarip. These are among the BIG bands and musicians that has made a mark for themselves in the scene. These people are Singapore-born and started playing their music on our homeground firstly before a number of 'em ventured out to a neighbouring land to further heighten their music, talent and entertainment skills there.

In a soft (musical) note, Zoul accounted to me of his hob-nobbing days with Rusty Blade, having Yantzen being his vocal guru. His involvement in their gigs then brought about him an ultimate inspiration. He was involved with Lovehunters too. Once in 1993 ( I hope my memory ain't defeating me ) when Metallica had a gig here in Singapore, Zoul attended the gig with Suhaimi Search. Right, cool man. On a more personal account, I have had an audience with Zoul's acoustic vocal show last year at a friend's wedding. Mesmerizing tones being teamed up by a duet with Sabrina. On another account, Zoul's vocals was put to good use to bring alive Captain Green of Clean & Green Week Campaign in 1997. A cover melody from Supergrass' 'We Are Young'. I missed listening to that commercial. Zoul has something proud to say about his melody works. Excellent. His own band, Rockets with members such as Edradly on drums, Yus on guitars and Firdaus too. The latter had a conflicting view with the band and left. They had at one time entered an MTV competition and then, the rest is history. Smile...

Sure, the audience is still awaiting for another of Zoul's musical act. Is he able to put together another band of brothers to continue on the rock saga of Singapore? Will he keep the melody going on for us? What do you people anticipate in the near future? I ask of you on behalf of him.

Selit daun sikit - my dad pun ada side kicked dengan Ramli Sarip & gang jugak. Sehinggakan mereka 'barter-trade' band members antara Sweet Charity dan Ramon and The Rollers. Jangan ingat apa, my dad boleh roll orang ah! Zain's two other earlier musical careers were The Zain Midgets in 1967 with his own brothers and a soloist on cruise ship Rasa Sayang in the 70's. Is my dad looking back ever since? He wanted to and his friends were calling back to him but all it takes is Readiness. Even Ramli who occasionally flips burgers at Bussorah Street on Ramadhan months has requested a come-back. To my dad, that was then, this is now.

And with that I bid Wassalam.... Rock me, baby!

Assalamua'laikum!

I Love Rock And Roll.

Hi! Hi! Nice to have you again with me. Tis good to have the days abreeze at my own pace. I could have been able to catch a quick trip to Malacca or Batam if I want to, however, in times of bad capital production, I'd just rather stay at homeground.

Recently, my lil' brother, Zul, had set up a website on his own pertaining to his newfound 4-piece band. The new band is a hobby to him and his other friends. It's the dream that young rock-blooded boys have in their teens. Some teens, with adequate music background has ever made it to become good bands in Singapore. Like my ex-schoolmates from my alma mater. For example, Nazri Ayam, guitarist for Urbankarma. Nazri has a tremendous talent at the guitars. He could 'fondle' the strings effortlessly, in other words, he has excellent finger works. Most importantly is the talent and passion that he has for electric guitar play. Then there is Firdaus. A drummer for Singapore progressive rock band, Urbankarma. Firdaus has progressed over the years with a great vision. Not forgetting my soul buddy, Redzuan. Redz has a wide talent for guitar play, drum play, vocals and songwriting. Someone told me that Redz could go far and a talent awaiting to boom. God knows, I know, we know, but God knows more.

I respect the interest and passion that my lil' brother has for rock music. Why not? He was fed to the max with rock music eversince he turned two years old. It was a result of who else? Me, his big Sis. Zul, year two, FIRST song he catches up was "Ice Ice Baby". Zul was already copying the dance steps of Vanilla Ice and it was too late for anyone to stop it because then, he had continued to listen further to Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Pearl Jam. It's true, it's true. I was the role model of rock for him. And sometimes I feel guilty for that. When he reached the age of pre-teen, he was listening to boy-band groups such as Westlife, BSB, not forgetting Spice Girls. (!) Zul has a spot for R&B, techno and breakbeat. Music genre for Zul is universal for him at this moment. Till the day when he will find the best avenue for himself. To which genre does he belong to. Because for now, he has to listen more, practice more, do more and see more. Strong back-up was received from my Dad and my two uncles. What's more, my Dad exposed him to finger works and drum play in his early years. You rock on, brother!

I was actually toying with an idea. An idea which has been residing in the recesses of my brain nerves since a few years ago. You see, I have BIG passion for rock music. I have fallen deeply with Deep Purple. I have led myself to be the head banger for Led Zeppelin. I got swarmed all over by Metallica. I have yet to receive the light of divination with Nirvana. I helped myself to heeps of Uriah Heep. I kicked butt with Saigon Kick. A spoonful of Pearl Jam. My adoration for Loudness never fades away. These, my friends, are among the most favourite bands that has accompanied me in days of long journey. So, the idea was to set up an ultimately, entirely Rock Music Radio Station for never-die rock listeners in Singapore. The particular music station shall be the invitation card to all aspiring rock deejays around the island. It will overwrite the other major media station in S'pore. So far, in this island, the only two independant English stations are WKRZ & Power 98. It's been long since I listened to Rediffusion. I will name my station "STORM". I had a conversation with Redz the other night. He finds the idea smashing. The three most Important factors: Capital, Sponsorship, General listener response and support. If ever these three were present right before me, immediately I will source out and start the rock rolling on to an accelerating speed.

Dreams come true is a miracle for me. However, dreams to come true for my lil' brother shall have to be in the form of moral support from everyone around him. Smile... So, therefore, you may want to check out his website www.freewebs.com/bobbuntal_sideproject/
Thanks everyone, in advance, for your prompt and courteous support to my brother's website. It's an otherwise a stress-relieve anecdote from our daily adult lives. By the way, it is fun to read the insights of a growing teenagers' comments.

Wassalam..... yeah!

Assalamua'laikum kawan-kawanku sekelian.....

Nak Dapat Kawan Yang Amat Menyayangi Diri Ini Agak "Rare"

Hari: semalam, 10 Februari 2003.
Waktu: Pukul 12 tengah malam tepat.
Tempat: Restu Muslim Seafood Restaurant di Changi Road.
Majlis: Makan malam bersama Air France Team.

Weird huh? A get-together dinner with my airport co-workers in the middle of the witching hour. Actually it was planned a week earlier to have supper with Malik Gigi, Azlan Deano, Lynn da Lam, Dek Noor, Pak Abu, Azrul Hunchback, Fara Boyan, Aida Cina, Sam The Man and among other team mates. Well, the day came and it was a Sunday. I was looking forward to the meeting and so has the other members. Took the MRT down to Eunos with Azlan Deano 'the skeletal sceptor'. We arrived at the rather quiet and empty restaurant at 2355hrs. Our table has been booked for 12 persons. I asked the owner about their closing time. 1 a.m., I was told. I explained to the restaurant that the dinner might be extended till late. They acknowledged the request and I felt rather pity for them to be working late to serve for 12 crazy customers. Miss Joanna Banana arrived at 0015hrs from Fullerton Hotel. Eventhough she has left the company more than a year ago, she still feels a part of the team. While me, Lan & Jo waited for the rest to come, I placed the order of a package dinner for 10 costing at $288. With all other additional dishes and drinks, the bill came up to $500! Fooh.. that was some meal. The rest of the team members were running late and my two companions were getting rather impatient. Alas, the team was held up due to a flight delay. Finally, my majesties arrived and the time was 0115hrs. The food was laid out on the table. A total of 15 people sat at Restu on an early Monday morning to have supper. A heavy meal that was, with chilli crabs, two types of fish, cold dish, mushrooms and veggie dish, baby squids, lemon chicken, fried chicken, tofu, fried rice and honey-dew sago dessert. The hungry ghosts tucked in and enjoyed every bit of the food, right to the fish tails. After the yummy gummy, we chatted and poked fun at each other. It was like a big family reunion dinner, with Pak Abu as our 'father'. I realized this meeting was held because of me, leaving the company, leaving my 'family'. However, I vowed not to break up the 'family' ties. The youngest of the pack, Dek Noor, has planned for another wild night at a chalet on this coming March. (Looking forward to that). Dinner was ended with well-wishings and hugs. I will miss them so much. Well, life has gotta move on for me!

Wassalam.... yeah, baby, yeah!

Assalamua'laikum, member...
('member aje')

Gua baru nak happy-happy nak tag orang sana-sini. Sekali tu gua tak boleh access tagboard da! Ada server error. Gua bingit LAGI! Wafangkulo.... K@[![*%e (h@0 (h##&~... wa fharkh ni gedegak. Boleh Jadi Gila Jika berterusan begini. Ada sesiapa rasa nak jadi gila dengan gua? SMS gua sekarang.

Wassalam.... awrrite keep on moving baby u know what time it is!

APRIL Deep Purple @ 1969

April is a cruel time
Eventhough the sun may shine
And the world looks in the shade as it slowly comes away
Still falls the April rain
And the valley's filled with pain
And you can't tell me quite why
As I look up to the grey sky
Where it should be blue
Grey sky where I should see you
Ask why, why it should be so
I'll cry, say that I don't know

Maybe once in a while I'll forget and I'll smile
But then the feeling comes again of an April without end
Of an April lonely as they come
In the dark of my mind I can see all too fine
But there is nothing to be done when I just can't feel the sun
And the springtime's the season of the night

Grey sky where it should be blue
Grey sky where I should see you
Ask why, why it should be so
I'll cry, say that I don't know
I don't know

Assalamua'laikum...

A Prelude To My Last Days...a.k.a Pengorbanan.

ALAMAK! Gua bingit! Orang gila macam gua saja yang kerja pukul 5 pagi di hari Minggu. Gua baru telefon Central 1, ops office gua di bandara. Dan, pick-up time gua... 0420hrs. Maknanya, gua kena bangun pukul 0300hrs, mandi, siap, turun ke carpark jam 0415hrs. Maknanya, gua tak dapatlah bersembang ngan brothers malam ni. Dan maknanya, apabila brothers gua baru nak masuk tidur, gua dah mula check-in untuk flight ke Jakarta pada pukul 0530hrs. Kerja pagi dengan waktu 'out-of-the-world' macam tu bikin gua hilang 'the juice of Saturday Night Life'. Ditambah lagi, esok gua kerja 9-hour shift. Uhuk! Uhuk!
Akan tetapi.... sedarlah gua bahawa shift waktu 5 pagi ini adalah buat yang terakhir bagi gua. Lagipun, gua hanya masih ada tinggal 3 hari untuk bertugas di bandara Changi. Telah gua kirimkan surat dua minggu yang lalu. Surat di maklum balas, maka hari penghabisan gua adalah Hari Raya Haji, 12 haribulan Februari. Selama 2 tahun 5 bulan gua bertugas di bandara itu, sejuta kenangan yang sudah tertakluk di benak fikiran gua. Pengalaman manis, pahit, masin, tawar, semuanya bercampur-aduk. Tapi, yang penting, Gua Happy dan gua dapat merangkungi banyak pengetahuan dalam bidang penerbangan. Masih adakah peluang untuk gua menceburi dalam bidang penerbangan lagi? Ya, masih ada jikalau mempunyai tawaran. SMILE....
Gua anggap langkah gua sebagai satu pengorbanan gua kepada Mummy kesayangan gua dan adik gua yang setunggal-tunggalnya. Gua mahu kembali ke zaman '9 to 5 desk-bound office job'. Supaya gua punya lebih masa untuk rumah dan keluarga. Kawan-kawan, wish me luck in my future endeavours and remember, bro Zoul, bro Monsieur De noir, bro Babat, we all can make it in this job-hunting island as long as you're interested in what you are doing! Rock-On!

TEN THINGS THAT I'M EVER EVER GONNA MISS AT THE AIRPORT

:: MY FRIENDS!!! GILA FRIENDS from Air France Team.
:: AIR FRANCE AIRCRAFT, BOEING 777-300 series. The most computer advanced aircraft of this century. I lurve that body!
:: AIRCRAFT FOOD. Air France has a fabulous stock of French gateau, petit four, croissants, blanc pain, fromage, etc.
:: BECOMING ALI BABA everytime the aircraft turn-around in SIN station. Green refuse plastic bags full of what-nots.
:: RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AT T2. Great hang-out place!
:: YUSOF from loadsheet department. He tagged me his "Si Cantik Manis". We cudda have been lovers.
:: DISCOUNTS DISCOUNTS GALORE at all freaking shops on Changi Airport. Cool, isn't it?
:: PERFUME & COSMETICS discounts. I'm gonna miss that benefit so dearly.
:: FREEDOM to roam around the vicinity in my spare time.
:: THE WHOLE FREAKING BUSINESS...

Wassalam... Oh Yeah!

Assalamu'alaikum!

"Bulan Haji.... Telah tiba lagi... Menunaikan ibadah.... ke Rahmah Baitullah.... " That religious song to a call for pilgrimage rang in my ear this week. My uncle, Maman Mail has departed to Jeddah yesterday night. Boarding flight number SV5983 onwards direct to Jeddah, flying time of about 8 hours. The entire Boeing 747 Jumbo aircraft was chartered mainly for Haj flight. I prayed in deep sentiment for his safe departure and his safe return. He told me to fight back my tears as I bade him a 'Bon Voyage'. Finally, he has gone on to embark that journey alone. May Allah bless his pure intentions and may he gain an enlightening and lifting experience at "Tanah Suci Mekkah". Pulling a long breath, I gathered my feets together to leave Gate C1. The queue of pilgrimage reporting at Gate C1 is building up. I prayed for a safe flight tonight.

Maman Mail should have already landed at Jeddah now. The last constant thing that worries him is of his mobile phone's batteries. Uncle Sunaryo says he could purchase one at Mekkah today. That means, he already feels homesick! His last message to both of us was to look after his three loved children while he's away.
And my last message to him was, "Mick Jagger is coming to Jeddah." ..................................

Wassalam.....


PAINT IT BLACK Mick Jagger / Rolling Stones

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
With flowers and my love, both never to come back
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
Like a newborn baby it just happens ev'ryday

I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door and it has been painted black
If i look hard enough into the setting sun
My love will laugh with me before the morning comes

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

Assalamualaikum wahai kawan-kawanku!
How're u people?

"WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO ME FOR THE PAST WEEK"

On Tuesday, 28th of January. Was an off-day for me. Had visited an industrial factory at Penjuru Close to try my luck at a job interview for a 9 to 5 job. I took a cab from Jurong East but alas, the cab driver wasn't sure of the exact location of that forsaken ULU place. So, with my ever helpfulness spirit, I opened up the book of street directory and figured out the fastest way possible to reach that god forsaken end-of-Teban industrial area. Once upon reaching near my destination, I realized that it was the place where Jurong River runs through and that WAS where me, Abang Zul (ex-Suzue), Naffi, Bashir (ex one-time lover), Ah Boon and some other people went for an overnight fishing trip on a showery Saturday night in the year 1997. Then, it all came back to me now, the memory lingers on in my mind like a wad of sticky chewing gum. On that fateful trip, I remembered boarding a wooden boat with shelter to go fishing. Water current was kind of strong. I almost slipped to fall into the river while boarding, however the ex-lover helped me up, ever so gently he swept me up to the deck of the boat. Once seated, I felt a sudden pang of nausea from the cause of the boat bobbing up/down/up/down/up/down/up/down... I could have puked my whole lifetime of stomach fillings on Bashir. Plus, the strong whiff of the boat's engine made me sick, totally sick that I regretted being part of the trip. With the threat of Naffi wanting to throw me overboard once they reach Raffles Lighthouse, I then resigned to fate and sat back calmly, forgetting the engine smell, forgetting the throbbing swell on both side of my temples. I spoke to Abang Zul, I wanted to be sent home right away. He smiled at me, placed his fingers on my forehead and started massaging to ease off my giddyness. With assuring words he told me it was gonna be a fine trip and that I am gonna get a BIG FISH. I thought his words were calming, soothing my nerves. And so, the boat clutters away down south towards I-dunno-where, but still around the southern tip of S'pore. I remembered seeing a sort of sculpture that resembles an arc in California. Soon, twilight settles in and we were still gliding through the waters. Amazing it seems, my weariness had overturned to be of joy, excitement and full of curiosity. By 8pm, Naffi and Abang Zul decided that we had reached this certain point where the boat is going to be anchored and stay for the night to FISH. I brought sanwiches, coffee and some kueh. The others bought nasi lemak and so we tucked in, drank coffee, talked, listening to music whilst preparing the baits to be attached to the fishing hooks. Bashir had prepared two fishing strings with bait for my own usage and then sliding the strings into the seawater and then tied it at the side of the boat. Cold wind overtook the still air and cold wind was there to stay for the night. The boys continued on with their rendezvous of catching fish and squid. While I waited for my fishes to come bite at my strings and that took me 9 hours of wait. At that trip too, Abang Zul constantly insisted me to handle freshly caught fishes with bare hands. Writhing, slippery fishes makes me jump. I was hopping round the deck for the fear of having fish sting my precious hands. It freaks me. Especially sea eels. Yuck. Lots of baby squid was available for that night so the boys 'succumbed' to more servings for themselves. That night the sea was generous in giving us what it had to offer for a one-time catch. When we felt tired, sleep came to us at 3am. My fishing strings were still untouched. During a moment of doze, I was awakened back at almost 5am by the sounds of the others pulling up a big fish. I then checked on my strings, gave it a slight pull, then, as mighty God wants it to be, my string felt heavy with something. I knew it had to be fish, not an old army boot, not a huge mound of seaweed. Knowing that it must be a big fish, I called on to Abang Zul to help me pull the string on board. And sure enough, a large orange-colored fish was caught on my string. Flapping, flipping, writhing fish was a Mentimun (called something like that), instantly being subdued by Abang Zul. How happy I was, on my way back home from Jurong River, my mum called on Abang Zul's mobile to ask about the trip. I told her of my BIG CATCH. Those were the days when I had my first fishing trip onboard a wooden boat.
Now, back to my present situation. I stepped into KHL Industries' building. A 7-storey building that looks nice on the exterior but worse on the interior. I felt like I was trapped inside a page of "CATWOMAN'S COMIC SERIES" where the catlady always finds herself in abandoned buildings and warehouses to embark on a burglary spree. Upon entering the lobby, not a single soul is attending the entrance. I felt like something is waiting to include me in a treat of challenge and thrill. I took the elevator to the fifth floor to look for unit number 05-04. That building is so dead. Not a single happy being is around. Walking through a series of doors, I wondered around, "where the farkh is #05-04?" I thought to myself. THAT is when I was greeted by a large window overlooking the picturesque JURONG RIVER with boats running upstream, downstream and a pagoda in its background. A nice steady breeze soothes me from the frustration for a while. "DAMN!!", I thought and bit my lips. "Nice view from a rundown building like this. Wasted, man." I almost gave up looking for the intended office when an Indian worker offered to show me the way. I said thanks to him. Anyway, I had to get out of the building fast BEFORE I BECOME CATWOMAN. Job interview I abandoned, despite having spent the taxi fare to and from that ULU place. Never again, Liza.

On Wednesday, 29th January. It was a rest-day for me. I was at home to check e-mails, update blog, surf net and so forth. When it was time for me to log out, my computer had a slow-jack time to finish saving the settings and to totally shut down. It was half an hour later that when I checked, no progress of shut down was being achieved. And so I simply switch-off the plug. And boy, when it was my brother's turn to utilise the system, my computer could not start up at all. A software error had occured, according to HP helpdesk officer I called. I was to have to download a recovery patch file from my e-mail account via someone else's computer. My mind was racing fast. After appealing help from some friends, I too had to act fast myself. So, I went over to my cousin's house and checked my e-mail but to no avail. You can bet how furious I was with every single HP helpdesk staff due to the reason of them working inside a tortoise-shell. Without much result, I went back home to nurse my heartache. Oh, computer, why do this to me?

On Friday, 31st January. Shift starts at 1345hrs. After making an appointment to collect the recovery diskette from a helpdesk assistant, I went down to HP Customer Care @ Alexandra Technopark, in the morning heavy drizzle. Thankfully this time my prayers were answered promptly. With diskette in hand, I planned to make a system restart that very night after coming home from work. And, VOILA! At 0050hrs, my computer is back to normal. Am as pleased as the whistling wind. Yes I am.

And with that, here I end my long, long story of what really happened to me for the past week.

Wassalam. C'est la vie, ah!