Art Passion

I'm proud to share with you my daughter's artwork - in poster color:

Michael! Michael!

THIS IS IT!

The "grand concert that was meant to be"..  instead, the rare behind-the-scenes footage of the final rehearsals of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, and his loyal dances and crew members was glorified and immortalized in this specially and lovingly compiled 2-hour movie by Kenny Ortega, the Producer / Director / Choreographer, who is acredited with movies such as High School Musical 3, Gilmore Girls, Hocus Pocus, and much, much more.

Though originally intended for DVD before Jackson's death, it was soon combined with footage from the arena on the day of his death to make the feature film.

In the course of making te feature film, Kenny Ortega admitted that they had captured something that will give exclusive look into a great artiste's world, and fans will come to appreciate and share this extraordinary, unique and special experience with him.

This is it was to be a series of 50 concerts Jackson had planned to do in London from July this year.

In Malaysia, it was reported that over 10,000 tickets were snapped up in advance. Other sources assured fans that tickets are still available, so grab them before you live to regret. If you're in Kuala Lumpur, get yours from GSC Cinema  or TGV.

My wife is a great fan, but don't ask her to dance like the King! She has already watched it in the cinema and here's her take on the movie, in case you're curious to know if it's worth it (What am I saying?? Of course it's worth every penny and 2 hours!!) ..after the following YouTube trailer..

• the documentary reveals what kind of a person Jackson is - soft, gentle, thoughtful, kind, amazingly professional and spiritually inclined
• he never once express his frustration and irritable feelings and annoyance towards anyone when any song or dance did not go his way
• he cares so much for God's nature when his new video clip "What about us" was shown
• MJ is a really, really good person and this movie moved me to tears, and I'm very sure others felt it too
• at the end of the movie, I witnessed a teenager was moved to tears too and didn't want to leave the cinema hall
• I thank God for giving us Michael Jackson, a gift to us all.

Other links:
Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT Official Movie Site and Trailer
Michael Jackson's This Is It Movie, Music, Videos and Lyrics
This Is It (2009)
Finally, This It It from sun2surf.com

We accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express..

These sales people are taunting me with their products everytime I walked into a shopping centre. Give me cash anytime!

I have noticed that banks offering Credit Cards have evolved from their social obligation in providing secure and convenient way of shopping, while at the same time earning interest from debtors who pay only minimum, to becoming arrogant insensitive creditors bent on increasing their profit margin by charging additional interest on late payment and hellbent on destroying the debtors credibility.

Here's my take on this subject at:  http://doyouneedcreditcards.blogspot.com/

Art Passion

I remember my bachelor days when I was jobless for several months and during those idle times I ventured into art using soft pastels. Created about 3-4 works but gave 2 to friends and the remaining 2 happened to be lost at home.

Today I felt like taking it up again after more than 20 years. So, after work, I got myself a pack of soft pastels (Rm15) and upon reaching home, started with a portrait of Our Lady and Child printed on a calendar. Took me about an hour to reproduce the picture on a 8" x 8" art paper.

(Click on pictures to enlarge..)

Now, what you think of that :-)

Sleep Apnea (continued ../2)

So I got myself a referral letter from a company doctor and after having obtained a guarantee letter I went to Gleneagles and admitted myself for a night (Friday, 28th August 2009). After a healthy dinner (not necessarily tasty) in my room a technician came over and strapped me up with a device programmed to take some readings during sleep.





It wasn't uncomfortable but, during sleep, one part of the cable would come off, and later the tube from my nostrils came off, and so forth. Other than that I guessed my snoring took centre stage throughout the night. The night staff outside would have been laughing at the noise though they did not show it wen I awoke early the following day.



A week passed before I was called by the specialist when the report was ready. The first words that greeted me was, "I've never come across any patient with such a very severe OSA! In fact, yours was the worst!" Funny, that revelation didn't surprise me.



After some explanation which was not really helpful the specialist said that the same technician, who earlier strapped me up, would come over to my home and let me try on the CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure) for a week.



Well, he did come, and after explaining how the machine works, and fits over my face, he guaranteed that the next morning I would wake up feeling fresh like I've never experience it before. Now that really excited me!



Little did I realise that the first night was the beginning of daily frustration that words cannot express..



to be continued.. (it's getting late..)

For your entertaintment

Here's a song I created in my bachelor days.. not really a hit though..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UvyXR6H3ao

Start Your Own Business!

Here's a golden opportunity to start your own business! This is where I am also working and if you want to know more, click on the following:


http://peaklifestyle.com/jthomas


Spend a little time to know more - it may change your life!

Sleep Apnoea

Sleep Apnoea is something I came across during my visit to the clinic late last year. I chanced upon a health magazine while waiting my turn and I thought it was all too relevant to my condition where I used to doze off while at work. Little did I realise I was to become a test subject last Friday for sleep study and getting eventual treatment in the days to come.

I have been wondering why I used to get occasional sleepiness during work while doing programming. My focus seemd to drift off to wonderland and my head nodding to and fro, oblivious to the watchful eyes of colleagues. I knew I am one person who never enjoy physical exercise and always sleep late those days, like after midnight, surfing away in the tide of the internet, and waking up at 5:30 in the mornings. I always thought that this stubborn regime contributed to my thunderous snoring every night. Poor wifey, had to wake me every now and then to turn over to my side to stop the snoring.

I also realised that in the past 2 years I was unable to keep awake while driving to work every morning. Even day time driving to Bangi for work or meeting I sometimes had to struggle very hard to stay awake. My wavering focus even got the better of me even in meetings, but more prevalent during monotonous seminar. I even had to fight to stay awake during homily every Sunday at Mass.

For temporary remedy I have tried the medical patch over my nose, sold at Guardian, purportedly helpful in suppressing the snore but it was just a waste of money which I would gladly have used to purchase another pack of cigarettes. I kept telling myself it could be due to the age thing and so I started to do some walking, not wanting to allow the age thingy to depress me. Couldn't commit as usual.

So when I read about sleep apnoea I was convinced that I might be a victim of such a condition because the symptoms mentioned in the article were what I have been experiencing and it also warned of the fatal consequences that may happen not only during sleep but on the road when dozing off behind the wheel.

to be continued..

How to Shape-Up your Toes!

Fun guaranteed! Danger! May cause addiction!

Station 1 Cafe

Our 1st visit to Station 1 Cafe at Rampai Business Park, beside Section One Wangsa Maju, left a good impression on us. In fact, we were not planning to dine there but merely to drive around the new place and to see what are the businesses opening there.

There are quite a number of car tyres and accessories shops you may want to bargain around. One boutique cafe offering customers hot varieties from the bakery, dine-in, and upstairs you can shop for your choice of clothing of various fashion. A few lots away you'll find De' Fruit Master offering various types of fresh fruits, some imported, and you can also enjoy some fruit rojak and freshly squeezed fruit juices while resting your tired feet.

Anyway, I was supposed to talk about Station 1 Cafe. After spending 7 minutes browsing through the menu we ordered Chicken Salad, cold Peach Tea, small glass of watermelon juice and a hot mug of Wu Long Tea for myself. When the drinks came I was surprised that the 'small' glass of watermelon juice was much bigger than what we perceived as small. Peach Tea came in a nicely shaped bottle with wide opening, I would have thought it to be a vase had I bought such similar bottle from some shop, and it is large. As for my Wu Long Tea, what else you would expect - a mug is just as ordinary as it can be..

After a while the Chicken Salad dish was served and it came in a generous number of chicken pieces laid on top of a variety of salad surrounding a small bowl of thousand island salad cream at the centre of the plate. We all tasted the chicken and it was well done and very tasty. The dish costs only Rm12.50 and was really well worth the price!

Besides the food I like the ambient setting with dim lights and water vapoured fans all around rendering the evening cool. Music was not too loud. Even better, at 9.oopm you get to enjoy live band! A young couple, the guy plucking his guitar masterfully and his female partner singing, rendering English and Chinese songs, they were really good! I was really enjoying myself but had to go off after the couple belted 3 songs.

I definitely would dine there again, maybe the weekend after payday..

Mini Cupcakes

I love cupcakes ever since I was little. I still love them. Each time I devour them senselessly my mind frequently gets transported to the early days when I perceive them as lovely precious little snacks just waiting to tempt me. Home-made or traditionally made are the best. Definitely not the commercial ones where you could, anytime, pick up from the sundry shop or at some economic shopping centres. Nope, these won't do.

Once we were very little, my brother, sister and I waited, out of sight, for mum to stock some freshly bought cupcakes onto the top shelf in a food cupboard. Then one of us would climb up and steal them, oooh the precious little gold! Don't ask what happened once mum found out - she must have spanked us so hard until I had no memory of the aftermath, even till today..



My wife made those mini cupcakes with my daugter's help last weekend and that made my tea-time complete and satisfying!

Spaghetti weekend

Last weekend we had spaghetti carbonara with chopped chicken slice. Gone are the days when we were salivating while waiting for the dish to arrive at our table at cafes and fast food outlets. Now we can have our very own spaghetti bolognaise or carbonara at home.

Since my wife started making these dishes I no longer have the desire to eat them anywhere else but home-made. You see, I found out that some outlets add too much tomato puree in their spaghetti bolognaise making it too sour. Others use different type of spaghetti and sometimes they either taste too hard or too soggy.

Thanks to my wife our spaghetti dishes are the best. When my 2 daughters and I like her spaghetti dish who's to challenge? Furthermore, it is the simplest meal to prepare.

License to drive!

I am so overjoyed that my elder daughter, Rachel, finally passed her driving test on Tuesday afternoon! It was her 2nd attempt, better than me - 3rd! It took her a few moments for the realization to sink in after the JPJ tester handed her the report at the end of the road test. But she did well for her parking and slope on the 1st attempt.

I still remember my 1st road test in Wangsa Maju in 1990. Actually I had been driving without license for about a year before I actually signed up for official tutorial. Despite that I actually failed in the road test twice!

The first road test was the worst experience for me. The very minute I jumped into the designated car, with a plump JPJ tester seated inside patiently, things began to go wrong. As I started the engine and began to move the car out from its parking a volley of missiles began to spewed forth from the 'orifice' crafted into his head, which we call 'mouth' when referring to polite humans, and every missile that was launched so generously never failed to miss its target so much that I had to summon every strength from the fibre of my being to stop myself from stopping midway trough and walking out on him.

I had no idea that I had to signal right before moving out - but we were parked at a deadend to start with!

Next missile translated into me not having checked if the wipers were operating within normal parameters - like we all want to do that in the hot and burning sun!

Next came the complaint that I were not using both my hands to adjust the rearview mirror! Hello, I was not born with a short arm! By the way, if I were to use both hands for that purpose my upper torso would be moved away from upright position, and by the time I was done and back to my upright sitting position the mirror would really not serve me well.

It was amazing that the JPJ tester's mouth never failed to deplete its source of energy because it only stopped working when we came back to the testing ground and after I switched the engine off!

I blamed my tutor for all these 'hidden' rules.

Last time I checked, my tutor became an active member of a political party when we met in Desa Setapak.

Born Free!

I regret to remember that I was born free. 19 years have I been enslaved in walls that kept me in solitude and my mind in amnesia from living free. But now, these same walls are about to buckle and I am about to break free!

Imminent is my freedom to follow my heart. Next to my ear can I hear a roaring tide that will eventually break the walls built to contain me. I will hide no more in this pretentious security and false comfort. One step over the rubble will I begin to live my life to the fullest, living to be astounded over and over again by the beauty that will surround me, and the realisation that life is worth living! And then, will I continue to stay free because I was born free!

Born Free

Words by Don Black

Born free, as free as the wind blows

As free as the grass grows

Born free to follow your heart

Live free and beauty surrounds you

The world still astounds you

Each time you look at a star

Stay free, where no walls divide you

You're free as the roaring tide

So there's no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living

But only worth living

'cause you're born free

(Stay free, where no walls divide you)

You're free as the roaring tide

So there's no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living

But only worth living

'cause you're born free

Tribute to a friend Arokia Dass

I do not profess that I know Arokia as well as those who had worked with him, nor am I closely associated with him in friendship. But I do know that he is one who will always value my friendship, or anyone for that matter, whether you're close to him or not. Being close is not a prerequisite to being good friends, that I know of him.

He is a great teacher and had always dedicated his time and effort to guide the young in their spiritual journey during the Sunday Classes. I know him for years ever since I became the parishioner of Good Shepherd Church, Setapak, KL. Well, actually, I got acquainted with him through my wife who is also a Catechism teacher. Now, that acquaintance has ended when he passed on last Wednesday (3-June-2009) after a heart surgery.

Mostly I know him through my wife, who spoke about him ocassionally. She admires him for his commitment to the Catechetical Ministry, for his unwavering belief in the Catholic Church but most of all, for his humility. He loves his family, and is proud of his children.

Now that we will never cross path again I shall cherish his friendship and gentleness, and will always remember a strong yet humble man once befriended me.

R.I.P. Arokia

Wasted by Migraine!

Today, Saturday, was a day full of opportunities and the day I have been anticipating for a week. Alas, if not for the migraine it would also have been very fruitful.

Woke up at 6:30am due to migraine. Couldn't continued sleeping. Went downstairs, made myself a cup of tea after shower, and surfed the net a while before switching to Astro channel. Thought I could let the migraine subside but later at about 8am gave in to 2 Panadeine, which never failed to cure. Continued to be glued to the TV while the pills worked their magic.

An hour passed, the migraine which was attacking my right eye and surrounding area still persisted. Took another 2 pills at 12:30pm and laid down on my bed to rest. When I woke up at 3pm the pain did not even relent, not even a little. I began to worry. Worst case scenario for me was half a day of suffering. This is the first time I was suffering migraine for a full day. Maybe something was wrong with my nerve, or blood vessel somewhere.

Fortunately, the migraine subsided a little but still I swallowed another pair of Panadeine by 7pm. Till now, even as I am typing this blog, a small trace of migraine is still prevailing causing me to dread waking up tomorrow with another repeat..

Big scary Spider!

This spider was discovered just outside the front gate by my daughter a few days ago. Initially, she had wanted to give me a surprise cos she knows I would freak out but somehow I did not fall for the trap. Instead some bugs fell into the trap and was seen being cocooned and rolled over by this spider. (Click on picture for larger image)

Anyone knows what species it belongs to?

By the way it disappeared (including it's beautiful web) - maybe fell prey to a bigger predator.

Somehow I managed to muster all the courage just to get a close-up shot!

I WANT MY NORMAL LIFE BACK !!!

Who doesn't? If you're not normal it's understandable to want a normal life. You may not want people from every corner to know that you're a superhero, a genius, a guru unless you welcome and desire all the attention and hoohah surrounding your every move.

Well, that's me, a superhero. I am a genius who knows every technic and method of troubleshotting problems. I am a guru who you would look up to if you want directions in solving your problems. i am born to do multitasking and knows exactly how to prioritize my work to suit your ever changing needs. I have no problem spending more than enough time working productively for you. I'll even sacrifice my time with my family if I have to protect your reputation, however ruined it may have become. Heck, I'll even take all the brunt and scolding for you. I am resilient. Nothing can touch me. I am your punching bag.

At the end, and after all the years, you may kick me off if I don't live up to your expectation. You'll just say life's like that.

That is the problem. That is what is expected of me now, to be a superhero, to satisfy your every requirement so you can be successful. My talents and capabilities must be exploited to the fullest in order for you to gain recognition from your peers.

Now, it is time for me to say enough is enough. You have no right to stand in my way. And that 'way' is the way to my progress and growth. I have done all I have been able to according to my faculties. It is time I look into my needs and channel all my effort and energy into paving the way for my future. You claimed to have acted in my interest but all you have accomplished is victory in demoralising me and making me feel inadequate and incapable of achieving goals. Have it your way then if it makes you content.

Someday, very soon, I will be detached from the gripping sense of dependency on a corporation that feeds on the fruits of labour painstakingly produced by others of my kind. Then will I be able to channel all my energy, with a renewed sense of freedom, into realising my dream.

Only then will I be able to wake up in the mornings to welcome the day and embrace it, however it may choose to manifest itself, with great anticipation, ready to face challenges.

Armoured with will and confidence will I take on the tasks that once seemed impossible.

In collaboration that is bonded in trust and openess will I be able to surmount the uphill beginnings and eventually patch the great divide.

In collaboration will I be able to demonstrate the true meaning of Transformation!

Need a Cab?

Need a cab to KLIA? LCCT?
Need to arrange cab for tomorrow's early morning flight?

Well, click on this URL: http://sites.google.com/site/malaysiacab/Home

Book Review: Rendezvous with RAMA

Rendezvous with RAMA - This is one heck of a story I should have read during my younger days when my love for Sci-Fi novels was just blooming! Took me some years to actually buy it after having bypassed it several times, thinking it would not be that interesting. Well, it was mind blowing! Had to reassemble all the pieces of my mind to gear up for 3 sequels, and each sequel was even more exploding than the former. Never in my entire reading history had I emmersed my soul and mind into these stories so deep that when I finished the last book I felt so lost after having emerged back into the real world, earth, present day.

Written by Arthur C. Clarke, this Hugo and Nebula Award-Winning Novel is a MUST for Sci-Fi lovers, not to be bypassed. Mr Clarke is one of the gurus of Sci-Fi and well reknown for his imaginative and surrealistic depiction of the future and alien encounter that sets one's mind into the wildest dream and unthinkable experience the moment one shuts out all pre-conceived and logical mindset.

Each progressive step into the story brings pieces of revelation of the characteristics of the alien creators and their intelligence beyond any human measure. And each step closer into the heart of RAMA brings the astronauts closer to the alien reality and the danger that lurks among the shadows of the alien territory.

Wait till you get to the sequels:

• RAMA Revealed - by Arthur C. Clarke and Gentry Lee
• RAMA II - by Arthur C. Clarke and Gentry Lee
• The Garden Of RAMA - by Arthur C. Clarke and Gentry Lee

These nail-biting sequels will reveal the aliens of vast intelligence who created machines and worlds in space ships of inconcievable proportion, how humanity are forced to co-exist with them, and the journey and survival of one ordinary woman of immense inner strength. I guarantee if you love Sci-Fi these books are not to be missed!

Book Review : KOP

I love reading Sci-Fi novels. Nothing else gives me much pleasure and fantasy than Science Fiction. It's like an escape, escape from my world which is all too real in depicting the problems and deteriorating moral boundaries where the weak gets sucked into the abyss of everyday rat race and being constantly at the mercy of overlords of mega corporation who suck up to the great overlord who believes he is the destined ruler..

Enough! This is one of the many reasons why I persistently bury myself deep into the world of science fiction, the only virtual world I can relate to.

KOP, or Koba Office of Police, provides readers with non-stop gritty action between a dirty cop, who is tired and beaten down by time and circumstances, and thugs and mafias trying to wrest control of the city which struggles to maintain the right to existence against the powerful forces of offworlders.

The story tells of the exploits of this dirty cop, who has given up hope on a world of crime not driven by malicious intent but simply by ordinary decent citizens constantly shoved to desperation beyond redemption, and in an economy literally in the toilet making any offworlders visiting the planet to flaunt their wealth and taking full advantage of the declining social standards.

Though constantly on the take, hell, everyone in KOP is on the take, there are some commendable trace of humanity in Juno, our hero, in incidences where decision made for the greater good often result in sometimes unconventional methods of deployment for achieving the ends. This uncharacteristic behaviour of our hero contrasts with his new partner, Maggie, coming from some rich heritage background, and constantly pursuing a desire to clean up the KOP. Somehow, their partnersip, initially against his will, seems to be building up well progressively, eventually leading to mutual respect for each other despite the contrast.

The story begins in what seems to be some back alley murder by a psycho killer, ready to be filed away and forgotten, but years of experience of our veteran hero somehow traces the crime to a conspiracy involving two rival crime families and a possible power grab involving the mayor's office

Definitely wortwhile!

Mother's Day

Had a wonderful lunch at home. My 2 daughters and my niece prepared lunch - and all from some recipe books. But, amazingly, they turned out very well!

Well, I can't really described how wonderful the lunch was - except to show you pictures as evidence..

Dishes:

• Spicy prawn salad - with mayo, yoghurt, salad cream, fruit salad dressing, lime and lemon
• Spicy beef with lime pickle
• Swiss style potato cake - wit brown sauce made from chicken stock and light soya sauce
• Crusty baked apple
• rice