ANY GOOD HANDYMAN AROUND?

It can be difficult to find people who can do things around the house anymore. At the moment , there are tons of small matters that need to be fixed inside and outside my house (and that does not include the things inside my head!) and I have to admit that I am not so good when it comes to fixing things. A cleaner, yes I am. A fixer, absolutely not my expertise. I can't even punch a nail straight without chipping the wall or hitting my thumb. Once I tried to change the light bulb of my table lamp and I almost got myself electrocuted. So nowadays, I usually have to ask somebody to change the lights for me or at least have somebody there with me. Really pathetic. And once I get one thing fixed, something else will crop up. It can be very frustrating and tiring at the same time when you have the go through this never-ending process of fixing and repairing. I wish everything is self-serviceable or comes with a life-time guarantee.

TAHLIL AT THE TOUCH BY ANDAMAN MIRA

I came home late last night after attending a 'tahlil' at my friend's new premise. Mira's bridal boutique, The Touch by Andaman Mira, is now located on the ground floor of a shophouse instead of the top floor of the local shopping plaza. That means better access for his customers who don't feel like climbing the stairs before they could get to his boutique (which means less energy consumed for me every time I visit him there). The 'tahlil' started quite late since we had to fetch the students from a local 'tahfiz' school. The 'tahlil' went well as planned and after that, we had to send them back before we went out for something to eat. To Mira and Ady at The Touch by Andaman Mira , congratulations!

The new premise of The Touch by Andaman Mira

LET'S KARAOKE 12 : MADONNA - SECRET

I guess I did mention that I once liked Madonna (very much) and loved her music (a lot). So I will be putting a few karaokes from her from time to time (for old times' sake, of course). My interest in her music waned after she released her 'Ray Of Light' album. The only songs that I like from that album are 'Frozen' and 'Nothing Really Matters'. I gave the other songs a once-over and decided that either Madonna's music was getting too old for me or I was getting too old for her music (fact : both Madonna and I are getting old). 'Secret' was released as the first single from her 'Bedtime Stories' album and upon the first listening, the hypnotic guitar riff at the beginning of the song sent a tingling sensation down my spine which got me hooked on the rest of the song. I guess 'Secret' will always be one of my favourite Madonna songs ever alongside 'Crazy For You' and 'Live To Tell'.

The single's cover

Things haven't been the same
Since you came into my life
You found a way to touch my soul
And I'm never, ever, ever gonna let it go

Happiness lies in your own hand
It took me much too long to understand
How it could be
Until you shared your secret with me

Something's comin' over, mmm mmm
Something's comin' over, mmm mmm
Something's comin' over me
My baby's got a secret

You gave me back the paradise
That I thought I lost for good
You helped me find the reasons why
It took me by surprise that you understood

You knew all along
What I never wanted to say
Until I learned to love myself
I was never ever lovin' anybody else

Happiness lies in your own hand
It took me much too long to understand
How it could be
Until you shared your secret with me

Something's comin' over, mmm mmm
Something's comin' over, mmm mmm
Something's comin' over me
My baby's got a secret

Something's comin' over, mmm mmm
Something's comin' over, mmm mmm
Something's comin' over me
My baby's got a secret

Happiness lies in your own hand
It took me much too long to understand
How it could be
Until you shared your secret with me

Something's comin' over, mmm mmm
Something's comin' over, mmm mmm
Something's comin' over me
My baby's got a secret

Something's comin' over, mmm mmm
Something's comin' over, mmm mmm
Something's comin' over me
My baby's got a secret

Mmm mmm, my baby's got a secret
Mmm mmm, my baby's got a secret
Mmm mmm, my baby's got a secret for me
Mmm mmm, mmm mmm, mmm mmm

FRANCISSCA PETER'S BOX SET

This is my second box set from a local artiste. The first one is Sheila Majid's box set which I bought last year (There is another entry about her box set). Francissca Peter or more famously known as Fran was one half of a duo (Roy & Fran). They had a few hit songs back in the early eighties before both of them went solo. I have always loved Fran's songs and yet I did not own any of her cassettes or CDs (until now that is). Maybe it was because most of her popular songs could easily be found on the Internet or were played constantly on the radio. This box set consists of 10 CDs (including one new single entitled 'Tiada Gementar Lagi') which I got for only RM 97.80 and was released in conjunction with her concert at Istana Budaya. Quite similar to Sheila's box set, this one is also very basic (even their poses on the box sets are quite similar). Just a box containing the CDs. Nothing special at all and the collection is incomplete since one of her albums which was produced independently is not included in this box set. It is sad when a project to mark an individual's achievement (2011 is her 33rd year in the music industry) is treated like any other ordinary event. I'm pretty sure there are many other fans of hers who would love to own a few commemorative items. The company in charge of the box set could have come up with posters, key chains, booklets, stationery items, postcards et cetera et cetera et cetera (I can be quite demanding and you can tell that I am not the type who can easily be pleased). Still, this is better than nothing.

I hope the recording companies will produce more box sets in the future. The current music (most of it anyway) bores me and I will be as happy as a lark if the COMPLETE discography of these artistes is released :

1. SUDIRMAN - I wonder why EMI is not doing anything about this at all. A first class entertainer like him should have his own box set. His first EP and English albums should be included too.
2. NOORKUMALASARI - My Kak Noor! Love her so much! I'll be the first one ordering this one if it comes out. And don't forget her last album after she was dumped by EMI.
3. AZLINA AZIZ - It's time for her to make a comeback and a box set might trigger some public interest.
4. SHARIFAH AINI - What can I say? She's legendary!
5. ANITA SARAWAK - Another legend.
6. KHATIJAH IBRAHIM - A box set could have been produced when she last performed at Istana Budaya. Not that many people know that she also has three English albums to her name.
7. UJI RASHID - With so many good and popular songs there is no way this sweet-voiced singer's box set is not going to sell. Her albums with Hail Amir should be included as well.
7. ALLEYCATS - You can find reissues of their old albums but not the complete discography.

MY BABY BROTHER'S WEDDING

I haven't had time to update this blog for quite a while since I was busy planning my youngest brother's wedding (and juggling my other responsibilities as well). As fate would have it, a week before I attended my brother's 'akad nikah', I was 'asked' to be the MC for a formal function at my workplace. What pissed me off was the fact that somebody else was already selected to handle that job much, much earlier. I didn't feel like refusing the 'job' since I knew how important that function was. So I took everything in stride and did what I was asked to do. Surprisingly, I did not bitch out loud (which I rarely do anymore) even though I was pulled into different directions simultaneously. Regarding my brother's wedding, there were still some invitation cards to be delivered and other minute details that had to be attended to. Living in a small community like mine, personal invitation is still considered as the proper way to invite some people (especially the older folks). I could have put the cards into their mailboxes but it would seem like an insult to them. With tonnes of things still not settled, I left for Puncak Alam (where the bride and her family was staying) with my mum for my brother's 'akad nikah' ceremony. I stayed almost all night finishing the 'hantaran' and woke up groggy the next morning (who wouldn't if they were in my shoes?). The rest of my family members arrived at the place where my mum and I were staying and then it was off to the bride's place for the 'akad' ceremony. Everything went well as planned and I have to admit that I even shed a little tear (just one teeny, weeny little tear that was barely noticeable anyway). After lunch, we packed our stuff and then it was back to my hometown to prepare for the 'kenduri' on the groom's side. I went through my list of do's and don'ts (mostly do's) and finalised the small details I might have overlooked. The night before the 'kenduri', I sent my mum and my family members packing to the 'rest house' since I did not want them to worry whether I had done everything or not. In the past it would have been 'it's partay' time if I had the house all to myself but not anymore since there were still things to be done. On the day of the 'kenduri', I went to the hall where the wedding was to be held to oversee everything. It was raining (quite heavily at the beginning) and I was a bit afraid that it would spoil the wedding but then, I decided that there was only so much that I could do and control (and the weather was not one of them). The guests started to arrive and the reception went well as planned. There is so much more to tell but I do not want to bore anyone who reads this entry. I'd also like to thank everyone who was involved in making my brother's wedding a success especially all family members, relatives and friends (you know who you are). So here are some of the pictures. Congratulations to the happy couple and by the way, I want to see a new addition (or maybe two) to the family by the end of next year!

The 'hantaran'.

My cousin explaining how to prepare the 'tepak'.

Yours truly deep in thoughts during the 'akad nikah' ceremony.

Some of my family members after the 'akad nikah' ceremony at the bride's place.

Along and Faiz doing the 'pelamin'.

Along, Faiz and Coco decorating the 'pelamin'.

Mira arranging the flowers and Ady doing the wedding aisle.

Mira and Ady putting the final touches on the wedding aisle.

Fooart and my younger brother, Shahril arranging the 'bunga pahar' and 'bunga telur'.

Mira doing the fruit carving, Fooart and Shahril shelling the quail eggs and Ady listening to them.

The reception hall from the entrance.

The 'pulut kuning'.

The bride and groom.

Some of my family members during the wedding reception in my hometown.

p/s I wish my father were still with us to see his youngest son get married. Al Fatihah for him.

CATHY : SINGLE, DATING, MARRIED AND PREGNANT

I don't even remember when or why I started following her comic strips. All I know is I like them a lot (for those who know me well, they know this is always my most frequently used excuse or reason). Maybe it is because they are quite light and non-political. Another possibility is because they make fun of the modern women's insecurities and idiosyncrasies (as can be seen in its tag line - "four basic guilt groups" of life — food, love, mom, and work). I find the characters to be funny, zany and paranoid but in a very realistic way. In a way, I can see many similarities between the comic strips characters and the characters that I encounter in my life (that includes me too). The main character, Cathy, married her boyfriend, Irving in 2005 after decades of dating him (in cartoon time of course).

After more than 30 years showing how paranoid most of us can be, this comic strips finally came to the end of its run in October 2010 with an announcement of Cathy's pregnancy. As a character, it seems to me that Cathy has almost come full circle. Starting as an insecure woman who has to juggle the 'four basic guilt groups' of life, she can now boasts of having a career, a husband, a home and finally, a family. What more can she ask for?

p/s Bye for now, Cathy. I just can't wait for you to be back with more zaniness and new insecurities.

AKADEMI FANTASIA SEASON 9

This reality show will make its appearance for the 9th season soon and to tell the truth, it doesn't make me excited at all. I stopped watching the show a long, long time ago and I don't think I will start watching again. Soon the battle will begin and I can almost anticipate the hullabaloo and ruckus this show is going to produce and reproduce (like always). It has been reported that this is going to be the final season of the show (or is this another on of their gimmicks?) when, in my opinion, they should have called it quits many, many moons ago. By the way, the word 'gimmick' has a negative connotation to it and used to be associated with con men. It is quite strange that there are many of us who are considered as an educated audience can easily fall prey to the exploitations and manipulations of the mass media. Well, to the fans, have fun watching the show, rooting and voting for the contestants, and spending (or wasting) your mobile phone credit.

p/s As for me, I think I'm going to stick with 'Losing It With Gillian' and "Master Chef'. What a combination, huh?

LET'S KARAOKE 11 : JANET JACKSON - AGAIN

I have always liked Janet (Miss Jackson if you're nasty) since she came out with her third album 'Control' back in 1986. What she lacks in terms of vocal prowess (she is definitely no Celine Dion), she always compensates with interesting video clips and catchy songs. Known for upbeat and dance-oriented songs, she sometimes came up with ballads such as 'Let's Wait A While', 'Come Back To Me' and my favourite 'Again'. 'Again' is taken from 'janet', her fifth and in my opinion, her best album so far. There are two versions of the video clip. One of them contains scenes from her debut film 'Poetic Justice' and for this karaoke, this is the version that I have chosen.

The single's cover

A wise man once said, "You should look at the ocean and realise that no matter how famous you are or how much money you make, you should know that you'll never be as important as the ocean."

I heard from a friend today
And she said you were in town
Suddenly the memories came back to me in my mind

How can I be strong I've asked myself
Time and time I've said
That I'll never fall in love with you again

A wounded heart you gave
My soul you took away
Good intentions you had many
I know you did

I come from a place that hurts
And God knows how I've cried
And I never want to return
Never fall again

Making love to you
Oh it felt so good and oh so right
How can I be strong I've asked myself
Time and time I've said
That I'll never fall in love with you again

So here we are alone again
Didn't think it'd come to this
And to know it all began
With just a little kiss

I've come too close to happiness
To have it swept away
Don't think I can take the pain
Never fall again

Kinda late in the game and my heart is in your hands
Don't you stand there and then tell me you love me
Then leave again
'Cause I'm falling in love with you again

Hold me, hold me
Don't ever let me go
Say it just one time
Say you love me
God knows I do love you again

NEW ORDER - TRUE FAITH

I feel so extraordinary
Something's got a hold on me
I've got this feeling I'm in motion
A sudden sense of liberty
I don't care 'cos I'm not there
And I don't care if I'm here tomorrow
Again and again I've taken too much
Of the things that cost you too much

I used to think that the day would never come
I'd see the light in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun

When I was a very small boy
Very small boys talked to me
Now that we've grown up together
They're afraid of what they see
That's the price that we all pay
Our valued destiny comes to nothing
I can't tell you where we're going
I guess there's just no way of knowing

I used to think that the day would never come
I'd see the light in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun

I feel so extraordinary
Something's got a hold on me
I've got this feeling I'm in motion
A sudden sense of liberty
The chances are we've gone too far
You took my time and you took my money
Now I feel you've left me standing
In a world that's so demanding

I used to think that the day would never come
I'd see the light in the shade of the morning sun
My morning sun is the drug that brings me near
To the childhood I lost replaced by fear
I used to think that the day would never come
That my life would depend on the morning sun

YOU'RE NOT...

I don't even dare deny this.