An International Joke?

Main Entry: tol·er·ance 

Pronunciation: \ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s, ˈtäl-rən(t)s\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 : capacity to endure pain or hardship : endurance, fortitude, stamina
2 a : sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own b :the act of allowing something : toleration
3 : the allowable deviation from a standard; especially : the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece

Main Entry: ¹re·spect 

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈspekt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin respectus, literally, act of looking back, fromrespicere to look back, regard, from re- + specere to look — more at spy

Date: 14th century

1 : a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation 
2 : an act of giving particular attention : consideration
3 a : high or special regard : esteem b : the quality or state of being esteemed c plural :expressions of respect or deference s>

"You're Indian!"... "Sorry, no but I'm Malaysian".... 

"You don't look or sound like a Malaysian" ... "Hmm, ok, tell me what does a Malaysian look and sound like? And please don't forget that we are made up for 3 main races. So go ahead then, tell me. I'd love to be pigeon holed" 

....these were my fighting words and the stance I took at one point.  I'd always been proud of my nationality and the country I hail from until recently. Why? Because RESPECT & TOLERANCE seems to have flown out the window!

I look back to when I was growing up and my best friends were of all races. there was 7 of us in our clique and we covered all basis, in race...indian, chinese, malay, kadazan & even one in the "dan lain-lain" (yes, please be appalled that we have an 'other' category) and in religion...christianity, buddhism, islam, hinduism & ba'hai. We slept over at each others houses, every ones parents became an 'adoptive' parent of sort and we partook in cultural & religious celebrations. Respect and tolerance wasn't even thought about in a conscious manner, it just was.

Today, we deal with the trampling of a severed cow's head in protest at the building of a Hindu temple, the dumping of wild boar's heads at mosque compounds, attacks on churches, the outcry on the use of the word "Allah" by non-muslims, inflammatory remarks about the Jews...what have I missed?...ah yes, definitely worth a mention, an esteemed individual saying that US had faked the 9-11 attacks as a way to wage war against the Muslims. His quote, "There is strong evidence that the attacks were staged. If they can make Avatar, they can make anything." My reaction: WTF?!?

Frankly I think we've hit the bottom of the barrel with actions and talk of such, can it get any lower or dirtier? As a Malaysian living abroad, I find myself in sticky corners, as I did on monday when I attended a cocktail reception. The people I work for read all the major international newspapers as bedtime reading. So when someone asked me if they remembered correctly me saying that i was from Malaysia, I knew where the conversation was heading and my heart sank when he began his conversation with "let me first tell you that I am Jewish...."

I don't believe for one minute that the problems the country is facing is one subscribed by all. In fact i'd say its being instigated and blown out of proportion by a small group. It's the sparks from these fires which I am most concerned about, as in where it is falling and on whom. Youngsters who rightly should be concentrating on getting their education and degrees are getting caught up in the brouhaha and it's a shame. Excitement & adventure found in the wrong place? 

Sigh! 

Let's get back to the basics people, it really isn't very difficult. Let's not dance to the tunes of the piper. And seriously let's start featuring in articles for the right reasons!

Security Scanners

And in light of the new security scanners, hmmm ...

got more than you wanted perhaps? :)

Cough Be Gone

I've been suffering from an awful cough for the longest period of time now and have tried most off the over-the-counter drugs plus some pretty funky (read vile) home remedies. That was until today when I received from a friend another, yes another, home remedy. The difference? Or why am I sharing it with you? Coz I actually like this one...

1. First peel some rind off the orange for the purpose of allowing heat to enter the flesh and enabling the flesh to be extracted after roasting.

2. Put it inside an ordinary small oven. Roast for approx 10 mins. Once the orange has been baked, it is really fragrant, smelling quite different from the original flavor. It has a relatively moisturizing aromatic smell. You may just want to roast oranges as potpourri instead. May actually save you from having to buy Ambi-pur and such. Stick cloves in the orange and you'll have a real winner :-D Ok, I digress...

3. Grill until the orange is like that on the left side (see pic below), with its skin a little bit charred. Be careful when you take it out...hot! (u could also take the opportunity to hone in on your juggling skills!) 

4. The grilled orange can be easily peeled. Staining it with some salt would make it sweeter and better for healing the (by this time) annoying cough! 

So what do you think folks? Compared to medicine, ginger juice and such, I believe that this is a better alternative. Give it a go and let me know. If nothing else it'll be a good snack!

My Beef With Feminists

I call myself a feminist because I believe in equal rights for women worldwide. However, more and more, I’m almost embarrassed to associate myself with this title, and I’m not alone. I’ve spoken to plenty of women who, when asked, are hesitant to call themselves feminists. Each woman’s reasoning for this may be different, but I know my hesitation to associate with the title is because so many feminists out there give the more reasonable among us a bad name.

In my experience in dealing with many other feminists, I have found that they’re quite picky about who can and cannot label themselves a feminist. On the feminist blog site Feministing many commenters claim that a feminist cannot wear makeup, feminine clothing, etc. because doing so sells out to the patriarchy. I guess that pushes me off the feminist bandwagon because I love makeup, dresses and heels. Oh and also handbags :)

On another feminist blog site, Jezebel, many commenters recently complained about Rihanna’s new GQ cover shoot in which she is topless. Many claimed that showing skin for a men’s magazine is also not a very feminist thing to do. I guess the ability for a woman to make decisions regarding her body and what image she chooses to present to the public is also not OK with feminists.

Not to mention that despite feminists’ claims that they want to empower women, they’re always very quick to pass judgment and insult women when they don't behave in a way feminists approve of .

But perhaps my biggest issue with feminism is this: feminists are hell bent on proving that men and women are the same. They claim that any differences between the sexes are entirely the result of society's influence i.e. society forces women to behave in gender specific ways. To me, it’s pretty obvious that men and women are not the same and that these differences are not the result of social upbringing (at least not entirely). Aside from physical differences between the sexes (which no one can deny) varying hormone levels in male and female bodies do have an effect on the interests and behaviors of each sex. Obviously, there are variations within each sex (nothing is ever absolute) but all those things people say about women (they’re more empathetic, they’re more emotional, they’re less physically violent, they’re better communicators, etc.) may have a biological basis. 

I think it is very damaging to both women and men to continue to deny that obvious differences exist between the sexes in order to further feminist rhetoric. What feminists need to understand is this: difference does not imply inequality.

Oh Baby, Are You Gonna Be Dazzled!

Jennifer Love Hewitt (best known for her role in Ghost Whisperer) may just have started the latest women's trend when she announced on the George Lopez late night talk show that she had "vajazzled her precious lady" with swarovski crystals.  Apparently is shined like a disco ball ;0) Why is it everytime is hear disco ball images of John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever come to mind?...go figure!

Being curious georgette, I decided to google this up and coming, to hit the runways with a force, latest grooming 'activity' after her revelation and learned that this is not a service for only the rich and famous, hollywood type but proletarian vaginas too ...woohoo!

Completely Bare Spa in New York is the fore runner in providing this waxing option...After they defuzz you, they’ll apply a regal crown design made from Swarovski crystals to your bikini area and then top it off with a 24-karat gold spray...ohh la la be still my racing heart

Hot damn! I'm off to consult my calendar and schedule a drive up to New York ... LOL


Some hilarious thoughts going both ways on vajazzling the vajayjay :

"C’mon, man. It’s a vag. It’s not like anyone ever looked at one and said, “You know, this is great, but it really needs a chandelier.”

"erm, wouldnt the crytals etc rub off, when you get dressed? or do we need to go commando??" commando it is!

"If buying other jewelry wasnt enough, now we will be pressured into buying pussy sparklers."

"If “bedazzled her vagina” doesn’t immediately become a euphemism for sex, I’ll be sorely disappointed."

"Ladies, please don’t let these jokes discourage you from bedazzling your pussies. Because that shit is sexy as hell."

"Jennifer Love Hewitt is actually AHEAD OF THE PORN INDUSTRY. AND JAPAN."

"I’m hoping bedazzled vaginas become the breakthrough fetish for 2010"

I'm Ready

Catskill Mountains, NY...nuff said!

Went up pulled in a gazillion different directions; came down focused and at peace.

Unfortunately I was not able to ski or snow tube but I have to say I actually enjoyed just sitting around drinking hot chocolate and breathing in fresh mountain air...yea i know, strange coming from the one who can't sit still for more than an hour at any given time :)

There have been several turning points in my life and this weekend was one too. I've been down in a funk recently and just wasn't able to shake myself out of it. That was till I watched a clip on CNN of the Haitian lady who had to have her leg amputated and at the end of it still was able to say that she was glad to be alive.

How could I possible not cherish the gift of life? To live it the way I know best...100% :0)

I'm ready...

Words Left Unspoken

Hey you!

Not a day goes by since the accident where i don't think about you. In fact you can safely say its more than when you were around!  :0)

I got an unexpected visit from your attorneys on saturday. An interesting visit wherein which if you were here today, i'd smack you! I'm sure you had your reasons for doing what you did and I respect that. Everyone has secrets and I don't begrudge you yours.

I can't accept either of your gifts, however. Your sister's note and package came as a huge shock. I had no clue or was it because I was not listening? I've spent a huge amount of time this weekend rewinding stuff and have come to the conclusion that because I spend so much time goofing around, I missed all the signals. I now know that you'd not given up on me! But I still will not accept your gifts.

I am sorry for snowballing the events that  brought about snuffing out your life way before your time. I don't know if this guilt will ever leave me but I know I have to move forward with life. This in no way means I'll forget you.

Its ridiculous that we always leave the most important things to be said after it is all but too late. I appreciate you, bubba & thank you for keeping me company, making me laugh till i ache, being my designated driver on more than one occasion, listening to me gripe about work, shoveling my driveway while I got to make snow angels (hehehe) and much, much more. You're lovable, funny, annoying & I miss you tremendously, especially our morning coffee meet ups at Cuppa Cuppa. You're the only one who knows not to speak to me until I've had my second caffein intake & buy me the 3rd to take back to the office. Good man!

The last thing you said was to tell me that you love me, or I believe that is what I heard. And in my usual late fashion ... I love you too.

Goodbye, mon cher and one day we'll meet on the flip side. Oh by the way, do me a favor and help keep me out of further trouble, can?  :0)

Cracker Jack of an email - Numero Tres

And here's another to add to my expanding collection ;) Seriously, why do I attract single dads??

Hey Pretty

Matt here, i just saw and read through your profile with very great interest, how are you doing today? would love to get to know you better if thats not too much of me to ask of you, I am an independent, self employed arts dealer and a dad of one lovely son, I must let you know that age and distance are of no importance to me, and i must let you know that you are a beauty to behold, i find you beautiful, alluring and fascinating too...


Would love to chat and get to know each other better sometime soon, my yahoo is orrvillemale41 and same as IM or mattkinney@hotmail.co.uk, Looking forward to your reply at your earliest convenience sweetie.. Take care
Kisses,


Will be waiting to hear from you soon


Matt

Have an excellent weekend! 
XOXO

It Only Takes A Second

My head is throbbing. I can't move my head. My eyes feel like there's pressure being forced on it and it hurts. Every time I breathe in there are sharp pains. As I feel my body I also realize there is a quietness around me. I hear people talking in hushed voices and closer yet is the hum of a machine with the occasional "beeps". Where the hell am I and what has happened to my body that it feels like a block of cement?

I slowly pry my eyes open and shut them tightly again quickly. Surely I'm hallucinating! I cannot be lying in a hospital. And for the love of God why? I've had an exhausting basketball match and am lying in my bed at home thinking that I've been put through the drill, correct? Yup, that's what it is.

I sigh a huge relief and feel myself drifting back to sleep, when SMACK WHAM BAM! it hits me.

You know in that song "In a New York minute everything can change", well what about in a second, can everything change in a second? It's very little time to work with. It's here and gone in literally a blink of an eye. However, I think 1 single second is enough time to make a difference. So for me, yes, everything can change in a second.

If you don't believe me that the world can change in a second, then think about this. It only takes a second for a car to lose control on the road and swerve into the Semi. It only takes a second, for the Semi to slam on the brakes and skid on black ice. It only takes a second for that truck to slam into the SUV next to it. It only takes a second to see your friend look at u & gasp his last breath of life. And another second to see your life flash before you and you lose consciousness. In that short amount of time all those things are possible.

I want to scream but there's no voice. I want to cry but there's no tears. I want to rewind time but even that can't be done. I am wrecked with grief for the loss of two dear friends and am haunted by the look of fear I saw in John's eyes and his warm smile which bade me goodbye as he looked at me in the rear view mirror seconds before the Semi hit our SUV head on, flipping the vehicle open and then again smashing into the side. I saw blood, lots and lots of blood and my life flash before my eyes before an eerie sense of nothingness took over me.

Now, I just lie here waiting for when I can go home to my sanctuary. I am but a block of cement...cold, emotionless, detached...

...tired...sleepy...goodnight...goodbye!

So I was bored...

OK! so I decided to amuse myself and complete this 'tag you're it' email I received from my childhood pen-pal and which has been sitting in my inbox for yonks.

10 things you wish you could say to 10 different people right now:
1. Hamish - You so owe me for backing you up...your clients are a royal pain!!
2. Maserati - you. me. chick. frairies. dancing elephants. Kill those pics NOW!!!! lol
3. Annemeike - I'm sorry that we can't see eye to eye on the issue and that its causing a rift in our friendship.
4. John - Z3 as a sub will work for me, thanks!
5. Sofia - Hope you're enjoying SE Asia. Come home quick...ESL is waiting...
6. Shreen - Can't wait to drop it like it's hot with u.
7. Tina - Chin up! Things could be a lot worse 
8. Saranya - I've been thinking of you these past coupla days. I miss you, luv.
9. Michael - Don't harrass me about the meeting. I will set it up.  
10. Guy - Gonna make it work this year for sure. You better not be off on one of your jaunts then.

9 things about yourself:
1. I get bored easily
2. I say what I want. I don't care too much about dotting the i's and crossing the t's 
3. I love cooking for those who will eat and not pick at their food.
4. Every now and then I go in search of my X factor.
5. I like wearing bright colored clothes. period. 
6. Coffee is my first and only love.
7. It takes very little to make me laugh
8. I am afraid of heights, closed spaces and speed.
9. I work solely to fund my travels & hobbies


8 ways to win your heart:
1. Able to engage in intelligent conversations.
2. Can laugh at the stupidest things.
3. Share my love for travel 
4. Good personal hygiene - no BO, no bad breath (morning breath is permissable) 
5. Accept my weird sense of humor
6. Get along with my friends.
7. Don't be overly religious or overly moralistic.
8. Do not preach to me under any circumstances

7 things that cross your mind a lot:
1. Work issues 
2. Finances
3. Health
4. Family
5. living the gypsy life 
6. What i'm going to get up to over the weekend
7. retiring at 45

6 things you do before you fall asleep:
1. read a book.
2. beauty ritual ;) 
3. turn on the house alarm
4. pee
5. have a cup of coffee 
6. send up a quick prayer of thanks

5 people you couldn't live without: (In no particular order)
1. Mum
2. Dad
3. Marissa
4. Tashya
5. Jaayden


4 things you're wearing right now:
1. Grey pant suit 
2. electric blue shirt
3. polka dotted undies
4. boots

3 songs that you listen to often: (I'm putting this down as current faves)
1. Bad Romance - Lady Ga Ga
2. Doua Anotimpuri - DJ Project
3. Dreams On Fire - Suzzzane

2 things you want to do before you die:
1. Ride the Trans-Siberian Express through Siberia & Mongolia
2. Tell someone the story of my life, sparing no details


1 confession:
1. I'm actually a flying trapeze artist and not a human resources advisor

Cracker Jack of an email - Pas Deux

And the story further unfolds...

After receiving the first message, I responded to Steve with a one liner: Who are YOU? Again I forgot about the whole thing what with the hoopla of New Year. So imagine my "shock" :0) when I accessed Social Me and found the following 2 messages:

Message 1:

How are you doing , Happy new week to you and hows everyone around you.. Thank you for the note, I might be traveling or may be around, how about yours? What is your Yahoo Im so i can add you and we could chat online.. Have been on this site few days now and I'm in search of my Soul & Dream Mate,Lover,Wife and Life Companion,let me give you a brief introduction of myself. My name is Steve Bell White/Caucasian I'm an American Born Irish,Originally from United Kingdom but brought and grew up in West Princeton Kentucky United States of America. But my Dad was an Irish man. I've a good sense of humor...I live in Jacksonville Florida. Age (46yrs).After the sudden and devastating death of my wife, who was a wonderful, sweet and caring wife and mother. I've been lonely and I have not been in any kind of relationship since death do us apart. I've got 1 lovely daughter her name is (Cindy). I'm a man with a strong heart,loving, caring, honest, compassionate,affectionate, I also believe in GOD. I love camping,fishing,reading & witting poems, Tennis, American Football, Basketball, Golfing, Swimming etc...When I read through your profile i was really amazed and motivated to send you an email and show my interest..I would want us to continue this conversation further through my email which is XXX and if you use a Yahoo Messenger my ID is XXX. Hope to Read from you very soon!!

Have a Nice day.

And the 2nd one which followed a day later:

When I was a little boy,I dreamed of that one person that I would share my dreams, happiness and energy with ... I could not see her face but she was there. I always felt like she was out there, I just needed to feel her. I visualized the bond we would have and the courage she would give me to endure life's obstacles. All these years I was with others, and feeling my way through life, learning lessons that later on would prepare me to become the person that I am now. I have felt alone and sad. Then one day my eyes opened and I became that little boy again ... realizing that she is here now. Here in my world was the woman that I had dreamed of and I'd hoped would not miss our meeting in life ... that woman is you!


Aww I'm so flattered but dude this ain't working for or on me.  Thanks for the entertainment and laugh however! 


Freakiiieeeee....

Restoration Mode

"For the love of God do I have to be sick, sad or depressed in order to wanna stay at home by myself?!?" I finally ended screaming over the phone after the 5th call :D


After having been on what seems like a 60 hour party binge I really just wanted to regroup and recoup. I restore myself when I'm alone. No incessant conversations, no drinking & eating, the need to stay off my feet was great (dancing in 4" stilettos is seriously painful!!) and no to some other vices too :) ... a chill out kinda day.


But for some reason this was equated with some of my friends as me being either sick, sad or depressed. Are you ok?...Do you think  you're coming down with something?...Aww don't tell me you're feeling down!...Need me to come over and keep u company?...C'mon cheer-up hon, let's have a drink and drown out all those sorrows!...You aren't homesick are you? Seriously, you don't have to be alone luv, there's so many of us around.


Aaaaaarrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!


no...No...NO people. I am a-ok.  I'm not lonely, I just want to be left alone to be. There is a difference you know. Sigh....(dammit i shouldn't be sighing. I was told by a friend that it was too early in the year to do so). Honestly, i've had as much fun today doing absolutely nothing worth while mentioning as I've had hanging with my buds and shooting the breeze.  


Why are people afraid of being alone? Why is there a stigma attached to it? Why is being alone equated to being lonely.  I've instances when i've had numerous folks around me and have felt lonely. 


If you don't already, i'd strongly recommend taking, not necessarily an entire day, but at least a few hours to yourself....read, blog, sleep, watch tv, catch up on movies missed but most importantly listen to yourself. 


Yup, I'm afraid that there is a voice in your head and it is real :0)