Fight for kisses.

This ad is so cute! Must view.

Psst... I'm quite free. Which explains why so many posts are up today. Since chances like these don't come very often, thought I should fatten up my blog with more posts while I can. =)

Yum-mice

I think the pictures and title are quite self-explanatory.

Lesson to be learnt:
When dining in China, make sure they serve you real chickens.

Play hide-and-seek with your bald patch

Say buh-bye to expensive hair transplants, hair growth or hair restoration treatments!

30 reasons why I love Malaysia

Some time ago, Wai Nyan suggested that I write this (since it's Malaysia's 50th Merdeka this year). He suggested 50 reasons actually. I tried. But got stuck by the time I reach 30. Maybe I'll add if I can think of more. =P

For the longest time, I've been procrastinating (but National Day is coming in 2 days' time. Can't do that anymore!) So, here goes, my beloved land. This post is for you.


Reasons to love my country:

1. Food - Colour, spices, variety. You name it, we have it.

2. Multi-racial - It's not easy to live together in peace but Malaysia is really quite harmonious compared to other multi-racial countries.

3. Rich culture - The cultural heritage in this country is very captivating. That's why we see so many tourists during the festive seasons.

4. Holidays - While we're on the topic of culture and festive celebrations, how can I not mention the numerous holidays in this country! Love 'em.

5. Fashion - Yes, I know our fashion is no houte couture here. But hey, don't you think batik and nyonya kebayas are really lovely?

6. Language - Because this is a multi-racial country, most of us can speak/write more than 1 language. Definitely comes in handy when you wanna criticise 'ang mo's, just use a language they don't understand lah! Ahh... dialects = mos codes.

7. Islands - We have one of the most beautiful islands in this country.

8. Mount Kinabalu - Be proud. We have the 2nd highest mountain in South East Asia.

9. Orangutans - One of the smartest in the animal kingdom.

10. Exotic meat - Ever eaten crocodile meat? Dog meat? Cat meat? Monkey brain etc? Find it on a Malaysian's plate.

11. Forest habitat - About 70% of Malaysia consists of tropical rain forest. I'm proud of that fact. Psst.. Singapore has no forest! (Booo...) =p

12. Water - Yup. We have enough clean water for consumption. Ahem, don't need to buy from other countries.

13. Cool caves - We have the Largest Cave in the World - Mulu Cave in Sarawak. And also numerous small ones that are formed over 40,000 years ago!

14. Sabah - Yes. I'm biased. But a country with a state like Sabah must be loved and appreciated.

15. Petrol - Darn. Hate the price hike, but truth is, petrol prices here is still one of the cheapest in the world.

16. Cost of living - Consider quite manageable. World's most expensive country to live in ranking: 1. Norway, 2. Denmark, 3. Japan.

17. Weather - Apart from the occasional haze, weather here is pretty straightforward. One season only.

18. Passport - One of the most flexible passports in the world. Hhmmm... must plan my next holiday trip.

19. Natural resources - That's why our country is considered 'rich'.

20. Hot springs - This is a crazy land with natural saunas. Some are even free! That's why I love it.

21. Religion - Freedom of worship. Can't complain. Compared to other staunch muslim countries, we have much more freedom.

22. Tropical fruits- Ahh... Durian, Mangoesteen, Banana, Langsat, Pineapple... Slurp*

23. Pirates - Not the ones on the sea but the 'angels of entertainment', supplying your daily dosage of TV series and movies.

24. Twin Towers - The world's 2nd tallest building, the world's tallest twin towers.

25. Ringgit Malaysia - Our currency made a 'comeback' (well, sort of) after the disastrous economic downturn in 1997.

26. No war - From 26 - 30, it's all quite self explanatory.

27. No killer earthquakes

28. No typhoon

29. No sandstorm

30. No volcanic eruptions

Mercy.

My heart resonated with a picture I've stumbled on the net.

Sometimes, I feel exactly like that baby seal at my workplace.
Sigh... O poor soul of mine, if Ye my light, salvation and strength, whom shall I fear?

Why, oh why?

I think I'm tired.
It's so hard to blog without motivation.

Don't know why but I keep feeling I have other things to do,
even though I'm not exactly doing anything.

Not making any sense, I know. Maybe because it's just an excuse.
Funny thing is, I don't even know why I'm typing away now.

As in the case of many things in life.
I realised how much I tend to act depending on how I feel.

Sigh. Totally hate that side of myself. Sounds like someone who has no discipline. Whatsoever.
Coupled that with an 'even more serious issue' and what you get is a prolonged hiatus of blogging inactivity.

That 'even more serious issue' is called - sense of insignificance.

Particularly today, I feel extremely small.
Totally insignificant.
It's one of those days that I'm thinking:

"What have I done today that has added value in anyone's life".
"Is advertising even important? Can it free Taliban hostages?"
"Can what I blog about make any difference in anyone's life?"
"Why are biographies of others' lives so much more interesting than my own?"

I'm quarter of a century old.
And I'm starting to get restless about life.

E.g.
If I read about some young high school dropout earning 3 zeroes more than me selling organic vegetables in his father's farm, I feel as if someone's punched me in the stomach and wrote "This is what you get for being a writer!" on my face. =(

And if I see someone around my age, waving her hand with a ring sitting on the 4th finger, I feel like pulling my eyeballs out and have someone send me to the monastery.

Crap! I'm so not thinking straight right now. Can't blame me!
A wisp of smoke from someone's nostrils just rested on my head.


Conclusion:
For clouded judgment, be a writer in an advertising agency.

How hard is it to win cash? How hard is it to copy & paste?

This is undoubtly the craziest thing I've ever seen (almost too good to be true, but faith and greed tells me that it is FOR REAL!)

Over at Ashwin’s blog, you will find one crazy blog owner!! You can win $2500!! To enter just copy this text and paste it in your blog!! But hurry, this competition will not last long! So get posting!

Competition ends 20th August 2007. So, if I didn't win it already, you can still stand a chance to grab the cash! =]

Can you do that?

Na-ah. Gosh, it's harder than I thought!
You try?

PIGeon.

A row of dodgy electrical components shop in front.
Sitting in the car.
Waiting for bf.

Suddenly, two creatures caught my eye.
A slender, reddish-feathered pigeon.
And a fat male. (I presume no gay-ism among them, if not, pigeons extinct lor)

Poor little birdie was being stalked.
She looked terrified.
Can't blame her.

Fat male looked like he just came out from a shower in the drain.
Black-ish, dirty-looking plus ruffled feathers.
I bet he didn't look in the mirror this morning.
Like that how to 'kau' (court) pretty girls?

Anyway, poor birdie 'ketam-walked' (walked horizontally) along the electrical wire.
Fat dude quickly followed.
She walked one step away, he walked 3 steps closer.

Until his fat tummy bumped her nice sleek tail. She can't tahan dy.
* Imagine a fat, oily old man touching your butt. Eww... * shudder.

She flew off to escape him.
Fat dude took up pursuit.
But not before taking 3 running steps to pick up momentum.
(Sigh, long time never fly izzit?)

Poor little pigeon lady... FLY FOR YOUR LIFE. (plz don't get raped!)
After circling few rounds, she landed around the same spot.
Excited fat dude swells his throat and calls out to her.

She quickly hid herself behind the signboard of the shop.
Fat dude crash landed and tried to squeeze himself in. Ahahaha... Cannot.

His hormones kept him guarding the entrance.
Preventing other 'real prince charming in white feathers from snatching her away.

Circling like a big bad wolf outside the little pig's house,
He calls out to her and dances clumsily outside the signboard.
To no avail, girl won't come out.

Meanwhile, nearby, another pair is doing a little courtship dance.
This female is slightly plumper.
The male is handsome.
Feathers neatly groomed, he stood like a gentleman and sang to the lady.

She tried to look away, pretending he's not there.
But I think she's really interested. Because she often steals glances at him.
Ah... Handsome bird, looks like you won't be sleeping alone tonight.

Finally, bf came back.
I smiled at him and said, "It's mating season".
His wide eyes glow with delight.

Talking about birds lah. You think what?

I have a soft spot for dogs.

Aww... Can you blame me for loving them?




An update on life:
Life sucks a little on weekends (coz it's so short).
Life sucks a lot on Mondays (and every week day).
- Now you know why I don't feel like blogging -

This can be disturbing. (Yet humbling at the same time)

Jaw-dropping guaranteed.

Think. No, don't think.

Worry.
Doubt.
Confusion.
Depression.
Condemnation.

I've got to destroy all this, or risk losing my mind.

Some smart ass said this sometime ago, "The mind is the battle field."
How apt! Sheesh... why am I worrying / thinking about things that are seemingly important when they're actually not?

Seriously! Am I nuts? Try looking at them in comparison!
Writing a kick-ass headline vs. Helping starving down-to-bones kids

Self-centered me. Get lost.
My heart demands that you give me back my beautiful mind!

A Week's Dosage of Drama

The past few days have been so unbelievable at work. Here, have a moment with chipmunk.

Power Voice Friday

Everyone, let's hear it from Britain's Got Talent's 6-year-old contestant, Connie Talbot.

Slug.

Just came back from Bangkok.

3 random questions came into my head when I mention that place:
Why do they provide better public transport, when we're supposed to be richer?
Why is their country cleaner than ours?
Why did they link few of their malls together and we can't?

Why, oh why?

The trillions of cells in my system scream in response:
"Sorry dudette, you're not born in a smart country."

Please. Marry merrily.

Girl,
Do you really know who you're marrying?
You're so pretty, you can have many options, why marry someone you barely know?
Is he really the one whom you want to spend the rest of your life with?
Do you know him enough to let him take care of you for as long as you live?
Do you think he'll be a good father to your children?
Can he be faithful to you till death do you part?
Does he know the real you?
Will you be happy?

All these questions kept screaming in my head for the past few days. I just flew back to hometown last week to attend a 'I have no choice' wedding.

Everyone seemed smart enough NOT to say anything, but it's pretty obvious, she's pregnant. And they knew each other for only 6 months.

Holding a wedding became a pressing 'need', not an option. And this breaks my heart.

Guy,
Only one question for you.
Do you really love her?


My thought thereafter:
Many loved. But few loved enough to wait.

In my opinion, love is first patient, then only it is kind, does not envy, does not boast etc... Take away that first prerequisite of love, and 'love' is no longer love.

What has the world become?

This article shocked my being when I first read it on Monday. Have been trying to think of what I want to say but somehow feel too distraught to even blog about it. However, I feel it's foolish if all of us continue to live lives, not aware of things that are happening near us, slightly further from us, or on planet earth itself.

So, what exactly disturbed me till I'm lost for words? BUG CHASING.

Read on. No one writes it better than what has already been written in the article in Oracle.com. What I merely did was reparagraphed and highlighted it, so that it becomes a more bite-sized read for you.

Bug Chasing: The Shocking Quest To Become HIV-Positive

“Conversion” is a term invented in the 1990s for the fetish of a small minority of gay men wanting to become infected with HIV. Various gay websites have chat rooms devoted to “Bug Chasers,” looking specifically to have unprotected sex with HIV-positive men.

According to Didier, who tells this story, and others, there are "conversion parties" are where these like-minded people gather together to pursue their goal. It is thought that these men wish to become infected with HIV because they feel guilty or left out because many of their friends are HIV-positive.

Others have a fatalistic attitude about becoming HIV-positive and want to stop worrying about when they might become infected in the course of time. I interviewed two habitués to conversion parties, Luis and Didier. Here they give the inside story to Orato:

Didier: I had to look for a while before I found a way to get HIV. Then, finally, I got the “opportunity” I was hoping for. I read in one of the chat rooms for gays I used to check out that there was going to be a "conversion party" on the weekend. I told them I wanted to go and, after a few e-mails back and forth, I was given the green light.

We agreed to meet at a council flat in south London. The night was cold. The furniture in the flat had been rearranged in order to accommodate the crowd - fourteen muscular gay men in their mid- thirties. A flat screen television, which dominated the room, was playing porno movies. Drinks and snacks were set out in a big coffee table, just as in a regular party. Six frenzied hours of uninterrupted sex, drugs and alcohol.

At the end of the night, the crowd began to slowly dwindle. Some left, a few fell asleep on a couch, the master bedroom, or any other suitable corner. But I was in the toilet. Even though the small tiled room was cold, I was sweating because of the cocktail of Ecstasy, cocaine, marijuana and vodka I had taken. As I looked at myself at the mirror, I knew that I had got what I had come for.

Two months later, the doctor in the Saint Mary’s Hospital told me I was HIV-positive.
Why did I do it? It’s never been because I wanted to commit suicide and end my life just like that. I guess I was going through a very difficult period in my life on a mental and spiritual level.
I arrived in London in 1998, when I was 25 years old. Born in a small provincial town in southern France, I decided to move to London attracted not only by its trendy gay scene, but also by the prospect of getting myself started as a professional interior designer.

After a couple of years, I realized that London was too tough a place to start my career. Instead, I immersed myself in the gay underworld.

The distractions of the gay Mecca of Europe were too many. My life turned into a series of sexual escapades that spiraled into a circle of self-destruction.

Now I see that I was hoping to get HIV in order to value more the life that I had been given. When my sister had an abortion and decided to terminate my nephew’s life no one wrote an article about it. Why? Thousands of women do the same every day all over the world and that’s not news. I’m not saying that what I did was the right thing. All I’m saying is that at least I was dealing with my own life, not somebody else’s.

*****
Didier is not, unfortunately, an exceptional case. Not long after I met Didier, I encountered Luis. Travelling twice or three times a month around Europe, Spanish-born Luis is a regular attendee at bareback parties.

He said he had looked for HIV without really knowing it:
“How so?” I asked. “Barebacking,” he said.

Luis explained me that barebacking is a term gay men use to refer to having unprotected sex. Even though mostly kept a secret from the gay mainstream, barebacking parties in cities such as London, Berlin or Paris are becoming quite common. Most of these reunions are usually linked to the roughest side of the scene, where sexual fetishes such as leather and S&M are aboard.

Here’s what he told me:

*****
Luis: I understand why these barebacking parties are becoming so popular. Ever since HIV/AIDS stopped being a death sentence, the virus slowly became another fetish. If someone produces a condom during the course of one of those parties, he will kindly be asked to leave the premises. His behavior doesn’t meet the dress-code criteria of the group.

I confess I have never used a condom. I was with a partner for 19 years and during the last seven years of our relationship, when my partner was diagnosed with AIDS until he died, we never stopped having unsafe sex.

It was my responsibility if I got it or not. But after thirty years of barebacking, I hadn’t got the bug. Then doctors discovered that I am immune to it. I have a protein in my T cells called Delta 32CRR5 that stops the virus from infecting me. They say I’m one in a million.

This didn’t stop me from attending barebacking parties. Maybe it lost a bit of the appeal, but it’s still thrilling. I believe that barebacking will continue to increase. Since AIDS is no longer such a deadly disease, lots of people are simply fed up with using condoms. There will come a time when there will be more positive than negative people, at least among gay men. The reason? As far as I know, the vast majority of heterosexual people are very puritanical and they don’t give sex the same priority we gays do. And on the other hand, they tend to be much more hypocritical.

Most HIV-positive heterosexuals don’t disclose it, whereas most gay men do.
In my particular case I get incredibly excited when having sex with HIV-positive men, even knowing I can’t get AIDS.

In bareback parties, you don’t talk about HIV because is not necessary. However, discussing about the topic during these parties adds to the eroticism of the experience.

Didier: The danger of getting other sexually transmitted diseases such as Hepatitis B or C does not frighten me. The risk is always there, but I strike a balance between having what I consider to be a low quality sex (with condoms) and risking something else. And I choose the latter. I am fully aware of the consequences. I take it as a game, and I play my part.

I do think all barebackers are a bit crazy, but on the other hand there are so many things that you shouldn’t do because they are dangerous, like smoking. With HIV re-infection, you are always gambling. They say that it is possible but not easy. See: if a person is re-infected with a strain of HIV that is different from the ones already present or if a mutated HIV type is introduced into the body through unsafe sex, treatment will be much more complex and potentially ineffective.

You can also try to get infected with the Type 2 HIV by having sex with people from Central Africa.

I know heterosexuals do bareback, but bug chasing and conversion are exclusively gay. Gays have a wider range of sexual behaviors. It is very different in the heterosexual community because they are mostly driven by what society tells them to do when having sex. Women are told not to have sex outside marriage and control when heterosexual men have sex and when not.

Luis: On average, heterosexuals get less than half the sex we gay people get, and in a much more irregular and controlled way. It is a parallel world we live in. They live in a shoe box and we live in a big room. For straight men, women are the biggest impediment to more sexual variety because women don’t allow it. That forces men to go with prostitutes. We gays are completely different.

I also know there are many people who think that we, the so called “bug chasers,” are absolutely mad. I once met one of those people. His name was José María González. He regularly attended meetings at Barcelona-based “Gais Posisitus” (Positive Gays), an organization that fights HIV/AIDS and teaches gay men about safe sex. José María had suffered from full-blown AIDS since 1991. He said once that if any gay man knew what’s like to be through what he has been through, we wouldn’t dream of playing such a dangerous game.

I don’t think he gets it. The closeness to extreme danger gives me a high. I get checked by my doctor regularly. My T-cell count is quite high and I have a manageable viral load. To be honest, I just don’t know what I will do the day science finds a cure for the virus. I guess I will have to find a new fetish. Being HIV-positive will be like having the common flu. But I can’t think of this now. Today, we still live in a society that’s very afraid of AIDS. It is possible that someday barebacking will be much less erotic. I would like to say that I’m not afraid of death anymore.

Some people choose to drop themselves from the Niagara Falls inside a barrel, others play Russian roulette. I chose to get HIV.



Bravo for reading till the end. One of the reason why this story sends a chill down my spine is because of this: If in my generation, people are already so peverse and twisted, what will happen in my children or my children's children's generation? Sigh. That's why I titled this post 'What has the world become?'

My conclusion? Change the world, or be changed.

Too ambitious? Yeah, perhaps. Well, at least I'm going to do something about it. Haha.

Hey, I'm not trying to change the world only for myself and my children. I'm doing for yours too... Think about it.

Cool Discovery: Advertising isn't just a sin, it's SINS.

The 7 deadly sins just got 'deadlier'.

Quite an interesting way to put things. According to the brain behind this diagram, Advertising is a combination of Greed + Envy. How apt.

Anyway, maybe it's time I look for a new job.

Ahem, anyone hiring angels?

Weird-ies

Interesting things I've found on the net.

'Mini' desk.

Radio Toaster.

Talking Lips Speakers

(It synchronises with the sound of your mobile phone or online chat conversations).

Rat race clock.

Cup Noodle Stove.

The Day Before.

I just realised that I have not blogged for almost 2 weeks!
Wow.

Anyway, just feeling like sharing these pictures.
I've been touched by them today. Hope they will touch you too.



Monday, 10 September 2001 - The world can change in a day. Don't miss your daily edition of in-depth news (a day before the 9/11 terrorist attack)


Sunday, 5 August 1945 - The world can change in a day. Don't miss your daily edition of in-depth news (a day before the Hiroshima Bombing)


Thursday, 21 November 1963 - The world can change in a day. Don't miss your daily edition of in-depth news (a day before the JFK assassination)


Song in my mind: "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow".