MY NEW BLOG
Dear reader,
This blog has had it's final posting. It was fun while it lasted, and for what its' worth, I think I had a good run with this little blog...348 posts in 5 years.... not too bad for a pet project. But as I've moved on to another site, and its finally set up. Future posts will be at my new blog below:
http://ifimbeinghonest.blogspot.com/See you there!
Cheers!
Chapter Closed
It’s with mix feelings that I tell you this. I’m closing the curtain on this blog.
It’s been 5 years since I posted my first blog here. Let me just say that when I wrote my first post, I had no idea that I would have continued doing it for the next 5 years. I started this blog because I felt that I needed an outlet to express myself; my thoughts, my opinions, but mostly, my feelings. I knew that I had a love affair with words; I enjoy expressing myself through writing more than anything else, and that was really something I didn’t know how to share with the people around me since I couldn’t freely say the things I wanted about everything and everyone around me if I was expecting them to read it at the same time. Thus, the idea of writing a blog, anonymously came so naturally to me. The idea forthnights came because I THOUGHT I would write every 2 week once… but that turned out to be misleading (sometimes months on with no post and sometimes 3 post in a week)… and the address greatcowsense came because …well… my dad said I had a lot of ‘cowsense’… whatever THAT meant. Haha…
I have always been one to shy away from attention. Unlike some go to great lengths to promote their blog, I have never felt 100% comfortable with the idea of people reading the things I was about to write, mainly because many of the things I knew I would be writing about were immensely personal. I never back linked my blog to other blogs (even though there are some I follow faithfully) because to me, this was my personal space. If someone read it, liked it and identified with it, you flatter me. I would feel honoured that my writings actually deserved a bookmark! Why any stranger would find my life worth knowing about remains to be answered. But this was never to gain more page loads or popularity. This was not a community / social blog; this was my personal chronicle of my life and my emotions.
As I read back on my own thoughts, my memories are refreshed and evoked; of times when things were so rough I never thought I would ever get through it, of memories so sweat and dear I could almost feel the emotions again just by reading my own lines. To that extent, this blog has served its purpose. I have half a decade worth of thoughts and emotions nicely written down like a diary. You will know that so many of my postings were about my family, my loved ones, my childhood memories and my mother; these are a self generated proof to me of where my heart lies.
When I first started, I was a 19 year old college boy trying to pick up the pieces of a home shattered into a million pieces caused by infidelity, depression, mental illness and mistakes of the previous generation. I was totally reliance on others financially, I had no direction in life except to get through day by day, and the biggest worry I had was just my education. Today, I’m on the verge of my 24th birthday (next week 29th); I am now a working adult, a step away from starting a family of my own; no longer the victim and sufferer of my family’s past, but care giver and protector of what’s left of that family and the new one I hope to build. I am today financially independent, I support my parents and care for my mother, and the biggest worry I have is how to afford getting married! It’s amazing what a short 5 years can change. What happens this next 5 years I leave in the hands of God Almighty.
I like to think of this as a new chapter I am living now; and just like how one chapter is built based on the previous, so it is that everything in my life now has been build on the previous, so on and so forth. All good things come to an end. This blog began with the start of the previous chapter in my life and it’s only fitting that it also ends with the completion of that chapter. Still, some things remain the same. I have come to love blogging more than ever because it gives me the space to express. I will not stop writing and sharing my feelings online albeit still anonymously.
To all, everyone and anyone out there who reads this, thank you for your readership and comments all this time… I’m glad to have shared something with you and hope you have gained something out of it for your own life, even if it’s just something small. I ask only one thing in return; drop me a hello, tell me who you are and where you are from, how you came across my writings, and why you read them! (because really, I don’t know why you do!) You can post a comment, or drop me an email
I will of course post a link to my new blog when I have set it up, for those still interested to follow me on this interesting journey that life has put me on. It will still be the same me, but it will also reflect on the person that I have become today; more grown up, less innocent and naïve, but so help me God, just as honest about my feelings.
I can't do this.....
I can't do it.... I can't be a pillar of strength all the time. I can't constantly be the the one to hold the fort, churn out the advise, or keep everything together.
My brother called the day before... We spoke for almost an hour... He's unhappy with his job (again), he feels dissatisfied with life and is thinking maybe migrating to New Zealand is the solution. He wants to propose to his girlfriend of one year and bring her with him. But she's not entirely sure. He's not sure if the answer to his dissatisfaction is in the people and place here in Malaysia or within him. He said his best friend was leaving to the UK this October to study a phD in Oxford. He felt happy for his friend, sad that he was leaving, but also jealous because he too wanted to go abroad. We speak for a hour... as I left the office, driving to the nearby swimming pool. I was going for a swim, but ended up taking in the car instead..... I said he needed to do some soul searching and find out what he really wanted out of life, and what would make him happy. Is going overseas his form of escape or a genuine desire to live a different life? Did he really love this girl? Was she willing to go along with this plan? What if you scare her off? Why do hate your job? We talked and talked talked.... and still could find no conclusion. I told him we will discuss more, ever dinner perhaps next week.
That night my girfriend was venting on and on about how she couldn't stand the immaturity of her brother, constantly relying on her to solve all his problems, as if she was his mother or something. She felt unappreciated by her brother, that somehow she is being question on how good a sister she really is. She felt that she had not done enough for her brother, thus his discontentment in her. She also felt that in work, people were antagonizing her, and saying bad things of her and nit picking at everything she does to find a fault. She said she can't stand working there anymore under an uncompetent manager and an uncaring organizastion.. She is determined to go to middle east by end of the year... She was venting and venting, half close to tears, half angry enough to rip a phone book in two....I told her she was doing all she could as a sister, and that was all that was ever required of her.... She was not his mother, and he is not there to solve all his problems. The guy wants to be treated like an adult but behaves like a baby.ive him time I said... He will come to his senses, he will learn.... In time. For now, let him be. Her colleagues were scared.. and probably a bit jealous. People can't always take it when someone younger, with less experience suddenly starts rising up to your level. It scares them, and they fell threatened. They nit pick and find fault because the better you are, the more obvious your mistakes seem. No one cares if a 12 year old makes a spelling mistake, but everyone would laugh and pick on you if your international best seller book speak the word 'miscellaneous' wrong.
The next morning, I go to work and by 11a.m, 4 officers from the Malaysian Royal Customs comes barging into our office. My boss was not around.. and no senior colleagues. Everyone looks to me to handle the issue. I invite them in and ask what is the matter... They demand to see all our company records, financial transactions, bank statements, import and export documents, shipping documents.. Everything under the sun. When I asked what for, they said they couldn't tell until their investigatio was done. Bloddy hell. I tried my best to argue, plea, play nice, fight..... trying to stick to my wits. Its not that we are doing any criminal activities....A disgruntled ex-employee had been sending all sorts of letters to immigration, labour department, clients and now, customs... saying our company was up to no good. I was under strict instruction not to give anything to this people. "Play dumb and don't give anything".. I was told. On the other hand, the customs officer looked at me point blank and said "I have the authority to cart away every single thing in this office. You can be nice and co-operate, or this can turn ugly.".... Damn... Caught between a rock and a hard place. I used whatever wits I had to try and keep it under control. FIVE HOURS later after a thorough grilling session, they left ..... with some files......(with a promise to return next monday) but I think I kept the damage under control. But knowing how they work, they will most likely be watching our office this few days.. to make sure we don't try to remove any files... That evening I had a long talk to my boss...He said it was lucky I was there, else they would have carted half the office with them. I wanted to give this ex-staff a piece of my mind, and a punch in the face. I had a long day and said goodnight to him.
By that evening, my girlfriend had called me about 10 times with no answer. She had high fever, her entire body was aching, coughing... she was terrified if she had got the swine flue. Her colleague was in self quarantine for 3 days. She was pissed at me for sticking around in office so late, and not answering her calls. She was expecting that I would rush to her at first chance to tend to her.... "Now I know where you true priorities lie.." she texted me. I'd be pissed too if I were her. But that one line single handedly was the finishing blow to my streak of misfortunes this few weeks.
I drove home... dejected... deflated... demotivated.... My mind was numb.. I couldn't think straight. I can't do this. I'm not superman.....I can't be everyone's pillar of strengh all the time! I just had the most shitty day in office in 2 years... I have practically on the job 2 weeks straight, I had to travel up north again to my wretched hometown again for the weekend and be back in office by monday to welcome the bloody customs officers, I've had no time to spend with my family or friends (many of which were a bit pissed at me for turning their invitations down), my girlfriend was sick AND pissed at me, my brother is having a mini crisis of his own...........Everyone was turning to me to either defend them, support them or give them relief... and at that moment, had no idea who to turn to for MY relief, and even if I did have someone to turn to, I didn't even have the bloody time to go see them.
This morning, I woke up.... and for once felt like driving off to the wilderness instead of going to work... away, away, away from everything and everyone. I need a break... I need an escape... I can't be a pillar of strength all the time....
A past revisited....
The place I used to live...
the memories that were made there...... I was there again.
Even after all these years... I could not believe that I could still be so affected by it, just by being there. Since the last time, I told myself I would never again return to this place. EVER. Like I said, its funny how life brings you the most unexpected things, good and bad.
They were just looking for a good place to eat, and though I knew no less that 3 places to point to, I told them this was my old home town and didn't know much. I was afraid to betray the thoughts running inside of me. In truth, it was much more than that. It was a big chapter in the story of my life as a child. I said nothing, I spoke to no one, and I betrayed no emotion as the car traveled deeper into the town.
There was the primary school I attended for 1 day, before trying to run away. There was the long road my brother, mother and I walked when we got kicked out of the house by my aunt 3am in the morning. There was the small grocery shop my brother and I stole a magnifying glass from because we wanted it so badly, couldn't afford one. This was the place my family fell apart. This was the place my mother spent living on the streets for months with nothing but the cloths on her back. This was the place I HATED coming to every single school holiday since I was 12 and old enough to know how to take the bus alone. I hated it down to my guts, but I cared for my mother even more. My brother hated it too, and he chose to stay behind in KL, enjoying his new found like and friends, trying to forget that he too had a mother who was living alone and penniless needing love and care. I never begrudged him... In fact, I begrudged myself. Why couldn't I be more selfish? Why can't I care just like my brother? Why can't my heart turn cold and hard, and not give a damn about whether or not she missed her children? Why did I have to care so much........
Its hard to be thinking all these things and keep a straight face. Its hard to act as if this was just another place when deep down you know the significance of it to your life. I don't think I can ever come back to this town without thinking about my past.... a past I have not given much thought to since I started my adult life.
They say time heals all wounds..... and maybe it has. But even time can't erase the scars it leaves. They have become a part of me, of my history. People stop asking you about your past the more you get older. Its only when you are growing up that people sympathize if you had it tough as a kid. Once you become an adult, people just don't really give a shit. They all have issues to deal with just like you and me. Life goes on and we can't live in the past. I believe I have moved on. But I'd be lying if I said I still do not carry excess baggage from it. So it is that I carry hidden scars that people don't know about and never ask. Unlike scars that are visible on the body, emotional scars aren't something easy to recognize.....
This place... this town... this house.... this is my scar. You can't look at a scar and not remember how you got it. People with bodily scars get to brag and talk about how they got it and in time, it helps them come to terms with it and accept it. That is something I think I haven't done enough of. Sorry if all of these doesn't make much sense to you. This is just me talking about it and trying to come to terms with it.
Elie Youssef Najem
Ever heard of a Mr. Elie Youssef Najem?
No? that's OK. Neither did the rest of Malaysia until he made the headline news a few years back pledging a billion ringgint to MAKNA, the Malaysian Cancer Council. Of course, we all know pledges are free, and till today, MAKNA has yet to receive the alleged money.
He's probably the most high profile, biggest scam / con artist around town, and he lives right here, in Bangsar.
You can read up all about him and his self professed 'billion's here at
his website. Read between the lines, and you'll ready get to know what Mr. Elie, or as he calls himself 'Lord Elie', is all about.
It would seem he's some billionaire royalty from Lebanon who grew up in Canada but fled to Malaysia because the 'Atkinson Family' is trying to kill him. He must mean Mr. Rowan Atkinson a.k.a Mr. Bean. Yes, that's a stone cold killer if I ever saw one. His money is all stuck because the government (which government I don't know) has all his banking papers and want to kill him the first chance they get. And so, since he's grievously stricken with cancer, walks around in crutches and what have you, he asks in his website for donations for him to continue living.. You poor billionaire you...
I stopped short of ripping my eyes out while reading the testimonial of how giving this 'noble philanthropist' owed countless business around the world..By the way, I googled all the stated companies, and not one came up legit! The testimonial is even allegedly written by some reporter from the Washington post! Well, that explains the grammar! Other than that, we are supposed to believe one of his brother is a Olympic gold medalist, the other owns the largest computer factory in the world and another married to some Italian royalty trying to regain their right to the thrown. Does Italy even have a king? I thought they had the Pope!
Really, I'm a bit lost for words at this guy. I was going to write a long post about how silly and stupid this whole thing is, but the more I read his little website, the more words fail me. I mean.. the sheer amount of bullshit this guy is capable of producing is just amazing... To wove together such a grand yet preposterous story line means this guy really thinks he's a master con man and story teller, capable of fooling the world, or he's seriously retarded. I'm inclined to believe the latter. Someone should take does fake crutches from him and knock him in the head. The sooner Mr. Bean kills him, the better.
Love this comic strip!
Don't you just love Calvin & Hobbes? Click on it for a larger view.
So much for being humane to your brother...
Its incredibly ironic that barely a day after spending my time writing about how great we Malaysians are as a people, this comes out as a headline news on Sunday.
Ray of hope turn out to be nightmareInhumane bastards... What kind of society do we live in? What kind of people are we? How can we treat our fellow man like this?
There are some things very close to my heart.. and the care of the mentally ill people is one of them. Its a subject matter that intensely personal and close to my own heart. My blood boils and my heart starts pounding as I read they way these people are treated, locked up, permanently stripped naked, left to urine and pass motion out in the open and not fed or cleaned properly.
Many people will never really understand the heart ache and difficulties of having to care for a mentally ill person; an invisible and unseen illness that deeply affects the lives of the person and their entire family. I am neither a selfless volunteer nor an activist in these matters. But I am one of those people who actually live through it; caring for someone you love and is a part of your family but mentally ill.
The amount of hardship, and the depths of the heartache are so much.. that if you knew before what lay ahead, you would never even dare shoulder the task. It has caused me so much pain, tears and suffering that you never really become quite the same person you once were. It challenges you, it drains you, it eats at you.... it brings out the very worst in you. But in all the trials, somehow, it also brings out the best in you. It shapes you, strengthens you, and builds you up into a much tougher person.
But this is no excuse. Whatever hardship we face as care givers, nothing excuses treating the mentally ill worse that we would our pet animals. I understand these people aren't the family of the patients there. They are just salaried workers, doing their job. But even then, is there no sense of common decency towards your fellow man? Do you not realize that despite his illness, this man also deserves love and respect? He is someone's son, brother, father or uncle. What has he done to deserve such humiliating and indecent treatment? His illness is not his own doing. Who are you and what right do you have to inflict such humiliating actions on them?
Even in facing the difficult task of keeping them safe and away from harm, even from their own selves, their basic decently and dignity should always be kept. The means do not justify the ends in this case. Just like there is a right and wrong way to achieving something, there is a right way, and there is a wrong way in caring for these mentally ill people. Is there no respect for a persons basic rights to decency? Do nothing that will compromise the persons basic right to be clothed, to be properly fed and maintain their own personal hygiene.
You should never take these rights away from them any sooner than you would from your own brother or sister.
I am soOo disillusioned right now...
Hating your own country
I just had a brief online conversation with a former university mate.. and in no uncertain terms was I told by the person that they hated living in Malaysia.
This came as suprise to me. I have never really come across a Malaysian who hated their own country.. at least not so openly.
"What's the reasons for this?" I asked. This person did after all spend about a year in the UK after we all completed out studies... I was given 3 reasons. Weather, government and the people.
The weather part I can understand. We do live in a country that is not only hot but very humid as well. Most people think it's the heat that kills you here.. but really its the humidity. Physics 101 tells you that the more humid an environment, the harder it is for sweat to evaporate. The harder it is for sweat to evaporate, the harder it is for our bodies to stay cool and dry. That's why we feel hot and sticky all the time! As a result, we Malaysians won't walk anywhere if it takes longer than 5 minutes because if you do, on the outside, you get half baked from the sun rays, and on the inside, you get half soaked in your own sweat. So in that sense, I agree. Our weather is just so harsh that anyone who's ever been to other parts of the world well away from the equator and experienced a leisurely walk on a cool summers day, would never want to return to this steam oven we call home.
But there IS one thing to our favour here, that many of us take for granted all the time... and that's the sun. Yes, the sun. We grow up hiding from it and its effects all our life.. we walk under shades, we bring umbrellas, and we put creams on our faces to whiten our dark skin no thanks to the sun. We spend so much time and effort avoiding the sun. But the sun affects us in a more subtle but no less important way that many of us do not realize. When there is a clear blue sky with sunlight coming through down to land, we somehow become energized. Life literally becomes sunnier. People feel better, moods are lighter, and there is a general sense of liveliness everywhere you go.
I'm not making this up by the way.
I have personally experienced this in my travels, and was told the same thing by the people I visit. Can you imagine waking up every single morning, going to work, doing your gardening, or playing in the field with the sky in a permanent grey cast? Why do you think the British are so obsessed with the weather? Why do you think every single radio and TV news telecast almost always include a weather forecast? Why do you think so many westerners travel miles and miles or fly half way round the world to tropical countries during their winter holiday just to sit under a coconut tree by the sea? Its because of the sun. The presence of the sun affects us. I have been told by a Pharmacist friends that anti-depressant drug prescriptions always go up during the long UK winters when you hardly see the sun. So yes, we do get more than our fair share of sunlight here.. but hey.. better more than less!
On the second issue of government... oh brother... where do I even begin. If you read foreign papers like CNN, BBC or any other non-Malaysian newspaper, you probably have the impression that we are in a complete mess as a country. You will have been told of our newly elected Prime Minister somehow suspiciously link to dead Mongolian girls, how the non-Malay races are marginalized systematically with unfair & biased government affirmative actions, and how we are have absolutely no freedom of speech. Those daring enough to show dissent to the government get thrown into jail without a trial. Also, you are told that Malaysian officials are very corrupt and the only way to get things done is by paying someone off.
I find many people who make these comments often know little or hardly anything about our government at all, or they just echo whatever they just heard from others. These same people who tell you that our government is lousy would not even know any other minister in the cabinet beyond the Prime Minister and his deputy. These same people would also have not done any critical thinking, research or analysis of their own on the state of Malaysian politics and government. They either just repeat what they heard in the coffee shop, or hear what others say if they are overseas. Worst of all, these same people most probably did not vote either. I admit, our local politics seem more like a circus sometimes.. or what I like to call 'kampung style' politics. State assembly meetings under a tree, name calling and stupid 'bocor' remarks in proper Parliment sittings, and ministers making the most ridiculous remarks on a daily basis (I usually get my doses of funny political observations from Patrick Teo
here). Yes, I totally agree our MP's are nowhere as polish, eloquent or sharp as the British MP's or members of the American Congress. In fact, if you follow the weekly Parliament sittings, it can be quite embarrassing to hear what these elected representatives actually say.
The issue of corruption is also taken very seriously, and to its credit, the government has made efforts to reduce this. But lets look at it with perspective. We are still a very young nation, at only 52 years old. Compared to countries like war torn Zimbabwe, who gained independence the same year we did, I think we have done considerably well. We aren't there yet, but we are learning. And who says first world countries are that much better anyway? Haven't you hear about the British MP's cheating on claims recently? Yes, hundreds and thousands of pounds used for personal repairs on their mansions, hotel bills for nights with their mistresses and suspicious payments out to companies the MP's themselves have a stake in were just the tip of the iceberg it seems. So who says corruption happens only in us 'developing countries'?
But you know, all this talk of government transparency, efficiency and national policies sometimes seem so detached from our real lives. It's funny that despite these people complaining that our government is lousy, no good and over controlling, they still live pretty good lives. The average man complains, eats, shops, worships, holiday, travel and write as he sees fit without any intervention from the government. There are no ears on the wall ala KGB waiting for you to say a wrong word before being sent to jail. Yes, there are some things we aren't allowed to debate and argue about publicly, like Malay privileges & Muslim conversions, and to the western world, this is a lack of freedom. But absolute freedom, unchecked spells doom, especially for a young country like us. Our society isn't mature enough to publicly fight and disagree on these issues without tearing ourselves apart. Despite being painted as a controlled society... our people lead comfortable and free lives. Cost of living is low, education levels are good, and there is genuine peace in the land. The daily circus of local politics aside, our government has in the last 20 years been a good steward of our country's and its people's welfare.
On the last issue of people... I have no idea what this person meant, but only said that people in the UK & other western countries were friendlier. Malaysians were rude and had no respect for each other. Well.... it sounded to me like they were saying Malaysians were just generally uncivilized & unrefined.
I don't know about that..... as a Malaysian, I know that we can be a bit quirky sometimes... but generally I think we are a well rounded lot. I don't know what kind of experience others have had, but generally, I find that we are highly adaptable people, able to live and adjust to life anywhere in the world. We all grow up with neighbors vastly different from ourselves, in race, religion, language, culture, social status and opinions. We know how to tolerate and adopt to each other. Only in Malaysia will you have a Chinese eating banana leaf rice with their hands, an Indian eats Wantan mee with chopsticks and a Malay chap having tau fu far (bean curd) for dessert. I do think we are generally friend and courteous people.. though perhaps not as polished in speech and mannerism as those in first work countries. We aren't too caught up in the rat race that we become selfish and uncaring of others (like our neighbours down south), and we aren't so backward that we don't know the ways of the world either. We all speak English, Malay and at least our mother tongue, and our culture remains very much Asian, where filial piety, hospitality to our guest, politeness and respect to elders still exist. So we aren't as high thinking others; we don't use hybrid cars, we don't recycle, we don't care for public property and we don't properly conserve natural resources like water and electricity very well.. but hey, one step at a time OK. The west polluted and pillaged the earth for hundreds of years before thinking of recycling or controlling green house gases. No one cried foul then, and no one is pointing fingers at them now either for the giant hole in the ozone over antarctic melting our icebergs as we speak. Like I said, we are getting there, slowly but surely.
So really, what is there to hate about this country? It's not perfect... but in many ways, it still is good by any standards. We get the sun all year round, we live comfortably and we all sit in the mamak peacefully watching football without killing each other (unless they were Liverpool fans of course, in which case, die!)..... don't you agree?
RIP Michael Jackson
So much has been said recently about the passing of Michael Jackson. He was a superstar, he was a pop icon.. we was and still is arguably the single most influential entertainer of our times... He was weird, he was genius, he was gentle and sweet, he was sick and perverted. So many things have been said about him, I don't think the world needs another article about the life and death of this enigmatic genius.
The world is talking about his every single day now... It is one of those moments in life where you really remember when you were when you first heard it. When Princess Diana died.. it was the eve of our national holiday.. I heard the news on TV... completely devastated. This time, I was in my hotel room in China, getting ready for the day.. I switch on the TV to watch CNN while getting ready.. and there it was.. Michael Jackson reported dead.. at the time.. it wasn't confirmed officially yet.
Over the next 2 ~ 3 days there were tributes upon tributes to him, and everyone talked about how sad they were, and how they missed him, and that he will forever be in their hearts. People crying on tv, talking about how Michael Jackson changed their lives, and remains a part of them, like their just lost someone so special and important in their lives. Which brings me to my point really... why do people suddenly miss him now, why only after his death? I mean, prior to last week, Michael Jackson was still alive and kicking.. He was planning a comeback tour.. and there was news of his child molestation cases, and the name wacko jacko seemed to be more of what people think of him rather than the impact he has made in the music scene over the past few decades... Everyone was busy singing along to High School Musical, raging on about the latest American Idol and talking about frumpy little Susan Boyle.....
But come his shock death.. and the jokes stop. Suddenly people start to remember again who MJ was and is.. suddenly now that he's gone and calling him names and speculating on his personal life isn't so funny anymore.. and people start to remember the artist that he was first and foremost and the fantastic music and dancing he pioneered.
I bet everyones Facebook pages were pouring with tributes to MJ.. music stores are suddenly packed with MJ CD's and videos... and radios start playing his songs over the hour... we all feel sad that he is no more.. we all feel the lost thinking never again will we have more musical genius from this man... And now, we all miss him.
But do we sincerely miss someone who has been there all this while but ignored for a good few years? Why is it that we suddenly 'miss' him only after he's dead? Why do the acknowledgments and praises of his contribution come only after he breathed his last breath? Why is it that we feel the lost of his creative output only after he is no more? Its human nature I guess.. to only start to appreciate what you have only when you have lost it. We take people for granted when they are there.. and start to realize their importance only when they are gone... It feels almost as if he's respected in death today more than he was when he was alive. I guess its just like any other great painter or artist.. their work can only be appreciated after they are gone. I honestly think MJ was a fantastic artist.. the consummate entertainer. But I'm just a bit irked by how everyone suddenly professes how much MJ was a part of their lives.. and how much they were going to miss him. I do understand the pain and shock of this lost... but I honestly do not think he's death is going to be THAT big an impact to anyone's lives except his immediate family and dependents.. The family will be sad... the children will have to be taken care off.... and there will be genuine mourning over a lost son, brother and father... But for the rest of us, its just a passing of a great pop icon.
MJ made fantastic music.. and through his music.. people of different background, races and religion all found a common ground.. We all found his music catchy and his dance moves uber cool and we all at some point or anther, locked ourselves in our bedrooms, trying to do the moonwalk. But for his entire life, he was essentially just an artist / entertainer. He did not cure cancer, or bring about world peace. Neither was he a respected figure & beacon of society. I can't recall his using his fame and fortune to make the world a better place (like his song said) except when he got that bus load full of stars for the 'We are the World' thingy for Africa... He did not fully commit his time and efforts to a worthy cause the way Princess Diana did with landmines and AIDS, or how Mother Theresa dedicated her life to the poor. MJ was an entertainer and business man first.. then philanthropist second. Just like
Hugo Chavez's reaction to the news coverage, I too felt a bit annoyed at the way the world seemed to be pouring out a wee bit too much sympathy and coverage over his death. We all felt sad for sure, the amount of news covering the issue is almost as if the Pope had just died. Even then, I'm not sure if there were as many people crying and professing their grief over his death of MJ's death. Beyond missing whatever potential creative output he might have still had in him, I have to frankly wonder what else will the world miss of him. Even news on the current world economic crisis, government bailouts of huge companies & banks and even the swine flue pandemic all seem to take a back seat. We suddenly forget that hundreds of thousands of people are facing retrenchment, people's life savings and investments have been lost due to unscrupulous banking and the world is facing yet another pandemic that can potentially mutate into something more sinister anytime. That's how much coverage MJ's death has been given.
I certainly do not wish to downplay or brush off the passing of MJ. But as I said, this is not another tribute article. This is just my observation of how (1) People all only start missing people / things they had only after they are gone and (2) The world seems to be over reacting or blowing his death out of proportion in terms of significance to our real life issues the world is dealing with.
Though you leave this world, you have made your mark & your legend lives on through your music. May God have mercy on your soul. Rest In Peace MJ.
It would seem he's some billionaire royalty from Lebanon who grew up in Canada but fled to Malaysia because the 'Atkinson Family' is trying to kill him. He must mean Mr. Rowan Atkinson a.k.a Mr. Bean. Yes, that's a stone cold killer if I ever saw one. His money is all stuck because the government (which government I don't know) has all his banking papers and want to kill him the first chance they get. And so, since he's grievously stricken with cancer, walks around in crutches and what have you, he asks in his website for donations for him to continue living.. You poor billionaire you...
