The Pointless Blog

Lebih tua dari ku harap sabar menunggu
Kepulangan mu kutunggu
Bukan maksud ku mendiam
Tiada niat menyimpan dendam
Hakikatnya rindu yang mendalam

Jalan inikan membantu
Hari esok siapa yang tahu
Kata ibu dengar sahaja
Cerita hanya kita berdua

Pagi yang gelap kini sudah terang
Aku adikmu
Dan engkau abang
Ku amat merindui ‘kan mu
Pagi yang gelap kini sudah terang
Aku adikmu
Dan engkau abang
Ingin ku ulang ke masa dulu

Tak akan putus
Hubungan kita
Tarik nafas lega kerna aku tak apa-apa

Jalan inikan membantu
Hari esok siapa yang tahu
Kata ibu dengar sahaja
Cerita hanya kita berdua

Pagi yang gelap kini sudah terang
Aku adikmu
Dan engkau abang
Ku amat merindui ‘kan mu
Pagi yang gelap kini sudah terang
Aku adikmu
Dan engkau abang
Ingin ku ulang ke masa dulu

The 22nd, Scollon’s birthday, was more enjoyable for me personally than expected. Despite the constant waiting for her friend, Nabilah, and delays as well as ferrying, and not forgetting the guilty feeling of leaving him back at his house while he was sick. Scollon was understanding (though I cannot say the same for him, despite reassurances of it being Scollon’s special day), and allowed me to leave earlier than expected. If not we were supposed to hang into the wee hours of the night and get really drunk!
Having slept at 3AM (for reasons unknown to me, i.e. just lying there waiting to sleep), I must say I was lucky to have woken up at the alarm-ordained 10AM and get ready to go to Bandar Utama by 12.15PM. As planned, I was to park at Pelangi Utama, where I had to give my driver’s license and fill out a ridiculous form in order to enter. I was then given a large, ugly yellow sign with ‘Visitor’ on it to display on my dashboard. Typical. Well at least it isn’t as bad as Surian.

Having arrived on time (which is apparently hard for me, so some say), I had to wait for Scollon who was on the way from Pusat Bandar Damansara. By 1PM, we left Bandar Utama for Mutiara Damansara in her car.

Tony Roma’s at Cineleisure for lunch courtesy of her mother! Thanks! And lovely Chocolate Avalanche for dessert. Only the alcho was missing. Well, can’t have it all, I thought – but then we went to Cold Storage and picked out a bottle of red wine! Some new table wine recommended by the staff. Cheap, decent stuff, just for fun anyways.

We proceeded to sneak the bottle of red wine into Red Box (where outside food and drinks are not allowed) and hid it under the table as we karaoke-d the day way, taking chugs for the bottle now and then (for lack of wine glasses). Haha!

Next we went to pick up Nabilah in Bangsar, who was supposed to have joined us earlier, but had a delay of sorts. It’s difficult not to be envious of this new person, whose house at actually along a Jalan Telawi! Anyway, from there we went straight to Hartamas Square and enjoyed some refreshing lemon mint shisha. Chitter-chatter pitter-patter, and it was 9PM. I promised to pick him up at that time, so I got them moving and after sending Nabilah back, Scollon and I proceeded to Pelangi where I bid her good bye, happy birthday again, and zoomed back to U5 Shah Alam, to pick up that special someone. Aww.
Since it was 10PM by the time I arrived. After resting for about an hour or so, we drove down to KL to meet up some friends. It dragged late into the night as usual, and I don’t even remember what time I finally got home. That being one thing. Falling asleep is another.

It seems everyone on the other side of my life is getting the flu now. My time was barely a fortnight ago, and so was the time of those i heard of. At long last my suffering is over, and only now does it seem to be coming around to everyone else. One by one I hear of them getting sick, a sickly repeated tale, one to which I am powerless to react. I am almost certain I will not get it again, no matter how much I am exposed to these people. After all, I am supposed to be immunized. How I got it two weeks ago still remains a mystery. Has the vaccine worn of? It is supposed to last two years, and it has only been one. Perhaps my lifestyle is catching up on me.

He is sick too. Well, it started yesterday night and has lasted till today. With a throat infection it seems. I remind these persons again of the importance of finishing one’s antibiotics, or they shall enjoy only temporary relief. But this time I won’t say much, for every time I do it reminds me of how easily he lies.

Moving on to fluffier subjects, Scollon’s birthday is tomorrow. She finally managed to get in touch with that girl she was missing. I wonder what interesting events shall transpire as I meet this third person for the first time, during the planned celebrations at Red Box, The Curve tomorrow. I shall observe and do my best. If what I suspect is true, I shall see hints of sly, confidential affection.

I am again missing Jo Ann and the rest, and yet dreading my return to college at the turn of our new semester, which is rumored to be Febuary 19th. I will see how Graham and her are getting along, and I must remember to get Amy to educate me on Bangi’s roads. At least, I tell myself, I will be busy again.

The few things left unsettled on my mind now include seeing to my gym activities again; meeting long lost Novack and suiting him to the world he belongs; once again going out with just Adz and Nazmi; meeting up old friends such as Shawn, Ikram, and Wan now that they’re staying in Shah Alam for their degree (and have moved out of the horrid U10); going to Hospital Sentosa (mental reminder: find out where that is) to mend ties with a frail ex-colleague; meeting Hari, who obviously wants to continue debates with me regarding political matters; meeting Fiq, who I owe time and pictures to; and last but not least ensuring that I spend enough time at home, with family. One often wishes there were more hours in a day. Or that one does not need sleep. Unfortunately, sleep is another pursuit of mine at this time.

—

The feigned amusement of how life has lost its appeal has finally lost its candor, and in unshering new beginnings I shall attempt to cheer myself up and at least try to be interested in things from now on. Recently surprised again, I think there’s more out there that can get my attention, if only for a moment.

Gazing politely at the local boys as they speed down the streets of Kuala Lumpur on their motorcycles as if it were the most thrilling thing ever, I wonder whether I could be excited by anything like that anymore. The predictability of life is depressing, and even the unpredictable parts can be predicted as unpredictable, therefore spongeing all the flavor out of my day. I tell myself now, to no longer predict, but to relish things as they happen, and to savor the moment.

I must also catch up on my reading, I tell myself to add, as I think why people like Hazlin no longer communicate their presence.

Spited by many, I still refuse to allow myself to change my focuses and priorities, at least for the time being. What can be reduced should be reduced though, and what happens happens.

A striking poem of sincere and uncanny truth, tacit critisism and yet a framework of prudence. Basically it makes sense to me. Supposedly the philosophy to a serene life. Thanks to Jo Ann’s blog for making me aware of its existence.
.
Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant for they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself to others you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be good to yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all it’s sham drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be Cheerful. Strive to be happy.

I sit here now wondering about the great adventure of the future. It’s 4:46AM and I can’t sleep. This has been going on for a while now.

—

Possibility is a curious thing. It’s one of the most explorable and exploitable things in life, and it exists to show you that in the grand scheme of things, everything will be OK in the end. I realise that by wasting no time in looking back, I am more able to see what lies ahead. It is hard for me to imagine, sometimes, why some people look back too much, and choose to dwell on matters that have long since served their effect. I do realise this translates into me becoming someone who has blanked out large amouts of his past. I was used to it, until of course history decided to catch up with me recently.

When it really comes down to it, what seems impossible is rarely ever so. I have learnt the hard way that patience - yes, that annoying quality that we have to force ourselves to feel - patience, is the key to acheiving the bigger impossibilities in life. What is illogical, though, will never be possible. Life’s like that. What comes easily, too, never stays. That is so true.

So what’s the deal with the overlapping thoughts in my head nowadays. I try - and fail miserably - to make sense of why I know so much and so little at the same time. Maybe I have blazed through too much, and have never stayed long enough in any world to understand it fully. Or maybe it’s because I have been running whenever I fail. Running off to something new, something untarnished by my hands.

Maybe I have been running to forget everything bad I have ever did. And any evil I have inflicted.

If you say it before someone else does, they can’t say anything.

Well that’s one secret. Anyway, I should try and get some sleep now. I’m envious of those who manage to exhaust the night away in peace, slipping into their dreams almost effortlessly every night. I read somewhere that only the innocent enjoy such perfect sleep. I laughed. Sometimes though, as I look upward at the spinning fan as I lie in my bed in that eerie darkness, struggling to step out of conciousness, those words come back and really, really make me think.

I don’t like lights and cameras but I do enjoy the action. I may say a mllion things but what is in my heart and my brain only I know.

Tolonglah jangan tanya soalan-soalan yang bodoh. Apa yang dibaca cuba fahamkan sendiri. Bukan semudah yang kau sangka.

It’s all about respect. Aku respek engkau, engkau respek aku. Kalau nak berkawan, berkawan. Kalau nak bersyarah, kalau nak mengutuk, tak payah. Tapi aku tak akan menipu.

“If we take into account personal feelings whenever we make a decision, then we will never be fair.”

Kalau kau cakap kau kenal aku, betul ke kau kenal aku?

Aku jugak yg repair kete enko.

—

Some blogs have lots of links in them like a Wikipedia entry. To me, if there’s anything you wanna know about in here, go and Google it yourself. It really isn’t that difficult.

That isn’t that much space in my Inner Circle. I do not have the resources.

Why do I keep breaking up? Sorry Hazlin, too late again. Maybe the next one eh.

—

I don’t want to be like you. I don’t like what you like. I can’t change that. If I were to say that I like what I don’t like, I would be lying. Lies don’t last long. Maybe It can make you happy for a while. But I won’t be happy. Only you would be happy. That’s not fair. And everything would be fake and bad and based on all the wrong reasons. I could go on and on. Therefore I can’t. Please leave me alone.

—

You can’t stop looking for something on purpose. Problem is, once I stop looking, I always find it. It’s always been like that. I don’t know why. It’s kinda weird. I’ve noticed that pattern so much that I know now that I should stop looking. But like I said, it can’t be done on purpose. The searching has got to die out itself.

Blogs are informal. So it doesn’t matter if the word ‘but’ comes at the beginning of the sentence. I do know about this.

Someone who believes that being gay is not wrong but at the same time wishes he wasn’t, because it would make life so much easier.

What I am:

- So sure about some things that sometimes I get confused.
- So adamant about not changing myself for anyone but yet too exacting in my own demands.
- Someone who has lost his belief in love. Again.
- A student.
- An honest person.
- I am not attracted to girls at all although I wish I was. I get jealous when I see straight couples and I wish I could be one of them.
- Beginning to get really bored of the gay mentality. I do not know anything about fashion or Diana Ross. I believe that people become this because they are ‘taught’ that gay people have to be that way by the media.
- I think people who don’t believe in love are idiots. As a result, I think i’m an idiot.

That’s me. How about you?

Lately a shisha craze has swept over me and my friend Scollon. We just can’t seem to get enough. Thus, one fine Thursday we (or rather, she, since I can’t afford it) decided to take matters into our own hands and purchase a hookah, or waterpipe, used to smoke the shisha.

The Street Mall in Cyberjaya being the only place I knew that sold such things, we met up early in the day without much to do. and in the end decided to go there to purchase our hookah.

Scollon: I, like, totally wanna get a shisha thing.
Me: Yeah girl. Like, me too. Like, let’s go get one, like, now.
Scollon: Like totally?
Me: Yeah, like totally now!
Scollon: Like, cool.
Me: Like, yeah.
Scollon: But, like, where?
Me: I, like, know this, like, place in Cyberjaya.
Scollon: Like, awesome.

So, without further ado, we drove to Cyberjaya in a Honda. After lunch at that Old Town Kopitiam next to Padi; which had bad service, stupid waiters, and an unintuitive ordering system; we headed over to the Street Mall and popped into the grocery store to buy the hookah. After a series of debates Scollon decided to get a small blue one with a packet each of mint and mango molasses (flavored wet tobacco). I wanted strawberry but they didn’t have the small box. The small boxes of molasses cost RM7.50 each and the bigger ones are I think double that. The hookah we got for RM65 after some bargaining.

I would like to add that eating shisha molasses is not advisable.

We headed back to Shah Alam, and on the way in the heavy rain we saw a crashed Rexton along the North-South highway. It was almost completely flattened. Do not buy Rexton.

In Shah Alam we went to buy coal at Giant and later arrived at the Dawood mamak restaurant in Section 6. It was about 4 PM and still bright. I requested permission to do some open burning and they said they didn’t mind. The mamak people were used to me so they let us do whatever we wanted. I got a small torch from my house that’s used to light pipes.

Initially having trouble with lighting the coal, the torch proved a great tool and even the mamak people were more interested in the torch than the hookah. The box came with the actual hookah, the pipe, tray, and various parts as well as a pair of tongs. The part that you fill with water is made of glass whereas the part that holds the molasses is ceramic. A metal plate is placed above this that holds the coal. Other parts were plastic.

Hookah

Once we got the thing going it was great fun. We were the only people in the place that were smoking shisha. A reasonable amount of molasses lasts a good 45 minutes. The only bad part was when I burned my hand with the torch. Yes, that was stupid.

The torch is refillable with a standard butane lighter refiller and that cost RM5.90. The coal, I forgot to mention, cost about seven bucks for way too much (enough for a barbeque). The torch would be around RM20.

Filling the shisha with cold water or water with ice results in a much more refreshing taste and is easier to inhale. Soon day turned into night and as we learned from our mistakes time and time again we got better at lighting the coal each time. And lighting coal is hard by the way.

Compared to a single session from a shisha stand that would normally set you back anywhere between RM10-20 for 45 minutes of satisfaction, for around one hundred ringgit, including the torch, you can get so much more and bring it anywhere you want too. I now want to buy myself a hookah.

As the night proceeded eventually my boyfriend came to join us. We were so engrossed in shisha-ing that we don’t know how many people came and left the restaurant around us. It’s like we were in our own world. We were also slightly lightheaded and I guess that contributed. I later decided to be creative and mixed some Dunhill into the molasses. It was so much stronger than the flavor and completely overwhelmed the taste. I think Scollon didn’t like me doing that. I am sorry.

High and owning the place

Later Farez came along at around 10 PM but he didn’t want to try the shisha though. Today Wan told me that you can buy hookahs in Plaza Alam Sentral. Ugh. What a time to know.

All in all, we were smoking the damned thing from 4 PM to about 11:30 PM. In retrospect, it was actually healthy. Compared to cigarettes, shisha molasses contain no tar and only 0.5% of nicotine, which is way better. If all that time was spent smoking, god knows how dangerous it would be.

Oh well.

Finally. Some evidence to prove that this guy is the dirt I always knew he was.

When he first came about, at first I thought: No talent, no voice, no looks. A fluke? There must be something larger than life about him then.

The only ’something’ is that he managed to con all the makciks and kampung girls into thinking he’s religious, nice, and humble.

Whatever it is, this strips him of his credibility entirely. I hope others will now wake up and realize that he is nothing but a disgrace to the entertainment industry.

The custom of electing to sell a product or service at a price that is reduced by a small amount from the next round number, such as $9.99 instead of $10.00, is called odd pricing.

Nowadays, odd pricing is often used to emphasize low prices by drawing the consumer’s attention to the first digit. Psychologically, this gives the impression that the retailer is making an effort to keep prices down by supposedly knocking off what they can from the original price. The notion is that these odd prices reflect that there is active competition in the market for the product or service intended to be bought, which both creates a sense of urgency in the purchase and suggests that the consumer saves in making his or her purchase.

The underlying mechanism lies in the fact that although retailers will undoubtedly make less of a profit with this strategy but people will buy more of the same product or more people will buy this product, making up for these losses and increasing overall, long-term profit. The marketability factor also comes into play when employing odd pricing as consumers as a whole are so used to odd prices that when they see even or whole prices, they become skeptic and tend to question why they are paying so much.

—
DID YOU KNOW?

Odd pricing started as a method to allay cashiers from stealing because if a customer bought something with an odd price the cashier would have to ring up the cash register to return change and therefore the sale will be recorded.

—

Another theory goes to lengths to explain that while odd prices mean low prices, even prices imply quality. To explain this it is best to give an example. From a personal point of view, I feel even I would think twice about buying a BMW that is sold at RM499,999.99. It is both suspicious and does not supply the level of confidence anyone seeks in purchasing such a car. An even price tacitly conveys the message of buoyancy and assurance, as well as a strong sense of solidness in your purchase, reinforcing the idea that you have made the right decision or choice of car. It also exudes a connotation of quality, excellence, and has greater value. So, while even numbers accentuate objectivity and firmness, odd numbers tell you what you’re buying is a great bargain.

Further tactics in odd pricing involve manipulation of the decimal point. To most people, RM995 appears considerably more appealing than RM1000.00. Eliminating the decimal point also gives brevity to the final price, and thus radiates simplicity and gives the impression that the consumer is making a straightforward, simple, and reasonable choice.

In conclusion, whether or not odd pricing is effective psychologically, this technique of pricing is used so extensively that it is simply imprudent to abandon such a tradition for fear of being conspicuous to the consumer. Thus, this is one technique that is well worth a try, if not for anything else.