Thursday 27 September 2001

Fourteen

I'm thinking of taking half-day leave tomorrow but I've plenty of work on my desk. I'm on leave for three days starting this coming Saturday. One of my relatives is getting married. Don't you realised that so many people getting together these days!

I really hope that all of you are aware that arenaKu music award is on its way. The names of the finalists are out with M. Nasir topped the list with eight nominations and followed by Camelia with seven nominations. Surprisingly, the newcomer, Pretty Ugly received  five nominations including Best Male Vocal Performance, Best Male Album and Best Album. Other big names are Syafinaz and Sheila Majid, both nominated for five categories, Nora and Dayang Nurfaizah (4), Siti Nurhaliza, Fauziah Latiff, Ferhad and Sheila On 7 (3). Good luck to everyone.

Monday 24 September 2001

Thirteen

Mak ooii! Sepuluh hari e-journal ini tidak bertulis. Maaflah. Sibuk sangat dengan kursus serta masalah-masalah negara. Ditambah lagi gosip tentang perang antara Amerika dan Afganistan. Aduh, pening kepada ini dibuatnya.

Sebenarnya banyak benda yang hendak diceritakan tetapi tidak tahu macam mana hendak mula. Aku puas hati betul dengan penyudah drama bersiri Long Vacation. Sena dan Minami - satu pasangan yang cocok dan serasi. Aku sendiri pun masih tidak percaya yang aku boleh melekat pada soap opera Jepun. Mungkin kerana skrip dan lakonan mereka yang bersahaja itu yang menambat hati ini. Apa-apa pun, lepas ini aku tidak lagi boleh melabelkan semua soap opera sebagai tidak bermutu dan bertaraf picisan.

Ada sesiapa di luar sana yang turut serta dalam upacara penutup Sukan SEA? Aku berharap sangat yang aku tidak keseorangan pada malam tersebut. Sangat amatur. Penuh dengan cacat cela. Tidak seperti kesungguhan yang ditunjukkan pada tahun 1989. Acara-acara yang dipersembahkan pada malam 17 September 2001 itu langsung tidak mencerminkan kewibawaan kita yang pernah menjadi tuan rumah acara sukan yang lebih berprestij. Itulah, semuanya disorong kepada Pak Ngah. Macamlah Malaysia ketandusan tenaga-tenaga kreatif. Noktah!

Sepanjang hampir setahun aku kembali ke tanahair, sudah tiga buah drama Melayu mencuri hati ini. Pertamanya, drama yang diterajui M Rajoli - Ragam Menantu, Mat Nor Khusairi & Velvet Boys dan malam kelmarin - Seruling Kasih.

Daya tarikan karya Rashid Sibir ini terletak pada pengarahan dan sinematografinya. Dunia yang dirakamnya cukup indah, mengimbangi kesuraman hidup yang ingin disampaikan. Di samping plotnya yang segar, Seruling Kasih menampilkan barisan pelakon yang boleh berlakon. Selain Rosyam Nor dan Azizan Mahzan yang tampak tidak konsisten di sepanjang perjalanan cerita itu, pujian patut diberikan kepada Umie Aida, Wan Maimunah dan "Mak Kintan" dengan lakonan yang mengesankan. Dan watak serta lakonan Wan Maimunah mengingatkan kepada Fauziah Nawi dalam Sayang Salmah. Pendek kata, puas hati!

Selamat Hari Lahir buat adik aku, Hazlan, yang ke-12. Dan juga Aidil. Maaflah, tidak dapat hadir ke parti kau. Aku dengarkan, dari sumber-sumber yang boleh dipercayai, gamat betul Hotel Concorde, korang kerjakan. Sekali lagi, selamat hari lahir.

Okay, siapa yang bakal bergelar Bintang Paling Popular 2001? Siti Nurhaliza atau Normala Samsudin? Atau Rabbani?

Friday 14 September 2001

Twelve

I was really shocked when I read The Star online that The United States of America was attacked in the morning of September 11, 2001. And until today I still cannot believe that it really happened! I would like to hand my condolences to the people of America for this tragic incident. May Allah be our guidance throughout this heartbreaking period.

For the past two days, most of the news centres are very eager to make Osama Bin Laden held responsible for the attacks. I don't think it is wise for us to jump into conclusion before the appropriate authorities finished their investigations.

I missed the news on the telly because I can't enter the house. I left my keys at my office and ended up sleeping outside the house in the cool night with the mosquitoes played the background music. I felt like a homeless for the first time in my life. Luckily, I remember Mustaffa's phone number and went to the nearest phone booth to call for help.

Unfortunately, at 11.30 pm, my best friend was engaged in a very important call. Well, with no more coin in my pocket, I ran back home and started collecting old boxes to be my mattress. I snatched my 2-piece towel and my cousin's sarong at the verandah for me to cover my 52kg body.

Alhamdulillah, I managed to sleep until 5.30 am before ran to catch the first Komuter to my office. In my planning I was supposed to pick up my keys and ran home but the news of US under attack has nailed me onto my chair. At the end, I was in my office for the whole day, in same attire I wore yesterday. But I managed to get a quick bath at the M floor's gent.

After finished work, I went to Bukit Jalil with Mus and Faizal instead of going home. Despite poor performance by Watson Nyambek, I was amazed with the Singaporean newcomer. By the way, he looked just like Ferhad! And Malaysian newcomer for 400m, Mohd Zaiful Zainal Abidin. But I'm a bit disappointed that he failed to win any medal. Malaysia Boleh!

Monday 10 September 2001

Eleven

Malaysia Boleh! That's what can I said about our incredible starting at Kuala Lumpur Sea Games 2001. As of 4 pm, we are at the top with 24 gold medals leaving Vietnam at the second place with 7 gold. I'm planning to go to the stadium this Saturday for the athletics. Anyone interested to join me? If I'm not mistaken, the ticket is about five bucks. Jomlah!

This morning one of my ex-sms muar friends called. He was concerned with my big anger to one of our friends. According to him, I was a bit carried away and advised me to calm down. You know what, that's the first time he called me. I'm very happy and touched. Yeah, to have a friend that called you just to remind that you're out of the track. And I really appreciate that. Once again, thank you Fauzi Khalid.

So, how was the annual dinner? Okaylah. I wore a long brown Soda® slack with a brown Siamese Padini® shirt. And a pair of Tulip® sunglasses and black leather shoes by West End®. Others? Most of the men came either in batik or office attire. I did not enjoy the food. I think it was too mediocre for a five star (some of my colleague said it is a six star) hotel. Nothing extravaganza.

The best thing happened during this almost 4 hours dinner was the grand lucky draw. Tan Sri Dato' Zeti Akhtar had to draw sixth times for the second prize - a fully paid trip to Kuching, Sarawak.

Besides that, Siti Nurhaliza performance on that night was quite enjoyable. But she did not sing my favourite song, Beradu Di Khayalan. Only the same and familiar songs like Percayalah, and Balqis. My Chinese friends and I are very impressed with her vocal capability in delivering Celine Dion's That's The Way It Is. Put aside her poor pronunciation, SRC should start planning for her to penetrate the international market.

Just one humble comment to this in-making diva. I don't think the back-up dancers helped to enhance your showmanship. You're better off without them. Besides, this is not Juara Lagu.  

Last but not least, it's time for the Long Vacation. I can smell that this drama is coming to its end. I'm still puzzled with whom should Ryoko ended with. Sena or Shinji? Or should Minami weds Tetsayu or go for Sena? I think I want to write a review but after it ends. Or if anybody outside there want to say something about this soap opera, just email me.

Before I go, I beg for those who wish to jot a few words on my guestbook, please careful with your language. Thanks.

Saturday 8 September 2001

Ten

Geram! That's what I felt this morning after reading an email from my ex-sms muar friend. Well, he didn't write bad things about me but a few childish and irresponsible remarks on one of my best friends. I thought the era when we were very eager to put people down was over quite some times. Those period of times when my friends and I used to make fun of the names of our parents. For instance, every time the words pandan, tandan, kelindan, and dan appeared, the whole class will laugh. Simply because these words sound like Hamdan, my father's name.

It did not stop there. During the secondary school days, we became more mature. We stopped making fun of parents' names but started to create spectacular nicknames. Or false names. New extravaganza words were born like Mat jiwang, Mat skema, glencet, pondan, lauk, and the list goes on...

After engaging in these flamboyant activities for 17 or 18 years, slowly we're getting tired of them. Some of us started to address our man-to-man relationship seriously as we increase our obedience to God. More new words appeared such as respect, honesty, dignity, tolerance and integrity. What can I conclude is, I love this new era. I'm becoming more sensitive and starting to appreciate everything that surrounds me.

But this morning's email really really disturbed me. I feel very ashamed to have such an immature stupid ex-schoolmate. Oh, God! I've lost my excitement to go to the annual dinner. Some of us might labeled me emotional but if this will make me an emotional person, well let it be.

Siti Nurhaliza will be performing tonight. Until this moment, I've no idea what to wear to the annual dinner. Definitely, no fancy mancy dress when you're working with the Government. Everybody seems like talking about batik kinda stuff. No way! I'm not coming in those attire. Don't get my wrong. I'm not looking down at our traditional cloth but I think I'm not yet eligible to wear one.

I would like to congratulate Ezlin Elmy Ramly for her wedding today. Semoga bahagia ke anak cucu. Sorry, I'm not able to attend the ceremony in Melaka. Insya-Allah, my sister, Mira will be coming on my behalf. Once again, Selamat Pengantin Baru.

Last week, I forgot to announce my annually Merdeka Day's best TV commercials. For this year the winners are:-

winner: Maxis (masihkah ingat lagi liriknya?)
first runner up: Perodua (biar sumbang namun menyumbang)
second runner up: Petronas (kenapa saya suka rumah saya?)

Wednesday 5 September 2001

Nine

We had a surprise birthday party for Mus last Monday. The party was supposed to begin at 7pm but started 2 hours later because of the unpunctual guests. The list of honorable guests include Nazrol, Fuad, Rosminah, Faizal, Shahkir, Aidil, Juliana, Kidi, Ameer, Usop, Ungku, Su, Afka & Haron.

The party began with the birthday routines such as sing the birthday song, cut the birthday cake, make-a-wish event and jamuan. After the dinner (Domino Pizza - sponsored by HMInc), we had a game called kotak beracun. During the game, Usop, Su, Juliana, Fuad & the birthday boy were punished with several tasks such as performed Madonna's famous dance act (VOGUE) and gave a short acting show.

Three glamorous awards went to Dr. Afka of University Hospital for Tetamu Paling Vogue Award: Aidil of RHB Bank for Tetamu Paling Over Award; and Ameer of DBKL for Tetamu Dibawah Lindungan Kaabah Award.

The party finished at 5 minutes to 11pm. I would like to thank everybody involved and the generous sponsors. Terima kasih daun keladi, tahun depan tajalah lagi

Monday 3 September 2001

Eight

Breaking new! ARENAKU - hasmiron online has been reviewed and chosen to bear the 2001-2002 Golden Web Award.

Seven

So, how did I spend my long weekend? Nothing interesting on the first day. I was at home for the whole day, expecting to watch wonderful and cheerful merdeka-themed programmes on the TV. And I was badly disappointed especially with the TV3’s Setia Serumpun. Hello, where were our very talented people? The first episode (to mark the Indonesian independence day) featured Sheila Majid, Ning Baizura, Dayang Nurfaizah and Jamal Abdillah, which made me very satisfied with their superb performance.

Based on the standard that they’ve set, I believe everybody will expecting the same quality, if not better, for the second episode, which is to celebrate our Merdeka Day. Other big names such as Syafinaz, Zainal Abidin, M. Nasir, Anuar Zain, Sharifah Aini, Tan Sri Datuk SM Salim, Siti Nurhaliza, Rosiah Chik, Camelia, Nora, Ramlah Ram, Ella, Amy, Ziana Zain, Aishah, Rabbani and Raihan came to my mind. Unfortunately, only Nora, M. Nasir and Anuar Zain appeared. What made my heart broken was the set? Oh, My God! I can’t believe it, their setting was much much more beautiful than ours! Not forget to mention, their well-prepared performance and better selection of songs and artistes.

Luckily, Ntv7 saved the day with very good comedy, Mat Nor Khushairi & The Velvet Boys. I’m very positive, the drama will be named the Best Drama for next year’s Anugerah Skrin and Mamat Khalid (siapa dia ni?), start prepare your speech for your second Best Director Award. Want to know my favorite scene? When Mat Nor talked to the unseen Mak Besah. And my favorite character? Abang sulung Penghulu kampung.

Because did not want to be disappointed again, I decided to spend my Saturday with Mus and my two ex-MHS seniors, karaoke at Yow Chuan (betul ker ejaan ni?) Plaza. Cancel. Kidi went home to Bemban, said Ameer of DBKL. So, Mus and I spent the whole afternoon sang Kasih Berubah again and again and again.

After finished watching my routine Long Vacation, we headed to the auditorium of DBKL for the Kuala Lumpur’s Festival Tari. Some of you must be asking, since when I have passion on tarian? Sorry, I can’t answer you. Well, maybe I was there to show my support to my friends – Ucop & Sam.

Three teams were competing for a place to represent Kuala Lumpur for the National Dance Festival that will be held in Selangor this coming October; Adikara Dance Theatre, Kumpulan Kesenian PDRM and Kumpulan Telekom.

Neither PDRM nor Telekom gave strong fight to Adikara’s Zapin and Serampang 12 for the asli category and Tenun for the creative category. However, I like very much PDRM’s performance for the asli category. Well, Adikara’s was very asli and well-prepared show but there was something missing. They were just performing a dance but the police people who were actually dancing. You actually can fell the excitement, joy and the spirit sparked from their dance. The best dance act is when the men danced on the mengkuang mat. The only lacking was - COORDINATION.

I love very much Tenun. I named it 3Cs - creative, cheerful & colorful. But the ladies need to focus more on the stage usage. Please redo your music. Pay more attention on continuity. All I can say is GOOD LUCK. Break your heart, ..... your legs.

I'm sorry to hear that my friend, Shah, is not well. Sorry once again because I can't pay you a visit. Get well soon and I'm looking forward to meet you and your buddy.

Guess what, today is Syed Mustaffa's birthday. Dah tua kau, Mus! Happy Birthday to you. And guys, to forget our dirty plan!!! See ya.