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I think there’s something to how my name has become me that makes me feel I have to start posting there again.

I find this particular viral very tasteless. It’s not the single mother part that bugs me, but the fact that “one night stand” is being used as the tourism angle. Is there nothing else to do over there?

You can view the video at this link.

I have a lot of respect for a label that lives up to its promise. With Takho, they really deliver at not being skanky.

Then again, I hear the staff isn’t very friendly.

My story on AkashA (“A” at the end in caps on purpose) is in today’s Sunday Times. You can check it out here.

What interested me about the group is how the members are muhibbah but aren’t pretentious in working in different elements from so many different musical background into a single whole. I’ve heard so many annoying takes on making music using different ethnic elements. I can’t get into what Reshmonu is doing these days. Zainal Abidin did a great job back in the day reinventing himself from rock lead singer into world music pop vocalist.

It’s always hard juggling so many different ingredients in a recipe and putting it together in order to get something that isn’t a mess. AkashA are one of the few acts who get this and do it beautifully.

As a matter of full disclosure, I’ve had the pleasure of working with AkashA’s Greg Henderson. He’s truly one of the real gentlemen in music. Ok, enough of the bromance.

Ayu has taken up sewing. She’s getting lots of orders already. That’s the power of going into a market with high demand and not enough supply! As you can see, she’s getting glowing results already.

I’m going to apply to get Marbles declared as a UNESCO genetic heritage site. She’s a biological quilt and has bits of every single cat lineage that has every lived in the USJ2 area showing up in her fur. She’s a living piece of culture and tradition that casually strolls around the house, biting ankles and scratches doors. It’s time she gets the recognition she deserves.

I met art legend Syed Thajudeen today. I interviewed him for a Sunday Times story.

If you know me, you’ll know I’m more of a metal connoisseur than an art buff. Nonetheless, talent in all forms means something to me. Ideas are little miracles each one of us are capable of producing. Inspiration is an elusive catalyst.

Regardless of whether you’re a painter or you’re Fredrik Thordendal trying to work a new poly rhythm into Meshuggah, you’re a channel for ideas and you deserve every bit of my respect.

Syed Thajudeen has a piece on display over at Gallery Petronas right now as part of the Changing Phases exhibition.

His work dropped my jaw and kicked my remaining teeth clear across town. There’s an intricacy in his work and an eye for detail that is just astounding. His piece on display is a work called The Beginning about Parameswara deciding to build his empire in Melaka after seeing a mouse deer kick a dog’s ass. The immense detail comes with hard work. He spent 18 months on the piece.

He spoke passionately about his art, looking to our region for inspiration and being patient. “It took me 40 years to get the recognition I have now,” he said.

That whole experience really lit a fire under my ass and I really can’t wait to get back to doing music.

I’m a big fan of Pos Laju. They haven’t let me down. When something is supposed to get there, it does. When I’m supposed to get something I do. What’s the big deal? It’s punctual and the service you get when you have to go pick up the item from their collection center is efficient. Ayu was expecting a package to arrive today, we got it right as we left the house at 10am.

LHDN

I love these guys too. I’m not a fan of having to give up my money, but I love how friendly and productive the people are at LHDN. Whenever I have trouble with doing my taxes, I actually manage to settle the problem after seeing them. I’ve gone to see them every year since making enough money to pay taxes. I should be a pro already and not have to see them. Maybe subconsciously, their service and friendliness is what makes me lazy to truly master doing taxes. You know, so I have an excuse to see them every year.

Immigration

Awesome that I can get my passport done in a day now. Not so great that the “self service” machine still has two immigration officers standing next to it to help you do the renewal. The day I went to renew my passport there was even an officer there to help insert cash into the machine. He had extra RM50 notes too in case your note couldn’t be read. Shouldn’t they have just made really functional machines to begin with?