Mitch Mitchell AKA Granny Goose, passed away a few days ago. As custom when someone iconic dies, you revisit their previous works that earn them fame. Listening to his drums in "Fire" when they played in Woodstock all those years ago reminded me that Mitchell was very high, possibly higher than a kite during their gig. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it is bloody psychedelic rock after all. How else would you be inspired to drum like your life and white-afro depended on it? Makes me wonder what life would have been like in the 60s, sans showering and all.
As the last member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience AKA awesome-black-guitarist-flanked-by-two-goofy-white-guys-with-silly-afros, another icon band of psychedelic rock has been laid to rest. Mitchell actually inspired me a fair amount and prompting me to proclaim to friends that I'd try my hand at drumming. Nothing came of that idiotic declaration of course, but the fact remains I was blown away by his talent to make a racket with drums.
I hope you're having fun jamming with Hendrix and Redding in that big studio up in the sky, Mitch.
Sunday 16 November 2008
Tuesday 24 June 2008
George Cariln, 1937 - 2008
George Carlin's dead, and like Bill Hicks his presence will be greatly missed. Mr. Carlin taught me certain truths about life, religion, semantics and dicks. Most people remember him for his routine "Seven Words You Can Never Use on Television" -- shit, piss, cock, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker and tits -- but fans will know him for his anti-establishment tirade on semantics and political correctness.
Carlin was a great comedian. None of his observations are essentially funny, but he always found a way to sneak in a dick joke while making us laugh. RIP, George Carlin.
"Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky, who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of 'TEN THINGS HE DOES NOT WANT YOU TO DO', and if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish where he will send you to live, and suffer, and choke, and scream and cry till the end of time.A good comedian can make you laugh, and on occasion, will make you think.
But he loves you. He loves you.
And he needs MONEY! He ALWAYS NEEDS MONEY. He's all powerful, all perfect, all knowing and all wise, but somehow... just can't handle money!"
Carlin was a great comedian. None of his observations are essentially funny, but he always found a way to sneak in a dick joke while making us laugh. RIP, George Carlin.
Monday 19 May 2008
Good call, Minister Yeo
Countries must accept autonomy of Myanmar, China when extending help
By Channel NewsAsia's China Bureau Chief Maria Siow | Posted: 17 May 2008 2203 hrs
BEIJING : Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo has said that even as regional countries extend a helping hand to Myanmar and China, they have to accept the autonomy of these countries.
That is because only they know their internal situations better.
Mr Yeo was speaking to reporters at the end of an eight-day official visit to North Korea and China on Saturday.
Even though the disasters in China and Myanmar were of comparable magnitude, Mr Yeo noted that any outside assistance can only be supplementary.
Thus, even though reports coming out from Myanmar were troubling, neighbouring countries must wait for the Myanmar government to indicate what further assistance is needed.
Mr Yeo said, "Many western countries feel that much more should be done and perhaps it should be forced on them, but I don't see how these can be done, because if you try to do that, you make the situation worse and (this) will only increase the suffering of the people in Myanmar."
On China's response to the Sichuan earthquake, Mr Yeo said Beijing was completely on top of the situation.
He said, "Watching first Premier Wen (Jiabao) and President Hu (Jintao) expressing solidarity to the Sichuan people, urging rescue workers on, giving hope to those anxiously waiting for friends and relatives, I believe they will emerge stronger, more united, more resilient from the quake."
But Mr Yeo also noted that China will have to depend on its own efforts, adding it may not necessarily be useful to have too many foreign aid workers in the country.
Yes, Minister Yeo, because the Burmese government has obviously shown much aplomb and concern for its citizens by stealing aid meant for the victims. By this rationale, a higher fatalities estimate is just like the high score for a video game - the more, the merrier. This is the same government whose incredible knowledge of its internal situation has led it to prioritise a referendum over national disaster. This is the same government that is ultimately allowing more of its people to die through inaction under a shroud of secrecy, firstly by not sending out adequate warning, and now by denying aid organisations access to disaster areas.
Funny how this can be construed as a sovereignty issue, when this is patently a humanitarian crisis. Short of not getting aid and denying from thirst, hunger, water-borne diseases, how exactly can things get worse for the people of Myanmar? Hmn, I don't know. Perhaps what Minister Yeo alludes to is the upbeat possibility that by the time the aid workers get through to the disaster areas, there's no need to administer any aid at all.
No need for a search and rescue mission if all you need to do is wait for a week or two and let things turn into a retrieve and record mission. At least the body count should be accurate.
Thursday 8 May 2008
Welcome to the Jungle
While Rangoon still struggles to recover from Cyclone Nargis that hit Myanmar/Burma's coastal regions, there seems to be little mention of Naypyidaw, the happily new and shining capital that the Burmese junta built. As the southern states in Burma languish from the ineptitude of the Burmese army, one has to wonder the true extent of the damage done by the cyclone. Some estimates state that the death toll could soar to 100,000 if aid isn't given to those who need it.
For people in the worst-hit areas, perhaps aid is already too late. Though the first trickle of relief from the UN has finally arrived, there aren't enough qualified people from the pertinent organisations to direct the aid and ensure that it reaches disaster areas of the highest priority. For the unfortunate victims of Cyclone Nargis, I think it's too little too late as they contend with a lack of food, water and shelter.
Surely the junta, tucked away in their lofty capital in the jungles, should assume the heaviest of responsibilities. Their distrust of foreign powers has cost many, many lives, and as they sit around in their macho uniforms twiddling their thumbs, more will perish. Sadly, I think cyclone Nargis might have done the junta more good than disservice, especially when you consider that the areas hit and the people affected.
Cyclone Nargis swept through the low-lying states, and Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago Divisions and Mon and Kayin States. The Kayin and Ayeyarwady states have large numbers of Karen, of whom are considered the most abject ethnic group in Burma (which says quite a lot for a regime used to shooting monks). It would come as a big surprise to anyone if the Junta were to get misty-eyed over the loss of the same people who've formed rebel groups to combat the government in their over-eager oppression. Then again, if you consider that the junta haven't gained much popularity since the free elections in 1990 (that they resoundingly lost), a higher death toll would automatically translate to a more better polling result for them.
Furthermore, with the upcoming constitutional referendum on May 24th, it's reasonable to expect the junta to encourage people to forget about silly things like the Burmese constitution and deal with more pressing issues like fighting off infection, disease, starvation and... figuring out how bury the bloated corpses of your neighbours. For the people of Burma, there is little hope for their future, and even less respite as the junta rule with a disaffected hand from their jungled city.
For people in the worst-hit areas, perhaps aid is already too late. Though the first trickle of relief from the UN has finally arrived, there aren't enough qualified people from the pertinent organisations to direct the aid and ensure that it reaches disaster areas of the highest priority. For the unfortunate victims of Cyclone Nargis, I think it's too little too late as they contend with a lack of food, water and shelter.
Surely the junta, tucked away in their lofty capital in the jungles, should assume the heaviest of responsibilities. Their distrust of foreign powers has cost many, many lives, and as they sit around in their macho uniforms twiddling their thumbs, more will perish. Sadly, I think cyclone Nargis might have done the junta more good than disservice, especially when you consider that the areas hit and the people affected.
Cyclone Nargis swept through the low-lying states, and Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago Divisions and Mon and Kayin States. The Kayin and Ayeyarwady states have large numbers of Karen, of whom are considered the most abject ethnic group in Burma (which says quite a lot for a regime used to shooting monks). It would come as a big surprise to anyone if the Junta were to get misty-eyed over the loss of the same people who've formed rebel groups to combat the government in their over-eager oppression. Then again, if you consider that the junta haven't gained much popularity since the free elections in 1990 (that they resoundingly lost), a higher death toll would automatically translate to a more better polling result for them.
Furthermore, with the upcoming constitutional referendum on May 24th, it's reasonable to expect the junta to encourage people to forget about silly things like the Burmese constitution and deal with more pressing issues like fighting off infection, disease, starvation and... figuring out how bury the bloated corpses of your neighbours. For the people of Burma, there is little hope for their future, and even less respite as the junta rule with a disaffected hand from their jungled city.
*****
For those who are interested in learning more about this disaster and how you can help, please visit http://www.irrawaddy.org , http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk or contact your local UN office to find out what you can do.
Monday 19 November 2007
I'm in love with your car
The one thing that’s always impressive about Malaysian cars is the magic our neighbours across the causeway can pull with it.
Take for instance, Perodua Kancil, Malaysia’s tiniest car. The Kancil was named after those indigenous tiny mousedeers (micedeer?), and the one thing I cannot stress enough about this car is that it is tiny. Midgets have taken bigger shits than the Kancil. In fact, you can barely fit 1 fat Sikh up in front, and he has to be careful not to breathe too hard. Yet as much as our dear, fat Sikh would dread being seated in a Kancil, you can fit (incredibly) over 7 Malays in that same soap dish on wheels.
And on that note:
-------------------------------------------------------
Malaysia firm's 'Muslim car' plan
By Robin Brant
BBC News, Kuala Lumpur
The Malaysian carmaker Proton has announced plans to develop an "Islamic car", designed for Muslim motorists.
Proton is planning on teaming up with manufacturers in Iran and Turkey to create the unique vehicle.
The car could boast special features like a compass pointing to Mecca and a dedicated space to keep a copy of the Koran and a headscarf.
The idea came during a visit to the Middle East by a delegation of Malaysian politicians and businessmen.
Malaysian press reports say officials in Iran originally suggested the idea.
Safety features or fuel economy is one way of selling a car, but Proton thinks vehicles designed specifically for Muslims across the world represent a huge gap in the market.
Proton is the most dominant car on the streets here but the company has suffered recently after the government allowed more foreign cars to be imported.
The firm has been in talks recently with VW about a takeover by the German car giant.
-------------------------------------------------------
I love how the article hints that Proton is nothing short of batshit insane. I’d like to smoke whatever hooka their boards of directors are inhaling this instance.
Director A: Safety features or fuel economy is one way of selling a car, but we’re Malaysian, and Malaysia boleh.
Director B: That’s right. No one wants a safe car when they can drive around in a death trap and sell their kidneys so they can afford a tank of gas.
One really struggles with constitutes an Islamic vehicle. This “dedicated space” to keep a copy of the Koran sounds like a very familiar concept. Hmn.
Take for instance, Perodua Kancil, Malaysia’s tiniest car. The Kancil was named after those indigenous tiny mousedeers (micedeer?), and the one thing I cannot stress enough about this car is that it is tiny. Midgets have taken bigger shits than the Kancil. In fact, you can barely fit 1 fat Sikh up in front, and he has to be careful not to breathe too hard. Yet as much as our dear, fat Sikh would dread being seated in a Kancil, you can fit (incredibly) over 7 Malays in that same soap dish on wheels.
And on that note:
-------------------------------------------------------
Malaysia firm's 'Muslim car' plan
By Robin Brant
BBC News, Kuala Lumpur
The Malaysian carmaker Proton has announced plans to develop an "Islamic car", designed for Muslim motorists.
Proton is planning on teaming up with manufacturers in Iran and Turkey to create the unique vehicle.
The car could boast special features like a compass pointing to Mecca and a dedicated space to keep a copy of the Koran and a headscarf.
The idea came during a visit to the Middle East by a delegation of Malaysian politicians and businessmen.
Malaysian press reports say officials in Iran originally suggested the idea.
Safety features or fuel economy is one way of selling a car, but Proton thinks vehicles designed specifically for Muslims across the world represent a huge gap in the market.
Proton is the most dominant car on the streets here but the company has suffered recently after the government allowed more foreign cars to be imported.
The firm has been in talks recently with VW about a takeover by the German car giant.
-------------------------------------------------------
I love how the article hints that Proton is nothing short of batshit insane. I’d like to smoke whatever hooka their boards of directors are inhaling this instance.
Director A: Safety features or fuel economy is one way of selling a car, but we’re Malaysian, and Malaysia boleh.
Director B: That’s right. No one wants a safe car when they can drive around in a death trap and sell their kidneys so they can afford a tank of gas.
One really struggles with constitutes an Islamic vehicle. This “dedicated space” to keep a copy of the Koran sounds like a very familiar concept. Hmn.
Glove compartments - good for your car, and good for the Kuran
Or, if one were a Koran salesmen, you could use the boot. Aheheh. Seriously, until Gideons start breaking into cars to start their “Bible on Wheels” program, I’m not sure Islamic cars are going to fill any “huge gap” in the market. It’s just difficult to understand why Malaysian car makers have such a hard time with coming up mere ideas for cars.
Aren’t gas prices sky-rocketing right now? Isn’t Malaysia, the world’s largest exporter of palm oil, researching engines that run on said major export? If memory serves correctly, there are a growing number of motorists who use vegetable/cooking oil as a means to keep their engines running. I can’t imagine why Proton or Perodua can’t build on this user base.
Granted, if you’re desperate enough to go skulking around kitchens stealing cooking oil, I doubt you’d qualify as a consumer who can afford a new car – but maybe you can move up to bigger things in life like mugging the old lady who lives across the street. Put that money to good use and support a Malaysian car maker today!
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