On Terengganu And Sea as Far as The Eye Can See

I love it there. I hate it that I come in shoes all the time. I miss Sentosa though. Haha.

 

On Going Back to Kedah

During Jom Heboh Perlis, we took a little time off and went to Kedah, about a 45 minute drive away to my manager, Aszuad’s kampung. After lunch at Mak Su’s house, I sat outside on this very verandah and reminded myself what happened a year earlier right there. I was negotiating with Aszuad about a certain deal and that I’d only do it if it included some people. He was OK with it all the way. Boy, has it changed. At least it’s for the better. It had to be so far away from home that you are reminded of the problems you wanted to leave behind. I guess it caught up with me there and then in Alor Star, Kedah, up north. Biar berputar Utara dan Selatan.

 

On Bumping Into Nubhan AF6

Guess who I bumped into last Friday at Chinos, KLCC?

It was really nice to have met Nubhan. I think he looks like Sudirman, don’t you think so? Anyway, he is Ning and Vernon’s newest signing and I’m sending him all my good vibes and best wishes. For Singaporeans who do not YouTube, he is the 3rd runner up for the latest installation of a reality television program on Astro called Akademi Fantasia. Oh ya, I haven’t blogged about my weekend with Ning in Malacca!

 

On Childish Adults and Mature Youngsters

I’ve tried to avoid the ambiguous blogging for the longest time. I hated it especially when people whom it’s got nothing to do with are asking if I’m talking about them. But this time round, I’m sure nobody will ask because they will not change how they feel about it. Here it is. There are two types of people that are frequently making alot of buzz in my life right now; the grown-ups who really don’t learn anything and keep on repeating the same mistakes, and then the really young ones offering positive changes and apologizing for their mistakes. I think the former is more interesting, ain’t it?

For the past year, I did not comment a single bit on the actions taken by a group of people who are ‘punishing’ me for what I ‘did’ which they totally disagree with. The thing is, I did not retaliate. But they’re still at it like children throwing tantrums. For one, ”Kesian eh korang. Dia dah janji nak kasi you opportunities abih dia lari macam gitu” was said to Roze whom I am recording now, and “Kalau buat album, jangan mintak lagu dari dia tau” was said to Hyrul who I am writing for. I did read the facebook statuses too, and then continuous banter macam Makcik tak dijemput untuk orang kahwin sedara dekat. I suppose alot of energy was channeled towards hating me, without asking me what was wrong in the first place, that the quality of their own work has been compromised but they won’t know this because their God-like mannerisms and judgemental behaviour has blinded them. “Dengan aku dia buat dek jer” said in a local magazine about a local artiste not greeting one of the people there at the event. Yeah, of course it was about me. “Siapa makan cili, dia lah rasa pedas”. I cut the chillies myself! Of course I wouldn’t greet you, you treat me like shit. Kalau kutuk mengutuk Imran Ajmain dah jadi agenda harian kau, apa cerita aku nak salam kau, beb? Hello!? Here’s a packet of chillies for you, mister. Notice the insider ‘beb’ jargon.

I think it is almost irresponsible that the higher authorities (much higher than their bosses) is oblivious to what’s happening today. I believe it’s a shame that it’s been like this for the past 20 years and that it’s repeating itself now, not because I’m the victim, but because of our already limited resources and little hope for the future generation of artistes/songwriters. Stop abusing your power and making people believe in what only you believe in. It’s idealistic and wrong. You must lead the way to make positive changes, not bring our country and community the other way around!!!

So here’s a call out to all Malays, in whatever profession and wherever you might be. Please upgrade yourselves and change for the better. Not too much til you speak with an accent and stamp your degrees on your forehead, and not too little that you blame everybody for their shortcomings. But just enough not to trouble people with your own insecurities. Share all that you love. Get away from all things negative. Be professional. Those of you still using Comic Sans in your formal emails, please stop it also. Haha. No assumptions, no insensitivities, and most of all, no more child-like bantering! It shall be the death of you, my children.  *ketawa Jin*

GUESS WHO?

 

On Bulan Bahasa and Why It Should Be Done in English

I read thru Chairul Fahmy’s blog when I was Googling for Bulan Bahasa to check out Fauzie Laily’s version of the song. I was commissioned to do it last year and this year it’s his turn. He did tell me that he only recorded it recently, maybe it hasn’t reached the hands of the web administrator. However I was particularly intrigued by one find, an article that was also printed in Berita Harian on the 9th January 2008 titled ‘Anjakan Genting Untuk Majlis Bahasa‘ (Call for Immediate Change For Malay Language Council). I would think that the case be a little taboo to talk about, especially when dealing with issues that is continuously being debated about here, such as language, religion, culture and moral values. With the shift of times, alot of things have changed or warrants a change. However, I recall somebody telling me how the discussion about Bahasa Melayu on a Suria Channel current affairs program had local arts activist, Rafaat Hamzah, touch the sensitive parts of the matter and that some people were just not pleased. That means not everybody likes change, right?

I must emphasize that I write issues about the Malay community in English because it would reach out to more people, especially the self-proclaimed elitist types who proudly claim “Melayu saya rabak“. Let’s face it, the search engines produce more Malay music, lyrics, chords and naughty pictures when you hit “Melayu“, and not “Bahasa Melayu” much less ‘peribahasa, kamus, simpulan bahasa, penggunaan bahasa yang betul‘. I’m not questioning what is being done about it to counter this online scarcity of Malay content, but I’d like to bring forward a more logical question: What about the official sites of Bulan Bahasa, Berita Harian, Kelab Obor and other Malay-oriented/targeted organisations that should be easily accessed by many? Why are they inadequately filled up with content or infact, backward?

Chairul suggested that there be a permanent office with full-timers to run all issues with regards to the Malay language, probably similarly to the Speak Mandarin Campaign committee that go around boasting their bus mobile advertising and ambassadors with billboards outside the MICA Building. Of course that would cost money and to run an organisation of that scale, it would be really frustrating to have to deal with the majority of the targetted public who would not necessarily carry the Malay language flag that high. Who qualifies anyway?

If you surf through the Bulan Bahasa 2008 website, you might see the list of activities that includes a blogging competition, a book launch, a theatre show, a song-writing competition based on Mahsuri S.N’s work, speech-giving, a traditional dance showcase, a seminar on etiquette, a dikir barat showcase, a debate, and a poetry recital. No offence to the committee that worked really hard to put it together, considering the kind of sponsorshop and grants they had to plead to make this happen, but it’s a little out of context and highly likely won’t succeed in inspiring a new generation of Malay people to be learning proper Malay. On a regular basis, most youths these days do not have any interest whatsoever in any of the activities above. So if you throw in Save-Your-Mother Tongue undertone (or overtones), the less attractive the activity becomes.

Like me, alot of Malay Singaporeans think and speak in English and I believe that some parts of the annual Bulan Bahasa campaign can work if it was done in English. Yes, go ahead, laugh at me and call me insensitive, but I think a Pop Song Translation Contest (English to Malay), ‘What Is It Called in Malay?’ quiz would be a little bit more interesting than learning how to duduk bersila (sit cross-legged) properly. The website will primarily be done in English and the outreach is to the masses, not just the Malay community. I think a Show&Tell about the history of the Malay language and the origin of certain words would also appeal to the undergraduate lot too. Like how suria, kelawar, roti has a Sanskrit root (and the entire Indian subcontinent uses it too) and arif, rahmat, rezeki is Arabic.

The blogging competition should be national, inter-school and conducted all year-long where every school with a Malay department must put up a Malay language blog administered, maintained by its students. The blog should be hosted on the school’s official site and marketed (also the student’s responsibility) online via links and banners on their circle of friends within their Friendster accounts, run the blog similarly like a school newsletter, except that it’s in Malay. So during Bulan Bahasa, the best content, best design, best use of the language, best story gets awarded during the closing ceremony. The winning school receives cash prizes and their website banner shall be hosted on every other school’s blog as an entry!

I would suggest, even, to have a recital done in Bahasa Pasar and do away with baku for that event to keep the formality and batik shirt element out of the way and have young people very comfortable with expressing themselves using modern jargon. It should, however, be moderated by qualified linguists and viewed as entertainment more than literature. Purists, sit down!

So my WordPress statistics tells me I reach out to at least 6,00 people on a daily basis and when shared on my Facebook profile/notes/Flog Blog, I have at least another 3,000 (Malaysians included) reading the contents of my blog, and in the case where somebody from the committee feel offended by my pointing of fingers, I hope you understand that promoting the proper use of Malay and/or telling everybody how beautiful the language is takes more than a smiling committee of parliamentary folks and a theme song (which I’m pretty proud that I got to sing, by the way). It needs the media working together unconditionally, access to every single school in Singapore under the Ministry of Education, young blood, a lot of good ideas, some capital funding, and, err.. a better website.

 

On Zero Promotions & Symbolic Rituals by Members of Parliament

My background in event organizing might be mediocre but it adds up to enough to have come up with systematic scheduling, cutting back on costs without compromising quality of event, and no matter how small the show and limited the reach is, I get as much publicity as I can. Senang jer cakap, you might think. But yes, it is that simple. Too bad that since I’ve been a Facebook addict I haven’t been organizing events, I would have gone crazy with the Events function.

I don’t understand why events that boasts corporate sponsors or if not, at least, put together by a corporate company, especially if it’s a youth-oriented organisation, not have a good turn out. Here’s a tip. If you represent a youth organisation, or a government organisation targeted at youths, then you will NOT have a problem in activating at least an army of people to come support your show unconditionally. It’s just a matter of a phone call that your lacklustre can get a boost just by planting people there. For example, if you’re from Malay youth academic initiative and you organise a roadshow, CALL THE ENTIRE ORGANISATION AND ITS MEMBERS TO COME DOWN. You must plant people there and don’t expect that an ad on national daily paper can do the trick. It’s mandatory, and protocol but it’s not enough. You must, must, must make it mandatory and protocol for this to take place too.  It will make the event look good in the pictures for future profiling.

When you invite a Member of Parliament to grace the event, the dramatic entrance is quite enough for video opt. Please don’t make him light candles, hit a gong, pull ribbons, perform a rap song, help spark the on-stage pyrotechnic fanfare. Make him sign the poster or plaque, picture with everybody, then have some food without interruptions. He will be just as uncomfortable as any regular person if everybody’s being superduper nice for the photos. He would appreciate it enough that he’s invited, and he’ll keep the speech short if there’s one to be made. So remember, no gongs and making everybody rise to see him hit the gong.

If you have a guest in your radio show, a new television series (drama or variety), events big or small, put them on your Facebook status, spam your Myspace friends, blog about it before, during and after, and make such a big hoohaa about it. The power has been given to you and you don’t want to use it? Come on people!

For event ideas, resources and connections for Malay folks interested to play the game right, just write me at imran@beats.sg

 

On 8 Minutes To Save The World

An 8 minute film competition. Click to know more.

 

On a Lovely Saturday out Painting The Town Red

Eversince Hamizan and I exchanged headgear I’ve been wearing it nonstop, and not because I want to cover my botakhead, but because I really like wearing this trucker cap. And Zee noticed that I’m on a ‘red phase’, wearing everything red, infact I have almost the exact same white/red stripe shirt from 3 different brands. Maybe it’s a good phase, after I’m done with my year-long ‘green phase’.

Suhana and Fadhil came to my place not too long after I woke up late in the noon. Fadhil wanted to introduce my mother to his new furniture business and Suhana had kindly exchanged some broken or chipped Tupperware pieces. My mother is so easily excited about household things. She’s a huge interior decorator. It was quite cute to see her get all jumpy about upholstery. You won’t believe how she converted our 3 room Hougang flat into an American country home/Victorian abode mash-up. There are more clocks in the house than there are people, and there are more roses (real ones, fake ones, pictures of them, drawings of them, fabric motif, etc etc etc) than anything else.

Watched ‘Don’t Mess With The Zohan’ with Smalls after he declined watching Hell Boy 2, in which I wanted to see the monsters from ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ got hired again by the same director, Guillermo Del Toro. Altimet and I watched one part of the Resident’s Evil once and he thought it was bad, but he said “At least the extras from Michael Jackson’s thriller got hired again”. I laugh about that til today and it’s so funny it plays in my head it like a favourite line from a song. Couldn’t get the ‘Two & A Half Men’ theme song out of my head either today and I kept singing the boy’s part to myself, which even distracted me from noticing that they were already so many people in the lift when I tried to squeeze in and it buzzed a gentle but embarrassing ‘Lift Full’ alarm at Cineleisure. Malunya!

While Smalls had his favourite chicken rice at Tong Seng earlier, and he had chosen the steamed chicken instead of the roasted (healthy choice) but insisted to have more oily stock/sauce in a separate dish served (not a healthy addition which beats the purpose), i asked him a series of questions about National Service/life in Tekong to what I remember going through. I, myself, had just finished serving 2 days course for my annual paramedic/CPR certificate. Nothing’s changed, except for maybe the pay and the shorter work-week for them Tekong boys. I asked my camp-mate Syafiq where have all the 8 years gone, he replied “Studying to be a dentist, I suppose”. He is a dentist today. I suppose I have my answer too and I guess time passing by so quickly can be a blessing for dreamers.

Rozé and I had dinner at Nana Thai before buying a whopping 4 pairs of shoes. I helped choose the first 3 pairs of killer stilettos and she levelled out the sin-factor by getting at least 1 pair of flats. We chose 1 for Ainon. She had turned 18 recently (she’s always been 18 to me for the past 4 years at least. Tell some childish girls to take a cue from her) and maybe she could use a pair now. Haha.  At Nana Thai, we had a good meal of dry beef kway teow, mee goreng seafood and my favourite sweet & sour baby squid. There was a huge serving of parsley as garnishing on the squid dish and I picked up the whole bush and put it in my glass of ice-water. Rozé wondered what I was going to do with it. When we finished, I drank from the same glass and then started chewing on the parsley. She shrieked and screamed and covered her face at how horrible it would have tasted. I said “it helps with the breath”, and she replied “There’s always TicTac, Imran!!!”. I thought that was so smart and funny. What was funnier was the person we talked about suddenly came over, out of nowhere, to say hi. We asked each other whether we had said the name loud enough for anybody to pick up what we were saying. She even tried repeating the name after that person’s gone. It was so funny!!!

We beat the queue at the Far East taxi-stand by walking a bit to Goodwood Park Hotel and was headed towards Mosi Cafe, Haji Lane where Ainon was when I called her boyfriend, Erwan, to check for her shoesize. Rozé laughed so hard when the nearby Tex-Mex Grill was playing this 90s joint and I burst into a ‘Running Man’ dance. I thought she laughed because of how stupid I looked, but really, it was because I remember the dance at all. We both sang “Domo arigato Mr Roboto” by Styx in the cab out loud and then the cabdriver randomly told us he was going to the beach tomorrow.

Haji Lane was hustling and bustling and Mosi had more customers than space. I don’t understand cars who are headed to some place within Haji Lane would know that it’s crowded with chairs and tables spilling out of the 5-foot way cafes, and yet, they still drive in from the North Bridge Road side, causing a domino effect in people getting up to make way for them. That is so stupid. I know it’s still an open road, but hello, fikir lah sikit. It’s like those cars who mati-mati want to get thru the Geylang Bazaar or Bussorah Street Bazaar during Ramadhan. Them idiots!

Farid, Arsyad, Tash, Khai, Khali, and some of her girlfriends, Ainon Erwan, Rozé and I made our way to Yassin at St George Avenue after I went to check up the details of ‘Aku Suka Tengok Wayang‘ on Facebook organised by local film activist, Wahyu Rahman and partner, Adi Yadoni. I don’t think I could have survived the midnight screening of HellBoy 2 that Irfan and Intan had gone for, nor went bowling or billiard as some of the girls had suggested, so after some confusing arguments and direction giving, and about an hour of cab-waiting and walking to Tekka Mall to get onto 147, we arrived at the location. While on the bus, the girls had crowded around the sideway seats at the front and Khali who was standing nearer to the door had the driver rudely shouted ‘Oi’ to get her attention to move. She politely apologised and moved a bit which wasn’t enough for the driver. He shouted again, presumably unhappy at how happy the girls were, giggling and speaking out loud. I thought that was so rude. Khali said “I already said sorry to you and I moved” to respond to his mumblings, and she got fed up and said “Don’t make me report” which made him jerk the bus and say “What did you say? You want to report ah?” which was pretty unnecessary. I had quickly constructed a few scenarios in my head and what I would do to resolve each possible oncoming scene. It all led to one, me telling off the driver at how rude he was in asking a passenger to not obstruct the exit. It must have been so frustrating to Khali who later told us it wasn’t the first time for her to encounter a rude driver, but it was the first for me as I haven’t been on a bus for maybe almost 2 years now. (I’m allowed to spoil myself, of course). We got off 1 stop after the commotion and Khali shouted “Get a life!!!” during our exit, which I think didn’t suffice but was good enough for her.

I got to see T:zi after so long, and he crooned about 3 of his folk songs before they screened ‘Paris Je Taime’ on the rooftop of Yassin Restaurant. Apparently I missed performances by Art Fazil and Yunos Erksan too . Adi suggested I sing after the movie but it got late and we all headed back after the French film. I watched it already but I never caught the lovely parts in which this time around, it made such an impact to me. The event itself reminded me of the old Literarti, minus the film part. The simple sound system setup, the carpet, the small intimate crowd, the lampu laplip (which is lampu liplap in Malaysia by the way) all made the place/event looked so cosy and gave me a fuzzy feeling. If I’m in Singapore for the next round, I’ll definitely want to catch it again.

I had such an eventful Saturday even though I do have some overdue work I needed to focus on. I haven’t had this kind of clean fun in such a long time. What Sani said the night before did kick some sense into me. I don’t need to do certain things just to feel young and colourful. I went home from Clarke Quay yesterday night without telling a soul and the only sign that made me certain it was worth-it heeding the advice was that nobody knew I went missing or did anybody about it when they did. Mental note about some friends.

“All I want for Ramadhan is you” was the funniest thing I heard today from off watching Zohan. I don’t know what colour I’ll be phasing in this coming bulan puasa that I’m looking forward to. I’m sure red has done me wonders for, at least, today. I felt young and colourful being in Singapore with people I like and/or love, even when I don’t get to meet them today. Hilarious SMS exchanges, giggly 5 minute phonecalls or soft whispers in the cinema did me good today. Hope Saturday was good for you too.

 

On Everything Blooming Up Roze’s

Roze and I met maybe 10 years ago when she first sang for one of the shows that I organized. Thought she was my Amel Larrieux. Saved her number as Roze Songbird since then. She was the girl with the flower in her hair and she got eliminated out of Idol twice. Thought that was awful. What were they thinking!! Haha.  Signed her up in my roster 2 years back, but nothing fruitful came out of it. She sang the backup for my first album, and now she’s starting to pave her own. She recorded back up for DeeDee last week and I was blown away by her voice, as though I forgot that she was that good. When you see her on the streets, tell her “I think you’re going to be a star one day” because I want to get as many people as possible believing in her extraordinary talent and by doing that it will make the universe conspire with my wishes for her! Wait til you hear her sing. Amazing Roze.

 

On ****

Sebab

karyaku

jauh

lebih

penting

dari

hair wax

 

On Doing New Things or Something for the First Time in a Long Time

The last time I performed in Singapore was for the pilot episode of FYI back in April. The show at Woodlands was pushed an hour or so later, so my manager, Raudha, and I spent two hours waiting at Cavana before my cousin, Irfan and his girlfriend, Intan joined us. I was particularly nervous because I’ve never performed with a botakhead before. I did not want to sing the new songs yet. Everybody was asking me why did I shave my head, but I didn’t feel like explaining. Although it did occur to me that they’d come up with their own theories, for example, I’m losing hair. I’m not losing hair. Met some Imtiazes, and met a few new ones. It didn’t feel as meriah as before though. But thank you for those who came unconditionally.

I’m appearing on this news/current affairs program called ‘Aset’ on Singapore’s Suria Channel tomorrow, Wednesday, and when I saw the trailer, I looked like I just got hit in the face with a dirty broom. No wonder they pack on make-up for the variety programs. But I’m fine with it. I didn’t shave my beard or moustache, and I just went bald during the shoot last week. I wore my favourite cap. I get to talk about the new things I’m doing. The last time I appeared on TV (in Singapore) was in May for the first episode of FYI. So this is a good change. I remember saying, in the shoot, that “the only key to success is to get rid of everything negative, and avoiding everybody who’s negative” and when I watched the trailer for the new drama “1988…Segaris Sinar” that uses Aliff Aziz’s song “Nyala” as its theme song. It says “Dengarlah mereka persendakan / Usah gentar menawani cita / Terusan melangkah ke hujungnya / Bangkit segera semangatmu“. I thought that was brilliantly written and sung. I missed the drama though. I hope they re-run it!

By the way, I’m putting together a low-key Hiphop Hurray 5 affair at Esplanade in September, at the new outdoor stage that will go up and running this National Day. Interested?

 

On Growing Older By Noticing How Everybody Else is Younger

I saw two people I used to be close to. Not really close to but I was close to people they were close to. In Singapore, everybody knows everybody. There’s really no point for a Facebook if we’re meeting everyday right, I thought. But such networking sites is a Godsent to those who don’t get to meet everyday, especially because there’s 300km of road between us. Well, I saw her cross the street, and thought how easy it would be if I just blamed her for all the screw-ups she has caused to her friends, and how it had affected me too. I avoided eye-contact because I couldn’t handle a fake greeting during the wee hours. So I wondered out if she had added me on Facebook by mistake, by adding every single soul she knows via Gmail or Hotmail, and forgot to unclick on my name. No, she’s not on my account, I checked. Then, at Simpang Bedok, I saw him walk right next to me, and I was expecting that 2001 “hello” but I didn’t get one, so I was not sure if he was avoiding me but he had put a cloth over his head when he had to sit facing in my direction and his friends had wondered why, too. I got so distracted when my superhero sense of hearing picked up them questioning why has he gotten so restless all of a sudden, I contemplated being the bigger person, and allowed him his privacy and faced a different direction. Apparently, that was not needed. Tit for tat, kata dia. My surroundings had pointed to me the social sciences of it all. I was so distracted that I got off-track from the conversation I was in, with all my real set of friends. You avoid somebody, somebody else avoids you. So if you lose somebody, somebody else could lose you too. I never saw it that way before today though. 3 cheers to having a good memory, and the great moments that you think you need to forget.

 

On July Updates

* Been spending alot of time at Wallwork Studio
* Shaved my head bald twice
* Watched “Sepi” in KL and loved it
* Went to Screenbox twice at Bukit Batok Crescent
* Spend 2 nights at Terengganu last weekend
* Visited Badoque at least once
* Selling Perfume Online And I Can Send It To Your Singapore Address
* Watched “SATC” and lovin’ it but hated the screen and the seats at Lido
* Went to the dentist and did my teeth!
* Performing at Woodlands Open Field on Sunday
* Prefers if Facebookers added my FanPage instead of my Account because it’s maxing out.
* Going for Medic Refresher Course this week
* Appearing on Suria’s Aset on Wed 10:30pm
* Singing with Ning Baizura in Malacca on the 19th
* Going for Norfasarie’s Wedding!
* Hari Raya Shoots!

 

On It Being Sememangnya Otomatik

 

On Making Some Changes

 

On The Tarot of Marseilles

My interest in Tarot cards are purely for its history and design. I do not even believe in horoscopes, mind you. But the last line of the video makes a lot of sense to me. This is part of my research for the new album.

It rang a buzz down my arm when I saw the KFC ad in Malay over in Suria and the narrator pronounced ‘Tortilla’ correctly, which is “Tor-tee-ya”. So you should say it properly when you order it. By the way, Marseilles is pronounced “Mar-sey”.

 

Diariku #9: Berterus Terang

Diariku #9

22nd June 2008

Sepanjang umur saya, kerap saya terdengar berita tentang orang ditipu, yang menipu, atau yang rasa tertipu di kalangan orang Melayu kita. Ada yang tentang remaja terlanjur, hutang atau gaji yang tidak dibayar dan ada banyak tentang orang yang rasa ‘kecil hati’ terhadap sikap orang yang pernah mereka menolong. Saya tidak rasa ada penipuan pun yang berlaku, cuma tiada yang berterus terang sahaja. Segan, malu atau tak kuasa?

Dalam banyak-banyak kempen yang biasa dianjurkan untuk membawa kesadaran tentang isu-isu kesihatan, dan keselamatan, ‘Lebih Seksi Katakan Tidak’, sebuah kempen untuk mencegah gejala seks di kalangan remaja merupakan yang pertama membangkitkan isu yang taboo. Kerana topik itu jarang atau sama sekali tidak diperbicarakan antara ibu-bapa dan anak-anak remaja mereka, ini adalah langkah pertama untuk membantu orang Melayu menghadapi kebenaran.

Jika anak lelaki kamu berani membawa pulang teman perempuannya untuk berjumpa dengan keluarga, mengapakah kamu tidak terfikir dia tidak akan membuat sedemikian apabila kamu tiada di rumah? Banyak masalah seperti ini, yang dihadapi masyarakat Melayu mungkin boleh diatasi hanya dengan mengambil sikap minda terbuka dan bertindak dengan segera. Berterus-teranglah dengan anak kamu bila sudah terlihat tanda-tanda yang tertentu. Jangan sampai terlambat!

Bukan sahaja itu. Bila ada yang berhutang dengan anda, janganlah sekali sekali mengaibkan orang tersebut dengan menyebarkan lesapnya pinjaman wang anda dan ‘si penipu’ itu, kerana ras Mintalah duit itu sendiri, dan mintalah penjelasan dengan berterus-terang. Orang meminjam pun kerana mereka tidak mencukupi. Sebelum memberi, fikirlah dulu! Jangan ia-kan, lepas tu, memburukkan nama orang itu apabila tidak terbayar. Kalau anda sendiri tidak boleh atau tidak mahu meminjamkan, berterus-teranglah!

Bila tidak diundang untuk majlis keramaian kenalan ataupun keluarga, mengapa kita perlu berasa sensitif? Mungkin mereka terlupa! Jadi kirimkanlah sumbangan hadiah atau wang kepada orang yang diundang. Jangan rasa ‘tertipu’ dan mengungkit tentang hal yang tidak berkena-mengena sebab kita semua manusia biasa yang membuat kesilapan. Mungkin orang yang menjalankan majlis tersebut akan meminta maaf dan memberi penjelasan. Jika tidak, janganlah dipersoalkan dengan orang-orang yang tidak kena mengena. Tak elok macam gitu.

Saari Amri, pencipta dan penggubah lagu terkenal di Malaysia baru baru ini bercerita kepada wartawan akhbar tentang kugiran UKAYS yang tidak kenang jasa budi beliau, dan sekarang peminat berita hiburan sedang menunggu penjelasan dari ketua kugiran itu. Dengan beraninya, Encik Saari menceritakan kes tersebut. Mungkin akan terbongkar cerita yang sebenar dan kumpulan UKAYS dapat membersihkan reputasi mereka. Di Singapura, artis-artis yang katanya ‘ditipu’ oleh orang yang menawarkan kontrak mewah masih bersembunyi dengan nama samaran, dan tidak berterus terang tentang siapa gerangan ‘penipu’ tersebut. Dengan itu, tidak akan terjadi perkembangan positiflah!

Jika kita berdiam-diri, meredam hasad dengki, bersembunyi di belakang nama samaran, tidak ingin bernama atau bergambar apabila membuat aduan kepada media atau bila menyampaikan pesan kepada orang lain, saya rasa kempen tahun depan yang harus dilancarkan adalah “Lebih Seksi Memikir Positif Dan Jangan Menyusahkan Orang Dengan Tidak Berterus Terang” dan saya akan menyiapkan lagu temanya.

 

On Having Nothing To Say At All

 

On Singing ‘Seribu Tahun’ with Orkestra DBKL

During the rehearsal of the DBKL R&B Concert with Dayang Nurfaizah, Liza Aziz, Irene and RuffEdge. This was my first time being backed by strings, so it felt a bit special to me, because I’ve always imagined the song to have actual live strings. This was one small dream come true.

 

On Selling Products Online: #1 - Calvin Klein Euphoria

Calvin Klein Euphoria

I have two bottles of Calvin Klein Euphoria 50ml each, brand new, on sale at SG$55 including postage to your home address. Deal via I-Banking or ATM transfers only. If you’re interested, please write to beatssociety@gmail.com with the brand and name as its subject. First come first serve basis.

 

On Having Babies Named After Me

I don’t know for sure if the child was named after me, or maybe the parents a fan of the name. I don’t think my name, the combination of both ‘Imran’ and ‘Ajmain’, is something you hear everyday like, perhaps, Hafiz or Ridzwan, which by the way alot of 1980 to 1988 Malay babies were named. Not that I’m saying there’s anything wrong with those names.

http://keluargaalias.blogspot.com/2008/05/imran-ajmain.html

I even checked their family tree. They named their first born Ahmad Imran Ajmain b Ahmad Rizal. It’s watermarked on the child’s pictures. That’s my full name right there. Let’s just say that even if it’s got nothing to do with me; the coincidence itself is quite an honour to find on Google alert.

 

On CrossBlogging With Zee: Part 1

Imran’s Part

I met Fadhil and Suhana Abdat, a young married couple whose got their own place at quite an uncommon area for many, at Old Airport Road in Kallang. While Suhana is a fulltime writer for a local magazine, and Fadhil has always helped out with his many family businesses, they’ve seeked consultation for my creative input for their new and upcoming online furniture business. Online, yes. I called Fadhil, Datco 2nd Gen, because I’m quite familiar with his uncles who used to run their furniture business at the old World Trade Centre; a makcik’s favourite. Now they are going to bring it back, in a different way.

I have to come up with a name for their line targeted at Malay home-makers and Salim suggested something we’ve thought about before for our t-shirt line. I’d endorse the furniture via online and photography catalogue and also helping to kickstart the initial marketing. They will be taking part in the exhibition later on this year at Expo and that might help gather their audience. What I’m more interested in, is the more unconventional collection for younger consumers, that is the classic Italian-inspired furniture that most of us 80s babies would be familiar with (because all our moms shopped at Rocco) but this time round, they’ll be playing with non-wood colours for the frames and a little bit more exciting fabric for the upholstery. I’m quite interested in those.

So new home-owners, if you’d like to get new furniture for yourself and would not like to visit the mass-produced China products over at the mega-stores, we could offer reasonable alternatives. As for this project, I’m hoping to embark on a more long-term commitment to add on to my portfolio for marketing. All the best to all young business folks with dreams!

—

Zee’s Part

For the past 9 months, I could have been pregnant and given birth anytime now. Hahah! Okay, sorry. Let’s start again.

For the past 9 months that I have been working from home, I got a couple of calls for some projects. This particular one, I wasn’t so sure about when I was left hanging for almost a full month without a yes or a no. So when I finally got the call, I was elated. In fact, I was far from elated. My confidence came back.

My services were being recommended by Salim. I have been working on SpaJelita’s new look for two weeks now. Yesterday I met up with Nadiah Abdat of SpaJelita, to collect more information to be included in the new site.

SpaJelita targets the above-average working women with their high-end products and services. But I really think their prices are reasonable. I won’t spill out much cos you hafta wait for the site to be up and all information will be there for you. (Ya la must self-promote the web site also.)

When I started with the first draft, it took me the longest time, yet it did not achieve the look of an exclusive spa. It was frustrating and I went on ’experimenting’ further - thus, the 2nd draft appeared. I’m very happy with the new look now.

It was such a *phew* moment when Nadiah expressed her approval of the new look last night. Another happy customer! The site should all be up and about by next week. For now, it’s just a sneak preview if you go to their site: spajelita.com

 

On CrossBlogging with Zee: The Intro

Zee, my trusted webmistress and 1 half of design duo, PlayPause, had a quick conversation about what we were going to be doing today. I am meeting another husband and wife team starting a furniture business and needs a positive kickstart while Zee is already more than halfway through her current design project with a family spa business. Coincidentally, the people we’re going to meet today from both companies have the same last names. Zee and I are going to our first ever cross-blog inspired by a website that Wan found that is: http://farflungfour.com about 4 friends from different parts of the world who update each other about interesting things. So later today, we are going to blog pictures, a short writeup about our separate projects, and what they are up to, and what we’re doing for them. Do this with your friends too!

 

On Early June Updates!

• Updated ‘Discographyku‘ with all my music listings since ‘01
• Updated ‘Diariku‘ with my latest Berita Minggu article
• Updated Facebook with ‘Web Presence’ application that I dig!
• Met up with PlayPause about our server problems
• Ate at Badoque today!
• Meeting up with new furniture company for marketing ideas
• Doing the new station ID jingle for a television station
• Doing the music for an Exercise Video (that’s just ironic); meeting tomorrow!
• Recording first two songs from 2nd album
• I appeared in Media Hiburan consecutively for the past 3 issues
• My song ‘Malu’ featuring Cheryl Samad entered the SuriaFM Charts at No.14. Please keep requesting for the song, people!
• Going to Kemaman, Terengganu this weekend!
• Going for Reservist in August!

 

Diariku #8: Cetak Rompak? Mana Ada?

Diariku #8

8^th June 2008

Semasa mempromosikan album saya di Malaysia, saya kerap menggunakan cogankata “Beli hanya yang ori” (singkatan popular untuk ‘original’) apabila membuat interviu di radio dan televisyen. Artis-artis yang lain pun biasa menyebut kata-kata itu. Ia kerana budaya cetak rompak sangat leluas di sini. Ada banyak syarikat sindikat yang membuat cetakan tiruan dan menjual cakera padat tersebut di pasar-pasar malam. Malah ada toko di pusat membeli belah terkenal juga turut menjual produk cetak rompak di Kuala Lumpur.

Masalah cetak rompak ini bukanlah perkara yang baru. Sejak musik diterbitkan dengan format piring hitam dan bentuk kaset pun, sudah ada versi yang tiruan di pasaran. Sekarang, dengan perubahan masa, memuat-turun dari lelaman web secara haram juga dianggapkan sesuatu pencurian. Ini akan menjejas hasil penjualan album artis tersebut dan sekaligus merosakkan Tetapi yang peliknya, saya tertanya-tanya, masih adakah masalah ini di Singapura?

Saya rasa pembeli di Singapura, terutama sekali di kalangan anak muda Melayu, lebih mementingkan mutu. Sikap semakin materialis kami semua membuat orang kita tidak mahu dikaitkan dengan membeli jenama tiruan. Lagi-lagi apabila ingin memiliki album idola mereka, mereka tidak akan menyentuh pada yang bukan tulen. Malah ada ramai yang marah apabila album tempatan dicetak dengan secara haram dan dipasarkan di kedai-kedai, saya pernah terbaca di forum lelaman web membincangkan isu tersebut.

Masyarakat Melayu merupakan 14 peratus dari bilangan penduduk di Singapura. Itu adalah sebanyak 600,000 orang. Wow! Bukankah itu bermaksud ‘consumers’ atau kuasa pembeli kaum Melayu cukup berpotensi? Patutlah filem yang ditayangkan di televisyen dan pawagam siap dengan sarikata dalam bahasa Melayu dan restoran-restoran francais yang tidak mempunyai sijil Halal pun kurang popular!

Sudah dua minggu berturut-turut rancangan Melodi di TV3 khabarkan berita tentang acara anjuran pihak Malaysia yang dapat sambutan hangat dari penyokong warga Singapura. ‘P.Ramlee The Musical’ di Esplanade dan juga festival filem FINAS di GV Marina dipenuhi dengan peminat hiburan Melayu sehingga habis tiket dijual sepanjang tayangannya di Singapura. Ia bermakna ‘demand’ untuk hiburan memang besar. Terdengar juga khabar VCD filem dan komedi tempatan keluaran Life Records juga terjual seperti pisang goreng panas, sampaikan 14,000 naskah habis. Jadi, sudah masuklah waktu yang sangat sesuai untuk pemuzik di Singapura cukup dikenali ramai dan album mereka boleh terjual sebanyak itu ataupun lebih.

Saya pernah berbincang dengan Daly dari kumpulan Ahli Fiqir tentang isu ini. Dengan tiadanya cetakan rompak di Singapura, artis tempatan kami mempunyai satu kelebihan dari artis luar negeri yang dipasarkan di Singapura. Bayangkan jika artis-artis di Singapura mula menerbitkan album mereka di pasaran. Dengan bantuan dari radio, televisyen dan akhbar, semua belah pihak akan dapat merasakan keuntungannya, termasuk sekali sebanyak sejuta orang yang memahami bahasa Melayu di Singapura. Jangan lupa juga warga kepualan Riau dan negeri Johor yang turut menonton saluran radio dan televisyen Singapura!

Jadi, dengan itu, saya berharap kesemua finalis Anugerah Band, walaupun yang bukan juara, akan menerbitkan ‘single’ mereka. Mana tau ini menjadi permulaan revolusi muzik di Singapura? Dan kepada peminat, janganlah ‘upload’ lagu-lagu itu di blog atau lelaman web masing-masing dan membenarkan orang ramai memuat-turunnya. Tidak mengambil tahu tentang perkembangan dunia seni dan hiburan di Singapura juga merupakan sejenis jenayah yang sepatutnya dibanteras! Jangan lupa, ‘beli hanya yang ori’!

 

On More Sabah Pictures

Pictures courtesy of Abang Badrul (Diddy)

 

On Getting My Spark Back

When I was asked what were the positive changes I’ve been in the past year, I didn’t have much to share besides petty little superficial things. I think I lost quite plenty just so that I could leave Singapore to pursue some risky business elsewhere; nearby but still, risky. I’ve been travelling all around Malaysia and meeting all my idols, one by one. Although I tell myself that I’m taking notes for the betterment of the industry back in Singapore, I’m probably slowly losing bits of myself and feeling less and less important in Singapore. I also feel like I have been quiet in the ideas department. I used to be so busy that I get these panic slaps in the face when I wake up in the morning, thinking I’m late for something, but in reality, I’m the boss of these projects. I haven’t done anything positive, of late. I need to get my spark back.

Last year alone, i was involved in alot of projects such as Sleeq’s mini-album, some school to school projects, my monthly Hiphop (and then some) event series called Speakeasy, two live showcases of my own and even put together a Hari Raya album called ‘Fitrah: Hazir Lebaran 2007′. I set up Beats Society four years ago for the very objective of putting out products, and events, and reaching out to the masses. I cannot allow my rezeki in Malaysia to be an excuse as to why I’m not living out my intended dream, that is; to put out products and events and reaching out to the masses especially during times like these; when Singapore Malay entertainment is in a state of emergency.

I had painfully cut ties and burnt bridges with almost everybody I used to work with, even the closest of the lot, leaving only the trusted few, and even they are saying that my path is only singing and songwriting. I don’t want only that. I must admit that artiste management is a mistake. Two things; You can’t manage clueless people, and you can’t manage artistes if there isn’t anything to offer them. But helping them out one by one, case by case basis can prove to be fruitful, like Krazie Starr. I do not take any credit for their talent but if you’ve heard about them before, it’s my work, I’m sure. The entire time I was trying to iron out the wrinkles in my masterplan, I had the haters of course; the anonymous cowards ganging up their theories and then the bitter onlookers who just had nothing better to do. Quite inevitable. I’m not perfect lah but I deserve respect.

Chatting with my producer, Avex, we were comparing and contrasting levels of comfort for people who do these freelance projects on a full-time basis. I’m sure there are other people in Singapore, too, who are or would like to do what I do, and I shouldn’t be complaining. But I just can’t help getting sick, thinking of how the more time I spend in Malaysia, the deeper my Singaporean ambition will sink. So he’s saying that I (and you too) should not get too comfortable with past achievements, and should die die try to better ourselves in everything that we do.

I hope to wake up early again everyday, feeling excited about upcoming projects all over again. Although I know very well that I have to start from scratch, from the very miniscule of details. I want to be busy with projects again that don’t involve me singing. I’d like to make teenagers and the masses aware about the possibility of a viable economy if we tapped properly into the entertainment scene in Singapore, and that I could get my spark back even if all I manage to do is get only halfway there.

 

On Watching P.Ramlee The Musical

I got the best seats for the night. It was right at the back, in the middle, with no obstruction to my view from right to left, and two seats infront of Dato Sharifah Aini and an arm’s length away from Dato Siti. So if there was a brawl breaking out, we’d be directly on Ground Zero. Hafiz Smalls and I have planned to attend P.Ramlee The Musical for a few days now, and I got my tickets quickly from Faliq who was part of the production crew. I was worried if everybody was going to talk like they do during the movies, but that wasn’t the case. But what irked me was that the audience applauded after every song. It’s a musical, for heaven’s sake! To the point where the actors had to wait for the applause to die off before they continued speaking.

Musly Ramlee has this uncanny resemblance to the legend that he was portraying but for me, Melissa Saila meletop playing Norizan. She was so good! I did not watch the 1st season and as big fan of both Erwin Gutawa and Roslan Aziz, I didn’t get how people, who watched the 1st run, said that the music was drastically different now that they’ve switched music directors between the two. I probably would have enjoyed it just as much.

There were some minor technical glitches and if I were behind-the-scenes crew, I would have gone into a nervous fit, especially when P.Ramlee’s mic did not turn on during his first song (and somebody else sang through a separate mic). Later, Sukardi’s mic was off too. So in a goodbye scene between P.Ramlee and Sukardi, where it was supposed to be a hand over shoulder, side by side dialogue, they were in deep hug instead so that Sukardi could speak through P.Ramlee’s mic before exiting. Haha!

When the opening introduction says for the audience to laugh, and cry along to the story. That’s exactly what I did. When P.Ramlee said to his first love, Azizah, “Aku tidak perlu ke Singapura. Aku bahagia di sini bersama kau“, that got me all fuzzy inside.

If you’re in KL, or can make it to KL before the 14th, this is an excellent show to catch. Beautiful sets, and costumes, and the songs are really good. My only complaint is that the seats were too small for my long legs, it’s the Sabah bus ride all over again for me. And why does Siti get her own exit at the theatre and not Kak Pah? Hehe.

“You balik lambat, I keluar eh?” Norizan asks

“You keluar, I balik lambat!” P.Ramlee replies!

 

On Being in Kelantan but My Mind Being Elsewhere

It was my first time in Kelantan yesterday, and I was quite grateful that THR Radio Pantai Timur threw in flight tickets for me and my manager, Aszuad, because honestly, after the horrifying 12 hour bus ride from Sandakan to Kudat last week in Sabah, I couldn’t bear the thought of a roadtrip anymore. The show was at 4pm, and it was just me and Adam AF, but the flight was at 7.20am. That would mean I have to leave the house at 5.30am. I could hardly sleep that night because something I applied for, and hoped for so badly, was rejected. I was dejected the entire time that I drowned myself in instant noodles and went to bed.

I thought Kelantan would be strict and religious. They are, yes, but it’s not as bad as I thought. I was given instructions that I can’t shake hands with ladies, can’t dance on stage (which I don’t) and can’t bring any ladies on stage. Adam who brought his dance group to Sabah toned down his set and did just his ballads. However, there was a kebaya beauty contest that took place before our performance and during their catwalk, the contestants had jiggled to their favourite Hindi tunes. Not quite the picture of totalitarian Kelantan I had in my head. Nasi Ayam was sweet and we had no time for any sightseeing. The hotel was in Kota Bahru and the family carnival was an hour away at Pasir Puteh, which I think could have been closer if not for the one way lanes and red lights that don’t change for 10 minutes.

Most of the time during my travel up north or back to KL, it would be late at night so I’d miss most of the scenery, but this time, maybe consciously for the first time, I saw the paddy fields. I was reminded of scenes in ‘Kerana Cintaku Saerah’ and how I missed shooting the official video on site because I had to serve reservist that month. It was all I was thinking about.

When I spoke to Razil last week about Singapore music, he felt that National Service is one of the many factors why there isn’t a vibrant entertainment scene back home. I did not strongly disagree but it is true that the best of musicians discover themselves after leaving school, and at their prime, they’d have to leave to serve the country for two years. Some find the path again but some just can’t be bothered because two years of inactivity would just steer them into finding a proper job and starting a family, and not to pick up the guitar and chase a dream. I remained active musically while I was in the army, but I think reservist just burst a bubble. Last year, I flew back to Singapore after doing the Green Earth concert at Bukit Jalil and went back into camp in the morning.

Hafiz Smalls goes into service in 2 weeks and thank goodness that he isn’t a musician but he did score himself a task to take care of some musicians.

I’m not questioning 30 years of military history and effectiveness, but as a passionate musician, I think folks like myself will find every reason imagineable as to why it’s not working for us musicians back home and right now, for me, it’s in-camp training and the failure to turn music into a viable economy hence no matter what we do, if it’s not on Channel 5, we are not recognized. Hence, I have no excuse but to come back to Singapore and prepare for war.

Oh ya, please save your comments on your contributions to society and how you think I should play the game fairly. Stop comparing!

 

On Questionnaire of the Day

Love these questionnaires.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7.55am

2. Diamonds or pearls? Neither, I don’t wear accessories.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Gone Baby Gone

4. What is your favorite TV show? Weeds, just watched all 3 seasons on DVD.

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Banana Nut Crunch with HL Milk

6. What is your middle name? Ahmad.

7. What food do you dislike? Hospital food

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Madonna’s ‘Hard Candy’

9. What kind of car do you drive? Not applicable.

10. Favorite sandwich? Egg mayo

11. What characteristic do you despise? Phillistinic ignorance

12. Favorite item of clothing? A brand new shirt worn over & over again

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Greece

14. What color is your bathroom? My toilet at the KL house is Pink

15. Favorite brand of clothing? Autograph by Marks & Spencer, and Gap

16. Where would you retire to? Kota Kinabalu

17. What was your most recent memorable birthday? Three years ago, at Nadrah’s River Valley apartment.

18. Favorite sport to watch? People.

19. Furthest place you are sending this? Dunno if anybody outside of Singapore and Malaysia reads my blog

20. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? I expect everybody to copy this and put it up their blogs too

21. Person you expect to send it back first? People who read my blog daily.

22. Favorite word? ‘OK’

23. When is your birthday? 25th April.

24. Are you a morning person or a night person? a very morning person

25. What is your shoe size? 11

26. Pets? None

27. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with us? I’m opening Inul Daratista’s Concert

28. What did you want to become when you were little? A news anchor.

29. How are you today? I wish cabs were easier to get where I stay

30. What is your favorite candy? Menthol, peppermint types

31. What is your favorite flower? Lotus

32. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? 19th July

33. What is your full name? Imran Ahmad Ajmain

34. What was the last thing you ate? Maggi Mee

35. Do you wish on stars? On the Orion’s Belt

36. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green

37. How is the weather right now? Cloudy but the view from my apartment is amazing

38. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Shegar

39. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I don’t know him anymore

40. Favorite soft drink? Green tea or apple&orange juice

41. Favorite restaurant? the Thai place at Kampong Bahru

42. Hair color? Mocha

43. Sibling? 1 Sister

44. Favorite day of the year? Morning of Hari Raya

45. What was your favorite toy as a child? HotWheels toy-car

46. Summer or winter? Don’t know how either feels like

47. Hugs or kisses? Hugs

48. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla

49. Do you want your friends to email you back? Not this list, no.

50. When was the last time you cried? At the cemetery with Shahed

51. What is under your bed? Carpets

52. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Shahed Samsuddin

53. What did you do last night? Nothing at all

54. Favorite smell? Fruity shampoos on girls

55. What are you afraid of? Low ceiling fans, and anything that moves fast

56. Plain, buttered, or salted Popcorn? Sweet and salted, mixed!

57. How many keys on your key ring? 7

58. How many years at your current job? 2 years.

59. Favorite day of the week? Saturday.

60. How many towns have you lived in? 2? I think? this is my 3rd.

61. Do you make friends easily? Yes.

62.How many people will you be sending this to? I’ll put it up in my blog. That way, anyone who chooses to respond, can, and those who don’t, won’t, can’t, don’t have to.

 

On Kelab Pop on Astro

This game show is so fun!!!! Ok spot my ‘Seribu Tahun’ and Aliff’s ‘Sayang Sayang’ during the Humming section. You can find the other parts in Youtube.

 

On Blogging Archives

I went through my previous blog like I was secretly reading somebody’s diary. It didn’t feel like I was the one who wrong all of those things. At which point of my interest in blogging did I stop writing so detailed, not forgetting things I did for the day, the people I met, the emotions I went through, some a bit dramatic, and others just simply unnecessary. Was I on 56k still in 2003? Where did I have all that time to blog? Haha.

I’ve deleted each post, one by one. I should have done it a long time ago. You should too. Don’t let these long forgotten memories be casted in websites that you no long have the passwords for. That’s just dangerous.

 

On Chantek’s Video Trailer

 

On My Web Presence

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Imran-Ajmain/9271747705

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/imranajmain

Friendster: http://www.friendster.com/imranajmain

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/DSK25

If you’d like to write to me, please send your email to beatssociety@gmail.com

 

On Singing in Sabah (9 Videos)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

No guesses how many time Aliff Aziz makes the peace sign with his hand, and Farawahida keeps jumping into my videos.

 

On Promotions in Seremban

It felt near to KL but everything’s so different.

 

On Standing At the Tip of Borneo

On my recent trip to Sabah (which I’m so going to blog like crazy about), I’m going to let the pictures do the talking…

 

On Appearing on TV3’s Jangan Tidur Lagi

Basically the show is just about Azwan Ali dancing around in pajamas and us getting the audience to stand up and join in the dance. That’s about it, but it was mighty fun lah. I appear with rock diva, Ella and Mr Manager, Vernon Kedit. Airs on TV3 next month.