The one at the end of an AMAZING day....

Well, what can I say? Liverpool are European Champs! We're back man... and its about time too!

Quick round-up of newsmakers today... Carrie Underwood, the country sweetheart became the new American Idol. I believe Simon Cowell; she'll go on to be one of the most successful idols of all.

Noted academician Dr. Edmund Terence Gomez made the "alternative" headlines again (i.e. not the mainstream press but on Malaysiakini.com) - this time his wife, also a lecturer at UM was denied no-pay leave to join her husband in Geneva (see my previous post - "The one about the art of elimination..."). Man, we're beginning to look pretty bad.

In world news, US President Bush pledges USD50 million to the Palestinian people thru their Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Should be rejected - after all money from the Infidels surely must not be "halal"?

In other news (usually marked under small headlines "Who cares?") - country singer Garth Brooks proposed to Trisha Yearwood. Probably so she can get a good excuse to step away from the limelight which will be hogged by the new Idol Carrie.

For me... news of the day must surely be Liverpool's magnificient comeback to take the Champions League Cup which they will get to keep, being 5-time champions!

I hadn't watched Liverpool play live in the Champion's League this season, so I told everyone that I had to miss it (in case I jinx it). By a strange coincidence, my son, uncharacteristically woke up at 5.50am. I got up to comfort him, and was told by Jo-Anne that MY TEAM had won (I had subscribe her mobile to an SMS football results notification service)! We switched on the TV and there it was - scenes of jubilation. It was enough to make one's gape in awe and pride. I can say I saw Steven Gerrard lift the coveted trophy - live!! One day, I will tell my son, he woke me up so I could savour in the experience. Thanks, son!

This year Liverpool finished 5th in the league, the Pope died, Prince Charles got married, a new Doctor Who was introduced ... all significant events everytime Liverpool won the European Cup in the past. An eerie coincidence? Or maybe its that miracle the Church needed to help Pope John Paul II on to sainthood? Whatever the case...

(Not to sound real cheesy; gotta let me have that moment)... You'll Never Walk Alone...

The one about starting young...

Hi there! Just at the end of a long weekend. A belated Happy Wesak to those who celebrate.

Did you all read about the little 3-year-old girl, born in an Australian detention centre and having to remain there because she's considered "stateless". The utter nonsense of it all!! I cannot even begin to understand how our dear government (or the powers that be) can classify a 3-year-old as stateless! The news report said that while the mother is welcomed, the girl is not. The mind boggles as to the sheer idiocy of our officials!

Ok, lets argue this in a legal manner - firstly, a minor under the age of 18 cannot own property or enter into contracts. That is provided for in the Age of Majority Act. So, little Naomi (the girl's name) is incapable of choosing to belong to any country. Simply, her nationality should automatically follow that of her legal guardian. In our Guardianship Act, it says both parents are equally the child's guardian. Which means to say, the mother of the child can choose the child's nationality. My legal opinion is that Naomi is automatically a Malaysian by virtue of her mother's nationality. No question, no doubt.

Now, let's look at this with simple common sense. The child is 3-years-old... for God's sake! Is she likely to be a terrorist threat? Who knows? I'm sure however difficult to believe, Osama bin Laden was a cute little toddler at some point. Would she grow up to be a political activist and be a thorn in the government's side? Given her early start in this whole experience, probably yes! In any case, the fact is that there's really no harm in allowing her to come into this country and be a Malaysian. God knows, as it is, so many already want to leave.

Now, some kind hearted people, (note: like in the movies, the "orang putih" is again the kind-hearted person, why is that? Cos, it's true?) are trying to get Naomi Australian citizenship. Well, I wish you well Naomi... please grow up, study hard and be a responsible person. And, oh, by the way... win a gold medal for Australia at the Olympics, ok?

The one about the art of elimination....

Hi there! Been pretty quiet. Anyway, lots of new things happening in the world this week.

There's a new AMBER Alert out in the States. Two kids ages 8 and 9 are missing after their brother, mum and mum's boyfriend were found dead. Just a little trivia - the AMBER Alert was named initially after a missing 9 year old girl Amber Hagerman who was missing back in 1996. It is actually also an acronym for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response. Amazing stuff. People helping peole. Malaysia mana boleh?

Speaking of Malaysia, we've done ourselves proud again this time eliminating a brilliant and obviously reputable academician Edmund Terence Gomez. When he asked for a two-year secondment to join a United Nations Research Institute for Social Development based in Geneva, the Universiti Malaya (UM) refused and he was therefore forced to resign. More evidence of Malaysia promoting the brain drain.

On a surprising note, the webmaster of our Malaysian Parliament website (http://www.parlimen.gov.my) may soon be eliminated for publishing an article. It was Former Deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim's interview with the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parlimentarians in Geneva. However, true to form... the article publish was no more than an extremely shortened version. The juicy parts were...eliminated.

On the fun side of things...American Idol moves into its finale phase. Today Vonzelle was elimated. So, it'll be Bo and Carrie to slug it out. In my opinion, the best final three so far...

Funny Sitcom "Everybody loves Raymond" was also eliminated, albeit by consent. They aired their final episode a few days ago in the US and we may soon get to see that. There's not much left to see on TV, except reality shows.

Oh well, be happy!

The one about news; the good and the bad...

Well, what's happening in the world today?

More Anti-US Afghan protests by the Insurgency (that word used to be a verb, its now a noun); more bomb strikes in Baghdad; protests by Islamic extremists has left 9 dead in Uzbekistan. Nothing new there - these despicable examples of the worst in human nature will continue for sometime.

Over in the US, the state of Connecticut executed its first prisoner on death row for 45 years. Michael Ross was a serial killer and he wanted to die. The 45-year-old killed 8 women and died with no last words. The debate over capital punishment lives on.

The US Pentagon is proposing shutting down over 180 military installations including 33 bases in a cost cutting exercise. Big deal.

On the brighter side (hey, news need not always be bad ones) - Malcolm Glazer has reportedly taken over Manchester United Football Club and the fans are pissed as hell. More things to worry about for the misguided folk...

The Miss Universe 2005 pageant is due to take place soon in Bangkok. Miss Indonesia is there in spite of some protests on her appearing in a bikini. The woman is pretty and she's a law grad too. Leave her alone.

And lastly... Pope Benedict XVI has put the late Pope John Paul II on the "fast track" to sainthood. That probably means it'll take ten years instead of thirty. Sheesh. What do they know? Remember, it was religious leaders who thought Jesus was a fraud. We do "chastise" poor old Pontius Pilate (the Politician) every Sunday for his part in the whole deal but really what was his sin? The guy was a coward, sure... if we are going to chastise political leaders for being cowards... oh where do I start?

On the local front, Malaysia will be hiring teachers from China and India. Very "muhibbah".

As for me, we will be celebrating our friend Jinny's fortieth tonight (Saturday). Dinner with good friends and a fun night out at Soho's. Bliss.

The one about limitating latitudes...

Well, I guess its probably time to enlight the cyberworld out there on what my blog's title means. Believe it or not, and I will tell you most of my friends all will painfully testify to this, the northern most city in the world which I have travelled to is Chiangmai, Thailand. Chiangmai sits just below the 20'N Latitude line.

Hence the one limiting factor in my life is that I have never travelled north of the 20'N Latitude line. Whilst practically, it would not be too difficult to "break" that intangible barrier; the implications of this limitation in my life reaches far beyond such a simplistic matter. To me, its a lesson to be learned by anyone who may want to know and a lesson to be taught to anyone I care about. It's about choice.

Our lives are what we choose it to be. I remember an episode of "Frasier" recently which explored how even small decisions may change the direction our lives head. However, the episode ended by showing that in the end, life is more or less fated. The two different direction Frasier's life took after a while finally converged.

I don't know if I really agree with this "fated" concept. Religiously, I believe that God made us and placed us in this world with one true gift. The freedom of choice. It is this choice which we make that decides how our lives will be. I believe that all hardship and sufferring really arises out of our human choice. It's because we made a decision which is not necessarily a "bad" decision. Things do happen for a reason.

So I do believe that my life, almost forty years of it, has gone in a certain way and panned out in a certain manner due to the many many small decisions I have made. It is these decisions which has caused that very limitation of not having travelled north of the 20'N Latitude. Things may be different had I done certain things differently.

So, you ask... what would I have changed in my life to have "succeeded" in travelling north of that Latitude? Nothing, nothing at all.

Its a very small price to pay for the life I have now.

The one after the BIG weekend...

Phew! My wife Jo-Anne and I just had a big weekend. I'm now lying back relaxed watching my beloved English Football Team Liverpool (Champions League finalists, no less) getting walked all over by Arsenal. Its not yet half time and its Arsenal 2 - Liverpool 0. Sigh....

Anyway, Saturday, we had our son Ethan's birthday party (one day early). Some forty people showed up and I guess it was kinda fun. Think the kids enjoyed the party packs and the cake whilst the adults enjoyed the chit chat. The babies, all thought it was one big bother.

Today, was Mother's Day - and a hearty though belated wish to all Mum's out there in cyberland... and of course, today is Ethan's birthday. We got him a kids' swing. Think he likes it...

We went for Mum's Day lunch with Jo, Ethan, my mum and Jo's parents. Was a good meal and we took the opportunity to take Ethan for his first tiny "dip" in the pool. Just let him dangle his feet in the water but the little fella enjoyed himself there. Also took him walking on the beach where he experienced sand between his toes for the very first time.

Later, we decided to chalk up another first by taking Ethan to the Botanical Gardens. Its been ages since Jo or myself ventured there and we were pleasantly surprised with the number of people out keeping themselves healthy. Our single round around the Gardens was tiring enough (especially when you are carrying a 10 kilo "weight" - who was busy making audible noises throughout).

We got home and after the usual routine, put Ethan to bed. Throughout the day, Jo and I have exchanged looks at each other. No words need be said - we are both simply happy with what blessings we have received especially for Ethan. He has changed our lives and we will always treasure that. Thinking back to exactly one year ago, I remember just getting home from the hospital, some 4 hours after witnessing the miracle of birth. Jo, of course was resting in hospital while I couldn't stay as we didn't get a single bedded room yet. As I got ready for bed, my mind raced as thoughts, ideas, worries, hesitations, happiness and uncertainty all jumbled up in my head. The 'rojak' of emotions didn't allow sleep to come easy. But as the pressures of assisting through a 14-hour labour earlier (NOTHING compared to what Jo had gone through, I'm certain!) began to take its toll and as I was drifting off to dreamland; I recall one prevailing thought - I am now a Dad!

Well, I'm still a Dad... its been a fulfilling and estatic year. I will cherish this first year and look forward to many many more...

Happy Mum's Day to you, Jo... you keep me going when I thought I couldn't anymore; and Happy Birthday Ethan... you are my reward.


Jo & Ethan... loves of my life! 

The one about birthdays....

Hi there! On Sunday 8th May, my son turns 1-year old! Yes, we are having a party for him a day early on Saturday. Now to Ethan it probably would pass as pretty much "one of those days"; with just a tad more people around him than usual. Anyway, its really for his mum and me.... kinda recognition that we managed to get him thru that first year safely!

Considering, the little fellow's easily my greatest creation to date (and I certainly didn't do that myself, either), I sure would like to "celebrate" this momentous occasion. Don't worry, I'll be taking a whole lot of photos so the poor fellow never forgets what his parents went thru in his early days.

Well, Ethan, if and when you ever get to read this and understand, remember one thing. You are a culmination of many aspects of my life, but most importantly, through you, my persona and my knowledge achieves vicarious immortality.

In 1966 (the year I was born)

Lyndon B. Johnson is president of the US As part of nationwide protest against the Vietnam War, demonstrations are staged all over the US In Miranda vs. Arizona, the Supreme Court rules that criminal suspects must be apprised of their rights before interrogation US planes begin bombing of the Hanoi area of North Vietnam Controversial American comedian Lenny Bruce is found dead of a drug overdose in his home John Lennon says, "We are more popular than Jesus" sparking controversy in the US The first black Senator is elected to the United States Senate Cindy Crawford, Janet Jackson, Mike Tyson, Halle Berry, Adam Sandler, and Kiefer Sutherland are born Baltimore Orioles win the World Series Green Bay Packers win the NFL championship Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is the top grossing film Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann is published Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys and Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel are released Star Trek and The Newlywed Game premiere

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

More cool things for your blog at
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The one about the first post....

Hello world! Why the contradiction in terms in the main title to my blog, you ask? Well, once you read on, you will soon realise it makes more sense that you think. Especially to me, anyway.

A quick intro about myself... am a lawyer by profession, married, father to a bouncing boy (who will turn 1-year old on the 8th May 2005). So much for the achievements. Am a realist/pessimist/practicalist in nature; mentally organised and sensible. So much for the mental/emotional make-up. The rest is downhill....

If you are still reading, you're stronger than you think. So as a reward, I hope to turn this blog into a worthy site. I make no promises that it'll be the best, most updated and most thrilling read of your life; but it'll be close. So if any of you ever come back, you should find topics of mind-boggling variety, comments of razor-sharp critique and opinions of fearless fevour calculated to shock all, from the opiniated to the decisively-challenged.

Or, you may find a shell of a website, totally void of intelligence, withering away and occupying valuable server space in the stead of more meaningful blogs....

Just don't say I didn't warn you.