Emmanuel Adebayor..Serena Williams…Kanye West… Role Model Responsibility

Just because you’re under pressure it doesn’t give you the right to rant on other people when things don’t go your way neither do you rub it in someone’s face when it does! The weekend saw the ugly side of famous personalities who are supposed “role model” to the younger generation losing it in front of millions of people.

Scenario #1
English Premier League - Manchester City vs Arsenal….
Adebayor ex Arsenal player ran the length of the pitch to taunt and antagonize the Arsenal away supporters after scoring City's third goal. Are the Arsenal fans to blame for throwing things at him and in the process hurting a Man City steward… I think not. Adebayor had earlier appeared to kick his former team-mate Robin van Persie in the face.

So the Arsenal fans never showed their appreciation? Hey FYI respect is earned… the fans always loved and respected Bergkamp, Henry, Ljunberg, Reyes, Pires, Viera


Scenario #2
US Open Tennis – Serena Williams vs Kim Clijsters….
With Clijsters on the brink of victory, defending champion Williams was called for a foot-fault on a second serve to go match point down.
Astounded by the verdict, Williams immediately saw red and threateningly marched up to the official. She waved her racket ominously and thrust the ball into the lineswoman’s face as she launched into a tirade. “I swear to God I’m… going to take this (bleeping) ball'' and stuff "it down your (bleeping) throat, you hear that? I swear to God,” Williams told the line-judge.
Having already received a warning earlier in the match for smashing a racket, Williams was handed an automatic point penalty for “unsportsmanlike conduct,” giving Clijsters the match.


Scenario #3
Video Music Awards – Taylor Swift vs Kanye West….
The presenters announce Swift as winner of Best Female Video. She goes up to stage and begins her acceptance speech. Suddenely West rushes onstage, grabs her microphone and lets loose an outburst on behalf of singer Beyonce Knowles, who had lost out in that category. “Taylor, I'm really happy for you, and I'm gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time,"


What in the world was going on in the minds of these role models. They are being watched by millions of people, they are respected personalities (earning insane amounts of money) in their professions and they go on an inexplicable, unforgivable rant and then apologize half-heartedly saying their emotions got the better of them but they still believed that they were right.

Disgraceful and inexcusable that’s all I can say. With the number of kids that watch these programs and look-up to these people as role models they should be severely punished. Show some responsibility!

They have no idea what the repercussions of their actions are. Inciting crowds, causing fights and worse, showing people that you can just DO what you want WHENEVER you feel. Yes having your own opinion is great but showing patience is greater…. After all things don’t go your way ALL of the time… LIVE with it!

One-Malaysian-ness

Yesterday I went to the Post Office to invest in Amanah Saham 1Malaysia.

With form filled, Mykad photostated and money in hand I waited patiently. As my number was called and the person behind the couner checked my form they looked intently at me and asked what my race was.... hahaha.... cruel joke.... Here we are trying to recognize every culture under the Malaysian sun and happily categorizing people... and here I am, poor un-categorizable persun I am, trying hard to explain that I beong in the "dan lain-lain" (others) column as I do not fit the criteria of the rest. Yes... Race : Others.

The best part there was NO "dan lain-lain" so I waited for them to find a recent letter they received to tell them what category code number I belong to. Finally the computer accepted me...

I belong to a minority race. Laughable at best. No I do not want to stir racial tension. No I do not want to fight for my Irish-Australian-Chinese-Malaysian rights. But yes I want to be a part of bangsa Malaysia where there is no racial segregation.

So "dan lain-lain" it is until the day we truly acheive one-Malaysian-ness.....

Peace, Love and Respect,
Jenn

1Malaysia... Brave New World?

52 years and another Prime Minister later we follow another dream called 1Malaysia.

I’m having trouble understanding the concept although in essence I love and support the idea. It is a call for acceptance, to recognized and take into consideration the needs of every ethnic group. We would be having to take a holiday every other day, speak 200 different languages and understand a myriad of cultures, which mind you also change with the times.

Tolerance… will never lead to true unity. The meaning of the word is enough to make you cringe… forbearance, endure, acceptance…. doesn’t all this point to a capacity, a limit. We need to get to a point where we don’t even think about race, break down all the barriers and take that step towards being true Malaysians, become one nation.

And what does 1Malaysia have to do with the tagline “Rakyat didahulukan, Pencapaian diutamakan”? (People first, Achievement Now) this NEEDS to be a maxim for the government not the people!! We don’t need to understand that the needs of the people go first and that meritocracy rules. This IS what WE the people have always wanted anyway (unless you are greedy, selfish or uneducated).

Before the National Anthem required an official function before it was sung. Why? Why can’t it be sung everywhere? Football game? Cinema? Before any event? Where there is alcohol served? In a church? In a mosque? WHY NOT? When we play the national anthem and we can moved people to feel proud to be Malaysia, shed a tear understanding the lyrics, … does it matter where they are, who they are, what their background is? Negaraku never fails to move me….

Like as in all things understanding comes with education. If we want our children to throw rubbish in a dustbin, cover their mouths when they yawn, get up and offer a seat to someone who needs, respect their elders it needs to be taught when they are born and continue right through their school life not at primary school level when they already have bad habits and preconceived ideas. They need positive role models from their parents to their teachers. The nationalistic spirit needs to be instilled to a point where it is runs on auto and comes without thought.

I never think of my friends as Indian, Chinese or Malay. This has been true since school until this very day. We are friends because we share the same aspirations, interests, uncanny sense of humor and enjoy each other’s company. Creed, colour and race bears no significance and only passion and the desire to do the best you can for yourself, your family, your country that allows you to work with others to achieve. I’m sure Nicol David, Tony Fernandes, Lee Chong Wei, Karamjit Singh and others who have achieved the Malaysian Dream never thought of themselves as anything but Malaysians wanting to succeed.

It is a brave new world… we take the step to become one... this all starts with you and me… we make the difference no matter how big or small the contribution there is no such thing as insignificance in effort….

I have a dream…
No oppression, No discrimination, No segregation

Negaraku

Tanah tumpahnya darahku,

Rakyat hidup

bersatu dan maju

Rahmat bahagia

Tuhan kurniakan,

Raja kita

selamat bertakhta

Rahmat bahagia

Tuhan kurniakan

Raja kita

selamat bertakhta

Peace, Love and Respect,

Jenn

Go Gunners!

It's been a good last week...

Back to the gym after a 3 week break. Feels good to be back.. tiring... but good!

Watched "Setem" and I would rate it as the best Malaysian movie I've watched to date. Great story line, great acting, great script. Not your typical Malay movie... overall enjoyable.

MTV World Stage was also a fun outing. Good bands, I loved the stage, lighting and having good company helps.

The cherry on top that all is Arsenal winning their opening match away to Goodison Park against Everton. Yup the Gunners wupped the Toffees 6-1. Amazing job.. they played like the Arsenal of old. I sure hope that they can keep it up, if they can they're unbeatable. Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie, Andrei Arshavin and Almunia have a long season ahead but I'm looking forward to it.

And so another GOOD week passes...Peace, Love and respect,

Jenn

The weekend

Another weekend passes by...

Went down to Tioman with the Marine Monkees which is always good for a laugh. The Tioman ferry ride was like hell thanks to extremely choppy water and a bunch of foreignors who did not want the aircon on in an enclosed ferry! So therefore - Enclosed ferry + No Aircon = Stuffy = No Oxygen = Nausea. So four of us sat outside and nursed out nausea for the last 30 minutes of the ride. Lucily no one fed the fish...

If Malaysia wants to put themselves on the Tourist Map they damn well have to do something about they conservation. Firstly Tioman was so badly shrouded with haze we couldn't even see it from a distance. Then there is SO much construction going on that there hasn't been a day when the visability underwater has been good in three months!! Last year during early October I went diving and the visibility was gorgeous. Imagine being able to see underwater for 25-30 metres and yes the marine life is a sight to behold. The marine life is still (so far) abundant in Tioman but you can't see further than 5 - 7 metres which is sad.

But all said and done I had a good weekend diving... yes a BAD day diving is still better than a good day at work!

Congratulations Chelsea on a job well done for winning the season opening Charity Shield... looking forward to the new season.

Peace, Love and Respect,
Jenn

The moon represents my ...

It was an amazing sight a full moon during the light of the evening lighting up an expanses of ocean. Serene, beautiful, awe-inspiring… and as we sat and watched we suddenly realized that it was in the perfect position to have a bit of fun.

You leave the marine monkees top side (not underwater and with no diving gear) this is what you get a crazy, zany look at what the moon represents…. monkey see, monkey do. The girls did the posing the guys did the camera work. So here it is a different view of the moon… To celebrate 40 years of a manned lunar landing I decided that it would be the appropriate time to put out these pictures... Neil Armstrong eat your heart out!

The moon represents my ...

Ball @ Annie / Bunny Tail @ Ee Ming / Moon Goddss @ Nell / Dragon Ball @ Jenn

Pictures taken on Mabul Island, SABAH on Dec 12, 2008 at 05:45pm

Football Season is now OPEN!

Ah... football season is finally back.. and just in time too Saturdays and Sundays are never the same without the EPL (I'm sure all the mamaks feel the same way!).

There's something extremely bonding about a bunch of people that support the same club and the friendly (sometimes not) rivalry against opposition teams.

I'm one of those crazy people that believes you must experience things at least once (and I'm ONLY talking about the good stuff NO drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and other vices that shall remain nameless). So a couple of years ago I decided to, after AIM, pack my bags and make my pilgrimage to the Emirates, home of my team Arsenal, for the last home game of the season. As luck would have it, it was a Premier League A++ match, london derby, Chelsea vs Arsenal no less! It was a match where it would decide the outcome of the season. Chelsea win they win the champion-ship, Arsenal win Manchester United take the crown.

If you are a football fan you should save up and make the trip to see at least one match on home ground... it is magic.

The day before I did the Emirates Tour and did all the cheesy stuff, sat in the VIP stands, sat in the team box, experienced coming out of the tunnel, see the team dressing room and the outrageous hydro spa and then spent every cent I had in the Arsenal Shop.... but all in all an experience not to be missed.

On the day of the match as I watched as the stadium filled with 60,355 people 90% of these were home fans and there was an electrifying air of excitement. Fans were all dressed in their colour with scarves, cheering, singing and when you hear the English Premier League Song played and the announcement of your home team the roar of the stadium is unbelievable.. it is a feeling of euphoria.

So all you football fans dust off your scaves, buy your 2009/10 jerseys or wear your old ones and hang on to your hats... the English Premier League is back in action!

Still Searching...

I have the utmost respect for Search the 'otai' rock band that I have known ALL my entertainment life. From Hard Rock Cafe (ciplak at Taman Tun) to Kathy's Lounge to their amazing concerts to their many changes of band members from to Hiliary (John) to Man Kidal to Kid to back to Hiliary and from Nasir to Yan and back.

But last weekend I was helpless to do anything as I looked upon a show that was not befitting of a legendary act. There are no words that can express the disappointment that not only I felt, but everyone that was there felt. You can click the link below and literally feel the disappointment :
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=64016573884

Disappointment followed by disbelief that anyone would want to do a show like this and finally feeling sorry for Search .

Before I go on I would like to make one thing clear CELCOM should be APPLAUDED for sponsoring events such as these and for showing support to the local music scene. Let me just say that sponsoring a big white or Chinese act is sometimes so much easier and almost always garners a bigger crowd. So people with their small minded attitudes who like to blame everyone because they are dissatisfied think again NO SPONSOR, NO SHOW!! Thank you CELCOM.

The sound left much to be desired (to be polite) with what looked like no thought put into the lighting, pyrotechnics and LED screen graphics. Everything appeared to be disjointed including the choice of songs and the band itself.

Firstly the band got stuck outside with traffic the parking was three rows deep on both sides of the road… who’s fault was this! Leaving only one lane for moving traffic and God help all those people that living in the Plaza Damansara area (near the science centre) cars were parked total blocking all entrances... totally no regard for anyone.

This is a case of someone who thinks that a show is easy to do and is about slapping a whole bunch of things and effects together. A show is everything from parking to security to hospitality to seating to production. One section fails and everyone gets it that’s why it is a balancing act which requires a master juggler.

That is every show. Conceptualized, planned and executed according to the plan, everything has a reason and even if something fails a Plan B has already been thought off.

- Due to a bunch of problems the band appeared to have NO mood to perform
- The audio mix was horrendous
- Amy was singing way off key (was this the monitors)
- Nice pyrotechnic effects in ALL the wrong places and absolutely NO meaning
- Repertoire that left most of the audience wondering
- LED screen playing back graphics that have not been thought of

Meanwhile I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…..