Ximplicity v2.0

Hmm….

If you have been using Wordpress, you should know by now WordPress 2.3 is out a few days ago.

with tonnes of new features as described, and the interesting native tagging support, blogging will become a whole lot more easier and fun due this release. i’ve already downloaded the 2.3 on the day it released, unfortunately, i simply have not find the time to upgrade it yet.

Am now reading the installation and upgrade documentation. Will update again once i’ve fully migrated my blog to 2.3 and test out some of the new features.

if you are interested, here are some other information you should check out just before you upgrade.

Preparing for WordPress 2.3

WordPress 2.3 ChangeLog

WordPress Upgrade Preflight Check by SmithRUs (install this nifty plugin to check the compatibility of your current themes and plugins with 2.3)

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i just can’t wait to lay my hands on the new features. weeee….

Now Listening: Acha Septriasa - Ada Cinta (ft. Irwan Syah)

there tends to be a day either in the beginning or the end of every month in my life i’m looking forward for.

nope, i’m not talking about PMS.

somehow, once every month, my phone will display a caller ID that will only appear once in every month.

here comes that day again, that fella is back from Singapore and it’s the gathering of the 3 brothers. no matter how busy are we or whether we are in the middle of something, we have to make ourselves free from 9pm onwards to attend this session that only comes once every month.

in fact, we look forward for this day every month because it fills us up with each other’s life, it fills us up with ultra-intellectual conversations between men, and it fills us up with dirty gossips. damn, i made it sounds like a girls only outing. however, i guess the best part of these sessions are i think i’m the only person who get to see 2 Mr. Personality who’re usually very polite, executive-like, well-mannered, well-behaved throwing vulgarities and dirty jokes like nobody’s business. i swear noone else would EVER see them doing these shits.

we really do enjoy the conversations, there must be some topic which we could go forever, be it work, relationship stuffs, or just rant about lives and politics. but most of the time, we encourage each other and we give each other real good pats on the shoulders. somehow, you just need friends like these whom you don’t see them often, yet they still know exactly what you think, you saved a lot of energies telling them what’s in your mind and yet they can still give damn blardy good views and opinions. especially when it comes to making you to be a better person.

to sum it all up, these 2 fellas are good and bad influences at the same time. sometimes so bad you wished you never know them. however, i think it’s pretty difficult for me to live without these 2 fellas..

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the 2 fellas i vowed brotherhood for life.

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cheers !

Now Listening: Death Cab for Cuties - Brothers on a Hotel Bed

Synopsis and Spoiler from imdb:

In 1945, the Marines attack twelve thousand Japaneses protecting the twenty square kilometers of the sacred Iwo Jima island in a very violent battle. When they reach the Mount Suribachi and six soldiers raise their flag on the top, the picture become a symbol in a post Great Depression America. The government brings the three survivors to America to raise funds of war, bringing hope to desolated people, and making the three men heroes of war. However, the traumatized trio has difficulties to deal with the image build by their superiors, sharing the heroism with their mates. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In February, 1945, one of the fiercest battles of the Pacific theater of World War II occurs on the tiny island of Iwo Jima. Thousands of Marines attack the stronghold maintained by thousands of Japanese, and the slaughter on both sides is horrific. Early in the battle, an American flag is raised atop the high point, Mount Suribachi, and a photograph of the raising becomes an American cause celebre. As a powerful inspiration to war-sick Americans, the photo becomes a symbol of the Allied cause. The three surviving flag raisers, Rene Gagnon, John Bradley, and Ira Hayes, are whisked back to civilization to help raise funds for the war effort. But the accolades for heroism heaped upon the three men are at odds with their own personal realizations that thousands of real heroes lie dead on Iwo Jima, and that their own contributions to the fight are only symbolic and not deserving of the singling out they are experiencing. Each of the three must come to terms with the honors, exploitation, and grief that they face simply for being in a photograph

i always love war films, despite of the action, it’s the bondings and expressions among the soldiers. Flags of our Fathers, as opposed to The Letters of Iwo Jima, it tells the story from the American Soldiers’ point of view. not much of actions, the movie speaks of the struggles, self-conscious and psychology path of the soldiers who’re called heroes of war.

in fact, i really like this film because it shows the ugly fact of how media could deform facts and truth with words and promotions.

and the film posted a question waiting to be answered: What is Hero? and Who are the True Heroes?

think about it, even things that you see on a picture may not be the whole story of what you should believe. sometimes, even seeing shouldn’t be believing. the film is a very well worth watching movie, though without twisted ending, it makes you think.

Now Listening: Patti LaBelle - Walk Around Heaven 

I am a very friendly and out-going person, really..

i can basically befriend anyone, i mean, whoever you are, whatever you do, as long as you opens your mouth and say hi, that’s it. in terms of people i know, they are so many of them i can line them up from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kangsar.. and somehow, there will be someone i know of, even in small little kampung. generally, it’s good to have such a wide social circle, most importantly, i’m enjoying every bit of it.

However, when it comes to people whom in one way or another, affected me during the course of my 26 years of life thus far. i think i should dedicate a post to them, just to let the rest of the world know. Man, we’re talking about the people who have changed someone else’s life. they shaped me into who i am today, they are the people who were with me during our growing pains, they are the people whom taught me how to be a better employee, they are the people who spent craziest days of my life. most importantly, these are the people whom we really call friends.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: list not in order of preference AT ALL.

Kevin Yap - There tends to be someone in your life you don’t need to use a lot of words to describe yet the bonding is so strong you could feel it no matter how far away he is from you and how un-frequent you guys meet each other. This person you’re looking at here needs only 1 sentence to describe. he’s my non-biological elder brother.

Alan Voon - How many guys out there who looks older than you and yet he’s actually younger than you? how many guys out there you don’t see him everyday yet you still feel him all the time? this bro here is exactly that kind of person i’m talking about.

Benjamin Tan - have you found your evil twins yet? i’ve got him since i was 15.Stanley Wong - try to look for a name in your head among your friends whom you’ve known him for more than 15 years and above. if you can, congratulations.. that’s what we call a friend for life. i first met this dude at 8. and man, we really grew up together. he’s definitely more than just a buddy.

Cavin Wong - Unbelievably crazy dude, high self-esteem, self-love to an annoying stage, incredibly popular, insanely happening fella. i hate it when all the pretty girls approach him instead of me whenever we’re out together. i’m talking about a buddy since 20, a drinking partner, a partner in crime.

Desmond Ang - do you know of anyone whom people says the both of you are like a reflection of each other? i do, and this is the fella you should be looking at. we’re the ex(es) of our high school sweethearts, and that is how we get to know each other. though we’re apart most of the time during the course of friendship, i’ve never felt a wall in between us, never.

the ship Paul, AiWey, JingHan, these 3 very special person had made up of a very crucial part during my growing stage. they are the people who shaped me into who i am today. these are the people whom i spent sleepless nights with, chatting away our dreams, our growing pains, our studies, our works. they are the reasons i enjoy writing even until today, honestly, these people are writers, darn good writers. we share a part of our memories where noone else on earth would be able to share. a lot of times, they are my inspiration, and they kept me alive when i almost can’t endure my growing pains.

The KC Sisters Sabrina, Samantha, Esther, Late KweiLing, noone could ever imagine the bonding i have with these girls, they are the living examples of pure friendships between people of opposite genders. they are all perfect listeners, they are also the crazy bunch who would just do anything as long as the mood comes, they are the best companions of all, most importantly, they are all incredible people who would lend a hand whenever you need one, anytime, anywhere. without them, i couldn’t survive my emotional breakdown 3 years ago. they are the best people whom i would never say no to.

Paul & JP - How many of you have a friend whose like a star in almost everything and yet you’re the only few who’ve seen the darkest side of him? who are those guys you know all you need to is to see him once a month, and yet you can still feel the bonds ? who are those only guys you can sit down in a romantic environment and chat your heart away without feeling very gayish? these 2 are the only people i can find.

Sean and Edwin - Tutors, Mentors, Friends, Buddies and colleagues, without these two fellas, i won’t be able to survive until today. it’s been one of the biggest pleasure to work in the same office with these 2 fellas, they made going to office an enjoyable trip you have to make everyday.

Now Listening: Patti LaBelle - You Are My Friend

Not only i am an author, but everybody is, because we are the one who writes the stories of our own lives

– by myself

The movie Sepet directed by Yasmin Ahmad was quite some time ago, i missed it on the big screen, and i realized no DVD or VCD stalls actually sell locally produced movies no matter how hard i try to find. until last night i tried my luck on youtube, i finally got to watch a movie i had been waiting for 3 years. though it was only on a 4 inch screen, i can still feel the show.

here’s a synopsis of the movie, with Spoiler ahead.

show

frankly speaking, i never fancy locally made movies. low budget, bad cinematography, expressionless actors and actresses, bad photography, mediocre acting, badly made sets. that’s how i usually rate them. only until recently, the tide changes, though the acting hasn’t improved much, there’re some pretty good directors who made really good films, like Sepet, Gubra, Mukhsin, Puteri Gunung Ledang, etc

To be really honest, it’s a very simply and very bland love story, so simple and so bland you will fell asleep if it was some hollywood production. however, what made it different and stands out of the crowd is its simplicity and it’s a show only Malaysian can truly feel it and understand it. the sets, the mixed languages, the lifestyle as shown in the movie, the settings the director had put. and to my surprise, Ng Choo Seng potrayed the character Ah Loong superbly. though without much facial expression, that was what struck me, it is that kind of expression you don’t always see in local actors, it was true, it was himself, it was as though he is ah loong himself. the languages used, on the other hand, excellent. it made the audience feel as though they’re actually in the movie instead of watching a movie because it wasn’t the usual one movie, one language kinda concept.

the one and most important thing that really made me feel great about this movie and give full credit to Yasmin is that she threw away all racial and religion differences and stress only about unity, as well as her courage of putting the real and ugly social facts on the big screen, which not many people have the guts to do it. there’s this conversation between Kak Yam and Mak Inom in the movie that really strikes me:

KakYam: Orked dapat 5A dah pun boleh study kat England.
MakInom: Insyallah
KakYam: AhLoong dapat 9A pulak.
MakInom: *shocked expression*

we see the struggle between the Chinese boy and the Malay girl, we see the unfair policies, we see the truth, we see the social difference, and of course, we hear what we’ve been grumbling on the screen. it is these kind of scenes that really touch us even we know that there’s nothing we can do about it.

unfortunately, the only thing that i can’t really agree with is the movie’s open-ending. to me, i guess open endedness is not quite neccessary for simple movies like this. however, i guess what Yasmin Ahmad wanted her audience to do is to formulate their own endings, an ending which will make you, as an audience satisfied.

i might sound a little bias because i’ve always like Yasmin Ahmad’s production. her art direction has been pretty sharp all along and she could just make the overall experience of watching her movie a pleasant one. on a bigger scale, it’s a simple, touching, down to earth local production, with great cinematography. it’s a show you really shouldn’t miss because it’ll change your view on local production. afterall, we should support our own people isn’t it?

You go, Yasmin, can’t wait for your next production.

Now listening: Nina Simone - Ne Ma Quitte Pass

The most difficult part isn’t to refrain myself from telling you how much i actually needed you, but to be the listener of your stories about how much you love him, and yet, i still have to smile.

– by myself

Warning: This is going to be a pretty sentimental entry, surf away if you don’t like it.

it’s been quite a while since i have that weird emotion. it was about 8 years ago since i last felt it in me.

i caught a glimpse of someone who looks like you in almost every aspect, the way she talks, the way she thinks, the way she dress, the way she laugh, the way she smile, the way she display her emotions, the way she thinks and analyze, the positive energy in her, the sunshine like characteristic, the generosity personality in her, even the words she uses.. and the best part is i was shocked that she thinks as mature as you were when you’re at her age, which is very different from the rest from the same age group whom i can recall, the both of you were on the same wavelength as each other. the only difference as far as i know between the two of you is that you never tell me about yourself as much as she would, and the spirit of sharing which you always lack of…

however,

i’m stucked.

i’m confused.

i’m worried.

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to make things worst, i’m afraid.

i’m afraid of losing because i’ve experienced it before and it almost killed me…

i’m afraid of rejection because i’m not sure i can take it once more…

i’m afraid because i’m not sure whether i still have the strength because i’ve used all of it to love you…

i’m afraid because the two of you are so alike that it reminds me the pain you’ve given me…

all these while, i’ve been reminding myself i will not repeat the mistakes i’ve done that once cost me your departure and our separation… and i will not repeat the mistake i’ve done which almost cost me my strength, will and determination to love again.

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i guess, i should not worry too much as she seems the part of me i believed i’ve already lost it a while ago and just follow what my heart tells me.

and most importantly, because this person who just walked into my life surge me the strength, will and determination to love, care and protect once again.

and i shall promised to myself, to her and to you.

she will not become your shadow like the rest no matter how alike the both of you are because i’ve already walked away from your world and i shall never look back, she on the other hand, is in a world of her own, a world which i hope to revolve around.

Now Listening: Augustana - Boston

It’s the auspicious period of the year again and people start to get married like they’ve never gotten married before… wedding dinner invitations were sent to me since mid of this year and it hasn’t stopped as of last sunday. the invitation cards are actually piling on my table, like monsters waiting to swallow all the bank notes in my wallet…

so now who said it’s good to have huge social circle?

it’s going to be a painful period for the bank account as i am crying packing ang-paus now.. anyhow, despite the fact that the dinners are killing my wallet, it’s great news to hear

let’s congratulate all of them and wish them happily ever after & great life ahead.

MunWah & SiaoJiun

Cousin Suzanne & Jayden

WeeLan & Hubby

SeeLai & KangHong

ShengShong & Sharon

MingLi & SiaoMing

JunHan & Hubby

Cavin & Jess

May the couples have the sweetest blessings for your marriage

Latest from Bernama

No Petrol Price Hike This Year, Govt To Honour Promise - Najib

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 18 (Bernama) — The Government will not increase petrol price this year despite global oil prices hitting US$80 (RM280) per barrel last week, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak assured today.

“Whatever we promised, we will honour our commitment for the price of petrol…gas is another issue,’ he told reporters after chairing the 21st National Forestry Council meeting.

Click here for the full article

doesn’t matter whether that decision is politically driven or it’s simply out of goodwill that the government is willing to spend millions more to subsidize our petrol, at least we are rest assured that we’re safe this round because the petrol price will be staying at RM1.92 per litre and it will stay the same at least for another 6 months, i guess. well, it’s really a great sigh of relief that our wallet will be safe for another while.

anyway, as what DPM said: the government is going to keep their promise and honor their commitment to the rakyat this round.

i would say: 3 cheers to the power of general elections !!

hip hip hooray!

hip hip hooray!!

hip hip hoooray!!!