If You Want To Go, Just Go

Okay, I've got a bit of a rant.

I had dinner with a friend, who had company at the dinner table by the time I joined then. Kesimpulannya, I crashed lah. But that's not the story.

Now, this friend of his had been living overseas quite a while now. The story I got was that he got his degree and just stayed on. Now, here's what I think - if you choose to stay on, you choose to leave whatever you have behind. Correct? I mean, sure, home is where the heart is and all that jazz but really, your family might be here etc but if you leave, it's usually because you see something better elsewhere, be it love, career, lifestyle.

So, what gives you the damn right to come back here and complain about how things are here?

Okay, so I know that KL has a crap transport system, and the our drivers are vicious. But really, if this was what you choose to leave behind, then why come back and complain about it? Okay fine, so you're allowed to complain maybe. But to compare it to how things are where you are? Then GO BACK THERE AND DON'T COME BACK if it's so horrible here.

I mean, I'm not saying that I don't complain. Sure, I wish we had better roads, better politicians, more equality etc etc etc. But the difference is that I still choose to live in this country because I love it for what it is, corruption and 34-million Ringgit cops to go with it. Sure, I don't condone it but hey, if KL was to turn as sterile as Singapore with no chewing gum (I hear they've removed the ban), mamak stalls, burger Ramlee and CCTV cameras in the toilets, I don't think I'd like living here anymore.

Not only that, I didn't decide to run away. And leave all this behind. Because I could if I wanted to. But hey, I'm also a realist. I realise that we are still developing as a country, that as an Asian country, the majority will naturally be more liberal. And I believe that Rome wasn't built in a day (i.e. 2020 isn't going to come in 2006 - I have my doubts about 2020 itself but that's a different story).

Now, what really irks me also is the fact that people who go overseas and study and come back and complain. Look, you knew what KL was like before you left, you could choose to leave or stay there. How can you go to a first world country, and a country that is so much older than ours and compare it? It just doesn't make sense.

And what's all this about people asking me why I never stayed in Australia when I finished studying. Why must I? Do you ever ask those that DO decide to stay back WHY they decided not to come back? No. Why?

Look, there's no way we're going to progress even a little bit with this sort of mentality. Sure, there is a long way to go but hey, do something about it instead of just complaining. Or running away.

Kylie's Asian Tour Cancelled - Confirmed!

While I saw news reports earlier (as can be seen in my earlier post) confirming that Kylie's concerts has been postponed/cancelled in Australia, this is the first I've seen regarding the Asian tour. I mean, of course I expected it, but there was nothing in the media.

Here's hoping she gets well soon.

Kylie's Got Breast Cancer

This is just in.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation news site just announced 20-odd minutes ago the Kylie Minogue, diva superstar and goddess of the gay men around the world, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Channel Nine Australia web site also confirmed the news.

There is mention that the Australian concert will be postponed - but no news just yet about the Asian tour, which I assume might be cancelled too.

Get well soon, Kylie!

10 Years Old

There has been a few things over the past couple of weeks that led up to this post.

1. Me quitting my previous job - I've told many people that being the editor of NewMan was probably the last full time job I'd have for a long time, especially in the editorial industry. I mean, never say never but yeah, I'm quite sick and tired of magazine Publishers in general.

2. I was talking to an ex-colleague, Lily who I didn't know very well until after I left and we were talking about bylines and how we writers really never get sick of seeing our names in print. And for me, it's been ten years since my name first appeared in The Star, and I still never get tired of it.

3. I returned to Kota Kinabalu two days ago - for the first time since 1996. Being there brought back lots of memories - driving around, I remembered the different places I visited and interviewed as part of the BRATs, a young journalist programme organised by The Star.

Yes, I was a BRATs. April 1995, school holidays, I walked up to YMCA not knowing anybody and left a few days later with a whole new bunch of friends who would, and I exagerate not, change the course of my life. That weekend, I got my first byline in Sunday Star.

10 years on - I've worked for more than 5 magazines, started two from scratch and edited three. And I'm only 26. Yeah, so I'm quite proud of myself. And till today, am not sick of seeing my name in print.

What's the purpose of this post? Just to action? Maybe lah. But maybe this is my little pat on my back, just for the fun of it. :) As a writer, after all, it is my tenth year anniversary. :)

Oh, there is a God!

I tried to wake up ut couldn't pull myself out of my bed for the game. But oh, glory, glory!

I spent the whole day yesterday making an affirmation hoping that Liverpool would win, and wipe the smirk of Mr. Mourinho's face.

Guess what?

LIVERPOOL WON (In case you haven't already heard). I don't care about controversial goals, Liverpool won!

Those of you who know me would never have thought I'd have ever supported Liverpool. No, I haven't turned my back on MU but god, I wanted to see Chelsea lose sooooo bad! :D Yay, yay, yay!

So for the moment, Liverpool, you have my best wishes for Istanbul.

p/s Which reminds me of something dad told me that Sashi blogged about - and the story is available here. Could this be true?

RIP: Krishen Jit

I didn't know Krishen very well.

Sure, he's always been there. At every show he directed that I've watched, I walk in and he's already sitting at the side waiting for the auditorium to fill up and the show to start. I've met him several time, but rarely said more than a "Hello" to him. Truth be told - Krishen scared me. He appeared intimidating even.

In fact, my most personal memory of Krishen would have to be sitting behind him at the inaugural Boh Cameronian Arts Awards a few years ago (when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award). Gavin and I, both siting with the Instant Cafe Theatre Company group, started laughing and giggling a bit to the dance show - we just didn't get it. Krishen just turned around, gave us a 'look' and we just shut up immediately.

Fact is, I think I've taken Krishen for granted. For me, this man would always be there (I didn't know how young he was), he seemed almost immortal. And I kept telling myself that one day, I would get the chance to work with him. I had the opportunity a couple of times but I never took it. I wonder if I will regret those choices.

At his funeral yesterday, Bernice hugged me and said: "So wierd lah". I think that three words sums it all up. Krishen has been Malaysian theatre since forever. It's really strange that he's not going to be around anymore.

Jit said that Krishen was "just there. He was the patriach of the theatre world but he wasn't just one moment. Krishen was a constant". I'd like to believe that eventhough he has passed on, that his presence will constantly be with us. And you know what, I have a feeling that that he will. Rest in peace Krishen, we will miss you dearly.

--

If you want to read more about Krishen, check out the numerous articles written about him after his death, including obituories, here and here (and a tribute page here).

Born Again

Well, here is the start of a new adventure.

Umm...it's actually the same adventure except that it's hosted at a new place. As some of you may know, I used to host my blog using MovableType on my own website - nicsteronline.com

Being the smart-arse that I was, I meddled with the settings when I upgraded MT, and well, now my comments don't work. Sucks big time. So, I decided that MT, as my friend David Teoh said, is like a woman (no offense) - so yeah, I'm going to host my blog somewhere else.

I hope that the few of you who have links to my blog wouldn't mind changing it to this place. And if you do, well, what to do kan?

In the mean time, I hope to start blogging much more and get back in the groove again. Hope to see you here soon then, mates.

Cheers,

Niki