It has been a while since I went all out clubbing.

Booze, dance and all.

Last night was a treat.

P and J were there. That was all that matters.

You see, P and J despite being in their 20s have not gone clubbing before. To pubs, yes, for the occasional drinks but never all out clubbing.

It was interesting to watch. After all, they say the angelic ones usually grow their horns in when alcohol comes to play. Don’t get me wrong here, I am not about to promote drinking. Drinking is bad for you. Occasionally, it is fine. Anyhow, J was really busting her move on the dancefloor. Man, what did they put in her glass. It was very unlike her. But it was great to see her release all her stress.

However, it was not long before I started to be a bit nutty myself. I must have took too much Cranberry and vodka because I was extremely hyper. At least that is what P said. He remained sober foe his long journey back home. Smart guy. All I can remember was, somewhere between dancing with P and speaking to J, I bit P on the shoulder. I have been known to do that when I am drunk. P denies that it ever happened but if it did not why do I remember it?

P was the only sober one in our entourage. So he has seen everything that happened. Oh dear!

I had a feeling I did something very naughty but cannot recollect. P refused to tell me what it is. All he does is smile. Which frustrates the hell out of me. But do not worry, I did not flash anyone. I was high but not drunk until that extent.

I am sober now as I type this however my head still hurts. I usually can hold vodka pretty well. But somehow, this one has a funny reaction. Perhaps it is a sign that I should hang up my clubbing heels and look for a different avenue of entertainment.

I did not write this but it is from the facebook group ‘Deny Barisan National A 2/3 Majority in the Upcoming Election! ‘ (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6912501533 ). This is an interesting read about the Chinese apathy and perhaps about our forefathers, though I bet these days most of the generation before us will disagree. I have always been a fence sitter. It always takes two sides to cause friction. Both side believing that his side is for the best. Call my neutrality cowardice if you like. But that is me and do I dare say, the stand of many others and to some extent those of you who are reading this now. However, who am I to judge you? Read for yourself. Ponder, think. Ignore it if you want. I am not here to judge. Just to open minds and churn interests. We are but humans, trying to survive the best we know how.

EDITORIAL 5: MY TAKE – RIGHT HERE FROM KUALA LUMPUR, DEC 20TH, 2007

THE CHINESE, THEIR HOUSES HAVE NO WINDOWS

I looked out the window.
And I saw

Thousands and thousands of Malays in the Bersih Rally. They were fighting their own kind for a cause they believed in. And they risk being ostracized by their Muslim brothers. And they risk much.

I looked out the window.
And I saw

Thousands and thousands of Indians holding the picture of Gandhi in the streets. All were teargassed and many beaten with batons. At Batu Caves, they were locked in, pumped with tear gas and sprayed with chemical water. 80 are awaiting trial. 31 are charged for attempted murder of a policeman that attacked them. All their leaders are under ISA. The one that got away fled the country.

I looked out the window.
And I saw

Thousands and thousands of Chinese closing their doors. Minding their own business. Watching the soap operas. Playing mahjong. Going to the gym. Planning for holidays. Eating bah kuet teh. Enrolling their children in private schools. Going for line dancing. Changing to a bigger car. Perming their hair brown. Going to the movies. Shopping.

The Chinese. They don’t look out the window.
Their houses.
Have no windows.

______________________

It is because of 3 generations of ‘keeping quiet’ that we are in a
political quagmire of sorts today.

My story may not be the same for others, but it is no doubt a story of 3 generations of political oblivion -a saga of unremitting
circumstances that has ‘trained’ us to look the other way – to
economic wealth, education and religion. Politics because a ‘dirty
word’ in our home; as a Chinese we should disengage ourselves
completely from this ‘unproductive’ activity.

This is my story.

My grandfather took a ship to join the gold rush in San Francisco
around the turn of the last century. Halfway on a Chinese junk, he got sea-sick, so he jumped ship at Singapore. Traveling up the hinterland, he focused on survival. Hungry from famine in Southern China, he vowed never to be hungry again. Politics was the last thing on his mind. Keeping his belly filled was his only priority. It was an obsession that dictated everything he did.

My father worked for the British. One day, forced by the Japanese to do ‘national service’, he was selected to look after food supplies. The family was starving during the war, so he stole rice under his care and hid them in sweet potatoes when he cooked rice. Our neighbors always thought we were eating sweet potatoes we grew on the fringes of the jungle, when in actual fact, we always had rice.

My grandmother sews clothes for the women day and night to survive and got paid in Japanese currency. When the war was over, these Japanese notes – which were unnumbered – became valueless. The family again struggled to bring food on the table. It was a litany of hunger and fear in our house.

When it came to my generation, my father thought education was the passport to economic freedom for us. He refused for us to be a contractor like him and forced us to study. In university, he forbade me to get involved in politics. He went as far as to refuse for me to study law so that I would not get involved in politics. I was forced to study a course I did not like because he wanted me to be a banker.

Needless to say, I made the same mistake when it came to my children. I told them also the ‘passport to heaven’ was also to study. But I refused to dictate what they should study but instead asked them to study what they liked. I ensured they got the best education. I also reminded everyone that they do not talk about politics on the dinner table.

My story is not uncommon; such is the struggle and saga common to thousands of Malaysian homes.

We are cajoled by our parents to look at bread-and butter issues. We are told that politics are not for us. We are told that our ‘houses have no windows’, so mind your own business and close the door. We are told that if this country is not good enough, you must get a good education and emigrate.

The Chinese? We are told this is not our home. We have no home. We are the Jews of the East. When trouble starts, we ought to look the other way. If it gets worse, we emigrate. Money talks. So long we have money, some country will take us.

100 years of ignorance. Is it blissful? No. It is tragic.

-END-

So what is your opinion?

Now this is an interesting debate topic.

Well, it all started when a caller called a radio station to say that Jolly Ole’ Saint Nicholas is promoting obesity.

Now, I do not like it when someone comments about my weight. I am pretty self concious about that myself. Plus, I do not like calling people fat because I am not skinny. However, to attack a legend (or some might say fictional icon) on his weight, is really hilarious. I will admit that even at my age now, I still believe in Santa Claus. Call me childish or what not, but it helps to keep my Christmas spirits up.

Anyway, with Santa’s image immortalized in many different things that represent Christmas. It is unfair to say that he promotes obesity. He is a jolly guy who is happy with his weight (though I think the reindeers would not have minded that Mr Claus sheds the extra pounds) and he gives out pressies. I was helping out with a charity Christmas party last week. As soon as Santa made his appearance, he put a smile on every child’s face. The children are not looking at how fat he is, but the happiness and spirit Santa embodies of Christmas. OK, fine, the gifts are an extra plus.

Plus who can prove that Santa is actually that big? It could be the layers and layers of clothing he has on. I mean living in the North Pole and all. When I was in Beijing during winter, I had at least 7 layers on. No doubt I looked like a pregnant penguin. Then again, the idea of a skinny Santa is unimaginable.

I am wondering if the caller is a person who hates fat people. I mean he attacked Santa. Who else you think will be next on the hit list? Frosty the Snowman and his clan.

Perhaps the caller hates Christmas. It is said that many neglect the calorie counting and expanding waistline in favour of delectable Christmas treats and party foods. Not to mention the endless flow of alchohol until the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day. That is a lot of gobbling and chomping of fat laden and calorie packed morsels. I mean after all, it is only once a year. And many would probably have ‘Dieting’ or ‘Lose Weight’ in their New Year’s Resolution. So why not break a few more rules before you lock yourself down to a self made rule that you will probably break anyway before next year ends?

Fat or not, it is Christmas. Stop worrying about it. There are other things to worry about. Making sure you have gotten all the pressies for your loved ones. Putting up the Christmas tree. Family traditions. Or whatever you lots do on Christmas.

For my non-Christmas celebrating friends.

HAPPY KWANZAA!
HAPPY HANNUKAH!
HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE!
HAPPY ‘TANG CHUEK’!

Or just simply

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

I bid you adieu for today’s entry with:-

Have a very FATTY Christmas everyone!! You know yours truly will be doing so.

I have been a fan of the animated 80s/90s cartoon of Alvin and the Chipmunks. So I was thrilled and skeptical at the same time when I heard that there will be a movie version of the squeaky singing trio.

Thanks to the generosity of my brother, I was treated to a night of laughter and somewhat old memories.

The movie was very different from what I expected. So when you go and watch the movie, look at it with an open mind because there are limitations with live action combined with CGI compared to the old school 2-D animations. I remember that once Mr Moonwalk, Michael Jackson himself, featured Alvin in a dance number. Yes, I am talking about pre-charges times.

My fave character of all time? Theodore, of course.

Now I am wondering if they will do a sequel and feature the Chippetes.

Here enjoy the trailer

For those who prefer the old school animations, I dedicate to you one of my fave songs.

The Instant Café Theatre Company

presents

FIRSTWoRKS: Workshop Readings III

A i r C o n

*by Shanon Shah*

A visit to Aishwarya Roberts, a mak nyah sex worker, goes horribly wrong for Burn and Chep, two Form Four school prefects. Unknown to Burn, Chep later returns and ends up killing Aishwarya, and then tries to conceal the murder. It almost looks like he might get away with it, but lying starts to get pretty exhausting, and the accumulation of hormones and angst in a premier boys’ secondary school does not make things easier. Will he or will he not be made to pay for this act of brutality?

Air Con challenges and interrogates the hypocritical habit of turning youth into scapegoats in times of moral panic. Ultimately, it casts a gentle albeit unflinching gaze at the perilous path of male adolescence, and interrogates the heartbreaking ways in which society often expects boys to become men.

Following on from readings in June 2007, FIRSTWoRKS writer, Shanon Shah, will hold a full reading of his play Air Con for one-night only at The Annexe, Central Market. This is the first time Shanon’s play will be read in its entirety with a complete cast. The reading will be followed by a post-show discussion.

Directed by Jo Kukathas & Zalfian Fuzi
Produced by Susie Kukathas

Date: Dec 18 (Tue) 2007
Time: 8.30pm
Venue: The Annexe Gallery, The Annexe, Central Market, KL.
Entry: FREE!

Singer-songwriter Shanon Shah released his debut album Dilanda Cinta in 2005 to much critical acclaim. He was named Best Male Vocal in an Album at the 13th Anugerah Industri Muzik, and the title track from his album went on to become a sleeper hit. Shanon has also been involved in theatre, providing arrangements and musical accompaniment on the piano in the Five Arts Centre production Encore and composing and performing original music for the ensemble workshop production of In 1969.

Shanon is the Executive Director of Amnesty International

To find out more about The Instant Café Theatre Company as well as its FIRSTWoRKS Writing Program you can visit our website at www.instantcafetheatre.com

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