Friday, August 27, 2010

I mean like seriously? Where did this "serious" rant come from?

Hey, look! I'm updating frequently, isn't it weird? I'll probably find myself a new "kick" and stop this but in the meantime...........

Mi-chan made me so touched mentioning in her blog that she could have a decent conversation on "certain topics" with me and Wan-chan. The funny thing is we're both younger than her. True its only a year but it matters to me (cause I'm such a child). Let's say I have pretty strong views on some of those issues being a conservative Christian and all but who am I to deny people their views? I figured it would be the right thing to actually listen and not spew insults, its not like the other party is going to actually listen to me (prejudice you see is inherent in every human being). Besides, if I consciously cultivate a respectful and hopefully mature response to differing views the less chance I have of being a politician.

Is it just me or does Indonesia like to pick fights with Malaysia during Merdeka month? Can't they just let a country alone on their birthday? Okay that last sentence was too much Hetalia influnece. But seriously, it happened last year (which by the way lasted 'till exams, so you can imagine how the students' joked about not taking exams if we were actually attacked) and so it happens again this year. Somebody ask them to calm down.

I'm not the most patriotic person out there but the least they can do is cut the crap! And for the love of all that is good and holy, DON'T recall your ambassador!!! Who the heck is gonna take care of the welfare of your people over here?!?! Since you already view Malaysian as demons, why the heck do you want to leave thousands of your citizens here defenseless without anyone to vouch/protect/get them out of danger?? Ambassadors are there for a reason.

Whew! Now I'm gonna search for ASEAN Ocs Hetalia fic, the region has so much love-hate relationships that I think the drama would last us for years! I'm rather intrigue by the discussion in the forums that Malaysia should be bipolar. All of a sudden we're all so "patriotic". Maybe I'll go find K-pop videos instead, at least that country is friendly. Go 50 years of diplomatic relations!!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Does anyone like musicals?

Or to be more specific, does anyone like "The Fiddler on the Roof"? I rewatched the film today and it surprised me how there were things I didn't notice before. Details like expressions, scenery, songs I didn't like before etc. Now that I'm older, I appreciate Act II better.

"Far from the home I love", "Do you love me", "Chava sequence" and "Anatevka" really stood out for me this time. In fact, I've been rewatching the "Chava sequence" on Youtube instead of searching for K-pop. This act is so much more serious and with a bit more understanding brought by age plus a lot more knowledge on history than I had before, I've come to like this part.

"Chava sequence" or "Chava Ballet" is more dance than song but Topol's face as he sung it just......well, it reduced me to a blubbering mess. He was singing of how he (Tevye) didn't understand the world anymore, how things have changed. Chava started dancing with her mother in the background, then with her sisters. There they were 3 girls playing and dancing around, 3 carefree children. Slowly, they went off hand in hand with their loves, Tzeitel with Motel, Hodel with Perchik. Of course the clincher comes next. Fyedka comes for Chava and as she hesitates between the Fiddler (tradition, the life she's known) and Fyedka (love, an uncertain future) I was just so......heartbroken. And when she chooses Fyedka, slowly the scene changes to Tevye's face as he contemplates this. The pain and hurt in his face was just so........ I don't know what to say. I started sobbing there and I had to grab a lot of tissues during the dialogue bits where Chava asks Tevye to accept her marriage (she married Fyedka secretly that morning) and Tevye is debating it in a monologue. He finally decides that he can't accept this, that it would be tantamount to betraying his faith, his people, and walks away, Chava crying out to him in the background.

I can sort of understand that. One of the first things my mother told me was not to marry outside my religion. They'd act like Tevye had or perhaps they'd react like Golde, a bit more willing to forgive. I'd make them cry terribly of this I'm certain. The pain on Tevye's face, I don't think I'd be able to bear it if I caused them to look like that. And my dad.............

On the other hand, I think my grandparent's were rather outrage when my parents became Christian. My maternal grandparents became Christians eventually, my paternal side is still staunchly Buddhist. No disowning happened.

What should the stance be on this? Follow your heart or traditions? I guess it depends on the situation. I support Chava's decision by the way yet sympathise with Tevye. So, I think my answer is "I don't know".

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Ara? I'm writing again?

I think I might be a contender for "World Champion for Procrastination". Notice the reeaaallllyyyy long interval between blog posts. Sigh, me and schedules just can't mix it seems, such a pity.

Though I'm pretty sure no one looks here anymore, I felt like writing, for nostalgia's sake. I've not been writing lately. It's 1/2 parts laziness, no ideas and pondering on self censorship. Should we practice self censorship on the things we post online? Does "Freedom of Speech" have a limit? I really have no idea.

On one hand, it's quite a relief to just rant and give your opinion. On the other hand, what you write might just come back to bite you in the arse. I know how words can be twisted, I've seen how dangerous it is. Your very life could depend on the immature words of your youth. When people want to get rid of you, anything goes. And if they have a good lawyer, kiss yourself goodbye!

So where are the boundaries? What can you write? According to government propaganda (Moral class, it serves no other purpose), freedom of speech means: no discussing "sensitive issues" e.g. race, religion, government policy, corruption etc. What in the world do we talk about?! I think people want to discuss such things and besides its in human nature to break laws. Not to mention, people like airing their views regardless of who is listening.

So what is "Freedom of Speech"? Must we check ourselves for writing "sensitive" topics? Isn't everyone biased at heart? And is there any truth in the old sayings telling you to think before you speak?