9.5 facts you need to know about Shairazi Azizi.

1. Azizi is my classmate for the past 5 years.

2. He hails from Besut, the town famous for producing the one and only Ayah Pin. He says never had the chance to drink tea from that giant teapot.

3. He is a self proclaimed genius.

4. If you decide to debate with him, then think twice! The result is inevitable. You'll suffer defeat after the first round and would never want to debate again!

5. Azizi scored the first ever goal for our team (La Hermandad/Milo Kaw Kaw) from a long range effort. I've yet to score a goal. Not even an own goal for my team.

6. He is high on confidence. When asked why, he says he takes intramuscular injections of Sol. Confidencium 100%-5 ml every morning. Yes. He stabs those injections himself.

7. He is secretly a poet. Few people realize his potential, but recently he won the poetry writing competition about Palestine. But what most people don't know, i gave him the inspiration to write that piece of poetry. Hah. Just kidding.

8. If you give your earnest opinion about something, he will vehemently deny it just for fun. For example, if you say Maradona is better than David Beckham (everyone knows Maradona is better than David Beckham!), he will surely say "Nah. David Beckham is way better." As i mentioned, don't debate with him because you'll lose badly!

9. He wants to further his studies in philosophy and plans to establish the subject "Azizilogy". He will prove to us that Descartes, Nietszche, Kant, Aristotle and Plato are all wrong in their views of life.

9.5 His birthday falls on the 9th of May, the victory day of Russia over the Nazi Germans. So each year, his birthday is a holiday. Lucky bloke.

I hope he knows i'm joking. Happy birthday. This is your birthday gift. Haha.

Mother's Day

Everyday should be mother's day. But they've set a date, a special date specifically for mothers all around the world as a tribute to their contributions.

I was always the stubborn son. At form 1, she wanted me to enroll at KYS, i wanted to go to Sains Syed Putra, but in the end i settled at Alor Star.

She said that she doesn't like me wearing these black thick rimmed glasses. But i still wear it up til today.

When i was little, i liked ninja turtles very much. I would cry when she denied me those toys. And i would ask her to watch ninja turtles movies at the old Rex theatre in Alor Star. Then she would say, "there are no shows today here in Alor Star." When i was smart enough to read the time schedules for movies, right after she told me the exact same thing, i would take the newspaper and show to her that there would be shows that day.

We went there. The cineplex was almost empty except for a few people. She slept all the way through the show.

But the biggest contribution by my mama is that, she was the one, who taught me bits about football. She nurtured the football in me. In early 90s, she would tell me all about the Kedah football team. I would ask "what is a hat-trick?", "what is a penalty?". And she would explain to me everything.

And now, she supports Liverpool too.

Taken from a website : -

A man once asked the Prophet to whom he should show the most kindness. The Prophet replied: "Your mother, next your mother, next your mother, and then your father." (Sunan of Abu-Dawood) In other words, we must treat our mothers in a manner befitting their exalted position - and, again, revere the wombs that bore us.

I never had a dad, but i never felt that empty void. Mom was always there for everything.

Happy mother's day.

CDs are so 90s

I'm blaming the internet for all this.

It was sort of an investment on my part, buying CDs with the hope that the price would fluctuate high enough to make profit. My liking towards music collections stems from watching my mom's cassette collection. My cousin also has a lot of heavy metal music from his time studying in the UK. So i bought cassettes (there's so many of them!) and CDs myself to have my own collection.

Now i have to say it was the worst piece of investment a man could ever think of!

Darn it.

Regrets? I have a few. But then again, too few to mention. Sound fimiliar? But yeah, i don't regret buying CDs/cassettes. When it was outing time while i was at boarding school, i would usually attack the music store first and wondered,

"Why are you guys buying all these foodstuffs and eating at these restaurants? Food is provided by the school. Music isn't."

It turned out i was the only guy at school who never complained about the food. It was always finger licking good.

So last year i packed my CDs, only original ones into a shoebox with the hope of selling them somewhere. I tried to find ways to get the best deal out there. eBay's music market was dead and gone. Now it's the digital era. People either download music legally or illegally. So i sms-ed Music eXchange, a music store located behind KL plaza. It's actually a house, with its living room converted into a shop selling 2nd hand junk with a hippie owner who replies sms as quick as lightning.

"How much for a CD?". I sent.

"RM3-10. Depends on condition and title of the CD." He replied.

Some of the CDs have shrunken from its initial value by 80-90%. I decided not to sell them yet and would wait for next summer when i get back to Malaysia. There are some good CDs there, Broken Social Scene's Feel Good Lost, Mogwai CDs, 311 and Incubus collections, Sex Pistols' legendary album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols!, Jaga Jazzist, Stars' Set yourself on Fire bought in Spain and lots more.

But then again, thinking back, i might as well sell them at Music eXchange.

If it wasn't for the internet, i would at the very least recoup a bit of what i've lost.

So in the end, i think the first thing i'll do when i arrive back in Malaysia is to spend few days in KL doing a piece of business although i'm not good at it. And don't worry, i'll put the money straight into my bank account. LOL.

Thanks to my sister who took the pictures while she was back in Alor Star last week.

Russia in the news : Mamaev Kurgan going down?

Mamaev Kurgan was once the largest standing statue in the world. Located in Volgograd, it is the one and only tourist attraction worth visiting here. But not for long perhaps! Despite its structure, the architecture lacks foundations and stands there by its weight. From a news article on BBC, the statue is leaning by about 20 cm. Few more inclinations and tilts, BOOM! It might collapse. It might fall. Then Volgogradians and the Russian government would have to perform a miraculous CPR in order to get it back up. CPR in the form of millions or billions of Russian roubles. They say what comes out in the news, is controlled by the media. Is this a sign, a symbolism, that Russia itself, as a country, is going down, along with Mamaev Kurgan? Or is it an inside job by the Russian government?

Conspiracy theorists, do your job!

And for those who haven't visited Volgograd, please do so.

The economic downturn, quoted as the worst since the Great Depression, is affecting the Russian economy massively. And prostitutes in the Russian capital of Moscow are not left behind. They have slashed their 'market price' in order to save their lives. Yes. I am talking about full time prostitutes! Not only have they become cheaper, but they have also evolved into shoulders on which to cry on. Since libido and economy are parallel to each other, customers come and instead of requesting for sex, they talk. They talk about the stock prices spiralling down. About their depressive state. Of being fired. Recessions and paycuts. These days, the ads go this way : -

"When your stock price is falling, what better way to relax than chatting with one of our girls?"

In some other news. China, Russia and Canada have become targets for their roles in the piracy. Internet piracy that is. I still remember when i arrived in Russia, there was an abundance of original like music cds with complete booklets but were cheap. I was wondering whether these were rejected cds of some sort. MP3 cds are sold sporadically here in Russia. The jailbreakings and the unlocks of iPhones involve Russians as well.

And the best piece of news of all, is the victory of Russia over the USA in the IIHF Ice Hockey world Championship semi final. I was gutted that Russia did not bring their 2 great talents Ovechkin and Malkin to Switzerland. Plying their trade in NHL, these 2 men redefine ice hockey. But even without them, the core of Kovalchuk and Morozov are able to advance to the final, their strength in depth shining bright. Against Canada tomorrow night in the final, Russian will be defending their world championship. Vpiriod Rassiya!

With all these news, there seems to be a widespread negative view of Russia. Are these criticisms justified? Some are true, but the media is just trying to pump that belief that USA are the heroes of the world, and Russia are evil.

The new cold war looms, with the television, radio, internet as its battlefields.

The Triumphant Catalunians

I was lying on the bed, with thoughts of tuberculosis walking about in my mind. No. Not that i've been infected by the bug, just that i'm having a 2 week posting of the subject. The room, my room was as usual full with people looking for a place to watch the game. Chelsea vs Barcelona, Stamford Bridge. Semi Final of the European Cup. They don't come bigger than this.

The score was 1-0. The blues held the upper hand.

Lampard tackles Iniesta on the screen. And me, playing the role of an unpaid, unprofessional, unmerciful commentator spoke a few discriminatory words towards the Catalunian.

"Is that what the press calls one of the greatest players in the world at the moment? Give me a break."

But little that i knew, Iniesta would have the last laugh that night. With a minute, maybe seconds of time remaining, the room thickened with tension and full of anticipation for one of those nights, people were restless waiting for a miracle.

Daniel alves crosses the ball. A bit overcooked to the far post for Eto'o. Essien fails to clear Eto's mistaken first touch and the ball rolls to the quick feet of Messi. Iniesta waiting for the ball just outside the box (not a pass again!), receives it and with the touch of his gifted right boot , donning the yellow Nike Total 90 Laser (my dream boots) swings it, his body balances, his heart pounding from the endless runs on the pitch and he pumps his soul into the shot, that shot...

There was this moment of breathlessness, a momentary loss of consciousness on my part...watching the ball hit the net was like watching a movie with a twisted ending. Who would've thought that a goal could be so crucial. What a moment. The room exploded into choruses of shouts and taunts to the negative Chelsea approach.

El anti galactico. El Illusionata. El Iniesta. The humble catalunian.

And the fracas after the game rivals the one we are having in Perak. Drogba is a disgrace.

It was a triumph of football. Chelsea's tactics lost to a team playing free flowing football. A triumph for the neutrals.

It's a bitter pill to swallow, for i am a Liverpool and Real Madrid fan, to see 2 arch nemesis, Barcelona go head to head with Manchester United in the final. But they both deserve it, it's a dream final for all football fans.

Both chasing domestic and continental successes, both boasting 2 greatest talents in football in the mould of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, both displaying entertaining football. What more can you ask for? (i would ask for a Liverpool presence in the final of course, duhh!)

It was not only a victory for the neutrals, but victory for both clubs and their policies. They share an idea of integrating youth with experienced, seasoned players. When Giggs and Scholes started out, there were Pallister, Robson and Bruce setting firm examples. Now Giggs and Scholes have themselves become living legends and role models to a new generation of players. They do spend their money, but their most valueble assets are those who went up through the youth ranks.

Barcelona, a great city with a great culture. Football culture, i meant. Pep Guardiola was an accomplished player himself and set an example for future players. Now Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta are fast becoming legends of Catalunia for future players to follow suit. Busquets. Pedro. Even Messi came through the youth system, receiving injections of growth hormone day by day.

What an investment. Growth hormones. Maybe now they're investing in genetics and may produce more Messis and Xavis in the future? Is cloning the next level in football?

I would be damned if that ever happens.

Now, i hope Liverpool will follow suit. The scousers of Gerrard and Carragher are slowly waning off. They have a solid youth team. Nemeth. Pacheco. Watch out for these 2 in the future. But Benitez is still keeping them and waiting the right time. I say, now is the right time Rafa. Unleash them.

The stage is set. 27th May 2009. The European Cup final. I'm anticipating a cracking game.

The competitve edge

Once you step out of your room, leaving behind the comforts and the indulgences, be mindful that you've agreed to enter the realm of an endless rat race in the population.

It's nothing like an F1 race when you have to accelerate in a short period of time, but it's more like Dakar Rally, an endurance and mind straining race with all the surprises of nature (deserts, dunes and canyons) along the way.

Yes. It's a competitive world we're living in. A long and hard race for the prize, whatever the prize is.

Winning, succeeding is on everyone's agenda and it pushes people to the limit of their frontiers. Businesses have to compete with each other to offer the best offers, services and products. That guy drinking coffee sharing jokes with you in the office, he's a nemesis too.

But i'm not that competitive to be honest. That's why, i hypothesize that i'm not that good at sports. For fun and recreation, that's ok. I've only represented my primary school in tennis and won the gold medal in the doubles event. In the singles' event, i was knocked out at the first hurdle. That gold medal was down to the fact that my partner was representing Malaysia at the junior levels, winning regional competitions here and there. What a talent he was. Sadly, he got the big C and passed away when he was merely 15/16.

In sports, i would rather lose than to blame the referee or other conditions, or even act like brainless wackos. In the end you could only put the blame on yourselves for whatever went wrong.

Years of supporting Liverpool FC have made me sterile to losing in sports i guess. I just won't complain about other teams much, except that Liverpool weren't good enough. I've ranted on forums on how Liverpool should improve in certain areas especially their mentality in order to succeed like Liverpool. Constructive criticism rather than blind support.

The problem is, there are some who can't understand when to say they have lost. I've got loads of good friends who support Manchester United and these guys know when to say Man. Utd are second best when they perform poorly. But there are some who go emotional over losses and can't handle losing as if their lives depended on it.

But that's football for you. Last night Drogba was a disgrace, showing the bad side of football when things go wrong. Is that what you call being competitive Mr. Drogba? Take a look at Lampard who swapped shirts with Iniesta, acknowledging defeat with grace.

Part of the competitive edge, for me, is admitting when you're second best and to try to improve for future times.

In my secondary school days, my Geography teacher complained to my mom that i was too quiet and would be the last to answer any question posed by her.

But then again, i've seen the competitiveness of people gone bad. Take for example the Russian examinations in which we are required to answer orally. Some who are not able to answer their initial questions will ask for extra questions from the lecturer in order to get that illustrious mark, '5' written on their report cards. It's nothing wrong with that, but when they don't get that mark, they whine like kids who are denied of their ice creams. Lecturer this, lecturer that. Questions were not in the list. So on and so forth. Some go to great lengths to gain the lecturer's attention so that they will be recognised when the exams come around.

In the end, i think i need to have this competitive edge when i start to work later. In the medical world, housemen need to answer questions and volounteer ourselves to do this and that. And if we keep our mouths shut too much, we might be labelled uncompetitive and therefore might be targeted later on.

Gosh, how much i need to change.

PS : I'm living in a gruelling moment of my life. Got forms and more forms to fill up and to pass up tomorrow yet i'm occupying myself with the internet.

Wouldn't you rather be happy than be rich?

I am borrowing the title of Dato Dzulkifli Abdul Razak's article on the NST. It isn't copyrighted under any circumstances, or is it?

When Adolf Merckle, a German billionaire decided to kick the bucket, it was a clear evidence that the economy had got better of him. All across the globe, from Tokyo to Paris, London to New York, businessmen, stock brockers and investors are being hit by the economic tsunami, and some will be left with the label "bankruptcy" on their backs after the tide has subsided.

But it's not just them, the common people on the base of the hierarchy are severely affected as well. Recessions are leaving people jobless. I chatted with a friend who told me his dad's business is non profitable nowadays. There are news of jobless dads who are facing it with patience, one of them proclaiming that he now spends more time with his children and will do so until he finds a stable job.

Thinking back of how things have gone, there seems to be a clear evidence of how material possessions are connected to our lives. Money. Wealth. All the things around you are a part of this cyclic movement of money. There is a social contract between the buyer and the seller and we're all involved in it.

But does money guarantee happiness? Well, yes and no.

Dude, if you give me one million ringgit right now, not rupiah, i will be spending it for the following stuff : retro Liverpool jerseys, tickets to Liverpool games, Michael Jordan Air Force 1 shoes, flight tickets to anywhere in the world, maybe an SLR, an iMac or MacBook, and the list goes on and on. Am i happy after this spending? Yes, i guess.

But is that what i really am looking for?

I've learned a mighty deal of philosophy from one of my all time favourite movies , "Into the Wild" (here i go rambling about this movie over and over again ;p). Growing up in a troubled family, Chris MacCandless gave away his money ($24,000 USD) to OxFam before venturing into the wild, trying to find a true meaning of life. Mind you, it is based on a true story.It just shows a detachment from the life of too much dependency on money and material possessions.

And the grunge legend, Eddie Vedder sings on the soundtrack : -

You think you have to want
more than you need
until you have it all you won't be free.

Adrian White pioneered a research on the inter-connections between subjective well being and economic indices and found out that not all rich countries are that happy, some even ranked outside the top 20. For the record, Malaysia is ranked at no. 17. Not bad at all. Now UK residents are asking for happiness, instead of wealth. To quote from a politician over there, “It’s time we admitted that there’s more to life than money, and it’s time we focused not just on GDP, but on GWB – general well-being".

As for Malaysians, we have that genetics in shopping and we shop no matter what. There are those who really suffer, but there are those who claim to suffer but still go on rampages at shopping centres week in week out. Aha! The Complaining Culture of Malaysians. Talk about complaining, i heard that some juniors complained of the state of toilets in the university which prompted the university to renovate them. I think most people know how frequent i use the toilet to poo but i never complained a bit even though those toilets are quite bad and are doorless. I would just shout, "Zanyat!Zanyat!" meaning occupied and they would just go away. But hey, have i ever mentioned i'm an introvert and just keep quiet most of the time?

Isn't it a wonder that some poorer families are happier than wealthy ones. I've been lucky enough to live a life full of blessings.

Word of the day : content.

But don't get me wrong. It is always a social responsibility for us to collect wealth. Lots of good things you can do with money! Imam Ghazali once stated that wealth is one of the means to succeed in eternal life. Being wealthy and being materialistic are both on different wavelength spectrums. He classified businessmen/economic agents into the following : -

1. Those who are fully occupied with business that they forget their place of return, the hereafter. These are the people who will be ruined.
2. Those who are concerned for the hereafter and therefore are kept away from economic sphere. These are the successful people.
3. These are the people who are involved in economic activites FOR the hereafter. This is the middle path.

We should always adopt the moderate/middle path, as this is encouraged by the Prophet from a hadeeth reported by al-Bukhari. Middle path being our hunger for both wordly and matters of the hereafter.

I'm not saying i'm liberated from all my wordly needs. I'm still chained to some things of life and trying slowly to be able to say "no" to my extra needs of this world. To share the words of Bob Marley on his song, "redemption song", :-

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery,
None but ourselves can free our mind.

To be liberated. That's my goal.