just kidding peeps. I just want to share this pic with you guys. It was taken during my time in Cameron Highland. I just want to ask your opinion bout my photograpy skill. Ada bakat kan?? hahahaha
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Cab Driver's Tale
Do you know how much cab drivers talk when they have a passenger in the car? I find it amusing how much cab drivers want to talk to you. Some of the things they talk about are just hilarious and some are just plain boring. Sometimes though they give strong opinions on current issues. Some ask where your heading and comment on your looks. I often get drivers asking me where I work! But for me, its a great chance to talk to working class Malaysians. Because when I think back these people spend their whole day driving a car around. You can just imagine the loneliness they feel throughout the day.
Just a few days back, on the way to Pyramid I had a very interesting conversation with this unique taxi driver. He was quite a big fellow, chinese, wearing a typical white sleeveless shirt. The imiediately thing I did once I entered the car was look at his IC no. The first 2 numbers were 46, which makes him 60 years old. He started talking with a near-perfect english which was fine by me because I love it when non-malays talk to me in English.
Anyways, I dont know how, but somehow the topic went to something about the Military. He told he was in the Army when he was a young man. He use to drive his Commanding officer around back then. Then there was silence. I was pondering the issue. A chinese rarely enters the army back in those days, especialy when the Communist Emergency was ongoing. I debated with myself wether to ask him or not. Then I decided what the heck. I asked why he joined the army.
He answered because food was so scarce, the only way he could ever feed his family was to join the army. The army threw away leftover food, so he took them to feed his family. Just dont get caught he said. Then he laughed, even though the food tasted bad, they would still eat since they were so hungry.
He progressed about telling me the communist's history. Throughout his story, he seemed more of a pro-communist rather a soldier. He spent 10 years in the jungle, but in those 10 years he never shot anybody. These communists he said, consists of not only Chinese, but theres also quite a number of Malays and Indians. They were his brothers he said, how can you kill them? It touched me when he said they were his brothers. He continued that everytime his platoon was in a battle, their commanding officer, a british will never throw himself to the fight. Instead he'll just stay somewhere safe i.e at the bottom of the hill ordering the soldiers to attack. Now here comes the hilarious part: what they did was shoot at trees and leaves to make it sound like theres a big battle going on.
He argued, that the communists were fighting for Malaysia's freedom and hated the British as much. He also recounts his experiences in New Zealand to undergo basic training. The British he told me, looks down so much on Asians. They call the the soldiers "Asian bastards"- he said that with a british slang, which I laughed. All this only spark more hatred towards the Brits.
Then I hit the needle in the head with this question: so why didn't you join the communists instead? He laughed and replied: Then the british would kill my family! And everybody else in my kampong! I joined his laughter. Pondering on it again, I thought to myself what a stupid question I just asked. The answer was so obvious.
When we were about to reach pyramid, I told him that every Malaysian should remember the Malayan Emergency. The communists insurgency is a very important part in our history, one that many have strong feelings about. He agreed.
In the end, I paid the fare and thanked him for the talk. I've always wanted to speak to a war veteran. This was by far one the best stories I ever heard in a cab. I may not agree with all the things he said but I truly apreciate for him to share his stories.
Do you know how much cab drivers talk when they have a passenger in the car? I find it amusing how much cab drivers want to talk to you. Some of the things they talk about are just hilarious and some are just plain boring. Sometimes though they give strong opinions on current issues. Some ask where your heading and comment on your looks. I often get drivers asking me where I work! But for me, its a great chance to talk to working class Malaysians. Because when I think back these people spend their whole day driving a car around. You can just imagine the loneliness they feel throughout the day.
Just a few days back, on the way to Pyramid I had a very interesting conversation with this unique taxi driver. He was quite a big fellow, chinese, wearing a typical white sleeveless shirt. The imiediately thing I did once I entered the car was look at his IC no. The first 2 numbers were 46, which makes him 60 years old. He started talking with a near-perfect english which was fine by me because I love it when non-malays talk to me in English.
Anyways, I dont know how, but somehow the topic went to something about the Military. He told he was in the Army when he was a young man. He use to drive his Commanding officer around back then. Then there was silence. I was pondering the issue. A chinese rarely enters the army back in those days, especialy when the Communist Emergency was ongoing. I debated with myself wether to ask him or not. Then I decided what the heck. I asked why he joined the army.
He answered because food was so scarce, the only way he could ever feed his family was to join the army. The army threw away leftover food, so he took them to feed his family. Just dont get caught he said. Then he laughed, even though the food tasted bad, they would still eat since they were so hungry.
He progressed about telling me the communist's history. Throughout his story, he seemed more of a pro-communist rather a soldier. He spent 10 years in the jungle, but in those 10 years he never shot anybody. These communists he said, consists of not only Chinese, but theres also quite a number of Malays and Indians. They were his brothers he said, how can you kill them? It touched me when he said they were his brothers. He continued that everytime his platoon was in a battle, their commanding officer, a british will never throw himself to the fight. Instead he'll just stay somewhere safe i.e at the bottom of the hill ordering the soldiers to attack. Now here comes the hilarious part: what they did was shoot at trees and leaves to make it sound like theres a big battle going on.
He argued, that the communists were fighting for Malaysia's freedom and hated the British as much. He also recounts his experiences in New Zealand to undergo basic training. The British he told me, looks down so much on Asians. They call the the soldiers "Asian bastards"- he said that with a british slang, which I laughed. All this only spark more hatred towards the Brits.
Then I hit the needle in the head with this question: so why didn't you join the communists instead? He laughed and replied: Then the british would kill my family! And everybody else in my kampong! I joined his laughter. Pondering on it again, I thought to myself what a stupid question I just asked. The answer was so obvious.
When we were about to reach pyramid, I told him that every Malaysian should remember the Malayan Emergency. The communists insurgency is a very important part in our history, one that many have strong feelings about. He agreed.
In the end, I paid the fare and thanked him for the talk. I've always wanted to speak to a war veteran. This was by far one the best stories I ever heard in a cab. I may not agree with all the things he said but I truly apreciate for him to share his stories.
The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them-Ralph Nichols
Friday, October 06, 2006
Naif The Great
haha, when doing the "5 hooligans" post I didnt realize syakirin had wrote something himself. Since were all in the mood of putting pictures of ourselves, I too shall put up a pic:
haha, when doing the "5 hooligans" post I didnt realize syakirin had wrote something himself. Since were all in the mood of putting pictures of ourselves, I too shall put up a pic:
Lelaki Melayu Terakhir
Nabil (my good friend) and yours truly
This picture was taken in Japan during Hari Raya. Both of us looking extremely dashing in our Baju Melayu.
A little something about me. I'm 17/m/selangor. I like long walks in the beach, read good books and watch movies. My taste in music is simply: Incubus. My preference of girls are, girls with long black hair and is enthusiastic in everything they do, even in times of failure. Being emo and complaining about your problems is a huge turn off for me so please re evaluate yourself if you ever want to make a move on me. You must also be a huge Arsenal supporter and hate Manchester United as much as I do. If you think Brandon Boyd (lead singer of Incubus, by right you should know it!) is sexy, I agree, but if you think Brad Pitt is sexy, thats a turn off. Lastly if your name starts with "N" and ends with "t", you are not in my choice of girls.
I'm joking =) lol. Neways, enjoy the pic.
"The only shallow people are the ones that DONT judge people by their apperances. The true mystery of the world is that of the visible not the invisible". - George Orwell
The 5 hooligans!
Recently we have open our blog membership (I call it membership so that it sounds better) to 2 more people: Syakirin aka Syak and Jason Poo. I have a feeling this blog will soon be shared with a few more. So this blog is basicaly a collective daily journal of individuals. But for now theres only 5 of us. We like doing this because its a fun way for us to stay in touch with each other. Anything else which still seems unclear, refer to the "about us" section for further explanation.
Btw, if you ever wonder why we call ourselves hooligans, the reason is simple. It was actually inspired by the movie "Greenstreet hooligans" starring Elijah wood or frodo. In the movie, Elijah wood is a pussy wussy but learns to stand up for himself when he ventures into the underground world of british football hooliganism. One of our favourite lines is "Stand your ground and fight!". Since we do a lot of stupid things ourselves, a "hooligan" is actually a good metaphore for us.
"Live a hooligan, die a hooligan"
Naif
Recently we have open our blog membership (I call it membership so that it sounds better) to 2 more people: Syakirin aka Syak and Jason Poo. I have a feeling this blog will soon be shared with a few more. So this blog is basicaly a collective daily journal of individuals. But for now theres only 5 of us. We like doing this because its a fun way for us to stay in touch with each other. Anything else which still seems unclear, refer to the "about us" section for further explanation.
Btw, if you ever wonder why we call ourselves hooligans, the reason is simple. It was actually inspired by the movie "Greenstreet hooligans" starring Elijah wood or frodo. In the movie, Elijah wood is a pussy wussy but learns to stand up for himself when he ventures into the underground world of british football hooliganism. One of our favourite lines is "Stand your ground and fight!". Since we do a lot of stupid things ourselves, a "hooligan" is actually a good metaphore for us.
"Live a hooligan, die a hooligan"
Naif
Thursday, October 05, 2006
New Moderator!!! Muahahhaha
hey there,hi there, ho there!!!
I'm the new moderator for this blog.My name is Syark. That is all u peeps need 2 know. This pic was taken by someone(forgot da name) at Cactus Valley in Cameron Highland. Im 17 and having the teenage blues.. SPM!!! hahahaha.. I stay around ss1. Raya jangan datang k. I'm half malay and half chinese. Not like C.Keat, he is an INDON!!!! lol.. you can know me further by visiting my page at www.myspace.com/syark89
Next week on Teusday, our beloved friend named Farouq, will be gone. Forever!!! Just kidding. He will be having a lot of fun (hope so) 'cause on that day is his birthday. We (Naif, C. Keat, and me) will arrange a party for him. The party still in suggestion, so, we still not confirm yet about place and all that stuff. Got any suggestion? Tell C.Keat bout it. Not me. I'm an ex-seaport. U can't meet me easily. I'm a busy man, what can I say? Dowh.. hahahhaha
hey there,hi there, ho there!!!
I'm the new moderator for this blog.My name is Syark. That is all u peeps need 2 know. This pic was taken by someone(forgot da name) at Cactus Valley in Cameron Highland. Im 17 and having the teenage blues.. SPM!!! hahahaha.. I stay around ss1. Raya jangan datang k. I'm half malay and half chinese. Not like C.Keat, he is an INDON!!!! lol.. you can know me further by visiting my page at www.myspace.com/syark89
Next week on Teusday, our beloved friend named Farouq, will be gone. Forever!!! Just kidding. He will be having a lot of fun (hope so) 'cause on that day is his birthday. We (Naif, C. Keat, and me) will arrange a party for him. The party still in suggestion, so, we still not confirm yet about place and all that stuff. Got any suggestion? Tell C.Keat bout it. Not me. I'm an ex-seaport. U can't meet me easily. I'm a busy man, what can I say? Dowh.. hahahhaha
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