Happy Chinese New Year of the Tiger 2010

Actually Happy Belated Chinese New Year but since traditionally CNY is celebrated until 15th day, technically it's not wrong right?

So I wish everyone "GONG XI FA CHAI."

According to Chinese calendar/zodiac 2010 is the year of the Metal Tiger.

Damn, I always thought last year was the year...

Aircraft Cabin Lights Off

Another flying session last weekend.

After years of traveling by air, only recently I started to wonder why the cabin lights are off during take off/landing.

Of course just Google it & you'll get the answer in an instance. But how many of us really have the luxury & time to do that.

Here are some of the plausible answers:
(Bear in mind that take off & landing are stages of flight when aircraft are most prone to accidents & emergencies).

A) To preserve electrical power to run the important stuff.

B) The light may affect the cockpit, and the pilot may get a glare in the screen, thinking it is another airplane.

C) Dimming the cabin will adjust passenger's eyes to the amount of light outside, so it won't take time for the passenger's eyes to adjust in the event of an emergency.

D) So you can't see your life flashing before your eyes. Hehe... Shit.

Which one it's gonna be?

Now Every Idiots Can Fly...

No latest entry for quite some times, due to my beloved mom was hospitalized. So I had to travel back & forth SZB/KUL-KBR-KUL/SZB to visit her.

Since this few weeks I fly quite a lot, this entry is dedicated to the Malaysian way of air travel:

1. When the stewardess/ground staff called for disabled/elderly/traveling-with-small-children passengers to board, almost everybody would rush in. Yes, because we are all disabled - mentally of course...

2. Mobile phone usage is only allowed inside the Terminal Building. Checked.... and f**k off. So what? I pay for my phone bills using my own money! Interference with aircraft navigation system & possible cause of fire? Shove 'em up you a**!

3. For your safety, please follow the designated walkway to the plane. Checked... and also f**k off. I'm in a hurry, otherwise I won't get my seat or worse, the plane would take off without me!

4. Malaysian definition of hand luggage = as long as I can carry/drag it with my hands. When will you learn that size doesn't bloody matter?

5. The window seats are first come first serve basis, not even if your boarding pass has your name on it.

6. When the aircraft has landed, let us all 'give standing ovation' while waiting for the craft hatch to be opened. This is also to exercise our legs after sitting for a while.

7. Let's rush to get out, otherwise our luggage will go home on their own & we have to pay for their taxi/bus/ERL as well.

8. Repeat no. 2 & 3.

9. Of course, the classic habits - take home all items provided during flight (plates, cups, pillows, blankets, etc...). Which is why nowadays the airlines provide disposable plates, cups & rarely provide pillows & blankets. But i heard that every people all around the world did this, not just Malaysians.

Maybe I will set up a new airline company with a tag line:

"Now every idiots can fly!"

BTW: The lady 2nd from left is simply the most gorgeous stewardess I've ever seen. Hehe... Which makes me wonder, is she a stewardess for real or just model for hire?

Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock...

This new year of 2010, I've really been into something to occupy my time as an unmarried guy... [sigh]

Compared to previous years (especially in Perak) when I was 'bored to death' due to no interesting activities to be done during my free times, this year I really missed a bit longer time for me to close my eyes and rest my body & mind.

This is my new year's daily life in the hectic KL life:

Monday - Friday:
Working from 8.15 am - 5.30 pm
Approximately 1.5 hours commuting; combination of to & from my office.

Saturday:
3 Lectures/classes for my M.Eng studies: 8.00 am - 6.00 pm

Sunday:
Again, another 2 lectures/classes: 8.00 am - 3.00 pm

Monday & Tuesday:
9.00 pm - 11.00 pm, time to shape up my body for mortal combat. Yes. Don't play-play...

I only have 3 nights during weekdays for my life. 2 nights during weekend usually can't be counted since usually I went to bed early.

Shit.

Though I have to admit it's quite fun & still ain't nothin' yet...

OMG

High Court grants Catholic publication Herald the right to use ‘Allah’ word again
KUALA LUMPUR: The Catholic weekly Herald is now free to use the word “Allah” in its publication after the High Court quashed the Home Minister’s prohibition against it using the word, declaring the order as “illegal, null and void.”

In her decision, Justice Lau Bee Lan also declared that under Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution, applicant Titular Roman Catholic Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam had the constitutional right to use “Allah” in the Herald in the exercise of his right that religions other than Islam might be practised in peace and harmony in the country.

She further ruled that the Constitution, which states Islam as the country’s religion, did not empower the minister to make such a prohibition.

(From The Star Online, 1st Jan 2010. Click here for more.)

What a surprise for a new year.

Probably I may not the most rightful person to comment on the court’s decision. In fact I’m not trying to, as I’m more interested to comment on the current atmosphere surrounding the issue itself from my personal point of view.

Some strongly disagree while some others agree under conditions.

Everyday we can see objections from certain groups. They are really fighting for it. While it showed their spirit to defend Islam, it also raised doubt in my mind.

Are they only defending the usage of the word itself?

How about the more important issues like continuing & expanding the teaching of The Prophet?

How about revamping the image of Islam that has been ‘scratched’ to the extent Islam is associated with terrorism, conservative & uncivilised?

And most importantly, how about adapting Islam in the right place – as the highest foundation of politics, jurisprudence, economy, social etc… How many of us really fighting for that?

I don’t know, I’ll just pray for the best.