Really Writingy

You know, I've really not been doing any real writing in a long while. I mean as in writing for pleasure, for myself, creatively and to channel my thoughts and analysis through think pieces.

I've been lying low for a long while, away from the creative constellation of the city I am living in. Teaching takes up too much time, as do a sundry of other projects.


My resolution beginning this week, meaning from Wed on, is to read a chapter of a novel a day or a poem or two. After all, as a freelancer, I am a master of my time so should stop complaining about being too busy. Started a little on Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons but never completed it as I got distracted with reading other stuff. Mostly academic stuff or political stuff.

Now I need to grow my creative vibes

Hell, I'm growing older, so if there's no time now, there never will be

So from tomorrow onwards, I'll try to post, as regularly as I can, what I'm reading for the moment, and my thoughts on what I read

And if you haven't watched this movie Goya's Ghosts, I suggest doing so now. Sterling performances and the unfiltered history of Europe, filth and all.

And of course, there's Goya, that schizophrenic painter of realism (even though he wasn't from the school of realist painters, as his paintings were more in the fashion of the old masters such as Leonardo, Raphael, and some Dutch artists)

Situation in Burma remains dire

Protests around the world may only make the Burmese military junta aware that they are being watched, but as long as their two closest ally in the world, especially China, remain silent on this issue and continue diplomatic ties with the Burmese junta, status quo may prevail.

Maybe what we need is a group of all-star, politically conscious athletes that would pressure their government to boycott the Chinese Olympic games. This might make China pay attention.

China itself is as bad as Burma, if not worse, in its human rights violation record. And since it's a communist state, there is no religious reservation to hold it back.

To get more updates on Burma, tune in to the BBC.

Stating my support for the Burmese people

Due to extreme fatigue yesterday, I was not able to drag myself to KLCC for the mass protest. But what I want to state here is that I have burned incense in show of my support for the amelioration of the plight of the Burmese, who are merely two neighbourhoods away from Malaysia. And I am openly stating in this site that I believe that justice has to prevail for these people

A thought for the day

Yesterday, I found myself barely working. Or working slowly, taking the time to digest through all that I have to do as I go through the comments of the first draft of my manuscript, and restructuring the way the narrative is being handled. It's a really painstaking process but well worth the effort as it will keep me from repeating the mistakes of the first draft. The story telling part is simple, just my knack for complicating things. I think I should get the structure out by the end of the week. Have French exams this Thurs, and then a teaching job to go to on Friday, but otherwise, I have freed myself from other stuff to concentrate on the manuscript.

I told myself that I will do the best that I can for this new year, never taking anything or anyone for granted and always putting my best foot forward. I also told myself to be more forgiving of the folly of others and to be more circumspect in my dealing with people. Much that has happened this year included my getting to know the not-so-good side of the people whom I thought I could trust, as well as lots of misunderstanding.
People have many faces, and you never get to see all the faces until you step on their toe, or on their turf. Or when shit hits the fan.

It is early in the morning, so I think I'll wrap up my work for this evening. Had my laptop on working mode since evening, working everywhere, from my room to my friend's room to the living room.

So I think it's time to sleep and have an early start. I am beginning to feel more optimistic about this project that I am doing now that I am structuring it out carefully.

It's October now so no more time to waste.

bon nuit

A new year for myself

As I am writing this in the wee hours of Monday morning, Oct 1, Saturday Sept 29 saw the close of a long drawn-out year for me, one riddled with confusion, chaos, altercations and negative vibes. Everything felt wrong on that day, and only came out right in the evening. It felt like an extended session on a therapist couch.

But I went to this little shop in town that sells Tibetan arts and crafts, and bought myself some incense sticks and a mantra card. The day after was supposed to be my b-day, and it was time to throw out all that is bad, to cleanse the inner energy and begin life a new. Whatever problems that follows me into this new year are to be tackled with renewed zest and and a positive outlook. Better discipline shall shape my life, as I would also now begin to draw boundaries between my professional life and personal life, knowing when to start my day and when to end it, but being flexible enough to enjoy the perks of a freelancer, which is the choice to plan my day and attend events, should I decide to do so. It is because of that that I am still awake at 1:44 am, when I would be asleep if I had a job to go to in the morning.

What I need to do in this new year is to have a better understanding of myself and of the other people, doing that which is right and doable. I will also start having a proper schedule for my work and my other activities, and thus have more time for my personal interests, as well as for friends and loved ones. I need to learn to manage stress better, to not get upset too easily about things and find greater equilibrium between the personal, the professional and other interests.

More importantly, I should start updating this blog more regularly. I have neglected it for so long as I had allowed my life to spiral out of control. I will use this blog as a way of getting a better grip of things, and to begin voicing my opinions on matters of interest to me, as well as chronicling my daily activities. A way to take stock of myself, to go for what I want while knowing my limitations and knowing when to let go.

As for this week, I have a manuscript to revise and research, and French test to study for. And some readings to do.

Bon nuit!