Malaysia free hugs

“When I was young, we didn’t know we lacked anything. Because we had nothing to compare it to. And there’s a freedom in that.”

-Sean Connery

For the moment:
Diferente-Gotan Project
Sekuntum Mawar Merah-Alleycats

Whether it’s Free Hugs or any other thing that Malaysians (or people anywhere else) want to adopt or even introduce something new for that matter, local culture and custom must be taken into account.

Edward Said scrutinize and broke down this point remarkably well in his magnificent book Orientalism.

That said, I think Free Hugs is brilliant.

The Curve

Sunway University College

One Utama

Kota Kinabalu

Bukit Bintang

Italiannies

“Ask your child what he wants for dinner only if he’s buying.”

-Fran Lebowitz

For the moment:

Selfish-Slum Village f/ Kanye West

Today I had a late lunch at Italiannies in One Utama. Here’s my marinara on their pasta.

The Curve 7728 1715
One Utama 7727 1399

This is a place you must go with a 3 pax minimum. I personally think, it should be 5. They started out like that. However, not known to many, lately they do take orders for a smaller (1 head) portion. That said, most of their dishes are meant to be served at the centre of the table and each patron will be given a smaller plate of their own.

With regards to the nature of the restaurant, they are similar to the Chilis and are in fact a brother/sister restaurant chain to TGIF.

They tried to make the place look somewhat quaint. I think it’s alright. They didn’t succeed miserably. I say that because it’s the exact same look with their other outlet, and I presume any upcoming outlet.

While waiting for your order, you will be served two types of their home made bread with olive oil & vinegar. This I must give credit. If there’s 4 of you, they will give 8. If there’s 3, they will give you 6. It’s on the house.

Known for a number of things. From the top of my head, Stuffed Mushrooms and Fettucini Carbonara. These are two things I have almost without fail. But today I learned that it is best to not order these two together, especially if you don’t have a sizable entourage to share the order. Both has cream and cheese as a base, which can be over the top if consumed back to back.

In isolation, the Carbonara is known to be creamy and the smoked beef bacon is smoked beef bacon. You can even smell it. Kudos.

I won’t go too far by saying this is an expensive place. Each eatery has their own prices according to what they provide. A restaurant like this provides you the ambiance, service, food etc. So I was somewhat disappointed when my appetizer arrived at least 3 minutes after my main course. I was there with my 2 pre-teen sisters. That was all that we ordered. It’s not complicated. But I must point this out, when I asked (reminded) them about the Stuffed Mushrooms, another waiter told me it was coming, indicating that ‘yea, all is in order, I don’t see anything wrong here.’

I don’t blame him. I blame a greedy boss for wanting of more profit, and a negligent management for poorly training their staff.

*1 Small Stuffed Mushrooms (8 mushrooms) + 1 person portion Fettucini Carbonara + 2 Ice Lemon Tea + warm water = RM54.

They only have 5 desserts to offer. Which is in a way good to limit the choices. But as a Muslim, I am disappointed to see 2 of them, had liqueur. But I’m sure it tastes brilliant. For this bit, I’ve never heard any complaints.

I’ve been to this place many times in the past but today I would say, is the first time they had a hiccup with me. Honey Star, whom I have to thank for some of the pictures, seem to have good reviews about the place. But Fione didn’t have nice things to say.

Her bill tallied to RM57.96. But the total amount showed RM58. She was upset not for being ‘conned’ 4 cents, but for not being informed of the ‘miscalculation’. Rational Thinker left a comment on her page explaining that’s the Swedish Rounding Up System, and is common elsewhere.

I guess the world loves Ikea that much.

Shotgun

I saw this in the newspaper while having breakfast the other day. Brilliant.

The former incident at christmas mansion

“To know Widad, is to know the world. ”

-WMB

For the moment:

Tracy-Mogwai

I was planning to only post this later on, but the latter incident post aroused the curiousity of others seeking me to continue the story. Before I proceed, I must make clear that,

1. I grew up knowing more than a handful of homosexuals, in and outside of the family. Thus, I suppose, that explains why I’m not homophobic.
2. Homophobia is not bigotry. They are two different things. Get it right.
3. Coming out for a homosexual is (still) an issue. Whether by perception or matter of fact, that illustrates how normal/usual/common/accepted it is. That means, it is something new and it is huge (for both sides). The same (usually) applies to war, unusual weather or brand new fashion trend.
4. Out of the many (many) definitions of phobia I checked, only one or two describes it as hatred, among other things. All of them agree that it is fear. Also avoidance, aversion and dislike. Thus, if it is reasonable to be phobic over heights, neon lights and the presence or contact with certain animals, why is it wrong to be phobic over the presence of a homosexual? If that is wrong, than any form of phobia, especially to any living being is also wrong.
5. Distinguish the difference between being phobic over presence, and phobic over being hit on. I personally, as you have read in the earlier post, have a problem with the latter. In fact, I’m not sure if it’s me or men in general, I can’t help feeling awkward even when a girl makes a similar pass at me. Looking at it in that spectrum, whether or not it is homophobic, I think it’s beyond. But in truth, I don’t care.

Finally, if it is fine in your opinion, and your (or another persons) right to be a homosexual, then it is absolutely fine for another to be homophobic. Assuming of course if that is your train of thought.

Because condemning or depriving the right, even in the most implied or subtle of way, of a person for being homophobic, the same you apply to you. And that goes beyond sexual orientation. Again, assuming of course if that is your train of thought.

Now the story…the former incident at christmas mansion…

Shortly after we all walked in the nightclub, my brother bump into his friend in one corner of the club where he had a spot having drinks with his girlfriend. My brother introduced me to him and his girlfriend. Friendly chap, lovely girl. We spoke for a bit and left.

About an hour later I went to the latrine and my brother’s friend stopped me to say hello again. He was standing in between me and his friend. He says to me,

Hey man, my friend here thinks you got cool hair.

Oh yea? Brilliant. Thanks.

He holds my arms a little firmer and I get the drift that he wants to get my attention proper. Seriously with a smile, he says,

And don’t get offended. Ok…

Don’t get offended.

My friend here also thinks you got a cute ass.

And then he pats my posterior. I’m hoping, as a gesture of comfort/consolation. Who the fck knows.

Before I leave he says I should come back to his spot with my brother later and have a drink with them, and repeats his offer seriously indicating that he meant it. That gesture, I appreciate.

Just as he finish reiterating his offer, and I walk away, he pats my posterior again. That gesture, I’m not sure I appreciate.

Going back, what concerned me was this,

• His friend didn’t stop him from saying what he said. In fact he kind of looked as if he was expecting the conveyance of words although not willingly.
• His friend did not make any serious denial. In fact, he just looked down, smiled not sheepishly, looking a little embarrassed and bothered, but as if it was not an entirely unusual thing,

In case if you’re that naive, yes. That friend was not a girl.

Which I suppose, as a heterosexual male, is even less comforting.

The latter incident at christmas mansion

“The trouble with having an open mind, of course is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.”

-Terry Pratchett

For the moment:

After Party-Koffee Brown

On Christmas eve, I was at a night club called *Heritage Mansion*.

In congruent with the previous post, I too would tag this as a semi-pseudo-glamorous joint. To illustrate, proletariats (pre-Marx definition) must pay RM100 just to enter on this special night. Special it was, I was there.

I’ve not been out at night like this for quite some time (kind of), thus I observed a great number of things. At the same time, this recently opened social institution is the current IT place in Kuala Lumpur. The place to be seen wearing your hazel contact lens. The only pretentious kind of people you don’t see here are men dressing up as woman truly thinking they are one. Women dressing up as men, the other species and the in betweens are permitted.

*That illustrates the significant impact of the whole women equality outlet.

As much as men appreciate compliments, truth of the matter is that it is not something they are used to, let alone groomed to hear. There are times, they truly rather not hear it.

I always go to night clubs with a group of friends. But once I’m in, half the time I’m minding my own business. However, tonight I learned that that solitary enjoyment can end up in awkward incidents.

There were two. I’ll narrate the latter incident, and maybe the former one in another post.

I was taking a breather just outside the club but still within its premises. Walking around the entrance area, taking my time. Within the compound of the club, there were outdoor bar top tables scattered.

Then I see this girl in a long red tube dress, probably in her late 20’s, a cross between above average and hot, gesturing me to come over. Not wanting be in a paiseh (embarrassing) situation, I walked a few steps forward and saw her finger shifted direction, while nodding and smiling at the same time. Much like how Walt would call for Mickey.

She brings me to her table nearby and introduces herself and her five friends. I shook them all with my right hand while my left is scouring in my pocket, searching for my I’m Not A Hooker card. After the standard pleasantries and me riding on their presumption that I’m a foreigner, one of them said,

We like your hair.

Really? Thank you. I think it looks shit. I’m actually gonna cut it next week. You should grow yours long like mine.

Oh no. You shouldn’t cut it. It looks good. I wouldn’t grow mine as long as yours. Any longer than it is now, I’ll look like a mthrfcker.

Ah. In that case I’ve been looking like one for six months now.

I left them very shortly after. Now that would have been a brilliant meeting. It did start off subtle at first. But then when the hair compliment came, I was somehow somewhat subconsciously alert.

First of all, the red dress girl with her post-colonial English, who was standing next to me throughout, was touching me in the wrong places. Regardless of whether or not I just met her. That kind of wrong places.

Secondly, I started to notice that while they were all decent, well dressed and groomed, the primary objective of the girl was to get me acquainted with her friends. I suppose that explains her bold move to call me over. She has the least to lose.

Thirdly, one of her five friends had a black shirt one and a burgundy red shawl (pashmina perhaps) fashionably wrapped around the shoulders.

Shawl friend was a guy. So was the other four.

Restaurants and concerts

“To know one life has breathed easier, that is to have lived.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

For the moment:

Naughty Eye-Timbaland

In the past week, I went to two of those increasingly popular semi-pseudo-glamorous restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. Palate Pallate and Basil Leaf.

Before that, today marks the final day of the MATRADE (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation) Exhibition. It ran for 3 weeks. Each weekend, on the side of the exhibition there would be music performances (hiphop, jazz, rock), among other things. Me and my friend got hired to be the MC for the 3 weekends. Pictures, should come soon.

*click on link*

 

*Palate Pallate*

Jalan Mesui. Next to No Black Tie. Behind Hotel Istana. One of those colonial terrace house turned into a restaurant.

A friend of mine threw a surprise birthday party for our friend. She reserved the whole of the second flood, which is very suitable to organize something private. Food was buffet.

Downstairs, you can seat inside or outside. The hedge will provide you with the privacy from the passing cars. Coincidentally, I had two different groups of friends sitting downstairs, one inside and outside. Judging from the food I had upstairs, and the word of my friends seated downstairs, the food here is just average. Just plain average.

That said, they did have a brilliant decor. It’s very contemporary art ish. Reminds me of the Van Abbe Museum in Eindhoven. Though I wish that they would have focus more specifically on the theme, and not just simply having artwork on the walls.

You must have a look at the ‘Peacock’ upstairs. Just climb the spiral steps and you will see it. Amazing.

 

*Basil Leaf*

Thai and Indochinese. The food was either above average or brilliant. I had the Thai Pineapple Fried Rice. Some of the dishes can be mad spicy.

The decor is amazing. It’s fantastic that they didn’t over maximize the space they had. I say this because they still have quite an unoccupied sizable garden.

It is somewhat pricey but not too over the top. I had very little food on my place and paused to talk to a friend. I had my fork at 7 o’clock and my spoon at 5 o’clock. Half of the table was done eating and waiters came to clear the table gradually. They took away my plate. I felt like saying something but was not in the mood because I was already full. Anyway, point being here is that such a hiccup by a waiter would be excusable at an average restaurant. But not at a restaurant where the average bill per head is a minimum RM30. Two thumbs down for this.

I thought that while the ambiance is imperative in such a restaurant, it was a little too dark. I was there with 9 other friends. At least 3 of the girls insisted that the darkness was spot on.

One even admitted that it’s good for people with poor complexion.

And also for guys who have insufficient courage to tell the girl their with that red chili on the front teeth is not sexy.

Airborne: java sea

“Listen to your parents and you will get what you want. God will respond.”

-Habib Tahir Alhamid

For the moment:

Passenger Seat-Stephen Speaks

Naturally, your thoughts braise when your laptop battery run out and have no means, to use the archaic expression, to jot down. Jot I did, on a few pieces of paper with an instrument commonly used not too long ago. A blue ball point pen.

I will divulge what I manage to write down airborne, some other time.

There was a great number of things that I observe in Surabaya. Top on the list: hospitality. The number of people asking my family

• to stay at their house
• why are we staying in a hotel
• where are we going next/following day, and if they can bring us there
• to come again, and stay their house on our next visit

Some who offered have at one time or the other stayed at our house, or have met us before somewhere, or only have heard about before.

More in pictures, less in words. The rest that I observed in this region of East Java:

Boys playing football.

 

Spot the trishaw in the middle of a junction, transporting a goat.

Beef cutlets barbecued. To be eaten with gravy. Depending on which part of the country (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia) you’re in, the gravy varies. Here, the gravy is sweet kicap.

Pronounced as goo-lay. Usually lamb with in a simple soup. Very common roadside dish.

As I was there during the Haj (pilgrimage) holiday, which is also in relation to Prophet Abraham and Prophet Ishmael’s incident, you would see a lot of goats in the city and urban area waiting to be slaughtered. It is not uncommon for families to do it themselves.

A Putu Bamboo vendor on a rickshaw. A snack. I think it is made of coconut and maybe sugar?

If directly translated ‘Fun Soda.’ The drink will be served with a tall mug which contains condensed milk, syrup cordial and blocks of ice. Alongside soda water in a bottle. You will have to pour the soda water yourself into the mug. You will be provided a long spoon but no straw. The sweeter/stronger you want the drink to be, the more you have to stir.

Surabaya, the second biggest city in Indonesia, is not dirty like the biggest city, Jakarta. This trash bin made me really notice it. One bin for dry trash, the other for wet trash.

 

It is a kind of ‘porridge’ one might say. Middle Eastern. It takes about 24 hours to cook. A delicacy indeed. I’m not sure how often they have it here in Indonesia, but for me, I usually only get to have it 3 times a year. 2 of which (home cook ones), I have to go to Singapore to get it.

In this case, it was served on a large plate/tray. With custer sugar. Much like how they serve Poffidges in Holland and Belgium. But here, 4 men sat on the floor, ate it all using their hands. Finished with a broad smile. Pragmatism makes life easy.

It is custom after the festive prayers that we make rounds visiting the respected elders. Especially those knowledgeable and respected in the community. His house, is usually open to all.

White rice. Beef Empel. Ayam Penyet (Flattened Chicken).

It is not common for a trishaw rider to put on a hat like that. Precisely why I took the picture. In most alleys like this, only trishaws, bicycles and motorcycles can come in.

I came across this trishaw rider. He had another pair of paddles on another part of the bike. When he paddled that pair, music would come on and those miniature cars/ducks would move.

Another example of simplicity. While visiting the elders, this one house invited us to have lunch with some other guests. Food was served on the floor. If this was a restaurant, I doubt requesting “a table for 8 please” would be appropriate.

This one amused me. I’m not sure how to explain, but in Arabic and Malay, ‘Jin’ is a being of another form and dimension. I guess you could say ‘the unseen.’ Not the angel or the devil. Not the mutant or the muggle.

Goods from Argentina

You reading this means that you received a link to this private post. It also means that I trust your opinion and look forward to hearing it from you, as soon as possible because I might meet with the supplier on Saturday (KL time).

I came across what you see below in Argentina and plan to purchase some of them in view to be sold in Kuala Lumpur. Since the peculiar country of origin, as oppose to typically China, Indonesia or USA, it will be clearly stated that it is a product from Argentina (for marketing and merchandising sake).

What I seek is mainly,

1. three of the items you would are most sellable in KL
2. how much do you think they should retail at if they are packaged very well but not super exclusively

It would be convenient for a man (such as myself with poor understanding of style and fashion as you already know), if you could provide me your answers with the designated names. For example, ART003. Instead of, the red clutch that would look fabulous on me if worn with the dress I´ve hinted you to get for my birthday in 1997.

Just click Reply from the email you received to share with me your valuable opinion. :)

.

PS. if you want to view the image larger, Right Click the thumbnail and open it that way.

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