Pictures from Rob!

Our victim for Rob! was Adrian Yap. He’s the publisher and/or chief editor and/or boss of KLue magazine. :)

Late May: RA at KLue magazine for an interview (which will appear in their July issue) by Sarah Chan. As we were leaving, Didi asked us if we could do a flashmob for Urbanscapes.

Early June: Another meeeting. This time with Didi, Darren and Valene. RA proposed about 6 ideas and they picked Rob!

Mid June: RA sent out invitations for Rob! via RandomAlphabets.com and Facebook.

After that Early June meeting, we had to decide what random name to use because we didn’t want to call out ‘Rob!’. After brainstorming in deep thought (for 15 seconds!), our side blurted,

why don’t you saboh your boss Adrian Yap?

And we saw 3 wide smiles.

All pictures courtesy of Niki Cheong. Also thanks to Wei Nye, Kay Margera and Zam Nayan for helping out.

A photographer and videographer was meant to follow Adrian throughout the whole flashmob. However shortly before we started he disappeared. We later receive word from our collaborator, Valene from KLue (subordinate of the victim himself), that he was indeed in hiding.

In fact, he sent an sms to her saying something along the lines of “you think I’m stupid is it?!”

Nevertheless, that said we still did achieve the desired effect of a flashmob. Although later (or even by now) a bulk of the spectators knew it was a setup. But after all, it was KLue Urbanscapes. The crowd is somewhat familiar with the notion of flashmob. :)

We overheard people saying,

Ey, who is this Adrian Yap?

Eh this Adrian Yap owe people money or what?!

Is he someone’s ‘tau khei’ (anak buah gangster-as Wei Nye translates for me)

Hmmm. Is this somesort of a game? Where is Adrian?

These are the RandomAlphabets people I think.

Wtf?

I don’t know who he is but I’ll join in. Adrian!!!!

Below is the video RA did for Rob!

*Join our next flashmob, LUM : Look Up More. Below is the invitational video.

*We also distributed more than 750 of the Pay It Forward Bookmarks for RWP. :)

Nobody makes love in a club

“In Sicily, women are more dangerous than shotguns.”
- The Godfather

For the moment:
Love In This Club – Usher

I’m sorry. But if you want to ‘make love’ in a club, especially in the way you put it, it’s not called making love. It’s called fcking.

In fact, I’m not sorry. I do apologise for being crude. But this must be said because eventually the phrase ‘make love’ could be distorted and carry a different connotation.

For example: a man tells his spouse, “I want to make love to you“, and she might just go

You selfish animal. I want to have sex. Not make love! You think I’m cheap is it? Hah?

Kau binatang!

Inside he goes, ‘shit! Did I miscalculate her period cycle again? Damn it I HATE hiphop!‘

Rob! location revealed

We will sms you the name of our victim by 4pm. If you have not emailed us your number, then you won’t be receiving that sms.

RandomActs [at] RandomAlphabets [dot] com

If you have trouble understanding how Rob! works, or we have not explained it well (because it usually is our fault anyway), click here and scroll down to read the FAQ.

This is how it works:

+ Pre-Rob! Time: 4.45pm. Location: Wherever our victim is.
We’ll arrange for a videographer (VG) and 2 photographers (PG) to locate our victim and follow him/her to capture his/her reaction before, during and after.

+ Phase A. Time: 5pm. Location: Marketplace.
RandomAgents go around everywhere asking strangers at the event to build the buzz. For example
‘Excuse me, have you seen Rob?’
‘Hey, where is Rob?’
‘This anneh looks like Lingam, talks like Lingam. But it’s not Lingam. You got see him not?’
‘Eh Leng Chai, don’t lansi ah. You know where is Rob or not?’
‘Hai awak. Awak ade nampak Rob tak? Kita nie tengah carik dieee. Awak nie chumel la. Boleh berkenalan?’

+ Phase B. Time: 5.15pm. Location: Marketplace.
Start calling out Rob every few seconds. Imagine you are at a concert, you’re walking around looking for a friend. Look out into the crowd and call out for you friend. Do it like that.
‘Rob!’
‘Hey Rob!’
‘Rob I’m here!’
‘Where’s that 4 eyed Ca Cheng? Rob!’
‘Woi Rob. Ko kat mane nie? Kalau aku carik Mawi pun dah jumpe skarang ko to tak! Rob!’

+Phase C. Time: 5.30pm. Location: RandomAgents spread out to designated gathering points.
We will all gather at (at least) 3 gathering points and start calling out for Rob together, loudly.
‘Rob!’
‘Dei macha. Rob. Here lah!’
‘Over here Rob.’
‘Niamah! We’re here la Rob!’
‘Aku carik Ayah Pin pun kot dah jumpe skarang. Rob! Kat sini woi.’

+Phase D. Time: 5.32pm. Location: Marketplace.
We gradually stop. Disperse. Blend in the crowd.

Location for Rob!
Marketplace at KLue Urbanscapes
KL Performing Arts Centre

If your friends are going to Urbanscapes but not participating in this, don’t spoil the fun by telling them.

Henceforth, Rob! is a secret.

Remember, do not smile, laugh or giggle. Look how you would look if you were looking for someone who is missing.

A dream with cybtmbgitw

They were having a conversation. A simple conversation. About nothing.

Actually he was talking. She was listening.

He was on the usual left side of the bed, back upright, legs stretched out after a long day. Which he was telling her about. Sitting closely to the side edge of the bed in the room she obviously decorated.

Not that he had bad sense, but he trusted her eye for style and decor. Secretly he wished he had it.

She was, by default, on her right side of the bed. Semi snuggling herself, her front to the bed, her face planted on a pillow somewhat facing his direction. Listening to the rants, eyes closed, giving audible sounds of acknowledgment to whatever he was saying, and occasionally questions to understand better his more often than not, poorly structured stories.

Listening, was something she was always better at than him.

As they both went on ‘in coversation’, however one sided it was, neither actually realise the casual cemistry they shared. As though it came naturally and comfortably.

She was actually positioned 2 feet from where he actually was. Quite a distance between two people on a queen size bed. But then again, she was semi snuggling herself. Crunched up, feeling cozy.

Without rhyme or reason, not a routine but not an unusual occurrence either, still maintaining her pose and close distance to the bed, she lifts herself up and brings herself closer to him. A movement that would not raised an eyebrow if it was done once to reach destination. It was 4 ‘lifts’ before she got to where she wanted. Next to him.

She didn’t do it nonchalantly, but mutually between them, there was no need to point that out. But it was enough for him to pause his story to first wonder, then observe and finally smile at this casual act of affection and sentiment.

As she plants herself back into the pillow, sinking once again into the mattress. He did what came naturally, what she was expecting him to, what he loved doing, what she came close to him for.

He massaged her head by stroking her hair and scratching her scalp.

They resumed the ‘conversation’.

That made her happy. That made his day.

The paradox of our time by carlin

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete…

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
- George Carlin

For the moment:
Les Chrysanthemes – Cosmos Sound Club

I watch standup comedy alot. Mostly the same ones over and over again. George Carlin was never one of my favourite and I’m not sure if the quote above actually did come from him, but he did say a number of brilliant things.

The quote above was on Liyana Ferdaus’s Facebook Notes a few days ago. And I’ve been meaning to post about it here.

‘Coincidentally’, George Carlin passed away today.

Old malayan friends

“Kau bodo. Kau bodo kau tak tau cakap Melayu. Kau tak faham apa aku cakap. Kau bodo.”
-The Man to his son-in-law

For the moment:
Schindler’s List Theme – Itzhak Perlman

A few days ago I met a 95 year old man who is in Malaya to look for his old friends and family.

He left Malaya, as he refers it, shortly before World War 2. He was forty years old then and today, can still construct an almost full sentence in the local language. He’s here with his son-in-law who is a rather funny chap.

He said, ‘I spent most of my time in Singapore. We’re going there next week to look for my friends.’

His son-in-law interrupted, ‘yea we’ll find them. 6 feet under.’

Boost for south america diaries

“What a short text.”
- N/A

For the moment:
Master Blaster – DJ Luck & MC Neat

*Niki Cheong is back from Laos. Lucky chap. Pictures here.
*Also, watch the new video for Rob! flashmob on 28 June here.

It’s refreshing to write something here after a hiatus due to RandomActs.

I already bought my South America Lonely Planet Guide Book. Read the intro and decided I need motivation. Sal recommended Spanish Phrasebook by Lonely Planet. So I got that.

Still not enough.

Tom (aka Iskandar) loaned me his dvd, The Motorcycle Diaries ages ago. But I thought it best to read the book first. That will get the ball rolling. When I’ve enough in my wallet to buy it that is.

I almost got the book, but instead I got a wonderful dinner at Kampachi.

Video & FAQ – flashmob in KL Saturday 28 June: Rob!

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* Pictures and videos from KLX will be up soon.
* Read the Rob! Frequently Asked Questions below. Scroll down.
* Read more about Rob! here.
* Join Rob! on Facebook.

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‘Rob!’ is a flashmob idea that came from ImprovEverywhere in NYC. Watch the video above to know more.

We will only announce the details of the venue/event on Wednesday 25 June, 3 days beforehand on Facebook and RandomAlphabets.com. Not via sms.

This has to be done because if it is announce too early, we may lose to element of surprise to the people around us and especially so, the victim. And also the Ring might not make it to Mordor.

Participants are called RandomAgents. Those interested have to email their hp number to RandomActs [at] RandomAlphabets [dot] com. We promise you that your numbers will not be distributed or used in an inappropriate way. That is our word.

We will sms you the name of the Victim at 4pm on Saturday 28 June itself. Just be at the event and wait for the sms.

Look at pics and read more about what we’ve written earlier about Rob! in an earlier post, here.

+++++ Rob! Frequently Asked Questions+++++

FAQ Rob!

1. I know I’m not stupid. So it’s definitely you guys that have not been giving a clear explanation. How does Rob! work?
2. Does anyone from RandomActs know the victim personally?
3. Ew…double ew! Ok wtvR (whateveRRR). Where will it be then?
4. Okkkkay. What are the other 2 events?
5. …right. Will it be at a stadium?
6. Pffft..so lame. So is there a gathering point at the event itself?
7. That’s like so bodo. Why are we giving our numbers then?
8. I don’t understand. I got 7 1As for SPM. So I know I’m smart. Something is wrong with your project here. In NY, other people started calling Rob as well because he was looking for his seat. For this one, our Rob will just be walking around. Is it going to work here as well? Are other people actually going to follow us calling for our Rob?
9. OMG. O O O OMG. But like, don’t you think like, the victim, and like, other people, would like, know, it’s like, a setup/flashmob?
10. I think I know the victim. Can I tell him/her?
11. Sheesh. I dowan kam la lai dis. I don haf 2 kam rait?

1. I know I’m not stupid. So it’s definitely you guys that have not been giving a clear explanation. How does Rob! work?

There are 4 Phases. This is how it goes.

+ Pre-Rob! Time: 4.45pm. Location: Wherever our victim is.
We’ll arrange for a videographer (VG) and 2 photographers (PG) to locate our victim and follow him/her to capture his/her reaction before, during and after.

+ Phase A. Time: 5pm. Location: Everywhere
RandomAgents go around everywhere asking strangers at the event to build the buzz. For example
‘Excuse me, have you seen Rob?’
‘Hey, where is Rob?’
‘This anneh looks like Lingam, talks like Lingam. But it’s not Lingam. You got see him not?’
‘Eh Leng Chai, don’t lansi ah. You know where is Rob or not?’
‘Hai awak. Awak ade nampak Rob tak? Kita nie tengah carik dieee. Awak nie chumel la. Boleh berkenalan?’

+ Phase B. Time: 5.15pm. Location: Everywhere.
Start calling out Rob every few seconds. Imagine you are at a concert, you’re walking around looking for a friend. Look out into the crowd and call out for you friend. Do it like that.
‘Rob!’
‘Hey Rob!’
‘Rob I’m here!’
‘Where’s that 4 eyed Ca Cheng? Rob!’
‘Woi Rob. Ko kat mane nie? Kalau aku carik Mawi pun dah jumpe skarang ko to tak! Rob!’

+Phase C. Time: 5.30pm. Location: RandomAgents spread out to the 3 designated gathering points.
We will all gather at (at least) 3 gathering points and start calling out for Rob together, loudly.
‘Rob!’
‘Dei macha. Rob. Here lah!’
‘Over here Rob.’
‘Niamah! We’re here la Rob!’
‘Aku carik Ayah Pin pun kot dah jumpe skarang. Rob! Kat sini woi.’

+Phase D. Time: 5.32pm. Location: Everywhere.
We gradually stop. Disperse. Blend in the crowd.

2. Does anyone from RandomActs know the victim personally?
No. To us he’s/she’s a stranger. We know of him/her but none of us have ever personally, actually or virtually contacted him/her. Only in our hearts and dreams when we close our eyes and eat ice cream.

3. Ew…double ew! Ok wtvR (whateveRRR). Where will it be then?
We have listed 3 events to pounce on that day. We will announce which event we have chosen, on Wednesday 25th June on RandomAlphabets.com

Some asked us if it’s going to be Urbanscapes. We can’t say. But we’ll say this. Urbanscapes is 1 of 3 on the list.

4. Okkkkay. What are the other 2 events?
Kayknot Tel in KL
Impatient Anonymous in Kuala Lumpur

5. Pffft..so lame. So is there a gathering point at the event itself?
Yes. At least 3 gathering points. We will inform you on RandomAlphabets.com. NOT via Sms.

6. That’s like so bodo. Why are we giving our numbers then?
We will be telling you every single detail on Wednesday 25th June. All except the name of our victim. We will SMS you the name of the victim at 3pm on Saturday 28th June.

7. …right. Will it be at a stadium?
No.

8. I don’t understand. I got 7 1As for SPM. So I know I’m smart. Something is wrong with your project here. In NY, other people started calling Rob as well because he was looking for his seat. For this one, our Rob will just be walking around. Is it going to work here as well? Are other people actually going to follow us calling for our Rob?
We don’t even want it to work that way. Our is different. Part of the idea of flashmob itself is to gauge the reaction of other people who are not part of it (stranger+victim). So imagine yourself not being part of this, not knowing anything at all. You go to a concert/carnial/festival. Out of nowhere, a whole lot of people around you, everywhere, starts calling out looking for this one person. How would you react? Which is why we will be assigning a team of photographers waiting to capture the facial expressions and reactions of the strangers/spectators.

9. OMG. O O O OMG. But like, don’t you think like, the victim, and like, other people, would like, know, it’s like, a setup/flashmob?
If we stick it to faking it as real as possible, then that would help. Don’t laugh or smile or look mischievous. You are ‘really’ looking for a person. ‘Really’ look for him/her then. When you’re really looking for someone, you don’t laugh, giggle or have a happy face on right? So look ‘real’.

10. I think I know the victim. Can I tell him/her?
Please don’t (be a jackass and) tell him/her. We don’t mind. But our RandomAgents will mind. Because you’ll ruin the project. They will call you names. Not in a flashmob way. I don’t know what way. Maybe like, my way on the highway.

11. Sheesh. I dowan kam la lai dis. I don haf 2 kam rait?
No you don’t. You should really piss off.

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