Literary blogging traditionally

Some weeks ago, I individually told Michelle and Niki about a project I wanted to innovate from the South America trip. Both pointed out the obvious, which wasn’t to me. One said that I have to read alot. The other said, besides format, it also needs a theme.

Sharon offered me to browse through her (probably endless) collection, but of late I’m not keen on borrowing books. Good ones are for keep, and you won’t know till you have it.

I found Che Guevara’s Motorcycle Diaries rather, err. To give him the benefit of doubt, he didn’t write it in view of having it publish, nor as a story book. I’ve not watched the movie yet. Perhaps that might give some light to this man’s Notes On A Latin American Journey.

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On Saturday night Jennie cooked another good home made dinner. I mentioned the idea and she suggested Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I bought it the following evening. And this Rapid Spanish audio language trainer.

Last night, after a long time, I spent some considerable minutes of reading before I went to bed. (A bedtime custom that eroded with self-discipline). Longer than expected because it’s that good.

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In 2003, my friend Hashley told me about his uncle who write the date, time, location, and sometimes a note, at the beginning of each book he read. I took the idea to myself and found it rewarding later in time after a few books.

Naturally you would agree what I wrote above is average nothing mundane stuff. But for two notes. Usually it would be slightly more elaborate like a skinny on what’s going on in my life or around me, but there are some things I am not prepared to share here. Secondly, even if it’s as simple as this, to come across in a year from now can be quite a thing. What more five, or ten years down. I started in 2003, and it’s been gratifying so far.

Zain HD 1.51am 17/9/08 Wed. Mid Ramadhan. Bought book on Sunday at Kino KLCC upon recommendation of Jennie Yang. Also purchased Rapid Spanish Vol. 1 CD.

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Annexe merdeka weekend collision

Sunday 31st August 2008, 12pm to 2pm Lecture. From Panji To The Present ~ A short history of sexuality in Malaysia and South East Asia by Dr Farish A Noor at the Annexe Gallery, Central Market.There’s loads of other stuff going on as well.

Was at class today and I was informed that there’s a makeup test tomorrow/Sunday/Merdeka Day, for both papers at 10am.

Which forced me to skip my friends wedding tonight and this

Sunday 31st August 2008, 12pm to 2pm Lecture
From Panji To The Present ~ A short history of sexuality in Malaysia and South East Asia
by Dr Farish A Noor at The Annexe Gallery, Central Market.

There’s loads of other stuff going on as well. Loads. Super for art enthusiasts. More info here.

Meant to meet Michelle Yeoh there, who is busy preparing the launch of ProjectMalaysia.org. Which is really really soon. :)

Tomorrow wayang buku at stella maris for cais

a quirky sequence of sketches begins with a version of the traditional puppet play with books as the protagonists, then Fahmi as a talk show host interviewing celebrities represented by books & then has a hilarious dialogue in which Azmyl tries to persuade Fahmi to buy a thick book which can be used for every

Wayang Buku at Stella Maris Library for CAIS Project
3pm Saturday 30th August Map here
For more info call Sau Bin 016 684 3063

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I received a text from a fairly articulate chap who host’s the Fairly Current Show informing me about his much heard about performance, Wayang Buku.

Unfortunately, I’ve a test and an assignment deadline tomorrow. But I suggest you go. It’s brilliant.

This is what Sharon Bakar wrote about their (Fahmi Fadzil & Azmyl Yunor) performance at July’s Readings @ Seksan, the same one I spoke at,

It’s a quirky sequence of sketches which begins with a version of the traditional puppet play with books as the protagonists, then has Fahmi as a talk show host interviewing celebrities represented by books (How do you concoct the Malaysian recipe for harmony?) and then has a hilarious dialogue in which Azmyl tries to persuade Fahmi to buy a thick book which can be used for every reason it seems … apart from reading. Their performance ended up with a very laid back piece of A4 paper getting interviewed!

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*Yes I was at that same event in Bangsar on Saturday 26 July to talk about RWP (pictures of that mad weekend here), but I had to go almost immediately after my slot for another slot in Taman Tun (Farish Noor’s book launch). Just so we’re clear that I’ve never seen the fireworks these guys bring. But in so far as I know, coming from their lot, it’s mad creative. Word around the camp fire concurs.

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At KLue’s Urbanscapes in KL Pac

Pictures: rwp wellington, eindhoven, kuala lumpur, melbourne, singapore

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In Civic Square, Wellington. Photo by Alastair Smith

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Read while Waiting Project

“To think that it was just an idea you had some 3 months ago to where it is now. You’ve done so much, am proud of you.”
- Miss Not Ascertainable

RWP first crossed my mind in early May 2008. While I was pushing my bike on the highway after it ran out of petrol. It was one of the best times of my life.

I’ve been a law graduate since December 2007, and could be earning perhaps RM2000 a month for an employer silly enough to pay me that kind of money. But I’m not.

Instead I’m a self-employed unpaid pseudo activist doing what I feel like doing and persuading as many people as I can reach, convincing them why they should listen to this madman.

Whether you commend or criticise the Read while Waiting Project, but henceforth at some point in your life, it has (even) subconsciously moved you to read as oppose to not doing anything productive with that time, I then, have achieved what I set out to do.

*All pictures you see here are also available on Facebook.

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Melbourne

“I just left the place. Although tak ramai, I’m really happy with it. Ada dalam 6, 7 orang, and they are all totally strangers, grouped together to read books. Best douh. Thanks a lot bro. You taught me something there and I felt it.”
- Izhar Moslim

To promote the participation and awareness of RWP, RA has done 3 things (1st video, 2nd video & 23rd August flashmob) and have 1 more remaining. That is, the BookCrossing gathering.

It is where people, strangers and friends, would meet up to either loan or give away books. This gathering will be done in a few months time.

Below are pictures from Melbourne. It was coordinated by Izhar Moslim, who arranged for 400 RWP Pay It Forward Bookmarks to be delivered to Melbourne at the last minute via Afiah Hafiz.

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Eindhoven

“P.S. = it was .. niceeee !!!”
- Chiara Mafucci

RWP has 2 main objectives
1. To see more people reading (any form of literature) whenever they wait
2. To make people more conscious of whenever they are about to go somewhere and know that some waiting will be involved, then bring something to read

Below are pictures from Eindhoven. It was coordinated by Chiara Mafucci. Chiara is from the south of Italy and works in Eindhoven. Zain HD had dinner with her in when he was in Eindhoven for one night (November 2007).

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Singapore

“Hmmm..it’s raining here.”
- Sofiah Jamil

The reason why RA picked the ‘waiting’ element is because of the baby steps approach.

Don’t try to get someone who does not even read to start the habit, buying literature and/or set an over optimistic goal.

Below are pictures from Singapore. It was coordinated by Sofiah Jamil. She is researcher at the NTU Rajaratnam School of International Studies and co-founder of Itchy Traveller.

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Kuala Lumpur

“Zain, great fun meeting you yesterday. Enjoyed the RWP. Let’s think of something fun for World AIDS Day please!”
- Marina Mahathir

The idea was to get a person comfortable with the idea of reading in the first place, and then what that person does subsequently, is up to them.

And the simplest way to do it, is to get them to not allocate a time of the day specially for reading, but to fill it in between things they already are doing.

Below are pictures from Kuala Lumpur (taken by Joshua Ong). It was coordinated by Zain HD of RA. He needs a break.

RWP also got picked up in New Zealand by two influential bloggers. Social commentator Paul Reynolds and former managing director & publisher of Penguin NZ, Graham Beattie. With the help from Paul, RWP was promoted on the Christchurch City Council Library Official Blog and the National Radio of New Zealand.

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RWP is one of RA’s pro bono projects. Support our projects by donning these t-shirts.

Video – Read while Waiting Project: 23 August

Michelle Gunaselan, Niki Cheong, Fahmi Fadzil, Dr. Farish Noor, Sharon Bakar, Joyce Wong @ Kinky Blue Fairy, Su Ann Lim @ Pink Pau, Altimet, Farihin Abdul Fattah, Emmett Roslan Ishak, Ida Nerina, Sazzy Falak, Sharifah Aleysha & Aryana, Chef Ismail Ahmad, Jules & Prem, Shaz Mukhtar, Jazeman Jaafar

*The venues for RWP has been been announced. This includes for the Kuala Lumpur, Eindhoven, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne & Singapore Chapter. :)

RWP: Read while Waiting Project

RWP is not about 23rd of August. Or BookCrossing It is far beyond that. Scroll down to watch the videos that explains this project. Watch the video that explains the project: 1st version, 2nd version, 3rd version.

Objective

1. To see more people reading (any form of literature) whenever they wait
2. To make people more conscious of whenever they are about to go somewhere and know that some waiting will be involved, then bring something to read

This is what RA has in store for RWP.

1. Pay It Forward Bookmarks
2. BookCrossing campaign in conjunction with RWP. To be launched after 23rd Aug
3. Look Up More flashmob 12th July
4. D-Day 23rd August. Join RWP on Facebook. To date: 6500 people invited.

*If you are interested to initiate wherever you live, then do Contact Us and we’ll help you promote it and get the word out. Just as we are doing for Eindhoven, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne & Singapore.

*You don’t need hundreds of people to do it on 23rd Aug. Just 3 or 4 friends is enough! :) Then send us pictures. We all have to start somewhere. So, start. You can do it. Just do it.

Kuala Lumpur : KL Sentral. Area in front of KFC, Dunkin Donuts & KTM Komuter entrance.

Sydney : Wharf 2 & 3. Circular Quay.

Melbourne : Bourke Street Mall Tram Station.

Perth : In front of David Jones, Murray Street Mall.

Singapore : Entrance to Wheelock Place on the Orchard Road side. The corner opposite Shaw.

Wellington : Civic Square. Outside Civic Art Gallery

Auckland :Aotea Square, Queen Street

Christchurch : Cathedral Square

Eindhoven : Central Station. Main entrance.

+Support this project by showing people you know the videos. Email the link. Pay it forward.+

*Click on the video that interests you. 1st version, 2nd version, 3rd version. RWP & Zain HD was featured in the 7 minute per-episode The Fairly Current Show by Pop TV.

Instead of explaining the project in a long elaborated post, RA did videos. The first video was uploaded in mid June. It includes Sean Connery and pictures from various participants.

The recently uploaded 2nd video has 3 versions. Each version has 3 sections explaining 3 different things by 3 different people, Altimet, Michelle Gunaselan & Niki Cheong. Each version includes supporters of RWP such as,.

Joyce Wong @ Kinky Blue Fairy, Farish Noor, Sharon Bakar, Emmett Butterfingers, Prem & Jules & Fahmi Fadzil – 1st version

Su Ann Lim @ Pink Pau, Prem & Jules, Sazzy Falak, Sharifah Aleysha & Aryana, Jazeman Jaafar & Ida Nerina – 2nd version

Farihin Abdul Fattah, Chef Ismail, Ida Nerina, Sazzy Falak, Sharifah Aleysha & Aryana, Emmett Butterfingers & Shaz Mukhtar – 3rd version

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RWP is one of RA’s pro bono projects. Support us by donning our t-shirts.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

- Mahatma Gandhi

Be part of RWP. Participate. A simple effort on your part, is an investment with great interest returns shared by many for now, and many years to come. It would mean the world, to the world.

Why am I doing this? Because if you want to see something happen, and no one else is doing it, then YOU do it.

-Zain HD

RWP weekend with pictures

Typo: stay tuned*

I wrote a few days ago about the hectic weekend of campaining RWP. Below are pictures from all 3 events.

• Thursday : I received confirmation from the 3 hosts that I’ve been given a spot to talk about RWP at their events.
• Friday : Ezra (Farish’s publisher) calls and suggest to screen the RWP video at the Book Launch. He’ll sort out the projector if I can sort out the CD. Immediately made calls to 2 friends of RA when it comes to videos, Vini & Altimet. Got it sorted and met Farish & Ezra that night for the first time to pass them the CD.
• Saturday : Woke up and went to 4 hours of lecture. Rush off to print the RWP ‘poster’, then to Bangsar for Readings @ Seksan. At 4.50 I spoke, and at 4.54 I was on the road rushing to Taman Tun for the Book Launch.
• Sunday : Doppelganger at Marketplace. Brilliant. Love the concept of the open mic. Anything and everything.

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Readings @ Seksan

• Poster by Shahril Nizam. I came across his book once. His illustrations are quite nice. Looks nothing like the poster.
• Dr. Shih Toong Siong. Old school. Said some pretty interesting things about his book.
• Robert Raymer. I had trouble following what he was reading, with the mic probs and the roadwork noises. His book has gotten good reviews though. He also teaches Creative Writing in Sarawak.
• Kathleen Choo of Poetry Underground. Catchy stuff she had. Sharon taking a picture of her.
• Sharon Bakar (the MC), introduced this guy as ‘the revolutionary’. Since I’m writing it, to be fair, I’ll quote from what she said in her blog, “This is Zain who is trying to rope us all in to take part in his wacky Read While Waiting project. I have a feeling we might just succumb to his charm!“
• The brownies that I did not see. Apparently, someone placed it there and it was from Amir Muhammad.

Thanks Sharon for letting me speak at again, another one of your events. AND for telling me to keep it short this time. I think it’s better that way too. :)

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Book Launch : Di Balik Malaysia by Dr. Farish Noor

• After the intro by the MC, I opened by talking briefly about RWP before the video screening.
• The video screening. People watching. ( …. )
• Dr. Farish A. Noor.
• Zaid Ibrahim.
• Some peoples checking outs the RWP Pay It Forward Bookmarks.
• Some more peoples checking outs the RWP Pay It Forward Bookmarks.

I met a ton of people here and I thank them for the support. Besides the obvious, they were namely, Datin Suliana Shamsuddin, Jacqueline Ann Surin (MalaysiaVotes.com), Jason (Editor Off The Edge), Malik Imtiaz, Juana Jaafar (Peace Malaysia), Carol (UNHCR), Daphne Lee (Dram Projects), Michelle Gunaselan.

Hope all this name dropping will nudge some of you readers to actually be part of this project, and not just talk about it. Seriously.

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Doppelganger at Marketplace

• Madman speaking again.
• Jaz, founder of the monthly Doppelganger and a superb host. On and off the stage.
• RWP Pay It Forward Bookmarks on the registration counter.
• Registration counter.
• Inside of Marketplace.
• What came off Madonna’s chest. Refurbished, of course. :)

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Tomorrow (Monday) night, I might be speaking at a talk at KGPA. And in the midst of speaking with organisers of other events.

As Ghandi said, be the change you want to see in the world.

The change I want to see is to have more people reading while they wait.

And all this is what I’m doing to make that change.

It would be nice to see you do something. For anything.

RWP bookmark

“You’re a workaholic. And if you’re not careful, it’s something that will always be. xxx”
-N/A

For the moment:
The Ultimate (Live)- The Roots

*This post was originally written on 28 June.

If you are visiting this website today, because you received the RWP bookmark, then you have made RA and it’s efforts happy. And a step closer to making RWP a success.

Read the main posting on RWP, that explains the whole project, here.

Join RWP on Facebook.

*If you really support and believe in this project, then take those bookmarks, pass it to someone you know. Leave it on your colleagues desk, in your classmates pencil box or next to your relative’s jamban. Whatever. As long as it gets the message around and delivered. Baby steps.

*If you want some more bookmarks/cards, let us know. We’ll meet up and pass it to you. We distributed more than 750 at KLue Urbanscapes and will be printing more.

One of the main basis of RWP is that it carries the Pay It Forward approach. So what we have done is that to make bookmarks that look like this.

We ordered 1000 of it.

And decided that we should distributed in batches of 3 so that the recipient can share it to more than 1 person.

Last night it arrived at my house and I sat down alone for almost 4 full hours, wrapping 999 RWP bookmarks with 333 black rubber bands.

Multiplies of 3 will get you 333 batches with one extra odd card out. The blue dot on the W, is that extra 1.

Because I’m just that gatal, I decided to use more rubber bands to put everything together.

The quote above, was an sms from someone who knows me only too well. My first time being told so. Something I didn’t notice for myself. Something I needed to hear for myself.

Again, if you are visiting this website today, because you received the RWP bookmark, then you have made RA and it’s efforts happy. And a step closer to making RWP a success.

Thank you. :)

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. :)

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