And the Winners are …

Congratulations to my 5 winners!

The have not only won a copy of HISTORY OF MALAYSIA – A CHILDREN’S ENCYCLOPEDIA for themselves but also an extra copy for their school.

To all those who have entered, thanks for your efforts. I wish all of you could have won. Really, I do!

There may be another competition soon, so do keep an eye on our official website. Or, if you just have to grab hold of one, they’re available at all good bookshops … and if you don’t see it on the shelves just ask the friendly sales assistant!

And the winners are …

CARRIE TENG WAI YEE
 

who goes to S.M.K. CONVENT BUTTERWORTH, PENANG

NURUL AFIQAH BINTI YAHAYA
who goes to SEKOLAH RENDAH KEBANGSAAN KAJANG UTAMA, SELANGOR

ANDREW MAH YEE SERN
who goes to SMK SERI BINTANG UTARA, KL

SYED AZHARUL ASRIQ BIN SYED AZHAR
who goes to SEKOLAH TINGGI KLUANG, JOHOR

NAZNIN IDRIS,
who goes to SMK SG. BUAYA, RAWANG, SELANGOR

A copy of my encyclopedia will soon be sent to you and also your school.

Once again, congratulations. I do hope you’ll enjoy the book!

An Ancient Lie Detector Test

Some where along the old road between Melaka and Port Dickson lies Pengkalan Kempas.

Here you’ll find the Ordeal Stone. Here’s how it works. If you put your arm into the hole in the centre of the stone and then tell a lie, the hole will tighten painfully around your arm. I was there a few months back and am afraid to report that I didn’t dare find out if this ancient lie detector test really works.

Beside the Ordeal Stone are the famous Sword, Spoon and Rudder. Megaliths are found all over Negri Sembilan but these ones are special because they’re carved. They’re more than 600 hundred years old and maybe of Hindu origin. No one really knows the function of these megaliths or, as the locals call them, “Living Stones” or “Batu Hidup”. They’re quite mysterious and, to me, appear quite powerful.

If you’re ever somewhere between PD and Melaka, I urge you to drop by and take a peek for yourself. They’re something special. I reckon more people should visit this historic treasure. It’s also a great place for tourists to visit.

Have you been?

Together Through Life

If you don’t play Bob Dylan or are not really into him this album’s for you.

Why?

Because “Together Through Life” is so accessible. It’s a completely different Dylan album. The songs are succinct. The album is short. The elegiac, subversive, contemplative lyrics are absent. In its presence is sheer music. You feel your foot tapping and your hips swayin to its seductive rhythm.

This is the sort of CD you might hear in classy boutiques or hip wine bars. Dylan has come out wearing his leopard skin pillbox hat and has swapped his whisky jar for a glass of Champagne. And the thing is, whatever you think, he doesn’t give a damn.

This is Bob Dylan not being Bob Dylan.

This is Bobby being “the song and dance man” he quipped about all those years ago. Little did we know that the poet singer-song writer was being serious. Surely this isn’t the same guy who gave us “Blowin’ in the Wind”, “Mr Tambourine Man”, “Desolation Row”, “Hurricane” and “Like a Rolling Stone”?

This takes his last album “Modern Times” one step further along the blues road. With all that shaking going on, something had to give and here his incisive lyrics were swept aside to allow the music to come through.

It’s easy listening stuff but that don’t mean it’s bad stuff. Not surprisingly, it shot to UK’s number one spot. It’s music for the masses. But it’s good stuff too.

Many devoted Dylan fans aren’t going to be too happy with this change in direction. But unlike when Bobby went electric, not many of his fans will want to be left behind.

First of May

I’ve always liked the old Bee Gees’s song “First of May”.

I first heard it as a small boy. “When I was small and Christmas trees were tall …”

My father was then about my age today.

Last weekend, on 2nd May, he would have turned 84. He passed away six months ago. In that short time, he missed many global events like Barack Obama and the GFC. He missed many national events like the passing of his elder brother and the ascendency of the new PM. Many more such events will pass him by. We all miss him. We miss his opinions on current affairs. And of course his laughter, smile and twinkle in his eyes.

My papa used to joke that the public holiday on 1st May was to celebrate his birthday the next day. He always used to have a party to celebrate his birthday. It was not because he felt this day was such a momentous day, but rather it was his way of “giving” to his friends and relatives. He loved parties. He loved bringing people together. He loved playing host.

Tun Mahathir had this to say in his blog: “He lived life fully. I do not think we will find people like him any more … I feel much saddened by his passing. I have lost a good and loyal friend”. Tun Mahathir used to come to almost all my papa’s Hari Raya parties and my father, in turn, regarded him as a true and loyal friend. Such friendship is a rare and special thing.

My father was a very generous man. Not just in money but in spirit. He was always very positive and never had a negative thing to say about anyone … even those he knew had cheated him. What a guy …

Of course, like all people, my father had his weaknesses … but with my papa, it only added to his playboy charm!

I will always liked that Bee Gees’s song.

It’s a sentimental number and, with its simple tune, I used to sing it to my children when they were babies.

It appropriately ends with … “Guess who’ll cry, come First of May.”