In Memoriam: Steven Paul Jobs (1955 - 2011)

Technorati tags: Obituary, Steve Jobs, Apple

There’s probably not a lot that Walski can add to what’s already been said today about Steve Jobs, across just about all mediums of communication.

What greets visitors to www.apple.com...

Where others chose the path of evolution, Steve Jobs revolutionized. The iPod, iPhone and the iPad will remain the man’s most lasting legacies for that very reason – these three devices not only revolutionized three different industries, but together, revolutionized how we interact with one another.

A quote by Jobs, part of his keynote speech at Macworld 2007, perhaps explains this to some degree:

There's an old Wayne Gretsky quote I love: "I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it's been." That's what we try to do at Apple.
(source: Engadget.com)

And let’s not forget Pixar, the company Jobs acquired in the mid-80s (and later sold to Disney), which now sets the benchmark for excellence in animation.

It’s one thing to be visionary. But being visionary, and having the ability to take your vision through to fruition is another thing altogether. And it is that very ability that Walski will remember and admire Steve Jobs for.

Indeed, the world has just lost someone truly great... 
(the man, the vision, and more, in the full post)

As Walski said at the onset, there’s not much that he can possibly add that hasn’t already been said about the man.

By now, we all know of Steve Jobs’ humble beginnings, his career, his successes, and even his failures. He built Apple, was ousted from the company, and later returned to take the company to the pinnacle it’s at today. We also know that along the way, Jobs was at one time dubbed one Silicon Valley’s leading egomaniacs (source: CNN Money). The man was many things, good and bad, but it is probably the good and the visionary that he’ll best be remembered for.

Yesterday, Walski came across this YouTube video, the audio of which was played on the BFM 89.9’s Breakfast Grill morning segment. It gives us a little insight into the man that Steve Jobs was, and Walski thought it apt that he share it with you here.

Whether you’re a Windows die-hard who loathes everything Apple, or someone who swears by their BlackBerry, or even someone who thinks that only vinyl makes your musical day, you’d have to admit that the last 5 years or so have been a half-decade of Apple innovation excitement.

Walski happens to be one of those who’s transcended the strict dichotomy of device preference (he uses Windows, BB and iPad every day), and therefore sees the passing of Steve Jobs as a big loss. He’s not quite iSad (as his friend @blurdevil put it), and Walski’s certain that Apple will continue to trailblaze the world of tech as best as they can under new leadership.

Meanwhile, Walski extends the family of Steve Jobs his personal condolences at this time of grief... we share your loss, and hope that you stay strong. Rest assured that Steve will always be remembered fondly.

Finally, a fitting cartoon tribute to the man (from Pailheads, on Facebook):

R.I.P. Steve... and thanks for everything that you’ve given us.

Click here for the full post......

Ten Years Later...

Technorati tags: September 11, 9/11, Hate, Tragedy, R.E.M.

Time flies, doesn’t it? It’s been ten years since September 11, 2001, better known as 9/11.

Walski wrote at length about his thoughts five years ago; thoughts that he has no intention of repeating five years later today. If you like, you can re-read them here, and those from one year ago here.

Instead, let us reflect on the world we live in, as a result of what happened that fateful day, and what has transpired since. There is one song that embodies some of the feelings Walski has relating to 9/11, which he’d like to share with you.

There are specific reasons why Walski chose this particular song. But none of them have to do with losing his creed, just like the song really has nothing to do with religion... 
(9/11 thoughts a decade later, and more, in the full post)

As is typical when September 11 rolls along, you’ll hear all kinds of analyses, thoughts, rememberances, blame-storming, etc. Ad nauseum. And so Walski will refrain from doing that. Or, at the very least, try not to.

Fortunately, the events of that day hasn’t caused Walski to totally lose faith in mankind, nor has he lost the belief that people are basically good – regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality.

The epiphany that hit Walski that day, more than anything else, is the realization of how powerful an emotion hate can be. Because he believes that at the root of what happened that day is nothing other than hate.

Any faith is essentially good. But when hate manifests itself, no creed is spared from the potential of being distorted to do bad things. Evil things.

R.E.M.’s Losing My Religion is not about faith, but it is about something unrealized or unachieved. Specifically, the song is about unrequited love. It’s a pining and yearning for something that you know might not be within reach.

Walski has a similar pining and yearning. However, it’s not love that he yearns for, but the elimination of hate.

He senses that the atmosphere of hate is on the increase here in Malaysia. And it seems to stem partly from the helplessness of not being able to change things for the better. There’s hate in how we conduct our politics, from all sides of the political divide. Making it worse is the impression Walski gets that in order to be successful in politics, one must have the ability to instill hate in one’s supporters of the ubiquitous other, whatever that other might happen to be.

In some cases, that "other" is whoever is on the other side of the political divide, and in other cases, it’s those who profess a different faith.

The last thing Walski wants to see is all that hate, which in turn fuels more hate, come to an unstoppable pinnacle, causing the haters to go on an uncontrollable hate rampage. And that, in essence, is how Walski sees the events of 9/11, half the world away, a whole decade later – uncontrolled hate manifested.

If there's one single lesson we Malaysians can learn from 9/11, it is that hate, assisted by the incredible power of bad ideas, can manifest itself into something destructive.

The destructive forces unleashed one decade ago today not only changed the New York City skyline, it changed the way we view the world we live in. Hate triumphed on that day, in more ways than we can imagine.

It silently perpetuates itself to this day, cleverly disguised, rearing its ugly head ever so subtly in forms not easily distinguishable.

If we can successfully eliminate hate from our lives, the world once again will change. This time, though, it’ll be for the better. It will really be the end of the world as we know it...

But this time around, you’ll really feel fine...

Click here for the full post......

In Memoriam: Amy Jade Winehouse (1983 - 2011)

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, Amy Winehouse, 27 Club

This obituary may come as a surprise to some. Especially for those who know Walski, and know what kind of music he likes.

Well, maybe you don’t know Walski well enough. No, he was never an Amy Winehouse fan, nor does her demise come as a shock of any kind. She lived a life and lifestyle that was, to put it mildly, on the edge. To know the real reason why Walski is posting this obit, listen to the following, with your eyes closed.

The world of popular music just lost a genuine, soul-filled voice, troubled as it may have been, and the naturally talented vocalist who brought that voice to the fore.

And it is for that reason Walski posts this. 
(27 Club gets another member, and more, in the full post)

If the video earlier on doesn’t convince you of the talent the world has lost, here’s another clip that probably gives more justice to the voice that was Amy Winehouse’s.

Amy Winehouse was found dead in her London home just short of her 28th birthday (cause of death still unknown/undisclosed), making the late vocalist/songwriter the newest inductee into the 27 Club, whose illustrious members include music legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Robert Johnson, Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, and of course, Kurt Cobain.

The Great Jam of the Realm Beyond just got a little sultrier...

RIP Amy – may your voice live among the living for eternity...

Click here for the full post......

RIP - Gerard Smith (TV on the Radio)

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, TV on the Radio, Gerard Smith, RIP

Music just lost another talent. TV on the Radio bassist, Gerard Smith, died of lung cancer today, just a month after announcing that he'd be taking time off.

And at such a young age, too.

If you've never heard of the group, TV on the Radio is an art-rock group whose music crosses many genres. Walski discovered them not too long ago, and is now determined to get their complete catalog.

It's always sad when a musician passes on... may his soul rest in peace. Or better yet, jam with the many music greats in the great beyond...

(many thanks to TheLord Panda for the heads up on this loss)

Amplify’d from www.guardian.co.uk

Gerard Smith – TV on the Radio bassist – dies aged 34

TV on the Radio bassist Gerard Smith has died of lung cancer, only a month after announcing that he was taking time off from the US art rock band to get treatment.

The band cancelled five upcoming tour dates in Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis and Denver in support of their well-received fourth studio album Nine Types of Light, which debuted at No 12 in the Billboard charts.

Smith joined the group full time in 2005, just in time to record their album Return to Cookie Mountain, which saw them break through to mainstream success. A message posted on the band's website said he had been diagnosed with cancer after their latest album was finished. He was 34.

His death has been announced in a statement on the site.

"We are very sad to announce the death of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gerard Smith, following a courageous fight against lung cancer. Gerard passed away the morning of April 20th, 2011. We will miss him terribly," reads the statement. Read more at www.guardian.co.uk

 

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/bzv6h

Click here for the full post......

Imagine...

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, Birthday, John Lennon, Imagine

Imagine, if he were still alive today, and brought Google up on his browser (yesterday, and likely for the rest of the weekend). This is what he would see.

Clicking on the “Play” icon placed where the “e” would normally be, imagine the expression on his face when he sees this played.

But then again, because he was such an enigmatic character, it would really be hard to imagine exactly how he would have felt about the Google and YouTube tributes.
(we too can Imagine, and more, in the full post)

Those of you born after 1980 may or may not know who this tribute is for.

Had he been alive, John Lennon would have turned 70 today. Being born in the 60’s, The Beatles were very much a part of the popular music landscape when Walski was growing up. Lennon was one of the Fab Four, and arguably the more iconic songwriter of the Lennon/McCartney team, responsible for penning most of The Beatles songs.

Or at least that’s what Walski thinks. Nothing against Paul McCartney, a fantastic songwriter and musician in his own right, but Lennon’s lyrical prowess, coupled with his passion for peace, resonated with many around the same age group as Walski.

Yes, Lennon was an idealist, and in a world becoming increasingly conservative (even then), was also a controversial figure at times. “Give Peace A Chance”, written in 1969 remains today an anthem for anti-war activists the world over.

Walski imagines that if he were still alive, Lennon would be as outspoken today, just as he was back then. And perhaps, within conservative circles, just as hated. 

But John Lennon was a lot of things – songwriter, poet, musician… a true all-around artist. He was also an activist who was anti-war, and very much pro-peace. And Imagine, the song that’s synonymous with Lennon, articulates his dream and hope for a peaceful world.

The world today, though, is the antithesis of Lennon’s dream. And what Walski imagines is that John Lennon, were he to be alive today, would be sad to see what the world has come to. And would probably have more than a few words to say about it, it asked.

If you read through the lyrics of Imagine, many of the things Lennon imagined his idealized world to be without are the very things that seem to be the root cause of why we fight one another. Namely: sovereignty, religion, and greed.

Sovereignty dichotomizes the world, creating artificial boundaries that divide us. Protecting those boundaries can sometime lead to hate, and to war. Religion, which some people argue would result in a chaotic world if it were non-existent, is in fact a factor why we fight with each other. And greed begets more greed, an endless cycle that sometimes drives people to do unconscionable things to one another, and to mother Earth.

It does make Walski wonder sometimes – would the world be a better place if these three things were non-existent? Would we hate less, and love our fellow human beings more?

Truth be told, Walski doesn’t know the answer. But just as Lennon did, we too can Imagine…

John Lennon: October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980
Imagine… Peace… Always…

Click here for the full post......

Remembering the fallen

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, September 11, Remembrance, Eid, Peace

In slightly more than 12 hours from now, New York City will see the dawn of another bitter anniversary – the attacks that happened on September 11, 2001.

Walski, like many others around the world, remembers exactly what he was doing when he first found out about the tragedy that happened 9 years ago. Let’s not get into the polemics of who was responsible, etc. A tragedy is a tragedy, regardless of whom it befalls.

Today also happens to be the second day of Eid-ul Fitr – Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to Malaysians. And perhaps while we visit one another and ingloriously feast (Malaysians love food, what else can Walski say?) perhaps it’s apt that we forget not the fallen who died that day.
(hate is easy, and more, in the full post)

But it wasn’t just American citizens who died that fateful day 9 years ago. All told, citizens from 54 other countries perished as well, including 4 from Malaysia:

• Ang Siew Nya
• Gerard Phillip*
• Khoo Sei Lai
• Vijayashanker Paramsothy

* unconfirmed, but remains on most 9/11 casualty lists

Of late, the controversy surrounding the September 11 attacks have been renewed, and centered around the proposal to build the Cordoba House, a few blocks away from the area known as Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center used to stand.

There are opponent and proponents for the cultural center, and Walski doesn’t really wish to get into the debate. The point is, however, that September 11 has officially been attributed to the Al-Qaeda terrorist collective, headed by the elusive (and some say imaginary) Osama bin Laden.

In the minds of some, and by association, however, the blame has been laid squarely upon the religion of Islam. In the United States, since the tragedy, there have been many reports of hate crimes against Muslims, or those “looked like Arabs” (including Sikhs with turbans). Some say that there has been a marked increase.

And as if to perpetuate this claim of blame upon the entire Muslim populace, one slightly loony pastor in Florida has plans to burn as many copies of the Holy Quran that he could find. Fortunately, the planned book burning, slated for today has been indefinitely postponed (via The Miami Herald).

To lay blame for the September 11 attacks upon all Muslims is, of course, as ridiculous as saying all Christians wish for nothing more than to burn the Quran and be hateful towards Muslims.

One thing is clear though – as exemplified in the cartoon above – hate breeds hate. An act of hate (burning the Quran) will begat more hatred among Muslims worldwide, not just towards one off-kilter fringe pastor in Florida, but perhaps against all Christians.

It is therefore fortunate that the pastor has called off the burning amidst pressure from the majority of his countrymen (and women). Fortunate not so much because his act of hatred will inflame others and perpetuate the hate, but because what he intended to do is, in fact, dishonoring those who fell today 9 years ago.

We shouldn’t remember September 11 with hatred, because when we do, the real winners are those who thrive on hate and mayhem. Whoever they may be. Hate is all-consuming, and in the end it becomes a zero-sum game – everybody loses.

Don’t know about you, but Walski definitely doesn’t like to lose. Or, be a loser – what Walski feels people who intrinsically hate essentially are.

Nope. What he will do today is remember, with some amount of sadness, those who fell 9 years ago on this day. But at the same time, he will also be thankful to God for giving the majority of His children the world over the strength to not hate.

It’s very easy to hate. To understand, empathize with, and wishing upon others peace and love – that takes effort. But it’s effort worth making, as we remember the fallen as well as all the others who have suffered because of the events that took place nine years ago…

Click here for the full post......

In Memoriam: 9/11

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, September 11, 2001, 9-11

Believe it or not, it's been 8 years. It’s a day that changed the world.

A Tribute in Lights over NYC
(originally from here, via The Malaysian Insider)

May the souls of those who died on that tragic day rest in peace.
(blah-blah-blah, in the full post)

All told, just over 3,000 people perished in the tragedy, either at the Twin Towers and Pentagon, or on the 4 ill-fated flights. A memorial site has been set up by CNN.com which, among other things, lists the casualties.

Theories abound about who really was behind the tragedy – theories which Walski has no intention to delve into here.

What’s important is that thousands of lives perished that day, and that is what this short remembrance is about.

Click here for the full post......

In Memoriam: Yasmin Ahmad (1958 - 2009)

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, Yasmin Ahmad, Film, Filmmaker

Around in the neighborhood where Walski lives, the heavens were crying when he woke up this morning. Apt, perhaps, to accompany the sadness that the nation feels today.

This post is one he dreaded he’d have to write, ever since Walski heard about Yasmin’s stroke last Thursday. At the very least, not have to write for a while yet. We all prayed, and hoped, Walski’s quite sure. But sometimes, it’s not up to us to decide. Or even wish. Unlike taxes, the other certainty in life, we can’t ever predict when our time is due.

The news of Yasmin Ahmad’s passing came as a shock to many. Walski got word about an hour after she passed on, peacefully he’s told, at around 11:25pm last night. The Twitterverse, once again, was abuzz with (mostly) kind thoughts and prayers, for the loss of whom Walski considers a Malaysian cinematic icon – the most important person in our fledgling film history since P. Ramlee, as far as Walski is concerned.

She was laid to rest earlier today, around 12:40pm at the SS20 Muslim Cemetary in Petaling Jaya.

Malaysia has just lost a cinematic icon, exactly one month to the day the world lost a music icon in Michael Jackson. Ironically, both passed on at the age of 51.

Yasmin Ahmad’s work in film and television appealed to many Malaysians across the divides of culture and faith, something the nation hasn’t seen, in Walski’s opinion, since the passing of P. Ramlee. And not just at home, either – Yasmin’s work received critical acclaim in international film circles, as well.

And who can forget the iconic series of television commercials she made for Petronas?

Today, Walski, like the rest of the nation, mourns the passing of a true Anak Bangsa Malaysia. And it was probably with that realization the the heavens wept this morning.
(mourning the loss of a great talent, and more, in the full post)

Walski’s no poet, nor can he write anything seriously profound. It’s damned near impossible for him, therefore, to properly pay tribute to someone who leaves behind a lasting impression of how we ought to be as human beings. Her uncompromising ideals, translated to celluloid, made us realize one very important thing – we are all, after all, human. The differences between individuals is nothing more than noise – it’s the commonality that is, after all, more important.

Of all the Twitter and Facebook messages that Walski has seen since early this morning, a deceivingly simple, yet particularly poignant one that sticks in his mind is the following tweet, penned by Walski’s online and real-life friend, Ahmad Kamal Abu Bakar (whom Walski owes a dark brew several times over):

"Your films changed a generation. This generation will now rise to break down more walls of ignorance. Rest in bliss, Yasmin."

Ahmad Kamal Abu Bakar’s generation is one that’s slightly younger than Walski’s own, and so these words are indeed comforting. And yes, there are numerous walls of ignorance that need breaking down in our lives. One thing for sure, Yasmin did facilitate the deconstruction of ignorance and bias through her films.

Not to say that Yasmin Ahmad didn't have her share of naysayers and brickbats, particularly from those critics whose minds have already been irreversibly honed and shaped by the rigid and dogmatic view of life. Those who felt religious dogmas are things ordained and written in stone didn’t take kindly to the fresh viewpoints and perspectives that Yasmin showed us.

But Yasmin took these criticisms in stride, and treated them as challenges. And to Walski, inability of those who could only see her work in a negative light… well, their loss, actually.

Walski thinks that Malaysia has only become richer in spirit, for the right reasons to boot, because of Yasmin Ahmad’s work. He hopes that it won’t be too long a while before like-minded talents come to the fore. Yasmin left us at a time when her continued vision is what we sorely need. But as Walski mentioned before, sometimes it’s not up to us to decide. When the time comes, the time comes.

And you know what? The best way we can honor the memory of Yasmin Ahmad is this: if each and everyone of us pledges to make her vision of a color-blind and creed-irrelevant Malaysia a reality. It’s not an impossible task – Yasmin’s showed us the way, after all. In the end, it really is up to each and every one of us. That, at least, is what Walski himself pledges he will do – work in his limited capacity as an individual to achieve.

Ironically, one of Yasmin’s works that she did earlier this year for Singapore’s Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) was themed on a eulogy at a funeral. And it is fitting, he thinks, that Walski ends this post with that very piece.

Humans are imperfect, but humans are probably the only species that are aware of their imperfections, and can do something about it. Like all humans, Yasmin was not perfect. But try she did, and in most cases, she succeeded in giving us something meaningful to ponder upon through her work.

But it’s the perfect imperfections that made up Yasmin Ahmad’s life that Walski chooses to remember her by. Imperfect as she was, what she gave us was the hope that one day, we, too, can all be as colorblind as she was.

Rest in peace, Yasmin, you will be sorely missed, but never ever forgotten…

Click here for the full post......

In Memoriam: Capt. Yusof Ahmad (1945 - 2009)

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, Captain Yusof Ahmad, The Ancient Mariner

Being that Walski wasn’t connected for most of the weekend, he only got to know moments ago. And it’s something that Walski feels sad, and a tad bit disturbed about.

The Malaysian bloggerhood just lost one heckuva blogger – Captain Yusof Ahmad, aka The Ancient Mariner, who passed away early this morning, at the young-ish age of 64. He leaves behind a wife, and four children.

The late Capt Yusof Ahmad (with author Syed Akbar Ali)
(photo taken from Pokku's Post)

Walski can’t say that he knew the late Captain well, as he’d only met the guy a couple of times during a few of the blogger-attended events, over the past couple of years.

But the dedication this man showed in helping expose (and explain) the PKFZ scandal is to be admired. That, and speaking up against the many injustices and scandals that have cropped up.

His passing is a big loss to the bloggerhood, without a shadow of a doubt. Here’s one man who would have deserved a grand Viking funeral…
(a long list of blog tributes, and more, in the full post)

In truth, he can’t speak much about Capt. Yusof as Walski hardly knew the man personally, apart from having the honor of meeting the man a couple of times.

There are, however, loads of tributes from those who did know him better (in chronological order, as of the time of posting):

• nini talk
• OutSyed The Box – Alfatihah: Capt Yusof Ahmad
• Rocky’s Bru – Alfatihah for The Ancient Mariner
• The Malay Male – The Last Voyage
• Another Brick in the Wall – Al Fatihah To Capt Ahmad Yusof
• Barking Magpie – Ancient Mariner may you rest in peace bro!
• The People’s Parliament – Ancient Mariner has passed on 
• O.B.E – Al-Fatihah
• Tok Mommy – Al fatiha: The Ancient Mariner
• Write Away – Al Fatihah: Captain Yusof Ahmad @ The Ancient Mariner
• Jaff Point – Ancient Mariner@ Capt. Yusof Ahmad ...Left us lastnite
• Perisik Rakyat^® – Al-Fatihah: The Ancient Mariner Kembali Ke Rahmatullah...
• Welcome to Petpositive - CAPTAIN YUSOF AHMAD: A MAN WHO CARED ABOUT HOW DISABLED MALAYSIANS WERE TREATED
• “I” of the Storm – MSL: Capt Mariner, Ancient Yusof Ahmad
• Euphoria in Misery – Goodbye Captain
• Seventh Rangers (Mechanized) – Condolences to the family of Captain Yusof Ahmad
• Frank’s Fun Blog – Alfatihah for The Ancient Mariner
• Shanghai Fish – Ahoy there Capt’ Yusof!
• Jelas.info – Marking the last voyage for the Ancient Mariner, Capt Yusoff Ahmad
• Mahaguru58 – Blogger Ancient Mariner (1945-2009) passes away. Al Fatihah!
• Mindful Mariner – A Sailor’s Farewell to Captain Yusof Ahmad
• Let’s Go Land – So long, Good ‘ol Captain!
• Pokku’s Post – Goodbye Captain
• Can you see it? – Bon Voyage Capt

This past week has indeed been one filled with tragedy. This time around, it is a big loss for the Malaysian bloggerhood. Walski’s sincere and deepest heartfelt condolences to the family of the late captain.

Al Fatihah… and may God have mercy upon the soul of Capt Yusof Ahmad, The Ancient Mariner, now en route on his last, and greatest, voyage to that great unknown…

Click here for the full post......

In Memoriam: Michael Joseph Jackson (1958 - 2009)

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, Michael Jackson, King Of Pop, Black Or White, Black And White

Walski won’t lie to you – he’s never been a big fan of Michael Jackson. Or much of any size fan. Or, a fan of most pop, for that matter. Not in Walski’s adult life, at least – his cuppa tea’s always been music with more edge.

Some people prefer stuff that’s “popular”, since everybody else likes it. Easier to fit in, he reckons, when you roam in bigger numbers – but Walski’s always preferred to rock to the beat of a different drum machine. That’s just the way he rolls…

That said, Walski will admit this: the world of pop culture lost a major icon today. And rightfully, the entire world today mourns Michael Jackson’s passing. He died early today, succumbing to a cardiac arrest. He was 50 (just a couple of months short of turning 51).

The boy had talent, and he certainly could dance – like no other person had danced before, or likely would again.

As an artist, Michael Jackson went through various stages of metamorphosis – from the young but talented baby brother in the Jackson 5, to the enigmatically bizarre pop icon. But in between, thru the many stages of change, he gave to the world what he will be best remembered for – hit and hip pop tunes and superhuman dance moves. In spades.

The King of Pop may be dead, but his legacy will live on for generations to come. 
(a Black and White tribute, and more, in the full post)

He has contributed much to the world of popular music and popular culture during his lifetime. About that, there is no doubt.

Walski could probably write a lot about Michael Jackson – the good, the bad, and the outrageously bizarre – despite not being a fan. But that would probably be a rehash of the millions of tribute pieces that would have been written by now.

Instead, Walski would like to highlight a side of Michael Jackson that many didn’t pay much attention to – his philanthropy. In year 2000, the Guinness Book of Records listed him as supporting 39 different charities. He also founded the Heal The World Foundation in 1992, aimed at providing assistance to the underprivileged. Jackson also spoke up for HIV/AIDS in the early 90’s, at a time when such action was still considered controversial.

Finally, Michael Jackson did leave one legacy behind that is entirely Malaysian. It’s probably something even the late King of Pop didn’t know about.

It’s called the Black & White – a mixture of soy bean milk and grass jelly. Generally known as Soya Cincau locally in Malaysia, it earned the nickname Black & White partly in honor of the King of Pop. Another nickname for this drink is, in fact, Michael Jackson – supposedly given by some coffee shop owner somewhere. A tongue in cheek tribute, but a tribute nonetheless.

In any case, Walski had this at lunch, while offering a silent toast to the departed pop icon… for all that Michael Jackson had given to the world of popular culture.

Here’s to you, Michael… thank you, on behalf of your many fans. May you finally find your eternal Neverland, and may your soul rest in peace. Until, of course, it’s time to put those dancing shoes on again, for that great gig in the sky…

Black Or White also happens to be one Michael Jackson song Walski actually kind of likes. For a couple of reasons – like the fact it came with an absolutely fantasticool video, particularly the morphing bits towards the end. But more importantly, because the song is about breaking down barriers of race and color – something that a color-blind person like Walski strongly believes in, too.

And it’s something that Walski thought most appropriate to close this post with.

The King is Dead… Long Live The King… forever in our memories.

Click here for the full post......

In Memoriam: Farrah Fawcett (1947 - 2009)

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, Farrah Fawcett, Charlie's Angels, Jill Munroe

If you’re around and about Walski’s age group, you will probably remember this iconic image of Farrah Fawcett, then known as Farrah Fawcett-Majors.

While her most memorable, and immediately recognizable, role was as Jill Munroe on the popular TV series Charlie’s Angels (between 1976 and 1980), Fawcett’s career actually began much earlier. She had started her career in the late 60’s, appearing in several commercials, and playing minor roles on a few TV series.

She had also appeared in The Six Million Dollar Man, along side then husband Lee Majors, as Major Kelly Wood, America’s first female astronaut.

She will, however, be best remembered for her role in Charlie’s Angels, as Jill Munroe, along side actresses Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. Even though she was only on full time for one season (her spot replaced by Cheryl Ladd, playing Jill’s younger sister Kris Munroe), with cameo appearances in later seasons.

Although she remained active in film and TV, it is her role in Charlie’s Angels that will always be the immediate memory whenever her name is mentioned.  
(why this obit and not the other, and more, in the full post)

Walski recalls that just about every guy in his school class had a crush on Farrah Fawcett. She was a sex symbol, no doubt.

After her separation from Lee Majors, she had been romantically linked to actor Ryan O’Neil, with whom she had a son.

Walski chose to put up an obit on her first, instead of the other major passing of the day, primarily because Walski knew that her death would be immediately overlooked by many. And because Charlie’s Angels was actually one of his favorite TV programs when he was a kid, he figured that it’s important that she not get too terribly overshadowed.

Farrah Fawcett had been battling cancer ever since she had been diagnosed with anal cancer three years ago. At one point she was declared cancer free, as reported back in 2006 after treatment and surgery (via USA Today). But not long after, it returned.

She passed away on the morning of June 25th, 2009 (Los Angeles time – approximately 1:30am this morning Malaysian time).

May her soul rest in peace. The world's favorite angel finally gets her wings for real…

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In death, we celebrate life

Technorati tags: Death, Reflection, This Mortal Coil, Commonality, Life

So frail is this mortal coil… the shell within which we go through this journey we call life.

But within its frailties lies something almost herculean – the human spirit. That which makes us human, and allows us the capacity to love, hate, mourn and rejoice. Each on its own a powerful emotion. When all four converge, however, it’s difficult to describe the rollercoaster of emotions that ensue.

Losing someone close to you, the passing itself and all the rituals that follow, is one of those tumultuous times. As Walski experienced last week.

For reasons of privacy, Walski won’t reveal who the person was, nor how the person was related to him and the Mrs – suffice it to say that it was someone close. Close enough that we had to be there. Walski had already mentioned previously how the family member died. And it’s not Walski’s intention to elaborate further about the passing, except to say that the time between diagnosis and death was very short, and because of that, there was no long term suffering. For this small mercy, we are thankful.

Funerals, in general, are somber affairs. That’s probably a no-brainer. Walski’s not entirely sure about other cultures, but there is a stark difference between Malay/Muslim funerals and Taoist/Buddhist ones. In a way, Walski feels privileged that being in a cross-cultural marriage, he gets to learn and contrast the things that make us unique as communities. Funerals is definitely one of them.

For the Malay/Muslims, visible grief is discouraged, and for the more traditional families, it’s not uncommon for someone who is too expressive with their grief to get a telling off. The other big difference is that the time span between death and burial is kept to a minimum – “the sooner the better” being the general modus operandi. So it’s not uncommon for family members flung far and wide to not get the opportunity to see their deceased loved ones one final time before burial.

Quite the contrary with Taoist/Buddhist funerals. Traditionally, the number of generations the dearly departed leaves behind determines the length of time the body lies in state. Three, five or seven days are the typical durations between death and burial. The person in question was unmarried at the time of death, and so traditionally, it would have been 3 days. But because some other close family members were abroad, it was decided to keep the body for 5 days.

What we see as differences on the surface, however, hides the many similarities between the two culturally dissimilar funerals.  
(reflecting on the underlying similarities, and more, in the full post)

Grief, for one, is something that will always be there, regardless of faith or culture. And Walski personally thinks that allowing your grief to be expressed is necessary so that we can move on with our own lives eventually.

Another similarity – the coming together of family members, even those between whom some friction may exist. And those differences are set aside, at the very least, in observance of respect for the departed. Any ill feeling is shelved, even momentarily, so that the departed can be peacefully dispatched.

And because this particular family member had many friends and acquaintances, it was during the wake that we found out how this person had touched the lives of so many people. Sometimes, being close to someone makes us take for granted how many other different dimensions that person really has. Or in this case, had.  

Then, you have, in the rites and rituals, another commonality. True, the specific rituals are different from one faith to the next, from one culture to another. But the necessity to observe rites and rituals, in itself, is a commonality we often take for granted.

While watching and observing the Taoist/Buddhist rituals being performed over the few days prior to the funeral, a thought occurred to Walski – that these rituals are not only for the recently departed, but also for those left behind.

All faiths believe that this life is temporary, and that it is merely a step in a larger sphere of existence. What happens after we transcend this mortal coil we will never really know until it’s our own time, but all faiths believe in a hereafter. Of one form or another.

For the Taoist/Buddhists, it’s reincarnation. And so, the rites and rituals make for a smoother transition. For the Muslims, the funeral rites are akin to last-minute provisions that the deceased is given as cosmic credits to be redeemed in their favor at the time of judgment.

But in both cases, the living, too, get something out of it – peace of mind that their final obligation to their loved one has been fulfilled. In a way, some sort of closure to know that you’ve done your bit.      

And what that closure allows us to do is to move on with our own lives.

In coming together to pay our last respects, we do one other thing, many times quite unknowingly. We celebrate life – not just that of the one who just left us, but life in general. Death is part and parcel of our existence in this plane – it is a step in a bigger journey. For the living left behind, it is a reminder that one day our time, too, will come for us to transition to the next plane. But until that day comes, it is a reminder to make the best of what little time we have remaining.

To make the best of our lives, as we humanly can...

Post choppiness apology footnote: This post has been a very difficult one for Walski to write. And he begs your pardon if it seems kinda choppy. As a small consolation, he leaves you with this hauntingly beautiful rendition of Tim Buckley’s Song to the Siren, performed by a collective of artists from the 4AD label, who call themselves, quite aptly, This Mortal Coil.

May your soul find the peace that this life it couldn’t…

Click here for the full post......

In Memoriam: Michael Crichton (1942 - 2008)

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, Michael Crichton, Technology, Books, Film, TV

Unless you've been living under a rock someplace, you'd have at least been exposed to some of his non-literary work, if not read his books. 

John Michael Crichton - author, film & TV producer/director, and medical doctor - passed away on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 (via Reuters), after a long but private battle with cancer. Walski only found out about his demise early this morning. Undoubtedly, his death was overshadowed by the world celebrating Barrack Obama's victory in the 2008 Presidential elections.

Crichton started writing while he was still in medical school in the mid 1960's, and perhaps received wide attention with his 1969 novel, "The Andromeda Strain", which was made into a film in 1971 (directed by Robert Wise), and more recently adapted into a 2-part TV movie earlier this year. 

Meticulous research is perhaps one of the aspects of Michael Crichton's writing that will be remembered as his legacy. Walski recalls reading one of his novels, "Airframe", which at times read like an aircraft manufacturing manual. When it came to things technical and scientific, Crichton's work can be very convincing.

Combining a measure each of imagination, science, and creative license, Michael Crichton, throughout his career in writing, film and TV never failed to impress. Where Stephen King succeeded in the horror and fantasy departments, Crichton excelled in techno-science realism. 

Dying at a relatively young age of 66, ZDNet has described his death as America losing its "moral technologist".
(more about Michael Crichton, in the full post)

Apart from his novels and non-fiction works, Michael Crichton was also a successful film/TV producer and director. He wrote and directed "The First Great Train Robbery", released in 1979, for which Crichton won the Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture Screenplay in 1980.

Crichton was also the creator of the hit TV series ER, which launched George Clooney into stardom. Michael Crichton also has been give writing credit, and has been credited as Executive Producer for the entire series, which is now in its 15^th (and possibly final) season.

But perhaps what made Michael Crichton most well-known, at least outside the US, were "Jurassic Park", and its sequel "The Lost World", both of which were adapted into hit films, helmed by Steven Speilberg. In the process, both films became the impetus for dinosaurs becoming public interest on a big and almost celebrity-like scale - as far as Walski is concerned, anyway. One thing for sure - Crichton had a species of dinosaur named after him - Crichtonsaurus bohlini - apparently in honor of Jurassic Park.

Science and medicine became central to many of his works, and indicates the influence of his medical training. But Crichton made science interesting, and his novels explored the possibilities in areas such as genetics, quantum physics, and even human-machine interaction. Frequently, authentic scientific research was incorporated with the fiction, making his novels compelling. And definitely commercially successful.

Although he's not read all of Michael Crichton's books, this is one author whom Walski will definitely miss. And Walski suspects, so will many people the world over.

Click here for the full post......

To Him we return...

Technorati tags: Tan Sri Abdul Samad Ismail, Passing On, Journalism

Al-Fatihah...

Just got word that Tan Sri Abdul Samad Ismail, the grand-daddy of journalism (so Walski's told and heard), has passed on.

Walski's deepest condolences to Nuraina and her family.

The first time Walski met Nuraina, Shanghai Stephen asked Walski if Walski was aware who Nuraina's father was. Being a total noob to the world of Malaysian journalism at the time, much less its history, Walski naturally didn't know.

But Pak Samad (as he was fondly known) was a big deal to Malaysian journalists. He stood for the purest essence of what the profession stood for. And Walski regrets that he never had the opportunity to really know this great man. Not first-hand, anyway.

Incidentally, this is not a proper In Memoriam post for the man. That will come later... well, sooner than later Walski hopes. In the meantime, Walski's prayers go to the family of this recently departed Malaysian hero. A seldom spoken-of hero, but a hero nevertheless.

In the cycle of Life, from Him we come, and to Him we return... rest in peace, kind sir.
(this is the extent of the full post)

Click here for the full post......

In Memoriam: George Carlin (1937 - 2008)

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, George Carlin, Humor

As one grows older, people you admire - your heroes, so to speak - start to fade away. One after another. This past weekend, a comedian whom Walski considers a legend in his own right, kicked the bucket, making his final curtain call to the great big improv in the sky.

George Carlin - stand up comedian, actor, author, thinker, social observer and (kinda) atheist - died of heart failure at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California on Sunday afternoon (early Monday morning, Malaysia time). He was 71.

Walski first got acquainted with Carlin while in college, 20-some years ago, while working at the college radio station. The station, KLSU had at the time a reasonably okay selection of spoken word records - yeah, those vinyl disk-like objects which you rarely see nowadays.

Well, Carlin is someone that told it like it is, no holds barred - think Raja Petra but with lots of profanity... and in the process, he became known as a comedian who constantly pushed the envelope on what was - or more accurately, was not - acceptable on the airwaves.

Walski remembers that out of the entire record (can't recall which one now, however), there were only a few tracks that were playable on-air. You could easily tell which - those that weren't struck out with black marker ink!

And there weren't many on that record, Walski'll tell you that...

No obituary for George Carlin would be complete without some profanity in it. So, what the fuck... let's throw caution out the window, to the wind, and who knows... this obit might turn out half-way-fucking decent, after all...
(truth is universal, and mostly hilarious, in the full post)

But, Walski digresses...

Perhaps what Walski admired about George Carlin most is his direct no-holds barred observation of people - their everyday idiosyncracies, which most people take for granted - turning them into a laugh riot. And make people laugh he did... but at the same time, think, too.

George Carlin's brand of humor was one-of-a-kind intelligent. His incredible ability to create comedy out of the most tragic of life's events is perhaps legendary. And so was his anti-establishment attitude. Perhaps what George Carlin would always be remembered for is the "Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on Television" stand-up routine, back 1972 in Milwauke, Wisconsin, for which he was arrested after the show for disorderly conduct.

And what were those seven words? Well, why don't we let the man himself tell you about it (caution: contains language that may be offensive to some asshole dickheads out there)

In any case. Carlin remained unrepentant, continued to speak his mind, and mouth, off... and today is one of stand-up comedy's most well-known names. And will undoubtedly be one of comedy's all time legends...

Admittedly, upon hearing about Carlin's death yesterday morning, Walski started looking up GC's material online, which you can find a lot of on YouTube. One thing that struck Walski was the cynicism that George Carlin had for organized anything - religion, government, big business... And what was really interesting was that a lot of what Carlin had to say also applies to what Malaysia is today, or at least, where it's headed... the numbing of the populace through mindless entertainment, the creeping commercialism that numbs our collective intelligence, the obfuscation on the part of government, dogma being fed to us in the guise of religion... it all rang true to Walski.

Loud and fucking clear.

And that, perhaps, is one other thing that Walski will remember George Carlin for - the ability to dissect the mundane everyday same-old, to uncover the hidden, and most times hilarious, truth about the life we would otherwise have taken for granted....

Well, George, you made us laugh throughout your career, but more importantly, in the process, you certainly also made us think. And for that, Walski can muster only seven words that perhaps sums up how we, your fans, feel:

We will miss you... Rest In Peace

Now pushing the cosmic comedy envelope, at an afterlife near you... R.I.P. George!

Click here for the full post......

In Memoriam: Toni Kasim (1966 - 2008)

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, Toni Kasim, Activism

When Marina M. asked Walski the other day if he'd known Toni, sadly Walski had to say no.

They say only the good die young, and in this case, a caring soul was taken at a very young age. Zaitun Mohamed Kasim (or 'Toni' as she was known) passed away in the early hours of June 4th, succumbing to Duodenal cancer, from which she'd suffered for many months.

Toni was laid to rest at Pusara Kenangan Abadi Muslim cemetary at 12:30pm on the same day.

What gets Walski is that Toni passed on at such a young age. It's times like these that we take stock and be thankful for every extra moment that the big guy up there grants us. The last time these thoughts came to Walski was when his younger cousin passed away, some ten years or so ago, at an even younger age.

But how does one write an obituary for someone you didn't know personally? Most people probably wouldn't even bother. Walski on the other hand thinks that in Toni's case, it's definitely worth the time.

The solution? You borrow from friends who did know her.
(Toni seen in the eyes of others, in the full post)

Kakiseni carried a beautiful obituary, written by Kathy Rowland:

Toni Kasim was a good person, and she died much too soon. Is there a cosmic bargain that bestows certain individuals some unique gift, in exchange for a shorter lease on life?

It’s a simple word, good. An almost impoverished adjective, surrounded as we are by superlatives nowadays. Awesome -- to inspire awe -- is reduced into the verbal equivalent of a fist in the air, greeting the most mundane of actions. “Fantastic”, “extraordinary”, “wonderful”, “amazing”, is applied like a cheap neon highlighter to people and places and events which are at best, footnotes.

But it’s a word which fits Toni, for she was many different shades of good.

She was good at what she did. Over the years, Toni’s involvement in civil society reforms has not so much blossomed as it has spread its roots deep and wide: human rights, gender and sexuality, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, political accountability. Like many activists, she had a grasp of the theory, the issues, the politics, and the policies. She also had an eye for the minute and the absurd. She once said "It drives me crazy when the papers report 'six people were injured in the accident, including one woman.' "
(source: Kakiseni, where you can read the complete obit)

From Haris Ibrahim:

Today, civil society lost a good friend.

Toni succumbed to cancer this morning.

The call I received early this morning of her death left me numbed.

I had wanted to go see her so many times since her illness turned for the worse, but there always seemed to be something more pressing.

I realise now that there is nothing more pressing than to hold a dying friend and to love her back in the way she had loved so many people.

I left this to too late.

In life she was an inspiration to so many. Let not her passing today diminish our memories of all the good that Toni stood for.

Toni has left us to push on in the many challenges she has been a part of in striving for a just society.

In remembrance of Toni, my candle in Kamunting this Saturday shall be lit both to honour the passing of a friend and to show solidarity with my fellow anak Bangsa Malaysia in calling for an end to the injustices of the ISA.
(source: The People's Parliament)

But the most simple, yet touching, for Walski comes from Pang Khee Teik, of the Central Market Annexe, from whose Facebook page Walski took the image of Toni:

WHEN I GROW UP, I WANNA BE TONI KASIM
Toni Kasim was one of the most inspiring human beings anybody would have had the privilege to meet. She was an internationally sought after trainer on issues of gender, sexuality and religious equality, having made a difference in the lives of everyone from abused housewives to transexual sex workers to hardened ulamas. In fact, she made a difference to us all - her sense of humour, love of people and passion for justice prevail even now to remind us of the endless tasks before us. She was tireless in her championing of open dialogue, political accountability and intelligent activism. In 1999, she became the first independent woman to run for elections, and though she didn't win, she reduced the majority in her Selayang constituency by 30,000 votes. She was going to run for elections this year when she had to be hospitalised. After months of battling cancer, she left us at the dawn of Wed 4 June, 5.30am, in her sister's arms. She was 41. She has done more in this life than most of us can dream of. I owe my worldview to her. Thank you Toni. And goodbye.

Central Market Annexe, incidentally, will be holding a memorial for Toni at the Annexe Gallery on Saturday June 14th, from 7pm to 11pm. Facebook users may check out the event announcement here.

Walski regrets that he never had the privilege of meeting and knowing Toni Kasim. From what he's gathered from many people, she's someone who's touched the lives of many in a very positive manner. She was, in fact, positivity personified.

Rest in peace, Toni, and may God bless your kind soul...

Click here for the full post......

In Memoriam: Arthur C. Clarke (1917 - 2008)

Technorati tags: In Memoriam, Arthur C. Clarke, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Science Fiction, Futurist, Author

"I know I've made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I've still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you."
(HAL9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey)

If Walski kept mum on the source of the quote about, one could almost imagine that it was Pak Lah who uttered these words, based on recent events... But no, what you is actually dialog from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, based on perhaps the most well-known of Arthur C. Clarke's works.

The renowned science fiction author, inventor and futurist died early this morning (approximately 4:00am, Malaysia Time) in Sri Lanka, where he'd been residing since 1956. According to this entry in Wikipedia, Clarke passed on due to respiratory problems.

Walski vaguely remembers images from 2001: A Space Odyssey, to which his mother took him to watch when he was 4+ years old, at the Pavillion cinema (way back when there was a Pavillion cinema at the end of Jalan Bukit Bintang). Watching the film again, many years later, what amazed Walski, apart from the superb special effects (this was a 1968 film, mind you), was the imagination of Clarke brought to life, in collaboration with the late Stanley Kubrick.

Some of the things portrayed in the film would probably be taken for granted today: the geosynchronous satellite, space shuttle, intelligent machines... but for 1968, it was the stuff that fueled the imagination of Walski's generation.
(visions of a better future, and more, in the full post)

Walski has to admit that apart from the Space Odyssey series of books, Walski has not read much of Arthur C. Clarke. From reading up on Clarke's long career, it would appear that his vision of the "future", as Clarke saw it, revolve around how technological breakthroughs would become enablers for man to venture beyond this world, both physically and metaphysically. Not to mention, of course, making life better for man on Earth.

Clarke envisioned that one day, humans would evolve to become ethereal beings, no longer in need of a physical container. This theme has occurred in many of his books, including the Space Odyssey ones - in particular, the evolution of Dave Bowman in the series.

Some have credited the conceptualization of the geostationary communication satellite to Arthur C. Clarke, who published the idea in 1945, although whether or not Clarke's prediction eventually became the inspiration for such satellietes is disputed. Be that as it may, the orbit for which these satellites circle the Earth is sometimes known as the Clarke Belt (or Clarke Orbit) in his honor [source: Wikipedia].

Arthur C. Clarke also published a series of other predictions, all the way up to the year 2100, which includes such ideas as a direct interface between the human brain and a computer (the Braincap), a space hotel, colonization of the outlying solar system planets, and the total irradication of crime through electronic surveillance. Some of these predictions can be read in this reproduction of a Reader's Digest article, entitled Beyond 2001 (via arthurcclarke.net, a research and discussion site dedicated to Clarke).

The future was generally viewed by Clarke with optimism, made better by responsible use of technology for the betterment of mankind. The world has just lost not only a brilliant futurist - but one who saw a positive tomorrow.

But perhaps Arthur C. Clarke's demise shouldn't be seen simply as a passing on, but as a transcendence from this mortal realm, and the possible beginning of a new adventure into the great beyond...

Click here for the full post......