Will Quah Dot Com

Happy new year, and not just for those of you celebrating Chinese New Year. It’s still January, and sometimes, in the rush of the actual new year, you forget that it’s a time for new beginnings… or rather, you know that bit, but you forget to actually act on those new beginnings. I know I have… the first few weeks of the year have gone by in a blur, and the rest of what looks set to be a great year seems to be zooming closer with startling speed. So, it’s time to remember what some of my resolutions are, or at least, try and pass some off as what I’d actually intended them to be all along.

1 ) I will appreciate where I live. It sounds like a given, and as someone who lives here not so much by necessity as by choice, it seems like an obvious thing to do. But I’m always amazed at how easy it is to slip into the hard, mean attitude of poking holes into this proud nation. Yes, the politics are as screwed up as a childrens’ playground. Yes, the legal system is shot, and the crime is explosive. Yes, the service industry isn’t, and the public works don’t. Yes, there’s a lot to be cleaned up, sorted out, and put right. But lets not forget just how many great things there are here, the late night shopping, the awesome buildings, the great sights, the amazing culture, and the truly phenomenal food. It’s no wonder people come here for holidays, and why it’s no great task to convince people to live here (for which I am VERY thankful!).

2 ) I will try new things. Again, you’d think it’s a given for me, considering all the things I do. But I am actually quite a creature of comfort, and I tend to put things off whenever I can. But having said that, so do lots of people. It’s a sad fact that many people will miss out on the best times/days/loves/chances of their lives because they were too scared/tentative/lazy to try something new, and not just try it, but to really give it your 110%. The worst that happens is you’re rubbish, and that’s it. But if it’s good, it can be great. I’m gonna try and add a new hobby to my life every month for the whole year. Fingers crossed.

3 ) I will value my friends and family. Again, I’m sure everyone does. I do. But it’s hard some times to really get to know people and to give them the time and energy they deserve. I’m not talking about hanging out with everyone on your facebook list every week (because most people have their lists full of acquaintances, not friends), but with the handful of real friends. True, you may not need to see them very often to keep that bond alive, but like a plant, a little nurturing can help it survive during the dry seasons, to flower, and maybe even bear fruit.

4 ) I will travel. Surprisingly, last year was the first year in a long time that included 2 overseas trips for me. I tend to prioritise work over actually doing things. While this means that I can afford more holidays, it does also mean that I hardly take any. So, I intend to see more of the world we live in before Al Gore’s doom laden prediction come true and the planet becomes a huge, hot ball of polluted water traversed by scruffy Kevin Costner types in makeshift catamarans.

5 ) I will try to be a better person. Ok, so I’m not exactly Hitler, but I think anyone who drives on a Malaysian road, or who has lost their temper at a shop or club will admit that it’s not a nice experience. The slight thrill of being a shit is by far outweighed by the stress of engaging in the first place. So, even though it pains me to do so, I’m trying to be a more calm, collected, nice person. And while I’m at it, I’m also subscribing to the whole “make someone smile everyday” idea. Don’t worry, I’m not going to be David Archuletta any time soon, but if everyone can be a little more friendly, we all benefit.

6 ) I will throw things away. I’m guilty of hording crap. Most of it is definitely usable stuff, so I don’t feel bad about it, but in the hopes of clearing up my living space a little, and also in the interest of creating more space for others, I’m gonna start going through things, and deciding what I can live without. Clothes in particular… I still have quite a few from when I was 15, and I really doubt I’ll be wearing those any time soon. The upside will be that I may actually start being able to find the things I DO need!

7 )I will start recycling. While we’re on the topic of throwing things away, how about recycling? A lot of people want to, but not many do. I’ve actually got two bins now, one little one for all the actual refuse, and another for all the glass, plastic and metal, which are in separate bin liners. I’ve not started on cardboard and paper, on account of the masses of the stuff I seem to go through, and my need for one more bin! But I’ll get there. Now if only there were more actual places to dump the recycled stuff…

8 ) I will finish what I start. I have a terrible tendency to get very wrapped up in things, only to lose interest later and leave them to languish forever. It’s led me to be likened to Toad off the Wind in the Willows. While I always liked the David Jason voiced clay amphibian, I have noticed that a lot of my life issues are due to not finishing what I start. So, from now on I will. In fact, if more people just made sure that things were carried through with (roads, building maintenance, laws, development, political promises, etc.), this country may be a little better overall.

9 ) I will not procrastinate. I’ve got loads to say about this one, but I’ll write about it later, next week maybe, I’m just so busy right now…

10 ) I will take more photos. I was recently going through my old photos, and it’s amazing to have all those memories immortalised there on the screen forever. It’s funny how much we trick ourselves into thinking we remember, and how much photos can bring back to the forefront of the mind. I’m often bitterly disappointed with myself for not having more photos from more of the special moments in my past, so the idea from now on is to carry the damn camera, and to actually take photos.

So there you have it. A long winded look at some not quite new year’s resolutions. And to show that it’s not just all talk type, here’s a photo that proves I’ve already started on 1, 2, 3, and 10 by going to the KL Bird Park with some good friends.

Flock together. You know you want to.

WillQ.

Forget about the lights and camera, just give me the action.

Squeak-a-squeak-a!
WillQ.

by Robert Frost

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

In confusion,
WillQ.

The White House is about to get a Brazilian, and rid itself finally of the unsightly Bush it’s been sporting for the last 8 years.

But before we bid goodbye to Bush (and indeed, to the concept of a “White House”), lets take a look at some of the momentous events in Bush’s time at the helm.

YeeHa!
WillQ.

Last one.

I promise.

Cross my heart, etc.
WillQ.

I’ve posted four times today. I think that’s a record.

I’ve also not left the house at all. Not so much of a record for a Sunday (surprising, huh?).

And lastly, I scored this…

…despite not having had even a drop of coffee.

Natural high, anyone?
WillQ.

So, the big local news from yesterday was this:

PAS won the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election with a 2,631-vote majority against Barisan Nasional and an independent candidate.
PAS candidate Mohd Abdul Wa-hid Endut garnered 32,883 votes while BN’s Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh obtained 30,252 votes. Independent candidate Azharuddin Mamat alias Adam received 193 votes and lost his deposit (awwwww – Ed). There are 80,229 voters in the parliamentary constituency, including 1,043 postal voters.
A total of 63,967 or 79.73 per cent of the 80,229 registered voters cast their ballots at 36 polling stations. This was lower than the 81.92 per cent or 65,809 out of 80,325 voters who had cast their votes at the March general election.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said BN accepted the decision of the voters. He said the results showed that democracy was alive in Malaysia. “We respect and accept this decision. BN will continue to work harder to earn the trust of the people and serve the people,” he said last night.
He said the results did not mean that support for the opposition was growing stronger. He also said that there was no necessity to discuss the loss at the BN convention in March. Najib refuted talk that the loss would affect BN’s performance in the next general election.

Hmmm.

Right.
WillQ.

The Queen and I
Sue Townsend
January 2009
If the name Sue Townsend seems familiar, it’s probably because you remember this author and playwright from her legendary “Diary of Adrian Mole” series, which many of us had to read as kids in school. As well as expanding on that line of books (he’s now in his thirties), she’s also branched out into other tales, including this one about the Royal Family in less that royal circumstances.
Britain has become a Republic, thanks to the hypnotic effect of a subliminal TV broadcast, and the first act by the new government is to abolish the monarchy. The Queen and her family find themselves packed up and sent to live in council housing, without servants, money, or a clue.
How they deal with the uncommon situation of living as commoners is the basis for this darkly humorous look at one of Britain’s favourite institutions in the flesh.

The GOO!
WillQ.

I’m dealing with a lot more news these days. In case you haven’t watched it yet (because you can’t be arsed to wake up at 7am, for which I cannot blame you), there’s a great new show on ntv7 in the mornings, and we do deal with stuff from the papers, albeit in a somewhat less risque way than on radio. Still, what with floods, fires, terrorists, pirates, Americans, Gaza, and the kindergarten games that pass for politics in this country, there’s always something to get you down in the morning.

What we need is more news like this…

Everything is just fine. Really.
WillQ.