Paraphrasing the words of my friend, the Lightning:
Give a man some fame, he thinks he is the most charasmatic person.
Give a man some fortune, he thinks he owns the world.
Give a man some power, he may think he rules over us all.
Sigh.
Watching a person turn corrupt and power-hungry before your very eyes is quite a horrible thing to see. From being content to be the back-end supporter, the person in question had suddenly become an attention-lusting freak - much like how an insanely-jealous girlfriend/boyfriend seeks to hog the limelight all the time, without a thought for the partner's feelings and needs. I feel quite sick to the stomach.
I hope that I shall never be like that one day. I'm quite happy being the way I am - exerting influence in my current position - and though I'm not exactly jostling for power, I hope that when I do progress, I shall never allow that power to corrupt me and make me think that I'm better than others, so much so that I crush others. For we are called to lead, guide, and build lives, never to destroy those under our care.
Coming back to the illustration earlier, I can't help but think of Psalm 8:4:
"What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?"
p.s.: Boss, if you're reading this, please take me to task if and when the time comes.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Today, Malaysia finds her voice
I shall not regard myself a fount of information where politics is concerned. But I know the basic tenets of truth, justice and freedom should prevail.
"What is the case for the Opposition? It is nothing but sentiment fanned into flame." The underlying message was, "Why rock the boat? It has served us well thus far. This wave is nothing but hot air."
This sentiment, as you call it, is grounded on facts. No smoke without fire. And we figure that whatever fires that threatened to erupt were doused by an irresponsible, hand-tied media to keep others safely in the cocoon. Thank God for the revolution of the Internet, youtube, and the fearless, even-keeled international media that broadcasted the messages louder, clearer, further. Ironically, the media OUTSIDE Malaysia gave us our voice, faster than ours did - on television anyway.
Perhaps it has to do with my dealings in the corporate world, where clients have faced hurdle after hurdle for legitimate dealings, only because of some ingrained corrupt practices, or unjust and indiscriminate policies. I'm all for giving people what they deserve, if only we'd all WORK for it. I'm all for giving a lifeline to the poor and marginalized.
Perhaps it has to do with the lack of transparency, where the citizens are treated like sheep - only allowed to hear one side of the story, and then being told that that is the truth. For far too long we have heard blatant lies for absurd situations, and I'm thankful to know I'm not the only one who is brave to state that HELLO, we have BRAINS, and we'll USE IT TO THINK to form our own opinions, thank you very much.
Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I'm still driving a Proton - the very symbol of our nation's dismal failure, and the effect of the AP-system that makes it the only affordable vehicle around. I can't wait for the economy to turn around, and then afford good engineering.
I could go on, but I think I'd better not. Suffice to say that the true citizens of this bleeding country have cried out, and Malaysia's voice is now heard the local and international arenas.
It is just the beginning, however. I urge you to uphold our leaders in prayer... Pray that this nation will not be caught up in petty issues, but get down to creating a safer, informed, competitive and truly progressive nation.
The time for change has come. Your will be done, Father God. Amen.
"What is the case for the Opposition? It is nothing but sentiment fanned into flame." The underlying message was, "Why rock the boat? It has served us well thus far. This wave is nothing but hot air."
This sentiment, as you call it, is grounded on facts. No smoke without fire. And we figure that whatever fires that threatened to erupt were doused by an irresponsible, hand-tied media to keep others safely in the cocoon. Thank God for the revolution of the Internet, youtube, and the fearless, even-keeled international media that broadcasted the messages louder, clearer, further. Ironically, the media OUTSIDE Malaysia gave us our voice, faster than ours did - on television anyway.
Perhaps it has to do with my dealings in the corporate world, where clients have faced hurdle after hurdle for legitimate dealings, only because of some ingrained corrupt practices, or unjust and indiscriminate policies. I'm all for giving people what they deserve, if only we'd all WORK for it. I'm all for giving a lifeline to the poor and marginalized.
Perhaps it has to do with the lack of transparency, where the citizens are treated like sheep - only allowed to hear one side of the story, and then being told that that is the truth. For far too long we have heard blatant lies for absurd situations, and I'm thankful to know I'm not the only one who is brave to state that HELLO, we have BRAINS, and we'll USE IT TO THINK to form our own opinions, thank you very much.
Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I'm still driving a Proton - the very symbol of our nation's dismal failure, and the effect of the AP-system that makes it the only affordable vehicle around. I can't wait for the economy to turn around, and then afford good engineering.
I could go on, but I think I'd better not. Suffice to say that the true citizens of this bleeding country have cried out, and Malaysia's voice is now heard the local and international arenas.
It is just the beginning, however. I urge you to uphold our leaders in prayer... Pray that this nation will not be caught up in petty issues, but get down to creating a safer, informed, competitive and truly progressive nation.
The time for change has come. Your will be done, Father God. Amen.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
fourletterstory
Haven't asked him yet on the rationale behind this name. Could very well be random! But then again, it's been some time since we last met; and much has changed.
Though from the same hometown, we only clicked in college, when we passed each other by and went, "Wait a minute, I know that face..." Then the next 2+ years were of cafeteria dinners, CF meetings, sidewalk chats, band-wannabe-ing in the music room (Pink Panther! Sweet Child of Mine!), singing in the middle of the field (and that irritating frisbee), even a doomed-to-fail "group study" before exams... (Oh I wish Alice could see this and reminisce...)
You were always the joker, Joel. And you've not lost that streak. Finding emo and fourletterstory SO reeks of you la.
But we grew up huh. GREAT. Okay okay. Seriously, great :) It's about time. And I look forward not just to your EP, but also to see how much more we can grow in Him and bless His people with that which He has entrusted to us. I'm sure you'll do fine. Bit emo, maybe, but hey, there's only one way to live life.
And if that includes some emo episodes, SO BE IT. I dare say it makes us better musicians.
See you soon, maybe! Til then! Stay you!
Though from the same hometown, we only clicked in college, when we passed each other by and went, "Wait a minute, I know that face..." Then the next 2+ years were of cafeteria dinners, CF meetings, sidewalk chats, band-wannabe-ing in the music room (Pink Panther! Sweet Child of Mine!), singing in the middle of the field (and that irritating frisbee), even a doomed-to-fail "group study" before exams... (Oh I wish Alice could see this and reminisce...)
You were always the joker, Joel. And you've not lost that streak. Finding emo and fourletterstory SO reeks of you la.
But we grew up huh. GREAT. Okay okay. Seriously, great :) It's about time. And I look forward not just to your EP, but also to see how much more we can grow in Him and bless His people with that which He has entrusted to us. I'm sure you'll do fine. Bit emo, maybe, but hey, there's only one way to live life.
FULLY.
And if that includes some emo episodes, SO BE IT. I dare say it makes us better musicians.
See you soon, maybe! Til then! Stay you!
Monday, February 11, 2008
What we learnt from Moulin Rouge
Suddenly I recalled the online chat with my best friend from high school. It must have taken place about... 6, maybe 7 years ago (or more, even).
Frogz: So what movies have you watched lately?
Jules: Moulin Rouge!! Have you seen it yet? You absolutely have to!!
Frogz: Yeah... seen that... Nicole Kidman is so hot!! Shorty, you gotta do the makeup thing la...
Jules: Hahaha.... yeah right, watch me start....NOT!!
Frogz: What is the moral of the story, in your opinion?
Jules: Ummm... that true love ultimately prevails.
Frogz: Wanna know what my take-away was?
Jules: What?
Frogz: Even courtesans find love.
-- That's right. Even courtesans find love.
Come what may.
Frogz: So what movies have you watched lately?
Jules: Moulin Rouge!! Have you seen it yet? You absolutely have to!!
Frogz: Yeah... seen that... Nicole Kidman is so hot!! Shorty, you gotta do the makeup thing la...
Jules: Hahaha.... yeah right, watch me start....NOT!!
Frogz: What is the moral of the story, in your opinion?
Jules: Ummm... that true love ultimately prevails.
Frogz: Wanna know what my take-away was?
Jules: What?
Frogz: Even courtesans find love.
-- That's right. Even courtesans find love.
Come what may.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Livewire's First Poll!
Hello folks!
Now for some interactivity! The idea sprung into mind last night - and so I'll ask you, dear readers - what is your favourite Livewire post of 2007? Take part in the poll on the right-column, and yes, you are allowed multiple votes... The ones listed are some of the more notable ones, and if you've others, do let me know which ones in the comment section yeah?
The poll is only valid for 15 days from now! So let me know!
Oh yes, this poll only "regular-type" posts, and not poems/prose/verse... that'll probably be the next poll subject... if there are enough entries, that is...
Love,
Jules
Now for some interactivity! The idea sprung into mind last night - and so I'll ask you, dear readers - what is your favourite Livewire post of 2007? Take part in the poll on the right-column, and yes, you are allowed multiple votes... The ones listed are some of the more notable ones, and if you've others, do let me know which ones in the comment section yeah?
The poll is only valid for 15 days from now! So let me know!
Oh yes, this poll only "regular-type" posts, and not poems/prose/verse... that'll probably be the next poll subject... if there are enough entries, that is...
Love,
Jules
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