An established Malaysian Creative Practitioner who's into Art & Design, Illustrations, Flash/CSS development, Performance Arts & G1 Transformers Collector. I open doors of opportunities for many creative people. My mum always said I'm too generous to people, I can't help it because I like to heal people through affections and creativity. I like to keep it that way =)
Berbulan tak terkira badan dan mindaku ditempatkan di arena kerjaya yang cukup mencabar, dibanjiri satu demi satu masalah dan penyelesaian. Walaupun retak badan mengenangkan periuk nasi, yang penting nikmat diberi Ilahi memberikan seribu satu penghargaan dan kesyukuran.
Sumber rezeki terkini
Barangkali doa ibu bapa, adik beradik dan rakan-rakan mengutuhkan pancaroba kehidupan ini agar terus mencari rezeki, dan setakat ini, aku sendiri kagum dengan diriku atas kemampuan yang dapat dilakukan, dan ketabahanku direalisasikan berkat pengalaman dan hubungan dari industri kreatif.
Akhirnya, sebuah karya dari mata fikirku.
Karya terbaru untuk pameran KLue / UOX pada 13 Disember ini, di Sg. Wang Plaza, Kuala Lumpur.
Menjadi seorang pengkarya bukanlah sekelip mata, tanpa rancangan, penerokaan dan pengalaman serta bakat, kita nan membuahkan hasil yang memberikan sesuatu yang prestij. Sekilas bertutur bersama seorang ketua pensyarah di kolej seni kreatif terkenal di Bandar Sunway, beliau meluahkan rasa kagum atas kebolehanku mengagih bakat dalam pelbagai perkara dan menyampaikan sesuatu dengan baik untuk pelajar-pelajarnya. Mungkin kerana aku bukan bengis seperti pengarah-pengarah seni terkenal yang hanya ingin melindungi kelemahan diri mereka dengan berwatakkan kemegahan dengan banjiran pengiktirafan industry sebaliknya gagal memberikan ilmiah kepada masyarakat, turut mengutuk dan mencaci pereka muda dan artisan yang berdikari seperti saya. Jangan getar, selagi ada daya, aku akan terus berkarya dan terus memberikan anugerah yang diinspirasikan oleh Ilahi.
Fajar di Bukit Lagong, Sungai Buloh
Kami jurugambar-jurugambar Flickr Malaysia sekali lagi melapangkan masa kami dengan aktiviti terkini untuk merakamkan gambar dari tapak nurseri pesakit kusta di Sungai Buloh. Ia sebuah tempat yang memberikan seribu satu pengalaman yang membekalkan keindahan alam, dan penempatan masyarakat yang terperincil dan amat harmoni.
Julat Dinamik Tinggi (HDR) adalah antara konsep yang ingin dikecapi seterusnya mengunakan banyak kaedah suntingan gambar untuk memberikan lebih kualiti dan dinamik.
Dingin
Diri mencari sebuah jawapan mengenai cinta. Cinta itu suatu perasaan kompleks buat kamus kehidupan kerana aku seringkali dipupuk dengan perasaan negatif untuk membuka hatiku untuk melemahkan hatiku ini. Setiap sudut ingin mencari rasa yang dapat memenuhi kekosongan dan kesepian, namum tak selamanya bahagia kerana ragu-ragu yang hadir mengoyakkan ketulusan untuk bercinta.
Satu epilog yang indah tetapi kekekalan yang tak akan dikecapi. Aku akan sentiasa dihantui kekosongan, walaupun cinta lain diwarkahkan dari keluarga dan rakan tersayang.
Buatmu
Pedih, By Muid Latif
Pedih, satu perasaan ulung membara jiwa, Melilit tangisan pilu membanjiri sanubari, Tertanya kesangsian yang meretakkan harapan, Kerna kesilapan aku kecilkan duniaku sepi.
Cinta senang dihembus kata, Entah mana pula perasaan terkira, Disudut ini goyang pemikiran, Pendirianku dulu kukuh kian pudar.
Pengorbananku memberi seribu keikhlasan, Saat ku memerlukanmu mengiringi kehampaan, Kau getarkan keraguanmu dengan ungkitanku, Sering salah tingkah lakuku dimatamu.
Kini ku mengulangi kesilapanku, Kerana impianku yang diidamkan musnah, Lalu aku pergi membawa diri, Hanya kekosongan duka mengiringi destinasiku.
_ Ditulis tulus dari sanubari yang rendah dan terkilas, lara mencari kegelapan.
Being Confident, Not Cocky, Facing Black Magic & Jealousy
This is how people fail to control their destiny of becoming someone, lost control over them, fulfill by jealousy, greed and desire to be their own God and forget that there’s a ticket in hell waiting for them. Stop and enoughlah all your dirty witch-crafting, hurting or 'kill' others because your life will end such misery, period. Remember, what goes around, comes around. Allah Maha Kuasa. You may do and sabotag bad things to people and you can get away with it, but people who are close to you that you ought to love will suffer do to your own doings.
Those who resent and irritated by my versatile ability and capability to be more than just a designer, it is how I had achieved in what I do, that put them in such competitive stage where they could not afford to handle. Their lost mind and heart could not bear to understand the reason why I stand for what I believe, to not just to support, but to bring changes so more people can become better than me, which I believe it is good, for a greater cause. I don’t even begin to understand some would personally attack me because their reservations over the things I do, that they fail to achieve like I do. Some of my recent enemies, who I help to shape their careers before, turn cold towards me. And they have the balls to say such discouraging things about me when they didn’t realize who got them the job and opportunity in the first place. Every time I bumped into them, I just couldn’t bare to see how disgraceful they are.
Question: how many still carry themselves as designer? Most of them move on to become a photographer without achieving their previous field. Some came easily by just doing cheap talk, paperwork but never ever execute and practise in the first place. I know they had move to another direction because they never put passion and heart in the first place, and frankly speaking, they fail at executing to the fullest to extend their own even skills because they fear their failure when they already fail at it.
In my case, a person would nag about my CV in Twitter without knowing me in person and only hear judgement and stories from those who threaten by my achievement, even sometimes a person spent such time to modify my Wikipedia page by putting ‘weird’ information in it, and at the end of the day, they have to face the fact they can’t get over me, because I'm important to their daily routine, and they could not move on in a positive state of mind. It’s a pure oxymoron that their employers paid them to stalk over my blog, websites and Wikipedia page to get frequent updated about my life. Even one individual got so envious over my 'small' toy collection.
Wow! I didn’t realize they 'worship' me too much, not to mention, they actually work for me by checking on me on regular routine! Cool huh? I don't even bother nak check on them, it's hilarious.
So to those who annoyed, irritate by me and my guts, don’t get to excited when I fall, because eventually I will come back with style more than you can imagine.
'Hikmah di Sebaliknya'
This is the reason that you need to have faith in God, because He put you up through so many obstacles in life. I remember after my prayers, I ask so that I can be strong to face challenges. Some that I fail, yet some I manage to see. Rezeki datang melimpah-limpah, berkat Yang Mulia, berkat kesabaran dan ketabahan kita. A big thank each day possible to God for giving this opportunity. I have no idea how good to be able to trust your destiny, the path that you choose and because in the closest existence, God truly loves you. It does not matter if you’re not Muslim, if you love Jesus or if you pray for Vishnu, religion is a must, because it makes you feel you existed for a reason, and for those who don’t have any religion, I gratefully felt sad for their lost to not be able to look into what is life.
To share, last week (16th October) after meeting up with my former employer who even gave me a present in a form of book entitle ‘Don’t Be Sad’, written by Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qami, made me in silent tears because the hard times that I have gone through.
After an incident that happen while I was driving back to Selayang from Cyberjaya, my car shifted on the other side of joint, drifted for four rounds on a highway. Imagine if there are cars coming all over in such heavy rain, I would not be writing here today. I came back in one piece. The power of faith is just enormously strong for me to know that God and Angels is always by your side, because He loves you so much after the challenge He had put your through, and for you to take on the challenge in such drastic positive measure.
So always remember, if you do the right things, God will give you the ray of light so that you can understand and start thankful each day. And I’m blessed with that. Alhamdulillah.
Being Stronger
The strength of my survival is because I’ve been blessed by God, literary, because I start to open up my heart, after being such a wild trash. I cannot do it with big help of family and frienda. Now that I have someone very important in my life, I continue to survive from learning how to stand on my feet again without help from the familiar faces. I struggled, learn and to cherish each moment I have. I see different perspective, the things I never care to bother all these years, and being in such wealth I forgot about what is a price tag and just buy and carry without thinking. Partly, I start to realize how much time and money I wasted, but I know that it’s not a thing or issue I should be regret, but instead looking on step ahead so that the next time I can do better.
Facebook has been the greatest therapy for me after getting my former religious advices from my Ustaz. I let things out completely, and then I start to realize how much love I received from countless of beautiful people who really take care and concern about the things I do, at my downfall. These beautiful supportive people had inspired me to learn more about life than just being on the top, but to try different shoe, in a different walks of life.
So my friends who read this, I love you dearly and thanks for being the light and guide and let me overcome my negativity.
How you present yourself
Being up and down, definitely more than just emotional roller coaster, three months had passed since I left my workplace in Cyberjaya, nevertheless would I think the sign of ‘SALADIN’ would forever stamp on my forehead, leaving a permanent mark wherever I go. Imagine strangers stop me by at Megamall of Midvalley asking about Saladin. I just realized I left Saladin team for almost two years.
The Good Things to come
Daily pressure, insomnia and sleepless mind exhausted with proposal, quotations and meetings, it had surely paid of after quite awhile. I’m currently working close with Malaysia AIDS Council to handle two projects, one is a graffiti illustration for upcoming World AIDS Day and another one is strictly confidential. Last weekend, I just contribute my effort to help the artist's backdrop for World Peace Festival 2008 in Stadium Bukit Jalil. Thanks to Kamal Sabran for inviting me to join the fellow talented visual artists.
Recently awarded by a contractor to engage interactive kiosk development for a national government body, I had drooling over the research and content of Malaysia History and origin. It’s probably one of the best masterpiece I am currently working with and a product to be proud of, dealing with the same team that delivered the Angkasawan Programme Interactive Kiosk. With few lines of incoming website development from various agencies, I even have the opportunity to work with upcoming recording artist to design their artwork album covers and one of my rare opportunity, to pitch a project for a well-known figure from Hollywood. Even if I won't be able to work with him, I just know that out there, someone truly appreciate what I do and the talent I have, it's awesome. Alhamdulillah.
My latest illustration 'Suraya' was also featured in KLue's October Issue of Pulse. Thanks Ai Leen for the small feature!
Next year, it would be a more hectic yet positive year for me, as I will be handling Kuala Lumpur Design Week together with strong team that brought you the previous Massive Territory Conference and MIDI Conference that feature international speakers like Karim Rashid, Joshua Davis and Niko Stumpo. It’s never a year for me to relax, but double the amount of work I did, and to create more ability in project and event management.
And I still proud of telling that I’m just a designer :-)
Apparently this is face after getting a bad food poisonin' (a day before) this meet-up at Devi's Corner, Bangsar on the 7th of September. Photo by Halimi Saidi.
Despite of being drowsy yet creative and 'freelancing', I managed to catch up on some design books, read some articles about Malay history, watch latest Naruto & Bleach from Dattebayo, 'Fear Itself' and upcoming 'True Blood' starring Anna Paquin, and manage to watch two hillarious movies 'Love Guru' & 'Meet The Zohan'. I got all the love and support from my family and beloved friends so I was very composed the entire one month and a half though I thought I just woke up from a terrible nightmare, seriously.
A part from that, I had a great time this month, even manage to berbuka puasa with my dearest Gjie Aziz, Fynaz, Lin, Suzie, Prakash, Jolene, Abby, Eddie, Melissa Saila and her mum, the legendary actress Mariani (imagine meeting Julie Andrews ;-). The next week, I had my yumcha session with another dearest friends, Oya and Halimi. We actually end up discussing politics and 'sensasi selebriti!'.
Had a great photo shoot with the theme 'Men & Baju Melayu' by Mr. Crewcut again, this time I felt more easy working with Mr. K. I can't wait for the final result. Eventually I met another model that night, Hamdi. Very funny guy.
Was also invited to Jay Lim's pre-launch of Miss Hua Exhibition last weekend and I will be going to Penang to give a talk in Han Chiang College, Penang from 18-20 and will be staying over at Nony's place in Ayer Hitam. Hope the weather is good for photography. Can't wait!
What's Cookin?
I guess my forte for cooking is always the beautiful green vege's. I love vege but I ain't vegetarian though. Recipe is below. Anyway, I got so freaked out after the food poison so I'm eating more fresh green. My next menu will be fresh cabbages, kelp noodle with dried tofu and carrots. Yum!
Let's cook Muid's style:
Step 1: Prepare yourself a big frying pan or kuali. Letak satu piring teh (50-100ml) of olive oil or cooking oil, prepare half tea spoon of salt, slices of Garlic and Onion. Heat em up, wait for few minutes till the oil boils, then masuk one bit by one bit.
Step 2: Put some baby Shrimp or Slices of chicken meat, stir it all together, but make sure you don't overcook.
Step 3: Cherry Tomato, Long Peas (yang sudah dihiris), Mushroom, Baby Corn & Broccoli, mix and toss em up, and voila! Jangan lupa ambil gambar pakai lens 50mm :P
My mum says add some corn flour to make it moisty or soy sauce (kicap), it's an option only lah, so I don't like to put those option sebab nanti tahan lama.
Neu Photography
Merdeka-ria:When it comes to our local independence day, I always wanted to utilized the best time to go out rather than just sit at home because I want to make it as memorialize as I can. Well, so far, all of my Merdeka celebration had been so memorable that I still could not forget how me and my sister Abby almost got drowned at Santubong Beach, Sarawak in 1993 because we went out chasing those Mudskipper until we realized we swam too far. *sigh* (*keluhan*)
The photos above was taken at the Bukit Setapak area on our way to our sister's place where she lives very close to Anwar Ibrahim's residence. Since that day, we know The Annexe of Central Market had Arts For Grabs, I really wanted to go there but I end up at KLCC instead, having tea with my family at Little Penang Cafe after the whole family went to watch Susuk with my sister's family.
Shafina sent us an sms earlier to hang out at a place called Pink Sage. Me and my sister went there after we went to my sister's place (Aniq). Pink Sage has great menu of yummilicious food, drink and cakes. We had our breakfast set with pancakes.
After sending back our parents to the carpark, me and Abby went to see Gjie & Fynaz at Great Eastern Mall, Ampang and we hang out at O'Brian sandwich. Had a good Merdeka outing.
World Photo Walk: Selected Shots
As usual, any other weekend is the best time to make use of my camera. KLickr once again made photowalk a worthwhile. We had our early warm up before the real photo walk starts. With us is Asha, Kamarul (my UiTM college mate), Abby, Effa, Nagen, Syiqin, Shafina, Ripi and me.
Nagen looking bluish Jedi on a rainy day The reversed Mr. Cricket The pathway of survival
We had an earlier meet-up Flickr group had a great success with our 29th monthly meetup, dated 23 August 2008 with great photography walk at Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, thanks to all who made it. I had such a great time and meet great new friends. I was also model for that day (perasan).
Photos by Prakash Daniel (DMP Collective)
The day after, we (me, Abby, Prakash, Jolene, Shafina, Nagen & Ripi) went to Yuritei Japanese restaurant near KLPac, Sentul, to celebrate our dearest friend, Syiqin who came all the way from Penang. Since I was financialy 'ill' , I found a great alternative, praise the Al-Mighty God for inspiring me with this left hand with talent. I manage to give Syiqin a great gift for her, in a form of sketches. Alhamdulillah.
This is Syiqin :-) This is Syiqin, illustrated, framed in nice IKEA white frame.
Aperture Workshop with Jen Siow:
Model: Linda
Aperture 2 is one of my favorite Photo editing software in Mac. Aperture is affortable compare to Adobe Lightroom, however, I always love to use both application to suit my photos. Tai of EcazStudio invited me to come to this workshop organized by Click! & GoLive at Uptown, Damansara Utama. I paid RM150 for this class and all participant received free iPod Shuffle (1GB). Let see, education and tips by renown and noted legend, Jen Siow, free food, good friends around (Halimi, Musri, Tze Meng, TK, Jinny Wong), free model shooting spree and free iPod, it's way more worth than spending on a Nike shoe (whoops!).
I didn't expect we had a shooting session as I thought it was just a sit-and-hear kinda seminar. The organizer brought us with two cute models at TTDI park and I must say, I manage to get some good shot and explore more of what I can do with photography. Having said that, I still love towards my passion in illustration and design. Ta-da to dat! ;-)
Outro: Meantime updating my creative portfolio and CV, I would like to wish all my Muslim friends a happy Eid Mubarak!
Work my magic on creativity, which means more design and artworks (two artwork is not good enough at the age of three decade).
I failed to submit my work (CI) which I suppose to deliver like 3 weeks ago and still slowly working on it due to lack of experience. Means more hardwork!
Being caught up with different ‘interest’ of industry (Hint: NGO, UNICEF)
Too overwhelmed and concerned by the keyword ‘new media’
Was not able to reply email on time due to misplace of brain cells (brain needs defragmentation)
Was not able to scan my sketches that I did in 2 weeks, two of ‘em on plane to Singapore.
I’m not myself lately. I lost those words that give me the motivation to be at a place where I am able to stand tall. I was completely transparent somehow. No, this is not another post to gain sympathy or try to sound as if I’m pathetic. Having said that, there are two Malaysian Kancil Award designer @ recipients who are currently been talking about me and very ‘irritated’ by me due to my personal note from my Facebook. Kadang-kala these jantan perangai cam Pariz Hilton kutuk lahanat mulut kalah perempuan. Anyway, it's okay, it's a privilege for people like them to use that reputation who definitely have the right to 'kutuksmall-small' underdog designer like me. It’s good to know there’s people like this, because it makes me want to boost my creative and become hardworking even more.
I learned too much only these three weeks. I read more book than I used to. I met people who are really serious about helping the industry grow and at the opposite side, I also meet people who want to save mother nature and let others know the negative impact of global warming. I felt with so much guilt because I had to throw away those cigarettes, but in the same time, I just need to smoke my lungs off.
Today (4th of August), I was even frustrated because I was not able to carry by readings in my Qiraati class with my Ustaz. I can see how frustrated he was with me for not be able to read fluently. Lepas solat Asar nak praktis balik.
I was out jogging for few minutes before Mahgrib. As usual with my jogging sneakers (yang sedap) and iPod to keep me going little bit bouncin' with Madlib 'in the air'. Just on my way back after ‘tawaf' (a round in the housing area and park, reaching up 7.30 PM), I came across something extra-ordinary. It was so beautiful yet astonishing.. (it's so National Geographic). I stand for few minutes, gasping and starring at the sky. At first I thought it was just flock of birds trying to get back to their nests but it was otherwise.
There was thousands of termite swarmer (kekatu) on the air, and with them, are countless flock of birds from sparrows, Swift (mostly from the passerine species), crows and surprisingly, bats! Now this is no Dark Night ya’all. This is real one yang ‘comel lotey’ (cute). I was so excited to see how these flying beings feed themselves somehow stand unite despite different species and groups. I guess every living things have balance and harmony.
Learning the big deal of Corporate Identity Guidelines.
I was 'terrified' with the whole thing. I was given an assignment to come up with CI for my previous company to work on New Media CI guidelines because when I got my hands of others example of CI, it seems like the one I’m working with doesn’t gel with anything. It doesn’t relate to anything, because the last two weeks, I’m seeing ignorance in each department, neglecting what is CI and brand guide, thus showing more of personal execution among them (there were to much inconsistency), which I found very disturbing. I don’t know how people can adapt branding and guidelines and ignore the importance of it. Brand guide is set to give a better apprentice, but I guess people are very anti-visual. I don't know why we are going so way back to RTM.
One of industrial professional come to me and told me: “Muid, do you know to do a Corporate Identity, most company charge at RM25,000?” I couldn’t figure out more. Now I have to look at my communication brief what is required (if I got one).
Now, I have three upcoming talks (from USM, to UiTM Perak and 'A Journey to Nanyang: Dance with the Flowers' exhibition in Penang), meantime preparing for upcoming Kuala Lumpur Design Week(KLDW) :) Join our group in facebook to keep yourself updated with KLDW.
Here's my collaboration with the talented Mr. Fariz Hanapiah (my part is on the illustration) for Astro's GAIA drama series (Season 2) directed by Nizam Zakaria.
(If you can see this, click here to view the video). The compression of Vimeo is way to great compared to youtube.com.
(I’m)Possible
There’s a possibility that I will be ‘closing’ this blog as I want my web audience to focus on my work. I will transfer most of my personal post in facebook notes (by invitation only!) as I’m working on my portfolio revamp to keep the consistency of my website flawless and RSS ‘feed-able’. So this blog will be on archive, and most industrial topic and related creative venture will be posted in Digital Malaya instead.
New Media Policy & Practice Mini Summit in Conjunction of International Symposium of Electronic Arts (ISEA2008)
I was invited last two weeks ago (23-27 July) to attend this wonderful event (with workshop). Besides that, I manage to present my work at Pecha Kucha @ TheaterWorks, Singapore. It has definitely open up my mind to another perspective about Malaysia’s industry especially in New Media Education. Thanks to Asia-Europe Foundation for the great hostility for providing me the accommodation, transportation, ‘makan-makan’ and continuous support not forgetting new friendship and alliance especially to meet people like Rob van Kranenburg, Katelijn (so adorable), Adam Somlai-Fisher (amazing Flash/ActionScript writer/Designer), Floor Van Spaendonck (Facebook buddies), Atteqa, Sally Jane Norman and others. I gain more knowledge sharing and information of today’s modern practice of New Media, and of course, to find out what exactly is the Helsinki Agenda. There's just too much things to learn, and I wish a lot of my fellow Malaysian designer can join me here :(
Sally's sister, me & Floor
Me & Adam
More interesting moment to add; I met (again), my buddy Roopesh even we had great discussion together with Prayas Abjinav for late night snack in my hotel room. Roopesh had also given me a tour for his 'Relocation' exhibition in Singapore Management University (SMU), features work of Hasnul J. Saidon (till now I never meet this lad). I will write about full details of what I’ve learn in Digital Malaya article soon, insya’Allah.
Singapore, a place for food and vacation, not for work:
My favorite coffee house in Singapore, TCC and this is the super-delicious Cream of Fennel with Smoke Salmon Soup. Yummy!
Lovin the J.Co donuts. How come they don't have it here in Malaysia?
Having said that, I miss the lovely chicken rice at Chee Meng at Jalan Bukit Bintang opposite Low Yatt!
Yogyakarta / Jogjakarta Media Arts Festival
Apparently I had been given a slot to present my new media work and study case in the ongoing Cellbuttons #2 at the Yogyakarta Media Arts Festival where I will be going around 18-20 August (Insya’Allah). I still couldn't figure out why some called Yogya and some called Jogja. I'm going to make a short vacation by visiting the beautiful temples because I was delighted by Kieran's photoworks during his trip few weeks ago with his buddies.
Atilia’s Ranjau Launch & Sunrise Jazz Festival
Me, Kieran, Atilia & Becky @ Bangkok Jazz
Thanks Fizar for giving this opportunity to promote Digital Malaya Project at the launch of Atilia’s MTV ‘Ranjau’. The event had been a great success with the great support of everyone and I’m very thankful to be a part of it. I also would like to congrats my friend, Noryn Aziz and his lovable dear manager, Abg Sam Kassim, for bringing glorious victory and made Malaysia proud. Let’s have another seafood dinner guys!
The Incredible Elvira & Hunny Madu.
my pal, Dennis Lau
I was there last week (2nd August) to support my friend Hunny Madu and Phunk Mob (too awesome!), but I was so amazed that the local talented singer call Elvira who had actually sang one of my most favorite number by Mary J. Blige, ‘The Love I Never Had’.
Ashraf
Abby & Prakash
Prakash, MC, MC's friend, Mika (Sona) & Abby
Eventually, everything went to what I expected, relaxed but balancing work and play. _
There's a two month frame for me. I'm leaving a remarkable job that earn me not an award that I can proud off, BUT acknowledgment of my capacity as a creative person who had contributed in many fields to enrich and 'empowered' people on how they see and experience new media especially in the Government sector/industry. I'm leaving a job that made me earn more than RM84, 000k per year. Some might say I'm insane, some are excited to see me back in the scene, but what's in it for me? I have been working non stop ever since I work on WCIT & IAP. In fact, there had been to much of paperworks for me, spent to much time reading and replying emails and spent hours of meetings. I'd longed for a break. That's all I can say. I left my creative work too long and I need to re-charge so I can continuously become creative and inspire to others.
I'm quite happy. It actually took me three (3) months before I made up my mind. I felt that now I need to fully utilize before I start back working as a freelancer and move on to a solid place that can offer me permanent position even how low it can be. I believe it won’t bother me as long as if fits the bill ;-). There are always times your ‘saham’ can fall or raise, of course I don’t want to choose a workplace that is far away from me, ever again! Since the hike of petrol is insane, besides spending up to RM1,200 per month on travel expense, I could not imagine seeing my life in ‘danger’ of driving back and forth from Selayang to Cyberjaya, not forgetting no company insurance covered and no travel allowance, no EPF, disapprove house bank loans and definitely no bonus :-).
Last Friday, dated 20th June was my official day that I discuss with my H.O.D for Branding & Communication and I will be leaving that nice sanctuary by end of July to pursue my creative journey once again. I bumped into my PM, Kamal from Saladin in the H.Q foyer and he said something really made me so 'f**ked-up'. He invited me for a farewell on my last day, can you believe that? I actually felt to that very moment like crying (damn!), but I told him no to do farewell to me. I just thought and always felt Saladin team was a family to me, except for that 'Mr. Yo! Bro, collabro' (buat dunno je bila berselisih). I'm gonna miss everyone so much especially my ex-collegue's from CMD and Saladin (Especially my greatest boss I had worked with, Hasnul Hadi) You can never ever find a boss who is so creative and give you Keroro figure set for your birthday :-). I'm actually going to miss the fish pond in MDeC because every month, I feed the fish with biscuts and bread I bought for them.
Now, I really have to put this in my blog because after my discussion with my buddy, Roul, he just said something deep and so fresh because I felt a bit down and vulnerable for a while after discovered someone leaving me a bad impression.
'qualifications doesn't justifies.. and not an authorization for you to undermine people's achievement..' and 'regretting your decisions is an act of denying your intelligence...'
Thanks Roul. Normally I gave you advices in your career and life, but today, you help me out. :)
That Enlighten Moment
Disclaimer: this post is not to show people that I'm a religious person, but this post is to tell you that wherever you are, whatever you do, God loves you. God never left you behind, it is you who left God behind. At times (and all the time), you need to pray and remember God, and for that you know the purpose of your life and what you would like to achieve.
Recently, my mind got so hair wired. Along with my huge friends and family, I felt the necessary to felt sorrow. I was mad, sad, angry, and unable to forgive myself for what I've done. I called my heart for few prayers and doa. It's been awhile I never touched my tasbih. It was always the huya-huya party, and I left my purity behind. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Kuasa. I felt that special night made me calmed. I always know that prayers made me neutralized again, back to my senses, and I felt more relaxed. Azam saya nak start balik baca Muqaddam (actually dah start mengaji) and al-Quran and insya'Allah I try my best to fulfill my azam during my breaks. I always have this thoughts but my will wasn't that strong. Now I break it and felt in a new level. I know by doing this, I benefit a lot of things that can make me become more 'stable' and humble.
I actually felt shukor (thankful) because I can still manage to balance my life well. There are few said that I'm just being 'kiasu' but that's not the case. I believe in my confidence and sometimes it is necessary you mention what are the good doings that you did (bukan sekadar nak tutup dosa or to cover up your sins) BUT to let others know what you do, so that in some way it will inspire others. There are others out there who like to assume things about you, even accuse for false information on you just to bring your self-esteem down. You do good things in your life, Insya'Allah, rezeki akan Tuhan berikan. Buat masa ni Alhamdulillah, sebab Muid tak pernah aniayai orang atau tutup periuk nasi orang. I know few who did talk bad things about me have a very miserable life. They can never find their peace. Either they are doing not very well in their life or in their career. Whatever the case, I felt sorry for them. God is great so I promise myself not to be like them :-) and keep on doing the right and good things in life.
p/s: Did I tell you guys my ustad is very garang. Got rotan summore.. if I salah pronounce my word, dia ketuk meja. Sure kena rotan if I'm a kid :P. which also reminds me to finish of reading 'I Am Muslim' by our dear Dina Zaman.
Hey Moe, long time no click!
Here are my latest HDR's processing. Those photo walk with me fellow photographers really kicking back my Adobe™ Photoshop skills once again. Kudos to Shaf, Abby, Ripi, Prakash, Vic, Nagen, Syiqin, Rafiq, Suzie and Nell for being my photo buddies.
Neu designs werks?
Managed to produce few artwork last month and this month. It feels good to do artwork. I'm currently studying the history of Hang Li Po and studying another sea life 'Nautilus'.
Urbanscapes 2008
As Digital Malaya Project reborn in a new website (finally!), we manage to kick off with a new exhibition with KLue, for Urbanscapes 2008. The show was a huge success attended by 6,000 Malaysians and tourists.
Photos by Mizie @ Flickr.
Me, best friend back in UiTM, Nadiah, and sister Abby. Photos by Eka.
I also had a nice chat with my old friends, including the one I keep in touch regularly, Nadiah! (Nad, considered regular la kan? :P). Eka & Nad, thanks to both of you guys for coming that day :). Yes, I owe you delicious pasta... Picolomondo?
My dearest Atilia (Malaysia Jazz Princes), Prakash (Orange), me & Damien (Urbanscapes Artist). Photos by Halimi Saidi.
We would like to thank the Urbanscapes team, everyone who came to our gallery including Atilia. Although she just finish her performance that night, she still came and drop by our place. Thanks Tia, te quiero mucho! and of course, our official printer partner, EcazStudios for printing our photos for the exhibition. Tai & Halimi, you guys rawk!
Will There Ever Be A Better Place?
As a citizen of Malaysia, here's what I think of what is going on today, the reality of Malaysia. When some politicians want to hold on to power, they do actions that affect us all. Few days ago, I read a headline in the newspapers that says; 'PM ensures safety for Rakyat'. I beg to differ.
A lot of things is going on, I mean a lot. Serious crime is rising up. More illegal works come to Malaysia, some threatened and snatch those who took public transportation, in this case both me and my sister had confronted these sick bastard.
I came across road bullies who desperately seek for fights among other race. Women drivers are getting more furious and rude on the road. Toleration has gone almost 0%. I get 'racial look' each week from different car drivers and in public places. It's that obvious. When I was involved in Malaysian Artistes for Unity, what I'm currently experiencing is the other way around. I try to create unity and love among with others. Some said don't give them faces, but that's never a good solution. Most of the time I tolerate to people around me. Even when people are lining up, I give them way. Is that nobility or stupidity? :)
A friend of mine just got snatched on an escalator IN Pavillion mall, Kuala Lumpur. She lost her money and her parking ticket. It's even sad that the security and management didn't want to take responsible furthermore ask my friend to pay for the ticket for replacement due to f*cking policy.
Another friend of mine from Penang told me a lady was filling her petrol in a petrol station and during filling up the tank, when someone (thief) got in her car and hide inside. It was the petrol attendant who saw it and asks the lady to get in the counter so she will be safe. Tips: Always lock your car at the petrol station.
If you remember few weeks back, the rude 'mat rempit' (motorcyclist) attacked four ladies in a petrol station in Bangsar and some of them got injured.
People are kidnapping children to sell kids outside the country. Drug addicts sell their new born baby for few Ringgits to get new crack. Life is that cheap.
More rape cases increase each day.
Some teachers (especially in Bukit Idaman High School) is insulting and discriminating their students. I met rude prejudice teachers and they are injecting politics to their students education because they have no other scapegoats or other place to satisfy their anger towards their career and their life. Even among teachers, a lot a playing dirty just to gain more power and positions. Well, from my experience, not only teachers, but lecturers are spoiling their students, and of course, the men vs. women students where student with a the big 'V' gets more A+ from lecturers than the hardworking boys like us.
Sanctuary is no longer a sanctuary. Surau and mosque become a 'hot' place for larcenist to steal audio system (mic, speakers, cables, etc). This is a place where we thought AMIN was said out loud when we perform our prayers but soon after solat, no body cares to shake hands and greet Salam to each other. It's very frustrating.
Rakyat fear by the police? Yes, SOME of them are the certified mobs. I know there are some who are nice but most of them are pure samseng. I remember that I saw group of traffic police man sit in a mamak warung with a very hostile attitude, ask for this and that from the servant. What a poor guy. Surprisingly that man in uniform didn't even pay for what they eat and drink. They just took off. By far, I met 3 cops who's asking for bribe. My mom who also works with Bukit Aman (Police) told me to be extra careful with them. If someone from police department advise you to be extra careful with police man, which means we are seeing more corruption among them.
Last but not least, 'get rid of the consultants! they are wasting our company's money'. As I witness and heard over a meeting last friday, 4th of July in a company here in Cyberjaya. This is how people 'kill' of people who want to make a life for their living. Such a cruel villain mindset of today's Malays. Congratulations! wow.. I'm actually impressed with so called 'modern' and open-minded people. :-)
I encourage and advice people to be smart, level-headed, don't be mad all the time, try to be patience, be nice to people, appreciate things around you, do some charity, do some donation (jangan kemut duit, if you can pay for a RM300 dress, why can't put more than a dollar in a tabung surau :).
Outro: Back At One
Tonight (8th of July), I was fooling around in front of the mirror and in my room, slowly twisting my lap and waist with Suzanne Vega's Caramel. That song really get me all mysteriously groove. Such a beautiful greatly written song (love how they use it for CLOSER trailer). It's about how you longed for that person, but you can't get that person, so you have to let it go. Let... it.. go... yeah, i know so.
"Caramel"
It won't do to dream of caramel, to think of cinnamon and long for you.
It won't do to stir a deep desire, to fan a hidden fire that can never burn true.
I know your name, I know your skin, I know the way these things begin;
But I don't know how I would live with myself, what I'd forgive of myself if you don't go.
So goodbye, sweet appetite, no single bite could satisfy...
I know your name, I know your skin, I know the way these things begin;
But I don't know what I would give of myself, how I would live with myself if you don't go.
It won't do to dream of caramel, to think of cinnamon and long for you.
I was moved and touched by the phenomenal performance proudly by Malaysians. Most important, it's about the legendary multi talented the late, Tan Sri P. Ramlee!
Board Members of Creative Commons Malaysia(Wan Peng, Muid, Hasnul Hadi) with Hasnul's dearly wife, Kak Riza.
I have to take a bow to amazing actress that I admire and known in person, they are my dear friend Atilia, Liza Hanim and Melissa Saila. Gosh, they are in control of the stage, and I hope Kak Tiara will have it more in the coming future. From my point of view, These beautiful ladies sing their hearts out and unbelievably impressive with their character.
Worth of sms voting during those Audition days. Chedd with my sister Abby. I'm thrilled to meet Pat. He's supercool!
Chedd had great choreography moves and did a great role while Pat Ibrahim really did an amazing, wonderful job on choreography. It's really hard work, and it's a success! Kudos to all!
The interactive visual accompanied at the end made me in tears to have such amazing person on earth, the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee. That show had really put a moved on my heart. A remarkable show I will never forget.
al-Fatiha to our beloved.
The Saturday Workout
I had spent my day on Saturday 14th by cleaning up my room, mopping the floor and went out with Abby to get a card for our father's day. I manage to buy dinner for the whole family. But before that night. I went jogging with my pet brother at this park after Batu Caves heading to Kepong called Kepong Metropolitan Park. What so special about this park, is the only place you can see families with their kids playing kites on the sky.
It was a big spin for me to go for a jog with Kamal and I tell you, it's really good because your muscle starts to ache. He asked sarcastically 'so you really wanna go for 3 more rounds'?. It was a great excercise. On my last jog on the track we started, I stop and look up in the sky. There it was, as the kites freezed in the air. I was just silent breeze passing through me, and it made me feel so light and felt such purify. I'm doing this jogging session again, and probably bring my SLR with me. It's a great place to do photography.
The Call of Nature
The 10th till 11th of May marked a special date for me and my friends to an amazing, breast-taking (I mean breath-taking) journey of the wonderful Berkelah Waterfall on the way to Kuantan, Pahang. It's been awhile since my scout days in Ipoh, Perak. I always love camping. I remember my last camping was with my schoolmate from SM Kepong when we went to this hutan nearby Rawang. It was so freaky that there is one night the Ustad who followed us asked us to walk to our camp faster because we we're followed by an object flying from top of trees.
So back to Berkelah, I had the best time in my life with my friend, Mr. K:Rew, Rajan, Syed, Two Army Officer and one Police officer. It was so awesome and I actually felt small disappointed with myself that I didn't bring my SLR camera along. We had our 2 days and one night camping. Believe me, this is one experience you never forget! The cool, fresh waterfall was so tranquil and so purifying. I thought we had at least swim 5 times a day. We had great food with us, and such great company. The only thing that was missing is our Internet and laptops! haha.. it's the only time I don't have to think about emails, Facebook or reading news. I do get calls from clients and friend, and I told them I'm in a jungle! Even my sister and her friends didn't know where exactly I was.
Something that trip happen which inspired me is the teamwork. There was so much teamwork with this group. For the first time, I never get mad at things. There was no temper or whatsoever. The environment really helps me to find my peace. It was a great deal for me, and it's all thanks to Rajan and K:Rew for making this happen.
That Mentality: The After Trip
Me and Rajan had an unusual 'incident' on our way back to KL. We eventually had our break in the warung that we parked our cars. Now, there is this one shop with less customer that actually sells quite tasteful food and the other shop, with countless of clients. There rest went there while me and Rajan went to the other one instead. First of all, the customer service was unbelievably terrible. It explains that (no wonder!) people come visit the restaurant. The attitude of the daughter of the shop owner was terribly rude that can actually set someone's thermometer. There was no ‘Selamat datang’ (welcome), all she said with a high tone was 'Nasi?!', 'Nak Air Apa?'.
I still remember when I asked, how come you don't sell cigarettes in here, she told us there was no capital and the cost is too much to bear. That also happens to mobile top-ups. I can't believe such mentality exist, and it's no wonder how these particular typical Malays people never get their business to success because they never dare to take risks, not event to take challenge in order to move forward.
Let's take 'Mamak' restaurant in KL for example. They're probably the best food brand in Malaysia because they learn what the customer think, what the customer wants. You can now experience entertainment such as watching football (yes Manchester here) on a flat panel LCD TV, projections, there's even info-kiosk to slot in advertisements and even the place is supported by WI-FI (Internet access). Their strategy is amazing that should be example by others. But still, it's too much of a hassle to these typical people right? Sigh...
What Malaysians don't really bother and always pin-point at people
All blogs are talking about petrol price. What that does not change is the mentality of Malaysians. We kept on whining about how expensive the price of petrol is when we don't actually study back how awful we spent our money on OTHER things.
Here are some of the things that we need to look at: (problems that will never solve)
Alcohol. They don't mind paying a jug of beer that cost RM60. They wasted at least RM300 per night. They waste their time not only money, but energy and then throw-up. Right? :-)
Go figure to yammseeeenggg! mabuk drive kereta like samseng, Press minyak rugi duit langgar bentenggg.... kereta jahanam kena saman baru nak melentennngg..
Mobile phones. I don't understand these people especially parents who bought handphones for their kids. They could afford to buy expensive hand phone even I myself find it very expensive. They spent until thousands of Ringgit just to show off to people about it. Maybe some bought because of functionality, but most of them I met are just about fashion rather functionality.
Mobile top-ups & bills. People can actually spent RM100 just per week! they like to talk long hours and I believe it's not good to 'gayut' for hours. Another one would be the SMS subscription of Astro Horoscope lah, Teman Setia lah, 'Saya Sunyi Kesepian' and whatsoever.
Cigarettes. This is a case where people, especially Malaysian will continue to buy no matter how much the price has hike. A box is cigi is RM8.20. Come on, you are talking about smoking a box a day. Let's do the math, RM8.20 x 5 days = RM41 x 4 weeks is = RM164.
Food. Now Malaysians like to spent money so much on food. It's all about class. Nak makan kat mamak atau warung / restaurant biasa bagi alasan takde standard, takde class. Once in blue moon if you wanna enjoy good food ok, but don't do it everyday! It's a waste to spent RM50 just on food per day. How is that going to help you to save up your money.
Brand is important. I drop by a grocery to get my shower foam. It cost me RM20 bucks for a 1 liter of Shower foam (Dettol). But I choose the soap bar (that comes in 3) that costs RM4. It saves A LOT! Vitagen costs RM1.10 per bottle and we have Berry Crazy yogurt drink for RM0.90 only. And it taste even better.
Parking. Very stingy not to pay RM1-6 ringgit for a parking, but not stingy to get summon tickets from DBKL and Police Traffic with bills up to RM300.
Start comparing bumiputra or non-bumiputra price for housing loans. Even how high or low the rates of a house or an apartment / condo you can get, you STILL will spend money on unnecessary renovation, buy expensive furniture, spent up to RM10,000 for a rock and fish garden, kitchen and others. FYI, one Koi fish is RM500 and above.When they about to sell the house, buyers don't care how much you had spent on renovation, they will still bargain to get less price. It's human nature.
Unless some Malaysian earn very low income. They would suffer from this. I would felt sorry for them. The past two months, I had been recklessly spent too much money on unnecessary things. I myself admit that I had been wasting my money a lot on entertainment. That's why I had take major, major change to keep myself aware of what's going on. I am trying hard to minimize my entertainment :-)
We should be able to spend our money wisely. I know I have to. We should be able to cut on our entertainment, not all but try to keep it less for better, stop wasting time subscribing to unnecessary plans and buying expensive materials or getting installment scheme.
Still Photography
Me, Abby, Syiqin, Ripi & Nagen.
Yes, never missed it on weekly basis. What we did few weeks back after such trouble work in the office, we went for photo walk in Salak South with Syiqin, Ripi, Nagen and Abby.
Salak South Photo walk with friends. This is Nagen.
Old photos, recently edited. My photo walk with my Saladin artist at the bird park.
Manage to take photos in this year Citrawarna Malaysia 2008. Noryn & Sam, good luck in L.A.!
What's New With Creative?
I will be joining together with my team, Digital Malaya Project for an interactive art exhibition for Urbanscapes, located in KLPac, this upcoming 27th of June. Please come! pre-ticket sell at RM25 while RM35 on that day itself. Check out th website fore more info. DMP has an all-new team joining us is Fariz Hanapiah from MotioFixo, Fozy, Nadirah, Ee Venn and Prakash Daniel and official step down from the group is Shieko. We welcome back Perez.
Other than that, I will be working on two local artist's album. You guys would probably figure it out who ;-).
Extract from my novel:
Waktu itu, aku masih berada didalam bebola perut ibundaku. Kedengaran rentak-rentak aneh memberikan suatu tanda tanya. Ibuku berkata didalam hati bahawa aku kini didalam kereta menuju ke Ipoh sambil mendengar lagu Blondie 'Heart of Glass'. Aku mula bertanya, adakah manusia mempunyai hati kaca? adakah begitu mudah memancar sinar, turut pecah berderai sekiranya terusik?
Freedom of expression through blog portrays the life of creative artist/illustrator/photographer/designer, Muid Latif, inspiring others through artworks, photos, entries, poetry and others, copyright of Muid Latif unless stated by other owners.
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