As I Look Into Your Eyes: The Sweetest Day

Interlude: There Is Love

Rumi draw our hearts with

"Love is from the infinite, and will remain until eternity.
The seeker of love escapes the chains of birth and death.
Tomorrow, when resurrection comes,
The heart that is not in love will fail the test."

The first post (considered!) will talk about affection. Kasih sayang, as I mention in my twitter give an ultimate connection from heart to soul. It deepens with tender and beyond emotions. It's a bond.


How I felt:

When the sweet glance of my true love caught my eyes, Like alchemy, it transformed my copper-like soul. I searched for Him with a thousand hands, He stretched out His arms and clutched my feet
- Rumi

People: Wonderful Friends

I gave love to people, and like others who knows me personally, I share love to people equally thus I created many bonds with people. I believe in spiritual love, a love that was not force to be apply in form of substance and discriminative. It's about giving and sharing love despite gender and age. When you are able to give love, others will love you more. It creates a better communication and alliance. It's not just about being friendly anymore, it's about self-aware and constant appreciation for the people and environment that had been contributed for a better motivation in one person, in this story, for me.

Life, as it is, has been great. It's blessed to be imperfect. Being a perfectionist makes you anal, ignorant, arrogant and self-centered because I was once that very person, it made me become sophisticated which does not welcome warm in person that surrounded me but more of getting hypocrisy from them. But the more imperfect you become, the more humble and 'rendah hati' you will be, and it helps you a lot to shape yourself better.

Sometimes, it's good to make fool out of yourself, become a clown, loose control, let temper loose you and get respond from people. When they give you advices, bark at you, you then able to spot your weakness, and you will become conscious more than you could possibly imagine.

31 Years of Life

Recently I celebrated my birthday. A week before I was down, God what a show I had pulled. It seems everyone start to talk about it, how I break loose. But God is Al Mighty, The Wise. When we ask for signs in our prayers, it will eventually show. It's the great power from the Above. Alhamdulillah.

31 is just a number, but what matters is how I decide to change my pattern of behavior, my ethics and to give more contribution in anyway. I hope this year I can explore more positive side of me, do more good deeds, help people a lot, experience more mount climbing and nature walks, spend more time with family rather to anti-social. Time is precious and I like to use it as much as I can.



I would like to thank everyone who showed up at my very-unexpected-birthday-dinner. I already told them that I don't want them to pull any surprises. I guess their love and friendship overtake my solitary-attitude of spending all by myself. LOL

Who turned up for the birthday dinner: Abby, Syiqin, Melissa, Radzi Aziz, YD Leong, Prakash, Eliza, Adi, Farah and Iskandar Ibrahim.

And my big thanks to those who make their time to send wishes via sms, calls, facebook & twitter:

(According to time/post) Aniqah (Kak Yong, my eldest sister), Family members: Afiqah, who SMS me, sweet!), Amin, who practically waited til 12am to send sms greetings, very sweet of you!, Dilip, my new BFF (LOL), Toñi Yáñez (thanks for your constant love), Sandra Pijlman (thanks!), Azri (Ku_E), Fynaz & Gjie, Simon So, Suzanne Loh, Cicilia (Jogja), Dina Zaman (bless u, thanks!), Magnus Bob (thanks Magnus x0x0x), Vic Fuad, Arafath Ibrahim, Anwar (Congrats on your promotion bro. God bless u for a better life!), Vivian Toh!, Kharis (TSB), Amirul (Astro), Faheem! (besame mucho amigo!), Asha Harker, Judge, Rafai Rahman, Suzie B (thanks Sis), Navin (Suzie's friend), Angelia Ong, Ahmad Suhaimi, Mizie, Sofiyah (Malayrish), Nik Azwaa, Nurul Nadia LSD (love u too babe), Andy Widodo, Maria Chantelle Tucker (Orcagirl, thank you so very much. God bless), Saiful Nizam (Perintis), CLICK! Magazine Hornyih & Mr Ho, Nagendran (Nagen!), Fz Kamaruddin, Haryany Mohamad (Noni), Lyanna Johan, Sarini 'Mystique Maya' (thanks sweety, God bless u too)! & 2H (Hasnul Hadi & Hasnul Nadzrin), Ray Shanker (thanks for Lion King's videoclip), Ahmad Tarmizi (thanks for your wonderful sms), Afai, Pate Othman, Haslina Ghazali, Faiz Akhbar, Zetty J. Zetty, Viking Karwur, Iesta Johnny Tiptra (thanks man!), Mel, Elly Kamal (hugs back), Arez Ezman (tak jumpa fruit slushee!), Si Juan, Donna Dee, Salmi Omar, Faiz Firman, Jay Gasper, Fazed (Fine Arts, UiTM), Andrew C.H Hsien, June Moh, Sharifah Razlin Jamalullail, Raja Norashikin (Oya), Halimi Saidi (thanks to both of u dear darlings!), Sam Kassim (thanks Chumoks!), Ashvina Marie, Jason Lamar Wright, Belanda (Azizul Achasial), Azalia Suhaimi, Melor Hidayah, Khairil Mokhzani, Julien Grandclement (ODBO), Ralph Abdullah, Faizal Heesyam (Pai), Amir Luqman (bless ur heart, thanks dear!), Amir Muhammad, Kiru Arul (from MalaysianToday), Ahmad Yusri (Photographer), Khairina Kamaruddin, Dayana Zaman, Christelle Decle, Chunwoei (Urbancr3atures), Mo Hafiz, Michelle Lee, Fatin Nadia (thank you so much!), Matthias Gelber (thanks for dropping by Matt, if free, i can join ur group for another green day), Ashwin Ash, Kamal Kemlima (thanks sweety!), Hazlynda Kushairi, Ellie Tetriati, Laz Shamsudin (thanks man), Marcus Mclernon (gr8 to hear from u), Rizwan Nordin (Seth Cohen), Sandeep Joseph (Thanks Sandeep, dhanyavad!)

Special Thanks to:

Iskandar Ibrahim (who moved me with his twitter: 'The story unfolds after 7 yrs. It is an honor to know you and especially being my friend @moedlatif Happy birthday brother. God bless.'), thank you so much. You've been a great listener and a good friend ^_^

To Ida Nerina, God bless you and I will never forget how great you had inspire me. I wish u a great speedy recovery. x0x0x

Joshua Davis. Thanks for your wonderful visit and wishes, coming from you means a lot. God bless u and ur loving family.

Bibi K Poh. Your love and tremendous support had been a great pillar of friendship. Thank you for sharing your beautiful inner thoughts that constantly inspire me



Work: Digital Malaya & Digital Nusantara



I manage to team up with wonderful people, from my sister to close friends. That's how Digital Nusantara was born. It wasn't a company that I wanted to form. It was relationship that I learn to understand even more, responsibilities and objective to achieve. I always nag about not having much resources, and as growing older, you intend to forget things, and sometimes you miss tracking of time and things around you, so that's why I have the best Personal Assistant. You know who you are and hopefully you may help me better and become a greater friend.

I had put others aside, like Digital Malaya Project (DMP). It has been so passive but frankly, it's forever in my that I cannot just simply give up on. There's always incoming opportunities and offers, and it's been such a bless that people believe in us, and keep supporting us. As I sit back, I just realize this thesis I had created had become a portal, then turn e-zine then turn into a collective. 2010 marks our 10th Anniversary. It's been so long. I'm overwhelmed by the contributors. I wish I was rich so I can pay them in form of cash, but they, my members had been so compromising and understanding.

So to Abby Latif, Mohammad Yazid, Prakash Daniel, Fariz Hanapiah, Soh Ee Venn, Sue Anna Joe, Nadirah Zakaria, Haslina Ghazali, Thank you! And to Arafath Ibrahim, Adi Arfan and Faiz Akhbar, welcome to the family. We hope with this platform, we are able to give you more opportunities, more exposure and wings to fly to a better platform to spearhead your personal brand.

I discovered a lot of talented new emerging designers and artists, so do follow digitalmalaya's twitter at http://www.twitter.com/digitalmalaya


Thank you for reading my long-ass post, well it's been 2-3 times a year, duh!

Salam and peace be upon you.

_
Still dancing the night away. only more structured and with grace.

Another Day in Jazzland

Interlude

To be able to find my time to write this blog would be refreshing, as I manage to finish of a lot of works on my plate. I got so many things to write about, but for now, I want to share my experience for the last one month. Hope all of you enjoy and inspire.

The Office @ Sinktuary

World Congress of IT (WCIT 2008)



A clean cut design work that will be featured in Jalan Pinang billboard, and finally to work on a widget for event countdown. Yeay indeed!

Penang e-Creative Open Challenge

An inspiring event I should say. I was invited as chief judge to evaluate the entries by local talents and I'm very inspired and flattered during and after the judging process, not to forget to meet new friends. As usual, judging is not easy and it takes a lot of consideration and evaluation to identify interesting subject message from the contestants.

I had hard time, because all of them are good, and to my surprise, they are all young, and we are talking about 14-15 year old school kids who enjoy watching Animax and read manga comics. The work produced is very well produced, and they use WACOM to do this. No joke for that!


Above artwork is made by the grand prize winner. Congrats to Reona Dawn! Her presentation is up to international standard, and she plans to study on Game Design & Programming. All the best girl!

Personal Updates

Adobe Design Achievement Awards 2008



Never in my life would be so lucky to be approached by Adobe Design Achievement Awards committee to be a part of their wonderful campaign. This year, Digital Malaya Project (DMP) had been invited to become Adobe ADAA Media Supporter, and I would like to give my thousand appreciation to Ms Carole Guevin, who is one of the outreach committee member and also the founder of the super-famous Netdiver. Morever, receiving a precious gift from them, the Adobe Design CS3 Premium software will make me more productive after getting this macbook pro baby. I'm planning to buy Office of Mac, Adobe Lightroom & Aperture 2 soon. Of course, we, DMP on our end need to promote this prestigious event to our local schools and colleges. I managed to get sponsors like EcazStudios and others (Jay & Vivian) to help me promote, so I thank those who supported Adobe and DMP.

Talk about DMP, I'm just trying to buy time to revamp back the site. It's been ages that I have not contribute any content accept major promo and updates. After reading 'Destroy The Web 2.0 Look' from Sireh & Cengkeh Terpilih, it made me pretty clear about myself as a designer, NOT to bow down on Web 2.0 look, entirely. We call ourself a designer but we are not if you kept on using design templates provided by wordpress and ready made templates, which includes following other people trends, but not yours? It's definitely a waste, and also a conflict of identity that you had been trying for, and as for me, I ain't going to give it up just because of the trends and so called 'the in-thing' that I myself need to follow, when back in 2001-2002, we already have explore the usage of JavaScript, Applets and DHTML. With the Web 2.0 look, or those ready-made template by other designer will will only weaken us as a designer. You can do everything according to the trend, but don't let all of your work be at one style. These days, Flash website gets more control because of FLEX and it's seamless interactivity. Thanks to Syed for bringing this great feature in his website. To us who have the pride of calling ourselves designers, do your design according to your own style and identity, but technically improve on back-end, whether integrating with a good CMS or a funkilicios ActionScript for your works.

Weekend Breakaway

Last weekend (29-30 March) had been another blast as I spent my time with my fellow Saladin artists such as Sandra, Remy, Hanie & Immo to go out for a sketch-session at the National Birdpark in Kuala Lumpur. I got so caught up with 'Toco Toucan' and Malabar Pied Hornbill species. Managed to get some sketches done, though I have to rush for Yahoo! Malaysia Flickr 2nd Anniversary Party at Pelita Hati Gallery, with another special freestyle dance performance by me :P

Photography: Going on Travel Photography, most likely.



Meantime, my photo work of Niah Great Caves has been shortlisted in the National Geographic 'Daily Dozen' for April 1, 2008. A big thanks to k.a.b.i.r, my KLickr pal who had informed me.

Digital Malaya @ PeKOMIK Mini Convention



I was invited by Azhar, chief of Malaysian Comic Association (PEKOMIK) to give a talk at the PeKOMIK Mini Convention last weekend, 6th of April. I was so honoured to be presenting my work with the attendance of fellow artists including the legendary Ujang. His talk was awesome, inspiring and hilarious.

RECAP: Get Mooovable Moving Art Exhibition

This show went with a great success, follow by strong support by my friends, mostly from Flickr Malaysia. Our exhibition was also featured in two magazine, one is Space, volume 1: 2008 and March's KLuE with name mentioned and artwork displayed. It was also one of my very rare event, because I had performed two dance session. I pay my greateast respect to two special individual, Jay Lim & Vivian Toh for putting up such a successful event and to be able to handle and coordinate very smooth. You guys are in my heart.


Muid & Friends


Muid's performance.

Artwork Updates: 3 fresh from the Oven

I managed to do some illustration on my flight to Penang, so this illustration was created 27 feet tall. Cherry Bomb! (Joan Jet)


'If Dreams Are Miracle', by Muid Latif


'Exploration: In Her Mind', By Muid Latif

I'm also digging up my old illustration and managed to rework on some including my current work-in-progress for the Hijau exhibition this June.


'The Punishment', by Muid Latif


W.I.P, 'Hizhou', for HIJAU Exhibition, this June 2008.

The Trip: Java Jazz

Back in 1994, when TV3 introduce us to Benson & Hedges: 'Golden Dreams', I used to remember that I wrote a letter to them about my golden dream to meet someone that I adore, someone that I constantly listen to back when I was wearing that green pale pants and white school uniform, imagining that someday I would meet Kenneth Edmonds, probably known as Babyface. His music had pretty much influence my life, my creativity and my interest for r&b and soul music. So when my sister bugs me about Jakarta's Java Jazz Festival, I had a flat chance to go there because of my workload, but thanks to my dear boss, I was able to go there! To know Incognito, D'Sound and Park Drive will be performing in that prestigious event, I felt there's no reason I should not waste my weekend by not going there. So later we tag along with our friends like Oya, Halimi Saidi, Atilia, our dearest local singer, and her konco-konco, Fizar Harun, Jerry, Fid Fathir (he's a cool dude!), David, Eric Li, Donna, Teejay, Comel, Roslan Wikinson (hope I spell the name right), and our dearest soul-lady, Salamiah Hassan and the rest.





A week before, my sister asked me if I would like to buy the special ticket to watch Bobby Cadwell and Babyface, but I rather spear my money for shopping, because I'm up for that. Going to Jakarta is like heading back to your second home, because I got lot's of memories and friends there. I know it's such a waste not to see Babyface performs, but on Sunday the 9th itself, set the most historical date of my life. This is how the story goes;


In front of Aquarius Record Store.

After shopping tons of CD at Aquarius in Pondok Indah, I kept on whining to Abby to go to EX Mall nearby Sarinah Mall (I think so!) because I want to get that delicious Japanese food that I ate early last year when I attended the Massive Offline conference. But instead, Abby told me to head back to Jakarta Convention Centre so we can arrive early to the show.

So we went there. We took the tunnel from The Sultan Hotel. There's a moment when we about to pass the lobby and I said to myself, 'If only I can see babyface..', and a few second, I saw a tall American-African came out of the lift alone. I immediately shout lightly to Abby and I said, 'Sh!t, that's Kenneth, Babyface!'. I lost all my sense and run towards him and greeted him 'Kenneth'. To my surprise, there's not even one assistant was near him. I ask him if we could take a photo of us together with him and I know that time, he was rushing for his show. He said 'yeah, sure'. It's just out of the world to know that suddenly I have a chance to meet him. I shake my hands and I told him thanks and said it's an honour to meet him. Right after we took the photos with him, three of his assistant start to chase him and ask him to leave for the show. I thank to Abby, and God for making that moment a day to remember.


So, this is for the cool in me, and Babyface!

The 3 days event is a blast, with a lot of fun and laughter. Finally I managed to get my hands of the famous Krispy Kreme, the most delicious donut. I also bump into my friends, and they are Azlan Abu Hassan @ Soulguy, and Omar K! Me and Azlan goes way back and we have been chatting since 2002 but never meet him in person, but Java Jazz made a great meeting point for us. Thanks Azlan, for recognizing me and to hang out with us. It was also a pleasure to meet Omar K, one of Malaysia latest new fresh producers who made great composition.





Parkdrive, as smooth as jamiroquai+incognito.

It was a pleasure to be able to stand in front of them and enjoyed their performance and meet them in person. Thanks to our brother lead guitar of Atilia's genious band, David, who's also a natural-born photographer, for hooking us up with the Park Drive's musician, Rayendra (Ray).





Transform: Masterforce!



More collection, more orders including the cool G1 Encore Omega Supreme. I managed to get Skylynx (but ain't really likin' it) and managed to get two precious Masterforce series, the Powermaster Lightfoot and Powermaster Dreadwing.

Outro: Kembara Hati

Being grateful and thankful to God, for giving such high spirit and awakening. Friends comes and goes, but to some friends, you made such a wonderful journey for me. Thanks again for your kind support, and thanks for accepting me for who I am, and for the worst of me.

I recently had a great smoking-break with a colleague of mine and we had discuss about relationship. I conclude his input that inspired me.

I will no longer push everyone to be in my shoe because they can't be as I am. I have to learn to accept that very small part of a person character, regards to the limitation they have. I understand some people can be comfortable within their box, within their own comfort zone and I will not push them to go as what I am. Some people are afraid to share their past experiences because they afraid of loosing, and I may no longer doubt or question them. Let them know me, and I let myself learn just little, as long as they are happy.

I revisited my mistakes and my failure once again, and in time and space, I will find my way again.

Up Against The Wind - Lori Perry

Day after Day seems like I push against the clouds
They just keep blocking out the sun
It seems since I was born
I've wakened every blessed morning
Down on my luck and up against the wind
Don't you stop, don't you run, don't you cry
You'll do fine, you'll be good, you'll get by

Night after night seems like I rage against the moon
But it don't ever light the dark I curse the falling rain
But it won't stop for my complaining
Down on my luck and up against the wind

Don't you stop, don't you run, don't you cry
You'll do fine, you'll be good, you'll get by

Swimming against the tide and striking the indifferent air
I'm swinging with empty hands
Driving that empty dream

Day after Day I fend myself against heat
But it don't ever cool the breeze
Don't you stop, don't you run, don't you cry
You'll do fine, you'll be good, you'll get by

_
It's time to blow that candle, and sit in a silent darkness, but not as a lone moth, but a free hummingbird, ready to sing beautifully.

Creative Exploration, Transformers and Life Updates

Neu Work Updates



It’s been a very incredible month for me. I would like to wrap-up my January with amazing stuff in my latest entry. I would like to thank everyone who had been so helpful and supportive. My prop goes to friends of Flickr group ‘KLickrs’, Facebook and in real life who I couldn’t done it without your best advices and warm greetings.

Featured Interview this year!

I had the opportunity to be featured in two great art & design portal which is NOISE from Australia and After5Motion, a design portal run by my friend Vivian. Check out interview one; NOISE Artist Interview and interview two; After5Motion I was also invited to several upcoming exhibitions.



I will be participating in ‘GET MOOOVING MOVABLE ART 2008’, 2nd March, 2008 at Palate Palette, Kuala Lumpur. I was also request from Mr. Jay Lim to do a dance performance for that night, so those who’s curious to know how I move my freestyle dance, can come to our event!

A.R.T 2008, Shah Alam
My first serious involvement with the Sifoo Design Community together with ‘Layar Tanchap’ and ‘Click-A-Child’ (charity). I will announce the update for this event soon, meantime I’m coordinating few stuff in terms of design with the team headed by Imran Ijabar. I hope I am able to commit this task. I really want to help them as much as possible.

Photography & Creative Collaboration



Besides my great photo shooting activities with my Flickr KLickr group, I managed to create two (2) artwork during Thaipusam. Both of my digital work is a collaboration between notable photographers like Johan Sopie (which I had published earlier in my blog), K:REW, Syahrin Aziz. I would like to complete this into 7 images and later I will start with collective collaboration with fellow local and international designers. This is the year I need to start back my creative works after last year lest effort in contributing towards the scene.



I was invited by a very, very good friend of mine, K:REW at his studio to work on his new year team. He mentioned; “Oh what a treat it is to be working with Muid. Not only is he mad, he's brilliantly mad. I'm such a fan of his work and what he stands for. We need more people like him. Period”. Truly honored and appreciate for such valuable testimonial from him. Feel free to check out his great shot of me in his set, HeadSpace. So much to thanks K, I’m speechless!



By the way, I just submitted a photo entry to JPG magazine and would like to kindly ask you guys to vote for my photos to be published for the upcoming issue. Your vote counts!

Vote here: http://www.jpgmag.com/photos/437852

Life Updates

I would like to feature my latest entry of my fresh new poetry of 2008 for the upcoming Moetry: Volume One (Illustrated PDF book).

Berarak Bersama
Copyright © 2008 Muid Latif.

Disetiap sudut masa dan ruang kau mendamaikanku,
Gemilang jiwaku dibawa persona dirimu,
Membangkitkan semangat daya dan juang,
Untuk terus aku maju langkah ke alam semesta.

Kaulah aturan sumberku,
Yang memberi seribu kekuatan merentasi aral,
Agar kau dan aku terus berarak mekar,
Selagi masa berada di ruangan bima sakti.


Rescue Me
Copyright © 2008 Muid Latif.

From this crowded surroundings I seek you,
I saw you stood still but could not reach you.
I came to know my devastating truth so I broke down.

Went out of my mind that I could no longer breathe,
The hope that I found before was fading away,
Then people became fear of me and shred my door.

I became a cold sculpture surrounded by deep water,
an art piece nice to set eyes on but fear to touch,
my heart was wrecked without soul.

All of a sudden someone tosses me a penny,
With a wish I reminisce beautiful years I once had,
I felt affectionate but only for a moment.

Will someone rescue me from such devastation?
Will a fairy grand me my wish to be able to live again?
Will I ever be free again?


Am I A Substance?
Copyright © 2008 Muid Latif.

Lately I felt in fear and apprehension,
As the bitter breeze batters me,
A part of me begin to fall.

A reckless heart wails with agony,
For what this heart yet feel is nonentity,
My endurance weakens and became blurry.

Absurd it may sound but I’m blunt,
Through an ambiguous mind,
Integrity begins to wonder.

The reality seems to be unbalance,
For a soul condense faraway distance.
Set in a parallel creating solitary.


Some Nobility

I met Azmil Mustapha, one of Malaysia notable actor who played Ali Setan back in the 80’s and been seeing him around in early 2001 when I did my practical in RTM. He came to MDeC last week, Friday the 25th to share his experience and journey of his migration to Syria. Salahudin, one of great Muslim warrior was buried in Syria. In his knowledge sharing session, there’s such amazing story that I heard from him including how different the Muslim practice their religion compared to Malaysian Muslim. From his experience, ours are very conservative and selective. We always have to define within different (4) Mazhab (School of thoughts), even perform their solat according to different coordinates. He told us when one of the Imam from Masjid Al-Haram to our national mosque, many things happened. In Syria, Muslim live in peace with Christians and the Muslim is not conservative as the Malaysian Muslim. Over there, everything heart for Allah and doesn’t have to be particular about which group you are from. Other Mazhab can get along with one another and respect each other.

Ours are slightly different. I was surprised to find out how complex the Malaysian Muslims practice their ways. Somehow I do find it is very discriminating to the same kind. No wonder they cannot get a long with each other. Well, to prove further, I remember having a solat in TTDI Mosque, there is this one guy sitting next to me with such great reciting and later perform solat. And you know what happen? After his ‘doa’, he just ‘blastoff out’ of the mosque without shaking hands with people next to him which include me and a pakcik next to him. Some of the Muslim in this country is not strong in terms of living harmony as we see, all are corrupted with such prejudice mind, because we all answer the same ‘amin’ after the Imam, but we never turn to our next person to give greetings or not even to smile. It’s pathetic. It’s like, "oh, I only solat for Allah, but to h**l with everyone around me”.

Update (25/2): Thanks to Mr. Aziph Mustapha for dropping by. I would like to share his input on my recent blog:

1. You have a right to your opinion, but to assume what a brother Muslim is thinking in his heart may be too much. He may have a myriad of different reasons for rushing out of the Mosque, and we must respect his right and keep good faith or think positive thoughts (husnu-zon) about what others are doing. Assume the best, not the worst of him.

2. Though greeting the person to the left and to the right of us after prayer is widely practised here, it did not come from authentic sunnah of the Prophet SAW. The authentic sunnah is to greet one another when first meeting, not at the end of the prayer. Since I am not a scholar, allow me to quote one:

a. "We do not know of a single Companion or Righteous Salaf, may Allaah be pleased with them all, that they used to shake hands with those on their left and right and give the tidings of the prayer being accepted after completing the prayer. If any one of them would have done this then it would have reached us, even it be via a weak isnaad and the People of Knowledge would have quoted it those who delved into every ocean and explored their deepest depths and derived from them many rules and regulations and did not neglect a single aspect of the Sunnah." ['Tamaam al-Kalaam fee Bid`iyyah al-Musaafaha ba`d as-Salaam' [pp. 24-25] and 'al-Masjid fee al-Islaam' [pg. 225]. - from Allahuakhbar.in

Thanks for allowing me to understand more about sunnah in greeting. This surely clarify my perception on what I had mentioned earlier. For more information on Syria, visit Wikipedia here.

Happy Birthday Mama Yatie!

We celebrated mum’s 51th birthday yesterday in Sri Petaling Driving Range Seafood Restaurant. Kak Yong (my eldest sister) brought Häagen-Dazs® Ice-cream Cake Together with a very nice present. We always go there for casual dinner due to their famous and amazing Butter Prawn. The best so far in any Chinese Restaurant.

/'
Waiting for more orders..

Check out our video:

Our family dinner / celebration video taken from my Samsung Blackjack (Much gracias Av).


Transformers Fever



Escaping from all my work stress and to fulfill my satisfaction of my childhood days, I finally regain my consciousness to rebuild back the collection I have. I had recently added few Auto-bots in the family including Grimlock, Jetfire, Rachet and both version of Jazz from the Transformers Movie including a pirated but amazing Transformers Powermaster Double Dealer (which I bought for RM19.90 in Selayang Mall) and the latest G1 Rachet and Ironhide (thanks to Wilson for selling this in eBay!), plus Metroplex! Yeay!

_

Mubarak: 'Are we seeing but not looking?'

Quote:

During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam as well as refraining from lying, stealing, anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcastic retorts, backbiting, and gossip.
- wikipedia.

I'm certainly sure that Ramadan is a month not only to fast on food, but also to do more good-doings in our lives, 'behave' ourselves from our almost daily routine, including not to 'poke' any parts of our body (if you know what I mean) and not to curse. As for me, it's definitely a challenge especially when it comes to driving on the road. I can be a humble, patient driver but once a slow-ass driver tried to irritate me, then I would have a little 'concern'. Well, I actually do get used to it now and then, especially when I listen to Astrud Gilberto or Erykah Badu while driving. But despite all that, commuting from my place to my work in Cyberjaya definitely drained me out, seriously. I felt bad for not be able to have energy like I used to do back in the days, where I go for tarawih (muslim prayers each nite for Ramadan) and have more time then ever. I guess it may be the process of age or my digestion disorder syndrome that I'm still having. Maybe someway it had effected my health condition.


My current Facebook room. Send some items to my room. My new facebook friends also includes Hillman Curtis, Niko Stumpo, Andi Rianto (Indonesian talented producer, Jeff Ooi and much more. Come join us!

Well, normally after my iftar (and supper), I will be online checking my emails and my recent addiction to Facebook (FB) due to it's amazing architecture information (a.i) and it's usability. I do watch TV (National Geographic, Animal Planet) or chat with my sister or my parents. I can't sleep, especially if I had meal, at least not in 1 hour.

Work Updates

Creative Commons Malaysia

I had recently been active (online) in two groups for Creative Commons Malaysia. One is the flickr MyCC group and CCM on Facebook (FB). By the way, I heard Microsoft is trying to buy the famous social networking, Facebook.I hope FB won't be having so many restrictions, bugs and so many patches updates later if Microsoft to buy facebook. I remember, when Hotmail was bought by Microsoft, I receive more spams.

Back to CC, I'm planning to have a Creative Commons Day in November, since too much things to prepare. The merchandising might took a while, while I have to carefully select good people to join my talk / workshop. I will soon give a talk and demonstrate on how to get creative with Creative Commons. Info will be posted in this blog soon.

As a (young) photographer.

I've been exposed to photography over 3 years but this year is in fact the most serious time I got involved. I believe photography is another great escapism and challenge. I work with great people for the industry and they had taught me a lot. I remember working with few professional photographers like Jeffrey Tan, Ted Adnan and other photographer from advertising agency for some shots in their works and others. In the past few months, I have the opportunity to attend some workshop and talks that was given by Zainal Halim (Reuters) and manage to watch together with my friends from the Flickr Malaysia group of an amazing documentary of James Nachtwey, War Photographer.


Another paid talent work after experimental shot for Landrover Malaysia, this is my third work as a talent. To those who told how ugly I was back in my college years, this is the ugly boy you see in some products and ads.

Last two weeks, we (me, Salmi & Abby) had a slumber party at our place (despite me being the only guy, doesn't make me an alien), besides having late night snacks on our iftar, I took the opportunity to explore lights with my photography (knowledge). I'm pretty excited to get myself serious in this. Edri had also offer me to sell some of her lens and hopefully to get 3 hot items by this year.


This is my sister Abby, yesterday was her 25th birthday (25th Sept) and I'm celebrating her birthday together with our friends at Atilia's gig in (Raja) Chulan square, this Saturday. Feel free to join or drop by Abby's blog. Happy birthday girl! I hope in this year had taught you the meaning of life and career survival. Keep up the good work and always trust your talent and gift that you have.

L.A.M.U, Let Arts Move You

I believe this time it would be official that I will be joining the LAMU project with KTM Malaysia where me, Shieko and the rest of the artist will have the opportunity to showcase our artworks in KTM Commuter trains and even the KL Sentral KTM Commuter stations. I believe this is a great opportunity for me to get back and connect with my art skills, which I had abandon since Merdeka this year.

Feel free to visit LAMU @ DMP here.

Life Updates: If I hold a hand again, it will not be me, it will be free.

I am not invisible, because others let me see what’s in their heart,
I am not fragile, because I can be strong to stand on my feet,
I am not evil, because I help people in anyway I can so I learn my mistakes,
I am not humble, because some times I need to brag to build my confidence,
I am not a saint, but a sinner to my unperfected existence,
I am not a free, but I let others free by doing the right thing,
I am not safe, because my life will be in the hands of the Al-Mighty,
I am not solitude, because I have people who love me.

Getting myself back stabbed has been a natural story, but not to the recent 3-4 months ago. Adding to that, even 'another person' have dark deadly revenge on me and try to find a way to threaten my friends and family, there are also few individuals (hint: ex-employer) who's bound to take me down due to his impulsive decision. If he was kind, respectful and humble, he would have been a good friend, and a lot of great opportunity would roll in his way. Out of all people, they are people who I had been close to, and they are the people that I had help to build their motivation and support their career or company. It’s the time I’ve been pushed away and they thought I was weak. The case I’m in now is very clear and I will know one thing I am certainly sure of what to do and what solution I can think off. I will rise from my fall, I will stand up and work even harder and make new friends who see my potential and support my battle for survival. I will keep moving on and I will never look back.

To the recent art scene ‘fanatics’ who had been questioning my seldom appearance in exhibitions and events, I’m not dead. I’ve been in full creative practice to ensure I will go further, upgrading my skill sets to keep up with others, and the trends. Like everyone else, I have a lot of commitment and I choose to concentrate on most priority in my career and family.


Notification: You got a friend! One (1) Unread Message


Photos by the talented Eka.


From left (counter-clockwise): Muid, Johan, Edri, Ena, Mizie, JingYing, Victor, Wira, Grom Airess, Magnus (Azami), Prakash, Abby & Eka.

This is not the kind of buddies that you like to meet once in blue moon that says hello and bye-bye. I had made a very strong relationship with a bunch of low-profile, humble and friendly people from Flickr group, they kept me warm and let me be myself, without putting a barrier or walls between them. They are my new family and they had help push my small limit and talent in photographer one step further. I thank to all my KL Flickr members for accepting me, rather than pushing me away. I love you guys very much and thanks for accepting me.

Catching with old friends


My new 'family'.

Last weekend on the 27th September, I managed to take my friend out for a hang out in Bangkok Jazz; Nadiah Aziz in conjunction of Abby's belated birthday in Atilia's show. It was awesome! Anyway, Nadiah has been my best friend way back when I studied in UiTM. It was the era of knowing Modestos (no pun intend), working on art projects at late nights while listening to Beatsie Boys & Prodigy, and what not. Nadiah was the only friend I am close to talk about anything. It's like whatever I had in my closet, she knows ;). We plan on meeting regularly soon.





About three days ago, I also received a message from my dear friend Noni from Penang about our upcoming reunion this December. I’m pretty excited about this because I like to meet my old friends and have a good time together. However, there are some friends from our past who always refuse to join. He likes to put a great barrier in any relationship or friendship, and that is Zamri Azizan. He questions why we need to have reunion each year. It’s not right at all. There’s no such rule on when a reunion should be made. From my observation on last year’s reunion, I’m so happy to see all of us stay together, chit-chatting, wrapping up gifts, preparing dinner and sit down together to have a nice barbecue. I guess some people don’t want to keep friendship and mutual relationship. And it’s pathetic to live alone full of negative surroundings and without people who really care and loves you.

Outro:

Last but not lease, my deepest condolence and prayer goes out to our beloved Nurin, who had been brutally abused and murdered. Visit the late Nurin's Uncle's blog here. Visit Screenshot and let's us all pray that kids can still go out at the playground.

_
Have a great fasting month, and great week guys!

The Buzzing Bee

Have I been away from the art & design world? Apparently not. With the duration of two months, besides preparing myself to collaborate with Shieko for LAMU / KTM project (Credits to Roopes & Mr. Wing!), I had came up with few artworks, to be precise, my Merdeka Art Series for the Merdeka 50 years Anniversary. This series will also combined with my other oriental art series for my upcoming solo exhibition by end of 2007. I had already talk to Izu from Galleriiizu and agreed on making a solo exhibition, this time I would like to travel throughout Malaysia and South East Asia promoting my oriental art series.


My study case of my artwork. As you can see, the floral decorative with Batik influence was applied for my artwork to create more organic freedom. The one-piece raw illustration was repeated to create a balance. Choosing the right color is the most important factor and it surely need a lot of time.



Final Artwork. The 3 main color (red, yellow and blue) are mixed together. All the four (4) colors represent Jalur Gemilang, the Malaysia National Flag. Instead of the typical stripes of red and white, I intend to put more depth and vibe to create a harmonious mood. It works well and I like the outcome. Using Adobe Illustrator surely ease my artwork to be printed on canvas, in any size desired. This final artwork will be printed A0 size, and the cost to print this is very expensive ;)

Photography Galore

I managed to 'bertapa' (meditate) in the duration of two (2) months to polish my photography skills with my fellow Flickr group members (among them is the talented Syahrin Aziz, Awi (Shafina's cousin), Eka Putra, Johan, Matt Marzuki, Nik 'Waa', Iskandar, Ted Adnan, Danny Lim and other great photographers).


Ms. Dina

This month and last month, I had also manage to get interviewed by two party, one is a good friend and a strong fan of Digital Malaya Project, Syed from Sireh & Cengkeh and one more, surprisingly from ABC Network, Australia for a TV program called 'NOISE', which features artists and designers from all over the world and have few minutes to talk about their artworks and creation. Anyway, a big thanks to Desmond, the director for Saladin: The Making, of Saladin team for featuring me (few seconds je) along the rest of the talented Saladin team in The Making of Saladin in Astro Ria, dated 31st of August 2007, 2.30 pm. (feel free to drop by Desmond's Jalan Petaling Online Shopping Portal). Just two days ago, I found out a dear friend of mine, Atilia, mentioned that she also had voice Anisa, one of the characters in Saladin 3D animated series.


With Emily & Derrek from NOISE.

Find out more on my interview with Syed, here. You can also visit NOISE website for more info. Videos will be uploaded soon in YouTube by Jay Lim.

Being Addictive

It's been over two month most of us from the industry had been 'attacked' by the new age of Friendster / Myspace for grown ups and professionals, Facebook.com. With over 30 million users and still growing, I can't take my sight of this cool personalized networking community portal which rocks big time! with web version 2.0 compliant. With facebook, I got the chance to hook up with industrial professionals and it's been such a privillage to be able to communicate with people like Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir, Datin Tiara Jacquelina, my friends like Atilia, Teong Hin, long lost buddies and many more. I know some function can be so irritating, like the group / 3rd party plugin invites. Nevertheless, it's so addictive!

I had also created the Creative Commons Malaysia Flickr Group (MyCC). This is one of my possible move to reach out more Malaysians and others to support this campaign as much as possible. It's good to see a lot of people starting to support CCM group. Feel free to visit our group here.


My sister Aniq, Abby & me.

Last Saturday, I had my good night enjoying Atilia live show at Wine Room, Kuala Lumpur. It's good to see people who have similar music interest enjoy the show. This is probably a great escape from sitting in my room reading novels and comics, or watching anime, over and over again. We went to the Indian restaurant nearby and my sister and her husband join us. A rare moment to see all of us together. It reminds me of the 'way back when' days with me and my sister's friends in those groovy nights.

_