A Tribute to the King

Time has temporarily frozen in its tracks. Michael Jackson – undisputed King of Pop, “The Gloved One”, Moonwalk-er, gifted child singer, legendary music icon and artiste extraordinaire – is gone. His death has left millions or perhaps billions all over the world, feeling as if a piece of them has been ripped out forever. I myself, feel as if the light has been switched off on a part of my childhood. I wouldn’t call myself a “die-hard fan” of his, but I would certainly count myself amongst the legions who grew up with him inside our living rooms.

If I were to create a musical soundtrack of my growing-up years, songs like “Beat It”, “Billie Jean”, and “Thriller” would definitely be on it. In my pre-pubescent and teenage years I cooed over his slick dance moves in “Bad”, “Remember the Time”, “Black or White”; believed him when he sang “The Girl is Mine”, and “The Way you Make me Feel”…and was inspired by his heartfelt lyrics in “Man in the Mirror”, “Human Nature”, “Heal the World” and “Earth Song”. Later on I discovered his earlier gems, like “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”, “Rock with You”, and his other disco-inspired hits of the ’70s. It would be impossible for me to name a favourite Michael Jackson song – they were all memorable, simply because they were his. Needless to say his distinctive vocals and awe-inspiring dance moves changed my childhood, my adolescence, my world.

He had the ability to reach out and touch his audiences, young and old, regardless of gender, race or colour. Even my parents were fans of his. My mom, who otherwise thinks that modern music (post-Elvis Presley) is tasteless and over-rated, knows Michael Jackson – and loves him. As a child, watching a Michael Jackson concert or show on TV was a family activity. My parents, sister and I would sit around glued to the television for hours – mesmerized by his sheer persona from millions of miles away. The vision and creativity demonstrated through his videos and concerts were amazing. He was, truly, a creative genius and an artiste ahead of his time.

Regardless of his personal life and personal choices, it cannot be denied that Michael Jackson created music History in his lifetime. Genius or Eccentric? Psychologically unstable or a lonely man who was robbed of his childhood? Clever media manipulator, or naive and misunderstood? Whatever or whoever he was should not be for us to judge. Let us instead look at his undeniable contributions and try to live by some of the messages he spread through his music.

“There’s a place in
Your heart
And I know that it is Love
And this place could
Be much brighter than Tomorrow…

And if you, really try
You’ll find there’s no need to cry
In this place you’ll feel
There’s no hurt or sorrow….

There are, ways to get there
If you care enough
For the living
Make a little space….
To make a better place….

I think in his heart of hearts, he was always trying to find that ‘place’.

No words will be enough to reflect the void that he’s left with his passing. One man who revolutionised the music industry and left his indelible imprint on it. He was, is and will always be a legend in my mind and heart.

 “If you enter this world knowing you are loved, and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with” – Michael Jackson.

I hope that in his final moments, he knew that he was loved.

May you finally rest in peace, Michael.

 “In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe” – Michael Jackson.

 

Love Fool

LeGod and I were chatting one day and we got to talking about a good friend of mine, X.

(Background story: For the past 6 months or more I hadn’t heard from X, for reasons I thought I knew, but didn’t have enough to go on to confirm. Naturally, I had vented my displeasure to legod on more than one occasion… And just the night before, I had bumped into X very unexpectedly…)

Me: So anyway, X sms-ed me and basically apologised for things being so awkward between us. And also said we’ll catch up soon…

Him: Cool

Me: So I got the confirmation I needed – X WAS avoiding me, just as I thought, and for the reasons I’d thought too. I wasn’t imagining it! And in a weird way that actually makes me feel a LOT better…

Me: Coz I wasn’t delusional about the whole thing

Him: You’re a weirdo baby.

(Pause)

Him: I always thought I’d marry a normal girl

Me: Well, I always thought I’d marry a guy who could dance!

Him: Hah! Tough luck babe…

Me: Yea, I guess we both lucked out…

Both: *Sigh*

 

Yep, we’re crazy about each other like that.

 

Life’s Lessons

Sometimes we go about life, forgetting to live. Have you ever felt that way? I know I have, many times. We do the things we do, from one day to the next, not realizing that time is passing, life is passing… and before we know it one year has rolled on to the next. Wasn’t it only yesterday that I ushered in the beginning of the 21st century?

I’ve learned from experience, that work, no matter how fun or exciting, can consume you. Remember that work is only what you do, not who you are – it should never rule your life. There will always be more work tomorrow, and you will never finish everything today. So what? Give it your best, and sort the rest of it out tomorrow. It’s not going anywhere, that’s for sure. I realized that the moment I started setting a limit for myself (e.g. leave the office by 6.30pm, unless something super-duper-urgent crops up) I started working better. I made the most of the time that I was at work, and tried to finish up as much as possible so I wouldn’t have to stay back later than necessary. Try making plans for after work – an appointment with your fitness trainer, dinner and a movie, drinks with your mates, whatever - so there is an added reason for you to leave the office on time. Believe me, it works.

I received this e-mail yesterday, and felt that it was worth sharing. Imagine how much richer and more fulfilled we would be if we could live by these simple words…

xx

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone…

 4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch

 5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

 6. You don’t have to win every argument.. Agree to disagree.

 7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

 8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

 11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

 12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

 13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.

 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

 17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

 18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

 19.. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

 23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

 24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”

 27. Always choose life.

 28. Forgive everyone everything.

 29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

 32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

 33. Believe in miracles.

 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

 35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

 36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

 37. Your children get only one childhood.

 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

 42. The best is yet to come.

 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

 44. Yield.

 45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

xx

Carpe Diem. Let’s sieze life, people. Or at least try to yank as much out of it as we can, while we still can..

 

“Take life with a pinch of salt… a wedge of lime, and a shot of tequilla!”

My night with Random Strangers

So there I was, happily driving home one night, when my car suddenly froze in its tracks. I distinctly felt something give way just a split second earlier. You know how it feels when a rubberband snaps? Yeah, I sensed something snap… loosen… and my car kind of clunked and chugged for a couple of seconds, then completely stopped. Mind you, this was at 8.00pm on a week night along a pretty busy stretch of road just off the Federal Highway. AND, as luck would have it, it happened right smack in the middle of a junction (talk about being stuck at a cross-road!!).

I was getting angry honks and flashes from the drivers that whizzed past, and they kept giving me these looks that alternated between “Stupid female driver!” and “Thank God that ain’t me!” …But of course, not one of them stopped to help.

So, armed with determination to get out of traffic’s way and the reputation of all women-drivers everywhere resting upon my shoulders, I desperately tried to revive the engine. Again and again I tried, pushing away mental images of the car blowing up in my face. Praying the car would miraculously sputter to life at each turn of the key. But of course, as these things go, I was sorely disappointed. 

While waving apologetically to the other frustrated drivers on the road and making a panic-call to my parents and mechanic to come to my rescue, I noticed a man walk up to my side of the car. By this time, I had given up trying to get the engine going and was trying to figure out the next best way to maneuver my car to the side of the road, while keeping me (and the car) intact.

So, Random Stranger walks up to the car. I notice he is well-dressed, about 30-something, probably just after work. My initial mental image of being mugged AND stranded in the middle of this horrible nightmarish road disappeared just a little. He tapped on my window, asking me to lower it and I did…just a few inches, because a part of me still wondered if he was a criminal parading in office clothes (Hey, these days, anything is possible!). Anyway, luckily for me, Random Stranger turned out to be a genuine Good Samaritan. He wanted to know if I needed a hand. I felt super-duper grateful… and extremely guilty for ever doubting the goodness of mankind!

He rolled up his sleeves and, with the help of another random stranger who happened to be walking past with his wife/girlfriend at that very moment, managed to push my car up the road and closer to the curb. Thank God for the two of them, because I would never have been able to do it by myself, even if I’d tried! Because, as these things go, my car had stopped on an incline and pushing it forward (up the incline) required the strength of two men. Also, apparently, if I had been driving a manual, things would have been a LOT easier. But of course, I wasn’t.

Turns out Random Stranger was on his way for prayers at the ‘Gurdwara’ (place of worship for the Sikh community), which was about a 3-minute walk from where I was. Talk about being a Godsent! He even offered to hang around to make sure I was alright, until my parents and mechanic showed up, because apparently that part of the neighbourhood wasn’t too safe. He even made some preliminary inspections of my car and found out my fan belt had snapped. What a gem.

Who knows what would have happened had Random Stranger not come along. Imagine having to endure the never-ending stream of curses and angry honks from the passers-by. Or worse, being the prime target for muggers, thieves and/or other desperate criminals. If the other guy hadn’t been taking an evening stroll with his wife/girlfriend, my car would have remained in the middle of the road and no doubt earned some dents and scratches. I guess in a way, I was also lucky that my car had ‘decided’ to stall on a busy road instead of a lonely street in the middle of nowhere! Yes it’s true – every cloud does come with a silver lining, if only we know how to look for it.

So anyway, I thanked Random Stranger, assured him I would be okay, and he eventually left to attend his prayers just a couple of minutes before help arrived. I was so grateful to this man, who had willingly come to my rescue in a moment when I had felt so helpless and alone, that I could have fallen at his feet in gratitude! I wish I could have bought him dinner or something to say ‘Thank You’, but given the circumstances I wasn’t really in a position to. Though I did have a quick word with The (Wo)Man Up There, to save Random Stranger a place in the “good side of town”.

I think that in those 20 long minutes, I said my prayers more times and with more intensity than I have in a long, long while. And in a weird way, I guess they were answered.

The (Wo)Man Up There never fails to amuse me…

Tooting My Horn

Usually, I’m not one to toot my own horn…blow my own trumpet….complement myself. In fact,  I have this uncanny way of twisting a compliment around until it resembles something completely meaningless, and often, rather pathetic. 

Take, for example, the completely-made-up-but-totally-likely situations below…

Person 1: I totally lovvve your top!!

 Me: (Mumble an awkward “Thank you”). Oh it’s something I..erm..picked up from..uh..somewhere.

Or

Person 2: You look really nice today!

Me: (Mumble an awkward “Thank you”). Obviously you did not see the holes in my shoe… ha ha!

Yeah. This could very well be a special talent I possess – to squash any form of positive attention I receive with equal measure of awkwardness and lame humor.

So, as part of my effort to be more gracious in accepting praise, I’ve decided to give myself a pat on the back (because if I don’t, who will, right?). I’m uploading two articles that I’ve written for work, which have been published in the past 6 months or so. Neither of them credit me directly of course, because they were written on behalf of my clients. Sad as that sounds. However, seeing the words that came out of my head appear in print in reputable publications, is a thrill in itself. It’s one thing to write a run-of-the-mill news release and see it published. But to churn out an article that requires a lot of thought and research…and for it to be published almost verbatim?

Yes, Toot Toot!! Thank you very much! 

Next step: publishing a piece that actually has my name attached to it perhaps?

Ah, fame. It is such a drug I tell ya…

  

First article – Malaysian Business, 1st November 2008

Second article - The Edge, 11th May 2009