black future

SOME call it strange but I pay 101% attention towards a good movie.

It is neither the slap stick genre nor those of without value, but good movies-despite claimed as hyped or spun by some- at times is more transparent than what we read or see in the mass media.

I’ve come across many movies, and songs too, that have made me doubt the world we live in. We are more bothered about how much money to make and what to obtain the trendiest gismo around while there have been communities who have been suffering in an uncivilised way for generations.

And the issues raised in such movies are often the simplest things around us- diamonds, oil, drugs and arms.

These are the very few things which causes up rise and civil wars, namely in Africa, Middle East and the South Americas. Africa is a continent which is ridden with civil wars, wars amongst their own kinds, major illness and child soldiers. Middle Eastern countries are torn into pieces due to the rich oil that runs beneath the deserts while our Latino children harvest marijuana to be marketed in the streets around the world.

Despite centuries into civilisation, having gone through the history books again and again, it seems nothing will stop these vices. Just like prostitution, just like piracy.

So when the Malaysian papers come out truths about the rampant prostitution and piracy, many take it for granted thinking it will not affect them in any way. It can and it will affect us all.

So when the next time one watches a good movie, think what is the message that lies beyond just the pretty faces and the action pack story lines. Every word, every movement, every cinematography explains the dying state of our current civilisation.

Technology is so advanced, yet is baffling the drugs industry can’t seem to find a solution for cancer or Aids while the usage of electric cars is still alien. What about hydro energy or even respecting arms sanction? There’s a lot of money at stake and one would be a ‘fool’ to despise it.

Thus it’s ok to buy expensive diamond rings- knowing that African children are made to suffer in to find the stones.

Ok to waste fuel despite knowing countries use ‘terrorism’ and ‘democracy’ as an excuse to tap oil in foreign lands, robbing locals of opportunities and leave them sleeping on the streets.

It’s ok to watch war over the telly- knowing its all for the better mend of the affected community despite knowing arms supplying countries have already made millions if not billions by supplying weapons.

It’s ok to buy pirated stuff-knowing the money would be financing a mob that kidnaps and use children as labour. It’s ok to satisfy oneself- despite knowing prostitutes are forced to sell their bodies to feed their families in god forsaken regions.

It’s ok when we choose to ignore.

-The Man Who Sold The World-

tung tung without chiang chiang

TRUTH be told, this must be the most boring-est Chinese New Year!

There were hardly any gearing up in the media with regards to the Lunar celebrations, hardly any crackers were heard after the reunion dinner and one wonders where are all the 'lions' and 'dragons' are hiding?

Even the lower income residents of Pekeliling Flats were able to witness the burning of the red firecrackers coupled with 'Lions' dancing about along the narrow corridors.

Any typical Malaysian child would have grown up experiencing the thrill of lighting up a cracker. Yet, it looks like the next generation of Malaysian Chinese kids will not be able to indulge into such an activity.

Malaysian Chinese kid? Yes as it looks like the Malay kids are able to burn about crackers without fear during the Raya celebrations. However, just before the Chinese New Year, instead of having a month long recipe segment or religious/ customs programmes, the media feeds the public with the Customs department managing to obtain smuggled crackers and the Royal Malaysian Police coming up with threats of fines to parties involved in lighting up the crackers.

Well I do understand their point of view, but why the double standards? And like it or not, the thundering sound of crackers creates a festive like atmosphere- something which was absent this time around.

What about the public killings of animals- done in the name of religion. If such was practised elsewhere, they will have a new tag line- Animal Killers.

It's already the fifth day of the Year of the Boar, yet I've not heard any firecrackers and only saw one lion dance from the balcony of my house, 14 floors above ground level.

Chinese New Year has certainly lost its spark this year. Or perhaps, I'm getting old. Sigh

-The Man Who Sold The World-

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

MAY the Year of Boar bring happiness and good fortune to all. Let's celebrate the Lunar New Year with style :)

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Best wishes from the creamcrackers crew.

buwek ombak

DON'T jugde a book by its cover- in this case, don't judge a restaurant by its design.

The picture is part of a section of a former cafe turned into restaurant called Bora Ombak. Located within Sports Planet Ampang, a five minute walk from Ampang Point, it looks rather cosy with the adaptation of ethnic designs- from mini ponds to personal eating spaces under seperate roofs.

Unfortunately its beauty just stops there. The selection of food was limited- but said to be many by their very unexperienced waiters- and the serving was dissapointing when compared to the price paid.

In addition to their unexperience in taking orders, filled with bad postures during ordering, they were at times plain rude.

And the damage created to our wallets; an unimpressive RM208 for seven stomachs. Mind you the orders ranged from normal juices to a Mocha Monkey- some coffee thingy to grilled salmons and traditional chicken chops.

A bad place to take a date out, trust us on this.

-The Man Who Sold The World and his six eating agents-