the show must go on

As the saying goes 'the show must go on' .

Comes this Sunday the 26th October 2008 we will roll out the Gempaq Astro Desa road show with Felda Semenchu Johor as the first venue. It is scheduled in total 12 locations nationwide through felda's plantations and kampung-kampung bringing mini carnival and entertainment with a mobile stage presenting Astro's celebrities of AF and Raja Lawak Fame.

Of course the big deal is in the journey especially with the unpredictable weather which is surely gonna brew up a storm...... and I dont mean the show.

A big challenge for a two wheeler.

Beyond the horizon

If you look way beyond the horizon, you may not necessarily find what you're looking for. But you know its there, so you hop onto your bike and ride towards it and upon reaching your 'destination' (where ever that is) turned back and head for home. Its all about the journey. That's what I did last Sunday.

The hill in the distance at the center of the picture is actually one of the hills surrounding Karak highway. (yes clearly visible form Bukit Antarabangsa) Did I find what I have been looking for? Yes I did found my rhythm and balance in riding, very rusty since Ramadhan.

I need to gear up in time for the next road show starting from the 25th of October (every weekend) till early next year.

This is a new client. We have been working hard at it for the last many weeks and will continue pitching further (which should explain why the lapse in updating the blog).

Another worth while client is in the works as we have done presentations after presentations and finally awaiting their final push to the BOD.

We are already into the 4th quarter of the year and the gloomy global outlook for next year did not leave us much to be desired but to look beyond that horizon and capture what ever thats left of the limited economic opportunities.

If by now you still cant see the horizon, then start wearing glasses! (yang macam pungkok botoi tu).

3rd Raya - Kedah

In the spirit of 'berhari raya', we visited Malia's kampung to pay respect to her late father (Allah bless his soul) who passed away during the recent Ramadhan. The experience of serenity, peacefulness and tranquility greeted us with open arms by Mother Nature, reminding us of Allah's Greatness in all His creations. 

You don't get any better than this 'Raya di Kampung'.

Hopefully these pictures do tell a thousand words.

As we were walking back towards our car parked some 500 meters away carrying our 'buah tangan' (10 kg of freshly packed rice), I received some sad news from 'kampuong' Barulak in Sumatra that my dear mother's younger brother Mamak Autad Said has just 'pulang ke Rahmatullah'.

'Innalillahi Wainna Ilaihi Rajiiun'. 

On the journey way home I can't help thinking about God - who is able to give you anything at one time and take away everything at anytime'. - Allah is Great.

Bangkok Lane revisited

There are more than just food, architectural heritage and quaint homes along Bangkok Lane, Penang. A pleasant surprise, was the intimate atmosphere and artistic elegance of A2 Gallery founded by two artists namely Jeff and Alfred. 

The latter was kind enough to enthusiastically show me around the current exhibition by artist Jane Yap whose works were magnificiently enhanced by the interior architecture of the gallery. 

Along Bangkok Lane, sits A2 Gallery, where Alfred curates.

Staircase to more works, where young heart dreams of..

sitting where Jane's works are currently being displayed.

Worthwhile dropping by in Penang or in cyberspace. 

http://www.a2artgallery.com

some pix courtesy of   

a2 Gallery,

27 Bangkok Lane, 10250 Penang, Malaysia.

Tel: + 604 227 4985

2nd Raya - Penang

On the second day of Raya, without hesitation, packed my bags, jumped into the car, filled up petrol..

hopped onto the highway, and after about 3 1/2 hrs, Pulau Jerejak was in sight, drove across the Penang bridge... into the Land of Nasi Kandargh.

Enjoyed glorious food in Gurney Drive, enjoyed watching Rojak Mamak dance, then cruised  along Batu Feringghi... walked along the nite market and finally 

found my all time favourite band @ only rm4 , ended in my mothers house even though no one's home, got the house keys before retiring to bed, smiling  - Ahh... ini baru Raya !

1st Raya - KL

This is the first time we celebrated Hari Raya in Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Jelutong to be precise. This year, both my mother and mother-in-law happen to stay within a radius of 1 kilometer, courtesy of my brothers homes. True coincidence and convenience.

On Raya morning its the usual routine, prayers, salam salaman, distribution of 'duit raya' (stakes are higher these days according to the kids) paid respect to our dearly departed and a trip to Kuala Pilah to visit close relatives.

Prayers spilled onto the road with rows and rows of slippers, (quite a number are 'crocs') and the big turnout of teenagers in Bukit Jelutong makes me wonder whether these kids has still got kampungs?

Insya'Allah Mak. mudah-mudahan Allah mencucuri Rahmat ke atas roh Abah, Amin. 

Al-Fathihah...

My humble-most apologies to KLites, I soon found out that I got to leave this city because its not the same celebrating Raya in Kuala Lumpur :- 'sebuah kota Metropolitan yang dingin dan bukan nya kampung halaman ku'.

"Get back, get back to where you once belong" - Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.

Regional Pantun Raya

I thought this was worthy of publishing courtesy of the colourful Pok Ku.

http://bustamann.blogspot.com

Kelantan...

Make ikke cicoh budu
Jange lupo tamboh satar
Kelik rayo toksir laju
Nanti rayo dale sepita

Terengganu...

Makang ubi jamang jepung
Makang kerpok cicah cuke
Bulang pose mung bingung
Bulang raye mung gile

Pahang...

Sepadan Pahang ada kasino
Nasi dagang ikan patin
Jange mu masam muko
Raya makan rendang sadin

Johor...

Cegitu cegini awak suke
Awak suke kite tak suke
Esok luse hari raye
Sama-sama bersuke rie

Melaka...

Hawau kau berak merate
Kaki bengkak ulau patok
Kalu balik naik kerete
Jangan pandu kalau ngantok

N. Sembilan...

Masak lomak cili api
Campo dongan daun turi
Hari rayo kolumpo sopi
Tinggal penyamun dongan pencuri
(org kolumpo jgn kocik ati!!)

Selangor/K.Lumpur...

Wa cakap lu wa tak tau
Tapi wa tipu sama lu
Raya jangan buat tak tau
Angpau ada bagi gua dulu

Perak...

Gulai tempoyak ikan mayong
Deroyan busok tebok tupai
Pandu hemat ingat kampong
Asal teman selamat sampai

Kedah...

Mai Aloq Staq pala hang aku putaq
Lapaq perut makan pau
Macam mana aku tak ketaq
Kena paksa bagi angpau

Penang...

Nasi kandaq kedai mamak
Anak mami juai pesemboq
Lepas raya usah dok triak
Kalu ceti mai ikut dapoq

Perlis...

Padang besaq kecik aja
Tempat siam lalu lalang
Hari raya kita berbelanja
Jangan sampai menambah utang

Have a Safe & Happy Hari Raya

Festive Labour

With Hari Raya fast approaching a lot need to be done around the house. No its not what it seems, this is not child labour... its just labour of LOVE  ;-)

Aidil, Haiqal & Shaqil for all your efforts, you will be rewarded in due time.

Design association

It was a momentus occassion when the Graphic Design Association officially launched their website on the 24th September at Ole Cafe in KL. Unfortunately, I had to attend the office 'berbuka puasa' and could not make it in time for the event.

Almost a decade ago, a handful of us founded the association and successfully registered the organisation in early 2001. It has come a long way ever since with many challenges encountered through the years .

Congratulations wREGA.

http://www.wregamalaysia.blogspot.com/

Raya Greetings

It is the time of the year where one has to decide whether to send Raya greetings in the traditional form of a card, or an e card or an sms or not send anything at all. As usual, its always a last minute effort when one seems to be very busy all the time.

When one has to design the company's own corporate card, one has to consider the concept and the communicating message.

Eventually, what strikes the mind was the talented emilayusof's illustration, which more often than not I regularly visit her blog .

I wrote emila an email and explained my intentions, briefed her about the message of 'environmental awareness' taking the kampung as a good example for the illustration.

The masterpiece.... from http//emilayusof.com

the pix before emila transformed it into the 'illo' world

The beauty of it all at this eleventh hour, is the ease of executing the concept to fruition right in the comfort of your home. I took pictures of the staff and sent to her and in a jiffy walla - SIAP. Emila was so efficient that everything was briefed, presented, amended and produced within 36 hours. Kudos Emila, it was different, beautiful and original.

the card reduced for hampers

Talk about technological marvel assisting creativity.

Hope the client is amused and gives us more jobs ....