Szomoru Vasarnap(Gloomy Sunday) by Rezső Seress

It is autumn and the leaves are falling
All love has died on earth
The wind is weeping with sorrowful tears
My heart will never hope for a new spring again
My tears and my sorrows are all in vain
People are heartless, greedy and wicked...

Love has died!

The world has come to its end, hope has ceased to have a meaning
Cities are being wiped out, shrapnel is making music
Meadows are coloured red with human blood
There are dead people on the streets everywhere
I will say another quiet prayer:
People are sinners, Lord, they make mistakes...

The world has ended!

I got to know this song from the a post in Suhaimy Ramli's blog. A Hungarian, this Seress guy was supposed to have written this song during the 30's as an attribution to his once failed relationship with his lover. He managed to get together with his girl for a short while after he had written the song. However, the girl went to commit a suicide; she jumped out from the apartment's window. A few years later, the guy killed himself much in the same manner as his lover's suicide. Urban legend has it that there's quite a few of those who listened to this song had also killed themselves. Creepy, huh?

Well, apart from the urban legend and the scary story that are associated with the song, I personally view that the way the lyrics was written has a kind of quality that shows the particular social environment during that time. It is known that Europe during that time was between the two great wars. The atmosphere was heavy, moody and somewhat gloomy; as the song's title itself indicates. However, it is of an utmost importance for us to carefully articulate our mind in interpreting this song's meaning and not be influenced by it negatively. Instead, we should view it as a form of a human's variability in emotion and mental disorderliness(or even genius). If we can control our emotions, it is of a definite possibility that we will manage to order out thoughts and think from new, different, and more reliable perspectives when analyzing certain situations and conundrums.

The lyrics above had been changed into a more decent and somewhat less distressful tone by Billie Holiday. The new version of the song has been sang by many artists. The one below is by Sarah McLachlan. It's quite nice actually. I've personally enjoyed it. :)

Where is your sense, bro?

The locomotive was full. I looked at everybody's face. Pure dullness. I was amidst of others who were standing in the train. I heard the repeating and banal voice of the fed up train driver (who always wakes up from sleep in the morning everyday, repeating the same routine, work, then home, then back to work) over the intercom, commencing the arrival of the train to this and that stations. Upon arriving this one particular station -which I've forgotten- there was an old man, much like the ordinary and normal "warga emas" citizen, stepped into the carriage. Well, it was a "normal" thing I guess letting an old, weak looking person keep standing in a train filled with "civilized" people, but it was damn sure not normal letting that guy squatting because of some pain or exhaustion. Now I'm not saying I'm the good guy here, where I would give him my seat, or bla2. I was actually quite a fool back then, where I didn't stand up (but I was on my feet anyway, as it was full) and tell the young, able-bodied lad who was sitting mindlessly beside me to kindly give the old man his seat. I tell you, it was really a very pitiful scenario; there was no one, I repeat, NO ONE, who would want to offer his or her seat to that poor old man. The old man continued squatting for a few stations, until a woman went into the train(from another station) and noticed what happened. She kindly ask that healthy youngster to let the old man seat at his place, and he gave it. By the way, did I mention to you that the lady was kinda at old age too?


I was disgraced by the fact that young people like me, including my then stupid self too, did nothing at all. This particular scenario is evident in that it shows the shallowness and selfishness senses in our particular society. This experience is sure a pivotal one for me as now, I even dare to comment loudly(in pure and strong sarcastic voice) to the self-contained people in a full train if any privileged citizen is not given a seat (if I'm standing, that is. If not, I would surely give mine). Hey come on! Is it so hard by just standing up and let the needy ones have the seats? Would it make any harmful physical or mental consequences to you? I always believe that we can learn much by looking at people's behavior. Well, I do learn a lot from observing and analyzing situation. What I'm trying to imply here is that by modeling good virtues and habits, we can attract others to do the same thing too. I'm proud to say that I learned the habit of giving my seat to the needy ones from my father, and I'm encouraging the readers to practice it too. The sad thing is, there are not enough models out there! It's a fact that by doing something good while others around you are just idling, it'll create an impact to these people; such in a way that they might feel a somewhat ridiculous feeling about their own pitiful selfish self, and maybe(hopefully) they change for the better. ERGO,(duhh) I hereby proclaim that every good, healthy and intelligent living people in this society should have more sense in his or her God-given brain(ohhh please use it, please please pleaseee!) and be aware of the surroundings too!

A View...

What's with war? What's with terror? What's with peace? What's with love?
What is, the fundamentals of Life?
Decades of decays. Decades of fights. Decades of rage.
The world we live is one. Yet, the people who live in it are all but separated. Race, religions, faith. Ideologies, dogmas, politics.


Freedom? I don't know. I say, I'm now living in an era of chaotic disorderliness and confusions. Here and there, people are confused. Here and there, selfishness conquers. None does anymore a person who cares, or even dare to question about his or her truth in life, the cause in which the person is living for. What is truth?How can we prettily sure a truth is true? Maybe, none of us know. Or some may claim that truth is always there;we just have to find it. On the other hand, others contradict the idea by pointing out that a truth is not always seems to be the actual truth.


Purpose.

Do we have a purpose? I must ask, what for we live in this world? To gain wealth? To be a sycophant of God?
We all have our own special purpose. Obligations as what we may call it.
But, are we doing these for our own families? Our countries? Our religions? Our race? Our community?
Have we forgotten that we are all living in, literally, the same gigantic roof? Aren't we all one big family? These questions, these doubts, I let it lingers. Wanders. May it or may it not be something fruitful. But the power of doubt, has already proven its wonders. Because of it, science and technology bloomed during the caliphate empire. Don't afraid to be in doubt, yet don't lose your way and stray. It's a risk. A risk that is worth taking.

When will these enigmas of life stop?

Think about it.
(and never stop thinking)

Dilemma

Why Sorrow?

When there is Happiness.

Why Poor?

When there is Abundance.

Why Anger?

When there is Peace.

Why Pollute?

When there is Beauty.

Why Envy?

When it is Sufficient.

Why Lonely?

When there is Everybody.

Sketch Techniques (Rose)

A rose typically has five petals, barbs, and seeds. It is one of the most popular florists’ flowers and it is also popular for use as a fragrance.

Most of us are familiar with red roses, but roses can be found in a variety of colors such as green, orange, pink, white or yellow. Some red roses are so dark -- they look black!

Learn how to draw this rose.

In this section, we'll show you how to draw the above rose. You can draw this flower freehand while looking at your computer monitor or print out this page to get a closer look at each step.

Follow the red lines in each illustration to learn exactly what to draw in that step. The lines drawn in previous steps are shown in gray. Here, we'll show you an illustration of each step and then give you a description of how to draw it.

Step 1: For the stems, draw two slightly wavy diagonal lines that cross each other. Lightly sketch a circle at the top of each stem to show where the flower will be.

Sketch in arcs for the stems of the leaves, then draw leaves using curved lines.

Step 2: Inside the circles, lightly sketch in petals. Use wavy lines to show the way the petals overlap and curve around each other.

Show that some of the petals fold over by drawing a second curve near the top of the petal. Finish each stem by drawing a second line.

Step 3: Make the leaves more realistic by outlining them with jagged lines. Draw a curved line through the center of each leaf to show the vein.

Add a second line to each leaf stem. All along each flower’s stem, add small curving thorns.

Step 4: Finish the petals by adding more lines to connect the lines you already drew. Make the edges of the petals more irregular, changing the outline to include small points and curves.

Add more veins to each leaf by drawing gently curving lines from the center vein to the edge.

Step 5: Draw shading in the flowers’ petals where the petals curve outward. To shade those areas, draw a series of parallel curving lines. Vary the lengths of the lines.

Shade the leaves by drawing short parallel lines next to each vein. Shade one side of each stem with very short lines.

Taken from TLC.HowStuffWorks

Maybe Tomorrow...

Maybe tomorrow,

The war stops,

The next begins,

The death blooms,

The birth deceases,

The peace be black,

The chaos be white.

Maybe tomorrow,

The warmonger turns hippy,

The politician turns commoner,

The rich becomes downright broke,

The poor treads artificial life,

The pious transforms to be the sinner,

The sinner to be the saint.

Maybe tomorrow,

The world ends,

The stars cease to shine,

The galaxies disintegrate,

The universe stops expanding.

Be it ends,

Be it like a phoenix,

Rebirth and choose,

Of Things and Matters,

Of Right or Wrong,

Better or Worse,

For tomorrow,

For us.

Nawaitu :)

Note: Ignore the karaoke lyric. It sucks... :/

When Religion is Used as a Political Tool...

The following news report is taken from the Malaysian Insider. I will not discuss it further as I hope that readers would understand it just by reading the report.

*corrupt political leaders sure like their asses to be kissed, even by/among the so-called "religious" people...

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — While Umno is hoping to score a major political coup in enticing Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin into the Barisan Nasional (BN) lynchpin, his fellow Islamic scholars say his controversial ideas could limit his impact and ability to draw support from conservative Malay voters.

They say the influential scholar could be forced to hold his tongue on religious issues because of political considerations.

Former PAS vice-president Datuk Nakhaei Ahmad said Asri would first have to decide what kind of role he wants to play in Umno.

“It is up to him whether he wants to play an active role or not,” said Nakhaei, who left PAS in 1980s before joining Umno.

However, Nakhaei dismissed PAS’s suggestions that ulama like Asri would be sidelined after joining the Malay party.

“When I was in PAS, I could not contribute much to Islam, but after I joined Umno those who understand missionary work would appreciate my contribution,” said Nakhaei, who led the government’s Islamic foundation Yadim until late last year.

“I did not lose anything by leaving PAS,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

Nakhaei, however, admitted that Asri (picture) may have to avoid discussing controversial issues so as not to affect Umno.

“He will have to be careful in bringing up controversial issues as Umno may be affected,” said Nakhaei.

Asri is known for his unconventional interpretation of the sharia.

As Perlis mufti, he had spoken up against moral policing which made him popular among certain sections of the Muslim community but made many conservatives uncomfortable.

For former Abim president Dr Muhd Nur Manuty, Asri’s popularity among some Muslims would not be enough to help Umno regain Muslim support it has lost.

“He may have ideas that can attract the younger generation, but Umno is in crisis now,” said Muhd Nur.

“When Anwar joined Umno the party was at its peak under the Mahathir leadership. But the era is over,” he added.

Muhd Nur was part of the Abim national leadership when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim joined Umno in 1982.

Muhd Nur, who is now a member of the PKR political bureau, served as Abim president from 1991 to 1997.

“I don’t think there will be a major impact. He is far different from Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar was a student activist, Dr Asri is a scholar,” he said.

Abim secretary-general Raimi Rahim told The Malaysian Insider Asri may have a role to play in the government just like other religious scholars such as Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom, who is the minister in charge of Islamic affairs, and his deputy Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim.

“He will bring in new ideas, new approaches that may make people around him uneasy,” Raimi said.

“But just like Jamil Khir and Dr Mashitah he will be given a role. As a controversial figure he will create an impact but Umno must handle him well,” he added.

Yesterday, Umno executive secretary Datuk Abdul Rauf Yusoh told The Malaysian Insiderthat Asri was expected to join Umno this Friday along with a number of other ulama in what would be a major coup for BN.

Asri, however, refused to confirm the matter, saying that he had not made a final decision yet.