Sam’s Blog

If you have not heard, The Sarawak Tribune will no longer be in circulation, thanks to its publication of the controversial reproduction of the caricatures of Prophet Muhammad.  Sometimes I wonder what’s up with the head of the editors of our 61-years-old Daily.  They clearly know it is wrong, and yet they dare to put the headline "Cartoon Not Much Impact Here" together with the caricature.  Well… now they know whether the impact is there or not!

According to The Star, Sarawak Tribune’s board of directors had decided to self-impose an indefinite suspension on publication at their meeting in Sibu yesterday morning. "There may not be a Sarawak Tribune anymore", said Senator Datuk Idris Buang, the daily’s editorial advisor.

Well… guess this is it. No more Sarawak Tribune. Guess Borneo Post will have the last laugh now.  Hmmm… perhaps People’s Mirror will make a comeback! *smiles* Who knows… you cant have only one local daily here right?  So… anyone into a joint-venture?

CLOSED for Business! 

Its the eve of Chinese New Year and I am sitting in my office, counting down the hour to clock-out for the year.  Tomorrow is a new year for the Chinese Community and its the year of the dog.  Many people say this new year will bring good fortune and I for one believe it.  A few days ago, I got a call from Sony Malaysia and they told me I won the Top Prize for the "Wish for a Sony" contest. I was really shocked as I only joined the contest for fun (of coz I do wish I could win something, else why bother right?).  I won a 15" BRAVIA LCD Flat Panel TV worth US$770… and now I am anxiously waiting for the prize to come.  Hehehe… don’t think I can get it before the CNY anymore since today is the eve of CNY.

Anyway… here’s wishing everyone a very Happy Chinese New Year!  May this year of the dog bring you good health, happiness, and prosperity all year long!  "Gong Xi Fa Chai!!!"

No… not the car… its Kuching International Airport. Hehehe…  Well… anyway, a few friends and I went to KIA last night and to our amazement, it looks pretty kewl! The departure area (the 3rd floor) looks very… how should I put it… modern?   It is not how I imagined it to be (i meant it in a good way).  It reminds me so much of KLIA… the way we check in for our flights. 

Although the airport is not fully completed yet, I can already imagine how it would look like next time.  Hmmmm… not knowing what to say anymore… I just leave you with the photos below.  Maybe it can tell you something, like what they say, "a picture paints a thousand words".

Photos courtesy of bertjacko.

p/s… I’m back!  Hehehe… :o)

Here’s wishing all families, friends, and my blog readers… A Happy New Year 2006!  As for me… its just another new year… carrying all my previous years resolution forward.  Never seem to achieve them. Darnz!

Let’s learn something new ok?  Let’s learn how to sign Happy New Year!  Something new and useful for us all this new year!  Hehehe…

Hmmm… the title says it all.  Have a great new year all…

Give you a nice collection of Christmas trees… something different from the normal nicely decorated ones.. I call these… Back To Basic!

Funny… yet practical thing to do in an elevator.  Perhaps I will try a few.  Oh… got this stuff from Malcolm’s post. Thanks man!

Things To Do In An Elevator

1) When there’s only one other person in the elvator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn’t you.

2) Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more.

3) Ask if you can push the button for other people, but push the wrong ones.

4) Call the Psychic Hotline from your cell phone and ask if they know what floor your on.

5) Hold the doors open and say your saiting for a friend. After a while, let the doors close, and say, "Hi Greg. How’s your day been?"

6) Drop a pen and wait until someone goes to pick it up, then scream, "That’s mine!"

7) Bring a camera and take pictures of everyone in the elevator.

Move your desk into the elevator and whenever anyone gets on, ask if they have an apointment.

9) Lay down the twister mat and ask people if they would like to play.

10) Leave a box in the corner, and when someone gets on, ask them if they can hear ticking.

11) Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers.

12) Ask, "Did you feel that?"

13) Stand really close to someone, sniffing them occasionally.

14) When the doors close, announce to the others, "It’s okay, don’t panic, they open again!"

15) Swat at flies that don’t exist.

16) Tell people that you can see their aura.

17) Call out, "Group Hig!"and then enforce it.

18) Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering, "Shut up, all of you, just shut up!"

19) Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside, ask, "Got enough air in there?"

20) Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.

21) Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce in horror, "Your one of THEM!" and back away slowly.

22) Wear a puppet on your hand and use it to talk to the other passengers.

23) Listen to the elevator walls with your stethoscope.

24) Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.

25) Stare, grinning at another passenger for a while, then announce, "I have new socks on".

26) Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers, "This is MY personal space!"

Here is an article I found on the web regarding the History of Christmas.  Enjoy…

In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25^th since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6^th. The Christians had by then appropriated many pagan festivals and traditions of the season, that were practiced in many parts of the Middle East and Europe, as a means of stamping them out.

There were mid-winter festivals in ancient Babylon and Egypt, and Germanic fertility festivals also took place at this time. The birth of the ancient sun-god Attis in Phrygia was celebrated on December 25^th, as was the birth of the Persian sun-god, Mithras. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of peace and plenty, that ran from the 17^th to 24^th of December. Public gathering places were decorated with flowers, gifts and candles were exchanged and the population, slaves and masters alike, celebrated the occasion with great enthusiasm.

In Scandinavia, a period of festivities known as Yule contributed another impetus to celebration, as opposed to spirituality. As Winter ended the growing season, the opportunity of enjoying the Summer’s bounty encouraged much feasting and merriment.

The Celtic culture of the British Isles revered all green plants, but particularly mistletoe and holly. These were important symbols of fertility and were used for decorating their homes and altars.

New Christmas customs appeared in the Middle Ages. The most prominent contribution was the carol, which by the 14th century had become associated with the religious observance of the birth of Christ.

In Italy, a tradition developed for re-enacting the birth of Christ and the construction of scenes of the nativity. This is said to have been introduced by Saint Francis as part of his efforts to bring spiritual knowledge to the laity.

Saints Days have also contributed to our Christmas celebrations. A prominent figure in today’s Christmas is Saint Nicholas who for centuries has been honoured on December 6th. He was one of the forerunners of Santa Claus.

Another popular ritual was the burning of the Yule Log, which is strongly embedded in the pagan worship of vegetation and fire, as well as being associated with magical and spiritual powers.

Celebrating Christmas has been controversial since its inception. Since numerous festivities found their roots in pagan practices, they were greatly frowned upon by conservatives within the Church. The feasting, gift-giving and frequent excesses presented a drastic contrast with the simplicity of the Nativity, and many people throughout the centuries and into the present, condemn such practices as being contrary to the true spirit of Christmas.

The earliest English reference to December 25^th as Christmas Day did not come until 1043.

Never really knew that… but anyway… I celebrate the modern Christmas… where presents, carols and the love of Christ are things I have in mind.  Hehehe…

Let’s start this Christmas blogging with a bang!  The following link will bring you to a website with a very interesting movie clip.  Dont worry, no viruses here ok?  Now here’s my intro to the clip:

What do you get if you mix a house, lights, and music? Click here to find out…

Yes yes yes… it might be too early for some of you but to me… the countdown has started.  With this blog, I will officially start blogging about Christmas.  From history to songs, from recipes and gift suggestions.  So watch out… here comes Santa Clause!!!

Here is one very interesting picture I got from the Internet.  It is an illusion created by Phillippe G. Schyns and Aude Oliva from the University of Glasgow.

Here’s what you have to do.  See the picture in fron of you now.  You will notice that Mr. Angry is on the left and Mrs. Calm is on the right.

Now, get up from your seat and move 12 feet backwards.  PRESTO!   They switched places.

The morale of this illusion is that we may not be seeing what’s actually there all the time.  So stop judging people… especially you see them from far!  Hehehe…  Looks like our eyes are not that perfect after all!