Freebird

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me
I must be travelling on now
‘Cause there’s too many places I gotta see
If I stay here with you, girl
Things just woudn’t be the same
‘Cause I am as free as a bird now, I swear I am
And this bird you cannot change, oh ohh ohhh ohhhh
And this bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot changeee
Lord knows I can’t change

Bye bye baby its been sweet love
Know this feeling I can’t change
Please don’t take so badly
‘Cause Lord knows I’m to blame
If I stay here with you now
Things just couldn’t be the same
I am as free as a bird now, how about you!
And this bird you never change, oh ohh ohhh ohhhh ...
And this bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows, I can’t change
Lord help me, I can’t changeeee
Lord, I can’t change
Won’t you bye bye, oh free bird yeah

- Lynyrd Skynyrd, Promounced Lynyrd Skynyrd (1977)

On a fine day staring at a bird in flight, I would find myself envious to feel the peace and freedom of souring the open sky. One can really appreciate the symbolism of white dove to signify the purity in the message of peace and freedom.

This song by a bunch of mean lookin' and rockin' redneck initially caught my teenage attention for its fine git-tarr. But its the intriguing idea of movin' on and seek for ones chosen life that lingers in my young soul then. I was itching for freedom with a bit of reckless abundance.

The true message is not so. Its a common cliche in the musical genres of the American South to talk of movin' on. The yearning from abject poverty, life's hardship, lost love, and pure hopelessness. And, its also the seek for a better life, dream, or the yearn to doin' somethin' with ones life.

The calamitous 2005 is ending. December 31st is as good as any time to remind ourselves to continue movin' on. May the coming year be a better one than before for yawl.

Happy New Year.

Won’t you bye bye, oh free bird yeah.

A Voice
Kuala Lumpur
Dec 28th, 2005, 1:00 a.m.

Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

- John Lennon, Imagine (1971)


I dedicate this beautiful song of John Lennon to those attendees and participants of the Peace Global Forum 2005 held in Kuala Lumpur on December 15-18th, 2005.

Lets all of us join hands and make our personal contribution to ensure war is not a solution by any government to resolve human conflict. (More on the Forum on their official website or blog)

Perhaps, the repeated chorus of Lennon's entitled song, Give Peace a Chance, make for a better tagline for the message call for peace. I think Imagine encapsulate the turmoil of the world better despite the controversial words that invite literal misinterpretation.

I am no expert of International Relations but mere student of Science and practitioner in the Social Sciences of Business.

It is not an oblique preposition for conflict between beings and sovereigns explained by simple Newtonian logic. Not for reasons of the physical dimension and devastation of war, to apply such. But simplicity for the common senses.

A body remains in its present state unless there is force applied. Be it between country or community or individual beings, the equilibrium state of peace and harmony is disruptable by implied forces.

The imposition of one over another is all it takes to ignite hatred and intolerence in human's fragile mind. When one imposed their economic might or misinterpreted prejudice of their faith or political will on another, the irreversible begans.

Men revert to their primordial self with the right dosage of misconceptions of divine rewards and retribution, senseless affiliation to country, race and religion, and greed and self preservation.

All it takes is some twisted individuals to take leadership to impute a disillusioned sense of honour to the senseless act of killings, cruely and famine on another human soul.

Syukran to Allah for making Malaysia a country blessed with peace and bounty. We are proud and honoured to share this peaceful environment to talk of peace. May the world understand the wisdom in tolerance and restrain.

There is more reasons to live together in peace than to take up arms against each other. Over come this human mental fraility, ... and the world will live as one.

A Voice
Kuala Lumpur
December 24th, 2005 12:15 a.m.

Edelweiss

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever

- Soundtrack from The Sound of Music (1965)


Beyond the image resemblence to Captain Von Trapp, both are patriot steadfast to a cause. After 22 years as Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir left behind a legacy. He has his success and failures but let history be a judge.

It seems odd to hear questions of his past. I too had my wishlist for the Malays and Malaysia not fulfilled. And, I wished certain things were done differently. But, I am no Malay man who does not value and respect an elder. Not for a man, who has acted with the demand of the time and bold to pursue whatever needs done. Not for a man, without the benefit of hindsight.

Its depressing to see Malays he entrust, crumbled intoxicated. I have my curiosities: Why they foresake the elemental essential for time honoured need? Why they not prosper all thy breathen? Did the road to kingdom come took a detour? Or, simmering tenacity? Or, mere plurality turned singular? The answers are what lies inside them and only Allah knows ...

We see now young turks in-charge. As though experiance is no more a better teacher. Have they know-it-all? As though the young is not corrupted. Are they incorruptible? As though a country in crisis. Why we hear words of blame? Why the spins and cliche? Isn't in youth lies the advantage of time and the age buffer as security to your existence? Show us, elite education not mere pretigous name and confined to written words.

Learn from the guitar man the clarity and creativity in thinking and rationality. Not just a new broom dare to anger thy master. Not just resolve in taming a roaring crisis. Not just assiduous listening from the better.

Whatever is the past, it is the way of the time. Whatever is said, he is a true patriot. Whatever is questioned, he emerged to save and... bless my homeland forever.

A Voice
Kuala Lumpur
Dec 12th, 2005, 8:50 a.m.

Another Brick in the Wall (Part 3)

[Sound of many TV's coming on, all on different channels]
"The Bulls are already out there"
Pink: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrgh!"
"This Roman Meal bakery thought you'd like to know."

I don't need no arms around me
And I don't need no drugs to calm me.
I have seen the writing on the wall.
Don't think I need anything at all.
No! Don't think I'll need anything at all.
All in all it was all just bricks in the wall.
All in all you were all just bricks in the wall.

- Pink Floyd, The Wall (1979)


Only as one grow to mature, only then one realised the fictitous security blanket wrapping us. As we begin to "see", we begin to understand and we do not need "stimulants" to bribe our judgement.

God gave us a soul to feel and a brain to think. Why the need to succumb to be dependent, subdude, and subjugated to immortals? Do we not kneel to the AlMighty?

... All in all you were all just bricks in the wall.

A Voice
Kuala Lumpur
Dec. 11th, 2005, 3:00 p.m.

Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

"Wrong, Do it again!"
"If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you
have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?"
"You! Yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddy!"

- Pink Floyd, The Wall (1979)


Is the world made out of uniformity; same tie, same shirt and everyone adjusted to look the height? From day one, you decided our mission is dead set on a quantitative perfection. If we refuse, you fuse. Follow what we tell ye!

We grow up with the worldview to conform to the ways of the world. To speak the way you tell us to speak. To think the way around think. To see the way of old see. To listen only that allowed.

The world is ever changing. And, real life is so much different. You never taught us this will happen. Tell me "teacher", why you not tell us there is more right way than your way to speak, to think, to see, and to hear? Tell me "teacher", why are you not around to tell us what to do now? Tell me "teacher", why you tell us we are the leader of the day then, but you deny us that destiny.

Please tell 'em ... All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

A Voice
Kuala Lumpur
Dec 11th, 2005, 3:00 p.m.

Another Brick in the Wall (Part 1)

Daddy's flown across the ocean
Leaving just a memory
Snapshot in the family album
Daddy what else did you leave for me?
Daddy, what'd'ja leave behind for me?!?
All in all it was just a brick in the wall.
All in all it was all just bricks in the wall.

"You! Yes, you! Stand still laddy!"

- Pink Floyd, The Wall (1979)


A child born accustomed to rely on a "dependor" grows to believe everything will be alright. When neglected, as "dependee", the child learn to demand. As time goes by, learn to deject.

Why tell us we will provide for you? Fight for you? Be there for you? Then, neglect us. Will we not ask for what is due and now denied.

All you want is to be there for you ... All in all it was just bricks in the wall.

A Voice
Kuala Lumpur
Dec 11th, 2005, 3:00 p.m.

In the flesh

So ya
Thought ya
Might like to go to the show
To feel the warm thrill of confusion
That space cadet glow
Tell me is something eluding you sunshine?
Is this not what you expected to see?
If you'd like to find out what's behind these cold eyes?
You'll just have to claw your way through the
Disguise

- Pink Floyd, The Wall (1979)


In the flesh

A recent exchange brought a 'cool' finality to an age old misconception of guilt. Will always..., its nothing more than life chugging along its trodden path. Merely for a lean travel for life's journey ahead. Are we not a traveler at a transit station?

'Fessing up on recollection is bizarre. My cerebrum wasn't extracting and my metaphorical heart felt nothing. I resign to see this unique and courageous soul gets the desired peace of conscience. 

Its most not likely for us to renegade on our time-evolved present, even how bleak my current situation seemed. Nor, is the likelihood of discomforting situations from chance encounters. Even if it did, what the heck?

The experience of this awkward episode, of uttering from a distance past, inspired me to let it not go to waste. Perhaps its time me blog, me thoughts. To what purpose it serve? For me? For common others? Or even not? Beats me!

I know it'll be my little piece of cyber real estate that gives me the liberty to expound myself. As the Christian Evangelical ministers on TV land love to say, "The truth shall set you free." 

I think its true but not the way they intended it. 

Along the way, I could reconcile my thoughts. Maybe, understand the ways of the world better. And, to know and guide myself to the righteous path. Perhaps, get me closer to Allah ... before I move along. 

Or, it'll not come to anything. Who knows it will?

Unless you know, where this blog is to understand me ... You'll just have to claw your way through the Disguise.

A Voice
Kuala Lumpur
Dec 10th, 2005, 2:00 a.m.