I'm awesome.. just for once.

⊆ Tuesday, December 15, 2009 by Deano | ˜ 12 splurges »

Hey you guys, how's everything going? Good? Sorry for the late, super late or extra late update (because i'm awesome and you know it ;) ) I have been really busy since I came back from London. It's been a month here now and I am still enjoying life in Brunei, but I started to miss London though.. All those times I have spent there is been one of the good memories I will cherish for the rest of life and hopefully if I am given the chance to go there again, I will enjoy myself to the fullest.


Anyway, I have a coursework due this sunday (which I cannot submit due to functions I have to attend, and of course, that day, my cousin is getting married, so yeah.. it's gonna be one pretty hectic week for me. By next week, I will be a free bird and not doing anything is in my agenda. Yes, nothing. Zilch. I mean nothing. You know why? Because sadly, I am just that awesome (Barney Stinson's reference) DUMBASS (Red Foreman).

I can gladly declare the funniest TV show after friends would be That 70s Show. Yes my friends, That 70's show. Since I watched it two days ago, it has become my new addiction since. How I Met Your Mother is still on my TV series list but that cannot beat That 70's show at the moment, although I am thinking that The Big Bang Theory can be top notch as well. Anyway, other than that I don't have anymore updates for you guys, this is my only free time today and I will spend the rest of the day doing work and hopefully be able to finish before thursday, which is tomorrow.

Oh, some updates. I have opened a photo blog for everyone to see. It's just a site I put up for random photos I take with my new camera.

Deano's Photo Blog - click here!!

Enjoy guys!

 

Update brothers!!

⊆ Thursday, July 30, 2009 by Deano | ˜ 0 splurges »

How ya'll been? Great? Sorry for the late, late and SUPER DUPER late update as I am starting to get busy with my dissertation. Alhamdulillah, I have just finished my data collection for my research :) and hopefully will be able to finish the rest of the chapters by the end of august Insyallah and Amin if I finish it by then.

Anyways, I am here just to discuss about one issue in Brunei I just have read from some blog (forgot what the name of the blog is), but I am more interested on what the topic is about. It is current issue now, which is kids that are below the age of 14 are being "forced" or "asked" to do business outside their schooling hours until late midnight. This is just really, really bad parenting here. I mean, look, you have kids that are under the age of 14 doing business until late at night, yet, you really don't think about the welfare of your own children? Think about it, I know we all say "kesian" here and there, but the overuse of these words have been seen as their "benefits" to get cash to these children but ends up either being given to their brother where they are watching over them while they are doing their business. Think about it, the government has already given the public schools for free, yet still you do this to your children, if you are outside of Brunei, I don't think education is free and to the extent I can understand why children are forced to do business, but NOT Brunei, and I mean it!!

This is just really, really bad. The article I read has a lot of different comments regarding this matter and it has become one hell of a hot topic. I would like to post the comments which I think make valuable sense here, just for the sake of saving time to scroll down just to find the ones that I like, so here goes:

#1 - Wyna: Something should be set up for those people who cannot find jobs or the relevant authorities should give them some direction as to how to solve this problem I think. I pity the children but if the parents were sincere in looking for rezeki halal they should not push their young children to do it but do it themselves. Instead if the children dont make any sale the parents will scold them or scold the other people. They use their children coz they know we will take pity on them. This is wrong and should not at all be encouraged. Wallah waklam

#2 - Zulasmin Noor: There’s nothing good or bad about this. Its how you perceive it. Don’t compare your lives with these people and do not give them solutions based on your everyday life. You will never know and understand what they go through.

You want to give them a better life? Support them yourself and if you can’t, gather community support and see how that … Read Moretakes off. Don’t wait for the government and do not pity them.."kesian" is a word we often use because its safe. We say that becoz we’re humans, what comes after that, thats where god will define whether its a good or bad deed. Don’t wait for the government either, they’re just too busy and they need assistance in things like these. So you still want to make a difference?

#3 - Zulasmin Noor: Wow! I didn’t know this would bring such a big uproar. First things first, i want to know, why people like to say kesian without even lending a hand. I guess its just easy to say it but in reality, thoughts of "will i be losing anything while helping out?" comes into mind. Secondly, Do you think you can change the plight of this 8yr old and his family?

In most cases, the answer to both questions will be no. Kesian is a word which is very often used, but do we really mean it? If we were to help this kid out, what will happen to the rest of the family? One thing coming to mind, "extortion"!! Imagine this, the little one goes out with the brothers, the little one gets lots of money because everyone "kesian" him. This makes him a victim of extortion, firstly from the brothers and then from the family, we actually make his life a little bit harder because of our pity towards him. Now he’s more in a delima when he first started. While, we are feeling good because we just helped an 8yr kid while the kid is probably worried now on how to keep his riches.

Anyhow, to sum it up, if we need to help out, lets make it big and official so its worth the time for everyone, especially the unfortunate. We don’t have to wait for the government to help these poor souls out, we as a community can do it if we can AGREE to anything. I’m sure theres a lot of good souls out there to help out :) Insyallah…….you may leave a legacy of your own while doing a good deed, which may count big time on your good deeds list.

Remeber, helping out these kids with handouts will only help them temporarily. So if you do really give some s*it about these kids, make sure you’re really prepared to help the whole family, otherwise please refrain from using the word kesian because not everyone has the same fortune as us and these people exist becuase they have to play a role in the world, as how Allah has instructed them to.

#4 - Ying Fei: I blogged this topic some time ago :) Still the same, huh? I’m actually concerned about the children’s safety – they are left to cross big roads unsupervised, and it’s gets really dark at night particularly in the Kiulap area.

Also, in response to someone here saying the family may need the money: then why are the parents lurking about only to pounce on people who ask their kids to leave? Surely it is easier for an adult to arrange something less dodgy such as asking for a shopkeeper’s permission or going in him/herself. The children should be in bed at 10pm on a schoolnight, not cavorting around town in their pyjamas. I think the parents are just embarrassed to be seen in public hawking things, and for that reason… I guess they don’t need the money badly enough, do they?

By the way, to those arguing that those with negative views on this situation should instead ask themselves if they would be willing to help – that would be a valid argument under different circumstances. The government has led the charity culture in Brunei for a long time and only recently people are organising their own drives – but then the funds raised are often still meant for these government-founded charities. Private charities like SMARTER and Animal Shelter are still fairly new ideas, and they will surely agree it was a tough fight for their cause. It’s not easy for a private group to legitimately offer help to those in need, just because they’ve identified a cause.

Bambang actually contradicts himself by saying that it is up to the authorities to decide who needs what, and then finding Zul’s views of "do it yourself" and "don’t wait for the government", and later " spot on. Get it together, man.

What’s really wrong is the environment for forming charities in Brunei. People should stop turning to the government for help and instead look to their neighbours – and the government should really start making it easier for this to happen.

All of those comments above are taken from Anak Brunei

I mean when you look at it, it should be a matter that should be resolved soon. I hope before I head back to Brunei probably in November, that all of these should be minimized soon enough. The authorities should take prior action!

Well, it's just my say here and it's for the sake for the children and for their future! Who knows, what good things that may lie ahead for them if they are educated properly.

 

Opened a new blog.

⊆ Saturday, April 25, 2009 by Deano | ˜ 0 splurges »

This is just a quick information. I have opened a new blog called Deano's Music Regime. This blogsite is actually for me to share to everyone the talent that I can find anywhere on Brunei Students in the UK with their music, let it be plain singing, making a song or covering a song, I will post them here. So guys enjoy. If you want to add anything, do please leave a message on the shoutbox. That would be greatful!

Links provided on the right.

 

Short blog and I do mean just short.

⊆ Saturday, April 25, 2009 by Deano | ˜ 0 splurges »

Okay, ever wonder when you are just plain you walking towards a destination you want to head to and then suddenly something stops you mentally (not physically) and think, "wait, what was that about?". Well, here's a story you would like to know though I was curious why was I the one being the culprit (I make sound like it is a bad thing but it's not, seriously, it's not).

This just happened like what, a few minutes ago, okay, to be exact, 35 minutes ago approximately. Well then, getting back to the story, I was thinking in my room while playing FIFA 09 on my ps3 (yes people, while playing a football game) I suddenly think of going to Starbucks. So then, after two matches I played, I switched off my PS3, head for the showers (because I was playing badminton a few hours before), wore my black cap (since I am too lazy to fix my hair + it's just closeby), wore a black polo shirt (just for that home-y look) and short pants and slippers and off I go to Starbucks. It was only closeby though, at the Paddington Station, anyway, when I reached Starbucks, I noticed that they did not accept cards temporarily due to the machines faults, so I had to go down where the cash machine is, queued up and took out £10 pounds. Soon after, I went back up and the first thing I notice is this two beautiful women sitting beside the glass as I entered the shop, one of them just waved at me. I don't know if it's real or not, but she was waving at me, with a beautiful smile. I mean of course, in my mind I was like "wow" but at the same time "Hm? who is she waving to? me?" and so I thought probably someone else at the back, but to honest with you, there was no one behind me so it was weird. Probably it is for me though, I don't understand why.. Oh well. Went in, bought a mocha frappucino and then, went out with my heading thinking, why did she wave at me?

Well then, that's the only thing I wanna share with you guys. I will update you soon again. Cheerios.

 

Considering post-mortem fascinations.

⊆ Sunday, April 19, 2009 by Deano | ˜ 0 splurges »

Ok, ok, considering the fact that I made that title up was the pure addiction of watching "The Mentalist". It is a good TV show anyway, I got hooked up with it since I saw the show in Birmingham last time. Oh, I will post some pictures when I was there, plus the synopsis of the TV show which you lot may find it interesting for it to read. You know, for once, I am not interested nor intrigued to watch crime TV shows because probably I don't want to watch it, but since "The Mentalist" has these kinds of elements, plus, comedy on the side makes it all look more interesting. What's more interesting about this is, you don't get to see the main character straight away knows who kills the person in the middle of the show, with the glimpse of mind games around suspects and asking nonsense (but highly theoratical and acceptable though illegal ways) of carving out information might seem a bit out of hand, considering he (yup, folks, it's a he) uses it for his own benefit and a great source of information for the CBI (Califonia Bureau of Investigation). Sadly enough, I just don't like when I get hooked on to a show and then it is on hiatus for a while (I just found that out when I logged on to eztv website an hour ago) but anyway, since it will be back on the end of this month, expect to see more mystery solving cases with a bit of laughter and more "WTF is Red John".

Something interesting about this "Red John" really questions me a lot. A murderer, nonetheless, one of the greatest murders on that show, never reveals itself but it shows signs after a murder with a picture of a smiley like this:


A stained blood of the his/her prey and then draws this on the wall of the victim's place and then goes away. Next day, comes the CBI, finds this out, and the mentalist goes disappearing (or daydreaming) about his past (his child and wife was killed by this sociopath). Oh well, I shall give you a synopsis of the story now.

The Mentalist.

Simon Baker as Patrick Jane, an independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI), who has a remarkable track record for solving serious crimes by using his razor sharp skills of observation. Within the Bureau, Jane is notorious for his blatant lack of protocol and his semi-celebrity past as a psychic medium, whose paranormal abilities he now admits he feigned. Jane's role in cracking a series of tough high-profile cases is greatly valued by his fellow agents.

However, no-nonsense Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon openly resists having Jane in her unit and alternates between reluctantly acknowledging Jane's usefulness and blasting him for his theatrics, narcissism and dangerous lack of boundaries. Lisbon's team includes agents Kimball Cho, Wayne Rigsby and rookie member Grace Van Pelt, who all think Jane's a loose cannon but admire his charm and knack for clearing cases.

(Synopsis taken from aceshowbiz.com).

I currently urged all people who are into this kind of thing to watch the show. It is really, really good. Ok, moving on. What did I do during these Easter holidays right after I have done my coursework and stuff. Ok, for starters, I had made plans, going to Birmingham (check and done) and then Reading (Check but not done, still here). Well to tell you the truth, I am at the Reading Uni library with my friends though, they are studying and whilst I take the full advantage of the Internet here and use this time to blog and download stuff, while I do that I will blog and upload some pictures just to fill my blog for a while. Okay, I will upload pictures of when I was still in Birmingham. The destinations while I was in Birm was The City (Bullring), Aston Villa (Villa Park), Alton Towers (Ottoxeter) and Pershore Road.


Starting with the City:


That night, Pershore Road:



The next day, Alton Towers:



and then the rest of the days just relaxed, chilling with the BiBers and then home on Monday. Guys from BiBers, thank you for your kind reception for my stay in Birmingham last week, I did have fun and it was a good memory for me to keep in a while. I wish I could stay longer but then I can't, so sorry guys, will be coming there if I have the time yes? Mus thank you for introducing the show "The Mentalist" (I am hooked now), Kash, Nisa, Naili and Nawir, thank you for letting me stay at your house for the whole duration whilst I am in Birm, the rest of the guys from Pershore Road, Azrul, Mali, Abu (sorry boss, aku nda tau di mana tampat tinggal mu), Tony (Van Der Sar ba tu..), Mus, Hanif, Huda.. thank you all guys!.

Now, I will upload other pictures that I may deemed irrelevent to the blog but somehow or somewhat related to what I am doing for the past 2 weeks from now.

First up, these three pictures below is from when I was playing Paintball somewhere in London. It was a last minute thing though, since I was invited by my friends jusr to fill up the amount of people to equalise each sides. We were separated into gold and wasps team. Anyhow, the Wasps team won considering the number of people they have was very overpowering for the Gold, it was an unporportional team. Here are three pictures I just put in here just to show you.


The next two pictures is from the UMNO football tournament. We went there just to cheer for the Brunei Team and sadly enough, they got the 3rd spot. It was a disappointment considering the fact that they were the champions of last years UMNO tournament. Oh well, here's some pictures as well.


Hmm, I don't know what to put in here. Oh yeah, a while back, I was laughing at this one video I just knew yesterday. I know this video sounds a bit racial to some people, but if you take it as a joke then don't worry, it will not harm anyone. It is just a joke, SERIOUSLY.



Another video that I stumbled upon was on Facebook. Anyone remembers Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? Oh yes, If you guys have watched this movie in the year 2000, with your family, and then shed tears watching it and then you will remember this video (apparently for me, it was the most teardropping movie I have ever seen, from one scene to the next, makes your heart drop and then tears flow out of your eyes like the water pipes burst). Well here's the music video.



This music video is where the scene of where Anjali (after high school) met this guy and this is where they got engaged or married I think. I used to think that Indian marriage was like this, all dancing randomly throughout and expecting they know the dances as if it was already routine for them at weddings.

Oh yeah, now that reminds me of this video then, a movie called Mohabbatein. It was the same thing that happened to me when I watched Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Tears going down from my eyes as well.



This is a sad song. I was thinking of that other song but oh well. Anyway, I am done with this blog session. I will find some more useful articles for me to write later on. Cheerios.

 

Reckless intent and other misery factoids.

⊆ Friday, April 17, 2009 by Deano | ˜ 0 splurges »

Okay, cheesy title but yeah, couldn't think of any more title other than that. Feels like everytime I triy to blog about something, whether to post a video, post a new entry or other things I might like to put in my blog seems to come up with a random title. It is like my brain has this random name generator that cooks up names and words in aboour 0.4 seconds the moment the new blogging page opens. Anyhow, that was just a random thought I had cooked up for the last minute or so.

Tonight, actually, it's 1.00am now and it's friday, I am still in my holiday mood. Sure, I did travel to relieve the stress I have been having during my masters course and now that all of my courseworks are done I can finally rest at ease. Though my dissertation is still due until September, I can just sit back, relax, do work more efficiently and taking my time with no pressure whatsoever. Anywho's, this blog is not about rambling on and on my life, but rather, this entry is just a jist of what I am feeling so far though, not meaning to be rude or anything, but it's just that I need this to get out of the way so that I can have a breathing space for other stuff to come into my head and manipulate the brain with it.

Anyway, sometimes I do feel this sort of air coming around my environment, this, sense of disgust when I am around a big crowd. Though I do not speak much about what I do feel but I felt that I need to say this on my blog since it is the only way I will release the feelings enraged inside. Yeah, getting back, the sense of disgust, the sense of like "what the hell are you doing here?", "your just a nuisance", "your annoying", "your just stupid around people", that sort of reception you know. I don't mean to be offensive but this is just what I have been feeling lately though I don't show it to my peers but yeah, lately it is been like that eversince I came back from Birmingham. I can't shake this feeling of me as being the pure guilt around people, as if, I am not needed nor like I should not be there for any joyous occasion. Though my peers tries to bring me out and stuff, I never reject them (unless of course if there is other reasons, I should state that the fact that it is just personal and I like that privacy to be respected on all factors). Then again, there are some bright sides when it comes to it but somehow, it always felt like a pole of positives and negatives, and so far, whenever I try to go to be positive, something might stop me from reaching that positive factor and starts pushing me towards negativity and I don't like that.

Here are some of the random thoughts that I like to say and not keep it in my head. Why can't people keep their privacy? Especially here, the moment I travel outside on my own, people has this stupid idea of you going out of London means that you are going to meet someone you like. I really do not like that perception. That is where sometimes in my head, I do get angry. I mean like come on, I just want to travel out of the place, that does not mean I am going to meet someone I like? I just feel like I wanna got out of London for a while. It is much better going out then staying over in London the whole time. I am so sorry guys if you read this (for those who does not go out of London) but seriously, I felt like it is time for me to go out and expose myself to know more outside, and by doing that, I can gain new things in life rather than being stuck in. I do believe that most of your reading this will surely say *nah, he's just bluffing, I know he'll say this just to cover up that he met a girl, you know, just to keep low* then FYI to you guys and sorry to disappoint you, I don't. Probably after reading this, you guys are going to hate me more than ever. That's fine, I'm cool with that no worries, I won't bother. Just enjoy your reckless notion of "man, he's very dull" kinda stuff but you won't understand.

Hm, there are other random thoughts that I like to point out but it seems my head is already beginning to shut down from it's active thinking point. The main thing is, as I progressed through life here, I have learnt new things. Feel no remorse your surroundings, being good means that you are the easy prey for the people who is going to hurt you real bad, people DO judge the book by its cover and it has happened alot, when you try to open up, something will shut you down, when you try to be good at something, something will prevent you from being good in a paticular stuff, when you try to enjoy fun, all I get is just pressure and nothing else. So here, Fun = Pressure, being good = your the stupid, nonsense, useless person, improving = de-moralisation of improvement.

Anyway, I will to continue on rambling other things in life as I progress through and hopefully I will remember what I wanted to write here.

 

The succulent, yet, undesirable entry.

⊆ Saturday, March 21, 2009 by Deano | ˜ 1 splurges »

Hey guys, how have you been doing? I know, I know, I haven't been doing my blog in a long time, things has been getting really busy lately yes? For example of busyness? Let's see, tomorrow I will go to Nottingham to attend the BruNotts Easter Games for which I will compete in the Badminton Singles, as I am in Group D, lucky me, one of my friends is there, so it should be fun, but then again, I don't know the two opponents, as it looks like those are good badminton players as well, *sigh*. Anywho's, another event that I have managed to join in is the previous BruManch Talentime as I was performing my own song, "Untukmu" for fun though, and it was such a great day and I wish to do more performances in the near future. If you wanna see the video of me performing, it is on the previous post or if you like check it here: deantheblack's youtube that should get to start your engine going with my songs and cover songs. I am now trying to improvise my voice to get better and hopefully it will change how I sound, hopefully.

Oh yes, don't forget about my assignments. Yes, In actuality, I have around 5 assignments to finish, but due to my good reasons, I have finished 3 of them, for which it helped me a lot. Now I have 2 more to go and it is due on the 5th of Apr. I will do my 2 assignments next week and the week after, and then, I am heading off to Birmingham to enjoy with my friends there.

Anyway, why am I posting today. Let me tell you something. Have you ever wondered the kids now in Brunei are much more screwed up than last time? Don't you ever wonder? Like us when we were kids, we were never this much screwed in our teenage life. Having said that, I have a post written by friend, Syaza, shows how much disgust he has on his blog about those kids out there. So here is his post:

Sunday, 8 March 2009

Kids, I Hate You!

I just feel like posting these thoughts of mine that I long to share with you guys that, maybe, somehow, can open up your mind. And oh, maybe you're one of the things that I mention as you read all the way thru'? Well, I'm sorry. But I'm right, right?

  • I hate punks. You guys bring KB a bad name and give The Mall a bad sight. Fuck you and your XXS sized Sid and Nancy t-shirt and Sex Pistols anthems you're listening to. Fuck you and your Martins boots. And oh, do you even know what Anarchy means? Form 3 pun inda pass. Why am I hating this subculture when their season was long over? Exactly! Stupid people never last!

  • I hate emos. I have to agree. Emo posers are gay. They are such cry babies. Fuck you and your rambut yang panjang menutup mata setampik ah. Fuck you and your empty school bags that you're carrying while you're hanging out at The Mall. Fuck you for asking your dad to send you to The Mall and fetch you up. Fuck you for your eye shadows and piercings. Oh, the same goes to you Punks! Emo girls, cut your wrists FOR REAL THIS TIME 'coz that would be freakin' cool! You're hating what I'm saying here? THEN RUN TO YO' MAMA AND CRY! Oh, hey! Mana kamu dapat stukin bula warna pink yang kamu pakai di Mall ah. Lawa eey~!

  • I hate shufflers. Wait, I think I should say I like them! They get the entire floor of the Mall clean with their big belly bottom Kapoera trousers! The Management of the Mall looks like considering to lay off some of their cleaners if things continue to be like this. I have nothing else to say about you guys. I just simply hate you. I just find you guys so uncool.

I simply hate subcultures of these kinds. They never really know what they're all about. They become who they are 'coz they think its cool, its the new trend so why not be one as well? Guess what, pieces of shit like you (referring to these subcultures) never last, and the next thing you know, you find me blogging about you clowns, talking about how stupid you guys make yourselves are.

Yes, now you see it, and read it, it is very, very interesting. Indeed it shows that kids now are really F***ed up these days.

More articles for me to write? How about the thrashing of Man U against Liverpool? Gosh, I have wished this to happened and yes it has happened. Man U are such on a strong lead and therefore I thought, don't they ever lose one match, and thank god, for the on-form Liverpool who had beaten Real Madrid 4 - 0 repeated that results with Man U 4 - 1. So heads up to them as well.


Picture shows Stevie G celebrates the second goal against Man U, which broke the record of the next team to score a goal against Man U + the team who had penalties on Old Trafford. Good job Stevie!.

Can't help but post this, Van Persie's goal celebration against Blackburn. Arsenal thrashed Blackburn 4 - 0. 1st goal was an own goal by Ooijer, 2nd goal was Arshavin's debut goal, 3rd goal I think is by Van Persie and I don't remember the 4th goal. But anyway, ARSENALL!! WE LOVE YOU!! ARSENAL!!

Anyway, I will post anything interesting next time soon. Enjoy your day and wish me luck for the Easter games tomorrow!

 

Ah. another. video. to. be. posted.

⊆ Tuesday, March 10, 2009 by Deano | ˜ 0 splurges »

Hey guys, how have you been? Sorry I haven't updated my blog in a long,long,long time as I have been really really busy!! But anyway, I am here to post a video,which I have performed my first ever malay track, Untukmu, live on stage.. it's for this venue of BruManch Talentime 2009.

Here's the video:



Enjoy!!

 
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