Filmography & Animation Workshop

This is Fooch.

This is MEtz Team.

They are studying very seriously.

They also got some acting and camera work tips.

Good session, everyone!

Perjalanan Ke Tengah Bumi

One word - forgettable

Two words - don't bother

Three words - watch something else

Four words - don't waste your time

Five words - watch The Dark Knight instead

Going to the land of smiles again...

Flying to Bangkok again next week... for a short trip...

What makes a hero?

OMG. What just happened? Did I really watch a movie about a masked and caped crusader who dons a rubber costume and fights bad guys?

Or did I just witness a powerful interplay of action, philosophy, psychology, criminal investigation, tragedy and heroism, condensed into a "long" 2.5 hours of pure cinematic joy?


What makes a hero a hero? Is it the fact that he dons a costume and fights bad guys and saves the world? Or is he one who awakens the complacent into action by his outrageous antics and appetite for chaos? Or is he the one who forms an unofficial alliance between law makers and law breakers with the hope of bringing further peace to the nation? Or is he the one who charges through with the laws of the land in hopes of utilizing the justice process to nab serious criminals? Or is he the one who stands by another in times of difficulty, often offering nothing but comfort and silence? Or is he the one who supplies incredible gadgetry to enhance law enforcement and vigilante's modus operandi?

Yes, The Dark Knight attempts to ask all these questions, and by large it succeeds. Henceforth, I am labeling it as the most intriguing movie I've watched this year!

What is Buddhism?

When Buddha attained Nirvana, he spend 49 days meditating and just experiencing pure bliss and supreme happiness, untainted by any negative thoughts or feelings. Only after that 7 weeks of enjoyment, he decided to spread the truth.

But what did he teach?

Essentially, Buddhism can be summed up in these 4 points:
1) Dukkha (Suffering)
2) Samudaya (Origin)
3) Nirodha (Cessation)
4) Magga (Way)

All of existence is suffering. From the moment we are born till we grow old, fall sick and eventually die. Not getting what we want, getting what we do not want. All these are forms of suffering.

Suffering arises from the delusion that there is a self, a permanent entity called "I". When there is this delusion of "I", then there is the delusion of "My". When there is this delusion of "My", then we start to grasp at things. We crave for things. We crave for sensual pleasures, for being, and for not being. All of this promotes greed. When we do not get what we want, we become angry and upset. Hatred arises, and we become deluded all over again that someone has hurt us.

But Buddha also said that there is an opposite state from suffering, and it is called Nirvana. It is the complete absence of craving, a state of mind where nothing can make one unhappy, and he is always constantly in a perfect state of bliss, of pure happiness. And this state is achievable by everyone!

How to achieve this perfect state of mind called Nirvana? By studying, practising and realizing the Noble Eightfold Path, which comprises of Right UTSALEMC: Understanding, Thought, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration. By studying, one gains awareness. By practising, one learns through example. By realizing, one is freed from Samsara.

So, Buddhism is as simple as that. And the Buddha is such a master teacher that he can sum up his entire teaching in one word: Dukkha. By reflecting on this word, you realize that everything in this world is Dukkha. And by reflecting further, you realize the cause of Dukkha is this delusion of a permanent self, and the constant craving for material things, and the dissatisfaction when you do not get the things you want. But Buddha also says that there is also an opposite state called Nirvana which is the complete absence of Dukkha. And this state is achievable not by an external agent or god, but within each and every one of us. And not only that, he even taught us the path, step by step, how to escape from Dukkha and attain Nirvana. Wow, Buddha is cool!

Tahniah, Pelancong Angkasa!

Yes, you have been honoured by the Royalty from Negeri Sembilan for being paid to blast off into space, pose in several photographs, come home to write a book about your experience, and being used in the recent General Elections campaign.

Congratulations, indeed.

Headache

After taking several doses of Panadol yesterday, I managed to sleep well, but right now I have a weird headache attack. This, compounded with the weird weather outside (yes it's very weird), news of Anwar's and RPK's arrest, and global economic slowdown, all potent ingredients for a mindblowing headache.

What am I to do now, but to find a quiet corner and snooze? :)

Fever

Yesterday I was feeling feverish immediately after having my lunch, and the feeling continued on into the customer meeting, then packing myself into a crowded LRT and driving back to Subang, having dinner but not feeling full, then going to Asia Cafe for discussion, then coming home to watch Anwar vs Shabery and finally bathing and sleeping. Today I feel better, but still have weird pangs of feverish bouts...

Life sucks

What does it mean to truly love somebody?

All the below are listed in the order of increasing difficulty to practise.

Selfish love - when one loves another because he wants to feel happy and wants the other half for himself only and forever

Selfless love (unconditional, Metta) - when one loves another for no reason except to provide that loving kindness without prejudice or condition

Compassionate love (Karuna) - when one loves another who is of less fortune than himself and he feels happy to provide that love

Altruistic love (Mudita) - when one feels happy about another's good fortune and celebrates the happiness and achievements of others

No love (equanimity, Upekkha) - when one is unperturbed by the outside and inside influences/changes, when there is no love, no hate, no self, no others, no thing

Blogging from work...

Yes, it's 8.25pm and I'm still at work...

This life is not so balanced after all...

The weather...

So nice to sleep this morning...