Dearly departed,
Have you been lost for words?

When you screamed to the crowd,
still no one turns to meet your eyes?

Have you been left speechless,
when you talked,
of the sorrows that hung about you,
as you cry out in pain.
Only to have them staring,
as if,
you spoke a language,
too foreign,
too complex to understand?

Has it been that?
That feeling of estranged sadness,
which made you turn onto yourself,
committing to blood and tears,
only to numb down the feelings.

And with this,
you left your world,
staying where you are,
if under sand and stone,
covered with earth.

As we walk upon your grounds,
we whisper of our hope,
that one day,
someday,
we shall join you,
and leave the very Life you rejected.

(This poem is dedicated to a fallen angel, respected and loved by many. He will be missed)

I'm sure that plenty of you people out there are in the same situation as yours truly. You know, have a thing for a beautiful girl, watch from a distance, fantasizing about taking her to a movie... bla bla bla. You get the picture right? Well, I went through the whole experience for eight long, excruciating months before I finally chalked up enough guts to go up to her. So to avoid going down the same barren trail here's what you do.

Step ONE: The most important thing is to let her know you exist! I know, you've read this one before but it IS the most crucial part of your journey. Even though I was in the same class as her for 3 months(3 times a week, an hour a day), I still went largely unnoticed. The size of the class didn't help much either(about 60 plus students). You can't really expect the girl of your dreams to come up to you and tell you she loves you. Call me a traditionalist but guys(no matter what age we live in) should always make the first move.

Now what? You ask. First, you have to generally know her daily routine e.g what time she comes to college, where her classes are, etc. Once you got that down, time to get to work. So, find yourself hanging around places she's always at and try to make some sort of conversation. Just pick a topic. Often, some of the things you're going to talk about may sound stupid in that playful head of yours but it really is no where near as bad as you imagined. Take this from me, you might feel a little queasy during your first few attempt but just ignore it. You HAVE to do this if you want a hint of a chance with her. I tell you, it is the best feeling in the world when you finally talk to the girl that makes everything else so insignificant. In short, you won't regret it. Even if she doesn't respond the way you've hoped for, at least you know you've tried to do something about your feelings instead of wondering "what if?". One more thing, don't let her friends get in your way. It doesn't matter what her friends think of you. Maybe later, you might have to be a little nicer- just a little. Ha.

Time for the real deal

Step TWO: After that's done, I guess you can consider yourself a "friend" seeing it's a very subjective word. From there, make an effort to say 'hi' every chance you get so she doesn't forget you. It doesn't matter if she keeps seeing you everywhere she goes. Some girls might think it's crazy but then again, some might even think it's sweet and flattering. In a perfect world, all girls will think like the latter. If you're lucky, you might even get to have another conversation or two with her again.

Step THREE: I think it safe to say that I've completed both Steps One and Two. However, I'm actually still working on Step Three. This is the big one- Asking her out. Sure, most guys would rather soak their head down some toilet bowl than face the possibility of rejection. I sure as heck feel that way. But the thing is, you have to be willing to lose. Just keep telling yourself that there are always risks. You want to be a little subtle when you ask her out because you're not really sure "where she is at". If you're bold, sure, go ahead and say "Would you like to go on a date with me?" But for those a little less outgoing(like me), something like "During the weekend or holidays, when you got nothing to do. I was wondering if you wanted to go for a movie or something?" would be a better approach. You could tell her to bring a friend to make her feel more comfortable. Wouldn't really be a date then but at least you're going out together. Oh, don't forget to get her number. Or at least an e-mail address.

That's it from me. You're on your own after that. Just follow what your heart says. Good luck and I hope you guys land the date of your dreams. Cheerio, I'm off on MY quest for Cloud Nine.

Etiquette For Dummies is a guide for doing the right thing in virtually every situation and it can help you find a way to put others at ease in almost any situation. Here you can discover how to: behave considerately in everyday situation, communicate graciously at home and at work, eat out and entertain with confidence and many more.

Writer's Review

Oh Sh*t!

So you enter the posh restaurant with a big grin, eyes fixed on the huge, weird looking golden statue holding a square 'globe'. Following the spiral oak staircase, you slowly made your way up to the upper floor, still admiring the beautiful alien environment. Your date waves frantically and you wave back excitedly. All is well, until you take your sit, and realize the large array of dining utensils presented before you.

Hmmm...do I need four glasses for water? Maybe it's for the Coke, Sprite, and the juice. And what's this pitchfork thingy for? Then it hit you- you're so screwed!

Ten minutes later, you're gnawing on a stubborn piece of chicken while holding it in both hands with the lame excuse that it's 'finger lickin' good'. She excuses herself to the ladies, and while waiting, you entertained yourself creating music by tapping the odd shaped glasses with some of the forks you didn't find useful.

She never returned.

But why? You ask. Well, I guess you wouldn't do it if you knew now won't you? It's your etiquette, or manners, or whatever you want to call it. Humans are social creatures and thus, over the years, have developed a standard of behavior when we're around each other. This is extremely important at the same time, useful. Like your disastrous date, you failed to behave in a way that others will be comfortable being around you. Of course, you wouldn't like it if your date starts throwing food around like a three year old would you?

Ah yes, I call this extreme sitting. Now stop staring at me like that!

Help is here!

It's time to shed your selfish, barbaric ways for a smarter, more civilized way of behaving. All you need to know for a complete personality makeover is described in 360 pages in Etiquette FOR DUMMIES. Well, don't be turned off by the title. Everyone's a dummy before he/she becomes adept at something right?

Within its trademark, yellow coloured covers, author Sue Fox explains the proper etiquettes required in countless awkward situations such as dates, baby showers, weddings. Heck, there's even a chapter on writing letters and the correct stationary to use(ballpoints- bad, fountain pens- good).

OK, even if you're only interested in how to not screw up your date the next time round, there's plenty of information you might find useful in unexpected times. Let's see, there's tips for arriving at an event(yeah, you have to know how to arrive), knowing when the party's over(but isn't it supposed to be all night long?), and sending out wedding announcements(you're bound to use it aren't you?)

Of course, there's many more and if I were to describe all of it, this review will stretch 80 pages long. So, I'm going to stop here. But rest assured that it'll be worth your time and money. Think of your love life, man. You think you're ready? Think again.

Will you stop trying to marry me already? Go polish your etiquette and we'll talk.

This book can be purchased at any MPH Bookstore for RM 64.00. Go to the MPH Webstore for more details.

Oscar is a fast-talking little fish whose big dreams have a habit of landing him in hot water. Lenny is a great white shark with a sensitive side.and a secret-he's a vegetarian. When a great white lie turns Oscar into an improbable hero and the truth about Lenny makes him an outcast, these two become the most unlikely of friends.

This is definitely a buddy-buddy movie and will make you roll in your seat with laughter. The quick wit of Will Smith and Renee Zellweger's cute and adorable character endear the fishy heroes to the audience.

In the beginning, after Will Smith's character, Oscar, a cleaner wrasse, makes his first appearance; you can't help but notice the striking resemblance between the digital fish and the rap star himself. Down to the ethnic lips and hip-hop attitude, the animators have captured the very essence of the actors.

The digital effects used in the movie are light-years ahead of "Finding Nemo" and "Shrek". Smooth graphics and more realistic movements give the movie believability and are able to enthral viewers worldwide.

The physical similarities between the digital characters and the star voicing the character might spoil the illusion of a fictional comedy, but it is very easy to imagine the live celebrities acting out the hilarious storyline in the streets of New York.

But back to the storyline: Oscar gets himself in heap loads of trouble, as in typical bumbling hero type. Angie sticks by him and in the end, everyone gets what they want and deserve. At parts, the animation is overdramatic and it tips between hilariously funny to down-right lame.

Appearing alongside the disaster-prone Oscar; is Lola (voiced by Angelina Jolie), a sensuous, but money-grubbing fish; Sykes, (voiced by noted director Martin Scorsese) an over- anxious puffer fish; Don Lino (voiced by Robert De Niro), the head of the Shark Mob that terrorises the Reef, his sidekicks and not forgetting, Ernie and Bernie, a couple of Rastafarian jellyfish, voiced by Doug. E. Doug and Ziggy Marley.

Overall, more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

Also, stick around at the end for a cute and musical surprise.

"Crazy Joe"

Regional DJ Competition Returns

The Found@Thirst DJ search has proved to be a huge success in uncovering local talents and kick-starting the careers of over 45 DJs across the globe in Thirst´s two-year history. Now the Thirst campaign will launch the first ever Asia Regional competition, where 19 Found@Thirst winners from the region will battle it out for the title of F@T Asia Winner.

Throughout September and October, a series of semi-finals will take place at six cities in five countries, with each DJ competing in an away country. The series kicks off in Thailand (16 September), followed by Malaysia (9 October), Taiwan (16 October), Singapore (23 October) and lastly, Vietnam on 26 & 29 October (where 2 cities will play host -- Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, respectively).

The semi-finals will culminate in the grand Asian final in Kuala Lumpur on 20 November 2004. Hosted at the world-renowned ZOUK Club, the winner of the six semi-finals will battle it out in front of a panel of judges, which includes Pete Tong, Miss Motif and Daniele Davoli, who will also be performing on the night.

Malaysia has been given the honour of hosting both the Asian semi-finals and also the finals due to the thriving club scene in K.L. and the amount of publicity support generated from the last 2 Thirst events featuring Paul Oakenfold (2003) and Tiesto (2004).

In support of the Thirst Asia Final event, a weekly show titled MTV Urban Beats will feature exclusive highlights of the regional competition. Broadcast on MTV as part of the event´s first media partnership with MTV Asia, the show will feature exclusive interviews, competitions and unique behind-the-scenes footage. MTV Urban Beats will broadcast across the MTV Asia network to audiences in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan.

The program kicks off on 1 September and will be on MTV every Wednesday at 10 P.M. for 26 weeks. Viewers stand a chance of winning tickets to the Thirst Asia around the region by answering a few simple questions.

Thirst Asia is supported and promoted on http://www.heinekenmusic.com/ throughout the tour. This continually updated website provides information on all Asian heats, Thirst events, reviews of past events, the latest dance music news as well as free downloads of the latest tunes.

Pop star Britney Spears and her long-time manager, Larry Rudolph, have mutually agreed not to renew their nine-year management relationship, ending one of the most successful artist/manager relationships in recent history.

Rudolph discovered Britney when she was just 13 years old and together, they built her into one of the most successful musical artists ever and one of the most recognised celebrities in the world.

Rudolph said, “Britney and I simply realised that we have done all we can do together.” He cited his desire to “take on new challenges at this point in my career and get back to what I enjoy most which is developing and nurturing young talent, and producing TV and film projects”.

“We had a great run and I appreciate all of Larry’s guidance over the years. I wish him all of the best,” stated Britney.

Rudolph currently produces the hugely successful Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica show on MTV and has a continuing production deal with the MTV Network Group to develop a number of new series concepts.

The break, coinciding with the release of Spears’ Greatest Hits: My Prerogative will close the book on an amazing first chapter of a remarkable career. Britney Spears’ Greatest Hits: My Prerogative will be available in music stores this November.

Destiny Fulfilled is the new Destiny´s Child album

Destiny´s Child, the world´s best-selling female pop vocal group, is back after a three-year break with their new album, Destiny Fulfilled. One of this year´s most anticipated new releases, Destiny Fulfilled is the Grammy-winning trio´s first full-length album since 2001´s Survivor and 8 Days Of Christmas.

The first track from Destiny Fulfilled, Lose My Breath, is already a Top 5 record on the Billboard Hot 100. The new album showcases the signature vocal harmonies and distinctive solo voices of Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle on 11 brand new tracks, each one pulsating with contemporary rhythms and unforgettable hooks.

Beyoncé is one of the producers for the album and the songs in the album were co-written by all three members, making Destiny Fulfilled the most personal -- and most “hands-on” -- record that Destiny´s Child has ever recorded. Destiny Fulfilled is executive produced by Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams & Mathew Knowles.

After completing work on Survivor and 8 Days of Christmas in 2001, Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle each took some time off to explore their individual identities in a series of highly successful solo projects.

As a band, Destiny´s Child has sold more than 40 million records worldwide, with solo recordings by Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle, bringing the total up to an astounding 50 million.

Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle have used the lessons learned during their own solo excursions to create the most unified and powerful Destiny´s Child album to date. With Destiny Fulfilled, the group attempts to breathe new fire into the worlds of contemporary pop and R&B music.

The album will be available nationwide in all leading music stores in Malaysia on 15 November, 2004.

More than a year after the hugely-successful Indonesian teen film Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (AADC), another Indonesian teenage romance flick is set to shake local box-offices as hard as AADC.

Directed by Nasri Cheppy and starring the very striking Samuel Rizal and lovely Shandy Aulia, Eiffel, I’m In Love has attracted more than three million viewers since its Indonesian release in November last year and is now set to thrill Malaysian audiences in cinemas throughout the month of September. The film’s initial release in November 2003 in Indonesia, pulled in a whopping three million viewers. While the subsequent “extended version” release drew approximately 945,000 more viewers. And now, producers Sunil Soraya and Ram Soraya are hoping to emulate the film’s success here in Malaysia.

Did the two stars of the movie, Samuel Rizal and Shandy Aulia, expect it to do better than AADC?

“When we first filmed, we thought it would be only for local viewing and we didn’t expect it to be released anywhere else but Indonesia. We are however, happy with its success although, I must add, we never had any intention to surpass or rival AADC,” says Shandy. Adds Samuel, “We are just contented to have the fans enjoy the movie.”

Eiffel, I’m In Love, which was made on a USD$1 million budget and was shot in Jakarta and Paris, revolves around the romance of Adit (Samuel), a tough, hot tempered and difficult young man, and Tita (Shandy), a sweet, naïve schoolgirl with an overbearing and protective mother. The movie deals with teenage issues that most of us can relate to such as romance, peer pressure, friendship and coming of age, and despite having to put up with Adit’s moody temperament throughout the film, Eiffel, I’m In Love manages to be both hearty and buoyant.

Speaking of performances, Samuel (fondly known as Sammy) discloses that he wasn’t used to doing romantic films before this and that it took a lot of effort to fully immerse himself into his character especially in the romantic scenes. Critical and not fully satisfied with his own performance, he hopes to do better next time. Still, how difficult was filming the kissing scene?

Samuel arranges his thoughts while 17-year-old Shandy answers, “ Since I had never done kissing scenes before this, naturally, I was nervous. But I also knew I had to fall into the role and do it.”

Apparently, Eiffel contains not one but two kissing scenes. However, due to Malaysia’s strict censorship laws, the scenes will definitely not make it to the big screen. Will the actors be disappointed that Malaysian audiences may not be able to appreciate the movie in its totality?

“We won’t feel disappointed because each country has its laws and principles they abide with. If that’s Malaysia’s principle, then we have to respect it.”

hey wasssup everyone

HeLL in da house ~ just updating my journal side of da blog since i have been putting up alot of INTERESTING articles for my frens to view it & give their comment as well ;) i really appreciate all ur comments & opinions, so plz dont stop there continue all ur tagging at my board so i can improve better ^_^

here's a wallpaper for me to share with everyone ~ A TOON VERSION OF AVRIL LAVIGNE ^_^

well for now here's something for me to u coz time for sahur need to mkn hehehehehehe well i'll get back to u guyz later alrite, hope u like da wallpaper hehehehe ;) oh yeah b4 i 4got here's da lyric of Skater Boy by Avril Lavigne