The Red Meat (Only) Diet

I just wanted to post something (read: check in here) in and let you guys know that I'm still alive!  I am a bit off again though I'm afraid. The allergy is on-off. Although not severe, it's really getting in my way, really.

This is undoubtedly a result of a tons of running with a lack of recovery days, since I decided last week that going to the gym on my "off days" was a good idea.  What an Oops!

So no pictures on this post ...cause I'm lazy and lounging in my bed while reading the latest edition of Runner's World in my Galaxy Tab.

In other news, I've taken on the Red Meat Diet (read: no chicken, no seafood. Just beef and mutton).  I promise I am going to tell you guys all about it, because not only do I find meat delicious, it's heavenly to be eating red meat on a daily basis. and... the most important thing is: it's so EASY to be on this diet. No other restrictions other than chicken and seafood (and pork, of course).

I have no good way to end this post so I'm going to go back to reading Runner's World on my Tab. 

Sarcasm is a bitch

Sarcasm is beautiful. 

Well.... that's an overstatement, even from me. 

I think sarcasm is the lowest form of humor. Chandler Bing is the king of The Sarcasm Kingdom. While Gregory House is the Prime Minister who runs the daily ops. How bout that for starter?

I admire sarcastic people. I think they're intelligent just not good enough comedian. Life is already funny, so who needs comedians anyway. Sarcastic people has a quick wit, sharp tongue and the ability to extract the second point of weakness into a conversation or a simple comment (bahasa gaulnya 'nyeletuk').

In this case, the lowest form of humor is underrated. I revise my previous statement. Sarcasm is a form of humor. A bitter one if I may say. I'm still in a self learning on how to be better at sarcasm. However if sometimes I manage to throw my own sarcasm people would stare at me blankly or with doe eyes (tatapan nanar). They sometimes think that I'm just being rude, when actually I'm just being "me".

One time I blurted out quite loudly for a table manner during a formal organization congress (after this guy coming down from the podium). "He is amazing. Nobody can deliver a perfectly long speech for the silliest and smallest idea. How cool is that?!" I remember the people at my table were staring angrily at me, like I was some kind of witch, or a bitch maybe.

What Are Your Guilty Pleasures?

I am now inside my room, browsing the internet and blogging...... wearing a very loose batik daster/caftan (it's like a caftan made of batik) while listening to Britney Spears' Toxic and other songs on my guilty pleasures play list.

Sooo..... what is a guilty pleasure anyway? How do you define that? I found myself having a hard time putting it into words, so I turned to yet another guilty pleasure: the internet. Dictionary.com and Wikipedia came up blank on the concept. Google didn't acknowledge it as a whole concept (define: guilty; define: pleasure).

So, I just have to come up with my own definitions:
1. Guilty pleasures are things that I like but having a hard time admitting to anyone.
2. Guilty pleasures are songs that I listen to (i.e. Britney, NKOTB) but sure as hell wouldn't wear their t-shirt in public.
3. Guilty pleasures are things that I enjoy doing although I know it's baaaaaad for me.
4. Guilty pleasures are things that I enjoy but ashamed to admit.
5. Etc.

Hah!! Talking about music taste, this is really not my taste (for most of the times). But I have to say I secretly enjoy listen to these songs when I'm feeling kinda crappy. What are the others? Well... to name a few: The right stuff by NKOTB (^_^), Material Girl by Madonna and Boyzone's No Matter What.

Daster/Caftan
And I'm not yet getting into the daster/caftan part. It's really really a comfy piece of clothes, as I can eat whatever I want while wearing it.


Food
Ok, so I don't have a hard time admitting that I like oily and very spicy belacan fried rice (with sunny side egg) and cakes, but I have a hard time feeling good after finishing a big plate of fried rice and later a thick slice of choco fudge cake, accompanied by mocha ice blend, with extra whipped cream. Peanuts, chocolate and ice creams are my weaknesses. I enjoy life a tad too much sometimes.

Music & Film
The likes of Britney and NKOTB for sure. Also a little Air Supply and The Bee Gees (shock right?). I also have a whole box set of Jane Austen Romance Movies. My favorite is Pride & Prejudice.

I have six versions of Pride & Prejudice Movies:
1. 1940 BW version starring Greer Garson and Lawrence Olivier (my fave version).

2. 1980 AE version (downloaded from the internet)

3. 1995 BBC version starring Colin Firth (my least fave - bought the box set in Lahore, Pakistan in 2004). I think Jennifer Ehle is too cynical and serious, kinda ruin the Lizzie character.

4. 2003 Indian version starring Aishwarya Rai

5. 2003 modern version (downloaded)
6. 2005 version starring Keira Knightley and Matt McFadyen (I have to say he's my favorite Mr. Darcy, he gave me mixed emotions: anger, annoyance, excitement, compassion and love)

Apart from movies, Grey's Anatomy and Vampire Diaries are my current TV obsession. Heroes used to be one, but the show become so ugly it's no longer a guilty pleasure, more like a public annoyance, like Sinetron.

Books
I like historical romance novels.... yeah. Jane Austen's I enjoy, but not exactly embarrassed to admit. I like the cheesy ones. There. I said it. This is one of 'em.

Somebody Has To Say This ......

First of all, it is not cool to ask your friends for a cup of coffee and then completely ignoring them by keeping busy with your crack-berry.

Second of all, it is the exact opposite of cool for you to blame your sub ordinate in public, especially if your boss is among them. Why? You do the math.

3. New Moon is a lot more annoying than its predecessor, no matter how thick Edward Cullen's foundation is and even more if it is waterproof.

4. It is not OK to lie publicly, I can see your nose keeps getting longer and longer.

5. Sinetron is really, REALLY getting on my nerves... what's with all the drama and intrigue? The world is crazy already, no need to make it more complicated with impossible storyline.

6. What's with all the prejudice about coffee? Coffee is the best damn thing that happen to us (workers) each morning, without it, most of us would be sleeping and yawning instead of working.

Seventh of all, there is this tendencies of younger people committing suicide? Come on, we're not that desperate right? Just punch someone, drink gallons of coffee or eat lots and lots of carbs... but suicide? It's a major NO!! Just (DON'T) do it.

8. Sometimes we use the phrase: It's nothing personal. So what if I wanna make it personal? What's wrong with being personal?

9. It is totally uncool for you to form your opinion on someone you've just met. I get the "first impression" thingy, but come on... you've known someone like 6 months and then suddenly BAM! You're the best judge of character? Get your own life managed before start criticizing others.

10. It is totally annoying, not to mention uncool and make you look insecure, when asking why we're not married yet. Are you trying to make yourself look better by belittling others? come on, you can do better than that. If you can't come up with a brilliant conversation topic, just SHUT UP!

Lastly, IT IS TOTALLY COOL AND OKAY TO BE A BITCH (SOMETIMES).

Oh ... and Happy Hijriah New Year .. now that I've spilled all my beans...

What is The Most Inspiring or Impressive Film You've Ever Seen?

The answers can vary, from soapy romantic film to war film.
From colossal film to independent film.
From simple comedy to a film that requires full attention. Mine also vary.

From the horror genre, The Ring (Jap version) is the most frightening film to me, followed with The Others. I enjoy being afraid. I enjoy watching horror movie and not being able to sleep at night..hahaha... The only downside maybe because I rarely find someone who would willingly go to the theater with me to watch horror movie. Friends (and ex boyfriends) often comments they will not pay to get themselves frightened by some movie. So I watch horror film at home, most of the times.

From the romantic comedy (romcom), I enjoy Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail. I think Meg and Tom did great on both. I have to tell you, I have a MAJOR crush on Tom Hanks' voice. Yep. His Voice. One of the sexiest voice.

Also from romcom, let's not forget Jane Austen adaptations: Pride & Prejudice (Greer Garson & Lawrence Olivier version), it's so funny and entertaining. While my favorite Mr. Darcy has got to be Matthew McFadyen from the recent version (with Keira Knightley). I also love Little Women.

Just like music, Indie genre fascinates me. Carandiru left a big impression on me. The way they shot and drag those prisoners like cattles. It's not human at all. Once is a film that lingers for a long time in my mind. I guess...love is more beautiful when left unsaid.

As for Hollywood products... I enjoy watching Sci-Fi & Fantasy. They make me go to another world, with new experience. I can imagine myself being Harry Potter sidekicks...or even Queen Amidala's personal assistant...see? I'm too modest.

If I am asked once again, from all genres...what movie inspires me the most, I have to answer 3 of them:
1. Shawshank Redemption
2. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
3. The Life of David Gale

Each is impressive in its own way.

Shawshank Redemption is a simple and tragic movie that ended up sweet for both main characters. Announced guilty for the murder of his wife, Andy Dufresne is sent to Shawshank prison to serve a life term. Becoming friends with Red, Andy tries to adapt to prison life, and goes on an unforgettable journey with Red inside the prison walls. Love the ending.



Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (starring the late James Stewart, directed by Frank Capra) is about a naive man (Jefferson Smith). In Washington, however, Smith discovers many of the shortcomings of the political process as his earnest goal leads to a conflict with the state political boss, Jim Taylor. Taylor first tries to corrupt Smith and then later attempts to destroy Smith through a scandal.



The Life of David Gale is about a University professor, Dr. David Gale, an advocate for the abolishment of death row, who is falsely convicted of rape and murder of another activist. He suddenly finds himself on death row. The film is told in flashbacks with a female reporter interviewing Gale. In the end Gale accomplish all his target, in the most intriguing way.

Hunger is No Issue

As I get older (and hopefully wiser), I do not feel the thirst and hunger during shaum. When I was little or younger I remember the most difficult thing about shaum is the hunger (and thirst) thing.

I have a big appetite for a lady :p

Especially when it comes to cakes, nasi goreng and japanese foodies..yummm (still have the craving for salmon belly soup).




The hunger feeling was hard to ignore, yet harder to satisfied as it is impossible to "accidentally" swallow a plate of meal. But the thirst thing is easier...

During my pre-teen year, when taking wudhu sometimes I "accidentally" swallow the water or let it linger a little bit longer in my mouth...

As I get bigger and entering my teen years, it became easier.

But now, as I'm in my twenties (ahem!), hunger and thirst are no longer an issue I have to struggle with.

Don't you agree that emotion is hard to control?

Especially when on my way to the office, having to cope with the motorcycles on the road. Sometimes I let my old and angry self slips away...cursing them and yelling at them. As I felt the blood of rage rush through my head... I say "astaghfirullah. Gue kan lagi puasa". Sometimes I can control it, but sometimes it just slips away.


I pray and pray and pray that God will guide me and help me control my furious self (I still do).

Mr. Negative

Have you ever met someone that is sooooooooo....negative, you just want to get him/her to eat a bowl of the cruelest and freshest wasabi or jalapeno pepper (minus the sushi or the taco)?

Have you ever met someone who has never said (not once) positive remark on others?

The negativity is so real and so obvious, you were wondering who hurt this person, always very angry at the world.

Then again...you secretly imagine you could actually hurt this person, for real!

Eminem...(looking good) the loud and foul mouthed rapper, who actually make a living out of being Mr. Negative. I was wondering if this person idolizes Eminem.

How do you handle this kind of person?

Being with this person frequently (sometimes on a daily basis), how do you keep yourself from punching him/her in the face and still hopes that you maintain your own positivity and sanity?

Hard and never ending work my friends....

Voiceless Singer-Wannabes

I am no singer (and you must thank me for this).

I can't play musical instrument. Not one.

Yet, I love music, particularly the one referred to as "alternative music".


What the F is "alternative"? Who gave the term alternative anyway? Alternative music is the critics way of saying the new sounds are "unfit" to their established categories - rock, pop, country, jazz, keroncong (really?), classic (read: really really old and depressing stuff - sorry guys - I don't have to get myself used to this genre to be acknowledged as an intelligent person), folk, blues, rap, etc.

See? they even give constant foul mouthed complaints a specific category!

And they refer DMB, Pearl Jam, Peter Bjorn and John, The Decemberists and The Killers (I could go on and on here people) as "alternative"? To what? Music? That's pretty insulting guys!

The New Pornographers

Changchutters

This "new" category showed the critics incapability of finding new categories for these new found sounds (identified since early 90s) by these new talented singers and bands refuse to be dictated by the establishment. Music critics is a bunch of narrow-minded-self-declared-ancient-people (who by the way are not musicians, can't sing and can't play - just llike you and me) that make a living out of critisizing singers and bands (hello?!! Did you guys not see the irony here?).

Does that make me a musician or a singer? Thank GOD no, if yes, you'd have to buy my CD along with a set of ear plug or insurance for wanting to kill yourself while hearing me sing.

Same goes for the critics: you voiceless singer-wannabes!

Life is Like Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans

I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. Last week it seemed like I was being pulled in 13 different directions when all I really wanted to do was go to the cake shop and buy myself a high-fat-high-carb chocolate cake, with thick cream on top (you should try this one called Chocolate Indulgence, a definite guilty pleasure).


It was Friday night and I was hanging out with some friends at our usual place, an ice cream parlour, and as the spoon touch my lips, I felt my mind racing and write a mental post-it notes: I have to go to the gym, my aunt's birthday, go to a tahlil at a relative's house, write a blog post (which I am doing right now), go out with friends, take my family for our usual lunch weekend, clean my bookshelves, bla-bla-bla.

Aren't you tired of planning everything ahead? I know I do.

Is not planning everything makes me a sloppy Jane? Does that make me less of a person?
Control is good, for certain things, like your work. But the rest of it... you just need to let it loose sometimes.

I know I need it.

It's like eating Bertie Botts every flavour beans, you'll never know what you might get (you Harry Potter fan should be familiar with this).



I like getting the good flavours like chocolate and toffee. But how am I gonna sort which ones are the good ones unless I've experienced the icky ones? Not trying to get all weird and geeky here, but life is like that. Sometimes you get to experienced the delicious ones, but you can't avoid the crappier side like incidentally getting the vomit or rotten egg flavor.



It is the wonderful world of not knowing. It sucks! I love it! Don't you?

Who's your Favorite TV Character?

It's been a while since I blog and now I feel like blogging. At first, I'm not really sure what to write.

I was gonna write about my fave music, but then I think..."naaahh... done that sometime ago, too close to write about it again".

Then.. there were some ideas: chocolate, love (yeah, you wish!), hate list (not really my favorite topic), environment (again...been there, done that!), religion (not an expert), money saving tips (again...not the best person to write about this), poetry (me? yeah, right!) and finally......

While listening to the complete discography of DMB (now reached "grace is gone" track - how love this song! I wish I could be someone's Grace....oops....almost!), I was thinking...why not write about TV series? I've always I prefer TV series over blockbuster movies anyway.

My favorite TV series:

1. Life
2. House
3. Lost
4. The Mentalist
5. True Blood
6. Friends
7. Damages
8. Heroes (actually this is no longer a favorite, but I still forced myself to watch, at least for now)

My Guilty Pleasures, which I finally have the guts to admit (^_^)

1. Desperate Housewives
2. Gossip Girl
3. Grey's Anatomy

Hmm..... I sure watched a lot of TVs -- but let's stay out of this topic for a while

My reason watching these series varies, from eye candy and superficial reason (Gossip Girl) to deeply observance after a longer period of time.

My main reason in following a certain TV show is the characters. Sure, I love fashion and good looking men (and women), but what good is a show without strong characters?

Here are my Top 5 and why I think they're so interesting.

1. Charlie Crews from "Life" (brilliantly played by the frighteningly talented British Actor Damian Lewis)

Ok, so Life is not exactly a highly popular show here - like Heroes, House or The Office. It's just another cop and crime show. But with a twist. Charlie Crews is a cop who spent 12 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Now exonerated, his lawyer broke a settlement by which Crews wins something like $50 million plus the opportunity to be a detective back in the LAPD.

You'd probably remember Damian Lewis, a tall redhead with a pointy face, as a leading role in Steven Spielberg's Band of Brothers (remember Major Winters?). In Charlie Crews, Lewis has crafted a dark character, rich with quirks and passion.

Prison turned Crews into a Zen-fully loopy philosopher, who regularly loses himself in simple musings on fruit and butterflies and the mysteries of life. Yet, as silly and lofty as his ethereal ramblings are, they amazingly don't seem to contradict his violent reflexes. And he does love his bullets-covered card and hookers.

2. Gregory House of House, MD (played by another talented British actor Hugh Laurie)


Dr. Gregory House heads the Department of Diagnostic Medicine with a keen understanding of medicine,and an innate ability to diagnose medical conditions with ease. He is often considered to be rude, with terrible bedside manner (when he does choose to meet his patients), and refuses to follow through with many ethical considerations of his profession.

Dr. House's philosophy is simply put in the following manner: "The truth of the human condition is that everyone lies. The only variable is about what."

He has been described as an egomaniac, condescending, and narcissistic. He has breached hospital protocol to save the life of a critically ill patient, and has often adopted criminal tactics of burglary (through his team) to investigate patients' homes.

He requires a cane for mobility in his right leg and a narcotic addict (a pain killer called Vicodin), which led to legal problems.


3. Chandler Bing of Friends (played by Matthew Perry)


Chandler Muriel Bing is a resident smart-ass on FRIENDS. With his wit, preppy looks and totally rad hair-cut, Chandler Bing is known for his sardonic attitude, which provides a defense mechanism. Chandler uses humor as a defense mechanism wafter his parents divorce.

Chandler often caught in situations or making statements that made him sound gay. His friends described him as having a certain "quality" that made people think he might be gay. I remember one moment where he entered a room full of the Friends and declared, "Well, don't we look nice all dressed up? ...It's stuff like that, isn't it?"

Also another moment when asked by the girls who would the boys rather be if they had to date each other. Joey and Ross refused to answer, while Chandler abruptly replied "Joey".


4. Patrick Jane of The Mentalist (played by a charming Aussie Simon Baker)


Ok.....so he's adorable....but let's not be superficial and shallow in judging Patrick Jane.

Patrick Jane was previously making a living as a psychic who assisted the police on cases. His life was turned upside down when he lost the two most important people in his life to one of the serial killers he was tracking. He now uses his observation skills and genius to help the CBI hunt down criminals and solve crimes.

He's a humorous and not-so-serious person with a charming appearance, with a signature vest over a button-up shirt. He also has an uncanny mental abilities and extremely good at reading people (combined with amazing observation skill).

Patrick Jane is very kind. He tries to unite and heal people. He took an orphaned baby to her grandfather and his wife. He talks to children in a positive way to help them to heal and grow after a friend or family member is murdered.


5. Ben Linus of Lost (played by Emmy Winner Michael Emerson)


Doesn't he look creepy?

Lost is a good show, then enter Ben Linus.... suddenly it become one of my favorite TV show. Ben Linus is the strongest character in Lost, beside John Locke and Desmond Hume. He has a cold appearance, because other than that would make him vulnerable to his enemies. I think Ben has one theme to all of his actions. He's holds a master degree of PM (People Manipulator). He's an expert in manipulating people, especially desperate people.

During his actions, you'd be convinced that he's a good guy, only to be disappointed in the end. But then it happens again and you'd still buy whatever crap he promised. He never fails to convince you to trust him. If you actually believe that then you might very well think that Ben is a good guy.

In my opinion Ben is completely evil, he’s a great talker and at times he is useful, but in the end his evil is quite obvious. Ironically I really like the character. Without Ben the stories would be only to see who Kate is hooking up to next. So I don’t really want him to die. What do you think?


6. Lafayette Reynolds of True Blood (adorably played by Nelsan Ellis)


Not your typical short-order grill cook, Lafayette flips his burgers in clubbing clothes and eye makeup. But any good 'ol boy customers at Merlotte's who mistake his fashion sense as an invitation for harassment have got another thing coming - Lafayette isn't afraid to thrown down. With his many shady sideline businesses and personal connections, he is the kind of character you're waiting for to see each episodes.

Lafayette is a flamboyant character and "off the chain". I think he bring magic to the show and steals every scene he's in. He is very entertaining with his side businesses (selling vampire blood shots, online sex cam and a gigolo). Lafayette has better grip on reality than some of the other characters. I hope his character remains.

So...who's you favorite?