Kuda Kepang

Was at Woodlands today. On the way to the car park after visiting Su's cousin new born baby, saw many people gathering at a void deck. Quickly parked the car and together with Su, her mum and...everybody else, we saw that it was a birthday celebration. And in this birthday celebration we saw that a kuda kepang performance was being put up.

Armed only with a 28mm 2.8 lens, I went and seek out the head of the troupe and asked his permission to take pictures. He readily agreed. It was a long event but I was�spell-bounded...

It started with the dances coming out slowly and dancing to a traditional tune from the accompanying gamelan. I think that it took some 20-30 minutes of slow dancing when the action finally started. The dancers seemed to go into a trance and after some dramatic hesistation, they took to their horses. Some had to be baited using burning charcoal and incense. While waiting for the action to start, I actually spied a big plate filled with fruits like banana and coconuts. And not only were there edible stuff, but there were also broken glass. When I enquired further, these were meant as food for the dancers. Whoa!�

Anyway after the dancers got into a trance, some of them were fed broken glass, some of them got whipped, some were hit using a stick. It then appears that they acted as though they were horses...

More pictures in my album.

the sixties

Been reading as to how the sixties has affected the science environment. Part of my UNISIM assigned readings. It seems that the sixties had made a great impact on the science environment. Most probably it was because of the second world war. What I meant was, after any wars, scientist would go about researching about how to make the world of man a better one. For example, research on diseases. However, after the second world war, governments especially the then US government realize that it was a good time as any to get ready for the third world war. Thus, in this sense, the government injected funds for research into making weapons. Two of the research were profound. They are the nuclear weapons and radar.�

The effects on such research trickled down to the public. For instance, it somehow seems cooler to be associated, or working for, a company that does research in weaponry. Almost all advertisements were shown with pictures of rockets and missiles. And the advent of the Vietnam war further increase the importance of research and development in that area.

Many implication arose because of this new directions. Scientist began research into weapons as dictated by the armed forces instead of towards the overall good of mankind. The implication of this implication would be then scientist would then go above and beyond their boundaries.

Another implication would be the fact that the nation would be ruled by the elite who are well versed into science and technology. For example, since a lot importance is placed on science and technology, then the insiders would be the one who decides as to what is and should be research upon. These implication could be the reasons as to the "revolution" the US faced in the sixties.�

My question is, is this direction still the direction being taken by current scientist. Do they let the government dictate what should be researched into? How bad is it? Or were there any good that comes from adopting the 'direction'? How as the revolution affected the direction taken by the scientist now?

Another point which I wanted to write about is the NRMs or new religion movements that sprouted in the sixties. The�

Garlic Spread

Made this spread while Adam was practising on the piano.

I used 3 cloves of garlic, three stalks of cilantro (parsley) and 3 cm cut from a brick of butter. Since I used unsalted I also added a pinch of salt.

Instructions.
Chopped up the garlic and the cilantro and add them into the butter.�
Mix them well. Spread them on bread, I'd like to use meatier bread so I used whole grain.
Toast them on a grill and served.
Sprinkle some extra virgin olive oil if you want.

Service

Did servicing for the car today...

Bought engine oil for $48, oil filter for $5 and labour charges was $15. So total was $68. Used chevron engine oil 5w-20. This is the second time I'm using it. The cheapest synthetic 20w oil I can find.

Bought the oils at mxtradings.

Lunch

Not feeling very good lately. Stomach been churning and had to do the doo after every meal. Must be all the medication. Was tired after sending Su to work today so I decided to force myself to sleep. Woke up after a restless nap at 11.30 am and fixed myself lunch...

Wished I'd took some pics.

I had two slices of turkey bacon with lettuce and sauteed cherry tomatoes and onions in between half a baguett. It wasn't filling but I still did the doo after half an hour of eating it...

Spanish Tortilla

Finally did it.

Here is what I used.

Three potatoes, sliced.

4 eggs.

Salt.

Olive oil.

Heat olive oil in a pan, preferably non-stick.

Peeled and sliced potatoes.

Fry potatoes until mushyable.

Beat eggs.

Add salt to eggs to tast.

When potatoes are ready add in egg.

Use a plate to help to flip the tortilla.

Cut it up like a pizza and serve.

Took me ten minutes.

tortilla a la española

Saw this on discover channel. Since I'm going grocery shopping later. I think I'll just make one.

http://www.finecooking.com/articles/how-to/spanish-tortilla.aspx

Penne and angelhair pasta in oil.

It was ten in the morning and I was hungry for something warm, smooth and beautiful but my wife was not at home so I made this... I used Penne and Anglehair spaghetti as I had them. I'd recommend the normal spaghetti though. 

I cm cut off a brick of butter. 

2 cloves of garlic chopped. 

Chilli flakes, you could use chopped chilli too. 

Salt to taste.  

1. Cook pasta. 

2. Strain pasta. 

3. Heat butter and pour in chilli flakes and garlic in a pan. 

3. Add in olive oil. 

3. Add in pasta. 

4. Stir. 

5. Serve.  

Notes. 

1. Stir butter, chilli flakes and garlic constantly while cooking. This is to avoid burning the sauce. 

2. Switch off flame when you add in the pasta. Total cooking time, the time taken tohave the pasta cook +5 minutes. In the pictures above, I add in cherry tomatoes.