Sunday, November 18, 2012

Brandist

My next paper
Thia has nothing to do with my upcoming paper on consumerism and consumption culture. This is just one of the musings that I have while I am in my "zoned out" zone. Yes, I do have a zone out zone. And while I usually "zone out" while in the lavatory, this event occured when I was reading the Sunday newspapers. And no, the Sunday newspapers, to a very large extent, do not have anything to do with me, zoning out.

Brands, Curries
A friend of mine, a Malay, was venting her frustration at the Malay Wedding function that is invariable, infuriating her. Apparently, she is upset that the wedding organisers has included a karaoke machine as part of the entertainment. Usually, karaoke machines comes with professional karaoke singers. I guess, when one is preparing for one's exams in less than 24 hours, any karaokeing is too much karaokeing. This incident, reminded me of several "fb" incidents where individuals of various ethinic backgrounds openly chided groups of other ethinic origins, due to their customs or their actions. The latest one was about a Chinese, who I think, was so upset about the Malay wedding held within ear shot, hers apparently, wrote in her facebook, with expletives mind you, about the cheapness of marriages in the Malay community. That post went viral, and since it raised the ire of the population (mostly Malays), she was sacked from her job. Seriously, I kid you not. Another incident, involving the cooking of curries by a local household. The neighbours, a non local household, found the smell too unappealing that they lodge a complain with the appropriate authorites (which? your guess is as good as mine) and a settlement was soon reached. Amazing, but true, the settlement was, that the local household can only cook curry when the non-local household was not at home. Amazing, right. What is more amazing  was that that was the settlement, accepted by both parties. Perhaps, in trying to keep to good neighbourliness. I don't know about you but smells play a part in determining how good food taste, so if that curry is so offending smelly, I bet that it so offendingly tasty. But, what is more amazing, and to me a but rediculous, was that this story went viral on face book. There were so many people that were so unhappy with the settlement, that explanations by the authorities, was sought and given. Nevertheless, somehow, there was a Cook Curry Today day that happened. Yup, if only there was an incident involving Mondays and Work. Then I guess, I will gladly sign up for No Mondays for Work day. Would that not be even amazing.

Consumerism
Yes, yes, the title looks very massive, with the boldness and the capital c, but no, its not about consumerism. Its about what happened to being a consumerism. Many sociologist has lamented that modern society will tend to creep towards the art of buying as the new art of living. I, on the other hand is wondering, "whats next"? I remembered how the brand of shoes, bags and clothes that we buy would reflect our statuses among friends. I wonder if, it still holds true to the younger generations. Why I asked, you may wonder, because it seems that brands are not that importants for them. They seemed not to be bothered about the brands of clothers they wear nowadays, they are more bothered by the actual item. I see their point, a shoe is a shoe. An xbox is an xbox. You can't have xbox from brand z while another from brand y. There is only one xbox. Thus, branding has been taken out of the picture. What about watches, mobile phones and all that. All of them have not been a given fact.

I have to continue later. I am getting heart burn.

Friday, November 09, 2012

Kak Tijah

Kak Tijah by Nor Salman
Kak Tijah, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

This is Kak Tijah. She works as a cleaner at @Punggol. She also create a herb garden. Thats her, choosing some mint leaves for me.

I love her tenacity, her humbleness and of course her friendliness.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Prune and green apple crumble

I made this. I made after watching 'Good Eats'. It seems so simple and I think, after I done it, it actually is.

Here is what I used.
Part A (Do this first)
5 ounces of flour.
1 and a half cups of walnuts, crushed
1 and a half cups of crackers, crushed
2 thirds of a cup of sugar.
6 punces of butter, chilled and cut into cubes.

Mixed them up in a bowl and try to rub the butter into the flour. Don't have to be perfect.

Set B
3 big sugar prunes, cubed
2 green apples, peeled and cubed
half a cup of sugar
juice of half a lemon
and a cup of Set A.
Mixed them all up.

Spread Set B on whatever you want to bake the crumble in.
Spread Set A on top. Don't have to be perfect!

Put in in the oven at 145 degrees C. For about 30 minutes. Until the crust is golden brown.

Slim

Via Flickr:
With Walnuts and cashews in the crusts. Nex 5 with contax 45/2

Thursday, November 01, 2012

By the river side

By the river side by Nor Salman
By the river side, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

I went for a walk today. I went to Punggol Riverside. Did not plan to, but Adam asked me if I was going to exercise today. Who can say no to that?
I walked and I took pictures. I brought along my nex-5 and my newly acquired Minolta 24-85. I like the lens so much. The problem is, I like all of my lenses that I cannot bear to part with any of them.
Anyway, the walk... eel, I did walk. And I met a lady, who I think works as a cleaner at @Punggol. I am going back and then take her picture and pictures of her garden.
I like the walk. I did not manage to reach the bridge though although I can see it. It was the furthest that I walk while I was on my own.
I feel myself to be much lighter now. Maybe its because I am sitting on the very comfortable chair...lol.
I know my feet will hurt sooner rather than later, but then, that is the beauty. They will get better. I told Su that I want to get the @99. Always the better one in our relationship, she, I guess I won't be getting it!

Slim

Via Flickr:
Minolta 24-85mm Nex-5